Industry News
May 2010
Stay for FREE!
Corporate Traveller has launched an exciting new Stay for FREE campaign. If you find a cheaper available hotel room rate, we guarantee to beat it or you'll stay for free*. Corporate Traveller has access to discounted rates in more than 5000 hotels across Australia and can offer world-best fares for last minute and year-round hotel deals. Contact your travel manager for further information. *Conditions apply
BA targets SME market
Ask your travel manager how you can tap into the benefits of British Airways' new ‘On Business' corporate loyalty scheme, which has been launched in Australia for SMEs. Every time your employees travel with BA, your company earns points that are redeemable for upgrades, reward flights and hotel stays. If you have BA Executive Club members, they will also benefit by earning BA Miles for personal use. For further information contact your travel manager.
DJ upgrades
Virgin Blue is replacing its E-Jet services on a number of peak routes between Sydney and Coffs Harbour with Boeing 737s from mid May. The new aircraft will be used for services on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Virgin Blue is also starting a new Coffs Harbour to Melbourne service on Sunday from June 27.
QF to introduce mobile check-in
Qantas has announced plans to introduce mobile phone check-in for selected Qantas and QantasLink domestic flights. Passengers will be able to check in 24-hours to 45 minutes prior to flying. Once customers have checked in via their mobile they will receive a boarding pass via SMS with a link to a mobile boarding pass with a 2D barcode.
Air NZ bring in new bag policy
Air New Zealand is changing its domestic and international luggage policy from weight-based to piece-based. From 26 May 2010, Economy passengers will be allowed a single bag weighing up to 23kg, while Premium Economy passengers can take two pieces and those in Business Premier can take three. New guidelines also include reduced excess baggage fees, with travellers able to take an extra bag on trans-Tasman flights for $50, or two extra bags for $200. Long haul international flights will cost $75 for a second bag, or $325 for two extra bags.
Fashion-forward First Class
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is bringing glamour back to the skies, introducing its Diamond First Class suites on select flights from Sydney and London. The luxury service is progressively being rolled out across Etihad's global network. Diamond First Class offers customers high-end products from around the world, including leather seats by Italy's Poltrona Frau; amenity kits by Salvatore Ferragamo and German luxury brand Aigner, as well as gourmet in-flight dining with a personal food and beverage manager.
Virgin expands loyalty benefits
A new frequent flyer arrangement between V Australia, Virgin Blue and Virgin America will see passengers able to accrue and use loyalty points on each of the three carrier's services. The reciprocal deal means Velocity members will be able to use their points on Virgin America's Rewards program. Frequent–flyer members will be able to earn points on all carriers now, but won't be able to redeem points on the reciprocating airline until the end of 2010. Contact your travel manager for further information.
Zoom out with self check-in
Hire car company Avis has launched new self-service kiosks for its customers at Sydney Domestic Airport. The systems allow customers with an Avis Wizard number to bypass the terminal counter and organise a vehicle directly from the kiosks in the ground floor Avis section of the car park. After completing the details of their rental the kiosk will print a rental agreement including the location of the parking bay where their car is parked.
Los Angeles luxury
The Ritz- Carlton, Los Angeles has opened the door to business and offers 123 guestrooms and suites, almost 100,000 square feet of meeting space including three ballrooms in the Gallery Collection, a Club Lounge, Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck's WP24 – lounge and restaurant, spa and Wi-Fi access in all public space and guest rooms.
Perth services boosted
Malaysia Airlines is adding another weekly service between Perth and Kuala Lumpur. The new flight departs on Saturday and bumps the carrier's service on the route up to 10 weekly flights.
IHG trials Apple iPad
InterContinental Hotel and Resorts has equipped its concierge teams with Apple iPads to provide customers with local destination advice. The service is being trialed at InterContinental New York Barclay, InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, InterContinental London Park Lane and InterContinental Hong Kong. Travellers will be able to receive enhanced data on maps and directions, see video recommendations for local activities and confirm by email any bookings for restaurants or shows.
Sydney Airport upgrades flight catering
The redevelopment of Sydney Airport is progressing with the opening of a catering kitchen that prepares daily 12,000 meals that have been made under halal guidelines. Worth $4.4 million the kitchen is considered one of the largest of its types in Asia Pacific and caters for a wide range of airlines.
Air NZ beefs up Aussie services
As of 31 October 2010, Air New Zealand will be offering daily flights between Auckland and Perth and will increase services from Auckland to Adelaide to five weekly flights during November, and next year in February and March as well as six per week during December and January.
New Asian destinations
Travellers heading to China will soon have seven new destinations to choose from following changes to Qantas' codeshare with China Eastern Airlines. Under the new agreement, Business and Economy class services to Dailan, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Harbin, Kunming, Qingtao and Shenyang will be available on China Eastern Airlines aircraft.
Emirates add daily flight from Brisbane
Emirates now offers two daily departures between Brisbane and Dubai following the addition of a new daily non-stop service on the route. The UAE carrier has also introduced a third daily service from Melbourne direct to Dubai.
