In This Edition… Center launched a dashboard tool, airline updates and codeshare news, fee increases for U.S. Trusted-Traveler programs, train service updates, hotel updates, meetings and events news, along with many traveler tips!
Dans cette édition… Center a lancé un tableau de bord, des mises à jour sur les compagnies aériennes et sur le partage de codes, la hausse des frais pour les programmes américains Trusted-Traveler, des mises à jour sur les services ferroviaires et sur les hôtels, des actualités concernant les réunions et les événements, mais aussi de nombreux conseils pour les voyageurs!
How Avenir Connects the Best Travel Technology with Even Better Service
Discover how Avenir seamlessly integrates cutting-edge travel technology with exceptional service to elevate your travel experience. Read More
Meet Center: Avenir’s Card-Centric Expense Tool
Today, we will see how Center’s complete, connected corporate card and expense management solution helps users gain real-time visibility, control, and flexibility all in one place. Read More
Center Adds Dashboard Tool to T&E Solution
Business Travel News — Payment and expense management provider Center has launched a new dashboard tool within its travel and expense solution that combines on- and off-platform booking data, the company announced. Read More
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Are Officially Joining Forces. Here’s How That Will Affect Travelers.
Afar Magazine — Consider this your cheat sheet to the upcoming changes. Read More
Two New Flights to Europe Set to Start From Nashville
TravelPulse — Both Icelandair and Aer Lingus have announced new routes from Nashville. Read More
Porter’s Inaugural Flight from Toronto Touches Down in Phoenix
Open Jaw — Open Jaw’s Karen Daddah has been whisked away on an Arizona junket, joining Porter’s inaugural flight from Toronto to Phoenix which took place on October 3rd. Read More
Delta Air Lines Bolsters Summer 2025 Schedule From Atlanta
TravelPulse — The carrier plans nearly 1,000 daily flights from Atlanta for summer 2025, a 75-flight increase, adding destinations and premium seats, and contributing to economic growth and airport redevelopment. Read More
SAS & Virgin Atlantic Announce Codeshare on Flights from US & Canada
Simply Flying — Scandinavian Airlines will be launching a codeshare agreement with Virgin Atlantic (VS), the only SkyTeam member based in the United Kingdom. Read More
Qatar Airways to Take Minority Stake in Virgin Australia
Business Travel News — Qatar Airways intends to acquire a 25 percent equity stake in Virgin Australia from Bain Capital, subject to regulatory approval, the carriers announced. Read More
Delta, Saudia Sign Codeshare Agreement
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines and Saudia Airlines, the flag carrier for Saudi Arabia, have signed a codeshare agreement pending government approvals. Read More
British Airways Expands Codeshare with IndiGo and LATAM
Business Travel News Europe — British Airways has expanded its respective codeshare partnerships with Indian carrier IndiGo and South American airline LATAM. The codeshare deal with IndiGo, which launched last September, has now been extended to 18 destinations across India with the addition of Goa and Ahmedabad. Read More
Virgin Atlantic Overhauls Loyalty Program
Business Travel News — Virgin Atlantic beginning Oct. 30 will allow Flying Club loyalty program members to pay for any seat with Virgin Points, the carrier announced Monday, among other changes to the program. Read More
United Just Announced a Major New In-Flight Perk—and It’s Free
Afar Magazine — The Chicago-based airline has partnered with SpaceX to vastly improve connectivity. Read More
Delta to Launch Salt Lake City-Seoul Service
Business Travel News — Delta Air Lines on June 12, 2025, will launch its first nonstop route between Salt Lake City and Seoul, South Korea, the carrier announced. Read More
American Airlines Just Announced 5 New Routes to Some of Europe’s Most Sought-After Destinations
Afar Magazine — Several exciting new transatlantic flights will be taking off from major East Coast and Midwest airports next year. Read More
Qatar to Begin Non-Stop Toronto-Doha Service in December
Open Jaw — Qatar Airways, named the world’s best airline by Skytrax for 2024, says it will begin non-stop service between YYZ and Doha, Qatar on December 1, 2024. Read More
U.S. State Department Says It Is Processing Passports Faster
Travel Weekly — Processing times have fallen to four to six weeks, down from six to eight weeks, says the department's Bureau of Consular Affairs. Read More
U.S. Raises Fees for Trusted-Traveler Programs
TravelPulse — The new costs for the Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS programs went into effect Oct. 1. Read More
TSA PreCheck® Program Adds Two New Airlines
TSA.gov — Eligible passengers can use TSA PreCheck lanes when traveling from the U.S. on nearly 100 airlines. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
National Tops J.D. Power Car Rental Satisfaction Survey
Business Travel News — National took top honors in the J.D. Power 2024 North American Rental Car Satisfaction Study with a score of 736 out of possible 1,000 points, according to J.D. Power. The brand bested its sister company Enterprise, which had 729 points and was first last year. Read More
A New Amtrak Train Route Will Bring Passengers from the Midwest to Warm, Sunny Beaches
Afar Magazine — The epic rail journey will include stops in Washington, D.C., Savannah, Georgia, and Orlando, Florida. Read More
New Paris-Berlin High-Speed Rail Link to Launch in December
Business Travel News Europe — SNCF Voyageurs and Deutsche Bahn, the national train operators of France and Germany, will launch a new high-speed rail link between Paris and Berlin. Set to commence on 16 December, the new daily service will be operated by DB’s InterCity Express (ICE) trains. Read More
45 Top-rated Leading Hotels Honored as World's Best Awards by Travel + Leisure
LHW — The Leading Hotels of the World proudly recognizes its 45+ hotels that have been awarded with more than 50 2024 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, including 9 #1 winners. Read More
Choice Relaunches Radisson Individuals Soft Brand
Business Travel News — Choice Hotels International is relaunching its Radisson Individuals soft brand in the upper-upscale tier, following its 2022 purchase of Radisson Hotel Group Americas. Read More
Conde Nast Unveils Its Top 50 Hotels Worldwide for 2024
Conde Nast Traveler — Unforgettable food. Cutting-edge design. Immersive experiences. These are some of your top criteria for judging what makes a quality hotel—not to mention a worthy resort, cruise, spa, or island. Read More
Delta to Open Lounge for Premium Flyers at LAX
Travel Weekly — It will be the airline's second Delta One lounge. The first one opened in June at New York JFK. Read More
Why Airplane Seats Must Be Upright for Takeoff and Landing
Afar Magazine — The battle over reclining etiquette isn’t the most important thing to think about when you take your airplane seat. Keeping it upright during the flight’s most critical moments is. Here’s why you’re asked to do it. Read More
Emirates Bans Pagers and Walkie-Talkies From All Flights
Aviation Direct — All passengers traveling on flights to, from or via Dubai are prohibited from transporting pagers and walkie-talkies in checked or cabin baggage. Read More
Canadian Supreme Court Upholds Rules on Air Passenger Rights
Open Jaw — In a supposed victory for passengers, Canada’s Supreme Court upheld regulations improving compensation for delays and damaged luggage, rejecting an appeal by airlines challenging the 2019 Air Passenger Rights Regulations. Read More
Best US Airports and Airport Amenities for 2024, According to Readers
USA Today (subscription may be required) — These are the best airports, airport lounges, bars, and restaurants across the United States, according to USA TODAY 10 Best readers. Read More
The Roomiest Airline Seats in the USA
Afar Magazine — Find out which airlines have the most spacious seats in both economy and business. Read More
How to Pack a Suitcase Like a Flight Attendant
Afar Magazine — A flight attendant shares her packing tips from over a decade of living out of a suitcase. Read More
The Rules for Traveling to Europe Are About to Change
Afar Magazine — Starting in 2025, you will need advance approval and to pay a fee before entering Europe, as part of a new travel authorization requirement. Here’s a complete guide to how to apply, processing times, and the cost. Read More
These Are the Best Airline Loyalty Programs in the World—and One U.S. Airline Came Out on Top
Afar Magazine — A new global ranking breaks down which airlines score highest in terms of mileage earning potential, redemption values, and route availability. Read More
Meeting of the Minds
The Meeting Magazine — How Event Planners are now taking the health and wellness of their attendees into consideration with some fresh out-of-the-box approaches. Read More
8 Critical Food-Safety Tips
Northstar Meetings Group — As we bid farewell to summer and embrace the crispness of fall, it’s the perfect time to revisit best practices for banquets, receptions and all other event meals. Read More
Watch: How California Destinations Are Delivering for Meetings and Events
Northstar Meetings Group — California has long been a favorite destination for meetings thanks to its vast range of options, from bustling gateway cities to beautiful wineries to some of the best theme parks in the world. See Visit California's president and CEO discuss the goals of their Meet What's Possible campaign and how it helps ensure that California is an ideal group destination. Read More
Looking for assistance with your next convention, incentive, or special event? From designing memorable experiences to managing strategic meetings, Direct Travel is your trusted event partner! For details, please send a message to: MESales@dt.com.