TravelSkills

News and Tips For Your Trips

Routes: United high-density 777s, Delta, Qantas, Air China, Air Canada, Aeromexico

A United 777-200. (Image: Aero Icarus/Wikimedia Commons)

In international route developments, United will start using high-density 777s on some Europe routes; Delta aims to make things smoother for transborder flyers with a new partnership; Qantas kicks off its 787-9 service to LAX next week; Air China begins a new LAX route; Air Canada adds another Australian destination; and Aeromexico tacks on an Atlanta route.

Travel to Europe for some United Airlines passengers is going to get more crowded next year as the airline starts to deploy high-density 777-200s on a few routes out of its Newark hub. The aircraft in question are normally used on domestic routes. According to Airlineroutes.com, United will put the 777s into service between Newark and Barcelona April 23, Newark-Dublin March 10 and Newark-Madrid May 23. (Low-fare Norwegian started EWR-Barcelona flights last summer, and British Airways/Iberia sister company Level plans to begin cheap flights from Boston to Barcelona next spring.)

United has four configurations for its 777-200s, according to Seatguru.com. The three versions previously designated for international routes have 266 to 269 total seats, while the high-density aircraft have 364 (234 economy, 102 Economy Plus and 50 Polaris business class). They manage this difference thanks in part to 10-across seating in economy and Economy Plus instead of the nine-across in the other versions.

A WestJet 737 in special Walt Disney World livery. (Image: WestJet)

As if Delta didn’t have enough joint venture partnerships already (Virgin Atlantic, Air France-KLM, Aeromexico, and a new one recently approved with Korean Air), it’s now planning yet another. The carrier said it has entered into a preliminary memorandum of understanding with Canada’s WestJet to form a new joint venture for transborder service. Joint ventures also imply antitrust immunity, meaning the two carriers would be able to cooperate on pricing and scheduling.

Delta says the JV with WestJet will mean “coordinated flight schedules for new nonstop flights to new destinations, expanded codesharing, and seamless and convenient connections on the airlines’ extensive networks in the U.S. and Canada,” along with “enhanced frequent flyer benefits including reciprocal benefits for top-tier members of both airlines.”

Qantas’ first 787-9 will enter service to LAX next week. (Image: Qantas)

December 15 is the scheduled starting date for Qantas to put a brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner into service on its Melbourne-Los Angeles route. It’s the first route for the new Qantas aircraft, and it will replace an Airbus A380. Next March, Qantas will use a new 787-9 to begin the first non-stops between Australia and Europe, on a London-Perth routing. The Qantas 787-9s will have 42 business class seats configured 1-2-1; 28 in premium economy, with a 2-3-2 layout; and 166 in economy, configured 3-3-3 and offering 32-inch pitch.

Speaking of Australia, Air Canada just added its third route to that country, beginning service this week between Vancouver and Melbourne. The carrier uses a 787-9 for the 16-hour flight. Air Canada already flies from Vancouver to Sydney with a 777-200LR, and last summer it began Vancouver-Brisbane service with a 787.

Another new transpacific route that just started this week is Air China’s service between Los Angeles and Shenzhen, a tech-heavy city in China’s Guangdong Province. Air China will use a three-class 787-9 to fly the route three times a week (Monday, Thursday, Saturday), with a 10:50 p.m. departure from LAX. Air China also has three daily flights from LAX to Beijing.

Delta’s joint venture partner Aeromexico has started flying a new route from Delta’s Atlanta hub. The carrier kicked off daily service between ATL and Merida, using a 99-passenger Embraer 190 with business class and regular economy seating.

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Delta reveals details for final 747 flight

Delta 747

If you miss Delta’s low key send off to the 747, you can always see this 747 Experience at the Delta Museum near Atlanta Airport (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

We’ve been getting emails nearly every day asking what we know about Delta’s final Boeing 747 flight in December. These of course came to a head during United’s big send off when the questions naturally turned to, “That’s great for United but what is Delta going to do for its final 747 flight?”

The short answer is that it sounds like it will not be as big a production as United’s send off which included a special flight to Hawaii, a big social media campaign, parties in both San Francisco and Honolulu. And a lot of sentimentality for the exiting Queen.

Delta 747

Up inside the bubble at the 747 Experience in Atlanta, check out the rear galley wall with glass so you can look down into the main deck. So cool! (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

The final final international commercial flight will be Sunday Dec 17 from Seoul to Detroit, and according to Google Flights and Delta.com, seats are still available. We found DTW-ICN-DTW round trips in economy in the $1,500 range. Looking at the seat map for the final flight on Delta.com shows about 50 seats in economy and 4 in business class- although the biz class seats don’t show up for booking. Wanna go?

We found one-way flights in economy for about $1070, round trips for about $1500. We were unable to book business class seats even though 4 appear available in the seat map

Here’s what the airline has revealed on its blog about its final flights:

There will soon be more chances to see and perhaps take part in some of the last Delta 747 flights – the last to be flown by any U.S. passenger airline. Here are seven things to know about Delta’s big goodbye to the 747:

  1. Delta is operating the Boeing 747-400 on daily scheduled service between its Detroit hub and its partner hub at Seoul-Incheon.
  2. Here are the final regularly scheduled flights of the Delta 747:
    • Final U.S. departure: Flight 159 at Detroit to Seoul-Incheon at 12:31 p.m. on Dec. 15
    • Final Asia Pacific arrival: Flight 159 at Seoul-Incheon from Detroit at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 16
    • Final Asia Pacific departure: Flight 158 at Seoul-Incheon to Detroit at 11:15 a.m. on Dec. 17
    • Final U.S. arrival: Flight 158 at Detroit from Seoul-Incheon at 10:14 a.m. on Dec. 17
  3. Delta will take the 747 on an employee farewell tour from Detroit to Seattle on Dec. 18, Seattle to Atlanta on Dec. 19 and Atlanta to Minneapolis-St. Paul on Dec. 20.
  4. Customers can bid for a spot on these farewell flights via SkyMiles Experiences using their SkyMiles. The Farewell Tour begins after the final commercial flight touches down in Detroit from Seoul. The Tour includes three flights and after-party celebrations in Detroit, Seattle, Atlanta and Minneapolis.
  5. Employees and retirees can purchase a seat on these flights on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning at noon ET Nov. 20 at a discounted rate, with all proceeds going to the Airloom Project, the organization behind the 747 Experience exhibit at the Delta Flight Museum.
  6. The 747 will fly a handful of sports team and ad-hoc charter flights through Dec. 31.
  7. Delta will fly its final 747 to its retirement place in Arizona in early January. This ferry flight will not be open to passengers.

From Delta’s farewell tour bidding page

Delta will be celebrating the iconic and revolutionary 747 throughout December in all of its channels and encourages customers, enthusiasts and employees to share their own tributes and remembrances using the #DL747Farewell hashtag. 

Don’t miss: First look inside Delta’s 747 Experience 


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Routes: Etihad at DFW, El Al, Southwest, and lots of Mexico news

Etihad 777-200

Etihad ended its 777 flights from San Francisco to Abu Dhabi last month- now another city gets dropped (Photo: Peter Biaggi / SFO)

In international route developments, Etihad drops another U.S. gateway and blames American; El Al comes back to Miami; Southwest adds three Latin America/Caribbean destinations from Ft. Lauderdale; and there’s new service to Mexico from Delta/Aeromexico, Alaska, Volaris, Interjet and Viva Aerobus.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways continues to struggle in the U.S. market. Late last month, it ended its San Francisco route, and it recently announced plans to trim its Los Angeles schedule from seven flights a week to four from mid-January through April. And now the carrier said it will suspend its daily flights from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Abu Dhabi, effective March 25. The airline said the Texas route “will become commercially unsustainable following American Airlines’ unilateral decision to terminate its codeshare agreement ” with Etihad. Company officials said almost half the passengers on its DFW flights were connecting from AA domestic code-shares. Etihad said that depending on how its summer bookings go, “further changes” are possible in its U.S. route network.

El Al uses a 777-200 on new Miami flights. (Image: El Al)

Nine years ago, Israel’s El Al ended its Tel Aviv-Miami service — but now it’s back. Last week, El Al started flying the route once again, operating three flights a week with a 777-200. The Israeli carrier also flies from Tel Aviv to New York JFK, Newark, Los Angeles, Boston and Toronto.

Southwest continues to expand its international schedule from Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, where earlier this year it opened an expansion of Terminal 1 to accommodate those flights. This week, Southwest started daily service to three new destinations from FLL –Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos; San Jose, Costa Rica; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. At Houston Hobby, meanwhile, Southwest just announced plans to start service next June to Grand Cayman.

There’s lots of activity in the U.S.-Mexico market these days. Alaska Airlines, which started flying to Mexico City from San Francisco and Los Angeles in August, has now kicked off San Diego-MEX flights. Alaska partner SkyWest operates the daily flights with an E175.

Aeromexico just started Seattle-Mexico City 737 flights. (Image: San Jose Airport).

Meanwhile, Delta and Aeromexico continue to develop their joint venture partnership. They just opened up new daily service between Delta’s Atlanta hub and Queretaro, Mexico, flying the route with a two-class Aeromexico E190. And last week, Aeromexico launched service from Delta’s growing Seattle hub to Mexico City, using a 737-800 for the daily year-round flights.

Mexican carriers are also adding new service.  Low-cost carrier InterJet is adding three routes out of Los Angeles International this month. On November 23, it will begin daily flights to Leon/Guanajuato (close to popular San Miguel de Allende) and three flights a week to Los Cabos, followed on November 24 by four weekly roundtrips from LAX to Puerto Vallarta. On December 19, Volaris will inaugurate weekly service from LAX to Acapulco. And on December 16, vivaAerobus plans to launch daily A320 flights between Mexico City and Las Vegas.

Finally, Southwest Airlines said it will expand service to Cancun on June 9 of next year by adding seasonal Saturday flights from Pittsburgh and Raleigh-Durham. That means that on Saturdays next summer, Southwest will be operating 27 flights to Cancun from 16 U.S. cities.

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Routes: More Hong Kong from SFO, Delta to London, Virgin 747 flights, Lufthansa + more

Delta One a330

Delta One (business class) on an A330 is a new option to London (Image: Delta)

In international route developments, Hong Kong Airlines details its plans for San Francisco service; Delta will increase London Heathrow capacity next year with bigger aircraft; Virgin Atlantic will put 747s onto two U.S. routes; Lufthansa moves into Airberlin markets; Norwegian adds an ultra-long haul low-fare route; Hawaiian switches code-share allegiance to Japan Airlines; and American and United alter their Cuba services.

Delta is making some changes to its London Heathrow service next year, giving it a lot more capacity from key hubs. The company said that effective March 24, it will change equipment on its LHR routes out of New York JFK, Atlanta and Detroit from the current 208-passenger 767-300s to 293-seat Airbus A330s. Delta One flat-bed seats in the A330s have that herringbone layout with aisle access for all. Delta will also slightly alter its JFK joint venture schedule with Virgin Atlantic; the current schedule of five Virgin and three Delta flights a day will change to six Virgin and two Delta departures.

While Delta recently publicized some new Europe routes it is adding in 2018, it did not publicize some that it is dropping. That includes seasonal summer service from New York JFK to Moscow Sheremetyevo and to Stockholm Arlanda, and from Philadelphia to Paris CDG.

Hong Kong Airlines, partly owned by China’s Hainan Airlines, will begin service between Hong Kong and Los Angeles in mid-December. A few weeks ago, we reported that the airline also has its eye on other U.S. gateways, and it has just revealed it plans for Hong Kong-San Francisco service. The carrier plans to start flying HKG-SFO on March 25 with four flights a week, increasing to daily frequencies by August 18, according to Routesonline.com. Both LAX and San Francisco flights will use A350-900s with 33 fully-reclining business class seats, 108 in “Economy Comfort” class, and 193 in regular economy. Will a new entrant be able to compete in a crowded SFO market against Cathay Pacific’s three daily flights to Hong Kong, plus service from United and Singapore? We’ll see…

Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic also has some good news for fans of the fast-disappearing Boeing 747. On March 26, Virgin will put a 747-400 onto its daily Manchester-Atlanta service twice a week, increasing to three a week May 26. And on May 22, it will start using a 747-400 on four of its seven weekly JFK-Manchester flights. The other flights on both routes use A330s.

Lufthansa will fly A330 on two U.S. routes–but not to its hubs. (Image: Lufthansa)

Germany’s bankrupt Airberlin keeps limping along as it negotiates the sale of its assets to competitors, but that hasn’t stopped Lufthansa from targeting a couple of Airberlin routes. Lufthansa just announced a pair of new U.S. routes starting this fall – neither one to its hubs at Frankfurt or Munich. On November 7 Lufthansa will kick off New York JFK-Berlin service five days a week with an A330-300 (its first Berlin wide-body service in 16 years), followed on November 8 by Miami-Dusseldorf A330-300 flights three days a week. Next summer, both routes will be transferred to Lufthansa’s Eurowings subsidiary. (Meanwhile, the Oneworld alliance has suspended mileage earning and spending privileges on Airberlin flights for members of other Oneworld airline frequent flyer programs.)

What is the world’s longest route operated by a low-cost airline? As of this week, it’s London Gatwick-Singapore, just launched by Norwegian – its first route to Asia. The carrier is using a 787-9 to fly the 6,764-mile route (12 hours 45 minutes) four times a week, with one-way base fares starting as low as 150 pounds ($201) (plus lots of fees, of course). Norwegian flies to London Gatwick from several U.S. cities – most recently adding Denver-Gatwick and Seattle-Gatwick flights.

Norwegian officials celebrate new London-Singapore flights. (Image: Norwegian)

Hawaiian Airlines and Japan Airlines have announced a new code-share partnership that starts March 25, subject to government approval. “The two carriers also intend to establish a joint venture designed to provide even more choices, convenience and enhancements to the traveling public to/from Japan and beyond to multiple Asian markets,” Hawaiian said. Specific code-shared flights and routes haven’t yet been announced, but Hawaiian said its passengers will have “full access to Japan’s domestic network,” including Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sendai and Aomori. The pact also includes reciprocal mileage earning and spending on code-shared flights, as well as mutual airport lounge access. Hawaiian is moving into JAL’s Terminal 2 at Tokyo Narita to facilitate easy connections. The deal also means the end of Hawaiian’s code-sharing partnership with ANA.

U.S. carriers continue to adjust their Cuba services as they get a better handle on consumer demand for flights to the island nation. American Airlines plans to terminate its daily Miami-Cienfuegos E175 flights on January 7, and United has applied for government approval to increase its service from Houston Bush Intercontinental to Havana from weekly Saturday-only flights to daily frequencies. It didn’t specify a start date for the increase.

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Routes: Delta at LAX, More Mexico for United, BA 747s, Norwegian, Icelandair,

Delta will use a 777-200LR for LAX flights to Paris and Amsterdam. (Image: Delta)

In international route news, Delta will add new transatlantic routes next year; Norwegian starts up London flights from two western U.S. cities; Icelandair will add U.S. gateways in 2018; Austrian Airlines debuts a new cabin class; British Airways will put 747s on two U.S. routes; United adds a Mexico destination from two cities; Aeromexico replaces Delta on a U.S. route; and new services are coming for Avianca, Azul and WestJet.

Delta said this week it plans to add new service from Los Angeles to two European destinations next year. Effective June 16, Delta will use a 777-200LR to fly from LAX to both Paris and Amsterdam, but it will not offer daily departures on those routes. The Paris flights will operate Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (eastbound), and the Amsterdam flights on the other four days of the week. Many onward connections at both destinations will be available on Delta partners Air France and KLM. At New York JFK, Delta will start flying five days a week as of May 24 to Ponta Delgada in the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal about 1,000 miles west of Lisbon in the Atlantic Ocean.

At its Atlanta hub, Delta will add seasonal 767 service to Lisbon from May 24 through September 4. And starting May 16, Delta will add a third daily roundtrip between Detroit and Paris CDG (already served by daily flights from Delta and code-share partner Air France). Delta had previously announced new transatlantic service three times a week as of March from JFK to Lagos, Nigeria; Orlando-Amsterdam flights beginning March 30; and Indianapolis-Paris starting May 24.

In other news, Delta this week resumed code-sharing with Russian carrier Aeroflot, putting its DL code onto 14 Aeroflot domestic routes out of Moscow Sheremetyevo. You can see a full list of the affected routes here.

Norwegian Air 787 Dreamliner

Norwegian Air is now flying from Seattle and Denver to London with 787s. (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Low-cost Norwegian has started flying a pair of previously-announced new transatlantic routes. This week it inaugurated daily 787-9 service to London’s Gatwick Airport from Seattle-Tacoma International, as well as twice-weekly (Saturday/Tuesday) 787-9 service from Denver International to Gatwick. The Denver service is scheduled to increase to increase to three flights a week on November 2 with the addition of a Thursday departure from DEN.

Icelandair is expanding its U.S. route network next year, as it faces growing competition from low-cost Icelandic carrier WOW Air. Icelandair will add Dallas/Ft. Worth to its route map in May 2018, offering 757-200 flights to Reykjavik four days a week out of DFW’s Terminal D. (Earlier this month, WOW announced new DFW-Reykjavik service also starting in May 2018, operating three times a week with an A330.) Also coming in mid-May 2018 is new Icelandair service from Cleveland to Reykjavik, operating five days a week with a new two-class 737MAX 8. The day after Icelandair announced its Cleveland route, WOW announced it will also fly Cleveland-Reykjavik, starting May 4 with four flights a week, with fares starting at $99 one-way.

Austrian’s new premium economy seats have 38-inch pitch. (Image: Austrian Airlines)

Austrian Airlines — the Lufthansa subsidiary that flies to Vienna from New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami – unveiled plans to offer premium economy seating, bookable now for flights starting March 6. The new seats will be wider than regular economy and will offer a 38-inch pitch as well as footrests, a 12-inch seatback screen, power outlets and USB ports. Premium economy passengers will be allowed two free checked bags, and will get welcome drinks, amenity kits, and meal service on china.

Touch-screen screens in economy are part of British Airways’ overhaul of its 747s. (Image: British Airways)

You want more chances to fly on a 747 before they all disappear? British Airways still relies on the Boeing jumbos for some long-haul services, and it plans to put a 747-400 onto its London Heathrow-Austin route next spring (effective April 8), replacing the 787-9 it currently uses. And from August 8 through September 30 of next year, according to Routesonline.com, BA will replace an A380 on its Los Angeles-LHR route (BA283/282) with a 747-400.

United Airlines is adding service to Mazatlan, Mexico just in time for the winter holidays. From its Houston hub, United will fly to Mazatlan four times a week from December 21 through April 8, then cut back to weekly Saturday-only service through mid-August. From Chicago O’Hare, United will offer once-a-week Saturday service to Mazatlan from December 23 through April 7. In other Mexico route news, Delta’s existing daily Delta Connection/Skywest CRJ900 service from Salt Lake City to Guadalajara will be replaced in January by daily E190 flights operated by Delta’s new joint venture partner Aeromexico.

Elsewhere in Latin America, Brazil’s Azul will expand its U.S. network in December by adding new service four times a week between Orlando and Belo Horizonte, Brazil; and four flights a week linking Ft. Lauderdale with Belem, Brazil. Avianca’s TACA Airlines unit plans to revive Newark-San Salvador, El Salvador service November 17, operating five flights a week. And Avianca Brasil plans to offer daily flights to Sao Paulo Guarulhos from New York JFK beginning December 15.

And to Canada, Westjet will start flying between Denver and Calgary effective March 8, operating one daily roundtrip with a 737-700.

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Hotel news: Ritz in Atlanta, Marriott in Chicago, Hilton in NYC + Los Angeles, Austin

A luxurious suite overlooking Phipps Plaza at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead in Atlanta. (Image: Ritz-Carlton)

In recent hotel news, a classic Atlanta property gets rebranded; Marriott cuts the ribbon on a big convention hotel in Chicago, and Viceroy Hotels adds a property there; a trendy independent property makes its debut in LA’s West Hollywood district; Hilton adds a major location in Manhattan, near the United Nations; and Marriott/Starwood adds a dual-branded hotel in Austin.

Atlanta’s Ritz-Carlton Buckhead, across the street from Lenox Square in Atlanta, has been a fixture of the city’s upscale Buckhead district for 30 years. It was even the brand flagship when the company had its HQ in Atlanta. But it will be rebranded within a matter of weeks. The hotel’s owner, Host Hotels & Resorts, has reached an agreement with Ritz-Carlton parent Marriott to take the property out of the Ritz-Carlton group and convert it into a property “under independent operation” called The Whitley. But it will still be part of the huge multi-brand Marriott family: The deal calls for The Whitley to be a part of Marriott/Starwood’s Luxury Collection when it changes its name December 1. Existing reservations will be honored, as will Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Marriott Rewards redemption nights, the companies said. Have you stayed at the R-C Buckhead lately? How was it?

The new Marriott Marquis near Chicago’s McCormick Place. (Image: Marriott)

The largest hotel to open in Chicago so far this year is the brand-new Marriott Marquis, located next to (and connected to) the huge McCormick Place convention center. The 1,204-room, 40-story Marriott Marquis Chicago is the city’s sixth-largest hotel; in addition to its modern glass-walled tower, the hotel also includes the historic red-brick American Book Company building next door. True to its convention-oriented location, the hotel boasts 93,000 square feet of meeting space, including a pair of 25,000-square-foot ballrooms. The hotel’s Woven & Bound Restaurant is an American brasserie open for three meals a day. Guest amenities include an M Club Lounge with workspace, snacks and drinks, open to Marriott Rewards members (or non-member guests for a fee); a 24-hour fitness center; a big grab-and-go market; business center and FedEx office; and fiber optic high-speed Internet. Rates start around $299, but can vary considerably based on the level of convention activity.

A room at The Viceroy in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. (Image: Viceroy Hotels)

Farther north, in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, Viceroy Hotel Group has opened the 180-room Viceroy Chicago, a luxury property on the site of the former Cedar Hotel. It’s at the corner of Cedar and State streets, just south of Division Street. The 18-story Viceroy has a rooftop pool and year-round rooftop lounge, and an adjacent restaurant called Somerset run by chef Lee Wolen, a James Beard Award finalist. Guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, and the hotel will offer guests weekly classes in meditation and yoga starting in October. Opening rates start at $281 for bookings made by September 30.

The outdoor pool at The Jeremy in West Hollywood. (Image: The Jeremy)

At the corner of Sunset and La Cienega boulevards in Los Angeles is The Jeremy West Hollywood, a newly opened 286-room (including 50 suites) property. Its owners say the hotel has “an iconic cool presence that cultivates the best of WeHo’s notable culture.” The hotel’s all-day Etcho Café offers up “Cali-fresh cuisine” that is locally sourced and its JOAO Bar features “elements of old Hollywood.” The Jeremy also has a pool, fitness center, and a pair of large conference rooms. Rates start at $269.

A corner room at the Millennium Hilton at UN Plaza in New York. (Image: Hilton)

Members of Hilton’s Honors program have a new lodging option in New York City. A hotel at One United Nations Plaza on the east side of Midtown Manhattan (across from the UN Headquarters) has become a member of the Hilton family. The 439-room hotel opened as a Hyatt in 1976, then became the Millennium UN Plaza after it was acquired by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels in 2000. A few years ago, it was renamed the One UN New York, and now it is under Hilton Hotels management, and has been renamed the Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza. It’s the seventh Hilton Hotels property in New York. Rates start at $290.

The new Aloft/Element dual-branded hotel in Austin. (Image: Marriott/Starwood)

In downtown Austin, Texas, it’s one building but two new hotels. Marriott’s Starwood Hotels division has cut the ribbon on a dual-branded property that includes both an Aloft and an Element hotel, at Congress Avenue and Seventh Street, a few blocks south of the State Capitol. Both brands offer free Wi-Fi, and they share a 24-hour fitness center, business center, and 1,380 square feet of meeting space. The 32-story building includes a 278-room Aloft Austin Downtown along with a 144-room Element Austin Downtown. There’s also an on-site restaurant/coffeehouse/bakery called Caroline’s, and an “urban background playground” and bar called Upstairs at Caroline’s with live music. The Aloft offers high-ceilinged, loft-like accommodations with platform beds while the Element features studios and one-bedroom suites. Rates start at $349 at both hotels.

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Across the Pacific: Battle for Hong Kong + Flock of new A350s + lots more route news

Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A350

Hong Kong Airlines, among others, adding more A350 flights across the Pacific (Photo: Airbus)

Let’s keep catching up with recent route developments with a look at what’s happening across the Pacific. Hong Kong Airlines, which plans to begin Los Angeles flights later this year, now has its eye on San Francisco and New York as well – a threat to Cathay Pacific, which said it will soon upgrade aircraft on its SFO and Newark routes; American Airlines finally nails down a launch date for its long-planned LAX-Beijing flights; Delta will bring a new plane to its Atlanta-Seoul route, and expands code-sharing to China; United drops a China route and expands capacity to New Zealand; Hainan Airlines will add a new U.S. route, and Air China sets a start for an LAX route.

Hong Kong Airlines, which is partly owned by China’s Hainan Airlines, said last month it plans to begin daily Hong Kong-Los Angeles flights in mid-December with its first new Airbus A350. And now it looks like that will just be the beginning: Hong Kong Airlines said that as it takes delivery of more new A350s – it has ordered 21 of them – the carrier plans to start flying from Hong Kong to New York and San Francisco in 2018, as well as Hong Kong-London “and other European and American destinations.” The carrier said its A350s will have 33 fully-reclining business class seats, 108 in “Economy Comfort” class, and 193 in regular economy. It didn’t provide any schedule information for next year’s new routes.

The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post suggested that Hong Kong Airlines’ ambitious expansion plans couldn’t come at a worse time for Hong Kong’s major carrier: “The airline’s push poses a fresh challenge to Cathay Pacific, which has already suffered huge losses in recent years, caused by competition from mainland and Middle Eastern carriers,” the newspaper said.

Cathay Pacific A350

Cathay Pacific’s first U.S. A350s are coming to Newark and SFO this fall (Photo: Cathay Pacific)

For its part, Cathay Pacific recently announced  plans to start flying its own A350s on select U.S. routes. The carrier said that effective October 29, it will replace the 777-300ER currently used on its Hong Kong-Newark route with an A350, and will also put an A350 onto one of its three daily San Francisco-Hong Kong fights on the same date. Cathay has 16 A350-900s, with six more on order. Cathay’s A350s also offer business, premium economy and regular economy seating.

Have you flown an A350 yet? I did last fall on Singapore Airlines inaugural 17-hour SFO-SIN flight. Read the Trip Report here.

After months of delays as it negotiated with China for acceptable takeoff and landing slot times, American Airlines has now settled on November 5 for the inauguration of service on its new Los Angeles-Beijing route. The carrier had to secure DOT’s approval for the late start, and had to fend off regulatory challenges from Delta, which had sought the same route. American had originally said it would use a 777-200 for the LAX-Beijing service, but Routesonline.com now reports that American will begin flying the route with a 787-8, then switch to a 787-9 on March 25 of next year.

Delta’s new international premium economy seats will debut on the A350. (Image: delta)

Delta Air Lines has started taking delivery of its own new Airbus A350s, which it previously announced will start flying October 30 between Detroit and Tokyo Narita. Now Delta says it will also deploy one of the new wide-bodies on its Atlanta-Seoul Incheon route starting March 24 of next year- but the first A350s will fly between Detroit and Tokyo starting this fall. In other transpacific news, Delta this week expanded its code-sharing arrangement with China Eastern, putting the Delta code onto the Chinese carrier’s flights from Shanghai Pudong to Chiang Mai, Ningbo and Urumqi; from Beijing to Chongqing, Haikou and Wuxi; and on its San Francisco-Qingdao-Kunming route. Delta’s code will also go onto the flights of Shanghai Airlines (a China eastern subsidiary) from Pudong to Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur and Weihai.

United has been flying from San Francisco to Hangzhou, China three times a week with a 787-9, but the carrier plans to discontinue that route on October 14, according to a notice in Routesonline.com. Elsewhere, United will make an aircraft change on its San Francisco-Auckland route, which is now seasonal, operating from October 29 through March 22. Instead of a 787-9, United will put a 777-300ER on the route, and will trim frequencies from seven a week to six through December 17, and from 10 a week to seven from December 18 to March 22.

China’s Hainan Airlines plans an October 26 start for new service between New York JFK and Chengdu, flying the route twice a week with a 787-9. And Air China, which had originally planned a mid-summer start for Los Angeles-Shenzen service, has now set December 7 as the launch date; it will fly the route three days a week with a 787-9.

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U.S. routes: Southwest, United, Alaska, AA, Delta, JetBlue + more

San Jose Airport

Southwest Airlines is adding new San Jose routes next spring. (Image: Chris McGinnis)

We have a lot of airline route news to catch up on following our August break, so we’ll start with domestic developments. Southwest’s spring schedule additions include several new routes out of San Jose and Sacramento; Alaska also starts new service at San Jose; United will join Alaska in flying out of a new Pacific Northwest airport, and adds a seasonal ski market from San Francisco; American will start new service from Denver, and will put a wide-body on a San Francisco transcon route; Delta’s Salt Lake City hub gets a new spoke, and Las Vegas gets more Hawaii flights; JetBlue grows at Atlanta and Boston; Spirit adds a Las Vegas transcon route; and Frontier expands at San Antonio.

The battle for California is paying off for Golden State travelers with tons of new routes and low fares. Southwest Airlines last week unveiled plans for significant expansion in California next spring. On April 8, the airline will kick off new daily service from San Jose to Boise, St. Louis, Austin, Spokane and Houston Hobby, along with new daily flights from Sacramento to Austin and St. Louis. Southwest will follow that up on May 6 by launching new daily service to Orlando from both San Jose and Sacramento. Officials at SJC said Southwest will also expand existing routes there starting April 8, adding a second daily roundtrip to both Chicago Midway and Dallas Love Field, a fifth to Seattle, a sixth to Phoenix, and a fifth and sixth daily flight from SJC to Portland., along with new Sunday-only service to Albuquerque and New Orleans.

In Florida, Southwest on April 8 will add three daily roundtrips between Ft. Lauderdale and Jacksonville and daily non-stops between Milwaukee and Houston Hobby. On March 8, Southwest is due to discontinue its non-stop flights between Dallas Love Field and Milwaukee, and between Philadelphia and West Palm Beach, and will seasonally suspend service between Oakland-Tucson, Washington Reagan National-Ft. Myers, and Minneapolis/St. Paul-Ft. Lauderdale.

United will join Alaska in flying out of Washington State’s Paine Field next year. (Image: Alaska Airlines)

Travelers in San Francisco and Denver will get a new option for flights to the Seattle area next year with United’s announcement that it will add service from those cities to Paine Field, 23 miles north of Seattle. Starting in the fall of 2018, United said, it plans to start offering six flights a day from Paine to its SFO and DEN hubs. Last spring, Alaska Airlines announced plans to begin the first commercial airline service from Paine Field in the fall of next year, although it didn’t say which routes it would serve. In other route news, United will begin twice-weekly seasonal  service on December 18 between San Francisco and Vail/Eagle, Colorado, with CRJ700s operated by SkyWest. Elsewhere, United/SkyWest on November 1 will begin service six days a week to Clarksburg, West Virginia, from both Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles with CRJ200s.

Speaking of Alaska Airlines, that carrier last week kicked off new routes at San Jose, adding daily flights to both Austin and Tucson, using the popular Embraer E175 regional jets. That gives Alaska 31 daily departures at SJC to 18 destinations.

San Jose gates

SJC is expanding, adding two new gates (29 & 30) at the southern end of the Terminal B for use by Alaska Air (Image: SJC)

On October 5, American Airlines is planning to replace the A321 currently used on one of its daily Philadelphia-San Francisco flights (AA722/723) with a wide-body Airbus A330-200. The bigger plane is currently scheduled to keep flying the route through December 14. Next year, beginning June 7, American plans to operate a daily summer flight between Denver and New York JFK with a 737-800. In other news, The Dallas News reports that American will offer 2-4-2 premium economy seating on its Hawaii routes from Dallas/Ft. Worth, using retrofitted 777-200s. The roomier seats are available from DFW to Honolulu and Maui starting in December, and from DFW to Kona beginning next June.

On December 21, Delta plans to begin new daily service between its Salt Lake City hub and Milwaukee, using an E175 operated by SkyWest. Delta is also extending its planned Las Vegas-Honolulu 757 service, which was originally scheduled for daily holiday flights from December 21 to January 14. Now they will continue as Saturday-only service from January 15, increasing to three flights a week February 16.

JetBlue is adding three more Atlanta routes. (Image: Jim Glab)

JetBlue finally broke into the Atlanta market last March, when it started flying five times a day from ATL to its Boston focus city. And now JetBlue has plans to double its Atlanta presence by adding five more daily flights there. Effective March 8, 2018, JetBlue will start flying from Atlanta to New York JFK twice a day, to Ft. Lauderdale twice a day, and to Orlando once a day. Elsewhere, JetBlue announced it will begin new service between Boston and Syracuse on January 4, offering one daily roundtrip with an Embraer 190.

In the ultra-low-cost carrier arena, Spirit Airlines on November 9 will begin daily A320 service between Las Vegas and Newark.  And Frontier Airlines will start operating four flights a week from San Antonio to Washington Dulles on October 6, followed by four a week between San Antonio and Ontario, California beginning October 13.

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Routes: Delta to China, Mexico deals, Cathay upgrades, Saudi, WOW, United

Delta will use a 777-200LR for its new Atlanta-Shanghai flights. (Image: Delta)

In international route developments, Delta announces a major new transpacific flight and a Mexico route; Saudi Arabian Airlines is the last carrier to be relieved of the laptop ban; Cathay Pacific introduces a new way to upgrade; WOW enters a Midwest market; and United trims some Europe service.

Delta’s three existing U.S. gateways for non-stop flights to Shanghai (Los Angeles, Seattle and Detroit) will be joined by a fourth next year when the airline launches the only non-stop service to Shanghai from Atlanta. Set to begin in July 2018, the new route will allow passengers to connect to more than 50 destinations beyond Shanghai via Delta code-share partner China Eastern Airlines. Delta currently offers two other transpacific non-stop routes from Atlanta, to Seoul and Tokyo. The airline said it will fly the new Shanghai route with a 777-200LR that has 37 Delta One lie-flat seats, 36 seats in Delta Comfort+ and 218 in regular economy.

Aeromexico flights at Mexico City’s Benito Juarez Airport (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Although its new joint venture partner Aeromexico already has several flights a day between Los Angeles and Mexico City, Delta plans to begin its own once-a-day service in that market on December 1. Delta will use an A319 on the route, with a 9:30 a.m. departure from LAX, and plenty of connections available at MEX on Aeromexico.

Speaking of Mexico, Alaska Air’s expansion in the US-to-Mexico market is resulting in some pretty amazing deals. For example with its new MexiCaliRica sale, nonstop roundtrips between Los Angeles or San Francisco and Mexico City are running as cheap as $220 round trip for late August and fall flights. Seattle to Mexico City is just $320 round trip. LAX to Los Cabos is just $240 round trip. Fall is a perfect time to visit Mexico as it cools off and prices tumble. Fares are available on Alaska Air as well as other carriers such as Aeromexico, Delta, United and Volaris on these routes.

Related: US-bound passengers warned to arrive at Mexican airports 3 hours in advance

Middle Eastern carriers were offering loaner laptops to premium passengers. (Image: Qatar Airways)

The U.S. “laptop ban” is now over, as Saudi Arabian Airlines has become the last carrier to have the ban lifted. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said recently that airlines and airports that complied with new, tougher inspection standards could be relieved of the ban – although any airline/airport worldwide that didn’t also increase security practices to meet those new standards could have a laptop ban imposed. This could create some new inconveniences for travelers, however – e.g., CNN said this week that Mexican aviation authorities are now advising passengers on U.S.-bound flights to show up at the airport three hours in advance so their personal electronic devices can be subjected to more stringent inspections. The U.S. ban against carrying laptops and tablets into the passenger cabin was issued in March against carriers operating non-stop flights to the U.S. from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa.

Cathay Pacific has introduced a new Upgrade Bid program that lets passengers make cash offers for an upgrade to a business class or premium economy seat. Persons who book through the airline’s website will see an Upgrade Bid eligibility notification on their booking confirmation page, where they can make their best offer for a better seat – although they can change or rescind it up to 50 hours before departure. Successful bidders will be notified by email two or three days in advance. The only U.S. route where the program is currently offered is Chicago-Hong Kong; it is also available on several other routes out of Hong Kong including Amsterdam, Bangkok, Dubai, Rome and Seoul.

Wow Air flies an A321 on its new Chicago O’Hare-Iceland route. (Image: Wow Air)

Iceland’s low-cost carrier WOW Air has started service from another U.S. gateway, operating four flights a week from Chicago O’Hare to Reykjavik, where passengers can connect to major European cities. Frequencies will increase to six a week during August. The carrier is using an A321 on the route

United is planning some changes to its Europe service later this year, all on routes operated with 757s from the carrier’s Newark hub. On October 5, United will discontinue its daily service from Newark to Birmingham, England, and its year-round flights from Newark to destinations in Scotland and Ireland will be changed to seasonal service. Newark-Glasgow flights will be suspended from October 28 to May 3, and Newark-Shannon service will be suspended from November 25 to March 8.

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Trip Report: What’s a Marriott AC Hotel like?

Marriott AC Hotels

Some but not all AC hotels are built new from the ground up, like this one in Atlanta (Chris McGinnis)

AC Hotels is one of Marriott’s newest brands. It started out in Spain in 1999, spread throughout Europe, and is now making a move on the U.S. where there are 19 hotels open.

Last week I stayed at the new AC Hotel Atlanta Buckhead, located adjacent to the city’s tony Phipps Plaza shopping center on the northern edge of Buckhead. My midweek rate was $185 per night plus tax. Parking in the underground deck was $20 per night.

Here are notes from my stay and a walk-through with Jamie Krueger, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing:

Marriott AC Hotels

Like the rest of the hotel, the check in desk is clean, austere with a hip designer look (Chris McGinnis)

This Buckhead property opened last August. Atlanta will get two more AC Hotels this year– one downtown and another in Midtown. There are other AC hotels in Boston, Chicago, New York, Irvine, Phoenix, San Jose among other cities. (See all locations.)

Some, but not all AC Hotels are built new-from-the-ground-up like the one in Atlanta. Some are conversions from other hotels, so design and features can vary. (For example, its recently opened Atlanta downtown hotel used to be a Holiday Inn.)

The brand is aimed squarely at the millennial market and the design is super minimalist. Rooms have gray faux wood floors, white sheets, some beige wood and leather furniture. This baby-boomer would describe it as somewhat cold and austere, but I know there are travelers out there who like those clean lines and functional design.

Marriott AC Hotels

The view from my room on the 6th floor looking south across Phipps Plaza toward the Buckhead skyline (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

 

Marriott AC Hotels

Rooms are clean and cool with all white bedding, wood and leather trimmed headboards and built-in benches, faux wood floors (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

 

Marriott AC Hotels

Bathrooms clean and functional, no tubs, but only sliding glass doors separating them from the room (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

There are 166 rooms in this six story building fronting the Phipps Plaza Parking lot. It’s located at the corner of Peachtree Road and Wieuca Road. The hotel gets 4 out of five stars based on 78 TripAdvisor reviews. 

The only carpeting in the hotel is in the hallways. The lobby and rooms have faux hardwood floors. It has a gray and brown color palette throughout. Bathrooms do not have traditional doors– instead you’ll find sliding glass panels, which are not sound or light-proof, which may cause disturbance when there’s more than one guest in the room.

Cool feature: Windows are “self tinting” which means they turn bluish in direct sunlight. This helps cut the air conditioning bill and will help the hotel get its LEED certification later this year. Regrettably, none of the room windows open to the outside, which is a turn off to me.

There is a small, square indoor hotel pool, not set up for laps, and appears more like a big hot tub.

Marriott AC Hotels

In a nod to its Spanish roots, shaved jamon Iberico served at breakfast (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

 

cheese

An impressive and robust selection on the breakfast buffet feels very euro (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

I was very impressed with the robust selections at the breakfast bar. The sliced meat, cheese, muesli, warm quiche, loaves of bread, croissants, espresso and especially the shaved jamon Iberico made me feel like I was in Europe.

Breakfast is the only meal served at the hotel. During lunch or dinner, there’s a light-bite tapas style menu. Plus there are many restaurant options in the surrounding area and adjacent mall– and a free hotel shuttle for rides within a two-mile radius.

Marriott AC Hotels

Hotel business center located adjacent to lobby area includes art, books and business equipment (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

 

Marriott AC Hotels, creamer, half and half, cream

Always a good sign: When a hotel provides half and half for in-room coffee (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

 

Marriott AC Hotels soap

AC Hotels offers its own designer soap– smells great, but it’s like trying to wash your hands with a golf ball (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

 

Marriott AC hotels wifi

Like other Marriotts, basic wifi is free. Higher speeds run $5 per day unless you are gold or platinum elite (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

 

Marriott AC hotels thermostat

This looked like one of those irritating motion-sensing thermostats that turn off in the middle of the night. However, A/C blew softly and cooly throughout the night (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Standard weekday rates run about $249 per night, and $189 on slower weekends. (But as we all know, rates can vary significantly based on demand.)

The hotel bar is the nerve center of the hotel– bartenders are (of course) mixologists and have created an unique menu of craft, signature and barrel aged cocktails to choose from. Guests can order tapas such (which are likely enough for a light meal) including bruschetta, mixed salads, nuts, olives, aioli potatoes, etc.

Read more about the AC Hotels chain here. 

On summer nights, the hotel has a live DJ and when it’s not too hot, guest can sit indoors or outdoors. The bar and lobby space doubles as special events space, so you could find yourself in the middle of a party when you go down for a drink.

Overall, for a one-night stay, this was a nice, easy and efficient hotel at a decent price in an excellent location. I’d prefer a warmer ambience, but that might just be me.

Have you stayed at an AC Hotel? Would you? Please leave your comments below. 

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Delta, TSA test fingerprints as boarding passes

TSA is testing fingerprint ID verification for PreCheck members at Denver and Atlanta. (Image: TSA)

In the latest efforts to test biometric identifiers for airline passengers, the Transportation Security Administration this week started using fingerprint scanners to verify identities at the Atlanta and Denver airports, and Delta said it will work with Customs and Border Protection on a test of facial recognition technology at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson and New York JFK.

TSA said its tests will be conducted at one PreCheck lane at Atlanta and one at Denver. TSA already has electronic fingerprints of persons who joined PreCheck, and it will match those records with a fingerprint scan taken at the checkpoint to verify identity. The technology also precludes the need for a boarding pass.

“Once the technology finds a fingerprint match, it is able to obtain the passenger’s boarding pass information through Secure Flight,” TSA said. “Participation is voluntary and all passengers who choose to participate will then be subject to the standard ticket document checking process of showing their boarding pass and identification document.” The technology ultimately could automate the document checking process by eliminating the need for an ID check and a boarding pass, TSA noted.

Delta said its facial recognition testing with CBP will be used this summer for passengers departing on international flights. Passengers at the test gates will have an image of their face captured by a camera at the same time they self-scan their boarding pass. The technology will compare the individual’s identity as verified by the facial scan with itinerary information in Delta’s ticketing database.

Here’s a look at Delta’s facial recognition gates at JFK’s Terminal 4 (Image: Delta)

“Upon successful screening at JFK, the eGate will open for individual customers to pass into the boarding area,” Delta said. “In Atlanta, a self-contained unit will capture and verify customer’s identity before the customer continues on to boarding. All customer data is securely managed by CBP.”

The JFK test started this week at Delta’s Gate B24, and will be deployed at Atlanta’s gates E10 and E12 later this summer.

JetBlue recently announced similar testing of facial recognition technology for its flights from Boston to Aruba starting this month, and Delta is testing fingerprint scans for entry to its Sky Club at Washington Reagan National for SkyMiles members who also participate in the CLEAR trusted traveler program.

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Routes: JetBlue to Europe + AA, Delta, Norwegian, United, Avianca, Etihad

Will a larger Mint cabin on a new A321 model make Europe flights work for JetBlue? (Image: JetBlue)

In international route developments, JetBlue sees possibilities for Europe with new planes, more Mint; American’s new premium economy seating spreads to more routes; Delta kicks off Seoul service from its home base; Norwegian begins Barcelona flights this week; United drops a U.S.-South America route and Avianca adds one; and Etihad goes all-A380 on a key U.S. route.

JetBlue is in the midst of an analysis about how it can operate profitably on routes to Europe, according to an article in The Motley Fool, and the carrier reportedly sees two keys to making transatlantic flights work. One is the right aircraft – and JetBlue has taken steps in that direction by amending an aircraft order with Airbus to secure some A321LRs starting in 2019. With their longer range, those planes would let JetBlue fly from its Boston and New York JFK bases to major cities in western Europe. (How customers would react to a transatlantic flight on a single-aisle plane is another matter.)

The second key is competing not against ultra-low-cost operations like Norwegian and WOW, but against mainstream airlines’ premium cabins by offering business travelers a front cabin with more flat-bed Mint seats than the 16 that its domestic flights offer.  JetBlue sees its domestic Mint deployment as a major competitive success story, and wants to repeat it.  “Airbus’ Cabin-Flex concept will give airlines full discretion on how big to make their premium cabins by rearranging the locations of the emergency exits,” the article noted, and JetBlue is said to be looking at boosting Mint seating to 22 if it goes transatlantic.

American’s new Premium Economy section, with 2-3-2 leather seats, is coming to more routes later his year. (Image: American Airlines)

We noted recently that American Airlines has started installing its new international premium economy seating on its 777-200ERs, and Airlineroute.com reports that the carrier is taking reservations for premium economy travel starting December 15 on a number of routes. (The new section has initially been available only on select routes where AA uses new 787-9s.) In mid-December, the premium economy seats will be available on AA’s 777-200ER routes from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Buenos Aires, Frankfurt and Tokyo Narita; from Los Angeles to Tokyo Narita and Tokyo Haneda; and from Miami to Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Santiago (Chile).

Delta has launched new daily transpacific service from its Atlanta hub to Seoul Incheon, supplementing the daily flight in the same market operated by its partner Korean Air. The Delta flight uses a 777-200LR featuring a Delta One cabin with 37 lie-flat seats; 36 Comfort+ extra-legroom economy seats; and 218 main cabin seats in a nine-across layout. All seats have power ports and entertainment on demand, and satellite Wi-Fi is available.

Low-cost transatlantic specialist Norwegian kicked off three new U.S. routes this week, all of them to Barcelona with 787 Dreamliners. The carrier is operating twice a week to Barcelona from Los Angeles (increasing to three a week in August); twice a week from Newark (going up to four a week in August); and twice a week from Oakland (increasing to three in August). Norwegian’s Oakland-Barcelona route is already facing competition from new entrant Level, a low-cost subsidiary of British Airways/Iberia parent International Airlines Group.

Venezuela has been going through unprecedented political and economic turmoil in recent months, and travel to that country has suffered as a result. The latest evidence: United Airlines plans to end its daily flights to Caracas from Houston Bush Intercontinental effective July 1. United is just the latest of several carriers that have suspended Venezuela flights, in part because they have had trouble getting money from ticket sales out of the country.

Avianca added A319 service to Boston from Bogota. (Image: Avianca)

Avianca has launched new U.S. service between Bogota, Colombia and Boston Logan. The Star Alliance member flies the route four times a week from Terminal E at BOS, using a two-class A319 with 12 business class seats and 108 in economy. The flight operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Boston, and is the only non-stop service between the two cities.

Etihad Airways has put an Airbus A380 onto its second daily New York JFK-Abu Dhabi  flight, replacing a 777-300ER. The other daily flight has been using an A380 since late 2015, so the aircraft change makes JFK-Abu Dhabi one of the airline’s few all-A380 routes, along with Abu Dhabi-London and Abu Dhabi-Sydney.

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Reader Report: Final ride on a Delta 747

A Delta 747-400 preparing to take off from Seoul (Photo: Jeff)

Last month I was glad to have the opportunity to fly on The Queen of the Skies before her wings are clipped by the U.S. carriers later this year. I flew upstairs in business class on Delta 158 from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Detroit (DTW). Upstairs in Delta One on the 747 is only way to fly!!  My initial seat assignment was 11A downstairs, but through close monitoring of seats on the Delta app, I snagged a ride upstairs instead in seat 74K. 

To me, Seoul Incheon is one of the best airports in the world if not the best. On this trip, I stayed at the Grand Hyatt Incheon adjacent to the airport. I’ve also stayed at the nearby Best Western Premier, and both have easy access to the airport, which makes either a must when staying over the evening before your flight. Both offer regular shuttles for the 10-minute ride to the airport. 

TravelSkills reader Jeff submitted this Reader Report- He bought a fully refundable $4,800 economy class roundtrip for his ATL-SEA-ICN-DTW-ATL trip and used global certificates to upgrade. Here he reports on the leg from Seoul to Detroit. Since Jeff took this trip, Delta has launched new nonstops between Seoul and Atlanta using a Boeing 777. 

Seoul Incheon is one of the world’s best airports (Photo: Jeff)

Finding your carrier is a little tricky with the poor signage in ICN’s main terminal but just ask and you will be directed promptly. I checked in at the SkyPriority line and was immediately attended to, then headed to security. I’m in the Korean Smart Entry Service (SES) program (like Global Entry). It used to be good but now is overcrowded as they have not increased the machines available for processing. Saying that, if you travel to Korea often it may be worth it especially if you arrive in ICN when all of the flights from China arrive also and immigration lines can be swamped.

Security screening can be a bit of a mosh pit, but not always. Warning- wear cool clothing. The concept of air conditioning is different than in U.S. You will sweat everywhere at the airport, especially in the security line.  Rarely do they weigh the bags now but if it looks overstuffed they have people just before you enter security kinda watching out.

I cleared security in about 15 minutes. I carry all kinds of things cables, small tools, meters but the thing that freaks them out are my keys every time. Go figure.

I had a pass to the Korean Air Prestige lounge, and there are two to choose from at ICN. I think the lounge in the main terminal is the best one (less crowded, more comfortable, but still a little warm by my standards), but I went to the one in the international terminal because I was a little short on time. There is a train from the main concourse to the international carriers concourse (gates 100+). 

I loved the walk to the departure gate, looking out at the elegance of aviation through huge windows.

Looking out the window at the elegance of aviation (Photo: Jeff)

 

Boarding at ICN’s international terminal (Photo: Jeff)

 

Stairway to heaven aboard Delta 747-400 (Photo: Jeff)

 

Inside the business class bubble in the upper deck of a Delta 747 (Photo: Jeff)

 

Row 74 on the upper deck (Photo: Jeff)

 

Seat map of Delta’s 747-400 (Image: SeatGuru)

I boarded the plane and climbed the stairway to the upper deck. I found the overhead bins a little small so if you have an overstuffed bag they won’t fit but there is ample closet space at the back. 

On this flight is seemed like it took the flight attendants forever to start the preflight refreshments. Had to actually go back to the galley for a second glass of champagne.

Champagne and warm nuts after take off (Photo: Jeff)

Pushback was right on time.

As we departed, I peeked out my right side window and watched the engines as the captain scrolled the turbo fans up. Four engines given full thrust, release brakes, and rumble down the 10,000-foot runway. 60 seconds later we are in the sky looking forward to 12 more hours. 

The captain immediately makes a hard right turn (due east) which isn’t typical but I’m sure it’s to navigate well south out the DMZ.

The view was wonderful. Incheon (the city) then Seoul, past the mountainous country side and then to the beach lined coast.

Flying over South Korea, then a hard left north (Photo: Jeff)

 

Looking down at Seoul ICN shortly after take off (Photo: Jeff)

 

Flying over Korea’s mountains and beaches enroute to Detroit (Photo: Jeff)

I love the upper deck with the view and solitude. It harkens me back to travel when I was a kid (not that we ever flew in first but we did fly). It never feels crowded up here. Even in business class on other planes I always feel cramped and jostled. Not so when riding in the bubble! Travel seems elegant again. Pardon, but the 4th glass of champagne has made me nostalgic. They actually just gave me the bottle to save time and to stop me from ringing the call button I think.

The meal came about 20 minutes later. I selected the beef as I have been in Korea for 14 days and was desirous of the bovine.  The asparagus soup was very good and hot. The salad which was quite tasty with a good mix of leafy greens, pistachio nuts and citrus. I added the vinaigrette dressing which I really enjoy on Delta. The smoked duck was pleasant but the vegetable wrap had a sweet taste to it which threw me off. Not bad but not how I wanted to end the appetizers course.

Mixed salad, smoked duck to start (Photo: Jeff)

 

Main course beef (Photo: Jeff)

Delicious!

Meal arrived. I’m not sure if it was me or what but I could not eat it at all. Took one bite and stopped. It may have been my pallet with the Korean food all week but everything on the plate tasted odd.

Had another glass of champagne just in case. Odd thing was the FA’s didn’t even ask me why I ate so little.  Well no sense in worrying as the desert cart was rolling out. The selections were vanilla ice cream, chocolate cake and fruit/cheese. I had the chocolate cake and fruit/cheese. I always find the ice cream rock hard. These tasted absolutely fine!  No offer of wine or port…so I rang the call button and got a nice 10-year-old Port. 

Dessert, cheese platter, Champagne! (Photo: Jeff)

Sleep eludes me even on long flights. Half way through the flight flight attendants served a grilled chicken sandwich with Gouda cheese, grilled onions and mushrooms on rye. Quite good. We departed The Land of Morning Calm and flew over The Land of the Rising Sun.  The Queen continued to reach her full stride in full trim. Sadly, my hopes of seeing Mount Fuji were not realized on the route.  I settled back to the thrum of the Pratt & Whitney power plants moving us through the stratosphere. Soon after crossing Japan we were in a 100 mph tailwind jetting the USA on the greatest aircraft ever produced.  

On our way to Detroit, I looked down at Alaska, The Yukon Territory, Alberta, Manitoba with our entry in the the lower 48 at Minnesota. Breakfast is Served! Quiche with chicken sausage. As a note, if God had intended chickens to be used for sausage He would not have created the pig. But the sausage was good.

About 12 hours between ICN and DTW (Photo: Jeff)

 

Jeff enjoying one more glass of Champagne upstairs in the business class bubble! Will it be the last? (Photo: Jeff)

We arrived on a cloudy day in Motor City. Landing was perfect. Touch down almost undetectable on this graceful bird. We made our long slow taxi to gate 36. The two dings, and I rose from my seat, bags in hand, then walked out and looked back at one of the most beautiful sights in aviation: the elegant curves of a Boeing 747. I’ll miss that!

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Airport news: JFK, LaGuardia, Atlanta, LAX, Baltimore-Washington

Redesigned check-in area coming to British Airways’ Terminal 7 at JFK. (Image: British Airways)

In U.S. airport developments, New York JFK’s British Airways terminal is getting a makeover, and some airlines change locations there; LaGuardia will move ahead with a mass transit link; Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson gets more “smart” TSA screening lanes; Los Angeles International upgrades Wi-Fi service; and Baltimore-Washington gets a new passenger lounge.

British Airways revealed plans to spend $65 million on an overhaul of its Terminal 7 at New York JFK. Due for completion late next year, the project will give the terminal a renovated, more spacious check-in area; a new check-in zone for premium passengers with a fast-track security lane; new gate seating areas with more power outlets; and the development of “an authentic New York culinary experience with local food and beverage concepts.” Lounges for business class, first class, and Gold and Silver Executive Club cardholders will get a total makeover, “with more space and restaurant-style pre-flight dining,” the airline said.

Speaking of JFK’s Terminal 7, Alaska Airlines and Virgin America revealed plans to move their JFK operations there by October, giving up their current locations in Terminals 8 and 4 respectively. Terminal 7 is home to Alaska Global Partners British Airways, Qantas and Icelandair. Alaska and Virgin together operate 14 flights a day to JFK from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Aeromexico has also moved at JFK – into Terminal 4, where it will be close to joint venture partner Delta.

Don’t miss: Alaska Airlines sweetens perk for cardholders

The new LaGuardia will replace separate terminals with a unified structure. (Image: New York Governor’s Office)

A 30-minute ride between New York City’s Grand Central or Penn Station and LaGuardia Airport? That’s the goal for a new mass transit link in the works as part of that massive rebuilding of LGA that is now in progress. The New York Governor’s Office said it has just awarded a $14.6 million contract for preliminary analysis and design of the planned AirTrain, which will move people between the LGA terminals and the Willets Point stations of the Long Island Rail Road and the Number 7 subway line, where they can transfer for the trip into Midtown Manhattan.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson was the very first location for two of those “smart lanes” at security screening checkpoints – lanes that keep passengers moving faster by using powered conveyor belts, stations for five people to load security bins at once, automated return belts for empty bins, etc. They have since spread to several other major hub airports, and now ATL has expanded its own smart lanes as well. The airport now has 22 of the fast lanes installed, out of a total of 27 lanes at three security checkpoints in the domestic terminal. They reportedly reduce passenger waiting times by 30 percent.

Los Angeles International plans to improve Wi-Fi access for travelers in its terminals. The LA Board of Airport Commissioners has approved changes in the LAX concessions agreement with Boingo Wireless that will let users access the airport’s free Wi-Fi with a single click instead of the several clicks currently needed. Boingo also agreed to install another 12 Wi-Fi access points in the Federal Inspection Services area of the Tom Bradley International Terminal. “The new access points will help arriving international travelers move through the customs and immigration clearance process faster and more easily with the Mobile Passport app,” an airport spokesman said.

Refreshments area at the new Club BWI. (Image: Airport Lounge Development)

Airport Lounge Development, which builds pay-per-use airport passenger lounges, has just cut the ribbon on its latest effort, The Club BWI at Baltimore-Washington International. The new facility is it eleventh U.S. airport location. The 2,200 square foot BWI club is in Concourse D near Gate 10. It seats 50, and is divided into a “relaxing zone” with comfortable chairs and power outlets; a “resting zone” where travelers can “put your feet up and take a quick break;” a “productivity zone” for working; and a “replenish zone” with food and beverages. A day pass costs $40. The facility is also open to members of Priority Pass, LoungeKey and Lounge Club.

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Routes: Qatar Airways to SFO + United 787s, Delta, Copa, AA, Virgin Atlantic

Qatar Airways plans to start San Francisco service next year- image of Qatar’s current business class seat from a travel conference trade show floor. (Image: Chris McGinnis)

In international route news, Qatar Airways will add San Francisco service and delay Las Vegas; United plans changes to 787 schedules at SFO in 2018; Delta’s code goes onto a long-haul Air France route; Copa adds a new U.S. gateway; American will suspend its Auckland route for a while; Virgin Atlantic trims an Atlanta route; Spirit gives up a Caribbean destination; and United and American start up several seasonal Europe routes this week.

Laptop ban or no laptop ban, Qatar Airways plans to add service to another new U.S. destination next year: San Francisco. Company officials said at a travel show in Dubai last week that Qatar plans to bring a dozen new destinations onto its route map in 2018, including SFO – although it did not say exactly when the flights would start or what type of aircraft it would use. SFO tells TravelSkills that the service will be daily and could start in the second quarter of 2018 using a Boeing 777. Meanwhile, Qatar’s previously announced plan to start flying to Las Vegas on January 8 of next year has been pushed back to sometime in the second quarter. Qatar plans to fly the LAS-Doha route four times a week with a 777-200LR. Qatar Airways is a member of the Oneworld Alliance. 

United will add 787-9s to more San Francisco routes next year. (Image: United)

United will make some changes in its 787 schedules at San Francisco next year, according to Routesonline.com. The carrier plans to deploy 787-9 Dreamliners on its daily flights from SFO to Seoul on March 18 and to Taipei on May 4, 2018, replacing 777-200ERs on both routes. At the same time, 787-9s will replace 787-8s on the SFO-Munich route May 4, 2018 and on the SFO-Chengdu, China route May 2. Also on March 24, United will switch from a 787-9 to a 787-8 on its Washington Dulles-London Heathrow route.

Delta last week gave its customers a new way to get to Singapore. In an expansion of code-sharing with joint venture partner Air France, Delta started putting its code onto Air France’s daily Paris CDG-Singapore flight. Meanwhile, Air France added new code-shares with Singapore Airlines, putting its code onto the latter’s flights beyond Singapore to Melbourne and Sydney, and on sister carrier SilkAir’s service to Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Phuket.

Copa Airlines economy class on a 737-800 (Image: Copa)

Panama’s Copa Airlines has set a December 11 start for new service between Denver and Panama City, which will be its thirteenth U.S. gateway. The carrier plans to fly the route four times a week with a 737-800.

Going to New Zealand later this year? American Airlines filed plans to suspend its Los Angeles-Auckland service for a while – specifically, from August 5 to October 4. When the flight resumes on October 5, it will use a 787-9 instead of the current 787-8. In another service cutback, Delta partner Virgin Atlantic will trim its Atlanta-Manchester schedule this winter. From October 29 through March 24, Virgin will fly the route three times a week instead of daily. And Spirit Airlines is giving up the ghost on Cuba: The carrier will terminate its Ft. Lauderdale-Havana flights effective May 31, citing weak demand.

It’s time for major carriers to start up their seasonal summer routes to Europe, and both United and American will launch a bunch of them this week.  On May 5, United will kick off seasonal service from its Newark hub to Edinburgh, Venice, Stockholm and Hamburg; from Washington Dulles to Lisbon and Madrid; and from Chicago O’Hare to Rome and Dublin.  Also on May 5, American Airlines will begin seasonal flights from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Amsterdam and Rome; and from Chicago O’Hare to Barcelona.

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New hotels: Stunning London luxury, Hip option in LA, Design-forward in NYC + 3 more!

A studio suite at The Ned in London’s Financial District. (Image: The Ned)

In news of hotel openings, a hot new business hotel comes to London’s financial district; InterContinental Hotels Group brings an Indigo to downtown L.A.; a British boutique property debuts in midtown Manhattan; a Baltimore pier is remade into luxury lodging; Atlanta welcomes another airport hotel; and Dallas gets a dual-branded Marriott property near Love Field.

The talk of the lodging scene in London is a new hotel called The Ned, located in the heart of The City (i.e., the financial district) in the stately 1920s-era Midland Bank building. (The building was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, known as Ned to his friends. Hence the name.)  The building’s original design features have been preserved, with a 252-room hotel incorporated into them. A project of renowned hoteliers Andrew Zobler and Nick Jones, The Ned is slated to open April 27. No cookie-cutter rooms here: Rooms come in 13 categories, and the property boasts seven restaurants (including a 24-hour brasserie and a Jewish deli), six meeting rooms, a spa, men’s and women’s salons, and even a barber shop. The building’s former bank vault now contains a bar, and there’s also a rooftop grill. Pre-paid, non-refundable nightly rates for a small “crash pad” room start at $320, although the hotel offers a special discount rate of $230 for persons under 30.

Lobby of the new Hotel Indigo in downtown Los Angeles. (Image: InterContinental Hotels Group)

The mixed-use Metropolis development in downtown Los Angeles includes a newly opened, 350-room Hotel Indigo from InterContinental Hotels Group. The newly built, 18-story Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown, at 899 Francisco Street, is within walking distance of the L.A. Live entertainment district, Los Angeles Convention Center and the Staples Center. It has a lobby-level restaurant/bar called Metropole; a top-floor cocktail lounge; a large outdoor pool terrace and bar on the fourth floor; 24-hour fitness facility; and 11 meeting rooms. Rates start at $263.

A terrace suite at Manhattan’s new Whitby Hotel. (Image: The Whitby)

Newly opened in Midtown Manhattan is The Whitby Hotel, an 86-room boutique property with a strong British influence from designer Kit Kemp, who created several similar properties in London along with the Crosby Street Hotel in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. The Whitby, at 18 West 56th Street, is close to the Museum of Modern Art and a few blocks from Central Park. Guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and free Wi-Fi, and some come with private terraces. The hotel has a restaurant/bar open for three meals a day, and an adjacent orangerie with high ceilings and a skylight. The hotel serves a traditional British afternoon tea.  Rates start at $695.

Room with a waterfront view at Baltimore’s new Sagamaore Pendry. (Image: Pendry Hotels)

Baltimore’s century-old Recreation Pier building along the Fell’s Point waterfront, at 1715 Thames Street, has been totally renovated into a luxury boutique hotel called the Sagamore Pendry Baltimore. Along with 128 over-water guest rooms and suites, the new Pendry has a signature restaurant called the Chop House; the Cannon Room bar; a seasonal waterfront pool with a bar and grill; 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space; a water taxi service; 24-hour fitness center; and a spa. Advance purchase rates start at $375.

Lobby at the Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel, (Image: Renaissance Hotels)

In Atlanta, an early May opening is slated for the new Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel, accessible from ATL on the airport’s free SkyTrain. Part of the Gateway project (which already has a SpringHill Suites and a Marriott) near the Georgia International Convention Center, it’s on the west side of the airport, about three miles from the existing Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel on the north side.  The 204-room Renaissance Gateway has a restaurant called Hickory & Hazel Southern Table & Bar and a fitness center. Rates start at $136.

Bar the the new Aloft Hotel near Dallas Love Field. (Image: Marriott)

Just a mile from Dallas Love Field, at 2333 W. Mockingbird Lane, is a new dual-branded property from Marriott that includes a 133-room Aloft hotel and a 91-room Element property. The two share a common entry and meeting space, along with a fitness center and outdoor pool. They’re part of the new retail/residential development called West Love. The Element Dallas Love Field’s  guest units come with full kitchens and spa-style bathrooms, free breakfasts, and bicycles to ride on local trails. The Aloft Dallas Love Field offers a grab-and-go food market and drinks kiosk, and the property has musical entertainment at its W XYZ Bar. Rates start at $179 at the Aloft and $164 at the Element.

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Routes: Seattle and SFO; Delta, WOW, AA, Emirates, United, BA + more

Sir Richard Branson frolics at Seattle-Tacoma as Virgin Atlantic starts service there. (Image: Virgin Atlantic)

In international route news, Virgin Atlantic starts a pair of west coast routes; Delta resumes a transatlantic route and adds a South American one; Iceland’s WOW brings its low-fare service to the Midwest; American puts a new cabin class on sale; Emirates scales back at LAX but British Airways grows there; United starts two seasonal routes to Rome; Finnair drops a U.S. gateway; and Copa doubles down at O’Hare.

Virgin Atlantic Airways this week kicked off its new service to Seattle, using a 787-9 for its daily flights to London Heathrow. Virgin’s operations in the U.S. are closely coordinated with joint venture partner Delta, and Virgin’s new Seattle service replaces Delta’s daily flight to London. Delta was using a 767, so Virgin’s 787-9 increases capacity on the route by 50 seats a day. Also this week, Virgin Atlantic introduced new seasonal service from San Francisco International to Manchester, using an A330-300. That route operates three days a week (Tuesday, Friday and Sunday). It’s the only SFO-Manchester non-stop service, but it won’t be for long: On May 14, U.K. leisure carrier Thomas Cook Airlines will begin two flights a week with an A330-200. All this is in addition to British Airways four daily nonstops from the Bay Area to London!

Delta will fly to the beaches of Rio from JFK starting in December (Image: VisitBrazil.com)

Delta will expand its South America reach later this year with new daily service between New York JFK and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, slated to launch December 21. Using a 210-passenger 767-300 with Delta One flatbed seats, Delta will offer onward connections at Rio to 23 Brazilian destinations thanks to its Brazilian partner GOL. Meanwhile, Delta this week resumed service on the Atlanta-Brussels route, flying five times a week (increasing to daily during summer) with a 767-400. Delta had suspended the route a year ago after the Brussels terror attacks, although it maintained daily flights to Brussels from JFK.

On July 13, Icelandic low-cost carrier WOW will add another U.S. gateway, starting service four days a week to Reykjavik from Chicago O’Hare. The carrier said it is offering one-way base fares starting as low as $99 (plus extras) from ORD to Iceland, or $149 for connections to major European capitals. The flights will operate Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using an A321-300 with 30-inch seat pitch (or 34 inches for an additional fee).

American’s new premium economy seating is on 787-9s in select markets. (Image: American Airlines).

American Airlines’ new international premium economy seats, currently available on a few routes out of Dallas/Ft. Worth, have been used for upgrades during their rollout. But now the airline is putting the new cabin category on sale for travel beginning May 4. AA’s premium economy class is on its new 787-9s from DFW to Paris, Madrid, Sao Paulo and Seoul. Seats are 19 inches wide with 38 inches of pitch (vs. 33-34 inches in Main Cabin Extra) in a 2-3-2 layout.

Is that U.S. laptop ban starting to hurt business for the big Middle Eastern carriers? Routesonline.com reports that Emirates is “temporarily adjusting” its schedule between Los Angeles and Dubai, cutting service from two flights a day to one from May 1 through June 30.

But Routesonline.com says that British Airways is planning an increased schedule from LAX to London Heathrow, bringing on a third daily flight effective October 29. The additional frequency will use a 787-9. On the same date, BA will boost its New Orleans-LHR schedule from four flights a week to five. Meanwhile, BA this week introduced its biggest bird – the 469-passenger A380-800 – into the aircraft mix on its Boston-London route, where the giant jet operates Mondays and Fridays.

United’s seasonal international schedule adjustments start to kick in next week. On April 4, the carrier will begin seasonal service from Newark to Rome and from Washington Dulles to Rome, both using 767s. The Newark flights continue through November 8, while the Dulles schedule is in place through October 27. Also on April 4, United will lay on extra frequencies from Newark to Paris, Dublin and London.

Trying to get from Miami to Helsinki this summer? Forget Finnair, which is suspending service on that route from May 1 through September 30, according to Routesonline.com. The Finnish carrier is also cutting back Chicago-Helsinki frequencies from five flights a week to three.

Panama’s Copa Airlines is doubling its service from Chicago O’Hare to Panama City effective June 1, when it will supplement its existing daily morning departure with a midafternoon flight out of ORD. Copa has onward service from its Panama City hub to 50 destinations in Latin America.

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Full-on fare war: Atlanta-Boston $80 economy, $335 first

JetBlue’s arrival in ATL sparks major fare war (Image: Google Flights)

Today JetBlue launched new nonstops between Atlanta and Boston, sparking one of the craziest fare wars I’ve seen to date- even in first class.

As of today, JetBlue is selling roundtrips as low as $109 on its five ATL-BOS flights per day. That’s crazy.

But even crazier? Spirit Air, which offers one daily nonstop, is selling seats for just $80 roundtrip (plus fees).

Delta, long the major player in this market (with 11 roundtrips per day), seems to be keeping above the low-fare fray, but just barely. Its lowest round trips are going for just $136 roundtrip. But for $136, you get one of Delta’s new bare bones basic economy fares. For regular main cabin seats, you’ll pay $165 roundtrip– still cheap by historical standards.

Delta is also discounting its first class seats on ATL-BOS— a nice upgrade for the 2.5 hour flight! We’ve found found first class round trips for $335 to $475 in April and May.

Southwest has jumped into the fray as well… with roundtrips going for as little as $121 round trip on its three daily ATL-BOS nonstops.

Last week JetBlue announced that it was fighting a decision by ATL authorities to make it use gates in ATL’s Concourse D when it was told it would be able to use gates at the much nicer Concourse E. As of today, the issue has not been resolved, and JetBlue is using gates in both D and E concourses according to a spokesperson.

In any case, these are great deals for Bostonians who’d like to soak up some southern springtime hospitality. They are also perfect for the many cash strapped students traveling between ATL and Boston– or elsewhere.

Go get some beans with these low fares!

Note: These fares were available on Google Flights on Thursday March 30 and are subject to change.

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Airport news: San Diego, Newark, Atlanta, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland

San Diego is building a new customs and immigration facility. (Image: San Diego Airport)

In recent airport developments, San Diego will get a new federal inspections facility; faster security screening comes to Newark; don’t be afraid when you see this new device at Atlanta; Orlando gets another passenger lounge; there’s a new way to kill time at Portland; and Southwest has big growth plans at Phoenix.

Facing a big increase in international arrivals, San Diego County’s Regional Airport Authority Board has approved plans to build a new Federal Inspection Services facility in Terminal 2 West. Officials hope to complete the $229 million project by June of next year. The airport’s current total of 300,000 annual international arrivals is expected to grow by 33 percent over the next seven years. “The new facility will not only help operationally accommodate increased demand, but improve the processing experience for passengers with reduced wait times and a more welcoming environment,” said airport board chairman April Boling.

At Newark Liberty International, United has officially cut the ribbon on a big new security checkpoint with those automated lanes that have been spreading to more airports. To speed passengers to the gates at its Terminal C hub, United consolidated previous checkpoints into one big redesigned facility with 17 automated screening lanes (including dedicated Premier Access and TSA PreCheck lanes). Some automated lanes have also been installed for United’s passengers at Chicago O’Hare and Los Angeles, but Newark is its first hub to offer nothing but the new lane designs, which move passengers through about 30 percent faster than traditional screening.

Next time you fly into Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, don’t get excited if you see a drone hovering around the airport’s skies. It’s not a security risk. As the airport proceeds with various phases of its ongoing $6 billion construction project, contractors concluded that drone flights above ATL provide the best technology for surveying and inspecting the pavement on the airport’s runways.

Orlando International Airport has opened a second shared-use passenger lounge created by Airport Lounge Development Inc. The new Club MCO lounge in Airside 1 (Gates 1-29) can accommodate up to 60 persons. It has a Relaxing Zone with comfortable eating and power outlets; a Resting Zone where you can put your feet up; a Productivity Zone for taking care of business; and a Kids Zone for youngsters. It also has showers and a food and beverage service. The company’s first lounge at MCO is in Airside 4. Lounge access costs $40 for a day pass, including food, drinks and Wi-Fi. Entry is free for members of Priority Pass, LoungeKey and Lounge Club, and some airlines arrange free access for their premium passengers.

Southwest plans to add a new concourse at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (Image: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport)

Southwest Airlines President Tom Nealon said at a recent Phoenix appearance that his airline has big growth plans for Sky Harbor Airport. According to USA Today, Nealon said Southwest wants to add eight more gates at PHX in addition to the 24 it currently uses in Terminal 4. He said the company has committed to occupy all of a new eight-gate concourse to be located near Southwest’s existing D gates at PHX. The new concourse is expected to open in 2021. Southwest is the number two airline at Phoenix, behind American.

What’s a microcinema? It’s a very small movie theater, and one recently opened at Portland International Airport. Operating as a branch of Portland’s renowned Hollywood Theatre, the airport cinema on Concourse C only seats 17, but it’s got a $200,000 projection and sound system, and is insulated from aircraft noise. It’s been showing an hour-long selection of short G-rated films by local auteurs.

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Delta’s new Pacific joint venture

Korean Air and Delta are planning a joint venture partnership. (Image: Korean Air)

Just a day after American Airlines announced an equity investment in China Southern Airlines, Delta said it intends to create another transpacific joint venture partnership – this one with Korean Air.

Delta and Korean have been partners in the SkyTeam alliance since its inception two decades ago. And last September, they announced a significant expansion of code-sharing to more routes. That includes putting Delta’s code onto KAL’s San Francisco-Seoul and Houston-Seoul flights, and Korean’s onto the Atlanta-Seoul flights that Delta will start June 3 (Korean already serves that market with its own flight).

But the joint venture – if it wins government approval – goes well beyond that. If they win the requested immunity from antitrust laws, Delta and Korean will be able to coordinate flight schedules and pricing, and share costs and revenues.

Delta said the joint venture will bring “enhanced frequent flyer benefits, providing customers of both airlines the ability to earn and redeem miles on Delta’s Sky Miles and Korean Air’s SKYPASS programs.”

Officials sign a memo of understanding for their new joint venture. (Image: delta)

Once the agreement is approved, the airlines said, they will start working on expanded code-sharing, frequent flyer program integration, “and joint growth in the transpacific market, with co-location at key hubs with seamless passenger and baggage transit experience.”

In addition to Delta’s new ATL-Seoul service, Korean this summer plans to add a third daily Los Angeles-Seoul flight and a second one between San Francisco and Seoul.

Delta is getting to be an old hand at creating joint venture partnerships. It already has transatlantic joint ventures with Virgin Atlantic and Air France-KLM/Alitalia, a transpacific arrangement with Virgin Australia, and it recently won approval for a joint venture with Aeromexico.

The Delta-Korean partnership will cover a combined network of more than 80 destinations in Asia and 290 in the Americas, Delta noted.

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Routes: Delta, Alaska, AA, JetBlue, United, JetSuiteX

Delta’s A319s have nine-inch screens at every seat. (Image: Delta)

In domestic route news, Delta will start multiple daily flights between two key business centers; Alaska eyes deployment of new E175s this spring and summer; American adds spokes from its Miami and Dallas hubs; JetBlue invades Delta’s hometown; United drops an East Coast route; and JetSuiteX steps up for music lovers.

Delta set June 19 for the start of new service from its growing Seattle hub to the largest city where it doesn’t yet fly from SEA. The carrier said it will inaugurate service between SEA and Chicago O’Hare, offering three flights a day with Airbus A319s. Departures in both directions are scheduled for early morning, midday and late afternoon, and tickets are on sale now. Meanwhile, later this year Delta will revive service on a route it dropped years ago: Salt Lake City-Tampa. Service will begin December 21 with one daily 737 roundtrip. And effective July 9, Delta will deploy a second daily roundtrip on its Atlanta-Rochester, Minn. route, using a CRJ-700.

Alaska’s Horizon Air subsidiary is deploying new three-class E175s. (Image: Alaska Airlines)

Alaska Airlines has ordered a bunch of new Embraer E175s, and several of them are being delivered this spring and summer. Routesonline.com reports that Alaska’s Horizon Air unit has started scheduling the new planes onto its route network, initially operating one daily roundtrip in each market. You’ll see the new E-175s staring May 4 on the Portland-St. Louis route, followed on May 18 on routes from Seattle to Oakland, Ontario, Portland, San Francisco, and St. Louis. The plane debuts June 4 between Portland-Salt Lake City; June 15 from Seattle to Calgary, Colorado Springs, Santa Barbara and San Jose; July 17 from Portland to Dallas/Ft. Worth; July 18 from SEA to Fresno and San Luis Obispo; August 17 from Seattle to Bozeman; August 18 from Orange County and Portland to Albuquerque; September 18 from San Francisco to Albuquerque and Kansas City; and October 18 from San Diego to Albuquerque.

The new aircraft are part of Alaska’s largest order ever for Horizon – a total of 30 new planes. And they will come with a three-class seating configuration including 12 first class seats, 16 in Alaska’s new Premium Class and 48 in the main cabin. The premium class seats will have a 34-inch pitch, vs. 36 to 38 inches in first and 31 inches in the main cabin. The planes will also have Wi-Fi, power outlets throughout, and free streaming entertainment.

American Airlines plans a July 5 start for new service between its Dallas/Ft. Worth hub and Spokane. The carrier will operate one daily roundtrip using a 124-passenger A319. On the same date, American will add another spoke from its Miami hub with the inauguration of one daily roundtrip to Omaha, Nebraska. MIA-Omaha will be an American Eagle operation, using a 76-seat E-175.

JetBlue and Delta are adding a new competitive arena as JetBlue invades the Boston-Atlanta market. (Image: Jim Glab)

We’ve mentioned this before, but just a reminder: This Tuesday (March 28), JetBlue is set to jump into a market thoroughly dominated by Delta and Southwest: Boston-Atlanta. JetBlue plans five flights a day on the route. The carrier planned on operating out of ATL’s Terminal E, but the airport reportedly wanted JetBlue to split its flights between Terminals D and E – prompting a JetBlue complaint to the FAA.

With a big hub at Newark, United Airlines doesn’t have much of a presence at New York LaGuardia – and that presence is about to get smaller. United Express/Republic Airlines operates up to three flights a day between LGA and Raleigh-Durham, but those flights are scheduled for termination effective June 7. United already serves RDU from Newark.

Music fans who want to get to the renowned Coachella Festival next month without a long drive through the desert have a new option. JetSuiteX, which operates small-jet scheduled service on intra-California routes, is planning to run special flights on two April weekends from Burbank to the Jacqueline Cochran Desert Resorts Regional Airport in Thermal, California. The service is scheduled for April 14-17 and April 21-24; tickets start at $199 each way at www.JetSuiteX.com.

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Mineta San Jose Airport: New transcon routes and more

San Jose SJC Terminal B

San Jose getting even more new nonstops to East Coast! (Photo: SJC)

Bay Area business travelers are seeing new flights at all three major airports in the region as passenger traffic keeps increasing, but one of them is adding new capacity at a faster rate than any airport in the country.

That airport is Mineta San Jose International (SJC), where total passenger traffic last year soared above the 10 million mark to 10.8 million, a gain of more than 10 percent over the previous year. For international passengers, the annual increase was more than 68 percent over 2015 as more carriers added transatlantic and transpacific service from SJC.

The number of airline seats flying in and out of SJC during March was up almost 20 percent over the same month a year ago. The average increase for U.S. airports was under 5 percent.

The capacity boom at Mineta San Jose is continuing this month with new transcontinental service – in fact, the same route — from two airlines. March 9 was the launch date for United’s new daily non-stops to its Newark Liberty hub, and three days later, Alaska Airlines inaugurated its own daily flights to EWR. United also started up twice-daily service to its big hub at Chicago O’Hare.

You can find more details about new San Jose routes here.

More planes, more flights, more passengers than ever at SJC (Photo: SJC)

With the tremendous growth in the nation’s technology sector, Mineta San Jose is positioning itself as the gateway airport for Silicon Valley business travelers, since the companies that collective name refers to are mostly just a few miles up the Highway 101 from SJC in towns like Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Palo Alto. It’s closer not only in highway miles, but especially in drive time thanks to its distance from the congested San Francisco peninsula (and its crowded airport).

Those new transcons from United and Alaska are just a few of the new services coming to SJC in late winter and spring. In mid-March, Alaska added California Corridor service between Mineta San Jose and the Los Angeles area’s uncrowded Hollywood-Burbank Airport, with three daily roundtrips. And in May, SJC will welcome seasonal daily service from American Airlines to its Charlotte, N.C. hub, as well as a third daily roundtrip to Atlanta being added to Delta’s schedule. On June 4, Southwest is due to begin daily roundtrips from Mineta San Jose to Reno.

And later this year, Alaska Airlines will begin new daily E175 service from SJC to Austin and Tucson (both starting August 28), and four flights a day to Los Angeles International (beginning September 20).

On the hunt for colorful planes? Look no further than San Jose! (Photo: SJC)

More international flights are coming as well. Aeromexico is set to start flying once a day from SJC to its Guadalajara hub on July 1. And on May 2, Air Canada will add a third daily frequency to its SJC-Vancouver route. That’s all in addition to the big bump in international options for business travelers that came to SJC last year, including Air China’s non-stops to Shanghai, British Airways’ flights to London Heathrow, and Lufthansa’s to Frankfurt.

It’s easier than ever now for South Bay road warriors to get to Europe or Asia from SJC without a connection.

Have you flown in or out of San Jose lately? Why or why not? Are you more likely to give SJC a try now that it’s added this slew of new flights? Please leave your comments below. 

This post is sponsored by Mineta San Jose International Airport  

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Routes: United SFO-Boston + AA, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Sun Country

United p.s. 757-200 with lie-flat seats at San Francisco. (Image: Chris McGinnis)

In domestic route developments, United goes flat-bed to Boston from San Francisco; American Airlines will add new spokes from its Chicago O’Hare hub; Delta plans a new California route and adds Austin service; ; Frontier announces a bunch of new routes from three cities; and Sun Country Airlines comes to Santa Rosa’s Charles Schulz Airport.

In what could be a strike back against JetBlue’s Mint service, United will be offering flat-bed first class sections on all its San Francisco-Boston flights this summer. That’s a welcome change for those achingly long 6+ hour flights. The carrier will reportedly change its aircraft mix on the SFO-BOS route starting June 8 from the current combination of 757-300s, 777-200s and 737-900s to just two types: 777-200s and 757-200s, all with lie-flat seating in the front cabin. H/T Live and Let’s Fly In other news, United plans to increase service between its Newark hub and Madison, Wis., starting May 5 with the addition of a second daily United Express roundtrip. Both flights use 50-seat Embraer 145s.

New automated TSA screening lanes in American’s Terminal 3 at Chicago O’Hare. (Image: American Airlines)

Gearing up for fresh competition with United at Chicago O’Hare, American Airlines said in a letter to employees this week that it will add several new routes to smaller markets out of ORD this summer. Starting July 5, AA will begin new service from O’Hare to Appleton, Wis.; Birmingham, Ala.; Boise, Idaho; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Greensboro, N.C.; and Greenville, S.C. The airline will also start flying on a seasonal basis between O’Hare and Ontario, Calif. United recently announced new O’Hare services as part of a larger domestic route expansion.

Delta plans to launch new California service from its Detroit hub later this summer. The carrier set September 5 as the starting date for six flights a week between Detroit and Orange County’s John Wayne Airport, using a 737-700. Meanwhile, Delta this week kicked off its previously announced new service linking Raleigh-Durham with Austin Bergstrom. Delta Connection/GoJet will fly the route Monday through Friday with a 76-seat CRJ-900. In June, Delta will add Austin service from Seattle as well.

Posh! A fancy ride to the airport in 19 new cities

The interior of Delta’s new Airbus A321. (Image; Delta)

In the northeast, Delta said it is responding to noise complaints from residents near New York LaGuardia by eliminating its older MD-88s– used on 30 flights a day there – and replacing them with quieter A320/321s, 737s and MD-90s. “Later this year, Delta service between Atlanta and LaGuardia will fly on larger-gauge Airbus A320s and Boeing 737-900ERs, which feature all-new, modern interiors with large, sculpted overhead bins and, on the Boeing 737-900ER, seat-back in-flight entertainment,” the carrier said. (Speaking of Atlanta, JetBlue will soon reestablish a presence there when it starts five flights a day to ATL from Boston on March 30. However, the airport appears to be messing with JetBlue, first promising gates in the nice new E Concourse, then trying to force JetBlue to accept the ghetto gates at the far end of Concourse D.)

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Frontier Airlines is targeting Las Vegas for expansion this summer. New Frontier routes coming to LAS include Bismarck, N.D. (starting June 11 with two flights a week); Sioux Falls, S.D. (June 12, four weekly flights); Indianapolis (July 16, three flights a week); and Washington Dulles (July 16, daily service). The low-cost carrier also plans to add several routes out of Colorado Springs in June. Twice-weekly service to San Francisco begins June 11, with a third weekly flight operating seasonally. New seasonal routes from Colorado Springs include San Diego, operating daily starting June 10; Washington Dulles, also with daily flights beginning June 10; Chicago O’Hare daily service starting June 12; and Los Angeles service four times a week as of June 12. At Washington Dulles, Frontier also plans to start flying four times a week to Austin beginning April 21.

Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines plans to add a couple of new spokes to its network later this summer, but only for a limited time, and with a very limited schedule. It will offer one weekly roundtrip from MSP to California’s Charles M. Schulz Airport in Sonoma County from August 24 through December 3, and one a week to Austin from August 31 to December 10.

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13 new nonstops with Alaska Airlines’ big Bay Area bump

Alaska Airlines will use A320-family aircraft for new SFO routes- but fate of Virgin brand still in question. (Image: Chris McGinnis)

Now that Alaska Airlines owns Virgin America, it has targeted the Bay Area for “the single largest new market announcement” in its history, the company said Thursday. Will this mean lower fares? Probably not… 

Alaska/Virgin plans to add service on 13 new routes from San Francisco and San Jose in late summer and fall of this year.

All the mainline flights on Alaska’s new routes will use aircraft from the “A320 family,” which is the type used by Virgin America. Alaska has an all-Boeing mainline fleet. New San Jose flights and a few from SFO will use smaller Embraer E175s.

It’s interesting that Alaska didn’t say the routes would be operated by Virgin America – just that they will be flown by A320 family aircraft- something that could be telling regarding the fate of the Virgin brand.  Alaska executives have been feverishly studying what to do about the Virgin America brand, and they are expected to decide and announce something by the end of this month ahead of its annual investors meeting.  

New mainline daily service coming from Alaska (and the starting dates) include flights from San Francisco to Philadelphia (August 31), New Orleans (September 21), Nashville (September 5), Indianapolis (September 26), Raleigh-Durham (October 19), Baltimore-Washington (October 16), and Kona, Hawaii (December 14).

The airline will deploy E175s for new daily flights from SFO to Albuquerque and Kansas City, both starting September 18.

Where are all those new flights going to fit at SFO’s limited number of gates? “The A320 flights will be operated by Virgin in Terminal 2, and we’re adding a fifteenth gate to support this. (Gate 50 will expand to be an A/B gate.) Flights operated in Embraer E175s will be operated by Alaska Air in their current location in the International Terminal,” said SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel, adding, “We are in discussions about once they begin operating under a single certificate, but these gate plans have yet to be finalized.”

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Alaska’s Horizon Air subsidiary has ordered new three-class E175s. (Image: Alaska Airlines)

At Mineta San Jose, Alaska will begin new daily E175 flights to Austin and Tucson on August 28, and four flights a day to Los Angeles International beginning September 20.  (Click on the link above to see flight times for all the new routes.)

The new markets are in addition to Alaska’s previously announced new service from the Bay Area coming in the months ahead, including San Jose-Newark (starting March 12), San Jose-Burbank (starting March 16 three times a day), and San Francisco service to Orlando, Orange County, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Mexico City.

Fares: We do not expect Alaska’s push into the Bay Area will result in lower fares– it’s not in this game to be a discounter. Instead, it will likely focus on service and amenities to attract a larger share of the lucrative business travel market. Even though it has the last remaining mileage based frequent flyer program, Alaska will likely have a big challenge convincing high mileage United Mileage Plus members to make the switch. One of the first steps in doing that is providing flights to cities where business travelers need to go. It will be interesting to see what else they do to woo frequent travelers.

For the Bay Area, “Our strategy is to use the same philosophy that’s worked well for us in our Pacific Northwest hubs, which is to offer convenient, nonstop flights to the places guests fly to most,” said Alaska executive vp Andrew Harrison.

Sadly missing from the new line up: SFO-Atlanta, a key business route locked up by Delta and United which could use a competitive bump from the new Alaska Airlines. Another miss for business travelers: SFO-Phoenix, largely dominated by American and Southwest.

 

To hype the announcement, Alaska has kicked off a social media promotion that will offer “destination-inspired food items” and free flights to Bay Area residents. “Travelers who tweet the airlines at @AlaskaAir and @VirginAmerica using the hashtag #MostWestCoast and with an airplane emoji will score the chance to have a destination-specific treat (think BBQ for Nashville and beignets for New Orleans) delivered within a few hours to their front door,” Alaska said, and some will win a free flight to one of the new destinations. 

Are you more inclined to fly Alaska Airlines these days? Why or why not? Please leave your comments below. 

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United: 2nd Polaris route + SFO-Munich + more domestic flights

Munich Munchen airport

United will add non-stops from San Francisco to Munich (Photo: Flughafen Munchen)

With United executives promising in recent weeks that the company would focus on building up its domestic network, the carrier just announced 47 new daily roundtrips will be added to its summer schedule, almost all of them in domestic markets.

The one new international route included in the announcement is San Francisco-Munich, which will operate on a seasonal daily basis starting May 24. United will use a 787 on the route (which is already served by United’s Star Alliance partner Lufthansa).

On another key international route – Newark to Tel Aviv – United said it will up-gauge one of its two daily flights to a new 777-300ER, equipped with the airline’s new Polaris business class. That change, which takes effect May 5, will make EWR-TLV the second international route to get the new aircraft. (The first will be SFO-Hong Kong, where a 777-300ER will replace United’s 747-400 service starting March 25.)

New domestic routes added to United’s schedule include five from its San Francisco hub, six from Chicago O’Hare, two from Denver, and one each from Newark and Washington Dulles. MileagePlus members should be aware that because these routes were just announced, there should be plenty of award seat availability right now.

United Polaris

United’s new Polaris cabin on the B777-300ER, going onto the Newark-Tel Aviv route in May. (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

The new San Francisco routes, all starting June 8, include three flights a day to Santa Rosa, California (a very short route – 65 miles as the crow flies); two a day to Spokane; and new daily service to Cincinnati, Detroit and Hartford Bradley. The announcement did not specify the aircraft types on each route.

From Chicago O’Hare, United will begin three daily roundtrips to Rochester, Minn., and three a day to Champaign/Urbana, Ill., beginning June 8. On the same day, it will start new daily service from ORD to Charlottesville, Va.; Reno; and Spokane. And on August 1, United will begin twice-daily service from O’Hare to Columbia, Mo.

Other new routes include twice-daily flights from Washington Dulles to Springfield, Mo.; daily service between Newark-Sacramento; daily flights from Denver to San Luis Obispo, Calif., all starting June 8; and daily Denver-Columbia, Mo., service beginning August 1.

United is adding a new route from Denver International to Hawaii (Image: Jim Glab)

The company also plans to expand some existing routes from seasonal winter service to year-round operations this summer. Effective June 8, that includes San Francisco-New Orleans, Chicago-Tucson, Dulles-Ft. Lauderdale, Newark-Salt Lake City and Denver-Kona. On July 1, service from San Francisco to Kalispell, Mont. (gateway to Glacier National Park) also becomes year-round.

United also said it plans to increase frequencies in 15 existing markets. United will boost its Atlanta schedule to eight flights a day from both Washington Dulles and Newark. Newark-Detroit goes up to seven daily roundtrips. The new daily frequencies in other markets include Denver-Albuquerque (5); Denver-Ft. Lauderdale (2); Denver-Orlando (4); Denver-Tampa (2); Newark-Portland, Ore. (2); Dulles-Jacksonville (3); Dulles-Providence (4); Dulles-Portland, Me. (4); Dulles-Roanoke, Va. (3); Dulles-Charleston (S.C.), 3; Chicago-Ft. Lauderdale (3); and Chicago-Ft., Myers (2).

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Routes: Delta, Frontier grow Cincinnati + Southwest, Alaska, Spirit

Delta is growing again at Cincinnati. (Image: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport)

Delta is growing again at Cincinnati. (Image: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport)

In domestic route news, Delta will grow at Cincinnati, and keeps a key Dallas route for now; Southwest adds new routes from Long Beach and Ontario; Alaska enters a new market from Orange County; Frontier adds new service in 10 markets; and Spirit Airlines expands in the northeast.

For years, Delta has been scaling back operations at Cincinnati, which was once one of its hubs. But now the airline plans to grow there, citing 15 straight months of increasing passenger numbers. Delta said its plan calls for a capacity increase of 6 percent in total seats flown out of Cincinnati, including the addition of more frequencies in five key business markets, with additional daily flights from Cincinnati to Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Orlando and Toronto.

It will also upgrade Cincinnati-Denver service to mainline aircraft, and will offer first class seating on all flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul. Its seasonal winter service from Cincinnati to Ft. Myers will continue to operate daily through the summer, Delta said, and its seasonal Seattle flights will extend into the fall and spring. Finally, departures from CVG to Charlotte, Hartford, Newark and Philadelphia will be retimed to permit easy same-day trips out and back. The airline will have a total of 82 peak-day departures at Cincinnati this summer, to 35 destinations. (More Cincy news below!)

Dallas Love Field will keep Delta service to Atlanta -- for now. (Photo: Chris McGinnis(

Dallas Love Field will keep Delta service to Atlanta — for now. (Photo: Chris McGinnis(

In other news, Delta has won a court victory – for now, at least – that allows it to keep operating five flights a day between Atlanta and Dallas Love Field. Southwest has been eager to kick Delta out of the Southwest gates it has been subleasing at DAL, in a court fight that is going into its third year. A district court has blocked Southwest from doing so until the matter goes to trial, and this week an appellate court upheld that ruling. So Delta’s DAL-ATL route is safe for the time being. Delta offers even more service between ATL and Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Southwest Airlines is adding two new routes out of southern California. From Long Beach, Southwest just started operating twice-weekly 737-700 service to Denver. The flights operate on Saturdays and Sundays. Southwest has also kicked off new daily 737-700 flights between Ontario, California and Dallas Love Field.

Continuing its growth at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, Alaska Airlines has set an August 18 start for new service from SNA to Albuquerque. The flights will operate once a day, using Horizon Air E175 jets with 12 first class seats, 12 in premium class and 52 in regular economy. That’s the same date that Alaska will begin recently announced new service between Portland and Albuquerque.

Frontier Airlines is adding 10 more routes this spring. (Image: Jim Glab)

Frontier Airlines is adding 10 more routes this spring. (Image: Jim Glab)

Frontier Airlines plans to kick off new daily service between Cincinnati and New York LaGuardia on April 21, and it also announced new service with less-than-daily frequencies on nine other routes. From Austin, Frontier will begin four flights a week to Washington Dulles on April 21, and three a week to San Diego beginning April 23. Other new service from Cincinnati includes four flights a week to Minneapolis beginning April 21 and three a week to San Diego starting May 21. From Cleveland, Frontier will add four weekly flights to Charlotte on April 21, three a week to Minneapolis starting April 23, four a week to Houston Bush Intercontinental and four a week to San Diego, with both routes starting May 22. Also on the schedule is new service three days week between Chicago O’Hare and San Antonio starting April 23.

Spirit Airlines will add new service out of Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport to sun destinations this spring. On April 27, Spirit will launch daily service from Bradley to Orlando, and four flights a week to Myrtle Beach, S.C. On June 15, the airline will add daily service from Bradley to Ft. Lauderdale.

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Best & worst airport-to-city trains

Hong Kong train

An outstanding, clean, easy and cheap train to the plane in Hong Kong (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Over the last year alone, I’ve taken the train to or from the plane in Hong Kong, Atlanta, Sydney, New York, San Francisco and Washington DC.  I really wanna give the new airport train in Denver a go. Ever since United moved its NYC flights to Newark, I’ve been a regular on the trains that connect EWR to Penn Station in Manhattan. Even though I love my Lyft rides, I’m kind of an airport train freak.

A new study examines the speed and efficiency of airport public transit systems worldwide, and finds that – to no one’s surprise – most of the best are in Asia.

The world’s best public transit option is the Tokyo Monorail from Tokyo Haneda to downtown. Rounding out the top five are Delhi’s Airport Express Line in India; the Shanghai Maglev train to Shanghai Pudong; the Shanghai Metro Line 2 to Shanghai Hongquiao; and the Sprinter/Intercity line to Amsterdam Schiphol.

The study by Milecards.com looked at four factors: time saved vs. driving; passenger fares; frequency of departures; and convenience (e.g., availability of luggage storage on trains, etc.).

Source: Milecards.com

Source: Milecards.com

Looking only at U.S. airports, Milecards.com judged Atlanta’s MARTA to be the best, followed in order by Chicago’s CTA Orange Line to Chicago Midway; Chicago’s CTA Blue Line to Chicago O’Hare; Denver’s new University of Colorado A Line to Denver International; and New York City’s Long Island Railroad/JFK AirTrain connection to Kennedy Airport.

Seeing Atlanta rated as number one in the U.S. made me wish they had included service reliability as a factor in this ranking. I’ve had such bad results in ATL recently that I’ve almost stopped using it. Newark’s NJ Transit/Amtrak connection to Manhattan is not beautiful, but it’s very reliable, at least in my experience. What about you? Please leave your comments below.

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Source: Milecards.com

Source: Milecards.com

U.S. airport public transit has “plenty of room for improvement,” Milecards.com said. “Only six of the public-transport options are generally faster than driving.

Looking only at public transit travel times vs. taxi/Uber/driving times in the U.S., “Just six of the 50 busiest airports are served by transit options that can save time on a typical weekday afternoon, and that’s usually because they bypass a lot of congestion, rather than because they’re fast express lines,” Milecards.com said. “On a good, congestion free day you’d be hard pressed to find an airport transit line in the U.S. that rivals drive times.”

That’s probably why the SFO’s BART train ranked as one of the LEAST time saving airport transit lines in America– the report shows car/taxi rides take 21 minutes between airport and downtown, while BART takes 29 minutes.

Source: Milecards.com

Source: Milecards.com

The “least time-saving airport transit lines” in the U.S. are led by San Jose, the study found, where taking the VTA Route 10/Light Rail is 216 percent slower than driving (30 minutes vs. 10 minutes). Public transit travel time beats driving at New York JFK, Atlanta, Chicago Midway, Los Angeles (LAX FlyAway) and Oakland (BART), the study said.

By contrast, the overseas airport with the most time-efficient public transit is Shanghai Pudong, where a ride to city center on the 14-year-old Maglev train takes just eight minutes, vs. 50 minutes for driving. (Why? Because that magnetic levitation train can hit top speeds of 267 mph.)

Ranking second and third were London’s Heathrow Express trains, which takes 15 minutes vs. 45 minutes on the road; and London’s Gatwick Express (30 minutes vs. an 80-minute drive time). Anyone who travels to London frequently knows that roadway traffic can be horrendous…especially in the central city, so the cab ride from the Heathrow Express station at Paddington frequently takes longer than the train ride from the airport.

Click here to see the full study results and charts for worldwide and U.S. public transit options.

Ride-hailing apps like Lyft are surging in their share of business travel spending. (Image: Lyft)

Ride-hailing apps like Lyft are making some airport rail connections obsolete. (Image: Lyft)

Besides being generally slow, U.S. airports’ public transit options are facing a growing threat from ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, which provide door-to-door airport trips that eliminate the schlep to a transit station. In recent months, Bay Area airports including Oakland and San Francisco International have been seeing declines in public transit ridership even as passenger traffic at the airports increased. That loss in market share was generally seen to be going to the ride-sharing companies.

Which train to the plane is your favorite? Least favorite? Please leave your comments below. 

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Mineta San Jose airport adding even more flights in 2017

United Airlines 737-800

United Airlines Boeing 737-800s will soon fly nonstop to New York and Chicago from San Jose (Image: Chad Slattery / United)

With major U.S. airlines adding more flights at Mineta San Jose International this winter and spring, and with international flight options taking off, the airport has been making substantial improvements to handle increased passenger traffic.

New domestic flights starting in the first half of the New Year include:

  • A pair of new nonstops for United Airlines, both starting March 9. United will begin twice-daily flights to its big hub at Chicago O’Hare, and one daily roundtrip to its East Coast hub at Newark Liberty International. United will use 737-800s on both routes.
  • Staking a bigger claim in California, Alaska Airlines will inaugurate new transcontinental service on the SJC-Newark route on March 12, operating one daily roundtrip, followed by new intrastate service three times a day from San Jose to Hollywood-Burbank beginning March 16. These are the fourth and fifth new Alaska Airlines routes at SJC since late 2015, giving the carrier a total of 16 destinations.
  • On May 1, Air Canada is due to add a third daily frequency between San Jose-Vancouver.
  • American Airlines’ seasonal service between San Jose and Charlotte is set to resume May 5.
  • Delta will boost its presence at San Jose beginning May 25, when it expands its schedule to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson from two flights a day to three.
  • And Southwest will kick off daily San Jose-Reno service June 4.

You can find more details about new San Jose routes here.

First stop: SJC's new business class lounge

SJC’s popular business class lounge awarded “Priority Pass Lounge of the Year for North America.” (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Even without these new flights, SJC has been experiencing healthy growth in passenger numbers. Through the first 10 months of 2016, the domestic passenger count topped the 4 million mark, an increase of more than 7 percent year-over-year. And thanks to new flights across both the Atlantic and Pacific, international traffic at SJC jumped more than 68 percent during that period.

New and improved passenger amenities at Mineta San Jose make life easier for travelers. The three-year-old Club at SJC in Terminal A, a lounge open to all travelers on a paid basis and also a part of the Priority Pass network of airport lounges, was recently named the Priority Pass Airport Lounge of the Year for North America.

International travelers at SJC are finding their lives a little easier thanks to recent improvements that help them to speed through passenger processing. Precheck logo TMMany domestic travelers rely on TSA’s PreCheck program to move through security screening more quickly, but now some international travelers at San Jose can also take advantage of that benefit: Lufthansa – which began San Jose-Frankfurt flights last summer – recently became the first European airline to begin participation in PreCheck.

International travelers at SJC can now download Customs and Border Protection’s free Mobile Passport Control app on their phones or tablets and use it to submit their passport data and Customs declaration form to CBP. A coded electronic receipt shown to the CBP officer lets them move quickly through the arrivals process. And the airport also offers CBP’s Global Entry kiosks for international arrivals who belong to that trusted traveler program, allowing them to bypass lines. Also available at SJC are Automated Passport Control kiosks where arriving travelers can submit their entry information.

Mobile Passport Control

No need to fill out paper customs and immigration forms when you have the new Mobile Passport Control app

And more enhancements are on the way. This spring, the airport is expected to finish a renovation of its International Arrivals Building that will add 5,600 square feet along with a second baggage carousel and an enclosed waiting area.

A look at what the new International Arrivals lobby (Image: SJC)

A image of the future International Arrivals lobby (Image: SJC)

On a lighter note, Mineta San Jose has garnered attention and acclaim for its recent deployment of three interactive customer service robots – an appropriate innovation for an airport that serves as the gateway to Silicon Valley. Even more interactive robots – smaller ones – are featured in the airport’s new play area for children in Terminal B.

You can find more details about new San Jose routes here.

This post is sponsored by Mineta San Jose International Airport  

San Jose Airport banner

Disclosure: Thank you for reading TravelSkills! We will periodically send out messages like this one from commercial partners about topics relevant to frequent travel.  Our sponsors’ support, and yours, help us keep TravelSkills a free publication. 


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Airport updates: Atlanta, JFK, Newark, Boston, Dulles, BWI

The CLEAR trusted traveler program is expanding to four more airports. (Image: CLEAR)

The CLEAR trusted traveler program is expanding to Atlanta (Image: CLEAR)

In recent airport news, Atlanta gets ready for Clear, and adds electric charging stations; Cathay Pacific relocates its operations at New York JFK; Boston Logan gets another passenger lounge; a vegetarian restaurant debuts at Newark; there’s a new place to gas up your returning rental car at Washington Dulles; and Baltimore/Washington opens a fitness center.

At Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, biometric ID firm Clear is expected to begin operations sometime in the next few weeks, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Delta, which holds an equity stake in Clear, has pledged to expand the service to more of its hub airports, and Atlanta is the biggest. The new Clear lane at ATL will be in the airport’s domestic terminal South, near the entrance to the TSA PreCheck line and close to the Delta check-in area. Clear members pay $179 a year (Delta offers discounted rates to SkyMiles members based on elite status) and can use Clear kiosks to gain expedited access to security checkpoints. Clear has not responded to our requests for more information about Clear lanes coming to LAX and JFK.

Meanwhile, ATL has also unveiled 102 new charging stations for electric vehicles. Scattered around the airport’s parking facilities, the chargers come in two versions: “Level 1 chargers are ideal for longer-term charges, while Level 2 chargers provide a full charge in less time,” the airport said. You can find a full list of charger locations here.

At New York JFK, Cathay Pacific has relocated operations from Terminal 7 to Terminal 8. The airline said the new location will mean “a more seamless travel experience” for customers making connections to or from its Oneworld partner American Airlines. Cathay noted that its first and business class passengers, as well as eligible Marco Polo Club members, will be able to take advantage of American’s premium lounges in T8, including an Admirals Club and a Flagship Lounge.

Newark's new Thyme vegetarian restaurant in Terminal C. (Image: OTG Management)

Newark’s new Thyme vegetarian restaurant in Terminal C. (Image: OTG Management)

Newark Liberty International Airport’s newest dining option is something you rarely if ever see at a major airport: a vegetarian restaurant. Called Thyme, the new facility in United’s Terminal C is overseen by chef Amanda Cohen, who operates a restaurant called Dirt Candy in New York City. Thyme offers a variety of all-vegetarian entrees, with ordering via iPad, as well as beverages that focus on fresh fruits, herbs and spices.

Airport Lounge Development has opened its second passenger lounge at Boston’s airport, The Club at Boston Logan in Terminal E. The company also operates a lounge in Terminal C at BOS. The new Terminal E lounge is open to anyone for a day pass price of $40, and at no charge to members of the Priority Pass, LoungeKey and Lounge Club programs, as well as premium passengers of participating airlines. Amenities include a bar, snacks, Wi-Fi, power plugs, TVs and various reading materials. This summer, the new Boston Logan Club is expected to add another 3,500 square feet with new restrooms, showers, seating for 67 more guests, enhanced food service, a productivity zone for business travelers and a relaxation zone with comfortable seating.

You can gas up and grab a bite at Dulles Airport's huge new Sunoco station. (Image: Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority)

You can gas up and grab a bite at Dulles Airport’s huge new Sunoco station. (Image: Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority)

Returning a rental car at Washington Dulles and you need to fill up the tank? Airport officials just cut the ribbon on a new Sunoco mega-gas station combined with a food and convenience store not far from the car rental lots. Located at 44950 Rudder Road on the way into the airport, the new facility has 28 fueling positions as well as an 8,600 square foot APlus convenience store that includes a Laredo Taco Company dining outlet and a Subway sandwich shop.

Got time for a quick workout at Baltimore/Washington International? A new ROAM Fitness facility has opened post-security in BWI’s new connector linking Concourses D and E. It has free weights, stretching areas, cardio equipment, yoga mats, a pull-up bar and other fitness amenities, including showers. Persons who aren’t carrying their own workout gear can rent it at the facility, including shoes. Admission cost $40 for a day pass, or $175 for a month.

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Is Portland America’s best airport?

Portland PDX

Many reasons to love Portland PDX Airport! But what about ATL, SFO, or… LGA? (Image: Port of Portland)

The nation’s favorite large airport, according to the poll of 39,000 North American travelers? It’s Portland International (PDX), for the second year in a row, scoring 786 on a 1,000-point scale.

In its 11th annual survey of traveler satisfaction with U.S. airports, J.D. Power and Associates found that customers are a little happier overall with the airport experience than they were last year – but the company suggests that may not last, as some facilities are embarking on huge construction projects that will impede passenger access.

Tampa came in second (775) and Las Vegas McCarran ranked third (759). The lowest satisfaction score among the 31 large airports in the study went to New York LaGuardia (649), just below Newark Liberty International (669). Also ranking in the bottom five were Philadelphia, Chicago O’Hare and Boston Logan.

The average score for the group was 724, and San Francisco International barely topped that at 725, while Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson rated 733. Los Angeles International was sixth from the bottom at 702.

Among medium-sized airports, the top three, in descending order, were Indianapolis, Buffalo and Ft. Myers/Southwest Florida. Cleveland Hopkins was dead last with a 704 score, just below Maui’s Kahului and Connecticut’s Bradley International, both at 724; and Oakland International, at 726. Ranking slightly above the median score of 760 were San Jose at 761 and Orange County/John Wayne at 765.

J.D. Power noted that the overall increase in the average satisfaction score — 731 this year vs. 725 in 2015 —came despite increased passenger traffic of 5 to 6 percent nationwide.

Construction of a new, grander LaGuardia Airport is causing headaches for travelers. (Image: New York Governor's Office)

Construction of a new, grander LaGuardia Airport is causing headaches for travelers. (Image: New York Governor’s Office)

But the polling firm warns that passenger satisfaction could be damaged by big construction projects in the works at some major airports. “This heavy construction will make it more difficult for travelers to access the airport and, once there, it will likely make it even more difficult to navigate the crowded terminals,” the company said.

We’ve already seen evidence of problems like this at New York LaGuardia, which has started a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction. Other major infrastructure projects in the works include Los Angeles International and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson. (In fact, J.D. Power noted that passenger satisfaction at ATL dropped nine points in the past year.)

Here are the complete listings:

jdairport1

jdairport2

 

In many cases, it’s more about the airport terminal than the airport overall. For example, the new TBIT International terminal at LAX is awesome, but the rest of the airport leaves a lot to be desired. And anyone who has flown Southwest via SFO’s slouchy (now under renovation) Terminal 1 should know that it’s a far cry from the world class Terminal 2 or United’s nice T3E boarding area. Same goes for JFK- some terminals (like Delta’s new T4) are nice, others not so much.

Readers, do you agree with J.D. Power’s poll results? Which airport do you consider the best or worst, and why? 

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Routes: Delta, United, Alaska, Southwest, Spirit

The interior of Delta's new Airbus A321. (Image; Delta)

The interior of Delta’s new Airbus A321. (Image; Delta)

In domestic route developments, Delta will put new aircraft types on routes to San Francisco, Portland and San Diego; Alaska adds a couple of transcontinental markets; Southwest grows at Austin and Denver; and Spirit jumps into four Ohio-Florida markets.

Delta this year started to take delivery of new Airbus A321s, and according to Routesonline.com, customers in San Francisco and Portland will start to see them in 2017. The site said Delta’s advance schedule shows the new plane being introduced on a few of its many San Francisco-Atlanta flights starting in early March, and replacing the 737-900ER on its Portland-Detroit service starting in June. Delta said the A321s will feature big, pivoting overhead bins; next-generation seats in all three seating categories; large entertainment screens; USB and power ports; and LED lighting that changes with the phase of flight. (The A321 is the plane that seems to be replacing the aging Boeing 757, which is no longer being made.)

Meanwhile, following the recent news that JetBlue plans to extend its front-cabin Mint service onto the New York-San Diego route next August, thepointsguy.com reports that Delta apparently will be putting a 757 with front-cabin lie-flat seats onto one daily flight in the same market effective in June 2017. (Update: Airlineroute.net tells us that Delta had this aircraft on a SAN-JFK flight this past summer as well.) It’s the same aircraft type Delta uses for the lucrative JFK-San Francisco/Los Angeles routes. JetBlue has embarked on a long-term expansion of Mint service onto more transcon routes. Similarly, United has deployed a couple widebody B777-200s on SFO-BOS (but with standard first, not lie-flat) to take on JetBlue’s Mint expansion.

screen-shot-2016-11-16-at-10-49-35-am

Alaska Airlines 737 New Livery

Alaska Airlines is adding more transcontinental flights. (Image: Alaska Air)

Speaking of San Diego and transcontinental routes, Alaska Airlines just announced a new one: The carrier said it will begin daily roundtrips between San Diego and Baltimore/Washington International starting March 15. The eastbound leg will be a red-eye. Alaska already flies to BWI from Los Angeles and Seattle, and its other San Diego transcons include Boston, Orlando, and new service to Newark starting next week. Last week, Alaska also kicked off a new daily roundtrip between Portland and Newark. Next spring, Alaska will start San Jose-Newark service as well. In other news, Alaska just began weekly seasonal service on Saturdays between Bellingham, Washington and Kona, Hawaii.

Southwest Airlines will begin new service on March 13 linking Kansas City with Austin, offering one daily roundtrip. Southwest also plans to expand its limited service between Denver and Albany, N.Y. The airline currently flies that route on weekends only, and just on a seasonal basis, but on April 25 it will make Denver-Albany a year-round route with daily flights.

Spirit Airlines has added Ohio’s Akron-Canton Airport as the newest dot on its route map. Last week, Spirit launched daily flights from Akron-Canton to Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale and Ft. Myers. The Tampa and Ft. Myers routes will be seasonal only. Next spring, Spirit will add seasonal flights from Akron-Canton to Myrtle Beach and year-round service to Las Vegas.

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CLEAR lanes coming to ATL, LAX, NYC

The CLEAR trusted traveler program is expanding to four more airports. (Image: CLEAR)

The CLEAR trusted traveler program is expanding to four more airports. (Image: CLEAR)

CLEAR, the members-only organization that lets you bypass those long security lines and go right into screening, will soon be available in four more major airports.

In an email to members,  company said that it plans to open new CLEAR lanes at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Los Angeles International, New York LaGuardia and New York JFK. It did not say exactly when it would appear in those airports – just that “We will be sharing launch dates in the coming weeks.” What’s also not clear (couldn’t help myself!) is whether CLEAR will only operate at Delta terminals at LAX and NYC or if it will be in multiple terminals as at SFO.

CLEAR already has airport lanes at Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston Bush Intercontinental, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and both Washington D.C. airports. You can look up exact CLEAR locations here.

CLEAR's new logo

CLEAR’s new logo

Earlier this year, Delta acquired an equity stake in CLEAR, and since then the company has been expected to open new facilities at the carrier’s primary airports – and the four new ones certainly fill that bill.

Standard membership in CLEAR costs $179 a year, but Delta’s involvement in the company has brought discounts for SkyMiles members based on their elite status. Membership is free for Diamond Medallions, and just $79 a year for Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallions. Non-elite SkyMiles members are eligible for a $99 CLEAR annual membership.

CLEAR gives members biometric-based IDs that let them access priority lanes for security screening. That gets them quickly into the regular screening process — or even into PreCheck for eligible flights, if they are a member of that TSA trusted traveler program. With regular PreCheck lines getting longer at some airports as TSA continues to push for greatly expanded traveler participation in that program, CLEAR might be a better way to go if it’s available at your preferred airports. (It’s definitely save me a few hundred dollars in flight change fees when I’ve been late to the airport, or been surprised by super-long lines.)

Have you used CLEAR or do you plan to now that it’s hitting critical mass in terms of key airports? Please leave your comments below. 

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Deal Alert: Transcon fares plummet in December

Smaller airlines are concerned that they can't gain access to New York's airports. (Image: Jim Glab)

Low fares but high hotel prices in NYC this December (Image: Jim Glab)

Looking for a nice, easy trip during one of the slowest travel periods of the year? Maybe you are taking a mileage run? Then take a look at these fares for transcontinental trips (East, West coasts & Florida) during the first two weeks of December. 

Starting on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (Nov 29) and running up until the Christmas holiday peak, fares are just $267 round trip on all carriers flying between San Francisco and New York City.

Fares are slightly higher at around $285 round trip between Los Angeles LAX and New York City, too. Any time I see a California-New York nonstops drop below $300 I know I’ve got a great deal on my hands.

And it’s not just California– lowest fares are running at about $282 between Seattle and New York, too on Delta, Alaska and JetBlue.

Google flights for trips Dec 5-Dec 12

Google Flights for SFO-JFK trips Dec 5-Dec 12

Caveat: Early December may be a cheap time to fly to NYC, but it’s not a cheap time to stay in a hotel there… those first few weeks of December when the first flurries fall and 5th Avenue gets all decked out in holiday splendor are super expensive at hotels. On early December weekends it’s tough to find a decent hotel for less than $500 per night. But everyone has a friend with a sofa-bed in NYC to stay with, right? 🙂

And for New Yorkers headed west, December is a fabulous and festive time to be in Wine Country. And in LA and SoCal, you can still go to the beach.

Delta SkyClub

Fly California to Atlanta to see Delta’s new Sky Club on Concourse B for less than $300 round trip (Photo: Chris Rank, Rank Studios)

SFO-Atlanta is super cheap in December, too. I’m looking at just $248 round trip on United’s ATL-SFO nonstops. Delta’s are higher, but still a bargain at about $313. If you are willing to chance it with Frontier on ATL-SFO, you can go for $197 roundtrip, but you’ll pay dearly for extras like checked bags.

And hold on… are you ready for it? You can fly nonstop between LAX and Atlanta during December for just $192 roundtrip on American! Delta is slightly higher at around $260 round trip.

screen-shot-2016-11-02-at-4-07-59-pm

Super low fares on ATL-LAX in December! Source: Google Flights

From LAX there’s even more! Check Google flights on LAX-Ft Lauderdale or LAX-Orlando and you’ll find roundtrip fares in the $200 (or less!) range. Vamos! 

NOTE: These fares are available on Google Flights Wednesday, Nov 2 and subject to change.

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New hotels: Minneapolis, Chicago, Silicon Valley, Nashville, Atlanta

A guest room at the Radisson Red in Minneapolis. (Image: Radisson)

A guest room at the Radisson Red in Minneapolis. (Image: Radisson)

Recent U.S. business hotel openings include a pair of properties in Minneapolis, and another pair in Nashville; a dual-branded hotel in Chicago; big Bay Area/Silicon Valley hotel re-flags, and a new Marriott brand in Atlanta.

In Minneapolis, Radisson has set a November 16 opening for the first U.S. location of its new Radisson Red brand. The Radisson Red Minneapolis Downtown is a new build at 609 Third Street South, part of the Minneapolis Downtown East mixed-use development; it’s linked to the Wells Fargo Office Tower and the new U.S. Bank Stadium via the city’s skyway system. The hotel has 164 rooms (Radisson Red calls them studios) with free high-speed Wi-Fi. Its OUIBar + KTCHN focuses on locally sourced cuisine and craft beverages. And it offers a fitness center plus a 1,000 square foot “Events & Games Studio” for activities that can liven up meetings. Radisson is offering triple Gold Points for stays through February. Rates start at $139.

A King room at Marriott's new AC Hotel in Minneapolis. (Image: Marriott)

A King room at Marriott’s new AC Hotel in Minneapolis. (Image: Marriott)

Another newly built, newly opened property in Minneapolis is Marriott’s AC Hotel, part of a fast- growing new Marriott group with a style that reflects AC’s European origins. It’s located on Hennepin Avenue at S. Fourth Street, across from the city’s main library. The property is connected to the skyway system and to the Midtown Parking Garage. Its 245 rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and smart TVs that can stream Netflix, Hulu and other services; and the hotel has several conference rooms and a fitness room. There’s no full-service restaurant; the AC Kitchen serves breakfast only, and the AC Lounge offers drinks and tapas plates in the evening. Marriott Rewards advance purchase rates start at $149.

Accommodations at Hilton's new Hampton Inn in Chicago's West Loop. (Image: Hilton)

Accommodations at Hilton’s new Hampton Inn in Chicago’s West Loop. (Image: Hilton)

In downtown Chicago, Hilton has cut the ribbon on a dual-branded hotel in the West Loop neighborhood. With a combined total of 336 rooms, the Hampton Inn by Hilton Chicago Downtown West Loop and the Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown West Loop are at 116-118 N. Jefferson, between Randolph and Washington. That’s about halfway between the river and I-90, two blocks west of the Boeing headquarters. The Hampton Inn offers a daily hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour business center and a fitness center. The Homewood Suites has all-suite guest accommodations; each unit comes with a fully equipped kitchen and separate living and sleeping areas. There’s a hot breakfast buffet, evening social, free Wi-Fi and grocery shopping service. HHonors advance purchase rates start at $90 at both properties.

Lobby of the Pullman San Francisco Bay hotel (Image: Accor Hotels)

Lobby of the Pullman San Francisco Bay hotel (Image: Accor Hotels)

The big Sofitel located along Highway 101 and the shores on San Francisco Bay just south of the SFO near Redwood City is not new, but has a new name. It’s now the Pullman San Francisco Bay Hotel— still part of Accor, but likely a brand many Americans have not heard of. The only other Pullman hotel in the US is located in Miami. Have you stayed at a Pullman? What makes it different than a Sofitel? Its website states: “Today Pullman appeals to the new generation of professional travelers, the Pullman global nomads, and captures the significance of each moment and their pursuit of a work-life blend.” Rooms start at around $300 per night.

A room at the new Thompson Nashville. (Image: Thompson Hotels)

A room at the new Thompson Nashville. (Image: Thompson Hotels)

Thompson Hotels, known for its luxury boutique properties, has opened its newest U.S. location in Nashville. It’s at 401 11th Avenue South, in a trendy area called The Gulch where former industrial buildings have been transformed into commercial ventures. The hotel is on the same block as a popular music venue called The Station Inn. Dining options at The Thompson Nashville include a southern/seafood restaurant called The Marsh House; a bar and small-plate venue called L.A. Jackson; and Killebrew, serving coffee, breakfast sandwiches and grab-and-go lunch fare. The 12-story, 224-room Thompson ties into the local music culture with things like a classic jukebox in the lobby and vinyl records for sale in the minibars. Introductory rates start at $247.

The Westin Nashville is in the heart of downtown. (Image: Westin)

The Westin Nashville is in the heart of downtown. (Image: Westin)

Nashville’s other new hotel is the 27-story, 453-room Westin Nashville, at 807 Clark Place in the heart of the city, close to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium and other attractions. The hotel has a rooftop pool and bar called L27 with daily live entertainment; a spa with nine treatment rooms; a casual lobby eatery called Decker & Dyer and a fancier venue called Oak Steakhouse Nashville. The Westin also has a dozen meeting rooms. Guests can use the WestinWorkout fitness studio or take advantage of the hotel’s suggested three- and five-mile jogging routes. Rates begin at $279.

Marriott's new AC Hotel in Atlanta's Buckhead district. (Image: Marriott)

Marriott’s new AC Hotel in Atlanta’s Buckhead district. (Image: Marriott)

In addition to its new AC Hotel in Minneapolis, Marriott has also cut the ribbon on an AC in Atlanta. The 166-room AC Hotel Atlanta Buckhead at Phipps Plaza, located at 3600 Wieuca Road Northeast, is the first new hotel in the city’s Buckhead district in eight years. Like other ACs, it lacks a full-service restaurant, but offers the AC Kitchen for breakfast and the AC lounge for drinks and evening small plate dining. Plus there is plenty to eat at the nearby Phipps Plaza or Lenox Square malls. There’s also an AC Library and a 24-hour fitness center with a heated indoor whirlpool. Marriott Rewards advance purchase rates start at $211.

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Routes: Delta, ANA, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, JetBlue, Alaska

Delta and ANA have shifted routes from Narita to Tokyo's close-in Haneda Airport. (Image: Haneda Airport)

Delta and ANA have shifted routes from Narita to Tokyo’s close-in Haneda Airport. (Image: Haneda Airport)

In international route news, Delta shifts a pair of Tokyo routes to a new airport and ANA does the same; Delta and Virgin Atlantic expand code-sharing to India with Jet Airways, and Delta drops a couple of Italy routes; British Airways adds a U.S. gateway – but not from Heathrow; JetBlue sets the launch dates for its new Havana service; and Alaska postpones the start of its new Cuba route.

New rights to fly to/from Tokyo’s close-in Haneda Airport took effect over the past weekend, resulting in some route changes at Delta and at Japan’s All Nippon Airways. Delta has started its new nonstops from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Tokyo Haneda, which replaces its MSP-Narita service; Delta also shifted its Los Angeles-Tokyo flights from Narita to Haneda (and earlier this month, Delta dropped its New York JFK-Narita route as well). Delta still flies to Narita from Seattle, Portland, Detroit and Atlanta.

ANA, meanwhile, has shifted its New York JFK and Chicago O’Hare routes from Tokyo Narita to Haneda.

Delta's code-sharing with India's Jet Airways is expanding to London and to Virgin Atlantic. (Image: delta)

Delta’s code-sharing with India’s Jet Airways is expanding to London and to Virgin Atlantic. (Image: Delta)

Across the Atlantic, Delta and partner Virgin Atlantic announced an expansion of Delta’s code-sharing partnership with India’s Jet Airways, which is currently available for connections to India via Paris and Amsterdam. Starting November 2, passengers on Delta and Virgin Atlantic flights into London Heathrow will be able to connect onto Delta code-shares operated by Jet Airways to Mumbai and Delhi, and beyond to 20 domestic destinations in India.

In other transatlantic news, for 2017 Delta will no longer offer summer seasonal service from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Rome or from New York JFK to Pisa; both routes had been planned to launch May 25. And to South America, Delta has just switched aircraft on its Atlanta-Buenos Aires route from a 767 to an A330-300, providing a 20 percent increase in the number of seats it flies.

British Airways next summer will add a new Florida route. The carrier said that starting July 6, it will fly to Ft. Lauderdale four days a week during summer and three days a week the rest of the year. But it will fly the route out of London Gatwick, not Heathrow. BA will use a 777-200 on the route, which will be its fourth into Florida.

Havana

Refrigerator magnets from a recent trip to Havana (Chris McGinnis)

JetBlue is the latest U.S. carrier to announce the starting dates for new service into Havana. JetBlue, which won rights for three routes into the Cuban capital, said it will begin daily roundtrips out of its New York JFK base on November 28; daily flights from Orlando on November 29; and daily service out of Ft. Lauderdale starting November 30 (increasing to twice a day December 1)

Alaska Airlines, meanwhile, has pushed back the start of its single new Havana route. The carrier had planned to start Los Angeles-Havana service on November 29, but now won’t begin flying the route until January 5.

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Airport news: San Francisco, Atlanta, Newark, Philadelphia

San Francisco's Terminal 1 overhaul is leading to some closures. (Image: San Francisco International Airport)

San Francisco’s Terminal 1 overhaul is leading to some closures. (Image: San Francisco International Airport)

In the latest airport developments, San Francisco warns travelers about some upcoming closures; Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson starts work on a major project; an international carrier opens a lounge at Newark Liberty International; and American will adjust its presence at its Philadelphia hub.

At San Francisco International, officials are advising travelers that due to ongoing renovation work in Terminal 1, some facilities and areas there will be closed in the days ahead, possibly resulting in some inconvenience or congestion. On Monday (October 24), the connecting walkway linking Terminal 1 and International Boarding Area A will be closed, so passengers will have to use AirTrain to transfer between those points. Also, the Southwest Airlines ticket counters will move to a new location closer to Delta and Frontier. On the arrivals level, October 21 is the starting date for closure of the traffic lane closest to Terminal 1 from Doors 1 through 10; and on the departures level, closure of the lane closest to Terminal 1 from Doors 1 through 5 starts October 28. Click here to see details and suggested tips for affected passengers. The airport has created a cool video simulation of the reconstruction process for T1. Worth a look but turn down the volume to avoid the Game of Thrones-like soundtrack 😉

Atlanta, ATL canopy

A dramatic new canopy and a new tunnel are part of Atlanta Airports $20 billion in improvements (Photo: ATL)

Preparatory work has begun at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson for the installation of those massive overhead glass canopies above the pickup and drop-off areas outside the domestic terminal. It’s one of the most visible parts of the airport’s ongoing $6 billion expansion and renovation project. The initial stage of the canopy project – construction of the foundations — has led to some lane closures in the area around the terminal. The closures started earlier this month for shuttle and commercial vehicle pick-ups and drop-offs in the outer lanes of Terminal North, and similar closures will begin October 30 at Terminal South.  Airport officials are advising travelers to build in extra time if they’re going into those areas.

Air Canada opened a Maple Leaf Lounge at Newark. (Image: Air Canada)

Air Canada opened a Maple Leaf Lounge at Newark. (Image: Air Canada)

At Newark Liberty International, Air Canada has opened a new Maple Leaf Lounge for premium passengers near its departure gates in Terminal A, beyond the security checkpoint. The facility offers free Wi-Fi, refreshments, and work areas that include free printing. Air Canada operates up to 23 flights a day from Newark (including United code-shares), serving Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. The airline said it will open a new Maple Leaf Lounge in Montreal next month, and an expanded facility in Vancouver next summer.

American Airlines inherited a hub at Philadelphia International from its merger with US Airways, and it is planning some changes to its operations there in the months ahead. On January 1, American will consolidate its arrival and departure banks – scheduled to maximize connections – from eight a day to six. This will mean rescheduling of flight times in many cases, so if you’re a regular PHL traveler, check AA’s schedules.  The airline also reportedly plans to reduce the number of flights it operates at Philadelphia, although in some cases it will switch from smaller to larger aircraft to minimize the impact on passenger capacity.

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Airlines start rolling out Havana schedules, fares

Cuba cars

Vintage cars serve as tourist taxis in Havana’s Plaza de la Revolucion (Chris McGinnis)

One Caribbean capital is about to experience what could be the biggest influx of new airline service from the U.S. of all times. In early July, the Transportation Department approved routes to Havana, Cuba for several U.S. airlines. Those route awards were finalized in late August, and airlines have started to announce their inaugural service dates for late fall and winter. Some are still subject to Cuban government approvals.

Alaska Airlines, which will have the only non-stop service to Havana from the West Coast, has set a January 5 start for its new Los Angeles-Havana flights, which will depart LAX at 8:50 a.m. The flight will originate in Seattle. Roundtrip fares from LAX start at $490.

Because the purpose of a traveler’s visit must fall within one of a dozen specific categories, and other formalities and requirements must be met, Alaska has posted  a handy blog page with details for customers to know before they book their flight. Alaska said it is working with Cuba Travel Services to help customers obtain visas, accommodations and ground transportation at the destination.

Here is a link to the U.S. government’s official restrictions on travel to Cuba; scroll down to Page 10 to find specifics of the 12 categories of travel.

Havana nonstops

Nonstops to Havana from U.S. airlines. (Image: Great Circle Mapper)

Delta has targeted December 1 for the launch of daily flights to Havana from Miami and New York JFK along with one-stop service from Atlanta. For travel in February, we found roundtrip fares starting at $200 from Miami, $410 from JFK and $452 from Atlanta.

United Airlines has set a November 29 start for daily non-stops from Newark to Havana, followed on December 3 by weekly Saturday service from Houston Bush Intercontinental to the Cuban capital. Fares in January start at $413 roundtrip from Newark and $513 from Houston.

November 30 is the target date for American Airlines’ new daily flight to Havana from its Charlotte hub. American was also awarded rights for four daily roundtrips from Miami, although it hasn’t yet announced a starting date for those. January roundtrip fares start at $421 from Charlotte.

Shave in Cuba

Chris getting a shave in Cienfuegos, Cuba in May 2016

Frontier Airlines on December 1 is expected to start daily service from Miami to Havana, and will offer connections to that flight from Denver and Las Vegas.

Other new Havana routes expected to start in the next few months include JetBlue service from JFK, Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando; Southwest Airlines flights from Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa; and Spirit Airlines from Ft. Lauderdale. Several airlines have already started or are about to launch service on routes to secondary cities and beach resorts in Cuba; those routes were awarded earlier.

Don’t miss out on these popular TravelSkills posts! Kicking support animals off planes | Shocked passenger refuses to pay $3 for water | Marriott-Starwood: Higher prices, better rewards | The 10,000 points question! | Eye-catching maps explain state of the world | Test your planespotting skills! )

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5 airports with best/worst cell phone reception

Southwest at Oakland

A study finds Oakland International has the nation’s best cell phone service. (Image: Oakland Airport)

Although Los Angeles International is one of the busiest airports in the nation, a new study of cell phone service quality at the 50 top U.S. airports in passenger volume finds that LAX ranks dead last. By contrast, Oakland International ranked number one. (See rankings below)

When it comes to carriers, Verizon ranked highest, AT&T came in second. T-Mobile ranked third and Sprint came in last place.

RootMetrics collected data on data speeds and connection reliability for the four major network carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint) by sending testers equipped with off-the-shelf smartphones to all 50 airports. Results vary not only by airport, but by carrier as well, so the company compiles overall composite scores for each facility.

The company carries out these surveys twice a year, and the results show significant changes. For instance, in the second half of 2015, Oakland ranked 33rd overall and now ranks first. Milwaukee’s General Mitchell Airport jumped from 16th place last year to second place today, and California’s Orange County Airport rose from 35th to fourth place in the rankings.

BEST

Cell phone reception

And Los Angeles? “Due to very slow speeds and shaky reliability, LAX has routinely appeared in the bottom five. This time, LAX placed dead last for the same reasons. It’s not necessarily a surprise, though, given the fastest median download speed we recorded at LAX was 88.0 Mbps slower than that of our #1 finisher,” RootMetrics said.

What does that difference mean in practical terms? Say you want to download an HD episode of a 45-minute TV program, which takes up 600 MB. RootMetrics said that if you were at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson (which ranked sixth overall) and used AT&T (with a median download speed of 40.4 Mbps at that airport), it would take 2.0 minutes. By contrast, a Verizon user at LAX (median download speed 0.5 Mbps) would take more than two and a half hours to do the same thing.

You can read the full report here, including a comparison of the overall performance of the four network carriers; the full rankings of all 50 airports; and an interactive feature that lets you compare median download speeds and connectivity rates for the four carriers at Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Ft. Worth and New York JFK.

Airports in the top 10 in addition to those mentioned above include Southwest Florida International in Ft. Myers (3rd), Boston Logan (5th), Indianapolis (7th), Sacramento (8th), Dallas Love Field (9th) and Chicago Midway (10th).  Among very large airports, Newark was in 11th place, O’Hare 14th, San Francisco 19th, Miami 24th, DFW 25th, JFK 29th, and LaGuardia 40th.

Worst

screen-shot-2016-09-22-at-10-17-30-am

 Readers: Do you run into issues with cell phone reception at airports? Which carrier do you use and why? 

Don’t miss out on these popular TravelSkills posts! Shocked passenger refuses to pay $3 for water | More Delta SkyMiles for Asian trips | Tips from a Hawaiian Vacation | JetBlue-Delta slugfest means lower fares | Test your planespotting skills! )

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Airport news: Inside newest Delta SkyClub + Phoenix, Seattle, Boston, LAX

Delta SkyClub

An exclusive preview party for Delta’s newest, and second largest SkyClub (Photo: Delta / Flickr)

In airport news this week, Delta opens its newest SkyClub, ride-hailing service passenger pick-ups will soon be legal at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson; Phoenix travelers should be prepared for flight delays in October; more gates will be added at Seattle-Tacoma; American will consolidate its gates at Boston Logan; and Alaska Airlines tests a new baggage procedure at Los Angeles International.

Delta hosted a special preview this week of its newest SkyClub located in a dedicated space on the top of Concourse B at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson. Delta is calling the new SkyClub its “flagship” lounge, which is the second largest in its system behind the one at New York-JFK. The carrier says that the new $24 million, 25,000-square-foot, 500-seat space follows the airline’s strategy of “giving each new club a sense of place.” It features locally sourced fare, craft beer from Georgia breweries, artwork from seven Atlanta galleries and other local artists. Its modern design features “tiered ceilings bracketed by massive windows to let in the Southern sun and afford views of downtown,” but alas no outdoor space like you get out at the Concourse F (Int’l) club. It is located at the center of the concourse, adjacent to Gate B18 and opens to the public on Sept 23. Delta’s two other SkyClubs on the concourse will close.  Next up for Delta SkyClubs is a new opening in Seattle expected in late October or November. See this video from the ATL preview party. More details from the Delta News Hub here.

Also at ATL… Some UberX and Lyft drivers have been picking up passengers for months at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, but they have to try to avoid enforcement officers, since what they are doing is technically illegal. But that will soon change: The Atlanta City Council this week approved a measure that will make passenger pick-ups at ATL legal beginning January 1. The measure will add a $3.85 fee to the passenger’s fare for airport pick-ups. ATL is the largest airport in the nation that doesn’t yet allow legal ride-hailing service.

Travelers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International are being advised to expect delays during the coming month due to runway improvement projects. Officials said the airport’s north runway – one of three at the facility – will be closed from Thursday, October 6 through Sunday, November 6. “Arrival and departure delays of up to 30 minutes are possible during peak travel times: 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m. and 5 p.m.-8 p.m.,” the airport said. It advised passengers to check flight status before coming to the airport.

Sea-Tac's North Satellite will get eight more gates. (Image: Port of Seattle)

Sea-Tac’s North Satellite will get eight more gates. (Image: Port of Seattle)

The Port of Seattle’s governing body has approved final plans for an expansion of Seattle-Tacoma International’s North Satellite terminal, which is used by Alaska Airlines. The project will add eight gates to the terminal, with construction starting early in 2017 and completion expected in 2019. According to the Seattle Times, the project will also expand Alaska Airlines’ lounge on the terminal’s upper floor to 14,485 square feet, and will bring 3,000 square feet of retail and food and beverage concessions to the space. Alaska will continue to use concourses C and D as well. SEA is also building a new international arrivals terminal due to debut in 2019. Passenger numbers at SEA this year are running 10 percent ahead of last year, and 2015 passenger numbers posted 13 percent growth over 2014.

Big changes are coming to Boston Logan’s Terminal B. The Massachusetts Port Authority said an improvement project will consolidate all American Airlines gates from two different locations in Terminal B to 18 contiguous gates on the side of the terminal formerly occupied by US Airways. Also, the three existing security checkpoints on that side of Terminal B will be consolidated into one checkpoint. The project will also bring expanded ticketing/kiosk areas, improvements to the baggage handling space, and reconfigured concessions. Overall, the effort will add 75,000 square feet of passenger space, Massport said, adding that once the project is finished, Southwest Airlines will move from Terminal A into the former American Airlines gates in Terminal B.

Alaska Airlines is testing self-service bag drops at LAX. (Image: Alaska Airlines)

Alaska Airlines is testing self-service bag drops at LAX. (Image: Alaska Airlines)

At Los Angeles International, Alaska Airlines has started testing self-service baggage drops for passengers. Customers participating in the test – which runs through November 10 — will check in online, by mobile app or at an airport kiosk; they can print a bag tag at home or at an airport kiosk. Then they’ll show an ID to a customer service agent and use one of the six new bag-drop lanes to deposit their luggage. Touch screens will walk customers through the process. “This technology will allow customer service agents to interact more with customers one-on-one in the lobby while having the machines complete the technical work of dropping the bags,” an Alaska official said.

Don’t miss out on these popular TravelSkills posts! Shocked passenger refuses to pay $3 for water | More Delta SkyMiles for Asian trips | Tips from a Hawaiian Vacation | JetBlue-Delta slugfest means lower fares | Test your planespotting skills! )

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Airport news: LaGuardia, Atlanta, Heathrow, Chicago Midway, Nashville

Construction of a new, grander LaGuardia Airport is causing headaches for travelers. (Image: New York Governor's Office)

Construction of a new, grander LaGuardia Airport is causing headaches for travelers. (Image: New York Governor’s Office)

In the latest airport developments, construction at LaGuardia is causing headaches for travelers; Delta consolidates its operations at London Heathrow; Atlanta’s new tunnel, Chicago Midway makes life easier for international travelers; and big upgrades are coming to Nashville.

Construction has finally started on the massive reconstruction of New York’s LaGuardia Airport – a multi-billion-dollar, multi-year effort – and The New York Times is reporting that it is not going smoothly. It said that the beginning of construction has led to massive traffic tie-ups for vehicles approaching the terminals, with travelers sometimes abandoning their rides and walking through the traffic jams to make it to the terminals. Travelers are being advised to plan on arriving at the airport at least two and a half hours before their scheduled departure time. “Such traffic debacles have become so common that seasoned fliers and travel bloggers have recommended avoiding LaGuardia altogether, perhaps for years to come,” the newspaper said.

Delta is moving all its London Heathrow departures to Terminal 3. (Image: Heathrow Airport)

Delta is moving all its London Heathrow departures to Terminal 3. (Image: Heathrow Airport)

Delta is making a big move at London Heathrow on September 14, consolidating all of its departures in Terminal 3. Delta flights to Boston, JFK and Seattle already fly out of T3; joining them on the 14th will be flights to Atlanta, Philadelphia, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City, which now depart from Terminal 4. Delta said it is making the move so that its own flights and those of its joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic are all under the same roof. However, Terminal 4 remains the base of operations at Heathrow for Delta’s SkyTeam global alliance partners.

Atlanta, ATL canopy

A dramatic new canopy and a new tunnel are part of Atlanta Airports $6 billion in improvements (Photo: ATL)

Atlanta airport officials have announced that a new “plane train” project will extend the airport’s underground train line west from its current endpoint under the main domestic terminal to the ground transportation/car rental train/MARTA station area. It will involve construction of a 600-foot tunnel, plus evacuation stairways and other equipment. Earlier this year, the airport announced $6 billion in upgrades over the next two decades, including eye-catching, translucent canopies outside the domestic terminal.

Citing a big increase in routes to Canada and Mexico from Midway Airport in recent years, the Chicago Department of Aviation said it has upgraded and expanded the availability of self-service Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks at the airport. Besides increasing the number of kiosks from six to 10, the devices have been enhanced with fingerprint readers, light bars and more language options. The Midway APC kiosks can be used by Canadian as well as U.S. passport holders. Midway’s Federal Inspection Service area has also added a Global Entry kiosk for members of Customs & Border Protection’s trusted traveler program.

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Nashville Airport will spend $1 billion on terminal expansion and other improvements. (Image: Nashville Airport Authority)

Nashville Airport will spend $1 billion on terminal expansion and other improvements. (Image: Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority)

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has taken the wraps off a billion-dollar capital improvements program for the Tennessee airport. The project – estimated to take five to seven years to complete – includes construction of a new parking garage and an International Arrivals Building, both due for completion by 2018; expansion of the ticketing and baggage claim areas; adding more gates and passenger concessions to Concourses B and D; and building a spacious central entrance hall to be called the Grand Ole Lobby. The long-term plan also envisions the eventual construction of a 200 to 300-room hotel at the airport, and the addition of a “multi-modal connector to link BNA to a future Nashville transit system.”

Don’t miss out on these popular TravelSkills posts! Shocked passenger refuses to pay $3 for water | More Delta SkyMiles for Asian trips | Tips from a Hawaiian Vacation | JetBlue-Delta slugfest means lower fares | Test your planespotting skills! )

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What Delta, Korean Air fence-mending means for SkyMiles

Korean Air KAL 747 747-8

Soon it will be much easier to earn Delta SkyMiles on Korean Air flights like the new 747-8 flying SFO-Seoul (Image: Korean Air)

Delta frequent flyers will get a lot more opportunities to earn and burn Delta SkyMiles on trips to Asia starting later this year. The carrier is planning a big expansion of its code-sharing partnership with Korean Air, followed next year by the addition of a new Delta flight from Atlanta to Seoul Incheon.

This is great news for flyers affected by the previously chilly relationship between the two SkyTeam partners which greatly diluted (or eliminated) the ability to earn Delta SkyMiles (including MQMs) when flying Korean Air. When Delta places its code on Korean Air flights, you buy the ticket from Delta, which means that you earn SkyMiles just like any other Delta flight. But when you get to the airport, you board a Korean Air flight.

Delta and Korean Air have been partners in the SkyTeam global alliance since it was founded 20 years ago. But that partnership got a little rocky in recent years when the two carriers could not agree on a potential joint venture.

With the big code-share expansion, subject to government approvals, Delta’s code will go onto Korean’s flights from San Francisco and Houston to Seoul, and on Korean Air flights beyond Seoul to 32 Asia destinations including Taipei, Osaka, Singapore, Nagoya, Okinawa and others.  Korean will put its code onto Delta’s new Atlanta-Seoul flights and on Delta flights beyond Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York to 115 destinations in the U.S. and Canada.

Related: Trip Report- Korean Air Boeing 747-8 SFO-Seoul

The Delta-KAL codeshare lets you buy a ticket from Delta, but fly KAL (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

The Delta-KAL codeshare lets you buy a ticket from Delta, but fly on KAL metal (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

“Combined, Delta and Korean will offer round-trip connectivity to 142 destinations in the Americas and 33 destinations across Asia between their joint Atlanta-Seoul schedules,” the airlines said.

Delta said its new ATL-Seoul flight — set to launch on June 3 of next year using a 291-seat 777-200LR – will complement Korean Air’s existing daily service in the market. The flight will have 37 Delta One seats, 36 in Delta Comfort and 218 regular economy seats. Korean’s ATL-Seoul flight uses a 777-300ER with eight seats in First Class, 42 in Prestige business class and 227 in economy. The Delta flight will depart Atlanta at 1:05 p.m.; Korean’s flight leaves Atlanta at 12:20 p.m.

If you had to chose Delta or KAL to fly to Asia, which would you pick? Why? Please leave your comments below. 

(We’re back from summer vacation! In case you missed our other recent round-up posts, here they are: Domestic Routes Roundup | Tips from a Hawaiian Vacation | August’s most important travel news)

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JetBlue, Delta slugfest could mean lower fares

JetBlue and Delta are adding new flights out of Boston as JetBlue invades the Boston-Atlanta market. (Image: Jim Glab)

JetBlue and Delta are adding new flights out of Boston as JetBlue invades the Boston-Atlanta market. (Image: Jim Glab)

Delta Air Lines, already embroiled in a tough struggle for market dominance with Alaska Airlines at Seattle, is now facing a new battle in the Northeast.

Just a few weeks after Delta announced plans for a significant increase of service out of Boston next year, JetBlue has unveiled its own strategy to keep ahead of competitors in that city with route expansions of its own. And part of JetBlue’s plan includes a strike into Delta’s base, by launching several flights a day between Boston and Atlanta. JetBlue served Atlanta back in 2003 with nonstops to New York-JFK and Long Beach, but only for a few short months.

JetBlue said that on March 30 it will start flying five times a day between Boston and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, a route dominated by Delta and Southwest, with a few Spirit Airlines flights as well. What’s more, “In addition to Boston-Atlanta flights, JetBlue also intends to add service between Atlanta and its focus cities of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, New York JFK, and Orlando,” the company said.

In a challenge to Delta’s (and American’s) Shuttle service in the northeast, JetBlue had earlier announced plans to start flying between Boston and New York LaGuardia on October 31 of this year, with six flights a day on weekdays. JetBlue already serves the Boston-New York JFK and Boston-Newark markets.

JetBlue A321

More JetBlue A321 with posh Mint class coming soon to SFO-BOS (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Delta’s announcement last month noted that it will resume Boston-San Francisco service, with two daily 757-200 flights, starting June 8; and will boost its Boston-Seattle schedule from one flight a day to two. JetBlue responded this week with a plan to add a fourth daily Mint-equipped roundtrip to its SFO-Boston schedule starting next July. The airline noted that its existing three daily BOS-SFO flights will all have Mint service by September 21 of this year, as will all its Boston-Los Angeles flights by November 18.

The addition of two SFO-BOS flights a day by Delta and a fourth by JetBlue could mean lower fares for travelers in a market where United and Virgin America are competing as well.

JetBlue

Economy Class on JetBlue (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Delta said it will also begin Boston-Nashville service, add a second daily Boston-Milwaukee flight, and begin weekly service from BOS to Montego Bay, Jamaica; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and St. Thomas, USVI. In response, JetBlue said its existing seasonal service from Boston to St. Thomas and Montego Bay will be extended to year-round operations.

Delta said that by next June, its increased schedule will give it 90 flights a day out of Boston to 26 destinations. That will leave it well behind JetBlue, which currently has 140 weekday departures from Boston, and plans to increase that to 200 flights a day to 63 destinations.

If you could choose between JetBlue and Delta, which way would you go? Please leave your comments below. 

(We’re back from summer vacation! In case you missed our other recent round-up posts, here they are: Domestic Routes Roundup | Tips from a Hawaiian Vacation | August’s most important travel news)

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Routes: LAX-Paris for $446 + Atlanta, San Francisco, Dallas, New York

Norwegian started new 787 flights from LAX and New York to Paris. (Image: Norwegian)

Norwegian started new 787 flights from LAX and New York to Paris. (Image: Norwegian)

In international route news, a low-cost airline launches a pair of new transatlantic routes; Delta will beef up Atlanta-London service; San Francisco attracts a Mexican airline; and Emirates and Etihad reshuffle their U.S. A380 plans.

European low-cost specialist Norwegian this week kicks off its newest transatlantic routes, beginning service to Paris Charles de Gaulle from New York and Los Angeles with two-class 787s. The carrier’s schedule calls for twice-weekly flights from LAX and four flights a week from New York JFK. When we checked Norwegian’s website, we found low-season (i.e. December) roundtrip no-frills fares as low as $446 from Los Angeles and $396 from New York. This comes on the heels of Air France warning about its concerns about France as a destination.

Related: Norwegian Air- low fares, low frills

According to Routesonline.com, Delta will adjust its Atlanta-London schedule next spring along with partner Virgin Atlantic. Effective May 25, Delta is due to restore a third daily ATL-London departure, while Virgin will scale back from two flights a day to one. Meanwhile, Delta is also planning to end its seasonal  Pittsburgh-Paris CDG service at the end of September, a month earlier than previously planned. The carrier will cut back frequencies in early September from daily departures to five a week.

Mexico's Volaris will start San Francisco-Mexico City flights this fall. (Image: Volaris)

Mexico’s Volaris will start San Francisco-Mexico City flights this fall. (Image: Volaris)

Mexican low-cost airline Volaris will introduce a new route linking San Francisco with Mexico City starting October 10. The carrier plans to operate four flights a week on the route, on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with one-way fares starting at just $125. It’s a trip for night owls, however: The southbound flights are scheduled to arrive in Mexico City at 2:29 a.m.

A schedule update posted by Emirates for its Dallas/Ft. Worth-Dubai route says that the carrier will not put an Airbus A380 super-jumbo back onto the route September 1 as previously planned, but instead will keep operating it with a 777-300ER. Meanwhile, Etihad next spring is planning to go all-A380 on its Abu Dhabi-New York route after June 1, 2017. The carrier will use the super-jumbos on both of its daily JFK flights after that date; currently, one of the two uses a 777-300ER.

Related: How Emirates welcomes a new A380. Wow!

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: How to get the BEST summer fare deals | One airline fee fading fast | Trip Report: Aer Lingus Economy Class | 5 top jobs for frequent travelers  | First class phase out coming soon

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New tech speeds up airport security screening

Phoenix Airport will be the test site for new security screening technology by American Airlines and TSA. (Image: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport)

Phoenix Airport will be the test site for new security screening technology by American Airlines and TSA. (Image: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport)

American Airlines, which recently complained to Congress that thousands of its passengers were missing flights due to long airport security screening lines, is the latest company to look to new technology to speed up the process. American joins Delta, which recently installed a pair of innovative checkpoint lanes at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson (and bought part of CLEAR).

American said it will cooperate with the Transportation Security Administration in trying out new technologies and procedures including automated screening lanes and computed tomography (CT) scanners at its hubs nationwide. The aim is to reduce the time customers spend in TSA lines by 30 percent, the company said.

The effort will begin with a pilot program at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, due to start by year’s end. The company anticipates expanding the enhancements to Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Los Angeles and Miami.

Part of the program involves ”automating many of the functions currently conducted manually,” in order to speed up the process, American said. That includes automated belts that pull bags into the x-ray machine so customers don’t have to stand by to push them in; and other belts that return empty bins to the beginning of the checkpoint, so that TSA personnel don’t have to do that. New bins in the regular screening lanes will be 25 percent larger than the existing models so passengers won’t need as many of them.

Any passenger items believed to show a problem during x-ray can have their bins automatically shunted off the main belt for further checking without holding up the line. Bins will have radio frequency ID tags (RFID) “to allow for additional accountability of items as they transit throughout the system,” AA said; and cameras will grab a photo of the outside of the bag “which is linked to the x-ray image of the bag’s contents.”

Analogic Corp. says its CT scanners can process passengers twice as fast as x-ray machines. (Image: Analogic)

Analogic Corp. says its CT scanners can process passengers twice as fast as x-ray machines. (Image: Analogic)

Also to be tested at Phoenix is the latest CT scanning technology. It’s only used on checked bags today, but American said if it were used for carry-ons, that “could make it possible to allow passengers to leave liquids, gels and aerosols, as well as laptops, in their carry-on bags at all times” – he same kind of treatment that only PreCheck members get today.

The leader in CT security scanning is a firm called Analogic Corporation, which has been testing the latest scanning technology for the past two years at Amsterdam Schiphol and London’s Luton Airport, looking for explosives and other prohibited items without requiring travelers to remove laptops or liquids from their bags. The company said earlier this year that the tests have been a huge success, scanning more than a million bags so far. “The results were considered the best in class by airport security experts, with extremely low false alarms and increased throughput at the checkpoint,” a spokesman said. The company said the tests indicate CT scanning can handle up to 550 passengers per hour – twice the rate of traditional x-ray scanning.

American’s announcement comes just weeks after Delta teamed up with the TSA to install new security screening stations at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson that incorporate some of the same elements American will use at Phoenix – except for the CT scanning. They also have five stations where passengers can load up their bins simultaneously instead of doing it one at a time.

TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger said at a Senate hearing recently that the two new screening lanes at ATL have shown “dramatic improvements’ in speeding up the security process, improving efficiency by about 30 percent.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: How to get the BEST summer fare deals | One airline fee fading fast | Trip Report: Aer Lingus Economy Class | 5 top jobs for frequent travelers  | First class phase out coming soon

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New hotels: Washington D.C., Atlanta, Honolulu, Boston, Cleveland

Watergate Hotel

Rendering of “Top of the Gate” a new rooftop bar at the recently revamped Watergate Hotel (Image: Watergate Hotel)

In U.S. hotel news, a legendary property reopens in the nation’s capital; Marriott finishes up a big Atlanta overhaul; Hilton adds a new affiliate in downtown Boston and a big Garden Inn in Hawaii; and downtown Cleveland gets another 189 rooms.

Who’s not familiar with the name Watergate? The notorious Washington D.C. complex where Richard Nixon’s big scandal got its start also includes a famous hotel that’s been closed for nine years. But now the Watergate Hotel, on the banks of the Potomac, has reopened following a $125 million overhaul. The renovation and upgrade covered all of the hotel’s 336 rooms, half of which come with balconies. The rooms now offer luxury bedding, marble bathrooms, luxury amenities, 24-hour room service and modern guest technology. The Watergate has added a rooftop lounge called Top of the Gate; an indoor-outdoor restaurant called Kingbird, and a lobby lounge called The Next Whiskey Bar. There’s also a 12,000 square foot spa. Rates start at $425.

Atlanta's Marriott Marquis downtown just had a big makeover. (Image: Marriott)

Atlanta’s Marriott Marquis downtown just had a big makeover. (Image: Marriott)

Marriott’s flagship hotel in downtown Atlanta, the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, has finished a $78 million upgrade that included renovations of all 1,663 rooms and suites. All rooms got new multi-purpose work surfaces as well as smart TVs with streaming services like Hulu and Netflix. King rooms received new baths with walk-in showers, and the 94 suites got new hardwood designs with area rugs. The lounge for guests in concierge level accommodations received new Wi-Fi, plugs for personal electronic devices and laptops, and upgraded food and beverage selections. The hotel also added two floors of Marriott’s new “Stay Well” rooms with innovations like air purification, circadian lighting, allergen-free sanitation processes, vitamin C shower infusers and aromatherapy. There’s also a redesigned Great Room for working and/or socializing. Marriott Rewards advance purchase rates start as low as $124.

The pool at the Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki in Honolulu. (Image: Hilton)

The pool at the Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. (Image: Hilton)

Hilton HHonors members who want to go to Hawaii have a lot more rooms available. Hilton just cut the ribbon on a new Hilton Garden Inn in Honolulu, and it’s the largest hotel in the Garden Inn brand, with 623 rooms. The new Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach is actually two blocks from that iconic strand, and across the street from the International Market Place. Formerly the Ohana Waikiki West, the property went through a $115 million overhaul; all 623 rooms and suites now have the brand’s signature bedding, 48-inch HDTVs with premium channels, microwaves, mini-fridges and Keurig coffee makers, and most have walk-out lanais. There’s a roof top pool and bar, fitness center, and a grab-and-go market. It’s in HHonors Reward Category 7, and rates start at $189.

The Ames Boston Hotel in now a Hilton affiliate. (Image: Hilton)

The Ames Boston Hotel in now a Hilton affiliate. (Image: Hilton)

In Boston, meanwhile, Hilton has added a new affiliate to its Curio Collection, which means it’s part of HHonors and the Hilton reservations system. That property is the Ames Boston Hotel, which joins the group this month. Originally built in 1893, the Ames Building at 1 Court Street is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was converted into a 114-room luxury boutique hotel in 2007. Rates start at around $350.

An historic building in downtown Cleveland is now the Drury Plaza Hotel. (Image: Drury Hotels)

An historic building in downtown Cleveland is now the Drury Plaza Hotel. (Image: Drury Hotels)

Drury Hotels has added its first location in Cleveland with the opening of the Drury Plaza Cleveland Downtown. Located on East 6th Street near FirstEnergy Stadium and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the hotel was developed in the city’s old Board of Education Building, built in 1931, preserving many of its original architectural features. Its 189 guest rooms offer 49 different layouts, and it has almost 4,000 square feet of meeting space. Guest amenities include free hot breakfast, afternoon and evening sodas and popcorn, evening beer and wine receptions, 24-hour fitness and business centers, and an indoor pool and whirlpool. Rates start at $109.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: How to get the BEST summer fare deals | One airline fee fading fast | Trip Report: Aer Lingus Economy Class | 5 top jobs for frequent travelers  | First class phase out coming soon

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Airport briefs: LaGuardia, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Atlanta

LaGuardia's new Central Terminal design. (Image: Global Gateway Alliance)

LaGuardia’s new Central Terminal design. (Image: Global Gateway Alliance)

In airport news, work has finally started on the big reconstruction of New York LaGuardia; a bunch of new retail options are coming to Phoenix Sky Harbor; Customs starts testing facial recognition at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson; and Minneapolis-St. Paul launches a five-year renovation project.

That huge reconstruction of New York LaGuardia finally got started this month, so travelers should expect to see some changes and some blocked-off areas there. The initial phase involves demolishing parts of the airport’s main terminal – but the work should cover only a few gates at a time, because the facility will remain open and operating all through the $4 billion project, officials said. Passengers should start to see new gate areas in the rebuilt terminal in about two years. The overall effort includes building a new central hall for the airport, and moving the new unified terminal 200 yards closer to the Grand Central Parkway, creating more space for airfield operations.

As of this week, it’s legal to grab a ride from Uber or Lyft at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport for a ride into town. Up until now, only drop offs were allowed. Also, Phoenix City Council this week approved a raft of new retail contracts for Terminal 4 at Sky Harbor International Airport, and travelers should start to see concessions opening in the weeks and months to come. You don’t see many shoe stores at airports, but one of the new PHX concessions is a Johnson & Murphy outlet. Other new retailers include a Brooks Brothers clothing store; Fire CZ and Uno de 50 jewelry stores; an Arizona Highways gift shop; an iStore that sells headphones, tablets and other tech items from Apple, Bose and Sony; a pair of XpresSpa locations; and a store that sells locally made art items. You can see a full list of new retail outlets here.

Customs and Border Protection has started testing new facial comparison technology at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. From now through September, passengers on Delta’s daily Tokyo flight will serve as test subjects, having a digital photo taken when they show their boarding pass before boarding. It’s all part of a longer-term Homeland Security project mandated by Congress that requires the collection of biometric data to track the comings and goings of non-U.S. citizens. Data on travelers with U.S. passports will be deleted once their identity is confirmed, the newspaper said.

Don’t miss! 7 reasons to take the train instead of the plane

Rendering of the renovated baggage area at MSP's Terminal 1. (Image: Minneapolis Airports Commission)

Rendering of the renovated baggage area at MSP’s Terminal 1. (Image: Minneapolis Airports Commission)

At 54 years of age, Minneapolis-St. Paul International’s Terminal 1 – the Lindbergh Terminal – is due for a facelift, and the city’s airport commission has signed off on a five-year renovation project that will make the terminal’s ticketing and baggage claim areas more spacious, with more natural light, and more efficient operations. Work on the $200 million rehab has just started on the north end of the terminal, where the first phase involves installing new escalators and elevators. After 18 months of work on that side of the terminal, work will shift to the south side.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: How to get the BEST summer fare deals | One airline fee fading fast | Trip Report: Aer Lingus Economy Class | 5 top jobs for frequent travelers  | First class phase out coming soon

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Routes: LAX, Denver, Paris, Minneapolis, NYC, Atlanta, Boston, Houston

XL Airways A330

More flights between California and Paris this week on XL Airways (Photo: SFO)

International route news this week includes a new French carrier coming to Los Angeles (and back to SF), a new Denver route for Air Canada, Delta transatlantic flights from the Twin Cities and New York JFK, Air France non-stops to Paris Orly, a Lufthansa subsidiary’s introduction of Boston service, and United’s decision to put a Dreamliner on a key South American route.

The French carrier XL Airways has started service to Los Angeles International, operating three flights a week to Paris out of Terminal 2 with an A330. The airline offers two-class service, including regular coach and Premium Galaxy class. The leisure-oriented carrier provides all passengers with one free checked bag, a hot meal and a snack – with upgraded cuisine and wines in the front cabin. XL also flies to Paris from New York, San Francisco and Miami. Also this week, XL’s seasonal SFO-Paris flights resumed. 

 Air Canada, a partner in United’s Star Alliance, this week kicked off the only non-stop service between Denver and Montreal. The daily flight leaves Denver at 6:25 p.m., using a 73-seat Embraer regional jet with business and regular economy seating. The aircraft is Wi-Fi equipped and offers free digital seatback entertainment and a power port at every seat.

Brussels

Delta plans to revive Atlanta-Brussels flights in 2017. (Image: City of Brussels)

Delta has launched a new seasonal transatlantic route and plans to add two more routes to Europe in 2017. The airline last week began daily summer non-stop service from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Rome, using a 226-seat 767 that departs at 5:25 p.m. from MSP. It will continue through Labor Day.

Delta also announced that it plans to resume non-stop flights between its Atlanta hub and Brussels next year; the seasonal service will begin March 27 and continue through the summer, Delta said, using a 767-300. Delta also offers year-round service to Brussels from New York JFK. And on May 25, 2017, Delta will start up new daily seasonal service from New York JFK to Glasgow, Scotland, using a 164-seat 757-200ER. A few weeks ago, Delta launched JFK-Edinburgh flights.

Also at New York JFK, Air France this week started flying to Paris – not to Paris Charles de Gaulle, where it offers multiple daily flights with SkyTeam partner Delta, but to Paris Orly. Its only competition on the New York-Paris Orly route is from British Airways subsidiary Openskies, which flies to the French airport from both JFK and Newark. Air France is flying the route with a 777-200 that has business class, premium economy and regular economy seating. The carrier noted that it recently opened a new premium lounge in Hall 3 at Orly, available to La Premier and business class passengers, as well as Flying Blue elite members.

Eurowings, the low-cost subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, has started new U.S. service to Boston from Germany’s Cologne-Bonn Airport. The carrier flies the route three times a week with an A330-200 that has business class, regular economy and extra-legroom economy seating.

According to Routesonline.com, United Airlines plans an equipment change on its Houston-Santiago, Chile route effective June 30, replacing the current 767-300ER with a 787-8 Dreamliner.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s newest, longest flight + Tipping Uber drivers + Qantas 747 Trip Report + Confusion over PreCheck policies + No-fee earlier flights

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Routes: San Francisco, Portland, Atlanta, Houston, Washington D.C. + more

United this week kicks off San Francisco-Singapore non-stops. (Image: Grand Hyatt Singapore)

United this week kicks off San Francisco-Singapore non-stops. (Image: Grand Hyatt Singapore)

There’s a lot of news about international air routes this week. United is due to start a record-breaking transpacific service on June 1, and will increase frequencies on another long-haul route out of San Francisco; United is also launching seasonal Europe routes from the East Coast and dropping its only service to Africa. Meanwhile, Delta will revise its partnership arrangement with Virgin Atlantic in 2017, and will add a new transatlantic route from Portland; Atlanta welcomes new service from a Middle Eastern carrier; Swiss delays the deployment of its fancy new wide-body to San Francisco; and low-cost carrier Norwegian adds a Las Vegas route.

On June 1, United is due to begin the longest scheduled route by any U.S. carrier – an 8,446-mile flight from San Francisco to Singapore. United will use a 787-9 Dreamliner for the new service, which will save travelers an estimated four hours in each direction compared with existing one-stop or connecting flights. The schedule calls for an 11:25 p.m. departure from SFO for the 15.5-hour westbound flight (16.3 hours eastbound). In another long-haul development from San Francisco, United said that starting October 8, it will increase frequencies on its SFO-Tel Aviv route from three a week to daily service; United also uses a 787-9 on that route.

In other international route news at United, the carrier is blaming a slump in global energy markets as well as government currency restrictions for its decision to terminate its daily flights from Houston Bush Intercontinental to Lagos, Nigeria after June 30. Meanwhile, United has started seasonal summer flights to Europe from the East Coast, offering daily service from its Newark hub to Athens (using a 767-300), and daily flights from Washington Dulles to Barcelona (with a 767-400) and to Lisbon (using a 757-200).

Portland International will get its first London non-stops from Delta next spring. (Image: Jim Glab)

Portland International will get its first London non-stops from Delta next spring. (Image: Jim Glab)

Delta just announced a new transatlantic route for 2017, with plans to start operating seasonal service between Portland and London Heathrow effective May 26-October 29. It will fly the route four days a week with a 767-300ER. Delta said it will also revise its joint scheduling arrangement with partner Virgin Atlantic next year. The existing Delta flight from Seattle to London will switch over to a Virgin Atlantic 787-9 starting March 26, increasing capacity by 50 seats a day; on the same date, Virgin’s single daily fight from Detroit to London will be replaced by a second daily Delta flight. And on May 25, Virgin will take over Delta’s New York JFK-Manchester route, with Delta picking it up again the following winter; and Delta will take over one of Virgin’s two daily Atlanta-London frequencies, giving Delta a total of three a day and Virgin just one.

In other news, Delta last week kicked off new year-round service from New York JFK to Edinburgh, Scotland. Delta started the route with a 757-200ER, but will switch to a larger 767-300ER for flights from June 8 to September 5.

Qatar Airways will use an A380 super-jumbo for its Atlanta inaugural flight.(Image: Qatar Airways)

Qatar Airways will use an A380 super-jumbo for its Atlanta inaugural flight.(Image: Qatar Airways)

 As we’ve mentioned before, June 1 is the launch date for new Qatar Airways service from Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson to Doha, Qatar – a move that has seriously irritated Delta. Although Qatar’s plans call for a 777 to fly the route on a regular basis, it reportedly intends to use an Airbus A380 for the maiden voyage. So far, Qatar is still a member of the Oneworld global alliance, which should make for easy connections at ATL with American Airlines flights.

According to Routesonline.com, which tracks airlines’ official schedule filings, Swiss has decided to push back the deployment of its fancy new 777-300ER on the San Francisco-Zurich route. Instead of bringing the new aircraft into SFO service on August 30 as previously planned, the aircraft won’t start flying the route until February 16, 2017. Meanwhile, on October 30, Swiss will put a 777-300ER into service between Zurich and Miami on four of its 14 weekly flights in that market, replacing an A330-300.

Low-cost European carrier Norwegian plans to expand its presence at Las Vegas on October 31 when it begins new twice-weekly flights to London Gatwick, using a 787 and offering introductory one-way fares as low as $199 (plus add-ons, of course). Norwegian already flies from Las Vegas to Copenhagen and Stockholm, and plans to add LAS-Oslo flights in November.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s newest, longest flight + Tipping Uber drivers + Qantas 747 Trip Report + Confusion over PreCheck policies + No-fee earlier flights

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Inside Qatar Airways event that sparked Delta tantrum [PHOTOS]

Atlanta's historic Fox Theater is the venue for the latest skirmish between Delta and Qatar Airways. (Image: Fox Theater)

Atlanta’s historic Fox Theater is the venue for the latest skirmish between Delta and Qatar Airways. (Image: Fox Theater)

Big airlines all try to get involved with the communities they serve by sponsoring or contributing to various local venues or events. Delta does that too, but it just made a couple of moves that might have its public relations department wondering what its community relations department was thinking.

The first move was in Atlanta, where Delta has been a sponsor of the city’s landmark Fox Theater for 20 years. But now, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution , Delta plans to end that sponsorship when it expires next year.

Why? Because the theater had the audacity to rent out its space to Qatar Airways for a VIP event plus an exclusive performance by Jennifer Lopez celebrating that airline’s launching of Atlanta-Doha service on June 1.

TravelSkills reader TB send us images from the exclusive Qatar Airways event at the Fox Theater in Atlanta

A TravelSkills reader sent images from the exclusive Qatar Airways event at the Fox Theater in Atlanta (More below)

Delta and the other big U.S. carriers have been in a major feud with the Big Three Middle Eastern airlines – Qatar, Etihad and Emirates – for many months, alleging that they are subsidized by their governments and thus competing unfairly on routes to the U.S. Those carriers have also been adding new U.S. routes at a fast pace, prompting the U.S. carriers to lobby for government intervention that would stop that expansion.

Earlier this year, Delta cancelled its Atlanta-Dubai route, blaming subsidized competition; and last month, a Delta executive blasted Qatar Airways’ plan for Atlanta service, claiming there is no way that carrier could make money on the route. A Qatar executive responded by saying his airline was going to “rub salt in the wounds of Delta” by flying to Atlanta – a remark that prompted Delta to take revenge by canceling its Fox Theater sponsorship, the newspaper reported.

Related: How Emirates welcomes a new plane [PHOTOS]

Meanwhile, Delta has another rival in Seattle – Alaska Airlines, where the two carriers are in a battle for new routes and market share. In that city, Delta has just taken on sponsorship of the annual Seattle Gay Pride Parade for three next three years – but it added one stipulation to its sponsorship agreement: No Alaska Airlines employee can be in the parade if they are wearing T-shirts or other clothing that displays the Alaska Airlines logo or brand.

Come on, Delta. How low can you go?

UPDATE: Scratch that report about the Seattle Gay Pride Parade. Apparently a Seattle Pride leader misunderstood the sponsorship arrangement with Delta, and mistakenly told Seattle media that it barred Alaska Airlines employees from participating in clothing with company logos. They are indeed welcome, and Delta never declared that they weren’t, he said.

Reader thoughts, please! Plus see below for some more images from the Qatar Airways event at the Fox.

Delta Fox Qatar

Quite an opulent affair at the Fox Theater

 

At the Fox Theatre event, Qatar gave away a pair of free roundtrip tickets anywhere it flies

At the Fox Theatre event, Qatar Airways gave away a pair of free roundtrip business class tickets anywhere it flies

 

Thousands of red roses at the Qatar Airways launch event in Atlanta

Thousands of red roses at the Qatar Airways launch event in Atlanta

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Routes: Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham, Chicago, Newark, Honolulu, JFK

Delta has started new service from Raleigh-Durham to Paris. (Image: Jim Glab)

Delta has started new service from Raleigh-Durham to Paris. (Image: Jim Glab)

In the latest international route developments, Delta adds a European route from Raleigh-Durham; Turkish Airlines makes its Atlanta debut; Japan’s ANA will add a pair of U.S. routes  to Tokyo Haneda as American carriers wait for word on new Haneda slots, with Hawaiian Airlines the first winner; Air India plans new Newark service via London; and Air China boosts Newark frequencies.

It’s not really a big Delta hub, but Delta is the largest airline at Raleigh-Durham, so the carrier has started  new daily flights from RDU to Paris Charles de Gaulle. Delta is using a 164-seat 757-200ER on the new route to Paris, where customers can connect to 75 onward destinations thanks to Delta’s joint venture partners Air France, KM and Alitalia.

Turkish Airlines is using a 777-300ER on its new Atlanta route. (Image: Boeing

Turkish Airlines is using a 777-300ER on its new Atlanta route. (Image: Boeing)

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport rolled out the water cannon this week to welcome the first flight there from Turkish Airlines. The Turkish carrier will offer daily service on the Atlanta-Istanbul route with a 777-300ER. It’s the ninth U.S. gateway for Turkish Airlines, along with New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Boston and Washington Dulles. Delta was supposed to resume seasonal service this month between New York JFK and Istanbul, but it decided last month to suspend that service, citing security concerns.

Tokyo Haneda Airport is on the airline industry’s mind these days as the U.S. Department of Transportation is expected to announce any time now which U.S. carriers will get new daytime slots there. Since Haneda opened up to transpacific flights, U.S. carriers have been restricted to arrivals and departures late at night or very early in the morning, which made it difficult to attract passengers, even though Haneda is much closer to downtown Tokyo than Narita Airport.

My Instgram photo of the week! Do you follow me? Click on the pic! (Chris McGinnis)

Tokyo-bound tails at Honolulu International (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

But an amended agreement with Japan will open up some daytime slots at Haneda starting October 30, and the big U.S. carriers have been clamoring for those much-desired rights. In its first decision on Haneda, DOT granted Hawaiian Airlines rights to serve Haneda from Honolulu and Kona – but mostly because it was willing to accept an overnight slot. Hawaiian plans to fly the route four times a week from Honolulu and three from Kona, but the starting date hasn’t yet been set. And even though the new daytime slots haven’t yet been awarded, Delta and United have already started taking reservations for new schedules this fall on their Los Angeles-Haneda and San Francisco-Haneda routes respectively.

Meanwhile, Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) already won new daytime slots at Haneda, and said it will use them starting October 30 for daily flights from New York JFK and Chicago O’Hare. ANA also flies to Haneda from Los Angeles, Honolulu and Vancouver.

August 15 is the starting date for Air India service from Ahmedabad to Newark Liberty International, a route that it will fly three times a week with a 787-8. The new service will operate via a stop at London Heathrow. Also at Newark, Air China plans to increase frequencies from four a week to seven on its EWR-Beijing route from July 22 through August 24. It also serves New York JFK.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s newest, longest flight + Tipping Uber drivers + Qantas 747 Trip Report + Confusion over PreCheck policies + No-fee earlier flights

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New solutions emerge for TSA airport security mess

A shortage of TSA inspectors is contributing to long lines. (Image: TSA)

A shortage of TSA inspectors is contributing to long lines. (Image: TSA)

The Transportation Security Administration has been warning travelers to expect extra-long lines at airport security checkpoints during the busy summer travel season. The agency has announced some steps it is taking to alleviate the problem, but other stakeholders in the industry are groping for solutions to the problem as well.

TSA got some good news this week as Congress approved the agency’s request to let it shift funds around among its accounts, freeing up $34 million that can be used to pay overtime for its airport officers, and also allowing it to hire another 768 new inspectors. It remains to be seen, though, how much this might help with the problem of long lines this summer.

One proposal that’s getting the most attention is one that’s least likely to happen. Two Democratic Senators – Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut – have asked U.S. airlines to eliminate their checked bag fees for the summer. The thinking is that if travelers can check bags for free, they won’t haul so many overstuffed carry-ons through the security checkpoints, backing up the lines. Even if that might work, there’s no reason to believe that airlines are going to give up one of their most lucrative revenue streams just because a couple of politicians asked them to.

Delta is taking a more pragmatic approach. The airline said this week it will assign some of its airport employees to take over non-security-related tasks at checkpoints to free up TSA inspectors for actual inspections. That includes things like managing lines and returning plastic bins from one side of the checkpoint to the other. The airline will also lend expertise “from industrial engineers and other areas” to make recommendations on redesigning checkpoints for a more efficient flow of travelers, the company said.

Baggage fees mean more overstuffed carry-ons and thus longer TSA lines. (Image: Jim Glab)

Baggage fees mean more overstuffed carry-ons and thus longer TSA lines. (Image: Jim Glab)

Speaking of checkpoint redesigns, officials at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport are hoping for a May 24 debut of an overhauled south security checkpoint, which has been closed for a few weeks for reconstruction. Two new lanes there will each have five stations where five passengers can simultaneously put their belongings into plastic bins for screening. The conveyor belts are automated so passengers don’t have to linger to push their bins into the scanner. And RFID tags on each bin will allow a TSA screener to shuttle suspect bins off to a separate line where an officer can manually inspect the items in them. There’s also a lower-level conveyor belt that automatically returns plastic bins back to the other side of the inspection station so that TSA agents don’t have to haul them there manually.

Some stakeholders want to give up on TSA altogether. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey – which operates LaGuardia, JFK and Newark airports — has become the largest airport authority thus far to tell TSA it is thinking of going private with its security inspections, replacing TSA staff with contractors of its own choosing. A similar idea has already been expressed by the Seattle and Atlanta airports. In a letter to TSA, the Port Authority said it can “no longer tolerate the continuing inadequacy of TSA passenger screening services.” It cited statistics showing that waiting times this spring at its airports were almost twice as long as last year.

The airline industry started a social media campaign to complain about long security lines. (Image: Airlines for America)

The airline industry started a social media campaign to complain about long security lines. (Image: Airlines for America)

Meanwhile, the airline industry, as represented by its trade organization Airlines for America, has launched a social media campaign called “I Hate the Wait.” At that site, travelers who are waiting in long security lines at the airport can click on pre-set buttons to send a Tweet to TSA customer service (@AskTSA) with the tag #ihatethewait or to post a photo of their waiting line on Instagram and tag it @TSA. “Help improve efficiency by sharing your security line experience with the TSA,” A4A says – although it seems like this program is designed more to harass the agency than to bring about real efficiencies.

TSA has suggested that the best way travelers can help alleviate the long lines is by joining the PreCheck program (or Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry, which includes PreCheck privileges). It has also put part of the blame on Congress for cutting back its budget, leading to a reduction in the number of agents available for front-line inspections.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s newest, longest flight + Tipping Uber drivers + Qantas 747 Trip Report + Confusion over PreCheck policies + No-fee earlier flights

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Airport briefs: Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Boston, Vancouver, Dubai

Cathay Pacific's new Vancouver premium lounge has a Noodle Bar. (Image: Cathay Pacific)

Cathay Pacific’s new Vancouver premium lounge has a Noodle Bar. (Image: Cathay Pacific)

In airport news, Atlanta signs a crucial lease deal with Delta; Salt Lake City will add a second new concourse; a new independent passenger lounge opens at Boston Logan; Cathay Pacific debuts a new lounge at Vancouver; and a global airline alliance cuts the ribbon on a lounge at Dubai International.

The City of Atlanta has signed a long-term lease agreement with Delta Air Lines for use of Hartsfield- Jackson International Airport that will keep the carrier’s headquarters there for the next 20 years. The deal was critical for the airport’s ambitious expansion plans. According to a statement from the airport, “The agreement allows Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to move forward with a $6 billion capital expansion program, which includes plans to build two new domestic parking decks, add five additional gates to Concourse T, construct a sixth runway, and invest more than $900 million in a new international concourse.” Signing the contract was the last major executive action for Delta CEO Richard Anderson, who retired this week and was replaced as CEO by Ed Bastian, formerly the airline’s president.

The rebuilding of Salt Lake City's airport now features two concourses instead of one. (Image: Salt Lake City International Airport)

The rebuilding plan for Salt Lake City’s airport now features two new concourses instead of one. (Image: Salt Lake City International Airport)

That big construction project at Salt Lake City International Airport just got a lot bigger. The original plan called for a total reconstruction of the existing terminal and concourses into a new terminal and a single long concourse with 45 aircraft gates. But now airport officials plan to add a second new concourse as well – the 30-gate North Concourse — increasing the overall cost by $740 million to a total of $2.6 billion. They are still planning to have the whole thing finished by 2020. Officials said the new concourse will replace existing gates in Concourses B, C and D, which would have required costly renovations to keep them open for a few more years. The concourses will be linked by an underground tunnel.

Boston Logan has a new pay-per-use passenger lounge in Terminal C near Gate C19. Called simply The Lounge at Boston Logan, it’s the 12th U.S. location opened by Airport Lounge Development Inc. Visitors will get free buffet food; free beverages, including alcoholic drinks; a work area with a computer and printer; high-speed Wi-Fi; a variety of seating areas; and TV and flight monitors. The lounge offers airfield views through floor-to-ceiling windows. A day pass costs $35, and the lounge is also open to members of the Priority Pass, Priority Pass Select, Lounge Club and LoungeKey programs, as well as invited guests of Emirates and Aer Lingus.

Cathay Pacific this week cut the ribbon on a new lounge for premium passengers at Vancouver International Airport. In the International Terminal between Gates D66 and D67, the lounge is open to Cathay’s first and business class flyers, as well as Marco Polo Club elites and Oneworld members with Sapphire status or higher. With a capacity of 108 persons, the facility offers free Wi-Fi, three workstations with iMacs and printers, a Noodle Bar serving Asian soups, and The Pantry, with a selection of other foods. The décor features limestone floors, cherrywood walls and abundant plants.

The new SkyTeam lounge at Dubai International has an international buffet. (Image: SkyTeam)

The new SkyTeam lounge at Dubai International has an international buffet. (Image: SkyTeam)

The global SkyTeam alliance, which includes Delta, Air France, KLM and 17 other carriers, has opened its fifth consolidated lounge, this one at Dubai International Airport. Located in Terminal 1’s new Concourse D, it’s open around the clock, with a capacity of 180 persons. It offers free hot and cold snacks from a variety of global cuisines, free Wi-Fi, a business center with printing facilities, a VIP room, and a separate TV room. It’s open to Elite Plus, first and business class passengers of the 10 SkyTeam member carriers that serve the airport. Other SkyTeam lounges are at London Heathrow, Sydney, Hong Kong and Istanbul.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s newest, longest flight + Tipping Uber drivers + Qantas 747 Trip Report + Confusion over PreCheck policies + No-fee earlier flights

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Routes: AA, Alaska, United, Delta, Frontier, OneJet, JetSmarter

Alaska Airlines and American are launching a big code-sharing expansion. (Image: Jim Glab)

Alaska Airlines and American are launching a big code-sharing expansion. (Image: Jim Glab)

In domestic route news, American and Alaska expand code-sharing, and AA adds a Washington D.C. route; United sets a pair of new San Francisco routes and seasonal service out of Newark; Delta ends a year-round Alaska option; Frontier starts a big expansion at Atlanta and Chicago; a small carrier begins two new Pittsburgh routes; and a private jet charter service begins Atlanta-area operations.

With Delta keeping the pressure on Alaska Airlines at the latter’s Seattle hub, Alaska and American Airlines are planning a significant expansion of their code-sharing partnership. Effective April 28, American will put its AA code on Alaska flights from Seattle to Atlanta, Charleston (S.C.), Nashville, New York JFK, Raleigh, Sun Valley and Washington Reagan National, as well as Alaska flights from Los Angeles to Baltimore/Washington, Monterey, Salt Lake City and Washington Reagan National. Then on May 15, Alaska’s code will show up on 14 AA routes out of Charlotte, nine out of Chicago O’Hare, 27 out of Dallas/Ft. Worth, and scores of additional AA routes out of Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington Reagan National. In other developments, American plans a July 5 start for new daily service between Washington Reagan National and Lansing, Michigan, using a two-class, 76-seat American Eagle regional jet.

On September 8, United Airlines plans to add a new spoke from its San Francisco hub by launching daily service to Omaha, Nebraska with a 76-seat Embraer E175. United already flies to Omaha from its Denver, Chicago, Houston and Newark hubs. In another SFO schedule enhancement, United will operate seasonal daily service to Aspen, Colorado from June 9 through August 15. Meanwhile, United also plans to add seasonal service from its Newark hub to Bangor, Maine from July 1 through October 29 using a 50-seat regional jet.

Turkish Airlines inaugural flight with San Francisco mural arrives at SFO (Chris McGinnis)

Turkish Airlines landing at San Francisco International Airport (Chris McGinnis)

Delta has suspended its seasonal New York – Istanbul flights due to security concerns, weak bookings and cancellations. However, Turkish Airlines’ daily ATL-Istanbul flights are set to begin on May 16. Last fall, Delta decided to operate its Seattle-Juneau, Alaska route on a year-round basis, but now the airline has changed its mind. Delta now plans to end SEA-Juneau flights on August 31, with a resumption of seasonal service in 2017.

Low-cost Frontier Airlines has kicked off a big wave of new routes. At Atlanta, Frontier this month started flying to Houston, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, St. Louis and Memphis, and resumed seasonal service to Austin, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Indianapolis and Trenton. At Chicago O’Hare, Frontier started flying to Charlotte, Kansas City, Nashville, Portland, St. Augustine (Fla.), Seattle and Minneapolis-St. Paul, and revived seasonal flights to Austin, Philadelphia, Washington Dulles, Raleigh-Durham and Trenton. Frontier also added new service from Cleveland to Portland (Ore.), Los Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia. Many of the new flights operate just a few days a week.

JetSmarter

A new private jet option for Atlanta’s northside (Image: JetSmarter)

The private jet company JetSmarter plans to begin Atlanta-area operations on May 3, offering twice-weekly flights to and from Westchester County, N.Y. and weekly roundtrips to Ft. Lauderdale. The flights operate out of DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), using Falcon 2000 jets that seat up to 10 passengers. The company uses app-based reservations; it charges a $3,500 initiation fee and an annual membership fee of $9,675, but imposes no other cost for its flights.

OneJet, which specializes in serving small to medium-sized markets with small jets, will expand at Pittsburgh in June, launching twice-daily roundtrips to Hartford on June 8 and two daily roundtrips to Milwaukee beginning June 14. The company will also double its Pittsburgh-Indianapolis schedule from two flights a day to four as of June 14. OneJet promises its customers TSA PreCheck access, expedited boarding and high-speed in-fight Wi-Fi.

 

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s newest, longest flight + Tipping Uber drivers + Qantas 747 Trip Report + Confusion over PreCheck policies + No-fee earlier flights

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Delta-Qatar Airways spat gets uglier

Qatar Airways plans to use a 777-200LR on its Atlanta route. (Image: Darren Koch/Wikimedia Commons)

Qatar Airways plans to use a 777-200LR on its Atlanta route. (Image: Darren Koch/Wikimedia Commons)

With the June 1 start of its Atlanta-Doha non-stops rapidly approaching, Qatar Airways is drawing some new venom from Delta.

Delta and other big U.S. international carriers have been engaged in a war of words with the Big Three Middle Eastern airlines for months over the latter’s ambitious route expansion into U.S. gateways. Claiming that their Mideastern rivals are dumping excess capacity into this market, the U.S. companies have also mounted a lobbying campaign urging the U.S. Government to block that expansion.

The latest salvo came from Delta President Glen Hauenstein during an earnings call with analysts this week. According to a report in Forbes, Hauenstein charged that there’s no way Qatar can make money on the Atlanta-Doha route, claiming that passenger demand between those two cities is fewer than five people a day, not counting connecting traffic.

The U.S. legacy airlines contend that Middle Eastern carriers like Qatar, Emirates and Etihad don’t need to make a profit on their operations because they are subsidized by their governments.

Business class on Qatar's 777-200, now flying to Los Angeles. (Image: Qatar Airways)

Business class on Qatar’s 777-200, now flying to Los Angeles. (Image: Qatar Airways)

If Delta is right about traffic levels between ATL and Qatar, there are some clear benefits for business travelers. For one thing, a lack of demand means fares should be relatively low. Currently, fares for June roundtrip flights between ATL and Doha are running about $1,250 for economy and $4,800 in business class. Flights to onward destinations in India and Africa are relatively good bargains, too.

And for another, Qatar has a frequent flyer partnership with American, so award seats on that route should be plentiful for AAdvantage members with sufficient miles.

Tip: The best way for AAdvantage members to search for award space is via partner British Airways’ online award booking tool according to the OneMileataTime blog.

Qatar Airways is on a big U.S. expansion binge this year. Besides the new Atlanta non-stops – which will use a 777-200LR – the airline kicked off new Los Angeles flights in January and recently added a second daily New York flight and new Boston non-stops.

Still no word on if or when Qatar Airways will launch nonstops to SFO— currently it is served by Emirates (A380) and Etihad (new Etihad aircraft coming this month, replacing Jet Airways). And with Air India recently adding nonstops, the SFO-Middle East-India market is pretty saturated.

Would you fly Qatar Airways to the Middle East or beyond? Why or why not? Please leave your comments below. 

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Routes: San Jose, San Francisco, Atlanta, Newark, Philadelphia, Miami

It's all systems go for Air China's San Jose-Singapore service. (Image: Shangri-La Hotels)

It’s all systems go for Air China’s San Jose-Shanghai service. (Image: Shangri-La Hotels)

In international route developments, Air China gets a green light for its planned San Jose service; Virgin Atlantic goes all-787 at San Francisco; Atlanta loses a European route and Philadelphia gains one; Newark gets new service to Africa; American adds two markets from Philadelphia and drops two from Miami.

 The U.S. Government has given its approval for new Air China service between San Jose and Shanghai Pudong. The carrier plans to fly the route three days a week starting June 16 with a two-class, 237-seat Airbus A330-200. It will be San Jose’s second China route following Hainan Airlines’ inauguration of San Jose-Beijing service last year.

Virgin Atlantic's brand new Dreamliner touched down at ATL this week (Photo: Hartsfield-Jackson)

All Dreamliners all the time for Virgin Atlantic (Photo: Hartsfield-Jackson)

At San Francisco International, meanwhile, the route-watching site Airlineroute.net reports that Virgin Atlantic plans to transition to all-Dreamliner service later this year. It said that starting September 4, Virgin Atlantic will replace the aging A340-600 currently operating one of its two London flights (VS019/020) with a 787-9; the other flight already uses a Dreamliner.

Although the troubles at Brussels Airport are settling down, it looks like passenger demand from the U.S. took a big hit. Delta has resumed its New York JFK-Brussels flights, but said it has decided to suspend the resumption of Atlanta-Brussels service until March 2017. Meanwhile, United Airlines has ditched plans to add a second daily Newark-Brussels flight that had been due to begin on May 5, according to Airlineroute.net.

Newark will get a new route to Africa, however. Ethiopian Airlines reportedly plans to shift its three weekly New York flights from JFK Airport to Newark, starting July 3 and lasting at least through October. Ethiopian’s 787-8 flights to Addis Ababa operate via a stop in the West African capital of Lome, Togo.

Mmmm. Easier access to summer salads in Greece (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Mmmm. Easier access to summer salads in Greece (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

At its Philadelphia International hub, American Airlines plans a May 6 revival of seasonal flights to Athens. The daily service will use an A330-300 with 27 business class seats and 259 in economy. Also at PHL, American has resumed daily flights to Bermuda. At its Latin American hub in Miami, however, American reportedly plans to scale back service to Brazil by eliminating Miami-Recife and Miami-Salvador de Bahia flights effective May 3 and 4 respectively.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s newest, longest flight + Tipping Uber drivers + Qantas 747 Trip Report + Confusion over PreCheck policies + No-fee earlier flights

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Fly through Atlanta’s dramatic new airport canopy (VIDEO)

Screen Shot 2016-03-10 at 5.36.40 PM

This week Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport officials reveal plans for a $6 billion renovation and expansion that will last nearly 20 years.

The most dramatic new addition will be a giant, translucent canopy that covers the roadways that run between the north and south terminals and adjacent parking lots. Scroll down for a look at renderings of how the iconic new canopy will look, inside and out. And don’t miss the full video if you have a few minutes to watch it.

In addition to the canopy, the airport plans to update all domestic terminals, adding bigger windows for more light and tarmac views. Terminal renovations start later this year, and after that (starting 2021) a massive project to demolish and replace the airport’s parking decks commences.

Add to that a new 450-room hotel (located in the current west parking lot), a new terminal (G) and a sixth runway, and you have one whopper of a project that we’ll be living with for the next 20 years.

(All images courtesy Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)

Screen Shot 2016-03-10 at 5.35.31 PM

Screen Shot 2016-03-10 at 5.35.59 PM

Screen Shot 2016-03-10 at 5.38.41 PM

Screen Shot 2016-03-10 at 5.38.15 PM

Screen Shot 2016-03-10 at 5.37.09 PM

To see the dramatic fly-through video rendering, click here or view below:

ATLNext Canopy Animation from Hartsfield-Jackson on Vimeo.

Here’s a full rundown of key features of the project:

Airport main terminal

  • Terminal modernization, now-2018, $393 million
  • Concourse T extension, 2016-2021, $200 million
  • Plane Train people-mover turnback relocation, 2016-2027, $307 million
  • Concourse G, 2016-2023, $983 million
  • Concourse D gate area expansion, 2019-2025, $50 million

Parking

  • ATL West parking deck next to Georgia International Convention Center, 2016-2017, $150 million
  • Sullivan Road Park-Ride Lot, 2016-2018, $7.6 million
  • Domestic garage enabling work, 2016-2021, $100 million
  • South garage teardown and replacement, 2021-2024, $420 million
  • North garage teardown and replacement, 2024-2027, $245 million

Hotel

  • Hotel, travel plaza, mixed-use commercial complex, 2016-2018, $500 million

Airfield

  • Taxiway/runway pavement replacement, 2016-2017, $24 million
  • End-around taxiway, 2017-2021, $58 million
  • Runway pavement replacement, 2021-2023, $35 million
  • Other airfield renewal/replacement, 2016-2035, $310 million
  • Sixth runway, 2023-2034, $943 million

 


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Airports: LAX connector, SFO dining, ATL flap, CPR at ORD, DFW app,

Rendering of the new connector at LAX between T4 and the Bradley International Terminal. (Image: Los Angeles World Airports)

Rendering of the new connector at LAX between T4 and the Bradley International Terminal. (Image: Los Angeles World Airports)

In airport news, Los Angeles International opens a new post-security connector to the Bradley International Terminal; some new food & beverage options are coming to San Francisco International; travelers at Chicago O’Hare can brush up on their CPR skills; Dallas/Ft. Worth has a new app for international arrivals; and Atlanta no longer wants to be called the world’s busiest airport.

It’s a couple of months behind schedule, but Los Angeles International has finally opened up a $115 million connector between American Airlines’ Terminal 4 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Since it’s behind the security checkpoints, T4 passengers heading to an international flight in the TBIT will no longer have to go through a new screening, and will save transfer time since the walk between terminals through the new connector is estimated at five minutes or so. The two-year-old project isn’t finished yet; still to come are retail outlets, an outdoor patio, streamlined baggage transfer station and more. Want to see it? A member of the Flyertalk forum posted a video walk-through of the new passageway.

How many times have you seen Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson referred to as “the world’s busiest airport”? It’s true that ATL has the most flights and the most passengers, but according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the airport’s general manager told a city council committee that the “world’s busiest” designation will no longer fly – from now on, ATL will now refer to itself as “the world’s most traveled” airport. Why the change? ATL’s marketing experts decided that “busy” has a negative connotation, implying crowds, long lines and delays. Maybe someone should tell that to the TSA.

United's new Boarding Area E is the best place at SFO to go planespotting (Photo: SFO)

Even more, better food coming to San Francisco International (Photo: SFO)

San Francisco International’s International Terminal will add some new dining options for travelers in the months ahead. The popular Napa Valley restaurant Mustard’s Grill plans to open an airport location there, serving up classical American food with international twists. Due to open in 2017, it will be connected to a new Napa Farms Market (there’s already one in Terminal 2) that should open later this year; that will replace Andale Mexican Food, located post-security in the G concourse. Also coming in the A (Int’l) concourse is Samovar Tea and Chai Lounge, offering full-service meals and a bar with tea-infused cocktails; it will replace FirewoodPizza.

If you’re in Chicago O’Hare’s Terminal 2 and you have some time to kill, you can brush up on your CPR skills at a new kiosk located post-security near the Kids on the Fly play area. Sponsored by the American Heart Association, the kiosk has “a specially-designed rubber torso that allows users to practice compressions. In fact, it feels just like it would if performed on a person,” according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. It also provides instant feedback on the effectiveness of your CPR technique.

Mobile Passport Control

Dallas/Ft. Worth is the latest international gateway airport to support a Mobile Passport Control app that arriving travelers can use to clear Customs faster. It’s free from the Apple App and Google Play stores. Users can create a profile with their passport information and complete the “new trip” section upon arrival from overseas. They then submit their Customs and Border Protection declaration form through the app and get an electronic receipt with a digital bar code that they show to a CBP officer. In other tech developments, DFW has upgraded its mobile app with news and weather alerts, enhanced flight search, and access to the airport’s social media channels; it has also released an app for the Apple Watch.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about:  Should I tip my Uber driver? + Boeing 747 nearing its end? + Bargain hunters travel guide for 2016 + World’s best airline lounge? + Fares to Europe tumble 

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Uber, Lyft progress at Newark, Atlanta, Phoenix airports

The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Terminal at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson. (Image: Atlanta Airport)

The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Terminal at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson. (Image: Atlanta Airport)

Although they often meet with stiff resistance from local officials and taxi drivers, ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft continue to make slow but certain progress in their fight for the right to pick up passengers at major airports. Three of the latest battlegrounds are Newark, Atlanta and Phoenix.

We reported recently that Newark’s city prosecutor had threatened to have police start towing the vehicles of Uber and Lyft drivers this week if they were caught waiting for passengers at Newark Liberty International Airport. But now there’s apparently been a change of heart. According to local media, Newark public safety officials have now promised that the city will not start towing cars at the airport, and said they would meet with the city prosecutor and his staff in a bid to work things out. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey also said it would not act against the ride-sharing drivers. UPDATE: It seems the City of Newark has flip-flopped on this and the ban is back on according to NY Post (We will monitor status)

Airport officials at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson are said to be getting close to announcing a plan that would allow ride-sharing services to make passenger pick-ups legally at the nation’s busiest airport. Some drivers have reportedly been operating on the sly at ATL, taking the risk of getting a ticket, but a firm plan to legitimize ride-sharing pick-ups has been long overdue. According to Atlanta’s WSB-TV, airport officials are expected to “soon go public” with an approval plan. Noting that such a plan is half a year behind schedule due to rabid opposition from taxi drivers, the station quoted an airport spokesperson as saying that there is clear customer demand for ride-sharing, and that the airport is “fine-tuning” legislation to legalize pick-ups at ATL. The station said the airport is expected to designate pick-up spots for Uber and Lyft drivers, and noted that police have routinely been patrolling the cell phone waiting area, telling ride-share drivers to move out.

The Phoenix Aviation Advisory Board has passed a new policy for ground transportation at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport that would clear the way for UberX and Lyft to pick up arriving passengers. The measure still requires approval by the City Council, where it faces opposition from taxi services and other ground transportation providers (although it has public support from Arizona Governor Doug Ducey). The proposal would require drivers to pay a fee for each pick-up, but would ease up on some of the security requirements that officials had been demanding, like a fingerprint background check for drivers. According to the Arizona Republic, the ride-sharing services could start picking up arrivals at PHX by this summer.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about:  Should I tip my Uber driver? + Boeing 747 nearing its end? + Bargain hunters travel guide for 2016 + World’s best airline lounge? + Fares to Europe tumble 

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Think twice about trips in late March

What happens when too many flight depart simultaneously at CPH (Chris McGinnis)

Surprise airport crowds could be common this March (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Frequent travelers don’t like to be taken by surprise. So here’s a warning: If possible, avoid traveling during the last two weeks of March this year.

Why?

Late March is typically the busiest time of year for collegiate Spring break.

Early April, when Easter usually falls, is more popular with families.

But this year is atypical:  We have a very early Easter weekend (March 25-28) which means families AND college kids are going to be crowding airports, hotels and the beaches simultaneously.

Due to this concentration, travelers should be on alert for high prices and surprise crowds at airports, especially if you live in or near (or are traveling to or from) a big college town OR if you are headed to a warm weather destination like Florida, Mexico or the Caribbean. This is also the case for airport hubs with connections to warm weather destinations such as Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles or Phoenix.

Find out when the university nearest you has spring break and stay home that weekend! (Here’s a helpful guide to spring break dates around the country.)

If you must travel in late March, one way to avoid surprise airport crowds is to travel midweek, instead of on weekends when most spring breakers do.

There’s a silver lining to an early Easter, though, which is a much longer “shoulder season” when demand dips along with prices. Shoulder season this year will run almost 10 weeks from early April until mid-June when peak summer pricing and crowds kick in.

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Routes: Virgin’s new Hawaii sale; JetBlue’s Mint to Boston; Alaska to Atlanta

Hanging out at the bar and soaking up what's going on outside. (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Virgin America will bring Hawaii service to Los Angeles this year. (Virgin’s LAX lounge photo: Chris McGinnis)

In domestic route news, Virgin America plans a new Hawaii route; JetBlue sets schedules for the launch of Boston Mint service, and adds new cross-country markets; Alaska will resume an Atlanta route; and a niche carrier sets its sights on Portland.

Following up on its recent inauguration of service from San Francisco to Honolulu and Maui, Virgin America announced this week that it will serve the same two destinations from Los Angeles. The company said it has scheduled a May 5 start for daily flights from LAX to Honolulu, and a June 14 launch for daily service linking LAX with Kahului, Maui. Virgin noted that the new LAX schedule will allow even more connecting possibilities to Hawaii from the other cities it serves. Virgin is offering sale fares between Hawaii and LAX for as little as $338 round trip — today (Tuesday) only — and is offering Elevate members an award flight price starting at 8,278 points. UPDATE: As of Wednesday morning Feb 3, these “one day” sale fares ($338 rt) are still available when searching for SFO to Hawaii on VirginAmerica.com

NICE: These sale fares are good for travel all the way from now through summer– and they apply to flights from San Francisco, too! 

Are you signed up for the TravelSkills.com blog? Why not? Do it right now and don’t miss out. 

JetBlue will add more Mint flights on transcon routes this fall. (Image: JetBlue)

JetBlue will add more Mint flights on transcon routes from Boston. (Image: JetBlue)

Following up on plans it announced months ago, JetBlue has set the starting dates for the expansion of its premium Mint service to routes out of Boston.  According to Airlineroute.net, JetBlue will introduce a Mint-equipped A321 on one of its three daily San Francisco-Boston flights effective March 24, followed by a second daily Mint service beginning April 20 and the third starting September 20. JetBlue’s Boston-Los Angeles route will get the same treatment, but so far only one of the three daily flights on that route has the new Mint service scheduled, with a starting date of October 20.

Meanwhile, JetBlue also has its eye on some new cross-country markets. The carrier said it will begin new daily service between Boston-Salt Lake City on May 12, and between Ft. Lauderdale-San Diego as of June 16. Also in the works is new daily service linking Los Angeles with Buffalo, N.Y. starting June 16. On all three routes, the eastbound departure will be a red-eye.

Alaska Airlines is adding an international mileage and code-share partner. (Image: Jim Glab)

Alaska Airlines is bringing back nonstops between Atlanta and Portland, OR (Image: Jim Glab)

Alaska Airlines dropped service between Atlanta and Portland, Ore. a few years ago, but now it is planning to revive that route on a seasonal basis. The airline said it will operate a daily 737 roundtrip on the route this year from June 4 through August 27. Delta already serves that market. Alaska also announced plans to operate weekly Saturday service this summer between Spokane and Anchorage, from June 11 through August 27.

Don’t miss: The “unofficial” airport of the big game giveaway

Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines plans to begin new year-round service between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Portland, Ore. on June 9, according to Airlineroute.net. The 737 service will initially operate five times a week, and will be reduced to four a week after August 31.

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New hotels: Phoenix, Austin, Boston, New York, Atlanta

Part of the lobby area at The Ca,by, formerly the Phoenix Ritz-Carlton. (Image: The Camby)

Part of the lobby area at The Camby, formerly the Phoenix Ritz-Carlton. (Image: The Camby)

In U.S. hotel developments, a Phoenix classic is reborn with a new identity (but still with a Marriott affiliation); Kimpton Hotels brings its signature style to Austin; downtown Boston get s a new boutique property; and InterContinental makes a debut in the Twin Cities.

The hotel that used to be the Ritz-Carlton in Phoenix has gone through a five-month renovation and restyling, and has been reborn as The Camby Hotel. It’s at 2401 East Camelback Road (at N. 24th Street), across the road from the Biltmore Fashion Park mall. The hotel’s former Bistro 24 restaurant is now called Artizen, with locally sourced ingredients for its American cuisine. There’s a rooftop bar called Revery, with a pool and sun deck, outdoor games, and a video projection wall. Rooms have all been redecorated to appeal to a trendier crowd, although the hotel’s main market will still be business and meeting travelers. Although it’s no longer a Ritz-Carlton, The Camby retains a Marriott affiliation through membership in the group’s Autograph Collection. Rates start around $330 in winter, or half that in summer.

Front desk at the new Van Zandt Hotel in Austin. (Image: Kimpton Hotels)

Front desk at the new Hotel Van Zandt in Austin. (Image: Kimpton Hotels)

Kimpton Hotels — now a subsidiary of InterContinental Hotels Group — has cut the ribbon on its first property in Austin. Called the Hotel Van Zandt, the 319-room, 41-suite hotel is at 605 Davis Street in the city’s Rainey Street Historic District. The newly built hotel’s Geraldine’s restaurant features local Austin specialties and offers live entertainment. Rooms offer free high-speed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speakers along with yoga mats. Guests are invited to free beer and margaritas at the lobby social hour form 5 to 6 p.m., and Cafe 605 off the lobby has items like brisket and egg tacos as well as specialty coffees. Rates range from $210 to $399, but the hotel is offering 25-30 percent “Sneak Peek” introductory discounts through February, subject to availability.

Guest room at Boston's newest hotel, The Godfrey. (Image: The Godfrey)

Guest room at Boston’s newest hotel, The Godfrey. (Image: The Godfrey)

February 3 is the scheduled opening date for downtown Boston’s newest upscale lodging option, the 242-room Godfrey Hotel Boston. Located at 505 Washington Street in the  district known as Downtown Crossing, a short walk from Boston Common, it’s a makeover of the old Amory and Blake buildings. It has a restaurant/bar, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, and valet parking, and will open a George Howell Coffee outlet this spring. Guest rooms have 55-inch TVs, mobile keyless entry, Bluetooth audio system, and desks with USB ports. Introductory rates start at $199.

St. Paul's former Crowne Plaza is now an InterContinental. (Image: InterContinental Hotels)

St. Paul’s former Crowne Plaza is now an InterContinental. (Image: InterContinental Hotels)

The former Crowne Plaza St. Paul-Riverfront at 11 East Kellogg Blvd. in Minnesota’s capital city has received a multi-million dollar upgrade and reopened as the InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront. Overlooking the Mississippi River, the 410-room hotel has 43,000 square feet of meeting space, including a grand ballroom that accommodates up to 500. The new restaurant is called the Citizen Supper Club, with a varied cuisine; the hotel also has a coffee shop, fitness room and business center, and room options include a private-access Executive Floor. Rates start at $171.

Choice Hotels' new Cambria in midtown Manhattan. (Image: Choice Hotels International)

Choice Hotels’ new Cambria in midtown Manhattan. (Image: Choice Hotels International)

Choice Hotels International’s newest property in New York City is the 196-room Cambria Hotel & Suites NY-Times Square at 30 West 46th Street (actually closer to Fifth Avenue than Times Square). It boasts large rooms with big bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, a lobby bar, a fitness center, and a bistro-style restaurant/bar called Social Circle. Rates start at $119.

In other news, Atlanta is due to get a new luxury airport property next year, when the Solis Hotel, operated by Capella Hotel Group, is due to open near the Porsche Experience Driving Center in Haperville, Ga., just east of Hartsfield-Jackson. It will be the first new hotel on the east side of the airport since the International Terminal opened. The 214-room Solis will have a rooftop lounge with views of the Porsche driving course, and guests can arrange to pick up newly purchased Porsches there as well.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about:  Boeing 747 nearing its end? + “Targeted” for an upgrade? + 5 newest biz class hotels in New York + TSA PreCheck is exploding + Bargain hunters travel guide for 2016 

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Atlanta’s passenger record + fixing Uber surge pricing + NYC Marriotts on sale + more

Here are some newsy nuggets from other sources that we missed on TravelSkills this week:

Atlanta airport's Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal (Image: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport)

Atlanta airport’s Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Image: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport)

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson will break a huge passenger record today.

Harvard Business Review suggests ways to fix Uber’s surge pricing model.

This week only: Book Marriott’s NYC hotels for up to 20 percent off.

Hyatt notifies customers of computer security breach.

TSA may require scans instead of pat-downs for some travelers.

United’s new ‘Big Metal Bird’ Youtube videos explain how the airline biz works.

Study says DOT’s three-hour tarmac rule led to more flight cancellations.

Fiji Airways will begin twice-weekly seasonal service to San Francisco in June.

New Malaysian domestic airline operates according to Islamic law.

The new frontier for top chefs: airport restaurants.

 

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about:  Delta free upgrades disappearing + Shipping vs. checking a bag +_San Francisco’s new long-haul routes + Is Newark our worst airport? + Delta, United forge new international partnerships

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Airports: Atlanta’s airport hotel + Speedier Boingo + New Oakland lounge + more

Rendering of the hotel planned for Atlanta's airport. (Image: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport)

Rendering of the hotel planned for Atlanta’s airport. (Image: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport)

In airport news, Atlanta officials have reportedly selected a brand for their new airport hotel; Boingo boosts Wi-Fi speeds at a number of U.S. airports; a new passenger lounge is coming to Oakland Airport; Chicago airports now offered reserved parking spaces; and Tampa adds a huge number of charging outlets for travelers.

The new hotel planned for construction near Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson’s domestic terminal is expected to be an InterContinental, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The 300-room high-end hotel is envisioned to be part of a $600 million “Airport City” project that will include commercial space, retail outlets and a travel plaza, and perhaps even residential space. The newspaper reported that renowned Atlanta architect John Portman will design the hotel, which will have meeting rooms, a restaurant, lobby bar and grill and other amenities. It is expected to be built within three years.

Boingo, the leading airport Wi-Fi provider, said that its paid subscribers can now select from options that will give them speeds of up to 20 Mbps at seven major airports, with more coming soon. The highest-speed airports include Baltimore/Washington, Boston Logan, Chicago Midway, Chicago O’Hare, New York JFK, New York LaGuardia and Newark. The company said all travelers can now get free Wi-Fi, and “power users” can select from a number of paid options, including speeds of 20 Mbps, bursting to 50 Mbps. “All Boingo subscribers, including those enrolled in the American Express Preferred Plan, will automatically receive the highest tier of speed when they log in,” Boingo said.

Oakland International Airport said that the U.S. subsidiary of U.K.-based MAG will develop a new passenger lounge at OAK that should open in June 2016. The 2,600 square foot Escape Lounge will be open to all passengers for a per-use fee, offering free food and beverages, Wi-Fi, and other amenities. Earlier this month, MAG opened its first U.S. airport Escape Lounge at Minneapolis-St. Paul International.

Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports this month introduced a new option of reserved parking spaces close to the passenger terminals. The reservation fee is $10 per space, per day (plus parking charges, taxes and fees). All spaces are inside the garages, and are guaranteed even when the facility is full. Parking spaces can be booked at https://ord.clickandpark.com/ for O’Hare or at https://mdw.clickandpark.com/ for Midway.

Tampa International Airport next year will make life easier for power-hungry business travelers and their devices. The airport is planning to install thousands of power outlets and USB ports for passengers — 4,683 of them, to be exact. Some will be at 299 new work stations the airport will install; the rest will be on towers wedged between seat rows at gate areas. Currently the airport only offers 237 outlets at work stations scattered around the terminal.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about:  Delta free upgrades disappearing + Shipping vs. checking a bag +_San Francisco’s new long-haul routes + Is Newark our worst airport? + Delta, United forge new international partnerships

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Routes: Southwest grows at Oakland, St. Louis; AA at Washington + more

Southwest will add a pair of routes at Oakland in the spring. (Image: Oakland Airport)

Southwest will add a pair of routes at Oakland in the spring. (Image: Oakland Airport)

In domestic route news, Southwest announces a spate of new routes starting in June; American Airlines plans to add new service at three Midwestern cities; JetBlue adds a pair of Florida routes; and Spirit grows at Atlanta.

  • When Southwest Airlines’ summer schedule begins on June 5, it will include new daily service from Oakland to St. Louis and three flights a day from Oakland to Reno, as well as new daily flights from St. Louis to Portland, Ore. and Cleveland. Also in Southwest’s plans are a new daily roundtrip between Burbank and Dallas Love Field. On June 11, Southwest will add daily service between Denver and Buffalo, N.Y.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about:  New Oakland-London route + Big hotel acquisition + Uber at Las Vegas McCarran + American’s international Premium Economy service + Healthy eating for travelers

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Uber gets OK to pick up at Las Vegas McCarran

Uber pick-ups are now legal at Las Vegas McCarran. (Image: Jim Glab)

Uber pick-ups are now legal at Las Vegas McCarran. (Image: Jim Glab)

After several weeks of back-and-forth with the Clark County Commission, which oversees Nevada’s Las Vegas McCarran Airport,  UberX drivers this week finally got clearance to begin passenger pick-ups at the airport effective immediately.

Competitor Lyft had reached agreement with regulators earlier, and began to serve the airport last month.

Some Uber drivers apparently took matters into their own hands before the agreement was reached, according to the Las Vegas Sun; the newspaper said that by December 1, airport authorities had issued some 1,600 tickets to Uber drivers for unauthorized rides at McCarran.

It’s another big win in airport access for the ride-sharing apps, which are steadily adding more legal authority to pick up arriving passengers. Last month, they started pick-ups at Chicago’s busy O’Hare and Midway airports.

At Raleigh-Durham International Airport, officials are expected to formally approve an agreement next week that will permit ride-sharing pick-ups, although according to the Triangle Business Journal, those drivers have already started making pick-ups there, using special zones dedicated to their services.

In Atlanta, an Uber official told local station WABE that the company has started car-pool pickups at Hartsfield-Jackson International — a service it calls uberPOOL — even though the airport still does not allow any Uber pick-ups there. Uber will also offer the uberPOOL service in downtown Atlanta, Midtown, and Buckhead.

Uber is testing a light bar that makes its cars easy to find. (Image: Uber)

Uber is testing a light bar that makes its cars easy to find. (Image: Uber)

In other news, the Washington Post reports that Uber has started testing a new feature in the Seattle market: a colored light in the windshield that will help passengers find the Uber car that has come to pick them up. An enhanced app lets the passenger select a color while he’s waiting for pick-up and the approaching driver activates the light in the windshield to glow in that same color, making it easy to spot in areas with lots of traffic.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: 5 ways to save using Uber/Lyft  + New overseas plan from Verizon + Trans-Pac fare war?

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2 new United Clubs open ATL SFO

Concept photo of the new United Club in Atlanta (Image: United)

United says this is a concept photo of both the new United Club in Atlanta and San Francisco (Image: United)

Today United opened a brand new United Club at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. On Wednesday, the long awaited new United Club will open near the new Terminal 3 E boarding area at San Francisco International. 

We’ve not seen either club yet, but will take a sneak peek of the SFO Club on Monday, so stay tuned!

Here’s what United has told TravelSkills so far about the Clubs:

Atlanta

The nearly 5,000-square-foot Atlanta United Club opens today. The club features stunning panoramic views of the airport as well as seating for more than 100 people, giving travelers a comfortable and convenient airport getaway where they can unwind during their journeys. The modern design also features vintage aviation artwork throughout the club, and visiting customers may dine on complimentary fresh-food choices, including yogurt and fresh fruit; muffins in rotating flavors of cinnamon and blueberry; sliced red bell peppers with hummus; rotating seasonal soups; and spicy Bloody Mary trail mix.

The Atlanta club is located between gates 11 and 12 at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport’s Concourse T, on the mezzanine level.

Don’t miss: Delta’s opens big bright brand new Sky Club at SFO

San Francisco

At just over 6,000 square feet, the newest United Club at San Francisco International Airport will first welcome travelers on  Wednesday Nov. 18. The club will offer a bird’s-eye view of airport operations and a gallery of photos of United’s history. Comfortable seating can accommodate more than 130 people who will be able to enjoy a complimentary menu with seasonal choices, such as fresh zucchini, yellow squash and cherry tomatoes; hearty butternut squash soup; dressed spinach salad; and a variety of fresh meats and cheeses.

The club is located in the newly renovated Terminal 3 East Concourse, scheduled to open the same day, and will operate in addition to United Club locations in Terminal 3’s Concourse F and in the airport’s International Terminal G.

Like remodeled United Club locations in Atlanta, Chicago, San Diego, Seattle, Boston and London, the new San Francisco location will offer additional work stations and abundant power outlets for customers to work with greater ease and comfort. Members may also enjoy complimentary beverages and Wi-Fi, as well as premium wines and spirits.

What’s your favorite airport club? Least favorite? Please leave your comments below! 

Take the TravelSkills Reader Survey, please!

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Trip Report: Singapore Airlines + 5 ways to save using Uber/Lyft  +Best/worst airports for Thanksgiving + Trans-Pac fare war? 

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Routes: AA to Tokyo + WOW to west coast + Air Canada, Lufthansa, Alaska

American will use a 787 on its new LAX-Tokyo Haneda route. (Image: American)

American will use a 787 on its new LAX-Tokyo Haneda route. (Image: American)

International route news this week includes American revealing its plans for new Los Angeles-Tokyo flights, an Icelandic budget airline expanding to San Francisco and Los Angeles, Air Canada adding new long-haul destinations, Emirates casting its eye at an available U.S. gateway and Alaska starting service to Costa Rica.

American Airlines has set February 11 as the launch date for new daily, year-round non-stops between Los Angeles International and Tokyo’s close-in Haneda Airport; it will take bookings beginning November 8. American said it will use a 787-8 with business class, Main Cabin Extra and regular economy seating, and equipped with satellite Wi-Fi. American got the route authority after Delta agreed to give up its Seattle-Tokyo Haneda service (although it still flies Seattle-Tokyo Narita, and American and partner Japan Airlines both fly from LAX to Tokyo Narita). It will be the second new transpacific route for American in three months; AA starts its new LAX-Sydney non-stops on December 17.

Looking for a cheap way to get from the West Coast to Europe — or Iceland? Reykjavik-based discount carrier WOW Air said it plans to begin flying to both San Francisco and Los Angeles next summer, although it didn’t give an exact starting date. The carrier said it will fly to LAX four times a week and to San Francisco five times a week, using a one-class, 340-passenger A330-300. WOW already operates from Boston and Washington to Iceland’s Keflavik Airport (and will add Toronto and Montreal flights in May 2016), with connections to various European cities. No word on fares yet, but the carrier’s website (www.wowair.us) currently shows basic one-way connecting prices as low as $149 from Boston or Washington to London Gatwick — plus ancillary fees, of course.

Take the TravelSkills reader survey! 

Air Canada is adding long-haul international services left and right. This week, it started flying non-stop from Toronto to Delhi, India four times a week, along with new non-stops three times a week from Toronto to Dubai. On both routes, Air Canada is using 787-9s with business, premium economy and economy class seating. The Canadian carrier also plans to resume Toronto-Seoul Incheon service on June 17, 2016, using a 787-8; it last flew the seasonal route in 2013.  

Now that Delta has angrily announced its exit from the Atlanta-Dubai route effective February 11, blaming the big Mideast airlines for laying on excessive capacity to the U.S., Emirates has its eye on the route. The Dubai-based airline also dismissed Delta’s claim that it couldn’t successfully compete in the market, estimating that Delta earned more than $10 million a year on the Atlanta-Dubai route. Delta immediately denounced Emirates’ assertion, saying it has been losing money on the route for the past two years. 

Alaska Airlines has added Costa Rica to its route network. The carrier this week started flying from Los Angeles to both San Jose and Liberia, Costa Rica, offering four flights a week on each route with 737-800s.

According to Airlineroute.net, which tracks carriers’ schedule filings, Lufthansa will not resume seasonal Chicago-Dusseldorf flights on March 27 as previously planned. However, on the same date the German carrier will switch from an A330-300 to a much larger A340-600 on its Newark-Dusseldorf route, increasing capacity by about 50 percent.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Global Entry gets more global + New York’s lowest ranked hotels +Best/worst hotel programs for awards + More flat seats

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New ATL-Bay Area flight + SIA trip report + Global Entry + Airfares fall

New Southwest Airlines nonstop flights between Atlanta and Oakland start today (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

New Southwest Airlines nonstop service between Atlanta and Oakland starts today (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Today Southwest Airlines begins new nonstop service between Oakland and Atlanta. The Boeing 737-700 flight departs OAK at 12:25 pm arriving in Atlanta four and a half hours later at 7:55 pm. The flight to Oakland departs Atlanta at 8:35 am and arrives at 11:10 am. Southwest no longer flies nonstop between SFO and ATL leaving the route to Delta and United. Will Virgin America move in? See below…

TravelSkills’ 10 most popular posts over the last week (descending order):

1 Gotta see this: Trip Report: Singapore Airlines’ NEW business class [PHOTOS]

2 Airline updates: Alaska Air’s new partner + United trims Mideast + Lufthansa Denver + London

3 Shorter lines, please! Global Entry gets more global

4 We see the future: Stunning new airport designs: FRA, SLC, PDX (images)Weekend Edition

5 Airport expansion: How to unclog Chicago O’Hare

6 New routes: New Southwest routes + Virgin expands at Dallas + Alaska, AA add more

7 A war of words: Delta dumps Dubai, blasts Mideast carriers

8 Great reader comments here: Want more business trips?

9 Nothing official yet, but Will Hyatt buy Starwood?

10 Most readers want New Orleans Where will Virgin America fly next?

Did you choose a custom background yet?

Did you choose a custom background yet?

Did you know that you can choose the background on the new United. com website? I chose “random for each visit.” Which one did you pick? And what do you think about the new site? Leave your comments below!

A few newsy nuggets from other sources that we missed on TravelSkills this week:

Here’s an inside look at how United prepares in-flight meals.

New carry-on bag design has link to phone, Wi-Fi, battery pack, USB port and more

JetBlue will introduce a new co-branded credit card in 2016.

United expands code-sharing with Brazil’s Azul.

Airfares coming down slightly. Here’s why

FlyteNow, the Uber of private aviation, fighting court order

The real reason Delta dumped Dubai

Why federal air marshals should be grounded

Parking at ATL will be a hassle for next 8-10 years!

Delta to exit big airline trade group

United losing momentum due to C-suite drama?

Delta vs United in New York City

Lyft beats Uber to the airport in Las Vegas 

Get your flu shot at the airport- multiple locations 

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Global Entry gets more global + New York’s lowest ranked hotels +Best/worst hotel programs for awards + More flat seats

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Your favorite megahub?

Delta Atlanta rains

Atlanta, with hundreds of thousands of possible connections, tops the list of megahubs. (Image: Chris McGinnis)

What’s a megahub? It’s an airport that has a lot more options for flight connections than just a run-of-the-mill hub. That’s important when you’ve missed your scheduled connecting flight and need another one soon, or when your itinerary suddenly changes mid-trip.

If these things matter to you, you’re lucky you live in the U.S., which boasts more megahubs than any other country, according to a new study by air travel data giant OAG — including the most mega- of all megahubs, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson. One a single day, the report said, as many as 570,000 connections were possible at ATL.

OAG crunched the numbers (i.e., “the total number of all possible connections between inbound and outbound flights within an eight-hour window”) to determine the world’s 50 biggest megahubs. Of those 50, 22 are in the U.S. — including eight of the top 10. Not a huge surprise considering it has the largest domestic aviation market, but still….

“Contributing to the growth of megahubs are low-cost carriers and the rise in self-connecting passengers,” OAG noted. “While connections have traditionally been made between airlines through code sharing agreements, today, passengers are increasingly self-connecting between low-cost carriers. In fact, many airports, such as Chicago Midway (MDW), Baltimore Washington International (BWI) and Las Vegas McCarran International (LAS), are beginning to facilitate connections between low-cost flights for the traveler.”

The report also observed that partly as a result of industry consolidation, U.S. megahubs are tending to be dominated by a single carrier — e.g., Delta at Atlanta (80 percent of all flights), American at Dallas/Ft. Worth (81 percent), United at Houston Intercontinental (76 percent) and American/US Airways at Charlotte (88 percent). The U.S. has six low-cost carrier megahubs, the report said, and all of them are dominated by Southwest.

You can download a copy of the full report here.

megahubs

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: New hotel openings + Cathay Pacific’s new lounge + Joining PreCheck gets easier + Air India’s San Francisco plans + New perks from United, Virgin America

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Routes: AA adds ATL + New Alaska transcon + JetBlue to Nashville + More

American's Atlanta-Washington flights will use E175s with 12 first class seats and 64 in economy. (Image: American)

American’s Atlanta-Washington flights will use E175s with 12 first class seats and 64 in economy. (Image: American)

In domestic route news, American will start a new route out of Atlanta; Alaska Airlines adds another transcontinental route; a new air carrier offers regional service from New Orleans; JetBlue brings a new city into its network; and Frontier adds new rotues.

  • Atlanta travelers will get another option to the nation’s capital on January 5. That’s when American Airlines is due to begin new service from ATL to Washington Reagan National Airport, operating five flights a day with E-175s. Delta dominates the ATL-DCA market with 15 daily roundtrips, and Southwest has six. In June 2016, American plans to launch new seasonal service from Washington Reagan National to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Mass.
  • Although ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines has been neglecting its home base of Denver in the past year as it moved into a number of new markets elsewhere, it is apparently getting back to its roots next March, when it will begin service from Denver to Charlotte and Denver to Philadelphia.
  • A new company called GLO said it will start regional airline service out of New Orleans‘ Louis Armstrong International Airport next month, operating on a public charter basis and using 30-passenger Saab 340B twin-engine turboprops provided by Corporate Flight Management. The initial schedule calls for twice-daily flights on weekdays to Little Rock, Memphis and Shreveport. “GLO was born out of the recognition that travel options in the South are incredibly limited by existing air carriers,” said company founder Trey Fayard. For details, go to www.FlyGLO.com.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: New hotel openings + Cathay Pacific’s new lounge + Joining PreCheck gets easier + Air India’s San Francisco plans + New perks from United, Virgin America


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2 brand new United Clubs next month

New United Clubs at SFO and ATL will sport a new look similar to the new club in Boston (pictured).

New United Clubs at SFO and ATL will sport a new look similar to the new club in Boston (pictured here).

United Airlines is set to open two brand new United Club lounges in the two airports: San Francisco International and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International.

United recently revealed to TravelSkills that the two clubs will open in mid-November– with no specific opening date for either yet.

The San Francisco United Club will offer 6,000 square feet of space with 130 seats and panoramic tarmac and runway views from a location adjacent to the new Terminal 3, Boarding Area E space. This will be United’s fourth Club at SFO. Stay tuned for more details as well as a sneak peek at the new space in coming weeks.

Don’t miss: Delta’s opens big bright brand new Sky Club at SFO

In Atlanta, United recently moved all its operations to the convenient Concourse T, which means passengers no longer have to ride the airport train way out to Concourse D where the old club was located.

The new Atlanta United Club will be about 5,000 square feet with seating for just over 100, and big views of the tarmac. You’ll access the Club via an elevator next to gate T12.

Clusters of egg chairs lend a mod feel to the temporary mezzanine club at SFO (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Clusters of egg chairs lend a mod feel to the temporary mezzanine club at SFO (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

United says that the new clubs at ATL and SFO will reflect the look and upgraded amenities found at its most recently renovated ones at Chicago O’Hare, London Heathrow,  San Francisco, San Diego, Boston and Seattle. 

How to use Copa’s status match to gain access to domestic United Clubs

At SFO’s Terminal 3, United currently operates two United Clubs — a nice, new but temporary and windowless one on the mezzanine level of main part of the terminal, and an older facility out by the gates. There’s another United Club in the international Terminal at SFO.

Related: Feast your eyes on United’s new London lounges

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: New hotel openings + Cathay Pacific’s new lounge + Joining PreCheck gets easier + Air India’s San Francisco plans + New perks from United, Virgin America

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My airport’s busier than yours

Dubai airport has the most international passengers, but.... (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Dubai airport has the most international passengers, but…. (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

What do you think is the world’s busiest airport? The answer is…. it depends. 

In 2014, the busiest airport could be either Atlanta, Chicago, Dubai or London, depending on what you are measuring or who you are asking.

It all comes down to how you define “busiest.” And there are two primary ways to measure it: By the number of passengers flying through the airport, or by the number of aircraft taking off and landing at the airports.

Looking at overall passenger numbers — international and domestic — the top four airports worldwide held the same rankings in 2014 as the previous year: Atlanta at first place with 96.2 million, Beijing in second place with 86.1 million, Heathrow in third at 73.4 million and Tokyo Haneda in fourth with 72.8 million. (It’s interesting to note that Haneda is much busier than Narita, which has wider global visibility.)

Airports

Source: Airports Council International

Now, let’s look at the other way of measuring “busiest.” In terms of number of flights or “aircraft movements,” U.S. airports continue to dominate the global rankings. Chicago O’Hare (with its abundance of smaller regional jet flights) came in at first place, followed by Atlanta, Los Angeles and Dallas/Ft. Worth. After fifth-place Beijing came Denver, Charlotte, Las Vegas and Houston, in that order, with London Heathrow rounding out the top 10.

CAPA Airports

Source: Airports Council International

But if you measure busiest by the number of international travelers, Dubai now holds that title. Although Dubai (DXB) is the sixth-busiest airport in the world in overall passenger traffic, last year it became the world’s busiest in terms of international passenger traffic, beating out of London-Heathrow (LHR) and Hong Kong (HKG). Istanbul (IST), where Turkish Airlines is on a growth spurt, was one of the fastest growing, increasing international passenger numbers 11 percent and moving from 18th to 13th rank.

And here’s one more way to measure busiest– by metropolitan area. London remains the world’s largest airport system with almost 147 million passengers handled at six airports in and around its metropolitan area. The New York area has the second busiest airport system, followed by Tokyo.

Despite these numbers, the overall growth trend in passenger traffic is shifting away from North America and Europe. Airports in the Middle East posted a growth rate of 10.8 percent last year, and Asia-Pacific airports were in second place at 7.1 percent. By contrast, passenger numbers at North American airports rose an anemic 3.2 percent, while Europe managed a 5.5 percent increase.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Surviving San Francisco + Photos: New United first class seat + Save money on calls from other countries + 6 secrets for snagging low fares

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Which airport has fastest wi-fi?

Wi-Fi or cellular at the airport? The answer isn't easy. (Image: Hyatt)

Wi-Fi or cellular at the airport? The answer isn’t easy. (Image: Hyatt)

Wefi, a company specializing in mobile data analytics, took its testers to the nation’s seven busiest airports and determined that Denver International had the fastest Wi-Fi, while Atlanta and San Francisco had the slowest.

Denver’s average Wi-Fi speed clocked in at 4.73 megabits per second (Mbps), while ATL and SFO logged relatively measly rates of  3.05 and 3.26 respectively. The data was collected from March through May of this year.

If you can opt for a Wi-Fi connection or a cellular network at the airport, which should you choose? “That depends,” Wefi said. “While Wi-Fi connections beat out cell connections on average, at Hartsfield, JFK and LAX some cell carriers beat out free Wi-Fi.” (See charts below)

While Denver topped the Wi-Fi list at 4.73 Mbps, its cellular connections by comparison were just 3.52 Mbps. At Atlanta, by contrast, T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T all offered faster cellular alternatives to the relatively slow Wi-Fi.

“I wouldn’t want to comment on this ranking without a bit more detail on how the measurements were made,” said San Francisco International spokesman Doug Yakel. “That said, airports take varying approaches to Wi-Fi speed. Some locations may allow unrestricted Wi-Fi, which could provide for faster speeds on a quiet day, but result in poorer performance at busy times. Think of it like the Autobahn; you can go really fast if no one else is on the road.

“We’ve taken the approach of maintaining a ‘speed limit’ of 5 mbps to ensure an acceptable speed even when its busy. We’re seeing very high rankings on Wi-Fi in customer satisfaction surveys, so we think the approach is working. Our Wi-Fi is still free (and ad-free) and unlimited at all bandwidths, and we continue to increase the number of access points around SFO.”

Wi-Fi vs. cellular speeds. (Image: Wefi)

Wi-Fi vs. cellular speeds. (Image: Wefi)

 

Cellular speeds. (Image: Wefi)

Cellular speeds. (Image: Wefi)

Do you notice much difference in wi-fi speed among airports? Which airport has the best wi-fi in your opinion. Please leave your comments below. 

 


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Atlanta airport’s exclusive new lounge (photos)

USO ATL

Atlanta’s newest lounge is available to a select few (Image: Atlanta Airport / Vimeo)

Atlanta’s newly refurbished USO lounge is open to active duty military and their families, only. The 3,200 square foot lounge on the third floor of the main terminal atrium (pre-security) has been in the works for about a year.

An Atlanta Business Chronicle reporter attended the grand opening and wrote that the new lounge “now includes a food and beverage hospitality suite, a Skype-only dedicated computer for video conferencing, ample electrical outlets, and furniture upgrades on par with airline clubs throughout the airport.” See full slideshow of the lounge here

USO ATL

A nice place to kick back and soak up some American TV before deployment (Photo: Atlanta Airport / Vimeo)

ATL USO

Plenty of space to relax and get in a few emails on the way out or on the way back from deployment (Photo: Atlanta Airport / Vimeo)

ATL USO

The kiddie play area looks as nice as the ones we’ve recently seen at American Express Centurion Lounges. (Photo: Atlanta Airport / Vimeo)

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Affordable, new city center hotels: NYC, Chicago, Seattle, Atlanta

Residential-style accommodations at the new Hyatt House Atlanta/Downtown. (Image: Hyatt)

Residential-style accommodations at the new Hyatt House Atlanta/Downtown. (Image: Hyatt)

For travelers whose budgets don’t allow for five-star luxury, major hotel brands have recently opened some more reasonably priced lodging options in the hearts of major business destinations, including Atlanta, New York, Chicago and Seattle.

Hyatt has cut the ribbon on the Hyatt House Atlanta/Downtown, located at 431 Marietta Street NW, close to the Georgia World Congress Center and the Georgia Dome. The hotel has 150 residential-style guestrooms, studios and one-bedroom units, free daily hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, and other amenities. Rates start at around $159.

Hilton;s new Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central. (Image: Hilton)

Hilton;s new Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central. (Image: Hilton)

In New York City, Hilton has cut the ribbon on the 300-room Hampton Inn by Hilton Manhattan/Times Square Central. It’s on West 41st Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues, close to the Theater District and the Garment District. It offers free hot breakfasts, free Wi-Fi, a fitness center and 24-hour business center. Rates start at $228.

Hyatt Place Chicago Downtown-The Loop. (Image: Hyatt)

Hyatt Place Chicago/Downtown-The Loop. (Image: Hyatt)

The new Hyatt Place Chicago/Downtown-The Loop is at 28 N. Franklin Street, a block east of Wacker Drive between Washington and Madison streets. The hotel’s 206 rooms offer 42-inch HDTVs, sectional sofas, free Wi-Fi, and some have floor to ceiling windows. Guests get free breakfasts and access to an 1,800-square-foot fitness center. Rates begin around $189.

Hilton Garden Inn Seattle Downtown. (Image: Hilton)

Hilton Garden Inn Seattle Downtown. (Image: Hilton)

Hilton has opened a new mid-priced property in central Seattle, the 222-room Hilton Garden Inn Seattle Downtown. It’s at 1821 Boren Avenue on the southern tip of Lake Union, within walking distance of the convention center and close to the offices of businesses like Amazon and Google. It offers a 24-hour fitness center, free Wi-Fi, a saltwater pool, restaurant, bar, and 24-hour pantry. Rates begin around $211.

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More 787s for LAX + AA trims first class + Delta to Brazil + Qatar earlier in ATL

American is bringing new 787s to two LAX routes this fall. (Image: American)

American is bringing new 787s to two LAX routes this fall. (Image: American)

In international route news, American will deploy new 787s on a pair of Los Angeles routes this fall, and will end first class on some London flights; Delta eyes new South America service from Orlando; Air China will add capacity at LAX and Icelandair will do the same at Seattle; and Qatar plans to move up its Atlanta debut.

American Airlines unveiled plans to add more new Boeing Dreamliners to its international network this fall, with an October 5 launch date for 787 flights from Los Angeles to Sao Paulo, and a November 5 start for new LAX-Shanghai Pudong 787 service. It currently operates Dreamliners from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Beijing, Buenos Aires and Shanghai, and will begin Chicago O’Hare-Tokyo 787 flights August 18. The 787s are replacing 777-200s.

In other developments, American plans to eliminate first class cabins on two of its three daily New York JFK-London flights on December 17 by switching them from 777-300ERs to 777-200s configured with business class, economy and main Cabin Extra seats. Meanwhile, American plans to change equipment from a 767-300ER to a 777-200ER on its JFK-Milan route September 9, and on its Miami-Paris CDG route starting November 5.

Delta has filed for government approval to move its Atlanta-Brasilia flights to Orlando starting December 1, serving the Brazilian capital city four times a week with a 757-200ER. Delta said the altered route would complement its new Orlando-Sao Paulo service. In other news, Delta plans to switch from a 767 to an Airbus A330-300 for five of its seven weekly flights between Atlanta and Dublin beginning May 26, 2016.

Another airline moves in at LAX Tom Bradley Int'l (Photo: Prayitno / Flickr)

Another airline moves in at LAX Tom Bradley Int’l (Photo: Prayitno / Flickr)

Air China last week relocated its Los Angeles operations from Terminal 2 to the Tom Bradley International Terminal, and also expanded its schedule between LAX and Beijing with the addition of a third daily roundtrip. All three flights use 777-300ERs with first, business and economy classes.

Starting May 5 of next year, Icelandair will boost its Seattle-Reykjavik schedule from seven flights a week to 11. The four additional flights will include “the only two international morning flights from Sea-Tac,” Icelandair said, with 9:15 a.m. departures on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Qatar Airways, which had announced plans to begin Atlanta-Doha flights on July 1, 2016, now reportedly will move up that schedule by a month, beginning the new 777-200LR service on June 1 instead. The airline is on a U.S. expansion binge, which also includes new flights to Los Angeles starting January 1, to Boston March 16, and a second daily New York flight March 1.

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Airport cardio: Hoofing it to the gate

The long connector between Denver's main terminal and Concourse A. (Image: Jim Glab)

The long connector between Denver’s main terminal and Concourse A. (Image: Jim Glab)

Sure, you could take the moving walkway or people-mover or even hitch a ride on one of those little golf carts — but some big airports allow passengers to get in a pretty good workout if they walk all the way to the gate.

USA Today looked into the maximum walking distances inside some major U.S. airports, and the results can be exhilarating (if you’re in shape) or daunting (if you’re not).

For instance, the newspaper found that a passenger at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson who hoofs it from the front of the domestic terminal to a gate in the international terminal will log more than two miles, but there’s a train for that.

The walk from the end of Concourse E to immigration at Concourse F at ATL is a long haul (Map: Delta)

The walk from the end of Concourse E to immigration at Concourse F at ATL is a long haul (Map: Delta)

What’s really irritating at ATL is arriving at International Concourse E, then having to walk through the sterile concourse, then through a tunnel under the tarmac to immigration and customs facilities located in terminal F. Not fun after 10 hours in the air, whether you are fit or not. The situation is so bad that the airport has employed cheerleaders along the route telling passengers how much longer they must walk. (I noticed this after a 14.5 hour Korean Air A380 flight from Seoul to Atlanta last fall. Here’s my Trip Report on that. )

The longest hike at San Francisco International would be from Gate 55 in Terminal 2 to Gate 101 in the International Terminal, the newspaper said, which is a little over three-quarters of a mile. And at Denver International, a walk within a single concourse — the B concourse — from one end to the other is 3,300 feet, or more than six-tenths of a mile.

If you’ve got time to kill at Chicago O’Hare, walk from Terminal 1’s Concourse C through the tunnel and out to the end of the L Concourse in Terminal 3, and then back again, and your FitBit or iPhone will tally more than two miles.

Readers: What’s the farthest you’ve ever walked in an airport, domestic or foreign? Which one was it?

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Atlanta airport to get half-billion dollar facelift

Rendering of proposed new atrium at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson. (Image: City of Atlanta)

Rendering of proposed new main terminal atrium at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson. (Image: City of Atlanta)

We’ve always thought that Atlanta’s sprawling Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport airport looks and works a lot like a Xerox machine- not too pretty, but efficient, reliable and easy to understand.

But this week airport officials announced plans to spend nearly half a billion dollars to overhaul the main domestic terminal and concourses T, A, B, C and D.

From what we’ve seen, it appears that the entire airport will eventually look a lot like the new International concourse F with plenty of smooth lines and more light.

Lots of light and designer touches inside ATL's new Terminal F (Chris McGinnis)

Lots of light and designer touches inside ATL’s new Terminal F (Chris McGinnis)

The airport is currently asking for bids from companies that can do the work (now estimated at $430 million now, but you know what that means…), which will make the facilities brighter and airier, with larger windows and an airport atrium in the main terminal that offers lots of live plants and trees.

Besides the modernization, the project will also include the replacement of about half the existing jetways.

The three-year project is not expected to mean any disruptions for travelers or flight operations.

Below is a look at some more renderings of the remade facility. What do you think? Does the airport really need a makeover or does its current utilitarian look and feel work for you? 

The new baggage claim area. (Image: City of Atlanta)

The new baggage claim area. (Image: City of Atlanta)

The terminal's new and improved ticketing area. (Image: City of Atlanta)

A new and improved ticketing area. (Image: City of Atlanta)

Curbside at the revamped domestic terminal. (Image: City of Atlanta)

Curbside at the revamped domestic terminal includes a canopy. (Image: City of Atlanta)

What do you think? Does the airport really need a makeover or does its current utilitarian look and feel work for you?

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Turkish Airlines coming to Atlanta

This Turkish Airlines 777 has a mural of Istanbul on the fuselage. (Image: Chris McGinnis)

This Turkish Airlines 777 has a mural of Istanbul on the fuselage. (Image: Chris McGinnis)

Turkish Airlines’ long-promised intention to begin Atlanta-Istanbul nonstops will materialize next year according to various internet sources. (The airline has yet to officially announce the service for some odd reason. Anyway….)

The Turkish carrier, which is adding U.S. routes right and left, plans to start flying a 777 -300ER to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson on May 16, 2016, and to operate daily flights year-round. The aircraft will have 49 business class seats and 300 economy seats (no first class). The business seats will recline to a fully flat position and will be in a 2-3-2 configuration.

Two months ago, Turkish Airlines started San Francisco-Istanbul flights flights, and last month it said it will begin Miami-Istanbul service on October 25 of this year.

Turkish has been hinting at the possibility of an Atlanta-Istanbul nonstop since 2014, and those who really wanted it set up a Facebook page to convince the airline to add it. So far, the page has nearly 700 “likes.”

Turkish Airlines lie-flat business class seat (Photo: Turkish Airlines)

Turkish Airlines lie-flat business class seat (Photo: Turkish Airlines)

As a member of the Star Alliance, Turkish will likely have a tough time in the Atlanta market, which is dominated by Delta and its SkyTeam partners. Why? Well, would you be willing to give up nearly 12,000 SkyMiles to fly Turkish roundtrip ATL to Istanbul?

Delta fares for fall flights to Istanbul (via Paris or Amsterdam) are now in the $1,000 range in economy and the $5,000 range in business class. Turkish fares for June 2016 nonstop flights are $1,200 in economy and $5,800 in business class.

The airline also flies to New York JFK, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Houston and Boston.

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Two new United Clubs open, more coming

Newly renovated United Club at Washington National Airport (Photo: United)

Newly renovated United Club at Washington National Airport (Photo: United)

United recently completed renovations of its United Clubs at Washington (Reagan National) and Hong Kong. It says that it will complete similar renovations or add new clubs at Tokyo (Narita), Atlanta (T-gates) and San Francisco later this year. 

The carrier says its new Club at Washington National stands out for its new furnishings with the art deco design. In Hong Kong, loads of  natural light bathe the loft-style room design.

“We are making investments of more than $100 million in our clubs around our network and have made great progress this year in opening two brand new clubs at Reagan National and Hong Kong,” said Premium Services Managing Director Mike Landers. 

Related: United Clubs upgrade food and renovate

Freshly renovated United Club at Hong Kong International (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Freshly renovated United Club at Hong Kong International (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

United says that the new clubs reflect the look and upgraded amenities found at its most recently renovated ones at Chicago O’Hare, London Heathrow,  San Diego, Boston and Seattle. 

At SFO’s Terminal 3, United currently operates two United Clubs– a nice, new but temporary and windowless one on the mezzanine level of main part of the terminal, and an older facility out by the gates. The brand new state-of-the-art United Club will open this fall near the entry to the new T3 Boarding Area 1 gates.

In Atlanta, United’s Club on Terminal D is now closed. United has said that a new club will open in the desirable T-gates area of the airport, but has not revealed a specific location.

Have you visited a renovated United Club? What did you think? How do they compare to others?

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Extinguish airport smoking for good?

Atlanta's airport will stand by its smoking lounges. (Image: Grant Frederiksen/Flickr)

Atlanta’s airport will stand by its smelly smoking lounges. (Image: Grant Frederiksen/Flickr)

Fewer and fewer U.S. airports still offer special lounges where smokers can light up in a controlled environment, but Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International has apparently decided to stick with them in spite of a specific request from the U.S. Surgeon general.

According to Atlanta’s WXIA TV News, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently said in a tweet: “World’s busiest airport can be its healthiest. Make Atlanta Airport tobacco-free.”

But when the station talked to airport officials, they said they have no plans to eliminate ATL‘s 12 smoking lounges even though other major airports have done just that. The report said 28 of the nation’s 35 largest airports now ban all smoking in their terminals.

The Atlanta Airport smoking lounges were recently renovated, getting new ventilation systems, windows and flooring. Officials said as long as the smoke is contained within the lounges, it shouldn’t present a problem to other passengers. However a recent CDC study refutes that claim, and I know I get a several whiffs of second hand smoke when near the lounges.

WABE reports that Phillip Morris paid for the lounges initially, but that the City of Atlanta is responsible for maintaining them.

Should ATL and other airports get rid of smoking lounges… or not? Please leave your comments below.

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Delta experiments with boarding & aromatherapy

Delta's boarding experiment at ATL (Photo: GH)

Delta’s boarding experiment at ATL (Photo: GH)

Delta is experimenting with a new boarding process in Atlanta that looks a lot like the process United implemented a few years ago. It’s also apparently adding an olfactory element to the jetway. 

While pundits joke that United execs wear WWDD wristbands when it comes to decision making (“What Would Delta Do”) it now seems that Delta might be taking some cues from United… or Southwest when it comes to boarding.

20150518_184508

Delta’s experimental boarding area lanes (Photo: G.H.)

While Delta has not confirmed this to TravelSkills, we’ve heard from readers about an experimental boarding process that has Medallion (elite) level members line up for boarding in labeled lanes. It appears very similar to Southwest’s infamous “cattle call” that’s equally loved and derided. And even more similar to United’s new boarding process- see image below and compare it to what you see above.

United's new boarding area queues at SFO (Chris McGinnis)

United’s new boarding area queues at SFO (Chris McGinnis)

Here’s what TravelSkills reader GH said in an email:

“Have you seen this?   I had a flight to DFW on Monday night but they had these lanes set up for Premium,  Sky and Zone 1 at gates B7 and B8 at ATL. As Zone 1 boards they change the signs to Zone 2, etc.  I was like ‘is this Southwest’?   If it’s to get traffic out of the main spine walkway I kind of agree with it but ended up standing in my ‘lane’  for hour and a half due to a weather related delay.  As we boarded they told us they were test gates and to provide survey feedback. Interesting…” 

GH also send us an image of a Delta sign asking for feedback by going to this URL: www.delta.com/B7

There we found a survey that asked a lot of questions about the experimental boarding process, but the questions that stuck out were those about a new scent:

Screen Shot 2015-05-18 at 5.14.19 PM

Screen Shot 2015-05-18 at 5.14.34 PM

Both are referring to the scent in the jet bridge. G.H. told us: “Now that I think of it there was some kind of smell.   Almost like it was a brand new jet way.   The jetway also seemed a little narrower than usual.” 

Which means that Delta is probably pumping in some sort of olfactory sensation designed to calm us down or make us feel better.

Have you boarded a Delta flight at ATL’s B7? What do you think of the idea of airlines copying the now standard hotel industry practice of using aromatherapy in public spaces? Please leave your comments below. 

-Chris McGinnis

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Southwest adds Oakland-Atlanta, other nonstops

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Delta’s first class fare sale + Aircraft size and flight delays + First class summer fare sales+ Chris’s summer travel outlook + United’s plans for LAX overhaul + Hertz’s fleet renewal 

Oakland Airport is getting more new service from Southwest, including Atlanta. (Image: Oakland Airport)

Oakland Airport is getting more new service from Southwest, including Atlanta. (Image: Oakland Airport)

The latest route announcements from Southwest Airlines, starting this fall, include new service between Oakland and Atlanta; new flights at Austin and Orange County, Calif.; more presence in Latin America, and more. But Ohio’s Akron-Canton Airport will lose some key routes.

November 1 is the launch date for Southwest’s Oakland-Atlanta service, its 24th non-stop destination from the California airport. The carrier started flying from Oakland to Baltimore/Washington and Dallas Love Field earlier this year, and is due to begin Oakland-Nashville and Oakland-New Orleans flights on June 7, followed by Oakland-Columbus service August 9.

At Austin, Southwest on November 1 will kick off new daily service to Seattle-Tacoma and to Boston, competing against Alaska Airlines and JetBlue respectively; and it will add a second daily roundtrip to Newark. On the same date, it will launch twice-daily Indianapolis-New York LaGuardia flights.

Last month, Southwest started flying from Kansas City to New York LaGuardia, and on November 22 it will begin new daily flights from Kansas City to southern California’s Orange County Airport. On the same date, the airline will also start daily flights from St. Louis to Orange County.

At Akron-Canton, Southwest’s schedule as of November 2 will eliminate service to Boston, LaGuardia, Washington Reagan National and Denver. The Denver-non-stop will be moved from Akron to Cleveland Hopkins Airport.

Southwest also unveiled plans to add a number of destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean from Houston’s Hobby Airport later this year. On October 15, it will start twice-daily Houston-Cancun flights and daily service from HOU to Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos in Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and San Jose, Costa Rica. On November 1, Southwest will add daily service from Houston to Montego Bay, Jamaica and to Liberia, Costa Rica.

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Frontier’s CEO dismissed as complaints soar

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Frontier's CEO is gone as consumer complaints skyrocket. (Image: Jim Glab)

Frontier’s CEO is gone as consumer complaints skyrocket. (Image: Jim Glab)

Explosive growth at ultra-low-cost Frontier Airlines — including lots of new routes out of Atlanta  this spring — has come with a cost for travelers: Lots of flight delays, unanswered calls at its reservations center, and other operational problems. And now it may have cost the airline’s CEO his job as well.

The official word from Frontier was that CEO David Siegel resigned this week for “personal reasons,” but carrier officials also stressed that a reorganization is underway to get operational problems under control.

Siegel’s resignation came just a few days after the Transportation Department released its latest consumer report, which showed that complaints against Frontier skyrocketed more than 500 percent from March 2014 to March 2015. During the same period, the airline’s monthly passenger load increased more than 17 percent to more than 1 million.

It was about a year ago that Frontier, under Siegel’s guidance, started its conversion from a mere low-cost carrier to an ultra-low-cost carrier, driving down its operating costs — and its base fares — as much as possible, while tacking on more passenger fees, like one for carry-on bags.

Also released this week was the latest Airline Satisfaction Ranking from J.D. Power and Associates, which showed that Frontier ranked last among low-cost carriers — tied with WestJet and AirTran, well below JetBlue and Southwest.

In summarizing its 2015 findings, J.D. Power noted that overall satisfaction among travelers who select an airline based on its reputation or its customer service is much higher (812 on a 1,000-point scale) than it is among those who pick an airline to get the lowest fare (732).

Hmmm. Would you fly Frontier? Have you? Please leave your comments below. 

 

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Drenched in raw sewage at the airport- twice

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Ceiling pipes (Photo: Michael Coghlan / Flickr)

Ceiling pipes at airports in London and Atlanta break and spew raw sewage (Photo: Michael Coghlan / Flickr)

I remember reporting on a nasty incident at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 in 2012 where a sewage pipe broke in the ceiling of the baggage claim, contaminating a few hundred suitcases in the Terminal 5.

“The smell was absolutely foul, as was the mood of the passengers who had to leave without their bags,” one passenger told The Sun.

The airport had to send the bags out for professional cleaning before returning them to passengers.

Passengers with bags damaged or soiled beyond repair were paid up to $1600 per bag. Yuck! Imagine getting off a plane after a 12 hour journey and ready for a big meeting only to be told that you would not be getting your bag because it had been sprayed with sewage? Yikes!

That was in 2012.

This week yet another airport sewage-spewing incident emerged in a lawsuit.. this time it took place underneath the A Concourse at Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson International Airport… at about the same time in 2012. 

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports:

Delta Air Lines flight attendant Tina Brock was dozing in a sleep room in the flight attendants’ layover lounge at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport one morning when she and her colleagues heard a loud gushing sound and saw a cascade of liquid suddenly pouring through the ceiling tiles onto the floor.

As Brock got out of a recliner and scrambled to move her suitcase and other personal items from the area she realized it wasn’t water that was flowing down.

It was raw sewage, Brock says in a new lawsuit — urine and feces — and it wasn’t just soaking her things; it was getting all over her, too, splashing on her hair, face and mouth, and then completely dousing her.

Yikes! But it gets even worse…. The AJC reports that the flight attendants were stuck in the room where the sewage soon became about a foot deep. They reportedly hid in a closet where they began to gag and vomit due to the stench. They escaped by wrapping themselves in plastic bags.

Brock is now suing Atlanta Airlines Terminal Corporation, the body responsible for airport maintenance, for damages from the incident. In the days following the incident, the AJC reports that she became depressed and had the feeling of “bugs eating away at her skin” and is claiming severe psychological damage, PTSD and fear of crowded spaces at airports.

–Chris McGinnis

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Qatar Airways eyes Atlanta, Boston, LAX routes

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Qatar Airways plans to bring the new Airbus A350 XWB to Boston and New York. (Image: Qatar Airways)

Qatar Airways plans to bring the new Airbus A350 XWB to Boston and New York. (Image: Qatar Airways)

As U.S. airlines continue lobbying the U.S. government to rein in the ambitious expansion of the Big Three Mideast carriers, one of them — Qatar Airways — just announced plans to add three more U.S. gateways in 2016, giving it a total of 10.

Qatar said it intends to begin daily flights from Doha to Los Angeles on January 1, using a two-class Boeing 777; daily flights to Boston on March 16, operating a two-class A350 XWB (Airbus’s new widebody); and daily service to Atlanta starting July 1, also with a 777.

Qatar also said it will double its service between Doha and New York JFK effective March 1, adding a second daily flight with an A350 XWB; the existing JFK-Doha flight uses a 777.

Qatar is a member of the Oneworld Alliance–while Emirates and Etihad have shied away from alliances.

The three Mideast airlines — Dubai’s Emirates, United Arab Emirates’ Etihad and Qatar — have dismissed allegations by the U.S. carriers that they are competing unfairly thanks to billions of dollars in subsidies from their governments. If the U.S. airlines’ share of the market is slipping, they say, it’s because the Mideast airlines offer superior comfort and service.

Still, Qatar’s announcement of such an ambitious expansion of capacity is certain to draw even more howls of outrage from the big U.S. airlines. It remains to be seen whether Congress and/or the Obama Administration will let the U.S. carriers get what they want — although historically, they usually do.  Qatar’s early announcement could be an effort to nail down as much U.S. access as possible before the government slams the door to more.

Besides JFK, Qatar currently flies to Washington Dulles, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, Miami and Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Have you flown on Qatar Airways or any of the other UAE carriers (Emirates, Etihad)? Would you? Why or why not…

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Brand new luxury hotel brand: Now in NYC & SF

Like NEW hotels in New York? Then check into a room like this at the recently revamped Loew Regency New York (Photo: Loews)

Like NEW hotels in New York? Then check into a room like this at the recently revamped Loews Regency New York (Photo: Loews)

In a blockbuster move earlier this year, Loews Hotels & Resorts acquired San Francisco’s poshest hotel perch, the Mandarin Oriental.

This week, Loews announced the San Francisco property as well as its slick new (ish) hotel at 61st & Park in New York City would be the first two “Loews Regency” hotels, a new brand for the company. The hotels will be named Loews Regency San Francisco and Loews Regency New York. (I bet the shiny new Loews Chicago will likely fall into this camp in short order…)

The new Loews Regency San Francisco looks like a tuning fork in the skyline (Image: Loews)

The new Loews Regency San Francisco looks like a tuning fork in the skyline (Image: Loews)

The 379-room Loews Regency New York recently underwent a lengthy $100 million renovation and re-opened late last year, so although it’s not “new from the ground up” it will certainly feel that way. The 155-room Loews Regency San Francisco will likely feel just as new since it underwent a major revamp that was unveiled three years ago. Loews plans to make updates to the lobby and other public areas, but rooms will remain the same.

Loews is a relatively small chain– only 23 properties, but it has one attribute most luxury hotels lack: Free high-speed in-room wi-fi for one and all! No strings. Nice!

I took a spin through the recently renovated Loews Boston hotel last year and was very impressed. It also recently opened a new-from-the-ground Loews Atlanta hotel in the city’s bustling midtown district. A gorgeous, brand spanking new new Loews just opened in Chicago.

Loews hotel locations

Loews hotel locations

Have you stayed at a Loews hotel lately? What did you think? Leave your comments below!

–Chris McGinnis

 


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Bloodbath for airlines a boon for travelers

Frontier freshened it's look last year

Frontier freshened its look last year- but kept the cute animal tails (Image: Frontier Airlines)

Atlanta is turning into the newest test market for the hottest trend in the airline business — the ultra-low-cost carrier. Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines are both planning significant expansion at ATL: Spirit said last week that it is adding nine new routes there this coming spring and summer, and Frontier announced today that it will fly nonstop to 10 more cities from ATL, for a total of 16. 

On April 30, Frontier will launch a daily nonstop between Atlanta and:  Cincinnati, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York LaGuardia, New Orleans and Minneapolis/St. Paul. To celebrate, the airline is offering one-way fares as low as $19 between ATL and New Orleans or Orlando. It should not go unnoticed that nearly every one of these cities is a key Delta hub or focus city, so it’s clear that low-frills Frontier has Delta in its crosshairs (Southwest, too).

A Frontier spokesperson told TravelSkills, “Frontier is going from six destinations to 16 from ATL by April 30.  We will be ATL’s third largest carrier in terms of departures this summer. Denver is still our largest hub, followed by Chicago O’Hare, then Atlanta.”

Just last week, Delta and Southwest faced another significant threat by another “ultra low cost” carrier. As we reported on TravelSkills, Spirit Airlines announced nine new nonstop routes from ATL, giving it a total of 15 destinations out of Atlanta.

Frontier previously announced that it will launch nonstops from ATL to Austin, Indianapolis, Miami and Philadelphia in March.

It will be interesting to see how the established players respond. Equally interesting will be to see how these two ultra-low cost entrants will fight since many of these new routes overlap. In either case, it likely means lower fares in Atlanta and elsewhere. But stay tuned… both carriers have a history of moving in and out of markets very quickly. 

Highly restricted, but quite a good deal if you can get one

Highly restricted, but quite a good deal if you can get one, and avoid all the extra fees. But will you?

Let’s compare these two ultra-low cost contenders:

The two airlines have some strategic similarities. With their focus on keeping basic fares to an absolute minimum, they charge more kinds of ancillary fees than other airlines (most notoriously for carry-on bags that go in the overhead bin). They also tend to have limited schedules, rarely more than one flight a day in a given market, and often only a few flights a week — hardly ideal for business travelers who value schedule frequency above all else. That’s because these airlines are going after extremely price-sensitive customers, nibbling around the edges of the larger market.

Why you should change the credit cards you carry

And from a bottom-line standpoint, it’s a formula that works: Spirit has become a darling of Wall Street, with better profit margins than its larger competitors and ambitious growth plans. Spirit’s total capacity rose by 18 percent last year, and is expected to increase an amazing 30 percent in 2015, making it — in percentage terms, at least — the fastest-growing airline in the country. But Spirit, which has been flying scheduled passenger service since 1992, is also the only U.S. carrier to hold a lowly two-star rating from Skytrax, the big airline quality monitor.

Frontier has been around even longer if you count the original Denver-based carrier that started up in 1950 but went bust after the airline deregulation wars. The modern incarnation of Frontier dates back to 2001, and it was acquired — after it went bankrupt — by Republic Airlines Holdings, an operator of regional carriers, in 2009. After a few years of trying, Republic couldn’t make Frontier work in a highly competitive Denver market (where United was dominant and Southwest was moving in fast), or in the other various markets where it tried to establish a niche, so in 2013 it sold Frontier to new investors — the private equity firm Indigo Partners, which turned Frontier into an ultra-low-cost carrier. That wasn’t really a surprise, since the man who runs Indigo Partners — William Franke — pioneered the concept when he ran Spirit Airlines.

Spirit Airlines A320s offer a tight 28 inches of space between each seat- the tightest in the industry (Photo: Bernal Saborio / Flickr)

Spirit Airlines’ A320s offer a tight 28 inches of space between each seat- the tightest in the industry (Photo: Bernal Saborio / Flickr)

So how do these two ATL interlopers stack up against each other? Both rely on one-class, single-aisle Airbus planes. The standard seats on Spirit’s A319s, A320s and A321s have a knee-crunching 28-inch pitch and seats that are less than 18 inches wide (“We’re a cozy airline,” Spirit admits on its website). The planes also offer a few better seats (four on A320/321s; 10 on A319s) called “Big Front,” with 36-inch pitch and 20-inch width, and of course they’ll cost you extra. At Frontier, standard seats have a more generous (by ultra-low-cost carrier standards) 30-31 inch pitch and seat width of 18 inches. Frontier’s planes also offer 30 (on A319s) or 36 (A320s) “Stretch” seats at an extra cost, with 36-38 inch pitch and 18-inch width.

Fares on Spirit are transportation-only, or as Spirit calls them, “fully unbundled.” If you want anything more than a seat and storage under the seat for a small personal item, you’ll pay more. At Spirit, that even includes water. If you don’t print your boarding pass at home, Spirit charges you $10 to do it at the airport. At Spirit, the cost for a carry-on bag ranges from $26 (if you pay online when you book) to $100 (if you wait until you’re at the gate to pay).

Business travelers may want to consider Frontier's "Stretch seats" which offer more legroom (Image: Frontier Airlines)

Business travelers may want to consider Frontier’s “Stretch seats” which offer more legroom (Image: Frontier Airlines)

And checked bags carry fees as well, ranging from $21 to $100 for the first one. Want to select your seat before check-in? That’ll cost you from $1 to $50 for standard seats, or $12 to $199 for Big Front seats.

At Frontier, the fee for a carry-on bag ranges from $30 to $50 depending on when you pay, although Frontier does offer bundled fares that cost more but include some services. So for those who buy these Classic Plus fares (which allow full refundability, same-day standbys and no change fees) there’s no extra charge for a carry-on (nor is there one if you’re a Summit or Ascent-level member of Frontier’s Early Returns loyalty program). A checked bag costs $25-$30, again with exemptions for Classic Plus buyers and loyalty elites. Extra-legroom Stretch seats on Frontier are available free to Classic Plus fare buyers and to Summit and Ascent-level loyalty members; other passengers can upgrade for fees that start at $15. (Frontier also offers “Select” seats for fees starting at $5. These are just regular coach seats that happen to be closer to the front of the plane than the others.)

Both airlines also have loyalty programs that are pretty basic. Spirit’s is called Free Spirit and Frontier’s is EarlyReturns. Free Spirit is quite limited in its partner companies — just one hotel group, for instance (Choice Hotels International). Frontier’s plan is more traditional in that it offers tier levels that carry fee-waiving benefits, starting with Ascent level at 15,000 miles or 20 segments a year; Summit is 25,000 miles/30 segments.

So, frequent traveler… what do you think? Would you venture to fly on an “ultra-low cost carrier?” How do you think Delta will respond in Atlanta, or other legacies will respond in other cities? Please leave your comments below. 

Did you miss Saturday’s issue of our Weekend Edition? No probs! Here’s the link:

United changes + SFO Sky Club + Southwest devalues + New Virgin route + Beijing bird!

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>Planespotting: The 757 vs. 767.

Have you been following our super popular Planespotting 101 series? Check out our first three installments here: 

Planespotting 101: Boeing 757, 767 (latest)

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Wait…I have to sit where?

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic flies a new Airbus A330-300 on the ATL-London Heathrow route (Photo: Virgin Atlantic)

TravelSkills reader S.G. is not at all happy about how Delta Medallion level flyers are treated when flying on new Virgin Atlantic codeshare flights– here’s his Reader Report!

Dear Chris:

I want to give you an update on my Delta/Virgin experience, which is my second experience, and not so great, nor was it for some Diamonds.  (I’m Platinum).

I did a mileage run on Christmas evening from ATL-LHR.  I booked the ticket on Delta, flew on a Virgin operated flight, and paid around $1,250 round trip.

(Reader Report is a new series of posts from TravelSkills readers about their recent travel experiences. Would you like to submit a Readers Report on a recent travel experience? Let us know and we’ll send you some guidelines! We are looking for short, sweet, concise reports– no rants. Photos always appreciated! Email us!) 

To my surprise (and unlike my first experience with a Virgin operated flight in November), there was no priority boarding for Medallions.  They first boarded those who needed extra assistance, then families with small children, then Upper Class passengers (business class), and then they proceeded to board by row.

Delta website says that platinum medallions should get early boarding. Sounds like that does not always happen

Delta website says that platinum medallions should get early boarding in Virgin flights. Sounds like that does not always happen

I approached the gate with my Platinum card, but was told I had to wait.  When we were on the plane, several of the Diamonds were pretty angry.  One Diamond traveling with his family was way in the back of the plane.

I was in seat 46G (I was not able to upgrade for free to Economy Comfort as I would have been able to if it had been a Delta operated flight), and when the person in front of me reclined, the video screen was so close to my face I could not view it. [Virgin Atlantic offers a premium economy section, a much more robust option than Delta’s Economy Comfort, but Medallion upgrades do not apply.]

A sympathetic flight attendant/purser put me in the bulkhead between the two bathrooms, where I was stepped on three times as I tried to sleep. (I would not have had that option if it had been a busier flight.)

 

Virgin Atlantic A330-300

Virgin Atlantic A330-300 has Upper class, premium economy and economy class cabins

The purser sat with me for about 15 minutes and we discussed the situation of the Delta elite benefits not transferring well over to Virgin.  He told me that Delta had gotten everything that they had asked for at the negotiating table.  I do not at all blame Virgin for this.  I think Delta has not gone to bat for their best customers as it relates to the partnership.

I spoke with a Medallion desk customer service representative this morning.  I told her that I really have to rethink this whole status situation, because I fly that ATL/LHR regularly.  In my mind, if I am going to fly coach like the average passenger who has no status whatsoever, I might as well look for the lowest price ticket on any airline, or purchase a hotel/flight combo at a third party.

I had a $50K+ spend on my Delta American Express card this year, and I’m sure CapitalOne would love to have that revenue, and I’d be rewarded nicely with miles that I can  use anytime.

Anyway, I don’t know if this will improve, but I feel like Medallions are really getting the shaft on this partnership.

Happy New Year Chris!   I really enjoy your newsletter.

S.G.

We contacted S.G. to follow up on his email and got another earful about his THIRD flight on Virgin: 

I took my third Virgin Atlantic roundtrip (ATL-LHR) last Wednesday (returned today), and I am finding that once again the boarding process is inconsistent. Exit rows and premium economy equivalent seating is still not available to Gold, Platinum or Diamond Medallions and it does not look like they will ever be.

On last Wednesday’s flight the flight attendants announced that anyone moving into an exit row , bulkhead or extra leg room seat after take-off would be charged a fee during the flight, and I think they said it would be more than if you paid in advance.

I’ve spoken to the Delta Medallion customer service reps on several occasions to see if there are any updates and last time it really did sound like Delta will not be pushing this. Virgin Atlantic is a great airline, the flight attendants are great and very service oriented, but I am clearly seeing that my Delta Medallion perks mean nothing on Virgin as far as the seating goes. I am grateful that I can use their lounge at Heathrow, but it appears, that at least for now, better seating is not an option unless you are willing to pay for it.

Thanks very much for sharing your experience!

As a platinum medallion, should SG have been treated any better by Virgin? Would Delta or Virgin Atlantic like to respond? Please post your comments below.

(Reader Report is a new series of posts from TravelSkills readers about their recent travel experiences. Would you like to submit a Readers Report on a recent travel experience? Let us know and we’ll send you some guidelines! We are looking for short, sweet, concise reports– no rants. Photos always appreciated! Email us!) 

 

 

Delta at JFK + First Virgin Hotel opens + Cuba + Free parking at Oakland + Marriott backs down

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Trip Report: Korean Air A380 Seoul-Atlanta (Part 2)

Flight attendants are eager to help take photos of folks like me crossing scenes like sitting in KAL's Celestial Lounge off the bucket list

KAL flight attendants are eager to help take photos of folks like me eager to cross a scene like this off the ole bucket list. (Chris McGinnis)

It takes three jetways to load up an A380 here at Seoul's Incheon Airport (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

It takes three (clear glass) jetways to load up an A380 here at Seoul’s Incheon Airport (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Last month I finally crossed this off my bucket list:  Flying from Seoul to Atlanta on a Korean Air A380. KAL’s big blue A380 is Atlanta’s one and only double decker and I’ve wanted to float into my old hometown on it since the service started in September 2013.

The first leg of that journey started in San Francisco where I boarded a KAL B777 for the trip to Seoul. I was a guest of Korean Air and wrote about that part of the trip here.

In the first post, I concluded that there was not much difference between business class on the two planes once you are in your seat. But the differences do become evident when you walk around and explore the enormity of the big A380 bird.

See Part 1

Upstairs in business class on KAL's A380 feels big, bright and spacious (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Upstairs in business class on KAL’s A380 feels big, bright and spacious (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

There are 94 lie flat business class seats on the upper deck of KAL's A380 (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

There are 94 lie flat business class seats on the upper deck of KAL’s A380 (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

The key feature of Korean Air’s A380 is its dearth of seats. I know that sounds crazy, but did you know that there are fewer seats, just 407, on a KAL A380 than on any other commercial A380? On most other carriers, the number is closer to 500, or well over it in some cases. (Lufthansa, for example, squeezes in 526 seats on its A380.) This means that there is a lot more room for passengers…for onboard lounges (two of them)…for two staircases….and even for a duty free store.

Ninety-four (94) lie-flat business class seats configured 2-2-2 fill the entire upper deck of this bird. On the main deck there are 12 first class “suites” up front configured 1-2-1, and 301 economy class seats configured 3-4-3 with a generous pitch of 33-34 inches. Korean Air does not offer a premium economy section. See the KAL A380 on SeatGuru.

Nice big storage bins reserved for window-seat flyers (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Nice big storage bins reserved for window-seat flyers on the A380 (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

To me, the best business class seats on the A380 are window seats. That’s mostly because I really like looking out the window. But it’s also because of storage space. Due to the curvature of the plane, there is room for a good sized storage bin between the seat and the window. The bin is big enough to hold the contents of a briefcase, and that really comes in handy on a long flight (in this case about 14.5 hours). These bins are not available on the B777. The downside of the window seat is that you have to skirt around your neighbor to get to the aisle. Not a big deal to me but I know some folks don’t like that. All the other business class seats offer direct aisle access.

Roundtrip business class fares between Atlanta and Seoul run about $4,800. Economy class is about $2,100 in mid December. First class round trips? $18,000.

If you redeem Delta SkyMiles for the ATL-ICN roundtrip, you’ll pay a minimum of 70,000 in economy and 190,000 in business class. KAL first class is not available to SkyMiles members redeeming miles. (Based on a search for nonstops in mid January.)

Mood lighting in business class onboard KAL A380 (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Mood lighting in business class onboard KAL A380 (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Another feature that I noticed on Korean Air was the mood lighting which varied in brightness and color throughout the trip. I think flight attendants were trying to re-create morning and evening with the lights. Regrettably, I was on a different schedule and every time I opened my window shade for a peak out at the view, I was asked by flight attendants to close it. Nice: When window shades are up, business class seats enjoy quite a show out of two or three windows for each row.

Related Trip Report:  British Airways A380 on the “Red Carpet Route”

Korean Air

KAL’s Celestial Lounge at the rear of the upper deck business class section (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

This is the lounge at the front of the business class section adjacent to the staircase to the main deck (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

This is the lounge at the front of the business class section adjacent to the staircase to the main deck (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Here’s a look at the “Celestial Lounge” at the rear of the upper deck business class cabin. There is room to sit down and strap in if it gets turbulent. Those high cushions you see are for leaning if it gets a little bumpy. On my flight, business class was only half full, so the lounge never attracted a big convivial crowd…on my two trips back there I smiled through my bleary eyes at a few other bleary-eyed travelers checking out the space like I was. Flight attendants were eager to take photos of passengers saddled up to the bar or on the sofa. There’s another smaller lounge with similar catering at the front of the business class section.