1981 - 2021 Back to the future!
Edition #1 June 2021*
Text: Uniglobe
Uniglobe is 40 years young. A good time to look back at some important moments in travel, aviation and, of course, at Uniglobe. Back in time to the first Uniglobe office, e-tickets and the first internet on board an airplane. Back-to-the-future but in reverse!
1981: The first Uniglobe office.
After the foundation for Uniglobe was laid in 1979/1980, entrepreneur U. Gary Charlwood opened the first Uniglobe office in Cranbrook, Canada. Over 40 years, the company grows into an international business travel company operating in more than 60 countries worldwide.
1982: Customer-friendly
Trade association ANVR and consumer organizations came up with consumer-friendly terms and conditions in 1982. To this day, ANVR travel conditions create clarity for both travel companies and travelers.
1983: Warranty
In 1983, the Travel Guarantee Fund Foundation was established. Through this foundation, the travel industry offers a collective form of guarantee to travelers, guaranteeing advance payments for package tours booked with an SGR participant.
1989: KLM & Northwest Airlines
KLM takes a 20% stake in American Northwest Airlines and hopes to transport more passengers transatlantically through this partnership. In 2008, Northwest merges with Delta Air Lines and although in 2010 the name Northwest disappears, KLM's close cooperation (joint venture) with Delta remains to this day.
1989: Back to the Future
A Uniglobe office steals the show in Hill Valley, California (2015), in the ficit future setting of the movie "Back to the Future II" (pictured).
1991: Premium Economy Class
After the first Business Class in 1979 by Australia's Qantas, the introduction of Premium Economy Class by Eva Air followed in 1991. The intermediate class offers more comfort and flexibility than Economy Class.
1992: Open Skies
In 1992, the Netherlands became the first European country to make agreements with the United States. The agreements with this Open Skies treaty allow unlimited use of each other's airports.
1994: From paper to digital
United Airlines is the first airline to use an electronic ticket, known as an e-ticket. With this step, a major efficiency improvement is made within aviation. Eventually, the last paper ticket will not be issued until 2008 and people worldwide will switch to e-tickets.
1996: Low cost
British budget airline EasyJet first flies between Luton Airport and Schiphol in 1996. The Netherlands is introduced to the low-cost airline phenomenon.
1997: Uniglobe in the Netherlands
After Uniglobe crossed the ocean and opened its first European office in London in 1990, offices in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium/Luxembourg followed. In 1997, the first office was opened in the Netherlands.
Curious about the full retrospective from 1981 to 2021? Read the here in the full Traveletc. edition.
