Small and midsize businesses increased business travel by 9% in 2024, with overall costs dropping by 4%, according to a Corporate Traveler report. Domestic flights made up 80% of bookings, and premium economy saw significant growth, while an average hotel stay cost$190 per night.
Dubai International Airport will surpass Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as the busiest airport in the world in the first quarter of 2025, with 15.1 million departing seats expected, according to Cirium Diio. However, Atlanta, the world's busiest airport for decades, is expected to retain that crown for the full year, as traffic peaks in Dubai during the winter.
Alaska Airlines is adding 10 seasonal routes this month, with flights starting between Jan. 6 and Jan. 25. Four of the routes originate in Sacramento, Calif., and four offer service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The new flagship lounge to be built at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu for passengers of Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines will be more than five times the size of the existing one and will be located at the Mauka Concourse entrance in Terminal 1. "We are reimagining the travel experience with spaces that showcase our dedication to guest satisfaction and the unique culture of Hawai'i," said Todd Traynor-Cory, Alaska Airlines vice president of guest products and experience.
An increasing number of hotels in the US are offering sober-friendly experiences, catering to guests who prefer nonalcoholic beverages. Venues like the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center provide an array of sophisticated zero-proof options, from nonalcoholic wines to creatively crafted mocktails. This trend aligns with the growing popularity of Dry January and a general shift towards wellness and reduced sugar consumption.
Peter and Hailey Sawatzky, owners of Imagination Corp., have opened the Hazelnut Inn near Vancouver, Canada, a small hotel built by hand and inspired by a castle stay in Italy. The adults-only hotel features whimsical suites with fantastical themes, including the North Star, inspired by Captain Temperance Longbottom's adventures, and the upcoming Under Hill, which will offer a garden-enclosed hideaway.
Finnair and American Airlines have expanded their codeshare agreement to cover American flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to 12 cities in Mexico, including Mexico City, Cancun and Guadalajara. "The cooperation opens up a comprehensive choice of destinations for our customers to Mexico, which is a popular travel destination from Finland and elsewhere in Northern Europe, especially during the winter," says Fredrik Wildtgrube, senior vice president of alliances and airline partnerships at Finnair.
Sir Elton John credits British blues musician John Baldry with saving his life. Which musician who also was knighted years later also claimed to have been discovered by Baldry?
I'd like it to be seen as an integrated cuisine, without any of these hues and cries about stealing this or stealing that or taking this or taking that, but understanding that everyone taught everybody. You're in the kitchen together.
