On the Go – February 27, 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

Spirit Airlines Set To Exit Chapter 11 Bankruptcy (Source: Skift)
A U.S. bankruptcy judge approved Spirit’s restructuring plan to emerge from bankruptcy as a private company, just a week after the ultra-low-cost carrier rejected Frontier’s proposal for a merger.  Spirit Airlines is set to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a private company after a U.S. bankruptcy judge approved the carrier’s restructuring plan Thursday.

General Interest

How Can Business Travelers Keep Their Data Safe While On The Road? (Source: Business Traveler USA)
Business travel is back in business. At least, that’s according to data provided by the WTTC’s 2024 Economic Impact Trends Report, which predicted that business travel spending in the US was set to hit $472BN last year—13.4 percent above the country’s record in pre-COVID 2019.

Security

Tampa Airport Unveils Advanced TSA Checkpoint (Source: The Business Journals)
Tampa International Airport (TPA) has introduced a 20,000-square-foot security checkpoint at Airside E featuring advanced Transportation Security Administration equipment, including CT scanners for baggage. The upgrade is expected to expedite the screening process by allowing electronics and liquids to remain in bags and comes as the airport prepares for a record number of passengers during the spring break season.

Airports

New Ticketing Lobby Opens In Houston Bush Airport’s Terminal E (Source: Travel Weekly)
Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport has opened a new ticketing lobby in its Terminal E.  The facility, part of a $1.46 billion overhaul of the airport, features 10 new TSA screening lanes and is facilitating the return of curbside departing passenger drop-offs at Terminal E for the first time since 2021, when the prior ticketing lobby was closed.

Hotels

Hyatt’s New Mid-Market Brand (Source: Skift)
Hyatt Hotels is expanding its reach into the so-called “upper-midscale” segment with a new brand, Hyatt Select, designed to attract cost-conscious travelers while offering hotel owners a conversion-friendly option with lower operational costs.  The Chicago-based hospitality company launched Hyatt Select on Tuesday. The brand targets transient (not extended stay or convention) travelers in smaller towns and cities where the hotel giant has limited or no presence. Hyatt Select will feature properties with 70 to 200 rooms and a streamlined staffing model designed to reduce labor costs.

Hyatt Has Big Growth Plans For Its Hyatt Centric Brand (Source: Travel Market Report)
Hyatt Centric, Hyatt’s lifestyle boutique hotel brand, is poised to grow by 50% over the next four years, reaching 100 properties worldwide by 2029.  More than 35 new Hyatt Centric hotels will open from now through the end of 2028, accounting for 75% brand growth in Asia Pacific and significant growth in Europe and the Americas, as well. The brand added several hotels in 2024 – including in Cairo, Shanghai, San Jose, and Santo Domingo – and plans to keep the momentum going.

Leisure Travel

The Best Things To Do In Italy (Source: SmarterTravel)
Italy is so much more than a bucket list country.  Not only does it consistently top just about every list of most desirable travel destinations, but people return again and again.  And it’s really not surprising.  Italy offers visitors such an extensive variety of experiences that you probably don’t even know half of them exist.

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