Since the inception of the loyalty program, hotels and airlines have worked together. The relationship has always been more that the hotels just providing you points in the airline program if you stay with them. An announcement by Delta Air Lines last month has changed things considerably.
Delta Sky Priority Check In, now for SPG Platinum Elite members. Photo: Delta
Delta’s SkyMiles program has elite tiers that offer a great range of benefits to their frequent fliers including complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, check in along with much more. Starwood’s SPG Preferred Guest (SPG) program has its own elite tiers that offer bonuses like free upgrades, late check-out or complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel & airline programs have always been similar that they reward their frequent fliers/guests with all the goodies that you want for being loyal.
As of the 1st of March, Delta & Starwood are coming together to create ’œCrossover Rewards’.
Crossover Rewards allows the Delta & Starwood top tier elite members to get similar benefits. If you are a Delta SkyMiles Platinum or Diamond Medallion member you will be able to get extra benefits at a Starwood hotel including late check-out & Free Wi-Fi access. If you are an SPG Platinum member you get benefits with Delta including a free checked bag, and also priority check in & boarding. The biggest alignment in the programs is the points earning ability.
A Delta Airlines 747-400 – Photo: Jason Rabinowitz
Normally if you fly, you can only earn points with one airline or program, the same with hotels. However with Crossover Rewards you get to ’œdouble dip’. If you fly with Delta and have the SPG status you get bonus starpoints AND Delta miles. Delta fliers get the same when they stay at a Starwood property.
“Crossover Rewards is another example of Delta’s commitment to making the travel experience more beneficial and enjoyable for our customers,” said Tim Mapes, Delta’s senior vice president of marketing. “For our loyal customers, hotel accommodations are a vital component of the travel experience, which makes this new alliance with an innovative company like Starwood a strategic addition to the SkyMiles program.”
But then the relationship goes one step further. During enhancements announced by Delta to BusinessElite services on the prime transcontinental market, there was a separate little announcement that seemed to be hidden in the clutter. As of June 1st Delta will be upgrading its Business Elite bedding product to be based on the Westin Heavenly Bed.
What is the Heavenly Bed? In 1999 Westin (part of the Starwood Hotel Group) launched the Heavenly Bed range and then a year later became the first hotel company ever to sell that signature line.
“Delta is committed to providing our customers with the best possible sleep experience in the skies and we’re excited to partner with another leader in the travel category, Westin Hotels and Resorts, who shares this goal,” said Joanne Smith, Delta’s senior vice president of in-flight service. ’œThe new Westin Heavenly In-Flight bedding product is just one of the new amenities Delta is introducing to ensure customers achieve a restful, rejuvenating in-flight experience.”
A Westin Heavenly Bed at the Element Times Square West – Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com
The new Heavenly Bed products will be launched on all BusinessElite international flights, along with the usual long haul transcontinental routes (JFK-LAX, SFO & SEA) & Atlanta to Honolulu. The new inflight product includes a Westin Heavenly Sleeping Pillow & Comforter with ’œextra luxurious loft’ and for flights over 12 hours (those ultra-long haul international flights) will get an extra lumbar pillow as well.
These two announcements bring together a new relationship that could be an industry lead in this area. Is this a sign of the future? Are we going to see other hotel chains partner up? Maybe American & Marriott or perhaps Motel 6 & Spirit.
This story written by…Malcolm Muir, Lead Correspondent.
Mal is an Australian Avgeek now living and working in Seattle. With a passion for aircraft photography, traveling and the fun that combining the two can bring. Insights into the aviation world with a bit of a perspective thanks to working in the travel industry.
I have been quite impressed with the videos that SpeedBirdHD is able to produce from the ground, but why stop there? They recently were able to get up on a Robinson R44 and take video from above and it provides a unique viewing experience. Enjoy!
This aircraft is big. The AN-124 is the world’s second largest aircraft, behind its larger cousin, the Antonov AN-225 and it is comparable in size and payload to the Boeing 747-8F and the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.
The AN-124 is kneeling with the nose up, ready to unload its cargo.
Getting solid numbers on how many have been built and are currently flying is not easy. From what I can find, it appears anywhere from 40 to 60 AN-124s have been built, with over 25 still in service today.
The AN-124 next to a Boeing Dreamlifter, which were both next to the Future of Flight.
The AN-124 was initially designed in the 1970’s to provide heavy transport for the Soviet military. The first airframe was started in 1979 and the first flight took place in December 1982.
Antonov ceased building the AN-124 after the fall of the Soviet Union, but due to demand, the AN-124 was put back into production and is still currently being built and mostly sold to private airlines who fly cargo around the world.
The cargo deck has its own crane system to easily load and unload cargo.
This past Saturday an AN-124 was spotted heading to Paine Field in Everett, WA. A group of AvGeeks rallied and headed to watch her land from the Strato Deck on the Future of Flight. I have seen the AN-124 a few times passing in person, but never in action — she is an impressive beast.
After landing at Paine Field, the AN-124 parked on the taxi way, blocking it. There was a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 that was looking to take off and they had to taxi down the runway and turn around to make it. It was a nice comparison of size.
The controls of the AN-124. RA-82046
One thing I did not realize on the AN-124 is that the body can move down (much like a bus will kneel) to make the loading and unloading of cargo easier. Once the large nose lifted up, the plane lowered and two Boeing 747-8 fuselage panels were removed.
The aircraft also has an internal crane where a flat bed can pull right up to the aircraft and cargo can easily be loaded and unloaded.
The AN-124 flight deck holds six people. It is huge.
I was lucky enough to get access to the inside of the aircraft and what a trip — it was almost like traveling through time. The flight deck was huge, seating six people: two pilots, two navigators and two engineers. I am quite certain it was larger than my first apartment in college.
The forward part of the upper crew rest area behind the flight deck.
Behind the flight deck is a crew rest area with a lavatory, small kitchen and two seating areas that can convert into beds. There is a second upper deck behind the wings (we were not able to view) that is designed to hold up to 80 passengers or additional cargo.
One of the crew rest nooks with fax machine.
Walking around in the AN-124 felt more like being in a submarine than it did an aircraft. Things seemed to be laid out in a utilitarian way, not necessarily for looks or atmosphere. But really… what would you expect from the aircraft? It was designed for military operations.
The AN-124 as seen from the Strato Deck on the Future of Flight — the Dreamlifter was moved at this point.
The AN-124 is quite versatile in what it can haul. According to Antonov’s website, the plane been used to deliver,” a 90 ton hydraulic turbines, the Liebherr large dimension mobile crane, the USA Euclid mine truck, the fuselage of the Tu-204 passenger aircraft, a 109 ton locomotive, General Electric GE90 aircraft engines, various combat vehicles, Lynx anti-submarine helicopters, a spaceship in its container and other unique cargoes.”
Anotonov AN-124 taking off from Paine Field on Tuesday heading to California.
Antonov continues to provide additional packages to improve the payload, range, technology and all around cost effectiveness of the AN-124. It is likely we will be seeing these beautiful flying machines well into the future.
I will also be sharing a video of the AN-124 shortly, so stay tuned. Aircraft data from Wikipedia.org
GALLERY OF ADDITIONAL ANTONOV AN-124 PHOTOS
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Want more photos? Of course you do, here are 21 additional AN-124 photos on Flickr. And a HUGE thanks to Christine with the Future of Flight and the others who helped to make this possible!
This story written by…David Parker Brown, Editor & Founder. David started AirlineReporter.com in the summer of 2008, but has had a passion for aviation since he was a kid. Born and raised in the Seattle area (where he is currently based) has surely had an influence and he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in the world.
Welcome to the Home of the USAF Thunderbirds – Photo: Mal Muir / AirlineReporter.com
Since 1953 the Thunderbirds have been the premier Air Demonstration team for the United States Air Force. Flying a range of different aircraft from F-84s to F-105s to the current F16, whatever the Air Force flew, so did the Thunderbirds.
Based at Nellis Air Force Base just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, the Thunderbirds spend their time here practicing and training. Nellis is also where you will find the Thunderbird Museum, which I got to check out during a recent trip to Vegas.
When they are not training they will be on the road, wowing crowds from one side of the country to the other.
Thunderbird Hangar – Photo: Mal Muir / AirlineReporter.com
The Museum is open Year round from Monday to Friday, but it’s inside the base perimeter, so that means you would need a reason to be on the base to see it. However for one weekend a year they open it to the public as part of the Aviation Nation Airshow.
The Airshow also marks the closing of the Thunderbirds season as it is the last tour stop of the year.
A fully painted Thunderbirds F16 Gate Guard – Photo: Mal Muir / AirlineReporter.com
The Museum is home to not only a full size F-16 Gate Guard (in full Thunderbird paint scheme) but it is also home to a number of artifacts and memorabilia that have been presented to the Thunderbirds as they toured the world. Helmets, caps, scarves, patches, you name it, they have it and all on display showcasing all the people and places they have visited.
Thunderbird Memorobilia fills the Museum – Photo: Mal Muir / AirlineReporter.com
The first area that will attract your attention is the VIP room where a list of current, former and honorary member names cover the wall. It’s where VIPs will visit and meet with the crew & staff at the hangar.
The area has warm wood paneling, statues and memorabilia appropriate to this boardroom feeling, but the thing that dominates is the mural that covers the wall. It depicts all of the aircraft that the Thunderbirds have flown flying in formation. A truly wondrous depiction — if only it were a real photograph.
This mural dominates the VIP Room Wall – Photo: Mal Muir – AirlineReporter.com
The second area is the briefing room/theater. During the museum opening hours a short 10 minute video on the Thunderbirds is played for visitors and they can soak in the atmosphere while they enjoy it.
Covering the walls in the theater are heaps of original art work, all painted by former or current members of the Thunderbirds staff and crew.
Unique Art Work decorates the walls of the Theatre & Breifing Room – Photo: Mal Muir / AirlineReporter.com
If you ever get the chance to come visit Aviation Nation or Nellis Air Force Base, a visit to the Thunderbirds Hangar is a must. I know that I enjoyed my time there. Next task, to get a ride on one of the F-16s.
This story written by…Malcolm Muir, Lead Correspondent.
Mal is an Australian Avgeek now living and working in Seattle. With a passion for aircraft photography, traveling and the fun that combining the two can bring. Insights into the aviation world with a bit of a perspective thanks to working in the travel industry.
Tupolev TU-154 (OM-BYO) in Slovakian Government livery. Photo by Jason Rabinowitz.
Last week, a chapter of Soviet aviation has been closed forever. Over 40 years after its entry into service, the final Tupolev Tu-154 has been delivered to the Russian Defense Ministry, according to Russian news agency RIA Novosti. Although full production ceased back in 1997, the Tu-154 remained in limited production for quite some time, with a final total of over 1000 airframes produced. The first Tu-154 was delivered to Aeroflot on February 7, 1972.
The Tu-154 was the last of the commercial ’œtri-jets’ in production, outlasting popular aircraft such as Lockheed L-1011 Tristar and Boeing 727 by several decades, both of which saw ther last deliveries in 1984.
Designed to be the workhorse of the Soviet aviation industry, flying into some of the harshest airfields in the world, the Tu-154 went places other jet powered aircraft of its size could not. With its oversized landing gear, the Tu-154 was even able to land on unpaved runways.
Contrary to popular belief, the Tu-154 was not an unsafe aircraft. According to the the Aviation Safety Network, the Soviet built aircraft has been involved in 110 serious incidents, 68 of which resulted in a hull loss, 30 of which saw no deaths. Several incidents were the direct result of terrorism or military action, poor weather and runway conditions, as well as pilot error and poor maintenance. Comparatively, the Boeing 737 has been involved in 159 hull-loss accidents, though over 7,000 737s have been produced.
A string of recent high profile accidents accelerated the withdrawal of the Tu-154 from passenger service. Most notably, on April 10, 2010, a Polish Air Force Tu-154 carrying many high level government officials, including the President of Poland, crashed near the city of Smolensk, Russia, killing all 96 on board. That accident was blamed not on the aircraft, but on pilot error. These accidents prompted the Russian Federal Bureau of Aviation in March 2011 to recommend the withdrawal remaining Tu-154s from passenger service.
As of early 2012, 104 Tu-154s remained in service with various airlines throughout the world, as well as several military operators. The Russian aerospace industry has yet to produce a strong competitor for Boeing and Airbus. The Sukhoi Superjet 100 is Russia’s latest attempt at competing, but only 223 have been ordered thus far, and competition from countries such as China and Japan is heating up.
The Tu-154 will forever has a place in aviation history as a tank of an aircraft, going where other aircraft wouldn’t even dream of. Although it had its fair share of black eyes along the way, this Soviet designed aircraft stood the test of time.
This story written by… Jason Rabinowitz, Correspondent.
Jason is a New York City native who has grown up in the shadow of JFK International Airport. A true “avgeek”, he enjoys plane spotting and photography, as well taking any opportunity he can get to fly on an aircraft.
