It's hard for us to even type these words but we kinda wish we were flying on United Airlines today. That's because Westin Hotels is handing out pillows to doggies!
Just kidding. Sort of. Westin is handing out pillows and blankets to all United passengers passing through JFK today in an effort to publicize their recent partnership with the airline.]]>
It was a beautiful day for a fake flight: The sky was blue, the sun was bright and the Airtrain was quickly depositing 1,000 people onto JetBlue's new turf behind Eero Saarinen's iconic TWA Terminal at JFK.
Saturday's event, the JetBlue T5 Trial Run, involved groups of New York-area TrueBlue members (us), JetBlue family and press who would put the terminal through the paces without actually flying anyone anywhere.
Last week when we received the email confirming our place in Group A--scheduled to start the first run-through at 9 am--our stomach sank at the thought of having to be out on the A train to JFK in the wee hours of a Saturday morning. But to the airport we went!]]>
We're still waiting for our sneak preview of JetBlue's new Terminal 5 at JFK, but a video tour just released by the restaurant group handling all the dining has us salivating.
Top on our list of must-visits is the cavern-like Piquillo, a tapas spot with a massive bar and a great looking design. From the looks of things, we wouldn't mind popping into Aeronuova or JFK Steak nearby, either. The most outlandish design is at Deep Blue Sushi, pictured, which reminds us a bit of that overwrought fusion place from the beginning of "Garden State."
We can't embed the video, but you can find it here.
Related Stories:
· JetBlue Bonanza [Eater]
· Terminal 5 Travel: A Full List of Your Dining Options [Jaunted]
· JetBlue, Pick Us for Your Secret Terminal 5 Test! [Jaunted]]]>
Sir Richard Branson, a groovy rich guy from England who owns Virgin Atlantic airlines and enjoys doing fun, crazy stuff, sent a letter to U.S. presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama on Sunday warning that the proposed British Airways/American Airlines alliance would stifle competition and hurt consumers.
Not one for understatement, Branson also plans a nearly $6 million advertising and lobbying campaign intended to derail the pending deal.
Even though Branson has his own financial reasons to hope a deal doesn't go down, his complaints may well resonate with the candidates and consumers, as rising fares, disappearing routes, and lackluster service combine to make air travel a much bigger hassle than it ought to be. ]]>
At the end of last month, we heard about a few of the new offerings coming to JetBlue's new Terminal 5 at JFK. (The place some lucky frequent fliers will be testing on August 23!)
But while there were specifics on a couple places, further details on the dining options were fuzzy. That is, until we were handed a JetBlue-authored list of every restaurant, bar and to-go place that would populate the terminal when it opens later this fall.
After the jump, decide what you'll be ordering via the innovative touch-screen system planned for JetBlue's new gates.]]>
Actors have previews, football players have scrimmages and JFK's Terminal 5 is having a "trial run" on August 23rd. But unlike on Broadway or at Alvin Ailey, you can be a part of this trial run if you got JetBlue's latest love letter, which went out to some of its TrueBlue frequent flier members, one of which was good enough to post the invite and his thoughts.
The airline seeks 1,000 warm bodies to play passengers, proceeding through check-in and security and hanging out at the gates. Participation also includes free lunch, which is more than you can get as a paying passenger on a flight!
You have to fill out a special form to participate--anyone want to forward us the fun? The rest of the invitation, after the jump.]]>
"Just try it, Peters," seems to be the message from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which announced today that it would disallow departures or arrivals that are "issued by auction or similar process," saying such slot sales "would be illegal without Congressional authorization."
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is lining up behind the authority, agreeing with the position that auctions will only cause fares to go up while doing nothing to alleviate the congestion that has choked New York area airports over the past few years.
So what does he propose instead? Schumer thinks upgrading air traffic control equipment and adding staff at control towers will rid the region of delays and cancellations. Maybe he could interest you in a six-figure hiring bonus?
Related Stories:
· Port Authority Will Block US Plan to Auction Airport Slots [NYT]
· Port Authority Acts to Block Flights [Official Site]
· Secretary Mary Peters Wants to Touch That Paper [Jaunted]
[Photo: ATIS547]]]>