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Courtesy of The Lawyers' Travel Service
January 2, 2008
In This Issue...
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UK AIRPORT/AIRLINE STRIKE TALKS |
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AIRLINE TESTS IN-FLIGHT USE OF CELL PHONES |
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FLIGHT 001 – A BOUTIQUE FOR THE TRAVELER |
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM |
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- LONDON NYC, New York City |
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- THREADNEEDLES, London |
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- HOTEL VITALE, San Francisco |
UK AIRPORT/AIRLINE STRIKE TALKS
(source: BBC News)
Union leaders have called off the first of three strikes, set for January 7, which threatened to paralyze some of the UK's busiest airports. The decision comes after airport operator BAA, the owner of seven UK airports, called for last minute talks to resolve concerns about its plans to alter workers' pension rights. The strikes would affect all of BAA's airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh.
The unions involved, Unite and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSU), had called for three strikes scheduled to take place for 24 hours January 7 and 14, and 48 hours on January 17. Union officials said that the first strike was called off after progress was made during Monday's talks.
The outline of a deal over the pension scheme has been reached and will now go to union delegates for ratification. Should it be approved, then the strikes on 14 and 17 January will also be called off. BAA and the trade unions will meet again on January 4.
In addition, cabin crew at Virgin Atlantic announced they would be calling two 48-hour strikes in January in a dispute over pay. Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic, has told staff who are threatening to strike to consider working elsewhere. The 48-hour strikes are scheduled for January 9 and 10, and January 16 and 17.
In a letter to 4,800 cabin crew, Sir Richard admitted that rival airlines often offered better basic wages but said that they did not offer the perks that came with working for a "smaller, more friendly" company.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said that since the letter was sent, a number of union members had contacted management offering to cross the picket line and work on the strike days.
AIRLINE TESTS IN-FLIGHT USE OF CELL PHONES
(source: Travel Weekly)
Air France has become the world's first airline to allow in-flight use of mobile phones in a six-month trial aboard a single Airbus A318 aircraft.
The airline began the trial on a flight between Paris and Warsaw. It will allow passengers to send and receive phone messages and emails, but bar calls until a later date.
The use of mobiles is only permitted above 10,000 feet and the cabin has been fitted with 'switch off your phone' signs. Air France will permit calls later in the trial, but can control phone use and will limit availability of the service.
The Mobile OnAir technology that allows mobile use cuts out interference with an aircraft's radio-navigation instruments. Mobile use remains banned on all other aircraft.
FLIGHT 001 – A BOUTIQUE FOR THE TRAVELER
(source: MSNBC.com)
Flight 001 may be the answer to every business traveler's wildest dreams - a boutique stocked with fashionable yet practical travel merchandise, ranging from 3-ounce bottles to brightly colored suitcases on wheels. The goal: make traveling easier and to offer stylish travel goods.
Brad John and John Sencion came up with the idea for Flight 001 nine years ago en route to Paris and opened their first store in 1999 in New York City. The company has grown to eight stores, in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Chicago, two in Brooklyn, and Dubai. The owners are planning to open more Flight 001 stores, including possibly in airports.
Flight 001 (pronounced Flight One), named for a legendary Pan Am flight, has everything a traveler needs before boarding: a dental kit, paper shampoo, and travel guides. "Our second-best area is travel IDs, because when you think about where you are going to buy cool luggage tags, we're kind of the place to go," John said. "I think we were one of the first to offer colorful luggage, colorful passport holders.”
THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
LONDON NYC
151 West 54th Street
New York City
Experience a new era of grown-up luxury at The London NYC in the heart of midtown Manhattan. David Collins has completely transformed both the public areas and spacious suites into livable sophistication. Acclaimed Chef Gordon Ramsay has entered the New York culinary scene with his first US Restaurant accompanied by a hot new lounge making it one of city's newest places to be seen. Luxury bath purveyor Waterworks has furnished a completely innovative bath environment and Quintessentially, the world-renowned global concierge service will bring guests the unattainable. The London NYC looks forward to introducing this redefined, reinterpreted luxury hotel.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The London NYC is $399 (compared to a corporate rate of $699) through March 30.
THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THREADNEEDLES
5 Threadneedle Street
London
Threadneedles: a luxury boutique hotel in the City's Square Mile.
Originally a Banking Hall built in 1865, with solid oak doors and impressive marble columns, the hotel echoes its colorful past with a rich and contemporary interior.
A multitude of textures and complementary tones create a feeling of understated luxury and tranquility in the heart of the City of London.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Threadneedles is £265 (compared to a corporate rate of £315.
THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
HOTEL VITALE
Eight Mission Street
San Francisco
 Hotel Vitale, located on the revitalized Embarcadero Waterfront and in the heart of the Financial District, is a four-star luxury hotel ideally located for business travelers.
With a mission to nurture and revitalize guests in a non-smoking hotel, Hotel Vitale features spacious guestrooms of modern and soothing design, many of which have expansive water and Bay Bridge views. Additionally, guests may indulge in Spa Vitale located on the penthouse level of the hotel and Americano Restaurant - a striking yet comforting ambience enhanced by a modern Italian menu inspired by the bounty of the Farmers Marketplace.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Hotel Vitale is $269 (compared to a corporate rate of $350).
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The Lawyers' Travel Service
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info@lawyerstravel.com
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