Associated Press today covered a story on more attempts to hold BP accountable for one of the U.S.’s worst disasters that are affecting millions of jobs, lives, the environment. Here’s what the release had to say.

Travel group seeks $500 million for Gulf tourism

WASHINGTON — The head of the U.S. Travel Association is proposing that BP set aside $500 million for a marketing campaign to help draw tourists to the Gulf Coast.

Association president and CEO Roger Dow has made the proposal in prepared testimony to a House panel looking at the oil spill’s impact on tourism.

Dow says in his remarks that a study his group commissioned found the spill could result in lost tourism in coastal areas to the tune of $22.7 billion over three years. He says the $500 million could come from either $20 billion BP has set aside to pay for economic damages or could be added to it.

The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau made a similar proposal last month.

Source: AP

The Farm at San Benito, a serene, luxurious tropical medical and wellness resort in the Philippines, embraces advice from ancient times, by Greek physician Hippocrates: “Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.”

Meals at the Farms “85/15″ restaurant not only please your senses. Nutrients are carefully preserved by heating most edibles not over 40 degrees (C). (The name “85/15″ reflects the ratio of ‘live’ uncooked food (85%) to cooked (15%) food served here.)

Mind you, this wellness farm is not for everyone. Not because it’s exclusive, or because of the occasional celebrity you see here. It’s because when they say ‘wellness’, they mean it: No meat is served. No smoking. No alcohol allowed except with meals. Use of mobile phones, computers, radios, TV…even perfumes, is strongly discouraged. Not without good reason, since he focus is on unwinding, de-stressing…renewal of body, mind and spirit. Your stay here is meant to be a retreat from the noisy, hectic ‘outside’ world.

You can enjoy a daily dose of traditional and modern wellness modalities from East and West: Massages, reflexology, medical consultations, salt baths, foot scrubs, Yoga, Tai Chi, Chi Gong and meditation classes, swimming and walking.

And to complete the day in style… how about a moonlit hot bath in your private,  outdoor designer tub, or a massage under the stars poolside.

The friendly therapists and physicians here want you to get the most out of your stay – no matter who you are or what shape you are in. They even offer detoxing and customized programs to address chronic health conditions.

During the day, between treatments, why not check out a book from the on-site library. Or chat with other guests over a juice or tea. Stroll, smell the orchids, relax in a meditation pagoda…or count the swans in the pond.

The next day, after sleeping in, yet another massage and a leisurely walk, I get to enjoy the wellness brunch by the South Pool. Home made coconut ice cream for desert! Makes the Farm’s motto “Eat for Health” even easier to embrace…

What a difference five days at The Farm made. How peaceful and energized I feel, compared to when I arrived. Now I feel better than ever prepared to face the hectic outside world again.

The Farm at San Benito

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The beautiful island of Taha’a was chosen as the prime location for one of the season final episodes of ABC’s The Bachelorette.

Bachelorette, Ali Fedotowsky and her three remaining bachelors started their adventure to paradise on award-winning Air Tahiti Nui. The first date in the islands took place at the breathtaking  and remote location of Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa, a Relais & Chateaux.

Ranked among the sexiest resorts in the world by Brides Magazine, the picturesque setting of Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa will offer Ali the experience of a lifetime in her quest for that one simple “yes!” moment.

Nestled in the shadows of Bora Bora, Ali will explore the hidden paradise of Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa by diving further into the depths of romance with her remaining bachelors. From cruising the crystal clear lagoon to flying high above Tupai Island (heart-shaped island) and Bora Bora in a private helicopter, America will witness how Le Taha’a Island Resort Spa was able to play matchmaker in creating such sacred and pivotal moments for Ali. Plus, viewers will not want to miss an unforgettable Rose Ceremony.

While these types of experiences may seem too-good-to-be-true and only “made for television,” Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa has created a special Bachelorette Package to help bachelorettes and bachelors around the world experience their own special moment to remember.

The Bachelorette Package includes:

• Four (4) nights in a Raiatea Overwater Bungalow
• Complimentary daily American breakfast for 2
• Flower bed and ½ bottle of champagne upon arrival
• “Milky Way” romantic dinner on the terrace of the suite, which includes

Floral decoration in the suite on the day of the dinner
Bachelorette “Rose Ceremony” with flower decoration
½ bottle of champagne
3-course dinner for 2, with 1 bottle of wine (red or white)

• 50-minute Monoï Vanira massage for 2
• Daily special turndown

This package is 265,050xpf, plus taxes (or approximately USD$2650), per couple and is based upon availability. For additional costs, couples may upgrade the package to include specific experiences seen in the actual episode, such as a moonlight dinner on the beach or private islet, musical and dance accompaniments, or a scenic helicopter flight over Tupai Island (heart-shaped island) and Bora Bora.

Each special romantic rendez-vous experience at Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa, Relais & Châteaux, makes it the perfect hideaway to discover true romance while exploring the hidden paradise of Tahiti. To continue following Ali’s quest for love, please tune into The Bachelorette on Mondays at 8/7 Central on ABC. For more information on The Bachelorette, visit http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor. To learn more about Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa, visit www.spmhotels.com/resort/taha-a.

About Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa, Relais & Châteaux
Located on the coral reef of Motu Tautau with a spectacular view of Bora Bora, Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa offers first-class accommodations in 60 luxurious suites and villas, warm Polynesian hospitality and excursions that range from romantic to adventurous. Guests who love the water will find an endless list of activity choices, from scuba diving, jet skiing and ray feeding to island jeep tours, evening lagoon cruises and excursions to black pearl farms and vanilla plantations. For a relaxing alternative, the full-service Manea Spa offers a wide variety of face and body treatments, incorporating the island’s natural elements to soothe and moisture.

About The Bachelorette
In the hit primetime romance reality series The Bachelorette, one lucky woman gets the opportunity to find the man of her dreams — and hopefully her groom-to-be — in this two-hour reality series. This single, very eligible bachelorette — a confident, successful and sensitive woman who is ready to find love — will embark on a romantic journey as she meets 25 handsome and intelligent men. As the Bachelorette gets to know each one, she’ll continue to narrow the field. They will travel to exotic locations and spend time getting to know each other; she will introduce them to her family and friends and meet some of theirs. At the end of her romantic voyage, if she has found Mr. Right, will there be a proposal — and from whom? Hosted by Chris Harrison, The Bachelorette is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television.

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Do You Agree with this Story? Can you blame the Italian Mayor? If this were your town, how would you deal with this issue?

Interesting Story/ Interesting thoughts…

Original Report/The Gaurdien

Forte dei Marmi – the traditional summer retreat for Italian captains of industry, writers and film stars – is changing the law to try to stop locals fleeing because of house prices driven out of control by incoming Russian millionaires. The town’s combative mayor, Umberto Buratti, is reserving space next to luxury villas with sea views for new homes that will only be sold to locally-born buyers or long-term residents. Other Italian resorts with similar problems will monitor the experiment with interest.

“We want to safeguard the character of the town instead of seeing it turn into a place with no ties, as anonymous as a motorway service station,” Buratti said.

“Not everyone here is rich or Russian,” added local councillor Michele Molino. “You look at the designer shops round here and we could be in London.”

Despite the economic crisis that has kept some smart Muscovites at home, local estate agents expect up to 500 Russian families to descend this summer, following in the footsteps of super-rich visitors such as Roman Abramovich and splashing out up to €100,000 at a time to rent villas for the season – albeit a snip compared with the €20m reportedly paid out to buy the biggest villas nestling behind bougainvilleas between the broad beaches and Apuan Alps.

“Five million is the norm now, but if you go just a few miles inland prices drop by two thirds, which is where the locals have disappeared to,” said a local estate agent, Umberto Giannecchini.

On the seafront, Humvees and Ferraris descend on beach clubs like Twiga, where €1,000 will reserve a table in the VIP section and Russians spend up to €15,000 on a night out.

It is all a far cry from Forte dei Marmi’s 16th-century origins, when Michelangelo built a road from quarries inland to load marble on to waiting ships. The artistic tradition continued into the 20th century with the arrival of Thomas Mann, Aldous Huxley, Giacomo Puccini and Henry Moore, followed by industrial dynasties such as the Agnellis and the Morattis.

“Despite their wealth, the Italians here have always loved elegant simplicity and understatement,” said hotelier Paolo Corchia, pointing to the tradition of CEOs and aristocrats shopping by bicycle at the town’s family-run shops. Where those stores once proliferated, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Miu Miu – with a shop window full of coyote fur stoles – now draw in the Russians.

The Milanese agree with the locals’ revolt. “I want to bring the local artisans back in the center,” said Milly Moratti, wife of Inter Milan chairman Massimo, “the fabulous tailors and focaccia bread sellers I remember as a child that have been almost completely replaced by designer stores.”

Holding out on Forte dei Marmi’s main square is Vale, the bakery which has turned out focaccia since 1924. “We are thinking of selling up since our traditional clientele is dying out and the Russians don’t like focaccia,” said the owner, Daniela Nardine, though the mayor’s intervention may yet change her mind.

Born and bred in Forte dei Marmi and the son of a tailor, Mayor Buratti said he is seeking to preserve a local culture handed down from the fierce tribes who defied the Roman empire and the Roman slaves who later settled, leaving traces of their accent in the local dialect. But he is not getting too misty eyed. “The locals were the first to profit from the rising house prices by selling up and buying houses in the hinterland,” he said. “That is why there will be a ban on selling the new houses for 20 years.”

If he can defend local stock from extinction, Buratti is happy for some of the Russians to stay, generously conceding that the visitors from the east have become more refined over the years.

“They have come a long way from the early 90s, when they would order the most expensive Brunello red on the menu then dilute it with water,” he said. Locals recount how one oligarch even bought a bicycle and hired an Italian cycling champ to teach him to ride it.

But at the Piero beach club, a family-run bastion of old-fashioned wooden huts and blue-blooded sunbathers, the Russians are still few and far between. “Visitors here must understand you don’t need to show off,” said manager Roberto Santini. “The Russians come in, look around, wonder why we are a landmark, then leave.”

As lifeguard Lionello Sacchelli watched over bathers including a former Italian finance minister and a football star, he recalled his favorite bather, Florentine aristocrat Anna Corsini, who was taking dips until she died last year at 98. “She was exquisite,” he said. “She didn’t care about designer labels and always said ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.”

Source:  Tom Kington in Forte dei Marmi/Guardian News and Media Limited 2010

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Provence, France – (July 9, 2010) – Set in the heart of Provence amid lush vineyards and olive groves, the refined-rustic Hotel Crillon le Brave is offering oenophile’s the rare opportunity to participate in the annual Vendange (grape harvest) with an all-inclusive** three-day weekend package.

A relaxed haven of simple sophistication, the five-star property consists of seven beautifully restored stone houses, dating from the 16^th and 17^th centuries, that are linked by bridges, cobblestone walkways and hidden courtyards. The authentic Provençal accommodations include 23 rooms, seven suites and a two-bedroom house, each decorated with a mix of contemporary furnishings and shabby-chic accents. In addition to the hands-on Vendange experience, guests can explore the hotel’s terraced gardens and take a dip in the swimming pool, tour the historic village on complimentary bikes, or play on the nearby tennis and boules courts. The open-air spa at Hotel Crillon le Brave offers a selection of therapeutic body treatments using Cowshed spa amenities.

The southern region is famous for its food, and Hotel Crillon le Brave’s restaurant does not disappoint. Set in a rustic cellar with an open fireplace and terrace, the restaurant serves up flavorful regional cuisine such as gigot d’agneau (leg of lamb) and ragoût de gambas (shrimp stew) by Chef Philippe Monti. Local Rhône wines like Gigondas, Vacqueryras and Châteauneuf-du-Pape enhance the experience.

Package Details

When: The Vendanges package is offered at Hotel Crillon le Brave two weekends this fall:

• September 16 – 19
• September 30 – October 3

What:

• Three nights of accommodation
• Breakfast and dinner each day
• Two half-days of involvement in the grape harvest of the acclaimed Château Pesquié vineyard (where evidence of wine cultivation dates back to the 14^th century!)
  • Picking and transporting grapes to the caveau (wine vault)
  • Learning about the different kinds of grapes, ideal time for harvest, the wine-making process and taste analysis from winemaker and estate owner, Paul Chaudiere
  • Wine tastings and an outdoor picnic in the gardens of the Château

Price: €1300 for a standard room or €1550 for a deluxe room based on double occupancy.

* Space is limited to 16 participants per group.

**Wine and other beverages are not included with dinner.

To make a reservation, call +33 (0)4 90 65 61 61 or email reservations@crillonlebrave.com.

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BestTravelDeals.net, has announced their Top Ten List of Memorial Day Travel Deals. While Memorial Day is just around the corner there is still plenty of time to book your Memorial Day getaway.

Saratoga Springs, NY (PRWEB) May 19, 2010 — BestTravelDeals.net, has announced their Top Ten List of Memorial Day Travel Deals. While Memorial Day is just around the corner there is still plenty of time to book your Memorial Day getaway.

1. Up to 60% Off Hotels in Major Cities: Enjoy up to 60% off hotels in major cities including New York, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and London. Deals include The Wellington Hotel in New York City for $127 per night, The Deauville Beach Resort in Miami for $119 per night, and the Custom Hotel in Los Angeles for $72 a night.

2. Las Vegas Memorial Day Deals: With deals such as $31 night at the Excalibur Hotel you can double your savings in the casinos.

3. Myrtle Beach Memorial Day Deals: VisitMyrtleBeach.com is offering some great Myrtle Beach Vacation Packages. You can find rooms for Memorial Day weekend for as low as $43 per night.

4. New York City Memorial Day Deals: Visit the city that never sleeps over Memorial day weekend with 4 Star hotel deals from Travelocity for as low as $216 per night. There are also air and hotel packages available.

5. Hawaii Memorial Day Deals: Enjoy Memorial Day on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii with hotel deals for as little as $59 per night at the Continental Surf Hotel in Honolulu.

6. Memphis Memorial Day Deals: Take a walk down Beale Street this Memorial Day Weekend or visit the King at Graceland with hotel deals up to 30% and as low as $28 per night.

7. Seattle Memorial Day Travel Deals: Cruise from Seattle to Alaska and Sawyer Glacier for 7 days with ocean view cabins starting at $599.

8. Orlando Memorial Day Travel Deals: The kids will love this deal. The Hampton Inn Orlando is offering a “Disney Your Way 3 Day” Package starting at $189 a night. This package includes 4 nights and 2 Adult 3 day Disney Magic Your Way base tickets.

9. Atlanta Memorial Day Travel Deals: The Atlanta Marriott Marquis is offering a “Planet Shark Package” which includes breakfast and two passes for the Atlanta Aquarium where you can check out the “Planet Shark: Predator or Prey” exhibit. The package is advertised starting at $219 per night but we found rates as low as $199 for Memorial Day weekend.

10. Boston Memorial Day Travel Deals: Celebrate Memorial Day by taking in some of our Nation’s history in Boston. At the Radisson Hotel near Boston Common you will enjoy rates from $158- $211.

For more Memorial Day Travel Deals ideas visit BestTravelDeals.net.

Source: PRWEB

Tripadvisor.com is now offering lists for Top Celebrity Resorts worth experiencing. So, will this service attract travelers looking to grab a piece of celebridum? Would you buy into this?

TripAdvisor.com thinks so…

~~~

“While travelers may visit a celebrity-owned hotel hoping for a brush with fame, these top celebrity-owned properties offer more than just star power,” Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor said in a release. “Excellent accommodations, mixed with a famous owner’s personal touches, have earned these A-list hotels high marks with TripAdvisor travelers.”

1. Rustic luxe with Robert Redford: Sundance Resort, Sundance, Utah

What would you expect from the original Horse Whisperer but a sprawling ranch? Situated at the base of Mount Timpanogos on 6,000 acres of rolling hills and babbling brooks, the Sundance Kid’s retreat has TripAdvisor travelers raving about the resort’s rustic beauty, excellent service, and outdoor activities.

Ranked No. 1 in Sundance, Utah. Average nightly rate: $600

Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers for: romantic retreat, honeymoon

2. City chic with Robert De Niro: The Greenwich Hotel, New York, N.Y.

It’s a long way from the gritty streets featured in Taxi Driver and Raging Bull. Many guests note the understated elegance and complimentary in-room snack baskets found at Robert De Niro’s Greenwich Hotel in New York City. Located on a quiet street in Tribeca, De Niro’s hideaway features 88 uniquely decorated rooms and suites, plus a Zen-like indoor pool enclosed in a 250-year-old Japanese bamboo farmhouse.

Ranked No. 104 in New York, N.Y. Average nightly rate: $580

Recommended by TripAdvisor travelers for: stylish decor, romantic retreat

3. Rejuvenation retreat with Olivia Newton-John: Gaia Retreat & Spa, Brooklet, Australia

Olivia Newton-John gets physical with this 20-room, boutique retreat, which features a fitness center, pool, tranquil grounds, healthy food and of course a full-service spa.

Ranked No. 1 in Brooklet, Australia — Package deals start at $1,825 for two nights, shared accommodation for two people

Recommended by TripAdvisor travellers for: relaxation, spa vacation

4. In the jungle with Francis Ford Coppola: Blancaneaux Lodge, San Ignacio, Belize

Seems he didn’t get enough of the jungle during the 14 months he was filing Apocalypse Now in the 1970s. At Francis Ford Coppola’s Blancaneaux Lodge in San Ignacio, Belize, is situated in the northwest corner of the 107,000-acre Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The lodge’s high-end cabanas and villas enhance the natural surroundings with thatched roofs, open-air living areas, and hammocks.

Ranked No. 5 in San Ignacio, Belize — Average nightly rate: $315

Recommended by TripAdvisor travellers for: staff/service, honeymoon

5. Life’s a beach with Gloria Estefan: Costa d’Este Beach Resort, Vero Beach, Fla.

The former Miami Sound Machine front-woman hasn’t strayed too far — Gloria Estefan is running this hotel just two and a half hours north of Miami. Costa d’Este boasts a beachside location, pool, spa, and a Cuban restaurant.

Ranked No. 7 in Vero Beach, Fla., — Average nightly rate: $320

Recommended by TripAdvisor travellers for: prime location, beach/sun getaway

6. Haute travel with Donatella Versace: Palazzo Versace, Main Beach, Queensland, Australia

Become one of the beautiful people, darlink. High fashion and hospitality join forces at Donatella Versace’s trendy Palazzo Versace resort on Australia’s Gold Coast, of course. All aspects of the resort were designed to reflect the Versace brand, including high-end freebies like mini bottles of Versace perfume. With so much lavishness in one place, it’s no surprise that one TripAdvisor traveller wrote, “From the moment I stepped out of the limousine to the moment I walked through the doors too leave, it was pure luxury. Opulent furnishings, faultless service and sheer attention to detail made this hotel the Most Outstanding of All Time on my list.”

Ranked No. 1 in Main Beach, Queensland, Australia — Average nightly rate: $535

Recommended by TripAdvisor travellers for: cleanliness, stylish decor

7. Mission possible with Clint Eastwood: Mission Ranch, Carmel, Calif.

When actor and director Clint Eastwood purchased the historic Mission Ranch in 1986, he saved 22 acres of prime real estate on Carmel’s Monterey Peninsula from development. But this isn’t your typical spaghetti western digs. Eastwood, who owns a home nearby, is still spotted on occasion at Mission Ranch, a farmhouse with 31 rooms, ocean views, and sheep grazing in the meadow.

Ranked No. 2 for Specialty Lodging in Carmel, Calif., — Average nightly rate: $200

Recommended by TripAdvisor travellers for: location, culture/sightseeing

8. Cabin fever with Kate Pierson: Kate’s Lazy Meadow Motel, Mount Tremper, N.Y.

After roaming around the world, lead singer for the B-52s, Kate Pierson caught cabin fever and decided to open her own love shack, Kate’s Lazy Meadow Motel, near Woodstock, N.Y. Visitors have their choice of kitschy 1950s’ camp cabins, or vintage Airstream trailers.

Ranked No. 1 in Mount Tremper, N.Y. Average nightly rate: $150

Recommended by TripAdvisor travellers for: location, pet-friendly

9. Seaside trendy with John Malkovich: The Big Sleep Hotel, Eastbourne, United Kingdom

You too can be John Malkovich for a night, or at least sleep like him. TripAdvisor travellers admit that they were attracted to Hollywood heavyweight John Malkovich’s Big Sleep Hotel because of the budget-friendly prices, seaside location, and trendy reputation. While many travelers praise the hotel’s overall value and excellent free breakfast, opinion is divided on the funky decor, including photos of John Malkovich and furry curtains.

Ranked No. 8 in Eastbourne, United Kingdom — Average nightly rate: $90

Recommended by TripAdvisor travellers for: stylish decor, pet-friendly

10. Rockin’ yourself to sleep with Bono and The Edge: The Clarence, Dublin, Ireland

Purchased in 1992 by rockers Bono and The Edge of U2, The Clarence Hotel in Dublin, Ireland is adjacent to Temple Bar, a popular nightlife area. Although most travellers praise the hotel’s location, some cite the evening noise as a problem. But what would you expect from rock stars?

Ranked No. 74 in Dublin, Ireland — Average nightly rate: $270

Recommended by TripAdvisor travellers for: young singles, nightlife

Airline cockpit fire prompts emergency landing

WASHINGTON — Investigators are looking into whether long-known problems with the heating system in a cockpit window of the Boeing 757 played a role in a fire that forced an airliner to make an emergency landing near Washington, federal safety officials said Monday.

United Airlines Flight 27 en route from New York to Los Angeles with 112 people aboard made an emergency landing at Dulles International Airport in Virginia on Sunday night due to a cockpit fire, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The fire was extinguished before the plane landed and no injuries were reported, FAA spokeswoman Holly Baker said.

Among the plane’s passengers were Ashley Olsen, the actress and fashion designer; Pamela Adlon, a star on the Showtime series “Californication”; Jarrod Spector, a star of the Broadway show “Jersey Boys”; and Justin Bartha, who appeared in the “The Hangover” and the “National Treasure” movies.

Adlon, who was sitting in the second row, said she smelled smoke about 30 minutes into the flight.

“All of a sudden the cockpit door opened and it was the captain and he said, ‘I need a fire extinguisher.’ And there were flames coming out of the cockpit,” Adlon told The Associated Press in a phone interview from her Los Angeles home.

An attendant brought a fire extinguisher but the first cabin filled with smoke, she said.

When the plane arrived at Dulles, the runway was filled with emergency vehicles and fire trucks. She said passengers had to stay in their seats and a firefighter came on board and opened the cockpit door.

“We saw the windshield was completely cracked and shattered,” she said. “We realized it was really bad. We were really lucky.”

Keith Holloway, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board, said the board has dispatched three investigators to examine the cockpit to determine the cause of the fire.

“We haven’t narrowed down what the issues are with this incident yet,” Holloway said. He added that the board will be investigating whether the cause of the fire was due to “a recurring problem” involved in previous 757 cockpit fires, or a new issue.

Boeing Co. spokeswoman Sandra Angers said on Monday that Boeing knows of 29 incidents over eight years involving the window heating system on its 747s, 757s, 767s, and 777s.

Boeing issued safety bulletins to airlines between 2004 and 2007 requiring them to check for a loose screw holding the wires connected to the heating system. And planes made since 2005 have used a different wiring system that Boeing believes has solved the problem, Angers said.

The NTSB recommended to the FAA in 2007 that airlines be required to replace the windshield heat terminal blocks on all Boeing 747s, 757s, 767s and 777s. The FAA proposed a rule in March 2008 that gave airlines a choice of regularly inspecting the heat terminal blocks on 757s, 767s and 777s or replacing the terminal blocks. Boeing 747s weren’t included in the proposed order.

However, FAA records show airlines strongly criticized the proposal and it hasn’t been made final. FAA spokesman Les Dorr said the rule is expected to become final in August. Airlines said in comments submitted to FAA that the agency’s proposal wouldn’t resolve the cause of the electrical arcing that led to the fires.

Airlines aren’t required to comply with a rule until it’s final, although many do.

The NTSB’s recommendation was made in response to two fires that erupted in 757 cockpits in January 2004: an American Airlines flight in Dallas and an Air Greenland flight in Copenhagen.

Also, in 2006 a fire was reported on a Delta Air Lines 757 in the corner of a cockpit window. The pilots put it out with a fire extinguisher and cut power to the window heat, according to an FAA report on the incident. The plane had been en route from Tampa, Fla. to Hartford, Conn., but diverted to Savannah, Ga.

FAA said in 2008 that it was aware of nine incidents of electrical arcing at the terminal blocks, and “more than one incident” of open flames. The agency didn’t specify in which Boeing model the incidents occurred.

There have been concerns about the cockpit heating systems of 757s for at least two decades. A 1990 safety directive from the FAA ordered airlines to inspect the window heating system of 757s for undersized wiring. The FAA proposed a $1.45 million civil penalty against Northwest Airlines this March for failing to carry out some of those inspections until 2008.

“Left uncorrected, the problem could cause overheating, smoking and possibly a fire,” the FAA wrote when it fined Northwest.

None of the 757s turned out to have the wrong wires, according to Delta Air Lines Inc., which bought Northwest.

The 757s are one of the most widely used aircraft in the U.S. FAA in 2008 said that its proposal for inspecting terminal blocks would affect 1,212 Boeing planes registered in the United States.

United spokesman Mike Trevino said the plane took off from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and was diverted to Dulles, where it landed at 9:36 p.m.

Another passenger, Phil Lobel, who has a public relations business in Los Angeles, told the AP that about 30 minutes into the flight he detected an electrical burning smell. He said flight attendants began going over emergency instructions with passengers in the exit rows.

Passengers said that the plane landed where a half-dozen or more emergency vehicles met the plane at Dulles.

About an hour after the plane landed, Lobel said he received an e-mail from United apologizing for the “experience” he had on the flight.

Source: AP

For Immediate Release:

Lufthansa’s A380 maiden flight and hangar event to stream live on Lufthansa.com, Facebook and YouTube

East Meadow, NY, May 18, 2010 – On Wednesday, May 19, 2010, devoted aircraft fans around the world can view Lufthansa’s spectacular A380 event live.  The airline is providing a live stream of the maiden flight and the new flagship’s hangar party in Frankfurt on its website http://a380.lufthansa.com/ as well its official global Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/lufthansa/.

Lufthansa will also launch its new YouTube brand channel at http://www.youtube.com/lufthansa/ beginning with tomorrow’s A380 event.

To celebrate its A380 ferry flight, Lufthansa is expecting 2,000 guests at Lufthansa Technik’s new A380 maintenance hangar in Frankfurt, the largest hangar in Europe.  The highlight of the evening is the christening of the first Lufthansa A380 by Frankfurt’s Mayor, Petra Roth.  The aircraft will be named “Frankfurt am Main”.  Fans should not miss the opportunity to be part of this special event!

For those who miss the live feed, a highlights video package will be available in the gallery on Lufthansa’s various video websites.

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