In this edition of the Travel News Brief: thoughts on Brexit, airline updates, four airports offer TSA and taxi wait times, Enterprise closes on Deem acquisition, new locations for Choice Hotels, Four Seasons, Kimpton and Hyatt, luxury airport lounges, protecting yourself from in-flight theft, collaboration on the road: 7 ways to maximize traveler productivity and more!
When travelers are on the road, productivity is paramount to keeping them engaged and happy. Often, a traveler’s ability to stay productive is hindered by a number of factors, including poor working environments, lack of connectivity to the office and the stress of travel. Combined, these factors may not only limit productivity but can also lead to a decline in employee engagement and increased traveler attrition rates. Read More
Business Travel News —With only two months until the United Kingdom exits the European Union on 29 March, and no one on this planet knowing what form that departure will take, travel management professionals are sitting frustratedly in limbo. Read More
The Points Guy — Airline passengers could face higher fares, longer wait times at immigration and problems connecting to Europe through British airports if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal, aviation experts warn. Read More
Business Travel News — On Thursday, Delta began its first service on its new Airbus A220-100 aircraft with flights between New York's LaGuardia Airport and each Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Boston. Read More
Future Travel Experience — American Airlines’ customers can now enjoy free access to Apple Music on any domestic flight equipped with Viasat satellite Wi-Fi. Read More
Business Travel News — On Feb. 1, Lufthansa launched a boarding process for Flight 461 from Miami International Airport to Munich that uses facial recognition rather than boarding passes. Last March, Lufthansa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Los Angeles World Airports had begun a trial of the biometric boarding...Read More
Travel Pulse — Delta customers traveling in the First Class cabin will soon have the option to choose their meal days in advance through the airline's popular pre-select meal program. Read More
Business Traveller — Oneworld plans to open its first “branded, developed and managed lounge” later this year, as the alliance celebrates its 20th anniversary. Read More
Travel Market Report — Travel to Europe should be easier and more convenient next year, as a number of international airlines are adding new routes over the North Atlantic next spring and summer. Read More
Frequent Business Traveler — United Airlines introduced a completely redesigned version of its smartphone app. Read More
NBC 4 New York — Passengers at JFK, EWR, LGA, and SWF airports can now access up to date TSA and taxi wait times on the Port Authority’s respective airport websites. Read More
USA Today — It’s in your best interest to check the U.S. State Department’s website for travel advisories, which the department is constantly updating…Read More
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
USA Today — These cities have networks that cover all the neighborhoods you want to see, with reliable, frequent service at an affordable price. Read More
The Washington Post — Taxi drivers in Madrid have ended a 16-day strike after failing to force authorities in the Spanish capital to impose tighter restrictions on ride-hailing companies like Uber and Cabify. Read More
Insider Travel Report — Rail travel in the U.S. is littered with promises of modern high-speed inter-city rail. But Virgin Trains, a relatively new venture, announced an initial public offering of 28,334,000 shares of common stock. Read More
Business Travel News — Enterprise has completed its acquisition of managed travel technology platform Deem. Read More
Travel Market Report — Among the new properties is the first resort set within a world-class vineyard in Napa Valley. Read More
Business Travel News — Choice Hotels International is set to expand its footprint across the U.S. with two development agreements. Read More
Business Travel News — Marriott International will roll out Marriott Bonvoy next month to replace Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest. Read More
Northstar Meetings Group — Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels Corp. is expanding in California, Oregon and Washington state by nearly 45 percent, mainly by growing the portfolios of its limited-service brands, Hyatt House, Hyatt Place and Hyatt Centric...Read More
Travel Pulse — Hilton is riding a wave of record-breaking growth and development…Read More
Travel Mole — Asia, Caribbean and Europe to get new hotels over next five years…Read More
CNN — A handful of ultra-exclusive lounges, Instagram-worthy spaces with impressive settings that only a privileged few have access to, are attended by staff who act more like concierges at five-star hotels than airline employees. Read More
Smarter Traveler — Friendly flight attendants can reward you with free drinks and seat upgrades. Here’s how to keep them happy. Read More
Airfare Watchdog (blog) — Safeguard your valuables from potential onboard thieves with these tips…Read More
Smarter Travel — These expert travel hacks really get the job done…Read More
USA Today — "The biggest probabilities for changes affecting U.S. travelers in 2019 will be congestion and natural disruptions," says Paul Ruden, former executive vice president for legal and industry affairs for the American Society of Travel Advisors. Read More
Creative Group — Creating cost efficiencies for international conferences…Read More
Successful Meetings — The project, to finish next year, will add a new exterior concourse, prefunction space, breakout rooms and more...Read More
Las Vegas Review Journal — The 315,000-square-foot facility will provide exhibit space for the twice-a-year World Market as well as room for trade shows and community events…Read More
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