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FEARS OF CHAOS GONE AS REBUILT KENNEDY AIRPORT RUNWAY OPENS
(source: The New York Times)
Most travelers going through Kennedy International Airport did not really notice that the biggest runway there had been closed for four months of repairs.
For the stressed-out officials overseeing the $376 million project, that may have been the biggest accomplishment of all.
Runway 13R-31L, which reopened Monday, is a picturesque strip that handles a third of the airport's air traffic. Before the runway shut down in March, pessimists, and even a few newspapers, predicted a chaos of delays and tarmac traffic jams at one of the nation's busiest hubs.
But airport officials are happy to report that the number of delays during the construction period stayed more or less the same as last year, when about one in every five flights left late.
And save for one scary day in March, when high winds forced the airfield to operate on a single runway, the repairs went off with few problems and little fuss.
The repairs are expected to reduce delays at the airport and save millions of dollars in long-term maintenance. The lifespan of the runway, the second longest in the country, is expected to be extended by 40 years.
Its newly widened span can now accommodate the most advanced aircraft in the world (including the space shuttle). And its murky asphalt surface has been replaced by bright white concrete, producing a beaming strip along Jamaica Bay.
The goal, at the start, was simple: to restore a heavily used runway that was overdue for a spruce-up. Long known as the Bay Runway, the airstrip was in operation when Kennedy, then called New York International Airport, opened for commercial flights in 1948. But its last overhaul was in 1993.
About 24 percent of departing flights at the airport were delayed in March, up from 16 percent a year earlier, according to data from the federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics. But in April, only 16 percent of flights were delayed, down from 21 percent a year ago.
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STRIKE TALK RESURFACES AT AMERICAN AS UNION THROWS OUT TENTATIVE PACT
(source: USA TODAY)
Strike talk is back at American Airlines. That's after the union representing ground workers there on Monday said it will throw out its tentative agreement with management. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes that decision moves "the group a step closer to a possible strike."
The union and management had reached a tentative agreement at the end of May. However, the Star-Telegram notes that "proposal never went to a vote by the nearly 11,000 baggage handlers and other ground workers that clean aircraft, fuel planes and move freight. Neither side has elaborated on what led to the suspension of the agreement. However, the union's announcement Monday said there are issues 'related to contracting out work.' " The Dallas Morning News writes "the [Transport Workers Union] said the tentative agreement wasn't fixable because of 'unresolved issues.' "
Now, the TWU has asked the National Mediation Board to declare an impasse in negotiations. The Associated Press writes "if the board goes along, it could end mediated talks between the two sides and eventually begin a 30-day cooling-off period, after which workers could legally strike." As for AA, the Morning News notes "American indicated that it considers a deal a deal."
AA spokeswoman Missy Latham tells the Morning News the tentative deal offers pay increases and other "enhancements" to workers while it "also provides American with an opportunity to improve its productivity and efficiency."
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GLOBAL AIRLINE TRAFFIC SURPASSES PRE-RECESSION
(source: Business Travel News)
Global airline traffic grew nearly 12 percent in May over the same month in 2009, bringing passenger levels modestly above those last seen before the recession hit in 2008.
"Demand rebounded strongly in May, following the impact of the European volcanic ash fiasco in April," IATA director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani said in a statement. "Passenger traffic is now 1 percent above pre-recession levels."
Carriers from all regions witnessed demand gains in May, though IATA recorded particular strength among Latin American carriers with nearly 24 percent growth, Asia-Pacific carriers with 13 percent growth and Middle Eastern carriers with nearly 18 percent growth.
As has been the case since the recovery began to take hold among airlines, European carriers recorded what IATA called "the weakest growth," posting an 8 percent traffic growth rate in May from the same month in 2009. "Weak economic growth, questions over financial stability and sharply tightening fiscal policies will likely result in continued slower demand growth than is experienced in other parts of the world," IATA said of the region.
North American airlines, meanwhile, saw nearly an 11 percent increase in passenger traffic in May compared with May 2009, IATA reported.
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SCHEDULE OF PASSPORT FEES TO TAKE EFFECT ON JULY 13, 2010
(Source: A Briggs)
On June 28, 2010, the U.S. Department of State published its Schedule of Fees for Consular Services in the Federal Register. The schedule includes fees for passports, immigrant visas and other consular services. The changes will take effect on July 13, 2010 and will cover actual operating expenses for the 23 domestic passport agencies.
The most significant changes are increases in standard adult passport fees from $75 to $110 and standard minor passport fees from $60 to $80. Passport cards will increase in cost from $20 to $30 ($15 for minors). The Department of State expediting fees remain at $60 per application. The Department will begin charging $82 for adding extra pages to existing passports, plus applicable State Department $60 expediting fees. In the past, the Department provided extra pages in a customer's passport, at no charge.
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TRYING OUT WI-FI IN THE SKIES
(Source: MSNBC.com)
In-flight Wi-Fi is not yet a commodity, but it is no longer a rarity. Most domestic airlines have been upgrading their fleets to offer the service more widely, to the point where nearly one-third of the roughly 2,800 aircraft in the nation's passenger fleet are equipped with Wi-Fi, according to Aircell, the company that equips most of the Wi-Fi-enabled planes in the United States.
If you travel on planes a lot and plan to use Wi-Fi frequently, you can shave some expense from the process if you have a Wi-Fi-enabled mobile device like an iPhone or Droid, which incur lower charges than the fees charged by airlines if you use a smartphone or laptop without Wi-Fi. If you don't have your own device, airlines are not yet providing one.
But no matter what device you use, the connection process is fast and usually pain free.
Aircell's Gogo service steadily gained traction with domestic United States carriers so that now, of all the domestic aircraft currently offering Wi-Fi, all but one carry Gogo service. The exception is a single Southwest Airlines plane (so far) that might signal the entry of a new Wi-Fi competitor, Row 44.
Connecting to the Internet during a flight is the same, no matter which service you use. You log on, open an account and type in your credit card numbers.
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
EVENTI, A KIMPTON HOTEL
839 Avenue of the Americas
New York City
A Chelsea Gathering Place Where Travelers Can Expect the Unexpected. This new luxury hotel serves as one of the architectural highlights of the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan. Eventi Hotel takes up an entire city block between West 29th and 39th Streets, facing Sixth Avenue.
Here are some of the features of this exciting new high rise hotel:
- This luxury boutique hotel features 292 guestrooms, including 53 suites
- An exciting gathering place for meetings, social celebrations, and both public and private events
- Glass-exterior, mixed-use tower, featuring an open outdoor plaza with public seating, a 22.5 foot wide outdoor art and media screen, and an art wall designed by acclaimed sculptor Tom Patti
- Some hotel suites feature outdoor terraces overlooking the plaza
- A large, multilevel bar and restaurant with outdoor seating in the plaza; a second restaurant will feature high-end European cuisine
- 10,000 square feet of elegantly designed meeting space
- A large ballroom with 18 foot ceilings and floor to ceiling windows can accommodate up to 250 guests for a high-end banquet
- A 1,000 square foot gym and a separate spa with treatment rooms
- A 530 car garage with valet parking services
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Eventi, A Kimpton Hotel is $259 through September 8, 2010 (compared to a corporate rate of $269).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
PALACE HOTEL
2 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco
*One of San Francisco's most treasured, iconic landmarks that captures the essence of the city's history
*Centrally located in the heart of the city, walking distance to Union Square, Chinatown, the Financial District and the Embarcadero
*552 historic guestrooms w/ 14' ceiling height
*37" Plasma TVs in all Guestrooms
*34 Suites and 19 Junior Suites
*Complimentary Health Club, Indoor Swimming Pool, coffee in the morning and Town Car service 6am to 9am within the financial district area
* (3) On-Site restaurants include: Award Winning Kyo-Ya, rated #1 Sushi Restaurant in San Francisco, Maxfield's, the Pied Piper Bar, and the famous Garden Court, the ONLY indoor, historic landmark in San Francisco
*Located 15 miles North of San Francisco Int'l Airport (SFO) and 20 miles West of Oakland Int'l Airport and just steps from the BART and MUNI railways
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Palace Hotel is $239 through September 30, 2010 (compared to a corporate rate of $255).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
HOTEL PALOMAR WASHINGTON DC
2121 P Street Northwest
Washington DC
Hotel Palomar Washington DC - a luxury boutique hotel in Dupont Circle, where high-end art house design meets sophisticated, personalized service - sets "Art In Motion" for an unforgettable experience.
The stunning Washington DC boutique hotel provides business and leisure travelers alike with an artful sanctuary within bustling Dupont Circle. Conveniently situated within walking distance of two of Washington's favorite neighborhoods - Georgetown and Dupont Circle - Hotel Palomar is an ideal destination when visiting the nation's capital.
The perfect location means a perfect complement to the modern yet timeless tailored and elegant design of this luxury boutique hotel, inspired by the modern elegance of 1930s French Moderne designers. Guests are greeted by the dramatic two-story lobby and the striking architectural elements throughout - the niches of eclectic and colorful objet d'art, the geometric marble flooring, the bold artwork and the exotic woods.
The 335 guestrooms and hotel suites at Hotel Palomar are among some of the most spacious accommodations found in Washington DC, inviting guests to revel in the comfort of ample personal space while enjoying the hotel's superior personalized services. A warm and inviting palette of taupe and golden hues, punctuated with vivid splashes of color makes for a rejuvenating setting. Combine all this with the amenities and services expected of a four-star hotel in Washington DC - flat screen TVs, complimentary high-speed WiFi Internet access for Kimpton InTouch members, complimentary evening wine reception, complimentary morning coffee and tea in the living room, an on-site fitness center and outdoor lap pool.
Hotel Palomar Washington DC, a Kimpton Hotel, invites guests to become a part of the "Art In Motion."
*Complimentary in-room wireless high-speed Internet access for Kimpton InTouch members
*24 Hour on site fitness center
*Hosted evening wine reception
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Hotel Palomar Washington DC is $229 (compared to a corporate rate of $242).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
SAVOY, A FAIRMONT HOTEL
Strand
London
(Opening October 10th, Reservations open August 10th)
The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, will reopen its doors on Sunday 10th October 2010. One of this year's most eagerly anticipated openings, The Savoy has been undergoing the most ambitious restoration in British history. The hotel closed in December 2007 for a restoration that encompasses the entire building from the iconic entrance and the American Bar to Savoy Grill and the 268 guestrooms and suites.
"We are very excited to reopen The Savoy", comments Kiaran MacDonald, General Manager. "It is fair to say that this project has not been without its challenges, but we are looking forward to unveiling the results of nearly 3 years of hard work and dedication. We are very aware of the place that The Savoy holds in many people's affections and we firmly believe that the hotel will exceed people's expectations and reclaim its position as one of the world's great hotels."
The new interiors have been designed by world-renowned designer, Pierre Yves Rochon who has won acclaim for his work on other landmark hotels. His plans have been realised by the general contractors, Chorus Group and architects, Reardon Smith. Chorus have overseen a team of over 1000 craftsmen and women, artists and artisans who have worked tirelessly to create interiors that are in the spirit of the hotel's two main design aesthetics, Edwardian and Art Deco.
"This has been a once in a lifetime project to work on," says Tony Dowle, Director of Chorus' parent company, Byrne Group. "Everyone who has worked with us at The Savoy has taken great pride in restoring such an iconic property. Their dedication and commitment has produced a hotel of uncompromising quality and we hope that the hotel's guests will continue to enjoy our work for years to come."
The Savoy's reopening will reveal a number of notable highlights including the complete remodel of the legendary River Restaurant, the addition of a luxurious new two bedroom Royal Suite and the relaunch of 38 River Suites and Guestrooms with stunning views over the River Thames.
New to the hotel will be The Beaufort Bar, a glamorous Art Deco bar that will offer champagne, cocktails and cabaret and Savoy Tea, a bijou teashop selling Savoy tea, accessories and fresh patisserie. Within the Thames Foyer, the re-introduction of a stunning winter garden gazebo beneath an ornate glass dome will provide the perfect ambience for afternoon tea. In addition, the Savoy Grill will return again under the operation of Gordon Ramsay Holdings with Chef Patron, Stuart Gillies and Head Chef, Andy Cook. For those who wish to continue their fitness regime on the road, there will be a contemporary, glass enclosed fitness gallery and rooftop swimming pool – one of the few in the city.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The Savoy, A Fairmont Hotel is £275 (compared to a corporate rate of £350).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THOMPSON BEVERLY HILLS
9360 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles
Merging the sophisticated cool of the late 70's and 80's design with the casual elegance of California's modernism, Thompson Beverly Hills is an outpost of decadence in the heart of Los Angeles.
Designer Dodd Mitchell has outfitted the sleek 107 room hotel with authentic exotic materials and custom made furniture and fixtures.
Thompson Beverly Hills features uniforms by Jenni Kayne in collaboration with style guru Rachel Zoe, and artwork throughout the rooms and hallways by world renowned fashion photographer Steven Klein.
ABH, the guest and friends-only rooftop bar and pool lounge offers signature cocktails and menu selections and breathtaking 360 degree views of Los Angeles.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Thompson Beverly Hills is $209 (compared to a corporate rate of $229).*
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* All rates are subject to availability.
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The Lawyers' Travel Service
www.lawyerstravel.com
info@lawyerstravel.com
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