In this edition of the Travel News Brief: New requirements for travelers arriving in Canada, UK lockdown, New York state entry guidelines, United returns to JFK, updates to airline lounges, new flight service routes, United in-flight service returns with contactless payments, TSA encourages pre-check enrollment, TSA issues traveler tips, hotels as remote workspace, COVID testing at the airport, how to prepare attendees for a virtual event, states issue restrictions on group sizes and more!
Canada Announces New Requirements for Arriving Travelers
Government of Canada — Use ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information required for entry into Canada. Read More
U.K. to Enter COVID Lockdown for At Least Four Weeks
Afar Magazine — Bars and restaurants can only offer take-out, nonessential shops must close, and people can only leave home for specific reasons, such as exercise. Read More
JetBlue Publishes New York Entry Guidelines
JetBlue — The testing and quarantine policies entering New York state have changed, including a new option to test out of the 14-day quarantine. JetBlue president and COO Joanna Geraghty has the details…Read More
After a Five Year Absence, United Airlines is Returning to JFK Airport
Travel Market Report — The flights will mark United’s return after it ended service because of high costs at the airport in October 2015. Read More
United to Reopen Four Lounge Locations in November
Business Travel News — United Airlines is opening its United Club locations in its Houston, Denver and Washington, D.C., hubs as well as in Honolulu this month. Read More
American Airlines Restarts China Flights, Bringing U.S. Weekly Total to 10
Reuters — American Airlines said it is restarting passenger flights to China on Wednesday, lifting the total number of U.S. weekly flights to 10 as the U.S. government continues to push for more air service between the world’s two largest economies. Read More
United Launches Contactless Payments for Buy-on-board
PaxEXTRA — United will soon trial touchless digital payment on select routes out of its Denver hub as means to resume buy-on-board services on longer flights. The program kicks off the week of November 17. Read More
The State of Yucatán Confirms Houston-Mérida Air Route for December 2020
TravelPulse — United Airlines will resume flights to Merida, on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, as of Dec. 1. The airline will operate four weekly flights from Houston and may increase that frequency during the holiday season. Read More
United is Bringing Back Food, Beer, and Wine
USA Today — The airline will start selling beer, wine and food on select flights from Denver as it brings back in-flight service reduced during the pandemic. Read More
Qatar Airways to Restart Miami Service This Month
Business Travel News — On Nov. 14, Qatar Airways will resume service to Miami with two weekly flights as a part of its U.S. network growth. Read More
American Airlines Cuts Dec. Flight Schedule
Smart Brief — American Airlines has cut its planned December flight schedule in half due to low demand, but will operate more flights at the end of the month to accommodate holiday travel. Read More
Air Canada Rouge Returns to the Skies
Travel Weekly — The Air Canada discount subsidiary had suspended operations because of Covid-19. Read More
Florida’s Key West Gets Boost in Air Service from American
Insider Travel Report — Beginning Dec. 17, American Airlines will add new daily nonstop flights from Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA) on 76-seat Embraer E175 regional jets to Key West International Airport (EYW). Read More
United Airlines Temporarily Adjusting Inflight Lavatory Policy
The Points Guy — As of 1 November, customers will be permitted to access a lavatory outside of their ticketed cabin. Read More
American Adds Three Countries to Covid-19 Testing Program
Business Travel News — American Airlines is extending its pre-flight Covid-19 testing program to include travel to Belize, Grenada and St. Lucia. Read More
Alaska Airlines Uses COVID-19 Downtime to Improve MRO Programs
Aviation Week — Additional downtime from grounded fleets during the COVID-19 pandemic has given Alaska Airlines a chance to expand and improve its maintenance programs. Read More
TSA Urges Travelers to Enroll in TSA PreCheck® Ahead of Holiday Travel
WRNJ Radio — Experience faster TSA screening without removing shoes, belts and laptops…Read More
TSA Shares Tips for Thanksgiving Air Travel
CBS New York — If you’re planning to fly this Thanksgiving, the TSA is offering a few tips. First, remember to mask up and social distance while you’re in security checkpoint lines and walking through airport terminals. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Uber, Lyft Note Rideshare Recovery to 50% of 2019 Levels
Business Travel News — Uber and Lyft each reported improving rideshare revenue in the third quarter compared with earlier this year, though they remain about half of what they were last year for both companies. Compared with the second quarter, Uber's mobility gross bookings nearly doubled, led by strength in Latin America and the Asia/Pacific region. Read More
Amtrak's New High-speed, Low-carbon Trains Will Have More Legroom and Upgraded Cafe Cars
Travel + Leisure — These trains will reduce carbon emissions by about 40% per passenger. Read More
Uber, Lyft Win California Labor Law Exemption
Travel Mole — Prop 22 victory means drivers remain independent contractors…Read More
Hyatt Hotels is Opening Its First Property in Sweden
Travel Weekly — The Hotell Reisen in Stockholm will join the Unbound Collection brand next year after extensive renovations. Read More
Battered by COVID-19, Hotels Pitch Themselves as Remote Workspaces
USA Today — The hotel industry is eager to open its empty rooms to those seeking a quiet place to work. Read More
InterContinental Kicks Off Partnership with Luxury Travel Club
Travel Weekly — IHG Rewards members can now earn and redeem points on bookings at select Mr & Mrs Smith hotels. Read More
Newest Vegas Meetings Hotel
Prevue Meetings — Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, a new meetings hotel, is scheduled to open on January 15. Read More
California, Other West Coast States Call for 14-day Quarantine
The Points Guy — California, Oregon and Washington issued new travel advisories Friday, Nov. 13 asking all out-of-state visitors and residents returning home to self-quarantine for 14 days beginning immediately. Read More
How the Lessons of 2020 May Make Travel Better in the Long Run
The Washington Post — The conventional wisdom is that 2020 has nearly destroyed travel. And though it's true that covid-19 ruined our vacations and took a wrecking ball to a large part of the industry, the conventional wisdom is wrong. Read More
Airlines Ban Passengers Who Refuse to Mask Up. Do Airports?
USA Today — Airports in locations that have mask requirements do have the authority to cite, ticket, or, in some cases, eject travelers that fail to comply. Read More
How Airport XpresSpas Could Help Restart Travel Amid a Pandemic
Afar — Coming to an airport near you: COVID-19 testing and flu shots ... at the spa. Read More
Traveling During COVID-19? Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Go
Travel Market Report — If you’re looking to travel during Covid-19, you don’t have to fret because there are plenty of advisors who “have been there and done that” recently and are willing to share all they’ve learned. Read More
The Best Interactive Maps for the Latest COVID Travel Restrictions
Afar Magazine — We rounded up the best tools to help you figure out the mind-boggling, coronavirus-related travel requirements. Read More
British Airways to Close Heathrow Lounges
Business Traveller — British Airways has announced that it will close its airport lounges at London Heathrow owing to the UK government’s latest national restrictions. Read More
A First Look at Berlin’s Much-Awaited New Airport
Afar Magazine — The opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport spells the end for the German city’s Cold War-era Tegel airport. Read More
Blog - How to Prepare Your Attendees for a Virtual Event
Creative Group — Planning a virtual event can take more preparation than a face-to-face event - especially when you're using a platform they aren't used to. These tips from Creative Group can help your remote audience emerge in the full experience…Read More
White Paper – Design an Inspiring Virtual Experience
Creative Group — To help you bring a hybrid or virtual event to life, Creative Group shares 20 tried-and-true engagement tactics we’ve found critical to an inspiring experience…Read More
Minnesota, Maryland and New Jersey Introduce New Restrictions on Group Gatherings
Northstar Meetings Group — Utah and Washington, D.C., have also put new coronavirus rules in place…Read More
What a Biden Presidency Will Mean for Meetings
Northstar Meetings Group — Controlling the virus and improving infrastructure are top priorities for the president-elect's action plan. Read More
Looking for guidance on planning your next convention, incentive, or group trip? Direct Travel will assist with all your meetings and event details! Whatever your needs may be when it comes to your event, you can always depend on us to design streamlined travel arrangements, plan strategic meetings, and deliver real-time results. For details, please send a message to: MeetingInquiry@dt.com.