April 1, 2025
In This Edition… Direct Travel’s TMC evolution revolution, flight service updates, United Club membership changes, Clear adds facial-tech pods, Real ID deadline approaches, EU delays ETIAS, driverless taxis in DC, hotel expansions, and much more!
Dans cette édition… l’évolution révolutionnaire de la TMC telle que proposée par Les services Direct Travel, des mises à jour sur les services de vol, des changements dans l’adhésion au United Club, Clear ajoute des bornes de reconnaissance faciale, la date limite de Real ID approche, l’UE reporte l’ETIAS, des taxis sans chauffeur à Washington, des expansions hôtelières, et bien d’autres choses encore!
Navigator Blog
Rail Travel: A Positive for Sustainability and Business Connectivity
As companies face pressure to meet sustainability goals, rail travel is emerging as an efficient alternative that can provide a seamless travel experience.
The Modern TMC: New Value, Relationships, and a Better Traveler Experience
Direct Travel CPO Sarah Kuberry Martino shares how a tech-forward travel management company can improve the traveler journey.
Travel Management
Direct Travel Aims to Lead TMC 'Evolution, Revolution'
Business Travel News — Direct Travel CEO Christal Bemont talks about her work building a new team at Direct Travel, how the needs of travel buyers are evolving and whether Center's acquisition would alter the TMC's strategy.
Airline & Flight Updates
Air France Unveils New First-class Cabin
Travel Weekly — Flights between Paris and New York will be the first to offer the La Premiere suites this spring on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
Air Canada to Launch Montréal-Edinburgh Service
Business Travel News — Air Canada on June 27 will introduce seasonal direct flights between Montréal and Edinburg, Scotland.
American Airlines Adds New Routes to Warm Weather Destinations This Winter
Travel Pulse — American Airlines is adding new routes to Cancun and Punta Cana this winter and expanding service to warm-weather destinations like Hawaii.
WestJet Announces Halifax-Barcelona Summer Service
OpenJaw — WestJet has announced new service between Halifax and Barcelona starting 27 June.
TAP Air Portugal, Avianca Open Miami Business-Class Lounge
Business Travel News — TAP Air Portugal, in partnership with Avianca, on March 21 opened a shared business-class lounge at Miami International Airport, TAP announced Friday.
Air Canada Cuts Back on Florida Flights
OpenJaw — Air Canada a month ago said it would be reducing capacity to Florida. Now we’re learning some of the details.
Air India, Air New Zealand Agree to Codeshare Deal
Business Travel News — Air India and Air New Zealand have agreed to a new codeshare partnership on 16 routes between India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, Air New Zealand announced Wednesday.
United Changes Club Memberships, Adds Tier
Business Travel News — United Airlines alerted customers via email of changes to United Club memberships and club access, including a new tier of membership, effective immediately.
Safety & Security
Airport Screening Speeding Up as Clear Adds Facial-tech Pods
Travel Weekly — The private airport security screening service expects to have completed the rollout of its fast-working EnVe facial identify pods by early April.
The Real ID Deadline Is Fast Approaching—Here’s What Will Happen if You Don’t Have One by May 7
Afar Magazine — We reached out to the Transportation Security Administration to find out what will happen if travelers arrive at the airport without a Real ID on or after May 7, 2025. Here’s what the agency said.
E.U. Delays New Travel Authorization System Until 2026
Afar Magazine — The European Travel Information and Authorization System will require international arrivals to get advance approval and pay a fee before entering Europe’s Schengen Zone.
Government Travel Warnings
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts.
Ground Transportation
Waymo to Bring Driverless Taxis to D.C. in 2026
Northstar Meetings Group — Waymo is adding Washington, D.C., to its pioneering robotaxi service's steadily expanding list of U.S. markets, although passengers will have to wait until next year to take a driverless ride around the nation's capital.
Amtrak's New Trains Set to Revolutionize US Rail Travel in 2026
TravelPulse — The national rail service is bringing big changes to America’s railways, rolling out the next generation of trains, packed with modern features designed to make train travel faster, more comfortable and more environmentally friendly.
Hotel News
IHG to Expand Garner Hotels With First Scottish Property
Business Travel News Europe — IHG Hotels & Resorts is to open its first Garner-branded hotel in Scotland when it takes over an existing property in central Edinburgh. Garner Hotelswill rebrand the Haymarket Hub Hotel as the Garner Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh in the second half of this year.
Sonesta Debuts Simply Suites Prototype
Business Travel News — Sonesta International Hotels Corp. has launched the first prototype for Simply Suites, its midprice extended-stay brand.
Marriott Launches City Express Brand in U.S.
Business Travel News — Marriott International has opened its first U.S. property under the "affordable midscale" City Express brand and said it planned to open "more than a dozen" additional such properties in the U.S. and Canada in 2025.
Choice Rolls Out Country, Comfort Prototypes
Business Travel News — Choice Hotels International on Tuesday unveiled details of new prototypes for two of its upper-midscale brands, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson and Comfort.
Traveler Tips, Trips & Convenience
One of the Biggest Pain Points of International Air Travel Will Soon Become a Bit Less of a Hassle
Afar Magazine — A new TSA-backed pilot program will allow travelers to skip the step of gathering their luggage at baggage claim and rechecking it onto their connecting flight. Unfortunately, the program is still very limited—these are the flights that will get a pass.
5 Easy Ways to Make Your Economy Flight More Comfortable
Afar Magazine — A long-haul flight in economy can feel less turbulent with some basic accessories and prep work.
Europe’s New Travel Entry Rule Won’t Launch This Year After All
Afar Magazine — ETIAS, Europe’s new travel authorization regulation that will require international arrivals to get advance approval and pay a fee before entering Europe, was supposed to go into effect in 2025. That’s no longer the case.
19 Travel Packing Tips From Frequent Travelers
Afar Magazine — Use these tips from Afar staff and other travel experts to pack more efficiently and stay organized on the road.
American Airlines Now Lets You Redeem AAdvantage Miles for Inflight Snacks and Drinks
Travel Pulse — AAdvantage members can now use their miles to purchase a variety of snacks and alcoholic beverages on domestic flights, with prices starting as low as 500 miles.
Why Are Some Airlines Banning Power Banks on Flights?
CNN — Several airlines in Asia are tightening rules on carrying lithium batteries on planes following a series of overheating incidents and fires on board.
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