MAXjet Airways, which bills itself as the first low fare all-business class airline, launches its second transatlantic service on March 17 with a special introductory round-trip fare of $999 (£599) inclusive of taxes, representing a saving of over $750 on the regular price. The new four-times-a-week service between Washington Dulles and London Stansted will be in addition to the six flights a week it is currently operating on the New York JFK service to the same UK gateway.
The Washington flights will offer an identical level of service, with 102 seats and a 60-inch pitch. They will provide the traditional business class experience, including lounges, pre-departure drinks, and portable on-demand in-flight entertainment.
Departures are scheduled on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, leaving Dulles at 19.30, arriving Stansted at 08.30 the following morning. In the reverse direction, flights will depart at 13.00, with arrival scheduled at 16.30 the same day.
MAXjet, which introduced its first transatlantic route in November last year, will increase the New York service to a daily frequency from March 18. Going the extra mile
Members of Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club loyalty programme are currently being offered a triple miles bonus when purchasing a full fare Upper Class return ticket. Valid until the end of the month, the offer applies to any of the airline’s 27 destinations. To qualify, travellers need to be either an existing Flying Club member or register online at www.virginatlantic.com/triplemiles as a new member before taking their flight. Helicopter hop special
An introductory fare of US$139 (€117) will be available for a new eight-minute helicopter transfer between New York’s JFK and Wall Street, starting on March 13.
The service, operated by US Helicopters with eight-seat Sikorsky 76s, will pick up and drop off passengers at American Airlines’ new international and domestic terminal at the airport and the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at Wall Street. One of the advantages for travellers using the link will be that departing passengers will benefit from security screening at the heliport rather than at JFK. The service will be extended to the company’s second heliport on East 34th Street in April. The normal one-way fare for the service will be US$159, plus taxes and fees. Triple miles offer
As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of American Airlines’ AAdvantage frequent flyer programme, members flying transatlantic from the UK or Ireland on an eligible Business or First Class ticket can earn triple miles until the end of March.
The bonus mileage on a single trip will be sufficient for a free off-peak flight within Europe on British Airways to destinations such as Paris, Barcelona and Athens, or in the US with American for travel to New York, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles or Las Vegas. AAdvantage, the world’s first frequent flyer programme, now has more than 50 million members. Toronto stopover deal
A special stopover package is available until the end of March at the newly opened Four Points by Sheraton hotel at Toronto airport. Facilities include free wireless internet access, a heated indoor pool and fitness centre, with rates from US$129 (€168) a night. It was formerly a Days Hotel. News in brief
Travellers flying from the UK on Royal Brunei’s daily service to Bandar Seri Begawan can add on a side-trip to any of more than 10 destinations in South East Asia, including Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore, for just £60 (US$105) return. Some open-jaw opportunities, whereby travellers fly into one destination and out of another, also exist. Air Canada has introduced a range of one-year multi-trip passes that give customers unprecedented freedom to travel everywhere the Canadian airline, Jazz and their regional partners fly throughout North America.
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