August 13, 2019

Direct Travel

News Briefs

August 13, 2019

In this edition of the Travel News Brief: airlines add new flight service options, BA’s new club suite, 5 airlines join TSA Pre-check, avoiding airport security hassles, United buys stake in Clear, Wyndham expands, Marriott joins all-inclusive business, traveler tips, ideas for healthy food at meetings, strengthening supplier relations, 5 ways to keep momentum long after GBTA ends and more!

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5 Ways to Keep Momentum Long After GBTA Ends

After making it through another GBTA Convention, energy and inspiration is running at an all-time high, which is the perfect time to take that education and excitement and translate it into action. Read More


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Serko Embeds Digital Assistant into Zeno

Business Travel News — Corporate booking tool provider Serko has partnered with artificial intelligence-driven customer service company FaceMe to deliver a human-like travel digital assistant that responds verbally to travel requests. Read More

Uber and Lyft are Dominating Business Travel Expense Claims

Phocuswire — The suppliers that top business travel expense claims include Uber, Starbucks and Lyft according to Certify. Read More


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Delta Prepares to Leave Narita Following U.S. DOT Decision

Business Travel News — Beginning in March 2020, Delta will transfer its full U.S.-Tokyo operations from Narita to Haneda. Read More

American Airlines Adding First Flights to Africa, Poland, Returning to Tel Aviv

USA Today — American Airlines plans to add its first flights to Africa and Poland next summer and is resuming service to Israel next fall. Read More

United to Offer Flights Between Denver and Hobbs, New Mexico

Houston Chronicle — United Airlines on Oct. 27 will launch new service between Colorado’s Denver International Airport and Lea County Regional Airport in New Mexico. Read More

Delta Gets Tentative OK for New Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic Joint Venture

Travel Mole — Delta holds shareholding in both carriers…Read More

BA Unveils New Club Suite

Travel Mole — First Airbus 350 touches down at Heathrow…Read More

Delta Launching Bogota Flights from New York

Travel Mole — New York route will operate daily…Read More

Delta Schedules the A220 for Transcon Route

The Points Guy — Airline Route has reported on Twitter that beginning June 8, 2020, Delta will fly the A220-100 from Atlanta to Seattle. Read More


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Five Additional Airlines Join TSA Pre✓®

Transportation Security Administration — The Transportation Security Administration announced today the expansion of its TSA Pre✓® expedited screening program with Austrian Airlines, Swoop, PAL Express, VivaAerobus and Interjet. The five additional carriers bring the number of airlines participating in TSA Pre✓® to 72 domestic and international carriers. Read More

From a Jar of Pickles to Kids’ Slime: How to Avoid a Hassle at Airport Security

CNBC — TSA offers helpful list of items passengers can bring aboard planes…Read More

New Smart Tech at Pittsburgh Airport Lets You Pick the Best Way Through Security

CBS Pittsburgh — The real-time wait-time calculation is the brainchild of a Carnegie Mellon University spin-off called Zensors…Read More

United Airlines Buys Stake in Biometric Screening Firm Clear

CNBC — United Airlines has purchased a stake in Clear, which will add expedited screening kiosks at its hubs in Chicago, Houston, and Newark, N.J. 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, Lyft and Scooters Are Winning Over Corporate Travelers

Bloomberg — The transfer of funds from firms to ride-hailing companies continues to grow as the apps gain traction among North American business travelers…Read More

Amtrak’s Nonstop Train Service Between New York and Washington, D.C., is (Almost) Here

USA Today — Amtrak is aiming to make the train more competitive, announcing its new Acela Nonstop direct service between Washington’s Union Station and New York’s Penn Station beginning Sept. 23…Read More

Portland to Vancouver in Two Hours – by High-speed Rail

SF Gate — New report backs a high-speed corridor in the Pacific Northwest…Read More


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Wyndham Will Open 500 Hotels in China in Next Three Years

Business Travel News — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts aims to open 500 hotels in China over the next three years. The company’s Asia/Pacific region already includes more than 173,000 rooms and 86 planned hotel openings this year. Read More

Marriott Entering All-inclusive Resort Business

Travel Mole — Marriott will launch first ever all-inclusive Ritz-Carlton. Read More

Are Mini Shampoo Bottles the New Plastic Straw?

The New York Times (subscription required) — The IHG hotel group plans to replace “bathroom miniatures” with bulk supplies across all of its 17 brands, including Holiday Inn and InterContinental…Read More


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5 Clever Ways to Use Google Maps When Traveling

Smarter Travel — Ever passed by a cute-looking restaurant on your way to dinner and wonder why Google Maps didn’t show it as an option when you searched the area? I found out the secret behind how Google Maps decides what to show you, plus other must-know tips for travelers. Read More

American Airlines Flagship Experience Now at DFW

Travel Weekly — Enjoy more ways to relax in Terminal D…Read More

Canadian Government Enacts New Air Passenger Protection Regulations

Travel Market Report  — The new law lays out rules designed to make sure airlines and their customers are up to date on what they are entitled to if things go wrong. Read More

The Middle Seat Is About to Get Wider on Some Planes

Smarter Travel — On two airlines, a new plane seat design aims to provide a wider middle seat on short-haul flights by 2020. Read More

You Can Watch Hulu Content on Delta Flights

Travel Weekly — The airline carrier will add original content from Hulu to its free Delta Studio inflight entertainment service next month…Read More


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Wynn Resorts’ Las Vegas Growth Plan Looks Steady, Not Flashy

The Motley Fool — Gambling revenues aren’t increasing in Vegas overall, but there are other ways to boost the bottom line. Read More

5 Nutritious Food-Break Ideas for Healthy Meetings

Northstar Meetings Group — These healthy meeting break concepts can be good for your meeting, and good for your meeting attendees…Read More

Strengthening Supplier Relationships

Creative Group — A case study on leveraging supplier sponsorships as part of an incentive program. Read More

Miami Beach Convention Center Debuts 2 New Ballrooms

Meetings & Conventions Magazine — Both event spaces are part of an ongoing facility expansion…Read More

Looking for guidance on planning your next convention, incentive, or group trip? Direct Travel will assist with all your meetings and event details!  Whatever your needs may be when it comes to your event, you can always depend on us to design streamlined travel arrangements, plan strategic meetings, and deliver real-time results. For details, please send a message to: [email protected].

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