Ovation's weekly client e-newsletter, the Informed Traveler, keeps readers updated on travel industry news and trends.
Following is a recap of July's top 5 (most clicked by Ovation clients) e-newsletter stories.
1. EU TO LAUNCH ETIAS VISA WAIVER REQUIREMENT IN 2024
The European Union (EU) plans to launch its previously announced European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in 2024 after delaying its release several times over the past three years. ETIAS is an electronic entry authorization system designed to screen and register non-EU travelers as a way to protect and strengthen European borders.
While the EU has not released an exact launch date, it is expected that early next year visa-exempt travelers from over 60 countries, including the US, UK, and Canada, will be required to obtain an ETIAS waiver prior to entering any of the 30 member countries. ETIAS member countries include: 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.
Travelers planning a trip to an ETIAS member country will be required to fill out an online application granting them permission to visit. Applying for an ETIAS will only take about 10 minutes and should be completed at least five days prior to departure. To apply, travelers must have a valid passport from an eligible country, travel details, debit or credit card, and email address. Applicants between the ages of 18 and 70 will pay a €7 (~$7.75) processing fee.
Most applicants will receive an approval email within minutes, but in some cases the process may take up to 30 days. Once approved, the ETIAS waiver will be valid for three years, or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Travelers with an ETIAS waiver will be allowed to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
While no action is required at this time, travelers should be aware of the upcoming ETIAS requirement. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.
2. DELTA OPENS NEW SKY CLUB AT JFK AIRPORT
Delta Air Lines has announced the opening of a second Delta Sky Club at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Located at Terminal 4 near Gate A7, the Sky Club is nearly 1,400 square feet, featuring seating for more than 250 guests and a covered Sky Deck. It also includes a 360-degree premium bar, fireplace lounge, and tucked-away sections that provide more privacy, including four soundproof booths. “This new Club is beautifully designed and packed with special details that reflect the magic of New York City,” said Claude Roussel, Managing Director — Delta Sky Club. “But much more important than that, it’s a place where our people can deliver Delta Sky Club’s signature hospitality, making each guest feel welcomed and cared for from the moment they step inside.” The new Sky Club will operate alongside Delta’s first club location on Terminal 4, Concourse B, bringing the total guest capacity to over 800.
3. UNITED DEBUTS SLEEK NEW CLUB AT NEWARK TERMINAL A
United Airlines has officially opened its new lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), reports Travel Pulse. Located in the newly renovated Terminal A, the 15,000 square foot space is located across from Gate A27 and includes about 350 seats. Some of the amenity and design highlights of the new lounge include two large living room-style spaces filled with recliner seats and individual chairs. There’s also a stylish bar area where highlights include granite counters and wood-lined paneling. Food and drink offerings include a buffet with all-day dining options that range from hot appetizers to sandwiches, soups, and a salad bar, as well as a bar with six beers on tap and a variety of nonalcoholic drinks. The lounge also features easy access to power outlets, USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as free Wi-Fi. Additional design features include a wellness room that can also be used as a changing and lactation room. The new United Airlines lounge is the first to open in Terminal A and is expected to be followed by an American Airlines Admirals Club, a Delta Air Lines Sky Club, and an American Express Centurion Lounge.
4. US PASSPORT DELAYS ARE AFFECTING SUMMER TRAVEL PLANS
US passport renewal services are facing increased wait times as the busy summer travel season ramps up, reports Business Insider. According to the US State Department, processing times for routine passport renewals are now up to 13 weeks, with expedited services increased to 7-9 weeks. That doesn't include delivery times, which can add "several weeks" more, the department says. Travelers have been facing passport renewal backlogs for the past two years, as the government struggles to keep up with post-pandemic travel demand. The State Department says it is getting a record 500,000 passport applications a week. That is on track to top the 22 million passports issued last year. To help with the backlog, the department has increased staffing levels this year and is currently hiring additional staff, adding that a majority of applicants receive their passports within the published timeframes. But some frustrated travelers say they still haven't received their passports despite applying multiple months in advance and are now faced with canceling their trips. The State Department recommends that any individuals who applied and have not received their passport within five days of planned international travel should call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment at a passport agency.
5. TSA TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SCREENING STEP FOR CLEAR MEMBERS
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) plans to increase the number of random identification checks for CLEAR Plus members, reports Business Insider. The random ID checks are part of a push to enhance CLEAR's screening protocols following a security breach that took place last year. Currently, CLEAR Plus members bypass TSA's ID verification process by confirming their identity biometrically at an airport kiosk before being escorted to the front of the security screening area. In the future, CLEAR Plus members will have their identity verified by the TSA, either physically or digitally, before reaching the security screening; although, the TSA has not yet determined when the new ID requirement will be implemented. CLEAR is working with the TSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop new digital identity technology that complies with the TSA's verification standards and keeps CLEAR's "touchless" screening process. "The implementation of these new standards will digitally transmit a passenger's identifying information from CLEAR to next-generation TSA hardware at airport checkpoints and avoid any need for passengers to show their IDs," said a CLEAR spokesperson. "We look forward to rolling this out in the future to create an even more seamless, secure traveler experience while avoiding disruption for passengers as travel continues to surge." Once the upgrades are completed, CLEAR Plus members can continue to take advantage of the platform's expedited airport screening protocols.
