August 19, 2026
In This Edition… many Direct Travel updates, airline flight service elimination and additions, American updates refund rule, TSA reminder on banned items, Europe delays ETIAS requirement again, hotel openings, many traveler tips, convention hotel updates, and more!
Dans cette édition… de nombreuses actualités concernant Les services Direct Travel, des suppressions et des ajouts de liaisons aériennes, American modifie sa politique de remboursement, un rappel de la TSA concernant les articles interdits, un nouveau report de l’entrée en vigueur de l’ETIAS en Europe, des ouvertures d’hôtels, de nombreux conseils aux voyageurs, des actualités sur les hôtels accueillant des congrès, et plus encore!
Navigator Blog
The Value of Access: A New Model for Travel Management
The next evolution of Avenir is here. Learn how Direct Travel is making travel content, data, and service easier to access with one connected experience.
Travel Management
Direct Travel Adds Enhanced Reporting, Juno Integration to Avenir
Business Travel News — Direct Travel has added new features and capabilities to its Avenir technology platform, including guest travel management, consolidated reporting and expanded AI capabilities.
Direct Travel CEO Christal Bemont Named in Forbes “50 Over 50” List
Forbes — The magazine is recognizing women whose leadership, influence, and impact continue to shape what comes next...
Spotnana Establishes Singapore Airlines NDC Direct Connect
Business Travel News — Spotnana has released a direct integration to Singapore Airlines' NDC content that the platform said will provide a better shopping experience and more savings opportunities to users.
Airline & Flight Updates
WestJet Gets Approval for Qatar Codeshare
Open Jaw — WestJet has been cleared to operate codeshare flights to Qatar, but has not announced any new Qatar flights yet.
Delta Launches First-Ever Nonstop Between Austin and Paris
Travel Market Report — Delta will be the only U.S. airline offering nonstop service from Austin to Europe.
American Adds Seasonal New York Service From Calgary, Quebec City
Global Agents — The new routes are part of American’s expanded Canada schedule during a milestone year for the airline, which is celebrating 85 years of service in Canada.
Delta Cuts Several Flights at New York’s JFK Airport Amid Network Adjustments
Afar Magazine — In recent years, the airline has eliminated service on several domestic and international routes as part of its ongoing response to changing travel trends and realities. Experts weigh in on Delta’s larger network strategy.
American Airlines Changes Elite Upgrades on Select Routes
USA Today (subscription may be required) — An upcoming policy change at American Airlines means elite status may no longer earn you a direct upgrade to business class.
United Customers Can Shut Out Seat Neighbors With Newly Approved Feature
USA Today (subscription may be required) — United's newest business class seats just got more private. Here's which international routes feature the upgraded suites.
United to Add Nonstop Route Between San Francisco and West Palm Beach
Travel Market Report — The weekly Saturday service will launch Nov. 7.
Lufthansa Sets August Starlink Start Date
Business Travel News — The Lufthansa Group on Aug. 19 will launch its first flight with Wi-Fi powered by Starlink, starting with a Lufthansa Airbus A320neo aircraft.
Delta Expands Japan Service with New Seattle to Tokyo-Narita Route
Travel Market Report — Delta already has daily nonstop flights between Seattle and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
American Airlines Operates Passenger Flight Powered By Ultra-Low Carbon Electrofuel
TravelPulse — One United States airline has achieved a major milestone in the quest to eliminate carbon emissions from air travel. American Airlines operated its first-ever flight partially powered by electro sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF).
Delta Cuts Several Flights at New York’s JFK Airport Amid Network Adjustments
Afar Magazine — In recent years, the airline has eliminated service on several domestic and international routes as part of its ongoing response to changing travel trends and realities.
Aer Lingus to Cut Three U.S. Routes This Fall
Travel Weekly — The Irish carrier will halt flights from Dublin to Denver, Minneapolis and Las Vegas.
Delta Air Lines Sets Launch Date for First Saudi Arabia Flights
TravelPulse — Delta Air Lines is adding a notable new point in the Middle East to its route map in October, 2026.
United Airlines Delays Launch of 10 Routes Due to Flight Caps at Chicago Airport
TravelPulse — United Airlines is temporarily nixing 10 new routes from its flight schedule at its home hub in Chicago, which were slated to launch this summer.
American Airlines Updates 24-hour Refund Rule for Close-in Bookings
Travel Weekly — Bookings made within seven days of departure are no longer eligible for a refund if the customer cancels within 24 hours of booking.
Emirates Redefines Economy Class Journeys with World’s First U-Dream Deadrest
Global Agents — The U-Dream is a multi-way adjustable headrest designed to provide full neck and head support during sleep or relaxation.
Alaska Airlines Adds New Nonstop Portland–Steamboat Springs Winter Flights
Global Agents — The Portland-Steamboat Springs route will operate Thursdays and Saturdays from Feb. 11, 2027, through March 28, 2027
Safety & Security
Some Driver's Licenses From TN Can't Be Read at Airport Security
USA Today — Tennessee says some driver's licenses aren't being read by TSA scanners, prompting free replacements for affected travelers.
Leave These At Home or Face a $17K fine: 10 Items Banned by TSA
USA Today (subscription may be required) — Travelers may not realize these seemingly innocent items are banned by TSA. What to know.
U.S. Visa Bond Program to Become Permanent for 50 Countries
Travel Weekly — The rule requires visitors from 50 countries to put up bonds of up to $20,000 in order to obtain a U.S. visa.
Countries That Offer Dual Citizenship by Descent
Afar Magazine — If you’re a U.S. citizen and you have parents or grandparents from one of these 10 countries, you may be eligible for dual citizenship. Here’s what to know.
Travelers Get a Reprieve as Europe Pushes Back Its ETIAS Entry Requirement Again
Afar Magazine — The border-crossing process will require eligible travelers to pay an application fee and receive preapproval before visiting 30 European countries.
Government Travel Warnings
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts.
Hotel News
Marriott, Hilton Lead New Top 25 Hotel Ranking List
YouGove — YouGov index lists the top 25 most considered hotel brands from more than 10,000 U.S. adults.
IHG Brings Vignette Collection to Southwest Asia
Meetings & Conventions Asia — IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of The Aarlis Hotel Panchkula, marking the debut of its Vignette Collection brand in both India and Southwest Asia.
Radisson Launches Long-Stay Offering
Business Travel News — Radisson Hotel Group has launched a global long-stay offering aimed at corporate travel buyers, travel management companies and relocation companies, the company announced.
After 7 Years Away, Viceroy Returns to NYC—With Rooftop Cocktails and a Wellness Suite
Afar Magazine — Viceroy Park Avenue will bring 252 rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, Tao Group dining, and a wellness penthouse NoMad before the end of 2026—a notable new option for clients heading to Manhattan.
Marriott to Develop All-inclusive Hotels in Jamaica and Tanzania
Travel Weekly — A partnership with Catalonia Hotels & Resorts will bring all-inclusive properties to Tanzania in 2027 and Jamaica in 2028.
Traveler Tips, Trips & Convenience
Boston Logan Closing Key Runway Through November: Expect Delays and Reroutes
Travel Market Report — The closure runs up to just before the Thanksgiving Holiday period.
These Are the World’s 25 Safest Airlines—and Only 3 U.S. Carriers Made the Cut
Afar Magazine — Despite high-profile crashes, air travel remains one of the safest forms of transportation. This is how the world’s safest airlines are ranked, and which ones made the list.
West Palm Beach Airport Code Officially Changing from PBI to DJT
OpenJaw — Effective 18AUG, 2026, the Florida airport will switch its code from PBI to DJT
Why Flights Are Being Diverted, and How It Could Affect Your Travel Plans
Afar Magazine — When flights are forced to land anywhere other than their intended destination, the fallout can be hugely disruptive for travelers simply trying to get to where they were going.
Airlines' On-time Performance is in Decline This Summer
Travel Weekly — In July, the on-time weighted average for North American airlines fell 3.9 percentage points from June.
Why Airlines Tell You Not to Retrieve Your Phone if It Falls Between Seats
Afar Magazine — It’s frustrating when your phone falls into the cracks between airplane seats. But it could be dangerous if you try to fish it out yourself.
The Elusive World of Million-Mile Fliers
Afar Magazine — A look at the travelers who have achieved the coveted status, and what it took to get there.
True or False? Aspirin Can Help Prevent Blood Clots on Long Flights
Afar Magazine — Sitting in a cramped plane seat for hours can lead to deep vein thrombosis, aka blood clots. It’s been said aspirin can help prevent them—but is that true?
Meetings & Events
New JW Marriott to Expand Phoenix Convention Capacity
Meetings & Conventions Magazine — The adaptive-reuse project will add 340 rooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space near the Phoenix Convention Center by 2029.
JW Marriott Planned for Greenville, S.C., Conference District
Northstar Meetings Group — The 335-room hotel will add meeting space to the Falls Park Conference District and bring the state's first JW Marriott to the city.
Grand Hyatt Miami Beach Slated to Open Next Year
Northstar Meetings Group — The new headquarters hotel for the city's convention center will offer 800 guest rooms and 110,000 square feet of meeting space.
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].