Corporate Travel News - May 2024

Airport updates

London City Airport reports 50% decrease in security queue times thanks to next generation CT scanners

After becoming the first major UK airport to deploy next generation CT security scanners last April, London City Airport has revealed that its queuing at security is now around 50% quicker. The new scanners mean passengers no longer need to go remove laptops and liquids from their hand luggage and are not limited by the 100ml liquid rule.

 

 

Dublin Airport set to rollout 3d scanners by October 2025

Dublin Airport announces it has replaced around a third of its existing x-ray scanners with new generation C3 scanners. The new scanners will remove the need for passengers to remove liquids and laptops from their cabin bags at security, and allow them to carry larger bottles of liquid. All the scanners at T2 are set to be replaced by this October, while the rollout at T1 is scheduled for completion by October 2025.

Airline updates

Delta announces new Dublin-Minneapolis service

Starting 25 May 2024, Delta Airlines will operate a nonstop seasonal flight from Dublin to Minneapolis.

 

 

 

British Airways Executive Club Members can now send messages for free using onboard WiFi

British Airways Executive Club Members across all cabins will now be able to send and receive messages  free of charge on a single device, using the carrier’s WiFi.

 

 

JetBlue expands Paris service with new flight from Boston

JetBlue’s new flight between Boston and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport will operate daily on the carrier’s Airbus A321 Long Range aircraft with 24 Mint Suite seats, 114 core seats, and a sleek and spacious Airspace cabin interior. Read more

 

 

British Airways returns to Abu Dhabi after pausing route for four years

British Airways has begun operating a daily flight from London Heathrow to Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. The service will operate all year round using a Boeing 787-9 during the summer 2924 season. Read more

 

 

Etihad Airways will start flying its popular A380 aircraft on Abu Dhabi – Paris CDG route

After London and New York, Paris will become the third major city to enjoy Etihad Airways’ A380 double-decker aircraft starting 1 November 2024. The popular aircraft features ‘The Residence’, the world’s only three-room suite in the sky with a private living room, bedroom and ensuite bathroom (including a shower). Read more 

 

 

ITA Airways takes delivery of four Airbus aircraft in one week.

44 of the airline’s fleet of 87 aircraft are now considered “new generation”, with the delivery of four new aircraft including an owned A330-900 and leased A321neo, A320neo and A220-100 aircraft. By the end of its 2023-2027 strategic plan, the airline aims for approximately 90% of its fleet to be environmentally friendly, consuming 25% less fuel, and emitting fewer carbon emissions. Read more

 

 

ITA Airways is rolling out customer service enhancements ahead of the 2024 summer season

The first of the planned enhancements gives passengers the option to fly in Comfort Economy class on its Airbus A330-900 and A350-900 long haul aircraft for enhanced comfort and priority boarding, as well as select Top Seats for extra legroom or Front Seats directly behind Business/Superior class seats for faster disembarkation. Passengers can also enjoy onboard Wi-Fi on all A350-900 and A330-900 long-haul aircraft and a complimentary 30-minute connection to use their preferred messaging platforms. ITA is also introducing a new business class menu on intercontinental flights departing from Italy, designed by Michelin-starred chef Giancarlo Morelli. Read more

 

Etihad Airways adds Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia to its growing network

Beginning 24 June 2024, Etihad will directly link Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport with Al Qassim’s Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (ELQ) with four flights per week, operating on Monday. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday onboard an A320 aircraft. Read more

 

 

Lufthansa launches new Airbus A350 with Allegris

Lufthansa Allegris, the new travel experience for long-haul routes began its scheduled service on 1 May, The carrier’s first Airbus A350 equipped with Allegris flew from Munich to Vancouver, Canada. With further A350s delivered, the Allegris cabin will also be available on flights to Chicago and Montreal during the summer. Read more

 

 

Lufthansa City subsidiary to launch with Munich-Birmingham service this summer

Lufthansa City operations will launch its flight operations on 26 June with a flight from Munich to Birmingham onboard an aircraft from the A320 family. Read more

 

 

Brussels Airlines agrees to purchase 250 tonnes of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

The 250 tonnes of SAF Brussels Airlines has agreed to purchase is enough to cover up to 80,000 kilometres flown with an Airbus A320ceo or almost 100,000 kilometres with an Airbus A320neo. When used in neat form (i.e. not blended), SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 80% over the lifetime of the fuel compared to using fossil aviation fuel. Read more

 

RwandAir moves Heathrow Airport operations to Terminal 4

As part of a series of changes led by Heathrow Airport to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience, RwandAir has relocated its operations to Terminal 4. Premium customers with the airline will now have access to the Plaza Premium Lounge at T4, which features fresh hot and cold food, a tended bar, and shower facilities. Read more

 

 

Hotel updates

Travelodge opens latest London hotel at the Oval Cricket Ground

Developed in partnership with the Surrey County Cricket Club, the 95-room London Oval Cricket Ground Travelodge is just a minute’s walk away from Oval Underground station on the Northern line. Sustainable features within the property include Air Source Heat Pumps for heating water, EV charging facilities, solar panels, low energy lighting with motion control sensors, and green roofs to help regulate temperatures and save energy.

 

Leonardo Hotels set to make multi-million euro investment to develop and extend its portfolio

An initial investment of €246 million has been secured, with a commitment for this to increase to €400 million. In addition to the recently opened Leonardo Boutique Paris Opera and The Nikolai Hotel Hamburg – Leonardo Limited Edition, the hotel group announces a new-build NYX Hotel Leipzig Brühl scheduled to open in 2026 and extension plans to double the number of rooms and suites available at the Leonardo Royal Warsaw to a total of 362 by 2025. Read more

 

Travelodge to open new hotel a few minutes’ walk from Stratford Station, London

A new 150-room hotel will open on the site of a former office block, around 5 minutes from the Stratford interchange station which connects guests to National Rail, Underground, Overground, DLR, and Elizabeth Line services. Construction begins this month with plans to open doors by the end of next year.

 

 

Leonardo Hotels to strengthen presence in the Czech Republic with new opening in Brno

NYX Hotel Brno by Leonardo Hotels is scheduled to open mid-2028 with 170 stylish guest rooms across seven floors, an bar and restaurant, and terrace with a view of the vibrant new shopping mall. This will be Leonardo’s second property in the Czech Republic after the NYX Hotel Prague opened in 2017. Brno is the Czech Republic’s second largest city and is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, it’s also got a reputation as Central Europe’s Silicon Valley. Read more

 

Travelodge acquires six hotels in Spain, with a total of 773 rooms

The six hotels are located in Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga and Murcia. The acquisition doubles Travelodge’s presence in Spain and gives them the base to build their brand even further within the region. Read more

 

 

London’s Melia White House unveils new co-working and meeting spaces as part of a £40 million renovation

Located at the southeast corner of Regent’s Park, Melia White House has added co-working stations to it’s The Level Lounge space. The space was formerly only available to guests staying in select suites but it’s now open to the public and will include complimentary refreshments including tea and coffee. There are also bookable meeting rooms nearby the lounge for an additional cost, which include access to printing facilities and gym access.

 

Hyatt opens doors to Grand Hyatt Barcelona, with 465 guest rooms and 49 signature suites

The Grand Hyatt Barcelona is located in the exclusive Alta Barcelona neighbourhood, minutes from the iconic Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona. Each of the 465 guest rooms and 49 signature suites is infused with an Art Deco-inspired design and features the latest amenities. Food and beverage options include a rooftop Peruvian restaurant with 360-degree views of the city, a steakhouse, a tapas bar, and a boutique coffee shop. The hotel also features 22 meeting rooms over 35,000 square feet, the largest of which is a 9,300 square foot events space designed for hosting conferences and large-scale events. Read more

 

Hilton debuts Curio Collection brand in Florence

Anglo American Hotel Florence, Curio Collection by Hilton features 118 rooms and suites, a sun-drenched wine bar and interior courtyard, a modern gym, and two meeting rooms with space for up to 70 people. The hotel is conveniently located in Florence’s city centre and was originally built as one of the first hotels in Florence in 1892. Read more

 

 

NoMad Hotel brand joins Hilton’s portfolio

Hilton will help to expand the NoMad Hotels brand from its existing London flagship location, and projects as many as 100 NoMad properties will be developed globally over time. NoMad will bring business travellers a new sophisticated option for luxury stays in some of the world’s greatest locations. Read more

 

 

RBH gains planning consent for extension projects at two Holiday Inn Express London hotels

The Holiday Inn Express London Southwark has been approved for its third expansion in just 10 years, with plans to add another 35 bedrooms for a total of 182. Works planned for The Holiday Inn Express London Limehouse will see its existing public spaces on the first floor converted into 24 additional bedrooms, a planning application has also been approved to extend into the existing car park space. Read more

 

NH Hotel Group will rebrand as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas

Having been a part of Minor Hotels since 2018, The NH Hotel Group announces it will now adopt the Minor Hotels Europe & Americas name, following a vote by shareholders.

 

 

 

Hilton launches zero waste menus at four flagship UK hotels

The new menus are available for one month as part of a pilot scheme across London Hilton on Park Lane, Hilton Manchester Deansgate, Hilton London Metropole and DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole. Innovative cookery techniques will be used to eliminate or significantly reduce food waste, including using whole ingredients to avoid providing any waste, rescuing and repurposing leftover food, and pickling surplus fruit and vegetables otherwise destined for the bin. Read more

 

Ground updates

LNER launches new digital platform for onboard customer updates

LNER customers will be able to access journey updates, destination inspiration, connecting services and even order food and drink to their seat by simply scanning a QR code on the back of seats. The new one-stop digital information service is being introduced across LNER’s fleet of trains and aims to help people enjoy the best possible experience when travelling on LNER services. Read more

 

Avanti West Coast extends low cost Superfare ticket range

A year after its launch, Avanti West Coast has added ten more journeys to its popular low cost Superfare range. Destinations in the West Midlands and Lake District have been added, allowing customers to book a journey for a specific date with the choice or morning, afternoon, or evening slots at a cheaper fare – with the exact time of travel being selected by LNER. Read more

 

LNER installs tactile surfacing at platform edges to improve safety

600,000 yellow tactile studs have been installed across all 11 of LNER’s managed stations to create a visual and physical alert to the presence of the platform edge, which is especially helpful for people who are blind or partially sighted. Read more

 

 

LNER launches new menus for First Class passengers

LNER has revealed four First Class complimentary menus, with new dishes including an American style pancake stack, hot buttered crumpets, peach melba overnight oats, Homity pie, and oven roasted cod. Read more