Business Travel News will close the book on 2007 with a rundown of the most popular stories on
BTNonline throughout the year. Through Dec. 28, see the interviews and news articles on which
BTNonline readers have most frequently clicked, capped by a rundown of
BTNonline's overall Top 10 of 2007.
Today,
BTNonline features its most popular 2007 stories about emerging initiatives within the corporate travel industry. All rankings are based on
BTNonline visitors from Jan. 1 to Dec. 17, 2007.
1. May 7, 2007: Inflight Wireless Internet On The Way (Overall rank: 12)The title proclaims that onboard Wi-Fi is "on the way," and that assertion proved true, as several carriers furthered their efforts this year to make the long-awaited amenity a reality. As of this month, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and new entrant Virgin America are among the domestic carriers with plans to launch onboard connectivity capabilities. Industry watchers expect more carriers to follow suit in 2008.
2. September 24, 2007: SimpliFares Dead, But Legacy Remains (Overall rank: 21)Since overhauling its fare structure in early 2005—moves other legacy carriers largely adopted—Delta Air Lines has since undone key components of SimpliFares by eliminating fare caps, raising the number of fare categories and, more recently, upping change fees. Though its letter has been redrawn, the spirit of SimpliFares lingers with rationalized business fares, Saturday-night stay requirement reductions and corporate contract formats. However, some suggest the airlines are gearing up for another round of fare simplification.
3. April 2, 2007: Hoteliers Building Green Properties (Overall rank: 22)Travel suppliers in all categories this year furthered their green efforts: Several airlines offered carbon calculation tools, travel management companies helped clients fashion eco-friendly policies and measure emissions and car rental companies peppered their fleets with hybrid cars. Though many hotel companies have touted their green credentials by not washing travelers' towels, a slew of hotel companies moved toward building environmentally sound properties. Starwood Capital, Starwood Hotels, InterContinental and Fairmont, among others, now have green properties under construction or are seeking ways to retrofit existing hotels. Meanwhile, a growing number of travel buyers are quizzing their suppliers on their green initiatives through requests for proposals.
4. May 16, 2007: Southwest Signs With Galileo (Overall rank: 31)Southwest Airlines spent much of 2007 courting the corporate traveler to offset a projected softening of demand. Its global distribution system agreement with Galileo was the carrier's first such deal since forging a limited distribution pact with Sabre, and paved the way for a similar deal with Worldspan and discussions with Amadeus. Southwest this year set into action other plans to lure business travelers, including a modified fare structure, enhancements to its frequent flyer program, a new boarding process and a more open stance toward corporate discounting. The moves underscore a further blurring of the lines of the "low-cost carrier" model and that of the legacy carriers.
5. October 8, 2007: Hotel RFPs Insisting On LRA (Overall rank: 34)Corporate travel buyers faced another tough year securing favorable rates with hoteliers, signifying the ongoing strength of the hotel sellers' market. Hoteliers and corporate travel buyers this year saw the hotel negotiating process from request for proposals to agreement elongate and increase in complexity, as buyers found a heavy cost to last-room availability in key markets. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers' 2007 U.S. Lodging Industry Report and Forecast, released earlier this month, travel buyers should expect at least another few years of a hotel seller's market.
Visit BTNonline.com on Dec. 28 to see the 10 most popular stories of 2007.