On the Go – October 21, 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

Southwest Considers Adjustments to Avoid Repeat Disruptions (Source: Business Travel News)
Southwest Airlines is evaluating “potential network schedule changes” to avoid a repeat of the widespread delays and cancellations it faced last weekend, president and COO Mike Van de Ven said in an apology letter posted on the carrier’s website.

Delta Boosts New York City Schedule For Fall (Source: Simple Flying)
Delta Air Lines is adding more than 100 daily flights to New York City’s two airports this fall, boosting total capacity by 25% and adding or resuming multiple international routes. The airline is also continuing work on improvements to its terminals at both John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.

Delta Expands Premium Economy (Source: Simple Flying)
Delta Air Lines is reactivating routes from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Prague and Copenhagen and retrofitting aircraft to increase the number of economy premium seats available. “I think one of the exciting things that we want to talk more about next year is by next summer, all of our long-haul international will have our new premium economy,” said Delta President Glen Hauenstein.

Alitalia Successor ITA Airways Launches (Source: Travel Weekly)
Italy’s new national airline, ITA Airways, flew its inaugural flights Friday and unveiled its brand and logo, recycling the red, white and green of its Alitalia origins as it tries to chart a new future while competing with low-cost airlines. ITA, or Italy Air Transport, officially launched after bankrupt flag carrier Alitalia landed its final flights Thursday night, ending a 74-year business history that a series of financial crises had marred in recent years.

General Interest

Everything to Know About The U.S. Reopening (Source: The Points Guy)
The United States announced that it will officially reopen to fully vaccinated travelers on Nov. 8, following the Sep. 20 announcement that the Biden administration would welcome back these individuals sometime in “early November.” Although we now have a confirmed date of Nov. 8, some questions remain regarding acceptable proof of vaccinations and what the entire process will look like. Here’s what we know so far about the U.S. reopening.

Hotels

Report: 2022 Negotiated U.S. Hotel Rates Could Rise 15 Percent (Source: Business Travel News)
For those buyers conducting an RFP this year, the average 2022 U.S. corporate negotiated rate could increase 10 percent to 15 percent year over year, predicted industry expert Bjorn Hanson, adjunct professor at the New York University School of Professional Studies’ Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, in his annual analysis.

Airports

Florida Airport Adds Express Lanes for Passengers Without Bags (Source: KTSP-TV)
Tampa International Airport is opening express lanes for dropping off and picking up passengers who have no checked baggage. The innovation will “allow passengers to get to and from their gates faster, bypassing the ticketing or bag claim levels and improving the overall passenger experience,” the airport said.

Pittsburgh Terminal Features Cutting-Edge Sustainability (Source: Architectural Digest Magazine)
Pittsburgh International Airport’s new $1.4 billion terminal will be powered by a micro-grid with 10,000 solar panels, at least 75% of construction waste will be recycled, and future plans include harvesting rainwater. In addition to cutting-edge sustainability initiatives, the new terminal will offer passengers shorter walking times and faster luggage delivery as well as indoor and outdoor spaces with a lot of greenery.

San Antonio, Texas, Plans Airport Expansion (Source: KSAT-TV)
Officials in San Antonio, Texas, are developing airport improvement plans that include adding a third terminal and more parking as well as improvements to existing terminals. “We want to ensure that we have the right airfield for the future” and “reach further destinations internationally,” said Jesus Saenz, director of the city’s Aviation Department.

Washington Dulles Discusses Plans to Replace Interim Terminal (Source: Skift)
United Airlines, which operates a hub at Washington Dulles International Airport, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority are discussing options for finally replacing Dulles’ C/D terminal, which was meant to be temporary when it was built in the 1980s. “As proud as we are of Dulles, it was never designed for what it’s doing today,” said United CEO Scott Kirby.

The Best Airports In The World: 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards (Source: Condé Nast Traveler)
International travelers are in for a pleasant surprise when they return to their favorite airports: Many major hubs used the pandemic downtime to spruce up their facilities, renovating lounges and expanding common spaces for more social distancing. Some had already undergone dramatic transformations, as starchitects worked their magic, creating bright and airy airports with amenities ranging from spas and yoga rooms to lush outdoor gardens and swimming pools. Read on to see which international airports made the top 10 in our 34th annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

Security

TSA: AI And Biometrics Will Change Airport Security (Source: Travel Weekly)
Dan McCoy, chief innovation officer for the Transportation Security Administration, said the day is coming when biometrics, mobile IDs and artificial intelligence will dramatically change airport security. TSA already uses 3D CT scanners that use algorithms to detect weapons, explosives and other forbidden items.

Leisure Travel

Saudi Arabia Turned An Oil Rig Into a Resort For Thrill-Seekers (Source: Gizmodo)
Take some old oil rigs and renovate them with 800 hotel rooms, 11 restaurants, water slides, a wave pool, roller coasters, ziplines, bungee-jumping, go-karts, submersibles and even a Ferris wheel. When I first saw this video, I thought it was some kind of joke. Nope. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has made “THE RIG” a reality.

Would You Stay At One Of These 8 Haunted Hotels This Halloween? (Source: The Points Guy)
Looking for a scary spot to spend the night this Halloween? Fortunately, there are hundreds of (reportedly) haunted hotels all around the world, from glamorous Hollywood high-rises to regal Indian palaces — and even a couple of points properties. We’ve selected eight of our favorites around the world that are accessible to U.S. travelers this Halloween season — a mix of urban towers, historic mansions and more. Ghosts, it seems, have excellent taste in overnight accommodations.