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US AIRLINES RAMP UP PREPARATIONS FOR BUSY SUMMER SEASON
In preparation for what is predicted to be an extremely busy summer travel season, US airlines are going all out to prevent large-scale flight disruptions in the face of rising demand, reports Skift. Industry group Airlines for America estimates a record 256.8 million travelers will fly in the June to August quarter, up 1% over the 254.6 million travelers in the same period in 2019. Carriers have trimmed flight schedules, increased staffing, and invested in airport infrastructure and technology to be ready for the busiest travel season of the year. United said it has hired 7,000 employees including pilots, flight attendants, ramp workers, and customer service agents this year on top of 15,000 last year. It is adding gates in Newark, Denver, and Chicago. It also has added five new hangars worldwide to repair its planes. Additionally, Delta Air Lines has hired and trained over 25,000 employees to handle the summer travel rush, while Southwest said it will operate 7% more flights compared with last year, with 15% more employees. American Airlines COO David Seymour said the airline has learned from the past. American has invested in technology that allows it to plan for weather events in advance and has tasked general managers with ensuring adequate staffing at its vendors.
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MEMORIAL DAY AIR TRAVELER TOTALS SURPASS PRE-PANDEMIC TSA NUMBERS
As expected, the Memorial Day travel period was one of the busiest in recent memory, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers, reports Travel Pulse. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), over 2.7 million travelers were screened by security officers on Friday, May 26, the most since November 2019. On Thursday, May 25, TSA officers screened 2,658,057 travelers, an increase from the 2,399,579 recorded in 2022 and the 2,485,770 recorded pre-pandemic. Saturday and Sunday both saw traveler numbers top 2.2 million, while over 2.5 million travelers made their way through US airports on Monday, May 29. Monday’s travel numbers also topped pre-pandemic totals, surpassing the 2,499,002 people screened in 2019. Despite the long lines and packed airports, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that flight cancellation rates remained below one percent through Sunday, an impressive feat after flight cancellations and delays disrupted the winter holiday travel period.
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UNITED EXPANDS DENVER PRESENCE
United Airlines has announced that it is expanding its presence at Denver International Airport (DEN), adding 35 flights, six new routes, a dozen new gates, and three clubs. The six new routes include Asheville and Greensboro in North Carolina, Dayton, Ohio, and Lexington, Kentucky, starting September 29; San Juan, PR, beginning October 29; and Montego Bay, Jamaica, beginning November 4. Starting this summer, United will also double the total number of early morning departures and late evening arrivals in and out of Denver. Those flights include Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, and Seattle. The airline's infrastructure improvements include 12 new gates set to open in the A and B concourses by the middle of 2024. This expansion is part of the carrier's nearly $1 billion investment to further improve the traveler experience in Denver – an increase in gate capacity by 30%, a new check-in lobby, new user-friendly technology at gates, a new grab-n-go club concept called United Club Fly and the renovation and expansion of United Club locations. "Denver is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and as the Mile High City's most flown airline, it's essential that we maintain the most modern infrastructure and fleet to support our local employees and customers and deliver a great experience," said United CEO Scott Kirby. "Our expansion in Denver will further enable us to connect our customers to destinations across the globe and revitalize our presence at the airport with modern, customer friendly offerings."
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CARRIERS IMPROVE ON-TIME PERFORMANCE IN APRIL
North American carrier on-time performance in April improved after its downturn from March, reports Business Travel News. According to aviation analytics company Cirium's monthly report, average North American airline on-time performance in April was 73.2 percent, up from 71.4 percent last month. Delta Air Lines (83.3 percent), Alaska Airlines (82.0 percent), and American Airlines (79.0 percent) took the top three spots, with each showing an improved monthly score. United remained in fourth but dropped slightly to 78.0 percent from 78.1 percent. Air Canada, after placing last for the past 11 months, improved to 66.8 percent from 60.3 percent and landed in seventh place. Both Delta and American made the top global on-time performance list, at sixth and tenth, respectively. Additionally, airlines canceled more flights in April than in March, increasing nearly 15 percent to 12,311.
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A FLIGHT ATTENDANT SHARES THEIR 12 ETIQUETTE RULES FOR SUMMER TRAVEL
Flight attendant, Kristie Koerbel, who has over 21 years' experience, shared her 12 rules for travelers in The New York Times, advising on proper flying etiquette ahead of summer travels. Her etiquette rules aim to strike a balance between traveler's own reasonable comforts and thoughtfulness for those sitting nearby. Koerbel exposes her biggest pet peeves as a flight attendant, and also reveals who has the right to the middle armrests and whether swapping seats is required. Additional tips include the proper etiquette on seat reclining, how and when to handle seating issues, properly using the overhead bins, and more. With some common sense and courtesy, Kristie Koerbel believes her 12 rules can make flying a more pleasant experience, leading to a stress and drama free flight.
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HILTON CHECKERS LOS ANGELES | |
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535 SOUTH GRAND AVENUE
LOS ANGELES
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Designed in 1927 by Charles F. Whittlesey, the Hilton Checkers restored hotel in the Financial District is a piece of Los Angeles history with panoramic views of the city from our rooftop terrace. This downtown hotel is within a mile of Crypto.com Arena, L.A. Live, and the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Checker's Downtown serves up casual elegance and a menu of California-inspired dishes with French and Asian inflections. For 1920s speakeasy-inspired vibes, head to 1927 Bar + Kitchen.
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HILTON WASHINGTON, DC CAPITOL HILL | |
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25 NEW JERSEY AVENUE NW
WASHINGTON, DC
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Located on DC’s Capitol Hill, the Hilton Washington, DC Capitol Hill hotel is a couple of blocks from Washington Union Station and the United States Capitol. Gallaudet University is 1.5 miles away, and Reagan National Airport (DCA) is five miles away. Iconic museums, monuments, and parks are just a few minutes away. We offer over 20,000 square feet of event space, plus onsite dining.
The hotel’s four onsite restaurants and central location offer the perfect spot for a breakfast meeting, casual lunch, relaxing dinner, or evening cocktails. Room service is also available.
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540 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK CITY
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Situated boldly on New York’s Park Avenue, Loews Regency New York is a destination luxury hotel conveniently located on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Loews Regency seamlessly blends its iconic Art Deco design with modern sensibilities, craftily merging form and function to complement 50 years of service expertise.
Hotel Highlights:
- 379 spacious guestrooms, including 58 spectacular suites & residences
- Signature Suites curated by top designers including Nate Berkus, Meyer Davis, Rottet Studio, and Haynes Roberts
- 4 meeting rooms, ideal for small business and intimate gatherings
- The Regency Bar & Grill, home of the Power Breakfast
- Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar
- Flavor by Loews Regency New York brings an authentically local culinary experience directly on property
- Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa
- Park Avenue Privileges program provides upgraded amenities
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in every guest room—and in public spaces
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4525 COLLINS AVENUE
MIAMI BEACH
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Ranked #1 Best Hotel in Miami 2022 by Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, Nobu Hotel at Eden Roc Miami Beach delivers the unique chemistry and perfect balance of luxury and lifestyle. The setting merges the iconic Miami Modern architecture with an intuitive interpretation of Chef Nobu’s signature style. The Rockwell Group drew upon Japanese architecture and the hotel’s oceanfront location to evoke a contemporary Japanese beach house in a setting complete with Nobu private pool. | | |
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676 MICHIGAN AVENUE
CHICAGO
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Placed on Chicago’s famed Michigan Ave, the all-suite Omni Chicago Hotel puts travelers in the heart of The Windy City. Centrally located along the Magnificent Mile, world-class shopping, stunning views, and premium culinary destinations are all within reach. As Michigan Avenue’s only all-suite hotel, Omni Chicago Hotel offers luxury hotel suites with a spacious living area set apart from the main sleeping room, plus first-class amenities. Whether traveling for work or play, the comforts of this city-inspired Chicago hotel provide the ultimate downtown retreat. Explore the best of the city from our downtown Chicago hotel, located near top things to do, including Chicago’s Skydeck, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and multiple museums. | | |
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6 TIMES SQUARE
NEW YORK CITY
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Voted one of Travel + Leisure’s Best Hotels in the World and a top hotel in NYC by Condé Nast Traveler, The Knickerbocker is a legendary landmark reborn. Contemporary style meets the glamour of the Gilded Age amid dazzling views high above 42nd Street and Broadway, while serene guest rooms and suites offer perfect respite from the energy of Times Square.
All accommodations boast lavish marble bathrooms and cutting-edge technologies. Chef Charlie Palmer redefines the Midtown Manhattan restaurant scene with unrivaled dining options in an iconic setting, from the hotel’s signature restaurant, Charlie Palmer at The Knick, to the unforgettable St. Cloud rooftop bar, located just 150 feet below the Times Square ball.
The birthplace of the original martini and host to early 20th Century icons like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Enrico Caruso, The Knickerbocker is the original purveyor of the luxury lifestyle experience in New York City.
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2 SIXTH AVENUE
NEW YORK CITY
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Located on the iconic corner of SoHo and TriBeCa, The Roxy Hotel New York evokes the legendary opulence of the neighborhood where premiere restaurants, wine bars, galleries, and shops call home. With 201 luxury guest rooms and venues like Roxy Bar, Jack's Stir Brew Coffee, Roxy Cinema, and The Django jazz club, The Roxy Hotel New York continues to be the pioneer it was born to be. | |
WALDORF ASTORIA WASHINGTON, DC | |
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1100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
WASHINGTON, DC
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Bringing stunning design and unforgettable experiences to Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington’s iconic Old Post Office has been reimagined as Waldorf Astoria Washington, DC. The hotel features 263 elegant, restored guest rooms including a collection of luxurious one-bedroom Signature Suites. Surrounded by a soaring 9-story atrium sits the legendary Peacock Alley and The Bazaar by José Andrés offering a carefully curated theater of shared plates from the ground-breaking culinary artistry of Michelin-starred chef José Andrés and his José Andrés Group team. Waldorf Astoria Spa invites relaxation and rejuvenation with six treatment rooms and a tranquil Himalayan salt therapy room. Just steps from the White House, Waldorf Astoria Washington, DC is conveniently set amid DC’s greatest cultural institutions and attractions. Ovation clients receive a complimentary upgrade. | | |
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65 SEAPORT BOULEVARD
BOSTON
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Step out of YOTEL Boston and travelers are in the heart of the bustling Seaport neighborhood - a waterfront destination surrounded by the best bars, restaurants, and museums the city has to offer. YOTEL brings its guests an experience as innovative as its hometown, with a seamless stay from the moment you check-in through the help of self-service check-in kiosks and its resident Robot. Don't miss Deck 12, YOTEL's rooftop bar for the best view of Boston's skyline. | |
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. | | | | |
