Airports — A Bigger and Better Future
Airports around the world are preparing for rising demand and improving the passenger experience. Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BBI), which opened in June 2012, replaced the smaller Tegel (TXL) as the capital’s main gateway and includes an in-airport Bahnhof station for fast rail links into central Berlin. At London Heathrow (LHR), a new automated transport system uses computer-controlled driverless pods to shuttle business travelers between Terminal 5 and the car parks, cutting transit times by about 60 percent. The pods travel on dedicated tracks at speeds up to 25 mph, allow destination selection via sensors, and are expected to replace tens of thousands of shuttle bus trips each year.
Major German hubs are expanding: Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airport (FRA) planned expansions to increase annual capacity from 53 million to 88 million passengers by 2020, while Munich Airport (MUC) has been enlarging Terminal A to handle 17 million international travelers and adding a third runway. In the United States, Sacramento International Airport opened its Central Terminal B with a sustainable design, public art installations and a lineup of local retailers and restaurants to showcase California flavors.
Singapore Changi Airport continues to set the standard for passenger amenities, offering free foot and calf massage stations, free local phone calls and Art Interactive Zones where visitors can make their own artwork. Changi features themed gardens and nature trails throughout the terminals, including the world’s only airport butterfly garden and a rooftop cactus garden, all designed to turn travel time into leisure time.
African Firsts for RwandAir
RwandAir introduced its first directly purchased Boeing 737-800 equipped with the Boeing Sky Interior in Kigali (KGL), marking a milestone for the carrier and for African aviation. The Sky Interior delivers a modern, calming cabin with cove lighting, sculpted sidewalls and brighter LED lighting, plus larger overhead bins and slightly larger windows. RwandAir’s acquisition supports its ambition to leverage Rwanda’s central location in the East African Community Common Market Zone and become a regional hub. Boeing scheduled delivery of a second 737-800 later in 2012.
Aurora Explorer
NASA forecasted increased solar activity and a potentially spectacular Northern Lights season, and one of the best ways to view the aurora borealis is from a ship, away from city light pollution with an unobstructed horizon. Hurtigruten operates six- to 12-day cruises along Norway’s 1,250-mile coast between Bergen and Kirkenes, sailing well above the Arctic Circle where the northern lights are often most vivid and frequent.
Splendor on the Nile
After an extensive three-year renovation, The Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, Egypt, reopened as part of the Sofitel Legend collection. Perched on a pink granite ledge overlooking the Nile, the hotel preserves the grandeur of the original 1899 property while delivering modern luxury. The Historic Wing and the Elephantine Wing together offer richly decorated rooms and suites, a So Spa, pool facilities, multiple bars and fine-dining options. The hotel blends local culture, French culinary influence and contemporary amenities while showcasing the history that made the property famous.
AA Joins BA Philly Lounge
American Airlines Admirals Club members now have access to a lounge inside the security checkpoint at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Located in Terminal A-West, adjacent to the A-East security entrance, the British Airways Galleries Lounge is staffed by representatives from both airlines and open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guests enjoy complimentary light fare and snacks, a selection of beverages including beer and wine, computer terminals and complimentary WiFi.
Lufthansa’s Logan Lounge
Lufthansa introduced a new lounge design in the United States with Business Class and Senator lounges at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Located in Terminal E on Level 2 opposite Gate 3B, the Business Class lounge seats 68 and includes comfortable chairs and a media corner with newspapers, magazines and flat-screen TVs. The Senator lounge, with 62 seats, more than doubles previous space for frequent flyers and offers expanded menu choices, a variety of beverages, leather seating and a dedicated work area with complimentary Internet. This design concept, first seen in Dubai, was planned for rollout to lounges in New Delhi, Frankfurt and Berlin.
Speeding Through China
A high-speed rail line significantly reduced travel time between Beijing and Shanghai to under five hours, with trains operating at commercial speeds up to 186 mph and test runs exceeding 300 mph. The 820-mile route links Beijing South and Shanghai Hongqiao stations and passes through major municipalities and provinces along China’s eastern corridor, improving connectivity across Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui and Jiangsu.
New Codeshare Options
Japan Airlines and China Eastern expanded codesharing across their entire Japan–China networks, adding both carriers’ flight numbers to a combined schedule of 386 weekly flights on 42 routes. American Airlines broadened codeshare ties with oneworld partner Cathay Pacific to support new daily service between Chicago (ORD) and Hong Kong (HKG) and additional connections between Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Airberlin extended connections via New York (JFK), enabling passengers from several U.S. cities to reach international gateways through expanded partnerships.
Hilton at Heathrow
Hilton opened a second hotel near London Heathrow Airport on 13 acres of landscaped grounds about a mile from Terminal 5. The 350-room property includes nearly 10,000 square feet of conference space accommodating up to 1,170 guests, multiple dining options, complimentary high-speed Internet and a 24-hour fitness center. A shuttle service links the hotel with all airport terminals.
rewards
Tokyo on Sale
Japan Airlines offered a limited-time promotion allowing AAdvantage members to redeem 50,000 miles for a roundtrip business-class award to Tokyo—a 50 percent discount—on select San Francisco–Tokyo/Haneda and Vancouver–Tokyo/Narita services. The promotion required booking through AAdvantage Reservations and terms applied for connections and service fees.
Avios Points Debut
Following the British Airways and Iberia merger, both carriers converted existing miles programs into a unified Avios currency. Avios can be redeemed for flights as well as specified hotel stays and car rentals, and new Reward Flight Saver options provide savings on intra-Europe travel, particularly in premium cabins. BA adjusted Avios redemption levels for some long-haul connections, while Executive Club retained its name.
Programs United
After the United and Continental integration, the combined frequent-flyer program introduced structural changes tied to a tech systems merger. A new fourth elite tier—Premier Platinum—was added, requiring higher elite-qualifying miles or segment thresholds. Changes also included a four-flight annual minimum for elite tiers, updates to complimentary upgrade policies for certain levels, and adjusted mileage bonuses based on fare class. These updates aimed to simplify and align benefits across the merged loyalty program.
deals
Stowe Ski Deal
Topnotch Resort and Spa offered a Ski Stowe package for the winter season that included deluxe accommodations, two lift tickets per room per night at Stowe Mountain Resort, Ski Concierge services and a complimentary shuttle to the mountain. A Nordic package option bundled lessons and rental equipment. Topnotch, located near Mt. Mansfield, is known for its extensive spa facilities and mountain-view heated pool.
Fairmont Fairways
Several Fairmont Hotels & Resorts promoted winter golf packages that include guaranteed tee times at prestigious courses. Fairmont St. Andrews offered winter golf packages with access to The Old Course and additional historic courses through April, while Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda and other Fairmont properties promoted winter getaways that combine luxury accommodations with rounds of golf, club rentals and shuttle service.
Golf in Paradise
Pristine Bay Resort on Roatán offered a Golf in Paradise package through March that provided savings on four-night stays in villas with private pools and daily rounds of golf on the Black Pearl course designed by Perry and Pete Dye. Packages typically included daily breakfast and could be customized with activities such as diving and deep-sea fishing. Roatán is served by non-stop flights from several U.S. and Canadian gateways, facilitating access to the resort.