Economy class not the only way to cut corporate travel costs

The International Air Transport Association says there was a 23.6% drop in the number of travellers flying on premium tickets between May 2008-09, as companies sought to reduce corporate travel costs in the most effective way possible – flying economy.

However BCD Travel, the world’s third largest corporate travel management company, says there are plenty of other ways companies can significantly reduce their corporate travel costs without subjecting their staff to flights of up to 8-10 hours in economy class.
Among the corporate travel management company’s top tips are:

• Construct a corporate travel policy that will ensure you meet your budget
• Enforce your business travel policy through the use of an Online Booking System with redundant options such as first class travel on short haul flights removed
• Make use of the relatively new ‘premium economy’ class
• Book best fares of the day rather than sticking to one supplier

In 2008-2009, BCD Travel helped its new clients save an average of up to 30% on corporate travel costs, according to an analysis of the travel management company’s top 200 clients.

If you would like a free corporate travel expenditure health check, please contact National Sales Manager, Stephen Finlay on 02 8080 7439 or stephen.finlay@bcdtravel.com.au

Even more reasons to fly Etihad airways

Coral Economy

With outstanding guest hospitality, cutting-edge in-flight entertainment, and convenient connections, you will quickly learn why Etihad describes its customers as guests not passengers.

Our Coral Economy offers over 600 hours of on-demand entertainment on 10.4-inch personal LCD screens, ergonomically designed seats with up to 33 inch pitch with lumbar support and mood lighting designed to soothe and refresh you as you pass through different time zones, dramatically reducing the effects of jet lag.

Best Business Class

Etihad Airways is flying higher than ever before after winning Best Business Class and Best Business Class Catering at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, after a global poll of 16 million air travelers.

With luxurious fully flat beds on every long haul flight and more than 600 hours of on-demand entertainment on personal 15-inch screens, your own food and beverage manager and limo transfers to and from your home Pearl Business Class is a more luxurious way to travel.

*NEW First Diamond Class
Etihad has redefined luxury air travel even further following the unveiling of its new first class cabin suite at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai.

The highlight of the US $70 million (Dhs 257 million) First Class revamp is an extra-large seat that extends to a fully-flat bed, 80.5 inches in length, which is equipped with built-in massager and Arabic styled sliding privacy doors.
*The full roll-out of the new first class suites is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

Stay updated on corporate travel and industry news by subscribing to the BCD travel news feed.

Edihard Airways re-defines luxury air travel

Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and the world’s fastest growing carrier. Based in Abu Dhabi, the hub that links more than 50 destinations, the airline differentiates itself by delivering outstanding hospitality on brand new, technically advanced aircrafts.

The airline is flying higher than ever before after winning “Best Business Class” and “Best Business Class Catering” at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, following a global poll of 16 million air travelers.

With luxurious fully flat beds on every long haul flight, more than 600 hours of on-demand entertainment on personal 15-inch screens, a food and beverage manager and limo transfers, Pearl Business class is a more luxurious way to travel.

Etihad Airways, has redefined luxury air travel even further following the unveiling of its new First Class cabin suite at this year’s Arabian Travel Market.

The highlight of the US $70 million Diamond First class revamp is an 82 inch long private suite with a 80.5 inches fully flat bed. Each suite has Arabic styled sliding privacy doors, 23 inch personal TV/video screen, personal mini bar, illuminated wardrobe with a personal mirror, in-seat massager, lumbar support and adjustable headrest. In addition, a luxury changing room with full length mirror is available to onboard Guests.

The first aircraft with the new First Class cabin is due to enter service at the end of August 2009. The full rollout of the new First Class suites in the airline’s fleet is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

Visit the BCD Travel blog for more corporate travel industry updates.

Price War Great News for Corporate Travel

At a time when companies across Australia are frantically cutting costs to offset the impact of the global financial crisis, business travel is getting cheaper as major airline carriers go head to head on popular corporate travel routes such as Sydney to Los Angeles.

Four carriers are now flying from Sydney to LA following Delta Airlines and V Australia’s entry into the trans-Pacific sector, with flights expected to go as low as $320 one way before tax, according to US analyst Rick Seaney of Fare Compare.

A Flight Centre survey shows international fares are more than $200 cheaper on average compared to five years ago. The Sydney to Los Angeles business travel route is now 41% cheaper than in 2004. Corporate travellers flying from Sydney to Bangkok are now flying for 29% less, according to the survey.

Airfares are now cheaper than ever before - providing much needed relief for organisations requiring staff to undertake regular corporate travel. However, current corporate travel fares are not sustainable for carriers and prices will likely rise, experts say.

BCD Travel’s Event of the Month for business travellers

Corporate travel agency, BCD Travel, expects a shortage of accommodation and flights to Brisbane around the middle of July when the Final State of Origin match is scheduled to take place.

Business travellers intending to fly to Brisbane on or around July 15 should book their corporate travel early or delay or bring forward their business travel to avoid disappointment.

BCD Travel provides more than a corporate travel booking service, they are also highly experienced groups and incentives organisers. The first step in planning business travel and meetings incentives conferences exhibitions (MICE), is to check if any major community activities are occurring in the city of your event.

Business travel should be avoided at the time of major community events as demand becomes very strong for flights and accommodation, meaning corporate travellers will likely pay higher prices and could miss out on flights and accommodation.

BCD Travel has an event calendar on its public corporate travel website that is designed to assist corporate travellers planning trips away. Other upcoming events include the Wallabies vs Italy match in Canberra June 15-18; the Wallabies vs Italy match in Melbourne on June 20 and the Wallabies vs France match in Sydney on June 27.

Prepare for Take off on Delta

Daily nonstop to L.A and on to over 250 cities in North America, launching July 3, 2009. Start booking tickets for you clients on the worlds largest airline today.

* Delta recently merged with Northwest which makes us the world’s largest carrier
* We service 368 destinations in 66 countries and carry over 170 million passengers each year.
* Operating with the 777-200LR aircraft
* Departing SYD 0915 and arriving LAX 0600 allowing for exceptional connections to deeper USA.
* Economy class - New all leather slim line seats, personal 9 inch video monitors with on demand movies, tv, music and games
* Our Business Elite service offers reclining seats that adjust to multiple positions including a fully horizontal 6 foot 3 inch bed, privacy screens and isle access

for more corporate travel and business travel info visit the BCD Travel website.

Direct corporate travel flights to Hamilton, New Zealand

Pacific Blue has announced new direct flights to Hamilton, New Zealand, from both Sydney and Brisbane airports starting in September this year.

Six direct flights are scheduled per week – three from each city, with connecting fares offered via Sydney to and from Perth, Melbourne and Canberra.
To celebrate the new flights, Pacific Blue is having a two week sale with flights from Sydney to Hamilton as low as $202 and flights from Brisbane as low as $232.

Cipro dosage

Maxalt dosage

Zyrtec dosage

Famvir dosage

Lopid dosage

Viagra dosage

Atacand dosage

Procardia dosage

Zocor dosage

Ponstel dosage

Exelon dosage

Tamiflu dosage

Adalat dosage

Kamagra dosage

Remeron dosage

Xenical dosage

Nexium dosage

Prozac dosage

Zimulti dosage

Enalapril dosage

Lioresal dosage

Cyklokapron dosage

Aricept dosage

Starlix dosage

Ovral dosage

Lamisil dosage

Deltasone dosage

Flagyl dosage

Toprol dosage

Vermox dosage

Parlodel dosage

Trandate dosage

Geodon dosage

Alesse dosage

Avapro dosage

Diltiazem dosage

Symmetrel dosage

Augmentin dosage

Eulexin dosage

Risperdal dosage

Feldene dosage

Serophene dosage

Tricor dosage

Elavil dosage

Benemid dosage

Casodex dosage

Aristocort dosage

Sustiva dosage

Sorbitrate dosage

Diovan dosage

Fosamax dosage

Sumycin dosage

Trimox dosage

Prilosec dosage

Clarinex dosage

Lopressor dosage

Atrovent dosage

Nimotop dosage

Zerit dosage

Nizoral dosage

Vytorin dosage

Hyzaar dosage

Lotensin dosage

Hytrin dosage

Diflucan dosage

Rocaltrol dosage

Cialis dosage

Ceftin dosage

Glucophage dosage

Singulair dosage

Mexitil dosage

Avandia dosage

Mevacor dosage

Lozol dosage

Celebrex dosage

Femcare dosage

Microzide dosage

Arimidex dosage

Proscar dosage

Tenormin dosage

Actonel dosage

Depakote dosage

Lamictal dosage

Allegra dosage

Ziac dosage

Zoloft dosage

Aleve dosage

Pravachol dosage

Maxaquin dosage

Plendil dosage

Ditropan dosage

Accutane dosage

Indocin dosage

Tiazac dosage

Sarafem dosage

Actos dosage

Azulfidine dosage

Prandin dosage

Lynoral dosage

Grifulvin dosage

Monoket dosage

Cafergot dosage

Coreg dosage

Neurontin dosage

Phenergan dosage

Seroquel dosage

Vasotec dosage

Compazine dosage

Coumadin dosage

Nolvadex dosage

Lariam dosage

Inderal dosage

Pepcid dosage

Premarin dosage

Propecia dosage

Altace dosage

Monopril dosage

Levaquin dosage

Accupril dosage

Myambutol dosage

Aciphex dosage

Femara dosage

Cardizem dosage

Motrin dosage

Zanaflex dosage

Endep dosage

Lasix dosage

Evista dosage

Imitrex dosage

Cartia dosage

Micardis dosage

Prevacid dosage

Zyprexa dosage

Effexor dosage

Lanoxin dosage

Cytoxan dosage

Buspar dosage

Paxil dosage

Loxitane dosage

Protonix dosage

Veetids dosage

Cardura dosage

Zantac dosage

Calan dosage

Norvasc dosage

Capoten dosage

Zithromax dosage

Macrobid dosage

Amaryl dosage

Phentermine dosage

Ultram dosage

Dilantin dosage

Prograf dosage

Zelnorm dosage

Keflex dosage

Adipex dosage

Lipitor dosage

Mysoline dosage

Urispas dosage

Dostinex dosage

Didronel dosage

Avodart dosage

Requip dosage

Sinequan dosage

Lotrel dosage

Keftab dosage

Levoxyl dosage

Wellbutrin dosage

Avandamet dosage

Revia dosage

Fulvicin dosage

Soma dosage

Cordarone dosage

Pamelor dosage

Mircette dosage

Kytril dosage

Levothroid dosage

Pletal dosage

Synthroid dosage

Zyloprim dosage

Arava dosage

Desyrel dosage

Plavix dosage

Glucotrol dosage

Vantin dosage

Tramadol dosage

Claritin dosage

Stromectol dosage

Atarax dosage

Zestoretic dosage

Leukeran dosage

Zyvox dosage

Amoxil dosage

Antabuse dosage

Hydrea dosage

Clomid dosage

Xanax dosage

Celexa dosage

Lexapro dosage

Relafen dosage

Soma dosage

Cytotec dosage

Zetia dosage

These special fares are available until 17 June or until sold out for travel from 1 September until 17 December.

To contact corporate travel agency BCD Travel, call our National Sales Manager, Stephen Finlay on 02 8080 7439 or email stephen.finlay@bcdtravel.com.au.