On the Go – September 21, 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

Survey Finds Wi-Fi Most Important In-Flight Amenity (Source: Aircraft Interiors International)
Viasat says a survey of 11,000 air travelers found that more than 80% considers Wi-Fi as important in their booking choices and travel experience, and it is the in-flight amenity that most influences their choice of airline. “The 2023 Passenger Experience Survey shows how quickly travelers have adopted to digital nativism, including expectations for free, fast wi-fi and edge-of-your-seat experiences, like live TV and live sport at 30,000 feet,” said Jimmy Dodd, SVP & president, global enterprise & mobility at Viasat.

Delta Meteorologist Discusses Impact Of Severe Weather On Flight Plans (Source: The New York Times)
Warren Weston, Delta Air Lines’ lead meteorologist, provided insight into aviation meteorologists’ role in ensuring safe, efficient air travel. Weston explained that weather reports generated for aviation look at a wide range of conditions, including the upper air and surface weather, and include information on turbulence, wind speed and more. “Our goal is to give enough lead time so dispatchers and other decision makers can make proactive operational decisions, rather than waiting for something to happen,” Weston said.

Delta, Southwest See September Corporate Travel Boost (Source: Business Travel News)
Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines each are seeing solid increases in business travel after Labor Day, executives from each carrier said at last week’s Morgan Stanley Laguna Conference. Delta is “really encouraged” by business demand, president Glen Hauenstein said.

Southwest CEO: Airline “Very Prepared” For Winter (Source: Reuters)
Southwest Airlines CEO Robert Jordan says the airline has made “big investments in winter operations” including de-icing equipment, and is ready for the upcoming winter. “I feel very, very prepared for this winter and all that will be in place by October,” Jordan said.

Security

A Glimpse Inside TSA’s Lost And Found (Source: WRC-TV)
Every day, the Transportation Security Administration screens over 2 million people nationwide, leading to a rapid accumulation of lost and found items. WRC-TV’s Joseph Olmo goes behind the scenes at Dulles International Airport’s security checkpoint to explore the wide array of unique items left behind by travelers.

This Airport Is Going Passport-Free Next Year (Source: Travel Market Report)
A passport-free future is almost a reality at one of the world’s best airports.  Starting next year, Singapore’s Changi Airport will no longer require passports, instead using exclusively biometric data (fingerprint and facial scans) to clear passengers at a number of touchpoints when they’re departing.

Airports

Survey Gives Detroit Airport Top Ranking (Source: Forbes)
J.D. Power’s 2023 passenger satisfaction survey ranks airports in Detroit, Indianapolis and Tampa, Fla., the best in North America in their respective size categories. Among the largest airports, those in Minneapolis, Las Vegas and Dallas/Fort Worth were the runners up behind Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

Hotels

NYC Hotel Prices Expected To Rise As Airbnb Disappears (Source: CNBC)
As Airbnb units are withdrawn from the New York City market, consumer interest in the city’s hotels is growing, according to Kevin Davis, Americas CEO of JLL Hotels & Hospitality. “We expect prices will likely increase, particularly as we get deeper into the year,” said Davis.

Opening Day Set For New Las Vegas Resort (Source: MeetingsNet)
Fontainebleau Las Vegas will be ready to host meetings and incentives across 550,000 square feet of event space as of mid-December.  After two-plus years of construction and more than a decade in development, the 3,644-unit Fontainebleau Las Vegas will open its doors on December 13, pending its expected regulatory approvals.

Accor Expands Raffles Brand Into Boston (Source: MeetingsNet)
The 147-room Raffles Boston debuted September 15, bringing the Accor luxury brand to North America for the first time.  A new 35-story high-rise has opened in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, home to the newest luxury hotel for Massachusetts’s capital.

Ground Transportation

Could The UAW Strike Affect Corporate Car Rentals? (Source: Business Travel News)
UAW strikes at three major U.S. car manufacturing plants so far could delay spring vehicle deliveries for car rental companies, if they drag on.  Nearly 13,000 members of the United Auto Workers union in Ohio, Michigan and Missouri and went on strike Friday, demanding increased pay, a return to pension-based retirement benefits new hires and cost-of-living wage raises. Could the labor action eventually affect rental car companies—and what would that mean for corporate travel buyers?

Leisure Travel

7 Unique Events In Anchorage, Alaska Worth Planning A Trip Around (Source: SmarterTravel)
For an “only in Alaska” experience, time your trip around one of Anchorage’s unique events. At these fun festivals, you can participate in human foosball, compete in a salmon fishing derby, or celebrate the state’s craft brew scene.

The Top Gourmet Buffets Return To The Las Vegas Strip (Source: Travel Market Report)
During the dark, early days of the COVID-19 pandemic’s complete shutdown of the Las Vegas hospitality sector, the city’s casino-resort managers were relatively sure of one thing:  self-service buffets were unlikely to return.  After all, the mere specter of hundreds of guests crowded together, hovering over food displays while sharing serving utensils was enough to dampen thoughts of a buffet resurgence.