A transit passenger who threatened an Emirates airline crew mid-flight
after drinking three bottles of wine has been sentenced to three months in jail suspended for three years.
The 35-year-old Frenchman admitted charges of issuing threats and consuming alcohol on board flight EK 74 from Dubai to Paris. He was fined about US$500 for consuming alcohol.
However, an American businessman who was abusive to cabin crew on a British Airways flight to London has been jailed for three months, the BBC reports.
The 32-year-old mortgage consultant pleaded guilty to common assault and being drunk on an aircraft.
The incident took place on August 20 on a flight from Phoenix to London.
The court heard that the man swore at staff and was abusive after he was refused more alcohol.
He had made offensive remarks to a female member of the crew and later became aggressive towards a male steward when he was refused more alcohol.
He was handed a written warning about his behaviour but threw it away. He was arrested when the plane landed at Heathrow.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Etihad to open new premium lounge at London Heathrow
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is to open a new premium lounge at London Heathrow airport as part of the airline’s flights moving from Terminal Three to Terminal Four on 30 September 2009.
First and business class customers and Etihad Guest Gold and Silver card holders will have access to the new lounge, conveniently located opposite the gates most commonly used by Etihad Airways for flight departures.
The lounge gives passengers an opportunity to relax in style and enjoy a range of services and facilities. These include individual treatment rooms where therapists from Six Senses Spa will offer facials, foot and leg massages. Customers can also enjoy five-star dining facilities in the lounge with a selection of foods from around the world, all cooked in an open kitchen.
A modern timber panelled business centre provides individual workstations and privacy for those with laptops. Other features include a prayer room, a relaxing seating area with Poltrona Frau leather chairs and a bathroom and shower facilities for customers to freshen up in prior to departure.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “We are proud that we will soon be offering one of the best customer lounges available at London Heathrow.
“Our new premium lounge at the airport represents a major investment and demonstrates the airline’s continuing commitment to deliver world-class premium products and services to its first and business class customers on the ground as well as in the air.”
Etihad Airways unveiled its first new premium lounge outside the UAE in July 2009 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Etihad Airways also provides a complimentary limousine service for its first and business class passengers flying in and out of London Heathrow. First class customers flying to London Heathrow are also the first to take advantage of the airline’s new first class product.
The airline’s highly-anticipated new first class suite entered into service between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow on Wednesday 25 August.
The new private suite provides first class customers with an extra-large leather seat, upholstered by world-renowned leather company Poltrona Frau, which extends to a fully-flat bed, 80.5 inches in length.
Within the cabin customers also have access to a large and luxurious changing room with a full length mirror, wash basin and leather fold-down seat to allow passengers to freshen up at any time during the flight.
