London is truly one of the world’s great cities, a melting pot of culture and cuisine that can charm and tempt residents and visitors alike. People come from all over the world to experience all that London has to offer. But don’t forget what London has to offer UK visitors. With great transport links into the capital, some of the world’s top attractions are within a train’s reach.

London is blessed with a fantastic array of museums, galleries, shops, shows and regular sporting events, and really has something for all the family. The only problem is there’s just is too much to see and do in one day and staying for at least one night is really a necessity. There are lots of hotels in London, and while the city can be expensive, there are plenty of cheap hotels available in the capital. This means you only have to worry about how to fit everything in, rather than your bank balance! Allowing yourself to stay for one night or more means you don’t have to leave London with any regrets about what you didn’t do, or what you didn’t get to see.

This means that you can do more and not have to choose between the top attractions whilst in the city. You can combine that trip to the Natural History Museum with the children to see the dinosaurs and the visit to the London Aquarium; you can take as long as you want browsing the shops and designer boutiques on Oxford Street, Bond Street, and the Westfield Shopping Centres without having to worry about how long you paid to park; you can take in a meal at a Michelin starred restaurant and any one of the award-winning shows on offer without having to worry about catching the last train home, or one booked for a specific time. Combing your trip to the capital with a night or two’s stay in a hotel means that you’re free to enjoy everything London has to offer and decide at what pace you do it.

Oman Air has scooped two key awards at the TravelPlus Airline Amenity Bag Awards 2011, which were held last night in central London. The national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman won Gold in both the Best First Class Female Amenity Bag and the Best Business Class Unisex Amenity Bag categories, and also received Bronze in the Best First Class Male Amenity Bag category.  

This year’s awards, which are designed to recognise those airlines that go the extra mile with their on-board amenity kits, attracted a record number of entries.   Airlines, manufacturers, suppliers and designers of airline amenities competed for the top awards, which were announced at a glamorous reception at the Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel.

This latest success follows a time in which Oman Air has scooped a number of key industry awards in recognition of its many recent changes, including the introduction of new airbus A330 and Embraer 175 aircraft to its fleet, the inauguration of a range of exciting new destinations, the unveiling of spacious and luxurious aircraft interiors and the launch of state-of-the-art complete connectivity and in-flight entertainment systems.

The awards include ‘Best Business Class Seat in the World’ and ‘Service Excellence, Middle East’ at the World Airline Awards, ‘Best Luxury Airline, Middle East’ in the Business Destinations Awards, ‘Most Promising Newcomer’ at Malaysia’s KLIA Awards and ‘Technological Innovation of the Year’ at the Aviation Business Awards. In addition, Oman Air has received Gold and Bronze in the Global Vision Awards 2010, Silver in the Cellars in the Sky Awards, Silver in the Travel Industry Club’s awards in Cologne, Germany, and was named ‘Airline of the Year’ at France’s Lauriers d’Or du Voyage d’Affaires, Top Resa 2011.

Mr Wayne Pearce, Chief Executive Officer, Oman Air, told TravelPlus: “Oman Air is delighted to be recognised for the second year running in the TravelPlus Airline Amenity Bag Awards, especially as competition continues to be tough this year.  We pride ourselves in offering the very best on-board services and our amenity bags reflect this.  They contain everything the premium traveller needs to ensure they arrive at their destination relaxed, refreshed and revitalised. 

“They include a range of luxurious skin care products from the world-renowned Omani perfumery, Amouage, together with a number of essential toiletries and personal grooming items.  Everyone at Oman Air is pleased that they have met with our passengers’ approval.  

“We are proud to offer all our customers the very best in choice and this award further enhances Oman Air’s reputation as a leading airline.”

Expanding Swiss regional carrier SkyWork Airlines received the top award for its innovative, state-of-the-art Apple iPad in the Best In-flight Amenity (short-haul) category at the TravelPlus Awards Reception in London last night.    

SkyWork, which operates 12 weekly flights between London City Airport and the Swiss capital of Bern, is a first time nominee for these awards.  It is the first (and so far only) regional airline to offer a tablet device on-board and SkyWork was commended for its innovation by a diverse and distinguished panel of seasoned international traveller judges*.  “The judges loved the iPad and were very impressed that SkyWork was the first regional airline to introduce it and the only short-haul carrier to currently offer it on board,” said Tomislav Lang, CEO SkyWork Airlines.

The short-haul award category is new for 2012 and SkyWork Airlines is the first short-haul carrier to ever win one of the coveted TravelPlus accolades.  Receiving the Award, Steven Schϋller, Online Marketing and Sponsoring, SkyWork Airlines totld TravelPlus: “I am delighted to pick up the award for the Best In-flight Amenity ahead of a record number of entries and such strong competition. This award represents the combined efforts of the entire SkyWork Airlines team. It is especially gratifying to have our achievements acknowledged by industry experts.” 

SkyWork Airlines began offering its passengers Apple iPads in 2010. The tablet devices come  preloaded with a selection of travel guides, video podcasts, music, video clips, flight schedules, games and magazines available in German, English, French and Spanish making it possible for passengers to enjoy a range of entertainment to suit all ages and tastes.

All amenity bags should be luxurious and have the essentials you require for a long haul flight. When you open the amenity kit a personalized card pops out written in 5 languages‘Thank you for flying with us today, you are special to us. Remember to always touch up before touch down! Enjoy your flight and please don’t hesitate to press my button’ Sit back relax and enjoy your flight with us!

It must be a collectable designer Amenity bag something people want to keep forever, a plush velvet cotton wrap around eye mask (Virgin Atlantic do the best eye mask), generous sized tube of Elizabeth Arden 8hr Cream, Bvglari Lip balm, vibrating toothbrush with a ample tube of Colgate toothpaste, Listerine mouth wash, Jaeger cashmere ballet slippers, Egyptian cotton pillow slip for your pillow, F1 silicon earplugs, do not disturb hotel style door card for your seat, revitalizing Jo Malone Lime and Basil scented cloth, metal airline wings, a small air hostess doll and the must have in all amenity bags a bottle of Tabasco Sauce.

Expanding Swiss regional carrier SkyWork Airlines has launched a fresh new uniform for its pilots and flight attendants. The regional airline, which offers regular flights to London City Airport from Bern, is sporting a new look which brings a modern, contemporary look and a touch of glamour around its route network.  Created by Austrian textile group, Oberhofer GmbH, the new uniform comprises a fitted cool grey suit with apple green tie and trim, tie pin for male crew and black leather handbags for the women. 
 

CEO Tomislav Lang.told TravelPlus “SkyWork’s look is fresh, modern and in keeping with our progressive values.” “Our flight crew now have a stylish uniform that befits the excellent service they provide. They are the ambassadors of our airline and our greatest asset, so it is important that they both look and feel good. Staff worked closely with Oberhofer GmbH from the beginning and we are delighted with the contemporary, new look.”

An innovative new writing system from PARKER is set to revolutionise how we feel about writing. The innovation consists of a cutting-edge refill tip and an engraved metallic hood – together they constitute Parker 5TH Technology, the next generation in pens.

The Parker 5TH Technology – so named as it offers a genuine fifth way of writing, following decades of fine writing being led by the fountain pen, ball point, roller ball and the mechanical pencil – was born out of extensive research into consumers’ needs. Today PARKER presents a single pen that answers these expectations combining ease, a soft writing feel and a stylish, high-end design. This new innovation provides an unparalleled writing experience producing pleasurable and beautiful penmanship while being the perfect pen that can travel with you anywhere.

The new writing system from PARKER is not only a technological breakthrough, it is also a must-have example of contemporary accessory design. The Parker Ingenuity Collection has been created for exclusive use with the Parker 5TH Technology; this collection of unparalleled style and elegance makes this writing system the ultimate accessory for today’s stylish man and woman.

Parker Ingenuity – Daring Collection – £135 RRP

Parker Ingenuity – Classic Collection – £115 RRP