November 11, 2025
In This Edition… airline flight service updates, more airline partnerships or joint ventures, DHS biometric data collection, Avis pledges improved customer experience, hotel expansions, and more!
Dans cette édition… mises à jour des services aériens, nouveaux partenariats et coentreprises entre compagnies aériennes, collecte de données biométriques par le DHS, engagement d’Avis à améliorer l’expérience client, expansions hôtelières, et plus encore!
Navigator Blog
The Travel Manager’s Guide to Demonstrating ROI
By connecting travel outcomes to broader business objectives, travel managers can demonstrate the true strategic value of every trip.
Q&A: How Can Data and AI Strengthen Your Corporate Travel Program?
Direct Travel EVP Martin Tuncaydin explores how human expertise, data, and AI can combine to build smarter, more resilient travel programs.
Travel Management
Travelers Face Frustration as FAA Cuts Flights
Northstar Meetings Group (AP) — As airlines begin to cut hundreds of flights, complying with the agency’s new order, the passenger scramble has begun.
Canadian Airlines Offer Flexible Policies as US Flight Reductions Begin
OpenJaw — After US airlines outlined plans to meet the Federal Aviation Administration’s flight-volume reductions at 40 major airports, Canadian carriers are sharing guidance and new policies to assist travellers amid the US government shutdown.
Airline & Flight Updates
Delta Air Lines Adds New Nonstop Flights for 2026
TravelPulse — Delta Air Lines will launch new Saturday-only nonstop services to leisure destinations across North America and the Caribbean, starting in June 2026.
American to Add Direct NYC-Edinburgh Service
Business Travel News — American Airlines on in 2026 will launch nonstop service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Delta, Korean Air Close Deal for WestJet Stakes
Business Travel News — WestJet and its majority owner, Onex Partners, have completed the sale of 25 percent of the airline to Delta Air Lines and Korean Air.
Delta, Aeromexico Challenge DOT Order to End JV
Business Travel News — Delta and Aeromexico have filed in a U.S. appeals court a petition for review of the DOT's final order that terminates their antitrust-immune JV.
Alaska and Hawaiian secure a single operating certificate
Travel Weekly — The airlines' training, policies, procedures and manuals are now integrated, but the two brands will continue to operate independently.
Delta Opening Salt Lake City Sky Club
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines on Oct. 28 officially will open at Salt Lake City International Airport its newest Sky Club.
Delta Will Launch Atlanta-Riyadh Route Next October
Travel Weekly — The announcement makes the airline the first U.S. carrier to confirm plans to fly to Saudia Arabia.
American Airlines to Resume Flights to Israel
Business Travel News — The carrier plans to restart flights to Tel Aviv in March 2026.
Air Canada Launches 5th New Transatlantic Airbus A321XLR Route
Simple Flying — Air Canada is adding Montreal-Porto service on its XLR aircraft.
United Secures Reallocated Chicago O'Hare Gates
Travel Weekly — With the additional gates, the airline plans 10 new domestic destinations, including Santa Barbara and Monterey in California.
Safety & Security
DHS to Collect Biometric Data from All Non-U.S. Citizens
Business Travel News — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has filed a final rule that requires all non-U.S. citizens, including those with green cards, to be photographed when entering or exiting the United States.
Apple Says Digital IDs for U.S. Passports Are Coming
TechCrunch — The tech company plans to soon introduce an Apple Wallet feature that will allow U.S. travelers to use a digital passport ID at select TSA checkpoints for domestic travel.
Government Travel Warnings
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts.
Ground Transportation
Lyft, United Detail Point Accrual in Loyalty Deal
Business Travel News — Lyft riders who also are members of United Airlines' MileagePlus loyalty program now can earn miles on qualified rides, the companies announced.
Avis Budget Pledges 'Hard Reset' on Customer Experience
Business Travel News — Avis Budget Group outlines a pivot in company strategy toward consistency and dependability as it announces a year-over-year increase in Q3 revenue. "One of the core initiatives of this leadership team is a hard reset on customer experience," Avis Budget CEO Brian Choi said.
Hotel News
Choice Adds Loyalty Tier, Lowers Thresholds
Business Travel News — Choice Hotels International plans to add ia new top tier to its loyalty program and will lower the amount of room nights required to attain other tiers, the company announced.
Hyatt Reports Double-Digit Growth, Highlights ‘Time Rich’ Campaign in Toronto
TravelPulse Canada — Hyatt Hotels Corporation reported double-digit growth across its portfolio this year, underscoring the continued strength of its all-inclusive segment and the growing appeal of its “Time Rich” campaign.
Curio Collection Property Set to Open in Central London
Business Travel News Europe — The new Derby London City hotel in the UK capital’s financial district is set to open in early 2026. The redeveloped property located on Great Tower Street close to the Tower of London will be part of Hilton’s Curio Collection.
IHG Announces a Fourth Kimpton Hotel in NYC
Travel Weekly — The Kimpton Ashbel New York-Park Avenue will be located near Grand Central Terminal in a building constructed in 1928.
A New Marriott Hotel Collection Embraces the Great Outdoors
Afar Magazine — The new Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy includes boutique lodgings near national parks like Grand Canyon and Great Smoky Mountains. Marriott plans to expand it with more cabins, yurts, domes, and lodges in wilderness escapes.
10 Hotels Opening in 2026
Northstar Meetings Group — From Manhattan to Mexico City, these properties are getting ready to welcome groups next year.
Traveler Tips, Trips & Convenience
How Will the Government Shutdown Impact Thanksgiving Travel?
Travel Age West — Nearly 500 travel organizations are demanding Congress end the shutdown before billions are lost.
Can Daylight Saving Impact My Flight?
USA Today — Figuring out flight times can seem complicated, but here's how time zones and daylight saving impact travelers.
How Far Will Airport Lounges Go for Your Loyalty?
Afar Magazine — Airport lounges have become the front line in the battle for travelers’ allegiance, with airlines and credit card companies investing heavily in sophisticated dining experiences, mixologists behind the bar, spa services, and more. Where does it all end?
Delta and Chef José Andrés Hope to Shatter the Reputation of Bland Airplane Food
Afar Magazine — “It’s not as if we leave good taste behind when we take off,” the World Central Kitchen founder and chef says of his new collaboration with Delta Air Lines.
LAX to Close Terminal 5 for Major Redevelopment
Recommend.com — LAX terminal 5 closing for demolition ahead of 2028 Olympic game
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