On the Go – July 23, 2020

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.

* * For the latest COVID-19 travel industry information, please click on this link:

https://traveloneinc.com/covid-19-industry-information/

Airlines

United to Maximize Ventilation During Boarding, Deplaning (Source: United Hub)
United Airlines will implement new procedures to maximize air flow volume on high-efficiency particulate air filtration systems during boarding and deplaning on all mainline aircraft to help further reduce the spread of COVID-19. “We know the environment on an aircraft is safe and because the air flow is designed to minimize the transmission of disease, the earlier we maximize air flow over our HEPA filtration system, the better for our crew and our customers,” CEO Scott Kirby said.

Delta Highlights Developments in Facial Recognition Tech (Source: Delta News Hub)
Delta Air Lines is sharing about developments in touchless technology for travelers, including facial recognition available in several cities. Use of biometrics is optional and Delta says customers’ privacy will be protected.

Southwest, American Tighten Face Covering Requirements (Source: Reuters)
Southwest and American Airlines have expanded their face covering requirements to apply throughout the airport areas they operate and will not allow exceptions for any passenger over two-years-old. Southwest also said that it will try out thermal screening at Dallas Love Field, its home airport.

Delta Bans Over 100 Flyers For Face Covering Refusal (Source: Frequent Business Traveler)
Delta Air Lines has banned more than 100 passengers from future flights for refusing to wear face coverings, CEO Ed Bastian revealed in an appearance on the Today show. “We’ve been steadily and rather aggressively stepping up our enforcement of the mask policy,” he said.

United Extends Face Covering Rule to Airport Facilities (Source: Reuters)
United Airlines will require passengers to wear face coverings at its gates, baggage areas, lounges and check-in counters as well as on aircraft. Passengers with medical conditions making this impossible will need to discuss their situation with the airline. “The most important thing any of us can do to slow the spread of the coronavirus is to simply wear a mask when we’re around other people,” United Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby said.

American Airlines Cuts Meals In First Class – Does It Matter? (Source: Live And Let’s Fly)
American Airlines announced that it would scale back meal service in domestic premium cabins. As innocuous as that seems with all the worries on our plate, it is a shortsighted move and insulting to customers. Yet part of me cannot blame American Airlines for the meal service cuts as it tries find its footing in a harsh new environment.

General Interest

Airlines Call For Testing Scheme to Reopen U.S.-E.U. Travel (Source: Business Travel News)
Several major airlines have called on governments to establish a joint coronavirus testing program to allow travel to resume between the U.S. and Europe, which still is largely restricted.

Airports

Duluth, MN Airport Begins $2M Construction Projects (Source: BusinessNorth)
Duluth International Airport will start work this month on rehabilitating a taxiway and expanding an apron. The projects at the Minnesota airport are supported by $2.1 million in federal funding.

Twin Cities Airport Makes Masks a Requirement (Source: Star Tribune)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is among the latest facilities to require face masks for all travelers. “It’s a simple straightforward way to cut down on the spread of the virus,” said Rick King, chair of the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

Hotel

Hyatt, IHG to Require Face Coverings (Source: Travel Weekly)
Both Hyatt Hotels Corp. and InterContinental Hotels Group will require guests to wear face coverings within indoor public areas of its U.S. and Canadian hotels, beginning July 27.

Marriott, Hyatt Issue Mask Mandates (Source: Northstar Meetings Group)
As hotels and resorts begin to reopen domestically and around the globe, new health and safety protocols have been introduced to keep staff members and guests safe. Starting next week, hotel giants Marriott International and Hyatt will require all guests to wear a face mask while indoors.

Leisure Travel

American Tourists Are Officially Banned From The Bahamas (Source: The Points Guy)
Americans are discovering a new phenomenon when planning international travel: closed borders. The United States remains one of the world’s hardest-hit countries, recording nearly four million coronavirus cases and over 140,000 deaths.