The BTA Pulse | BTA Events, Industry Challenges, Government Engagement & Travel Trends

Send us a textWelcome to What’s Up in Business Travel for Week 50 of 2025.  This is a weekly podcast where we update you on what’s up this week in the world of business travel.  This podcast is great for those who need to know what’s happening all in under 15 minutes.On this week's podcast, we covered the following stories:Airline Industry tops $1T in 2025US proposes social media inspections on visitorsAmex tops in J.D. Power Airport Lounge studyDOT waives Southwest's fineAirlines unlikely to hit 2030 SAF goalsCTM to be dropped from ASX 200 IndexGovernment mandates cuts for IndigoUnited & Delta take stakes in RepublicPegasus Airlines acquires two Czech airlinesTurkish & South African agree to codeshareSouth African Airways enters codeshare with TAAGJetBlue opens first-ever loungeUber announces plans for an airport kioskSouthwest pursuing network of airport loungesKorean Air to add Starlink Wi-FiTrainline adds disruption featuresYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

Send us a textLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members.  We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members.  You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this podcast episode include:Airbus warning causes global disruptionsAer Lingus is considering closing it's Manchester base.The BTA welcomes the UK government's decision to freeze rail fares in England next year.Two more airlines cease to operate this week:❌ Latvia'a SmartLynx Airlines Ltd❌ Anchorage based New Pacific AirlinesAmerican Express Global Business Travel is exploring the possibility of a sale.The Venezuelan government revokes the operating licenses of six major international airlines.Ryanair shuts down their Prime membership after it costs them more than they earned from it.The most engaged post of the week is by Dennis Schaal about Capital One wanting to acquire the software that Hopper uses to power Capital One Travel, and to then expand their travel offering.Extra StoriesYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

Send us a textWelcome to The BTA Podcast.  In these podcasts we will endeavour to share our thoughts, concerns, optimism and build those all-important human connections with our Partners, Members and Guests.In this episode, Clive and Andrew dive into several key developments shaping UK travel and mobility. They break down how the new Visitor Levy will be used to fund infrastructure improvements and discuss the UK government's sweeping rail project freeze and its implications. The hosts also recap insights from the recent Mobility Conference and share early details about the upcoming Spring Conference, including when and where it will be held. And, of course, Clive weighs in on one of his favorite recurring topic, the ever-controversial drop-off charges at Heathrow.You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created by The BTA and edited & distributed by BusinessTravel360.  For more information about The BTA visit TheBTA.org.ukSupport the show

Send us a textWelcome to What’s Up in Business Travel for Week 49 of 2025.  This is a weekly podcast where we update you on what’s up this week in the world of business travel.  This podcast is great for those who need to know what’s happening all in under 15 minutes.On this week's podcast, we covered the following stories:IndiGo’s crew mismanagement caused airport chaosCTM reveals major accounting errorsDelta forecasts a $200 million hitFAA launches $12B modernization planTSA introduces a new $45 FeeLufthansa Group hikes GDS booking feeBolivia drops Visa requirementsVietnam Airlines & Etihad launch codeshareSAS & Aeromexico launch codeshareSouthwest & Condor partner on transatlanticDelta revises SkyMilesUnited makes changes to MileagePlusDelta & Uber debut Express Drop-Off American Airlines introduces AAdvantage Pass'Otto The Agent' launchesSpotnana integrates with Booking.comExpensify integrates with UberYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

Send us a textLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members.  We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members.  You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this podcast episode include:UK airline Blue Islands collapses, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Hilton revamps their Honors loyalty scheme - Rob Burgess talks us through the changes.Rob also brings us news about Marriott Hotels launching two new payment cards in the UK, linked to their Bonvoy reward scheme: Google's new AI travel search function drives down the share prices in major OTAs.Russian hackers clone more than 4,300 travel sites in attempts to steal payment and other customer data.In Australia, Helloworld Travel Limited makes an aggressive bid for Webjet.com.au.The German government will reduce air taxes in 2026. Airlines are clamping down on the use of power banks on flights.Space News!You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

Send us a textWelcome to What’s Up in Business Travel for Week 48 of 2025.  This is a weekly podcast where we update you on what’s up this week in the world of business travel.  This podcast is great for those who need to know what’s happening all in under 15 minutes.On this week's podcast, we covered the following stories:Thanksgiving breaks TSA's all-time traveler recordAirlines are sued for selling windowless seatsIberia hacked, exposing customer dataAirline tests humanoid robot as a Flight AttendantAirbus warning causes global disruptionsIberia & TAP Air Portugal cancel flights to VenezuelaARC: October sales down once againRevolut enters payments partnership with Booking.comAir Canada & Emirates extend partnership through 2032Air India reinstates codeshare with Air CanadaHilton revamps its Hilton Honors loyalty programMaldives premium airline BeOnd plans U.S. serviceSouthwest expands Touchless IDSabre launches gen AI chat solution for airlinesHotel, flight bookings coming to Google's AI ModeYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

Send us a textLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members.  We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members.  You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this podcast episode include:Rumours abound that LOT Polish Airlines is nearing their completion of the acquisition of Smartwings, the largest airline in the Czech Republic.Marriott Hotels' "bespoke stay" partnership with Sonder Inc. comes to an abrupt halt, and 48 hours later, Sonder files for bankruptcy. I saw many chaotic stories of travellers having to cut their stay short and being left without accommodation.Ethiopian Airlines becomes the latest airline to sign up for Sabre Corporation's Mosaic platform.BCD Travel and Conferma partner to launch a virtual card acceptance rating, with which travellers and travel managers can see how well a hotel is able to process virtual cards.Virgin Atlantic shakes up their loyalty program with an initiative called "High Five". Rob Burgess explains what it is about here, and why he thinks they've been a bit too generous.A financing deal done by Virgin Atlantic reveals their Heathrow slots are worth $745M.Revolut has partnered with SAS - Scandinavian Airlines to let EuroBonus members convert their RevPoints into EuroBonus points.The most engaged post of the week by miles goes to Avi Meir from Perk on his views about having a work/life balance.Extra StoriesYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

Send us a textWelcome to The BTA Podcast.  In these podcasts we will endeavour to share our thoughts, concerns, optimism and build those all-important human connections with our Partners, Members and Guests.In this episode:  Clive and Andrew update listeners on BTA events, industry challenges, government engagement, and travel trends, highlighting mobility and rail conferences while urging member involvement as the business travel sector prepares for 2026.You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created by The BTA and edited & distributed by BusinessTravel360.  For more information about The BTA visit us at TheBTA.org.ukSupport the show

Send us a textThe NoJetStress Podcast is a traveler wellbeing podcast for frequent business travelers covering health and peak performance on the road as well as to help business travelers maintain optimal health and avoid burnout no matter how much they travel.  Christopher Babayode, a Corporate Travel Wellness Expert shares his insights on Traveler Wellness.Perpetual Journey Planner Recap:POML (Home): Place of Most Leverage – the planning phasePOLL (Plane): Place of Least Leverage – the survival phasePOSL (Destination): Place of Some Leverage – the adjustment phaseThe Arrival Focus:How to own your first 12 hours after landing and convert preparation into performanceWhy acclimatization at your destination is criticalStrategy 1: Core Temperature ResetDo 30–45 minutes of brisk aerobic exercise ASAP after arrivalGround yourself barefoot for 30–45 minutesDon’t collapse into bed, prioritize temperature reset to flip your body clockStrategy 2: Strategic Zeitgeber AlignmentEat at local meal times, Expose yourself to natural daylight for at least 15 minutes, no sunglassesAvoid sleeping pills and unnecessary melatonin, opt for natural sources like tart cherries or walnuts if you mustBottom Line:Acclimatize INTENTIONALLYTurn preparation into performance and presenceClose the deal, deliver your best, and reduce jet lagYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created by Christopher Babayode and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  For more information about NoJetStress, visit us at NoJetStress.com and check out the P.H.A.R.E Well Audit Checklist.Support the show

Send us a textWelcome to What’s Up in Business Travel for Week 46 of 2025.  This is a weekly podcast where we update you on what’s up this week in the world of business travel.  This podcast is great for those who need to know what’s happening all in under 15 minutes.On this week's podcast, we covered the following stories:FAA announces end to all flight restrictionsSTR again pares 2025-26 hotel forecastAmex GBT forecasts stable airfares in 2026European Business Travel spend to exceed $400B in 2026Apple launches digital ID featureSonder winds down and liquidatesLATAM cancels 173 flightsLyft partners with United AirlinesCTM taps DerbySoftSilverDoor to offer IHG propertiesEtihad & Hong Kong Airlines launch codeshareWaymo expands service into airportsMarriott launches City Express in JapanSouthwest & United revive debit card rewardsPredictX adds alert capabilitiesAmex GBT launches platform for EMM ClientsYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show