Latest news with #Oneworld
Irish Times
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Discriminations by AC Grayling: A simple take on the culture wars
Discriminations: Making Peace in the Culture Wars Author : AC Grayling ISBN-13 : 978-0861549962 Publisher : Oneworld Guideline Price : £12.99 In Discriminations, AC Grayling essentially suggests that respect for human rights and commitment to reasoned debate are the antidotes to the poisonous state of politics. A simple solution. The title, Discriminations, plays with two meanings. Firstly, there is discrimination in the sense of sexism, racism and other prejudices which Grayling positions himself as firmly against, taking the side of social justice and defending those pilloried as 'woke'. Secondly, there is discrimination in the sense of making subtle distinctions – between rights and interests, between free-speech and hate-speech, for instance. Grayling offers a historical perspective on cancel culture, stretching the term to include collective cancelling, for example the crusade against Albigensian heretics in 13th century France, or individual cancelling, such as the pillory of Oscar Wilde. He argues that tactics such as 'no-platforming' or 'cancelling' are rarely justified, and that abandoning the principle of free speech to the right is a mistake by the left, feminists or the 'woke'. READ MORE Aside from how far-fetched these historical comparisons appear, the main thrust of the book is that the current poisonous state of the culture wars is created by all participants, left, right or otherwise. Grayling suggests that the left must examine its tactics and respect free speech, and that the right must respect human rights as distinct from interests – the maintenance of advantages. Along the way, he drifts into 'both-sides' style equations of the hard left and hard right. The extremes are the problem; those in the centre hold the answers. Supposedly rising above the 'culture war', Grayling proposes liberal solutions: rights, debate, freedom. These are hard to disagree with but obviously these are widespread, even dominant ideas of the last century. Grayling admonishes everyone to return to these principles, which should deliver a harmonious political debate – full of difference and disagreement but civil. Today, when authoritarian populists and neoliberals are the champions of free speech, this is insufficient. With a schoolmasterly tone – though often implausible, ' ... reflection will suggest, fundamentally, morality is a matter of good manners ...' – Grayling's book is almost endearingly nostalgic. The simple solution of reasonable arguments countering problematic views is alluring, but hardly tenable now. Effectively, the culture wars means that what counts as problematic or reasonable is now essentially contested. Even where his diagnosis is apt, his solutions seem implausible.
Axios
15-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
New American Airlines lounge to open at Charlotte airport
American Airlines will introduce a new lounge at Charlotte Douglas International Airport this summer. Why it matters: This will be the airline's first Provisions by Admirals Club lounge, which is designed for travelers who need to keep it moving but still want a quick break. American will have three lounges total at CLT. What to expect: You'll find the roughly 2,000-square-foot lounge in Concourse A near gate A1. The lounge will have minimal furniture beyond high-top standing tables to help travelers get in and out quickly. Food options will include sandwiches, salads, snacks and fresh fruit, plus vegetarian sandwiches and salads. American Airlines representatives will be on-site to assist travelers. By the numbers: Charlotte is American's second-largest hub. It operates most of CLT's flights, with more than 670 peak-day departures to more than 170 destinations in 27 countries, per a release from the airline. How it works: You can access the Provisions by Admirals Club lounge the same way you would an Admirals Club location, including buying a one-day pass for 24 hours for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles. Domestic passengers can access the lounge through an Admirals Club membership, a qualifying frequent flyer program Oneworld status, or the Citi / AAdvantage executive credit card. Eligible AAdvantage status members may access the lounge on qualifying international flights. What they're saying: "Charlotte plays a significant role in the connectivity of the airline, serving millions of customers every year as they travel to, from and through CLT to destinations across our global network," Ralph Lopez Massas, American's senior vice president of CLT operations, said in a statement.
Travel Weekly
12-07-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Airline alliance Oneworld is playing catch-up in tech integration
The Oneworld alliance has set a goal of integrating each of its 15 member airlines into Oneworld's common technology platform by the end of the year. Initially, Oneworld expects the platform to facilitate cross-airline boarding passes on multi-airline itineraries so that flyers can board flights using whichever airline's app they prefer. Later, Oneworld expects the platform to facilitate cross-airline bag-tracking and lounge access, said Oneworld CEO Nat Pieper during a press briefing in late June. Oneworld has lagged behind competitors SkyTeam and Star Alliance on cross-airline integrations. SkyTeam, for example, was already facilitating multi-airline check-in last summer on 95% of the group's global volume, CEO Patrick Roux said at the time. Pieper said that progress has quickened over the past several months in the alliance, whose largest members are American Airlines, British Airways, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines. Oneworld's other members are Cathay Pacific, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian and Sri Lankan Airlines. Malaysia and Sri Lankan became the first two airlines to integrate into the Oneworld common platform last November. Currently eight airlines have integrated. Oneworld hasn't made the entire list public, but the largest airline to have done so is Qatar, Pieper said. Crucially, he said, American and British Airways will be integrated by the end of the summer, boosting momentum and scale. American alone accounts for more than 43% of the seats on offer by Oneworld airlines this month, Cirium schedule data shows. Pieper says that there is peer pressure between Oneworld CEOs to integrate into the platform. "Once you build momentum, others are more willing to produce," he said.
Muscat Daily
30-06-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman Air joins Oneworld alliance, expands reach and benefits
Muscat – In a strategic move set to boost inbound tourism, Oman Air has officially joined the Oneworld alliance, becoming its 15th full member. Its inclusion in one of the world's most prestigious airline networks positions Oman as a more connected and accessible destination than ever before, opening new travel corridors to and from over 900 destinations across 170 countries. This milestone follows more than two years of integration efforts and is expected to drive tourism, economic growth and global recognition for the sultanate. Speaking during a breakfast meeting at W Hotel on Monday, Con Korfiatis, CEO of the airline, said, 'Oman Air is honoured to be joining the Oneworld alliance. We are thrilled to welcome Oneworld customers to experience Oman's rich culture, mountain adventures, serene beaches and heartfelt hospitality. For Oman-based travellers, this opens up a world of seamless global journeys.' As a full member, Oman Air's top-tier guests will now enjoy access to nearly 700 business lounges worldwide, including newly opened Oneworld-branded lounges at Amsterdam Schiphol and Seoul Incheon. Guests will also benefit from priority check-in, boarding, mileage earning and redemption, and full status recognition across the alliance. Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air The move is set to attract more visitors from key long-haul markets such as the United States, Japan and Australia, offering them smoother travel to Oman through partner airlines. Welcoming the development, Nat Pieper, CEO of Oneworld, said, 'Oman Air brings valuable strategic reach and award-winning service to our network. This partnership enhances our connectivity across the Gulf and South Asia, and strengthens our position as the alliance of choice for international travellers. With Oneworld membership, Oman Air not only enhances its service portfolio but also places the sultanate firmly on the global travel map as a must-visit destination.' The announcement comes as Oman Air expands its global footprint, with new direct flights from Muscat to Amsterdam launching on July 1, and a double daily Muscat–London service starting in October. Oman Air currently operates flights to 42 destinations in 22 countries, and this partnership significantly increases its reach.
Travel Weekly
30-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Oman Air to join Oneworld Alliance
Oman Air will join Oneworld Alliance on July 1, becoming the group's 15th member, the alliance announced Monday. Beginning Tuesday, Oneworld customers will have access to a network of destinations across Oman Air's global schedule, including the launch of new nonstop Muscat-Amsterdam service. As a full Oneworld member, Oman Air will offer Oneworld customers with Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby status benefits, including earning and redeeming miles, lounge access and priority check-in and boarding. In addition, Oman Air's top-tier customers will gain access to Oneworld priority benefits, which include nearly 700 airport lounges.
