Corporate Travel News - September 2023

Travel documentation

Photographic ID now needed for UK domestic flights with British Airways

Starting from 1 September 2023, it will be necessary to carry valid photographic identification when embarking on UK  domestic flights with British Airways. This identification will be requested at specific points during your journey. While a passport is not mandatory for domestic travel within the UK, it is important to carry a form of photographic ID when flying with British Airways. Read more

 

China no longer requires pre-arrival Covid-19 tests for inbound travellers

As of 30 August 2023, China has lifted Covid-19 pre-arrival testing requirements. Travellers are now permitted to enter China under regular entry procedures.

Airline updates

United launches Bag Drop Shortcut for London Heathrow departures

Heathrow is the first international location to offer the service after successful trials at Newark in 2021. Customers using the app can now check bags in ‘a minute or less on average’.

 

Air Canada expands in-flight entertainment with Apple TV+

Investing further in the customer experience, Air Canada’s latest move brings critically acclaimed original programs such as Ted Lasso, Bad Sisters, Severance, and more to its customers’ seatback screens. Read more

Emirates to boost London Heathrow service with five new flights per week

To cater for the busy winter season and offer customers greater choice, Emirates will temporarily operate an additional five times per week service to London Heathrow. The scaled-up service will operate from 31 October 2023 to 30 March 2024. Read more

 

Delta announces new routes connecting Dublin with Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Boston

A five-times weekly service between Dublin and Minneapolis Saint-Paul will start from 9 May 2024, connecting the Emerald Isle to Atlanta and Boston and with a seasonal service, in addition to a year-round service from New York JFK. Read more

Qatar Airways unveils new livery for the FORMULA 1® QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2023

As the Official Global Airline Partner and title sponsor for the highly-anticipated event, the carrier will offer passengers on selected flights from 20 September to 10 October delicacies inspired by the partnership, including F1® themed desserts in Business and Economy Class. Read more

 

JetBlue launches nonstop service linking New York and Amsterdam

The new daily service connects New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. JetBlue will also launch flights from Boston Logan International Airport to Amsterdam on 20 September. Read more

Qatar to add an additional New York flight from 30 October, totalling three flights per day

From 30 October 2023, Qatar will increase its flight frequency from Doha to New York JFK airport from two daily flights to three. Read more

 

American Airlines announces nonstop services from Philadelphia to Copenhagen, Nice, and Naples

In its largest European expansion since 2019, American Airlines will add Copenhagen, Nice, and Naples to its network next summer. It will also begin new flights between Dallas-Fort Worth and Barcelona, as well as reinstating its Chicago-Venice service. Read more

 

Lufthansa rebrands Eurowings Discover to Discover Airlines
Lufthansa Group’s Eurowings Discover is now Discover Airlines, launching with a new look and brand identity. Over the next year, the Munich-based Discover Airlines will acquire six new aircraft, growing the fleet to a total of 28. Read more

 

SWISS rolls out free inflight messaging on long-haul flights across all travel classes

SWISS passengers on long-haul flights can now send and receive text and picture messages for free via their personal devices. The carrier has also refreshed its paid-for internet packages, offering four hours of access for £22 or flight-long access for £31. First class and HON Circle members have free unlimited internet access. Read more

 

BA to launch new short-haul flights for the winter period

Launching at the end of October, BA plans to add a three-times weekly service to Riga, 12 weekly flights to Cologne, and three flights per week to Belgrade – all departing from London Heathrow. The carrier also announces flights from Heathrow to Turin from 10 December and a BA CityFlyer service from London City to Milan Linate from 5 November. Read more

KLM to boost services between Newcastle and Amsterdam this autumn

From 29 October, KLM will operate five flights per day between Newcastle International Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol, flying up to 35 times per week. This comes as a result of ‘strong inbound and outbound demand’.

 

KLM welcomes customers to its lounges at Bristol and Birmingham Airports

From 1 September 2023, eligible KLM passengers departing from Bristol and Birmingham Airport can enjoy premium lounges, which feature made-to-order hot and cold food, premium complimentary drinks, free Wi-Fi and unlimited hot and cold drinks.

 

Singapore Airlines to ramp up services to Frankfurt and Barcelona next summer

For the Northern Summer 2024 operating season (31 March 2024 to 26 October 2024), Singapore Airlines plans to reinstate direct services between Singapore and Barcelona and restore Airbus A380 services between Singapore and Frankfurt. Read more

 

Double your miles with Gulf Air

Take advantage of Falcon Flyer rewards and enjoy a variety of benefits that will elevate your experience onboard. Use your miles to book future flights, upgrades, redeem exclusive lounge access and even excess baggage. Find out more

Hotel updates

Leonardo Hotels to open new Berlin hotel in Spring 2024

Featuring 190 rooms, a fitness suite with a sauna and an outdoor terrace, Leonardo Hotels confirms the property will stay open and fully functional as renovations take place up to the scheduled completion date in Spring 2024. Meetings, conferences, and events are also well-suited for this location, with 912 square metres of event space spread across 15 meeting rooms.

Travelodge continues budget-luxe revamp, with 55 properties set to be upgraded this year

25 properties have already been renovated ahead of the busy summer period, including hotels in Cheltenham, Ipswich, Oxford, Newport, and Southampton, as well as the group’s two biggest hotels: London Convent Garden and London King’s Cross Royal Scot.

 

Leonardo’s new NYX Hotel Dublin Portobello to open in November 2023

Located on the Grand Canal at Portobello Harbour the city centre hotel features a stylish restaurant, chic bar, state of the art gym and 175 bedrooms. The hotel group has confirmed it will welcome guests to stay from November 2023.

Travelodge announces new Bermondsey, London hotel

Set to open in 2024, London Bermondsey Travelodge is a 73-room hotel located just a 10-minute walk away from London Bridge Station. It will feature Travelodge’s recently unveiled Budget-Luxe premium design. Read more

 

Hilton signs new Canopy by Hilton Porta Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Expected to open its doors in 2028, the hotel comprises a mixture of 183 guest rooms and 55 residences, alongside a specialty restaurant, rooftop concept, fully-equipped fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool and almost 300 square metres of meeting space. Read more

Hilton opens doors to Canopy by Hilton Cannes on the French Riviera

Located in the south of France, the hotel comprises 129 guest rooms and suites, plus 12 apartments. The property features an indoor-outdoor heated swimming pool with sea views, a fitness centre, brunch club, and rooftop bar & restaurant, a spa with 5 cabins will be opening soon. Read more

 

RBH introduces its new independent hotel brand, RBH Collection

The new RBH Collection focuses on RBH’s portfolio of independent branded hotels, which makes up more than a quarter of its complete portfolio. The curated assortment of unbranded properties in the UK includes limited-service hotels and luxurious properties that offer comprehensive leisure, spa, and dining amenities.

Ground updates

LNER opens new exhibition celebrating 100 iconic moments on its route to mark its centenary

Newcastle Central Station is home to the new exhibition, ‘100 Years of Firsts’, which features moving stories from customers, colleagues, historians and celebrity travellers like Sara Davies and Shaun Wallace to celebrate some of the special moments LNER has made possible. Read more