14 globaltravelerusa.com MARCH 2019
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PHOTOS: © SANTARENA HOTEL, © BELLEVIEW INN, © UNITEDDelta Updates Boarding Policy
Boarding airplanes using designated zones has
become the norm among major airlines, but Delta
Air Lines’ recent change to its boarding policy will
eliminate zone boarding.
Instead, passengers will board based on their
ticket type, noted on their color-coded boarding
passes.
As of Jan. 23, Delta passengers with Delta One
suite tickets for international flights as well as Delta
SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members board first,
followed by first-class or premium select passen-
gers, then Comfort Plus passengers, then frequent
flyers with Delta SkyMiles platinum or gold status,
followed by three groups of Main Cabin passengers:
1, 2 or 3. Group 1 includes Delta’s silver members
and some members who have Delta credit cards.
delta.comUnited Airlines Releases Cookbook
If you’ve ever craved the mouthwatering and flavorful food you’ve tasted
at 30,000 feet, you’re in luck: United Airlines is set to release a cookbook
with recipes based on the menu offered in its Polaris class.
Executive chefs who work with United conceptualized more than
40 recipes such as coconut soup, served on board with sambal oelek
chicken.
When you purchase the United Polaris Cookbook on United’s online
shop for $29.99, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The
Trotter Project, a nonprofit offering culinary education for aspiring chefs.
united.comQuestionable Future of First Class
Airlines have considered reducing or completely eliminating first-class seats for a few reasons,
not the least of which are financial. First-class seats can cost up to $300,000 to install, but tickets
are typically only about $1,000 per hour when they’re not booked using miles or points. At such
a low price point, airlines almost never make a profit on these seats.
The competition from business-class seats — which can include fully outfitted suites with
lie-flat beds, privacy doors and on-demand dining — makes it even less sensible to maintain first
class if business travelers can upgrade to a better option.New Hotel Openings in 2019
The new year brings a slew of hotel open-
ings across the country and across the
border. From incredible design to boutique
brands, here are some of the top properties
opening this year.
Advertised as a “surfside resort,” the
Asbury Ocean Club is a combination bou-
tique hotel and residential building. Located
on New Jersey’s coast, the 17-story, 54-room
hotel features terraces with expansive ocean
views, an outdoor pool located adjacent to
the beach, and an immaculate interior with
wooden accents.
Constructed in the late 19th century,
Florida’s Belleview Inn served as a country
club and a lodge for celebrities of the
Gilded Age. Now the property re-opens as
a 35-room hotel with easy access to a com-
munal pool and Florida’s first golf course.
Santarena Hotel — “where life comes
to Life” — is located in Las Catalinas, Costa
Rica. The spaces offer style and luxury but
with an essence of accessibility and comfort,
including a beachfront pool, rooftop lounge
and easy access to the beach of Playa Danta.
Opening next month, Nobu Hotel Los
Cabos in Cabo San Lucas touts “laidback
luxury” with 97 rooms, 103 suites and
Japanese fusion cuisine at the world-famous
Nobu Restaurant.