On the Go – March 5, 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

Delta earns top spot in loyalty program ranking (Source: Lifehacker)
For the fifth year in a row, Delta Air Lines’ frequent flyer program came in first place in WalletHub’s annual ranking, which examines a variety of metrics such as countries and destinations served, blackout dates, number of daily flights and earning limits. 

Delta, Latam expand partnership with frequent flyer benefits (Source: Frequent Business Traveler)
Delta Air Lines and Latam Airlines Group will offer frequent flyers the opportunity to earn and redeem miles on both airlines and extend reciprocal benefits to elite members.

Delta to be US Olympic team airline, ’28 L.A. Games sponsor (Source: Forbes)
Delta Air Lines will be an inaugural sponsor for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the official airline for the US Olympic and Paralympic teams beginning in 2021. 

JetBlue, United, Delta add new inflight refreshments (Source: Paxes.Aero)
JetBlue is adding 88 Acres bars to its inflight snack offerings, while United Airlines will temporarily replace Biscoff treats with Oreo Thins.

Airports

15 locations pre-clear passengers into the US from abroad (Source: Forbes)
Flying to the US can mean long customs lines, but there are 15 locations around the world that will clear a traveler to the US before they board.

Calif. airport implements new ID verification (Source: The Sacramento Bee)
Those flying from California’s Sacramento International Airport can keep their boarding pass tucked away at the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint as the airport debuts electronic verification of driver’s license or other ID. 

Detroit Metro Airport improvements contribute to success (Source: Michigan Live)
The $21 million improvement project at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Michigan has delivered new dining options, which provides travelers with increased dietary options throughout the terminal.

Highway 5 Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport (Source: MNDOT)
Upcoming road work around the MSP airport.

NYC-area airports plan $30B in improvements (Source: Urbanland)
Extensive projects totaling $30 billion are planned for the three major airports in the New York City area — John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport — to overhaul aging and outdated facilities.

Security

Precheck program has 10M members (Source: Travel Pulse)
The Transportation Security Administration announced that after an 18% increase in membership between March 2019 and February 2020, the Precheck program has enrolled 10 million members.

Travel Tips

How to keep germs at bay while traveling (Source: The New York Times)
Germs can linger for a long time on surfaces, so travelers might want to disinfect areas around them on airplanes.