Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2023 i Business Traveller

RADISSON HOTEL GROUP has announced plans for the first property under its prizeotei brand in the UK and Ireland region. The 145-room prizeotel Dublin will be located on James Street in the city's Liberties district, and is expected to open in the first quarter of 2025. Features will include a restaurant and bar in the ground floor lobby area, and rooms "decorated in a mix of urban style and relaxed ambience" Radisson describes prizeotel as "a value engineered, high-design-focused brand for tech-savvy, connected midscale lifestyle travellers in vibrant, urban locations offering convertible, flexible spaces" In its most recent press release Radisson said that "additional openings and signings in exciting European destinations will be announced soon with a particular focus on the UK and Ireland."…

FINNAIR HAS INTRODUCED a new Superlight ticket as of June 1 that replaces Economy Light on journeys within Europe. Passengers on this ticket may only bring one small bag that can fit under the seat. The baggage allowance in business class has also been reduced on all flights. Business Light tickets now include just one carry-on bag and one small bag, but no checked luggage, while Business Classic and Flex tickets will have a carry-on allowance and just one checked bag. Other changes include reductions to baggage-related Finnair Plus tier benefits as well as the removal of complimentary seat-selection at check-in. More Finnair Plus Points will also be required to upgrade or purchase reward flights from June 15 onwards.…

HILTON HAS OPENED the latest London hotel under its budget Hampton brand, situated on the eastern edge of the City of London. The 278-room Hampton by Hilton London City is located on Osborn Street close to Aldgate East Underground station. Brand standards include free wifi and hot breakfast. The hotel also has an open-concept communal lounge and a bar area, as well as a fitness centre with Peloton bikes. Hilton currently operates around 2,900 Hampton properties in 33 countries, having reached the milestone of 2,500 hotels in 2019. The group is also set to open the 107-room Hampton by Hilton London Old Street this summer, located on Westland Place around five minutes' walk from Old Street Underground and rail station.…

UNITED AIRLINES PLANS to triple its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) this year. The airline hopes to use ten million gallons of SAF in 2023, about three times more than last year. This comes as United begins to use a blend of SAF on flights departing San Francisco International airport, with London Heathrow expected to receive deliveries later this year too. Emirates, meanwhile, has committed US$200 million to fund research and development projects focused on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation. Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates, said, “We are ring-fencing US$200 million to invest in advanced fuel and energy solutions, which is where airlines currendy face the biggest impediment in reducing our environmental impact.” The airline will identify partnerships with leading organisations working on solutions…

UPFRONT LUXURY RENTAL BRAND onefinestay has launched an exclusive partnership with the London-based theatre group Revels in Hand to offer guests the chance to book private performances in the collection's 508 properties in the UK and the US, The collaboration will see travellers request personalised performances featuring West End actors, writers and directors, with productions spanning scenes from William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream to immersive treasure hunts and dramas written specifically for the occasion, The performances are available to book through onefinestay's concierge services in the UK and US, and the team can further enhance the event with features such as private chefs and event tableware,…

DESTINATION Liverpool has long attracted visitors keen to soak up the city’s footballing and music culture, but it has come a long way since my student days in the 1990s, when boarded up houses were still a common sight. In 2003 Liverpool won its bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008, and there has been significant regeneration including the Liverpool One development, which succeeded in linking the city centre with the historic docklands. This in turn has led to the arrival of several international hotel brands, including the Hilton Liverpool in 2010, IHG’s Hotel Indigo in 2011, and Accor’s Pullman Liverpool in 2016. All eyes were on the city last month when Liverpool Arena hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 on behalf of the Ukraine, and we have…

I n the UK we can thank the rail privatisation in the 90s for the development of‘open-access’ operators. The idea behind open-access was to provide the incumbent train operating companies (TOCs) with some competition, and ultimately lead to passenger benefits. But matters haven’t quite worked as intended, with open-access mainline operators still fairly rare. In the UK, this includes Grand Central, Heathrow Express, Hull Trains and Lumo. Unlike TOCs, who pay the government hefty franchise fees, open-access firms must accept full commercial financial risk. During the pandemic, the government offered billions of pounds to support TOCs under ‘emergency measures’ and keep the networks open. Unsurprisingly, many open-access operators were forced to cease operations during this period, with no such bail-outs available to them. Indeed, the pandemic forced Grand Central to…

BACKGROUND Shilla Stay is an upscale business hotel brand from The Shilla Hotels & Resorts, a Korean group (named after the ancient Shilla Dynasty) which is a subsidiary of Samsung and member of Leading Hotels of the World. The Shilla Hotels & Resorts operates two premium hotels in Seoul and Jeju under The Shilla brand, while its Shilla Stay brand launched in 2013 to attract business guests. There are now 12 properties under the brand, with the Gwanghwamun outpost (named after the nearby gate of the Gyeongbokgung Palace) open since 2015. WHERE IS IT? In Seoul's downtown Jongno-gu district, surrounded by historic attractions such as the Gyeongbokgung Palace, the South Korean president's former residence, and Buddhist temple Jogyesa. It is also close to financial, media and government buildings, and under…

BACKGROUND The hotel occupies an early 20th century building designed by renowned German architect Fritz Floger. From 1925, the building served as the headquarters for Broschek publishing, which produced the Die Welt national newspaper until the Second World War. Renaissance Hotels is a brand within Marriott International's luxury portfolio. WHERE IS IT? The Renaissance Hamburg Hotel occupies a fantastic location in the heart of Hamburg. It really couldn't get much more central, with the upmarket Jungfernstieg promenade around the corner, featuring plenty of shopping, leisure and dining facilities. Both the Gaensemarkt and Jungfernstieg U-Bahn stations are located a five-minute walk away. WHAT'S IT LIKE? On the outside, the century-old building offers grand heritage vibes, while inside has a buzzy, modern feel. The entrance lobby area is quite cramped, with a…

RYANAIR HAS PLACED AN ORDER for up to 300 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, worth up to US$40 billion at list prices. The deal comprises 150 firm orders and a further 150 options, with delivery scheduled between 2027 and 2033. The carrier said it would increase traffic by 80 per cent to 300 million per annum by March 2034. Half of the deliveries will replace the airline's older 737 NG aircraft, with the 737 MAX 10s being configured with 228 seats - 21 per cent more than the aircraft they are replacing. Ryanair took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 200 'Gamechanger' aircraft in June 2021, and the group has taken delivery of around half of the 210 aircraft ordered, with the remainder set to enter service by 2025.…

UPFRONT INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES GROUP (IAG) has reported a first quarter profit for the first time since 2019, following what it said had been a “stronger performance than expected at every airline”. The group made an operating profit before exceptional items of €9 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared with a loss of €718 million in the same period of2022. Iberia delivered its best ever Q1 performance, fuelled by strong demand in Spain and Latin America, which IAG said made the carrier “one of the worlds most profitable airlines”. British Airways also returned to Q1 profit for the first time since 2019, with IAG reporting “strong demand from leisure travel” while corporate travel is “recovering slowly”. The group said that there was an “encouraging outlook” for the summer, with…

LONDON GATWICK AIRPORT has unveiled its new brand identity with a vision “to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey”. The new branding replaces the current italicised, turquoise Gatwick name and “Your London Airport” tagline, and is already visible across the airports social media channels. Gatwick said “the new, modernised brand is designed to reaffirm and showcase London Gatwick’s position as a major international gateway,” adding that it also “recognises the airport as part of the broader VINCI Airports network”. The new vision will help to deliver “a personalised experience to meet passengers’ individual needs,” including accelerating automation across check-in and boarding, and the upgrade of Gatwick Airport railway station, which is set to be completed later this year.…

SUSTAINABLE TRAVELLER EASYHOTEL PLANS to invest £4,5 million to reduce its carbon emissions at 12 UK properties. Measures include the installation of heat pumps, solar panels, improved metering, control systems and new more efficient air conditioning systems. The group said that following the work, it expects CO2 emissions across its UK portfolio to fall by 45 per cent by 2025. The properties benefitting from the investment are London Shoreditch, Croydon, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Milton Keynes, Ipswich, Cardiff, Newcastle and Glasgow. The group also plans to announce similar low-carbon investments for its hotels in Belgium, France, Netherlands and Spain by the end of the year. EasyHotel has also installed free filtered water fountains, and is rolling out wooden key cards, which are expected to prevent 55,000 plastic key cards…

KOREAN AIR HAS RELEASED a collection of name tags and golf ball markers, made from the fuselage of a retired Boeing 777-200ER aircraft with the registration number HL7715. The aeroplane had completed 11,274 flights to 95 cities around the world, with its last flight from San Francisco to Seoul Incheon taking place in March 2020. The colour of the products varies depending on the part of the fuselage used, but all are made from Duralumin and include engravings of the aircraft model and registration number as well as a unique serial number. Act quickly, with just 5,000 name tags (KRW45,000/£27) and 2,000 sets of golf ball markers (KRW56,000/£34) on sale via Korean Air's e-skyshop.…

AVIATION The Atacama Desert in Chile is generally considered to be the driest place on Earth. The South American plateau receives little precipitation (about 15mm annually) and is virtually devoid of vegetation or animal life as a result, with humidity reaching just 10 per cent. In a business class cabin, the average humidity is 7 per cent. In other words, it's drier than the driest place on Earth. The arid conditions arise because the outside air that’s drawn into the cabin is very cold - around -15°C - so it can’t hold any moisture. As cabin air is also frequendy refreshed (roughly every two minutes) the small amount of moisture that’s generated is also filtered out very quickly. Most humidity in the cabin actually comes from passengers via exhalation. The…

Liverpool Biennial 2023, June 10 - September 17 The 12th edition of the contemporary art festival returns this year. Entitled 'uMoya: The Sacred Return of Lost Things', it has been curated by Khanyisile Mbongwa. It is the UK's largest free festival of contemporary visual art and will take over historic buildings, public spaces and art galleries with a programme of exhibitions, performances, screenings, educational activities and fringe events. biennial.com 151st Open Championship, July 16-23 The major golf tournament returns to the Royal Liverpool Golf Club for the 13th time this summer. The Open was last held at Royal Liverpool in 2014, when Rory Mcllroy claimed victory. This year, visitors will watch 156 competitors battle it out on the green for the chance to win the coveted trophy. theopen.com Happiness!, July…

Thousands of drivers have already made the sustainable switch to electric. The latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that one in three new cars registered in the UK in April 2023 were electrified. The fact of the matter is that sales of electric cars and hybrids have been growing exponentially for quite some time. But EVs, as they’re known, have been grabbing the headlines more and more over the past year due to higher fuel prices, the cost-of-living crisis, and pictures of queues of electric cars at charging stations circulating on social media. Electric cars, it would seem, are a noise that isn’t going away. Ironically, it’s that lack of noise that’s a major turn-on for EV owners. Combine that with efficient home charging…

BACKGROUND korean Air's route from Seoul Incheon to London Heathrow is operated daily by a Boeing 777-300ER configured with 291 seats across three cabins: first class (eight seats), Prestige (business class, 56 seats) and economy (227 seats), Korean Air also operates a 277-seater version of the aircraft, with upgraded first and business class products. The carrier recently launched a codeshare with fellow Sky Team member Virgin Atlantic, enabling customers to book through Virgin to travel directly to Seoul. CHECK-IN Flight KE907 departs Seoul at 1055, I completed online check-in 24 hours before the departure and received a digital boarding pass, but decided to check in my luggage. Korean Air has a large premium check-in zone to the far right of Terminal 2 departures, with ten counters for Prestige passengers, members…

AIR NEW ZEALAND HAS ANNOUNCED plans to debut its innovative Skynest bunkbeds on ultra-long-haul routes to New York and Chicago from September 2024. The six-pod Skynest sleep zone will be positioned between economy and premium economy, with each pod oftering a fully-flat bed, full-size pillow, sheets and blanket, as well as a separate reading light, USB port, ventilation oudet, and “lighting designed for rest”. Customers travelling in economy cabins will be able to book one four-hour session per passenger on their reservation, subject to availability, and bedding will be changed between each session, with a 30-minute transition time built in to allow for this. Air New Zealand’s chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said that the carrier was “still working through the exact details of how the booking process…

MANCHESTER AIRPORT HAS UNVEILED plans for the final phase of its £1.3 billion Transformation Programme, which was first announced in 2015. Terminal 2 will offer 27 new shops and restaurants when works are completed in 2025, including a champagne bar, brasserie and food market with an extended departure lounge, while a new shopping zone known as The Avenue will feature store fronts opening out onto airfield views. The first phase of the project, comprising an extension to Terminal 2, was completed in July 2021. The second and final phase involves the remodelling and upgrade of the original Terminal 2 building, including a new security hall with 3D scanners, a second pier with additional boarding gates, and a new dual taxiway system designed to improve airfield efficiency. Once completed, more than…

AS ROYAL ASCOT RETURNS this month from June 20-24, why not combine the equestrian event with a suitably regal dining experience at Woven by Adam Smith, located at Coworth Park in Berkshire? The Dorchester Collection hotel occupies 97 hectares of parkland, with its meadow set to be in full bloom this month, and comprises a Georgian manor house, private cottages, spa facilities and polo fields in its grounds. Woven by Adam Smith opened in September 2022 and received a Michelin star within six months. Chef Adam Smith is at the helm, producing menus that champion seasonal British produce alongside English wines. The light-filled contemporary dining space designed by Martin Hulbert doesn’t feel intimidating despite the starry status. Menus kick off with intricate snacks, including a lavish caviar-packed tart and an…

THE HOXTON HAS LAUNCHED a new initiative to reward guests who choose to travel by rail while staying at two or more of its hotels. ‘The Good Rate’ will see £20/US$20/€20 deducted from the room rate at each location if guests travel between the properties by rail. To benefit from the initiative, guests must present the relevant train ticket at check-in. The Good Rate can also be used in conjunction with existing Hoxton room offers and promotions if stays are taken consecutively and booked directly through thehoxton.com. Previous initiatives by the brand include donating winter beds to homeless communities through its annual Stay for a Stay campaign, and eliminating single-use plastics or using repurposed materials and upcycled furniture. The hotel brand celebrated the launch of the initiative with a special…

LAST MONTH, ACTOR EMMA WATSON and her brother Alex launched sustainable gin brand, Renais named after ‘Renaissance’ for its second life status. Grape skins salvaged from the winemaking process at Domaine Watson, the family’s vineyard in the Chablis wine region, are distilled and then combined with Kimmeridgian stone distillate (the ‘terroir’ of Chablis), pressed Grand Cru grapes and natural botanicals such as linden flowers, cubeb berries and acacia honey. Aside from the eco production process, the carbon neutral product is packaged in biodegradable mushroom packaging, while the facility has solar-powered stills and any remaining carbon emissions are offset through the support of wind farm initiatives in India via Climate Partner. Enjoy the gin over ice and in cocktails such as a classic martini or gin and tonic. The second batch…

DELTA HAS CELEBRATED THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY of service between the United States and the UK. The carrier operated its first nonstop flight between Atlanta and London Gatwick on April 30, 1978, using a three-engine Lockheed L-1011 Tristar aircraft. Delta’s inaugural transatlantic flight to London offered first class, Medallion Service (business class) and economy. The route also saw the airline show an inflight movie for the first time - Oh, God! with George Burns and John Denver. The anniversary coincides with the launch of Delta flights between New York JFK and Gatwick at the end of March, a route it has not served since 2008. The carrier also flies from eight US cities to London Heathrow - Adanta, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and…

SEA CONTAINERS LONDON has launched a new subscription service aimed at remote workers, freelancers and digital nomads travelling regularly to London. The ‘Commuter Club’ has three tiers and price packages, all of which include overnight accommodation, a 15 per cent discount at the property’s F&B oudets, a personalised in-room amenity selection, use of spa facilities, 24-hour gym access, secure bike storage and a trunk to store personal belongings until their next visit. Members also benefit from high-speed wifi, access to the hotel’s public areas, private meeting and dining rooms (for an additional fee) and can bring along their pets free of charge (complete with a bed, bowls and treats). Tiers range from £1,550 per month with 60 stays a year to £2,700 for 120 stays and eight complimentary tickets to…

I recently spent a week in Dubai’s desert, prowling the sands in a modified Land Rover in a bid to observe some of the Middle East’s most elusive residents. I glimpsed an abundance of incredible wildlife — the Arabian oryx, various owls, lizards, eagles, vultures, flamingos — yet it’s a far from natural sight that sticks in my mind above all others: the ethereal, sparkling Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Rising from the dunes like an alien craft, the solar park - the largest single-site solar park in the world - is both a staggering feat of engineering and progressive thinking, and an awe-inspiring, almost celestial vision. The park provides clean energy for tens of thousands of Dubai residents, and since its launch, has trimmed Dubai’s carbon emissions…

Many of you will have amassed thousands of miles and points over the years, redeeming such travel currencies for flight discounts, upgrades or hotel stays. That is, until the year of 2020, when earning and redemption cycles were scuppered due to the grounding of flights, closure of hotels and restrictions on global travel as a result of Covid-19. Thankfully those days are now behind us, but they did shine a light on alternative ways to redeem your loyalty, from discounted transport to once-in-a-lifetime experiences and charitable donations. Here we look at some of the non-traditional opportunities to use your hard-earned miles and points with frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programmes. On the go Accrued miles and points can make your life more comfortable from the moment you leave the house.…

▶ Hyundai IONIQ 5, from £43,455 It's been on sale for two years, but the loniq 5 still looks razor sharp and stylish. It's a surprisingly large car - more SUV than family hatchback - but that equals a spacious interior that's also brimming with tech. The loniq 5 can travel up to 285 miles and it has super-fast 800-volt charging speed capability. ◀ Range Rover Sport 3.0 P440e, from £89,980 Official tests claim the latest Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid can manage up to 70 miles of electric power, a range that gives real flexibility. On top of that it drives just as well as you'd expect it to, and pampers passengers with its super plush interior. ▶ Polestar 2, from £44,950 Polestar will introduce several new EVs in…

BACKGROUND Virgin Hotels New York officially opened in April 2023. There are now a total of eight Virgin Hotels properties, all of which are located in the US except for two recent openings in Edinburgh and Glasgow. WHERE IS IT? The property is located in the heart of Manhattan, in the city's NoMad neighbourhood. Nearby attractions include Madison Square Gardens, Times Square and the Empire State Building. WHAT'S IT LIKE? Full of character, with attention to detail at every turn. The design language was spearheaded by Brooklyn-based MARKZEFF and architectural firm Stance to bring out Virgin's distinctive brand personality. This begins in the lobby, with a fun "Where's Richard" mural by Nigel Sussman. After the lobby you head to a bank of six "smart lifts", though I found them to…