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
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto Maintains Forbes Rating
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto has retained its Forbes Travel Guide Five‑Star Hotel and Five‑Star Spa ratings, marking the sixth consecutive year of the property’s 10‑Star distinction. The hotel is now one of only four Five‑Star hotels in Toronto and one of five across Canada, while its spa remains the sole Five‑Star spa in the city and one of three nationwide. The latest accolades follow a multi‑million‑dollar guest‑room renovation completed in 2024 and the upcoming launch of a state‑of‑the‑art fitness centre in spring 2026. General manager Patrick Pollak highlighted the team’s commitment to evolving luxury experiences for discerning travelers.
Animation Reveals Design of O’Hare International Airport Concourse D
Chicago released a two‑minute animation unveiling the $1.3 billion Concourse D, part of the ORDNext terminal redevelopment. The new concourse, designed by SOM, Ross Barney, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects and Arup, will feature 19 flexible gates, skylit multi‑level spaces, lounges, retail and landscaped views of...
Fairmont Makes Vietnam Debut with Hanoi Property
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has launched its first Vietnamese property, Fairmont Hanoi, a luxury hotel in the city’s Old Quarter. The 241‑room hotel features 38 Fairmont Gold rooms, 12 suites, and a flagship Presidential Suite blending Art Deco and Vietnamese...
PHX Launches Early Bag Check Service
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) launched an Early Bag Check service on February 11, allowing travelers to drop off luggage before reaching the terminal. The free service, operated by Bags, is available for domestic flights on Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier,...
Restaurant-Goers Are Looking For Indoor-Outdoor Dining Experiences
Restaurant operators are increasingly adopting indoor‑outdoor dining concepts as 69% of U.S. adults express a preference for optional outdoor seating, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2023 report. The hybrid layout blends indoor comfort with natural ambience, enhancing branding, customer...
Elegancia MEP Wins Damascus Project
Elegancia MEP, a subsidiary of Estithmar Holding, secured the contract to deliver mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) and extra low voltage (ELV) systems for Damascus International Airport’s Terminal 2. The scope includes HVAC, power distribution, fire‑fighting, surveillance, control and plumbing installations designed...
Payroll Mistakes Cost More Than Dollars
Restaurant operators face razor‑thin margins and complex payroll compliance, and generic all‑in‑one SaaS platforms often fail to handle industry‑specific nuances such as tip pooling and multi‑state tax rules. Payroll errors not only frustrate staff but also trigger fines, higher turnover,...
T-Pain Drops Buffalo Wild Wings-Themed Anthem to Promote LTO
Buffalo Wild Wings teamed with Grammy‑winning artist T‑Pain to launch a brand‑specific anthem, “Let’s Go Buffalo Wild (A Pick 6 Love Song),” promoting its new Pick 6 Meal for Two. The meal bundle, priced at $19.99 nationally, includes two entrées, two sides,...
SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia Signs First Japan Property
SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia has signed its first Japanese property, the 130‑room SONO Moon Nagoya, a midscale boutique hotel located near Nagoya Station. The hotel, formerly the Compass Hotel Nagoya, is owned by ESCON Japan REIT with Polaris Holdings...
ABM Boosts LHR Accessibility
Heathrow has appointed ABM to run its assistance service for passengers with access needs across Terminals 2‑5, deploying a team of more than 1,600 staff. The contract leverages ABM’s proprietary, Disability Rights UK‑accredited training programmes and a technology‑enhanced service model. ABM will...
Guernsey Vs. The Mediterranean: How a Small Channel Island Is Reinventing Tourism to Stay Competitive
Guernsey is reshaping its tourism model by courting high‑value, experience‑driven visitors rather than chasing mass arrivals. The island leans on its WWII heritage, coastal walks, and boutique gastronomy to attract mature UK couples and a growing French ferry market. Yet...
Air Canada’s Airbus A350 Order Signals Geopolitical Shift Away From Boeing as Trump Policies Reshape Global Aviation
Air Canada announced a firm order for eight Airbus A350‑1000 wide‑body jets, citing the aircraft’s 9,000‑nautical‑mile range and 25% lower fuel burn as key efficiency drivers. The purchase enables new nonstop routes to Southeast Asia, India and Australia. It arrives...
Capella Introduces Bespoke Luxury to Galaxy Macau
Capella Hotel Group has launched its 95‑key Capella at Galaxy Macau, joining the resort’s elite line‑up alongside Raffles and The Ritz‑Carlton. The property showcases jungle‑inspired design, with suites ranging from 128 sqm apartments to 700 sqm penthouses that include private indoor plunge...
Markos Chaidemenos of Canaves Collection on Family Leadership, Nature, and Sustainability
Hospitality Net’s Brand Insiders featured Markos Chaidemenos, CEO of Canaves Collection, in a one‑hour interview hosted by Adam Mogelonsky of Hotel Mogel. Chaidemenos discussed how the family‑owned luxury brand balances generational leadership with a deep commitment to nature‑based experiences and...
Craft First, No Corners Cut: How Hand-Trimmed Beef and Chicken Drive Operator Profitability
In this episode, Zafeiris Akranis, President of Philly’s Best Steak Co., explains how hand‑trimmed beef and chicken boost operator profitability by delivering consistent yields, reducing labor, and eliminating gristle that slows service. He shares the company’s origin story—from a family...
Mora Group Sets Sights on International Expansion
Mora Group, launched in July 2024, now operates six hotels across Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Banjarbaru while developing six additional projects in Indonesia. The company will open new properties in Ciwidey (April) and Palu (November) and has pipeline projects in Jakarta,...
Agoda Spotlights Hat Yai with New Tourism Recovery Campaign
Agoda has launched the "Hat Yai Lights Up" campaign to revive tourism in Southern Thailand’s Hat Yai after last year’s flooding. Partnering with the Hat Yai Songkhla Hotels Association, the initiative runs through March 2, 2026 and offers hotel discounts, a curated...
Ascott Prioritises Operational Efficiency in Decarbonisation Drive
Ascott is shifting its sustainability focus from guest‑facing gestures to system‑level operational improvements, targeting cooling efficiency, refrigerant discipline, and maintenance quality. The 2024 CarbonClear Initiative standardises energy audits and sets property‑level targets, using utility data and sub‑metering for verification. These...
Scenic Group Adopts Unified Loyalty Programme Across Brands
Scenic Group launched Scenic & Emerald Rewards, a global loyalty programme that merges its Scenic Club and EmeraldEXPLORER schemes into a single platform covering cruises, yachts, and escorted land journeys. The new system consolidates existing status points, introduces a four‑tier...
Green Financing of Airports – Swedavia’s New Framework Casts Light on Global Developments
Swedavia, Sweden’s state‑owned airport operator, unveiled a green‑bond framework to fund airport infrastructure through public‑private partnerships. The model ties financing to ESG criteria, requiring projects such as terminals, car parks and people movers to meet strict environmental standards, often incorporating...
Cathay Pacific Appoints Spafax as Exclusive Media Sales Representative
Hong Kong‑based Cathay Pacific has appointed Spafax as its exclusive media sales representative, consolidating advertising sales across its omni‑channel ecosystem. The agreement gives Spafax control over inflight entertainment, onboard publications, digital platforms and experiential formats on more than 200 routes....
Did You Know About Tłusty Czwartek With LOT Polish Airlines?
LOT Polish Airlines announced its Tłusty Czwartek promotion, offering round‑trip economy tickets from Warsaw for as low as $95.57 USD. The sale includes flights to major European hubs such as Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, London and several Scandinavian cities, with travel...
Press Release: Vista Places Major Bombardier Challenger 3500 Order
Vista Global announced a firm order for 40 Bombardier Challenger 3500 jets with an additional 120 purchase options, slated for delivery beginning in 2026 and spread over the next decade. The deal secures capacity for a rapidly expanding member base...
BDL Unveils Remodeled Escape Lounge
Bradley International Airport has reopened its sole Escape Lounge after a comprehensive remodel. The renovation, led by CAVU, adds several thousand square feet, an expanded menu featuring local flavors, and longer operating hours to serve more passengers. Airport officials highlighted...
IShoppes To Handle Concessions At HNL, OGG
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation awarded International Shoppes (iShoppes) a 10‑year contract to operate retail and in‑bond duty‑free concessions at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Kahului Airport (OGG). The deal replaces DFS, which is exiting after 63 years,...
Freddy’s Frozen Custard Names Todd Paladini as CIO
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers announced Todd Paladini as its inaugural chief information officer. Paladini, a veteran with over two decades leading IT for brands like Cafe Rio and Cinemark, will oversee modernization of the chain’s technology infrastructure. The hire...
Press Release: ACS UK Wins Two New Contracts with Tier-One Airlines
Aircraft interiors specialist ACS UK has secured two contracts with tier‑one global airlines to design and manufacture bespoke monuments for wide‑body aircraft, with deliveries slated for 2027. The deals were signed only months after the company reopened its order book,...
Currito Opening 11 Locations in 2026
Currito, the Cincinnati‑based fast‑casual bowl chain, will open 11 new restaurants across the Midwest and Mid‑Atlantic in 2026, following a record year that saw 25 franchise units sold in the past 18 months. The expansion targets markets such as Dayton,...
5 Post-Stay Strategies to Build Loyalty After Guests Leave
Hotels are moving from purely transactional interactions to long‑term relationship marketing by engaging guests after checkout. The article outlines five post‑stay tactics: a personalized value‑sequence email series, WhatsApp review requests, a “Local Insider” content drip, a public feedback‑loop, and timed...
Press Release: Airlines Take Advantage of Open Access to Routehappy
ATPCO opened Routehappy to all Community Participation airlines on 1 January 2026, pushing the platform’s adoption to 106 carriers – a 152% increase in one year. Since June 2025, more than 60 airlines, including Finnair, China Airlines, SAS and Singapore Airlines, have uploaded...
Press Release: JFK’s New Terminal One Details Biometric Initiative
The New Terminal One at JFK Airport announced the launch of Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP), a biometric system that verifies U.S. citizens’ identities in real time during international arrivals. The initiative, powered by iProov’s facial‑recognition technology, integrates with U.S. Customs...
Sustainable Hotel & Resort Development in the Caribbean: Strategies for a Resilient Future
Caribbean hotels are confronting escalating climate threats, prompting a shift toward resilient architecture, nature‑based defenses, and renewable energy systems. Operators are integrating solar PV, battery storage, and micro‑grids to slash energy costs, while water‑wise technologies and circular waste solutions reduce...
Save Up to 20% With Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is rolling out an Escapes promotion that gives members a 20% discount on standard room rates and non‑members a 15% discount. The savings apply Thursday through Sunday on select hotels worldwide, but rooms are limited and must be...
First Look: Janu Dubai
H&H and Aman Group have unveiled Janu Dubai, a 1.3 million‑square‑foot mixed‑use tower in Dubai’s DIFC. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the development combines a 150‑room hotel, 57 branded residences—including a 11,323 ft² triplex penthouse—and premium office, retail, and club spaces. High ceilings, expansive...
Max Gosney Joins Future Travel Experience as New Managing Director
Future Travel Experience (FTE) announced Max Gosney as its new Managing Director, adding 15 years of aviation media and events expertise. Gosney previously served as Portfolio Director and Conference Chairman at Mark Allen Group, overseeing Ground Handling International and MA...
ARFF Station 92 Opens at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport unveiled a new 21,000‑square‑foot Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) facility, Station 92, on February 6. The modern station replaces the older unit and joins two existing fire stations, providing round‑the‑clock coverage for the airport. Featuring six...
3 Restaurant Brands Tap Tech Chiefs to Scale Operations
Three restaurant operators—Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, CEC Entertainment and Starbucks—have each added senior technology executives to accelerate digital transformation and scale operations. Freddy’s appointed its first CIO, Todd Paladini, to unify franchisee systems, while CEC promoted Nathan Hunstable to...
The Oberoi Group Unveils First Luxury Residence
The Oberoi Group has launched its inaugural luxury residence, Naila Fort, a meticulously restored 1849 heritage fort near Jaipur. Set on a hilltop overlooking the Aravalli range, the property blends Rajasthan’s historic architecture with contemporary comforts and curated artworks. Executives...
Peter Piper Pizza Truly Engrained in the Communities It Serves
Peter Piper Pizza operates about 115 restaurants across Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico, offering a $10.99 all‑you‑can‑eat lunch buffet aimed at workers, families and budget‑conscious diners. Chief marketing officer Genaro Perez emphasizes targeting different demographics at various times...
Toronto Pearson Named One of Canada’s Best Employers
Toronto Pearson International Airport has been named to Forbes Canada’s Best Employers 2026 list for the third straight year, climbing five spots to rank 102nd among the nation’s top 300 workplaces. It is the only airport featured in the ranking,...
193 – 2026 Hunter Conference Preview
In this preview episode, host Ryan Embree and guest Madison Thibodeaux, Senior Manager of Events & Partnerships at Hunter Advisors, discuss the upcoming 2026 Hunter Conference in Atlanta. They cover Madison’s unique career path from a hospitality student intern to...
Dubai’s Woohoo Puts AI at the Center of the Restaurant Dining Experience
Dubai’s new Woohoo restaurant places an AI persona, Chef Aiman, at the heart of its dining experience, orchestrating lighting, large‑scale LED visuals and spatial audio. The venue uses Vivid Studio’s SP Grid platform as a low‑code control brain that links...
Heathrow Records Busiest January to Date
Heathrow Airport logged its busiest January on record, moving 6.5 million passengers – a rise of more than 2 % versus January 2025. The hub introduced new security lanes across all terminals while maintaining its reputation as Europe’s most punctual airport. Passenger...
Charleroi Airport Completes Major Lighting Upgrade to Enhance Runway Safety
Brussels South Charleroi Airport has completed a multi‑year airfield lighting overhaul, replacing roughly 200 km of underground cabling and installing 2,650 LED fixtures. About 95% of the runway lighting is now LED, slashing power demand from roughly 152 kW to 25 kW –...
More than 1,500 Hotels in Development Across Europe
Lodging Econometrics reports that Europe’s hotel construction pipeline now comprises 1,717 projects, delivering roughly 252,600 rooms, with 754 sites already under construction. Upscale properties dominate the pipeline, accounting for 21% of projects, while upper‑midscale follows closely. The United Kingdom leads...
Al-Ula Marks Middle East ATC First
Al‑Ula International Airport in Saudi Arabia has become the Middle East’s first fully remote air traffic control facility, with controllers operating from a centre in Jeddah 550 km away. The digital tower uses high‑definition cameras, sensors and a 4K 360° videowall...
LeBlanc + Smith Brings The Chloe to Nashville
LeBlanc + Smith, a New Orleans hospitality group, has launched The Chloe boutique hotel in Nashville. Housed in two restored 1920s Craftsman cottages that once housed Asylum Records, the property offers 19 guest rooms, an all‑day restaurant, three bars, a...
The Structural Pressures Reshaping Airport Strategy: Revenue, Decarbonisation and Geopolitics
Airports are seeing passenger growth but aeronautical revenues are constrained by regulation and taxation, prompting a shift toward non‑aeronautical income. Justin Erbacci of ACI World warns that traditional funding will fall short for the capital‑intensive decarbonisation agenda, recommending public‑private partnerships...
Netherlands Aviation: New Coalition’s Proposals on Air Travel Are Broadly Welcomed
The Dutch coalition agreement acknowledges Amsterdam Schiphol Airport’s economic significance while imposing a 478,000‑movement annual flight cap and night‑time closures to curb noise. It calls for harmonising aviation taxes across the European Union and green‑lights the conversion of Lelystad Airport...
Starbird Appoints Greg Levin as CEO
Starbird announced former BJ's Restaurants chief Greg Levin as its new CEO and board member. Levin, who grew BJ's from 45 to over 200 locations and boosted revenue from $140 million to $1.4 billion, will lead the “super‑premium” chicken brand’s national rollout....