Business Traveler articles from April 2005

Business Traveler archives from April 2005

This month.(Editorial)
April 1, 2005... This issue's focus on European cities throws up thoughts of how the places we visit regularly change over the years. Neighbourhoods come and go, not just in terms of fashion, but sometimes literally, as former industrial heartlands die in just...

Safety first.(Letter of the month)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... As any business traveller will confirm, security concerns have a higher and higher profile these days. Airlines and airports are, rightly, very conscious of the security of their customers, and whether you approve of them or merely find them...

Poor relation.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... When I booked business class flights to Syria with BA, I expected to get just that. What I didn't know was that flights to Damascus from Heathrow are operated by British Mediterranean, the "shabby sister". It looked like BA on the outside,...

More security concerns.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... As I waited in the departure lounge for a flight to Frankfurt, I was amazed to see a fellow passenger trying to open the packaging of an electrical adapter with a Swiss army knife attached to his key ring. At check-in (airside) he would...

Weighty issues.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... In response to your news story "Passenger weight gains raise fuel costs" (Business Traveler US) and subsequent letters you have printed on the subject, I say enough is enough. As an overweight woman, I'm tired of everything being blamed on...

Going the extra mile.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... On a recent business trip to Florida, my wife was able to join me using Delta SkyMiles, but on our return flight the aircraft was grounded due to a service issue. The customer service representatives at the desk informed me that my wife...

MAS disapproval.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... I am extremely disappointed with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) regarding a flight my family took from Taipei to Los Angeles last October. Six of us--two over 80 and four others who could barely speak English--were to fly MH094, holding confirmed...

Have goldfish will travel.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2005... It occurred to me that those of us who travel for business probably have a wide range of things we do or interesting quirks we adopt "to get by". Carrying photos of loved ones springs to mind immediately. In my case, I always take with me...

Lufthansa offers private jets.(High Flyers)(Deutsche Lufthansa AG)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... HOT ON THE HEELS OF ITS NEW first class lounge at Frankfurt, Lufthansa is continuing to woo its premium passengers by testing out private jets on routes from its Munich hub. For the next six months, Lufthansa is trialling executive jet...

Passengers weather staff shortages.(Flight Delays)
April 1, 2005... THE RECENT WINTER SEASON disruptions to air travellers in the US, in which storms caused chaos in delays, lost baggage and cancelled flights, were largely the result of staff shortages, according to a report released by the Department of...

Marriott plans its reinvention.(Hotels)
April 1, 2005... MARRIOTT HAS UNVEILED plans for a radical transformation of its hotel brand portfolio over the next decade. The multi-million dollar transformation of guest room decor, in-room technology, culinary offerings and public spaces will begin...

EU compensation what you need to know.(Airlines)(European Union new rules for passengers compensation)
April 1, 2005... AIR TRAVELLERS IN THE European Union are now entitled to more generous and comprehensive compensation if their trip is disrupted, thanks to a new compensation package that became law on February 17. The new rules cover travellers flying...

New York air traffic goes sky high.(Airports)
April 1, 2005... THE PORT AUTHORITY of New York and New Jersey has approved $35/18 million [pounds sterling] to study ways of modernising passenger terminals at LaGuardia and Newark airports to cope with burgeoning passenger numbers. LaGuardia is projected...

BCP.(Reader offers)(airport parking services)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... BCP the airport parking booking service, is offering 15% off its executive chauffeur drive and parking services. Chauffeur Drive Express gives users the chance to travel in comfort and style from their home or hotel to the airport or travel in...

Movenpick Hotel.(Reader offers)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Movenpick Hotel in Berlin has a two-night deal for only 205 [euro]. This special offer includes: * Two nights in a spacious Superior Category double room * Breakfast buffet * Use of the sauna and fitness centre * The Berlin...

Avis Rent a Car's.(Reader offers)(Avis Group Holding Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Avis Rent A Car's new Weekender promotion gives customers in the US a free weekend rental every time they rent a car for five days or longer. The deal, which runs until June 25, allows renters to earn up to three free-weekend certificates,...

The Carlyle.(Reader offers)(Carlyle hotel in New York )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Carlyle in New York is celebrating its 75th anniversary by offering standard suite bookings with a second night for just $75/39 [pounds sterling]. The Suite 75 offer is available for up to six nights' successive stay and is valid until...

The Mandarin Oriental.(Reader offers)(Mandarin Oriental in Washington )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Mandarin Oriental in Washington is offering deluxe rooms for a special rate of $395/205 [pounds sterling] a night. Tel +1 202 554 8588 or go to www.mandarinoriental.com.

The Ritz Carlton.(Reader offers)(Ritz Carlton hotel in Phoenix)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Ritz Carlton in Phoenix is offering a chance to cruise through the Arizona desert in a Mercedes-Benz with their Key to Luxury package. Rates start at $549/285 [pounds sterling] a night and include accommodation on the club floor, dally use...

Omni in Chicago.(Reader offers)(Omni Ambassador East )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Omni in Chicago has a Leisure with Breakfast package that includes accommodation in a deluxe room and continental breakfast in bed for $215/112 [pounds sterling] per night. The offer is valid until April 28. Tel +1 312 944 6664 or visit...

The Langham Hotel.(Reader offers)(Langham Hotels International)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Langham Hotel in Hong Kong is offering a Tailor-Made Memories package that starts at $526/273 [pounds sterling]. Guests will be measured for three tailor-made shirts that will be delivered within 48 hours. Other perks include unlimited...

The InterContinental.(Reader offers)(InterContinental Montreal hotel at quebec)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The InterContinental Montreal is offering a Double Your Options package until April 30. With rates starting at $186/97 [pounds sterling], guests have the choice of a buffet breakfast, valet parking or a second guest room at half the current...

Design Hotels.(Reader offers)(Design Hotels (United Kingdom))(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Design Hotels across Europe are hosting a Winter Spaces package at 15 properties. Guests can book a deluxe room for the price of a superior room and also enjoy breakfast and a VIP pass. The offer is available until April 30 and requires a...

The Balmoral Hotel.(Reader offers)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh is offering a Scottish experience for $445/231 [pounds sterling] a night. Located in the heart of the city, the luxury Balmoral Hotel offers guests a full breakfast and access to their spa and fitness centres....

Qantas Airways.(Reader offers)(Qantas Airways Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Qantas Airways is offering an Aussie Airpass for $999/519 [pounds sterling] (low season). The basic airpass includes round trip, economy airfare from Los Angeles or Honolulu to zone one in Australia (using specific Qantas flights) and up to...

Swiss.(Reader offers)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Swiss has the distinction of being the only transatlantic carrier participating in the American Express Platinum two-for-one air programme that allows travel in first class. Although other popular carriers like Air France and Lufthansa...

British Airways.(Reader offers)(British Airways PLC business class offers)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... British Airways offers a very popular two for one in first and business class called the "British Airways Visa Free Companion Offer". This allows first class passengers to obtain free travel provided you purchase tickets using the British...

Virgin Atlantic.(Reader offers)(airlines price offers)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Virgin Atlantic Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Silk Air all participate in a joint "Round The World" (RTW) apex type fare for travel via the South Pacific starting at just $5,159/2,684 [pounds sterling] for business class. Other...

Austrian to Bombay.(New In The Air)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Austrian Airlines is scheduled to begin a service from Vienna to Bombay on May 1 with five flights a week. Flights will depart from Vienna on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 10.45am and will provide a connection to India for...

Qatar to Japan.(New In The Air)(Qatar Airways)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Qatar Airways has introduced a service from its hub in Doha to Osaka, Japan with four non-stop flights a week. The flights will be operated on an A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration, with 12 first class seats that convert to 180...

Air France in the US.(New In The Air)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Air France has expanded its services in the US through its code-share partnership with Continental Airlines. Passengers on Air France transatlantic flights will be able to continue to 21 US destinations on Continental flights via either Houston...

Berlin connections.(New In The Air)(Easyjet Airline PLC)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Easyjet has announced three new routes connecting its Berlin Schoenefeld base with London Gatwick, Milan and Rome, starting on September 21, 2005. This brings the number of Easyjet routes from Berlin to 27--more than at long-established...

Lufthansa to Frankfurt.(New In The Air)(Deutsche Lufthansa AG)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The new Lufthansa summer timetable will include additional flights to Frankfurt from Dublin and Birmingham. A new early morning departure from Dublin (with a late evening return) and a new morning service from Birmingham--taking flights to four...

Alaska to Seattle and Dallas.(New In The Air)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Alaska Airlines will begin a twice daily non-stop service between Seattle and Dallas Fort Worth on July 19, with a daily same plane service to and from Anchorage. Alaska has been expanding its service beyond the West Coast since 2001 and the...

JAL to Tokyo.(New In The Air)(Japan Air Lines Company Ltd)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The number of Japan Airlines flights between Chicago and Tokyo has now increased from seven per week to 10. The three new flights will depart from Narita Airport at 2.40pm and will make same-day connections possible for those flying to Chicago...

Zoom to Canada.(New In The Air)(Zoom Airlines)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Zoom Airlines has announced low-cost scheduled flights direct from Belfast to Canada. The Belfast service will start in June 2005 with weekly flights to Toronto on Wednesday at prices starting from 89 [pounds sterling] one way including taxes....

On May 16, Northwest Airlines will begin a twice-daily non-stop service between Lincoln, Nebraska, and the airline's hub in Memphis, Tennessee.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... On May 16, Northwest Airlines will begin a twice-daily non-stop service between Lincoln, Nebraska, and the airline's hub in Memphis, Tennessee. The service will be provided on a Canadair Regional let (CRJ) that seats up to 50 passengers.

United Airlines will launch a daily non-stop flight between Chicago O'Hare and Munich on June 7.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... United Airlines will launch a daily non-stop flight between Chicago O'Hare and Munich on June 7. The airline currently offers a code-share flight operated by Lufthansa on this route.

American Airlines is relaunching its seasonal non-stop service between Glasgow and Chicago O'Hare on May 2.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... American Airlines is relaunching its seasonal non-stop service between Glasgow and Chicago O'Hare on May 2. The service will operate daily and run until September 30.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that, during 2005, it will be adding self-service check-in and check-out kiosks to more than 100 Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt hotels in the US, Canada and the Caribbean.(New On The Ground)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that, during 2005, it will be adding self-service check-in and check-out kiosks to more than 100 Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt hotels in the US, Canada and the Caribbean. To check in, guests swipe their...

The Radisson Hotel Shanghai New World will open in May 2005, marking the third Radisson brand property to open in the city.(New On The Ground)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Radisson Hotel Shanghai New World will open in May 2005, marking the third Radisson brand property to open in the city. The 45-storey, 520-room hotel will open on the Nanjing Road and will feature both Western and Chinese cuisine, a...

Kowloon's first boutique hotel, The Minden.(New On The Ground)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Kowloon's first boutique hotel, The Minden, has opened in Minden Avenue, a new pedestrianised restaurant and nightlife district. The 64-room property is the brainchild of solicitor, entrepreneur and fine arts connoisseur Robert WH Wang and...

The Sheraton Heathrow has unveiled its sleek new watering hole called The Bar.(New On The Ground)(Sheraton Heathrow hotel england)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Sheraton Heathrow has unveiled its sleek new watering hole called The Bar. Following a refurbishment of the lobby area, the hotel has created a modern space for hotel guests and locals to relax and have a few cocktails at the end of the day...

The Las Ventanas resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, has become the first to offer poolside broadband televisions.(New On The Ground)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Las Ventanas resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, has become the first to offer poolside broadband televisions that allow guests to watch their favourite TV programmes and DVDs as well as surf the web, send emails and receive digital photos while...

If you have a mobile phone and some cash to spare, you may never have to sit in traffic in the US again.(Products)(Rand McNally & Company)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... If you have a mobile phone and some cash to spare, you may never have to sit in traffic in the US again. Rand McNally & Company has introduced a downloadable mobile application called Rand McNally Traffic that gives travellers unlimited access...

Rand McNally Traffic is available to Sprint PCS VisionSM, AT&T Wireless and ALLTEL subscribers.(Products)(Rand McNally & Company traffic guide to motorists)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Rand McNally Traffic is available to Sprint PCS VisionSM, AT&T Wireless and ALLTEL subscribers for $3.99/2.07 [pounds sterling] a month, charged directly to the customer's monthly cell phone bill.

The Grove.(Country hotel check: Hertfordshire, UK)
April 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? A cross between a luxurious, modern country house hotel and a conference centre of excellence. The feel is described by the man responsible, Martin Hulbert, design director of Fox Linton Associates, as "groovy grand", which is...

The Vineyard at Stockcross.(Country hotel check: Berkshire, UK)
April 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? The main building of the hotel was a 19th century hunting lodge that became a country house hotel in the 1980s before being transformed into the The Vineyard in 1998. As we arrived, a wedding was taking place so the reception...

Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris.(Hotel check: Paris)
April 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? Currently basking in the glory of its starring role in the final episodes of Sex and The City, the Plaza Athenee is one of the best five-star hotels in Paris: classic and traditional but also modern and attracting a young crowd....

Renaissance Paris Hotel La Defense.(Hotel check: Paris)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? The newly refurbished Renaissance hotel, one of the three Marriott-brand properties in Paris, offers both comfort and accessibility to the business district, the metro and the shopping mall Les Quatre Temps. The lobby has a...

KLM economy class.(Flight check: New York JFK-Amsterdam Schiphol)(KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)
April 1, 2005... FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I was pleasantly surprised to find Terminal 4, JFK's main international terminal, quiet when I arrived at 1655 for my 1825 flight to Amsterdam. There were five passengers in front of me and three ticket counters open, so the...

Luxair economy class.(Flight check: Luxembourg-London City)
April 1, 2005... FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I had already checked in for this return evening flight before my departure from London City earlier the same day so, boarding pass in hand, I went straight through immigration and security into the departure area, which was...

French connection: Alia Akkam discovers a new definition of comfort food in Montreal, where foie gras burgers and chocolate club sandwiches help to keep out the cold.(Montreal restaurants)
April 1, 2005... Au Pied de Cochon 536 Duluth St East tel +1 514 281 1114 It's easy to fall prey to one of the mediocre restaurants in the trendy area of Plateau. However, Au Pied de Cochon is a chefs' hang out and stands out from the rest. It has...

Golfing around Lisbon: rolling countryside and tough terrain make for challenging holes and spectacular views. Minty Clinch tours Lisbon's best courses.
April 1, 2005... PENHA LONGA GOLF CLUB Where is it? 25km west of Lisbon. What's it like? This region's "must play" is a true championship test: a tough course with roller coaster fairways, elevated greens and great views over mountains and the sea. The...

Squaring up: traditional US airlines are facing a flight for their lives, writes David Jones, and their main defence is to match the budget airlines blow for blow.(Low-cost carriers)
April 1, 2005... Rod Cober, executive vice president of Burke Inc, typifies the sort of customer that low-fare airlines attract. Tired of paying high fares at the Cincinnati hub of Delta Air Lines, Cober often drove up to two hours to find lower fares at...

Fit to work: there's no longer any excuse to be idle on your business trips as hotels race to offer better health facilities.(Travel fitness)
April 1, 2005... There's no doubt that business travel is bad for you. If DVT doesn't get you then exhaustion, jetlag, mind-numbing meetings and the strain of absence on your relationships probably will. Luckily, however, there are alternatives to watching your...

Pure shores: the air is clear, the streets are safe and the spaces wide and open, but beneath Stockholm's clean cut image Sophie Dening discovers a confident and prosperous city that's become as hip as it is wholesome, and where the welcome is much warmer than the climate.(Stockholm)
April 1, 2005... If unfamiliar cities cause your survival instincts to go into overdrive, it may take an evening to acclimatise to Stockholm's not-very-mean streets. Clean, green, wholesome and hip, the Swedish capital has a way of wrong-footing anyone...

In lotus, will meditate; hardened cynic Lauren Custance discovers meditation can relax even absolute beginners.(Los Angeles)
April 1, 2005... I have a friend who is obsessed with his health. He practises yoga seven days a week, eats only organic vegetarian food, sleeps with an air purifier, knows which colour his aura is and is on first name terms with his inner-self. He also manages...

New dawn rising: so much has changed in Moscow since the end of the Soviet era but, as Nick Trend reports on his first visit since the fall of the Wall, the city has retained its charm.(Moscow)
April 1, 2005... Visiting the Soviet Union in the 1980s, I used to feel rich, even though I was travelling on a shoestring. I could stay at the most expensive hotels, dine in the most exclusive restaurants, take taxis on a whim, visit the Bolshoi or the Kirov,...

Northern exposure: Turin is set to have a seriously raised profile when it hosts the 2006 Winter Olympics but, as Louise Roddon reports, there's no need to wait until then to sample the city.(Turin)
April 1, 2005... The last time Turin got any serious attention was when Michael Caine's Mini Coopers tarmac-trashed its streets in The Italian Job. Since then, despite its elegant arcades, gorgeous baroque architecture, famous coffee houses and colourful...

4 hours in Zurich: four hours is plenty of time to get around this clean and compact city. Mark Frary takes a leisurely stroll to admire the art, vintage Swiss watches and, of course, sample some world-famous chocolate.
April 1, 2005... [1] Centre Le Corbusier/ Heidi Weber House One of the 20th century's greatest architects, Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, was born in the Swiss watchmaking town of La Chaux de Fonds and is best known by his pseudonym Le Corbusier, or the more...

The Cumberland make huge savings.(Subscriber offer ...)(world class hotel at London)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Be one of the first to experience The Cumberland, London's newest world-class hotel. The first property to open under Thistle's new luxury brand, Guoman, the hotel aims to combine breathtaking style and design with exceptional comfort and...

Solar do Castelo, Lisbon.(Privilege club)(Solar do Castelo Hotel)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... A refreshing alternative to your standard city hotel, The Solar do Castelo Hotel Is inside the walls of St Georges Castle in what was formerly the kitchens of the first Royal Palace. The intimate property, which is accessible only by foot,...

Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Latin America.(Privilege club)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... With more than 30 years' experience of serving the business traveller in Latin America, Starwood's service has been recognised and awarded on numerous occasions. When you visit the most fascinating and varied destinations in Mexico and South...

Eat your words.(Privilege club)(European Food and Drink Guide for europe travellers)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... When you're travelling in Europe, be it for work or pleasure, there is a very good chance that you will be dining in a restaurant where you don't fully understand the language on the menu. Rather than ordering a mysterious entree and ending...

Island life: still one of the finest getaways on Hong Kong's doorstep, Lantau is poised for new development.(Great escape Lantau)
April 1, 2005... There's no better introduction to Lantau than boarding one of the blue, slightly clapped-out five-seater taxis at Chek Lap Kok Airport and heading south. Within 10 minutes of crossing onto Lantau island you'll have left behind the humdrum...