British Airways News.

11, October 2012/in News /by Paul

British Airways and Japan Airlines (JAL) have recently announced the start of a joint business agreement which will involve both airlines sharing revenue on certain flights between Europe and Japan.

The joint business will benefit customers by providing better links between Europe and Japan, greater choice of flights to more destinations, enhanced frequent flyer benefits and the potential to launch new routes as well as improved transfers for customers to destinations in Europe and within Japan, through enhancing and expanding the codeshare network beyond the two airlines’ respective hub cities.

As a result of the joint business, JAL will offer new codeshare destinations to Belfast, Helsinki, Frankfurt and Gothenburg on British Airways operated flights. British Airways will extend its reach to more destinations in Japan by codesharing on flights to Kansai, Okayama, Izumo, Okinawa, Nagasaki, Hiroshima and Kagoshima.

Customers participating in JAL and British Airways’ loyalty programmes will continue to enjoy reciprocal benefits as customers of oneworld®, and are expected to further benefit from future opportunities to earn and redeem miles on each airline’s flights more easily as a result of the increased codesharing and joint promotions.

Complimentary Porter Trial – British Airways is currently running trials of a complimentary porter service for all First and Gold card holders flying from London Heathrow Terminal 5. The trial has aleady started and will finish on October 17th, if successful the service will be made permanent.

New Alicante Route – British Airways is launching another new route from London Gatwick, with the start of services to Alicante from 31 March 2013.

The London Gatwick to Alicante services will commence from the beginning of the Summer 2013 season, in addition to the 3 services per week already operating during the Winter 2012 season from London Heathrow.

Services are already on sale.

Qatar Airways To Join Oneworld.

10, October 2012/in News /by Paul

Qatar Airways has officially announced that it will join the Oneworld airline alliance after weeks of speculation.

The Doha-based carrier is the first of the three major airlines based in the Gulf (the others being Emirates and Etihad) to sign for any of the global airline alliances.
The implementation will take 12-18 months to complete and British Airways will serve as Qatar’s sponsor.

Qatar Airways will be Oneworld’s second member airline based in the Middle East, alongside Royal Jordanian, which became the first airline from the region to join any
of the global alliances when it became a member in 2007.

Qatar Airways’ network serves 120 destinations in 70 countries in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, North and South America, Asia and Australasia.
Fifteen of its destinations and three countries – Iran, Rwanda and the Seychelles – will be new to Oneworld.

Once Qatar Airways’ implementation is complete, and of most interest to business travellers, frequent flyer card holders of other Oneworld airlines will be able to earn and
burn when flying with Qatar and access their lounges.

Qantas Forms New Global Partnership

14, September 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Qantas has announced the formation of a new global ten year partnership with Emirates. However, the agreement falls short of a merger and there will be no equity investment on either side.

The existing 17 year joint business between British Airways and Qantas will end on 31st March 2013, however, both airlines will continue to work together as Qantas will remain a One World alliance partner.

The main change will see Qantas moving its hub for European flights from Singapore to Dubai next April.

British Airways’ Club World to First Offer Returns

14, September 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Effective immediately, book a Club World return ticket on British Airways in booking classes R, D or C between now and October 2nd, and you’ll receive a complimentary one-way upgrade to First (subject to availability).

The booking period continues through to November 13th, but is only valid at the higher J class fare level/s after 2nd October. Outbound travel must be completed by 13th November and inbound travel by 20th November.

BMIbaby Ceases Operations

14, September 2012/in News /by Paul

September 9th saw BMIbaby operate its last ever flight. Following the recent sale of BMI & BMIbaby to British Airways’ parent company IAG, and despite discussions with several interested buyers, IAG has taken the decision to close the airline.

Your Corporate Travel Newsletter

20, June 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Singapore Airlines – All A380 From London.

All three of Singapore Airlines’ services from London Heathrow to Singapore are now operated solely by Airbus A380 aircraft; previously one of the three daily services was operated using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

From this October, Singapore Airlines will also add an additional fourth daily rotation between London & Singapore. The new service will be gradually phased in starting from Friday 14th September, before becoming a daily service during week commencing 21st October.

Emirates’ Business Rewards Program.

Business Rewards is a loyalty program open to companies whose employees travel around the world with Emirates.

Customers can enrol online and subsequently earn Business Rewards Miles, which can then be redeemed for flights or upgrades. Individual Skywards frequent flyer members will continue to earn and collect the same number of Skywards Miles as they always have.

SAA To Axe Cape Town Service.

The 15th August 2012 will see South African Airways’ (SAA) last service from London to Cape Town. SAA has blamed its decision (to withdraw the service) on increased competition by both, direct and indirect airlines, reduced demand, increases in the UK’s Air Passenger Duty and the introduction of a £52 visa fee for South Africans travelling to the UK.

New Virgin Atlantic Service To Vancouver.

Virgin Atlantic has launched a new four times weekly service to Vancouver from London Heathrow. Services operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays in both directions.

Construction Work At LAX.

Please note that construction work inside the international terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), may result in longer walks, or passengers being bussed to/from their aircraft.

The work is scheduled to take approximately 6 months, lasting until the end of November. Because of this many airlines are advising passengers to allow at least 75 minutes for check in, if they have hold luggage, and 60 minutes for those with hand luggage only. This is to allow extra time to clear security and reach the departure gate a minimum of 40 minutes prior to departure.

AA To Go Ten Across.

As widely predicted, American Airlines will adopt a dense ten across layout (3-4-3) for the economy cabin of its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which enter service this December.

At present American’s existing fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft are configured 2-5-2, by comparison British Airways fleet of 777’s are configured 3-3-3.

The aircraft with the new economy class layout will enter service between Dallas and Sao Paulo, and is also planned to operate from Dallas to London on December 30th, followed by New York JFK to Heathrow on February 14th 2013.

The move to the new ten across lay out has been made to reduce operating costs so that American can keep its fares as low as possible.

Two New Hotels Open In London.

Two new hotels have recently opened their doors in central London. Firstly, the 5* Bulgari Hotel & Residences, is situated at 171 Knightsbridge.

Secondly, the ME London is located on the Strand, at the southern tip of Covent Garden. With its very central location, the hotel is only a short walk to Fleet Street and EC4, the River Thames, Waterloo Bridge and the theatre district.

BA – First, Club World & Club Europe Sale Now On!

7, June 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

British Airways has just announced the details of its latest premium leisure sale, which incorporates travel in First Class, Club World & Club Europe, for this summer.

The selling period is quite short though, it starts today and ends on Thursday 14th June. Dates for travel are : 21st July – 2nd September 2012. For long-haul flights from London Gatwick there is a longer travel period – 21st June – 15th May2013.

Prices have been aggressively discounted, in part due to this summer’s Olympic Games. For example, London New York return for £679 & Los Angeles for just £1,029, both plus airport taxes.

Posts

British Airways News.

Qatar Airways To Join Oneworld.

BMIbaby Ceases Operations

Interesting links