April 28, 2026
In This Edition… EU launches new entry/exist system, airline flight cuts and some new routes, bag fee increases, Enterprise expands in Singapore, hotel news, updates on airport lounges, traveler tips, and much more!
Dans cette édition… L’UE lance un nouveau système d’entrée et de sortie, des suppressions de vols et quelques nouvelles liaisons, une hausse des frais de bagages, Enterprise étend sa présence à Singapour, des actualités hôtelières, des mises à jour sur les salons d’aéroport, des conseils aux voyageurs, et bien plus encore!
Navigator Blog
Middle East Conflict: What Rising Fuel Costs Mean for Global Air Travel
Airspace disruptions and rising fuel costs are impacting global travel. Learn how airlines are responding and how your travel program can adapt.
Q&A: What It Takes to Run a Modern Global Travel Program
Travel managers face growing complexity as programs scale globally. Direct Travel’s COO Christine Sikes shares guidance on navigating adoption and performance.
Travel Management
EU's New Entry/Exit System Is Now in Effect
Northstar Meetings Group — In an effort to make travel more seamless and secure, 29 countries now collect travelers' fingerprints and facial images at the border.
Spotnana, Air Canada Partner for NDC, Flight Pass Booking
Business Travel News — Spotnana has partnered with Air Canada to enable booking of both the NDC content and flights with Air Canada Flight Pass credits in its platform.
Airline & Flight Updates
WestJet Increases Checked Bag Fees
OpenJaw — WestJet has raised its checked baggage fees for the third time in three years, matching Air Canada’s recent increase.
Lufthansa Group Slashes 20,000 Short-haul Flights Amid Jet Fuel Crisis
Travel Weekly — To achieve the cuts, the company has shuttered its Lufthansa CityLine regional subsidiary, which had hubs in Frankfurt and Munich.
Delta Cuts Flights on Some Routes for the Summer
USA Today (subscription may be required) — Delta Air Lines has adjusted its summer schedule amid high, uncertain fuel prices for airlines, and it's not alone.
Air Canada to Cut Routes to Counter High Jet Fuel Price
Business Travel News — Air Canada on Friday announced it would suspend some domestic, transborder and international flights in response to higher jet fuel prices.
FAA Cuts Flights at this Major US Airport to Avoid Summer Delays
USA Today (subscription may be required) — The Federal Aviation Administration will cap flights at Chicago O’Hare International Airport to reduce delays during peak summer travel.
Allegiant's Acquisition of Sun Country Cleared for Takeoff
Travel Weekly — With the DOT's approval of Allegiant's acquisition of Sun Country, the airlines have cleared all regulatory hurdles for their $1.5 billion cash-and-stock deal.
Delta Expands International Remote Baggage Screening
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines has expanded its international remote baggage screening for connecting passengers on flights departing Seoul to each Minneapolis and Detroit.
Air Canada Raises Checked Bag Fees for North America and Sun
OpenJaw — Air Canada has followed US carriers in raising checked bag fees on Economy Basic, Standard or Flex fares as the price of fuel weighs down margins.
Delta’s Business Class Is About to Be More Luxe Than Ever. Here’s What to Expect
Afar Magazine — The new suites are part of the carrier’s more than $1 billion fleet upgrade—its single largest in history.
Air Canada Unveils Swishy New “Glowing Hearted” Cabin Interiors
Travel Market Report — After months of speculation, Air Canada has released a detailed breakdown of its new long-haul cabin interiors, part of what the airline calls its “Glowing Hearted” design standard - drawing on the lyrics from Canada’s national anthem.
Delta Air Lines Announces Additions, Flight Upgrades for College Football Season
TravelPulse — The airline has added more than 40 nonstop flights and 27 aircraft upgrades for fans to attend some of the most anticipated games on the 2026 college football season.
United to Introduce New Tiered Fare Categories on Every Type of Ticket
Insider Travel Report — United unveiled a new tiered fare structure that it claims will make it easier for customers to find the flight experience...
American to Resume Service to Venezuela
Travel Weekly — Pending regulatory approval from the U.S. and Venezuela, flights will depart daily from Miami as soon as April 30.
Baggage Fees Spike Across Major Airlines as Fuel Costs Surge
Fodor’s Travel — U.S. airlines including JetBlue, United, Delta and Southwest are raising baggage fees as jet fuel costs climb, signaling more expensive summer travel ahead.
Air New Zealand Sleep Pods to Debut in November
Business Travel News — Air New Zealand is set to launch in November its economy-class Skynest full-length sleeping pods on its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Alaska Hikes Checked-Bag Fees
Business Travel News — Alaska Airlines joined all other large U.S. business travel air carriers in raising checked-bag fees for North American travel.
Delta Scales Back Schedule to Counter Increased Fuel Costs
Travel Weekly — The airline projects that reduced capacity and strong demand will enable it to recapture some of those increased fuel expenses with higher fares and ancillary fees.
Alaska Air Will Offer Business Class on International Flights
Afar Magazine — The Seattle-based carrier unveiled a new international business-class experience on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, which coincides with its broader push to offer long-haul routes from its Seattle hub to Europe and Asia.
American Airlines Latest US Carrier to Raise Checked Bag Fees
TravelPulse — American Airlines is raising checked bag fees by $10 starting April 9 due to higher operating costs.
Safety & Security
TSA PreCheck Touchless ID Now Available at All AA Hubs
Business Travel News — The Transportation Security Administration PreCheck Touchless ID biometric security option is available at all American Airlines hub airports for the carrier's passengers.
What Travelers Should Know as Europe Launches New Digital Entry/Exit System
TravelPulse — What travelers should know as the European Union launches its new biometric entry system.
Government Travel Warnings
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts.
Ground Transportation
Enterprise Brands to Enter Singapore
Business Travel News — Enterprise Mobility in October plans to expand into Singapore via a new franchise agreement with Eurokars Leasing Group.
BTN’s 2026 Car Rental & Ground Transportation Survey
Business Travel News — National Car Rental retained its place as the top-rated supplier for an 11th year in a row in BTN’s annual Car Rental and Ground Transportation Survey, while its related brand Enterprise Rent-A-Car cruised into second, and overall product and service ratings for car rental companies were on the rise.
Hotel News
IHG Adds 11 New Hotels in Europe
Business Travel News — IHG Hotels & Resorts will add 11 conversion properties to its portfolio across Germany, Belgium and France via new long-term franchise agreements.
Hyatt Regency Chicago Unveils Final Phase of $200M Project
Meetings & Conventions — The revitalization of the hotel's 24,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom was the final piece of the renovation.
The Airport Hotels That Will Change Your Mind About Layovers
Afar Magazine — From an Eero Saarinen–designed terminal at JFK to a frozen bay in Greenland, these airport hotels are worth building a trip around.
11 Hotels Where Accessibility Is Built In To the Experience
Afar Magazine — These hotels pair strong design with thoughtful accessibility—ideal for clients who want more than baseline ADA compliance.
Hilton Accelerates Midscale Growth in India
Hotel Investment Today — Hilton has signed a strategic agreement with Regenta Hotels Private Ltd., owned by Bengaluru, India-based Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd., to sign and open 125 Hampton by Hilton hotels in India.
Traveler Tips, Trips & Convenience
United Airlines Rolls Out Major Polaris Lounge Policy Changes
TravelPulse — This spring and summer, United Airlines is changing who can access its coveted Polaris business class lounges.
American to Add New Admirals Club to Nashville
Business Travel News — American Airlines will add a new and expanded Admirals Club lounge at Nashville International Airport's new Concourse A, with construction targeted to begin in 2027.
These Airlines Have Just Raised Their Checked Bag Fees—but There Are a Few Ways to Save
Afar Magazine — In response to skyrocketing fuel costs, JetBlue, United, Delta, and Southwest have all bumped their fees for checked bags. Here’s what it will cost you.
What Travelers Can Expect From 2026 Hurricane Season
TravelPulse — AccuWeather is projecting between 11 and 16 named storms this year, including two to four major hurricanes.
The Little-Known (and Free) App That Can Get You Through Passport Control Faster
Afar Magazine — Here’s everything you need to know about the app that gets you through U.S. immigration and customs faster.
Travelers Ranked The Most Stressful Airports
Unilad — Flying can be a frustrating experience anywhere in the world, but some American airports leave travelers more stressed out than others.
Meetings & Events
How Events Travel Is Changing in 2026
Business Travel News — Disruptions like bad weather and cancelled flights are no longer anomalies. They are pressure points that reveal how essential planning and reliability have become in event programs.
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].