Business Travel News: August 2023

United Airlines is introducing new domestic amenity kits that replace the ones from Away that debuted last year.

Chicago-based United Airlines (UA) stated that its decision to reduce approximately 15 flights from its daily schedule at Newark (EWR) in August and early September would impact less than 4% of travelers using the New Jersey hub.

United, in a message to its travel partners, United said it will remove basic economy fares (domestic U.S. and short-haul Latin America) from its traditional GDS EDIFACT channels effective Sept. 5, 2023. Starting then, those basic economy fares will only be available through United’s website, its mobile app, and NDC-enabled channels.

Air Canada today announced the expansion of its award-winning in-flight entertainment with the addition of exclusive Apple TV+ original programming beginning Aug. 1, 2023.

British airways takes its inflight entertainment to new heights with double the amount of content now available on board.

Southwest (WN) Airlines surprised travelers with its decision to remove a vital nonstop route between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Hollywood Burbank Airport in January.

The authority said bottled water served onboard aircraft is exempt.

Consumers can save money on airfare by “skiplagging.” However, airlines generally prohibit the practice — and there may be repercussions if you’re caught.

United Airlines will update its onboard alcohol policy to allow customers to enjoy two drinks at once, returning to a pre-pandemic policy.

United will become the first U.S. airline with fleetwide Braille signage.

American Airlines has taken a significant step towards improving the handling of carry-on baggage on its smaller regional jets. The airline recently introduced a new policy requiring passengers to fill out personal information on valet tags provided at the gate.

You can now redeem just 60,000 miles for a flight from the U.S. to Taiwan on a new luxury airline with fancy business-class suites.

New meal choices for Lufthansa Business Class passengers.

The airline will make a series of schedule adjustments to align its network with travel patterns that lean more heavily on leisure travel.

After more than three years of suspension due to the pandemic, China has announced the resumption of 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of Singapore and Brunei.

The expansion includes Kenya Airways’ nonstop Nairobi to New York JFK service.

American Airlines is returning to one of the busiest travel corridors in the country. The carrier filed plans over the weekend to resume service between New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) beginning Oct. 29, as seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.

Emirates has partnered with luxury brand Bulgari for the new Autumn-Winter first and business class amenity kits.

Frontier announced that it will close its check-in counters 60 minutes before departure, a 15-minute increase from the carrier’s 45-minute rule.

A new private, luxury terminal for people taking commercial flights is scheduled to open on September 6 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to operator PS in a news release. It’s the second one under the PS umbrella, with a similar private terminal having been open at LAX in Los Angeles since 2017.

Delta Air Lines is increasing service to many Caribbean destinations this winter.

ANA All Nippon Airways has previously touted their new low-cost brand Air Japan which they will use in markets with price-sensitive customer bases, and the launch route will be Tokyo-Bangkok from February 2024.

Etihad Airways, one of the national airlines of the UAE, just announced new service between Boston and Abu Dhabi, beginning on March 31, 2024.

JetBlue will place its code on all Air Serbia transatlantic services from Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport.

In a bid to vie for premium passengers flying internationally, Delta has opened its largest Sky Club at Boston (BOS) Logan’s Terminal E.

Both Beijing and Shanghai are set to see a daily service.

Dubai, UAE, 15 August 2023 – Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has announced it will operate an additional five-a-week service to London Heathrow starting from 31 October 2023 until 30 March 2024. This temporary service will meet market demand during the busy winter season and offer customers more travel choices.

The DoubleTree by Hilton brand will begin serving a new allergy-friendly soft chocolate chip cookie at its front desks alongside the original Double | The brand will offer a new allergy-friendly soft chocolate chip cookie at its front desks alongside the original DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie.

The airport is officially launching a new virtual queueing assistant.

Air service between the U.S. and China will be allowed to double by the end of October under a new agreement reached by the countries.

Any passengers that are traveling have the ability to enroll in TSA PreCheck without an appointment.

Cathay Pacific has revamped its corporate loyalty ‘Business Plus’  program and travel management platform..

Southwest Airlines is changing the benefits of its fare classes and plans to offer more flexibility to travelers.

SkyTeam’s branded Lounge at Santiago International Airport is now open to Priority Pass members traveling on flights operated or marketed by SkyTeam member airlines, including codeshare services with airline partners such as LATAM, regardless of cabin class or Frequent Flyer status.

U.S. regulators said they would extend temporary cuts to minimum flight requirements at congested New York City-area airports and Washington National Airport through Oct. 28, citing air traffic controller staffing issues.

WASHINGTON – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it is expanding TSA PreCheck® with Telos Corporation, which is now offering TSA PreCheck enrollment services at 10 locations. Since TSA first launched the TSA PreCheck application program as a DHS Trusted Traveler Program for low-risk travelers in December 2013, active membership in the program has grown to more than 15 million passengers.

Delta’s stylish, new 7,000-plus-square-foot space seats over 200 guests (an increase of 50 from the Terminal B Club) and includes elevated views of the newly built Terminal A and airfield. The EWR Terminal A Club joins recently opened lounges in neighboring NYC airports.

With the addition of this route, which will operate five times a week starting May 9, 2024, Delta will offer seasonal service to the Emerald Isle from three of its U.S. hubs – Atlanta, Boston and Minneapolis – in addition to year-round service from New York-JFK.

Aer Lingus is to further expand its North American network as the airline announces a new direct service to Denver, Colorado and the re-launch of the Minneapolis-St. Paul route, both taking off from Dublin as part of its summer 2024 program.

Boston Logan Airport quietly opened a long-awaited expansion of its international terminal, adding four new gates and spacious seating areas. Here’s a first look inside.

Marriott International has signed an agreement with New Development Group to launch EDITION Hotels brand in Dali, China.

Beginning October 29, the airline will operate daily flights from SEA and three-times-weekly service from DTW to Shanghai-Pudong International Airport (PVG).

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.

Customers from across the U.S. will also benefit from the enhanced connectivity between JetBlue and Qatar Airways via New York.

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, launched its new midscale conversion brand, Garner™ – an IHG Hotel. The brand will be the leading choice for guests wanting great value stays at high-quality properties, and for owners seeking higher returns in the midscale segment.