GBTA Week In Review

With travelers and travel professionals of all stripes anticipating massive waits at the nation’s airports this summer, The Wall Street Journal reports on the TSA’s efforts to reduce wait times. Current wait times have become so long, that many passengers are missing their flights. The problem is expected to get worse as we enter the summer travel season.

 

The GBTA recently shared some ideas on how to strategically shorten wait times stating that it strongly believes in risk-based programs and supports ways to expand enrollment in TSA’s PreCheck program.

 

The long lines to get through security are responsible for 450 people being stranded overnight according to USA Today. The lines are the result of record numbers of travelers and a 10 percent reduction in TSA screening staff. TSA and the airlines say they are working together to find a solution.

 

According to the Washington Post, the TSA is sending more officers and k-9 units to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, but is still recommending that passengers arrive three or more hours before their flight.

 

If you are able to make your flight after waiting in the long, serpentine security lines, don’t expect in-flight announcements for connecting gate information if you are traveling on American Airlines. The carrier announced this week that it is eliminating such announcements as travelers are now equipped with their own connected devices, per Bloomberg.

 

In another announcement, American Airlines said it is investing $4 million for contractors to help run and expedite its security checkpoint lines according to the New York Times.

 

USA Today reports that Alaska Air and JetBlue are still the best airlines to travel with in 2016 based on a recent J.D. Power Customer Service Satisfaction Survey.

 

With all the apps and technology that help travelers make hotel reservations, Skift wonders why travelers still can’t book the exact hotel room they want, the way the can with their airline seat. The Hilton HHonors app is one of the apps that is trying to change this by letting people select their own room.

 

What do Orlando, London and Singapore all have in common? They all ranked first in Cvent’s listing of the top convention cities in the world as reported by Skift. This year, the survey looked at different regions with these three cities taking the top spot in the America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions, respectively.

 

Buying Business Travel reports that Business Class fares have dropped to a five-year low according to data from Flight Centre UK. The publication also reports that London is experiencing a boom in budget hotel rooms. Fifty percent of the hotel rooms that have opened since the 2012 Olympic Games are in the budget segment.

 

The operator of bullet trains in Japan is opening an office in Texas according to the Dallas Morning News. The move comes as a plan to connect Dallas to Houston via bullet train is gaining both support and controversy.

 

The U.S. car rental market continues to grow, and will reach $90 billion by 2020 according to the Market Research Store.

 

GBTA is saddened by the loss of Egypt Air flight MS804 earlier this week over the Mediterranean. We extend our sympathies to all those affected by this recent tragedy.

 

 

This Week’s Charts

 

https://skift.com/2016/05/18/the-future-of-international-luxury-travel-in-4-charts/– Skift