US Airways limits free food serviceUS Airways...

US Airways limits free food service

US Airways last week stopped serving free food in coach on most domestic flights of 700 miles or longer. Instead it offers meals for purchase prepared by Einstein Bros, a food service company based in Golden, Colo.

First-class passengers still receive free meals, and coach passengers get them on transatlantic and Caribbean flights, the airline said.

The so-called In-flight Cafe menu changes monthly. Breakfast costs $7 and lunch or dinner $10, cash only.

Flights with food for sale no longer offer special meals, such as vegetarian or kosher, in coach. The current lunch-dinner menu has a choice of chicken salad or a chicken Caesar sandwich.

America West, Northwest and United tested paid-meal options this year, but as of the Travel section’s deadline Tuesday, none had implemented the program systemwide.

Continental plans to eliminate special meals in all classes starting Sept. 4 on many domestic routes and to some Caribbean and Mexican destinations. It will still serve them on transcontinental and other international flights. The carrier does not plan to sell food on board, a spokesman said.

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Vegas’ Venetian

opens 1,013

more rooms

The super-sizing of Las Vegas continues with the opening of the 1,013-room Venezia tower at the Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino.

Now with 4,049 rooms, the Venetian is the third largest hotel in the U.S., according to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority; only the MGM Grand, with 5,034 rooms, and the Luxor, with 4,407, are larger.

Venetian’s new project includes its first wedding chapel, a swimming pool, three spas, 1,000 parking spaces and a 122-room “concierge level” that has its own registration desk, lounge with food and beverage service and other perks. Room rates at Venezia begin at $179 ($249 for the concierge level), compared with $159 for the rest of the resort, a spokesman said. (877) 857-1861, www.venetian.com.

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New addition

to resort at

Denali park

The McKinley Chalet Resort near Alaska’s Denali National Park & Preserve has opened a $4.5-million building to serve as a gathering place for guests staying in the resort’s 345 rooms.

The project has a 15-foot waterfall, 34-foot atrium ceilings, interpretive displays and an upscale restaurant and bar. It replaces a building that dated to the 1980s. Lodge rooms begin at $210 per night. (800) 276-7234, www.denalinationalpark.com.

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Airline loosens

rules for using

cell phones

American Airlines, in what it claimed was a first for a domestic airline, plans to loosen some restrictions on using cell phones and two-way pagers on some of its planes, starting Tuesday.

On departing flights, passengers can use the devices until aircraft doors are closed. Currently they can use them until the “fasten seat belt” sign is illuminated, usually about 10 minutes before the doors close.

On most flights arriving in the U.S., passengers on American will be able to use the devices while the plane taxis to the gate. Currently they must wait until the plane arrives at the gate and the seat belt sign is turned off.

The new policies were set after tests conducted with the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that cell phones and two-way pagers would not affect cockpit communications during these periods, an American spokesman said.

American Eagle turboprops and A300s will operate under current rules, pending further tests. Pilots may set stricter rules, the spokesman added.

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DEAL OF THE WEEK

On track to

Eurostar savings

Rail Europe is offering weekday discounts on the train that travels through the Chunnel between London and Paris or Brussels. The Eurostar Round Trip Special fare is $190 for first class and $90 for standard class and is good for travel Mondays through Thursdays. By comparison, regular round-trip fares start at $280 for first class (60-day advance purchase) and $188 for standard (14-day advance purchase). You must book your ticket by July 24. The discounted tickets are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable. (800) 387-6782, www.raileurope.com.

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FREE FOR THE ASKING

Scenic drives

in Virginia

The Virginia Department of Transportation has reissued its “Map of Scenic Roads in Virginia,” adding more than 900 miles to its 1998 version. One side shows the roads, with icons marking attractions along the way. The other side outlines several itineraries. Call (804) 786-2801, or download the map or order a copy at www.VirginiaDOT.org. (Click on “Slow Down! Scenic Road Ahead.”)

-- Compiled by

Jane Engle