November 29, 2022

Direct Travel

News Briefs

November 29, 2022

In This Edition… Airlines forced to repay affected pandemic travelers, nearly 60 airports reduce service, Air New Zealand and BA successful biometric verification trial, United’s new air taxi service, Alaska Air cuts First Class lounge, United’s new grab and go lounge concept, new codeshare agreements, updates on airline sustainability, Newark’s newly upgraded Terminal A, get Real ID ready, TSA Precheck versus Global Entry and Clear, National and Enterprise extend some loyalty benefits, IGH partnership with Iberostar, other hotel updates, many traveler tips, and much more!

Dans cette édition... Les compagnies aériennes sont contraintes de rembourser les voyageurs affectés par la pandémie, près de 60 aéroports réduisent leur service, essai réussi de vérification biométrique par Air New Zealand et BA, nouveau service de taxi aérien de United, Alaska Air supprime son salon de première classe, nouveau concept de salon « grab and go » (prêt-à-emporter) de United, nouveaux accords de partage de codes, mises à jour sur le développement durable des compagnies aériennes, le terminal A récemment rénové de l’aéroport de Newark, soyez prêt pour Real ID, le programme TSA Precheck comparé à Global Entry et à Clear, National et Enterprise étendent certains avantages de fidélité, partenariat de IGH avec Iberostar, autres mises à jour sur les hôtels, de nombreux conseils aux voyageurs, et bien plus encore!

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How Your Travel Policy Should Address C-suite Needs

Now more than ever—as business travel bounces back to pre-pandemic levels—executive travel is included in the “mission critical” category. The key to C-suite travel success is a strong travel policy that fully addresses a wide spectrum of domestic and global considerations. Read More

5 Reasons Why Travelers Book Out-of-Policy (And How to Mitigate It)

As companies update and overhaul their travel programs in a post-pandemic environment, safety concerns linger and new travel implications have emerged. Read More


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Airlines Forced to Pay More Than $600 Million in Refunds to Passengers Amid Pandemic Woes

CNN — Airlines have paid more than $600 million in refunds to hundreds of thousands of passengers for canceled or changed flights since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Transportation announced. Read More

As Holiday Travel Heats Up, Nearly 60 Airports See Service Slashed in Half

NBC News — Strong demand is pushing airline ticket prices to five-year highs this season, but big carriers are still cutting flights at many smaller airports due to pilot shortages and other pressures… Read More


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Air New Zealand, BA Trial Biometric Tech for Int’l Flights

Business Travel News — Air New Zealand has completed a “successful trial” using biometric verification at the boarding gate at Los Angeles International Airport, the carrier announced, one day after British Airways said it had launched a “smart technology trial” at London’s Heathrow Terminal 5 for international flights. Read More

United to Launch Electric Air Taxi Service From Newark to Manhattan

Afar Magazine — The vertical takeoff and landing aircraft could get travelers from NYC to Newark in under 10 minutes. Read More

Air Canada Invests In Company That Plans To Pull CO2 From The Air

Travel Pulse — Air Canada has announced an equity investment/loan of $6.75 million into Canadian climate solutions company Carbon Engineering (CE). Read More

Alaska Airlines Cuts First Class Lounge Access

One Mile At A Time — Alaska Airlines has just announced a major change to its lounge access policy for first class passengers… Read More

In United’s New Lounge Concept, Taking Snacks Is Encouraged

Afar Magazine — Members can help themselves to grab-and-go food and drinks for their flight—no secret stashing required. Read More

United Invests in Biofuel Refinery Company Next

Business Travel News — The airline could invest as much as $37.5 million into Next, provided the fuel company meets certain milestone targets. Read More

WestJet Expands Codeshare Agreement With Japan Airlines

Travel Pulse — WestJet announced an enhancement to its codeshare agreement with Japan Airlines… Read More

A First Look at Newark Airport’s Seriously Upgraded New Terminal A

Afar Magazine — The much-anticipated improvement over its worn-out predecessor officially opened to the flying public on December 8. Read More

Emirates Has Now Activated Its Air Canada Codeshare Agreement

Simply Flying — Air Canada and Emirates have confirmed that, beginning November 1st, passengers will be able to take advantage of a codeshare agreement between the two airlines. Read More


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Are You Real ID Ready?

ASTA.org — The deadline is getting closer. Don’t let your travel plans get interrupted. Read More

TSA Ranks Busiest Travel Days Around Winter Holidays

Meetings & Conventions — Use this agency data covering the past three years to determine which days around Thanksgiving and Christmas to book flights… Read More

TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear: What’s the Difference?

Afar Magazine — Not sure how these trusted traveler programs differ? You’re not alone. 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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National, Enterprise Extend Some Loyalty Benefits

Business Travel News — National Car Rental is extending certain loyalty benefits that are set to expire soon, parent company Enterprise Holdings announced. Read More

Metro Service to DC’s Dulles Airport Finally Arrives, 60 Years in the Making

Bloomberg — This is a game-changer for both residents and visitors to the nation’s capital. Read More


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IHG Enters All-Inclusive Market With Iberostar Partnership

Travel Pulse — IHG Hotels & Resorts is the latest major hotel operator to dip its toes in the burgeoning all-inclusive market, with the announcement of a major partnership with Spain-based Iberostar Hotels & Resorts. Read More

Hyatt Opens First Unbound Collection Hotel in NYC

Travel Market Report — The 296-room Grayson Hotel is centrally-located on 39th Street, off of 5th Avenue. Read More

Room Rates Are Through the Roof in Las Vegas. What’s Behind the Surge?

Travel Weekly — Las Vegas visitors paid the highest average daily room rate (ADR) in the city’s history in September, a trend that will likely continue as the Strip enjoys heavy post-lockdown demand. Read More

Hilton Survey Finds Four Key Trends for 2023 as a Record Year of Travel Concludes

Insider Travel Report — If 2022 was the year of the changed traveler… Read More

Marriott Will Open 30 More Hotels in Greater China in 2023

Business Travel News — Marriott’s focus on Greater China follows a 30-hotel expansion plan for Africa announced earlier this month. Read More


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What You Need To Know About Europe’s New Entry Rules For Americans

View From The Wing — ETIAS is coming and it’s going to change the way that you travel to Europe – making it more like what Europeans have to go through to come here. Read More

Travel Tips to Survive the Hectic Holiday Travel Season

Thrifty Traveler — The latest holiday travel surge is coming… Read More

5 Ways to Be a More Conscientious Traveler During Climate Change

Afar Magazine — No place is immune to the effects of extreme weather. But travelers can be part of the solution when they visit the right way. Read More

Are You Ready for Your Face to Be the Only Travel Document You Need?

Afar Magazine — Biometrics promise a future of passengers moving through airports more quickly and seamlessly. But passengers have to opt into the technology in order for it to take off. Are enough travelers convinced? Read More

How to Stay Healthy This Holiday Travel Season Amid COVID, Flu, and RSV

Afar Magazine — With almost no public health measures in place and more travelers heading into the skies than the past couple of years, here’s how to best protect yourself and others. Read More


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10 Ways to Add Wow to Your Event

Prevue Meetings — How to give your events a “wow” edge and prevent death by PowerPoint, from the initial walk-in to the final walk-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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