Domestic airfares in 2010 are projected to range from 2 percent lower to 3 percent higher than the 2009 average of $299, according to the National Business Travel Association 2010 U.S. Business Travel Buyers' Cost Forecast, which is scheduled for release this month
(see Editor's Note below). NBTA said ancillary fees could increase the cost of a ticket by 30 percent. The association forecasts hotel room average daily rates to drop 2 percent to 8 percent next year from a 2009 ADR of $136. Car rental rates of $46 per day are expected to decrease 1 percent to 3 percent.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly reflected NBTA's airfare forecast.New Sabre Res System To Go Live In North AmericaSabre Airline Solutions in the coming weeks will cut over WestJet to its SabreSonic Customer Sales & Service reservation system, making it the first North American carrier to complete the migration. In January, JetBlue Airways also will switch over to SabreSonic CSS, which gives carriers the ability to further merchandize ancillary products and services on the front end through its Web site, then account for and fulfill them on the back end. Some carriers outside of North America, including India's Jet Airways, are testing modules of the CSS platform. Sabre also is developing for SabreSonic CSS reaccommodation capabilities that give airlines "a more granular view than just three frequent-flyer tiers," said Sabre Airline Solutions president of products and solutions Steve Clampett. The system is designed to let carriers identify customers who bring them the most value and give them preference if reaccommodation is necessary.
Lufthansa To Bring Back Inflight Wi-FiLufthansa this month announced it would relaunch its FlyNet inflight Internet service in mid-2010, after more than a three-year gap in service. The launch customer of Panasonic's new exConnect service, the German carrier next year will equip "a major part of its long-range fleet" with satellite-based inflight Internet and other connectivity options, including text message capabilities for mobile phones. Lufthansa earlier this decade was among the first carriers to offer inflight broadband, but withdrew the service when Boeing scrapped its Connexion product in late 2006. Since then, a new generation of the inflight Internet providers, including Aircell, OnAir, Panasonic and Row 44, have developed onboard connectivity offerings that are cheaper, lighter and easier to install
(BTNonline, May 7, 2007). Lufthansa and Panasonic did not disclose pricing for the service, though Lufthansa said that "various price models are planned, ranging from a one-hour flat rate to a monthly flat rate." Lufthansa also intends to allow frequent flyers to redeem award miles to use the service.
Starwood To Double China PresenceStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide this month detailed plans to double its presence in China in the next three years. On Oct. 15, it opened its 50th hotel in China, the Sheraton Jinan Hotel. Its sights set on reaching 100 hotels by 2012, Starwood plans to open four more there this year—the Le Meridien Qingdao, the Le Meridien Chongqing-Nan'an, Four Points by Sheraton Lianyungang and the Westin Tianjin. Next year, it plans to bring the W and Luxury Collection brands to China. It has signed 18 deals for properties there in the past 10 month. China has the largest pipeline of Starwood properties and contains more of its hotels than any other country outside of North America.