Business Traveler articles from November 2005

Business Traveler archives from November 2005

This month.(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... Some of you may not remember, but if you think back a couple of decades ago, there was a time when airline travel was an experience all to itself. You dressed up in a jacket and tie because you never knew who you might run into on the flight....

Nice to meet you.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... I just purchased a copy of your magazine and found it very informative. I did not know there was such a magazine, and to my surprise, yours is very well crafted and detailed. I really liked your sections on Deals, Tried and Tested and Best...

Back in the U.S.A.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... The following comments are on September's issue of Business Traveler. It is great to see a bit more emphasis on this side of the pond, compared to what had previously been published. First, I did not receive this publication until about...

The real world?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... Having just read Mr. Camboumac's letter in the Letters section of the September 2005 issue of Business Traveler, and Ms. Wilson's (of Delta Air Lines') response, I can attest that Mr. Camboumac is indeed correct, and Ms. Wilson is merely...

More sky team skepticism.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... It is difficult to say whether the problem Mr. Hortin describes (Business Traveler, October 2005) is a Sky Team issue in general, or whether it pertains to the particular Sky Team partner. But I can only sympathize with Mr. Hortin's...

Correction.(Letters)(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2005... In our annual business class survey (Business Traveler, October 2005), the wrong cabin information was listed for Ethiopian Airlines due to an editing error. The carrier operates Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft, with 24 seats configured in a...

Delta to fold song into mainline carrier.(AIRLINES)(Delta Air Lines Inc)
November 1, 2005... DELTA AIR LINES ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK THAT IT WILL MERGE ITS LOW-COST SUBSIDIARY, SONG, INTO ITS DOMESTIC LONG-HAUL OPERATIONS BEGINNING IN THE FALL OF 2006. EVENTUALLY, THE SONG SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON DELTA'S DOMESTIC FLIGHTS OF MORE THAN...

O'Hare to expand.(AIRLINES)(O'Hare International Airport)
November 1, 2005... O'HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, THE NATION'S BUSIEST AND MOST CONGESTED AIRPORT, WAS GRANTED APPROVAL FOR A $14.2 BILLION EXPANSION THAT SHOULD HELP EASE AIR TRAFFIC FLOWS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. BUT BEFORE THOSE INVOLVED IN THE EXPANSION DEBATE CAN...

Singapore Airlines.(AIRLINES)
November 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Singapore Airlines has an all-inclusive package deal that includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York to Singapore; accommodations for four nights in Singapore at The Oriental,...

Continental Airlines.(AIRLINES)
November 1, 2005... CONTINENTAL AIRLINES will reduce its business-class airfares over the holiday season for flights between select U.S. and European cities. Examples of discounted round-trip tickets include Newark to Amsterdam for $1,340; St. Louis to Rome for...

Delta Air Lines.(AIRLINES)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... DELTA AIR LINES has an ongoing sale for round-trip business-class flights between major U.S. and South American cities. Sample fares include Atlanta to Sao Paulo for $2,410; Los Angeles to Santiago for $2,396; and New York to Buenos Aires for...

Air New Zealand.(AIRLINES)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... AIR NEW ZEALAND is offering discounted round-trip airfares from Auckland to Los Angeles on its new Pacific Premium Economy Class service for $2,641 for travel from Dec. 10-28. Tickets must be purchased at their Website,...

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air.(AIRLINES)
November 1, 2005... ALASKA AIRLINES AND HORIZON AIR will award a free round-trip flight for 13,000 frequent-flyer miles for travel through Dec. 13, 2005. Normally 20,000 frequent-flyer miles are needed to receive a free round-trip ticket. The special is only good...

Turkish Airlines.(AIRLINES)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... TURKISH AIRLINES has discounted fares from New York and Chicago to Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir from Nov. 1 through Dec. 11, 2005 and again from Dec. 25, 2005 through March 31, 2006. Each-way fares from New York to the select cities in Turkey are...

Philippine Airlines.(AIRLINES)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... PHILIPPINE AIRLINES has a sale on flights from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Beijing via Manila for $810 per round-trip. The fare requires a minimum stay of six days. The offer is valid for travel through Nov. 11-23 and only for...

U.S. Airways.(AIRLINES)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... U.S. AIRWAYS is having a sale on its economy-class flights to Germany. The sale is good for flights between select U.S. cities and Frankfurt or Munich, from Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, 2005. Sample fares to both German cities from Washington, D.C....

Springhill Suites.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... SPRINGHILL SUITES' brand-new, 220-room Atlanta Buckhead hotel, which opened in September, is offering special introductory rates from $149 per night through Dec. 31, 2005. The hotel, located in the trendy Buckhead district, about 10 minutes...

The Four Seasons Resort.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT in Scottsdale, Ariz. has special holiday rates from Nov. 28 through Dec. 21, 2005. Southwesternstyle casita guest rooms will cost $295 per room, per night. Rates normally start at $475 during the fall season. The resort...

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... LOEWS VENTANA CANYON RESORT in Tucson, Ariz. is giving San Francisco and Chicago area residents a discounted rate of $175 per room, per night, from now through Dec. 30, 2005. The special rate is in honor of Southwest Airlines' new nonstop...

Barcelo Hotels & Resorts.(HOTELS)(marketing)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... BARCELO HOTELS & RESORTS guests will save 15 percent off guest room rates at participating properties for stays between Jan. 2 and April 30, 2006. Reservations must be made by Dec. 1, 2005. The offer is valid for both individual travelers and...

Mandarin Oriental.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... MANDARIN ORIENTAL properties in Washington, D.C. and Geneva have special offers geared toward business travelers through Dec. 31, 2005. The Washington, D.C. location is offering special rates exclusively for business travelers. Sample rates...

The Hilton Hotels.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... THE HILTON HOTELS in New York City are offering a parking or breakfast package through the end of the year that includes a choice of free overnight parking at the hotel or continental breakfast for two. Rates begin at $369 per night at the...

The Radisson Hotel.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... THE RADISSON HOTEL in Sao Paulo, Brazil, situated in the city's central business district, has a package deal designed for guests on business travel. The package includes high-speed Internet in guest rooms, complimentary breakfast, a free...

The Le Chateau Frontenac.(HOTELS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... THE LE CHATEAU FRONTENAC in Quebec City and The Queen Elizabeth in Montreal, both properties of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, have a "Stay and Save" special through the end of November 2005 for Quebec and the end of December for Montreal. At Le...

New Palace Restaurant.(What's New? BUSINESS LEISURE FLIGHTS AIRPORT SHOPPING HOTELS RESORTS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The New York Palace Hotel, a luxury high-rise located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, will be the home of a new, independent restaurant and bar to open this fall. Gilt Restaurant's design and concept are shaped around the theme of the Palace...

Continental launches internet gift registry.(What's New? BUSINESS LEISURE FLIGHTS AIRPORT SHOPPING HOTELS RESORTS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Continental Airlines will implement a new personal gift registry account for airline tickets over its Website. As the first U.S. carrier to offer this service, customers can sign up online, enter a gift account goal amount, and request travel...

SF St. Regis opens.(What's New? BUSINESS LEISURE FLIGHTS AIRPORT SHOPPING HOTELS RESORTS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, a brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, is to unveil its new Hotel St. Regis San Francisco this month after four years of construction and several delays. The five-star, 44-story property aims to be more luxurious than...

Delta to Israel.(What's New? BUSINESS LEISURE FLIGHTS AIRPORT SHOPPING HOTELS RESORTS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Israeli Tourism Minister Avraham Hirchson and Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein announce nonstop flights from Atlanta to Tel Aviv beginning March 27, 2006. Delta's newest international service adds to the company's previous plans for new routes,...

NYC's Iroquois Hotel refurbishes.(What's New? BUSINESS LEISURE FLIGHTS AIRPORT SHOPPING HOTELS RESORTS)(Manhattan Iroquois Hotel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... The midtown Manhattan Iroquois Hotel, former home of actor James Dean, recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of the entire property. Guest room enhancements include mahogany, suede and mirrored armoires, black granite tabletops,...

Le Meridien makes double debut in Shanghai.(What's New? BUSINESS LEISURE FLIGHTS AIRPORT SHOPPING HOTELS RESORTS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Luxury European hotel brand Le Meridien will open its first hotel in mainland China this month and a second one in 2006, both in Shanghai. She Shan Shanghai is located in the National Tourist Resort of She Shan, 40 minutes from the city center....

Air Canada.(Loyalty Deals)
November 1, 2005... AIR CANADA will award double Aeroplan miles to members of their frequent-flyer program when they fly on Executive Class in North America through Dec. 12, 2005. The deal is valid for flights between Toronto, Montreal and Calgary to select cities...

The Waldorf-Astoria.(Loyalty Deals)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... THE WALDORF-ASTORIA hotel in New York City is giving members of the Hilton HHonors program double Base points when they stay at the hotel through Dec. 31, 2005. Points may be redeemed for free stays at Hilton hotels, flights on participating...

The Intercontinental Hotels Group.(Loyalty Deals)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... THE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP will give Priority Club members 1,000 points for every room booked online at affiliate Websites now through Dec. 31, 2005. Qualifying hotels for the deal include any InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne...

Holiday Inn.(Loyalty Deals)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... HOLIDAY INN is offering 20,000 Priority Club member points, 5,000 frequent-flyer miles with participating airlines, and food and beverage credits of up to $250 when guests book business meetings at participating Holiday Inn hotels in the U.S....

Emirates.(Loyalty Deals)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... EMIRATES passengers flying on Flight 202 from New York to Dubai in first or business class are eligible for a free five-course dinner with wine at The Ritz Carlton in New York City's Central Park or Battery Park location. After the meal, a...

Worldperks.(Loyalty Deals)
November 1, 2005... WORLDPERKS members flying on Northwest Airlines between select Midwest airports and Las Vegas will be able to redeem a free flight for 5,000 less Worldperk miles. A round-trip ticket in coach class will only require 20,000 miles, while a...

Thrifty Car Rental.(Loyalty Deals)
November 1, 2005... THRIFTY CAR RENTAL is offering double Look to Book points for a minimum two-day car rental from the following Canadian airports: Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg. The limited-time deal will award 10 points, up...

The Marriott Rewards.(Loyalty Deals)
November 1, 2005... THE MARRIOTT REWARDS program is giving away double points to new members beginning with their second stay at a Marriott property. New members must register by Jan. 31, 2006 and pay with a Visa credit card. For more information, or to register...

Radisson Hotels & Resorts'.(Loyalty Deals)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... RADISSON HOTELS & RESORTS' Goldpoints Plus members will earn an extra 1,000 Gold Points between now and Dec. 31, 2005 when they use the new online express check-in system, available at Radisson hotels in North and South America, the Caribbean...

American Airlines.(Loyalty Deals)
November 1, 2005... AMERICAN AIRLINES will give AAdvantage members bonus miles for transatlantic round-trip first- or business-class tickets on American Airlines and participating carriers between the U.S. and Canada to London or Manchester. For each transatlantic...

Swissotel Krasnye Holmy Moscow.(Tried and Tested)
November 1, 2005... WHAT'S IT LIKE? This brand-new, five-star landmark hotel is 34 stories high--the tallest in the city. Opened in July 2005, it is set in the heart of the Kosmodamianskaya embankment, Moscow's new business district. Raffles International Ltd....

Midwest Airlines.(FLIGHT CHECK: MILWAUKEE TO NEW YORK-LAGUARDIA)
November 1, 2005... FIRST IMPRESSIONS Milwaukee is one of two hub cities for Midwest Airlines (the other is Kansas City), and the airline dominates traffic in and out of General Mitchell International Airport. While there are more than enough check-in desks to...

Wired holidays: Kristin Gribben and David Jones test-drive the latest tech toys.(BlackBerry 7105t)(Mustek Personal Media Center )(Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router)
November 1, 2005... BlackBerry 7105t ($199.99; www.t-mobile.com/blackberry) T-Mobile is the exclusive provider for the new BlackBerry 7105t and e-mail service is wired for Yahoo mail accounts, so you can stay connected to personal and work correspondence....

In the bag: Eva Leonard scopes out gifts that are sure to please even the most demanding executives.(Gear Holiday)
November 1, 2005... High Tee Bric's stylish Life Pelle Tuscan leather golf bag has a detachable leather hood (not pictured), six sections for clubs within the body of the bag and three outside zippered sections. The bag's leather goes through a special...

The jet set: dedicated business-jet flights are taking off, with new airlines emerging to take on the big boys. Jane L. Levere takes a look inside.
November 1, 2005... Karen Monroe, a Geneva-based attorney for an American law firm, often takes a dedicated business-jet flight on Swiss international Air Lines between Zurich and Newark, New Jersey, rather than standard commercial service. Since January, Swiss...

London luxe: London's bustling restaurant scene and posh hotels have raised the stakes in haute cuisine and luxury digs.
November 1, 2005... London is hotter than ever, with new high-concept eateries from Michelin-star chefs, the emergence of the gastropub that shatters the image of unsophisticated "pub grub" and the reopening of one of the city's most celebrated hotels, a...

Chutzpah in the White City: Israel's commercial capital weathers the storm and stays young at heart.
November 1, 2005... The ad-hoc Israeli contractors who built Tel Aviv in the 1930's had little time or money for materials and expertise. Not a to worry, they said, the Zionist pioneering spirit would provide. Instead of hiring fancy architects, they used memories...

Beauty and the beach: once wary of the long-haul flight to Australia, American business travelers are now falling for Sydney as it emerges as a major destination for conferences and events.(Sydney)
November 1, 2005... Mark Barker, a global account manager for EMC Corp., was scheduled to fly from New York to Sydney for a few days of business meetings and then hop right back on a plane, a trip he was not relishing. He thought the 20-hour plus flight time and...

4 hours in Singapore: Ed Peters finds Singapore anything but predictable, with hip bars and boutique hotels, trendy international restaurants, and shops where you can haggle for gold jewelry and hi-fi bargains.
November 1, 2005... Cosmopolitan, multiethnic Singapore has been described as "three continents on one island," and there are few better places that represent this notion than along [1] Keong Saik Road, on the fringes of Chinatown. Once infamous for its houses of...

Subscriber offer ...(Privilege Club)
November 1, 2005... 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...

Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream.(Bait and Switch : The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream )(Excerpt)
November 1, 2005... Capitalism, as Marx observed, with surprising admiration for its dynamism, never promised stability, and it's been a generation since blue chip companies like IBM offered their white-collar workers a job for life. As the bestseller Who Moved My...

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking.(Best Read)
November 1, 2005... Vic Braden, one of the world's top tennis coaches, has made a point of talking to as many of the world's top tennis players as possible, asking them questions about how and why they play the way they do, and invariably he comes away...

Animal planet: Jill Fergus gets up close and personal with the exotic wildlife of the Galapagos Islands.(Great Escape Galapagos Islands)
November 1, 2005... I spy something moving out of the corner of my eye. It glides across the water's surface then disappears below. I readjust my snorkeling mask and submerge in hopes of finding it. I quickly swim over by an outcropping of black lava rocks, my...