Business Traveller April 2019

Welcome to our April issue – one which, though it has a lovely abstract picture of Los Angeles on the cover and many interesting destination features, seems at the last moment to have become obsessed with business class seating. The long-awaited news that British Airways has unveiled its new business class seat – called Club Suite because of its sliding doors – will be of great interest to many readers, and you can read a little more on page 12 and a lot more online at businesstraveller.com. We also thought it worthwhile to round up the existing business class seats widely available on long haul. I hope you find it useful. Please let us know what we missed. I am aware, however, that just because we are travelling on business, it…

PAUL J DEVRIES Paul has been following the latest developments in the hotel industry for the past decade, and was previously contributing editor at HotelChatter. Based in London, he has covered hotel news for Business Traveller in cities around the world including Amsterdam, Paris and New York. This month he assesses the scene in Los Angeles, where there are exciting new openings aplenty; see page 24. NAT BARNES Motoring editor for the Daily Express and Sunday Express, Nat has been driving and writing about cars for more than 25 years. Although his usual choice of vehicle would have a powerful petrol engine, we sent him to investigate the condition of the electric car market, both today and for the future. To see how progress is accelerating, turn to page 58. ROSE DYKINS Rose is a…

THE MUCH-AWAITED ANNOUNCEMENT of the new British Airways business class seat was made as we went to press. In place of the current seating layout of 2-4-2, the updated configuration is 1-2-1. The design, called Club Suite by the airline, is intended to not only address complaints about the current seat, but also be a step above the competition. So as well as direct aisle access, a good-sized table, gate-to-gate in-flight entertainment (because the screen is integrated into the seat in front) and lots more storage (including space to store items under the ottoman for take-off and landing), it also has a privacy door – hence the name Club Suite. It will start flying in August. Check out the competition on pages 48-52.…

AS WELL AS BRITISH AIRWAYS’ long-awaited new business seat, a series of airlines have announced first and business class updates. From October, Air Europa will fit 15 Dreamliners with new business class cabins with fully-flat, leather-upholstered seats by manufacturer Jamco in a 1-2-1 configuration. Brussels Airlines is rolling out new cabins from now until 2022 as it renews its A330 fleet. The cabins will contain a Belgian Art Nouveau-inspired business class with 1-2-1 fully-flat seats by Thompson Aero. Swiss is giving all five of its A340 aircraft an overhaul with new seats installed across first, business and economy class by summer 2019, aiming to bring them up to the standard of its B777s. From this year, Alaska Airlines will retrofit first class on its narrow-body aircraft with a new seat by German…

RADISSON BLU HOTEL, VADISTANBUL This contemporary “bleisure” hotel opened in February in the emerging business district of Vadistanbul. The Radisson Blu has 193 rooms and suites along with a 2,330 sqm spa, a gym and an all-day dining restaurant. radissonblu.com YOTEL, ISTANBUL AIRPORT The short-stay hotel is due to open in two areas of the delayed new Istanbul airport this month. Yotel has self check-in kiosks, 174 airside rooms and 227 landside rooms. Rooms feature mood lighting, smart TVs, charging ports and adjustable smart beds. yotel.com BARCELO Barcelo launched in November in the bohemian area of Beyoglu, next to Taksim Square. The 270-room hotel features a large wellness centre, which includes two Turkish hammams and a rooftop gym, and various meeting facilities. Guests can dine at Barcelo’s two restaurants and enjoy drinks at the B…

CHARLES H TRAUB, an American photographer and teacher, flies abroad to take photos, or attend lectures, book promotions and exhibitions. He says: “I never consider myself a tourist as I travel to look, understand, see and make images.” What equipment do you travel with? Typically, I travel with the lightest, most sophisticated camera I can find. At present I’m using a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 RII. However, the cellphone is a lens that is always available, magical in its immediacy and ability to capture whatever catches my eye. Have you ever had any travel mishaps? In the past, I had to travel with all kinds of heavy gear and lighting when I did corporate and editorial work around the world. Once, my assistant left the camera bag on the airport tarmac. When we got to…