fbpx

JANUARY ’22 BUSINESS TRAVEL UPDATE

FLY JANUARY 2022 | A MONTHLY CHECK-IN FOR BUSINESS TRAVELLERS

We’re just a few weeks into the new year, and it seems that “simplification” is the word—and a welcome one at that. In 2021, constant changes to travel restrictions and testing requirements had kept us braced for news headlines of decisions that would impact our business travel industry. These days, we’re relieved to see that the traffic light system has been eliminated, pre-departure travel tests are getting scrapped, and on a highly positive note, there are plenty of new routes from London to enjoy. As you consider how you will be approaching your business travel this year, please keep me in mind as your personal resource for simplification, from time-saving service to cost-saving industry connections. The future is bright!

VIRGIN ATLANTIC TO LAUNCH NEW HEATHROW–AUSTIN, TX SERVICE
FOUR WEEKLY FLIGHTS TO BEGIN LATE MAY 2022

Business travel to the “Live Music Capital of the World” just got easier. Joining fellow UK carrier British Airways on the Heathrow-Austin route, Virgin Atlantic will operate four-times-weekly starting May 25, 2022. The B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft’s seating will accommodate 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium, and 192 Economy and below.

Need a place to stay? Keep in mind that I have preferred partners with many Austin, TX luxury hotels, including the Four Seasons and Fairmont, where your stay includes unparalleled value like complimentary daily breakfast, free upgrades, resort credits, and more.

READ ARTICLE

YouTube player

NO NEW EU ROAMING CHARGES FOR VIRGIN & 02 USERS
OTHER NETWORKS HAVE REINTRODUCED EXTRA FEES AFTER BREXIT

If your cell phone is your lifeline during business travel outside the UK, this will matter to you. As a result of the EU trade deal last December, mobile operators were given the option to reintroduce roaming charges for customers travelling to Europe.

Some bit, but not all—we’re happy to see the decision of Virgin Media and O2 to keep roaming free, meaning that following Brexit, UK citizens can still use their mobile data, calla and texts across Europe with no extra charges.

READ ARTICLE

Mask on airplane

SHORT-HAUL FLIGHT BANS TRANSFORM EUROPEAN TRAVEL
THE “ON TRACK” EFFORT TO SHRINK THE REGION’S CARBON OUTPUT

The era of train travel may be making a comeback as the industry’s focus sharpens on greener travel. Last spring, France trailblazed a nationwide ban on short-haul domestic flights where alternative travel is possible (namely, train journeys of 2.5 or less), except for those that provide connections to international flights.

European lawmakers have proposed similar bans in Spain, Germany and throughout Scandinavia. To put things in perspective, if the EU bans all short-haul flights in instances where a train journey of under six hours is available, it will eliminate 3.5 million tons of carbon emissions per year.

READ ARTICLE

mask at airport

BA TO ADD FOUR ROUTES FROM LONDON CITY AIRPORT
CONVENIENT FLIGHTS ADDED TO THE EXTENSIVE NETWORK

In preparation for this year’s increase in summer travel, British Airways is introducing four new routes from London City Airport.

Operating on BA Cityflyer’s Embraer 190 aircraft, new daily flights to Luxemburg and Milan will begin in late March. In mid-June, a new Thessaloniki flight will depart each Saturday and service to Barcelona will run six times weekly.

READ ARTICLE

PRE-DEPARTURE TRAVEL TESTS TO ENGLAND TO END
GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO AVOID TRAVEL DISCOURAGEMENT & COSTS
We’re taking a collective sigh of relief as Boris Johnson confirmed that fully vaccinated travellers en route to England no longer have to take a test before travelling from countries outside the UK and the Common Travel Area. Under the new rules, you will only need to take a lateral flow test (as opposed to a PCR test) upon arrival, and no self-isolation is required while awaiting results. The changes come with the Prime Minister’s acknowledgement that pre-departure testing is not effective against Omnicron and adds to travel fears and costs.

For a tailored experience, plan your upcoming trip with us today. With over 25 years of experience in luxury travel, we offer our clients insights and personally curated itineraries that take the stress out of travel, allowing more time to decompress and discover and explore your chosen destination while you’re on the road.

[ninja_form id=6]