US SENATE INTRODUCES BILL TO ELIMINATE HOTEL RESORT FEES

Two US Senators have introduced a bill designed to force hotels and resorts to be more transparent about fees, reports NBC News. The bill, called the Hotel Fees Transparency Act, would establish federal guidelines for pricing transparency. The legislation would require anyone advertising a hotel room or a short-term rental to clearly state upfront the final price a traveler would pay to book lodging. It would make the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) responsible for pursuing violations, and it says state attorneys general could also bring civil action for violations. “Too often, Americans making reservations online are being met with hidden fees that make it difficult to compare prices and understand the true cost of an overnight stay,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, who is introducing the bill with Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas. “This bipartisan legislation would help improve transparency so that travelers can make informed decisions.” Consumer Reports estimated that the hotel industry brought in $2.9 billion in resort fees in 2018. As a result, the Biden Administration announced that they would target junk fees in various industries, including hotels and resorts.

LAX BECOMES SECOND MAJOR US AIRPORT TO BAN PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has officially prohibited the sale of single-use plastic water bottles, becoming the second major airport to do so following San Francisco International Airport's (SFO) similar ban in 2019, reports USA Today. The decision is part of the airport's plan of reducing its waste and becoming net zero by the year 2045. "The climate crisis is a great challenge facing our city, and phasing out single-use plastic water bottles at Los Angeles World Airports facilities is an important step to reducing our environmental footprint and protecting the health and livelihood of all Angelenos,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Travelers will no longer be able to find plastic water bottles at vending machines, lounges, restaurants, or concessions, but there will be more hydration stations installed throughout LAX to help make the transition to reusable water bottles easier. “We encourage our guests to help us reach our goal of eliminating plastic waste at the airport by bringing a reusable water bottle and filling it up at one of our many hydration stations,” said Justin Erbacci, CEO at Los Angeles World Airports. 

NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OPENS SEVEN ADDITIONAL GATES IN TERMINAL A

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced that Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has opened seven new gates in the recently renovated Terminal A, reports Transportation Today. The new gates are available for United Airlines and JetBlue operations and join six new concession and retail offerings opening in the terminal. With the addition of the new gates, both airlines are at full allocation in the terminal. The remaining five gates will open in the next two months, as Delta Air Lines transitions from Terminal B to the new Terminal A. “The opening of Terminal A at Newark Liberty is a historic project representing the agency’s largest ever single investment in New Jersey,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “These openings mark an exciting milestone in our vision of delivering state-of-the-art terminals at the airport.” The new gates are part of Phase 2 of the renovations for the airport. The next phase will include a new AirTrain Newark system that will connect travelers from the Northeast Corridor Rail Link Station to the airport, as well as providing travelers and employees with the ability to transfer among terminals, parking lots, and rental car lots.

UNITED DEBUTS NEW TRANSCONTINENTAL AMENITY KITS

United Airlines has announced the debut of new amenity kits for domestic transcontinental flights, replacing the ones designed in collaboration with luggage and travel accessories retailer Away. The new kits, created in partnership with wellness brand Asutra, are available to United Business passengers on premium transcontinental routes and offer cruelty-free skincare made without any parabens, phthalates, or petroleum. Each kit includes an Asutra cleansing face towelette, lip balm, and hand lotion, all stored in a reusable, branded pouch that also consists of a bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste, an eye mask, and ear plugs. "As a women-owned, Chicago-based company, we are thrilled to partner with our hometown airline, United Airlines. Our mission at Asutra is to make self-care a possibility for everyone through accessible wellness products," said Stephanie Morimoto, Asutra Owner and CEO. "From personal experience, I know that taking care of yourself intentionally while traveling can be challenging. This new amenity kit gives travelers an easy, enjoyable way to take care of themselves while on their journey and arrive refreshed."

AMTRAK INVESTS $770 MILLION IN ACCESSIBILITY PROJECTS NATIONWIDE

Amtrak has announced that it has invested $770 million in station accessibility upgrades and improvement projects across its national network to ensure a safe, efficient, and comfortable travel experience with a focus on accessibility and inclusion. The improvements include repairs and upgrades to platforms, ramps and sidewalks, as well as renovations to entranceways and restrooms. Amtrak is working toward 100 percent completion by 2029. More accessibility improvements projects are underway on existing and new fleets as well as on how travelers book tickets and navigate digital channels. “These investments benefit all of our customers by improving the travel experience at every aspect of the journey from trip planning, to purchasing tickets, to using our stations, trains and services,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said. “The execution of work depends on the strong collaboration and shared commitment from the community, the Department of Transportation, local governments, freight railroads and other partners.”