Travel Industry News Page 177
United Airlines, Currensea and Mastercard launch UK-first loyalty debit card for frequent flyers
United Airlines, in partnership with Currensea, the market-leading payments technology platform for co-branded multi-bank debit cards, and Mastercard, today announced the launch of the United AirlinesSM Debit Card, the first ever rewards debit card offered to UK travellers by a U.S. airline. Available now, the United Airlines Debit Card can be linked to any existing UK bank account and allows customers to earn miles and exclusive travel benefits from United on all their day-to-day spending, at home and abroad, making it easier than ever to earn United MileagePlusSM miles, access exclusive travel rewards and enjoy outstanding exchange rates when spending abroad.
Almost 7 million Lufthansa Group passengers opted for more sustainable flying in 2025
The Lufthansa Group is seeing growing demand for more sustainable travel options. The Group enables its customers to contribute to reducing the climate impact of future flights with various offers for private and business air travel. With success: more than five percent of Lufthansa Group passengers have chosen a more sustainable travel option in 2025 – for example, the Green Fares flight fares. Four years ago, this share was below 0.1 percent. Last year, the volume of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) sold across various offerings more than doubled. Passengers’ active commitment to more sustainable flying is an important pillar of the Lufthansa Group’s sustainability strategy.
A new digital experience: American gives customers more timely flight information
American Airlines operates nearly 7,000 flights every day, connecting 700,000 customers to the people and places that matter most. With a global network, travel plans can occasionally be disrupted by factors like weather, air traffic control or an aircraft that needs unscheduled maintenance. That’s why American is further enhancing the travel experience with a smarter digital platform that gives customers clear explanations when flights are delayed or canceled.
Serve, sip, relax: American aces the lounge experience in Miami
Ready to cheer on fan-favorite tennis stars? American Airlines is welcoming customers traveling for one of the country’s largest tennis tournaments with an elevated experience inside its Flagship® and Admirals Club® lounges at Miami International Airport (MIA). The lounges give travelers a calm, premium space to recharge before or after the tournament.
Emerging Travel Group strengthens its global offering though new partnership with Meliá Hotels
Emerging Travel Group (ETG), a global travel company operating the RateHawk, ZenHotels, and Roundtrip brands, announces a new direct integration with Meliá Hotels International, one of the largest hotel groups in Europe. This agreement marks an important step in ETG’s global expansion strategy, strengthening its ability to offer professional partners a broader, more diverse, and competitive portfolio.
Trademark Collection by Wyndham Marks Milestone, Surpasses 100 U.S. Hotels
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchisor with more than 8,300 hotels spanning approximately 100 countries, is celebrating a major milestone for its Trademark Collection by Wyndham brand: more than 100 hotels now open across the U.S. The achievement highlights a rapid rise for the highly-sought-after soft-brand, which, as the fastest growing in the U.S., has doubled the size of its domestic portfolio in the last five years as independents increasingly turn to Wyndham to help pair their hotels’ unique character and individuality with the reach and revenue driving power of a global hospitality leader. That demand has also helped the brand grow to nearly 350 hotels globally with more than 100 additional hotels in the pipeline.
Ocean Maya Royale Emerges as Riviera Maya's Leading Intimate Five-Star All-Inclusive Sanctuary
Ocean Maya Royale, a five-star, adults-only all-inclusive resort from Ocean Signature Resorts portfolio, announces its official positioning as the top choice romantic getaway for the U.S. market. Perfectly blending traditional colonial-mediterranean ambiance with romantic modern spaces and a spectacular beach, the property offers an intimate, peaceful escape designed specifically for couples seeking serenity, retirement-style relaxation, and personalized hospitality.
Three Years of TripGenie: How Travellers Around the World are Using AI Differently
As AI becomes an everyday part of travel planning, one thing is increasingly clear: while the technology may be global, how travellers use it is anything but uniform. New data from TripGenie, Trip.com's AI travel assistant, reveals that three years of real-world usage have surfaced new patterns in how travellers plan, decide and navigate their journeys.
Air Premia Expands Economy Seat Pitch by Reducing Seat Count
Air Premia, Korea's only hybrid airline, has enhanced passenger comfort by reducing the total number of seats while expanding seat pitch to enhance passenger comfort. The airline announced that the economy class seat pitch on aircraft HL8701 has been increased from 31 inches to 33 inches. Following the adjustment, the aircraft's total seat capacity has been reduced from 344 seats to 326 seats, a decrease of 18 seats.
Choice Hotel International's Ascend Collection Surpasses 500 Hotel Openings
Ascend Collection, an upscale soft brand of Choice Hotels International, Inc. and the first and largest soft brand in the upscale segment, has surpassed its 500th property milestone with the opening of new hotels including The Harrison Hotel in Downtown Hollywood, Florida and The Gould Hotel in Seneca Falls, New York. Together, these additions underscore Ascend Collection's continued momentum and reflect the brand's commitment to delivering guests one-of-a-kind, locally inspired stays that celebrate the individuality of each destination.
You Will See, the Marca Chile campaign to project global image
Marca Chile, the organization responsible for promoting the country's image abroad, has chosen 'You Will See' as the motto for its campaign, aimed at strengthening institutional and business relations, and generating strategic content, while also fostering a positive perception of the country. The initiative 'You Will See' began in São Paulo (Brazil) and has traveled to Madrid, New York and London. 'You Will See' focuses on four main pillars: innovation, tourism, clean energy, and gastronomy.
Vail Resorts to Bring My Epic Gear Experience to All Rentals
Vail Resorts today announced plans to integrate the best features from My Epic Gear® into traditional gear rentals, as part of a multi-year effort to transform the gear experience for all skiers and riders.