In this edition of the Direct Travel News Brief… Upgrade your Direct2U app, Alaska Airlines joins Oneworld Alliance, Delta to end middle seat blocking, United returns to JFK, airlines extend unused credits, new flight services, TSA travel tips, TSA Precheck expands, hotel openings, new CDC guideline for vaccinated travelers, meetings news and more!
From efficient technology and communication tools to traveler experience and ensuring compliance, a Travel Management Company (TMC) plays an important role in keeping your travel program running smoothly and driving ROI for your business. Particularly as market demand increases and COVID-19 restrictions ease, there has never been a better time to use an experienced travel partner to help you safely get your team back on the road... Read More
Today’s travelers have access to information like never before, but it’s not always the right information for the moment they’re facing. As businesses have witnessed with the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing restrictions and travel requirements can leave travelers in a lurch if they’re not prepared to tackle these changes when returning to the road.
In order to avoid this and ensure your team can travel confidently again, you need to equip your employees with the proper technology and timely information. With this goal in mind, Direct Travel recently launched a new version of our Direct2U mobile app. Below, we walk you through the mobile features and enhancements that matter most to your travelers... Read More
Global Newswire — Boasting a sharp new user interface and a bevy of enhanced safety and security features, the latest version of Direct Travel, Inc.’s mobile app is now available for download on iOS and Android devices. Read More
Travel Market Report — While the news means another month of border closures, reports on Thursday suggested that the U.S. has put together a timeline for their reopening. Read More
Meetings & Conventions — In a recent report that is beginning the peer-review process, economic researchers examined whether air travel from early Covid-19 hot spots in the U.S. spread the virus to other parts of the country. Read More
Business Travel Executive — Large percentage say they miss face-to-face meetings and lack of opportunity to develop relationships. Read More
Travel Pulse — The carrier is making travelers more comfortable with new COVID-19 related options. Read More
Forbes — Over a year after renewing its partnership with American Airlines and announcing it would join oneworld, Alaska Airlines officially became a member of the airline alliance. Read More
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines has mapped out its plans for an expected boost in travel demand over the next few months, including an end to its capacity-control measures, a faster track to elite status and extended expiration dates for ticket vouchers. Read More
Travel Market Report — United will now operate out of all major NYC-area airports. Read More
Bloomberg — Unused airline tickets are getting extra shelf life as the steep drop in travel demand extends into a second year due to Covid-19. Read More
Travel Pulse — Fully vaccinated Americans can soon fly to Europe. Read More
Travel Weekly — The 26 new seasonal routes will connect Midwest cities with popular vacation destinations, mainly in the South. Read More
The Points Guy — Delta Air Lines plans to restore some in-flight beverage options in April. All cabins will have access to coffee, tea, unopened cans of soft drinks and canned cocktails from Tip Top Proper Cocktails. Read More
Travel Pulse — Air Canada is selling flights to limited destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico for May. They also are restoring flights to Europe, Asia and some U.S. cities in May. Read More
Meetings & Conventions — The carrier is adding 26 nonstop routes between Midwest cities and popular vacation destinations in May...Read More
Delta News Hub — Delta Air Lines will offer "COVID-tested" flights from New York to Rome and Milan starting in April, allowing passengers with "essential" reasons to travel to avoid quarantine. Read More
Travel Weekly — The airline's plans anticipate rebounding demand for leisure travel. Read More
Travel Mole — US travel restrictions could be eased in May…Read More
WFXR TV — With airline travel starting to pick up as the summer vacation season is inching closer, many, though, are still finding it hard to make the determination whether or not to travel in the coming months. With that in mind, the TSA has offered three actions you can take while you are deciding when to begin traveling once again. Read More
Travel Market Report — The bump comes as COVID-19 vaccination numbers in the U.S. continue to increase. Read More
Travel + Leisure — The policy was set to expire this month…Read More
tsa.gov — These new airlines bring the total number of TSA PreCheck participating domestic and international carriers to 82. Read More
Passenger Terminal Today — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is trialling the use of new technology that uses ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light to disinfect airport checkpoint bins in a bid to provide safer checkpoint experiences and prevent the spread of Covid-19 and other viruses and bacteria. Read More
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Hotel Business — Recent openings in the U.S. include the debut of the Radisson Individuals brand in the Americas, the first Graduate Hotel in New York City and more…Read More
Business Travel News — After finishing a $2.5 billion transformation of its flagship brand, Choice Hotels on Thursday unveiled a new prototype for its Comfort properties. Read More
Las Vegas Review Journal — The former Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas has had a $200 million makeover and is ready for its beauty shot as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Read More
ABC 7 Chicago — The first ever hotel on Navy Pier will open to the general public Thursday. Sable at Navy Pier is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Read More
Travel Weekly — Add travel to the activities vaccinated Americans can enjoy again, according to new U.S. guidance…Read More
USA Today — Experts cautiously advise booking your travel soon. Although much remains uncertain, prices are unlikely to return to 2020's bargain-basement levels. Read More
New York Times — New York State has introduced a digital app that allows individuals to prove they have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus or have recently tested negative. Read More
Travel Pulse — Travelers face new challenges one year into the coronavirus pandemic. Read More
Hilton.com — After booking a meeting or event at any U.S. property, planners gain access to third-party providers with COVID-19 tests and health screening options. Read More
Creative Group — Creating a safe experience that meets the demands of the current climate can feel like an overwhelming task. Through our extensive experience in running hundreds of live and virtual programs a year, we’ve narrowed your focus down to our 5 Tenets of Smart Planning for Safer Experiences. Read More
Successful Meetings — Understanding the behavioral science of how Covid-19 impacts the travel and event experience can help planners better serve their participants. Read More
PreVue Meetings + Incentives — Nevada loosens its gathering size restrictions, allowing meetings and conventions including IMEX America to increase capacity to 50 percent. Read More
Looking for guidance on planning your next convention, incentive, or group trip? Direct Travel will assist with all your meetings and event details! Whatever your needs may be when it comes to your event, you can always depend on us to design streamlined travel arrangements, plan strategic meetings, and deliver real-time results. For details, please send a message to: MeetingInquiry@dt.com.