December 13, 2022

Direct Travel

News Briefs

December 13, 2022

In This Edition… DHS extends REAL ID deadline, projected decrease in U.S. hotel rates and occupancy next year, American to Sunset AirPass, Delta to Raise Sky Club Membership prices and restrict access, other airline and flight updates, hotel news, travel tips, and much more!

Dans cette édition… Le département de la Sécurité intérieure des É.-U. (DHS, Department of Homeland Security) repousse la date limite du REAL ID, baisse prévue des tarifs hôteliers et des taux d’occupation des hôtels américains l’année prochaine, American envisage de supprimer l’AirPass, Delta entend augmenter les prix d’adhésion au Sky Club et en restreindre l’accès, autres mises à jour sur les compagnies aériennes et les vols, les actualités du secteur hôtelier, les conseils de voyage, et bien plus encore!

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Streamlining Your Company’s Approach to Travel Risk Management

The needs of businesses have evolved rapidly since 2020, but one topic has consistently emerged at the top of the list for corporate travel programs: risk management. Read More

How Your Travel Policy Should Address C-suite Needs

Now more than ever—as business travel bounces back to pre-pandemic levels—executive travel is included in the “mission critical” category. The key to C-suite travel success is a strong travel policy that fully addresses a wide spectrum of domestic and global considerations. Read More


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DHS Announces Extension of REAL ID Full Enforcement Deadline

Department of Homeland Security — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its intent to extend the REAL ID full enforcement date by 24 months, from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025. Read More

STR Slightly Cuts 2023 U.S. Hotel Rate, Occupancy Forecast

Business Travel News — Anticipating a “mild” recession going into 2023, STR and Tourism Economics in a report project U.S. hotel rates and occupancy next year will decrease slightly year over year, a bit below the companies’ previous forecast. Read More

European Council Approves New Sustainability Reporting Requirements

Business Travel News — The European Council has issued final approval to a new sustainability reporting directive that expands corporate reporting requirements as well as the number of companies that will have to participate. Read More


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WestJet Launching Calgary-Tokyo Service, Adds Barcelona & Edinburgh Too

Travel Pulse — WestJet has announced that Tokyo, Japan will be its first destination in Asia, with new service starting next summer from Calgary to Narita International Airport. Read More

Air Canada Launches Only Non-Stop Service Between North America and Thailand

Travel Pulse — A celebration was held at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to mark Air Canada’s inaugural flight AC65, which departed Friday night bound for Bangkok. Read More

American to Sunset AirPass

Business Travel News — American Airlines as of Nov. 30 no longer is accepting new or renewed AirPass memberships, the carrier confirmed to BTN. The program was an all-inclusive, prepaid membership. Read More

Delta to Raise Sky Club Membership Prices, Restrict Access

Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines is raising membership and entry fees for access to its Sky Club airport lounges in an effort to “preserve a best-in-class experience,” the carrier announced. Read More

Alaska Airlines Launches First U.S. Electronic Bag Tag Program

Insider Travel Report — Alaska Airlines became the first U.S. airline to launch an electronic bag tag program, which enables guests to tag their luggage on the airline’s mobile app before reaching the airport. The new feature is expected to be a massive timesaver, reducing guests’ time in airport lobbies by roughly 40 percent. Read More

American, BA Colocation at JFK to Begin Dec. 1

Business Travel News — American Airlines and British Airways have unveiled their new colocation facilities at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminal 8. Read More

BA Adds Ability to Purchase Carbon Removal Credits

Business Travel News — British Airways has added the ability for customers to purchase certified carbon removal credits through its “new updated climate platform CO2llaborate.” Read More

Latam and Delta Collaborate On Their First Route

Travel Weekly — Under the new Delta-Latam joint venture, Latam will begin flying between Los Angeles and Sao Paulo on July 1. Read More

Carriers in October Again Boost On-Time Performance

Business Travel News — Average North American airline on-time performance in October continued to improve, reaching 79.5 percent, up two percentage points from September, according to Cirium’s monthly report. Read More

Singapore Airlines to Add Asian Service

Business Travel News — Singapore Airlines plans to add flights across Asia and increase Airbus A380 services to Australia in 2023. In addition, it is adjusting service on routes to the Americas and Europe. Read More

What Delta Is Doing To Reduce Long Lines To Get Into Sky Clubs

View From The Wing — Allison Ausband, executive vice president and chief customer experience officer at Delta shared what Delta is doing to reduce long lines to get into Sky Clubs. Read More

FAA Approves O’Hare Terminal Project

Business Travel News /em> — The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration completed the environmental review of a new multi-billion-dollar project at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and approved it. Read More


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TSA Plans to Expand Facial Recognition Technology at U.S. Airports Next Year

Travel Pulse — The program is currently in use at 16 domestic airports to speed up the screening process. Read More

UK Considers Dropping Liquids in Luggage Rules by 2024

Travel Pulse — Airports in the United Kingdom are considering getting rid of the limitations and rules on liquids packed in luggage, as well as requirements for laptop computers, by 2024, the BBC reports. Read More

TSA Hits Post-Pandemic Milestone with 2.56 Million Passengers Screened

Travel Market Report — The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hit another post-pandemic milestone, screening 2.56 million air travelers, the highest number for any single day since 2019. 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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Enterprise, Alamo to Enter South Korea

Business Travel News — Enterprise Holdings has entered into an agreement to add new franchise locations in South Korea. Read More

Amtrak Unveils Limited-Time Auto Train Sale

Travel Pulse — Travel between the Northeast and Florida in style. Read More


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Hilton Opens First Motto Properties in Europe, Mexico

Business Travel News — Hilton Worldwide has opened its first Motto by Hilton properties in the Netherlands and Mexico, the company announced. Read More

Hyatt Plans to Acquire Dream Hotel Group for Base Price of $125 Million

Insider Travel Report — Hyatt Hotel Corporation announced an agreement to buy Dream Hotel Group’s lifestyle hotel brand and management platform, including the Dream Hotels, Chatwal Hotels and Unscripted Hotels brands, with properties in some of the world’s most prominent hotel markets across the Americas, Europe and Asia. Read More

IHG Hotels & Resorts: This Year’s Stella Award Winner for Best Hotel Chain

Northstar Meetings Group — With four collections, 17 diverse brands, more than 6,000 global hotels and resorts, and over 20 million square feet of meeting space, IHG properties can host events of all sizes. Plus, with many creative small- to medium-sized meeting spaces, IHG is perfectly positioned to meet small to mid-sized groups and their needs. Read More


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The CDC’s Latest Pandemic Guidelines for Travel and Events

Northstar Meetings Group — The agency is encouraging the public to wear face masks again to prevent the spread of illness over the holidays. Read More

Experts: It’s Safer to Leave Your Phone in Airplane Mode When You Fly

USA Today (subscription may be required) — Experts say cellphones have never been directly tied to an airplane crash, but they still worry that they could interfere with a plane’s automation. Read More

Waking Up to the Struggles of Disabled Flyers

Travel Weekly — Airlines say they’re committed to accessibility. Here’s what they could do. Read More

The Airline Lounges With Saunas, Speakeasies And Swimming Pools

Forbes — Lounge upgrades have made waiting around at airports much more pleasurable. Read More

9 Things That Are Surprisingly Offensive in Asia

Afar Magazine — It’s a good idea to learn local etiquette before traveling somewhere unfamiliar. If you want to make a good impression on your first trip to Asia, here are the things you should and shouldn’t do. Read More

The Latest Hotel Amenity? A Better Night’s Sleep

Afar Magazine — Around the world, hotels are creating sleep-enhancing packages to help guests live the dream. Read More

Airports and Airlines Most Likely to Lose or Damage Your Luggage

Prevue Meetings — Sixty percent of respondents to a survey by Price4Limo said their luggage came off the conveyor belt damaged, which is just slightly more than the 55 percent whose luggage never did appear. Read More

5 Tips for Eating Healthy on the Road

Meetings Today — If you’re spending weeks on the road at a time with a packed schedule, remembering to eat healthy can quickly take the backseat. Next time you’re getting ready to travel, consider these tips. Read More


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Four 2023 Trends From Hilton

Prevue Meetings — Hilton’s 2023 Travel Trends report shows many parallels between what the general public wants when on the road and what meeting and event attendees seek. Read More

What Every Planner Should Know About Planning an Event in the Caribbean and Latin America

Northstar Meetings Group — Download this checklist as a reference tool for creating memorable meetings in this remarkable part of the world. Read More

A New Resort-Casino Is in the Works Near Reno-Sparks Convention Center

KRNV News  — Renderings of the property include more than 200 rooms and suites, a 62,500-square-foot gaming floor, more than 1,200 slot machines, a sports book and more. 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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