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Tips and tricks for families to fly better with Emirates this summer

Emirates flags a significant peak travel period starting on Saturday 6 July as many families leave for summer holidays, customers are advised to take note of key timings at the airport, grab a complimentary Emirates ice-cream and enjoy the many options for families to fly better. 44 minutes ago Tips and tricks for families to fly better with Emirates this summer s Emirates flags a significant peak travel period starting on Saturday 6 July as many families leave for summer holidays, customers are advised to take note of key timings at the airport, grab a complimentary Emirates ice-cream and enjoy the many options for families to fly better. Emirates is a family-friendly airline that flies more than one million children around the world every year and offers multiple bespoke services for families. This peak travel period, customers departing Dubai with Emirates are advised to plan for extra traffic on the roads approaching the airport, more people at the airport going through Immigration, and the time it may take to travel between Concourses and reach Boarding Gates. Tick to these handy timelines for stress- free family travel: · In peak travel times, arrive to the Airport: 3 hours before departure · Ensure you pass through Immigration: 1.5 hours before departure · Ensure you reach your correct Boarding Gate: 1 hour before departure Emirates customers can opt to use the Emirates Home Check In service in Dubai and Sharjah. Agents complete the check-in process at the customers’ home, hotel, or office, and take the bags on to the flight so that they can arrive a later time with hand luggage. The service needs to be booked at least 24 hours before a flight. The Home Check-In service is complimentary for First Class passengers and Platinum Skywards members. Use the app or website - Download the Emirates app to book and change flights, download a digital boarding pass for most destinations, get notifications about your flight and even check the menu for your flight. Customers can also purchase preferred seats and an excess baggage allowance in advance, book a chauffeur drive service and pre-select movies to watch via ice inflight entertainment. Customers can also check in on Emirates.com. Online check-in and app check-in are both open 48 hours ahead of flight departure time. Drop off luggage early - Emirates customers can drop off luggage at the airport the night before travel at no charge. Passengers who are departing from Dubai can check-in early and drop off their bags 24 hours before departure, or 12 hours before departure if flying to the US. Then closer to departure time, customers can proceed directly to the immigration area in the airport. DIFC - Save time at airport and check in at the Emirates City Check‑in and Travel Store in ICD Brookfield Place, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) instead. Conveniently located in the heart of the business district, Emirates customers can check in and drop off luggage as early as 24 hours and up to 4 hours before a flight. Customers can check in anytime from 8:00am to 10:00pm daily. Ajman - If you are travelling from the northern Emirates, you can also check-in at Ajman Central Bus Terminal from 24 hours up to 4 hours before your flight. Customers can check in anytime, 24 hours a day. Pre-order Duty-Free shopping - Customers who wish to save even more time can pre-order Duty-Free Shopping on EmiratesRED.com and get access to exclusive Duty-Free products, which are then delivered to their seat in the air. The pre-order service is available on most flights, and customers can shop from 21 days up to 40 hours before their flight, providing their flight details during checkout. Emirates cabin crew then deliver the order directly to the customer’s seat inflight. Family Entertainment and Comfort Onboard Emirates Kids Meals - Kid’s meals are served almost all Emirates routes, across all classes and feature tasty and nutritious meals and snackable elements. Organic baby food, milk formula and baby bottles are available onboard for infants if parents and guardians require them during the flight. Baby amenities - Parents with babies onboard are given an infant amenity kit including diapers, a bib, lotion and a changing matt so that the littlest passengers stay fresh throughout their journey. Most Emirates aircraft bathrooms are equipped with baby changing tables. Baby Bassinets - For infants under 2 years old, parents can book seats with safe and comfortable bassinets so that their babies can snooze comfortably throughout the flight. Parents can also bring approved car seats onboard for extra familiarity and safety. Entertainment on ice - Emirates award-winning inflight entertainment ice allows kids to get stuck into movie marathons including new releases, all-new Disney Classics collection, plus Marvel Studios and Star Wars collections, and the complete Harry Potter movies series, CBeebies, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. Emirates ice even has up to 100 video games, which can be played by two players in different seats on the in-seat controllers. Kids Keepsakes - Kids of all ages are offered a selection of toys and giveaways onboard, made from more sustainable materials with each age group in mind. For example, the Fly with Me magazine is a fun-filled activity magazine featuring puzzles, jokes and activities for 3–8-year-olds. To make memories that last a lifetime, Emirates cabin crew can capture kid’s special moments and journeys onboard with an instant Polaroid camera, which is then presented to the family in a limited-edition Emirates photo frame as a keepsake. Free Wi-Fi - Kids get free Wi-Fi messaging onboard Emirates in all classes – simply add the membership number to the booking prior to the flight. Sign up to Emirates Skysurfers loyalty programme for young travellers and kids between 2-17 years old can earn Skywards Miles on every Emirates and flydubai flight, then spend them on more flights or unique lifestyle benefits.

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Etihad Airways Enhances Travel Experience with Eight New Destinations

Etihad Airways has made a significant move in June by adding eight new destinations to its route network. This expansion underscores the airline’s dedication to improving global connectivity and providing more travel options to its customers. It is part of Etihad’s comprehensive strategy to bolster its market presence and deliver an enhanced travel experience. Operating in the highly competitive Middle Eastern airline industry, Etihad competes directly with giants like Qatar Airways and Emirates. To distinguish itself, the airline is focusing on broadening its reach and diversifying its routes. This approach is central to Etihad’s efforts to remain competitive and attract a global clientele. At present, Etihad’s fleet consists of over 90 aircraft, servicing more than 70 destinations across the globe. This extensive network ensures that passengers can travel seamlessly between major international hubs, reinforcing Etihad’s reputation for connectivity and convenience. Looking towards the future, Etihad has ambitious plans for growth. By the end of the decade, the airline aims to increase its destinations by 40 and expand its fleet to over 150 planes. This ambitious vision highlights Etihad’s commitment to becoming a leading global airline and continuously improving its offerings for travelers.

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Garuda Indonesia And Singapore Airlines Secure Regulatory Approval For Innovative Commercial Alliance

Regulators have approved the commercial partnership between Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines, paving the way for an innovative and strategic collaboration. Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have received approval from the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) for their commercial joint venture agreement. This green light allows the airlines to enhance their strategic collaboration across various commercial activities, which will benefit both carriers and the countries of Indonesia and Singapore. The partnership may include operating joint revenue-sharing flights between the two nations, synchronizing flight schedules to offer travelers more choices and seamless connectivity, and launching joint sales and marketing campaigns to provide additional value to customers of both airlines. Since the agreement was signed in May 2023, Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines have been working on several initiatives, including allowing GarudaMiles and KrisFlyer members to earn and redeem miles on codeshare routes. They have also initiated joint marketing efforts to boost tourism. Currently, the airlines codeshare on numerous routes, such as flights between Singapore and Indonesian cities like Bali, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya, as well as long-haul routes between Singapore and Johannesburg, London (Heathrow), and Mumbai. Mr Irfan Setiaputra, President and Chief Executive Officer, Garuda Indonesia, said: “We are very pleased to receive this approval, as it marks significant progress towards our commitment to enhance service quality as well as broaden both Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines’ networks through a deepening partnership. The joint venture initiative that we are preparing today has been one of the strategies to ensure extensive value creation for our loyal customers. Having regulatory approval as the first step in a commercial agreement will provide more opportunity for developing well-executed strategic ideas. “Moreover, we hope that this joint venture agreement can provide seamless services for passengers with more flight schedule options and ease in earning and redeeming mileage. Also, this collaboration may deliver concrete action to contribute to boosting Indonesian tourism activities, which will support the post-pandemic economic recovery progress,” Mr Irfan explained. Mr Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “The robust strategic partnership between Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines has enabled us to broaden our codeshare services over the last few years, offering our customers more choices on flights. With the CCCS’s approval, we are poised to deepen our collaboration across a wider scope of commercial activities. Along with the ongoing work to strengthen the links between our frequent flyer membership programmes, this will provide our customers with even more options and enhanced value. This partnership underscores both airlines’ commitment to improving connectivity between Indonesia and Singapore and beyond, boosting both business and leisure travel, and contributing to economic growth.”

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Ancient garden linked to Emperor Caligula found near St. Peter's Basilica

Archaeological excavations near the Vatican uncovered the remains of an ancient garden overlooking the right bank of the Tiber River that was likely owned by Roman Emperor Caligula, Italy’s culture ministry said Thursday. The discovery was made during construction work to create a pedestrian piazza linking Castel Sant'Angelo to St. Peter's Basilica and its Via della Conciliazione boulevard, some of Rome's most visited tourist sites. In ancient times the area housed prestigious imperial residences overlooking the Tiber with spectacular porticos, promenades and gardens. What remains underground are a travertine wall, the foundations of a colonnaded portico and a garden, the ministry said. The excavations also uncovered a lead water pipe stamped with the name of the owner of the water supply and likely of the garden. The details point to Caligula, son of Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder, and emperor of Rome from 37 to 41, the ministry said, adding that there are literary references that seem to confirm the connection of the site to Caligula. The excavation also revealed an important series of figurative terracottas used to decorate roofs, with unusual mythological scenes, reused as covers for the sewers, but originally probably made for the covering of some structure in the garden, the ministry said. The construction project is part of the Vatican's 2025 Jubilee, a holy year that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome. The runup to the Jubilee has involved launching dozens of long-delayed construction projects, including the 79.5 million euro piazza, with a tunnel below it redirecting traffic underground. The project, located at Piazza Pia, is expected to be completed by December.

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Thomas Cook India Awarded for Outstanding MICE Travel Services

Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, received the MICE Travel Agency – Outbound award at the Economic Times MICE & Wedding Tourism Awards 2024. This prestigious platform recognizes the exceptional contributions of MICE and wedding tourism companies and professionals. The 2024 awards emphasized remarkable achievements in innovation, customer service, and meaningful business contributions, setting new benchmarks for excellence. The selection process evaluated various parameters, with nominations assessed by a distinguished jury of industry experts. Thomas Cook India’s MICE team was honored for its innovative product development and deep understanding of consumer preferences and trends, showcasing the company’s effective strategies and commitment to scalability and sustainability. Mr. Rajeev Kale – President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “At Thomas Cook India, we believe that MICE is an art! Innovation is deeply embedded in our DNA and we take great pride in delivering exceptional experiences for our customers – across destinations. It is truly an honour to accept the Economic Times MICE Outbound award on behalf of my exceptional team. This prestigious accolade underscores our leadership in the MICE sector, and our unerring focus on product development and commitment to delivering unparalleled MICE experiences.”

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Empowering Solo Travelers: Technology and Community Lead the Way

Solo travel has surged in popularity in recent years, with more individuals opting to explore the world on their own terms. This phenomenon is not merely a trend but a cultural shift towards embracing independence, enabled significantly by higher disposal income, improved transportation infrastructure and advancements in technology. Solo travellers want flexibility to set their own itinerary, explore their interests, and immerse themselves fully in new experiences. Technology: The Ultimate Enabler Smart phones and the internet have become indispensable tools for modern travellers. The rise of mobile applications and online platforms has streamlined the booking experience, while platforms like Google Maps offer real-time navigation and public transit information, making it simple to navigate even the most complex of cities. Furthermore, social media is connecting like-minded travellers around the globe, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie. However, safety and authenticity of their experiences continue to be biggest concerns of solo travellers. The majority of OTAs, while, they have made it easier to book travel products, have little innovation in actual travel experiences consumed on the ground, which makes it even more risky for solo travellers in foreign countries. There is a need to leverage technology to allow customers to travel with peace of mind, knowing help is available at their fingertips and their safety is of prime importance to travel companies. Remote Work and Digital Nomads Remote work, flexible work hours are blurring the lines between work travel and leisure travel. New travel trends, such as weekend getaways, remote work trips, or digital nomads travelling for extended periods while creating content or sharing stories, are becoming increasingly popular. Newer accommodation options, like well-maintained & community-fostering hostels, now serve as vibrant hubs of social interaction and cultural exchange. The hostel culture has changed solo travel, making it practical and fun. One of the greatest advantages of staying in hostels is the opportunity to connect with fellow travellers from around the world. Whether it’s striking up a conversation over breakfast, joining a group excursion, or participating in a hostel-hosted event, travellers have ample opportunities to enjoy their trips while meeting likeminded travellers. Solo travel has become more accessible and enjoyable than ever before, thanks to advancements in technology and the fostering of vibrant travel communities. Through the empowerment of technology and the sense of belonging cultivated by hostel culture and travel communities, solo travellers are able to embark on transformative journeys with confidence and excitement.

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