New Airline Routes and Route Changes
South America
On January 11, LANArgentina will add three-leg service connecting Buenos Aires and two Brazilian cities: Buenos Aires-Ezeiza-Porto Seguro-Salvador da Bahia.
TAM will add weekly service between Recife, Brazil's Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport and Buenos Aires-Ezeiza as of January 24.
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American Airlines
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American Airlines temporarily ended first class service on flights between Miami International Airport and Rio de Janeiro's Gale�o-Tom Jobim International Airport, with first class seating now being sold as business class. First class will resume on May 7, 2015 when the Boeing 777-200ER begins operating on the route.
International Connections
Virgin America launched daily nonstop seasonal service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (Florida, Miami area) through April 27. Virgin America also added a second weekly flight between New York-JFK and California's Palm Springs International Airport, through April 25.
Sunwing launched direct service between Ontario, Canada's Hamilton International Airport and Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic.
Airline Alliance News
Iberia and TAM began reciprocal codeshare service covering flights in Europe and Brazil. TAM will operate Iberia domestic flights out of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, with Iberia operating TAM flights out of Madrid.
American Airlines has begun a codeshare agreement with Mexico-based Interjet, adding the American code to service from Mexico City to five destinations in Mexico on the low-cost carrier.
American Airlines and El Al expanded their codeshare relationship, adding the American code to eight new routes flown by the Israeli carrier from Tel Aviv, Israel to cities in Europe.
Alaska Airlines expanded its codeshare agreement with American Airlines to cover 16 routes within the U.S. and Canada.
Virgin America and China Eastern Airlines announced a new codeshare agreement for flights between Shanghai, China and multiple U.S. destinations.
As of June 12, 2015, ANA (All Nippon Airways) will expand its codeshare operation with United, launching daily flights between Tokyo Narita and Houston International. The ANA code will appear on 19 routes out of Houston, Texas (U.S.).
Other Airline News
Brazilian low-cost carrier Azul will launch new cabin interiors in its Airbus A330-200s during the second quarter of 2015, reconfiguring the business class cabin in a 1-2-1 setup with seats that convert into lie-flat beds. Azul will also offer "economy xtra" with an additional three inches of legroom and seats that can convert into "Skycouches." All seats will come with personal USB and power ports.
Delta added seven new craft beer options to its in-flight beverage cart on select flights. Delta also partnered with Blue Smoke restaurant to offer an updated southern-style BBQ menu for BusinessElite fliers departing from New York-JFK for London-Heathrow, Brussels, Frankfurt, Paris, Zurich, Amsterdam or Dublin. Travelers can choose their meals by logging into their Delta account.
Alaska Airlines launched "Alaska Beyond," which includes streaming entertainment to personal devices, fresh and local in-flight snacks, in-seat power ports and six-way adjustable headrests.
Virgin America now offers Gogo's faster ATG-4 Wi-Fi service on all planes in its fleet. Connections should be as much as triple the speed of first-generation in-flight Wi-Fi.
Alaska Airlines will waive its $25 first-bag fee for Mileage Plan participants during the month of January.
JetBlue is now offering "CoatChex" in the T5 Terminal at New York's JFK airport. Passengers traveling to warmer climates can check coats (coats are visually linked to customers) for $2 per day, and retrieve them when they return to the airport.
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Qantas First Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport
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Airport News
Australian airline Qantas has opened a new Qantas First Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport. The lounge features Knoll furniture, Carrera marble floors, a 48-foot long bar and 74-seat restaurant and bar with an open kitchen. It also boasts faster Wi-Fi, wireless printing, cable television, two private work suites and seven shower suites.
Queen Reina Beatrix Airport in Aruba now has 10 new automated passport control kiosks and four global entry kiosks.
Travelers using four New York City-area airports will be able to take advantage of complimentary 30-minute W-Fi sessions by the end of the first quarter. Until then, advertisers are sponsoring Internet access for travelers at New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Stewart International and Newark, New Jersey's Liberty airports.
Loyalty Program News
American Airlines announced that it will not convert its AAdvantage and Dividend Miles programs to spend-based programs. AAdvantage and Dividend Miles members will be able to earn bonus miles for first- and business-class flights and additional elite bonuses for specific flights throughout 2015.
Virgin American Elevate members can earn double points through February 28 for travel between New York-JFK and any one of four U.S. cities: Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, Florida, Boston or Las Vegas.
Choice Privileges members can earn triple points for stays that include a weeknight (Sunday-Thursday) through February 18, 2015. Stays must be booked directly with Choice and registration is required.
InterContinental IHG Rewards members can earn double airline miles for every stay (with a maximum of 10,000 bonus miles) between January 7 and April 30. Miles can be earned in more than 40 airline programs. IHG Rewards members can also earn at least 50,000 bonus points between January 1 and April 30 for completing personalized tasks such as downloading the IHG app, booking direct with IHG, completing a weekend stay and staying three nights.
Between February 1 and April 30, Marriott Rewards members can earn 2,500 points for second and subsequent stays (maximum of 25,000 points). Registration must be completed by March 31.
Beginning January 22, the Hyatt Gold Passport program will decrease the points required for a free night's stay at 48 hotels, while increasing the points at 22 properties.
Starwood Preferred Guest members can earn 500 bonus points for each of up to three stays booked via Starwood's mobile app.
Car rental comp Hertz is now awarding elite status in its Gold Plus Rewards to elite members of Delta's SkyMiles program. SkyMiles members must register to receive Hertz status.
Hotel News
InterContinental Hotels Group agreed to acquire Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the world's largest independent boutique hotel operator, for $430 million in cash, making IHG the market leader in the boutique hotel segment.
Hilton Worldwide now offers digital check-in and room selection at more than 4,100 hotels in 11 brands worldwide via Hilton Honors accounts. In conjunction with the rollout, the company also launched an update to the Hilton Honors iOS app.
All Hyatt hotels will offer free Wi-Fi to guests beginning in February. Loyalty program members will receive a free upgrade to "premium" Wi-Fi service where available.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts will begin offering free Wi-Fi to loyalty program members who book rooms through the company's website and mobile app, as well as to travel agents who book via SPG Pro.
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Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Bogota Zona Financiera
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Colombia Openings
Starwood opened the Four Points Bogota, a 140-room hotel located blocks from the Parque de la 93, near the Zona Rosa and the financial district and business center. It also boasts more than 6,000 square feet of meeting space with six ballrooms.
Starwood also opened the Four Points Barranquilla in Colombia. The 119-room property is located in the city's northern financial and commercial area, and offers free Wi-Fi in all public areas, a business center, a full-service restaurant and bar, indoor pool, fitness center, five ballrooms and meeting space for 200 people.
The 99-room, LEED Gold certified Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Bogota Zona Financiera has opened, featuring an outdoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary high-speed Internet access, a business center, meeting spaces for up to 200 people and complimentary parking.
Mexico Openings
The 151-room Hampton Inn by Hilton Hermosillo is now open near General Ignacio Pesqueira Garc�a International Airport, Galerias Mall Sonora and the "Cerro de la Campana" mountain with amenities such as video conferencing services, 24-hour Pavilion Pantry Market, foreign currency exchange and local transportation.
The Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta opened after a $20 million expansion, renovation and repositioning. The property features 335 suites (including swim-up) on Las Estacas beach, as well as a fitness center, entertainment and supervised children's activities. It has 6,500 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom and outdoor gardens.
Royalton Resorts opened two hotels in Mexico: the 1,140-room Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa and the 340-room adults-only Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun. The Resort & Spa offers 24-hour concierge and room service, complimentary Wi-Fi, nine restaurants, a Kids Club, Hangout Teens Club, disco, sports pub and 12 themed bars. The Hideaway features an a la carte restaurant, five bars and an adults-only pool as well as access to all amenities and restaurants at the other property.
The 305-room all-inclusive Allegro Cozumel Resort reopened following a four-month renovation that includes a new Italian restaurant, a new Sports Bar and new Teen Club, Disco Bar, spa and fitness center, tennis courts and theater.
Miami Opening
The Yve Hotel opened in Miami's Brickell business and financial district, with 243 rooms, an on-site restaurant, fitness center, 1,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and access to Car2go vehicles.
Central America Opening
The 108-room Hampton by Hilton Panama has opened in downtown Panama City featuring complimentary Wi-Fi, boardroom and meeting room, 24-hour business center, complimentary hot breakfast and 24-hour snack area.
Caribbean News
The Occidental El Embajador in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic joined the Preferred Hotels & Resorts luxury collection.
The adults-only Chic Punta Cana by Royalton opened on Uvero Alto Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It has 323 suites, DJ booth in the pool, cabanas, oxygen bar, outdoor disco, five restaurants and 24-hour room service.
The five-star all-inclusive Melia Jardines del Ray has opened on Cayo Coco's Playa Flamenco in Cuba. The property features 1,176 rooms in 25 buildings, nine themed restaurants, handicraft stalls, sports facilities, pools, an ice cream parlor, aquabar and dance classes.
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RideScout
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Hotel Pipeline
Wyndham Worldwide reached a franchise agreement with Peru-based Costa del Sol and will add seven Wyndham-branded properties in Peru within the next year, converting six existing hotels and building a 144-room hotel in Lima.
G6 Hospitality plans to expand its Hotel 6 and Estudio 6 brands in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, looking at Mexico first, followed by Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Nicaragua
Ground Transportation
Mobile app RideScout gathers ground transportation information in a specific area, including directions, cost and arrival times. Users can search options by cost, time or proximity and can (in certain cities) book rental cars and connect to bikeshare programs. The app is currently offered in 69 international cities.
Hertz will increase rates on rental cars for 2015.