Business Travel Tips

British Airways cabin crew members will go on strike for three days from 20 March and for four days from 27 March.

The union representing British Airways cabin crew confirmed it would not strike over Easter, but warned there could be further action after 14 April if a resolution had not been agreed, BBC reports.

About fight cancellations, BBC quoted BA saying all flights to and from London City Airport would be unaffected by strike action, as would all long-haul flights from Gatwick […] Some short-haul Gatwick flights within the UK and Europe would be cancelled, while some short and long-haul flights to and from Heathrow would also be affected.

Consumer group Which? said passengers should be able to get their money back if they are directly affected by the strike, but only once their specific flight has been officially cancelled. (source)

US Airways announced four new nonstop routes, two to Canada and two to Mexico.

The new service will originate from the airline’s Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C. hubs.

On May 31, US Airways will begin daily, year-round service from its largest hub to Ottawa on a 50-seat CRJ-200 regional jet operated by US Airways Express partner Air Wisconsin. As for Halifax, US Airways say the service will begin from Philadelphia on June 1.

On June 5, year-round service will commence to Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, Mexico; both routes will operate on an Airbus A319 aircraft with seating for 124 customers (12 First Class, 112 main cabin). The new service to Mexico complements US Airways’ existing service to both cities from its Phoenix hub.

Customers can start booking their travel beginning March 13.

WestJet has launched its frequent-flier program.
Canada’s second-biggest carrier said that its loyalty program is mostly offering dollars off flights and holiday packages.
The dollars can be used as cash to pay for a flight on any date to any destination. There are no blackouts or seat restrictions on the reward flights.

- WestJet vs Air Canada

WestJet is also attempting to lure Air Canada customers away from the 25-year-old Aeroplan frequent flier program by persuading consumers to participate in a new program that offers rewards once an individual traveller spends more than $1,500 on WestJet flights annually.

Patrick Sojka, chief executive officer at rewardscanada.ca, which tracks a wide range of loyalty programs, said the main drawback of the WestJet frequent guest program is the relatively high threshold of minimum annual spending on WestJet flights.
He said Aeroplan still provides a greater number of options for consumers, especially through Air Canada’s membership in the Star Alliance of carriers.
WestJet is gradually building its airline partnerships, but it could be years before consumers are able to have access to a worldwide network. (source)

Continental Airlines will start new service to Hawaii on March 7 — from Los Angeles and Orange County to Maui and a flight between Orange County and Honolulu.

- Schedule -

- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) - Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) (daily service)
Departure at 5:05PM and arrival at 8:45PM. The return flight will depart Maui at 10:15PM and arrive at Los Angeles at 5:45AM next day.

- Orange County - Maui (four times weekly)
Departure at 5:40PM and arrival at Maui’s Kahului Airport at 9:25PM. The return flight will depart Maui at 12:10AM and arrive at Orange County at 07:45AM

- Orange County to Honolulu (daily service)
Departure at 09:00AM and arrival in Honolulu at 12:45PM. The return flight will depart Maui at 2:00PM and arrive at Orange County at 9:35PM.

International scheduled air traffic is showing further improvement according to the statistics for January 2010 released by IATA — International Air Transport Association.

International passenger demand in January 2010 was up 6.4% when compared to the previous year. With passenger capacity increased by 1.2%, load factor has reached 75.9%, up from the 72.2% recorded for January 2009.

The figures for International cargo show demand in January 2010 was up 28.3%. With cargo capacity increased by 3.7%, load factor is at 49.6%.

IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 230 airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic.
Explanation of measurement terms:
- RPK: Revenue Passenger Kilometres measures actual passenger traffic;
- ASK: Available Seat Kilometres measures available passenger capacity;
- PLF: Passenger Load Factor is % of ASKs used. In comparison of 2009 to 2008, PLF indicates point differential between the periods compared;
- FTK: Freight Tonne Kilometres measures actual freight traffic;
- AFTK: Available Freight Tonne Kilometres measures available total freight capacity;
- FLF: Freight Load Factor is % of AFTKs used
(source: IATA).