September 19, 2023

Direct Travel

News Briefs

September 19, 2023

In This Edition… Concur to launch a new user experience, flight service updates, Delta SkyMiles program changes, digital passport trial in Finland, 4 airline additions to the TSA PreCheck program, Amtrak orders more new trains, Hilton to install Tesla Universal Wall Connectors, airport lounge updates, many traveler tips, and more!

Dans cette édition… Concur fait un grand pas en avant regardant l’expérience utilisateur, des mises à jour sur les services de vol, des changements apportés au programme SkyMiles de Delta, l’essai du passeport numérique en Finlande, 4 compagnies aériennes se joignent au programme TSA PreCheck, Amtrak commande davantage de nouveaux trains, Hilton entend installer des connecteurs muraux universels pour Tesla, des mises à jour concernant les salons d’aéroport, de nombreux conseils pour les voyageurs, et plus encore!

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How Elite Air Services Can Transform Executive Travel

With pandemic-era restrictions lifted and most organizations back to “business as usual,” C-suite executives have resumed regular travel schedules. This presents an opportunity for travel decision-makers to reevaluate their corporate travel programs. Read More

5 Ways Your Business Can Increase Travel Policy Compliance

The cornerstone of any robust travel program is a strong corporate travel policy. Yet without the proper building blocks to raise compliance among your travelers, even the most comprehensive program may deliver benefits and cost savings that fall short of expectations. Read More


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Rolling Out Concur’s New Booking Experience

Business Travel News — With SAP Concur’s new booking experience making its debut in a few months, Concur Travel president Charlie Sultan sat down with BTN editors at the recent Global Business Travel Association convention in Dallas to detail highlights of the new experience and Concur’s rollout plans. Read More


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Delta to launch Atlanta flights to Santa Barbara and Fresno

Travel Weekly — The carrier will also start its first nonstop service between Seattle and Dallas/Fort Worth and begin year-round service in Aspen, Colo. Read More

United, Emirates Expand Codeshare to Mexico

Business Travel News — United Airlines and Emirates on Sept. 14 will expand their codeshare agreement to include nine destinations in Mexico. Read More

Delta Air Lines to Limit Sky Club Access, Makes it Harder to Earn SkyMiles Status

TravelPulse — Delta implements new rules for gaining status, accessing lounges. Read More

Lufthansa to Add N. American Routes, Frequencies in 2024

Business Travel News — Lufthansa in early June 2024 plans to add Frankfurt service to Raleigh-Durham and Minneapolis, two new U.S. destinations. Read More

Air Canada to Expand European Summer Schedule

Business Travel News — Air Canada in May 2024 is set to launch new year-round service between Montreal and Madrid and plans to increase frequencies from its 2023 schedule between Canada and several European cities. Read More

WestJet to Expand Calgary Winter Service

Business Travel News — WestJet beginning Oct. 30 will double its daily service between Calgary and Ottawa. Read More

Air Canada Adds Year-Round Service to Madrid from Montreal

Travel Market Report — Air Canada is expanding its route network. Read More

Delta Is the No. 1 Domestic Airline for On-Time Arrivals, Service, Comfort and More

CNBC — Bounce, a luggage storage company, compared U.S. airlines to determine which is the best domestic airline. Read More


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Finland Launches First Trial of Digital Passports

BTN Europe — New document is being tested on flights from Helsinki to the UK. Read More

TSA Plans to Require Clear Members Show ID at the Airport

Travel Weekly — More stringent rules are coming for members of the Clear program, the TSA says. But Clear says it’s developing a new way to transmit ID data to the agency. Read More

These Airports Let You Skip Security Lines for Free—No TSA PreCheck Needed

Afar Magazine — Select U.S. airports now give travelers the option to make a complimentary advance “fast pass” reservation to head to the front of the security line. Read More

TSA Adds Four More Airlines to PreCheck Program

Travel Market Report — The additions are all either regional or low-cost 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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Brightline Sets Launch Date for Orlando Train Service

Travel Weekly — Starting Sept. 22, the high-speed rail line will connect Orlando with South Florida stops. Read More

Amtrak Orders More New Trains to Meet Growing Demand

The Points Guy — More than 80 Amtrak Airo trains are set to debut in 2026 along various routes that run from Toronto to Miami. Read More

8 Unspoken Rules of Public Transportation Around the World

Afar Magazine — Plus, general tips for being a polite rider anywhere. Read More


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3 Things You Should Never Take From Hotel Rooms—And 3 You Can

Afar Magazine — Before you swipe that hotel souvenir, here’s a primer on what you can (and can’t) bring home. Read More

Hilton To Install Up To 20,000 Tesla Universal Wall Connectors at 2,000 Hotels

Insider Travel Report — Through an expanded agreement with Tesla, Hilton said that beginning in early 2024, up to 20,000 Tesla Universal Wall Connectors are slated to be installed at 2,000 hotels in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, making Hilton’s planned EV charging network the largest of any hospitality company. Read More

IHG Near Term Openings Include Key Corporate Markets

Business Travel News — IHG has one of the largest global hotel construction pipelines. Recent and upcoming openings include Bellvue, Wash. and New York City. Read More


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What It Means When You Have “SSSS” on Your Boarding Pass

Afar Magazine — First class or coach, travelers can earn this inconvenient designation on any flight, international or domestic. Read More

These Are the World’s Largest Airports

Afar Magazine — When it comes to sheer landmass, these are the most sprawling air travel complexes out there. Read More

In Denver, United Airlines Unveils Its Largest United Club

Travel Weekly — The two-level lounge, located on the east side of Denver Airport’s Concourse B, offers more than 600 seats. Read More

Capital One Opens New Airport Lounge at Washington Dulles

Afar Magazine — Afar Magazine go a sneak peek inside the new Capital One Lounge at Washington Dulles Airport that’s open to all. Read More

The Latest Trend in Travel: IV Infusion Therapies for Jet Lag Relief

Travel Market Report — These hotels offer sleep-deprived IV-style infusion treatments. Read More

China Drops Covid-test Rule for Incoming Travelers

Travel Weekly — The policy change is a milestone in its reopening to the rest of the world after a three-year isolation that began with the country’s borders closing in March 2020. Read More

2024 U.S. Paralympic Team Trials Head to Minneapolis, Chula Vista

SportsTravel — The 2024 U.S Paralympic Team Trials for para swimming will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while the trials for para track and field will be held in Chula Vista, California. Both events will bring together nearly 200 athletes competing for a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Team ahead of the 2024 Paralympic Summer Games in Paris. Read More

What’s the Best Way to Engage With and Honor Local Cultures When I Travel?

Afar Magazine — Experiencing a new culture can be one of the best parts about traveling—here’s how to engage with local communities respectfully. Read More

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