Roundup

Service upgrade

Air China announced an upgrade to its services for the Air China Express Line in early December. Air China Express Line, launched a year ago, offered an air express channel linking Beijing with Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. It now includes Xiamen, Fujian province, in the airline's express line network. Intensified flights, dedicated check-in counters, priority security channels, convenient boarding gates and relatively fixed baggage claim carousels, as well as full-process tracking service for checked baggage via the Air China app are included in the upgrade.

Sky-high Wi-Fi

Hainan Airlines' Boeing 787-9 widebody aircraft fleet is no longer subject to an altitude restriction on Wi-Fi availability at a minimum height of 3,000 meters, enabling continuous in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity. Passengers on board Hainan Airlines' Boeing 787-9 flights can now use their mobile phones, iPads and other portable electronic devices to connect to the onboard Wi-Fi throughout the flight, including takeoff, climb, cruising and descent phases. This upgrade enhances the travel experience for passengers.

Messi an icon

A new era of vacations is to kickoff when Royal Caribbean International's revolutionary Icon of the Seas debuts in January 2024. The world's largest cruise line has revealed sports icon Lionel Messi is the official icon of Icon of the Seas. The eight-time winner of the prestigious Ballon d'Or award and Time's 2023 Athlete of the Year will join the naming celebration in January 2024 in Miami, the United States. Starting on Jan 27, 2024, vacationers can experience the ship's lineup of six record-setting waterslides, seven pools, the first neighborhood designed for families with young kids, 40-plus ways to dine and drink, and more.

Christmas season

Shangri-La Dalian in Northeast China's Liaoning province will host a Christmas party at its iCafe and launch themed set dinner packages at its Chinese restaurant Shang Palace and Japanese restaurant Yisea on Sunday. The hotel's festival celebrations started on Dec 3 when a Christmas lighting ceremony was held. The event featured a 9-meter gingerbread castle amid a spectacular light show, and a 26-pound cake that the hotel prepared for sharing. In addition, Christmas apple cakes, gingerbread DIY kits, interactions with Santa Claus and handmade crafts made by children from the Little Dolphin Autism Rehabilitation Center contributed to creating a memorable experience.

Grand opening

The first Movenpick by Accor destination, Movenpick by Accor Qingdao Sunmei, opened in the coastal city of Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, earlier this month. The new flagship hotel is the first milestone of the strategic alliance between Accor and Sunmei. Tailor-made for Chinese travelers, Movenpick by Accor is an extension of the global Movenpick Hotels & Resorts brand, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023.