BTN Expert Q&A

TAP Air Portugal is growing its U.S. service. After launching service between Chicago and Lisbon in early June, the carrier began service between San Francisco and Lisbon this week and will add service to Washington Dulles next week. Speaking at the launch of the San Francisco flight, chair Miguel Frasquilho said the... Keep Reading

Alaska Airlines in recent years has made bigger moves to win corporate market share. Part of that strategy was hiring David Oppenheim for the new position of VP of sales. After more than a year in the role, he spoke with BTN transportation editor Michael B. Baker about corporate sales strategy, the integration of Virgin... Keep Reading

Air Italy has continued to build its North American service this year, launching nonstop service between Milan and Toronto in recent weeks. Its growth also has reignited a long-running dispute between a coalition of the largest U.S. carriers, as well as Qatar Airways, which has a 49 percent stake in Air Italy; the U.S.... Keep Reading

Dav El/BostonCoach president and CEO Scott Solombrino will not renew his contract with the chauffeured transportation supplier, which he has led for three decades. In an interview with BTN transportation editor Michael B. Baker, Solombrino said the departure was "something I've planned for a while because I wanted to change... Keep Reading

Robotics process automation provider Troovo's software routes payment decisions based on each client's needs and automatically switches on a virtual card process—or in the future, blockchain payment process—when appropriate based on those client rules. Since Troovo was named Innovator of the Year at BTN's Innovate conference... Keep Reading

Global Business Travel Association VP of government relations Shane Downey said GBTA lobbying has focused on taxation and fees, as well as maintaining a healthy infrastructure and making business travel more comfortable and convenient. His latest focus was long-term funding for the FAA. In October, the U.S. Congress passed... Keep Reading

With more than 750 aircraft across its operating companies, private aviation management company NetJets already is a giant in its industry, accounting for more than 15 percent of private aviation traffic, said EVP of sales and marketing Patrick Gallagher. In fact, that ranks it high among aviation companies in general based... Keep Reading

Cvent has spent the past two years integrating and upgrading technology after acquiring Lanyon in 2016. The company is in growth mode: expanding its client base, its geographical coverage and, as always, its technology stack. Cvent CEO Reggie Aggarwal talks current growth mode, technology investment and the drive toward... Keep Reading

Business travel extended-stay specialist BridgeStreet Global Hospitality is growing its inventory with more than 60,000 of what the company is calling "urban dwellings," catering to business travelers with extended-stay needs in high-demand business locations. The alternative lodging distribution and booking provider refined... Keep Reading

Qatar Airways has reported significant year-to-date year-over-year growth in contracted corporate business, and the carrier credits a good portion of that growth to expanded availability of the Qsuite business class product. It has been essential in growing business, Americas SVP Eric Odone said. Odone, who joined the carrier... Keep Reading