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Airlines Stepping Up Efforts to Lure Corporate Travelers

While business travelers account for a small percentage of their customers, they are typically twice as lucrative for airlines. Many carriers have been improving their fleets of aircraft, building new lounges, offering more amenities, and creating special programs for their corporate customers. “We’re deeply focused on improving the experience for all customers, including Corporate customers,”…

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Weekly News Roundup

Delta Air Lines Improves Economy Service Delta Air Lines is improving its economy service on international flights. Airlines have long been criticized for dialing down their service. But on Delta, passengers will now be welcomed by a purser or lead flight attendant. They will get a personal greeting. And shortly after departure, they will get…

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How Will NDC Impact the Travel Buying Industry?

Increasingly corporate travel buyers continue hearing about NDC, or New Distribution Capability. NDC allows airlines and travel agents to make the booking process easier and offer clients more options. It is a set of XML standards that was developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade association for the world’s airlines. At a…

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Weekly News Roundup

Beijing’s new airport is completed Construction of Beijing’s new international airport has been completed, and flights will begin later this year, China’s Xinhuanet.com reports. The new airport is known as Beijing Daxing International Airport though its official name has not yet been released. Located about 28 miles from Beijing’s city center, the new airport will…

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Weekly News Roundup

FAA bans U.S. flights over Iranian airspace The Federal Aviation Administration has banned U.S. airlines from flying over Iranian airspace in the wake of escalating tension over the two nations. All flights above the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman are prohibited for U.S. carriers “until further notice due to heightened military activities and increased…

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Guest Post: What Does the Next Generation Storefront Mean for Business Travel?

The Next Generation Storefront was a topic of discussion at the fifth annual GBTA Ladders Summit, a gathering of the travel industry’s most talented professionals to exchange ideas on how to navigate and lead the travel industry. The discussion was led by moderator Dena Fradette, Head of Travel Partnerships at TravelBank, and panelists Anne Kolodziej,…

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GBTA Pulses Buyer Members on Confidence Around Boeing MAX Aircraft

In March 2019, airlines and governments around the world grounded the Boeing 737 MAX in response to a fault in the aircraft’s Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) which resulted in two crashes in October 2018 and March 2019. In May 2019, Boeing completed a software update and developed updated pilot training. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg…

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Week in Review

CEO Dennis Muilenburg acknowledged that Boeing incorrectly implemented software on its 737 Max 8 jets, CBS News reports. The jets were responsible for two deadly plane crashes in the past year. Passengers with flights scheduled on the Boeing 737 Max should expect disruptions through the summer. Airlines are currently making alternative plans for flights, and…