Monthly Archives for February 2016.
Could Spirit, the airline everybody loves to hate, become a bit less hateful? If the company’s new CEO has his way, it will do just that. This week, in his first public appearance since replacing former Spirit chief Ben Baldanza, Robert Fornaro outlined his priorities for the airline that has significantly lagged its peers in…
In a big win for Uber, the ride-sharing service today announced a new partnership with American, the world’s largest airline. “The companies will work together to provide customers faster service, better airport navigation, rider promotions and mileage promotions.” Uber already has marketing and operational links with other major travel suppliers, including InterContinental Hotels, Starwood, Hilton,…
Red Lobster and Inside Edition. Two names I never expected to utter in the same sentence. Or, actually, in any sentence. I’m a knee-jerk naysayer when it comes to chain restaurants. Given options, I’ll choose an independent operator every time. But several weeks ago, at the urging of my girlfriend, we had dinner at a…
With fuel prices at historic lows and profits at historic highs, the airlines have come under increasing pressure from the public, regulators, and the media to lower their airfares. Albeit belatedly, it appears they’ve begun doing just that. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, which this week released its latest report, for the…
For the 1 percenters, whose dining-out budgets are boundless, choosing a restaurant often entails a perusal of one of the established price-is-no-object restaurant review guides. You know the ones: the Michelin Guide, Zagat, Gayot, La Liste. For the other 99 percent, there’s Yelp. And it’s no longer just the site’s individual restaurant reviews. For the…
Tired of squeezing your ever-expanding frame into those ever-shrinking coach-class seats? So is Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation. And he wants the government to do something about it. In his proposed legislation, the Safe Egress in Air Travel Act of 2016, or SEAT, Cohen…
Danny Meyer is a restaurateur’s restaurateur. As the founder of both high-end eateries like Grammercy Tavern and the affordable Shake Shack chain of burger joints, he’s one of the country’s most successful and acclaimed food purveyors. So he knows a thing or two about service. Meyer has also been on the leading edge of the…
OneGo’s tagline says it all: “Unlimited Flying on Major Airlines.” That’s right, binge flying for a set price. Like Netflix for air travelers. There are four basic OneGo pricing plans, depending on the geographic coverage of the included flights: West – 35 routes, 14 airports, $1,500 a month Central – 35 routes, 18 airports, $1,950…
Enter the Jamba Juice “Pitaya Paradise” sweepstakes by February 29, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a five-night trip for two to the Aqua Wellness Resort in Nicaragua, including air, hotel, airport transfers, and daily breakfast. There are multiple ways to enter, including liking the sweepstakes Facebook page (three entries), following…
Best Western isn’t known for its generous loyalty-program promotions. The rewards tend to be low value, and the offers have been hobbled by niggling restrictions. The latest promotion is no exception. Offer Details Between February 8 and May 8, Best Western Rewards members can earn a $25 Best Western travel card after two qualifying stays,…
Yesterday’s big travel story was Delta’s announcement that the airline’s CEO, Richard Anderson, will retire on May 2, and be succeeded by Ed Bastian, currently Delta’s president. Anderson’s lasting legacy as Delta’s leader is likely to be a positive one. He successfully oversaw the merging of Delta and Northwest. He pushed the airline to become…