Business Travel News: June 2023

The west headhouse, which features self-service kiosks to drop bags and/or print boarding passes, gives customers another entry point to easily check in and get to security. Later this summer, Delta expects to implement digital ID technology at bag drop and security checkpoints, allowing eligible customers to use their biometric data to more seamlessly move through the airport.

United Airlines will no longer fly any international routes from Boston, ending a roughly year-long long-haul route from Boston to London.

Emirates will be offering its premium economy product on four U.S. routes by July.

Korean Air will offer inflight Wi-Fi services from June 1, starting with international routes operated by the airline’s Boeing 737-8.

The free ‘DEN Reserve’ program allows passengers to set an appointment for security screenings as close as an hour before their flight is set to depart. However, due to limited slots, the airport recommends passengers to book three days in advance.

The Transportation Security Administration has announced an expansion of TSA PreCheck access to teens traveling with parents or guardians just as the busy summer travel season is about to kick off.

When all is said and done, United Airlines will have over 100,000 square feet of club space, spanning across five lounges, in its Denver hub.

Though 10,000 flights is a significant number, it only represents a 6% reduction in American’s operations in September.

Iberia has announced plans to switch back to Terminal 5 at Heathrow airport from the start of June.

Qatar Airways has opened a “lounge within a lounge” in its recently-unveiled second Al Mourjan Lounge at Doha Airport.

Terminal F will have 15 gates, and is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Delta Air Lines is trialling reusable cups to serve drinks to main cabin customers in an attempt to eliminate, or at least drastically reduce single-use plastics.

Air Canada has an extensive roadmap planned for its lounge network.

From 1st June, Business Class passengers on Brussels Airways – on short and medium-haul flights – will be offered a new menu which will differ every week.

The carrier says that starting July 1, 2023, it will offer complimentary Wi-Fi access to all travelers in all cabin classes, including its premium economy and standard economy classes, on essentially all of its flights (the only exceptions will be seven Boeing 737-800s the airline operates on short-haul services).

Heathrow Terminal 3 and 5 security offers that handle passenger and vehicle screenings will strike for 31 days between June 24 and August 27, 2023.

Building Off Industry Leadership in Extended Stay, Marriott International Plans to Launch Affordable Midscale Extended Stay Offering in U.S. & Canada

TSAs screening capacity may become overwhelmed by the number of visitors at Hawaii airports again this summer.

Starting June 9th American Airlines is making some minor changes to how complimentary upgrades work that most AAdvantage status members are going to like. Upgrades when traveling on an award ticket will now be available to all status members and will come with higher priority than before.

• British Airways has announced plans for an exclusive Whispering Angel rosé bar, inviting customers to enjoy the refreshing French tipple ahead of their flight from Heathrow Terminal 5
• Opening this summer, the bespoke bar will be located in the British Airways lounge near the B gates at London Heathrow Terminal 5 (Terminal 5B)
• The airline will also be refreshing this lounge over the coming months

From 14th June, Qantas will be flying three times a week from Sydney to New York – via Auckland – for the first time since 2020. The route will transit through New Zealand (Auckland) – before a 17+ hour flight direct to New York. The flight previously operated via Los Angeles.

Virgin Atlantic will capitalise on sustained international travel demand with the introduction of brand new routes across three continents.

IHG has made it even easier to connect hotel WiFi at more than 5,000 hotels. No signup is required!

Canada has added 13 additional countries to its list allowing entry by Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) provided the traveler currently holds a valid U.S. Visa or held a Canadian Visa in the last ten years.

In collaboration with the State of Maryland and Google, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now accepts Maryland-issued mobile driver’s licenses and ID cards in Google Wallet on Android mobile phones at select TSA airport security checkpoints.

Customers traveling on Delta can take advantage of more than 650 weekly flights across the pond in peak summer, a remarkable 30% increase in the airline’s seat capacity compared to 2022.

Beginning in 2025, United Airlines plans to install a new in-flight entertainment system called Astrova on select planes.

Flying will become even more expensive for basic economy passengers traveling internationally.

Cathay Pacific Departure Lounge in Vancouver reopens.

Do not drive your car to Logan Airport this summer. That’s the message from Massport ahead of a busy travel season. Increased air travel combined with the closure of the Sumner Tunnel is expected to create travel chaos. Beginning July 5 for 8 straight weeks, the Sumner Tunnel will be closed for construction.

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) announces the opening of two new hotels in British Columbia ?– Holiday Inn Express & Suites Courtenay ?– Comox and Holiday Inn Victoria ?– Elk Lake on Vancouver Island.

Metro service information for Juneteenth, Monday, June 19. Customers traveling over the Juneteenth holiday can connect via Metro to Amtrak, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport. This is expected to be one of the busiest travel weekends since the pandemic, so give yourself extra time to catch your train or flight.

A new airplane seat concept that allows wheelchair users to stay in their own chair throughout a flight was revealed this week by a subsidiary of US airline Delta, a move welcomed as a “huge step” by potential customers.

The daily service will be the first to Honolulu from the small airport in Everett, Wash., which is about 25 miles north of Seattle.

The free WiFi is offered as part of the T-Mobile In-Flight Connection On Us service.

The operations of WestJet’s low-cost subsidiary will be integrated into WestJet at the end of October.

The TSA is replacing their equipment to improve accuracy at checkpoints. Travelers are being urged to arrive at Pensacola International Airport at least two hours early.

Radisson Hotel & Suites Zurich, the largest hotel in the greater Zurich region with 447 rooms and serviced apartments, has opened its doors.

Delta Air Lines is adding a new eastbound daytime flight from New York to Paris that should help flyers minimize jet lag.

Delta Air Lines and LATAM want to become the largest airline alliance between North and South America.

American Airlines just added a brand-new flight from Miami to Portland days after Alaska Airlines announced the exact same new route.

We welcome back members and guests to our popular D Concourse Lounge on June 21 with 50% more seating and improved amenities; other major projects on the horizon.

Without explanation, Northern Pacific Airways has announced that it will be delaying its flights until at least mid-July 2023.

Qantas unveiled the remaining sections of the aircraft interior, including a unique Wellbeing Zone, which Qantas said it is a first.

The Transportation Security Administration says it doesn’t yet have a timeline for when its database will be updated so that Colorado IDs are recognized.

Delta Air Lines has made numerous changes to its access policies in recent months, and now it has three more adjustments.

Eve’s efficient transportation option will expand electric air commuting options in the Bay Area after its entry into service in 2026.

Air France is reopening its lounge at San Francisco International Airport after closing for more than half a year to remodel.

Alaska will be the lone airline flying between Portland and Miami.

Toronto-based Porter Airlines has announced that direct trips to and from Winnipeg are set to take flight in September, adding to a series of recent wins for the city in attracting new airlines.

Southwest will start selling overnight connection flights for the first time on June 26. They won’t offer redeye flights, but will use their current schedule to sell itineraries that involve an overnight at six airports – Baltimore; Denver; Las Vegas; Phoenix; Chicago Midway; and Oakland. No new flights are being added to the schedule, this just adds flight options to sell… that customers should be on the lookout for, because they’re options that many will potentially want to avoid.

Indonesia removes visa-free entry from 159 nationals, but visa-on-arrival is still in place.

Delta Air Lines is adding four new flights from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, and it’s going up against American Airlines in Cincinnati.

We’re proud to share that we have completed the modifications to upgrade radio altimeters on all active Alaska and Horizon aircraft in June, ahead of the FAA’s July 1 deadline. It’s an important safety milestone for us and critical to the reliability of our summer operations.

Cathay Pacific to open its first non-airport lounge in August for Ferry Departures to HKIA.

Virgin Atlantic has implemented new access restrictions for its flagship Clubhouse lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR). The changes affect Delta Air Lines and SkyTeam frequent flyers.

Heathrow Airport and Terminal 3 & 5 secuirty staff have reaached a pay agreement that will avert the strikes planned for the summer.

New procedures for Global Entry means shorter wait times for travelers

United said its new app update will make it easier for customers to rebook, track bags and retrieve vouchers for hotels and meals during flight disruptions.

Your winter travel options just got a bit brighter! We’ve added our first-ever flights to the Bahamas with nonstops from both Los Angeles and Seattle. We’re also increasing our service to Mexico with new routes between Las Vegas and both Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. All four new international routes begin flying in mid-December.

Southwest Airlines, the largest U.S. domestic airline, is raising several fees effective August 15, 2023, the carrier has revealed to employees in a document reviewed by View From The Wing. They will be raising pet and unaccompanied minor fees, as well as fees for additional, oversize, and overweight bags. Third and beyond checked bag goes from $75 to 125. Overweight bags go from $75 for up to 100 pounds to $100 for up to 70 pounds or $125 for up to 100 pounds. Oversized bags go from $75 to $125. Unaccompanied minor fees go from $50 to $100. Pets go from $95 to $125 per carrier, with no change to intra-Hawaii pet fees.

The Hyatt Regency Hangzhou airport hotel is just steps away from the terminal…

WASHINGTON — As the Independence Day holiday approaches, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for sustained higher summertime passenger volumes at airport security checkpoints nationwide.

Vietnam is tripling its stay allowance for foreign tourist entries.