A First-Class Change for Airlines in Europe

Two major European carriers, Lufthansa German Airlines and Swissair, will soon offer only business- and economy-class tickets--eliminating first class--on flights within Europe. They join British Airways, Iberia Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines--which have already eliminated their European first-class service--in a trend that observers say reflects a growing preference for more economical business class, and the fact that many European flights are less than two hours long, offering little time for luxury service anyway. Both Lufthansa (which will begin phasing out first class Nov. 1) and Swissair (beginning April, 1993) are expanding their business class with roomier seating and amenities such as express check-in and new business lounges with fax service at some European airports. Business-class fares on Lufthansa will not increase with the phaseout of first class, and no rate hikes are planned, according to a Lufthansa spokesman. At press time, Swissair business-class rates had not yet been set, according to a spokesman. All five airlines still offer three classes--first, business and economy--on transatlantic flights.

Grand Ole Celebration: Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, which began as a local radio show in 1925 and grew to international fame as a performance venue for innumerable country music greats as well as such unlikely stars as Enrico Caruso, John Philip Sousa and Orson Welles, will celebrate its 67th birthday Oct. 15-17 with tours of Ryman Auditorium, the downtown Nashville music hall from which the Opry broadcast from 1943 to 1974. There also will be two special concerts, Oct. 15 and 16, at Nashville’s Opryland U.S.A. theme park, where the Opry moved when it left the Ryman. (Originally a church, the Ryman is celebrating its 100th birthday this year as a museum of Opry memorabilia.) A three-day birthday package available from Opryland for $67.50 per person includes a sightseeing tour of Nashville and the Ryman, tickets for the two concerts and a live Opry broadcast and admission to Opryland. For information: (615) 889-3060.

Travel Quiz: Now that the Soviet Union has broken up, what is the largest country in the world?

On-the-Spot Spot: Even as Hurricane Andrew stormed in their direction, tourism officials in Lee County, Fla., in the southwest part of the state, were putting the finishing touches on a 30-second national TV spot that had been contracted for more than a year earlier for just such an event. Since Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, the spot was produced for use after a hurricane--to reassure tourists and urge them to visit, assuming the area escaped without damage. Prophetically, the point of the commercial--that Lee County tourist destinations, including Ft. Myers, Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel and Captiva islands, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Lehigh Acres and Bonita Springs, are open and fully functional--turned out to be true. Although Andrew passed over the southernmost points of Florida’s Gulf Coast, it missed the major tourist, commercial and residential areas of Lee County.

Short is Sweeter: Beginning Tuesday, Northwest Airlines will abbreviate layovers in Tokyo Narita Airport, thus reducing travel time from the West Coast to some Asian cities by two to three hours. The scheduling changes will reduce the on-the-ground time for Northwest flights connecting at Narita to an average 60-90 minutes (down from several hours), and should slim down time spent flying between the United States and such places as Hong Kong (a savings of 1 1/2 hours), Singapore (1 hour, 55 minutes) and Bangkok (2 hours, 5 minutes).

Quick Fact: The typical American RV owner is 56-74 years old, travels several times a year, has spent between $20,000 and $50,000 on his or her RV and has an annual income within that range. (Source: The Rambling Report, a survey of RV users.)

Phnom Penh Bound: SilkAir, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, will begin service to Phnom Penh Oct. 1, making it the first airline to launch direct, nonstop scheduled service from Singapore to the Cambodian capital and the most modern aircraft to serve Phnom Penh. The thrice-weekly service will offer an additional Southeast Asia port of entry to travelers who currently have to travel via Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Round-trip coach fare between Singapore and Phnom Penh will be about $700.

Very Secure in Spain: A warning to future passengers on Spain’s new high-speed Madrid-Seville AVE (bird): Travelers are required to pass through a metal detector before boarding and are not being allowed to photograph the train unless they have special permission from Spanish National Railways. The security precautions are in effect because politically motivated attacks on railway installations are not uncommon in Spain, according to railway officials. They’re taking no chances with their new high-speed conveyance, which was inspired by the French TGV that began running between Paris and Lyon in 1981.

Bolivia Warning: The Department of State has issued a travel warning--the second most serious form of travel advisory--for U.S. citizens traveling in Bolivia. A Bolivian terrorist group has announced its intention to renew attacks against U.S. targets in Bolivia, although no foreign tourists have been injured. While the authenticity of this announcement is not known, the threat of terrorist activity by this or other groups is considered a “distinct possibility” between now and November, according to the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia. Isolated terrorist incidents against American officials and resident missionaries have been occurring for the last three years.

What’s Doing in San Diego: The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau is offering a free guide to special events for fall, including the world’s fastest boats competing in the Budweiser Cup (Sept. 18-20), the Cabrillo Festival (Oct. 4) and the Columbus Day Parade (Oct. 10). The brochure also lists major museums, performing arts companies and other attractions. For a copy, write the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dept. 700, 1200 Third Ave., Suite 824, San Diego 92101-4190, or call (619) 236-1212.

Comparatively Speaking: Average cost for 18 holes of golf in Japan: $150.26. In Cayman Islands: $100.06. In Monaco: $64.48. In Peru: $38.72. In United Arab Emirates: $25.62. In New Zealand: $14.56. (Source: Runzheimer International.)

Quiz Answer: Russia, with 6,593,000 square miles, still is larger in territory than the next four largest countries: Canada (3,850,000 square miles), People’s Republic of China (3,706,000), United States (3,619,000) and Brazil (3,286,000).