Travel Matters Issue 20 November 2018

news
Delta Air Lines launches new route from Edinburgh
delta air Lines will double its flights from edinburgh next summer by adding a new service to Boston’s Logan international airport.
Complementing the airline’s existing daily service to New York-JFK, the seasonal Boston route will commence from 24th May, 2019 and will operate in conjunction with Delta’s joint venture partner, Virgin Atlantic. Delta has scheduled a 163-seat Boeing 757-200ER aircraft between Edinburgh and Boston, offering 16 fully flat-bed seats in the Delta One business class cabin, in-seat entertainment for every passenger, Wi-Fi access and free mobile messaging.
The new Boston service will depart Edinburgh at 10:55, arriving into Boston at 13:02, with the return flight departing Boston at 22:15, arriving into Edinburgh at 09:25 (the next day).
Delta and Virgin Atlantic will jointly offer up to 25 weekly flights from Scotland to the U.S next summer, representing a capacity increase of 25%.
The airlines’ shared network includes:
• daily flights from edinburgh to Boston and new york-JFk, operated by delta
• daily service from glasgow to new york-JFk, operated by delta
• Up to four weekly flights from glasgow to orlando, operated by Virgin atlantic
Last month, Delta announced its longest-ever season between Glasgow and New York, with over 9,000 extra seats available between the two cities over the peak season.
AWARD WINNING ACCOMMODATION WHOLESALER SINCE 1991
Call: 01273 429000 Sales: [email protected] Support: [email protected]
WOW, IT’S A GAME CHANGER
GETABED HAVE BECOME STUBA.
IT’S GETABED, BUT BETTER.
THIS IS NOT FAKE NEWS
STUBA OFFERS FANTASTIC COMMISSIONS AND AWESOME PRICING.
YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THAT
BECOMING STUBA VERYSOON.ASVALUED TRAVEL PARTNERS, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU THE HEADS UP AND LET YOU KNOW THE BENEFITS THAT STUBA WILL BRING YOU. STUBA IS THE UNIFIED BRAND FOLLOWING THE MERGER OF GETABED AND ROOMSXML. STUBA.COM WILL BE A BRAND NEW WEBSITE WHICH WILL SHOW CASE THE VERY BEST PRODUCT AND TECHNOLOGY FROM THE NEW COMBINED BUSINESS.
THEY STILL
OFFER SAME GREAT SERVICE FROM THEIR UK CALL CENTRE
AND PROVIDE ME WITH ALCOHOL... SUPPORT, I MEAN 24x7 SUPPORT
...STILL THE SAME FANTASTIC ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT TEAM!
ARRRGGGHHHH... I CAN’T GET AWAY FROM THEM
GETABED ARE
SO WE’VE GIVEN YOU TOP 5 REASONS TO WORK WITH STUBA... WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED? JUST LET US KNOW.
SMART SEARCH OPTIONS – DOES THIS MEAN I HAVE TO DRESS UP TO SEARCH?
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Tell us about all the new developments, investment and plans for the future
In the last 12 months, we have won a number of accolades including “The Best Value UK Airport” award by Skyscanner.
We work really hard to make the airport easy to use and as accessible as possible and we are very proud of our new Autism passport and our newly launched hidden disability lanyard scheme.
For arriving international passengers, we launched a newly expanded UK Arrivals Hall just before the summer which includes five e-Passport gates. For our TUI and Thomas Cook passengers, we now have the e-check in facility.
Our investments are aimed at making the passenger experience as good as it can be so that they choose to fly from NCL every time!
Can we expect any new routes, services or additional frequencies?
We regularly discuss new options
with our airline and tour operator partners and feedback from the trade is hugely important to us on existing and potential new routes as we always look for sustainable growth.
Face to Face with...
LaUra hartShorne, Senior Aviation Sales Executive, Newcastle Airport
For 2019, Jet2 have announced a new Izmir service and their Antalya and Rome services will now commence in February due to the demand. We are delighted that 10-11 night durations are available with Tui, on board the 787 Dreamliner to Cancun and are proving very popular.
In what ways do you support the travel trade?
Myself and Katie Greenacre are here
to help the trade in any way we can
- whether it is just answering a question about the airport, staff training, airport and aircraft visits, assistance with
in store days and promotions etc. In recognition of the trades efforts, we
set up our Agents Discovery Club,
a dedicated trade site with all the information you need on Newcastle Airport.
There are also exclusive member benefits and fantastic discounts for agents on a wide range of airport products. To sign up just visit www.newcastleairport.com/agents
What are the major USP’s of Newcastle Airport?
We are the friendly airport committed to offering the very best customer service as well as being easy to access and use. We want our passengers to have a great experience.
Is there a charge for the passenger drop-off facilities?
The pick up/drop off area is located very close to the main terminal entrance
and costs £1 for 10 minutes or £3 for 30 minutes.
In addition, we offer a free 15 minute stay in our medium stay car park.
A number of airlines are calling for a ban on airports selling alcohol prior to 10:00am to try and reduce the number of on board ‘air rage‘ incidents. What is NCL’s position on this matter?
We have a zero tolerance policy towards disruptive behaviour. Incidents of this nature are very small at Newcastle and we do not believe in spoiling things for the majority because of the actions of a few.
We have an airport watch campaign
via Whatsapp where all the airport shops, concessions, bars, restaurants etc are linked up with the police, airport staff and airlines to make sure that any potential issues are spotted in good time and dealt with. This has proven to be very successful.
To talk to Laura or Katie about Newcastle Airport, contact them at [email protected]
november 2018


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greetings peeps!
another social whirl of a month for this bear. invitations have been flooding in which have kept me very busy.
I travelled to the Toon recently to attend my last ship visit of the season and what a finale it was – the brand new addition to the Seabourn fleet – Ovation! She was docked at North Shields and I got to sample her six-star delights along with the ever shy and retiring Darren Phillips (aka the Canny Lad - our very own northern correspondent) as well as Laura Hartshorne - Miss Newcastle Airport. Also on board were local agents including Hays Travel. You can read all about it in The Canny Lad’s column on page 28!
From one luxury product to another – I attended the recent Luxury Hotels Event dinner and roadshow for agents in Edinburgh and I got to learn about some amazing properties in Spain and the Canaries. Met up with Anita ‘she just can’t stay away from the travel business’ Garcia and my new BFF, Katrin from Hard Rock Hotels, Tenerife, who came running over to see me again – I clearly made a great impression when we met recently in Glasgow. As usual the event was graced by Andy Gilhooly and Pauline McCormack from Travel Counsellors – they are almost at as many functions as I am!
Sunnier climes beckoned as I jumped at the chance to look out my speedos and sunglasses when I got an invitation from Emirates Holidays to sample a few hotels in Dubai. My hosts were the incredible force of nature Rachel Wood – RSM for Emirates Holidays and the fabulous Jill Niven from Emirates in Glasgow.
Clearly I was designed for this type of life (if not the hot weather) – with amazing hotels and a 5-star existence. The highlight of the trip for me was staying in the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel where I enjoyed a night in one of their luxury four- bedroomed royal residences – private pool and all that you know (wouldn’t expect anything less)!
At one point I was unceremoniously dragged from my sunbed and G&T to pose in the pool with Emma from Frutin, Steve from Hays and Kay from Stellar – what’s a celebrity bear to do?
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OUR MAN IN THE NORTH REPORTS ON...
SUMMER! Let’s ignore the oncoming winter and talk summer holidays! Beat the winter blues by perusing what Crystal Cruises have on offer during summer 2019 – think glorious sunshine, cocktails on deck and mouth-watering cuisine. Here are some of my personal favourites however for a full list of all Crystal’s sailings in 2019, just visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk. Stay warm and see you soon!
If you would like to learn more about Crystal Cruises, just give me a call or send me an email: 07841 921533 | [email protected]
CAPTIVATING COTE D’AZUR
ALASKAN GRANDEUR
ROME TO BARCELONA
Voyage #OCY190517-06
Crystal Serenity | 17 May 2019 | 6 nights Highlights: Rome, Sorrento, Propriano, Cannes, Marseille and Barcelona (overnight).
Fares from £2,050 per person cruise only
(A1 stateroom)
ROUND-TRIP VANCOUVER
Voyage #OCS190810-10
Crystal Symphony | 10 August 2019 | 10 nights Highlights: Vancouver, cruising the Inside Passage, Haines, Juneau, Hoonah, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria and Vancouver.
Fares from £3,023 per person cruise only
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO BOOK PLEASE CALL:
O20 7399 7601
www.crystalcruises.co.uk
ABTA No.V8548
(E2 stateroom)
Fares are per person, cruise only in UK sterling based on double occupancy in the specified stateroom grade for the first two full-fare guests and include port, security and handling charges, which vary by departure. All fares, offers and itineraries are subject to change and availability and can be withdrawn at any time. Fares may fluctuate and should be used as a guide only. Prices may go up or down. You should contact us on 0207 399 7601 before booking, or visit our website www.crystalcruises.co.uk. The fares are available to new bookings only and are only available to UK & Eire residents. Restrictions apply. See crystalcruises.co.uk for complete terms and conditions of all offers. (c) 2018 Crystal Cruises, Inc., Ships' registry: The Bahamas.
Jon Schofield


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Category
holidAy AwArdS
Short Haul Tour Operator of the Year
Jet2holidays
Luxury Tour Operator of the Year
if only...
Touring & Adventure Company of the Year
Wendy Wu
Ski Company of the Year
ski independence
Independent Short Haul Operator of the Year classic collection holidays
Independent Long Haul Operator of the Year travel 2
Technology/ ground & Service AwArdS
UK Trade Support Team of the Year
emirates
Travel Technology Supplier of the Year
travelport
Car Hire Supplier of the Year
flexible car hire
Holiday Essentials Supplier of the Year
attraction World
Rail Operator of the Year
virgin trains
Consolidator of the Year
travel 2
SpAA TrAvel Quiz 2018 winner
monarch of the Glen, Glen travel
Annual Travel Awards
Winners
november 2018
2018
cruiSe & ferry AwArdS
Ocean Cruise Company of the Year
royal caribbean international
Premium Cruise Company of the Year
celebrity cruises
Specialist Cruise Company of the Year
hurtigruten
River Cruise Company of the Year
scenic & emerald Waterways
Ferry Company of the Year
dfds
Agency AwArdS
Large Business Agency of the Year
clyde travel management Group
Small Business Agency of the Year
Jigsaw travel
Home Worker of the Year
fiona Bibby, travel architect
Large Leisure Agency of the Year
stewart travel, prestwick
Small Leisure Agency of the Year
Glen travel
Airline AwArdS
Holiday Airline of the Year
Jet2.com
Domestic Airline of the Year
British airways
European Airline of the Year
Klm
Transatlantic Airline of the Year
united airlines
Worldwide Airline of the Year
emirates
hoTelS/ ShorT breAkS &uk holidAyS
Hotel Booking/Accommodation Supplier of the Year super Break
Hotel & Resort Operator of the Year
doubletree by hilton
UK Holiday Operator of the Year
super Break
European City Break Supplier of the Year super Break
repreSenTATive AwArdS
Leisure Representative of the Year
martin maclaren, Beachcomber
Cruise Representative of the Year
mandy Burrie, celebrity cruises
Airline Representative of the Year
shirley saadi, emirates
glASgow
AirporT - beST Airline of The yeAr
WINNER - lufthansa edinburgh
AirporT - cuSTomer Service AwArd
WINNER - easyJet


spaa annual travel awarDs
SpAA TrAvel AwArdS
SPaa held their 26th annual travel awards in the doubletree by hilton in glasgow and what a night it was!
With a record turn out, fabulous music and new MC, Peter Martin, it certainly was a night to remember.
A grand total of £6,750 was also raised for Mary’s Meals. Huge congratulations to all the winners and hats off to all those who stayed at the After Party into the wee small hours......
Car Hire Supplier of the Year 2018
S2144 SPAA Award Thankyou Advert.indd 1
Thank you for voting for us in the SPAA Travel Awards 2018 as your
River Cruise Company of the Year
november07/2110/210818 57
10:08


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THIS IS HOW TO HOLIDAY
We are thrilled to have been named Ocean Cruise Line of the Year at the SPAA Awards 2018. We couldn’t have done it without you, thank you for voting for us and your ongoing support.


spaa annual travel awarDs
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november 2018


spaa annual travel awarDs
thank you
for voting Classic Collection Holidays
BEST INDEPENDENT
SHORT HAUL OPERATOR 2018
We really value your support
Freephone 0800 008 7288 www.classic-collection.co.uk I live chat
Travel matters spaa awards thank you 20178_120x190.indd 1 08/11/2018 13:07
PERSONALISED HOLIDAYS tailor-made for you
Independent Short Haul Operator of the Year 2018
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spaa annual travel awarDs
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From Capital City to Nordic Fjords
Fly Edinburgh to Bergen
3 times per week Starts 9 May 2019
Fly Edinburgh to Stavanger
4 times per week Starts 10 May 2019
Loganair.co.uk or GDS


From Capital City to Whisky Isle
Fly Edinburgh to Islay
Up to 7 per week in the summer, 4 per week winter
Starts 31 March 2019
Loganair.co.uk or GDS