NEW AIR FRANCE PREMIUM VOYAGEUR This week was the first flight of an aircraft equipped with the brand new Air France Premium Voyageur cabin which gives passengers 40% more space and a seat that reclines inside a rigid shell. Air France officially inaugurated the new cabin in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at JFK yesterday. "We are incredibly excited today to welcome our first Premium Voyageur passengers on-board and are thrilled that they, as well as future travelers, will be able to experience a new level of comfort. We look forward to introducing this new product in all of our U.S. gateways in the near future as well." Premium Voyageur cabin reservations have got off to an excellent start among leisure passengers seeking greater comfort on long-haul flights. For the record, fares for a round trip flight to and from New York in Premium Voyageur start at $1,303 including taxes, beginning October 25, 2009. Premium Voyageur will go into service from November 16, on flights to Tokyo from Paris, on December 28 to Beirut and Singapore from Paris, and on January 18, 2010 on services to Beijing and Hong-Kong. A second daily flight will be added to the New York-Paris route on December 9. By the end of 2010, all the Boeing 777s, Airbus A330s and A340s in Air France's long-haul fleet, excluding the Caribbean-Indian Ocean network, will be fitted with the Premium Voyageur cabin. FLIGHT INNOVATIONS YOU'LL LOVE It's all the rage to criticize the airlines. But we found some smart, practical initiatives that point the way to a better future. Driverless pods at airports Someday, driverless pods may be zipping passengers between an airport and its parking lots. Fully automated, pods are more convenient than shuttle buses driven by humans. Currently, 18 pods are being tested at London Heathrow's Terminal 5. They let you board when you want to, rather than wait for a bus on a fixed schedule. Punch in your destination, such as a parking lot, on a touch screen. Then leave the driving to the machine, which glides on rails at speeds of 25 mph. A bonus perk: The pods are battery powered, so they don't spew out environmentally destructive exhaust. Improved design of coach seats Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific Airways has reinvented the economy-class seat: As the seat reclines, the bottom slides forward, but the back stays in place. So the passenger sitting behind doesn't have to endure a seat hovering inches from his or her chin. The new seats are especially welcome on long-distance hauls -- which happen to be routes Cathay Pacific flies regularly. American Airlines is among the other carriers reportedly interested in installing similar, slide-forward seats. In-cabin mood lighting Poor cabin lighting on a long flight may worsen jet lag. For instance, exposure to bright light at an hour when you are ordinarily asleep can confuse your body's internal clock. But smart cabin lighting may actually help your body adjust to a new time zone -- and beat back jet lag. Virgin America has an in-cabin lighting system that subtly shifts through 12 shades of violet, including a welcoming, bright blue-purple during the day, a softer violet hue after dusk, and a deep, calming near-black on red-eyes when it's time to sleep. Luggage check before you get to the airport Schlepping your bags isn't fun. It's also not necessary -- at least not in the many capital cities where you can drop checked luggage at bus or train stations and forget about it until you land at your destination. Many passengers can check bags at London's Paddington station (for Heathrow flights), Vienna's Wien Mitte station, Moscow's Kievsky Station, and Hong Kong Station. In the U.S., the best advance luggage-check option is at Walt Disney World: Guests staying at Disney lodging can check bags at their hotel before hopping on the free Magical Express ride to the Orlando airport. Paperless boarding passes Boarding passes printed on flimsy paper seem almost as outdated as paper airline tickets. Now, cell phone check-in is allowed at many airports, such as Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles's LAX. Punch in your phone number at check-in and a bar code appears on your phone via e-mail or text message. Security officers and gate agents scan your phone's screen, making for an entirely paperless process. Some airlines, including American, Continental, and Delta (plus its sister unit, Northwest), plan to adopt the new technology at every airport gate nationwide. More power --sockets -- for the people Sometimes it's the simple things that count. Virgin America not only became the first airline to offer Wi-Fi on every flight, but it did so in an especially sensible way, with standard sockets (no adapter necessary) at every seat on the plane. Because while Wi-Fi is nice (even when there's a fee for it), it's even nicer to know that you won't run out of juice in the middle of a flight. Sockets obviously work with portable DVD players and cell phone chargers, too. Replacements for outmoded radar-tracking systems Radar is outdated. Locating a plane's position can take up to half a minute, a long time when planes are traveling at speeds over 500 mph. To play it safe and avoid accidents, planes fly extremely far apart from each other. They also fly routes that zigzag rather than go straight. The reason? Aircraft need to remain within signal range of radar beacons, which are irregularly spaced around the country. To shave flight times -- and improve safety -- the FAA is rolling out NextGen, a GPS-based air traffic control system that provides real-time plane locations to pilots and air traffic controllers. Using GPS technology, planes will be able to fly straighter, more efficient routes while maintaining a safe distance from other aircraft. But we may have to wait until 2025 to see this technology adopted nationwide. Sigh. SURVIVING THE TALKATIVE AIRPLANE SEATMATE Why do these overly aggressive talkers do it? "I think most of them are clueless, to be honest," said etiquette expert and author Anna Post, who is also a spokeswoman for the Emily Post Institute. "They're not thinking about how their chatting could be affecting someone else. They're just thinking that they want to talk, so they're talking." Some also may be trying to network -- especially during tough economic times. If you're not sure how much to talk with your neighbor or are faced with a Talkative Airplane Seatmate, Post offers the following tips: To chat or not to chat? There is no obligation to talk with the stranger seated next to you, but some eye contact, a smile or a nod can serve as basic acknowledgment of that person. If you'd like to start a conversation, remember that some people may be shy or exhausted. Stick to basic subjects. "Avoid things that are overly personal," Post advised. "Avoid hot button things like politics. You're in a small space, you don't want to set off any fuses." Good topics? Your destination, the movie that just played or the book the person is reading. Early clues that your neighbor has had enough. When people begin answering questions with a question or respond with "uh huh, sure, mmm hmm," it's time to back off, Post said. Signaling you've had enough. "I like to do the long, slow unwinding of my iPod ear buds," Post said. "It gives them plenty of time to recognize where I'm going without just cutting them off short. Then when they take a break, I say it's been great chatting, I'm going to turn on the movie for a bit or I'm going to go back to my book now." Be polite but firm. Post advises against telling the person directly that you don't want to talk. Instead, turn your attention to another task such as reading or doing work. Networking in the air. Looking for business contacts is fine, as long as you're not pushy. Being overly aggressive can damage a potential business relationship. Talking with a colleague. When sitting next to a co-worker, a boss or someone you supervise, chat at least a little, Post said. "If they're senior to you, follow their lead. Let them set the tone for how much to chat. If you're on more equal footing, it's going to be a bit more give and take."
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Retreat from the rigors of travel; sleep well in the Westin Heavenly Bed(R) or reenergize in the heated indoor pool. One can explore the surroundings with their complimentary shuttle to the nearby King Street Metro. Everyone wants to feel special and have a unique personal experience. At Westin, there is an approach to making sure this feeling of personal renewal happens for every guest. Let all senses come alive. Feel welcome and renewed at Westin. The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The Westin Alexandria is $245 (compared to a corporate rate of $259).*
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The Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta invite guests to experience the first class transformational renovation of downtown's only AAA Five Diamond luxury hotel. The polished transitional design—with a splash of glamour—redefines the luxury experience downtown, just as the traditional interiors did when the hotel opened in 1984. The city is undergoing its own revitalization, and the renovation perfectly parallels Atlanta's ongoing vitality and renewal. The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta is $229 (compared to a corporate rate of $249).* THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
An Urban Retreat at the Shore City-smart and by the sea, Viceroy Santa Monica fuses classic sophistication and contemporary chic to create a thoroughly modern and uniquely luxurious Santa Monica beach boutique hotel. Whether for business or pleasure, experience exceptional seaside living, luxurious accommodations, exquisite dining options and the finest amenities at this Santa Monica hotel by the beach. Productivity Meets Sensibility Boasting a robust array of business amenities - including dual-line cordless phones and wireless and wired high-speed Internet access in all guestrooms and public spaces - Viceroy is the ideal hotel destination for Santa Monica business travel. Viceroy is located near many major corporations and Santa Monica businesses, with close freeway access for business travel to downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Los Angeles International Airport. Viceroy Santa Monica business hotel provides the business traveler with the tools and services that help business happen - all in a setting that's equally suited for post-work repose. Sophisticated Sleep Custom designed for work-week efficiency and restful ease, room and suite Santa Monica accommodations at the Viceroy - most with ocean views - combine a cosmopolitan approach and coastal atmosphere to comfort business nomads and leisure seekers alike for exceptional Santa Monica lodging. Each of the 162 accommodations in Santa Monica feature: - Ocean, pool or palm views - Available with either two full size beds or one king sized bed - Filidoro 300 thread count linens and bathrobes - Custom beds with down comforters and pillows - Body and hair care products by Aromatherapy Associates - Over-sized showers - Fully-stocked minibars - Sitting area with ocean, pool or mountain view - In-room CD-DVD player - Wireless and Wired High-speed Internet access in all Santa Monica hotel rooms and public spaces - Entertainment center with 27" flat screen TV - Full cable access and movies - Music and video games - 2-line telephones with speaker capability - Private voicemail - Data port for modem/fax connections - Video checkout with e-mail receipt - 24-hour room service - In-room safe - Evening turndown service - Choice of daily newspaper - Laundry and dry cleaning service The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Viceroy Santa Monica is $335 (compared to a corporate rate of $370).*
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The DuPont Hotel: Moving in the best circles Taking pride of place at the heart of Washington DC's most desirable and cosmopolitan neighborhood is the newly-refurbished DuPont Hotel. Overlooking DuPont Circle and neighboring leafy, European-style avenues with embassies, cafés and bookshops, The DuPont Hotel is set to become an icon of understated luxury and style among Washington DC hotels. The warm, contemporary redesign has transformed every corner of this Washington hotel, from the 327 bedrooms and suites to the meeting rooms, catering facilities and conference suites. Guests at this Washington hotel feel elegantly indulged everywhere they go, from their table in the hotel's Café Dupont restaurant to the stunning new Bar DuPont, to their bedroom. Finally, the hotel the Circle has waited for. The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the DuPont is $249 (compared to a corporate rate of $360).*
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The InterContinental The Barclay New York is a luxury business hotel in "the city that never sleeps." Minutes away from LaGuardia and JFK Airport. The Barclay Hotel was the most luxurious hotel built by the New York Central Railroad and one of the most glamorous and elegant hotels near Park Avenue. Visit the United Nations, Wall Street, Broadway Theater or take a stroll in the world-famous Central Park! There have been a number of famous faces visiting The Barclay New York Hotel over the years. Because of its proximity to the United Nations, nearly every major head of state has visited the hotel, including President Ronald Reagan, Francois Mitterrand and Nelson Mandela. The Barclay Hotel has also been the home away from home for such celebrities as Bette Davis, Marlon Brando and Ernest Hemingway. The hotel has 686 luxurious guest rooms and suites, all beautifully appointed with a wealth of modern amenities for a comfortable and relaxing stay. Rooms with facilities for the disabled are also available. Dining facilities offer a choice of New American cuisine at the hotel's Barclay Bar & Grill, while Room Service is available for guests wishing to dine in the privacy of their own room. Complimentary Wireless Internet Access in their Lobby and the Barclay Bar & Grill is now offered. InterContinental The Barclay New York hotel's exceptional banquet and meeting facilities include 18 elegantly appointed function rooms, which are perfect for hosting from 10 to 300 guests for business and social gatherings of every description. The in-house audio-visual department offers a comprehensive range of equipment, and the hotel has a 24-hour Business Center, which is well equipped to fulfill business requirements. The hotel's leisure facilities include the 1500-square-foot Health Club, featuring state-of-the-art fitness equipment, together with an array of massages. The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the InterContinental The Barclay is $350 (compared to a corporate rate of $389).*
* All rates are subject to availability. The Lawyers' Travel Service |
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