An overview of what has happened during the week in the travel industry.
Travel industry news 4th week July
Oneworld to introduce alliance wide upgrades
In an interview, oneworld CEO's confirmed that with Alaska Airlines joining the alliance, alliance wide upgrades should become widely available.
However, lets see how this will translate into reality in the future.
At Star Alliance this is already possible, but only if you booked the highest booking classes in economy which are often significantly higher in the final price than cheap business class fares.
Jumeirah introduces Jumeritah One programme
The Jumeirah hotel chain will exchange Sirius with Jumeirah One. Status levels will remain the same but benefits will be drastically minimized. No more free breakfast, airport transfer or lounge access.
More and more airport lounges reopen
At different airports trough Europe, more and more lounges begin to reopen which should improve the quality of your stay at the airport. As long as the lounge do not function like some of Lufthansa's, where you will only get water, nuts and some chocolate, this is a huge improvement.
Lufthansa still expects to receive new B777-900 with new business class in 2021
Despite the current Covid-19 situation, Lufthansa announced that they will receive their new Boeing 777-900 during next year featuring their new business class. Do not expect too much out of their new business class as it is more like a revised version from their old one.
Even though Lufthansa announced that they will receive the B777-900 in 2021, this will be unlikely the case. We expect that they get their new plane in 2022.
London City Airport to receive 2 lounges
In an interview Robert Sinclair, London City airport CEO, confirmed that the airport is planning for at least two premium lounges. For now, they only have a VIP terminal.
Brussels Airlines receives rescue package.
Belgium will lend the airline €290 million, repayable within six years, in return for several guarantees from Lufthansa.
The money must remain within the Belgian airline and not be transferred to the parent company. Lufthansa must preserve the Brussels Airlines brand, and the airline’s headquarters and decision-making will remain in the Belgian capital, with Lufthansa committing to develop Brussels Airport as an international hub.
United, Lufthansa, IAG, American demand that transatlantic travel will be reintroduced
4 airline CEOs, 2 from the US and 2 from Europe have written the following to their leaders:
“As the leading airline groups in Europe and the United States, we are writing with urgency to you as leaders of the response to COVID-19 to request the safe and swift restoration of air travel between the United States and Europe. We urge you to consider adopting a joint U.S.-EU COVID-19 testing program to enhance safety and build confidence in critical transatlantic passenger air services”
Icelandair reaches Deal with flight attendants
Icelandair threatened to fire all their flight attendants and use cockpit crews for passenger services. Luckily an agreement has been found.
China Airlines will get a new name
Due to the ongoing and reoccurring tensions between China and Taiwan, in order not to confound China Airlines with China, the Taiwanese parliament published the following note:
” The ministry should make CAL more identifiable internationally with Taiwanese images to protect Taiwan’s national interests as overseas it is mistaken for a Chinese airline.”
Russia to introduce Electronic visa
By January 2021, Russia plans to introduce an electronic visa for tourists, at least for European ones. This is amazing news because until now, except when travelling to St. Petersburg, it was a pain in the *** to receive all necessary documentation to apply for a Russian tourist Via.
If you enjoy our blog and would like to support us, you can buy us a coffee 😉