How Airlines Are Making Travel Safer and Easier
When was the last time you traveled on an airplane for work? For frequent business travelers, that answer has likely stretched longer than any period in recent memory. Since the pandemic first wreaked havoc on airline routes and scheduled flights in early 2020, the industry has slowly been building back with a combination of innovative technology, new sanitization policies, and careful expansion to reopening markets. Read More
New York Now Requires Travelers from 38 States and Territories to Quarantine Upon Arrival
Frequent Business Traveler — Travelers from 38 other territories and states planning to visit New York are required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Read More
European Union Nations Set to Adopt Common Travel Rules amid COVID-19 Pandemic
USA Today — European Union countries are getting ready to adopt a common traffic light system to coordinate traveling across the 27-nation bloc, but a return to full freedom of movement in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic remains far from reach. Read More
Where Can I Travel in the U.S. Right Now? It’s Complicated.
Afar Magazine — The most up-to-date information about traveling—safely, responsibly—across the United States right now. Read More
Canada Reopens Borders to Extended Families, Couples, Students
Travel Pulse — While U.S.-Canadian border restrictions remain in effect through at least October 21, Canada’s government is working to soften the rules to accommodate certain types of travelers. Read More
WestJet to Slash Atlantic Region Service on Nov. 2
Business Travel News — WestJet next month will cut 80 percent of its seat capacity, about 100 weekly flights, to Canada’s Atlantic region, the carrier announced. Read More
American Adjusts Elite Status Requirements for 2021
Business Travel News — American Airlines’ elite status requirements for its AAdvantage loyalty program will remain lower next year than pre-pandemic levels and include a head start on earning status, the carrier announced. In addition, American is counting travel in the fourth quarter of this year toward elite status next year, according to the carrier. Read More
Delta Air Lines Will Stop Blocking Middle Seats in First Half of Next Year
Travel Market Report — On Delta Air Lines’ third quarter earnings call on Tuesday, CEO Ed Bastian said that Delta is anticipating ending its policy of blocking the middle seat on flights in the first half of 2021. Read More
American Airlines Boosting Flights to the U.S. Virgin Islands
Southern Florida Caribbean News — The U.S. Virgin Islands is expecting a major increase in American Airlines flights, beginning November 2020. Read More
Alaska Airlines Nails Down Oneworld Joining Date
Simple Flying — The carrier will formally become a member of the global airline alliance from the end of March in 2021. Read More
American Airlines Shifting Beijing Flights to New Daxing Airport
Travel Mole — AA will join codeshare partner China Southern Airlines. Read More
Qatar Airways Launches San Francisco Service
Business Traveler — Four-times-weekly A350 service from Doha to SFO is set to begin Dec. 15. Read More
How Airlines Are Scrambling to Provide Passengers with Touchless Technology
PhocusWire — “Minimum viable product” has taken on a new meaning for airlines as they rush to meet the need for contactless solutions.Read More
United Airlines Adding Four Weekly Flights to China
Travel Pulse — United Airlines announced plans to start nonstop service to China four-times-weekly between San Francisco and Shanghai, starting on October 21. Read More
Delta Extends First-class Seat Blocking Through the Holidays
The Points Guy — On April 13, Delta began blocking middle seats to maximize onboard distancing. The carrier has extended the duration of its seat-blocking policy multiple times throughout the pandemic, and as of August promised more space for travelers through Jan. 6, 2021. Read More
United Plans to Increase Service on More Than 40 Routes in November
Wheels Up Network — United Airlines plans to resume service on nearly 30 international routes in November, including flights to cities in Asia, Europe, and South America. Read More
Airports Emerge as Testbeds for New Tech During Pandemic
Government Technology — Airports have become testing sites for new technologies amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. In some places, temperature scanning technology is increasingly being used to monitor and slow the spread of the virus in real time. Read More
Peru, Bahamas and Puerto Rico Added to WTTC’s Safe Travels List
Travel Pulse — Well over 100 destinations already use the safety stamp. Read More
Carriers, Organizations to Test International Covid-19 Digital Travel Passport
Business Travel News — Switzerland-based non-profit The Commons Project Foundation and the World Economic Forum this month plan to start trialing a digital pass that certifies incoming travelers’ Covid-19 test status, the organizations announced Wednesday. The trials will be conducted with Cathay Pacific and United Airlines. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
National Car Rental Extends Free Days Validity
Business Travel News — National Car Rental is extending the validity of Emerald Club Program Free Days by a year, with benefits set to expire on Dec. 31 now good through Dec. 31, 2021. Read More
Virgin’s Hyperloop Could Mean a 30-Minute New York-to-D.C. Journey
Afar Magazine — A new manufacturing and testing site in West Virginia will bring the zero-emission technology closer to commercial operations. Read More
Uber Targets Commuters as Businesses Get Back to the Office
PhocusWire — Uber is launching two new services in response to what it says is demand from companies seeking to bring employees back to their workplaces. Read More
New York’s Nearly-100-year-old Roosevelt Hotel is Shutting Down Amid COVID-19
USA Today — New York’s iconic Roosevelt Hotel is saying goodbye after being a midtown Manhattan mainstay for nearly 100 years. Read More
Red Lion Hotels Transitions GuestHouse International Brand to Extended Stay
Business Travel News — In an effort to meet demand for longer-term stays, Red Lion Hotels Corp. has relaunched its GuestHouse International brand as GuestHouse Extended Stay, the company announced. The new brand will operate in the upper-economy extended-stay segment. Read More
Hilton to Offer New ‘WorkSpaces’ Work-from-Hotel Options in U.S. and U.K
Frequent Business Traveler — Hilton International announced a new work-from-hotel option that will be available in the United Kingdom and in the United States as a pilot program. Read More
Airbnb Requires All Hosts to Follow ‘Enhanced Clean’ Standards
Travel Mole — Host could be booted if they don’t follow guidelines…Read More
Hyatt Extends Expiration of Loyalty Program Benefits
Business Travel News — Hyatt Hotels Corp. has suspended the forfeiture of World of Hyatt reward points through June 30, 2021, the company announced. Read More
Advice for First Time Travelers Part
Transportation Security Administration (Blog — Now that you’ve made it to the airport, find out more about what you need to know! Read More
Expert Tips for Navigating Travel Quarantines And Travel Bans
Forbes — The quarantine rules are complicated and often confusing and many of them change weekly. But they’re worth reviewing because the fines for violating them can be considerable. Read More
US Officials Looking to Open New York-London Travel with Shorter Quarantine Times as Early as the Holidays
Fox Business — Currently, American citizens traveling to the U.K. must quarantine for 14 days and are barred from traveling in the European Union. Read More
Hotels and Destinations Are Offering Free Insurance, How Will it Impact Travel?
Travel Market Report — To boost traveler confidence, a growing number of hotels and destinations have begun offering free medical insurance to guests. Read More
Risk of Coronavirus on Planes Less Than Getting Struck by Lightning, Airline Group Says
The Points Guy — Travelers concerned about contracting the coronavirus on a flight can breathe at least a small sigh of relief following new evidence that there is a very low risk of catching COVID-19 onboard an airplane. Read More
That Airport Spa? It’s a Coronavirus Testing Clinic
The New York Times — XpresSpa used to offer pedicures and chair massages at airports. Now it’s in the coronavirus testing business at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International airport in New Jersey. Read More
How to Avoid Getting Sick on an Airplane
Afar Magazine — When traveling by plane, there are some ways to minimize the spread of germs. Read More
Loews Hotels Introduces New Virtual Meeting Capabilities
Business Travel News — Loews Hotels launched a virtual meetings initiative. Dubbed StreamLine by Loews, the program offers two types of services for customers moving in-person meetings to fully virtual or hybrid solutions. Read More
How to Host a Safe and Sustainable In-Person Event
Successful Meetings — Six ways to make a gathering more green, while maintaining the highest levels of health and safety. Read More
Incorporating Gamification Into Virtual Events
Successful Meetings — Gamification can be used to deliver short bursts of content and make digital gatherings more engaging. Read More
How to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus at In-Person Events, According to the CDC
Successful Meetings — The CDC has updated its guidance to acknowledge the possibility for airborne transmission of Covid-19, particularly in poorly ventilated, enclosed spaces. Read More
10 Tips for Zoom Meetings
Prevue Meetings — We are all inundated with virtual meetings today. Here are 10 tips to keep in mind so you appear more approachable and likable. Read More
Vegas Can Host Larger Gatherings
PreVue Meetings — Gatherings of up to 250 can now be held in Las Vegas with bigger crowds allowed if spread out in venues that can properly accommodate them. Read More