Ovation’s weekly consumer e-newsletter, the Knowledgeable Traveler, retains readers up to date on journey business information and developments.
Following is a recap of July’s prime 5 (most clicked by Ovation purchasers) e-newsletter tales.
1. EU TO LAUNCH ETIAS VISA WAIVER REQUIREMENT IN 2024
The European Union (EU) plans to launch its beforehand introduced European Journey Info and Authorization System (ETIAS) in 2024 after delaying its launch a number of occasions over the previous three years. ETIAS is an digital entry authorization system designed to display and register non-EU vacationers as a solution to shield and strengthen European borders.
Whereas the EU has not launched an actual launch date, it’s anticipated that early subsequent yr visa-exempt vacationers from over 60 nations, together with the US, UK, and Canada, can be required to acquire an ETIAS waiver previous to getting into any of the 30 member nations. ETIAS member nations embody: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Vacationers planning a visit to an ETIAS member nation can be required to fill out an internet software granting them permission to go to. Making use of for an ETIAS will solely take about 10 minutes and ought to be accomplished a minimum of 5 days previous to departure. To use, vacationers will need to have a sound passport from an eligible nation, journey particulars, debit or bank card, and e-mail tackle. Candidates between the ages of 18 and 70 pays a €7 (~$7.75) processing price.
Most candidates will obtain an approval e-mail inside minutes, however in some circumstances the method could take as much as 30 days. As soon as accredited, the ETIAS waiver can be legitimate for 3 years, or till the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Vacationers with an ETIAS waiver can be allowed to remain for as much as 90 days inside a 180-day interval.
Whereas no motion is required at the moment, vacationers ought to pay attention to the upcoming ETIAS requirement. We’ll proceed to offer updates as they turn out to be out there.
2. DELTA OPENS NEW SKY CLUB AT JFK AIRPORT
Delta Air Strains has introduced the opening of a second Delta Sky Membership at New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK). Situated at Terminal 4 close to Gate A7, the Sky Membership is almost 1,400 sq. toes, that includes seating for greater than 250 visitors and a lined Sky Deck. It additionally features a 360-degree premium bar, hearth lounge, and tucked-away sections that present extra privateness, together with 4 soundproof cubicles. “This new Membership is fantastically designed and filled with particular particulars that replicate the magic of New York Metropolis,” mentioned Claude Roussel, Managing Director — Delta Sky Membership. “However rather more vital than that, it’s a spot the place our individuals can ship Delta Sky Membership’s signature hospitality, making every visitor really feel welcomed and cared for from the second they step inside.” The brand new Sky Membership will function alongside Delta’s first membership location on Terminal 4, Concourse B, bringing the full visitor capability to over 800.
3. UNITED DEBUTS SLEEK NEW CLUB AT NEWARK TERMINAL A
United Airways has formally opened its new lounge at Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR), experiences Journey Pulse. Situated within the newly renovated Terminal A, the 15,000 sq. foot area is positioned throughout from Gate A27 and consists of about 350 seats. A number of the amenity and design highlights of the brand new lounge embody two massive residing room-style areas full of recliner seats and particular person chairs. There’s additionally a classy bar space the place highlights embody granite counters and wood-lined paneling. Food and drinks choices embody a buffet with all-day eating choices that vary from scorching appetizers to sandwiches, soups, and a salad bar, in addition to a bar with six beers on faucet and a wide range of nonalcoholic drinks. The lounge additionally options easy accessibility to energy shops, USB-A and USB-C ports, in addition to free Wi-Fi. Extra design options embody a wellness room that can be used as a altering and lactation room. The brand new United Airways lounge is the primary to open in Terminal A and is predicted to be adopted by an American Airways Admirals Membership, a Delta Air Strains Sky Membership, and an American Specific Centurion Lounge.
4. US PASSPORT DELAYS ARE AFFECTING SUMMER TRAVEL PLANS
US passport renewal providers are dealing with elevated wait occasions because the busy summer time journey season ramps up, experiences Enterprise Insider. In line with the US State Division, processing occasions for routine passport renewals are actually as much as 13 weeks, with expedited providers elevated to 7-9 weeks. That does not embody supply occasions, which might add “a number of weeks” extra, the division says. Vacationers have been dealing with passport renewal backlogs for the previous two years, as the federal government struggles to maintain up with post-pandemic journey demand. The State Division says it’s getting a file 500,000 passport purposes per week. That’s on monitor to prime the 22 million passports issued final yr. To assist with the backlog, the division has elevated staffing ranges this yr and is at present hiring extra workers, including {that a} majority of candidates obtain their passports inside the printed timeframes. However some annoyed vacationers say they nonetheless have not obtained their passports regardless of making use of a number of months upfront and are actually confronted with canceling their journeys. The State Division recommends that any people who utilized and haven’t obtained their passport inside 5 days of deliberate worldwide journey ought to name the Nationwide Passport Info Heart at 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment at a passport company.
5. TSA TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SCREENING STEP FOR CLEAR MEMBERS
The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) plans to extend the variety of random identification checks for CLEAR Plus members, experiences Enterprise Insider. The random ID checks are a part of a push to reinforce CLEAR’s screening protocols following a safety breach that befell final yr. Presently, CLEAR Plus members bypass TSA’s ID verification course of by confirming their id biometrically at an airport kiosk earlier than being escorted to the entrance of the safety screening space. Sooner or later, CLEAR Plus members may have their id verified by the TSA, both bodily or digitally, earlier than reaching the safety screening; though, the TSA has not but decided when the brand new ID requirement can be carried out. CLEAR is working with the TSA and the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) to develop new digital id expertise that complies with the TSA’s verification requirements and retains CLEAR’s “touchless” screening course of. “The implementation of those new requirements will digitally transmit a passenger’s figuring out info from CLEAR to next-generation TSA {hardware} at airport checkpoints and keep away from any want for passengers to point out their IDs,” mentioned a CLEAR spokesperson. “We look ahead to rolling this out sooner or later to create an much more seamless, safe traveler expertise whereas avoiding disruption for passengers as journey continues to surge.” As soon as the upgrades are accomplished, CLEAR Plus members can proceed to benefit from the platform’s expedited airport screening protocols.