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
MRM EXCLUSIVE: Five Pitfalls That Quietly Kill Your QSR App’s Impact
QSR leaders have apps and loyalty programs, yet many see flat revenue because the solutions operate as isolated features. The article outlines five hidden pitfalls—missing journey design, ignoring warm‑lead acquisition, friction‑heavy onboarding, over‑reliance on price discounts, and static app experiences—that sabotage digital impact. By treating the app as a behavior‑shaping system and aligning data, personalization, and lifecycle messaging, brands can convert app activity into sustainable growth.
The Rise of Heatonist: Noah Chaimberg on Hot Sauce Culture and Hospitality Brand Building
In this episode of the Hospitality Hangout, Noah Chaimberg, CEO of Heatnist, shares how he turned a Brooklyn push‑cart into the world’s leading hot‑sauce brand and secured a partnership with the Hot Ones show. He recounts his entrepreneurial journey from...
Building a Global Hospitality Career Through Leadership and Service
Lindsey Goedeker, CRO of Actabl, recounts her hospitality journey from childhood hotel stays to global conference participation, highlighting mentorship from industry leaders like Barbara Bowden. She notes that women occupied roughly 25% of C‑suite positions in 2025, yet a “broken...
Intuitive Signals Next Phase of Platform Capabilities
Intuitive celebrates one year under Banyan Software, highlighting major upgrades to its iVector reservation platform. The system now features an open, extensible architecture that supports AI‑driven integrations and faster supplier onboarding. A new cruise‑booking module adds pricing and group allocation...
American Airlines Is Handing Out Bonus Loyalty Points Through April 30 — 500 Per Segment Up to 5,000 Toward Status
American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is offering a limited‑time promotion that awards 500 bonus Loyalty Points per flown segment, up to a maximum of 5,000 points, for travel booked and completed by April 30. The bonus excludes basic‑economy fares, applies only to...
Is London’s Luxury Hotel Boom Outpacing Demand?
London’s luxury hotel sector faces a profitability squeeze despite occupancy rebounding to pre‑pandemic levels. A surge of 757 new luxury rooms in 2025 pushes total high‑end inventory to about 21,000, driving average daily rates down more than 7% YoY and...
Aurrigo to Provide Ground Handling at EMA
Aurrigo International, a Coventry‑based developer of autonomy software and autonomous vehicles, has been granted a ground handling licence at East Midlands Airport (EMA). The licence, issued under the Airports (Ground Handling) Regulations 1997 and CAA compliance frameworks, allows Aurrigo to provide...
Canary Technologies Launches Hospitality AI Agent Studio
Canary Technologies unveiled Hospitality AI Agent Studio, a platform enabling hotels to build, configure, and deploy AI agents tailored to operations. The studio offers pre‑built templates—Front Desk, Concierge, Reservations—and a custom builder for brand‑specific workflows. Leveraging Canary’s AI platform used...
WSHA and World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards Unveil Next Chapter of Partnership
The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards have launched a multi‑year partnership that combines the Alliance’s annual Summit with the Awards ceremony into a single global platform. The integrated event will run each November,...
Making a Reservation for an Agent-First Business Model - Wyndham Hotels CEO Explains Why He's Checking-In on an AI Future
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has deployed Salesforce’s Agentforce in over 5,000 instances across its 8,300 properties, creating a unified Guest 360 platform that merges reservation, loyalty, and CRM data. The AI‑driven Agent Foundry gives human agents real‑time guest insights, slashing front‑office labor...
Cathay Pacific Suspends Dubai, Riyadh Flights, Waives Fees
Cathay Pacific has cancelled Dubai and Riyadh flight services until 14 March. Customers who have booked to travel between Hong Kong - Dubai and Riyadh up to 14 March may rebook, reroute or refund their tickets without the usual fees...
Accor Appoints New VP for Operations – New Zealand & Fiji
Accor has appointed Rob McIntyre as Vice President of Operations for New Zealand and Fiji, effective April 13, 2026. McIntyre joins from Singapore where he oversaw Accor’s operations, including the flagship Pullman Singapore Orchard. He previously served as General Manager of Pullman Auckland...
Air Congo Expands Regional Network Amid ATR72 Delays
Air Congo announced an aggressive intra‑African network expansion, adding routes to Johannesburg, Entebbe, Douala, Cotonou and Dar es Salaam between March and April 2026. The airline’s two new ATR‑72‑600s, leased from Ethiopian Airlines, are now expected in mid‑April due to testing and...
Indonesia Told to Prepare Destinations Before Seeking New Routes
Indonesia’s deputy home affairs minister Bima Arya urged provincial leaders to ensure destinations are fully prepared before lobbying for new air routes. He announced a pilot programme that will work with a select group of regional heads to boost local...
Agoda Launches Artotel Group Flagship Store on Its Platform
Agoda has launched Artotel Group’s first branded Flagship Store, consolidating over 100 Indonesian hotels onto a single dedicated page. The storefront leverages Agoda’s distribution network, customer insights, and promotional tools to boost Artotel’s brand visibility and simplify traveler discovery. By...
Tokyo Marathon Drives US$100m in Consumer Spending
The 2025 Tokyo Marathon generated an estimated ¥155 billion (about US$100 million) in incremental consumer spending over its three‑day weekend, according to Mastercard Economics Institute data. Merchant sales within a 10‑kilometre radius of the finish line were roughly seven percent higher than...
Somalia's Puntland Revokes Daallo Airlines Flight Permit
Puntland's autonomous government revoked Daallo Airlines' flight permit for all regional airports on March 1, 2026, citing safety concerns and civil aviation violations. The decision follows incidents where Daallo flights were denied clearance, leaving Puntland lawmakers and passengers stranded in...
Emirates, Flydubai & Others Repatriation Flights For Stranded Passengers In Dubai March 3 – 4, 2026
Dubai Airports announced a series of repatriation flights on March 3‑4, 2026, as Emirates, Flydubai and several other carriers resume operations for passengers stranded after regional hostilities. More than 60 outbound flights were scheduled, covering destinations across Europe, Asia and...
Trip.com Adds Shinkansen Ticket Sales for International Travellers
Trip.com has secured agreements with Japan’s four major railway operators—JR East, Central, West and Kyushu—to sell Shinkansen tickets directly to international travelers through its multilingual platform. The service lets users select routes, dates, seat classes and pay online, with QR‑code...
From Silos to Synergy: How Data Sharing Is Transforming Airports
The aviation sector is moving from isolated legacy systems to open‑architecture platforms that enable real‑time data sharing among air traffic control, airlines, and airports. Searidge Technologies, a NATS subsidiary, showcased its Chorus platform powering tools like Intelligent Stand Manager, which...
Global Travel Leaders Formalise Cross-Sector Coordination Through the Global Resilience Network
Senior leaders from travel, finance, technology and government have launched the Global Resilience Network (GRN), a cross‑sector coordination platform active across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. GRN moves beyond traditional forums by providing an invitation‑only infrastructure that...
STORY Hospitality Makes Its Debut at ITB Berlin
STORY Hospitality, an Abu Dhabi‑based hotel group, made its first appearance at ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade fair. The brand used the platform to showcase its narrative‑driven hospitality model, blending regional culture with contemporary design. It emphasized sustainable...
Lanzarote Focuses on Sustainable Tourism at ITB Berlin 2026
Lanzarote used ITB Berlin 2026 to position itself as a benchmark for sustainable and regenerative tourism. The island highlighted decades‑long policies such as strict building controls, renewable‑energy projects, and water‑management systems that protect its volcanic landscape. It emphasized a regenerative...
Sabre Unveils Once-in-a-Generation Company Rebuild and Its AI-First Platform at ITB Berlin 2026
Sabre announced the completion of a multiyear, AI‑first rebuild at ITB Berlin 2026, unveiling its unified Mosaic platform built on a cloud‑native, AI‑native architecture. The platform integrates over 50 petabytes of travel data and leverages Google Gemini to deliver agentic‑ready APIs...
Business Exchange
Copenhagen Optimization has installed two Better Airport modules at Brisbane Airport, delivering data‑driven forecasting and resource planning for security operations. The airport is simultaneously upgrading to CT Standard 3 screening, allowing passengers to leave laptops and aerosols in bags. Indonesia’s immigration...
All Hands on Deck as Travel Disruption Spreads in Asia
Airports across Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia cancelled dozens of flights as missile strikes in the Middle East disrupted air routes. Suvarnabhumi Airport halted 32 flights and set up dedicated waiting areas, while Singapore’s Changi and Kuala Lumpur International reported similar...
Donald J. Trump International Airport to Become a Reality?
Florida legislators have voted to rename Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport, with the change potentially taking effect on July 1, 2026. The bill, SB 706, still requires Governor Ron DeSantis’ signature and Federal Aviation Administration approval....
JRI Hospitality Acquires HCI, Adds 43 Freddy’s Locations
JRI Hospitality announced the acquisition of HCI Hospitality’s restaurant operations, adding 43 Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers locations to its portfolio. The purchase brings JRI’s total Freddy’s count to over 130 units across 18 states and expands its overall restaurant...
European Airlines and the Middle East: Strategic Exposure Amid Escalating Geopolitical Risk
The US‑Israeli air strikes on Iran on 28 Feb 2026 and Iran’s retaliatory attacks have reignited geopolitical risk for European carriers operating to and over the Middle East. While Europe’s overall exposure to the region remains modest, airlines are confronting immediate airspace...
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen to Begin Construction of Terminal 3 as Passenger Numbers Close in on 50mppa
Turkey’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is set to break ground on a new Terminal 3 this year as its annual passenger traffic approaches the 50 million mark. After a 17 % increase in 2025, the airport handled 36 % more passengers than in 2019,...
PHX Free Little Library Debuts at Phoenix Sky Harbor
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport opened the PHX Free Little Library in Terminal 3’s Culture Corner on March 2, celebrating Read Across America Day. The amenity is a joint effort by the airport, Phoenix Public Library and the Friends of the Phoenix...
TrafFix Devices Enhances Airport Security with the Water Wall System
TrafFix Devices introduced its Water Wall system, a durable positive‑separation barrier designed for airport environments. Certified as a MASH‑eligible TL‑2 longitudinal channelizing device, it helps manage passenger flow and protect work zones during runway or taxiway maintenance. Constructed from low‑density...
Issue With Product Changed Citi Strata Elite Splurge Credits
Citi’s Strata Elite card offers up to $200 in Splurge credits across select merchants, but cardholders who product‑changed to the card are not receiving the credits automatically. Citi has instructed affected users to wait one to two billing cycles, yet...
Iberia Ends Chicago Sweet Spot: Awards Now Price 20K Economy / 50.5K Business
Iberia has abruptly revised its award chart for Chicago‑Madrid routes, raising economy awards from 16,000 to 20,000 Avios and business awards from 40,500 to 50,500 Avios on off‑peak dates. Peak‑season business awards can now cost up to 74,000 Avios, a...
SFO Joins Sunflower Lanyard Program
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Program, a global initiative that helps travelers with non‑visible conditions signal they may need assistance. The program is already active in 340 airports across 70 countries, covering disabilities...
Residence Inn Albuquerque North Completes Renovation
Residence Inn Albuquerque North, a 90‑suite extended‑stay hotel, finished a seven‑month renovation that refreshed its studio, one‑ and two‑bedroom suites and upgraded guest amenities. The redesigned suites average 636 square feet, feature full‑size kitchens, separate living spaces, and modern grey‑blue‑brown...
Southwest Status Match Promotion, Enjoy Perks for 120 Days Plus Option to Extend to 12 Months
Southwest Airlines has refreshed its Status Match promotion, granting eligible travelers A‑List or A‑List Preferred membership for 120 days at no cost. Participants can extend the promotional tier to a full 12 months by completing specific flight or point thresholds during...
Spirit Airlines Free Spirit Status Upgrade & Buy-Up Offer
Spirit Airlines has launched a 2026 Free Spirit status upgrade program, letting base members purchase Silver tier for $79 and allowing Silver members to upgrade to Gold for $399, with Gold members able to buy back status for $199. The...
Aloft New York LaGuardia Airport Strengthens F&B Revenue and Reduces Operational Strain with IRIS Mobile Dining
Aloft New York LaGuardia Airport deployed IRIS Mobile Dining to replace phone‑based ordering and compete with third‑party delivery apps. The solution integrates with the hotel’s Micros POS and Stripe, letting guests browse, customize, pay, and schedule pick‑up from Good Eats...
Andaaz Manufacturing Partners with Stacy Garcia Design Studio
Andaaz Manufacturing has entered a multi‑year partnership with Stacy Garcia Design Studio to introduce the Stacy Garcia | New York brand into luxury hospitality furniture. The collaboration blends Andaaz’s hospitality‑grade manufacturing expertise with Garcia’s fashion‑forward, urban aesthetic. The inaugural collection...
A Double Anniversary: 50 Years of RATIONAL Combi Ovens + 1.5 Million Units Built
RATIONAL marked its 50th anniversary of the CD 101 combi oven while celebrating the production of its 1.5 millionth unit. The milestone unit, featuring a gold‑colored dial, was donated to the St. Nikolaus Children’s Hospice in Bad Grönenbach. Over five decades the company has...
Hertz Shifts Gears, Makes Five Star Status Easier to Earn in 2026 — Here’s What’s New
Hertz is halving the requirements for its Five Star elite tier, now needing only three rentals or $1,000 in spend instead of ten rentals or $2,000. The top‑tier President’s Circle criteria remain at 15 rentals or $3,000. Several credit cards, including Capital...
Sustainable Pest Prevention Strategies to Prepare for & Manage Swarm Season
Rising temperatures are driving a predictable surge in ant, termite and other pest activity that can quickly disrupt hotel operations. Hospitality operators are turning to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to shift from reactive treatments to proactive monitoring, sanitation, exclusion and...
Mitsui Garden Hotel Sapporo to Reopen After Full Renovation
Mitsui Garden Hotel Sapporo will reopen on February 1, 2026 after a comprehensive renovation that updates guest rooms, public spaces, and adds new dining venues. The redesign draws on Hokkaido’s natural landscape, using locally sourced thinned wood and traditional Yukara‑ori...
Virgin Australia to Continue and Expand Pets in Cabin Service as Part of Customer-Led Innovation
Virgin Australia announced it will keep its Pets in Cabin offering on eligible domestic flights and extend the service to Adelaide and Launceston. The program, launched in October 2025, has already carried its 1,000th pet, underscoring strong traveler demand. By...
Louis Armstrong Airport to Begin Work on $27.1 Million Runway Rehabilitation Project
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) will begin an eight‑month, $27.1 million runway rehabilitation on Runway 2/20 starting March 2. The project, financed primarily through the FAA Airport Improvement Program, includes full‑depth reconstruction of the runway’s two center panels, new lighting, joint...
San Bernardino International Airport Marks a Record Year for Passengers and Aircraft Operations in 2025
San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) logged a record 62,000+ passengers in 2025, a 50% year‑over‑year jump, while aircraft movements rose 18% to 68,830 operations. The surge follows three years of Breeze Airways service linking the Inland Empire to San Francisco and...
Orlando International Airport Garners Two 2025 Asq Customer Experience Awards
Orlando International Airport (MCO) received two 2025 ASQ Customer Experience Awards from Airports Council International (ACI) World, recognizing it as one of North America’s Best Airports at Departures and as a Most Enjoyable airport. The accolades reflect MCO’s handling of...
U.S. Department of State Issues Worldwide Travel Caution
The U.S. Department of State issued a worldwide travel caution on Feb. 28 after U.S. military strikes on Iran, urging Americans abroad to follow the latest embassy guidance, especially in the Middle East. Embassies in Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Iraq and...
The Brando Names Christophe Adam General Manager
The Brando, a luxury resort on French Polynesia’s private atoll of Tetiaroa, has appointed Christophe Adam as its new General Manager. Adam brings over two decades of international hospitality experience, including senior roles in the Indian Ocean’s boutique and major...