Meet Center: Avenir’s Card-Centric Expense Tool
Today, we will see how Center’s complete, connected corporate card and expense management solution helps users gain real-time visibility, control, and flexibility all in one place. Read More
Meet TROOP: Avenir’s Intelligent Meeting Management Platform
TROOP’s intelligent meeting, planning, and group travel logistics platform supplies Avenir with an integrated and efficient solution for in-person meeting management. Read More
BTN’s Corporate Travel Index Calculator Adds Q2 Data
Business Travel News — BTN’s Corporate Travel Index Calculator, the complimentary resource of business travel per diems for 100 U.S. cities and 100 non-U.S. cities, has been updated with second-quarter hotel, car rental and market safety data. Read More
Everything You Need to Know About Europe’s New Entry Requirement
TravelPulse — The European Union is set to introduce a new entry system for travelers in the coming months designed to enhance the visitor experience and improve safety and security within the bloc. Read More
Southwest Will Introduce Assigned Seats in 2026
Meetings & Conventions (AP) — The airline’s executives unveiled their plan for Southwest 2.0, which will include charging for perks — but bags will still fly free. Read More
This European Airline Will No Longer Offer Free In-flights Meals in New Trial
USA Today (Subscription may be required) — Air France is testing out a new initiative to stop serving complimentary meals onboard in lieu of an a la carte system. Read More
American Airlines Wants to Delay Restarting Two Daily Flights to China
TravelPulse — American Airlines joins Delta and United in asking to hold off on increased service to China. Read More
Delta Extends Tel Aviv Flight Pause Through Dec. 31
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines once more has extended its suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, through Dec. 31, 2024, due to ongoing conflict in the region. Read More
Emirates to Bring Upgraded Cabins to U.S.
Business Travel News — Emirates will bring its latest business-class seats to the U.S. for the first time on retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft on six routes, and will add more premium economy seats. Read More
Delta Adds Seven European Routes for Summer 2025
Business Travel News Europe — Delta Air Lines is introducing seven new European routes as part of an expanded summer 2025 transatlantic schedule, including four new services to Italy. The US carrier will launch routes from Atlanta to Naples, Minneapolis-St Paul to Rome, Boston to Milan and New York JFK to Catania in Sicily in May 2025. Read More
SAS to Relaunch Seattle Service
Business Travel News — SAS on May 21, 2025, will resume service between Copenhagen and Seattle to “meet the growing demand for travel to the U.S.,” the carrier announced. Read More
United Airlines’ Latest Move to Bring Free Starlink Wi-Fi to Passengers
TravelPulse — United Airlines is set to roll out the newest Starlink connectivity starting in 2025. Read More
Where BA Will Fly from North America to London Next Summer
Insider Travel Report — British Airways just announced it will operate more flights per week from North America to London in summer 2025 than ever before. Read More
Alaska-Hawaiian Merger Cleared to Close as DOT Blesses Deal
MSN — The US Department of Transportation is giving a green light to the merger of Alaska Air Group Inc. and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. after the carriers agreed to institute new consumer protections, lifting the last hurdle to close the $1.9 billion deal. Read More
JetBlue to Introduce Airport Lounges
Business Travel News — JetBlue in late 2025 will begin to add airport lounges to its offerings, the carrier announced Thursday. The first lounge will be located in John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 5, with the second, to follow “soon after” in Boston Logan International Airport’s Terminal C. Read More
All US Citizens Can Now Renew Passports Online for First Time Ever
TravelPulse — The U.S. Department of State has launched an online passport renewal service for all citizens following a successful beta test. Read More
How to Check Your Passport Status—and What to Do if It’s Taking Too Long
Afar Magazine — U.S. passports are back to their normal processing time of six to eight weeks. Here are a few things you can do to check your passport application or renewal status. Read More
TSA Proposes Easing Real ID Enforcement Deadline
Business Travel News — The U.S. Transportation Security Administration proposed a new rule that would hold off full enforcement of the upcoming Real ID deadline until no later than 2027. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Amtrak Debuts New Integration With Google for More Sustainable Transportation Choices
TravelPulse — Newly announced updates to features in Google Maps and Search make it easier for travelers to find sustainable transportation alternatives to driving and flying. Read More
Eurostar to Join SkyTeam Alliance
Business Travel News — High-speed rail service Eurostar is set to become the first non-airline partner to join the SkyTeam alliance, Eurostar announced. Read More
Marriott to Expand Moxy Brand in Europe
Business Travel News Europe — Marriott International is slated to expand its European portfolio with the addition of 17 Moxy branded hotels in multiple cities by the end of 2025. The ‘lifestyle’ brand currently includes 89 hotels across 18 destinations. Read More
Hilton Triumphs in BTN 2024 Hotel Survey
Business Travel News — Read the full BTN 2024 Hotel Brand Survey & Report to find out how the hotel brands stacked up in this year’s rankings. Plus, BTN’s data and analysis of buyers’ negotiation strategies and hotel program structures going into 2025. Read More
Iconic Washington, D.C. Hotel To Join Le Méridien Brand Portfolio
The Meeting Magazines — Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, a global premium brand within Marriott Bonvoy, announced that an iconic property in Downtown D.C. has joined the brand portfolio following a $15 million renovation. Completing the renovation in September, the Le Méridien Madison, Washington, DC, is owned by Crescent Real Estate and operated by HEI Hotels & Resorts. Read More
Hilton Prepares for Several New Openings and Renovations
TravelPulse — The hotel giant is planning expansion and renovation that will further cement its footprint within the lodging industry. Read More
Super 8 by Wyndham Unveils Next Generation Guestroom Design
Insider Travel Report — The economy hotel brand with more than 2,600 locations worldwide is apparently on a mission to set a new standard in economy room design while also helping boost guest satisfaction and maximize owner savings. Read More
46 U.S. Hotels Opening in 2024
Northstar Meetings Group — Just added to this roundup of new properties are California’s Marriott Long Beach Downtown, the Andaz Miami Beach and the Hotel Renegade in Idaho. Read More
United States Adds Qatar to Visa Waiver Program
TravelPulse — Qatar is the first Middle East Gulf country to gain admittance. Read More
The Best Airports in North America
The Points Guy — The annual rankings from J.D. Power surveyed 26,000 U.S. and Canadian travelers about ease of travel, terminal facilities, airport staff, food and retail experience, and more. Read More
New ETA Requirement for Thailand From December 2024
Travel Weekly Asia — Starting 1 December 2024, Thailand will begin a pilot phase for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for visa-exempt visitors. The system will be fully operational by June 2025 and will be integrated with the existing e-Visa system into a single online application platform. Read More
Do I Have to Tip Hotel Housekeeping If I Keep My Room Clean?
Fodor’s Travel — It seems everywhere we turn; we’re being confronted with the option to leave a tip. Read More
The Best Seat on the Plane if You Hate Turbulence
Afar Magazine — Turbulence is a fact of flying. But knowing where to sit and when to fly can help soften its blows. Read More