Delta opens new gates at LaGuardia
On November 4, Delta will open seven new gates in the area that will become Terminal C at New York’s LaGuardia airport. Delta will operate 60 flights per day from the modern new gates, located on the far eastern side of the airport. This expansion is just part of an $8 billion redevelopment project for Delta at the airport.

IHG tests new Pay with Points program
The Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) is quietly testing a new Pay with Points plan for members of its loyalty program, IHG Rewards. Under the plan, members would be able to instantly redeem points for select services including food and drink in addition to paying for room fees. The test program is currently being piloted at a few hotels, including the Crowne Plaza Atlanta at Ravinia, Hotel Indigo Alexandria, and the Intercontinental Barclay New York, with the Intercontinental Buckhead and the Holiday Inn Atlanta Airport South being added soon.  IHG hopes to extend the program to other hotels in 2020.

New Orleans to open new airport complex Nov. 6
After several delays, the city of New Orleans will officially open its new $1.3 billion airport complex on Nov. 6. The new facility, which is located on the other side of the runways, will feature three concourses and 35 gates that will accommodate all 16 commercial airlines currently serving the city. Passengers will enjoy better parking, more than 40 retail and dining outlets, live music, water bottle refilling stations, free high-speed Wi-Fi and charging ports for electronics, along with other amenities. The old terminal facility will close permanently as the new complex opens.

United to offer first class on new 50-seat jet
United Airlines is introducing its new 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-550 aircraft, which will feature a first class cabin with 10 seats and 20 United Plus seats with extra legroom, in addition to 20 regular economy seats. The new aircraft will also have enough storage space for every passenger to bring one roller-bag on board. United will strategically place this aircraft on routes in small and middle sized markets that have a high demand for premium service, such as flights from Chicago to Allentown, Bentonville, Cedar Rapids, Cincinnati, Columbus, Harrisburg, Indianapolis, Madison, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, and Tulsa.