United Airlines makes significant new investment in in-flight food and beverage service

United Airlines today unveiled new, improved lunch, dinner and beverage choices for domestic first-class customers, offering travelers chef-inspired meals and premium beverages that elevate their in-flight experience. Among the changes: New, premium salads beginning this month for customers flying United First and United Business within North America; New, premium sandwiches and wraps, beginning Sept. 1, for United First and United Business customers withinNorth America; Addition of Prosecco sparkling wine in premium cabins beginning this fall; Introduction of premium-cabin meals to flights of shorter duration, beginning in 2015; and Fresh meal options for premium-cabin customers on United Express flights, beginning in 2015. Premium-Cabin Refresh This month, United began offering customers in premium cabins on North America flights four new salad entrée choices – a Southwestern salad, an Asian-style noodle salad, a seasonal greens with roast beef and blue cheese salad and a Strawberry Fields salad – replacing the previous chicken and shrimp salad options. In September, premium-cabin customers on flights within North America will enjoy new chilled sandwiches and wraps – Italian prosciutto on tomato focaccia, a Thai-style chicken wrap, Cobb salad wrap and caprese on Asiago baguette – as well as new warmed options – turkey and Swiss on cranberry baguette, ham and Swiss on pretzel baguette, chicken and mozzarella on tomato focaccia and roast beef and cheddar on Asiago baguette. Designed by United's team of chefs, the new salads and sandwiches will be made fresh daily and paired with a gluten-free soup, along with United's signature service elements, including warmed nuts, premium snacks and warmed cookies. On transcontinental flights and on longer mid-continental dinner flights, the airline will continue to offer customers a choice between a pasta dish and a chicken or beef option. "These changes mark the beginning of an extensive overhaul of our North America and international food service, offering travelers a level of service above that offered by our peers," said Lynda Coffman, United's vice president of food services. "Our new selections offer customers more of what they tell us they want when they travel – variety, bold flavor combinations and higher quality." Additional Food and Beverage Changes Beginning this fall, United will add Prosecco sparkling wine to its premium-cabin beverages on mainline North America flights. By mid-2015, United will further enhance its in-flight dining by: Launching completely redesigned menu concepts and expanding premium-cabin meals within North America to flights that are more than two hours and 20 minutes, or 800 miles; Upgrading premium-cabin meal service on domestic and international United Express flights, replacing snack boxes with freshly prepared food; and Significantly enhancing United Economy meals and beverages on long-haul international flights. United offers in-flight meals and snacks depending on flight duration, departure time, origin and destination. Specific breakfast, lunch and dinner parameters are available at united.com. Customer Investments The airline's food and beverage enhancements are United's latest investment in its customers' onboard experience. The company also offers: Premium-cabin, flat-bed seats on every long-haul international flight to and from the continental United States – the only U.S. airline to do so; Wi-Fi on more than 290 aircraft, including the airline's entire Airbus and Boeing 747 fleets; Personal device entertainment on dozens of aircraft; and Live television on more than 200 aircraft, the world's largest fleet of aircraft with live television.

Brussels Airlines : new campaigns, new colours, a new tagline and new products

The Brussels Airlines marketing team launched a brand new market positioning.

“THE passengers” doesn’t exist anymore. The number of different types of passengers has grown over the last years. And someone who travels for professional reasons today, may make a city trip next month or travels abroad to visit a family member, and will have different needs and expectations every time. One passenger looks for the cheapest fare or has no luggage to check in, the other wants to save time and travel in all comfort. More than ever, product segmentation has become very important. With this evolution in mind, Brussels Airlines has worked on a new market positioning, which is being rolled out today.

We give the choice to our customers,we let them decide what is important during their travels. With Check&Go, Light&Relax, Flex&Fast and Biz&Class  we have developed  four products with their own features and pricing. This unique product offer gives the customer the service choice and budget freedom he wants today.”

-- Nathalie Erdmanis, Brussels Airlines VP Marketing 

Whichever travel product the passenger prefers, a personal service is key. Brussels Airlines hass chosen to position itself as a ‘human airline’, bringing people together and making travel a pleasure again and acting on new trends.

The new tagline ‘We Go The Extra Smile’ expresses this mission and the airline no longer speaks about passengers, but calls them ‘guests’ instead.

“Brussels Airlines positions itsels as an airline with a ‘can do’ mentality. Nowadays an airline offers service, or focuses on price only. Brussels Airlines will prove that attractive prices and service can go hand in hand.”

-- Nathalie Erdmanis, Brussels Airlines VP Marketing

Because aviation has such strict rules, passengers are constantly confronted with a lot of “don’t’s”. That’s why Brussels Airlines bases its new campaign and philosophy on “do’s”, like “do wiggle your legs on board” (plenty of leg space for that), “do sit together”, “do start your holiday on board”… with which they want to emphasize their advantages towards their customers.

To market the 4 new travel products and the new approach, Brussels Airlines has teamed up with marketing agency TBWA, who have worked out a fresh new style for the airline,  with new colours which will be used in all future campaigns.

Publituris Portugal Trade Awards - votação começa hoje

A votação para os Publituris Portugal Trade Awards começou hoje à meia noite e decorre até 15 de Setembro.

As votações decorrem no site http://premios.publituris.pt/. Para votar, basta ir inserir o email no qual recebe a newsletter do Publituris. Se não é assinante da newsletter, deve registar-se para poder votar.

Notas importantes:

1. Podem consultar aqui informação sobre os nomeados: http://www.publituris.pt/2014/08/24/descritivo-dos-nomeados-dos-publituris-portugal-trade-awards/.

2. A eleição dos vencedores resulta de uma média ponderada entre os votos dos assinantes (40%) e dos elementos do júri (60%).

3. Os vencedores serão conhecidos no dia 19 de Setembro, numa gala no Mosteiro de Alcobaça.

Vila Vita Park - o resort mais romântico da Europa

Vila Vita Park - o resort mais romântico da Europa
Prémio atribuído em 2014 pela WTA - World Travel Awards Association

A HISTÓRIA DA VILA VITA HOTELS

A história da VILA VITA Hotels data de 1980, o ano em que as primeiras equipas da ’Deutsche Vermögensberatung’ começaram a viajar para a Áustria.

O Prof. Dr. Reinfried Pohl, em conjunto com a sua mulher Anneliese e os seus dois filhos, levavam regularmente equipas de consultores financeiros e suas famílias para Pannonia, na região austríaca de Burgenland. O Pannonia representa, assim, o berço deste pequeno mas único grupo hoteleiro que hoje em dia inclui cinco hotéis e uma herdade. Em 1990, o VILA VITA Burghotel, o primeiro hotel do grupo, abriu as suas portas em Dinklage, seguido pelo Schlosshotel Oberstotzingen nas margens do Donauried. Apenas dois anos mais tarde, o resort de praia VILA VITA Parc, na costa algarvia de Portugal, tornava-se um sucesso instantâneo. Cheio de luxo e estilo, este membro da ’Leading Hotels of the World’ ficou em segundo lugar na categoria “Melhor Resort de Praia da Europa” pela famosa revista de viagem “Geo Saison”.

Em 1993, o Prof. Dr. Pohl adquiriu a área da primeiríssima viagem na Burgenland austríaca e inaugurou-a como VILA VITA Pannonnia. Desde 1997, o grupo hoteleiro inclui a herdade privada “Herdade dos Grous” na região alentejana de Portugal. Além de produzir vinhos vencedores de prémios, a herdade começou também a produzir cavalos, assim como gado e azeitonas. Em 2000, a última adição ao grupo VILA VITA Hotels foi o aclamado hotel 5-estrelas de luxo VILA VITA Rosenpark, em Marburg, Alemanha.

Desde o início, Anneliese Pohl tomou conta dos designs e conceitos dos diferentes hotéis. É graças à sua liderança e orientação que cada hotel respira o seu próprio particular ambiente, é construído em harmonia com a geografia circundante e decorado com uma cuidada atenção ao detalhe. A atmosfera é sempre acolhedora e por isso não surpreende a quantidade de hóspedes que constantemente retornam aos hotéis VILA VITA Hotels.

O grupo VILA VITA Hotels possui mais de 550 quartos e suites, acomodando um total de 1.400 hóspedes que são servidos e acarinhados por cerca de 900 empregados na Alemanha, Áustria e Portugal. Andreas Pohl dirige o grupo hoteleiro como CEO.

Em 2011, uma nova adição ao grupo VILA VITA irá abrir as suas portas: o VILA VITA Seedorf, no lago Plauer See, no Mecklenburg sul. Concebido como uma aldeia livre de carros e inspirada pela natureza, irá oferecer a 290 hóspedes um local de tranquilidade e beleza para férias e conferências.

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VILA VITA Parc has won the prize for “Europe’s Most Romantic Resort” at the 21st edition World Travel Awards (WTA) ceremony that took place on th 3rd of August in Athens, Greece. Having recently completed an extensive renovation, VILA VITA Parc is recognised for offering its guests the ultimate romantic experience, through is luxurious rooms, exceptional service and restaurant offerings, as well as being situated in a prime cliff top location with endless ocean views.

Of the latest nomination General Manager Mr. Gillig commented ‘We are thrilled to have been recognised by the World Travel Awards and nominated as one of the most romantic resorts in Europe. It is our objective to be attentive to our guests’ needs, ensuring their overall experience is an unforgettable one.’

The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 and acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.  Today the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. The annual programme is renowned as the most prestigious and comprehensive in the travel and tourism industry.

Lufthansa retoma voos para Erbil, no norte do Iraque

Após reuniões com as autoridades nacionais responsáveis pela segurança, o Grupo Lufthansa decidiu retomar hoje os voos para Erbil, no norte do Iraque. Erbil está localizada bem longe da zona de crise no Iraque. Os voos de e para a cidade irão ter nova rota, evitando sobrevoar a zona.

A Lufthansa tem dois voos semanais para Erbil e a Austrian Austrian um voo diário. Por enquanto, todo o tráfico para a Ásia e Médio Oriente irá continuar a evitar o espaço aéreo iraquiano.

O Grupo Lufthansa tem contactos próximos e regulares com as autoridades nacionais responsáveis pela segurança  em todo o mundo, e também no Iraque.  Com base na avaliação atual, não há perigo em sobrevoar o Iraque. No entanto, o Grupo Lufthansa decidiu evitar por enquanto o espaço aéreo acima da secção controlada pelo Isis. 

Ao avançar com este passo, o Grupo Lufthansa teve em consideração a apreensão crescente dos clientes e das próprias tripulações, A segurança e o bem-estar dos passageiros é naturalmente a prioridade máxima das companhias aéreas do grupo. As novas rotas de voo não vão aumentar significativamente os tempos de voo.

Lufthansa Group resumes flights to and from Erbil in northern Iraq / The Iraqi airspace above the section controlled by Isis to be avoided by transit traffic till further notice

After renewed consultation with the relevant national security authorities, the Lufthansa Group has decided to resume flights to Erbil in northern Iraq from tomorrow. Erbil lies well outside the direct crisis zone in Iraq, and flights to and from the city will be routed to avoid overflying the zone. 

Lufthansa flies twice-weekly to Erbil, a further daily flight is operated by Austrian Airlines. For the time being, however, transit traffic to Asia and the Middle East, for example, will continue to detour Iraqi airspace.  

The Lufthansa Group is in close and regular contact with the relevant national security authorities, also in Iraq.  Based on our own assessment, there is currently no danger in overflying Iraq. Nevertheless, the Lufthansa Group has decided to avoid the Iraqi airspace above the section controlled by Isis for the time being. 

In taking this step, the Lufthansa Group is taking into account the growing apprehension of customers and our own flight crews. The safety and wellbeing of passengers is naturally our paramount priority. 

The changes in flight routes apply to all airlines in the Lufthansa Group.  Aside from Lufthansa, those airlines include Lufthansa Cargo, Austrian Airlines and Swiss. The new flight routes will not significantly lengthen flight times. 

Lufthansa aumenta voos para Luanda - Agora três vezes por semana de Angola para a Alemanha e daí para o resto do mundo

Lufthansa aumenta voos para Luanda 

Agora três vezes por semana de Angola para a Alemanha e daí para o resto do mundo

A partir de 16 de setembro de 2014, a Lufthansa irá melhorar os seus serviços entre Luanda e Frankfurt com um voo adicional por semana. A rota é operada por um avião Airbus A340-300 com pelo menos 211 lugares. Em Frankfurt, os passageiros terão ligações para a larga rede da Lufthansa com 235 destinos em 78 países. A Lufthansa iníciou os voos na rota para Luanda em Abril de 2008, com um voo semanal.

“A Lufthansa tem vindo a trabalhar diretamente com as autoridades para aumentar um voo semanal à sua rota para Angola. Agora podemos oferecer aos nossos passageiros mais frequentemente o leque completo da excecional experiência de voo da Lufthansa a partir de Luanda e vice-versa”, disse Abdul Aziz Mangera, director-geral da Lufthansa em Angola. “Com um aumento da capacidade de 50%, a Lufthansa mostra um forte empenhamento em Angola que é um dos mercados mais promissores em África e parte da rede da Lufthansa há já seis anos. Oferecemos uma ligação suava em Frankfurt, por exemplo, para Aberdeen, Houston, Paris, Oslo, Helsínquia, etc., com um transbordo rápido”. Além dos três voos semanais da Lufthansa, a Brussels Airlines, parceira da Lufthansa, oferece igualmente três voos semanais de Luanda para a capital belga, com um transbordo igualmente célere.

Melhoramento do serviço em 2014 - Business Class com um serviço a bordo mais individualizado

Os melhoramentos-chave deste ano irão focalizar-se especialmente na Business Class. Um toque mais pessoal no serviço e maior flexibilidade em termos de processos na sua globalidade ajudarão os passageiros a sentirem-se mais mimados do que nunca. O actual serviço de bordo nas rotas de longo curso será melhorado com a introdução de um serviço com assinatura. O objectivo é fornecer um serviço que faça os passageiros sentirem-se num restaurante de topo. O novo serviço irá ser testado no Verão e, se tiver êxito, será implementado em toda a rede de longo curso a partir de 2015. O processo de remodelação da frota de longo curso com a nova Business Class estará completado no Verão de 2015; no entanto, são cada vez mais os aviões a operar com a nova Business Class. 7 000 assentos que se transformam em cama totalmente horizontais estão a ser instalados nos 106 aviões de longo curso.

Mais aviões encomendados e uma nova Premium Economy Class

“A nossa rede está cada vez mais forte. A Lufthansa pode assim servir mais passageiros, complementando os nossos produtos no ar e em terra. A nível global, o Grupo Lufthansa está a expandir a sua frota, tendo já encomendado mais 295 aviões, com um valor estimado em mais de 36 mil milhões de euros e com entrega prevista até 2025. Apresentámos recentemente a nossa nova Premium Economy Class que irá ser instalada gradualmente em toda a frota de longo curso nos próximos doze meses e também estará disponível nos voos de e para Luanda. Seguindo o melhoramento das nossas First e Business Class, a instalação de 3 600 assentos em todos os nossos aviões de longo curso em somente um ano irá significar um novo passo para alcançarmos o nosso objectivo para nos tornarmos uma companhia aérea de 5 estrelas”.

Os novos assentos são até 3 centímetros mais largos, oferecendo maior privacidade assim como 10 centímetros de mais espaço lateral devido ao facto de cada assento ter o seu próprio apoio de braços e uma consola central entre os assentos. O apoio das costas tem uma maior inclinação e o espaço entre os assentos é mais espaçoso com 97 centímetros. Tudo isto faz com que os passageiros tenham uma vez e meia mais espaço do que na Economy Class”, referiu Abdul Aziz Mangera.

Frankfurt – uma placa giratória para ligações rápidas e descansadas

Ao chegar a Frankfurt, passageiros da Business Class da Lufthansa e os clientes com estatuto podem descansar na exclusividade da Welcome Lounge. Estas instalações foram criadas indo ao encontro das necessidades dos passageiros que chegam de voos de longo curso. Um pequeno-almoço muito completo e um buffet de snacks são servidos em áreas de conforte zonas de repouso. Uma moderna área de duches no nível inferior é uma das características mais exclusivas da Welcome Lounge. Os seus 28 chuveiros de alta qualidade permitem os passageiros refrescarem-se para o dia que têm pela frente. Um serviço de concierge prepara as instalações e tenta responder aos desejos dos clientes, oferecendo inclusive um serviço de engomadoria para membros do HON Circle, passageiros de First Class e portadores do cartão Senator. Os passageiros com voos de ligação têm à sua escolha uma série de lounges de First Class, Senator e Business Class.

Ao chegar a Frankfurt, os passageiros poderão desfrutar da nova zona A no Terminal 1, em quatro níveis, que oferece aos passageiros a possibilidade de descansar num ambiente mais confortável antes de embarcarem nos seus voos. Com 23 novas portas de embarque com ligação fácil para os níveis correspondentes do edifício existente do Terminal 1, os passageiros também encontram aí lojas, restaurantes e locais para descansar. A maioria dos voos da Lufthansa operados pelos aviões Airbus A380 e Boeing 747-8 partem desta zona.

O novo horário dos voos

Luanda para Frankfurt

Nº de voo	Dias da operação	Partida de Luanda*	Chegada a Frankfurt*	Tipo de avião
LH561 (novo)	3ª f	23h30	09h00 (+1 dia)	Airbus A340-300
Nº de voo	Dias da operação	Partida de Luanda*	Chegada a Frankfurt*	Tipo de avião
LH561	2ªf, 6ª f	20h00	07h30 (+1 dia)	Airbus A340-300

Frankfurt to Luanda

Nº de voo	Dias da operação	Partida de Frankfurt*	Chegada a Luanda*	Tipo de avião
LH560	2ªf, 5ªf, dom	22h05	05h30 (+1 dia)	Airbus A340-300

Fashion magnet Berlin showcases fashion in unusual locations

From 8 to 13 July, Berlin Fashion Week will hold numerous fashion shows showcasing the latest designs in unusual locations around the capital. For the first time, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will present designer fashion in the 'Erika-Heß-Eisstadion' (Erika Hess Ice Rink) in the 'Wedding' district of the city. The Premium Fair will take place in the Station Berlin exhibition centre, which served as the 'Postbahnhof' for 90 years, supplying Berlin with packages and goods imported from throughout the entire world. Bread & Butter, the world's largest fair for street und urban wear, which is only open to trade visitors, will take place as usual at the disused Airport Berlin-Tempelhof. Fashion fans, buyers, trade visitors and media representatives have become an important economic factor. According to Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin: "The events that take place in the year as part of Berlin Fashion Week attract 250,000 visitors to the city".

In addition to the major trade fairs for trade visitors and invited guests, there are numerous smaller event formats (current information at www.fashion-week-berlin.com). A trend of the shows is upcycling - the crafting of unique pieces from worn clothing and other used materials. Berlin is the most important driving force for this movement. Information can be found at www.upcycling.visitBerlin.com .

Berlin's development into a fashion capital goes hand in hand with its repuation as a shopping magnet. The 'Hackescher Markt' and its side streets is one of the most fashionable shopping districts in Europe. At 47 per cent, the unique shopping opportunities in the capital are one of the top 10 reasons to visit Berlin. This is also seen in the retail industry, which attracts € 3.95 billion of tourist revenue annually.

Brussels Airlines expands flight offer to Central and East Africa

This winter season, which starts on 26 October, Brussels Airlines expands its flight frequencies to many African destinations, good for a total increase of 9 percent.

Africa – more seats and more flights
 
Brussels Airlines reinforces its African flight offer this winter season, by increasing flight frequencies to six African destinations compared to winter 2013-2014.
The Cameroonian destinations Douala and Yaounde will get one extra frequency per week and will be directly connected to Brussels Airport six and five times per week, respectively. The Angolan capital Luanda will be served three times weekly instead of two times.
 
Also in East Africa Brussels Airlines reinforces its presence: as from 26 October, Nairobi will be flown five times weekly (two additional frequencies). The Rwandan capital Kigali and the Burundian capital Bujumbura each get an additional weekly flight frequency. Kigali will then be served five times weekly and Bujumbura three times.
 
During the busy Christmas period many frequencies to other African destinations will be temporarily increased. The complete flight schedule can be consulted online at www.brusselsairlines.com
 
"The nine percent increase In our flight offer clearly illustrates that we continue to invest in Africa and that we are even more responsive to market demand", says Philippe Saeys, Brussels Airlines VP Africa. "This is not only good news for our customers who will have more travel possibilities, but also for all freight forwarders who can transport their goods on more flights operated by Brussels Airlines" 

 
United States
 
Following seasonal demand, Brussels Airlines’ scheduled flight to Washington D.C. will only be operated during the summer season. This means that the Washington service will be interrupted during the winter season (last flight October 25) and will be resumed as from the start of the summer season on March 29, 2015 with a morning departure instead of an afternoon departure in Brussels. The new schedule will offer more connections in both Brussels Airport and Washington Dulles, to many African destinations as well as destinations in the USA.  
The two capitals stay connected during the low season, though. Brussels Airlines partner United continues to offer flights between Brussels and Washington during winter.

100 Year Anniversary of the First World War

100 Year Anniversary of the First World War

Numerous exhibitions and events in Berlin

Berlin, 27^th June 2014 Tomorrow is the 100^th anniversary of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. This was the trigger for the First World War. For Berlin, this important date is an opportunity to confront the past. Throughout city, there are numerous cultural offerings on the First World War.

Commemorative concert in the Cathedral and exhibition in the German Historical Museum
The Berlin Cathedral is organising a commemorative concert for the First World War on the 28^th June 2014, at 8pm.  Soloists, Berlin choirs and the New Prussian Philharmonic and the Filharmonia Szczecin interpret "War Requiem" by Benjamin Britten. For more information and tickets, please visit visitBerlin.de.

The exhibition "1914-1918 Der Erste Weltkrieg" ("1914-1918 The First World War") is on at the German Historical Museum until 30^th November 2014.  The only large German exhibition on the events of the war is focusing on the global scale of the First World War and has approximately 500 exhibits. The exhibition is accompanied by various additional events with panel discussions and presentations. The armoury cinema is also showing documentaries and feature films on the First World War. More information is available here.

 © Deutsches Historisches Museum

The exhibition "Mahnung und Verlockung - Die Kriegsbildwelten von Käthe Kollwitz und Kata Legrady" ("Warning and Allure - the war imagery of Käthe Kollwitz and Kata Legrady") is on at the Käthe-Kollwitz Museum Berlin from 30^th June to 9^th November 2014. Käthe Kollwitz was personally affected by the First World War as her son Peter was killed in 1914. The artist's work focuses on the grievances of the war again and again. Further information is available here.

 © Deutsches Historisches Museum

More Events

The play "Gefährten" ("War Horse") tells the story of am English boy and his horse in the middle of the First World War. The Theater des Westens is conducting a commemorative performance on 28^th June 2014, at 7.30pm. The play runs until the 28^th September 2014. More on „Gefährten“ ("War Horse") here.

Multimedia commemoration: Video bus tours on the First World War are taking place on 28^th June at 1.30 pm and from 1^st to 3^rd August. The two-hour long tour special tours start on "Unter den Linden" boulevard and pass Berlin buildings and squares that were important in the First World War. An explanatory video will accompany the tour. Information is available at videobustour.de.

Many other Berlin establishments are also commemorating the First World War this year. An overview of all events can be found at visitBerlin.de.

visitBerlin Press Officer contact details:

Katharina Dreger

Tel.: +49 (0)30 26 47 48 – 956

katharina.dreger@visitBerlin.de

Christian Tänzler

Tel.: +49 (0)30 26 47 48 – 912

christian.taenzler@visitBerlin.de

Cadernos de Viagem, nº 102, Pululukwa Resort & Spa