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Government, Industry Scramble for Solution to Air Delays
Debate continues over solutions to air delays that start in the northeast and spread across the country. Authorities zeroed in on John F. Kennedy International, with the Department of Transportation releasing its target figures for the number of daily flights that can be handled at JFK.

The target is 80 flights per hour between 6 a.m. and 9:59 p.m. daily, upping that to 81 per hour between 3 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. Mary Peters, Secretary of Transportation, said that the department is also developing a series of market-based measures to reduce congestion at New York’s three airports before the start of the 2008 summer travel season.

These include using congestion pricing to preserve passenger choice while reducing delays. Pressure is mounting to solve the problem; the Federal Aviation Administration gave JFK its rarely used worst congestion rating.

That designation means that flight schedules will be reduced in spring and summer whether or not the airlines agree to those reductions. It also formally extends FAA authority to cut schedules of overseas carriers at JFK, if necessary. Meanwhile, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has also entered the fray. It criticized the proposed flight limits, saying such limits would limit growth without solving the congestion problems. Anthony Coscia, chairman of the Port Authority, called the cutting flights “potentially a recipe for worsening the problem by pushing growing passenger demand to other airports.

” The Port Authority proposed expanding capacity, improving efficiency, maintaining safety, and allowing the region’s airports to meet current and future passenger demand. (Source: Dept. of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Port Authority of New Jersey press releases).

DOT Reports Airfares Down
Average airfares in the second quarter of 2007 were down 4.5 percent from the second quarter of 2006 and remained below the pre-9/11 high, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

BTS reported that the average domestic itinerary fare in the second quarter of 2007 was $326, down 4.5 percent from the average fare in the second quarter of 2006, the post-2001 high, and down 5.8 percent from the historic second-quarter high of $346 in 2000. (Source: DOT press release).

American Starts Flights to Stansted
American Airlines now has daily service out of John F. Kennedy International to London Stansted, the only transatlantic service between New York and Stansted to offer both Business and Economy class seats. In April, it will add a second daily flight. Stansted airport is becoming increasingly popular with business travelers. It is less than an hour from central London by express rail. American is building a business lounge at the airport that is scheduled to be ready in the spring. (Source: American Airlines press release).

Delta, American Express Partner on Giveaway
Delta Air Lines is offering U.S. SkyMiles members the chance to participate in the third annual “Tickets for Life” sweepstakes and win a grand prize of 2.5 million SkyMiles and $25,000 - enough miles to redeem two domestic tickets every year for 50 years.

To enter the sweepstakes, members must enroll at delta.com/ticketsforlife, purchase a ticket at delta.com between Sept. 25 and. Dec.15, 2007, and travel before Jan. 15, 2008. Members who purchase tickets with any American Express® Card will be entered into the sweepstakes twice. (Source: Delta press release).

Aer Lingus Starts Nonstop San Francisco, Dublin Flights
Aer Lingus has begun non-stop flights between Dublin, Ireland and San Francisco International Airport. It is starting with four nonstops per week, departing Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. (Source: Aer Lingus press release).

Cash-free Flying
Increasingly, airlines are moving to credit cards in-flight. JetBlue has joined airlines such as Midwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, AirTran and others in going cashless in flight and accepting major credit and debit cards instead. American Airlines is also accepting credit and debit cards for onboard purchases, although it still accepts cash.

However, it is testing going completely cashless on flights out of San Francisco. Most carriers accept both cash and credit cards, with some accepting only credit cards on certain flights.

It makes it easier for business travelers to bill their in-flight meals back to the company, but also fattens airlines’ bottom line. Aloha Airlines reports that alcohol sales increased by 30 percent on cashless flights. (Source: airline press releases).

Car and Rail

Amtrak Offers T-Mobile Hotspots in Northeast Stations
Amtrak now has T-Mobile hotspot service in five key stations in its northeast corridor: Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, Wilmington Station, Philadelphia 30th Street Station and New York Penn Station. A variety of service plans are available, from one-day passes to unlimited annual access. (Source:
Amtrak press release).

Car Rental Companies Launch Carbon Offset Program
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car have introduced customer carbon offset program that gives the 20 to 25 million customers who rent from them each year the chance to offset the carbon dioxide emissions generated by their rentals by paying $1.25 per rental to fund certifies offset projects that work to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The three car rental companies will match the purchases, dollar for dollar, up to $1 million. The program will start Jan. 1.

Spot Light on
Business Travel Cost

The American Express 2008 Global Business Travel Forecast projects that business travel demand will out pace capacity in 2008, driving rate increase across air, hotel, car rental and meetings.

• Worldwide airfares expected to climb
• Hotel rates to see double digit increases in U.S., Europe and Asia
• Domestic trips including air, car and hotel, expected to increase six percent, costing an average of $1,110
• International trips expected to increase nearly seven percent for an average cost of $3,171
• Competition in some markets should help ease some airfare increases
• U.S.-E.U. Open Skies Accord, low-price airlines and efficient aircraft will also temper air increases
• Hoteliers to enjoy high demand and slow supply growth

Source: American Express

 

Aeromexico, Mexico´s largest airline announced its newest flight from Atlanta to Mexico City, with a daily non-stop flight starting on November 15th, 2007.

From Atlanta, flights will depart daily at 3:00pm, arriving in Mexico City Airport at 5:55pm return flights from Mexico City will depart daily at 9:25am, arriving in Atlanta at 1:45pm. This flight will offer great connectivity with the cities of Guadalajara, Los Cabos, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Monterrey via Mexico City.

Aeromexico is committed to consistently exceeding passengers’ expectations and takes pride in its high level of service. All passengers, including coach class, enjoy traditional Mexican hospitality with snack meals, complimentary cocktails, exceptional in-flight service, and superior on-time performance.

For the most discriminating traveler, Aeromexico’s Clase Premier first class cabin offers an exemplary travel experience featuring spacious seating, a personal entertainment system, gourmet dining menu designed by Mexico’s top chef, Monica Patino to create the menus served during long-haul flights (on international flights lasting over three and half hours) in Clase Premier. Monica’s intuitive and aesthetic handling of ingredients always glorifies the dishes she presents. Together, Aeromexico and chef Patino put their all into getting products from land to the air for you to enjoy the skies.

For more information and complete flight schedules from all U.S. gateways served by Aeromexico, please visit Aeromexico’s web site at www.aeromexico.com or call
1 (800) 237-6639.

Aeromexico serves more than 40 cities in Mexico, more than any other airline, and 15 gateway cities in the United States including; Austin, Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas Los Angeles; Miami; New York City; Ontario, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, Tucson and Seattle – Pairs and Madrid in Europe – Managua, Nicaragua and San Pedro Sula, Honduras in Central America - Sao Paulo, Brazil, Lima, Peru, Buenos Aires, Argentina & Santiago de Chile in South America as well as Narita, Japan in Asia.

Founded in 1988, Aeromexico has become the leading carrier in the region by maintaining the highest service levels, which have earned the airline numerous top rankings in the industry. The airline was the first Mexican carrier to introduce a frequent flyer program. Today, Aeromexico’s Club Premier Program enjoys more than two million members. Aeromexico is a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance, which provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services.

Delta Air Lines is extending its online Medallion Marketplace to Silver and Gold Medallions, offering all U.S. based SkyMiles Medallion members access the Marketplace. Medallion members let their fingers do the shopping to redeem miles or miles and money for travel and non-travel merchandise including:

• Plasma screen TVs, DVD players and a wide variety of electronics
• Experiential packages with fighter pilot simulations, hot air ballooning, whitewater rafting, rodeo riding and NASCAR driving opportunities
• Hotel or condo stays at some of the finest locations in the world
• Access to some of the top golf courses in the country
• Gift cards from more than 100 vendors including popular stores, restaurants and movie theater chains

"The Medallion Marketplace is very popular among our members and we’ve received a very positive response from Gold and Silver Medallions during promotional periods, so we are opening this benefit up to them all the time," said Jeff Robertson, managing director of the SkyMiles Program. "This is another step in continued efforts to provide our customers more choice in using their valuable frequent flyer miles."

Medallion members may log on to delta.com/medallionmarketplace at any time with their SkyMiles number and PIN to browse, shop and redeem miles online for a variety of items which they can purchase for themselves or as gifts for others. Items offered are worth a range of miles - from movie passes for fewer than 1,000 miles, to a full day of driving a NASCAR stock car for about 250,000 miles.

from Delta Airlines

When you stay just two separate times at any Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion or MainStay Suites hotel in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean or Mexico, you´ll earn enough Choice Privilege points for a free night on a future stay at more than 1,000 hotels.

The more you stay, the more free nights you can earn. Choice Privileges rewards program is easy, fast and free to join at www.choicehotels.com.

• Free nights worldwide at Choice Privileges locations
• Free nights at Preferred Hotels & Resorts and Summit Hotels & Resorts
• Airline Rewards
• Other travel rewards
• Gift cards to retailers (including Wal-Mart), restaurants, entertainment providers, gas stations and Choice hotels
• Memberships
• Charitable donations
• Best of all, there are no blackout dates for reward nights

Airline Rewards

Earn Airline Rewards with participating airlines for qualifying stays at any Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn hotel in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Plus, you can earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points when staying at many of our other destinations.

North American Airline Partners
250 total miles per stay with Aeroplan, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, American Airlines AAdvantage® program, Continental Airlines OnePass, Delta SkyMiles, Frecuenta by Mexicana, Northwest Airlines® WorldPerks, United Mileage Plus or US Airways Dividend Miles.

Or, receive 0.5 credits with Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards.
International Airline Partners
You can earn 3 Qantas Frequent Flyer points for every Australian dollar charged to your room for qualifying stays in Australia.

or 600 Qantas Frequent Flyer points at any Choice hotel in New Zealand, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, American Samoa and New Caledonia.

Join Choice Privilege

Delta Air Lines has tapped renowned chef Todd English to create selections
for its new food-for-purchase menu being developed for customers flying in its Coach Class on flights within the United States.

The new menu is part of an extensive upgrade to Delta´s exclusive onboard offerings available to domestic Coach, Food for sale, chicken First Class and international BusinessElite customers this fall.

Delta will begin offering a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees, as well as popular snack items, available for purchase on nonstop flights between New York´s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.

Menu items will be priced between $2 and $10.

In November, Delta´s food for purchase program will begin featuring Todd English´s signature creations on flights within the 48 contiguous United States of approximately 2,000 miles (four hours or more). As Delta expands the menu to more flights by spring 2008, the food for purchase will be available on flights of more than 750 miles out of many cities.

Todd English´s signature creations will include a variety of fresh sandwiches, salads and light bites. Items being considered include: smoked salmon and egg salad croissant; roast beef steak cobb sandwich; chicken and avocado wrap; beet, walnut, manchego and spinach salad; and Olives´ hummus, based on the recipe from English´s restaurant of the same name.

The new onboard enhancements complement options available in Delta´s terminal at New York JFK, including

• Balducci´s Food Lover´s Market
• Todd English´s Bonfire Steakhouse
• Todd English´s Bonfire Bar
• The French Meadow Bakery & Cafe
• Starbucks Coffee
• Legends Sports Bar
• and a host of retailers.

First Class Menus

Delta´s BusinessElite celebrity Chef Michelle Bernstein, who has created the airline´s menus for international business-class customers since 2006, is extending her culinary creations to Delta´s domestic First Class customers as part of the airline´s on-board enhancements.

Already, First Class customers flying between JFK and Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle will enjoy an upgraded dining experience featuring:

• A choice of two of six new Bernstein creations, such as short ribs in a red wine sauce with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and a zucchini/squash medley or fettuccine in a Porcini Mushroom sauce with sautéed mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes Julienne topped with parmesan cheese;
• Hot fudge and caramel ice cream sundaes; and
• Delta-exclusive pre-landing indulgences from the Godiva Chocoiste Collection, a new line of personal chocolates coming later in September.

Additionally starting this fall, domestic First Class once again becomes high class with customers on all flights enjoying pillows, glassware and metal cutlery, as well as Earth-friendly amenity kits – made predominantly of all-natural, recycled/recyclable and biodegradable materials – that include eye shade, ear plugs, a toothbrush, toothpaste and Lather body lotion.

Bernstein has refreshed her international BusinessElite menu for the next year with new entrees and side dishes available on flights between the United States and Africa, Asia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Europe, and the Middle East. Specialty entrees available during the following months include:

August, November, February and May

• Departing the United States: Braised beef short ribs served with beef sauce, mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts
• Returning to the United States: Seared filet of beef with sauce au poivre, served with macaroni & cheese and sautéed spinach

September, December, March and June

• Departing the United States: Grilled chicken breast Ras el Hanout topped with yogurt sauce, served with pearl couscous with leeks & olives and sautéed zucchini
• Returning to the United States: Pan seared flounder with grapes and capers, served with cauliflower purée and sautéed spinach

October, January, April and July

• Departing the United States: Grilled filet of beef & shrimp scampi, served with lemon risotto, sautéed zucchini and squash
• Returning to the United States: Lamb chops with pomegranate glaze, served with rice pilaf with cherries, green beans and pearl onions

Bon Appetit

from Delta Airlines

National Car Rental currently waives the $50.00 Emerald Club enrollment for Williamsburg Travel Clients.

The Emerald Club® is designed to make your car rental experience faster and more convenient. You can enjoy special privileges reserved for frequent renters every time you rent.

Bypass the counter - As an Emerald Club member, bypass the rental counter and go directly to the Emerald Club Aisle at more than 50 major airports in the U.S. and Canada.

Choose your own car - As an Emerald Club member, don’t waste time looking for your assigned car - just choose any car from the Emerald Club Aisle® and be on your way.

Speed up returns with an E-Receipt - As an Emerald Club member,
there’s no need to wait around for a piece of paper when you return your car. We’ll email you a detailed receipt.

Multidimensional lounge, open for six weeks in the heart of midtown Manhattan, will showcase Delta´s unique in-flight experience and worldwide destinations

Delta Air Lines is bringing its award-winning in-flight experience to the streets of New York City. The airline will open SKY360° by Delta, a multidimensional lounge in the heart of midtown Manhattan created to showcase key elements of Delta´s unique in-flight experience and worldwide destinations.

Located at 101 West 57th St. (at the intersection of 6th Avenue), the 3,500 square-foot space will be open for six weeks only, Oct. 3–Nov. 10, showcasing Delta´s on-board experience and worldwide network of destinations. Visitors can also interact with the airline´s state-of-the-art amenities - all within a contemporary, high-style space. SKY360 by Delta will feature:

Sky High Entertainment: An entertainment/screening area features Delta´s all-leather Coach Class seats and its new international BusinessElite® seats which recline into a fully flat position and will be featured on Delta´s new 777 Long Range aircraft in spring 2008. The seats in SKY360 feature the state-of-the art, Delta on Demand in-flight entertainment system, including movies, HBO programming, TV, music and more. SKY360° guests can:

1. Watch their favorite HBO program – Entourage, Sex and the City or The Sopranos
2. Catch the latest films currently airing on Delta Ocean´s 13, Knocked Up, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
3. Listen to cool tunes – 90s mix, salsa, country and more

The Midnight Sky Bar: Serving coffee and complimentary Coca-Cola products by day and cocktails by night, including selections from Midnight Sky, the signature cocktail program created exclusively for Delta by nightlife proprietor Rande Gerber.

Delta Cafe Pods: Unique seating pods located throughout the space enable daytime guests to relax and sample selections from Delta´s new food-for-sale menu, featuring creations from Chef Todd English, including Roast Beef Steak Cobb Sandwich, Mediterranean Salad with Grilled Shrimp and Chilled Black Olive Spaghetti Salad.

The Reservation Area: A computer zone where visitors can check fares and
worldwide flight schedules, as well as book reservations via www.delta.com.

American Express® Connectivity Lounge and Charging Station: A free charging station for an assortment of mobile devices, including cell phones, BlackBerrys and iPods, sponsored by Delta partner American Express.

AvisConnect Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi capability throughout SKY360.

"We are excited to provide costumers with an opportunity to experience all of the unique, stylish and entertaining elements of Delta´s award-winning in-flight service in the heart of New York City," said Tim Mapes, Delta´s vice president of Marketing. "SKY360 is an experiential vehicle that enables Delta to highlight our robust array of in-flight offerings and provides a platform for visitors to try out our state-of-the-art amenities."

Throughout its six-week time frame, SKY360° will host for the public a variety of daily events and programs related to amenities specific to Delta and travel overall. Evenings will be reserved for a wide variety of private events. Thematic programming and select events include:

• Oct. 2-6: Grand Opening – daily sweepstakes and giveaways;
• Oct. 9-13: International Week – sweepstakes for international tickets on Delta;
• Oct. 16-20: Living Well Week – free massages from Delta’s spa partner, Lather;
• Oct. 23-27: Stress Free Week – packing tips and tricks and aromatherapy from Lather;
• Oct. 30-Nov 3: Food & Wine Week – Filippo Berio Olive Oil samplings;
• Nov. 6-10: Entertainment Week – a gadget lab, showcasing the latest media players, cameras and phones, and a travel photo exhibition.

Evenings at SKY360° will be reserved for a wide variety of private events, Tuesday through Saturday:

Esquire Magazine: Man at His Best Cocktail Reception – based on Man
at his Best editorial platform, guests are invited to experience the newest
trends in fashion, luxury goods and culture.

New Yorker: Cartoons and Cocktails – guests will experience live cartoonist demonstrations, signed sketches, cocktails.

New York Magazine: International Cinema at SKY360° – in partnership with Rooftop films, the event will showcase international short films.

Peter Greenberg Book Reception: Cocktail reception to celebrate the newest book from Today Show correspondent Peter Greenberg: The Complete Travel Detective Bible.

From Delta´s Newsroom

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