Natalie

BA pledges to fly all passengers during upcoming strikes

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British Airways has pledged to fly all passengers to their destinations through two sets of forthcoming strikes by cabin crew.

The airline plans to run more than 99% of all services from Heathrow, with a “very small number” of short haul flights being merged during next week’s planned three-day walkout from February 5.

This will mean some people will travel slightly earlier or later in the day than originally booked, according to the airline.

“We are contacting those customers with the options available to them,” BA said.

The airline revealed reiterated its stance against union claims of “poverty pay” for mixed fleet cabin crew.

“More than 9,000 cabin crew, represented by a different Unite branch, today voted overwhelmingly to accept the deal,” BA revealed.

“Our pay offer for mixed fleet cabin crew is consistent with deals agreed with more than 90% of British Airways colleagues, including many Unite members.

“The offer also reflects pay awards given by other companies in the UK and will ensure that rewards for mixed fleet remain in line with those for cabin crew at our airline competitors.

Heathrow long haul flights and services to and from Gatwick and London City airport are planned to operate as normal during the industrial action being taken by Unite union members of BA’s mixed fleet crew on February 5-7.

“The details of our schedule for February 9–11, when the union has proposed further industrial action, will be confirmed on Thursday,” BA added.

“We will again ensure that all our customers travel to their destinations.”

Dave

United States bans travel from seven countries

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At 4:42pm On Friday, 27 January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States”, temporarily barring people from seven, named countries from entering the country.

 

 
What does the travel ban mean?
The order suspends the US Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days; and denies entry to anyone from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, regardless of visa status, for 90 days. This ban extends to people with dual nationality including any of the countries named.
The executive orders took immediate effect although their impact has been curtailed in part by New York and Boston Federal court rulings.

 

What has the immediate impact been?
• Passengers have been denied boarding on flights to the US; and several people already on planes flying to the US at the time of the order being signed have been detained on arrival.
• Google is reported to have called its travelling employees back, in case the order prevents their return.
• A number of protests have taken place at airports in the US, including in New York (JFK), Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oregon, Boston, Dallas and Minnesota.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are among airlines to offer impacted passengers the chance to re-book flights or to request refunds.

 
What should I do?
If you are travelling to the United States or transiting through the country, we have set out the following advice.
• If you have flights book to the United States or transiting the United States, and have any doubts as to whether you will be denied entry, check with your airline.
• If you decide to cancel or postpone travel, contact GTM for advice on how to proceed.
• If you are already in the United States and plan to leave the country – for any reason – check with your airline to determine whether you will be granted re-entry in to the United States.
• If you are in doubt as to your current visa status and restrictions, contact GTM and take advantage of the GTM Visa Service.
As usual, our travel consultants can provide advice on any flight bookings and provide the latest information on visa requirements and restrictions.
Source of airport protests: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-29/protesters-descend-on-us-aiports-to-protest-immigration-policies/8221070

Dave

British Airways Proposed industrial action 19 – 21 January 2017

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All British Airways customers will be able to fly to their destinations on Thursday 19, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 January despite proposed industrial action.

As part of their contingency plan, they will be merging a very small number of flights to and from Heathrow. This will mean some customers will travel slightly earlier or later in the day than their original booking. Customers affected are being contacted with the options available for them.

 

Advice for customers:

· All flights to and from London Gatwick will operate as normal

· All flights to and from London City will operate as normal

· The vast majority of flights to and from London Heathrow will operate as normal

· As part of our contingency plan, they will be merging a very small number of flights to and from Heathrow. This will mean some customers will travel slightly earlier or later in the day than their original booking

· Customers affected are being contacted with the options available for them.

· Customers should be advised to check Manage My Booking for the status of their flight

 

 

 

Simon

British Airways – Threatened industrial action – 19-21 January 2017

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The trade union Unite has announced that it intends to hold a further set of industrial action involving one of our five cabin crew fleets on Thursday 19, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 January 2017

British Airways contingency plans, which were successful during the previous two days of industrial action, will once again ensure that all of our customers will travel to their destinations.

They will publish their plans on Monday 16 January to customers, who have bookings on the days of threatened industrial action

 

Simon

London Tube union threatens walkout on 6 February

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The RMT union has set the date for its next bout of industrial action on the Tube.

 

Describing this week’s walkout as “rock-solid strike action,” the union today announced members will carry out further industrial action on 6 February. Further, escalated strike action will be called unless London Underground management meets RMT’s demands on station staffing and safety.

 

An ongoing overtime ban also remains in place.

 

Transport for London (TfL) and London Underground are yet to comment on the announcement.

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Paul

Gatwick Airport Terminal Moves.

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Three of London Gatwick Airport’s biggest carriers will move terminals later this month (January 2017), with the transition staggered over a 72-hour period of reduced operations.

EasyJet, which currently operates flights from both of Gatwick’s terminals, will move all its flights to the North Terminal from January 24. And from January 25 all British Airways flights will depart from the South Terminal and all Virgin Atlantic flights will depart from the North Terminal!

The changes are designed to improve the experience for passengers at Gatwick with new facilities including enhanced technology at check-in, security and immigration.

Please ensure that you check which terminal your flight is departing from if it is with one of the aforementioned airlines.

Kelly

UK Winter Weather for 11-12 January

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Gales in the north of the UK and Northern Ireland have been disrupting transport with flights at Leeds (LBA), Manchester (MAN), Newcastle (NCL), Glasgow (GLA), Edinburgh (EDI), Aberdeen (ABZ) and Belfast (BHD) affected by the weather.

Delays may continue throughout the evening.

Poor weather is forecast for tomorrow with snow and heavy rain expected.

 

Dave

Update on British Airways cabin crew

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No significant disruption reported as British Airways cabin crew begin 48-hour strike

 

British Airways cabin crew have begun their 48-hour strike in a row over pay.

 

A total of 22 flights out of 800 at Heathrow have been cancelled due to the disruption.

 

Affected destinations include Hamburg, Dusseldorf, San Jose, Oslo and Aberdeen.

 

A small number of Heathrow flights will be ‘merged’, but BA said all flights to and from Gatwick and London City airports will operate as normal.

 

 

Dave

British Airways – Upgrade to First

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What if you could pay for Club World but enjoy a taste of First? This unforgettable experience is available for free when you book selected return flights in Club World.

The First cabin allows you to relax in exclusive First lounges and enjoy complimentary spa treatments before your flight. Once on board, you can unwind in the comfort and privacy of your own spacious on-board suite with fully flat bed and dedicated service.

Your free upgrade to First is available one-way on either the outbound or the inbound part of your journey; simply book an eligible published semi-flexible R, D or C class, or a fully flexible J class, Club World return ticket by 31 March 2017.

Book by the 31 March 2017 and registered Executive Club Members will receive triple Avios.

This offer is available on as many flights as you like when you travel outbound by 17 April 2017, all travel to be completed by 23 April 2017.

Upgrades are subject to availability on selected flights.

Published fares only – excludes privately negotiated fares

Paul
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In this article we have taken a look back at some industry awards we have been involved in.

Our HQ is in Surrey and has been since we launched the business, so we are always pleased to be recognised in the Toast of Surrey Awards, which, organised by the Surrey Advertiser, celebrated its eighth year in 2016.

We were nominated in three categories in 2016: International Trade, sponsored by Surrey Chambers of Commerce, the Director of the Year, sponsored by the Institute of Directors) and the award for the best Companies with a Turnover of More Than £5million, sponsored by Surrey County Council. In fact, we are very proud to say we were the only business to have achieved a nomination in all three of those categories.

Our fellow nominees for the International Trade Award were Perfect Pitch, Conjoint and the winners, Vocality International.   We were also in great company in the category of Director of the Year. Our own Scott Pawley was nominated along with James Gubbins of Pelling Marketing by Design and the winner, Creative Nature’s Julianne Ponan.

For us, however, the main category in the Toast of Surrey Awards is the one reserved for the larger businesses in Surrey. Each year an award is presented to the best company with a turnover of more than £5million. In 2016, we were nominated alongside Johnston Sweepers and Wick Hill, for whom GTM handles business travel. We were very grateful to be nominated and it was an even bigger privilege when it was announced that GTM was the winner.

We have also been recognised – again – by the travel industry body Advantage.

In 2016 Advantage presented 17 awards to members and business partners. We have had a great deal of success in the Advantage awards: in 2015 we were named Corporate Member of the Year in the Advantage Travel Partnership and GTM’s Kelly Packington was named Focus Champion of the Year in the Advantage Focus Partnership.

But in 2016 we were nominated in the most important category for a travel management company, Business Travel Agent of the Year. We were honoured by being awarded the title. And, having won the award the previous year, we became the only company ever to win it one year and retain it the next.