December 24, 2024
In This Edition… recent news articles relating to airline flight service updates and news, security updates, hotel information, traveler tips, and much more!
Dans cette édition… de récents articles d’actualité présentant des mises à jour et des nouvelles sur les services de vol des compagnies aériennes, des mises à jour en matière de sécurité, des informations sur les hôtels, des conseils aux voyageurs, et bien plus encore.
Navigator Blog
The Top Business Travel Articles of 2024
As you prepare your travel program for the new year ahead, here are key insights for travel managers from our most popular articles throughout 2024.
How Avenir’s Single Platform Alleviates Frustrations For Travelers and Advisors Alike
By providing a single platform for travelers, travel managers, and travel advisors, we can improve both servicing capabilities and resolution response times.
Travel Management
Steve Singh on Evolution from Archaic Systems to Perfect Trip
PhocusWire — Steve Singh, an investor in Center, Otto, Troop and Spotnana, discusses how AI, cloud technology and open architecture will modernize business travel booking and why he feels "energized" by emerging tech.
UK To Require Electronic Travel Authorization for Entry Starting in 2025
Travel Pulse — Beginning January 8, 2025, U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom (UK) will need to secure an electronic travel authorization (ETA) before their journey, including for layovers.
Year in Review: The Biggest Travel Stories of 2024
Travel Pulse — Here are the biggest travel stories of 2024...
Airline & Flight Updates
Porter to Launch Toronto - Kelowna Flights in May
Open Jaw — Porter is adding service from YYZ to YLW starting 14MAY 2025, initially offering five weekly roundtrips with plans to increase to daily service in June.
Qatar Launches Toronto Service
Business Travel News — Qatar Airways has launched thrice-weekly flights between Doha's Hamad International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Korean Air Completes Asiana Airlines Acquisition
Business Travel News — Korean Air has finalized the acquisition of a majority stake in Asiana Airlines, completing a deal initially commenced in November 2020.
United Adds Touchless ID to Las Vegas
Business Travel News — United Airlines has launched TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, which includes facial-recognition technology, at Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport.
Air Canada to Launch Free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members
OpenJaw — Next May, Air Canada will offer free Wi-Fi to Aeroplan members for flights within N.A. and sun destinations. The carrier addresses the competitive positioning by saying “not all carriers” offer the service across their fleet.
KLM to Add New European Routes in 2025
BTN Europe — Dutch carrier KLM is set to expand its European network in 2025, with new flights to cities in Slovenia, England and France.
TAP Air Portugal Just Added 3 New U.S. Flights, Including a Route to the “Hawai‘i of Europe”
Afar Magazine — The Portuguese carrier has unveiled a fresh lineup of new flights from major U.S. gateways to dreamy destinations throughout the country, including hopping cities like Lisbon and Porto and a beautiful island escape.
Alaska Airlines to Fly to Tokyo and Seoul in 2025
Meetings & Conventions — The service from Seattle to the new destinations are part of the carrier's plan to increase its international flights.
JetBlue adds Boston Service to Madrid and Edinburgh
Travel Weekly — In May, JetBlue will launch transatlantic flights from Boston to Madrid and Edinburgh, Scotland.
New First-Class Seats Are Coming to British Airways Flights—Here’s a First Look
Afar Magazine — The fancy new extra-wide first-class pods will feature ottomans that double as guest seats, cinema lighting, and individual closets, among other bells and whistles.
Safety & Security
FAA Extends Ban on U.S. Flights to Haiti
Travel Weekly — After a 30-day ban expired on Wednesday, the FAA extended its prohibition through March 12.
How to Gift a TSA PreCheck and Global Entry Membership—for Free
Afar Magazine — If you already have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, giving a free membership to someone else courtesy of your credit card’s credit system is simple. But there are a few things to keep in mind.
Ground Transportation
Amtrak Will Debut High-Speed Electric Trains in 2025
Fast Company — Taking the train from D.C. to Boston is about to get nicer — and a little faster.
New Direct High-Speed Train Links Berlin With Paris
Northstar Meetings Group — The once-a-day, eight-hour trip between Germany and France offers convenience but not major time savings compared to existing, indirect rail service.
Hotel News
What Are Sensory Rooms—And Why Do They Matter So Much?
Afar Magazine — Sensory rooms date back to the 1970s, but have grown in number in recent years.
55 Marriott Hotels Achieve Food Waste Certification
Meetings & Conventions Asia — Properties across the U.K., Ireland and the Nordics have completed The PLEDGE on Food Waste third-party certification, which includes 95 criteria.
Beyond Net Zero Design to Carbon-Positive Hotels
Hotel Investment Today — With the U.S. lagging on regulating net-zero commitments, hospitality pioneers are opting for sustainable design certification for new green hotels and green retrofits and say green pays.
How Accor Is Stepping Up Its New Openings in 2025
Insider Travel Report — Accor is entering 2025 with a powerful array of new hotels, resorts and hospitality experiences set to open throughout the year.
Price Pressure Causes U.S. Inflation to Rise Slightly
Northstar Meetings Group — Higher hotel room rates are among the costs that led to the uptick.
JW Marriott Resort Coming to Crete
Travel Weekly — Located near the city of Chania, the resort will be situated along Marathi Beach, offering a mix of 160 rooms, suites and villas.
Traveler Tips, Trips & Convenience
China Now Allowing 10-Day Visa-Free Visits
Open Jaw — The government of China has announced that citizens from 54 countries, including Canada and the U.S., can now stay in the country for 10 days under its visa-free transit policy.
How to Stay Healthy This Holiday Travel Season
Afar Magazine — With a record number of travelers heading into the skies this holiday season and numerous viruses circulating, here’s how you can best protect yourself and others.
New Lounge Opens at Heathrow T2
BTN Europe — A new No1-branded airport lounge has opened at London Heathrow Terminal 2, marking the group’s fourth lounge at the U.K. hub.
Spain Enacted a New Law That Has Major Implications for Travelers
Fodor’s — The country’s new “big brother” data law went into effect on December 2...
United, Air Canada Add AirTag Luggage Tracking
The Points Guy — The carriers have enabled Apple's new "Share Item Location" feature, which allows travelers to share their AirTag location with the airline when items are lost.
Your Easy Travel Checklist: 9 Steps to a Stress-Free Trip
Afar Magazine — A step-by-step guide to making sure you don’t forget anything important in the rush to get out the door.
Hawaiian, Alaska Now Share Check-in Area at San Francisco Airport
Travel Weekly — The sister airlines will also operate from shared spaces at five other airports.
Delta to Open Premium Lounge in Boston Logan
Travel Weekly — Accessible through the Delta Sky Club on Concourse E, the Delta One Lounge has a nautical theme and a menu rich in seafood options.
Turkish Airlines to Launch World-Class Lounge at JFK’s New Terminal One
TravelPulse Canada — Turkish Airlines has confirmed that it will commence operations at JFK’s highly anticipated New Terminal One when it debuts in 2026. As part of the move, Turkish Airlines will introduce an expansive, cutting-edge lounge for its premium customers, further cementing its reputation for world-class service.
Is There a Safest Seat on an Airplane?
Afar Magazine — Experts debate whether there is a safest place to sit on an airplane in the case of an emergency.
This Airline Will Deliver Your Luggage Straight to Your Hotel
Travel Weekly Asia — Japan Airlines has launched a same-day luggage delivery service from Tokyo Haneda Airport, allowing overseas arrivals to head for their hotel without having to haul heavy luggage through the capital city.