Business Traveler articles from April 2003

Business Traveler archives from April 2003

Editor's letter.
April 1, 2003... IN THE 15 YEARS SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE first issue of Business Traveler, global economic forces have made the world a smaller place, with road warriors becoming globe warriors, doing business in cities they might never have dreamed of...

Room for agreement. (Letter Of The Month).(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2003... Even though your magazine is not aimed at the way I travel, economy class, I find many of the articles very informative. I work in Chad, and every month I find myself flying to or from Dallas, with a connecting flight at Paris Charles de...

Standard @ttache[TM] computer bag by Roadwired. (Readers' Letters).
April 1, 2003... This STANDARD @TTACHe[TM] COMPUTER BAG BY ROADWIRED--the line of carrying cases and specialized accessories for portable electronics--could be yours if you write us an outstanding letter. Made of 1050 denier ballistic nylon, the bag comes...

Flying for a Song. (Airports).(added warm weather destinations Delta's Song and United Air Lines Inc. Starfish Airlines)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... WE'VE SEEN THE DOWNSIDE OF AIRLINES' ECONOMIC CRUNCH. TRAVELERS ARE begging for an extra handful of peanuts instead of a filling lunch before landing, paying for the all important Bloody Mary when turbulence takes hold and shelling out the...

Maritime docks in Chelsea. (Hotels).(Maritime Hotel, Manhattan)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... NO, IT'S NOT A LUXURY OCEAN liner parked on Ninth Avenue. It's Manhattan's newest boutique baby--The Maritime Hotel, scheduled to open in April. Developed by Eric Goode (Area, Bowery Bar, Time Cafe) and Scan MacPherson, the interior was...

See U in Cuba. (International).(new airport and hotels )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... WILL YOUR NEXT ANNUAL meeting be held in Havana? Will your next team-building activity be a Montecristo smoke-off? The auguries are good that business travel to Cuba is coming closer to becoming a reality. The Cuban government recently built an...

Brand-new star. (Airlines).(Asiana Airlines merges with Star Alliance)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... THIS FEBRUary, Asiana Airlines joined Star Alliance, giving the global network of airlines a leg up on China. Although Asiana is a Korean carrier, its extensive routes into mainland China give the Alliance new connections into the country that...

Cambridge classic. (Hotels).(www.hotelmarlowe.com)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... IF RALPH LAUREN WERE A BOUTIQUE hotel, he might be the new Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge, MA. The new 236-room hotel in East Cambridge features "neoclassic design" elements like velvet wing chairs, leather paneling and mahogany wood finishing....

US Airways. (Flight Log).(added services to Mexico City)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... * US Airways has applied for approval of new routes from its Charlotte and Philadelphia hubs to Mexico City. Charlotte service will begin in October 2003, with Philadelphia service starting in early 2004.

Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines. (Flight Log).(introduce interline electronic ticketing with American Airlines Inc. and AMR Eagle Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... * Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines have introduced interline electronic ticketing with American Airlines and American Eagle. Passengers can use a single electronic ticket even when itineraries include travel on American or American Eagle.

Continental Airlines. (Flight Log).(electronic tickets with US Airways)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... * Continental Airlines has implemented interline electronic ticketing with US Airways. Customers can use one e-ticket for travel on both carriers.

Virgin Atlantic. (Flight Log).(added service from Las Vegas to London, England)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... * Virgin Atlantic adds a third weekly service from Las Vegas to Gatwick, London, every Tuesday, starting September 2, 2003.

Qatar Airways. (Flight Log).(added services to Rome, Manchester, Kochi and Islamabad)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... * Qatar Airways is flying new routes to Rome, Manchester, Kochi and Islamabad, extending its network to 42 global destinations. Flights to Islamabad began on March 31 and are offered twice a week. Some U.S. and international carriers suspended...

Alaska Airlines. (Flight Log).(added service between Seattle and Orlando)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... * Alaska Airlines begins daily flights between Seattle and Orlando on May 22.

American West Airlines. (Flight Log).(added service between Las Vegas and Eugene, Oregon)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... * America West Airlines has added non-stop service between Las Vegas and Eugene, OR.

American Airlines. (Flight Log).(added service between Columbus, Ohio and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... * American Airlines has added a daily round-trip between Columbus and Dallas/Fort Worth.

American Eagle. (Flight Log).(added service to Chicago and New York, New York)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... * American Eagle has added two daily round-trips to Chicago O'Hare and a round-trip to New York La Guardia.

US Airways Express. (Flight Log).(added service to Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... * US Airways Express has begun daily nonstop La Guardia-Knoxville, TN, service and twice daily La Guardia-Columbia, SC, service. The airline has also added a nonstop La Guardia-Birmingham, AL, service with outbound flights departing Sunday...

Peace of mind. (Reader Offer).(Safe Air Travel Companion)(Book Review)
April 1, 2003... THIS MONTH'S READER OFFER features the Safe Air Travel Companion by Dan McKinnon. The book provides important tips for today's uncertain times on what is a sensitive subject for most. The book highlights topics such as hijacking and terrorism,...

Irish renaissance. (Hotels).(Radisson SAS, Belfast)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... LAST YEAR'S UNIFICATION OF the U.S.-based Northern and Southern Irish tourist boards sent a message of hope to travelers going to Ireland. Now Radisson SAS adds a vote of economic confidence with plans for a brand-new business hotel in Belfast....

Malaysia Airlines. (Airline Deals).(Malaysian Airline System Bhd.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... MALAYSIA AIRLINES is offering a free upgrade from full-unrestricted coach to business class and full business class to first class. Upgrades apply from Malaysia's gateway of Los Angeles using its trans-Pacific service to Asia and from Newark...

Cathay Pacific. (Airline Deals).(Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... CATHAY PACIFIC is offering a round-trip business ticket for your companion for only $50 plus tax when you purchase a full-fare round-trip business-class ticket using any American Express credit card with a U.S. billing address. This promotion...

Northwest. (Airline Deals).(Northwest Airlines Corp.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... NORTHWEST is offering the "YX4Z" fare from Los Angeles to Tokyo. This fare allows trans-Pacific travel in business class at a price that is less than some unrestricted coach fares. Trans-Pacific travel must be Monday through Thursday and can be...

JetBlue. (Airline Deals).(seat sales)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... JETBLUE Visit jetblue.com for some outstanding deals that can only be bought online. Here are just a few examples: $19 each way between Las Vegas and Long Beach, CA, and starting May 8, JetBlue will operate nonstop from Long Beach to both...

Inner city. (Hotels).(Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, Japan/ www.grandhyattokyo.com and www.roppongihills.com)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... TOKYO IS GROWING. UP. ON APRIL 25, Roppongi Hills, a 27-acre, $4 billion cultural, entertainment, residential and business complex, complete with 54-story, earthquake-resistant skyscraper, will open in the Minato-ku embassy, arts and media...

Falling down. (Taxi Fares).(London, England)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... CATCHING A CAB IN LONDON JUST got cheaper. The introduction of new congestion charges for driving in parts of central London has caused a 25-percent drop in traffic. The drop-off in jams has meant taxi charges have fallen, too. Visitors to...

Delta SkyMiles. (Reward Roundup).(Delta Air Lines Inc., www.accorhotels.com)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... SkyMiles members can now earn miles for hotel stays at Accor Hotels, which includes Sofitel, Novotel and Mercure brands. Members can earn 500 miles per qualifying stay at Accor's upscale Sofitel properties and earn 250 miles per qualifying stay...

Northwest Airlines. (Reward Roundup).(www.nwa.com/nwaemail or www.nwa.com/freqfly/direct/enroll)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... WorldPerks members who subscribe to Northwest's e-mail newsletter will see 1,000 bonus miles credited to their account. Those who remain subscribers until July 31 will earn an additional 1,000-mile bonus. Nonmembers who enroll for...

Choice Hotels. (Reward Roundup).(www.choicehotels.com)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Guests at any one of 3,500 Choice Hotels in the United States or Caribbean this month will earn triple miles on American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways. Stay at any Comfort Inn,...

Six Continents Hotels. (Reward Roundup).(www.sixcontinentshotels.com)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Guests at 13 participating Six Continents properties across the U.S. between now and May 31 will receive bonus Priority Club points. Earn a 2,000-point bonus for each stay of two consecutive nights at the Crowne Plaza in Manhattan or Holiday...

Shangri-La Hotels and United Airlines. (Reward Roundup).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Through April 30, get a room upgrade at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts' Beijing properties when you book a room at the special Value Rate and fly first or business class on United Airlines. Show your boarding pass upon check-in for the upgrade,...

Conrad Bangkok. (Asia).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Stay at the new Conrad Bangkok before the end of this month for a special introductory offer of $87 a night. The rate is in reference to the hotel's location at 87 Wireless Road, and its high-tech amenities, including wireless Internet access...

The Four Seasons Hotel Boston. (United States).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Four Seasons Hotel Boston is offering several incentives this spring in an attempt to entice business travelers to extend trips to include leisure. One package is intended for executives who would normally return home after a daytime...

Mandarin Oriental. (Worldwide).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Until the end of this month, visitors to any Mandarin Oriental property will enjoy savings as part of the "Seasonal Choices" promotion. Sample weekday rates include $109 a night in Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Jakarta; $269 in Miami and $290 in...

Preferred Hotels. (Worldwide).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Participating Preferred Hotels will give guests a $100 spa gift certificate as well as breakfast each morning until May 31. Mention "Spa Experience" at one of 14 participating properties in the United States, Cyprus or Italy, and take advantage...

The Westin Times Square New York. (Hotel Check).
April 1, 2003... THE WESTIN NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE IS A CALMING, contemporary high-tech oasis rising 45 stories up from the bustle of the Theater District and Times Square and providing a striking break from the city's conventional skyline. The hotel opened with...

Spot check. (Consumer Checks).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... We asked hotels worldwide what they charge for room service. Here's what we found: HOTEL PULITZER, AMSTERDAM $4.90 per delivery, tax included. Gratuity depends on order WESTIN PEACHTREE, ATLANTA $2.95 delivery charge, 20-percent...

The Lyall Hotel Melbourne. (Hotel Check).
April 1, 2003... THE LYALL--A NEW ADDITION TO The Leading Small Hotels of the World group--is in Melbourne's hairdressing and boutique shopping mecca of South Yarra, a hair-roller's throw from the CBD. The hotel exudes confidence and is not afraid of the...

All Nippon Airways Club ANA. (Flight Check: New York JFK To Tokyo Narita).
April 1, 2003... First Impressions: On a frigid January morning, the line for security screening extended outdoors, where passengers, teeth chattering, stamped their feet to stay warm. I was outside in line for a good 10 minutes before my bags went through the...

AeroMexico Clase Premier. (Flight check: New York JFK to Mexico City).
April 1, 2003... First Impressions: My taxi inched its way up to JFK, thanks to one of the mightiest snowstorms in recent New York history. Smiling security agents checked documentation and screened luggage. Travelers, construction and a confusing layout...

The Four Seasons at Marunouchi Tokyo. (Hotel Check).
April 1, 2003... ONE BLOCK FROM TOKYO STATION, in the heart of the business district and dangerously near the high-end shops of Ginza, this sleek new 57-room hotel quietly occupies levels three through seven of Pacific Century Place, a 31-level glass-clad...

Capital growth: with unprecedented development reshaping the city, downtown D.C. is running out of space. (HomeFront: Washington, D.C.).
April 1, 2003... LUXURY APARTMENT BUILDINGS ARE SHOOTING UP blocks from what is being called the largest excavation site in the Western Hemisphere. Washington, D.C.'s new $778 million Convention Center, to open at the end of March, with 2.3 million square feet...

Shanghai. (Restaurants).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... T8 No. 8 Xintiandi North Part, Lane 181 Tai Cang Road, tel. 86 21 6355 8999, fax 86 21 6311 4999 Overview: Just off an atmospheric alley in the stylish, revitalized 19th-century Xintiandi district, T8's main floor bustles, with an...

New York. (Restaurants).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... TAO ASIAN BISTRO 42 E. 59th St., tel. 212-888-2288 Overview: Open since fall 2000, this action-packed venue hasn't lost one bit of its buzz. Cuisine: Tasty specialities from Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong include Kobe beef cooked on...

New.
April 1, 2003... ASIA BANGKOK LA SCALA AT THE SUKHOTHAI 13/3 S. Sathorn Road, tel. 66 0 2287 0222 ext. 5736 Classic Italian dining with a touch of Thai and jazz entertainment throughout the day. Menu ranges from pizzas to salad of raw beef...

Paula Zahn: American Morning in Japan. (Cover Story).(Interview)
April 1, 2003... CNN is like an information lifeline for a lot of Americans when traveling overseas on business. Will an awareness of that role shape your reporting when CNN starts broadcasting American Morning in Japan in March ? We're thrilled that...

Global vision: the new world order of business travel. (15 Years).
April 1, 2003... In April 1988, a new U.S. magazine dedicated to business travel debuted. Called "a practical companion for the intercontinental executive," Business Traveler International's first issue featured a cover story on "Super Travelers," crisis...

"An indelible mark": regardless of Business Traveler's place in the grand scheme of things, former staffers (and one or two current ones) are fairly unanimous on what BT has meant to them and their careers. (Special Promotional Section).(Interview)
April 1, 2003... Since the launch of Business Traveler in April 1988, the magazine has made a mission of evolving along with the times. Innovative technology--coupled with a deeper understanding of consumer wants and desires--has taken the industry to heights...

Big wheels: despite the global recession, Delhi is growing at an astounding rate, spurred on by economic reforms set in motion a decade ago. (Insider's guide: Delhi).
April 1, 2003... DURING THE DEEPLY SERIOUS 2003 REPUBLIC Day Parade, a celebration to mark the 53rd anniversary of the Indian constitution, the State of Delhi pageant provided a moment's mirth. Delhi was represented by a float featuring a Delhi Metro car filled...

Kathleen Taylor. (Special Executive Spotlight).(Interview)
April 1, 2003... Age 45 President, Worldwide Business Operations Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Four Seasons has gotten as far as it has in the luxury-hotel arena because of its consistent levels of amenities, quality and service. One of the people...

John Happ. (Special Executive Spotlight).(Interview)
April 1, 2003... Age 47 Senior VP of Marketing and Sales, Hawaiian Airlines Hawaii's first and largest airline began in 1929 as an interisland carrier with Sikorsky S-38 amphibian planes. Today, the airline operates 28 modern aircraft serving...

Going coastal: Stockholm's location is drawing businesses targeting the Baltic markets. (Doing Business in Stockholm).
April 1, 2003... STOCKHOLM CAME TO THE ATTENTION OF MANY IN the United States for the first time last December, when President Jimmy Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize, following in the footsteps of such illustrious names as Mother Teresa. The annual prizes,...

Southern exposure: as economic uncertainty floods Latin America, experts look to technology and wine production as ways for the region to bounce back. (Special Advertising Section).
April 1, 2003... Although economic problems plague a number of Latin American countries, according to some Wall Street analysts, the region could still be poised for growth in the coming years. Commodities are particularly important for Latin America's key...

Back to basics takes off: for a small company that started in Reno in 1986 with only one employee and 500 square feet of space, Sierra Trading Post has come a long way. The secret to its success? Quality brands coupled with dramatic savings. With its new catalog, Sierra Traditions for Men, the "businessman's outlet store" makes new inroads with the frequently traveling man. (Special Advertising Section).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... With the publication of its first catalog in 1986, filled with well-known brands and designer names at savings up to as much as 75 percent, Sierra Trading Post established itself as an "in-home outlet mall." Over the years, the company...

Phoenix rising: Beirut's shops and Mediterranean atmosphere have suddenly become a massive draw for Gulf residents looking for a weekend away. Michael Young reports on the rebirth of the city and its plans for the future. (Focus: Beirut).
April 1, 2003... MORE THAN 10 YEARS AFTER THE END OF Lebanon's civil war, there are fewer and fewer places where destruction is visible in Beirut. The old Roman town has been resurrected in several versions in its long history, most recently as a regional...

Combo chatter: George Hobica reports on the latest all-in-one devices. (Tools: PDA phones).
April 1, 2003... EARLY ATTEMPTS AT COMBINing a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) with a mobile phone were less than successful. In my tests of such devices, I found that they were either good phones or good PDAs, but not both. They also tended to be rather...

4 Four hours in Riga: Lauren Custance takes a stroll around one of the most beautiful and underrated cities in the Baltics and finds lively bars and restaurants, but not the usual crowds of tourists.
April 1, 2003... (1) REVAL HOTEL LATVIA The hotel itself is nothing special, but the 26th floor has a view of the city to rival St. Peter's Church--and is a lot less chilly. The Skyline Bar on this floor is a swish, dimly lit hangout that attracts a...

The Park Central Hotel and The Hotel. (Offer Of The Month> Miami Beach> Hotels).
April 1, 2003... When Tony Goldman turned the corner onto Ocean Drive in 1985, he saw beyond the dust and grime that dulled the bright pastel-hued Art Deco buildings. He saw the American Riviera, a place where people from around the world could bask in the...

Soak it all in at the Inn at Pelican Bay. (Savings For Members> Florida> Hotels).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Inn at Pelican Bay is an intimate haven of artistic elegance and impeccable service. A leisurely, scenic walk takes guests right to the edge of the emerald waters and pristine sands of the Gulf of Mexico. The property is within minutes of...

Upgrade your room at the Clinton Hotel. (Savings For Members> Miami Beach> Hotels).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The just-reopened Clinton Hotel is rewriting the rules of South-Beach style with its high-design take on Art Deco. After a $12 million renovation, the property--which was originally built in 1930 by architect Charles Neidler--combines the...

Clean break: the trading city of Tunis is steeped in history and has plenty to attract even the most cosmopolitan crowd. (Great Escape: Tunis).
April 1, 2003... GUESSING TOURISTS' NATIONALITIES SEEMS TO BE A popular pastime in Tunis. Walking the alleyways of the medina, one gregarious salesman asked, "Turkish?," while another greeted me with a Spanish "Hola!" Even our guide interrupted his flow to...

Silent Auction 2003 to benefit The Gift of New York: airline tickets, hotel stays, a big screen TV--even a chance to win a trip to London on British Airways simply for placing your bid online--make this our most irresistible auction to date.
April 1, 2003... This year's Silent Auction will benefit The Gift of New York. This charity was conceived a few days after September 11, 2001, as a means of helping victims' families move from crisis to recovery. Guided by the belief that the arts,...