News
Virgin in Orbit
Virgin Galactic is planning trips that go beyond sub-orbital flights, aiming to offer private passengers orbital journeys as early as 2012. These missions would circle the Earth at roughly 60 miles altitude, high enough to experience weightlessness and to see the planet’s curvature. Working with Sierra Nevada Corporation and Orbital Sciences Corporation on the orbital vehicle, Virgin Galactic is also positioning itself to compete for NASA’s $200 million contract to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station after the space shuttle’s retirement. Revenue from such orbital services could help lower the cost of crewed orbital flights and enable more competitive bids for shuttle replacement missions.
Ticket prices for sub-orbital flights start at $200,000 with refundable deposits from $20,000. The program includes a membership-style experience: Astronaut Forums hosted by Sir Richard Branson on his South African property, visits to see spacecraft under development, and VIP invitations to media events. For booking and details, visit www.virgingalactic.com/booking.
Airspace Opens at BWI
The first Airspace Lounge, open to passengers in all classes on any airline, has opened in Concourse D at Baltimore/Washington International (BWI). This marks the initial location of a planned network of up to 40 post-security lounges designed for travelers to relax or work. The lounge offers complimentary food and nonalcoholic beverages, WiFi, power outlets at every seat and access to computer workstations; alcoholic drinks are available for purchase. Day passes begin at $17.50 and vary with demand up to $45 during peak times. A pass allows multiple entries throughout the day; the lounge operates from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. BWI’s Concourse D serves AirTran, Cape Air, Continental, United and US Airways, and the Airspace Lounge occupies the former United Red Carpet Club space. Memberships and the locations of future lounges will be announced on the Airspace site at www.airspacelounge.com.
Escape to Shangri-La
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has launched Shangri-La Escapes, a program pairing hotel stays with unique, locally sourced experiences. Options include tailor-made shopping excursions in Shanghai, kayaking off Vancouver’s coast, visits to a Sichuan giant panda sanctuary with a private audience with Xiang Xiang at Shangri-La Hotel Chengdu, and chef-led culinary collaborations in Beijing and Guangzhou that culminate in personalized tasting menus with wine pairings. Nature-focused escapes range from private island stays in the Maldives to jungle adventures in Borneo. For the full collection of experiences, see www.shangri-la.com.
More Rooms in Porto and Moscow
InterContinental Hotels Group is opening two new properties next month: InterContinental Porto Palacios das Cardosas in Porto, Portugal, and InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya in Russia. The Porto hotel is the brand’s first InterContinental in Portugal and occupies a restored palace in Porto’s UNESCO World Heritage district. It features luxury rooms, a restored Café Astoria with its Belle Époque façade and a modern spa with a sauna and pool. InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya offers 203 guestrooms near the Kremlin and Bolshoi Theater, including a Presidential Suite with contemporary amenities and city views. The hotel’s concierge services include private tours of the Moscow Metro, curated dining guides and architecture tours. More information is available at www.intercontinental.com.
Upgrading Economy
As United and Continental move forward with their merger, United will continue to offer Economy Plus seating, and a multi-year retrofit beginning in 2012 will expand Economy Plus across the Continental fleet. Details can be found at www.united.com and www.continental.com. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines is introducing Economy Comfort on international routes this summer. The section will provide up to four extra inches of legroom; Platinum and Diamond Delta and SkyTeam elites will receive it at no charge, while other passengers can buy it for $80 to $160 per segment. Gold and Silver members receive discounts of 50% and 25% respectively. Economy Comfort will appear on long-haul routes between the U.S. and Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Middle East. See www.delta.com for details.
Macau Firsts
Banyan Tree Macau, the city’s first five-star, all-suite urban resort, has opened in Cotai City within the Galaxy Macau complex, about 15 minutes from Macau International Airport (MFM). The resort is Macau’s first to offer private indoor pools in every one of its 246 suites and villas. Rooms are furnished in Asian style with high ceilings and ornate details. The spa includes 21 treatment rooms and wellness therapies, two tropical pools, four restaurants, an art gallery and a modern gym. For more information, visit www.banyantree.com.
Clear Customs in Dublin
American Airlines has moved operations to the new Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport (DUB), enabling passengers to pre-clear U.S. immigration and customs before departure. On arrival in Chicago O’Hare (ORD), passengers can be treated as domestic arrivals and connect through Terminal 3 without claiming and rechecking baggage. More information is available at www.aa.com.
Almost a Shuttle
Following a collaboration among Iberia, British Airways and American Airlines, flights between New York (JFK/EWR) and London (LHR/LCY) have increased to 15 daily departures, spaced nearly hourly. The partners have added routes including American’s service from JFK to Budapest (BUD) and from Chicago (ORD) to Helsinki (HEL). Iberia launched nonstop service from Madrid (MAD) to Los Angeles (LAX) and from Barcelona (BCN) to Miami (MIA), and British Airways began service from San Diego (SAN) to London (LHR). On California routes, Iberia is operating Airbus A340-300 aircraft with a 36-seat Business Plus cabin that features seats converting to fully horizontal beds. Visit www.iberia.com.
Rewards
Rewarding Experiences
Global Hotel Alliance has introduced GHA Discovery, an initiative that expands member hotel loyalty benefits and offers authentic local experience add-ons. Experiences are offered based on membership level, determined by nights stayed, and can range from a sunset drive through a Namibian nature reserve for lower-tier members to bespoke offerings for higher tiers, such as a private Potomac River cruise aboard a former presidential yacht or a customized ringtone session at Microsoft Studios in Seattle. More than 1,000 local experiences are available across membership levels without requiring points redemption. Each tier also includes benefits like room upgrades (with doubled upgrade chances for top-tier members), complimentary Internet, extended check-in and check-out times and guaranteed room availability. Participating brands include Anantara, Doyle Collection, First, Kempinski, Leela, Mirvac, Marco Polo, Omni, Pan Pacific, ParkRoyal, Shaza and Tivoli. Details are at www.ghadiscovery.com.
Fast Track to Elite
To mark the integrated schedules between Boston (BOS) and London Heathrow (LHR), American Airlines and British Airways are offering double elite qualifying miles for roundtrips between Boston and London flown before Aug. 15. Tickets on either carrier qualify if booked in full-fare economy or higher. Travelers must register before travel using promotion code LHREQ. See www.aa.com for registration and terms.
Deals
Amalfi Summer
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification, Relais Paradiso on the Amalfi Coast offers a Summer Vacation package through Sept. 30. The weeklong stay for two includes five nights in luxury accommodations above the Bay of Salerno, daily breakfast, a guided boat trip along the Amalfi Coast, dinner and cocktails prepared by the on-site chef, a walking tour of historic Vietri sul Mare and its Ceramic Museum, welcome amenities and more. For reservations, visit www.ragostahotels.com.
Taipei Spectacular
The new 31-story W Taipei is celebrating its opening with a Spectacular package available through Aug. 31. The package includes accommodation in a Spectacular Room or a Fantastic Suite, al fresco breakfast at The Kitchen Table, a signature cocktail at Yen Bar, an in-room welcome amenity by Chef Jereme Leung, VIP access to Xinyi District nightlife and a complimentary W Zodiac Animal. Rates start at $250 per night for a Spectacular Room and $445 per night for a Fantastic Suite. Details at www.whotels.com/taipei.
Sonesta Makes It Easy
Royal Sonesta Hotel in Boston is offering an automatic SummerFest package for stays Thursday through Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The package includes complimentary narrated Charles River boat tours, use of hotel bicycles for rides along the Esplanade, daily free ice cream from a courtyard cart, and kids’ bikes, helmets and tagalongs for toddlers. No special request is needed—check in during eligible dates and the package is included. More at www.sonesta.com/boston.
Summer in the Alps
Grand Hotel Park Gstaad is offering a summer special through Sept. 18 with savings of more than CHF 150 per night. The package includes a double room with a forest view, flowers and fruit at check-in, a welcome drink in the bar or on the terrace, breakfast in the Greenhouse and spa access for CHF 450 per night (approximately $488), compared with the usual room-only rate of CHF 600. For details, visit www.grandhotelpark.ch.