October 15, 2024

Direct Travel

News Briefs

October 15, 2024

In This Edition… Center launched a dashboard tool, airline updates and codeshare news, fee increases for U.S. Trusted-Traveler programs, train service updates, hotel updates, meetings and events news, along with many traveler tips!

Dans cette édition… Center a lancé un tableau de bord, des mises à jour sur les compagnies aériennes et sur le partage de codes, la hausse des frais pour les programmes américains Trusted-Traveler, des mises à jour sur les services ferroviaires et sur les hôtels, des actualités concernant les réunions et les événements, mais aussi de nombreux conseils pour les voyageurs!

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How Avenir Connects the Best Travel Technology with Even Better Service

Discover how Avenir seamlessly integrates cutting-edge travel technology with exceptional service to elevate your travel experience. Read More

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


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Center Adds Dashboard Tool to T&E Solution

Business Travel News — Payment and expense management provider Center has launched a new dashboard tool within its travel and expense solution that combines on- and off-platform booking data, the company announced. Read More


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Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Are Officially Joining Forces. Here’s How That Will Affect Travelers.

Afar Magazine — Consider this your cheat sheet to the upcoming changes. Read More

Two New Flights to Europe Set to Start From Nashville

TravelPulse — Both Icelandair and Aer Lingus have announced new routes from Nashville. Read More

Porter’s Inaugural Flight from Toronto Touches Down in Phoenix

Open Jaw — Open Jaw’s Karen Daddah has been whisked away on an Arizona junket, joining Porter’s inaugural flight from Toronto to Phoenix which took place on October 3rd. Read More

Delta Air Lines Bolsters Summer 2025 Schedule From Atlanta

TravelPulse — The carrier plans nearly 1,000 daily flights from Atlanta for summer 2025, a 75-flight increase, adding destinations and premium seats, and contributing to economic growth and airport redevelopment. Read More

SAS & Virgin Atlantic Announce Codeshare on Flights from US & Canada

Simply Flying — Scandinavian Airlines will be launching a codeshare agreement with Virgin Atlantic (VS), the only SkyTeam member based in the United Kingdom. Read More

Qatar Airways to Take Minority Stake in Virgin Australia

Business Travel News — Qatar Airways intends to acquire a 25 percent equity stake in Virgin Australia from Bain Capital, subject to regulatory approval, the carriers announced. Read More

Delta, Saudia Sign Codeshare Agreement

Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines and Saudia Airlines, the flag carrier for Saudi Arabia, have signed a codeshare agreement pending government approvals. Read More

British Airways Expands Codeshare with IndiGo and LATAM

Business Travel News Europe — British Airways has expanded its respective codeshare partnerships with Indian carrier IndiGo and South American airline LATAM. The codeshare deal with IndiGo, which launched last September, has now been extended to 18 destinations across India with the addition of Goa and Ahmedabad. Read More

Virgin Atlantic Overhauls Loyalty Program

Business Travel News — Virgin Atlantic beginning Oct. 30 will allow Flying Club loyalty program members to pay for any seat with Virgin Points, the carrier announced Monday, among other changes to the program. Read More

United Just Announced a Major New In-Flight Perk—and It’s Free

Afar Magazine — The Chicago-based airline has partnered with SpaceX to vastly improve connectivity. Read More

Delta to Launch Salt Lake City-Seoul Service

Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines on June 12, 2025, will launch its first nonstop route between Salt Lake City and Seoul, South Korea, the carrier announced. Read More

American Airlines Just Announced 5 New Routes to Some of Europe’s Most Sought-After Destinations

Afar Magazine — Several exciting new transatlantic flights will be taking off from major East Coast and Midwest airports next year. Read More

Qatar to Begin Non-Stop Toronto-Doha Service in December

Open Jaw — Qatar Airways, named the world’s best airline by Skytrax for 2024, says it will begin non-stop service between YYZ and Doha, Qatar on December 1, 2024. Read More


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U.S. State Department Says It Is Processing Passports Faster

Travel Weekly — Processing times have fallen to four to six weeks, down from six to eight weeks, says the department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. Read More

U.S. Raises Fees for Trusted-Traveler Programs

TravelPulse — The new costs for the Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS programs went into effect Oct. 1. Read More

TSA PreCheck® Program Adds Two New Airlines

TSA.gov — Eligible passengers can use TSA PreCheck lanes when traveling from the U.S. on nearly 100 airlines. 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 Tops J.D. Power Car Rental Satisfaction Survey

Business Travel News — National took top honors in the J.D. Power 2024 North American Rental Car Satisfaction Study with a score of 736 out of possible 1,000 points, according to J.D. Power. The brand bested its sister company Enterprise, which had 729 points and was first last year. Read More

A New Amtrak Train Route Will Bring Passengers from the Midwest to Warm, Sunny Beaches

Afar Magazine — The epic rail journey will include stops in Washington, D.C., Savannah, Georgia, and Orlando, Florida. Read More

New Paris-Berlin High-Speed Rail Link to Launch in December

Business Travel News Europe — SNCF Voyageurs and Deutsche Bahn, the national train operators of France and Germany, will launch a new high-speed rail link between Paris and Berlin. Set to commence on 16 December, the new daily service will be operated by DB’s InterCity Express (ICE) trains. Read More


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45 Top-rated Leading Hotels Honored as World’s Best Awards by Travel + Leisure

LHW — The Leading Hotels of the World proudly recognizes its 45+ hotels that have been awarded with more than 50 2024 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, including 9 #1 winners. Read More

Choice Relaunches Radisson Individuals Soft Brand

Business Travel News — Choice Hotels International is relaunching its Radisson Individuals soft brand in the upper-upscale tier, following its 2022 purchase of Radisson Hotel Group Americas. Read More

Conde Nast Unveils Its Top 50 Hotels Worldwide for 2024

Conde Nast Traveler — Unforgettable food. Cutting-edge design. Immersive experiences. These are some of your top criteria for judging what makes a quality hotel—not to mention a worthy resort, cruise, spa, or island. Read More


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Delta to Open Lounge for Premium Flyers at LAX

Travel Weekly — It will be the airline’s second Delta One lounge. The first one opened in June at New York JFK. Read More

Why Airplane Seats Must Be Upright for Takeoff and Landing

Afar Magazine — The battle over reclining etiquette isn’t the most important thing to think about when you take your airplane seat. Keeping it upright during the flight’s most critical moments is. Here’s why you’re asked to do it. Read More

Emirates Bans Pagers and Walkie-Talkies From All Flights

Aviation Direct — All passengers traveling on flights to, from or via Dubai are prohibited from transporting pagers and walkie-talkies in checked or cabin baggage. Read More

Canadian Supreme Court Upholds Rules on Air Passenger Rights

Open Jaw — In a supposed victory for passengers, Canada’s Supreme Court upheld regulations improving compensation for delays and damaged luggage, rejecting an appeal by airlines challenging the 2019 Air Passenger Rights Regulations. Read More

Best US Airports and Airport Amenities for 2024, According to Readers

USA Today (subscription may be required) — These are the best airports, airport lounges, bars, and restaurants across the United States, according to USA TODAY 10 Best readers. Read More

The Roomiest Airline Seats in the USA

Afar Magazine — Find out which airlines have the most spacious seats in both economy and business. Read More

How to Pack a Suitcase Like a Flight Attendant

Afar Magazine — A flight attendant shares her packing tips from over a decade of living out of a suitcase. Read More

The Rules for Traveling to Europe Are About to Change

Afar Magazine — Starting in 2025, you will need advance approval and to pay a fee before entering Europe, as part of a new travel authorization requirement. Here’s a complete guide to how to apply, processing times, and the cost. Read More

These Are the Best Airline Loyalty Programs in the World—and One U.S. Airline Came Out on Top

Afar Magazine — A new global ranking breaks down which airlines score highest in terms of mileage earning potential, redemption values, and route availability. Read More


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Meeting of the Minds

The Meeting Magazine — How Event Planners are now taking the health and wellness of their attendees into consideration with some fresh out-of-the-box approaches. Read More

8 Critical Food-Safety Tips

Northstar Meetings Group — As we bid farewell to summer and embrace the crispness of fall, it’s the perfect time to revisit best practices for banquets, receptions and all other event meals. Read More

Watch: How California Destinations Are Delivering for Meetings and Events

Northstar Meetings Group — California has long been a favorite destination for meetings thanks to its vast range of options, from bustling gateway cities to beautiful wineries to some of the best theme parks in the world. See Visit California’s president and CEO discuss the goals of their Meet What’s Possible campaign and how it helps ensure that California is an ideal group destination. Read More

Looking for assistance with your next convention, incentive, or special event? From designing memorable experiences to managing strategic meetings, Direct Travel is your trusted event partner! For details, please send a message to: [email protected]

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