Lufthansa has expanded its mobile services with a smartphone app for users of Windows Phone 8.
A special feature of the app on this operating system is the live-tile function with which the most important information on flight status – continually updated – is pinned on the start screen without the need to open the app.
As with the other mobile operating systems the Lufthansa app provides easy access to the entire Lufthansa timetable from anywhere.
Once a suitable connection is found, it can be booked on the move immediately. Passengers can also check in whenever they want and file their electronic boarding pass in their smartphone.
When travelling abroad this saves them the roaming fees they would otherwise incur by downloading the boarding pass anew.
The free app is available for download here.
With Windows Phone 8, Lufthansa has now come up with a specially adapted app for all of the most widely-used mobile smartphone operating systems.
Whether with Android, Apple iOS, BlackBerry and also Windows Phone 8, more than 98 per cent of all smartphone users, worldwide, can utilise the Lufthansa app and benefit from its extensive functions.
The new app for the smartphone Windows Phone 8 operating system was developed in cooperation between Lufthansa, Microsoft and Nokia, and implemented by SapientNitro.
“Passengers with a Windows Phone 8 Smartphone can now also enjoy the benefits of our mobile app functions,” says Marcus Casey, head of global online sales and mobile services, Lufthansa.
“Our aim is to offer our customers through digital contact identical innovations to those we offer on our flights.
“Mobile services are assuming increasing importance especially for our passengers.
“That’s why it is important to Lufthansa to be represented on all relevant mobile operating systems.”
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Fowlds to highlight plight of African rhino in London
Join Dr William Fowlds on September 18th 2013 as he hosts an inspirational lecture at the Royal Geographical Society, London, highlighting the plight of the rhino and his mission to protect these iconic creatures of South Africa and to raise funds for TUSK Trust & Born Free Foundation.
South Africa has been gripped by a massive surge in rhino poaching in recent years.
In 2007, 13 rhinos were poached.
In 2013 it estimated that 900 rhinos will be poached with almost three rhinos being killed every day.
Rhinos are poached for their horns which, according to some South East Asian countries, have healing capabilities and other medicinal uses and values.
Modern science has, however, proved that the horn carries absolutely no medicinal value and is, in fact, made up of the same protein, keratin, which is found in human fingernails.
Yet the demand for the product continues to increase.
Current international debate aimed at bringing an end to poaching include; legalising the rhino horn trade, dehorning rhinos, stricter law enforcement, decreasing demand through bans (it is illegal to trade in rhino horn through rules stipulated by CITES) or education, and an improved consolidated and collaborative approach by all stakeholders, the situation is becoming more critical by the day.
Fowlds is a South African veterinarian and star of ITV1’s Safari Vet School.
His day-to-day job includes darting lions, elephants and antelopes but last year he was called out to a harrowing situation, unlike anything he’d encountered before.
Overnight, three rhinos had been illegally darted using veterinary drugs and the poachers had brutally removed bone, skin and horn with either machetes or axes, leaving the rhinos for dead.
One rhino had in fact already died from its injuries but Themba, a male, and Thandi, a female were still alive when they were discovered the next morning.
So began a gruelling, heart-rending week of trying to save these two, huge and massively mutilated animals.
Decisions had to be made whether to euthanize them straight away or give them a chance.
Will was determined to try to save these rhinos.
This is his story.
Bear Grylls, who will offer an introduction to the lecture, said: “As the world’s population explodes, the wildlife on all seven continents is being negatively affected and their numbers are dwindling.
“I have chosen to support one such specie as a symbol for all animals in trouble around the world; the rhino in Africa.
“Will Fowlds’s story should be heard by all, his account of the tragic consequences of poaching and the hope that he holds for the future in his crusade to save the survivors of these criminal acts.”
Tickets cost £20 per person and include a complimentary drinks reception before the lecture.
To purchase tickets please take a look at the official website.
South Africa has been gripped by a massive surge in rhino poaching in recent years.
In 2007, 13 rhinos were poached.
In 2013 it estimated that 900 rhinos will be poached with almost three rhinos being killed every day.
Rhinos are poached for their horns which, according to some South East Asian countries, have healing capabilities and other medicinal uses and values.
Modern science has, however, proved that the horn carries absolutely no medicinal value and is, in fact, made up of the same protein, keratin, which is found in human fingernails.
Yet the demand for the product continues to increase.
Current international debate aimed at bringing an end to poaching include; legalising the rhino horn trade, dehorning rhinos, stricter law enforcement, decreasing demand through bans (it is illegal to trade in rhino horn through rules stipulated by CITES) or education, and an improved consolidated and collaborative approach by all stakeholders, the situation is becoming more critical by the day.
Fowlds is a South African veterinarian and star of ITV1’s Safari Vet School.
His day-to-day job includes darting lions, elephants and antelopes but last year he was called out to a harrowing situation, unlike anything he’d encountered before.
Overnight, three rhinos had been illegally darted using veterinary drugs and the poachers had brutally removed bone, skin and horn with either machetes or axes, leaving the rhinos for dead.
One rhino had in fact already died from its injuries but Themba, a male, and Thandi, a female were still alive when they were discovered the next morning.
So began a gruelling, heart-rending week of trying to save these two, huge and massively mutilated animals.
Decisions had to be made whether to euthanize them straight away or give them a chance.
Will was determined to try to save these rhinos.
This is his story.
Bear Grylls, who will offer an introduction to the lecture, said: “As the world’s population explodes, the wildlife on all seven continents is being negatively affected and their numbers are dwindling.
“I have chosen to support one such specie as a symbol for all animals in trouble around the world; the rhino in Africa.
“Will Fowlds’s story should be heard by all, his account of the tragic consequences of poaching and the hope that he holds for the future in his crusade to save the survivors of these criminal acts.”
Tickets cost £20 per person and include a complimentary drinks reception before the lecture.
To purchase tickets please take a look at the official website.
British Airways is bringing its A380 to South Africa
British Airways is bringing its A380 to South Africa, with tickets now on sale.
The airline aims to start flying the A380 to Johannesburg from February 12, although the date for the inaugural flight may be earlier. Initially it will operate three times a week, increasing to six weekly services by March. These flights will be part of the airline’s normal schedule to South Africa.
To mark the announcement, BA is offering discounts of up to 40% from South Africa to London across all cabins. World Traveller fares start from R8 380, World Traveller Plus from R15 380, Club World from R30 380 and First from R53 380.
Johannesburg is the third A380 route to be confirmed after Los Angeles and Hong Kong.
The airline aims to start flying the A380 to Johannesburg from February 12, although the date for the inaugural flight may be earlier. Initially it will operate three times a week, increasing to six weekly services by March. These flights will be part of the airline’s normal schedule to South Africa.
To mark the announcement, BA is offering discounts of up to 40% from South Africa to London across all cabins. World Traveller fares start from R8 380, World Traveller Plus from R15 380, Club World from R30 380 and First from R53 380.
Johannesburg is the third A380 route to be confirmed after Los Angeles and Hong Kong.
Monday, July 29, 2013
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Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Residents flee as volcano spews ash
Indonesia's most volatile volcano spewed smoke and ash Monday, forcing hundreds of people to flee their villages along its slopes, a disaster official said.
Mount Merapi on the main island of Java rumbled as heavy rain fell around its cloud-covered crater, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, disaster mitigation agency spokesman.
The volcano unleashed a column of dark red volcanic material 1 000m into the air, and the ash made the rain thick and muddy in several villages as terrified residents fled to safety, he said.
The sound was heard 30km away, but an eruption did not occur and the volcano's alert level was not raised, Nugroho said.
The 2 968m mountain is the most active of 500 Indonesian volcanoes. Its last major eruption in 2010 killed 347 people.
Indonesia, an archipelago of 240 million people, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity because it sits along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a horseshoe-shaped series of fault lines.
Mount Merapi on the main island of Java rumbled as heavy rain fell around its cloud-covered crater, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, disaster mitigation agency spokesman.
The volcano unleashed a column of dark red volcanic material 1 000m into the air, and the ash made the rain thick and muddy in several villages as terrified residents fled to safety, he said.
The sound was heard 30km away, but an eruption did not occur and the volcano's alert level was not raised, Nugroho said.
The 2 968m mountain is the most active of 500 Indonesian volcanoes. Its last major eruption in 2010 killed 347 people.
Indonesia, an archipelago of 240 million people, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity because it sits along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a horseshoe-shaped series of fault lines.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
SAA on Strike
SAA has confirmed that around 4 000 of its employees and members of the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu), will strike today.
The union said the airline had undermined wage negotiations, however SAA spokeswoman, Dileseng Koetle, said Satawu had intended continuing the strike, despite its understanding with the airline last week. She said it had reverted to its demands prior to the deadlock in conciliation at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
"SAA is of the view that Satawu is deliberately misrepresenting facts with the intention of misleading its members and inciting a section of the airline's employees to embark on the strike action on matters that are not relating to the wage negotiation process.
"This is despite parties having agreed in principle to the 6,5% across-the-board offer, subject to all parties obtaining a further mandate on this offer," said Dileseng.
"The misunderstanding and miscommunication presented by Satawu is regrettable, particularly pertaining to the bulk of employees who have indicated their willingness to accept the above offer," Dileseng said.
"Despite Satawu's regrettable intention, SAA will monitor the situation and, should the need arise, the airline will activate its contingency plans in order to ensure business continuity."
These measures will be there to try and avoid causing inconvenience to customers and passengers.
The union said the airline had undermined wage negotiations, however SAA spokeswoman, Dileseng Koetle, said Satawu had intended continuing the strike, despite its understanding with the airline last week. She said it had reverted to its demands prior to the deadlock in conciliation at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
"SAA is of the view that Satawu is deliberately misrepresenting facts with the intention of misleading its members and inciting a section of the airline's employees to embark on the strike action on matters that are not relating to the wage negotiation process.
"This is despite parties having agreed in principle to the 6,5% across-the-board offer, subject to all parties obtaining a further mandate on this offer," said Dileseng.
"The misunderstanding and miscommunication presented by Satawu is regrettable, particularly pertaining to the bulk of employees who have indicated their willingness to accept the above offer," Dileseng said.
"Despite Satawu's regrettable intention, SAA will monitor the situation and, should the need arise, the airline will activate its contingency plans in order to ensure business continuity."
These measures will be there to try and avoid causing inconvenience to customers and passengers.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
British Airways welcomes first A380 to UK
British Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A380 today at Heathrow – the first British airline to receive the world’s largest commercial jet.
The UK flag-carrier is also the first airline in Europe to operate both the A380 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the first two of which landed at Heathrow last week.
The airline announced today that the very first long-haul flight on the A380 to Los Angeles will be on September 24th, 2013, and the first to Hong Kong will be on October 22nd.
Keith Williams, British Airways, chief executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome the first of our A380s to the fleet, joining our new 787s.
“These aircraft are the start of a new era for British Airways.
“Over the next 15 months, we will take delivery of new aircraft at the rate of one a fortnight as we put ourselves at the forefront of modern aviation.
“The A380 is a fantastic aircraft and an excellent showpiece for British engineering. Our customers are going to love the space, light and comfort on board.”
British Airways’ A380s will accommodate 469 customers across four cabins.
Customers in First will be seated at the front of the main deck.
The cabin will offer 14 seats and is evolved from the current First class with 30 per cent more personal space and 60 per cent more personal stowage.
Club World (business class) customers can choose from 44 seats on the main deck, or 53 seats on the upper deck.
These upper deck seats will feature a new 2:3:2 configuration across the cabin.
The 55 World Traveller Plus (premier economy) seats will be located on the upper deck while World Traveller (economy) customers can choose seats on both the main and upper deck.
Customers travelling in both World Traveller and World Traveller Plus will be able to enjoy the new cabins and seats that have proved so popular on our 777-300ER fleet.
The aircraft’s innovative design makes it much quieter during take-off and landing and 16 per cent more fuel efficient than a Boeing 747.
British Airways has ordered 12 A380s for delivery by 2016.
Three will arrive this year followed by a further five in 2014.
Both aircraft types will now begin a complex ‘entry into service’ programme, which will see pilot and cabin crew training taking place at Manston Airport in Kent, customer service trials at Heathrow and short-haul flying for both aircraft, including flights within the UK.
New EU member state boosted by surge in UK traveller interest
Over half (61%) of UK travellers are considering Croatia as a travel destination, a new TripAdvisor poll has revealed in the week that Croatia becomes the European Union’s 28th member state.
The poll of 4,000 British travellers follows a 14% surge in the number of UK searches for Croatian holidays on TripAdvisor in the last twelve months.
However, it remains unclear as to whether Croatia’s entry into the EU will encourage more British holidaygoers to opt for the Balkan state in future. Less than one in ten (7%) polled said that Croatia’s new EU status made them more interested in visiting the country, while just under one in six (16%) admitted that Croatia’s EU membership had actually made them less interested in travelling there.
“Croatia is one of the best value destinations in Europe, which is one of the reasons it is proving so popular with British holidaymakers. Whether the country’s new status in the EU will spur or slow that growth in tourism remains to be seen,” commented TripAdvisor spokesperson, James Kay.
Croatia’s capital offers value for travellers against majority of other EU capital cities When comparing the cost of an overnight stay in each of the EU’s 28 capital cities, Zagreb currently ranks as the eighth cheapest, with the average price of a 4* hotel room coming in at £91.03 – less than half the price of an equivalent stay in London.
The poll of 4,000 British travellers follows a 14% surge in the number of UK searches for Croatian holidays on TripAdvisor in the last twelve months.
However, it remains unclear as to whether Croatia’s entry into the EU will encourage more British holidaygoers to opt for the Balkan state in future. Less than one in ten (7%) polled said that Croatia’s new EU status made them more interested in visiting the country, while just under one in six (16%) admitted that Croatia’s EU membership had actually made them less interested in travelling there.
“Croatia is one of the best value destinations in Europe, which is one of the reasons it is proving so popular with British holidaymakers. Whether the country’s new status in the EU will spur or slow that growth in tourism remains to be seen,” commented TripAdvisor spokesperson, James Kay.
Croatia’s capital offers value for travellers against majority of other EU capital cities When comparing the cost of an overnight stay in each of the EU’s 28 capital cities, Zagreb currently ranks as the eighth cheapest, with the average price of a 4* hotel room coming in at £91.03 – less than half the price of an equivalent stay in London.
In the first two months of Croatia’s entry into the EU, based on the average room rates for that period, Zagreb will drop to tenth in the rankings – but will still be considerably cheaper than other popular tourist destinations, such as Rome, Amsterdam and Paris.
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