On the Go – January 30, 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

Frontier Revives Merger Talks With Spirit Airlines (Source: Reuters)
Spirit Airlines and rival Frontier Group are discussing a merger again, more than two years after the two ultra-low-cost carriers failed to close a deal.  On Wednesday, the companies revealed their discussions in a security filing. Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy protection last year, said it has rejected an “inadequate and unactionable” acquisition offer from Frontier, but would consider a revised proposal that addresses its concerns.

Delta Air Lines Debuts Redesigned Airbus A350 Interior (Source: USA Today)
Delta Air Lines has unveiled redesigned interiors on its Airbus A350-900 — featuring ergonomic enhancements and memory foam seats. The Delta One suites now feature wireless charging, more red accents, and ambient lighting settings, which include calming blues and warm amber hues.

Supersonic Travel Is A Step Closer As Boom Flies Demonstrator Jet Above Mach 1 (Source: The Points Guy)
Boom Supersonic carried out its first faster-than-sound flight Tuesday, reaching a remarkable milestone as it seeks to bring commercial supersonic flight back to the skies.  The company’s XB-1 demonstrator jet reached speeds of Mach 1.122 during a test flight above the Mojave Desert in California shortly after 8 a.m., its first supersonic flight after about a dozen test flights carried out since last March.

Delta, Global Carriers To Resume Tel Aviv Flights (Source: Business Travel News)
With a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in place, many global carriers plan to resume service to Tel Aviv that had been suspended at various points after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.  Delta Air Lines on April 1 will resume flights between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport and Tel Aviv, the carrier announced Friday. The nonstop flights will operate daily with Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, providing nearly 2,000 weekly seats, according to Delta. 

Airports

A 3rd Runway For Heathrow?  The World’s Most Connected Airport Finally Gets A Chance To Grow (Source: Simple Flying)
The UK’s Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has confirmed that the government has backed proposals for a third runway at London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The news comes after days of increasing speculation that the Labour government would back a third runway at what is the world’s most connected airport.

Orlando International Airport Invests $650 Million To Improve Baggage Handling (Source: Simple Flying)
The gateway to Disney World is getting a new baggage handling system. Florida’s Orlando International Airport confirmed it is spending more than $650 million to make baggage handling more efficient over the next several years as it continues to grow at record levels.

Hotels

A Beloved Hotel Brand Is Making A Comeback: Starwood Is Being Revived (Source: The Points Guy)
A brand beloved in the points and miles community is making a comeback.  Hotelier Barry Sternlicht is reviving the Starwood brand, according to The New York Times. This is music to the ears of those of us who loved the hotel chain and were huge fans of its groundbreaking loyalty program.

Leisure Travel

Merchants Of Venice: 10 Of The City’s Most Beautiful Historic Shops (Source: The Guardian)
From an elegant apothercary to a jewellers in a baroque salon, these stores all have atmospheric interiors and a history of exquisite craftsmanship.

Edinburgh Introduces U.K.’s First Tourist Tax (Source: Travel Market Report)
Edinburgh is set to become Scotland’s first city with a tourist tax.  Edinburgh city counsellors have voted in favor of a 5% fee for overnight stays at hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering accommodations, and short-term homestays like Airbnb. The tourist tax is applied per night for up to five consecutive nights.

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