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British Airways chair Martin Broughton believes some airport security measures are "redundant."Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP

Travel roundup: three pieces of hot travel news

In the air

Travellers are drawing the line at paying for Wi-Fi on flights. A study by Arizona-based In-Stat shows that 2,000 airplanes will be equipped with the service by year end, but usage is limited to about 2 per cent of available seats. This is not likely to change, says In-Stat market analyst Amy Cravens. Studies in other locations show Wi-Fi usage rates plummet, even for fees as low as $1.

At the airport

Travellers aren't the only ones fed up with airport security. British Airways chairman Martin Broughton charges that removing shoes and displaying laptops are "completely redundant" measures in place only because of insistence from the United States. "America does not do internally a lot of the things they demand that we do," he told a gathering of airport operators. Meanwhile, the European Union has formally objected to the requirement that U.S.-bound travellers from 35 nations complete online security in advance.

In the room

Hyatt is promising fresher air at 2,000 rooms in 125 full-service hotels and resorts in Canada, the U.S. and the Caribbean. The chain already offers hypo-allergenic rooms in Vancouver and Calgary and will add the Park Hyatt Toronto and Hyatt Regency Vancouver by the end of the year. Designed especially for guests with asthma, allergies and respiratory sensitivities, the Respire by Hyatt rooms use technology to cut up to 98 per cent of airborne viruses, bacteria, pollen and indoor irritants.

Sources: www.in-stat.com, The Canadian Press, www.hyatt.com

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