Jetsettersblog

Alaska Airlines plans to launch inflight wireless Internet service next year based on Row 44′s satellite-based broadband connectivity solution. Alaska made the announcement in Toronto at the 28th Annual World Airline Entertainment Association Conference and Exhibition. The airline will test Row 44′s system on a next-generation Boeing 737 aircraft in spring 2008 and, based on the trial’s outcome, plans to equip its 114-aircraft fleet. The technology will provide customers with a unique entertainment and business network at 35,000 feet. Passengers with Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as laptop computers, PDAs, smartphones and portable gaming systems, will have high-speed access to the Internet, e-mail, virtual private networks and stored inflight entertainment content.

For more information, visit www.alaskaair.com  or www.row44.com

Passengers flying with Air Jamaica now have the option of checking in for their flights online at www.AirJamaica.com. The new option, Web Check-In (WCI) will significantly expedite the check-in process and enable passengers to reduce the length of time checking in at the airport. The online check-in feature allows passengers with electronic tickets to check-in for their flight select a seat and print a check-in confirmation – over the internet, from the comfort of their home, hotel or office. At the airport, passengers who have used this service can proceed to the specially marked Web Check-In counter for the relevant verification, baggage and security checks to be carried out. At this point a boarding pass is issued in exchange for the check-in confirmation.

During the initial rollout of this service, WCI will be available to passengers departing from Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami and Fort Lauderdale allowing them to check-in four to 18 hours before scheduled departure. The new feature will not be available to unaccompanied minors; special service need passengers, standby listings and travel on interline flights, i.e. connections with non Air Jamaica carrier, codeshare flights or groups of 10 or more. In addition, customers making changes to itineraries or cancellations must contact an Air Jamaica agent via telephone or at the airport.

Clear, which provides registered traveler lanes at U.S. airports, announced the opening of its express security lanes at both domestic terminals at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The Clear lanes are open to all travelers out of SFO’s Terminal 1 from 4:30 a.m. to midnight (B and C) and Terminal 3 from 4:30 a.m. to midnight (East) and 4:30am to 11pm (West). The Clear lanes in the International Terminal will open in mid-October, completing the airport’s rollout of the program — and enabling Virgin America travelers to use Clear on both legs of their coast-to-coast trips, too.

Clear enrollment stations are open in Terminals 1 and 3 on the ticketing level at the San Francisco Airport from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, and at the Hyatt Embarcadero from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends. In addition to San Francisco, Clear cards are currently accepted at Albany, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Little Rock, New York’s JFK, Newark, Orlando, Reno, San Jose and Westchester County (NY) airports, and soon, LaGuardia. Other airports expected to launch RT programs this fall include Washington, DC (Reagan and Dulles), Denver, and Atlanta, all of whom have issued or, in the case of Atlanta, are about to issue Requests for Proposals.

For more information, visit http://flyclear.com

In contrast to opinions and perceptions reported in the past, a majority of women business travelers currently believe the airline industry treats them equally as well as their male counterparts. The data was gathered as part of a new survey conducted by the American Small Business Travelers Alliance (ASBTA), a national alliance that provides valuable services and functions focused specifically on the travel needs and interests of small business owners. Of the female business travelers surveyed, 54 percent responded that they are treated the same as men when traveling. Slightly less (52 percent) believe they are treated as valuable customers by the airlines.

Respondents indicated that three airlines websites do the best at catering to their needs. American Airlines (22 percent) was ranked first, followed by Delta (21 percent), with Southwest (19 percent) coming in third. April 2007, American Airlines introduced the airline industry’s first web page dedicated to women who travel. The survey also revealed that women increasingly prefer to utilize the internet for air travel needs. Significantly, in the past 12 months, 85 percent of respondents used the internet to book travel with 78 percent booking directly through airline websites. Finally, women are taking advantage of the improvements made by airlines websites. They find it easier to research air travel (78 percent) and purchase air travel (84 percent) than in the past. For more information, visit www.asbta.com .  

Scott Cohen, executive chef at Mobil 4-star Watermark Hotel & Spa in San Antonio, Tx., is widely credited with spearheading the innovative Texas Hill Country movement, a cuisine philosophy that makes use of indigenous ingredients from local growers and farmers in the Hill Country region. Gourmands who sample his locally sourced, seasonal dishes at Pesca on the River restaurant (including Blackened Boneless Rib Eye and Salad of Local Bluebonnet Mixed Field Greens) participate in and support the community culture and way of life thanks to Cohen’s deep relationships with local farmers.

For more information, visit www.watermarkhotelandspa.com

The Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary, North Carolina strives to highlight the local environment in everything it does. The property is set on 12 wooded acres, including a three-acre lake, expansive lawn, and outdoor terrace for al fresco dining and enjoying the serene environment. Walking and jogging trails run throughout the property and encircle the lake. The Umstead Hotel & Spa is adjacent to the Umstead State Park, which includes 5,600 acres for hiking, biking, jogging, and boating. Bicycle rentals are available from the hotel for guests to get out and enjoy the scenery. A collection of art is featured throughout the hotel, including numerous pieces by local artists that depict nature scenes, furthering the focus on the local environment. Urns and vases by North Carolina potters Mark Hewitt and Ben Owen give the hotel an earthy and comfortable feel. Herons, The Umstead’s acclaimed restaurant, features southern infused American cuisine, and 80% of the produce is grown on local farms.

For more information, visit www.theumstead.com

Remote Lands, America’s only luxury bespoke travel provider, offers trips to 16 distinct countries. The company appreciates the cultural, economic and geographical complexities of the continent and understands the importance of giving back to this region. Remote Lands donates five percent of its profits directly to local charities in Asian countries for sustainable development tourism projects.

It is currently supporting the Tarayana Foundation in Bhutan, the Sage Foundation in Cambodia, the Agape Home in Sri Lanka, the Mongolian Reindeer Foundation in Mongolia and the PAK Orphanage Project in Indonesia. The goal is to provide long term assistance through a variety of self-sustaining programs (as opposed to just providing immediate relief) to empower people to help themselves by engaging in economically beneficial activities.

Remote Lands offers travelers such unique experiences as dinner with a Balinese Prince or the ordination ceremony of a young Thai monk. These experiences introduce clients to a well-balanced cross section of society, from monks to maharajas, nomads to nobility, farmers to financiers. By spending time with such people in their homes and schools and places of worship, travelers interact with them and immerse themselves in their cultures, instead of being just tourist spectators. In learning about faraway cultures and achieving some level of understanding of its people, clients are in a much better position to actively help those people who are in need.

For more information, visit www.remotelands.com

Providence has seen a stunning revitalization in recent years thanks, in large part, to its focus on its local arts scene and authentic historic attractions. Providence offers generous tax incentives to artists who choose to live and/or work in the area, in order to encourage the growth of the city’s Arts and Entertainment District.

Tourism growth has been spurred by such distinctive endeavors as WaterFire, an award-winning art installation which incorporates the city’s three rivers through more than 100 stunning bonfires viewed with musical accompaniment. Visitors stroll down Benefit Street, often called the “Mile of History,” and experience an unmatched collection of original Colonial homes with 200 pristine 18th and 19th century buildings, brick sidewalks and antique gas lamps.

The city also introduced Gallery Night, a monthly event featuring the participation of 20 local galleries. The city provides free bus transportation with stops at participating galleries, art shops and museums. Further taking advantage of the destination’s assets, gondolas glide down the Providence River offering stunning views of some of the country’s finest educational institutions including Brown University and Johnson & Wales.

For more information, visit www.providencenightandday.com

The stunning, four-county region of northeastern Pennsylvania is just a couple hours drive from major Northeast cities and offers guests myriad ways to experience the rich culture of the region without falling prey to tourist traps.

A visit to PPL Environmental Learning Center teaches how vast and powerful Lake Wallenpaupack supports the energy of the beautiful Lakes region; a ride on the Stourbridge Line Rail in Honesdale gives a glimpse into the birthplace of the American railroad; a thrilling bike journey through the Lehigh River Gorge, a hike in a State or National Park, or a cruise down one of the many whitewater rivers provides a natural high surrounded breathtaking scenery; and daytime trekkers can pick their own apples, pumpkins and even visit wineries to taste the indigenous bounties of the region.

For more information, visit www.800poconos.org

Palm Beach County, spanning 47 miles from north to south, offers the best of everything for the geotourist with diverse attractions reflecting the community’s passions – both past and present. The Palm Beach County historical society is an excellent resource to the County’s grand history offering stories of Henry Flagler and Addison Mizner leaving their mark on the area for generations to admire.

Performing arts are a part of everyday life for Palm Beachers as The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts; one of the premier performing arts centers in the Southeast offers a full schedule of ballet, classical and contemporary music. Touring the attractions can be an adventure on DivaDuck’s Adventurous Amphibious Tour, a 75-minute narrated tour on land and water showing the sights from land and sea.

For the outdoor enthusiast, Palm Beach County offers a plentitude of outdoor activities including kayaking at MacArthur State Park or boating on Lake Okeechobee. Sports are part of the Palm Beach experience and the County has more than 160 public and private golf courses. For the spectator, both the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins have their spring training in Jupiter at Roger Dean Stadium, where the Jupiter Hammerheads are the local Florida State League team.

For more information, visit www.palmbeachfl.com