In This Edition… updates on NDC, Softened hotel rate forecast, flight service and airline updates, Israel to require Electronic Travel Authorization, Amtrak’s expands service, hotel news, traveler tips, and much more!
Dans cette édition… des mises à jour concernant la NDC, des prévisions de tarifs hôteliers assouplis, des mises à jour concernant les services de vols et les compagnies aériennes, Israël entend exiger une autorisation de voyage électronique, Amtrak élargit son offre de services, des actualités hôtelières, des conseils aux voyageurs, et bien d'autres choses encore!
Key Insights from Steve Singh’s Podcast with GBTA
In this article, we explore three major takeaways from the latest episode of GBTA’s quarterly podcast: “AI and the Quest for the Perfect Trip: A Conversation with Steve Singh.” Read More
How a Travel Management Company Can Reduce Your Travel Costs
Here, we discuss four ways a travel management company (TMC) can help lower travel expenses for a business, all while still embracing the needs of its travelers. Read More
American Airlines Changes Course on AAdvantage and NDC Implementation
Travel Pulse — Amid news of cuts to its revenue and profit forecast and its stock tumbling in value, American Airlines has indicated that it will reverse course on its controversial New Distribution Capability (NDC) plans and some AAdvantage requirements. Read More
PwC Softens 2024 U.S. Hotel Rate Forecast
Business Travel News — PwC tempered its projection for 2024 U.S. average daily rate and revenue per available room. Read More
Spotnana Establishes NDC Connection with Emirates
Business Travel News — Spotnana has developed a direct NDC integration with Emirates, giving it full access to the carrier's content. Read More
Delta, United Will Restart Tel Aviv Flights This Week
The Points Guy — Israel's flag carrier, El Al, currently is the only airline serving the U.S.-to-Tel Aviv market. Read More
Virgin to Add Three Codeshare Partners
Business Travel News — Virgin Atlantic will launch three new codeshare partnerships this year, the carrier announced. Read More
Free Wine/Beer, Snacks Coming to Air Canada Domestic/U.S. Flights - For Now
Open Jaw — Air Canada will offer free beer and wine and selected $5 spirits on flights within Canada and the U.S. until the end of this year. It’s also offering free snacks on all flights. Read More
Fiji Airways to Join Oneworld
Business Travel News — Fiji Airways will become the 15th full member of Oneworld. Read More
Delta Air Lines Reports Big Interest in International Flights
Travel Pulse — International demand for Delta Air Lines is greater than it is domestically. Read More
Air France Unveils New Cabin Design for Embraer 190 Aircraft
Business Travel News Europe — Air France revealed its new cabin design for Embraer 190 aircraft operated by its Hop regional subsidiary, with the first refurbished aircraft expected to take to the skies this autumn. Read More
Alaska Launches Daily Service to Seattle from Toronto
Open Jaw — Alaska Airlines is adding a new daily direct flight between SEA and YYZ. Read More
Air Canada Extends Suspension of Israel Flights Through Early August
Travel Pulse Canada — Air Canada has once again extended its suspension of flights from Toronto and Montreal to Tel Aviv. The next flight from YYZ to TLV is scheduled for August 6, while the first flight to Israel from YUL is slated for August 12. Read More
WestJet Making Calgary-Tokyo Flights Year-Round
Open Jaw — WestJet's seasonal route between YYC and NRT will be turned in to a year-round flight this fall. Read More
Emirates, Avianca Launch Reciprocal Codeshare
Business Travel News — Emirates and Avianca beginning June 4 will launch a new codeshare agreement for select routes. Read More
Singapore Airline Revises Seatbelt Rules Following London Flight Turbulence
The Economic Times — Singapore Airlines Ltd. has revised its cabin-service rules following a turbulent flight from London that resulted in one fatality and numerous injuries. Read More
Delta Air Lines Unveils Newly Accessible Designs for Wheelchair Users
Travel Pulse — At the annual Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), to be held May 28-30in Hamburg, Germany, Delta Air Lines subsidiary Delta Flight Products (DFP) plans on unveiling multiple accessibility-focused innovations. Read More
Finnair and IAG Loyalty Expand Partnership
Business Travel News — Members of Finnair's Finnair Plus loyalty program and British Airways Executive Club program beginning May 22 can link their accounts. Read More
Israel to Begin Pilot Phase of Electronic Travel Authorization for Visa-Exempt Countries
Travel Pulse — Travelers from the United States and Germany will soon have access to a streamlined entry process when visiting Israel. Read More
Canadian Visitors to Israel Require Electronic Travel Authorization as of 01AUG
Open Jaw — Beginning in August, 2024, all travellers to Israel must have a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authorization. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Amtrak’s New Borealis Train Expands Service Between Two Great Midwestern Cities
Afar Magazine — Amtrak predicts the new train will welcome more than 200,000 passengers aboard within its first year of service. Read More
Marriott International Is Adding High-profile Luxury Hotels
Travel Weekly — Marriott said it will operate the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, Calif., and convert a New York hotel to the Luxury Collection brand. Read More
IHG Calls for Industry Collaboration on Sustainability Efforts
Hospitality Today — As travel experiences a global surge, IHG Hotels & Resorts is urging the hospitality industry to join forces and prioritize sustainability. Read More
Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas Is Closing After 34 Years
CNN — The resort will reopen in 2027 as Hard Rock Las Vegas, with a soaring 700-foot-tall hotel tower in the shape of a guitar. Read More
U.K. Government: New U.K. Visa Plan Will Cause Chaos to Travelers
Fodor’s Travel — New visa schemes by the United Kingdom and European Union could wreak havoc on travelers bound to or from the U.K. later this year, says the upper house of the UK Parliament. Read More
Help! I Left Something on the Plane or at TSA. How Do I Get It Back?
Afar Magazine — If you forgot your laptop or keys in the TSA tray or left a beloved coat in the overhead bin, these tips will improve your chances of recovering those lost items. Read More
The US Just Signed Into Law These Measures to Protect Air Traveler Rights
Afar Magazine — Here’s what you need to know. Read More
Air France to Introduce Concierge Service at Paris CDG
Business Travel News Europe — Air France will offer new concierge services at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport from June 11 to "welcome and assist" travelers, albeit at an additional cost. Read More
What Will—and Won’t—Get You a Fine at U.S. Customs
Afar Magazine — The wrong thing in your bag—a forgotten piece of fruit, for instance, or a handmade souvenir—could cost you and disrupt your international travels for months to come. Read More
Flyers Are More Worried About Plane Safety
TIME — U.S. web searches for “flight safety” hit the highest level in March since October 2014, but statistics show that getting on a Boeing or Airbus SE jetliner is still exponentially safer than the drive to the airport. Read More
Hurricane Forecast Calls for Record Number of Storms
Meetings & Conventions — The North Atlantic could experience 17 to 25 named storms and eight to 13 hurricanes between June 1 and the end of November. Read More
Paris Aims to Host the Most Sustainable Olympics Yet
Northstar Meetings Group — Organizers acknowledge the plan isn't perfect, but efforts are being made across the Games to reduce carbon and energy use. Read More
Denver's Halcyon Hotel to Unveil Outdoor Event Space
Meetings & Conventions — The rooftop venue will accommodate as many as 130 guests on the luxury property's sixth floor. Read More
AI Tools to Make Event Planners More Productive
Northstar Meetings Group — Artificial intelligence is a game-changing technology — but how can it change your game in particular? Event professionals should check out these platforms. Read More
Inside Legislative Action Day: 130+ Business Events Leaders Met with Policymakers
Corporate Event News — A record number of business events industry leaders met with policymakers on Capitol Hill on Thurs., May 30 as part of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) annual Legislative Action Day. Read More
Event-Tech Budgets Are Rising for Many Planners
Northstar Meetings Group — While high costs continue to be the top concern for planners, a good chunk — 42 percent — say their technology budgets will be higher this year, according to the new Northstar/Cvent Meetings Industry PULSE Survey. Read More
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