In this edition of the Travel News Brief: new flight service offerings, United to match traveler status, predictions for air travel in 2020, Mobile Passport app for renewals, National highlights future of vehicles and travel tech, Eurail Global Pass expansion, hotel trends for 2020, how to avoid getting sick after flying, tips for avoiding lost items at security, Atlanta airport is now smoke-free, four jet lag treatments, Creative Group celebrates 50th anniversary, 2020 business travel trends to watch, and more!
2020 Business Travel Trends to Watch
As a new decade begins, many of the trends that impacted the world of corporate travel in the late 2010s will continue to cause a ripple effect in the industry. A technology boom is still reshaping the landscape of business travel with new tools and solutions, while the traveler experience has never been more of an organizational priority, particularly as it relates to satisfaction, safety, and health – and the impact those can have on employee retention. Read More
United Airlines Matching Loyalty Status on Other Airlines
Travel Market Report — Delta Medallion members and American Airlines AAdvantage members can fly with United MileagePlus Premier Gold status over the next 90 days. Read More
Delta Air Lines CEO Talks the Future of Free WiFi, AI and More at CES 2020
Travel Market Report — This marks the first time an airline held a keynote address and had a major presence in the Consumer Electronics Show exhibition showroom. Read More
United Flight Delayed? The Airline is Changing How It Handles Delay Payouts
USA Today — United Airlines is making a change to how it gives customers money back after flight delay — it won't "proactively" give customers refunds for flights delayed less than six hours. Read More
American Airlines and British Airways Start Construction on Expanded Terminal at JFK
Frequent Business Traveler — Eleven months after American Airlines, British Airways, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced a $344 million plan to expand Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, which is operated by American, and relocate BA to Terminal 8 from Terminal 7, its current home, the two airlines announced the start of construction on the project. Read More
United Airlines to Launch Dublin/San Francisco Flights in June
Breaking Travel News — Beginning June 5, 2020, traveling between San Francisco and Dublin will get a lot easier with our new daily nonstop service on board a 787-8 Dreamliner. We will be the only U.S. airline with nonstop flights between Ireland and the U.S. West Coast and will offer the most business class seats between Dublin and the U.S. this summer. Read More
Delta Finalizes $1.9 Billion Stake Purchase in LATAM
Travel Mole — US airline now owns 20 percent…Read More
7 Ways Air Travel Will Change in 2020
Conde Nast Traveler — The innovative tech, new airlines, and surprising trends that will shape the way we fly in the future. Read More
The World's Safest Airlines for 2020
CNN — The safety table was created by AirlineRatings.com, an airline safety and product review website, which monitors 405 airlines around the world and produces an annual list of the ones deemed safest. Read More
How an App Can Help You Renew Your Passport—and Reduce Last-Minute Panic
Afar — Mobile Passport, which allows travelers to skip regular customs and immigration lines, can now also help you get a new passport. Read More
Brazil Eliminates Visa Requirements for U.S. Travelers
Afar — Visitors from Canada, Australia, and Japan also no longer need visas to enter the South American country. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Delta Plans Deeper Mobile App Integration with Lyft
Business Travel News — Delta is deepening its partnership with Lyft, with plans to integrate more features from the ride-hailing supplier into the Fly Delta app. The first step of the expanded partnership, expected in 2020, would add touchpoints within the app for travelers to link their SkyMiles and Lyft accounts, through which they can earn miles during Lyft rides. Read More
National Car Rental to Highlight the Future of Vehicle and Travel Tech
Travel Daily News — As part of its commitment to giving road warriors exceptional service through innovation, National Car Rental will broadcast live from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020 on Jan. 7 and 8 to discuss the future of vehicle and business travel technology. Read More
Los Angeles May Force Ridesharing Vehicles to Go Electric
Travel Mole — LA Mayor mulling legislation…Read More
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Driving in Europe
Afar — The tips, tricks, and rules you need to learn before your next European trip. Read More
Uber Threatens to Leave Sky Harbor Airport Over Proposed Fee Increase
USA Today — Uber says it has sent a letter to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport's director of aviation, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and the Phoenix City Council saying that it will leave the airport in January if a proposal to raise ride-share fees to $4 per trip is approved. Read More
Eurail Just Added Two New Countries to Its Global Pass
Afar — You can now travel to a total of 33 countries with the all-in-one train pass. Read More
What Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton Have Planned for Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley Business Journal — Silicon Valley is seeing an influx of new hotels from Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott. Read More
Here are the Hotel Trends That We’ll See in 2020
Travel Market Report — Hotels are moving towards having such offerings as panic buttons and breakfast wars, and then there’s the disappearance of carpeting in rooms. Read More
Hyatt Outlines 2020 Growth for Luxury Brands
Travel Market Report — More than 20 new luxury hotels and resorts are expected to open worldwide by the end of next year. Read More
Marriott to Open 30 Luxury Hotels in 2020
Travel Market Report — With planned openings from Tokyo to Mexico City and Reykjavik to Melbourne, Marriot will launch an average of about three new hotels per month. Read More
5 Ways to Avoid Getting Sick After Flying This Flu Season
SmarterTravel — Studies show that airlines are formidable carriers of the common cold. Read More
Here’s How to Avoid Leaving Things Behind at Airport Security
CNBC — TSA offers tips for avoiding lost items…Read More
16 Ways to Get Through the Airport Faster
Smarter Travel — Saving a few extra minutes here and there along the way can add up in your favor; here are 16 airport tips to get you from your front door to your seat on the plane as quickly and painlessly as possible—as well as some ideas to keep you moving no matter what is going on with your flight. Read More
The World’s Busiest Airport Goes Smoke-Free
Travel Pulse — Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which has been the world’s most-trafficked airport in terms of passengers since 2000, went smoke-free starting Thursday, Jan. 2. Read More
The Secret to Better Sleep While Traveling
Afar — A sleep geek’s tips on what to bring for sweet dreams on the road…Read More
The Airlines with the Healthiest Food
USA Today — According to Diet Detective, these airlines serve the healthiest food…Read More
We Tried These Unusual Jet Lag Remedies to See if They Actually Work
Afar — In the pursuit of finding a cure, AFAR editors tested four jet lag treatments on their recent travels. Try one of these techniques the next time you fly across multiple time zones. Read More
Creative Group Celebrates 50th Anniversary
PR Newswire — Creative Group, Inc., a full-service meeting, incentive and recognition company, is proudly celebrating its 50th anniversary. Much has changed since 1970, but Creative Group has remained at the forefront of the meetings and incentive business. Read More
How to Prepare for an Economic Downturn
Creative Group — If an economic downturn is around the corner, cutting costs may not necessarily be the right answer. Resist the urge to cut meetings and incentive travel. Here’s why. Read More
10 Food and Beverage Trends to Know for 2020
Travel Market Report — Healthy ingredients, local cuisine influences, and new choices for drinks and coffee are among the trends taking hold for the new year. Read More
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