Delta adds new flights to/from Australia

Timing is everything - and I'm not sure Delta Air Lines got its timing right with the announcement of its new flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles.

The announcement came on the heels of a whole batch of nonsense from Donald Trump and wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

Delta Air Lines will launch nonstop Melbourne flights from LA on Airbus A350 jets starting early in January. By which times things may have returned to normal. Or not.

The flights add competition to current providers Qantas and United Airlines.

Delta initially launches Melbourne flights with a three times per week service.

The airline already flies to Sydney and seasonally to Brisbane.

“This is a win for the whole state – for tourism operators, businesses, hotels and restaurants, and for families and travellers,” Victoria state Tourism, Sport and Major Events minister Steve Dimopoulos said.

“These new Delta flights will bring thousands more tourists from North America to Victoria.

“These new flights will also make it more affordable for families who have America on their bucket list."

Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said: "North America is an incredibly important inbound market for us, and we’re proud to be partnering with Visit Victoria to help restore capacity on the Los Angeles route.”

Delta’s flights from LAX will depart on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with the return journey from Melbourne every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The new flights are set to add an extra 86,000 annual seats between Melbourne and the US.

Fires may impact 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games

The wildfires currently ravaging Los Angeles and surrounds have raised doubts about the Californian city’s ability to host the Olympic Games in 2028.

The cost of rebuilding and insurance are casting a cloud over preparations, says Dr Tom Heenan, who lectures in sport, global and Australian studies at the Monash Intercultural Lab in Australia.

“LA 2028 will be the Olympic version of the Hunger Games," Heenan said in a media statement.

“Even without the wildfires, the Games will cost Angelenos dearly, especially the poor and homeless, and prove to be another IOC-orchestrated budgetary blowout, if not a Montreal-type black hole.

“The additional infrastructure requirements will strain an already stretched public purse and shift labour from the much needed rebuild in the hills.

“For a city built on property speculation, 2028 could be a repeat of the 1932 Games, which was a real estate agent’s dream.

“The winners will be property developers and the head of LA's organising committee, Casey Wasserman, and his sport-entertainment empire.

“The losers may well be LA residents who will bear the expense of the Olympics and a costly yet questionable rebuild in fire-prone hills.”

Would you like to a taste one of Rupert Murdoch's wines?

Rupert Murdoch is best-known for publishing newspapers that consistently deny climate change and actively promote right-wing politicians.

But he also wants to be known for making world-class wines in an unlikely location.

Australian-born US media mogul Murdoch hosted his fifth wedding at his California vineyard earlier this month.

The Moraga estate in Bel Air, the only vineyard located in the city of Los Angeles, is a venue Murdoch believes can produce "world-class" wines, the drinks business reported.

I once worked for Rupert, and had a 30-second interaction with him when he looked over my shoulder as I was typing in the Daily Telegraph newsroom in Sydney. 

He stood there for a minute or two, said "carry on" and then proceeded on to more important matters of trying to ensure some lunatic was elected somewhere around the world.

Moraga Vineyards is around 300 metres in elevation in the Santa Monica Mountains in the Los Angeles community of Bel Air.

It is where Murdoch, now 93, married biologist Elena Zhukova last weekend.

Murdoch purchased Moraga in 2013 for US $22.3 million, and the estate includes 14 acres of vineyards on top of the Benedict Canyon fault. It also houses a high-tech on-site winery.  

Although challenged by the severe weather conditions often found in LA, including wild fires in 2017, Murdoch wants the vineyard to be “a big part of his legacy”, that organ of accuracy The Daily Mail reported.

Moraga was originally a horse ranch, owned by the director of Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, Victor Fleming. But in 1980, its then-owner Tom Jones, the CEO of defence and aerospace technology firm Northrop Grumman, decided to plant vines.

The Moraga website quotes Murdoch as saying: "Moraga is 'not Napa or Bordeaux' but that it deserves “ a place at the table with the rest of the world’s top wines”.

As part of the drive to make people more aware of the vineyard, it occasionally offers tastings at $US 150 per head. Moraga currently makes around 500 cases of a red wine blend, which retails at US$ 140 and a Sauvignon Blanc at $US $92. 

Rupert has not yet sent a bottle for review.

For details of the project see https://www.moragabelair.com/

Are US travellers ready to embrace fast trains?

Inter-city trains have never been a big thing in the US. High-speed rail links are almost non-existent as Americans traditionally prefer to travel point to point in their gas-guzzling cars.

But now the US Administration has approved $US3 billion in funding from its Bipartisan Infrastructure fund for the Brightline West high-speed rail project.

This plans to connect Las Vegas to Southern California and is scheduled for completion in time for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. It projects journeys would take 2 hours, 15 minutes. 

It will become the first true high-speed rail system in the US, Travel Mole reports.

“The dream of American high-speed rail is about to become reality,” said Ray LaHood Co-Chair of the U.S. High-Speed Rail Coalition, a former US Secretary of Transportation.

“We greatly appreciate the commitment of the Biden Administration, our Coalition members and many others who have worked hard to spark America’s high-speed rail revolution,” LaHood said.

Andy Kunz, CEO of US High Speed Rail said: “Electrified bullet trains will transform the nation’s transportation system, reducing congestion and helping end our dependency on fossil fuels.

“This investment by the Biden Administration represents a milestone in advancing our progress.”

The new route is part of a planned West Coast Corridor connecting Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Other high-speed rail lines planned for the future include in Texas and a cross border connection from Vancouver in Canada to Portland and Seattle.

The Las Vegas project is not government run but a private-public partnership led by Brightline, a Florida-based company that runs a successful commuter line within that state. including Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

More air routes between New Zealand and the US

American Airlines has announced a new seasonal service linking Auckland with Los Angeles for the southern hemisphere summer.

Launching on December 21, the new route marks the airline’s second Auckland route. It launched Dallas/Fort Worth New Zealand flights in late 2022.

The introduction of LAX flights is part of American Airlines’ focus on strengthening its Asia-Pacific footprint, Travel Mole reported.

“The response we had from the New Zealand public when we returned last year was overwhelmingly positive,” said Kyle Mabry, VP of Operations, EMEA & APAC.

“Working closely again with our partmers, we aim to provide customers with a sustainable, seamless travel experience.”

The southern hemisphere daily service from LAX will operate until March 3 using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

American also offers a codeshare service between Auckland and LAX operated by oneworld alliance partner Qantas.

A heavyweight experience with The Greatest: Muhammad Ali

Calling all boxing fans who want to travel in 2022.

In collaboration with New Zealand-based Genio Global Entertainment, a new immersive experience highlighting the life and achievements of former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali is coming to Los Angeles.

The Muhammad Ali Experience is expected to open at the Beverly Center in summer 2022.

The experience intends to showcase the story of "The Greatest of All Time" and take fans behind the scenes of Ali's most iconic moments.

"We are pleased to partner with Andrew Te Whaiti and his dedicated team at Genio Global Entertainment to bring this exciting project to fruition," said Lonnie Ali, the boxer's former wife and manager.

"Muhammad's life was extraordinary, and we are thrilled to share this experience with fans from all over the world."

Andrew Te Whaiti, Genio Global Entertainment CEO and founder, said: "We are honoured to be creating a one-of-a-kind experience that will showcase one of the most influential and inspirational people in history."

For details see https://muhammadaliexperience.com/

Genio Global Entertainment is the official operator of The Muhammad Ali Experience under a license with Authentic Brands Group, which in conjunction with Lonnie Ali as trustee of the Muhammad Ali Family Trust (MAFT) which owns Muhammad Ali Enterprises.

Are you looking for the right address in Los Angeles?

You can't find a much more hip address than the corner of Hollywood and Vine. 

In the shadow of the Capitol Records Building, just a short stroll from legendary Musso and Frank's restaurant and the TCL Chinese Theater, this is quintessential Los Angeles. Perfect if you happen to have a meeting with a movie star. 

Thompson Hollywood, a luxury boutique hotel situated on Wilcox Avenue, near Hollywood and Vine, is getting ready to open its doors in the heart of what is known as the Vinyl District. 

The 190-room hotel will be managed by Hyatt and will join Hyatt’s guest loyalty program, World of Hyatt.

In a city where the right address can mean the difference between an easy schedule and spending hours a day on clogged freeways, this looks a good choice. There is a nearby red line Metro station that links to downtown, although catching a train is decidedly non-LA. Ideally, you need a car and driver.    

There will be 24 suites - in case someone else is paying your tab - and you are right in the centre of the city's musical landmarks and a serious bar and dining scene. Just be alert late at night as the regeneration of the precinct is still underway. 

The hotel will feature two immersive restaurants (whatever that means) and a range of meeting and event spaces, along with views from the rooftop pool deck and lounge.

Founded in 2001, Thompson Hotels is an award-winning boutique lifestyle hospitality brand, as yet unknown in Australia. 

The Thompson portfolio of lifestyle hotels includes The Beekman and Gild Hall in New York City; Thompson Washington D.C.; Thompson Nashville; Thompson Seattle; Thompson Chicago; The Cape in Los Cabos, Mexico and Thompson Playa del Carmen in Riviera Maya, Mexico; Thompson Zihuatanejo on Mexico’s Pacific Coast; and the new Thompson Dallas. ­

The Thompson Hollywood, 1523 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028. 

www.hollywoodthompson.com