Corporate Travel News - December 2023

Airport updates

Amsterdam Schiphol’s proposed 2024 flight number cap has been scrapped
The proposed cap would have limited the number of flights throughout 2024 to 460,000 in an attempt to decrease noise pollution. The Dutch government has announced a reversal of its plans and will no longer enact the new rule.

 

 

 

Manchester Airport exceeds pre-pandemic passenger numbers for the first time
This October, 2.6 million passengers passed through Manchester Airport, which is 105% of its 2019 figures. The airport revealed that the rising demand could be attributed to destinations like Dubai, Amsterdam, Dublin and Paris.

 

 

 

London Gatwick Airport’s new upgraded rail station facilities are now open
The £250 million upgrade will open officially on Tuesday 21st November, this includes eight new escalators, five new lifts, four new stairways and expanded platforms. Improvements have also been made to the station concourse, including new customer information systems, more ticket gates and a dedicated passenger assistance point.

Airline updates

United Airlines expands services to Athens, Barcelona, Rome and Paris
This winter, United extends its popular services from New York/Newark to Athens, Greece (until 28 November), Washington-Dulles to Barcelona, Spain (until 13 December), and Washington-Dulles to Rome, Italy through 8 January. The carrier will also add a second daily flight on its New York-Paris route, which is extended to 8 January. Read more

 

 

Air Canada announces new flights to Stockholm launching summer 2024
Air Canada will expand its presence in Scandinavia with new seasonal flights to Stockholm. Air Canada will fly to Stockholm from Montreal three times per week and from Toronto twice per week, beginning 12 June 2024. It will also increase the capacity of its year-round daily Toronto-Copenhagen service (1 May – 31 October). Read more

 

 

Air Canada launches strategy to reduce barriers and improve travel experiences for disabled passengers
Air Canada announces a ‘multi-pronged strategy to improve boarding, secure mobility devices, enhance lift capability and simplify travel’. Some immediate actions the airline plans to take include priority boarding for customers who request lift assistance, investing in new equipment such as lifts, enhanced training to improve employee interactions and in-cabin storage of mobility aids. A new senior position, the Director of Customer Accessibility role has also been created. Read more

 

Virgin Atlantic achieves world first with 100% SAF commercial flight across the Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic’s 100% SAF flight departed from London Heathrow to New York JFK on 28th November, operated by a Boeing 787 using Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The airline says ‘Flight100’ proves SAF is a safe drop-in replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel and the only mid-term viable solution for decarbonising long-haul aviation. Read more

 

 

Emirates to launch limited edition luggage capsule collection made from recycled aircraft interiors
The unique capsule collection of luggage, bags and accessories like belts and shoes will be available for sale in Emirates Official Stores in 2024, with proceeds to be donated to children in need. 14,000kg of materials have already been sourced from 16 aircraft including the iconic Emirates A380 and 777 aircraft. Read more

 

 

Virgin Atlantic reinstates summer seasonal flights from Manchester to Las Vegas
Virgin Atlantic has announced the return of its popular Manchester-Las Vegas route, departing three times per week on an A350 aircraft. A popular destination for both corporate and leisure travel, the flights are available for booking now. Read more

 

 

Lufthansa to offer free unlimited messaging on short and medium-haul flights
From mid-January 2024, passengers on short and medium-haul flights on A320 aircraft will be able to send and receive unlimited messages on their smartphone or tablet completely free of charge. Read more

 

 

 

Etihad transitions to Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal A and opens new flagship premium lounges
Etihad Airways completed its transition to its new state-of-the-art home at Abu Dhabi International Airport on 14 November. As part of the move, Etihad has also opened new lounges spanning three floors. The First and Business class lounges feature various dining options and relaxation and entertainment spaces to suit all guests, including the stylish Constellation Bar at the enclosed Roof Lounge. Read more

 

 

Lufthansa will now provide reusable cups onboard its aircraft
Lufthansa has announced that as part of its goal to eliminate single-use plastic and single-use aluminium on board by 2025, the carrier will replace its disposable plastic cups and lids with a new reusable cup.

 

 

 

Etihad rolls out a host of new seating policy updates, giving passengers more time to reserve seats
From 28 November, Economy seating will be split into three zones with differentiated pricing; forward, middle, and rear zones. Etihad is also rebranding its Economy Space seats to extra legroom seats and can now reserve an Economy seat from the moment they book their ticket, as opposed to waiting until 30 hours before departure.

 

 

British Airways relocates Club check-in area at Heathrow T5
British Airways has moved its Club facility to Zone A/B at the north end of T5, the new location is near the terminal building entrance for passengers travelling via the London Underground or Heathrow Express. These facilities are available to Club Europe & Club World customers, and Silver & Bronze Executive Club members.

 

 

Etihad launches new Abu Dhabi – New York JFK route, operated on an A380 double-decker and a 787-9
Services to New York will begin on 22nd April 2024 using an A380 double-decker on one of the two daily flights and a 787-9 on the other. The A380 offers an elevated experience for all passengers across Economy, Business, and First classes, as well as the opportunity to experience The Residence – the world’s only three-room suite in the sky accommodating up to two guests. Read more

 

 

British Airways Executive Club members can collect Avios from purchases in London Heathrow’s World Duty-Free
Members of British Airways Executive Club and World Duty-Free’s loyalty club can now collect one Avios point per £1 spent on purchases at London Heathrow’s World Duty-Free shops. They can also collect a bonus of 250 Avios points on their first purchase. Read more

 

 

Air France expands its Train + Air service to a total of 41 routes, to and from 22 French rail stations
The service, which allows a single reservation to book train and flight journeys in and outbound from Paris CDG, Orly and selected regional rail stations, has been expanded. The latest expansion includes eight new routes: Aix-en-Provence, Arras, Laval and Lille Flandres to and from Paris CDG and Paris-Orly & Perpignan to and from Paris CDG.

 

 

Air France to offer seasonal daily services from Paris-Orly to Cardiff, Southampton and East Midlands Airport
This winter, Air France will operate daily services between Paris-Orly and Cardiff, Southampton and East Midlands Airport with an ATR 72-600 aircraft featuring 72 Economy Class seats. Passengers can then choose to travel beyond to other French cities like Nice, Marseille or Toulouse.

 

 

ITA Airways to operate daily London-Milan service with new Airbus A220-100 aircraft
ITA Airways’ existing three times daily service between London City Airport and Milan Linate will be operated on its new Airbus A220-100 aircraft, with 125 seats and Business and Economy service class configuration. The carrier will then launch an additional daily service beginning January 2024, taking the total weekly number of flights between the cities up to 48. Read more

 

 

ITA Airways will use new Airbus A321neo on its daily Rome FCO – London LHR service
From 1st December, the carrier’s new Airbus A321neo will operate on the daily Rome Fiumicino – London Heathrow route as well as the Rome Fiumicino – Paris Charles de Gaulle route during the Christmas period (22 December to 9 January). Read more

 

 

Malaysia Airlines extends unlimited complimentary Wifi across all travel classes on selected widebody flights
Beginning 1 November passengers on Malaysia Airlines flights across all cabin classes can now enjoy an enhanced complimentary wi-fi service, allowing for unlimited data usage, messaging and surfing. Read more

Hotel updates

Travelodge’s seventh hotel in Bristol to open in time for summer 2024
Bristol Abbey Wood Travelodge is a new 85-room hotel located near the UK’s largest Ministry of Defence offices, Bristol MoD, and within easy reach of the M4, M5 and Bristol city centre. Guests will expect to find the group’s new premium look and feel design inside the hotel as well as an onsite restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner when the hotel opens doors in summer.

 

 

Hilton opens second Waldorf Astoria in Doha, Qatar
Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay opens doors to guests in Qatar’s vibrant capital. The 333-key hotel draws inspiration from its New York namesake, Waldorf Astoria, with art-deco-inspired interiors. Guests can also enjoy world-class gastronomy at the Tribeca Market, Peacock lounge, chic patisserie and destination restaurants.

 

 

RBH Hospitality Management appointed to operate a stylish new AC Hotel by Marriott in Glasgow
RBH will manage a new luxuriously designed AC Hotel, a main feature of the £100 million redevelopment of Glasgow’s historic George Street. The 245-room hotel is just minutes away from some of the city’s most popular attractions and is located within a 120-year-old A-listed Victorian former city Parish Hall.

 

 

Hilton expands into Monaco with its first hotel, Columbus Hotel Monte-Carlo, Curio Collection by Hilton
Set to open by the end of this year, the 181-guest room hotel will offer guests ‘an authentic taste of the Monaco lifestyle’. Just a 40-minute drive from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in the residential Marina of Fontvielle, it’s situated opposite the Princess Grace Rose Garden and a stone’s throw away from award-winning restaurants and the Stade-Louis II stadium. The hotel also features its own restaurant, Tavolo and modern fitness facilities with an outdoor pool. Read more

 

 

Dalata’s first Maldron Hotel in London opens
The 191-room Maldron Hotel Finsbury Park has opened on Seven Sisters Road in North London, after a £4.1m upgrade. The contemporary ground floor lobby has a spacious dining and bar area for guests to enjoy, as well as a fitness suite. This is the first of five Maldron hotels expected to open in the next 12 months, with Maldron Hotel Shoreditch to follow next year. Read more

 

 

Hilton to open Hilton Lille, a ‘stylish, upscale’ hotel in the centre of Lille, France
The 124-guest-room property will fully rebrand under Hilton Hotels & Resorts in 2024 after a multimillion-euro renovation. With a restaurant, bar, fully-equipped fitness centre and 360 square metres of meeting space across seven meeting rooms, the hotel sets out to appeal to both business and leisure travellers. Read more

Ground updates

LNER purchases 10 new tri-mode trains, keeping them on track for 67% emissions reduction target
The new 10-coach tri-mode trains can operate in electric, battery or diesel mode and will keep LNER on track for a 67% emission reduction by 2035 ahead of its 2045 net zero goal. Other benefits include reduced noise and vibration pollution, lower maintenance and operating costs, and upgradable technology. Read more

 

 

Enterprise unites full portfolio under new corporate brand, Enterprise Mobility
The Enterprise Mobility portfolio includes care rental, fleet management, flexible vehicle hire, carsharing, vanpooling, car sales, truck rental, vehicle subscription, luxury rental, technology solutions and more. Though the corporate brand has changed, its key offerings remain the same. Read more

 

 

Blacklane Middle East announces tenfold expansion of its all-electric fleet
Ahead of the COP28 summit in the UAE, luxury chauffeur service Blacklane has announced the fleet expansion in response to surging demand for sustainable transport solutions within the region. All of Blacklane’s rides are 100% carbon neutral, as the firm offsets all carbon emissions from every journey.

 

 

Eurostar announces six-month temporary closure of cross-Channel terminal in Amsterdam
From July 2024 Eurostar’s Amsterdam cross-channel terminal closes for six months to undergo extensive work. This work will expand the terminal and create an enhanced experience for customers travelling between London and Amsterdam.