Year: 2019

Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line, has sharpened its already keen focus on guest loyalty, expanding rewards for repeat guests who experience the award-winning Seabourn fleet on travel to must-see ports, hidden gems, and remote destinations around the globe. From one of the richest loyalty programs in the cruise industry to newly upgraded benefits and added savings on select voyages, Seabourn Club members understand the value of the Seabourn experience – encouraging travelers to come back, time and time again.

“The loyalty of our guests is something that we celebrate, as their repeat business and referrals to friends and family contribute greatly to our success,” said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn. “Our Seabourn Club loyalty program creates opportunities for repeat guests to save and benefit as they travel the world with Seabourn. Taken together, those benefits are our way of showing our appreciation for their loyalty year after year.”

Here’s a peek at some of the perks returning guests will find today from Seabourn:

Seabourn Club

The benefits of Seabourn’s renowned Seabourn Club loyalty program have always been among the most valuable in the cruise industry, with various levels of membership granting distinctive rewards and options for personalization, including a generous selection of amenities and additional savings for returning guests to choose from and enjoy.

Seabourn Club benefits are redeemable based on six different membership levels – from Club Member to Diamond Elite Member status. Rewards are achieved by accruing one Seabourn Club Point for each day sailed on a Seabourn vessel, with additional Club Points available for days sailed in penthouse and premium suites, pre-cruise online purchases, onboard purchases, and days traveled on pre-, mid-, and post-cruise Seabourn Journeys. There are more than five-dozen rewards available to guests altogether: From “Onboard” amenities such as complimentary internet and telephone service, savings on shore excursions, premium wine & spirits, spa credits, and disembarkation/embarkation transfers, to “At Home” amenities such as complimentary magazine subscriptions, branded luggage tags, and savings on luggage shipping services – there is something for every member to enjoy.

The most popular Seabourn Club reward by far is a Milestone Cruise Award, including a complimentary cruise up to seven days redeemable at 140 Sailed Days, or a complimentary cruise up to 14 days redeemable at 250 Sailed Days.

Seabourn Club members will also be recognized with an onboard event and a special gift when they reach various Sailed Days Milestones from 100 Sailed Days to 2,500 Sailed Days.

Seabourn Club Referral Rewards

Seabourn is launching the NEW Seabourn Club Referral Rewards program, offering both the referring Club member and the first-time guest shipboard credits of $250USD per suite that can be combined with other Seabourn shipboard credit promotions. Even more enticing, all Seabourn Club members can now redeem up to two referral rewards on a single booking for a total reward of $500USD per suite

The referral process has also been updated and improved, with a new online system for registration, referrals and rewards redemptions. For more information about the new Seabourn Club Referral Rewards program, visit the Seabourn website.

Special Savings Opportunity for World Cruise Guests

As if all of the benefits above weren’t enough for returning guests, Seabourn has a special offer for round-the-would cruisers. Guests who have a valid booking on the line’s full 146-day World Cruise: Extraordinary Destinations aboard Seabourn Sojourn in January 2020 will be eligible for an additional five percent discount when booking the full 140-day World Cruise: Extraordinary Oceans scheduled for departure in January 2021. Now that’s something for returning guests to look forward to from every angle!

Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury travel with intimate ships offering key elements that set the line apart: spacious, thoughtfully appointed suites, many with verandas and all oceanfront; superb dining experiences; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times; award-winning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home on board. The ships travel the globe to many of the world’s most desirable destinations including marquee cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and lesser-known ports and hideaways. The line is also the Official Cruise Partner of UNESCO World Heritage, aiding its mission of safeguarding and promoting the world’s unique cultural and natural heritage recognized for its outstanding universal value.

Regular guests of Seabourn will continue to find a number of innovative offerings and programs, including partnerships with a select group of companies and individuals whose dedication to superior quality, exceptional service and consistent customer satisfaction matches Seabourn.

Such programs include ‘An Evening with Tim Rice’, the new evening entertainment experience created exclusively for the line in association with Belinda King Creative Productions; ‘Shopping with the Chef’ excursions in select ports, with an expert Seabourn chef as guide to learn about regional markets and see how the freshest ingredients are selected; ‘Seabourn Conversations’ with special guest speaker including knowledgeable historians, naturalists, marine biologists, destination experts and more; Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, offering guests a holistic spa and wellness experience that integrates physical, social, environmental and spiritual well-being; and The Grill by Thomas Keller, reminiscent of the classic American restaurant from the 50’s and 60’s. Exclusive to Seabourn, The Grill is a unique culinary concept for Chef Keller, focusing on updated versions of iconic dishes. Guests will be treated to table-side preparations of Caesar salad and ice cream sundaes, as well as a range of other favorites like premium steaks, whole roasted chicken, and Lobster Thermidor, presented à la carte.

Source: www.seabourn.com

While not everyone will have the chance to see the new livery in person, anyone will be able to track United's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker-themed aircraft via special icon on FlightAware, the world's largest online flight tracking platform. For the first time, aviation and Star Wars enthusiasts can track past and future flights on both desktop and mobile by entering the plane's tail number and the new livery will appear on FlightAware's flight tracking maps as the X-Wing starship.

Safety is our highest priority

The new inflight safety demonstration video highlights United's lasting commitment to the safety of all the airline's customers and employees traveling to places "far, far away." In addition to United employees providing safety instructions on what do to in the unlikely event of an emergency, the video features special appearances by several iconic Star Wars characters and thrilling, space-themed sequences scored to some of the most recognizable musical themes in both motion picture and commercial aviation history. The safety video also highlights some of the many international destinations United serves within the airline's galaxy. To view the safety video, please visit: united.com/starwars.

Connecting People. Uniting the Worlds

Beginning today, on MileagePlus Exclusives, members will be able to bid award miles on several unique Star Wars experiences including:

• Access to attend the premieres of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in Los Angeles and London
• Travel packages for four to visit Star Wars filming locations in Jordan to see how the filmmakers transformed the landscape for the movie
• Access to exclusive screenings of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in United hub cities on December 19
• Special collectors package enabling members to take home a piece of Star Wars and United Airlines. The package features commemorative United and Star Wars branded items including Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker-themed amenity kits, special pins and a model aircraft of United's Star-Wars-themed Boeing 737-800

For more information, please visit: MileagePlus Exclusives.

Every customer. Every flight. Every day.

In 2019, United is focusing more than ever on its commitment to its customers, looking at every aspect of its business to ensure that the carrier keeps customers' best interests at the heart of its service. In addition to today's announcement, this year United:

• Announced that MileagePlus award miles will never expire
• Gave Economy customers a choice of complimentary snacks on domestic flights
• Made DIRECTV free for every customer on more than 200 aircraft
• Released a new version of the award-winning, most downloaded app in the airline industry
• Launched a new tool called ConnectionSaver, dedicated to improving the experience for customers with connecting flights
• Partnered with CLEAR on free or discounted memberships for MileagePlus members
• Announced PlusPoints, new upgrade benefits for MileagePlus Premier members
• And introduced products in its amenity kits made exclusively for the airline by luxury skincare line Sunday Riley

About United

United's shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the World." We are more focused than ever on our commitment to customers through a series of innovations and improvements designed to help build a great experience: Every customer. Every flight. Every day. Together, United and United Express operate approximately 4,900 flights a day to 358 airports across five continents. In 2018, United and United Express operated more than 1.7 million flights carrying more than 158 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates 788 mainline aircraft and the airline's United Express partners operate 560 regional aircraft. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 26 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter and Instagram or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".

About Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.

The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong'o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, with Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was written by J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio and opens in U.S. theaters on December 20.

Miles, awards and benefits are subject to the rules of the United MileagePlus program. For details, see www.united.com. For details relating to United's MileagePlus Exclusives see https://exclusives.mileageplus.com/Home/Terms

Source : United Airlines

JOHANNESBURG. 31 October 2019. South African Airways (SAA) today took delivery of the first of four new Airbus A350-900s, which improves the airline’s customer offering and commercial prospects.

“We welcome the first A350 home on South African soil. The introduction of the A350s offers a new beginning for the airline and will contribute to the airline’s operational efficiencies, and get SAA back on track. It is an important step-change as we continue to make progress to transform our business and return the airline to financial sustainability in the shortest time possible,” says Zuks Ramasia, SAA’s Acting CEO.

The first aircraft arrived amidst much excitement with employees welcoming the new acquisition as the latest arrival to boost SAA’s fleet with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, which presents a superior customer experience.

The aircraft will operate on one of SAA’s ultra-long haul routes between Johannesburg and New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), replacing the Airbus A340-600 on this route and will still be operated on a nonstop basis. As additional aircraft are introduced, more routes will be operated by the Airbus A350-900s.

Business and Economy Class customers will enjoy the quieter cabin, a more relaxing environment during flight. The Airbus A350-900 is configured with a maximum of 339 seats, of which 30 are Business Class seats and 309 are Economy Class seats, with the first six rows in Economy Class offering extra legroom to provide a more comfortable experience, especially on longer flights. The Business Class cabin has lie flat beds.

The aircraft also offers a modern In-flight Entertainment (IFE) system throughout the cabin.

SAA is set to receive four Airbus A350-900s over a period of six weeks, and all four are expected to operate commercially by mid-December following regulatory approvals and training. SAA will operate the aircraft for three years.

The first two aircraft are nine months old and previously flew commercially with another carrier. Aircraft number two and three are scheduled for arrival during the first week of November and the fourth aircraft will arrive in early December.

The last two aircraft are brand new and will be delivered to SAA directly from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France. These two aircraft are sub-leased from Air Mauritius and will also fly with SAA for three years.

The commonality and common type rating between the Airbus A350-900 XWB powered aircraft and the other Airbus aircraft in SAA’s fleet translate directly into cost saving for training pilots, crew, engineers and technicians as well as for spares inventory.

The A350-900 XWB has excellent range/payload performance on long-haul flights departing from Johannesburg (the hot-and-high consideration). SAA will achieve approximately 25% lower operating costs (cash) operating the A350-900 XWB, over a 5-year period, compared with some of its four-engine aircraft generation that has similar range and payload capabilities. 

SAA will achieve approximately 25% savings in fuel consumption and emissions. Besides lower operating costs, it will also reduce SAA’s exposure to South Africa’s recently imposed Carbon Tax because it is more environmentally friendly and help it achieves global emissions offset mechanism targets for international aviation requirements.

SAA will also benefit from the approximately 40% lower cost for maintaining the A350-900 XWB’s airframe over a 5-year period, that is, the aircraft excluding the engines, compared with some of its four-engine aircraft generation it will replace on the Johannesburg-New York-Johannesburg and other routes.

The aircraft will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Since entering service in 2015, the Trent XWB engines have flown more than five million hours and is regarded as the world’s most efficient large aero-engine.

“With this we extend our relationship with Rolls-Royce and the Trent family of engines by adding the Trent XWB to a fleet that already includes the Trent 700, powering the Airbus A330s,” says Ramasia.

#SAA350

#LookUpSAA

#Flysaa

Source: www.flysaa.com

4th International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao will commence in December. Acclaimed Hong Kong film director Peter Chan, film star Carina Lau and popular Korean boy band EXO’s leader Suho came on board for IFFAM

Kuala Lumpur, 7 November 2019 – The 4th International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao (IFFAM) will be staged from 5th to 10th December this year. Famous Hong Kong Director Peter Chan will be Jury President of the Competition; acclaimed best actress of Chinese films, Carina Lau, and popular Korean boy band EXO’s leader Suho will be Talent Ambassadors respectively in the 4th IFFAM.

The International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao celebrates the extraordinary contributions of filmmakers to the Asian film world and pays special tribute to classic film works, while enhancing the experience Macao has to offer as an international city and showing to the world the city’s diverse new dynamic of the cultural and creative development.

Three Festival Ambassadors of the year include Korean director of the film series “Along with the Gods”, Kim Yong-Hwa, acclaimed Indian film director, actor, producer and TV program host Karan Johar, as well as Chinese independent film director Wang Xiaoshuai.

Peter Chan will be Jury President of the Competition

Coming on board as the Jury President of the Competition in the 4th IFFAM, Peter Chan is an accomplished filmmaker, film director, producer and screenwriter. Since the 1990s, Chan has directed many critically-acclaimed films that also hit high box office records and garnered a range of film awards.

With her outstanding acting performances, famous Hong Kong film star Carina Lau has gained the honor of best actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards, Golden Bauhinia Awards, Golden Roosters and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, Osaka Asian Film Festival, Festival of the 3 Continents. In 2017, she was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Suho is a widely-acclaimed artist in Korea and around the world. As a singer, he and other EXO members have reached the pinnacles of success with their outstanding accomplishments in the Korean and Asian world of modern music. His radiant talents have also extended into musicals, TV dramas and movies in recent years.

Cinematic feast for audiences

The Film Festival will screen an extravaganza of around 50 feature and short films from the East and West through various sections as follows: opening and closing films; three competition sections namely International Competition, New Chinese Cinema and Shorts Competition; six non-competition sections including World Panorama, Flying Daggers, Gala, Special Presentations, “20th Anniversary Macao Special Presentations” and Director’s Choice, among other sections in the program.

The ten entries in the International Competition include Bellbird, Bombay Rose, Buoyancy, Family Members, Give Me Liberty, Goldie, Homecoming, Lynn + Lucy, Two of Us and Two/One and etc.

Opening movie won People's Choice Award in Toronto International Film Festival

Jojo Rabbit is a satirical black comedy film and a screen adaptation of Christine Leunens’ novel Caging Skies. The story is set against the backdrop of the Second World War, about a young German boy (portrayed by Roman Griffin Davis) in face of various disputes in the times of turbulence. The movie creates a humorous portrayal of solemn and sensitive issues through the eyes of a child, turning a hilarious black satirical comedy into life.

4th International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao will feature “20th Anniversary Macao Special Presentations”

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region, this edition of IFFAM will present a special section titled “20th Anniversary Macao Special Presentations”. A selection of local films will be screened in this non-competition section, including Ina and The Blue Tiger Sauna, Let’s Sing, Patio of Illusion, Strings of Sorrow and Years of Macao, to bring outstanding local film productions into the limelight on the international stage, showcase the diverse dynamic of the cultural and creative industries in Macao and pay tribute to the city’s film industry professionals.

The Film Festival will feature a new competition “SHORTS” this year, joining universities from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao to accept short film entries created by their students. Ten entries will be selected for screening during the 4th IFFAM and the best short film will be chosen.

“New Chinese Cinema” adds competition element

The “New Chinese Cinema” this year will be adding competition element and five accolades, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress, will be conferred to commend filmmakers for their extraordinary artistry.

Organized by MGTO and MFTPA, the Film Festival is committed to become a major gathering for international filmmakers to enhance cultural exchange, while putting forward Asian film talent and film works onto the global stage. As an annual international event in Macao, the Film Festival will continue to push forward the development of Macao’s film, cultural and creative industries, enhance exchange opportunities with international movies as well as unveil a wider landscape for development of cultural and artistic platforms, tourism and other fields.

Ticketing starts tomorrow

Films in the IFFAM programme will be shown to the public at Macao Cultural Centre, Macau Tower, Cinematheque・Passion and Macao Old Court Building. Residents and visitors can buy the film tickets through www.macauticket.com starting from now, or at the screening venues during the Film Festival.

For more information about the 4th International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao, please visit: http://www.iffamacao.com/ (Source: Organizing Committee of International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao)

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Media inquiries:

Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO)
Representative in Malaysia
Tel: +603 2144 2500
Fax: +603 2148 1357
Email: mgto@pacificworld.travel
MGTO website: www.macaotourism.gov.mo
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MacaoTourismMalaysia
Instagram: www.instagram.com/MacaoTourismMalaysia
YouTube: MYMacao TV

Hawaiian now offers three daily nonstop flights between Tokyo Haneda and Hawai‘i

HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines today announced ticket sales have begun for a third daily nonstop flight between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) and the Hawaiian Islands. The new daily service from Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to HND begins on March 28, 2020, several months ahead of the 2020 Olympic Summer Games.

The airline received U.S. Department of Transportation approval this summer for the new slot, allowing earlier departure and arrival times at Tokyo Haneda and enabling substantially more connections for guests traveling to and from cities throughout Japan with codeshare partner Japan Airlines. 

“As the leading U.S. carrier for service between Japan and Hawai‘i, we are pleased to offer our guests convenient and effortless travel options by adding a third daily flight between Tokyo Haneda and Hawai‘i,” said Theo Panagiotoulias, senior vice president of global sales and alliances at Hawaiian Airlines.

Starting with the inaugural flight on March 28, HA863 will depart HNL at 12:35 p.m., with an estimated 5:15 p.m. arrival at HND the following day. The return flight, HA864, will depart HND at 8:15 p.m. and arrive at HNL at 8:10 a.m. the same day, giving guests plenty of time to enjoy their first day on O‘ahu or connect to neighboring Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiian became the first U.S. carrier to serve Tokyo Haneda in 2010, stimulating further growth in the market over the last nine years by providing consistent and uninterrupted service. The carrier added additional service from Tokyo Haneda in 2016, serving Honolulu four times per week and Kona three times per week. That same year, Hawaiian also launched service between Tokyo’s Narita airport and Honolulu. Today, the Honolulu/Tokyo market is the largest U.S.-Japan city pair with more than 2,300 passengers per day each way.

Hawaiian, which today operates a leading 31 weekly nonstop flights between Japan and Hawai‘i with wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft, will further expand its network on Nov. 26 when it begins four weekly flights between Fukuoka and Honolulu. The airline also offers flights between Hawai‘i and both Kansai International Airport in Osaka and New Chitose Airport in Sapporo.

Tickets can be purchased at www.HawaiianAirlines.com, through travel agencies, or by calling Hawaiian's Reservations Department toll-free at 800-367-5320.

Source:  www.hawaiianairlines.com