It seems like almost a no-brainer, since the airline is 49 percent owned by Delta Air Lines. But on March 2 Virgin Atlantic Airways officially joined SkyTeam airline alliance, enhancing the group’s offerings at both London Heathrow and Manchester Airport. The only question we have is why did it take so long? Delta has had a 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic since 2012. Virgin Atlantic is already a founding partner of a joint venture with SkyTeam members Delta and Air France-KLM.
As part of Virgin’s membership in Skyteam, its customers can now benefit from more opportunities to earn and redeem points, with access to an extensive global route network. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold and Silver members will receive a raft of benefits, including SkyPriority airport services for Gold members.
Virgin Atlantic formally joined SkyTeam at a signing ceremony in London on March 2. The move means Virgin Atlantic becomes SkyTeam’s first and only U.K. member airline, enhancing the alliance’s trans-Atlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester airports.
Virgin Atlantic customers will now benefit from a seamless customer experience, across 1,000 global destinations in over 170 countries. Customers can book every SkyTeam member flight on a single ticket, checking in with baggage just once through to their final destination.
Virgin Flying Club members have more opportunities to earn Virgin Points and Tier Points across all member airlines, accelerating both their rewards and tier status. In addition, Flying Club members will be able to redeem points on SkyTeam member airlines. Alongside joint venture partners Delta and Air France-KLM, these include Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, China Airlines, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, ITA Airways, Kenya Airways, Korean Air, MEA, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines and XiamenAir.
Link: https://www.insidertravelreport.com/?s=virgin-atlantic-joins-delta-air-france-klm-in-skyteam-alliance&preview=1
France’s decision to ban short-haul domestic flights for environmental reasons was a world first that made headlines around the globe – but how many flights will the new rule actually ban?
The French government announced its domestic flight ban back in 2021, but it has been back in the news after the European Commission ruled in France’s favour following a challenge by airport associations.
This clears the way for other European countries to bring in similar rules, as part of climate-based efforts to limit flights and persuade travellers to take green alternatives.
What does the new rule say?
The new policy doesn’t ban all domestic flights – only those between destinations that can be reached by train in less than two-and-a-half hours.
So how many flights does this ban actually affect? At present, just three.
How much difference will this make to France’s carbon footprint?
Research carried out at an EU level suggests that it won’t make a huge difference, with short-haul (less than 500km) flights accounting for just six percent of airplane fuel used within the Bloc.
Long haul-flights (over 4,000km) account for just six percent of flights taken, but 47 percent of fuel burned.
What about private planes? …
More details in the link: https://www.thelocal.com/20221213/explained-how-does-frances-domestic-flight-ban-really-work/
Reduce Carbon Emissions Programs & …
Planes, trains, ferries and even roads look set to be affected by UK strike action, while French rail and airline unions have also filed strike notices.
The British actions come in the context of widespread industrial action from nurses to postal workers, train drivers to border guards, all of whom are striking to win pay rises above the rate of inflation that will help them cope with the spiralling cost of living.
Eurostar
UK-based security staff will walk out on December 16th, 18, 22nd and 23rd. The UK’s RMT union is also taking strike action between December 24th and 27th.
The Eurostar will be running fewer services than usual on December 23rd and 24th and has cancelled several services and changed the times of others – anyone with a pre-booked train is advised to check the website.
Network Rail strikes have closed UK rail lines, so the Eurostar will be running no services at all on December 26th.
For more details, please click on the link: https://www.thelocal.com/20221212/everything-you-need-to-know-about-how-strikes-will-affect-france-uk-travel-this-christmas/
Forget these 7 cheap flight hacks
Forget these 7 cheap flight hacks – and do these instead
Booking cheap flights online has become sport among price-conscious travelers. But with plenty of websites hawking low prices and airlines bombarding consumers with competitive deals from every corner of the internet, it’s hard to know the best – and most economic – way to grab budget fares.
The tragic explosion in Beirut affected local businesses from essential services to restaurants, fashion and even the arts – shattering buildings and centres. British auction house, Christie’s has just announced it will support Beirut’s throbbing art community with a charity auction.
Dubbed We Are All Beirut – Art for Beirut: A Charity Auction, the online auction will take place from late October to the first half of November.
“Seeing the images of devastation on Tuesday 4 August will always remain in all our collective memory and our thoughts are with all families, friends and artists who have lost so much. We hope to raise enough funds with this initiative to make a significant difference,”CEO at Christie’s, Guillaume Cerutti, commented, continuing “we are committed to help and hope that many of our international clients, friends and collectors will follow our call to action.”
According to Caroline Louca-Kirkland, Managing Director at Christie’s Middle East, the initiative will include approximately 40 to 50 lots of international and regional art, jewellery, design and watches. Funds will be allocated to restore the city’s art and cultural community, including the Sursock museum – Beirut’s modern and contemporary art museum.
Read more, please click on the link: https://www.graziame.com/culture/art-books/christies-is-holding-an-auction-to-help-rebuild-beiruts-cultural-scene?fbclid=IwAR1DY1-_nw478VQLKRWvt2Q2UkrXTQPgBEwBLoTGBmL_ehaaEj-G89oLhYg
Covid-19: Pre-Flight Instructions at Airport & Post-Flight & Confinement upon Arrival:
Due to the continuous updates and procedural revisions imposed by the Health Authorities of countries, Airlines Websites are constantly updated to reflect such ongoing resulting changes; in addition to Countries’ “Ministry of Foreign Affairs” and/or “Health Authorities” Websites.
Some destinations require quarantine upon arrival, while others may require a negative RT-PCR test taken within 96 or 72 hours; Or special travel certificates and/or other health documentation may also be required for your trip.
Visa Procedures and amendments (inclusive of “Transiting through capitals”) are changing Daily.
Hence, customers have the ownness to check All and Any Online Relevant Sources to travel e.g.
- PCR testing;
- 14-Day Confinement obligation if any;
- Insurance covering the Covid-19 if any;
- Health Declaration Form, if any (link: https://arcg.is/0GaDnG) – if when applicable;
- Quarantine Undertaking Form, if any;
- Precautionary Measures apply e.g. Mandatory Masks wearing during the entire flight and must be replaced every 4 hours and this depending on Airlines; bring your own hand sanitizers (if any);
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- In addition to Countries’ specific requirements e.g. Alhosn Covid-19 App (UAE) etc – if and when applicable.
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The information gathered is correct to the best of our knowledge at the date/time of reply/query/publication and is being reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis by the Relevant Sources, given the rapidly evolving nature of the international response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Hence, we cannot guarantee the data’s accuracy and we shall NOT accept any liability / responsibility for any errors or omissions.
You should make your own independent inquiries before relying on any information or materials handed to you.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who’s declared a war on the city’s pollution, this week announced plans to transform the bridgeway linking the historic Trocadéro square with the Eiffel Tower into a “green corridor” reserved for pedestrians by 2024.
Hidalgo, whose mission to “pedestrianise” the historic centre of the French capital has already led to the banning of cars along large parts of the banks lining the Seine river, said that: “We’re really aiming for a high pedestrian target (…) We’re going to have a splendid garden where we can hear the birds sing,” she said when she announced the €72 million project on Tuesday. Work is set to start at the end of 2020 or the start of 2021.
Link: https://www.france24.com/en/20190522-paris-hidalgo-create-green-corridor-giant-garden-between-trocadero-eiffel-tower#_=_