Industry Overview
Aviation News & Intelligence
Industry-wide aviation news: regulatory changes, IATA updates, global air travel trends, and market intelligence.
Only 52% Full: Delta Air Lines' 10 Emptiest International Routes [Updated]
Many of them had fewer than half of the seats filled. See which were the worst here!
Game-Day energy goes global with Delta’s added Europe flights
Delta Air Lines is expanding its trans-Atlantic schedule this fall with the addition of special flights to support customers traveling to Madrid and Munich for two major international professional football games taking place in November. The airline will operate four additional round-trip flights be
The F-35's Safety Record Nobody Talks About When Comparing It To The F-16
How safe is the American stealth fighter?
American Airlines 777 Cockpit Windshield Shatters Over The Atlantic, Forcing JFK Diversion
An American Airlines Boeing 777 bound for Munich turned back over the Atlantic after the first officer’s cockpit windshield shattered, forcing a diversion to New York JFK. The photo looks terrifying, but 777 windshields are built in layers and so there's no penetration, depressurization, or immediat
31% Raises & $741 Million In Back Pay: United Airlines Flight Attendants Ratify Landmark Deal
The newly approved contract significantly boosts pay for United's flight attendants, with overall wage growth estimated at around 31%.
100 Million Visitors and One Very Loud Pitchman: Inside Trump’s Tourism Push
Nick Adams is the loudest tourism pitchman the U.S. has ever had, but is the world hearing what he wants it to hear?
It’s Not Just Airfare: Travel Costs Are Running Double the Inflation Rate
Travelers are feeling pain at the pump and in the air after an April surge in travel costs.
Airline baggage fees: How much it costs to check a bag on major US airlines
Many airlines now charge a checked bag fee, and some even charge for carry-on luggage. Here are the best airlines for baggage fees.
HBX Group to Buy Bridgify as Part of Broader AI Push
HBX has been trying to diversify from reselling hotel rooms since before it went public. Each time, the answer is new inventory and better tech for selling. Experiences and AI are the latest pitch.
Flight Alerts: 7 Exciting New Long-Haul Nonstop Routes Launching This Week
See which notable examples made the list this week...
At Skift Global Forum, the Room Is the Advantage
Skift Global Forum is built for senior travel leaders making decisions in a market that no longer rewards passive observation. The agenda sets the frame. The room tests the assumptions. The value comes from hearing what leaders are willing to say before the market has settled on a consensus.
Boeing's 737 MAX Orders Surge: Shaping Future Airline Fleets For Travelers
In April alone, the 737 MAX accounted for 57 of the 136 aircraft the manufacturer delivered during the month.
Bargain era over: Airfares up a whopping 27% as fuel costs soar (See our booking tips)
If you waited until now to book summer flights, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise when you head to the airline’s website.
Why The Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner Can Suddenly Fly Routes Only The Airbus A350 Could Handle
An increased maximum takeoff weight allowance is key for Boeing.
Hotel Equities CEO: Here’s Which Technologies Can Actually Lift Owner Margins
Hotel owners see operating-cost inflation grinding margins. One third-party manager is publicly betting that AI and other technologies are the most promising route back to profitability.
Airline Pillows May Have Been Footrests Before They Reach Your Face [Roundup]
Airline pillows may have spent time as footrests before being offered for your face. Plus: Southwest sells another window seat without a window, Amtrak gets baby changing tables only after Congress steps in, and one passenger found a way to sleep through meal service without missing the chicken.
Morocco Courts Investors Beyond Casablanca and Marrakech — Where the Opportunities Are
Rural Morocco is open for investment. Filling it won’t be easy.
Here's Where All The Aluminum Goes After A Commercial Aircraft Crashes
Discover the path of the aluminum from a crashed airplane through the forensic hold, through the sorting yard, the smelter, and into a new product.
Ixigo’s CEO Says He Rebuilt His App From Scratch to Fight ChatGPT
Ixigo’s latest move comes as travel apps face pressure to do more than list fares, rooms and routes. They now have to help users make decisions faster and with less friction, without sending them elsewhere for answers.
12-Year High: Boeing Records Its Strongest Opening To A Year Since 2014
America's aerospace leader is getting back up to form.
From Goody Bags To Overhead Bins: The Passenger Habits Flight Attendants Actually Love
Every little makes a difference to our day.
Priceline’s New CEO on Reinventing the Value Pitch and Competing in a Crowded OTA Market: Exclusive
Can a 29-year-old brand with limited resources remake its advertising and products to effectively reach younger generations? Priceline's new CEO is making bets that it can.
Those Mysterious Black Panels On The B-21 Raider's Belly: What They Actually Are
The Air Force's testbed B-21 Raiders have some very visible panels on the underbelly that may not be visible on final combat examples.
Air Force One's Classified Backup: The Secret Aircraft That Follows The President Everywhere
Shadowy modified Boeing 757s, Doomsday planes, and business jets almost always follow the President.
United becomes 2nd US airline to return to Venezuela, ending nearly 10-year hiatus
Daily service from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Caracas’ Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS) will begin Aug. 11.
United Is the Last Big 4 Airline to Settle With Flight Attendants. Here’s What It Cost.
After years of thorny negotiations, United flight attendants ratified a new five-year contract that will give them significant raises and boarding pay. And even with high fuel costs, airlines don’t expect those record contracts to change.
The Real Reason Why Airlines Are Struggling To Hire Enough Pilots
A closer look at the hidden factors behind the pilot shortage crisis.
Booking Holdings Is Running Ahead of Its Own Strategy
The merchant model is the most important thing happening at Booking Holdings. It is also the thing that lets it avoid proving whether Connected Trip actually works.
Modi Just Told India’s Middle Class to Stay Home: Who’s at Risk and the Winners in Domestic Travel
In one corner stands India’s most influential political leader appealing for no foreign travel. In the other, a middle class obsessed with global holidays, luxury getaways, and Instagram-worthy weddings abroad. The industry is caught in the middle.
American Airlines Flight Attendants Get Florida Getaway For Credit Card Pitches
American Airlines flight attendants who perform best at onboard credit card pitches got rewarded with a Florida getaway. Plus: Delta and Amex describe their card partnership as “one P&L,” hotels turn Mother’s Day into a housekeeping excuse, and InKind moves from flat 20% back to dynamic rewards
Only 3 Airlines Still Fly Passenger Boeing 747-8s: The US Military Wants Them All
The USAF is acquiring as many used 747-8s as it can.
8,200 Miles: Qatar Airways Adds One Of Its Longest Flights With Bogota-Caracas Triangle Route
This new route is certainly set to turn a few heads, as the airline becomes the only gulf carrier to serve both Bogota and Caracas.
TikTok Turns Travel Videos Into Bookable Stays and Experiences
TikTok is moving from trip inspiration into bookings, turning videos for hotels and experiences into bookable inventory inside the app.
NASA's Boeing 777-200ER Completes Major Modifications In Advance Of Research Flights
Did you know that NASA has technically had a Boeing 777-200ER for the past few years? Officially being registered with the government agency since 2023, the jet has been in storage for quite some time. However, the jet has finally conducted major modifications and will soon be ready for its next cha
Over 60 Wheelchairs For One Flight — Are Passengers Faking Disability To Skip Airport Lines?
Southwest’s switch to assigned seating may have cured many of its wheelchair “miracles,” but the airport line-skipping incentive has not gone away. A single U.S.-bound flight from Taipei reportedly had more than 60 wheelchairs waiting — proving that when everyone gets airport priority, nobody does.
Lufthansa Tightens Grip on ITA Airways With Majority Stake Swoop
What was sold as a minority investment has become outright control in record time. Expect Lufthansa to bring the same German gusto to the looming battle for TAP Air Portugal.
U.S. Inbound Tourism Drops 14% in April, Erasing Two Months of Gains
A travel trade group says it’ll take years before international travel to the U.S. to return to pre-pandemic rates.
OpenAI Builds AI Deployment Biz Around Team Behind Virgin Atlantic Concierge
OpenAI’s new $4 billion deployment company gives travel brands a clearer path to adopting AI at scale — and starts with the team behind Virgin Atlantic’s AI concierge.
Expedia Promotes B2B Chief to Lead Global Supply as Partner Business Takeover Accelerates
In her seven years heading Expedia B2B before becoming CEO in 2024, you can imagine Ariane Gorin feeling that the unit had so much unrealized potential. While Booking Holdings might be the much larger business, Gorin is trying to show that Expedia B2B is the secret sauce.
The K-Shaped World Cup and the Rising Cost of Live Tourism
Live-event organizers have learned high earners will pay almost anything for "the experience." FIFA is the latest to cash in.
Airbus Built A Plane No Airline Wanted – Now Enthusiasts Are Racing To Fly It
Why the Airbus A318 was a flop, and how you can fly on one before it disappears from airline service for good.
The Most Dangerous Word in Hospitality Right Now Is ‘Resilience’
The industry keeps celebrating its ability to bounce back. That may be the problem.
Where Canadians Are Traveling: U.S. Breaks Losing Streak, Europe and Caribbean Make Big Gains
Canadians ticked back across the border in April, but they're still booking almost everywhere but the U.S.
288 Evacuated After Turkish Airlines Airbus A330 Catches Fire
The emergency evacuation of a Turkish Airlines Airbus A330 in Kathmandu highlighted the critical importance of rigorous safety training.
8-Hour Flight To Nowhere: Nigeria-Bound Delta Airbus A330 Diverts To Atlanta
Delta Air Lines’ Lagos-bound Airbus A330 returned to Atlanta after eight hours over the Atlantic, leaving passengers stranded and confused.
New 14-Hour US Route: Royal Jordanian Launches First-Ever Flight To Dallas
Its jets are now seen in seven North American cities. Find out all about the new Dallas service here!
Top 5 Revolutionary Jet Aircraft
Boeing has boasted an outsized role in developing revolutionary commercial jet aircraft, although only time will tell if that trend will continue.
What 1,000+ Travel Executives Really Think About Conferences
We surveyed over 1,000 people across the travel industry. Founders, heads of commercial, product leads, the people who either approve event budgets or end up defending them later.
Egypt and Morocco Dominate Africa’s Hotel Pipeline
Egypt’s hotel pipeline looks extraordinary on paper — the real story is whether financing, construction, and demand can keep pace with ambition.
No More Air France-KLM: Group To Scrap 22-Year-Old Name Amid SAS & TAP Moves
A significant rebranding could be on the cards for one of Europe's biggest airline groups.