April 18, 2023

Direct Travel

News Briefs

April 18, 2023

In This Edition… airline updates, flight service changes, Clear becomes enrollment provider for TSA PreCheck, U.K. airport drops liquid carry-on rule, Lyft to expand 'Green Mode,' hotel expansions, FBI says avoid using public charge stations, and May traveler tips.

Dans cette édition… des mises à jour sur les compagnies aériennes, des changements relatifs aux services de vol, Clear devient un fournisseur de services d’inscription pour le programme TSA PreCheck, les aéroports du Royaume-Uni abandonnent la règle sur les liquides à emporter en cabine, Lyft développe son « mode vert », les projets d’expansion d’hôtels, le FBI recommande d’éviter l’utilisation des stations de recharge publiques, et de nombreux conseils aux voyageurs.

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Procurement Strategies to Try with Your Corporate Travel Program

We recommend reviewing the following procurement strategies to help you better manage sourcing, spend, and contract management. Read More

4 Ways to Maximize Your Travel Program With an Online Booking Tool

In today’s world of business travel, companies are doing more with less. This post-pandemic shift has raised the bar for expedited bookings, stronger compliance, simplified processes, and tools that support duty of care. Read More


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Air Canada to Launch Vancouver-Dubai Service

Business Travel News — Air Canada on Oct. 28 will launch service between Vancouver and Dubai. Read More

Lufthansa Closes in on ITA Airways Takeover Deal

BTN Europe — CEO Carsten Spohr reportedly met with Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and ITA Airways’ top management in Rome last week to finalise negotiations to acquire 40 per cent of the state-owned carrier. Read More

United to Reduce NYC, D.C. Frequency

Business Travel News — United Airlines confirmed it would cut some spring and summer flights in the New York and Washington, D.C., areas after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration granted carriers scheduling flexibility in those cities. Read More

United Adds New Routes, Will Fly To More Than 100 International Cities This Summer

Travel Pulse — United will add nearly 25 new flights this summer. Read More

Carriers Cutting Summer NYC, D.C. Schedules

Business Travel News — Several U.S. carriers are cutting spring and summer flights on New York and Washington, D.C., routes at least in part to try to avoid the congestion and delays the airlines experienced last summer, several carriers confirmed. The moves come after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration granted carriers scheduling flexibility in those cities. Read More

Delta Air Lines Is Pulling Out of Two Regional Markets

Travel Market Report — Staffing continues to be a major travel industry issue. Read More

Schiphol Wants to Ban Night Flights, Private Jets

BTN Europe — Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport has announced that it wants to stop all night flights and ban private jets by 2025 to reduce noise and emissions. Read More

Why Air Canada Is Cozying Up to Starbucks and Uber

The Airline Observer — Travelers earn points. The brands learn about consumer behavior. And the airline wins more engagement from its customers. Read More

Qantas to Invest in Australian SAF Refinery

Business Travel News — Australian carrier Qantas and Airbus will invest in a biofuel production facility designed to turn agricultural by-products including sugarcane into sustainable aviation fuel. Read More

FAA, Airlines Work to Avoid Summer Travel Disruptions in New York

USA Today (subscription may be required) — A shortage of air traffic controllers at a New York facility could hinder summer travel, the Federal Aviation Administration warned late last month. Read More


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Passport Wait Times Are Worse Than Before. Here’s How To Get One In Time For Summer.

HuffPost — If you haven’t yet mailed or handed in your passport application, here’s what you should know about the month-long backlog. Read More

Clear to Become TSA PreCheck Enrollment Provider

The Points Guy — The U.S. Transportation Security Administration will introduce Clear as an enrollment provider for TSA PreCheck applicants, per spokespersons from each expedited security program. Read More

This Airport Becomes First Major U.K. Airport to Drop Liquid Carry-on Rule

Travel Market Report — Is the move potentially kicking off a new era for international airport security? Read More

TSA Warns Travelers with Marijuana at American Airports Ahead of 4/20

Travel Pulse — Can you fly with weed? TSA outlines cannabis rules at US airports. 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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Lyft to Expand ‘Green Mode’ for EV, Hybrid Requests

Business Travel News — Ride-hailing company Lyft is set to expand to several U.S. cities on April 17 its “Green mode,” which allows users to request an electric or hybrid vehicle through the Lyft app. Read More


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IHG to Expand Portfolio in Indonesia, Nepal

Business Travel News — InterContinental Hotels Group plans to expand its presence in Asia through development in Nepal and Indonesia. Read More

Virgin Hotels New York City Officially Opens

Travel Pulse — The new Virgin Hotels New York City will bring the city’s nightlife closer than ever before for guests. Read More

JW Marriott Opens Its First Property in Spain

Travel Weekly — The 139-room JW Marriott Hotel Madrid is located in what was once a perfumerie, and the property pays homage to that history with several fragrance-inspired amenities. Read More

Hyatt to Expand Footprint in Mexico Across Hotel Brands

Northstar Meetings Group — Newly signed hotels will grow the hotel company’s offerings in the country’s top destinations. Read More


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FBI Warns Travelers About Juice-Jacking Hacking Scheme at Airports, Hotels

Travel Pulse — Avoid using public charge stations at airports and in hotels. Read More

How to Get Through Airport Security Quickly, According to a TSA Insider

Afar Magazine — From enrolling in trusted traveler programs to making sure your bag is packed well, these tips will help you breeze through security. Read More

Delta Reports a Rush to Join SkyMiles

Travel Weekly — The carrier said 3 million people joined the program in January through March, a surge likely fueled by Delta’s introduction of free WiFi on most domestic flights. Read More

Chase Sapphire Lounges Are Coming Soon to an Airport Near You

Afar Magazine — The first Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club opened in Hong Kong in October 2022, followed by the first Sapphire Terrace in Austin in March 2023. Read More

What Really Happens if You Don’t Switch Your Phone to “Airplane Mode” In-Flight

Afar Magazine — Air travelers are required to turn off cell service during a flight. But what does airplane mode do? Read More

No Room for Air Rage

Prevue Meetings — Air rage could earn passengers a ban from flying commercially under legislation now pending in Congress. Read More

What’s Impacting the US Airline Market

Travel Pulse — Despite inflation, fears of a recession, and customer complaints about substandard service, the airline industry had another record year in 2022. Read More

How to Beat Jet Lag

Prevue Meetings — It can take travelers over a week to fully adjust to a new time zone when flying across an ocean. Here are some tips to ward off that jet lag. Read More

Half of the World’s 10 Busiest Airports for 2022 are in the United States

CNN — Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was still the world’s busiest airport for passenger volume in 2022. Read More

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