MAY 3, 2023

SECURITY OFFICERS AT LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT SET FOR EIGHT MORE STRIKE DAYS


Security staff at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) Terminal 5 are scheduled to take part in eight days of strike action in May, reports MSN. The Unite union is organizing the walkout and has said the strike will cause “disruption and delays at the airport." Members of the union will walk out on May 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 25, 26, and 27; the dates coincide with what are expected to be busy travel periods. This isn't the first wave of walkouts this year. During the Easter holiday period between March 31 and April 9, more than 1,400 security guards took part in the strike action at LHR. Ahead of the Easter walkouts, all airlines operating at LHR were asked to stop selling flights for the strike days. The airport has not announced any requirement for airlines to reduce traveler numbers or halt flight sales during the eight days of strike action in May. A spokesperson for LHR said: “We kept Heathrow running smoothly during the first 10 days of Unite’s failed industrial action, and passengers can have confidence that we will do so again this time." To minimize disruption and delays throughout the strike period, travelers are advised to check into their flight status before travelling to the airport, and to have their liquids and electronics ready for security.

US IS LIFTING INBOUND VACCINATION REQUIREMENT


The US government has announced it will repeal its requirement that inbound international air travelers show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination, reports Travel Weekly. The requirement will be dropped at the end of the day on Thursday, May 11, the same day the COVID-19 public health emergency designation ends. The Biden administration noted that COVID-19 levels are at record lows, stating, “We are in a different phase of our response to COVID-19 than we were when many of these requirements were put into place." A requirement that travelers present a negative test prior to entry was dropped last year. US Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman applauded the decision while noting that airports and other ports of entry need to be staffed relevant to travel demand. "Today's action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many global travelers, moving our industry and country forward," he said.

THE FAA'S APPROVAL OF 169 NEW ROUTES WILL SAVE AIRLINES 6,000 MINUTES OF FLIGHT TIME


The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved more than 100 new and more efficient flight routes in an effort to ease congestion and speed up summer travel, reports Travel + Leisure. The 169 new routes, which primarily operate along the East Coast and over the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, are more direct and mostly flown above 18,000 feet in altitude. Tim Arel, the chief operating officer of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization, said in a statement that "The new routes will reduce complexity and redistribute volume across all available airspace. I’m proud of the FAA and [the] industry’s strong collaboration on this project to get it done." The new routes will replace “legacy routes,” which tend to zig-zag and were used when “aircraft largely relied on ground-based radar, limiting the directness of routes, instead of GPS,” according to the FAA. They will save airlines about 40,000 miles and 6,000 minutes of travel time annually.

JAPAN TO LIFT COVID-19 BORDER CONTROLS BEFORE HOLIDAY WEEK


Japan will lift most of its coronavirus border controls, including a requirement that entrants show proof of three vaccinations or a pre-departure negative test, reports Associated Press. All country entrants with symptoms will still be required to take COVID-19 tests after arriving until May 8, and those who test positive will be placed in designated quarantine facilities, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said. After May 9, when Japan’s Golden Week holiday season begins, testing of those with symptoms will be voluntary. The Japanese government previously dropped its requests for mask wearing in March, leaving it up to each person’s discretion. While most Japanese continue to wear them, they are only recommended, not required, in trains, hospitals, and other public spaces, and near elderly and other vulnerable people.

DOT: FEBRUARY US AIR CANCELLATIONS BELOW 2 PERCENT


For January and February of 2023, US airline cancellations stayed below 2 percent and were lower than last year's 2.7 percent, reports Business Travel News. According to the US Department of Transportation's February Air Travel Consumer Report, February cancellations for the 10 reporting airlines were 9,686 flights, about 1.8 percent of more than 536,000 scheduled domestic flights. This rate was lower than the 1.9 percent reported in January 2023 and the 4.5 percent reported in February 2022. In February, the reporting carriers operated more than 526,500 flights, which were up 6 percent from the flights operated in the same month last year. Reporting carriers in February handled 34.3 million bags and posted a mishandled baggage rate of 0.61 percent per 100 bags enplaned, a rate which is lower than the January 2023 rate of 0.73 percent, but slightly higher than the 0.60 rate in February 2022.

CONRAD NEW YORK MIDTOWN

151 W 54TH STREET

NEW YORK CITY

A modern oasis in the heart of Manhattan, Conrad New York Midtown offers discerning business travelers a uniquely spacious and innately residential retreat. Conrad New York Midtown features 24-hour in-room dining, a 1,500 square feet fitness center, and 6,000 square feet of flexible function space. Their 562 luxury accommodations include spacious suites and striking views Step through a generously sized bedroom with classic, residential interiors, a separate dressing area with a large closet space, and workspace furnishings to complete your business stay.

CONRAD WASHINGTON, DC

950 NEW YORK AVENUE NW

WASHINGTON, DC

SUMMIT Rooftop at the Conrad Washington, DC, is open to the public for walk-ins and reservations beginning on May 4. Menu includes lite bites, wine, beer, cocktails, mocktails, and frozé. 


Unparalleled views of Downtown DC, the US Capitol, the Washington Monument combined with a relaxed atmosphere and forward-thinking offerings, SUMMIT is the true embodiment of America’s backyard patio. 


The menu is full of delicious features using ingredients sourced from hyper local vendors and other eco-conscious providers. Some menu items will even come to life through unique cooking methods and a menu named “Partly Sunny”, including items prepared in a solar oven.


The cocktail list features spirits from some of DC's finest distillers alongside beers from the region's most notable breweries. The wine list offers selections from wineries that practice sustainable farming and wine making methods.


Sip on delicious drinks and food while taking in the views of one of the best cities in the world.

FAIRMONT COPLEY PLAZA

138 ST. JAMES AVENUE

BOSTON

At Fairmont Copley Plaza, the "Grande Dame of Boston," they hotel has charmed guests for over a century. In the heart of the city's famed Back Bay neighborhood, their historic landmark hotel connects guests to the quintessential Boston experience – nearby are many of the city's finest sights and activities, from the historic Freedom Trail to the fashionable boutiques of Newbury Street. A luxury four diamond property, our hotel offers 383 lavish guest rooms, including 17 elegant suites, daily in-room dining service, a complimentary on-site 3,000 square-foot rooftop health club overlooking Back Bay, and is home to one of the hottest drinking and dining destinations in the city, OAK Long Bar + Kitchen. 


To increase their sustainable initiatives, the hotel is proud to share that they have doubled the number of bee hives housed on their rooftop apiary this year. They will be harvesting and bottling the honey later this year for the popular honey-themed room amenity.

HALL ARTS HOTEL DALLAS, CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON

1717 LEONARD STREET

DALLAS

Welcome to the award-winning HALL Arts Hotel Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton, the only hotel in the spectacular Dallas Arts District, the largest contiguous arts district in the country. Enjoy world-class art pieces at every corner a location around Pritzker Prize-winning architecture, exceptional art museums, and performing arts centers, or relax at our rooftop pool with sweeping downtown views. The highly designed guest rooms and suites seamlessly blend beauty and practicality with thoughtful touches. Ellie’s, the on-location restaurant, harmoniously balances an art-filled, Napa-inspired dishes with a lounge, dining area, and outdoor terrace. The Experience Curator elevates the guest experience by performing exclusive in-house art tours, securing exclusive Dallas Arts District moments, and going above and beyond any request desired. 

KIMPTON EPIC HOTEL

270 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD WAY

MIAMI

Kimpton EPIC Hotel is arguably one of the only hotels in downtown Miami that artfully blends urbane sophistication with a playful lifestyle spirit. It’s a global destination where leisure and business intersect with tropical perfection. As one of the trendiest boutique hotels, in Miami, one can be surrounded with the Magic City’s shimmering lights from your private balcony (every guest room and suite has one). Splash in two rooftop pools. Enjoy locally sourced global cuisine at two restaurants, then crafted cocktails at their outdoor pool bar. As hotels in downtown Miami go, Kimpton EPIC is designed to provide guests with a luxurious, relaxing stay and exquisite base camp for exploring the sultry destination.

SOHO GRAND HOTEL

310 WEST BROADWAY

NEW YORK CITY

As Manhattan’s first luxury Downtown boutique hotel Soho Grand epitomizes the industrial elegance that defines SoHo while illuminating the artistic legacy of the iconic neighborhood. With a location that is home to the city’s best shopping, dining and entertainment, Soho Grand is beloved by seasoned travelers and locals alike. Lux accommodations blend elegance and modern convenience with features like bedside charge ports, electronic blackout shades and Samsung Smart TVs with streaming capability— all coupled with unparalleled service and amenities to match. 

THE STEPHEN F. AUSTIN ROYAL SONESTA

701 CONGRESS AVENUE

AUSTIN

The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta is an upscale hotel located in the heart of downtown Austin, Texas. This luxurious hotel has 190 guest rooms and suites, each elegantly decorated with contemporary furnishings and artwork. Guests can expect modern amenities such as flat-screen televisions, high-speed internet access, and in-room safes. 


One of the highlights of the hotel is Stephen F's Bar and Terrace. Offering breathtaking views of the city skyline, Stephen F’s is a great place to enjoy craft cocktails, local beers, and even a cigar. 


For those looking to enjoy the foodie side of Austin, The Roaring Fork off the lobby is a famous stop for woodfire cuisine. Apart from the hotel’s dining options, guest can explore the surrounding area, which is teeming with fantastic choices.


The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta is a luxurious and memorable destination for business travelers looking to visiting Austin, Texas. 

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