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US TRAVEL ASSOCIATION PROJECTS BUSINESS TRAVEL SPENDING TO GROW, BUT SLOWLY
A recent report by the US Travel Association forecasts that US domestic business travel volume is projected to grow but remain below pre-pandemic levels until 2026, while total business travel spending—both domestic and international—is not forecasted to recover before 2028, reports Business Travel News. The US Travel Association projects business travel volume and spend will continue to grow year over year through 2027, but at a declining rate each year. Global business travel spending is projected to reach $265.5 billion in 2024, nearly 87 percent of 2019 levels. By 2027, it’s expected to reach $282.7 billion, 92.4 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The US Travel Association forecast differs from Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)'s forecast released in August 2023. GBTA projects global business travel spend to exceed 2019 levels by the end of 2024 by about 6 percent.
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FAA RECOMMENDS BOLT INSPECTION ON OTHER BOEING 737S
The FAA has recommended that Boeing 737-900ER operators inspect the planes' exit door plugs to make sure they are properly secured. This recommendation was made “as an added safety layer,” while the Boeing 737 Max 9s remain grounded following the January 5 Alaskan Airlines incident, reports Travel Weekly. Alaska, Delta, and United are the primary US operators of the 737-900ER. The aircraft is not part of Boeing's current generation 737 Max fleet but has the same door plug design. Delta currently has 163 737-900ERs, United has 136, and Alaska has 79. Specifically, the FAA has asked airlines to ensure that mid-exit door plugs are restrained from movement by two upper bolts and two lower bolts. The National Transportation Safety Board is continuing to investigate the situation, while Alaska and United both stated that they have proactively begun inspections of their 737-900ERs. Neither airline expects operational disruptions.
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JETBLUE AND SPIRIT WILL APPEAL COURT RULING AGAINST MERGER
JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines have confirmed their intent to appeal the court decision blocking their proposed merger following opposition from the US Department of Justice (DOJ), reports Airport Technology. The ruling claimed that JetBlue had failed to prove that the merger was not anti-competitive and that the agreement challenges antitrust laws. The airlines had previously stated that they disagreed with the decision to block their merger. This decision against the merger was made by the DOJ and Attorney General Merrick Garland who described it as a “victory for tens of millions of travelers” by avoiding potential higher fares. A DOJ spokesperson said it had no comment on the airlines’ appeal, which was not unexpected.
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DELTA AIR LINES TO BRING FUTURISTIC FIRST CLASS SEATS TO 737-800 FLEET
According to Travel Pulse, Delta Air Lines travelers will soon be able to enjoy the airline’s futuristic domestic first-class reclining seats on each of their Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The newly designed seats, which first launched in May of 2022, feature large privacy wings, more storage, better in-flight entertainment, reclining options, and more. The layout will consist of sixteen new first-class seats in a 2-2 configuration. Today, there are currently 76 Boeing 737-800s undergoing the upgrades, with an estimated completion date at the end of 2025. "We are committed to maintaining an elevated and premium customer experience across all touchpoints of the travel journey – this includes making improvements to our aircraft interiors as part of ongoing, planned retrofits,” a Delta spokesperson said.
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US STATE DEPARTMENT AGAIN TELLS TRAVELERS TO ‘RECONSIDER’ TRAVEL TO JAMAICA
The US State Department reissued its travel advisory for Jamaica, once again alerting US travelers to “reconsider travel” to the country, reports Travel Market Report. The updated Jamaica advisory alerts travelers specifically to reconsider “due to crime and medical services.” The advisory adds, “US government personnel under Chief of Mission (COM) security responsibility are prohibited from traveling to many areas due to increased risk.” COMs are diplomatic officers in charge of diplomatic missions and US offices abroad. The update is an announcement to travelers that COMs all barred from traveling to certain parts of Jamaica due to crime, meaning they would be unable to assist American’s who are in trouble in those areas. If travelers are headed to Jamaica, the State Department encourages them to obtain traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before arriving. Travelers are also advised to avoid walking or driving at night, avoid public buses, and avoid secluded places or situations.
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Guests find themselves exactly where they want to be in the vibrant heart of downtown Austin. Surrounded by world-class restaurants, shopping, and entertainment, Hotel ZaZa Austin offers both business and leisure travelers unparalleled comfort, style, and convenience in an ideal location.
Chic rooms with upscale décor offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars, as well as marble bathrooms. Upgraded rooms add balconies and/or sofas, and individually decorated suites feature separate living areas, washer/dryers, and/or kitchenettes. There are 2 hip restaurants, and a plush lounge with outdoor seating. Other amenities include a rooftop pool with a bar and cushioned loungers, plus a spa and a gym. Valet parking is available.
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215 CHRYSTIE STREET
NEW YORK CITY
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PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager Hotel is a new generation of hotels with everything under one roof. PUBLIC Hotel is built on four key pillars: modern, rethought service, sophisticated style, a unique, fun, and elevated experience, and value. Featuring 367 smart and sophisticated guest rooms, 30,000 square feet of spectacular indoor and outdoor event space, 360-degree jaw dropping views of the city from THE ROOF, and extraordinary food and beverage by world class, award-winning Chef Diego Muñoz. PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager Hotel in New York City’s fundamental premise is LUXURY FOR ALL...a new idea for new age. It offers everything travelers need, and nothing they don’t. | |
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THE ART HOTEL DENVER,
CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON
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Located in Denver's Cultural District, The ART Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton recently debuted a $3 million property-wide refresh to its 165 guest rooms and suites, meeting and event spaces, 24-hour fitness center, private dining, and public spaces. The art haven hotel offers a one-of-a-kind hotel experience focused on delivering Denver’s most premier accommodations paired with captivating pieces of contemporary art woven through the entire guest experience. Experiential, intimate, and refined, The ART Hotel Denver is at the center of this vibrant, downtown neighborhood and is a modern architectural gem bursting with unique multi-sensory experiences from arrival to departure. Contemporary works grace the hotel’s two galleries, inspire its meeting rooms, spill into the hallways, and adorn every guest room. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the property with natural light that allows each piece of work to fully be experienced. Guests and locals delight in the hotel’s cosmopolitan FIRE Restaurant and its outdoor Lounge, which embodies the American art and craft of playful yet sincere hospitality in a modern setting that draws on the energy of the city. | |
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 GBT 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. | | | | |
