BUZZ DAILY DC
UNITED
United Airlines has applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation to offer three weekly nonstop flights between Dulles International Airport and Cape Town, South Africa. If approved, United’s routes would become the firstever nonstop flights between Greater Washington and South Africa’s oldest city. The proposed service would begin November 17 and would connect 55 U.S. cities to Cape Town. In its announcement, United said the “long-overdue route” would benefit government connections between the two countries — Cape Town is South Africa’s legislative capital — as well as increase commerce and communication. United already operates flights between New York and Cape Town as well as Johannesburg. (WBJ)
AAA
According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, over 50% of Washington, D.C. residents are planning to travel more this summer than they did last year. And nearly 30% are planning their first significant summer travel since the beginning of the pandemic. Of those traveling, more than 40% are planning international travel, more than 50% are planning multiple trips during the summer. (WTOP)
THE JET
Luxury coach bus line The Jet, which started service on November 11, is now operating a fleet of four 45-foot motor coaches, each one with superior comfort and pampering amenities for just 14 passengers, with service between Washington and New York. The Jet uses strategic pickup and drop-off locations in each city—in convenient but low-congestion areas. In Washington, D.C., The Jet starts and completes service near Metro Center; in New York, the pickup and drop-off point is at the Hudson Yards campus. These sites offer passengers a central downtown location, close to each city’s train systems while still avoiding highly trafficked transit areas. Boarding is seamless: Arrive five minutes before your departure time, hand your luggage to the driver and check in with the attendant before settling into your reserved seat. According to its site, the company estimates most trips take about four hours. (Conde Nast)
TRAVEL FEES
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has increased the fee it levies on inbound international travelers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program to $17 from $10. The fee does not include a $4 administrative fee. The fee is for the use of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, a system established in 2009 that allows business travelers and others coming from the 40 countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program to enter for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. CBP uses ESTA to assess whether inbound travelers are eligible for visa-free entry, and each authorization is eligible for two years. (BTN)
