BLACKBOOK ON THE PULSE
BLACKBOOK ON THE PULSE IN THE AIR UP, UP AND AWAY Reaching for the skies in style Flying High The Citation Longitude, Cessna’s super-midsize jet, made a debut European appearance at this year’s EBACE. It will hope to emulate the success of the Kansas company’s Latitude (above), now the airplane of choice for private aviation firm NetJets, which has a standing order for up to 200 of the seven-passenger craft. cessna.txtav.com / netjets.com Le Bistrot serves traditional French fare excursions programme, which takes guests away from busy ports of call, where other ships can be double- or triple-docked. Options on Uniworld’s Paris-to-Normandy route include a private tour of Château du Champ de Bataille, architect Jacques Garcia’s castle and gardens (also home to one of the world’s largest collections of 18th-century French furniture), and a meeting with working Benedictine monks at the Saint- Wandrille abbey. The concierge can also arrange a trip to Mont- Saint-Michel and tickets to the Moulin Rouge. “Every experience, destination, menu item, and wine was selected with the ‘joy of living’ philosophy in mind” says Red Carnation Hotels founder Bea Tollman. uniworld.com Scenic View Launching in the Mediterranean in August next year, the “6-star” discovery yacht Scenic Eclipse promises state-ofthe-art safety features that will allow exploration in sumptuous comfort as fascinating expeditions onshore are allied to superlative amenities on board for just 228 passengers. scenic.co.uk Doubling Up Business class passengers on Qatar Airways’ London to Doha route can now have the added comfort of double beds – a first in the industry, soon to be rolled out across the fleet. Simply removing a privacy screen between seats creates the berth, while for four passengers travelling together a different configuration of seats can form a private area. qatarairways.com AMAN, ONE OF THE LEADING EXPONENTS OF LUXE ACCOMMODATION, is taking to the skies to create an exclusive private-jet expedition. Teaming up with bespoke travel designer Remote Lands, the hotel group offers the opportunity for just 16 guests to board an Airbus ACJ 319 and visit nine countries across 22 days, with twin G200 private jets providing the transport on some of the shorter journeys. Rich history and stunning scenery are promised in the destinations on two continents, including visits to Aman Tokyo, Amankora’s Paro and Thimphu lodges in Bhutan and Amanzoe in Greece. aman.com Smooth Journey Missing out on connections at Heathrow could be a thing of the past for some thanks to British Airways’ new Premium Transfer Drive service, which will provide an “airside” vehicle for those eligible – including Silver or Gold Executive Club members – transferring between a domestic and international flights. britishairways.com Miles Ahead Air Partner, the global aviation services group, has launched a limited-edition £1 million version of its JetCard, which will allow the holder to book up to 225 hours on its privatejet membership programme as well as having access to a 24-hour personal concierge service and invitations to Air Partner’s curated events. airpartner.com INTERIOR REDESIGN Singapore Airlines’ five new Airbus A380s – due to be operational by the end of the year – will each come equipped with the latest generation of upgraded cabins. Plans are also in place to retrofit the airline’s existing A380s with the newly designed products. singaporeair.com PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: © UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES, © TEXTRON AVIATION, © QATAR AIRWAYS, © AIR PARTNER, STUART BAILEY, © SCENIC BY GARY BUCHANAN, JOHN McNAMARA, CLAUDIA ROELKE, ELIZABETH SILE 32 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM
