On the Go – February 25, 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

American Simplifies Baggage Allowance Policies (Source: One Mile at a Time)
American Airlines is streamlining its baggage allowance policies, with all Premium Economy tickets including two checked bags, Main Cabin tickets on all long-haul international routes including one free checked bag and a new Basic Economy Plus Bag ticket bundling the lowest fares with a checked bag on some international routes. “We want to make American the easiest airline to do business with,” said Chief Revenue Officer Vasu Raja.

New Delta Health Officer Will Help Shape Pandemic Response (Source: TravelPulse)
Dr. Henry Ting, who recently joined Delta Air Lines as chief health officer from the Mayo Clinic, will be a key voice for the airline as it navigates the pandemic, recovery and works to “transform health and well-being for our people, customers, communities and partners.” “Having worked with leaders at Delta during this pandemic, I was very impressed by the commitment to the health and safety of people, as well as customers,” said Ting. “Mayo Clinic and Delta share the same values,” he said: “We listen, we solve problems, and we work to enable moments of joy for our people and customers.”

JetBlue Takes Away Overhead Bin Access (Source: SmarterTravel)
Good news and bad news from JetBlue on the carry-on bags front. The airline announced that for Basic Blue fares (JetBlue’s cheapest ticket category), they will be eliminating access to the overhead bins, and ticket-holders will only be allowed to bring on carry-on luggage that will fit underneath the seat in front of them.

General Interest

Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Passport in 2021 (Source: Travelmarket Report)
For the majority of U.S. travelers, it has probably been a while since you have opened your passport. But, with an expected boom in travel revving up as COVID-19 infection numbers drop and vaccination numbers rise, it’s probably a good time to make sure that those travel plans you’ve been dreaming of can, eventually, become a reality.

Security

TSA to Add 6K Airport Screeners by Summer (Source: Reuters)
The Transportation Security Administration plans to hire 6,000 additional screening agents for hundreds of airports by summer. “We expect to screen a higher number of travelers regularly by the summer months and will need additional officers to support our critical mission,” said Melanie Harvey, acting executive assistant administrator for security operations.

Hotels

Marriott Adds Complimentary On-Site Testing At Select Properties (Source: The Points Guy)
Following Hyatt’s lead, the world’s largest hotel chain has rolled out a plan to provide complimentary on-site COVID-19 testing to guests staying at a selection of its properties across the Caribbean and Mexico. This new offering will allow guests who travel to any participating resort to remain compliant with the United States’ recent rule requiring all incoming travelers to present proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen or PCR test within three days of arrival into the country.

Marriott Names Anthony Capuano As Next CEO (Source: The Points Guy)
The world’s largest hotel company, with more than 7,600 properties and more than 1.4 million rooms, has named its new CEO. On Tuesday, Marriott announced that it’s appointed Anthony “Tony” Capuano as CEO, effective immediately. Capuano becomes only the fourth CEO in the company’s history. He was named as a replacement for Arne Sorenson who died Feb. 15, 2021, after a battle with cancer.

Airports

N.C. Airport Continues With Multi-Billion Expansion Project (Source: Charlotte)
North Carolina’s Charlotte Douglas International Airport continued with its $2.5 billion construction plans throughout the pandemic, which included the expansion of several concourses, new runway and terminal lobby. The airport serves as the second-largest hub for American Airlines, according to Jack Christine, the airport’s chief operating officer. “They’ve made it very clear that they believe they’re going to come back out of this pandemic, and the way they’re going to do that is leveraging the hubs in Dallas and Charlotte.”

NYC Extends JFK Airport Lease, Paving Way For Modernization (Source: Queens Daily Eagle)
New York City extended the lease on John F. Kennedy International Airport to 2060, adding 10 years that will ease the way for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to finalize financial arrangements for $15 billion in modernization projects. “We’re going to do it with a package of actions that will make sure there is economic empowerment, that a lot of the wealth generated in JFK gets redistributed in the surrounding communities,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio, noting the new lease’s requirements include employee and contractor diversity and local hiring.

YVR Completes $300M International Terminal Expansion (Source: Future Travel Experience)
Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) has announced that it has completed its Pier D international terminal building expansion project. The $300 million expansion project features eight new gates, a glassed-in island forest with access to the outdoors, an immersive digital experience and a yoga, prayer and quiet room. International passengers will also be able to enjoy a wide range of retail, restaurants, and amenities.

Leisure Travel

Florida’s Walt Disney World to Celebrate 50^th Anniversary (Source: Tampa Bay Times)
Walt Disney World Resort will mark its 50th anniversary at its four theme parks in Orlando, Fla., with an 18-month celebration beginning Oct. 1. The celebration will include lighting enhancements to Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom, “Spaceship Earth” at Disney’s Epcot and the “Tree of Life” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.