STAR
ALLIANCE is gradually rolling
out its global interline e-ticket system among member airlines. Air
Canada and Lufthansa launched the system in November. All Nippon
Airways and United adopted it this month, and Air Canada and Air
New Zealand plan to launch the service in January. All other
partners plan to roll out the e-ticket service by the end of August
2005.
THAILAND
AIRPASS: Meanwhile, the Star
Alliance introduced the Thailand Airpass, which allows passengers
to explore the country at a cheaper rate than if the tickets were
purchased individually. Passengers can purchase from three to eight
travel coupons, paying $169 for the first three coupons and $59
thereafter. The airpass can be sold in conjunction with any type of
international fare as long as the fares are for roundtrip or
open-jaw trips. The airpass is valid for three months.
HILTON launched a
promotion in Asia offering guests at select hotels complimentary
breakfast, late checkout and a free children's meal. Through Feb.
28, the 13 participating hotels will offer room rates starting at
$60 when guests book at least seven days in advance. The
participating Hilton hotels are in Kuala Lumpur, Borneo, Beijing,
Chongqing, Colombo, Hanoi, Kuching, Nanjing, Petaling Jaya,
Shanghai, Shenzhen and Singapore.
EATTING WITH
THE FISHES: Speaking of Hilton,
what's being described as the "world's first undersea restaurant"
is set to open at the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa early next
year. The aquarium-style restaurant will be encased in clear
acrylic and sit below the surface of the Indian Ocean. The 14-seat
restaurant will serve contemporary Maldivian food.
DELTA plans to launch
daily service between New York (Kennedy) and Madras, India, with a
stop in Paris, beginning May 9. Delta currently offers daily New
York-Paris-Mumbai flights and daily seasonal service from New
York-Frankfurt-Mumbai. The new service will be operated aboard a
767-300 aircraft.
PLEASANT
HOLIDAYS named Amy Frank
destination marketing manager for Asia and the South Pacific. Most
recently, Frank was an account coordinator with J&A Advertising
in Los Angeles. At Pleasant, Frank will develop cooperative
marketing campaigns with the travel company's hotel and destination
partners in the Asia-Pacific region.