In this edition of the Travel News Brief: ATPI Runs Pilot for Zeno in Europe, Delta Joins Sabre NDC Program, Americans Will Not Need to Obtain Visa Before Traveling to Europe, Airfares Hit a Record Low Average, FAA Approves Start of Commercial Flights at Seattle’s Second Airport, Where Airlines Are Adding and Cutting Service, Plan Ahead for the Spring Break Traveler Rush, Clear Biometric Checkpoints Eliminates Requirement to Show Boarding Passes, Ground Transport Updates, Airbnb to Acquire HotelTonight, Accor Launches New Brand, should your organization integrate travel and meetings management, Many Traveler Tips, and more!
Should Your Organization Integrate Travel and Meetings Management?
Meetings and travel are often managed separately, but there may be a case for integrating the two processes. Though each area has unique challenges and needs, integration can bring great benefits, especially when it comes time for you to send requests for proposals to suppliers. Read More
ATPI Serves as Exclusive Pilot for Zeno in Europe
Business Travel News — U.K.-based multinational travel management company ATPI has started offering online booking tool Zeno on an exclusive basis in Europe. Read More
Delta Joins Sabre NDC Program
Business Travel News — Delta has joined Sabre's Beyond NDC distribution testing and development initiative. Read More
Despite Reports, the E.U. Won’t Require Americans to Obtain Visa Before Traveling to Europe
Travel Market Report — Americans traveling to Europe will simply have to complete an online application and pay a small fee through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), a pre-screening program. Read More
United Testing New Program to Delay Flights for Connecting Passengers
Travel Pulse — The new program could help change the industry. Read More
American Airlines to Add Nonstop Charleston, S.C.-NYC Service
The Post and Courier — American Airlines on May 3 will add daily nonstop service between Charleston, S.C., and New York's LaGuardia Airport. Read More
Hyatt, American Airlines Strengthen Loyalty Partnership
Travel Mole — Bonus points and status matching among new perks…Read More
Delta to Bring More Options to Seattle Trans-Pacific Flights This Summer
Travel Pulse — Travel agents and advisors working with clients who fly trans-Pacific routes should be taking note of the chances Delta is implementing on flights to key destinations in the East. Read More
Airfares Have Hit a Record Low Average, U.S. Government Says
Smarter Travel — The no-frills “Basic Economy” airfares many travelers have come to hate (or maybe love, depending who you are) seem to be working in at least one way: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics says that average airfares in the U.S. were $343.28 in the third quarter of 2018, which is a record low when adjusted for inflation. Read More
United Building Technical Operations Center at LAX
Seeking Alpha — United Airlines has begun work on a new technical operations center at Los Angeles International Airport; the facility will feature two connected buildings for ground service and line maintenance. Read More
American Launches Oklahoma City-D.C. Route
KFOR-TV (Oklahoma City) — American Airlines on Feb. 15 launched nonstop service between Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington, D.C. American now offers service to seven cities from the Oklahoma City airport. Read More
Delta and EasyJet Join Italian Railway in Alitalia Rescue Plan
Travel Market Report — Delta Air Lines has confirmed that it is engaged in discussions with low-cost carrier EasyJet about a possible partnership that would be aimed at keeping Alitalia alive. Read More
FAA Approves Start of Commercial Flights at Seattle’s Second Airport
Travel Market Report — Paine Field, located in the nearby city of Everett, will open for scheduled passenger flights next month, for the first time in more than 70 years. Read More
Where Airlines Are Adding and Cutting Service
USA Today — There are dozens of changes to airline routes each month. Here's a look at some of the most interesting...Read More
Avis, Aer Lingus Form Partnership
Auto Rental News — Under the partnership, Aer Lingus' AerClub members can earn rewards points when they rent a car from Avis. Read More
TSA Projects and Prepares for Another Record Number of Spring Break Travelers
Transportation Security Administration — Travelers are reminded to be prepared and pack properly…Read More
Clear Biometric Checkpoints Cuts Need to Show Boarding Passes
Business Travel News — Expedited security program Clear has partnered with Delta to eliminate the need for boarding passes at its biometric-enabled security checkpoints. Read More
The 10 Safest Countries for U.S. Travelers, Ranked
Smarter Travel — Is your next international destination safe to travel to? Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Las Vegas to Test Group Transportation from Airport to Strip
Northstar Meetings Group — The on-demand pilot program will utilize minibuses to transport up to a dozen passengers at once between the airport and resort destinations located some three miles down the road...Read More
10 Cities with the Best Public Transportation
USA Today — The 10 cities below offer some of the best public transportation in the world…Read More
California Backs Down on High-Speed LA-to-SF Rail Plan
Travel Weekly — California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared Tuesday there "isn't a path" for completing the state's plan for a high-speed rail line between San Francisco and Los Angeles, yet his office insisted he is fully committed to building such a project…Read More
Airbnb to Acquire HotelTonight
Northstar Meetings Group — The purchase brings Airbnb closer to being an end-to-end travel platform, the company says...Read More
Accor Launches New Lifestyle Brand TRIBE
Hotel Marketing — Accor's new brand TRIBE was created in response to a simple fact: today, more than ever before, travelers seek a high-quality hotel experience at an affordable price. Read More
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Unveils New Rooms, Tech and Perks
Travel Pulse — The guest experience at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has been elevated in 2019, starting with the room itself. The five-star luxury resort in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip just recently completed an ambitious remodel of its more than 3,000 guestrooms and suites. Read More
Hyatt JV Plans New Brand for Young Travelers in China
Business Travel News — Hyatt Hotels Corp. and Chinese hotel chain Homeinns Hotel Group will create a to-be-named hotel brand targeting young travelers in China. Read More
Marriott to Open 30 New Luxury Hotels in 2019
Travel Market Report — The hotelier giant is expanding its footprint in the segment with more than 200 properties in the development pipeline. Read More
Hilton Is Launching the Hotel Brand of Business Travelers' Dreams
Travel+Leisure — After 100 years, Hilton’s portfolio already includes an impressive 16 globe-spanning brands — from the grand Waldorf-Astoria to the recently announced microhotel-model Motto — and the company announced plans to add a 17th. Read More
Detroit's Iconic Metropolitan Building Is Home to a New Eco-Friendly Hotel
Lonely Planet — Called Element Detroit at the Metropolitan, the property saw its unique building being revamped for a new generation...Read More
Staying Productive While on a Business Trip Takes Planning
Entrepreneur — Entrepreneurs always have a million things going on, which is part of what makes business travel so stressful…Read More
Ariz. Airport Voted Best Airport for Shopping
AZ Big Media — Arizona's Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has been voted Best Airport for Shopping in USA Today's 10Best Travel Contest. Read More
How to Disinfect Your Airplane Seat
Smarter Travel — Take heart, germaphobes! There's an easy way to keep your airplane seat from becoming a petri dish of squirming bacteria. Read More
LaGuardia's High-Flying Makeover Has Travelers Doing Double-Takes
Wall Street Journal — New concourse provides a glimpse of reimagined terminals…Read More
9 Travel Tips for Lazy People
Smarter Travel — Make the boring parts of travel easier by following these travel hacks. Read More