Business Traveller Middle East articles from November 2008

Business Traveller Middle East archives from November 2008

British Airways has relaunched its first class washbags with a new range of luxury products from quintessential English perfumer Penhaligon.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... British Airways has relaunched its first class washbags with a new range of luxury products from quintessential English perfumer Penhaligon. As well as the signature Blenheim Bouquet fragrance, BA and Penhaligon have selected items such as a...

Afriqiyah Airways has commenced fights four times a week between Tripoli and Dubai.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... Afriqiyah Airways has commenced fights four times a week between Tripoli and Dubai. The service is operated on a brand new A319, consisting of 16 seats in business class and 96 in economy. The flight departs Tripoli at 9am on Sundays and...

Swiss customers can now book their flights online from any mobile phone with internet capability.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... Swiss customers can now book their flights online from any mobile phone with internet capability. The new portal created for the service also features useful information on departure and arrival times along with full Swiss flight schedules.

Private aviation company Prestige Jet has added three new aircraft to its fleet to meet the projected surge in the private charter business.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... Private aviation company Prestige Jet has added three new aircraft to its fleet to meet the projected surge in the private charter business. The three new planes, a Cessna Citation Sovereign, Challenger 604 and Embraer Legacy 600, bring the...

Emirates has started services from Dubai to Los Angeles.(AIRLINE UPDATE)(Emirates Airline)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Emirates has started services from Dubai to Los Angeles. The new route marks the first non-stop operation connecting Dubal to the California movie capital. Right EK215 departs Dubal at 8.20am, ardving in Los Angeles at 1.05pm On the return...

Jumeirah to open 19 new properties worldwide.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dubai-based luxury hotel company the Jumeirah Group has signed agreements over the last two weeks to build five new hotels, bringing the total number of new properties under development to 19. This latest...

Etihad set to increase winter flying programme.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Air travellers can look forward to two new destinations, a greater choice of Etihad Airways services and significantly improved flight connections at the UAE carrier's Abu Dhabi base, with the start of its new...

Ireland's new meetings site.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2008... A new website that allows business people to book and receive quotes for hotel meeting and conference rooms, organise refreshments and locate the ideal venue via a Google Map search has been launched in Ireland. At www.meetingsbooker.com...

Premier Inn eyes up UAE budget hotel sector.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The UK's largest hotel brand, Premier Inn, has secured sites to build properties in Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Qawain. These are in addition to the four sites already secured so far in Dubai at Dubai Investment...

Virgin wins best lounge.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2008... For the second year running, Virgin Atlantic has won the Best Business Class Lounge Award in the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2008, for its flagship Clubhouse at Heathrow Airport. The awards are renowned for being the only truly global...

Dnata launches online travel management tool.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dnata has launched a new online travel and expense (T&E) management solution, making it the first company in the Middle East to offer corporate clients this kind of service. The system provides a quick and easy...

United Airlines' new Dubai-Washington service is set to offer Middle East travellers access to a network of services across the US.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... United Airlines' new Dubai-Washington service is set to offer Middle East travellers access to a network of services across the US. From Washington Dulles, customers can fly on to more than 80 destinations across the US, Canada and the...

London Heathrow's second-biggest carrier, Bmi will double the number of its flights from London to the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh from 15 January 2009.(AIRLINE UPDATE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... London Heathrow's second-biggest carrier, Bmi will double the number of its flights from London to the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh from 15 January 2009. Services will increase from three to six times a week and will operate daily with the...

SAS Scandinavian Airlines has resumed flights between the Danish capital, Copenhagen and Dubai.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... SAS Scandinavian Airlines has resumed flights between the Danish capital, Copenhagen and Dubai. The second season of flights between the two destinations offers an improved schedule of Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, with departures from...

Sama Airlines, the newest low-fare carrier in Saudi Arabia, has commenced flights to Mumbai, its first destination in India.(AIRLINE UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... Sama Airlines, the newest low-fare carrier in Saudi Arabia, has commenced flights to Mumbai, its first destination in India. The route will operate three times a week on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays. The airline has also signed an...

Jumeriah Emirates Towers, the company's leading business property, has announced a new, personalised check-in and check-out service to minimise the amount of time that executives spend in the lobby.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... Jumeriah Emirates Towers, the company's leading business property, has announced a new, personalised check-in and check-out service to minimise the amount of time that executives spend in the lobby. Guests will be able to check in online...

ACW Holdings has announced it will break ground on their Dubailand project, Arjan, in November 2008.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... ACW Holdings has announced it will break ground on their Dubailand project, Arjan, in November 2008. This will mark the commencement of a three-faceted development of luxury serviced apartments and light serviced offices that will accommodate...

Dhofar Tourism Company, a project set up to preserve Oman's natural landscape, has formalised its alliances with Oman Arab Bank, Bank Dhofar, Hamptons and Wunderman in support of their landmark Mirbat Beach project.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... Dhofar Tourism Company, a project set up to preserve Oman's natural landscape, has formalised its alliances with Oman Arab Bank, Bank Dhofar, Hamptons and Wunderman in support of their landmark Mirbat Beach project. The development aims to be...

Ramada Hotel & Suites is set to open in Ajman bringing a new, luxury four-star hotel to the emirate.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... Ramada Hotel & Suites is set to open in Ajman bringing a new, luxury four-star hotel to the emirate. At the launch, developers V Five Continents announced that the downtown Ajman project will include three towers dedicated to suites and...

The Rocco Forte Collection has been in Dubai to raise awareness of the brand ahead of the group's move into the market next year with a 280-room property in Abu Dhabi and a 198-property in Jeddah in 2010.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... The Rocco Forte Collection has been in Dubai to raise awareness of the brand ahead of the group's move into the market next year with a 280-room property in Abu Dhabi and a 198-property in Jeddah in 2010. The company's senior management team...

Abu Dhabi's Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri has opened the doors to its new residential complex, adding 161 serviced apartments and a number of villas to the hotel's portfolio.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... Abu Dhabi's Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri has opened the doors to its new residential complex, adding 161 serviced apartments and a number of villas to the hotel's portfolio. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen, LCD televisions and DVD...

In Ajman, Aqaar has signed an agreement with French hotel group Accor Hospitality, to open a Novotel, expected to be operational by 2011.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... In Ajman, Aqaar has signed an agreement with French hotel group Accor Hospitality, to open a Novotel, expected to be operational by 2011. Located 20km from Dubai International Airport, close to the city centre and within walking distance of...

Shaza Hotels, a partnership between Kempinski Hotels and Guidance Financial Group, has announced that it will be building a new five-star property in Royal Estates, Dubai Investments Park in collaboration with UAE developer Aristocrat Star.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... Shaza Hotels, a partnership between Kempinski Hotels and Guidance Financial Group, has announced that it will be building a new five-star property in Royal Estates, Dubai Investments Park in collaboration with UAE developer Aristocrat Star....

Nakheel and Bharat hotels have broken ground on their joint Grand Fort Hotel project in Al Furjan, Dubai.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... Nakheel and Bharat hotels have broken ground on their joint Grand Fort Hotel project in AI Furjan, Dubai. Set for completion in 2010, the inland design has been inspired by the palaces and forts of Rajasthan and includes terraces,...

Fujairah is set to gain a new block of serviced apartments before the end of the year.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Fujairah is set to gain a new block of serviced apartments before the end of the year. Under its Al Diar Hotels brand, Abu Dhabi National Hotels will add the five-star Siji Hotel Apartments to its portfolio to cater for the needs of business...

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has entered into a strategic alliance with property developer Aldar to operate a high-end resort in the Al Seef precinct in Abu Dhabi's upcoming Al Raha Beach development.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has entered into a strategic alliance with property developer Aldar to operate a high-end resort in the Al Seef precinct in Abu Dhabi's upcoming AI Raha Beach development. It is the second hotel that the two...

Hard Rock Hotels has announced plans to develop a second hotel in the UAE, to add to its existing property in Dubai.(HOTEL NEWS UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... Hard Rock Hotels has announced plans to develop a second hotel in the UAE, to add to its existing property in Dubai. The Hard Rock Hotel Abu Dhabi will be developed in collaboration with Tasameem Group in a location with dramatic views over...

Future trends revealed at Business Travel Show.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2008... At this year's Business Travel Show in Dubai, David Radcliffe, CEO of corporate travel specialist HRG (Hogg Robinson Group) gave a keynote speech unveiling the future trends in the business travel industry. He forecast a five per cent...

BA rolls out Club World.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The eagerly awaited $160.5m overhaul of the business class cabin in British Airways' fleet is to be launched on the Dubai-London route this coming winter. A new early morning flight on the route will also add a...

Emirates opens new terminal at Dubai airport.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Emirates is now running the majority of its Dubai flight operations through its dedicated Terminal 3 facility. The move went smoothly with 86 flights and 36,000 passengers passing through in the first five days...

Thrifty expands in Morocco.(UPFRONT)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... In response to increased demand in fashionable tourism hot spot Casablanca, Thrifty Morocco has announced plans to expand its fleet. 2007 saw the highest tourist numbers in the country for four decades, resulting in an influx of business and...

Strength to strength: a successful second show demonstrates the ongoing confidence in the Middle East business travel market.(BUSINESS TRAVEL SHOW)
November 1, 2008... Travel industry leaders descended on Dubai's Madinat Jumeirah Arena from 20-21 October for Dubai's annual Business Travel Show. Commenting on the event, Sally Maltby, Event Director for co-organiser Centaur Exhibitions, said the show was...

Emirates business class.(TRIED & TESTED)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--DUBAI-GLASGOW CHECK-IN Emirates hadn't yet begun to use the newly opened Terminal 3 when I took this flight, so I checked in at the dedicated business class and first check-in area at Terminal 1,...

Haymarket Hotel.(TRIED & TESTED)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--LONDON, UK WHERE IS IT? Tucked away on a peaceful side street just off the bustling thoroughfare of Haymarket in London's theatre district, the hotel is located in a...

Thiptara, the palace, the old town.(TRIED & TESTED)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RESTAURANT REVIEW--DUBAI I've been a fan of Royal Thai cuisine ever since my days frequenting the Fulham (southwest London) branch of The Blue Elephant, so when I heard there was...

Mandarin Oriental.(TRIED & TESTED)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--SINGAPORE WHAT IT'S LIKE? The only property of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in Singapore, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, with its multi-million dollar renovation in 2005, is one of the city's...

The great contender: although it is the capital of the UAE and as such deserves considerable attention, Abu Dhabi has often come across as Dubai's poor cousin. This is quite an irony as the reality is just the opposite, says Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey, who looks at out how the first city of the Emirates is carving out its own tourism niche.(ABU DHABI)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are not many people who haven't heard of Dubai, the city often mistakenly perceived as the UAE's capital. Constantly featuring in world news with its record-breaking architectural feats, everything seems...

On the right track: travelling can take its toll even on the sturdiest individuals, but there are some measures you can take to stave off the 'executive spread' and stay healthy on the road. Laura Collacott investigates.(HEALTH)(Cover story)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Have you ever thought as you tucked into your fifth successive fry-up before your fifth successive day of meetings before your fifth successive gala dinner that maybe the lifestyle of a travelling executive isn't...

50 best city gyms & swimming pools worldwide: ready for some olympics-inspired exercise? Business Traveller picks the top fitness facilities from hotels around the world.(GYMS & POOLS)(List)
November 1, 2008... For those of us who want to keep fit while travelling, and who have a measure of control over where we stay, the provision of a gym or swimming pool can be key to our choice of hotel. Many five-star properties have facilities which are the...

In the zone: need to get fit? Mark Prigg trials the latest gadgets so you don't have to break a sweat.(TECHNOLOGY)
November 1, 2008... Working out used to involve investing in little more than a new pair of trainers and a gym membership (both of which invariably got used once and then forgotten about), but now there is a whole host of gadgets that will help you lose weight,...

Power house: the energy capital of the US is Texas to a 'T', says Lindsay Sutton in his affectionate portrait of Houston, whose residents are as refreshingly bold in business as they are in life.(HOUSTON)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's an old joke in America that you can always tell a Texan... but you can't tell him much. Outside the US, the image is of big guys wearing big Stetsons and tall ladies with big hair. Neither the male nor the...

Game for more: South Africa offers much more than scenic landscapes and game reserves. Whether in the business hub of Johannesburg or the leisure precincts of Cape Town, Methil Renuka discovers a region on the cusp of change.(SOUTH AFRICA)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The helicopter lands atop Hanglip Mountain and we are perched on a craggy cliff gaping in wonder at the Legend Golf & Safari Resort's 19th hole far below. It's like no other venue in the golfing world. The hole is...

Classic to contemporary: from epic canvases to contemporary spaces, the Spanish capital is a paradise for art lovers.(MADRID)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Prado is in Madrid's DNA. Even visitors to the Spanish capital who have never set foot inside the city's equivalent of London's National Gallery can't have missed the large, elegant building on the Paseo del...

Diamond in the rough: Hyderabad, the fifth-largest city in India, has a rich and complex past. Sinduri Vuppala traces its dramatic evolution from cultural capital to modern metropolis.(HYDERABAD)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Occupying an area roughly the size of the UK, Hyderabad was once India's richest, largest and most powerful state. The seeds of its success as a centre of culture and trade were sown more...

You've got mails: swamped by email correspondence? Can't press the delete key fast enough? Brian Johnston talks you through the niceties of electronic communication.(BUSINESS ETIQUETTE)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It is a universally acknowledged truth that anyone with a computer and an email address must be in want of abundant messages. And so they come flooding in from the far corners of the...

Green for go: rising oil prices are reinforcing the attraction of low-consumption cars. Luckily, Alan Salter finds that eco-friendly no longer means small and slow.(CAR RENTAL)
November 1, 2008... The winds of climate change are blowing through the motor industry--and car hire fleets are tagging on behind. For years, the 'big beasts' who gathered at the Motor Show in London every summer would be boasting of power and speed as they took...

Ask Alex: Alex McWhirter answers your travel queries.
November 1, 2008... Q Reader complaints about finding older-model premium seats on their flight aren't confined to the front cabin. It happens frequently in economy class, with many airlines offering improved seats with AVOD entertainment, while others have...

4 hours in ... Tunis: the Mediterranean capital of Tunisia is steeped in history. Though heavily colonised during its rich history, it has emerged from French rule and proved a vibrant culture in its own right. Laura Collacott shows you roun.
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [1] THE MEDINA Given that UNESCO has recognised it as a World Heritage site, it seems amiss not to make a beeline for the medina. Some 700 ancient monuments here jostle for attention with the countless traders,...

Carry on abroad: does your old duffel bag not cut it in business class any more? Move up the ranks of chic with one of these sophisticated cabin bags.(LUGGAGE)
November 1, 2008... LOUIS VUITTON DAMIER GRAPHITE KEEPALL 55 $1,307 it is perhaps the ubiquitous Louis Vuitton monogram branding that puts some customers off, which is why the Graphite keepall is a refreshing change. Reverting to the patented check...

What's the point? In the light of soaring costs, airline cutbacks present a new challenge for frequent flyer programme members.(FREQUENT FLYER FOCUS)
November 1, 2008... In the past, one of the chief complaints from readers centred on the lack of award-seat availability when they needed to travel, but new challenges are emerging. How can members be sure the airline or route they wish to take even be...

Win a weekend in an Oman, retreat: get away from it all with a weekend at the decadent haven created by luxury stalwarts, Shangri-La.(COMPETITION)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Muscat represents the first three-hotel luxury resort in Oman. Opened in February 2006, the resort is set in 124 acres of distinctive scenery, approximately 45 minutes...

Double delight: Egypt is all too often known for its pyramids alone. Brian Johnston uncovers a couple of equally impressive but lesser known treasures that visitors might like to explore.(GREAT ESCAPE)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To my mind the Temple of Horus at Edfu, and the Temple of Haroeris and Sobek at Kom Ombo, while not as well known as some of their counterparts, are truly splendid. They might not have the same vast size as Karnak...

Tried & tested.(hotel services)(Editorial)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... The quality of your flight and hotel accommodation can make or break a work trip. Time is precious when faced with a relentless schedule of business engagements abroad; getting to your destination quickly and comfortably and being able to...

Future perfect: major developments on the ground, on the water and in the air confirm that the Middle East travel industry is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing globally.
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Middle East travel industry may still have young shoulders compared with many of its global counterparts, but the last 12 months show they're broadening. New airports, airlines, hotel brands and sub-brands are...

Beach Rotana.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--ABU DHABI, UAE WHAT'S IT LIKE? This imposing structure with its futuristic looking tower is directly linked to the one-million-square-foot Abu Dhabi Mall, home of the prestigious Abu Dhabi Trade...

Dusit Thani.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHAT'S IT LIKE? Some say it looks like an inverted 'Y'; others say it looks like a tuning fork. In fact--as the brand originated in Thailand--it is designed to imitate the Thai gesture...

Club Executive, Jumeirah Emirates Towers.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHAT'S IT LIKE? Located in the business-slick Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Club Executive is designed specifically for the business traveller. Offering...

Grosvenor House.(TRIED & tested)(Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts Ltd.)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHAT'S IT LIKE? Dubai is growing westwards from the Creek area, and the rapidly sprouting mini Manhattan that is Dubai Marina is likely to become a new epicentre. Opened in July 2005, Le...

Habtoor Grand Hotel.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--BEIRUT, LEBANON WHAT'S IT LIKE? As you might expect from a capital once nicknamed the Paris of the Middle East, Beirut has a lot to offer when it comes to luxurious hotel destinations. There are...

Hilton Beach Resort & Spa, RAK.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE WHAT'S IT LIKE? This five-star complex of two-storey villas is situated overlooking the white-sand beaches on the northern tip of the UAE in Ras Al Khaimah. The general vibe is...

Monarch.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHAT'S IT LIKE? Although by no means the most architecturally daring design in the city, the Monarch is a stylish tower with generous proportions (epitomised by the gargantuan doors at...

Movenpick Hotel Sana'a.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--SANA'A, YEMEN WHAT'S IT LIKE? Considering the millennia worth of history found in Sana'a, the Movenpick is one of the youngest additions to...

The Palace, The Old Town.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHAT'S IT LIKE? An Arabian-themed resort managed by Sofitel Luxury Hotels, it's a component of Emaar's Burj Dubai project. The hotel is located literally at the base of Burj Dubai...

The Place.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHAT'S IT LIKE? The property, still in its launch phase, consists of furnished deluxe hotel apartments. It's nothing like a conventional hotel--sterile white walls and floors greet you...

Radisson SAS Media City.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHAT'S IT LIKE? The Radisson SAS Media City is the newest of three Radisson hotels in the UAE, the other two being the Radisson SAS Dubai Delta Creek (formerly an InterContinental), and...

The Ritz-Carlton, Doha.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DOHA, QATAR WHAT'S IT LIKE? There are many shiny new hotels coming up in Doha but The Ritz-Carlton is a stalwart of the hospitality scene and one of the city's most fashionable addresses. The...

Shangri-La Muscat.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--MUSCAT, OMAN WHAT'S IT LIKE? The scope of this much-anticipated new jewel perched on the bay of the Gulf of Oman is still a little confusing to navigate. Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa...

Traders Hotel, Dubai.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHAT'S IT LIKE? The sparkling lobby is sleek and modern with a minimalist theme running throughout that makes an excellent first impression. Dark furnishings...

The Westin Mina Seyahi.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTEL CHECK--DUBAI, UAE WHAT'S IT LIKE? The hotel's cream and beige-toned facade incorporates balconies and traditional-style windtowers into its...

Air France business class.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--PARIS-DUBAI FIRST IMPRESSIONS I landed at Paris-Charles de Gaulle from Nice's Cote d'Azur airport at 11.45am and was barely left with an hour to complete immigration for my 1.15pm flight back to...

Cathay Pacific business class.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--HONG KONG-DUBAI FIRST IMPRESSIONS Hong Kong's bustling international airport, colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok, is Cathay Pacific's hub so its check-in desks are well represented. The first...

Emirates business class.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--SAO PAULO-DUBAI FIRST IMPRESSIONS As with first class, Emirates' business class offers complimentary airport transfers when pre-booked, and my chauffeur-driven car was waiting outside the hotel...

Etihad pearl zone.(TRIED & tested)(Etihad Airways P.J.S.C.)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--ABU DHABI-MILAN FIRST IMPRESSIONS The pearl zone (that's business class to those unaccustomed to flying with Etihad) check-in is located in a closed-off private area, far from the milling crowds...

Gulf Air business class.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--BAHRAIN-DUBAI FIRST IMPRESSIONS Bahrain International Airport is perhaps one of the better airports after Dubai in the Middle East--it's bright, roomy and fairly quiet,...

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines business class.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--COPENHAGEN-DUBAI FIRST IMPRESSIONS Despite arriving at the check-out with nearly two hours to spare, and finding the queue unsurprisingly empty, staff were prepared and in good spirits. Handy time...

Malaysia Airlines business class.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--KUALA LUMPUR-DUBAI FIRST IMPRESSIONS Check in and immigration at Kuala Lumpur International Airport for the 10.05am flight was quick and effortless. After browsing through the many souvenir shops...

Qatar Airways business class.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--DOHA-WASHINGTON FIRST IMPRESSIONS On landing in Doha from Dubai at 7.40am I was taken to the airline's stylish Premium Terminal in a limousine bus. I had to pass through security before tiding up...

Sri Lankan Airways business class.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--COLOMBO-DUBAI FIRST IMPRESSIONS The drop-off point didn't have the usual manic subcontinental feel and it was a relatively painless trolley grab into the airport, albeit via a slightly...

Virgin Atlantic upper class.(TRIED & tested)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FLIGHT CHECK--LONDON-DUBAI FIRST IMPRESSIONS With separate check-ins for Economy, Premium Economy and Upper Class, queuing time...