Gulf Air resumes flights to Iran, Iraq

The airline is to operate three to five flights weekly from Bahrain International Airport, Muharraq, to four Iraq cities; Najaf, Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra, beginning between September 20 and October 28.  The scheduled flights for Mashhad, Shiraz, Tehran and Isfahan in Iran start from September 22 to October 30. Gulf Air is Bahrain’s national flag carrier and is based in Muharraq, Bahrain’s third biggest city. Visit www.GulfAir.com.

 

Stretching out with Cathay

Cathay Pacific is offering more comfort with its latest Premium Economy Class promotion for long-haul passengers. With a Bt3,000 economy class (H) top-up, passengers will enjoy more space and personal attention plus additional in-flight benefits. The new Premium Economy class offers a totally new seat and entertainment system, with a quieter, more spacious cabin than the traditional Economy class. Passengers can book from now to September 15 for travel from September 16 to December 15. Visit www.CathayPacific.com/th or call (02) 263 0606.

 

Regent offers free online

Regent Hotels & Resorts introduce complimentary Internet access across all five of its managed hotels in Beijing, Taipei, Berlin, Zagreb and Turks & Caicos. Complimentary internet will now be the standard in each of these luxury hotels, and will also be available in Regent’s upcoming openings in Bali, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Porto Montenegro, Doha and Abu Dhabi. This new convenience is one of the many amenities offered by Regent in their mission to make each traveller’s stay as stress-free as possible.

 

Jetstar Pacific flies high

Vietnam-based low-cost airline Jetstar Pacific adds a brand-new Airbus A320 into its fleet as it takes the next step in its fleet renewal program. The additional aircraft will bring Jetstar Pacific’s fleet of A320s to three and allow the retirement of a B737-400 aircraft. The airline’s four remaining B737 aircraft are planned to be phased out by early 2013 as the carrier prepares to grow to an all-A320 fleet of up to 15 aircraft.

 

It’s in the bag

Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade and Tory Burch and other luxury European brands will please women’s eyes when they visit Simone Handbag Museum in South Korea. The new Seoul museum houses more than 300 European pieces in its permanent collection over two floors and reserves the top floor for special exhibitions. The basement and the first and second floors house a multi-brand shop and Simone’s own bag shop, as well as a DIY shop where customers can try their hand at making their own bags. Kenny Park plans to build another museum for Asian handbags. Visit www.SimoneHandbagMuseum.co.kr.

 

Culture of colours

Hanoi is celebrating “Central Highland Cultural Days” until Sunday. The festive event includes a series of cultural activities such as exhibitions and performances of traditional costumes, traditional musical instruments, ritual ceremonies, and folk games. The reciting of epics by ethnic groups from Ba Na, Ede, Mo Nong, Raglai and Xo Dang is set to be one of the highlights of the event. Representatives from five Central Highland provinces, Dac Lac, Dac Nong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum and Lam Dong are participating,, helping to mark the 67th anniversary of the August 1945 Revolution and National Day on September 2.