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ALL HAIL ATL: THERE IS A LOT TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE FIRST-HAND IN ATLANTA

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ALL HAIL ATL: THERE IS A LOT TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE FIRST-HAND IN ATLANTA

If you are lucky enough to find some free time while visiting Atlanta for business, get ready for some memorable experiences. Because we understand that business trips have to be paired with a little bit of pleasure, we searched some of the local hot spots in Atlanta that have a reputation for offering a good time, great eats and even greater memories to share among colleagues.

Each place listed below offers something unique and beyond the typical wine-and-dine experience. There is a lot to see when visiting the great city of Atlanta, but even more to experience first-hand. So, without further delay, here are our latest picks for your business trip getaways.

LOCKER CLUB

Because, who does not appreciate a speakeasy, especially in a new space after a long day of networking? Just hope that you find yourself in Atlanta on a Thursday-Saturday evening because this hidden gem has limited hours for tours. Located in the Old Fourth Distillery on Old Fourth Ward’s Edgewood Avenue, Locker Club offers patrons a Prohibition-style touring experience while serving up some high-quality spirits and the ideal environment for your next business trip adventure. Locker Club provides a journey through history in the region back to a time when alcohol was not so easy to come by. The Old Fourth Distillery is the first distillery to be opened in Atlanta since 1906 and takes pride in its environmentally friendly methods in creating authentic and high-quality spirits from gin and vodka to straight bourbon whiskey. A team of three (yes, three) people start from fermentation all the way down to packaging all of their vodka and gin with the help of a customized, handmade CARL copper still. It goes without saying that the small-but-mighty team here likes to do things a bit differently and has no problem sharing their unique process with the locals and visitors.

RAY’S BY THE RIVER

Part of the Ray’s Restaurants, LLC trio, Ray’s by the River not only offers award-winning eats but pairs them with scenery and an experience you are sure to remember once you unpack your suitcase back at home. Choose to sit at the newly renovated riverside pavilion and take in the matchless views of the Chattahoochee River or dine inside and experience the balmy ambiance and colorful outdoor views. While enjoying some tasty menu options such as their hand-cut steaks and surf-and-turf specialties, be sure to give one of their signature, hand-crafted cocktails a try. Missed happy hour? Not to worry because Ray’s has two for you to take advantage of. If you miss their 3:30-7 p.m. happy hour, they start it up again from 9 p.m. to closing time during the week.

WORLD OF COCA-COLA

Even if you are not a Coca-Cola drinker or are a die-hard Pepsi fan, there is something for you at the World of Coca-Cola that you can appreciate, enjoy and take with you. Beyond its fascinating history and more than 200 international artifacts throughout the Loft, your taste buds are in for a treat at the Taste It! exhibit experience offering samples of what Coca-Cola is like around the world. Curious about the history of the coveted Coca-Cola recipe? Now you can get a close-up look at the history, myths and legends, and even the origins of the recipe at the Vault. This interactive experience gives guests a hands-on experience to see exactly what it takes to create that perfect recipe and flavor with the Virtual Taste Maker. Once your taste buds have had enough, head on over to the 3-D theater and give other senses an experience with the film In Search of the Secret Formula. On your way out, stop by Bottle Works to get a peek behind the curtain of what Coca-Cola’s bottling process looks like from equipment to processing.

DELTA FLIGHT MUSEUM

The Delta Flight Museum celebrated its 25th anniversary this past May. Along with that milestone, Delta celebrated 90 years of services in the Atlanta region. Regardless of your profession, visiting the Delta Flight Museum should absolutely be on your list when visiting Atlanta. Visitors are given a tour through Delta’s rich history through the museum’s two original 1940s-era aircraft hangars and its 747 Plaza full of exhibits and factoids. When visiting the hangars, guests are given an up-close and personal view of Delta’s aircraft and history beginning in the 1920s. Interactive exhibits offer visitors more than Delta’s history, however, with its one-of-a-kind full-motion flight simulation training session. This is an experience that is sure to make your friends back home jealous as this is the only full-motion simulation available for public use in the country. If you prefer to stay in the exhibit areas, be sure to stop by the restored 1940 Douglas DC-3 and the Waco 125 biplane–it will probably be the only time you will ever see aircraft like these in person. The museum’s Waco 125 is the only one like it remaining. Trust us on this one, you do not want to miss the Delta Flight Museum.

POUR TAPROOM

Known for its “beer and wine festival every week” theme, Atlanta’s Pour Taproom is every beer and wine lover’s dream. This local hot spot is quite literally a taproom perfect for anyone seeking a unique (and delicious) experience with local craft beers and wine on tap. If you consider yourself a beer connoisseur, Pour Taproom is sure to have something you will want some more of. With regularly rotating selections and the ability to purchase by the ounce instead of the glass in a self-serve approach, your visit to the Taproom is sure to be an experience you will not find back home. Pick from a variety of craft beers ranging from IPAs, sours, darks, ciders, lights and wine while. Taking in the local scene on the relaxing and contemporary patio. Hungry? There are food options that pair nicely with whatever you choose to satisfy your beer or wine cravings. Oh, and did we mention the “Beer Me” button?

LATAM

Delta-LATAM Airlines Partnership Increases Connectivity and Options for Customers

Delta and LATAM Airlines confirmed a strategic partnership this week, ultimately combining strengths and bringing an increase in overall connectivity between in North America and Latin America. This partnership represents added opportunities within the existing partnerships such as extending networks and each company’s global presence. By adding value and optionality to their Americas customer base, both Delta and LATAM are enabled to increase customer destinations while combining strategies for top-notch passenger service.

“This transformative partnership with LATAM will bring together our leading global brands, enabling us to provide the very best service and reliability for travelers to, from and throughout the Americas,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer. “Our people, customers, owners and communities will all benefit from this exciting platform for future growth.”

Beyond the customer impact the partnership creates, opportunities for investment and savings will also play a key role in offering support, free cash flow, forecasted debt reduction, aircraft acquisitions and more. Delta confirmed a $350 million establishment investment in addition to a $1.9 billion investment for a 20 percent stake in LATAM through a public tender offer at $16 per share.

“This alliance with Delta strengthens our company and enhances our leadership in Latin America by providing the best connectivity through our highly complementary route networks,” said Enrique Cueto Plaza, chief executive officer of LATAM. “We look forward to working alongside one of the world’s best airlines to enhance the travel experience for our passengers.”

To learn more about this strategic partnership, please visit ir.delta.com OR www.latamairlinesgroup.net/investor-overview for webcasts recapping partnership details. 

Source: Delta Airlines

LOUNGES ARE IN THE CARDS: BEST AIRPORT BUSINESS CLUBS (AND ASSOCIATED CREDIT CARDS)

Business takes us to people and places that were previously unimaginable. Perhaps some were imaginable–trips to London, New York, Tokyo or Berlin. But Dubai, Sydney, Kuala Lumper or Lima? As a business traveler, the world is your client and airports do a fabulous job not only facilitating your comings and goings, but also offering premier options to relax, eat, work or a combination of all three.

Airport business lounges have rapidly evolved over the years. Initially offering simply a seat with an internet connection and perhaps a glass of wine and shrimp cocktail, lounges are now mini-hotels, replete with executive chefs, showers and buffets with more options than you could possibly desire and unparalleled ambiance.

Gaining access to an airport lounge can come in a variety of ways. If you are traveling in business or first class, you will typically receive free access to most lounges. If you’re in economy, you will likely need to pay. Either way, the plethora of lounges these days is extensive, but we’re going to dive into some of the best.

In no particular order, first up is the Plaza Premium Lounge, Terminal 2, at Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport. At a very affordable $32.72 per passenger, this lounge ranked an impressive 5 out of 5 from Netflights.com. Private relaxation rooms, showers, an ambiance that is nearly spa-esque but professional enough to get some work done, the Plaza Premium Lounge is a must access when flying through Rio. Made-to-order sandwiches get rave reviews online, as do the chocolate smoothies.

The 1903 Lounge, Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport is an “adults only” lounge, so if you’re towing along your 5-year-old to experience Manchester while you’re at work, you’ll need to pass on this option. At a buffet offering fit for none other than a king, you can expect nothing short of spectacular from the English with 1833 vintage reserve cheddar and real dairy ice cream from Cheshire Farm. The drinks menu will make you dizzy, but in a good way.

Another lounge that will keep the head spinning is Lounge @ B, Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport. For $38.67 a pop, you can plop into a massage chair that rivals a real masseuse and also putting you in a relaxed mood are an array of pastries, Champagne and amazing customer service that rivals any lounge’s on the planet.

Ever had a craving for lamb pie? Or perhaps rice pudding? According to several users on Yelp, the Strata Lounge, International Terminal at Auckland Airport boasts perhaps the best lamb pies and rice pudding on the planet! This is a business lounge, through and through, but the food is where it truly stands out. Sleek, sliding glass doors and a range of New Zealand wine and beers will keep you satiated, but perhaps not in tip-top shape to work on that investor presentation.

While the lounges themselves are fabulous, a post on the best airport business lounges would need be complete without a mention to the credit cards that can gain you access to said lounges.   

The Platinum Card from American Express

Before jumping into the card offers here, we should touch on Centurion Lounges, which can be found worldwide in the most premier, often-traveled airports, including San Francisco, Sydney, Sao Paulo, Houston, Miami, New York, Mumbai, Mexico City, Las Vegas, Dallas and Buenos Aires. Each location features a healthy square footage and an even healthier offerings of food, drink and amenities. In Dallas, for example, spa treatments await as does a menu designed by Dean Fearing, a James Beard Award-winning chef. Need a shower after a long flight? Hit San Francisco, shower to your heart’s content, and then ramble on over to their wine tasting station.

We could keep detailing city by city but the point here is the Platinum Card from American Express gives you access to Centurion Lounges. This card will also gain you access into Delta Sky Clubs if you’re flying that airline.

Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

A bit of a mouthful, this advantageous card from Mastercard brings with it Admirals Club membership coupled with access for immediate family members or two guests traveling with you. Admirals Club is a network of lounges operated by American Airlines. Originally started in 1936 to provide perks to loyal airline passengers, members of the club were referred to as admirals and greeted as such.

While you’ll likely be traveling with other adults while on business, having this membership is an added perk when you find yourself on vacation with the kiddies. The lounge has a great space for kids to unwind and play, which is music to any parent’s ears.

Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express

This card is Delta-specific as the name suggests. You will receive access when flying Delta to its Sky Clubs, but a knock on this card is it previously allowed for complimentary guest access, which is now been rescinded.

As a card holder, you will also receive a free checked bag, 20 percent inflight savings as well as priority boarding. With the business version of this card, you are privy to some interesting perks that make that annual fee much more palatable.

Business lounges are in most major airports and if taken advantage of intelligently, they will allow the savvy traveler to rest up, eat up and even get some work done in between massages. Happy traveling and see you at the lounge!

Delta Offers New Seattle-Seoul Service

Atlanta, GA – Delta Air Lines is now offering a new non-stop service from Seattle to Seoul, Korea.

The Seattle-Seoul service will operate using a 210-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with 35 full-flat bed seats in BusinessElite, 32 seats in Economy Comfort and 143 Economy class seats.

The new service marks Delta’s fourth nonstop international route added from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) in a year, including London-Heathrow, Shanghai-Pudong and Tokyo-Haneda. On June 16, the air carrier will offer a new flight with nonstop service from Seattle to Hong Kong.

In addition to the recently added international service, Delta also currently operates nonstop flights from Seattle to Amsterdam, Beijing, Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Tokyo-Narita.

By this summer, Delta will offer more international service from Seattle than all other carriers combined with more than 2,500 daily long-haul international seats as part of the market’s 86 peak-day departures to 26 destinations.

In February, Delta launched a double miles promotion for Seattle-based SkyMiles members.

Customers who book and fly Delta or Delta Connection-marketed and -operated flights from Seattle by December 31, 2014, will be awarded double miles and double Medallion Qualification Miles on the nonstop segment departing from or arriving into Seattle. Registration is required.

Delta currently operates 76 peak-day departures to 25 destinations from Seattle, and every flight offers BusinessElite/First Class and Economy Comfort seating as well as Wi-Fi service on all domestic aircraft.

The airline has invested $15 million in its facilities at Sea-Tac, including its Delta Sky Club and recently completed lobby renovations, Sky Priority services, new gate area power recharging stations, expanded ticket counters and enhancements to the international arrivals area.

6/05/2014