Jetsettersblog

Italy’s AirOne Expands Fleet

Air One, the Italian private airline, announced an agreement with Airbus SAS, to purchase 24 new long-range aircraft – making the airline one of Airbus’ largest customers in Europe.

The newly ordered airplanes are 12 Airbus A330-200s and 12 new Airbus A350-800 XWBs, the latest generation of highly efficient and eco-sustainable aircraft, not yet available on the market.

The contract includes a plan for the future purchase of eight A330s to be delivered by 2012 and twelve A350 XWBs to be delivered by 2018. The order for the new aircrafts is consistent with Air One’s plan to increase its international network – particularly in the U.S. and the Far East markets – to reach 16 intercontinental destinations by 2012.

It also coincides with the relaunch of its domestic air transport system to improve quality and efficiency. The new aircraft purchase agreement is the latest step in the airline’s wider program to renew its fleet with aircraft which can guarantee passenger comfort, operative efficiency, and meet or surpass new environmental regulations.

Air One first signed an agreement with Airbus in 2005 to purchase 90 Airbus 320s for its medium–range operations – 16 of which are already part of the fleet. In 2006, Air One also signed a purchase agreement for 10 regional CRJ Bombardier, all of which were delivered by mid-2007.

Linear Air Taxi Online Pricing and Booking

Concord, MA – Linear Air is the first Very Light Jet (VLJ) air taxi company to offer travelers the ability to easily check pricing and book flights online. The company’s new booking tool provides an instant reservation for a specific aircraft in the Linear Air fleet, while the Quick Quote™ technology generates pricing and flight information. The newly integrated Quick Quote ™ technology is one more addition to the many conveniences that Linear Air offers travelers.

“Linear Air’s goal is to make air travel as pain-free as possible for our customers – starting with the booking process,” said William Herp, president and CEO of Linear Air. “Now customers can go online and access aircraft pricing and availability with minimal effort and time involved.”

Linear Air utilizes ten times more airports than traditional commercial airlines by flying in and out of regional airports. This large selection of airports lets Linear Air better accommodate clients’ air travel needs. With changes in air travel, regional airports have been found to be more accessible for the traveler and less congested than commercial airports.

Linear Air’s commitment to technology is not only reflected in the company’s new pricing and booking tool, but is also reflected in its fleet, which includes the advanced Eclipse E500. Using less fuel than other jets, the eco-friendly, twin engine Eclipse E500 offers jet aircraft performance at an unprecedented lower overall cost. That savings is directly passed on to the Linear Air customer.

About Linear Air

Linear Air provides point-to-point air taxi service with unprecedented access and affordability. Based in Concord, Mass., the Linear Air fleet includes the three-passenger Eclipse E500 business jet and eight-passenger Cessna Grand Caravan turboprop.

Linear Air offers business and leisure travelers access to more than 750 cities in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and eastern Canada from its bases in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. Linear Air is a FAA-certified part 135 charter operator that maintains a Gold safety rating from ARG/US, the leading independent safety auditor in the aviation industry. For more information, please visit www.linearair.com  or call 1-877-2-LINEAR.

Weber Grill Polls Americans Plan Staycations

Forty percent of Americans taking “staycations” this summer say they will grill outdoors more as part of their staycation plans, according to the latest Weber GrillWatch Pulse.

As a result, 46 percent of them say they will spend more money on grilling this year. In fact, among grill owners planning staycations, a whopping 80 percent plan to grill weekly, including 41 percent who plan to grill at least several times each week. While the term “staycation” is relatively new, 15 percent of respondents recognized it as “a vacation that people spend at or near home, instead of a traditional vacation away from home.”

Once having the term explained to them, more than half (51 percent) of the respondents said they plan to take one or more staycations this summer-including 24 percent who are changing their traditional summer vacations to include a staycation this year. Staycations appear to be more popular among grill owners: 54 percent plan to take a staycation this summer vs. 43 percent of non-owners. Among all Americans taking staycations this summer, many are seemingly interested in expanding their outdoor grilling repertoire and improving their outdoor rooms as they spend more leisure time at home.

NYC Luxury Hotel Third Night Free

NYC & Company, the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, announced that 10 luxury hotels in The Signature Collection will participate in the Third Night promotion this summer.

The program gives visitors a complimentary third night at 10 participating hotels after booking and paying for two consecutive nights, from July 1 to Sept. 1, 2008. The hotels participating in the program this summer include: The New York Palace Hotel, Hotel Plaza Athénée New York; Jumeirah Essex House; Loews Regency Hotel; The London NYC; The Plaza; The Sherry-Netherland Hotel; The St. Regis Hotel, New York; Trump International Hotel & Tower; and the Waldorf Towers.

“The Third Night promotion has proven to be a great way for the Signature Collection Hotels to convince people to take more time in exploring this incredible city,” said David Taylor, chairman of the Signature Collection, and the executive director of marketing for The New York Palace Hotel.

“We often find that our guests, knowing the third night stay is free, are inspired to enjoy even more of New York’s shopping, dining and entertainment options.” NYC & Company also announced that luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue has confirmed its participation in the summer Third Night promotion. Signature Collection Third Night guests will receive a VIP package at Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship store as an added benefit, which includes an exclusive personal shopping experience in the Fifth Avenue Club.

The Signature Collection is a collection of 17 luxury hotels in New York City, including: The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel; Four Seasons Hotel New York; Jumeirah Essex House; Loews Regency Hotel; The London NYC; Mandarin Oriental, New York; New York Palace; The Peninsula New York; The Pierre New York, The Plaza, Hotel Plaza Athénée New York; The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park; The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park; The Sherry-Netherland Hotel; The St. Regis Hotel, New York; Trump International Hotel & Tower; and The Waldorf=Astoria.

The program was initiated in 2001 through the efforts of NYC & Company. For more information, visit www.nycvisit.com/thirdnight

Dollar Car rental Mobile Service

Dollar Rent A Car has unveiled a new mobile service that allows travelers to make a reservation with www.dollar.com by using a cell phone or other Web-enabled mobile device. The new mobile site retains virtually all of the features and functionality of the www.dollar.com desktop website. Users of mobile devices will be automatically redirected to the mobile site when they visit www.dollar.com  Travelers can make reservations, cancel or modify existing reservations, see all car types or only those desired and other functions.

Circle Line New York Happy-Hour Cruises

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises has introduced “New Yorkers for New York” happy-hour cruises that will also raise money for a local charity.

This weekly trip is designed for locals, with a hometown cause and two bars serving summer cocktails. The cruises will board at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays June 18 through Aug. 27 and sail from 6 to 8 p.m.

The $27 ticket price includes one complimentary cocktail or other beverage, and a $5 donation to Food Bank For New York City.

The Food Bank for New York City procures and distributes food through more than 1,000 emergency and community food programs, assisting the approximately 1.3 million New Yorkers who access emergency food. Later this year, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises will introduce its first-ever new vessel to its 63-year-old fleet. Circle is planning a christening ceremony on Sept. 17.

For more information, call 212-563-3200 or visit www.CircleLine42.com

Gloria & Emilio Estefan Open Costa d’Este Beach Resort

Benchmark Hospitality International and five-time Grammy Award-winning singer Gloria Estefan and her husband, producer Emilio Estefan, Jr., opened the Costa d’Este Beach Resort, a 94-guestroom, luxury property located in Vero Beach, Fla.

The Honorable Thomas White, mayor of the City of Vero Beach, presided at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

At the event Mayor White proclaimed today as “Costa d’Este Day” in Vero Beach. Other speakers included the Estefans; Andy Zinni, Benchmark’s general manager at the resort; Penny Chandler, president, Indian River County Chamber of Commerce; and Burt Cabañas, chairman and CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International, which is the resort’s operator. Also in attendance were local commissioners, city council members, Vero Beach and Indian River County government officials, and prominent members of the community.

Following the ceremony all guests were invited to a festive reception held poolside and throughout the resort’s elegant ground floor public spaces. Costa d’Este Beach Resort opened to a fully booked weekend with a private group that has also reserved the property’s signature Cuban-fusion restaurant Oriente.

From its premier Ocean Drive location to its fashionable accommodations, gourmet cuisine and discreetly attentive service, Costa d’Este — meaning “East Coast” in Spanish — will cater to the most discerning leisure travelers from around the world.

The $50 million resort features 94 guestrooms including four one-bedroom suites, a signature restaurant and bar, infinity-edge swimming pool and cabana bar, full-service spa and fitness center, as well as elegant facilities for special events. World-class tennis courts, championship golf, sport fishing, snorkeling and diving are nearby. In celebration of the Estefans’ heritage, the resort’s Oriente restaurant features gourmet fare as interpreted by Cuba’s Oriente region.

The menu draws inspiration from Spanish, Latin and Creole traditions and promises a mouthwatering adventure for guests, Vero Beach visitors and residents. Costa d’Este Beach Resort was developed by Miami-based Claro Development Solutions and is operated by Benchmark Hospitality International. Introductory rates begin at just $189 per room through September 30.

Fall rates start at $249 from October 1 - December 19, 2008. For more information and reservations, call 772-410-0104 or visit www.costadeste.com

Chicago Urban Adventure Hotel Packages

Chicago: A Great Urban Adventure,” presented by the Chicago Office of Tourism, offers more than 200 ideas for exploring and rediscovering Chicago this summer.

To enhance the visitor experience, the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau developed hotel packages for the Urban Adventures for an all-inclusive stay in the Windy City.

Now through Labor Day, a variety of Chicago hotels will offer Great Urban Adventure packages with discounted accommodations and other amenities. Among the packages are “Chicago Lakefront Adventure,” which includes a stay at the Talbott Hotel or W Chicago Lakeshore Hotel, plus a Lakefront Neighborhoods’ Bicycle Tour by Bobby’s Bike Hike;

“Chicago Garden Adventure,” which includes a stay at the Essex Inn or the InterContinental Chicago, plus a Gray Line Chicago tour to the Chicago Botanic Gardens; and “Wicker Park Shop and Dining Adventure,” includes a stay at the Affinia Chicago Hotel or Sutton Place Hotel, plus a shopping guide chauffeured tour in luxury vehicle.

The “Chicago Museum Adventure” includes a stay at the Congress Hotel, Inn of Chicago Magnificent Mile, Affinia Chicago Hotel, Essex Inn, Hard Rock Hotel Chicago or Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, plus a Chicago City Pass, featuring a 48 percent discount on tickets to five of Chicago’s most popular attractions — the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium and the John Hancock Building or Sears Tower Observatories.

For more information, call 877-244-2246 or visit www.choosechicago.com/urban_adventures

Sun Country Airlines Launches Cashless Cabin

Sun Country Airlines has introduced its cashless cabin project in which Visa and MasterCard will be accepted as payment for items available for sale onboard flights.

Visa and MasterCard will be accepted for payment for all the items Sun Country passengers can purchase in-flight, including snacks, sandwiches, candy, premium beverages, space-available first-class upgrades, headphones and pillow/blanket sets.

It is anticipated that the new payment process will allow flight attendants to more efficiently serve passengers in-flight. Payments will typically be posted to the consumer’s credit card within 24 hours of the transaction. “As a Minnesota airline, we consider customer service one of our top priorities,” said Stan Gadek, CEO of Sun Country. “The launch of this program shows Sun Country’s commitment to service and the measures being taken to consistently deliver value to our passengers.”

For more information, visit www.suncountry.com

Virgin America New York-Las Vegas Nonstop

Virgin America will add one daily non-stop flight between New York’s John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and Las Vegas McCarran International (LAS) airports.

Effective September 4, 2008, the flight adds to the airline’s growing seven-city network, which already includes non-stop transcontinental service between JFK and both San Francisco International (SFO) and Los Angeles International (LAX) airports.

 ”This is a non-stop flight in high demand for both leisure and business travelers,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush.

Virgin America’s JFK-LAS fares start at $159 one way in the Main Cabin and $599 one way in First Class. Recently, Virgin America announced that it also hopes to fly from SFO and LAX to Chicago O’Hare International Airport later this year, pending government approval.

Virgin America currently flies to seven cities with numerous daily flights from: San Francisco (SFO) to Los Angeles (LAX), SFO to New York (JFK), SFO to San Diego (SAN), SFO to Washington (IAD), SFO to Las Vegas (LAS), SFO to Seattle (SEA), LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD and LAX to SEA.