On the Go – September 8, 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 And Others Are In Talks to Buy Majority Stake in Italian Flag Carrier (Source: Travel Weekly)
Italy’s economy and finance ministry on Wednesday announced it has entered into “exclusive talks” with a consortium formed by Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and U.S. investment fund Certares for the purchase of national carrier ITA Airways. The move comes after months of negotiation as the government deemed the offer “more in line with objectives” set by outgoing prime minister Mario Draghi, selecting it over a rival bid from container shipping company MSC Group and German airline group Lufthansa.

United Will Leave NYC Airport Without More Flight Slots (Source: Fox Business)
United Airlines has said it will suspend service out of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport at the end of October unless the Federal Aviation Administration gives the airline more landing slots in addition to the four flights it currently operates to Los Angeles and San Francisco. The airline leased the rights for 40 daily takeoffs and landings to Delta Air Lines when it left JFK to consolidate service at its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

JetBlue Launches Boston-London Gatwick Service (Source: Travel Weekly)
JetBlue launched service from Boston Logan Airport to London Gatwick Airport on Aug. 4.  The airline’s plans to grow its transatlantic presence this year include new service from Logan to Heathrow, launching Sept. 20, and an additional Gatwick departure from New York starting Oct. 29.

General Interest

The Challenge of Providing Internet on Aircraft (Source: CNN)
Internet service on airlines is slowly improving as technology advances and more satellites are launched, but a close look reveals the challenge behind providing connectivity in the air. “The biggest point of difference for inflight WiFi is the complexity added by the mobility element,” Don Buchman, vice president and general manager for commercial aviation at Viasat.

South Korea Will Drop COVID-19 Test Requirement For Travel on September 3 (Source: Travel Market Report)
Starting on Sept. 3, South Korea will no longer require inbound travelers to complete a pre-departure test prior to entering the country.  According to Visit Korea, starting on Saturday, travelers must undergo a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival, register via Korea’s Q-CODE system, and complete the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization before travel. However, those three mandates will be the last remaining COVID=19 requirements for travelers heading to South Korea.

Airports

Nashville Airport Projects Remain On Track (Source: WKRN-TV)
A grand lobby is one of two expansion projects expected to wrap up in 2023 at Nashville International Airport in Tennessee. The lobby is expected to be finished in January, and next December, a nine-story hotel atop a four-story garage is expected to reach completion.

Why Airport Self-Service Technology is Crucial Now (Source: PhocusWire Daily)
It’s the summer holidays, you’re about to jet off to an exotic destination and the excitement is building. As you approach the airport, you notice a long queue of passengers outside the terminal – it’s pandemonium.  This scene was reminiscent of the past six weeks at many airports across the world.  Your heart sinks as you realize it might be a few hours before you even reach check-in and bag drop. Unfortunately, this is an all too familiar experience for thousands of travelers this summer. 

Hotels

The 15 Best Hotels in Los Angeles (Source: SmarterTravel)
A sprawling metropolis set among mountains, oceans, and beaches, Los Angeles is an enticing destination. With bright skies and warm temperatures all year round, the city draws visitors looking for a dose of sunshine, culture, (and maybe a celebrity spotting or two.) These are the 15 best hotels in LA with options for every budget.

Surprise! Another New Hotel in Nashville (Source: MeetingsNet)
The largest Embassy Suites in North America recently debuted less than one block from the Music City Center with significant meeting space. While the Covid pandemic was a huge drag on the hotel industry nationwide, one city that’s moved ahead with several hotel openings is Nashville. In fact, the city has added nearly 3,800 hotel rooms since the beginning of 2021; these include the 252-room Hyatt Centric last June, the 346-room W Nashville last September, and the 200-room Hotel Fraye last month.

Leisure Travel

8 Things To Do In Chicago With Kids (Source: The Points Guy)
Filled with world-class museums, trailblazing architecture and expansive parks and gardens, the “City of Big Shoulders” is packed with activities that inspire and entertain young minds, no matter what the season.  You might not think of Chicago as a beach destination, but on summer days, and even through fall, the sandy shoreline of Lake Michigan becomes the city’s beloved playground. Families enjoy barbecues and splashing in the water, cyclists and rollerbladers ply the lakefront bike path and volleyball nets and paddle boards scatter the beaches.

7 Spooky Destinations For A Halloween Vacation (Source: The Points Guy)
For many people around the world, the start of fall means one thing: Halloween.  Many believe this holiday can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which means “summer’s end.” People dressed in costumes to celebrate the harvest season and ward off evil spirits (which they believed to be more prominent during this time of year).