Travel takes a toll

Westin program seeks to ease common ailments

Westin Hotels & Resorts (westin.com) launched a three-pronged Travelers’ Renewal program in more than 20

Jets by the hour

Flexjet introduces new plan for business aircraft

Bombardier has a new “Flexjet 25” jet card (flexjet25.com), offering travel-by-the-hour on the Flexjet fleet. Travelers
can purchase flight time in increments of 25, 30 or 35 hours among four price levels for each aircraft, based on a
preset number of travel days per year. Prices start at $134,900 for the 25-hour/275-day Learjet 45 jet card.

Fleet overhaul

Boeing, Airbus see big demand through 2027

Airbus said it still believes in the giant aircraft concept more than single aisle and traditional twin-aisle jets. Boeing, however, envisions greater demand for more small and midsize jetliners. Airbus’ much publicized delay in building the 555-seat A380 has caused most airlines to push back delivery dates for the aircraft by at least two years. Among them: Qantas now taking delivery beginning in 2008; Lufthansa in mid- to late 2009; Qatar Airways in late 2010 or early 2011; and Virgin Atlantic in 2013.

Rooms at the inns

Three chains plan expansion, new product lines

A number of hotel chains are planning major expansions, including Marriott, Hyatt and InterContinental. Hyatt
is adding more than 120 Hyatt Place hotels in the U.S. during 2007 in key business and leisure markets. Hyatt
Place hotels (hyattplace.com) feature free Wi-Fi, a Hyatt “Grand Bed,” a “Cozy Corner” sectional sofa and a 42-inch
flat-panel, high-definition TV. Lobbies have a self-registration kiosk, a coffee and wine café, free Wi-Fi, a TV den
and e-room with free access to a public computer and printer. Guests can enjoy a free continental breakfast or purchase a hot breakfast along with Starbucks specialty coffees. And InterContinental’s Hotel Indigo Group (hotelindigo.com), a “lifestyle” boutique brand, said it has nearly 20 hotels in development. Future Hotel Indigo sites range from 100 to 200 rooms and have complimentary wireless access. Guestrooms feature murals, area
rugs, and duvets and slipcovers that change style periodically. Public spaces change seasonally with aromas, music,
artwork and murals.

Running for daylight

Extended calendar begins this year

As a result of legislation enacted by Congress in 2005, daylight saving time will run from March 11 to November
4. Daylight saving time was formerly observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.
States and territories that do not observe daylight saving time include Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas. For more information, visit dot.gov.

Work to live; live to email

Email takes hours out of your day. When can you find time to work?

According to a survey by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the biggest cause of information overload was email from external news sources and professional subscriptions (61 percent), followed by coworkers (39 percent), professional networks (34 percent), team/department sources (29 percent) and companywide
corporate sources, such as senior management and human resources (23 percent). According to the same
survey, 40 percent of respondents said they spend two hours a day responding to email; 35 percent spend
three hours or more.

Butt out

Hawaii and other islands get tough on smokers

Hawaii has approved a strict smoking ban that prohibits lighting up in all public places—even open-air
restaurants. Hawaii’s hotels can still designate 20 percent of their rooms for smokers, but a few chains,
including Marriottand Westin, have already banned smoking nationwide. The Honolulu International Airport
eliminated a designated smoking area in the airport and now points all smokers to uncovered areas away from
the terminal. Smokers also must stay at least 20 feet away from the entrance to any business or office. Violation fees
are $50.

Top five “favorite” cities for business travelers

1. New York City
2. Chicago
3. London
4. San Francisco
5. Washington, D.C.

Source: TripAdvisor.com survey of 2,100 travelers

Top five “most popular” hotel chains

1. Marriott
2. Hilton
3. Holiday Inn
4. Sheraton
5. Best Western

Source: TripAdvisor.com survey of 2,100 travelers

In brief

You no longer have an excuse for not exercising when you’re on the road, at least when you’re staying at
a Hyatt. The company now keeps its gyms open 24/7 across North America and the Caribbean. Another Hyatt
innovation: Guests can wake up to the disembodied voice of supermodel Christie Brinkley. “No, you’re not
dreaming,” says the Hyatt wakeup call. “You can tell your friends you were woken up by Christie Brinkley, and
you won’t be lying.” The model also offers inspirational advice for the day and reminds guests that a hot breakfast
(and perhaps the gym) await them … When it takes delivery of two new long-haul A330 aircraft in May and
June, Aer Lingus will add 24 flights to its New York (JFK), Boston, Chicago (O’Hare) and Los Angeles gateways …
By the end of 2008, Chicago will have a new airport rail station in the Loop, providing nonstop rail service to the
city’s two main airports.

Have a question or comment? Email Executive Travel at editor@executivetravelmag.com.