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
The End of Booking Engine Fees: Tambourine Redefines Hotel Profitability
Tambourine launched Tambourine One, a hotel booking platform that eliminates transaction fees and consolidates multiple vendor services into a single solution. The offering provides zero‑fee room bookings, built‑in website personalization, travel insurance, accessibility protection, unlimited site updates, and an AI‑enabled CMS. Hotels can save thousands of dollars each month and improve direct‑booking profitability. Existing customers receive a free upgrade, while new clients avoid fee burdens from day one.
Former Fiesta Mall Site Adding Two Hotels
Sunny Day Sports announced a mixed‑use development on the former Fiesta Mall site in Mesa, dubbed the Palo District. The plan includes two hotels totaling about 600 rooms—a 400‑room flagship that would become the largest hotel in Mesa and a...
Venza Enters a New Chapter in Hospitality Cybersecurity
Venza unveiled the Venza System™ platform, a fully automated cybersecurity management solution tailored for the hospitality sector, alongside a refreshed brand identity and tagline, “Know your risks. Defend your data.” The new platform centralizes risk visibility, streamlines compliance reporting, and...
Benjamin Restaurant Group Opens The Sea Fire Grill on Yonkers Pier
Benjamin Restaurant Group opened The Sea Fire Grill on Yonkers Pier, converting its steakhouse expertise into an upscale American seafood concept. The waterfront location offers Hudson River and Manhattan skyline views, designed by the group’s Japanese partners. Staffing challenges were...
New Phoenix Airport Museum Installation Showcases the Region’s Legacy of Ingenuity
Phoenix Sky Harbor’s Terminal 4 now features the “Desert Innovation” mural, a large‑scale photo installation that runs along the post‑security bridge between gates A and D. The exhibit, created by the Phoenix Airport Museum in partnership with the Greater Phoenix Economic...
Gilmore, Daifuku and ICM Partner to Install Concourse A Baggage Handling System at Denver International Airport
Gilmore Construction, Daifuku, and Industrial Constructors/Managers (ICM) have secured a contract to install a new Daifuku baggage handling system in Concourse A of Denver International Airport. Gilmore will act as the general contractor, Daifuku as the OEM and integrator, and ICM...
Promo: Spirit Airlines Launches 10% Off Flights to Indianapolis for 2026 Final Four
Spirit Airlines announced a limited‑time promotion offering 10% off base fares on nonstop flights to Indianapolis International Airport for the 2026 NCAA Final Four. The discount applies to routes from Fort Lauderdale, Newark and Orlando, with bookings open only March...
Lee County Port Authority Names New Deputy Executive Director and Chief Commercial Officer
The Lee County Port Authority announced Jesse Flint as its new Deputy Executive Director and Chief Commercial Officer. Flint will oversee revenue‑generating activities at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Page Field, including concessions, IT, property, and risk management. He...
SLO County Airport Launches GoodMaps Indoor Navigation to Enhance Accessibility
San Luis Obispo County Airport has introduced GoodMaps, a smartphone‑based indoor navigation platform that provides turn‑by‑turn guidance throughout the terminal without additional hardware. The solution offers audio directions for blind travelers, visual cues for the deaf, step‑free routing for wheelchair...
Tampa International Airport Shines as Finalist in 2026 Spotless Spaces Awards
Tampa International Airport (TPA) has been named one of nine U.S. finalists for the 2026 ISSA Spotless Spaces of the Year Awards. The airport’s long‑standing partnership with Flagship Facility Services underpins a comprehensive cleaning program that covers terminals, airside areas,...
Citi Splurge Credit Issues, Up To 20% Off Gas + Dining & This Tiny Country’s Capital Is Europe’s Most Beautiful
The roundup highlights three distinct stories: Citi’s Strata Elite Splurge credit line has encountered a product change that may affect reward accrual, several banks are promoting up to 20% off gas and dining through IHG and Wells Fargo cards, and Travel+Leisure names...
From Bin Rage To Bomb Threats: The Rising Cabin Storage Crisis
Overhead‑bin space has become the newest status symbol in air travel, turning boarding into a high‑stakes competition. A recent JetBlue incident at Fort Lauderdale escalated when a passenger claimed a bomb in his bag after being denied bin space, prompting...
Arlanda Makes ATM History
Stockholm Arlanda has become Europe’s first airport to deploy the Established on RNP (EoR) arrival concept, a GPS‑based procedure that enables curved approach paths. Developed by Swedavia with air navigation provider LFV, EoR allows tighter aircraft separation and higher runway...
Broken Seats, Broken Armrests And Out Of Order Tray Tables — American Airlines Calls It ‘Product Delivered’
American Airlines is refusing compensation for numerous in‑flight product failures, from broken seats and armrests to out‑of‑order tray tables. The carrier argues that its advertised premium service is fully delivered even when essential amenities are missing. A mother’s paid infant...
A Horse of a Different Color: Louisville Beyond the Derby
Louisville’s appeal extends beyond the Kentucky Derby, highlighted by the Bourbon & Beyond festival at the Kentucky Expo Center, which featured over 100 bourbon brands and major musical acts. The city’s revitalized NuLu district offers upscale bars like Seven and...
Hotel Sector ‘Bounced Back Following Challenging Start to 2025’
The UK hotel sector rebounded strongly in the second half of 2025 after a difficult first half marked by rising costs and softer ADRs. RevPAR across London and regional markets finished roughly level with 2024, while occupancy in regional hotels...
Airport Tech and the Passenger Experience
Airsiders, a Berlin‑based travel tech firm, says digital innovation is reshaping the airport passenger journey across five pillars: automated check‑in and baggage drop, advanced security screening, interactive wayfinding, real‑time information and streamlined boarding. Self‑service kiosks and mobile apps are slashing...
Instacart Perks and Promotions for United MileagePlus Members: Earn up to 10,500 Miles, Complimentary Instacart+, and More
United MileagePlus and Instacart have expanded their partnership, offering members up to 10,500 bonus miles through three linked activities: a first order, four additional orders, and an annual Instacart+ subscription. A complimentary 7‑day Instacart+ trial with $0 delivery fees is...
Can Robots Help Pizza Franchises Stay Competitive?
Pizza franchises are accelerating automation across ordering, kitchen, and delivery, with brands like Little Caesars deploying sidewalk delivery robots in Los Angeles and Donatos rolling out a fully automated airport store. AI-driven platforms from Google Cloud and Domino’s partnership with...
Uniworld Rolls Out New Advisor Training
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has launched a new Uniworld University course that gives travel advisors early access to the brand’s 2026‑2027 expansion roadmap. The program coincides with Uniworld’s 50th anniversary and offers exclusive advisor rates, CLIA credits, and a Preferred...
Olo Chooses Linked Eats as 3PD Profitability Partner
Restaurant technology platform Olo has selected Linked Eats as its preferred partner to boost profitability in third‑party delivery (3PD). Linked Eats, which powers over 40,000 storefronts, will provide Olo’s restaurant clients with real‑time data, AI‑driven pricing, revenue recapture and unified...
IDeaS Updates Spotlight Marketing Solution
IDe aS unveiled a major upgrade to its hospitality marketing platform, Spotlight, adding a predictive "Potential to Influence" score that quantifies how responsive a market segment is to price and promotional changes. The solution, built on IDeaS' forecasting analytics, will...
Save Up to ₹3,000 With Air India Holi Sale — Plus…
Air India launched a Holi‑themed fare sale offering up to ₹3,000 off base‑fare tickets when customers use the promo code HOLISALE. An additional instant discount of up to ₹1,000 is available with the AISAVER code, bringing fares as low as...
Paloma Martinez Appointed Virgin Hotels Collection VP Operations, Americas
Virgin Hotels Collection has named Paloma Martinez as Vice President of Operations for the Americas. In her expanded role she will oversee the U.S. Virgin Hotels portfolio and flagship Virgin Limited Edition properties such as Necker Island and Branson Beach...
HBD Partners Joins Hotel Owner Conference as Supporter
HBD Partners, a London‑based hospitality recruitment consultancy, has secured Supporter status for the Hotel Owner Conference’s 2026 edition on November 3. The partnership aligns the firm’s executive search expertise with the summit’s focus on talent strategy and business growth for...
Shiji Expands Move Mobile Experience With Unified Platform
Shiji announced that its Move framework now spans the entire hotel ecosystem, linking Daylight PMS, Infrasys POS, and Meridian Experiences on a single mobile device. The cloud‑native platform lets staff handle check‑in, dining, spa bookings, upsells and payments in real...
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Announces Appointment of Amit Sripathi as Chief Financial Officer
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced that Amit Sripathi has been appointed chief financial officer, effective immediately, succeeding interim CFO Kurt Albert. Sripathi, who previously served as chief development officer for North America, brings deep finance, capital‑markets, and operational experience, having...
Buy Status for Less: Save up to 30% on JetBlue Mosaic-Qualifying Tiles Through March 18
JetBlue is offering TrueBlue members up to a 30% discount on elite‑status tiles through March 18, 2026, with purchase limits ranging from a single tile to 250 tiles. The discounted tiles can fast‑track travelers to Mosaic status levels, whose perks remain valid...
What Is Hyatt Privé — and Is It Actually Better Than Booking Direct?
Hyatt Privé is an invitation‑only partner program that lets travelers book luxury Hyatt hotels directly through select travel advisors while receiving extra perks such as daily breakfast for two, property credits, and upgrade priority. The reservation is made on Hyatt’s...
Red Lobster Hires Former P.F. Chang’s CEO as CFO
Red Lobster announced the appointment of Brad Hill as chief financial officer and executive vice president of transformation, alongside Kristen Briede as chief global development officer. Hill, who briefly served as P.F. Chang’s CEO in 2025, brings extensive finance and...
Qatar Acts Quickly to Protect Stranded Travelers Extending Visas and Offering Accommodation Relief
Qatar’s Ministry of Interior announced a free, automatic one‑month extension for all entry visas expiring between Feb 28 and Mar 3, 2026, after the country’s airspace was shut down amid Iran‑US tensions. Qatar Airways is allowing affected passengers to reschedule flights or...
Cendyn Unveils New Meta Hotel Ads to Drive Bookings Across Digital Platforms, Impacting Hotels in North America and Europe
Cendyn has added Meta Hotel Ads to its Digital Marketing Platform, enabling hotels to run AI‑driven, real‑time ads on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Audience Network. The ads display live pricing and availability, targeting high‑intent travelers based on behavior. Integrated with...
Breeze Airways Promo: Save 26% on Round Trip Base Fares with Promo Code GOFORIT
Breeze Airways is offering a 26% discount on round‑trip base fares with promo code GOFORIT for bookings made March 3‑5, 2026, for travel between March 16 and September 15, 2026. The deal excludes Friday, Saturday and Sunday departures, has limited availability and does not require...
2026 Welcomes the Launch of Passenger Terminal Expo Asia with Industry Leading Advisory Board and Changi Airport Group Partnership
Passenger Terminal Expo Asia (PTE Asia) will debut on 23–24 September 2026 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, backed by a Host Airport partnership with Changi Airport Group. The event introduces a high‑profile Advisory Board featuring CEOs and senior leaders from...
JetBlue’s New Boston-Milan Service: A Direct Link to One of Europe’s Premier Business and Tourism Hubs
JetBlue Airways will launch daily seasonal flights between Boston Logan and Milan Malpensa on May 11, 2026, using Airbus A321neo aircraft and offering roughly 2,000 two‑way seats each week. The route makes JetBlue the second carrier serving Boston‑Milan, joining Delta,...
NCLH Adjusts Strategies After Capacity Missteps in Caribbean and Alaska Markets, Here’s All You Need to Know
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) is confronting 2026 setbacks after expanding Caribbean capacity and launching a new homeport in Philadelphia without sufficient commercial support, leading to pricing pressure and lower profitability. Simultaneously, the Alaskan market’s growing capacity and heightened competition...
Service at Scale: The AI Model Driving Sales and Loyalty
The Service at Scale report spotlights an AI model that personalizes sales offers and loyalty incentives in real time, leveraging deep learning and a cloud‑native architecture. It ingests clickstream, purchase, and contextual data to generate dynamic recommendations for millions of...
London City Airport Launches Consultation on Airspace Change Proposal
London City Airport has opened a public consultation on its Airspace Change Proposal, seeking comments on a new 4.49‑degree landing approach for select new‑generation aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo. The consultation runs from 2 March to 17 May 2026 and does not...
Up To 17-Hour Nonstop Flights: Saudia's 10 New Ultra-Long Routes In 2026
Saudia announced ten new nonstop ultra‑long‑haul routes for 2026, some stretching up to 17 hours, using the fuel‑efficient Airbus A321XLR. The carrier, the Middle East’s largest operator by flight count, will add services like Jeddah‑Los Angeles, Riyadh‑Santiago and Dubai‑Johannesburg, expanding beyond...
Choice Hotels Canada Announces Additions to Franchise Development Team
Choice Hotels Canada announced the appointment of Kris Crundwell and Michael Durante as regional vice‑presidents of Development, covering British Columbia/Yukon and the Atlantic provinces respectively. The hires come after Choice Hotels International’s full acquisition of the Canadian unit in July...
Demand for Canada Grows Within New Luxury Travel Platform
Exclusive Investments LLC launched The Exclusive Collective, a multi‑brand luxury travel platform that merges Exclusive Resorts, onefinestay and Inspirato to serve high‑net‑worth travelers. The platform emphasizes choice, community and flexible travel experiences across life stages. Canada’s demand is accelerating, highlighted...
The Burger Wars Get some New Life, Thanks to Social Media
McDonald’s unveiled the Big Arch, its biggest burger ever, and CEO Chris Kempczinski promoted it with a personal Instagram video. The post sparked criticism, with users calling the CEO’s reaction inauthentic and turning the clip into a meme. Burger King retaliated...
Winners and Losers From a Strange End to 2025
The latest end‑of‑2025 earnings reports reveal a stark split among U.S. retail and restaurant chains. While several large retailers posted double‑digit revenue growth, many discount and legacy operators saw earnings miss expectations. Tech‑enabled concepts outperformed traditional brick‑and‑mortar locations, and profit...
Pilot Travel Centers Launch Robust New Foodservice Program
Pilot Travel Centers, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is rolling out a comprehensive foodservice overhaul, extending its full hot‑deli menu to roughly 400 locations and keeping 350 franchised fast‑food outlets open around the clock. The company introduced two proprietary concepts—Pilot eats...
Chef Sungchul Shim Infuses Korean Flavor Into a Times Square Steakhouse
Chef Sungchul Shim, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, opened Gui Steakhouse in Times Square a year ago, marrying classic American steakhouse traditions with Korean flavors and techniques. The restaurant features dry‑aged steaks cooked over a live fire of wood...
Keith Lee Jumps From Restaurant Influencer to Investor
Keith Lee, a food‑centric social media personality with over 20 million followers, has become an investor in Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, a fast‑food dumpling chain. The multi‑year partnership adds Lee to a celebrity‑rich investor group that includes Kevin O’Leary, RSE Ventures co‑founders,...
Japan: Kansai International Airport to Reopen Renovated Terminal 2 on 1 April
Kansai Airports announced that the domestic section of Terminal 2 at Kansai International Airport will reopen on 1 April 2026 after a major renovation. The upgrade, started in August 2025, responds to sustained passenger growth on Peach Aviation’s domestic routes. Enhancements include self‑service baggage...
Paradores and Spanish Tourist Office in the UK Host Trade Event
Paradores Hotels & Restaurants and the Spanish Tourist Office (UK) hosted a trade event at Manchester Art Gallery on 26 February, unveiling the upcoming Parador de Ibiza. The gathering attracted over 30 UK travel agents, highlighting the network’s nearly 100...
AI Transforms Hotel Discovery and Operations, Report Finds
A new NYU SPS and BCG report finds AI reshaping how hotels are discovered, booked, and run. AI assistants now curate traveler shortlists, forcing hotels to prioritize machine‑readable content and algorithmic relevance over traditional website and OTA tactics. Early adopters...
Hyatt’s Special Cancelation Policy For Globalists & Explorists: A Forgotten Perk
Hyatt’s World of Hyatt elite members—Globalist and Explorist—enjoy a special 24‑hour cancellation window, half the standard 48‑hour requirement. The benefit applies only at properties whose normal policy is 48 hours or less and excludes Vacation Club, Miraval, prepaid, and group‑rate...