Corporate Travel News - November 2023

Airport updates

Munich Airport launches new smart baggage trolleys with tablets in Terminal 2
The new baggage trolleys feature a tablet that allows travellers to scan their boarding passes for up-to-date flight information and real-time updates. Passengers can also use the new tech to help them navigate through the airport to amenities like shops and restaurants.

 

 

Frankfurt airport launches walk-through scanner technology trial
Frankfurt Airport is trialling new walk-through scanners designed to accelerate security checks by allowing passengers to walk through the scanner at a normal pace without needing to stop. Though full-body scanners are common in many airports, most require the passenger to stop for the scan to take place.

 

 

Abu Dhabi International airport’s new Terminal A opens on 1 November
With the new terminal set to open on the first of the month, a total of 28 airlines are expected to operate from Terminal A.

Airline updates

United launches first and only direct flight between US and Faro, Portugal
United has unveiled its largest-ever summer 2024 schedule, which includes the first non-stop service between New York and Faro, Portugal beginning 24 May. United will also add new flights to Reykjavik, Brussels, Rome and Malaga on. Read more

 

 

Air Canada reveals new industry-leading cabin technology
Air Canada’s Airbus A321s and A320s will feature an all-new cabin interior with larger overhead bins, upgraded ergonomic seats, Bluetooth audio, live exterior cameras, LED mood lighting, free high-speed internet, and power outlets at all seats. Read more

 

 

Emirates expands inflight meal preordering serviced across 92 destinations
Emirates has added 30 new destinations to its inflight meal preordering service, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kuala Lumpur. The service allows Business Class passengers to preselect their main course between 14 days and 24 hours in advance of departure. Read more

 

 

Qatar Airways enhances high-speed internet connectivity with Starlink
In collaboration with Starlink, Qatar Airways now offers its passengers ‘high-speed, low-latency broadband internet access… with frictionless ‘One-Click-Access’. Travellers will be able to enjoy ultra-fast Wi-Fi speeds of up to 350 megabits per second for streaming, gaming, and web browsing. Read more

 

 

JetBlue announces seasonal services to Dublin and Edinburgh on its Airbus A321neo with Mint® aircraft
From 13 March 2024 to 30 September 2024, JetBlue will operate a daily seasonal service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport to Dublin Airport. A daily seasonal service from JFK to Edinburgh Airport will operate from 22 May 2024 to 30 September 2024. Read more

 

 

Lufthansa’s subsidiary City Airlines to launch in summer 2024
City Airlines will launch services from Munich and Frankfurt airports as well as offering feeder flights for Lufthansa. Flights will be operated with A319 aircraft, though Lufthansa is also considering the use of A220 or Embraer aircraft. Read more

 

 

Etihad Airways will resume daily service to Nairobi in May 2024
Starting 1 May 2024, Etihad will operate daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. The service will restore commercial non-stop passenger connections between the two destinations, and passengers departing from Kenya will be able to connect with Etihad flights to the GCC, the US, Europe, India and South-East Asia. Read more

 

 

Austrian Airlines launches new route to Sevilla
The carrier will operate a service to Sevilla on Tuesdays and Saturdays during the winter flight schedule before increasing to three weekly flights during summer. This December, Austrian Airlines will also fly to Rovaniemi, Finland once per week and winter sports destination Kittilä by charter. Read more

 

 

Etihad unveils new flights to Lisbon, St. Petersburg, Madrid, Milan, and more
After beginning new services to Dusseldorf and Copenhagen in September, from 29 October Etihad will extend its Lisbon service to year-round and introduce new flights to St. Petersburg. This winter, Etihad will also boost its flight frequencies, adding an additional four flights per week to Frankfurt and Rome, and three extra services to Madrid, Milan, and Munich. Read more

 

 

SWISS to introduce non-stop service between Zurich and Rotterdam
SWISS will expand its route network with its first-ever non-stop service from Zurich to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, starting 22 January 2024 and operating six times per week. Read more

 

 

 

British Airways reinstates services to Abu Dhabi, after four-year hiatus
Tickets are now on sale for its new daily flights between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, starting 20 April 2024. The service will operate on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, boosting connectivity to the UAE alongside British Airways’ three-times daily flights to neighbouring Dubai. Read more

 

 

Iberia to increase hand luggage bin capacity by 60%
Beginning in 2025, Iberia will retrofit its A320neo fleet with new bins that allow vertical loading of carry-on roller bags and increase the hand baggage capacity by 60%. Read more

 

 

 

British Airways completes Heathrow T5B club lounge refurbishment
The lounge refresh includes a new service area, deli station, updated furniture and a quiet zone. This follows the opening of the new, exclusive Whispering Angel bar in the T5B lounge earlier this summer. Read more

 

 

 

Air France to offer direct flights to Abu Dhabi and renew seasonal routes to Scandinavia
Abu Dhabi will be serviced daily by an Airbus A350-900 14 times per week from 29 October 2023. The carrier will also renew seasonal routes between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Tromsø Norway, Kittila Finland, and Innsbruck Austria in December. Read more

 

 

 

ITA Airways to expand international network with direct flights to Riyadh, Accra, Dakar & more
ITA Airways will launch new direct flights linking Rome Fiumicino to Riyadh (from May 2024), Accra and Kuwait (starting June 2024), Dakar (from July 2024) and Jeddah (beginning October 2024). Read more

 

 

 

LOT Polish Airlines announces major upgrade to its Dreamliner cabins
The refurbishment project will include a brand new cabin design, new seats in all classes, a new in-flight entertainment system and internet connectivity facilities. The business class configuration will change to 1-2-1 and each seat will be fitted with an individual door. Read more

Hotel updates

Travelodge begins construction on new 113-room London Chiswick hotel
The hotel will feature the group’s onsite restaurant and is located just 400m away from Gunnersbury underground and railway line. London Chiswick Travelodge is one of four hotels the group is currently constructing in London, alongside a 95-room hotel at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground, a 73-room hotel in Bermondsey and a 73-room property in Beckenham. Read more

 

 

Hilton London Metropole completes multi-million-pound renovation
Hilton’s largest non-US hotel has wrapped up its renovation. The renovations made improvements to the hotel’s 1,100 guest rooms, state-of-the-art fitness studio, and 35 event spaces, which include three ballrooms and a new hybrid meeting room facility. There are also four new restaurants and bars catering to a range of tastes. Read more

 

 

Travelodge’s sixth Spanish hotel opens in Coslada, Madrid
Travelodge invested €1 million to refurbish the 78-room hotel, which features an onsite restaurant, bar and car-park. The hotel is conveniently-located nearby the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium, IDEMA Convention Centre and Madrid Airport, making it ideal for business travellers. Read more

 

 

Hilton reveals plans for Poland’s first Canopy by Hilton in Warsaw
Scheduled to open in 2025, the 170-room hotel will have an expansive rooftop terrace offering sweeping views of the capital, meetings and events space, and complimentary Canopy bikes for visitors to explore the city like locals. Read more

 

 

Dalata opens first Edinburgh hotel in St. Andrew’s Square Category A listed building
Dalata expects to open the new 4-star Clayton Hotel in mid-2026, with plans currently featuring 153 bedrooms, a bar, restaurant, dry gym and two large meeting rooms with period features. It will also be one of the first Dalata hotels designed to operate with zero on-site carbon emissions. Read more

 

 

Hilton announces plans for Italy’s first LXR hotel, opening in 2026 with 160 guest rooms
Grand Hotel Gardone Lake Garda, LXR Hotels & Resorts is set to open in 2026 after a multimillion Euro renovation. With a stunning lakeside setting, guests will enjoy a glamorous Italian lakefront experience as well as two signature restaurants, two bars, and a world-class spa with indoor and outdoor pools. Read more

 

 

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels at Chelsea Football Club eliminates single-use plastic water bottles
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels at Chelsea Football Club will no provide single-use plastic water bottles in its bedrooms, bar area, or restaurant. Instead, the hotel will introduce sustainable water bottles for guests to refill, as part of its larger commitment to a greener future.

 

 

Hilton announces three new hotels to open in Lisbon’s city centre
The 84-room Canopy by Hilton Lisbon Praça Sao Paulo will be the country’s first Canopy by Hilton branded hotel, opening in 2026 within walking distance of the famous Time Out Market. Duo Hotel Lisbon, Curio Collection by Hilton is set to open in spring 2024 in a stylish 19th-century building. Hampton by Hilton Lisbon Baixa will feature 157 rooms and a rooftop space with an outdoor pool. Read more

 

 

Dalata acquires first Amsterdam property in central district
Dalata is rebranding the former Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam American to Clayton Hotel Amsterdam American and plans to invest €4.5 million to enhance the property, with a particular focus on its sustainability credentials. The 4-star 173-room hotel is located in Amsterdam’s central district of culture and entertainment. Read more

Ground updates

LNER opens free pop-up restaurant serving onboard cuisine from the past 100 years
In celebration of its 100th anniversary, LNER has created a three-course menu – the starter features two dishes from the actual 1920s LNER menu, the main is inspired by the current offering and the dessert shows a potential look into the future to the year 2123. Read more

 

 

Avanti West Coast launches £9 Superfare ticket for travel between Birmingham and London Euston
Avanti West Coast’s Superfare ticket on the London to Birmingham route is now just £9 one way, allowing customers to book morning, afternoon, or evening slots for a specific date at a more affordable price. Read more

 

 

 

LNER launches newly liveried train ‘You Belong’ in line with World Mental Health Day
Marking its fifth year working with suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), LNER has announced the newly liveried train will operate along the entire LNER route from the Scottish Highlands to London King’s Cross. Read more