January 7, 2025
In This Edition… flight service updates, Washington Dulles and Reagan slot expansions, Icelandair and ITA codeshare, US adds more facial recognition, all about Mobile Passport, hotel news, traveler tips, and more!
Dans cette édition… des mises à jour sur les services de vol, l’expansion des créneaux à Washington Dulles et Reagan, le partage de code entre Icelandair et ITA, Les États-Unis renforcent la reconnaissance faciale, tout sur le Mobile Passport, les actualités hôtelières, les 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.
Airline & Flight Updates
Alaskan Airlines Will Begin Flying New International Routes
Afar Magazine — Following the acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines and its longer-range aircraft, Alaska is expanding its international and domestic flight network for 2025 and adding lounges.
TAP Air Portugal Just Added 3 New U.S. Flights, Including a New 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.
United Airlines to Invest More Than $500 Million in Washington Dulles Airport Expansion
Travel Age West — United Airlines is set to transform Washington Dulles International Airport with a major infrastructure project valued at more than half a billion dollars.
DOT Finalizes New DCA Slots
Business Travel News — The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued its final approval of slot exemptions at Reagan Washington National Airport, allowing five carriers to offer new nonstop round-trip service, the agency announced.
United Airlines Increases Dublin Capacity for Summer 2025
Business Travel News Europe — United Airlines is to increase capacity on flights between Ireland and the US by more than 40 percent as part of its summer 2025 schedule to Europe. The carrier said that it would double frequencies between Dublin and Washington DC’s Dulles Airport, as well as introducing Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft of its Dublin-Chicago O’Hare route.
In 2024, Delta was Cirium's Most On-time Airline in North America
Travel Weekly — Delta won Cirium's Platinum Award despite its operational meltdown in July.
United Airlines To Launch Denver's First Nonstop Route to Rome in 2025
Travel Pulse — Travelers in Colorado will soon have a direct connection to the Eternal City...
Icelandair, ITA to Start Codeshare Flights
Business Travel News — Icelandair and Italian flag carrier ITA Airways have signed a codeshare agreement, initially on flights through Rome with plans for further expansion, the carriers announced.
Safety & Security
US Plans to Add More Facial Recognition at Airports
Travel Pulse — The United States Customs and Border Protection Service is adding over 200 airports to the list of the over 200 it already uses for its facial recognition programs.
Why Mobile Passport Is the Best-Kept Secret Among International Travelers
Afar Magazine — Here’s everything you need to know about the app that gets you through U.S. immigration and customs faster.
7 Surprising Things You Can’t Bring Through TSA. Peanut Butter? It Depends.
Afar Magazine — A peanut butter sandwich is a great travel snack. But that jar—and a few other unexpected items—won’t make it through airport security.
Hotel News
4 Things Travelers Are Expecting from Hotels in 2025—and How Hotels Are Responding
Afar Magazine — Leaders from Hyatt, Hilton, and Intercontinental reveal the trends and predictions reshaping the hospitality industry.
Hyatt in Talks to Acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts
Travel Pulse — Playa Hotels & Resorts has entered exclusive negotiations with Hyatt for a potential acquisition, with discussions valid until February 3, 2025. No definitive agreement has been secured.
Hotels Will Be Banned From Adding Hidden Charges to Your Final Bill in 2025
Afar Magazine — According to a new ruling, hotels and vacation rentals will no longer be allowed to surprise guests with “junk fees” like resort fees and cleaning charges.
Hyatt Brings the Venetian Las Vegas into the fold
Travel Weekly — The Venetian and its sister resort, the Palazzo, will both become bookable via Hyatt's channels, including its website and mobile app.
FTC Rule Bans Hotel "Junk Fees"
Business Travel News — The U.S. Federal Trade Commission ruled on Tuesday to prohibit bait-and-switch pricing tactics, which have broadly been used in the lodging and live events ticketing industries to display a “base price” to which fees and surcharges are added after the consumer initiates the booking.
Doors Open at the First W Hotel in Las Vegas
Travel Weekly — The opening of the 1,117-room property marks the completed transformation of the former Delano Las Vegas and builds on the partnership between Marriott and MGM Resorts.
Traveler Tips, Trips & Convenience
If You Have Any Travel-Related Fears, This Is How You Can Get Over Them
Fodors — It’s natural to become more risk-averse as we get older, but that doesn’t have to mean the end of exciting travel adventures.
The Safest Places to Travel in 2025
Travel Pulse — The safest places to travel in 2025 based on data from the Global Peace Index (GPI) and the U.S. State Department travel advisories.
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.
British Airways flyers to earn status based on what they spend
Travel Weekly — Beginning April 1, members will earn Tier Points based on what they spend on fares, ancillary products and air-hotel packages.
Air New Zealand’s Skycouch Is a Game-Changer for Economy Fliers—but Is It Worth the Upgrade?
Afar Magazine — We tested the airline’s unique economy-class seat upgrade to see if it really made our 12-hour flight more comfortable.
The Best Luggage Tags to Help Identify Your Bag
Afar Magazine — Avoid lost luggage and skip the confusion at baggage claim. A good luggage tag is a must-have for any seasoned traveler.
Delta Opens First Charlotte Sky Club
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines has opened a new Sky Club at North Carolina's Charlotte Douglas International Airport, its first in the airport.
These Airports Offer Free City Tours During Long Layovers
Afar Magazine — Free layover tours at popular Asian and Middle Eastern hubs now allow connecting passengers to explore the city beyond the airport in between flights.
Meetings & Events
Skift Meetings Megatrends 2025
Skift — The 2025 Skift Meeting Megatrends Report is now live! This isn’t just a trends report — it’s your playbook for thriving in a competitive, ever-changing landscape. Download now to learn insights from industry leaders, including a Q&A from Creative Groups Melissa Van Dyke (page 32)!
Transformative Effects: Global Business Events Industry Outlook
Smart Meetings — When Events Industry Council (EIC) and Oxford Economics set out to evaluate the full scope and economic significance of the $1.6 trillion global business events industry after the massive disruption caused by Covid-19, they uncovered more than what many were expecting.
Looking for assistance with your next convention, incentive, or special event? From designing memorable experiences to managing strategic meetings, Direct Travel is your trusted event partner! For details, please send a message to: [email protected].