December 27, 2022

Direct Travel

News Briefs

December 27, 2022

In This Edition… Airline flight and service updates, the TSA’s digital ID initiative, Uber’s self-driving cars in Vegas, hotel news, travel tips—including tips for packing like a pro, how to stay healthy on the road, accessing free onboard WI-FI, and much more!

Dans cette édition… Des mises à jour sur les vols et les services des compagnies aériennes, l’initiative d’identification numérique de la TSA, les voitures autonomes d’Uber à Vegas, des actualités du secteur hôtelier, des conseils de voyage – notamment des astuces pour faire ses bagages comme un pro, comment rester en bonne santé pendant nos déplacements, comment bénéficier du Wi-Fi gratuit à bord, et bien plus encore!

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The Top Business Travel Articles of 2022

As you reflect on the year and ready your business for 2023, review these key insights from our most popular articles of 2022. Read More

Streamlining Your Company’s Approach to Travel Risk Management

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


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BTN’s Travel Procurement: Buying Travel in 2023

Business Travel News — Corporate travel buyers are getting ready for some choppy waters in 2023. Read More


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Delta Will Bid Farewell to 50-seat Bombardier Planes Next Summer

Travel Weekly — When the Bombardier CRJ-200s are gone, all Delta Connection aircraft will have first-class cabins. Read More

AA Adds Loyalty Reward Tiers, Raises Threshold

Business Travel News — American Airlines in March 2023 will add rewards tiers to its AAdvantage loyalty program, allowing members to earn perks when reaching certain loyalty point thresholds. American also raised the number of points necessary to qualify for AAdvantage status levels. Read More

Delta Air Lines Expected to Launch Free WiFi in 2023

Travel Market Report — Delta’s free WiFi future is reportedly closer than ever to becoming a reality. Read More

United Just Bought 100 Boeing 787s—Here’s What That Means for Travelers

Afar Magazine — Cleaner, greener flying and expanded international routes are coming. Read More

Air Canada Will Begin Flights to JFK in March

Travel Weekly — The airline will offer twice-daily service between Toronto and JFK as well as daily flights from Montreal. Read More

Air France KLM Introduces New Award Chart, Free Stopovers

View From The Wing — Learn more about the options… Read More

Delta to Resume Cuba Service in 2023

Afar Magazine — After suspending its Cuba flights in 2020, the carrier is heading back to Havana. Read More

American Airlines Just Relaunched Service to Five Airports in Cuba

Caribbean Journal — American Airlines has significantly ramped up its service to the island of Cuba… Read More

Air Canada & Emirates Now Offer Reciprocal Loyalty Program Benefits

Travel Pulse — Air Canada and Emirates have expanded their partnership to offer frequent flyer members joint loyalty program benefits. Read More

American Airlines Is Making It Harder to Get Status

Afar Magazine — For the second time this year, American Airlines has announced major changes to its AAdvantage loyalty program. Read More


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TSA Announces New Measures Amid Record Firearm Seizures

Travel Pulse — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it has increased the maximum civil penalty for a firearms violation to $14,950 in the wake of officers intercepting a record number of firearms from carry-on bags at airport security checkpoints this year. Read More

You’ll No Longer Need to Show TSA Your Boarding Pass at These Airports Afar Magazine

Afar Magazine — Enhanced technology allows agents to confirm passengers’ flight details simply by scanning their government-issued ID. Read More

TSA Digital ID – Now Accepted at Select Checkpoints Nationwide

TSA.org  — As TSA continues to integrate new technologies for a faster, easier travel experience, they’ve partnered on several innovative Digital ID initiative, which work for TSA PreCheck® members, in place of physical ID and boarding passes. Read More

Yes, You Can Bring Food Through TSA—With Some Exceptions

Afar Magazine  — Here’s what to know before you attempt to bring that tasty souvenir or home-cooked meal through airport security. Read More

Will the REAL ID Ever Become Reality? U.S. Travel Welcomes Extension of REAL ID Deadline

Insider Travel Report — The recent extension has met with approval from the U.S. Travel Association, which has been lobbying DHS to extend the deadline again because it fears implementation will cause fewer people to travel and lead to massive travel disruptions. 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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How to Earn Airline Miles on Lyft Rides

Afar Magazine — You can now link your Lyft account to your Alaska Airlines or Delta frequent flier accounts. Read More

Uber Launching Self-Driving Cars in Las Vegas

CNN — While the autonomous vehicles currently are only available for ride-hailing in Las Vegas, there are plans to expand to Los Angeles, as well… Read More

Amtrak Offers First Look at Its New Fleet of Trains

Afar Magazine — Get ready for more comfortable seats, fewer delays, and a big decrease in air pollution. Read More


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Hilton Expands Waldorf Astoria Brand in Mexico

Travel Pulse — This will be the brand’s third property in Mexico. Read More

Highgate is Acquiring Viceroy Hotels

Travel Weekly — The hotel company operates 11 luxury properties internationally, with two more expected to debut in Portugal and Panama next year. Read More

Radisson Hotel Group Drives Growth in Thailand

4Hoteliers — Radisson Hotel Group has reached an important milestone in its expansion strategy in Thailand with the signing of Lewit Hotel Pattaya. Read More


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These Are the World’s Busiest Airports—a List That Might Surprise You

Afar Magazine — Over the course of the pandemic, an entirely new lineup of the world’s busiest hubs has emerged. Here’s what to know about the most bustling airports. Read More

Pack Like a Pro

ASTA.org — Get the most out of your checked baggage fees, or eliminate them entirely! Read More

How to Stay Healthy This Holiday Travel Season Amid COVID, Flu, and RSV

Afar Magazine — With almost no public health measures in place and more travelers heading into the skies than during previous pandemic winters, infectious disease experts weigh in on how to best protect yourself and others. Read More

How to Expedite Your U.S. Passport Application

Afar Magazine — From an emergency trip to finally planning international travel again after months of staying closer to home (ahem, COVID), there are numerous situations that might require a quick passport turnaround. Read More

How to Travel Healthy: 5 Tips to Stay Energized and Balanced

Prevue Meetings — Travel wellness expert and speaker John Ayo on how to reduce stress and maintain good health while on the road. Read More

Accessing Airport Lounges Is About to Get a Lot Harder

Afar Magazine — But with more new lounges coming in 2023, there’s also a lot to look forward to when it comes to these airport sanctuaries. Read More

4 Ways to Get Free WiFi on Your Next Flight

CNBC — Connect for free on your next flight with these airlines, credit cards and cell phone providers. Read More

Travel Insurance Demand Higher Now Than Pre-pandemic

Travel Weekly — More U.S. travelers want to buy travel insurance now than they did before the pandemic, according to a new study. Read More


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5 Incentive Travel Trends to Watch

Meetings Today — Although it might look and feel different than before the pandemic, incentive travel is here to stay! Here are 5 trends to look out for as you get ready for your next trip. Read More

Hoteliers on 2023 Meeting Trends

Prevue Meetings  — Why are conventions and other big-group events booming for 2023, and what do their attendees really care about? Here’s what hoteliers have to say about some of the hottest 2023 meeting trends. 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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