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July 26, 2022

In This Edition… Canada re-establishes mandatory random testing, airline forecasting, new flight services and partnerships, Alaska Air to implement electronic bag technology, Delta orders Boeing 737 Max jets, high-speed rail in Florida, results of BTN's 2022 Car Rental Survey, Accor reorganization and other hotel news, many traveler tips, meetings etiquette, and much more!

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Top Tools for Streamlining the New Traveler Journey

Travel has increased substantially in 2022 as employees return to the road and airways. Business travel is bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels, which has companies re-evaluating the impact of in-person meetings and group events. Read More

What the Business Travel Rebound Means for Growth and Demand

After an initial stall to travel recovery the first quarter of the year, growing traveler confidence and changes to COVID-19 restrictions have reshaped the travel forecast ahead... Read More


 
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Travel Buyers Look for TMC Relationship Restart Amid Recovery Stumbles

Business Travel News — When assessing current travel management company performance for workforce solutions firm Alexander Mann Solutions, the answer will depend on who is asked. Read More

Canadian Government Re-establishes Mandatory Random Testing Offsite of Airports for Air Travelers

Canada.ca — Mandatory random testing will resume as of July 19, 2022, for travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated, arriving in Canada by air to the four major Canadian airports, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto. Read More

London’s Heathrow Sets Limit on Passengers Through September

Afar Magazine — Britain’s busiest hub has told airlines to stop selling summer flights. Read More


 
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United, Air Canada Seek Expanded Relationship

Business Travel News — United Airlines and Air Canada have agreed to expand their relationship with a new joint business agreement, the carriers announced Friday. The two carriers since 1997 have had U.S. antitrust immunity. Read More

American Airlines Forecasts Third-quarter Profit But Scales Back Growth After Flight Disruptions

CNBC — American Airlines posted its first quarterly profit since the Covid pandemic started without government aid but joined competitors in scaling back growth plans after a host of disruptions this year. Read More

United 'Carefully Watching' Business Travel Recovery

Business Travel News — Business demand for United Airlines continued to rebound in the second quarter to about 75 percent of volume levels in the same period of 2019 and 80 percent of revenue, United EVP and chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella said. Read More

Alaska Airlines Will Introduce Electronic Bag Tags

Travel Weekly — By year's end, Alaska plans to become the first U.S. airline to implement the technology. Read More

Delta Places Order for Boeing 737 Max Jets

Travel Weekly — Aiming to further modernize its single-aisle fleet, Delta has placed an order for 100 Boeing 737 Max planes with an option for 30 more. Deliveries will begin in 2025. Read More

United Airlines Intends to Keep its Lead in Transatlantic Flying

Travel Weekly — The airline became the U.S.-Europe market leader this year, and United chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella called that a "permanent shift." Read More

Airfares Dropped Slightly in June

Travel Weekly — Fares dropped 0.2%, according to newly released Consumer Price Index data. Read More

Delta CEO Apologizes for Operational Difficulties in Q2

Travel Weekly — Delta CEO Ed Bastian offered his "sincerest apologies" to customers who were impacted by the carrier's cancellations, delays and other operational failures over the late spring and early summer. Read More

Airfares Will Continue to Rise, IATA Chief Says

Travel Pulse — Unstable fuel costs will be passed along to the customer. Read More

Air Canada & Emirates Form Strategic Partnership

Travel Pulse Canada — Air Canada and Emirates have signed a strategic partnership agreement that the airlines say will create more options and enhance the customer experience when travelling on their networks. Read More


 
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Canadian Feds Say Progress Being Made On Airport Wait Times, Delays

Travel Pulse — The federal government has provided an update on progress towards reducing traveller wait times at Canadian airports. Read More

TSA Implements Additional Gender Marker Option for TSA PreCheck® Enrollments

Transportation Security Administration — The TSA PreCheck program application has been updated to include an additional gender marker option to better serve non-binary and gender non-conforming Americans. This action will ensure the TSA PreCheck system accurately reflects traveler gender. Read More

Government Travel Warnings & Alerts

U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More


 
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Brightline Brings High-Speed Train Travel to America, Starting in Florida

Afar Magazine — Ditch the car. High-speed rail is the present and future of Florida travel. Read More

New High-speed Rail Service Connecting Rome’s Airport with Florence and Naples

Frommer's — New high-speed rail options between Rome's Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and the cities of Florence and Naples launched last week, giving travelers fresh, zippy reasons not to rent cars or mess with extra flights while visiting Italy. Read More

Amtrak Waives Change Fees for All Reservations Made Through October

The Points Guy — This means that all Amtrak reservations made by Oct. 31 can be changed without an extra fee, regardless of fare type. Read More

BTN's 2022 Car Rental & Ground Transportation Report

Business Travel News — National Car Rental came out on top once again in BTN's 2022 Car Rental Survey, maintaining its undefeated record for all seven years of the survey. Its sister brand Enterprise reclaimed the second-place position. Meanwhile, buyers also rated customer service levels from chauffeured transportation providers and detailed their use of ride-hailing solutions. Read More

Business Travelers Are Ditching Planes for Eurostar Trains to Avoid Chaotic Airports and Flight Delays

Business Insider — The rail line also says its managed corporate accounts increased by 40 percent between 2019 and 2022 in response to growing concerns over sustainable travel... Read More


 
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Accor Reorgs Brands In Two Divisions

Business Travel News — The Paris-based hotel giant on Oct. 1 will begin operating an "Economy, Midscale & Premium" division alongside a separate "Luxury & Lifestyle" group. Read More

he 100 Best Hotels in the World

Travel + Leisure — The best hotels in the world span every continent except Antarctica, though Travel + Leisure readers show an affinity for properties in Europe and their own backyard: the United States. Read More


 
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You’ll No Longer Need to Show TSA Your Boarding Pass at These Airports

Afar Magazine — A new technology allows agents to confirm passengers’ flight details simply by scanning their government-issued ID. Read More

Surprising Countries Where U.S. Citizens Need an Advance Visa

Afar Magazine — If you’re planning an international trip with a U.S. passport, here’s where you’ll need to be extra prepared with your paperwork. Read More

Why You Should Be Using a Two-Wheeled Suitcase, According to a Flight Attendant

Afar Magazine — It will make your life a whole lot easier and help you avoid the painful (and underreported) “suitcase elbow.” Read More

Healthy Airplane Snacks You Can Make at Home

Afar Magazine — Bring these quick and easy treats with you on your next flight—your body will thank you. Read More

U.S. Airlines Told to Sit Families Together Free of Charge

Afar Magazine — The Department of Transportation has issued a notice to carriers asking that they ensure young children are seated with accompanying adults, with no added fees. Read More

New Bill of Rights for Airline Passengers with Disabilities

PreVue Meetings — A new Bill of Rights for Airline Passengers with Disabilities, announced by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, will affect travel for 70 million Americans. Read More


 
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Meetings Etiquette for Post-Pandemic Events

Prevue Meetings — Here are expert tips to meet the meeting etiquette needs of post-pandemic events. Read More

Travel Tips for Road Warrior Planners

Prevue Meetings — Prevue turned to the best source for travel tips on everything from packing to eating healthy—meeting planners. Read More

Looking for guidance on planning your next convention, incentive, or group trip? Direct Travel will assist with all your meetings and event details!  Whatever your needs may be when it comes to your event, you can always depend on us to design streamlined travel arrangements, plan strategic meetings, and deliver real-time results. For details, please send a message to: MeetingInquiry@dt.com