Travel News: Latest News, Breaking Stories, and Analysis of Travel

Airlines

5G Upgrade Delays Could Disrupt U.S. Airline Summer Schedules

The International Air Transport Association is concerned many airlines won't be able to retrofit their planes to handle new 5G wireless technology in time for the peak summer travel season. The amount of revenue at risk should be incentive enough to speed things up.

David Shepardson, Reuters | 3 mins ago

Travel Technology

Amadeus Execs Offer Glimpse Into Tech Investment Trends for Next Decade

Once travelers have decided to book a trip, they don't want to jump through hoops to pay for it. Travel companies should prioritize ways to making paying as easy as possible.

Justin Dawes | 1 hour ago

Short-Term Rentals

Short-Term Rentals in Saudi Arabia

Today’s edition of Skift’s daily podcast looks at short-term rentals in Saudi Arabia, Azul's potential restructuring, and hotels' business travel woes.

Rashaad Jorden | 2 hours ago

Hotels

Boutique Hotelier Almanac Expanding Under Unique Father-Daughter Dynamic

What is it like to work with your father to create and run a luxury boutique brand when you're new to hotel operations? Hint: It can be messy.

Leslie Barrie, Skift | 5 hours ago

Short-Term Rentals

Vacasa Exec Is Out Just 4 Months After Being Promoted

Some might argue that Vacasa is getting a substantial injection of Expedia DNA. The new CEO, chief commercial officer and principal operating officer all have Expedia ties.

Dennis Schaal | 13 hours ago

Airlines

European Aviation Regulators Shut Down Proposal to Fly With Just One Pilot

Limited solo flying for cargo and passenger flights during the cruise phase of flying is being considered as a possibility to ease the pilot shortage. This faces much backlash. Regulators in Europe have taken note.

Jamie Freed and Allison Lampert, Reuters | 14 hours ago

Daily Lodging Report

Spark by Hilton Is a Conversion Favorite

Spark by Hilton allows owners to convert their properties for $20,000 to $25,000 a room, about a third to half of what it would cost hotel owners in upgrades to keep their hotels in the higher-priced midscale category.

15 hours ago

News Blog

Booking.com Returns to the Super Bowl With Ad Featuring Melissa McCarthy

It's tough for a National Football League team to make a return trip in two consecutive years to the Super Bowl, but online travel company Booking.com will be doing just that with a fourth quarter advertisement during the telecast. Here's the advertisement: https://youtu.be/GizRGO3PVD8 Booking.com Chief Marketing Officer Arjan Dijk announced on LinkedIn that the Amersterdam-based…

Dennis Schaal | 15 hours ago

Short-Term Rentals

What Expedia Won’t Be Announcing This Week About Vacation Rentals

The prospect of Expedia Group removing all of its vacation rentals from Expedia.com is as likely as senior executive Barry Diller telling his workforce he's cool with everyone working from home.

Dennis Schaal | 15 hours ago

Airline Weekly

Brazil’s Azul Eyes Potential Restructuring

The fundamentals at Brazilian airline Azul look good. Revenues are up significantly from before the pandemic, and so are passenger numbers. New business lines, including air freight and vacations, are producing high margin income.

19 hours ago

News Blog

Business Travel Poses Biggest Challenge Globally for Hoteliers — Survey

Hotels have mixed feelings about business travel in 2023. On one hand the corporate travel and groups segment is the main area of focus for hotel revenue teams this year. But rather than staffing issues, business travel also represents their biggest challenge, according to a new Outlook & Trends 2023 Survey from revenue management software…

Matthew Parsons | 20 hours ago