Cheap Business Class Airline Blogs: March 2010,Business travel,Flights

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Business Class Travel News

Sunday, March 14, 2010

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Friday, March 12, 2010

24-hr Flight for World Cup by South Africa Airlines

South African Airways (SAA) has decided to increase capacity to operate a 24-hour flight schedule to provide accommodation for the various match times and people willing to move around for the FIFA 2010 World Cup.The plan arises as the airline has indicated moves to divulge cheaper flights for fans in the run-up to the World Cup,which will be held between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa.

Thobi Duma, SAA Country Manager, Nigeria revealed that the 24-hour schedule will be essential as some games begin at 20:30 in the evening and could finish as late as 23:30 pm in some cases.Duma said that the airline had till now adapted its normal flight schedule to add additional flights to all destinations in its current domestic network.

Duma explained that the carrier has opened all seats till now in full economy and business class fares and demand for these has been very high.She also added that the 24/7 operations will fit in with its present operations where it serves a host of destinations around the clock.She said that it will be a major challenge to operate its domestic fleet in this manner, and SAA is confident that it will be able to pull it off.SAA has also partnered with Match, the official FIFA provider of tickets, accommodation and logistics for this year's world cup, where they will use numerous one way flights on SAA's aircraft.

Labels: business class fares, business class tickets, South African Airlines

Monday, March 8, 2010

WestJet Airlines Disclosed Credit Card and Frequent Flyer Program

WestJet Airlines Ltd. revealed lately its credit card and frequent-flyer programs as it competes with rival Air Canada for more profitable business travellers.These programs were initially to be launched last June,but were put on hold.

From now on customers will be able to earn WestJet dollars for purchases they make on a new Royal Bank MasterCard, that can be used for flights or vacation packages.Additonally ,the dollars earned can also be put in the direction of seat sales and will not be a part of blackouts or seat restrictions.

WestJet executive vice-president Bob Cummings stated that travellers who fly between 4 and 20 times a year are looking for a "simple currency" in their journey rewards program.He also added that the system has also been designed keeping this view in mind.The airline is providing two diverse RBC-branded MasterCard reward programs. One proffers rewards of 1.5 per cent in WestJet dollars, as well as travel insurance, hotel discounts and upgrades for a yearly fee of $79. It is available with an opening bonus of 100 WestJet dollars. Another earns cardholders one per cent back in WestJet dollars for a yearly fee of $39. This particular card has 25 WestJet dollars to begin with.

WestJet,which wants to lure business customers from rival Air Canada, is also offering a loyalty program for customers who spend more than $1,500 each year on WestJet flights. For example, at the $6,000 threshold, a regular guest would get a companion fare anywhere WestJet flies.Cummings also conveyed that WestJet is in the process of increasing its fleet from 88 to 134 planes.

Labels: Air Canada, Business Travel, WestJet Airlines

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Airlines Proffer Novel Luxuries to Lure First Class Fliers

Delta and American, the world's two largest airlines, are depending on lie-flat seats in order to win back profitable customers.With the reduction of an 18-month global crash in first as well as business class travel, Delta's seats that recline 180 degrees into beds and American's Asian-fusion appetizers are lures for the business passengers whose ranks diminished when the worldwide recession ravaged budgets for international flying.

Filling the finest seats at the front of airplane cabins is essential to U.S. airlines labors to return to profit in 2010 after weak demand compelled them into discounting to entice vacationers.Business fliers are cherished as they normally pay the maximum prices and take to the air more often.

Chris McGinnis,editor of The BAT,a San Francisco-based newsletter and blog for regular travelers commented that in case your flying to Japan or Seoul,it makes a lot of difference to really relax,sleep and arrive rested and all prepared to carry on with business.You would really feel pampered during your journey.

Labels: American Airlines, Business class, Delta Airlines

Monday, March 1, 2010

Improvement in Business travel demand : United Airlines Corporation

The chief financial officer of United Airlines parent, UAL Corp, Kathryn Mikells recently stated that the demand for business travel on U.S. airlines is on the road to recovery but will not be able to reach pre-recession levels this year.

Mikells explained at the Reuters Travel and Leisure Summit that there is insufficient data to suggest how the present recovery in business travel demand is different from previous recessions.The airline industry has been affected in the last year by a recession that eroded travel demand and hindered carriers' ability to increase fares.

But Mikells also added that the airline industry has obtained some pricing power due to industry wide capacity cuts in 2008 and 2009 and is on the edge of raising fares, despite unsuccessful attempts earlier this year to raise ticket prices.She said at the moment UAL has no plans to reintroduce capacity into the system .

Labels: Business Travel, Kathryn Mikells, United Airlines business class