Stress-free flights: how airlines are helping business travelers to enjoy their trips and even catch up on work.

The word 'stress' is notorious for sending shivers down executives' spines and creating headaches for the hard pressed business traveler on a constant journey to thrash out new deals. Though it seems an impossibility, help is at hand as the world's major airlines and travel companies take steps to ensure business travelers a more comfortable and stress-free trip.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The once-glamorous world of business travel used to mean down time for executives away from the office, but those days are gone. With wireless technology and mobile communications in both airports and hotels, down time is increasingly being used to catch up on work, prepare for meetings or take conference calls.

Now more than ever, anxiety and fatigue are associated with frequent business trips on crowded planes. There is also greater pressure on executives to perform while on the road due to tighter travel budgets. A recent survey by online travel site Travelocity shows that business travel can be as stressful as giving a presentation in front of a large group. At least, that's what 66 percent of those surveyed said. Around 40 percent said it had a negative impact on their families. And in a previous survey by Microsoft among 600 business travelers, 72 percent felt that business travel was even more stressful than visiting the dentist.

American Airlines (AA), one of the busiest airlines flying between Mexico and the United States, is aware that speed is of the essence for the business traveler and has introduced the self-service check-in.

Nancy Knipp, AA's Premium Services director, said to BUSINESS MEXICO: "Travelers will be relieved to know that they no longer have to stand in line to check in at the counter. A number of airlines have installed self-service check-in machines at airports. These machines allow passengers with or without luggage to begin their check-in with just one touch and receive their boarding pass, often in less than 90 seconds. American Airlines has over 700 AA self-service check-in machines at more than 90 locations."

One of the biggest nightmares for the business traveler is getting to the airport only to discover the plane is delayed or the gate has changed. AA' Flight Status Notification lets customers sign up at AA.com to be contacted by phone, mobile phone, alphanumeric pager, personal digital assistant (PDA) and e-mail with any flight updates before the flight.

An oasis of tranquility for the AA business traveler has been the company's Admirals Club. In 1939, AA opened the industry's first VIP lounge at La Guardia Airport in New York, forever changing travel at airports.

Knipp said: "The Admirals Club has become synonymous with productivity, comfort and convenience at major airports throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, including Benito Juarez Airport in Mexico City." Club amenities include executive centers, conference rooms, showers and PCs with Internet access.

Time for the gym

Mexicana de Aviacion accommodates business travelers through its executive lounges and gourmet cuisine. In the Mexico City International Airport, the company even offers businesspeople access to a Sport City gym. Other amenities in Mexicana's executive lounges include business centers, bars, snacks, computers, wireless Internet access, fax and copy machines. Further, notable chef Patricia Quintana prepares the menus for the Executive Class cabin and sommelier Tierra de Vinos selects the wines and liquor.

In today's managed travel environment, businesses are feeling more pressure than ever to reduce travel expenses. Meanwhile, the cost of booking travel continues to increase. To help meet these challenges, Continental Airlines has introduced Business Travel Manager, an online booking tool for business travel needs.

By using this service, travelers can book all Continental Airlines fares, including web fares and negotiated corporate discounts online. The Business Travel Manager also allows customers to compare fares and purchase e-tickets on other airlines, along with reserving hotels and renting cars. And it can can store profile information like credit cards and frequent flyer numbers, personal preferences such as meals and seating.

Continental is also aware that speed and easy access are vital to the business traveler. And international travelers on Continental Airlines now arrive at a new, state-of-the-art International Arrivals Building (IAB) at Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport. The facility features the fastest and most modern Federal Inspection Facility in the U.S. and represents the final phase of a US$ 3 billion re-development project at this major hub.

"One of Continental's main strengths is our international scope, including our many routes to Mexico," said Carlos Enrique Hernandez, Continental's director in Mexico. "This new facility gives our customers a world-class airport experience. The new International Arrivals Building is linked to our new, adjacent Terminal E, and provides the finest amenities and quick and efficient service to our passengers."

From Houston, Continental serves 60 international destinations on a nonstop basis, including 52 cities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Continental plans to launch seven more international routes throughout the current year, including Houston-Queretaro, its thirtieth Mexican destination.

Continental is also expanding convenient electronic self-service options for international travelers, such as passport readers built into check-in kiosks.

Many international departures leave from Terminal E, just steps away from the new International Check-In Facility. For international flights that depart from Terminal C or Terminal B--for instance, Continental Express flights to Mexico-the TerminaLink automated peoplemover quickly transfers passengers to the appropriate terminal.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

British Airways (BA) is tackling the stress problem in the air and on the ground. It has an online check-in, from 24 hours before the flight's scheduled departure, on which the business traveler can select or change a seat, request special meals, arrive at the airport and leave luggage directly to the dedicated Fast Bag Drop counter without having to queue. Onboard in Club World, the British Airways executive class, the airline boasts "the only truly flat bed." There is also the opportunity to choose the upper deck on the Mexico route to get an even more quiet and relaxed environment.

At major hub airports, BA also provides the frequent flier with the chance to enjoy a mini gym and spa, where a traveler can take a power shower, grab a bite or catch up with work in the arrivals lounge before leaving the airport or changing flights.

Henrik Ertmann, commercial director of British Airways in Mexico and Central America, is enthused about the fully flat bed in business class, which he described as "the first and only business class to feature a six foot completely flat bed, with an equivalent seat pitch of 73 ins--50 percent more than today (50ins)--and over one foot more than leading competitors (60 ins).

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"There is a lounge in the sky environment and interiors with seats no longer configured in standard rows. The unique and innovative layout maximizes personal space and privacy and has been designed to provide a more relaxed and home-like feel in the cabin. Less seats in each cabin means 30 percent more personal space overall."

Benchmarks

When it comes to flat beds, AeroMexico isn't far behind. The airline recently announced it will become the first Mexican carrier to operate the Boeing 777-200 ER on its Mexico City-Madrid and Mexico City-Paris routes early next year. The new planes, specially configured for AeroMexico, will carry a total of 275 passengers--49 in the airplane's Premier class and 226 in tourist class.

Francisco Arias, AeroMexico's director of On Board Product Design and Image, said: "We are very aware of how important it is to make the business traveller comfortable. These people travel with monotonous regularity and it is important that they feel comfortable in a stress-free environment. We are constantly taking benchmarks, asking passengers to fill in questionnaires and upgrading our business class facilities. For instance, the seats in Premier class on the Boeing 777 200 ER will be minipods, otherwise known as flatbeds, and will be equipped with an AVOD (audio and visual on demand) screen that will allow passengers to watch movies and play games whenever they wish."

"Another innovative feature is that each of the minipods will have a builtin massage to soothe the back and lumbar region of the passenger. We think that will be greatly appreciated by business travelers wanting to lower their stress levels."

United Airlines also offers its business class passengers a first class service. Some of the characteristics of this service are a personalized video system and a connection for a personal computer and telephone situated in the seat. The passenger can use the telephone for making phone calls worldwide and even send and receive emails from the comfort of the seat, making it a virtual office. Soon, the passenger will have a wireless connection, making communication even faster and cheaper. An onboard Air Map shows the location and direction of the plane during the flight, so the passenger knows exactly where they are en route to their destination. The audiophones available isolate the noise and allow the passenger to enjoy the sound CD High Fidelity.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

A spokeswoman for United said: "In flights from Mexico to U.S., United uses Airbus 320 planes with two cabins, economic and first class, with 12 comfortable seats of 20.5 inches wide, distance between seats of 38 inches and an inclination of 8 inches. Services of meals and beverages and music, telephone and computer connection are also available on these flights."

The service doesn't end in the plane. In the airport, Business Class passengers have access to the Red Carpet Club VIP lounges, where they can relax before or after a flight, enjoying drinks and food.

United Airlines flies non-stop to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Washington from Mexico City, covering from east to west all the United States. It also offers convenient connections with one stop to Canada, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific.

As the biggest TMC (Travel Management Company) network, with more than 3,300 agencies in 141 countries, Carlson Wagonlit Travel takes its role as one of the market leaders in Mexico seriously. Albert Boukhobza, general manager of CWT said: "For three years now we've been focusing on the return on investment for our clients, offering state of the art consulting solutions in travel management and working on making life more comfortable for stress-free travelers. Those improvements can be classified in three items--increasing pre-trip assistance, increasing security and emergency assistance processes and traveler education."

"The most important challenge we recently faced was to help travelers to understand the various components of our business and to bring them accurate information on the industry and effective travel tips. In 2004 we launched a new product, Movemientos, which is offered free of charge. This is a CWT Mexico website where you can register to receive a monthly electronic newsletter, in which the traveler will find very practical and useful information such as: what to do with a non-used ticket, why airline fares change, and tips for hotels stays and reservations."

Travel stress is such a big issue that Virgin Atlantic is now offering a new remedy, an in-flight audio meditation program with sounds from meadows to the Arctic.

On nine of Virgin's 29 aircraft you can listen to a psychotherapist offer relaxation and calming tips, as well as talk you through any flying fears you might have.

So, business travelers can look forward to more comfort before, during and between flights. But ask any veteran of the road what would be best to soothe the stress of business travel and the most common answer you'll receive is: "More direct flights, please!"

Graeme Stewart is a freelance journalist based in Mexico City.

RELATED ARTICLE: Stress Busters

No matter what precautions you take, business travel will always involve a certain amount of stress. There are unavoidable foul-ups, delays and other aggravations. If you are a small business owner, you may not have the perks that larger companies offer to make travel easier. But you can do your part to minimize the stress of your time on the road.

Entrepreneurs.com recommends that you keep stress to a minimum on your next trip with these tips.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

* Schedule downtime: a trip that includes a night of watching TV in your hotel room, a daily walk or sightseeing is much more restful than one with a relentless schedule. Obviously, it's important to pack your trip with as many work activities as possible to make it worthwhile, but you will be able to do more if you schedule a little time to build up your energy reserves as well.

* Combine pleasure with business: add a weekend trip to a local vacation retreat onto your next business trip. Aside from being an inexpensive manner to get away from it all, a personal side trip is a great way to unwind from the pressure of business travel.

* Take advantage of gyms and health clubs: a short workout is a great way to relieve stress on the road. If your hotel does not have a health club, find out if you can gain access to a local gym. The concierge should be able to book that for you.

* Be realistic about workload on the road: it is tempting to think you can accomplish a lot in your off-hours time on the road. But adding a few hours of work on top of a long day of meetings can quickly tire you and generate stress, especially if you are in a different time zone.

* Sleep: early morning meetings, late night client dinners, shifting time zones and unfamiliar beds all chip away at the ability to get rest when you travel for business. Keep your stress down by making sleep a priority. Travel with earplugs and an eye mask to help keep noise and light disturbances at bay. Avoid eating or drinking large amounts close to bedtime. Ask for a quiet room when you check into the hotel.

* Manage your schedule: a day packed with back-to-back meetings sounds good for business but you may find that you can't maintain that pace and do a good job. At the very least, schedule a lunch break for yourself and build in some time for getting from meeting to meeting without extra stress. You won't be your best in a meeting if you are hungry and stressed from rushing around.

* Avoid urgency back at the office: nobody completely controls when deadlines hit or client problems arise, but manage potential problems back in the office as much as you can before you go. Do this by designating someone to make decisions in you place, when possible. Also put an outgoing recording on your voicemail indicating that you are travelling so people understand that they may not receive an immediate call back.