July 17, 2018

Direct Travel

News Briefs

July 17, 2018

In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Delta warns of higher fares, American Airlines & Hyatt phase out plastics, airlines bid on Cuba routes, Waze will provide traffic data to US cities, tips to shorten airport security screening, rail service in South Florida, hotel updates, packing tips, Delta's Sweatlag program, new Miami Beach convention center and more!

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How Your Travel Policy Should Address C-suite Needs

Your organization’s executive travelers deserve round-the-clock support, no matter where in the world business takes them. But if your corporate travel policy doesn’t differentiate needs of the C-suite from the everyday corporate traveler, then it will be difficult to provide satisfying and compliant travel experiences at low costs. Read More


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Delta: $2B Higher Fuel Cost This Year Forces More Expensive Fares, Less Service

USA Today — Delta Air Lines warns $2 billion higher fuel cost this year means fares will rise and service will be reduced. Read More

American Airlines Will Get Seven New Gates as Charlotte Airport Opens New Concourse

Forbes — The expansion of Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina will create new gates, some of which will go to American Airlines, which operates a hub at the airport. Read More

Delta Introduces Renovated B777-200ER to Boost Passenger Comfort

Future Travel Experience — Delta has embarked on a renovation of its 777-200ER aircraft, featuring Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select and the widest economy seats of its international fleet. Read More

American Airlines Phasing Out Single Use Plastics

Travel Mole — Plastic being replaced by bamboo…Read More

American, JetBlue and Southwest Bid for Delta’s Former Cuba Route

Memphis Business Journal —Three U.S. airlines — American, JetBlue, and Southwest — are bidding to take over a route to Cuba that’s being abandoned by Delta Air Lines Inc. Read More

American Airlines to Offer Seasonal NYC-Vail, CO Service

Frequent Business Traveler — American Airlines will launch seasonal service starting December 22nd between New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Eagle County Airport in Vail, Colorado. Read More


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New EU System Will Prescreen Visa-Exempt Nationals

Travel Pulse — Europe is beefing up border security and earning praise from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Read More

TSA-Approved Ways to Shorten Airport Screening Time

Meetings & Conventions — Tips on TSA Precheck, Global Entry and getting through security without those services…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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Brightline Rail Service Arrives in South Florida

Incentive Magazine — The Brightline rail service connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach is up and running…Read More

Waze Will Provide Traffic Data to US Cities to Help Make Roads Safer

The Verge — The new program allows cities to use Waze’s data to help make infrastructure decisions…Read More


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Marriott International to Trial Facial Recognition Technology

Travel Pulse — Marriott International is partnering with Alibaba Group to test facial recognition check-in technology at two of its properties in China. Read More

Hilton Canopy Brand Makes Texas Debut

The Dallas Morning News — The 150-room Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown has opened for business as the first Canopy property in Texas. Read More

Loyalty a Linchpin of Marriott’s Starwood Integration

Hotel News Now — Marriott Global Chief Commercial Officer Stephanie Linnartz says the Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program is a “crown jewel,” and complete integration of SPG into the broader Marriott Rewards platform is a top priority. Read More

Hyatt To Ban Some Single-Use Plastics

Travel Pulse — The hotel company will stop using straws and drink picks as of September 1st. Read More

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s First Connected Hotel Close to Opening

Minneapolis Star Tribune — Upscale facility aspires to attract guests for more than overnight stays…Read More

W Hotels to Debut in Nashville

Travel Mole — Music focused brand coming to The Gulch in 2020. Read More


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What You Need to Know If You Are Traveling Overseas This Summer

LA Times — More than 38 million Americans traveled overseas last year. If you are leaving the country for the first time or the 100th time, it pays to think about making sure you have safe travels. Read More

Delta’s New ‘Sweatlag’ Program Wants to Help You Beat Jet Lag

Conde Nast Traveler — We’ve all got our cures for jet lag: gallons of coffee, copious naps, even healthy food. And late last month, Delta announced that, in partnership with Equinox they’d be pursuing a remedy of their own: The two companies developed a program to fight jet lag with exercise, and they’ve named the program…Sweatlag. Read More

Airline Bathrooms Are Getting Smaller – You’re Not Imagining It

LA Times — If the restroom on your next flight seems a bit snug, don’t assume you’ve picked up a few pounds. U.S. airlines increasingly are putting smaller lavatories on their planes — and the economics of the decision means the smaller restrooms are probably here to stay. Read More

The Best Packing Tips From One-Bag Travel Fanatics

Huffinton Post Canada — A few small packing tweaks and you can wave goodbye to checking bags. Read More

Recline Safely, Don’t Pack Tuna, and Other Ways Not to be a Jerk at 30,000 Feet

USA Today — Millions will be boarding flights this summer, and tempers will occasionally flare. Proper etiquette will help everyone maintain their cool. Read More


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From the Mouths of Participants: 6 Ways to Improve Meetings & Events

Creative Group — Learn from participant interviews and find out what your meeting and event participants really want.…Read More

High Tech & High Touch at New Miami Beach Convention Center

Northstar Meetings Group (Video) — Get an exclusive look at the state-of-the-art technology underpinning the newly reimagined Miami Beach Convention Center opening later this 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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