Even more bang for your buck

More and more air travelers are buying expensive first-class and business-class seats, and airlines are coming up with some creative amenities to keep those big spenders happy.

That includes scented pillows and chauffeured SUVs.

The number of passengers buying expensive premium seats jumped 4 percent in 2013 and continued to grow thanks to improved business conditions around the world, according to the International Air Transport Association, the trade group for the world’s airlines.

To serve well-heeled travelers, United Airlines recently announced it is expanding a service that takes elite fliers straight from one plane to a connecting flight in a chauffeured Mercedes-Benz SUV.

The service that has been offered at airports in Chicago, Houston and New Jersey will be expanded this spring to San Francisco International Airport.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has launched a program to improve sleep for long-haul fliers. It offers mood lighting, hot chocolate and herbal teas, noise-canceling headphones and pillows spritzed with lavender and camomile.

Yellowstone roads open to cyclists

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. » Bicyclists can now travel on nearly 50 miles of roads accessible from the West Entrance into Yellowstone National Park.

The roads into the park from West Yellowstone, Mont., to Mammoth Hot Springs opened Thursday.

There is no bicycle access to Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone until the first interior park roads open to motorized vehicles April 18. The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Mont., remains open all year as weather permits.

Park Service officials warn that bicyclists heading into Yellowstone must be prepared for harsh weather. Snow and ice may still cover sections of road.

Bicyclists could encounter bears, bison, elk, wolves and other wildlife at any time. No services are available along the road.