‘Tasting the stars’ at 40,000 feet, exclusively with Emirates
Emirates stands out by offering passengers a taste of luxury at 40,000 feet. As the only airline with exclusive agreements to serve Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Dom Pérignon onboard, they provide passengers with a unique opportunity to experience these world-renowned champagnes during their travels.
This commitment to offering the finest champagnes goes beyond simply having them available. Passengers can expect expertly trained cabin crew to present each champagne at the perfect temperature in a special glass, ensuring an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re relaxing in your seat or enjoying the onboard lounge on an A380, there’s a way to savour these bubbles.
Even Economy Class passengers can partake in the celebration by pre-booking a cake and champagne package, offering a small touch of luxury to mark a special occasion. Additionally, Emirates Lounges around the world allow passengers to indulge in champagne before their flight, with the Dubai Business Class Lounge in Concourse B even featuring a dedicated Moët & Chandon Champagne Lounge for an extra special experience.
This dedication to champagne extends beyond just providing a drink. Passengers can learn more about the champagnes through the Emirates Wine Channel or from the knowledgeable cabin crew, who are trained on food pairings and technical details for each champagne.
Emirates’ commitment to “fly better” is evident in their extensive investment in their wine program. Over the past 16 years, they’ve invested over $1 billion, purchasing exceptional champagnes and allowing them to mature before serving them on board. This ensures passengers receive the highest quality champagnes, further solidifying their position as the number one global partner for Dom Pérignon and a leader in offering exclusive champagnes to their passengers.
Passengers can find out what is being served on their flight in advance by checking the Emirates website.
Qatar Airways Celebrates the Start of the Holiday Season with Memorable Experiences Onboard and in Premium Lounges
Qatar Airways infuses the holiday spirit into every aspect of the travel journey, helping passengers reconnect with loved ones from now until December 27th. Passengers can indulge in nostalgic treats and festive menus, evoking childhood memories and reminding them of the joy of travel during this special time.
The festivities begin in the airline’s Premium Lounges, where passengers in premium cabins are treated to a special holiday ambience with snowflake-themed lanterns, festive linens, and cutlery bands. They can also enjoy a delectable holiday menu featuring creamy chestnut soup, seafood platter, roasted turkey, and comforting desserts like marshmallow hot chocolate and peppermint candy canes.
Economy Class passengers are not left out. They can savor holiday favorites like pumpkin mousseline salad, roasted turkey, and gingerbread white mousse cake. While watching holiday movies, they can enjoy hot chocolate in festive cups with marshmallows, popcorn, and candy canes.
The Qatar Airways holiday experience extends across selected routes in Europe, Americas, Africa, and Asia. Passengers can also enjoy classic holiday movies from Oryx One’s special collection throughout the season.
In addition to onboard celebrations, Qatar Airways’ Premium Lounges in Qatar and globally in London, Beirut, Singapore, and Bangkok offer a festive atmosphere with special holiday beverages and cuisine, including butternut squash chowder, turkey roulade, and traditional desserts. Dedicated floral arrangements further enhance the holiday ambiance.
Qatar Airways’ dedication to excellence is reflected in its numerous awards, including being named “Airline of the Year” by Skytrax for an unprecedented sixth time. Additionally, Hamad International Airport, the airline’s hub, has been recognized as the “Best Airport in the World” and the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to receive a 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating by Skytrax. These achievements demonstrate Qatar Airways’ commitment to providing passengers with a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable travel experience, especially during the holiday season.
For full details of all the measures that have been implemented onboard and at HIA, head over to qatarairways.com/safety
Gulfstream Makes Industry-First 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel Flight
In a remarkable feat for sustainable aviation, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced on December 17th, 2022, that it had successfully completed the business jet industry’s first flight powered entirely by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This historic achievement, conducted in partnership with engine supplier Rolls-Royce, utilized a Gulfstream G650 aircraft departing from the company’s headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.
“At Gulfstream, leading our industry closer to decarbonization is a long-standing priority, and testing, evaluating and promoting new developments in SAF takes us another step closer to that goal. We are grateful for our partnership with Rolls-Royce to be able to demonstrate yet another milestone in these efforts. Gulfstream has long prioritized sustainable products and practices through innovations in aerodynamics, aircraft technologies, engineering, manufacturing and infrastructure, as well as in facilities operations and our investments in SAF research and development.”
Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream
This milestone flight underscores Gulfstream’s commitment to environmental responsibility, aligning perfectly with their three-pillar sustainability strategy. This strategy focuses on energy and emissions, operations, and culture and learning, actively supporting industry goals set by organizations like the National Business Aviation Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and the International Business Aviation Council. These goals aim for a 2% annual improvement in fuel efficiency from 2010 to 2020, carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards, and ultimately achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
The utilized SAF, crucial to this successful test flight, is a blend of two key components: HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) and SAK (Synthesized Aromatic Kerosene). HEFA, produced by low-carbon fuel specialist World Energy in California, is derived from waste fat and plant oils. SAK, on the other hand, is developed from plant-based sugars by Wisconsin-based Virent Inc. This innovative blend eliminates the need for any additional petroleum-based components, resulting in a fully sustainable “drop-in” fuel. This crucial characteristic allows the fuel to be seamlessly used in existing jet engines and infrastructure without requiring any modifications, paving the way for a more sustainable future for aviation.
Furthermore, the utilized SAF boasts a significant environmental benefit. Compared to conventional jet fuel, the chosen blend has the potential to reduce net CO2 life cycle emissions by nearly 80%, with the possibility of further reductions in the future. This achievement marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the aviation industry, demonstrating the viability of alternative fuels and their potential to drastically reduce the environmental impact of air travel.
Photo credits: Respective brands
timchew.net 