On the Go – July 29, 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

Delta Air Lines Extends Elite Status, Certificates And More For Another Year (Source: The Points Guy)
Perhaps sensing an imminent downturn in travel bookings due to the delta variant of COVID-19, Delta became the first U.S. airline to extend elite status through 2022 today. Delta’s previous status extension was set to expire on Jan. 31, 2022. However, yesterday Delta announced that all current elites will see their status extended through Jan. 31, 2023.

Airlines Work to Avert Fuel Shortages (Source: The Associated Press)
Airlines are warning of fuel shortages at some airports, especially in western states, and are taking steps to avert disruptions. “A lack of available pipeline space for jet fuel and a shortage of fuel trucks and drivers amid surging demand for air travel and cargo are contributing to low fuel inventories at some airports, primarily smaller ones in the western United States,” Airlines for America said.

American Upgrades, Standardizes Aircraft Interiors (Source: Simple Flying)
American Airlines has finished upgrading and standardizing the interiors on its Boeing 737s and is well on the way to giving its Airbus A321s a similar makeover. “Now that our 737 fleet is fully harmonized, our customers will have industry-leading WiFi powering every seat and larger overhead bins,” said President Robert Isom.

American Airlines Expects Full Domestic Business Travel Recovery in 2022 (Source: Business Travel News)
American Airlines projects a full recovery of domestic business travel next year, executives said in an earnings call on Thursday. Similar to what United Airlines executives reported, American’s business travel demand “started to return in a meaningful way” during the second quarter, AA president Robert Isom said.

General Interest

UK Expected to Reopen to US Tourists (Source: Skift)
UK is expected to reopen its borders to tourists from the US and European Union who have been fully vaccinated. The government has been under pressure from the tourist industry to lift restrictions, and the new rules could go into effect as early as next week.

Report: U.S. COVID International Travel Restrictions Will Remain In Place (Source: Travel Market Report)
According to multiple reports, the White House on Monday announced that the COVID-related travel restrictions will remain in place for the time being. The White House is reportedly maintaining the restrictions, which have been in place since March 2020, because of concerns over the Delta variant, which has become the dominant strain in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Security

TSA Collects Nearly $1M Per Year in Loose Change (Source: Forbes)
The Transportation Security Administration collected $926,030 in loose change in fiscal 2019, including $98,110 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Hotels

New IHG Promo Aims to Fetch Pet Lovers (Source: Travel + Leisure)
IHG Hotels & Resorts is reaching out to the growing ranks of traveling pet owners with a dual promotion at hundreds of US locations. The Pets Points Package features 3,000 IHG Rewards program points along with a discounted rate for animal companions.

17 of Our Favorite Hotels in London (Source: The Points Guy)
After many weeks of anticipation, England is opening its borders — without a mandatory quarantine — to fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. and the EU. The new policy takes effect as of 4 a.m. local time on Aug. 2 and signals a boost for the tourism industry in the country, which has been battered by prolonged COVID-19-related border closures.

Airports

Raleigh, NC Airport Resumes Construction Projects (Source: The News & Observer)
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is resuming work on construction projects that were halted during the pandemic. The North Carolina airport is expanding a security checkpoint, building an aircraft parking area and a new rental car facility.