On the Go – September 16, 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

American Airlines Offers Live Sports Inflight (Source: Nasdaq)
American Airlines is bringing live TV football experience to its customers starting Thursday, September 9. During the football season, the customers traveling on any of American’s domestic narrowbody aircraft will have free access to live sports and news networks 24/7 for every game day.

Southwest President Nealon Retires (Source: Business Travel News)
Southwest Airlines president Tom Nealon on Monday announced his immediate retirement from his role, though he plans to stay with the airline as a strategic advisor focusing on sustainability.

General Interest

9/11 On Its 20^th Anniversary: How Air Travel Was Changed (Source: Travel Weekly)
Ask anyone old enough to remember travel before Sept. 11, 2001, and you’re likely to get a gauzy recollection of what flying was like. There was security screening, but it wasn’t anywhere near as intrusive. There were no long checkpoint lines. Passengers and their families could walk right to the gate together, postponing goodbye hugs until the last possible moment. Overall, an airport experience meant far less stress.

As U.S. Reportedly Mulls A Plan To Reopen Boarders, ASTA Calls It ‘Long Overdue’ (Source: Travel Weekly)
Amid reports that U.S. officials are preparing to unveil an updated international travel policy for inbound visitors, ASTA on Wednesday came out strongly in favor of such a move, calling it “long overdue.” The Biden administration is considering requiring international visitors to be vaccinated, and to agree to contract tracing when it revamps the current restrictions that bar foreigners from entering the U.S., according to an Associated Press report. The plan was also reported by Reuters.

What It’s Like To Travel To Europe Right Now (Source: SmarterTravel)
In August 2021, I went on a two-week trip to Europe, and was pleasantly surprised at how free I felt to enjoy my time there. I was expecting testing and entry protocols to be much more stringent, and for locals to be hesitant about me being there. However, that didn’t turn out to be the case. Here’s what it’s like to travel to Europe now, along with tips for going during the pandemic.

Security

TSA Doubles Fines For Mask Refusal (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
The Transportation Security Administration is doubling fines for air passengers who refuse to wear face coverings on airplanes and in airports, which will now start at $500 and go up to $3,000 for repeat offenders. “The behavior shown toward flight attendants and gate agents is wrong. It’s ugly,” President Joe Biden said.

Ground Transportation

Enterprise Collaborates With Microsoft to Expand Connected Fleet (Source: Business Travel News)
Enterprise Holdings is working with Microsoft to install connected technology into its vehicles, the car rental company announced. Enterprise already has deployed connected technology in more than 100,000 vehicles and intends to reach by year-end 350,000 vehicles in the United States.

Hotels

Hilton Updates Loyalty Program Benefits, Status (Source: Business Travel News)
Hilton Hotels Corp. has extended some point expiration dates in its Hilton Honors loyalty program while tightening some status requirements, the company announced Wednesday. Some changes are an extension of those made in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hotel, Dining Groups Back Pittsburgh 2% Room Tax Plan (Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Pittsburgh’s hotel and restaurant industry groups are supporting a proposal by the city’s top tourism organization to add a 2% fee to Allegheny County hotel rooms. County and state legislative approval are needed for the measure, aimed at boosting marketing for tourism that still languishes from the pandemic.

Rosewood Hotel is Coming to San Francisco (Source: Travel Weekly)
A new skyscraper currently rising in San Francisco’s Transbay District will house a Rosewood Hotel, the brand’s first in the city. The Rosewood San Francisco will occupy 15 floors of the 61-story, 1.1 million-square-foot, mixed use tower. The hotel is expected to open in 2026. The Transbay District is located just below Market Street on the east side of the city.

Hotels Change Housekeeping Services in Pandemic’s Wake (Source: The Washington Post)
Hotels are increasingly foregoing daily housekeeping in favor of cleaning every few days or by request to limit person-to-person interaction in wake of the coronavirus pandemic and to address a severe staffing shortage. “For people who have not traveled very often, this will come as a shock,” said Anthony Melchiorri, a hospitality expert, adding “years ago, we never contemplated housekeeping becoming an option. It was a luxury.”

Airports

LAX Plans New Terminal Ahead of 2028 Olympic Games (Source: Simple Flying)
Los Angeles International Airport has completed its environmental review to add a new concourse and terminal. The construction is scheduled for completion prior to the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles.

Oklahoma City Airport Opens New $90M Passenger Terminal (Source: The Oklahoman)
Will Rogers Airport opened its new passenger terminal and security checkpoint this week, completing its $90 million construction project. Work began more than two years ago and the upgraded airport will feature new lounges, amenities and the potential for future expansions and international flights.

Chicago O’Hare Completes $5B Modernization Project (Source: WGN-TV)
O’Hare International Airport completed its $6 billion modernization project, which features eight parallel east-west runways to help reduce delays and increase space at the airport. “Part of the reason that companies have relocated to Chicago from other parts of the country is because of our incredible modern transportation system which centers around O’Hare Airport,” said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Leisure Travel

Family Seating Under Review by DOT (Source: Travel Weekly)
The Transportation Department is investigating airline policies that affect the seating together of families. US airlines require families to upgrade to more expensive seats, while Ryanair and Singapore Airlines automatically arrange for families to sit together.