Corporate Travel News - May 2025

 

Airline updates

Virgin Atlantic touches down in Toronto for the first time in more than two decades

Virgin Atlantic has launched daily direct flights between London Heathrow and Toronto Pearson International Airport, operating on a Boeing 787-9 with 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium Economy, and 192 Economy seats. This is the carrier’s first service to Canada in over a decade, operating flights to Toronto in 2001 and Vancouver between 2012 and 2014. Read more

 

Delta passengers on transatlantic flights can now access free wifi

Delta’s free wifi rollout has hit a major milestone, with the carrier confirming that all customers flying across its transatlantic network to Europe and West Africa will have access to fast, free wifi. Read more

 

 

Virgin Atlantic announces check-in zone change for Manchester Airport flights

From 14 April, passengers on Virgin Atlantic flights departing Manchester Airport will need to navigate to the new check-in location at Terminal 2, Zone B. The airline recommends that passengers arrive at least 3 hours before their departure time.

 

 

Air Canada to offer passengers increased overhead storage space

Air Canada’s A220 family of aircraft will be the first to receive the new Airbus Airspace cabin bins, early next year. The new XL bins will increase overhead storage capacity by more than 15%. Read more

 

 

Etihad Airways expands African network with new destinations and increased frequencies

Less than a year after the resumption of flights to Nairobi, Etihad Airways has announced it will double services to 14 weekly flights from 15 December 2025. A seasonal service to Al Alamein will operate twice per week from 17 July to 14 September. From 1 August, there will be 3 additional weekly flights to Casablanca, and 4 more flights to Johannesburg. Services to Tunis will operate 3 times per week from 1 November, and 4 weekly flights to Algiers will begin on 7 November. Read more

 

Etihad Airways takes delivery of sixth A350 aircraft

The carrier’s state-of-the-art A350 features its award-winning Business Class, with sliding doors for privacy, wireless charging, and modern inflight entertainment systems. It’s also one of the most efficient wide-body jets, generating 25% lower CO2 emissions and a 50% reduced noise footprint compared to earlier generation aircraft. Read more

 

 

Brussels Airlines upgrades long-haul Business Class experience

Brussels Airlines has enhanced experiences for Business Class passengers with new, organic tableware crafted from fine chinaware and a personalised, boutique hotel-inspired service flow, where meals will be presented in a more personal, hand-delivered manner. Passengers now also have the option to select a more elaborate cheeseboard, desert, or fresh-cut fruit. Read more

 

Etihad becomes first airline to introduce First Class on a narrow body aircraft

The very first International First Class product to fly on a narrow body aircraft will debut with Etihad Airways’ new Airbus A321LR. Launching this August, the new First Class experience will be available on short and medium-haul routes. Read more

 

 

LOT Polish Airlines reveals newly renovated lounge at Warsaw Chopin Airport

The redesigned Polonez Business Lounge offers a refreshed, modern space, designed with modern travellers in mind. Following a 153 square metre expansion, there’s now 860 square metres of space for guests, 60 additional seats, a self-service bar, and a conference room with a screen and electrical outlets. Read more

 

 

LOT Polish Airlines launches new direct flights between Krakow and Paris-Orly

Initially operating six times per week, the carrier moved to a daily service from mid-April onwards. The flight will be operated using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The introduction of this service means LOT Polish Airlines now offers connections to three airports in Paris – Charles de Gaulle, Beauvais-Tille and Orly. Read more

 

 

Hotel updates

Village Hotels announces new Reading hotel, opening in December

The new, fully-renovated Village Hotel, Reading is set to open in December 2025. It will feature stylish bedrooms with riverside upgrades available, a gym, pool and sauna, and an on-site Starbucks. Read more 

 

 

Travelodge opens two new London hotels, in Bromley and Chiswick

The brand-new Travelodge London Bromley Town features 59 rooms and is located just two minutes’ walk from Bromley Train Station, which offers connections to Central London in just 30 minutes. London Chiswick Travelodge opens with 113 rooms, within walking distance of Gunnersbury Underground and Overground station and close to the Royal Botanic Kew Gardens.

 

 

Travelodge agrees to acquire 11 existing hotels, adding 951 rooms to UK portfolio

Travelodge has agreed to acquire and rebrand 11 properties, in areas including Birmingham, Bradford, Dartford, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Swindon, Bromsgrove and Wakefield. Read more

 

 

Radisson Hotel Group introduces in-room devices to aid guests’ sleep quality

Radisson Hotel Group is launching ‘Revitalize Rooms’ to enhance the sleep quality of its guests. Key features include the new Biow E-OX device which eliminates inhaled biotoxicity to enhance cellular energy, and expertly selected mattresses, duvets, and pillows. Guests can experience this at Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Copenhagen, Radisson RED Liverpool, Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado, and Radisson RED Madrid. Read more

 

Radisson Hotel Istanbul Merter opens in thriving area with excellent transport links

The 267 stylish rooms and suites feature elegant interiors and premium amenities, with plush bedding, sleek bathrooms, ergonomic workspaces and smart in-room technology. It’s strategic location suites both business and leisure guests, with convenient access to the Old Town, trade centres, and cultural hotspots. Read more

 

 

Hilton announces signing of Tempo by Hilton Belfast City Centre

The 144-room hotel will be located in a vacant office building in the heart of the city, just seven minutes away from George Best City Airport by car. Scheduled to open towards the end of 2026, guests can expect a range of wellbeing-focused amenities, including a spacious fully equipped fitness centre, and in-room fitness gear kits are available on request. Read more

 

300-room Hyatt Place Gothenburg Central opens directly above Gothenburg Central Station

After a year-long refurbishment project, the hotel is welcoming business and leisure travellers. Guests can enjoy flexible meeting and event spaces, including a 90 square metre event space for up to 100 guests, a fitness centre, and a vibrant modern bistro. Read more

 

 

Fairmont Golden Prague opens on the banks of the Vltava River after multi-million euro renovation

Accor’s Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand has announced the opening of Fairmont Golden Prague, located inside a landmark building of brutalist architecture at the gate of the prestigious Pa?ížská Boulevard. There are 320 elegant rooms, six diverse dining options including a rooftop experience with panoramic views of the city, and a 1,400 square metre spa and wellness centre. For meetings and events, there is a 600 square metre column-free ballroom and three exclusive C-Suite rooftop boardrooms, each with private terraces. Read more

 

Ground updates

Eurostar opens new Service Centre at St Pancras International station

The new service centre is open daily, and replaces the previous podiums with extra space and three seated desks where customers can discuss tickets and general enquiries with Eurostar staff. Customers can still manage their journeys digitally via the five self-service machines if they wish to.