Events We're Watching
Midwest Snow Sweep, then Nor'easter?
Here we go again! More snow is on the way to the Northeast. First we had a crippling Christmas blizzard, then a massive New England snowstorm which dumped up to 40 inches last week. Of course we can't leave out the messy start to this week, with a mix of snow, freezing rain and sleet. Read more
Check airline web sites for travel advisories.
What Travel-On is Doing:
Travel-On / Travel Place continues to identify travelers who may be in these areas or whose travel plans may be impacted, and our agents are contacting them or the travel administrator to provide assistance. If you have any questions about this emergency situation, please contact one of our agents, your travel team leader, or your account manager. We will continue to monitor these conditions and bring you any updates or changes as the news breaks.
What Travelers Can Do:
- Download and use the Mobile Personal Assistant (requires company enrollment)
- Sign up for automated FlightStats alerts in the Notification section of your online traveler profile
- Contact our 24-Hour Emergency Service at the number listed on your itinerary or call 1-877-858-3254. (please bear in mind that during extreme or multiple travel disruptions hold times will be longer than normal)
Make Your Case: Managers Need to Sell Strategy to Airlines
Air carriers are back in control, and that means it’s a new world when it comes to air negotiations in 2011. Travel managers will need a strategy, a story, and strong selling skills. Carriers are no longer willing to fill seats at almost any cost. This year, fares are rising, and capacity remains sharply constrained. Read more
Which Airline Are You Really Flying? Now, It's Easier To Know
When booking a flight online, you may think you're getting a seat on a major airline, but it's possible to unknowingly end up on a regional carrier instead. Now, the government is stepping in to make sure that doesn't happen. The U.S. Department of Transportation this week gave airlines and ticket agents 60 days to make sure their websites show any code-sharing arrangements on each segment of your journey. Read more
How to Outsmart the Airlines
The à la carte fee menu for everything from aisle seats to bags to lunch has brought the airline industry back to profitability. That's good for the airlines, but passengers feel like they have been nickeled-and-dimed to death. It's one reason why road warriors are buzzing about Delta Air Lines' new online. Read more
On a Phone, Interfering with Flight Safety
The announcement over the plane’s speaker seems as much a part of the routine before takeoff as the demonstration of how to buckle a seat belt: Please turn off all electronic devices. But some passengers invariably ignore the request, perhaps thinking that their iPods or e- books do not count. And really, does it matter if the devices are left on? Read more
Why Do Airlines Make Small Changes to Flight Times
This is a great question, because I’ve wondered it myself for quite awhile. This gave me the chance to reach out there and see if I could get any more detail. Sure enough, I could. Let’s start with the question. Read more
American Questions New Coalition Fighting For Fare 'Transparency'
A new coalition is forming to advocate and lobby for airline fare and fee transparency, but it is facing accusations by American Airlines that Sabre is helping to create the group out of economic self-interest. The American Society of Travel Agents and Business Travel Coalition say they are among the founding members of The Open Allies for Airfare Transparency. Read more
United, American Sue Over O'Hare Financing
United Airlines and American Airlines filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to block further financing for the expansion of Chicago's O'Hare Airport. The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago just days after the two biggest carriers at O'Hare warned Mayor Richard Daley in a letter that proceeding with a nearly USD$1 billion airport bond sale later this month could lead to litigation. Read more
Judge Rules Ryanair's Boarding-pass Fee is Illegal
European no-frills carrier Ryanair finds itself at the center of yet another controversy. The latest comes after a Spanish court ruled last week that it's illegal for the airline to charge fliers for not printing their own boarding passes. Read more
FAA Approves Huge Expansion Plan for Philadelphia International
The Federal Aviation Administration has given its final approval to a $5.2 billion, 13-year expansion plan for Philadelphia International Airport. The ambitious plan would extend the length of two existing runways and add a fifth runway, changes that are expected to result in more efficient flight operations and fewer delays. Read more
Vision Airlines' Flight Plan: Bargain Airfares to Florida
Vision Airlines, a company that started by giving tours of the Grand Canyon, will begin offering commercial flights to 20 U.S. cities on Tuesday, promising to save vacationers time and money on getaways to Florida. Vision says fares, some initially as low as $49 one way, will go on sale Tuesday for trips between the beach communities of northwest Florida and such cities as Baton Rouge, Knoxville, Tenn., and Little Rock starting March 25 .Read more
Virgin America Places 60-jet Order, Will Be First to Fly the A320neo
Virgin America has placed a 60-plane order with Airbus that will make the U.S. low-cost carrier the launch customer for the newest model of Airbus' A320 jet. With the order -- signed in December but announced today -- Virgin America also secured the 10,000th order in Airbus' 40-year history. Read more
Prepare Now: Ball in Hotels' Court for 2012 Negotiations
It’s never too early for travel managers to start prepping for the fall round of hotel negotiations for 2012 rates. “Negotiations for 2011 were more difficult than I have seen in several years because the market landscape has changed,” said Lisa Maloney, project manager for the CWT Hotel Consulting Solutions Group. Read more
Carlson Set to Open 19 New Hotels in India in 2011
Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, today announced its plans to open 19 additional hotels in India by the end of 2011 across its four brands: Radisson, Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM, Park Inn® and Park Plaza. This was announced by Hubert Joly, Carlson president and chief executive officer, at the Hotel Investment Forum India (HIFI) in Mumbai. Read more
