On the Go – December 9, 2021

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

Southwest Will Restore a Dozen Pre-Pandemic Routes (Source: Business Insider)
Southwest Airlines is restoring 12 established routes and adding 3 new ones for summer 2022, and Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Watterson says the company is focusing on expanding its schedule frequency in crucial markets where it was particularly strong before the pandemic. The airline also plans to hire 8,000 people next year and add 5,000 new employees before 2021 ends.

Delta Air Lines Opens Newest SkyClub in Detroit (Source: Simple Flying)
Delta Air Lines has unveiled its newest Sky Club at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) hub. The expansive lounge, which is the fifth in Detroit, is part of Delta’s commitment to enhance its airport offerings with more dedicated lounge space for premium customers. The lounge is now open and in operation.

Southwest Airlines to Introduce New Fare Category With Perks Customers Will ‘Happily Pay’ For (Source: USA Today)
Travelers who “wanna get away” will have a new option on Southwest Airlines next year. In a presentation to investors Wednesday, the airline announced that it will introduce a “new fare product” midway through 2022.

American Airlines CEO Parker to Retire in March, President Isom to Take Reins (Source: CNBC)
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker is stepping down next year after two decades running airlines and will be succeeded by the carrier’s president, Robert Isom, on March 31, the company announced Tuesday. Parker’s retirement as CEO of the largest U.S. airline is the latest in a wave of leadership changes at the country’s big carriers, and the new executives are tasked with driving their recovery from the Covid pandemic.

US Airlines Prioritize Sustainability Throughout Air Travel Experience (Source: ABC News)
US airlines continue to prioritize sustainability and make investments to reduce their carbon footprint, including introducing alternative beverage packaging, utilizing sustainable fuels and using artificial intelligence to determine route maps that burn less fuel. Last week, United Airlines flew the first commercial aviation flight with passengers using 100% sustainable aviation fuel, while Alaska Airlines has eliminated plastic water bottles and cups and is deploying AI routing software that suggests fuel efficient routes. Aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing are also incorporating sustainable technologies through its ecoDemonstrator program, which allows engineers and scientists to test technology to make aircraft greener.

General Interest

FAA Restriction Aim to Address 5G Interference (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
A new Federal Aviation Administration order restricts pilots from using automatic landing and other systems due to potential interference from 5G communications in the C-band. Airlines for America said its members would continue working with regulators “to enable the rollout of 5G technology while also minimizing any disruption” to aviation.

Fauci Says He Doesn’t Expect More Travel Restrictions Even If Omicron Variant Proves More Contagious And Deadly (Source: CNN)
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, said that he doesn’t anticipate the United States will implement additional travel restrictions even if the Omicron variant proves worse than previous strains of Covid-19.

The Safest (And Worst) Places For Women Travelers: You Won’t Believe How America Ranked (Source: Forbes)
It goes without saying that the last two years have been challenging for all travelers—but with travel now booming and solo female travel on the rise, women need to be aware of global risks, especially in light of incidents like the killing of several travelers on Mexico’s Riviera Maya earlier this year and the case of Sarah Everard, who was abducted and murdered by a police officer in London. In an attempt to help determine the safest and most dangerous places for women travelers, SafetyDetectives—an international publishing group of cybersecurity experts and privacy researchers—recently issued a report on the state of women’s safety in different regions of the world. 

Security

TSA Expects Holiday Air Travel to Remain Strong (Source: TravelPulse)
The Transportation Security Administration expects air travel volume to remain strong through the December holidays. “We see a strengthening in the airline travel industry toward pre-pandemic levels,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said.

Airports

$700M More Approved For Denver Airport Improvements (Source: The Denver Gazette)
Denver International Airport’s ongoing Capital Improvement Program will get $700 million now that the Denver City Council has approved the funding via bonds. The move provides bridge funding mainly for a gate expansion and the airport’s Great Hall Project.

Chattanooga, TN Airport Plans $28M Expansion (Source: WTVC-TV)
The Chattanooga, Tenn., airport is planning a $28 million expansion project that will add gates, restrooms and an additional security screening lane.

Hotels

Marriott to Revamp Courtyard Brand (Source: Business Travel News)
Marriott International is giving its Courtyard brand in North America a facelift, the company announced Wednesday. More than 375 of the brand’s properties throughout the United States and Canada are expected to complete exterior renovations by 2024, including 60 that already have been completed. Many also will receive new interior designs in their public spaces and guest rooms, according to Marriott.

Hyatt Introduces Room Keys in Apple Wallet (Source: Business Travel News)
Hyatt Hotels Corp. has introduced at six U.S. hotels room keys in Apple Wallet for World of Hyatt loyalty members, with plans to roll out the technology eventually across Hyatt’s global portfolio, the company announced Wednesday.  Members staying at one of the participating hotels can tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock guest rooms as well as key card-protected common areas, such as gyms, pools and elevators.

Five Of The Most Anticipated New Hotel Opening In 2022 (Source: Travel Market Report)
With 2021 weeks away from coming to an end, the travel industry is slowly but surely turning its focus to 2022, a year that again promises some kind of relief from the downturn caused by COVID-19. To get you ready for 2022, TMR has rounded up five of the most anticipated hotel openings next year, many of which will finally make their long-awaited debut after COVID-19 delays. Here’s just a taste of what you can expect, and where you can stay, on your 2022 vacations.

Some Hotels Shrinking Rooms, Expanding Public Space (Source: Skift)
Hotels are beginning to reinvent themselves, setting aside more space for remote workers and corporate travelers. As a result, hotel rooms are becoming smaller in chains like Yotel and CitizenM while public spaces are becoming larger.

Leisure Travel

From Philly to Chicago, Here Are 6 Of Our Favorite US Christmas Markets (Source: The Points Guy)
One of the best holiday traditions is festive Christmas markets, and while Europe has a longer-standing tradition than the U.S., Christmas markets have become popular across the country thanks to their Instagram-worthiness, selection of handcrafted toys and ornaments and spiced wine galore. While many local and regional holiday markets looked different last year due to COVID-19, these markets tend to be outdoors which means you can still enjoy them safely as you jump-start your holiday season.

Where to Celebrate The Winter Solstice: The 9 Best Destinations Worldwide (Source: SmarterTravel)
The shortest day of the year is full of possibilities. What’s known as the winter solstice (or the first day of winter) is a phenomenon that happens due to the Earth’s tilted axis, and cultures all over the world have turned the longest night of the year into something worth celebrating. For many, this means a family feast—whether that’s Yalda in Iran, Dongzhi in China, or Dongji in Korea. It’s also a day to join in a light-filled festival or ponder an ancient mystery at a ruin.