November 6, 2018

Direct Travel

News Briefs

November 6, 2018

In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Delta bids on Alitalia and showcases A220, United’s Polaris seating, new flight services, PreCheck updates and Known Traveler Number lookup, LAX approval for new car rental facility, data breaches for Radisson and Cathay Pacific, Ground Transportation and Duty of Care: 3 Things to Consider, and more!

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Ground Transportation and Duty of Care: 3 Things to Consider

Since ground transportation is an integral part of business travel, travel managers need to pay close attention to safety and security issues. As part of duty of care, organizations need to assess all possible risks associated with vehicle rentals and ride-sharing services to prepare a plan that will not only help keep travelers safe, but will also minimize liability risks. Read More


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Delta Enters Bidding for Alitalia

Business Travel News —Delta has emerged among the latest round of bidders for Alitalia, and low-cost carrier EasyJet also remains interested in the Italian carrier, according to Bloomberg. Read More

United Airlines Replaces First-Class Intercontinental Flights With Polaris Seating

Nerd Wallet —United Airlines is implementing its luxury Polaris Business class service for customers on intercontinental flights. Read More

Delta Shows Off First Airbus A220 in Atlanta

USA Today —Delta Air Lines showed off its first Airbus A220 aircraft Monday, giving an inside-out look at the aircraft during a ceremony at its Atlanta headquarters. Read More

British Airways Unveils New Customer Service Initiative

ATW Online —British Airways will make a multimillion-pound investment in staff training at its London Heathrow Airport hub, 10 months after a light snowfall there brought chaos to its services. Read More

Air Canada to Launch Service Between Montreal and N.C.

Triangle Business Journal —Air Canada will launch service between Montreal and North Carolina’s Raleigh-Durham International Airport on June 3. Read More

American to Offer 4th Daily Memphis-D.C. Flight

Memphis Business Journal —American Airlines on Jan. 7 will add another flight between Memphis International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Read More

Delta Air Lines Plans to Launch Shanghai Flights from Minneapolis

Travel Mole —Airline files DOT application for Airbus A350 service…Read More

Delta to Add Service Between Boston and Edinburgh, Scotland

Frequent Business Traveler —Delta Air Lines will next year launch service between Boston’s Logan International Airport and Scotland’s Edinburgh Airport. Read More


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TSA Gives Green Light to Test New Technology that Can Screen Passengers from 25 Feet Away

LA Times —The Transportation Security Administration has given the go-ahead to test technology that is designed to screen multiple airport passengers at the same time from a distance of up to 25 feet away. Read More

Check Known Traveler Number Expiration

Department of Homeland Security —With many Known Traveler Numbers expiring, this site is useful to check the status of your Known Traveler number…Read More

TSA Precheck Additions: Norwegian, Icelandair and Via Airlines

USA Today —Three more airlines have joined the Transportation Security Administration’s expedited screening program called Precheck…Read More

TSA Adds 50 More Canine Teams

KTVA Alaska — The Transportation Security Administration is adding 50 dog-and-handler explosives-detection teams to its K-9 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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L.A. Approves $2B Consolidated Car Rental Facility Near LAX

LA Business Journal —The Los Angeles City Council on Oct. 31 unanimously approved a $2 billion contract for a consortium of 11 companies to build and operate a consolidated car rental facility near Los Angeles International Airport. Read More

Uber Launches Ride Pass Monthly Subscription

Travel Mole —Fixed fares with no surge pricing offered in five cities…Read More


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Cambria Hotels Debuts in College Park, Maryland, with $57,000 Commitment from Southern Management Corporation to Local Community

PR Newswire —Contribution will Help Fund Tuition for Hospitality Students at Elizabeth Seton High School…Read More

Radisson Rewards Hit by Data Beach

Meetings & Conventions —The Radisson Rewards loyalty program is the latest travel-industry platform to suffer a data breach. Read More

Kimpton Makes London Debut

Hotel Management —Kimpton Fitzroy London is Kimpton’s first property in the UK. The 334-key hotel is in a building with a history that begins in 1898. Read More

Hilton Introduces Micro-Hotel Brand, Motto

Travel Market Report —Aimed at attracting budget-conscious travelers, the new brand will offer lodging that is centrally located, reasonably priced, and less traditional. Read More

IHG Sees Bright Future for Regent

Hotel Management —IHG has signed off on the development of the Regent Kuala Lumpur to open in 2021. Read More


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7 Handy iPhone Accessories You’ll Want to Pack

Airfare Watchdog —Your phone can take photos, store your boarding pass, and help you map out a new city. Outfit it with these handy accessories to help maximize its potential. Read More

Millions Affected in Cathay Pacific Data Breach

International Airport Review —The personal information of more than 9 million airline passengers was compromised in a Cathay Pacific data breach that occurred in March. Read More

Why—and How Much—You Need to Tip Hotel Housekeeping

Family Vacation Critic — We spoke with some experts to get their advice on how to tip your hotel housekeepers—and why it’s important. Read More

Five of the Best Apps for When You’re Heading to the Airport

Travel Market Report —With record high numbers of travelers moving through airports, these digital tools can help make the air travel experience easier and less complicated. Read More

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