Business Traveler articles from January 1 2006

Business Traveler archives from January 1 2006

This month.
January 1, 2006... The year 2005 has been a challenging one for the traveling public, and likewise, a challenging year for us at Business Traveler. With a lot of hard work and determination, we came back, at a time when some skeptics thought we might just go...

Observations on SkyTeam.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... After reading the letters written by Mr. Hortin and Mr. Marks (October 2005) and the subsequent letter from Mr. White (November 2005) concerning Delta Airlines and its SkyTeam partners, I have to concur, as well, that the recognition factor by...

Surf city?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... The article (Beauty and the Beach) in the November edition had me laughing! I quote: "It's not unusual to see a businessman in a suit carrying a surfboard." Who is she kidding? I am afraid the writer is purpetuating the old American myth...

SAS recline.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Your articles regarding the SAS business class is interesting, although I find it rather strange that your writer says, "though not a flat bed, it's almost as good as...." As a very frequent flyer I can tell you that there is a huge difference...

Fit to travel.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... First, I'd like to thank you for a great issue... November, 2005. I got some great take-away ideas. Second... Have you ever heard someone say, "I can't work out this week. I'm going on a business trip." As a veteran business traveler, I...

Leading hotels creates leading residences club.(Leading Hotels of the World Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... THE LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD RECENTLY LAUNCHED THE LEADING RESIDENCES OF THE WORLD, an offshoot club that will cater to the growing trend of extended-stay travel offering amenities that match--if not exceed--the conveniences travelers have...

Amtrak considers privatizing northeast corridor.(Upfront)
January 1, 2006... OFFICIALS ARE DEBATING HOW TO REPAIR THE BELEAGUERED AMTRAK PASSENGER RAIL LINE, following the dismissal of its president, David Gunn. Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary, Norman Mineta, in a speech earlier this month, tried to...

TSA makes sweeping changes to airport security.(AIRLINES)
January 1, 2006... THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION UNVEILED NEW MEASURES TO AIRPORT SECURITY screening during a press conference in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 2 in an effort to focus time and effort on serious aviation security threats like explosives,...

American to enter Love Field March 2 against Southwest.(American Airlines Inc.; Southwest Airlines Co.)
January 1, 2006... LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AFTER SOUTHWEST AIRLINES was granted approval to serve Missouri from Dallas Love Field, American Airlines said it will launch competing service to Missouri from that airport, as well as additional service within Texas on...

The Hilton San Francisco.($34 million renovation)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... THE HILTON SAN FRANCISCO Financial District hotel is gearing up to reopen in January 2006 after an extensive $34 million renovation. The Hilton is designed for guests traveling on business, with spacious rooms with desks and meeting spaces, a...

Hyatt Regency.(Hyatt Corp. plans hotels for Colorado Convention Center)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Denver will be the home of the new HYATT REGENCY at the Colorado Convention Center, which is slated to open its doors Dec. 20. The hotel boasts 1,100 guest rooms; 60,000 square feet of meeting space; high-speed Internet access in guest rooms...

Marriott Residence Inn Bryant Park.(Marriott Residence Inn)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... New York City gained another hotel in November with the opening of the MARRIOTT RESIDENCE INN BRYANT PARK in Midtown. The hotel, with its formal ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for January 2006, is the first Marriott Residence brand in the...

The Hilton Washington Dulles Airport.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... THE HILTON WASHINGTON DULLES AIRPORT recently completed a $40 million renovation that includes 12,000 extra square feet of conference and meeting facilities and the addition of 155 more guestrooms, bringing the total to 449. All guestrooms have...

Eurofly.(Airbus Corporate Jet)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Italy's corporate jet company, EUROFLY, is starting a new service called Milano Manhattan Club, or MiMa, that will fly between New York JFK and Milan's private Linate airport, located about 15 minutes from the city center. MiMa Hill operate...

Lufthansa.(Deutsche Lufthansa AG)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... LUFTHANSA will begin flying from Frankfurt to Doha via Kuwait starting Jan. 10, 2006, with three weekly nonstop flights Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on a 221seat A330. The flights will depart Frankfurt at 12:55 p.m. and arrive in Doha at...

Gulf Air.(nonstop service)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... GULF AIR launched nonstop service from Bahrain to Dublin and Johannesburg on Dec. 2. The service to Dublin departs Bahrain at 1:50 a.m., arriving in Dublin at 6:45 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The Johannesburg service departs...

United Airlines.(AIRLINES: NEW ROUTES)
January 1, 2006... UNITED AIRLINES is adding flights to international destinations from its Washington Dulles hub. Starting in April 2006, the airline Hill add a third daily nonstop flight to Frankfurt. In May 2006, United Hill add a daily round-trip flight from...

Thai Airways.(AIRLINES: NEW ROUTES)
January 1, 2006... THAI AIRWAYS expands nonstop flights to Los Angeles from Bangkok. Three weekly flights every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday depart at 8:40 p.m. and arrives at 8:10 p.m. Returns depart Los Angeles two days later at 10:30 p.m. and arrive at 6:40 a.m....

Qantas.(AIRLINES: NEW ROUTES)
January 1, 2006... QANTAS increases frequency to NewYork to Sydney via Los Angeles beginning in February 2006, from three to five weekly flights. The airline Hill fly out of JFK to Sydney every day but Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Emirates.(Emirates Airline nonstop flight)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... EMIRATES added a second daily nonstop flight on the Dubai-New York route Nov. 16, 2005. Flight EK202 departs JFK at 11:30 p.m. and arrives in Dubai at 9:10 p.m. the next day. Flight EK 204 departs JFK at 9:10 a.m. and arrives in Dubai at 6:50...

The Draycott Hotel.(free airport transfers)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... THE DRAYCOTT HOTEL, located in London's West End neighborhood of Chelsea, is offering free airport transfers from Heathrow International Airport and 50 percent off transfers from Gatwick Airport through Jan. 31, 2006. The discounts apply only...

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts.(promotional offer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Through Dec. 30, 2005, guests who stay two nights at CROWNE PLAZA HOTELS & RESORTS, and pay with a Visa credit card, will receive a $100 rebate toward a future weekend stay at participating hotel properties. Book online and stay at any Crowne...

Starwood Hotels & Resorts.(promotional offer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS' new property, The Westin Paris, has introductory rates starting at $298 per room now through Feb. 28, 2006. The hotel opened in November and is located next to the Tuileries Gardens. Formerly an Intercontinental, the...

Loews Annapolis.(HOTELS)
January 1, 2006... LOEWS ANNAPOLIS, located in close proximity to the nation's capital, is offering a Dec. 1, 2005 through March 17, 2006 promotion that discounts rooms by nearly one-third. Room rates start at $115 per night and some blackout dates apply to the...

The Hotel Valencia Santana Row.(promotional offer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... THE HOTEL VALENCIA SANTANA ROW in San Jose, CA, known for its Art Nouveau decor and high-tech amenities, offers guests staying two consecutive nights at the hotel a third night's stay free. The deal is good for accommodations from Dec. 16-30....

The Wyndham Anatole Hotel.(promotional offer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... THE WYNDHAM ANATOLE HOTEL in Dallas offers special rewards when booking meetings at the hotel through Jan. 7, 2006. Based upon the total amount of money spent on booking the meeting room and guest rooms, food and beverage, and use of...

Renaissance Chicago O'Hare.(promotional offer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The newly opened RENAISSANCE CHICAGO O'HARE hotel has a special ongoing corporate rate of $169 through Jan. 31, 2006. Situated three miles from O'Hare Airport, the Renaissance has 24-hour complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport....

The Eldorado Hotel and Spa.(promotional offer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... THE ELDORADO HOTEL AND SPA in Santa Fe is offering business travelers a special nightly rate of $109 per room--a savings of 45 percent off the normal rate. The Eldorado has 219 guestrooms, an award-winning executive chef at its restaurant Old...

Azores Express.(business-class)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Specialty airline AZORES EXPRESS has a new offer for a business-class upgrade on its daily flights from Providence and Boston to the Azores and Lisbon. Purchase any economy-class ticket and pay an additional $170 each way to the Azores, and...

Delta Airelite.(Perfect 10 jet card)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... DELTA AIRELITE, the private-jet charter of Delta Air Lines, has a new Perfect 10 jet card, allowing customers to buy a 10-hour private jet membership program. The jet service already offers 25-, 50- and 100-hour Fleet Membership programs. Delta...

Alitalia.(business-class flights; Alitalia Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Italian airline ALITALIA has a sale on select business-class flights from major U.S. cities to select European destinations. Fares start at $2,230 for a round-trip ticket on Alitalia's Magnifica Class. Sample fares include $2,230 roundtrip from...

Austrian offers free stopover.(Business-class)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Business-class passengers on AUSTRIAN AIRLINES can now enjoy a free stopover in Vienna on the way to their final destination. The program, called Vienna On Us, includes limousine service to and from the airport, a one-night accommodation at an...

Lufthansa.(discounted its airfares; Deutsche Lufthansa AG)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... LUFTHANSA has discounted its airfares from Munich to San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Tickets must be purchased before the end of the year and are valid for travel between Jan. 2 and March 16, 2006. Round-trip tickets start at $656...

LAN.(LAN-Chile Airlines discounts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... LAN has discounted its business-class tickets from Miami and New York to select cities in South America. Round-trip airfare from Miami to Caracas departing and arriving Monday or Friday is $680. Round-trip tickets from New York JFK to Quito or...

Singapore Airlines.(package deal)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... SINGAPORE AIRLINES and Asian Affair Holidays are offering a five-night package deal to Tokyo good for travel from Jan. 1 through April 30, 2006. Travel must be booked by Jan. 31, 2006. Starting from $959, the promotion includes nonstop,...

Malaysia Airlines.(economy class tickets; promotional offer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... MALAYSIA AIRLINES is offering economy class tickets from Los Angeles or Newark to Bangkok or Phuket for $699 roundtrip, plus tax, available for purchase now through Jan. 31, 2006. Travel must be conducted between Jan. 9 and May 31, 2006. No...

Cathay Pacific.(promotional offer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Fly round-trip to Bangkok on Hong Kong's CATHAY PACIFIC, starting at $722 from San Francisco and Los Angeles, or $782 from New York JFK. Tickets must be purchased online at the airline's "Deal of the Month" section through Dec. 31, or before...

Omni Hotels and Delta Air Lines.(Loyalty Deals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... OMNI HOTELS AND DELTA AIR LINES have a cross promotion through Dec. 31, 2005 allowing guests who stay at Omni through the end of the year to earn 500 Delta miles. Guests who stay at an Omni hotel three times during the promotional period will...

Carlson Hotels and Resorts.(Loyalty Deals)
January 1, 2006... CARLSON HOTELS AND RESORTS recently expanded its Goldpoints hotel loyalty program to 43 participating Carlson hotels and resorts in Asia-Pacific. When staying at any Radisson Hotels and Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Country Inn and...

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards.(SeaTac International Airport)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... SOUTHWEST AIRLINES RAPID REWARDS members are eligible for discounted parking at Seattle's SeaTac International Airport and the Los Angeles International Airport. At Seattle, members will receive a daily rate of $9.95 at the new off-site parking...

Continental Airlines.(Loyalty Deals)(OnePass)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... CONTINENTAL AIRLINES will award bonus points to OnePass members who fly between Newark and Houston to Buenos Aires between Dec. 14, 2005 and March 31, 2006. Passengers can earn up to 5,000 bonus points for a roundtrip, business-class ticket...

Delta Air Lines.(Loyalty Deals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... DELTA AIR LINES is offering its Crown Room Club members complimentary membership to Regus Group's Network Access worldwide program through Jan. 31, 2006. The company owns 750 business centers in 60 countries, located in 350 major cities as well...

Lufthansa and Sofitel.(Loyalty Deals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... LUFTHANSA AND SOFITEL hotels are partnering to offer 1,000 frequent flier miles for stays at any Sofitel or Dorint Sofitel (available at 14 locations in Germany) hotel for a minimum of two nights. To receive the miles, guests should present...

Marriott.(Loyalty Deals)
January 1, 2006... MARRIOTT will award new members of the rewards program a free night's stay at any Marriott hotel when making a purchase with the Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card or Business Card. The deal is valid through June 30, 2006 and only good for...

Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts.(Loyalty Deals)(Holiday Inn Express)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS AND RESORTS is giving away 10,000 Priority Club Bonus Points--enough for a free night at a Holiday Inn Express--for signing up for the Visa rewards card. Cardholders always receive one Priority Club point for every...

Hyatt stay fit.(facility for business travelers)(Hyatt Hotels and Resorts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Hyatt Hotels and Resorts is starting a new program designed to make staying in shape easier for frequent business travelers. By the end of 2008, all 112 Hyatt properties in North America and the Caribbean will have renovated fitness centers...

Continental gift bags for premier customers.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Starting in November, first-class passengers on Continental's flights from Newark Liberty International to San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Seattle will receive complimentary holiday gift bags arranged by Premier Bags Inc., marking the...

Emirates and American Airlines open new lounges at JFK.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... American Airlines and Emirates each opened their premium club lounges at New York's JFK airport in November. The Emirates lounge can hold up to 200 first and business-class passengers, and features an extensive menu of Mediterranean-,...

Singapore and El Al begin wireless onboard.(El Al Israel Airlines; Singapore Airlines Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... El Al Israel recently announced plans to join ranks with the exclusive group of airlines that offer in-flight wireless Internet. Around the same time, Singapore Airlines said it would expand the number of flights on which it offers Connexion by...

Swiss International Air Lines business class.(AIRLINE: JFK TO GENEVA)
January 1, 2006... FIRST IMPRESSIONS: JFK wasn't crowded, and I was the sole person in line at Swiss International Air Lines' check-in. The business lounge, a two-minute walk from the ticket counter, is shaped like a sleek rectangle with three computers in a...

Mandarin Oriental.(Hotel Review)
January 1, 2006... WHAT'S IT LIKE: A serene aerie with contemporary Asian decor, the latest hi-tech amenities and spectacular views, the Mandarin Oriental New York fittingly became the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group's new flagship property when it opened in...

2006 essential tools for the road: with new technologies emerging faster than a supersonic plane, we pull the curtain on the hottest gear and gadgets for the mobile traveler. From tough new ultraportables to the sleekest multi-function cell phones, we'll give you all the information you need to buy the gadgets you need to have.(Technology)
January 1, 2006... Take a good look at your laptop, your cell phone, your digital camera. Suddenly they seem a whole lot older and less powerful than they used to, don't they? It's not your fault. Technology is advancing at such a rapid pace that products only...

Roller derby: Eva Leonard takes the latest wheeled carry-ons for a spin.(luggage)
January 1, 2006... Suitable With an expandable main compartment, removable fold-out garment sleeve and two interior pockets, TUMFs roomy T3 Transporter Packing Case has proven popular for four- to six-day trips. It also makes maneuvering through the airport...

Class of 2005: from the most luxurious hotels to the finest cabins in business class, Business Traveler presents the best in every conceivale category of business travel. Best of all, they represent the voice of the true experts, none other than the readers themselves.(Business Traveler Awards 2005)(Cover Story)
January 1, 2006... BEST HOTEL CHAIN IN THE WORLD RITZ-CARLTON This luxury hotel chain has been growing rapidly since President and Chief Operating Officer Simon Cooper took the reigns in 2001. An aggressive expansion in Asia-Pacific is underway, where...

Heads up: the top 10 travel stories for 2006: Jennifer Michels examines the trends that will shape business travel in the coming year.(Forecast 2006)
January 1, 2006... Business travelers have some high-tech developments to look forward to in 2006 that will make life on the road a little easier. These include new Internet phone technology and passes that will help frequent flyers breeze right through those...

Oasis in the sand: over-the-top is de rigueur in Dubai, where underwater hotels will soon vie with the world's tallest building to snare tourists' attention and dollars.(Dubai)
January 1, 2006... The world's first indoor black ski run is housed in a snow dome in downtown Dubai, a city on the edge of the desert where summer temperatures nudge 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius). If this seems a tad incongruous, it pales in...

Work hard play harder: Rio is famed for its beaches and party amosphere, but heavy industries are crucial to its economy and to the country's energy supply.(Rio de Janeiro)
January 1, 2006... Think of Brazil's two most important cities as sisters with distinct reputations. Skyscraper-filled megalopolis Sao Paulo, the largest city in the Americas, with a population at over 10 million people, is the hard worker. Sun-kissed Rio de...

Rocky mountain high: Denver's historic up-and-down economy is on a strong rebound.(Denver)
January 1, 2006... Mention Denver, and many Americans, especially on the coasts, are hard pressed to conjure up a detailed image. Although Denver is often perceived as one of the few U.S. cities where outsiders frequently can't cite any negative attributes about...

4 hours in Philadelphia: from its cobblestone streets to its cultural riches and hip restaurant scene, Beth D'Addono discovers a Philadelphia of historic proportions.(Independence National Historical Park)
January 1, 2006... Located in Independence National Historical Park, the [1] Liberty Bell has to be one of the top three iconic American symbols-right up there with Old Glory and apple pie. Situated across from Independence Hall, the bell, which cracked soon...

Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy.(Best Read)(Reprint)
January 1, 2006... For years every important energy supply model has assumed that Saudi Arabian oil is plentiful and can be produced so inexpensively. It has also assumed that its supply is expandable to any realistic demand level the world might need, at least...

Never Check Your E-Mail in the Morning: Unexpected Strategies for Making Your Work Life Work.(Best Read)(Reprint)
January 1, 2006... When it comes to prioritizing, you need to focus on a very simple concept-everything you spend your time on should be assessed in terms of its proximity to the revenue line. What is the revenue line? It's the point at which your company is...

Waterworld: Eva Leonard explores the teeming aquatic realms of the Abacos.(Great Escape: The Abaco Islands, Bahamas)(Bluff House Beach Hotel)
January 1, 2006... Comprising a 650-square-mile archipelago of islands and cays sprinkled about 106 miles north of Nassau and 175 miles east of Palm Beach, the Abaco Islands are known not just for their dazzling, pristine beaches, but also for their excellent...

Savings for members: Rome Cavalieri Hilton.(Privilege Club)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Welcome to Business Traveler's Privilege Club! Privilege Club offers significant discounts at hotels all over the world, many of them exclusive to Business Traveler. With one use, you can recoup your annual subscription fee. Membership is free...

Maximizing Bedlam.(THE LAST WORD)
January 1, 2006... I wondered if the hop was coming off the old travel fastball. It was over dinner with some colleagues in late October at the Great Eastern Hotel in London's East End. At some point between the third glass of wine and the arrival of the...