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Travel Briefs
London Voted Best Public Transportation System in the World
According to a recent TripAdvisor(TM) survey of more than 2,000 travelers globally, London has the best public transportation system and best taxis in the world. London was also regarded by the panel as having the most overpriced public transportation system in the world. According to the respondents, New York City has the best public transportation system in the U.S., and second worldwide. However, the Big Apple was voted as having the worst taxis in the world.
Washington, D.C., has the cleanest and safest public transit, according to the worldwide panel of travelers, while Los Angeles has the worst public transportation system.
The survey results are:
-- Top Five Public Transportation Systems in the World: London, New York City, Paris, Washington, D.C., and Hong Kong
-- Worst Public Transportation System in the World: Los Angeles
-- Most Overpriced Public Transportation in the World: London
-- Safest Public Transportation System in the World: Washington, D.C.
-- Cleanest Public Transportation System in the World: Washington, D.C.
-- Best Taxis in the World: London
-- Worst Taxis in the World: New York City
GlobalChoice Healthcare Joins Forces With Two Key Travel Agencies
GlobalChoice Healthcare, a leading provider of cost-saving medical procedure packages throughout the world, today announced exclusive partnerships with two key regional travel agencies to provide medical travel services to consumers seeking medical care overseas.
The first agreement is with Rio Grande Travel, an Albuquerque-based agency with 11 offices in the Southwest and three in Illinois, including more than 300 corporate clients and a large individual client base. The second agreement is with Solimar Travel Experience, a boutique travel agency based in Washington, D.C. that specializes in Costa Rican tourism.
Under the terms of the agreement, any Rio Grande or Solimar clients requesting medical travel will be referred to GlobalChoice to provide all medical travel-related services. These services include scheduling clients' procedures, transferring medical records, arranging travel and accommodations, and providing access to on-the-ground local assistance for the duration of clients' stay.
Chic Travel Series Launches Its First European Edition: Spainchic
Spainchic is the eighth edition in the acclaimed Chic Series of travel books, featuring the stunning photography and insider tips associated with the previous titles. This first European addition captures the most famous aspects of Spain, including the tomato festival, La Tomatina in the tiny town of Buñol, as well as more discreet and private shots of haciendas in Andalucia a perfect illustration of the country's rich culture. Each chapter of the guidebook explores a different region of Spain, reflecting on its history and diversity.
In keeping with its namesake, Spainchic features 61 handpicked chic properties from across its many regions, ranging from the opulent to the staunchly traditional and the cool and sleek. There are also tantalizing details of monuments, attractions, Michelin-starred restaurants and daytrip itineraries both on and off the beaten path.
The CHIC Series is half coffee table book, half guidebook, providing the reader not only with the profiles of over 50 of the hottest properties, but also a region by region guide to what to see, where to go and how to do it in style. Spainchic offers the discerning traveler a reference point, bringing Spain to life through stunning images and an informative and detailed narrative. Available in bookstores or at www.thechicseries.com.
Take A Virtual Tour Of Hawaii Online
A terrific new online resource is available for Hawaii. A photo and video tour is available for virtually every golf course, beach, hotel and resort in Hawaii at www.bluehawaiian.com.
The Hawaiian Islands are graphically displayed on the home page. Clicking on an island will take you to a photo tour of that island with photos categorized by Hotels, Beaches, Golf courses, Tour Scenes and Towns. Locations are marked with a red dot which will bring up a series of quality photos for that particular location. The video page displays the same island map but with areas highlighted which are covered by a short video clip.
The video clips are available in High Definition if you have the latest QuickTime player installed. A link is provided to download this free player. The quality of these HD clips is superb and the downloaded clips can be saved. The islands of Maui and the Big Island have the most comprehensive coverage to date. The company states that it is adding more photos and clips daily and that the other islands will be complete by the end of this month.
SkyTour Gives Locals And Visitors A Unique View Of Vancouver
SkyTour combines Greater Vancouver’s unique and innovative transit system with cutting-edge modern technology and high-quality audio production. The result? The world’s first automated, wireless, hands-free multilingual “audio theatre” tour experience.
Developed by SkyTrain in partnership with International Tour Entertainment Corporation (ITEC), SkyTour’s state-of-the-art technology takes travelers on and audio tour of this diverse, dynamic region, using hands-free receivers and headphones. “Identifiers” along the SkyTrain route automatically switch the audio tracks from one story to the next. Narration and dramatizations combine to give an entertaining and educational experience, which will entice people to want to explore the region more. “We’re excited to be launching SkyTour and presenting this unique way to explore and learn about the region’s historical and cultural treasures,” says SkyTrain President and CEO Doug Kelsey. “Sixteen per cent of SkyTrain’s ridership in the summer months are out-of-town visitors. We wanted to provide them with a one-of-a-kind tourism product that will make their visit to Greater Vancouver and travels on SkyTrain memorable.”
The one-hour “basic” SkyTour experience costs $16 (including the SkyTrain ticket) and is available in English, French, Mandarin, Spanish, German and Japanese. The two-hour tour, which includes walking tours through historic Gastown and New Westminster, is available for $24. SkyTour tickets can be purchased at the main kiosk in Waterfront Station all year round.
Americans Visiting Egypt in Record Numbers!
More Americans are traveling to Egypt than at any time in history says the Egyptian Tourism Authority American visits are now on pace to eclipse the record-setting year of 2000. During the first six months of 2006, there were 118,044 American visits, surpassing last year's total by 20.1 percent and the record-setting 2000 number of 114,468 by 3 percent. The record-setting performance was bolstered in June 2006 when there were 19,656 American visits, a 16.6 percent increase over the same period in 2005.
Egypt continues to fascinate Americans, as tombs, temples and towns continue to be unearthed and an estimated 60 percent of Egypt's history is being left for future generations to discover. As stated by Ayden Nour, Consul, Director, USA & Latin American of the Egyptian Tourist Authority, "Americans continue to be fascinated by Egypt and all it reveals, from the top of the Great Pyramid of Khufu to the rich coral reefs of the Red Sea resorts like Sharm El Sheikh. Egypt has much to offer to suit almost any taste."
Nour noted that Americans have spent 1,315,608 nights in Egypt in the first six months of 2006, which is a 14.6 percent increase over the same period in 2005. The average stay in Egypt in 2006 is 11 nights.
Bordered by the Mediterranean to the North, and the Red Sea to the South East, Egypt is a diverse country full of hidden treasures. Synonymous with the legends of the Pharaohs, Egypt offers a warm welcome by its friendly people and has a rich blend of culture and cuisine -- combined with abundant coral reefs and luxurious beach resorts. Egypt provides the perfect backdrop for those seeking guaranteed year-round sunshine, value for money, and the highest standards of accommodation and service.
Celebrate Halloween in Tivoli
Put on a mask and a costume and join the party as Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen for the first time opens its gates for a ten-day Halloween celebration, from October 13 to 22.
In Denmark, Halloween is a relatively new holiday, but Danes have quickly embraced its “spirit.” And where could be better to celebrate Halloween than Tivoli? Copenhagen’s beloved pleasure park will become an enchanted autumn universe! Rides and restaurants will be open, shops and stalls will sell autumn-themed goods, and the gardens will be “bewitched” with pumpkins, straw brooms and cackling witches who lead a parade through the park every day at 1 p.m. Later each day, the musical Pumpkin Band will entertain at different venues throughout the park. Most of the Tivoli Halloween events are geared toward families and young children, with a spooky good time guaranteed for all.
Gordon’s Adventure Guide Provides Helpful Information on Active Travel
Gordon's Guide - Adventure & Active Travel Worldwide, the leading publisher in adventure and active travel, announced that its website, http://www.gordonsguide.com, now offers information on 10,000 trips, 65 adventure and active categories, 1,000 unique vacation providers worldwide, 3,000 destinations in 126 countries and 25,000 relevant, click and grow photos. "Hands down, GordonsGuide.com is the ultimate marketplace for active travelers to connect directly to vacation providers worldwide," said Timothy E. Gordon, founder and CEO. "We have more vacations and adventure travel categories online than anyone else and, unlike third party, real-time booking sites that may not be equipped with the depth of knowledge to properly advise the traveler, we give travelers the ability to communicate directly with vacation providers. In planning adventure vacations, there are many variables to consider; therefore, providing the ability to ask questions directly to vacation providers is significant. This is an important factor in our success."
GordonsGuide.com is designed to help active travelers easily research adventure vacations, comparison shop and communicate directly with vacation providers to ask questions and learn of trip availability via electronic requests. Travelers at all experience levels can navigate quickly through the site and find exactly what they are looking for without encountering frustrating, dead-end or irrelevant searches. Once travelers have found their ideal vacation, they can click on direct links to vacation providers to book trips.
Travelers can visit the photo-rich site to access a wide range of vacations such as dude ranches, archeological tours, heli-skiing, ATV vacations, houseboating, eco-tourism, safaris, surfing camps, whitewater rafting, culinary vacations and four and five-star resorts and unique retreats worldwide. Vacationers can also tap into special interest travel categories such as family camps, women's travel and corporate team building adventures.
GordonGuide.com also offers visitors magazine-style travel guides such as Gordon's Guide to Dude Ranch Vacations & Horseback Adventures, state and local visitor guides and adventure bargains for the money conscious at http://www.adventurebargains.com.
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Travel Alerts
Warnings and advice covering both travel and health issues in countries can be found at the Department of State (DOS) homesite at http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.
-- Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country. The countries currently listed can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html.
-- The State Department issues Public Announcements to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions that pose significant risks or disruptions to Americans. The current Public Announcements are listed at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1766.html.
-- Information on countries can be found in the Consular section of the DOS website at
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html.
Information on Avian Flu can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html.
-- Information on the 2006 hurricane season in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurricane_season/hurricane_season_2915.html.
-- With trouble flashpoints erupting around the world, Americans are urged to record their out-of-country trip itineraries/residences along with passport details and email addresses with the State Department to receive assistance in case of emergency. Visit the Travel Registration Service/DOS at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp
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Travel Tours
One Week In The Azores, Air And Hotel Starting At $589
Experience a mild climate, nine beautiful islands with an authentic European flare this fall and winter with new air/hotel packages just announced by Azores Express, a U.S.-based tour operator and member of the SATA Group. The Azores Islands are Europe's closest point to the United States Azores Express flights from Boston take just four hours, closer than many islands in the Caribbean.
Flights from Boston to Portugal's Azores Islands will depart Tuesdays and Fridays October 2006 through mid-June 2007, combined with six-night stays at a choice of seven hotels. For Tuesday departures, packages range from $589 to $809 per person, double occupancy (plus tax). Friday departures are just $90 more. All packages include daily breakfast. (Prices will be slightly higher on holidays and after April 1, 2007.)
While visiting the Azores, travelers can experience bustling harbors, quaint seaside villages, dramatic walks around volcanic mountainsides and an up close view of an authentic culture that has been rooted for centuries in agriculture and sea-faring. The Azores offer a mild climate year-round, always fresh and spring-like. Summer weather can last into late December. For just $170 each way to the Azores, passengers can upgrade from coach to SATA Plus Business-Class.
For $589, travelers can experience the new Hotel Vila Nova, in the heart of downtown Ponta Delgada, the Azores' largest city on the island of Sao Miguel Three other, historic hotels in Ponta Delgada are available for $659—the Avenida, Holiday Inn Azores, and São Miguel Park.
In Furnas, the most famous resort town in the Azores, $659 packages are available at the Terra Nostra Hotel, renown for its Art Deco décor and its botanical garden setting. Terra Nostra specializes in "geyser cooking" in which a meal is prepared buried in the ground and steamed by the naturally occurring thermal springs. Nearby are thermal lakes, two 18-hole golf courses, and the only tea plantations in Europe.
Two new resort hotels on two other islands are available from $809, including the connecting flights between islands. The new seafront Terceira Mar Hotel and Resort on the island of Terceira is available for just $809 per person. For the same price, travelers can choose the recently opened Hotel do Canal, on the island of Faial in the cosmopolitan town of Horta. Choose a package that combines a stay on Terceira or Faial and São Miguel for the same price. Children under 6 pay only airfare. Children under 10 pay just 10% of the hotel rate, plus airfare.
Throughout the nine Azores islands, the architecture is Portuguese and often built with the local, black volcanic rock. The landscape is rolling, open, and wild, and can remind visitors of Ireland or Hawaii. The geysers, crater lakes, and lava flowers are reminiscent of other Pacific islands where volcanic activity has left its mark.
Visitors can tour one of the Azores tea plantations, the only such plantations in Europe. The Azores are also home to 6,000 pineapple plantations, more bullfights than anywhere else in Europe, and Portugal's tallest peak.
Because of its location, the island of Terceira was a very important harbor in centuries past, and its main city, Angra do Heroísmo, prospered with international trade. Today, Terceira and Angra are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with well-preserved streets and monuments. Set on a bay, the city is a wonderful mix of the cosmopolitan and the traditional, full of culture and great shopping. The island's interior is somewhat wild, while its coast has tidal pools suitable for swimming. Terceira also has several excellent wineries for touring. A special beef stew, fresh seafood, and artisan breads are the island's culinary specialties.
In the city of Horta, on the island of Faial, visitors explore one of the most famous harbors in the world. Yachts sailing from all seven seas make stops here year-round. These yachts can be seen from the city's colorful main street, which winds along the harbor and its sea walls. The island's central Caldeira offers a vivid view into the 300-foot crater of the extinct volcano. To the west, the remains of a lighthouse mark the site of a 1957-8 eruption of the Capelinhos volcano, now dormant but reachable by a hiking trail.
Azores Express has connected New England with the Azores and mainland Portugal for more than 19 years. Today it offers direct flights on wide body A310 aircraft to São Miguel, the main island in the Azores archipelago. Connecting flights from São Miguel to Lisbon and/or the island of Madeira are available. The carrier is part of the SATA Group. For more information and reservations, contact Azores Express at 800-762-9995, www.Azores-Express.com .
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Air Travel News & Offers
Thailand’s New State-Of-The-Art Suvarnabhumi Airport Set To Open September
Thailand’s Minister of Transportation, Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn announced that the new state-of-the-art Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), pronounced su-wan-na-poom, will be ready and fully operational on September 28, 2006, its official operation day.
The stunning new multi-million dollar international airport will surpass the terminal size of Hong Kong International Airport, making the largest terminal building in the world. When fully operational, the airport will replace the current Bangkok International Airport (Don Mueang) as Bangkok's primary airport for all commercial airline flights.
Operationally, it features two parallel runways and two parallel taxiways to accommodate simultaneous departures and arrivals; and has a total of 120 parking bays and gates and can easily accommodate the world’s largest aircraft-the Airbus A380 aircraft. Initially, the new international airport will be capable of handling 45 million passengers and 3 million tons of cargo per year. Parking will be made extremely easy with two five-story parking garages with a capacity of 5,000 cars. And a brand new five-star, 600-room Novotel hotel opens on the airport grounds as well, adding to traveler convenience.
Thailand’s new international airport is located about 15 miles from downtown Bangkok.
More information at www.airportthai.com
US Airways, America West to reveal new fare classes
US Airways and America West will publish new fare classes Sept. 1 as the first step in the consolidation of their reservation systems. Travel agents will need to accept the schedule change and cancel the old segments to ensure their clients have a smooth experience with Web and kiosk check-in, automated first class upgrades and seat assignments, the airline said.
US Airways said the change will be processed through the standard schedule change process in an agent's GDS via a teletype message. Since the change will only affect the fare class there is no need for the agent to re-accommodate the client or reissue the ticket.
The change will affect travel beginning September 20, including all reservations made before September 1 for travel after September 19. The new fare classes will replace both old US Airways and America West fares, allowing for an identical fare hierarchy for both operating carriers.
Air Jamaica Increases Flights To St. Lucia And Barbados
Air Jamaica has announced an increase in service to the Eastern Caribbean nations of St. Lucia and Barbados, effective January 11, 2007. George deMercado, senior executive of Air Jamaica, announced that the airline will boost its non-stop schedule from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Hewanorra International Airport in St. Lucia from three to four weekly flights, adding northbound and southbound flights on Wednesday to the current Sunday, Monday and Thursday rotation. The JFK-St. Lucia service continues to Barbados which thus also benefits from the increased flights. "The St. Lucia /Barbados service has performed very well since we resumed service to St. Lucia in February," said deMercado, who noted that load factors have been particularly strong throughout the summer season. "We have a very special relationship with the Eastern Caribbean and are happy to see it grow strategically over the past six months," he said.
The veteran airline executive said he regretted that Air Jamaica could not operate the new schedule earlier but due to a traditionally soft Fall season and unavailability of aircraft during the Christmas peak, the flight increase had to be targeted for January.However, he announced that effective September 11, 2006, Air Jamaica's hub flights between Jamaica and Barbados and St. Lucia will move from Kingston to the Montego Bay hub on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays, offering seamless connections to and from its US gateways. One exception, said deMercado, will be the Sunday southbound flight from Jamaica to Barbados and St. Lucia which will leave Jamaica from Kingston. Connections from Montego Bay to Kingston and onto the Eastern Caribbean will still be possible on Sundays, he added.
Using state-of-the start Airbus A-320 aircraft, with 138 seats in economy and 12 in first class, Air Jamaica offers non-stop service from New York's JFK International Airport to St. Lucia (with continuing service to Barbados) on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays, departing New York at 7:00 a.m. and arriving in St. Lucia at 11:35 a.m. On the return leg, the airline departs St. Lucia at 6:35 p.m. and arrives in New York at 11:15 p.m.
For more information on schedules and fares, visit www.airjamaica.com.
American Eagle Begins Service Between New York LaGuardia and Halifax
American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld SM Alliance, will add nonstop service between New York LaGuardia Airport and Halifax International Airport, beginning December 14, 2006. American Eagle will operate one daily round-trip flight between the two cities using 37-seat Embraer 135 regional jet aircraft. “This new service will give travelers in Eastern Canada additional access to New York and will allow them to take advantage of new U.S. Customs pre-clearance procedures in Halifax,” said American Eagle President Peter Bowler. “The combination of our new service to LaGuardia Airport and the introduction of pre-clearance in Halifax of U.S. Customs and Immigration allows our customers to avoid clearing customs at JFK, regardless of which airport they choose to enter the United States. It also provides our New York customers a second point of departure from which to access the beautiful province of Nova Scotia.”
American Eagle also will continue to serve Halifax from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport with two daily round trips. The LaGuardia service will allow passengers from Halifax to connect to East Coast and Midwest cities in the Eagle and American network.
AA Schedules New Wide-Body Service to Shannon From Boston & Chicago
Effective October 28, American Airlines will fly daily to Shannon, Ireland with two-class Boeing 767 service out of Chicago. In addition AA plans to sub its single-class Boeing 767 service to Shannon with daily wide-body service out of Boston.
Qantas Reports 26.6 Percent Decline In Profits
Qantas reported a 26.6 per cent dip in profits to $671 million and forecast another tough year ahead with more job cuts on the cards. The airline said the results were achieved in an “environment of unrelenting pressure” where fuel prices increased by $1.1 billion to $2.5 billion.
Jetstar contributed profit of $11 million with Qantas Holiday contributing $45 million, a decrease of $19 million, or 29.1 per cent.
The carrier said further savings will be necessary over the next two years that will “unfortunately….come from labor costs.” “While we continue with existing efficiency programs, unfortunately much of our savings over the next two years must come from labor costs which totaled $3.3 billion in 2005/06,” chief executive Geoff Dixon said. “This will involve job losses and significant changes to achieve greater productivity and flexibility.”
Dixon said the group’s airlines were carrying more passengers than ever with revenues at record levels. “However, the stark reality is that without the cost savings we have achieved through our Sustainable Future Program we would not be in the profitable position we are today,” he said.
Dixon predicted fuel costs would rise to $3.9 billion in 2006/07, putting a further strain on operating costs. In addition to fuel, he said security bills will also rise.
Jetstar’s profits of $11 million come after $4 million of start-up costs for trans-Tasman operations and $11 million in costs associated with its international expansion. Excluding these costs, pre-tax profit was $25 million, still $11 million down on last year despite a passenger revenue improvement of more than 40 per cent. Fuel and higher operating leases following the transition to an all A-320 fleet were blamed.
Qantas Holidays’ profit slide meanwhile was attributed to “lower air travel customers”, particularly in the domestic market, where the “unbundling” of product accrued through the use of online bookings. The Bali bombings also impacted with bookings plummeting 70 per cent.
Jetstar Gets The Go-Ahead For Hawaii
Jetstar has been given the nod by the US Department of Transportation to start marketing five weekly long-haul services to Hawaii. Subject to full regulatory approval, Jetstar has proposed to operate three weekly Sydney-Honolulu services and two weekly Melbourne-Honolulu services.
Jetstar chief executive Alan Joyce said the carrier was now in a good position to accept future flight reservations for its Hawaii services in the coming weeks.
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Announce Fall Sale
Sister carriers Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are celebrating Horizon's 25th anniversary this fall with an airfare sale on some of the airlines' most popular routes. Sale information, including vacation package discounts and bonus-mile offers from Mileage Plan partners, is available on the carriers' Web sites, www.alaskaair.com and www.horizonair.com.
Passengers can take advantage of fall fare specials on a wide range of routes. Fares start as low as $49 one way between Seattle and Boise, Idaho; $59 between San Francisco and San Diego; $109 between Portland, Ore., and Palm Springs, Calif.; and $189 between Anchorage, Alaska, and Seattle or Portland. Passengers must purchase their tickets by September 7, 2006, and travel by December 14, 2006.
The airlines also are offering special discounts for complete Alaska Airlines Vacations packages to popular destinations like the Disneyland (R) Resort, San Diego and Mexican resort destinations, including Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. Customers who book by September 30, 2006, and travel by November 15, 2006, can receive a $25 discount for each paying adult, with up to $100 in savings per reservation. In addition, members of the airlines' Mileage Plan can take advantage of limited-time offers from airline partners, including hotels, rental-car companies and florists.
AirTran Airways Adds Nonstop Newport News/ Ft. Lauderdale Service
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc will expand its route map from Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport with new nonstop service to Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. The service will begin on November 7, 2006, and will operate on the airline's popular Boeing 717 aircraft.
Web site: http://www.airtran.com/
JetBlue Completes New York-Washington-Boston Triangle
JetBlue Airways launched up to six daily nonstop flights between New York/John F.
Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Washington, D.C./Dulles International Airport. Regular fares will range from $50(a) to $145(a) each way, up to 72 percent less than pre-JetBlue fares in this market. "With the addition of flights between Washington and New York, JetBlue will link the major metropolitan and business centers in the Northeast:
New York City, Washington, D.C. and Boston," said David Neeleman, CEO and Founder of JetBlue Airways. "These routes were dominated by high fare service, but with our fares starting at just $50(a) each way, that's now a thing of the past, just like having to be out of touch with live news and the business world when you fly."
From Washington/Dulles, JetBlue now offers daily nonstop service to seven destinations: Boston, MA; New York/JFK, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Las Vegas, NV; and Oakland, Long Beach and San Diego, CA. Nonstop service to West Palm Beach, FL will begin October 3, 2006. With the addition of flights to JFK, Washington area residents will have access to 36 JetBlue destinations throughout the United States and the Caribbean via convenient connecting service.
Service will be operated with JetBlue's EMBRAER 190 fleet, featuring 100 comfy leather seats, industry-leading legroom, 36 channels of DIRECTV(r) programming(b) and more than 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio(r).
JetBlue Airways to Launch Six New Destinations in the Next Six Weeks
New York's hometown airline will begin service to one new city every week for six weeks, starting tomorrow with nonstop service between Nashville, TN and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. "By Oct. 3, JetBlue will have added 14 new destinations to our network this year, but six new cities in six weeks is a new record," said David Neeleman, Founder and CEO of JetBlue Airways. "
JetBlue's six new destinations include:
New Destination Service Start Date
Nashville, TN August 31, 2006
Houston, TX September 7, 2006
Aruba September 15, 2006
Sarasota/Bradenton, FL September 21, 2006
Tucson, AZ September 28, 2006
Columbus, OH October 3, 2006
Virgin Atlantic Airways Launches New In-Flight Entertainment
Virgin Atlantic Airways today announced the launch of a new in-flight entertainment service that enables passengers to get Any Question Answered during their flight. AQA, which stands for Any Question Answered, is a text service available in the UK, whereby any question can be submitted using the text messaging feature on mobile phones, with the answer being texted directly back to the phone within minutes.
In the first deal of this kind, Virgin Atlantic is the first to make this service available internationally, by offering the service onboard through the in-flight entertainment system. Rolling out on all Virgin Atlantic flights around the world, passengers can send a
question via their seat-back TV screens and receive an answer to their seats within minutes.
Continental Announces Nonstop Service Between New York and Roatan, Honduras
Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL) today announced new nonstop Saturday service between New York at Newark Liberty International Airport and Roatan, Honduras, beginning December 16, pending government approval.
Continental will operate a Boeing 737-700 with space for 12 customers in first class and 112 in coach on the Saturday-only flight to Roatan, located on the northern coast of Honduras and a favorite among scuba, golf and sport- fishing enthusiasts. The flight will depart New York/Newark at 9:50 a.m. and arrive in Roatan at 1:35 p.m. The return flight will leave Roatan at 2:25 p.m., arriving in New York/Newark at 7:45 p.m. Flights are timed conveniently to allow connections for passengers at Newark Liberty. Continental also offers year-round service to Roatan, from Houston, Texas.
Framed by tranquil bays and mountain forests, Roatan is a popular gateway for eco-tourism in the diverse tropical region. It is home to nearly 100 dive sites, excellent, well-established dive resorts and operations, and the most developed tourism infrastructure in the Bay Islands, Honduras.
Air Canada Increases Nonstop Flights To Winter Sun Destinations
Air Canada today announced wide ranging improvements in scheduled services to many of its sun destinations in time for planning vacations this coming winter. Overall, the airline is increasing the number of seats between Canada and the sun destinations it serves by over 13 per cent, or almost 10,000 additional seats per week, compared to last winter. In addition to offering more non-stop flights from cities across Canada, highlights of Air Canada's winter schedule include brand new non-stop service to Sarasota, Florida via Toronto. The new seasonal service is scheduled to commence November 4, 2006 using 93-seat Embraer E190 aircraft featuring two cabins of service and personal entertainment systems at each seatback.
Air Canada offers a choice of Executive or Economy class service on all flights to sun destinations, Aeroplan member benefits, Maple leaf Lounge access for eligible customers, seamless connections to and from more than 60 domestic Canada destinations with thru-baggage check and advance boarding passes, online check-in up to 24 hours prior to departure as well as express check-in kiosks at airports to simplify the travel experience.
Alaska Airlines Plans New Nonstop Service Between San Diego and San Francisco
Alaska Airlines will offer new daily nonstop service between San Diego and San Francisco starting October 29. Alaska will operate four daily flights on weekdays and a reduced schedule on weekends, with flights timed for convenient connections to and from other destinations in the Pacific Northwest and Mexico as well as Vancouver, British Columbia.
One-way fares for travel between San Diego and San Francisco start at $79, and customers who travel by Dec. 15, 2006, will earn double Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles. Reservations, tickets and Mileage Plan information are available at www.alaskaair.com or by calling 800-ALASKAAIR.
The southbound 90-minute flights will depart San Francisco on weekdays at 7:50 a.m., 3:43 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 7:58 p.m. Northbound flights will depart San Diego on weekdays at 8 a.m., 10:04 a.m., 5:48 p.m. and 8:20 p.m.
AirTran Airways Adding Nonstop Service To Popular Florida Destinations
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI) , today announced the airline will expand its service to popular destinations throughout Florida, including Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando and Sarasota/Bradenton. The additional flights will be served by the airline's popular Boeing 717 and 737 aircraft. With this expanded service, AirTran Airways will operate 122 roundtrip flights to and from Florida by December 21st.
In the months of November and December, many new markets will be added to the airline's route map, including: Detroit to/from Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, and Tampa; as well as Dayton and Milwaukee to/from Tampa. Winter service to Florida has been increased to accommodate customers in Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Akron/Canton, Flint, Bloomington, Moline/Quad Cities and Milwaukee.
In addition to this new service, AirTran Airways will expand its flight schedule this winter adding more flights from existing destinations to cities throughout Florida. Check http://www.airtran.com for schedules.
Nickelodeon and JetBlue Align To Promote Reading In US
Nickelodeon and JetBlue Airways are teaming up for the first time this August surrounding Nick Jr.’s Blue’s Clues 10th Anniversary, to promote reading and literacy around the country. Nick and JetBlue have created a month-long (beginning late August through September) Jet Back to School with Blue marketing campaign to promote the tenth Anniversary of Nick Jr.’s groundbreaking series Blue’s Clues, which changed the way preschoolers watch television.
The two companies are also joining forces in a pro-social effort that aims to raise 100,000 or more new books to donate to at risk-preschoolers, which will also contribute to NOGGIN’s “Get Ready To Read” campaign with non-profit organization First Book. The “Jet Back to School with Blue” highlights Blue’s Clues encouragement of reading for preschoolers, underscores JetBlue’s commitment to education and literacy, and supports First Book’s overall mission to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books.
The “Jet Back to School with Blue” promotion will launch with a dedicated website www.firstbook.org/blue, which will feature an online voting campaign (which will also be available on www.nickjr.com and www.jetblue.com) aimed at getting books into the hands of at-risk children. Additionally, JetBlue customers will have the opportunity to make a monetary donation to First Book through a preflight email they will receive once they complete an online reservation.
American Airlines Introduces AAdvantage TrAAvel Perks
American Airlines has launched the TrAAvel Perks(R) program (TrAAvelPerks.com), a new online travel program created to offer its members special discounts. Benefits will include two companion tickets and 2,500 AAdvantage(R) bonus miles for customers who join in 2006.
American Airlines, a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance, is introducing the online TrAAvel Perks program with an introductory one-year membership fee of $129 for customers who purchase before Aug. 31, 2006. After this date, the standard annual membership fee of $159 will apply.
Membership in the AAdvantage program is necessary to join TrAAvel Perks. Customers who are not AAdvantage members can easily enroll for free at http://www.aa.com/enroll or from a link on the TrAAvel Perks "Join Now" page. The 2006 TrAAvel Perks membership benefits include:
Delta To Start NonStop Service To London/Gatwick From NYC/JFK
Delta plans to start daily nonstop service between New York/JFK and Gatwick Airport near London. Delta purchased the NY/London route authority from United Airlines for 12 million. The service is Delta’s first between NY and London and will begin later this year with a second daily flight added next spring.
United Applies For Nonstop Service From Washington DC to Beijing
United Airlines has applied for daily nonstop service between Washington, D.C., and Beijing.* The proposed capital-to-capital service will support better economic and political relations between China and the United States, and will provide United's passenger and cargo customers with nonstop access between two of the world's most prominent capital cities. If approved, the service will begin in March 2007.
Icelandair Announces Fall/Winter U.S. Schedule
Icelandair's nonstop service from the USA to Reykjavik, Iceland with connections to destinations in Scandinavia, Great Britain and Continental Europe will remain at seven weekly flights from Boston (one daily); five flights from New York-JFK (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday) through January 4, 2007, thereafter four flights weekly (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday); and 3 flights from Orlando Sanford (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday). Service will be suspended beginning January 9, resuming March 8 from Baltimore/Washington-BWI with four flights (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday); and beginning January 10, resuming March 15 with four flights (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday) from Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP).
"Icelandair's success on the transatlantic route from the United States since 1948 has been due to our ability to quickly and easily adapt to fluctuations in the market," said Gunnar Eklund, General Manager-The Americas. "Our hub-and-spoke route network," he added, "in addition to the relatively small size of our company, provide immediate flexibility to change as required." Eklund cites projected reduced yields and load factors on transatlantic routes in the coming low season for the decreased flight schedules for BWI and MSP in late winter. "We regret this temporary inconvenience to our customers and appreciate their continued loyalty," Eklund added, "as we strive to further strengthen our route network, enabling us to reinstate year-round service as soon as possible."
Icelandair's operations include evening departures from the US timed for early morning arrivals in Iceland with immediate connections (within 90 minutes) to the rest of Europe. Icelandair flights returning from Europe connect to late afternoon flights to the US.
Icelandair reservations and information are available at (800) 223-5500 and on-line at http://www.icelandair.com. Icelandair headquarters for The Americas have been located in Columbia, Maryland since 1994.
American Airlines Realigns Service to Ireland
American Airlines, a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance, announced it will introduce daily widebody service to Shannon, Ireland, replacing its existing, single-class Boeing 757 service from Boston. American will fly daily to Shannon with two-class Boeing 767 service from its Chicago hub. The changes take effect Oct. 28, and will be operated in conjunction with American's existing Chicago-Dublin, Ireland, service.
Chicago O' Hare is American's Gateway to the World hub with more than 500 daily flights on American and American Eagle. Changing the Shannon service to a widebody Boeing 767 aircraft with both Business and Coach cabin provides more options for business and leisure travelers heading to and from Shannon. The aircraft change also increases cargo capacity on the route.
American's Boeing 767-300 aircraft offers 29 Business Class seats with 60 inches of legroom and 182 seats in the main cabin. As part of American's ongoing strategy of focusing on products and services for its premium passengers, American recently announced the introduction of a new Business Class for its Boeing 767-300 fleet designed to give passengers more comfort, flexibility and privacy. The new Business Class will be installed across the Boeing 767-300 fleet by Summer 2007 and features new, innovative lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration, a personal inflight entertainment system with audio and video on demand, state-of-the-art lighting and ergonomically- designed overhead bins.
The new Chicago-Shannon service will be operated in conjunction with American's existing Chicago-Dublin service. All flight legs will operate as American flight 92 -- all times are local in this planned schedule:
JetBlue Plans New Nonstop Washington DC/West Palm Beach Service
JetBlue Airways begin new nonstop service between Washington D.C./Dulles International Airport and West Palm Beach, FL with one daily non-stop flight beginning October 3. With this new service to West Palm Beach, and starting August 17, new
nonstop service to New York's JFK airport, Washingtonians will have eight nonstop JetBlue destinations to choose from, plus convenient connecting service to all of JetBlue's 32 other destinations," said JetBlue's CEO and Founder David Neeleman.
Greenland-USA route to open in 2007
US Airways Starts First-Ever Washington, D.C./Sarasota/Bradenton, Fla. Service
US Airways began service this month between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). The inaugural flight will depart DCA at 10:00 a.m. and arrive at SRQ at 12:20 p.m. The service will be operated by US Airways Express carrier Republic Airways utilizing the 72-seat Embraer 170. The service will operate every day and is the only non-stop pairing between Reagan and Sarasota/Bradenton.
Air Greenland Plans New Route To US
Air Greenland has announced the launch in May, 2007 of a new route to the USA. The new” For a long time now, we have been working with the idea of flying westwards. We are considering whether we should choose Canada or the USA. We will probably choose the USA, where we intend to establish a route between Kangerlussuaq and Baltimore for part of the year, probably May – September. The route will not open until next spring because we need the time in between to prepare the customer base. Initially, our starting point will be the existing fleet of aircraft.
