Corporate Travel News: February 2023

Covid update

Germany drops mask requirement

Germany has officially dropped mask requirements to wear on Germany’s long-distance trains and on local public transport which has been mandatory for almost two years.

Singapore has lifted the last of its Covid-19 restrictions

Singapore has lifted its remaining Covid-19 travel restrictions after the health situation has been established in recent weeks. The country’s government has shared that non-government no longer has to show proof of a negative pre-departure Covid test on arrival and the requirement to purchase Covid travel insurance has also been removed.

Air updates

British Airways resumes flights to mainland China

British Airways resumes flights between the UK and mainland China. From April 2023, flights will operate daily between London Heathrow and Shanghai Pudong International airport and will operate four times weekly between Heathrow and Beijing Daxing airport. Read more

Virgin Atlantic confirms return to Shanghai, China.

Virgin Atlantic confirms flights from London Heathrow to Shanghai, China resumes on 1 May 2023. As it did prior to the pandemic, the airline will operate Boeing 787-9. Customers can enjoy a selection of experiences across three cabins; Upper Class, Premium and the three classes of Economy: Delight, Classic and Light.

American Airlines continues to rebuild its network in Dublin

American Airlines continues to rebuild its transatlantic network with the return of three seasonal services from Dublin, starting summer of 2023. The airline will fly daily from Dublin to Dallas/ Fort Worth, Charlotte and Chicago as well as operate a year-round route to Philadelphia.

Qatar Airways announces flights to Beijing, China

From 26 March 2023, Qatar Airways has announced flights to Beijing, China with seven weekly flights.

Air France adds new route from Paris to Canada

Air Frances continues to increase its operations in Canada. Come summer 2023, Air France will operate up to 50 weekly flights to five destinations in Canada: Ottowa (new service for 2023), Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. The service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier (YWO) will be inaugurated on 27 June 2023 and operate five times weekly on Air France’s 224-seater Airbus A330-200. Read more

Singapore Airlines rolls out complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi

Singapore Airlines rolls out complimentary unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi for all Business Class customers, as well as its PPS Club members and PPS Club supplementary card holders. In addition, KrisFlyer members now enjoy free three-hour Wi-Fi plans when travelling in Premium Economy Class and free two-hour Wi-Fi plans when travelling in Economy Class.

Etihad boosts frequency to Abu Dhabi Frankfurt route

Etihad Airways has announced plans to ramp up services to Frankfurt in Germany. From 1 May 2023, the airline will add an extra four services a week to its current daily frequency bringing the total number of weekly flights to 11. The additional flight will be operated by one of Etihad’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft which has 28 seats in business and 262 in Economy. Read more

Turkish Airlines and Indigo Airlines launch Delhi – Istanbul flight

Turkish Airlines and Indigo Airlines increase travel demands. Indigo has added a Boeing 777 aircraft to its operations. While Turkish Airlines will be able to sell both business class (B/C) and economy class (E/C) tickets during the process, IndiGo Airlines will be able to sell economy class (E/C) tickets only due to its operational structure. Within this framework, Turkish Airlines’ caring cabin crew will serve business class (B/C) passengers with the flag carrier’s high-quality service approach.

Hotel updates

IHG expands Vignette Collection in Germany

IHG continues to evolve its luxury presence in Germany as they sign Alte Post in Rei im Winkl, a market debut for Vignette Collection, the company’s newest luxury brand. Alte Post Vignette Collection is set to open in 2026 under a franchise agreement with Odyssey Hotel Group. The hotel will feature 150 luxury rooms, two restaurants, fitness and wellness area with sauna and swim facilities. The area is a well-known village located on the German/Austrian border in Southeast Bavaria.

Hilton Brighton Metropole finishes hotel renovations

Hilton Brighton Metropole has completed its £26 million refurbishments. Located across Brighton’s seafront the hotel accommodates 340 guestrooms, and 17 meetings, holding the largest residential conferencing and event space in the Southeast of England.

Ground updates

Avis budget opens new store in Glasgow Central Station

Avis Budget opens new Glasgow Central Station opens. The new store is the latest of Avis Budget’s 32 locations in the UK. Customers can take advantage of the pre-travel digital check-in process, Quick Pas, to save time to collect.