Taking off Travel blog

Top of the morning to you and here’s our weekly (ish) roundup of airport and airport parking news.

Off Airport Parking Research

First up, the results of some new research into airport parking, published on the UK’s Travel Daily UK blog. UK firm Looking4Parking has published research showing that 66% of those using airport parking firms save an hour on their journey. And a third of the 1,000 people polled also thought that a meet and greet service saved up to 2 hours.  Convenience and cost were among the factors that led people to book with off airport parking firms. Find out more about the airport parking research here.

Looking Ahead to Terminal 4 – JFK Airport

In the New York Times last week, there was a sneak peek at changes happening at JFK’s new terminal 4, due for completion next year. According to the article by Christine Haughney, the structure is beginning to take place. The new terminal will automate baggage screening and speed up security. When completed passenger transfers between domestic and international flights are also expected to work more smoothly. Read more on the JFK expansion here.

Airline Administration Fees

It’s not just here in the US that we have a problem with ever increasing air travel fees. Saturday’s post on the Travel Rants blog saw Darren Cronian talking about administration fees on EasyJet, one of the UK’s low cost airlines. The cause of contention is a new GBP9 (approximately $13.50 at today’s exchange rates) applied to all debit card payments. This fee is more than 9 times the maximum fee charged by banks for debit card transactions. With new European legislation coming in to improve transparency for travelers, Cronian asks:

why is it that every time the government or European Union announces a new legislation, the airlines find somewhere around it, which ultimately costs the consumer money?

Why, indeed?

Radiation Tests for TSA Employees

We’ve been wondering about the effects of airport scanners for quite a while and the Transport Security Administration (TSA) has generally played down health concerns. However, according to an article in the LA Times, the TSA is planning to test its employees and check their radiation exposure. No tests yet for the scanners themselves or the passengers though.

Save on Airport Parking

Finally, to end today’s roundup, a piece of company news – our latest airport parking discount coupon. If you’re thinking of making airport parking reservations at (MDW) Chicago Midway Airport, (IND) Indianapolis Airport, (ALB) Albany Airport, (ORD) Chicago O’Hare Airport, (JFK) John F. Kennedy Airport or any of our more than 150 airport parking locations nationwide, you won’t want to miss this offer. Just book 2 days or more by January 31, 2012 using the promo code Happy12 and SAVE 10%*.  This offer is valid for travel for the entire year.

Let’s shake it up a bit with a guest post from a British travel writer, who takes a humorous look at the issue of luggage tags. Enjoy!

Curious things, luggage tags. In many ways their original purpose has been superseded by airlines embracing bar-coded baggage labels a few years back.

Back in the Golden Age Of Travel between 1890 and the outbreak of World War II, suitcases were a different bag altogether. The privileged would have had their details inscribed onto plates that were part of the luggage, while labels were placed on by railroads, steamships or hotels and today it’s those labels that evoke memories of the halcyon days of travel. The battered, overlaid labels, randomly placed on long lasting luggage, became a history of the owner’s travels (check out the Louis Vuitton home page and see what I mean). What do we have today?   Just gummy stains from peeled off airline bar codes – what a come down.  Not so long ago things used to be a lot worse when all holiday makers were given those tacky little card labels (often attached with rubber bands).

Well, these days the luggage tag is a thing just screaming out to be designerified (best bit about writing is making up the words as you go along!).  So if you’re looking to stand out from the crowd at the luggage carousel in Majorca or Gran Canaria what’s the best way of doing it and what do your choices say about you?

First off get the right luggage first.  It’s got to be Louis Vuitton simply because it’s the only one that screams designer from a distance even if it’s the best copy from your local market.  Now you need to accessorize the bag so that you stand out from hundreds of other travelers and luggage tags are the way to do it.  Not too expensive and easily identifiable - that’ll do the job perfectly. Read more »

For some time now, I’ve been thinking about a mega trip to Europe. Don’t get me wrong, I love traveling in the US and look forward to my almost-annual Florida vacation, but Europe has a heck of a lot to offer for families as a whole. My ideal trip would take in a few cities, for both educational and personal reasons.

A Visit to London

Stop number one would be London, with its centuries of history. It’s easiest to make this the first port of call as most international flights fly there, especially to London Heathrow, the world’s busiest airport. While there, I’d like to show my daughter the sights of one of my old stamping grounds, including a walk to Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Covent Garden, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Madame Tussauds and any of the parks. A ride on the London Eye and a trip along the Thames are also a must, as is a London Bus Tour. Ciao Bambino had an excellent series last year on London with Kids which is worth a read.

From the Midlands to Europe

Next, I’d go inland to the Midlands to visit Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and reconnect with old friends. That would also be a good jumping off point (from the Nottingham East Midlands International Airport) for budget flights to Europe. On my list would be a trip to Denmark, which I’ve never visited but where one of my best friends lives to check out the Tivoli Gardens, among other Denmark attractions.

Also on my list for this trip would be a visit to some friends in Gibraltar (gotta love the view of the rock!) and a week or two soaking up the Spanish sunshine and culture. I really love Spain, with some of my favorite cities so far including Malaga (ancient Arab city with landmarks to match), Barcelona (the Sagrada Familia is a must-see) and Bilbao (where I’d visit the Guggenheim Museum). There are many more Spanish attractions to visit too.

A Trip to France

There’s one more country on my list, which has a place in my heart because I once lived there: France. For me, visiting France is not just about the sights of Paris, though those are excellent. Instead, it’s about the South of France. When I lived there, I went from Nimes to Marseilles to Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Agde, the Camargue and along the coast to Cannes, Monaco and Nice – one of the best trips of my life and one I’d like to repeat with my family. Here’s a snapshot of the Nimes attractions I think are worth visiting.

So those are some of the top places on my European travel list. I’m hoping to get there within the next 18 months. What’s on your list?

If you didn’t take any trips during the festive season, then perhaps it’s time for you to consider a January getaway. It’s not too late to plan a trip to coincide with Martin Luther King Jr, Day.

Facts about Martin Luther King Jr Day

Did you know:

• that although the holiday was signed into law in 1983, it was only in 2000 that all 50 states observed it?
• that Martin Luther King is one of only three people in the US to be honored by a national holiday? The other two are, of course, George Washington and Christopher Columbus.
• that in Arizona and New Hampshire the words ‘Civil Rights Day’ form part of the official name of the holiday.
• that Martin Luther King Jr Day is also celebrated in Hiroshima and Toronto.

Observing Martin Luther King Jr Day

One of the most important ways to celebrate the day is to join in with the Martin Luther King Day of Service, signed into federal law in 1994. It’s a chance to volunteer and make a difference. The Martin Luther King Day of Service website has resources to help you find a project to join or plan your own.

One of the best places to celebrate the day is in his birthplace, Atlanta. This year, there’s an impressive list of activities including a Civil Rights Film Festival, remembrance services, Day of Service activities, and general celebrations. The King Center also has a program of events which started on Saturday 7th and runs till the holiday itself.

What will you be doing for the holiday?

If you’re traveling to Atlanta, check out our Atlanta airport parking lots.

Airlines Oppose Philadelphia Airport Extension

From time to time I do a travel news roundup. This week, it’s an airport edition, including some news on airport parking. First up is the news that US Airways has opposed the planned expansion of Philadelphia International Airport, which will include a runway running alongside the Delaware. According to the airline the expansion will not address the key issues of delay reduction and traffic congestion, nor will it attract the international nonstop air service desired by many of those in the business and hospitality industry.

The airlines (other opponents of the scheme include Southwest Airlines, Delta and UPS) and the city differ widely in their estimates of the value and the cost of the scheme. The city says it will cost $6.4bn and bring up to 100,000 jobs; the airlines put the tab at closer to $10.5bn and say the jobs figures have no base in reality. Another key issue is the timing of the construction of the new runway. The city wants to push ahead with it, while the airlines would like to tie their financial commitment to benchmarks including economic improvement or resolving airspace issues.

The two sides remain at loggerheads. Read the full story here and check out our Philadelphia airport parking rates.

New JetBlue Routes and Watertown Expansion

In other news, JetBlue has started a nonstop daily service to San Juan, Puerto Rico from Bradley International Airport, MA. An additional service to West Palm Beach will also start this week. Meanwhile, the expansion of Watertown International Airport’s terminal is nearly complete, with a new passenger waiting area, upgraded baggage claim and plans to install an on-site car rental franchise.

SmartPark Gets iPhone App

Finally, if you’re planning to park at our SmartPark JFK airport parking location, your job is even easier with the facility’s airport parking reservation iPhone app. You can even get parking rewards with the app, so download it today.