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Airline Alliances Continue to Expand
This past week was a monumental one for airline alliances, with big announcements from both SkyTeam and oneworld.
Oneworld announced that Japan Airlines (JAL), Hungarian Airlines, and Royal Jordanian Airlines have been officially added to their roster, marking the largest expansion for the alliance since its launch eight years ago. Starting April 1, 2007 these three airlines will offer the same services and benefits of its fellow oneworld partners, including Japan Airlines fellow JAL Group members JALways, Japan Asia Airways, JAL Express, J-AIR and Japan Transocean Air. Bringing some 20 million frequent flyers to the oneworld Alliance, Managing Partner John McCulloch is understandably happy about the arrangement: "Their addition will broaden our network coverage in three of the fastest growing regions for air travel and further strengthen oneworld's position as the world's leading quality airline alliance." Three other airlines are also lining up to become part of oneworld in 2007; Dragonair, LAN Argentina and LAN Ecuador, all as affiliate members. Joining dates for these three airlines have yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, SkyTeam has signed agreements with three associate airlines candidates Air Europa, Copa Airlines and Kenya Airways. The agreements are a formal step in the alliance's associate process and outline the carriers' commitment to meet the standards to be recognized as official Associate Airlines. Not yet members of the alliance, each candidate must first meet a set of predetermined requirements in several areas after which the Governing Board must grant approval. Dominique Patry, SkyTeam steering committee chairman and senior vice president of International Affairs and Alliances, Air France is excited about what these candidates have to offer SkyTeam saying, "Air Europa, Copa and Kenya Airways will give SkyTeam customers access to 25 additional destinations."
Do the benefits offered by airline alliances make you more loyal to any given airline?
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answer of the week
Top Answer to Last Week's Question
Question: When traveling to and from the airport, do you typically drive or use public transportation? Why?
Peter Heifetz wrote: "I typically drive, either in my own car or by taxi/limo. The reason I do this is because there are no public transportation options available in my home city of San Diego. When I visit cities such as Atlanta, DC or San Francisco, the ability to utilize efficient, reliable and inexpensive public transit is like a surreal dream - wow! Of course, every time I have to travel to New York (JFK) or Philadelphia, this big-city fantasy evaporates in a puff of highway smog... I sure wish this was a choice I could make in every large US city.
news
American Airlines Launches New Spanish-Language Website
American Airlines Launches New Spanish-Language Web site In recognition of its growing Hispanic clientele, American Airlines has introduced a country-specific Spanish-language portal on www.AA.com/español. "The new Spanish-language Web sites provide our Spanish-speaking customers an easy and convenient way to book travel," said Peter Dolara, American's Senior Vice President for Miami, the Caribbean and Latin America. "By offering country-specific portals, we will be able to share with our customers more relevant offers and content, along with great fares."
Customers who now go to www.AA.com/español will be asked to select their country of residence and be redirected to their country-specific portal, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Nicaragua, Panamá, Perú, Uruguay, USA, and Venezuela. Once on the preferred portal customers will find numerous ways to conveniently search for and book low fares, select seats, check AAdvantage miles balance, and get relevant news and offers. Customers who purchase tickets on www.AA.com/español will earn AAdvantage bonus miles for each ticket purchased with no online booking fee. In addition, customers residing in Latin America can sign up for Direct Contact, an www.aa.com/español e-mail newsletter.
"We are placing great emphasis on enabling our customers to experience AA.com in a language that they prefer and making our online experience more user-friendly for our global audiences," said Rob Friedman, American's Managing Director of AA.com. As the top airline of choice by Latinos in the US, with more flights to more Latin American destinations than any other carrier, this new Web site will prove an invaluable tool to AA customers. AM
DOT Budget Request of $67 Billion
The Bush Administration is requesting $67 billion for 2008 to finance key transportation construction, congestion relief and safety programs, and to provide the framework for reforming the aviation system, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced on Monday. "Our goal is to deliver a transportation system that frees all of us to make daily decisions confident we can reach our destinations safely, without worrying about how we will get there, or if we can make it on time," Peters said.
The Secretary noted that the budget request provides a framework for reforming the aviation system by tying what users pay to the costs of providing air traffic control and other services. She added that the request also includes $175 million for a 21st-Century satellite navigation system to replace older air traffic control equipment and $900 million in additional air traffic control system upgrades. "Our plan puts incentives in place that will make the system more efficient as well as more responsive to the needs of the aviation community," Secretary Peters said. "This is critical if we are to deploy the state-of-the-art technology that can safely handle the dramatic increases in the number and type of aircraft using our skies." With The Airport Council International (ACI) predicting the amount of air traffic to double by 2025, these upgrades remain a high priority. AM
The Beverly Hilton to be transformed into Waldorf-Astoria Beverly Hills
Oasis West Realty, LLC, the owner of The Beverly Hilton, and Hilton Hotels Corporation announced the first new west coast Waldorf-Astoria hotel as part of the $500 million long-term plan to revitalize the nine-acre hotel property at the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards in Beverly Hills.
The 120-room Waldorf-Astoria Beverly Hills hotel will be located in a new signature building designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects. Extending the cachet of New York City's landmark art deco Waldorf-Astoria hotel, The Waldorf-Astoria Beverly Hills will be the first new-build hotel for the brand on the West Coast and will feature the legendary and luxurious comfort and personal attention for which the Waldorf-Astoria is famous. "The Waldorf-Astoria and The Beverly Hilton hold an important place in our company's history," said Matthew J. Hart, President & COO Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Beverly Hills is the perfect location for our first West Coast new-build Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, extending its signature brand of luxurious service and unique experiences."
The new Waldorf-Astoria Beverly Hills will join The Beverly Hilton, which recently completed an $80 million renovation. The Beverly Hilton will be a 402-room hotel in the future and will feature new luxury rooms, an expanded destination pool area, an upgraded Executive Conference Center, and a new Grand Entry as part of the long-term plan. Each hotel will be a singular and separate experience catering to a variety of guests needs and will be operated and managed by Hilton Hotels Corporation. The long-term plan also includes creating a new luxury environment with 500 percent more open space and gardens, distinctive public art collection, unparalleled services as well as 120 new luxury residences that will share hotel services and will be situated throughout three new buildings on the property.
The revitalized Beverly Hilton property will also be designed to achieve U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Environment and Energy Design) standards to certified environmental standards in building and construction process and sustainable site management policies. In addition, The Beverly Hilton is working to create an innovative environmental program partnership with Beverly Hills schools.
Pending city approval, the property is expected to debut in 2010. AM
deal of the week
Catch Some Rays on that Trip to the UK
OK, so a trip to the UK may not warrant a pair of shades and some sun block, but you should still be sure to dig some up before you book your next flight to London on American Airlines. This month they launched a "Fly to London, Fly Free" promotion for Premium Class passengers departing from New York's JFK to London's Heathrow Airport. Customers who purchase a roundtrip First or Business Class ticket from JFK to Heathrow between now through May 31, 2007 have the opportunity to earn up to three free AAdvantage award trips to anywhere American flies in the United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean. American offers 12 nonstop flights each business day between JFK and Heathrow, giving travelers plenty of opportunity to take advantage of this great offer. Don't forget to register online and mention promotional code NYLON before booking your flight. For more information visit www.aa.com/offers. AM
more deals
The Umstead Invites You to Golf Around or Just Indulge
The Umstead Invites You to Golf Around or Just Indulge The brand new Umstead Hotel and Spa, located just ten minutes from Raleigh-Durham Airport has raised the bar for luxury hotels in the Cary and Raleigh area. Already a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the hotel is offering introductory rates of just $295 a night, based on double occupancy, now through March 2007. Great packages are also on offer including the Prestonwood Country Club Golf and Umstead Spa Package. For $524 guests will be granted exclusive rights to the private neighboring golf club with an unlimited supply of range balls and a sleeve of golf balls, with one guest invited to tee up while the other enjoys a $100 spa credit. Or the Prestonwood Country Club Double Golf Package invites both guests to enjoy eighteen holes of professional caliber golf with unlimited range balls, a personal golf towel, as well as a sleeve of golf balls. Package rate starts at $544. For more information visit www.theumstead.com. AM
Celebrate the Soul... Music That Is!
The Peabody Memphis is celebrating the 50th anniversary of soul music with a "50 Years of Soul" vacation package. Available now through December 29, 2007 the package includes one night's deluxe accommodation, plus tickets to Stax Museum of American Soul Music, tickets to Memphis Rock 'N Roll Soul Museum, "Top of the Stax" CD, a donation to the Stax Music Academy, breakfast in Capriccio Grill at The Peabody, VIP turndown service and hotel valet parking. Priced at $250 for single occupancy and $310 for double the package is based on availability, subject to availability and excludes taxes, hotel amenity fee, and gratuities. For more information visit www.peabodymemphis.com. AM
Check out Chicago with Omni Hotels
Stay at The Omni Chicago Hotel on your next trip to The Windy City and be sure to book the Experience Chicago Package. The offer starts at $229 a night and includes a $75 sight seeing credit with concierge assistance in setting up appointments. This credit covers top attractions and venues throughout the city, including entry to various museums and a boat tour at Navy Pier. Also included is a $25 breakfast credit at 646 restaurant or room service. For more information visit www.omnihotels.com. AM
reviews
Atlanta: Joel
At his eponymous, award-winning Atlanta restaurant, Chef Joel Antunes delivers sophisticated French cooking with Asian and Mediterranean accents, absent any hint of pretension in service, ingredients or presentation.
The setting is one of relaxed elegance, with high ceilings and modern, yet warm décor and friendly, attentive service. Service was exemplary from the get-go. As soon as we took our seats, waitstaff attended to us with meticulous attention to detail. For example, whenever one of our party left the table, someone was there in an instant to retrieve our napkins and fold them neatly on the table.
Chef Antunes first sent us each a delicious amuse bouche of scallop with sun-dried tomato in a chicken jus. My starter, a flavorful truffle ravioli, set the stage for an outstanding filet mignon, cooked to medium rare perfection. A little pot of just-cooked fresh green beans made for a homey, delicious touch. Our party also sampled an artfully prepared main course of seared duck, as well as sauteed breast of quail and shrimp appetizers. Throughout the meal, there were satisfied smiles all round.
Desserts included a crème brulee and a dark chocolate fondant with chocolate ice cream, each rich and heady, but not overwhelmingly so. We topped off the meal with an exquisite Moscato D'Asti, a crisp, slightly sweet Italian dessert wine selected from Joel's 1500-bottle wine cellar.
Joel features indoor and outdoor dining, plus three private dining rooms and a 65-seat bar/lounge.
Joel, 3290 Northside Parkway, Atlanta Georgia, 30327, tel. 404-233-3500. A $39 prix fixe dinner is offered Monday to Friday. Eva Leonard
(C)2007 Varquin Enterprises, Inc.. all rights reserved. reproduction and/or distribution of Business Traveler-e is strictly forbidden without the written authorization of the publisher.
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