Airports: Cathay Pacific to Reveal new First Class Lounge in Hong Kong

6 February.

CX will unveil its 'The Wing' First Class Lounge next Wednesday.

How time flies. I remember getting a private tour of the lounge when Chep Lap Kok went live. It was surreal then to see such luxury for flyers.

CX has made inroads to improve lounge facilities with the recent upgrades and have promised a better F&B experience.

Hotel News: Hilton Sydney revamps Executive Lounge

So I am going to Oz at the end of the month.  Sydney and Melbourne to be exact.  And it could not be at a worst time...price wise that is.

Most people tell me the Hilton is the place to stay. Sure I have status with the program that many have said has been diluted greatly in recent times.

At over AUD400 a night for the basic rooms during Mardi Gras, the Hilton Sydney really needed to up their game.

And they have prepared themselves in time.

Check out the new Executive Lounge.

• Part of AUD7 Million upgrade
• Design incorporates raw materials such as exposed concrete, timber and glass
• Private alcoves
• Redesigned boardroom
• Long table dining
• Expanded buffet and new bar counter

I hope to stay at the hotel when I am in Sydney and review their products and services.

Airline News: China Southern New Business Class for Australia

From Brisbane and Perth actually.

It is part of their efforts to increase comfort for their 'Canton Route' that links Australia with other destinations via their hub in Guangzhou.

So from 1 April, passengers can expect:

• Latest A330
• 188 cm fully flat beds
• 51 cm width
• 2-2-2 layout

Airline News: Garuda is Going to Gatwick

Indonesia's Garuda is making up for lost time.

After being banned for a while from flying into European Airspace, and after flying into Amsterdam, it is poised to fly passengers to London in the fourth quarter of this year. Although it is to Gatwick. Ah well, Heathrow does not have slots I suppose.

Details:

• 6 times weekly direct flights from Jakarta
• B77W

The new route will also lead the way for Garuda's entry into Skyteam in 2014.

Airline News: Malaysian Airlines Is Finally in an Alliance

However, it is oneworld.  No initial cap.

Joy. I guess it is better than nothing.

Commemorating this joyous marriage, MAS flew their A330 into Melbourne on Friday with a oneworld logo marked on its side.

The alliance has been hotly anticipated for fans of the carrier who just didn't think its Enrich FFP was up to scratch. It held out as long as it could but the participation in the program now allows its passengers to fly to 842 destinations in 156 countries.  For the alliance members, MAS opens up 16 new destinations for them.

As a special promo to mark the occasion, Enrich members would receive double miles when flying with oneworld partners between Feb 15 and Apr 15.

Oneworld seems quite bent on raising their position in the alliance game. Qatar Airways and SriLankan Airlines are expected to join as well, breaking the spell and unified stand the Gulf carriers have had about not joining anyone.

For ex-members of BMI's Diamond Club who have been forced into BA's Executive Club, MAS' entry is a very welcomed one as they now have more choices connecting into South East Asia. This is especially since Qantas has realigned its hub to Dubai.

And frankly, while BA and Qantas are the big honchos of oneworld, who wouldn't want an Asian carrier with Asian hospitality on board?

Now that MAS has sorted its alliance out, maybe it can figure out which livery design as its final one....

Airline News: Turkish Airlines Catches FIRE

Ok this is just scary. So I am gonna let the video speak for itself. I think I would be writing goodbye notes on my iPad and saying hello to God.