April 15, 2025
In This Edition… Real ID begins May 7th, 30 Day U.S. Registration Rule, new airline flight routes, Delta updates cutoff time for checking a bag, hotel news, traveler tips, sustainable meetings, and more!
Dans cette édition… L’entrée en vigueur de la Real ID le 7 mai, une nouvelle règle d’enregistrement aux États-Unis pour les voyages de plus de 30 jours, de nouvelles liaisons aériennes, Delta modifie l’heure limite pour l’enregistrement des bagages, des actualités hôtelières, des conseils aux voyageurs, des réunions durables, et bien plus encore!
Navigator Blog
How Meetings and Events Can Help Bridge the Virtual Distance Gap
Direct Travel and Creative Group share expert insights on how to foster team connection and decrease virtual distance with in-person meetings and events.
7 Steps to Strengthen Duty of Care in Business Travel
Discover how to build a safer business travel program. These seven key tips are what every travel manager needs to know about duty of care.
Travel Management
Real ID Deadline Is Approaching Fast
Northstar Meetings Group — Beginning May 7, U.S. travelers will be required to present compliant identification or a passport before boarding a domestic flight.
30 Day U.S. Registration Rule Starts Today
Open Jaw — As of April 11, any foreign national who wishes to stay in the U.S. for 30 days or longer must register with the US government or face penalties, including fines and potential prosecution.
Airline & Flight Updates
Icelandair Launches Reykjavik-Nashville Service
Business Travel News — Icelandair has launched nonstop service between Reykjavik and Nashville, Tenn., the carrier's 18th destination in North America.
Air France Inaugurates La Premiere on CDG-JFK Route
Open Jaw — Air France's new La Première suite features five windows and a one-of-a-kind concept. Entirely modular, it consists of a seat and a chaise longue that converts into a true bed.
WestJet Launches Daily Calgary to Tokyo Service
Open Jaw — West Jet is increasing its Calgary-Tokyo Narita route to a daily, year-round service. Flights run on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
American Airlines to Debut New Route to Mexico
Travel Pulse — American Airlines is gearing up for a record-breaking Mexico flight schedule in 2025 with the carrier announcing its 30th location in the country.
Delta Air Lines Unveils Transatlantic Expansion of Free Wi-Fi
Travel Pulse — Delta Air Lines announced that its fleetwide Wi-Fi rollout hit another milestone, as flights to Europe, Israel and West Africa will have access to free Delta Sync Wi-Fi presented by T-Mobile, starting in early April.
United Is Adding 3 New Routes to Some of Our Favorite Destinations in Asia and Australia
Afar Magazine — The airline has unveiled its latest batch of new international flight routes, making it easier than ever to get to some of the Asia-Pacific’s most exciting destinations.
Delta Updates Baggage Acceptance Check-in Cutoff Time
Delta.com — Effective April 8, 2025, Delta is changing the U.S. domestic check-in cutoff time for traveler checking a bag.
United Airlines to Become Only US Airline to Fly to Two Popular Asian Cities
Travel Pulse — United Airlines intends to be the only U.S. airline to fly to Bangkok, Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with daily service from Hong Kong planned to begin this fall, subject to governmental approval.
Air Canada Resumes Ottawa-London Service
Business Travel News — Air Canada has resumed direct flights between Canada's capital city of Ottawa and London Heathrow.
United Increases San Francisco Lift
Travel Weekly — While United's other hubs soared after the pandemic, San Francisco did not. This year, the carrier will grow 20% at the airport.
Fiji Airways Attains Oneworld Membership
Travel Weekly — As a full member, Fiji Airways now participates in loyalty program partnerships with the 14 other Oneworld members.
Safety & Security
American, CBP to Pilot Remote Int'l Baggage Screening
Business Travel News — Passengers arriving in the United States from select international airports no longer would have to claim checked baggage in the Customs and Border Protection customs hall and recheck it, under the terms of a new initiative piloted by American Airlines and the CBP.
London Gatwick Completes Rollout of CT Scanners
BTN Europe — Travelers departing London's Gatwick Airport no longer need to remove electrical items or liquids from cabin bags at security, following the installation of new security scanners.
Can TSA Search Your Phone? What to Know About Electronic Device Inspections at the Airport
Afar Magazine — Here’s when you need to hand over your device, and whether you must provide passwords when you do.
Government Travel Warnings
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts.
Hotel News
Hyatt, IHG Set to Expand in India
Business Travel News — Hyatt Hotels Corp. plans to open six hotels in India in 2025, the company announced, which would bring it more than halfway to its goal of 100 open properties in the country by 2030. Meanwhile, IHG Hotels & Resorts on Tuesday announced plans to launch its Garner midprice brand in India next year.
Marriott Plans to Double Midscale Brand in Europe
Hotel Investment Today — By the end of 2026, plans call for reaching 50 Four Points Flex by Sheraton, becoming the company’s fastest growing brand in Europe. Marriott International announced plans to double the portfolio of its affordable midscale brand, Four Points Flex by Sheraton, and reach 50 hotels across Europe by the end of 2026.
Traveler Tips, Trips & Convenience
Protecting Your Devices and Data for International Travel
Meetings & Conventions Magazine — Travelers should prepare for the possibility of extra scrutiny of their phones, especially when entering the United States.
The World's Best Airports for 2025 Revealed
TravelPulse — The annual Skytrax awards polled travelers at 565 airports around the world.
Delta's Eighth Atlanta Sky Club Set to Open
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines' newest Sky Club, in Concourse D at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, will open to the public on Tuesday.
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.
Here’s How the ETA Entry System Works
Afar Magazine — As of January 8, 2025, U.S. citizens traveling to the U.K. need to have an electronic travel authorization (ETA). Here’s how to apply, how much it costs, and how long it takes to be approved.
Visit Britain Warns about UK ETA Scam Payment Sites
Open Jaw — Visit Britain is warning would-be travellers about scammers seeking exorbitant amounts of money for a UK electronic visa.
Meetings & Events
2025 Incentive Travel Destination Hot List
Northstar Meetings — Plan the perfect reward trip to one of these eight enticing spots around the globe.
Encourage Event Attendees to Try a Digital Detox
Northstar Meetings Group — During your conference, help meeting participants put away their phones and live in the moment.
What’s Trending in U.S. Exhibitions: 5 Takeaways From CEIR’s Q4 2024 Index
Trade Show News Network — The U.S. business-to-business exhibition industry continues to rebound, recording the strongest quarter since the pandemic in the fourth quarter (Q4) 2024, according to the recently released Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) Index that measures exhibition performance for exhibitors, attendance, net square footage, and real revenues.
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