Business Travel Tips

With U.S. Federal regulations prohibiting in-flight cellphone use — but not Internet-based phone call, U.S. airlines will have to answer with more clarity if they plan to block phone calls during flight.
Wi-Fi is now accessible on about 600 planes in the U.S. and passengers could talk online through applications — i.e. Skype — using the technology known as Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP.

USATODAY.com reports a survey by the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics revealed about 45% of the respondents said cellphones should be banned on aircraft, with about 40% said they should definitely or probably be allowed if they don’t pose a safety threat. The survey queried about 1,000 households in the U.S..

The U.S. airlines say they have the technology to block Internet phone calls. However many fliers have blogged about their experience of Internet-based phone calls.

Airlines in Europe, Asia and the Middle East allow calls.

Emirates became one of the first airlines to offer cellphone service in March 2008.

Geneva-based in-flight Internet technology vendor OnAir has installed its equipment on Ryanair and Royal Jordanian and plan to to install the technology on several other carriers including Air Asia, British Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, Kingfisher, Qatar Airways and TAM. (source)

British Airways announced it will charge passengers who wish to choose their seats when they book.

The airline will still allow passengers to reserve seats without charge in the 24 hours before departure. However beginning October 7 those willing to pay will be able to secure their preferred seat — window, aisle or emergency-exit-row seat — when they make a booking.

The new BA charges range from £10 to £60.
For an economy-class trip within Europe, passengers will pay an extra £10 each to choose a seat.
On long-haul economy or short business-class flights, the charge will be £20, while long-haul passengers in business will pay £60.
Seats in an emergency-exit row will cost £50 each and can be booked between 10 and four days before takeoff. (source)

According to data released from Smith Travel Research, U.S. hotel industry’s occupancy rates for August 2009 dropped 9.9%, compared with the same month in 2008.
Other key indicators in year-over-year measurements: ADR decreased 10.1% (finishing the month at US$96.58), RevPAR decreased 19% (finishing the month at US$58.65).

STR experts say: “We are not likely to see improvement in this key indicator for another month or two, where favorable comps to last year will begin to be realized”.

Among the top 25 markets, Washington, D.C., reported the smallest decreases in all three key metrics: occupancy fell 0.6%, ADR dropped 4.7%, and RevPAR fell 5.2%.
Four markets besides Washington, D.C., posted occupancy decreases of less than 5%: Boston, Massachusetts, San Francisco/San Mateo, California, Oahu Island, Hawaii, and Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida.

Detroit, Michigan, experienced the largest decrease in occupancy, falling 17.9% to 53.8%, followed by Houston, Texas, with a 16.6 percent decrease to 51.7%.
Denver, Colorado, reported the largest ADR decrease, falling 30.2% to US$89.61 as well as the largest RevPAR decrease, down 38.3% to US$60.51.

Members of Carlson Hotels’ goldpoints plus loyalty programme can earn double Gold Points every night on eligible stays at 1,000 hotels worldwide, between September 15 and December 15, 2009.

In order to earn double Gold Points for every night on eligible stays at Carlson Hotels (Regent Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn) worldwide, guests are required to register at http://goldpointsplus.com/doublepoints prior to their stay.

There is no limit to the number of double Gold Points a member may earn during the promotion.

Beginning October 1, 2009, new members of goldpoints plus also can take advantage of the new member specials including offers for US$75 nights, 25% savings, and a package that includes a room upgrade, breakfast for two, and 50% off the third night.

US Airways said it would install four new outside check-in kiosks in front of Washington Reagan National Airport, The Washington Post reports.

Most airlines have self-service kiosks in airport ticket lobbies, but the US Airways’ new outdoor check-in kiosks will be the first placed outside the airport.

The kiosks, built by NCR Corp., are designed to withstand wet weather and extreme temperatures. (source: The Washington Post)