Corporate Travel News: December 2022
Air updates
British Airways launches new smart technology trial
British Airways has become the first UK airline to trial the use of biometric technology for international flights, enabling customers taking part in the trial to travel through the airport ‘smartly’ without having to show their passport. Customers who sign up to take part in the airline’s trial from London Heathrow Terminal 5 will be invited to scan their face, passport and boarding pass on their smartphone or tablet ahead of travel, with this information being kept safe and secure. When trial participants arrive at the airport, Smart Bio-Pod cameras verify their identity in under three seconds, allowing them to keep their passports safely in their pockets until they reach their destination. Read more
JetBlue to add services to Paris
JetBlue has announced plans to expand transatlantic routes to Europe with a new service to Paris starting summer of 2023. Paris will be JetBlue’s second transatlantic destination following the airline’s successful launch in London in August 2021. The nonstop service will be between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). In addition, the airline will also add a nonstop service between Boston and Paris. Read more
Etihad Airways reintroduces its A380 fleet on London Heathrow routes
Four of Etihad Airways’ super jumbo aircraft are set to operate between Abu Dhabi and London, with the first to be reintroduced in Summer 2023. The move follows a surge in air travel across the network and customer feedback. The A380 features The Residence as well as three cabin classes on the double-decker aircraft. Guest flying in First and Business can enjoy The Lobby, Etihad’s serviced lounge and bar area, located between the two cabins. Read more
Emirates adds third daily A380 service to London Gatwick
Emirates has ramped up its operations between Dubai and Gatwick airport with the addition of a third daily A380 flight. The carrier will also operate three daily A380 services to Manchester, UK. Emirates currently services the UK with 119 weekly flights across seven UK hubs.
Virgin Atlantic to launch routes from London to Maldives and Turks and Caicos
Virgin Atlantic announces in 2023 it will begin flying to the idyllic islands of the Maldives and Turks & Caicos from London Heathrow. Both routes will be operated on the airline’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft boasting 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium and 192 Economy Delight Classic and Light seats. Read more
British Airways announces new direct US flight from London to Cincinnati
British Airways has announced a new direct route from London Heathrow to the Cincinnati region, starting in the Summer of 2023. Cincinnati will become the 27th US destination served directly from London by British Airways, which offers 300 transatlantic flights per week, the most of any UK carrier. Customers travelling to Cincinnati will travel in comfort on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with a choice of three cabins – World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and Club World (business). Read more
Etihad Airways ends the year with two Sustainability awards
Etihad Airways has one “Environmental Sustainability Innovation of the Year” award at CAPA’s annual Environmental Sustainability Awards for Excellence Singapore, as well as the “Best Airline for Sustainability 2022” award by Business Traveler USA. Etihad’s sustainability initiatives began with a focus on creating operational efficiencies. The airline went on to unite industry leaders and build a comprehensive, cross-organisational aviation sustainability programme that supports decarbonisation, biodiversity protection and waste management. Read more
Virgin Atlantic partners with Nuvei, a Canadian FinTech company
Nuvei Corporation the Canadian Fintech company has partnered with Virgin Atlantic. Nuvei builds on exceptional technology with customised solutions designed for some of the largest companies in the industry. The partnership will entail customers with a frictionless payment experience.
British Airways teams up with uber to offer Avios on every ride
Uber users will soon be able to collect Avios on every journey they take by car, coach or train booked via the Uber app, by simply linking their British Airways Executive Club and Uber accounts. Later this month, Members of the airline’s loyalty programme will be eligible to collect 1 Avios for every £1 spent on any ride, whether by car, coach or train, booked on the Uber app in the UK. These can then be put towards worldwide flights, upgrades and extras. Read more
Manchester to become the first UK airport with a direct supply of hydrogen fuel
Manchester Airport has unveiled plans to secure a direct supply of hydrogen fuel for its airline partners from the mid-2030s. The airport is on track to become the first UK airport to achieve this milestone thanks to its new partnership with Hynet, one of the UK’s government-backed industrial decarbonisation projects. Read more
Schiphol adds new co-working and meeting space
Amsterdam Schiphol airport has opened a new co-working and meeting space as part of a project to redevelop its Departures 1 Lounge. The Space Lounge features six “fully equipped” work areas with a capacity for more than 100 people, four meeting rooms and an adjacent restaurant. Located above the airport Departure Hall 1 the offices and meeting space can be booked for a fee and opened to the public (not restricted to departing travellers). Read more
Hotel updates
Motto by Hilton to debut in Rotterdam
Hilton has opened its first property under its Motto by Hilton lifestyle brand in Europe. The motto by Holton Rotterdam Blaak is located in a refurbished bank in the seaport city. The hotel offers 108 rooms, with a range of sleeping arrangements, and dining facilities for guests to meet, work or socialise and is close to Blaak underground station. Read more
Travelodge to open new build in Chiswick, London
Travelodge has secured funding for a new hotel opening in London’s Chiswick area. The new build property will be located close to the Chiswick roundabout and flyover and around 400 meters from Chiswick Business Park. The hotel will facilitate 113 rooms.
Motto by Hilton to debut in Glasgow, Scotland
Hilton has announced plans to bring its Motto brand to the UK, with a Glasgow property set to open in 2024. The hotel will be situated on the banks of the River Clyde and will feature 186 rooms. There are currently five Motto properties in operation. Read more
Clayton Hotels debuts in Glasgow, Scotland
Dalata Hotel Group has reached its 50th hotel milestone with a property in Glasgow, Scotland. The 303-room Clayton Hotel Glasgow City follows the opening of Maldron Hotel Glasgow in 2021. The 16-story features a ballroom, event space, Custom House Bar and Restaurant and a terrace on the seventh-floor catering for corporate and private events with panoramic views of the city.
IHG to add Crowne Plaza and Vignette properties in Lisbon
IHG has announced the signing of two Lisbon properties, which will operate under the group’s Vignette Collection and Crown Plaza brands. The 121-room Convent Square Hotel Lisbon in the city’s Baixa district, meanwhile the group is set to convert an existing golf and spa hotel in Lisbon’s suburb of Caparica into its Crowne Plaza brand. The 227-room Hotel Aldeia dos Capuchos Golf and Spa.
IHG opens two new hotels in Europe and UK
IHG has announced two hotel openings in Europe and UK, set to open in early 2023, Holiday Inn Express Düsseldorf Airport (DUSDA) offers 324 rooms, meeting spaces for up to 50 people, Express Café & Bar? and Restaurant with special lunch and dinner arrangements for conference guests. Staybridge Suites, Brighton is located along the coast, each self-contained suite has a kitchenette and a living area ideal whether you are on a quick trip or planning an extended stay. A 2-minute walk away is Brighton’s mainline train station allowing you to be in London in an hour or the South Terminal of London Gatwick Airport in 30 minutes.