Travel Industry News Page 223
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines introduce spring menus featuring regional favorites
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are welcoming spring with the launch of new seasonal menus, bringing fresh flavors, thoughtful sourcing and chef-inspired dishes to guests.
Booking.com Named Official Travel Partner of the Route 66 Centennial
In a year when 79%* of travelers are craving spontaneous, flexible road trips, Booking.com is making it easier for travelers to hit the road. The global travel leader has been named the Official Travel Partner of the Route 66 Centennial, helping to spotlight one of America's most iconic highways as it approaches its 100th birthday in 2026. It comes at a moment when road trips give travelers what they want most: better value, the freedom to explore multiple destinations, and local experiences at their own pace.
EVA Air Launches Nonstop Service Between Taipei and Washington, D.C. on June 26
EVA Air will start a new route from Taipei to Washington, D.C. on June 26 this year, offering four flights each week. With this new route, EVA Air's North American network will grow to include 10 gateways, two of which will feature the new fourth-generation Premium Economy class and increase the total weekly flights to 98. This makes EVA Air the airline with the most destinations and the largest flight network from Taiwan to North America. Tickets are now available for booking at www.evaair.com.
Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 tickets now on sale
Tickets for the 2026 Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are now on sale, as Abu Dhabi prepares to host the F1 season finale — with Lewis Capaldi and Zara Larsson set to perform on the opening night. The final race of the Formula 1 season returns to Yas Marina Circuit from December 3–6, closing out the championship in front of a global audience. Organisers Ethara, recently named F1 Promoter of the Year following the success of the 2025 event, have confirmed the first artists for the 2026 entertainment line-up.
AirAsia X goes global with launch of Kuala Lumpur-Bahrain-London route
AirAsiaX (AAX) Berhad celebrated a monumental milestone in the airline's global expansion strategy with the announcement of two long-awaited international routes, connecting Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and onwards to London Gatwick (KUL-BAH-LGW), at a press conference in Bahrain today.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES BRINGS STARLINK ULTRA-FAST WIFI ONBOARD
Southwest Airlines Co. is taking inflight connectivity to new heights with Starlink. Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink will deliver next-generation WiFi across Southwest's network of 11 countries, allowing Customers to stream, share, and scroll in the sky at lightning-fast speeds.
NOBU HOSPITALITY TO LAUNCH NOBU HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE ISLAND RESIDENCES MALDIVES
Nobu Hospitality, is pleased to announce the debut of Nobu Hotel, Residences, and Restaurant Maldives located in the province of Laamu Atoll on the private island of Munyafushi. Developed in partnership with Sarat International, this landmark project marks Nobu's first venture into the Maldives.
Premier Inn signs MoU with Equitativa to accelerate GCC expansion
Premier Inn Middle East has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Equitativa Real Estate, an international holding company providing real estate funding and investment management capabilities, marking an important step in the brand’s next phase of growth across the GCC.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Earns Industry-First Five-Star Rating from Forbes Travel Guide
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sets a new benchmark in luxury hospitality, becoming the first cruise brand to earn a Five-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide. Ilma, the company’s second ultra-luxury yacht, receives the milestone distinction in the newly unveiled 2026 Star Awards, announced today by Forbes Travel Guide, the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and cruise ships. Ilma now joins a distinguished group of global honorees showcased on ForbesTravelGuide.com.
The Ritz-Carlton x Kilometre Paris: Iconic Destinations, Reimagined in Handcrafted Travel Pieces
Drawing inspiration from sun-washed coastlines and resort escapes, the collaboration transforms the spirit of The Ritz-Carlton’s most iconic resorts into travel pieces designed to be carried, collected, and remembered. Guided by a shared passion for travel and a deep sense of place, The Ritz-Carlton announces a new collaboration with Kilometre Paris, the luxury accessories brand renowned for its hand-embroidered, destination-driven designs. The limited-edition capsule translates four iconic coastal resorts – The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel; The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara; The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, and The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami – into a colorful assortment of beach totes, bucket bags, and bandanas perfect for leisure travel.
Turkish Airlines carried 7.6 million passengers in January 2026
Turkish Airlines announced passenger and cargo traffic results for January, with 10% higher passenger capacity in terms of available seat kilometres compared to that of 2025. In January, the number of passengers was recorded as 7.6 million, and the total load factor was realised at 84%.
The Impact of Luxury Eco-Camps on Masai Mara Conservation
Most people picture a luxury safari as champagne on a sun deck, maybe a plunge pool overlooking golden grass. That's part of it, sure. But I didn't fully understand what was happening behind the scenes at these Masai Mara conservations until I spent a week bouncing between a high-end eco-camp in the Naboisho Conservancy and the main reserve. The difference wasn't just about comfort or fewer vehicles. It was about where the money actually goes.