In this edition of the Direct Travel News Brief: Direct Travel Partners with Service, airlines launch new flight services, DFW terminal F, non-ticketed travelers allowed into airport terminals, TSA allows hemp-derived CBD oils, using e-passports at UK airports, info on Uber and Lyft going public, Virgin train service in FL, Uber pin feature cuts wait time, Gogo 5G in-flight service, airport vending machines, turn your travel policy into a recruitment and retention tool and more!
Turn Your Travel Policy into a Recruitment & Retention Tool
Organizations across the world are constantly working to attract the best talent and searching for ways to retain their top employees. While many companies evaluate culture, benefits and salary, many fail to consider changes at a travel policy-level to make themselves more competitive. Read More
Direct Travel Partners with Service, Offers Compensation on Delayed and Cancelled Flights
Yahoo Finance — Direct Travel, Inc., one of North America’s fastest growing travel management companies, today announced that it has partnered with Service Technologies, Inc., a travel technology startup that automatically gets compensation for travelers in the event of flight disruptions or hotel room rate drops. Read More
Star Alliance Launches Connection Service at Heathrow
Business Traveller — Star Alliance has launched its growing Connection Service initiative at Heathrow, the seventh airport to offer the service. Read More
United to Begin Flying from Newly Renovated LaGuardia Terminal B This Weekend
Travel Market Report — As part of the airport-wide renovation project, the airline also introduced the United Club, a sleek new lounge. Read More
American Airlines to Launch Service Between NYC and Richmond, VA
Richmond Times Dispatch — American Airlines on Nov. 21 will add three daily nonstop flights between Virginia's Richmond International Airport and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Read More
Delta to Run JFK to Edinburgh Year-round
Business Traveller — Delta has announced it will operate its JFK-Edinburgh service year-round from winter 2019. Read More
Chilean Court Rejects American Airlines-LATAM Joint Business
Travel Mole — Anti-trust concerns scupper the deal…Read More
America’s Push to Upgrade Airports Gains Traction as New Orleans Opens New Terminal Later this Year
CNBC — The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is preparing to open a $1.3 billion terminal later this year. "As this market continues to grow we are in better position to handle the growth in this market," said Kevin Dolliole, director of aviation at the airport. Read More
American Airlines Extends Southern Reach, Offering Mexico and Caribbean Flights
Travel Market Report — Starting in December, American Airlines will offer a variety of new flight service destinations linking the U.S. to Mexico, with connections to Huatulco (HUX), Acapulco (ACA) and Chihuahua (CUU), in addition to five new Caribbean and eight new domestic routes. Read More
DFW Airport and American Airlines Announce Plans for New Terminal
Travel Market Report — The design of Terminal F will utilize innovative technologies to better facilitate the needs of customers, maintain cost efficiencies for airlines, and improve operational performance. Read More
American Airlines, Delta, United and Hawaiian Get Approval for Tokyo Flights
Travel Market Report — The approval means that flights from all four airlines could be operating in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which are scheduled to kick off on July 24, 2020. Read More
U.S. State Department Now Requiring Social Media Details from Visa Applicants
Travel Market Report — The rule is expected to impact about 14 million nonimmigrant visa applicants per year. Read More
Two Airports Now Allowing Non-Ticketed Visitors into Terminals
The Points Guy — Two U.S. airports now allow non-travelers to pass through TSA checkpoints so that they can patronize “airside” airport shops and restaurants. Read More
TSA Now Permits Hemp-derived CBD Oils
NBC News — The Transportation Security Administration has updated its policies to allow air travelers to board with Food and Drug Administration-approved marijuana-based drugs and products with hemp-derived CBD oils. Read More
The TSA Is Preparing for Its Busiest Summer Ever With 10 Million More Passengers Than Last Year
Travel + Leisure — It's going to be a long, hot summer at TSA checkpoints. In a recent statement, the Transportation Security Administration announced that it is expecting a four percent increase in travelers this summer, marking what will likely be the busiest travel season ever for the agency. Read More
Officials Fighting Measles Outbreaks Threaten Travel Ban
Washington Post — Health officials in five states have warned people believed to be infected with measles and planning to travel that they could prevent them from getting on planes. Read More
How to Avoid 3 Mistakes That Could Lead to the Loss of PreCheck and Global Entry
LA Times — Don’t unwittingly let your Global Entry privileges lapse…Read More
US Passport Holders Can Now Use ePassport Gates at UK Airports
The Points Guy — US passport holders, be prepared for a less-hectic and more speedy UK immigration process… Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
What Travel Buyers Need to Know With Uber and Lyft Going Public
GBTA Blog — The Uber and Lyft initial public offerings could cause complications for corporate travel managers….Read More
How Millennials, Gen Z Are Reshaping Car Rental
Auto Rental News — The auto industry is shifting rapidly. Read More
Virgin Trains USA Starts Rail Project Between Orlando and South Florida
Travel Pulse — Traveling in Florida is about to get easier. Read More
California Sues Government Over Canceled High Speed Rail Funding
Travel Mole — State says Trump's 'hostility to California' is behind decision…Read More
LVCVA on the Verge of Betting Big With Underground Transit System
Las Vegas Review-Journal — The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority will convene Wednesday to consider its $358.2 million budget for the 2020 fiscal year — and separately to finalize a $48.7 million contract with Hawthorne, Calif.-based The Boring Co., a spinoff of Elon Musk's SpaceX venture…Read More
Uber Launches PIN Feature to Cut Wait Times at U.S. Airports, Starting in Portland
TechCrunch — Uber is piloting a new PIN feature at Portland International Airport that will give riders a one-time, six-digit numeric code in an effort to speed up pickup times and reduce traffic congestion…Read More
Must-Pack Medications for Travel
Smarter Travel — Whether it's a sleeping pill for a long flight or a motion sickness patch for a cruise, travel medications are a must-pack for any trip. Read More
Gogo Developing 5G Inflight Wi-Fi
Travel Mole — Ground-to-air WiFi network could be ready by 2021. Read More
Canada Preparing to Enforce New Passenger Protection Regulations
Travel Market Report — These new rules will force airlines to compensate passengers for overbooking, flight delays and lost luggage. Read More
9 Things You Should Never Buy at the Airport
Smarter Travel — Fair pricing is a rare thing in airports, especially when it comes to these nine items. Read More
10 of the Germiest Places You Encounter While Traveling
USA Today — Do you ever get sick when you travel? Chances are you’ve contracted something from one of the offenders on this list of the germiest places. Read More
Carry-On Bag Rules at 10 Big U.S. Airlines
Boston 25 News — Think you can travel with just a carry-on bag? Before you head to the airport, make sure you know the rules for your particular airline, as they vary from carrier to carrier. Read More
Delta Opens New Sky Club in Austin
Frequent Business Traveler — Delta Air Lines on Tuesday opened a Sky Club at Texas' Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Read More
Summer Air Travel Expected To Hit Record As Airlines Add Seats, Despite 737 MAX Grounding
Forbes — The annual summer travel avalanche will be even bigger this year than in 2018. Read More
Airport Vending Machines Now Spit Out Puffer Coats, Shaving Kits, Cupcakes
USA Today — Airport vending machines sell convenience on the fly…Read More
Flying with Back Pain? Here’s How to Help Alleviate It on Flights
Smarter Travel — Alleviate pressure and pain with these in-flight self-care tips prescribed by chiropractors and physical therapists. Read More
American Just Made it Cheaper to Travel with Bikes, Surfboards, Skis and Tubas
USA Today — American slashes bag fees for sports equipment…Read More
Delta's Test of Free Inflight WiFi Might Shame Other Airlines Into Offering Service
CNBC — Industry experts expect Delta will continue down the full-time free WiFi path, and that other airlines will have no choice but to follow…Read More
On-Demand Webinar: 10 Things Top Performing Tech Businesses Do Differently
Creative Group — Listen in as experts discuss what top-performing technology companies do differently for incentives and rewards than average-performing companies. You’ll be able to benchmark your organization and learn how top tech companies stay ahead. Read More
Nashville Leads U.S. Meetings Hotels
Business Travel News — The three chains with the most properties in the top 100 are, by order, Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt…Read More
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