Travel-On Travel Industry News
June 3, 2011
Events We're Watching

Train Derailment in Chicago

A train derailment was reported Friday morning, possibly involving two trains coming in and out of Union Station in Chicago. Read more

 

 

Aer Lingus Pilot Protests May Ground Flights

Aer Lingus says threatened work disruptions by pilots could force the airline to ground all flights starting next week. Read more

 

 

Severity of Europe E. coli Outbreak Stuns Experts

In Germany, where the vast majority of deaths and severe illnesses have been reported, officials said that investigations including interviews with patients have shown that people were likely infected by eating raw cucumbers, tomatoes or lettuce. Read more

 

Watch for updates on our Breaking News page or your company’s travel website

A Colleague Gets Messages From Travel-On About Last Minute Flight Delays - How Can I Get These Too?

It sounds like your colleague is enrolled in Flightstats, an essential traveler program offering automatic notifications via email, voicemail, and/or text of any last minute flight delays, cancellations, or gate changes. Travel-On provides free membership via your online traveler profile. Simply log in to your profile and go to the Manage Notifications section. Look for Flight Status and fill in the method(s) of notification and anyone else you would like to have notified as well. This service covers all airlines and all trips, regardless of whether they were booked online or offline. The biggest benefit - the notifications are received up to an hour before airline-specific notification programs!

The recent weather patterns during these last few weeks that have affected so many people also impact Travel-On’s 24-hour emergency service.. When extreme weather issues and/or catastrophic events occur extra staff are called in, but even doubling the staff cannot eradicate the impact on hold times. The emergency service agents are charged with doing whatever is necessary to assist a stranded traveler with their immediate situation only. Often this means remaining on hold to speak to an airline or other vendor on behalf of the traveler. Once they have resolved the immediate need, they will need to move on to assist the next stranded traveler and extend the same effort to help in whatever way they can. Emails and non-urgent follow-up are handled during regular business hours the next business day. We thank you for your patience and understanding. For non-emergency travel questions after hours, you may leave an email or voicemail to be returned the next day, or you may find your answers online in your corporate booking tool.

OTHER NEWS

E. coli Outbreak in Europe Prompts Airlines to Change Menus

An outbreak of a "super-toxic" strain of E. coli bacteria in Europe -- which has killed at least 18 people so far and sickened more than 1,600 -- has prompted some airlines to change their menus. Read more

Can Mobile Change the Way Travelers Feel About Ancillary Fees?

Front-loading optional ancillary services in your booking process can be effective for some services, but the mobile phone in every travelers’ pocket means that suppliers can interact with customers at every step of the journey (including planning and pre-trip preparation), and can choose to offer the right ancillary services at the time when the customer is most likely to need or want to buy. Done well, ancillary sales via mobile will be seen by customers as valuable service, not sales. Read more

How Far Does Duty of Care Extend?

We know that every company has a basic duty to treat traveling employees fairly and to protect them. General criminal law by state could reach companies and their officers in gross cases of negligence and harm, either knowingly caused or as a result of known hazards that are ignored or should have been foreseen. Read more

7 Ways to Stay Healthy On a Plane

From a stranger sneezing in the seat next to you to greasy in-flight meals, air travel often results in colds, bloating and blahs. Follow these 7 tips to ensure a smooth ride. Read more

Planning to Gate-Check That Stroller? Check Again

Parents who consider strollers essential tools for moving kids, diaper bags, car seats and assorted kid-related stuff through the long corridors and slow-moving security lines at the airport should brace themselves: Beginning June 1, 2011, American Airlines will no longer gate-check certain strollers. Read more

Southwest Tells DFW That It Won’t End AirTran Service Until Nov. 21

"The best accommodation of all AirTran customers traveling through D/FW International Airport, both those originating from the DFW area and those choosing to visit, is to honor the reservations that have been previously been made...” Read more

Business Traveler Reviews BA’s Inaugural 777 Service London to San Diego

Check out the video and review.

United and Delta Hike Fees on Second Bag to Europe to Match European Partners

The first bag is still free. Previously they both charged $50 for a second bag. Now Delta will charge $60 if it's checked online, $75 at the airport. United and Continental are charging $70 to check a second bag. Read more

Frequent Traveler: Just in Case

I am jealous of you men for several reasons. If there is one thing that really makes me green with envy, it’s the ease with which you can pack for business trips. Take one suit, add two shirts, two ties, two pairs of socks, two sets of pants, an all-encompassing pair of shoes and you’re set. Read more

Chip-And-Pin Cards Coming: But Mag Stripe Still Standard In United States

Like Mexico last year and Europe for many years, Canada this year embraced the chip-and-pin credit card security standard. That means U.S.-based corporate travelers increasingly may find that magnetic stripe credit cards aren't accepted in automated pay machines in such places as train stations, taxis and gas stations. Read more

Alaska Airlines Pilots Go Lean and Green With iPads

As part of an ongoing effort to use technology to enhance flight safety, improve efficiency and protect the environment, Alaska Airlines is issuing iPad tablet computers to its pilots. The 1 1/2-pound iPads replace up to 25 pounds of paper flight manuals that pilots are required to carry when they fly. Read more

Steer Clear of Vacation Health Hazards

What you don't want is for an out-of-town mishap to derail your good time. Ahead, how to deal with... Read more

Can’t Call Southwest a Discount Airline These Days

Southwest's average ticket price has jumped 39% in the past five years, while the average ticket price for domestic trips for the industry was up 10%, according to the Department of Transportation. Read more

Most Annoying Air Travel Experience? Survey Says...

The survey, conducted by the marketing company DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc., asked Americans to choose which of four scenarios constituted the worst experience to have on an airplane. Read more

Learn More about Amtrak’s Quiet Car

They mean QUIET!

U.S. Department of State Foreign Per Diem Rates Updated June 1st

Check the rates

London’s Heathrow Airport Installs Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Passengers who own electric cars can now charge their vehicles at Heathrow Terminals 1, 3, 4, and 5 short-stay car parks, which have two charging points installed, serving four parking spaces in each airport car park. Read more

European Plan to Lift Liquids Ban Could Be Delayed By UK

The European Union is scheduled to lift the liquids ban at European airports in 2013, pending the installation of new scanning equipment capable of detecting liquid explosives in carry-on luggage. But the BBC reports that airports in the United Kingdom may be "dragging their feet" in installing the new scanners. Read more

Another Reminder Not to Leave Lithium Batteries in Your Checked Luggage

In a recent Air China incident a lithium-ion battery-pack in a passenger’s camera caught fire in an overhead bin in the Airbus A330 while it was flying between Beijing and Shanghai. The incident ended well, in that the cabin crew searched for the source of a smell of burning, and found the camera just as it burst into flames... But it might have been a very different and tragic story had the camera batteries experienced what is known as a thermal runaway inside checked luggage stowed in the hold. Read more

6 Years After Katrina, Hyatt Regency Set to Reopen

The restored Hyatt Regency New Orleans will have 1,193 all-new guest rooms and 200,000 square feet of meeting space — double the amount it had prior to Katrina. Read more

High-Tech Meetings: Hot Tools for Planning Corporate Events

Many organizations are rethinking how technology can help them plan a more budget-friendly and productive business meeting. Read more

Travel-On’s online booking tool integrates with the Starcite meetings management technology. For more information speak with your Travel-On account manager.

Meeting Planner Survival Guide

Tried and true tips for the novice and the veteran. Read more

SignUp4 Acquires Worktopia

Meetings management technology firm SignUp4 announced the acquisition of Worktopia, a company that several years ago grew to prominence with a tool enabling buyers to book hotel meeting space online. Read more

U.S. News Names 10 Best Cities for Public Transportation

Because it makes navigating cities easier, more affordable and more environmentally friendly for attendees, public transportation often is a major consideration when meeting planners are choosing destinations. If you're looking for a city that's as accessible as it is attractive, you might be interested in a list of the "10 Best Cities for Public Transportation. Read more