corporate air travel

Safety, Reliability and Professionalism are at the core of everything we do.

Measured by safety structure and fleet certifications, Corporate Air is a market leader in the United States. Routinely undergoing rigorous audits, Corporate Air is one of the few charter companies in the nation that has maintained an industry standard audit approval for more than 15 years. 

Why Fly with Us?

Corporate Air’s fleet provides our customers with the utmost flexibility. 

Our fleet affords us the ability to provide backup and additional aircraft in the event of the unexpected. 

Corporate Air is among the fastest growing and highly respected private aviation services companies in the country.

We have flown past Presidents, secret service, First Ladies and other heads of state, as well as movie stars, sports teams and industry leaders.

Charter Redefined.

A Corporate Air flight coordinator is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to meet your every need. With fluctuating schedules, you can trust that Corporate Air’s charter department will be ready.

Due to the outstanding qualification of our employees, we guarantee services that cater to individuality and flexibility. The highest degree of comfort, discretion, and appreciation awaits you.

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Corporate Jet Charter

Private flights for executive teams & corporate groups.

Our corporate aviation company has nearly a decade of experience locating and dispatching private planes for executive travel around the world. Our team arranges corporate jet charter service  and assists in corporate travel for organizations ranging in size, working with companies with less than 5 employees, to handling corporate air travel for top Fortune 500 companies.

Nothing is more vital to your company’s success than being able to conduct it anytime, anywhere in the world. Corporate jet charters help to do just that, using private planes and helicopters to reach remote locations, or to hop from one meeting to the next across state or country lines. Renting a corporate aircraft also saves an incredible amount of time, avoiding commercial airports, instead using private terminals and airports dedicated to corporate aviation to expedite travel.

We exclusively arrange private aircraft that are operated by FAR Part 135 (or foreign equivalent) operators, providing the most competitive quotes for every client without compromising the safety or quality of your private flight.

Our Corporate Aviation Services Include:

• 24/7 Customer Support and Aviation Consultation
• Aircraft Acquisition, Sales, and Management
• Access to ARGUS Platinum/Wyvern Wingman Planes
• On-Demand Availability to Private Aircraft *
• Private Helicopter Charters
• Free Quotes with Competitive Rates
• VIP Concierge Services
• Premium Wyvern Broker Member Safety Standards

* Please note that aircraft availability is subject to change.

Corporate Jet Charters

Our brokers are Wyvern-registered , utilizing safety standards and due diligence processes that exceed those set by the FAA. We’re one of less than 100 brokers out of more than 4,000 brokers worldwide have earned this accreditation, one of the highest available in corporate aviation. We’ve taken these extra steps to give executive travelers and corporate groups additional peace of mind when arranging their flight.

Piper Aerostar 600

Piper Saratoga

Piper Cherokee Six

Socata TBM 700

Socata TBM 850

Daher TBM 900

Beechcraft Denali

King Air 260

King Air 360

King Air 100

King Air C90GTx

King Air 250

Pilatus PC-12

King Air 90

King Air 350

King Air 200

Cessna Caravan & C208

Piaggio Avanti

Piper PA-23 Aztec

Piper Navajo / Cheyenne / Chieftain

Cirrus SR-22

Beech Baron 58

View all  Pistons and Turboprops

HondaJet Elite

Cirrus Vision Jet

Pilatus PC-24

Cessna Citation CJ4

Honda HA-420 HondaJet

Cessna Citation Ultra

Citation M2

Hawker 400XP

Embraer Phenom 300

Cessna Citation Encore

Cessna Citation V

Cessna Citation II

Cessna Citation CJ3

Cessna Citation CJ2

Cessna Citation Bravo

Beechjet 400A

Embraer Phenom 100

Eclipse 500

Cessna Citation Mustang CE-510

Cessna Citation CJ1

View all  VLJ  |  Light Jets  | Super Light

Challenger 3500

Hawker 850XP

Gulfstream G280

Cessna Citation Longitude

Falcon 2000S

Falcon 2000LXS

Citation Latitude

Challenger 350

Hawker 4000

Hawker 1000

Gulfstream G200

Challenger 300

Citation X / 10

Citation Sovereign

Cessna Citation Excel / XLS

Westwind II

Hawker 900XP

Hawker 800XP

Gulfstream G100 / G150 / Astra

Cessna Citation VII

Cessna Citation III

View all  Midsize and Super Midsize Jets

Bombardier CRJ 200 VIP

Gulfstream G800

Gulfstream G4

Boeing 787-9

Airbus A340-600

Airbus A340-300

Gulfstream G700

Airbus ACJ321

Airbus ACJ320

Airbus ACJ318

Gulfstream G600

Gulfstream G350

Gulfstream G400

Gulfstream G500

Bombardier CRJ 200

Dassault falcon 8x.

Gulfstream G450

Falcon 900EX

Falcon 900LX

Global 8000

Global 7500

Global 5500

Global 6500

Citation Hemisphere

Challenger 850

Global 6000

Challenger 650

Gulfstream G650 / G6

Gulfstream V

Lineage 1000

Boeing Business Jet (BBJ)

Boeing 757 VIP

Boeing 727-251 VIP

Airbus ACJ319

Airbus A318 Elite

Gulfstream G550

Global Express

Global 5000

Gulfstream III / G3

Gulfstream 2 / IIB / II-SP

Falcon 2000

Legacy 600 / 650

Challenger 605

Challenger 604

Challenger 601

Challenger 600

McDonnell Douglas MD-83

Boeing 737-200

Airbus A320

View all Heavy Jets | View all  Long Range Jets | View all  VIP Airliners

Our standards also meet the requirements many Fortune 500 companies apply to their corporate fleets. Our team takes the privacy, safety, and comfort of our clients very seriously, and we diligently review details in the most recent Wyvern PASS reports for pilot safety, aircraft maintenance, and operator history when arranging your corporate charter flight .

Corporate Travel Assistant

Need to arrange a safe, reliable, and comfortable private plane for corporate travel? ACA can become your organization’s corporate flight department. We understand that while it may come down to the bottom line, it is equally important in forming a relationship with a company you can place trust in when arranging private charter flights .

That’s why our team is standing by to answer all of your corporate aviation questions. Our goal is to provide each and every one of our clients with a transparent, one-on-one consultative experience when arranging private fights. You might not book with us the first time, but when you do, you’ll know you have a partner you can work with for every flight you need in the future.

Corporate Flight Back-Up

Many companies already own a corporate jet , or even an entire fleet or them. However, what happens if one of their planes experiences a mechanical issue on the runway? Or what if they need to arrange simultaneous trips for corporate travel and are short one aircraft? They may also require an aircraft able to perform a mission outside the capabilities of a company’s current fleet.

ACA can step in and become a reliable back-up flight department for your corporation, arranging supplemental aircraft for corporate air charters in as little as 4 hours (or less). We offer unlimited quotes with zero obligations, so don’t hesitate to call us in the event you need a back-up plan, or want to compare the cost of on-demand aircraft rentals to owner operated flight costs. Learn more about why your company or organization can benefit form a supplemental lift program .

Corporate Aviation = Safety, Privacy, and Comfort

We perform strict safety due diligence processes, and never cut corners with unqualified pilots or using aircraft operators with poor safety standards. This includes the overall cost, as we refuse to present our clients with poorly maintained aircraft or pilots with limited experience in an effort to reduce cost or win a trip. It’s just not worth the risk when flying high-net worth individuals and corporate groups.

Privacy means that passenger identities and flight itineraries are only shared on a need to know basis. Outside of the direct parties involved in the operations of your flight, executives can freely travel with the highest levels of discretion and anonymity.

Furthermore, the comfort of your group is extremely important to us, using the time spent traveling to relax, refresh, and prepare for an upcoming meeting. From in-flight catering with special dietary requests and flight attendants on-board, to helicopter lifts, luxury ground transportation, and more, we always go the extra nautical mile to accommodate corporate air travel needs.

Request a FREE Quote | Corporate Jet Rentals

Whatever your company’s needs, our team is available for corporate air charter service every hour of the day on call, 24/7, 365 days a year. We’ve assisted corporations ranging from small groups and family offices using turboprop, light and midsize planes, all the way to entire office groups on 100+ passenger regional and VIP executive airliners.

We offer competitively priced and reliable aircraft through our approved vendor network of over 10,000 private jets around the world, many of which carry substantial insurance policies, and are rated Wyvern Wingman/ARGUS Platinum. Risk mitigation and cost savings can also be addressed by renting multiple aircraft instead of one larger plane.

Contact one of our brokers, and review all of the details regarding your office’s private air travel, including bespoke charters, cargo flights, ASAP flights, jet card programs, fractional aircraft ownership, purchasing a corporate aircraft, and more!

Request a FREE Quote or give us a call at 1-888-987-JETS (5387)  and book your next corporate aircraft rental. We’re also available to discuss options for corporate flight back-up, arrange last-minute supplemental lift, or any aspect of corporate travel.

What a fantastic aircraft and experience, ran like clockwork, thanks for you professional advice and attentions to detail.

Guys were very happy with the jet this week and all the arrangements so thank you. Until the next time! Enjoy your weekend.

Thanks for sorting the flight out for us yesterday. The family were very very impressed and it made a fantastic finish to my birthday celebrations.

I usually have to make bookings at very short notice and really appreciate the efficient way the Private Jet Charter Team handles my requests.

Happy Customer

Private Jet Charter gives us excellent services. We are happy to get our flights from them.

Travel in Pure Luxury with Private Jet Charter

Book your private jet now.

Experience unparalleled luxury travel worldwide with Private Jet Charter, a global leader in private jet rental services and private chartered flights. With over 30 years of experience, our company's excellence lies in our dedication to delivering seamless customer journeys.

When you choose Private Jet Charter, you are selecting a trusted partner in the air charter industry backed by a team of UK and US professionals that is available 24/7 and goes above and beyond to cater to your every need.

Our multilingual staff is equipped with comprehensive knowledge of private jet travel to always ensure a superior international experience. Indulge in the finest private jet flight experience with us and let our service surpass your expectations. Contact us today to embark on your next extraordinary journey.

Fly worldwide on Private Jet Charter’s global fleet

We offer the Avier Jet Card , providing a flexible and convenient way to access private jet travel. Rent a private jet with no blackout dates and worldwide coverage, experience luxury and seamless air travel.

Discover a wide range of private jet aircraft options . Whether for business or leisure, our fleet offers luxury, comfort, and personalized travel experiences tailored to your needs.

Explore a world of luxury travel with our destination page . Discover an array of exclusive destinations and plan your next unforgettable journey aboard a private jet, tailored to your desires.

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Your Corporate Traveler Benefits Solution.

Streamline journeys and enjoy more rewards with our suite of Corporate Traveler benefits.

Corporate Traveler Benefits

Elevate business travel with unparalleled operational performance, in-flight amenities, complimentary access to Preferred Seating, Priority Boarding and more perks throughout your journey.

Get Main Cabin Priority Boarding

Board your plane faster, so you can claim overhead bin space and prepare for a productive trip.

Choose Your Seat

Use the Fly Delta app after ticketing to choose from available Main Cabin aisle and window seats.

Stay On Schedule

Get more peace of mind knowing The Wall Street Journal ranked Delta the #1 U.S. global airline for on-time arrivals in 2023.

Join SkyMiles

Earn for business, redeem for fun. Miles don't expire and can be used for Award Travel, upgrades, Delta Sky Club Memberships and exclusive events.

Match Your Status

Request a Corporate Status Match and enjoy 6 months of Complimentary Platinum, Gold or Silver Medallion® Status*. Plus, complete the Challenge and extend your status through January 2026.

Get Rewarded

Earn miles, check bags for free and get Delta Sky Club access with select credit and debit cards.

*See Terms and Conditions for more information regarding:  Status Match

Enhance Your Experiences

Make the most of your journey — from the airport to the aircraft — with exclusive benefits created for Corporate Travelers like you.

Priority Standby And Service Recovery

Receive prioritization on the airport standby list and in the unlikely event of delays/cancellations.*

Priority Medallion Upgrades

Elevate your travel journey with higher prioritization for Medallion Complimentary Upgrades.*

Special Discounts

Eligible SkyMiles® Members can enroll as a Delta Business Traveler today for access to a range of exclusive offers.

*See Terms and Conditions for more information regarding:  Priority Standby And Service Recovery , Priority Medallion Upgrades  and Exclusive Discounts

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Corporate Travel Solutions

At Air Partner, we know how frustrating it can be when air transit disrupts your business goals. Busy airport terminals, long queues and flight delays can directly impact the efficiency of your business operations.

Our global flight solutions are tailored to the needs of your industry and designed to work around you, so you can focus on what’s most important – keeping your business moving forward. 

Request a flight

Take your business travel to extraordinary heights.

A business partner you can rely on

Ranging from On Demand private jets to commercial aircraft for larger groups, we work closely with you to find the aircraft solution that is right for your business. With over 60 years of experience providing charter solutions to businesses, we possess the necessary expertise to get you and your group where they need to be, no matter the destination.

Safety-first approach to every flight

We are recognized and trusted internationally for our industry-leading safety and quality management standards. Whatever your industry, our specialists ensure your corporate travel requirements are met with precision with a customized program designed for your organization.

Flying by private charter unlocks access to a broader range of airports, including smaller regional airports that are often less congested and offer secure and discreet facilities, including private lounges, secure parking, and direct access to the aircraft.

Custom group charter flight solutions

Whether you’re flying a group of employees to a meeting, conference, or incentive event, a product launch, press trip, or for any other reason, we can help you provide a personalized group charter travel solution that meets all your requirements. We understand that every charter is unique and can offer the perfect private charter program to match your exact requirements.

Elevating your private flight experience

Personalized in-flight dining

From light snacks to gourmet meals, the on-board dining experience is designed around your dietary needs and preferences.

Dedicated aircraft branding

From branding the aircraft's exterior in your company colors to custom headrest covers and in-flight entertainment, we provide various customizable options to ensure your brand makes a lasting impact.

Access private terminals

By providing a secluded environment away from crowds and a comfortable space to work or unwind, private terminals offer significant benefits to business travelers. Minimise waiting times to maximize your productivity.    

Ground and air transportation

Enjoy coordinated transportation directly from the airport that aligns with your time-sensitive business schedule. Transfer to your destination via a luxury chauffeured vehicle or fly by helicopter.

At the core of every flight

Our dedicated Account Managers go above and beyond to create personalized flights around you for a seamless experience.

We continue to set the benchmark for safety in aviation, which is why our Quality Management System far exceeds industry standards.

Founded in 1961, we have more experience than any other provider so you can trust you're in safe and reliable hands.

Trust the corporate travel experts

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We are the experts in personalized private aviation. Discover our suite of private jet services that are tailored to suit your every need anywhere in the world, whether you're flying for business or leisure. 

Your safety is our priority and during increasingly turbulent times, duty of care to employees has become paramount. To safeguard your people, we offer you contingency planning contracts for an air emergency evacuation that allows you to plan for the unexpected. 

Group Aircraft Charter

No matter the size of the group or the destination, we provide custom aircraft charter solutions to match your requirements. Fly to your own schedule and we will take care of the details.

Frequently Asked Questions about Corporate Travel

How does a corporate charter flight differ from commercial flights.

A corporate charter flight is a dedicated air travel service exclusively reserved for a particular business or group. Unlike commercial flights, which operate on fixed schedules and routes, charter flights offer greater flexibility by allowing businesses to choose departure times that best meet the needs of their schedule.

Which types of aircraft are available for charter?

Businesses can select from a wide range of aircraft, from very light jets for small regional flights to large business jets capable of long-haul international travel. The choice of aircraft depends on the number of passengers, the distance to be flown, and any cabin requirements. Explore our   aircraft guide  to view all the aircraft you can choose from.

How far in advance should I book a charter flight?

While it is possible to arrange a charter flight on short notice, especially for urgent business needs, it is recommended to book at least a few days in advance to ensure the availability of your preferred aircraft and for our expert team to arrange any special requirements.

Is it possible to have meetings on a charter flight?

Absolutely, charter flights provide a private and quiet environment that is conducive to working or having meetings. Many chartered jets are equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi, conference tables and other amenities to facilitate business during the flight.

Is catering provided on a charter flight?

Yes, as part of our custom service, you can customize the in-flight catering according to your preferences. This can range from light snacks and beverages to full gourmet meals.

What are the benefits of using a private terminal?

Private terminals offer several benefits, including privacy, convenience, and exclusivity. Avoid the crowds and long lines of commercial airports, enjoy dedicated lounges, and receive a personalized service.

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Let CWT power your business

Unrivaled corporate travel and meetings services. Anytime, anywhere, anyhow.

2025 Global Business Travel Forecast

Understand future pricing in air, hotel and ground transportation to build and budget your travel and events program.

The CWT GBTA Global Business Travel Forecast 2025 helps businesses understand forecasted market pricing for airfares, hotel room rates, ground transport and meetings and events. Packed with micro and macroeconomic trends, insights from industry leaders, and in-depth analysis, you’ll be one step ahead of the curve.

Read the Forecast

For your employees

Keeping employees connected, engaged and on the move.

For your organization

Discover and improve the true ROI of travel and events.

For the future

Driving new value. Adapting to industry change and innovation.

Keep employees moving.

Give employees the tools and services to keep them moving and productive with myCWT . Delivering a seamless interaction across web, mobile or through our expert travel consultants. It's all about convenience and giving them the best booking experience.

Unleash your data

Imagine a world where travel data isn't just a jumble of numbers, but a goldmine of insights waiting to be unearthed. Transform your data into game-changing strategies for your travel program. No more confusion, just actionable insights at your fingertips.

Companies, governments and institutions across the globe trust us.

139 markets globally

17,500 live, virtual and hybrid events

2.5 million myCWT app downloads

54 aircraft seats booked every minute

Read our customer success stories

Tailored solutions for your industry

Not all business travel is the same; some industries have truly unique requirements that demand specially trained teams to look after their travelers.

Life sciences and pharmaceuticals

High-touch travel and meetings solutions for healthcare professionals and patients in these complex, regulated industries.

More on pharma & medical travel

Media, entertainment and sports

From moving film crews to television equipment, news teams and sports squads. We’re trusted by some of the biggest names in the business.

More on media and sports travel

Energy, resources and marine

Getting people to remote parts of the world can be complex. We specialize in all aspects of rotating workers, crew travel and personnel travel.

More on energy industries travel

Sustainable business travel

Through integrated sustainability data, tools, and solutions, we empower responsible travel choices that align with your sustainability goals.

See our initiatives

Managing risk

You have a legal and ethical responsibility to care for travelers and reduce risk for your company. We can help keep both your employees and their data safe, while predicting and managing safety and security concerns.

See more on safety & security

Delivering ROI

Empowered by robust data analytics tools and supplier management expertise, we enable you to drive tangible ROI from your travel program.

Find out how

Meetings & Events

Whether you want to wow your audiences, create buzz around a new product or reward your teams for their successes, we are ready to help you re-ignite the human connection and take your people to discover new places. From live, hybrid and virtual events we’re bringing people together.

Discover CWT Meetings & Events

What travel managers are saying...

"CWT has demonstrated that it has the right technology and expertise to not only help us manage costs but ensure that our employees are well taken care of, especially when their trips are disrupted."

Erica Withaar -  Travel & Expenses Supervisor |  Embraer

"We found in CWT a partner with whom we transformed the travel category at Mercado Libre."

Santiago Perrone - Procurement Senior Manager |  Mercado Libre

"CWT’s product innovations, deep knowledge of mobility travel, strong sustainability solutions, along with service excellence and flexible business models are some of the reasons why we entrust CWT with our global travel program."

Ryan T. Agee - VP of Open Innovation |  Altair Global

Ready to discuss how we can help?

Get in touch now

Learn more about our travel management offering

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Account Management

Our dedicated Account Management Team supports large companies by being an extension of their company travel program.

• We offer simple contracts customized to meet travel program goals for companies of all sizes.
• Customized solutions, including specially negotiated point-of-sale discounts*, lower your travel costs.
• Access our everyday Southwest low fares through your channel of choice.

*Not all companies may receive discounts.

Meetings and Groups

Managing meetings travel just got easier! Enjoy great potential benefits when you book business travel for groups of 25 or more .

• Receive great potential benefits when you book business travel for meetings, conferences, events, and more.
• Book meetings in your channel of choice—GDS, API/Direct Connect, and SWABIZ ® .
• Enjoy streamlined, end-to-end proposal management, real-time proposal tracking, and reporting in Southwest Business Assist ™ .
• NEW! Bulk request up to 50 meetings at once.

Travel Management Companies

Our TMC Relations Team is committed to supporting our travel management company partners. Explore all of these resources for TMCs:

• Get the 411 on our GDS policies.
• Learn how to refund or exchange a GDS ticket that has been impacted by a schedule changes or irregular operations.
• Explore all of our fare products and learn how we use industry-standard pricing structures to better support you.

Our free, self-service corporate booking tool and incentives make your travel budget go further.

Our customized but simple travel agreements and tools can save you time and money.

Meetings/Groups

Save with discounted fares and extra flexibility for groups (10 or more) or meeting travel.

Already a SWABIZ user? Log in now

New fare, new benefits. that's a plus..

Introducing Wanna Get Away plus TM , enhancements to Anytime fares and more.

Wanna earn up to 125,000 Rapid Rewards ® bonus points?

Refer up to five companies, and you could earn 25,000 Rapid Rewards bonus points per qualifying referral.

Additional requirements needed to earn points. Terms and conditions apply.

Rapid Rewards ® Business

Introducing Rapid Rewards Business, a business loyalty program where companies can earn points from qualifying Southwest travel purchases in SWABIZ, API/Direct Connect, and the GDS. Rapid Rewards Business points can be used toward future business travel. Make your business travel work for you!

Ready, set, earn!

When your travelers fly, your business earns:

Business Select ® : 4 points per $1 on qualifying flights*

Anytime: 3 points per $1 on qualifying flights*

Wanna Get Away Plus ® : 2 points per $1 on qualifying flights*

Wanna Get Away ® : 1 point per $1 on qualifying flights*

*Qualifying flights include flights paid entirely with dollars, Southwest LUV Vouchers, gift cards or flight credits, and with no portion of the purchase price paid for with Rapid Rewards points or Rapid Rewards Business points. Cash + Points bookings will not earn Rapid Rewards points, tier qualifying points for A-List or A-List Preferred status or Companion Pass qualifying points. **Cash + Points allows Rapid Rewards® members to combine Rapid Rewards points with other eligible forms of payment to purchase flights, starting in the spring of 2024. Flights paid for with Cash + Points will count toward a Member's qualifying one-way flights for A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass status when flown. All Rapid Rewards Business rules and regulations apply and can be found at https://business.southwest.com/Terms-and-Conditions

Even more benefits:

Pay for flights with Rapid Rewards ® Business points or cash —or a mixture of both. CTMs can now use a combination of cash and Rapid Rewards Business points to purchase flights for their company's travel through SWABIZ.com.**

Points are usable on any seat, any day, any time and don't expire.

Your travelers still earn their own points through Rapid Rewards.

Wanna earn 25,000 Rapid Rewards Business points?

Southwest business assist ™.

This self-service travel portal makes managing your corporate travel account(s) easier than ever. Find the tools you need to manage your program's travel, all in one place. 

• New! On-time performance reporting.
• New! Duty of care dashboard enhancements.
• Submit and manage requests online.
• View extensive reports, including the new Top Travelers report.
• Individual travelers can participate in one of our sustainability efforts.
• Opt-in to receive real-time push alerts and notifications.
• And so much more!

For up-to-date system information, including scheduled nonstop and connecting service for any given Southwest city, please visit Southwest.com > Flight > Route Map.

Southwest Business Services

Experience Hospitality the Southwest way. At Southwest, we want to make sure you experience our award-winning Hospitality in every interaction with us, no matter if it's digital or with a person. When you partner with Southwest Business, you get just that. We offer a tiered level of service, and depending on which is the best option for your business, you can access a growing list of benefits.

Connect with us or contact your Account Manager to learn more.

Southwest Business Assist ™

• View your contract, detailed reports, and performance analytics
• Track travel funds and flight credits
• Submit and manage requests online
• Participate in one of our sustainability efforts as an individual traveler

Southwest Business Support

• Expedited call access
• SWABIZ ® troubleshooting
• Specialized service assistance
• Modifications within 24 hours
• Ticketing assistance (no discount)

Everything you already love about Southwest

• Bags fly free ®1 , free same-day standby 2 , plus no change 3 or cancel 4 fees... ever.
• Our Business Select ® fare offers guaranteed A1-A15 boarding to all Travelers.
• Our wide network, schedule, and nonstop routes meet your business travel needs.
• 1 First and second checked bags. Weight and size limits apply. 2 List for same-day standby via the Southwest app or gate agent. Group bookings and Unaccompanied Minors are not eligible. Government taxes and fees may apply but refunds will be provided. Visit Southwest.com/standby for details. 3 Fare difference may apply. 4 Failure to cancel a reservation at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure may result in forfeited flight credits.

Your choice of channels

With our multichannel distribution strategy, businesses can access our everyday low fares through our third-party partners or our free corporate booking tool, SWABIZ.

GDS partners

API-connected partners

Contact our TMC Relations Team: [email protected]

Where we fly

Wherever business takes you, we can help you get there with ease.

• 3,600 average daily departures*
• 100+ total destinations*
• 13 international destinations**
• *Based on DOT published schedule 7/7/2021-1/5/2022. **Service to Turks and Caicos and Nassau resumes 10/7/2021. Service to Grand Cayman resumes 10/7/2021, subject to border reopening and favorable entry requirements. Service to Belize resumes 11/7/2021.

Testimonials

Questions about Southwest Business? Contact us or read our FAQs.

Frequently asked questions:.

Q: Where can I find Southwest's ARC ticketing policies?

A: Southwest's ARC ticketing policies, as well as the associated Travel Agent Addendum, can be found here: https://www.southwest.com/html/swabiz/gds-policy.html

Q: Will all GDS systems benefit from Southwest full participation?

A: While capabilities will differ between GDS providers, Southwest will make the same content available to Amadeus, Travelport and Sabre GDS's. You will also now have the benefit of full ticket settlement via ARC.

Q: Who do I contact if I do not have access to Southwest content in the GDS or have questions?

If you have any questions about Southwest content please email [email protected] for more information. Please note that content will only be made available to approved US-based agencies that are ARC accredited.

Q: Will customers outside of US point of sale be given Southwest full GDS access?

A: Southwest bookings can only be ticketed by ARC accredited agencies in the US, with USD currency only. Outside of the US you may access Southwest Airlines content via Southwest.com .

Q: Can an OTA or a Meta Search agency get access to Southwest?

A: OTAs and Meta Search agencies are not being approved by SWA to get content through Travelport GDS nor any other GDS provider. Southwest does not allow any travel agency to openly distribute our content via any online platform directly to consumers.

Q: Will there be fares and/or content available via Southwest directly but not in the GDS?

A: Yes, Southwest will have some “direct fares” that are only available through one of our direct sales channels.

Q: Will EarlyBird® purchases be available in the GDS?

A: If EarlyBird Check-In® is available, it can be purchased in Sabre, Amadeus, and Travelport GDS's, Reservations booked in all other GDS's can purchase EarlyBird on Southwest.com. The travel agency will retain ownership of their GDS issued ticket even if EarlyBird is purchased directly with Southwest. EarlyBird Check-In® requires an additional fee. If your company utilizes booking tools, then it may not appear in the flow. In this case, EarlyBird Check-In will need to be purchased on Southwest.com up to 36 hours prior to the travelers scheduled departure. EarlyBird Check-In is subject to availability.

Q: Will Southwest send emails for ARC transactions?

A: Southwest will no longer send confirmation emails for GDS issued tickets. You will continue to see emails sent for any transaction that is exchanged, or issued, by Southwest Airlines direct.

Q: What is the process for changing a company's discount filing or tracking agreement with Southwest?

A: Any change to the way a corporate travel agreement is set up first requires the company reaching out to their Southwest Account Manager. Southwest must make changes to ATPCO fare filings for any applicable discounts, and our Account Manager must update our CRM system to ensure our reporting is not interrupted. More specific information will be shared once the company has engaged their Southwest Account Manager.

Q: Will Mexico destinations be available in the GDS?

A: Yes, as of July 22, 2022, U.S. ARC -accredited point-of-sale travel agencies can book and ticket Mexico itineraries in all GDS's (Apollo, Worldspan, Galileo, Sabre, and Amadeus).

Q: Can I add a travelers Rapid Rewards frequent flyer number to my GDS reservation?

A: Yes Rapid Reward numbers can be added to your GDS PNR using one of the following formats, please note 20000111222 is an example number only .

• Sabre FFWN2000111222
• Apollo MP*WN2000111222
• Worldspan 3SSRFQTVWNHK/WN20000111222
• Amadeus FFNWN-20000111222

Q: Will we still be able to hold bookings before ticketing?

A: Yes, and part of the change to full participation is that a ticketing deadline will be generated for each booking. The reservation will be held until 11:59PM local time, NEXT DAY (not next business day). Fare rules supersede the ticketing time limit. **Please note that any churned reservations will result in a debit memo**

Q: Will agents be able to add a Rapid Rewards loyalty number in their GDS bookings?

A: Yes. Loyalty numbers in GDS bookings will be handled as with any other carrier. Clients with a Rapid Rewards status such as A-List, A-List Preferred will be recognized and applied in GDS bookings, through the status level in the FQTV line. Please note that GDS reservations will decline an invalid Rapid Rewards number when entered in a reservation. However, name verification is not executed for GDS reservations. If the name is incorrect the Rapid Rewards number will not be attached to the reservation, even though it was entered in the GDS.

Q: How do we book groups with Southwest? Can we claim a PNR?

A: Any Southwest group booking is to be handled by Southwest directly. Southwest will not allow claim PNR in the GDS for booked groups. All group bookings are confirmed and ticketed by Southwest direct.

Q: Can I access/view in the GDS a booking created on Southwest website?

A: No. All bookings completed within a Southwest channel will remain with Southwest and cannot be accessed in the GDS's

Q: Can I access/view on Southwest's website a booking created in the GDS?

A: Yes. Any booking done in the GDS can be accessed on the Southwest website or by a Southwest agent.

Q: Can my GDS booking be serviced by Southwest directly?

A: Yes. However, once a GDS booking has been reissued by Southwest, it will then reside with Southwest and will no longer be available in the GDS for future servicing.

Q: Can we have multiple airlines/multiple tickets in a Southwest PNR?

A: Yes. Southwest segments can reside with other airlines in one PNR. Southwest does not allow for interline ticketing, which means that a Southwest ticket can only be issued for Southwest flights. No other carriers can be issued with the Southwest ticket as we do not currently have any interline agreements with other airlines.

Q: Will Southwest flights be available 365 days from the booking date via the GDS?

A: Southwest's complete flight schedule will be visible in the GDS as they become available. Southwest normally publishes schedules 6-8 months out.

Q: Can I book multiple one-way tickets in the same PNR?

A: Currently Southwest does not allow multiple one-way reservations in one PNR. If a traveler wants to add a leg to an existing reservation you can exchange the current ticket, or book the added space in a new PNR.

Q: Will we be able to apply all forms of payment to issue Southwest tickets?

A: Southwest will enable all forms of payment in the GDS, including cash and check. However, Southwest's currencies (gift cards, LUV vouchers, Rapid Rewards ® points, residual ticket funds) will not be accepted in the GDS.

Q: Will customers be able to have their bags transferred to other airlines if flights are booked in the same reservation?

A: No, Southwest does not have interline ticketing agreements with other airlines. Customers will need to pick up their bags at the Southwest baggage claim in the connecting city. They will be required to recheck their bags with the other airline.

Q: Will we be able to issue circle trip tickets in the GDS?

A: Yes you can issue circle trip tickets. Please note that you cannot issue separate tickets that are point to point within the circle trip.

Q: What will be the process to exchange/refund/void a Southwest booking?

A: All Southwest bookings created after cutover to ARC settlement can be voided, exchanged, or refunded through the GDS. Any bookings created prior to the ARC settlement migration will need to continue being exchanged or refunded with Southwest direct.

Q: Will agents be able to retain a residual value and issue an MCO for Southwest exchanged bookings?

A: All ARC settled reservations can be exchanged in the GDS, and an MCO issued for any residual value.

Q: Do I always need to issue a residual MCO?

A: Southwest Airlines never charges any fees for ticket changes. All residual MCO's are expected to be issued by the travel agency in the name of the traveler. Any MCO not issued for $100.00 or more will result in a debit memo.

Q: Can I use a Southwest MCO for another traveler?

A: Southwest Airlines does not allow MCO's to be used by another traveler. The contract of carriage states that the name on the MCO ticket must be the user of the new ticket issued. Any MCO used to purchase a ticket in another traveler's name will result in a debit memo.

Q: Can I exchange with a Southwest agent a booking done in my GDS?

A: Yes, Southwest agents can modify any reservation to fly on Southwest. However, once a Southwest agent has exchanged the ticket, any further service request will need to be done by a Southwest agent.

Q: Where can I find information on Southwest Airlines Branded Fares?

A: Southwest Airlines now uses branded fares. Please follow this link to access our Branded Fares information.

Q: Does Southwest Airlines allow unaccompanied minor/ young traveler bookings through the GDS?

A: Please use the following information when booking via the GDS's.

Not available through GDS

Ticketing travel for Unaccompanied Minors (ages 5-11 traveling alone) in the GDS is not permitted. Call 800-435-9792 or visit: https://www.southwest.com/faq/unaccompanied-minors . Please note, issuing tickets for an Unaccompanied Minor will result in a Debit Memo.

Tickets Young Travelers

Young Travelers (ages 12-17 traveling alone) can be booked through the GDS for US Domestic travel, however, you must call Southwest Airlines at 800-435-9792 to complete necessary travel documents. For more information on Young Traveler please visit: https://www.southwest.com/faq/young-travelers .

Travelers ages 2 - 17 that are traveling with a parent or guardian 18 years of age or older on a separate PNR must add the OSI WN (SWA Locator) of the parent PNR.

Q: Does Southwest Airlines provide a way to track corporate customer revenue that do not have a discount in place?

A: You may now add tour codes for revenue tracking to either the IT field of a ticket, or the OSI field of your PNR. Below are the formats for each.

• Sabre:      W#UN*99112233
• Apollo:        T:$BIT99112233
• Worldspan:   5-IT99112233
• Amadeus:      FT*99112233
• Galileo:       TC99112233
• Sabre:       3OSI WN 99112233
• Apollo:      3OSI WN 99112233
• Amadeus:    OS WN 99112233
• Worldspan:    3OSI WN 99112233
• Galileo:     SI.WN*99112233

Q: Does Southwest Airlines contact customers when flight interruptions occur?

A: Travel agencies can use the following SSR formats to provide Southwest Airlines their customers contact details. Without this information Southwest may not be able to contact our mutual customers when flight interruptions occur.

You will need to input SSR message fields in accordance with the GDS you utilize.

CTCE Customer Email Addresses:

CTCM Customer Mobile Phone Number:

CTCR Customers Refused To Provide Contact Details:

Please contact your GDS helpdesk with specific questions regarding formats.

Guidelines for TMC Transaction Testing with Live Bookings

• • Start date
• • Point of contact
• • Number of transactions
• • Maximum of 10 test bookings
• • PNR's must be booked 90 days out to avoid blocking inventory close to flight date
• • PNR's must be cancelled within 24hrs to avoid refundability or ADM concerns

ARC Settlement

Travelport/Amadeus

• If you are new to booking Southwest in the GDS, please reach out to [email protected]
• If you have historically booked Southwest in the GDS and are simply looking to continue booking Southwest via Sabre, Apollo, Worldspan, Galileo, or Amadeus, please review the ticketing policy and Travel Agent Addendum available here: https://www.southwest.com/html/swabiz/gds-policy.html

You can do this directly through your SWABIZ account - no need to even pick up the phone!

Utilizing the SWABIZ Traveler Accounts will auto-populate all of your traveler's information, such as their name, date of birth, RR number, pre-check KTN, etc., all to save you time!

With the SWABIZ Ghost Card feature, your travelers can charge their reservations to your company's credit card without ever revealing your credit card's account or billing information. This saves you and your travelers' time and money on reimbursement and administrative costs!

The SWABIZ free-form Internal Reference Number field allows you to assign a word, number, or alpha-numeric value to each reservation (i.e. Marketing, Sales, Tech, e023500, etc.) This makes it easy to identify, prioritize, and/or lump each group, team or department together when running your travel report.

A SWABIZ account can have as many limited and/or full-access Company Travel Managers as needed. Plus, full-access CTMs can add other CTMs to the account as well.

Your SWABIZ account will remain active for six months after your last reservation transaction (i.e. initial booking, itinerary change, cancellation, etc.) If your account deactivates due to a lack of activity, you can call the SWABIZ Help Desk ( 1-888-479-2249 ) to request that it be reactivated. *Note that after an account is reactivated, it will only remain active for one month unless there is a reservation transaction.

For more info on Travel Policy, downloading reports, or login directions, visit here: https://www.swabiz.com/swabiz/ctm/help .

Visit our FAQ - Rapid Rewards page .

Visit our FAQ - EarlyBird Check-In page .

Visit our Click this link to read our GDS Ticketing Policy .

Yes! View our Contract of Carriage .

Click the link to read our Customer Service Commitment .

Get in touch:

• For questions related to your SWABIZ account, please call 1-888-479-2249 (Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. CT).
• We're updating your service experience.
• PrimaryPartner Service: Our benchmark Southwest® Hospitality experience available to all our business Customers.
• PreferredPartner Service: Our dedicated service experience for managed partnerships with expedited call access for travel managers.
• PremierPartner Service: Our best-in-class experience for managed partnerships with a priority service line for travel managers, plus a dedicated line for travelers.
• Connect with an account manager to learn more about these services and how we can best serve your travel needs.
• To cancel or change a reservation or request a copy of a past receipt, please call 1-800-435-9792 .
• To request a refund, make a complaint or commendation, or for inquiries on your Rapid Rewards account, call 1-855-234-4654 .
• General inquiries: [email protected]

Help Center

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell/Share My Info

© 2024 Southwest Airlines Co. All Rights Reserved.

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Local solutions, delivered globally

CTM provides local service solutions to customers around the world. Please select your local region, and start experiencing the CTM difference!

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Connecting Business Through Travel

Connecting Ideas Through Travel

Connecting People Through Travel

Welcome to ctm. we do business travel, differently., corporate travel management (ctm) is a leader in business travel management services in north america and beyond. we drive savings, efficiency, safety, and sustainability to businesses and corporate travelers, wherever your business takes you..

When you partner with Corporate Travel Management, you’ll enjoy the experience of business travel done differently – a uniquely designed travel program, built for your business’s specific travel needs and objectives, and expertly delivered in every region you operate in. We design travel programs that drive strategic results for every part of your business and every member of your team.

So if you’re looking for a tailored travel management solution, delivering customer service excellence, innovative travel technology and a demonstrable return on investment, you’re in the right place.

Experience the CTM difference

Elevate Your Travel Program With Corporate Travel Management

Is your business travel program delivering savings, efficiency, and safety to your business and traveling workforce? Are you leveraging your travel data to negotiate better travel deals and positively influence booking behaviors? Do you have access to the travel solutions you need to control your budget, reduce risk, improve sustainability and maximize employee well-being?

If not, it’s time to elevate your corporate travel program with CTM.

We don’t believe in a one-size fits all approach to travel management. We work in partnership with your team to design a tailored corporate travel program, utilizing proven strategies and leveraging big data, to deliver strategic outcomes which align with your business’s unique objectives and priorities. Find out how CTM’s travel solutions can transform your business travel program and budget today.

Get More From Your Business Travel Program

Bigger Savings

For every dollar spent on our travel management services, we’ll return more to you in savings.

Greater Efficiency

Our expertise, 24/7 support and intuitive technology significantly improves your team's efficiency.

Award-Winning Service

Access award-winning service and solutions designed for your needs, via your prefered channel.

Heightened Safety

Drive safety and well-being to your traveling workforce to reduce risk and increase productivity.

Improved Sustainability

Travel doesn't have to cost the earth. Our tools and solutions support more sustainable travel.

Better Insights

Unleash the power of reliable, actionable data to drive program performance and accountability.

Take your travel program from average to exceptional

Take Your Travel Budget Further

For every dollar spent on our travel management services, we’ll return more to you in savings. That’s the CTM difference.

How we do it

• You’ll benefit from CTM’s extensive global buying power and supplier negotiations to experience exceptional deals on flights, accommodation and car rental
• Your CTM travel platform provides one-stop-shop access to the best corporate negotiated deals, last-minute inventory and dynamic supplier content (NDC-ready), all comparable side-by-side for maximum speed, choice and value
• CTM’s forecasting technology visualizes the cheapest time to travel in a single search, ensuring you travel at the most affordable time
• Your strategic Account Manager will design a bespoke travel policy based on your unique travel behaviors and business objectives, and conducts regular business travel program analysis and benchmarking to identify ongoing savings opportunities
• Consolidate your corporate travel, meetings and events spend with CTM for stronger supplier negotiation power and access to great corporate and event travel deals.

Increase Efficiency

Get where you’re going fast.

Leverage CTM’s travel expertise, 24/7 support and intuitive travel technology to significantly improve your employees’ productivity.

• We put intuitive  travel technology at your fingertips 24/7, making travel research, booking, and trip management simple, efficient and reliable
• Choose your preferred self-service online booking tool and a mobile app to book all your flights, hotels and car rental in a single transaction
• Enjoy round-the-clock travel service from CTM’s travel advisors , via a channel of your choice, for friendly, knowledgeable, and relevant travel support wherever and whenever you need it
• Enjoy access to live consolidated travel reporting across every aspect of your travel program, driving increased visibility, control, and efficiency.

Maximize Safety

Boost Travel Confidence & Productivity

Enhance your employee’s safety while traveling for business with our suite of intuitive and integrated travel risk management tools.

• Traveler tracking technology enables you to track and communicate with travelers in the event of an emergency, including one-click ‘proof of life’
• Pre-trip approval workflows enable risk identification and management prior to booking
• CTM risk alerts send email and SMS notifications to affected travelers based on itinerary location and risk levels
• CTM Mobile travel app enables travelers to book and manage their travel needs on-the-go for greater independence.

Get Connected with Corporate Travel Management.

Contact our team today to discuss your travel program needs., transformative business travel technology.

Global Scale, Local Expertise, Agile Tech

The scale to achieve maximum savings, the spread to provide consistent local market expertise, and the agility to solve tomorrow’s travel challenges today.

Built For Simplicity, Consistency, Flexibility

We take a highly consultative, curated approach to designing unique, simple and effective global travel solutions which deliver strategic results today and into the future.

Your Feedback Drives Our Roadmap

We put you front and center of our product and service roadmap, ensuring you benefit first from the fastest, most relevant and impactful travel solutions.

Take a tour of our tech stack

Testimonial

The service experience provided and standards we expect from CTM have always been critical to our business success... We now have no ‘downtime’ when a consultant is out of the office, as the entire team knows our policy and our travelers’ needs. This always gives us excellent service continuity, which makes my role just that little bit easier.

- Engineering client -

CTM held our hand through the [implementation] process – training on the booking tool was clear and concise, and the entire exercise could not have run more smoothly.

- Food manufacturing client -

Challenger continues to seek the best return on its investments in technology. Partnering with CTM to implement Fare Forecaster was a commonsense decision that met our needs in achieving this goal.

- Challenger -

Corporate Meetings & Events

Take your corporate meetings and events to a new level of performance with CTM Meetings & Events. Our expert event organizers ensure strategically designed meetings and events which deliver exceptional attendee experiences, more strategic outcomes for your business, and a better return on your travel budget.

Benefit from our extensive supplier relationships to leverage corporate deals on accommodation, travel and entertainment, saving you time and money. Moreover, consolidate your corporate and event travel spend through CTM for stronger supplier negotiations, maximizing your overall budget’s potential. Whether it’s corporate events, strategic meetings, conferences, group travel, team-building activities, or sales incentives, we tailor your event management solution to exceed expectations and drive business success.

Partner with us for a connected event experience that drives results for your business, people, and budget.

You might be interested in...

Solutions for Every Business Size

Whether you’re a global enterprise, national corporate, or fast-growing start-up, we design travel management solutions that deliver on your goals.

Integrated Technology Ecosystem

Our travel technology is built to be as flexible as your needs are diverse, putting transformative tools at your fingertips 24/7 for maximum productivity and peace of mind.

Our Customer Success Stories

Don't just take our word for it. Explore our customer case studies and success stories to see how CTM has delivered results for businesses like yours.

Business travel made personal

Christopherson offers dynamic technology and exceptional customer service to connect your business to where it needs to go.

Get to the future—faster

Your trusted partner

We’d be honored to serve you among our 1,000+ organizations, providing you and your teams with our signature, tailored experience to help your business reach its goals.

An elite travel platform

We have a lot packed

Learn about our other services and how we can help your business take off.

Get more out of your travel budget and boost cost savings through our knowledgeable travel expertise.

Experience the luxury of smart travel technology with the trust of an experienced partner.

Our integrated booking, gives your travelers policy-compliant choices, all the while saving time and money.

Program management

Our travel program management services give you the tools and support to move upward and forward.

Know before you go

Connect with our team of experienced travel experts to learn how Christopherson can help your business travel with ease.

Corporate Flight Management: Effective Ways To Book Air Travel

Home » B2B » Corporate Flight Management: Effective Ways To Book Air Travel

Booking flights for corporate travel requires knowledge of inventory and an efficient network with the vendors. However, booking flights as per the requirements is work that is only half done. When planning and managing corporate trips, it is important to optimize every step of the process to ensure higher ROI and productivity. Corporate flight management involves booking, managing, reporting, and optimizing air transport. Travel admins are pivotal in ensuring best practices are used for cost reduction, employee satisfaction, and security management. Before we delve deeper into the topic, let us understand the importance of flight management for corporations around the world.

Importance of corporate air travel solutions

• Flight management is crucial for optimizing time efficiency and minimizing disruptions
• It directly impacts productivity by streamlining travel arrangements and ensuring timely departures and arrivals
• Cost optimization is a significant outcome of effective corporate flight management, aligning travel expenses with budget constraints
• Adaptability is a key feature, allowing for flexibility in response to dynamic business needs and unforeseen events
• A well-managed corporate travel program enhances the professional image of the company among clients, partners, and employees
• Regulatory compliance and adherence to safety standards are integral aspects of corporate flight management

Basic postulates of corporate flight management in detail

1. inventory management.

Corporate flight management involves negotiating contracts with various airline vendors. Travel admins should maintain a dynamic database of numerous trusted flights to choose a secure and affordable one in any given situation. One should strategize to secure the best deals and discounts. Additionally, one should know the types of classes offered by an airline, the time taken to reach the destination, the route used for the travel, and the smallest details of airline policies. Travel administrators should continuously monitor market trends, anticipate demand fluctuations, and adapt strategies to optimize the allocation of corporate travel resources.

2. Expense management

Though finding the most affordable flight can seem to be the right criteria, it is not. Some of the trips may require first-class amenities while others need to be optimized as per budget and needs. Expense management in corporate flights involves tracking and analyzing expenses. The process includes leveraging data analytics to identify patterns, forecast future expenses, and negotiate bulk discounts. Utilizing technologies for real-time reporting helps administrators make informed decisions to control expenses and prevent over-budgeting. One should also include ancillary services along with business-class amenities when VIP travel is concerned.

3. Security management

Security management in corporate flight requires implementing a comprehensive risk assessment strategy. This involves utilizing advanced security technologies, collaborating with aviation authorities, and conducting regular training for employees. Travel administrators play a key role in ensuring compliance with international safety standards, monitoring geopolitical situations, and implementing contingency plans. This helps address unforeseen events, ensuring the well-being of corporate travelers.

Suggested Read: What Are Different Types Of Corporate Travel Risks?

4. Itinerary management

Comprehensive itinerary management involves not only arranging flights but also coordinating ground transportation, accommodation, and meeting schedules. Travel administrators need to consider factors such as layovers, time zones, and individual preferences to create optimized itineraries. This includes utilizing tools that provide real-time updates and notifications, allowing for proactive adjustments in response to delays or changes. This contributes to a seamless and stress-free travel experience for employees.

Suggested Read: Why Having A Business Travel Itinerary Is Important

5. Digital assistance and automation

Digital assistance and automation in corporate flight management encompass adopting innovative solutions for booking, reporting, and communication. This includes integrating artificial intelligence for personalized travel recommendations and utilizing chatbots for immediate assistance. It helps in automating repetitive tasks such as expense tracking and reporting. The implementation of cutting-edge technologies enhances efficiency, reduces manual errors, and allows travel administrators to focus on strategic aspects of corporate travel management.

6. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement involves regularly analyzing performance metrics, collecting feedback from travelers, and staying abreast of technological advancements. This process requires a proactive approach to identify areas for enhancement, whether it be refining booking processes, negotiating better deals with vendors, or integrating new technologies. Flexibility and a commitment to evolving with the industry contribute to a travel management system that remains efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with the evolving needs of the corporate world.

Corporate flight management is an essential part of business trips. The process involves managing not only the budget but also the details of flights. From AI integration to security management, executive air travel coordination is crucial for business trips.

Corporate Flight Management FAQs

Why is corporate flight management important for businesses.

Corporate flight management is crucial for optimizing time efficiency and minimizing disruptions in travel arrangements along with enhancing cost efficiency.

What are the key aspects of corporate flight management?

Corporate flight management includes negotiating contracts with airline vendors, maintaining a dynamic database of trusted flights, securing the best deals, and monitoring market trends.

What is the role of itinerary management in corporate flight management?

Comprehensive itinerary management helps in cost management and reduce trip delays.

Pratyush is a traveling enthusiast who always looks for innovations in business travel management. He has 5 years of experience writing content on corporate travel management and working closely with expert business travel facilitators.

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Good to Know - Business Class Flights to Worldwide

Faqs for worldwide business class flights, what is the most popular airline offering business class flights to worldwide.

Among KAYAK users, American Airlines is the most popular airline offering Business Class seats on flights to Worldwide.

Which airlines offer Business Class tickets on flights to Worldwide?

Traveling to Worldwide and want to offer yourself a Business Class experience? Depending on the origin, the following airlines offer seats in Business Class: American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue.

How does KAYAK find such good deals on Business Class tickets to Worldwide?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to Worldwide for economy class as well as Business Class travelers.

What is the best airline for business class flights to Worldwide?

The highest-rated airline by KAYAK users offering business class flights to Worldwide is Delta, with an overall rating of 8.0.

Top 5 airlines flying to Worldwide

Pretty standard flight. We left late, but arrived early. The wifi entertainment is always nice. The free snacks and beverages are simple, but appreciated. I'm tall and the seats are an issue. I can deal with a short flight, but any longer, I have to find another airline where I know beforehand I have extra legroom.

The flight attendant was proactive in helping with placing carry on in overhead bins. This was the first time I had ever been offered help without asking or obviously struggling. Many on the flight were older people like myself and vertically challenged. I would hope this would be the norm on all flights.

The flight was promptly on schedule and Southwest delivered everything they promised. No excuses for any shortfalls just 100% ownership of their responsibilities and business. The boarding and seating policy is a complete shambles. What started out as a great idea when Southwest first hit the market has been turned into a disaster due to the lack of integrity in many of the people who fly Southwest and take advantage of Southwest generosity at the expense of their fellow passengers.

My bag was damaged and is now missing a wheel. I tried to buy a claim in on the website but it would not accept my confirmation # for submission. Other than that, everything else was good!

The actual flight was great! The 3 hour delay not so much.

Flight was canceled at 11:50am on my husband’s birthday as if they didn’t have all day to still try to go.

With early bird check in, I might start flying southwest again.

Very helpful, convenient, nice crew members, no extra fees, helped us saving 4 hrs of travel by booking is on an earlier flight

Southwest is going downhill. I'm more apt to fly other airlines now. And I'd appreciate it if your gate agents didn't invent non-existent laws. If Southwest is having issues getting flight crews, you need to go out of your way to accommodate passengers instead of saying it's weather related and not in your hands. We can all see the other carriers are getting their planes off the ground and to/from the cities/regions you claim are weather-impacted.

Landing was kinda fast and my ears were plugged for days after.

Overall positive. If I am headed to the one destination they fly to from my home airport, I will fly again without question. I think because the airport provided the check in and boarding I didn’t fully know what to expect. The A220 is a comfortable ride with big windows and feels open. I’m glad I didn’t bid to upgrade to the first class product. It is just a better seat with little extra amenity. But was very happy with the extra leg room seats and bundle we booked.

Flights were consistently delayed and we were given no reason for the delays. We could not check our bags until two hours before the flight boarded in Myrtle Beach, even though we were there and there was someone manning the check-in at the terminal. It is also asinine to charge $70 to check your luggage at the terminal, but charge $35 if you choose to check your luggage via the Breeze app. The seats were comfortable enough and the flights were quick once we actually got on the plane and off the tarmac. But again, we were constantly delayed.

Food and entertainment were non-applicable here Flight and boarding were great

Check in was a breeze. Crew was amazing! The two seater had more leg room than the three seater. No snacks available, only for purchase. No internet available, only for higher paying ticket. booking through a third party was misleading - purchased with carry-on, but it did not really come with carry-on.

Even though the flight was delayed my overall experience was great!

The app, website, and boarding passes never updated with gate information. This makes it very difficult at a large airport to guess which terminal to go to to check the screen for your flight. We had a delay and that also was never updated on website, app, or boarding pass. So when those picking people up from flight checked flight status they were told we would be on time which was not the case. With technology available neither of those situations are appropriate and were completely avoidable minus lack of willingness from Breeze to provide accurate and up to date information.

The only thing that would make the experience better is a little more leg room and the overhead bins are very low. I hit my head when I was settling into the middle seat and was nervous about poking my eye on the corner of a lowered bin when I was deplaning.

It helps manage expectations to know that this is a discount airline. I brought my own snacks so that I wouldn't have to buy something if I got hungry or thirsty for soda during the flight. One of my seat mates was unaware that he would have to pay $4 for a Coke and was a bit upset. He hadn't listened to the flight attendant say "Drinks for purchase?". All of the employees I interacted with were friendly and professional. My one complaint is that the overhead bins are very low when they are open. I was heading for the middle seat and unexpectedly hit the top of my head on the bottom of the open overhead bin. The headrests were also a little uncomfortable. But overall, for the price, it was a decent value, and I would fly Breeze again.

Flight was on time. The crew was efficient and kind.

Did not like the fact that I was charged to take on a bag I usually put in the overhead

7 hour delay for mechanical reasons Handled badly by crew and delta personnel

It was reported to the passengers that Delta failed to schedule the crew properly. This error caused the pilot to show up about 30 minutes late. All in all Delta's inability to take care of this basic function resulted in about an hour delay.

Loyal Delta traveler, but last nights flight was a train wreck. Seated in 1B after multiple delays. Then we couldn’t takeoff because of an issue with the passenger that was ‘not in compliance’ and had to deplane along with the threat if they did not deplane, all the passengers would be required to do so. Finally they were escorted off, but the experience threw off the crew. Disruptive for everyone. Service was a mess, televisions didn’t work, bathroom door kept swinging open during the entire flight whenever empty …

My flight was cancelled twice and the third time I tried to rebook it online I cancelled the flight because it looked like I would get a refund to my credit card. Instead I now have a credit. I was also on hold for three hours waiting for a representative and then disconnected. I will never fly delta again.

Flights were terribly delayed. I was at At,anta Airport for over 4 hours waiting for my connection.

Older plane and it came with Fleas and flea bites!

All good on Delta's part. Passengers could be a little more courteous to each other.

The fight was about 2 1/2 hours delayed, but that was weather related. The flight was also overbooked. But we were in Comfort plus so the flight was fine for us.

Awful. Flight was continuously getting delayed and gates kept changing without any reason. Flight was delayed for more then 3 hours

I'm a larger, athletic guy (6'2", 260lbs powerlifter) and I found the seats incredibly uncomfortable with minimal leg room, especially in a window seat. Now, I full understand that being smaller may change my view but even if I was 80lbs less, my legs would be the same size and I was sandwiched between my seat and the seat in front of me.

Airline boarding experience could definitely go better, though that's not limited to Alaska Air. Couldn't get logged in to the plane wi-fi.

It was my first time, it went pretty well. We did experience some turbulence and wasn’t told anything. Over all everything was easy to get through.

flt delayed 1 hr then 2 hrs then boarded then removed from plane then boarding 2 hr delay then took off 6 hrs late and arrive to wrong city an hour laterer than delayed tiome didnt take flt at 4 and booke for next day today flt delayed 1 hr then caNCELLED 9 HRS HRS IN AN AIRPORT FOR 2 DAYS AND NO FLT just sent me a tckey for a trip nbext week w a stop and wrong airport???!!!! alaska suxcks

It was okay. The seat was too uncomfortable for a premium economy seat.

The seats were very uncomfortable and it was a 7 hour flight with no complimentary meal.

It was good for lax to sea even tho it was delayed by an hour. That is not this crews fault however.

Took off and landed at the correct airports so they did pretty good.

I am extremely dissapointed with Alaska Airlines. I had two minors traveling along, I used the unaccompanied minor program to escort my kids and bring them to mom on the other side of the flight. Unfortunately they just left them at the gate on the other side and did not bring them to mom. The person working for the airline flat out just told the kids they were not going to bring them to mom and just left them sitting there at the gate!!! These are two kids traveling alone. This is horrible and security should have been called

Flight was excellent , crew were very helpful and kind. No entertainment was needed as it was an overnight flight. Keep up the great work. Thank you 😊

More transparency about the fact that the aircraft is a Boeing 737-max. The flight was fine and the plane is comfortable but giving all the issues that aircraft has had, there needs to be more transparency that Alaska is using it.

We were given a complimentary seat upgrade which was so unexpected but so lovely!

Porter was excellent. Boarding was a breeze. The seats were a little uncomfortably but the overall trip was excellent.

Only packaged snacks were served. It was a flight at lunchtime and a hot meal would have been a great.

Reserve check-in was very slow compared to regular check-in. Internet was slow

Lavatories broke with an hour to go. At least we were on time.

Chaotic boarding, but mostly my issues are with Toronto airport

Flight delayed by half hour, causing rush to get to connecting flight in Toronto Pearson which doesn’t have good flow for managing immigration check and connections.

Service was amazing, and the plane was comfortable even for this long haul. But they could have more movies selections. But they were still a lot to choose from.

Due to mechanical problems it was delayed causing problems the actual flight. Was fune

Wish we had music during take off and landing like the last flight

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Trying to boost corporate travel sales? Five questions for airline executives

For airlines, the corporate travel segment is a critical engine of value. Business travelers tend to fly in premium cabins, book more flexible tickets, and buy closer to departure—which all translate to higher yields. Despite making up only about 12 percent of air traffic before the COVID-19 pandemic, corporate trips  accounted for about half of the airline sector’s profitability in the United States.

About the authors

This article is a collaborative effort by Riccardo Boin , Jaap Bouwer, Danielle Bozarth, Vik Krishnan , Prashanth Kuchibhotla, Arthur Loubeau, and Caroline Tufft, representing views from McKinsey’s Travel, Logistics & Infrastructure Practice.

However, the pandemic wiped out the majority of business trips in 2020 and 2021. While opinions vary on the speed of recovery, the consensus is that business travel will rebound more slowly  than trips taken for leisure or to visit friends and relatives. Many expect that a portion of corporate travel may never return, making competition in this highly profitable segment even more intense.

Naturally, airline executives are eager to accelerate the recovery of the business travel segment. But before slashing prices or offering steep corporate discounts, decision makers should be aware of five pitfalls in business travel sales models, lest they lose even more value for their airlines. In fact, it may be time to put away the old playbook, since many carriers’ corporate sales operations were suboptimal even before the pandemic.

This article poses five questions airline executives can ask themselves to avoid missteps. If an executive answers “yes” or “I don’t know” to one or more of them, they may want to reconsider their approach to corporate travel sales. It’s not too late for course correction; there are steps decision makers can take to optimize airlines’ sales strategies.

Do your corporate deals dilute value for your airline?

Despite its importance to profitability, corporate sales at many airlines is a “black box,” managed more as an art than a science. Commercial executives often don’t have the data and insights to know if, say, a particular corporate arrangement with a customer truly adds to the bottom line or is priced too high or too low. We’ve observed commercial executives offer extensive corporate deals with discounts on fares that are already competitively priced, eroding the airline’s margins.

A better way: Create a data-driven cockpit that provides visibility

What’s needed, and what top-performing B2B sales organizations have, is a data-driven cockpit, drawing from internal and external data sources to provide the necessary visibility for commercial staff to make the right decisions and to track the impact of chosen actions.

It starts with developing a comprehensive data repository that consists of the components of different deals and corporate arrangements, as well as the airline’s market share vis-à-vis its competitors. It includes data on volume and revenue by account, by travel pattern, by point of sale, by commercial structure offered, by origin and destination, and by time. The data could be analyzed to measure the airline’s performance against other competitors as well as the general market.

There are a number of data sources available commercially that enable users to track performance. The commercial team could use that data to ensure that the structure of the corporate agreements they sign generates incremental value, where revenues generated from the deal would be greater than the discounts given. Data analysis could also help executives identify potential growth areas and opportunities to increase the airline’s market share.

Just as important, having a data-driven cockpit makes it easier to assess the overall effectiveness of corporate deals and agreements. Did a tweak made to the discount structure truly expand an airline’s market share, or was growth due to other factors? Where can an airline reduce discounts, preserve most of its share, and sell the freed-up seats to higher-value customers?

A data-driven cockpit will likely have the answers.

Are you overrelying on discounts?

We’re all familiar with the basic economic principle that underlies all discounts: when price falls, demand rises. Most airlines have a discount structure that their sales staff can reference to incentivize ticket purchases.

But there are dangers in relying mostly on discounts to drive up sales. First, some carriers apply the same discount uniformly to all customers with only minimal variations based on factors such as the size of the corporate account. But in a segment as competitive as corporate travel, the indiscriminate application of discounts can shave already thin margins. Second, discounts are no guarantee of brand loyalty. Customer commitments to discounted plans are often vague. Even when a concrete agreement is made, enforcement is often lacking. Thus, airlines assume material risk when they offer discounts—if the customer fails to buy the requisite volume of tickets, the eventual revenue flow would be diluted.

A better way: Tailor discounts and benefits according to each corporate account’s travel patterns

While discounts can be a powerful way to sell flights, other elements in the travel journey—such as lounge access, priority boarding, and elite status—may also factor into a corporate customer’s purchase decision. Airlines may protect their margins by tailoring the right mix of both discounts and other perks for each corporate client according to their specific travel needs and patterns.

Airlines may protect their margins by tailoring the right mix of both discounts and other perks for each corporate client according to their specific travel needs and patterns.

Consider two common client profiles: the first is a small corporate client with a tight travel budget and whose employees tend to travel in high volumes on a small number of flight routes. Such companies generally value discounts more than other soft benefits and priority services. An airline could potentially benefit more, then, by offering steeper discounts to this type of company, rather than to a larger corporate customer, especially if the former is able to steer more business travel traffic to a less popular route. When offering discounts, the carrier could require these corporate clients to buy from the carrier a stipulated percentage of their total air travel budget or share of wallet. That way, the carrier could continually track clients’ buying patterns and encourage them to honor their purchase commitments if they fall behind.

Next, consider a large company that prioritizes factors such as premium offerings over ticket price. In such cases, the airlines may rely less on discounts and cheap fares, choosing instead to offer other perks such as seat upgrades, lounge access, and priority service. Service-sector companies whose employees travel frequently to meet clients often prize priority service when rebookings have to be made because of delays or cancellations.

Delivering on the right mix of discounts and other benefits will require multiple departments to invest in the infrastructure needed to support these value-added services in a coordinated way, as we explain when addressing the fifth pitfall.

Do your sales representatives spend most of their time creating their own market and customer insight reports?

Even the best corporate packages fall short if customers are unaware of them. In our experience, direct customer engagement is woefully low at many airlines, with sales staff frequently spending more than half their working hours away from their customers. Instead, many sales executives spend much of their time stuck in a quagmire of user-unfriendly data, trying to extract useful insights instead of interacting directly with customers. This imbalance often stems from inadequate investment in the airline’s technology stack and a lack of centralized support for customer-facing sales staff.

A better way: Equip sales staff with what they need to drive effective customer interactions

Most carriers know that the art of cultivating client relationships is best rooted in data-driven analyses, yet very few of them empower their sales team with the tools they need to drive truly data-driven conversations. These leading airlines have a dedicated central team responsible for the analysis and insights, which are then communicated to the sales teams.

This process starts with the central team categorizing accounts based on the value each account brings to the airline—ideally with help from the aforementioned data repository—and then providing the segmentation to the sales staff through a “single source of truth.” Accounts could be prioritized based on the Quality of Service Index gap (the difference between the actual market share achieved and the “fair” or expected share based on the network quality) and expected volume. The team also equips customer-facing sales staff with standard performance analyses for their regular customer check-ins and prepares them with data on the most promising opportunities.

In our experience, this system frees up commercial executives to spend between 60 and 75 percent of their time doing what they do best—customer interaction.

Are star employees looking elsewhere for better growth and career opportunities?

Sales staff are core to corporate sales success, yet we’ve noticed that many airlines follow a generic approach to their staff. Generalists are hired, their accounts span segments (leisure, online travel agencies [OTAs], travel management companies [TMCs], corporates), compensation is not performance-based, and incentives are poorly designed or nonexistent. Training programs are not tailored to cultivate the specific skills that corporate sales staff need, and regular feedback and strengths-based evaluation sessions are often not set up in a structured way.

The risks of neglecting talent retention are higher now than before the pandemic. Nearly a quarter of the employers in a recent McKinsey survey  reported that they have more low-performing employees now than a year ago. Voluntary attrition is rising, and about 40 percent of employees are planning to leave their current jobs within the next three to six months. Employers that don’t give their top-performing sales staff compelling reasons to stay will likely see them leave.

A better way: Treat your sales staff as customers too

Wise employers understand that employees who feel a sense of belonging and feel valued are not only less likely to leave but also more invested in growing within the company. Compassionate employers are keenly aware that the pandemic has placed undue strain on their employees and proactively address these challenges and provide support where they can.

High-performing companies understand  what type of skills correlate with superior sales performance and use this insight to build their sales force. They know the importance of a separate group of corporate specialists who understand the training needs of their sales team and cultivate the needed capabilities further through specific training programs. The relationship between senior, more experienced leaders and relatively junior staff is mentor-like, with ample on-the-job coaching and frequent feedback. Compensation is tied to performance assessments based on clear metrics that track incremental share without dilution. Staff get regular updates on how they’re tracking and are clear (and ideally, excited) about their career paths within the airline.

Do you treat corporate travel as a pure sales play?

While simplistic, it’s not wrong to say that many airlines view corporate sales as an activity best pursued exclusively by experienced sales professionals scattered across key markets. Such carriers’ organizational structures tend to be siloed, with different functions across the corporate value chain—such as network, customer experience, revenue management, marketing, distribution, and sales—operating independently with minimal consultation and coordination from across the company.

The corporate sales function is very often further siloed, exacerbating the situation for many carriers. Corporate sales usually happen through three channels: TMCs, direct channels (on the airline’s main booking path or a corporate small and medium-size enterprise portal), and indirect channels like OTAs and offline agents. Airlines often have separate teams dealing with each channel: one team manages direct corporate accounts booked via TMCs, one deals with TMCs and noncontracted corporates, while another sales team works with OTAs and other agents. The direct channel is managed by an e-commerce team that usually resides in a different department.

Without alignment from all the departments, trade-offs are bound to arise when any single unit chooses to implement a new initiative. This includes optimization efforts— such as revenue management, network management, or customer experience—undertaken by nonsales units. Sales, while an important function, is the last link in the end-to-end corporate value chain and is often adversely affected by decisions made by other units.

One example of a lack of alignment between departments is when an airline’s distribution team implemented surcharges on bookings made through global distribution services (GDS), which are typically used by OTAs and corporate clients. The distribution team made the move in an effort to send leisure travelers to the airline’s platform. But it put the airline at risk of lost revenue from cost-sensitive corporate customers.

Another example is when one airline’s customer experience unit decided to strictly enforce its one-cabin-bag allowance and charge €60 for each additional piece of baggage. While this was in line with the department’s goal of maximizing ancillary fees, it probably dampened total revenues.

A better way: Break down the silos and coordinate the airline’s value proposition across all departments

To be effective, someone (or a group) within the airline has to own the corporate value proposition across silos. This effort starts with developing a clear understanding of each department’s goals and making any trade-offs clear. Many high-performing airlines create an independent group that coordinates across silos, ensuring that team initiatives and goals don’t conflict (exhibit).

Feedback loops among these departments could ensure that corporate agreements are optimized and are beneficial for nonsales teams too. Frequently the sales team has detailed insights into the travel needs of their corporate clients, as well as honest feedback from them on the airline’s service and product quality. Yet these insights are not often used to develop the airline’s network, product, pricing, and loyalty program. Deeper integration across all departments that tend to operate in silos will facilitate the information flow necessary to improve the airline’s holistic performance.

Corporate sales have been, and will continue to be, critical to airline profitability. However, the function is far from optimized at many carriers. By avoiding the pitfalls mentioned here and by making changes now, airlines can set themselves up to capture more of this critical segment.

Riccardo Boin is a partner in McKinsey’s Milan office; Jaap Bouwer is a senior knowledge expert in the Amsterdam office; Danielle Bozarth is a senior partner in the New York office; Vik Krishnan is a partner in the Bay Area office; Prashanth Kuchibhotla is a knowledge expert in the London office, where Caroline Tufft is a senior partner; and Arthur Loubeau is a consultant in the Dallas office.

This article was edited by Jason Li, a senior editor in the Shanghai office.

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11 Travel Tech Acquisitions in 3 Months — See the List

Justin Dawes , Skift

September 24th, 2024 at 3:15 PM EDT

With backing from private equity and venture capital, multiple travel tech companies have said this year that more acquisitions are coming.

Justin Dawes

• What are the strategic goals behind Juniper Group's acquisition of Lleego?
• How is the acquisition of Duetto by GrowthCurve Capital expected to impact its business strategy?
• What are the most recent travel tech acquisitions mentioned in your articles?

Select a question above or ask something else

• The travel tech sector has seen 11 acquisitions in the past three months, following 15 earlier this year.
• Private equity firms, with around $300 billion available, are significantly driving the M&A activity in travel tech.
• Key acquisitions include Duetto by GrowthCurve Capital, Yatra acquiring Globe All India Services, and Travalyst acquiring sustainability tech from Weeva.

The travel tech industry has experienced a surge in mergers and acquisitions, with 11 deals completed in the last three months and 15 earlier this year. This activity is driven by private equity firms holding approximately $300 billion, looking to invest in promising tech startups struggling in a tighter funding environment. Notable acquisitions include Duetto by GrowthCurve Capital, Yatra's acquisition of Globe All India Services, and Travalyst's acquisition of sustainability technology from Weeva.

There have been dozens of travel tech acquisitions so far this year: That includes at least 11 deals over the past three months, which followed at least 15 earlier this year .

It’s all part of what industry leaders said would be an active time for mergers and acquisitions. And there are more coming. 

Private equity companies have about $300 billion to burn, according to a report earlier this year by Investment bank  AGC Partners . As many tech startups struggle in a tighter funding environment , that’s a good recipe for more M&A activity.

That means those firms, and companies backed by those firms, are looking to swoop in for good deals on tech or staff.

In the deals outlined below, nearly none of the sale prices were disclosed. That often — but not always — means it was a small deal, especially in the case of a startup buying another company.

Juniper Group, Blackstone Growth, and Duetto (backed by GrowthCurve Capital) — all involved in activity outlined below — are among companies that have said recently that they are eyeing the market for more deals. 

Duetto Acquired by GrowthCurve Capital

Duetto, the revenue management tech company for hotels, was acquired in late June by private equity firm GrowthCurve Capital. 

San Francisco-based Duetto provides hotel companies with a software platform meant to streamline revenue management, online marketing, merchandising, and data-based analysis. Hotels can use the products to set room rates that adjust automatically based on market changes. 

With resources from the new owners, Duetto plans to accelerate its AI strategy, launch new lines of business, and expand into new markets.

In an interview with Skift, Duetto CEO David Woolenberg said that the company may expand via acquisition if it makes sense. ( See Skift’s story .)

Acquisitions by Yatra, Blackstone, TravelPerk, and More

• Yatra Online , the largest corporate travel services provider in India, said in September that it plans to acquire Globe All India Services for $15.3 million. The deal would add 360 corporate customers to Yatra’s Portfolio. ( See Skift’s story .)
• World2Meet , a division of Spain-based tourism company Iberostar Group, in August bought a business unit from online travel agency Despegar. The business, called BDExperience, helps tourists with group and private tours, airport transfers, and more. Nearly 600 Despegar employees, about 13% of its workforce, transferred to World2Meet with the deal. ( See Skift’s story .)
• Blackstone in August said it plans to acquire a majority stake in hotel accounting tech company M3 . The company has more than 1,000 hotel operators and management companies as clients, representing more than 8,000 properties in North America. The deal is going through Blackstone Growth , the company’s strategic growth equity business. ( See Skift’s story .)
• TravelPerk in June acquired Chicago-based AmTrav , making the U.S. the corporate travel tech startup’s top region for revenue. Barcelona-based TravelPerk said the deal added 1,000 new small- and medium-sized business clients, and doubled its revenue in the U.S. Previously, the U.S. was TravelPerk’s second-largest market after the UK. ( See Skift’s Story .)
• Lighthouse , which helps hotels and short-term rentals analyze their market demand, rates, and positioning in June bought competitor HQ Revenue . ( See Skift’s Story .)

Travalyst Acquires Sustainability Tech from Shuttered Weeva 

Travalyst , the travel sustainability nonprofit founded by Prince Harry, said Tuesday that it has acquired the tech from the former company Weeva . 

Julie Cheetham, founder and former CEO of Weeva, is joining Travalyst as the COO. 

The company has acquired the tech only; Weeva’s former employees are not joining Travalyst, according to a spokesperson.

London-based Travalyst is a coalition of travel companies including Google, Booking.com, Expedia, Skyscanner, and others. The organization’s model for calculating flight emissions powers the estimates that its members publish online for consumers. 

Weeva offered a similar service to tourism companies before it closed in July . The organization had been funded by Oppenheimer Generations, an investment fund led by the Oppenheimer family.

Travalyst is now working to strengthen its model for estimating flight emissions and plans to roll out a similar model for hotels, all meant to inform travelers about the environmental impact of their trips.

Juniper Group Expands Travel Tech Business with Lleego Acquisition

Juniper Group in July acquired Lleego, a software company that specializes in flight management and booking.

Spain-based Juniper Group is an operating portfolio of Vela Software , one of the six divisions of Constellation Software. Juniper Group also owns software companies Juniper Travel, TPF Software, T4W, Airport Information Systems, and IST Cruise Technology. It also acquired Peakwork and Vervotech in 2023. 

Juniper Group says it is “continuously acquiring, managing, and building” companies in industries including travel and aviation. 

Spain-based Lleego says its platform allows travel sellers to complete search, ticketing, changes, and refunds. 

Following the deal, the company is creating a new division called Juniper Flights by Lleego. It’s a merger of the Lleego tech along with Juniper’s booking engine, which the company says creates a more comprehensive flight distribution tech platform aimed at travel agencies, tour operators and other travel companies.

The plan now is to pursue global expansion, Juniper said.

SITA Acquires Asistm to Expand Airline Operations Business

SITA , the airline-owned tech provider for much of the air travel industry, in June acquired Asistm as part of a goal to expand its operations-as-a-service business. 

Denmark-based Asistm offers services that allow airlines to outsource their operations control center (OCC), which oversees air traffic, ground handling, safety, and facility management.

Switzerland-based SITA provides tech for passenger management, baggage handling, airport tech, and more.

With new access to its own OCC, SITA says it can now closely monitor how clients interact with other tech it sells, with the goal of using that data to better optimize its products.

“By centralizing OCC services, we help airlines manage daily or peak operations more smoothly, providing a scalable solution for all sizes,” said David Lavorel, CEO of SITA, in a statement. 

SITA earlier this year acquired Materna IPS, the passenger check-in software for airports and airlines.

Satisfi Labs Acquires Factoreal to Strengthen AI Chatbot

Satisfi Labs , a consumer-facing AI chatbot tool for client brands, says its acquisition of Factoreal will take its product to the next level.

Florida-based Satisfi Labs offers the AI chatbot to destination marketing organizations, ski resorts, ticketed events and attractions companies, entertainment venues, and more.

San Francisco-based Factoreal is a marketing tech platform focused on the sports and entertainment sectors. Clients include United Soccer League, Gwinnett Stripers, Chattanooga FC, Las Vegas Aviators, Mumbai City FC, and more.

Folding in the marketing tech allows Satisfi Labs to deploy personalized marketing campaigns through its chat tool, expanding on the existing capability of answering questions and completing transactions.

Factoreal will be integrated over the next year, Satisfi Labs said.

Smartvel Acquires Avuxi to Enhance Destination Content Tech

Smartvel , which provides destination content products, in September acquired Avuxi to enhance its existing tech. 

Madrid-based Smartvel provides travel companies with multiple tech products that they can integrate into their own websites and offerings. Products include a tool for completing entry documents, destination content including travel guide and trip planners, and an AI-powered tool to share info on events and experiences. 

London-based Avuxi analyzes geo-tagged data from multiple online sources to uncover highlights within cities and localities, including popular attractions, restaurants, and transport links. Travel sellers can integrate the product to provide better insights to consumers when shopping for bookings. Clients include Kayak, eDreams, Flight Centre, Priceline, Super.com, Sonder, TravelPerk, and others.

Smartvel acquired ArrivalGuides , whose former owners include Lonely Planet, in 2023.

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Photo credit: There have been at least 10 travel tech acquisitions in the last three months. Chiem Seherin / Pixabay

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Virgin Atlantic first UK airline to offer British Sign Language trained crew

26th September 2024

Airline teams up with deaf Gladiators star, Jodie Ounsley, to put inclusive travel experience to the test

Jodie was joined by deaf content creators and British Sign Language (BSL) users, Hermon and Heroda Berhane onboard the only UK airline to offer BSL trained cabin crew on a flight to Washington DC 

The experience was captured in a new film released today to mark International Week of Deaf People, which sees trained cabin crew provide Virgin Atlantic’s signature service in BSL  

The trio shared feedback from their onboard experience with Virgin Atlantic’s new Accessibility Advisory Board to inform the airline as part of its commitment to making travel inclusive for all 

It comes as research finds 82% of the people surveyed who are deaf or have hearing loss are planning at least one holiday in the next year, but more than half (58%) worry about communicating with crew  

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View the campaign video here  

Virgin Atlantic has teamed up with deaf Gladiators star, Jodie Ounsley, and deaf twin content creators, Hermon and Heroda Berhane, to help better understand the needs of its deaf and hard of hearing customers as part of the airline’s commitment to ensuring every customer has a positive and inclusive travel experience. 

The airline, which is the only UK airline to offer British Sign Language (BSL) trained cabin crew, asked the trio to test its services on a flight from London Heathrow to Washington.  

The experience was captured in a film released today to mark International Week of Deaf People, which sees Virgin Atlantic BSL trained crew providing the airline’s signature warm welcome in BSL, assisting with onboard navigation, alerting passengers to onboard announcements and offering assistance with accessible in-flight entertainment.  

Virgin Atlantic’s BSL offering and Accessibility Advisory Board

Jodie, who was born deaf and wears a cochlear implant, and Hermon and Heroda, who communicate in BSL, shared their feedback with Virgin Atlantic’s newly created Accessibility Advisory Board, which was developed to help enhance the airline’s accessibility offering. The board will include leaders from across the industry each with their own personal experiences of accessible travel, who will review processes and products and help shape the development of new offerings to ensure Virgin Atlantic continues to empower customers to travel the world. 

In addition to ongoing BSL training, Virgin Atlantic has also committed to increase the subtitled options available on in-flight entertainment from the current 80% of movies and 40% of TV, increase clarity of services and links to special assistance contact within Virgin Atlantic’s My Booking platform and the introduction of Sign Live; an on-demand BSL interpreter for customer service teams ensuring support at all points along the journey.  

The commitments build on Virgin Atlantic’s existing inclusivity initiatives, which include bespoke BSL and Deaf Awareness training conducted by Remark!, the leading deaf-led organisation who provide BSL training and translation for the community, and is available to all colleagues and the availability of hearing loops onboard all flights. Virgin Atlantic’s team of BSL trained crew has more than doubled since the start of 2023 and are available to request on all flights. 

Jodie commented, “Until recently I didn’t feel confident enough to fly on my own, but knowing that airlines like Virgin Atlantic can provide specially trained crew with the awareness and understanding to make me feel comfortable onboard is really empowering. 

“It’s amazing to see the feedback myself, Hermon and Heroda provided is going to help make the experience of flying even better for deaf travellers in the future. I can’t hear without my cochlear implant, so things like increasing the availability of accessible movies and TV will mean I can enjoy even more entertainment onboard.” 

While onboard, Hermon and Heroda shared that they found it ‘surreal’ to feel understood and commented that being able to communicate their requirements and needs made the world of difference.  

While much of Virgin Atlantic cabin crew BSL training, which has been made possible through the partnership with Remark!, focuses on the travel experience, the Accessibility Advisory Board plans to explore broadening its training programme to expand learning to include more general conversation, based on their feedback.  

Emma Flanagan, Virgin Atlantic BSL trained cabin crew, commented , “My goddaughter was born deaf, so I started learning BSL so I could communicate with her. I also have Tinnitus, so understand what the experience of flying can be like for someone with hearing loss. 

“Making all passengers feel included and empowered at every stage of the flight is a key part of our role as cabin crew. Being able to go that one step further and do this in BSL for passengers is hugely rewarding, from ensuring everyone feels welcome, to assisting with announcements, to helping them to experience the full warmth and joy of a Virgin Atlantic journey.” 

New research on travel and people who are deaf or have hearing loss

Virgin Atlantic has been working with the RNID - the national charity supporting the 18 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus to uncover new research around travelling for the community.  

The insights reveal that while 82% of the people surveyed by the charity who are deaf or have hearing loss say they’re planning at least one trip abroad in the next 12 months, more than half (58%) worry about communicating with cabin crew when they fly, and nine in 10 feel concerned about missing announcements and key information.  

81% would welcome deaf awareness training as standard across the aviation industry, while BSL training (21%), consultation from those with hearing loss to improve policies (79%), and the introduction of technological support for deaf people and people with hearing loss (83%) were also measures that people who are deaf or have hearing loss would like to see introduced.  

It also revealed that the introduction of deaf awareness training for airlines would make people who are deaf or have hearing loss feel more confident when travelling (80%), supported when travelling (61%) and even more inclined to fly (17%).  

The campaign is part of Virgin Atlantic’s ongoing commitment to inclusive travel for all. It follows a new partnership with Channel 4 that has seen one of Virgin Atlantic’s BSL trained crew join the broadcaster’s sign language interpreter on screen in a series of idents and the airline’s support of the England Deaf Rugby team for their recent tour of South Africa. 

To find out more about Virgin Atlantic’s BSL offering and to request BSL trained cain crew, visit here . 

Notes to Editors

Teri Devine, Director of Inclusion at RNID, said: “1 in 3 adults in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss, yet our research shows that every day people face negative attitudes and behaviours at work, when they’re out shopping, and even from their families. The impact of this can be huge: making people feel excluded, lonely, and disrespected, and destroying their confidence. 

“We really welcome Virgin Atlantic commitment to making travel inclusive for everyone and getting people to 'see the world differently' by putting in place inclusivity measures to ensure every part of the flying experience is accessible to deaf people and people with hearing loss. We want people across the UK to stand with us and say that the way deaf people and people with hearing loss are treated really does matter, which is why we created free BSL phrases and communications tips so everyone can make those small changes to show ‘It does matter’ at home, at work and whilst flying off on holiday.” 

Robert Morgan, Head of Services at Remark! Said: “We have valued our long working partnership with Virgin Atlantic on the consultation and delivery of the BSL training. The content of the training was highly tailored to the context of Virgin Atlantic, making it relevant and applicable to the daily interactions of the crew. The incorporation of Virgin Atlantic specific vocabulary and scenarios ensured that participants could immediately apply their newly acquired language skills in their professional roles. We are proud with success of the partnership and hope this encourages more people to learn BSL. 

“It is commendable that Virgin Atlantic have paved a clear pathway to ensure all their deaf customers face no barriers during their journey with the airline and made the decision to have a qualified Deaf teacher lead the training sessions. This choice not only ensured effective communication in BSL but also demonstrated a commitment to cultural appropriateness and inclusivity.” 

Methodology   

The research was conducted by RNID with members of RNID’s Research Panel. The survey was open from 30 th August – 8 th September 2024.  A total of 335 panel members completed the survey.   

About Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2023, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the seventh year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs more than 8,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 30 destinations across four continents throughout the year.  

Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers.  Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.    

Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact.  The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies, with an average age under seven years. In October 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed the first of 16 A330-900neos to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2028.  In November 2023, the airline led a consortium to deliver the world’s first flight across the Atlantic on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), demonstrating that 100% SAF can be used safely as a drop in fuel in existing infrastructure, engines and airframes. The need to scale production is an industry imperative and Virgin Atlantic is committed to radical collaboration across the energy chain to support commercialisation ahead of 2030.   

For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic.   

RNID is the national charity supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. 

Currently, one in three adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. 

RNID was founded in 1911. For more than 100 years the charity has pioneered new treatments for hearing loss and tinnitus. It has promoted access to sign language and subtitles, successfully campaigned for free hearing aids on the NHS and hearing tests for new-born babies, worked with technology for cochlear implants and helped hundreds of thousands of people check their hearing.    

If you (or someone close to you) are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus and need free confidential and impartial information and support, contact RNID. We are open 8:30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Find out how to contact RNID at rnid.org.uk/contact 

About Remark!

The UK leading Deaf-led organisation for British Sign Language services and training. Services include providing BSL interpreters, British Sign Language courses and 1:1 tailored support as well as developing accessible content for Deaf audiences.