On the Go – June 29, 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

U.S. Facing ‘Real Risk’ Of Major Flight Delays And Cancellations Due To 5G Deadline (Source: Travel Market Report)
The U.S. travel industry has been experiencing one of its highest-demand periods ever, and while disruptions have been limited, save for a few weather-related events, that could change soon.  In a new interview with the Wall Street Journal, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that there is a “real risk of delays or cancellations” because of a lack of compliance with the upcoming July 1 deadline for aircraft to be compliant with new 5G rules.

Southwest To Offer Overnight Connections (Source: The Street)
Southwest Airlines will start selling overnight flights for the first time, a change from its previous policy of not offering “redeye” flights. The new itineraries will include Baltimore, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago Midway, and Oakland.

8 Superstitious Things People Do Before They Fly (Source: The Points Guy)
A fear of flying is not uncommon. For many, it seems unnatural to speed thousands of miles off the ground at upward of 500 mph. Stepping outside your comfort zone and relinquishing control of your fate to the pilot and crew is difficult for some. Travelers use many coping mechanisms to help calm their fear of flying. One way passengers add an element of control to the experience is through certain flying superstitions.

General Interest

Online Passport Renewal Will Again Be Available Later This Year (Source: Travel Market Report)
Americans will once again have the chance to renew their passports online sometime towards the end of 2023.  The online passport renewal option (OPR) was first launched as a pilot by the U.S. State Department in February 2022, first exclusively for federal government employees and contractors. The OPR was expanded to the public in August 2022 and, since then, more than 565,000 passports have been renewed by the online system.

Boston: Sumner Tunnel Shut Down For Nearly Two Months (Source: Boston.com)
Boston driving isn’t for the faint of heart, even on a good day.  But with a lengthy Sumner Tunnel closure looming, traffic could get a whole lot worse.  A major artery in Greater Boston traffic, the Sumner Tunnel links East Boston and the North End, serving as an important route for drivers heading out of Logan Airport.

Security

TSA Prepared For Busy Holiday Travel Period (Source: TravelPulse)
The Transportation Security Administration has announced that its employees are prepared for the increased passenger volumes during the Independence Day holiday travel period across US airport security checkpoints. With the peak travel day expected to be June 30, TSA estimates that they will screen approximately 2.82 million individuals and a total of around 17.7 million during the seven-day travel period between June 29 and July 5.

Airports

Heathrow Security Staff Call Off Summer Strikes (Source: Business Travel News)
Security staff working at London Heathrow have cancelled a series of planned strikes this summer after agreeing to a pay deal with the airport. The Unite union, which represents 2,000 workers at Heathrow’s Terminal 3 and 5, originally planned to hold industrial action on 31 days between late June and the end of August during the busy summer peak season for travel.

How Early Should I Get To The Airport? (Source: SmarterTravel)
Are you usually that person at the airport who’s sprinting to the departure gate, or are you the anxious flyer who lurks around the boarding area for hours before takeoff?  If you’ve ever done either, you’ve probably asked yourself: How early should I get to the airport, really?

Hotels

Big Louisville Hotel Getting Big Renovation (Source: MeetingsNet)
Set between a 1.3-million-square-foot meeting and expo center and the airport, the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport will see a $25 million expansion and refresh completed within a year. The fourth-largest hotel in Kentucky, the 588-room Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport will soon embark on a $25 million project to add new elements while updating all guest rooms, event spaces, and public areas in time for the next Kentucky Derby in May 2024.

Hilton’s Tempo Brand To Debut In NYC This Summer (Source: TravelPulse)
The 661-room Tempo by Hilton Times Square is set to open in August in New York City, where it will take up 36 of the TSX Broadway building’s 46 floors and feature panoramic views, versatile working/living spaces and six Wellness Rooms. The hotel will be the first of Hilton’s new lifestyle brand to open.

Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Gets A Refresh (Source: MeetingsNet)
Convenience is the name of the game at this 286-room property, a short walk to both the city’s convention center and its baseball stadium.  Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter has completed a $22.5 million remodeling project that has transformed the meeting space, guest rooms, and lobby, plus added a new restaurant.

Ground Transportation

The World’s Fastest Trains (Source: CNN)
As the world faces up to climate change, short-haul flights look increasingly unattractive to many travelers. The flygskam (flight shame) phenomenon that started in Scandinavia is already inspiring many travelers to reduce their reliance on airlines.  Until someone proves otherwise, high-speed rail is the most effective alternative to air travel for journeys of up to 700 miles. Shuttling passengers between city centers at speeds of 180 mph or more, it offers a compelling combination of speed and convenience.

Leisure Travel

The Best U.S. Cities To Celebrate Fourth Of July (Source: TravelPulse)
While there will be crowds, perhaps the most difficult aspect of traveling this Independence Day will be deciding where to go. Fortunately, there’s some new research to help you settle on a locale.