Virgin Atlantic launches Delhi flights from Manchester Airport

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• ian_h says:

  26 Feb26 February 05:19

  “The new route from Manchester will be the only direct flight between Manchester and India.”

  Technically not quite right Rhys as Tui operate Man-Goa

  • Nick_C says:

    26 Feb26 February 06:55

    Technically not quite right Ian.

    TUI fly MAN to GOI. They don’t fly MAN to GOA 😉

    • ian_h says:

      26 Feb26 February 08:01

      Touche but it was far too early for me as it was without even attempting any detail 😉

  • Rhys says:

    26 Feb26 February 08:58

    But only with a package holiday!

    • Anuj says:

      26 Feb26 February 15:34

      I’m pretty sure you can buy tui flights for that route. I remember them being £99 one way a while back.

      • Rhys says:

        26 Feb26 February 15:59

        I tried (admittedly not very hard!) and couldn’t…

• anon says:

  26 Feb26 February 05:37

  Something I have been thinking more about in recent years, is the non alcoholic offerings in the premium cabins of airlines, as well as vegetarian, vegan and healthier food options. We are starting to go through a cultural shift whereby consumers are more open than ever before, to pay attention to health and nutrition. I know Virgin and Emirates offer nice mocktails and have started to include healthier food choices, but I wonder if HFP could place additional focus on these factors when writing their reviews? I know we won’t lose the fine wine and champagne expectations but I thought it might be good to place a slightly wider review lens to reflect the current consumer culture. What do peeps think?

  • KP says:

    26 Feb26 February 07:40

    Agree!

  • Anna says:

    26 Feb26 February 07:51

    I want to be thoroughly decadent on holiday, it’s my reward for being good the rest of the year! But for someone who travels a lot on business I imagine healthier options would be welcome.

    • pointsarb says:

      26 Feb26 February 08:26

      Hi Anna, I seem to recall you being very much in the know on all things Grand Cayman! We are planning our first trip this Xmas with 2 kids in tow and were thinking of staying at the Westin. Any general tips you could share for a first timer to GC with kids would be greatly appreciated.

      Thank you!

  • Spursdebs says:

    26 Feb26 February 08:39

    I’m teetotal not for any cultural reasons but because glandular fever destroyed my spleen 20 odd years ago and now I can’t touch the stuff. It taste of metal and makes me very sick after only one glass.
    The choice of non alcoholic cocktails is normally abysmal and lazy where ever I go. Think the nicest mocktail I’ve ever had was on a beach in Koh Samui pineapple and mint.

    • Peter K says:

      26 Feb26 February 08:42

      The Langley has some very nice mocktails. At £13 + service charge for a small glass they should be though 😁

      • Spursdebs says:

        26 Feb26 February 12:09

        Not as expensive as The Ritz 1 peach Bellini 2 mocktails £72! And that was a few years ago.

    • Lady London says:

      27 Feb27 February 11:54

      I remember very nice mocktails everywhere in Dubai.

  • missgeekchic says:

    26 Feb26 February 12:22

    @Rob & Rhys – what do you think? Many people do not drink for religious, health or lifestyle reasons and an increasing amount of people are looking at plant-based or healthier food options! I am one of those people and meet so many other like me when I fly.

    • Rhys says:

      26 Feb26 February 12:32

      I tried Seedlip recently and wasn’t impressed, but always open to delicious mocktails!

• Si says:

  26 Feb26 February 05:42

  OT – Seattle.
  Anyone have any insight into which IHG Kimpton hotel is best/nicest in Seattle?

  I have enough points for 2 free nights at either “Monaco”, “Vintage” or the Palladian.

  They’re all same number of points and price and give or take in same location.

  I’m IHG Platinum but guess as all Kimpton hotels, will make little difference between the 3 of them.

  Many thanks.

  • Andrew (@andrewseftel) says:

    26 Feb26 February 10:02

    I recall the Monaco being perfectly pleasant but no wow factor that would make me seek it out on a subsequent visit to the city.

  • Alex W says:

    26 Feb26 February 16:55

    I stayed at Monaco I think it was. Hotel was fine, but hideously over priced, and that’s before you have to cough up the extortionate resort fees. It has put me off ever revisiting a Kimpton. There are other hotels in Seattle that have a free wine hour.

• Scandinavian traveler says:

  26 Feb26 February 06:19

  OT: My girlfriend is not sure whether she can take holidays and I’m therefore (still) looking for a person to take the second seat in the Lufthansa/Swiss business companion offer. Found dates that work from mid December till mid January next year from AMS to AKL for just £ 1.300 per person (but am flexible on the return date). Books in P and J class, so could get you 80 % of Star Alliance gold with some airlines. Booking deadline is this week and I’m only looking for someone to take the second seat (and not a travel partner). Anybody interested?

  • MinR says:

    26 Feb26 February 08:06

    Which Star Alliance airline would you credit the miles to for a P class fare? I have a AMS-BKK Swiss J flight booked for later in the year.

    • Scandinavian Traveler says:

      26 Feb26 February 08:31

      I currently have most of my travels with SAS, so I would credit to that. However, if you’re starting out with a new programme you could check wheretocredit.com to see where you get the most from LX P class. Also, some programmes require less miles than others to obtain status and for reward flights (even on partner airlines).

    • Rob says:

      26 Feb26 February 09:52

      wheretocredit.com is your friend

      • MinR says:

        26 Feb26 February 10:52

        Thanks both. I did check wheretocredit, and it’s 125% if you credit it to SQ KrisFlyer.
        I’m guessing that’s the best option, though I can’t determine which one would get me the closest to tier status. Maybe it’s the amateur in me 🙂

• Tom says:

  26 Feb26 February 06:42

  Shangri La just renewed my Jade status for 2020 despite cancelling my Amex Plat 6 months ago. Sounds like I might even get to keep it to the end of 2021 now… 😀

  • Yorkieflyer says:

    26 Feb26 February 08:26

    Just realise mine went down to Gold despite still being Amex plat!

    • Tom says:

      26 Feb26 February 21:16

      You should have cancelled! 😉

• AlexT says:

  26 Feb26 February 07:15

  OT: Has anyone had Barclaycard Hilton card Revolut top-ups settle in their accounts following the recent merchant code changes for Visa? Do they settle as cash advances or 6012?

• LewisB says:

  26 Feb26 February 07:20

  OT: I’ve been charged £70.78 from BA call centre for a phone call that lasted an hour. What the actual hell. Has this happened to anybody? I have another phone call from BA on the same statement for half an hour charged £5.87.

  • Mj says:

    26 Feb26 February 07:45

    Can only assume it wasn’t to the UK call centre?

  • memesweeper says:

    26 Feb26 February 07:54

    a quick look at BA’s website throws up this as a contact centre number for the UK:

    Telephone: 0344 493 0787

    If that’s not included in you phone plan you need a new phone provider. BA won’t be getting any revenue share from 03xx range numbers.

    • LewisB says:

      26 Feb26 February 08:10

      Had to phone this one for an Aer Lingus booking.

      Telephone: 0844 493 0787 option 2
      Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge
      Daily
      07:30-21:45

      That’s the number that has cost me the money. Turns out EE charge 40p a minute for these numbers on top of BAs 7p. Time to call EE.

      • jc says:

        26 Feb26 February 08:54

        In future swap the 08 for 03 and you should reach the same BA team but it’ll be included in inclusive minutes. Good luck getting some goodwill from EE/BA, but sounds like you’ve been charged correctly for calling an 08 and the charge was laid out clearly?

      • memesweeper says:

        26 Feb26 February 12:23

        If that’s the number provided on the BA website, I’d complain to them, not EE — they’ve mainly switched to 03xx prefixes.

        For future reference whenever you see an 084 number swap the 08 for 03 and it’ll almost certainly take you to the same call centre.

      • Alex W says:

        26 Feb26 February 16:58

        Try the We Q 4 U app on Android or apple. It will automatically reroute your call to a free number, if one exists.

      • Lady London says:

        27 Feb27 February 12:01

        Pretty sure that’s illegal since 1st October.. 2016? Companies are obliged to provide non-surcharged numbers since then to existing customers, i.e. they have to clearly and easily-seen provide you a number that costs no more than a local call would. Many companies provide free numbers now since then. Personally I’d take it up with them and would consider contacting the Ombudsman.

• John says:

  26 Feb26 February 07:35

  End of LHR-LAX was already a loss. Shame this wont be available.

  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/26/lie-flat-beds-in-economy-class-air-new-zealand-skynest-bunks-budget-travellers

  • Oh! Matron! says:

    26 Feb26 February 08:47

    As with their bench seats, I think this is genius. If customers were willing to pay double an economy ticket to get a seat AND a lie flat bed, this idea will, erm, fly….

    If you stack the bunks, 3 bunks will probably take up the same space as 3/4 seats: I’m sure there’s much better configurations: Plus, there will be weight savings in not having to carry x more PAX + food + luggage

  • Rhys says:

    26 Feb26 February 09:01

    Let’s not get ahead of ourselves – this product has not even been certified for use on aim aircraft yet 🙂

    • marcw says:

      26 Feb26 February 09:42

      Its all about R&D and taxes…

      • Lady London says:

        27 Feb27 February 12:03

        I want there to be weight limits on the upper bunks!

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