Jetsettersblog

Virgin Atlantic announced details of its new Clubhouse at New York-JFK Airport.

It will be 10,000 square feet and will open early next month. The design is a joint effort of an in-house design team and the New York-based architectural practice, Slade Architecture. The idea is create an “Uptown” themed space. It will be a combination of a private members club, boutique hotel lobby, restaurant service and chic bar plus a few surprises. It will be located airside, adjacent to the Virgin Atlantic gates, allowing passengers to maximize their time in the Clubhouse before boarding the aircraft.

The new lounge will also introduce Virgin Atlantic’s first overseas spa.

As part of the spa treatments, there will be the first-ever hair salon in any U.S. business class lounge, with services provided by renowned New York City-based salon and product company Bumble and bumble.

Virgin Atlantic offers three daily flights from JFK to London Heathrow, plus additional twice-daily flights from Newark to London Heathrow.

Alaska Airlines will start daily nonstop service between Seattle and Philadelphia, starting June 11, and between Seattle and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., beginning July 16. With the introduction of Seattle-Fort Lauderdale service, Alaska Airlines will discontinue flights to Miami, a city the carrier has served from its Seattle hub since 2002.

Introductory fares start at $190 each way between Seattle and Philadelphia, and at $170 each way between Seattle and Fort Lauderdale. Both fares include all government taxes and fees. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 13 and can be used for travel through July 11 for Philadelphia and by Aug. 29, 2012, for Fort Lauderdale.

WestJet will start daily non-stop service between Chicago and Vancouver and between Chicago and Calgary May 14. It will also market the flights it codeshares with American Airlines from Chicago to Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Introductory fares start at $149 from Calgary and $169 from Vancouver.

Stratos Jets asks Stefan Sears, a top industry professional, to head New York operation.
ORLANDO, FL– In support of its expansion efforts, Stratos Jet Charters, Inc., a worldwide air charter agency headquartered in Orlando, Fla., has opened a new office in Farmingdale, New York. Stratos Jets is now able to offer a higher level of personalized charter service in and out of New York.

Since its inception, Stratos Jets has experienced steady growth, year over year. In 2011, Stratos Jets moved to a larger office near the Orlando Executive Airport (ORL),which has allowed for the expansion of Stratos Jets’ support staff. In 2012, Stratos Jets now turns its attention to enhancing its New York jet charter service, which is one of its most requested charter services.

According to Joel Thomas, President and founder of Stratos Jets, many of the company’s clients either live or work in New York City. He says that these individuals are frequently burdened with the challenges of traveling in the densely-populated area of New York.

Thomas says that Stratos Jets felt that it had a responsibility to its New York clients to personalize its service.

“At Stratos Jets, we seek to provide an efficient and reliable charter service that meets the demands of even the busiest New York executive,” Thomas explained. “That’s why we are pleased to announce that we have opened a new office in Farmingdale, New York.

Stratos Jets has asked Mr. Stefan Sears, a top industry professional, to head its New York-based operation. Mr. Sears brings many years of industry experience as well as his passion and talent for private aviation to the dynamic team at Stratos Jets. Mr. Sears is now responsible for handling the individual needs of Stratos Jet’s New York-based clients, as well as overseeing the expansion of the new office.

According to Thomas, Mr. Sears, who is a resident of New York, will add value to Stratos Jets’ one-way and round-trip charter service to New York.

“As a resident of New York, Mr. Sears is very cognizant of the greater Manhattan area, its airports, and most importantly, the location of every aircraft available for private jet charter,” Thomas said. “As a result, he can rapidly respond to any New York charter flight request, and has the ability to arrange a charter flight with as little as four hours notice. His deep industry knowledge and expertise is an extremely valuable asset to our clients, especially in a situation where a charter aircraft is needed for an immediate or last-minute departure.”

Mr. Sears has also established personal relationships with several aircraft operators in the New York area, which allows him to ensure Stratos Jets’ goals of best-available pricing and quality assurance for New York air charter flights.

His centralized location in Farmingdale will also allow him to meet one-on-one with Stratos Jets’ New York-based clients in order to gain a better understanding of their individual needs and preferences.

“Opening a new office in Farmingdale will allow Stratos Jets to offer a higher level of personalized service for charter flights to and from New York,” Thomas said.

“In our ongoing effort to provide the most personalized air charter experience available, the addition of the Stratos Jets New York office means that both visitors and residents of the Big Apple can enjoy Stratos Jets’ industry-leading services and safety standards.”

With Mr. Sears’ extensive experience as a top air charter professional, Stratos Jets is better positioned to offer the same high level of personal service for our New York that is frequently enjoyed by those in the Southeast. Thomas says that he is thrilled to offer these extended services to his clients and he welcomes Mrs. Sears to the team.

“We constantly strive to enhance our business and client relations in all areas to ensure that our clients receive the best air charter experience available,” Thomas said. “Hopefully, the New York office will allow us to exceed our clients’ highest expectations for quality air charter service to and from the New York metro area.”

Stratos Jet Charters provides air charter service for US-based businesses and individuals. They believe that their success has come from the relationships they have built through good experiences, not long-term contracts. It is the goal of their company to provide you with the exceptional service and attention to detail that earns the confidence of your repeat business.

They provide air charter service that fits your schedule and can offer countless options to serve your needs. If you currently have an air charter service provider, please allow Stratos Jet Charters the opportunity to provide you with a competitive bid. They are sure that they can provide a level of service and convenience that will earn your repeat business.

Website: http://www.stratosjets.com

Darwin in the Northern Territory will enjoy improved connections thanks to a new direct service with SilkAir – a wholly owned subsidary of Singapore Airlines. As of 26 March 2012, SilkAir will fly four times a week between Singapore and Darwin – the carrier’s first route into Australia. Darwin is Australia’s most northern city, making it the natural gateway to both the Outback and the country as a whole. Located just four hours’ flight from Singapore and two hours from Bali, Darwin is considered to be Australia’s most culturally diverse city. The city boasts a vibrant lifestyle centred around the outdoors, from al fresco dining and fine sunsets to beachside markets and sailing. www.singaporeair.com

Southwest Airlines Vacations is offering a sale on packages nationwide with savings up to 50 percent. Free nights, room upgrades and resort credits are also being offered. Vacation packages must be booked between Feb. 3 and March 1 by 6 p.m. CT for travel Feb. 4 through Sept. 28. One-day advance purchase is required.

Customized Las Vegas vacation packages include roundtrip flight via Southwest Airlines, hotel accommodations (including taxes), Rapid Rewards Points on the flight portion, 24-hour traveler assistance, and first and second checked bags fly free (weight and size limits apply). Southwest Airlines Vacations offers vacation packages to more than 80 destinations with flight service available from every scheduled Southwest Airlines departure city.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has given Southwest Airlines and its wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways the right to operate new international flights between Denver International Airport and Cancun International Airport and between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Cancun International Airport.

Austinis a new market for AirTran Airways. Daily roundtrip service between Denver and Cancun will operate from April 16 through July 7, and then move to Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday service from July 8 through Aug. 12. It will run Saturday and Sunday from Aug. 13 through Sept. 28.

Austin-Cancun flights will start May 25 and operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday through Aug. 31. From Sept. 1 through Sept. 28, it will operate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

In addition to the new international service, AirTran will operate new domestic roundtrip service between Houston Hobby and San Antonio, and between Houston Hobby and Austin to support the international routes. The new service between Houston and San Antonio begins May 24, and the new service between Houston and Austin begins May 25. Both roundtrips are scheduled to operate through the end of the current flight schedule, Sept. 28.

Airberlin is progressing through the process of becoming part of the oneworld airline alliance in March. Its sponsor, British Airways, has just completed a thorough review of airberlin’s processes and procedures.

Joining oneworld will significantly strengthen airberlin’s network both in Europe and around the world. It also precedes the opening of Brandenburg Airport in Berlin in three months time, when airberlin, British Airways and all other oneworld carriers operating to the city will co-locate in the same terminal, sharing lounges and other facilities.

Airberlin’s addition to oneworld adds 70 destinations to the oneworld network, including 18 within Germany, and will make regional markets in Europe easier to reach than ever before. Airberlin’s routes will be available through oneworld’s full and extensive range of alliance fares and sales products.

The launch of Fashion Week is once again upon us with the first shows hitting the runways in New York on 9 February to showcase this year’s Fall / Winter collections. The UK’s online leader in travel deals publishing Cheapflights.co.uk makes its own top picks for long weekends away in some of the world’s most stylish destinations.

“Fashion Week isn’t just about the shows themselves; the destinations where they’re held tend to be buzzing during that week with increased activity and more touristic attractions than usual,” says Nadine Hallak, travel expert for Cheapflights.co.uk.

While London hosts one of the world’s most prominent Fashion Weeks, travellers should take the opportunity to grab a quick escape and see how some of world’s other stylish destinations do it.

New York is always first to kick off the global calendar of the world’s most notable Fashion Weeks. This year’s Fall / Winter shows in the Big Apple will run from 9 to 16 February. opening with a spectacular show starting the afternoon of 9 February known as Fame and Music Unite Rocks Fashion Week. This is where up and coming designers and musical artists showcase their talents in a spectacular show where style meets entertainment. Tickets can be purchased online through TicketLeap and start from £51. Other events include a Pop-Up Art Event Celebrating Beauty-Art Fashion also on 9 February and the Small Boutique Fashion Week 2012 Show & Market showcasing handmade goods on 11 February. Flights to New York during February start from £229 return.

Paris Fashion Week takes place from 28 February to 7 March. Here is the true home of haute couture. Those lucky enough to be invited can witness heavyweights such as the houses of Chanel and Valentino weave their magic across the various runways at the famous Louvre. While non-industry folk are unlikely to either be invited or source tickets some other way, the city is still worth a visit during this time as it glitters even more than usual with the buzz of the fashion world and the arts in general. Its streets turn into a veritable runway of celebrity, and people-watching at its sidewalk cafes is practically a live show in itself. For a guaranteed glimpse of celebrity, head to the bars of Hotel Costes, Mama Shelta’s and Pershang Hall. Travellers should also check out the Louvre itself, take a stroll through the streets of St. Germain or simply unwind with a cruise along the Seine. Flights to Paris in February start from £79 return.

Stepping off the beaten track to a lesser known Fashion Weeks is that of Copenhagen, Denmark, which runs from 1 to 5 February. As well as featuring top Danish and international designers, it’s also of great interest for those who enjoy art and culture. Visitors can attend exhibits such as The Designer’s Nest Exhibition on 2 and 4 February, the Henrik Adamson / Fashion Photography on 2 February and the Shoeshibar & APA Presents on 4 February. Copenhagen is a sophisticated, yet down to earth city, with lots to offer the visitor in terms of world class cuisine, culture and of course, beer! Flights to Copenhagen during February start from £98 return.

Staying off the beaten path is another stylish destination – Istanbul, Turkey, where Fashion Week takes place from 8 to 11 February. The event here showcases mostly Turkish designers, many of whom have studied abroad, including designer Asli Guler who spent some time at London’s Central St. Martin’s, Atil Kutoglu who graduated from Vienna, and Bahar Korcan, who has showcased in New York and Paris. Visitors are exposed to brands they won’t find anywhere else while enjoying the wonderful sights Istanbul has to offer, such as Aya Sofia, shopping at the Grand Bazaar or visiting the Dolmabahce Palace. The city also offers some of the best nightlife in the world in districts such as Beyoglu. Flights to Istanbul in February start from £149 return.

Another less mainstream Fashion Week is that of Belgrade, Serbia taking place from 29 March to 7 April, when domestic and some lesser known designers from abroad showcase their creations in a variety of runway events. In a city like Belgrade, attending the shows is not the main focus. Given that it’s outside the Euro zone, its rate of conversion and low ground costs make it highly affordable for Brits. It also happens to have one of the world’s best up and coming nightlife scenes and like New York, is referred to as a city that never sleeps, making it a great weekend break destination for party lovers. For a mix of bars, restaurants and nightclubs, visitors should try Strahinjića Bana Street, known as one of the city’s fun zones. Culture vultures should head to the Bohemian quarter of Skadarjila, the famous Fortress museum showcasing the city’s history and the municipality of Zemun. Flights to Belgrade during April start from £165 return.

To search and compare flights to these or any other destination, visit http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/