November 14, 2023

Direct Travel

News Briefs

November 14, 2023

In This Edition… airline news and flight service updates, Hyatt expands in Mexico, how to avoid getting sick on an airplane, many traveler tips, results from the Northstar/Cvent Incentive PULSE Survey, and much more!

Dans cette édition… des nouvelles sur les compagnies aériennes et des mises à jour sur les services de vol, Hyatt élargit ses activités au Mexique, des mesures pour éviter de tomber malade en avion, de nombreux conseils aux voyageurs, les résultats de l’enquête Northstar/Cvent Incentive PULSE, et bien d’autres choses encore!

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6 Steps for Taking Your Corporate Travel Program Global

Whether your company is in the early stages of entering the global market or is already a well-established multinational brand, creating a consolidated global travel program can be exciting but stressful if the necessary pieces aren’t in place. Read More

What to Look for When Choosing a New Travel Management Company

Choosing a TMC is more than a business transaction: it is a partnership that should be built on trust. When in the market for a new travel management company, here are some of the top questions to consider to ensure your values are in alignment. Read More


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GBTA Poll Points to ‘Stronger’ 2024 for Global Business Travel

Business Travel News — Nearly three-quarters of buyers expect their travel budgets to increase or hold steady next year, and most said they don’t expect economic concerns to limit business travel at their company, according to a Global Business Travel Association. Read More


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United Applies To Become First US Airline To Fly Nonstop Between Houston and Tokyo

Travel Pulse — United Airlines filed an application this week with the U.S. Department of Transportation to fly daily nonstop flights between Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND). Read More

Air Canada Adopts New Polices for Passengers with Disabilities

OpenJaw — Passengers with disabilities will soon find significant improvements when they fly with the country’s largest airline. Read More

United Sets Its ‘Largest’ 2024 Transatlantic Schedule

Business Travel News — United Airlines plans to operate its “largest-ever” transatlantic summer schedule in 2024, with nonstop flights to 38 cities. Read More

Air Canada to Launch Stockholm Service

Business Travel News — Air Canada on June 12, 2024, will add new summer seasonal flights to Stockholm. Read More

United Launches Winter Service with 50 New Daily Nonstops to International Cities

Insider Travel Report — United launched its international winter schedule this year with 50 additional daily flights compared to last winter, and has become the first U.S. carrier to fly direct from the continental U.S. to Manila, Philippines. Read More

Air Canada Becomes World’s First Airline To Screen Disney+ Originals In-Flight

Travel Pulse — Air Canada has just become the world’s first airline to provide passengers access to Disney+ Originals via its in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. Read More

Delta Is Expanding Its Free WiFi to Smaller Jets

Travel Weekly — The rollout on the carrier’s Boeing 717s and regional aircraft will be enabled by an agreement it has entered into with the connectivity provider Hughes. Read More

4 Things You Should Know About How Delta Responds to In-flight Medical Emergencies

Delta  — Delta flight attendants are not only experts in providing elevated service to our customers but are also safety professionals who are trained and equipped with the tools to respond during in-flight medical events. Read More

Air France to End Most Orly Flights

Travel Weekly — Citing a rise of videoconferencing, a drop in domestic business travel and a growing shift toward rail, the carrier plans to shift most of its Paris operations to Charles de Gaulle by summer 2026. Read More

Delta Is Expanding to These European Cities Next Summer

Afar Magazine — Summer 2024 will see the largest-ever transatlantic flight schedule for Delta Air Lines. Read More

Korean Air Orders More Airbus Jets

Business Travel News — Korean Air has ordered an additional 20 Airbus A321neo aircraft on top of the 30 it previously had ordered. Read More

Air Canada: Managed Corp. Recovery Steady, SME Up

Business Travel News — Air Canada’s managed corporate segment demand is remaining steady, at about 25 percent to 30 percent below 2019 levels, execs said during a Monday earnings call. Read More

Air Canada Expedites CTA Complaints by Settling Directly with Passengers

Open Jaw — In a newly launched program Air Canada is addressing the 60,000 backlog of complaints sitting with the CTA by offering passengers a portion of the claimed compensation. Read More


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Having Trouble Getting a Passport Appointment? Here’s Why, and What to Do About It.

Afar Magazine — These are the best tips for getting your passport as fast as possible. Read More

Global Entry Just Made Getting Through Customs Even Faster—Here’s How

Afar Magazine — This new feature means you won’t need to stop at a Customs and Border Protection kiosk. 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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Hyatt and Parks Hospitality Holdings Expand in Mexico with Four New Hotels

Insider Travel Report — Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Parks Hospitality Holdings (PHH) announced a new collaboration to expand Hyatt’s brand footprint in Mexico with the development of four new properties across key destinations in Mexico, including Mexico City, Los Cabos, and Cancun. Read More

MGM Resorts and Marriott Postpone Licensing Agreement After Cyberattack

TravelPulse — It appears that the planned ‘MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy’ program won’t be rolled out this year as initially intended. The exclusive long-term strategic licensing agreement between Marriott International and MGM Resorts International, first announced back in July, has been postponed until 2024. Read More

Choice Wants to Reengage; Wyndham Further Outlines Strong Objections

Hotel Investment Today — Choice Hotels International on Wednesday called upon the board of directors of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to engage in good faith discussions to work out a deal for the proposed $90 per share acquisition. Read More


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Why Can’t Lithium Batteries Go in Checked Luggage?

Afar Magazine — The FAA has good reason to ban electric devices from your checked bag. Here’s why. Read More

You’re Not Tipping Your Hotel Housekeeper Enough

Thrillist — Tipping is not only the right thing to do, it is a necessary part of the service industry and our economy. Read More

Everything You Need to Know to Avoid Getting Sick on an Airplane

Afar Magazine — Nine expert tips for avoiding the grossest parts of air travel. Read More

Americans Won’t Need to Apply for European Travel in 2024, According to Some Sources

Fodor’s Travel — Travelers from the U.S. and other countries who previously enjoyed visa-free travel to most of the European Union will not need a visa—electronic or otherwise—in the near future. Read More

Why Airplane Seats Must Be Upright for Takeoff and Landing

Afar Magazine — Here’s why you’re asked to sit up straight. Read More

The Best Airports for Food

Travel + Leisure — In many airports, food options are limited to a fast food joint, a coffee shop and a newsstand with soggy sandwiches. But in others, there’s a true smorgasbord of global cuisine. Read More


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Incentive Bookings Up, Interest in Long-Haul Destinations Rebounds

Northstar Meetings Group — Results from the November 2023 Northstar/Cvent Incentive PULSE Survey reveal that hotel supply remains tight and it’s harder to get C-level buy-in for the higher costs of incentive travel. 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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