Dining and Shopping Options Make Pittsburgh Int’l Best Airport to Get Stuck, Say Business Travelers

e-Travel Survey Reveals World’s Top Biz-Friendly Airports

Waltham, Mass., June 17, 2003 — Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) tops the list in e-Travel’s biannual survey of the globe’s most business traveler-friendly airports. “If you have to do a layover, Pittsburgh’s airport is the place to get stuck,” said Matt Hausmann, e-Travel’s vice president of marketing and business development. He noted that as companies continue to cut travel costs, a layover or two is becoming a business travel norm. Hausmann added that, for that reason, business travelers especially like Pittsburgh International’s design (“It’s in the shape of an ‘X’”), which makes it easy to get from one gate to another. “Business travelers also told us they loved the airport’s abundance of dining options and its terrific range of shops, which are bound to have that last-minute item.”

From the best cup of coffee to the best place to catch up on work, e-Travel, the global leader in online travel technology and the e-commerce business unit of Amadeus GTD, asked 100 business travelers how the world’s airports stack up, and which offer amenities and services that help business travelers stay productive and comfortable while on the road. Winners were recognized in the following categories:

Convenience. Coming in second to Pittsburgh International is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which was recognized for its proximity to D.C. Seasoned fliers know layovers don’t always have to be spent in the airport lounge. National’s proximity to Washington D.C. makes it a top choice for travelers who liked using layover time to check out the city’s many tourist attractions.

Most Improved. Skyrocketing from the cellar of 2001’s rankings is Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS), whose change of fortune is traced to its new direct connection to the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), making getting in and out of Greater Boston far easier. “It used to take more than an hour to drive to Logan from the suburbs,” said Hausmann. “With a direct connect to the Mass Pike however, some Boston-based travelers told us their commutes have been chopped in half.” Logan also was recognized for the major renovations to its international terminal unveiled last month.

Food. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) tied for the widest selection of healthy foods. Pittsburgh International won praise for having a variety of eateries and locations close to the gates, and once again, Reagan National was recognized for its sushi bar. For the traveler trying to stay awake, Zurich Airport (ZRH) was lauded both for its delicious coffee and espresso bars and its efficient Swiss service.

Internet Access. One of the world’s busiest airports, New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), also boasted the best access to the Internet, particularly for travelers on the Delta Shuttle from New York City to Boston and Washington, D.C. “The Delta Shuttle waiting area is spacious and comfortable, and it has plenty of data ports where I can plug in and get work done,” said Greg Schlimm, a technology consultant who travels frequently between Washington D.C. and New York City. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Zurich Airport were also recognized for convenient and free use of public computers with Internet access, saving business travelers the hassle of unpacking their laptops to surf the Web or send e-mails back to the office.

Retail Shops. Orlando International Airport (MCO) was recognized as a top spot for last-minute accessories, like hosiery and toiletries. Hong Kong International Airport and London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) tied for their beautiful, high-end shops and unusual assortments of duty-free merchandise. Travelers also enjoy shopping at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS), where marketing consultant and frequent flier Marie Richard said, “The shopping is fantastic and I’ve found the prices on many items, including high-end merchandise, to be better than at other airports.”

Room for Improvement. “Offer better Internet access” was business travelers’ overwhelming response when asked what airports can do better to accommodate them. Road warriors want more data ports and wireless Net capabilities. A close second was improved availability of personal conveniences, like showers and changing facilities, as well as napping quarters and grooming areas. “That’s really important for international travelers, whose trips are often several hours long and include layovers,” Hausmann pointed out. “When you’re expected to be refreshed and ready for a business meeting upon arrival at your destination, nothing can beat a shower and a change of clothes to make you feel human again.”

About e-Travel

e-Travel, the e-commerce business unit of Amadeus Global Travel Distribution S.A., is the leading global provider of online travel technology. It provides e-commerce solutions for airlines, corporations, travel agencies, and other online travel businesses, and is dedicated to its customers’ net success. e-Travel serves 1,200 customers in 90 countries, including corporations such as Airbus, Daimler Chrysler, Ingersoll-Rand and Oracle Corporation, as well as travel suppliers, such as Air France, Iberia, and Qantas, and online agencies, such as Opodo. Parent company Amadeus Global Travel Distribution S.A. is the leading global distribution system (GDS) and technology provider serving the marketing, sales, and distribution needs of the world’s travel and tourism industries. For further information, please visit e-Travel at: www.e-travel.com.

e-Travel is a registered trademark of e-Travel Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. Originating in 2001, the e-Travel Airport Rankings survey is conducted independently by e-Travel and is not affiliated with, or sponsored by, the airports mentioned.

Contacts:

Kristen Goldman, e-Travel, Inc., +1-781-522-8989, [email protected]

Fred Iannotti, Patrice Tanaka & Company, Inc., +1-203-426-1377, [email protected]