May 14, 2024

Direct Travel

News Briefs

May 14, 2024

In This Edition… UA government agrees on details of a final FAA Reauthorization bill, Brazil delays visa requirement date, Venice now charging entry fee, airline flight service updates, many airport security updates, hotel news, traveler tips and more!

Dans cette édition… Le gouvernement américain accepte les détails d’un projet de loi final sur la réautorisation de la FAA, le Brésil reporte la date de l’obligation de visa, Venise impose désormais un droit d’entrée, des mises à jour sur les services de vols des compagnies aériennes, de nombreuses mises à jour sur la sécurité dans les aéroports, des nouvelles sur les hôtels, des conseils aux voyageurs et plus encore!

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Exciting News: Direct Travel Acquisition

dt.com — We’re excited to share important news about Direct Travel’s next chapter and how we plan to take that to a new level across corporate travel, leisure, and meetings and incentives. Read More


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How Price Assurance Can Transform Your Hotel and Air Spend

Instead of relying on team members to monitor supply changes, those who manage travel for their organization can enlist the help of their travel management company (TMC) to guarantee the lowest rates in these areas. Read More

How to Foster Inclusivity with Your Travel Program

The most successful corporate travel policies are those that regularly evolve to stay inclusive, and proactively address all travelers’ requirements and preferences. Read More


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Senate Passes FAA Reauthorization Bill Without ASTA-backed Amendment

Travel Weekly — Sen. Rand Paul submitted an amendment designed to counter a new DOT rule requiring ticket agents to pay airline refunds when they are the merchant of record, but no amendments made the cut. Read More

Brazil Delays Start Date of New Visa Requirement for U.S. Travelers

Afar Magazine — Here’s what to know about the forthcoming visa requirement. Read More

Venice’s New Tourist Entry Fee Just Went Into Effect—Here’s What to Know

Afar Magazine — Here’s how the new system works, how much it costs, and the dates when the fee is required. Read More


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United Airlines Again Postpones Daily Flights to Tel Aviv, Israel

Travel Pulse — The airline has not yet made an official statement on its service to and from Israel. Read More

Delta to Restart Tampa-Amsterdam Service

Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines on Oct. 26 will restart service between Tampa, Fla., and Amsterdam with daily winter seasonal flights. Read More

Etihad Launches Five New Interline Partnerships

Business Travel News Europe — Etihad Airways has five new reciprocal interline partnerships, the carrier announced Friday – Kam Air in Afghanistan, Sky Express in Greece, Rex Airlines in Australia, Jeju Air in South Korea and Myanmar Airways. Read More

Delta Air Lines Expands Network in Latin America With New Routes Announced

Travel Pulse — Delta Air Lines is boosting connectivity to Latin America for this upcoming winter season with new and resuming routes to fresh destinations, resulting in its largest-ever schedule to the region. Read More

Lufthansa’s New Allegris Cabins Take Flight This Week

BTN Europe — Revamped cabins will be rolled out on additional long-haul destinations this summer. Read More

Delta Readies Check-In, Wi-Fi Enhancements

Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines plans some upcoming traveler experience enhancements, including changes to some check-in and Wi-Fi access procedures. Read More

Southwest Airlines Will No Longer Fly to These 4 Airports

Afar Magazine — Financial losses have forced the airline to embark on a “network optimization” effort. Read More

WestJet Debuts Inaugural Flight Linking Edmonton to Partner Delta’s Atlanta Hub

Open Jaw — Hard on the heels of WestJet CEO’s speech last week stressing the airline’s commitment to Edmonton, WestJet celebrated the takeoff of year-round, non-stop flights to codeshare partner Delta’s mega-hub Atlanta. Read More

United Is Adding New International Flights for Fall

Afar Magazine — This time, the carrier has its sights set on exciting destinations in South America, Africa, and Asia. Read More

Air Canada Direct Flights Into Tulum International Start This Weekend

Open Jaw — The direct flights from Toronto and Montreal are scheduled to begin this weekend, making them the first Canadian airline to do so. Read More

Delta to Relaunch NYC-Lagos Service

Business Travel News — On December 1, Delta Air Lines will relaunch service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Lagos, Nigeria.Read More

Air Canada Pauses New Check-In Seat Selection Policy

Open Jaw — Air Canada has paused proposed changes to its seat selection policy for economy class customers who wait to select a seat at check-in. Read More


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Airport Facial Recognition Battle Echoes Pushback Against Real ID Program

Biometric Update — Federal ID initiative for air travel launched after 9/11 set to go into effect next year. Read More

The Price of Global Entry Is About to Go Up

Afar Magazine — The price increase is the first one ever for the Trusted Traveler Program. Read More

You No Longer Need to Show TSA Your Boarding Pass at These U.S. Airports

Afar Magazine — Enhanced technology allows agents to confirm passengers’ flight details simply by scanning their government-issued ID. Read More

CLEAR Becomes TSA’s Third Official TSA PreCheck® Enrollment Provider

tsa.org — CLEAR will offer TSA PreCheck members additional convenient locations with expanded hours of operation. Read More

Denver International Airport Stops Offering Round-The-Clock TSA Checkpoint

Travel Pulse — Security will shut down between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. local time. 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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Marriott to Bring Midscale to Japan After KKR Deal

Business Travel News — Marriott International will bring its recently christened Four Points Express by Sheraton midscale brand to Japan following the sale of a 14-property Japanese chain to U.S. investment firm KKR. Read More

Michelin Reveals Its List of Top Hotels in the USA

Afar Magazine — The famous French restaurant guide is rating hotels now with a new key-rating system, similar to its star ratings for restaurants. Only a handful of hotels in New York and California received three keys. Read More

Hyatt Adding Pelotons at 800 Hotels – and Giving Loyalty Points For Workouts

Yahoo Finance — Hyatt has struck a deal with Peloton to feature the fitness company’s bikes and rowing machines at 800 properties. Read More

Denver’s New ‘Carbon-Positive’ Hotel to Open in September

Meetings & Conventions — Reservations have opened for the 265-room, sustainability-focused Populus Hotel, which will feature a tree-like design and 3,135 square feet of event space. Read More


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12 Google Maps Secrets All Travelers Should Know

Afar Magazine — If you’re only opening Google Maps for driving directions, you’re not leveraging the app’s full potential. Read More

The Atlantic Hurricane Season Could Be Dangerous

Northstar Meetings Group (AP) — With La Niña coming, and a forecast for record-breaking temperatures, an atmospheric scientist explains what this year’s storm season could bring.Read More

Delta Airlines Introduces New Upgraded Fly Delta 6.0 App

Travel Pulse — Just in time for summer travel season, Delta Airlines has announced its most comprehensive app update since 2019. Read More

Why Airlines Tell You Not to Retrieve Your Phone if It Falls Between Seats

Afar Magazine — It could be dangerous if you try to fish it out yourself. Read More

Is Zero-Waste Travel Actually Even Possible?

Afar Magazine — Travelers today are more conscious of their environmental footprint, even if it often seems abstract. But what about the trail of waste travelers create? Read More

The 20 Best Airports In the World for 2024

Afar Magazine — Here’s which airport was voted No. 1 in the world, and the full list of hubs that made the Skytrax World’s Best Airports list for 2024. Read More

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