Security and Safety Updates
Demonstrations are expected in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic and are scheduled for every Wednesday, but can occur at any time.
New Airline Routes and Route Changes
South America
United Airlines has launched daily nonstop service between Houston, Texas's (U.S.) Bush Intercontinental Airport and Santiago, Chile.
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| Lima, Peru |
Boliviana de Aviacion has eliminated the Panama City refueling stop on its Cochabamba, Bolivia-Santa Cruz, Bolivia-Miami (Florida, U.S.) route via an upgrade to the Boeing 767-300 airplane.
LANPeru will increase service between Lima and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic from seven weekly flights to 10 on January 7, 2015.
Aerolineas Argentinas will operate five new domestic Argentine routes in 2015, including those between the Argentine cities of Cordoba-El Calafate, Rosario-Bariloche and Rio Gallegos-Comodoro Rivadavia.
Caribbean
JetBlue launched twice-weekly service from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Curaçao.
Southwest Airlines will add international service from General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (U.S.) to Montego Bay, Jamaica and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The Saturday-only service will run from January 24, 2015 to April 4, 2015.
International Connections
Etihad Airlines is now offering thrice-weekly service between Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (Texas, U.S.).
Lufthansa resumed service between its Munich, Germany hub and Miami International Airport with five weekly flights on the new Airbus A330-300.
Southwest Airlines will add routes between Dallas Love Field (Texas, U.S.) and the California (U.S.) cities of both San Francisco and Oakland beginning January 6, 2015.
Airline Alliance News
China Southern and Delta Airlines plan to expand their codeshare partnership out of New York-JFK, with the Chinese airline operating a Delta flight to Guangzhou, China and Delta operating nine China Southern flights within the domestic United States.
QATAR Airways and American Airlines expanded their codeshare partnership, with the QR code appearing on American routes within the U.S. from Miami International Airport to Atlanta, Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis and Seattle.
China Eastern entered into a codeshare partnership with Virgin America that will see the two airlines sharing routes within the domestic U.S. and originating in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Garuda Indonesia and Bangkok Airways will begin codeshare operations on December 15, covering service within domestic Thailand and select international routes out of Bangkok.
Irish airline AerLingus has begun codeshare operations with U.K.-based flyBe, with the English airline operating AerLingus flights between Dublin, Ireland and Donegal (Ireland), Exeter (England), Inverness (Scotland), London Southend and Southampton (England).
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| Delta Comfort+ |
Other Airline News
Delta Air Lines will organize its service options into five new categories, effective March 1. BusinessElite will be renamed Delta One, available on long-haul international flights and on U.S. transcontinental flights between New York-JFK and Los Angeles or San Francisco, California. First Class will be offered on short-haul international and domestic routes. Delta Comfort+ will offer what the company calls an "upgraded experience" on Delta's two-cabin aircraft around the world. Main Cabin will be the company's basic service, offered on all flights. And Basic Economy will offer the same service as Main Cabin, but with less flexibility, and will be available only in select market.
Delta Air Lines is now offering regional craft beers on beverage carts on select flights with beers from New York, California, Georgia and Massachusetts.
American Airlines plans a $2 billion upgrade in the wake of its now year-old merger with US Airways. Planned investments include fully lie-flat seats, international Wi-Fi, expanded in-flight entertainment, a modern redesign of Admirals Club lounges worldwide and upgraded complimentary healthy food, cocktails and more.
Other Air Travel News
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration issued its holiday travel tips for 2014, including an announcement that it will allow wrapped gifts in travelers' carry-on bags (although TSA officers may require that gifts be opened). The travel tips also offer a list of allowable carry-on foods, including cake, pie, bread and donuts.
Loyalty Program News
US Airways will allow Dividend Miles elite members to pay to retain or upgrade their status for 2015, at prices ranging from US$399 to US$2,499.
United has released a new "MileagePlus X" app to select MileagePlus members, allowing them to earnmiles for purchases at more than 50 retailers, including The Gap, Lowe's and Sears. The earning rate will be up to four miles per $1 spent with a 25% bonus on purchases charged to a MileagePlus credit card.
Alaska Airlines will increase mileage bonuses as of January 1, 2015 with earning increasing from 50% to 75% for First Class travel, 25% to 50% for Refundable Coach travel and up to 50% for Discounted Coach.
National Car Rental expanded its Emerald Club Priority Service to airport locations in Aruba, Belize, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Curacao, Peru, Uruguay, Trinidad & Tobago and Tortola. Benefits include dedicated lines at service counters, vehicle choice and upgrades and free rental days credits.
Hotel News
The 110-room Hampton Inn by Hilton Silao-Aeropuerto opened near downtown Silao, Mexico, four minutes from Del
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Hampton Inn by Hilton Silao
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Bajío International Airport. The hotel is 20 minutes from the city of Guanajuato and 15 from Leon, with easy access to Guanajuato Inland Port and several major automotive companies. The hotel includes two business centers, free Wi-Fi, free 24-hour airport shuttle service, a 408-square-foot meeting room and free hot breakfast.
Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort completed a $16 million renovation of all public areas, including lobby, restaurants, ballroom, meeting rooms and fitness center.
The Royalton Hicacos Varadero Resort & Spa opened in Cuba after extensive renovations and upgrades, including a new lobby, beach restaurant, Jazz bar, pool and beachside Bali beds. The adults-only all-inclusive property also offers more than 400 Junior Suites, land and water sports and spa treatments.
The 52-room Sandals Carlyle Inn in Montego Bay, Jamaica will be rebranded as the Grand Pineapple Montego Bay on January 15, 2015. The all-inclusive resort will include three restaurants, nightly entertainment and beach access across the street.
Marriott International and Ian Schraeger opened Miami Beach Edition, the third hotel under the Edition brand. The 294-room hotel has a 10,000 square foot meeting space, fitness center, spa, two pools, beach area and outdoor movie theater.
Hotel Pipeline
Mexican hotelier Fibra Inn has announced expansion plans for the next two years, with plans to add 15 hotels to its portfolio during 2015 and another 15 properties during 2016.
Ground Transportation Services
Car-booking app Uber will now see its app on all Android phones in Mexico, thanks to a partnership with America Movil SAB, whose Telcel service has seven out of 10 phone users in the country. Uber users on Telcel will receive a 150-peso discount on their first ride and Mexican Uber Drivers will receive Telcel mobile package discounts. The partnership will expand across Latin America in coming months.
