17 Jan
Travel

Travel Advisor Innovation Report: Government Shutdown Puts Agents on Edge

National Parks Conservation Association / Flickr.com

Travel agents are finding that their customers are concerned about U.S. government shutdown-related National Parks closures. National Parks Conservation Association / Flickr.com

Skift Take: While the government shutdown had not yet had a serious impact on leisure travel business as of last week, many travel advisors became increasingly concerned about what a prolonged shutdown could mean.

— Maria Lenhart

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17 Jan
Travel

Travelers Not Yet Deterred by Shutdown But Agent Concerns Grow

Bloomberg

Travelers are concerned about wait times and safety issues as TSA agents call in sick because of the U.S. government shutdown. Bloomberg

Skift Take: The government shutdown is not yet a big problem for travel advisors and their clients, but it could become one if it doesn’t end soon. Airport security concerns and national park travel, which picks up in the spring, could become major issues.

— Maria Lenhart

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17 Jan
Travel

‘Conscious’ Travel Emerging as Yet Another Hot Luxury Trend

Six Senses

The Six Senses in Bhutan. Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs said he avoids using the word “luxury” to describe the experience of staying at a Six Senses property. Six Senses

Skift Take: Do compassion and social consciousness go hand in hand with luxury travel? That’s what some luxury travel executives are seeing — and hoping for.

— Deanna Ting

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17 Jan
Travel

How United Is Chasing Revenue by Adding More Premium Seats

United Airlines

United Airlines may soon unveil a new configuration for some Boeing 767s. The seating plan could include premium economy seats like the ones pictured here. United Airlines

Skift Take: By adding a new premium-heavy configuration, United Airlines will be increasing operational complexity. It is hoping it can offset that with increased revenue. Will the plan work?

— Brian Sumers

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17 Jan
Travel

United’s Focus on Revenue Gains Gives It an Edge Over Rivals

Mesa Air Group

United Airlines is trying to move regional jets, like this Mesa Air Group Embraer E175, to less high-profile routes. Mesa Air Group

Skift Take: United President Scott Kirby and Chief Commericial Officer Andrew Nocella, who worked together at US Airways and American Airlines, deserve credit for the airline’s turnaround. Then again, when they arrived United was a broken company, so there was probably only one way to go — up.

— Brian Sumers

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17 Jan
Travel

FAA Will Recall Thousands of Furloughed Inspectors for Airplane Safety Checks

Associated Press

More than 10,000 air-traffic controllers have been working throughout the shutdown without pay, but many employees in a support role were furloughed. Some will return to work, Bloomberg reported. Associated Press

Skift Take: It’s nice to see the Federal Aviation Administration admit it needs to get safety inspectors back on the job. But how about the entire government getting back to work?

— Brian Sumers

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17 Jan
Travel

Delta Air Lines Has a $25 Million Reason to Hate the U.S. Shutdown

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines said Tuesday it expects to lose about $25 million in revenue in January from the partial government shutdown. Pictured is the interior on a A321 jet. Delta Air Lines

Skift Take: Delta is losing about $25 million in revenue this month because of the partial government shutdown. For such a big company, that’s not a big number. But clearly Delta would like the government to reopen, and executives spent a good portion of their earnings call discussing it.

— Brian Sumers

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