Corporate Travel News - April 2024

Airline updates

Virgin Atlantic celebrates 40th birthday by naming new Airbus A330neo in honour Sir Richard Branson

Virgin Atlantic’s newest Airbus A330neo will pay homage to its founder, Sir Richard Branson. The aircraft will feature a new icon and name inspired by his rebellious spirit, Ruby Rebel, registration G-VSRD. Read more

 

 

 

Delta reinstates service from Venice to New York

Delta restarts its nonstop flights between New York – JFK and Venice Marco Polo Airport, operating daily onboard a Boeing 767-300 aircraft featuring 216 seats. The carrier has also resumed its nonstop service from Venice to Atlanta, now offering two flight options along this route. Read more

 

 

British Airways unveils 600+ modernisation initiatives, including new seats and free onboard messaging

A new website, mobile app, free onboard messaging, new short-haul seats and a revamped First suite are just a few of the airline’s £7bn transformation plans over the next two years. From 3 April, BA Executive Club members will be able to send free messages using the airline’s Wi-Fi. A new lounge will also be opened in Dubai, which will be the first to feature BA’s new lounge design concept. Read more

 

 

Air Canada reveals new inflight menus for all cabins

In a major overhaul of its inflight dining service, Air Canada is introducing more than 100 new dishes to its rotating seasonal line up with new snacks and drinks included. New dishes include red Thai chicken and rice (economy) and roasted salmon in teriyaki sauce with Shandong noodles (International flights in Signature Class). Later this year, Air Canada will expand its pre-ordering option to its international routes. Read more

 

 

Emirates’ Dubai-based check-in facilities recognised for efforts towards improving inclusivity and accessibility for neurodiverse customers

Emirates has been awarded a Certified Autism Centre Designation for all of its Dubai-based check-in facilities including those in DIFC, Port Rashid, Dubai Harbour, Ajman, and the carrier’s dedicated hub in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport. Emirates employees have taken part in specialised training on autism and sensory awareness, equipping them with the understanding and skills to address the needs of autistic travellers or those with sensory sensitivities, as well as their families. Read more

 

JetBlue rolls out new amenity bags for business class passengers

JetBlue’s new amenity kits will be available on domestic and international services. Passengers on transatlantic flights will be offered a charcoal-coloured sport mesh pouch which unfolds into a mint-coloured backpack. Inside each bag is a range of skincare products from the brand Dr Dennis Gross, a bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste and mattress. Read more

 

 

Emirates adds SAF on flights departing from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

More than 2 million gallons of blended SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) will be supplied into the fuelling system at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport over the course of this year. The SAF used can be safely dropped into existing jet engines and airport fuelling infrastructure, in neat form it can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared with conventional jet fuel. Read more

 

 

United Airlines adds new digital tool to help customers who use wheelchairs find the best flights to accommodate the specific dimensions of their personal mobility device

United Airlines’ has launched a new digital tool to help customers determine the right aircraft to accommodate the dimensions of their wheelchair, reflecting its ongoing commitment to making travel experiences more accessible for everyone. Eligible customers can request a refund of the fare difference if a customer needs to pay more for a flight that can accommodate their wheelchair. Read more

 

 

Etihad to add extra flights to its Abu Dhabi-Rome service

From 1 November, Etihad will increase the number of flights from Abu Dhabi Zayed International airport Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport. At the moment, Etihad offers this service 11 times per week but this will be boosted up to twice a day in the new schedule, operated on Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft. Read more

 

 

Lufthansa announces new additions to its European network

Starting 28^th April Lufthansa will fly from Munich to Trondheim in Norway twice per week, to Nantes in France three times per week, and to Oulu, Finland twice a week. Lufthansa will also reinstate its service from Frankfurt to Chi?in?u in the Republic of Moldova, operating five times a week from 29^th April. Read more

 

 

KLM introduces meal pre-ordering for passengers travelling in World Business Class

80% of KLM’s services departing from Amsterdam to intercontinental destinations now offer customers the chance to order their main course up to 45 days before they travel. This can be booked during the flight booking process, in the KLM app, or after booking via MyTrip. Read more

 

 

Singapore Airlines partners with MasterChef presenter Monica Galetti for curated seasonal menus across business, first, and suite customers

Business class, first class, and suite customers on Singapore Airlines services departing Heathrow, Manchester and Gatwick will soon be offered a menu that showcases “the finest British ingredients with an emphasis on provenance and local suppliers”, with a nod to Galetti’s South Pacific roots. The new menu is scheduled for roll out in Q4 of this year.

 

 

Turkish Airlines adds additional flights to and from Italy

Turkish Airlines has expanded its flights to and from Italy, introducing a total of 13 new weekly flights. Services from Istanbul to Bologna will increase from 18 to 21, flights from Palermo will go from four to six, and two more flights will be added between Istanbul and Bari to a total of seven per week. Finally, flights to Naples will go up from 12 to 18 per week.

Hotel updates

Leonardo Hotels opens its first Leonardo Limited Edition in Germany with 94 rooms and suites

Leonardo Hotels announces it will debut its Leonardo Limited Edition brand in Germany after acquiring the Sir Nikolai in Hamburg. The hotel will open for business as The Nikolai Hotel Hamburg – Leonardo Limited Edition on 9th April 2024. Located on one of the most picturesque and oldest waterways of its type, the hotel offers easy access to St. Catherine’s Church, the Deichtorhallen Exhibition Centre and the Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall. There are 94 stylish and individually designed rooms and suites, as well as an atrium with a glass roof opening up to the sky, bar, restaurant area, and spa. Read more

 

Travelodge’s new 85 Bar Café concept features retro design features inspired by the 80s

The new 85 Bar Café concept pays homage to the brand’s first UK hotel, which opened in Barton-Under-Needwood in 1985. Design elements include retro 80s style signage, floor-to-ceiling bookcases dividing distinct zones for fining, socialising, and working, and poster art referencing popular films and music from 1985.

 

 

Radisson will debut its serviced apartment offering in the UK with Glasgow new-build

Radisson Hotel & Serviced Apartments Glasgow will combine hotel rooms and extended stay apartments, along with a ground floor destination restaurant, rooftop bar and lounge, fitness centre and meeting space. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2027 at 90/96 Maxwell Street and 40 Fox Street, with some rooms and spaces overlooking the River Clyde.

 

 

Saudi Arabia’s first Hampton by Hilton hotel opens with 201 thoughtfully-designed guest rooms

In partnership with Cayan Group, Hilton announces the opening of Hampton by Hilton Sharma just 20 minutes away from NEOM Bay Airport and two hours from the main regional airport in Tabuk. The hotel’s design focuses on flexibility and sustainability, with smart systems installed throughout to increase energy efficiency. Read more

 

 

Hilton announces plans for new Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Downtown, set to open in 2028

Located in the most populous city in the UAE, Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Downtown will be the first ever standalone Waldorf Astoria residential address outside of the US. A 15-acre plot has been secured in Downtown Dubai, and it will combine world-class design by Carlos Ott Architects and interiors. Read more

 

 

Hilton acquires Graduate Hotels, with UK locations in Oxford and Cambridge

Hilton announced that it has acquired rights to the Graduate Hotels brand worldwide for $210 million. The addition of Graduate Hotels will offer millions of travellers access to unparalleled hospitality in university towns across the US and UK, including Cambridge and Oxford – particularly useful for business travellers operating within academia. Read more

Ground updates

Avis Budget Group opens new location at East Midlands Airport

Avis Budget Group’s new location opened on 17^th March at East Midlands. It’s located a short walk away from the airport terminal in mid-stay car park 3.