On the Go – May 12, 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

Southwest Investing $2B on Inflight Improvements (Source: TravelPulse)
Southwest Airlines plans to introduce improvements by investing $2 billion to the passenger experience, including bigger overhead bins, faster internet and more power outlets, as well as expanded entertainment and drink options. “We have a great product combined with terrific employees delivering terrific service, but there is a lot that we can continue to do to meet our customers’ and our employees’ expectations,” said CEO Bob Jordan.

Delta Air Lines CEO: We Hope to Exceed 2019 (Source: Fortune)
As air travel demand bounces back, CEO Ed Bastian said Delta Airlines is “not trying to get back to 2019,” but “trying to get better.” In an interview with Fortune magazine, Bastian noted “demand is greater than pre-pandemic levels, and the industry, as a whole, is trying to catch up.”

General Interest

EU No Longer Recommends Mask Requirement on Aircraft (Source: Fox News)
European Union is no longer recommending that masks be required on aircraft, although decisions on the issue are made by individual countries and airlines. For example, Italy and Germany still require them on public transport.

Japan Could Reopen to North Americans Next Month (Source: Travel Market Report)
After a more than two-year closure, Japan could open its door to residents of the United States and Canada as soon as next month. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told media in London late last week that the country is set to introduce a “smoother entry process similar to that of other G7 members” in June, which could mean a reopening to international travelers. All other G7 countries—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the U.K., and the U.S.—have reopened to those leisure travelers with some, or no, COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Security

We Have The Technology To End The Airport Liquid Ban, So Why Is It Still In Place? (Source: CNN)
A quiet revolution is underway in how we transit airport security — but most of us won’t even have noticed. The requirement to put liquids into 100-milliliter containers and take electronics out of bags has been a staple of air travel for nearly 16 years. However, at many airports around the world new technology is already in place that will allow that rule to be scrapped, and some are now beginning to drop the ban.

Airports

Austin, Texas Airport Plans to Add Gates in 2024 (Source: CultureMap)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport plans to begin work this summer on adding three new gates to the Texas airport’s main terminal, scheduled for completion in 2024. The project is part of a long-term renovation plan that calls for an additional 10-gate concourse.

Hotels

The Very First Park Hyatt – Chicago – is Again Accepting Reservations After Major Overhaul (Source: The Points Guy)
Park Hyatt Chicago, the very first hotel to hold the name Park Hyatt, is again accepting reservations after undergoing an extensive $60 million renovation. The property has been refurbishing all 198 guest rooms and suites over the past several months. Potentially due to reduced demand from COVID-19, the property chose to close its doors during the renovation as opposed to renovating individual guest room floors while continuing operations.

Ground Transportation

Amtrak Unveils Increased Summer Schedule (Source: Business Travel News)
Amtrak on Monday unveiled a summer schedule featuring the most Acela frequencies since the onset of the pandemic and total Northeast Regional departures that near 80 percent of pre-pandemic service levels. The increased service was “bolstered by a demand for both business and leisure travel,” according to Amtrak.

Leisure Travel

16 Insider Tips For Living Out Your ‘Star Wars’ Dreams at Disney (Source: The Points Guy)
When an entire land devoted to “Star Wars” opened in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland back in 2019, the domestic Disney parks became a must-visit destination for “Star Wars” fans. But that was really just the beginning of a whole new chapter of Disney-fueled “Star Wars” experiences. With the recent launch of the two-night Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World and more “Star Wars” experiences coming to Disney Cruise Line, there have never been more real-life opportunities to step into the world of “Star Wars.”