August 20, 2024

Direct Travel

News Briefs

August 20, 2024

In This Edition… new flight routes, flight cabin updates, TSA retains liquid limit, Australia joining U.S. Global Entry program, Apple's TSA-approved digital IDs work in 5 States, hotel news, traveler tips—including new airport lounges, in-flight education, hotel Wi-Fi, and more!

Dans cette édition… des nouveaux itinéraires aériens, des mises à jour sur les cabines à bord, la TSA maintient sa limite sur les liquides, l’Australie rejoint le programme Global Entry des États-Unis, les cartes d’identité numériques d’Apple reconnues par la TSA peuvent être utilisées dans 5 États américains, des actualités hôtelières, des conseils aux voyageurs – y compris les nouveaux salons d’aéroport, des formations en vol, le Wi-Fi dans les hôtels, et bien plus encore!<!--

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Meet Spotnana: The Next-Gen Travel Infrastructure Behind Avenir

Our partners at Spotnana are building new modern infrastructure for the trillion-dollar travel industry, which relies heavily on technology and data structures that were developed several decades ago. Read More

How Tech-Driven Innovation Can Improve the Traveler Experience

81% report that business travel is worthwhile in achieving their goals. Beyond helping to surpass company milestones, innovation is also vital to continue fostering positive business traveler experiences. Read More


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Air Canada To Resume Ottawa-London Flights Next Year

OpenJaw — Air Canada will resume flights between YOW and LHR next March, with four weekly flights on AC Dreamliners. Read More

Singapore Airlines to Suspend Houston Service

Business Travel News — Singapore Airlines on April 1, 2025, will suspend flights between Manchester, U.K., and Houston, which was its only route to the Texas city, adding that it will continue to fly between Singapore and Manchester five times weekly. Read More

American Airlines Adds Quebec City-Charlotte for Fall

Open Jaw — In a move that Air Canada will surely take note of, American Airlines is adding flights between QC and Charlotte from now until 02NOV, 2024. AA already flies YQB to PHL and ORD. Read More

Delta to Expand Corp. Priority Benefits to Latam

Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines “beginning this month” will expand its Corporate Priority benefits package to joint-venture partner Latam, available to travelers at organizations with corporate sales agreements with the carrier. Read More

Qatar Airways Is Launching a Highly Anticipated New Qsuite Business Seat—Here’s a Sneak Peek

Afar Magazine — The airline provided a first glance at images and mock-ups of a new business-class offering that is sure to impress. Read More

What Delta Is Doing to Make Things Right After the Great Meltdown

Insider Travel Report — Delta is falling on its sword and working to make things right for those customers impacted by the outage and resulting operational disruption. Read More

Turkish Airlines Is Rolling Out a Fancy New Business-Class Cabin. Here’s What to Know.

Afar Magazine — Learn everything about the new Crystal Business Class suites. Read More

Alaska-Hawaiian Airline Merger Deadline Extended

TravelPulse — The wait will have to wait. The Department of Justice has received an extension for its deadline to make a decision on the merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The original deadline was Monday, August 4. It is now Thursday, August 15. Read More

Everything You Need to Know About Lufthansa Allegris’ New Business Class Cabins

Afar Magazine — The long-awaited Allegris is finally here and with it five different business-class seating options to fulfill every traveler’s needs. Read More

Southwest to Add Assigned Seating, Premium Cabin

Business Travel News — Southwest Airlines in 2025 will end its decades-old open-seating policy and debut premium seating with extra legroom, the company announced as part of a series of notices of service and structure changes. Read More


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TSA Liquid Limits on Air Travelers Likely To Remain in Place Until 2040

Travel Pulse — The Transportation Security Administration said a scanner able to detect liquids up to two liters will not be implemented until at least 2040, largely due to the volume of passengers. Read More

Australians to be Eligible for U.S. Global Entry Next Year

Business Travel News — Australia is joining the U.S. Global Entry program next year, enabling Australian citizens to access expedited immigration and customs clearance when arriving in the United States. Read More

Apple’s TSA-Approved Digital IDs Are Live in 5 States

The Points Guy — The days of fumbling around for your driver’s license at the security checkpoint are coming to an end. Read More

The Secret Way to Bypass Security Lines at Some of Europe’s Busiest Airports

Afar Magazine — There’s no TSA PreCheck in Europe but at select Europe airports, travelers can head to the front of the security line, free of charge. Here’s how. 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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Radisson Introduces the Radisson Brand to Austria

Radisson Hotels — With the grand opening of Radisson Hotel Graz, Radisson Hotel Group introduces its upscale Radisson brand to Austria. Read More

IHG Invests in Texas Portfolio

Business Travel News — IHG is expanding significantly in Texas, adding 14 new properties in 2024 across Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and other cities to meet the rising demand in business travel and hospitality. Read More

Virgin Hotels Opens London Property

Business Travel News Europe — Virgin Hotels London Shoreditch officially opened its doors, marking the brand’s debut in the UK capital. Read More


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Delta to Roll Out Free WiFi on International Flights

TravelPulse — Delta’s regional routes will follow a similar process and will come online over the course of 2025. Read More

Why Do You Have to Claim and Recheck Your Bag for a Connecting International Flight in the USA?

Afar Magazine — If you’ve ever wondered why you have to collect and recheck your suitcase after landing in the United States, we sought out some answers. Read More

What Really Happens if You Don’t Switch Your Phone to “Airplane Mode” In-Flight

Afar Magazine — Air travelers are required to turn off cell service during a flight. But what does airplane mode do? Read More

Two Huge New Airport Lounges Are Now Open at SFO. Here’s What to Expect.

Afar Magazine — The Alaska Lounge and the Club SFO—the airport’s first Priority Pass-accessible lounge—are packed with amenities that nod to NorCal. Read More

The Real Reason You Can’t Retrieve Your Phone if It Falls Between Your Airplane Seat

Fodors — It’s for your own safety. Read More

How Safe Is Hotel Wi-Fi Really?

Afar Magazine — Here’s what you need to know to use hotel Wi-Fi safely. Read More


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Double-digit Revenue Growth Projected for Global Trade Show Industry in 2024

Trade Show News Network — The global exhibition industry is on track to achieve record revenues this year, according to UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry’s latest Global Exhibition Barometer flagship industry report. Read More

Predictive AI for Attendee Acquisition and Engagement

PCMA.org — A discussion at a recent Lippman Connects’ Attendee Acquisition Roundtable around how to use predictive AI to strategically grow your base of potential registrants got participants’ wheels turning. Read More

How To Create High-Converting Event Sponsorship Levels

10Times Blog — The goal is to develop packages that appeal to a wide range of potential sponsors while delivering value to both them and your event. Read More

Top Tips to Increase Event Attendance

Northstar Meetings Group — Boosting attendance requires a multipronged approach. This free guide provides insider strategies from industry professionals to help you design a program that hits all the high notes: a great destination, exciting speakers, helpful content and more. Read More

New Meeting Venues in North Carolina

Northstar Meetings Group — Local updates include a $387 million expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center, as well as a new 550-room Omni Hotel that will be built across the street. Read More

Looking for assistance with your next convention, incentive, or special event? From designing memorable experiences to managing strategic meetings, Direct Travel is your trusted event partner! For details, please send a message to: [email protected].

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