Business Travel Tips

JetBlue is offering discount airfares on flights between New York and 28 cities across the United States. You can fly to New York for as low as $64 each way. The offer is valid through July 31, 2009; tickets must be purchased at time of reservation.

Below’s a sampling of JetBlue’s New York discount airfares.
Please note: fares are one-way, nonrefundable, and nontransferable, do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11 Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.60 per domestic segment.
Also, the advertised fares may not be available on all days or on all flights and are most often found on midweek travel dates.(See offer details)

Between New York/JFK, NY (JFK) and Portland, ME (PWM), - $64
Between New York/JFK, NY (JFK) and Raleigh-Durham, NC (RDU), - $64
Between New York/JFK, NY (JFK) and Richmond, VA (RIC), - $64
Between New York/JFK, NY (JFK) and Rochester, NY (ROC), - $64
Between New York/JFK, NY (JFK) and Pittsburgh, PA (PIT), - $74
Between New York/JFK, NY (JFK) and Chicago/O’Hare, IL (ORD), - $76
Between New York/JFK, NY (JFK) and Orlando, FL (MCO), - $94
Between New York/JFK, NY (JFK) and Tampa, FL (TPA), - $94
Between New York/JFK, NY (JFK) and New Orleans, LA (MSY), - $94
Between New York/JFK, NY (JFK) and Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL), - $94
Between New York/JFK, NY (JFK) and San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), - $119
Between New York/JFK, NY (JFK) and San Diego, CA (SAN), - $169

Virgin Atlantic announced it will stop the daily service from London Heathrow to Chicago for the winter.

The airline stated it will also suspend one of two daily London Heathrow-Hong Kong services, and is planning cut frequencies elsewhere.

Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Executive Officer Steve Ridgway explains: “The outlook for the industry is as bleak as ever and all airlines are having to shrink their businesses. The fittest will survive and be in a stronger position when the economy grows.” (source)

Following the last week Clear’s announcement about they were ceasing their Registered Traveler program, many Clear’s customers are looking for answers on what is going to happen with their membership.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA), after emphasizing that it has no responsibility in running Registered Traveler programs — TSA explains: “These companies (that run RT programs) work/worked solely with airports, airlines and their customers” — gives answers some of the questions that keep popping up.

- Can I still use my Clear card as ID at a TSA checkpoint?
Clear cards are no longer accepted as a primary form of ID.

- Are there any other Registered Traveler programs in operation right now?
Yes. Two service providers remain in operation at this time. FLO and Vigilant.

- What’s going to happen to the customer data that Clear collected? Is it secure?
Questions about how the data is managed should be directed to Clear.

- Will there be another company that takes up the program in airports, or will the program be on hold?
Good question. This is purely a market-driven, private sector venture offered in partnership with airports and airlines. Another vender could potentially take up the program.

- Will Clear members be able to transfer memberships to other service providers?
That decision is between CLEAR, the other service provider, and the card holder.
(source: TSA)

Shop & Collect is a shopping service operating at London Heathrow Airport enabling you to buy before you fly and pick up your purchases on your return. It is a free service, available when you are flying to the EU (including flights within the UK).

Shop & Collect stores your goods securely whilst you are away and insure them. Upon your return to the airport, they will be ready and waiting for you at a convenient collection point, after you have claimed your luggage and cleared customs.

On the Heathrow official website it reads: “To use the service, simply tell the assistant in-store that you would like to Shop & Collect, give them your details and they will take care of the rest for you.”

The service provides a solution for those who are buying fragile or heavy items as well as to get around the current restrictions on carrying liquids on your return flight. Also it lets you take advantage of time-limited special offers.

Beginning July 13 Delta Air Lines will start in-flight Wi-Fi test on its 767-300.

Delta aircraft that have already installed in-flight Wi-Fi include: MD88, B757-200 (on 49 aircraft), MD90 (on 16 aircraft), and B737-800 (only on 1 aircraft).

Delta is also planning to install Wi-Fi on the pre-merger Northwest aircraft soon.