May 21, 2019

Direct Travel

News Briefs

May 21, 2019

In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Approval on Tokyo flights, new flight service options, United concourse move at LGA, TSA PreCheck enrollment could expand, how to rent a car if under age 25, self-driving car rides, Enterprise launches subscription services, Hilton partners with Lyft, Atwell Suites is launched, 7 tips For better mental health on the road and much more!

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7 Tips For Better Mental Health on the Road

Traveling frequently for work can take its toll. Whether it’s physical or mental health, travelers are bound to feel the effects of business travel after being away from family, friends and their home for too long. Read More


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American Airlines, Delta, United and Hawaiian Get Approval for Tokyo Flights

Travel Market Report — The approval means that flights from all four airlines could be operating in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which are scheduled to kicked off on July 24, 2020. Read More

Delta Doubles Down on Edinburgh and Boston Service This Summer

Travel Market Report — The airline will offer more daily connections from Scotland to the U.S., starting this month. Read More

American Airlines Ramps Up Domestic and International Connection

Anna.aero — American Airlines expanded its network on 3 and 4 May by introducing 11 new routes to its network, with the most significant being a 8,766-kilometre sector between Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Athens (ATH). Read More

United Airlines’ Big Upgrade at LaGuardia Airport draws Near

Chicago Business Journal — United Airlines next month will move to new gates in Concourse B of New York’s LaGuardia Airport, and it will also open a new, larger United Club lounge in the concourse. Read More

United Launches Nonstop Service from DIA to Frankfurt

KUSA-TV (Denver) — United Airlines has launched daily, nonstop service between Denver, Colo., and Frankfurt, Germany. The airline will use Boeing 787-8 aircraft to operate the year-round service. Read More

United Airlines Is About To Make It A Lot Easier To Get To The Amalfi Coast

Forbes — Good news for anyone who loves the Amalfi Coast but doesn’t love the thought of the transfers or driving time often needed to get there—United Airlines launches daily, nonstop (seasonal) service from New York/Newark to Naples, Italy, on May 22 through Oct. 26, 2019. Read More

Lufthansa Bids to Acquire German Airline Condor

Business Travel News — Lufthansa Group is making a nonbinding offer to acquire Thomas Cook’s German airline, Condor, the airline group announced. Read More

United to move to LaGuardia Airport’s Concourse B

Chicago Business Journal — United Airlines next month will move to new gates in Concourse B of New York’s LaGuardia Airport, and it will also open a new, larger United Club lounge in the concourse. Read More

American Airlines’ Extra Gates Mean 23 New Destinations, Including Germany, Ireland and Dominican Republic

Dallas News — The opening of 15 new gates at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport will allow American Airlines to expand its service to nearly two dozen new destinations. The expansion is part of the airport’s $1.9 billion renewal and improvement project and American has plans to spend another $25 million on further improvements. Read More

United Airlines Expands Reno to Houston Nonstop Flights

The Associated Press — United Airlines and Reno-Tahoe International Airport have announced they will expand nonstop flights between Reno and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Read More


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Bill Introduced to Expand TSA PreCheck Enrollment

Travel Market Report — Legislation that has been recently introduced in the Senate that would expand TSA PreCheck enrollment for people in positions of public trust. Read More

Tampa Becomes Third U.S. Airport to Allow Non-Passengers Through Security

Travel Market Report — Non-passengers can now enjoy dining and shopping experiences at the newly renovated Tampa International Airport. Tampa International Airport will now allow non-passengers to go through security, thanks to its new All Access program. 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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Renting a Car Under Age 25 Is Possible, But Pricey

Smarter Travel — An 18-year-old is considered mature enough to vote and even go to war, but can they rent a car?Read More

Google Spinoff and Lyft Team Up to Offer Self-Driving Car Rides

Meetings & Conventions (AP) — Google’s self-driving car spinoff Waymo is joining Lyft in Arizona in an attempt to lure passengers away from ride-hailing market leader Uber… Read More

Enterprise Launches Car-Rental Industry’s First Vehicle-Subscription Service

Enterprise Holdings — Enterprise Holdings, which manages the largest and most diverse privately-owned fleet in the world, launched the U.S. car-rental industry’s first vehicle-subscription service in three states: Minnesota, Missouri and Nevada. Read More


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Hilton Honors Partners with Lyft to Offer Point Earning and Spending

Business Traveller — Members of loyalty programme Hilton Honors can now earn points when they use ride-hailing app Lyft. Read More

Hyatt American Airlines Partnership Now Live And Includes Joie De Vivre Hotels

Forbes — American Airlines and Hyatt have launched a partnership that allows travelers with elite status to earn airline miles and hotel points on both stays and flights. Read More

IHG Launches New All-Suites Brand & Updates Brand Designs

Business Travel News — InterContinental Hotels Group today launched Atwell Suites, an upper-midscale all-suites brand that the company teased in February. Read More

Hyatt Expands Small Luxury Hotels Alliance to More Than 200 Hotels

Insider Travel Report — Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) announced the ongoing expansion of their existing loya…Read More

Hyatt to Allow Guests to Book Early Check-In or Late Checkout Times at Hyatt Place Hotels in Advance of Arrival

Frequent Business Traveler — Hyatt Hotels announced a new program under which guests can reserve an early check-in or checkout time at Hyatt Place properties. The program is available only to World of Hyatt guest loyalty program members and some guests will pay a small fee depending on their elite status level. Read More


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American Airlines Opens Flagship Lounge at Dallas Airport

Travel Pulse — American Airlines on Thursday opened its newest Flagship Lounge in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal D. Read More

8 Things You Should Never Do in a Hotel

Smarter Travel — You may think of it as your “home away from home,” but try not to get too comfortable in that hotel room. Read More

Delta to Test Free In-flight Wi-Fi

USA Today — Delta Air Lines plans to offer free Wi-Fi on select flights beginning May 13, the first step in a test to determine whether it will become the second major U.S. airline to offer free in-flight internet service. Read More

Delta Introduces Status-Reclaiming Program for Medallion Members

Business Travel News — Delta SkyMiles has introduced a Reclaim My Status feature for Medallion members who temporarily are unable to travel due to a major life event. Read More

These Are the Airline and Hotel Brands with the Highest Satisfaction Rates

Travel Market Report — Alaska Airlines, Hilton, and Marriott took top spots. Find out which other brands leave their guests the most satisfied. Read More


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Mobile Tour Brings the Product to the People

Creative Group — A hands-on experience for clients and prospects…Read More

Drive Loyalty with Luxury

Creative Group — Hitting a hole-in-one with white-glove service…Read More

Miami Beach Convention Center Is Getting Greener — Much Greener

Northstar Meetings Group — The facility is transforming its grounds with acres of verdant new parkland…Read More

Are Nonalcoholic Events Trending?

Event Marketer — Find out why booze-free events are all the rage…Read More

New Airport, Convention Hotel Coming to Salt Lake City

Meetings & Conventions — Visit Salt Lake is introducing meeting professionals to a dynamic new Salt Lake City…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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