Austrian has announced that they will be replacing their Amenity Kits for long haul travel in Business Class.
The new kits should be in circulation by now and have 3 versions. For passengers departing Vienna, they will be given a small pouch with the typical amenity kit items inside. This kit is somewhat similar to the current kit.
For travelers heading to Vienna, they will receive a larger bag that can double as a shoe bag or a pouch for your cables, chargers, etc.
On certain flights an additional small rucksack will be given to passengers as well.
The cosmetic components of the kit are produced by ‘Edition Edelweiss’.
The 3 new versions of Austrian’s Business Class Amenity Kits
The best fare is New York – Frankfurt that can book booked for as low as $625.00. Chicago – Stuttgart isn’t too bad at $749.00. Otherwise most east coast fares, especially from the Northeast gateways range between $800 and $900, while the Southeastern gateways run from $950 to 1200, making them less attractive, especially since most fares from the West Coast range between $1100 and $1300.
This sale has an extended timeframe and runs until September 15.
The details:
Departures must take place between September 13 and October 29.
Returns must take place between September 13 and April 29.
Tickets must be purchased 21 days ahead of departure date.
Weekend surcharge of $60 may be applied if traveling between Thursday and Sunday.
One of my favorite airports is getting a facelift…..
Earlier this month, an 18-year long project kicked off that will add a much needed runway to Hong Kong Int’l Airport (HKG). The construction began after years of regulatory process and public protest, going back to 2008.
The plans call for a parallel runway to compliment the 2 existing East-West runways. The new expansion will include the reclamation of land to the north of the airport that will take at least 4 years. At that point, the existing northern most runway will be modified to act as a center runway and the construction of a 3rd runway will begin. Up to 3 new passenger concourses will also be built that will link by rail to the existing concourses.
A new northern runway complex goes online in 2024
It looks like the southern runway will become a dedicated Cargo runway since it is adjacent to Hong Kong’s Cargo ‘city’ thus freeing up the existing north runway and the planned new runway to handle passenger traffic.
For planespotters, it means the favorite spot by the fire-boat dock by the maintenance facilities won’t be as good when the 3rd runway opens since it will take traffic at least 1/2 mile further away from the vantage point, but I suspect the new concourses will make up for the lack of views from the docks.
The new look of HKG….rendering courtesy of Hong Kong Airport Authority
The construction will last until 2024 and financing for the HK$142 billion ($18.3 billion USD) project is comprised of funds from the Government, Airport revenue and a series of new surcharges that passengers are already being assessed if they travel to OR through the airport. First Class and Business Class passengers on long haul flights will pay HK$180 ($23.00 USD) while long haul Economy passengers will pay $HK160 ($20.50 USD). Short haul Economy Class passengers will pay HK$90 ($12.00 USD) while transiting passengers regardless of class will pay HK$70 ($9.00 USD).
The following video provides a simulated look at what the expansion will look like once complete:
