April 4, 2023

Direct Travel

News Brief

April 4, 2023

In This Edition… American to launch it’s NDC plan, Virgin and Korean Air codeshare, flight service updates, TSA’s liquid limit, passport news, ground service updates, Hilton and Marriot portfolio expansions, Choice expanding Everhome Suites, new airport lounges, traveler tips, and more!

Dans cette édition… American Airlines lance son plan NDC, Virgin et Korean Air lancent leur accord de vente en partage, les mises à jour des services de vol, limite de liquide autorisée par la TSA, nouvelles sur les passeports, mises à jour des services de transport terrestre, expansion des portefeuilles d'hôtels Hilton et Marriott, l’expansion des suites Everhome de Choice Hotels, les nouveaux salons d'aéroport, conseils aux voyageurs, et bien plus !

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Procurement Strategies to Try with Your Corporate Travel Program

We recommend reviewing the following procurement strategies to help you better manage sourcing, spend, and contract management. Read More

4 Ways to Maximize Your Travel Program With an Online Booking Tool

In today’s world of business travel, companies are doing more with less. This post-pandemic shift has raised the bar for expedited bookings, stronger compliance, simplified processes, and tools that support duty of care. Read More


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American Airlines Will Launch Its NDC Plan on April 3

Travel Weekly — American Airlines will move forward on April 3 with its controversial plan to make some of its content available only to travel agencies booking through an NDC connection. Read More


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Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air Launch Codeshare

Business Travel News — Virgin Atlantic has partnered with Korean Air on a codeshare agreement, the U.K.-based carrier announced. Read More

Delta Is Adding Mexico, Costa Rica, and Caribbean Flights from These U.S. Hubs

Afar Magazine — The airline will be increasing the number of daily flights to popular tropical getaways during the busy winter holiday travel season. Read More

Icelandair Is Increasing Capacity

Travel Weekly — The carrier is expanding frequency and year-round destinations in its North America network. Read More

Delta, United Offer to Trim Flights at Busy Airports This Summer in Deal With FAA

Bloomberg — Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Airlines Holdings Inc. are offering to trim flights by as much as 10% at some of the country’s busiest airports this summer to ease congestion and delays — but only in return for a promise from federal regulators that they can get them back. Read More

United Resumes San Francisco-Hong Kong Service

Business Travel News — United Airlines has resumed Hong Kong-San Francisco service with daily flights using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Read More

The New Flight Routes Taking Off This Spring

Travel Pulse — Here’s a look at some of the notable routes that travelers can look forward to flying in the coming weeks and months. Read More

Lufthansa Commits To East Africa With More Nairobi Flights & New GM

Simply Flying — Lufthansa has appointed a new General Manager for the East Africa region and will now fly between Frankfurt and Nairobi daily. Read More

Canada’s Porter Airlines Launches Three New Routes

Travel Market Report — The three new routes are all out of Ottawa International Airport. Read More

Icelandair to Add Winter Frequency

Business Travel News — Icelandair will add frequencies to several routes for its winter season, which begins in October. Read More


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Everything You Need to Know About the TSA’s Liquid Limit

Afar Magazine — The TSA allows liquids under 3.4 ounces in your carry-on—but what’s considered a “liquid” isn’t always obvious. Read More

Ottawa Claims Passport Backlog Cleared; Launches Online Application Status Checker

Open Jaw — The minister in charge of delivering Canada’s passport services says the backlog of applications that piled up when travel reopened following the pandemic has “officially” now “been completely eliminated.” Read More

U.S. State Department Warns of 4-Month Delays for Passport Renewal

Travel Market Report — Just a few months ago, the time for standard renewal was six to nine weeks. Read More

Government Travel Warnings & Alerts

U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More


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Uber Launches Airport-Friendly Features for Riders and Drivers in India

Business Traveller — Uber announced a slew of new features to make airport travel easier for riders as well as drivers in India—ahead of the busy summer travel season. Read More

Amtrak to Restore Service Between NYC, Montreal

Business Travel News — Amtrak on April 3 will resume rail service between New York City and Montreal, Canada, via the Adirondack line. Read More

New Overnight Trains Are Coming to These U.S. Rail Routes

Afar Magazine — For the first time in more than 40 years, Amtrak is getting new long-haul train cars. Read More


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JW Marriott Opens Its First Property in Spain

Travel Weekly — The 139-room JW Marriott Hotel Madrid is located in what was once a perfumerie, and the property pays homage to that history with several fragrance-inspired amenities. Read More

Hilton Plans to Expand Puerto Rico Portfolio

Business Travel News — Hilton Hotels Corp. plans to expand in Puerto Rico with its debut of five brands, including its first Curio Collection, Hilton Garden Inn, Tapestry Collection, Tru and Homewood Suites properties to the region. Read More

Marriott to Expand China Portfolio This Year

Northstar Meetings Group — The hospitality giant expects to add 12,000 rooms across 47 hotels in 2023, for a total of more than 500 properties in the country. Read More

Choice Targets Corp. Travel, Delves Further into Ext. Stay

Business Travel News — Choice Hotels International in 2022 opened its newest extended-stay brand, Everhome Suites, and now looks to broaden the brands’ corporate appeal. Read More

New Opening: Le Méridien Melbourne, the Marriott Brand’s Debut in Australia

Travel Market Report — Le Méridien Melbourne, the newest hotel from the Marriott brand and the first-ever Le Méridien hotel in Australia, is now open. Read More

Soaring Hotel Prices Push Up Cost of London Business Trips

Business Travel News — The cost of a business trip to London has risen by 15 per cent over the past year, with the average price of hotel rooms increasing by 20 per cent per night in the city. Read More


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Jet Lag? We’ve Got You Covered

Recommend Magazine — Here are some tips from Allianz Partners’ medical professionals for avoiding jet lag when traveling to Europe. Read More

Survive Spring Break With These Easy Tech Hacks to Keep Your Devices Safe While Traveling

USA Today (subscription may be required) — You’re likely packing some tech for your spring break getaway. Here are some cybersecurity tips to safeguard your devices and data. Read More

15 New Airport Lounges We Can’t Wait to Enjoy in 2023

The Points Guy — Airlines and credit-card issuers have been busy building new lounges and renovating existing ones in order to meet the unprecedented demand from flyers. Read More

CDC Rescinds Covid-19 Testing Order for Travelers from China

Business Travel News — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has rescinded an order from December that required travelers to the U.S. from China present a negative Covid-19 test before departure. Read More

You Can Now Earn Delta Miles on Starbucks Orders

Afar Magazine — Learn how you can earn 500 bonus miles with Delta and 200 Starbucks points on your next coffee run. Read More

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