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FAQ
If you can’t find the answer to your question below, why not ask ABTN’s editor by sending your question to FAQ@abtn.co.uk
- What low cost airlines fly from the UK to Hong Kong?
- I want to know all the airlines that fly direct to my destination. Is there an easy way to do this?
- What airport hotels in Manchester offer spa facilities?
- How do I ensure my special dietary requirements are catered for?
- How much does it cost to park at Birmingham International Airport?
- How do I avoid getting ripped off by airport taxis?
- Which UK airports offer internet connections and a quiet place for me to work?
- How do I get to Manhattan from New York airports?
- What are the parking options at London City airport?
- Where can I complain about a UK train company?
- Cranfield University's Anita Beal asks: Love the new website! Have you any information on the new service LGW/HKG flown by Oasis? Grateful for any views on its reliability.
- Executive Travel Associates chairman Railford Pierce asks: what are the typical fees charged by major travel agencies in London to a commercial account for both transatlantic travel and travel within europe?
- Who flies from London City to Scotland?
- What is the best way to get into central London from London airports?
- What is a travel policy and should I get one?
What low cost airlines fly from the UK to Hong Kong?
Low cost start-up airline Oasis Hong Kong begins flights from London Gatwick to Hong Kong on October 25. One-way prices start from £75 for economy class, with business class seats offered from £470.
I want to know all the airlines that fly direct to my destination. Is there an easy way to do this?
Yes, you can find out where every airline flies to and from by visiting the ABTN Advice Centre and clicking on ‘Who Flies Where’. To access this facility directly, simply click here
What airport hotels in Manchester offer spa facilities?
The Radisson SAS Hotel and the Manchester Airport Marriott Hotel both offer guests use of the gym and spa.
How do I ensure my special dietary requirements are catered for?
Airline websites are not always forthcoming with the dietary requirements they cater for, although most will accommodate when asked. For anything more specific than a 'vegetarian' option (such as gluten free or kosher food) call the airline before you book any flights. Websites such as http://www.airlinemeals.net can provide some useful information on what to expect from various airlines. Always double-check before flying that your meal has been requested, and look out for an indication of your needs on your boarding pass.
How much does it cost to park at Birmingham International Airport?
Birmingham International Airport offers daily car parking rates from £2.99 per day. Users are encouraged to pre-book to receive 60% off usual rates. The site is operated by NCP and pre-booking ensures visitors a reserved space. The airport advises that from early December the entrance and exit for Long Stay Car Park 1 will be relocated to Bird Island. This is the round about before the current entrance and exit point to LSCP1.
How do I avoid getting ripped off by airport taxis?
Check the going rate of an airport taxi, either by asking your hotel when you book your accommodation or within the airport terminal when you land. Confirming the price with the driver before you set off and having an awareness of the route you should be taking also ensures that you don't get over-charged. Booking transport through a worldwide taxi company avoids possible queues and guarantees a fair price.Which UK airports offer internet connections and a quiet place for me to work?
Wireless internet connection is available throughout BAA airports, with the exception of Southampton. For internet facilities in a more peaceful environment there are lounges in each terminal, which can be booked in advance on the BAA website. London City airport also offers wireless connection throughout the terminal, and manual connection is also available in front of Bewleys coffee shop.
The airport has a dedicated business centre called Meridian, which has conference, meeting, and office facilities should you need them. Luton’s Aviance Executive Lounge has internet facilities and promises peace and quiet for its customers. Manchester has internet connection in its executive lounges, located in each terminal and in Terminal 1’s business centre which also offers conference and meeting rooms.
Birmingham has a business lounge in Terminal 1 where you can access the internet, and Dublin has a business centre with free internet access and wireless connection throughout the airport.
How do I get to Manhattan from New York airports?
The easiest option from both JFK and Newark is to take a taxi into the city. The journey from JFK takes between 30-60 minutes and costs $30 plus $4 for bridge toll and tip. From Newark the trip is shorter (20-45 minutes) but more expensive at $30-$38, plus $10 for tolls. Airport buses provide a cheaper option, and will take you to Grand Central, Port Authority, or Penn stations, plus major hotels, for $11-$14. Train transport is a little trickier from JFK as you have to get a shuttle bus to the long-term car park before getting to the station. Newark, however, has linked its internal monorail to major train networks AmTrak and New Jersey Transit, which makes train travel more accessible.What are the parking options at London City airport?
Parking at London City airport is straightforward as there are just two options: the short-stay car park located next to the terminal, and the main car park which is a short walk away. There is also the option of valet parking in the short-stay car park, at no extra cost. Short-term parking is around £2-3 cheaper per hour in the main car park, and £5 cheaper for each 24-hour period. A day in short-stay is £30, in the main car park £25. Advance booking is not necessary for the main car park, although you can do so for trips over 3 days via the airport website. A 3-day ticket costs £62.44, and the price increases by around £12 for each additional day.Where can I complain about a UK train company?
Initially, you should speak to the guard on board to see if the problem can be resolved there and then. If not, report the problem to the train operator’s customer services officer, who should be able to help or offer compensation. If you feel you need to take the complaint further you can also contact Passenger Focus, the independent national rail consumer watchdog.
Cranfield University's Anita Beal asks: Love the new website! Have you any information on the new service LGW/HKG flown by Oasis? Grateful for any views on its reliability.
Thank you for your feedback, I am delighted that you like the new website and newsletter.
To answer your question on the new Gatwick to Hong Kong route by Oasis airlines.
They have a very useful website with detailed information on the services they offer, and they are also taking bookings. Please find the link to their website below:
Executive Travel Associates chairman Railford Pierce asks: what are the typical fees charged by major travel agencies in London to a commercial account for both transatlantic travel and travel within europe?
Pierce also asks: Any additional charges for refunds or reports? are there additional fees for hotel and auto or rail bookings?
ABTN responds:
Transaction fees from Travel Management Companies (TMCs) range from £20 for a typical short haul trip to £50-£60 for a transatlantic business class trip, for example.
Yes there would be pre-agreed additional charges for such things as cancellations, but reporting tends to be part of the ‘service’ and MI (management information) is the key to a successful company travel policy.
Hotel, rail, and car hire bookings tend to be worked into the overall fees, dependent on volume. If there is a high volume of say rail travel, companies often choose a solution such as a corporate account with Virgin Trains or encourage their own travellers to book via the company intranet with companies such as thetrainline.com.
I hope this information answers your questions. We also have more information on how to create a successful travel policy on our website. Please go to the following link for our ‘How To’ Guide on travel policies:
http://www.abtn.co.uk/HowToGuides/How_To_Guide_2
Who flies from London City to Scotland?
Flybe has four daily services into Edinburgh, while BA has five into Prestwick and two to Edinburgh. If your destination is Inverness, a better option will be to fly from Stansted with Ryanair, who offer three daily services.
What is the best way to get into central London from London airports?
All London airports have an express train service into the city and Heathrow is served by a tube route. Always check what area of London you need and this will help determine which airport to fly into. For example, if your meeting is in the city then London Stansted or Luton will be the best option, however, if you need the West End then Heathrow and Gatwick should be your preferred choice.
What is a travel policy and should I get one?
A travel policy is when a company has guidelines on what services their staff can use to get the best deals. For example, you can use a selection of airlines and stay in certain hotels. This can be a very good way for your company to save money and monitor what your business travellers are doing.
It can be restrictive if your policy isn’t well thought through. For more information and advice on creating and managing your travel policy, see our ‘How To’ Guide Creating a Successful Travel Policy.
