Jetsettersblog

British Airways celebrated the one-year anniversary of the London to New York, business class-only flights to New York. To mark this occasion, the airline took a two-man film crew from BBC’s Fast Track program, which broadcasts on BBC World and the BBC news channel, to film the service from beginning to end. A British Airways spokesman was onboard together with a British Airways gold card holder and frequent flier, who provided interviews from the customer’s perspective.

British Airways launched the first ever long-haul Club World service from London City airport in September 2009 with twice-daily business class-only flights to New York. They were given the airline’s most prestigious flight number, BA001, previously used by Concorde until its retirement in 2003.

Fitted with just 32 seats, which convert to fully flat beds, the specifically configured Airbus A318′s will fly across the Atlantic to New York’s JFK airport after a brief refueling stop at Shannon in the west of Ireland, where customers will be able to clear U.S. Customs and Immigration. They are the only aircraft in the BA fleet equipped with OnAir allowing customers to connect to the internet during flight — and the only such service across the Atlantic.

Return flights from New York will be nonstop, as the aircraft can use JFK’s full-length runways and take off with sufficient fuel for the trans-Atlantic crossing.

Frontier Airlines has launched nonstop service between its Milwaukee (MKE) hub and St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport (PIE). The new service replaces service that previously operated between Milwaukee and Tampa International Airport (TPA). Flights are daily except Wednesdays.

Hawaiian Airlines has begun daily, nonstop service between Honolulu and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.

Haneda represents the most significant international expansion ever for Hawaiian and starts the company on a course for future growth to other major Asia markets, as it begins to add new and longer-range Airbus A330s and A350s to its fleet. In January, Hawaiian will launch nonstop service, four times weekly from Honolulu to Seoul-Incheon in South Korea.

To meet the service expectations of Japanese travelers on its new Haneda service, Hawaiian is offering a customized, culturally designed presentation of its in-flight service, featuring new pan-Asian cuisine, Japanese entertainment options, and special onboard products in combination with its award-winning “Hawaii Starts Here” in-flight service program celebrating Hawaii’s culture, people, and natural beauty.

Earlier this year, Hawaiian was one of only three U.S. airlines to win government approval to service Haneda Airport with international flights, and is launching its operations months ahead of the other two.

In addition, Hawaiian is the only U.S. carrier offering flights between Haneda and Hawaii. Centrally located in Tokyo, Haneda Airport offers travelers’ superior accessibility to Japan’s largest metropolitan area in contrast to Narita International Airport, which is located 40 miles away.

Virgin America has begun service to Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport (DFW).

Flights are twice daily from both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

As part of its DFW launch, the California airline has teamed up with the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) movement to encourage “do-gooders” in its newest market to stand up for a good cause.

The “Stand Up Dallas-Fort Worth” digital campaign urges flyers to tap their social network to raise funds for collaborative cancer research.

With every donation of at least $5, entrants will score flight discounts with the airline known for standing up to the old way of flying.

Top do-gooders — those who tap the largest network of donors — will score an invitation to the airline’s Lone Star Launch Party on Dec. 1 at The Winspear Opera House, which will feature a “smoking” secret musical act, sure to turn the Dallas opera house on its head.

Oberthur Technologies has been selected to provide its ID-One PIV smart card to members of CLEAR, Alclear LLC’s Trusted Traveler program.

CLEAR offers members speed and predictability through airport security by partnering with airports to provide a designated CLEARlane at security checkpoints.

Members present their CLEARcards, manufactured by Oberthur Technologies, which feature encrypted biometrics including fingerprints and iris images.

By matching their fingerprints or iris images to the information on the card, the CLEAR member’s identity is verified.

Oberthur Technologies provided the cards for the original CLEAR program from 2005 until the program ended in 2009 and was selected again by Alclear earlier this year.

Oberthur Technologies began production of the cards in October.

The program first launched at the Orlando International Airport (MCO) and is scheduled to launch this month at the Denver International Airport (DEN).

plans for the card may include adding supplementary functionality, such as a payment application for users.

For more information, visit www.CLEARme.com

Tropicana Las Vegas is offering one free night when guests book two nights in a new, best-in-class room through Dec. 1.

The offer includes best-in-class rooms starting at $49 per night, priority VIP check-in, late check-out at noon, a 48-hour cancellation policy, a Tropicana Experience Book with dining, entertainment and gaming offers valued at $900.

Tropicana Las Vegas is almost complete with its $180 million transformation of its best-in-class hotel rooms and suites; a new casino;

100,000 square feet of flexible meeting, catering and exhibit hall space;

more than four acres of tropical pool area;

new restaurants and bars;

a new poker room;

and a race and sports book.

The Hotel Hanford in Costa Mesa, Calif., is extending its package in concert with the extension of “Peter Pan” at Orange County Performing Arts Center through Jan. 2.

Neverland suites are priced from $299 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and includes two tickets to the show.

The package also includes a self-serve candy counter, an official poster signed by the cast, Peter Pan memorabilia, complimentary overnight parking and shuttle to/from the theater, kid and adult cocktails.

Peter Pan Rooms are priced from $129, available nightly. Rooms also include complimentary overnight hotel parking, theater shuttle, pre- or post-show happy hour availability, and commemorative gift.

For more information, call 877-HANFORD or visit

www.thehotelhanford.com/peterpanformoreinformation

The Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa is offering special holiday savings of 10 percent off published rates and the resort’s “kids eat free” program to guests who book a minimum five-night stay by Dec. 15, 2010, for travel from Dec. 26, 2010, to Jan. 1, 2011.

Under the offer, rates start at $523 per room, per night, single or double occupancy.

Guests also can attend any of several New Year’s Eve parties hosted throughout the resort. Dedicated New Year’s Eve celebrations with live music will be offered at the Mira Solo Martini Bar, and the 16,000-square-foot casino, which will be open until 4 a.m. Room service will also be available from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and feature some specialty dishes, including oyster soup, an Aruban holiday tradition.

For more information, call 800-333-3333 or visit www.radisson.com/aruba2010holiday

Hilton Worldwide hotels and resorts in Puerto Rico are offering vacationers who book online at www.PuertoRicoGetaways.com a “Puerto Rico Sparkles” promotion featuring a fourth night free, complimentary breakfast and additional features .

The offer is available at seven Hilton Worldwide properties across the island and is valid on bookings made through Jan. 31, 2011, for travel between Dec. 1, 2010, and April 30, 2011.

Packages are available at the El Conquistador Resort; Las Casitas Resort; El San Juan Hotel & Casino; Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza; Caribe Hilton, San Juan; and the Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort.

For more information, call 888-564-1307 or visit www.PuertoRicoGetaways.com

A number of Jamaican hotels and resorts are offering special holiday travel packages for families, honeymooners and couples seeking a getaway.

The Half Moon resort’s “Family Escape” package features daily nanny service for two children under 4 years old and complimentary breakfast.

The offer is valid from Jan. 5 through April 15, 2011; package rates start at $690 double occupancy for a Junior Suite. Travelers must book by April 11, 2011.

For more information, visit www.halfmoon.com

The Two Seasons Guest House on Jamaica’s South Coast is offering families who book three or more rooms for a minimum three-night stay 15 percent off when they travel Dec. 15, 2010, through Jan. 15, 2011.

For more information, visit www.2seasonsguesthouse.com .

The Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Montego Bay is offering a January Sale featuring 60 percent off published rates for a minimum two-night stay.

Under the offer, rates start at $91 per person, per night, double or single occupancy for stays between Jan. 2 and Feb. 28, 2011, with black-out dates of Jan. 23 to 29 and Feb. 7 to 13.

For more information, visit www.caribbeanhi.com/jamaica.

The Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa is offering His & Hers Golf and Spa Package allowing couples to play a round together or head off separately for a complimentary round of golf for him and spa treatment for her, reuniting later for a private beach dinner by candlelight.

The package must be booked by Dec. 31, 2010, for travel by Aug. 31, 2011.

Rates start at $319 per night.

more information, visit www.jeweldunnsriverresort.com

The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall is offering a Resort Reconnect package for travel through Dec. 23, 2010.

The package offers luxury accommodations in a garden-view or ocean-view room or suite, and daily breakfast for two in select restaurants plus a daily $50 resort credit. Packages start at $229 per room, per night, single or double occupancy, plus tax and service.

For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com

Riu’s four all-inclusive Jamaican properties are offering added value with special rates beginning at $92 at Riu Negril, $93 at RIU Montego Bay, $97 at Riu Ocho Rios, and $126 at Riu Palace Tropical Bay through Dec. 23, 2010.

At the Ocho Rios and Montego Bay properties, kids stay free through Dec. 23 when sharing a room with two full-paying adults.

Rates are per person, per night, based on double occupancy, and include all meals, drinks, entertainment, tax and gratuities.

For more information, visit www.riu.com

Rondel Village on Negril’s seven-mile beach is offering a special January 2011 package featuring four nights’ superior room accommodations for $543, double occupancy.

Guests must book by Dec. 16, 2010, for travel between Jan. 9 and 29, 2011. For more information, visit www.Rondelvillage.com

The Tower Cloisters Resort Condos is offering a Winter Icebreaker package featuring seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment for only $350 per person, per night. The offer applies to travel through Dec. 15 and includes daily breakfast.

For more information, visit www.cloister-jamaica.com