February 20, 2024

Direct Travel

News Briefs

February 20, 2024

In This Edition… US FAA Reauthorization Bill gets passed, airline news and flight service updates, Canada issues advisory for Europe, a 4-year passport, NYC’s high-tech subway trains, hotel news, traveler tips, and more!

Dans cette édition… l’adoption du projet de loi sur la réautorisation de la FAA, des nouvelles sur les compagnies aériennes et des mises à jour sur les services de vol, le Canada émet un avis de voyage pour l’Europe, un passeport valide pour 4 ans, les rames de métro ultramodernes de New York, des actualités sur les hôtels, des conseils aux voyageurs, et bien plus encore!

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How To Determine If You Need a Travel Management Company

Here are the questions a travel manager should ask themselves to determine if their business would benefit from partnering with a travel management company. Read More

What’s Ahead for Business Travel in 2024

Will it simply be a year of smooth sailing, or will some sectors experience their fair share of challenges? The Direct Travel team has compiled a 2024 Forecast that can be downloaded and shared with your team. Read More


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US Senate Committee Passes FAA Reauthorization Bill

Business Travel News — The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023 on Thursday, which would fund the agency for the next five years. Read More


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Delta Is Creating a New Category of ‘Premium Lounges’

Travel Weekly — The new premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs “will be separate products with separate features,” the airline said. Read More

United Adds Eight Partners to Sustainable Flight Fund

Business Travel News — United Airlines has added eight new members to its United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund, which it launched to focus investments on sustainable aviation fuel research, technology and production. Read More

EU OKs Korean Air-Asiana Merger

Business Travel News — The European Commission has approved the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, Korean Air. Read More

Delta Calls Order to Dissolve Aeromexico Alliance ‘Bad Policy’

Travel Weekly — Delta is requesting that the DOT take a different tack to resolve a dispute with Mexico that led to its decision to terminate the airlines’ antitrust-immune venture. Read More

These New Delta Flights to the Caribbean and Mexico Are Launching in 2024

Afar Magazine — The carrier is continuing to expand its network, this time with a focus on sun and sand destinations. Read More

Hawaiian Free WiFi Service Makes Its Debut

Travel Weekly — The carrier is the first large U.S. airline to deploy SpaceX’s satellite service. Read More

Finnair Asks Passengers to Weigh Themselves Voluntarily

Meetings & Conventions (AP) — Travelers and their carry-ons last were measured in 2018, allowing the airline to use its own averages for making flight-safety calculations. Read More

How the Largest US Airports Rank for On-Time Flights

Travel Pulse — When it comes to getting you to your destination on time, some airports simply fare better than others. Read More


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Kenya Goes Visa Free, Implements New Electronic Entry System for Travelers Instead

Afar Magazine — Here’s how to visit the East African country as of January 2024. Read More

Code Yellow: Canada Issues “High Degree of Caution” Advisories for Europe

OpenJaw — The Canadian government’s travel advisory site has been updated in the past 10 days or so to include warnings about terrorism threats and crime in several major European destinations including the UK, Spain, France and Germany. Read More

These Credit Cards Get You TSA PreCheck and Global Entry for Free

Afar Magazine — Use the right travel credit card and you can fast-track through domestic security and U.S. immigration without paying a dime. Read More

There’s a 4-Year Passport: What Is It, Who’s Eligible, and Should You Get It?

Fodor’s Travel — Although it’s not widely advertised, the benefits of having a second passport can come in handy for frequent international travelers. 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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Inside NYC’s Extremely Spacious and High-Tech New Subway Trains

Fast Company — The cars have wider doors; digital signage; brighter, more vibrant interiors; and, notably, open gangways allowing door-free passage between cars. Read More


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Loews Arlington Hotel & Convention Center Officially Opens

The Meeting Magazine — Loews Corporation opened the Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center… their second and largest hotel in Arlington, Texas and the first-of-its-kind in the market, ushering a new era of hospitality to North Texas. Read More

Hilton Partners with Small Luxury Hotels of the World to Expand Global Luxury Portfolio

Insider Travel Report — In a groundbreaking luxury hotel deal, Hilton and Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) have formed an exclusive strategic partnership that will welcome Hilton guests to hundreds of independently minded luxury hotels in the most sought-after destinations around the world. Read More

Choice Hotels to Add Tesla EV Chargers

Business Travel News — The hotel chain will concentrate on its approximately 75 Cambria locations as the target for its initial rollout. Read More

Hilton Considers Graduate Hotels Acquisition

The Points Guy — The lifestyle brand has built a following primarily in large college towns across the United States, but has been expanding. Read More


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American Express’ New Centurion Lounge in Atlanta is its Largest

Travel Weekly — The lounge has outdoor terraces, a whiskey bar and food from local chef Deborah VanTrece. Read More

New Orleans Takes Super Bowl Handoff From Las Vegas

Sports Travel — The Big Easy will host its record-tying 11th Super Bowl next year, joining Miami at the top of the list of cities that have hosted most often. Read More

The Parking Spot Acquires Park ‘N Fly

PR Newswire — The Parking Spot announced the acquisition of Park ‘N Fly—a near-airport parking sector owner/operator with 13 owned, leased, and managed facilities. Read More

More Flight Delays Are Coming, According to New Report

Fodor’s Travel — How can travelers minimize the impact of delays and cancellations if this is going to be the new normal? Read More

This Travel Hack Can Help You Save Hundreds of Dollars While Shopping Abroad

Afar Magazine — Go ahead . . . buy that expensive European designer bag. You may get some cash back thanks to this handy travel tip. Read More

Delta Reveals 7 New and Expanded Sky Clubs for 2024

The Points Guy — This year is shaping up to be the biggest yet for the Sky Club network because Delta is officially cutting the ribbon on its long-awaited business-class-only lounges. Read More

SFO to Rename International Terminal After Sen. Dianne Feinstein

Travel Weekly — The San Francisco Airport Commission approved a submitted nomination to honor the late Feinstein, who was called a “tireless advocate” for SFO. Read More


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Focus on Culinary Travel — Sustainability is on the Menu

Travel Weekly — Travel Weekly editors were at the table for experiences built around sustainable culinary 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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