Playing cupid

Singapore Airlines' special offer to all those who wish to celebrate love.

What is it?
Singapore Airlines celebrates love in the air. They have announced a special 'Valentine's Day' promotion of Rs 14,207 rupees per person from Bangalore.

Why are we writing about it?
Because, the offer is inclusive of taxes and surcharges and entails a reduction in the return economy fare by almost 65 per cent.

Passengers can make the purchases through their travel agents, Singapore Airlines or online through its website www.singaporeair.com.

On-board, you can enjoy the delicious cuisine specially designed by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor.

Also experience the new 'KrisWorld' IFE onboard, which provides over 500 entertainment options including blockbuster Hollywood/Bollywood movies and music albums. Isn't that too good?

What's in it for me?
You have been mailing lame excuses to your spouse for too long now. This is a twin-win offer where you can finish some pending work in Singapore as well as keep your partner content. Even if you do not have any business in Singapore, find some time, because you cannot miss this offer now.

What are the damages?
Money left for shopping in Singapore does lessen damage to your pockets. Or is it more of a damage? Buy your Valentine gift with the money you save on this trip. Isn't that a good idea.

Take it or leave it?
You have to decide today. Because this promotional offer can be availed only from January 8 to January 10, 2007, and is valid for travel out of Bangalore from February 11 to February 13, 2007.

Surf up

First, if you haven't already, call up your mobile service provider and ask about Internet connections. They will usually have one unlimited service (usually about Rs 500).

Next time you travel call them up ask which network you will need to log in to. For instance, if you use BPL in Mumbai, you'll need to hook up to Idea in Delhi.

And for no charge at all (yes, really!), you have Internet access for free. If your phone supports Java, you can download and install Opera Mini (a free web browser) and surf anything (not just wap sites).

You can now check your email on the move, see weather updates, look up flight schedules, hook up to your news aggregator. And no Blackberry either "" even your basic Rs 9,000 phone will do.

SNIPPETS

'Pro'pular shows
They were the first to bring you "live" TV on board in India. And now, they have the first-ever IFE-equipped ATR aircraft in the world.

The newly inducted ATR 72-500 aircraft in Kingfisher Airlines' fleet will have 17 drop down LCD colour screens spread throughout the 70-seater turboprop, with the audio being routed through overhead speakers to keep you entertained.

The in-flight entertainment systems provided by France-based Vision Systems, will allow you to watch video and audio programmes as well as receive commercial adverts and messages from the attendants or the pilot.

All the ATRs delivered to Kingfisher here on will be equipped with these IFE systems. Also as an optional feature to be developed later, the system will be capable of displaying live-views from inside or outside the aircraft. Still bored?

Qatartic!
Chennai and Ahmedabad will join Qatar Airways' network this summer. The two Indian cities will be served with seven flights a week from Doha. Qatar Airways already offers nonstop services from Doha to Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.

The airline will fly a bigger Airbus A330 aircraft on its Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram routes, to increase its capacity on these sectors.

The airline's flights to Kochi and Hyderabad will also be increased to two and three flights respectively, to give both cities a daily operation, and each will be served with a two-class Airbus A321.

Qatar Airways operates 30 flights a week between Doha and five cities across India. As per the recent bilateral arrangement between the two countries, the airline will serve India with 49 flights a week.

Desert connection
Looking to fly to the Middle East? Well, you now have all the more reason to choose Emirates. The largest carrier in the Middle East is looking to ramp up its presence in the region this year.

Emirates is strengthening its Kuwait and Damascus operations by adding two flights each per week, and enhancing its Beirut service to a double daily. An additional flight to Kuwait will start from March, and the airline will fly an Airbus A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration of 12 First, 42 Business and 183 Economy Class seats on the route.

Emirates' extra flight to Beirut will also start from March, and the airline will fly a three-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft with ergonomically designed seats and personal entertainment systems in all classes. Meanwhile, the additional flight to the Syrian capital of Damascus will start from 1st May.

As a part of its expansion plan, Emirates will also start Emirates Travel Shops at Damascus and Riyadh. In case you didn't already know: these shops manned by the airline's staff provide you with all the info about flight schedules, routes, commercial visas, weather and even special offers announced by the airline. You can also enroll in Skywards "" Emirates' frequent-flyer programme "" at these kiosks.

Eastward Ho!
Air Deccan, will now fly daily between Mumbai and Bhubaneswar, the city of temples. The carrier already has flights from Kolkata, Raipur and Delhi to Bhubaneswar.

The airline will fly a 180-seater Airbus A320 aircraft between the two cities and will tap pilgrims, students, tourists as well as businessmen visiting the "weaving belt" in this city which extends to the North-eEast.