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TRAVELWATCHER
Insider news & notes from your business travel authority
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UP IN THE AIR
Analysts skeptical about LaGuardia overhaul
Travel Weekly--Anyone who has ever had to wait for a flight amid LaGuardia Airport's low ceilings and narrow corridors was likely delighted with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's announcement last week that the Queens landmark would be rebuilt, almost from the ground up, beginning in 2016. But some airline industry analysts were less than enthusiastic about the planned $4 billion overhaul.
Work is expected to begin early next year, following final approval from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The $4 billion price tag is only for construction on LaGuardia's Terminal A and its Central Terminal Building, also called Terminal B. More than 50% of that cost will be privately funded, Cuomo said. In parallel, Delta Air Lines will overhaul Terminals C and D at LaGuardia, both of which the airline controls under lease agreements with the city of New York. Delta hasn't revealed how much its portion of the project will cost.
Plans for the overhaul are ambitious. The unified terminal will be located 600 feet closer to New York's Grand Central Parkway than the four current terminals in order to increase the length of the taxiway by two miles. The Port Authority said the extra taxi space would make airport operations run smoother, thereby reducing LaGuardia's notorious flight delays. Passengers will get from the terminal to their gates via bridges that cross over the taxiway. Read the full article
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The cost of checked bags
These are the fees (as of today) for checked bags in economy on U.S. domestic flights if you don't have elite status or access to perks from co-branded credit cards. Have a lot of baggage? Ask your Protravel agent about premium luggage shipping options:
| Airline | Bag #1 | Bag #2 | | ALASKA | $25 | $25 | | AMERICAN | $25 | $35 | | DELTA | $25 | $35 | | JET BLUE | $20 | $35 | | UNITED | $25 | $35 | | VIRGIN AMERICA | $25 | $25 |
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AA plans Auckland-Los Angeles flights
American Airlines could launch direct Auckland-Los Angeles flights in 2016, following the debut of its new daily Sydney-LAX service in December this year. The Qantas partner and Oneworld member intends to lodge an application with NZ regulators for approval to operate trans-Pacific services in direct competition with Air New Zealand, reports The New Zealand Herald. AirNZ currently enjoys a monopoly on NZ-US routes with daily flights from Auckland to Los Angeles and San Francisco, with Houston to follow in December. Qantas axed its Auckland-Los Angeles route in 2012 but would be a partner in the AA schedule and offer connecting flights from Australia to Auckland.
AA unveils next generation of inflight meals
With dishes like lobster mac and cheese, wagyu meatloaf, and steamed sea bass, new meals showed marked improvement over the airline's current state of in-flight premium catering and reflect the latest batch of improvements coming to American carriers: updated and palatable airline meals. American's catering updates come after an extended merger with US Airways, a time during which many premium passengers felt that meal service languished. These global catering changes reflect renewed effort among airlines to lock in the premium travel dollar as the global economy continues to expand. With a new generation of business travelers entering the market, features like lie-flat seats and premium meals will begin to have a larger effect over customers more interested in a better experience over strict loyalty or cost.
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Mandarin Oriental, Milan: Situated on the central Via Andegari, the new Mandarin Oriental, Milan, provides access to the city's most fashionable streets, including Via Manzoni and Montenapoleone. The hotel is housed within four redeveloped 18th-century buildings, combining Italian design by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel Interiors with timeless luxury and service. All 104 rooms and suites provide stylish and spacious accommodations with scenic views of Milan.
Regent Place Harbin: Regent Hotels & Resorts will open its first hotel in the Harbin province of China in 2017 as part of the new Hya Hong International Center.
Experience America's Wild West in style with these EXCLUSIVE Protravel VIP amenities:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Full Breakfast for up to two in-room guests, served in the restaurant
- Complimentary roundtrip private airport transfers
- US$300 equivalent Activity credit to be utilized during stay
- A bottle of wine upon arrival
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TECHNOLOGYCORNER
Travel apps integrate Google Maps & expense tracking
SutiSoft's expense tool now integrates with Google Maps to automatically populate mileage expenses. Other updated features include optical character recognition to match corporate card transactions with emailed or uploaded receipts in SutiExpense's receipt repository. Additionally, as a user enters an expense item manually, the solution will search the repository to suggest a receipt match. If no match is found, the system now offers the user the ability to drag and drop a receipt from the repository to a line item. Spendvision and Concur also interface with Google Maps.
Worldwide Pocket Wi-Fi from Wireless Traveler
Protravel's preferred supplier of low-cost Wifi when you travel. Use with all Smart devices, with no contracts or monthly fees. Service in 160 countries. Contact your Protravel agent for details and discounts.
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YOURLIFE
Bermuda to host America's Cup
Bermuda has been selected to host the 35th America's Cup yacht race in 2017. The Royal Naval Dockyard will be the venue for the 2017 event. A multipurpose village will be developed there to provide a spectator setting to watch the races. Check out some of Protravel' s favorite Bermuda hotels if you plan to attend.
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THEGREATESCAPE
Accorhotels features luxury and upscale hotels
With over 3,700 hotels to choose from around the world, from economy to luxury, Accor makes it easier for you to select. Contact your Protravel agent to book one of their twenty-five luxury hotels around the world and receive the following VIP perks: Daily Breakfast, upgrade based on availability and a welcome amenity.
Some of our favorites include:
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| | Sofitel Legend, Grand Amsterdam |
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| | Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg |
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| | Sofitel Vienna Stephansdon |
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