Author: David Jonas

David Jonas in 2006 co-founded business media firm ProMedia.travel after ten years as a journalist with Business Travel News. David rejoined BTN in 2010 as executive editor when its parent company acquired ProMedia, and in 2014 co-created The Company Dime. David has a bachelor's degree in communications from Cornell University.

United Move Prompts Some Buyers To Again Find Direct Channel Insufficient

Surprised to find last week that United Airlines made their negotiated rates available to travelers via its website and mobile app, some corporate travel buyers took a closer look at functionality the airline built to support their needs. While United has done more than some other carriers to legitimize supplier-direct channels for managed travel, “better than nothing” isn’t going to…

Spotnana Gets Walmart Nod As Partner CWT Trades Equity For Reduced Debt

Retail giant Walmart began a pilot with Spotnana to make use of airline NDC distribution. “We have decided that we are going to roll out through Spotnana starting with some of our U.S. travelers,” said Theresa Gehler, global travel procurement director for the $611 billion retailer, during a Thursday Spotnana-sponsored webinar hosted by The BTN Group. “It will be in…

AA, Alaska End Joint Corporate Sales

Oneworld partners American Airlines and Alaska Airlines no longer coordinate corporate sales for mutual accounts. They did not give a reason or say how many customers were impacted. “We are sunsetting our joint contract agreement with American Airlines, but it will take some time to work through the processes,” according to an Alaska Airlines media relations representative. “We’ll be working…

Exogenous Factors Stymie Big Three Airline Competition

Major carriers face ongoing pilot shortages, air traffic control deficiencies, aircraft supply chain and engine troubles, and softer domestic demand. Where they are adding capacity, it’s in their strength markets, primarily with bigger planes and denser seat configurations. Southwest’s growth in major markets notwithstanding, the big carriers are staying out of each other’s way. American, Delta and United are “playing…

AA Again Snubs Managed Corporate Travel

An American Airlines exec said the carrier’s new loyalty program rewarding both travelers and employers was squarely focused on small and medium-sized enterprises. But buyer anecdotes and the company’s own program materials tell a different story. Moreover, that the program is available only on website or mobile app bookings was seen as a slap in the face to intermediaries that…

As Hotel Rates Rise, Buyers Seek Partnership On Wellness, Safety, Sustainability

Pharmaceutical company Alkermes is looking for hotels that offer a safe jogging path. At IBM, the security team questions potential preferred properties. Automation Anywhere wants some favors on the meetings side for space or flexible terms. It’s a challenging rate environment, but there’s more than one way for corporate buyers to find value in lodging relationships. “It’s not all about…

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