On the Go – March 3, 2022

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

American Preparing to Deploy Automated Upgrade Process (Source: The Points Guy)
American Airlines will soon begin a behind-the-scenes automated upgrade process that will automatically clear all upgrade requests beginning 40 minutes before boarding if seats are available and notify passengers through the airline’s mobile app.

Delta, American Top January N. American On-Time List (Source: Business Travel News)
Air Lines and American Airlines were the two North American carriers with the best on-time performance for January 2022—a month beleaguered by flight delays and cancellations—according to Cirium’s monthly report. Just two-tenths of a percentage point separated the two, with Delta’s on-time performance at 85.3 percent and American’s at 85.1 percent. Globally, the carriers ranked fifth and sixth.

United Airlines Debuts Bag Drop Shortcut at Key Airports (Source: Live and Let’s Fly)
United Airlines now offers passengers to skip the check-in line and check a bag on its mobile app. “Our initial customer data proves this free, simple-to-use process saves our customers time and energy as they get ready for their flight,” said Toby Enqvist, chief customer officer for United. This free service is now available in Chicago, Washington D.C., Denver, Houston, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Los Angeles, though the airline has plans to expand the shortcut to more airports.

United is Cutting 17 Routes and Leaving One U.S. City Entirely (Source: Business Insider)
United Airlines is cutting over a dozen regional routes from its network as demand in small markets continues to feel the impact of the pandemic. On Monday, Chicago-based United revealed it is cutting 17 routes to small airports, including leaving Alexandria, Louisiana, entirely. The news was first reported by The Points Guy and later confirmed to Insider. 

American Airlines Extends Complimentary Upgrade to More Flyers (Source: Travel Weekly)
Starting March 2, American Airlines will extend complimentary upgrade eligibility to include all North American flights for AAdvantage members with Platinum and Gold status. The shift will be a significant one, as Platinum and Gold members currently must use 500-mile upgrade stickers for upgrades on flights longer than 500 miles, with one sticker required for every additional 500 miles of flight length. Upgrade stickers typically cost $40. 

General Interest

France to Lift Covid Passport Requirements (Source: Northstar Meeting Group)
As many parts of the world continue to adjust their Covid regulations, some leaders are keeping some constraints on travel and gatherings, while other countries are easing their restrictions. Here’s a roundup of what’s happening around the globe. In the latest news, France will eliminate the use of vaccine passes on March 14.

Health Experts Consider End of Mask Mandate For Travelers (Source: Afar)
The federal mask mandate will remain in effect on airplanes, airports and other forms of public transportation until at least March 18, but there is growing speculation among public health experts that the order will not be extended, assuming cases of COVID-19 continue to drop. “I think probably, more likely than not, that mandate will be lifted,” said Dr. Thomas Russo, chief of infectious diseases at the University of Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Airports

Los Angeles Airport Modernization In Last Phase (Source: Los Angeles Magazine)
Upgrades at Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 at Los Angeles International Airport are underway as part of the final phase of the LAX Modernization Program. The airport is getting ready for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles with a project supported by more than $1 billion in funding approved by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners in July.

Toronto Pearson Airport to Trial AI Security Detection System (Source: Future Travel Experience)
Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has signed an agreement with Liberty Defense Holdings – a provider of threat detection solutions for concealed weapons. This will see Toronto Pearson International Airport become the first in the world to trial the HEXWAVE walkthrough security detection portal in Q3 2022.

Hotels

Fat Tuesday Festive, But Still Slim For New Orleans Hotels (Source: The Associated Press)
Mardi Gras was back in full regalia this year with festive masks replacing the medical variety except for indoor public areas, but a full comeback from the pandemic will have to wait, judging from the New Orleans hotel trade. Occupancy was expected to reach only 66%, a decline of 19.5% from 2020, tourism officials said.

Security

TSA PreCheck Program Now Open For Travel To Nassau (Source: TravelPulse)
Transportation Security Administration PreCheck program, currently available in more than 200 airports in the US, has expanded to include its first international airport — the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau.

Meetings & Incentives

$1B Expansion Plan Cleared For L.A. Convention Center, JW Marriott (Source: The Real Deal)
A $1 billion plan to expand the Los Angeles Convention Center and the J.W. Marriott Hotel next door has gotten a go-ahead from the City Planning Commission. The $500 million convention center upgrade would add 700,000 square feet and a new span connecting the South and West Halls, increasing its size by 45 percent, Urbanize Los Angeles reported.

Leisure Travel

Russia & Ukraine: All The Cruise Lines Changing Itineraries (Source: Travel Market Report)
In the nearly one-week since Russia invaded Ukraine, nearly every cruise line with itineraries in the region has announced itinerary changes ranging from the cancellation of entire seasons to one-off port cancellations.

21 Top Things To Do In Arizona (Source: U.S. News & World Report)
Tucked into the southwest corner of the United States, Arizona offers something for all types of travelers. Visit highlights like the Grand Canyon, the Wild West town of Tombstone or the red rocks of Sedona, or head to cities like Phoenix or Tucson for professional sports, museums, observatories and science centers. Read on to discover which of the state’s endless iconic sights, stunning landscapes and gorgeous natural formations you should add to your Arizona bucket list.

Paris Intends to Ban Cars, Become More Walkable (Source: Electrek)
Starting in 2024, Paris will ban most vehicular traffic from the historic section of the city in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. Travel will be allowed by public transport, bicycles, scooters and on foot.