In this edition of the Travel News Brief: United increases premium seats, the bid for Tokyo's Haneda airport, American Airlines & United launch new routes, TSA Pre✓® expands, Preferred Hotels welcomes 15 new properties, InterContinental Group buys Six Senses, many traveler tips, 3 Critical Components for Corporate Incentive Travel, and travel program trends in the manufacturing sector and more!
Travel Program Trends in the Manufacturing Sector
The manufacturing sector relies on business travel programs to place skilled professionals at project locations where they are needed most. Not only do travelers need to arrive on time, but they also need to stay close to their project site to maximize productivity. Read More
United Plans to Increase the Number of Premium Seats on Planes
Lonely Planet — United Airlines plans to add more than 1,600 United Polaris and United First seats on 250 of its aircraft. Read More
U.S. Carrier Applications for Japan's Haneda Slots Roll In
Business Travel News — The Big Three U.S. airlines filed applications with the U.S. Department of Transportation for 12 slots opening up at Tokyo's Haneda airport. Read More
American Airlines Adventures onto Six New Domestic Routes
Airline Network News & Analysis — American Airlines launched six new US domestic routes between 14 and 16 February. The most significant launches include a daily service between New York JFK (JFK) and San Antonio (SAT), plus a twice-daily connection from New York LaGuardia (LGA) to Knoxville (TYS) and a daily rotation from Washington Reagan (DCA) to Oklahoma City (OKC). Read More
United Airlines: Three New Routes for Fast-growing Denver Hub
USA Today — On June 6, United Airlines will launch daily service from Denver to Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C., and Syracuse, NY. The airline will launch weekend service from Denver to Portland, ME on June 8. Read More
EU approves Air France-KLM's stake in Virgin Atlantic
Travel Weekly — European regulators have approved Air France-KLM's planned acquisition of a 31% stake in Virgin Atlantic. Read More
Air Canada to Boost Service to U.S. and Within Western Canada
Frequent Business Traveler — Air Canada announced it will increase its service to the United States from Toronto and Montreal this summer as well as within western Canada. Read More
Vietnamese Airlines Granted Access to U.S. Market for First Time
The Mercury News — Vietnamese airlines will be able to fly to the United States and codeshare with American carriers after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration declared the Southeast Asian country complies with international safety standards. Read More
Lufthansa Launches Biometric Boarding in Miami & Biometric Terminals Are on the Way
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. Read More
British Airways Will Join American Airlines at JFK Terminal 8 in 2022
Business Travel News — Over the next three years, American Airlines and British Airways will invest $344 million to colocate operations in Terminal 8 at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Read More
TSA Pre✓® Expands to Include 9 More Airlines
Transportation Security Administration — Expedited screening now available through 65 air carriers…Read More
Biometric Technology to be Used to Promote Safer Travel
Travel Pulse — The World Travel & Tourism Council has established a new partnership aimed at promoting safer international travel through increased use of biometric technology. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
The TWA Hotel Is Bringing Mid-Century Magic to New York City
Newsweek — A long-abandoned terminal at JFK airport is getting a sky-high makeover. Read More
Accor Rebrands and Launches a New Loyalty Program
Yahoo Finance — Accor will be spending $255 million on a new loyalty program called ALL, which stands for “Accor Live Limitless.” Read More
Preferred Hotels Welcomes 15 More New Member Properties
Insider Travel Report — Preferred Hotels & Resorts said its global portfolio is growing even more with the addition of 15 new member hotels between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2018. Read More
Radisson Signals Vote of Confidence in Tourism to Egypt
Travel Weekly UK — Radisson is adding four properties in Cairo and two more in other Egyptian cities. Read More
InterContinental Group Buys Six Senses Hotels for $300M
Reuters — InterContinental Hotels Group has agreed to buy the brands and operating companies of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas for $300 million in cash, the owner of the Crowne-Plaza and Holiday Inn chains said on Wednesday, in a move that beefs up its luxury portfolio. Read More
The FAA Is Finding New Tricks to Cut Delays
The Wall Street Journal — As airspace becomes more crowded, the agency is replicating air-traffic control changes that reduced delays due to congestion and bad weather. Read More
Alaska Lounge Set to Open in 2020 at San Francisco Airport
Alaska Airlines Blog — Alaska Airlines in 2020 will open a new, 8,500-square-foot Alaska Lounge in San Francisco International Airport's Terminal 2. The lounge will feature comfortable seating, made-to-order meals, custom-crafted hot drinks and a bar stocked with locally sourced drinks. Read More
Pittsburgh's Airport Shows Off Plans for New $1.1 Billion Terminal
USA Today — Pittsburgh has unveiled plans for a new $1.1 billion renovation that will give the city’s resurgent airport a new passenger terminal. Read More
United Opens New Airport Lounge in Fort Lauderdale
Business Traveller — United Airlines has launched a 5,000-square-foot United Club lounge at Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The lounge offers complimentary Wi-Fi and refreshments with a local flair. Read More
Sanitizer vs. Hand Wash: Which Is More Effective on a Plane
Smarter Travel — If airplane water isn’t potable, does washing your hands in it really make them any cleaner? I asked an expert to find out. Read More
10 Tips to Help You Deal with Travel Anxiety
This Is Insider — Traveling can cause stress and anxiety. Anxious travelers should make sure to be as prepared as possible for their journey. Traveling with others, using relaxation techniques, and talking to a mental health professional could also help ease travel anxiety. Read More
3 Critical Components for Corporate Incentive Travel
Creative Group — As more companies realize the benefits of non-monetary rewards – three major components emerge regarding the vitality and effectiveness of corporate incentive travel: Safety and Security, Transformative Experiences, and Strategic Program Design. Read More
Hilton Launches a New Brand, Signia, to Fill a Niche for Meetings and Events
Northstar Meetings Group — Hilton, now 16 brands strong, is adding one more -- Signia Hilton -- with a promise to set a new and higher standard for hotels serving the meetings and events industry. Read More
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