On the Go – July 18, 2024

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

United Flight Attendants Will Vote To Strike Next Month (Source: Travel Market Report)
The union that represents flight attendants at United Airlines, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), will soon vote on a potential strike, the first strike vote from the airline’s flight attendants since 2005.

American Airlines’ Corporate Rewards Program Now Welcomes Travel Agency Bookings (Source: Travel Weekly)
American Airlines’ AAdvantage Business incentive program for small and midsize companies has begun awarding miles and loyalty points for bookings made via travel agencies.  The change, implemented July 16, reverses American’s policy that only rewarded AAdvantage Business participants for direct bookings. That policy had been in place since last October, when American rebranded its Business Extra program to AAdvantage Business.

Airlines Vie For Five New Roundtrip Slots At Reagan National (Source: Travel Weekly)
Eight airlines are duking it out for the five additional daily roundtrip slot pairs that the DOT is authorized to award for flights beyond the 1,250-mile perimeter at Washington Reagan National Airport.  The five slots are to be awarded pursuant to the new five-year FAA reauthorization, which President Biden signed into law in May. Those flights will join the 20 daily roundtrips that are already exempted from the Washington Reagan perimeter.  American, United, Delta, Alaska, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit and Frontier have each applied for an authorization.

Airports

Minnesota Airport Installs Interactive Water Stations (Source: Simple Flying)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has partnered with Pentair to install water refill stations that give patrons quick access to chilled water and offer the airport a revenue opportunity with screens that display advertising along with environmental messages. “We’re excited about this strategic partnership because it shines a brighter spotlight on ways to reduce waste and support sustainable practices that go well beyond the airport,” said Metropolitan Airports Commission CEO Brian Ryks.

California Airport To Reopen Restored Historic Terminal (Source: Simple Flying)
Long Beach Airport, southwest of Los Angeles, will hold a grand reopening ceremony July 27 for its historic terminal, restored in a $17.8 million project that began in February 2023. The restoration project revealed tile mosaics that had been covered with carpet, preserved a vintage wall clock and signs and restored the Art Deco-style western entrance that had been closed for decades.

Security

CLEAR Adds Lanes At Honolulu International Airport (Source: Travel Market Report)
CLEAR continues to expand across North America.  The airport security company this week unveiled new lanes at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), its second airport in Hawaii after Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG).  The additions make 58 airports total for CLEAR’s 22 million members.

Hotels

Greece Welcomes Its First IHG Hotel (Source: Travel Weekly)
The new 199-room InterContinental Crete in Greece is inspired by Greek mythology and features two infinity pools, a spa with a hammam and three Mediterranean restaurants emphasizing local ingredients and led by Michelin-starred chef consultant Nikos Roussos. The luxury resort is the first hotel from IHG Hotels & Resorts to open in the Greek islands.

The Best New Airport Hotels In The U.S. (Source: Business Traveler USA )
Airport hotels are no longer just a convenient option for weary travelers — they are becoming destinations in their own right. These new properties offer luxurious amenities, stunning design, and top-notch service, setting a new standard for travel convenience and comfort. The hotels, each within or near airports, are pushing past old notions by providing unique guest experiences.

Leisure Travel

Americans Taking “Coolcations” To Escape Hot Weather (Source: CBS News)
Instead of soaking in the sun and hitting hotspots like the beach, some travelers this summer are heading north and opting for areas that are a bit more cooled off this time of year.

The Mirage Hotel In Las Vegas Is Closing After 34 Years (Source: CNN)
The Mirage Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, and its instantly recognizable volcano, is soon shutting down after more than three decades in business.  The 3,000-room resort will cease operations on July 17 as it undergoes a three-year renovation that wipes away any markings of the Mirage and its tropical theme.

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