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Spotlight on . . .
Concerned by public perception of meetings and
events as frivolous, some corporations are opting
to meet in places that may look like a bargain but
actually cost more. An Association of Corporate
Travel Executives survey of business managers found
companies are factoring political correctness into
their calculations.
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60% would avoid a “resort”
destination like Las Vegas even if the resort city
were a better deal than a non-leisure destination.
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38% said public perception is now
a key factor in choosing a meeting site.
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62% said it would take a dramatic
increase in their own business or an increase in
projects that required meetings for them to increase
the number of meetings and conferences they attend.
(Source: Association of Corporate Travel Executives
press release. )
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Continental Airlines is close to winning preliminary
approval from US regulators to co-operate with United Airlines
and its global allies on transcontinental ventures. The airlines
sought immunity last summer from US antitrust rules that would
have limited Continental's ability to co-ordinate schedules
and share revenue with its new partners in the Star Alliance,
which includes United, Lufthansa and Air Canada. As United
and Continental form closer ties through their transcontinental
venture, the two carriers may revisit merger discussions that
were abandoned amid concerns that acquisition costs would
overwhelm balance sheets weakened by fuel prices, people familiar
with their plans said. (Source: Financial Times)
CEO Gary Kelly said that he does not agree with Wall Street
analysts that charging fees for checked baggage will help
the airline, stating that, instead, the move would drive away
customers. He said the airline's ability to retain customers
is far better than those carriers charging the fees. "Southwest
is a very well-known brand and it would be disruptive to all
of the things we're doing to build the brand. You just risk
losing customers. I don't see any reason for us to panic based
on the first-quarter results. Not charging bag fees is no
difference than not charging $400 Minneapolis-to-Chicago one-way.
We don't want to be another airline that nickels and dimes
customers," he said.
Delta Air Lines’ absorption of Northwest
Airlines has moved to the frontline. Nearly 40,000 flight
attendants, pilots, airport lounge representatives, ticket
counter and gate agents now are wearing Delta livery. New
Delta signs are now up at more than 400 ticket counters, gates
and baggage claim areas at three hub airports in Detroit,
Memphis and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Delta has already rebranded
119 other airports worldwide. By the end of next year, all
Northwest planes will be painted Delta colors. The two carriers
have already synchronized flight schedules and route maps.
(Source: Delta press release).
Delta Air Lines is offering SkyMiles and Northwest WorldPerks
members up to triple flown miles toward elite status on select
fares purchased for travel through June 15. Travelers will
earn triple miles on first, business and premium economy fares;
double miles on discounted economy fares. Travelers will earn
actual miles on deeply discounted fares. The bonus applies
only to miles counting towards Medallion or Elite status.
Medallion and Elite Qualification Segments—another way
to qualify for elite status—are not included. To qualify
for Medallion status, fliers must earn 25,000 qualified miles.
(Source: Delta press release).
It’s getting easier to stay connected
in flight. American Airlines will install Gogo Inflight Internet
on more than 300 domestic aircraft over the next two years.
It already has Wi-Fi on 15 of its 767-200s, which are primarily
used on nonstops between New York’s JFK and San Francisco,
Los Angeles and Miami. It will install the service on 150
MD-80 aircraft this year and then move on to its Boeing 737-800
fleet. The cost is $12.95 for flights more than three hours,
$9.95 for flights three hours or less and $7.95 for a pass
for customers using a handheld device on flights of any length
(Source: American press release).
Southwest Airlines has introduced priority
security lane access for its Business Select and Rapid Reward
A-list customers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
It’s already in place at several other Southwest airports,
including Baltimore/Washington International, Dallas Love
Field, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Orange County John
Wayne, Denver International, San Francisco International,
and Los Angeles International. It will continue to add it
as needed. (Source: Southwest press release).
Hertz is offering 50% off weekend rentals through
June 30 at participating airports in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
It’s also offering a “Weekender,” that includes
an attractive rate, free child’s seat, no drop-off fee
for one-way rentals and up to three days of Hertz NeverLost
service. (Source: Hertz).
Summit Travel Group is committed to providing you with useful
information on the latest developments in the travel industry.
The preceding information has been compiled from a variety
of sources and is updated monthly.
www.summittravelgroup.com
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Continental
poised for Star Alliance approval