Etihad Airways welcomed the return of its iconic A380 aircraft to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, enhancing the travel experience between the two capitals. The world’s largest passenger aircraft, measuring 73 metres in length and 24 metres in height, the Airbus A380 marks its return to the Paris route with Etihad’s most celebrated inflight features, including The Residence – the world’s only three-room suite in the sky. The upper deck features The Lobby, an exclusive lounge area for First and Business class guests. Designed and manufactured in Europe, with final assembly in Toulouse, the A380 represents a proud achievement of French aerospace engineering and innovation. The aircraft’s return to Paris celebrates this French aviation legacy. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “As a city celebrated for its style and ambiance, Paris continues to be a key destination in our global network. The return of our A380 strengthens the travel offering between Abu Dhabi and Paris, reflecting our commitment to this important route.” “The return of the A380 to Paris and our broader network expansion plans, including increasing to year-round, double-daily frequencies to Milan, Rome, Manchester, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Barcelona, and Madrid, demonstrate our strong growth momentum in Europe. This enhanced capacity reflects the rising demand we’re seeing in France, with more exciting announcements to come before the end of 2024.” The UAE and France share strong bilateral ties across culture, education, and business sectors. A unique cultural bridge connects the two capitals as the only cities in the world to house a Louvre Museum. The route caters to growing demand from leisure travellers and the strong business ties between the two countries, particularly in the …
Read More »Air France premiers a first class service for passengers from Dubai connecting via Paris
Air France recently inaugurated an exceptional new airport journey at Paris-Charles de Gaulle for its La Première (First Class) customers. Laila El Mansouri, Country Sales Manager United Arab Emirates, Sultanate of Oman and Pakistan of Air France said “Air France’s commitment to excellence ensures that every journey in the La Première cabin is an experience of unparalleled luxury and sophistication. The exclusive journey at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and the addition of new airport suites takes the La Premiere experience to new heights. Whether you are flying for business or leisure, the attention to detail in the La Première cabin allows you to arrive at your destination refreshed and rejuvenated.” Customers flying from Dubai, United Arab Emirates can connect via Paris, Charles de Gaulle to several La Première destinations such as United States (New York, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami), Brazil (São Paulo), Ivory Coast (Abidjan), Singapore, and Japan (Tokyo). Upon arrival at the airport, every La Première guest is warmly welcomed by a dedicated concierge who promptly attends to their luggage.Guests are then guided to a newly established exclusive check-in lobby, marking the initial step in their personalized journey through the airport. Here, an attentive Air France team manages all departure-related procedures, encompassing check-in and luggage assistance. This area, furnished with 15 seats and two private lounges, ensures enhanced privacy for guests*. The check-in lobby also caters to La Première passengers arriving at the airport. Customers have the option to relax post-flight, avail themselves of shower facilities if desired, and retrieve their checked baggage. Acting as a tranquil haven amidst the bustling airport environment, this lobby embodies French elegance and sophistication. Meticulously crafted by Air France experts in collaboration with …
Read More »Dubai is among the highest demand cities globally : MarketHub Europe
Dubai is among the highest demand cities globally joining London, Paris, New York and Barcelona, according to the latest insights shared by MarketHub Europe, by HBX Group. Among the travel trends from Middle East: the relevance of last-minute bookings. Markets such as the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and France continue to be key outbound markets for tourism to the region. Last-minute bookings are crucial in this market, where they account for more than 40% of the total. The average stay is around 3 nights, and Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Mecca are among the most popular destinations. Among the top ten favourites, Doha shows up as one of the fastest growing options. Türkiye. Regaining its position as an issuing country. Antalya and Istanbul are the most popular destinations in Türkiye. According to data from HBX Group, in addition to domestic tourism, the main source market for Türkiye is the Middle East and, from Europe, Germany is particularly strong. Bookings made by travellers from Türkiye have grown by more than 50% compared to 2019 and already exceed the bookings recorded last year. Among the most popular choices are domestic destinations, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France in Europe, as well as the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East. Carlos Muñoz, Chief Commercial Officer of HBX Group, highlighted the increasingly important role of Gen Z and their consumer habits in defining travel trends: “With a clear focus on last-minute bookings and a preference for package tours, Generation Z is already reshaping the way the industry operates. In addition, their high awareness of sustainability clearly shapes their travel choices.” HBX Group has registered a 25% increase in searches on its platforms, now totalling …
Read More »New data reveals a surge in interest in travel to France ahead of the Olympics taking place in Paris in 2024
Amadeus data reveals winning strategies for French travel companies ahead of the Olympics taking place in Paris in 2024. MENA Region elevates interest in travel to France ahead of Paris Olympics 2024. Fresh insights unveiled today by Amadeus, a prominent technology ally for the worldwide travel sector, shed light on the escalating traveler interest in anticipation of the Summer Games. Six months ahead of the Olympics taking place in Paris in 2024, flight searches to France for the dates just before and after the games – from July 23 to August 15 2024 – are al-ready surging by 25% compared to the same period last year. The Amadeus Intelligence data has zeroed in on three significant trends that are posi-tioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the travel landscape in France in the coming months. If used wisely, this insight offers valuable opportunities for businesses to en-hance their market share and capitalize on the enthusiasm of sports fans this summer. Flight searches to France are surging from all over the world The top five countries searching for flights to France are the United States, Great Britain, Brazil, Spain and Canada. But with most of the Olympic games being held in Paris, it’s no surprise that the demand for flights to the French capital has surged, reaching 33% higher compared to the same period last year. When it comes to travel to the French capital, Germans are at the top of the leaderboard. Searches from Germany to Paris increased by an astounding 144% for travel dates between July 23 and August 15th in 2024, compared to the same dates last year. Meanwhile, searches from the US to Paris for the …
Read More »Paris gets new shopping hub
McArthurGlen has recently made an addition to its portfolio with Designer Outlet Paris-Giverny. The centre offers its guests the opportunity to experience the very best of French savoir vivre with a perfect combination of fashion, art and gastronomy from nearby Normandy, shares Matthias Sinner, Head of Tourism, McArthurGlen Group. Could you tell us more about the new MAG centre in Paris? Designer Outlet Paris-Giverny is McArthurGlen’s new luxury and premium shopping destination, located just to the west of Paris. The centre offers its guests the opportunity to experience the very best of French savoir vivre with a perfect combination of fashion, art and gastronomy from nearby Normandy. Spanning over 20,000 square metres, the centre boasts a thoughtfully curated brand mix of international fashion favourites including Missoni, Stella McCartney, Moncler, Philipp Plein, Vivienne Westwood, BOSS, Furla, Karl Lagerfeld, Tommy Hilfiger, Maje, Angelo Vintage, New Balance, Adidas, Claudie Pierlot, L’Oréal and Roberto Cavalli at a minimum of 30 per cent off. It also plays host to an exceptional line up of food and beverage options, including the globally recognised luxury Parisian establishments Ladurée and Angelina, famous for their delicate macarons and iconic hot chocolate respectively. For guests looking to treat themselves further, French gelato brand Amorino and an elegant champagne bar offer the perfect places to pause and relax while shopping, and the popular American burger chain Five Guys caters to customers craving a quick bite between visiting their favourite stores. How is this different to other centres? Not only does Designer Outlet Paris-Giverny have the McArthurGlen DNA, delighting visitors and providing them with an extraordinary day-out experience, it is also home to an exclusive Maison des Métiers d’Art, GVRNY, newly launched …
Read More »Qatar Airways’ Paris Premium Lounge Re-opens
Qatar Airways re-opened its luxurious Premium Lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), complementing the airline’s triple daily flights, available for Premium passengers and eligible oneworld alliance partners. The Premium Lounge features all of the facilities and qualities of the airline’s premium product, including both The Brasserie and The Global Deli, prayer rooms, business centre, shower facilities, Wi-Fi and zoned seating for more than 200 guests. Far-reaching views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower, contribute to a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Commenting on the airline’s latest Premium Lounge re-opening, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, stated: “This milestone illustrates our focus on continuous product enhancements. The re-opening of the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, marks our fifth global lounge within our growing network. This further demonstrates our commitment to providing unparalleled services to our customers, especially in France.” At more than 1,000 square metres, the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle offers Qatar Airways First and Business Class passengers a sophisticated, modern and spacious environment in which to relax and commence their five star journey experience. Catering to exceptional premium culinary standard, the lounge is equipped with a full kitchen for freshly-prepared à la carte orders, in addition to an existing buffet spread, offering an international menu from across the globe. Qatar Airways Paris Premium Lounge launched its operations in 2017 to serve the growing capacity of passengers travelling with the airline from Charles de Gaulle Airport. Today, Qatar Airways operates 18 weekly flights to Paris, offering passengers with the ultimate connectivity to Skytrax’ World’s Best Airport, Hamad International Airport.
Read More »SAUDIA to resume direct flights between Al Ula and Paris
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), with the Royal Commission for AlUla and the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFALULA) has announced the resumption of a weekly direct flight between Paris CDG airport and AlUla international airport every Sunday from December 4, 2022 to March 12, 2023. The route will allow French travelers to reach AlUla in only 5 hours, with all the comfort provided by the Boeing 787 “Dreamliner”. Announced as part of AlUla’s participating in the World Travel Market, London this week, the route represents an incomparable opportunity for French travelers to immerse themselves in the desert city of AlUla, an ancient oasis located on the incense route with 7000 years of successive civilisations. AlUla is a unique site that was home to some of the most important civilisations of the region – the Dadanites, the Lihyanites, the Nabataeans, and the Romans. Among the must-see, UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra, the southern capital of the Nabatean Empire, are many other archaeological sites dating back to the first millennium BCE. Beyond its rich heritage, AlUla also offers stunning natural landscapes, ochre sandstone canyons and amazing rock formations, basaltic plateaus and golden sands, and a lush green oasis stretching for miles running through the city. French connections to AlUla are strong. The Dominican fathers and exploders Antonin Jaussen and Raphaël Savignac produced some of the earliest pictures of the region in 1909. Today teams of French archaeologists are working to uncover more AlUla’s mysteries. French artists and musicians have also left their marks in the region in recent years with exceptional concerts and performances or unique art projects. AFALULA was set up as an inter-governmental partnership to support the …
Read More »Turkish Airlines inks deal with Airbus for A350
Turkish Airlines and Airbus signed an MOU to acquire 20+5 optional A350-900 aircraft. The agreement was signed at the Élysée Palace, Paris, during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s official visit to France with French President Emmanuel Macron. “With Turkish Airlines serving more destinations than any other airline around the world, we will be delighted to rely on our new A350 XWB to further develop our major international routes from Turkey.” said M. İlker Aycı, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Turkish Airlines. Aycı went on to say, “This agreement is set to play a key role in our growing business in the years to come as the increased business volume for the local Turkish supplier industry by Airbus will be a great gain for the sector.” The A350 XWB is an all new family of mid-size wide-body long-haul airliners shaping the future of air travel. It features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fiber fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient engines. These latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs.
Read More »British Airways lures honeymooners
British Airways has identified destinations such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and New York as the top most romantic city getaways and honeymoon locations across Europe and North America and has offered attractive packages for summer honeymooners in the UAE as the temperature rises in the region. Return fares start from AED 2,229 from Dubai to the UK and AED 3064 to North America via London across World Traveller cabins. Return fares from Abu Dhabi to the UK start from AED 2210 and to North America via London from AED 3068 across World Traveller cabins. British Airways’ discounted return fares from the UAE to London and North America are available for a limited time until May 18, 2016 with travel valid until November 2016. From the UK capital, customers flying with British Airways can take advantage of connecting flights to 10 destinations in the UK, 106 in Europe and 83 in the rest of the world. If a good deal and five desirable destinations are not enough, then British Airways’ well-travelled cabin crew have some insider tips about some of the romantic things to see and do in each location. A full timetable of British Airways’ flights to London and beyond is available online.
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