Press Release: Aviointeriors Taps Salient Motion for Seat Actuation
Aviointeriors has partnered with Salient Motion to equip its Allegra and Allegra HD business‑class seats with a new Seat Actuation Control System. The modular, software‑defined solution reached qualification‑ready status in under a year, leveraging Salient Motion’s rapid certification process. The actuation kit, including power units, actuators and embedded software, is designed for both wide‑body (Airbus A330) and narrow‑body platforms (Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A321). This collaboration promises airlines faster time‑to‑market and greater supplier choice for premium cabin upgrades.
AI in Restaurants: Separating the Promise From the Practical
The restaurant industry is awash with AI hype, but the technology is a tool, not a cure‑all. Operators gain real value when AI reduces repetitive administrative work and turns raw reservation data into actionable insights. Over‑automation, however, can add cognitive...
Finnair Leans Even More Into Its Unique ‘Finnishness’ With Brand New Boarding Music
Finnair has launched a new boarding music suite called “Matkantekijä,” composed by fourth‑generation Finnish musician Lauri Porra, to deepen its Finnish‑centric brand identity. The soundscape, featuring traditional instruments like the jouhikko and kantele, will play on aircraft, in lounges, and...
Bowood Estate Names Cockhill as Head of Business Development
Bowood Estate has appointed Kathrin Cockhill as its first head of business development, a role created to steer commercial growth across the hotel, spa, golf resort, and Bowood House & Gardens. Cockhill brings over 20 years of senior sales experience...
UPDATE: New Hyatt Regency Incheon Paradise City Now Listed As Category 4
The West Tower of the former Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport has been sold to the Paradise Group and will reopen as Hyatt Regency Incheon Paradise City on March 9, 2026. Hyatt’s website now lists the property as a Category 4 hotel,...
Chase Adds New Transfer Partner
Chase has announced Wyndham Rewards as a new transfer partner for its Ultimate Rewards portfolio, extending the option to Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, J.P. Morgan Reserve and Ink Business Preferred cardholders. The transfer ratio is expected to be 1:1, though the...
IHG Buy Points Buy Points 100% Bonus Sale Through March 17, 2026
IHG has launched its second Buy Points 100% Bonus Sale for 2026, running through March 17, 2026. Members can earn a full 100% bonus on purchases of 30,000 points or more, with tiered bonuses starting at 80% for 5,000 points....
This Is How Your Customers Think About Your Customer Service In 2026
Shep Hyken’s 2026 State of Customer Service report surveyed 2,000 U.S. consumers and found that 83% are generally happy with the companies they use. Only 41% believe service quality has improved over the previous year, while 42% report more bad...
Challenges Are On The Plate For The Future of Restaurants
The 2026 Independent Restaurant Industry Report shows that independent eateries face a shrinking margin between revenue and costs, even as traffic rises. Price increases above ten percent in 2025 hurt profitability because diners are increasingly price‑sensitive. A growing share of...
Capital One Shopping: Spend $275+ at Hertz & Get $125 Back (Targeted)
Capital One Shopping is sending targeted cash‑back offers that promise $125 back when customers spend $275 or more on a Hertz rental. The rebate translates to roughly a 45% return, though the reward can only be redeemed for select third‑party...
Best Uses for Virgin Points | Coffee Break Ep94 | 2-24-26
Virgin Atlantic’s loyalty program, combined with Virgin Red, lets members earn and redeem points for a wide range of travel experiences. Until February 28, Chase Ultimate Rewards offers a limited‑time 40% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic, dramatically increasing point value....
Marriott Bonvoy Airline Transfer Partners
Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to 36 airline partners, typically at a 3‑to‑1 ratio, but transferring 60,000 points often adds a 5,000‑mile bonus, effectively improving the ratio to 3‑to‑1.25. United MileagePlus provides a special 2‑to‑1 conversion with a 10,000‑mile...
Choice Timeshare Promo: Pay $149 & Get 3 Night Stay + 30K Points or $100 Mastercard Gift Card
Choice Hotels is offering a limited‑time timeshare promotion that costs $149 and includes a three‑night stay at one of eight U.S. destinations. Guests must attend a two‑hour sales presentation and can choose either 30,000 Choice Privileges points or a $100...
New American Airlines Targeted Promotions For Bonus Miles & Loyalty Points
American Airlines is rolling out a new wave of targeted AAdvantage promotions that award bonus loyalty points for premium‑cabin travel. Members can earn 4,000 points after completing four First, Business or Premium Economy flights, with a 60‑day completion window, while...
Viator Amex Offer: Spend $200 & Get $25 Back (Can Use Twice)
American Express has launched a targeted Offer for Viator that awards a $25 statement credit when cardholders spend $200 or more in a single transaction. The credit can be applied up to two times, delivering a maximum of $50 back...
Bullet Hole Reportedly Discovered In American Airlines Boeing 737 After Landing in Medellin, Colombia
American Airlines discovered a bullet‑induced puncture on its two‑year‑old Boeing 737 MAX (registration N342SX) after the aircraft landed at Medellín International Airport. The plane was immediately taken out of commercial service and ferried to Dallas‑Fort Worth for detailed inspection and repair. No...
NEWS & OFFERS: BA Leaks New A380 Seat Layout, AF/KLM Sale From £1483 and Virgin Adds Relaxation Pod
British Airways inadvertently published the seat map for its upcoming A380 refurbishment, revealing a full‑business‑class upper deck with 110 Club World suites and a reconfigured main deck of 12 First suites, 84 premium economy and 215 economy seats, though regulators...
Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card, 85K Bonus Available Again
Atmos™ Rewards Visa Business Card reinstates its 85,000‑point welcome bonus, available to new business accounts that spend $5,500 within the first 90 days. The offer also includes a $99 companion fare (plus taxes) and a $95 annual fee. Cardholders earn...
Waldorf Astoria New York Goes Up for Sale
The Waldorf Astoria New York has been placed on the market after an eight‑year, $2 billion renovation that transformed the iconic hotel into a mixed‑use property. The hotel component now features 375 enlarged guest rooms, while 372 luxury condominiums range from...
Spirit Reaches Deal to Exit Second Bankruptcy
Spirit Airlines has reached a tentative agreement with its creditors to emerge from its second Chapter 11 filing by late spring or early summer 2026. The restructuring plan promises a leaner cost base, a right‑sized fleet, higher aircraft utilization, and...
Rate Parity in 2026: What Hotels Need to Know
Rate parity once mandated identical public rates on hotel websites and OTAs, reinforced by contract clauses. Over the past decade, European antitrust rulings have eroded those clauses, allowing OTAs to offer layered discounts and price‑matching guarantees. As a result, uniform...
Rakuten: Earn 10x on Various Travel Sites 2/24/26 only (IHG, Expedia, Sixt, Hertz, & More)
Rakuten is offering a one‑day promotion that grants up to 10× points—or a 10 % cash‑back—on bookings through major travel sites such as IHG, Expedia, Hotels.com, Sixt, and Hertz. The deal expires on February 24, 2026, and runs alongside TopCashback’s Travel Week Super...
Contour Sets Start Date For New EAS Route
Independent regional carrier Contour will launch Essential Air Service flights from South Arkansas Regional Airport in El Dorado to Dallas/Fort Worth on March 16. The airport, which lost scheduled service in November, will receive up to three daily nonstop flights with a varied...
Press Release: Gilat Receives $39 Million in Orders for Sidewinder ESA
Gilat Satellite Networks announced $39 million in orders for its Sidewinder electronically steered antenna (ESA) in‑flight connectivity terminals from a leading satellite operator, with deliveries slated over the next 12 months. The orders cover both line‑fit and retrofit installations, underscoring airlines'...
What the American Customer Satisfaction Index Reveals About 2026
The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) released its 2026 report, showing the overall national satisfaction score rising to 78.5, the strongest level in seven years. Retail leads the pack with an 82.1 rating, while telecom slips to 70.3, highlighting divergent...
Making Great Customer and Employee Relationships Stick with Stephen Baer
In a recent Amazing Business Radio episode, Stephen Baer explains how internal employee engagement directly fuels external customer experience. He argues that genuine, relationship‑focused interactions outperform surface‑level personalization and pure convenience. Baer highlights that companies investing in their people see...
The Role of Real Estate in F&B Franchise Profitability
Real estate decisions shape profitability in food‑and‑beverage franchising long before menu or branding take effect. Site location, format and lease terms dictate traffic flow, operating costs and scalability. End‑cap, in‑line and freestanding spaces each present distinct trade‑offs between visibility, rent...
What Is Good Tourism? “Good Tourism” & “GT” Travel January-February 2026
The January‑February 2026 issue of the “Good Tourism” blog explores how travel narratives are reshaping geopolitics, sustainability, and industry participation. It highlights a study showing Israeli‑UAE travel writing softening cultural divides after the Abraham Accords, and a critique by Ewan Cluckie...
Hyatt Inclusive Collection Puerto Vallarta Goes Above & Beyond During Unrest
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta responded to recent civil unrest in Jalisco by tightening on‑site security and issuing real‑time safety guidance. The hotel offered complimentary extensions for guests staying through February 22 and a discounted “distress” rate for February 23, while waiving cancellation...
Flat Taxi Cab Rates in Las Vegas Between Airport and Hotel
Las Vegas taxi operators now charge flat rates of $21, $25 or $29 for airport‑to‑hotel trips, depending on the zone, after a $1 base‑fare increase in August 2024 that eliminated the fuel surcharge. The three zones cover Sunset Road to Tropicana, Tropicana...
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Calling In Sick After Your Vacation? Union Says United Airlines Is Using Tech To Fire Flight Attendants [Roundup]
United Airlines has deployed an algorithmic system to identify flight attendants it deems to be abusing sick‑leave, flagging crew who fail to trade assigned trips or who call in sick after denied time‑off requests. The technology cross‑references scheduling disputes and...
Exit Row Seats Collapse Into Row Behind During Takeoff—Latest Safety Scare For Troubled Airline
During the initial climb of a Batik Air Boeing 737‑800, economy seats in an exit row tipped backward, flattening into the row behind and blocking the aisle near the emergency exit. The crew re‑seated passengers and the aircraft underwent an...
“Free” Norwegian Cruise for Caesars Diamond Elite Members
Caesars Rewards has introduced a new perk for its Diamond Elite tier: a complimentary 7‑night Norwegian Cruise Line voyage in an Oceanview stateroom to destinations such as the Caribbean, Bermuda, or the Mexican Riviera, with an alternative Alaska itinerary in...
Ole Orvér Becomes Chief Executive Officer Of Oneworld
onworld alliance announced Ole Orvér as its new chief executive officer, starting April 1, 2026. Orvér joins from Finnair, where he served as chief commercial officer and reshaped the airline’s network and loyalty strategy. His résumé includes senior roles at...
British Airways Accidentally Leaks Seat Map For Reconfigured A380 Superjumbos But Refit Project Could Be in Trouble
British Airways unintentionally published the seat map for its re‑configured A380 fleet, exposing a new layout that trims capacity to 421 seats, a 10% reduction. The redesign introduces 12 First Class suites, 84 World Traveller Plus seats, 215 World Traveller...
Airports of Thailand Increase Passenger Departure Tax To THB 1,120 From June 20, 2026
Airports of Thailand (AOT) announced that the international passenger service charge will rise from THB 730 to THB 1,120 per departing passenger, effective June 20, 2026. The domestic charge remains at THB 130. AOT projects the hike will generate roughly...
Cybersecurity Is the New Food Safety: How Restaurants Can Protect Their Digital Kitchens
Restaurants are evolving into digital ecosystems, relying on cloud POS, loyalty apps, and third‑party delivery platforms. This shift creates a broader attack surface, making cybersecurity as vital as food safety for protecting brand trust. Leaders are adopting defense‑in‑depth strategies, unified...
What’s Fueling Food Truck Momentum?
The U.S. food‑truck sector is projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2026, according to IBISWorld. Research by the Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP) evaluated the 200 largest metros and ranked New York City, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami and Houston as the...
RAVE Aerospace Nixes Proprietary Antenna Work as LEO Shapes IFEC
RAVE Aerospace, newly rebranded after its acquisition by Kingswood Capital Management, announced it will cease internal development of proprietary inflight connectivity (IFC) antenna technology. The company will continue supporting its existing Ka2517 (ThinKom) line‑fit terminals on Airbus and Boeing aircraft...
Is Puerto Rican Superstar Bad Bunny Hiring An Entire Qantas A380 Superjumbo For the Australian Leg of His Global Tour?
Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny appears to have chartered Qantas' Airbus A380 for the Sydney leg of his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour. The aircraft, registration VH‑OQA, flew non‑stop from São Paulo to Sydney via Auckland, carrying the artist’s entourage...
Virgin Australia Velocity Bonus Status Credits January 12 – March 31, 2026 (Already Flown Included)
Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program is running a limited‑time promotion from 12 January to 31 March 2026 that awards up to 125 bonus Status Credits for flights booked and flown during the period, even if the flights have already been completed. Members...
Travel Waivers Due To Northeastern US Winter Storm February 22 – 23, 2026
A major winter storm swept the Northeastern United States and Canadian Maritimes on February 22‑23, 2026, prompting airlines to cancel more than 8,000 flights across two days. Delta, United, American, JetBlue and Air Canada each issued travel waivers that waive...
World’s Best Cities 2026: What the Ranking Means for City Brands
The World’s Best Cities 2026 ranking confirms London, Paris and New York as the top three urban brands, but it also highlights a shift toward livability and experiential quality as key differentiators. The new tripartite framework—Livability, Lovability, Prosperity—shows that cities excelling across...
“GT” Insight Bites: Is a Tourism Career a Ticket or a Trap?
The latest “GT” Insight Bites explores whether a career in travel and tourism is a gateway to the world or a professional dead‑end. Four contributors from Canada and Southeast Asia share candid advice for newcomers, highlighting both the allure of...
Airlines Rush to Cancel Flights to Puerto Vallarta After Coordinated City-Wide Cartel Attack
The CJNG cartel launched coordinated attacks in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, setting fires, targeting vehicles and security checkpoints, and allegedly storming Guadalajara International Airport. U.S. officials issued an urgent shelter‑in‑place alert for American citizens, prompting major carriers such as Air...
Perkin’ Up – My Airline Elite Status Strategy with the Domestic Big Three
Benjy Harmon outlines his elite‑status playbook for the three U.S. legacy carriers. He maintains American Airlines Executive Platinum each year through Loyalty Points, while abandoning United’s traditional status in favor of a credit‑card‑fed Travel Bank that funds first‑class and Polaris...
Connecting The Dots: How United Airlines Is Terminating Flight Attendants For Sick Leave Abuse
United Airlines is deploying analytics tools to identify flight attendants it believes are abusing sick‑leave, and the resulting terminations have become the airline's leading cause for dismissals. Managers examine digital footprints such as denied time‑off requests, swap attempts, and social‑media...
Milan Malpensa (MXP) Runway Closure March 16 – May 9, 2026
Milan Malpensa Airport will close runway 35L/17R from March 16 to May 9, 2026 for full repaving, taxiway refurbishment, and LED lighting upgrades. During this period MXP will operate on a single runway, sharply reducing its handling capacity. The airport has arranged...
Reader Question: Daily Credit at Hilton Hotels?
Hilton’s daily food‑and‑beverage credit for Gold and Diamond members operates on a calendar‑day cycle, resetting at midnight rather than a 24‑hour window. Unused credit rolls over only to the checkout day, after which any remaining balance expires. The policy is...