July 8, 2026
In This Edition… United testing "Twilight Bag Drop," flight service additions and suspensions, airline lounge updates, airport hotels and other hotel news, revamping US passports, skipping international bag reclaim at customs, many traveler tips, and much more!
Dans cette édition… United met à l’essai le service « Twilight Bag Drop », des ajouts et des suspensions de liaisons aériennes, des mises à jour sur les salons des compagnies aériennes, les hôtels d’aéroport et d’autres actualités hôtelières, la modernisation des passeports américains, l’exemption de cueillette de bagages aux douanes internationales, de nombreux conseils aux voyageurs, et bien plus encore!
Navigator Blog
How Your Travel Program Can Drive Business Growth
Discover three ways travel managers can align their travel program with business goals and turn travel into a driver of measurable growth.
Smarter Guest Travel: Key Takeaways from BTN’s Webinar
Learn why travel leaders are bringing guest travel into the managed travel program, and how Direct Travel and Juno can help.
Airline & Flight Updates
United Airlines Testing Program to Check Bags the Night Before a Morning Flight
KBTX3 News — United Airlines has launched a program called “Twilight Bag Drop” that allows some passengers to check their bags the night before their flights at O’Hare International Airport.
American Airlines Suspends 6 Domestic Routes Due to Rising Fuel Costs
Afar Magazine — American Airlines will temporarily suspend six domestic routes between August and October, citing higher jet fuel prices as airlines face mounting cost pressures and shifting travel demand.
Air Canada Inaugurates Montreal-Berlin Service
Open Jaw — Through September 5th, flights will depart Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and return flights will depart Berlin Brandenburg Airport on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Second Delta One Lounge Opens at LAX
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines has opened a second Delta One lounge at Los Angeles International Airport, the carrier announced.
American Airlines to Begin Chicago-Tokyo Service in March
Travel Weekly — The daily flight connecting to Tokyo's Narita Airport will be American's 11th long-haul route from Chicago O'Hare Airport.
Emirates Debuts Global Lounge Concept
Business Travel News — The first lounges opened in Germany's Munich and Frankfurt airports.
Amazon Leo will Enhance Productivity for Delta Business Travelers
Delta.com — Delta has long set the standard for fast, free onboard Wi‑Fi that empowers business travelers to stay productive from gate-to-gate.
Delta Adds Two New Routes Out of NYC, Plus Another Winter Flight
Travel Market Report — One of the new routes fills a gap recently left by JetBlue.
Delta to Begin Flights Between LAX and Newark Airport Next April
Travel Weekly — Delta will challenge Newark's dominant carrier, United.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Install Starlink WiFi on Regional Jets
Yahoo — Alaska Airlines and its partner Hawaiian Airlines announced that it is continuing to move forward with Starlink internet connectivity, which is already installed on nearly 150 aircraft across the combined operation.
Porter Airlines Signs Codeshare Agreement with British Airways
Business Travel News — British Airways and Toronto-based Porter Airlines on July 8 will begin sharing codes, allowing customers to book connecting flights in a single transaction and providing customers with seamless access across select routes on both networks.
Delta Plans to Buy Spirit's Airport Spaces in Atlanta
TravelPulse — The major airline has offered to pay $12 million in exchange for gates and other areas that once belonged to the now-defunct budget carrier inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
United Accelerates Starlink Wi-Fi Rollout with First Widebody Transatlantic Flight
United.com — Starlink WiFi, which is free for MileagePlus members, made its United widebody debut on a Boeing 777-200 flight from Newark to London Heathrow.
Delta, Korean Air Expand Remote Baggage Screening
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines and Korean Air have expanded their international remote baggage screening offering to two additional airports.
Safety & Security
Google Wallet Becomes First Digital Wallet to Direct-Enroll TSA PreCheck Touchless ID
Travel Market Report — Touchless ID is now live at more than 65 airports across the U.S.
Government Travel Warnings
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts.
Ground Transportation
Amtrak Launches Elevated First-Class Dining on Acela
TravelPulse — The new menu brings greater variety and a more modern approach to first-class dining.
Hotel News
These Airport Hotels Will Make You Want to Arrive Early for Your Flight
USA Today (subscription may be required) — From rooftop pools to runway views, these airport hotels turn stressful travel days into a vacation before your flight.
Hyatt’s Alila Brand to Make Japan Debut in Hakone
Travel Market Report — The popular hot spring destination will set the stage for Alila’s first property in Japan.
Marriott Just Added These 16 Stylish Boutique Hotels to Its Bonvoy Program
Afar Magazine — In the latest move to integrate more design-forward and statement-making properties to its Bonvoy portfolio, Marriott’s Design Hotels division has added the 16 chic hotels operated by Palisociety to its collection.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Announces Global Hotel Transformations
Accor.com — Currently, an impressive twenty percent of the Fairmont portfolio is undergoing active transformation across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Marriott Signs Deal to Add 10 Hotels in Saudi Arabia
Business Travel News — Marriott International plans to develop10 hotels comprising more than 1,300 rooms in Saudi Arabia under a new agreement.
Traveler Tips, Trips & Convenience
Revamped US Passports
TravelPulse — Marco Rubio announces 'fancy' packaging, online photo submission and more.
One of Air Travel’s Biggest Hassles Is Finally Disappearing in the U.S.
Fodor’s Travel — A growing number of international travelers can now skip reclaiming and rechecking bags at U.S. customs, thanks to a new CBP screening program.
Customs Seemed to Disappear at U.S. Airports. Here’s What Happened
Fodor’s Travel — Many international travelers have noticed customs inspections seem less visible at U.S. airports.
Peanut Butter? Ranch? The Surprising Things You Can’t Bring Through TSA
Afar Magazine — Remember to limit anything liquid-y in your carry-on to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less—and that includes ranch dressing.
These Are the 20 Busiest Airports in the United States
Afar Magazine — Here’s where to eat, shop, and lounge in style in the country’s busiest air travel hubs.
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