On the Go – February 20, 2025

Industry News – Click on the title to read the full article. Many of the sources below require a free registration to gain access to the article. If a paid registration is required, the individual source will be noted.

Airlines

Southwest To Cut 15% Of Corporate Workforce (Source: Travel Weekly)
Southwest Airlines on Monday evening announced a 15% reduction in its “corporate overhead workforce,” including senior leadership and directors, a move set to affect approximately 1,750 employees.  Eleven members of Southwest’s senior leadership, holding titles of vice president and above and representing 15% of the company’s senior management committee, are part of the downsizing, according to Southwest.

What Are The World’s Best Airlines Of 2025: Full Ranking (Source: Business Traveler)
While many airlines continue to reduce legroom for economy class passengers, Korean Air stands out by providing ample space earning the title of the world’s best full-service airline from AirlineRatings.com.  This year, instead of emphasizing the luxurious offerings found in first and business class cabins, AirlineRatings.com—a site comprised of aviation editors who have carefully researched nearly every airline globally—focused its rankings on the treatment of economy class travelers.

Security

What To Know About The New Policy On Passport Gender Markers (Source: Conde Nast Traveler)
On January 20, 2025, the US Department of State stopped processing passport applications and issuing new passports with the marker X, which denotes unspecified or other gender identities, as well as passports with gender markers that do not match the applicant’s sex assigned at birth.

Airports

Denver Airport Unveils Final Phase Of Terminal Overhaul (Source: The Construction Broadsheet)
The final phase of the Denver International Airport’s (DEN) Great Hall Program will transform the Jeppesen Terminal into a modernized space inspired by Colorado’s beauty. Enhancements include new security lanes, ample seating, dining options, and entertainment areas. Completion is expected by the end of 2027, with the design focusing on creating a memorable experience for travelers.

Austin Airport Begins $4B Expansion (Source: Construction Equipment Guide)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has started a $4 billion expansion called “Journey With AUS” that includes a new arrivals and departures hall, a concourse with 20 gates and infrastructure upgrades. The project aims to support the local economy with a focus on small, woman-owned and minority-owned businesses.

Hotels

IHG Acquires Urban Lifestyle Brand Ruby (Source: Travel Weekly)
IHG Hotels & Resorts has acquired Ruby, a premium urban lifestyle brand with 20 hotels in Europe, for approximately $116 million.  Ruby’s operating company, Ruby Group, isn’t included in the acquisition and will continue to operate the brand’s existing hotels as well as develop new properties under franchise agreements with IHG.

Wyndham Sees Record Room Additions In 2024 (Source: Hotel Management Network)
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts reported 4% net room growth and a 7% increase in adjusted earnings for 2024, when the company added 69,000 rooms, a record for annual organic additions, and improved its global retention rate to 95.7%. The development pipeline reached a record 252,000 rooms, with significant growth in midscale and extended-stay segments.

Ground Transportation

Hertz Sells 100K Vehicles In Fleet-Rotation Strategy (Source: Business Travel News)
Hertz is in the midst of a fleet rotation that includes a significant selloff of vehicles, which it expects to be completed by the end of 2025, Hertz executives said on a Thursday morning earnings call.  The fleet move is similar to that of competitor Avis Budget Group, which detailed its plans earlier this week.

Leisure Travel

Hidden Gems In The United States (Source: SmarterTravel)
America is full of bizarre things – supersize meals, pennies, obsession with Starbucks, you name it – but these 10 tourist stops along popular U.S. road trip routes take the cake.  From a graveyard for ice cream flavors to a palace made out of corn, here are some of America’s weirdest pride and joys.

See And Be Seen In These Hot, New Las Vegas Cocktail Lounges (Source: Travel Market Report)
Cocktail lounges occupy an important niche in Las Vegas. Back in the city’s formative years, these intimate venues were the place to catch some of the country’s top musical acts, from Louis Prima to Sammy Davis Jr. to lounge-legend Cook E. Jar and the Krumbs. And while the performers have now (mostly) taken a back seat, it’s the lounge decor, atmosphere, light bites and creative cocktail programs that have come to define the social drinking scene in Las Vegas, as evidenced by these new and notable establishments.

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