times – The News Desk

London City Airport reports 50 per cent reduction in security queue times – Business Traveller

11Apr

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London City Airport reports 50 per cent reduction in security queue times – Business Traveller

London City Airport says queue times at security have been cut by half since the installation of new CT scanners one year ago. London City became the first major airport in the UK to fully deploy next generation CT security scanners in April 2023, allowing passengers to pass through security without removing laptops and liquids from their hand luggage. Passengers flying from London City Airport are also no longer restricted by the 100ml liquid rule, and can take through bottles of up to two litres. In December 2022 the DfT announced what it called an end to the “tiny toiletries” rule by 2024, with all major airports required to replace existing 2D screening technology with more advanced CT security scanners by June of this year. Nonetheless, not all airports are introducing new security ...

United Airlines to employ ‘WILMA’ to speed up boarding times – Business Traveller

21Oct

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United Airlines to employ ‘WILMA’ to speed up boarding times – Business Traveller

United Airlines is to make changes to the way it boards passengers from next week, in a bid to speed up the process. The US carrier is to employ the so-called ‘WILMA’ method, which sees customers boarded in the order of window, middle then aisle. United said that the policy had been shown in trials to save up to two minutes on the time taken to board passengers, and also resulted in higher Net Promoter Scores (a measure of the loyalty of a company’s customer base). The airline will continue to board first and business class customers – as well as elite loyalty programme members, active duty military and those requiring additional assistance – in the normal manner. But those passengers in boarding group 4 and below will now be subject to the new policy. Note that multiple customers in the...

Marriott adds Delta property close to New York’s Times Square – Business Traveller

19Aug

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Marriott adds Delta property close to New York’s Times Square – Business Traveller

Marriott has opened the latest US property under its Delta brand. Delta Hotels by Marriott New York Times Square is located at 340 West 40th Street, around half a mile from the city’s famous intersection. An existing property has been refurbished to offer 310 rooms with platform beds, a lounge area and free wifi, as well as facilities including a lobby bar, George’s Nephew restaurant and a fitness centre. There is also a 24-hour Delta Pantry, where Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members can choose from complimentary continental breakfast items, premium beverages and snacks. Marriott acquired Canada’s Delta Hotels brand in 2015, and has grown the portfolio to 120 properties across North America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Central America and the Caribbean. Pri...

11Aug

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Tempo by Hilton brand debuts in New York’s Times Square – Business Traveller

The hotel is the first of several Hilton properties set to open on Times Square in the coming months, including: Motto by Hilton New York City Times Square (accepting reservations from 25 September) Home2 Suites by Hilton New York Times Square (accepting reservations from 1 November) Hampton Inn by Hilton New York Times Square (accepting reservations from 1 November) Hilton unveiled the Tempo brand in 2020, designed for “a growing segment of ‘modern achievers’ who seek a hotel experience that reflects their ambition”. Hilton unveils ‘approachable’ lifestyle brand Tempo aimed at new demographic of travellers There are currently 35 Tempo properties under development in locations including Raleigh, Nashville, Louisville and San Diego. Commenting on the news Danny Hughes, executive vice p...

The Risks of ‘Skiplagging’ – The New York Times

8Aug

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The Risks of ‘Skiplagging’ – The New York Times

On the last day of June, American Airlines agents at Gainesville Regional Airport in Florida canceled a North Carolina teenager’s flight after realizing that he had used a booking tactic called “skiplagging” or “hidden-city travel,” forbidden by airlines but used by some travelers to net flight bargains.The teen’s father, Hunter Parsons, said it was his 17 year old’s first time flying unaccompanied and that both the timing and price of the booking made it appealing — for $150, his son was to fly from Gainesville to Charlotte, and not continue on the second flight to New York, a cost savings of roughly $300 if the family had simply purchased a direct flight to Charlotte. But Mr. Parsons’ son didn’t even make it past the check-in counter in Gainesville, where the airline agents questioned w...

2Aug

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The Best Times to Cruise to Alaska

Alaska's astounding beauty and vast wilderness are unlike any other destination in the U.S. – and even in the world. While you can plan land-based trips to the state, many of Alaska's majestic snow-capped mountains, pristine forests, glacial waterways and abundant wildlife are in remote locations, only reachable by plane or by boat. That's just one of the many reasons why Alaska is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world.With so many cruise ships visiting Alaska each year – over the course of a seven-monthlong season – when is the best time to book an Alaskan cruise?If you have school-age children, you'll probably need to travel midsummer, which is peak season. However, if you're flexible on dates, there's really no bad time to visit this magical destination. Mountain pea...

Motto by Hilton to open property in New York’s Times Square – Business Traveller

26Jul

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Motto by Hilton to open property in New York’s Times Square – Business Traveller

Hilton is set to open its second property under its lifestyle micro-hotel brand Motto by Hilton in New York on 25 September, located in Manhattan’s lively Times Square. The 400-room Motto by Hilton New York City Times Square tower is located on 48th Street, steps from 41 Broadway theatres and close to tourist attractions including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center. Design elements will include modern lines, a warm colour palette and headboards mimicking the city skyline with curves and corners nodding to the surrounding architecture. The hotel will also feature artworks from contemporary artists, which feature “softer refined details” in contrast to the technicolour displays outside. The property’s rooms will be compact and provide “unobstructed...

21Jul

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L.A. by Subway – The New York Times

There are plenty of free and cheap things to do in Los Angeles. As a traveler, the issue is getting to them. From Los Angeles International Airport, rental cars recently priced out around $75 a day before tax and gas. Taxis and app-based rides between the airport and downtown cost $40 to $70, depending on the time of day. Then there’s overnight parking — $50 to $60 isn’t unusual.But there is a bargain alternative: the subway, a steal at $1.75 for a ride, $5 for a day pass or $18 for a week.In Los Angeles, land of traffic jams, the go-to vehicle is the car. But for decades, Los Angeles County’s public transit authority, Metro, has been trying to wean Angelenos from their autos, building more than 100 train stops on seven lines since 1990, including the new K Line, which opened in October, ...

Paris Without the Crowds – The New York Times

17Jul

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Paris Without the Crowds – The New York Times

Summer has arrived in Paris, and the world with it. By day, international hordes pile into the Musée d’Orsay to catch the final month of the blockbuster “Manet / Degas” exhibition as throngs surround the closed, fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral to snap any possible selfies. By night, the available picnic space quickly disappears on the lawns of the Champ de Mars and its direct view of the Eiffel Tower.But even in a global travel darling like the French capital, strategies exist for dodging the droves — especially if you can sacrifice a few “musts” in favor of worthy but less-famous alternatives. Here’s a six-point plan to help create a little space and comfort in the height of high season.Get out of townLess touristed and less expensive, many Paris suburbs offer a respite from the masses...

Tours for the Swimming-Obsessed – The New York Times

15Jul

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Tours for the Swimming-Obsessed – The New York Times

During the pandemic, when Miriam Leitko couldn’t swim because pools were closed, the lifelong swimmer built a lap pool at her home in Willis, Texas. As soon as travel restrictions were lifted in 2021, she signed up for a weeklong trip to Hawaii with SwimVacation, a Maine-based tour operator that specializes in open-water swimming.“Open-water swimming becomes energizing,” said Ms. Leitko, 64, who has taken 12 trips with the company. The tours, she said, allow her to leave her stress “literally in the ocean.”Summer vacations are often built around the pleasures of cannonballing into a lake or splashing in the ocean. In contrast, these tours build trips around organized swims that might involve diving among sea lions in the Galápagos, swimming island to island in the Adriatic or gliding over...