Executive Travel : Business Travel Notes

Frequent-Flier Changes: Many program changes begin next year, beginning with British Airways Executive Club on Sunday and followed in February by American and United. The most talked-about change is the increase in mileage from 20,000 to 25,000 for domestic coach ticket awards at several airlines, but most other awards are changing as well. Most of the changes require more mileage than before.

Northwest Airlines, which also changes its program Feb. 1, will still allow a 20,000-mile domestic coach trip during two fall months. Alaska Airlines, which has a more limited choice of destinations, will increase its domestic award to 20,000 from 15,000, also beginning Feb. 1.

In addition, mileage on many programs earned in 1991 expires at the end of the year unless it is used for an award.

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Russia’s Irish Waystation: Russian airline Aeroflot said it will begin operations at Ireland’s Shannon Airport in May to serve destinations in the Americas.

Aeroflot will use two Ilyushin Il-62 four-engine airliners. The new operation, known as a “wayport,” will facilitate the transport of passengers from other Commonwealth of Independent States’ airlines to Aeroflot.