In this edition of the Travel News Brief: Direct Travel partners with Yapta for air and hotel rate tracking, Alaska Air matches bag fee rate increase, new flight routes on various carriers, details about REAL ID and TSA travel tips, Lyft subscription service, Marriott workers strike, and more!
Why Your Organization Should Measure Traveler Happiness
When business trips go smoothly, travelers return home feeling satisfied. But are they happy? Satisfaction and happiness aren't always directly correlated, and travelers believe there's plenty of room for improvements when it comes to their happiness on the road. Read More
Wellness on the Road: Staying Healthy When Traveling for Business
Travelers usually spend so much time sitting - on a flight or behind the wheel of a rental car - and yet travel can leave them feeling completely worn out. The truth is that dehydration, unhealthy foods, lack of exercise and exposure to germs can all contribute to lower levels of wellness when traveling. Read More
Yapta Partners with Direct Travel
Business Travel News —Airfare and hotel rate tracking technology provider Yapta has partnered with travel management company Direct Travel. Read More
United Airlines Adds Flights from Hilton Head, Anchorage, and More for 2019
Travel Market Report —United Airlines announced 22 new additions to its route network on Monday, including new service between South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island and Chicago, Newark, and Washington, D.C. Read More
Alaska Airlines Raises Checked Bag Fee to $30, Matching Rivals
Travel Market Report —The airline has fallen in line with the U.S. airline industry, where, with the exception of Southwest, the price to check luggage is a minimum of $30 one-way. Read More
United: New Routes from NYC, D.C. and California Hubs
USA Today —United adds new flight routes from three hubs…Read More
Now Flying from NYC: The World's Longest Flight
USA Today —Singapore Airlines reclaimed its bragging rights as operator of the world's longest flight last week as it relaunched nonstop service between Singapore and Newark Liberty International Airport near New York City. Read More
British Airways Expanding Nashville Flights to Daily Service
Travel Mole —Service goes to daily from end of March 2019…Read More
American Airlines Breaks Ground on Billion-Dollar LAX Overhaul
Travel Pulse —American Airlines and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) have officially broken ground on an ambitious 10-year, $1.6 billion modernization project at Los Angeles International Airport. Read More
REAL ID Compliance Extensions Update
DHS.gov —An update from the Department of Homeland Security, relating to REAL ID requirements…Read More
Facial Recognition Is Coming to an Airport Security Lane Near You
Bloomberg —A Transportation Security Administration report outlines the agency's plans to speed up screening by increasing its use of biometric identification-verification systems, including facial scans. TSA will use scans for travelers entering and leaving the US before rolling out the systems to Precheck screening lanes. Read More
TSA Blog
TSA Blog —Here are few tips and tricks you should know before you head out to the airport. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Lyft Launches Monthly Subscription Service
Business Travel News —Lyft is making a monthly subscription service available across its user network in which users pay a flat fee of $299 for 30 rides per month. Read More
FAA Reauthorization Includes Car Rental Excise Tax Amendment
Auto Rental News —On Oct. 5, President Donald Trump signed into law the five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which authorizes the FAA programs and federal grants for airport infrastructure for the next five years. Additional provisions in the reauthorization include a bi-partisan amendment specific to excise taxes on airport car rental transactions. Read More
Enterprise Expands Operations at Manchester Airport
Buying Business Travel — Vehicle rental company Enterprise Holdings has more than tripled its car hire capacity at Manchester airport by moving to a new, larger location at the hub’s car rental village. Read More
Choice Hotels Matches Donations Made to the American Red Cross for Disaster Relief and Recovery
PR Newswire — As a member of the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, Choice Hotels engages the generosity of their Choice Privileges members to help provide food, shelter, and comfort to those affected by natural disasters. After huge success in 2017—donating a combined total of nearly $400,000—Choice recently announced their continued support of relief and recovery efforts; promising to match up to 20 million points contributed by its members through the end of this year. For more information and to make a donation to the cause, click here. Read More
Best Western Adds Peel Hotels as Soft Brand
CatererSearch.com —Best Western has added the nine properties of Peel Hotels to its inventory of soft brands. CEO Robert Peel's company will continue to operate the hotels, with Best Western added to their names. Read More
Marriott Workers Strike, Spanning Seven Time Zones
Labor Notes —Seven thousand hotel workers across the U.S. are on strike against Marriott, the world’s largest hotel chain. Read More
Airbnb Faces Questions from UK Tax Authorities
Financial Times —Airbnb’s tax arrangements have come under scrutiny from UK authorities, intensifying pressure on the home-sharing app that has transformed the market for short-term holiday rentals since its launch in 2008. Read More
Hyatt Acquires Two Roads Hospitality for $480 Million
Meetings & Conventions —The hotel chain's latest purchase includes the Joie de Vivre and Thompson lifestyle brands...Read More
9 Must-Dos Before a Long Flight
SmarterTravel —To help you keep long-haul flying from becoming long-suffering, here are nine tips to consider before booking your next big international flight. Read More
Five of the Best Apps for When You’re Heading to the Airport
Travel Market Report —With record high numbers of travelers moving through airports, these digital tools can help make the air travel experience easier and less complicated. Read More
Why You Shouldn't Take Pictures of Your Boarding Pass
Boarding Area —Posting a picture of your boarding pass can ruin your trip. Read More
5 Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling
GBTA Blog —GBTA asked their Twitter followers to share their top tips for staying committed to diet and exercise on the road. Read More
25 of the Absolute Worst Air Travel Habits
Travel Pulse —Don't be a bad fellow traveler or seatmate! Read More
AccorHotels & Eurostar Form Loyalty Alliance
Business Travel News —AccorHotels and Eurostar have formed a loyalty program partnership that will allow for point conversion and redemption between the Le Club AccorHotels and Club Eurostar platforms. Read More
Newark Airport Breaks Ground on New $2.7B Terminal
Meetings & Conventions —The project, to finish by 2022, joins major revamps at LaGuardia and JFK airports...Read More
$13B Upgrade at JFK Airport Will Add Two New Terminals
Meetings & Conventions —The seven-year project, to begin in 2020, also will improve road and transit access...Read More
Everyday Meeting Disasters: Creative Work Arounds—and Smart Planning Strategies to Save Your Event
MeetingsNet —Veteran meeting pros will walk through eight “everyday disasters,” from medical emergencies to construction interruptions to intoxicated executives, to share their in-the-moment reactions as well as the key planning strategies in order to avoid or mitigate the problem at the next event. 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.