Emirates go Mobile First mobile phone-enabled aircraft has flown to the UK… New for BHX Turkish Airlines and Jet Airways set for Birmingham… First Class Open New First Class lounge for East Midlands Trains passengers… Royal Upgrade Refurbishment to the Royal Horseguards Hotel London by early 2009… Kingfisher's Flight Indian airline commence daily between Bangalore and Heathrow… Rugby 7's If you fancy a trip to Dubai for the Rugby 7's then look no further... Rail passengers will know that there are many names for different fares which can get complicated and confusing. That is until now. New fare names are being introduced across the National Rail network creating a much simpler structure. The new fare categories mean that passengers have only to choose from one of three ticket types when planning their journey which will be reflected either if booking direct with a member of your dedicated TMG team or via our easy-to-use online facility Evolvi. The changes are designed to enable you to buy the best value ticket to match your journey more easily. All new fares will apply to both standard and first class and have now come in to effect. Anytime fares (singles or returns) can be purchased right up to the day and time of travel and used on any train without peak hour or any other restriction. Current ticket types that fall into the Anytime category include Open singles or returns. Anytime return tickets will have one day validity only.

Off-Peak tickets are, as their name suggests, cheaper fares for travelling during periods when train services are generally less busy. They can be bought at anytime for journeys, including day returns, right up until the time of departure but they carry restrictions on the time or day of travel. Current ticket types that will become known as Off-peak include the Saver and Cheap Day Returns. Super Off-Peak on some routes, where there are two off-peak fares, the cheaper fares will be called the Super Off-Peak. Current SuperSaver tickets fall into this category. To register as a TMG Rail user, please contact National Account Director Ian Currington on 01926 458030 or email ian.currington@tmguk.com

From 12th January 2009 a new US Visa Waiver programme will come into effect for travellers to the United States. Whether visiting on business or leisure, visitors will have to complete their entry clearance details online using the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). This will replace the current system of completing the I-94 card by hand on the plane/ship before arrival.

ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel but it is recommended no later than 72 hours before departure as they need to be approved. Once approval is confirmed, the visa will be valid for up to two years or until the applicant's passport expires, whichever comes first.

TMG Corporate will keep all its clients informed as to how to apply online once we have all details. But for now if you require further details, please contact a member of your dedicated travel team.

Skytrax the world airline and airport quality advisors, have just released the winners of World Airline Awards 2008. The survey measures over 35 different aspects of passenger satisfaction for an airline's product and service standards - evaluating the 'typical' travel experience.
Congratulations once again to Singapore Airlines, who picked up the prestigious Airline of the Year award for the 3rd time in 10 years.

Airline of the year: Singapore Airlines

Best cabin staff: Asiana Airlines

Best Business Class Lounge: Virgin Atlantic

Best in-flight entertainment: Emirates

Best airline Europe: Lufthansa

Best low-cost airline: Easyjet

Best First Class: Cathay Pacific
Best Business Class: Singapore Airlines
Best Premium Economy class: EVA Air
Best Economy Class: Asiana Airlines

Experience travelling on these world airlines with the added bonus of a discounted fare by booking one of our Wizard fares. For more information contact a member of your dedicated travel team or click here >>>>

The new premium transatlantic airline Openskies has announced it is to offer a daily service between Amsterdam and New York following the success of its Paris Orly to New York service that was launched on 19th June. Flights from Amsterdam will start from 15th October and will operate the premium service which includes lie-flat bed business seats with 140cm pitch. Tickets for this service have already gone on sale with return fares staring at £1474.77 including tax.

Route suspensions, cancellations and delays have been announced to the winter programme as one of the measures in place to deal with the difficult and fast changing environment. Below are the key changes;

Route Suspensions from 26 October: London Gatwick to Newquay, Poznan, Dresden and Sarajevo.

Route Cancellations from 26 October: London Gatwick to Valencia and Porto.

Route Delay until 6 December: London Heathrow to Hyderabad.

British Airways is set to make changes to the charges imposed for exceeding the standard allowances relating to checked baggage carried in the hold.

Firstly BA is introducing a heavy bag charge from 26th November. Any bag presented at check-in weighing more than 23kgs will incur a flat-rate fee of £25, payable only at the airport. The maximum weight per piece will be set at 32kgs and any bag tipping the scales in excess of this limit will NOT be accepted for carriage. The new charge will be implemented at all BA-operated stations worldwide and on all routes.

At the same time excess baggage charges are set to increase.
The standard FREE baggage allowance for an adult passenger is one bag not exceeding certain prescribed dimensions and 23kgs in weight. This increases to two or even three bags for passengers in First, Club or World Traveller Plus and for World Traveller passengers to North America or parts of Africa.
Excess baggage charges apply for any additional bags you wish to check in over and above the free allowance. These charges are as follows:

UK domestic routes :£25 per bag
Other short-haul routes :£35 per bag
Long-haul routes :£90 per bag

These rates apply to passengers paying for excess baggage at the airport check-in. However the good news is that pre-payment online brings with it a 20% reduction in these charges.
TMG Corporate customers can check-in and pre-pay online via the TMG website www.tmgcorporate.com.

The planned date for the move is now 27 January 2009. This move was originally scheduled for 17 September 2008. The delay affects services to and from Barcelona, Helsinki, Lisbon, Madrid and Nice. In addition, BA's oneworld partners Iberia and Finnair will also move into T3 on the same date.