Business Traveler articles from September 2003

Business Traveler archives from September 2003

Editor's letter.
September 1, 2003... Twenty-five years ago, business class made its debut in the world of air travel. In early 2004, A&E network will debut Airline, a new reality show focusing on budget carrier Southwest Airlines and the highs and lows of its crew and passengers....

Shrinking "room nights".(Letter Of the Month)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... Is it just my imagination or are we being taken for a ride by the current hotel "room night" rates? More frequently than not (and it's not just the resort properties that are culpable) hotels are delaying check-in times to what I believe is...

Write the letter of the month and win the MegaMedia Bag.
September 1, 2003... This MEGAMEDIA[TM] BAG BY ROADWIRED--the line of carrying cases and specialized accessories for portable electronics--could be yours if you write us an outstanding letter that's chosen as the letter of the month. The MegaMedia Bag--"the mother...

Brew-ha-ha.(Readers' Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... Because of my chronically phenomenally good experiences on AA, I almost did not write this. But Business Traveler magazine pulls no punches when it comes to alerting their readership of potential hazards. Here is my tale of woe. As an AA...

New priority.(Readers' Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... It would appear that United Airlines has just started a program designed to enrage their most frequent and loyal customers--the 100,000 mile (1K) travelers. I am a 1K traveler (in fact, I had done my 100,000 miles for 2003 before we were...

Down on Down Under.(Readers' Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... I am a top-tier platinum member (One World top tier) who travels weekly long-haul first or business class. I have spent thousands of hours of travel flying Qantas over the last seven years, and I feel as valued as the guy who travels once in a...

X-ray vision.(Security)(airport security technology)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... FAT AND NAKED" IS HOW SUSAN HALLOWELL, THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY Administration's security laboratory director, characterized her X-rayed image when she demonstrated the new "Backscatter X-Ray" security scanner to the public this July. "But...

Apres Le Deluge.(Four Seasons Prague facilities up and running after floods)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... THE FOUR SEASONS IS HAVING ITS own Prague spring after the deluge that left it and much of the city's historic riverside up to its eyeballs in floodwaters early this year. All three of the hotel's buildings were closed while water damage was...

Pinpoint precision.(Safety)(use of the Wide Area Augmentation System by pilots)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... THIS JULY THE TRANSPORTATION Security Administration green-lighted the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). A satellite system that vastly improves the ability of the Global Positioning system, the new technology, which will be implemented by...

Shoe fly.(US Transportation Security Administration's guideline on screening footwear of air travel passengers)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... STAND AT A SECURITY CHECKPOINT in any airport in the United States and you'll hear the continuous refrain, "Do I have to take off my shoes?" Are Prada boots more suspicious than Adidas? The Transportation Security Administration is working to...

I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Branson.(Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. overhauls Upper Class passenger facilities)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... AN AIR OF NATURAL GLAMOUR" is how Virgin is describing its brand-new Upper Class cabin and suite seat. An $80 million overhaul, in development for two years, debuts this summer. Upper Class passengers can look forward to flying in style on...

EVA's new Laurel.(EVA Airways Corp. upgrades business class )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The upgraded business class features new seats with 61-inch pitch and a 10.4 inch VGA LCD entertainment monitor with hi-fi noise-reduction headphones. The redesigned galley has a wine chiller, microwave and steam ovens, plus an espresso...

Asian Airlines rise again.(airlines restore services as recovery from SARS continues)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... ASIAN AIRLINES ARE REBOUNDING from the SARS outbreak this spring. Cathay Pacific Airways has restored its service to 71 percent of normal capacity. Since June 21, the airline's flights from New York to Hong Kong have increased from six times a...

Small is beautiful.(Hotels; WJ Hotel in New York City claims to have world's smallest hotel room)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD Records fans get out your score pads. New York City's WJ Hotel (previously known as the Washington-Jefferson) claims to have the "world's smallest hotel room." Measuring 7 by 11 feet, the room includes a single twin bed,...

Shelling out style.(Airports; Singapore's Changi Airport. Travelers offers services of haircut "shells" to patrons)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... FIRST-TIME TRAVELERS TO JAPAN have always been bemused by the shell-like hotel pods available for late night travelers. Customers just drop in some yen, crawl in and get a good night's sleep. Now the QB Net Co., Ltd., which operates Japan's...

Northwest Airlines.(Flight Log; daily service between Detroit and Columbia, S.C.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... * Northwest Airlines will begin new daily service between its hub at Detroit and Columbia, S.C., beginning October 6. The new twice daily Detroit-Columbia service will be operated by Northwest Airlink partner Pinnacle Airlines, with a...

Swiss International Air Lines.(Flight Log)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... * Swiss International Air Lines has announced a massive cutback in its aircraft and routes to and from Switzerland. Starting with the 2003 winter schedule, the long-haul fleet will be reduced to 18 aircraft, the medium-haul fleet to 21 and the...

Emirates Airlines.(Flight Log; weekly flights between Dubai and Moscow)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... * Emirates Airlines has launched five flights a week between Dubai and Moscow. The new flights to Moscow leave Dubai Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Air Canada.(Flight Log; nonstop service Toronto to Delhi, India)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... * Air Canada will launch nonstop Toronto-Delhi service, the only nonstop link between North America and India, on October 23. The new service will shave up to three hours off traditional best routings and will feature the newly redesigned...

AeroMexico.(Flight Log; nonstop service Orlando to Monterrey, Mexico)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... * AeroMexico has begun nonstop service from Orlando to Monterrey, Mexico. Currently, the only scheduled carrier with nonstop service to Mexico from Central Florida, AeroMexico has added two new nonstop weekly flights to its schedule from...

Air Wales.(Airlines: flight log; flights daily between Cardiff and London)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... * Air Wales--the Principality's own airline that debuted in 1999--is now making three direct flights daily between Cardiff and London. The 55-minute flight between Wales and London uses new 50-seat ATR aircraft.

United States.(Hotel Deals; across country)
September 1, 2003... Stay at the Peninsula Chicago, in the heart of Chicago's "Magnificent Mile," and save over 25 percent with the "Value the Experience" package. Priced at $345 per night, package includes room upgrade if available, late checkout (subject to...

Asia.(Hotel Deals; Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong promotion)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, is celebrating its 40th birthday with the "Fantastic at Forty" package. Priced $3,207, the package includes accommodations for four;nights in a Theme Suite, limousine service to and from the airport, a chilled...

Australia.(Hotel Deals; promotion at The Windsor in Melbourne)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Windsor, an Oberoi hotel, welcomes female business travelers to Melbourne with the "Business Pamper Package." Starting at $145 per night, the package includes overnight accommodations in a Superior King Room, full breakfast, a gift pack...

Europe.(Hotel Deals)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Prague's new music-themed Aria Hotel opened its doors on August 15 with a special introductory "Overture" rate of $225 per night for a Superior Room. Rate is valid through December 31 and includes chauffeur service from the airport, daily...

Map time.(Reader Offer)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... DO YOU LOVE MUSEUMS BUT HATE dealing with awkward museum maps? Insight Museum FlexiMaps are handy little guides that provide directions and floor plans for museums and galleries in major world cities, so you'll never have to stuff a bulky map...

United Airlines.(Airline Deals; promotions)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... UNITED AIRLINES has initiated two promotions that have been matched by most major airlines including Delta, Continental, Northwest and US Air. 1) FLY THREE AND FLY FREE--purchase 3 qualifying round-trip tickets on United or United Express...

Alitalia Airlines.(Airline Deals; promotions)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... ALITALIA AIRLINES, in conjunction with American Express, invites you to purchase a round-trip Magnifica (business) class ticket from the U.S. to any Alitalia Destination in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East or Bombay, and take a companion...

British Airways.(Airline Deals; bargains on final Concorde flights )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... BRITISH AIRWAYS is offering bargains on Concorde flights before they retire these planes on or about October 24, 2003. Special advance purchase, nonrefundable fares have been published for traveling either round-trip on the Concorde or one-way...

Swiss International Air Lines.(Airline Deals; promotion)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES offers a multi-coupon, inter-European Airpass, with several advantages over the other airlines' European airpasses. The minimum purchase is only 2 coupons, and there is no minimum number of stopovers. Most...

Hilton HHonors & American Airlines AAdvantage.(Reward Roundup; promotions)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Stay at the Hilton Palm Beach Oceanfront Resort now through October 2, and earn double Hilton HHonors points and double AAdvantage miles, pills free high-speed wireless Internet access and 15 percent off food and beverage. To receive this...

Air Canada & Hertz.(Reward Roundup; promotion)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Rent any available full-size vehicle (or larger) at participating Hertz locations in Canada, the U.S. or Puerto Rico and receive $20 worth of savings, plus 250 bonus Aeroplan Miles on top of the 500 Aeroplan Miles regularly earned with each...

Japan Airlines.(Reward Roundup; promotion)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... JAL Mileage Bank members can earn up to 1,000 miles for round-trip travel on New York-Sao Paulo routes and Vancouver-Mexico City routes when making flight reservations on www.japanair.com. This offer is valid for flights traveled through March...

Emirates.(Reward Roundup; Emirates Airlines promotion)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Emirates has extended its Double Skywards Miles promotion for bookings made online, now through December 31. This offer is available for passengers residing in and traveling from the following: UK, UAE, Turkey, Thailand, Australia, Bahrain,...

Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park: London.(Hotel Check)(Hotel Review)
September 1, 2003... ELEGANTLY SANDWICHED BETWEEN Harvey Nichols department store and Hyde Park, with Harrods a short walk away, the Mandarin Oriental is well placed for both business and consumerism next to the Piccadilly Line at the Knights-bridge Underground...

ATA Airlines.(Flight check: New York Laguardia to Chicago Midway)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... First Impressions: With only one person before me in line, I waited just seconds before getting my ticket. However, at security, a number of ill-mannered, pushy passengers cut in line with abandon. The line moved sluggishly until another one...

The Bristol, Royal Meridien: Warsaw.(Hotel Check)(Hotel Review)
September 1, 2003... IF PROUST HAD BEEN POLISH, HE would have haunted the halls of this great Belle Epoque hotel (pronounced "hot-1" by any self-respecting Polish denizen). Built in 1899 and completely restored 10 years ago, the Bristol is redolent of a bygone era...

JetBlue.(Flight check: New York JFK to Fort Lauderdale on JetBlue Airways Corp.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... First Impressions: The morning after one of the worst winter storms in years, my 9:25 a.m. flight was scheduled to depart after hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled. At 6 a.m. I was on the phone with a pleasant JetBlue employee who told...

Spot check.(Consumer Checks; car-rental company prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
September 1, 2003... We asked car-rental companies what they charge daily for an extra driver with a full-size car rental. Here's what we found: ALAMO $3-$7 NATIONAL $0-$8 HERTZ ...

Dumonet.(New York)(Restaurant Review)
September 1, 2003... DUMONET The Carlyle Hotel, Madison Avenue at 76th Street, tel. 212-777-3455 Overview: With a gently updated menu and decor, Dumonet restaurant infuses the venerable 73-year-old Carlyle Hotel with a contemporary, yet...

Savoy Grill.(London)(Restaurant Review)
September 1, 2003... SAVOY GRILL The Savoy Hotel, Strand, WC2 tel. 44 (0) 20 7592 1600, fax 44 (0) 20 7592 1601 Overview: When the Savoy announced that it was planning to revamp its venerable Grill, there was much harrumphing from its...

Cucina Italiana Paprika.(US: New York)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... CUCINA ITALIANA PAPRIKA 110 St. Marks Place, tel. 212-677-6563 Northern Italian cuisine in a casual setting at bargain prices--nothing on the menu is over $13. Antipasti include Tuscan toast topped with paper-thin cured pork and...

Fiamma Trattoria.(MGM Grand Hotel and Casino: Las Vegas)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... FIAMMA TRATTORIA MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, tel. 702-891-1111 Upscale, authentic Italian cuisine served in a 7,000-square-foot space, which includes a cafe, bar and lounge, in the MGM Grand Hotel. The menu will be similar to that of...

Lucky? Can Atlantic City evolve into a Vegas-style destination?(HomeFront: Atlantic City)
September 1, 2003... ON JULY 3, THE GLEAMING NEW $1.1 BILLION 43-STORY Borgata Hotel and Casino became the first hotel and casino to open in Atlantic City in 13 years. Betting on more than $1.8 billion in similar new developments, Atlantic City is aiming to widen...

The price of yes: Jordan Stolper and Skip Kaltenheuser report on dealing with corruption abroad.(Corruption Abroad)
September 1, 2003... YES, you can build your factory here. Sure, we'd love for you to hire 200 workers and infuse some cash into our depressed economy. Just one thing... The minister of the interior won't sign off on the deal until you show him your...

Room to grow: 25 years of business class.(Business-Class Survey)
September 1, 2003... THE SAYING, "YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY!" IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT when looking at just how far business-class travel has progressed in the past quarter century. This year marks 25 years since the introduction of business-class service in the...

Swiss pride: what do you give an airline that has it all? Awards--and lots of them.(Special Advertising Section; Swiss International Air Lines)
September 1, 2003... It's been a banner year for Swiss International Air Lines. In the first half of 2003 alone, Switzerland's national air carrier garnered an array of awards bestowing kudos on everything from its exquisite onboard catering to its...

Action stars: one of the most diverse cities in the world in terms of industry, wealth, society and politics, Los Angeles is a positively quirky place to do business.(Insider's guide: Los Angeles)
September 1, 2003... THE HOMES OF BEVERLY HILLS, FLANKED BY VIVID green, sprinklered lawns and showy flower beds, hint at the two ends of the L.A. spectrum. Behind the shutters or sunbathing behind tastefully screened pools are the deal makers, the corporate...

Millennium Broadway raises the bar high above Times Square.(Special Advertising Section)
September 1, 2003... LOCATED JUST STEPS FROM TIMES Square, the Millennium Broadway, part of Millennium Hotels & Resorts, is a sophisticated, upscale hotel in the heart of New York City. Business and leisure guests can enjoy a comfortable stay while having the...

Going solo: China's busiest port has seen dramatic infrastructure improvements over the past five years.(Doing Business in Tianjin)
September 1, 2003... ONLY 85 MILES SEPARATE BEIJING FROM ITS PORT CITY, Tianjin. But the "heavenly ford," to translate Tianjin's name literally, is much more than a satellite of the Chinese capital. And it is much more than a port: as one of China's four...

Small meetings big deals: companies looking to tighten the bottom line are reducing the size of events and discovering that Chicago's top hotels have perfected the art of the small to midsized meeting.(Special Advertising Section)
September 1, 2003... THE RECENT ECONOMIC DOWN-turn the United States has hit businesses hard. Companies that used to shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars on large business meetings are rethinking that approach, and moving toward small to midsized events. In...

Playing tag: name tags get personal and do some of the memory work for you, with an interactive, high-tech makeover.(Tools: digital name tags)
September 1, 2003... NAME TAGS--AS IN "HELLO MY name is"--have been around since the very first convention, whenever that was. So it might be surprising that a new take on the name tag was earlier this year anointed as "the most innovative technology development or...

Four hours in Johannesburg.
September 1, 2003... Vistors to Johannesburg seldom spend much time in South Africa's commercial heartland, but if you can avoid most of the traditional tourist traps, four hours in the city's prime gallery district could prove very rewarding, as Bruce Whitfield...

Le Meredien special savings.(Savings For Members > Worldwide > Hotels)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... A global hotel group with over 135 luxury and upscale properties in 56 countries around the world, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts has something to offer every traveler--golf, spa, family vacations, corporate retreats and weekend getaways....

The Garden City Hotel--an ideal choice for business travelers.(Savings For Members > Worldwide > Hotels)
September 1, 2003... The Garden City Hotel, Long Island's leading luxury property, features 280 deluxe guest rooms, including 16 executive suites and four penthouse suites. Located just 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, approximately 20 miles from LaGuardia and...

Stay in L.A. style at the Luxe Hotels.(Savings For Members > Worldwide > Hotels)
September 1, 2003... The Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard, a luxury boutique resort situated on seven secluded garden acres just below the famed Getty Museum, adjoins the exclusive West L.A. neighborhoods of Bel-Air and Brentwood. On Sunset Boulevard, the Luxe is...

Save more than 40% at the Fairmont Chicago.(Savings For Members > Worldwide > Hotels)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Fairmont Chicago, overlooking Lake Michigan and Grant and Millennium Parks offers 692 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, including 66 beautiful lake and city front suites. Guests traveling on business and pleasure can take advantage of...

Peace summit: Jaclyn Ignall flees a furious winter in New York for the idyllic hideaway that is the Amanpuri resort.(Great Escape: Phuket)
September 1, 2003... It was a brutally long, cold winter on the East Coast. I yearned for the warm sands and waters of a secluded island getaway where I could spend my days snorkeling, sailing and floating in the shimmering sea, my worries evaporating into the salt...