July 2011

Continental’s OnePass to merge into Mileage Plus

The frequent flyer programmes of United and Continental will merge at the end of this year under United's Mileage Plus scheme. The move is part of the integration of the two airlines following their merger last year, and will see Continental’s OnePass scheme ceasing to exist on 31 December 2011.  Members of the OnePass scheme will see their account automatically moved over to the Mileage Plus programme, with miles converted at a rate of 1:1, and qualifying activity for elite status “recognised fully”. Members holding both Mileage Plus and OnePass accounts can choose to link them now and combine miles immediately.

Mandarin Oriental debuts in Paris

Luxury hotel group Mandarin Oriental has opened its sixth European property, a 138-room hotel located on Rue Saint Honoré in the French capital.  The hotel combines the building’s original Art Deco façade with “chic, contemporary interiors”, and features an oriental-inspired indoor garden, gourmet restaurant Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx, all day dining restaurant Camélia, Bar 8, and a 900sqm spa with seven private suites, an indoor pool and fitness centre.

Virgin Australia to end partnership with Malaysia Airlines

Virgin Australia intends to dissolve its partnership with Malaysia Airlines.  The move follows news of an alliance between the carrier and Singapore Airlines and their application with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to establish code shares on routes between Australia and Singapore, as well as joint pricing, marketing and sales initiatives.  MAS' intention to join the oneworld airline grouping was another reason for the cessation of reciprocal frequent flyer schemes benefits and interline arrangements.

Sofitel opens first “Legend” in Europe

Sofitel’s Amsterdam property – The Grand – has officially launched as a “Sofitel Legend”, the five-star hotel chain’s top tier for properties with “rarity and exclusivity”.  The move to create Sofitel Legend properties is part of Accor’s continued repositioning of its top tier Sofitel brand, a move which has seen the number of Sofitels drop in recent years as they have either been rebranded as Pullmans or M Gallery properties, or have left the Accor group altogether. The first Sofitel Legend was the Metropole in Hanoi.

Second wave of Scandinavian flights

Gulf Air has started flights to Copenhagen, ahead of Emirates launching services on 1 August, as the region's carriers seek to grow Gulf-Northern European business.  The Bahrain carrier has pipped Emirates in the inaugural stakes, although it's a bit behind Qatar Airways which began services in March last year.