Pan Am: The new TV series (VIDEO)
Take a look at this 2-min trailer for ABC’s new series about slinging trays in the 60′s, Pan Am.
The series, starring Christina Ricci and directed by West Wing’s Tommy Schlamme, will air Sundays at 10 PM starting this fall.
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I, for one, can’t wait! I’m hoping for a sort of “Mad Men” at 30,000 feet. With all the ex-Pan Am folks in the Bay Area, it’s sure to be a local hit. What about you?
Here’s how ABC is promoting it:
Passion, jealousy and espionage… They do it all — and they do it at 30,000 feet. The style of the 1960s, the energy and excitement of the Jet Age and a drama full of sexy entanglements deliciously mesh in this thrilling and highly-original new series.
In this modern world, air travel represents the height of luxury and Pan Am is the biggest name in the business. The planes are glamorous, the pilots are rock stars and the stewardesses are the most desirable women in the world. Not only are these flyboys and girls young and good looking, but to represent Pan Am they also have to be educated, cultured and refined. They’re trained to handle everything from in-air emergencies to unwanted advances — all without rumpling their pristine uniforms or mussing their hair. There’s Dean (Jonah Lotan) — a cocky, charismatic and ambitious new pilot — the first of a new breed not trained in the war. On the sly against company policy, he’s dating Bridget, a stunning beauty with a mysterious past. A rebellious bohemian, Maggie (Christina Ricci) turns into a buttoned up professional for work so she can see the world. Rounding out the crew are flirtatious Collette (Karine Vanasse), the adventurous Kate (Kelli Garner) and, finally, Laura (Margot Robbie) — Kate’s beauty queen younger sister, a runaway bride, who recently fled a life of domestic boredom to take to the skies.
Flying this summer? Then watch this video
Fox News interviewed me from from the Skype studio set up here in my SF office yesterday. We discussed the summer airfare situation. If you are planning of flying much this summer, tune in!
We discussed the impact of Mideast turmoil on fuel prices, which are leading to several airfare increases; whether or not now is the time to lock in summer fares; a look at some sample fares for July trips (ouch!); transcons running about $500, Europe is running about $1500 for July or August; using flexibility or the “shoulder season” to skirt high fares. Also, with business class tickets frequently on sale during summer, the price gap between them and coach tickets is narrowing.
San Jose Airport version 2.0: Wow! (video)
photo: Sherman Takata
(scroll down two view my two-minute video tour of the new terminals)
The sleek new look of Mineta-San Jose’s new airport terminal reminds me of my iPod. Or a space ship. Or a museum. In any case, it’s cutting edge design is now a much more befitting symbol of the Silicon Valley than the version 1.0, which sort of reminded me of my 60’s-era elementary school. (Take my two-minute video tour of SJC)
[The BAT is now on SFgate! Check it out here.]
Last month, the Silicon Valley Business Travel Association invited me to their monthly meeting, which was hosted by airport officials. The SVBTA is a 240+ person organization that represents the interests of corporate travel buyers in the South Bay region—to the tune of just over $1 billion per year. (see svbta.org)
San Jose airport authorities brought in SVBTA members for a look-see because they are eager to get support from the business community necessary to attract more flights and more airlines to its fancy new digs. Why? Because the new digs cost a whopping $1.3 billion, and that mortgage will be repaid in large part by the fees airlines pay to fly in and out of SJC. (The airport is self-sustaining and does not rely on local tax funds.)
Despite its location in largest city in the Bay Area and adjacency to some of the world’s largest tech companies that spend billions of dollars each year on travel, San Jose airport handles less than 20% of all commercial flights in the region.
(Take my two-minute video tour of SJC)
The tech bubble burst and recession have had a severe impact on the airport. For example, the number of daily flights at SJC has fallen from 232 in 2001 to just 125 in 2010—that’s a 42 percent decline. The number of destinations served nonstop has declined from 39 to 28 in the same period. International flights to Tokyo and Paris were scrubbed long ago. Passenger numbers have declined nearly 40 percent.
Airport authorities blame a lot of this decline on what they call the “Virgin Effect.” They say that when Virgin America cranked up operations at San Francisco International in 2007, airlines quickly “herded” around the new entrant, concentrating their Bay Area flying at SFO and slashing prices to protect their market share. That means SFO added 83 new flights since 2007 while OAK and SJC have experienced losses in flights and passenger numbers.
However, there are some notable new flights at SJC: Alaska starts flights to Maui and Kona in March; Horizon just added new flights to Mammoth Mountain and will add flights to Spokane next month. In May, JetBlue adds nonstops to Boston.
(Take my two-minute video tour of SJC)
Airport Primer:
If you find your way to San Jose for a flight in the near future, here’s what you need to know:
>All that’s left of the old structure is the current Terminal C, which will be demolished by this summer. Currently, if you fly into Terminal C (Alaska/Horizon, Delta, Frontier, US Airways), your bags will actually arrive at Terminal B due to construction. (This will change in June 2010 when all airlines move to A or B.)
>Terminal A (16 gates), originally opened in 1990 but has gotten a complete makeover, with a brand new ticketing area, concessions, and a big, bright new security screening area which opened last November. Terminal A handles American, Continental, JetBlue, Hawaiian, Mexicana and United flights.
>The bright new Terminal B Concourse (see video) partially opened last summer with six gates for Southwest Airlines flights. However, until Concourse B is complete this summer, Southwest passengers must enter security at Terminal A and take a rather long walk to their gates. (Take my two-minute video tour of SJC)
>Eventually, an entirely new south Concourse will rise from the site of the current Concourse C, but that depends on when airport traffic levels recover enough to justify the expansion.
>A new consolidated car rental center and parking deck (the building with the exterior skin featuring giant hands, which can be seen for miles) should open in June.
For more information on airport changes, maps, and services, go to www.flysanjose.com.
(Take my two-minute video tour of SJC)
[The BAT is now on SFgate! Check it out here.]
A new private check-in/security area at SFO (video)
follow this link to the 1.5 min video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRHRzSzaBU4
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Video Tour: Nine business class seats in TWO minutes
I almost called this post “Business Class Exotica.” Here’s a sampling of nine different business class seats from nine different airlines from around the world. Which one do you think looks cushiest? I’m leaning toward Virgin Atlantic and Jet Airways.
You’ll also see those big recliners from: American, Delta, Korean Air, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, V Australia and QANTAS.
I taped this at the recent National Business Travel Association trade show in San Diego where corporate travel buyers mix and mingle with travel suppliers showing off their wares….like these business class seats. Enjoy!
Better viewing tip: Double click on the video below to see it on the large screen!
Your BAT Editor on CNN Talking Holiday Travel
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It’s almost Halloween and that always means one thing to me: Time for smart travelers to get a jump on the holidays! Check out BAT editor Chris McGinnis’ tips for holiday travel on CNN. (See full Q&A script below)
BAT editor Chris McGinnis on CNN with Holiday Travel Outlook
Here’s the full Q&A script for this segment for those of you who don’t want to or can’t watch the video. It includes much more info that what’s included in this one-minute segment.
TOPIC: Holiday Outlook
Q: Give me a general overview of what the holiday travel outlook looks like:
A: Holiday travel will be cheaper this year than last year.
For example, Expedia data show that average airfares around Thanksgiving are down about 17%.
Q: Why will there be lower fares?
A: Two reasons: less demand due to the ailing economy, and lower fuel costs for airlines, which helps keep fares low.
Q: What will be a good price for a domestic flight to a major city?
A: It depends on when and where you are flying.
Flights on the most popular days around Thanksgiving, such as the Tuesday or Wednesday before or the Sunday and Monday after are always more expensive.
If you must travel on those days, you should expect to pay at least 25% more than if you travel on less popular days.
Flights between major cities where there is low fare competition will be much cheaper than flights to smaller towns dominated by one or two airlines.
Q: What’s a price point travelers should keep in mind?
A: It depends on when and where you are flying and varies greatly, so it’s impossible to state.
Keep in mind that holiday travel is peak season travel, so while prices are lower than previous years, they are still going to be higher than any other time of year.
Q: What will be a good price for rental cars?
A: It depends on when and where you are renting a car.
Since business travel demand for rental cars is down during the holidays, rates tend to be lower than at other times of year.
Q: When should travelers book by in order to get deals?
A: The best time to book Christmas holiday trips is in mid-October—no later.
Q: Why will there be fewer delays?
A: Now that the airlines are flying fewer planes, airport congestion is less of a problem overall.
However, big hub airports like Atlanta and New York still have serious congestion issues.
Weather is always the wild card for delays during the holidays. If a snowstorm hits a major airline hub, delays are unavoidable.
Q: What’s the downside of this travel season?
A: Holiday season is peak season, and flights will be much fuller this year.
This means that if you miss your flight or your connection, the likelihood of getting on the next flight out is slim. You may end up having to wait a day or two.
Q: How can travelers avoid getting caught with no back up?
A: Pad your schedule and don’t be late for your flight this year.
If you miss your flight, you could end up waiting a day or two for the next available seat, which could ruin your holiday.
Q: What’s the bottom line for this holiday travel season?
A: Holiday travel will be cheaper than last year if you book your trips well ahead of time.
Airport congestion and flight delays will remain a problem at some big hub airports, but overall, airline on-time performance is improving.
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90-Second Video Review: Hotel Maya, Long Beach, CA
Joie de Vivre hotels invited THE BAT down to Long Beach, CA for the grand opening of the Hotel Maya located right there on the waterfront between the Queen Mary and downtown. They’ve done a great job! Here is my video review. Below you’ll find the voice over script to the video in case you can’t watch it.
Video Review of the Hotel Maya
In typical fashion, designers from the mod San Francisco based Joie de Vivre hotel chain have gone to Long Beach, California…
…where they found the UN-gracefully aging Coast Hotel …
…and transformed it into a Latin lover called the Hotel Maya to the tune of about $20 million dollars
The property is set in a forest of 400 palm trees on the Long Beach waterfront.
Rooms are decorated with unusual touches like river stone headboards…
Bathrooms are brand new… I love that brown granite and burnt orange wallpaper!
Every room’s got a big desk area, flat screen TV, mini bar— and thankfully free and fast wi-fi
There’s a dramatic pool area with Vegas style cabanas good for play, and for work….
Plus an ample gym and meeting space for business travelers.
The airy Fuego Restaurant specializes in three things: seafood, tequila, and a stunning view of the city AND the Queen Mary docked nearby.
All in all this a great redo— like a stodgy old aunt going in for a makeover and coming out a flamenco dancer!
The Hotel Maya is located about 30 mins south of LAX on the border of LA and Orange county.
Rates start at around $140 for garden views. Water views are closer to $200.
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