Alaska and Delta: Rank Highest in Service
by Fred Gebhart /Alaska, Delta Score Highest in Service
Alaska Airlines and Delta led the pack in quality of service of nine U.S. air carriers in 2013, according to figures compiled by the Wall Street Journal. United and American brought up the rear. Carriers reduced the number of flights in 2013 compared to 2012, but delays and cancellations were up despite the lighter schedule. The number of flights delayed by 45 minutes or more jumped by 13% in 2013 over 2012 and flight cancellations increased by 15%. The bright side: fewer passengers were bumped last year and fewer fliers complained to the Department of Transportation (DOT) about their airline experience.
Biz Travelers Blur Private, Professional Travel Lives
U.S. travelers, like their international counterparts, use mobile devices intended for business to blur lines between private and professional activities. But Americans are more likely than most others to work off the clock. The findings come from a survey of 2,200 seasoned international travelers for Pullman Hotels, the upscale brand of French hotel company Accor.
Nearly all the American respondents, 92%, said they work during what are supposed to be private times, including 90% of business travelers who work when officially on vacation. Among international travelers, 61% take a professional mobile device on weekend or vacation trips, but 66% of Americans pack a business device while on holiday. The Americans said they try to work in secret so family members don’t know they aren’t 100% on vacation.
Data Security and Mobile: Top Priorities in 2014
Better data security and more attention to mobile top the wish list for travel managers and TMCs in 2014, according to U.K.-based Hogg Robinson Group (HRG). HRG advised clients to consolidate their data programs with a TMC. The company points to corporate data breaches that endangered personal privacy in 2013 as fueling the need to consolidate travel data behind a single firewall. Consolidation will also enhance data collection, said Stewart Harvey, HRG group commercial director. More complete card and expense data can help travel managers control overall T&E spending.
Inflight Wi-Fi An Advantage? Maybe Not
The airline industry is abuzz with the need for more, better and faster Wi-Fi connections during flight. But at least two passenger surveys in 2013 found that most travelers prefer to remain unconnected in the air. Expedia found that just 10% of business travelers in Singapore insist on in-flight Wi-Fi. The other 90% would rather stay unconnected. A similar American Express survey found that 60% of business travelers from the U.S., U.K. and Australia would rather stay disconnected during flights. About 60% of aircraft flown by U.S. carriers are reportedly equipped for Wi-Fi.
Business Travelers Choose Fine Dining Over Quick Service Restaurants
Business meal expenses took a sharp jump in 2013 over 2012. The number of business meals increased substantially in 2013 and so did the amount of the average check. Typical business meal spending was $55 per week in October, 2013 versus $45 in October, 2012, according to Consumer Edge Insight. The average check jumped from $13.50 to $18.50. The company said the increase is due to business travelers’ move away from quick service restaurants. Fine dining visits increased by 8% last year, casual dining by 2% and quick service by 1%.
Europe Slow to Relax Rules on In-Flight Electronics
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the EU equivalent of the Federal Aviation Administration, finally followed the FAA’s lead in allowing use of personal electronic devices during all phases of passenger flights. But European carriers are not rushing to allow passengers to keep their e-readers and tablets in hand during takeoff and landing. Changes in airline operations must be cleared by each country’s own national safety authority as well as by the EASA. British Airways said in December that it hoped to announce more relaxed rules for handheld electronic devices “very soon,” but industry sources said it could take up to a year to ease regulations
Flying by Weight Works
Samoa Air, which launched the industry’s first pay-by-weight program in 2013, said the experiment is a huge success. The airline said it is reducing the number of seats on its new aircraft from 14 to nine to make way for larger seats to accommodate heavier passengers who pay more. Current pricing is based on a combination of the passenger’s body and luggage weight. Chief Executive Chris Langton told Australian reporters that anyone who weighs in at around 120 kg (about 265 lbs) will spend less on a fly-by-weight system compared to conventional ticket prices.