September Travel News Review…

Wow… where to start.  There is a ton of news I could report on from the world of travel but I’m just going to touch on the interesting highlights.

Central American Beginning to Open Up

One of my favorite airline miles programs is Avianca’s LifeMiles because it’s a relatively high redemption value program with lots of Star Alliance options.  I have used LifeMiles to book free tickets on Lufthansa, Copa, United and Austrian.

So I was glad to see the article in Travel Agent Central noting that Avianca’s Columbian operations will resume September 28 with 16 international destinations from Bogota and Medellin, including Miami and New York.

Meanwhile, Newsroom Panama reports that Panama-based Copa is also coming back to life at their home base in Panama City.  Copa is slowly adding flights with its primary focus on New York and Miami, although there are reports of increased intra-country traffic and flights to neighboring Costa Rica and Columbia.  Both of these stories are personally important to me since I travel to Panama once or twice each year for work.

Cruise Line Liability and New Health Protocols

Maritime newsletter gCaptain reports how the Death on the High Seas Act may protect cruise lines from liability related to Covid-19.  A Los Angeles federal judge ruled the century-old federal law restrains consideration of all but “pecuniary” damages when the disease is contracted “on the high seas.”  The ruling came on a wrongful death suit filed by the family of a 71-year-old man sailing on the Carnival Coral Princess.

“Basically, the question to the widow is, ‘What did it cost you to lose your husband?’” said Charles Naylor, a lawyer who specializes in maritime injury and death.  “If it didn’t cost you anything, we don’t owe you a nickel.”  Ouch.

While issues related to Covid-19 deaths will continue to make their way through the courts, the cruise industry is forging ahead with plans for their comeback.  Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the cruise industry trade association, has been developing health standards that would induce the CDC to lift its current cruising ban.  The new health protocols would be mandatory for the dozens of member cruise lines.

According to the announcement on their Instagram page, CLIA members “…have outlined a pathway to support a phased-in return to passenger service in the Americas with protocols that promote the health and safety of passengers, crew and the communities we visit.”  In addition to rigorous cleaning regimens, CLIA is supporting pre-boarding testing and banning passengers from freely roaming port cities.

Canada and Mexico Land Borders Closed Through October 21

The U.S., Canada and Mexico agreed back on March 21 that their land borders would remain closed for 30 days to non-essential travel to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.  That closing will now remain in effect through October 21.

Oddly, Americans can fly to Mexico but can’t drive.  There is no mandatory quarantine period and no PCR test is required.  The only non-essential travel allowed through Canada is for those driving directly from Alaska to the United States.

Flight Attendants Catching Covid-19 at Lower Rate Than Public

With daily contact with the traveling public, you might think that flight attendants would be at higher risk of contracting Covid-19 but that isn’t the case.

At an airline forum hosted by Politico, the CEOs of United, Delta and American Airlines all stated that flight attendants have lower Covid-19 infection rates than the general public.  United CEO Scott Kirby said that is “…one of the multiple data points that speak to the safety on board airplanes.”

“If the experience of flying was not safe, you’d expect our people to get sick.  We track the health of our people.  Our people are meaningfully less infected than the general population,” said Delta’s Ed Bastian.  The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) union released data indicating that 1,000 flight attendants have tested positive for the virus, out of a total of 122,000 U.S. flight attendants: that is a 0.8% positivity rate compared to a 2.0% positivity rate for the general population of the U.S.

“Aircraft benefit from very high air exchange rates and HEPA filters, which filter more than 99.99 percent of all particles, including viruses,” according to a statement released by the International Air Transport Association.

Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival Delayed

As reported in Meetings and Conventions, the Rio Carnival parade and samba schools won’t happen in February ’21.  Organizers say this is just a postponement but no new date has been set.

The League of Samba Schools, organizer of the parade, announced that the spread of the virus makes it impossible to hold the parades.  Not only are the annual Carnival festivities a major cultural event, but they are also a source of livelihood for many.

Airline Covid Testing

United Airlines became the first U.S. airline to offer Covid-19 testing to passengers according to Travel Pulse and other news outlets.  United will give flyers the option of taking a rapid-response test for flights going to Hawaii from San Francisco beginning on October 15.

Passengers will be responsible for the cost of the test.  Not to be outdone, Hawaiian Airlines will offer drive-through testing in several U.S. mainland gateways.  In both cases, a negative test within 72 hours of flying will allow visitors to avoid the Islands’ 14-day quarantine.

Hotel Industry in Trouble and Facing Huge Layoffs

An American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) survey has found that 68% of hotels in the U.S. have half of their regular employees working full time.  74% of respondents said they will be forced to lay off more staff without further government assistance.

More than 1000 hotel owners, operators and employees responded to the survey.  According to the research, more than 50% of owners are in danger of foreclosure and 67% said they won’t be able to operate more than an additional six months at current occupancy levels.  AHLA has been engaged in talks with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows regarding additional aid.

Brian

As an avid traveler, Brian has explored and enjoyed cultural encounters in over 40 countries while spending many years refining The Points Game — using credit card sign-up bonuses and other tricks to get nearly free travel.  Getting the most out of every trip is an art and Brian launched My Travel Traxx to help others enjoy the art of travel.