To put it mildly, this has not been a good week for air travel.  Thousands of American Airline flights have been cancelled, along with cancellations by Alaska Airlines, Midwest Airlines and Delta. 

The reason?  Stricter guidelines by the FAA. The airplanes for these flights are MD-80s — and subject to FAA wiring guidelines that many of the airlines seem to have either ignored or just been confused by. 

We all know air safety is important, but I can’t help but wonder if the FAA and the airlines could have handled this in a better manner.  During the past week over 250,000 air travelers have been affected and the cost to airlines like American will be in the tens of millions of dollars. 

A word to the wise: check your flight departure status before heading to the airport.

Via: MSNBC

Do you like to travel with 3-4 other women on girl trips and live near New York City? If so, then the Tyra Banks show is interested in talking to you about an upcoming show. 

The theme of this show is how many of us women dread going to the beach in our swimsuits with less than perfect bodies.  Your group will try out some cellulite reducing products at home over a 4-6 week period and report your results on the show.  You’ll need to come to their New York City location twice (once for casting, once for taping the show), so a group close to New York City is preferred. 

If you are interested in being on the Tyra Banks show (and help us all prepare for the swimsuit season) fill out this form on the show’s site.

Swarovski chandeliers, a champagne bar, spa treatments and private cabanas aren’t normally what come to mind when I think of an airport terminal.  However that’s what premium passengers of British Airways’ (BA) will be able to enjoy at Terminal 5 in London beginning next month.

The $8.8 billion state of the art terminal opens on March 27, 2008 and British Airways’ lounge complex, known as ‘Galleries’ is the largest and most luxurious in the world. It is for the exclusive use of up to 2,500 British Airways premium passengers and top tier frequent flyer members.

British Airways’ premium passengers will be able to enjoy 15 minutes of ‘heaven on earth’ in Terminal 5 before they fly.  The airline’s new spa partner Elemis has developed an exclusive range of treatments to revive or relax which include facials, foot, head, shoulder and back massages.

The Elemis Travel Spa will offer “Flying Facials” - four types of customized flying facials to combat the dehydrating effects of flying:  the Flight Rehydrator, the S.O.S. Skin Saver, the Skin Thirst Quencher and the Anti-Age Wrinkle Control. 

British Airways’ frequent flyers can also cool down with a glass of bubbly at the Gold bar featuring intricate gold leafing or shop in any one of 100 boutiques and restaurants including Harrods, Prada, Tiffany & Co. and Mulberry.  

April 7th update:  So far Terminal 5 is off to a rocky start. Since its opening on March 27, hundreds of flights have been cancelled and thousands of bags lost. Once it can handle the basics smoothly and efficiently, maybe passengers will begin to notice their luxurious surroundings. 

Links: Terminal 5

Girls getaways have gone upscale and extend beyond the traditional weekend escape, reveals a new poll of 246 American Express Travel agents.  The poll, which found an increase in girls getaways according to two-thirds of agents, also found that women traveling together are seeking more active and luxurious vacations. Three in four agents said that girls getaways – vacations with girlfriends or female relatives – are a significant trend.  While spa, beach and shopping vacations still dominate as favorites for girls getaways, agents say women are increasingly taking cruise, culinary, city and active vacations that include golf (36%), skiing (33%), scuba diving and biking (20%).

Two out of three agents polled reported that when traveling together, women are indulging in more luxurious vacations than in years past.   More than half of agents say these getaways are not merely weekend retreats, rather they are between 4-7 days long.  While away, women are splurging on ultra-customized tours and experiences (42%), traveling first or business class (36%), and staying in private villas (20%).  In order by ranking, agents cited the most popular destinations for girl trips as: the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Canada and South America.

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Day spas may be popping up in every retail strip center, but nothing compares to the experience of getting away to a destination spa. Here is Travel & Leisure’s list of Best Destination Spas in the U.S. for 2006:

1. Mii amo, A Destination Spa at Enchantment Resort   (Sedona, Arizona)
2. Wilderness Adventure Spa at Spring Creek Ranch   (Jackson Hole, Wyoming) 
3. Canyon Ranch   (Tucson, Arizona)  
4. Miraval, Life in Balance   (Catalina, Arizona)
5. Westglow Resort & Spa   (Blowing Rock, North Carolina)  
6. Golden Door   (Escondido, California) 
7. Hilton Head Health Institute   (South Carolina)
8. Lake Austin Spa Resort    (Austin, Texas)
9. Cooper Wellness Program   (Dallas, Texas) 
10. Canyon Ranch    (Lenox, Massachusetts)

Most of these spas appear regularly on this list, but I noticed two recent additions:  the Wilderness Adventure Spa in Jackson Hole and the Westglow Resort & Spa in North Carolina. The Wilderness Spa is located in a wildlife sanctuary in Wyoming and is surrounded by the Teton Mountain Range.  The Westglow Spa is housed in a Greek Revival mansion and part of a historic estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I’m planning to go to the Lake Austin Spa Resort in April.  My wonderful husband gave me a birthday gift certificate for the Spa, which I can’t wait to use.  The treatments, spa food and setting at Lake Austin’s Lake House Spa are fabulous!

What’s your favorite destination spa? 

Congratulations to our lucky winner of the first Girlaway Giveaway! Our winner is Kim Allen, who lives on the gulf coast of Florida.  With so many great places to choose from, Kim is still deciding which Fairmont  she’ll visit.  It’s the first time she will have stayed at a Fairmont, so whichever one she selects, she’ll be in for treat. 

Getting feedback on your favorite articles has been great.  The top choices were:

• Best time to purchase tickets
• Chocolate martinis
• You go, girls!
• Ice cream flavor update

Thanks to everyone for participating and for your suggestions on what you’d like to see in future articles.  I’ll definitely keep those suggestions in mind and feel free to send tips and suggestions anytime to tips@girlaway.com.  

Good news for those of us who prefer to carry-on bags when we fly – the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently relaxed its carry-on rules to allow some liquids.  We can even carry on water bottles again!  

According to the new rules, you can carry on travel size (3 oz or less) shampoo, conditioner, lotion and other toiletries so long as they all fit in a clear quart-sized zip-top bag.   I’ll be stopping by Target or Walgreens to stock up on some mini-bottles for my upcoming trip to Los Angeles.  If you can’t find what you want locally, minimus.biz specializes in travel sized products.

From the TSA site:

• Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag.
• After clearing security, travelers can bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft. 
   

This is the last week to enter the Girlaway Giveway and the chance for one of you lucky girls to win a complimentary stay at a luxurious Fairmont hotel or resort!   

For a description of the prize and to find out how to enter, see the Girlaway Giveaway post.