On the Go – October 6, 2022

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 Moves to New Terminal in O’Hare International (Source: Block Club Chicago)
Delta Air Lines is moving from Terminal 2 to the newly expanded Terminal 5 at O’Hare International Airport next week, with United Airlines and Alaska Airlines taking over Delta’s former Terminal 2 gates. The move comes as the airport finishes a $1 billion renovation of Terminal 5 that aims to increase gate capacity by 25%.

Flight Attendants Will Get More Rest Between Shifts Under New FAA Rule (Source: USA Today)
Airlines will be required to give flight attendants at least 10 hours off duty between shifts, one more hour than currently, under a rule announced Tuesday by the Federal Aviation Administration.  Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen said that the extra hour of rest would contribute to safety.

United Airlines Suspends Service to JFK (Source: The New York Times)
United Airlines is suspending service to JFK Airport, effective Oct 29. The airline said the decision came after discussions with the Federal Aviation Administration about increasing service ended with the FAA saying it couldn’t happen immediately.

Delta Wins Approval For LATAM Partnership (Source: Simple Flying)
Delta Air Lines has won final government approval for its partnership with South American carrier LATAM, allowing the airlines to coordinate schedules and improve reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. Delta also announced that it will increase its flight schedule to Brazil, resuming service between Sao Paulo and New York City and adding seasonal flights between Sao Paulo and Atlanta, and will increase capacity on its flights between Atlanta and Lima, Peru.

Virgin Atlantic to Join SkyTeam Alliance in 2023 (Source: Future Travel Experience)
Virgin Atlantic and SkyTeam have announced that the airline will join as SkyTeam’s newest member in early 2023. Virgin Atlantic will become SkyTeam’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.  Virgin Atlantic customers will benefit from a consistent, seamless customer experience, across 1,000+ global destinations.

General Interest

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo at Home (Source: SmarterTravel)
After paying $15 to have an awkward photo shoot in a CVS aisle, only to have my passport photos rejected twice—once for being too dark and once for being too bright—I decided there had to be a way to take your own passport photo at home. As it turns out, snapping your own passport photo is easier, cheaper, and much more convenient than going to a “professional” (a.k.a., the cashier at your local drugstore).

The Dollar And The Euro Are Equal For The First Time In 20 Years (Source: The Points Guy)
Trying to plan a European vacation but worried about ever-increasing travel prices? We have good news for you: For the first time in 20 years, the dollar is at parity with the euro.  At press time the exchange rate is $1 = 1 euro.  With the strong dollar to the euro exchange, Americans will see a nearly 15% discount on purchases compared to the same time last year when the exchange rate was $1= 1.19 euro, and a 12% discount since the beginning of the year when the $1 = 1.13 euro.

Airports

London’s Heathrow Airport to Drop Passenger Cap in October (Source: Travel Market Report)
Just as another major European airport announces its own passenger cap, London Heathrow is dropping its own.  According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, London Heathrow Airport will drop its cap on passenger numbers on Oct. 29. The cap was initially set at 100,000 over the summer after staff at Heathrow could not keep up with the passenger volume amidst a snapback in travel demand.

Hotels

Fairfield by Marriott to Open First European Hotels in 2023 (Source: Business Travel News)
Marriott International has announced plans to bring its Fairfield by Marriott brand of hotels to Europe from 2023. Fairfield by Marriott is also set to make its debut in the Middle East.  The midscale brand, which already has more than 1,200 properties, is planning to open four European properties in Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland and France from the second half of next year onwards.

Leisure Travel

Would You Stay at 1 of These 8 Haunted Hotels This Halloween? (Source: The Points Guy)
Looking for a scary spot to spend the night? Are you brave enough to stay at one of the most haunted hotels in the world?  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 — a mix of urban towers, historic mansions and more — that are said to have some supernatural guests. This list seems to reflect ghosts’ excellent taste in overnight accommodations.