June 24, 2025
In This Edition… More on the travel ban, airlines temporarily suspend travel to the Middle East, flight expansion and codeshares, airport security updates, Amtrak returns to the Gulf Coast, hotel expansions, traveler tips, and more!
Dans cette édition… Un retour sur l’interdiction de voyager, la suspension temporaire des vols vers le Moyen-Orient, l’ajout de nouvelles liaisons aériennes et de partenariats de partage de codes, des mises à jour sur la sécurité dans les aéroports, le retour d’Amtrak sur la côte du Golfe, des expansions hôtelières, des conseils aux voyageurs, et bien plus encore!
Navigator Blog
Navigating U.S. Travel Restrictions: A Guide for Travel Managers
Stay ahead of new U.S. entry restrictions with guidance on compliance, traveler safety, and policy preparation.
Why You Should Think of Your Travel Program as a Driver of Business Growth
From building client connections to improving traveler care, find out how the right strategy and TMC partner can turn your travel program into a growth engine.
Travel Management
Global Travel Fallout from Worsening Middle East Crisis
Open Jaw — US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites have sharply escalated the Israel-Iran conflict, grounding flights, closing airspace, and putting US cities on high alert.
Trump Administration May Expand Travel Ban to 36 More Countries
TravelPulse — The Trump administration is reportedly weighing a dramatic expansion of the list of countries included in its recently introduced travel ban. An internal State Department memo obtained by Reuters suggests that citizens from up to 36 more countries could soon face entry restrictions to the United States.
Airline & Flight Updates
U.S. Carriers Suspend More Middle East Service
Business Travel News — American Airlines and United Airlines have paused more routes to the Middle East in addition to their suspended service to Tel Aviv.
US Airlines Suspend Middle East Flights as Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates
TravelPulse — United, American and Delta have paused key routes amid rising tensions and regional airspace closures, while the U.S. government considers deeper involvement in the unfolding crisis.
Air India Will Reduce U.S. Flight Frequencies
Travel Weekly — The carrier will reduce frequencies on three U.S. routes from June 21 through at least July 15, as it continues enhanced safety checks following a deadly crash.
Delta Expands Routes for 2026 Masters in Augusta
TravelPulse — New routes to Augusta offer travelers more options to enjoy the iconic Masters golf tournament.
Lufthansa, ITA Airways to Expand Codeshare
Business Travel News — The Lufthansa Group on July 1 will enable codesharing on select ITA Airways long-haul flights as it continues its integration of the Italy-based carrier into its stable of airlines.
SAS, WestJet to Launch Codeshare
Business Travel News — Scandinavian Airlines and WestJet "later this summer" will begin sharing codes, building on an interline agreement they recently signed, the carriers announced this week.
Porter Airlines Launches Four New Routes
Business Travel News — Canada-based Porter Airlines in the past week has launched four new routes from Hamilton, Ont.
Finnair to Add Toronto Service
Business Travel News — Finnair plans to launch on May 4, 2026, service between Helsinki and Toronto, making it the carrier's only direct route between Finland and Canada.
Air Canada Among First to Offer New Dynamic Apple Boarding Pass
OpenJaw — Unveiled at WWDC 2025, Apple’s iOS 26 update transforms Wallet boarding passes into smart travel hubs with live flight updates, airport maps, baggage tracking, and more.
Alaska Airlines Launches Its First Flights to Europe
Afar Magazine — The Seattle-based airline will begin operating the new transatlantic flights in 2026.
United Airlines Adds Spotify Content to Inflight Entertainment System
Travel Age West — The partnership brings more than 450 hours of audio and video programming to passengers on over 680 United aircraft.
Safety & Security
Extra Scrutiny Seen at U.S. Airports as Ban Takes Effect
Northstar Meetings Group (AP) — As the new travel ban began, some travelers reported being held briefly before being allowed to enter the country, even if they weren't from one of the restricted nations.
Alaska to Add Touchless ID to Three More Cities
Business Travel News — Alaska Airlines will bring the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program, based on facial-recognition technology, to three more cities.
Miami International Airport Just Turned Global Entry Into an Easy, Pre-Flight Errand
Afar Magazine — Another U.S. airport will now let you apply before taking off.
U.S. Government Travel Warnings
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts.
Round-Up of Canada Travel Warnings
Ottawa Citizen — The 2025 summer travel season arrives under closer scrutiny than in previous years. Global Affairs Canada has updated a long list of advisories shaped by war, crime and environmental disruption.
Ground Transportation
Amtrak Finally Returns Rail Service to the Gulf Coast
Fodor’s Travel — This summer, Amtrak will return intercity passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, after a nearly 20-year absence.
Eurostar to Launch New High-Speed Trains from U.K.
BTN Europe — Train operator Eurostar has announced plans to launch three new routes, including services from London to Germany and Switzerland for the first time.
Hotel News
BWH Hotels Reports Record Growth in First Half of 2025
Insider Travel Report — BWH Hotels, the global hospitality enterprise behind WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels, is reporting a record-breaking first half of 2025, adding nearly 100 new properties and building a pipeline of more than 15,000 additional keys.
LXR Hotel Opens in Paris
Travel Weekly — The first LXR-brand hotel in France is also Hilton's first luxury property in the city's center.
Hyatt Completes Playa Acquisition
Hotel Investment Today — Hyatt Hotels Corp. has completed its $2.6 billion acquisition of Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V., which dramatically expands Hyatt’s all-inclusive portfolio in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
Hilton to Open Over 150 New Luxury and Lifestyle Hotels Globally in 2025
Hotel News Resource — Hilton has recently achieved a significant milestone by opening its 1,000th hotel under its luxury and lifestyle portfolios. This development is part of a broader expansion strategy that includes nearly 500 additional hotels in the pipeline.
Traveler Tips, Trips & Convenience
Capital One Is Changing Its Lounge Access Rules—Here’s What Cardholders Should Know
Afar Magazine — The changes, which will restrict access in a bid to reduce overcrowding, will go into effect in early 2026.
Which Airports Are Likely to Have Delays This Summer?
USA Today — With hurricane season and the hotter summer temperatures approaching, many travelers are likely to face disruptions in the coming months.
What Will Happen If There's an 'SSSS' on Your Boarding Pass
The Columbus Dispatch — The TSA may pull you aside if you have these 4 letters on your boarding pass…
The Points Guy’s “Best Airlines” Report 2025
The Points Guy — Delta tops TPG's rankings for 7th straight year…
The Roomiest Airline Seats in the USA
Afar Magazine — A comfortable seat can make or break a flight. Whether it’s incline or width, this is a guide to which airlines have the roomiest seats.
Transgender US Passport Holders Granted Temporary Relief
American Civil Liberties Union — A federal judge expanded a preliminary injunction to two newly certified classes of passport holders in Orr v. Trump, a challenge to the Trump administration’s policy requiring that passports bear only a person’s sex designation assigned at birth, pausing enforcement of the policy for all transgender, nonbinary, and intersex US passport holders.
Meetings & Events
Incentive Travel Programs Remain Strong Amid Uncertainty
Northstar Meetings Group — SITE's Annette Gregg says despite geopolitical tensions and flat budgets, incentive travel remains a recession-resistant tool for motivating top performers.
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].