Archive for the 'Great Britain' Category
The Michael Jackson theme park that never was, but still could be
November 5, 2009 12:29pm
Michael Jackson dreamed of a theme park based on the J.M. Barrie story of “Peter Pan,” complete with looping roller coasters, 3-D flight simulators, water rides, stunt shows, dinner theater, nighttime spectaculars and hotels.
The Disney and More blog has the full story of how the dream nearly became reality, including blueprints and concept art from the envisioned project.
In the late 1990s, the King of Pop partnered with Burbank-based Landmark Entertainment Group — the creators of the Spider-Man ride at Islands of Adventure and the Jurassic Park water ride at Universal Studios Orlando — to draft a plan for Peter Pan’s Neverland theme park.
The concept looks remarkably similar to Disneyland past and present, with all the Peter Pan parts of the park (pirate ship, dark ride, skull rock) amplified and embellished with plenty of pixie dust.
Peter Pan’s Neverland envisioned a grand entrance into Victorian London with replicas of Kensington Gardens, Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament.
On Neverland Island, reached by boat, there were six themed lands:
Read the rest of this entry »
British Airways opens nonstop London-Las Vegas route: $249 O/W introductory fares
October 26, 2009 1:24pm
British Airways received a wet celebratory splash Sunday night at McCarran International Airport as the airline’s first flight of nonstop service between London Heathrow (LHR) and Las Vegas (LAS) landed. But BA isn’t the first foreign carrier to bring tourists from Europe to Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Sun reports that Virgin Atlantic offers nonstop daily flights between London Gatwick and Las Vegas, and Condor Flugdienst flies twice a week between Frankfurt, Germany, and Las Vegas. The Sun also noted the heated rivalry between British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, as well has the 2008 passenger decline that Virgin recorded between London and Las Vegas.
Deal or no deal? British Airways is offering introductory fares of $249 each way, pre-tax, between London (LHR) and Las Vegas (LAS). When I tested dates in February, I found a round-trip ticket between Las Vegas (LAS) and London (LHR) for $663 (Feb. 9-15). When I tested the same dates and destinations on Kayak, I found the same rates flying British Airways and similar rates on American Airlines and US Airways. If you were to fly Continental, United, Delta or Northwest, the price jumped to more than $800 round trip.
Frequent fliers rate LAX the third-worst airport in the world
October 22, 2009 11:22am
Turns out that a $1-billion overhaul of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) (Bradley Terminal, above) can’t come too soon for 14,526 frequent fliers, who rated it the third-worst airport in the world in a just-released survey. The most hated airport? London’s giant Heathrow (LHR), followed by Paris’ Charles de Gaulle (CDG).
The online survey was conducted in September among members of Priority Pass, a program that charges an annual fee for access to airport lounges.
As for LAX: My colleague Christopher Reynolds has a suggestion or two (actually 10) for improving that place. Interestingly, it did not rank as the worst airport in the U.S. among American members of Priority Pass. That dubious honor fell to Chicago’s O’Hare (ORD), with LAX pulling up second and Atlanta (ATL) third.
British Airways offers $300 to fliers who booked mistaken $40-$100 fares to India
October 9, 2009 2:10pm
British Airways, which declined to honor U.S.-India round-trip fares of $40 to $100 that were posted by mistake a week ago, is now making nice with customers. In an e-mail to travel agents today, the struggling airline said it would offer a $300 discount on a future flight to people who snagged the cheap fares. But it still didn’t say it would honor the fares, which it planned to refund to buyers.
The offer came after the U.S. Department of Transportation said it was investigating the incident, which has unleashed a barrage of criticism in Internet chat rooms on sites such as FlyerTalk and in comments posted on my earlier post. A DOT spokeswoman declined to elaborate on the investigation.
Some people who bought the low fares on Oct. 2 said they had thought they were valid because, with taxes and fees, they could total more than $500. Others worried that the mistake could wind up costing them hundreds.
British Airways goofs, sells $40 round-trips to India
October 7, 2009 6:38pm
How’s this for a dream deal: Fly round trip between the U.S. and India for as little as $40, plus taxes, fees and surcharges. For about two hours last week, that dream was reality for untold numbers of British Airways customers who booked these fares. Alas, it was a computer error, and now the carrier is trying to fix it.
“We sincerely apologize,” British Airways spokesman John Lampl said today. “We’re trying to figure out how to best rectify the situation.” He added that it might be taken on a case-by-case basis and involve not only refunds but possibly credits toward other flights.
In an e-mail sent to travel agents today, the airline was more specific.
“As these fares were so clearly below the normal fare levels, British Airways is unable to honor these bookings,” the e-mail said. “We have cancelled all affected bookings made during this two-hour window, and will make a full refund for any paid for and issued ticket.” It also said it would refund any fees associated with rebooking other airline segments on the same ticket.
Meanwhile, Lampl gave us the scoop on how the glitch happened.
Get a free companion ticket from British Airways
September 30, 2009 4:44pm
When you hear the name British Airways, do you immediately think of London? I do. British Airways actually flies to more than 300 destinations, which makes their new free companion ticket deal a much more interesting prospect. Even better, you and your companion can travel in any cabin. How do you get a free ticket for a friend?
1. Become an Executive Club member and register for the deal
2. Take a round-trip flight on or before Jan. 29, 2010 and you’ll get a free companion ticket.
3. Book another ticket and your companion’s ticket from Jan. 4 through July 30, 2010 and travel from Jan. 11 through Dec. 15, 2010.
London’s plush May Fair hotel offers 25% off, plus 2-for-1 meals, during winter holidays
September 29, 2009 5:57am
Exchange rates have improved a bit since this time last year, but London is still a mighty expensive destination for dollar-toting visitors. So that’s why any break on prices is great, even if it comes with caveats. Enter the May Fair.
This plush, 406-room historic hotel , which just finished hosting London Fashion Week, is offering 25% off its regular rates, plus a 2-for-1 meal deal at its restaurant, for stays over the the winter holidays. That can bring nightly rates down to $240 or less — a good value for a hotel of this quality in a prime location. The caveats? The deal is nonrefundable, and you need to book it soon.
London really does it up for Christmas, so the holidays, despite the frigid temps, can be a memorable time to visit. The 411:
Shop ’til you drop with National Geographic in London
September 25, 2009 8:55am
Strolled down Regent Street in London lately? If so, you’ll doubtless have noticed the amazing new National Geographic retail store, which opened last fall on three floors in the heart of shoppers’ London.
There’s everything for the traveler: books, maps, DVDs, photos and posters, cameras, watches and high-quality expedition gear that can be tried out in a testing chamber simulating high winds and abrupt temperature change.
Other departments feature locally sourced handicrafts and jewelry from Africa and Asia, home décor and toys.
Want to choose your seat? Pay up at British Airways
September 24, 2009 3:15pm
We’ve seen airlines add extra charges to reserve popular exit-row seats and aisle seats. But are you ready for this one? Starting Oct. 7, British Airways plans to charge you just to select a seat. That’s right: $30 to $90 for the right to choose a seat any time up to 24 hours before flying. After that time, you get a free pick of what’s left. Middle seat, anyone?
“Every airline is looking for new revenue streams [after] the bottom fell out of the business,” said British Airways spokesman John Lampl. At least this fee is optional, he said.
“It’s for the customer who, two or three or four months out, wants to have that peace of mind that they have that particular seat,” Lampl said. “It’s a service that benefits the customer and at the same time generates revenue for British Airways.”
And boy, could Lampl’s airline use the money. But then, so could you, right?
Save 20% on BritRail train passes for fall and winter
September 9, 2009 5:55am
Traveling around Britain this fall or winter? The train can be a great way to see the U.K. Even better, you’ll save with low-season prices for BritRail passes. But watch your dates: A week can make a big difference.
Deal: BritRail passes are discounted by 20% for travel between Nov. 1 and Feb. 28; the last purchase date is Feb. 15. The discount includes Consecutive Passes, which give you unlimited train travel throughout England, Scotland and Wales for a fixed period, such as four days or a month; and Flexi Passes, which let you travel on a fixed number of days (you pick the dates) within a two-month period.
Tested: On BritRail’s website, I priced an eight-day, standard-class BritRail Consecutive Pass for travel starting Oct. 24, before the deal takes effect, and starting Nov. 1, the first day of the deal. By waiting a week, I’d save $74, paying $285 instead of $359 for the pass.
