American Express marked Valentine’s Day with the grand opening of its newest Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, north America’s busiest airport.

Boasting an impressive 26,000 square feet, the lounge becomes the largest in the Centurion Lounge network.

Positioned conveniently in Concourse E near gate E11, it offers a wealth of amenities to cater to the discerning needs of frequent flyers.

Audrey Hendley, of American Express, expressed excitement about the strategic location of the new lounge, stating,

The new Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will serve travelers in one of the airports our Card Members visit most.

Hendley highlighted key features such as outdoor terraces and ample space for relaxation, emphasising the incorporation of local touches in design and menus.

The lounge’s design draws inspiration from Atlanta’s moniker as “the city in the forest.”

A 50-year-old olive tree graces the main seating area, accompanied by a custom light sculpture representing a forest canopy.

Outdoor terraces, a first for the Centurion Lounge network, provide panoramic views of the airfield. Meticulously landscaped, these areas are equipped with heaters and fans for year-round comfort.

Local artists contribute to the lounge’s aesthetic, with commissioned works including a textural interpretation of the iconic American Express watch dog by Lucha Rodríguez and a multimedia piece by Michi Meko inspired by Georgia’s landscape.

A 60-foot mural by Evan Blackwell Helgeson adorns the interior and exterior spaces, depicting abstracted leaf-like shapes.

Renowned Atlanta-based Chef Deborah VanTrece, known for her local restaurants, brings her take on modern, global soul food to the lounge.

The menu features dishes such as Black Eyed Pea Biryani, Za’atar Grilled Chicken Thighs with Green Tomato Chimichurri and Twisted Soul Salad with Strawberry Peppercorn Vinaigrette.

VanTrece’s culinary offerings blend her travel experiences as a former flight attendant with family traditions and fresh, local ingredients. The lounge also provides gluten-free and vegan options, including protein bites, salads, smoothies, and immunity booster juice shots.

She said,

The collaboration with American Express allows me to share my creative vision for food and hospitality with travelers from around the world

A highlight of the new lounge is The Reserve by American Express, the first dedicated whiskey bar in the Centurion Lounge network.

Curated by award-winning mixologist Jim Meehan, the menu features five speciality whiskey cocktails, including Drink a Peach with peach-flavored whiskey and bitters, and Mayme, Tailored, highlighting an American whiskey with ginger beer.

The bar offers a modern take on a classic whiskey bar, connecting to an outdoor lounge area. The lounge also features a fully stocked main bar, offering a selection of over twenty classic and new American whiskeys, along with wines handpicked by sommelier Anthony Giglio.

In addition to the culinary and beverage offerings, the lounge provides signature Centurion Lounge amenities, including dedicated workstations, phone booths, premium restrooms and shower suites.

Multiple seating areas and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi cater to the diverse needs of all types of traveller.

American Express, the credit card issuer with the most extensive airport lounge options, continues to prioritise the travel experience for Card Members.

The Global Lounge Collection™ includes access to 28 Centurion Lounges and over 1,400 lounges worldwide.

Plans for further expansion of the Centurion Lounge Network include new locations at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

For information about flights serving Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport – or any of the airports served by Amercian Express lounges – please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.

This spring, BWH Hotels is rolling out an enticing offer for members of its acclaimed loyalty programme – Best Western Rewards.

From 5 February to 5 May, 2024, BWR members who indulge in a two-night stay at BWH Hotels properties across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean, will unlock a fantastic reward: a complimentary night’s stay.

What’s more, these free nights can be savoured until 25 August, 2024. To seize this opportunity, BWR members must register for the offer before completing their first eligible stay, either via bestwestern.com/rewardsrush1 or directly at the hotel.

Joelle Park, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at BWH Hotels said,

The team is thrilled to kick off 2024 with this exciting promotion and enhance our rewards members’ travel plans for the year. Whether travellers want to experience some of our incredible ski properties or escape the cold weather for a beach, rewards members can be confident they are getting the comfort, service and value they have come to expect from our hotels.

The perks of the BWR program underscore BWH Hotels’ commitment to caring for its guests and fostering unique travel experiences.

The awarded free night can be redeemed at any participating Best Western branded hotel in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It’s important to note that members are entitled to earn only one free night for this promotion.

Inspired by BWH Hotels’ new marketing campaign, “Life’s A Trip,” this year’s BWR spring promotion encourages travellers to embrace life’s imperfections. The campaign acknowledges that life and travel aren’t always smooth sailing, highlighting three emotionally-driven, real-life scenarios that illustrate travel as simultaneously vibrant, messy, draining and beautiful.

It urges BWH Hotels’ guests to earn rewards while embracing the perfectly imperfect nature of travel.

Every stay at a BWH Hotels property earns members points which can be redeemed for various rewards. These include free or discounted room nights at BWH Hotels properties, Mastercard and Amazon gift cards, Best Western gift cards for friends and loved ones, or donations to nonprofit organisations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the American Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross. BWR members can also utilise their accumulated loyalty points to partially pay for their next hotel stay through BWR’s Pay with Points program, providing instant access to discounts on room rates at hotels across North America.

In addition to the spring promotion, BWR members can take advantage of BWH Hotels’ Gift of Travel program, enabling them to gift travel experiences to their loved ones at any BWH Hotels property worldwide. This can be done by transferring rewards points to other BWR members for memorable trips. Members can extend the Gift of Travel in two distinct ways:

1. Gifting a Free Night: BWR members can gift a one-night stay to immediate family members through the “Gift a Free Night” option in their BWR account.
2. Redeeming a Best Western Gift Card: BWR members can redeem their points for a Best Western gift card and gift it to friends and family. This option is accessible in the redemption section of their BWR account.

To book stays at BWH properties, contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.

For more information, visit http://bestwestern.com/rewardsrush1bestwestern.com/rewardsrush1. BWR members must register for the offer prior to the completion of their first eligible stay, either on bestwestern.com/rewardsrush1 or at the hotel directly.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, LNER, Network Rail, and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are joining forces to revolutionise mobile connectivity on the East Coast Main Line, with a particular focus on enhancing the travel experience for UK-based business travellers.

The latest development in this joint venture sees the successful installation of a bespoke antenna in the Gasworks and Copenhagen tunnels outside London King’s Cross station.

This milestone signifies a major stride towards ensuring a more reliable and consistent mobile phone and on-train Wi-Fi connection for passengers.

Notoriously challenging ‘not-spots’ experienced by travellers passing through the tunnels are expected to be eliminated, offering a seamless digital experience.

LNER, in partnership with Network Rail and key mobile network operators, has invested in this crucial infrastructure project, which is set to make the Gasworks and Copenhagen tunnels the first on the country’s operational railway to be equipped with this innovative mobile connectivity solution.

The installation, executed by rail connectivity and technology integration specialist Linbrooke, underwent rigorous testing at Network Rail’s Innovation and Development Centre in collaboration with mobile phone companies before being introduced to the network.

From later this year, business travellers and commuters alike can anticipate maintaining uninterrupted direct voice and data access to their mobile providers.

This enhancement will ensure that calls remain connected and online meetings stay seamless as passengers approach and depart from the bustling capital.

For UK-based business travellers seeking a more reliable and enhanced digital experience during their journeys, this collaborative effort signifies a significant step forward. The project not only addresses current connectivity challenges but also sets a precedent for improved mobile infrastructure on the nation’s railway network.

Helen Cavanagh, Head of Passenger Experience for Network Rail’s East Coast route, said:

This is a fantastic example of the rail industry and mobile operators working together to improve services and experience for passengers. “This project will keep most passengers connected with family and friends on the approach to King’s Cross station, helping boost their enjoyment when travelling on the East Coast Main Line.

A Virgin Media O₂ spokesperson explained that Virgin Media O₂ is focused on improving the network experience for its customers and closing any “not spots” that exist for them:

This project will help to ensure they are able to get quality mobile coverage on the move and enable them to stay connected when leaving and approaching London King’s Cross Station.

In a significant milestone for the Qantas Group’s fleet renewal initiative, the first brand new Airbus A220 has emerged from the paintshop at Airbus’ facility in Mirabel, Canada.

The aircraft, set to touch down in Australia before the year’s end, is the inaugural unit of 29 A220s slated for delivery to the Group, marking a strategic move in its domestic fleet renewal plan.

This modern generation of QantasLink A220s is designed to gradually replace the Boeing 717s currently servicing flights across Australia. Boasting double the range of the 717, the A220 is poised to open up novel domestic and short-haul international routes, expanding the airline’s operational reach as additional aircraft are incorporated into the fleet.

This delivery represents the twelfth new aircraft within the past 12 months for the Qantas Group, showcasing their commitment to a more sustainable and efficient fleet.

The A321LR aircraft for Jetstar and the Boeing 787 Dreamliners for Qantas International have already joined the ranks, all contributing to reduced fuel consumption, lower emissions, and a quieter travel experience compared to their predecessors.

Over the last six months, the QantasLink A220 has taken shape at the Mirabel facility, with key components sourced from various global facilities, including wings manufactured in the United Kingdom.

Adorned in a striking Aboriginal paint scheme during its two-week stint in the paintshop, this aircraft is the sixth addition to Qantas’ longstanding Flying Art Series.

Launched in 1994, the Flying Art Series has been a canvas for Indigenous Australian artwork, with the latest livery featuring the creations of senior Pitjantjatjara artist Maringka Baker.

Named “Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa – The Two Sisters Creation Story,” the aircraft showcases a Dreaming narrative of two sisters traversing remote Australia together. The collaboration with Indigenous Australian design agency Balarinji and First Nations artists underscores Qantas’ ongoing commitment to celebrating Australia’s rich cultural heritage.

Qantas Group CEO, Vanessa Hudson, envisions the QantasLink A220s as a game-changer for domestic and regional travel. She said,

These aircraft have the potential to change the way our customers travel across the country, with the ability to connect any two cities or towns in Australia

The enhanced speed and convenience are poised to redefine business and leisure travel, presenting new opportunities for both passengers and the airline’s operational staff.

The Airbus A220 (registration VH-X4A) will undergo post-production test flights and be equipped with Qantas-specific features before officially joining the airline’s fleet by year-end.

It will ferry from Quebec to Australia, initially servicing flights between Melbourne and Canberra, with an additional six A220s scheduled for delivery by mid-2025.

For further information on this groundbreaking development or to explore the enhanced possibilities for your business travel, feel free to reach out to your dedicated Global Travel Account Manager.