Travelore News: UK's Heathrow Border Officers Plan Four-Day Strike At End Of August

Hundreds of border force staff at Britain's biggest airport, Heathrow, will strike from Aug. 31 to Sep.3 - a peak travel period for hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers.

The four-day strike by 650 members of the PCS union will be followed by more than two weeks of industrial action, border force staff union PCS said in a statement on Friday.

The strike will coincide with the end of Britain's school summer holidays when the airport to the west of London usually has one of its busiest periods.

PCS said staff would work to rule and refuse to work overtime until Sept. 22. They blamed the industrial action on a long-running dispute over changes to terms and conditions including new inflexible rosters.

"We know our strike action is likely to cause serious disruption to travellers using Heathrow at the end of the summer, but the strike can be avoided if the employer listens to the concerns of our members," PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Britain's interior ministry, which is responsible for border force officers, said the government was committed to continuing talks with the union to resolve the dispute.

If an agreement cannot be reached, the spokesperson said the government had plans in place to minimise disruption but urged passengers to check the latest advice from their airlines before they travel.

Heathrow, which at peak holiday times is used by about 250,000 passengers a day, said disruption had been avoided during past strikes.

"We have previously worked closely with border force to support their contingencies during strike periods, which have seen passengers continue to travel smoothly," Heathrow said in a statement.

Reporting by Sarah Young, editing by William James, Reuters

Travelore News: Heathrow Airport Wins Court Backing For Third Runway

LONDON (AP) — Plans for a third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport have been given a new boost after the airport’s owner won a Supreme Court challenge Wednesday. The Appeal Court had blocked the project earlier, ruling that the government failed to take account of its climate commitments when it approved the expansion plans. Heathrow Airport Ltd., which owns and operates the airport, challenged that ruling. The Supreme Court overturned it Wednesday and ruled that the runway plans were lawful. The latest ruling clears a hurdle for Heathrow, but there are still more in the way. Any planning decisions on the project will have to show they are compatible with the government’s commitments to addressing climate change, including its Net Zero commitment to remove almost all carbon emissions from the economy by 2050.

The expansion of Heathrow, one of Europe’s busiest airports, has been a controversial project for over a decade. Environmental groups have long campaigned against it, raising concerns including the impact on air quality and noise pollution. Green campaigners said Wednesday’s outcome was “incredibly disappointing” but insisted there “remains real doubt” about whether the third runway will ever happen. Heathrow said the ruling was “the right result for the country.” The airport said it has “already committed to net-zero and this ruling recognises the robust planning process that will require us to prove expansion is compliant with the U.K.’s climate change obligations, including the Paris Climate Agreement, before construction can begin.” “Demand for aviation will recover from COVID-19 and the additional capacity at an expanded Heathrow will allow Britain as a sovereign nation to compete for trade and win against our rivals in France and Germany,” it added.

Travelore News: Heathrow Launches World’s first ‘On-Board Picnic’ Service

A sample on-board hamper from Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food restaurant at Heathrow

Passengers can take hampers prepared by Heathrow restaurants on flights, including pizzas and meals by Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsay

Heathrow Airport is offering passengers an “on-board picnic” dining option where they can bring a “bespoke hamper” with them on their flight. The service is available from today at all of Heathrow's 118 restaurants across its five terminals. The 49 brands involved range from chain cafés, such as Pret a Manger and EAT, to restaurants including Heston Blumenthal’s The Perfectionist Café and Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food, as well as Caviar House and The Gorgeous Kitchen.

^{A sample on-board picnic offering from Caviar House}

The hampers vary in price and size according to venue, but typically cost between £5 and £50 and are around 40 x 20 x 10cm. All are collapsible and designed to be easily stowed away under the seat or in the overhead locker. Some hampers are insulated bags designed to “ensure the food retains maximum taste and freshness at 35,000 feet”, keeping hot food warm and cold food cool, such as the ones from Caviar House which features an ice compartment. Passengers who return their insulated bags to Caviar House are offered a 15 per cent discount on their next on-board picnic purchase.

Hampers can be tailormade to meet any dietary requirements upon request at each of the restaurants and can be ready-to-go or prepared in about 15 minutes, depending on the type of meal selected. The Perfectionists’ Café is said to offer pizzas to go in about a minute.

Travelers can sample the offerings of the on-board picnics available in Terminal 2 at a pop-up “park” which launches at the terminal today to mark the new service

The park space, set up in collaboration with the Royal Parks Foundation, features the “scents of freshly cut grass and plants, the sounds of birds chirping” and sunlight-type lighting as well as a park bench, a lamp post and even street signs to help create a urban park-like feel.

Passenger can access the "park" and the food samples from today between 7am-8am, 12pm-1pm and 7pm-8pm every day until September 24.

^{The "park pod" at Heathrow Terminal 2}

British Airways (BA) said it welcomes the new picnic service, and doesn't envisage it affecting cabin space usage or creating too much extra rubbish to be cleared from passengers who bring a hamper on board.

"If customers wish to bring their own food on board, they are very welcome to," said a spokesperson for BA.

Starting at £5, the new picnics might even be a more affordable in-flight dining option for travellers when compared to budget airline food prices.

Passengers on an easyJet flight can expect to pay around £6.20 for a meal that includes a sandwich, a snack and a soft drink, or £6.90 when ordered with either a hot drink or soup instead.

Ryanair's in-flight food prices range from around £3.57 (€4.50) for a sandwich and between £1.19-£4.76 (€1.50-€6) for snacks, to £1.59-£2.78 (€2-€3.50) for a soft or hot drink.

Last year, airlines were found to charge up to 2,600 per cent more than supermarkets for in-flight food and drink, according to research byTravelsupermarket.com.

Budget carriers such as easyJet and Ryanair were singled out for applying the biggest mark-ups while the biggest price increases were found on hot drinks

Contributed by Soo Kim,www.telegraph.co.uk/

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Airport Restaurants That Really Are Worth The Trip

© RICHARDBAKERHEATHROW / ALAMY

A seafood display at Caviar House & Prunier at Heathrow Airport

The past few years have seen a marked improvement in airport dining around the world—in-terminal food trucks, local fare, and even high-end bistros that wouldn't be out of place in London, New York, Paris, or Tokyo, four of the world's best food cities.

But would you actually fly to an airport simply for the food? Believe it or not, some jet-setters do, and they've shared their airside experiences here—in the hopes that no passenger will have to suffer through yet another sorry, soggy sandwich.

Rafael Micha, Managing Partner, Grupo Habita:
"Hangar-7 at the Salzburg Airport in Austria houses Ikarus, a Michelin-star restaurant owned by Austrian billionaire and Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz. A couple of years ago, executive chef Roland Trettl hosted a group of four friends from Mexico—including Mexican chef Martha Ortiz from Dulce Patria—which was, beyond any shadow of a doubt, the most breathtaking dinner of my life.

Maybe it was the surroundings or the almost monastic kitchen where the only words were 'Yes, chef!' in unison or the precise, clockwork precision of the army-like kitchen staff or the sumptuous food. But most of all, Ikarus is not a stiff, pretentious Michelin-star restaurant, but one with a laid back atmosphere which offers a new chef every month. It's not just a worthwhile layover but an amazing excuse visit to Salzburg, specially this coming summer with the festival."

Kim Walker, Creative Director and Senior Vice President of Brand and Marketing, Morgans Hotel Group:
"Last summer I cut it too close and missed my flight out of London’s Heathrow Airport. I ended up wandering around Terminal 3 and walked by the Caviar House Oyster Bar. I decided to treat myself and ate an outrageous meal of caviar before boarding my flight. Now I always plan an extra 20 minutes at the terminal so I can get my caviar fix.

In San Francisco International, they have a great place called Willow Street Woodfired Pizza that has delicious rotisserie chicken. The last time I flew in, I remembered to book my car for 30 minutes after arrival so I could stop by and grab food before leaving the airport for my meetings."

Heather Poole, flight attendant for a major carrier and author of The New York Times bestseller Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama and Crazy Passengers at 30,000 Feet:
"Because flight attendants only get paid for flying time in the air, it's in our best interest to stay off the ground. That said, the only airport I don't mind having a three-hour sit between flights is Miami International. That's because of La Carreta, where the Cuban food is so good. And it doesn't matter what time the flight back to New York might be, I always make a stop at Cafe Versailles for café con leche. I need the caffeine just to get through the boarding process—and depending on how long of a day it's been, I might also grab a guava pastry to go along with the coffee.

San Francisco International is my second favorite airport because of The Plant; I crave their wasabi burger on my days off. In Chicago, I've actually prayed passengers would deplane faster just so I'd have time to run over to Tortas Frontera for the taqueria salad. Oh my gosh it's so good!"

Andrew Bender, Lonely Planet author:
"Washington's Dulles International may be my least favorite airport in America. It’s far from the city, public transit is an ordeal, check-in and security are madness, its trains and people-movers inevitably drop you off far from the gate, and the commuter plane terminal in Concourse A is awful. The one saving grace of the entire airport? It’s the first place I encountered Five Guys Burgers and Fries, right in Concourse A, no less. It’s my must-stop when changing from transcontinental 777s to smaller planes to far-flung markets like Allentown, Pittsburgh, or Miami. Never mind that it’s a chain, and that they now have one not far from my home in Los Angeles: This Five Guys is somehow special—and yes, I have rejiggered my trip to incorporate it."

Scott Wiseman, President, Cox & Kings, The Americas:
"I am a huge fan of biltong (South African beef jerky) and I love to get it at the airport in Johannesburg at Biltong On-The-Go, located on the international airside, after security, by gate A5. I like all the flavors, but my favorite is kudu. (Since you cannot bring it into the States, I always eat it while at the airport.)"

Alpana Singh, Master Sommelier, Chicago's The Boarding House:
"I like this trend of airports doing wine bars: JFK has a wine bar, O’Hare just added one in the AA terminal, and of course Dulles has one. Would it make a difference on where you want to connect? That’s how you know you travel a lot. When I was traveling through Switzerland, I fell in love with this ice cream, Mövenpick. It’s 80 percent butter fat! So if I can connect through Geneva, I will, just to get my fix."

Shaun Hergatt, chef, New York City's forthcoming Juni restaurant:
"I loved the Marchesi de’Frescobaldi counter at the airport in Rome. It was really something fun, basically an oval counter displaying salad and sliced meats—and of course they had a great wine selection. It was a great counter experience with tasty food, all of it restaurant quality. The service was really efficient as well. I look forward to getting back there soon!"

Contributed by Paul Bradley, cntraveler.com

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6 Awesome Airport Nap Pods Around the World

When sleeping on the plane just won’t do it, some forward-thinking airports have created areas where passengers can unwind and relax in private. These six nap pods—including two in London—are some of the coolest we've seen.



Rooms at Sleepbox, inside Sheremetyevo International Airport, can hold a maximum of three bunk beds for people traveling in groups. Bedside tables with electrical outlets and reading lamps are provided, as are TVs and, critically, alarm clocks.



In Terminal 4 of London’s Heathrow Airport and in the South Terminal of the city’s Gatwick airport, Yotel offers either single or double beds, entertainment systems, and en suite bathrooms with rainfall showers. (Body wash and towels are provided.) For just $39, the room is yours for four hours. A full night goes for $93.



Snoozecube operates small, soundproof rooms at Dubai International Airport where travelers can power down and rest up. Starting at just $16 an hour, travelers have access to a twin bed, a touch screen TV, and Wi-F—as well as a nature-inspired mural to brighten up each pod.



The self-contained pods at Munich Airport come complete with blinds for privacy, a full bed for resting, and a work space if all you’re seeking is the necessary peace and quiet to be productive. In-pod flight information boards keep you up-to-the-minute on schedule changes.



The name says it all at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, where Snooze at My Space offers self-contained pods that provide a $10-an-hour respite from the terminal—as well as plentiful power plugs, TV, and included Wi-Fi.


Contributed by Clarke Humphrey, cntraveler.com

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Travelore News: First Look At Heathrow's New Terminal 2

The new purpose-built home for Star Alliance at Heathrow Airport officially swung open its doors yesterday welcoming more than 4,000 passengers within the first 8 hours of operation – and it was all smooth sailing.

All 23 Star Alliance airlines servicing the UK hub will be operating from the terminal, marking a new travel experience for more than 12 million Star passengers who pass through Heathrow each year.

United Airlines is the first to move into the facility, formally known as Terminal 2 | the Queen’s Terminal for her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which will welcome all other member-airlines over the course of 6 months.

“After many years of planning and construction, tests and optimisation, we at Star Alliance are proud to welcome the first passengers into the new terminal,” said Star Alliance CEO Mark Schwab.

“It is particularly fitting that one of our five founder members, United, should operate the first flights from this terminal, which sets new standards for Alliance customer service and seamless travel at this important hub airport.”

Designed by Luis Vidal, Terminal 2 aims to establish a seamless hub at the busy international airport optimised to meet growing demands from today’s air traveller. Once all airlines are in residence, connections for transfer passengers will be smoother than ever before allowing a standardised minimum connection time of just 60 minutes.

Air Canada, Air China and ANA will be the next new occupants, transferring their operations to T2 from June 18th. In July, Aegean, EVA Air, THAI, and Turkish Airlines will move in, together with Avianca – which will launch a service between London and Bogota on July 4.

Moves will then resume in September with EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines and Singapore Airlines and from October Air New Zealand, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, South African Airways, SWISS and TAP Portugal.

Together the airlines operate over 121 flights each day to 45 destinations in 25 countries and each of these flights acts as a gateway to the full Alliance network of more than 18,000 daily flights to 1,269 airports in 193 countries.

Four airline lounges will be available for premium passengers, including those with Star Alliance Gold status.

Contributed by Daisy Melwani 

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