Oneworld Expands, Chinese Train Breaks Records

DECEMBER 23, 2010, 9:20 P.M. ET 


By JEFF MILLS


More flights in the alliance: Oneworld Alliance members American Airlines, British Airways and Spain's Iberia have expanded the number of flights they are offering in their trans-Atlantic joint venture with an extra 300 between Europe and North America. These are in addition to the 2,700 flights already announced.


An easier way to Nairobi: New flights from Kenya Airways mean you can now fly direct between Rome and Nairobi on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Until now travel between the Italian and Kenyan capitals has meant changing flights in cities such as Paris or Zurich.


New Dusseldorf hotel: If business takes you to Dusseldorf you have another hotel option to consider with the opening of the new five-star Hyatt Regency in the heart of the fashionable Media Harbor area. The hotel, which is located in one of two new 19-story towers at the tip of the peninsula, is connected to the other side of the harbor by a pedestrian bridge. If you fancy a bit more privacy and pampering you could opt for a room in the hotel's Regency Club, where you have a dedicated concierge and access to a private lounge on the 18th floor.

Low-cost Jordan: There will be a new low-cost way to fly between London's Gatwick airport and Amman from June next year when Easyjet starts operating to the Jordanian capital. The no-frills airline also plans to start flights from Gatwick to Aberdeen, Scotland, the Italian cities of Bologna and Verona and Izmir in Turkey.


Fast track: Another speed record has been set by a new generation Chinese high-speed train, which is designed to operate between Beijing and Shanghai, when it achieved 300 mph in tests, a new world record for a passenger express. The 820-mile Beijing to Shanghai line goes through seven provinces and municipalities of China. At present the journey takes around 13 hours.