CUBA: Havana's international airport re-opens to international flights

The country's government has confirmed that Jose Marti Airport in Havana has now resumed commercial and charter air operations after suspending them in March. Although Cuba does not require travelers to take a COVID-19 test prior to arrival, all arriving travelers must submit a health declaration and take a COVID-19 PCR test, with the results available within 24 hours. Visitors must quarantine until test results are received and must take another PCR test at their own expense on the fifth day of their stay.
Cuba
United States of America
Borders
Business
Leisure

UNITED STATES: State of Hawaii tightens COVID-19 pre-travel testing restrictions

The government of the U.S. state of Hawaii has announced amendments to its five week-old COVID-19 pre-travel testing program, which come into effect from today, 24 November. From today, those who wish to avoid the mandatory self-quarantine upon arrival in the islands must have their negative test result uploaded to Hawaii's ‘Safe Travels’ system or in hand strictly at the time of their flight's departure.
United States of America
Borders
Business
Leisure

AMERICAN AIRLINES: Airline eliminates most change fees on a long term basis for international flights

The airline has announced that it will extend its elimination of change fees to a long-term basis for all international flights, with the exception of seats booked in basic economy; it’s the first global U.S. carrier to do so. The move follows the August decision by American, along with United, Delta and Alaska, to eliminate change fees long-term on domestic tickets except for basic economy fares.
United States of America
Airline
American Airlines
Business
Leisure

UNITED STATES: Borders with Canada and Mexico to remain closed until at least 21 December 2020

The U.S. government has announced that its land borders with both Mexico and Canada will remain closed to non-essential travel for at least another month until 21 December. The land border restrictions, aimed at controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, were first announced in March and have thus far been renewed monthly.
Canada
Mexico
United States of America
Borders
Business
Leisure

QATAR AIRWAYS: Airline signs agreement with Air Canada to provide Toronto flight connections

The middle-eastern airline has announced a finalised 'codeshare' agreement with Air Canada, for travel between Qatar's capital of Doha and the Canadian city of Toronto. The first flight will operate on 15 December and seats are now available for sale, offering a more seamless, one-stop connection between the two hubs.
Canada
Middle East
Airline
Qatar Airways
Air Canada
Business
Leisure

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB: Cruise line cancels remaining 2020 sailings

The Norway-based cruise line, which was the first to resume cruise operations in the Caribbean, has now cancelled all remaining 2020 departures following a COVID-19 outbreak on board one of its ships.
Barbados
Jamaica
Norway
United States of America
Cruise
SeaDream Yacht Club
Leisure

BRITISH AIRWAYS: Airline to trial free COVID-19 testing on U.S. flights from 25 November 2020

The airline is set to launch voluntary COVID-19 testing for passengers travelling to the UK from three US airports. The trial begins on 25 November and will be free to eligible customers on three flights: an American Airlines flight from Dallas Fort Worth to London Heathrow; British Airways from Los Angeles to London Heathrow, and British Airways from New York John F. Kennedy to London Heathrow. Passengers will be tested 72 hours before their trip, as well as during and after travelling. If they test positive before travelling, they will have to reschedule or cancel their flight, but will be able to rebook at a later date without a fee.
United Kingdom
United States of America
Airline
Borders
British Airways
American Airlines
Business
Leisure

AMERICAN AIRLINES: Airline to trial new COVID-19 passenger mobile app

The airline has announced plans to begin rolling out ‘Verifly’ this month, a new mobile app to help passengers easily understand COVID-19 testing and documentation requirements. It’ll be available from 18 November on selected flights, and will give passengers a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ status pre-travel depending on the amount of supporting information and documentation that has been provided.
Australia
South Africa
United Kingdom
United States of America
Airline
American Airlines
Business
Leisure

UNITED STATES: Country's government updates COVID-19 test requirements for Washington DC from 9 November 2020

The country's government has said that most out-of-state visitors from 'high-risk' locations must now present a negative COVID-19 test result prior to arriving in Washington DC; however, they will no longer be required to self-isolate for 14 days. Visitors staying longer than three days will have to take a second test three to five days after their arrival, according to the order. The new travel advisory goes into effect on 9 November.
United States of America
Borders
Business
Leisure

AMERICAN AIRLINES: Airline to offer pre-flight COVID-19 testing for some Caribbean destinations from 16 November 2020

The airline has announced that from 16 November it will begin offering pre-flight COVID-19 testing for passengers flying to Belize, Grenada and St Lucia. The test will be an at-home PCR version which can be purchased from a link on the airline website. Meanwhile, planned testing collaborations between American Airlines and the governments of Jamaica and the Bahamas are reportedly still on hold.
Belize
Grenada
St. Lucia
United States of America
Airline
American Airlines
Business
Leisure

BRITISH AIRWAYS: Airline announces flight suspensions for November and December 2020

The airline has announced the suspension of flights to a number of both long-haul and short-haul destinations in November and December 2020, as a result of new lockdown measures imposed across England. This includes the pausing of all flights from London Gatwick Airport until December.
France
Germany
United Kingdom
United States of America
Airline
British Airways
Business
Leisure

CHINA: Country's government bans entry for arrivals from some countries

The country’s government has temporarily suspended entry to non-Chinese arrivals from the UK, Belgium and the Philippines. In addition, from 6 November passengers from France, Germany, Thailand and the U.S. must present results of additional health tests obtained a maximum of 48 hours prior to boarding.
Belgium
France
Germany
Mainland China
Philippines
Thailand
United Kingdom
United States of America
Borders
Business
Leisure

CANADA: Country announces new entry requirements for travellers from 21 November 2020

The country's government has announced that 21 November, air travellers with Canada as their final destination must submit their information electronically through the 'ArriveCAN' platform before they board their flight; this includes travel, contact, quarantine plan and COVID-19 symptom self-assessment. Travellers must be ready to show their 'ArriveCAN' receipt when seeking entry into Canada, and travellers who do not submit the required information digitally could be subject to fines of up to $1,000.
Canada
Borders
Business
Leisure

UNITED STATES: All arrivals to the state of New York must test negative for COVID-19 from 4 November 2020

The government of the U.S. state of New York has announced that from 4 November it is moving away from a travel advisory that required a two-week quarantine for people coming from COVID-19 hotspots, instead mandating that all travellers test negative for the virus on arrival and departure from the state; travellers will be required to test negative for COVID-19 within the three days immediately prior to arrival, and carry proof of a negative result. Once in the state, they must quarantine for three days and take a further test on the fourth day; if they test negative, they can end their quarantine.
United States of America
Borders
Business
Leisure

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES: Airline to begin services from Chicago O'Hare on 14 February 2021

The U.S. airline has announced that it will launch its first five flight routes from Chicago O'Hare on 14 February; Southwest will fly four times daily from O'Hare to Nashville, Baltimore and Dallas Love Field. The airline will also fly six times daily from O'Hare to Denver and twice daily from the northern Chicagoland airport to Phoenix.
United States of America
Airline
Southwest Airlines
Business
Leisure

UNITED AIRLINES: Airline to trial free mandatory COVID-19 testing on flights to London Heathrow

United Airlines has announced that they will trial free, mandatory COVID-19 testing on flights from New York’s Newark Liberty International Airport to London Heathrow between 16 November and 11 December. The rapid testing will not yet negate current entry requirements, and passengers will still be required to quarantine on arrival in the UK; however, the airline hopes that by proving they can fly aircraft that are 100% free of COVID-19, they can play their part in lobbying the respective governments to reduce restrictions.
United Kingdom
United States of America
Airline
United Airlines
Business
Leisure

DELTA AIR LINES: Airline delays resumption of flights to South Africa until 8 January 2021

The U.S. airline has announced that plans to re-start flights between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and both Johannesburg and Cape Town have now been delayed until at least 8 January 2021. Although the reintroduction of the flight was initially planned for October, the airline has said that due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions and customer demand, Delta has adjust flight schedules.
South Africa
United States of America
Airline
Delta Air Lines
Business
Leisure

CANADA: Country's government extends cruise ship suspension until March 2021

The government of Canada has announced that it will extend a suspension of cruise ships in its waters through to at least 1 March 2021; the order pertains to passenger vessels – specifically, cruise ships or "pleasure craft" – carrying 100 or more passengers with the capacity to keep those passengers onboard overnight. Under the order, water taxis, ferries and other "essential passenger vessels" can remain in operation.
Canada
Borders
Cruise
Business
Leisure

HILTON HOTELS: Hilton announces additional 'Hilton Honors' reward program extensions

Hilton has announced updates to their 'Hilton Honors' rewards program for all members, including the extension of points validity, faster paths to elite status and the ability to retain current status for longer; full details are available on the Hilton website.
Australia
Hong Kong
New Zealand
Singapore
South Africa
United Kingdom
United States of America
Hotel
Resort
Hilton Hotels
Business
Leisure

IBEROSTAR HOTELS: Brand launches COVID-19 'travel at ease' initiative in some countries

The international hotel and resort brand has announced a ‘Travel at Ease’ initiative, which is a complimentary program for customers at its resorts in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico and Brazil. Under the initiative guests can receive COVID-19 testing if showing symptoms, stay-extensions in case of illness, access to isolation rooms, medical monitoring, contactless room service and partial refunds in case of early departure.
Brazil
Dominican Republic
Jamaica
Mexico
Hotel
Resort
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
Business
Leisure