American to pull out of Long Beach
AMERICAN Airlines will stop flying out of Long Beach Airport next year, ending two decades of service there.
It currently flies nonstop several times per day between Long Beach and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
American spokesman Tim Smith said the airline ended one flight Dec. 15 and would end two flights Feb. 2 and the final two April 2.
He said Long Beach was among several airports losing at least some service as American and its regional affiliate, American Eagle, geared up to add flights March 2 from Dallas Love Field, where they are competing with Southwest Airlines.
Smith said the route between Long Beach and Dallas-Fort Worth was “not doing as well as some.”
American has flown from Long Beach since 1983, except for 1995 and ‘96, said airport spokeswoman Sharon Diggs-Jackson.
Under a prior agreement, she said, JetBlue can claim at least one of American’s slots. JetBlue and Alaska Airlines have expressed interest in the remaining four, she added.
As of the Travel section’s deadline Tuesday, no decision had been reached.
$500-million Ritz opens in the Caymans
RITZ-CARLTON this month opened a $500-million resort on Grand Cayman in Cayman Islands, a year after it was originally scheduled to open.
The delay was due to damage from Hurricane Ivan, which swept through the Caribbean in late 2004.
About 100 rooms were occupied last week, Ritz spokesman Vivian Deuschl said. The full 365 rooms are expected to be available by Jan. 9, she added.
The resort, on 144 acres, has several dining venues, including two restaurants, Blue and Periwinkle, created by Eric Ripert, chef and co-owner of Le Bernardin in New York.
Other facilities include a spa; a tennis center; a nine-hole golf course, expected to open in March; and 6,000 square feet of stores, including Tiffany & Co.
High-season rates begin at $699 per night; low-season rates start at $299. Information: www.ritzcarlton.com or (800) 241-3333.
Lake Placid Lodge is closed after blaze
THE historic Lake Placid Lodge in the Adirondacks in New York is expected to be closed until at least Jan. 9 because of damage from a Dec. 15 fire.
The cause of the fire was still being investigated last week, said Simone Rathle, spokeswoman for the luxury resort. The hotel dates to 1882 and is run by the Garrett Hotel Group in Burlington, Vt. No injuries were reported.
The fire began in the kitchen in the main lodge and spread to three guest rooms, the lounge, restaurant and other public areas. The resort has 17 guest rooms and 17 cabins, some of which it hopes will be available by Jan. 9.
Priceline offers trip packages by telephone
PRICELINE.COM, which offers flights and other travel services for bid and at published prices, has set up a toll-free phone, (866) PRICELINE (774-2354), to book vacation packages.
As with the online service (at www.priceline.com), you can choose the hotel and flight or, for a discount, allow Priceline to choose the flight for you. You can also add a rental car.
Spokesman Brian Ek said the phone is for customers who are not Internet-savvy or are on the road and cannot get to a computer.
New Orleans streetcars back
NEW ORLEANS streetcars last week began running for the first time since Hurricane Katrina and resulting floods devastated the city. But the network is limited.
The St. Charles line is still out of service. The Riverfront line resumed full service, and the Canal line resumed partial service. Because of an equipment change, neither the Riverfront nor Canal lines is wheelchair accessible. Information: www.norta.com
