Avelo Airlines will launch flights to Puerto Rico from Delaware this fall, expanding its presence in the state. It will be the first carrier to offer nonstop flights to destinations outside the continental United States from the state.
27.07.2023 - 18:39 / smartertravel.com / Brian Chesky
One year ago, Harvard Business School researchers released findings about the home-share rental platform Airbnb—and they weren’t good. The university created Airbnb user profiles under names that are common among African-Americans, and found they were 16 percent less likely to be accepted for a booking. Real Airbnb users of color said they weren’t surprised. Black users shared stories of repeated cancellations and failed booking attempts, using #AirbnbWhileBlack on social media.
Harvard’s researchers called it “widespread discrimination” by Airbnb hosts.
This week, the San Francisco-based company announced an initiative to combat prejudice on the platform. An “Open Doors” policy effective this October requires that all hosts and guests agree to “treat all fellow members of [the Airbnb] community, regardless of race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age, with respect, and without judgment or bias.”
Sent in an email to all users, the Airbnb announcement from CEO Brian Chesky apologizes that the company was “slow to address these problems,” and outlines the new efforts the company will take to help those who have experienced discrimination. It also announced efforts to educate hosts and renters about prejudice.
Related:Traveling While Black: Becoming BeyonceAirbnb now guarantees booking assistance for those who feel they have been discriminated against, including past cases. The company promised that accommodations—Airbnb or otherwise—will be found for anyone who thinks they were subjected to practices that violate the new policy. Airbnb says anti-bias training will also be made available to users and hosts in the future, which they’re currently developing with Harvard University Kennedy School of Government experts.
The company brought on big-name advisers to assist in making these changes, including Laura Murphy, the former head of the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington D.C., and former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
Airbnb also announced it will increase the amount of instant bookings on the platform, which allow users to immediately reserve a rental without the host’s personal approval on days that are listed as available to book. Profile photos may also become less prominent, according to Murphy, and references and reviews will be highlighted more eminently.
Airbnb already guarantees host protection insurance that ensures damages and liabilities up to $1 million will be covered by the company.
Related:The 10 Commandments of Being a Good Airbnb GuestChesky said this summer that discrimination on the community platform was his biggest worry, and addressed concerns about the tech company itself not being diverse enough.
“What happens
Avelo Airlines will launch flights to Puerto Rico from Delaware this fall, expanding its presence in the state. It will be the first carrier to offer nonstop flights to destinations outside the continental United States from the state.
When it comes to using a car service to get around town, to and from the airport or from one destination to the next, travelers looking for a high-end option have a myriad of brands to pick from. Based on my personal experience, I can tell you that I’ve come to rely on Blacklane.
Flying to the United Arab Emirates from the United States just got easier. Etihad Airways, one of the national airlines of the UAE, just announced new service between Boston and Abu Dhabi, beginning on March 31, 2024.
Space enthusiasts up and down the East Coast may be able to see NASA’s next rocket launch with their own eyes.
Last week, Airbnb removed 2,233 New York based listings from its site in its latest attempt to appease New York City legislators. Airbnb has been in the news recently for fighting legal battles in its hometown of San Francisco, and New York is another major listings city for the company.
The traditional taxi business is far from dead, but the ever-burgeoning popularity of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft is a clear threat to the survival of the yellow cabs that for decades have been a mainstay of big-city transportation. It’s fair to say that the rise of Uber and its ilk have led to the erosion of taxis, and could eventually lead to their outright demise (or, perhaps, their radical transformation).
There’s been a lot of talk lately about discount airlines providing low-fare flights to European cities. London, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen are now an inexpensive Wow Air or Norweigan Air flight away from the U.S.—that is, if you’re willing to forego an in-flight meal and deal with a layover. But many business travelers and membership-savvy flyers aren’t looking for a cheap, lengthy flight sans free food.
Following in Delta’s footsteps, American announced a new baggage tracking service that lets travelers know when their baggage arrives (or fails to arrive) at the airport.
Paine Field, 30 miles north of downtown Seattle, is known by aviation enthusiasts as the site of Boeing’s B747 assembly plant, where for decades the iconic jumbo jets rumbled down the tarmac on their delivery flights to airlines representing every corner of the world. Otherwise, Paine Field was just another sleepy little civilian airport, known to few and relevant to fewer.
Without warning, Chef Patrick flicked his wrist and chocolate sauce flew across the table. As I and the other restaurant patrons jumped to cover the tops of our wine glasses, the chef smiled and began to throw together (literally) the night’s dessert on a white canvas, like an Italian Jackson Pollock. He sprinkled coffee cake and sunflower seed crumbs, then gently added lemon curd and cheesecake. For the finale, he slammed fist-sized tiramisu balls down on the table, sending chocolate debris flying across the canvas.