Articles by Jesse Sokolow
Allegiant Adds Service to 4 N.Y. Airports and Focus on East Coast
Allegiant Air announced it will begin service to four cities in New York as well as to multiple other destinations. In addition, the airline also announced it would add new Airbus A320 aircraft to its fleet.
Beginning October 31, Allegiant will offer service between St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport outside of Tampa Bay, and Stewart International Airport near Newburgh, New York. On November 1, the airline will start service between St. Petersburg …
Andaz Wall Street Debuts Renovated Meeting and Event Space
The Andaz Wall Street hotel in Manhattan announced the reopening of its Concourse Level, which includes new event facilities, meeting rooms, and a fitness center. The hotel’s space was damaged by Hurricane Sandy last October, and underwent renovations.
The new space is now 7,000 square feet (650 square meters), up from 4,000 square feet (371 square meters), and can accommodate up to 450 guests, as opposed to the previous limit of …
Starwood Launches Take Two Promotion
Starwood announced the start of its Take Two promotion. The promotion allows members of Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program to register and earn double Starpoints on all eligible stays from September 1 through December 15, 2013.
Members must register by October 31, 2013. The promotion will be available at over 900 Starwood hotels and resorts in North America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.
In addition to earning double points, …
JAL Announces Fall and Winter Schedule Changes, New 787 and 777 Routes
Japan Airlines announced changes to its schedule for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. In addition, the airline also said it will begin to use Dreamliners and 777-200s on some existing routes.
The carrier will be increasing its flights from Tokyo Haneda to Osaka (from 15 to 16 daily round trip flights), Sapporo (from 16 to 17 daily round trip flights), and Izumo (from five to six daily round trip flights). …
Starwood to Debut New Aloft Hotel in Kiev in 2015
Starwood announced it will open the Aloft Kiev hotel in Kiev, Ukraine in 2015. The hotel will be the first Aloft property in the country.
The property will have 310 guestrooms, as well as ten executive suites. Each room will have high ceilings, oversized windows, and platform beds, while the bathrooms will have large walk-in showers.
The property will also have a lounge and the brand’s signature W XYZ bar. The hotel …
Vanilla Air, New Japanese Low-Cost Carrier, to Debut in November
AirAsia Japan announced it will begin operations as Vanilla Air on November 1, 2013. Operations as AirAsia Japan will be discontinued on October 31.
AirAsia Japan, established in August 2011, was a joint venture between AirAsia of Malaysia and All Nippon Airways of Japan and is now wholly owned by ANA.
Vanilla Air will aim for simple and easy service. The term vanilla is used to emphasize the positive associations people have …
Mandarin Oriental to Open New Hotel in Southern China
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group announced it will open a new hotel in Shenzhen, Southern China in 2017. The Mandarin Oriental, Shenzhen will be part of a mixed use development which will include office towers, a residential complex, and retail and outdoor space.
The hotel will have 190 rooms, 17 of which will be suites. The property will also have an executive club lounge.
The hotel will have various restaurants and bars, including …
