Business Travel News |
Virgin Atlantic changes to pre-assigned seating
With immediate effect, passengers with pre-assigned seats, who have not checked in online 13 hours prior to departure, will lose their pre-assigned seat. This new policy will only affect passengers in Economy class on all London Heathrow departing flights.
Continental Airlines introduce new flat bed seats
Continental Airlines has introduced new flat bed seats, reclining 180 degrees and controlled electronically, in their Business-First Class service aboard it's Boeing 777 and 757-200 aircraft.
FLYBE codeshare agreement with Air France
Flybe have announced a major landmark deal with Air France, effective from Autumn 2010. This exciting new relationship means that you will be able to book on an additional five routes between the UK and France as well as seven new domestic French routes and eleven international routes.
The new routes include: Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Newcastle to Paris Charles de Gualle and Birmingham to Lyons.
Earn cash-back when flying Lufthansa
As a member of Star Alliance, your company could earn cash back by flying Lufthansa! For more details please email: sales@acetravel.co.uk
Germanwings launch Hanover service from Stansted
Germanwings has launched a service from London Stansted to Hanover. Flights are twice daily from Monday to Friday, departing 07.50 and 20.15
Low fares with Eurostar!
Travel from Eurostar from London to Paris from as little as £69 return and to Lille and Brussels from just £129 return. Please contact ACE Travel for further information.
Meteor Meet & Greet Parking
ACE Travel Management can arrange your Airport Parking with a meet & greet service comparable to ordinary parking rates.
British Airways/Qantas terminal move at London Heathrow
British Airways and Qantas flights to and from Bangkok, Singapore and Australia have moved from London Heathrow Terminal 4 to the newly refurbished, London Heathrow Terminal 3.
British Airways has scrapped short-haul meals
British Airways has scrapped all free meals, with the exception of breakfast, on its short-haul flights which last less than two hours.
Passengers on flights after 10am which last less than two hours will only be served drinks and snacks.
Health Screening Card for Indian Visa Applications - Swine Flu
The Indian High Commission has introduced a Health Screening card which they are advising all visa applicants should complete and include with their applications. This is effective immediately and is being requested in connection with the current swine flu screening at Indian International airports.
At present it has been advised that it is compulsory only that the Health Screening card is carried throughout travel to India, though strongly recommended that this is also completed and included with all Indian visa applications.
Please visit http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/ for more information, alternatively please contact ACE Travel.
Changes to visa-free travel to the US
From 12 January 2009 it became compulsory for customers travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) no later than 72 hours prior to departure. This online form will replace the green visa waiver form (I94W) which is currently completed whilst en-route to the US.
Customers should visit the website http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and fill in the required information. In most cases a response will be received within seconds determining whether travel to the US has been authorised. If the application is not authorised then a visa may be requested through the US Embassy.
BA/Virgin Fuel Surcharge Price Fixing
After a legal settlement, passengers are entitled to a partial refund on the fuel surcharge element on long haul tickets purchased with Virgin Atlantic and most British Airways flights purchased between 11th August 2004 and 23rd March 2006.
Further details can be found at www.airpassengerrefund.co.uk
You have been able to make your claim since 14th July 2008 by using the above website.
ACE Travel are able to provide details of long haul flights purchased with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic within this period. The information provided will allow you to claim any partial refund to which you may be entitled. A nominal administration fee of £25 will apply.
UK Immigration Service's new IRIS programme
There is a way to quicken your exit from the airport - the UK Immigration Service's new IRIS programme. This is a service where you register the iris of your eye, which is then photographed when you go to new unmanned Immigration barriers, alongside the existing Immigration barriers. the barrier then opens and lets you through. The exit process takes about two seconds!
You can apply to use IRIS if you are:
a permanent resident of the UK
permitted to enter or remain in the UK for more than six months and that you have more than two months left of your leave to enter or remain
IRIS is already available in the following UK airport terminals:
London Heathrow Airport - Terminals 1,2,3,4
London Gatwick - North Terminal (South Terminal due mid-April)
Manchester Airport - Terminals 1,2
Birmingham Airport - Terminal 1
You must register by going to the designated area of the departure lounge at any participating airport. The process takes just five minutes as Home Office Immigration officers record your passport information and UK Immigration status on a database along with a photograph of your iris pattern.
To obtain more information on the IRIS Programme, visit www.iris.gov.uk
British Airways flights with On Business
If you are an "On Business" member with British Airways, you can now use your corporate reward points for upgrading your flight. A great deal for business and corporate travellers, to be able to buy an economy flight to New York and upgrade to World Traveller Plus. Terms and conditions apply. Email res@acetravel.co.uk for further information.
Have you checked your visa requirements?
With the world ever changing, the need to check your visa requirements is even more important. ACE Travel Management do provide a full passport and visa service and are happy to investigate your visa requirements for your next destination. Please ask us for more details.
Further legislation for passengers travelling to the US
Please be aware that US Government Legislation now requires ALL passengers entering the United States to provide details of their destination address.
Destination address has been defined as the address where a passenger will spend their first night in the US. In the case of those travelling to the US and returning within the same day, the destination address should be where they are visiting during the day.
For further information on the changing rules with regard travel to the US, please contact ACE Travel Management.
Advance Passenger Information - What it is and why it is necessary
Advance Passenger Information (APIS) was originally introduced by the U.S authorities as a means of speeding up immigration procedures, whereby airlines supplied passport information for passengers, enabling routine checks to be made before their arrival.
Since the tragic events of September 11 2001, there has been additional focus upon providing information about airline passengers for security reasons.
The law now requires all airlines to collect Advance Passenger Information (APIS) for all passengers before travel to and from the USA and certain other countries.
APIS Information that is required:
Passport number
Citizenship
Country of issue
Passport expiration date
Full name as it appears on the passport
Date of birth
Country of residence
Local contact details - mobile phone no. and/or e-mail address
All airlines are required to collect APIS information. Failure to provide this will result in travellers not being accepted to travel.
ACE Travel Management is taking this opportunity to ensure that all our travellers Personal Profiles are updated with all relevant information. We are also implementing a quarterly review of the profiles to reflect circumstance change.
Please e-mail us at res@acetravel.co.uk to request the new Personal Traveller Profile form and more details on Advance Passenger Information.
Gift Vouchers for ACE Travel
ACE Travel offer Travel Vouchers which can be used towards flights, hotels, theatre tickets and much more. Why not offer an incentive to staff members with the reward of an ACE Travel Voucher? Please contact ACE Travel to tailor-make your voucher to suit your requirements.
Other services - Low Cost Carriers, Hotels and Car Hire
Please contact ACE Travel for extremely competitive hotel and car parking rates at your departure airport. Booking car parking in advance saves pounds on the standard daily rate, and you are guaranteed a space. Why not try chauffeur parking? where you will be met at the departure terminal by a uniformed chauffeur who will be waiting to take your car to one of the on airport car parks, the chauffeur will also be waiting at the terminal when you return. We also book low-cost airlines for those looking for the cheap alternative way to travel.
If you have an early departure flight please enquire about staying at an airport hotel the night before. We are able to offer very cost effective hotel and car parking packages.