flight numbers Few of us like to think too much about the dangers of flying, but flight-related statistics regarding air disasters generally make an interesting read. Airline safety analyst Todd Curtis has compiled a comprehensive study of this topic, and lists what he terms 'Fatal Airline Events' by airline, aircraft and passenger fatalities at his Web site, www.airsafe.com . There are sections featuring answers to the most commonly asked questions about safety, numerous tips and a list of recent fatal plane crashes (Myanmar Airways, for example, has lost at least two of its Fokker F27s this year, so you may want to avoid them for a while). For the serious student of airline safety, Curtis includes about a dozen back issues of his AirSafe Journal, which he hopes will 'shed some light on the sometimes serious, but often comic, world of aviation safety'. There is also a useful new section for the Christmas period called Holiday Travel Advice. Readers with specific queries are welcome to email Curtis at tcurtis@airsafe.com . hotel news A cosy hotel and pub has opened on the site of the almonry of Westminster Abbey, London. A few minutes' walk from the abbey and Buckingham Palace, the Sanctuary House Hotel features 36 rooms, which it describes as 'well-appointed'. On the ground floor is a traditional-style ale-and-pie tavern, serving real ales and traditional food. It costs ?89.50 a night for a room, including tax but excluding breakfast, with the price reduced to ?72.50 on Fridays and Saturdays. Contact the Sanctuary House Hotel at 33 Tothill Street, London SW1, tel: (44) 171 799-4044. The Peninsula hotel group recently soft-opened its new Bangkok property, the Peninsula Bangkok. The hotel will be offering three special packages until December 26 this year, and from January 6 to September 30 next year. The Debut Package offers a superior room for US$175 (HK$1,354) a night, and the Pen Plus package offers a superior room for US$240 with an upgrade option, or a superior deluxe room for US$325 and the option of an upgrade to a superior suite. The two-night Romance Package, meanwhile, at US$568, includes breakfast, dinner, champagne and a late check-out. For further details and reservations, call (66) 2 861-2888, fax (66) 2 861-1112, or email pbk@peninsula.com . BREAK Oberoi Hotels will be running weekend specials at its properties in New Delhi, Calcutta, Bangalore, Bombay and Hyderabad until the end of March. Benefits include a 9 am check in and a 6 pm check out, use of hotel facilities and a few minor freebies. Double-room rates range from US$70 at The Krishna Oberoi, Hyderabad, to US$170 at the Oberoi New Delhi. Check the Oberoi Web site at www.oberoihotels.com for more information. national exposure Probably one of the world's most-browsed but least-read magazines, National Geographic is offering visitors to its Web site practical information on how its roving lensmen capture the striking images for which it is famous. This is a good place to learn about how take better photographs on the road and be better prepared for your trip, and to view the inspiring work of some outstanding travel photographers. Also available are useful links to other photography-related sites. You can find the photography section of the National Geographic Web site at www.nationalgeographic.com/media/photography . deal of the week Good package deals are thin on the ground at this time of year as agents wait for January promotional prices to appear. But here is a couple which might be of interest. Wing On Travel is offering a package to Seoul throughout January, including round-trip, economy-class tickets on Korean Airlines and four nights' three-star accommodation for $2,198. The price includes breakfast, airport transfers and optional tours (in Cantonese). Flights leave Hong Kong every day. Contact any branch of Wing On Travel, or call 2851-2030 for further details and reservations. Closer to home, Kwan Kin Tours is offering three nights on Hainan Island, with round-trip tickets on China Southern, for $2,299. Transfers and breakfast are included. Call 2390-2668 or 2921-2282 for further details.
