FIRST IMPRESSIONS Arriving for my 11:30 p.m. flight from JFK to Heathrow, there were more clerks than passengers in American’s separate business- and first-class check-in area, which meant no wait at all. My luggage, however, was weighed as carefully as pastrami at the deli counter, as airlines seem to be taking that 50-pound limit very seriously these days. But instead... more

Washington Dulles–ViennaFIRST IMPRESSIONS As there was no line at the business-class counter, check-in for the flight took less than five minutes. Staff members were personable, and routinely double-checked my frequent-flyer account, itinerary and baggage tags. Despite priority lines for business class, security took much longer than check-in.    Austrian business-class passengers are granted access to Lufthansa's business-class lounge in Terminal B,... more

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Due to unforeseen subway complications, I arrived at JFK a little later than I would have liked for my 10:30 p.m. flight to Amman. But once I located the Royal Jordanian check-in counter in Terminal 4, I walked right through the economy-class ropes, and was helped by a free attendant at the business-class desk. He promptly informed me... more

FIRST IMPRESSIONS There was no line at business-class check-in, and even with teh recent chaos of the remodeling construction at LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminal, service was quick and friendly. An attendant rushed over and took my back at the check-in desk so that I didn't have to wade through the crowd of people at luggage screening. This allowed me... more

FIRST IMPRESSIONS The private checkin and security in Terminal 3 at London’s Heathrow—in Virgin Atlantic’s separate Upper Class Wing—was probably the most pleasurable check-in experience I’ve had in all my years of flying. Quick. Easy. Painless. And best of all, using Virgin’s drive-throughcheck-in, I did most of it from the comforts of my (complimentary) chauffeur-driven limo, which picked me up... more

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Since I didn’t know how bad traffi c would be, I left my hotel early, and arrived with ample time tospare at Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW). The airport was busy, but not hard to navigate, since the straightforward signage made it easy to fi nd where I needed to go. There were about fi ve people in... more

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Check-in was fairly easy at the Qantas desk, but the line for bag scan was out the door. I didn’t think I’d ever see my luggage again, as there were so many suitcases piled up and the ground staff at LAX looked overwhelmed. Security was not much quicker, which delayed my relaxing and e-mail checking in the lounge... more

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Two check-in counters were open at JFK’s Terminal 4 for business-class passengers of this 6 p.m. SWISS International Air Lines flight. With only one person before me, I was at the counter in no time, where a friendly desk clerk quickly handed me my ticket, and directed me to the lounge, with no prompting necessary. The lounge, which... more

WHAT’S IT LIKE? Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square is a modern 43-story high-rise hotel right in the middle of Times Square. Guests enter a small room from which they take an elevator up to the third-floor lobby. This enables an easy nighttime security check before anyone can enter the hotel. Upon exiting the elevator on the third floor, guests find... more

WHAT'S IT LIKE? Recently opened in the heart of Downtown New York City, the 21-story Cooper Square Hotel cuts a dramatic silhouette of glass and steel among neighboring brick buildings, courtesy of acclaimed designer Carlos Zapata. The interior's rich woodwork blends seamlessly with slate accents, giving the lobby the feel of a stylish home as you sink into the comfy... more

WHAT'S IT LIKE? Magnificent marble pillars greet guests in the spacious lobby, setting the tone for this refined, yet modern luxury hotel. When I arrived at 5:30 a.m., bleary-eyed from a long flight, the cab driver unexpectedly raised the rate I was quoted at the airport by 50 percent. When I refused to pay the difference, the hotel bellman graciously... more

WHAT'S IT LIKE? This landmark hotel, which originally opened in 1891, reopened in December 2008 following a renovation costing more than $50 million. The property is split between two buildings; one is Heritage listed, while the other is a new construction, blending seamlessly with the overall ambiance that’s more Italian-villa-meets-Victorian-Gothic than business hotel. After entering the lobby, I looked down... more