November 30, 2021

Direct Travel

News Briefs

November 30, 2021

In this edition of the Travel News Brief: tips for resetting travel expectations with your road warriors, new travel restrictions due to Omicron variant, airline flight service updates, passport wait time reductions, holiday travel tips, airline additions to TSA PreCheck, rideshare costs increase, Hyatt to open JDV brand, Accor launches Emblems Collection and more!

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Tips for Resetting Travel Expectations with Your Road Warriors

If 2020 was the year that challenged all previously held notions about business travel, 2021 has been a year of putting those changes to the test. The market has shifted and adapted beyond the temporary patchwork of solutions created at the onset of the pandemic, replaced by new practices and expectations that will…Read More


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Covid-19 Variant Omicron Induces Wave of Travel Restrictions

Business Travel News — The United States and others have imposed restrictions on foreign nationals arriving from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. Some nations have gone further in an attempt to seal themselves off from ‘omicron.’ The variant is already present in Europe and other regions. Read More


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United Airlines is About to Resume Its Longest Flight

The Points Guy — The carrier’s flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Singapore (SIN) is set to resume four times a week effective Jan. 5. Read More

Airlines to Cut Some NYC Service

Business Travel News — American Airlines cut 19 domestic and eight international routes, 18 of which affect New York’s LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International airports. Read More

Delta, Latam Add More Than 20 Codeshare Routes

Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines and Latam Airlines Group jointly will share code on more than 20 international routes between the United States and South America. Read More


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FAA Proposes $160,000 in Fines for Alcohol-Fueled Incidents

Travel Market Report — Flight crews have reported nearly 300 passenger disturbances due to alcohol and intoxication since Jan. 1, 2021. Read More

TSA Screens Most Single-Day Passengers of Pandemic Era

Travel Pulse — November 19 saw highest number of fliers since February 2020. Read More

Need a New U.S. Passport? Wait Times Are (Finally) Coming Down

Afar Magazine — The U.S. State Department still recommends that travelers start the process several months before traveling abroad—to be on the safe side. Read More

Which Holiday Foods Can You Bring Through Airport Security?

Afar Magazine — Guidelines around bringing liquids through airport security are pretty clear. But there’s a way around that 3-1-1 rule. Read More

Passengers Want to Use Biometrics to Speed Up Processes and Eliminate Queuing Post Pandemic

International Air Transport Association — Survey shows that passengers want to spend less time queuing…Read More

El Al Israel Airlines and Global Crossings join TSA PreCheck

TSA.gov — The TSA announced the expansion of its TSA PreCheck® expedited screening program with the addition of two new airlines, adding to the more than 80 TSA PreCheck participating domestic and international carriers. 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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Prepare to Pay More for Uber and Lyft Rides

New York Times — The companies say they are charging extra because they don’t have enough drivers to match rebounding customer demand. Read More

Need a Car?

Travel Weekly — Reserve your ride ahead as rental demand still outpaces supply…Read More

Enterprise and Microsoft Collaborate on Data and Technology to Evolve the Fleet of the Future

Automotive Fleet — Last month, Enterprise announced a collaboration with Microsoft and its Azure technology platform to bring telematics and analytical data to life within the Enterprise fleet. Read More


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Hyatt to Open Hotel Under JDV Brand in Los Angeles

Business Traveler — Hyatt is set to open a new property under its JDV (formerly known as Joie de Vivre) brand near Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard early next month. Read More

Accor Launches New Collection Brand

Business Travel News — Accor has launched a new brand, the Emblems Collection, a portfolio of boutique hotels and resorts. Read More

Hilton is Ready for Europe’s Travel Revival with Sustained Growth in Europe and UK

Hilton Hotels — Hilton’s Collection and Lifestyle brands continue to drive the expansion of its European footprint, with the category nearly doubling its presence over the past three years. Read More


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15 Tips To Travel Safely During Covid

Smarter Travel — Traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic carries some level of risk, no matter how far you’re going. However, there are plenty of things we can do to reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting the virus while traveling. Read More

Delta Chief Health Officer: Covid-19 Near End of Pandemic Stage

Business Travel News — The travel industry is “entering the end of the pandemic,” Delta Air Lines chief health officer Henry Ting said at the Global Business Travel Association 2021 Convention. Read More

Travel in 2022 Will Be Even Busier Than Pre-pandemic Times, According to New Report

Travel + Leisure — Next year is predicted to be even more popular for trips than before the pandemic, a new report by the World Travel & Tourism Council shows. Read More

State-by-State Status Updates on Covid-19 Restrictions

Northstar Meetings Group — Washington, D.C., will lift its indoor mask mandate on Nov. 22. Face coverings still will be required on public transit, and in schools and government facilities…Read More

How U.S. Airlines Rank for On-time Flights

TravelPulse — This holiday travel season could prove more challenging compared to previous as surging demand for domestic travel combines with labor shortages brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic to form the perfect storm for last-minute flight delays and cancellations. Read More


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Oahu Lifting Capacity Limits for Events

Northstar Meetings Group — Among the latest state-by-state restrictions, Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced he will allow a rule governing restaurants, bars and social gatherings to expire on Nov. 30…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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