Corporate Travel News - January 2025

 

 

Airline updates

Virgin Atlantic to restart flights from London to Cancun

Virgin Atlantic has announced the return of flights from London Heathrow to Cancun, Mexico, starting 19 October 2025. The airline will operate three weekly flights, marking its first service to Cancun since early 2019, when it flew from Gatwick. Virgin Atlantic will use Airbus A350-1000 aircraft on its Heathrow-Cancun route, offering economy, premium economy, and Upper-Class cabins.

 

British Airways welcomes new Italian routes to its network

British Airways is launching three new routes for summer 2025, adding to its Italian network. Starting in May, flights will operate from London Heathrow to Rimini, from London Gatwick to Salerno, and from London City to Olbia in Sardinia. The new routes will bring the total number of Italian destinations served to 19. Read more

 

 

Emirates to deploy Airbus A350 to Kuwait and Bahrain

Emirates is advancing the deployment of its Airbus A350 to Kuwait and Bahrain, with services set to begin on 8 January. These will be the second and third destinations to be served by the airline’s newest aircraft. The three-class A350 features 312 seats, including 32 Business Class lie-flat seats, 21 Premium Economy seats, and 259 Economy Class seats. The aircraft offers enhanced comfort with wider aisles, high ceilings, new technology, faster Wi-Fi, and the latest ice inflight entertainment system, providing a cinematic experience for passengers. Read more

 

British Airways revamps its Loyalty Programme

British Airways has rebranded its loyalty programme to The British Airways Club, introducing new ways to earn Tier Points, including through co-branded credit card spending and extras like seat selection and baggage. The airline will also recognise milestones between Tiers and offer unlimited Tier Point earnings on holiday packages from British Airways Holidays. These changes follow last year’s shift to a spend-based Avios system, which has seen 70% of customers earning the same or more Avios than before. Read more

 

United Airlines to launch first-ever flights between Rome and Denver

United Airlines is set to introduce the first-ever flights between Rome and Denver, subject to government approval. Starting 2 May, the daily service will run until 25 September. Flights will depart from Rome Fiumicino Airport at 14:20, arriving at Denver International Airport at 17:45. The return flights from Denver will depart at 17:50, arriving in Rome at 12:20 the following day. The service will be operated using B787-9 aircraft.

 

Etihad Airways opens its premium lounge in Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways opened its new Etihad U.S. Preclearance Lounge at Zayed International Airport on 30 December, enhancing the travel experience for passengers flying to the United States. The lounge offers beverages, light dining options, and a “serene” space for travellers after completing US entry formalities. Direct boarding from the lounge is also available for select flights. Read more

 

Lufthansa Group Airlines announce new flights to southern Europe in 2025

Lufthansa will begin operating flights from Frankfurt to Lamezia Terme (Calabria) from 6th April and will also add Figari in Corsica to its schedule from 17th May. Swiss International Air Lines will offer five weekly flights furing the summer from 17th April and Brussels Airlines will introduce flights from Brussels to Funchal for the first time, beginning 5th April. Read more

 

LOT Polish Airlines opens its first business lounge in Chicago

LOT Polish Airlines has opened its first business lounge in North America at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. The 617-square-metre lounge, located in Terminal 5, seats up to 165 passengers. It offers a range of features, including Polish and local cuisines, fast Wi-Fi, charging stations, and windows with an automatic dimming function.

 

Hotel updates

Leonardo Royal Frankfurt reopens after 12 months of extensive renovations

280 of the hotels 449 rooms have been given complete makeovers, introducing wood-look flooring, high-end furniture, and new bathrooms with premium tap fittings and tiles. The lobby and lobby bar have also been updated to a tasteful and contemporary look with a modernised reception space featuring cosy and private seating. Modern technology has been added to the hotel’s extensive conference facilities, which extend over three storeys, and the hotel gym has been expanded and refreshed with a new colour scheme. Read more

 

NH Collection is debuting in the heart of the Alps

Minor Hotels Europe & Americas has announced the forthcoming addition of the NH Collection Alagna Mirtillo Rosso to its premium NH Collection Hotels & Resorts brand portfolio in Italy. Nestled in the heart of the Pennine Alps, the four-star hotel will undergo a refurbishment and is set to officially open its doors under the new brand in March 2025. Read more

 

Radisson RED opens its first hotel in Galway, Ireland

Radisson RED Galway has officially opened, marking the debut of the bold and upscale brand in Ireland. Situated in Galway’s vibrant new Crown Square district, the hotel is just a short distance from the city centre. Combining elements of art, music, and fashion, Radisson RED promises an unforgettable experience for guests, perfectly complementing Galway’s renowned cultural scene. Read more

 

W Hotels opens first Czech Republic property in Prague

Marriott International has launched its first W Hotel in the Czech Republic with the opening of W Prague. Located in Prague’s historic Wenceslas Square, it features 161 rooms and suites, alongside vibrant public spaces including the W Lounge and the Above Rooftop bar, offering stunning views of the city. The hotel also boasts seven versatile meeting and event rooms for hire. Read more

 

New Four Points Flex hotel in Shoreditch, London

Marriott has opened its second Four Points Flex by Sheraton hotel in London, following a rebrand of the former YOTEL London Shoreditch. The new property, located in Shoreditch East, offers 161 rooms, a lobby lounge with all-day dining, and free Wi-Fi. Four Points Flex, launched last year in EMEA, also operates hotels in Turkey and Japan.

 

Ground updates

LNER unveils transformational timetable offerings in 2025

LNER has welcomed the announcement of a transformational industry timetable for its East Coast route. The new schedule will introduce additional services between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and London King’s Cross, as well as faster journey times between Edinburgh and London, reducing travel time between the two capitals to just under four hours. In May 2025, LNER is introducing additional services between Bradford Forster Square and London King’s Cross. LNER will increase weekday and Saturday services from two to seven, while Sunday services will double from one to two, with more improvements planned. Read more