Travel News

This thead is for links to travel news stories.

Please do not post the entire story as it is copyrighted.

A headline, link, and brief excerpt will be fine.

Starwood to Open 80 New Hotels in 2012

Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced plans to open 25 new hotels in Europe over the coming four years and 80 new hotels globally this year.
This figure includes the new W hotel in Paris and Istanbul's new Le Méridien.

Starwood will focus its efforts in Europe on what it calls "fast-growing markets," which include Russia, Turkey, and the Ukraine.

Air Canada Strike Looming

Air Canada, a member of the Star Alliance, has announced that it has received notice from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) that it intends to strike, beginning Monday, March 12 at 12:01 a.m.
IAMAW represents Air Canada’s baggage handlers, mechanics and cargo agents in Canada. The union had rejected a tentative agreement that had resulted from federal mediation.

<SNIP>

United Launches Nonstop Reagan National to San Francisco Service

United Airlines announced it will begin service between Washington, D.C.’s Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) starting on May 15.
United will operate Boeing 737-700 aircraft with 124 seats, 12 in first class and 112 in the main cabin. The westbound flight will depart DCA at 8 a.m., arriving in San Francisco shortly after 11 a.m., local time

<SNIP>

Starwood to Open 80 New Hotels in 2012

Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced plans to open 25 new hotels in Europe over the coming four years and 80 new hotels globally this year.
This figure includes the new W hotel in Paris and Istanbul’s new Le Méridien.
Starwood will focus its efforts in Europe on what it calls “fast-growing markets,” which include Russia, Turkey, and the Ukraine.

<SNIP>

Winter of 2012 4th Warmest On Record in U.S.

The winter of 2011-2012 was the fourth warmest winter on record, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and it was also the warmest since 1999-2000. Winter insofar as the record keepers are concerned is comprised of December, January, and February.

Originally Posted by JSpira

United Launches Nonstop Reagan National to San Francisco Service

I used to fly regularly between SFO and National/Reagan when I did more consulting and testimony. The problem has always been the short runways and difficult approach/take-off at DCA that essentially prevent the use of wide-bodies with trans-continental or international fuel loads. The "solution" is to use stretch 737s, similar to (or maybe even the same planes as) those Aloha used on their West Coast-to-Hawaii routes.

My strongest sugesston is DO NOT take these flights. (Can you spell "DVT" or have you heard of "coach class syndrome"?) Unless you are taking vials of Heparin or Activase with you and know how to self-administer them (which is probably illegal for the Activase), you are taking an unnecessary chance. Even if you have no medical problems, flying for 5+ hours on a commercial stretch 737 is just down-right painful. And they are not sufficiently equipped with lavs.

Flight Attendant Causes a Scare on Plane

Authorities in Texas removed an American Airlines flight attendant from a plane about to take off for Chicago after she told...

Delta Shuffles Delta Shuttle Schedule, Adds Free Wi-Fi

By Paul Riegler

Delta announced changes to the Delta Shuttle schedule on flights to and from New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
On March 25, the following daily schedule will be in place:
All New York – Boston Logan flights will depart on the hour starting at 6 a.m.
Most New York to Reagan Washington National flights will depart on the hour starting at 6 a.m.
Most New York to Chicago O’Hare flights will...

AAdvantage Elite Rewards Return for 2012

By Eva Leonard

American Airlines has announced that it is again offering Elite Rewards to its AAdvantage elite-status members.
Along with regular elite-status benefits, additional Elite Reward offerings will be available exclusively to AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum, and Gold members.
Executive Platinum members who earn 125,000 or more elite qualifying points will be able to choose two rewards from a list including the following:
35,000 AAdvantage bonus miles, gift of AAdvantage Gold status for a friend, …

Virgin America to Launch New Portland Service, Offers Deals, Contest

By Eva Leonard

Virgin America has announced that it will begin daily service between Portland International Airport with two-non-stops daily from Los Angeles International Airport and one non-stop daily from San Francisco International Airport. The new flights start June 5. Portland will be Virgin America’s eighteenth destination.
The airline is introducing the new routes with a fare sale. Prices start at $99 for PDX-SFO or PDX-LAX. Tickets are now available for purchase at www.virginamerica.com.
Virgin …

Kingfisher May Cut Most International Routes

By Paul Riegler

The Economic Times is reporting that India-based airline Kingfisher, which had been scheduled to join the oneworld alliance in February, may cut back its international operations to two flights per day to London. Kingfisher recently stopped flying to Singapore and Bangkok.
The report states that a senior Kingfisher official said that the airline may drop two of its daily flights each to London’s Heathrow airport and Hong Kong.
Stating that it was …

British Airways Previews New First-Class Moscow Service

Starting March 25, British Airways, a member of the oneworld alliance, will be the first airline to offer first-class travel between London Heathrow and Moscow.
The airline will offer daily four-class service aboard a long-haul Boeing 747, and two long-haul Boeing 767s on the route...

Westin to Open 200th Hotel

Starwood has announced it will open its 200th Westin hotel within the next twelve months.

The company plans to open 11 new Westin hotels this year, in locations that include China, Indonesia, Panama City, New York and Snowmass, Colorado.

China is Westin’s most prominent growth market, …

US Airways Expands Gogo In-flight Internet Service

US Airways, a member of the Star Alliance, announced that it plans to expand its deployment of Gogo in-flight Internet to its fleet of Airbus A319, A320, and Embraer 190 aircraft.

Currently, Gogo is available on the airline’s Airbus A321 aircraft, which will be upgraded from ATG to ATG-4 technology, with a substantial increase in speed. Gogo’s ATG-4 technology will also be installed going forward.

The Gogo service will also be deployed …

Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, and Virgin Australia Link Frequent Flyer Programs

Passengers who are members of the frequent flyer programs of Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, and Virgin Australia will be able to redeem miles or points on any Virgin-branded airline going forward.

The three airlines have linked their programs and this latest move follows a change made in 2010 that allows passengers to earn miles and points across the range of brands.

Members of Virgin America’s Elevate program can book flights on Virgin …

Sheraton Announces New Healthy Dining Program

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a new nutrition program called Color Your Plate to help travelers eat healthy meals when away from home.

Every item on the Color Your Plate menu is 500 calories or less, and is organized according to the Nutrition Color Code.

The Nutrition Color Code arranges food into six distinct color categories according to the benefits of those foods. For example, red foods (such as strawberries) “support …

Delta Announces New Restaurants At LaGuardia’s Terminal C

Delta Air Lines has announced that it will offer new dining options in its renovated Terminal C at LaGuardia airport.
Full restaurants will include Cotto (an Italian trattoria), Empire Tavern, Kombu (Japanese), Vagabond Burger Bar, and Victory Grill. The food court will feature offerings from Cibo Express Gourmet Markets, Artichoke pizza, Biergarten, Custom Burgers, Interwich, Minnow, Vuelo Taqueria, wibar (a wine bar), WorldBean, World Nectar, and Xun Su (casual Chinese).
Andrew Zimmern, …

Turkish Airlines Increases New York, Los Angeles, and DC Flights

Turkish Airlines announced an expansion of its transatlantic flights to and from the United States.
Starting on March 26, the airline will increase its non-stop service from Los Angeles International Airport to its hub, Istanbul Atatürk Airport to daily flights. In addition, the airline will almost double its weekly flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from 11 to 21 during the peak summer season and will expand its …

AA and BA Add Codeshare Flights to India

American Airlines and British Airways announced plans to offer American Airlines passengers codeshare flights to India. The two airlines have received approval from the Indian government to offer flights from London’s Heathrow Airport to Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
The flights are scheduled to start on March 29 and tickets can be purchased today.
Both airlines are members of the oneworld alliance and members of American’s AAdvantage frequent flyer program will …

Starwood to Open Aloft in Cupertino

Starwood plans to open a second Aloft hotel in Silicon Valley next summer. Aloft is Starwood’s new brand and the Aloft Cupertino will be its second in the valley and its third in California.
The new hotel will feature 123 loft-like rooms with high-tech amenities. Starwood also plans to infuse the hotel with a social vibe, as it has done with other Aloft properties.
The Aloft Cupertino will be centrally located in …

Southwest and AirTran Announce New Routes, Winter Schedule

By Michael Acampora
Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways have announced their winter flight schedules through January 4, 2013, as well as new routes.
Southwest will add service to Key West Airport on November 4 (taking over from AirTran) and will also operate a daily nonstop flight to Tampa Bay and one to Orlando. Other new Southwest flights include routes between Denver and Louisville, Houston Hobby and both Indianapolis and Orange County, and Kansas …

W to Renovate North American Hotels

By Michael Acampora
Starwood’s W Hotels group has announced plans to renovate more than ten of its properties in North America over the next 18 months.
Among the hotels being renovated is the W New York – Union Square, which just finished a redesign of all 270 of its rooms, and will have its Living Room bar upgraded next year. The W New York – Times Square will undergo renovations in all of Wow …


Hotel Monaco Denver Completes Renovations

By Michael Acampora
Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco Denver has completed a large-scale renovation.
The lobby and meeting spaces at the 189-room Hotel Monaco Denver have been redesigned with a western theme, called “Rugged Cowboy Meets City Slicker” by its interior designer, Susan Caruso. The hotel’s lobby now features bronze, iron, and metal fixtures, as well as dark wood furnishings and local artwork. The renovated meeting spaces and wine cellar also reflect the new theme.
The Hotel …


Westin Xiamen Hotel Opens

By Michael Acampora
Starwood announced the opening of the Westin Xiamen in China. The new hotel is located in the city’s business district, 15 minutes from the Xiamen airport.
The Westin Xiamen offers 304 rooms and suites on 45 floors. Each room features the Westin Heavenly beds, Herman Miller desk chairs, as well as 42” TVs and wireless Internet.
Every three floors of the hotel share atrium lounges for guests. Other available amenities include the …


Icelandair to Add In-Flight Wi-Fi

By Michael Acampora
Icelandair has partnered with Row 44 to bring in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity to its flights. The installation of the Wi-Fi system will begin in the fourth quarter of this year.
In addition to the wireless Internet, Row 44 will also provide digital content such as in-flight shopping specials and research, as well as the ability to book local services at the flight’s destination.
The addition of in-flight Internet will make Icelandair the only …


American Airlines Resumes JFK-Tokyo Haneda Route

By Michael Acampora
American Airlines has announced that it will resume flights between JFK and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, starting June 1. The route had been closed following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
The resumed route will be flown daily, departing JFK at 6:55pm and arriving at Haneda at 10:15 pm the following day. The return flight, starting June 3, will leav...

JetBlue and Hawaiian Extend Their Partnership

By Paul Riegler
JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines have announced they will extend their partnership to include integrated frequent flyer programs and easier connections for travelers.
Starting June 5, members of either TrueBlue or HawaiianMiles can earn and redeem miles and points on either airline. TrueBlue members will earn one point for every two miles flown on eligible Hawaiian flights, and HawaiianMiles members on JetBlue flights can earn miles on a mile-for-mile basis.
Travelers can earn …


New Terminal Opens at Kiev’s Boryspil Airport

By Michael Acampora
A new terminal has opened at Kiev’s Boryspil International Airport in the Ukraine. Terminal D will serve nearly 15 million travelers a year.
Terminal D is now the largest terminal in the country, and is capable of servicing 20 planes at a time. The $600 million construction project took three and a half years to complete.
Like the newly renovated Donetsk International Airport, the opening of the new Boryspil terminal is meant …


Ritz-Carlton Okinawa Opens in Japan

By Michael Acampora
Ritz-Carlton has opened its first resort hotel in Japan, the Ritz-Carlton Okinawa.
The Okinawa Prefecture consists of hundreds of the Ryuku Islands which extend in a chain over 1,000 miles (620 kilometers) long from Kyushu in the direction of Taiwan. Okinawa Island is a tropical island known for outdoor and waterborne activities.
The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa offers 97 rooms and two suites, all of which feature balconies or terraces. The resort was …


Fairmont to Open Hotel in Austin, Texas

By Paul Riegler
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts will open the centrally-located Fairmont Austin in 2015. The new hotel will be located immediately adjacent to the Austin Convention Center.
It is being designed by Gensler Austin, a local architectural firm, and the developer is Manchester Texas Financial Group.
The 50-story hotel will feature approximately 1,000 guestrooms and suites and will also have over 70,000 square feet (6,500 square meters) of function space and, at 580 feet …


United and Avianca Sign Codeshare Agreement

By Michael Acampora
United and Avianca have signed a new codeshare agreement that will allow both airlines to offer flights operated by the other under their own code and flight number. Travelers can use a single ticket for travel on both airlines, while enjoying a single flight check-in and having their baggage checked through to their final destination.
Avianca is the largest airline in Colombia. Its main hub is in Bogotá at El Dorado …


American Express Membership Rewards Adds Cathay Pacific Asia Miles as Transfer Partner

By Paul Riegler
American Express has added Asia Miles, the frequent flyer program of Cathay Pacific, a member of the oneworld alliance, to its Membership Rewards program. Transfers to the program take place on a one-to-one basis.
There is no fee for transferring Membership Rewards points to Asia Miles and Asia Miles does not charge for changes in date, presuming there is availability.
The addition of Asia Miles makes it possible to redeem awards on …

Encantado Resort to Open Under Four Seasons Banner

By Paul Riegler
Four Seasons has announced it will take over management of the Encantado resort in Santa Fe, and will rename it the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe.
Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe is located just outside of the city, on a 57-acre (23 hectare) property. The resort offers 65 casitas (guest houses) and aAmenities include the Terra restaurant, a spa, a fitness center and pool, and meeting spaces.
The …

SriLankan Airlines to Join Oneworld

By Michael Acampora
SriLankan Airlines will join the oneworld alliance, following a meeting of the alliance’s board at IATA’s 2012 World Air Transport Summit.
SriLankan Airlines will be added to oneworld in late 2013. Cathay Pacific will sponsor SriLankan throughout the implementation process.
The carrier currently codeshares with Malaysia Airlines (a oneworld member designate), and has announced codeshare agreements with Royal Jordanian and S7 Airlines (oneworld partners).
SriLankan operates a fleet of 21 aircraft, and has …

Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace to Open in Las Vegas

By Michael Acampora
Nobu, one of the world’s best known Japanese restaurants, is branching out into the hotel business. The first Nobu Hotel will open in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas later this year and will be run by Nobu Hospitality Partners, which includes chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro.
The new hotel will offer 181 rooms, including 18 suites, and feature custom art by Japanese artists. Surfaces of the Nobu Hotel …

Arola Restaurant Opens at JW Marriott Mumbai

By Paul Riegler
JW Marriott has partnered with chef Sergi Arola to bring his Arola branded restaurant to the JW Marriott Mumbai.
The new restaurant will serve Spanish Catalan cuisine in the chef’s signature “Pica Pica” style, in which dishes are served on small plates for people to share. Arola will also have an extensive cocktail menu, with over 30 types of Gin.
The restaurant will offer a soundtrack of contemporary Spanish and Latin lounge …

Alaska Airlines Adds Seattle-Philadelphia Route

By Michael Acampora
Alaska Airlines has added daily, nonstop service between Philadelphia International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The eastbound flight will leave Seattle at 8:35 am and arrive in Philadelphia at 4:55 pm. The return flight will depart Philadelphia at 5:55pm and arrive in Seattle at 9:10pm.
The Seattle-Philadelphia route will be operated aboard Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which offer 16 first class and 141 main cabin seats.
To promote the new route, Alaska Airlines is …

US Airways Adds San Diego-Washington D.C. National Route

By Michael Acampora
US Airways has added daily, nonstop service between San Diego International Airport and Washington Reagan National Airport.
The route, which launched on June 8, is being operated aboard an Airbus 319 that seats 124.
The eastbound flight will leave San Diego at 11:00 pm and arrive in Washington at 7:00 am. The return flight will leave Washington at 5:40 pm and arrive in San Diego at 8:03 pm.
On July 11, the schedule …

Lion Air Launches Batik Air Luxury Subsidiary, Orders Dreamliners

By Michael Acampora
Lion Air, Indonesia’s largest privately run airline, has announced it will launch a luxury subsidiary, Batik Air, with flights scheduled to commence in March 2013.
Batik Air will focus on international routes, and each seat will provide in-flight entertainment systems, phones, and Internet.
Boeing has announced that Lion Air has ordered Boeing 787 Dreamliners for Batik Air. The first commercial flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was in October 2011, and its …

JW Marriott Mexico City Santa Fe Opens

By Michael Acampora
Marriott has opened the JW Marriott Mexico City Santa Fe, the brand’s second JW Marriott in Mexico City.
The hotel’s 221 rooms will each offer high speed Internet access, 42” plasma TVs, Nespresso coffee, and other amenities. Dining options include the restaurants Quattro (Italian) and Cua (organic Mexican), as well as a lobby bar and 24-hour room service. Other features of the hotel include a fitness center, spa, and executive lounge (for …

Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile to Undergo Renovations

By Michael Acampora
Davidson Hotels & Resorts has announced it will take over management of the Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile and complete a $25 million renovation of the hotel.
The wide-scale renovations will upgrade the Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile to the 4-star category and include new check-in and lounge areas, as well as a new restaurant. Other refurbishments will include new furniture, flooring, and lighting.
The renovation will also double the size of the hotel’s …

United Launches New Routes from Washington Dulles

By Michael Acampora
United Airlines has launched new daily, nonstop routes between its hub at Washington Dulles and Dublin, Ireland and Honolulu, Hawaii Airports.
The new service to Dublin Airport will be operated aboard Boeing 757-200 aircraft, which offer 169 seats (including 16 United BusinessFirst flat-bed seats and 45 Economy Plus).
Last month, United added service between Dulles and Doha, Qatar, and Manchester, England.
(Pictured: United Airlines Boeing 777-200)

Le Méridien Oran Opens In Algeria

By Paul Riegler
Starwood has announced the opening of the Le Méridien Oran Hotel & Convention Centre, the brand’s first location in Oran, Algeria.
Le Méridien Oran offers 254 rooms and 42 suites, and amenities such as a spa, a Turkish Hammam, a gym, and an outdoor pool. The hotel also has an Italian restaurant, the city’s first, and a lobby bar that serves Illy coffee and tea.
The new hotel is mixed-use, as …