Latest news with #LufthansaGroup
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
Swiss Airlines unveils new first class enclosed suites – with beds and total privacy
First-class passengers on some Swiss International Air Lines flights will soon get to travel in their own private enclosed suites, complete with a personal wardrobe and even a double bed. The Switzerland-based carrier unveiled a new cabin concept called 'SWISS Senses' at Zurich Airport on Tuesday, with a redesign of all seat classes for "the biggest product investment in the company's history," according to a press release. Expected to be delivered in October, the airline's new Airbus A350-900s will be the first to feature the reimagined cabins, slated to initially fly European routes before servicing the Zurich to Boston long haul in the winter. Eventually, the airline's current fleet of Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 777-300ER will also undergo a revamp with the new design. First class vs business class: What's the difference? "I am delighted that, with the arrival of our new Airbus A350s, we will be able to offer our customers an even more personal, exclusive and individual air travel experience," said SWISS Chief Commercial Officer Heike Birlenbach at today's presentation event. The entire cabin is set to feature warm, muted tones for a cozier atmosphere, plus what the airline calls "human-centric lighting" to help ease the effects of jet lag by supporting the "body's natural biorhythm," according to a fact sheet. All seats will also enjoy larger screens and the option to hook up their personal electronic devices. Introduced in the redesign is a brand-new flight experience for the airline: the SWISS First suites, which emulates a private room with sliding doors that can be closed for total privacy for first-class fliers. Suites will be equipped with a personal wardrobe, large table, seat heating and cooling plus a screen that spans the width of the suite. According to a seat map, suites will be situated at the forward section of the plane, with single suites on each side and a center suite of almost 40 square feet that can accommodate two passengers. Those flying in SWISS First also have access to a spacious new washroom as well. SWISS' holding company Lufthansa Group released a similar first-class suite concept in the spring after several years of regulatory approval hurdles. Other upgrades in the new concept include all business class seats becoming fully lie-flat and some receiving sliding doors for additional privacy. For those who won't be in first or business class, the new economy class seats are also designed with extra at-seat space, the airline said.
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘Fantastic news' – Irish airport announces ‘exciting' new route to European city starting next year
AN Irish airport has announced an "exciting" new route to Frankfurt. Discover Airlines, a Lufthansa Group subsidiary, is set to introduce a direct, twice-weekly service from Shannon Airport to the German city from April 4, 2026. 2 Shannon Airport welcome the new Frankfurt route 2 The first flight will take off on April 4, 2026 The route will operate on Saturdays running from April 4 to October 24, 2026, and on Thursdays from May 14 to September 24, offering passengers a quick two-hour journey on board an Airbus A320-200. The new Frankfurt route will add more than 16,700 seats to Shannon's summer schedule. CEO of the Shannon "Having direct access to Frankfurt, one of Europe's key airport hubs and a leading financial centre, opens up incredible opportunities for both connectivity and growth. READ MORE IN TRAVEL "It's a win not just for business travel, but also for regional tourism. Germany is a hugely important market for us, and with this new direct route, inbound visitors have an easier path to the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way and all that the West of Ireland has to offer.' Head of Aviation Development at Shannon Airport, Declan Power said: 'We're proud to announce this new route today - a testament to the strong demand from our passengers flying to and from Shannon Airport. "We've worked closely with our new airline partner, Discover Airlines, to deliver this strategic connection to Frankfurt, one of Europe's premier hubs and we're confident the service will really resonate with both business and leisure travellers alike." As part of the Lufthansa Group, Discover Airlines will connect to the vast Lufthansa Group network through their Frankfurt hub. Most read in News Travel This offers convenient and regular onward connections to destinations across Germany, Europe and beyond to Asia, Africa and the Americas. The service features coordinated flight and rail transfers, and convenient departure times from Shannon to ensure smooth afternoon and evening connections from Frankfurt. I'm an Aer Lingus flight attendant - here's a look at our newest flight direct to US destination from Dublin Meanwhile, Aer Lingus has added a new route to one of the best places in the world to A brand-new direct route from Whether chasing the Aurora Borealis, taking advantage of 24-hour skiing, or just looking for a picturesque winter escape, Tromsø has something for the whole family. Flights will operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Sundays, from until March 25 with one-way fares available from €99.99 including taxes, charges and carrier-imposed fees. Chief Customer Officer, Susanne Carberry said: 'Our new direct service from Dublin to Tromsø introduces Norway to the Aer Lingus network for the first time . "This is a fantastic opportunity for our customers in Ireland to discover the natural beauty and unique experiences of Northern Norway this winter. "The new route also offers the people of Tromsø and surrounding areas a convenient connection to Dublin and a chance to explore all that Ireland has to offer.' Route developer at Avinor, Airports of With its unique location within the Northern Lights Belt, Tromsø is an ideal destination for visitors hoping to experience the beauty of the Aurora Borealis. The city's famous Fjellheisen cable car to the summit of Mount Storsteinen offers one of the best ways to see this natural phenomenon, whilst also enjoying panoramic views of the city – including its famous Arctic Cathedral. Just 12km from the airport, Tromsø Alpinpark offers slopes for all skill levels—perfect for snow sports enthusiasts seeking adventure in the Arctic. Adding to the airline's portfolio of 'Coolcation' destinations, Tromsø is the fourth new short haul route added to Aer Lingus' 2025/26 winter schedule. Aer Lingus will also launch new direct flights from Dublin to Turin this winter, as well as direct flights from Cork to Prague and Geneva. And the airline is also having a The Irish airline has slashed prices with up to 20 per cent off some routes. Passengers must travel between August 18 and September 30 to avail of the cheap Catch some sunshine in beautiful Faro, Located in the Algarve region, Faro is known and loved for its unique island beaches, intriguing architecture and buzzing nightlife. Escape to sunny Palma de Mallorca in Spain for a bargain €58.40 from Dublin. The Sun lovers can also catch a flight from Cork to Malaga for just €58.17. Malaga, with over 300 days of sunshine a year, is a great spot for a mix of sun, culture and history. Sun worshippers in the capital can also snap up flights to Tenerife from €82.40 and Lanzarote from just €92.80. For holidaymakers who like a mix of sun and city, flights from Dublin to Barcelona are a steal from €44.60. From tapas bars and seafood taverns to super-trendy molecular gastronomy, there's plenty for foodies to indulge in.
RTÉ News
18 hours ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
New route from Shannon to Frankfurt for next summer
Shannon Airport has today announced a new service to Frankfurt for next summer. Discover Airlines, a Lufthansa Group subsidiary, is to start a direct, twice-weekly service from Shannon Airport to the German city, starting on April 4, 2026. The route will operate on Saturdays from April 4 to October 24 and on Thursdays from May 14 to September 24. The new Frankfurt route will add more than 16,700 seats to Shannon's summer schedule next year. Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, said that having direct access to Frankfurt, one of Europe's key airport hubs and a leading financial centre, opens up incredible opportunities for both connectivity and growth. "It's a win not just for business travel, but also for regional tourism. Germany is a hugely important market for us, and with this new direct route, inbound visitors have an easier path to the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way and all that the West of Ireland has to offer," she added. Declan Power, Head of Aviation Development at Shannon Airport, said the new route is testament to the strong demand from passengers flying to and from Shannon Airport. "We've worked closely with our new airline partner, Discover Airlines, to deliver this strategic connection to Frankfurt, one of Europe's premier hubs and we're confident the service will really resonate with both business and leisure travellers alike," he added.
Irish Independent
20 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
New route announced at Shannon Airport as bank holiday surge expected
In an exciting addition to the summer 2026 schedule, Discover Airlines, a Lufthansa Group subsidiary, is set to introduce a direct, twice-weekly service from Shannon Airport to Frankfurt, Germany, starting on April 4. The route will operate on Saturdays running from April 4 to October 24, 2026, and on Thursdays from May 14 to September 24, offering passengers a quick two hour journey on board an Airbus A320-200. The new Frankfurt route will add more than 16,700 seats to Shannon's summer schedule. Welcoming the announcement Mary Considine, CEO, The Shannon Airport Group said: 'This is more fantastic news for Shannon Airport and the Mid-West business community. 'Having direct access to Frankfurt, one of Europe's key airport hubs and a leading financial centre, opens up incredible opportunities for both connectivity and growth. 'It's a win not just for business travel, but also for regional tourism. 'Germany is a hugely important market for us, and with this new direct route, inbound visitors have an easier path to the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way and all that the West of Ireland has to offer.' As part of the Lufthansa Group, Discover Airlines will connect to the vast Lufthansa Group network through their Frankfurt hub. This offers convenient and regular onward connections to destinations across Germany, Europe and beyond. The news comes as Shannon Airport is anticipating one of their busiest weekends of the year. The airport is preparing for a bustling August Bank Holiday, with almost 60,000 passengers expected to travel through the airport over the period - marking a 10 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This continued growth reflects a strong performance for Shannon Airport in 2025, with over 1.04 million passengers recorded in the first half of the year – a seven per cent year-on-year increase. "We're delighted to see such strong demand this August Bank Holiday period,' Ms Considine said. 'The increase in passenger numbers is a clear sign that our investments in connectivity, infrastructure and customer experience are paying off. 'Shannon is thriving, and we're proud to be playing a key role in supporting tourism and business across the region." Passengers travelling over the Bank Holiday period are advised to arrive two hours before short-haul flights and three hours before long-haul departures. It is also strongly advised to pre-book parking via ahead of what will be an exceptionally busy weekend. Shannon Airport has also recently taken home the crown for 'Ireland's Top Airport Brand 2025', retaining its position as the country's top airport brand for the third consecutive year, according to the RED C Brand Reaction Index (BRI) Ireland 2025. The newly released index, which lists the top 176 most emotionally connected brands, shows Shannon Airport placed at number 48, up three places on last year's list, and once again making it the highest-ranking airport brand in the country. 'We are absolutely delighted to be recognised as Ireland's top airport brand for a 3rd year running,' Ms Considine said. 'An excellent customer experience is always our priority here at Shannon Airport, so this comprehensive Red C testing is really important as a measure of how we are connecting with customers and delivering on that every year. 'We're incredibly grateful to our loyal passengers - not just for choosing to fly Shannon, but for recognising what we work so hard to deliver every day: great value, accessibility, convenience and comfort. 'Our fantastic teams across Shannon Airport consistently go the extra mile to make each journey smooth and enjoyable, and this announcement is a true reflection of their passion and dedication. 'A huge thank you to them all.'
Fox News
09-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
First major US airline to resume Israel flights as part of 'longstanding commitment to serving Tel Aviv'
The first U.S. airline has announced it will be resuming flights to Israel amid the current ceasefire between the Jewish State and Iran. United Airlines said it will resume flights to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, from New York/Newark on July 21, with twice-daily flights returning the next day. The Chicago-based airline halted flights last month, with its last flight taking place a day before "Operation Rising Lion" on June 11. Israel closed its airspace on June 13 — with full operations resuming after the 12 days of conflict concluded following a ceasefire deal brokered by President Donald Trump. "This resumption is in line with United's longstanding commitment to serving Tel Aviv," a United spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Throughout 2025, United has flown to Tel Aviv more than any other U.S. airline," it said. The airline will continue flying passengers to Tel Aviv on its Boeing 787-10s. "United service to Tel Aviv always follows a detailed assessment of operational considerations in the region and close consultation with the unions representing our flight attendants and pilots," the statement added. Through a partnership with Lufthansa Group airlines, United also offers connections to Tel Aviv. American Airlines has not serviced Tel Aviv since Oct. 6, 2023 — a day before the Hamas terrorist attack. "American continuously evaluates its network and we have nothing new to share at this time regarding Tel Aviv service," said an American spokesperson. The State Department still has a travel advisory to "Reconsider Travel" in Israel, citing terrorism and civil unrest, and "Do Not Travel" in Northern Israel. "The security situation in Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is unpredictable, and U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire and armed UAV intrusions and missiles, can take place without warning," the State Department's website says. President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday evening. It was the Jewish leader's first trip to Washington since the 12-day war between Israel and Iran erupted, and comes on the heels of a stoppage in fighting between the two countries, as Fox News Digital reported. "We had tremendous success together," Trump said during the public portion of their dinner meeting. "And I think it will only go on to be even greater success in the future." Netanyahu surprised President Trump with a formal Nobel Peace Prize nomination at the dinner.
