One way travel managers and management companies earn their stripes is guiding travelers through trip disruptions. Better still is helping them avoid such snafus. Using predictive analytics, that’s Flightsayer’s game. Some beta testers are intrigued. Better-known in corporate travel circles, FlightStats also is working on predictive analytics. It’s keeping a lot of that close to the vest for… Read More »
[UPDATE, April 19, 2017: Rebooking service Freebird announced reseller deals with Altour, Options Travel, Safe Harbors Business Travel, Short’s Travel Management, Travel and Transport and Upside Travel. It also picked up additional funding from venture capital firms General Catalyst and Accomplice, and named industry vet Ellen Keszler as another advisor and investor.] Did today’s blizzard in the Northeast wreck… Read More »
Delta Air Lines’ operational woes this week appear to be behind it, but financial ramifications still need tallying. The airline’s clients wonder if compensation for their organizations will be part of that. FlightStats data seem to indicate that the answer for now would be no. The U.S. airline industry has envied Delta’s operation for years. The emboldened airline… Read More »
[UPDATE, June 28, 2017: United Airlines next month will make available through an online portal a new set of features for corporate clients and travel agencies. A key addition is detailed data on ancillary spending. United managing director of sales resources Karen Catlin said such reports have been in beta tests with a few big customers but otherwise… Read More »
BCD Travel is working with undisclosed partners to help clients process compensation claims when airlines fail to meet regulatory standards for service. European Commission Regulation 261/2004 calls for varying payouts on cancellations, long delays or involuntary denied boarding. The new BCD program applies to travel to, within and (on EU carriers) from Europe. It’s available to clients there but the… Read More »
If you’re a global travel manager and have not heard from your big travel management company about “proactive care” or “disruption services,” you likely will. American Express Global Business Travel and Carlson Wagonlit Travel are rolling out programs now. BCD Travel has had one for three years. The details differ, but what’s behind them is the same: operational intel and tracking from… Read More »
American and Delta failed to renew their agreement on interlining, a longtime practice enabling a single ticket for flights on multiple, unaligned airlines and associated baggage transfers. It also allows a carrier to reaccommodate a competitor’s disrupted passengers. Corporate travel repercussions from the AA-Delta interline gap will be limited, but in some cases may cause inconvenience and added cost. When travelers book a negotiated rate (or any other… Read More »
With parts of the United States finally thawed after another nasty winter, weary travelers can breathe a little easier. But cancellations are something airlines think about year-round. To better reaccommodate disrupted passengers, they are employing the next generation of internal automated rebooking systems and new processes for travel management companies. Some airlines at first sought to rebook as many passengers as possible… Read More »