On the Go – February 3, 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, Aeromexico Offer Seamless Check-In (Source: Delta News Hub)
Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico will be the first to implement technology developed by the SkyTeam alliance that will allow seamless, touchless travel on itineraries that include both airlines. Passengers can check in digitally through either airline and go directly to security screening.

Pack Lighter: Frontier Airlines Lowers Bag Weight Limit (Source: USA Today)
Overpacking is about to get pricier for passengers on Frontier Airlines. The Denver-based budget carrier isn’t raising its checked baggage fees but is lowering the weight limit for the bags to 40 pounds from 50 pounds. That means overweight bag fees kick in at 41 pounds, instead of 51 pounds.

New Southwest CEO Looks Forward With Gratitude (Source: The Southwest Airlines Community)
New Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan said he “never dreamed this could be possible” when he started as a programmer at the airline more than 30 years ago. “It’s an honor to serve you and our People; I’m humbled by the opportunity, ready for the job, and excited about what’s ahead for our great Company,” Jordan said. While the travel experience continues to modernize and evolve, Jordan affirmed the airline’s steadfast commitment to “making your travel experience easier” and to take tangible steps to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Pilot Shortage Forces United Airlines To Suspend More Regional Routes (Source: Airliner Watch)
Speaking during the company’s 2021 fourth-quarter results, United Airlines CCO Andrew Nocella said the airline would cut more routes to secondary cities in the coming months due to the ongoing pilot shortage problem for regional aircraft. United has so far cut flights to 20 cities and more route suspensions are on the way.

Airports

Airports Are Adjusting to Pandemic (Source: Construction Dive)
Airports are making major adjustments in response to the pandemic, including a focus on business travelers. Julie Strupp explores changes such as touchless interactions, adaptable terminals and growing public scrutiny. As the COVID-19 pandemic moves toward its second full year in the U.S., airport construction projects that were placed on hold in its early months are mostly resuming, and some even accelerated during the period when passengers were away. Nonetheless, the pandemic has left its mark on air travel — including the physical infrastructure that enables it. 

$4B Redo Of LaGuardia Terminal B Finished (Source: CNN)
LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B has been open for a while, but the $4 billion renovation is now officially complete. The six-year project, the largest public-private partnership in US aviation, includes the terminal’s Central Hall as well as 35 gates, a garage, skybridge and amenities.

Hotels

You Can Now Practice Curling On This NYC Hotel Rooftop (Source: Travel Market Report)
The M Social Times Square New York is inviting guests to get into the Olympic spirit ahead of the kick-off of this year’s Winter Olympics. This week, the property debuted the first-ever curling rink at a New York City hotel on its rooftop bar and lounge called Beast and Butterflies. The rink is available for both guests and non-guests and costs $30 per person for a 45-minute session on top of the 52^nd street hotel. It is open from noon to 10 p.m. every day.

Pets Now Welcome At Some Hilton Hotels (Source: People)
Hilton Hotels and Mars Petcare have teamed up to make Home2Suites and Homewood Suites in the US and Canada “100% pet-friendly.” Starting at $50 per stay, dogs will be welcomed at the front desk with treats, have a green space and receive free waste bags.

Leisure Travel

The World’s ‘Most Romantic’ Hotel Is In Utah – And It’s Expensive (Source: The Salt Lake Tribune)
Searching for a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day won’t take Utahns far from home — but it will take a big bite out of their bank account. Amangiri, a luxury hotel at Canyon Point, Utah — in Kane County, near the Arizona border — topped 2022′s list of “most romantic hotels” in the world, according to the company Big 7 Travel.