Online Travel News

Here’s what’s latest in online travel news, focusing on key trends, technologies, and strategies influencing the booking landscape.

Discover the latest developments in booking platforms, the transformative role of AI and machine learning in creating personalized travel experiences, and the profound impact of mobile technology on consumer behavior.

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Highlighted topics include the growing role of user-generated content and reviews, as well as the impact of social media on online travel bookings.

Skift’s online travel news offers essential insights, exploring the competitive landscape, including the successes and challenges faced by major online travel agencies (OTAs), emerging startups, and established travel companies evolving in the digital age.

Keep up with the ever-evolving online travel market and its implications for both industry professionals and consumers.

Airlines

Etihad announces plans for in-flight Wi-Fi only hours after Qantas kills its own connectivity

In-flight Wi-Fi is an expensive undertaking for airlines that can stand to wait for future profits, a luxury that Qantas couldn’t afford but Etihad is more than able to swallow.

Samantha Shankman | 12 years ago

Online Travel

Thomson apologies to tour customer over abusive emails

Whether an employee interfered with customer service emails or an agent went rogue, Thomson needs to enhance its oversight. And its compensation offer seems paltry considering what the customer was subjected to and the disappointing experience on the tour.

James Hall | 12 years ago

Airlines

Ryanair feels heat from UK regulators over credit card fee

Ryanair's getting a bit cheeky with the Office of Fair Trading, but the airline's addition of a new fee to its potpourri of fees is hardly a surprise.

Oliver Smith | 12 years ago

Online Travel

Language learning startup Verbling adds classes via Google Hangouts and 9 new languages

Several startups are leveraging tech to connect strangers with a common goal in another case in which technology (like Google Street View) is replacing the need to actually board a plane.

12 years ago

Online Travel

National Geographic strikes Sandy Island from all maps since it doesn’t exist

The curious case of the nonexistent island suggests there might be other surprises in store as Google Street View and its competitors continue their quest to capture images of every inch of the globe.

Samantha Shankman | 12 years ago

Online Travel

Spindle lets tourists tap into local newsfeeds for a here-and-now snapshot of cities

Spindle is tapping into the power of social content shared directly by businesses to create a city guide that has the potential to become a customized suggestion stream by integrating users' online interests.

Samantha Shankman | 12 years ago

Airlines

Another travel app tries to ease frequent flyers’ airport woes

iFly Airport Guide may have one of the largest selection of airports, but this thoroughness has come at the price of good design and a smart user experience.

12 years ago

Media and PR

Travel magazine deadpool: Caribbean Travel + Life shutters, folds some staff into Islands

This is going to be a rough winter for travel mags. Budget Travel looks to be on its last legs, and even stalwarts such as Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure are looking as thin as the models on their pages.

12 years ago

Airlines

United sues complaint site Untied.com for privacy invasions and copyright breach

References on the homepage to it being "an evil alliance member" and that is it is not part of United Airlines should be warnings enough for visitors to Untied.com. But perhaps the Canadian professor went too far with the site's United.com-like redesign.

Gregory Karp | 12 years ago

Hotels

Infographic: Will anyone book a hotel if it has zero TripAdvisor reviews?

It sends a red flag to guests when their peers don't take the time to post and makes properties look lazy for not engaging their customers in an online discussion given the current pervasiveness of social travel.

Samantha Shankman | 12 years ago