Alaska Airlines and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, is allowing passengers flying out of Sea-Tac Airport to print and attach their own luggage tags from self-service kiosks, then drop their bags off with an airline representative for security screening and loading onto an aircraft. Following a trial at Redmond/Bend Airport in Oregon last year, Alaska said it started the service in Seattle Tuesday, and plans to extend it across its route system this summer. "Customers who have used the service are delighted to be able to help themselves by tagging their own bags, dropping them off and going on their way," said Jeff Butler, an Alaska Airlines' vice president. Continue reading →
WASHINGTON — A Democratic-controlled Senate panel Tuesday approved a $2.50 increase in airline security fees that would double the per-passenger fee for those taking nonstop flights. The move by the Senate Appropriations Committee would increase the fee on a nonstop round-trip flight from $5 to $10. Fees on a one-way, nonstop ticket would increase from $2.50 to $5. Passengers who change planes to reach their destinations would continue to pay $5 each way. A similar move last year failed because of opposition by Republicans controlling the House and the current effort faces long odds in an election year. A move by panel Republicans to kill the higher fee — which is attached to a homeland security measure funding the Transportation Security Administration — failed on ... Continue reading →
View of Vancouver's English Bay from the Burrard Street Bridge. Half-price train tickets. Free food. A swanky hotel for $85 per night. How could this be? Everyone knows Canada's no longer a bargain for U.S. travelers. With the dollar and the loonie - Canada's one dollar coin - now worth about the same, it's easy to feel sticker shock on everything from museum entrances to eating out. All the more reason to squeeze in a last-minute getaway to Vancouver before tourist season. An $80-$85 bid on Priceline.com for a four-star hotel this time of year almost always wins us a room at the Hyatt. I love small hotels and B and Bs, but, for this price, especially if we're traveling without a car, we like ... Continue reading →
Allegiant Air will begin flying this fall from Bellingham to Honolulu and Maui, putting the low-cost carrier in competition with Alaska Airlines which already flies from Bellingham to Honolulu. Nonstop flights from Bellingham to Maui's Kahului airport begin Nov 14 on Allegiant; nonstop flights to Honolulu International Airport begin Nov. 15. There will be two round trips a week to each Hawaiian island. (Alaska Airlines began daily round trips to Honolulu last year.) Allegiant's introductory fares to Maui begin at $199 each way and $159 to Honolulu, including taxes and some fees. Tickets much be purchased by May 21 for travel by Jan. 15, 2013. However seats at the low prices are limited and there are blackout dates. In addition, extra fees can boost the ... Continue reading →
Jack Benaroya, philanthropist, civic leader and developer best-known for the downtown Seattle hall that bears his family's name, has died. He was 90. Mr. Benaroya and his wife, Becky, have been major benefactors in the region. The Benaroyas in 1993 provided the $15 million seed money to help launch the Seattle Symphony's home, Benaroya Hall. They also have supported the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as well as other Seattle hospitals and area arts organizations. Born in Alabama, he moved with his family to Seattle in 1933. After graduating from Garfield High School and serving a stint in the Navy, he left the family business and became a developer, first building and leasing post ... Continue reading →
Weighing in from Split in Croatia. http://www.travel.carolpucci.com. Continue reading →
View of Vancouver's English Bay from the Burrard Street Bridge. Half-price train tickets. Free food. A swanky hotel for $85 per night. How could this be? Everyone knows Canada's no longer a bargain for U.S. travelers. With the dollar and the loonie - Canada's one dollar coin - now worth about the same, it's easy to feel sticker shock on everything from museum entrances to eating out. All the more reason to squeeze in a last-minute getaway to Vancouver before tourist season. An $80-$85 bid on Priceline.com for a four-star hotel this time of year almost always wins us a room at the Hyatt. I love small hotels and B and Bs, but, for this price, especially if we're traveling without a car, we like ... Continue reading →
Dobar dan from Croatia. http://carolapucci-tips.blogspot.com. Continue reading →
