FREE RETURN TICKETS ON THE HEATHROW AND GATWICK EXPRESS

When you fly with British Airways on a return trip within the UK this summer (in J/C/Y/B/H class) you can enjoy a fast and convenient journey for free on the Heathrow or Gatwick Express.
Book a flexible or semi-flexible ticket on British Airways with JTB from now until 25 September (journey to be completed by 30 September 2008), and you will receive an email from BA containing a promotional code and a link to either the Heathrow or Gatwick Express website. Enter your promotional code on the website and book your train for free!

Details on British Airways website

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS AND JAPAN AIRLINES: FUEL SURCHARGE INCREASE

Effective from 01 October 2008
For tickets issued in the UK or Europe on or after 01 October, the current fuel surcharge applied by both ANA and JL (USD 253 for flights from Europe to Japan) will increase to USD 312.00. The exact £ sterling amount applied will depend on exchange rates in effect at the time, but this increase is likely to add around £ 30 to the taxes and charges on ANA and JL tickets to Japan.
The same amount applies to adults, children and infants with seat.
If you are planning to travel on either of these airlines to Japan, please discuss with your JTB travel consultant about having your ticket issued before 01 October in order to avoid the increased fuel surcharge.

BRITISH AIRWAYS BAGGAGE POLICY CHANGES

Key changes for Excess Baggage charge
Excess baggage charges will increase by 20% when paid for at the airport.
Customers will receive a 20% discount when they pre-pay online prior to check-in.
New Online Excess Baggage rates will be:

UK domestic flights	ONLINE EXCESS BAGGAGE rates		EXCESS BAGGAGE PAID AT AIRPORT
	currently	from 01 September 08	currently	from 01 September 08
	£ 16	£ 20	£ 20	£ 25
All other short-haul	£ 24	£ 28	£ 30	£ 35
Long haul	£ 60	£ 72	£ 75	£ 90

The maximum excess baggage allowance per customer will be 10 bags; this comes into effect from 01 September 2008. Customers will need to use the British Airways cargo facilities if they exceed their excess baggage allowance.

Key changes for Heavy Bag charge
British Airways passengers who check in bags that exceed their piece allowance (23kg per piece) will be charged a flat rate of £ 25 per bag from 26 November 2008.
The Heavy Bag charge can only be paid at the airport.
No bag weighing over 32kg will be accepted for carriage.

Details on British Airways website

NEW VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR CHINA

Requirements when applying for a BUSINESS VISA:

• Application form (pdf 438KB)
• 1 x passport-size photo
• copy of Confirmed Travel (passenger must be named on this)
• copy of Confirmed Accommodation (passenger must be named on this)
• official invitiation letter from the Chinese Government (see example)

Requirements for a TOURIST visa are the same as above, but invitation letter is not required.

IRISH AIRLINES TO ALLOW MOBILES

Irish national carrier Aer Lingus has said it plans to permit the use of mobile phones on its planes.
Ryanair said it would test mobile phone technology in June on 20 of its aircraft from one of its European bases with connections to the Irish Republic. Aer Lingus said it was currently reviewing the issue. "We do hope at some stage to be able to operate the service but it does take a number of weeks to install the technology on each aircraft," it said. "So not in the immediate future - but hopefully, yes, in the future."
However, Ryanair is pressing ahead following a European green light for the technology. "By June this year, passengers will be able to use their own mobile phones and we'll be encouraging them to make as many calls to their hearts' content," said a Ryanair spokesman.
How does the system work?
New European Commission rules mean mobile phone calls will be allowed on planes flying in European airspace. The decision means that mobiles could be used once a plane has reached an altitude of 3,000m or more. It follows six months of consultation by the European regulator and the first services could be launched next month.
Peter Sherrard, head of communications with Ryanair, said: "Passengers should bear in mind that Ryanair aircraft have never been quiet places. We are constantly selling food, drink, perfumes and scratchcards, and we will be encouraging people to talk, text and talk."
Ryanair said charges would be in line with the international roaming rate and will be about one euro per minute.
The EU roaming rate is capped at 60 cents per minute, however it does not apply to satellite-based services, which will be used in aircraft. The only commercial service currently available is on Emirates flights between Dubai and Casablanca and costs up to $4 a minute.
Its technology is supplied by County Kerry-based company Aeromobile, whose chairman is former tánaiste Dick Spring.


From: BBC news

TERMINAL 5

Which terminal do I depart from?
Latest information from British Airways

Heathrow Terminal 5 Information (pdf 1.3 MB)
Lounges (pdf 2.9MB)

Tube access: the frequency of trains on the Heathrow branch of the Piccadilly line remains unchanged, with services from Hatton Cross to Heathrow split.
Alternate trains run either to Terminal 4 (around the loop and back to Central London via Terminal 123), or direct to Terminal 123 and
Terminal 5.

 

 

 

ADVANCED PASSENGER INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BERMUDA FROM 7 MAY 2008

With effect from 7 May 2008, all travellers to Bermuda will be required to provide the following Advanced Passenger Information (API). This information is compulsory and is required for the purposes of ensuring aviation safety and security.
Information required: Last name, Given names, Gender, Date of birth, Nationality, Passport No., Passport expiry date, Country of issue.
If passengers provide this to JTB before travelling, it can be input into the booking, and this will save the delay and inconvenience of having to provide the information when checking in at the airport.

A reminder of all the countries for which API is required:

• Canada, USA, Mexico
• Caribbean
• Spain
• China (except Hong Kong)
• Japan
• also: Dubai, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Islamabad

IMMIGRATION CHECKS FOR JAPAN

From 20 November 2007, all foreigners entering Japan are fingerprinted and photographed at immigration. Download official poster (pdf).
Japan's Ministry of Justice produced an information video (5 ½ mins) before the checks were introduced, which shows the procedure and the equipment used.

BRITISH AIRWAYS AND VIRGIN ATLANTIC PASSENGER REFUNDS

As you will be aware, a class action has been brought in the US relating to surcharges on airline tickets. Both BA and Virgin have admitted to participating in unlawful fixing of the "fuel surcharge" that was added to base ticket prices.
Eligibility
Consumers and businesses may be entitled to a fuel surcharge refund of up to £20 per passenger per return flight if they bought a ticket in the UK on BA or Virgin between 11 August 2004 and 23 March 2006 for a long-haul flight (over 7 hours) from the UK.
List of applicable British Airways flights - download pdf
All Virgin Atlantic flights qualify, as they are all long-haul.
Timescale
Information and application forms are available now, on the website https://www.airpassengerrefund.co.uk.
The cutoff date for applications to be submitted is 31 December 2012.
Method
Individual travellers can submit an application directly through https://www.airpassengerrefund.co.uk.
Alternatively, corporate clients of JTB UK can request JTB to handle the procedure for the company as a whole. A handling fee will be charged.
Data from JTB UK
JTB Corporate customers who are on JTB UK's "Online Management Reporting" system can get information on the passengers who may qualify by using the system on this website, or ask JTB for a report.