Business Traveller December 2018/January 2019

Welcome to our end-of-year edition – and also our first of 2019! As regular readers will know, Business Traveller has ten editions each year – monthly for the majority of the time but with two joint issues, July/August and, the one you are currently reading, December/January. It’s an acknowledgement that most of us, for a week or two in summer and in winter, will take a rest from our normal routine. Whether it’s heading to the airport for a holiday somewhere warm (or cold if you’re skiing) or, in my case, attempting to avoid airports altogether, we forget about business matters and focus instead on personal time and loved ones. As the hours we work each day seem to grow longer, and it becomes more difficult to switch off, even at…

FLIGHT TO THE FINNISH Helsinki’s lure as a hub for those en route to Asia is taking off. We explore the city’s many attractions. PEACE IN A POD Capsule hotels – everything a traveller needs in a neat, cleverly designed sleeping space. OUT OF SIGHT A VPN can be the solution to a whole host of online issues while on the road. Find out more... THRILLS AND CHILLS Val d’Isère’s appeal ranges from exciting ski runs to convivial spots for relaxing after a day on the slopes.…

JEFF MILLS Jeff Mills has been writing on travel for more years than he cares to remember. A former editor of a travel industry newspaper and travel editor of a national Sunday newspaper, Jeff now contributes regularly to The Times and Daily Mail as well as other major newspapers and glossy magazines. He writes a regular opinion column for Business Traveller; page 72. CHRIS HALL Chris Hall is digital editor at SalonQP, and a contributor to publications including the Daily Telegraph, Wired and the Evening Standard. Previously science and technology editor at Yahoo UK, he now spends most of his time explaining the eccentric world of luxury watches. In this issue, he looks at the Datograph; page 68. CHRIS MOSS Chris has been writing about Latin America for more than 25 years. He spent the…

A NEW “REVOLUTIONARY” UPPER CLASS seat is coming to Virgin Atlantic’s 12 Airbus A350-1000s, which the airline will begin taking delivery of from the middle of 2019. Virgin Atlantic’s senior vice-president, global sales and customer loyalty, Oliver Byers, said the A350-1000 was “a great opportunity to introduce a new Upper Class seat product”, adding that further details will be revealed early in 2019. “We’ve seen it, I’ve sat in it, it’s a fantastic seat,” he added. “What you’ll see is that it’s a next-generation product, but it’s exactly what you would think Virgin Atlantic is in terms of the look, the design, the feel of the cabin and the warmth of the environment.” (Pictured is the existing Upper Class seating.) virginatlantic.com…

HOTEL KÄMP A hotel since 1887, elegance is the watchword for this classic accommodation in one of the city’s most desirable locations. From the moment guests are greeted by the top-hatted doormen, there is an overriding sense of luxury, with marble and chandeliers adding to the ambience. Facilities include a spa. hotelkamp.com HOTEL ST GEORGE The central location isn’t the only reason you’ll be wanting to book a room at the luxurious Hotel St George. This newby to the Helsinki hotel scene boasts relaxed, subtle décor in classic Nordic tradition, allowing original Finnish art to shine. And it has a bakery, winter garden and a spa. stgeorgehelsinki.com RADISSON BLU PLAZA This building’s Art Deco details, including ornate stained glass and carved wood in the bar, are enhanced by vibrant modern interior design. Its great location,…

Lounge options at Singapore’s Changi airport are about to get a whole lot grander. Qantas is planning to open a dedicated First Lounge while also expanding the size of its existing Business Lounge by about 60 per cent, providing a combined capacity of more than 800 seats. Details so far are slim, although Qantas has stated construction on the First Lounge will begin in April and, once completed, there will be seating for about 240 people. The airline has also confirmed that the lounge will have a strong focus on food and drink with a cocktail bar, and an open kitchen featuring a Singapore-inspired à la carte menu. qantas.com.au…