Airlines
Austrian expands red|cab service
Austrian red|cab, a personal service designed to transport Austrian Airlines passengers from their homes or hotels to the airport and back, will soon not just be offering the red|cab service in Vienna, but also in more than 30 other of its destinations, including Dubai, New York, Bangkok, Paris, Moscow and many others. Austrian passengers need to order the transfer service online, up to two days before their departure. The cost of the red|cab service varies, depending on the flight destination....
NDC: IATA’s new vision of distribution
Finance, safety, security, taxes, regulation and more were on the agenda during IATA's global media day in Geneva, Switzerland. Yet the focus of attention was on the airline industry association's New Distribution Capability (NDC) plan. In his opening remarks at the event, IATA's director general and CEO, Tony Tyler observed, "In October we reviewed our Simplifying the Business (StB) program. In the beginning StB was focused on improving service and cutting costs. With that we delivered e-ticketing, bar-coded boarding passes and self-service kiosks. Those enabled a wave of Self-Service...
Report charts a changing landscape
IATA has released a new study that identifies some of the major trends that are transforming the travel distribution landscaped. "The Future of Airline Distribution -- A Look Ahead to 2017" was commissioned by IATA and written by Henry H. Harteveldt, co-founder of Atmosphere Research Group. The study reports that: !!! Travel is the largest e-commerce category, led by airline ticket sales. In the US, it's estimated that business and leisure travellers will spend $85.7 billion online for airline in 2012. !!! The typical travel shopper visits 22 web sites in "multiple shopping sessions" before...
Heathrow Terminal 2 new home of Star Alliance
Star Alliance has given the thumbs up to yesterday's announcement by Heathrow Airport to designate Terminal 2 as the new home for its member carriers serving one of the world's most important international airports. "We are delighted by [the] decision, which gives the green light for creating a new travel experience for our customers and allows our members airlines to operate an efficient hub in London,"said Mark Schwab, CEO Star Alliance. "After many years of intensive planning for a world leading alliance terminal together with Colin Matthew's team at Heathrow, we can now shift into...
WestJet signs Catalyst Accord
WestJet has signed the Catalyst Accord, a call to action for Canadian corporations to increase the overall proportion of FP500 board seats held by women to 25% by 2017. Catalyst is the leading non-profit organization expanding opportunities for women and business. "We're pleased to have signed the Catalyst Accord,"said WestJet president Gregg Saretsky. "As part of our ongoing diversity and inclusion vision, we strive to be an industry leader in our human resource practices. Signing this agreement re-commits and solidifies our commitment to a balance of qualified men and women working in, and...
Air Canada Athlete of the Year Award
Air Canada has announced Canadian women's soccer player, Christine Sinclair, as the recipient of the first annual Air Canada Athlete of the Year Award. As recipient of this award, she will receive two complimentary Executive First tickets to anywhere in the world Air Canada flies, as well as year-long Super Elite membership privileges for two in Air Canada's Altitude program. In selecting Sinclair for the award, Air Canada president Calin Rovinescu, said, "Christine is a true ambassador for sport in Canada. Her performance, leadership and courage have come to the fore on many occasions and...
Delta, Virgin Atlantic plan alliance
Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd have put together a deal that will see the two carriers form a new joint venture that will create an expanded trans-Atlantic network and enhance competition between the U.K. and North America. As part of the new joint venture agreement, Delta will invest $360 million in Virgin Atlantic, acquiring a 49% currently held by Singapore Airlines. Virgin Group and Sir Richard Branson will retain the majority 51% stake and Virgin Atlantic Airways will retain its brand and operating certificate. Highlights of the deal include: !!! A fully integrated joint...
Air Canada, SAA sign codeshare agreement
Air Canada and South African Airways (SAA) have signed a codeshare agreement that will make it substantially easier for customers to travel between Canada and South Africa. Effective Dec. 13, customers connecting between the carriers in London or New York will be able to book a single itinerary and make seamless connections. In addition, as both airlines belong to the Star Alliance, customers can benefit from reciprocal frequent flier accumulation or redemption and lounge access for eligible customers. SAA will codeshare on Air Canada-operated flights between London and Vancouver, London and...