Travelers at London Stansted Airport, Essex, were left bound to terra firma on Sunday 11 May after an IT issue led to massive delays across several airlines.

In a statement to the PA news agency, the airport said only that there was an “IT outage” that occurred when the terminal was particularly busy on Sunday morning. The airport told ITPro that it was still investigating the root cause of the IT issue “but it looks like it may be related to internet connectivity”.

The airport confirmed to ITPro that while the issue affected "a host of airport systems ... the main ones were airline check-in, baggage and security.

The problem was first identified at 2.30am, according to The Standard and wasn’t resolved until for eight hours, meaning those turning up for early morning flights were caught in the middle of the outage. While Stansted Airport told ITPro that no flights were cancelled during the outage, by the time the systems had recovered thousands of people had nevertheless missed their flights.

While Jet2 and Tui chose to delay their flights and wait for passengers, according to Mail Online Ryanair “dispatched near-empty planes on time to avoid delays later in the day”. The website also reported that some people who were flying with Jet2 and Tui chose to leave Stansted and rebook for flights leaving from alternative airports, rather than wait in the crowds of people hoping to get help from their airlines..

This is far from the first IT incident to cause chaos at a major airport. In 2020, an IT problem at London Heathrow Airport – the busiest in the UK – meant digital departure and arrival boards stopped working, causing passengers to miss already delayed flights.

A 2019 IT outage caused major headaches for British Airways passengers departing Terminal 5 of the same airport, due to a supplier-side issue.

Meanwhile, in November 2015, planes were grounded at Paris Orly airport after a piece of software linking air traffic control with the French met office that ran only on Windows 3.1 malfunctioned.

ZINFI has upgraded its partner relationship management (PRM) platform to better support post-pandemic hybrid work environments.

In addition to boosting remote collaboration, the updates will help customers provide a more responsive and personalized experience to partners.

"As the world gradually and painfully comes out of this horrible pandemic, work is going to be mostly hybrid – blended between work and home," said Sugata Sanyal, founder and CEO of ZINFI Technologies.

Sanyal continued: "Business travel will likely be minimal to keep employees safe. Both employers and employees will need connectivity and collaboration tools that can keep organizational culture alive while shifting work to a live hybrid or on-demand mode.

"This requires a new way of approaching how organizations that market and sell in a channel environment collaborate with their partners. We are excited to roll out these advanced collaboration features, because we know they will make partner relationship management not only easier but also more productive."

ZINFI’s enhanced PRM platform now includes intuitive help wizards that inform customers of new features, inspire desired behavior, and deliver contextual assistance across all screens and devices for a seamless experience.

PRM also gains advanced integration capabilities. According to ZINFI, administrators can define data synchronization algorithms and configure workflows to enable an end-to-end partner network. In addition, the platform supports do-it-yourself integrations with SugarCRM, HubSpot, and Salesforce, among other third-party applications.

Lastly, new users of PRM can sign agreements digitally. Customers may also choose to obtain a personalized vanity URL. When a translation isn't available for a page targeting portal administrators, the platform will display the content in the parent page's default language.

In this week's exclusive feature for The Business Briefing readers, Jane McCallion addresses the future of travelling for business and face-to-face work meetings, and whether either of these are necessary for getting the job done.

The Business Briefing is a new free weekly digest that highlights everything you should know about the business world around you.

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Of all the sectors impacted by the still-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the air travel industry has been among the hardest hit. With international travel highly restricted and video conferences set to supplant a large amount of business meetings for the foreseeable future, the airline industry is having to re-assess its flight path.

Rather than sitting on its hands, however, the industry has been using this downtime to spin up a number of digital transformation initiatives, in the hope that when it does re-emerge, its operations will be more efficient, more cost-effective and more environmentally friendly. Joining us this week to discuss the sector’s plans is Pascal Buchner, CIO of the International Air Transport Association.

Footnotes

• What is digital transformation?
• Non voyage: Coronavirus, Brexit and the future of business travel
• Up in the air: Travel in the age of COVID-19
• Digital transformation? Don’t bother unless you plan to address risk
• How coronavirus has accelerated the digital transformation of Britain's public sector
• IT Pro Panel: The post-COVID future of tech conferences
• Why I’m getting cold feet over the lack of tech conferences
• Is the future of touchscreens touchless?
• What are biometrics?
• What is big data analytics?
• What is predictive analytics?
• Why predictive analytics is a top benefit of cloud for SMBs
• What is machine learning?
• Seven steps to GDPR compliance
• What is the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)?
• What is DevOps?
• DevOps for the enterprise
• The IT Pro Podcast: DevOps for fun and profit
• The IT Pro Podcast: The wonderful world of containers

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In this week's exclusive feature for The Business Briefing readers, Simon Reynolds looks at how the pandemic has hit the travel industry hard, the ripple effect this has carried on to businesses in tourism hotspots, and what new holiday trends will emerge because of travel restrictions.

The Business Briefing is a new free weekly digest that highlights everything you should know about the business world around you.

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This article originally appeared in May's edition of IT Pro 20/20, available here. To sign up to receive each new issue in your inbox, click here.

Right now, the thought of going on a business trip might sound like an out-of-reach luxury. Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, international travel for the majority has been halted, and the closest many of us will have got to a business trip over the past few months will have been lugging our laptop from our desk to the sofa.

According to recent figures from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), 97% of business trips in Europe have been cancelled or delayed as a result of the pandemic. Instead, organisations are embracing a new way of working, enabled largely by remote collaboration and video conferencing software; three-quarters of GBTA members said they were now using virtual meetings and teleconferencing in place of corporate travel.

This unprecedented situation will undoubtedly change the future of business travel. The majority of GBTA members, some 62%, said the current crisis will change the way their company conducts business once the threat is over, although 80% of European members said they either expect international business travel to resume in two-to-three months (33%) or six-to-eight months (47%).

Once business travel does eventually resume, the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic won’t be all businesses will have to contend with. The looming uncertainty of Brexit, which has persisted for almost four years, also looks set to shake up corporate travel, and many who are used to the flexibility that has come with free movement are fearful about what the future could hold.

Roam you don’t

Since 2017, British travellers have been able to use the minutes, texts and data allowances included on their mobile phone tariffs when travelling in the EU. Before rules changed, as many will be sorely aware, using a mobile phone in Europe was horrifically expensive; the internet is full of horror stories of people returning home from trips to bills of hundreds, or even thousands of pounds.

It remains unclear whether these extortionate charges will return after Brexit, likely a worrying prospect for business travellers who rely heavily on their smartphones for tasks such as work calls, answering emails and using maps to get around, not to mention those paying the bills.

“The costs of these activities will fall to the employer as this will usually be from a business phone or a personal device that is expensed,” Thomas Kempster, technical director of CT Business travel, tells IT Pro. “Setting roaming charge caps could be a way to minimise costs, but will mean that staff won’t be able to carry out essential tasks once the limit is reached.

“Costs can also be kept down by choosing a hotel with free and unlimited Wi-Fi included in your room rate. These little changes add up and mean that as a business, your travellers should be able to carry out their duties without racking up large and unexpected bills.”

Thankfully, the government has passed legislation that would provide some safeguards to those travelling in Europe. This includes a £45-a-month limit on the amount that customers can be charged for mobile data before having to opt-in to use more, and a requirement for customers to be informed when they have reached 80% and 100% of their data allowances.

What’s more, it appears UK operators may be willing to burden the costs. EE, O2, Three and Vodafone have all said that they currently have “no plans” to reintroduce roaming charges, regardless of how Brexit negotiations turn out.

“Our customers enjoy inclusive roaming in Europe and we have no plans to change this based on the Brexit outcome,” an EE spokesperson told IT Pro, while O2 added that it will be “working closely with the UK government and other European mobile operators to try to maintain the current EU 'Roam like at home' arrangements once the UK leaves the EU.”

However, like Brexit, nothing is set in stone as of yet.

Visa-vis

Perhaps the primary concern for business travellers is the end of freedom of movement, which has – until now – allowed citizens of any member state of the European Union to take up employment in another member state on the same conditions as the nationals of that particular member state.

The UK government has confirmed there will be no changes to how UK business travellers and tourists visit the EU until at least 31 December 2020; travellers won’t need an international driving license and a valid European Health Insurance Card will still allow access to state medical care in any EU country during 2020.

However, as is becoming rapidly clear in the current climate, that date is fast approaching and it remains unclear what happens once it has passed.

It’s likely that if you’re indulging in business travel after this transition period, you’ll need a visa or permit in order to do so, at least if you’re planning to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Disruptions at border control are also probable; travellers may be forced to show they have enough money for their stay, for example, and could be forced to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing.

“Preparing for new visa requirements currently is a bit of a grey area as it hasn’t been announced how these requirements will be changing as a result of Brexit and also from the fallout of COVID-19,” says Kempster.

“Your best chance at avoiding being caught out is to plan trips well in advance to allow for visas to be granted and also consider using an expert travel management company for your bookings, who will advise on all relevant visa requirements before you travel.”

The abolition of freedom of movement could also have an impact on the cost of business trips. Once the UK falls out of the EU-US open skies agreement, which eliminates government interference in the commercial decisions of air carriers about routes, capacity and pricing, flights could become much more expensive; according to reports, fares around the EU have fallen about 40% since the introduction of the policy.

Hotels, too, could become pricier. A KPMG study shows that approximately 750,000 hospitality workers working in Britain are citizens of other EU countries and while current rules allow them to work where they want within the bloc, they will need to obtain a visa to continue working in the UK in the future. This will undoubtedly cause many to quit their jobs, leaving the hotel industry scrambling to hire new employees – something that could lead to higher salaries and, ultimately, higher room rates.

The future

Given the current pandemic, along with the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the regulations it could introduce, nobody knows for sure what the future of corporate travel looks like.

The GBTA, however, is optimistic; 88% of its members expect employees will be willing to travel once restrictions are lifted, and three in four (77%) predict that the worst has already happened, compared to just 15% who feel the worst is yet to come.

“The global business travel industry remains at a standstill, but we are finally beginning to see some light at the end of this very long tunnel,” said Scott Solombrino, CEO of the GBTA.

“GBTA members are planning their post-coronavirus recovery plans and most expect to be operational in 2020. This is a positive sign. The majority of GBTA member companies expect domestic business travel to resume in the next two-to-three months and most expect employees will be willing to travel.”

Others, however, are more pessimistic and believe business travel could become a thing of the past. Peter Ballard, co-founder of B2B service design company Foolproof, tells IT Pro: “The temporary ban on our business travel is already leading us to find new ways to connect, operate and decision-make entirely virtually.

“Whether businesses will want to go back to supporting face-to-face meetings with the high cost of international and domestic business travel remains to be seen. But I suspect questions will be raised as to whether we should, when coupled with the positive environmental impact that our decreased carbon footprint is having globally.”

Don Welsh, president & CEO of Destinations International, agrees, telling IT Pro he thinks these new technological solutions will become a “long-term part” of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market.

“Clearly the impact of COVID-19 has presented new technologies to help supplement the fact that we cannot safely all meet in person right now due to safety and health concerns. I do believe that many of these new interim solutions will become a long-term part of the MICE market to add educational opportunities in addition to meetings.”

However, he believes this will supplement corporate travel, rather than replace it completely. “Conversely, I do believe that the current situation where we are all operating from our homes and are distant from our team members and customers has shown that humans need human interaction,” he adds.

“I think the value of face-to-face meetings has never shown to have been truer in the last couple of months.”

British Airways (BA) has revealed it's been the subject of a massive data breach thought to have affected hundreds of thousands of customers over a two week-period last month.

It has now recruited the help of the National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre to investigate into how the incident was able to happen.

BA has confirmed that only bookings made between 22:58 BST 21 August and 21:45 5 September are thought to have been affected, however, those customers involved are likely to have had their personal and financial details compromised as a result.

BA said details including personal information and payment data may have been stolen from those using the company's website and mobile app to make bookings. However, passport details and travel plans were not accessed by the hackers, the airline said, and stressed that only people who hade bookings during the two-week period in question were at risk.

BA revealed that 380,000 customer transactions were compromised and those involved had been advised by the company on Thursday night that their information may be at risk.

"The breach has been resolved and our website is working normally," BA said in a statement. "We have notified the police and relevant authorities. We are deeply sorry for the disruption that this criminal activity has caused. We take the protection of our customers' data very seriously."

BA said it began notifying affected customers at 22:00 on Thursday evening but that this process had been delayed due to the high volume of emails being sent.

Anyone who thinks they may have been a subject of fraud as a result of the attack should contact their bank or credit card provider as a matter of urgency to prevent any further malicious activity occurring, BA said in the statement. Those contacted by BA should change their online passwords immediately and monitor the account or statements of the card used to make their travel purchase.

"We are deeply sorry for the disruption that this criminal activity has caused. We take the protection of our customers' data very seriously," Alex Cruz, British Airways' chairman and chief executive said.

The incident marks one of the first major data breaches to occur since the enactment of the GDPR, raising the possibility that BA could be one of the first companies to be hit by the new, higher penalties. If the company is hit with the maximum fine, 4% of global turnover, it's likely to be as high as 500 million, based on BA's 2017 revenue reports.

"We are aware of an incident involving British Airways and are making enquiries," a spokesperson for the Information Commissioner's Office said.

Chris Boyd, lead malware analyst at Malwarebytes, told IT Pro that it's fortunate BA has been able to give a specific time and date range for the data breach.

"Typically, we're lucky to get a date range of less than six months to a year, which makes a potential victim's response to any threat difficult," said Boyd. "This could end up being a major test of new GDPR regulations, and it'll be fascinating to see the cause of the breach come out in the wash."

When you work for an organisation with overseas interests it's likely you'll be sent on a business trip or two from time to time. And, depending on the size of your company, you could be spending lots of your life flying around the globe for conferences and international meetings.

Unfortunately, not everything can be handled over the phone or on FaceTime, and we haven't quite invented the holographic communication seen in some science fiction films, so a face to face meeting is necessary.

Having to go abroad for your job can seem like that contracted nine-to-five has become 24/7 and has eaten into your personal time, which is why it is important to take some time for "you".

Whether it's staying in contact with the family, adding in some sightseeing or just unplugging from the internet and relaxing in a hotel, there are many options for professionals to address the work/life balance when travelling abroad for the job.

Take your family with you

It can be emotionally difficult to spend large amounts of time away from your loved ones, particularly if you have a young family, and many companies are looking for ways to offer a solution. It's worth enquiring with your boss if you can bring the family with you on your business trip, so you can spend your mornings and evenings with your spouse on a mini getaway.

On the flip side, family life can be tiring and a few nights on your own in a foreign hotel could be a good chance to catch up on sleep.

Add a few days to your trip

No matter what exciting location you are travelling to, it's often the case that your trip doesn't actually involve seeing any of the places you're visiting. Even if you're stuck in a conference centre for the majority of your trip, you can always add a few extra days onto the beginning or end of your trip just for you, allowing you to escape from work and explore different places you may not have visited otherwise.

Build in dedicated time to phone home

When you're in the thick of an event or conference, it can be difficult to find time to phone home and check in with family and friends. Any downtime you may have quickly becomes a chance to catch up on the day job or with your boss, but this can be detrimental to your state of mind overall. Make time in your schedule for phoning home, and don't forget to do it.

Make the most of the journey

Just because you're spending half a day in the air or on another mode of transport it doesn't have to mean that time has to be written off. You can use the flight to do things you may not have time for back home, like reading or just watching a movie. Alternatively, that time can be used to get a head start on work so that you can relax once you get to your location. Don't waste it, as it's the perfect opportunity to get some time to yourself.

Maintain a routine

Things like eating well and exercise don't really mesh with business trips, but making the extra effort to keep looking after yourself while away can make the world of difference. If you usually exercise in the morning, scout out whether there's a gym in your hotel or somewhere nearby and, even if you have to eat out most lunchtimes and evenings, make choices that aren't going to stress out your digestive system.

Picture: Shutterstock

Passengers trying to check-in for flights at Heathrow and Gatwick have been beset by delays caused by faulty software.

Other airports around the world have suffered too, with more than 130 airlines relying on Amadeus's Altea software to run their check-in processes.

While Amadeus told IT Pro the software issue is now resolved, check-in delays are still being reported, with the problem appearing to be affecting different airlines for different lengths of time.

A spokesman for the Spanish software giant said: "Our systems are recovered and are now functioning normally. During the morning, we experienced a network issue that caused disruption to some of our systems. As a result of the incident, customers experienced disruption to certain services.

"Amadeus technical teams took immediate action to identify the cause of the issue and mitigate against the impact on customers. Amadeus regrets any inconvenience caused to customers."

A spokesman for Gatwick airport said just "a couple" of its airlines were affected - without identifying which - and that the systems were only down for a couple of minutes before being resolved.

He added: "There's been no delays or cancellations at Gatwick after the Amadeus Altea issue this morning."

Others have experienced longer delays, of nearly two hours.

IT Pro has contacted Heathrow airport for comment, though Quartz reported its check-in systems were affected "intermittently".

It comes just months after British Airways suffered a massive IT outage after an engineer rebooted the airline's data centre in May, leading to hundreds of cancelled flights.

Trainline is trying to solve the headache of international business travel by releasing an API designed to make it easier to organise business trips.

The API, live now for Trainline for Business customers, hooks in railway timetables from rail companies operating across Europe, enabling users to book all their journeys through one interface.

"International rail is complex, as services often need to be sourced from multiple suppliers, all with different technology standards and specifications," Alidad Moghaddam, European director of Trainline for Business, told IT Pro. "This makes procuring rail content on a global scale a time-consuming, resource-intensive and costly process."

He added: "The international API ... makes the integration of rail content more intuitive and simple. With complexity reduced, more travellers and businesses are likely to opt for rail over air journeys to reduce costs, decrease their carbon footprint and boost productivity on short trips."

Starting with 87 train companies across 24 countries, the API will add more areas and companies as it grows, allowing customers to access all this data via single interfaces from partnering travel management companies, online booking tools, and digital travel agencies.

Travel Planet has integrated the API into its own service already, launching it to customers soon. CEO Tristan Dessain-Gelinet said: "Thanks to the technology behind Trainline's international API, Travel Planet will be able to expand its offer in its 'Click&Control' platform and allow travellers to access rail providers throughout Europe. This is a big step forward for European train travel."

Trainline for Business has more than 20,000 customers, from enterprises to travel management firms and SMBs who use its platform.

The API is the latest innovation from the British tech firm, which recently announced predictive analytics to warn customers when their train fare will spike, and a chatbot that crowdsources passenger data to identify vacant seats for commuters.

Picture: Bigstock

Five companies including Cisco have teamed up to provide the infrastructure and service for superfast internet on trains.

Cisco, ScotRail, CGI, Network Rail Telecoms and Wittos have formed a coalition to create a proof of concept called Project SWIFT, financed by InnovateUK and RSSB.

It will offer passengers speeds of up to 300Mbps on routes between Glasgow and Edinburgh and, if the trials proves successful, it may be rolled out to other train companies in the UK.

ScotRail's service will start later in 2017 and be trialled until March 2018. As well as improving passenger connectivity, it will also enable other services to be rolled out on trains, such as identifying where there may be spaces on a train that appears to be overcrowded, allowing phone calls in mobile network blackspots via VoIP and offering more in-depth safety and security data to train operatives.

The group said it has developed the technology to vastly improve the service currently available on trains. According to research by Global Wireless Solutions (GWS), 33% of internet requests on trains fail (although that applies to mobile data rather than on-train Wi-Fi). It wants to offer a reliable service for the 1.4 billion journeys taken by train every year.

Scot Gardner, chief executive of Cisco UK & Ireland, said: "If the UK is to truly benefit from what digital technologies have to offer, then connectivity has to be a given even when travelling at 140mph. If only a fraction of the time that we spend travelling is made more productive, the potential for commuters, the train companies and the UK as a whole is immense."

On a long-term basis, Project SWIFT will also identifying the opportunity for industry. Working with government, industry, research institutions and start-ups to accelerate innovation, it seeks to help operators provide better and more reliable services.

"We are delighted to be a part of this project," Rob Shorthouse, ScotRail Alliance communications director added. "Our customers consistently tell us that one of the things that they expect on their journey is fast, reliable Wi-Fi.

"This pilot scheme, which we are undertaking on behalf of the entire rail industry, will allow us to fully understand how we take our current on-train WiFi to the next level. We are really excited to be involved."

Delta's CEO has apologised to customers following the cancellation of more than 450 flights due to a systems meltdown, reportedly caused by a power cut.

"I apologize for the challenges this has created for you with your travel experience. The Delta team is working very, very hard to restore and get these systems back as quickly as possible," Ed Bastian said.

"For those of you who have been inconvenienced and need to access and make changes to your travel plans, we have instituted system-wide waivers and you can access those either through delta.com or by talking to any of our reservation agents.

"I appreciate the hard work the Delta team and the Delta people are doing to bring our system back up as quickly and safely as possible. And once again I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused to you our customer."

The airline announced 451 flights had been cancelled up until 1.30pm eastern time (6.30PM GMT), although it had managed to run 1,679 of its nearly 6,000 scheduled flights so far.

The systems were affected by a power cut, which then meant the company's website and smartphone apps weren't able to operate.

Passengers complained Delta had failed to manage the situation effectively, reporting long check-in queues, which meant customers, including many families were being forced to sleep on the floor while they awaited further information.

Delta advised passengers to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport to prevent wasted journeys and airports becoming overcrowded.

08/08/2016: Delta grounds flights as IT systems suffer worldwide meltdown

A global computer system outage has grounded all Delta Airlines flights around the world.

The IT glitch started at around 7.30am BST and has affected tens of thousands of passengers due to board Delta jets today all flights are delayed except for those currently in the air.

Delta engineers were yet to fix the problem at the time of writing, and a spokeswoman for the airline admitted the company does not yet know the cause of the issue.

Reacting to angry tweets demanding information, Delta wrote: "Our systems are down everywhere."

It added: "Please accept our apologies while we work to restore this issues & get our passenger on their way."

Delta, which serves around 160 million passengers a year, received a deluge of angry and concerned tweets from passengers afraid of missing connecting flights and frustrated by the delays.

Cameron Hazel said: "DL616 delayed due to computer issues. Really?!?!?! #delayed #killinme."

"@Delta computers down at FCO and hundreds standing & waiting at airport! Help!," added Javier Rosenberg.

As the delays continue, pictures surfaced online of huge queues in airports around the world, but Delta told IT Pro it is still working on identifying the problem.

The spokeswoman said: "Delta experienced a computer outage that has impacted flights scheduled for this morning. Flights awaiting departure are currently delayed.

"Flights enroute are operating normally. Delta is advising travelers to check the status of their flights this morning while the issue is being addressed."

Delta is the second-largest passenger airline in the world, according to aviation trade group IATA's own 2016 statistics, which measured its revenue-per-kilometre as $302,512, just behind American Airlines' $320,813.

TomTom and Uber have joined forces to offer the on-demand taxi service's drivers access to mapping and traffic data via the Uber driver app.

The app will be available to Uber's drivers in 300 cities around the world, TomTom's CEO Harold Goddijn said at the announcement during the Morgan Stanley TMT conference in Barcelona.

"What they (Uber) get from us is total control of their application," Goddijn said at the Morgan Stanley TMT conference in Barcelona. "Contrary to some of our competitors, we provide technology but also the raw data and databases to run it."

He added that it means Uber no longer has to share data with other companies, making the option more favourable for a company that holds a lot of user data in its systems.

"We are excited to provide Uber with our best-in-class location data." added Charles Cautley, managing director of Maps & Licensing at TomTom. "TomTom is a truly independent map provider with the platform for the future. With this platform, TomTom is the trusted partner for innovative and future proof location technology for the global automotive and consumer technology industry."

Neither company revealed how much the deal is worth, but they did say the engagement is long-term, covering almost every region where Uber operates.

"We look forward to working with TomTom, a leader in the mapping and navigation space," said Matt Wyndowe, head of product partnerships at Uber. "Their mapping and traffic data will help ensure we continue to provide a great experience for drivers everywhere."

Earlier this year, Uber was one of the companies mixed up in a bidding war to buy Nokia's HERE mapping, apparently offering $3 billion to buy it. Instead, an army of German carmakers snapped it up and then went on to install the software in their cars, while Uber took on some of Microsoft's mapping assets.

Virgin America has announced the availability of video streaming services from Netflix on its flights, thanks to its tie-up with internet provider ViaSat.

Netflix's entire catalogue will be available to watch using complementary Wi-Fi internet services offered on new Airbus A320 flights - providing passengers are already Netflix subscribers, or are willing to sign up to an account while in the air.

The streaming service will also offer House of Cards seasons one to three for free on the airline's Red touchscreen seatback in-flight entertainment platform on other flights.

"Netflix and Virgin America are both known for their focus on innovation and for shaking up their respective industries so we're thrilled to team up to bring the best in technology and entertainment to the skies," said Abby Lunardini, Virgin America vice president of brand marketing and communications.

"These latest generation investments in our Wi-Fi and entertainment platforms allow us to provide the largest breadth of streamed content ever available at 35,000 feet along with entire seasons of some Netflix favorites via the Red platform."

Netflix said the revelation demonstrates the growing popularity of streaming video services, wherever you are.

The company explained that the wide availability of WiFi is enabling such trends and the installation of ViaSat Wi-Fi services on Virgin America's aircraft means content can be streamed eight to 10 times faster than on any other onboard Wi-Fi system.

"As Wi-Fi becomes more ubiquitous, it's going to be increasingly possible for members to enjoy Netflix wherever they want," said Bill Holmes, Netflix's global head of business development. "We're delighted to partner with Virgin America to extend the joy of Netflix to our members at 35,000 feet."

The EU has called plans to track passenger details of anyone taking a flight in or out of Europe "unreasonable and unjustified."

The EU Passenger Name Record (EU PNR) would involve personal information being handed over to security officials to help combat crime and terrorism, but the EU says the plans goes against civil liberties.

The data provided to authorities, including Interpol, would include travel dates, ticket information, contact details, means of payment, seat numbers and luggage details. It would be stored for up to five years, although names would be hidden after 30 days, but could be revealed upon request. After five years, the data would be deleted from the system.

Europe's data protection supervisor Giovanni Buttarelli said the EU PNR is not fair for UK's citizens, claiming legislation is overly broad and security forces have not provided any information about why it's necessary.

He described it as a "massive, non-targeted and indiscriminate collection of passengers' personal information" and suggested that other less-intrusive legislation should be considered.

"We encourage the legislators, in assessing the necessity of such a measure, to further explore the effectiveness of new investigative approaches as well as of more selective and less intrusive surveillance measures based on targeted categories of flights, passengers or countries," Buttarelli said.

The EU already has a similar arrangement with the US and Australia, with information provided to authorities about European citizens entering or leaving the countries. However, in the case of the agreement with the US, the data is available for up to 10 years.

18/09/15: American Airlines has become the latest air travel firm to have its planes grounded by network faults.

Unspecified "technical issues" caused delays at airports in Miami, Dallas and Chicago, with planes reportedly sitting around for up to two hours after it began at about midday in Miami.

The problems apparently stemmed from "connectivity issues", leading the company to request that the FAA hold departures at the three affected airports.

American Airlines reported that the faults were resolved a few hours later, stating on Twitter that "we're sorry and will have you on your way soon".

These issues follow several high-profile flight groundings earlier in the year, including one occasion where American Airlines' tablet-based administration systems caused delays to passengers.

Back in July, a computer glitch grounded all United Airlines flights worldwide, as the multinational airline was forced to briefly suspend all of their air traffic after an unspecified computer error.

The company released a statement on Twitter regarding the stoppage, saying that it had "experienced a network connectivity issue," also stating that they were "working to resolve and apologise for any inconvenience".

However, this did not stop legions of passengers taking to social media to voice their frustration at being prevented from checking in, with some customers reportedly stranded on the tarmac for over an hour.

This is not the first time United Airlines has suffered because of a computer failure. In June, it also experienced nationwide grounding due to "automation issues" that some claim were the result of a hack.

The ground stop affected around 3,500 flights. However, the firm offered to waive all additional charges and fees for customers affected.

The increasing regularity of incidents like this highlights the fragility of the systems that hold the aviation industry together.

In order to illustrate this, earlier this year security researcher Chris Roberts allegedly hacked into the avionics of the aircraft he was travelling on from his seat using the in-flight entertainment system.

He was barred from travelling on the United Airlines flight in April, following tweets joking that he could force the overhead oxygen masks to deploy.

ViaSat and Boeing have entered into an on-going agreement that will see the ViaSat on-board Wi-Fi service offered to customers buying commercial aircraft.

ViaSat claims its internet service is eight to ten times faster than other Wi-Fi options offered on aeroplanes, meaning operators can offer extra inflight services such as streaming to passengers and in-flight crew.

It integrates ViaSat's high-capacity ViaSat-2 satellite payload design with Boeing's 702SP (Small Platform) satellite bus, enabling satellite providers around the world to use the service.

The number of people or devices connected to the service will not affect the quality or speed of the connection and it is covered by a service level agreement for complete peace of mind.

"Our agreement with Boeing is an important milestone giving our airline customers the ability to get the best onboard Wi-Fi system delivered with their new aircraft," said Don Buchman, vice president and general manager, Commercial Mobility at ViaSat.

"By selecting ViaSat in-flight communications for Boeing's fleet, airlines now can differentiate their in-flight internet service with a flexible, sustainable business model that will continue to create value as more passengers use the service."

Boeing said passengers are increasingly requesting a reliable internet service on flights, which ViaSat's Ka-band airborne satellite terminal offers and the deal offering the equipment to be preinstalled will also benefit airlines because it means planes don't have to be out of service while the new satellite system is being installed - usually a costly process.

"In initiating the evaluation process with long-time partner ViaSat, we now look to add ViaSat airborne terminals to our line-fit factory options," John Craig, chief engineer of Cabin and Network Systems for Boeing Commercial Airplanes added. "This will give Boeing's commercial airline customers a new cost- and time-effective high-bandwidth connectivity choice for their airplanes."

Uber is trying to make it easier for corporate customers to better account for personal and work-related journeys by launching Business Profiles.

The taxi-hailing app firm wants a bigger portion of the growing business travel space, but it doesn't believe it is cannibalising existing modes of transport by doing so.

More than 50,000 businesses in 58 countries around the world already use Uber for Business and the company claims organisations save, on average, $1,000 per employee, per year by using its service instead of private hire vehicles or taxis.

"We wanted to make business travel through Uber more seamless so we decided to build Business Profiles to solve that problem," saidGreg Greiner, Uber for Business product manager.

"Dreamforce is the perfect venue to release these new features as we have over 100,000 business travellers in one place."

Receipts from trips are automatically sent to a user's work email address so they can add notes about what the trip was for. They can also specify either before or during the trip whether it's for work or leisure.

Uber estimates that between five and 10 per cent of taxi receipts passed through a business's expenses systems are fraudulent in some way and believes Business Profiles will help eradicate or at least reduce this issue.

The company talked up how its structure has not only helped meet growing demand from people who want to go somewhere, but that its flexible working model has proved attractive to drivers and provided many jobs. There are20,000 Uber drivers in London, some 45,000 in LA and around 25,000 in Chicago. However, some drivers are not happy with the level of remuneration received in exchange for their work and legal action has ensued.

The firm's car-pooling service, where multiple Uber customers can share the same ride, aims to help reduce congestion and minimise pollution.

"We are very focused on building a successful business, but our cities are facing huge challenges. Young people, in particular, want to move into cities, but most cities don't have the room or money for new public transport or build new roads. The maths is the maths. You have to deal with that," said David Plouffe, Uber's chief advisory officer and US president Barack Obama's former campaign manager.

"The scale of what we are talking about is under appreciated. There is a huge demand in cities for more mobility. Many Uber trips begin or end at the last public transportation stop. There is so much demand on the rider side but also a huge demand on the driver side.

Plouffe also stressed Uber remains safety conscious and stressed the rating system - on the driver and rider side - is there to ensure people stay safe and have a positive and pleasant experience. He even went as far as to suggest customers feel much safer with Uber than when using alternative options.

"Why?" he said. "There's no anonymity. You know the driver, the licence plate. You can share your ETA and route with friends and family - it's GPS tracked. We want to bring more innovation to safety, but safety was always one of our core principles from the beginning."

He continued: "We are a technology company. Our goal is to continue to innovate and iterate so the Uber experience gets better and better. For example, instead of a car arriving in a few minutes, you get food [through UberEATS]."

United Airlines has set up a bug bounty programme, which rewards hackers with air miles, in a bid to beef up its cyber security standing.

With traditional bug bounty programmes, when hackers or researchers find a flaw, rather than exploiting it, they receive a monetary reward for reporting it.

United Airlines has opted for a different route. Instead of money, the firm is paying out air miles for bug reports. It is believed to be the first ever airline in the US to do so.

So far, the company confirms, two awards have been paid out, both to a total of one million miles each. At the time of writing, that equates to 16 round-trip economy tickets from Europe to the US, with change left over.

The US airline has been hit by a series of high-profile cyber gaffes over the past few months, including one instance of a security expert claiming to have hacked into his plane's avionics through the in-flight entertainment, and two separate occasions where technical faults grounded United Airlines planes nationwide.

However, the bounty programme comes with certain restrictions. "Onboard Wi-Fi, entertainment systems or avionics", for example, are all off-limits. This is to do with safety concerns, as unauthorised access to critical flight systems could prove hugely dangerous.

The terms of the agreement also prevent disclosure of the bug, as well as exploiting it at any point.

Bug bounties are a common practice among tech-savvy start-ups, but have yet to see widespread adoption outside of the world of IT. If United Airlines proves successful with its programme, this could signal the start of a new wave of bounty-hunting.

British Airways is opening up flight data to encourage developers to create new ways for customers to find and buy plane tickets.

The airline has released three APIs as part of an industry-wide trial for developers to access content and data that will underpin apps for customers to search for flights and complete bookings.

The Air Shopping API allows users to search for availability and prices, the Flight Price API validates price quotes and provides payment options, and the Order and Create API completes the booking, accepts payments and issues tickets.

The project is a collaborative initiative led by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and British Airways is one of the first participants.

Ian Luck, distribution strategy manager at British Airways, said: "These APIs help us to support innovation in the market and encourage new entrants by lowering the barriers to entry and developing new and exciting selling channels.

"In addition to access at developer.ba.com, British Airways also expects to provide access via a number of IT service providers, such as Travelfusion, which is a leading online travel content aggregator and innovator of direct connect distribution solutions."

Releasing APIs is only part of the IATA's trial, which will also develop an XML-based data messaging standard, known as the New Distribution Capability (NDC), to deliver data to travel agents.

The trial also complements British Airways' plans to add the ability for customers to see a seat map, reserve a seat and pay for additional baggage through its NDC service providers and third parties that process flight transactions.

Over time, the APIs could become more complex, allowing customers to see their flight lounge privileges and baggage allowances, and enabling travel agents to offer extra services.

People can sign up to take part in the trial at developer.ba.com. British Airways told IT Pro the scheme has no deadline and is "open-ended".

Ryanair is building an offline mobile reservations app with Couchbase to improve its customer service.

The budget airline wants to enhance communication with passengers this year, and decided an overhaul of its current app was central to succeeding in this aim.

Currently the Irish air travel firm's app is based on a hosted third-party system called Navitaire, and while it handles customer reservations and inventory, it lacks front-end usability.

Meanwhile, customers are demanding faster and more user-friendly access to a range of information about their bookings, said Ryanair's senior software engineer, Paul Sheridan.

He told IT Pro: "Ryanair has not always had the best reputation when it comes to customer service, which is why our development focus of 2015 is to communicate better with our passengers.

"We want to be responsive and agile whether we are responding to passenger queries or complaints."

The flight business was also fined 400,000 by Italy's antitrust body in January following an investigation into its customer service phoneline that found passengers faced "extreme difficulty" in trying to reach Ryanair employees to discuss their bookings.

But its current reservations app was also proving an obstacle in improving its standing with customers.

"Our current reservation system is robust. However, [it] desperately needed updating to keep up with the growing demands of our tech savvy customers," admitted Sheridan.

"Today consumers want speed, they want flexibility and they want a great experience in the palm of their hands our app just wasn't cutting it."

He added that the app is reliant on customers having a decent connection when abroad, making users susceptible to poor Wi-Fi and data roaming charges.

"We want our passengers to have constant support, anywhere in the world, whether it's access to their critical booking information or whether they need the right number to call for support when at home or abroad," he said.

Ryanair chose Couchbase over rival NoSQL database providers MongoDB and Apache Cassandra because it could provide offline access, which Sheridan said is a central feature of the forthcoming app.

Couchbase provides this functionality with three separate components Couchbase Server, a NoSQL back-end database, Couchbase Sync gateway, which allows Ryanair to sync data between users' mobile devices and the cloud, and Couchbase Lite.

Lite is an embedded NoSQL database that sits on users' smartphones or tablets to provide them with offline access to their flight information.

"Together, what this means for our passengers is the new app is really fast," said Sheridan. "We can preload and save data on their device, giving customers access to vital information any time, anywhere."

The new platform delivers other benefits over the old Navitaire system, including the ability to host a fare comparison feature that's integrated with in-app search results.

Ryanair's caching system will be supported by Couchbase so customers can find and compare fares in real-time, helping them find the best deals.

"Thanks to Couchbase, the reservation system will now be more user-friendly catering to our customer's demands," claimed Sheridan.

This is Ryanair's first project using NoSQL technology, which is designed to store unstructured data in a manageable way, and the company sees more potential for using Couchbase to improve its customer service.

For one thing, Ryanair plans to allow passengers to share their travel experiences with other customers in a safe, secure community via the app.

Sheridan hopes it will also help Ryanair learn more about its customers to provide a better service.

He said: "The new system will allow us to capture more information to improve our customer services, tailoring specific deals and amenities to different passengers."

At the time of speaking there was no official launch date for the new app, but Ryanair today announced it is closing its website and app for 10 hours from 7pm tonight to 5am tomorrow for a systems upgrade, which suggests the newly overhauled app could be introduced overnight.

The DVLA has finally scrapped the use and issuing of all paper driving licence counterparts as the government agency moves to offer more of its services online as part of its Red Tape Challenge.

Consequently, as of 8 June, employers will not be able to request to see the status of an employee's driving licence on paper but will instead have to use the DVLA's free Access to Driver Data (ADD) to instantly check driver's name, address, date of birth and driving entitlements, as well as penalty points and disqualifications, online.

The ADD has been designed specifically for businesses, as long as the licence holder has given permission through the Share Driving License service for the data to be made available. The data can then be downloaded and shared or stored as a hard copy.

If an employee wants to check the status of their driving licence before allowing you to access that data, they can use the View Driving Licence online portal to see whether they have any endorsements listed they should tell you about before you search for them.

Records can also be checked via phone, although a nominated person or organisation must be specified by the licence holder in the interests of privacy and confidentiality.

Scrapping of the paper driving licence is an important move on the part of the DVLA, because it shows further evidence of the government's drive to move away from paper in favour of online services.

The DVLA in particular had already moved many of its services to the online portal, including phasing out the physical tax disc, allowing vehicle owners to buy their road tax online, the data of which is held in a database that can be checked by police rather than the car being inspected.

The DVLA also launched a public beta of another new service in April that will enable people to take a registration number off a vehicle online.

"It has been an ambitious undertaking to deliver so many changes. We've done a lot to understand users' needs and to join services and information up as we moved along. Where possible we've taken an agile approach to introduce the changes and adhered to digital by default service standards," the DVLA said in a blog post.

"We've provided regular updates to DfT and Cabinet Office on legislative and IT progress on delivering our commitments. The outcome is we've delivered a significant package of change as part of the Red Tape Challenge but it wouldn't have been possible without the efforts of everyone involved in the process.

"We'll not be resting on our laurels and will continue to refine and expand the range of online services that will help to realise our goal to be Simpler, Better, Safer."

In-flight Wi-Fi connectivity has become an increasingly sought-after perk of air travel and, according to new research, demand is actually higher in Europe and the Middle East than in the US.

Some 80 per cent of air passengers in Europe and the Middle East would like to be able to use Wi-Fi on their flights, despite there being fewer connected aircraft operating in these regions, the research Aero communications firm Gogo found.

Ash ElDifrawi, Gogo's chief commercial officer, said: "There is a large discrepancy between the US and Europe and the Middle East in terms of the number of planes connected. In the US, it's becoming rare to fly without Wi-Fi. Outside the US it's very rare to board an aircraft that has Wi-Fi.

"Our global research shows that, despite a dearth of connected aircraft, the appetite for these services create a significant opportunity for the airlines in these markets."

Flexible working has been heavily cited as a way for companies to increase efficiency, and the uptick in demand for ubiquitous connectivity even when flying overseas possibly demonstrates the demand from professionals to be truly able to work from anywhere.

One fifth of passengers (up from 16 per cent since Gogo's study a year previously) actively search for Wi-Fi when choosing an airline to fly with. So it appears to be in the best interest of more airlines operating in Europe and the Middle East to begin providing the service to travellers.

Research participants came from seven countries across two regions, and have all taken a round-trip in the past year.

Inside the Enterprise: For weary passengers on American Airlines, it was just another excuse for a delayed flight. This time, though, it was not weather, air traffic control or a late inbound aircraft. The cause of delays was an app.

American, along with dozens of other carriers, uses tablet computers to cut down on paperwork. Air travel generates reams of documents: passenger lists, weather charts, flight plans. These documents are heavy to carry, and expensive to produce.

To replace them, airlines are moving to electronic systems, much of them based on web services, smartphones and tablets. Crew rostering always a headache for a large airline is made much easier if cabin crew can check shifts on their spartphones. BA's cabin crew roster, for example, is online; viewing it on smartphones is so popular that there are even third-party apps available in the Apple App Store.

Another area where airlines are investing in technology is "electronic flight bags" (EFBs).

These are applications that replace the heavy briefcases flight bags -- lugged around by pilots and captains. Instead of paper, which has to be updated manually, airlines are using laptops and tablets, which are refreshed with the latest information over Wi-Fi. Ryanair, for example, introduced EFBs to its network late last year.

Most EFBs use standard, off-the-shelf tablets or PCs. Some, especially those used by air forces, are based on bespoke or heavily customised hardware. Airlines, though, seem to prefer a standard iPad or other tablet, not least because of their lower costs.

Such electronic systems, though, can bring up their own problems. A standard iPad is not really designed with the rigours of a working cockpit in mind, forcing airlines or pilots themselves to ruggedise the equipment. Then there is the issue of connectivity. Both EFBs and crew roster systems rely on Wi-Fi; cellular data use is restricted onboard planes. So if the connections go down, crews have to revert to paper.

In the case of American Airlines, though, problems appear to have stemmed from the application itself. The glitch affected flights using Washington's Reagan National Airport in the US, and according to American, resulted from a duplicate chart for the airport. This, in turn, caused the app, developed by a Boeing subsidiary, to fail.

The airline was able to continue operating flights by moving to PDF-based charts, still on the iPad, and the disruption to passengers seems to be minimal. But it shows how vulnerable any large enterprise is, to technology with a single point of failure.

For airlines, the rule is rightly "safety first" and an airline will always delay a flight rather than order pilots to take off without the proper charts and information.

But with an aircraft costing millions of dollars waiting on the ground and compensation to delayed passengers, possibly thousands relying too heavily on consumer technology to save costs, could be a false economy.

Stephen Pritchard is a contributing editor at IT Pro.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has conducted a report into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s cyber security, finding that airline Wi-Fi could be vulnerable to hacks.

Four cybersecurity experts were consulted to put the report together and they said the firewall could be hacked like any other software and circumvented to put both passengers and the wider internet at risk.

The report explained that IP networking may allow a hacker to gain remote access to the aeroplane's systems - both those used by passengers and staff to access Wi-Fi and those using the internet in general.

This first threat would only affect people using the specific network, but could have devastating results if a hacker is able to use the network to break into the cockpit avionic systems.

"The presence of personal smartphones and tablets in the cockpit increases the risk of a system's being compromised by trusted insiders, both malicious and non-malicious, if these devices have the capability to transmit information to aircraft avionics systems," the report said.

The second threat is that anyone from the outside world could potentially attack the systems too, and inject malware onto devices. The outsiders could then attack the whole aircraft remotely.

"One cybersecurity expert noted that a virus or malware planted in websites visited by passengers could provide an opportunity for a malicious attacker to access the IP-connected onboard information system through their infected machines," the research revealed.

The GAO said: "As part of the aircraft certification process, FAA's Office of Safety (AVS) currently certifies new interconnected systems through rules for specific aircraft and has started reviewing rules for certifying the cybersecurity of all new aircraft systems."

Virgin Atlantic will start using the AIR4 suit of passenger service systems (PSS) from 2016, improving the whole booking, ticketing and check-in experience for passengers.

Access Information Real-time for Customers (AIR4) is already being used by Virgin Atlantic's partner Delta and offers a number of features to streamline the travel process, including improved reservation, ticketing and departure control functionality and as the departure date looms, better web, kiosk and mobile capabilities.

Virgin says its move away frrom its current SHARES reservation service will benefit its customers, as it switches its approach to embrace new technologies from a passenger's point of view. The move will introduce features such as automated bag drop and disruption management to improve the passenger travel experience.

Joe Thompson, Virgin Atlantic's director of network and alliances, said: "This is a further example of how our partnership with Delta Air Lines can bring huge benefits both to our customers and to our business. AIR4 will significantly improve our customers' experiences when booking and travelling with Virgin Atlantic across our network.

"By accessing Delta's expertise and development plan we can build even better customer journeys, and offer an even more joined-up experience for customers travelling on our joint venture services."

Delta's senior vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Perry Cantarutti, added: "Virgin Atlantic's decision to use Delta's core customer service technology platforms will simultaneously eliminate passenger experience seams and share long-term IT investments and direction which are key differentiators for our joint venture."

Why Dublin?

Dublin is a busy city filled with things to do, but it is also a small city that's easy to get around, thanks to an array of transport possibilities including taxis, buses, and a rail network.

Ireland's capital city is a hub for business, and holds many international conferences. Due to this, the city is home to dozens of top hotels, as well as a variety of accommodation options in many budget ranges.

Even more than holding conferences, Dublin is now a European headquarters for many major corporations including Facebook and Google.

However, Dublin is so much more than just a great business location. The city boasts an amazing and unique culture, and year round Dublin is buzzing with activity and creativity.

Whether it be the live music, the galleries, the theatres, or the museums, there is a little something for everyone.

How to get there

Dublin Airport serves both domestic and international flights. It is located just about 10km from the city centre.

Planes fly daily to the major European and UK cities from the airport, which serves 57 airlines and has 175 different routes.

Once you have arrived in Dublin there are multiple options from the airport to your destination. If you are travelling to the city centre then the Airlink shuttle is a great option. The bus picks up right outside the arrivals doors, and you can pay the driver when you get there. It is 6 for a single trip ticket and 10 for a round-trip ticket. The ride should last about half an hour.

Aircoach is an alternative that goes to all of the major hotels. To take the Aircoach it costs 7 for a single trip ticket and 12 for a round-trip ticket. If you don't want to pay as much as the Airlink shuttle and the Aircoach cost then you can take a standard city bus for a much cheaper fee of 2.80.

As always, another option is to simply take a taxi. It is a quicker alternative, but will be more costly. If you are going to one of the main hotels in the city centre then it will cost about 20 to 25. This doesn't include the tip if you would like to tip your driver. Make sure to ask about how much it will cost to get to your destination beforehand. You will find the taxis queuing up outside the airport once you exit the building.

Getting around

Buses

Unlike many other major cities Dublin does not have a metro, making their buses one of the main types of transportation for getting around the city.

These double-decker buses are blue and yellow for the most part. Many of them start in the city centre, but there are buses in other locations with shorter routes. If the bus says that the destination is to "an lr" it means that the bus is headed to the city centre.

Bus prices start at 1.80 and you pay the driver once you get onto the bus. Try to have exact change with you because you will not get change back whilst on the bus. If you would like to retrieve your change you will have to go to the central office in the city to pick up the change that is labelled on your ticket.

Another way to pay is by buying a Leap card. A Leap card is a plastic card that you can top up when you run out of funds. You hold your card against the machine on the bus and it takes the cash from your card. You can buy a Leap card either online or once you get to Dublin in many shops throughout the city.

Taxis

There are taxi stands located throughout the city. The initial charge for a cab is 4.10 and the fare goes up about 1.03 every kilometre for the rest of the trip. Make sure the meter is on once you get in the cab.

As opposed to finding a cab at a taxi stand or hailing one on the side of the road, you may want to call for one ahead of time. This could cost up to 2 extra, but then you will be assured that you have a taxi to pick you up.

Trains and trams

Dublin has two major railway systems: the DART electric railway and the Luas trams. The DART railway stands for Dublin Area Rapid Transit. This electric rail runs through the city centre, but also connects with other, more distant, locations such as Dun Laoghaire, Howth, and Dalkey to name a few.

The Luas tram, otherwise known as the Dublin Light Rail System, runs two lines in the centre of the city. It goes to many of the main sights such as O'Connell Street, the Guinness Storehouse, and St. Stephen's Green.

Leap cards work on these buses, but tickets can also be bought at the Irish Rail Travel Centre.

Single tickets for the DART start at about 2.15 and can go all the way up to 4.70 depending on your destination. The Luas ticket fees range from 1.70 to 2.90 depending on the zone you are traveling to.

Should I tip?

Tipping in Ireland is courteous, but not expected. If you feel that you have received particularly good service then feel free to tip, but otherwise do not feel that you have to. Some of the services that people often tip in Ireland are: restaurant staff, hotel staff, taxi drivers, and tour guides. Bartenders are generally not tipped.

If you would like to tip then there are different acceptable amounts for different services. If you would like to tip the staff at a restaurant the typical amount to tip is 10 to 15 per cent of your bill. However, be careful to look out for a service charge on your bill.

There are a few different people that are generally given tips if you would like to tip your hotel staff. These people are: doormen, concierges, and housekeepers. The doorman will usually get about 1, the concierge will get about 2 if they help you with a particular service, and the housekeepers should get 1-2 per night. These are just some of the typical tip amounts, but how much you choose to tip is up to you discretion.

People do not generally tip cab drivers nowadays. If they have been exceptionally helpful then they will usually get a tip between 5-10% of the total, but for the most part people just round their totals up a Euro and tell the driver to keep the change.

Tour guides may also be tipped. When visitors have found their tour to have been especially enjoyable or their tour guide to have been especially helpful they usually give a small tip.

You have two hours. Go!

Two hours isn't much time, but Dublin is such a small city that you should be able to squeeze a lot into such a short period. Much of what's worth seeing in Dublin is in the city centre and therefore walkable. First off, you could start by just walking around the city and checking out the main sights.

One way to begin is with a walk beside the River Liffey. From there head on down to the Samuel Beckett Bridge. This bridge was inspired by the iconic Irish harp.

Another great walk is the one along O'Connell Street. O'Connell Street is one of the major streets in Dublin. Lined with shops, it's the perfect place to pick up souvenirs for friends and family.

Nearby O'Connell street you can even find the famous Millennium Spire. The Millennium Spire is a massive 120ft tall spike that sits in the middle of the city, and is one of the major architectural structures in the city.

Some of the other main sights to try and check out in your free time are the Ha'Penny Bridge, Christ Church, and of course the Guinness Storehouse. Two hours definitely isn't enough time to do the Guinness tour, so only make that a priority if you have some more time on your hands.

If you do get a chance to go to the Guinness factory, the view from the Gravity bar is one of the best on offer in the city.

One final thing to check out if there's time is the most well-known pub in Dublin, the Temple Bar. It's a great place to grab a bite or a pint, but be aware that it is a major tourist attraction and will be busy almost all day long. So if you need to grab lunch somewhere I would suggest going somewhere else, but still be sure to drop by the bar to check it out during your free time.

City customs

Many of the Irish customs simply have to do with protocol. One example of this is that if you are invited to someone's house you should try and arrive on time. Usually in Irish homes the food is prepared to be served on time, so if you arrive late your hosts won't be too happy.

Similarly, Irish business meetings also have a lot to do with politeness and common courtesy. At meetings everyone shakes hand with one another. One slight difference in Irish businesses from other businesses around the world is that many Irish businessmen do not have business cards. It is still customary for you to give them yours, just know that you might not get one back in return.

One other thing to keep in mind is that there is no traditional way to run a business in Ireland. Some businesses run their meetings with the intention of relaying information, whereas others hold business meetings as a time for getting feedback and input.

In addition to this, meetings may either be very structured or very unstructured. Most of this just depends on the business itself and whoever is running the business.

Useful lingo

In Ireland the primarily spoken language is English, however, Irish is spoken as well. Although you don't need to learn or speak Irish to have a successful trip in Dublin, sometimes you will see signs or bus monitors in Irish, so learning some key Irish terms could be beneficial to your trip. Here are just a few Irish key terms and phrases that you might come across on your travels:

Filte: Welcome

Cad mile filte: A hundred thousand welcomes

th cliath: Dublin (Dublin's Irish name)

Baile: Town

Baile itha cilath: City of Dublin

An lr: The city center

As seirbhs: Out of service

Garda: Police officer

Craic agus ceol: Fun and music

Slinte: Cheers

Mn: Woman

Fir: Men

Sln: Goodbye (the literal translation is "health" or "safe")

Why New York City?

New York City is filled with things to see and do. According to Forbes, New York City is number 71 in terms of the best places in the world to visit for business and working life. Forbes also states: "New York City exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, technology and entertainment, and is often referred to as the City That Never Sleeps'."

The United Nations Headquarters is located in New York, making the city a vastly important location for international affairs.

The city has a metro population of 11,855,900 and is considered by some to be the cultural capital of the world. Its top industries are media, communications, technology, and financial services.

New York is home to people from around the globe. It is a real hub of diversity and culture. Furthermore, it is one of the most visited cities in the world, and one of the most iconic cities in the world.

How to get there

New York offers a variety of options for traveling to and from the city. The main three airports that take you to New York are John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), La Guardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). JFK and Newark are primarily used for international flights, whereas LGA is mainly used for domestic travel. Both JFK and LGA are located in the borough of Queens, whlile EWR is located in New Jersey, just outside of the city.

Once you have landed at one of these airports, you're presented with multiple options to get into the city. If you are traveling to JFK and want a cheap way to get into the city centre, the easiest way to do this is to take JFK's AirTrain. The AirTrain costs around $5 and will take you to trains A, E, J, and Z on the New York Subway, or to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR). Both of these options will take you to either Brooklyn or Manhattan.

To get to the city from LGA without much expense, the best option is to pay for a MetroCard. For just $2.50 you can take the Q70 bus to the Subway. You'll want to go to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue station. You can use your MetroCard or pay with exact change and, once you've arrived at Jackson Heights, you can then transfer to a variety of trains, which will transport you to many locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

If you are traveling from EWR, you should take the AirTrain Newark. It is a type of light rail system and it will take you to Newark Liberty International Airport Station. You can then take either the New Jersey Transit or the Amtrak (which is more costly) to get to New York City's Penn Station.

You can also get a yelllow cab from all of these airports, however, that will be far more expensive than the alternative options listed above.

Getting around

New York City has a multitude of options when it comes to local transportation. Two of the major options are the Subway and the buses and both are fairly cheap to use. They cost $2.75 for a single-ride or $2.50 for each ride if your buy a MetroCard. A MetroCard is a plastic card with a magnetic strip. It costs $1 to purchase one, after which you refill it as you need. If you plan on riding the Subway more than 11 times, you should definitely pay $30 and get the seven-day unlimited-ride MetroCard.

If you have more time on your hands and want a good view of the city, taking the bus is a great option. If you're a little more pressed for time, the Subway is definitely a better choice.

Taking a taxi is also another good option, but they can be pretty expensive and hard to get a hold of during busy times of the day. Although, if you are willing to pay extra and it is not rush hour, taking a cab will normally get you to where you want to go pretty quickly.

Walking is also definitely one of the best options for getting around New York City. It doesn't cost anything, it's good exercise, and you get to see some beautiful sights. New York is meant to be walked. Walking is extremely efficient and can often be the quickest way to get around if traffic is particularly heavy.

Should I tip?

It is expected of you to tip not only in New York City, but in all of the US. If you do not tip, people will think you are rude and very cheap. The only time when it is acceptable to not tip - at establishments where tipping is expected - is if they gave you particularly bad service.

Tips are expected in certain situations in the US because jobs that provide services often do not pay the best wages. As such, giving a decent tip is considered proper etiquette in the States.

There are many different situations where tips are expected: taxi drivers, bellhops, hotel maids, doormen, waiters, bartenders and, sometimes, hotel concierges. A good rule of thumb for New York is to tip just about anyone whose job involves some kind of service.

Waiters and taxis drivers usually get a tip around 15 to 20 per cent of the total bill. At high-end restaurants, 20 per cent or more is more customary. Bellhops, doormen, and taxi drivers should usually get $2 minimum. Hotel maids should get $2 as well, but they should get a tip every day of your stay at the hotel. If a concierge does something for you then the tip can depend on the service that you have asked of them. Finally, bartenders should get $1 or $2 for each drink that you order. Keep in mind that similar to waiters bartenders also make a majority of their living from tips.

If you only have a little bit of time free, you either want to walk or take the Subway to a few of New York's most iconic sites.

Staying in Manhattan is going to be the best way for you to see as many sights as you can in a limited amount of time.

Firstly, you should head over to Rockefeller Centre. If you get there early enough, you might even be able to catch The Today Show being filmed. From there you should try and make your way over to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck. This deck provides an incredible view of the city, including the iconic Statue of Liberty. If you want to have time to do this, you should leave early in the morning. The observation deck opens at 8 am.

Next, make your way over to Central Park to see one of the most well known parks in the world. You could even bring your work with you to and just spend the day working in the park if you want to do so in beautiful surroundings.

Some other things worth seeing if you have time: The MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) and the all-time famous Empire State Building. These are only a few of the main attractions that New York has to offer. To get the best experience out of limited hours, pick out one or two things that you absolutely want to see and pencil those in to go see them during your free time.

City customs

In the US there are many unsaid social and business customs that are important to know. The first is that Americans, for the most part, are big on manners. Although some people believe that New Yorkers can be extremely rude, they still follow a lot of the social etiquette seen all around the US. One example of this is that you should always be polite and smile when you meet someone. It is also customary to shake their hand, especially in business settings.

In New York it is also very customary for men to be courteous to women, such as helping with their coats, holding an umbrella for them, holding door opens for them, and even helping them with their chair in a restaurant. Not all men perform these acts, but don't be surprised if you see some of these things happen, or if they happen to you.

One of the most important customs to be aware of in New York is how strongly they take dress codes and some establishments have strict criteria. Even those that don't tend to specify have some form of dress code. Casual Friday is a prime example here where many offices let employees dress down on Fridays. Not all businesses have Casual Friday, but many do, so it's always good to check with other employees to see what their policy is.

An example of a set dress code is when events are labeled as "formal" or "black tie". Usually events with these kinds of dress codes are very fancy affairs where appropriate attire would be a tuxedo for men and a long cocktail dress for women.

Finally, punctuality is key. In NYC - especially at major corporations or businesses on Wall Street - time is money so being late is seen as highly unprofessional and rude. Always do your best to be on time when going to work or business meetings. In fact, arrive a little early if you can.

Useful lingo

While visiting New York you may experience some language barriers. English is primarily spoken, however, New York is referred to as a "melting pot" for a reason as more than 800 languages are spoken. This makes it "the most linguistically diverse city in the world," according to Forbes.

The other thing to look out for while visiting New York is that New York City has a lot of its own nicknames and slang for things. Here are some of the terms to keep an eye out for:

The Big Apple: a term referring to New York City (most locals do not use this term)

Slice: if you order a "slice" then it is assumed that you are ordering a piece of plain cheese pizza

I'm about that: This means "that is something that I would participate in"

Pedicab: refers to the bicycle rickshaws that are used to take tourists around the city

EE has topped mobile network data speeds at both Gatwick and Heathrow airports, also appearing in the number one spot for reliability, according to tests by RootMetrics.

At Gatwick, the network obtained an all-round score of 97.2 with an upload speed of 17.85Mbps and downloads at 20.40Mbps.

Vodafone came second with an overall score of 86.5, although its speeds were considerably slower - 0.94Mbps for upload and 5.68Mbps for download. Both Three and O2 achieved 1.57Mbps upload speeds, while downloads were measured as 3.2Mbps and 2.4Mbps respectively. However, Three's overall score was higher - 80.5 versus O2's 74.

At Heathrow, scores were more similar. EE's score was pretty consistent and far ahead of rivals, at 96.7 thanks to its 18.06Mbps upload and 31.22Mbps download speeds, but Vodafone's dropped to 84.6 with uploads at 2.05Mbps and download speeds of 3.30Mbps, while Three and O2's both increased to a just over 84 because they achieved faster upload and download speeds compared to the Gatwick Airport location.

The report said: "The core components are reliability and speed. These two factors have the greatest impact on your mobile experience. At each airport, we measure how reliably and quickly each network is able to download and upload data, perform email tasks, and handle files that represent elements of a webpage or app, among others."

RootMetrics' mobile performance tests have been carried out in 56 metropolitan areas in the US, seven metros in the UK, and 20 airports in the US this year already. By the second half of this year, it plans to have tested mobile networks at 125 US metros and 16 UK stations, 50 US airports and three UK airports, 50 US states and the whole of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Lounges seem like a nirvana at the best of times. But, at the worst of times (when you've already travelled for several hours from one state to another and then been so tired you're only option for a 12-hour layover is to find the nearest hotel and pay a full room rate for just a few hours of much-needed sleep), they are the nearest your life will get to perfection.

That was me towards the end of February. I'd just travelled back from Las Vegas via New York and was dead on my feet. However, the lovely people over at Virgin Atlantic in the US let explore the clubhouse at JFK airport so that I could report back as part of our business travel coverage.

Access to Virgin Atlantic's clubhouses around the world are strictly by invitation only. You need to be either flying Upper Class or be a Flying Club Gold card holder in order to gain access. In some circumstances, it is possible to get lounge access via Virgin Holidays, but this comes with a fee.

Many travellers stand like a child outside a sweet shop with their faces pressed against the window to sneak a peak of the marvelous world of luxury that lies within. OK, so that's not strictly true, but it gives you an idea of how coveted Clubhouse access is.

Back to the Clubhouse at JFK. Due to the departure times of Virgin Atlantic's flights out of the airport it's closed between when the last morning flight leaves at around 8am and mid afternoon. I arrived around 2pm and was one of the first few people to enter.

The reception/entrance area to the lounge is impressive without being overwhelming and you're greeted with a smile and asked whether you'd like a tour or whether you've visited before. You also pass a really striking nod to your location in the form of a large silver Apple.

What's inside?

Once in the lounge you have a great view of the main areas. To the right there are sofas and chairs aplenty. If you follow them round to the right, there's dedicated (and spacious) restaurant area with formal seating.

You've then got the toilets to the right. Toilets don't get much attention in reviews, but I feel it important to highlight two cute touches Virgin has added here. Firstly, the curved walkway to the loos is lit up like a runway and, secondly, the his and her's signs are the Statue of Liberty in miniature.

Follow the path from the toilets around and you're greeted with the spa area (a first for overseas Clubhouses) where you can book in for treatments to make you feel even more pampered. The first treatment is free (from a select list) while paid-for services are also on offer.

Then you come to a large window that looks out onto the departure gates and planes below. This has an array of soft chairs and footstools, with little tables so you can both work or rest or both as is your wish. Towards the end of that side of the lounge there are several booths, in addition to a workbench with high stools and several iMacs.

The bar area, with additional seating acts as the hub of the lounge, with everything else places around it in an easily accessible way. There's also a pool table if you fancy a bit of sporting action while waiting to depart.

I found myself a little spot near the departure gate window, next to the spa, so I could indulge my inner plane geek and have a nose at general airport operations, such as luggage movement and food loading, going on below me. The lounge is just above the Virgin Atlantic dedicated departure gates so you're very likely to get a glimpse at your particular vessel prior to boarding.

More than one friendly face

Staff are incredibly attentive and friendly and, once you've found your spot, quickly come over and introduce themselves. Maureen, whose smile was infectious as she asked if I'd like a drink, greeted me. The choice is plentiful, but I went with the signature Virgin Redhead cocktail.

The food menu is akin to a restaurant with enough choice to please even the fussiest of eaters.

I went for the French Onion soup. The presentation was excellent and the taste was sublime. The portion size was just right for a rich dish, but I could have easily eaten several more portions it was that delicious.

After a break and a spot of work, I opted for a main course from the menu. I went for the curry, which was served tiffin style with poppadoms and coconut rice.

Again, presentation was spot on and the dish had the right mix of spice and flavor. It was ideal for my palate. My only complaint would be the portion size was a bit on the small side, but given I'd already had a starter and planned on squeezing in a desert too, that's perhaps for the best. Given the pre-flight nature of airline lounges, this could be a deliberate strategy to ensure passengers don't board a long-haul flight feeling too full up or bloated after a big meal.

It was time for some champagne. Maureen continued to call me sweetie and was incredibly attentive, regularly topping up my glass and checking everything was OK.

Full but happy

I then tried the chocolate fondant for desert. It came with cream and almonds on top. I was asked if I wanted side of vanilla ice cream too, so I duly accepted.

The pud was very, very nice, but incredibly rich and as I'd already eaten quite a bit, I wasn't able to finish the lot.

From 4.30pm/5pm onwards the clubhouse started to fill up. But it still didn't feel as maxed out as LHR, for example.

Just prior to leaving the lounge to board the plane, I took the opportunity to have some tea. Presentation didn't disappoint.

The background music piped through the lounge was neither too loud nor too quiet. I could hear the man near me snoring at one point, but that is par for the course when at an airport! The music selection was also well rounded with some retro Blur and 80s, mixed with Coldplay and modern songs from film soundtracks.

The lounge opened in March 2012 and, when announcing its imminent opening in the February of that year, Virgin said: "The new space will have an atmosphere of a private members club, a boutique hotel lobby, a restaurant service and a chic bar (plus a few surprises!)." I think that vision has been realised.

All in all, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK manages to strike the perfect balance between trying too hard to be hip and cool and providing everything the time-pressed, work-overloaded business traveller requires. It's definitely work checking out as and when you can.

Some British Airways frequent flyer profiles have been hacked, according to reports, possibly affecting thousands of the company's Executive Club account holders.

A spokesperson for BA said: "British Airways has become aware of some unauthorised activity in relation to a small number of frequent-flyer Executive Club accounts.

"This appears to have been the result of a third-party using information obtained elsewhere on the internet, via an automated process, to try to gain access to some accounts."

The airline said that no names, addresses or bank details were viewed or stolen by the intruders.

"We would like to reassure customers that, at this stage we are not aware of any access to any subsequent information pages within accounts, including travel histories or payment card details," BA continued.

"We are sorry for the concern and inconvenience this matter has caused and would like to reassure customers that we are taking this incident seriously and have taken a number of steps to lock down accounts so they can no longer be accessed."

Security expert Graham Cluely said the incident highlighted the need for users to ensure they use different passwords for different accounts.

"From the sound of things, the attackers managed to get hold of a database of usernames and passwords and then threw it at the British Airways Executive Club website to see if they would also unlock accounts there," he said in a blog post.

"As I've said many times before, you should never use the same password for multiple websites."

Many BA customers have taken to forums such as Flyer Talk, concerned that their Avios balance has dropped to zero. Those contacting the airline have been told that their account may have been "breached".

User BA038_Passenger said on 27 March after enquiring about the problem: "My account should be replenished with my missing avios within 24-48 hours after answering a couple of security questions and resetting my password. They told me that they suspected my account had been breached somehow.

"Same has just happened to me," user ENTP also said. "I called BAEC, answered a few security questions, and was told my Avios will be reinstated soon." (sic)

Cluely lambasted BA for using a link in its correspondence with users as it tried to reassure users and correct the issue. "If you have any concerns, my recommendation would be to contact BA's customer service team (who are probably quite busy right now) and change your British Airways Executive Club password," he said.

"But, please, don't use the link that the BA email includes in its warning message. They should never have included a clickable link when they invited you to reset your password, as that's a classic trick used by criminals phishing for login credentials."

Security researchers have uncovered a flaw in temporary Wi-Fi connections - such as those in hotels or conference systems - that could allow hackers to tamper with the network and gain access to systems using it.

The CVE-2015-0932 vulnerability was found in 277 hotel, conference centre and data centre Wi-Fi networks that use ANTLabs InnGate devices, allowing hackers to carry out attacks similar to the DarkHotel incidents at the end of last year.

Using an unauthenticated rsync daemon running on TCP 873, the hacker can gain read and write priveleges in any Linux-based operating system, experts at Cylance said, folllowing the study.

Brian Wallace, senior researcher and software engineer at Cylane, said in a blog post: "When an attacker gains full read and write access to a Linux file system, it's trivial to then turn that into remote code execution.

"The attacker could upload a backdoored version of nearly any executable on the system and then gain execution control, or simply add an additional user with root level access and a password known to the attacker. Once full file system access is obtained, the endpoint is at the mercy of the attacker."

He suggested they could install malware on a target's computer, siphon off personal details about the user, or gain access to the hotel chain's property management system (PMS), including payment details of visitors.

Justin W. Clarke, senior security researcher on the Cylance Spear (Sophisticated Penetration Exploitation and Research) team said: "Given that the ANTlabs' product integrates with external systems, such as a hotel's PMS, this vulnerability could be leveraged to gain deeper access into a hotel's business network.

"This is similar to the Target breach where attackers were able to penetrate the organisation's internal network through a vulnerability in the heating and cooling system."

Why Berlin?

Berlin is one of the top European destinations for business because it has seen extensive regeneration since reunification in the 1980s. It's also a lot cheaper than many of the other European capitals, such as London and Madrid and its central location makes it simple to get to.

In fact, the city even hosts the Global Business Travel Association conference every year, so it's no surprise it's so easy to get around and communicate with like-minded business people in the area.

With a population of 3.3 million, Berlin has an employment rate of 89 per cent, mostly comprising qualified graduates, with an additional 51,000 trainees.

The major industries are science, technology and research with a third of the world's 50 largest companies all having an office in the city.

There's a booming start-up scene in Berlin too, with the Guardian touting the centre as the European Silicon Valley equivalent.

How to get there

Berlin can be reached from most cities around Europe and beyond. There are two airports in Berlin - Schnefeld Airport and Tegel, although the latter will be closed in the coming years, replaced by Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt.

Stansted is the cheapest option if you're travelling from London, with prices on Ryanair starting from 50 return. Budget airline Norwegian also travels to Berlin from Gatwick for around 70, while Heathrow offers flights with BA for around 70 in the low season, with plenty of notice.

Direct flights from New York are available from 550 on airlines including Lufthansa, Air Berlin, United and American Airlines. Indirect flights stopping over in the UK and other areas in Europe are also available from around 250. Head over to the west coast and your only option is to get an indirect flight from 400.

Getting around

Berlin is one city where you're spoilt for choice when it comes to public transport. Because the city is relatively small, a highly efficient underground train system (U-Bahn) runs below the surface, to all corners of the main metropolitan area. It has 143 stations across three zones, so you will easily find one that takes you very close to your destination. A one day ticket will cost 6.90 (5.40) for all three zones or 4.70 (3.67) for zones A and B only.

Taxis are an option, although they are a lot more expensive than using public transport. When you get into a taxi, there will already be 3.40 (2.66) charge. The rates are 1.79 (1.40) for every kilometer up to 7km (4.34 miles) and 1.28 (1) for each kilometre above that. If you want to travel 2km or less, you can wave down a taxi on the street and you will only pay 4.00 (3.13) for the whole journey.

Should I tip?

Berlin follows much of Europe with its tipping expectations. Amounts are between 5 and 10 per cent, although it's much more customary to round up a bill to whole Euros rather than leaving odd coins out for a tip.

For example, if your bill comes to 9.60, round up to 11 rather than giving 10.

If paying by credit card, it's best to tell the waiting staff you wish to add the tip onto your bill before paying, because it's not customary to pay by card and then leave out a cash tip.

You have two hours. Go!

The best way to see Berlin, like most cities, is on foot or jump on the hop on, hop off bus that takes you around all the sites of the city in around two hours.

One of the walks that takes in all the touristy sites starts at Alexanderplatz where you'll find the giant TV tower and takes you along to the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag with its amazing glass domed roof, down to Potsdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie and through the beautiful Tiergarden to Berlin Zoo.

You can decide to end your walk either at Berlin Zoo if you have time to spare, or if you're looking to spend some money, or grab a bite to eat, keep walking until you get to Kurfrstendamm, which is a wonderful shopping street with one of the biggest department stores in Germany and Europe (Kaufhaus des Westens, or KaDeWe).

Along the way, you'll see some fine examples of Berlin architecture - both old and new.

Berlin's history is one of the most immersive in Europe and although there's no denying that a lot of it is sad, Berliners have taken it upon themselves to make everyone feel welcome and are very proud of their city.

This whole experience is made much more enthralling if you find yourself in the city in the run-up to Christmas because the numerous Christmas markets have to be attended, complete with a mug of steaming Gluwhein spiked with rum. One word of warning though: you won't be heading to any meetings after drinking this potent stuff, so ensure it's an evening event rather than a lunch appointment!

City customs

Although much of Germany's culture fits alongside the Western World, there are a few pointers you should be aware of when meeting with German business contacts.

Punctuality is key in Germany, so ensure you let anyone you are meeting know you are running late as soon as you know you will be so.

Most business people opt for smart attire, especially if they are management, so dress appropriately and always ensure your German host is the first to remove their jacket as an act of respect.

In a restaurant, water is not free and if you ask for still water, it will usually be bottled. People don't commonly ask for tap water in Berlin, so don't be surprised if you get an odd look from your waiter or waitress if you ask for it.

It is seen as a sign of hospitality and good manners to invite guests to a meal and those that invite usually pay for the meal.

Useful lingo

Although most people speak English in Germany, especially those you will likely come into contact with at business meetings, it is polite and expected that you try and communicate in German where you can. You will be able to find your way around much easier if you learn these key phrases before you head to Berlin.

Yes - ja (yah)

No - Nein (nine)

Please - Bitte (bih-tuh)

Thank you - Danke (dahn-kah)

Do you speak English? - Sprechen Sie Englisch? (zprek-can zee een-glish)

I don't understand - Ich verstehe nicht (eek fair-shtay-yuh neecht)

Excuse me - Gestatten Sie (ge-shta-ten zee)

Where's the train station? - Wo ist der bahnhof? (voh eest dair bahn-howf)?

How much? - Wie viel kostet es? (vee-feel koh-steht es)

Could I get the bill please? Die Rechnung, bitte (dee rek-noong bit-tuh)

I have a meeting with [Mr/Mrs last name]. Ich habe ein Treffen mit [Herr/Frau last name] (icsh-harb eyn-traffn mit err/fraw)

Samsung and Australian airline Qantas are to roll out virtual reality (VR) headsets to first class passengers, allowing them to experience a whole new way of consuming in-flight entertainment.

The tech will be available for first class passengers and will feature Samsung Gear VR headsets and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 handsets crammed with specially developed content.

The pilot scheme will be implemented on flights between LA and Sydney and Melbourne to LA on Airbus A380s and Boeing 747s.

Qantas group executive for brand, marketing and corporate affairs, Olivia Wirth, said: "Whether the user wants a virtual tour of our new Los Angeles First Lounge or experience an A380 landing from the tarmac, this technology gives us a completely new way to connect with our customers."

A range of other content - such as films - will also be available on the headset, although Qantas doesn't expect passengers to use the headset for the full duration of the flight, but for a couple of hours at a time. This would ensure the 4 headsets each aircraft has onboard will be enough for the 14 seats in first class.

There will also be a further two VR headsets in Qantas' Sydney and Melbourne first class lounges.

Tourism NT has partnered with Samsung and Quantas with a 3D experience of Kakadu National Park, while other content providers are developing content for the experience.

Wirth finished: "From an in-flight entertainment perspective, it's an industry first. Qantas is committed to being at the forefront of innovation to give our passengers the very best and latest in-flight experiences, like accessing the virtual worlds of their favourite Hollywood blockbusters from the comfort of their seat 40,000 feet above the ground."

Virgin Hotels has launched a companion app for its hotel group, due to launch this month.

Called Lucy, the app will allow guests to customise their experience, by adjusting the temperature in their room remotely, changing the channel on the room TV sets, order in-room dining and find recommendations for the local area.

The app will serve as a one-stop app for visitors to contact the hotel services including the concierge, front desk or restaurants within the establishment, with the option of live chat via a messaging interface.

A wide range of audio and video content will be available through Lucy, curated by Virgin and available on demand.

Additionally, it will integrate with Virgin Hotels' the Know preference programme, which will allow visitors to the hotels to set their preferences for a range of different services, including the items they would like to be pre-stocked in their mini bar and

Doug Carrillo, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Virgin Hotels, commented, "Our mobile app Lucy, will put guests in the captain's chair. The technology will be smart and intuitive, and light the way to a more immersive experience within the hotel. We can't wait to build upon the platform as the brand and our guests' needs grow."

Customers will also be able to book stays, check in to the hotel and checkout via the single app, making the whole experience simpler than having to use the desktop portal.

The first Virgin Hotel will launch in Chicago later in January, with additional properties opening in Nashville in 2016 and New York in 2017.

Virgin Atlantic is reportedly working with Microsoft to create a motion sensor cabin that improves passengers' flight experience.

The airline will introduce Redmond's Xbox Kinect technology to its aircraft to analyse customer movement on-board, changing their environment to maximise their comfort, according to The Drum.

Head of customer experience at Virgin Atlantic, Debbie Hulme, told The Drum: "We're looking at the Kinect technology to really see if we can read consumer behaviour and movement in the cabin to understand at an individual level what is the most comfortable place for you to work, to sleep, to eat and how we might develop that intelligence into an on-board product to tailor it far more to the individual customer."

Its aircraft could use Kinect's motion sensor capabilities to react to customers moving about to change things like lighting, termperature and seat positions in real time, she added.

That is just one facet of a partnership between the firms that will include analytics and other technologies, and which started with a flight from Heathrow to Boston on Sunday night.

Passengers on the flight were all handed a Windows 8.1 tablet, pre-loaded with an app that tracked Father Christmas' flight across the Atlantic.

Connected to the on-board Wi-Fi, the app also let passengers chat to Father Christmas, before he landed on the flight to pose for selfies with them.

Hulme said: "Microsoft is also providing us with the analytics to look at how passengers interacted with the technology so we can work out what they enjoyed the most.

"This will enable us to continually improve and innovate. Expect to see more from Virgin Atlantic and Microsoft in 2015."

The airline will continue to explore potential ways to use technology on flights with Microsoft as it seeks to improve passengers' flight experiences.

Fred Warren, creative director of Microsoft Connected Digital Services, added: "Through this experience we are looking to explore how the aircraft can be brought to life in different ways via the use of digital technologies to amplify the amazing service that is offered to customers today and how passengers engage after the flight.

"We were able to give passengers a glimpse of what is possible from more immersive flight experiences."

We asked two traveling executives what they look for in terms of tech features before booking a hotel and whether their needs are being satisfied when heading across the world.

Plug sockets

A lot of older hotels don't have enough plug sockets for all devices to fit in and if they implement and four-way extension lead, more often than not, both adaptor and plug itself won't fit in side-by-side other plugs.

Also there should be at least one on each side of the bed, allowing you to charge while you sleep. This is especially important for those who use their mobile as an alarm clock.

Mike Anderson, CEO of Chelsea Apps Factory said: "Hotels that offer not just multiple charge sockets, but charging cables for popular devices also get a gold star in our book."

Free, stable Wi-Fi as standard

"Superfast and secure Wi-Fi is a must. Connectivity has become such a fundamental business need, so hotels that offer it as standard are always looked upon favourably by us. It shows an understanding of what I need as a business traveller to run my business on the move," Anderson said.

Free internet is obviously a more favourable option and once it gets to that login screen, it's important the process is as easy as possible to get online and doesn't throw you off every hour.

Tim Webb, international business director at Time Out, agrees that free high speed Wi-Fi is a necessity, saying: "Unfortunately, it's not as common as one would hope. Free and high speed are a rare combination."

TV inputs for devices

When you're working away from home, having extra TV inputs is a bonus. Whether you want to plug in your iPad to watch downloaded films, your phone to listen to your music collection or laptop to preview a presentation, being able to plug and play with your TV is a great addition to any hotel room.

Other entertainment systems, such as a phone dock will mean not only can you charge your device without using an extra plug socket, but you can play some background music or use your phone as a fully-features alarm clock.

Lighting

A good hotel lighting system should feature a range of lamps and main lights, allowing you to turn the brightness up and down as you see fit. Desk lights are essential if you're planning on working in the room to avoid eye strain as you stare at your computer screen.

Multiple lighting controls is also a must-have. There's nothing worse than your alarm going off at 5am and having to navigate to the front door to find the one light switch in the entire room.

Adjustable heating

So many hotels have inefficient heating or air conditioning systems. Depending on where you are in the world, bets are, you'll want a comfortable climate to ensure the room is at a decent temperature of around 18 degrees.

To make the job of adjusting the temperature to your tastes, you'll need an easy to use panel to increase or decrease temperatures in just a couple of taps.

Maybe more importantly, the system around the room should be silent to allow you to sleep soundly- no clunking of air vents as they spit out ice cold air into the room, please!

Interactive TV services

There should always be a TV in your room, whether that's to catch up with the news headlines or your guilty pleasures with some cheesy TV.

A wide range of English programmes are essential in business hotels, but also, interactive services are important too.

If you're charging expenses to your room, you'll want to check what you've spent as the trip goes on and the additional benefit of being able to check out through the TV saves valuable time - especially if you want to avoid the checkout queues in the morning.

General features

It's likely when working abroad, you'll work longer hours. A mini-bar in the room will make sure you have snack and drink at hand all day and night to satisfy your every hunger pang.

Webb also explained the importance of a hotel with early check in. "Early check-in is a key influence when I'm booking a hotel," he says. "Most business people on long haul arrive early into a city and mid afternoon check-ins are a pain. Not many hotels offer this though."

Additionally, he lists 24-hour gym access and "fluffy towels and a decent bath or at least a walk in shower," to ensure the comforts away from home are present and he can feel as relaxed as possible in an unknown country.

Thomas Cook is to introduce Oculus Rift headsets into its shops to enable holidaymakers to try holidays before they buy.

The travel firm trialled the virtual reality technology at its concept store in the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent back in August. Following an initial pilot there, Thomas Cook has produced a range of virtual reality-ready content to give customers the opportunity to look around a resort before they book their next holiday.

Customers will get a 3D, 360-degree vision of the experiences on offer by the holiday company. The headset combined with a newly developed application will translate head and motion movements across to the virtual world as customers explore the resort.

Among the destinations for offer through the Oculus Rift headsets are a helicopter tour of Manhattan, a trip to the pool at a Sentido resort in Rhodes or a visit to the restaurant in a SunConnect resort in Cyprus.

The virtual reality tours will be available at the Thomas Cook branch in Bluewater as well as two further shops in the UK, three stores in Germany and four in Belgium.

Virtual reality technologies are set to play a key role in how the companies showcase products to their customers, according to Marco Ryan, newly appointed chief innovation officer at Thomas Cook.

"Our use of VR is set to further enhance the in-store shopping experience for Thomas Cook customers, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding their next holiday using innovative technology that effectively lets them try before they buy," he said.

The idea for putting virtual reality into Thomas Cook's branches was devised by the firm's Digital Advisory Board in March last year.

Amazon is rumoured to be on the brink of launching its own travel service enabling users to book rooms at independent hotels and resorts.

The service will see it compete with the likes of Expedia and Proceline, among others, according to a report by Skift.

The launch will feature a crafted collection of hotels within a couple of hours drive from cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

Citing contacts with independent hotels asked to join the service, Amazon plans on launching on New Year's Day.

The service could be useful for small hotels that lack the marketing budget of the larger chains. These establishments would be able to upload details such as room types, availability, pricing information, and photos onto the service with Amazon taking a 15 per cent cut from bookings, according to sources. This would be a significantly smaller cut than rival hotel booking sites.

Once a user books a hotel, Amazon notifies the hotelier of the booking and would also update calendars on the Amazon's hotel service extranet.

Hotels would list rooms at standard rates but would also be free to discount rooms as well. Payments to hotels from Amazon would be sent to hoteliers in two instalments.

The report said that Amazon used TripAdvisor ratings as part of the process of choosing the hotels it hopes to participate in the new services.

The service would not only list the hotels but local attractions and other things to do near the resort. The aim would be to help build a marketplace for hotels that would otherwise find it difficult to attract customers.

Amazon is also said to be building up the travel business with the recruitment of travel marketing managers for Amazon Local in a number of US cities.

Even if you're a seasoned business traveller, there's always something you'll forget when packing your bag and heading to the airport.

Although many things can be bought at the airport or while you're at your destination, it's best to ensure you pack the most expensive items with you and leave the cheaper items - like toiletries - to buy when you arrive.

Alongside your travel documents, here are ten things you need to pack on your travels.

1. International adaptors and chargers

It may seem like overkill, but take one international adaptor for each electrical item you own. You'll be surprised how often your laptop, mobile and tablet need charging at the same time. And don't even think about charging your phone from your laptop. Many international currents are not as powerful as the UK so your laptop will take longer to fully charge and your smartphone will quickly drain it too. Even if you're taking a portable charger, there's no use forgetting your plug-in chargers too. Make sure you have one for each device/laptop so you can charge your items simultaneously.

2. International Mi-Fi hotspot

One thing about staying in hotels is that it's hard to predict whether they'll have decent Wi-Fi and tethering from your mobile is a no-no when you're roaming, even on international roaming deals like Three's Feel at home tariff. Avoid huge international data charges by preloading an international mobile hotspot with credit, such as GlobalGig or Tep Wireless.

3. Filter bottle

Although drinking water in most Western countries is fine to drink, you may find it tastes a little odd in comparison to your water supply at home. A filter bottle, like Brita's Fill&Go means you'll save money on buying bottled water that can be pretty expensive in some countries. Just don't forget the filters too if you're going away for a long time!

4. Portable mobile charger

If you're going to be out and about, heading to meetings a lot while you're away and using your phone to pick up emails and make calls, you'll find the battery will drain a lot quicker than if you were sitting at a desk at home. Make sure you have at least one mobile charger, like Motorola's Powerpack Slim or the Hyperjuice Mini.

5. Headache tablets and prescription medication

There's nothing worse than feeling ill for your whole trip, so make sure you pack any medication you may need while you're away, including headache tablets, anti-diarrhoea tablets and any prescription medication you may need. although you can buy off the shelf tablets while you're abroad, if illness strikes while you're on the plane, you won't land a happy bunny.

6. Antibacterial gel

Take a small bottle of antibacterial gel to make sure your hands are nice and germ-free wherever you are. There's nothing worse than getting ill when you're in a foreign country and have a schedule full of business meetings!

7. Pen and paper

It may seem old fashioned with tablets and laptops, but what happens if your device runs out of battery? Always keep a pen and notebook in your bag if you can and make sure the pen works before you get to that meeting unable to make any notes.

8. USB flash drive

In the same vein as taking a pen and paper, it's a good idea to pre-load any presentations or documents you might need while you're away on a USB stick. If your computer fails you and you're without a web connection, you can just plug in a USB stick to someone else's' computer and go.

9. Earplugs

We've all experienced it - noisy hotel neighbours. You'll be able to sleep soundlessly with a pair of earplugs though. Not only that, you may want to get a little shut-eye on the flight and if it's full of small kids, you'll want to block out your surroundings so you feel rested when you arrive.

10. Your smartphone, tablet and laptop

It's handy to take a size combination of devices to use while you're away so you have the tools whether you're on the way to an appointment in a cab, at a meeting or in your hotel room, catching up with work. Take a range of devices for ultimate portability and organisation.

Whether you're a regular traveller or are just embarking upon your first business trip, it's important to keep calm and relaxed before, during and after your trip.

Take onboard our 10 top tips for a stress-free travel experience:

Check in online

If you're already running behind and then get to the airport to find a huge queue for check in, you're bound to be stressed before you even head to departures. Check in before you go and take a carry-on bag if you can, then just head straight off after immigration when you arrive at the airport the other side.

Book your seat before you travel

There's nothing worse than finding you're sandwiched between two larger passengers when you board the plane and are stuck there for eight hours without the ability to visit the toilet or get a wink of sleep. Avoid the stress by booking your seat before you travel and bagging an aisle seat with extra leg room before anyone else does.

Stay in a hotel the night before

If you have a flight before midday, start the day off in the right way by staying in a hotel close to the airport so you can get up, have breakfast and head to the airport in plenty of time. Some hotel airports even offer free transport to the airport, making life even easier.

Wear comfortable clothing

Never wear tight clothes on a flight, especially when it's long-haul. Wear light, loose and comfortable clothing and take layers rather than a heavy jumper just in case the plane is overly air conditioned in the summer or like a sauna in the winter.

Drink plenty of water

Flying can really dry out your skin and body and when you're thirsty or dehydrated, you tend to get grumpy. Top up on fluids 24 hours before and after you fly and make sure you drink as much water (not alcohol or sweet drinks) as you can when in the air. You'll land feeling refreshed and ready to go.

Plan your route at the other end

Make sure you know exactly how you're getting to your destination when you land. If your budget won't cover a taxi, book a transfer, such as coach or shared van, before you go or plan your route using public transport before leaving.

Print off your hotel details and appointment addresses

Not only is it handy to have your hotel details when you land so you can get to where you're staying, you may also need them if you have to fill in a visa or visa waiver form on the plane.

Additionally, print off maps of the area around your meeting locations and your hotel so you can find your way around without relying on your phone!

Allow plenty of time at the airport

As much as airports are a frustrating place to wait, having an extra hour or two in the departures lounge is less stressful than rushing to your gate on the last call. Why not treat yourself to breakfast/lunch/dinner? It'll probably taste better than the aeroplane food, making you instantly happier.

Make sure devices are fully-charged

Whether you plan on working on the plane or you need to make calls when you land, always ensure you have enough battery on your devices for when you arrive. Charge them the night before and take a portable charger with you so you can to top your smartphone enroute up if need be.

Take some currency with you

Even if you plan on withdrawing foreign currency when you arrive or using your credit card, take a little foreign cash with you. Even if it's only 50, that should allow you to get to a cash point at your destination or help out in the event of an emergency.

If you're planning a business trip, it's important to ensure you keep to the airline's luggage weight limit or if it's only a short trip, your carry-on bag fits specifications.

Remember though, when it comes to budget airlines or for trips to Europe, the luggage limits are lower than if you're taking a transatlantic or long-haul trip, so it's important to ensure you cram everything in that you'll need for your trip, however long the duration.

Buy the right bag

Getting the balance right between space, weight and how easy a bag is to carry is easier said than done. It will also very much depend on where you're going, which airline you're using and whether you have carry-on luggage or hold allowances. If you can, purchase a modular case that allows you to add or remove parts, or one that is expandable, so at its smallest, it'll fit in the overhead locker, but expanded, it'll be fine for the hold.

Only take the essentials

Lay everything you plan to take with you on the floor when packing and cut this down by half.

Most hotels offer a laundry service, so limit yourself to two of everything in terms of outerwear - two formal outfits (only one suit), two casual outfits and enough underwear to last your trip.

Also, only take two pairs of shoes, or one if you can get away with it because these take up a lot of space. Multiple layers are smaller than bulky items like a big coat, so leave these at home, or be prepared to wear them on the flight.

Don't squash your clothes

Whether you fold, roll or lay your clothes out flat will determine how they come out of your case when you reach your destination.

Roll items that won't crease and lay these at the bottom of the bag. If you have enough space, rolling creasable fabrics sandwiched between towels or other items will minimise creases.

If the surface area of your case is big enough, lay the remainder of your clothes on top, or fold if you don't have enough space. If the hotel doesn't have an iron, hanging them up in the bathroom while you're having a shower will help the creases drop out of fabrics.

Space savers

A number of different vacuum-pack bags and modular systems are available to help you make the most of space in your bag or case. Use these to collate smaller items such as underwear and toiletries and pack these first, along with shoes stacked on top of each other to create a base for clothing, packed in vacuum bags.

Just remember to save enough space to take the pump if you're planning on fitting everything in for the way back.

Use a packing service

If all else fails, there are number of services available that will pack for you. But these come at a cost. Also, remember that these services may not be at your disposal for the return journey.

There are so many myths around travel - both when you're looking at it from a business and pleasure point of view - but it would seem not everything you're told is true.

We reveal the truth behind some of the most convincing travel myths of all time.

English is widely spoken abroad

Although English is the most spoken language around the world, especially in business, you may be surprised to find that actually not everyone can speak it.

If you're heading to Asian country in Asia, particular, it's wise to learn the basics so you can find your way around and be able to communicate effectively in the case of an emergency. Plus, it's polite to speak the local lingo and shows you have a genuine interest in the country's culture.

Exchange rates are better at home than abroad

More often than not, the exchange rates in the UK are worse than they are at your destination. This is because foreign exchanges on home turf charge commission on each transaction and also give you a worse exchange rate in order to make a profit.

Don't be misled by commission-free deals either. Often these exchange outlets have the worst rates. In many cases, the cheapest way to get foreign currency is actually using your card at an ATM in your destination country, because your bank will give you the best rate. What's more, even if there's a fee, it's most likely to be lower than a currency exchange charge.

Jet lag is caused by no sleep

Many people think jet lag is caused by lack of sleep and the exhaustion of travelling. However, it is actually caused by your body clock adjusting to timezones.

For example, if you're taking a long haul flight, where the time difference is more than a couple of hours, you can, essentially, lose 12 hours of your day. Your body thinks it's night, but it's actually the daytime or vice versa and this can disrupt your sleep pattern.

The best way to overcome jet lag is to live by the time in the country you're in, resisting sleep even if you feel you need it. Even if you hit the sack an hour or two earlier than usual, your body clock will adjust much quicker. If you're struggling to sleep at night, take a herbal sleeping tablet to help your body rest.

Using your phone in the air will make the plane crash

Let's get this straight: One person using their phone on an aeroplane will not make the plane crash. Furthermore, a passenger using a mobile phone has never caused a plane to plummet to earth or even equipment to malfunction.

In fact, some planes allow you to use your phone onboard, despite charging colossal prices for the service. The reason you are told to turn off your phone during takeoff and landing is because it could interfere with navigation equipment, although not enough studies have been carried out to legitimise this.

You shouldn't drink tap water in foreign countries

In most developed countries around Europe, the US, Australia and some parts of Asia, tap water is fine to drink. You may find it tastes odd compared to water in the UK and this might put you off, but different countries add and remove composites that changes the end taste.

However, it's still perfectly safe to drink and will seldom make you ill. If in doubt, purchase a filter bottle to remove any impurities and improve the flavour.

Lufthansa today signed an 800 million outsourcing contract for IBM to provide its entire IT infrastructure.

The seven-year deal will see IBM improve IT efficiency for the German airline and save an annual 55 million, according to the tech giant.

The optimised infrastructure will help Lufthansa accelerate its move to cloud computing and big data analytics, it added, suggesting the airline could use IBM's own Watson-based analytics services.

It will also gradually incorporate business analytics solutions with mobile computing and social business tools to boost employee productivity and create new customer services.

Lufthansa CFO Simone Menne said: "Outsourcing the IT infrastructure to IBM will strengthen the competitiveness of the Lufthansa Group as a whole. The transformation plan will directly improve our cost base.

"Together with IBM we will have access to the latest IT technologies, not only to lower our cost but also to continue digitalising our business processes in order to increase efficiency and customer focus."

However, the deal is still subject to approval from the Lufthansa Supervisory Board and antitrust authorities.

If approval is granted, IBM will start by implementing collaboration and messaging tools for staff as well as new network and voice services.

It will then deploy its MobileFirst device management framework to help Lufthansa provision, secure and manage mobile devices and apps.

The tech industry veteran wil also manage Lufthansa's datacentre operations, help desk and printer services.

Around 1,400 Lufthansa staff will transfer to IBM under the deal, and IBM will begin delivering infrastructure services from April next year.

Martina Koederitz, general manager of IBM Germany, said: "The agreement provides Lufthansa constant access to IBM research and development. This will enable Lufthansa to incorporate the latest technology and innovation into the Lufthansa IT infrastructure, including strategic areas such as cloud computing, big data analytics or cognitive computing systems like Watson."

Technology is transforming the way people consume goods and services. Now, more than ever, people are seeking greater personalisation, connectivity and control and, as a result, hotels have had to change the way they do business, putting the device at the centre of everything they do.

In fact, a survey by the Hotel Reservation Service (HRS), revealed that 42 per cent of guests from the UK would rather use a single display to control their hotel room's lighting, air conditioning and television rather than separate controls.

But which hotels are listening to their customers? Here are the four most forward-thinking hotel groups and their plans for the future when it comes to technology and innovation.

Hilton

The Hilton hotel group is increasingly focused on making the guest's digital experience, from booking to check-out, as easy, flexible and enjoyable as possible. The company's approach to digital innovation certainly builds on that foundation.

"We've developed a digital strategy that focuses on purposeful innovation, concentrating on technologies such as digital check-in, room selection and mobile-enabled room key, to streamline processes that affect every guest, no matter which of our 4,200 global properties they visit," says Joshua Sloser, vice president of digital product innovation at Hilton Worldwide.

Digital check-in with room selection enables Hilton HHonors members to check in via their HHonors profile on the desktop, mobile or tablet and choose the exact location of their room.

Already, Sloser adds, more than a quarter of a million Hilton HHonors guests have used the technology, and the majorty (90 per cent) are satisfied or extremely satisfied with it, stating they are likely or highly likely to use it again.

"We've found that we need to offer digital tools that reach guests on the platform they prefer most which is increasingly becoming mobile," he says.

"We're constantly testing new ideas - digital check-in with room selection and mobile - enabled room key are just the beginning - and we foresee further digital advancements every six-to-eight weeks."

Rockwell Group (Yotel)

The Rockwell Group's most innovative hotel chain is Yotel, with places technology at the centre of everything it does.

Every Yotel aims to make the laborious check in and check out process as simple and automated as possible, allowing guests to use an electronic check in system in the lobby rather than queuing up at a front desk.

Once a guest is in their room, everything can be controlled from a single panel, including the air conditioning, TV and lighting, which was one of the central demands exposed in research by HRS.

Because Yotel is a pod hotel, the rooms are small. As a result, they feature stowaway beds that can be laid out or stored away when not in use again, using the touchscreen panel in the bedroom.

David Rockwell, founder and CEO of Rockwell Group says: "Designing an environment that is transformable from the second you enter a space immediately creates a unique, modern experience for the guest."

Yotel New York is the most technologically advanced location, with occupation sensors that turn on the lighting and air conditioning on only when guests are inside the room.

Additionally, the New York hotel introduced the Yobot - a robot that receives luggage from guests and delivers it to rooms or stores it after checkout. The company has also revealed it has signed an agreement to deliver the luggage via underground passages to airports in the area.

Rockwell Group sees the importance of integrating mobile technologies in its offering, ensuring all guests can check out or order a room extension on their mobile devices rather than using the touchscreens in the lobby or talking to a receptionist.

Marriott

The Marriot group - which includes its JW Marriot, BVLGARI, Ritz, Edition, Autograph, Renaissance and other brands - is working with the MIT Mobile Experience Lab to improve the way mobile technologies are integrated into its guest experiences.

The company is embracing mobile technologies is in its pre-arrival planning service that allows you to request services such as extra towels before you arrive. It's also making use of tech in its concierge service that gives you all room services in one place when you've arrived.

The technology could be upgraded in the future, to meet whatever its guests want. That could mean unlocking doors with your smartphone after checking in, or setting the climate control before entering.

Rita Cuddihy, senior vice president of marketing, says: "According to our research, more than 80 percent of guests said they'd be more likely to book their next trip with Marriott if they received this type of service."

The company also introduced mobile check-in at the company's JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai, but there are plans to roll it out to all properties in future.

Bill Keffer, general manager of the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, adds: "The introduction of the mobile check-in service allows visitors to save time and access their hotel room quicker than ever before.

"It also simplifies the process for our international guests, as the application is available in English, French, Spanish, German and Mandarin reducing the chance of any language barrier. "

The rooms include a lot of the tech you've probably come to expect from a business hotel, such as LCD TVs, iPod stations, high speed Wi-Fi and a master room control tablet.

However, the Marquis also features room sensors that know if you're in your room and puts everything in an eco-saving mode when you're not.

IPTV-based television sets give a much smoother experience, allowing access to a range of channels and hotel services that can be controlled from a smartphone app.

Keffer adds: "We are also introducing a Wi-Fi speed of 300Mbps which will allow our guests to download, stream and host video conferences online using super speed connections it is these types of these technological advancements which help us to execute a seamless guest experience."

Starwood

Starwood Hotels own some of the most exclusive hotel chains around the world, including W Hotels, Airloft, Westin and Sheraton. Being such a large group means the company has to be innovative across the board, not just in a couple of its locations.

"In our business, which is inherently mobile, smartphones and tablets are on track to capture nearly one in five online dollars this year. Given this ever-increasing focus on mobile, Starwood's mobile-first' strategy really helps to set us apart from the competition," says Alyssa Waxenberg, vice president of mobile technology at Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

"Today, more than 40 per cent of our site visits come through mobile devices, up from 13 per cent just two years ago, and shares of bookings through our digital channels our most profitable are at their highest levels ever."

In the last 24-months, the company has introduced the ability for guests to use their smartphone as their room key, use state-aware technology on its mobile applications, integrated user-generated Instagrams into its property pages and was the first in the hotel industry to launch an app for Google Glass.

"We are also adding details such as upgrade preferences [to our SPG loyalty service] so that members can specify if they would prefer the first available room as quickly as possible or alternatively, if view or room size is more important to them," Waxenberg adds.

Aloft Hotels announced the introduction of the brand's first robotic butler A.L.O. the Botlr at Aloft Cupertino in Silicon Valley with plans to introduce him in other Aloft properties around the world.

At the beginning of November, Starwood announced the introduction of SPG Keyless, allowing guests to use their smartphone as a key, with plans to roll out SPG Keyless to all Aloft, Element and W Hotels around the globe, the system is already in place at ten W, Element and Aloft hotels around the world.

"We plan to grow our IT and digital team by 50 per cent globally, recruiting top tech talent around the world from companies like Facebook and Google," explains Waxenberg.

"Over the next two years, we will also be investing $100 million in mobile, R&D, on-property and associate initiatives, further extending our lead in the digital space."

Where to next?

Consumer expectations will continue to grow and evolve. It's incredibly important therefore for these hotel groups to ensure they are at the forefront of tech innovation to ensure they keep ahead of their competitors.

"In uniting hospitality expertise with advanced technologies, our industry has the opportunity to redefine the hotel experience and transform the guest journey like no other," Sloser adds.

Emirates Airline and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide have partnered on a new loyalty program, Your World Rewards, for existing Emirates Skywards and Starwood Preferred Guest members.

Those registered for the programme will be able to increase the benefits they get when flying with Emirates or staying at hotels participating in the Starwood Preferred Guest programme. Such benefits include hotel upgrades, complimentary internet access in rooms and priority check-in and boarding when flying with Emirates.

"The combination of Emirates' growing global network, Starwood's innovative take on hospitality and our top-rated loyalty programmes allows us to recognise our most valuable customers with a heightened level of service and greater rewards wherever they travel," said Thierry Antinori, executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Emirates Airlines.

"This partnership unites two like-minded companies with complementary global footprints, putting more rewards on the map and taking our most loyal guests' travel to new heights."

Membership for the Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty programme in emerging markets has grown 400 per cent in just five years, according to Mark Vondrasek, senior vice president, distribution, loyalty and partnership marketing at Starwood. He added that the the partnership will help address this shift.

The Middle East is only behind China and India as the fastest-growing market for Starwood's loyalty programme.

"Your World Rewards allows us to cultivate even greater loyalty with travellers from the world's fastest-growing travel markets," Vondrasek said.

"As Emirates increasingly connects East with West, and the emerging markets to the developed world, their reach dovetails perfectly with Starwood's pre-eminent high-end, global footprint and our pipeline of new hotels, 75 per cent of which will open in emerging markets."

Business travel doesn't mean travelling business class any more. Indeed, it's a long time since a business trip meant the luxury of first-class seats, chauffeured cars and generous expense accounts.

For most frequent travellers, it's less Concorde, more Up In The Air. But planning ahead, packing carefully and taking the right technology with you can make your business journey more comfortable, more productive and easier to explain in your expense claims.

Before you go

Forget the corporate travel department. Even if their employer still has one, business travellers are increasingly making their own bookings. The cheapest flight is often the longest and least convenient option, and your best bet for getting upgrades is to pick an airline and earn status with them.

Only the most frequent fliers get free upgrades these days, but airlines like American, Delta and Virgin Atlantic let you part-pay for upgrades with miles or offer low-price advance upgrades to travellers with status. Plus a gold frequent flier card gets you perks like free luggage allowance, early boarding and access to the lounge, which gives you more working time.

When you can't get a direct flight, look for a long flight plus a short flight instead of two medium length flights. Travel agents will usually pick hubs like Chicago when you have to change planes, but if you're flying from London to San Diego, say, you'll get much more sleep or more time to work - if you change in Los Angeles.

Travel sites like Kayak let you filter flights by departure and landing time as well as by the number of stops. If there's a direct flight to a relatively nearby airport, consider driving or taking the train to your final destination; it can be quicker than a connecting flight, especially if you're arriving in the US and have to clear immigration and recheck bags.

More airlines are starting to charge for picking your seat in advance but that lets you decide whether you want an aisle seat for a quick getaway when you land or a window seat so you don't have to pack away your laptop every time someone wants to use the bathroom.

If you're on a night flight and you have a good neck pillow and in-ear noise blocking headphones, the window seat gives you the option to lean against the window - as well as not being disturbed.

If you're eligible for a fast-track security program like TSA Pre for US citizens (or a UK ePassport), the time you save is worth the cost, but they're only available for your country of residence.

En route

Some people prefer to travel as light as they can and put everything in carry on so they can make a fast getaway when they land. "Pack light ad carry on," advises Microsoft's Frank Shaw who frequently accompanies travelling executives. "But, if you can't pack light, don't carry on."

If you're travelling for longer than a few days, you may prefer to make sure you have everything you need with you. In that case, invest in a hard suitcase with four wheels - so you can push or pull it. If you're going to travel a lot, Samsonite and Delsey luggage is exceptionally hard-wearing. Cable ties are cheaper than TSA-compliant locks, plus if the TSA cuts them off to check your luggage they also replace them.

Keep emergency items in carry on, including medication, because bags get lost and delayed. The new ReboundTAG is an RFID luggage tag that has two chips; one with your details, the other which picks up the same flight details as the new RFID-enabled baggage tags airports are starting to switch to (Hong Kong and Schiphol are the first). That way, if your bag is lost it's easier for the baggage handling company to contact you to get it back.

Look for a carry-on with wheels as well. And make sure it has a comfortable handle or backpack strap for when you want to take the stairs or get through a crowd. Airport security rules change so often you won't always be able to leave a laptop or tablet even in a TSA-approved bag but picking a carry-on with a separate section you can get your laptop out of quickly will save you time.

Lay things out on the security belt in the order you want to repack them and put everything you're going to need on the plane in a smaller bag you can grab quickly when you reach your seat.

You could put your passport and your boarding pass and the printed copy of your rental car booking and your hotel reservation confirmation in a travel wallet. Or you could use a service like Tripit, which collects all your travel details together; you just forward all the email confirmations and it extracts the information, builds an itinerary that you can see in the mobile app and gives you weather reports and local information.

Pay for the Pro service and you get advanced notice of delays and cancellations often before the gate crew hears about them.

Tech for travel

Carrying an external battery for your phone or tablet doesn't just keep you working for more of the day; if you're travelling to the US you might need it to get through security as you have to prove your devices work.

iDAPT's Modulo battery lets you stack up multiple batteries to charge a tablet or use just one for your phone, but Innergie's Power Cell Duo packs the highest battery capacity into the smallest size (6,800 mAh will power four phones or a tablet), plus the 3-in-1 cable fits mini and micro USB plus Apple devices.

The standard-issue 15in business laptop isn't the best device to use in a cramped plane seat, but even with Office for iPad a tablet may not get you through a business trip. A hybrid laptop like a Surface Pro or the various touchscreen convertible and detachable Ultrabooks fit more easily on a tray table.

If you need desktop Office but not other Windows desktop programs, the ARM-based Surface 2 is even lighter and gives you much longer battery life. Or look at laptops with secondary batteries; with the battery slice the HP EliteBook 840 Ultrabook gives you up to 33 hours of working time.

Newer planes often have power in the seat, and USB ports, but unless it's a newer airline like Virgin America you won't find that on every plane. In-flight Wi-Fi is very common on internal US flights and it's starting to appear on international flights too (BT has trialled it on a few planes including the Seattle to London route). Again Virgin America is still the only US airline that promises it on every flight; "Wi-Fi and power outlets are by far the most requested cabin amenity by our business travellers and on average, we see more than one third of guests logging onto in-flight Wi-Fi on our long-haul flights," a Virgin America spokeswoman told IT Pro. If you want to network on board, you can use the Here on Biz iOS app to find and chat with Linked In contacts who are on the same plane, or on another Virgin America flight; that could be useful for keeping in touch with colleagues travelling to the same meeting.

Virgin, Delta and United already have the slightly faster Gogo ATG-4 service which uses the EV-DO B cellular system and gets closer to 10Mbps than the 3Mbps of the original service, but that's not a lot to share with everyone else on the plane. A new satellite service called GTO (Ground to Orbit) will take that up to 60Mbps, and the first planes will have that this year (again Virgin America is first with that and has it on one plane already) but Wi-Fi on planes continues to be a victim of its own success, so don't rely on being connected.

Roaming, SIM-swapping and Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is one of the basic travel needs now. This was backed up by a recent NETGEAR survey, which found two-thirds of business travellers wouldn't go back to a hotel that had bad connectivity.

We're still waiting for Wi-Fi roaming that's as simple as the way your phone automatically picks up a new network when you travel (mobile operators are still working on the Hotspot 2.0 initiative) but you can get it now if you sign up with a service like iPASS, which lets you use a range of pay-for Wi-Fi services around the world for a single subscription.

BT Wi-Fi subscribers can get online for no extra charge with FON hotspots; check maps.fon.com to see where they're available and load up the app on your mobile device.

If you need to connect multiple devices to hotel Wi-Fi without paying for each of them, take the pocket-sized NETGEAR Trek N300 with you; connect to the hotel Wi-Fi through one device that the Trek knows about and it will share the connection with your other devices in our tests it was also more reliable for connecting mobile devices to flaky hotel networks than the official logins.

Mobile roaming charges between the UK and Europe are more reasonable these days, but they mostly remain high when you travel to the US. UK operator 3 has an unusually generous deal, even for its SIM-only tariffs, that lets you use your regular monthly minutes (for calls to UK numbers) and data allowance in multiple countries without extra charges. Incoming calls are also free with the 3 Feel At Home deal, but they can add up on other roaming deals.

If colleagues back home need to stay in touch, Skype may be cheaper than leaving your own SIM in your phone, or if your company has a unified communication service like Lync, load up the mobile app.

In that case, you can unlock your phone and swap in a local SIM (tell your carrier you're going abroad and they should send you an unlock code without charging you). If you need a local number often enough to sign up for a monthly tariff, MVNOs are usually cheaper than the brand-name networks; try RedPocket in the US.

T-Mobile offers a daily pre-pay 4G service for $3 a day that you can top up online (there's a small charge for the initial SIM); that adds up to more than a monthly tariff but is better value if you don't need it for a whole month at a time.

If you need to receive calls from home, Roamer is an app that gives you a VoIP call plan and forwards calls to your usual number on to whatever local SIM number you're using; you have to pay to use the app but people can reach you on the number they already have for you.

If you need data rather than calls, you might get a better deal with a wireless hotspot like a MiFi which lets you connect other devices over Wi-Fi; if you don't need much data, US freemium network FreedomPop gives you 500MB of free data a month if you buy a MiFi from them. If you travel to a lot of different countries, the Goodspeed mobile Wi-Fi hotspot has slots for up to nine local SIMs so you don't have to swap them in and out to get online; you can buy SIMs from Goodspeed for different countries and get online from 5.90 a day.

Planning for the future

Don't bank on luxury making a comeback. When Expedia surveyed younger business travellers, they said "Wi-Fi is more important than extra legroom or upgrades".

What mattered most to them was flexibility; a typical business traveller using Expedia's Egencia business service modifies their itinerary 20 per cent of the time that's just 13 per cent for older travellers (45-65) but Millennials change plans 24 per cent of the time.

They want self-service, last-minute deals and the option of checking in to their hotel on their phone before they even arrive. If they have a problem, they'd rather send a tweet than pick up the phone and when they do ask for help, they want the person they're talking about to know their travel details already - and be able to get them back on their way.

It seems as business travellers, we're prepared to do more of the work to stay in control on the move.

Foreign exchange firm Travelex is to launch a 25 million fund to acquire fin tech companies and invest in start-ups.

The company is also planning a major tech recruitment drive.

Travelex's Digital Growth Fund will enable the firm to make small investments of less than 1 million in fintech start-ups. It will also be used to fund potential acquisitions with the aim of developing new products and services linked to mobile, payments, e-wallets, crypto currency and location technology.

The announcement comes after Travelex appointed former Google, eHarmony and Shutl executive, Sean Cornwell and MOO.com executive Dave Wascha, to the newly created roles of chief digital officer and global head of digital products.

"Around 40 per cent of our UK retail sales are already digital in origin, through either online or mobile channels," said Cornwell.

"The new digital growth fund will capitalise further on this foundation. It will also offer small startups the opportunity to work with a credible and reputable brand, test new ideas and bring the latest technology to our customers and partners around the world."

The forex firm will also start a recruitment campaign to build up its skills base with hires spanning a range of disciplines including engineering, product, UI, UX, design, marketing and testing.

As part of the recruitment drive, Travelex will be sponsoring the Bootstrapped initiative at this year's Silicon Milkroundabout.

Travelex will also be taking a stand at the Silicon Milkroundabout at the Truman Brewery in London on Thursday and Friday.

"Travelex is very well placed to capitalise on the predicted growth in travel and the corresponding growth in FX and payments," Cornwell added.

"Both the investment fund and recruitment activity will enable Travelex to bring digital to the core of our offerings and customer experience, whilst providing new and innovative ways to help customers fulfil their foreign exchange needs more conveniently and effectively."

Airline Emirates thinks we'll see free Wi-Fi on flights in the future, but there are a number of obstacles in the way preventing such services to be offered at no cost.

The industry is facing major challenges in the free Wi-Fi space, according to Sir Tim Clark, Emirates' president.

"If we can offer good quality Wi-Fi connections for everyone onboard at no charge tomorrow, we will do it," he said. "But we face a slew of technical limitations from speed and bandwidth availability and cost, to the supporting hardware and software all of which we are working hard to address with the industry right now."

Emirates launched Wi-Fi services on flights three years ago, and to date, more than a million passengers have taken advantage of the network.

The airline has now announced it will be investing $20 million (12.5 million) annually to install and operate inflight Wi-Fi, including subsidising services so passengers can use the internet for as little cost as possible.

At present, customers benefit from a free Wi-Fi connection for the first 10MB downloaded, then have to pay $1 (63 pence) for the next 600MB. The company aims to update its systems and network on its full fleet of 53 A380s and on selected Boeing 777s to offer free, unlimited Wi-Fi to all in the future.

Clark said: "It is a fact that our customers want onboard connectivity, and this demand is only going to increase as more people embrace an always-on' digital lifestyle, and carry smart mobile devices when they travel. We've always viewed Wi-Fi as a service and a value-added part of Emirates' overall product, rather than a revenue stream."

During October, the company saw a 200 per cent increase in the number of customers using Wi-Fi onboard because it offered the service for free to mark the Eid festival. This demonstrates the demand for free, unlimited internet on long-haul flights.

The most popular services being used on a flight are Skype, WhatsApp and BBM, research by the company revealed.

The jet-set lifestyle of your average business traveller must seem awfully glamorous to outsiders, but all that flitting between time zones plays havoc with their body clocks, and jet lag is usually the result.

This can have a detrimental impact on people's minds and productivity, as their body calls out for sleep first thing in the morning and then leaves them wide awake when they need to sleep at night.

Jet lag can also adversely affect a person's digestive system, concentration levels, and overall mood. This isn't an ideal situation if someone's flown halfway around the world to schmooze clients or close a down a large business deal and needs to be on top of their game.

It can take days for a person's internal clock to sync with the time zone of the place they're in and for the symptoms of jet lag to fade, but the reality is business trips are rarely long enough to accommodate this.

Thankfully, there are some steps travellers can take in the lead-up to a trip, during the flight and once they've landed at their destination to help shake it off, and ensure maximum business productivity.

Pre-flight precautions

The severity of jet lag is intrinsically linked to the number of time zones a person has travelled through, with NHS Direct claiming that most people start to experience symptoms after crossing at least three.

However, some people are more susceptible and sensitive to the effects of air travel than others, and the symptoms of jet lag are still keenly felt regardless of whether they're flying long- or short-haul.

Either way, GP and online physician Dr. Tony Steele said there are a number of things people can do before they board to lessen the effects of jet-lag when they reach their destination.

"Going to bed nearer to the destination location's bedtime will help, as will ensuring sufficient sleep is gained (six-to-eight hours recommended minimum) in the night's leading up to the trip," he says.

Some of the symptoms of jet lag echo those of dehydration, so potential travellers should ensure they drink plenty of water before they fly, especially as the artificial air on planes can be particularly drying.

"Keeping the body well hydrated is also helpful and good for health in general, so is advisable not only prior to travelling but during flights, and at all other times," he adds.

Rebecca Robbins is the co-founder of Sleep for Success, a US-based consulting company that offers businesses advice on how to get the most out of their workers by offering a mix of health and lifestyle tips.

She advocates the use of light therapy as a means of speeding up the time it takes our internal clock, or circadian rhythm, to catch up to the new time zone we're in.

"The area of the brain that monitors your circadian rhythm is right behind the eyeball, so light [levels] have a huge impact on how we sleep," she explains.

"So, the number one thing for tackling jet lag is using light strategically."

Light therapy can be used to help people get their body clock in sync with their destination time zone before they even take-off, so they're more likely to be raring to go when they land.

"If you're flying west [from London to New York] you need to expose yourself to light in the afternoon to extend your circadian rhythm," says Robbins.

"Now, if you're going east, [from the US] to Central Europe or Asia, you need to do the opposite and expose yourself to light in the morning."

To do this successfully does require some advance planning, as research suggests it takes around a day to shift a person's body clock back or forward an hour. So, if you're flying across three or more time zones, you'll need to start making preparations several days before.

If, for example, someone's travelling eastwards across four time zones, it's recommended that travellers wake up and go to bed one hour earlier than usual four days before they're due to take off, and then move that routine back by another hour in the successive days.

So, if you're someone that always gets eight hours sleep, and goes to bed at 10pm and rises at 6am, on day four you should be tucked up in bed by 6pm and have the alarm set for a 2am wake-up call.

Upon waking on each of these days, the traveller should use a light therapy box, like those offered by Litebook or Lumie, for at least an hour to help their body's acclimatise, it is advised.

On-board jet lag avoidance

If it's not possible to shake-up your sleeping routine in the days leading up to a trip, Dr. Steele says travellers, particularly those travelling west, should try and get some sleep while in the air.

However, he says travellers should be wary of using sleeping pills or alcohol to induce sleep mid-air.

"I would not recommend travellers drink more than a little alcohol during the flight, as far from helping rest, it can actually act as a stimulant and disrupt sleep on arrival," he warns.

"Sleeping pills or benzodiazepine-type drugs can induce sleep or calm on a flight, but there is a danger of reliance and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if these treatments are used too frequently."

Furthermore, sleeping pills can often lead to drowsiness and affect concentration the next day, he adds, making their use counter-productive for anyone who is flying for work purposes.

"These effects will prove unproductive for anyone travelling for work [as] they will need to be firing on all cylinders to perform at their peak."

On landing, the temptation to get checked into a hotel and take a nap can be overpowering, but sleep expert Robbins says that's the last thing travellers should do.

"When you arrive, the best thing to do would be to walk around a bit, and get adjusted to the fact you're in a darker or lighter environment to help your circadian rhythm adjust accordingly," she says.

"Keep to your normal schedule as best you can, and make sure to exercise because it's a mood elevator and can help to regulate stress."

Touch down come down

A common problem in those suffering jet lag is that, when bedtime does eventually roll round, they're wide awake and alert, making it difficult to sleep.

In situations like this supplements containing a synthetic version of the body clock-regulating hormone melatonin can prove useful, offers Dr. Steele.

"Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone, the levels of which fluctuate in the body during the day," he explains.

The hormone is usually released in the evening to let your body know that bedtime is approaching, and prepare it for sleep.

Conversely, production usually stops when it starts getting light, signifying to your body that it's nearing the time to wake up.

"By taking a supplement containing melatonin, such as Circadin, half an hour before bedtime in the destination country, sleep should be gently induced, helping the body settle into the new time zone," adds Steele.

However, it's only available on prescription in the UK, despite being offered as an over-the-counter remedy in the US.