Pro-X-Travel

Sleek New Look, Same Low Fares, Only on southwest.com

Southwest Airlines Showcases Difference with Web Site Enhancements

southwest.com, the most popular airline web site in terms of unique visitors, is now offering an even better online Customer experience. Today, Southwest Airlines launched a new look and feel, along with improved navigation, on its award-winning web site. The new homepage offers Customers a more personalized experience and makes it easier to find what's needed including hotel and car rentals. The new homepage also showcases what makes Southwest Airlines different from other air carriers. southwest.com is the only place to book Southwest fares online, and the bookings made through the site account for more than 80 percent of all Southwest Airlines bookings. Check out the changes at www.southwest.com.

The new web site enhancements include:

• The homepage image and other features can be personalized and pre-populated to the user's home airport. Saved searches make it easier for Customers to shop for flights, cars, and hotels.
• Customers can now easily plan any part of their trip directly from the homepage with new car and hotel booking widgets.
• New pages have been added to highlight how Southwest Airlines is different from its competitors.
• Every page of the site has updated, easy-to-use navigation and a search box to help users find exactly what they are looking for.
• Drop downs are available from the global navigation to help users get to interior pages faster.
• Every page now has a social media bar to help users engage with Southwest on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and blogsouthwest.com.

The new homepage is another step in Southwest's efforts to ensure that southwest.com is the preferred full-service travel booking solution for Customers. In 2009, multiple enhancements to the site laid the ground work for the new southwest.com. Southwest launched an online travel community called TravelGuide, provided Customers tools to quickly find travel deals with a new Special Offers section, and completely redesigned the air booking functionality to make the process more useful and efficient. More updates to southwest.com are expected throughout 2010.

After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, currently serving 68 cities in 35 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,100 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

Audio Guides for iPhone - Hiking and Tourist Trails: Just Follow the Guide With Geolives-M and Acapela Voices!

Geolives, editor of maps & GPS solutions for outdoor activities, has launched Geolives-M, an iPhone application designed to search and share audio guides, vocalized by Acapela, the expert and inventor of innovative vocal solutions, in more than 20 languages and a wide choice of voices.

Wherever you are in the world, visiting a capital city or hiking off the beaten track, Geolives-M allows you to select routes sorted by activity around your GPS location.

Follow the guide!

Find your way with only an iPhone, without the need for a bulky book or printed map.

Throughout your itinerary, and according to your GPS positioning, you automatically access images, youTube videos and written information read out loud by a synthesized voice. You also get acquainted with Wikipedia geo-localized articles (already more than 80 000 articles available in 13 languages) which are read to you, on the spot, by highly natural voices from Acapela.

20 languages and a wide choice of voices to show you the way Acapela speech synthesis is your perfect guide, reliably turning written information into speech, reading proper names, dates and figures with precision. Choose from among Geolives-M's repertory of voices the one, female or male, which will be your companion throughout your route.

'Geolives-M must provide high quality and fast to download audio guides. Acapela voices allow us to perfectly vocalize information from any text format, with an excellent audio result in many languages. It was the right choice for our application which offers to the end user a cheerful talking interface which fully meets their needs' said Yves Peeters, Geolives General Manager.

Community websites allow users to make the most of their experiences with additional features and to share their favorite trails and itineraries on line. Geolives.com enables the selection of specific topographic maps for a range of European countries and routeyou.com paves the way to over 180 000 hikes and outdoor activities the world over.

Geolives-M - Features

• Access to maps from Google Maps worldwide and possibility to order topographic maps (offline) for some European countries.
• Search feature for places or sights.
• Search for trails by criteria: type of activity, nearness, duration, etc.
• POI associated with downloaded routes are highlighted (by pins).
• Record and classify trails by activity, save and send to e-mail or Geolives account.
• Unit display in miles/feet or km/m.
• Real time trail information (distance, time, etc.)

Sold at EUR 4.99, the Geolives-M application is provided with one synthesized voice from Acapela. Additional voices can be acquired for EUR 1.99 /voice.

Available languages : Czech, Dutch NL, Dutch BE, English UK, English US, Danish, Finnish, French, French Canadian, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish .

SOURCE Acapela Group

DING! Southwest Airlines App Now Available On App Store

Your iPhone is perfect--you just wish you could hear that Southwest trademarked DING!, right? Well now you can. Southwest Airlines announces its first app for iPhone and iPod touch now available from the App Store. Customers can book reservations, checkin for flights, check flight status, view flight schedules, and download DING! to get exclusive, deeply discounted fares on Southwest flights. And, in true Southwest style, the app is free! To check it out, click here: www.southwest.com/iphone or visit www.itunes.com/appstore/.

"Southwest is known for convenience and simplicity, and our new app is a great example of that," said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Distribution. "Whether you are managing Rapid Rewards credits or need to checkin for your flight, the Southwest Airlines App now offers Customers the flexibility to do that and more--with plenty of Southwest flair!"

To celebrate the new app, Southwest Airlines is offering special DING! fares for Customers today. These fares are only available through the DING! feature so Customers have to download the app and register for DING! to access them. Click here for details: www.southwest.com/iphone

After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, currently serving 68 cities in 35 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,100 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

TRAVELOCITY’S DEALS TOOLKIT MAKES IT EASY FOR CUSTOMERS TO FIND THE DEAL THAT’S RIGHT FOR THEM

Innovative new suite of tools answers travelers’ call for an 

easier way to pinpoint and rank best deals

Travelocity today announced a Deals Toolkit ( www.travelocity.com/toolkit ) that makes it easier for consumers to find the best travel deals based on their preferences and flexibility. The toolkit offers three new ways to look for deals, including:

• An on-site tool that walks through a customer's preferences and returns the best deals, customized for them
• A tool that shows the best deals on a map, and
• A tool that can be downloaded onto a customer's desktop and feeds deal updates

Built on a proprietary algorithm developed by Travelocity, the tools quickly pinpoint the best flight and vacation packages listed on the site. As consumers continue to expect both overall value and deep discounts from their travel provider, in a format that still provides some flexibility, Travelocity has taken deals searching to a new level with a customized system for shoppers to quickly and easily locate the most relevant deals.

“Travelers are telling us they want to be able to more quickly identify and select deals based on what matters most to them,” said Victoria Treyger, chief marketing officer, Travelocity. “Our deals toolkit answers their calling with a totally new framework for shopping that helps them filter through thousands of options to hone in on only the best, most customized results without spending a ton of time.”

Customize Your Deals

With an emphasis on value and customers' preferences, the customized deals engine, which can be accessed directly on the Travel Deals and “My Deals” tabs on Travelocity's homepage, is a one-stop-shop for the site's best flight and package deals. A completely interactive tool, it features several filters allowing customers to personalize and sort deals by price, date range, theme, destination and travel product. Shoppers can view and compare up to five deals at a time and also explore more specific trip details, including available travel dates, customer reviews and more, narrowing down deals by what's most important to them.

Map-Based Shopping

The new map-based feature gives travelers the best way to visually search top flight and vacation package deals from their departure city with at-a-glance shopping. The map-based option is available at www.travelocity.com/dealsonamap and directly from the Flights tab on the homepage. Once there, consumers can click on the “Find Deals on a Map” link to access the new tool.

Deals are displayed on a map by region and then city, with up to 15 displays shown at a time. Customers can zoom in on deals most intriguing to them, view hotel information and stats on how much the trip is discounted, and access links to check availability and book flights or packages.

Travelocity Desktop Application

The desktop application, which can be downloaded directly from http://www.travelocity.com/desktop , gives consumers direct access to the best vacation package deals without using a browser while tracking the customer's preferred information for a completely personalized shopping experience. Available for both Mac and Windows users, the application can be set to monitor trips from their departure city to a favorite destination, notifying them when new deals to their destination are found, and serves up to 100 deals at a time all with a minimum savings of 20 percent. Users also have the ability to share relevant deals with their social networks via Facebook and Twitter.

“Despite the recent growth and rebound of some sectors in the economy, we believe consumers' expectations of value and desire to shop for the best deals have changed for good,” said Treyger. “We're answering their call to first and foremost provide the best tools for locating top deals in a faster format with more relevant options.”

SOURCE Travelocity

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Unveils Industry's First Multilingual Interactive Mobile Website

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, has launched the industry's first multilingual user-friendly mobile website at http://www.shangri-la.com , providing guests convenient access anytime and anywhere from their smartphone devices. The mobile website allows guests to reserve, modify or cancel a booking with real-time availability. In addition, members of Shangri-La's guest recognition programme, Golden Circle, can use their profiles for quicker reservations.

Created with simplicity and comprehensiveness in mind, Shangri-La's new mobile website is available in English, Chinese and Japanese and designed specifically for popular smartphones such as Apple iPhone(R), BlackBerry(R), Android and Nokia Nseries smartphone screens. Mobile-friendly features include a simple navigation system for easier and faster hotel searches and bookings, a clean and clutter-free design, an enhanced photography presentation and interactive maps.

"Mobile devices are increasingly used by travellers to get connected to the Internet on the road and we are confident that our new mobile website will be invaluable to guests who prefer the convenience of a smartphone. We recognise the inherent usability issues with today's smartphones and have addressed them with the latest mobile web technology to offer one of the most user-friendly mobile web browsing experiences in the travel industry," said Michael Leong, director of corporate e-business, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

Enhanced photography presentation and interactive maps are two further firsts for hotel mobile websites. Optimised for the Apple iPhone(R), users can click on to picture thumbnails to view hotel photographs in full-screen mode, a function that uses the iPhone's accelerometer mode to switch between portrait and landscape orientations. The mobile website also features interactive Google maps that allow users to zoom in to street level details to help find their way to a Shangri-La or Traders hotel.

Navigating http://www.shangri-la.com via a smartphone is made easy by the cleanly laid out pages and information is displayed on demand to minimise screen clutter. Another design feature is the reduced need for typing while browsing the website, helping users navigate more quickly by avoiding the use of typically unwieldy smartphone virtual keyboards.

To access the new mobile website, users simply visit http://www.shangri-la.com on their smartphone's browser.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, currently owns and/or manages 65 hotels under the deluxe Shangri-La and mid-market Traders brands, with a rooms inventory of over 28,000. The group has over 40 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles, United Kingdom and the United States. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at http://www.shangri-la.com .

SOURCE Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

AT&T Launches Wi-Fi Service at Tulsa Airport

Travelers Can Stay Connected With Wireless Internet Service in the Gates and Terminals

Travelers who will be making their way through the Tulsa International Airport will now have the added convenience of having access to AT&T's wireless Internet service at their fingertips. AT&T* -- an industry leader in Wi-Fi with the nation's largest Wi-Fi network -- and the Tulsa International Airport today announced that AT&T Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport.

AT&T Wi-Fi service will be available at all gates, ticket counters and baggage claim areas, enabling travelers to use their smartphones, laptop computers, and other Wi-Fi enabled devices to stay connected. Tulsa International Airport adds to the growing list of AT&T Wi-Fi venues in popular locations where people have a need to stay connected.

"By providing Wi-Fi service to Tulsa International Airport visitors, we're making travel easier than ever before, which is especially priceless for those who are always on the go," said Alexis Higgins, director of marketing for Tulsa Airport Authority. "You'll be able to surf the Web and e-mail while waiting to depart or as soon as you land."

The airport Wi-Fi service is available to more than 27 million AT&T customers who have Wi-Fi included in their AT&T broadband, smartphone and 3G LaptopConnect plans. Other travelers can purchase access for $7.99 for a 24-hour session.

"Tulsa Airport is a great addition to our network of more than 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide," said Steve Gray, vice president and general manager, Oklahoma and Arkansas, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Reliable and convenient Internet access is a must-have for travelers, and AT&T Wi-Fi makes it easy to find an online connection."

The new airport Wi-Fi service is expected to see high usage, as consumer demand for Wi-Fi is surging. AT&T has reported a record year for Wi-Fi connections on its network -- more than 51 million Wi-Fi connections in 2009, as of the third quarter. AT&T's Wi-Fi network complements its wired broadband and wireless 3G networks, offering Wi-Fi connectivity in more than 20,000 U.S. locations -- including retail stores, restaurants and coffee shops from coast-to-coast.

A full list of AT&T Wi-Fi locations, including airport locations, is available at www.attwifi.com.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

Verizon Wireless Named the World's Best Wireless Data Service Provider by Business Traveler Magazine

Readers Again Recognize Verizon Wireless' International Data Services with a 2009 "Best in Business Travel" Award

 Verizon Wireless has been selected as the world's best wireless data service provider in the 2009 "Best in Business Travel" Awards chosen by the readers of Business Traveler magazine. The honor is based on the magazine's survey of its readers and their opinions on the companies that have made business travel easier and more productive.

"The continued recognition from Business Traveler readers of our international data services is a strong validation that our efforts to extend our best-in-class domestic services to business customers to stay connected and productive while traveling abroad are working," said John Mara, director for global services for Verizon Wireless. "For many business customers, travel is critical to their jobs, and we believe they should maintain the ability to access corporate data and the Internet wherever business takes them."

Verizon Wireless helps customers who travel for business stay connected to data in more than 195 destinations, over 85 of which offer 3G speeds, with the following global data services:

• GlobalEmail - Business customers can access their corporate LAN e-mail and attachments as well as their personal or POP3 e-mail accounts on global-capable devices. GlobalEmail offers one flat-rate data pricing plan that includes Web browsing, picture messaging and Visual Voice Mail in the United States and overseas. Plans are available for $69.99 for monthly access for a stand-alone data plan and $64.99 for monthly access when added to any voice plan.
• GlobalAccess - Verizon Wireless customers who carry laptops for business trips abroad can use GlobalAccess to get their e-mail, corporate intranet applications and more. The high-speed global wireless wide-area network solution gives business travelers connectivity while traveling in parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, North and South America, and Europe. Customers can choose from monthly GlobalAccess plans for $129.99 or $219.99 for monthly access or pay-per-use with the purchase of a $59.99 monthly access Mobile Broadband service plan in the United States.
• Built-in GlobalAccess - Verizon Wireless also offers GlobalAccess built in to select laptops for streamlined global mobile broadband access on CDMA 1X/EV-DO, GSM, and 3G UMTS wireless networks. This embedded solution detects the network technology available where the customer is working and seamlessly transitions the configurations to provide high-speed access to the Internet, calendars, e-mail and other business-related information residing behind the corporate firewall.
• International Text Messaging - While traveling outside the United States and Canada, Verizon Wireless customers can send text messages for $0.50 each and receive text messages for $0.05 each. These text messages do not count against customers' text messaging monthly bundled allowances.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or visit www.verizonwireless.com. Business customers should call 1-800-VZW-4BIZ or contact their Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative. For more information on Verizon Wireless' international services, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/goglobal.

About Business Traveler Magazine

With ten editions worldwide and over 500,000 readers, Business Traveler is the world's leading publication geared towards frequent business travelers. BT offers practical travel resources, destination features, first-hand reviews, convention city reports and a series of special supplements, including the annual business-class airline comparison study. In addition to BT's monthly features, visitor guides, lifestyle reports and weekend guides, each issue also includes special reports ranging from business etiquette tips to preventing identity theft and the growing trend of mixing business with vacations. Visit www.btusonline.com.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

New iPhone App, "SURVEY ON THE SPOT," Enables Air Travelers to Take TSA Survey Rating Airport Security Screening

On The Spot Systems, Inc., announced today that their iPhone application, SURVEY ON THE SPOT, is now available to air travelers to rate airport security screening by completing a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) survey. SURVEY ON THE SPOT uses the iPhone's GPS to identify the user's location and enables smartphone users to answer a TSA questionnaire quickly and easily immediately after passing through the security checkpoint.

"The application is very easy to use. It can identify which airport you are flying out of, allowing you to provide the TSA with feedback immediately," said Ken Kimmel, president of On The Spot Systems. "SURVEY ON THE SPOT also allows travelers to add photos and comments that they feel will help the TSA improve the national security system."

SURVEY ON THE SPOT provides air travelers with easy access to a questionnaire that has been used by the TSA to rate screening procedures and gauge consumer confidence in the security of air travel.

There is no cost to complete the TSA survey. iPhone users can simply download SURVEY ON THE SPOT free from the Apple App store. Upon starting the app, users enter TSA and then press "Find surveys around me." The system will identify the airport they are departing from and allow them to begin the survey. The survey can also be accessed on other smartphones, such as Android and Blackberry, by using the mobile web browser to go to surveyonthespot.com and entering the TSA survey code, as well as the city and state of the traveler's departure.

On The Spot Systems will provide all survey results to the TSA. "Our hope is that the feedback gathered through SURVEY ON THE SPOT will help the TSA improve its current system," Kimmel said. "Given the holiday timing, we have not been able to confirm specifics with them, but felt compelled to make SURVEY ON THE SPOT available to the TSA and travelers in the US as a public service, particularly given recent airport security concerns."

SURVEY ON THE SPOT was introduced on the iPhone app store in November 2009 and was designed for restaurants, hotels, retailers and other organizations to gather real-time guest satisfaction feedback using iPhone and smartphone technology. For more information visit http://www.onthespotsystems.com.

SOURCE On The Spot Systems, Inc.

United Airlines Introduces Try-Before-You-Buy Wi-Fi Promotion

Gogo Inflight Internet now available on all p.s. flights

 Just in time for the busy Thanksgiving holidays, United Airlines customers on transcontinental p.s. flights can enjoy a complimentary onboard Internet session with the new Try-Before-You-Buy promotion, offered in conjunction with airborne communications provider Aircell.

Through Dec. 31, first-time users of Aircell's Gogo Inflight Internet service will be offered one free session upon creating a new account.

Gogo enables customers with Wi-Fi enabled devices such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs to surf the Web, check e-mail, send and receive instant messages, and access a corporate VPN.

The service is available on all of United's p.s. flights between New York Kennedy and the airline's Los Angeles and San Francisco hubs.

"Gogo Inflight Internet service on our p.s. flights provides our customers with an even more productive and enjoyable travel experience," says Allen Will, managing director of strategic aircraft programs. "With Gogo Inflight Internet and an AC power port at every seat, p.s. customers will get more accomplished in the air this holiday season, leaving time for more holiday cheer on the ground."

For more information on United's inflight Internet service, visit united.com/Wi-Fi.

SOURCE United Airlines

Marriott Refreshes the Marriott.com Experience

Now Easier for Customers to Find, Book Hotels, and Earn Marriott Rewards(R) Points

With Over $6 Billion in Annual Gross Revenue, Marriott.com is the 7th Largest Online Retail Site

Marriott International has unveiled the new look of Marriott.com, the world's 7th largest online consumer retail site.* It is the first in a series of improvements to Marriott.com that will make it easier for guests to find and book hotels and manage their Marriott Rewards® account online. Customers will also continue to earn Marriott Rewards® points, get the lowest rates backed by Marriott's Look No Further® Best Rate Guarantee, and incur no cancellation fees on most reservations.

The improvements include a modernized look and feel, more intuitive layout, and one-click guest access to their Marriott Rewards® account from anywhere in the site. These customer-driven changes are the first in a series over the next year.

To see the new site, go to Marriott.com.

"Marriott.com is the largest point of interaction with our customers. It receives more than 12 million visits each month and more than 75 percent of our guests say they use our website when planning or booking their hotel stays," noted Shafiq Khan, senior vice president, eCommerce for Marriott International. "When we surveyed guests, they gave Marriott.com the highest satisfaction rate -- 92 percent -- of all possible booking channels. Today customers make 2,000 times more bookings in an hour on Marriott.com than they did in 1999, making it our company's fastest growing booking channel."

Despite the success and exponential growth of the site, intensive customer testing revealed new visitors could find the site confusing, and often left and booked hotels elsewhere. Marriott reached out and involved its customers in evaluating multiple new design concepts for Marriott.com, ultimately landing on one that those customers described as "innovative," "simple and easy to use," "intuitive to navigate" and "more interactive."

For the redesign, Marriott kept aspects of the site that were working well for frequent guests, but have now also made it much easier for a large under-served segment of newer customers to navigate, find, and book what they need on Marriott.com. This in turn will generate more revenue and cut booking costs. The changes also take effect on Marriott's international websites in the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Latin America, Australia, Japan, Korea, Brazil and France.

To encourage customers to experience the new design, Marriott is giving consumers and Marriott Rewards® members chances to win travel and gift card prizes in online sweepstakes running now through December 8. To learn about the new site changes and to enter the sweepstakes, go to www.marriottdelivers.com/rewards for Marriott Rewards® members and www.marriottdelivers.com for all other customers. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.

SeatGuru Picks the Top Five U.S. Airports to Get Stranded In

When Flights are Cancelled, Massages, Spray Tans, Showers & More Keep Travelers Happy

SeatGuru, the web's most comprehensive resource for airline information, today released its pick of the top five domestic airports to be stuck at, should travelers experience flight delays in their upcoming holiday travel season. SeatGuru founder Matt Daimler says, "We've picked these airports because of their amenities and attractions designed to help travelers relax and be entertained and pampered during any unfortunate, extended layovers."

Top Five Airports:

1. San Francisco International Airport (SFO). SFO's highlights include the famous Boudin's Bakery (and their sourdough bread), upscale shopping at Burberry, Coach and Gucci, XpressSpa services including massages and facials, museum exhibits throughout, shower facilities and a play area for children.
2. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). Among other offerings, SLC offers free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, views of the Wasatch Mountains, numerous restaurants and has won awards in pollution prevention, recycling and as the best on-time airport for departures in the past.
3. Portland International Airport (PDX). Named Nation's Best Airport by Conde Nast Traveler three years in a row, PDX is eco-friendly (new solar panels produce electricity and the Best of Nike store is powered by 75% solar energy), has free Wi-Fi, no sales tax and local restaurants have a strong presence with eateries such as Pizza Schmizza, Rose City Cafe and Laurelwood Brewing Company calling it home.
4. McCarran International Airport (LAS). In addition to countless slot machines, LAS also boasts an aviation museum, massage locations, free Wi-Fi, the Jose Cuervo Tequileria, storage lockers to stash belongings, an oxygen bar, hotel souvenir shops, room check in for the MGM Grand and for long delays, it's just 5 miles from the strip.
5. Miami International Airport (MIA). At MIA, travelers can get manicures, pedicures, massages and even spray tanning at the JetSetter Spa, view ongoing art exhibitions, enjoy a hair cut at the salon, rent a mobile phone, and for members of the U.S. military, there's an Armed Services center for personnel that serves food and refreshments. There are also 30 dining choices including cuisine from Cuba, the Caribbean, Japan and more.

SOURCE SeatGuru

Virgin America Teams Up With Google to Offer Free In-Flight WiFi for the Holidays

Airline and Web Technology Company Give Holiday Travelers the Gift of Connection with Free Gogo Inflight Internet

Virgin America, the airline that is reinventing domestic travel, today announced an exclusive partnership with Google to offer free in-flight WiFi to all of its guests during the holidays. The two California-based companies known for innovation, entrepreneurialism and for connecting people in new ways, have again joined forces to give Virgin America fliers the gift of in-flight connection during the holiday travel season. From Nov. 10, 2009-Jan. 15, 2010, guests on all Virgin America flights will be able to check email, gift shop online, stay in touch with family and friends via social media, or just go wherever the web takes them - all for free. In May, Virgin America became the first airline to offer Gogo® Inflight Internet service on every flight.

"Since the launch of WiFi on all of our planes, we've seen an overwhelmingly positive response from travelers," said Porter Gale, Vice President of Marketing at Virgin America. "We've found that both business and leisure travelers are using the service at a growing rate, and many consider the availability of in-flight WiFi one of the key factors in their booking decision. We're thrilled to team up with Google to deliver this special holiday gift to our loyal guests. We also hope it persuades more new users to try out the service -as once people try Gogo, they rarely go back."

Virgin America is the first airline to offer both standard power outlets near every seat and fleet-wide Gogo Inflight Internet service. The airline estimates that currently 12-15 percent of its guests are using the Gogo service. On some of the airline's long-haul routes (like BOS-SFO), the carrier is reporting that up to 20-25 percent of guests on a given flight are logging in.

"As millions of people pass through airports this holiday season in order to celebrate with their families, we wanted to give our users a gift - one that makes their travel easier and more convenient," said Marissa Mayer, Vice President of Search Products and User Experience at Google. "The fundamental power of the Internet is in connecting people, and we hope that having a free WiFi connection while enroute will make home and family seem that much closer."

A recent survey of Virgin America frequent fliers showed that guests are using WiFi in a variety of ways and consider the ability to stay connected a key in-flight amenity. Top-line results from the survey* include:

• More than half of respondents said that the availability of WiFi would influence their choice of airline.
• The availability of in-flight power outlets is also a factor for many in choosing to fly with Virgin America.
• 72% agreed that VOIP should continue to be blocked to keep the cabin environment quiet.
• 53% of respondents carry a laptop on board. Of those that connected to Gogo, 88% used a laptop.
• Email is the most popular activity while using in-flight WiFi, followed by working remotely and social media.

Although guests traveling on any of Virgin America's over 100 daily flights from Nov. 10, 2009-Jan. 15, 2010, will enjoy free web access via their laptops or PDAs, the Gogo service is normally available for $12.95 for flights of over three hours; $9.95 for flights between 1.5 and three hours; $5.95 for short haul flights of less than 1.5 hours and handheld/PDA pricing of $7.95 for flights over 1.5 hours.

Since launching in August 2007, Virgin America has captured a list of travel industry best-in-class awards, including "Best Domestic Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 and 2009 Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's 2008 and 2009 World's Best Awards. Virgin America offers travelers unrivalled amenities, low fares and high-tech features. Virgin America's mood-lit, custom-designed new cabins feature more comfortable, ergonomically correct leather seats and Red (TM) - the most advanced entertainment system in the U.S. skies. Red is a touch-screen seatback entertainment platform that offers 25 films, live TV, interactive Google Maps, music videos, video games, a 3000 MP3 library and more.

In November 2008, Virgin America launched Gogo Inflight Internet on its first flight with a first ever "air-to-ground" video stream to YouTube Live - YouTube's first official real-world user event. In May of 2009, the airline completed the roll-out of its WiFi service across its fleet and celebrated the milestone with a live streamed chat between Oprah Winfrey in her studio audience and a Virgin America plane at 35,000 feet over the California coast. In June 2009, the airline also teamed up with Google for the first-ever online and "in the clouds" web-based scavenger hunt, using in-flight WiFi.

SOURCE Virgin America

AT&T Enhances Wireless Coverage at Boston Logan International Airport

Investment Provides Additional Capacity and Faster Data Speeds for Travelers

AT&T* today announced it has enhanced wireless coverage at Boston Logan International Airport by upgrading the Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) serving the airport terminals.

The upgrades include the addition of twelve antennas, each approximately the size of a box of chocolates, strategically placed throughout Terminals B, C, and E, providing expanded wireless signals for travelers, ground transportation workers and airport personnel. The unique and visually unobtrusive antenna systems add capacity to areas with a high density of mobile wireless device users. This will be especially helpful on peak travel days as we enter the holiday season.

This DAS expansion, which is also open to other wireless providers, is part of AT&T's ongoing investment to build the broadband networks that will fuel economic growth and create jobs, and enable its customers to quickly access the content, applications and services that matter most to them.

"Demand for wireless bandwidth is growing," said William Leahy, vice president, AT&T Atlantic Region legislative and regulatory affairs. "We're always looking for new opportunities to provide enhanced coverage and our investment in the local wireless network is just one way to accomplish this."

"Our goal is pretty simple: we want you to have an extraordinary experience when you make a call, check e-mail, download a song or video, or surf the Internet on your AT&T device," said Steve Krom, vice president and general manager for AT&T New England. "With this equipment upgrade, our customers can continue to ride the leading edge of mobile broadband with emerging devices and thousands of mobile applications."

The AT&T 3G network opens the door to a new era of advanced mobile services, devices and feature-rich content. With 3G speeds, you can surf the Web, download files faster than ever, and enjoy the very latest interactive mobile applications.

AT&T's 3G mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most open and widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T offers 3G data roaming in more than 100 countries, as well as voice calling in more than 215 countries.

AT&T offers unsurpassed choice in the range of devices, services and applications compatible with its 3G network. AT&T offers a wide variety of devices from more than a dozen manufacturers, including handsets that are compatible with six different operating systems and five different e-mail applications. AT&T's Media Mall 2.0 offers more than 90,000 content options, and customers can download virtually any application over the Internet. Additionally, AT&T supports a community of more than 20,000 application developers via its devCentral portal.

For more information about AT&T's coverage in western Massachusetts or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/. The online tool can measure the quality of coverage based on a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark.

For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit www.att.com/networknews.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

USA TODAY Launches Travel Application For iPhone

USA TODAY AutoPilot sponsored by Hampton Hotels

USA TODAY, the nation's top-selling newspaper and a leading choice for travelers, today announced the availability of USA TODAY AutoPilot, an iPhone Travel application on the Apple App Store.

Since launching 27 years ago, USA TODAY has become a trusted and welcome brand to travelers. The USA TODAY AutoPilot iPhone Application leverages the familiar look and feel that readers have come to trust and expect from USA TODAY providing them with the tools, utilities and features they need to successfully manage the travel experience.

USA TODAY AutoPilot is sponsored by Hampton Hotels. The hotel brand, which has been established for 25 years, identified the need to continually reach new and loyal guests by using the latest communication vehicles. Sponsoring USA TODAY's Travel application offered a natural opportunity to connect Hampton hotels, an iPhone application and USA TODAY, the nation's top-selling newspaper. The app features a variety of customized Hampton integrations including the ability to map locations and book reservations at over 1,700 Hampton properties nationwide and also receive local area restaurant and attraction information provided by Hampton Hotels.

The USA TODAY AutoPilot application offers the following features:

1. AutoPilot -- Easily track trip and flight itineraries in a simple to digest format. Using the device's GPS capabilities and your schedule as a guide, AutoPilot offers real-time updates as your location and travel needs change.
2. Flight Tracker and Delays - Keep track of your departing or arriving flight via flight number, airport or route. Get up to the minute delay information for more that 16,000 airports, 1,400 airlines and 100,000 daily flights.
3. Travel Directory -- Get quick, one-click phone number or web site access from a comprehensive directory of travel providers, ranging from airlines, hotels and car rental agencies.
4. Weather -- Get current weather conditions, up-to-the minute regional radar and the five day forecasts at your exact location via GPS. Review national weather maps including Doppler radar, temperature and precipitation forecasts.
5. More -signature USA TODAY destination and travel feature content including Ten Great Places and expert USA TODAY blogs such as Today in the Sky, Hotel Check-In and more.

"USA TODAY is synonymous with travel. Travelers love us and we love being everywhere they need us with innovative new products," said Matt Jones, vice president, mobile strategy and operations, Gannett Digital. "USA TODAY AutoPilot for iPhone extends our service to travelers to a new platform, truly meeting all of their mobile travel needs."

"USA TODAY's AutoPilot sponsored by Hampton Hotels allows consumers access to the world of travel," said Judy Christa-Cathey, vice president brand marketing, Hampton Hotels. Christa-Cathey added, "Consumers will now have the opportunity to be connected directly to their Hampton Hotel of choice, making booking a room a seamless process for travelers who already know Hampton's great value and exceptional guest experience all backed by its 100% Satisfaction Guarantee."

The USA TODAY AutoPilot iPhone application was designed and developed in cooperation with Mercury Intermedia of Brentwood, Tenn. The application is available for free from Apple's App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. For more information, go to usatoday.com/iphone/autopilot.

SOURCE USA TODAY

CONNECTED IN THE AIR from CNN

Southwest Airlines Takes Next Step Toward Wi-Fi

Southwest Airlines and Row 44 are continuing plans to roll out wi-fi beginning in the first quarter of 2010. Beginning this fall, Southwest will be moving to the next step of certifying Southwest's full fleet with plans to begin fleetwide rollout of the Row 44 satellite service in the first quarter of 2010. The airline has been testing the service on four aircraft since Feb. 2009 and has received fantastic Customer feedback on the product.

"We have concluded our testing for inflight wi-fi and are very happy with both the technical performance of the system and the response of Customers who have used it," said Dave Ridley, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President of Marketing and Revenue Management. "We are pleased to be continuing with our plans to offer satellite-enabled broadband access through California-based Row 44."

"Row 44 is thrilled to be the in-flight wi-fi service of choice for one of the most Customer-focused airlines in the world," said John Guidon, Row 44 Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited about moving forward and delivering Southwest's Customers a rich menu of in-flight connectivity and entertainment options."

During the testing phase, Customers have been utilizing the service for anything from e-mail to streaming video. Those interested in using the service during the test period have had the opportunity to log on to the service via their own personal wi-fi enabled device (laptops, iPhones, wi-fi enabled smart phones, etc). Additionally, the airline has been testing a variety of price points for the service and will continue testing price points through the end of 2009.

Air Canada becomes first North American airline to release an App for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch devices

New application advances strategy to give travelers convenient mobile options

Air Canada today became the first North American airline to release an Apple iPhone/iPod touch application. The free App will make it convenient for travelers with Apple devices to retrieve electronic boarding passes, track flight information in real-time, receive notification of itinerary changes and obtain other details about Air Canada flights.

iPhone Applications now available on iTunes.com! Shop Now!

"Air Canada continues to be an industry leader in offering customers mobile and wireless services that provide real-time information and convenient functions for people who are on the move. We are significantly expanding these options with the release of our Air Canada App, which will enable travelers using an Apple iPhone or iPod touch device to check-in, board and obtain other details about Air Canada flights. This is only the first iteration of our App and we will continue to add new features in response to customer demand," said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. "In addition to our Apple App, Air Canada is introducing more cutting-edge technical innovations that will enhance and simplify our self-service and mobile options for customers who like the freedom of managing their own travel."

Available free on-line from the Apple App Store on iPhone or iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/, the new App was developed for Air Canada by IBM Canada. It will among other things enable users of Apple iPhone and iPod Touch devices to: keep track of and update all of their Air Canada and Jazz flights from a single location; receive messages and link to their electronic boarding passes; access Air Canada Mobile check-in to select a seat and retrieve an electronic boarding pass; book flights using an Air Canada Flight Pass; rent a car or access other convenient travel links; and find and track any Air Canada or Jazz flight.

iPhone Applications now available on iTunes.com! Shop Now!

Air Canada, recognized as an industry leader in self-service and mobile technology - it was the first airline in the world to introduce 2-D Electronic Boarding Passes in 2007 - is also refining and expanding its existing products to better meet the needs of customers. Among other things Air Canada is:

• Adding new functions to airport kiosks, offering customers the option to purchase an upgrade, reprint boarding passes, and obtain an electronic boarding pass, including at international airports.
• Enhancing its boarding passes to provide more and new travel information such as check-in and baggage drop-off times.
• Offering easy-to-use, personalized flight notification so customers can be automatically updated through their mobile devices about changes to their itinerary. For greater ease, customers can also create a "My Message" in-box on computer and mobile devices to receive all Air Canada communications in a single, convenient location.
• Providing additional mobile detail about the status of Air Canada flights, including gate information, flight status, diversions, arrivals and local weather conditions.

Montreal-based Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five continents, including 58 communities across Canada and 57 destinations in the United States - by far the most of any carrier within Canada or between Canada and the United States. Canada's flag carrier is the 13th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 33 million customers annually operating a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of just nine years.

Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, providing the world's most comprehensive air transportation network for Canadian domestic, transborder and international travel. Air Canada aircraft offer customers individualized seat-back in-flight entertainment systems with hundreds of hours of complimentary digital audio-visual entertainment. As well, customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future rewards through Canada's leading loyalty program.

In 2008, the readers of Business Traveler magazine voted Air Canada "Best In-Flight Services in North America," "Best Airline for Business Class Service in North America" and "Best North American Airline for International Travel."

TRAVELOCITY GLOBAL ACQUIRES INDIA'S LEADING HOTEL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK, TRAVELGURU

Positions Travelocity Global as leading provider of hotel options in India

In evidence of its commitment to growing its business around the world, Travelocity Global today announced that it has acquired India's leading online hotel distribution network, Travelguru.

The addition of Travelguru builds on Travelocity's existing businesses, teams and relationships in India , which include Travelocity India , its online travel agency site, various supplier and redistribution relationships, as well as global support teams in the country. It also complements Sabre Holdings' highly successful Airline Solutions business in India and its global technology center in Bangalore .

Travelocity Global is one of the world's largest online travel companies, with its Travelocity, lastminute.com and ZUJI businesses worldwide generating more than USD$10 billion in gross travel sales annually.

Travelguru distributes a portfolio of more than 4,000 hotels in India , most of which are independent properties, and it has a strong domestic customer-base. This focus and product breadth complements Travelocity's existing distribution of branded, chain and luxury properties in India , which are available to travellers domestically on Travelocity India , as well to international inbound travellers booking on Travelocity's global network of online travel sites.

Travelocity Global plans to keep both of its online travel businesses in India : Travelocity India and Travelguru.

Mr Roshan Mendis , regional vice president of Travelocity Asia Pacific confirmed: "Travelguru will continue to operate as a stand alone business and brand in India , focused on growing Indian hotel demand, Indian hotel supply and a wide distribution network. Travelocity India will continue its full service online travel agent (OTA) focus, which includes international and domestic air, hotel and package travel. We will look to leverage the benefits of increased access to hotel content across our sites and our distribution partners, and to leverage synergies in product, technology, partnerships and innovation across both businesses over time."

Mr Ashwin Damera, Chief Executive Officer, Travelguru said, "Travelocity is a good fit for Travelguru, and I am excited about our future as part of Travelocity Global. The mutual vision we have for Travelguru is to continue the successful hotel business we have today, and to grow and evolve by working hand in hand with Travelocity's local and global team."

Both Travelocity India and Travelguru businesses will work together to bring significant benefits to Indian hotel suppliers, with increased distribution and greater demand, redistribution partners with greater breadth and depth of Indian supplier content, and to Indian travellers with the broadest of choice of travel deals across all products in India .

Free app that points to nearby Show Your Card & Save locations reaches 500,000 downloads

A sign that saving money is more important than ever, AAA's free Apple iPhone "app," AAA Discounts, has surpassed one-half-million downloads in only three months. The free, GPS-based app displays Show Your Card & Save partners near user locations. Users can easily find their way to AAA member savings and have viewed more than one million offers since late April. There are more than 110,000 AAA Show Your Card & Save locations and more than 51 million AAA members in North America.

The AAA Discounts iPhone app acquires the user's location automatically, displays nearby AAA Show Your Card & Save locations and allows users to pan and zoom on a regional map. It also displays key information including the name, address, phone, distance from location and a summary of the discount details. Users can filter listings by category and have one click access to a route map and narrative directions. The AAA Discounts app works on the iPod Touch as well when the user has access to WiFi.

"At a time when saving money is a top priority, this free application is just one more way AAA is helping members save," said Gail Acebes, director, AAA Partnership Programs. "We are pleased so many are taking advantage of an easy way to find discounts."

First in a series of AAA applications planned for the iPhone, AAA Discounts can be obtained in two ways: via an iPhone by clicking on the App Store icon and searching "AAA Discounts" or by downloading iTunes on your computer and searching "AAA Discounts" in the App Store. The application uses components of AAA's TripTik(R) Travel Planner in combination with iPhone GPS capabilities.

While all users can view locations offering discounts, only members can take advantage of savings and access RESPONSE-based AAA roadside assistance. When members use the iPhone to place a call to AAA, their GPS location is transmitted along with the call. More than 2,000 roadside assistance requests have been made since the app was launched. Non-members also can apply for membership via the AAA Discounts app.

AAA's Show Your Card & Save program is the largest member discount program in the world offering more than 164,000 locations for savings worldwide including 110,000 retail locations in North America and popular online retailers including Target.com, FTD.com, The UPS Store, BlueNile.com, Lens Crafters and more. Visit www.AAA.com/discounts for a complete list of retailers and offers.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

TSA to Begin Testing Imaging Technology at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will begin testing two types of advanced imaging technology at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Imaging technologies quickly and unobtrusively screen passengers for metallic and nonmetallic threats without physical contact.

Millimeter wave and backscatter imaging technologies provide enhanced detection capabilities and are 100 percent optional for all passengers. Both technologies have privacy protections in place for the traveler. The security officer who assists the passenger through the screening process never sees the image the technology produces. The image is viewed by a remotely located security officer who never sees the traveler. Further, these technologies cannot save, print, or transmit images. Once the image is deleted it cannot be restored. To further protect passenger privacy, millimeter wave technology blurs all facial features and backscatter has an algorithm applied to the entire image.

"Imaging technologies are a critical layer of security that allows TSA to screen passengers for a wide range of threats," said Michael Young, Federal Security Director, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Transportation Security Administration. "TSA is committed to implementing new technologies that combine privacy protections with a high level of detection to ensure the safety of the traveling public."

Millimeter wave technology uses harmless electromagnetic waves and 10,000 times less energy than a cell phone to perform a single scan. Backscatter technology uses low-level X-ray's and a single scan is the equivalent of flying on an airplane for approximately two minutes. These technologies produce an image that allows TSA to remotely screen passengers for threats without physical contact.

At Cleveland, TSA will assess the operational efficiency and public acceptance of these technologies as the primary screening technology in lieu of the traditional metal detector. Both technologies are 100 percent optional for all passengers. Passengers that choose not to be screened by imaging technology will receive a physical pat down. It is anticipated the test will last approximately 60 days.

Imaging technology not only enhances security, it reduces the need for pat-down searches for passengers with joint replacements and other medical conditions.

Continental Airlines Revolutionizes Customer Support With Online Virtual Expert

First network carrier to utilize online human emulation technology

Continental Airlines today launched Virtual Expert technology, a new feature at continental.com, offering customers 24-hour support on the Web for all their travel needs. "Alex," the airline's Virtual Expert, interacts with customers to easily and effectively interpret requests and provide accurate answers to travel needs. Continental is the first network carrier to offer human emulation technology.

From booking a flight, to helping customers understand visa requirements for international travel, Alex allows Continental to provide the same high-touch service available within the call center environment, for customers on the Web.

"Continental.com is our one-stop shop for travel planning and information and Alex quickly and accurately guides our customers to the answers they're looking for," said Mark Bergsrud, senior vice president of marketing programs and distribution at Continental Airlines. "We are constantly looking for ways to improve our ability to deliver the best customer experience, and Alex will be an invaluable resource to our customers."

Developed by Next IT, the new technology emulates not only the look and voice of a human, but also the ability to understand the intent of phrases and dialog, guiding customers to information and making continental.com a one-stop shop for travel planning and information.

Customers visiting continental.com can click the Alex icon to open a chat window where they can enter a question. Alex responds with both a written and spoken response. The customer is then automatically navigated to the specific place on continental.com that answers the question and provides other helpful links in the chat window.

Prior to launching the technology, Continental tested the product with 3,000 of the airline's most frequent flyers and with reservations agents at Continental's call center in Salt Lake City.

Reservations agents at Continental are using the Virtual Expert technology to answer customer questions and improve the customer experience during calls. The Virtual Expert helps agents locate information quickly.

Continental's Virtual Expert is one of the many services that the airline has introduced to improve the overall customer travel experience. Continental was one of the first carriers to offer customer-driven technology that allows passengers to take control of the check-in process through kiosk self check-in. As a result, Continental customers enjoy one of the shortest line waits of any major airline and employees are better equipped to offer more personalized service. Continental's paperless boarding pass program allows travelers to receive boarding passes electronically on cell phones or PDAs when traveling from more than a dozen airports throughout its system, its EliteAccess program provides qualified customers priority check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling, and its corps of more than 300 specially selected and trained concierges provide individualized pre-and post-flight services for its BusinessFirst customers worldwide.

Get Connected with Complimentary Wi-Fi from US Airways

High-Speed Wireless Internet Now Available in Airport Clubs

US Airways announced today it is now offering complimentary Wi-Fi service powered by T-Mobile® HotSpot® at US Airways Club locations across the country. US Airways Club members can be productive and stay connected with co-workers, family, and friends at US Airways Clubs just by entering their Dividend Miles (US Airways’ frequent flyer program) number to access the wireless connection powered by T-Mobile^® HotSpot. Other club visitors can request Wi-Fi Access cards at the Club.

US Airways Clubs in Buffalo, N.Y., Charlotte, N.C., Greensboro, N.C., Hartford/Springfield, Conn., Los Angeles, New York La Guardia, Philadelphia, Raleigh Durham, N.C., Tampa, Fla. and Washington Reagan are now offering complimentary wireless internet service. All other US Airways Clubs will go wireless during the summer. For a complete list of US Airways Club locations customers can visit www.usairways.com/club.

US Airways currently offers 18 Clubs located in 14 cities across the United States and one Envoy Lounge in Philadelphia. The US Airways Club is a quiet, comfortable place where customers can work or relax while traveling. Club members enjoy personal assistance with reservations, flight changes and upgrades; workstations with data ports, fax machines, copiers and shredders; cable television, newspapers and periodicals and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.

US Airways offers three membership options to join the Club; annual memberships; 90-day memberships and day passes. Customers can sign up online at www.usairways.com/club, by calling 800-828-8522 or at any US Airways Club location. To join Dividend Miles visit www.usairways.com/dividendmiles.

About US Airways

US Airways was America’s number one on-time airline in 2008 among the “Big Six” hub-and-spoke airlines according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) monthly Air Travel Consumer Report. US Airways, along with US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express, operates more than 3,200 flights per day and serves more than 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. The airline employs more than 33,000 aviation professionals worldwide and is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers our customers more than 16,500 daily flights to 912 destinations in 159 countries worldwide. And for the eleventh consecutive year, the airline received a Diamond Award for maintenance training excellence from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Charlotte, North Carolina hub line maintenance facility. For more company information, visit usairways.com. (LCCG)

Source: US Airways

StudentUniverse Accommodations

StudentUniverse, the largest online travel agency for students in the world, announced today that they are adding a new service offering to their site. The StudentUniverse accommodation offering was previously powered by a third party provider. With the launch of StudentUniverse Hotels, the company will have its own accommodation offering. StudentUniverse Hotels offers properties all over the world; however as a student travel provider the company has kept a strong focus on offering budget hotels and hostels. Students can search for hotel and hostel deals at the StudentUniverse site.