Business travel

Emirates is to increase the capacity of its flights to and from Paris by installing a two-class A380 on the route between Dubai and the French capital.

Onefinestay and Sweet Inn continue to expand. While the AccorHotels subsidiary specialising in private luxury flat rentals is adding San Francisco to its list of destinations, Sweet Inn is raising new funds to accelerate its growth.

The United States is reportedly considering extending the ban on laptops - known as the "laptop ban" or "electronics ban" - to flights from all over Europe. - on flights from all over Europe. This plan is already provoking an outcry from the business travel industry.

London is the most connected destination in the world, according to an fDi Benchmark study. Despite Brexit, the British capital is determined to maintain its status as a crossroads for international business travel.

The number of errors in baggage handling fell sharply in 2016, according to "The Baggage Report" published by specialist SITA. The only downside was in Europe, where errors actually increased last year.

Since 3 May, British Airways has been linking Montpellier airport to London Heathrow. The British airline had deserted the Languedoc hub in 2007.

Hotel rates rose overall in Q1 2017, according to the Hotel Price Radar Barometer published on 2 May by HRS Global Hotel Solutions.

Finnair is trialling facial recognition at Helsinki airport to speed up the journey for frequent travellers. The test phase begins on 2 May.

Work has started on the future Innside by Melia at Paris CDG. Expected to open in 2019, the Spanish group's hotel is part of the growth in the hotel offer near the Paris hub.

Jet Airways will soon be adding a new route to India from Paris: Chennai will be served from October. The Indian carrier's offer has also been revised upwards to Amsterdam.

Eurostar and Sony are experimenting with the first "Sound Menu": five playlists tailored to passengers' objectives during their journey, particularly if they are on business.

Alitalia employees have rejected yet another rescue plan. Will the company be able to fly much longer when it is losing €500,000 a day? One solution could be to follow the model of Malaysia Airlines, saved from bankruptcy in 2014 at the cost of further heavy sacrifices. Unless bankruptcy can create a new national carrier...

Traditional in-flight entertainment systems are now being challenged by solutions designed for travellers' nomadic devices, paving the way for ever more... in-flight entertainment.

Viparis and AccorHotels are joining forces to tackle the events industry through a partnership unveiled on 25 April. The two French MICE players share the same ambition: to make Paris a more attractive destination for hosting international events.

President Trump's unconditional support for US airlines in their confrontation with Gulf carriers - which some would regard as disguised hostility - is the main factor behind a reduction in Emirates' flights to the United States. 

Iberia presented its new Premium Economy cabin on 20 April. The cabin will be available on board five Airbus aircraft this summer.

Just renovated, the Renaissance Paris La Défense is helping to boost the expansion of the business district around the Grande Arche.

Uber for Business is launching Central, a new tool that extends access to the VTC service beyond the app. Benjamin Chino, Head of Product Operations, explains the brand's strategy and plans for the coming months. Interview by Florian Guillemin

Toronto airport has big ambitions, and hopes to handle 80 million passengers by 2035. The airport could benefit from the new protectionism in the United States, provided that travellers have a smoother journey.

The TGV AIR network is expanding: Air India is joining this combined rail-air offer, opening up to 19 French cities in the regions.