In this edition of the Travel News Brief: DoorDash Partners with Wyndham Rewards, TSA to being advertising new REAL ID requirements, more on facial recognition at airports, FAA bans MacBook Pro, New Zealand to require electronic Visa, how to renew a passport in 24-hours, tracking security wait times, new flight service to the UK, Japan, Portugal, Israel, Morocco, travel procurement: how a TMC supports business travel cost savings and more!
Travel Procurement: How a TMC Supports Business Travel Cost Savings
Corporate travel is made up of many moving pieces that make cost control and budget management a challenge, such as increasing costs, fluctuating prices, and complex rules. Read More
United Airlines Announces New Flights to Tokyo, Japan
Travel Pulse — United Airlines announced it would launch service between four of its top hubs in the United States and Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. Read More
Delta to Expand Service to London, Resume Manchester Route in Summer 2020
USA Today — Delta Air Lines said Thursday it will add daily nonstop flights from the northeast to London's Gatwick Airport next summer, in addition to resuming service to Manchester, England, and increasing its presence at Heathrow. Read More
Delta & Virgin Atlantic Will Expand U.K. Network
Business Travel News — Delta and Virgin Atlantic next spring plan to add about 10,000 seats per week on transatlantic routes. Read More
TAP Plans U.S. Expansion in 2020
Business Travel News — TAP Air Portugal will boost its service from New York, Miami, Chicago and Washington, D.C., over the next year. Read More
New American Flights To Israel, Morocco, And More!
One Mile at a Time — American Airlines announced it will add five new international routes in 2020, including the airline's first flight to Africa. The new routes are Philadelphia to Casablanca, Morroco; Dallas-Fort Worth to Tel Aviv, Israel; Chicago to Krakow, Poland; Chicago to Budapest, Hungary; and Chicago to Prague, Czech Republic. Read More
TSA Begins Verbal Advisements of REAL ID Requirements
TSA.gov — Rollout of new signage begins at document checking station. Read More
Facial Recognition Scanners Are Already at Some US Airports. Here's What to Know.
USA Today — The next time you go to the airport, you might notice something different during the security process: A machine scanning your face. Read More
Are You Ready for Facial Recognition at the Airport?
Wall Street Journal — Airlines and the TSA are starting to scan faces to get people through security and boarding faster, as privacy advocates warn of unintended consequences…Read More
FAA Bans Recalled MacBook Pro Models from All Flights Due to Battery Issue
Digital Trends — The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned some Apple MacBook Pro laptops from flights due to a potential fire hazard posed by their batteries. Read More
New Zealand to Require Electronic Travel Visa Starting October 1
Travel Market Report — Americans and Canadians will be among those who have to obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority visa. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
DoorDash Partners with Wyndham Rewards to Connect Consumers Nationwide with On-Demand Food Access at Thousands of Hotels
Wyndham Hotels — Guests will receive $0 delivery fees* on all orders delivered through DoorDash to over 3,700 Wyndham locations, while first time DoorDash customers receive an additional $5 off** plus 2,000 bonus Wyndham Rewards points. Read More
Choice Hotels Data Breach Exposes 700,000 Guests
Travel Mole — Data left on unsecured database…Read More
Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia Opens to Public in City's Tallest Skyscraper
NBC Philadelphia — The new Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia opened Monday at the Comcast Technology Center in Center City Philadelphia…Read More
More Than 1,000 Hotel Rooms Headed for North San Jose
The Mercury News — Seven hotel projects could bring north San Jose 1,100 new rooms…Read More
FAA Approves New Design That Gives the Middle Seat More Space
Travel Market Report — The newer design will reportedly be installed on 50 aircrafts by the end of next year. Read More
How to Renew a Passport in 24 Hours
Smarter Travel — A new and fast passport renewal service via FedEx is aiming to change the speed of passport renewals…Read More
Here Are the U.S. Airports with the Shortest and Longest Wait Times at Security
Travel Market Report — The airport with the shortest security wait time averages about nine minutes, while the one with the longest wait time averages over 20 minutes. Read More
Why You Should Never Go Barefoot at Airport Security
Smarter Travel — Is it really that bad to go barefoot through airport security? The experts weigh in. Read More
Minute Suites Will Expand to JFK
Business Travel News — Minute Suites' ninth location will open next year in Terminal 4's B Concourse at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Read More
Traveling to Hong Kong? Here's What You Need to Know
CNN — Over the past 10 weeks, shocking images have emerged from Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests: tear gas has been fired outside shops, protesters and police have clashed in dramatic face-offs, and thousands of demonstrators occupied the city's airport. Read More
How a New Rule on E.U. Flight Delays Could Earn You Money
Smarter Travel — Even when the airline is a non-E.U. airline. Read More
U.S. Updates Travel Policies for Service Animals
Travel Market Report — The DOT issued a final statement on service animal enforcement policies, addressing concerns such as species limitations, containment, advance notice, and check-in requirements. Read More
Personalized Experiences Matter
Creative Group — Take a look at what Creative Group Experience Design Director, Pete Dufner has to say on the importance of personalized experiences. Read More
10 Stats That Prove the Experience Economy is Here to Stay
Creative Group — From business executives to consumers, meeting planners to marketers, the consensus is clear: The Experience Economy is here to stay. And these 10 stats prove it. Read More
Meeting Attendance & Event Budgets Are Up Per Cvent
Business Travel News — The number of attendees at meetings and events is up this year compared to 2018, and that corresponds to an increase in current and anticipated budgets, according to Cvent. Read More
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