Road Warrior

The business of travelling for work

Aer Lingus and JetBlue get closer

The relationship between Aer Lingus and JetBlue is about to become closer when EI moves into JetBlue’s Terminal 5 at JFK early next year. The newest terminal at JFK will have shorter connections times for passengers transferring to internal flights. Minimum connection times from European arrivals to US departures will be 60 minutes and US to Ireland as fast as 40 minutes.

Aer Lingus and JetBlue have been working together for the past four years and have integrated timetables and ticketing for flights on each other’s networks. Advantages of Terminal 5 include free wifi and a good range of food and beverage outlets.

Merger in the air

We are only getting used to the merger of United and Continental Airlines when another merger is appearing on the horizon.

Tom Horton, chief executive of AMR Corporation, American Airlines’ parent, said recently in a letter to employees that “it now makes sense to carefully evaluate a range of strategic options, including potential mergers”.

He probably means American Airlines and US Airways, something US Airways has been lobbying creditors and unions for as an option for American Airlines to exit bankruptcy.

In recent years, Delta merged with Northwest and with the United/Continental merger now controls 60 per cent of the market in the US. A merger with US and AA would make them competitive together.

Flying in the future

Airbus has been speculating about what we may need from aircraft in 2050 with two billion more people on the planet. By 2050, aircraft will be bigger, look different, fly more efficiently, have bigger windows, even sunroofs.

Two-thirds of travellers will be obese, so seating has to change and it will probably morph to suit individual body shapes. Passengers may be pre-loaded airside to reduce time, aircraft may fly in formations like birds to increase energy efficiency, body heat could be harvested to power some applications and aircraft may fly on solar power.

Entertainment may be provided by ultra-thin monitors and you may be using holographics to connect with business colleagues on the ground.

Shannon goes VIP

Quintessentially Aviation has signed an agreement with Shannon Airport to open a VIP lounge for private jet clients by the end of the year. It will principally be used for clients coming from the Middle East who will have the advantage of using the unique business aviation pre-clearance for immigration and customs to the United States.

Quintessentially Aviation has introduced a new online quoting programme to help you find a private aircraft to suit your journey with an estimate of prices for the route.

Log on to QuintessentiallyAviation.com, enter the details and you will be given a series of aircraft options. When you choose the most suitable, you will be sent a quotation.

SAS looks for ideas

Getting your airline to arrange dry-cleaning and having adult-only flights are just some of the ideas from passengers using the new SAS Scandinavian Airlines ideas website.

The airline has launched an online "crowdsurfing" site for customers to share ideas on how SAS can improve services. The users can vote for their favourite idea. Leading the ideas this week is the option to upgrade to a higher class for a special price. Flysas.com/mysasidea.