Narita Sky Access, a new express train service connecting central Tokyo and Narita International Airport, started its operations on Saturday 17 July. Operated by Keisei Electric Railway Co., the service travels between Nippori and Narita Airport stations in as little as 36 minutes, about 15 minutes less than existing

Ogilvy & Mather announced a fi rst-time technology experience that educates consumers about how their cities can be smarter. In an eight by twelve foot interactive display, people can experience the transformations that IBM brings to key systems in our cities such as transportation, energy & utilities, public safety, healthcare, education and economic development. Combining multi-touch technology, gesture triggered activation, audio, video and a text to mobile 'call to action' feature, the customized digital experience from IBM is the fi rst to combine all these technologies in a single experiential display. Travelers passing through American Airlines Terminal 8 in New York's JFK airport can experience over 30 videos and other creative elements developed by long-time IBM agency Ogilvy & Mather in partnership with Monster Media. "In a complex environment like a city where different systems have to act as one and be as effi cient as possible, bringing technology to city offi cials and governments is only one aspect of the education required," explained Pam Kaplan, Vice President, Market Management, IBM Global Industries. "We created this interactive experience in one of the most traveled locales in the world, because if members of society understand how smarter cities can affect them personally, they will infl uence change within their own communities."

American Airlines and JetBlue Airways have launched a partnership to offer customers convenient connections and more travel options to and from New York and Boston. American and JetBlue also announced that they have agreed to begin a frequent fl yer relationship later this year. Members of American's AAdvantage® program and JetBlue's TrueBlue® customer loyalty program will be able to earn AAdvantage miles or TrueBlue points, respectively, when they fl y only on selected cooperative interline routes – see American and JetBlue respective websites for routes. These announcements are the next steps toward enhancing the cooperation between American and JetBlue since the two airlines announced their new partnership in March. In addition, customers will be able to book convenient, interline service in nonoverlapping markets from JFK and Boston's Logan Airport through travel agencies, most major North American online travel agency websites, American Airlines ticket counters, or by calling American Airlines Reservations. Both American and JetBlue are also working to make fl ights offered through the agreement available for sale on each other's websites. Under the cooperative agreement, customers will be able to easily connect between 14 of American's international destinations departing from JFK and Boston, including Barcelona, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Tokyo and 18 JetBlue domestic markets, including Portland, Maine; Rochester, N.Y.; or Richmond, Va. None of the routes on which the airlines will cooperate overlap current fl ights fl own by the other.

Dogs need to go, too. So airports are adding doggie restrooms. Airports say "pet relief areas" enhance customer service. But they're also being nudged by a federal rule that orders airlines to work with airports to install facilities for travelers who have service dogs. Among airports with new dog bathrooms are Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington Dulles, Washington National, Chicago O'Hare and Phoenix. The facilities are typically outside, within walking distance of the terminal. The federal rule requires they be kept clean, free of odor, contain a gravel or sand surface and have adequate drainage. Some airports have added synthetic grass, fi re hydrants and benches. "Many of our members travel," says Melanie Brunson, executive director of the American Council of the Blind, which pushed for the rule. "Increasingly, you don't get much time between fl ights. You don't have a whole lot of time to take care of your dog's needs." About 2 million pets and other animals...