As the world emerges from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel industry is navigating its new reality, marked by the term “normalization.” This concept encapsulates the deceleration of travel growth—once skyrocketing to extraordinary heights as restrictions eased and borders reopened. At the recent Global Summit hosted by the World Travel & Tourism Council
Airlines
Delta Air Lines has reported a sharp 30% decline in its operating income for the third quarter, underscoring the severe impact of overcapacity in the industry combined with internal operational failures. The airline’s inability to effectively manage flight schedules, exacerbated by an IT outage in July linked to CrowdStrike, has led to a staggering cancellation
In an exciting development for travel enthusiasts and global explorers alike, United Airlines recently unveiled plans for eight new international routes to be introduced in the summer season. This strategic move not only marks the airline’s foray into new territories, including its inaugural service to Greenland and Mongolia, but also reflects United’s ambition to connect
In an age where seamless travel experiences are increasingly demanded by consumers, SkyTeam, a prominent global airline alliance, is taking decisive steps toward enhancing its service offerings. By forming intermodal partnerships with leading high-speed rail providers Eurostar and Trenitalia, SkyTeam aims to integrate air and rail travel into a single, cohesive journey. This initiative not
The passage of Hurricane Milton through Florida has left significant disruptions in its wake, particularly for the state’s critical air travel infrastructure. As a powerful Category 3 storm making landfall on Siesta Key, just south of Sarasota, Milton wreaked havoc not only on the coastal landscape but also on the operations of several major airports.
Delta Air Lines is making headlines with the grand opening of its second Delta One Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on October 11. Following the successful launch of the first Delta One Lounge at New York’s JFK Airport in June, Delta is elevating its premium offerings further. This new lounge represents a significant
In a notable move to enhance customer loyalty and engagement, American Airlines and Hyatt Hotels are revamping their longstanding partnership program, effective January 1. This strategic realignment spells the conclusion of a practice that allowed members to earn reciprocal points—AAdvantage points for Hyatt hotel stays and vice versa. The shift aims to streamline the loyalty
As Hurricane Milton intensifies into a formidable Category 4 storm, Florida’s west coast braces for significant impact. With its current position just north of the Yucatan Peninsula, Milton is on a trajectory that is expected to bring severe weather to the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday. This looming threat has prompted local airports to initiate
In an aggressive bid to reclaim its foothold in the marketplace, American Airlines has reformed its global sales division after a recent period of re-evaluation and restructuring. The airline has set the date of October 10 to reintroduce its well-received corporate perks program, a move aimed at rebuilding relationships with corporate clients and travel agencies
As Southwest Airlines embarks on a strategic transformation designed to boost revenue and enhance operational efficiency, the airline faces formidable challenges, not least of which is a looming proxy battle with activist investor Elliott Investment Management. The details shared during the recent Investor Day underscore both the airline’s ambitions and the critical tests it faces
On Friday, Spirit Airlines’ stock experienced a significant drop following a report from the Wall Street Journal indicating that the airline may be considering a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. This unsettling news comes in the wake of discussions between Spirit and its bondholders regarding the airline’s financial future. Although Spirit Airlines declined to formally comment
In early September, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a significant investigation into frequent-flyer programs operated by major U.S. airlines, namely American, Delta, United, and Southwest. This inquiry aims to scrutinize these loyalty programs to ensure that they do not engage in practices deemed unfair, deceptive, or anti-competitive. With growing concerns over consumer rights
As air travel continues to evolve in response to increasing passenger demands, Harry Reid Airport in Las Vegas finds itself at a pivotal juncture. On October 1, the Clark County Commission received a comprehensive proposal from the Department of Aviation focused on revitalizing Terminal 1. This redevelopment aims to incorporate 26 additional gates, ultimately increasing
American Airlines is at a pivotal juncture regarding in-flight connectivity, particularly concerning the implementation of free WiFi for passengers. While Kim Cisek, the airline’s vice president of customer experience and product management, has refrained from making definitive promises, she indicates that important developments are on the horizon. During a recent interview at the airline’s Dallas
American Airlines has taken a significant step to bolster its engagement with travel agencies and corporate customers by extending its New Distribution Capability (NDC) commission program until the end of the year. Initially set to expire on September 30, the program offers a 10% commission on specific NDC bookings, including its Main Plus, Main Select,
In recent times, the emergence of mpox in Central Africa has highlighted the unpredictable nature of public health threats. This ongoing situation reaffirms the importance of strategic readiness in the face of health emergencies. Experts in public health emphasize that the groundwork laid during the COVID-19 pandemic surrounding vaccine credentials is crucial for smoother cross-border
In a landscape of relentless competition and evolving passenger demands, Southwest Airlines is gearing up to enhance its seating offerings. With the intention of reconfiguring some of its aircraft to include extra-legroom seats, the airline’s changes are expected to roll out in the first quarter of the next year. However, the transition to assigned seating—the
In an effort to protect consumers and enhance transparency within airline loyalty programs, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has introduced the Protect Your Points Act. This bill aims to establish new regulations that require airlines to provide advance notice before any valuation changes to loyalty points, a practice that has often left consumers confused and frustrated.