Today's Hotels Pulse
FAA says Spirit’s LaGuardia slots belong with another low‑cost carrier
The FAA Administrator argues that the coveted take‑off slots Spirit Airlines holds at New York’s LaGuardia should be reallocated to a different low‑cost carrier. Meanwhile, Spirit is preparing to auction off those slots to the highest bidder.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Airbnb leads $58M Series C in WeRoad
Fares Are Going to Have to Rise Quickly
Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, highlighted by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have driven crude oil prices above $85 a barrel and jet fuel to over $3.60 per gallon. The spike sharply inflates airline fuel costs, pushing operating expenses up more than 10 percent for carriers like Southwest. With fuel hedging windows closed, airlines are forced to consider capacity reductions and fare increases to protect margins. The situation signals a prolonged cost‑pressure environment rather than a short‑term market blip.
TSA Lines Stretch To 3.5 Hours At Some Airports, But Is The DHS Shutdown Really To Blame?
Security checkpoints at several U.S. airports, including Houston Hobby, reported waits of up to 3.5 hours over the weekend. The Department of Homeland Security’s partial shutdown, which forces TSA screeners to work without pay, is being cited as a possible...
Norway as a Winter Destination Is Growing – More Travellers in February
Avinor reported that 3.8 million passengers used its Norwegian airports in February 2026, a 5 percent increase year‑over‑year. International traffic led the surge, rising 7 percent to 1.5 million travelers, while domestic journeys grew 3 percent to 2.2 million. Despite higher passenger volumes, flight movements fell...
How North American FBOs Are Preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
North American fixed‑base operators in Vancouver and Monterrey are mobilizing months‑ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to handle an unprecedented surge in business‑aviation traffic. Million Air Vancouver has joined a collaborative work‑group with the Vancouver Airport Authority, deploying a...
Guide To American AAdvantage Lifetime Million Miler Status
American AAdvantage’s million‑miler program now awards lifetime elite status based solely on flown miles, with thresholds of one, two, four and five million miles granting Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum respectively. The 2025 improvements added four systemwide upgrades for each...
Africa’s Hotel Development Pipeline Hits Record High as East Africa Leads in Construction Momentum
The 2026 Hotel Chain Development Pipelines report from W Hospitality Group shows a record 123,846 rooms across 675 hotels and resorts, an 18.6% year‑on‑year increase. Egypt dominates the continent with 45,984 rooms in 185 properties, accounting for over one‑third of...
Starbucks Launches Tiered Loyalty Program to Boost Engagement
Starbucks introduced a three‑tier Rewards program—Green, Gold and Reserve—aimed at deepening engagement among its 35.5 million U.S. members. The new structure raises star‑earning rates from 1 Star per dollar at entry level to 1.7 Stars for Reserve members and eliminates star expiration for...
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer 20% Off Economy & Premium Economy Sale for Travel May 1 – November 15, 2026 (Book By...
Singapore Airlines announced a KrisFlyer Global Redemption Sale offering a 20% mileage discount on Economy and Premium Economy awards for travel between May 1 and November 15 2026. The discount applies only to bookings made by March 23 2026 and is subject to route‑specific and...
Germany's LUMINAIR Inducts First Falcon 7X
LUMINAIR announced the induction of its first Dassault Falcon 7X, a 2009‑built trijet registered D‑ALIN, which entered service on 8 March with a Hamburg‑Paris‑Larnaca routing. Configured for up to 14 passengers, the aircraft joins a fleet that already includes four Falcon 900LX, two...
WTTC Loves Champagne: Spirits Tourism Takes Centre Stage with Pernod Ricard Partnership
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has named Pernod Ricard its newest Industry Partner, spotlighting the surge of "spirits tourism" as a travel driver. Pernod Ricard operates 28 immersive "Brand Homes" across 18 countries, drawing more than one million visitors each...
How to Create Your Own Affordable Wellness Vacation
Wellness travel is booming, now worth about $1 trillion and projected to hit $4 trillion by 2029. The market is split between high‑tech, luxury retreats and low‑cost, culturally rooted experiences such as Icelandic geothermal pools and Irish seaweed baths. Travelers can save...
Uber Rolls Out ‘Women Preferences’ Feature to Further Cities
Uber announced the expansion of its "Women Preferences" option to additional U.S. cities, allowing female riders to request female drivers and customize safety settings. The feature, initially launched in a pilot program, now covers ten major markets and integrates with...
Why Lifecycle Cost Optimisation Matters for Airports
Airports manage capital‑intensive assets whose lifecycle costs dwarf initial outlays, with only 15‑20% of total expense incurred at purchase. Total cost of ownership analysis shows roughly 80% of an asset’s cost accrues through energy use, maintenance, downtime and eventual replacement....
Amadeus Report Outlines Six Trends Shaping Travel in 2026
Amadeus released its Travel Trends 2026 report, identifying six emerging forces that will reshape tourism, including the Pawprint Economy, Travel Mixology, and Point‑to‑Point Precision. The study emphasizes a shift toward hyper‑personalised accommodation experiences, urging hotels to adopt attribute‑based selling instead...
60% of Travelers Still Prefer Human Trip Planning over AI, New Civitatis Survey Finds
A recent Civitatis survey of over 7,000 travelers finds that 60% still prefer human‑curated trip planning to AI‑generated suggestions. While AI is commonly used for early‑stage inspiration, nearly half of users report encountering outdated or incorrect information such as opening...
Traveller Made Expands Global Trade Shows as Takumians Network Grows
Traveller Made is shifting from a single European showcase to three continental luxury‑travel tradeshows beginning in 2025, positioning the consortium as a truly global platform. The group reported €6 billion in aggregated revenue for 2025 and now serves 790 member agencies...
Hidden Risk Zones: The Liability Gap In Hotel Operations
Hotels face hidden liability gaps when procedural inconsistencies slip between departments and shifts. Minor maintenance issues—slippery floors, faulty locks, poor lighting—can quickly become costly claims if not documented and resolved. Robust digital logs, structured shift reports, and comprehensive staff training...
Philippines Seeks to Retain South Korea as Leading Overseas Visitor Market
The Philippines is intensifying its tourism outreach to South Korea, its largest inbound market, by expanding joint campaigns with airlines, travel agencies, and digital advertising. The Department of Tourism is promoting flagship destinations such as Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Boracay and...
The Anam Mui Ne Names New Director of Rooms
The Anam Mui Ne, a 127‑room beachfront resort in Vietnam, has appointed Elena Lopez de Silanes as Director of Rooms. She will oversee front office, guest experience, housekeeping, laundry and the on‑site water factory, while also serving as Executive Assistant...
March 2026 – Total Food Service Digital Issue
Total Food Service released its March 2026 digital issue, spotlighting exclusive Q&A interviews with industry leaders such as Jenifer Salamino, Sodexo Seniors’ Divisional President & COO. The edition also showcases the "25 Top Women in Foodservice & Hospitality" list, a Levy...
Good Aer Lingus / British Airways Flight Sale From Dublin Launched
Aer Lingus has opened a business‑class sale from Dublin for travel between June and September 2026, with round‑trip fares as low as €1,706 to North‑American destinations. The offers include refundable tickets subject to a 15% penalty and may involve British...
Hotels in Desert City Wear a Deserted Look
Dubai’s hotel occupancy plunged to roughly 20 percent last week and is projected to dip into single‑digit levels as regional conflict deters travelers. Average daily rates have slashed about 50 percent week‑on‑week, prompting luxury resorts like FIVE Palm Jumeirah to launch ultra‑low‑price...
Lufthansa Plans Special Anniversary Flights to Celebrate 100 Years of Flying
Lufthansa will operate two special anniversary flights on April 6, 2026, retracing its original Berlin‑Zurich and Berlin‑Cologne routes. The services will use a Boeing 787‑9 and an Airbus A350‑900, both painted in a bespoke 100th‑anniversary livery. Early‑booking access is reserved...
Coupette Corner Bistro & Bar
Coupette Corner Bistro & Bar opened this month inside the new Hannah St Hotel in Southbank, joining four other venues operated by The Mulberry Group. The bistro leans into the "good Australian hotel restaurant" trend, offering elevated casual fare built...
Airlines Face Fuel Shock as Middle East Crisis Tests Hedging Strategies
A sudden escalation in the Middle East has driven crude oil prices up nearly 40% in a week, pushing barrel prices toward $150 and sending jet‑fuel costs soaring. Fuel, the airline industry's largest variable expense, is now testing the resilience...
How To Maximize Citi ThankYou Points for Flights Within North America
Citi’s ThankYou® points, though less publicized than Chase or Amex, can be redeemed for high‑value domestic and short‑haul flights when paired with the right airline partners. The article outlines the best low‑cost award sweet spots across JetBlue, Delta Flying Blue, United...
TROBBU Adds San Miguel All-Inclusive Villas This Summer
TROBBU will open its second all‑inclusive villa resort, TROBBU San Miguel de Allende, in July 2026. The property offers fifteen standalone villas of 2,200‑3,200 sq ft, each accommodating up to eight guests with private jacuzzis and full kitchen facilities. A 25% discount...
Win the Ultimate Ski Getaway
Sunshine Mountain Lodge in Banff National Park is offering a giveaway for a three‑night ski‑in, ski‑out stay plus lift tickets for two at the exclusive Sunshine Village resort. The lodge, reachable only by gondola, sits at 7,200 feet and provides direct...
Hilton Devaluation: Highest Price Remains 250,000 Points
Hilton Honors has raised the points cost for standard room awards, reaching a new ceiling of 250,000 points in 2025. Since moving to a dynamic pricing model in 2017, the required points have climbed from 90,000 to 120,000, 150,000, 200,000,...
Press Release: US Preclearance Facility Opens at Billy Bishop
Canada’s Transport Minister announced the opening of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on March 10, 2026. The $30 million federal investment modernizes the terminal, allowing passengers to clear U.S. customs before departure....
Scenic Group Adds Douro and Mekong Ships by 2028
Scenic Group announced three additional luxury river ships to be delivered between 2027 and 2028, expanding its presence on Portugal’s Douro and Southeast Asia’s Mekong rivers. The new vessels include the Emerald Nova, Scenic Aria, and Scenic Spirit II, each offering...
Atlas Ocean Voyages Reports Limited Availability for 2026 Mediterranean Sailings
Atlas Ocean Voyages announced limited cabin availability for its 2026 Mediterranean Epicurean Expeditions sailing from July through September. Each expedition includes a complimentary Atlas Immersive Experience, offering exclusive after‑hours access to sites such as the Ephesus Odeon, a Syros traditions...
Ride & Seek Offers New Hokkaido Cycling Tour
Ride & Seek announced a 14‑day historical cycling adventure across Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, launching on September 3, 2026. The tour, priced from $8,960 per person on a double‑occupancy basis, blends forest, coastal, mountain and volcanic terrain with stays in traditional inns...
Video Peephole Screens: Luxury Feature, Industry Oddity
Grand Hyatt DFW Rooms Have a Video Peephole Screen — Here’s Why Hotels Rarely Use Them - View from the Wing https://t.co/LvAMGSsjHs
TGI Fridays Signs Deal to Open in Kenya
TGI Fridays signed a development agreement with PrideIn Hotels and Resorts to launch ten restaurants in Kenya, marking the brand's first entry into Sub‑Saharan Africa. The initial locations will be housed within PrideInn hotel properties and are slated to open...
Slang AI and Fishbowl Partner to Power Personalized Guest Experiences
Slang AI has teamed up with restaurant‑focused Guest Relationship Management platform Fishbowl to launch an integration that surfaces guest data at the moment a call comes in. The combined solution instantly identifies repeat callers, streamlines reservation confirmations, and automatically enriches...
Spirit Airlines Paid Status Upgrade: Higher Status From $79
Spirit Airlines has launched a paid status upgrade program running through December 31 2026. Base members can purchase Silver status for $79, while Silver members can either reclaim Gold for $199 or upgrade to Gold for $399. The upgrade grants perks such...
Takay to Open in Miami with Intimate 10-Seat Omakase Experience
Takay is launching an ultra‑intimate 10‑seat omakase restaurant on Miami’s Coral Way, offering two nightly seatings with 17‑course and 20‑course menus priced at $225 and $275 respectively. Founded by veteran chefs Glen Kotlyarski and Yoni Matz, the venue blends traditional...
The Big Biscuit to Expand in Kansas
The Big Biscuit, a modern All‑American breakfast and lunch franchise, is adding a corporate‑operated restaurant in Manhattan, Kansas, slated for mid‑to‑late summer 2026 at 622 Tuttle Creek Blvd. The brand, now operating 30 locations across the Midwest and South, is...
Here’s How to Check TSA Wait Times to Prevent You Missing Your Next Flight During the Partial Government Shutdown
Travelers face longer TSA lines as a partial government shutdown stalls DHS funding, leaving officers without pay and causing staffing shortages. Major hubs like Houston Hobby, New Orleans, Atlanta and Miami reported waits up to three hours during the Spring...
Ontario International Airport Honored for Community Engagement and Innovation in Airport Concessions for Its Brewery X Collaboration
Ontario International Airport (ONT) earned the Airport Experience Conference’s Best Community Engagement Initiative award for its "Come Fly With Me" craft beer partnership with local Brewery X. The collaboration, launched in Terminal 2 in 2023, has expanded the ONT‑branded blonde ale...
United Airlines Business Card Bonus — 100,000 Miles + 2,000 Status Points After $5,000 Spend
United SM Business Card now offers a 100,000‑mile sign‑up bonus plus 2,000 Premier Qualifying Points after spending $5,000 within the first three months. The card carries a $150 annual fee but includes free first‑checked‑bag travel, two United Club passes, a...
Asheville Regional Airport Posts Second-Highest Year in History with 2.24 Million Passengers in 2025
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) logged 2,240,877 passengers in 2025, the second‑highest volume in its history. The airport achieved this growth despite Hurricane Helene and an ongoing terminal expansion, underscoring its operational resilience. New nonstop routes and added seat capacity across...
New License Plate Recognition Technology to Streamline Parking at South Bend International Airport
South Bend International Airport will roll out ticketless parking using license‑plate recognition technology from March 4 to March 6, weather permitting. Drivers will scan QR codes, register their plate and payment details, and exit without stopping at a gate. The system supports...
HOSPA Honours Industry Excellence at the 2026 Professional Development Learner Awards
HOSPA hosted its 2026 Professional Development Learner Awards at London’s Savoy Hotel, celebrating top performers from the 2024/2025 training cohort. Leonardo Hotels captured the Employer of the Year honour for its sustained investment in staff education. Five individuals were named...
Signature Inn Medford Downtown Opens
Sonesta International Hotels has launched Signature Inn Medford Downtown, a 35‑room upper‑economy property in Medford, Oregon, positioned near Crater Lake and the Rogue Valley wine region. The hotel embraces a retro‑modern aesthetic that blends mid‑century styling with contemporary amenities. Sonesta’s executive vice president...
Jimmy John’s Promotes CMO to President
Jimmy John’s announced that chief marketing officer Darin Dugan will assume the role of brand president, replacing long‑time president James North. North will transition to a global brand ambassador position and become a franchisee. Kate Carpenter, formerly vice president of integrated marketing, steps...
Buy JetBlue Points With a 125% Bonus — But Should You Buy?
JetBlue is running a buy‑miles promotion that offers a 125 % bonus, bringing the effective price of TrueBlue points to 1.43 ¢ each through April 18 2026. The deal caps purchases at 200,000 points per member and excludes the points from Mosaic elite qualification....
American Airlines Just Cut This Major Long-Haul Route
American Airlines has permanently removed its seasonal Miami‑Paris route, ending a winter‑only service that carried just over 53,000 round‑trip passengers in the last year. The cancellation reduces American’s Miami‑Europe weekly departures from 31 to 24, a 23% cut and the...
How Much Does A Boeing 777X Cost?
The Boeing 777X, slated for its first delivery in 2027, carries a historic list price of roughly $442 million, though airlines negotiate substantially lower figures. Program delays have already cost Boeing about $15 billion, pushing the timeline and adding financial pressure. Major carriers...