March 18, 2025

Direct Travel

News Briefs

March 18, 2025

In This Edition… flight service updates, airline Wi-Fi news, text questions to the TSA, driverless rides in Austin, hotel growth plans, traveler tips, meetings news, and more!

Dans cette édition… des mises à jour sur les services de vol, des actualités relatives aux réseaux Wi-Fi des compagnies aériennes, des questions par écrit à la TSA, des trajets sans chauffeur à Austin, des plans de croissance pour les hôtels, des conseils aux voyageurs, des actualités sur les réunions, et bien plus encore!

Navigator Blog

Rail Travel: A Positive for Sustainability and Business Connectivity

As companies face pressure to meet sustainability goals, rail travel is emerging as an efficient alternative that can provide a seamless travel experience.

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The Modern TMC: New Value, Relationships, and a Better Traveler Experience

Direct Travel CPO Sarah Kuberry Martino shares how a tech-forward travel management company can improve the traveler journey.

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Airline & Flight Updates

Delta Air Lines Adds Flights to Green Bay Ahead of 2025 NFL Draft

Travel Pulse — Delta Air Lines is adding flights from several hub airports to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field, including new services to Appleton and Orlando.

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United Starts Regional Aircraft Starlink Installations

Business Travel News — United Airlines has completed the first installation of Starlink satellite Wi-Fi on one of its regional aircraft and is on track to complete installation across its regional fleet by the end of the year.

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Delta, JetZero Partner on Aircraft Development

Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines is partnering with aviation startup JetZero to help develop a blended-wing-body aircraft, with a design that could prove significantly more fuel-efficient than that of traditional jets.

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Delta Launching Marrakech Flights

Travel Weekly — The airline will become just the second flying nonstop between the U.S. and the Moroccan city when it starts service on Oct. 25.

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Cathay Pacific’s Gorgeous New Aria Suite Business-Class Seat Launches Later This Year—Is It Worth It?

Afar Magazine — The Hong Kong–based carrier will roll out its fancy new suites on U.S. routes later in 2025. We got a sneak peek.

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Safety & Security

Europe’s New Travel Entry Rule Won’t Launch This Year After All

Afar Magazine — ETIAS, Europe’s new travel authorization regulation that will require international arrivals to get advance approval and pay a fee before entering Europe, was supposed to go into effect in 2025. That’s no longer the case.

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Did You Know? You Can Text TSA Your Travel Questions

Afar Magazine — Texting TSA is a game-changer for travelers who need fast, reliable information about their IDs, TSA PreCheck, what’s allowed in carry-on bag and more.

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Government Travel Warnings

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

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Ground Transportation

Virgin Looks to Raise £700M to Fund UK-Europe Rail Service

Business Travel News Europe — Virgin Group is looking to raise £700 million to fund its plan to launch trains between London and mainland Europe by the end of the decade. The group, owned by British entrepreneur Richard Branson, said it could launch a train service to compete with current operator Eurostar by 2029.

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Uber Teams With Waymo for Driverless Rides in Austin

Meetings & Conventions (AP) — Uber's app will notify users that a self-driving car will pick them up, while offering the option to switch to a human-controlled vehicle instead.

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Hotel News

IHG Opens First Zero Carbon Hotel

Hotel Investment Today — IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened its first branded zero carbon hotel in partnership with Zeal Hotels and Valor Hospitality.

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Hyatt Centric Has Big Growth Plans in APAC

Meetings & Conventions Asia — Hyatt Centric is significantly expanding its presence across the world, following its 2024 debut in Cairo, Shanghai, San José, Santo Domingo, and other key markets. The midmarket lifestyle brand plans to grow its footprint by 50%, adding 35+ new hotels worldwide by the end of 2028.

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SH Hotels Has Officially Rebranded as Starwood Hotels

Travel Weekly — Starwood Hotels founder and chairman Barry Sternlicht called the reintroduction of the brand "very exciting."

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Traveler Tips, Trips & Convenience

5 Ways to Make Your Economy Flight More Comfortable

Afar Magazine — A long-haul flight in economy can feel less turbulent with some basic accessories and prep work.

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Travelers Face a New Boogeyman on Business Trips

Meetings & Conventions Asia — A new study reveals that 70% of business travelers have encountered cyber-attacks, highlighting the risks faced by professionals carrying sensitive data while on the move.

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Eataly Is Coming to JFK Airport's Terminal 5

The Points Guy — More than 40 new concessions will open this year and physical terminal improvements will be completed by the end of 2026, as part of a $19 billion upgrade to the airport.

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Which Airlines Have the Best Food and Drinks?

Afar Magazine — From bibimbap to Ethiopian doro wat, handcrafted cheese to Icelandic craft gin, these are some of the best food and drinks we’ve had at cruising altitude.

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French Government Increases Tax on Airline Tickets

Business Travel News Europe — The rise in the Airline Ticket Solidarity Tax, which took effect March 1, applies to all domestic and international flights from France.

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Please Don’t Put Your Suitcase on the Bed, Ever

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

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Meetings & Events

What Are The Top 5 Event Trends for Hotels in 2025?

Meetings & Conventions — Demand for unique venues and technology-elevated events are on the rise.

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Major Convention Center Expansion and Renovation Projects

Northstar Meetings Group — Many cities throughout the United States are sprucing up their convention centers and adding more space to attract larger groups. The following facility projects are either recently debuted, in the middle of renovation work or awaiting approval.

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Houston Unveils Plans for Convention Center Overhaul

The Houston Chronicle — Plans call for a 700,000-square-foot expansion of George R. Brown Convention Center, which would include the largest ballroom in the state of Texas.

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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].

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