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News: Virgin Atlantic launches merch, new InterCon Bangkok, Ryanair’s new Norwich flights

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News in brief:

Virgin Atlantic launches its own line of merch

It’s taken almost 40 years, but Virgin Atlantic has finally launched its own brand of merchandise.

The collection has been designed in collaboration with British designers Fenella Smith and Oliver Co. It comprise t-shirts, sweatshirts, bags and travel accessories. Bizarrely, there’s also a pack of playing cards (which I actually fancy!)

The bags and travel accessories come in vivid Virgin Atlantic-red vegan leather which has been made from tea leaves, apparently. A red bag tag will set you back £33 whilst the large flight bag is £79. Tshirts and sweatshirts are from £29 and £53.

The items can be bought here on Virgin Atlantic’s ‘retail therapy’ website. You can make a steep saving if you opt for in-flight duty-free delivery.

The airline seems to have missed a trick by not offering collectable, metal versions of its Wilbur and Orville salt and pepper shakers. When Virgin Red recently put the standard plastic versions up for redemption they sold out very quickly.

Virgin Atlantic launches merchandise

New InterContinental opens in Bangkok

IHG’s InterContinental brand has announced the opening of InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit. It is the second InterContinental hotel in the city.

Situated in Thonglor, one of Bangkok’s most upscale neighbourhoods, it has 241 rooms and suites and:

seamlessly weaves traditional Thai craftsmanship with modern international influences to create an unparalleled destination that mirrors the essence of one of Bangkok’s most vibrant districts.

There are three restaurant and bar options: AVA Brasserie (international), The Lobby (an all-day lounge serving Thai tea alongside a traditional Japanese green tea ceremony) and Rogues, a ‘high-energy cocktail bar’ with live jazz performances.

There is also a spa, THE SPA by HARNN, with a Japanese-Thai inspired concept.

You can find out more on the hotel website here.

Ryanair launches flights from Norwich Airport

Ryanair launches flights from Norwich

Ryanair has added its 22nd UK airport – Norwich.

The three initial routes are Alicante, Faro and Malta, none of which are currently served from the airport.

All will be served twice per week and flights start on 1st April.

Our last review of the Executive Lounge at Norwich Airport (yes, there is one) is here.

Comments (37)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • HertsSam says:

    I wonder how many packs of cards you will get as Christmas presents? Now that you have mentioned it here.

  • Lewis says:

    They just opened an Intercontinental in Chiang Mai too. Looks very nice!

  • Sundar says:

    I would go for the metallic salt and pepper shaker ones, ones in gold color especially. the black plastic ones ordered were very small and one of the propellers even broke without much effort.

  • Andrew J says:

    I’m not sure it’s that bizarre that they are selling playing cards – airlines have always sold branded playing cards.

    • Rhys says:

      Have they?!

      • Andrew J says:

        Indeed they have.

      • flyforfun says:

        They gave them away for free onboard years ago!! My first intercontinental flights had no IFE bar the screen at the front of every cabin, along with those “brain buster” hollow plastic tubes that were supposed to be earphones. It was a loooooong 24hrs+ and despite stops in Singapore, Bombay (as it was then) and Dubai, we were only allowed off the plane in Singapore. I’m assuming the others were refuelling stops for the 747-200.

        So, our only entertainment was the in flight magazine or playing cards that they handed out. At the age of 10 the crew thought I was too old for the colouring in pencils and paper. I played cards with my brothers but there was only so many rounds of Snap you could play on the fold down meal tray before we started getting angry looks from the row in front.

        Oddly, on my recent summer trip to Lisbon in CE the couple in the other side of the aisle to us were playing UNO while we were on the ground for an hour before take off. Don’t think I’ve seen anyone play cards onboard for years otherwise. It’s all tablets, phones and influencers filming themselves sitting in their seat, eating their rations and going to the loo!

        • Rhys says:

          Before my time 😉

        • AL says:

          Even ’til recently. I flew G-VEVE a few times in its early days, and there were always packets on board… admittedly, you needed either a solid crew or to know they were around to get them, but they were there. Got a pack at home in my VS tat bazaar.

  • Greenpen says:

    Merch?

    • Richie says:

      I think it was started by a reality TV person.

    • Rhys says:

      Ask your grandchildren 🙂

    • JAXBA says:

      I remember the olden days of 1997, before this world wide web nonsense, British Airways had a catalogue (a catalogue!) of branded items with the new Speedmarque. I happily spent about £100 of my pocket money on those wares…

    • Alex Sm says:

      I have Virgin branded socks from eBay – apparently they were made to celebrate the launch of their flights to Israel 🧦🇮🇱

  • Devon Diamond says:

    Ryanair also may be launching Exeter to Faro and a few other destinations I think

    • Adam Parker says:

      They already fly from Exeter to Malaga, Alicante & Faro. Next year adding Palma De Mallorca (2nd May).

  • Numpty says:

    It’s spelt Sukhumvit, missing a v in text, autocorrect overwrites it.

  • Graeme says:

    I wouldn’t use quite the same words to describe Thonglor – but hey I’m not in hotel PR. This hotel is on Sukhumvit Road between Thonglor and Ekkamai BTS stations, just near the middle-of-the-road Marriott.

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