JULY 27, 2022

More than 1,000 Lufthansa flights have been canceled this week due to strike action, with more than 130,000 passengers impacted, reports CNN. The German flag carrier announced yesterday it would cancel the flights due to a ground staff strike by trade union Ver.di. The airline stated the strike would have "a massive operational impact in the middle of the peak travel season [and they had to] cancel almost the entire flight schedule at its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich for Wednesday.” The cancellations included international flights from Bangkok, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, New Delhi, New York, and Singapore; Lufthansa said they are trying to rebook travelers on the best alternative routes possible. Roughly 20,000 workers have been asked to participate in the strike, which started at 3:45 a.m. local time (9:45 p.m. ET) on Wednesday and is scheduled to end at 6:00 a.m. local time (midnight ET) on Thursday.

United Airlines' CEO Scott Kirby has stated that travelers shouldn't expect air travel to normalize for at least a year, reports Travel + Leisure. In a recent interview, Kirby said that airline industry infrastructure challenges have forced United, and other airlines, to cut back on capacity. While United has hired more staff, those cuts mean they will not be fully utilized: “All the costs are still there because we're prepared to be a much bigger airline — we have the people to be a much bigger airline — but we're going to be a smaller airline till the system can support it.” While flight delays have plagued the industry, the acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said things are improving, with the 10 major US carriers canceling 2% of scheduled domestic flights in May, down from 2.8% in April. Kirby further noted that, since the airline cut capacity at its Newark hub, the FAA has worked with the carrier and staffing on “the air traffic control desk [is] better.” Kirby expects the industry to normalize next summer.

The U.S. Travel Association (U.S. Travel) has announced the launch of its new Sustainable Travel Coalition, reports Travel Pulse. The coalition aims to align the travel, transportation, and technology sectors to develop a more sustainable future; it has launched with roughly 60 member organizations and will serve as an advisory body to inform U.S. Travel on a variety of sustainability issues. U.S. Travel announced several goals that will inform the coalition’s policy priorities, including spotlighting industry progress, amplifying industry goals and commitments, identifying proactive policies, and highlighting the importance of sustainability. U.S. Travel Executive Vice President Emerson Barnes stated, “As technology advances and consumers demand more sustainable travel options, the work of this coalition will ensure that the U.S. travel industry can meet the needs of an evolving market while also protecting our planet’s natural resources.”

Delta Air Lines has installed a flight information board in the Detroit airport that uses futuristic technology to simultaneously show multiple travelers’ personalized flight information, reports Business Insider. The board shows each traveler their gate number, departure time, which direction their gate is in and the time it will take to reach it. Up to 100 individuals can use the screen at the same time and each person will see something different. After going through security, passengers can choose to opt-in at the “Parallel Reality Experience” kiosk by scanning their boarding pass or using Delta's digital ID facial-recognition system. Greg Forbes, Delta's managing director of airport experience, stated, “A relationship is created between your identity and your position, so that the motion camera follows your shape […] As you move through the viewing space, your location is tracked, and your message follows you.” While the technology is currently only available in the Detroit airport, Delta envisions more widespread expansion in the future.

The Airports Council International (ACI) trade association has announced that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has regained the top slot as the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic in 2021, reports Business Travel News. The Atlanta airport handled 75.7 million passengers last year, up 76.4 percent from 42.9 million in 2020. Last year’s top slot went to China’s Guangzhou airport, which dropped to the eighth busiest amid COVID-19 lockdowns. Eight of the top 10 busiest airports are located in US cities: Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Orlando. ACI director general Luis Felipe de Oliveira stated, “2021 represents the beginning of the aviation industry’s recovery […] While some of the perennial busiest airport leaders have re-joined upper ranks, other regions struggle to recover, leading to new entrants in the top 20.”
CONRAD WASHINGTON DC
950 NEW YORK AVENUE NW
WASHINGTON DC
This past May the Conrad Washington DC was recognized for standing out among its peers in the luxury space when the hotel was awarded the Hilton Americas Luxury Hotel of the Year. Citing the excellent level of service, combined with incredible design, innovative food and beverage and inspiring focus on sustainability in luxury travel, the Conrad DC was awarded this prestigious honor for being an exemplary property in all of these aspects. As one of Hilton's top properties in the Americas, the Conrad Washington DC is not to be missed.
SOFITEL LE SCRIBE PARIS OPERA
1 RUE SCRIBE
PARIS
Nestled in the heart of Paris, Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra 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.
MR. C BEVERLY HILLS
1224 BEVERWIL DRIVE
LOS ANGELES
The timeless glamour of Beverly Hills comes alive in stylish, European comfort with contemporary amenities, elegant service, and personalized experiences by the fourth generation Cipriani family.
A modern version of old-world simplicity and stylish European glamour, these Beverly Hills accommodations provide guests with comfortable, elegant, and effortless living that blends contemporary amenities with discreet, personalized service.
THE RITTENHOUSE HOTEL
210 WEST RITTENHOUSE SQUARE
PHILADELPHIA
Travelers can experience the invigorating charm and rich history of Rittenhouse Square, one of Philadelphia’s most beloved destinations. The Rittenhouse Hotel is a standout among luxury hotels in Philadelphia’s Center City, offering visitors a Forbes Four-Star experience with well-appointed rooms and suites, world-class service, and the most desirable location in town. This Rittenhouse Square luxury hotel offers personalized experiences and provides the perfect balance of sophistication and relaxation. Welcome to The Rittenhouse Hotel, a true gem among Center City, Philadelphia hotels.
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, guests can treat themselves to a Prestige Skyscraper One Bedroom Terrace Suite.
THE CLIFT ROYAL SONESTA
495 GEARY STREET
SAN FRANCISCO
With a nod to an iconic past, the hotel’s recent renovations include dramatically updated guest rooms, an all-new modern lobby experience, Fredericks, a new eatery and café, and the famous Redwood Room - all one block from Union Square. Guests at The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel will be welcomed by sophisticated and modern changes signifying a reawakening of the hotel’s original craftsmanship fused with modern day San Francisco. Designed for engaging experiences, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel is a place that uncovers the past and embraces the accelerating pace of the future.

Ovation clients receive a complimentary upgrade to a Junior Suite.
THE JEFFERSON,
WASHINGTON, DC
1200 16TH AND M STREET NW
WASHINGTON DC
If Summer business includes a trip to DC, then travelers can treat themselves to a suite. Book a new Suite reservation from June 27 - September 5, 2022 and enjoy 15% off Ovation’s contracted suite rate.
Intimately customized, Deluxe Suites feature a king bed, spacious separate parlor, large writing desk, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The fitness center, available 24-hours with a guest key offers Peloton bikes, treadmills, TRX Cross Fit and free weights. Discrete cabinet rooms are available for private gatherings or beautifully appointed meeting rooms with award-winning dining options. Quill Bar & Lounge offers talented mixologists, festive beverages, and an outdoor patio terrace. The Jefferson, Washington, DC, an independent and historic hotel, has an In-house Historian on Saturdays who curated a walking tour or scavenger tour, a new way to experience history, exclusively for guests.
THE PENINSULA NEW YORK
700 FIFTH AVENUE
 NEW YORK CITY
The Peninsula New York, the iconic Fifth Avenue property that has epitomized elegant luxury for decades, welcomed back its devoted patrons to its award-winning Spa and also recently launched its brand-wide Wellness program. ‘Life Lived Best’ will provide guests at all properties with unprecedented opportunities to pursue their fitness, mindfulness, and nutritional goals – and to access those opportunities whenever they wish through a dedicated Wellness Portal and 24-hour Wellness Concierge service. The program includes in-room video fitness tutorials and guided audio meditations, schedules and bookings for in-person exercise and mindfulness classes, plant-based cooking classes, spa treatments, and wellness-themed events, and Naturally Peninsula menu choices.
GBT Travel Services UK Limited (GBT UK) and its authorized sublicensees (including Ovation Travel Group) use certain American Express trademarks and service marks in the “American Express Global Business Travel”/“American Express Meetings & Events” brand and in connection with its business under a limited license from American Express. “American Express”, “Amex”, and the American Express logo are trademarks or service marks of, and the property of, American Express Company or its subsidiaries (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.