In this edition of the Travel News Brief: BTN releases their 2019 Corporate Travel Index, travel groups unite in opposition to raising the PFC tax, more time needed for Boeing fix, expanded flight service, a reminder on Real ID, laptops allowed through security in carry-on bags, new entry requirements for New Zealand, Sheraton to update design, the latest on Zika, many great traveler tips, avoid burnout by reducing traveler friction in 4 easy steps and more!
Avoid Burnout by Reducing Traveler Friction in 4 Easy Steps
In the business world, the doors open around 8:00 a.m. and close around 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. While many employees head home to enjoy the weekend, a handful of employees are stuck on the tarmac trying to get home or cutting their weekend short in order to attend a meeting first thing Monday morning. Read More
BTN's Corporate Travel Index
Business Travel News — BTN provides business travel per diems for 100 U.S. cities and 100 non-U.S. cities, digging into the components of hotel and meal costs, as well as car rental costs in the U.S. and taxi rides for non-U.S. cities. This year, BTN adds travel risk scores for each city. Plus, analysis of and forecasts for prices in each the U.S., the Americas, Asia/Pacific and EMEA. Read More
How Will Brexit Affect U.S. Travelers?
Newsweek — Brexit is still being negotiated, but the U.K.'s departure from the European Union will undoubtedly have a ripple effect around the world. Read More
More Airport Taxes Just Won’t Fly
GBTA Blog — Currently, some in Congress want to double the current Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), and others even want to remove the cap altogether, meaning airports would be able to increase the PFC as much as they want. Today, GBTA joined Travelers United, Americans for Tax Reform and Airlines for America in opposition to raising the PFC. Read More
Boeing, FAA Say More Time Needed for Fix of Troubled 737 Max
Meetings & Conventions — Boeing and U.S. aviation regulators said the company needs more time to finish changes in a flight-control system suspected of playing a role in two deadly crashes...Read More
Direct Flights from Fresno to Chicago Return for Summer Through United Airlines
KFSN-TV (Fresno, Calif.) — United Airlines has relaunched seasonal daily nonstop flights between California's Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Read More
Lufthansa Emphasizes Advisor Opportunity, Debuts Flagship A350-900 Toronto-Munich Service
Travel Market Report — The carrier promises the new, advanced aircraft will allow passengers to arrive at their destinations better rested, more refreshed, and less jet-lagged. Read More
United’s New Premium Plus Economy Cabin Takes Flight
Flight Global — United Airlines begins offering its new premium-economy cabin on some long-haul routes tomorrow, its latest step in offering a broader array of products to passengers. Read More
Icelandic Airline Wow Air Collapses and Cancels All Flights
CNBC — Iceland’s low cost carrier Wow Air has canceled all flights and told passengers to book with other airlines. Read More
New Puerto Rico Service Brings Delta One Lie-Flat Seats to The Caribbean
The Points Guy — Delta’s adding a rather unusual route this coming winter. Beginning Dec. 21, 2019, it will use an Airbus A330-300 between its home base in Atlanta (ATL) to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU). Read More
Delta Adds Another A350 With Delta One Suites to Europe
The Points Guy — Delta will slot in an A350-900XWB on one of its three daily flights between Atlanta (ATL) and Amsterdam (AMS) beginning on Sept. 1, 2019. Read More
United Now Offering Polaris and Premium Plus Seats on Hong Kong-Newark
Business Traveller (U.K.) — United Airlines on April 1 will begin offering its Premium Plus and new Polaris business class seats and service on flights between Hong Kong and Newark, N.J. Customers flying in Polaris class will also have access to the Polaris lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport. Read More
American Airlines to Cancel 90 Flights Every Day Through Most of April
USA Today — American Airlines will cancel 90 flights a day through most of April as a result of the Federal Aviation Administration's decision this month to ground all Boeing 737 Max aircraft. Read More
United Allows Customers to Identify as Gender Neutral
Travel Weekly — The carrier became the first U.S. airline to allow passengers to book under gender-neutral identification options...Read More
TSA Reminds Travelers of REAL ID Identification Requirements
Department of Homeland Security — Enforcement begins in 18 months at all U.S. airport checkpoints…Read More
TSA’s New 3D Scanners Will Let Travelers Keep Laptops in Carry-On Bags
Travel Market Report — The new machines, with more advanced technology to detect explosives and other threats, will be phased into select airports this summer. Read More
Illinois Begins Issuing Driver's Licenses That Comply with Federal Real ID Law
Chicago Tribune — After years of delays, all Illinois residents will be able to get new driver’s licenses and state IDs beginning Monday that comply with post-9/11 federal requirements aimed at making identification cards more secure. Read More
New Zealand Just Added New Entry Requirements for Visitors
Travel Pulse — New Zealand has just announced new entry requirements designed, at least in part, to help step up screening of those visiting the country. The new regulations are slated to take effect October 1. Read More
Everything You Need to Know About Airport Security
Smarter Travel — How well do you know airport security? We answer your most common questions. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Enterprise CarShare Joins Arizona Rental Coalition
Auto Rental News — Enterprise CarShare has joined a broad coalition in Arizona working to further ensure opportunity and fairness within the car rental industry. Read More
Maui Car Rental Facility, Electric Train on Schedule to Open May 15
Maui Now — Visitors to Kahului Airport are in for a new experience. A major project at Maui’s Kahului Airport in less than two months from completion…Read More
Uber to Buy Dubai Rival Careem
Buying Business Travel — Ride-hailing technology firm Uber has agreed to buy its Dubai-based rival Careem for US$3.1 billion. Read More
Owner Focus, LQ Growth to Spur Wyndham in Europe
Hotel News Now — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is making significant inroads into Europe and the Middle East via a strategy of organically growing its 20 brands into new and existing markets, a plan that will include the La Quinta brand. Read More
Hyatt Expands Loyalty Program to Include Its Two Roads Hospitality Brands
Yahoo Finance — World of Hyatt members can earn and book points at eight of nine of the Thompson Hotels including the Thompson Chicago, Gild Hall and The Beekman in New York, the Thompson Nashville and the Thompson Seattle. Read More
How Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Is Updating Its Design
Northstar Meetings Group — The hotel chain’s brand master answers questions about new design elements, conference planner input and more...Read More
Social Media, Tradition Converge in 2019’s F&B Trends
Hotel News Now — Experts share insights into what’s trending in hotel F&B this year, from Instagrammable moments to popular cuisine to restaurant tech. Read More
Do Travelers Still Need to Worry About the Zika Virus in 2019?
SmarterTravel — Here's what travelers should know about Zika in 2019 in light of new guidelines administered by the CDC. Read More
Why You Should Never Go Barefoot at Airport Security
SmarterTravel — That sinking feeling sets in just as you reach the front of the TSA security line. You’re not worried about having done something wrong—you just realized that you forgot socks and now nothing will stand between you and that gross, cold airport floor. Read More
The Most Common Pickpocketing Techniques and How to Protect Yourself
Oyster.com — Whether or not you've been a victim of it, pickpocketing can be a serious concern in some places. It's something all travelers should be vigilant about, particularly when visiting big, bustling cities. Read More
Boeing 737 Max Grounding: Your Rights if Your Flight Gets Canceled
Consumer Reports — Thousands of ticketed passengers could be affected. Here’s how to manage and get what you're due. Read More
American Airlines Eyes More WI-FI Sponsorship Deals
Flight Global —American Airlines passengers will be given free access to Apple Music through the carrier's ViaSat Ka-band in-flight connectivity service, thanks to a new sponsorship deal with the tech giant which could help pave the way to making paid-for onboard wi-fi a thing of the past. Read More
The Ultimate Packing List for International Trips
Smarter Travel — Don't leave without checking this comprehensive packing list…Read More
Bumped for Balance? How Plane Weight Can Affect Your Flight
USA Today — What you need to know is that under certain conditions, balancing a full aircraft presents operational challenges that can affect your flight…Read More
Want to Create Amazing Experiences? Start With Design Thinking.
Sales & Marketing — What if we started to solve problems with empathy, setting aside our own assumptions to get to the heart of what really matters? THAT is the beauty of design thinking…Read More
Research Shows How Top Tech Companies Stay Ahead
Creative Group — As experts in rewards and recognition programs, we pulled out the most relevant and interesting findings to share with technology company leaders. Read More
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