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Volume 7, Issue 48, December 2, 2009 |
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The Airline Transportation Association predicts 40 million people will travel this holiday season. As holiday travelers prepare to take flight and partake in delicious holiday food, many will worry about eating healthily while in transit. A recent survey, conducted by DietDetective.com, rated the healthiest and unhealthiest foods served at 35,000 feet. The 2009 Airline Food Survey ranked eight airlines based on snack/onboard food offerings, airline cooperation, comments, ratings, cost, calories and exercise equivalents. Each airline was assigned a health score, with five stars as the healthiest.
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Beginning in mid-2010, Continental Airlines and United Airlines will roll out upgrades for elite status frequent flyers. The benefits will be reciprocal for both carriers’ frequent-flyer programs. Elite status frequent flyers will receive unlimited, complimentary domestic upgrades on flights when space is available.
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KLM Royal Dutch Airlines became the first airline to operate a passenger flight using biokerosene. The 1½-hour flight last week on a Boeing 747 aircraft was fueled with a mixture of 50 percent sustainable biofuel and 50 percent traditional kerosene. The other three engines ran normally. The biofuel used reduces CO2 emissions by about 80 percent.
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Virgin Atlantic Airways brought luxury to Gatwick with the recent opening of its new Clubhouse at Gatwick, featuring a Cowshed Spa. At more than 8,500-square-feet, the recently refurbished lounge is open to Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold Card members. The lounge is also in line with the airline’s sustainability goals. The lounge is outfitted with special carpeting and the waste management program reduced construction waste by 40 percent.
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A merger between China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines is expected to be complete by the end of the year. China Eastern Airlines is the third largest carrier in China. The carrier purchased rival Shanghai Airlines in a CNY 9 billion swap that also gave the airline a more than 50 percent market share in Shanghai, China’s financial hub. After a huge reduction in losses throughout 2009, China Eastern was able to net a CNY 1.2 billion profit this year.
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According to a recent Zagat survey of approximately 6,000 frequent flyers, the average number of trips taken per year (16.6) has risen from 16.3 in 2008. However, one-third of the respondents report they are still flying less than two years ago. The survey is the company’s eighth annual aviation survey. Continental Airlines earned a 15 out of 30 for comfort, service and food in coach class. JetBlue and Virgin America earned higher scores than any of the domestic legacy carriers.
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3823 30th St.
San Diego, CA 92104
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GT Publisher Fran Gallagher and I were in San Diego for the National Business Travel Association’s annual convention. The rest of our colleagues would be joining us, but we had gone out a day earlier to begin preparations. We were looking for somewhere to dine other than the typical Gaslamp Quarter eateries, so we ventured to the city’s North Park. Urban Solace, situated on what is dubbed “Restaurant Row,” serves New American comfort food in a warm setting.
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With the holiday season in full swing, Desires Hotels is offering a sweet package benefiting hotel guests and children in need. Through Dec. 31, book a stay at one of Desires Hotels’ properties and receive a 10-percent discount — and the hotel organization will make a $10 donation to the charitable children’s organization Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc.
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Overlooking Central Park, the Jumeirah Essex House is the perfect venue for watching the signs of the changing seasons in New York City. Through Dec. 20, the hotel’s Fall Colors package will offer plenty of pampering along with a front-row seat to watch as the city transitions from fall to winter.
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The Summer In New Zealand package from Air Tahiti Nui gives travelers something to look forward to when the last bit of snow melts away. Book by Dec. 11 and travel through May 31, 2010. The discount fare, valid for economy-class travel to Auckland (AUK), is $1,253.
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The Algodon Mansion, opening in January 2010 as a 10-room luxury boutique hotel in Buenos Aires, wants to help make your proposal a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Available Feb. 1 through July 31, 2010, the three-night Proposal Package will ensure the proposal will be memorable — whether the answer is yes or no.
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In celebration of its new website, CampbellGray Hotels is offering a luxurious prize, valued at £10,000, at each of its four properties. The prizes include accommodations for five nights; meals and excursions are specifically customized at each of the four properties. At One Aldwych in London, the prize includes a Moet Grand Vintage Collection dinner, a tailor-made day out with a chauffeur, theater tickets and dinner at Cecconi’s.
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