Skift Take
We'd love to see the launch of a hotel that doesn't have a name that's interchangeable with any other disposable consumer goods.
What to Know Now
It’s all the rage in the hotel industry: brands that appeal to millennials. Hyatt’s got Centric. Marriott has AC. Starwood kind of has Tribute. And now in addition to Canopy, Hilton’s got Tru.
What’s the difference you ask? Tru is geared more towards budget-friendly millennials — think of a competitor to a Holiday Inn or a Best Western. But the best part about the hotels? You can still accrue HHonors points.
Hilton’s planning a widespread launch with over 102 locations planned around major metropolitan areas. Just don’t expect to get much work done — apparently millennials don’t use desks.
Social Quote of the Day
Are these real names?? Officially, new hotels brands are worse than travel startups on naming.
AIRLINES
JetBlue Updates Fleet With New Interiors and More In-Flight Connectivity: JetBlue has announced that it will update its fleet with new interiors, a new fully-connected in-flight entertainment system, and offer its passengers gate-to-gate FlyFi. Read more at Skift
Alaska Airlines Reveals Comprehensive New Branding: Alaska Airlines has revealed a refreshing new brand image which respects its longstanding iconography, while adopting a more modern line and hue. Read more at Skift
American unveils new amenity kits for premium fliers: American Airlines unveiled a new collection of amenity kits on Wednesday that will begin appearing on flights this March. Read more at USA Today
The Cost of Airline Fuel Drops While Airplane Ticket Prices Stay Steady: Rob Britton, who spent two decades with American Airlines Group Inc., is unapologetic in defending the profits his former employer and other U.S. carriers are making. Sure, fuel’s cheap, but what company cuts prices as soon as its costs shrink? Read more at Skift
Airports
Expedia Continues Investment Spree With Airport Ride Startup Wingz: Expedia has led a flurry of travel startup investments in recent months, just last week investing in hotel platform Alice and this week announced it led an $11 million investment in airport ride startup Wingz. Read more at Skift
Heathrow climate protesters found guilty of aggravated trespass: Thirteen protesters who chained themselves to railings at the UK’s largest airport have been told it is almost inevitable they will be jailed for their actions. Read more at The Guardian
There Aren’t Enough Air Traffic Controlers at the U.S.’s Busiest Airports: There are too few fully qualified controllers at more than a dozen of the nation’s busiest air traffic facilities stretching from Atlanta to Anchorage, according to report released Tuesday by a government watchdog. Read more at Skift
Tech
Luxury Hotel Guests Are Tired of Paying for In-Room Wi-Fi: Check into any middling U.S. hotel and chances are good that the Wi-Fi is free. Have a white-gloved butler escort you to the Penthouse suite, however, and your lavish lodgment may well bill you for Internet access. Read more at Skift
Starwood Joins New Sibling Marriott in TripAdvisor Instant Booking: Starwood announced it would join sibling-to-be Marriott, as well as Best Western, Accor, Wyndham, Hyatt, Radisson, Choice and just about every other major chain except Hilton Worldwide and InterContinental Hotels Group, as a partner in TripAdvisor Instant Booking. Read more at Skift
Hotels
Hilton’s New Budget Chain Aimed Squarely at Budget-Minded Millennials: Hilton is launching a new hotel brand, focusing on budget travelers looking to spend $75 to $90 a night. Read more at Skift
Starwood Is Expanding Its Select-Service Footprint in New York: Starwood announced plans today to expand its portfolio of Speciality Select brands in New York State from 12 properties to 22 properties by the end of 2018, with much of that growth happening in New York City. Read more at Skift
Hilton Looks to Price and Design to Lure Millennials to Its New Tru Brand: The new Tru by Hilton hotel brand was designed to capture the very youngest travelers into the Hilton HHonors program, while also providing a more efficient construction model for owners and developers. Read more at Skift
Your Turn
Our congratulations to George Stone, the new editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveler
Tips and Comments
Can be sent to gm[at]skift[dot]com or to @grantkmartin
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