Travel Industry News 15th May 2023

Emirates phases out paper boarding passes for flights departing Dubai

Taking a step forward in its drive to offer customers the convenience and assurance of digitally enabled travel journeys, Emirates will require most passengers departing Dubai to use a mobile boarding pass instead of a printed paper version, from 15 May onwards.

Passengers checking in at Terminal 3 will receive their mobile boarding pass via email or SMS. Passengers who check in online can load their boarding pass into their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, or retrieve their boarding pass on the user-friendly Emirates App. The checked-in baggage receipt is also emailed directly to passengers, or available in the Emirates App. Where a physical boarding pass is still required, the option to print a boarding pass is available by request to Emirates agents at check-in counters.

LNER to make fares simpler and more flexible

UK rail travellers know good value fares exist. But the problem is that they may have to book ahead or accept other restrictions. Now operator LNER will be trialling low standard class fares aimed at the ‘walk-up’ passenger. The tickets in question go on sale from May 14, for travel from June 11.

Crucially LNER is removing the outdated practice where a flexible single ticket can cost almost twice the price of a return. LNER is understood to be the first Train Operating Company (TOC) on mainline routes to launch this type of flexible pricing.

The second wave of Heathrow security strikes is continuing

There are 3 more planned dates of strikes by Heathrow Terminal 5 security staff on 25th, 26th and 27th May.  Disruption for most passengers was minimal during the first strike due to the use of temporary workers and the reallocation of staff from other terminals. We will hopefully see the same this time.

Heathrow has already said that the ban on taking more than two pieces of hand baggage through security, including handbags and laptop bags, will be reinstated.

Cabin crew postings on Flyertalk suggest that catering in Club Europe will be cut with only cold meals on domestic and short Band 1 Europe flights. There will be no ‘buy on board’ in Euro Traveller / Economy. This is due to reduced security staff to screen items coming into Terminal 5.

Travel news as a glance:

South African Airways set to resume long-haul flying.

Qatar Airways resumes 17-hour direct flights to New Zealand.

United Airlines expands Hong Kong-San Francisco service.

China Airlines confirms more 787-9 orders.