Corporate Travel e-Newsletter - November 2008

Airlines cut fuel surcharges

Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have announced their plans to reduce fuel surcharges - with exactly the same reductions. Neither airline has lowered the surcharge for its premium customers.

The move has also been taken by Lufthansa, its subsidiary SWISS and Austrian Airlines.

Delta to upgrade business seating from Heathrow

From next Summer, Delta Air Lines is to offer 180-degree lie-flat beds in business class on flights from Heathrow to New York and Atlanta.

The seats recline to 77-inch-long beds in a one-two-one configuration giving every passenger aisle access.

Delta is reconfiguring seven of its 767-400 aircraft with the full-flat beds.

International economy class passengers on Delta’s 767-400s also will have on demand digital entertainment, as well as printed menus, free wine with their meal and mid-flight snack. Complimentary amenity kits include eye shades and ear plugs.

Cathay Pacific opens Hong Kong arrivals lounge

Cathay Pacific has opened a new arrival lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. The lounge, called The Arrival, sits in the passage connecting Terminal 1 with Terminal 2 and mirrors the design of Cathay’s departure lounges at the airport, The Wing and The Pier. It features eight fully equipped shower suites, food and drink, desktop computers with internet access as well as local and international newspapers.

The lounge is open to first class passengers and members of the airline’s Marco Polo Club frequent flyer programme with gold status or above. Travellers with Emerald status in the frequent flyer programme of a oneworld partner may also use the lounge as long as they are flying on either Cathay Pacific or Dragonair and their final destination is Hong Kong.

Thousands stranded as European airline goes bust

Sterling Airways has cancelled all flights, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at London Gatwick and thousands stranded across Europe.

The low-cost airline, owned by Iceland's Northern Travel Holdings, flew from Gatwick to Copenhagen, Stockholm and other Scandinavian cities. It has announced that it is filing for bankruptcy and blamed the Icelandic financial crisis for its decline.

Customers who purchased their tickets directly on Sterling’s website will not be refunded, even for their return flights. They will have to book return flights with another airline.

Those who have paid by credit card are advised to contact their bank or credit card company to ask for a possible refund.

Medway Travel is pleased to advise that none of our clients were significantly inconvenienced by the collapse of this airline.

As per our article in last month’s newsletter, Medway Travel applies Airline Failure Insurance on all scheduled flights booked on behalf of our clients. This ensures that ticket holders will be compensated if the airline on which they are about to travel, or on which they have partly completed their journey, ceases to be able to fulfil the remaining obligation to provide the transport for which the traveller has paid (or committed to pay).

Travelodge will open 22 new hotels across the UK by the end of the year, in a £125-million investment programme.

The budget hotel chain is bringing its brand to Heathrow Central, central London (close to the Tower of London), Edinburgh, Cardiff Atlantic Wharf, Stevenage and Wolverhampton in the coming months, adding 1,949 rooms to its portfolio. The chain’s fourth Heathrow hotel will have 307 rooms starting from £29 a night, opening just in time for Christmas on December 23.

The hotels will be fitted out in the new Travelodge design unveiled last year. Rooms will feature king-sized beds, en-suite bathrooms, mood lighting, digital flatscreen TV and wifi internet access. The revamped Bar Café will follow the rooms’ fresh new red, white and blue colour scheme, and offers an all-you-can-eat £7.50 breakfast buffet as well as a new evening dinner menu.

Top 10 reasons why Eurostar is an ideal option for business travellers:

Direct city to city travel: Step straight off the train and into the very heart of your destination city fresh and ready to go about your business, having avoided tedious transfers and lengthy motorway commutes to and from airports.

Reach your destination fast: Eurostar will whisk you from St Pancras International to the centre of Paris in 2hrs 15, Brussels in 1hr 51 and Lille in 1hr 20, or from Ebbsfleet International to Paris in 2hrs 5, Brussels in 1hr 41 and Lille in 1hr 10.

Work all the way: Eurostar travellers are free to use electronic devices on board, so there's no problem making phone calls, or turning on your laptop to prepare for that important meeting at the end of your journey.

Get there on time: With punctuality rates of over 90% for both Paris and Brussels routes, Eurostar is the natural choice for business travellers.

Travel when it suits: With up to 19 trains running daily between London and Paris, 10 between London and Brussels and 8 between London and Lille, you can choose to travel at a time that suits you just right.

Enjoy a seamless travel experience: No lengthy check-in queues, tedious transfers or laborious luggage procedures; Eurostar takes you directly where you need to go without any hassle.

Frequent traveller programme: For regular business travellers the Eurostar™ Frequent Traveller programme offers many exclusive benefits and the chance to earn points to spend on a wide range of rewards.

Relaxing, hassle-free journeys: Check in 30 minutes before departure with the minimum of fuss, and unwind in the comfortable departure lounge before taking your seat on the high-speed train straight to the heart of your destination.

Peaceful and comfortable on-board surroundings: With comfortable seats and great views outside your window (when you’re not in the tunnel that is), you could be forgiven for forgetting you’re travelling for business altogether.

Greener business travel: Eurostar believes that global warming is real and that travel is a contributing factor in climate change. However, they are also aware that travelling is often a business necessity, which is why they are doing everything possible to minimise the impact of Eurostar journeys on the environment.

 

Please contact Medway Travel for additional information on the Eurostar options available to you. Your Consultant will be happy to book these for your next trip to Paris, Brussels or Lille and can also make any onward travel arrangements required.

Passengers flying on non-stop Lufthansa flights between Heathrow and Germany are now able use a mobile boarding pass.

The mobile boarding pass is sent to passengers via email or SMS to an Internet-enabled mobile phone. In addition to the relevant flight data such as the passenger’s name, flight number and departure time, the boarding pass contains a 2D barcode which permits passengers to pass through the security checkpoints and then proceed straight to their departure gate. There, the barcode is read by a scanner, enabling the passenger to board the aircraft without a printed paper document.

The UK launch follows the successful introduction of mobile boarding passes on all domestic German routes and about 1,000 daily flights out of Germany to almost 400 European destinations. The innovative service has already gained widespread acceptance amongst customers with more than 7,000 passengers a week using electronic boarding passes.

The service will be gradually introduced from additional UK and European departure points over the coming months.

US Authorities are now operating a system called ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). The information required, when you log in to the US Department of Homeland Security to apply, is the same as was required to complete on board the aircraft i.e. the green visa waiver form (I-94W). The authority needs to be applied for at least 72hrs prior to departure. Once applied for, you will then be given an immediate response, either giving or denying authority to travel. The electronic authority is then valid for 2 years or until your passport expires if that is sooner.

The system is voluntary until 12th January 2009 after which it will become compulsory, and the green form will be withdrawn.

The details you are asked to complete online are Passport details, Flight number, destination address and questions regarding communicable diseases, arrests and convictions for certain crimes, plus past history of any visa refusal. Bearing in mind the private nature of this data, Medway Travel does not consider it appropriate to offer to assist directly in this process.

This information is in addition to the requirement to submit APIS data that we already request from you prior to travel to the US.

If you wish to apply for the ESTA please visit www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/

Due to the level of personal information required when applying for the ESTA, we do not feel it appropriate for Medway Travel to apply for this on your behalf. However, if you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Medway Travel has access to one of the largest portfolios of specially negotiated contract fares open to any travel agent in the country. This means we can - subject to availability at the time of booking - offer unusually low prices for many long-haul and certain European routes.

This month's examples (all in £) are:

Economy Fares:

Route	Airline	Fare	Taxes
Dubai - direct	Etihad	238.00	48.00
Bahrain - via Doha	Qatar Airways	167.00	155.50
Muscat - via Bahrain	Gulf Air	101.00	198.30
Tel Aviv - via Budapest	Malev	110.00	171.00
Chennai - via Doha	Qatar Airways	182.00	160.10
Bangalore - direct	Kingfisher	308.00	78.90
Delhi - via Bahrain	Gulf Air	130.00	194.00
Mumbai - via Bahrain	Gulf Air	130.00	194.00

 

Business Class Fares:

Route	Airline	Fare	Taxes
Dubai - via Larnaca	Cyprus Airways	890.00	188.30
Bahrain - via Istanbul	Turkish Airways	908.00	199.60
Muscat - via Bahrain	Gulf Air	864.00	238.30
Tel Aviv- via Riga	Air Baltic	735.00	196.60
Chennai - via Doha	Qatar Airways	966.00	200.10
Bangalore - via Bahrain	Gulf Air	918.00	249.90
Delhi - via Bahrain	Gulf Air	918.00	234.00
Mumbai - via Bahrain	Gulf Air	918.00	234.00

 

Each month we bring you a small selection of the millions of fares we have available, to illustrate the level of fares you can enjoy as a result of our extensive connections and research.

So if your next destination isn't on the above list of examples, please do contact us. There is every chance we will have a real bargain to offer you!

The Accor hotel group has opened Ibis and Etap hotels at Birmingham International airport.

Ibis Birmingham Airport is located in the heart of Birmingham International Airport and is only 300 metres from the airport terminals. The NEC and Rail Station are a free 90 second rail shuttle away, and there is plentiful car parking (charges apply) across the road. Food and beverages are available 24 hours, and the Cafe on the ground floor offers a wide variety of meals, snacks and drinks. A multimedia package worth £7.99 gives business travellers access to WiFi internet connection, and music and movies in the room.

The no-frills Etap – one of six new opening in the UK this month – has 120 bedrooms, each equipped with en-suite bathroom and a flat screen TV. WiFi is only available in public areas. Rooms start at £35 per night.

Remember, Medway Travel do not charge a fee for hotel reservations when booked with a flight, so if you have an early morning flight, why not book an airport hotel for the night before? Contact us now for more information.

Phases 1 and 2 of Glasgow Airport’s new £31m terminal extension opened at the end of October. The skyhub development includes a new domestic arrivals hall and a new £12m security search area.

The re-development, scheduled for completion by spring 2009, will provide the airport with new retail outlets, including a Starbucks coffee shop and a JD Wetherspoon bar and restaurant.

The airport’s managing director, said: "This BAA investment underlines our commitment to deliver a better airport experience for our passengers, with state of the art security and more space to relax.”

"The new UK arrivals hall is a huge improvement on our existing facilities, and the addition of a new bar and restaurant, coffee shop and convenience store creates a much more relaxing environment for passengers, their friends and family.”

If you or your colleagues are planning to visit any overseas trade fair in the future, please contact us as soon as possible about your arrangements for travel and accommodation. The earlier we can make the bookings for you, the lower the cost of the airfares will be, and the greater the selection of hotel accommodation available.

We also suggest you take a look at the Trade Fairs section of our website from time to time, to help with your forward planning.

NOVEMBER 2008

11th – 13th, Hunan CHINA

CHINA INTERNATIONAL CITRUS EXPOSITION: Foreground analysis on international citrus industry, the present situation and developing trends of china citrus industry, new deep processing technologies of citrus products, new marketing thoughts on citrus products.

17th - 19th, Mannheim GERMANY

BIO-EUROPE: Forum to promote Business Development between Pharmaceutical, Financial and Biotechnology Companies.

19th – 21st, Cologne GERMANY

INTERauto 2008: A niche event catering for the international automotive interiors design industry.

19th - 21st, Dusseldorf GERMANY

COMPAMED: High tec solutions for medical technology

19th – 22nd, Düsseldorf GERMANY

MEDICA: International Trade Fair with Congress World Forum for Medicine

DECEMBER 2008

2nd - 4th, St Petersburg RUSSIA

AUTORUSSIA: This event is a direct response to the growing demand from both western and Russian automotive companies to learn more about the opportunities presented by the booming automotive industry in Russia

2nd - 5th, Singapore

OSEA: International Oil & Gas Technology Exhibit & Conference

3rd – 6th, Jakarta INDONESIA

VEHICLE MANUFACTURING & AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY INDONESIA: Dedicated international showcase exhibition & conference for vehicle dynamics technologies & components.

5th – 7th, New Delhi INDIA

GLASSTECH INDIA: International Glass Products, Glass Manufacturing, Processing & Materials Exhibition

8th - 12th, Moscow RUSSIA

ZDRAVOOKHRANENIE 2008: International Exhibition of Health Care, Medical Engineering and Pharmaceuticals

9th - 12th, Moscow RUSSIA

INTERLIGHT: International Trade Fair for Lighting & Light Technology

JANUARY 2009

8th - 10th, Pune INDIA

COMFEX INDIA: Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Ventilation and Building Services Exhibition

9th - 11th, New Delhi INDIA

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INDIA: International exhibition on medical technology and equipment

10th - 18th, Adana TURKEY

CUKUROVA BOOK FAIR

11th – 14th, DUBAI   

ARABPLAST: International Plastic & Rubber Industry Trade Show

21st - 22nd, Paris FRANCE

PHARMAPACK 2009: Show for Packaging Manufacturers that serve the Pharmaceutical Industry

FEBRUARY 2009

1st - 3rd, Dusseldorf GERMANY

GLOBAL FASHION: This trade Fair presents non-branded producers addressing volume buyers and branded manufacturers for production orders.

3rd - 6th, Moscow RUSSIA

CABEX 2009: International specialized exhibition of cables, wires, fastening hardware, and installation technology

4th – 6th, Berlin GERMANY

FRUIT LOGISTICA: Provides an opportunity for industries involved in fruit trading to present their range of services from growing to selling

18th - 20th, Mumbai INDIA

FIRE INDIA: Fire Protection Industry Show & Conference

MARCH 2009

3rd - 5th, Montreux SWITZERLAND

AUTOMOTIVE LOGISTICS EUROPE CONFERENCE: Automotive conference for senior logistics executives worldwide, debating the future direction of the automotive industry, with direct access to top-level speakers, panelists and key industry decision makers

3rd – 6th, Munich GERMANY

EMBEDDED IN MUNICH: The best place to exhibit everything from software, hardware and components to systems integration and development platforms.

5th - 9th, Brussels BELGIUM

FOIRE DU LIVRE DE BRUXELLES: Book Fair

APRIL 2009

1st - 3rd, LUXEMBOURG

MED-E-TEL: International Educational and Networking Forum for eHealth, Telemedicine and Health ICT

1st - 3rd, Warsaw POLAND

EXPOTHERM WARSAW 2009: International Trade Fair for Heating, Sanitary Equipment & Air-conditioning, including Exothermic Pool - Expotherm Bath - Expotherm Eco

20th - 22nd, London UK

LONDON BOOK FAIR

 

REMEMBER, if there are a number of you travelling together, there are major savings possible for groups of 9 or more, when we negotiate group rates with the airlines. Click here to see more about our Group Travel.

PLEASE NOTE:

We have secured some client reservations for the Fruit Logistica event in Berlin in February 2009. If you are interesting in attending this event, please contact us now in order that we can secure the best accommodation availability and prices for you.

We are also currently holding accommodation in London for the London Book Fair in April 2009. If you wish us to hold any of these rooms please contact us as soon as possible as availability is limited at this time.

 

In addition, Medway Travel offers an Advanced Planning for Tradefair Travel service. If you attend events on a regular basis, why not find out more information about this service by clicking here and registering your interest with us.

Driving to the airport? Did you know that your Medway Travel Consultant can pre-book airport parking for you, saving you both time and money?

Most airports promote two parking rates – the turn up rate and the pre-booking rate. Pre-booking rates are payable prior to departure and can be as much as 30% cheaper than the turn up rate and the earlier you book the more likely you are to get a good deal.

There are several different types of airport parking:

• On-Airport Parking: Parking within the airport boundary. Airports, however, are generally big places so your Agent will check the transfer times and distance to the terminal. In general, the closer you are to the terminal the more you pay for the convenience.
  
  
• Off-Airport Parking: Located outside the airport boundary. Ironically, the transfer times for off-airport car parks can sometimes be less than the on-airport times, due to their location.
  
  
• Meet and Greet Parking: The most convenient option for parking at the airport; this service means you are met at the terminal by a driver who will collect your car and take it to one of the on or off-airport car parks leaving you free to check-in. When you return, your car will be delivered back to the terminal for you. This can save around half an hour at each end of your journey and the inconvenience of the transfer bus journey and exposure to the elements!
  
  
• Airport Hotels With Parking: It is possible to get airport parking for up to 15 days when you book an overnight stay at an airport hotel the night before your flight. There are various packages available at airport hotels across the country. In addition, staying overnight the night before your departure allows for a more leisurely morning start free from the stress of the motorways and the unpredictability of morning traffic.

Why pre-book your Airport Parking?

• Cost Savings – you can make huge savings as you wont be charged the turn up rate
• Guaranteed parking space – spaces can be limited during peak times
• Less Hassle - You will receive full directions, arrival and return procedures
  

For more details on Airport Parking, please ask your Consultant when you book your trip. They will research the best option for you.

Doubletree by Hilton, the upscale, full-service brand that is part of the Hilton Family of Hotels, has announced the debut of its first hotel in continental Europe with the opening of the Doubletree by Hilton Milan.

Situated in the heart of Viale Certosa, northern Milan’s essential business district, the newly built Doubletree by Hilton Milan is located between the Fiera Milano Exhibition Center and Trade Fair Complex and the new Rho Fair Grounds – two of the main venues for Expo 2015. Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa Airport are 25km and 40km from the hotel, respectively and the Milan Central Train Station is just 10 minutes away.

21st Century Design for a 21st Century Milan: A modern exterior introduces arriving guests to the six-storey hotel’s elegant design as they enter via a marble pathway. The main reception area leads to an airy entertainment and dining space, incorporating a comfortable lounge area with plush chairs and relaxing sofas. Spacious public areas are infused with natural sunlight filtering through the rooftop skylights, along with floor to ceiling glass windows. The hotel’s landscaped courtyard terrace allows guests to enjoy informal al fresco drinks and dining and provides an ideal venue for unique, private outdoor receptions and events.

Contemporary Guestrooms: All 240 guest rooms feature contemporary style, modern conveniences and a range of luxurious amenities for in-room comfort. Each is equipped with a comfortable workspace, as well as the very latest in-room technology, including LCD flat-panel televisions and wired and wireless high-speed internet access.

Catering for business and meetings: The hotel’s conference and meetings facilities - which can accommodate up to 450 guests - are located on the ground floor of the hotel, and offer flexible function space and state-of-art audio-visual and communication technology that can be configured to offer up to eight function rooms - all featuring natural daylight. An on-site, 24-hour Business Centre provides a variety of essential support services.

Sumptuous Food and Beverage Offerings: The Doubletree by Hilton Milan is proud to present Glass – an innovative bar and restaurant combination that features some of the finest in Milanese and international cuisine. For those looking to enjoy a gathering place at the end of a busy day, the Glass bar proudly presents the enjoyable Milanese tradition of aperitivo (‘Happy Hour’) each afternoon, offering a range of refreshments accompanied by an array of complimentary snacks.

Hilton operates 12 hotels within the Hilton Family of Brands across Italy, located in key destinations such as Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, Sicily, Sorrento and Matera.

Once again, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers flying over the festive period will qualify for discounts of up to 70% on the normal price.

The Christmas and New Year period is traditionally a time when business people stay at home so airlines have plenty of empty premium seats, which they can only fill by cutting prices.

Canny travellers may be able to fit in a working trip before Christmas, otherwise these deals are ideal for combining leisure with a spot of business. Or you can simply splash out on your holiday break and enjoy premium class at a bargain price.

The deal covers Virgin Atlantic Upper Class flights departing London Heathrow for most of the carrier’s worldwide destinations. Sydney Australia, a popular destination at any time of the year, and the Caribbean points are the exceptions.

Departures are between 20th November and 31st December. But the African destinations do allow departures into 2009.

Examples of return prices are:

• New York (JFK/Newark) £1,204
• Boston £1,304
• Washington DC £1,354
• Chicago £1,554
• Miami £1,484
• Los Angeles/San Francisco £1,704
• Nairobi £1,671
• Cape Town/Johannesburg £2,117
• Delhi and Mumbai £1,400
• Shanghai £2,000
• Hong Kong £2,003
• Tokyo £2,002

Passengers must book at least 28 days ahead and a minimum stay of a Saturday is required. No chauffeur-driven transfers are provided.

This is just one of a number of special offers available via airlines throughout the year. Your Medway Travel Consultant will consider all special deals available when researching the options for your trip. To book, or find out other available options for your next trip, please contact us now.