Corporate Travel News: May 2023

Airport updates

Amsterdam Schiphol launches free pre-booked time slots for security check

For a “quicker and smoother airport experience”, passengers travelling to Schengen Zone destinations can now reserve 15-minute security check slots up to three days before departure. Read more

 

 

Glasgow Airport rolls out new cashless system for car parks

A new cashless system will operate in Glasgow Airport’s short-stay car park from 26 April, extending to the pickup and drop-off car parks by 19 May.

 

Eight days of strikes expected at Heathrow Airport this month

The Unite union has announced that security personnel at Heathrow Airport will walk out over 4-6 May, 9-10 May and 25-27 May, travellers have been warned to expect “inevitable disruption and delays” as a result.

Air updates

Emirates rolls-out world’s first robot check-in assistants in Dubai International Financial Centre

The Dubai-based carrier has named the portable check-in system Sara – it can match faces with scanned passports, check passengers in, and guide them to the luggage drop area. Read more

 

Virgin Atlantic announces charity partnership with Guide Dogs 

Guide Dogs has collaborated with Virgin Atlantic in a long-term partnership to promote the creation of inclusive policies for both their employees and customers. As part of this partnership, every cabin crew member will be provided with online resources to enhance their existing training programme. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility for travellers with visual impairments. Read more

 

British Airways announces first Avios-Only flights with 100% of seats available exclusively to Executive Club Members

Executive Club Members can board the inaugural Avios-Only flight from London Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh on 3 November 2023. A selection of further Avios-Only flights from London Heathrow to Geneva is set to follow in February and March 2024. Read more

 

Delta resumes Gatwick-New York service after a 15-year pause

Delta Airlines will resume its service from London Gatwick to New York-JFK, offering daily nonstop flights from this month onwards. Delta looks to upgrade customers’ travel experience with the recently refurbished Boeing 767-300 aircraft featuring Delta cabin experiences to suit customers’ needs. Read more

 

 

Qatar Airways to relaunch Doha-Birmingham this summer

From 6 July 2023, Qatar Airways has announced that its daily Doha-Birmingham service will resume, for the first time since the onset of Covid-19. This follows the airline’s March announcement which revealed that seven new routes will be launched this year, as well as the renewal of flights to 10 other destinations. Read more

 

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles members can now benefit from free unlimited messaging on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and iMessage

The free messaging service will initially be available on all aircraft with an internet connection provided by Turk Telekom, before being rolled out to all planes with internet access. The airline also announces “enhanced free internet packages” for Miles&Smiles Classic Plus, Elite and Elite Plus members.

 

Newly refurbished SWISS non-Schengen lounge reopens at Zurich airport

Featuring seating for up to 160 guests, a bistro, a work area with three workstations, a rest zone, and showers, the 650 sqm space is open daily from 05:30 to 22:00. The lounge is open to SWISS business and first-class customers, as well Senator and HON Circle members, and business class passengers travelling with Star Alliance carriers. Read more

 

Etihad unveils new ‘Wi-Fly’ packages, with free messaging and unlimited data for a fee

The new packages are available now on the airline’s twin-aisle jets, with pricing dependent on the flight’s duration. Etihad Guest members can use the Chat package for free messaging on apps like WhatsApp and WeChat, and unlimited internet access starts at US$9.99 (flights under seven hours). Read more

 

 

jetBlue Airways’ new loyalty programme

From 10 May 2023, the overhauled new loyalty programme will be live and will include benefits for infrequent flyers and new Mosaic elite tiers, among other changes. There will be no changes to how passengers earn or redeem points. Read more

 

Qatar Airways’ Casablanca and Marrakesh services

From 30 June 2023, the airline’s four-weekly service to Casablanca and Marrakech will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Casablanca flights will run all year round, while Marrakcesh is a seasonal tag, the service will only run until 11 September 2023. Read more

 

 

British Airways begins new daily service from London Heathrow to Florence, Italy

Operating from 16 April onwards, the service departs at 07:50 each day. Other new routes for summer 2023 include London Gatwick to Aruba and Guyana, and London Heathrow to Cincinnati, Ohio. Read more

 

SWISS reveals plan to trial AI on selected flights between April and June

The airline has announced that it will install a camera in the cabin of selected flights to help count passengers during boarding – the recording will then be used to help train an AI application. Read more

 

 

Hotel updates

New Hampton by Hilton London City opens in Aldgate within walking distance of the City of London

The new hotel is within walking distance from Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane, and the Jack the Ripper Museum. The location also benefits from great transport links with the nearby Aldgate East Station and Whitechapel Station both a short walk away. Read more

 

 

Meliá Hotels completes five-year £40 million refurbishment of its London White House property

The 581-room hotel’s renovation has seen its Level Lounge redesigned and its restaurant and bar repositioned to be accessible from the lobby area.

 

Ground updates

A new non-stop London Luton Airport train gets passengers to London St. Pancras in 30 minutes

The Luton Dart, a new electric-powered driverless train, has replaced the previous shuttle bus service. Read more

 

 

London’s ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) to expand across all boroughs this summer

From 29 August 2023 onwards, drivers who enter the ULEZ with vehicles that do not meet the emissions standards will be charged £12.50 per day. Read more

 

 

LNER launches a new named service the ‘Carolean Express’ in celebration of King Charles III’s coronation

The Carolean Express will depart on its inaugural journey from London to Edinburgh on 6 May at 11:00, the same time that the coronation begins at Westminster Abbey. Read more