Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.travel From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: travel Mon, Mar 16 1992 Date: Mon, 16 Mar 92 05:48:19 EST Message-ID: 03-16 0000 DECISIONLINE: Travel USA TODAY Update March 16, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network CARRIER TO SUE RIVAL BA: Virgin Atlantic says it will file a lawsuit against British Airways, charging that its rival is spreading rumors about Virgin's finances. Virgin owner Richard Branson says he regrets being forced into legal steps. BA denies the charge and says Branson is seeking publicity through the suit, which Virgin plans to file in the USA.Last week Branson sold Virgin Records to focus on the airline. HIGH-SPEED TRAINS URGED: Massachusetts has joined the "Great American Airport Revolt" that will sweep the nation in the 1990s, according to an author who has tracked growing opposition to airports. In a speech to airport foes Sunday in Harvard, Mass., Joseph Vranich, author of "Supertrains: Solutions to America's Transportation Gridlock" said proposals for a new regional airport should be scrapped. TRAINS `ENVIRONMENTALLY BENIGN': Author and former Boeing executive Joseph Vranich told a gathering in Massachusetts Sunday plans for a regional airport should be replaced by a commitment to build high-speed train lines. "Such trains are far more environmentally benign," he said. He also urged that Boston's Central Artery project be modified to accommodate a rail line for eventual use by high-speed trains. MCI GETS FAA CONTRACT: The Federal Aviation Administration Friday announced the award of a $558 million contract to MCI Telecommunications Corp. to provide more reliable communication among air traffic control facilities and between controllers and pilots. The new Leased Interfacility National Airspace Communications System will replace and improve upon a vast existing telephone network. LINCS WILL HELP WITH RADAR: MCI's Leased Interfacility National Airspace Communications System will provide the FAA with leased communications for the next 10 years. Air traffic controller-to-pilot communications, radar information, and critical computer data will flow through LINCS. Installation is scheduled to begin this summer and will be completed over the next three years. BUDGET HAS BONUS PROGRAM: Budget Rent a Car launched a frequent-renter program Sunday. Members get a free car-class upgrade after two auto rentals, a car free for a day after four rentals and a car free for a week after 16 rentals. USAIR HAS FREE TRAVEL: USAir Friday announced free travel certificates for passengers who fly between March 16 and June 15 from North America to London, Frankfurt or Paris. Passengers must be members of the USAir Frequent Traveler Program and must travel to Europe during the promotional time period on a full coach or business class fare. No discount fare travel will be eligible for free travel certificates. PLAN WOULD GIVE INVESTORS STOCK: America West Airlines Friday said its contemplated plan of reorganization, expected to be filed this summer, provides for a substantial investment by new equity investors in return for stock. It also calls for distribution of the reorganized company's stock, or cash to the airline's unsecured creditors and employees being able to acquire equity through a stock option program. COFFEE COMES WITH ROOM: Sheraton is adding coffeemakers. Many of ITT Sheraton's North American properties now have the devices in guest rooms and all the North American properties will have them by April 1. The hotel supplies coffee, tea bags and cups. GENERAL HAS DISCOUNT DEAL: General Rent-A-Car Corp. is offering a discount to Continental Airlines fliers. Renters who present a Continental ticket jacket when they return the car get $5. The offer is good through June 30. Continental OnePass frequent flier members get 1,000 miles when they rent with General and fly on Continental. CAR OFFERED AT DISCOUNT: Thrifty Rent-A-Car has announced that it is offering Chrysler Fifth Avenues at a discount. The car normally rents for from $36.99 to $39.99 at Thrifty, but can be had now for $29.95 per day with unlimited mileage. The offer is good through March 31 and a 48-hour reservation is required. RECREATION AREA PROPOSED: Hearings will be held by the end of the month on a proposed national recreation area in Arizona made up of so-called sky islands, or forested desert mountaintops. Officials say the plan would require congressional approval and could take several years. 24-HOUR TELEPHONE INFORMATION: USA TODAY Weather Hot Line. 95 cents a minute. 1-900-555-5555. Travel Editor: Beth Mann. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM