June 13, 2023

Direct Travel

News Briefs

June 13, 2023

In This Edition… airline flight service updates, Delta launches Seat for wheelchair users, Air New Zealand to weigh passengers, security updates, hotel news, travel tips, and much more!

Dans cette édition… des mises à jour sur les services de vols des compagnies aériennes, Delta lance des sièges pour les utilisateurs de fauteuils roulants, Air New Zealand envisage de peser les passagers, des mises à jour sur la sécurité, des actualités hôtelières, des conseils aux voyageurs, et bien plus encore!

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Tips for Going Green With Your Business Travel

Efforts to prioritize sustainability have continued to grow as a focus for most businesses, particularly as it relates to employee travel and reducing carbon emissions. Read More


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British Airways Restarts Beijing Flights

Business Travel News — British Airways over the weekend restarted service between London Heathrow and Beijing Daxing airports. Read More

Air Canada’s Launches Amsterdam-Montreal Route; Uplifts SAF in Amsterdam

International Airport Review — Air Canada is further advancing Climate Action initiatives by expanding partnership of SAF with producer Neste in Europe. Read More

Virgin Atlantic to Relaunch Dubai Service, Add Las Vegas

Business Travel News — Virgin Atlantic on Oct. 28 will relaunch seasonal service through March between London Heathrow and Dubai. Read More

Delta Is Developing a First-of-Its-Kind Airline Seat for Wheelchair Users

Insider — The new design allows wheelchair users to sit in their own chairs when flying. Read More

United Announces 6 New Routes out of This Major Hub

Afar Magazine — The carrier is also expanding service on 22 existing routes. Read More

Air New Zealand Is Asking Passengers To Weigh In Before International Flights

NBC News /em> — The country’s industry watchdog requires the data to help calculate the weight and balance of planes before takeoff. Read More

Aeromexico Details Commitment to Expanding Connectivity Between Mexico, US

TravelPulse — Aeromexico’s Rocío Blázquez, Senior Regional Sales Manager in the United States and Canada, talks strategies and programs with TravelPulse. Read More

Air Canada and Bell Make It Easier to Stay Connected

TravelPulse — Air Canada and Bell are joining forces to make it even easier for travelers to stay connected. Read More

Singapore Airlines Extends Free Wi-Fi to All Cabins

Travel Market Report — Singapore Airlines announced that it was extending its free Wi-Fi service, which had previously only been available to those flying in Suites, First Class, or Business Class. Read More


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TSA Accepting Maryland Mobile IDs at 25 Airports

Business Travel News — The U.S. Transportation Security Administration now accepts Maryland-issued mobile driver’s licenses and ID cards at 25 participating U.S. airports. Read More

Denver International Airport Introduces Program Allowing Passengers to Bypass TSA Lines

TravelPulse — Passengers now can make a free appointment to be screened ahead of their next flight. Read More

New State Travel Warning Challenges Cos. to Keep Travelers Safe

Business Travel News — Assessing corporate responsibility as LGBTQ and other groups warn about travel to Florida. Read More

TSA’s Facial Recognition Raises New Concerns

TravelPulse — Passengers should get ready for more possible security upgrades in the future if TSA has its way. 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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Sleeper Trains Are Returning to Europe

Fast Company — This start-up line is one of several night trains coming to Europe, offering climate-friendly alternatives to flying. Read More


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Wyndham Debuts Registry Collection in Europe with Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort

Insider Travel Report — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of the Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort, its first Registry Collection Hotel in Europe. Read More

IHG Enables Hotel Guests To Log Into WiFi Automatically

Travel Weekly — Guests can activate the auto-connect option on the IHG One Rewards mobile app. Read More

The 100 Best Hotels in the World

Travel + Leisure — Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Read More

WorldHotels Expands in Europe

Travel Market Report — The expansion includes the brand’s first property in Greece. Read More

Hilton Launches New Apartment-Style Extended-Stay Brand

TravelPulse — The lower mid-scale brand is being designed for guests who typically book stays of 20 or more nights. Read More

Hyatt Launches New All-Inclusive Brand Called Impression by Secrets

Travel Market Report — The new brand is launching with the opening of Impression by Secrets Isla Mujeres. Read More


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Unruly Passengers On The Rise Internationally

KRTV — There was an incident reported on one out of 568 flights in 2022, according to the International Air Transport Association. Read More

Airport Lounges Are Less Exclusive. Not Everyone Is Happy About It

The Washington Post — Frequent fliers have complained of overcrowding and long lines as travel has roared back. Read More

Traveling Through New York’s JFK Airport Is About to Get a Lot More Complicated

Afar Magazine — Starting this month, work gets underway on a massive $19 billion overhaul of the sprawling facility. These are the changes and disruptions those flying through John F. Kennedy International Airport can expect. Read More

How Early Should You Actually Get to the Airport?

Afar Magazine — What is truly the best strategy for getting to the airport for an on-time departure? Read More

NOAA Forecasts Near-Normal 2023 Hurricane Season with 12-17 Named Storms

Travel Market Report — Though much uncertainty remains, 2023 is expected to be a “near-normal” hurricane season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Read More


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Orlando, London Head Cvent List of Top 2022 Mtg. Destinations

Business Travel News — Orlando claimed the top spot in Cvent’s list of top destinations in 2022 for meetings and events in North America, followed by Nashville. Read More

Mental Health Tips for Event Planners

Creative Group — Here are 5 Ways to Reduce Stress and Burnout to wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month. Read More

Tips to Maximize Your Event Budget

Creative Group — The costs of holding live events have certainly increased, but most planners find that their budgets just aren’t budging. Read More

5 Amazingly Easy Ways to Make Your Events More Inclusive

Creative Group — Let’s kick off Pride Month by finding simple ways to create inclusive events. 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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