Miscellaneous

🛩️ Thai Airways and IBS Software have partnered to modernize the Royal Orchid Plus Programme through the iLoyal platform. This initiative aims to enhance member engagement using AI and data-driven capabilities. The platform supports integration with various sectors, adding value to the loyalty experience. Leaders Marcus Puffer and Gautam Shekar highlight the commitment to digital transformation, with Thai Airways focusing on "Power of Plus" to drive future growth and innovation.

🚀 myPlane, a global online booking engine for commercial charter flights, has launched AI capabilities to aid airline revenue teams in tracking demand and setting margins. With over 150 airlines and 1,500 B2B users, the platform provides AI-powered quotation management and dynamic market pricing insights. This technology helps airlines forecast seasonal demand and adjust rates based on market behavior, making charter bookings more efficient and data-driven.

🍝 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, specializes in food and beverage trends. His career includes roles at The New York Sun (2005-2008) and Asia Times (1995-1997). A Tufts University magna cum laude history graduate, he studied at Le Cordon Bleu in 1986. Thorn's work includes a 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, and he was IFEC president in 2005. His expertise spans French cuisine and Asian culinary trends.

🏠 Designer Luke Edward Hall’s Deux Gares Express restaurant in Paris, next to Les Deux Gares hotel, features 1960s and 70s-inspired interiors with antique and custom furniture. The eclectic design blends British and French styles, with hessian wallpaper and trompe l'oeil marble. Restaurateurs Jonathan Schweizer and Frédéric Lesire focus on classic French cuisine. Key elements include a sunflower yellow bar, green and brown color palette, and a centerpiece antique table sourced from a French monastery.

🛩️ Aeroitalia, an Italian airline, is upgrading its IT infrastructure with IBS Software's cloud-based iFlight Core system for better operations and crew management. This update, designed for small to medium-sized airlines, will be completed next year and features AI enhancements for decision-making and staff satisfaction. Aeroitalia's insights on the implementation will be shared at the iFlight Customer Summit in Prague on November 4-5, 2025.

🌊 Antarctica, the ultimate frontier for adventure, offers breathtaking experiences with its wildlife and landscapes. Key hotspots include the Antarctic Peninsula, Deception Island, Lemaire Channel, South Shetland Islands, Paradise Bay, South Georgia, Ross Sea, and Weddell Sea. Each destination boasts unique features, from penguin colonies to volcanic calderas, promising memorable wildlife encounters. Plan your visit with Wildfoot Travel for a safe and ethical journey among icebergs, penguins, and seals in this pristine wilderness.

🍴 Bret Thorn is the senior food & beverage editor for Nation's Restaurant News since 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016. A Tufts University graduate, he studied at Le Cordon Bleu in 1986 and was at Beijing University during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. Thorn won a 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and was inducted into the Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014. He has written for The New York Sun and contributed to Oxford food encyclopedias. Thorn resides in Brooklyn, NY.

📖 Louvre heist: October 2025, Paris. Thieves stole 8 art pieces, including royal jewelry, in 6 minutes using a ladder and electric scooters. Louvre shut down for investigation. Trump: Bulldozed East Wing of White House for a 90,000 sq ft ballroom. Detroit: Thriving creative scene; Michigan Central tech campus project. UK startup certifies human-written books. 2025 Platinum Circle: Celebrated in NYC on November 7th with honorees including AvroKO founders and chef Marcus Samuelsson.

🚄 Belmond's Britannic Explorer, launching from London Victoria, offers luxury rail travel across England, Wales, and Scotland with 18 suites and a restaurant led by Simon Rogan. Cathay Pacific's Gallery in the Skies, on Boeing 777-300ER, displays Hong Kong art. Ritz-Carlton's Luminara, a superyacht with 226 suites, sails the Mediterranean in 2025. Minor Hotels' Bohème cruise along the Mekong River features 13 suites and local workshops. Mövenpick's Royal Lily cruises the Nile with 56 cabins and supports Egyptian heritage.

🏖️ Adrian Cheah, Business Development Manager in Malaysia, highlights Penang's allure: a food paradise with dishes like char koay teow and nasi kandar; George Town's UNESCO heritage status with the largest collection of pre-war buildings in Southeast Asia; vibrant street art; beaches like Batu Ferringhi; and cultural festivals such as Thaipusam. Penang's charm lies in its blend of ancient heritage and modern creativity, offering a rich cultural experience.