Business Travel News - June 29, 2009 - (Page Cover1)

JUNE 29, 2009 INSIDE Justice Department Sets ATI Roadblock . . . . . 3 Buyers, TMCs Prep For Secure Flight. . . . . . 4 Extended Stay Brands Plan To Expand. . . . . . 6 Hotel CEOs See Distant Rate Recovery . . . . . 8 Amex, Maritz Team Up For Mtgs. Solution . . 20 8 18 GREEN MOVES BA CUTS ROUTE, AID COST CUTS PRODS PREMIUM Symantec’s John CEO Willie Walsh Sorci raises video- committed to longconferencing use. haul first, business. BTNonline.com Schedule Creep, Demand NBTA, ACTE Verge On A Merger Drop Redefine Air Delays BY SETH HARRIS, JAY BOEHMER AND DAVID MEYER BY JAY BOEHMER Ten years ago, the average scheduled flight time from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport to Los Angeles International Airport was 6 hours and 1 minute. This summer, flights connecting the two major markets are scheduled to average 6 hours and 20 minutes. The citypair is just one of hundreds for which airlines have lengthened the estimated journey time, and—although reduced capacity and falling traffic have played a part—the Department of Transportation inspector general cited such practices among the key factors in airlines’ best on-time performances in years. Continued on page 22 Efforts by some board members of the National Business Travel Association and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives to merge the two organizations during the past few months nearly paid off before failing to gain the approval of the required two-thirds of ACTE’s board of directors earlier this month, stopping any tie-up for the time being. The NBTA board of directors, however, on June 18 voted unanimously to continue to pursue the merger discussions that began in Dallas in early April, when ACTE president Doug Weeks and treasurer-elect Mary Ellen George met with NBTA president and CEO Kevin Maguire and NBTA Allied Leadership NBTA’S MAGUIRE (LEFT), ACTE’S WEEKS Council president Scott Solombrino. Through Presidents attempted to unify travel associations. Continued on page 10 YEARS ONE-ON-ONE 25 OF A SERIES OF BUSINESS TRAVEL PART Handheld Corp.Travel Apps Accelerate MOBILE BOOKING, CHECKIN, EXPENSE APPLICATIONS USE SOARS BY SETH HARRIS Sharp Eye On Superior Service Postmaster: Newspaper Handling/Periodicals Postaage Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts founder, chairman and CEO Isadore Sharp spoke with BTN editors David Meyer and Michael B. Baker about economic change and the lessons of the past. Business Travel News: How important do corporate accounts remain to your business? Isadore Sharp: Very important. We’re very conscious that we need to cater to the major cor- ISADORE SHARP Continued on page 24 Use of handheld mobile device applications by corporate travelers has skyrocketed in recent months as some of the largest and newest travel technology providers have entered the market with mobile applications, offering flight status updates, itinerary management, hotel bookings and expense report management. Meanwhile, suppliers have started to adapt some processes, such as mobile barcode airline boarding passes, which are beginning to make mobile devices an essential part of the travel process (BTNonline, April 16). As smart phone usage grows across operating systems and tens of thousands of applications hit the Apple IPhone App Store, business travelers have been keen to equip Continued on page 26 The longer you stay the better it gets. Complimentary Breakfast Buffet • Evening Receptions • Free Wireless • Fully Equipped Kitchens • Free Guest Laundry • Fitness Center • Business Center See just how good it gets: www.Staybridge.com/comfort http://www.BTNonline.com http://www.Staybridge.com/comfort http://www.Staybridge.com/comfort

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Business Travel News - June 29, 2009

Business Travel News - June 29, 2009
Contents
Inside Track
BTN Research
Profiles In Travel Mgmt
Forum
Lodging
Aviation
Payment/Expense
Meetings Today
EuroBTN

Business Travel News - June 29, 2009