Corporate Travel News: July 2022
Airline
Virgin Atlantic reveals new Upper Class ‘Retreat Suites’ for its Airbus A330neo fleet
Virgin Atlantic has revealed its anticipated Airbus A330neo for the first time, designed to provide a premium, personalised experience for every single customer. The airline’s Upper-Class cabin boasts a brand new seat, the evolution of its iconic social space and the unveiling of The Retreat Suite, the most spacious suite in Virgin Atlantic’s history. The airline is set to receive up to 16 new Airbus A330-900 neo aircraft, with the first three arriving in September 2022. The aircraft will eventually replace the existing A330 fleet. Read more
Etihad Airways ‘Sustainable 50’ A350 makes inaugural flight to New York
Etihad Airways celebrated the arrival of its new Airbus A350-1000 in the US following the inaugural commercial flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on 30 June. The aircraft accommodates 371 passengers and is one of five new Airbus A350s to join Etihad’s fleet this year.
Emirates resumes London Stansted service
From 1 August 2022, flights from Stansted airport will resume with five weekly flights operating on the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with the ‘Game Changer’ First class product.
Qatar Airways opens Platinum, Gold and Silver lounges at Doha airport
Qatar Airways has unveiled three lounges at Doha Hamad International airport, open to its Privilege Club members and Oneworld alliance card holders. Qatar Airways has three existing lounges at the airport: Al Safwa First Lounge, Al Mourjan Business Lounge and Oryx Lounge.
Emirates increases services from Newcastle
Emirates has added a fifth weekly service to its Newcastle to Dubai route on Saturdays. The route is currently being operated on the B777 aircraft configured with economy and business class seating.
Lufthansa to reactivate its A380s
From summer 2023, Lufthansa reactivates its Airbus A380 due to the steep rise in customer demand. The airline currently owns eight A380s after six aircraft were previously sold.
Hotel
Accor rearranges its structure into two divisions
From 1 October 2022, Accor is rearranging its structure to create two business divisions to accelerate development around the world. The two divisions will be called “Economy, Midscale & Premium” to include a total of 4,816 properties and another 948 hotels in development and Luxury & Lifestyle to include a total of 488 hotels and another 266 in development.
Ibis Budget and Holiday Inn hotels set to open at Manchester airport
Two hotels are set to open at Manchester airport, the Ibis budget and Holiday Inn. The Ibis Budget will offer 262 rooms over seven floors, while the Holiday Inn will feature 280 rooms, as well as the brand’s signature Open Lobby concept. The hotels are located next to the airport bus, tram and rail station.
Best Western opens first property under boutique Sadie brand
Best Western has finally unveiled the first hotel under its Sadie brand. Sadie Luton is housed within a converted office building on Mill Street, a five-minute walk from the town’s rail station. the hotel features 87 rooms as well as a restaurant and cocktail lounge.
IHG hotels partners with Unilever
IHG hotels have announced a global collaboration with consumer goods company Unilever to install large bottles of Dove amenities in its bathroom in over 4000 hotels. The initiative will be carried out across Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express in the Americas and EMEAA and its Avid Hotels, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites brands in the Americas.
Ground
TFL outlines plans for mobile phone coverage on the London underground
Transport for London (TFL) has updated its plans to enable mobile phone connectivity across the London Underground network with some stations set to be switched on in the coming months. The agreement is established with Vodaphone and Virgin Media 02 which means all four of the UK’s mobile network operators will have access.
