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Volume 7, Issue 22, June 3, 2009 |
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Twitter continues to take over the travel industry. As reported in last week’s eFlyer, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts has introduced a Twitter-powered concierge, and now, several domestic airlines are following suit.
United Airlines is now offering special fares on Twitter, available only to those following the airline’s Tweets. The twares, launched May 21, can be found on the airline’s feed, @UnitedAirlines. Corporate communications and marketing departments at Southwest and American Airlines are also using the micro-blogging service to keep customers up-to-date. Southwest (@SouthwestAir) announced its new Milwaukee service through Twitter. American Airlines’ (@AAirwaves) communications department tweeted from its shareholders’ meeting. Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) uses Twitter to announce which flights will be equipped with WiFi.
Over the past year, other airlines have used different social marketing avenues to connect with passengers. Finnair, KLM, AirTran and SAS have used viral videos, while American Airlines has developed a travel-related Facebook application. Southwest, Delta and OpenSkies have used blogs to connect with passengers. Lufthansa’s GenFlyLounge.com allows college students to discuss travel experiences. Air France/KLM’s Bluenity network is aimed at creating camaraderie between its frequent flyers. For more on Bluenity, click here.
A recent AirPlus International survey asked business travelers about their use of social media networks. Click here for more information. 
After devastating Cyclone Aila hit Kolkata, India last week, Children International, a U.S. humanitarian organization, jumped into action to aid victims. The cyclone’s 70 mph winds hit more than 4,000 homes, washed out public transportation and damaged more than 5,000 acres of farmland. Children International is providing assistance to hundreds of children and famillies by supplying food, medicine, water-purification tablets and other necessities.
Oneworld has launched a video Travel Series aimed at helping frequent business travelers navigate the globe. Five 60- to 90-second videos packed with tips and advice are viewable through laptops, smartphones, iPods or PDAs. The videos focus on finding your way in unfamiliar areas, packing, staying wired and mobile while on the road, reducing stress, keeping fit and saving time. The Travel Series was produced in conjunction with Lonely Planet and can be viewed here.
In other Oneworld news, the alliance’s ’round-the-world Global Explorer fare now includes travel among domestic Indian destinations via non-alliance Kingfisher Airlines, expanding the ’round-the-world fare to 62 more gateways.
JetAmerica, a new Florida-based low-cost airline, will begin 34 non-stop, weekly flights on July 13. The airline is targeting smaller domestic cities that it feels have been left behind by the larger carriers. July flights will serve Toledo, Ohio (TOL); South Bend, Ind. (SBN); Melbourne, Fla. (MLB); Newark, N.J. (EWR); Minneapolis, Minn. (MSP); and Lansing, Mich. (LAN). Most of the flights will begin or end from Newark. Six additional flights will begin Aug. 14. Ticket prices will range from $9 to $199. Checked bag fees will apply; food, drinks and in-flight entertainment will be available for a fee.
Le Méridien is celebrating the grand opening of three new Thailand properties, Le Méridien Bangkok, Le Méridien Chiang Mai and Le Méridien Chiang Rai. The luxury brand unveiled its signature Arrival Experience with the launch of the three properties, bringing art and culture to its Asia-Pacific guests.
In an effort to boost business and tourism in the region, eight Asian convention and visitor bureaus have teamed to implement a new agenda. CVBs from China, Hong Kong, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are working to attract more meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions to the area by creating a shared information bank among the member bureaus.
Washington’s Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEA) has been testing an avian radar system since 2007. Recent reports from the Federal Aviation Administration indicate testing is going well. As a result, similar tests will begin at Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and New York (JFK). While reports are promising, the FAA believes it is several years away from implementing the technology in control towers at all major airports. The radar is designed to pinpoint birds’ altitude and detect the size and type of birds.
775 12th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
tel 202 737 2200
My flight from Westchester County Airport (HPN) in New York to Washington D.C. (DCA) is typically only 35 minutes, but took over three hours due to weather delays. The delays caused me to arrive late to my hotel and an important conference. I was not in the best of moods.
A bellhop, who sensed my frustration, greeted me and gladly took care of my bags. The front desk clerk also seemed to sense I had been having gave me complimentary two-day Internet access bad day. They quickly checked me in and gave me a complimentary two-day Internet access (regularly $12.95 per night). Their kindness brightened my day. As a business traveler, reliable Internet access while traveling is very important to me.
I needed to change for the conference, and quickly went up to my room. The room was clean and well laid out. I took great comfort in the fact that I would be able to relax after the conference and get some work done. The desk was perfectly sized for doing work from my laptop and the Internet access was quick.
My mood was brighter as I headed out to the conference. The service, the room and its amenities helped me relax. The hotel boasts a great restaurant located near the front desk which is open until 11 p.m. for dinner. My late dinner was excellent and reasonably priced; less than $30 for a full meal with an appetizer and a drink. The fitness center was clean, with an ample selection of cardio machines. After a great meal, a comfortable night and a workout, my next day started out right.
I am already looking forward to staying at the Marriott at Metro Center during my next trip to the area. I would absolutely recommend this hotel to business travelers. Comfortable accommodations and great service are available for less than $300 per night.
Score: ••••• Chris Salem
Act fast! Tomorrow, June 4, only, Emirates is offering a $100 price reduction to U.S. travelers booking round-trip travel. The One Day World Sale is only available online and is valid for travel from any U.S. gateway to any of Emirates’ worldwide destinations. The sale is applicable to any class of service. To participate in the One Day World Sale, visit the website. For a complete update on all Middle East Airlines, check out the latest issue of Global Traveler here.
SkyMiles and WorldPerks members can now earn up to 5,000 bonus miles. Through July 26, the bonus is applicable for Delta Shuttle flights between New York (LGA), Boston (BOS) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). Delta Shuttle fares are now up to 60 percent lower than previously offered fares. One-way earns a 2,500-mile bonus; round-trip travel earns a 5,000-mile bonus. SkyMiles members can register here; WorldPerks members can register here. For more from Delta, click here.
Happy Birthday OpenSkies! In celebration of its first anniversary, the airline is gifting its passengers. OpenSkies is giving away a birthday business-class ticket everyday for one year — 365 tickets to Paris or Amsterdam. Register here by June 19. Through May 2010, the airline will announce approximately 30 winners each month. As a second gift, OpenSkies is offering a special fare for Biz Seat travel. Through June, one-way fares from New York (JFK) to Paris (ORY) are $550; to Amsterdam (AMS) are $475. Click here for more on OpenSkies.
The Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa, home of The Players Championship, is giving guests a chance to Play Where The Players Play. Through Aug. 31, the exclusive package includes three-nights’ accommodations in a Marriott Revive guestroom, two rounds of golf on The Players Stadium Course, two rounds of golf on Dye’s Valley Course, use of a TPC Sawgrass forecaddie, a welcome amenity and a one-hour lesson at the Tour Academy. Call 888 421 8555 or visit the website.
Boston will play host to several sailing events this summer. In celebration of the nautical season, the InterContinental Boston is offering the Cruise & Snooze package. Through Aug. 31, the package includes deluxe accommodations, two-hour sailing instruction with round-trip water taxi transfer, a signed Onne van der Wal poster, two captain’s sailing caps and a nautical-inspired cocktail. Call 877 7474 BOSTON and mention SAIL. For more on the InterContinental Boston, check out our GTTested review.
