On the Go – October 12, 2023

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

Major Airlines Suspend Service To Israel (Source: Business Travel News)
Several major U.S., European and Asian airlines, along with subsidiaries, have suspended service to Israel following surprise Hamas attacks on Israel on Saturday. Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv has remained open, and BTN is updating this list as circumstances warrant.

Delta CEO Discusses Strong Demand, Cites “Meaningful” Return Of Corporate Travel (Source: CNBC)
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said his carrier continues to report strong demand despite inflationary pressures throughout the economy. “Our consumers are continuing to prioritize travel as one of their main discretionary drivers,” Bastian said in an interview on CNBC. Bastian also noted that corporate travel is coming back “meaningfully” as companies across the country implement return to office mandates.

The Ultimate Guide To The Best International Airlines (Source: SmarterTravel)
Say goodbye to boring airline food and cramped economy seats and hello to an elevated in-flight experience. These top international airlines provide exceptional service, comfort, and a memorable flying experience across cabins.

Airplane Overhead Bins Got An Overdue Redesign (Source: CNN)
The decision by the airline industry to charge for carry-on bags has generated years of serious revenue for carriers … and years of serious headaches for passengers and flight attendants. With more people opting to save money by carrying on their bags, it’s time to bin overhead bins that were designed decades ago. Airbus is rolling out a new bin design that does a better job of holding modern roller bags.

United Shifts Toward Larger Aircraft (Source: Reuters)
United Airlines’ ordered 110 bigger aircraft to keep up with high travel demand and alleviate operating constraints. “The country is just not building a lot more runways and that’s just going to cause us to need to upgauge our aircraft to respond to growing demand,” said United Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella. Data from Airlines for America show larger planes containing more than 120 seats account for about 68% of domestic US flights compares to the pre-pandemic 58%.

General Interest

What If You Don’t Switch Your Phone To Airplane Mode? (Source: SmarterTravel)
It’s a familiar routine: You board the plane, settle into your seat, an then text frantically, trying to eke out just one last message before you hear the flight attendant’s announcement to switch your portable electronic devices to airplane mode.

Security

Guns, Knives And Cats: These Are The Things The TSA Confiscates (Source: The Points Guy)
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration intercepted more than 1,800 firearms at U.S. airports from July through September and is expecting to surpass 6,500 firearms by the end of the year.  TSA officers stopped 1,820 firearms at checkpoints during the third quarter, averaging 19.8 per day. Of those, more than 94% were loaded.

Hotels

The 23 Best Hotels In London (Source: The Points Guy)
With tens of thousands of rooms spread across London’s hotels, travelers have no shortage of choices when it comes to booking a place to stay in the Big Smoke. And even once you stay at all the best hotels in London, more will join the ranks every year.  There are iconic London hotels in some of the poshest neighborhoods that have legacy and reputation on their side, and affordable hotels that prioritize communal spaces designed for mingling with others. Families might prefer something casual from one of the larger chains.

These Are The Cities Where Hotel Prices Are Rising Fastest (Source: Bloomberg)
Several cities are expected to see hotel prices climb by more than 15% in the next year—even as leisure travel demand starts to soften.

The 15 Best Hotels In Boston (Source: SmarterTravel)
Historic Boston draws travelers looking to experience New England culture, tour the city’s famous universities, and sample the area’s famous seafood.  The city is home to a huge number of hotels, offering everything from a luxury waterfront hotel with gorgeous harbor views to a trendy renovated former prison.  We’ve narrowed down the choices to the 15 best hotels in Boston for every type of traveler.

Ground Transportation

J.D. Power: Car Rental Customer Satisfaction ‘Surges’ (Source: Business Travel News)
After a few years of either declines or stable scores, overall customer satisfaction with airport-based car rental companies “surged” this past year, according to the J.D. Power 2023 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study.

Leisure Travel

The 5 Best Things To Do In Mexico City (Source: SmarterTravel)
Mexico City has exploded in popularity over the recent years, drawing visitors keen to experience the city’s thriving culinary scene, warm weather, and lively culture. If you’re short on time and hoping to make the most of your trip to Mexico’s capital, follow this guide.