On the Go – July 8, 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

DOT Intends to Make Airlines Refund Fees if Checked Bags Are Late (Source: Travel Weekly)
The Transportation Department will propose that airlines be required to refund fees on checked baggage if the bags aren’t delivered to passengers quickly enough. The proposal, if made final after a lengthy regulation-writing process, would also require prompt refunds for fees on extras such as internet access if the airline fails to provide the service during the flight.

Delta Returns to Heathrow Terminal 3 in London (Source: Delta News Hub)
Delta Air Lines moved back into its home at London’s Heathrow Airport as the airport reopened Terminal 3, which had been shut down for a year. “Moving back to our home in Terminal 3 will allow our customers to once again enjoy the award-winning experience they have missed during the pandemic,” said Nadia Clinton, Delta’s regional sales manager, adding, “Coupled with the high vaccination rates in both countries, we implore the UK Government and Biden Administration to allow non-essential travel to resume.”

United’s Upgraded Planes Will Have Overhead Space For All (Source: Business Insider)
United Airlines says its upgraded cabins will have enough overhead space for every passenger. “We’re going to have one spot for each bag for each customer,” said Toby Enqvist, United’s chief customer officer.

American’s Miami Expansion Includes International Routes (Source: The Yucatan Times)
American Airlines is adding eight new routes from its hub in Miami, including two new international destinations. American will begin offering direct service in December to Colombian island San Andres and Chetumal on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

General Interest

UK Travel Could Reopen This Summer For Vaccinated Americans (Source: Reuters)
UK is dropping quarantine requirements for vaccinated Britons returning home from medium-risk countries, such as the US, said transport secretary Grant Shapps. “We’re working to extend our approach to vaccinated passengers from important markets and holiday destinations, later this summer,” Shapps said. Meanwhile, London’s Heathrow Airport is testing designated immigration lanes for vaccinated travelers.

Hotels

Hotel Rates Spearhead US Travel Price Surge (Source: CNN)
Hotel rates at the end of last month were up 44% over June of 2020, according to STR, as US travel prices overall took an expected leap coming out of the pandemic. While many prices remained below pre-pandemic levels, strong demand in lodging raised that sector’s room rates to 99.5% of June 2019’s average.

Hilton Does Away With Daily Housekeeping For Most U.S. Hotels (Source: Travel Weekly)
Hilton has made daily housekeeping optional across most of its brands in the U.S. Effective this week, daily housekeeping will be performed only upon request. Luxury brands Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and LXR are exempt from the new policy. Housekeeping services also will be done automatically on the fifth day of any extended stay at a U.S. hotel.

Airports

DFW Airport Completes Trial AI-Powered Digital Human Concierge (Source: Future Travel Experience)
Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport’s Innovation Team has partnered with IBM Watson and Soul Machines to develop and trial an artificial intelligence-powered digital human concierge. During the trial, which completed on 25 June, the digital human concierge provided passengers at the airport on-demand, voice-based answers to their questions from her temporary location in Terminal A.