Oh what a year that was!

How will 2011 be remembered? 

For business travellers it has been traumatic, not knowing if an airline, hotel, or even a country was going to remain in existence.  Or whether volcanic ash would lay low the most carefully organised plans.

However for the most part the major carriers continued to fly on, even if some changed their name (Continental), or used financial manipulations to stay in business (Chapter 11/American).  Iceland’s natural firecrackers tried to upset airline schedules but thankfully technology has intervened.

What was the most important travel event of 2011?

It has to be the introduction into airline service of the Boeing 787. 

We don’t know what the future holds but it is fairly safe to say that in 20 years’ time over 1,000 further copies will be flying and all the aggravations of the last three years will be forgotten.  The aircraft was due to be the transport star of Beijing 2008!

easyJet, under new management, if not ownership, has emerged as a truly responsible airline, now Britain’s biggest.  It is using its resources and financial strength to mitigate the problems that nature, in the form of volcanoes, can cause to the airline scene.  At this stage we truly don’t know if it is a false trail.  The system that the airline espouses may become standard for all airlines, its origination forgotten.

Politically, in the UK, it has been a disastrous year, with a new government clearly not sure in which direction to pursue its aviation policy.  Not for the first time the Minister, fresh to the job, and getting his act together, was suddenly moved.  His successor has arrived with the burden of fundamental Heathrow hostility upon her.  How she is able to pursue a balanced and objective point of view remains to be seen.

Europe dominated the final weeks of the year, with Britain’s financial position and treaty posture dominating.  Mr Cameron walked away from the bargaining table, but left with a goodwill gesture, from his point of view, of ever increasing airport taxes, a present to European countries and their airlines. 

How will 2012 fare?

We have the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics.  There will be full aeroplanes, full hotels, and by the sound of it full roads.  Southend will be welcomed back as a proper scheduled service operation (and with it a direct airport train line to the Olympic Park).  Will British Airways become the majority airline at Heathrow, or will a repositioned Virgin Atlantic emerge as Virgin Unlimited?  BAA for one needs to know.

Enjoy the quiz. 

It’s been a bumpy but enjoyable crossing on QM2.

All the best for 2012 from the team at AERBT (An Executive Review of Business Travel).

MALCOLM GINSBERG
Editor in Chief

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Airline and airport codes on your phone

Avianet, Munich-based provider for global IT services and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aviareps AG, has just launched its first app.  Having a strong affinity to airline solutions, Avianet’s 'Travel Code' also deals with the daily issues of air travel.  The app can be downloaded free of charge in the iTunes store and is based on an Apple iOS platform.

The concept of 'Travel Code' is simple: The app facilitates the tracking of IATA codes.  It enables a quick and easy reference by either typing in a name of an airline, airport or country providing the respective two or three letter code within seconds or by entering a code and getting the full name of the airline, airport or country immediately.

'Travel Code' is designed for industry professionals, passionate travellers and consumers alike.  “The app is a simple tool that allows easy handling and shows immediate results for the user,” says Arshad Mughal, General Manager of Avianet.  “Even when working in the aviation business, hardly anyone can keep all codes in mind or know the full facts behind them.  With our new app, a convenient solution is provided for anyone keen to have all codes at hand.” www.aviareps.com

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Etihad order takes its 787 commitment up to 41

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has announced an order for 10 more Boeing 787 Dreamliners taking its commitment up to 41, becoming the largest operator worldwide of the all new aircraft.  Two 777 Freighters have been added at the same time.

“Our decision to expand our Dreamliner fleet is testimony to Etihad’s commitment to operating one of the youngest and most fuel efficient fleets in the skies,” Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan, said. “It also reflects our confidence in the 787’s ability to have a significant impact on our operating efficiencies and the passenger experience we can offer onboard this revolutionary aircraft.  Both the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the 777 Freighter offer highly attractive operating economics and will facilitate our global expansion plans by allowing us to transport passengers and cargo into new global markets from our hub in Abu Dhabi.”

Founded in 2003, Etihad Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world and currently operates scheduled flights to 84 passenger and cargo destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and North America. www.etihadairways.com

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Jakarta gets Pullman

Accor, which claims to be the largest hotel operator in the Asia Pacific region, has inaugurated the 317-room Pullman Jakarta Central Park.  Pullman is Accor’s upscale hotel brand targeting worldwide business and leisure travellers.  Jakarta is the administrative capital and business hub of Indonesia. 

Based in the centre of Podomoro City Super Block – the new business, commercial and residential area – the hotel is the ideal “place to meet” for both international and domestic business and leisure travellers.  Pullman Jakarta Central Park provides a unique concept of hospitality through the integration of the shopping mall, as well as business and leisure entertainment options.  It has also adopted a contemporary urban art-style design as its signature in guest rooms and in doing so created both a stimulating yet quiet space in which guests can retreat or efficiently work.

The hotel’s facilities are extensive with two restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool and sunbathing terrace, a state-of-the-art gymnasium and a roof top Sky Terrace Garden.  In addition, the hotel offers the latest conference and banquet facilities with over 5,700sq m of pillar-less function rooms, designed to cater to a wide spectrum of corporate and social functions. www.pullmanhotels.com

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London gets free New Year’s Eve travel

Not that he needs a free travel pass, and is more used to a somewhat quicker means of travel, Lewis Hamilton is promoting Diageo’s sponsorship of free travel on London’s Tubes, buses, trams (and some trains) this New Year’s Eve.

It is all part of a bid to encourage party goers to get home safely this festive season.  Diageo is of course eight of the top 20 premium spirits brands plus Guinness.

The Responsible Drinking feature across the TfL network including on the Underground, buses and at Tube stations.  In addition, Tube travellers at selected central London stations will receive top tips and free bottles of water on some of the busiest party nights of the year as part of Diageo’s ongoing commitment to a safer night out. 

A number of celebrations will be taking place across the Capital including the spectacular fireworks display on the Southbank organised by the Mayor of London.  Londoners will benefit from free travel from 23:45 on New Year’s Eve until 04:30 on New Year’s Day. Tube, DLR and tram services will run all night on New Year’s Eve, as well as night buses and 24-hour bus routes as usual.  Free travel will also apply to London Overground trains running after 23:45 until last train times. www.tfl.gov.uk

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Newquay Cornwall Airport in dramatic passenger slump

Now the only scheduled service airport west of Exeter, following the closure of Plymouth City Airport in September, passenger numbers at Cornwall Newquay have slumped dramatically.

Cornwall Council has reputably spent £76m transforming the former RAF St Mawgan into the county gateway as a civil airport since 2005.  Passenger numbers rose steadily from 337,000 in 2005 to their peak in 2008 of 431,000.  Estimated figures for 2010 are likely to be less than 200,000.  Airlines have pulled routes, including Ryanair, but the largest loss has been due to the closure of Air Southwest, whose Plymouth transit passengers were a major contributor to the figures.

The current passenger numbers are in stark contrast to the growth projections.  They were predicted to rise to 1,010,000 by 2015 and to 1,430,000 by 2030.

Airport Managing Director Al Titterington said: “The airport is continuing to work with its airline partners, both existing and new carriers, to grow sustainable air services. Flybe has introduced a new year-round service to Manchester, Loganair will operate services to Glasgow from April and British International Helicopters will operate its helicopter services to the Isles of Scilly from the airport next year. www.newquaycornwallairport.com

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US outbound travel

The US citizen outbound market totalled 28.2m travellers for the first six months of 2011.  It is not possible to compare the figures with the previous year as the authorities have now gone over to a paperless system.  For the future it is hoped that the figures will be available monthly.

Canada (4.6m) and Mexico (10.3m) take the lion’s share with 53% of all ex-US travel.

Travel to Europe was 18% of the 5.2m visitors.  The Caribbean was popular too at 3.2m followed by Asia 2.0m.  The number of Americans visiting Africa is very small, 175,000, just 1% of the total market.

With the exception of Canada and Mexico these are air-only figures and give some indication why the United States invests heavily in such exhibitions as ITB Berlin (in March), and London’s WTM, traditionally in November. www.tinet.ita.doc.gov

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CRUISE NEWS DECEMBER 2011

 Queen Mary 2 (QM2) has graced the seven seas since 2004.  Your Editor was privileged to travel on her from New York to Southampton when she was new, and was last week most fortunate to take her first passage in the opposite direction following a 14-day multi-million pound remodelling in Hamburg. 

This report comes to you as we approach New York, docking this morning (19 December).  Such is internet technology.

QM2 is unique.  It is a true ocean liner, probably the last of the breed.  But they said that of QE2 too.

Her so-called rivals may now be bigger (she was the world’s largest passenger ship when constructed) but these are purpose-built cruise ships, effectively floating mobile hotels, slower, more ponderous, and whilst perfectly able to cross the Atlantic, not designed for regular appearances on that sometimes most challenging of passages, as was the last seven days.

QM2 is a multi-purpose ship, designed that way, spending perhaps one-third of her life on the North Atlantic, one-third cruising in Europe and the Caribbean, and one-third on what is now the traditional World Cruise. 

According to Commodore Christopher Rynd, Cunard’s senior Captain and in charge of QM2 in its maiden crossing after the re-fit, no other passenger ship could have contended with last week’s gruesome weather.  “She (QM2) has performed exactly as she was designed to do.  No other ship could deal with the conditions experienced in such a way.  We’ve kept up a steady 21 knots but even we have had to steer a course to mitigate the circumstances.”  The bridge reported winds up to 70 knots at gale force 11. 

Damage on board seems to have been minimal and holidaymakers for the most part took it all in their stride.  Some are reported to even be enjoying the experience.  New York historian, Ted Scull, on board to lecture passengers on the city that never sleeps said: “I just love this weather.  That is what the North Atlantic in December is all about.”

Which way – East or West?

Let us begin by answering a simple question.  If you are not going to take QM2 both ways should one go westbound or eastbound. 

Out of Southampton, if you are flying back, it is cheaper in that you don’t have to pay the enormous British government airport departure tax, you gain an extra hour per day as you put the clocks back, and the entry to New York, even although it is now Brooklyn and not the Hudson, is magnificent. 

In the other direction the prevailing sea should make for a smoother crossing and arriving at Southampton, refreshed from seven days at sea, and with your journey home organised makes for a restful end of a lovely holiday.

Either way Cunard still have on offer the fully inclusive (except for tips) ship’s travel and return flight from less than £1,000 in 2012.  Terrific value.  For the cost of a Business Class return fare London – New York, you can travel Princess Grill one way and fly back.  If you need to go the United States make the time to have a holiday one way or the other.  It is a real experience.  You can have a leisurely crossing, or cram into every moment of the day some activity.  Or use each day to suit your own agenda.  

To put things in perspective the old Queen Mary was capable of crossing the Atlantic in less than four days.  Today her splendid successor currently takes seven nights.  When introduced the journey time was six nights but Cunard have now discovered that their passengers prefer more time on board, not less.  The longer passage sells better for much the same money, costs less in fuel, but is more expensive operationally.

Let us put one misinterpretation to bed.  QM2 is not a three-class ship.  Yes there are separate resturants for Grill Class passengers, but you get what you pay for.  Queens Grill clients benefit from the use of butlers, and can lead very private exclusive lives in their magnificent suites if that is what is wanted, whilst those in Princess Grill have slightly lesser staterooms.  For boarding there is priority, a private lounge and hostess, but for the most part all mix throughout the ship.  It is a very seamless society.  Grill Class clients also have what the Americans call tubs.  For the rest it is a (large) shower.

Refurbishment

RMS Queen Mary 2 made her first transatlantic crossing in January 2004.  She comes in at 151,000 gross registered tonnes.  She can carry up to a maximum of 2,600 passengers serviced by around 1,250 crew.  On this crossing she was full, plus five dogs in luxurious kennels.

The 14-day refit required a team of thousands of craftsmen working around the clock replacing the equivalent of almost ten football fields of carpet and turning about 18 miles of fabric into over 6,000 individual items.

Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, summed it up:

“Queen Mary 2 is an iconic leader in the world of luxury ocean travel and continues to receive high ratings by guests and the cruise industry.  A ship that still turns heads everywhere she goes, she is unquestionably the pride of our fleet.  We are committed to maintaining that impeccable reputation, and this significant refurbishment is an important investment on behalf of our guests.” 

One simple innovation worthy of mention is the installation of eight photo image readers in a gallery filled with the work of the on board photography team.  Just insert your cabin card and very quickly all their efforts with your stateroom number attached come up.  It saves looking through literally thousands of prints.  Cunard might well scrap the gallery at some future point in time and no doubt others will copy.

Also, gone are the art auctions, replaced by interesting lectures (and your editor was honoured in being able to give a 45 minute discourse on the Olympics, which went down well) .  The Rolf Harris story was standing room only.  An amazing multi talented man. The ship is now entirely wi-fi which works well.

Looking in more detail all 1,310 staterooms received a fresh look with new carpeting, curtains, bedspreads and some gained new furniture.  Flat screen TVs are now standard.  On board is some of the finest accommodation at sea, including four outstanding duplex suites which look out over the stern pools, but the standard cabin, with or without balcony, is more than adequate, a pullout bed/settee available if needed.  No tea or coffee making facilities are provided but a complimentary 24hr cabin service includes soups, pastas and a whole range of sandwiches.  You can dine in your stateroom during restaurant hours.

QM2 regulars will straight away notice changes in the popular Golden Lion pub offering traditional lunch menus, live sporting events on TV, regular quizzes and nightly music.  The new design retains the British pub atmosphere and also evokes, according to Cunard, an American country club feel similar to the warm colours and plush seating in the same venues aboard sister ships Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

An extensive refurbishment of the Canyon Ranch SpaClub includes the teak surrounds of the hydrotherapy pool and adjacent wet areas and a general upgrade of all the facilities.  Most impressive is the new touch screen TV exercise machines in the fitness centre, which also offer computer games to take your mind off the agony you are putting yourself through.

Both the Queens Grill and Princess Grill Restaurants feature new, lighter carpet designs but if you have not travelled on QM2 before, or in recent times, the Club Britannia dining area is well worth a consideration.  It is available for those booking what is really the standard balcony cabin, but on deck 12, with quick access to the Pavilion Pool, with its sliding roof.  Club Britannia is the seagoing version of Premium Economy, the same extensive menu as the main (Britannia) restaurant but is more exclusive and a quieter area.  The service is personal and you can eat at a time to suit rather than the two sittings of the main dining area.

With the Princess Grill the menu is extensive but mainly European.  King’s Court offers a variety of self-service meals and both Italian and Lotus silver service dining, for which there is a supplement.  Often considered the finest fare at sea New York restaurateur Todd English offers his award winning cuisine, also mainly European, in a fine intimate facility.  It is popular for private celebrations. There is a charge al la carte but vastly less than one on dry land.  Such is its success it has been replicated on Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

Other alterations and improvements include an upgrading to the Commodore Club overlooking the bow with a new carpet design and additions to the white leather furnishings of chairs, sofas and bar stools.  Remodelled also is the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar with a new carpet and soft furnishing.  Sir Samuel’s, the busy social venue, which features speciality coffees during the day and an impressive menu of wines at night, has also received new carpeting and furniture coverings.

The Play Zone / Kids’ Zone, of which Cunard is justifiably proud, has undergone a complete refurbishment, including new soft play areas, plus upgrades to the very latest in electronic gaming technology and entertainment.

Queen Mary 2 was recently named the world’s Top Large Resort Ship in the new Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships.  By continuing to invest in both her technical and hotel areas and retaining her grand status with the largest ballroom and the only planetarium at sea, plus the largest library, Cunard is ensuring that its 170 years of tradition are being kept.  137 tableaux spread around the ship describe the line's fascinating history of the line.  It is also an account of the social scene over one and a half centuries.

In many ways QM2 is a throwback of the liners of the 1930s, art deco throughout, with a great deal of walnut panelling.  It is a very quiet ship.  No sales pitches and bingo announcements for Cunard customers.  Art auctions have been eliminated but the gallery has been retained and Clarendon Fine Art are on hand to discuss your requirements. 

A tuxedo is obligatory on certain nights in the resturants main dining areas.  However the alternative eating areas will make you very welcome if your dress code wish is more relaxed.

With a seven-night crossing, and no interruptions regarding shore excursions travellers can take in some of the offerings on board.  The word is “some”.  Frankly it is impossible to visit all that is available in that short time.  Even a return trip would be pushing it.  Two large theatres.  Entertainment and films galore and a variety of sporting activity.  The Mayfair shopping arcade should be mentioned too, also upgraded during the dry dock period.  It is easy to bypass if not for you, but many spent much of their trip deciding what to buy, tax free.  Try and catch a bargain day.

In 2,000 words it is impossible to fully describe QM2.  If your business trip takes you across the Atlantic towards the front end of the aircraft, for no more money, treat yourself to an week’s holiday on board this magnificent liner.  You will enjoy it.


PROGRAMME

From New York QM2 takes a 15-night holiday trip through the Caribbean before returning to Brooklyn and thence another transatlantic crossing to Southampton.  On board are 728 clients for the whole trip.  On 10 January she commences the 108 days 2012 World Cruise, but it is not a global circumnavigation.  That she does of Australia taking the southerly route.  From Sydney, for the second time, it is up to Tokyo and South East Asia.   Singapore to Mumbai follows and then Dubai, the Suez Canal, Mediterranean and home.  A great variety of sectors and combinations are available.  To date only 280 passengers have booked the whole voyage but that is more than made up by those who want to go all around Oz, a very rare offering.

Next summer QM2 is back on her regular sailings across the Atlantic, the only ship to do so, and capable of doing so.  In between there are voyages from New York up the St Lawrence, and Southampton to both Northern Europe and the Canaries.  The short sample cruises, two to five days out of Southampton, are very limited in 2012.  Cunard clearly feels that the cruising world knows all about QM2.  The vast majority of passengers are regulars.  That speaks for itself. www.cunard.com

Malcolm Ginsberg

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