Innehållsförteckning för February 2025 från Business Traveller

WELL, BRITISH AIRWAYS has certainly stirred the pot with its recent loyalty changes, hasn't it? We've got the full breakdown for you on page 14 – and don't miss the reactions from our online forum members on page 9. Let's just say, the feedback has been plentiful… It prompted us to dive into our archives and see how reports of loyalty programmes have changed over the years – head to the back page for more. On a more positive note, we're also taking a close look at BA's new first class suite, which is set to take flight next year. Turn to page 54 for all the details. Our stunning cover this month captures the intertwined worlds of fashion and aviation – perfect timing for those attending London Fashion Week.…

AVIATION Loyalty updates and new routes HOTELS Hot openings and trends TRAVEL ETA scheme and reliable airlines SUSTAINABILITY SAF, solar farms and eco hotels NEW ORLEANS HOSTS the Super Bowl this month – its 11th time taking on the mammoth event. The championship game, held on 9 February at the Caesars Superdome, brings with it a jam-packed programme of events around the city. Expect a Super Bowl Host Committee Parade through the French Quarter (think carnival-style, football-themed floats and marching bands), a food festival at the National World War II Museum and, of course, a thrilling opening event. As with each Super Bowl game, it's not just about American football. Music lovers will also have their moment, with award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar headlining the half-time show. The Big Easy will…

Qatar Airways has resumed flights to Damascus. The airline last served Syria's capital 13 years ago, and is now operating thrice-weekly flights on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. China Airlines has launched flights between the cities of Melbourne and Auckland, with the five-times-weekly route operating as an extension of the carrier's Taipei-Melbourne service. Juneyao Airlines has launched a thrice-weekly (daily in February) service between Shanghai and Melbourne, operated by the carrier's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. KLM Cityhopper will launch a new route between Exeter and Amsterdam Schiphol on 30 March, with daily flights being operated by the carrier's 88-seat Embraer 175 aircraft.…

Renaissance Hotels has launched an online marketplace under the name R FINDS to connect guests with local communities. The portal aims to support businesses and creators in the destinations that the group operates in. Browse locally produced items and artisan goods such as candles and tea light holders from India, silver pendants made in the Dominican Republic, handbags designed in Thailand, or fedoras crafted by a hatter in New Orleans. The website initially opened with 175 products for sale, one for each of the 175 Renaissance Hotels properties located across the world.…

DELVE INTO THE WORLD OF FORMULA 1 with this memoir from Red Bull's senior engineer, and frequent traveller, Calum Nicholas. He shares his experience of (literally) living life on the road and the lessons he's learned along the way. Expect fast-paced, thrilling tales of his time working in the pit lane, as well as a look at the motorsport industry – how it's changed over the past 15 years and what lies ahead. Published on 27 February. £25; Piatkus…

UNLOCKING THE full value of travel rewards takes strategy. From stacking points through shopping portals and card-linked offers to navigating travel credits and partnerships, there are countless ways to boost your earnings. However, booking through third-party portals often comes with hidden downsides. Savvy travellers know to use rewards cards to earn points and miles on purchases. However, they should also look into ways to stack earnings through bonus points or cashback on purchases. One of the easiest ways to do this is through online shopping. A bounty of portals reward shoppers with bonus airline miles, hotel points or cashback. To score these rewards, you need to log in and click through the link before completing your purchase with a merchant as you otherwise would. Many card issuers also offer rewards…

Weigh 10.5g of coffee. Grind the coffee beans and place in a cup. Shake each cup before smelling the variety. Fill each glass to the top with 220ml of hot water. Have another sniff and wait for it to cool. The coffee will be brewed for four minutes. Break the crust and skim the foam from the surface. Grab a spoon, fill with some coffee and then slurp like you're drinking soup. Assess the coffee flavours, for example, if you can associate the flavour with chocolate, nutty or fruity notes. Jot down your thoughts.…

Vast windowless spaces lacking atmosphere are thankfully a thing of the past for the events industry. A whole host of venues now leverage cutting-edge technology to create immersive worlds that speak to today's experience economy. Among these is Frameless, centrally located in Marble Arch and aptly named for Panasonic's wall-to-wall HD projections and dramatic surround sound. Straddling Oxford Street, Mayfair and Hyde Park, the venue is the UK's largest permanent multi-sensory experience and boasts four galleries showcasing oeuvres from the likes of Dalí, Van Gogh, Kandinsky and Rembrandt. For companies, these walls provide a blank canvas and backdrop for storytelling, with previous clients such as the BBC and watchmaker Hublot. Accompanying the experience are dining menus, and clients can get a preferential rate at The Cumberland Hotel.…

OVER THE YEARS we have reported heavily on frequent flyer programmes – from the highs of club launches and consolidated currencies to the disappointments of points devaluation. In light of the BA changes (see pages 9 and 14), we look back to Anthony Perry's ‘The clout of the clubs’ feature, published in November 1982, to find out how far these schemes have come (or crumbled). The age of applications Back in the 80s, membership to loyalty programmes was more difficult to attain – and therefore more exclusive. Most required applications and several also incurred fees. “Applications to join Air France's Club des 2000 are always routed through the Director General's office: Swissair has a restricted membership and a waiting list. BA have turned down 400 applications since establishing Executive Club,…

CLODAGH KINSELLA Clodagh is a British-Belgian writer and co-author of the Bradt guide to Flanders: Northern Belgium. She regularly contributes to publications including Condé Nast Traveller and The Independent, and broadcasts for BBC Radio 4. Turn to page 27 for her expert guide to Antwerp. CHRIS DWYER Chris is a food and travel writer who has been lucky to enjoy many great meals, from humble roadside stalls to Michelin-starred temples. For him, they all celebrate a destination's unique culture and tell a story. On page 30, he outlines new restaurants and trends to try this month. LAUREL IVES Laurel is a journalist who's passionate about health, nutrition and mental wellbeing, and has written for outlets from The Telegraph to the BBC. In this issue, she rounds up the latest wellness…

AS THE competition for luxury air travel intensifies, airlines are pushing boundaries to redefine business class comfort and innovation. For business travellers, 2025 promises a range of new and improved business class cabins, offering privacy and technology at new heights. Here are the top five business class products that travellers can expect in the coming year. 1 AIR NEW ZEALAND Business Premier and Luxe Air New Zealand will introduce its Business Premier and Business Premier Luxe seats on its Boeing 787s in early 2025, offering an all-new product for the airline's five US gateways. The cabin will feature a 1-2-1 herringbone layout with 20.5-inch-wide seats that convert into 80.25-inch flatbeds. They will also include a 24-inch TV screen, USB ports and Bluetooth audio. The Business Premier Luxe seats will offer…

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOW HAS THE LOYALTY LANDSCAPE EVOLVED? Loyalty is becoming more automated and personalised. Loyalty programmes are also more interconnected, with loyalty currencies becoming tradeable. HOW IMPORTANT ARE TRAVEL BENEFITS? Travel benefits (anything that makes travel smoother, more comfortable, or more special) are one of the most aspirational rewards. Analysis of payment card data shows that the more people use travel benefits on their payment card, the more they use their card. The popularity of airport lounge programme Priority Pass as a key travel benefit for credit card propositions underlines this. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST TURN-OFFS FOR CUSTOMERS WHEN IT COMES TO LOYALTY PROGRAMMES AND REWARDS? As with all relationships: unfulfilled promises and breaches of trust (especially around data use and protection). Devaluing loyalty rewards is seen as…

45% of UK companies incentivise sustainable travel choices 63% of UK business travellers choose the train for domestic work trips 30% agreed that train travel improves work productivity due to extended time in one place 93% of domestic work trips within the UK were made by train in 2024 95% of London-Paris journeys booked with TravelPerk were for trains in 2024, versus 5% by air BUT 55% cite poor wifi as their biggest complaint of train travel, followed by excessive noise (46%), lack of privacy (41%) and lack of seats (38%)…

Flying is often the most stressful part of a journey, with airlines and airports investing in cutting-edge technology to transform passenger experiences – such as an oxygen lounge in Tokyo Narita. Women's health is a key focus, with travel providers offering new programmes to address everything from sexual wellbeing to fertility and menopause. Thermal springs are drawing plenty of investment to cater to travellers’ desires for less-visited, nature-focused destinations. ‘Nomadism’ is having a surge in adoption by middle and older age wellness seekers, who might choose to stay longer at a wellness resort or invest in a residential offering. Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia were all flagged as emerging wellness destinations.…

HIGH-END luggage brand RIMOWA has partnered with British artist Ptolemy Mann for a limited-edition series of cases, including this Essential Cabin Nautical, whose polycarbonate shell features an iteration of Mann's ‘Threshold’ artwork. Inside, you'll find further hints of abstract expressionism. Available at stores worldwide and online for £1,090.…

DOMESTIC Ai Weiwei: A New Chatpter, London 7 February – 15 March Lisson Gallery's exhibition by artist Ai Weiwei brings together a selection of his newest work. All the way down to its playful title (the typo is intentional), the works investigate the world we live in. At its centre is the audaciously named installation, F.U.C.K, which combines more than 9,000 buttons and Second World War stretchers. SHORT-HAUL The Mucha Museum, Prague Previously located on Pánská Street, The Mucha Foundation has relocated to an exhibition space designed by architect Eva Jiricna in the Savarin Palace. The institution is dedicated entirely to the work of Czech artist Alphonse Mucha, a figure of the Art Nouveau era. Expect theatrical posters characterised by swirling lines, natural motifs and depictions of elegant women. LONG-HAUL…

TIPS HAVE SURELY existed since the exchange of services began – but modern tipping culture has morphed into another beast. We can blame the Americans for the expectation of leaving no less than 20% on the plate, regardless of superior service. But it was hoteliers and restaurateurs who introduced the ubiquitous ‘service charge’, a device that emerged to ensure the kitchen staff were included as well. Previously, cash tips were either kept by the server or more usually handed over to the head waiter who held it in a ‘tronc’ and distributed. The consequence of this is well known to anyone who has served at the bottom of the hierarchy… Of course, it wasn't long before some unscrupulous operators decided that the service charge was a useful way to add…

For the best dining and nightlife in Toronto, head to King Street West. This area, comparable to New York's SoHo, offers a selection of upscale restaurants and bars. Vaulted ceilings and Art Deco glitz create an impressive dining spot for authentic Italian eatery Oretta. Explore all the Italian classics, with most dishes available as gluten-free versions. Can't choose? Try the chef's seven-course tasting menu ($78 CAD). Paris Paris, meanwhile, is a cool, modern bistro offering a relaxed yet refined setting with urban-chic decor and long sharing tables. The menu is based on seasonal, local ingredients, with everything from cheese and charcuterie to fresh seafood – the lobster spaghetti is a must. Come for light afternoon bites and stay to dance the night away. Alternatively, Mexico meets the Mediterranean at 1…

PRAISE INDEED I was delighted with the new look BT magazine. The quality paper and high gloss cover have restored the magazine to its former glory. Along with the sleek new logo, the magazine exudes quality. The editorial content is even better than before, with a range of very informative and interesting features, all with excellent accompanying pictures. And best of all, the typeface is sufficiently clear to read without the need for glasses! Well done to the BT team for producing a classleading magazine that I have greatly enjoyed for many years! Pat Jordan, Dublin ANNIVERSARY DETOUR Instead of a cosy dinner or a romantic weekend away for our first anniversary, we were en route to Heathrow as I had to fly to Munich for work. This was not…

APPLE HAS introduced a new iOS feature called Share Item Location, enabling users to securely share the location of their AirTag or Find My network accessory with airlines The technology allows customers to generate a location link for their device, leveraging the Apple Find My network, a crowdsourced network of over one billion Apple devices that use Bluetooth wireless technology to detect missing devices or items nearby. Apple said that 15 airlines would begin accepting the links in the coming months as part of their process for locating mishandled or delayed bags. These include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling. Location sharing can be stopped by…

THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL, MIAMI will close its doors for good on 31 May, and is set to be replaced with two towers. One will host a new 121-room Mandarin Oriental hotel with a spa and a handful of fine-dining restaurants. The second will house 228 luxury residences, with interiors by Parisian designer Tristan Auer. The 326-room hotel first opened in the year 2000 and will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a series of events before closure, including tasting menus of iconic past dishes and a grand gala with live performances. In Europe, meanwhile, the luxury hotel group plans to take over two existing properties from The Set Collection. Hôtel Lutetia, located in Paris’ Left Bank, will be renamed Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris, once it has changed hands later this year.…

THE UK'S ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORISATION scheme (ETA) will roll out to more than 80 countries in the next few months. The scheme requires visitors to the UK (who do not need a visa for short stays) to apply for an ETA. The first phase launched in November 2023 for Qatari citizens, followed by travellers from Jordan and GCC countries. On 8 January, the ETA scheme was extended to 48 countries, including the US, Australia and New Zealand. From 2 April the ETA will be applied to 34 European countries (with applications available from 5 March). Applications take up to three days to process and cost £10, though the Home Office has proposed increasing this to £16. Once accepted, individuals are covered for two years and multiple journeys (unless your passport…

Customers are no longer putting up with poor return on their loyal custom 25% have noticed rewards value being diluted over time 20% are frustrated by a lack of redemption options 15% resent a lack of personalisation which means they receive irrelevant and poorly targeted offers 33% are happy and content with their loyalty programme 6% of customers belong to more than six schemes. Those belonging to multiple schemes are more likely to have concerns The top 3 changes consumers would make is to increase reward value, have more experiential and partner benefit options, and have more ‘surprise and delight’ perks SOURCE: Figures come from Collinson's UK Loyalty Landscape research…

THE UK government's Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate has come into force, an encouraging move in the long journey to decarbonise air travel. To begin with, SAF must make up 2% of all jet fuel in flights departing from the UK, growing year-onyear to 10% by 2030 and 22% in 2040, remaining at this level thereafter “until there is greater certainty regarding SAF supply”. The government says that this mandate could deliver up to 6.3 megatonnes of carbon savings per year by 2040.…

The world's diamond capital, and the richest city in Europe during its 16th-century Golden Age, Antwerp's charm offensive begins on arrival at the cathedral-like Central Station, with its dizzying array of architectural styles. Head south to the historic centre for cobbled streets lined with appealing watering holes like Café De Kat, an old-school ‘brown cafe’. Antwerp's main square, the Grote Markt, glitters with superb guild houses, while The Cathedral of Our Lady – the largest Gothic church in the Low Countries – houses masterpieces by former Antwerp resident Rubens, including his triptych The Descent from the Cross. There's more pomp on display at Baroque church Saint Charles Borromeo, and for snackable souvenirs, try ‘Antwerp Hands’ (nodding to the legend of the city's birth) from Philip's Biscuits. TAKE SANCTUARY Antwerp's first…

Kioku by Endo, London Kioku at Raffles London at The OWO boasts spectacular views, especially from the remarkable private dining space in a turret overlooking Whitehall and up to Westminster. Helmed by acclaimed Japanese chef Endo Kazutoshi, the menu combines Japanese heritage with Mediterranean technique. The white crab with tagliolini, brown crab miso and shiso butter is ethereal. La Pergola, Rome Few views get the heart racing as much as the Eternal City, and nowhere can hold a Valentine's candle to the magnificent hilltop outlook of Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria hotel. Chef Heinz Beck is the maestro at three Michelinstarred La Pergola, where brilliant, innovative cuisine is firmly grounded in sustainability, while the Vatican, Colosseum and the city's famed hills are all laid out beneath you. Le Jules Verne,…

WE MAY BE LIVING LONGER, but many of those extra years are spent in poor health. It's no surprise then that enhancing “healthspan” has emerged as the leading wellness trend in Euromonitor's 2025 Consumer Trends Report. “A new view of ageing is on the rise. People don't just want to live longer (lifespan); they want to feel better for longer (healthspan). They want to feel good – physically, mentally, emotionally – at every stage of life,” write the authors. In December 2024, the JAMA Medical Journal examined the healthspan-lifespan gap – the number of years a person lives with a disease or disability – and found it widening. The largest gap, at 12.4 years, was reported in the US, with the UK, Australia, and New Zealand close behind. So how…

TRAVEL SPECIALISTS, New Zealand In Depth, have unveiled a new glass-walled pod on the country's North Island, marrying minimalist luxury with eco design. Stays at the secluded solar-powered Matū PurePod promise uninterrupted views of the Waitomo wilderness – from sunrise vistas to magical Milky Way nights – while the lack of wifi encourages guests to connect with nature rather than emails. Fret not, the cabins are still replete with luxury linen and a powerful hot shower. A one-night stay starts from £225 per person per night, including dinner and a breakfast hamper (based on two people sharing). An additional 15 PurePods are dotted across the North and South islands – from Waipara Valley to the Rakiura Stewart Island conservation reserve.…

Q & A Tell us about your journey to become the CEO of one of the world's best-connected airports? I started in the airport business in 2003, working closely with Richard Branson in the Virgin Group for 14 years – first at Virgin Atlantic Airways and then Virgin Trains. Branson's ethos has always been to put the fun and romance back into travel in whatever mode that might be. I knew about pleasing customers and how to make that commercially successful. At the time, Gatwick Airport was very conscious that it didn't have a great reputation in the eyes of its customers – the airlines. We underwent a cultural transformation and facilitated the growth of airlines at Gatwick. As a result, I got noticed in Dubai. In the year 2000,…

Q & A What attracted you to the world of coffee? Coffee is not that popular in Taiwan, so 11 years ago I came to London to learn from Australian people opening cafés here. I really enjoy the hospitality and community aspect. When people come to a café, I feel like they're in my living room. They've come to relax and I like being part of that. I'm also sharing something that I'm proud of because I've sourced the coffee. Tasting coffee was also a way of finding myself. It marked the beginning of my recovery from depression and bulimia. The more I began to focus on taste, the more I recovered. I felt more connected and fully present. You hold a Q Grader certification, what does this mean? It's…

BOAC's paper dress was introduced in 1967. Designed to be used on the balmy routes between New York and the Caribbean, BOAC hoped the colours (pink and purple) would get travellers into the holiday spirit. The idea was that they were cost-effective and disposable, but more time was needed at the drawing board. Daphne Oldfield, a retired BOAC cabin crew member, told Aerospace Bristol: “Guys in the aisle would be trying to light your dress with a lighter. Those dresses didn't last long.”…

Breakfast For a business breakfast in London, The Wolseley is a classic choice for a reason. A cross between a Parisian brasserie and a grand-but-cosy Viennese cafe, breakfast here is an institution. (So much so, famed restaurant critic A.A. Gill dedicated a whole book to it.) The large dining room in the heart of Piccadilly is buzzing with early business groups from 7am-11.30am each weekday, with professional, discreet service that won't interrupt the flow of conversation. Fuel discussions with the extensive breakfast menu: you'll find everything from Viennoiserie (Viennese-style pastries) to kedgeree and haggis. Treat yourself to pancakes, have eggs any way you can imagine, or fresh fruits, muesli and yoghurts for a healthy boost. Cold-pressed juices, teas and infusions, and a barista menu will quench all thirsts. Got a…

Breakfast For the quintessential New York breakfast, Pershing Square offers an unbeatable location, just opposite Grand Central Terminal, where many New Yorkers commute in by train. Housed in a 1919 building under a bridge, the classic Art Deco dining room sees a steady stream of finance and media executives from 7am onwards. (While reservations are recommended, they aren't essential before 8.30am.) Well-spaced tables and corner booths offer privacy for confidential discussions, while large windows provide natural light and views. Regulars request the booths along the eastern wall (away from the door) for the most discreet meetings. Staff are used to a business clientele, so expect smooth service and promptly delivered bills. The menu includes typical American fare, like the restaurant's famous homemade corned beef hash. Lunch Le Pavillon, which opened…

AIRLINE REVIEW Gulf Air Boeing 787-9 business class HOTEL REVIEWS Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris + more CAR REVIEW Polestar 3 SPA REVIEW Dior Spa, Paris What's it like? At 38 storeys tall, with 790 rooms and eight dining/bar spaces, Pan Pacific Singapore is a hotel of epic scale. It's one of two Pan Pacific hotels in Singapore and is located in the Marina Bay area, close to the central business district, and just a 20-minute drive from the airport. It's grand in design, too. Gleaming surfaces, elegant columns and a central water feature create a graceful yet striking entrance lobby, while an impressive central atrium stretches overhead. GOOD-TO-KNOW To reach the upper floors, take the external lift. (Internal lifts only give access up to floor 22.) Staff throughout the hotel…