In this edition of the Direct Travel News Brief… travel restrictions relating to COVID, new flight routes, AA to re-open lounges, Delta adds A321neo to fleet, ITA to become Italy’s national carrier, South African Airways to resume service, ongoing delays in passport processing, hotel updates, traveler tips including dealing with staffing shortages, masks on airplanes, meeting and incentive updates, and much more!
How Policy Compliance Impacts Today's Travelers
What does it look like for today’s travelers returning to the road? That’s the question SAP Concur hopes to answer with its new 3-part podcast series, Tarmac Warriors. Each episode takes an in depth look at an unexpected traveler and follows them in their experiences navigating the new business landscape. Read More
EU Recommends New Travel Restrictions for Unvaccinated Americans
Travel Pulse — The restrictions include stricter quarantine and testing requirements. Read More
US Extends Ban on Nonessential Travel Along Mexican, Canadian Borders
Travel Pulse — The ban has been in place since March 2020. Read More
United Plans New Central America, Caribbean Routes for December
Business Travel News — United Airlines plans to start on Dec. 18 three new routes to Central America and the Caribbean: from Chicago to Guatemala City; from Denver to Roatan, Honduras; and from Cleveland to Nassau, Bahamas. Read More
American Airlines Set to Reopen Industry-leading Premium Flagship Lounges
Wheels Up Network — Airline will welcome back customers with new menus inspired by chefs from the James Beard Foundation. Read More
South African Airways to Return to Skies Next Month
Business Travel News — South African Airways will resume service on Sept. 23, nearly 18 months after suspending commercial operations in March 2020 after several years of financial difficulties. Read More
Delta Continues Fleet Overhaul with Latest Airbus A321neo Deal
Insider Travel Report — Delta is once again upgrading its fleet by adding 30 state-of-the-art A321neo aircraft to its existing order book with Airbus. Read More
Alitalia Is Shutting Down With All Future Flights Canceled Starting October 15
Afar Magazine — The government-owned Italia Transporto Aereo, or ITA, will become Italy’s national carrier. Read More
WestJet Relaunches Calgary to Anaheim Service, Makes San Fransico a Year-Round Destination
Travel Market Report — WestJet is growing its California network…Read More
American Airlines Extends Ban on Alcohol in the Main Cabin Until 2022
Travel + Leisure — The policy will be in place until Jan. 18. Read More
Need a New U.S. Passport? The Wait Time Is up to 4.5 Months Right Now
Afar Magazine — The U.S. State Department is recommending that travelers start the process at least six months before traveling abroad. Read More
Fines Against Unruly Airplane Passengers Now Total Over $1 Million
Travel Market Report — The FAA’s 2021 total proposed fines for unruly behavior now exceeds more than $1 million across 3,889 incidents. Read More
TSA Records Its First Friday Since June with Under Two Million Passengers
Wheels Up Network — The TSA recorded its first Friday since June where under two million passengers entered a security checkpoint. Read More
Government Travel Warnings & Alerts
U.S. Department of State — Information on current government issued travel warnings and alerts. Read More
Hilton’s Hughes on Biz Travel Growth, Maintaining Buyer Relationships
Business Travel News — Hilton Hotels Corp.'s president of the Americas Danny Hughes gives trends including how the hotel company has seen business travel return faster than expected, an increase in personalized hotel experiences and maintaining travel buyer contacts during the pandemic. Read More
After Hyatt's ALG Acquisition, What Comes Next in All-Inclusives?
Travel Weekly — What is the future of Hyatt's partnership with Playa Hotels on the Ziva and Zilara brands? And how will Hilton and Marriott respond to Hyatt's big move? Read More
IHG Launches Vignette Collection, a New Soft Hotel Brand
Northstar Meetings Group — The global hospitality company's 17th brand will have a portfolio of independent luxury and lifestyle hotels…Read More
How Airline and Hotel Vaccine Requirements Impact Travelers
Conde Nast Traveler — In the hopes of keeping everyone safe, some hotels are requiring proof of vaccination from guests…Read More
Travelers, Be Patient. Flights, Hotels, and Restaurants Could Be Short Staffed for Awhile
Afar Magazine — Travelers will need to pack some extra understanding and empathy as businesses struggle to refill the jobs lost during the earlier pandemic months. Read More
5 Tips for Dealing With the Airport Staffing Shortage
Smarter Travel — Air travel is rebounding, but airports aren’t ready for it—so if you’re planning on flying any time soon, prepare for long waits at security and at airport shops/restaurants. Here are five ways you can prepare for understaffed airports. Read More
7 Tips for Making Your Suitcase Lighter
Smarter Travel — Don’t worry, over-packers—we’ve got you covered. Bring everything you need and still stay under your baggage allowance with these helpful tips that will make your suitcase lighter. Read More
These Airlines Have Banned Fabric Face Masks on Planes
Travel + Leisure — Not every airline allows every kind of mask. Read More
Air Travel Frustrations Rise Amid Chronic Delays And Cancellations
NPR — Spirit and American have canceled hundreds of flights in recent weeks. Meanwhile, a key member of Congress is calling on the FAA to crack down on travelers who turn violent. Read More
Trudeau Doubles Down on Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines for Domestic Travel
Global News — Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies for some sectors and public spaces are quickly emerging as one of the key proposals being put to Canadian voters during the first week of the federal election. Read More
Make Your Creative Communications Matter — Here’s How
Creative Group — With thousands of messages coming at us each day, how can you break through the noise and connect with your audience? Here are just a few tips from Creative Group! Read More
A Return to Travel
Creative Group /em> — All signs point to the travel industry on the rebound! Creative Group recently polled some employees (one who crossed three continents) to find out what the long-haul travel adventure really looks like. Here’s what they found…Read More
Live or Virtual Events? Navigating Program Decisions in the Ongoing Pandemic
Creative Group — Yes or no? Stay or go? In a world of mixed messages, how do we decide whether to gather live or not? How do we navigate program decisions in the ongoing pandemic? Here are just a few considerations…Read More
How to Plan a (near) Perfect Site Inspection… As Covid Lingers
Creative Group — Your site inspection experience may feel a bit different than usual nowadays – but flexibility and patience are key! Here are Creative Group’s tips for planning an almost perfect site inspection as COVID-19 lingers on. Read More
Surprising Benefits of Holding a Virtual Trade Show
Creative Group — Creative Group says yes… you CAN wear slippers to your next trade show! There are many surprising benefits to holding a trade show virtually — here are just a few. 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.