- Courtesy of The Lawyers' Travel Service March 3, 2010 In This Issue...
	JFK CLOSURE TO RATTLE NERVES, WALLETS
	AIRPORT CHECK-IN: FREE WI-FI ON THE RISE, BUT IT STILL ISN'T COMMON
	AMTRAK SWITCHES ON FREE ACELA WI-FI SERVICE
	IATA SHOWS RETURN TO MONTHLY GROWTH IN PREMIUM TRAVEL
	THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
	- DONOVAN HOUSE-A THOMPSON HOTEL, Washington, DC
	- THE HOUSTONIAN HOTEL, CLUB & SPA, Houston
	- LE MERIDIEN SAN FRANCISCO, San Francisco
	- THE LONDON NYC, New York City
	- SHERATON DENVER DOWNTOWN, Denver - SOFITEL LA, Los Angeles

JFK CLOSURE TO RATTLE NERVES, WALLETS
(source: CNN.com)

One runway, a whole lot of problems.

The main runway at New York's John F. Kennedy International has closed for four months beginning March 1. Millions of travelers will experience delays — including some not flying anywhere near the Big Apple.

With about one-third of JFK's traffic and half of its departures being diverted to three smaller runways, planes will wait on longer lines on the ground for takeoffs and in the air for landings. Delays at one of the nation's largest airports will ripple to cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orlando.

Passengers using JFK also face another headache — higher ticket prices. JetBlue, American, Delta and other airlines have cut their schedules by about 10 percent for the shutdown period. They can raise prices because there will be a smaller number of seats to meet demand.

JFK's Bay Runway, at 14,572 feet, is one of the longest commercial runways in the world. It's a backup landing spot for the space shuttle, which has its next mission in April. The runway is being repaved with concrete instead of less-durable asphalt and widened to accommodate today's bigger planes.

The project will affect at least the first month of the peak travel season, which officially starts on Memorial Day. But the chosen four-month period was picked because it's the driest in the New York area, making weather-related construction delays less likely.

JFK is already one of the nation's most delay-plagued airports. It ranked 28th out of 31 major airports in 2009 in on-time performance, according to the Department of Transportation. A delay at JFK, especially one early in the morning, can push back flights across the U.S.

The longest delays occur at peak hours — from about 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. ET and between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

The airlines and the airport are making adjustments. Besides cutting flights, airlines are adding time into their schedules. So although flights may take longer, more won't necessarily be considered late. Still, Mike Sammartino of the Federal Aviation Administration expects delays at JFK will be about 50 minutes during peak times and 29 minutes on average — similar to busy summer days.


AIRPORT CHECK-IN: FREE WI-FI ON THE RISE, BUT IT STILL ISN'T COMMON
(source: USA Today)

Travelers love free Wi-Fi at airports. But the amenity is still hard to come by for many U.S. fliers, despite a couple of airports that have recently announced that they're switching to the free model.

Twelve of the top 20 airports that handle nearly 60% of all domestic boardings charge for wireless Internet. Large airports that offer it for free include Denver, Charlotte, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Orlando. Boston Logan and Seattle launched their free service earlier this year. Houston Bush Intercontinental offers free Wi-Fi, but only for 45 minutes.

Travelers' insistence on fast Wi-Fi networks at airports will only grow stronger because they're carrying other devices beyond laptops — Smartphone, iPod Touch, netbook, Wi-Fi camera — that will take up capacity.

But airports are reluctant to introduce a free system because it's costly to own and operate the equipment and handle customer service, especially in current economic conditions.

Airports that offer free service run ads to make up for the cost, but generally aren't making any money. They see it as another amenity whose cost must be borne by the airport authorities, says Richard Bogen of FreeFi Networks, which operates the free networks at Denver and Oakland.

Several airports are experimenting with Wi-Fi networks to juggle competing interests. Houston is trying a tiered model, in which travelers can use the network free for 45 minutes after viewing a 30-second commercial or pay to skip ads and have more time.

Philadelphia waives its $7.95-a-day charge on weekends, and college students can access it for free every day.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky's free wireless Internet at Terminals 2 and 3 is provided by Project Lily Pad, a local volunteer initiative "to create an environment that attracts mobile 'creatives' to the Greater Cincinnati area." Those traveling from Concourses A and B pay for Wi-Fi.


AMTRAK SWITCHES ON FREE ACELA WI-FI SERVICE
(source: Business Travel News)

Amtrak announced on March 1 that it has launched free wireless Internet service on all 20 Acela Express trains that run along the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, DC, and in all four of its in-station ClubAcela lounges.

The AmtrakConnect service is initially offered free to passengers traveling in business and first class seating.

The rail provider also is launching Wi-Fi service for all passengers within gate areas of stations in Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, Providence, New York and Washington, DC. The Wilmington, Delaware, station will be Wi-Fi-enabled once renovations are complete in early 2011, according to Amtrak.

ClubAcela lounges are located at stations in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. They are open to first class passengers at no additional charge. In New York, the lounge is also available for Continental Airlines Presidents Club members and Continental first class passengers for same-day travel.

The rail provider said it plans to expand the Wi-Fi offering to other services, including Northeast Regional trains.


IATA SHOWS RETURN TO MONTHLY GROWTH IN PREMIUM TRAVEL
(source: Business Travel News)

International Air Transport Association global traffic data released today registered in December 2009 the first monthly year-over-year increase in the number of premium passengers since May 2008.

In December, 1.7 percent more passengers flew in first or business class than in the same month in 2008. "2009 was a year of very distinct halves, with severe recession early in the year and post-recession upturn in the second half," IATA said, noting that the low point for premium travel came in May 2009, when high-yield traffic was down 25 percent over the same month in 2008.

Since that low, IATA said premium passenger numbers grew 11 percent through December, but even with its first positive year-over-year posting in the last month of 2009, the overall size of the premium market remained down 17 percent compared with "the size of the market in early 2008," IATA said. "This implies that premium travel has lost six years of growth."

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
DONOVAN HOUSE-A THOMPSON HOTEL
1155 14th Street
Washington, DC

Donovan House, Thompson Hotels' first property in Washington, DC, injects an element of sleek sophistication into the nation's capital.

193 luxe and seductive rooms feature custom design elements including a custom leather canopy bed, Studio Gaia club chair and cocoon spiral shower. Famed Chef Susur Lee's Zentan features a menu of bold and inventive modern Asian dishes - a truly unique dining experience.

A signature of Thompson Hotels, Donovan House is topped off with ADC (Above DC), an exclusive rooftop pool with bar/lounge. Donovan House welcomes guests of The Lawyers' Travel Service to enjoy Complimentary wired and wireless internet connectivity and room upgrade, upon availability.

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Donovan House is $289 through June 30, 2010 (compared to a corporate rate of $349).*

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THE HOUSTONIAN HOTEL, CLUB & SPA
111 North Post Oak Lane
Houston

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa is conveniently located in the Galleria, only 10 minutes from downtown Houston. All newly renovated guestrooms have floor to ceiling windows overlooking wooded landscape. The Concierge Level offers additional services and privacy, through key-access. Guests can enjoy daily Continental breakfast, early evening hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, after-dinner sweets and cordials, and Concierge and business services. Adjacent to the hotel is The Houstonian Club, a 125,000-square-foot private health club featuring state-of-the-art facilities and exercise equipment. Also near the hotel is Trellis The Spa, one of Texas select four-star spas, and 17,000 square feet of pure bliss. More than 100 treatments are offered in 20 treatment rooms for facials, body treatments, massages, nail and hair services, professional makeup and more. It offers an indoor float pool and comfortable upstairs lounge with a fireplace and quiet room.

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa is $205 (compared to a corporate rate of $269).*

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
LE MERIDIEN SAN FRANCISCO
333 Battery Street
San Francisco

Le Méridien San Francisco is a luxury hotel located in the heart of San Francisco's Financial District. The hotel is connected by a landscaped pedestrian bridge to the historic Federal Reserve Building, and the shops, entertainment, and cafés of the dynamic Embarcadero Center. Le Méridien is also steps away from San Francisco's main leisure attractions such as Chinatown and the California Street cable cars, with easy access to Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square.

The guest rooms are spacious and many offer sweeping views of the bay as well as the city. The rooms have an attractive, contemporary décor and appointments with fine furnishings. Accommodations are 100% non-smoking and are equipped with wired and wireless High Speed Internet Access, plush robes, beds with 300-count Frette sheets, down duvets, and a Nakamichi stereo/CD player. Room service is available 24 hours a day.

A professional staff and superior facilities, including onsite catering and audiovisual resources with state-of-the-art telecommunication services, provide support for all conference needs.

Le Méridien San Francisco… the premier choice in the downtown area for one's next executive conference, meeting or retreat.

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Le Meridien San Francisco is $239 (compared to a corporate rate of $289).*

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THE LONDON NYC
151 W 54th Street
New York City

The London NYC offers an unparalleled luxury experience, surrounding guests with some of the largest accommodations in midtown Manhattan at a truly compelling value. Every aspect of the hotel seems effortless, from sleek, roomy accommodations to top notch amenities and service. The culinary team of Gordon Ramsay oversees all cuisine, from restaurant to in-room dining. From its well appointed address, the multifaceted location offers easy access to all midtown businesses, major subway lines, Central Park and Fifth Avenue Shopping.

The London NYC's true highlight is the selection of stunningly spacious suites. Even entry level accommodations, London Suites, surround guests with a minimum of 500 square feet of living space featuring a separate parlor area and bedroom. Designed by innovator David Collins, the suite décor is the perfect blend of sophistication and comfort with oak parquet flooring, luxurious filli d'oro linens and sumptuous bathrooms complete with hand cut mosaic tiles and special details by Waterworks. The London experience provides complimentary internet access (both wired and wireless), gratis calls to London, a minimum of two LCD televisions and iHome docking stations.

Elevate your experience in The Luxury Suite Collection – from the stunning Sky Suites to the dramatic 2,500 square foot duplex Penthouse. The London NYC Fitness Club is available on a complimentary basis, 24 hours daily. This state of the art facility offers two Kinesis Walls by Technogym, a variety of cardiovascular equipment from Lifefitness, an array of strength training equipment and free weights. Bottled water and ear phones are furnished on a complimentary basis.

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The London NYC is $279 for London Suite accommodations valid through March 31, 2010 (compared to a corporate rate of $339).*

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
SHERATON DENVER DOWNTOWN
1550 Court Place
Denver

Perfectly located on the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall, the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel is in the heart of Denver's business and financial districts and a simple 3 ½ blocks from the Colorado Convention Center. Inside the hotel, guests will find a vibrant new Denver restaurant offering convenience, exceptional service, delightful cuisine with comfortable surroundings and a friendly staff, making it the ideal place to meet up with friends after a day of meetings.

The Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel offers 1,231 rooms with beautiful mountain and downtown views. With 82 suites for added comfort, guests will be provided the ultimate in relaxation and convenience in the rooms and throughout the property. Enjoy a great night sleep on the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed®, a custom designed mattress that is made exclusively for Sheraton. These beds and added luxuries are all part of the hotel's newly re-imagined guest accommodations.

Experience their $70 million transformation.

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Sheraton Denver Downtown is $169 (compared to a corporate rate of $239).*

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
SOFITEL LA
8555 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles

Located at the crossroads of Bevelry Hills and West Hollywood, in LA's prestigious West Side community, Sofitel Los Angeles combines the ultimate blend of French flair and Hollywood vogue.

Stylish and refine, suites by Sofitel provide a comfortable, residential feeling, unmatched by any other hotel. Guest staying in a suite receive:
- A personalized spa amenity
- High speed internet access
- Dry cleaning and shoe shine service

Guests staying in an Imperial Suite will also receive a complimentary bottle of Imperial Champagne.

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Sofitel LA is $219 (compared to a corporate rate of $270).*

* All rates are subject to availability.
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