

Vol. 2 \| Issue 8 \| February 24, 2004


	NEWS - TSA ISSUES FINE GUIDELINES - FRONTIER TO FLY TO PHILADELPHIA - IJET REPORTS ON 10 MOST TERRORISM-PRONE COUNTRIES - SHANGRI-LA JOINS SKY PEARL CLUB DEALS - MILLENNIUM HOTEL, MINNEAPOLIS - BRITISH AIRWAYS - JOLLY HOTEL MADISON TOWERS, NYC - ICELANDAIR TO EUROPE & FINLAND - HOTEL LUCERNE PALACE REVIEWS - JETBLUE AIRWAYS - PLUS - YOUR LETTERS



	Both Sides Now United Airlines gives itself a new paint job and ad campaign while simultaneously launching low-cost subsidiary Ted LAST WEEK, AMID THE PRESS AND EXCITEMENT accompanying Ted's inaugural flights, parent company UAL rolled out the first 777 in the new livery colors for United Airlines at an employee event at San Francisco International Airport. As the airline moves closer to emerging from Chapter 11 bankrupcy protection, it is sending a clear bold message of the direction in which it is heading and the way in which it plans to compete for both the leisure and business traveler. "There is literally no bigger symbol for the company than our planes," said John Tague, executive vice president-customer. The airline's new scheme, a white aircraft with a dark blue underbelly and bold United logo, will be added progressively to aircraft requiring repainting and to new aircraft acquisitions. Simultaneously, the airline introduced a new ad campaign targeting business travelers with the tagline "It's time to fly." The first television spots will appear during the Academy Awards on CBS and will feature the work of Academy Award–nominated animators and filmmakers. "Business travel is too often portrayed negatively," said Martin White, United's senior vice president of marketing. "But those who travel most frequently for business know that frequent flights and face-to-face meetings are often the only way to 'get things done.'" —Jonathan McEwan

	Carrying Contraband Items? Fine! TESTIFYING BEFORE CONGRESS RECENTLY, TOM BLANK, ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR for transportation security policy revealed that the Transportation Security Administration has intercepted more than 1,650 firearms, 3 million knives and 57,000 incendiary devices since its inception shortly after Sept. 11, 2001. Last week, the TSA issued a set of guidelines covering fines, which can be as high as $10,000 for attempting to carry prohibited items through security. Fines are issued based on criteria and factors such as "experience level of violator," "type of weapon" carried, "artful concealment" and "attitude of violator." To view the 10-page document, visit www.tsa.gov —JM

	Philly’s New Frontier FOLKS FLYING FROM PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL SOON HAVE A LOT MORE choices and a lot more seat capacity from which to select. Not only is Southwest Airlines setting up a new hub, but last week Frontier Airlines announced that it, too, will be launching new daily services to and from the airport beginning May 23. The new flights — twice daily between Philly and Frontier's Denver hub and once daily between Philly and Los Angeles — will compete directly with Philly-based US Airways. "Philadelphia is an ideal market for Frontier," said Sean Menke, Frontier's senior vice president of marketing. "As a city, Philadelphia offers the perfect mix of business travelers who want to leverage its thriving economy and leisure travelers who view Philadelphia as an American treasure and a great vacation destination." In related news, US Airways announced last week that it will increase the number of flights it operates between Philadelphia and Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix and Providence, RI, beginning May 2. —JM

	Global Travel, Global Risks IJET TRAVEL RISK MANAGEMENT HAS UPDATED ITS LIST OF THE 10 MOST TERRORISM-prone nations in the world. The company, which delivers real-time risk management services to multinational corporations and the travel industry, released the original list last September and plans to update the list periodically as global security conditions warrant. The list omits the obvious hotspots, such as Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan, on the assumption that those nation's volatility is well known and not much business can be conducted there. The 10 nations listed (in alphabetical order) are: Colombia, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Pakistan, The Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Yemen. Three nations included in the September list — Nigeria, Spain and Thailand — were removed from the list due to increased anti-terrorism efforts by those countries' governments. For the full text of the iJet report, visit www.ijet.com —JM

	Shangri-La Zhongshan Joins Sky Pearl Club LAST WEEK, CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES AND SHANGRI-LA HOTELS & RESORTS announced that Guangdong Province's newest hotel and its second Shangri-La property, the Shangri-La Zhongshan, has joined the airline's Sky Pearl Club frequent flyer program. Boasting more than 2 million members, the Sky Pearl Club is the largest frequent flyer program in China. Members staying at the new 435-room hotel can earn miles, special discount rates and room upgrades. Shangri-La Zhongshan consists of two towers. The 268-room East Wing opened last month and provides comprehensive services including 24-hour room service, high-speed Internet and same-day laundry and valet service. The South Wing, scheduled to open later this year will feature a higher standard of accommodation, personalized service and a host of exclusive privileges and amenities. —JM



	Almost Major JETBLUE AIRWAYS Long Beach to New York JFK, www.jetblue.com I FIRST FLEW JETBLUE IN OCTOBER 2001, shortly after the inauguration of its service to Long Beach Airport in the Los Angeles suburbs. It was a new airline, barely more than a year old, and the experience was a pleasant break from the regular air-travel rigamarole. On my return to New York, the experience inspired discussions with a knowledgeable comrade regarding the future of commercial air travel. I thought low-cost carriers were the future, and he said the fun low-fare trend wouldn't last. Flying from Long Beach to New York recently, I was struck by the idea that, in a way, we were both right. Only four years old, the airline has grown remarkably quickly to be the 10th largest carrier in the nation. Last year it carried more than 9 million passengers and handled revenues just shy of the $1 billion threshold that, once crossed, will officially make JetBlue a "major airline." With new aircraft and routes being introduced at a regular clip — the airline just launched a new hub in Boston and has announced plans to expand from its JFK hub into New York's LaGuardia — maintaining consistent service across the board has got to be a challenge. In many respects, I found the same comforts I found in 2001: attractive leather seats with a reasonable space for my long legs, seatback-mounted TVs with two dozen DirecTV channels and funky snacks including the airline's trademark blue potato chips. In comparison to the typical economy class, the airline still scores high marks. However, I found the crew of my flight had lost some of the witty spark and the enthusiasm that made my 2001 experience so memorable. Though the attendants were all introduced by name at the beginning of the flight, the remaining announcements were traditional rote. Long Beach is a cozy little airport with one terminal. Checking in was a breeze and all ground personnel were pleasant and professional. To its credit, on both my flight out and back, the aircraft pushed back at the posted departure time and arrived at its destination ahead of schedule. Is this the future of commercial aviation? I'm still a believer. Score: ••••• JM



	Send letters to eflyer@globaltravelerusa.com No letters this week.



	Spring Fling in Minneapolis Pop the top and get outta town with the Millennium Hotel, Minneapolis' "Lake of the Isles" package. Priced starting at $849, the package includes two night's accommodations on Millennium Club level, à la carte breakfast, use of a Chrysler Sebring convertible and a place to park it, keepsake Longaberger picnic basket with a gourmet snack created by Chef Donald Flemming, Polo baseball caps, Outside Wayfarer Ray Bans, suntan lotion and a Kodak disposable camera to make sure you don't forget a single moment. Visit www.millenniumhotels.com

	British Airways’ All-Inclusive Deals The dust may be settling after BA's recent $99 offer to London, but similar values are still available through its special all-inclusive packages. For example, fly round trip to London from New York and spend three nights in a central London hotel starting at just $295. Travel must be booked no later than Feb. 27 for travel by March 29. Visit www.britishairways.com

	Tuscan Sun Warms Winter Apple Immerse yourself in the splendor of that enchanted region in Italy known as Tuscany without leaving the States. Jolly Hotel Madison Towers has introduced its new Tuscan Suite, where guests will find themselves transported to the sun-dappled Tuscan countryside through the suites photographs, works of art, hand-painted Tuscan ceramics and beautiful earthy colors. Enjoy Vin Santo while reading one of the Tuscan-themed books on offer in the suite or while enjoying the recently released DVD, Under the Tuscan Sun. The Tuscan Suite is offered starting at $199 per night. For information or reservations visit www.jollyhotels.com

	Travel Through Iceland this Summer Icelandair is adding new destinations in Helsinki, Berlin and Munich this summer. Its low fares start at just $564 to Germany and $614 to Finland with a stopover in Reykjavik. Flights are available from Baltimore/Washington, Boston, New York, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Orlando. The coolest part of this offer is that you can arrange to extend your Reykjavik stopover as long as seven days to explore Iceland's stunning landscape at no additional airfare charge. For more information visit, www.icelandair.net

	Luxuriate in Lucerne Swiss Made Tours is offering a terrific package for both business and pleasure in Lucerne, Switzerland. The three-night package is offered from five U.S. gateway cities: Boston, New York, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles, priced from $699 double occupancy based on departure city. Package includes roundtrip airfare, three night's accommodations at the magnificent Hotel Lucerne Palace, daily grand buffet breakfast, airport/city train transfer and a voucher for a souvenir at Bucherer Watch store. Travel must be booked by March 31 and completed by June 15. For more information, visit www.swissmadetours.com