BTN Expert Q&A

Over the past 12 years, Turkish Airlines has increased its fleet size nearly sixfold from 55 aircraft to almost 300, enabling it to fly "more countries than any other airline in the world." BTN transportation editor Michael B. Baker visited the carrier's headquarters in Istanbul, where a new airport slated to begin a phased... Keep Reading

On Tuesday, Choice Hotels International celebrated the grand opening of its newest Cambria Hotel & Suites, located in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. It's the first in New York City for the upscale, contemporary brand, and a second Cambria is slated to open near Times Square in the fall. Though New York consistently enjoys... Keep Reading

U.S. Bank is putting its money where its technology is thriving. The bank has made a two-year, multimillion-dollar investment to upgrade its Access Online commercial card management system and mobile app. It also restructured earlier this year, switching from a product-specific operations model to a customer-specific one.... Keep Reading

Cyril Kovarsky joined Accor on April 1 as senior vice president of global sales after serving as senior vice president of corporate sales for business services at Orange, a French multinational telecommunications corporation. He spoke with BTN Group editorial director David Meyer about his approach, including the fact that... Keep Reading

One might assume that Gary Kessler, president and CEO of ground transportation network Carey International, is not a fan of Uber and its fellow on-demand transportation apps. Kessler, however, says the industry owes a bit of gratitude to such disruptors. As travel buyers confront the apps' policy and security ramifications,... Keep Reading

Since Southwest launched flights from Atlanta three years ago, the low-cost carrier has expanded and solidified its position there, not to mention across the United States. Its rise provides travel buyers a bit more negotiating power in their dealings with major carriers, and that’s a boon especially for small and midmarket... Keep Reading

Despite protests from the Big Three U.S. carriers, Emirates plans to add flights to established U.S. routes and open a new one to Orlando later this year. In an interview with BTN transportation editor Michael B. Baker, Emirates vice president of U.S. sales Matthias Schmid said the United States remains the carrier's “key... Keep Reading

Airlines are micromanaging capacity and negotiated hotel rates often aren’t available to travelers. And yet, hotel companies showed surprising improvement in loading rates into global distribution systems by the first quarter. Fidelity Investments vice president of global travel services Patty Snodgrass, Willis Americas... Keep Reading

Regional network OneJet is using smaller, twin-engine jets to connect markets that offer corporate demand but few nonstop options. Over a month in, it connects Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. OneJet president and CEO Matt Maguire walked BTN transportation editor Michael B. Baker through the business model that will... Keep Reading

Roundtable: Seeing Travel Management From A Multinational Perspective Three multinational travel buyers discussed in a conference call with BTN editorial director David Meyer particulars of global management, including travel management company structures, language barriers and the effects of lo... Keep Reading