SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

DOT LAUNCHES DASHBOARD, CARRIERS MAKE SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS


The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched a website that details airline policies on cancellations and delays, reports Business Travel News. The website includes an interactive dashboard that outlines the 10 largest US carriers’ plans, including those on meal or hotel voucher entitlements. The tool, announced two weeks ago by DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, includes service changes made by all but one of the covered airlines as a result of the announcement. The DOT gave the example that no airline had previously unconditionally guaranteed meal vouchers or hotels, but that now nine of the 10 guarantee meals and eight of the 10 guarantee hotel accommodations. These offerings are for an airline’s “controllable” cancellations or delays, such as maintenance or crew problems, cabin cleaning, baggage loading, and fueling. According to the DOT, these services might have been available previously, but passengers would have needed to know to ask for them.

TSA SCREENED 8.76 MILLION TRAVELERS DURING LABOR DAY WEEKEND, EXCEEDING 2019 PASSENGER SCREENING VOLUMES FOR THE FIRST TIME OVER A HOLIDAY WEEKEND


The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that they screened 8.76 million travelers this Labor Day holiday weekend. Spanning from Friday, September 2, through Monday, September 5, the travel volume represents 102% of volume for the same pre-pandemic holiday weekend in 2019. It also marks the first time that a holiday weekend passenger screening volume exceeded that of 2019. Over the course of the holiday weekend, the TSA reported that 94.9% of TSA PreCheck® passengers waited less than 5 minutes, while 91.6% of those passengers in standard screening lanes waited less than 15 minutes. TSA Acting Administrator David Pekoske stated, “TSA’s highly trained and dedicated workforce facilitated secure travel for millions of passengers during the busy summer travel season with very little disruptions at the checkpoint […] We were also able to continue the deployment of new technologies that facilitate stronger identity verification procedures and enhanced security screening for carry-on bags.”

UNITED THREATENS TO LEAVE JFK AGAIN WITHOUT MORE FLIGHTS


United Airlines said it plans to end service to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) at the end of October if the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not grant the air carrier additional flights, reports Skift. United Chief Executive Scott Kirby wrote to Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen last week urging him to increase capacity at JFK; United is currently flying twice daily to Los Angeles and San Francisco from JFK, the busiest New York-area airport, after resuming service in 2021. United said it had been working to pursue additional slots through the FAA and market at JFK “so that we can grow to be more competitive,” noting that there is room to grow at JFK because the FAA and the Port Authority have made significant infrastructure investments since 2008. The FAA said it “must consider airspace capacity and runway capacity to assess how changes would affect flights at nearby airports. Any additional slots at JFK would follow the FAA’s well-established process of awarding them fairly and to increase competition.”

STRIKE AVERTED AFTER LUFTHANSA REACHES DEAL WITH PILOTS UNION


A union representing pilots at Lufthansa has called off a planned two-day strike after a last-minute agreement with Germany's biggest airline in a pay dispute, reports Travel Weekly. The Vereinigung Cockpit union had previously announced plans for a walkout on Wednesday, September 7, and Thursday, September 8, calling on Lufthansa to make a "serious" offer in talks over pay increases. It would have been the second strike in a week, after pilots staged a walkout last Friday that led to hundreds of flight cancellations. On Tuesday, the union said that the two sides agreed in principle on "an extensive package of monetary and structural issues"; before the agreement, Lufthansa had said that it would have to decide by noon which flights to cancel and that a strike would have "massive consequences" for its flight plan.

TAIWAN PLANS TO RESUME VISA-FREE TRAVEL, BUT KEEP QUARANTINE


Travelers from more than 60 countries will soon be able to travel to Taiwan without getting a visa, however, the country is keeping its mandatory quarantine requirement, reports Travel Market Report. Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control stated, “On September 5, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that, to be in line with international trends and to balance the needs of disease prevention efforts and promotion of economic and social activities, Taiwan will restore visa exemption treatment for the nationals of the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, countries in Europe, and Taiwan's diplomatic allies starting September 12, 2022.”  When travelers arrive, they will still have to follow the current requirement of three days of home quarantine and four days of “self-initiated pandemic prevention.” Aside from that quarantine, there is no other entry requirement for visitors, as Taiwan dropped its PCR testing requirement on August 10.

CAPITAL HILTON

1001 16ST STREET NW

WASHINGTON, DC

Located in the heart of DC, this historic hotel is less than 2 blocks from the White House. There are many restaurants and shops as well as Metro steps from the hotel. All Ovation clients receive complimentary Wi-Fi and access to the onsite fitness center with their stay. 

FAIRMONT AUSTIN

101 RED RIVER STREET

AUSTIN

Fairmont Austin is a landmark hotel situated in the heart of the vibrant downtown area. The 37-story luxury property features 1,048 richly appointed guest rooms and suites, plus the exclusive Fairmont Gold “hotel within a hotel.” Named by the 2021 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards as the No. 1 Hotel in Texas, Fairmont Austin offers unrivaled service and unparalleled views. Its array of amenities features stellar dining, including the acclaimed Garrison, an expansive rooftop pool, the luxe Fairmont Spa Austin, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. 


During the month of September, the Fairmont Austin will honor a complimentary upgrade at check-in based on availability to the next room category up.  

SOFITEL LE SCRIBE

PARIS OPERA

1 RUE SCRIBE

PARIS

Nestled in the heart of Paris, Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra 5* is located steps away from Opéra Garnier, Place Vendôme and exclusive department stores. At the center of one of the most beautiful and prestigious districts of the capital, the hotel’s location is second to none.


Following a full refurbishment, Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra has written a new page in its history, to combine faultless service with the intimacy of a Haussmann apartment. The hotel reinvents a Parisian spirit, so that the pleasures of the ‘French art de vivre’ are more noticeable than ever for each of its 201 rooms and suites offering travelers a unique experience, in a guestroom designed as a genuine pied-à-terre, like an apartment rather than a mere hotel room. Last but not least, the 6 meeting and reception facilities offer a total area of 5630 sq ft. for events up to 150 guests.

LOTTE SEATTLE HOTEL

890 5TH AVENUE

SEATTLE

Ideally located on 5th Avenue and Marion Street, Lotte Seattle Hotel has become a destination-worthy fixture of Seattle’s downtown business district, close to the Seattle Courthouse, Columbia Center, and the city’s major attractions. As the only hotel in Seattle offering five-star luxury service and South Korean hospitality, Lotte Seattle Hotel was recently named “Top 10 Hotels in the Pacific Northwest” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards. The new hotel features 189 modern and spacious guestrooms designed by Philippe Starck, a signature restaurant located on the highest floor of the hotel boasting a spectacular view of the Pacific Northwest, cocktail lounge, 15 unique meeting and event spaces, an award-winning spa, steam room, sauna, fitness studio, and a business center. The hotel also houses The Sanctuary, the nation’s oldest Beaux-Art style architectural building founded in 1908, beautifully restored and repurposed into one of the largest and most unique venues in Seattle. 

MARTINIQUE NEW YORK

ON BROADWAY, CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON

49 WEST 32ND STREET

NEW YORK CITY

Martinique New York on Broadway, Curio Collection by Hilton has been exquisitely restored and reopened December 2021 as the new crown of Manhattan. Located in Midtown Manhattan, the Martinique welcomes guests with entirely refreshed guest rooms, a new Art Deco inspired lobby, and a brand-new state-of-the-art gym. This award-winning historic hotel is a member of the Historic Hotels of America and is just steps away from the Empire State Building, Macy’s Herald Square, Madison Square Garden, and Penn Station. The Early Edition currently serves breakfast and all-day menu while six elevated dining outlets including The Press Club a New York style chophouse and gourmet doughnut shop are opening in 2022 to early 2023. Completely renovated, the hotel has 10 meeting spaces totaling 7,800 square feet. Meetings from 10 to 400 are conducted with ease by the full-service banquet staff. 

MOSAIC HOTEL

125 SOUTH SPALDING DRIVE

BEVERLY HILLS

Mosaic Hotel’s coveted locale in the heart of Beverly Hills offers an array of attractions just steps from the front door. Once inside, the quaint setting and welcoming ambiance will make travelers feel at home. Mosaic Hotel presents 49 luxuriously designed rooms and suites that are furnished with the utmost attention to detail. Mosaic is perfectly situated for all business needs offering smart business amenities, including oversized workstations, USB charging stations, an in-house business center, and more. 

VICEROY WASHINGTON DC

1430 RHODE ISLAND NW

WASHINGTON, DC

Guests are welcomed to their own neighborhood pied-à-terre. Viceroy Washington DC's spacious rooms and suites give guests room to breathe and a sense of true belonging - a rare commodity in DC, whether here for work or play.


Unwind each night at Dovetail, one of DC’s hottest new restaurants. Situated on the District's 14th Street corridor, the indoor-outdoor restaurant is set to enhance the area's booming culinary scene. The hotel’s exclusive rooftop pool and Hush rooftop bar is open during the summer season.


Travelers can get more on their next DC trip. Ovation clients receive $50 F&B credit on their next stay. 

SOFITEL NEW YORK

45 WEST 44TH STREET

NEW YORK CITY

Bienvenue au Sofitel New York - Welcome to Sofitel New York, the hotel with French soul and a New York City edge. Centrally located in Midtown, Sofitel New York offers business travelers luxurious accommodations with all guestrooms starting at 350 sq ft, some of the largest in NYC.

 

The hotel’s SOBed™ bedding presentation ensures a great night sleep and spacious bathrooms provide ample counter space with separate rain shower and tub.

 

Reserve Luxury Room category accommodations or choose one of 52 suites for spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline. For a true New York City experience, travelers can treat themselves to a Prestige Skyscraper One Bedroom Terrace Suite.  

THE MAY FAIR, A RADISSON

COLLECTION HOTEL

STRATTON STREET MAYFAIR

LONDON

The May Fair, A Radisson Collection Hotel is set in the heart of one of the most sought-after addresses in the world.


Proud to be the Official Hotel to London Fashion Week, The May Fair, A Radisson Collection Hotel enjoys some of the largest bedrooms in London, an iconic collection of suites, world-class food and drink in the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, May Fair Kitchen, a vibrant bar, secluded terrace, stunning event spaces and a tranquil spa.


Perfectly located close to Buckingham Palace, Bond Street’s exclusive boutiques and Berkeley Street’s famous restaurants, the hotel is moments from Green Park tube station, providing easy access to Canary Wharf. 

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GBT Travel Services UK Limited (GBT UK) and its authorized sublicensees (including Ovation Travel Group and Egencia) use certain trademarks and service marks of American Express Company or its subsidiaries (American Express) in the “American Express Global Business Travel” and “American Express Meetings & Events” brands and in connection with its business for permitted uses only under a limited license from American Express (Licensed Marks). The Licensed Marks are trademarks or service marks of, and the property of, American Express. GBT UK is a subsidiary of Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (NYSE: GBTG). American Express holds a minority interest in GBTG, which operates as a separate company from American Express.