On the Go – November 12, 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.

* * For the latest COVID-19 travel industry information, please click on this link:

https://traveloneinc.com/covid-19-industry-information/

Airlines

Delta CEO Sees “Light At The End Of The Tunnel” (Source: Barron News-Shield)
The coronavirus pandemic “isn’t in a good place in many parts of the country and cities where we operate,” Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said, “but there’s been a steady build of air traffic coming back” as “people are getting more comfortable and understand the safety of air travel.” With the prospect of vaccines and “other medical advances, airlines are “seeing light at the end of the tunnel,” explained Bastian.

United Extends Elite Perks, Makes It Easier to Earn Status (Source: The Points Guy)
At the end of 2019, United Airlines announced big changes to how elite members qualify for MileagePlus Premier status, increasing spending requirements across the board. And then coronavirus hit. In response to the pandemic, and the reduced flying that followed, the airline extended current status levels for another year — through January 2022 — and reduced requirements for anyone hoping to hit a new tier based on their (limited) travels in 2020.

United Offers Food On Some Flights, Tests Payment Tech (Source: USA Today)
United Airlines will start selling food, beer and wine in economy class on some flights from its Denver hub beginning Nov. 17. The airline is testing a new touchless digital payment system developed in consultation with the Cleveland Clinic.

US Airlines Prepare For Start Of Holiday Travel (Source: Today)
As Americans begin to book holiday travel, airlines are preparing to meet demand. “We expect the week of Thanksgiving will be the biggest week at United Airlines since the onset of the pandemic,” United’s Josh Earnest said. US airlines have implemented multiple layers of protection to prioritize the health and wellbeing of passengers and crew. “The airline industry has put a lot of thought, a lot of energy into making a lot of adjustments to ensure that health and safety is first and foremost,” said Tori Barnes of the US Travel Association. Numerous studies evaluating the inflight experience have affirmed that the layered approach along with hospital-grade air filtration and ventilation systems result in very low risk of COVID-19 transmission aboard aircraft. “[Flying] is safer than going to the grocery store, it’s safer than going to an office building, it’s safer than even going to the doctor’s office,” Earnest stated.

General Interest

Traveling During COVID-19? Here is What You Need To Know Before You Go (Source: Travel Market Report)
It’s reasonable to assume that most of us don’t take advice from those without experience. Thankfully if you’re looking to travel during Covid-19, you don’t have to fret because there are plenty of advisors who “have been there and done that” recently and are willing to share all they’ve learned.

Airlines, Shipping Companies Prepare To Move Vaccine (Source: Bloomberg)
FedEx and UPS are getting ready for an unprecedented holiday shipping crunch followed by possible availability of a coronavirus vaccine, and airlines are also gearing up to play their part to continue transporting essential cargo around the country and the world. “US cargo and passenger carriers routinely transport time-sensitive, lifesaving medicines and other pharmaceuticals under secure, temperature-controlled conditions, and we stand ready to transport the coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available,” said Airlines for America.

Security

Holiday Travel Recommendations Issued By TSA (Source: TravelPulse)
The Transportation Security Administration’s suggestions on staying healthy and prepared while traveling during the holiday season include enrolling in the TSA Precheck program to reduce touchpoints, following TSA on social media for real-time answers to inquiries and downloading the myTSA app for up-to-date notifications and security information. The TSA also offers guidelines on which foods and beverages can be transported in a carry-on bag versus checked luggage.

Airports

COVID-19 Testing Now Offered At MSP (Source: MSP Airport Newsletter)
A COVID-19 testing site opened today at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, available to all members of the public. The site, which utilizes saliva tests and delivers results in 24 to 48 hours, expands the testing options for Minnesotans.

San Francisco Airport Adjusts Timeline Renovations (Source: Global Construction Review)
San Francisco International Airport has pushed back completion dates for some ongoing renovation projects due to decreased passenger traffic and revenue. A check-in lobby for the new Harvey Milk Terminal 1, whose gates opened in 2019 and 2020, will be delayed until at least October 2023, while work continues on additional gates and a connection to the International Terminal.

Seattle Airport Offers COVID-19 Testing (Source: TravelPulse)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the latest airport to offer passengers onsite COVID-19 testing. Ticketed passengers can make appointments up to 72 hours prior to travel.

Cold War Era Berlin Tegal Airport Closes Its Doors After 60 Years (Source: The Points Guy)
Sunday is a sad day for many Berliners. The city’s historic Cold War-era airport, Tegel (TXL), shuts its doors for good with a final Air France departure at 3 p.m. local time. Long-delayed Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), which opened on Oct. 31, will handle all flights to and from the German capital.

Hotels

20% Discounts at Hyatt For Holiday, Spring (Source: TravelPulse)
For a limited time, Hyatt Hotels is offering discounts of up to 20% for holiday and spring bookings without cancellation penalties. The company made the move based on a survey that found almost half of the respondents planned to travel by end of 2021.

Seattle Plays Host to Bold New Lotte Venture (Source: Seattle PI)
The debut of the Lotte Hotel Seattle marks the first foray beyond Asia for Korea’s largest hospitality chain. The property blends contemporary design with a century-old Byzantine-style sanctuary and reflects surrounding buildings with a facade of stained glass.

Hyatt Hotels Is Opening Its First Property In Sweden (Source: Travel Weekly)
Hyatt Hotels Corp. is poised to open its first property in Sweden in early 2021. The Hotell Reisen in Stockholm will join the Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand after extensive renovations. In the meantime, the 144-room property, which dates to the 17th century, will be available on Hyatt’s booking system as an unbranded property as of Dec. 1.