On the Go – June 15, 2023

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 Plans eVTOL Flights For San Francisco (Source: Electrek)
United Airlines and Eve Air Mobility have unveiled plans for electric commuter flights in the San Francisco Bay area. The companies have said they will first deploy electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in Chicago with an aircraft designed to carry four passengers, luggage and a pilot for up to 100 miles.

JetBlue Unveils New Livery Design, Plans Fleet Refresh (Source: USA Today)
JetBlue plans to revamp the livery of its fleet with a new all-blue color scheme alongside distinctive patterns — the carrier’s first-ever complete refresh of its paint design. The first plane to sport the new designs will begin flying this week and features a bright blue fuselage, green accented winglets and a new tail pattern.

Delta Adds Seasonal Flights From Minneapolis To Maui (Source: KMSP-TV)
Delta Air will offer seasonal service between Minneapolis and Maui, Hawaii, this winter. The flights will operate from Dec. 16 to March 31, 2024.

American Airlines Quietly Changes Bag Rules For Some Basic Economy Flights (Source: Travel Market Report)
American Airlines is changing the bag rules for some long-haul flights with its lowest level fare class.  As first reported by The Points Guy, American quietly added a new checked bag fee for those basic economy flyers traveling to and from Asia, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel.  According to TPG, effective immediately, those booking travel on those routes in Basic Economy will now have to pay $75 to check their first bag. Prices for the second ($100) and third bags ($200) remain the same.

General Interest

The UK Announces $12 Entry Fee For Travelers (Source: CNN)
The United States has been charging visitors for electronic travel authorization since 2009, and now the United Kingdom and the European Union are rolling out entry fees, too. Also in our latest CNN Travel roundup, we bring you a double-decker plane seat and bunk beds in the sky.

USA Gymnastics Awards 2024 Olympic Trials To Minneapolis (Source: SportsTravel)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, will host the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics as well as multiple other USA Gymnastics events over the course of nine days in June 2024, the national governing body announced on Tuesday.

Airports

Heathrow Airport Security Staff Cancel First Of Planned Summer Strikes (Source: The Guardian)
The first of a series of summer weekend strikes by security staff at Heathrow airport has been called off, raising hopes the dispute may be ended before peak season.  Unite said the strike by about 2,000 of its members on 24-25 June would not now go ahead due to an improved pay offer from Heathrow.

Hotels

Marriott To Launch Midscale Extended-Stay Brand (Source: Business Travel News)
Marriott International plans to launch a new extended-stay brand within the midscale segment in the U.S. and Canada, the company announced Monday at the 2023 NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference.

U.S., European Hotel Rates Might Keep Rising (Source: Reuters)
Hotel room rates in the U.S. and Europe are rising and may get even more expensive as supply has failed to keep up with demand, industry executives said.  U.S. hotel room supply is barely growing as tighter lending standards from regional banks make it harder for developers to secure funding, even as travel demand has grown after the COVID-19 pandemic. This is helping to sustain higher prices that executives say should have been reached years ago.

Leisure Travel

These Are The Prettiest Historic Cities You Can Visit In The U.S. (Source: The Travel)
The United States is home to an array of picturesque historic cities, each with its own unique allure. From the enchanting streets of Charleston to the colonial elegance of Williamsburg, and the captivating culture of New Orleans, these oldest cities in America beckon travelers to embark on a journey through time.

13 Things To Do In Athens: Complete Guide To Greece’s Ancient City (Source: The Travel)
For a deep exploration of Greek history and culture, a visit to the historic city of Athens is in order. One of the oldest cities in the world, Greece’s capital city dates back to around 3000 BC when its first settlement was established on the legendary rock of the Acropolis.