Vol. 3, Number 39 • September 30, 2003   NEWS - QANTAS UPGRADES BUSINESS CLASS - TOLEDO EXPRESS DEBUTS BIOMETRIC ID SYSTEM - JET BLUE REVIEWS PRIVACY POLICY - CONTINENTAL GETS JET CONNECTED DEALS - RENAULT EURODRIVE’S SHORT-TERM LEASE - RADISSON CANADA - WESTIN TIMES SQUARE - HOTEL JEROME, ASPEN - HARBOR COURT HOTEL, SAN FRANCISCO REVIEWS - DUNRAVEN ARMS PLUS - TRAVEL WARNINGS - QUESTION OF THE WEEK - YOUR LETTERS   Air France to Purchase KLM AIR FRANCE AND DUTCH AIRLINE KLM ANNOUNCED TODAY THEY ARE NEGOTIATING an agreement that will lead to the creation of the world's third largest airline. The deal calls for Air France to buy KLM for an estimated $900 million in stock. Target date for the final agreement is Oct. 15. In a joint statement issued Today, the airlines said the new group will be called Air France–KLM to capitalize on brand recognition and the airlines' complementary networks. The Air France Board has authorized Air France chairman and CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta to sign the agreement. "We have always been convinced of the necessity of consolidation in the airline industry," said Spinetta. "Today, we announce a combination with KLM that will create the first European airline group, which is a milestone in our industry." The supervisory board and board of managing directors of KLM have also recommended the transaction. "KLM has been pointing out the need for consolidation in light of the challenges facing our industry and we have not made it a secret we were looking for a strong European partner," said Leo van Wijk, KLM president and CEO. "Through this innovative partnership with Air France and our subsequent expected participation in the SkyTeam alliance, we are confident that we have secured a sustainable future for our company." —Lisa Matte   See below for more travel deals. US Airways to Europe—Right Now! Book by Oct. 1 (that's right, tomorrow) to take advantage of US Airways sale fares to Europe. Sample round-trip fares include Boston to Amsterdam, $272; Denver to Rome, $448; and Philadelphia to London, $226. Fares are valid for travel from Nov. 1 to Feb. 29. Some blackout dates and restrictions apply. Visit www.usairways.com for details. Let’s Hear It for the Little Guy Readers have recently pointed out that airports share the responsibility with airlines when it comes to providing a pleasant travel experience. With that in mind, tell us about your favorite domestic airport. Share the details and amenities that lead you to believe it is the best in the country. While many of you weighed in with votes for your favorite airports, we were intrigued by Tony White's observations regarding the benefits of commuting from a smaller, regional airport. WINNER: Tony White ANSWER: After traveling on business out of mammoth Hartsfield International in Atlanta for 10 years, it's a refreshing change to commute from a smaller airport. The Fort Lauderdale Airport, despite current renovations, is streamlined and efficient. Any airport that has valet parking with an auto-detailing service gets my vote.   Win 2 Tickets to Kuala Lumpur! Win 1,500 miles in either United’s Mileage Plus or American Airlines’ AAdvantage frequent flyer programs and a chance to win 2 round-trip economy-class tickets to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on award-winning Malaysia Airlines from either their L.A. or New York City gateways.   Do you have any advice for travelers who suffer motion sickness? Holistic, prescription or over-the-counter, What’s your remedy?     Have you experienced motion sickness when traveling?   Qantas Upgrades International Business Class QANTAS HAS INTRODUCED A NEW INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CLASS. Featuring Skybed, a state-of-the-art sleeper seat, the new business-class product is the result of extensive market research. Fully reclined, Skybed measures 6 feet 6 inches long by 23.5 inches wide. The cocoon-style design includes a privacy screen between seats; extensive seat adjustment controls; cushioned lumbar support; back massage feature; 10.4-inch screen with multi-channel entertainment; PC power outlet; SMS access through an in-seat telephone handset; storage area and water bottle holder. Other international Business Class enhancements include mood lighting, healthy and express meal options, room service–style breakfast ordering and noise canceling headsets. Qantas begins progressively introducing its new international business-class product on its three-class Boeing 747-400s this month. —LM Toledo Express Debuts Biometric ID System TOLEDO EXPRESS AIRPORT RECENTLY DEBUTED A NEW BIOMETRIC SECURITY SYSTEM to monitor airport employees. Developed by Recognition Systems Inc., the HandReaders system is designed to verify identity through the unique physical characteristics of an individual's hand. In a matter of seconds, HandReaders technology analyzes more than 90 unique measurements of the size and shape of a person's hand. The results are then compared to information in a central database and used to monitor employee movement through the airport in and around sensitive areas. —LM JetBlue Reviews Privacy Policy JETBLUE AIRWAYS HAS RETAINED THE CONSULTING FIRM OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE to assist in its analysis and development of its privacy policy. The move comes in light of controversy surrounding the airline's release of customer data to Torch Concepts. A contractor for the Department of Defense, Torch Concepts requested the information relative to a project concerning military base security. At the request of the Department of Defense, JetBlue shared passenger itineraries, but did not provide payment or credit card information. "While this is a concern, we want to let our customers know that we are fully committed to their privacy and are working with the assistance of Deloitte & Touche to further develop our internal processes and procedures to address the protection of personally identifiable customer information," said JetBlue CEO David Neeleman. —LM Continental Gets Jet Connected CONTINENTAL AIRLINES HAS COMPLETED INSTALLATION OF VERIZON AIRFONE JETCONNECT with E-mail making it the first U.S. airline to offer two-way e-mail, instant messaging and text messaging on its fleet of 737, 757 and MD 80 aircraft. Priced at $15.98 per flight, JetConnect with E-mail allows passengers to send and receive an unlimited number of e-mail messages per flight. An added charge applies for data in excess of 5kB per message and attachments. Priced at $5.99 per flight, JetConnect gives passengers access to laptop data services. JetConnect with E-mail is accessible via Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail, POP3, Microsoft Exchange via Outlook Web access and Lotus Notes via POP. To log onto the service, customers need to provide a username and password. Customers using POP3 will also need their mail server address. —LM The U.S. State Dept. has issued the following Travel Advisories. For up-to-date information relative to these and other warnings, visit http://travel.state.gov KENYA: http://travel.state.gov/kenya_warning.html NEPAL: http://travel.state.gov/nepal_announce.html Charmed by Adare DUNRAVEN ARMS HOTEL Adare, Co. Limerick, Ireland, tel. 353 (0) 61 396633, reservations@dunravenhotel.com, www.dunravenhotel.com NEARLY 15 YEARS AGO WE HAD STAYED at the Dunraven Arms (in the Princess Grace Suite) and decided to return, children in tow, to experience the hospitality and charm of Adare. Located in a quaint little town, the hotel sits directly across from four 18th-century thatched cottages. The cottages house a gift shop, two residences and the Inn Between (casual dining restaurant). I secured my reservations directly with the hotel (via the Internet) and was offered a good rate for two rooms including breakfast. I had mentioned this was a return visit and they upgraded my wife and me to a suite. Our daughters (ages 14 and 9) had a regular room. Our accommodations were in the new wing which had been painstakingly designed and built to match the balance of the hotel. Service is key here. Housekeepers wear black uniforms and the dinner host dresses in a tuxedo. Dinner guests can enjoy the Maigue Restaurant, (named after the river) which has won three AA Red Rosettes, Egon Ronay Irish Meat Restaurant of the Year and Gilbey's Gold Medal Award. The beef rib was very good and generously served by John the restaurant manager, an overall nice guy who caters to your every whim. The bar is a perfect setting to enjoy a pint of Guinness and to socialize. The beauty of the Dunraven Arms is its old world charm. Built in 1792 by the Earl of Dunraven, the property today includes an indoor swimming pool and fitness center. It's also well known for its equestrian excursions (riding, jumping and fox hunting). Golf can be arranged at the Dunraven Manor directly across the street. (**** 1/2 out of five)—Francis X. Gallagher Send letters to bteletters@businesstravelerusa.com What’s My Airline? What I assumed to be a long-overdue, relaxing two-week vacation to Japan became nearly nightmarish with All Nippon Airways (ANA). I tried to book first-class seating, but ANA insisted that they only offered business class on this particular route. My wife and I arrived three hours early at Honolulu International, only to find that the ANA ticket counter did not open until 45 minutes prior to flight departure. Rather than relaxing in their lounge, after an hour of waiting, I located an ANA employee who, when I asked her about our reservations, looked at me blankly. I finally discovered that our flight was an unpublished codeshare with United Airlines, nearly half a mile away. ANA wouldn't even help us transport our luggage. The United staff was far more professional, and our business-class flight to Osaka's Kansai International went smoothly, despite our having to watch the dozen unfilled first-class seats a few feet away. But the frustration was not yet over, as the ANA commuter flight to Haneda was another codeshare with Asiana. We were crammed into the back of a 737-500, with no preferred seating. Despite my complaints to ANA during our trip, and their promises to "make things right" for us, the return was virtually identical, with two other codeshares, including still another 737-500 back to Kansai from Haneda. At no time did we ever fly on an ANA aircraft! —Kenneth M. Goldstein, Ph.D., via e-mail ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS RESPONDS: Thank you for sending us the letter you received from Dr. Kenneth Goldstein about his trip to Japan from Hawaii. We have now communicated directly with him regarding his comments, and hope that we will be able to achieve a mutually satisfactory resolution to this matter. —Thomas E. Fredo, Director Public Relations North America, ANA (All Nippon Airways) Eurodrive’s Short-Term Lease Small groups traveling in Europe between Oct. 15 and Dec. 31 may want to check out Renault Eurodrive's short-term lease offer. Reserve a Renault Espace minivan by Dec. 15 and get $200 off a short-term lease. Offer is valid to non-EU residents age 18 and up for rentals of 17 days to six months. During the promotion, a 17-day lease on a five-passenger Espace is $1,449 with standard transmission and $1,799 for an automatic. The seven-passenger Espace is priced at $1,549 for standard transmission and $2,099 for an automatic. Additional days beyond the initial lease period are $27 to $30. For information, call 800-221-1052 or visit www.renaultusa.com Get Away to Radisson Canada Select Radisson hotels in Canada are offering fall getaway packages. Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, Radisson President Hotel & Suites Vancouver Airport offers Winter Spree. Priced starting at $123 (CAD), package includes accommodations for one night and buffet breakfast for two people. In Toronto, Radisson Hotel Toronto-Markham offers Revitalization. Priced starting at $289 (CAD), package includes accommodations for one night in a deluxe corner suite, Continental breakfast for two, $60 dinner voucher, sparkling wine and choice of spa pedicure with a botanical scrub, 40-minute aromatherapy massage or mini-spa facial. Package is offered Thurs. to Sun. For information about these and other Radisson Canada packages, visit www.radissoncanada.com Ready for Football? Throughout football season, The Westin New York at Times Square celebrates Monday Night Football with a special room service menu. Available on Monday nights through Dec. 22, the football room service menu features selections from Shula's Steak House including a bucket of beer, potato skins, nachos and Shula's signature aged certified Angus beef. Orders placed 30 minutes before the start of the game arrive before kick-off. The Westin New York at Times Square guest rooms are equipped with 27-inch flat screen televisions. Monday night room rates start at $299. For information, call 888-627-7149 or visit www.westinny.com Autumn in Aspen Through Nov. 21, Aspen's Hotel Jerome offers Autumn in Aspen. Priced at $125 per night, the special rate represents a savings of up to $300. A member of Leading Small Hotels of the World, Hotel Jerome is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. For information, call 800-331-7213 or visit www.hoteljerome.com Heavenly Deal in San Francisco Through Oct. 15, Harbor Court Hotel in San Francisco offers Ticket to Heaven. Priced starting at $149 per night, package includes accommodations for one night in a deluxe guest room, trolley service to Pier 41, two ferry tickets to Angel Island and an evening wine reception. At 740 acres, Angel Island is the largest recreational island in San Francisco Bay. Harbor Court Hotel is located on the waterfront in San Francisco's Embarcadero neighborhood. For information, call 800-346-0555 or visit www.harborcourthotel.com   ©2003 Perry Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction and/or distribution of Business Traveler-e is strictly forbidden without the written authorization of the publisher. To unsubscribe or change from HTML to a plain text format, visit www.businesstravelerusa.com/bte