Airlines
Lufthansa launches private jet service in NA
Lufthansa will introduce its premium Lufthansa Private Jet service to the North American market on Feb. 1, 2012. The move has been made possible by an expanded relationship with NetJets Inc., and the new service builds upon the popular Lufthansa Private Jet product that is already operated in Europe in conjunction with NetJets Europe. Lufthansa Private Jet will provide flights tailored to the customer's itinerary throughout North America on a fleet of aircraft managed and operated by NetJets. Lufthansa Private Jet service in North America is available through an interchange program with...
Fairmont inks mileage agreement with Qatar Airways
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has launched a new marketing alliance with Qatar Airways. As part of the new partnership, Fairmont guests on qualifying stays will now have the opportunity to earn 500 Qmiles or more in Qatar Airways' Privilege Club program. Qualifying stays are subject to hotel availability at published rack, corporate or package rates. Members of Fairmont President's Club will also have the option of earning additional frequent flyer Qmiles....
Priceline ready with Travelport 360
Priceline reports that it has successfuly implemented Travelport's 360 Fares -- the global fares and pricing system that powers all fares and pricing transactions for Travelport's global distribution systems. Built on open systems architecture, Travelport's 360 Fares platform utilizes the latest server technologies to deliver an accurate and comprehensive stream of direct airline and agency filed fares and rules at industry leading fare data load times. Travelport's Mark Ryan said: "Priceline.com is taking advantage of our technical innovation to create significant new opportunities while...
Air France trading on Bluenext
Air France trading on Bluenext Air France has announced that it began trading on Bluenext in January, becoming the 108th member of Bluenext. At the beginning of January this year, all airlines flying to and from Europe were required to cover their carbon dioxide emissions. Air France is the first airline to register for trading in emission rights directly on Bluenext. The carrier indicated that it is "thoroughly prepared for its compliance" and its Bluenext membership is a new expression of its long-lasting environmental commitment." The airline industry is the largest industry -- after the...
ALTA lends a helping hand
During its recent 8th Airline Leaders Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ALTA participants donated US$103,000 to Sociedade Viva Cazuza, a charity benefiting children, as part of a silent auction and fundraiser that took place during the event. In addition, ALTA unveiled its newest charity initiative - the ALTA Helping Hands Program - which is dedicated to raising funds to contribute to the welfare of under-served children communities at the destinations where the ALTA Forum is organized in Latin America and the Caribbean. ALTA's executive director, Alex de Gunten commented: "These donations are...
Get connected with Etihad
Etihad Airways is now offering its passengers inflight connectivity aboard three of its Airbus A330-300s and one of its Airbus A320s. Another connectivity enabled Airbus A320 will be delivered to the carrier in March. On the A320, passengers will have full mobile connectivity, enabling them to use their own mobile phones and Smartphones to make and receive phone-calls, send and receive text messages and emails, and access mobile data services. The A320 is used primarily for short-haul routes throughout the Middle East, and some mid-length routes such as Istanbul, Athens, Minsk, Cochin,...
Delta, WestJet launching code-share service
WestJet and Delta Air Lines have signed a code share deal for flights within the United States and Canada -- further expanding the partnership between the two carriers. The code-share flights are available for purchase now for service beginning Jan. 23, 2012. In 2011, the two carriers introduced an interline agreement that allowed customers to purchase connecting flights on one ticket, receive boarding passes for all segments at their first check-in, and tag bags through to their final destination. Under the first phase of the new code-share agreement, Delta will place its code on WestJet...
Responsible Travel: Industry needs to do more
A newly released survey reports that the global travel and tourism industry could do more for responsible and sustainable tourism. Conducted by SustainIt during the 2011 World Travel Market in London, the survey found that more than 7 out of 10 industry professionals -- including hoteliers, airlines, resorts and tourist attractions -- believed the industry could do more to reduce poverty and support sustainable local economic development in destination communities. It also found that only 18% of companies questioned had sustainable supply chains and procurement policies in place. The survey...