Supplier Solutions Business Travel Updates October 2024
US Airfares Trending Slightly Lower, Hotels, Cars Trending Slightly Higher
US airfares were down 1.3% (Aug 2024 vs Aug 2023), and down 6.5% vs pre-pandemic levels. Global demand for seats has drawn closer to pre-pandemic levels. A number of factors are being watched that will determine where airfares head to close out 2024 and into 2025 – inflation, geopolitical issues, oil prices, and Boeing aircraft delivery issues are all at the top of the list.
Hotels’ prices were up 1.8% (Aug 2024 vs Aug 2023) and 13.8% vs Aug 2019. Revenue for economy hotels was down 4.2% YTD through July, and revenue for upper-upscale full-service properties was up 2.1% YTD through July.
Source: Nerdwallet
Number of Foreign Visitors to The US Increased in July 2024 (vs July 2023)
The latest data from the National Travel and Tourism Office shows that in July 2024 6,899,661 non-US residents traveled to the United Sates, marking a 6.8% increase vs. July 2023. Citizens of five countries accounted for over 61% of all international flight arrivals – Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, India, and Germany.
Source: eTurboNews
Southwest Airlines Unveils Its “Southwest. Even Better” Transformational Plan
Southwest’s transformation is guided by data-driven research of travelers’ changing needs and expectations. Southwest’s evolution will provide even more choice for its customers and preserve aspects of the business that makes it unique. Some of the enhancements include:
- – Assigned Seating – 80% of current Southwest customers want assigned seating and 86% of passengers who choose other airlines want assigned seating. Assigned seating will start in July of 2025 for travel beginning in January of 2026.
- – Premium – Southwest will offer extra legroom options by adding additional up to five additional inches of pitch on one third of its fleet.
- – Southwest Boarding – the carrier’s most loyal customers and those who purchase premium seating will continue to be among the first to board.
- – Bags Continue to Fly Free
- – Global Airline Partnerships – Southwest will start to formalize partnerships with international carriers to expand its networks. The initial partnership will be with Icelandair
- through Baltimore-Washington (BWI) starting in 2025. More partnerships are expected to follow.
- – Getaways by Southwest – In 2025, Southwest will launch a new product, Getaways by Southwest, offering vacation packages that are unique to the industry. Currently a third party company manages Southwest Vacations.
- – 24-Hour Operations. In February 2025, Southwest expects to begin offering redeye flying in key markets to maximize aircraft utilization.
Source: Southwest Newsroom
Delta Continues Its Growth in Atlanta (ATL) – The World’s Largest Airline Hub
Delta Air Lines is preparing to offer 1.1 million weekly seats, 968 daily flights and service to 215 destinations for the summer 2025 schedule. This will mark seventy-five additional daily departures compared to summer 2024. ATL remains the most-traveled airport in the Delta network. DL has also added more Latin and Caribbean destinations from ATL with daily service to Barbados and Puerto Plata. Five new US West Coast destinations were added in 2024, including new service to Santa Barbara and Fresno. Delta’s joint venture partnership with the LATM group has also increased the airline’s connectivity in the Latin American market with flights between Atlanta and Peru, Chile, Columbia, and more.
And while at ATL, you will be able to take advantage of Digital ID. This is Delta’s time-saving industry-first technology that allows customers to check bags and move through security without showing a physical government ID. This technology is available in both the domestic and international terminals.
And either before your flight or during connections, please remember that there are nine Sky Clubs throughout the airport. These clubs offer thoughtful amenities like an assortment of meal offerings, premium beverage selections, and intentionally crafted lounge space.
Source: Delta News Hub
