May 2, 2023

Direct Travel

News Briefs

May 2, 2023

In This Edition… airline flight service additions and eliminations, inbound visa wait times persist, CLEAR expands, ground transportation updates, hotel news, traveler tips, and more!

Dans cette édition… les ajouts et les suppressions de services de vols des compagnies aériennes, les délais d’attente pour les visas à l’arrivée persistent, le programme CLEAR gagne en importance, les mises à jour sur les transports terrestres, les actualités hôtelières, les conseils aux voyageurs, et plus encore!

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How to Streamline Your International Travel Experience

The last holdouts from the era of pandemic-related border restrictions may have lifted, but preparing for international travel remains more important than ever. Read More

Procurement Strategies to Try with Your Corporate Travel Program

We recommend reviewing the following procurement strategies to help you better manage sourcing, spend, and contract management. Read More


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Emirates to Launch Dubai-Montreal Service

Business Travel News — On July 5, Emirates will launch daily service between Dubai and Montreal, the carrier announced Monday. Read More

United to Expand Winter South Pacific Service

Business Travel News — United Airlines plans to add nearly 40 percent more flights than last season between the United States and Australia and New Zealand. Read More

Delta Is Returning to This European Airport

Travel Market Report — It’s the first time in 15 years Delta will fly to the airport. Read More

United to Reduce NYC, D.C. Frequency

Business Travel News — United Airlines confirmed it would cut some spring and summer flights in the New York and Washington, D.C., areas after the U.S. FAA granted carriers scheduling flexibility in those cities. Read More

Alaska Airlines Is Getting Rid of Check-In Kiosks

Condé Nast Traveler — In a move to streamline the often hectic airport process, Alaska Airlines is getting rid of check-in kiosks in the airport lobby. Read More

Air Canada’s Ultimate Premium Travel Experience

Air Canada — Air Canada Signature Service is an end-to-end premium travel experience featuring the Air Canada Signature Class cabin, formerly known as International Business Class. Read More


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7 Surprising Things the TSA Won’t Let You Carry Onboard

Afar Magazine — The peanut butter debate has been decided, but there are other unexpected items that won’t make it through airport security. Read More

Long Visa Wait Times Persist for Key Inbound Markets

Travel Weekly — The wait time for visitor visas to the U.S. from India has dropped by nearly half in recent weeks, according to the U.S. Travel Association, though it remains nearly a year. Read More

CLEAR Expands to Another Northeast Airport

Travel Market Report — The airport is CLEAR’s 52nd airport overall. 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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Overnight ‘Hotel Train’ Could Link San Francisco and Los Angeles

Los Angeles Times — The last time an overnight train connected the two cities was 55 years ago. Read More

BTN’s 2023 Car Rental & Ground Transportation Survey

Business Travel News — National Car Rental remains undefeated in the eight years BTN has conducted its annual Car Rental & Ground Transportation Survey, even as satisfaction levels among travel buyers is on the rise across the car rental segment. Chauffeured transportation and ride-hailing companies, however, saw dips in overall scores, but there were pockets of improvement. Read More

High-Speed Trains Are Racing Across the World, But Not in America

CNN — China, Japan and Europe have high-speed rail networks that drive economic growth and offer a sustainable travel option. Will the U.S. ever follow? Read More


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Hilton Will Launch a Lower-midscale Extended-stay Brand

Travel Weekly — Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta described it as a hybrid brand, combining elements of an efficiency apartment and a hotel. Read More

Preferred Hotels & Resorts Adds 9 New Member Properties

Travel Market Report — Properties range from a modern chalet-style resort in the Austrian Alps to a 39-story skyscraper in NYC. Read More

IHG to Debut Vignette Collection in U.K.

Business Travel News — InterContinental Hotels Group has signed a deal to debut its Vignette Collection in the United Kingdom upon the opening later this year of The Halyard at Ropewalks Liverpool. Read More

Extended Stay America Adds Discounts to Loyalty Program

Business Travel News — Extended-stay hotel company Extended Stay America has added benefits to its Extended Perks loyalty program, including discounts and member rates. Read More

Hyatt to Launch Select-Service Upper-Midscale Brand

Business Travel News — Hyatt Hotels Corp. on Tuesday unveiled a new select-service brand, Hyatt Studios, marking the hotel company’s entrance into the upper-midscale sector within the Americas. Read More


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A Former TSA Employee Shares Everything You Need To Conquer Airport Security

HuffPost — Peak travel season may be upon us, but you can fly through airport security without a hitch thanks to these insider tips. Read More

Expect Some U.S. Airlines to Announce Seat Configuration Changes Next Year

Forbes — How many seats to put on an airplane, and how many different classes of service, is a critical decision that every airline must make. Read More

Avoid Motion Sickness When You Travel

Prevue Meetings — Here are some tips from Dr. Eugene Delaune, MD, to avoid—or at the very least alleviate—motion sickness. Read More

Canada Working to Hold Airlines Responsible for Passenger Compensation

Travel Pulse — The Canadian government is working on the airline industry proposal. Read More


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Is Your Event Certifiably Sustainable?

Prevue Meetings — As sustainability continues to gain ground in the meetings industry, several organizations now offer sustainable meeting certificate programs. Here are just a few you may want to check out. 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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