On the Go – March 26, 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.

Airlines

Airlines, Government: No Plans to Stop Domestic Flights (Source: CNN)
US airlines are committed to keeping the aviation system operating at a minimum level despite the cost, and President Donald Trump has, so far, ruled out a domestic flight shutdown. “We need to keep people and commerce moving,” said Nick Calio, CEO of Airlines for America, adding: “It’s never say never, but we haven’t received any information that would suggest there have been any serious discussions about grounding domestic flights.”

Airlines Adjust Seating, In-Flight Service (Source: TravelPulse)
Airlines are changing how they serve passengers in an effort to reduce travelers’ contact with flight attendants and other fliers. Passengers are now being seated farther apart, lounges are closed and food and beverage services have been cut or altered.

An Inside Look at American Airlines’ Coronavirus Response (Source: The New York Times)
From maintenance workers taking parts from grounded planes to flight attendants practicing social distancing and lowering their number of customer touch points, a detailed look at American Airlines illustrates how the aviation industry is coping with the coronavirus pandemic. Before the World Health Organization recommended travel restrictions and European traffic began shutting down, “things were changing every few days,” but “after that, things were changing by the hour, if not by the minute,” said Jose Freig, who manages American’s Latin America operations and coronavirus response team.

Airlines Help Rescue Stranded Americans (Source: CNN)
United Airlines and American Airlines are assisting the US State Department in an “unprecedented global effort” to repatriate Americans stranded abroad, as exemplified by emergency flights from Peru. “While travel demand continues to drop and United adjusts its schedules accordingly, we know some people around the globe are displaced and still need to get home, particularly in regions where government actions — in the United States and abroad — to bring Americans home during these challenging times,” United said in a statement.

Airlines Prioritize Safety With Increased Sanitation Efforts (Source: Forbes)
Aircraft are “cleaner than ever” as airlines step up sanitation regimens and add new technology to ensure passenger safety. Airlines are frequently disinfecting commonly touched areas and minimizing customer interaction during in-flight service.

Hotels

Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Others Lay Off Tens of Thousands (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
The world’s largest hotel company, Marriott International, along with Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Hyatt Hotels, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, Trump Hotels and Ashford, are furloughing 66% to 95% of their employees — 4,000 corporate employees and tens of thousands of hotel staff in Marriott’s US operations alone — and several CEOs and executive staffs are cutting their salaries by 50% or forgoing it altogether. The coronavirus pandemic has slashed occupancy by about three-quarters, and hotels are closing across the US and other countries.

Leisure News 

21 Virtual Tours and Live Streams for Travelers Stuck at Home (Source: TravelSmarter)
As the world grinds to a halt in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, many would-be travelers find themselves stuck at home, dreaming of their next trip. Fortunately, the internet is here to help. You can take a virtual tour of the world’s great art museums, watch live streams of adorable animals in aquariums and zoos, and even catch a Broadway show, all from the comfort of your couch.

Security 

Real ID Compliance Deadline Postponed (Source: Bloomberg)
The Trump administration will delay the Oct. 1 deadline for Real ID compliance because of the coronavirus pandemic.