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PODCAST

Skift Daily Travel Briefing

Everything you need to know about the business of travel today. Each episode covers new travel stories from Skift"s editorial team. Listen to the latest developments at hotels, airlines, destinations, online booking sites, and more. Published Tuesday through Friday by 5am ET. For ongoing coverage, please visit Skift.com/news.

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All Episodes

3:51

Southwest Blames Partners, Canadians Avoid the U.S....

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/03/13

Southwest Airlines reversed its long-standing “bags fly free” policy after its expected gains from listing flights on Google Flights, Kayak, and Expedia failed to materialize, prompting the airline to reconsider its distribution strategy. Meanwhile, Canadian visits to the U.S. have declined post-pandemic, with a significant drop in car travel and vacation rental bookings, influenced by past political and economic tensions. Lastly, ahead of the Skift India Forum, industry leaders highlight ten rising

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3:34

Airbnb's New Experiences, Southwest's Big Change and...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/03/12

Airbnb is revamping its experiences offerings by focusing on mainstream attractions and professional tour guides, signaling a shift from its original emphasis on niche activities. Southwest Airlines is ending its long-standing “bags fly free” policy under pressure from Elliott Investment Management, a move that could impact its loyal customer base. Meanwhile, Lufthansa Group reported a 16% rise in total emissions in 2024 but saw a slight decrease in passenger-related emissions due to more

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3:29

AI and Online Booking, IAG's Venture Arm and Delta’s...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/03/11

Booking Holdings is preparing for AI chatbot integration in travel but does not see them replacing online travel agencies, as travelers trust specialists for major purchases. Airline group IAG has allocated $217 million for startup investments to enhance customer experience, operations, and sustainability. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines has lowered its quarterly revenue and profit forecasts due to economic uncertainty, citing factors like mass layoffs and potential tariffs.4 Reasons AI Chatbots Won’t

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3:37

Canadian Airlines’ U.S. Woes, Amex’s Biz Travel Buy...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/03/07

Canadian airlines are responding to escalating U.S.-Canada trade tensions by adjusting their marketing and capacity strategies, with Porter Airlines halting U.S.-bound promotions and Air Canada reducing capacity in certain U.S. leisure markets, while Flair Airlines pivots to promote non-U.S. destinations. American Express announced plans to acquire the expense management startup Center, aiming to build its own platform that leverages Center’s technology and talent to automate accounting tasks and

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3:36

Spain Heats Up, Airlines Adopt AI and Ryanair Goes...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/03/06

Spanish authorities are developing measures, including a sustainable tourism strategy and regional initiatives in Catalonia, to protect tourists from extreme heat and its impacts. Airlines are increasingly integrating generative AI into their customer services, with United, Southwest, and Delta implementing various applications. Ryanair has announced plans for a fully digital boarding process, although some airports in its network still require paper boarding passes.Airlines Have Lagged in AI –

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3:31

Expedia’s Layoffs, Airbnb's Co-Founder Mode and...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/03/05

Expedia Group has laid off hundreds of marketing staff globally—mostly those in content creation—in advance of a reorganization, marking its second round of layoffs following a previous cut of about 1,500 workers. Airbnb is distancing itself from co-founder Joe Gebbia’s controversial personal views, emphasizing that his opinions do not represent the company or its nonprofit work, despite his past leadership role. Meanwhile, Walt Disney World has seen an increase in weather-related shutdowns over the

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3:41

Travel and Credit Cards, IAG and Green Fuel and...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/03/04

Banks and credit card companies are expanding their influence in the travel industry by launching their own booking platforms and capturing significant market share. Meanwhile, IAG is taking a leading role in sustainable aviation fuel usage despite its relatively smaller size, driven by government and EU mandates. Lastly, Deer Valley in Utah stands out in the U.S. ski industry by justifying its high prices through exceptional service, luxury, and a commitment to limiting daily visitors for a premium

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3:39

Accor's Focus, Air Traffic’s Labor Crisis and Qantas'...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/02/28

Accor CEO Sébastien Bazin says the hospitality giant is done with frequent reinventions and is now focused on executing its growth plans, including rolling out Orient Express overnight trains with luxury titan LVMH next year. Meanwhile, the U.S. government is taking steps to address the severe air traffic controller shortage by ramping up hiring, boosting salaries by 30%, and even appealing to retired controllers to return. Finally, Qantas aims to connect Australia’s East Coast directly to North

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3:35

Hotels’ Loyalty Race, Amazon Alexa's Upgrade and...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/02/27

Major hotel loyalty programs continue to expand rapidly, with Marriott’s 228 million members facing growing competition from Hilton Honors, which could overtake Marriott by the end of next year if current trends hold. Meanwhile, Amazon has unveiled Alexa+, an enhanced voicebot capable of assisting with travel planning and reservations through partnerships with Priceline, Tripadvisor, Uber, and OpenTable. Finally, Southwest Airlines will allow Expedia and its affiliated brands to sell its flights for

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3:36

Hyatt's New Brand, Airlines' Rollback Requests and...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/02/26

Hyatt has introduced a new brand, Hyatt Select, targeting budget-conscious transient travelers in underserved markets while offering hotel owners a cost-effective conversion option. The airline industry, led by IATA, is urging the U.S. government to reconsider passenger protection regulations from the Obama and Biden administrations, including compensation for delays and wheelchair return policies. Meanwhile, Goa is working to shift its tourism focus beyond beaches and nightlife by promoting sports

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3:22

AI’s Risk to Travel, TUI's Local Product and Qatar...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/02/25

Advancements in smartphone AI may lead consumers to bypass third-party travel apps, posing challenges for travel companies as they try to adapt their offerings. Europe's largest travel operator TUI is partnering with Fever to launch "Experiences for Locals," providing unique activities like Afrobeats-themed brunches and Sicilian cooking classes. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways has introduced an AI-powered travel agent integrated into its app to simplify flight planning for individuals and groups.The AI

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3:43

Choice Chooses Fancy, Spirit Exits Bankruptcy and...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/02/21

Choice Hotels is shifting its focus from budget roadside chains to upscale and extended-stay properties, with brands like MainStay Suites nearly doubling their footprint since 2019. Spirit Airlines will exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a private company after a U.S. judge approved its restructuring plan, with top bondholders gaining control. Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel downplayed AI-related disruptions, emphasizing negotiations with AI platforms while highlighting the company's strong growth in

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3:36

JetBlue's Loyalty Push, IHG's Emissions Miss and...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/02/20

JetBlue is exploring new airline partnerships to strengthen its loyalty program after a federal judge blocked its Northeast Alliance with American Airlines in 2023. InterContinental Hotels Group admitted it will not meet its 2030 emissions reduction goal due to rising emissions and slow renewable energy adoption. Meanwhile, MakeMyTrip aims to become a travel superapp by integrating various travel services, though its CEO acknowledges the challenges of executing this vision. JetBlue Still in Talks

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3:53

IHG Buys Ruby, UK Green Fuel Dilemma and AmexGBT-CWT...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/02/19

InterContinental Hotels Group is acquiring Ruby Hotels for over $300 million as part of its European expansion strategy, with plans to introduce the brand in the U.S. by year-end. UK airlines, facing a new sustainable aviation fuel mandate, may struggle to source enough fuel as China tightens control over its biofuel exports. Meanwhile, the UK’s competition regulator has provisionally approved American Express Global Business Travel’s $570 million acquisition of CWT, though a final decision is

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4:16

Airport Lounge Exclusivity, TravelPerk's Plans and...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/02/18

Airport lounges in the U.S. are expanding, prompting operators to restore exclusivity, with JetBlue setting strict entry rules for its first-ever lounges at JFK and Boston, while co-branded credit card lounges like Chase’s Sapphire Lounge offer premium experiences. Travel tech firm TravelPerk raised $200 million to enhance its platform with expense management tools, expand in the U.S., and integrate more AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, Thailand expects a tourism boost from hosting season three of

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3:34

Expedia's Strong Quarter, Hilton's Optimism and...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/02/07

Expedia Group reported strong fourth-quarter growth, with CEO Ariane Gorin highlighting AI partnerships and potential expansions while CFO Scott Schenkel emphasized merger opportunities. Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta expressed optimism about a corporate travel rebound post-election and China's travel recovery, citing policy clarity and visa-free zones as key drivers. Meanwhile, Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel noted that while travelers support sustainability, they are unwilling to pay extra for green

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3:58

NYC Short-Term Rentals, Disney Parks Growth and...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/02/06

A New York City regulator reported that Local Law 18 has effectively curbed illegal short-term rentals, with major booking platforms now in compliance. The Walt Disney Company is optimistic about expanding its cruise fleet and increasing theme park attendance, contributing to a robust revenue increase in its Parks & Experiences division. British Airways is revamping its communication strategy on its controversial loyalty program changes by launching a new microsite and video series to better inform

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3:41

Marriott's Strategy, TripAdvisor’s Layoffs and...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/02/05

Marriott, despite a recent 16% cut in corporate staffing, reported record growth last year, and CEO Anthony Capuano emphasized his commitment to serving employees, guests, and owners while working to clarify the company’s brand portfolio and expand into unconventional hospitality offerings like safari experiences and a yacht collection. Tripadvisor has recently laid off over 150 employees and contractors, impacting teams focused on trip planning, reviews, and experiences, though sister brands such

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3:32

Trump’s Tariffs, Delta's Premium Issues and...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/02/04

The potential U.S.-Canada trade war is currently on hold, but tariffs remain a threat, which could impact tourism as a weaker Canadian dollar may make U.S. travel more expensive, potentially leading to a $2.1 billion loss in spending. Columnist Colin Nagy highlights Delta Air Lines’ success in attracting premium travelers but argues it must improve its long-haul service to compete with top global airlines, as premium ticket sales are expected to surpass economy revenue by 2027. Meanwhile, Nordic

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3:35

Hotel CEOs’ Diversity Embrace, D.C.’s Crash...

Skift Daily Travel Briefing ·

2025/01/31

Hotel industry leaders emphasize the importance of diversity for appealing to global travelers, employees, and investors, despite challenges from the Trump administration, with Wyndham's CEO highlighting mentorship programs for women and Black entrepreneurs. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a fatal mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days

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1,104 results

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