Business travel

Faced with budgetary difficulties, Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi airline, is expanding its range of paying services in both economy and business class.

Delta Air Lines had long been reluctant to introduce a Premium Economy class, but finally gave in to the spirit of the times by launching the "Premium Select" class on its new Airbus A350. By 2021, all its long-haul aircraft will have a Premium Economy class.

Bombardier's CSeries regional jetliners are now being rebranded as Airbus A220s, a new step for the European aircraft manufacturer as it expands its range to include smaller aircraft with between 100 and 150 seats.

On the face of it, opening a new route seems like one of the most trivial operations for an air carrier. But launching a new service is a long process involving many parameters. Success is not always guaranteed, and the 'luck' factor has to be taken into account.

With ever more efficient connectivity and the advanced integration of smartphone functions into the on-board interface, everything is in place to transform a vehicle into a nomadic extension of an office. Here's how it works.

Since 2 July, Le Club AccorHotels has welcomed members of the Raffles Ambassadors, Fairmont President's Club and Swissôtel Circle loyalty programmes.

Business travel agency Carlson Wagonlit Travel is launching a new system enabling its customers to save up to 2 % on the price of flights and hotel rooms.

Richard McGinnis, France and Benelux Director of Leading Hotels of the World, explains the longevity of the luxury hotel chain and how it has evolved over time.

In future, Brussels Airlines will be even less Belgian than it has been since Lufthansa took a stake in its capital. From next year, three quarters of its activities will be managed from the Eurowings headquarters in Cologne. However, the long-haul business of Eurowings and Brussels Airlines will continue to be managed by a Belgian division.

Partially open since last January, Air France's new Business lounge in Hall L of terminal 2E now boasts a surface area of 3,200 m2 with a chic bar, restaurant and the largest wellness area among the airline's lounges.

With a new terminal for departures, an abundance of shops and restaurants, a jogging track and a coworking space, Gare du Nord is set to be totally reinvented between now and 2024 and the hosting of the Olympic Games in Paris.

Facial recognition could replace traditional check-in at Sydney airport. The airport and Qantas are currently testing this technology on a sample of passengers.

Casablanca will have a new Louvre Hotels complex in September. It will include rooms under the Première Classe, Campanile and Kyriad brands.

For travellers to and from Switzerland, the consolidation of air transport in Europe has mainly benefited Swiss and its competitor easyJet. The two carriers are battling it out for business travellers, but this competition is skewed by a division of services according to airport...

Norwegian continues to attract the interest of traditional airlines. After IAG launched a takeover bid for the company last spring, it is now Lufthansa's turn to declare its interest in this low-cost carrier with its impressive long-haul network. A takeover that could make the German company the most powerful airline in Europe...

Tokyo, Santiago de Chile, Bangalore, Lima and Miami: the Hyatt Centric lifestyle brand is expanding its footprint around the world.

Level, the IAG Group's long-haul low-cost carrier, is launching its first flights from Paris Orly to Montreal on 2 July. Other destinations on offer include Pointe-à-Pitre in July, followed by Fort-de-France and New York from September.

AccorHotels has announced its intention to acquire a 50% stake in sbe Entertainment, the American group that owns the luxury and lifestyle brands SLS, Mondrian and Delano.

With the opening up of TER and TGV services to competition, the rail distribution site has commissioned a study by OpinionWay to find out what the French expect of rail travel and ticket sales in the face of the possible proliferation of operators.

Willemijn Geels, IHG's Vice President for Development in Continental Europe, talks about the openings expected in France and the development of the Group's brands. Starting with the latest addition, Voco.