On the Go – August 18, 2022

Industry News – Click on the title to read the full article. Many of the sources below require a free registration to gain access to the article. If a paid registration is required, the individual source will be noted.

Airlines

Delta Air Lines Restarts Service From LA to Tokyo (Source: TravelPulse)
Delta Air Lines will restart service between Japan’s Haneda International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport on Oct. 30 and add Haneda-Honolulu flights beginning Dec. 1. The LA-Haneda flights will become daily on the latter date, after running three times per week from Oct. 31 through Nov. 30.

Special Report: The Best U.S. Airlines of 2022 (Source: The Points Guy)
There are a lot of ways to measure an airline’s success. On-time performance, reliable scheduling, the affordability of airfares, excellent elite perks and the scope of a frequent flyer program are all metrics you might take into account.  But what does it mean to truly be the “best” U.S. airline?

American Airlines Cuts Another 31,000 Flights From Fall Schedule (Source: CNN)
American Airlines is once again cutting its flight schedule, slashing 16% or 31,000 flights during November, according to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company.  The airline said the move is “in line with our approach to network and schedule planning throughout the year.”  Schedule data provided by Cirium shows the largest cuts are between Chicago O’Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth, as well as between Boston and Philadelphia.

General Interest

Heathrow Extends Capacity Cap to End of October (Source: ABC News)
London’s Heathrow Airport announced that a daily 100,000-person passenger cap will be extended through Oct. 31 to cope with high demand and staffing shortages. Airport representatives said that authorities will continue to review capacity limits, and the restrictions “could be lifted earlier should there be a sustained picture of better resilience and a material increase in resourcing levels.”

U.S. Announces Pilot Program For Online Passport Renewal (Source: AFAR)
The U.S. Department of State recently unveiled a pilot program that will allow Americans to renew their passports online without having to mail in their old passport or any supporting documents. However, you’ll have to act fast. The State Department is seeking up to 25,000 applicants to test out the functionality of the new program in August on a first-come, first-served basis.

Airports

Mexico Restructuring Airport System Through Multi-Billion Dollar Investment (Source: TravelPulse)
Mexico is changing the entire operation of its three main airports to distribute passengers better, improving the security for domestic and foreign users.  As part of the plan, the infrastructure of Terminal 2 of the Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) in Mexico City will be reinforced through an investment of $30 million.

Major Canadian Airports Add New Check-In And Gate Technology to Keep Passengers Moving (Source: Open Jaw Brief)
YYZ, YYC, and YUL are partnering with technology provider SITA to help improve the guest experience with the use of a new check-in and gate system.  The over 700 new-generation check-in kiosks and boarding technology from SITA are intended to ease the journey for the majority of all guests travelling to, from, and within Canada.

Hotels

U.S. Hotel Prices Are Getting Cheaper (Source: NBC News)
U.S. hotels will cost $189 per night on average this Labor Day weekend, up 6% compared to last year, but down from this summer’s peak in June of $193 per night.  That’s according to the travel booking app Hopper, which says the current decrease is part of a seasonal decline that coincides with the end of the summer travel season and the beginning of the new school year.

New Orleans Hotel Uses Automated, Contactless Systems (Source: Protocol)
At The Lola in New Orleans, check-in is contactless, with a virtual concierge on a computer monitor and automated alcohol dispensers will provide alcohol for a cost and the scan of a special card. Sextant Stays CEO Andreas King-Geovanis says that the hotel wanted to rethink the traditional structure.

Leisure Travel

Las Vegas’ New York-New York Resort is Remodeling Its Rooms and Suites (Source: Travel Market Report)
New York-New York, one of the most iconic hotels on the Las Vegas strip, is launching a $63 million room remodel project that will see its 1,830 rooms and 155 of its suites completely renovated by the summer of 2023.  The project will include a brand new design in each room, along with upgraded amenities, that draws inspiration from both its namesake, New York, and the city it lives in, Las Vegas. The guest room plans call for faux exposed brick with accent colors inspired by New York’s Big Apple Red and Taxicab Yellow.