23 MAY 2007

SPAIN TO INTRODUCE API REQUIREMENTS FROM 13th JUNE

Spain is to bring in new security rules from 13 June 2007, the harshest yet imposed by a European government on intra-EU services.

From that date onwards passengers on all flights to and from Spain will have to supply advance passenger information (API) to the Spanish authorities. The information required is: full given names, surname, nationality, date of birth and passport number. .

While this information is automatically uploaded from a machine-readable passport at time of check-in, British Airways (the first airline to highlight this requirement) are advising that in order to minimise unnecessary delays at the airport, passengers should make every effort to provide the API data in advance….

This data requirement is only going to grow as other European countries are bound to follow suit… if you haven’t done so already, please complete a Traveller Profile so our Business Travel Team can automatically build your API data into future reservations..

BA VANCOUVER TERMINAL SWITCH FROM 1 JUNE 2007

As part of our ongoing process to provide your travellers with the best possible travel experience, British Airways flights to and from Vancouver will move from London Heathrow Terminal 4 to Terminal 1 as of 01 June 2007.

Flights currently depart Terminal 4 at peak times during the day, so this move is designed to ease congestion, improve punctuality and give your travellers a more relaxed and enjoyable passage through the airport. If you are a Gold or Silver Executive Club member or travelling on a full fare business class or FIRST class ticket you will also be able to benefit from the dedicated Premium Check-in in Zone R, giving you a quicker service and more free time to spend as you choose.

Remember that ba.com offers customers the easiest way to check in, choose your seat and print your boarding pass. Alternatively if travellers do not have online access your travellers can use a Self-Service Kiosk at the airport.

MAXJET HEAD FOR THE WEST COAST

All “business class” carrier MAXjet is to fly to the US west coast from Stansted for the first time with the start of a Los Angeles service. The airline will initially run four flights a week to LAX from August 30 with fares starting at £349 one-way. The service will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. .

Frequencies to Las Vegas and Washington from Stansted are also to be increased. Las Vegas will have a fourth weekly flight on Sundays from September 2 while the “summer season” Washington service - due to resume on May 24 - will now operate year-round with four flights a week. Maxjet transatlantic services, which include six flights a week to New York, are operated by wide-body Boeing 767s configured with just 102 deep-recline leather seats and a 60-inch seat pitch.

CEO Bill Stockbridge said: "Our high load factors are pushing us not only to expand the airline, but also to expand frequencies from existing destinations as well. Our business model is continuing to win over new customers every day … unlike other all-business-class airlines, we connect London with key cities across the United States, and Los Angeles is a natural match for our high-comfort, high-value service."

If you are a Business Class traveller to the West Coast (or New York/ Washington) don’t confuse the Maxjet version of Business Class with the flat-bed products offered by Air New Zealand, BA, or Virgin Atlantic – you’ll be sorely disappointed (but will have saved a bundle of cash). However, if you are entitled to Premium Economy and don’t mind dragging yourself to Stansted then it’s well worth a look. Call our Business Travel Team and they’ll be delighted to talk you through all your options…

Stanmore Business Travel welcomes your feedback. If you would like to comment on any aspect of our services, please feel free to email us at marks@stanmoretravel.co.uk at any time