JetBlue to offer “happy hour” fares in DC this afternoon

by Grant Martin on

JetBlue seems to be kicking up their marketing tactics into high gear. Just a few weeks ago the airline started selling tickets on Ebay, and coming up in the next few weeks will be sponsoring “happy hour fares” in several target cities.

According to JetBlue spokesman Morgan Johnston, the airline will be setting up a happy hour bar-eqsue setting in select locations around the cities where people can mill about and see special last minute fares that will only be available at that location. Tickets will be available on a first come first serve basis for upcoming last minute weekend fares, and as customers see fares they like published on a blackboard, they can jump on the tickets on the spot.

Whether JetBlue will dynamically adjust the price of their last minute fares based on demand is an interesting question. Depending on how many people show up to the events, they may have a hard time selling strange flights at strange times. Or maybe people will just get excited and buy anything.

The overall goal, however, is pretty clear: get a group of dedicated JetBlue customers isolated, fired up about travel and in the spending mood then throw some tickets to the fray — let the excitement of the moment overtake any reasonable doubts on prices. The same thing applied to the earlier sales on Ebay — nobody really got a good deal, but in the heat of the moment, winning an auction is much more fun than saving on tickets.

Today’s happy hour takes place in Washington DC, between 3:30 and 6:30 PM at the Reston Town Center Pavilion (11900 Market Street at the intersection of Discovery St.) Let us know how the the sales go and if it’s a good deal we’ll post more dates.

Washington Union Station celebrates 100 years

by David Breisch on

Train stations are not frequently thought of as a hub of transportation and commerce – in a lot of cities, they’re worn down, dilapidated, built in what has become the bad part of town, and in many cases, abandoned. Thanks to the past couple of decades, though, and a remarkable public-private partnership of a number of organizations, Washington D.C.’s Union Station has become the antithesis to that mold. Now, it’s a thriving hub with high-end shops and restaurants that sees 32 million people passing through every year – including 56% of all air/rail traffic between Washington, D.C. and New York City.

Completed in 1908, the building, like multitudes of other train stations, fell into disuse after World War II and eventually was all but abandoned. Amtrak passengers used a makeshift terminal behind the main building for many years during the 70s and early 80s. Thanks to a mammoth public-private partnership, however, WUS received a $160 million face lift, completed in 1988, that brought high-end retail, shops and restaurants to the storied building. This weekend (and, in fact, all year), the building is celebrating both the 100-year anniversary of its construction and the 20-year anniversary of its rehabilitation. Events this weekend include an exhibit of both modern and historic passenger rail equipment and a display of archival photos of the station. If you can’t make it in the near future, though, check it out the next time you’re in the city; it’s a building worth seeing.

(Via CNN)

Photo of the Day (09.30.08)

by Grant Martin on

Much as we don’t want to admit it, summer is officially over and fall is here. This Photo of the Day was taken in Washington DC, where I spent part of my Monday evening, and where I could see signs of the season changing all around me. At least the best part of autumn, my favorite season, is still ahead of us.

Flickr user ohad* took this picture at the National Zoo in DC.

Have any cool photos you’d like to share with the world? Add them to the Gadling Pool on Flickr, and it might be chosen as our Photo of the Day.

Bookworms unite: National Book Festival takes place in Washington, D.C.

by Anna Brones on

Most people read a book while they travel, but what about traveling to read a book? If you’re going to be in the nation’s capital next week, you’re going to want to plan some time for the 8th annual National Book Festival being held on September 27. Sponsored by the Library of Congress, the festival draws over 100,000 book lovers for a day of full-on book and literacy celebration.

Ok, I realize this post may be starting to sound a little more nerd related than travel, but the festival features over 70 award-winning authors — like one of our favorite travel writers Paul Theroux and travel guide expert Arthur Frommer — that will interact with visitors perusing the seven themed pavilions located on the National Mall. Come on, you get the opportunity to meet some of today’s best American authors, all for free. Plus you might get a sighting of the First Lady herself as Mrs. Laura Bush is the official host. At the end of the day, supporting literacy is a pretty good thing.

Want to put it on your itinerary? Here are the details:

  • Where: The National Mall between 3rd and 7th streets
  • When: September 27, 10 am – 5:30 pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Why: Because reading makes for educated individuals and educated individuals make for better travelers!

Reward for missing dog at Washington Dulles

by Grant Martin on

If you happen to be riding around in one of the Moon Rovers at Washington Dulles in the next couple days, keep your eyes peeled for any four legged creatures running around the tarmac.

John and Ronia Weisner, two owners of a dog that was traveling with John, an active member of the armed forces, en route to Saudi Arabia, were horrified to find that their pet was lost at Washington DC‘s Dulles airport, not an hour after they turned her over to United Airlines‘ airport authorities for luggage check in.

The culprit, they suggest, is the substandard cage that the FAA required them to use — apparently the new kennel that they purchased had to have screws in it but was still not structurally sound enough to handle the baggage system.

But how did the dog escape? Once the dog and cage went down into the luggage system, it appears that something struck its side and the dog broke free. As to whether the dog could have broken itself free, the Weisner’s state:

“There’s no way, no something hit it, bended it inward.”

Now, in an effort to find the missing animal and restore peace to John and Ronia, the two have offered a $2500 reward, while United has put up another matching $2500. The pair have been scouring the tarmac with escorts looking for the dog and apparently have still yet to find the animal.

My bet is that it will show up in someone’s luggage in Abu Dhabi.

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