The business of travelling for work
Waiting in the wings
GOLD CIRCLE applicant members may be eligible for the elusive Gold Circle Card from Aer Lingus if they are existing members of BMI’s Diamond Club.
In an effort to win over former BMI customers, now British Airways customers, Aer Lingus will match Blue members for Gold Level and Silver members for Gold Circle Prestige, while Gold members will be offered the benefits of Gold Circle Elite. If you are not a Gold Circle applicant, and have a BMI membership, you can still join. See aerlingusgreendiamond.com.
Doing DC direct
UNITED AIRLINES’ direct Dublin to Washington DC service arrives on Friday morning to the delight of business travellers and politicians.
Links between the two cities have always been strong and the direct service will cut hours off travel time. Flight UA127 leaves Dulles at 10.02pm and arrives into Dublin at 9.55am, the next morning, departing again at 11.25am arriving into Washington at 2.25pm, allowing for plenty of time to do business.
United will be using a Boeing 757-200 with 169 seats, 16 in BusinessFirst with flat-bed seats, 45 economy plus with extra legroom and personal space, and 108 in economy.
Fares are from €760 return in economy and €2,212 in BusinessFirst.
Cleared for take-off
HAVING FLOWN thousands of miles, you may have wondered how the pilots do it. Now you can find out with a special package from the Crowne Plaza that includes a flight simulator session.
In conjunction with SimTech in Dublin's Logistics Park, your package will include a 30-minute safety briefing followed by a 30-minute flight simulator session. You can also bring a passenger, and the two of you can stay overnight in the hotel with breakfast from €221. Book on (01) 862 8888 and crowneplaza.com.
Africa joins club
FOLLOWING A REPORT by Goldman Sachs on investing in Africa and the upcoming US-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum this month, it looks like the BRIC countries are headed towards becoming the BRICA countries.
“Africa is something investors have to think about for long-term growth and its economic implications for the world in order to supply it with scarce resources,” says the company’s report.
The forum’s theme this year will be “enhancing Africa’s infrastructure for trade”, particularly in the areas of transportation, energy, water and sanitation. The transport theme will be on the agenda at the Routes Africa Aviation Forum in July in the Seychelles, attended by airlines, airports and tourism bodies.
London early openers
LONDON’S NEWEST hotel opened its doors on Monday, May 28th, a few days ahead of the official opening date last Friday. The 85-room Bulgari Hotel is on the site of the old Normandie Hotel in Knightsbridge.
With solid silver chandeliers, marble baths, luxury amenities, and a holistic spa, opening rates are from £528 with VAT. At the other end of the scale, Paddington’s Tune Hotel will open ahead of schedule too on June 25th, with room rates from £60. Towel hire and
Wi-Fi will cost an additional £4.50 per day.