The International Air Transport Association disallows travel agencies from using their own credit cards for purchasing airline tickets on clients’ behalf. If an IATA proposal to revise its rules gains approval from members, that prohibition will be history. Even if IATA members approve the amendment at a conference in November, though, Lufthansa Group seems to have no interest… Read More »
U.S. authorities this week said an expanded “laptop ban” is “still on the table.” A prohibition on large personal electronic devices in passenger cabins on all transatlantic flights would decimate productivity. The International Air Transport Association estimated the impact at $1.1 billon annually. How did it come up with that number? Moreover, do corporate travel managers work out… Read More »
[UPDATE, May 26, 2017: IAG informed industry partners that British Airways and Iberia would add a $10 fee as of Nov. 1, essentially for each one-way trip, on tickets purchased in global distribution systems. The fee will be displayed as a “Q charge” in fare constructions, and included in itinerary fare quotes. Refunds will align with the rules of the… Read More »
It’s hard not to gush over the new business travel app from ETA Inc., a startup that enjoyed investment from the International Air Transport Association’s NDC Innovation Fund. With travel distribution legend Jeff Katz and other Orbitz vets among its investors and advisors, ETA has produced a slick app. No two ways about it. The app remains in limited beta… Read More »
A group of political heavyweights from yesteryear wants the United States to introduce a carbon tax to help cut greenhouse gas emissions. Surprisingly, they’re conservative Republicans. Unsurprisingly, airline trade associations aren’t interested. Including a corresponding carbon dividend for Americans, the plan comes from the newly launched Climate Leadership Council. Former cabinet members James Baker, Henry Paulson, Jr., and George… Read More »
NDC In Corporate Travel April 13, 2017 Download the recording here. Gift the recording here. Get the slides here. Many in the business travel community know the general idea behind the International Air Transport Association’s New Distribution Capability. It’s not only for direct channels. It could improve access to airline services. What else does NDC mean for corporate travel providers and programs? When is it coming? Tackling these and… Read More »
Airline reservations and global distribution systems create passenger name records. Airlines issue tickets. Electronic miscellaneous documents account for ancillary sales. This multitude of records, ticket numbers and reservation numbers complicates revenue accounting and can confuse travelers. The International Air Transport Association is working on a better way, which corporate buyers and travel management companies may get a look at next… Read More »
[UPDATE, May 26, 2017: IAG informed industry partners that British Airways and Iberia would add a $10 fee as of Nov. 1, essentially for each one-way trip, on tickets purchased in global distribution systems. The fee will be displayed as a “Q charge” in fare constructions, and included in itinerary fare quotes. Refunds will align with the rules of the… Read More »
Some think an obvious consequence of dramatically lower fuel prices is lower airfares. But it’s not that simple. It may not even be likely. “Lower fuel prices translate into lower operating costs for airlines, and, sometimes, air carriers pass along these savings to travelers in the form of lower air ticket prices,” according to an ARC/Expedia report published… Read More »