Priority Pass, the world’s largest independent airport VIP lounge access programme, has today released findings from a survey of over 5,000 international frequent flyers revealing more than 90% journey through a world of frustration at airport check-in, security and immigration.
In today’s fast-paced working culture driven by new technologies, Priority Pass says speed is of the essence for its business and leisure members. In the survey, conducted in March 2012, 91% of those questioned found slow progress through immigration ‘frustrating’. 42% alone found the experience ‘extremely frustrating’. Similarly, 91% found slow progress through security to be ‘frustrating’ overall, with 43% finding it ‘extremely’ so. 90% found slow check-in ‘frustrating’ overall, indicating that most journeys get off to a bad start.
While measures have been introduced to speed life up at the airport, 70% of the surveyed Priority Pass members found the term ‘Fast Bag Drop’ misleading. When asked what would improve travellers’ experiences at airports, a ‘fast track’ route through security was the top choice (cited by 33% of respondents), followed by free Wi-Fi (26%), friendlier staff (8%) and more seating (6%). Of those who check-in early, 35% claim they do so because of the long delays in getting through security.
Jonathan French, head of brand, Priority Pass, says: “This year marks the 20th anniversary of Priority Pass and we have seen airports and lounges undergo significant changes during the past two decades. Everyone understands the need for greater security, but we are living amongst a generation of ‘instanity’ - we expect everything to happen right now and when it doesn’t, life, frustratingly, slows down.
“The ‘fast bag drop’ service was introduced so that fliers could check in online from their PC, or a self-service check-in desk, print their own boarding pass, then just drop their bag off at the ‘fast bag drop’ desk. Unfortunately, travellers are still experiencing long queues to do this.”
Airlines’ self-check-in machines stand out as conspicuous successes with travellers, with only 32% finding these facilities frustrating overall, while 68% overall say they are not frustrating at all.
Stripping down to the ‘bare essentials’ – having to remove shoes, belts and other items of clothing – at security was ‘frustrating’ overall for 67% of those surveyed, making the experience even more irritating than noisy families (voted for by 65%).
Lounges provide a relaxing haven
Once past check-in, security and immigration, the traveller’s lot is considerably better, the survey reveals. For 47% of the respondents, time spent in the airport lounge was their favourite aspect of their journey. The survey showed that in an airport lounge, 65% usually spend their time eating, 60% spend their time drinking non-alcoholic beverages and 49% focus on work. The quality of refreshments and comfort of seating areas were considered the most important features in an airport lounge, voted for by 24% and 23% respectively.
French continues: “Delays at airports are not going away, but new technologies and communication tools are emerging daily. In the US, trials have already begun for fast check-in for frequent business travellers. We believe that the airport lounge will continue to be an important part of people’s journeys by providing a welcome, productive, relaxing space for travellers to use.”
On the flight
Second to spending time in the airport lounge (48%), the flight itself was the next favourite aspect of frequent flyers’ journey, cited by 28% of people. According to 35% of respondents, watching in-flight movies is the best aspect of a long-haul flight, followed by time to sleep (22%) and time to read (20%). Travel to and from the airport was selected by only 5% as their favourite aspect of a journey. The idea of in-flight mobile phone usage remains largely unpopular, with only 17% saying they would be happy if fellow passengers were allowed to use mobiles in the air.
Promising travel trends
When asked about their travel frequency in the past 12 months, encouragingly, almost a third (30%) of respondents claimed their business travel had increased, while 53% said it had stayed the same. Just 17% said their business travel had decreased in the past year. Nearly a third (29%) said that their leisure travel has also increased in the period, while 59% said it had been unchanged. Only 12% said their leisure travel had decreased, a positive figure in the current economic climate.
Looking ahead, almost a third of respondents (28%) expect their business travel to increase over the next 12 months, while 29% expect an increase in their leisure travel. Supporting the view that economic recovery will be gradual, the majority of respondents (57%) expect their business travel to stay at the same level in the coming year, while 63% expect their leisure travel to remain unchanged. Pleasingly, however, only small minorities expect to see reductions in their business travel (15%) and leisure travel (8%).
Showing posts with label airport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label airport. Show all posts
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Saturday, 31 March 2012
British Airways increases flights from London City
The airline is to take delivery of another Embraer 190 in the late summer, bringing the total fleet size to 14 aircraft.
It will be used for new year-round flights to Venice and to increase frequency to the key business destinations of Frankfurt from March and Glasgow from September.
The new route means even more choice for customers wanting to take holidays in Venice, the gateway to Northern Italy, when the flights launch in September and there will be one extra flight a day to Frankfurt and Glasgow.
The news comes as British Airways is about to start brand new services from the Docklands airport to Mahon in Menorca, Quimper in Britanny and Angers in the Loire Valley in France from May.
As the airline continues to grow its network, passengers now have more choices of leisure destinations when they fly from London City on one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the business. A total of 22 destinations in the UK, Europe and the USA will be served by British Airways from London City Airport.
Peter Simpson, managing director British Airways wholly owned subsidiary airline BA CityFlyer, said: "We are very excited about the arrival of our 14th aircraft which will add frequency to existing business destinations and has opened up new flying possibilities to popular leisure destinations. Our customers love the quick and easy service at London City, just 15 minutes from curbside to airside, making the most of their valuable time.
"We have some very competitive all inclusive fares to all our destinations, which include a generous free 23kg luggage allowance, free on-line check-in and seat selection 24 hours before departure and complimentary food and drink on board."
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Heathrow Strike hitting your plans? APH can help
Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) Offers 10% off Airport Parking
With Heathrow Express workers announcing 24-hour strikes on 26th February and 11th March 2012, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is offering passengers travelling to Heathrow Airport on these dates, a 10% discount on airport parking.
The offer is available for bookings made until 9th March 2012 at all participating car parks at Heathrow Airport. To receive the 10% discount, visit www.aph.com/heathrow.
Examples of savings include:
· One weeks’ Off-Airport Valet Parking at Heathrow Airport costs from £48.55, saving 10%
· One weeks’ Drivefly Meet and Greet Parking at Heathrow Airport costs from £58.45, saving 10%
Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is the UK’s award winning long stay airport parking operator and booking agency, after winning the Best Airport Parking Company for a second year running at British Travel Awards 2011. This year APH also celebrates its 32nd year as a retailer and operator of pre-booked airport parking and travel extras. APH offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels packaged with parking and airport lounges. APH is also a carbon balanced company and has, through support of the World Land Trust, helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of endangered rainforest.
For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) visit www.aph.com or call 01342 859515.
With Heathrow Express workers announcing 24-hour strikes on 26th February and 11th March 2012, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is offering passengers travelling to Heathrow Airport on these dates, a 10% discount on airport parking.
The offer is available for bookings made until 9th March 2012 at all participating car parks at Heathrow Airport. To receive the 10% discount, visit www.aph.com/heathrow.
Examples of savings include:
· One weeks’ Off-Airport Valet Parking at Heathrow Airport costs from £48.55, saving 10%
· One weeks’ Drivefly Meet and Greet Parking at Heathrow Airport costs from £58.45, saving 10%
Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is the UK’s award winning long stay airport parking operator and booking agency, after winning the Best Airport Parking Company for a second year running at British Travel Awards 2011. This year APH also celebrates its 32nd year as a retailer and operator of pre-booked airport parking and travel extras. APH offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels packaged with parking and airport lounges. APH is also a carbon balanced company and has, through support of the World Land Trust, helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of endangered rainforest.
For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) visit www.aph.com or call 01342 859515.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Airport Shuttles Going Green
While shared-ride transportation is inherently eco-friendly, many members of The GO Group, the world's largest airport shuttle provider, are going one step further.
GO companies serving San Francisco International, Seattle-Tacoma International, Milwaukee's General Mitchell International, Dallas-Ft. Worth and Puerto Rico's Luis Munoz Marin International are converting all or part of their fleets to alternative fuels - either compressed natural gas (CNG) or propane. While GO companies in Los Angeles (serving all southern California airports) and Chicago (serving Midway and O'Hare) also are in the process of doing so.
CNG is a fossil fuel, while propane is a by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. Both burn cleaner than gasoline or diesel fuels, although CNG is considered the cleaner of the two.
Companies that convert to alternative fuels can earn a 50 cents-per-gallon tax credit as well other incentives from local government and the airports.
GO Shuttle Express in Seattle, which has 43 propane-fueled vehicles, began the conversion process last January and has 20 more systems to install.
According to J. R. Rowley, president of GO Shuttle Express, the fuel saving has been around $2 per gallon. Maintenance costs, however, have been slightly higher due to the learning curve.
In San Francisco, GO Lorries has adapted 16 vans to CNG, with another 28 to be retrofitted for CNG by May.
"The conversions are expensive," says Julio Bonilla, president, "but the fuel savings mitigate the cost."
As of December, GO Riteway Transportation Group in Milwaukee has moved 21 of its 500-vehicle fleet to propane, experiencing a $7,000 fuel savings since October.
According to Jason Ebert, fleet and facilities coordinator, the maintenance costs are lower as oil changes can now be performed every 7,000 rather than every 5,000 miles as in the past.
Ebert reports one reason GO Riteway opted for propane is that it is 90 percent as efficient as gasoline, which allows for a greater vehicle range than CNG, which is only 31 percent efficient. Also, the cost of a propane conversion is one third less than the cost of a CNG conversion.
The GO Group LLC is a one-stop source for airport shuttles, which transport some 13 million passengers to and from airports in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe. Travelers can book ground transportation to and from both departure and destination airports at www.goairportshuttle.com.
GO companies serving San Francisco International, Seattle-Tacoma International, Milwaukee's General Mitchell International, Dallas-Ft. Worth and Puerto Rico's Luis Munoz Marin International are converting all or part of their fleets to alternative fuels - either compressed natural gas (CNG) or propane. While GO companies in Los Angeles (serving all southern California airports) and Chicago (serving Midway and O'Hare) also are in the process of doing so.
CNG is a fossil fuel, while propane is a by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. Both burn cleaner than gasoline or diesel fuels, although CNG is considered the cleaner of the two.
Companies that convert to alternative fuels can earn a 50 cents-per-gallon tax credit as well other incentives from local government and the airports.
GO Shuttle Express in Seattle, which has 43 propane-fueled vehicles, began the conversion process last January and has 20 more systems to install.
According to J. R. Rowley, president of GO Shuttle Express, the fuel saving has been around $2 per gallon. Maintenance costs, however, have been slightly higher due to the learning curve.
In San Francisco, GO Lorries has adapted 16 vans to CNG, with another 28 to be retrofitted for CNG by May.
"The conversions are expensive," says Julio Bonilla, president, "but the fuel savings mitigate the cost."
As of December, GO Riteway Transportation Group in Milwaukee has moved 21 of its 500-vehicle fleet to propane, experiencing a $7,000 fuel savings since October.
According to Jason Ebert, fleet and facilities coordinator, the maintenance costs are lower as oil changes can now be performed every 7,000 rather than every 5,000 miles as in the past.
Ebert reports one reason GO Riteway opted for propane is that it is 90 percent as efficient as gasoline, which allows for a greater vehicle range than CNG, which is only 31 percent efficient. Also, the cost of a propane conversion is one third less than the cost of a CNG conversion.
The GO Group LLC is a one-stop source for airport shuttles, which transport some 13 million passengers to and from airports in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe. Travelers can book ground transportation to and from both departure and destination airports at www.goairportshuttle.com.
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Be prepared for a long haul flight
Last week for business reasons I made a flight from the UK to California. The flights were booked as economy flights and I have some important lessons to share with you.
Firstly, ensure that if you are going on a long haul flight -the flight, including European transfer for the flight to San Francisco was 11 to 12 hours long- that if you can you book either economy plus or business class. You can ask for an upgrade to business to economy, but if that is not possible, and you have problems with a knee or health issues or are exceptionally tall, then you should ask for a seat by one of the exits, as there is more leg room there. You will have to agree to help the plane crew in the case of an emergency, but this should not present you with a problem.
The food on the airlines can be variable in quality, though is, in general, of good quality. On the flight from Europe to California there is generally -depending on the time of day- a main meal (with a choice of two meals in economy) two light snacks and perhaps breakfast. Coffee and tea, soft drinks and water are free though alcoholic drinks are available for an extra sum. Though seasoned travellers caution against the consumption of too much alcohol during a flight.
Meals in business and first class are generally better, with more choice and on some airlines, free alcoholic drinks, but the point about not consuming too much alcohol remains valid, even for he better off passengers.
Ensure that you tell your credit card or bank that you will be abroad. You do not want your bank suspending your credit or debit card for "suspicious activity" when your spending activity suddenly starts to take place in a different part of the world! Also, get you money changed before you go, if possible. The Post Office offers good rates. Although there is a minimum amount you can order should you buy on line, there's no minimum at the Post Office branch, so check out the nearest Post Office with a Bureaux de Change facility. There rates are generally pretty good and I was able to instantly obtain the US Dollars that I required. Though for purchases using a debit card you will have to take a passport with you as identification.
Do not forget to sort out travel/health insurance before you go.
Firstly, ensure that if you are going on a long haul flight -the flight, including European transfer for the flight to San Francisco was 11 to 12 hours long- that if you can you book either economy plus or business class. You can ask for an upgrade to business to economy, but if that is not possible, and you have problems with a knee or health issues or are exceptionally tall, then you should ask for a seat by one of the exits, as there is more leg room there. You will have to agree to help the plane crew in the case of an emergency, but this should not present you with a problem.
The food on the airlines can be variable in quality, though is, in general, of good quality. On the flight from Europe to California there is generally -depending on the time of day- a main meal (with a choice of two meals in economy) two light snacks and perhaps breakfast. Coffee and tea, soft drinks and water are free though alcoholic drinks are available for an extra sum. Though seasoned travellers caution against the consumption of too much alcohol during a flight.
Meals in business and first class are generally better, with more choice and on some airlines, free alcoholic drinks, but the point about not consuming too much alcohol remains valid, even for he better off passengers.
Ensure that you tell your credit card or bank that you will be abroad. You do not want your bank suspending your credit or debit card for "suspicious activity" when your spending activity suddenly starts to take place in a different part of the world! Also, get you money changed before you go, if possible. The Post Office offers good rates. Although there is a minimum amount you can order should you buy on line, there's no minimum at the Post Office branch, so check out the nearest Post Office with a Bureaux de Change facility. There rates are generally pretty good and I was able to instantly obtain the US Dollars that I required. Though for purchases using a debit card you will have to take a passport with you as identification.
Do not forget to sort out travel/health insurance before you go.
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Watch your baggage allowance!
A recent poll by HolidayExtras.com revealed nearly one in three of us runs the risk of paying a fine or having to repack at the check-in desk.
28% of customers told the UK's top holiday add-ons company that they have little or no idea of their hand luggage allowance before flying.
Added to this, over 1 in 10 of us are out of touch when it comes to what is and isn’t allowed in their carry-on bag, with 12% revealing they aren’t even sure of the current restrictions!
Anthony Clarke Cowell, head of product innovation and merchandising at HolidayExtras.com, said: "Nobody wants to be the one holding up the queue with their belongings spread across check-in so it’s well worth checking with your airline before you pack.
"And with many airlines charging for checking in hold baggage now, taking a well-packed carry-on bag is becoming more and more important."
To ensure you make the most of your hand luggage before jetting off on your summer holiday, HolidayExtras.com has put together these top tips:
- Check allowances on your airline's website in good time - including number of carry-on bags allowed, size of bags and weight limit
- Buy a soft, lightweight bag within the correct dimensions
- Only take what you really need - you can buy some items at your destination
- Buy travel-sized items where available
- Pack liquids in hold baggage whenever possible; containers in hand luggage must hold no more than 100ml and must be carried in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, which holds no more than one litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm
- Download electronic versions of guidebooks and novels onto one device if possible
- Roll clothing rather than folding
FACTFILE:
Holiday Extras is one of the to UK providers of one for pre-booked airport hotels and airport parking, taking bookings for over 6.8 million travellers each year. Holiday Extras' customer service has been recognised in the National Business Awards shortlist for Customer Focus and the Online Retail Awards.
In January 2011, the company was listed in Which? magazine's top five One Click Wonders, easy-to-use travel websites. A record-breaking 99.88% of customers are satisfied with Holiday Extras' products and service.
The company offers a wide choice of holiday add-ons including airport lounges, airports by rail, London theatre breaks, UK theme park breaks, and holiday insurance. For more information and to book please visit www.holidayextras.com
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Passengers get chance to have their say on rail services
Train operating company First TransPennine Express (FTPE) will be holding a ‘Meet the Manager’ session at Manchester Airport Railway Station.
The event will be held on Monday 23rd May and is intended at giving local passengers the chance to offer any feedback regarding their train service.
Customers and interested parties are invited to come along and meet Station Manager, Paul Jackson, who is responsible for the operation of the station and the service provided to customers by FTPE at Manchester Airport.
A number of senior representatives from FTPE will be on hand to answer any questions between 17:00 and 18:30 hrs. Customers will be able to discuss all elements of the train service they receive from FTPE, including station facilities, punctuality and reliability of services and the overall experience whilst on board an FTPE train.
Paul Jackson, FTPE Station Manager for Manchester Airport, said; “This is a great opportunity for our customers to come in and let us know how we’re doing.
“We are committed to improving the services available for passengers and think they will appreciate the chance to meet and discuss their experiences while travelling with FTPE.”
The event will be held on Monday 23rd May and is intended at giving local passengers the chance to offer any feedback regarding their train service.
Customers and interested parties are invited to come along and meet Station Manager, Paul Jackson, who is responsible for the operation of the station and the service provided to customers by FTPE at Manchester Airport.
A number of senior representatives from FTPE will be on hand to answer any questions between 17:00 and 18:30 hrs. Customers will be able to discuss all elements of the train service they receive from FTPE, including station facilities, punctuality and reliability of services and the overall experience whilst on board an FTPE train.
Paul Jackson, FTPE Station Manager for Manchester Airport, said; “This is a great opportunity for our customers to come in and let us know how we’re doing.
“We are committed to improving the services available for passengers and think they will appreciate the chance to meet and discuss their experiences while travelling with FTPE.”
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