HOW TROPICAL STORM NICOLE IS IMPACTING AIR TRAVEL

Tropical Storm Nicole (forecast to become a hurricane today) is set to make landfall along Florida's east coast overnight and is causing flight cancellations and airport closures within the state, reports USA Today. As of 1 pm ET on Wednesday, over 900 flights have been canceled, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) closed to commercial flights at 9 am Wednesday, and Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) and Orlando International Airport (MCO) suspended commercial flights beginning at 2 pm and 4 pm, respectively, on Wednesday. Other airports, including Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Miami (MIA), and Tampa (TPA) said they are monitoring the situation and advised travelers to check with their airline for flight information for the next few days. Many airlines are providing travelers waivers and extra flexibility to adjust their travel plans, including Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, and United.

DELTA AIR LINES READIES FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL SEASON

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian stated that travelers flying the Atlanta-based carrier have little to worry about this coming holiday season, reports Travel Pulse. In an interview this week, Bastian noted Delta has hired 25,000 people since the start of last year, adding that their training and experience makes them well-prepared to handle the 5 million travelers expected to fly the airline over the week of Thanksgiving. When asked about the possibility of a crippling pilot strike in December, Bastian said "there's no possibility that they could go on strike for Thanksgiving, Christmas or anytime […] We are in mediation with the National Mediation Board and there are many phases and stages to go. We're actually a lot closer than people like to think in terms of trying to get this deal done." Additionally, as of late last month, the airline increased its service from its Atlanta hub to both Argentina and Chile. 

AIRPORT STAFF AT LONDON'S HEATHROW TO STRIKE

Hundreds of workers at London's Heathrow airport will strike later this month over demands for better pay, reports Reuters. British union Unite said 700 workers will strike for three days starting on November 18; the soccer World Cup in Qatar starts on November 20. The workers are involved in ground-handling, airside transport, and cargo, and are employed by Emirates Group's airport services subsidiary dnata and Menzies. The union said the strike action would lead to disruption, cancellations, and delays at Heathrow terminals 2, 3, and 4. Qatar Airways, which scheduled an additional 10 flights a week during the World Cup, will be particularly affected, as will airlines such as Emirates, Cathay-Pacific, and Singapore Airlines. dnata said it was implementing contingency plans to minimize disruption and that it was committed to reaching a "mutually acceptable agreement for all parties."

UNITED UNVEILS NEW CLUB CONCEPT IN DENVER

United Airlines has announced that it has opened a new club concept at Denver International Airport (DEN), reports Business Travel News. Located in the airport’s Concourse B, the new United Club Fly has a smaller footprint than a traditional United Club and gives qualified customers access to grab-and-go food and beverages. These include non-alcoholic drinks, sandwiches, salads and wraps, yogurt, vegetables and fruit, and barista-made coffees; there is also a water bottle filling station. United noted that more than 54 percent of its club and lounge visitors like to take food or drinks to go. United Club members, passengers flying internationally in premium cabins, and United Club one-time pass holders will have access to United Club Fly.

TSA PRECHECK JUST GOT CHEAPER

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reducing the cost to apply for membership to its Trusted Traveler Program TSA PreCheck, reports Travel + Leisure. The enrollment and in-person renewal fee will now cost $78, down $7 from its original cost of $85; the cost to renew online will remain the same at $70. TSA Administrator David Pekoske said, “TSA PreCheck offers significant benefits to those who meet its enrollment standards – less physical contact, fewer items on the conveyor belt and faster screening.” The process can also save time at the airport; in September, the TSA reported that 93% of TSA PreCheck members waited less than five minutes to get through airport security. TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports with more than 85 participating airlines nationwide. Earlier this year, the TSA opened its first-ever international location in Nassau, Bahamas.