Gateway Issue 7 by Flight Centre

GATEWAY The magazine of Corporate Traveller Issue 7 • Autumn/Winter 2019

DESTINATIØN ZØNE:

CøPENHAGEN

Booking

5 super-smart

20 years of

PREMIUM ECONOMY

TRAVEL HACKS

BUSINESS TRAVEL

W ELCO M E & CO N T EN T S Things have changed a lot in the 20 years since Corporate Traveller launched in the UK.

I N T HI S I S S UE 4-6:

ews: What’s happening in the N world of business travel

To coincide with CT’s recent milestone, we asked Paul Tilstone, founder of consultancy group Festive Road, to help identify some of the key moments in business travel over the last 20 years. He was less keen, however, to predict what might happen in the future.

8-9:

Hot Topic: 20 years of business travel

Premium Economy wasn’t around 20 years ago, but it’s now featured by many major airlines – although the product varies widely between carriers. Aviation journalist Gary Noakes explains what each airline offers, from seat pitch to added extras. Our Destination Zone this issue is Copenhagen, home of that famous brand of lager and regularly voted one of the nicest places to do business in.

10-13: Get Ahead: Premium economy 14:

Interview with a Travel Manager: Safinah’s Rachel Coundon

16-17: Destination Zone: Copenhagen 18:

Charity Update: CT’s good causes

19: Travel Hacks: More products to ease life on the road

If Carlsberg did business travel destinations…

Lisa James

Editor editorgatewaymagazine@corptraveller.co.uk

CONTACT D E TA I LS Editor:

Lisa James

Corporate Traveller, 11th Floor, CI Tower, High Street, New Malden, KT3 4TE corptraveller.co.uk

Email us at:

gatewaymagazine@corptraveller.co.uk

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N E W S & D E V E LO P M E N T S B A TRI AL S VR HEADS ET S

PA S S E NGE RS RAT E BE S T A ND W ORS T UK A I RP ORT S

elfast International has been rated the worst UK airport according to research by consumer rights group Which? Among frustrations cited by passengers at Northern Ireland’s busiest airport include long queues, crowded terminal and expensive parking. The airport also scored poorly for security queues, seating and staff as well as a limited range of shops and restaurants.

ritish Airways has become the first UK airline to trial virtual reality headsets, allowing passengers to watch a selection of films and TV programmes in 3D or 360-degree formats. Until the end of the year, First Class passengers on selected flights from Heathrow to New York JFK will be able to try the headsets, designed by VR eyewear specialist SkyLights, and fully immerse themselves in 3D view regardless of the position of their seat. BA has also worked with experts to select a range of therapeutic programmes, including guided meditation and sound therapy, specifically designed for customers who have a fear of flying. Sajida Ismail, head of inflight product for BA, said: “We are always looking at the latest technology to enhance our customers’ experience on the ground and in the air. “Virtual reality has the power to revolutionise in-flight entertainment and we’re really excited to trial these new glasses as they should create a unique and memorable journey for our First customers.” Meanwhile, BA will spend £3 million offsetting all domestic flight emissions from next year after its owner IAG became the first airline group to commit to net-zero carbon flying by 2050. Willie Walsh, CEO of BA owner IAG, said the target would be reached largely through carbon offsetting, as well as using sustainable fuels and by phasing out older aircraft, adding electric or hydrogen aircraft were not an option for most international flights.

H OT EL S TO D I TCH PLA STIC AMENI T Y BOT T L ES

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Despite recently completing major improvement works, Luton also performed badly in the survey, coming at the bottom of the large airport category, where it has been for the fourth year running. It achieved a satisfaction score of 43% and was criticised for ‘limited seating’ and ‘congested’ security queues. Manchester T3 scored 47% and Aberdeen scored 50%. Doncaster Sheffield was the highest-rated airport in the country for the third year running, with a customer score of 86%, while Heathrow T5 scored best for overall customer service, with ample seating, helpful staff and high-quality toilets. Birmingham, meanwhile, was described as ‘hassle-free’, although some did refer to it as ‘unremarkable’ and ‘functional’. Separately, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published its latest UK Aviation Consumer Survey, which shows overall satisfaction is high, but has fallen since 2016. Reasons for dissatisfaction include poor handling of complaints by airlines and airports; the lack of communication and information provided by airlines when flights are delayed; and the lack of accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility. People who have flown in the last year from the north east of England were most likely to be satisfied with the overall travel experience, with a 90% total.

ajor hoteliers Marriott and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) are ditching single-use, mini plastic toiletry bottles. Marriott said it will eliminate shampoo, conditioner and shower gel bottles from all hotels worldwide by December 2020, while IHG will phase out miniature toiletries by the end of 2021, switching to larger size amenities. Marriott recently began replacing small bottles with larger ones or tamper-resistant pump dispensers at some US hotels and feedback has been positive, based on guest surveys. The hotel group’s vice president of sustainability and supplier diversity Denise Naguib said: “More and more people have a general consciousness of this. They don’t want to be leaving half-empty bottles.” In a similar move, New York hotels will be banned from providing toiletries in single-use plastic containers from 2023. Initially, the ban will apply to properties of 50 rooms or more, with smaller hotels coming onboard in 2024. The move will eliminate 27.4 million plastic bottles a year. California has vowed to do the same by 2023.

TO P CEO S AL ARI ES FAL L

NE W S I N BRI E F World’s best airline is… Qatar Airways has been voted the world’s best airline in the Skytrax World Airline Awards, pushing last year’s winner, Singapore Airlines, into second place. ANA All Nippon Airways came third. Singapore Airlines did, however, have something to celebrate, coming first in the world’s best cabin staff category.

he average salary for chief executives dropped 13% last year, but they still earn 117 times more than the average UK fulltime employee, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIDP). Those running the UK’s largest listed 100 companies are paid an average of £3.5 million a year, the CIPD’s research found. In contrast, full-time workers in the UK earn an average of £29,574. The report also showed a continued wide gender gap at the top of big firms. In 2018, only six of the FTSE 100 companies had a female boss, down from seven in 2017. The CIPD and High Pay Centre have called for CEO pay to be linked to both financial and non-financial measures of performance and reward packages to be simplified to ensure they are linked to fewer and more meaningful measures of performance. It also said pay for the top 1% of earners should be disclosed and companies should consider wider workforce reward practices, and understanding of organisational culture, fairness and investment in people.

A L L ABOARD T HE LU TON EXPRES S T RAI N

uton Airport is on track to get an express train service to London from December 2020, which will ultimately reduce the journey time from the capital to the terminal to just over 30 minutes. East Midlands Railway said an all-electric fleet of trains, operated by Abellio, will run between Luton Airport Parkway station and London St Pancras every 30 minutes. From 2021, the London express service will link to a transit service running between Parkway station and the airport. The service will operate from a dedicated platform at St Pancras.

Barbie takes to the skies Virgin Atlantic has helped design a new range of Barbie dolls, in a bid to encourage more girls to get into science, tech, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Toy manufacturer Mattel has issued pilot, engineer and cabin crew uniforms based on Virgin designs. World’s best bar is… The Dante bar and restaurant in New York City has been named number one in the World’s 50 Best Bar awards. Established in 1915 and revamped in 2015, Dante serves Italian-Australian food on Macdougal Street in NYC’s West Village. UK-Asia flight expansion More UK flight options to India and Bangladesh have been added. A direct, non-stop service to Amritsar on Air India began operating from Stansted on October 31, while Bangladesh’s national carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, will fly from Manchester next year, to Dhaka, via the eastern city of Sylhet. Saudi Arabia relaxes hotel rules Women can now book and stay in hotels along in Saudi Arabia after the country relaxed strict rules. The reforms apply to Saudi nationals as well as visitors. In addition, foreign men and women are now allowed to share hotel rooms without having to prove they are married. And finally… Japan Airlines has a new online seat booking feature that alerts passengers to where under twos will be sitting on a flight. A ‘child’ icon appears on the seating plan when a passenger is travelling with children aged under two. The feature has divided opinion among travellers.

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N E W S & D E V E LO P M E N T S C T MARKS 20T H ANNI VERS A RY

orporate Traveller has celebrated 20 years in business in the UK. The company was launched in the UK in 1999 with one office in Wimbledon and a team of five travel consultants. Over the last 20 years it has grown to become the UK’s largest TMC providing dedicated business travel services to clients with an annual business travel spend of £50,000 to £2 million. Today Corporate Traveller UK has a total of 400 staff, including 250 consultants operating in 60 teams at 20 offices across England and Scotland. Corporate Traveller currently manages travel for over 2,000 UK corporates and 200,000 business travellers each year. UK general manager Andy Hegley, said: “Our business model is unique. Small teams of travel consultants are based in our 20 offices across the UK, looking after their own client portfolio of locallybased businesses. “Our travel consultants are dedicated to giving the right support and service that SME-spend companies need, adding value, proactively advising them on ways to generate cost-savings that will impact on their bottom line, and helping them growth their business. “Even though our business has grown and scaled up, personal service is still at the heart of everything we do – that’s what our clients say they value the most.” Pictured, from left, are: head of sales Gary James, head of account management Luke Thickett, regional operations manager Donna Joines and general manager Andy Hegley.

U K’S BES T T RAI N STAT I ONS REVEAL ED

HI LTON GA RD E N I NN LA ND S AT T2

ondon Paddington has been named the UK’s best train station, according to new research. The study, by Novotel, looked at the 100 busiest train stations in the UK, analysing 13 different criteria split across three key areas: facilities, food and shopping, and punctuality. Paddington earned a score of 79.89, Fenchurch Street came in second with a score of 79.40, followed by Liverpool Street with 78.54. Eight out of the top 10 stations are in London, with Glasgow Central (fourth place) and Slough (10th place) being the only two found outside the capital. London’s City Thameslink was named the least punctual station in the UK, with 71% of its trains in the last six months being delayed or cancelled, followed by Tottenham Hale with 69%. Outside of London, Manchester Oxford Road has been named the station with the least on time trains, with 66% of services in the last six months being delayed or cancelled.

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he first hotel to be connected to Heathrow’s central terminal building opened recently. The 369-room Hilton Garden Inn, at Terminal 2, has runway views and is the only Heathrow hotel to provide guests with direct access to the Queen’s Terminal via a walkway, allowing them to reach departure gates in minutes. The 14-floor has a 24-hour business centre, fitness centre and a grab-and-go retail space that includes a mix of healthy, indulgent and fresh foods and a self-serve specialty coffee bar. The hotel’s main restaurant, the Apron, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, while guests can visit the Runway Bar on the hotel’s rooftop for cocktails and snacks while overlooking 360-degree views of Heathrow’s runway.

VILNIUS WARSAW LONDON CITY LONDON HEATHROW

BUDAPEST

Up to 56 weekly non-stop flights from London all featuring Business Class, Premium

Economy and Economy Class.

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H OT TO P I C : 2 0 Y E A R S O F BUSINESS TRAVEL Business travel has gone through many changes in the 20 years since Corporate Traveller launched in the UK. Here are some of the key moments For those of us who can remember, this time 20 years ago there In March 2008, the Queen opened Heathrow Terminal 5 and orders came in from around the world for state-of-the-art new was a certain amount of concern – and a degree of panic – over aircraft Airbus A380s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. the Millennium Bug. Would our computer systems really stop E-tickets – first introduced by Southwest Airlines in 1994 – working one second into January 1, 2000? Would aircraft really started to become more widely used and more airlines signed fall out of the sky? codeshares or formed alliances. Travellers became increasingly It didn’t happen and life went on as normal. The business confident about making mobile bookings and using online traveller was free to jet off around the world and it was fun – for booking tools. a while. Over the last 15 years or so, there has Business travel agencies started evolving been a blurring of lines between work and into the travel management companies “There has been a leisure. Less work-life balance, more ‘work(TMCs) that we know today, focusing on blurring of lines between life integration’. It’s more acceptable now service and value and charging a fee to to extend business trips into leisure breaks. work and leisure. Less clients, rather than earning their money More hotels have 24-hour gyms and from airline commissions. More low-cost work-life balance, more have started to cater for female business carriers flew in the sky and British Airways ‘work-life integration’. It’s travellers, with rooms designed more announced it was ‘redefining long-haul practically for women, as well as womenmore acceptable now to business travel’ by setting new benchmarks only floors. extend business trips into in comfort and design, including completely Increased use of technology has led to flat beds. leisure breaks” increased risk, with Marriott and British In September 2001, everything changed Airways, among others, succumbing to cyber when terrorists hijacked two United Airlines hacks that have compromised customers and two American Airlines flights, crashing two into the World recently. Safety concerns are still an issue. At the time of writing, Trade Centre’s twin towers; a third into the Pentagon and the all Boeing 737 Max aircraft remain out of service following fatal fourth into woodland in Pennsylvania. crashes in 2018 and 2019. Extra security measures were introduced, which were often As for the next 20 years, biometric scanning and facial criticised for being cumbersome and time-consuming. Traveller recognition are expected to speed up check in and security, while safety moved up the agenda. GPS technology is expected to provide more accurate, real-time In 2003, an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome tracking of aircraft and ensure flights depart and land as safely as (SARS) again put travellers off flying. That same year, Concorde possible. Designers promise aircraft will become more fuel-efficient retired from service. In 2004, UAE carrier Etihad was launched. and environmental concerns over flying will continue.

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Q & A W I T H PAU L T I L S TO N E , F O U N D E R A N D C E O O F C O N S U LTA N C Y F I R M F E S T I V E R O A D What was business travel like 20 years ago?

Travellers booked through agencies because online booking tools (OBTs) weren’t yet established. Procurement was beginning to affect the buying habits of travel managers and business travel agencies were morphing into travel management companies (TMCs). What options were there for SMEs?

There weren’t any really sophisticated options to book on the internet, so SMEs booked either with travel agencies or direct with suppliers. The ‘sell’ of the business travel agency was easy as there was no extra cost for SMEs to book with them, as airline commissions covered the cost of service. TMCs moved to showing the additional value they could add and the efficiency they could provide. What were the changes for corporate clients?

Value was what needed to be demonstrated, and fast. Developments in management information, online booking and duty of care started to take hold. Remuneration changes paved the way for a more professional, value-based service approach. And the traveller?

Traveller centricity started to evolve as people gained access to great consumer experiences on the internet. This, coupled with a rise in the volume and friction of travel and the challenges of retaining talent in booming sectors, all started to turn the focus to what was best for the traveller. A more HR-driven travel programme is emerging, with support for the traveller absolutely key. How’s business travel changed for the better?

There is much more transparency now and in many ways the options for corporations to build out their supply chain is becoming more flexible. Modern technology has spawned all sorts of service options for corporations and travellers and we are seeing a lot of focus on services at the point of experience. This is much needed as people are travelling more and issues such as stress and productivity are forefront in people’s minds. Any downsides?

The office itself has become mobile, placing stresses on people. I wouldn’t say the travel experience itself has significantly improved, if at all. Everywhere travellers go it seems to be busier and busier. Little touches that supplier loyalty can bring to the traveller experience can help to make all the difference. For travel managers, the complexity of distribution and servicing has increased. Has the golden age of business travel been and gone?

I think one golden age of travel has passed, but I sense we are on a path to another one, where technology will smooth out all of the ruffles of the travel experience. There’s something magical about flying half-way round the world in a matter of hours to do business. It broadens the mind and brings us all closer together. But of course we need to really think about sustainability. That’s becoming a huge challenge. What other changes have been key in the last 20 years?

In addition to the dawn of the low-cost carriers, I would say the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 and, in that same year, the creation of the API. The iPhone started to shape our internet consumer world and expectations of what we wanted from our travel experience grew. The latter led to the development of the API standard, IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) in 2012 and this is beginning to have widespread influence on the way the business travel market will evolve for the next 20 years. It’s not so much about the standard itself, but the wider impact on business models that API distribution is bringing to our sector.

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G E T A H E A D: A R E YO U S I T T I N

W H AT E X A C T LY I S P R E M I U M E C O N O M Y A N D W H O O F F E R S I T ? A V I AT I O N J O U R N A L I S T G A R Y N O A K

Premium economy used to mean more legroom, a tiny bit more seat width and not much else – and that’s if you could find an airline that offered it. Nowadays, most major airlines offer premium economy, usually with a separate cabin, much better seats, upgraded food and beverage and, quite often, designer crockery and branded amenity kits. Premium economy is a popular option for SMEs and there have been some key developments recently, particularly among

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transatlantic carriers. United Airlines debuted its Premium Plus concept in March, meaning the big three US carriers all now offer a world-class product, while British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have revealed updated cabins on new Airbus A350 aircraft. There’s more to come late next year, when Emirates unveils its first premium economy product, expected to be a fixed shell seat concept that nods more towards business class than economy – more than ever, it’s a world of choice.

N G C O M F O R T A B LY ?

KES SHARES HIS EXPERTISE

BRITISH AIRWAYS WORLD TRAVELLER PLUS BA unveiled its latest premium economy cabin on new Airbus A350s in August. These serve some Dubai and Toronto services, with Tel Aviv to follow on December 1 and Bengaluru from January. Changes include new menus with a third choice of main dish and more substantial second meal, plus new soft furnishings. Seat pitch: 38” Seat width: 18.7” TV size: 12” Recline: 8” Checked baggage: 2x23kg Extras: Amenity kit made from recycled material, noise-cancelling headphones; two meals plus free bar service including cocktails.

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

DELTA PREMIUM SELECT

Virgin revealed its new premium economy cabin on its first Airbus A350 in September. The aircraft features a 2-4-2 layout; meaning seats are slightly narrower than on other aircraft that have a 2-3-2 configuration.

Premium Select is another cabin that debuted on Airbus A350s, although it is now on some Boeing 777 and 767-400s. Some aircraft offer Delta’s latest ‘fixed tablet’ streamed entertainment system. Premium Select will be offered on Boeing 767 flights from Heathrow to Atlanta, JFK and Boston from mid-November.

Seat pitch: Up to 38” Seat width: 18-21” depending on aircraft type

Seat pitch: 37”- 38” depending on aircraft

TV size: 13.3”

Seat width: 18.5-19”

Recline: 7-8”

TV size: 13.3”

Checked baggage: 2x23kg

Recline: 7”

E xtras: Premium amenity kit made from recycled material, free seat selection, glass of prosecco on boarding, meals served on china crockery.

Checked baggage: 2x32kg E xtras: Upgraded meals served on Alessi crockery, free drinks, and TUMI amenity kit.

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G E T A H E A D: A R E YO U S I T T I N W H AT E X A C T LY I S P R E M I U M E C O N O M Y A N D W H O O F F E R S I T ?

UNITED AIRLINES PREMIUM PLUS

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Premium Plus debuted in March, and all five daily Heathrow-Newark flights now offer it. Don’t confuse it with Economy Plus, which is just a main cabin extra legroom option.

American Airlines was the first major US carrier to introduce a true premium economy cabin in 2016 and in August it completed the installation across its long-haul fleet. Seat width: 18.5”-19”

Seat width: Up to 19”

TV size: Varies

TV size: Up to 13”

Recline: Not stated

Recline: 6”

Checked baggage: 2x23kg

E xtras: Enhanced menu with free alcoholic drinks, noise-reducing headphones, priority check-in and STATE Bags amenity kits plus soft furnishings by Casper.

E xtras: Saks 5th Avenue pillows and bedding, noisecancelling headphones, free seat selection.

QANTAS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

The first of Qantas’ refurbished Airbus A380s is now flying to London with a premium economy cabin that’s increased from 35 to 60 seats. The new seat is 10% wider than the existing A380 seat. All the airline’s A380s will be refitted by the end of 2020.

Singapore Airlines introduced its premium economy cabin in 2015 and it has proved a firm favourite. The first of 14 refitted Airbus A380s with 44 premium economy seats entered service in June with refreshed interiors.

Seat pitch: 38-42” Seat width: 19.5” TV size: Not stated Recline: 9” Checked baggage: 40kg E xtras: Glass of sparkling wine when boarding and pre-ordering of meals. Seats have two USB ports for every passenger plus shared AC power points.

Seat pitch: 38”

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Seat pitch: 39” Seat width: Up to 19.5” TV size: 13.3” HD Recline: Up to 8” Checked baggage: 35kg Extras: Main courses can be reserved from the Book the Cook menu up to 24 hours before departure or selected from three choices on board.

N G C O M F O R T A B LY ? CATHAY PACIFIC

AIR FRANCE

Cathay is another carrier that has slightly different premium economy seats on different aircraft. Those on Boeing 777300ERs have separate footrests; while seats on the newer A350 have extendable footrests and leg rests that are integral parts of the design.

Air France unveiled a redesigned fixed shell Premium Economy seat in February that will be retrofitted to 15 Airbus A330s by next year. The new-style cabin is also on Air France’s first Airbus A350 that debuted on ParisAbidjan in October and Paris-Toronto in November.

Seat pitch: 38”-40”

Seat pitch: 40”

Seat width: 18.5”-19.5”

Seat width: 19”

TV size: 12” on A350s, 10.2” on 777s.

TV size: 13.3” HD

Recline: 8-8.5”

Recline: 130 degrees

Checked baggage: 35kg minimum

Checked baggage: 23kg

Extras: Dedicated check-in. A350 aircraft offer paid-for wi-fi.

Extras: Hand towel on boarding, glass of Champagne, designer tableware.

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS (ANA)

EVA AIR

ANA revealed a redesign of its cabins by V&A Dundee architect Kengo Kuma in July. They feature on 12 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which have the world’s biggest premium economy TVs with 15.6” screens. These aircraft fly ANA’s Heathrow services.

Taiwan’s EVA Air brought premium economy to the world in 1991 and it continues to be a major part of the airline’s appeal. Seats have built-in leg and footrests. Don’t confuse EVA’s Premium Economy with its Premium Laurel option, which is a business class cabin.

Seat pitch: 38”

Seat width: 19.3”

Seat width: 19.5”

TV size: 10.6” on most aircraft

TV size: 11”

Recline: 8”

Checked baggage: 23kg

E xtras: Lounge access is included at some airports. Slippers are provided on board. Passengers are offered a business class drinks and dessert selection.

E xtras: New amenity kits by fashion brands Furla and Sport b. There are USB and power points in each seat.

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INTERVIEW WITH A

TR AVEL M ANAGER Rachel Coundon, head of administration at Gateshead-based Safinah Group, describes her busy job, how she spends CT rewards and why her 28th birthday is one she’d rather forget Tell us about your company Safinah Group is a team of 50 independent, expert coatings consultants and superintendents supplying consultancy and engineering services to the marine, protective, yacht and legal sectors worldwide. We cover the whole spectrum – from advice on paint formulation, specification and application, right through to paint failure investigation and litigation, providing analysis and expert witness services. What’s your job? As head of administration, I oversee the group’s accounts, systems and personnel matters. I’ve worked here for 16 years. Which colleagues travel on business and where? The majority of staff travel abroad on a weekly basis, to far-flung corners of the globe. What are the biggest challenges when arranging travel? We can be asked to travel to obscure places at a moment’s notice, which presents challenges in terms of visas, availability and suitable connections. It’s not uncommon for the team to fly in, join a ship in one port then sail with it and return from another country. What are your key business travel requirements? We are a pretty demanding client, needing 24-hour access to travel experts and a rapid turnaround from enquiry to booking, with accurate information and all appropriate documentation. What difference has Corporate Travel made to your business? From the moment we began to use CT, it felt like a weight had been lifted from our shoulders. We’re in safe hands with our Expert Travel Consultant, Jamie. We know we can rely on the 24-hour team at CT to handle our travel needs professionally, day or night. We also benefit from CT’s reward scheme and turn these points into gift vouchers and treats, such as our Nespresso coffee machine – a vital part of our office!

What advice do you have for companies looking for a TMC? Don’t assume they’re all the same. Shop around. Spend some time getting to know your account manager and describe your business needs and procedures to them clearly. For example, we asked CT to ensure a booking reference is provided by our employees, which is then shown on the travel invoice. This helps to streamline our accounting procedures. Little changes can make a big difference and add real value. What do you do out of work? I enjoy being out in the Northumberland countryside where I live, or doing a Zumba class where I can let off steam after a busy week. My alarm goes off at… 7am When I’m away on business I miss… Family and cuddles from Chewbacca, our handsome grey cat (pictured below) Most memorable business trip… I was upgraded to first class both ways on my first trip to New York, which I naively thought was normal! Worst business travel experience… I spent my 28th birthday on delayed flights, then holed up in a crumby hotel near Heathrow on my own. Apart from loved ones, the person I’d most like to sit next to in business class is… Graham Norton. He’d be up for a glass of wine and a chat.

Most recent trip: I just got back from our office in Copenhagen. Next trip: Our team away day, but I can’t say where. It’s a secret! I’d love to go back to: Japan. We took our children when they were little and I really want to take them back now they’re grown up. I never want to return to: Mauritius. We didn’t really connect. Sorry Mauritius!

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SOME SEE A FAIRY TALE DESTINATION OTHERS SEE CONTRACTS WAITING TO BE WRITTEN INSTANT DISCOUNT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SIMPLE PROGRAM

SAS FOR BUSINESS G AT E W AY

D E S T I N AT I O N ZO N E:

COPENHAGEN Compact, walkable and easy to navigate, Copenhagen is regularly ranked as one of the easiest places in Europe to do business. The airport is 15 minutes away from the city centre, with a train service that operates every few minutes. Everyone speaks English, hotels are plentiful and there are a number of fine-dining and other options for impressive business dinners or lone travellers. For this Destination Zone guide, we’ve asked Copenhagen resident Ann Mortensen, travel consultant at CT’s sister company, FCM Denmark, to share her tips. We’ve added extra input from Rachel

FY I Time difference: GMT+1 Getting around: Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is well connected to the city’s downtown area (which is 13km away) and the rest of Denmark by intercity trains, regional trains, metro and buses. A third metro line has recently opened, called City Ring. Tipping: Service charges are included by law on bills. But tipping is uncommon and not necessary.

E ATI N G A N D D RI N KI N G What to expect Visitors will find a wide choice of restaurants, including several with Michelin stars, with choices ranging from Asian cuisine to Middle Eastern and European. Of course, we also have our famous Danish open sandwiches, called smørrebrød. Freshly brewed coffee is found on almost any street corner. Espresso House and Original Coffee are among my favourites. But you can get a decent drink from any local small coffee shop you pass.

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Coundon, head of administration at CT client Safinah Group, who’s travelled several times to the Danish capital on business. “Copenhagen is a lively and vibrant capital that’s always on the move, with many areas that have recently been redeveloped. It’s so well connected by public transportation that hotels are spread out widely across the city. Some travellers prefer to stay in the areas of Nyhavn/Amalienborg whereas others prefer to be closer to the central station and Vesterbro area. In the summer, daylight lasts from about 5am until 10pm and the nights never really get dark. But in the winter, daylight only lasts for about seven hours.”

Wow-factor business lunch or dinner Try the two-Michelin-star Noma, situated on Refshalevej 96. Its name is an amalgamation of the words ‘nordisk’ (Nordic) and ‘mad’ (food) and is described as a gastronomic mecca, serving reinvented and reinterpreted Nordic classics. Another twoMichelin-star option is Kadeau, inspired by specialities from Bornholm island, situated at Wildersgade 10B, 1408 København. Michelin-starred chef Søren Selin’s newest restaurant, Trio, is one of the city’s highest eateries, with fabulous views from the ninth and 10th floors of Axel Towers, just opposite the main entrance to the famous Tivoli theme park, serving classic French and modern Nordic cuisine. Less pricey Den lille Fede, situated at Store Kongensgade 17; Trattoria FIAT, at Kongens Nytorv 18. serves traditional Italian inside and al fresco on the lively street; Bistro Boheme serves French classics, at Esplanaden 8. All are located near Kongens Nytory, easily accessible by metro and bus. Quick snack or low-key lunch Ida Davidsen (Store Kongensgade 70) is a fifth-generation family restaurant serving 250 types of smørrebrød open sandwiches since 1888. Toldboden (Nordre Toldbod 18-24), on the harbour, serves weekday lunches and weekend brunches in a stylish atmosphere. Cheaper options are available at small local sandwich bars such as Bak (Store Kongensgade 54).

Vegetarian or vegan options

There are plenty of museums, including Arken and Louisiana.

At Birkegade 21, in the Nørrebro area, there is a nice little place called KAF, right in the middle of an old housing district, surrounded by lots of local shops and quirky places. It’s a casual vegan café, offering traditional Danish ‘hygge’, classic open-faced sandwiches, vegan brunch and vegan cheesecake. California Kitchen is a fast-casual healthy lifestyle restaurant chain, providing a unique and distinguishable California experience by way of taste, hospitality and design. Find them at: Nørrebrogade 12; Vesterbrogade 58; Strandgade 95 and Crønnegade 32.

Summer business travellers may find their visit coincides with one of the city’s many festivals, such Copenhagen’s Jazz Festival.

BUSINESS TRAVELLER RECOMMENDATIONS Rachel Coundon, head of administration at CT client Safinah Group, says: “I’ve eaten well everywhere I’ve been in Copenhagen, but the following are some of my highlights.” Nørrebro Bryghus (Ryesgade 3) is a trendy, laid back microbrewery serving smart food with beer pairing. Our team had a four-course Christmas dinner menu, which included bottomless beer… Restaurant Kanalen (Wilders Place 2) is a light, elegant restaurant serving French-inspired Danish cuisine. Not cheap but good for a business lunch. Admiral Hotel (Toldbodgade 24-28) is in a converted 18th century warehouse on the waterfront. It serves a fantastic breakfast buffet, including Danish pastries (of course). Night on the town The Meatpacking District, Central Copenhagen, Latin Quarter and the streets near Amalienborg and Kongens Nytorv are all good options for bars and night clubs. Within downtown Copenhagen, try Brønnums, Balderdash, Noho, Lidkøb or Curfew, which are all recommended for cocktails. Business travellers can try their luck at the casinos at the Radisson Scandinavia Hotel and at Spa Hotel Marienlyst just outside Helsingør (Elsinore).

TI M E OUT Copenhagen is easy to cover by foot. Or hire a city bike or small electrical scooter from the hotel. Amalienborg (Slotsplads 5) is the home of the Danish royal family. The famous Little Mermaid bronze statue by Edvard Eriksen, depicting a mermaid becoming human, can be found by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade. Tivoli Gardens (Vesterbrogade 3) is the world-famous (and world’s second-oldest) amusement park, next to the central rail station in downtown Denmark.

Royal Copenhagen and Georg Jensen are two Danish brands with shops located on the main pedestrian shopping area, called Strøget, right downtown. In the summer, it’s possible to swim in designated areas of Copenhagen’s inside harbour.

W H E R E T O S TAY ? Radisson Collection Royal Hotel The world’s first design hotel still dominates the Copenhagen skyline 60 years after it was built. It’s in one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, close to Tivoli Gardens and a number of convenient transport options, including Central Station. SmartSTAY extras for CT customers: complimentary breakfast and wi-fi as well as guaranteed late check-out until 4pm.

Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers This is a sustainable, high-end hotel near Bella Center conference venue, with 24hour transport links to central Copenhagen and easy access to Malmö in Sweden. It’s a short walk to Ørestad train and metro station and offers a shuttle service to Copenhagen airport, which is 7km away. Field’s, Denmark’s largest shopping mall, is next door. SmartSTAY extras for CT customers: complimentary breakfast and wi-fi as well as 400 bonus IHG Rewards Points per stay.

Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel In the city centre, close to transport and popular spots such as the Strøget pedestrian area and Nyhavn waterfront, the Radisson Blu has some amazing views over Copenhagen. Choose from three restaurants: Italian classics at Filini; Japanese Restaurant Kyoto or Thai at the highly acclaimed Blue Elephant. SmartSTAY extras for CT customers: complimentary breakfast and wi-fi as well as guaranteed late check-out until 4pm.

To find the best deals and see all available hotels visit www.corptraveller.co.uk/smartstay and check out our smartSTAY range.

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C H A R I T Y U P DAT E

AGE UK – CT’S NEW GOOD CAUSE Since Age UK became Corporate Traveller’s official charity this summer, the team has been raising money up and down the country. Fundraising efforts for Age UK, parent company Flight Centre Foundation’s official Charity of the Year for 2019/2020, are well underway. A total of £40K has already been raised over the last four months for this leading UK charity, which is dedicated to helping older people make the most of later life. Quiz nights, Grandparents Day celebrations and Halloween bake sales are among just some of the initiatives that have been organised at CT offices across the country. Many more activities are in the pipeline. This month, staff from across the company will carry out an Age UK shop ‘take over’. Teams of four to five staff will run a selection of Age UK high street charity shops for a day in a head-to-head competition. The aim is to increase each store’s profit on that day compared with the same day the previous year.

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According to Age UK, 225,000 older people spend an entire week without talking to anyone and 1.4 million suffer from loneliness. About 230,000 older people who will be alone on one day during the Christmas period say they have no choice. So, over the next few weeks, staff will be not only be raising funds via raffles and Christmas jumper days, they will also be putting together hampers for their local Age UK centres. Moving into next year, some staff have signed up to run the London Marathon in April on behalf of Age UK, while others will take on the London Landmarks half marathon in March. All funds raised will be matched by Flight Centre Travel Group.

5 GENIUS

TRAVELLER HACKS Check out the latest apps, products and tips designed to make travelling on business easier

LISTEN UP Anyone who hates airport terminals can soothe their cares by listening to Brian Eno’s Ambient 1: Music for Airports. Recorded in 1978, its four tracks of around 40 minutes are designed to defuse the tense and anxious atmosphere and are so calming it’s easy to forget they’re playing at all. This classic album came to the attention of Gateway’s editor when her step-brother said he found it so relaxing he hoped his flight would be delayed so he could continue listening!

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For an eco-friendly alternative to facial wipes and cotton pads, this new ultra-soft microfibre Face It Makeup Remover Cloth deeply cleanses, lightly massages and gently exfoliates when used with your favourite cleanser. With two pockets, the heart-shaped cloth perfectly contours the face and it can be cleaned in the washing machine for future use. Also available in black.

H I G H FI D E L I T Y An Amazon best-seller, these easy-to-use, easy-to-carry SoundBuds Slim Earphones are perfect for working out or travelling, with 10 hours’ playtime and high-fidelity sound with enhanced clarity. They come in a handy travel pouch, with shirt clip, ear tips and earwings. Price: Around £20

ON THE MEN-U Men-u is a range of high-performance, ultra concentrated products for men in handy 100ml travel sizes, with locking pumps that provide accurate dosage, meaning they last longer. The range includes shave crème, skin refresh gel and healthy facial wash, all made with natural ingredients. The skin refresh gel contains willow bark extract that has been used for centuries as a mild analgesic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, while the facial wash has aloe vera and pro vitamin B5 to keep skin moisturised.

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Price: £12.99 makeupbox-ldn.co.uk

Price: From £10-£15. men-u.com

FR E S H E N U P Feel fresh and ditch the liquid on the go with a selection of ultra-convenient wax colognes that come in compact sliding tins. Created by Solid Cologne, they are fast and easy to apply for an even distribution of coverage. There are several scents to choose from. The top-seller, Alexander, is described as sweet, rich and sophisticated. Price: £14.99 solidcologne.co.uk

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