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
Savour WestJet’s European Summer
WestJet is launching a summer 2026 transatlantic schedule from Halifax that adds three new nonstop routes—Copenhagen, Lisbon and Madrid—and resumes service to six existing European cities, bringing the total to nine nonstop destinations. The airline also boosted its domestic network by 50% year‑over‑year and introduced a new Halifax‑Detroit nonstop to feed Delta’s U.S. system. All flights are under eight hours, with Dublin as short as 5.5 hours, positioning Halifax as a premier Atlantic gateway. Bookings are now live on westjet.com.
United Airlines to Cut O’Hare Flights After FAA Safety Order
United Airlines will cut more than 100 daily departures at Chicago O'Hare starting mid‑May 2026 after the FAA ordered a 12% reduction to ease congestion and address air‑traffic controller staffing gaps. The airline is targeting short‑haul routes operated by 50‑seat...
Beloved Local Brand Opens Urban Lodge Taproom & Kitchen at Bradley International Airport
SSP America, a division of the global SSP Group, has opened Urban Lodge Taproom & Kitchen inside Bradley International Airport (BDL). The new venue is a partnership with Manchester‑based Urban Lodge Brewing Co., bringing its craft‑beer‑focused menu and lodge‑style hospitality...
MIA Lets the Dogs Out at First-Ever Adoption Day Event
Miami International Airport partnered with Miami‑Dade County Animal Services to host its first‑ever Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30, 2026. The terminal‑based event featured two adoption sessions with eight dogs and several cats available for adoption. Travelers and...
Finland and Finnish Lakeland Crowned Top Sustainable Travel Destinations for 2026‑27
Finland and the Finnish Lakeland have been highlighted as the premier sustainable travel destinations for 2026‑27, joining a shortlist that includes Botswana, Rwanda and Costa Rica. The designation reflects a growing traveler preference for low‑impact, nature‑centric experiences and positions Finland as...
NYT Names Camiguin Island a Must‑Visit Spot for 2026, Boosting Philippine Adventure Tourism
Camiguin Island has been singled out as the sole Philippine entry in the New York Times' "52 Places to Go in 2026," spotlighting its untouched beaches, volcanic hikes and cultural festivals. The endorsement arrives as the government nears completion of...
Classic Vacations Launches Travel Advisors Sweepstakes
Classic Vacations has unveiled the Classic Loves Travel Advisors Sweepstakes, running from May 1 to November 30, 2026, to honor Travel Advisor Appreciation Month and sustain engagement year‑round. Registered U.S. advisors earn one entry for each new deposited booking, with no cap,...
Affluent Shoppers Trim Daily Costs to Fund Luxury Travel and Experiences
Erin O’Connor‑Bell of Aprio Wealth Management says high‑income consumers are deliberately skimping on groceries and household goods to keep money for premium travel and experiences. The trend highlights a shift in how affluent families balance cost‑of‑living pressures with discretionary spending.
Phoenix Sky Harbor Sets Passenger Records
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport recorded its busiest month ever in March, handling 5,128,429 passengers – a 1.27% increase over the previous March record. The airport also set a single‑day record on March 8, screening 86,250 travelers, with 1,520 takeoffs and...
IHG Extends 15% Discount on Award Stays to These 129 New IHG Properties
IHG is extending a 15% discount on award‑night bookings to 129 newly opened hotels worldwide, with expiration dates of August 31, September 30 or October 31 2026 depending on the property. The offer applies only to stays of three nights or fewer and cannot...
Park Hotels & Resorts Posts $11 M Q1 Profit, Core RevPAR Up 5% YoY
Park Hotels & Resorts announced a $11 million net income for Q1 2026, driven by more than 5% year‑over‑year growth in core RevPAR. The REIT also sold two non‑core hotels for $31 million and invested $83 million in capital improvements, underscoring its focus...
MSC Cruises Brings Yacht Club Experience to Formula 1 Grand Prix
MSC Cruises will debut a floating MSC Yacht Club hospitality venue at the 2026 Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. The 50‑foot‑tall, 264‑foot‑long structure will sit along turns 5 through 9, providing spectators with panoramic views of up to five corners. The multi‑deck...
Skip Dynamic Currency Conversion, Save on Every Purchase
Europe’s most expensive button 👆 It’s called Dynamic Currency Conversion, and pressing USD costs you way more. ❌ A worse exchange rate ❌ A ~3% markup fee The fix: ✅ Pay in local currency abroad ✅ Use a card with no foreign transaction fees Save this for...
American Airlines Promo: Earn 3X AAdvantage Miles on IHG Stays
American Airlines is offering AAdvantage members a limited‑time promotion to earn three times the usual miles on any IHG Hotels & Resorts stay booked and completed by July 6, 2026. Members must register for the offer before the deadline, after which each...
Save Up to 35% On Stays With Radisson Rewards
Radisson Rewards is offering up to 35% off nightly rates, plus complimentary breakfast, at participating resort properties across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa from July 1 to September 10, 2026. To qualify, guests must be members of the Radisson Rewards program...
The Importance of Customer Service in the Hospitality Industry
The article underscores that exceptional customer service is the cornerstone of the hospitality industry, arguing that empathy, employee empowerment, and memory‑making differentiate brands. It outlines four core values—service as a core value, hiring caring people, empowering staff, and creating memorable...
The Untapped Revenue Opportunity in Hotel Digital Signage – 2026 Event Advertising Pulse Survey Report
Hotel digital signage is largely underutilized, serving mainly informational purposes while missing sponsor revenue. A 2026 survey of hotel owners, GMs and event leaders reveals a widening gap between sponsor expectations and current capabilities. One Chicago property achieved a 73%...
XHR Q1 Beats, Guidance Raised; Initiate Long
Macro: XHR Q1 RevPAR +7.4%, EBITDA +17.9%, guidance raised. Drivers: Sunbelt luxury mix, accretive capex. Risk: 4.8x leverage. Trade: initiate long on pullbacks to $15.75. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
Cruise News: All Aboard for Summer Specials
Luxury and river cruise lines are rolling out summer‑season promotions to fill ships and attract price‑sensitive travelers. Explora Journeys is offering up to $2,000 off its Ocean Terrace Suites on Mediterranean, Western and Northern Europe itineraries through May 26. Trafalgar’s Spotlight...
What You Need to Know About the Spirit Airlines Shutdown
Spirit Airlines, the pioneer of the ultra‑low‑cost model, has halted most flights and stopped ticket sales as it files for a second bankruptcy within two years. The carrier faces a debt load over $2.8 billion, soaring fuel costs, higher labor expenses...
A-List Preferred Behind Priority? Southwest Airlines Launches Updated Boarding Process
Southwest Airlines announced an updated boarding hierarchy effective April 30, 2026, moving A‑List Preferred members ahead of Group 1 while A‑List members board with Group 1. The carrier will assign a single boarding group per reservation and extend tier benefits to up...
My Almost Interview with Our Industry’s First Chief Water Officer
A resort briefly introduced the hospitality industry’s first Chief Water Officer (CWO) to lead water‑stewardship initiatives, only to suspend the role a week later. The move underscores growing water scarcity, highlighted by the U.S. Drought Monitor’s alerts for southern Georgia...
Mandarin Oriental Snags Two Iconic Egyptian Sofitel Hotels
Accor loses two iconic Sofitel properties in Egypt to Mandarin Oriental: Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor and Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan. Both are now under Mandarin Oriental management. Wonder what happened there. Also, where is MO getting all this sudden...
ITA Airways Launched First-Ever Flights Between Rome and Houston Today
ITA Airways inaugurated a nonstop service between Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, marking the first direct link between the two cities. The route launches with three weekly flights this month, expanding to five weekly...
7 Of The Most Spacious Transatlantic Premium Economy Seats You Can Book Today
A new roundup highlights the most spacious premium‑economy cabins on transatlantic routes, covering British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Delta, United, Lufthansa, Air France and American Airlines. The analysis details seat pitch, width, recline and cabin configuration for each carrier’s Boeing 787‑9,...
Devaluations Are Coming Thick and Fast Right Now — Here's What You Need to Know About How to Protect Yourself
Loyalty programs are rapidly devaluing, raising the points or miles needed for awards and adding fees. Recent changes include Aeroplan’s up‑to‑33% partner cost hike, Lifemiles’ business‑class jump to 92,400 miles, Hyatt’s category upgrades pushing nightly rates to 75,000 points, and...
Inside Sublime Sand, a Luxe New Resort Nestled in Portugal’s Jet-Set Hot Spot
Sublime Sand, the latest luxury resort from Portuguese hospitality brand Sublime, opened today in Comporta, a coastal village an hour south of Lisbon. The new property features 43 architect‑designed villas with private pools and rates starting around $1,400 per night....
Starbird Names Stefanie Lee CFO
Starbird, the San Francisco‑based chicken chain, appointed Stefanie Lee as chief financial officer, bringing over 18 years of franchise finance experience. Lee previously served as CFO of TITLE Boxing Club and held senior finance roles at Dine Brands Global, Krispy Kreme, and...
Full Video: Staying Competitive as Asia’s Hotel Market Shifts
At the Skift Asia Forum 2026, Accor’s chief development officer Andrew Langdon highlighted a rapid shift in Asia’s hotel landscape, where 80% of properties remain unbranded. Generational turnover among family‑owned hotels is prompting owners to seek global brand partnerships, especially...
Chase Ultimate Rewards Points: How to Redeem for Maximum Value
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are currently valued at about 2.05 cents each, according to The Points Guy’s May 2026 valuation. The guide highlights that transferring points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners—such as Virgin Atlantic, United, Air France‑KLM, Singapore Airlines, and World...
Huey Magoo’s Adds a New Prototype to Support National Growth
Huey Magoo’s is rolling out a new 1,850‑sq‑ft freestanding drive‑thru prototype that slashes ground‑up development costs by roughly 40% and fits on parcels as small as half an acre. The design maintains seating for 55 guests—37 indoors and 18 on...
Bilt Rent Day: Avios Airways Transfer Bonus Of Up To 100%
Bilt’s Rent Day rewards members with 4‑6x points on the first of each month, capped at 1,000 points. On May 1, 2026 the program added a limited‑time Avios transfer bonus that can reach 100% for Platinum members and 40‑75% for lower...
Japanese Cities Propose Hefty Surcharges on Foreign‑bank Bookings
Japanese cities need to implement big surcharges on hotel reservations made with foreign bank accounts. Then the tide will turn.
Proper Hospitality Launches Longevity‑Focused Retreats as $48 Billion Market Grows
Proper Hospitality introduced a longevity‑centered wellness program at its Santa Monica Proper Hotel, partnering with Hundred Health to offer on‑arrival blood draws that assess more than 160 biomarkers. The move reflects a broader surge in luxury longevity‑clinic tourism, a market...
Taiwan Rises as Top Outdoor Destination for Canadian Travelers
Taiwan is being promoted as the premier international spot for Canadian outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to its fourth‑place ranking on Numbeo’s 2026 Safety Index and a transport network that lets travelers move between mountains, forests and coastlines in a single trip....
Las Vegas Resorts Launch All‑Inclusive Packages to Win Value‑Seeking Guests
Major Las Vegas resorts are introducing all‑inclusive vacation packages aimed at value‑seeking visitors, according to a May 1 report. The move reflects growing price sensitivity among tourists and a strategic effort to restore perceived value in the city’s hospitality offering.
The Best New Hotels Around the World for May 2026
May 2026 saw a wave of high‑end hotel openings spanning five continents, from the refreshed Delano Miami Beach to the ultra‑luxurious Orient Express Venezia. Brands ranging from Marriott’s Series by Marriott to Four Seasons and Soho House introduced properties that...
Hyatt New Hotels Bonus Offer: Earn 500 Extra Points per Night at These 29 Properties
Hyatt’s May 2026 new‑hotel bonus awards 500 extra World of Hyatt points for each night stayed at 29 recently opened properties, provided the checkout date falls within the promotional window. The list includes locations across the U.S., China, Europe, the Middle...
Firm Bookings, Fast Refunds: EasyJet and On The Beach Aim to Reassure Jittery Travellers with Holiday Pledges
Amid rising jet‑fuel costs and uncertainty from the US‑Israel conflict, easyJet and holiday‑booking platform On The Beach have launched consumer‑confidence pledges for the summer season. easyJet’s “book with confidence” promise guarantees no extra fuel surcharges and a full summer schedule...
How Perishable Inventory Visibility Reduces Food Loss and Protects Restaurant Margins
Restaurant operators are grappling with rising labor costs and volatile menus, but hidden margin erosion stems from poor visibility into perishable inventory. Without real‑time data on aging stock, emergency purchases and write‑offs surge, hurting both profitability and guest experience. Implementing...
VIEWPOINT: Don't Write Off Hospitality: The Hotel Market Is Sending Contractors a Clear Signal
Despite industry chatter that hotel construction is cooling, contractor Craig Plescia reports a thriving pipeline. From 2021‑2025, hospitality bid invitations rose steadily, and Q2 2024 reached a record 6,095 projects covering 713,151 rooms, a 9% year‑over‑year increase. Strong domestic air travel—119 million...
Creating a True Coastal Experience in a Landlocked State
Sean Huggard, founder of Shutting Good Hospitality, partnered with Blue Island Oyster Farm to launch Denver’s Blue Island Oyster Bar, giving the landlocked restaurant full control over its oyster supply. Owning the farm enables a "dock to dish" model that...
Infinity Aviation Group Opens Remodeled FBO at Nashua, New Hampshire
Infinity Aviation Group has opened a remodeled and expanded Fixed‑Base Operator at Boire Field (KASH) in Nashian, New Hampshire. The new terminal provides more than 150,000 sq ft of heated hangar space and full services such as de‑icing, fueling, and premium passenger...
Virgin Voyages Marks Month of Access and Events for Advisors
Virgin Voyages is dedicating the entire month of May to its First Mate (travel advisor) community in North America through its annual First Mate Appreciation Month. The program, dubbed “VV Fest,” runs May 4‑29 and features a 16‑session virtual training series...
Lufthansa Selling Miles & More Miles With 60% Bonus (1.29 Cents Each): Worth It?
Lufthansa’s Miles & More program is running a May‑long Bundle&Go promotion that adds a 60% bonus to purchased mileage bundles. Prices range from $103 for 4,800 miles to $2,071 for 160,000 miles, delivering a best‑case cost of 1.29 cents per...
2026 Airport Travelers Still Forced Into Helmets, Masks
Passengers Still Wear Helmets And Masks At Airports In 2026 — Suddenly ‘Freedom’ Has Limits - View from the Wing https://t.co/F36FZposOo
Travel Advisors Get Boost With May Bonus
Pleasant Holidays and EVOKE | INSPIRE are offering a May‑long incentive that awards TRIP points to travel advisors based on booking revenue. The program runs from May 1‑31, 2026, with a grand prize of 5,000 points for the top producer and a second‑place...
Chipotle Plans Back-to-Back Giveaways
Chipotle is intensifying its 2026 marketing calendar with two back‑to‑back giveaways. Starting May 5, digital orders using code CINCO26 will receive free chips paired with Queso Blanco or guacamole for Cinco de Mayo. From May 4‑12, the chain will distribute up to $2 million in free...
Sweetgreen Hires Amazon, Starbucks Alum as Development Chief
Sweetgreen has named Ryan Slemons, a former Amazon Go and Starbucks development executive, as its new chief development officer effective May 4. The hire comes as the fast‑casual chain grapples with declining same‑store sales and recent divestiture of its Spyce...
Naples Aviation Ranks Eighth in US FBO Survey
Naples Aviation, the sole FBO at Naples Airport in Florida, rose to eighth place nationally in the 2026 Professional Pilot PRASE Survey, up from tenth the year before. It also improved to fifth among independent FBOs, climbing from eighth in...