Road Warrior: The business of travel

KLM returned to the Dublin-Amsterdam route at the end of October after a gap of 50 years. The twice-daily return service will be using the KLM Cityhopper brand with fares from €98 return. The 100-seater Embracer 190 aircraft is running at a strong 90 per cent plus load factor.

Aer Lingus will continue its long-standing relationship with KLM, feeding into the carrier’s extensive long-haul network four times a day. Schiphol airport now makes it easier for onward passengers to transfer, and there is only one security check on your journey, as all switches take place airside.

Ryanair also operates four return flights a day to Amsterdam.

On the go and ready to go

Imagine a world of constant travel where you do not have to worry about luggage, clothes and shoes. Instead, you turn up at your hotel and your wardrobe is ready for you. The teaming-up of hotels and fashion brands in the future will offer pay-as-you-go convenience. Euromonitor has identified this as a global trend for the sharing economy. Renting clothes will also be an incentive to keep your weight level.

Feel the squeeze

Prepare to be more squashed.

British Airways

is to add an extra 52 seats in economy on their Boeing 777 flights. The configuration will add one seat per row to the current “3-3-3” format.

Fifteen years ago only 5 per cent of B777s were 10 across; now it is 50 per cent and growing. Airlines using the 10-across configuration are Emirates, Air France and American Airlines. You can check flight configurations on seatguru.com to find the most comfortable seat.

Travel trends

The Institute of Travel and Meetings will be holding a day-long business travel conference in Dublin on November 24th. The event to be held in the

Westin Hotel

will be attended by buyers, suppliers and industry practitioners.

Subjects to be covered include future trends in Ireland, the changing world of business travel and dealing with disruption. The keynote speaker will be Kenny Jacobs, chief marketing office of Ryanair. The ITM Ireland awards will take place on the evening. itm.org.uk

jscales@irishtimes.com