November, 2013 | Orlando Airport Transportation Blog

November 29, 2013

Bad weather didn’t disrupt Thanksgiving travelers

Winter storm was expected to drench the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states with rain through Thursday morning and to bring snow to the Midwest through New England. That could have caused serious trouble to people traveling for the holidays. Some airlines were even advising customers headed to destinations such as New York, Boston and Philadelphia that they could reschedule their travel without a penalty or receive a refund. Despite the storm Thanksgiving travel started smoothly Wednesday at Orlando International Airport.

Delays were concentrated in the Northeast, where the storm brought wet weather to already busy airports and snow to inland areas. By midafternoon Wednesday, Orlando International Airport reported three canceled flights and 65 delays of more than 30 minutes. These are the times when we’re reminded it’s one system,” said MCO spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell. “If planes can’t get out of their point of origin, then there are delays here.” The longest delay was two hours, airport officials said. Southwest Airlines, the busiest carrier at Orlando International, said operations were getting back on track Wednesday afternoon after minor delays because of the storm. Spokesman Dan Landson said about 75 percent of the airline’s system had great weather, which helped things run more smoothly. Allegiant, the primary carrier at Orlando Sanford International Airport, said the airline has only a handful of flights scheduled Wednesday, which is a quieter day for departures from the Seminole County airport. Airline spokeswoman Jessica Wheeler reported no problems at midday Tuesday. Officials at Orlando International predict air traffic will be back to normal by Saturday and Sunday, which are forecast to be the busiest days at OIA during the Thanksgiving holiday.

November 28, 2013

Orlando International Airport sets a new record

Orlando International Airport ends 2012 – 2013 fiscal year with a record number of international travelers. International traffic increased to 3.9 million travelers, 5.2 percent more than last year. At the same time domestic traffic is down by 2 percent to 23.4 million passengers. “As we continue to set new international travel records year after year, it is imperative that the Authority plans for more international growth by enhancing our infrastructure and maximizing our customer service efforts,” says Frank Kruppenbacher, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. The airport authorities approved $1.1 billion expansion plan in October. The project includes four additional international gates, an automated people mover, improvements to the ticket hall and baggage screening areas, and a rail terminal to support All Aboard Florida, a train service between Orlando and Miami that is being backed by private investors. Traffic to MCO comes from the new air services from several airlines this year. GOL Airlines increased service from five to seven days per week to Sao Paulo, Brazil and Southwest Airlines increased service to Minneapolis to seven days per week. Also notable in September, Delta Air Lines celebrated 43 years of service at MCO, Frontier Airlines celebrated 14 years and SunWing 7 years of operations at Orlando International Airport. JetBlue and Spirit Airline added new flights to the airport. Spirit will fly daily from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and JetBlue – from Worcester, Mass. The latest addition is from two days ago. Air Canada rouge will officially began service at Orlando International Airport. Eventually, the airline will provide service from Toronto to Orlando with six flights per day, seven days a week, according to a news release. Air Canada rouge is a component of Air Canada Leisure Group and the A-319 aircraft seats 136 passengers.

November 18, 2013

A week devoted to attractions in Orlando

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions has chosen Orlando for its annual expo. The Event will take pace at the Orange County Convention Center this week. Over 25,000 people are expected to attend the show coming from more than 100 countries. “We would encourage people to buy tickets early as they may sell out throughout the week,” said Colleen Mangone, manager of media relations for IAAPA.

More about the convention on OrlandoSentinel

November 15, 2013

A quicker way through security for Southwest Airlines clients

Southwest Airline has joined the TSA PreCheck program at Orlando International Airport . It allows frequent flyers to go through security with minimum effort – without having to take their shoes, jackets or belts off and with their latop in its case. Jerry Henderson, who runs TSA in Orlando, estimates the TSA Pre line is, on average, three times faster than going the usual route.

More information from OrlandoSentinel

November 14, 2013

Living in Disney World

Disney World is a place which every child wants to visit. And after seeing it – dreams to stay there. And not just every little kid, I mean child-at-heart grownups too. For almost two years now some grownups have a chance to make their dream come true.

The Golden Oak Gated Community is the only place in the world where homeowners actually live on Disney park property. 980 acres have been set aside for the company to build up to 450 homes at Lake Buena Vista – some within eyesight of the famous Cinderella Castle fireworks. Approximately 100 homes are already built and most of them are sold. Owning a place in the „happiest place in the world” does not come cheap. Prices are between $1,7 and 7 million and annual fees of as much as $12K but many would say it is worth it. The perks include park passes, door-to-park transportation, extended hours for visiting attractions such as the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and a 17,000-square-foot clubhouse with a restaurant and concierge. Residents also will have access to some of the amenities, including the spa and dining rooms at the $370 million, 444-room Four Seasons resort scheduled to open in Golden Oak next summer. And for some die-hard Disney fans, having a view to Cinderella’s Castle is all they need.

November 9, 2013

New Florida air services

JetBlue and Spirit Airline added new flight to Florida airports this week. Spirit Airlines will start four seasonal direct routes to warm-weather destinations from the Twin Cities. The nonstop daily flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport g Los Angeles (LAX), Orlando (MCO), Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) and Tampa (TPA). “We’re excited to offer Minnesotans even more low fare options to even more warm and sunny destinations with Spirit’s ultra-low fares and optional add-ons for a total price that’s tough to beat!” said Spirit’s Vice President of Network Planning, Mark Kopcza The new JetBlue services will fly from Worcester, Mass. To two Florida destinations – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Orlando. The daily flights to Orlando are scheduled to depart Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) at 7:30 a.m. and arrive at Orlando International (MCO) at 10:33 a.m. They will leave Orlando at 1 p.m. and arrive at Worcester Regional Airport at 3:38 p.m.

November 7, 2013

Interplex Destination Services transforms Orlando website. Trips to Central Florida have never been easier to plan

InterPlex Destination Services continues the work on upgrading and improving company’s web presence and image by releasing a new, state-of-the-art web site for the Orlando Market. A few months ago the company presented its first totally innovated website – sofia.interplex.net. Now the successful model has been expended to new markets with the new release of orlando.interplex.net.

With this upgraded platform the company attempts to make visitors’ experience as easy and intuitive as possible.

The company aims to cover the full process of planning a trip and their new website is a proof of that. „We know planning a trip can be difficult, whether it is a business trip or a family vacation. So we wanted a website that helps our customers do it with minimum effort, says Suzan Hunt, manager at the company. “The Livery Industry has changed a lot during last few years, we see a trend of consolidating and expending services by some of the major providers, at the same time a number of new players have entered the market backed by solid financial support” says Dan Redeberg, an Executive at the company. “We are very pleased and thankful to our technology partners at TripTender. The cutting-edge technology and support TripTender provides are crucial for our ability to stay ahead of the completion in this highly competitive and diverse market.” At the same time Mr. Jagger at TripTender continues by saying, “The Livery industry is going into transformation similar to that of the lodging industry a decade ago. Technology is a major factor for the continuing success of any operator. Our Proprietary technology has proven to be that key element assuring limo providerssuccessful transition.” Orlando InterPlex Destination Services provides quality airport transportation, limo, car service, shuttles and bus charters with a wide selection of luxury vehicles. The company also offers assistance with finding and booking hotels, restaurant, attractions and variety of additional destination services for meetings and events.

„Navigating the redesigned website is seamless and comfortable. Everything is just one click away and even the colors are pleasing” a regular costumer of InterPlex Destination Services, Sandra Brown, gives her opinion.

„It is a state-of-art website and I am proud to be part of the team who made it happen” says, one of the web designers „We put a lot of efforts and seeing that the costumers are happy with our work is the best reward”

Orlando InterPlex Destination Services is a well-established high-end transportation service provider, employing highly professional chauffeurs operating a fleet of the latest models luxurious vehicles. With the latest version of the website the company hopes to reach more new costumers and while keeping in touch and strengthening the relations with the existing clients.

About Orlando InterPlex Destination Services (http://orlando.interplex.net) – TheCompany provides variety of transportation and destination services to Metro Orlando and the surrounding Central Florida region. The ground transportation services include: airport transportation; limo and car service; shuttles and bus charters; as well as production transportation and captains / coordinators. Destination service provided by the company includes hotels and restaurants bookings; tours and attractions arrangements;as well asmeetings and events planning services.

About TripTender (http://www.triptender.com) – TripTender is an innovative technologycompany, engaged in the development and implementation of the latest and most advanced technologies in the field of travel and tourism. TripTender serves both travelers and professional in the travel and destination industries.

Contact information:

Suzan Hunt
General Manager
suzan@interplex.net
407-531-8565

November 2, 2013

New “Cannonball Run” Record

The record for a coast to coast journey (Los Angelis to New York) was shattered on 19-20 October. Ed Bolian – Atlanta Lamborghini dealer – went through the transcontinental trip in 28 hours 50 minutes. The previous record, made by Alex Roy in 2006; he completed the run in 31 hours 4 minutes. Bolian said: “Honestly, I was so shocked at how much we had beat our target and previous record… It was just unbelievable. It was cathartic and amazing. But mostly, I was just shocked.” The origins of the Cannonball Run aren’t entirely clear, but the death defying and hugely illegal race from New York City to Los Angeles is named after Edwin ‘Cannonball’ Baker. In 1933 he went from coast to coast in 53 hours 30 minutes. In the 1970s the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash was created by the Car and Driver editor Brock Yates. Later called the Cannonball Run, the race challenged daring drivers from all over the country to test their limits. A 1981 comedy starring Burt Reynolds and Farrah Fawcett immortalized the name. The run was last completed by Dave Heinz and Dave Yarborough in 32 hours 51 minutes behind the wheel of a Jaguar and his time wasn’t bested untill 2006.

The next hero on the list is Ed Bolian. He is a 28 years old Lamborghini dealership sales director. He put a lot of work and money in his Mercedes CL55 AMG to make it ready for the journey. The preparations took him 18 month, but Bolian dreamed of breaking this record since he was in highschool. When he was 18, he had to interview Brock Yates, who organized and won the first Cannonball Run. “I told him, ‘One day I’d like to beat your record,’ ” Bolian recalled. He also says he doesn’t know exactly how much money he invested in his dream. The car was equipped with two additional 22-gallon gas tanks, which add hundreds of pounds of fuel but allow the car to travel 800 miles between stops. To ensure a clear run, free from traffic jams and, perhaps more importantly, traffic cops Bolian, also invested in a police scanner, two GPS units that relay traffic information and iPhone apps such as Trapster. The car was also fitted with two laser jammers and had a truck mounted antenna. Friends were enlisted to travel along the route, about 150 miles ahead of the Mercedes, and check for any potential obstacles. Great organization and technologies did their job and the record was not just broken by a few minutes, but shattered – the time was more than two hours better then Toy’s time. “We were unfathomably fortunate… We had no accidents, no traffic, no weather, no major construction. We wanted this to be a benign use of highway. We didn’t want to hurt anyone, we didn’t want to get hurt and we didn’t want to get arrested.”