Posted on: 24 Jan 2011 at 10:24 AM Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, voted “World’s Leading Airline” by World Travel Awards, has expressed “top level interest” in Sir Richard Branson’s stake in Virgin Atlantic, which was put on the market in November. Etihad’s CEO James Hogan has written to Branson’s advisor, Deutsche Bank, to express interest in buying a controlling stake in Virgin, according The Times. However an Etihad spokesperson remained tight lipped about the approach, saying: “We have no comment other than that we talk regularly and frequently to many airlines and a range of other businesses from all over the world about business issues and opportunities.” Virgin Atlantic instructed Deutsche Bank to put the airline on the market in November, describing it as “underperforming” investment. (Flying high: Etihad was voted “World’s Leading Airline” at 2010 World Travel Awards)
Last week Sir Richard reconfirmed that he might sell his 51 percent controlling stake in the London-based carrier he founded in 1984, saying the airline would need more than an alliance if it was to compete on a level playing field with the likes of British Airways and Lufthansa. The remaining 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic is held by Singapore Airlines, following a $930m deal in 2000. Etihad last month said it would increase frequencies on routes from Abu Dhabi to key European cities, such as Paris and Milan, in a bid to secure a greater slice of the corporate travel market. UAE carrier Etihad is currently the world’s fastest growing airlines. Last week it announced a 29 percent rise in revenues to $2.95bn in 2010, and has said it aims to reach profitability by 2012. In December it said it would increase frequencies on routes from its Abu Dhabi base to key European cities, including Paris and Milan, in a bid to secure a greater slice of the corporate travel market. A deal with Virgin Atlantic would provide key slice in Europe’s main aviation hub, London, including lucrative slots to America and the Caribbean. Etihad was voted “World’s Leading Airline” for the second year in succession at the 2010 World Travel Awards. It also picked up “World’s Leading Airline First Class”. This followed a clean sweep at the World Travel Awards 2010 Middle East Ceremony where it won a host of honours including “Middle East’s Leading Airline” and “Middle East’s Leading Cabin Staff”.
Take off… get out of here with cheap flights on AA Ready, set, fly. American Airlines is having a super sale, so if you’re ready to take off, check out these cheap flight prices. Put a little spring in your step and fly to a warm destination, like Santa Fe, or embrace the chill and brave the icy likes of a destination like Chicago. There are plenty of options with the right rates to snag and go. Flights are available all over the continental U.S. when you book by Jan 24 and travel through May 24, 2011. Taxes and fees are not included. Sample flights are each-way based on round-trip purchase. Austin flights to Dallas, from $64 Las Vegas flights to Los Angeles, from $29 Dallas flights to Oklahoma City, from $29 Baltimore flights to New York, from $64 Chicago flights to Pittsburgh, from $64 Miami flights to New Orleans, from $116 Boston flights to Santa Fe, from $184 Nashville flights to Chicago, from $63 Search and compare more cheap flights.
Fast as you can… scoop up these cheap flights to Europe After reading our Top 10 ski destinations, airline ski equipment costs, and packing tips for ski trips, you must be more than ready to hit the slopes, right? All you’ll need is a cheap flight to your wintry paradise, and Lufthansa just may have offer your perfect opportunity. Flights to Europe start at $266 each way, so start booking online through Lufthansa now to save on your ski vacation. Other sample fares include:New York flights to Milan from $266 Boston flights to Zurich from $278 Chicago flights to Basel from $298 Miami flights to Vienna from $337 Denver flights to Dubai from $434 Travel between Dec 24 – and March 31. Blackout dates include Jan 1 and Jan 5. You must purchase by Jan 6. Search and compare more flights to Europe.
The emergence of cloud computing has not been a high profile breakthrough like the telephone or email. Rather, it has been more of a below-the-radar shift in how the world interacts with technology. While so far only a handful of travel leaders have noticed or leveraged the advantages of the cloud, it has begun to change the way travel businesses operate and connect with their customers. For these companies and others in the industry ready to look beyond their own infrastructure, cloud computing represents a compelling business opportunity. Agility, flexibility and elasticity are the key values of cloud computing. Cloud computing is not a technology, but a new form of services delivery. It enables travel companies to move quickly, launch new products or expand systems without bearing the costs and delays of massive IT upgrades. For startups, it helps level the playing field by greatly reducing the initial capital costs of entering a tech-heavy sector like travel. Cloud computing can even be a cost-effective disaster recovery plan. Travel’s Early Adopters But it is not just startups that are taking advantage of cloud computing. Preferred Hotels has moved its data center to an outsourced private cloud. And since the early 2000s, ITA Software has used a SaaS model to deliver its QPX airfare shopping engine. The product’s distributed processing approach provides flexibility to meet the fluctuating capacity requirements of ten airlines and high-demand intermediaries like Kayak. Cloud computing can reduce costs, improve productivity and create huge opportunities for travel companies. However, as with any innovation, established companies are skeptical and frequently slow to adopt this new way of using technology. In the end, better, faster, cheaper always wins. As the opportunities and benefits become more evident, travel companies will look to the clouds and see the future of travel. PhoCusWright’s How Cloud Computing Could Revolutionize the Travel Industry summarizes this new delivery model for IT services and its far-reaching implications for the industry. Included in PhoCusWright’s Innovation Edition , the article demystifies cloud computing for today’s travel leaders, outlining in plain business terms the key considerations and potential benefits of this powerful new way of conducting business.
Amy Chen shares her travel insight with us Amy Chen is an associate online editor at Frommers.com and also writes for Gadling.com, Real Simple, and Money magazine. She’s agreed to share her travel insight with us. Cheapflights: What do you always do when you travel – any routine procedures? Amy Chen: I’m a bit of a travel geek because I like to pack at least two days before my trip. I find some comfort in the ritual of spreading my suitcase out on the floor and then tossing things in as I go. This way, I’m pretty much packed the night before my trip, which I can then use to relax. I also leave a Post-It note for myself on my fridge so I don’t forget my cell phone charger and contact lens case – two things I always seem to forget. CF: What is your travel pet peeve? AC: Not being able to take bottled water through airport security. I hate paying $4 for water. CF: What is your favourite kind of trip?AC: Give me a beach vacation any day, but I’m happiest when I can eat outside: a picnic, a sidewalk café, it doesn’t really matter. Al fresco dining means vacation to me. CF: Best destination you have ever been to and why?AC: I haven’t found it yet, which is a great reason to keep traveling. CF: What is the best airport you have flown from and is there a tip to make this airport experience great?AC: I’m partial to JetBlue’s Terminal 5 in New York, which has free Wi-Fi. I once caught a free Chris Daughtry concert there while waiting to board a flight. Even though I’m not a huge fan, there was something refreshing about seeing everyone smiling – being happy to be at the airport doesn’t seem to happen very much anymore. CF: When you fly, is there a tip you can share to make the experience a great one?AC: Downloading movies or TV shows onto the iPad makes the time fly by. I also accumulate a stash of trashy celebrity or fashion magazines, which are fun to flip through. CF: If there was one travel nightmare trip, where would it be to and what would it involve?AC: I already experienced it, unfortunately. I contracted dysentery in Hong Kong and was in the emergency room not once but twice. My mom and I missed our return flight because I was in the ER. We had to stay a few extra days until we could rebook. Needless to say, I was never so happy to come home.
Sun and sand… they come free, too It’s hard to resists sunny shores of the Caribbean while the snow piles up in most parts of the U.S. this winter. It’s even harder to resist when that beach is part of a super cheap, all-inclusive deal. Keep reading. Take a five-night vacation to the Dominican Republic via Cheapcaribbean.com, and spend just $499 per person, which is approximately half the normal price. This includes round-trip airfare and all accommodations at the Lifestyle Tropical Beach Resort and Spa. Located on 1.5 mile of the Cofresi Beach on the Amber Coast of Puerto Plata, the Mediterranean-style resort gives guests special VIP access the beach and parties on the property. Travel is valid from March 1 – December 20, 2011. Rates are based on double occupancy, and taxes and fees are additional. Use the promotion code 100DR for an extra $100 off. Search and compare more cheap flights to the Dominican Republic.
The European online travel market is expected to grow 10% in 2010, as the overall travel market begins a modest recovery, according to PhoCusWright’s European Online Travel Overview Sixth Edition. Following an 11% decline in 2009, the total European travel market is projected to grow 2% in 2010. “For travelers who may have been hesitant to book online, the recession provided the extra push they needed,” says Carroll Rheem, director, research at PhoCusWright. “Deal seekers turned to the Internet, and online travel agencies in particular, to find affordable options.” The European online travel market managed to inch upwards in 2009, increasing 1% as the overall travel market suffered. The buoyancy of the online market is due largely to the strength of the online travel agency channel, which grew in 2009, while supplier websites slipped. “Hotel bookings are fueling online travel agency growth in Europe, with brands like Priceline’s Booking.com maintaining extraordinarily high growth rates,” adds Rheem. Online travel agency bookings are on track for strong double-digit growth in 2010. Macroeconomic factors have driven sluggish growth in the European travel market overall, with air travel restrictions spurred by volcanic ash from Iceland creating an additional setback to recovery. The outlook for 2010 and beyond varies for each regional market and industry segment. PhoCusWright’s European Online Travel Overview Sixth Edition is a comprehensive overview of the European online travel market, with detailed analysis of France, Germany, the U.K., Italy, Spain and Scandinavia. The report provides market sizing and forecasting through 2012 for all major travel segments (airlines, hotels, car rental, tour operators, rail and cruise). Introductory pricing is available through December 31, 2010 to save US$500 off the regular price of $2,495.
