Airline Claims it Will Save $20 Million by Increasing Fuel Efficiency

Etihad Airways has announced that it is on track to save $20 million this year because of the success of its fuel-saving techniques. The airline has taken steps to reduce weight and improve engine performance by increasing the number of engine washes and reducing cruising speeds.

The fuel-saving strategy is not a last desperate attempt to stay in business. Etihad has been wildly successful over the past year. In the first half of 2008, it saw an unprecedented 41% increase in the number of passengers when compared to the same period in 2007. The airline has recently added routes to China and plans to expand further in to Europe and North America.

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier has added new routes and is planning on expanding its fleet by more than 100 aircraft in the near future. However, a slowing world economy and a projected drop in the number of passengers flying into and out of the Middle East might put a damper on Etihad’s ambitious growth plans.

Yet another gallery of the craziness that is Dubai

We should have a permanent feature that just consists of jaw-dropping, gushy posts praising the delights of Dubai, with a footnote about their rather over-the-top penal code. Anyways, this is the shot of the marina from a few years in the future. Other monuments to come include Dubailand, to be the largest amusement park in the world; Dubai Sports City (a complex within Dubailand); Ski Dubai, which already opened and is the largest indoor skiing rink in the world; and perhaps most ambitiously, the Dubai spaceport–self explanatory.

Here are more shots of various facets of the city.

Airline Celebrates 5th Anniversary with Free Flights for All

United Arab Emirates-based Air Arabia will be celebrating its 5th birthday with a special treat for its customers. Everyone flying on the Persian Gulf’s original low-cost carrier on October 28th will fly for free. Passengers are still expected to pay any applicable airport taxes and fees. The free flights are for one day only and only include one-way service.

Before you get excited, you should know that the airline has a rather limited list of destinations. Outside of the Middle East, Air Arabia flies to India, Ukraine and Nepal. In all, there are 42 cities from which passengers can take advantage of the no cost specials.

Air Arabia is a regional leader in its niche; though younger budget carriers, like NAS and Jazeera Airways, are also competitive. But, things are looking quite rosy for Air Arabia. They recently inked a deal that will triple the size of their fleet (which currently consists of 15 Airbus A320s). If they keep up the pace of growth, one wonders what’ll be on tap for the 10th anniversary.


10 tips for smarter flying


Another first for Dubai: World’s tallest LED screen

Is Dubai getting a little too predictable in its quest to be city with the most bragging rights?

Jaunted thinks so. It greets Dubai’s latest accomplishment with a big yawn.

Dubai recently announced that it is building the world’s biggest LED screen, which is being designed to cover one side of a 33-story building. No word, however, on when it will be unveiled or how much this pointless undertaking is going to cost.

A firm named Dactronics is behind the screen, and is reportedly designing it so that light will still be able to penetrate that side of the building.

So, the screen will take its place in Dubai next to the world’s tallest building (whenever that is completed), the world’s most expensive hotel, the world’s only man-made archipelago, the world’s…

London Restaurant Hotshots to Try Dubai

Formula One, the world’s tallest building, the most luxurious hotel on the globe, a housing development that is built to resemble a miniature world. Dubai has made a name for itself with its larger than life constructions, impressive spectacles, and over-the-top luxury offerings.

It seems only natural, then, that the major players in other urban areas would want to try their hand in Dubai. London super-cool eatery The Ivy, a fave of movie stars and other paparazzi targets, is going international by opening a location in the glamorous gulf city.

The competition will be quite stiff, however. Because of its status as both a business and leisure destination, numerous restaurateurs have joined the fray, making Dubai one of top culinary destinations in the world.

Celeb chef Gordan Ramsey, when he isn’t cussing at would-be chefs on reality TV, is overseeing a restaurant at Dubai’s Hilton. And there are many others, more than a few who have earned the coveted Michelin star given to fine dining’s finest.

Any newcomers are going to find the competition top notch.

Will Dubai’s restaurant scene ever reach its limits? Perhaps, but The Ivy and its peers are sprinting to make into into the world’s new capital of fine dining before that happens.

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