In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Direct Travel to resell Serko's artificial intelligence-powered Zeno booking and expense tool, 737 planes grounded, United Airlines adds 18 new routes, British Airways’ new Business Class Club Suite, Brazil waives need for Visas from residents of 3 countries, taxi pick-up changes at LaGuardia, hotel expansions, tips to avoid getting sick, protecting yourself against in-flight theft, virtual payments: prepare your travel program for a digital future, and more!
Virtual Payments: Prepare Your Travel Program for a Digital Future
We have all heard about how virtual cards are going to take the corporate travel industry by storm. They have been the topic of many conversations, featured in many publications and one of the key innovations that would dominate the industry by 2020. Read More
Direct Travel Will Resell Zeno in U.S. & Canada
Business Travel News — Direct Travel and its Canadian brand Vision Travel will resell Serko's artificial intelligence-powered Zeno booking and expense tool, as well as other Serko products, to clients in the U.S. and Canada. Read More
CTD-Hybrid Enables Meritor to Steer Savings & Service
Business Travel News — Meritor global travel manager Jack Reynaert has mastered the ins and outs of travel. He's leveraged direct relationships to build what he calls a "Corporate Travel Department-hybrid" program. He uses the autonomy that model affords him to fine-tune savings and service for the commercial vehicle supplier's 2,400 travelers around the world. Read More
American Airlines Expands Service at Huntsville Airport
AL.com — The airport announced Tuesday that beginning in June, American will have more early-morning and evening flights for customers traveling to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Read More
United Airlines Adds 18 New Routes from Denver, L.A., N.Y., San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
Frequent Business Traveler — United Airlines announced the addition of 18 new routes from a list of cities that includes Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Read More
First Look: British Airways’ New Business Class Club Suite
Travel Market Report — British Airways today unveiled the first images and more details about its upcoming Club Suite, set to debut on the airline’s first A350 aircraft this July. Read More
American to Offer Daily Key West-Dallas/Fort Worth Service
eTurboNews — American Airlines is set to offer year-round, daily nonstop service between Florida's Key West and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The airline had previously offered the service on a seasonal basis. Read More
Boeing 737 Max: What You Should Know If You’re Booked on a Flight
USA Today — Boeing's 737 Max 8 is in the spotlight following the Sunday crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight operated by aircraft. Here are some things to know about the Boeing 737 Max…Read More
President Trump Grounds 737 Max Planes in the US
Travel Pulse — Planes will be grounded until Boeing corrects the problem…Read More
Boeing 737 Max 8 Faces Scrutiny After Deadly Ethiopian Airlines Crash
Business Travel News — China's aviation authority has ordered the country's airlines to ground all Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft after a deadly Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday, the second deadly crash involving the airline type in recent months. The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa on a flight to Nairobi and killed all 157 people aboard, remains under investigation. Read More
Brazil Waives Visas for Citizens of U.S. & Three Other Countries
Business Travel News — As of June 17, citizens of the U.S., Canada, Australia and Japan no longer will need visas to enter Brazil. Citizens of these four countries can stay in Brazil for 90 days from the date they first entered, and stays are extendable for another 90 days; stays are limited to a total of 180 days within the 12 months that follow travelers' first entry into the country. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
After Delays and Cancellations, Eurostar Tells Passengers ‘Not to Travel’
Travel Market Report — Industrial action by French customs officers over higher pay and better working conditions is causing havoc on the Paris to London Eurostar train line. Read More
Please be Advised of Taxi Pick-Up Changes from Terminals B/C/D at LGA
Delta.com — To alleviate roadway congestion, the Port Authority is consolidating all taxi pick-up to the Marine Air Terminal (MAT), discontinuing taxi pick-ups at Terminals B/C/D during peak times. Read More
Marriott Plans to Open Over 1,700 Hotels
The Wall Street Journal — Marriott says it will open more than 1,700 hotels over the next three years, adding between 275,000 and 295,000 rooms. The increase in rooms is expected to boost fee revenue by $400 million. Read More
Four Seasons to Debut in Nashville
Travel Market Report — The skyscraper will house luxury condominiums, a five-star hotel, a spa and fitness amenities. Read More
Sheraton Unveils New Logo
Northstar Meetings Group — New branding marks a major milestone in the chain's yearlong transformation…Read More
How to Avoid Getting Sick When You Travel for Work
CNN — Frequent business travel can lower your resistance, but there are some very easy ways to keep from getting ill when away from home…Read More
City Breaks Ground on $1.2B O'Hare Airport Terminal 5 Expansion
WLS-TV (Chicago) — Work on the expansion of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport's Terminal 5 began Wednesday. The project, to be completed in 2021, will include adding 10 gates to the terminal and increase overall space by 350,000 square feet, as well as other services for passengers. This is the first phase of an $8.5 billion O'Hare expansion plan. Read More
With Measles Outbreaks on the Rise, a Concern Over the Connection to Air Travel
The New York Times — A record 81 U.S. flights were investigated in 2018 for carrying at least one person contagious with the disease, which has had a large number of outbreaks this year…Read More
Milwaukee Picked to Host the 2020 Democratic National Convention
Northstar Meetings Group — Midwest city beats out Houston and Miami Beach and could reap up to $200 million in benefits.…Read More
GBTA Lobbyist Talks About Making Sure Business Travel Has Its Say
Business Travel News — Global Business Travel Association VP of government relations Shane Downey’s latest focus was long-term funding for the Federal Aviation Administration. But the final legislation also included many other things GBTA lobbied for. Downey explains, and he talks about what’s on his radar. Read More
How to Protect Yourself Against In-Flight Theft
Airfare Watchdog Blog — Safeguard your valuables from potential onboard thieves with these helpful tips. Read More
These Airports Have the Most Flight Delays in the Nation
Northstar Meetings Group — If you're flying out of one of these major U.S. cities, beware: You're probably going to be late to your destination…Read More
Will Americans Need a Visa to Travel to Europe in 2021?
USA Today — Starting in 2021, United States citizens will be required to undergo a pre-screening and registration process called the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) before entering European Schengen-zone countries. Here’s how the process works…Read More
EventAPP™ Increases Participant Engagement, No Matter What Language They Speak
Creative Group — One app. Three languages. Hundreds of happy meeting attendees. Read More
What's Next for Meetings & Events Technology
Business Travel News — Corporate meeting and event teams face the opportunity of a lifetime. It may not feel that way, with last year's hotel commissions-cut announcements going into effect, but the opportunity is here. Read More
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