The US State Department has announced that American citizens can continue to return home from abroad on expired passports through June 30, reports Travel Weekly. The temporary measure, which was last extended in December, was set to expire on March 31. "This extension will lessen ongoing travel difficulties created by the global COVID-19 pandemic," the State Department said. The measure does not apply to travel from the US to another country. In addition, American citizens who are abroad are not permitted to use an expired passport to travel to another country for any length of stay longer than an airport connection en route to the US or a US territory. The State Department also added that travelers should confirm their eligibility for traveling on an expired passport prior to finalizing travel arrangements.

A new study found that 77 percent of business travelers and 64 percent of employed Americans are ready to bring back business travel, reports Travel Pulse. The survey was conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) in early March and included a national sample of 2,210 adults. The AHLA survey results found that 43 percent of Americans revealed they are more likely to travel for business compared to 2020-21 in response to relaxed public health requirements from the CDC and state and local governments. “The last two years of virtual work arrangements and travel restrictions have underscored the importance of travel and face-to-face meetings for businesses, employees, and customers alike,” AHLA President Chip Rogers said. “These results are proof of that.” Additional data found that 85 percent of employed Americans and 86 percent of business travelers said face-to-face interactions are important for maximizing company success, while 61 percent and 74 percent of those same categories agree that in-person meetings and business travel build organizational strength in a way virtual interactions can’t. “Most Americans recognize the unmatched value business travel and face-to-face meetings provide,” Rogers continued. “And after the last two years, the return of business travel is more important than ever.”

Airline trade group Airlines for America (A4A) has sent a letter to the Biden administration urging the US to drop federal transportation COVID-19 restrictions, including international predeparture testing and the mask mandate, reports Business Travel News. Signatories of the letter included the CEOs of Alaska Air Group, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines, and the former CEO and now chairman of Southwest Airlines. The request noted that the required measures made sense when imposed but are "now outdated." According to A4A, the predeparture testing requirement, designed to slow the introduction of variants into the US, has "outlived its utility and stymies the return of international travel." The letter also stated that the restrictions create a disadvantage for the US travel industry, since the UK and EU already have lifted some travel restrictions. A4A, in arguing to eliminate the mask mandate, cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) stance that "99 percent of the US population no longer need to wear masks indoors," as well as two studies that concluded that "an airplane cabin is one of the safest indoor environments due to the combination of highly filtered air and constant air flow coupled with the downward direction of air."

Uber has announced that it will list New York City's yellow cabs on its app, a move that marks the company's latest expansion into the taxi market, reports Reuters. Uber outlined taxis as a major growth opportunity, calling it a highly fragmented $120 billion industry with 20 million active vehicles, more than five times the number of Uber's own pre-pandemic vehicle base. The company has added over 122,000 new taxis to its platform within the last year, and has said it plans to include every taxi on its Uber app by 2025. The New York City collaboration could add as many as some 13,600 cabs to Uber's app if all of the city's registered cab drivers participate, and could help overcome the city's driver shortage. The deal would see Uber work with taxi software companies Creative Mobile Technologies and Curb, which said its goal was to expand the collaboration nationwide. Travelers will pay roughly the same fare for taxi trips as for Uber X rides, but taxi drivers will be paid according to New York's ride-hail wage standards, which on average are higher than the metered rates, Curb said.

American Airlines and JetBlue Airways have announced that they are enhancing the travel experience for loyalty members, with new perks for AAdvantage® and TrueBlue Mosaic status members when traveling on either airline. It is the latest round of traveler benefits made possible by the airlines’ Northeast Alliance (NEA). As of March 23, when checking in for an American or JetBlue flight, AAdvantage status members and TrueBlue Mosaic members can now choose complimentary Main Cabin Extra or Even More® Space seats when available. American’s Main Cabin Extra and JetBlue’s Even More® Space amenities include extra legroom, early boarding, and dedicated overhead bin space. AAdvantage Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members and TrueBlue Mosaic members are also eligible for same-day confirmed flight changes when traveling on either carrier. These new traveler benefits are in addition to the priority check-in, priority baggage, priority security, and priority boarding benefits that were implemented last fall. AAdvantage status members receive up to two complimentary checked bags when traveling on JetBlue, and TrueBlue Mosaic members can also now check two complimentary checked bags at American Airlines kiosks when arriving at the airport. Also starting in April, Admirals Club members traveling on JetBlue will be able to access Admirals Club lounges, including the newly opened lounge space at LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

Delta Air Lines and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) have announced the completion of the first phase of the "Delta Sky Way at LAX," the joint effort to transform a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. Beginning April 20, Delta will welcome travelers to the centralized check-in lobby and expanded security checkpoint and baggage claim for the first time, creating a more efficient and seamless experience upon arrival. The consolidated check-in lobby will feature 32 self-serve kiosks and 46 check-in positions along a 250-foot wall with baggage drops, signage in both English and Spanish, Sky Club volume, and gate information. Additionally, qualifying travelers departing from LAX can choose to use the latest TSA facial recognition technology to check bags completely hands-free through use of their digital identity (made up of a traveler's SkyMiles Member number, passport number, and Known Traveler Number). Seven of the fourteen security lanes will be open to travelers, with all checkpoints becoming fully operational by late summer. In addition to the central headhouse, a completely renovated Delta Sky Club at LAX will open to travelers in April and features over 30,000 feet of premium space, including an indoor/outdoor double bar, a year-round outdoor Sky Deck, and premium showers.