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The American Express Centurion Lounge network is set to undergo changes as the company has decided to close all spas across its lounge network. This decision was confirmed by a company spokesperson to The Points Guy. The spas, which were operated in partnership with Exhale, were available at three locations: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Miami International Airport (MIA), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Hurricane Milton is advancing toward Florida, moving from the Gulf of Mexico in a west-to-east direction. The storm, currently classified as a Category 5 hurricane, is expected to pass directly over the Tampa Bay area early Wednesday morning.
Alaska Air Group, Inc. has announced an Investor Day event scheduled for December 10, 2024, in New York City. The gathering will include presentations and a question-and-answer session with the Alaska Airlines executive team. During the event, updates on the company's business plan and its future with Hawaiian Airlines will be discussed, highlighting increased acquisition synergies.
Aer Lingus has announced the introduction of a new route connecting Dublin Airport (DUB) to Nashville International Airport (BNA). This service is set to commence on April 12, 2025, offering four weekly flights in each direction.
Choice Privileges members have experienced a fluctuation in the points required to book stays at Preferred Hotels & Resorts. This partnership enables travelers to use Choice points for 314 properties worldwide. In May 2024, award rates ranged from 25,000 to 55,000 points per night. However, by June, some properties saw an increase to 87,000 points per night, and in September, certain locations demanded as much as 118,000 points.
October 7 marks the World Day for Decent Work, with this year's theme emphasizing peace and democracy amid increasing authoritarianism and military conflicts. Currently, more than 110 armed conflicts worldwide are impacting workers on the front lines, affecting their communities and stripping them of their livelihoods and rights.
Southwest Airlines is preparing to implement significant changes that will be noticed by passengers well before the airline transitions to assigned seating. The Dallas-based carrier announced a comprehensive overhaul, including plans to move away from its long-standing open seating policy. This transition will introduce assigned and extra-legroom seats, with sales expected to begin in late 2025 for flights in early 2026.
In December 2023, LATAM Airlines became the first airline outside the Lufthansa Group and in the Americas to implement AeroSHARK technology on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. This bionic surface film was installed in São Paulo and has been tested in daily operations since then. The positive results have led LATAM to expand this technology to four more aircraft, resulting in five AeroSHARK-modified planes operated by LATAM Airlines Brazil.
Two years after forming a Joint Venture, Delta Air Lines and the LATAM group report significant growth in their operations. Since 2022, the partnership has resulted in a 68% increase in flights. This expansion includes six new routes and over 32,000 flights, providing more than 8 million seats between North America and South America.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has emphasized the importance of safeguarding civil aviation during conflicts. The statement underscores that flights must remain secure and critical infrastructure should not be targeted amidst hostilities.
Alaska Airlines recently completed its annual Week of CARE, during which over 500 employees participated in more than 30 volunteer events across the country. The company logged 1,200 hours of service aimed at supporting communities in need.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has introduced a new offer, providing cardholders with 60,000 bonus points and a $300 travel credit. This offer is available for those who spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account. The value of this offer is estimated at $1,530.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has accepted Delta Air Lines' application to use camera-based small drones for visual inspections of its aircraft. This acceptance was granted earlier this year, and Delta TechOps has been integrating drone inspections into their maintenance procedures. Initially, these inspections will be used following lightning strike events, with the practice now included in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual for Delta's mainline fleet.
Delta Air Lines is set to expand its operations significantly at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the summer of 2025. The airline plans to introduce its largest-ever schedule from Atlanta, with increased destinations and enhanced premium services.
The holiday season is traditionally a time for gathering with family and friends, but it also marks one of the busiest travel periods. In 2023, the Transportation Security Administration screened a record-setting 2.9 million passengers on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The summer of 2024 surpassed this figure twice, indicating an even busier holiday season ahead.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is gearing up for its joint World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS), set to take place in Bangkok. The event aims to address key industry topics, including airline retailing, finance, facilitation, accessibility, and passenger experience.
Taiwan-based STARLUX Airlines has announced a new codeshare partnership with Alaska Airlines, marking its first such collaboration. This agreement aims to enhance travel options between Asia and the United States by allowing passengers to book itineraries on a single ticket.
Chase has expanded its lounge offerings for Sapphire Reserve cardholders, now including access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges worldwide. This development adds nearly two dozen lounges to the card's existing network, which already includes Priority Pass Select membership and Chase Sapphire lounges.
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., has been recognized with the Silver Ribbon Mental Health Award for the fourth year in a row in Singapore. This award highlights FedEx's dedication to promoting mental well-being and creating a supportive workplace culture.
With the holiday season approaching, now is an ideal time to book flights to avoid premium prices. According to a Google Flights forecast, Thanksgiving flights should be booked by early October, and Christmas and New Year's flights by late October. However, timing is just one of several factors that can impact travel costs and experiences.