Business Traveler articles from May 2001

Business Traveler archives from May 2001

Editor's letter.
May 1, 2001... IT'S NO SECRET THAT LOVE HANDLES ARE endemic among business travelers. Grabbing a cheeseburger at the airport, gobbling down a fat-laden first-class meal and spending most of your trip in a sedentary position can transform even the leanest,...

Blame game. (Letter Of The Month).
May 1, 2001... This is not strictly a business travel story, but it so upset and offended my sensibilities, I thought I should share it. I travel extensively on business (about 85,000 miles a year), but this trip was different. My wife and I were...

Cheers and jeers. (Letter Of The Month).
May 1, 2001... I am a frequent traveler, although most of my travel is in the Northeast United States and Canada. Because of logistics and schedules, most of my flying is done on Continental. I guess that has spoiled me. Recently I was invited to attend a...

The longest mile. (Letter Of The Month).
May 1, 2001... In the March issue, in the news story "Whose is Longer?" you state that United will inaugurate a daily nonstop between JFK and HKG April 1 that is 8400 miles, takes 16 hours and will be the longest scheduled nonstop in the world--or possibly...

Hell on wheels. (The Letter Of The Month).
May 1, 2001... We rented a car at Budget in Vienna, drove to Munich, and on an exit ramp from the highway, we had to swerve off onto the grass to avoid a truck that suddenly stopped. My car slid past a thin aluminum direction sign that broke the left...

The paper chase. (Airlines).(benefits of paper tickets for airline flights in the event of a strike)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... AS TRAVELERS FACE the daunting prospect of strikes by major airlines this summer, paper tickets become a necessity to the traveler, not a luxury," says Robert L. Darbelnet, president and CEO of the American Automobile Association. The...

A leg up at Austrian Airlines. (Airlines).(more legroom in planes)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... NEXT TIME YOU SETTLE IN for an Austrian Airlines Grand Class flight, don't bother to put your briefcase in the overhead. You'll have plenty of room for it in the extra foot of legroom the airline has just installed at a $400,000 price tag per...

Manchester scores five stars. (Hotels).(new Forte Hotel in Manchester, England)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... RESPONDING TO the growth of Manchester's Chapel Wharf development and the city's increased importance as a business center, this spring Forte Hotels opens Manchester's only five-star hotel, The Lowry. The hotel is part of a new economic...

Shanghai gesture. (Rail).(high-speed train to be built near Pudong, China, adjacent to Shanghai)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... PUDONG, the "City of the Future" located on a muddy stretch of land adjacent to Shanghai east of the Huangpu River, has already seen China's initial investment of over $3.02 billion grow it into a baby Hong Kong. Now plans are on the table to...

Pei back. (Hotels).(I.M. Pei to redesign Four Seasons Hotel, New York, New York)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... THE 84-YEAR-OLD LEGEND, I. M. Pei, architect of the controversial Louvre Pyramid, is crowning his career with a redesign of the top of New York's Four Seasons Hotel. Gaze upward and you will soon see Pei's existing stepped crown "reconfigured...

"Mail high club". (Airlines).(Virgin Atlantic Airlines offers Internet service)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... BUSINESS-CLASS passengers will be able to stay connected and up-to-date with their e-mails throughout the flight," promises Sir Richard Branson, referring to his recently inked deal with in-flight Internet provider, Tenzing Communications. "In...

TV or not TV. (Airlines).(how deactivation of in-flight entertainment systems may affect power to important systems)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... If there were a mechanical problem on your flight, would your in-seat video monitor become a deadly obstacle to survival? The FAA has proposed 14 new airworthiness directives to ensure that crews have the ability to remove power from the...

Putting on the Ritz. (Hotels).(Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, Illinois, redoes business center)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... CHICAGO'S RITZ-CARLTON is not one to rest on its laurels. Named Conde Nast Traveler's "Best Hotel in North America, 2000," the hotel is wooing business travelers with a newly renovated 24-hour business center. Got a PDA glitch at four in the...

In the Pink. (Hotels).(deals for people who have been laid off at Metropolitan Hotel, New York, New York)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Y Employees who find their companies listed on "F--ked Company.com" can now find a half-priced drink, a headhunter bartender and a discounted room rate at New York's Metropolitan Hotel. The hotel's "Pink Slip Pick Me Up Program"is aimed at the...

Le Meridien. (United States).(special price for Chicago, Illinois property)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The brand-new Le Meridien in Chicago is Offering Superior rooms for just $199 a night until May 31. The hotel includes full meeting space, business center, lounge and spa. Rack rates after this period will start at $425. Call 800-543-4300...

Bryant Park Hotel. (United States).(special prices)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... New York's Bryant Park Hotel, is offering special introductory rates until September 4. Superior rooms will be $205 a night, and deluxe rooms will be $245. Rack rates for these rooms are $575 and $625, respectively. Call 877-640-9300 for...

Four Points Sheraton Los Angeles Airport. (United States).(special price)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Four Points Sheraton Los Angeles Airport is sponsoring a "Recession-Ready" package until August 31. Single-room guests receive breakfast and parking with their stay for just $99. This is over 50 percent off rack rates. Call...

JW Marriott Seoul. (Asia).(special deal for spa services)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Stay at the JW Marriott Seoul anytime this year and take advantage of the hotel's "Pampered Spa Break," which includes breakfast buffet and a choice of spa services. Single rooms are $218, and doubles are $270 (weekday rates; weekends are...

Pan Pacific Bangkok. (Asia).(special prices)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Pan Pacific Bangkok is offering suite packages until December 31. Starting at $155 a night for a junior suite, guests will receive perks including daily breakfast, $15 credit toward laundry service or airport transfer, spa discounts and...

SRS-Worldhotels. (Worldwide).(discounted rates)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... SRS-Worldhotels is offering slashed rates at more than 130 properties until the end of the year. Sample rates include $89 a night at the Sao Paulo Othon Palace, $129 at the City Park Hotel in Barcelona, and $49 at the Pan Pacific Resort on...

Sites for sore eyes. (Websites).(health information and emergency health insurance)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Traveling in strange places tends to cause some angst. These sites will help you feel comfortable traveling to those unfamiliar destinations and tell you what you need to know in case of a medical emergency. http://www.worldclinlc.com ...

Economy Class Syndrome. (Health).(deep vein thrombosis)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... WHEN A YOUNG woman got off a Qantas flight from Sydney to Heathrow, collapsed and later died last year of "deep vein thrombosis," airlines were forced to look long and hard at what causes "Economy Class Syndrome." This March, medical staff from...

American Airlines. (Reward Roundup).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... AAdvantage Members can earn double miles through August 31, when staying at participating Swiss6tel properties worldwide. Call 888-73-Swiss for locations in the U.S.; call 888-63-Swiss for international, or go online, www.Swissotel.com. ...

Delta. (Reward Roundup).(frequent flyer miles)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... SkyMiles Members call qualify for Delta's 20th Anniversary 20 million mile Give Away by signing up online for the Delta e-mail program (www.Delta.com/20 years). Through July 31, Delta will draw four winners each month and award the individual...

United Airlines. (Reward Roundup).(frequent flyer miles)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Mileage Plus Members can earn bonus miles through July 18, by renting from Alamo. To qualify for double miles with a three-day rental of a compact through a mini-van in the U.S. or Canada, Mileage Plus Members must use ID 651728, Rate Code P1...

Virgin Atlantic. (Reward Roundup).(frequent flyer miles life extended)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Now any activity on a member's Flying Club account over a three-year period automatically extends the life of those miles for another three years. Ally Flying Club member in Premium Economy now automatically receives 1-1/2 miles for every mile...

Marriott revves up. (Hotels).(Indianapolis Marriott Downtown)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... DIRECTLY CONNECTED to downtown Indianapolis' Convention Center via skywalk, the new Indianapolis Marriott Downtown offers business travelers 615 "rooms that work." The appellation means that road warriors will find fuel for their fire in the...

Finnair. (Flight Log).(offers flight between Helsinki and Hong Kong)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... * Finnair inaugurates a new long-haul flight between Helsinki and Hong Kong. The new flights are operated four times a week via Bangkok on MD-11 wide-body aircraft with expande business-class sections. Daily departures from Helsinki are at...

American Airlines. (Flight Log).(offering flight from San Jose, California to Paris, France)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... * American Airlines now offers a new daily flight from San Jose International Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, the first San Jose/Silicon Valley nonstop flight to Europe.

Aloha Airlines. (Flight Log).(nonstop flights between Oakland, California and Kona, Hawaii)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... * Aloha Airlines is offering new nonstop service between Oakland International Airport and Kona, Hawaii.

Southwest Airlines. (Flight Log).(nonstop flights between Phoenix, Orange County, Las Vegas, Nashville)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... * Southwest Airlines adds nonstop flights between Phoenix and Orange County, California and between Las Vegas and Orange County. There will be one additional daily direct flight between Orange County and Nashville.

Mexicana Airlines. (Flight Log).(addition of thirty daily flights to, from cities in United States)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... * Mexicana Airlines has announced that new codesharing agreements with United Airlines will result in an additional 30 daily flights to and from 68 gateway cities in the United States. These new flights are scheduled to be implemented over the...

Air France. (Airline Deals).(airline subscribes to Express Platinum Two-for-One Programme; special offer for business travellers)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... AIR FRANCE has rejoined the American Express Platinum two for one program. Passengers must purchase a full fare business-class ticket originating in the U.S. starting March 12 with all travel completed by April 30, 2002. A second passenger...

Northwest/KLM. (Airline Deals).(Biz Perks, business travel rewards programme for small, midsize companies)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... NORTHWEST/KLM has introduced "Biz Perks" designed to reward small to midsize companies who book less than $250,000 per year in business travel on Northwest/KLM By enrolling in Biz Perks the company will receive one point for every U.S. dollar...

US Airways. (Airline Deals).(GoFirst, frequent flyer programme)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... US AIRWAYS offers the "GoFirst" program in over 2,000 markets. This program allows travelers who purchase an unrestricted full fare coach ticket to be seated in first class subject to availability. GoFirst was previously known as "A4Coach."...

US Airways has formed a partnership with Avis Rent A Car. (Airline Deals).(members of Dividend Miles programme to earn free miles for every dollar spent on corporate automobile rental)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... US AIRWAYS has formed a partnership with Avis Rent A Car that allows Dividend Miles members to earn one mile for every $1 spent on qualifying corporate or government rentals and $2 on qualifying leisure rentals. Contact your travel agent or US...

Cathay Pacific. (Airline Deals).(All Asia Pass 2002, special air travel fare programme)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... CATHAY PACIFIC's "All Asia Pass 2002" now has a travel completion date of December 12, 2002. This fare allows you to start in JFK, L.A. or San Francisco, go to Hong Kong and then up to 16 destinations beyond. A flat rate in coach applies...

Speed freak. (Airlines).(Boeing Co.'s development of 20XX high-speed passenger aircraft model)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... OPTING OUT OF the "bigger is better" competition with Airbus' 500 plus seater A380, Boeing has announced that they will pursue speed rather than size. The proposed new 20XX model will be able to shave three hours off a flight from the West...

New York. (Top Of The Town).(Broadway shows and restaurants)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... THEATER The Producers St. James Theatre 246 W. 44th St. 212-239-6200 A comedy based on the Oscar-winning 1968 film starring Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane as two scamming movie producers who plan a get-rich-quick scheme and...

New York City's hidden treasures. (Special Advertising Section).(lesser known tourist attractions)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Got a couple of days or a couple of hours to kill in New York City, but pretty much "been there done that" when it comes to most of the Big Apple's world famous attractions? Why not check out some of the city's lesser known gems? Hundreds of...

Varig Airlines business class. (Flight check: New York-Sao Paolo).(flight evaluation)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... First Impressions: Check-in at JFK was a pleasant surprise. The terminal was not crowded, and the warm, helpful woman at the ticket counter instructed me on how to negotiate the Sao Paolo airport to make the tight half-hour connection to Buenos...

America West first class. (Flight check: Newark-Las Vegas-Los Angeles).(flight evaluation)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... First Impression: With only one person before me in line, I was robotically processed. The woman at the ticket counter could not tell me whether I would have access to the lounge that America West shares with other airlines at Newark. Unable to...

Charles Hotel: Cambridge, MA. (Hotel Check).
May 1, 2001... STEPPING INTO THE CHARLES HOTEL'S peaceful lobby, I got my first taste of this Cambridge institution's charm. Antique quilts framed the room's eclectic library while supple leather chairs and warm lighting were offset by original paintings....

Spot check. (Consumer Checks).(evaluation of hotels' provision of FedEx slips to guests)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... How do top hotels across the country score when you've got to get a package out right away? Hem's what we found when we requested FedEx slips from some of them: L'Ermitage, Los Angeles I called the concierge to request a FedEx slip...

Four hours in Liverpool.(traveler's guide)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Too many, Liverpool is first and foremost known as the birthplace of the Beatles and home to Liverpool FC. But the city was a busy 19th-century port and houses more historic buildings than anywhere outside London, many of which have been...

Big city ambitions. (Home front: St. Louis).(urban renewal; business travel guide)
May 1, 2001... EXITING ONE OF ST. Louis' DOWNTOWN HOTELS, you will likely notice vacant run-down buildings, broken sidewalks and confusing street grids--all of which work to keep the steel arch city from gaining respect as a world-class metropolis. But this...

The hills are alive. (Great escape: Rogner-Bad Blumau).(hotel and resort)
May 1, 2001... ROGNER-BAD BLUMAU, one of Austria's newest spas, has already attracted visitors from more than 70 countries. Most are business travelers who know that "the world's largest inhabitable work of art" is a perfect antidote for corporate stress. ...

Fit on the road: the traveling workout: frequent business travelers don't have to be fitness dropouts. Here's how to watch your waistline when you're on the run.
May 1, 2001... SIMPLY BECAUSE SHE WAS IN NEW DELHI on business, Di Landau, president of Global Resources Inc., an Irvine, California, company that specializes in management training, didn't want to interrupt her rigorous workout routine. A frequent...

Class act: if you're stuck in the back of the plane, cheer up. Many airlines are increasing legroom, modernizing amenities and upgrading service in a recent effort to keep "bread-and-butter" flyers happy.(upgrading of economy-class service offerings)
May 1, 2001... ECONOMY CLASS has become a standard joke among frequent travelers. Countless anecdotes have told of one person in a traveling party getting bumped up to first class to sip champagne with the beautiful people; the unlucky companion, meanwhile,...

A pearl of great price: Penang has managed to retain its local character, in spite of a healthy economy. But Malaysia's second largest city is in danger of becoming another example of Asian overdevelopment. (Focus: Penang).
May 1, 2001... UNLIKE ITS SHOWY SISTER CITY Kuala Lumpur, Penang has grown into a thriving Asian business center without losing its local character. Walk down the street in Penang, and you will see Korean automobile executives talking business with their...

Belle of the ball: shedding its reputation as a playground for criminals, signs point to better times for Sicily. Jennifer Hutchins finds that making Palermo more attractive to investors is now high priority. (Destination report: Palermo).
May 1, 2001... PALERMO IS a beguiling temptress. She seduces visitors with irresistible beauty and legendary intrigue then lifts them into a dance of pleasure, chaos and mystery. The seaside metropolis is Sicily's soul, its capital and its chief port. It is...

What's new Buenos Aires? Despite a crippling recession that shows no sign of ending, Buenos Aires continues to lure business travelers with its blend of brash pampas gaucho optimism, old-word style and 1920s tango seductions. (Insider's guide: Buenos Aires).
May 1, 2001... CATTLE-FED WEALTH, OLD-WORLD architecture set surrealistically on the South American pampas and an intellectual artery direct to the drawing rooms of Europe have made Buenos Aires into a city that believes in miracles--especially the miracle of...

Offer of the month: Bermuda savings from Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. (Hotels).(Fairmont Hamilton Princess)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... THE HAMILTON PRINCESS in Bermuda has been welcoming world travelers in style since 1885. Fondly known as the "Pink Palace," the hotel served as intelligence headquarters for the Allies during World War II when the basement was converted to a...

The Sheraton Boston Hotel. (Privilege Club).(advertisement)
May 1, 2001... THE SHERATON BOSTON HOTEL is pleased to offer Privilege Club members a rate of $219 plus a complimentary upgrade to the hotel's Executive Club Level during the month of May. The Club Level features breathtaking views of the Charles River,...

Regal Airport Hotel. (Privilege Club).(advertisement)
May 1, 2001... THE REGAL AIRPORT HOTEL in Hong Kong is pleased to offer a spa package until August 31. Stay in a single room for $160 or a double for $173, and enjoy free use of the fitness facilities, swimming pool and a half-hour anti-tension back massage....

Annual report 2001. (Special Advertising Section).(Editorial)
May 1, 2001... If you're anything like me, travel has become an important part of your life. You care about the airlines you travel on, the hotels you stay in and the services that help make your life on the road more enjoyable. As a reader of this...

Reap the rewards. (Special Advertising Section: Annual report 2001).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Busy travelers have a love/hate relationship with rewards programs--they love the perks but hate to be bothered with the sometimes long-winded details associated with redeeming points. This is where Marriott Rewards comes in. With flexible...

Travelers flocking to Montreal for more than Joie de Vivre. (Special Advertising Section: Annual report 2001).(Montreal-Dorval International Airport)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... With congestion; delays and overcrowded facilities plaguing air travel around North America, business travelers have been turning to Montreal-Dorval International Airport in much larger numbers in recent years. In fact, many now remark on a...

Emirates. (Special Advertising Section: Annual Report 2001).(airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, is one of the world's fastest growing major international air carriers, with one of the world's youngest fleets (average age of aircraft is 4.2 years). Since its inception in 1985, the airline...

Thai Airways. (Special Advertising Section: Annual report 2001).(Advertising)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Thai Airways' generous hospitality, combined with a flight schedule to more Asian countries than any other airline, makes it the obvious choice for all your Eastern destinations. THAI's famous service is offered to key cities in 35 countries on...

Air New Zealand and Ansett Australia. (Special Advertising Section: Annual report 2001).(Advertising)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Together, Air New Zealand and Ansett Australia offer truly integrated travel within Australia, New Zealand and the South West Pacific. An inspiring world-class travel experience that begins long before you take off and lasts way beyond landing....

Saudi Arabian Airlines. (Special Advertising Section: Annual report 2001).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Saudi Arabian Airlines is the largest airline in the Middle East and one of the 25 largest airlines in the world--with 126 aircraft. State-of-the-art technology combined with traditional Arabian hospitality ensures a memorable and truly...

Malaysia Airlines. (Special Advertising Section: Annual report 2001).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... One of the world's premier international carriers and one of Southeast Asia's largest airlines, Malaysia Airlines serves a vast global network of more than 110 cities across six continents. Experience the genuine warmth and hospitality that...

American Express. (Special Advertising Section: Annual report 2001).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Join the Award Winning Membership Rewards[R] Program. The Membership Rewards program from American Express won for the fifth consecutive year as Best Credit Card Rewards Program as voted by the readers of Business Traveler magazine. KICK...