Air France opened its new lounge at London Heathrow International Airport, a strategic hub on its medium-haul network. Located in Terminal 4, the lounge is open daily from 5am to 10pm for Air France La Première, Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus customers, as well as eligible customers flying with KLM and SkyTeam alliance partner airlines. The space covers more than 750m² and has nearly 150 seats, plus views of the runways.
Lamington Group has launched Second Nature, a new brand for its Hometel portfolio. Its Hometels in Chiswick, Southampton and Belfast have transitioned from room2 to Second Nature, with all guest-facing touchpoints, including signage, uniforms, in-room collateral and digital channels, adopting the new identity. Future openings, including York in May 2027, together with developments in Cambridge, Leeds, and Shepherd’s Bush, will all launch under the Second Nature brand. The group said the Hometel concept remains unchanged, but the business has outgrown the room2 name. “Second Nature better reflects the quality of today’s guest experience and provides the platform for the company’s next phase of growth,” it said.
GlobalStar Travel Management has welcomed French travel firm, Selectour Affaires, as a new partner to the GlobalStar network. The appointment strengthens GlobalStar’s position in France, a critical market for managed business travel. The TMC is a member of Selectour, a network of independent travel agencies, with over 1,000 member agencies throughout France and the French Overseas Territories. It was born from the merger of the former Selectour and Afat Voyages networks, which ended in 2010.
Kate Garrahy has been promoted to lead the Global Travel Services function at Wood Plc, reporting to the group’s Chief Financial Officer. She joined in April 2025 from SilverDoor. The move comes after Daniel Cockton was also promoted to the role of Head of Group Procurement.
Asiana Airlines will leave Star Alliance on December 16 2026. Passengers enrolled in any Star Alliance member airline’s frequent flyer programme will continue to earn miles on Asiana Airlines-operated flights which depart on or before October 15. Passengers can continue to redeem miles for Star Alliance award tickets and upgrades on Asiana Airlines for travel completed on or before December 16, subject to the redemption policies and timelines of their respective frequent flyer programme. Additionally, flyers with Star Alliance Gold and Silver status will be able to utilise status benefits, including priority services, and lounge access when travelling on Asiana Airlines until December 16. From December 17, Star Alliance will have 25 member airlines.
American Airlines will introduce a non-stop service between Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Tokyo Narita International Airport from March 27, 2027. The route will be the airline’s 11th long-haul route from O’Hare. The route will be a partnership with Japan Airlines, enabling passengers to use connecting services to destinations in Asia while taking advantage of AAdvantage status benefits. Bangkok, Singapore, Taipei, and Ho Chi Minh City are among the Asian destinations served by Japan Airlines flights from Tokyo.
Minor Hotels will open the NH Riyadh Prime Square Hotel in Saudi Arabia. The 2030 opening will mark the debut of the NH Hotels and Resorts brand in the Middle East and be part of a mixed-use development in Riyadh’s King Fahad District. The NH Riyadh Prime Square will have 121 guestrooms and suites, composed of 80 King Rooms, 25 Deluxe King Rooms and 16 NH Suites. The facilities will include a rooftop pool bar and lounge, a swimming pool, a fitness centre, a business centre and meeting facilities.
