 Chicago, IL - February
12, 2010 – Record-breaking snows created challenging conditions
for
travelers in the mid-Atlantic region this week.
Washington DC,
Baltimore, and Philadelphia reported more than two feet of
snow. Snowbound airports resumed limited
operations on Thursday but many flights were still canceled or
delayed. Guests at the Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport,
located just two miles from the Capital’s busiest airport, fared better
than
many grounded travelers thanks to the hotel’s in-room flight
status information channel.According to General Manager David Welliver, CHA, “Our hotel is in the business of providing guests with tools to make their travel safe and pleasant, but none of our guests were prepared for the recent four-day blizzard. Fortunately, we have a guestroom television channel from Flyte Systems dedicated to real-time airline flight information from Washington Dulles International so guests could track their flight delays with some confidence. This information kept them safely at the hotel until they were sure they could get a flight out.” Flyte Systems is the leading provider of airport travel information displays and digital signage content for the hospitality industry, digital signage, convention centers and related businesses.  “We had 350 grounded guests confined to the hotel most of
last week, but they were able to monitor their flight status from their
rooms,
and this cut down on calls to the front desk,” Welliver said.
“Our Houlihan’s outlet in the lobby did a lot
of business because guests stayed on property rather than wait-out the
delay in
a crowded boarding area.” Welliver said.
“FlyteChannel is a win-win.
Guests stay safe out of the weather with a full knowledge of when their
flight will be rescheduled; and the property gains added revenue from
providing
services to snowed-in guests.” It is easy for an experienced airport hotel manager to understand the value of real-time flight status information to travelers. “There is no learning curve with this technology; it is highly valued by our guests – no one took it for granted last week,” Welliver said. “This is a valuable service for guests that has a low cost.” Real-time Flight Information What sets Flyte Systems apart from PC-based applications is the ability to post accurate, real-time airline flight arrival and departure information, not FAA-regulated scheduled departure times that do not list delays caused by weather, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, and crew availability. Flyte Systems offers a suite of products that serve the traveling public: FlyteBoard, FlytePass, FlyteChannel and FlyteTouch.
About Flyte Systems  The Flyte Systems Division of
Industrial Television Services (ITS), based in Chicago, Illinois,
is the leading provider of subscription-based environmentally
responsible
airport flight information displays for the hospitality, convention
center and
digital signage industries and related businesses. It delivers
accurate,
instant, airport-centric updates of flight information – not
FAA-regulated
scheduled departure times that may omit last minute changes.
Properties
are able to differentiate their products and boost customer loyalty and
repeat
business with ’glance-and-go’ content critical to a traveler’s
day.
Flyte Systems’ product suite builds upon ITS’ 50-year history as the
leading
provider of live flight information to airports, airlines, government
agencies,
port authorities and other travel-based businesses. Flyte Systems
was
formed in 2007 to offer new Web-based travel technology and product
lines. In addition to using Energy Star-compliant digital
displays, Flyte
products help significantly reduce energy consumption by eliminating
unnecessary trips to the airport. Customers include Marriott,
Hyatt,
Westin, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Hilton, Doubletree,
Hotel
Sofitel, Adam’s Mark, Renaissance and Crowne Plaza
hotels, independent properties, convention centers and transportation
centers.The Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport The Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport provides a selection of room types for each guest’s different travel needs. Since the hotel is only two miles from Dulles International Airport, its rooms and suites are the perfect solution for the travel-weary professional. Each of the 327 guest rooms offers new furnishings in a warm, art deco style. Travelers may choose between deluxe king or double/double rooms. Guests may upgrade to the property’s Club Level or Specialty rooms for an additional fee. The Presidential Suite is designed for any special VIP needs you may have. Four wheelchair-accessible rooms, specially equipped with a roll-in shower, are also available. |