Taking off Travel blog

Breaking news: Indy Park Ride Fly is to offer complementary recharging of hybrid vehicles as part of its comprehensive off airport parking service. The service will also be available at Midway Park Ride and Fly and Albany Park Ride and Fly as well as selected parking facilities affiliated with Park Ride Fly USA.

Indy Park Ride Fly Map

WiFi In The Air

It’s time for another round-up of travel news. Today, I’m looking at news of interest to business travelers. First off, there’s good news if you have ever been frustrated by the lack of internet access when flying. Many domestic airlines now offer WiFi access through the GoGo network. Delta, American and Virgin are already signed up, while United Airlines is currently in trials. Other connectivity options are available on other carriers. Find out more in the original story. Read more »

This could be a good year for hotel deals.

If you’re traveling for business this year, then your hotel probably won’t cost much more than it did last year. Although hotel buyers haven’t seen major falls in domestic rates for 2009, there haven’t been any increases either. In part, this is because those negotiating corporate room rates have shown their willingness to go elsewhere if the price quoted doesn’t suit their budget. Domestic hotel demand is expected to drop and room rates to drop with it, so be on the lookout for some good deals as the year progressed. (Full story here.)

Key Influencers In Business Travel

Business Travel News has named its top business travel executives for 2008. These were nominated by industry executives. Airline decision makers dominate the list, with some influencers from government departments. Read more »

Travelers from 35 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries now have to get approval through the Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before traveling to the US. The web-based ESTA system was launched in August 2008 to determine the eligibility of those from VWP countries to enter the US. More than 1.2 million ESTA applications have been received so far, with more than 99 per cent of these approved. In most cases approval takes seconds and the permit lasts for up to two years or until the passport expires.

“We have been collecting information from visa waiver travelers for decades, and establishing a program to get that same information in advance is one enhancement that allowed us to extend the valuable benefit of visa-free travel to eight new countries in 2008,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “In addition to building business and cultural ties with our partners overseas, this is a commonsense step into the 21^st century that will improve our efficiency in screening and welcoming international travelers at our ports of entry.”

DHS says it will take a ‘reasonable approach to travelers who have not obtained an approved travel authorization via ESTA, though such travelers may be denied boarding or admission to the US or may experience delayed processing. Find more information in ESTA here. Read more »

Indy Park Ride & Fly

Indy Park Ride & Fly and 1st Class Express Airport Parking, two offsite airport parking facilities servicing Indianapolis International Airport (IND) have merged to create a bigger, better Indy Park Ride & Fly in conjunction with the opening of the airport’s new Midfield terminal.

“After 11 years and over 1.5 million parking stays, we’re extremely excited to relocate to the new Midfield terminal,” says Amy Strohmeyer, Indy Park Ride & Fly’s General Manager. “Our new Indy Park Ride & Fly facility will hold more than 2300 cars, and will be the largest off airport parking operation servicing the new Midfield terminal.”

This Ronald Reagan Parkway facility offers the same outstanding, hassle-free service as before, plus more parking spaces, long-term or short-term parking, car care services, enhanced self-parking option, free shuttles to the airport and back, 24 hour surveillance, secure, fenced-in lots, complimentary luggage assistance and more. For an even faster airport parking experience, travelers can sign-up for the Indy BizXpress Fast Pass member program, which will allow them to simply drive in, park, ride & fly.

Another brand-new bonus offer  available at this new Indianapolis airport parking facility is Long-weekend Savings. When traveling from Thursdays to Mondays between November 13th, 2008 and March 2nd, 2009, customers will save more than 40% on Indianapolis Airport parking with discounted rates as low as $6.00 a day. Read more »