In this edition of the Travel News Brief: airline flight updates, Alaska Airlines ranked the best traditional carrier, airlines expect fare increases because of rising fuel costs, TSA tips & tricks, Uber launches a new app called Uber Lite, Enterprise goes driverless, IHG introduces Voco, airports with the fastest free Wi-Fi, Hyatt plans to double brand presence in Canada, and more!
How to Identify the Right Air Travel Suppliers in a Crowd
Why is finding the right air travel suppliers for your organization so difficult? Because finding the best service for your employees and travel policy at the lowest rate is a tall order to fill. To achieve those goals, your organization must research air travel suppliers, uncover which ones provide services that suit your needs, then develop a negotiating strategy driven by hard facts. Read More
4 Popular Destinations for Business Travel
Every day, business travelers take to the skies and roads to meet with clients and vendors. Travel has always been a key aspect of business growth and continues to be important even in the digital age, where most people are a click away. According to the U.S. Travel Association, Americans made 463.9 million business trips in 2017 - more than 1.3 million trips every day! Read More
Delta: Minneapolis-Seoul Nonstops will Begin in 2019
USA Today — Delta did not reveal specific start date, but plans follow the recent final approval for a joint-venture partnership with South Korean carrier Korean Air. Read More
Airlines Expect Fare Increases Because of Rising Fuel Costs, Over-Capacity
Travel Market Report — Due to rising fuel costs, several major airlines have announced they will increase ticket prices, apply fuel surcharges or both. Read More
American Airlines Adds Nonstop Burlington-to-Chicago Flights
USA Today — American Airlines launched nonstop service between Chicago and Burlington International Airport in Vermont. The twice-daily service is seasonal. Read More
How Alaska Airlines is Trying to Fight the “Shapeless Blob” at the Boarding Gate
Travel + Leisure — On July 18, Alaska Airlines will implement a boarding procedure that assigns passengers lettered boarding groups rather than calling them by seat row numbers. Read More
Delta Air Lines to Fly to India in 2019
Travel Market Report — Delta will fly nonstop from the U.S. to Mumbai for the first time since 2015. Read More
United Experiments with New Boarding Procedure
Business Traveller (U.K.) — United Airlines is trying out a new two-line boarding system at airports in Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. Lines will be set up for priority passengers and economy passengers. Read More
American Airlines Launches Service to Iceland
Dallas News — American Airlines will launch nonstop seasonal service between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Reykjavik, Iceland. Read More
Alaska Airlines Scores High on J.D. Power Airline Satisfaction Study
Travel Market Report — Alaska Airlines was ranked the best traditional carrier for the 11th year in a row, according to the J.D. Power 2018 North America Airline Satisfaction Study. Read More
Virgin Atlantic Announces Significant Expansion at Manchester Airport
Travel Daily News — Virgin Atlantic is increasing flights to Manchester by up to 20%, from March 2019. Expansion includes a new direct service from Los Angeles and double the number of flights from Las Vegas. Read More
United Unveils New Newark Liberty Business Class Polaris Lounge
CNBC — Showers, beds and polenta fries: United opens a new airport lounge — to a select few. Read More
TSA Tips Help Passengers Fly Through Airport Security
ABC7 New York (video) — The Transportation Security Administration offers tips for air travelers looking to pass through security with minimal fuss…Read More
Orlando Airport First in U.S. to Use Biometric Exit for All International Flights
PhocusWire — By October, outbound international passengers at Orlando International Airport will no longer need to show their boarding passes or passports at their departure gates. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Enterprise Picks Up a Partner in First Driverless Car Foray
Bloomberg — Enterprise Holdings has entered a deal with startup Voyage to manage a fleet of about 12 autonomous taxis. Read More
Uber Eyes Millions of New Riders with the Launch of Uber Lite
Digital Trends — Uber announced the release of a new app, Uber Lite, a lightweight app for those with unreliable connectivity, limited data plans, or mobile devices with a small amount of storage. Such apps are usually targeted at emerging markets where internet infrastructure is continuing to be developed. Read More
Amtrak Revamps Its Food and Beverage Menu
USA Today — Amtrak has revamped its food and beverage menu. It is now offering healthier and higher-end items. Read More
Uber Could Teach Its AI to Know When You're Drunk
Engadget — The company has applied to patent a system that would identify when you're liquored up…Read More
IHG Launches Upscale Brand
Business Travel News — InterContinental Hotels Group has launched its new upscale brand, Voco, with rollout beginning in IHG's Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa region and later extending to the Americas and Greater China. Read More
Five Hotels with Innovative In-Room Amenities
Successful Meetings — A special touch packs rooms at these hotels with an extra punch...Read More
IHG to Open 30 New Hotels in Mexico
Travel Pulse — Mexico is one of the top five priority countries in IHG's global...Read More
Hyatt Plans to Double Brand Presence in Canada
Hyatt.com — Hyatt has announced plans to expand the Hyatt Place and Hyatt House brand footprint in Canada with the signing of management and franchise agreements by a Hyatt affiliate for nine Hyatt Place hotel and three Hyatt House hotels. Read More
Wyndham Worldwide Completes Spin-Off Of Hotels and Renames
4Hoteliers — Wyndham Destinations, Inc, formerly known as Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, announced that it has completed the spin-off of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc to become the world's largest vacation ownership and exchange company, size and scale of company will drive future growth and focus on delivering great vacations. Read More
W Hotels Returns to Australia
4Hoteliers — W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, re-enters Australia with the opening of W Brisbane, owned by Shayher Group, W Brisbane is a vibrant addition to sunny South East Queensland in a stellar location overlooking the Brisbane River. Read More
Waldorf Astoria Bets Big on Vegas
Incentive Magazine — The luxury hotelier is reflagging the Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. Read More
These are the Airports with the Fastest Free Wi-Fi
Fortune — If you’re looking for an airport with quick, complimentary wi-fi, head west. Read More
15 Hotel Gyms that will Make you Actually Want to Work Out
MSN — Motivation is easy to come by at these state-of-the-art fitness centers. Read More
Air Canada Offering Wi-Fi on International Flights
Travel Pulse — Some travelers can enjoy streaming TV and movies on their next flight. Read More
United Airlines Opens 3rd Polaris Lounge
Forbes — United Airlines unveiled the airline's third Polaris lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Read More