May 12, 2026
In This Edition… Spirit airlines shuts down, airlines launch new flights to fill gaps left by Spirit, Direct Travel expands Avenir to specialty divisions, airport security tips, ground transportation updates, hotel news and much more!
Dans cette édition… Spirit Airlines ferme ses portes, les compagnies aériennes lancent de nouvelles liaisons après le retrait de Spirit, Les services Direct Travel déploient Avenir dans leurs divisions spécialisées, des conseils pour la sécurité dans les aéroports, des mises à jour sur le transport terrestre, des actualités hôtelières et bien plus encore!
Navigator Blog
3 Ways Self-Service Can Simplify Your Travel Program
See how self-service tools create a smoother booking experience, support real-time changes, and keep global travel programs running efficiently.
Air Canada, Avenir, and the Next Step in Making Travel Content Work
Discover how integrating Air Canada Flight Pass in Avenir helps travel programs manage content, policy, and servicing more consistently across regions.
Travel Management
Direct Travel Extends Avenir to ATPI's Specialty Divisions
Business Travel News — Direct Travel has expanded the availability of its Avenir travel platform to ATPI's specialty divisions, including its Energy, Marine and Mining divisions.
Airline & Flight Updates
Jet Fuel Crisis, Lie-Flat Beds and the Biggest Air Travel News
TravelPulse — In April 2026, air travel faced challenges like rising jet fuel costs due to the war in Iran, a prolonged U.S. government shutdown affecting TSA operations, and potential airline mergers.
Spirit Airlines Shuts Down Over Higher Oil Prices
Northstar Meetings Group — All flights have been canceled and customer service no longer is available. Here's what passengers need to know now.
Airlines Launch New Flights to Fill Gaps Left by Spirit
TravelPulse — Spirit Airlines' demise was officially announced days ago, and U.S. carriers already are moving into the shuttered airline's former markets.
Singapore Airlines to Install Starlink Wi-Fi
Business Travel News — Singapore Airlines has selected Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi for some long-range aircraft.
Delta to End Snack, Beverage Services on Short Flights
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines from May 19 will discontinue snack and beverage service on routes under 350 miles outside of first class.
A Major U.S. Airport Is Being Forced to Cut Hundreds of Flights This Summer
Afar Magazine — The reduced airlift could affect a wide swath of routes throughout the country.
United's Kirby Acknowledges American Merger Approach
Business Travel News — United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby confirmed he proposed a merger with American Airlines and that American declined, prioritizing their long-term strategy.
Hawaiian Airlines Joins Oneworld
Business Travel News — Hawaiian Airlines officially has joined the Oneworld airline alliance, parent company Alaska Air Group announced.
Alaska Airlines Launches Its First Flight to Europe
Alaska Air — Alaska Airlines launches historic first nonstop flight between Seattle and Rome.
Air Canada Trims Frequencies in North America, Caribbean
OpenJaw — Air Canada is trimming capacity on four routes for summer and fall 2026, including three in North America and one in the Caribbean, as fuel-cost pressures continue to drive network adjustments.
Lufthansa Launches Munich Stopover Program
Business Travel News — Lufthansa has launched a stopover program in Munich for bookings on Singapore and U.S. routes.
Air Canada, Singapore Airlines Expand Codeshare Agreement
OpenJaw — Air Canada and Singapore Airlines have expanded their codeshare partnership, allowing Air Canada to sell single-ticket itineraries from Singapore to Canada via Brussels.
American Airlines Tightens Power Bank Rules Following FAA Safety Warning
Travel Market Report — American is the second major U.S. airline this month to impose a limit on power banks.
United Shares Objectives of Proposed Merger with American
Northstar Meetings Group — CEO Scott Kirby offered additional details about an airline merger it seems American wants no part of. Northstar's Michael Shapiro analyzes the public courting.
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 France Begins Nonstop Flights Between Paris and Las Vegas
Travel Weekly — The new seasonal route will operate three times per week through Oct. 24.
Air Canada Tells NYC Tourism It’s Still Committed to the Market
OpenJaw — Air Canada cancelled flights to JFK earlier this month. But New York’s top tourism official, Julie Coker, told Open Jaw at a Toronto event yesterday that the airline remains fully engaged in the market.
Air New Zealand’s Long-Awaited Skynest Bunk Beds Are Now Available for Booking
Afar Magazine — Starting in November, this new lie-flat option will give economy passengers a way to get some sleep on ultra long-haul flights.
Safety & Security
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 organized, these tips will help you breeze through security.
TSA Offers New PreCheck Discount for Certain Travelers Who Qualify
NBC Chicago — During the month of May, travelers between the ages of 18 and 30 years old can receive an automatic $20 discount on a TSA Pre-Check membership.
Government Travel Warnings
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts.
Ground Transportation
Hertz Ventures into Autonomous Vehicles, partners with Uber
Travel Weekly — Hertz's new business, Oro Mobility, will provide repairs, charging, cleaning and overall management of Uber's fleet of driverless vehicles.
Lyft Now Allows Riders to Pay with United Miles
Lyft.com — Frequent flyers can cash in their hard-earned miles on a new type of transit, thanks to Lyft's newest app feature.
Lyft Agrees to Acquire Gett's U.K. Business
Business Travel News — Lyft has agreed to acquire ground transportation booking platform Gett's U.K. business, with closing expected "in the coming weeks" subject to customary conditions.
Hotel News
BWH Debuts Extended-Stay @Home Brand in U.S.
Business Travel News — The first @Home by Best Western in the U.S. has opened in St. George, Utah, BWH Hotels announced.
Hilton Partnership Sparks Yotel's Expansion Ambitions
Travel Weekly — After nearly 20 years in operation, the boutique micro-hotel chain may have finally found the partner it needs to scale.
Airport Hotels to Use Strategically for Overnight Stops, Early Departures, and Design Appeal
Afar Magazine — From the restored midcentury TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy International Airport to more remote settings, these properties turn necessary layovers into memorable parts of an itinerary.
Hyatt Regency Denver Unveils $70 Million Transformation
Meetings & Conventions — The 1,100-room convention center hotel, which has 61,000 square feet of meeting space, has been given a sustainable, residential-inspired design.
IHG, ANA to Deepen Loyalty Partnership
Business Travel News — IHG Hotels & Resorts and All Nippon Airways have entered into a new, enhanced loyalty partnership that will launch after October.
Virgin Hotels to Open Atlanta Property in 2027
Travel Weekly — The Virgin Hotels Atlanta will be a part of Centennial Yards, a $5 billion mixed-use development in downtown Atlanta.
Traveler Tips, Trips & Convenience
How a Jet Fuel Crisis and Digital Border Entry Woes Could Disrupt Your Upcoming Europe Trip
Afar Magazine — As summer approaches, travelers heading to Europe could face some challenges.
Delta Cuts Food and Beverage Service on These Daily Flights
USA Today (subscription may be required) — Starting on May 19, the Atlanta-based airline carrier said it will no longer provide food or beverage service on flights of 349 miles or less.
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 organized, these tips will help you breeze through security.
Delta is Giving Business Travelers Time Back
Delta.com — Delta is introducing a suite of airport experience enhancements designed around one core goal: giving travelers more time back in their day.
TSA PreCheck Discount for Travelers Under 30 Years Old
TSA.gov — Travelers aged 30 and under save $20 on new memberships. Complete enrollment during month of May.
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