On the Go – October 10, 2024

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 Air Lines Adds Regional Routes From Detroit, Minneapolis (Source: Simple Flying)
Delta Air Lines is gearing up to deploy the Bombardier CRJ550 aircraft on regional flights from Detroit and Minneapolis to be operated by SkyWest Airlines. The Detroit destinations are three Michigan airports — Delta County Airport in Escanaba (ESC), Pellston Regional Airport (PLN) and Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport (MQT) — while the routes from Minneapolis include Aberdeen, S.D.; Hibbing/Chisolm, Minn.; Marquette and Rhinelander, Wis.; Escanaba, Mich., and Willison, N.D.

Delta Air Lines, LATAM Grow Flight Schedule In The Americas (Source: Delta News Hub)
In the two years since Delta Air Lines and the LATAM group launched a joint venture, the airlines have added six new routes between North and South America, operating more than 32,000 flights and transporting more than 5 million passengers. “We are proud not only of the record 68% increase in flights and the fruitful partnership we have established with LATAM, but above all of the trust that 5 million customers have placed in the world-class and dedicated service we strive to provide every day,” said Alex Antilla, Delta’s vice president for Latin America.

Security

State Department Says It Is Processing Passports Faster (Source: Travel Weekly)
The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs said passport processing times have fallen to four to six weeks, down from six to eight weeks.  The bureau said it has been well under the previous target of six to eight weeks for months.

Airports

Houston Airport To Open Expanded Terminal October 22 (Source: Houston Chronicle)
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) plans to open the expanded section of Terminal D on Oct. 22. The expansion can accommodate six wide-body or 10 narrow-body aircraft, and will feature eight new art pieces, a sensory room and children’s play area.

Hotels

Tropicana Las Vegas Demolished In Early Morning Ceremony (Source: Travel Market Report)
Las Vegas is on to yet another chapter of its history.  The hotel towers at the city’s Tropicana Hotel and Casino were officially demolished early on Wednesday, marking the end of the story of the Tropicana Las Vegas. This casino resort had been part of the city since opening in 1957.

Park Hyatt Makes Its London Debut (Source: Travel Market Report)
Park Hyatt London River Thames has officially opened in the heart of the city, marking the Park Hyatt brand’s debut in the U.K.  The new hotel offers 203 guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river Thames, City of London, and Houses of Parliament. The interiors blend sleek contemporary design with traditional English architecture, resulting in a stylish yet calming vibe complete with art installations.

Marriott To Offer City Express Brand In U.S. (Source: Business Travel News)
Marriott International will expand the City Express brand, acquired in 2022 and currently in Latin America, into the United States and Canada, the company announced Tuesday.  The company said the City Express by Marriott brand, which represents the company’s first foray into the “affordable midscale” tier, is “designed to be conversion-friendly,” and said Marriott could have its first signed agreements and openings in the U.S. and Canada “in the coming months.”

Ground Transportation

National Tops J.D. Power Car Rental Satisfaction Survey (Source: Business Travel News)
National took top honors in the J.D. Power 2024 North American Rental Car Satisfaction Study with a score of 736 out of possible 1,000 points, according to J.D. Power. The brand bested its sister company Enterprise, which had 729 points and was first last year.

Leisure Travel

The 15 Best Christmas Markets In Europe For 2024 (Source: The Points Guy)
If your idea of winter bliss involves sipping gluhwein, browsing endless stalls of holiday gifts and getting lost in a sea of glittering fairy lights, plan to celebrate this season at one of Europe’s Christmas markets. These traditional markets date back hundreds of years and are still popular in many European countries, from France to Estonia.

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