On the Go – May 13, 2021

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

British Airways Trials Virtual Queueing (Source: Business Travel News)
British Airways is trialling new technology that will enable passengers to virtually queue at check-in by pre-booking their slot time in advance of arriving at the airport.

Pandemic Sent U.S. Airline Customer Satisfaction Soaring (Source: Travel Weekly)
Delta Air Lines scored the highest in J.D. Power’s North America Airline Satisfaction Study. Customer satisfaction with U.S. airlines increased to what J.D. Power described as “new heights” over the past year, as the Covid-19 pandemic led to less crowed flights and caused airlines to end change fees.

United, Delta Add Flights to Reopened European Countries (Source: TravelPulse)
Delta and United have been quick to add flights to European countries that have reopened their borders to American tourists. They serve Greece, Iceland and Croatia from multiple US cities.

Air Canada CEO Calls For International Travel “Reopening Plan” (Source: TravelPulse)
Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rosseau called on the Canadian government to “communicate and implement a reopening plan” for international travel, “starting with replacing blanket restrictions with science-based testing and limited quarantine measures where appropriate.” Rousseau said requirements that incoming air travelers quarantine in designated hotels has “proven ineffective” and “should be eliminated.”

Delta Retaliates Against American, JetBlue With More Lie-Flats to LA (Source: The Points Guy)
The lie-flat wars are heating up. Over the weekend, Delta Air Lines made a notable schedule update for its transcon route between Boston (BOS) and Los Angeles (LAX). Beginning on July 7, the carrier will deploy a Boeing 757-200 on the 2,611-mile cross-country jaunt, instead of the previously scheduled Boeing 737-800, confirmed by Cirium schedules and the carrier’s website.

General Interest

CDC Approves Home Tests For Inbound International Travelers (Source: Reuters)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated guidance to allow inbound international air passengers to meet COVID-19 testing requirements using self-administered tests that fulfill several criteria, including FDA-approval and remote supervision. “This is an encouraging step in facilitating the international travel process while continuing to prioritize the safety and well-being of all travelers and employees seeking entry to the US,” Airlines for America said.

Leisure Travel

More Than a Dozen Las Vegas Casinos Cleared to Operate at 100% Capacity (Source: The Points Guy)
Las Vegas just hit the jackpot in its rebound from the pandemic. Three of the biggest casino operators in Nevada — MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Station Casinos — were all approved to return to full casino capacity with no social distancing restrictions. The news, announced Wednesday, means 24 casinos across the valley can now immediately resume operating at 100% capacity.