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
Prince St. Pizza Partners with Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchisee for National Expansion
Prince St. Pizza has teamed up with Lawrence Kourie, the founder and largest franchisee of Dave’s Hot Chicken, to launch a national expansion of its Sicilian‑style square pies. Kourie will use his multi‑state operations and disciplined franchising approach to open new locations while preserving the brand’s New York identity. The partnership aims to scale the cult‑favorite pizza concept across multiple states, leveraging existing supply chains and real‑estate pipelines. This move positions Prince St. Pizza to tap into the broader U.S. pizza market beyond its current regional footprint.
Michelin Guide 2026 Expands to Austria, Hong Kong, Las Vegas and Nashville
The Michelin Guide announced its 2026 editions for Austria, Hong Kong & Macau, and a return to Las Vegas, while Nashville will host the guide’s U.S. ceremony. Austria’s list features 124 stars across 101 restaurants, Hong Kong & Macau showcase 278 venues, and...
AtkinsRéalis to Support Manchester Airports Group Investment Programme
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has engaged AtkinsRéalis under an eight‑year Capital Investment Consultancy Services framework to deliver consultancy, design and programme management across its airport portfolio, including Manchester, East Midlands and London Stansted. The firm will provide cost, health‑and‑safety, operational...
Record Revenues and Profits up at Munich Airport
Munich Airport Group posted a 2025 net profit after taxes of €169 million (about $186 million), up €105 million from 2024. Revenue reached a record €1.8 billion (≈$2 billion) driven by 43.4 million passengers and 337,000 aircraft movements, a 3.1% rise. Operating profit before interest and...
![Up To 16 Hours: British Airways' 10 Longest Nonstop Flights From London [2026]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://static0.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ba-longest.jpg?w=1600&h=900&fit=crop)
Up To 16 Hours: British Airways' 10 Longest Nonstop Flights From London [2026]
British Airways operates the world’s fifth‑largest long‑haul network, with 95 daily long‑haul departures from London as of 2026, up from 91 a year earlier. The airline’s ten longest nonstop routes from London range from a 16‑hour flight to Sydney down...
First Watch Cuts Its COO
First Watch announced the termination of Chief Operations Officer Dan Jones, part of a broader restructuring of its operations leadership. Jones, who joined around the 2021 IPO, oversaw the chain’s expansion from 435 to 633 restaurants by 2025. The company...
Dubai Throws Hotels a Lifeline as Iran War Devastates Tourism
Dubai announced a AED 1 billion ($272 million) relief package for hotels and tourism operators as the Iran war slashes visitor numbers. The scheme defers government, sales and tourism dirham fees for three months, starting April 1, 2026, to shore up liquidity. Crown Prince Sheikh...
Star Alliance Welcomes ITA Airways as Lufthansa Group — But Eurowings Is Not
ITA Airways officially joined Star Alliance on April 1, becoming the network’s 26th member and linking its Rome and Milan hubs to more than 1,150 destinations in 190 countries. The airline adds over 350 daily flights and serves roughly 16 million...
The Making of a Drive-Thru Record
Almost a quarter‑century ago, a McDonald’s in Cheyenne, Wyoming, set a drive‑thru benchmark by serving more than 400 cars in a single hour. The feat was achieved through relentless process obsession and a suite of emerging technologies that streamlined order...
Sysco Makes a Huge Play for More Local Restaurants
Sysco announced a $29 billion cash‑and‑stock acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot, adding a network that serves roughly 725,000 local restaurants. The deal gives Sysco a foothold in the cash‑and‑carry segment, which it currently does not participate in, and is expected to...
Firehouse Subs Sweetens Franchise Incentives
Firehouse Subs has rolled out an expanded Development Incentive Program through 2028, offering $75,000 for opening a single restaurant and $100,000 for two or more. New tiers such as the 10‑in‑2, Grow A‑Gain and Accelerated Market incentives add bonuses up to...
DoorDash Invests in EV Startup with Plans to Automate More Deliveries
DoorDash is investing in Also’s $200 million Series C round and launching a multi‑year partnership to develop autonomous electric‑vehicle delivery units. The collaboration builds on DoorDash’s earlier Dot robot rollout and aims to create purpose‑built, small EVs that can navigate bike lanes...
Accent Inns and Hotel Zed Strengthen Executive Team
Accent Inns Inc., the parent of Accent Inns, Hotel Zed and ROAR, announced two senior hires: Rachel Johns as Vice‑President of Marketing, Sales and Revenue, and Jeff Hope as Vice‑President of Finance. The new VP, Marketing, Sales and Revenue role consolidates...
Western Sydney Appoints Lagardère AWPL as Duty Free Operator
French‑based Lagardère AWPL has been awarded the duty‑free and travel‑essentials concession at Western Sydney International Airport for the next ten years. The operator will manage roughly 3,100 m² of retail space, including 1,900 m² dedicated to duty‑free and 1,200 m² for travel essentials...
Your Guests Are Calling. Is Anyone Answering the Phone?
Hotel operators are losing revenue because 10‑40% of inbound calls go unanswered, and 70% of callers hang up within a minute of hold time. Over half of travelers (52%) will abandon the property and book through an OTA if they...
The Revenue Impact Hiding in Your Venue Enquiry Response Time
Venue operators often overlook how response latency erodes revenue. With an average event contract of $18,901.62, three bookings a month translate to roughly $680,000 in annual income, yet planners award 35‑50% of events to the first venue that replies. Faster...
How Nimbus Is Revolutionizing Aviation Operations
WiseAero unveiled Nimbus, an AI‑powered aviation assistant that consolidates flight‑preparation tasks into a single mobile platform. The solution automates landing‑permit acquisition, coordinates ground services, and provides real‑time aircraft tracking. By centralising these functions, Nimbus promises faster turnarounds and reduced manual...
Queensway to Transform City Office Building Into 239-Bed Hotel
Queensway has obtained planning permission to convert the 75,000 sq ft office at 29 Clements Lane into a 239‑room hotel in the City of London. The retrofit‑first scheme will retain the building’s structure, restore the original lightwell, and aim for a BREEAM...
Vietnam Launches Coastal‑Mountain Corridor to Build on Record 21 Million 2025 Arrivals
Vietnam's tourism ministry has rolled out a coordinated Coastal‑Mountain Travel Corridor for 2026, capitalising on a record 21 million international arrivals in 2025. The initiative links beach hubs such as Da Nang and Ha Long Bay with highland destinations like Sa Pa and...
UK: CAA Publishes Initial Proposals for Heathrow H8 Price Cap
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released initial proposals to cap Heathrow Airport’s passenger fees for the H8 regulatory period (2027‑2031) at £27.70‑£30.50 per passenger (approximately $35.5‑$39.0). The midpoint of the range, £28.80 (about $36.90), is a modest £0.40...
UK Travelers Slash Cyprus Hotel Bookings 40% Amid Middle East Tensions
British holidaymakers have reduced hotel bookings in Cyprus by roughly 40% after Iranian drone attacks on a nearby RAF base sparked heightened security concerns. The plunge is prompting UK travelers to seek alternative Mediterranean spots, adding pressure to an already...
FastCasual Opens Nominations for 2026 'Perfect Pitch'
FastCasual has opened nominations for its 12th‑annual Perfect Pitch competition, inviting emerging fast‑casual brands to pitch for a national spotlight. Entrants have until June 8, 2026 to apply, and the live showdown will run Oct. 4‑6 at the Fast Casual Executive Summit in...
Rebuilding a $100M Hospitality Brand: Pinky Cole, Slutty Vegan CEO, on Failure and Franchising
In this episode, Pinky Cole, founder and CEO of the $100 million Slutty Vegan brand, recounts her journey from a two‑bedroom Atlanta apartment to a national vegan empire, detailing how she leveraged bold branding, TV‑style storytelling, and social media to attract...
'Don't Go Viral without This System:' Keynote to Reveal Growth Framework at Restaurant Marketing Workshop
The Restaurant Marketing Workshop returns to Boston June 2‑3, 2026, featuring a keynote by Salad House CMO David “Rev” Ciancio titled “Don’t Go Viral Without This System.” Ciancio will reveal the growth frameworks that brands like Dave’s Hot Chicken use to convert...
Sociability: The Accessibility App Making Money for Hospitality Venues Across the UK
The UK accessibility app Sociability is helping hospitality venues generate new revenue streams by integrating inclusive design features that benefit both disabled and non‑disabled patrons. Parallel social‑enterprise initiatives are gaining traction: disability advocates stress universal design, TERN supports refugee entrepreneurs...
Indonesia and Japan Seal First Bilateral Tourism Agreement
Indonesia and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on tourism on March 30 in Tokyo, marking the first formal bilateral framework between the two nations. The pact targets business events, wellness tourism, gastronomy and sustainable tourist villages, aiming to deepen...
Zipair Targets Fleet Expansion as It Builds Tech-Driven Low-Cost Model
Japanese low‑cost carrier Zipair plans to more than double its Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner fleet, increasing from eight aircraft to over 20 within four years. The airline, which launched in 2020, emphasizes a technology‑enabled model featuring free Starlink internet, an on‑demand...
Mimaru to Open Two Apartment-Style Hotels in Osaka in 2026
Mimaru, operated by Cosmos Hotel Management, will launch two apartment‑style hotels in Osaka in September and October 2026, adding 66 and 68 rooms respectively. The properties target families and groups with 40 m² rooms featuring kitchens, multilingual staff from 39 nationalities,...
Airalo Partners Busan to Provide eSIM Services for International Visitors
Airalo has signed a letter of intent with Busan Metropolitan City to distribute 100,000 free eSIM vouchers and launch destination‑specific eSIM packages for international visitors. The partnership also includes discounted eSIMs for Busan residents traveling abroad, joint marketing campaigns, and...
Batik Air Malaysia Restarts KL‑Colombo Flights After Two‑Year Pause
Batik Air Malaysia has resumed its Kuala Lumpur–Colombo service from March 30, 2026, after nearly a two-year suspension, marking another step in rebuilding its international network as travel demand recovers. The airline said in a statement that the route will...
Hari Raya Outbound Bookings Surge 49% Among Malaysians
Malaysians travelled more this Hari Raya, with outbound flight bookings rising 49% year-on-year, according to Trip.com Group. China, Singapore and Indonesia remained the top three destinations, followed by Thailand and Vietnam, showing Malaysians’ continued preference for regional travel during the...
Creating a Customer Loyalty Culture with Lisa Checchio
Lisa Checchio, CCO of EBG, explains on Amazing Business Radio that a hospitality mentality—treating every interaction as welcoming and memorable—drives superior customer experience across B2B, B2C, and government sectors. She argues most loyalty programs focus on discounts, which create perk‑based...
Millennium Hotels and Resorts Names CCO to Steer Brand and Commercial Strategy
Millennium Hotels and Resorts, a Hong Leong Group subsidiary of City Developments, appointed Cinn Tan as its chief commercial officer. Tan, who joined in January 2026, will steer global branding, marketing, loyalty, sales, revenue management and digital platforms. She brings over three decades of...
Morpheus Research Report Alleges 'Anti-Competitive' Practices by MakeMyTrip Despite CCI Order
Morpheus Research released a report accusing MakeMyTrip of continuing anti‑competitive price‑parity practices despite a 2022 Competition Commission of India fine of $26 million. The activist short‑seller alleges the platform uses an internal “price competitiveness score” to indirectly enforce parity, while also...
Hong Kong: A City of Moments” Featuring Lola Hubner
Travel commerce platform BYRDLI announced its first international destination partnership in Asia, launching a Hong Kong‑focused Travel Club with Australian creator Lola Hubner. Hubner built a fully bookable itinerary in real time, showcasing the city as both a 48‑hour stop‑over and a...
Marriott’s 39th Brand: A Two-Property Italian Wellness Resort
Marriott announced a joint venture with Italy’s Lefay Resorts to launch its 39th brand, marking the company’s first dedicated wellness label. The partnership brings Lefay’s two boutique resorts—one on Lake Garda and another in the Dolomites—under Marriott’s long‑term management while...
ITA Airways Volare Now Gone – Becomes Part Of Miles&More & Star Alliance From April 1, 2026
ITA Airways has terminated its Volare frequent‑flyer program as of March 30, 2026, giving members a short window to redeem remaining points. Starting April 1, 2026 the carrier will become a full member of Lufthansa Group’s Miles&More program and join the Star Alliance network....
FROM £1,000: Etihad Business Class Flight Deals Still Available Across Asia, Maldives, Australia
Etihad is extending its ultra‑low‑priced business‑class fares across Asia, the Maldives and Australia, with return tickets as low as £1,073 ($1,360) from Europe and €1,217 ($1,340) from Dublin. The deals, valid through June, require a stopover in Abu Dhabi and...
AirBorneo to Wet‑Lease Three Boeing 737‑800s
NSTExclusive: Sarawak’s new airline AirBorneo is believed to be wet leasing three Boeing B737-800 jets from ACMI operator, Ascend Airways Malaysia. Read more ⬇️ Disclaimer: Pix is an ATR given that AirBorneo hasn’t gotten the narrowbody jets with its livery as...
CBS’s ‘60 Minutes’ Features Son Doong Cave, Sparking Global Adventure‑Tourism Surge
CBS’s flagship program “60 Minutes” aired a documentary on Son Doong Cave, the world’s largest underground chamber, giving Quang Tri province unprecedented exposure. Officials say the broadcast will attract high‑value tourists and accelerate the region’s adventure‑tourism agenda for 2026‑27.
IHG Introduces Voco Scenia Bay Nha Trang to Vietnam's Stunning Central Coastline
IHG Hotels & Resorts opened voco Scenia Bay Nha Trang in March 2026, marking its third voco property in Vietnam. The 31‑storey, 250‑room beachfront hotel sits in Nha Trang’s new northern coastal precinct, just ten minutes from Tran Phu Street....
Beyond Aggregator Dependency: How Balancing Your Channels Turns Into a Strategic Advantage. A Practical Framework
Restaurants are rethinking reliance on third‑party delivery aggregators as commissions climb above 30% and data walls limit customer insights. A new framework advises brands to treat aggregators as acquisition tools while building intuitive direct channels that capture up to 60%...
“It’s a Kitchen that Cares About the Details”: Two Chefs Join Sheraton Sydney
Sheraton Grand Hyde Park in Sydney has added two chefs to its culinary leadership team to boost the profile of its flagship restaurant, Sydney Common. Chef Allen Varghese joins as executive sous chef and concept lead, bringing Michelin‑starred experience and a...
Indian Airport Concessions Set to Restart; Bangalore Airport to Join the Fray as a Bidder?
India is preparing the third tranche of airport concessions, targeting smaller regional hubs that will be bundled with larger, more attractive airports to create compelling packages for bidders. The government hopes lessons from the 2006 and 2020‑21 rounds will streamline...
Aurora Expeditions Unveils $9,900‑USD Arctic Photography Voyage for 2027
Aurora Expeditions announced an 11‑day Arctic photography cruise linking Iceland’s Westfjords and East Greenland’s Scoresbysund, departing July 31, 2027. The voyage, aboard the purpose‑built Sylvia Earle, will cost roughly $9,900 USD per passenger and features workshops led by four renowned photographers.
Significant Changes to United Airlines MileagePlus Program Effective As of April 2 2026
United Airlines is overhauling its MileagePlus program on April 2, 2026, cutting base mileage earn rates for non‑card members while boosting accrual for eligible United credit‑card holders. General members see a 40% drop to 3 miles per dollar, whereas Premier...
Turn Travel Passion Into Paid Writing for Top Magazines
I help you get paid to travel and write about it! Here’s how one of my Substack subscribers has landed paid writing assignments for National Geographic, Travel and Leisure, and Matador Network ✍️ https://jetplanecrew.substack.com/p/how-daria-got-published-in-national
Collette Debuts ‘University 201’ Training for Advisors
Collette has launched Collette University 201, an expanded self‑paced training platform for travel advisors. The curriculum is split into two tracks—one for advisors with five or more years of experience and another for newcomers. New modules covering brand storytelling, product...
Is the Middle-Class Traveler Disappearing - or Just Being Priced Out?
Travel recovery is increasingly uneven, with luxury and upscale hotels maintaining strong pricing while average daily rates remain above pre‑pandemic levels for mid‑range properties. This price pressure is squeezing middle‑class travelers, prompting shorter trips, off‑peak bookings and greater reliance on...
The Ritz-Carlton Opens Hotel in Wuhan’s Yuexiu Global Financial Center Tower
The Ritz‑Carlton has launched its first hotel in central China, occupying the 48th floor and above of Wuhan’s 330‑metre‑tall Yuexiu Global Financial Center Tower. The 204‑room property features a 270 sq m suite, a rooftop bar, Cantonese restaurant, and a sky‑high spa...