February 7, 2023

Direct Travel

News Briefs

February 7, 2023

In This Edition… Airline flight service updates, Alaska Airlines plans Wi-Fi upgrades, CLEAR launches at Raleigh-Durham International, US progress reducing Visa wait times, National update mobile app, hotel news, traveler tips and more!

Dans cette édition… Des mises à jour des services de vol des compagnies aériennes, Alaska Airlines prévoit des mises à niveau en matière de Wi-Fi, CLEAR se lance à l’aéroport international de Raleigh-Durham, les États-Unis progressent dans la réduction des temps d’attente pour l’obtention de visas, la mise à jour de l’application mobile National, les actualités du secteur hôtelier, les conseils aux voyageurs et bien plus encore!

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How to Prevent Flight Cancelations From Disrupting Your Business Travel

Flight cancelations are an unavoidable and unpredictable part of business travel. It’s not a matter of if they’ll occur—it’s simply a matter of when. Read More


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Delta to Add Texas Flights, Frequencies

Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines will add new service from Dallas Love Field and increase frequencies on several Texas routes. Read More

Delta to Extend Four Seasonal Routes to Year-Round

Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines will operate four of its upcoming summer seasonal routes, originally slated to end Oct. 27, as year-round routes. Read More

New Air France Business Class Available on Three Routes

Business Travel News — The first of Air France’s Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft has been equipped with the carrier’s new business-class cabin, first announced in May 2022 and debuted this past weekend. Read More

Delta Confirms China Flight Resumption in March

Business Travel News — China has lifted many of its Covid-19 restrictions and reopened its borders after nearly completely closing them three years ago. But that doesn’t mean flights from U.S. carriers to China will resume at pre-pandemic levels anytime soon. Read More

New Air France Business Class Available on Three Routes

Business Travel News — The first of Air France’s Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft has been equipped with the carrier’s new business-class cabin, first announced in May 2022 and debuted this past weekend. Read More

Delta Air Lines Adds First-Ever Nonstop Service to this Oceanic Country

Travel Market Report — Delta is adding a number of international flights to its 2023 schedule. Read More

Alaska Airlines Plans Streaming Fast Satellite Wi-Fi Upgrades for Regional Jets

Insider Travel Report — Alaska Airlines says it will become the first major airline to offer streaming-fast satellite Wi-Fi on a regional jet aircraft. Read More

Aeromexico Launching the First U.S. Service from Mexico City’s New Airport

Travel Weekly — Daily service between Felipe Angeles Airport and Houston Bush will begin on May 1. Read More


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CLEAR Adds New Lanes at Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Travel Market Report — The addition of security lanes at lanes at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) marks CLEAR’s 50th airport. Read More

Surprising Countries Where U.S. Citizens Need an Advance Visa

Afar Magazine — If you’re planning an international trip with a U.S. passport, here’s where you’ll need to be extra prepared with your paperwork. Read More

State Department Makes Progress in Reducing Visa Wait Times

TravelPulse — US Travel Association says there is much more work to do… 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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NYC to Require Uber, Lyft to Go 100% Electric by 2030

Auto Rental News  — New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that Uber and Lyft will be required to have only zero-emission vehicles by 2030. Read More

National Car Rental Adds Features to Mobile App

Business Travel News — National Car Rental has redesigned its mobile app with new features that make the car rental experience “even more frictionless,” according to the company. Read More

You Can Finally Get to JFK Airport from New York’s Grand Central

Afar Magazine — Getting to the airport from Manhattan just got a lot easier thanks to the long-awaited opening of a new Long Island Rail Road terminal annex. Read More

With Just 23 Million Passengers, Down 30%, Amtrak Not An Airline Alternative

Forbes — Green advocates want to replace planes with trains. But according to the data, it could be argued that the opposite is happening… Read More

After Infrastructure Funding, Amtrak Readies New Trains

Business Travel News — Two new types of Amtrak trains—Acela and the newly announced Airo, set to debut in 2026—are on the way to enhance the national rail provider’s customer experience, particularly for business travelers. Read More


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Accor Launches Collection of Midscale Hotels

Business Travel News — Accor has launched what it called a new global midscale brand of dubbed Handwritten Collection, with 12 properties signed and seven set to debut by May 2023. Read More

W Scottsdale Adds New Suites in Time for the Super Bowl

Meetings & Conventions — The luxurious penthouse rooms are accessible by private elevator. Read More

Wyndham Looks Back at 2022 Milestones, Sets Sights on Continued Expansion

Insider Travel Report — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is setting its sights on continued expansion in 2023, following a banner year that saw the company cap multiple milestones and accomplishments across the globe. Read More

Choice Sets Up Radisson Loyalty Point Swap

Business Travel News — Following last year’s acquisition of Radisson Hotel Group Americas, Choice Hotels International will allow members of the Choice Privileges and Radisson Rewards Americas loyalty programs to transfer points between them. Read More


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U.S. Proposes New Consumer Protection Rules for Airline Passengers

Reuters — The U.S. Transportation Department on Wednesday proposed new rules to strengthen airline passenger protection and require airlines to provide vouchers that do not expire when passengers are unable to fly for certain pandemic-related reasons. Read More

Travel to the U.K. Will Soon Require an Online Permit and Fee

Afar Magazine — A new Electronic Travel Authorization system is slated to go into effect by 2024 for all international travelers arriving in the United Kingdom. Read More


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Hawaii Considering Tourism Fee Bill

Travel Pulse — The state is looking to implement a “paradise pass” for $50 a year. 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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