On the Go – November 14, 2019

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 enhances overbooked flight process with digital options (Source: Phoenix Business Journal)
American Airlines has deployed an automated system that contacts passengers through its app or via email to offer them flight vouchers to switch from overbooked flights. 

JetBlue to offer basic economy option (Source: REUTERS)
JetBlue is changing its fare structure and launching a basic economy option, “Blue Basic,” which will give customers one carry-on and free seat selection 24 hours prior to a flight.

Solar energy powers all operations at Tenn. airport (Source: Solar Power World)
Tennessee’s Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is the first in the US to power all of its operations with solar energy.

Southwest, American cancel Boeing 737 MAX until March 5   (Source: Frequent Business Traveler)
American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, two of the three major operators of the beleaguered Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

Southwest experiments with “dual boarding” (Source: USA Today)
Southwest Airlines is experimenting in Sacramento, Calif., with allowing passengers to board and deplane through the rear door as well as the traditional jetway, speeding up the process.

Airports

Fla. airport to debut new baggage inspection system (Source: Tampa Bay Newspapers)
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is ready to bring online a $12.5 million baggage inspection system that will allow Transportation Security Administration officials to speed up the inspection process.

Passenger patience tested in new La. airport terminal (Source: Nola.com)
The first full weekend of operations at New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong International Airport’s new terminal saw long lines in security.

Hotels

Innovation dominates in Silicon Valley lodging (Source: Variety)
Silicon Valley hotels compete across a wide array of amenities, but the focus on innovation is their common denominator.

NYC’s Hotel Pennsylvania turns 100 with rejuvenation (Source: Forbes)
New York City’s Hotel Pennsylvania, once the world’s largest, is celebrating its centennial this year by wrapping up the second installment of a three-stage renovation.

Technology

What to Do If Your Phone Is Lost or Stolen While Traveling (Source: Smarter Travel)
Don’t wait until it’s too late—know what to do if your phone is stolen on a trip so you can recover it faster, protect your identity, and not lose all those great vacation photos.

Security

DHS wants self-service stations at checkpoints (Source: Nextgov)
The Department of Homeland Security is requesting information about self-service security systems, allowing passengers to screen themselves.