May 28, 2025
In This Edition… recent news articles relating to airline flight service updates and news, security updates, hotel information, traveler tips, and much more!
Dans cette édition… de récents articles d’actualité présentant des mises à jour et des nouvelles sur les services de vol des compagnies aériennes, des mises à jour en matière de sécurité, des informations sur les hôtels, des conseils aux voyageurs, et bien plus encore.
Navigator Blog
Key Takeaways from GBTA’s Perfect Business Trip Report
Read what nearly 200 travel managers say about the current state of managed travel and where the industry needs to evolve.
From Leakage to Loyalty: How to Keep Travelers In-Program
Discover how a modern travel management company can help increase compliance and reduce out-of-policy bookings for your corporate travel program.
Travel Management
Direct Travel Releases Travel Edition of Avenir
Business Travel News — Direct Travel launched the "Travel Edition" of its Avenir technology, featuring a Spotnana-powered booking platform with network support and integrating technologies from Troop and Center, to enhance booking and management.
GBTA, Direct Travel Survey Shows Challenges with OBT Servicing, Meeting Integration
Business Travel News — Most travel buyers are face servicing issues with their online booking tools and have not fully integrated meetings and travel, according to a survey of 195 corporate travel managers conducted by Direct Travel, Spotnana, Troop and the Global Business Travel Association.
Airline & Flight Updates
Delta Resumes Tel Aviv Service
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines resumed its daily New York-Tel Aviv flights on May 20 after suspending them due to security concerns. United is still monitoring conditions, while American Airlines has not resumed services since Oct. 2023.
United Eliminates New Annual Wi-Fi Subscriptions
Business Travel News — United Airlines has stopped offering annual in-flight Wi-Fi subscriptions as it plans to provide free Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members using Starlink. Current subscriptions are valid until their expiration but won't be renewable; monthly subscriptions and day passes remain available.
TAP Air Portugal to Offer Three New Routes From US
Travel Pulse — The national carrier of Portugal will offer more than 100 weekly flights from North America moving forward.
American Airlines Adds Seats for NFL, College Football Games
Travel Pulse — American Airlines is offering its largest-ever football flight schedule, adding 185 flights and 22,000 seats for pro and college football games, with new routes from hubs like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
Delta Renames Its Fare Classes and Simplifies Booking Process
Travel Pulse — While there are no major shifts to how the carrier refers to its different seat products, the new names are more streamlined.
Etihad, TAP Air Portugal Add Loyalty Reciprocation
Business Travel News — Etihad Airways and TAP Air Portugal now offer reciprocal benefits for their Etihad Guest and TAP Miles&Go loyalty programs, Etihad announced.
Air Canada’s Return to Israel Pushed Back to September
Open Jaw — Air Canada is skipping the summer and extending its suspension of flights to Israel until 08SEPT.
Latam to Add Nonstop Miami-Buenos Aires Service
Business Travel News — Latam on Dec. 1 will launch daily nonstop service between Miami and Buenos Aires, Argentina, the carrier announced.
United to Offer Two Types of New Polaris Suites
Business Travel News — United Airlines detailed the composition and amenities of the new business-class suites and interiors that will be on its upcoming Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner deliveries.
DOT Plans to Reduce Flights at Newark Airport
Meetings & Conventions — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says he plans to reduce the number of flights in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport for the "next several weeks" as it struggles with radar outages and other issues.
A First Look at United’s New Business-Class “Studios” (Which Come With a Helping of Caviar)
Afar Magazine — New business-class Polaris Studio suites and enhanced standard Polaris seats are officially in the works as United seriously invests in its front-of-the-plane product on its newest Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners. Here’s what to expect and when.
Safety & Security
The Real ID Requirement Is Now in Effect—Is It Holding People Up at the Country’s Airports?
Afar Magazine — Going through airport security just got more complicated, especially for people without a passport.
TSA Will Expand Facial Recognition to 400 Airports
USA Today (subscription may be required) — The technology is currently deployed at nearly 84 airports nationwide.
TSA Takes Flexible Approach to Real ID Enforcement
Travel Weekly — The TSA's enforcement of the new Real ID requirement varies from airport to airport.
Government Travel Warnings
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts.
Ground Transportation
National Makes It a Decade Atop BTN's Car Rental Survey
Business Travel News — For the 10th year in a row, National Car Rental was the top-rated supplier in BTN's 2025 Car Rental Survey, with portfolio mate Enterprise Rent-A-Car coming in second for the fourth year in a row.
Hotel News
How The Langham Is Marking 160 Years with New Suite of Guest Offers
Insider Travel Report — Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) has unveiled an international array of activities to honor the 160th anniversary of its luxury hotel brand, The Langham Hotels and Resort.
Marriott Focuses on 'Well-executed Basics' with Series Soft Brand
Travel Weekly — Launched in India with management partner Concept Hospitality, Series by Marriott promises clean and comfortable rooms, free WiFi and daily coffee or tea.
$1B Deal for Salter Brothers, IHG in Australia
Hotel Investment Today — Deal to rebrand and reposition multiple assets includes bringing The Regent brand back to Australia. IHG Hotels & Resorts and Australia’s Salter Brothers have signed a major long-term agreement to rebrand and reposition several high-profile properties.
Ryman to Acquire JW Marriott in Phoenix for $865M
Hotel Investment Today — Nashville-based REIT Ryman Hospitality Properties has signed an agreement to purchase the 950-key JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Arizona from Honolulu-based Trinity Investments for $865 million, one of the largest hotel transactions so far in 2025.
BWH Hotel Group Sets Ambitious Middle East Expansion With Focus on Saudi Arabia
Travel Pulse — BWH Hotel Group plans to expand significantly in the Middle East.
What’s New in U.S. and Canadian Luxury Hotels
Insider Travel Report — Insider Travel Report’s collection of hotel news and updates in North America.
Minneapolis Is Considering New 2% Fee on Hotel Room
The Minnesota Star Tribune — About $6 million would be generated to market the city, host events, and train and develop the hospitality workforce.
Traveler Tips, Trips & Convenience
American Airlines Opens New Lounges in Philadelphia
Travel Weekly — The airline's fifth Flagship Lounge shares an entranceway with a new Admirals Club.
Why 2025 Hurricane Season Could Be More Active Than Normal
Travel Pulse — The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico issued their own advisory for travelers heading to both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Mexico from May through November on May 16, noting that hurricanes may occur along both of the country's coastlines in destinations like Los Cabos and Cancun.
Help! I Left Something on the Plane or at TSA. How Do I Get It Back?
Afar Magazine — Forgot your laptop or keys at airport security or that beloved coat in the overhead bin? Here’s how to up your chances of getting them back.
Orlando Airport to Undergo Multibillion-Dollar Renovation
WFTV — Construction will start this year and should wrap up by 2027.
U.S. Senators Champion Bill to Protect Americans’ Privacy at Airports
John Kennedy — Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) introduced the Traveler Privacy Protection Act of 2025, which would protect Americans’ ability to opt out of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) facial recognition screenings at airports and prevent abuse of passenger data obtained through these scans.
The Travel Trends Taking Over 2025
TravelPulse — As economic uncertainty grows worldwide, travelers still maintain a strong desire to pay for travel experiences, according to the Mastercard Economics Institute's new report on the current trends impacting travel and traveler behaviors.
Seven Ways to Stay Productive on Business Flights
Business Travel News — Global corporate travel buyers are feeling confident about the future of travel demand.
The Best Airlines in North America for Each Flight Class, Ranked
Afar Magazine — More than 10,000 airline passengers rated their flying experience over the past year. Here’s which airlines they loved the most for flying first, business, premium, and economy.
US Transportation Secretary Duffy Warns of Summer Air Travel Trouble
TravelPulse — The U.S. Secretary of Transportation is warning Americans that the technical issues that led to hundreds of canceled and delayed flights at Newark Liberty International Airport this past weekend won’t be the last—and that they could very well impact another airport.
All the Travel Documents You Need to Update After a Name Change
Fodor’s Travel — Following a legal name change, travelers are required to update a series of travel-related documents and accounts, including identification, airline frequent flyer programs, credit cards, bank accounts, travel insurance, and more.
Meetings & Events
Cvent Announces Top Meeting Destinations and Hotels for 2025
Skift — Cvent's latest rankings show where meeting planners — predominantly U.S. corporations — are booking meetings globally.
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