November 26, 2024

Direct Travel

News Briefs

November 26, 2024

In This Edition… Real ID deadline may extend again, UK’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for North Americans, Spirit files Chapter 11, new flight schedules, baggage tracker news, security updates and tips, hotel news, traveler tips, and more!

Dans cette édition… Une possible extension des délais pour le Real ID, l’autorisation de voyage électronique (AVE) du Royaume-Uni pour les Nord-Américains, Spirit se place sous la protection du chapitre 11, des nouveaux horaires de vol, des actualités concernant le suivi des bagages, des mises à jour et des conseils en matière de sécurité, des actualités hôtelières, des conseils aux voyageurs, et bien plus encore!

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Key Changes International Travelers Should Prepare For In 2025

Here are the changes travelers can expect in the coming months. Read More

Takeaways from Steve Singh on the Travel Again Podcast

In an episode of the Travel Again podcast, Steve shares his latest insights regarding the future of business travel. Read More


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Real ID’s 2025 Deadline May Get Flexibility Through 2027 Under TSA Proposal

cnet.com — The Department of Homeland Security says many people may not have Real IDs ready by the May 2025 deadline. Read More

UK Introduces Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for North Americans

Open Jaw — Canadians, Americans and others who don’t live in Europe will need a new electronic visa to enter the UK beginning early next year. There are concerns it will hurt UK tourism. Read More


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Spirit Airlines Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Business Travel News — Spirit Airlines announced that it had filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a “prearranged” chapter 11 bankruptcy. The move is part of a “proactive step” the company said that also includes a restructuring support agreement “supported by a supermajority” of its bondholders. Read More

Hawaiian Airlines Eliminates Widebody Route Amid Alaska Airlines Merger

TravelPulse — With new ownership by Alaska Airlines Group, Hawaiian is tweaking its flight schedules. Read More

WestJet Announces Major Europe, U.S. and Canada Expansion

Open Jaw — WestJet next summer will boost service from Canada to Paris, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and Incheon. Its also adding bolstering service to Florida and other U.S. destinations, and beefing up domestic flights. Read More

Air Canada Teams with Apple to Make It Easier to Track Lost Bags

TravelPulse Canada — Many air travelers use AirTags to track their bags, but it doesn’t help much if their luggage is misplaced and they can’t share the location information easily with the airline that misplaced it. That is changing. Read More

KLM to Add Three New International Destinations

Business Travel News — KLM beginning in 2025 will add services between Amsterdam and three international destinations, including San Diego. Read More

Air Canada Ramps Up Europe and U.S. Capacity for Summer 2025

OpenJaw — Air Canada is boosting both transborder and transatlantic service for 2025 with expanded service from Toronto and Montreal hubs. Read More

Why British Airways Is Canceling U.S.-Bound Flights

i News — A shortage of engines and their component parts is affecting many of the carrier’s transatlantic routes, and it’s having a ripple effect on other airlines. Read More

Delta to Create Bundles with Extra-legroom Seats

Travel Weekly — The Comfort Plus bundles are the start of a broader Delta initiative to merchandize premium products. Bundles for domestic first class and international business class could follow. Read More

Alaska Airlines Starts Selling Electronic Bag Tags

Travel Weekly — Alaska has priced the tag at $89. It allows flyers to skip the step of printing a bag tag at the airport. Read More


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US DOJ Halts DEA From Conducting Random Airport Drug Searches

TravelPulse — The Department of Justice has told the Drug Enforcement Agency to stop searching passengers at airports and other transit hubs—even though they are the prime conduit for drug trafficking—after a major discrepancy was uncovered. Read More

TSA Readies for Thanksgiving Travel and Provides Tips

TSA.gov — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for the busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record. Read More

At These Airports, You Can Use Your iPhone to Get Through TSA Security

Afar Magazine — Fliers at airports in six states now can use the Apple Wallet ID on their iPhone to get through TSA security, and more states are to follow. 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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Did You Know Florida Has a High Speed Train—Here’s What It’s Like Onboard

Afar Magazine — Brightline launched high-speed rail service from Miami to Orlando in late September. AFAR correspondent Paul Rubio took the train between the Florida cities to experience this new car-free connection. Read More


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New Hilton Hotel Openings in 2025

Hilton — New Hilton hotels will debut in the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. Read More

Hyatt and Headspace Launch Series to Help Travelers Find a Good Night’s Sleep

Hyatt — Hyatt, in collaboration with Headspace, the world’s most accessible and comprehensive mental health platform, debuts a new exclusive video series providing access to expert and science-backed tips on how to get better sleep while traveling. Read More

Why Viceroy Hotels Is Getting a Complete Brand Relaunch

Insider Travel Report — Viceroy unveiled the first phase of what it’s calling a transformative global brand relaunch, debuting on Nov. 13, 2024. Read More


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Delta’s New Seasonal Menus and Shake Shack Partnership Take Off

Deta.com — As the season shifts, so do the flavors on board Delta’s flights. Delta’s latest menus, paired with the airline’s first-of-its-kind partnership with Shake Shack, is designed to elevate the dining experience. Read More

Read This If You’ve Had a DUI and Plan on Traveling Abroad

Fodor’s Travel — Whether or not you can travel with a DUI depends on several factors and where you want to go. Read More

Here’s How to Get Your Lost Luggage Back From an Airline

Afar Magazine — It involves a whole lot of communication and patience. But it can indeed be done, in many cases. Read More

Tips To Ease The Stress Of Holiday Travel

TSA.gov — Thanksgiving is just around the corner, kicking off the busiest time of year at airports nationwide. Check out these tips for travel prep that are especially useful during the busy holidays travel season. Read More

Apple Adds New Way to Help Airlines Find Missing Bags

The Points Guy — The tech giant will enable a new AirTag feature that allows travelers to share the location of an item with a third party, including airlines. Read More

Lufthansa Previews What’s Next For In-flight Entertainment

Travel Weekly — The airline has begun offering Meta Quest 3 mixed-reality headsets to flyers in its new Airbus A350 Allegris business-class cabins. Read More

United Is Making Big Changes to Its Loyalty Program in 2025

Afar Magazine — There are benefits and drawbacks to increasing the thresholds for frequent flier tiers. Here’s what they are. Read More

WestJet Alters Rewards Program; New Spend Level and Boarding Changes

OpenJaw — WestJet is making major changes to its rewards program, including new spend levels for silver, gold and platinum members, changing boarding zone rules, and making it easier to use upgrades and companion vouchers. Read More


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What Does AI Mean for the Events Industry?

Trade Show News Network — We know AI will have be big impacts on business, ranging from the reshaping of law firms to pressure on Google paid search—but what does it mean for business events? Read More

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