In this edition of the Travel News Brief: United Airlines tests new boarding process, Will facial recognition speed up airport security lines, Airbnb appeals to the luxury market with 'Airbnb Plus', and more!
When corporate travelers are happy and at ease, they bring their A game to every client meeting and conference. But positive traveler experiences require effective travel policies. Does your travel policy address these key challenges? Read More
It’s been proven that companies who focus on their travelers’ comfort and safety benefit by seeing higher levels of employee satisfaction and retention...Read More
Travel Weekly — Trump Proposes Higher Fees for Air Travelers, Less Money for Amtrak. Read More
Travel Market Report —The budget proposal also calls for more money, up to $71 million, to be invested in new equipment to support TSA screening at airports around the country. Read More
Travel Weekly — Air Canada has added an Economy Basic fare to compete with fares offered by ultralow-cost carriers. The fare includes a carry-on bag and is nonrefundable. Read More
Travel Pulse — The MAX 9 aircraft will begin operating between Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and five other cities on June 7. Read More
Business Traveller — Lufthansa Group has announced plans for a new preferred seating zone on long-haul services. The latest revenue-raising scheme will be introduced by three Lufthansa Group airlines, namely Lufthansa mainline, Austrian Airlines and Swiss, for flights on and after March 7. Read More
Frequent Business Traveler — United Airlines announced that it will implement a new boarding process at various airports as part of a trial program. Read More
Airline Network News & Analysis — American Airlines on Thursday launched three new nonstop daily routes. The new services connect North Carolina's Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Arizona's Tucson International Airport; Pennsylvania's Philadelphia International Airport and Texas' San Antonio International Airport; and Virginia's Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Florida's Tallahassee International Airport. Read More
Australian Business Traveller — With Qatar Airways now rolling out its business class Qsuites across its Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 fleet, the airline is turning its attention to a new version of the Qsuite for its Airbus A380 superjumbos and Boeing 787 Dreamliner, along with the world's first Boeing 777X due in 2020. Read More
Travel Market Report — In hopes of easing airport congestion, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is testing a new technology that confirms the identity of passengers through facial recognition at one of the nation’s largest airports, Los Angeles International. Read More
KHOU-TV Houston (video) — Redesigned Transportation Security Administration screening lanes at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport provide travelers with their own work areas, so passengers who need more time to get through security won't slow down people in line behind them. Read More
Webwire — She is 120 centimeters tall, with sparkling, round eyes and a pleasant voice: Starting, “Josie Pepper” the robot will be answering questions for passengers in Terminal 2. Read More
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
PhocusWire — Uber users in six cities will now have a new option when they open the app. Read More
The Washington Post — A judge gave the green light Thursday to a Minnesota company that wants to put advertising in vehicles driven for companies like Uber and Lyft in New York City. Read More
Travel Market Report — Enterprise Holdings will begin offering rental car services in Finland after appointing LänsiAuto Group as its franchisee in the country. Read More
Travel Market Report — InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) is ramping up momentum after a strong 2017, particularly in the upscale and luxury segments. Read More
USA Today — Airbnb says it has verified the best homes and hosts with their luxury option, Airbnb Plus. Read More
USA Today — Four top-level hotel executives discuss challenges and opportunities facing the industry…Read More
Travel Pulse — The hotel company is capitalizing on its investment in wellness. Read More
Travel Mole — 350-room hotel will also feature condos…Read More
USA Today — From Barbie to Tintin, hotels around the world are finding new ways to appeal to the next generation of traveler. Read More
Hospitality-on — Carlzon Rezidor Hotel Group will change its name to Radisson Hotel Group on March 2018. This will also include the launch of a new global loyalty program replacing Club Carlson. Read More
Frequent Business Traveler — American Airlines is rolling out high-speed satellite Wi-Fi service and says it will have retrofitted its A320 aircraft and legacy US Airways A319s with Gogo's 2Ku system by the end of 2018. Read More
Eater — There can be good and bad experiences as a solo diner; it’s best to know when to go, where to sit, and when it’s time to leave. Read More
Business Insider — Business Insider provides information on eight apps that might be worth the spare change for business travelers — either because they get around the bugs and tweaks of unpaid versions, circumvent the "must-be-connected-to-internet" holdup, or make simple but tedious tasks easier and more simultaneous while traveling. Read More
Meetings & Conventions — This season's flu vaccine is about 36 percent effective overall, according to interim statistics published today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with better results for children. But while it is less effective than in past years, the vaccine is performing better than initially feared. Read More
Business Travel News — Carriers around the world, including the three largest U.S. ones, have been developing and opening new airport lounges, including specialized products for the highest level of premium travelers. Read More
Electrify Magazine — Airports behold a kind of pre- or post-journey for the travelers passing through the lines of security and suitcases; the air of mingling languages and peeks of the passports revealing nationalities of your fellow peers in that very moment, on that very day. Read More
Travel Pulse — Airports are increasingly offering spaces that allow passengers to stretch, move and meditate. Read More