Airport Guide: Detroit (DTW)

By George Hobica

The Motor City may catch plenty of flack for the mess it is in these days, but frequent travelers know that the city's airport is one of the most laid back, most modern and easiest to use in the country. Heading this way? Here's a quick guide to get you up to speed.

Public transportation

In decentralized Detroit, who knows where you're going. Ann Arbor? The Oakland County suburbs? Canada? Maybe the actual city of Detroit? Not only is everything super spread out, few of these places are actually connected to each other by anything other than the most perfunctory of bus services. If that. But, hey you want to take a bus? It's possible. For downtown Detroit, catch the SMART Bus; Route 125 offers occasional service to the heart of the downtown area for $2 (exact amount not required, but change is issued in the form of ride credit.) Find more info at smartbus.org. The Ann Arbor-bound will have better luck just hop the public AirRide coach service, $12 each way and $22 round-trip. You can book and buy tickets in advance, online at myairride.com; walk-ons are available, with some stipulations.

Shuttle / Taxi

Detroit's famously lacking in affordable shared-ride shuttle services or, for that matter, plentiful cabs. Which is okay, because what you will find ends up being pretty expensive Downtown Detroit is nearly 22 miles from the airport, after all, and that's one of your closer-in destinations. The most popular option is to book with Metro Cars, the ubiquitous black car service based out of the Ground Transportation Center, located inside the garage at both terminals. A sample fare to Downtown would be $56 not much more than a taxi. And this way, you're actually riding in style.

Car rental

Much cheaper than car service and far less time consuming than taking public transit will be renting your own wheels. Visitors to Detroit enjoy at most times of the year, anyway some of the cheapest car rental rates found at any major U.S. airport. Complimentary shuttle buses serve the various airport-adjacent agency locations from the Ground Transportation Center, located on the garage side at both terminals.

Best food

Finding a sit-down restaurant in either terminal is easy, but they aren't all created equal. Particularly in the McNamara Terminal (that's the one with all the Delta flights), where too many passengers brush right by the terminal's two best addresses in favor of more recognized national brands. Don't fall into that trip. Where you want to be is the Mediterranean Grill, which up fresh and healthy Middle Eastern staples heaping piles of fresh tabouleh, hummus and more. The other spot to know isSora, an honest-to-goodness sushi bar and Japanese restaurant, which has some travelers showing up to the airport a little early, for plates of beautiful sashimi and other atypical airport fare. Over in the North Terminal, your options are a little more limited; if you want a true Detroit experience, hit upNational Coney Island, a branch of the popular local diner chain, with Greek fare, Detroit-style dogs and a couple decent beers on draft (sit at the counter, if you can). For a sure bet and something speedy, head to Earl of Sandwich, found down by Gate D36. The chain has wildly popular outposts at Disney World in Orlando, Disneyland in California and on the Las Vegas Strip. You can't go wrong with their tuna melts.

Where to go drinking

It's Detroit. You go drinking everywhere. But if you're in the McNamara Terminal, keep it classy with wine and cheese at the stylish Vino Volo. Over in the North Terminal, go native at theHockeytown Caf, a boisterous location of the popular downtown sports bar, ranked one of the best in the country.

Best souvenirs

The shopping at McNamara Terminal is currently undergoing somewhat of an overhaul. When it opens, expect lots more upscale brands, plus fun stuff like the first-ever airport location of Dylan's Candy Bar into the fold. Then again, if it's candy you're after, Detroit's own Gayle's Chocolates, a long-running Royal Oak sweet shop famous for truffles, is your best bet for a tasty souvenir. (You can't eat a t-shirt, after all.) Gayle's has locations in both airport terminals.

Wireless internet

Passengers receive 30 minutes of free access via Boingo; beyond that, paid service varies by time and device used. Sign up or add value to your account at Boingo.com in advance and save yourself some hassle. Coverage is good throughout most public areas beyond security.

Get away from it all

Located directly adjacent to the McNamara Terminal and even boasting a quiet and efficient security checkpoint, the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport is one of the best places to be when you have to be in the airport but would rather feel like you are anywhere but. Buy a pass to the top-notch fitness center for just $15, hit the spa for a treatment (there's a very nice pool) or just have lunch atDEMA, the pretty good restaurant that opens out to the hotel's 80-foot atrium lobby.

The long layover

Sticking around awhile? There's loads to do within a half-hour of the airport, but the cost and logistics of getting out and back in time can make leaving a bit of a risk for those who don't have at least six hours to kill. If that's you, then suck it up, rent a car and get out. (Walkup rates at Detroit can be surprisingly low check out carrentals.com to get a quick vibe on what's available.) Once you've got wheels, you can go anywhere, but with apologies to everywhere else in the region your first stop should definitely be Ann Arbor's Kerrytown district. Just twenty minutes drive from the airport, this is where you'll find the famed university town's equally famous Zingerman's Deli, with its addicting sandwiches and some of the best cheese and bread for sale in the Midwest today. Up the block is the excellent Kerrytown Market a mini-version of Seattle's Pike Place plus the very good Saturday Ann Arbor Farmers Market and plenty of other shopping. Pop down Main Street for a pint of Belgian-style ale at Jolly Pumpkin, one of Michigan's best breweries, then head on out to Zingerman's Roadhouse, located on the western edge of town, where they do great cocktails and some really decent food. (The best seats are at the bar that faces the open kitchen keep your eye on the food coming out and just order what looks good.) Don't miss your flight!

Best airport hotel

For all the reasons previously mentioned and more, the Westin is definitely the way to go; however, if price is a factor and sometimes the prices here are too high there's a cluster of very affordable hotels just outside the airport on Merriman Road, a short and free shuttle ride from the terminals. The nicest these days is the SpringHill Suites Detroit Metro Airport, featuring that Marriott brand's soothing, spa-like dcor in spacious, suite-like rooms. Free breakfast, free wireless, an indoor pool and Jacuzzi plus a nice workout room make this a great value for money; figure on grabbing a rate somewhere close to $100 per night.

Still hatin’ on the airlines? J.D. Power says they’re getting better

May 15, 2013 at 3:06 AM ET

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Alaska Airlines topped the J.D. Power and Associates North American Airlines Satisfaction Study among legacy carriers for the sixth straight year.

If airlines were athletes, low-cost carriers would get the nod as fan favorites but traditional airlines are earning kudos as the most improved players on the field.

That’s the gist of the latest J.D. Power and Associates North American Airlines Satisfaction Study. Released on Wednesday, the annual report shows overall satisfaction with the industry climbing to 695 (on a 1,000-point scale), an increase of 14 points over 2012.

“A lot of what’s driving the gain has to do with technology, innovation and people,” said study director Jessica McGregor. “Those are the areas where there’s been a lot of strong performance.”

The gain was also driven by traditional carriers, which posted a 16-point increase overall, to 663, over last year. Alaska Airlines topped the list for the sixth consecutive year, with a score of 717 (up 39 points), followed by Delta (682, up 23 points) and Air Canada (671, down 6 points).

J.D. Power

Led by Alaska and Delta, fliers gave traditional carriers high scores in the latest J.D. Power Satisfaction Study, although low-cost carriers still outscored them.

By comparison, overall satisfaction with low-cost carriers rose just 1 point, to 755. JetBlue took top honors for the eighth consecutive year with a score of 787, followed by Southwest (770) and WestJet (714).

J.D. Power

Among low-cost carriers, travelers were most impressed with JetBlue and Southwest and least satisfied with Frontier and AirTran. (Southwest and AirTran merged in 2011 but have yet to fully merge their systems.)

“They still have much higher performance levels than traditional carriers but the traditional carriers are beginning to close the gap,” McGregor told NBC News.

The study measures passenger satisfaction based on carriers’ performance in seven factors (in order of importance): cost and fees, in-flight services, boarding/deplaning/baggage, flight crew, aircraft, check-in and reservation.

According to McGregor, satisfaction improved across all seven factors, with the largest year-over-year increases occurring in the boarding/deplaning/baggage (up 17 points), check-in (up 15) and aircraft (up 15) factors.

Smile!Passengers like it
Improvements notwithstanding, bag fees remain a hot-button issue — scores for those who paid a fee were 63 points lower than for those who didn’t — although even that shows signs of cooling off. Two years ago, the difference between the two groups was 100 points.

“Bag fees are still a point of contention for people,” said McGregor. “There’s no getting around that but we see (their dissatisfaction) becoming less pronounced. People have begun to expect it as part of the cost of air travel.”

And airlines are unlikely to give them up. On Tuesday, the Department of Transportation announced that the 15 largest U.S. carriers collected $3.5 billion in bag fees last year, an increase of 3.8 percent over 2011.

As for other factors that posted significant improvements, such as check-in and aircraft, McGregor suggests the former saw a boost due to the proliferation of self-service options while the latter benefited from increased availability of Wi-Fi, more entertainment options and seating upgrades, even when those services entailed a fee.

“Self-service is appreciated as long as it makes the process more efficient such as during the reservation process and checking in,” said McGregor. At the same time, she says, the accompanying decrease in personal interaction means that the fewer “touchpoints” passengers do have with employees take on added significance.

“The airlines have been performing well in terms of flight crews and gate staff being more courteous, smiling and making eye contact,” she told NBC News. In fact, both carrier segments achieved an 8-year high for passenger satisfaction with flight crews in 2013.

And sometimes, all it takes is a smile. According to the study, satisfaction scores for passengers who were greeted with a smile by airline staff, even if only some of the time, were 105 points higher than among those who never received a smile and 211 points higher among passengers who were greeted with a smile consistently, compared with those who did not receive a smile at all.

“If employees are smiling and making sure people are having a pleasant trip, it leads to an instant improvement in satisfaction,” said McGregor. “It’s easy for airlines to incorporate — it doesn’t cost millions and millions of dollars.”

Etihad Airways rolls out Amsterdam flights

2 days ago

Etihad Airways have entered the second phase of their strategic partnership following the launch of the Abu Dhabi-based carrier’s flights to Amsterdam.

The daily service, operated by a two cabin Airbus A330-200 and configured to carry 262 passengers with 22 in Pearl Business Class and 240 in Coral Economy Class, was launched on Wednesday 15 May and carries KLM’s KL code.

The launch of the new flights coincides with the addition of 12 new KLM destinations out of Schiphol Airport which now carry Etihad Airways EY code. KLM has also added its KL code to a further six Etihad Airways destinations from its Abu Dhabi hub.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The launch of Etihad Airways flights to Amsterdam demonstrates the deepening of our relationship with KLM as we anticipate great demand for the KLM codeshare flights beyond Schiphol Airport.

“The partnership with KLM follows Etihad Airways strategy of working closely with partners around the world and using their existing networks to feed secondary cities, as well as other areas of benefit to customers like reciprocal lounge access and frequent flyer ‘earn and burn’.”

The 12 additional destinations that Etihad Airways customers can now access through codeshare operations with KLM are Stockholm, Aberdeen, Barcelona, Bergen, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gothenburg, Helsinki, Leeds/Bradford and Madrid.

These cities join the first phase of cities served by KLM, which carry the EY code, Billund, Cardiff, Newcastle, Oslo, and Stavanger.

KLM now has its KL code on six Etihad Airways’ flights to Abu Dhabi, Brisbane, Khartoum, Male, Muscat and Seychelles.

These join the initial group of cities served by Etihad Airways – Colombo, Islamabad, Lahore, Melbourne, and Sydney – which also carry the KL code.

Peter Hartman, KLM’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to work together with Etihad Airways. Together we are developing new forms of joint ventures as joint ventures developed in the 1980s are no longer suitable under current circumstances.

“We now offer a combined double daily service between the two cities which is fantastic for the airlines, the two hubs, and of course our customers. And this will bring a boost to our economies.”

In addition to flight operations Etihad Airways has this year wet-leased a Boeing 747-400 freighter from KLM. This aircraft, with a payload capacity of 124 tons, links the two cargo hubs of Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam, and increases our capacity to Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Dhaka.

From KLM’s partner, Air France, Etihad Airways has also wet-leased an Airbus A340-300 for use on the Paris-Abu Dhabi route from now until the end of the year.

Amsterdam joins a group of 17 leading European cities that Etihad Airways flies to including Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, London and Paris.

Tags: etihad airways

Delta opens $1.4bn Terminal 4 at JFK International Airport

2 days ago

Delta Air Lines, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and JFK International Air Terminal LLC have opened the new Terminal 4 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, part of a $1.4 billion redevelopment program at JFK.

“The state-of-the-art Terminal 4 facilities have been years in the making and Delta people, global customers and the residents of New York now have the international hub facility that they expect and deserve,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer.

“It’s an exciting time at Delta and JFK Terminal 4 is emblematic of the investments we are making in New York and around the world.  We are celebrating today thanks to the hard work and dedication of our partners in this project including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JFKIAT and the Schiphol Group.”

Today’s opening of the first phase of Delta’s Terminal 4 expansion includes:Nine new and seven renovated international gates; improved and renovated check-in areas, including a dedicated Sky Priority check-in; a centralized security checkpoint. and new dining and retail offerings.

With the 346,000-square-foot expansion of Concourse B, Terminal 4, which is managed by JFKIAT, now measures 2 million square feet, making it one of the largest terminals in North America. Delta partner Virgin Atlantic Airways also operates out of Terminal 4.

Earlier this year, Delta announced phase two of the Terminal 4 redevelopment plan that will include an additional 11 gates on Terminal 4’s Concourse B. Construction on phase two will commence immediately. Upon completion in summer 2015, Terminal 4’s Concourse B will house a total of 27 Delta gates and replace Delta’s current Terminal 2 regional jet facility.

“Delta’s $1.4 billion investment in this state is further proof that New York is a prime destination for businesses to grow and thrive,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

“This investment was critical in improving JFK’s infrastructure, created more than 1,000 construction jobs and demonstrated the strength of our Minority—Women-owned Business Enterprises participation. We look forward to Phase II of Delta’s JFK investment and thank them for their continued partnership and commitment to the State.”

Tags: delta air lines

EasyJet announces proposed exchange of Gatwick slots

2 days ago

easyJet has completed an agreement with Flybe Group plc to acquire 25 pairs of arrival and departure slots at Gatwick airport for a total consideration of £20 million. The acquisition is subject to the approval of Flybe’s shareholders.

The slots will transfer from summer 2014 and will allow easyJet to provide additional frequencies on popular existing routes from Gatwick as well as add new destinations across the UK and Europe.

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Tags: easyjet

Delta Air Lines to resume nonstop Prague – New York JFK

2 days ago

Delta Air Lines seasonal nonstop service between Vaclav Havel Airport Prague and New York’s John F. Kennedy airport will recommence on Saturday 25 May 2013. The flight will operate daily throughout the peak summer season using a Boeing 767-300 aircraft with 209 seats in conjunction with Czech Airlines.

“We are delighted to see the return of our summer seasonal flight between Prague and New York, offering customers more choice, nonstop convenience and onward connections to more destinations in the U.S. than any other carrier including popular destinations such as Florida and California,” said Perry Cantarutti, Delta’s senior vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Demand on this route is high, particularly for our premium product, where our customers will see a number of new product and service enhancements onboard including a range of new in-flight amenities.”

In 2012, Delta carried nearly 100,000 passengers between the Czech Republic and the U.S. on its summer service, with an average load factor of 82% on the route.

BusinessElite customers will have the opportunity to experience Delta’s award-winning service, including innovative food offerings and original wine selections chosen by Delta’s Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson. BusinessElite also features on-demand personal in-seat entertainment boasting more than 20 first-run and popular classic movies, a variety of television programs, thousands of music titles and a suite of video games. The aircraft is also equipped with Economy Comfort, Delta’s premium economy cabin product. Customers flying in Economy Comfort benefit from up to four additional inches of legroom and 50 percent more recline than Delta’s standard Economy class seat, as well as priority boarding.

Delta is making a number of significant investments in its products and services to improve its customer’s experience on the ground and in the air. These include Delta’s state-of-the-art, $1.4bn Terminal 4 at New York-JFK that will open on 24 May. Customers flying between Prague and New York-JFK this summer will benefit from a greatly enhanced airport experience on arrival and departure at the airport. One of the largest terminals in North America, Terminal 4 offers travellers a spacious environment with a wide variety of shopping and dining options. For BusinessElite customers, the Delta Sky Club at Terminal 4 features a Sky Deck – an outdoor airport terrace offering unprecedented runway views.

Tags: delta air lines

Aeromexico announces the addition of Embraer 175 planes to its fleet

2 days ago

Aeromexico, Mexico’s global airline, is announcing the addition of three Embraer 175 planes to its fleet, making it the first national airline in the country to operate this modern aircraft.

As part of the plan for the renovation of its fleet, the aircraft, with 86 seats in one single class, will gradually replace the Embraer 145 planes with 50 seats.
The Embraer 175 shares its design and cabin structure with the Embraer 190. This attribute allows customers to have the same travel experience on either one of these aircraft. Other features include more space for storing carry-on luggage in compartments that are overhead or underneath seats, more comfortable seats, a 2x2 seating configuration with space in the aisle, to name a few.  Embraer aircraft are recognised as the most comfortable family of aircraft in their category. 

Two of the three planes will start operations on June 1st and 20th, offering greater comfort along with cutting edge technology on routes from Mexico City to Acapulco, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Guadalajara, Tampico, Zihuatanejo, Minatitlan, San Luis Potosi and Aguascalientes.

Aeromexico continues to work on staying at the head of the industry, with one of the country’s most modern fleets, making its operations more efficient to reduce environmental impact while offering passengers world class service on its extensive network of routes to more than 45 destinations in Mexico, 18 in the United States, 11 in Latin America, three in Europe, two in Asia and one in Canada.

Tags: aeromexico, embraer

Ryanair enhances website

yesterday

Ryanair has launched a new CAPTCHA security system on the Ryanair.com website, which offers speedier access to Ryanair’s lowest fares on Ryanair.com.

The CAPTCHA system has been introduced across all Ryanair markets following a successful trial on Ryanair’s Irish and UK websites, providing consumers with advanced and simplified methods of entering CAPTCHA details, including by a question and answer process and by simple word recognition and repetition.

Developed by Solve Media, Ryanair uses CAPTCHA systems to improve consumer protection against unauthorised screenscraper websites and to ensure customers can find the guaranteed lowest fares only at Ryanair.com, Europe’s largest travel website.

Ryanair’s Robin Kiely said: “Ryanair is continually striving to improve the customer experience of our 80m passengers and following a successful trial, we have introduced a new CAPTCHA system on our Ryanair.com website, which will further improve the usability of Ryanair.com for 1.2m daily users – and make booking our low-fare flights even more fun!

With helpful travel reminders, words of wisdom and some simple brain teasers, Ryanair passengers can look forward to even faster access to the lowest fares, while the CAPTCHA facility also improves consumer protection, preventing passengers being ripped-off by unauthorised screenscraper websites mis-selling Ryanair’s low fares.” Kiely added.

Tags: ryanair

IATA, Travelport reach ticketing settlement

yesterday

Travelport and IATA have, through arbitration proceedings, reached a confidential settlement agreement regarding the use by IATA of ticketing data transmitted by Travelport.

No further disclosure will be made on the matter.

Tags: travelport, iata

Emirates opens refurbished lounge in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

yesterday

Emirates has inaugurated its refurbished Paris Charles de Gaulle Lounge for First Class and Business Class passengers as well as Platinum and Gold members of Emirates Skywards - the airline’s frequent flyer programme.
 
It is the first of the airline’s existing worldwide network of lounges to be refurbished in the new interior design, originally unveiled within Emirates’ Concourse A Lounges in Dubai earlier this year.

Redesigned for a total investment of €3.8m (Dhs17.6m), the lounge has also been relocated to a more central location. The new space, between Terminal 2A and 2C, offers improved customer access and a clear view onto the tarmac, a perfect location for customers to relax and undertake some plane spotting. The overall size of the lounge has also been boosted by 67 per cent offering a spacious 926sqm that can now welcome up to 156 passengers.

The opening of the refurbished lounge was marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Mohammed Mattar, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services and Thierry Aucoc, Emirates’ Country Manager for France.

“The refurbishment of this lounge is a further marker of our commitment to offering our premium class customers the best possible passenger journey with Emirates,” said Mr Mattar.

“Selecting our lounge in Paris as the first destination to receive the new look refurbishment was an easy choice. Our capacity to Paris has increased significantly this year, with the instalment of a second daily A380 and our commitment to the city has also grown, with our recent sponsorship of the French Open Tennis and renewal of our sponsorship with Paris Saint Germain for a further five years,” added Mr Mattar.

With a design matching the environment of Emirates’ First Class and Business Class on-board suites, the new Paris Charles de Gaulle Lounge provides travellers with high quality services including; a choice of formal or relaxed seating, shower facilities, a dining area, a complimentary hot and cold gourmet buffet and an extensive beverage service, including an excellent French wine selection.

The 35 existing lounges of the Emirates network will be refurbished according to the new design in a phased plan over the next 18 to 24 months.

Emirates currently operates 32 weekly flights to France, including 20 weekly flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle, a daily flight to Nice and five times weekly service to Lyon.

Tags: emirates

United rolls out flat bed seats on New York flights

23 hours ago

United Airlines is rolling out 180-degree flat-bed seats and personal on-demand entertainment in premium cabins on every scheduled, long-haul international flight from the New York area.

“We continue to invest in every aspect of the customer experience – online, in our airports and in the air,” said Jeff Foland, United’s executive vice president – marketing, technology and strategy.

“With more robust online and mobile tools, more modern terminal facilities and lounges, on-demand entertainment and a growing number of our aircraft with global satellite Wi-Fi, we are working to ensure we remain the New York region’s best choice for air travel.” Added Foland.

United has outfitted 182 international aircraft with all-new United Global First and United BusinessFirst cabins.

With more than 450 daily departures to more than 150 cities, United offers the most nonstop flights to the most destinations around the world from New York’s three major airports – Newark Liberty, Kennedy and LaGuardia. United also offers the most flat-bed seats and the most extra-legroom economy seats from New York’s three major airports.

Tags: united airlines

Sabre inks content deal with United

20 hours ago

Global travel technology company Sabre has signed a new, long-term, full-content agreement with United Airlines.

Sabre and the airline plan to work together to make United’s material ancillary products and services, including its Economy Plus seats, available in the Sabre global distribution system (GDS).

United’s published fares and inventory, as well as its material ancillary products and services that are distributed through Sabre, will be available to travel buyers worldwide who use the Sabre travel marketplace.  Sabre and United are currently working to make United’s premium seat option, Economy Plus, available once again through Sabre. 

United joins other global airlines that sell or expect to sell their ancillary products and services in the Sabre travel marketplace. 

“Sabre will merchandise United’s complete range of fare offerings, including material ancillaries, into our marketplace in a way that will help differentiate them,” said David Gross, senior vice president, Sabre Global Supplier Distribution.

“Sabre is committed to helping United more effectively market and sell its products and services to the broadest number of travellers.” Gross added.

Sabre and United will co-develop solutions using next-generation technology that will permit United to offer more relevant personalised offers to their loyal customers. 

These advancements will also better promote and disclose the unique value of the airline’s different fare and ancillary products and services to travel agents with additional descriptive text and graphics for enhanced on-screen merchandising within the Sabre Red Workspace and through Sabre Web Services.

Vueling to fly all year round

15 hours ago

Leading Spanish airline, Vueling has today launched new winter services from Cardiff Airport which extends its flying programme to an all year round operation following a positive response from Welsh passengers.

The additional flights to Malaga and Alicante will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays, extending the summer schedule. Flights are on sale from Thursday 23rd May and prices start at 39,99euros.

Following a successful 2012 and the launch of the 2013 summer season Vueling further increased services on their summer programme to and from Wales, also starting services earlier to meet the increased demand over the Easter period.

Javier Suarez, Vueling´s Routes Manager said, ““Vueling has been operating from Cardiff Airport for two years and we strongly believe that the results are very good for both parts. Our goal is to keep on working to deliver quality services to both leisure and business passengers from Wales.”

Jon Horne, Chief Executive at Cardiff Airport added, “We have been listening to what the people of Wales want and one clear message amongst others was year round services.  We have made this a priority as part of our discussions with existing and potential airlines to ensure this demand is met from Cardiff Airport.

“I am delighted to say that working with Vueling we have been able to deliver more winter flights to two of the key destinations that have been requested.  We continue to work with airlines to win more flights back to Cardiff, creating more choice for Welsh passengers from their airport.”

During summer 2013 Vueling is operating flights to Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga and Palma Majorca from Cardiff.

Flights to Alicante and Malaga operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Wednesday flights to Malaga are also available during August and September.

Flights to Barcelona will operate on Fridays and Sundays offering connections to cruises departing from Barcelona.

Direct flights from Cardiff to Palma Majorca will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays commencing 20th June 2013.

Tags: vueling

JetBlue Airways takes flight to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Vicky Karantzavelou - 27 May 2013, 12:17

JetBlue operates over 100 daily flights from Boston's Logan International Airport and Philadelphia will be the 48th destination JetBlue serves from Boston.

BOSTON - JetBlue Airways launches service to its 78th city, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. JetBlue will serve Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) with five daily nonstop flights from Boston'sLogan International Airport (BOS). JetBlue's entrance to the City of Brotherly Love reinforces its commitment to offer the business traveler options for affordable air travel.

Adding Philadelphia to their growing route map helps solidify JetBlue's already strong relevance for the business traveler, particularly at Logan International Airport. JetBlue operates over 100 daily flights from Boston's Logan International Airport and Philadelphia will be the 48th destination JetBlue serves from Boston. JetBlue's service from Boston to Philadelphia will provide more options for the traveling public, inviting customers to experience comfy leather seats with the most legroom of any other domestic airline in coach (b), free snacks and drinks, free live entertainment and very soon in-flight Wi-Fi service.

Also, in partnership with First Book, JetBlue will be donating 1,776 books to Stonehurst Hills Elementary in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania and KenCrest Services, an Infant/Toddler Home Community Program with 325 pre-K students with developmental disabilities located in Philadelphia. First Book provides new reading materials to children in need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books.

"We are thrilled to bring our enhanced product and J.D. Power & Associates award-winning service to Philadelphia and to connect two iconic cities that share such deep and meaningful history," said JetBlue's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Strategy Marty St. George. "As we continue to grow we remain focused on delivering the JetBlue experience that our customers have come to know and love. We look forward to serving the city of Philadelphia."

"The arrival of JetBlue is yet another accomplishment for Philadelphia International Airport in our quest to be the best Airport in the nation," said Philadelphia International Airport's Chief Executive OfficerMark Gale. "We continuously strive to provide the highest standards of service to our customers. I am pleased that our ongoing efforts have brought to us an airline that also highly values customer service."

"This is a great day for Philadelphia," said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. "JetBlue is a fine airline that has distinguished itself in the industry, and we are thrilled that travelers in the Philadelphia region can take advantage of JetBlue service with easy access to their flights. I want to acknowledge JetBlue for recognizing the value of doing business with the greater Philadelphia region and business community."

"We are pleased that JetBlue now has nonstop service from Boston to Philadelphia," said Edward C. Freni, Massport's Director of Aviation. "Since it began service at Logan in 2004, JetBlue has shown strong commitment to Boston reflected by the steady growth of service. This new route will bring choice to the consumer which is always important to an organization like Massport that focuses on customer service."