News

Virgin in Orbit

Virgin Galactic is already looking beyond its sub-orbital experience for
tourists, hoping to offer private passengers a chance to orbit the Earth as
early as 2012. These trips would circle the planet at an altitude of about 60
miles, far enough into space to experience weightlessness and see the Earth’s
curvature. Working with Sierra Nevada Corp. and Orbital Sciences Corp. to
develop the orbital craft, Virgin Galactic hopes to win NASA’s $200 million
competition for spacecraft to carry astronauts to and from the International
Space Station when the space shuttle is retired later this year. Revenue from
this collateral use would drive down the cost of mannedorbital flight, allowing
Virgin Galactic to bid lower on the shuttle service.

The starting price for flights is $200,000, with refundable deposits starting at
$20,000. It’s like membership in a club, however, with Astronaut Forums with Sir
Richard Branson on his South African game reserve, visits to see the new
spacecraft under development and VIP invitations to media events. Visit
wwww.virgingalactic.com/booking.

Airspace Opens at BWI

The first Airspace Lounge, open to passengers in all classes on all airlines,
has opened at Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Concourse D. This is the
first of the company’s projected 40 post-security lounges where travelers can
relax and work, with complimentary food and beverage, WiFi, power ports at every
seat and access to computer workstations. Alcoholic drinks are available for
sale. Day passes start at $17.50, with variable pricing that rises during peak
periods to a maximum of $45. The pass is good for multiple entries all day, and
the lounge is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. BWI’s Concourse D includes gates for AirTran,
Cape Air, Continental, United and US Airways; and the Airspace Lounge uses the
space of United’s now-closed Red Carpet Club. Memberships will be available, and
locations for other lounges will be announced by Airspace on their website,
www.airspacelounge.com.

Escape to Shangri-La

With guests’ special passions in mind, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts’ new
Shangri-La Escapes match hotel stays with rare insider experiences that include
such diverse opportunities as a tailor-made shopping excursion in Shanghai,
kayaking off the coast of Vancouver and a visit to a Sichuan giant panda
sanctuary and a private audience with Xiang Xiang, Shangri-La Hotel Chengdu’s
adopted panda. Devoted foodies can collaborate with local chefs in Beijing and
Guangzhou to savor a personalized tasting menu with wine pairings, and nature
lovers can explore a private island in the Maldives or the jungles of Borneo.
For the complete collection, visit
www.shangri-la.com.

More Rooms in Porto and Moscow

InterContinental Hotels Group opens hotels next month in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, and in Moscow. The InterContinental Porto Palacios das Cardosas is the first Inter-Continental in Portugal, its luxury rooms set in a renovated palace in the city’s UNESCO-proclaimed World Heritage district. Along with Café Astoria, restored to its original Belle Époque façade, the hotel will have a modern spa with a sauna and pool. InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya will offer 203 guestrooms near the Kremlin and the Bolshoi Theater, including a Presidential Suite with state-of-the-art amenities and city views. The InterContinental Concierge program will include private tours of the Moscow Metro, an insider’s dining guide and tours of historic architecture. Visit http://www.intercontinental.com

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Upgrading Economy

United and Continental airlines have announced that as their merger takes
effect, United will continue to offer Economy Plus; and that as part of a
multiyear conversion beginning in 2012, Economy Plus seating will extend through
the Continental fleet as well. Visit
www.united.com or
www.continental.com.
Delta Air Lines will add an Economy Comfort section on international flights
this summer, with up to four inches of added legroom at no added charge for
Platinum- and Diamondlevel Delta and SkyTeam frequent flyers and between $80 and
$160 per segment for nonmembers. Gold-level members will get a 50 percent
discount, Silver members 25 percent off. Falling somewhere between economy and
premium economy, the new seats will be offered on longhaul intercontinental
routes between the United States and Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle
East and Visit www.delta.com.

Macau Firsts

Just 15 minutes from Macau International Airport (MFM), Macau’s first 5-star,
all-suite urban resort has opened in Cotai City. Banyan Tree Macau is part of
the city’s newest landmark, the 136-acre Galaxy Macau resort complex, and also
Macau’s first resort to feature private indoor pools in all 246 suites and
villas. All accommodations are decorated in Asian design with high ceilings and
ornate furnishings. The spa’s 21 treatment rooms offer beauty, health and
wellness therapies alongside two tropical pools, and the resort includes four
restaurants, a gallery showcasing indigenous art and a state-of-the-art
gymnasium. Visit
http://www.banyantree.com.

Clear Customs in Dublin

American Airlines has moved operations into the new Terminal 2 at Dublin
Airport (DUB), allowing passengers to pre-clear U.S. immigration and customs
prior to boarding. On arrival in Chicago (ORD), they will be treated as domestic
rather than international passengers, able to make connections in American’s
Terminal 3 at O’Hare without claiming and rechecking baggage before continuing
on their next flight. Visit
http://www.aa.com.

Almost a Shuttle

In a follow-up to the recent agreement between Iberia
Airlines, British Airways and American Airlines, flights linking New York
(JFK/EWR) and London (LHR/LCY) have increased to 15 and no longer overlap in
times, spreading departures to almost hourly. New destinations have been added,
including American service from JFK to Budapest (BUD) and from Chicago (ORD) to
Helsinki (HEL). Iberia began non-stop service between Madrid (MAD) and Los
Angeles (LAX) and from Barcelona (BCN) to Miami (MIA), and British Airways
begins service this month from San Diego (SAN) to London (LHR). On its
California routes Iberia is flying the Airbus A340-300, with a 36-seat Business
Plus section featuring seats that unfold into horizontal beds. Visit
www.iberia.com.

Rewards

Rewarding Experiences

Global Hotel Alliance has launched GHA Discovery, expanding member hotels’
own guest loyalty benefits and offering authentic local experience add-ons.
Available at all levels of membership, based on the total number of nights
stayed, experiences for members with fewer than nine nights might include a
sunset drive through a nature reserve in Namibia. Those in the highest level,
with 30 or more nights, might choose a private Potomac River cruise in a former
presidential yacht or developing their own customized ringtone at Seattle’s
Microsoft Studios. More than 1,000 of these exceptional local experiences,
designed to provide exclusive access to insider activities around the world, are
offered by membership level instead of members having to accumulate and redeem
points. In addition to these experiences, each level has a set of member
privileges that include upgrades (double for the highest level), free Internet,
expanded check-in and check-out times and guaranteed room availability. Global
Hotel Alliance includes Anantara, Doyle Collection, First, Kempinski, Leela,
Mirvac, Marco Polo, Omni, Pan Pacific, ParkRoyal, Shaza and Tivoli. Visit
www.ghadiscovery.com.

Fast Track to Elite

Underscoring the added convenience of the new integrated flight schedules
between Boston (BOS) and London (LHR) now that American Airlines and British
Airways have coordinated their departure times, the two airlines are offering
double elite qualifying miles for each roundtrip between Boston and London
Heathrow flown before Aug. 15. Tickets can be on either airline, and all
fullfare economy-class or above tickets qualify. To participate in this offer,
register prior to travel using promotion code LHREQ. Visit
www.aa.com.

Deals

Amalfi Summer

Join Italians in celebrating the 150th anniversary of
Italy’s unification with a weeklong stay on the Amalfi Coast in the ultra-luxe Relais Paradiso above
the Bay of Salerno. The Summer Vacation package, available through Sept. 30,
includes five nights of luxury accommodations for two, daily breakfast, a guided
boat trip along the Amalfi Coast, dinner and cocktails prepared by the on-site
chef, a walking tour of the historic Vietri sul Mare and its Ceramic Museum,
welcome amenities and more. Visit
www.ragostahotels.com.

Taipei Spectacular

The new 31-story W Taipei is celebrating its opening with its Spectacular
package through Aug. 31. Accommodation in a Spectacular Room or Fantastic Suite,
al fresco breakfast at The Kitchen Table, a signature cocktail at Yen Bar, an
in-room welcome amenity designed by Chef Jereme Leung, VIP insider access to the
nearby Xinyi District nightclubs and a complimentary W Zodiac Animal are offered
at $250 per night for a Spectacular Room and $445 per night for a Fantastic
Suite. Visit
http://www.whotels.com/taipei.

Sonesta Makes It Easy

Royal Sonesta Hotel, overlooking the Charles River in Boston, simplifies life
with a summer value-added package that you don’t even have to request. Just
check in Thursday through Sunday between Memorial Day and Labor Day and the
SummerFest package is automatically included. Enjoy complimentary narrated boat
tours with Charles River Boat Company, use the hotel’s bicycles to pedal along
the Esplanade (or even to follow Paul Revere’s famous route) and savor free ice
cream scooped daily from the cart in the courtyard. Kids’ bikes, helmets and
tagalongs for toddlers are also included. Visit
www.sonesta.com/boston.

Summer in the Alps

Luxuriate in legendary Gstaad, in the heart of Alpine Switzerland, at savings of
more than $150 a night, not counting all the included extras. Through Sept. 18,
Grand Hotel Park Gstaad offers a summer special that includes a double room with
forest view, flowers and fruit at check-in, a welcome drink in the bar or on the
terrace, breakfast in the Greenhouse and access to the spa at CHF 450 per night
(about $488), instead of the usual room-only rate of CHF 600. Visit
www.grandhotelpark.ch.