Travel News
Volcano and Fire Updates
A large forest fire around Valparaiso City, Chile, led to evacuations of more than 100,000 people as the government declared a state of emergency in and around the port city. The fire is still burning, and officials estimate it may take up to 20 days to put it out.
Another explosion of Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano shot a high ash cloud into the air on April 14. An orange alert remains in place, and roads around the cities of Banos and Penipe have been closed.
New Airline Routes and Route Changes
International Connections
American Airlines launched service between its hub in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (U.S.) and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Delta Air Lines will operate seasonal flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, May 22-September 1.
Airline Alliance News
Brazilian low-cost airline GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes and Portuguese airline TAP signed a codeshare and joint frequent flier program agreement. The Brazilian and Portuguese governments must approve the deal, which will allow TAP to include its codes on GOL flights for single-ticket connections throughout Brazil, and will give passengers the ability to accumulate and redeem frequent flier miles on both airlines' flights.
A new interline ticketing agreement between U.S.-based carrier Silver Airways and All Nippon Airways of Japan will allow travelers to purchase a single ticket from Florida to Japan, China, Korea and other parts of the Far East.
Other Airline News
Caribbean carrier Seaborne Airlines is offering a $200 gift certificate for each $1,000 in funds that customers add to Seaborne travel accounts, through May 5.
United Airlines released a new mobile application for Android mobile phones and tablets. The app includes digital boarding passes, MileagePlus cards, United Club cards and storage of other information, as well as a travel wallet feature that stores upcoming reservation and flight status notifications. The app also offers a home screen widget, better seat maps and the ability to purchase Travel Options and book award tickets on multiple flights.
Later this year, American Airlines will retrofit its entire fleet of Boeing 777s with new Business Class and Main Cabin seats. Business Class will be changed to a 1-2-1 configuration, with aisle access, larger entertainment screens, lie-flat beds, more storage and a walk-up bar. Main Cabin will be refitted with 9-inch seatback touchscreen monitors, a power outlet and a USB plug at ever seat.
Airport News
Public transportation will be closed at Newark Liberty International Airport (Newark, New Jersey) from May 1-July 15. The AirTrain, which connects with New York City and New Jersey trains and connects the airport's terminals, parking garages and rental car area, will be closed for repairs. Passengers transferring between terminals, renting cars or heading to and from parking lots will need to use shuttle buses. Amtrak will not stop at the airport's train station either. A shuttle bus will run between the airport and downtown Newark.
Hotel News
The Park Inn by Radisson Bogota opened within walking distance of the city's Parque 93 neighborhood. The first Park Inn in Colombia, the midscale property has 64 rooms with living areas and sofas, and many rooms have kitchenettes, and free
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JW Marriott Mexico City
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Internet. The hotel also offers seven meeting spaces, a spa, fitness center and onsite restaurant.
The JW Marriott Mexico City finished renovating its 283 rooms, lobby and health club, and added an executive lounge. It also added a new restaurant that serves Mexican cuisine. Located in the city's Polanco neighborhood,
The Radisson Hotel Trinidad re-opened under the Radisson flag in its downtown Port of Spain location. The 243-room hotel has been renovated and upgraded, and includes 24-hour business and fitness centers, two restaurants, free Wi-Fi, and ballrooms and meeting rooms with capacity of up to 550 people.
Hotel Pipeline
A 152-room Hilton Garden Inn will open in 2016 next to Haiti's Port au Prince airport.
GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes by Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz via Wikimedia Commons; JW Marriott Mexico City, courtesy of Marriott International
