July 12, 2022

Direct Travel

News Briefs

July 12, 2022

In This Edition… flight service additions and cancellations, the mechanics of sustainable business travel, SAS files for bankruptcy, TSA and European officials agree on streamlined airport security, US expired passport deadline, train travel is peaking, Accor to reorganize brands, growth at Small Luxury Hotels, a guide to a new wave of ‘green’ hotels, LA declares daily hotel room cleaning a standard, airport parking rate comparison, travel tips and much more!

Navigator Header

What the Business Travel Rebound Means for Growth and Demand

After an initial stall to travel recovery the first quarter of the year, growing traveler confidence and changes to COVID-19 restrictions have reshaped the travel forecast ahead. Read More

Why Responsive TMC Service Should Be a Top Priority for Your Business

From efficient technology and communication tools to traveler experience and ensuring compliance, a Travel Management Company (TMC) plays an important role in keeping your travel program running smoothly and driving ROI for your business. Read More


Travel Management News Header

Carriers Trim Schedules to Improve Ops, Adjust to Demand

Business Travel News — Airlines navigate a vexing brew of airport construction, staff and pilot shortages and changing demand environment as summer travel goes into full swing. Read More

GBTA Survey: Travelers Willing, Suppliers Optimistic

Business Travel News — Many business travel processes are returning to normal as employees prepare to hit the road, and travel suppliers remain optimistic that Covid-19 is a declining factor in travel demand, according to a new Global Business Travel Association survey. Read More

BTN Special Report: The Mechanics of Sustainable Business Travel

Business Travel News — The travel industry has a mandate to reduce its carbon emissions. Corporate travel managers are working to do the same within their own organizations. As they come together in partnership, we build hope for a sustainable future. This BTN special online report can help advance those efforts. Read More

Reducing Business Travel Could Have Negative Long-Term Impact

Travel Pulse — A recent study showed more than two-thirds of executives expect their companies to spend less on business travel over the next six months compared with the same period in 2019. Read More


Airline Updates Header

AA Is Expanding Service from Miami to Cuba

Travel Weekly — American Airlines plans to resume service to five destinations in the country in early November. Read More

British Airways Cancels Hundreds More Summer Flights

Northstar Meetings Group — The action follows a vote by its workers at Heathrow Airport to stage a walkout sometime this summer as part of a dispute over pay. Read More

Airline SAS Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Meetings & Conventions — The Stockholm-based carrier said a walkout by about 1,000 pilots on Monday put the future of the airline at risk. Read More

Delta Air Lines CEO Calls Summer Flight Disruptions ‘Unacceptable’

Travel Pulse — The carrier is working to meet each customer’s high expectations. Read More

American Airlines Pauses Ticket Sales from Amsterdam as Chaos Continues

The Points Guy — Airports in Europe can’t catch a break from summertime crowds and chaos — and the mess is starting to affect U.S. carriers. Read More

Air Canada Announces Reductions to July/August Scheduled Flights

Travel Pulse — Air Canada says “things are not business as usual in our industry globally,” so it has made the decision to make “meaningful reductions” to its scheduled flights in July and August. Read More

American Airlines Launches Mobile ID with TSA PreCheck

Wheels Up Network — Travelers can now enjoy a more convenient travel verification experience through facial recognition. Read More

United to Cut 50 Domestic Flights per Day at a Major U.S. Airport

Afar Magazine — It’s getting hard to keep track of which airline is cutting back on which flights to and from where. But the latest move from United Airlines is specific to one major hub: Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Read More


Safety and Security Header

TSA Working With European Officials on Streamlined Airport Security

TravelPulse — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is teaming up with airline industry stakeholders throughout Europe to streamline open architecture airport security systems. Read More

The U.S. Will Stop Honoring Expired Passports As of July 1 — What to Know

Travel + Leisure — The rule was initially implemented to help travelers navigate delays in passport processing due to the pandemic. Read More

The TSA Hits Its Highest Checkpoint Volume Since February 2020

Travel Market Report — The question now becomes, is the industry and the travel infrastructure prepared for the rebound? Read More

Two More Airlines Join TSA PreCheck

Travel Market Report — Two more airlines have been added to the TSA PreCheck known traveler program. Read More

Government Travel Warnings & Alerts

U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More


Ground Transportation Header

With Flight Delays and Cancellations Still High, Demand for Train Travel Is Peaking

Travel Market Report — Domestic travel on Amtrak Vacations is at the highest level in the brand’s history. Read More


Hotel News Header

Accor Will Reorganize Its Hotel Brands

Travel Weekly — The company on Oct. 1 will group brands under two business divisions: Economy, Midscale & Premium and Luxury & Lifestyle. Read More

Small Luxury Hotels Adds Six New Properties to Portfolio

Insider Travel Report — From a beautiful manor in the U.K.’s Lake District to a charming East Hamptons bolt hole to an insiders’ alternative to Mykonos, Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has added six new properties across the globe in China, Croatia, Greece, Spain, the U.K., and the United States. Read More

What Does It Mean For a Hotel to Be Carbon Neutral?

Washington Post (subscription may be required) — A guide to a new wave of ‘green’ hotels. Read More

Seattle Doubled its Hotel Fee. Here’s Where the Money Is Going

Crosscut — As hotel occupancy rates climb slowly toward prepandemic levels, the city hopes the added marketing revenue will aid tourism recovery. Read More

IHG Is Ceasing Hotel Operations in Russia

Travel Weekly — IHG Hotels & Resorts has 28 hotels in the country. Read More

Los Angeles Declares Daily Hotel Room Cleaning a Standard Practice

Travel Weekly — In addition to making daily room cleaning a requirement, a new city ordinance includes various protections around fair compensation and worker safety. Read More


Traveler Tips Header

The Most and Least Expensive Airports for Parking Around the World

Travel + Leisure — Weekly airport parking around the globe can range from about $16 to $278, a new study shows. Read More

FAA to Give Airports $1B for Terminals and Upgrades

Northstar Meetings Group — Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the projects will help make flying safer and more efficient. Read More

Europe Travel Restrictions, Covid-19 Test Requirements, By Country, For July

Forbes — Many European countries have scrapped travel restrictions relating to Covid-19—the latest countries include Estonia, Finland, and Portugal from 1 July. Read More

VIDEO: Why You Should Never Put Your Suitcase on the Bed

Afar Magazine — The real reason there’s a luggage rack in your hotel room. Read More

Air Travel Is Chaos Right Now—You Can Salvage Your Summer Flight Plans With These Pro Tips

Afar Magazine — Knowledge (about how to cope with the crowds) is power. Read More

Canada To Keep Border Measures Through October, But Random Testing Still Paused

Travel Pulse — The Government of Canada is extending current border measures for travellers entering Canada through at least September 30. Read More

U.S. Passports Are Getting a Whole New Look

Afar Magazines — The State Department started issuing the “Next Generation Passport” books in 2021 and the rollout will continue in 2022. Read More

Europe Flight Canceled or Delayed? This EU Law Ensures Compensation

Afar Magazine — Know your rights. The European Union mandates compensation in the event of delayed, canceled, or overbooked flights. Read More


Meeting and Incentive Travel Header

Top 7 Incentive Travel Trends

Prevue Meetings — Top incentive industry professionals share some of the top trends in the fast-moving incentive travel industry. Read More

Face-to-face Meetings Will Continue to Drive Business

BTN Europe — UK corporates are confident about the return of business travel, according to a new report released today by London North Eastern Railway (LNER) at the Business Travel Show Europe. Read More

It Might Be Time to Boost Your Incentive Program…

Creative Group — One of the leading areas of neglect in a company’s incentive strategy is the second-tier performers. Read More

How to Maximize Event Production Costs

Creative Group — Is the rise in production costs keeping you up at night? Let Creative Group help you get your show on the road with these 3 tips to spend your production dollars wisely. 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].

Subscribe to our News Brief