January 26, 2019 View in browser
Top Stories
Southwest CEO: We Won’t Introduce Basic Economy

Southwest has known for years that there is money to be made in differentiation and protecting your brand identity regardless of what Wall Street thinks. That's a factor in its decision not to launch basic economy or bag fees.

Just Announced: Skift Tech Forum 2019 Date + Venue

Registration is officially open, and we're offering 35 Super Early Bird Tickets to the people who act fast! Once these tickets are gone they are gone, so don't wait to claim your spot at the lowest price we offer—that's a $495 discount off full price!

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U.S. Airline Revenue Growth Will Slow in 2019: New Skift Research Estimates

Skift Research's proprietary U.S. airline estimates provide market shares for all major carriers as well as industry overviews by product line and key operating statistics.


Amtrak Sleeper Car Attendant Brings Old-Fashioned Hospitality to the Rails

Business travelers and commuters may be Amtrak's bread and butter, but many leisure travelers have decades of warm feelings for its sleeper cars, and the old-fashioned hospitality they afford.


Is Business Class Heading for an Upgrade?

We know first class is on the way out on routes between the biggest business cities. But do travelers want a better-than-business option at a reasonable price?


Marriott Loyalty Rebrand Enables Everyone to Move On With the Merger

In February, Marriott will unite its former three loyalty programs under a new flagship brand called Marriott Bonvoy.


Alaska Airlines Works Fast to Erase Memories of Virgin America

It can take some airlines as long as a decade after a merger before they truly operate as one entity. But Alaska Airlines is working much faster to gobble up Virgin America. Part of that is because both carriers were relatively small. But by any standard, Alaska is moving quickly.

Editor's Picks
Skift Podcast: These Megatrends Will Shake Up Travel in 2019

Tune in to hear some of the top trends defining travel in the coming year, delivered by a slew of Skift experts.


Global Tourism Growth Slowed in 2018 But Arrivals Still Hit 1.4 Billion

Travelers are still exploring the world, but growth has cooled slightly. Will 2019 bring a further slowdown, or will the appetite for international travel keep surprising experts?


Uplift Raises $123 Million to Broaden Its Travel Loan Services

The old idea of payments in monthly installments is seeing new life in the U.S. online travel sector. Uplift is one of the leading tech vendors powering loans to travelers for buying from airlines such as Spirit and search sites like Kayak. Expect a lot of marketing around this in 2019.


Airbnb Buys Gaest to Push Further Into Meetings

Airbnb's move to offer more meetings spaces represents an example of one of Skift's 2019 Megatrends, as many giant online booking companies are looking for their next phases of growth by expanding into new areas.


MakeMyTrip Steams Ahead Despite Growing Hotel Commission Protests

MakeMyTrip continues to drive more online hotel bookings in India, despite protests by some hotel owner groups about its allegedly excessive commissions. The company must tread carefully as it tries to woo online customers with discounts while maintaining good relationships with its partners.


Fosun Anchors New China Resorts With Club Med and Thomas Cook Brands

Fosun bets on integrated resorts to address the needs of Chinese travelers, who are showing interest in these types of experiences. Why not use what's already in the family? Thomas Cook and Club Med should be ever so pleased.

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