Chinese Travel to Middle East Bounces Back

If you've ever taken a westbound flight, you may have noticed the flight time was shorter coming home than on the way there. For example, a direct flight from New York to Los Angeles takes about six hours and four minutes. However, you shave about an hour off the flight time on the return flight, which clocks in at just five hours and eight minutes.

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) continues to push back against American Airlines' controversial New Distribution Capability (NDC) rollout.On Monday, the Alexandria, Virginia-based organization launched a weeklong ad campaign in POLITICO magazine in hopes of influencing lawmakers in Washington, D.C.Beginning May 1, American will stop awarding AAdvantage miles and loyalty accrual points through agencies unless they are deemed "preferred," a status achieved by having a 2024 incentive agreement with the airline or by booking through American NDC channels and reaching progressive sales thresholds of 30 percent by April 21, 50 percent by October 31 and 70 percent by April 30, 2025."This latest development doubles down on American Airlines' clear agenda since last year to force the travel agency industry to adopt immature technology, monopolize distribution channels, and squeeze channel partners and customers for cost-cutting and profit," ASTA stated.Additionally, ASTA is offering a toolkit for travel advisors to reach out to their congressional representatives. The organization is also encouraging members to send their clients to SaveMyMiles.com to take action."Tell them to stop AA from disenfranchising customers who book through travel agencies by telling Congress—don’t let American Airlines eliminate consumer choice," says ASTA.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, March 19. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

There’s nothing more irritating than watching your seatmate snooze effortlessly next to you while you queue up another in-flight film and fall further into sleep debt on a red-eye. As a frequent traveler, I know all too well that catching up on deep sleep certainly isn’t feasible for everybody—especially nervous flyers or those with insomnia—but trying to get in at least a few extra hours, even if it’s not a full night’s sleep, is the key to enjoying a better vacation.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to play a key role in the travel industry’s growth this year. Skift Research projected the region would see travel revenue jump 20% in 2024 from the previous year as outbound travel from China is expected to increase substantially.

Frontier Airlines is guaranteeing a new way for travelers to snag the best seats in the house.

When you find yourself in an exquisite locale that most people have yet to visit, you’re tempted to keep it to yourself. But when Four Seasons recognizes that locale for the gem it is? Well, now you just want to shout it from the rooftops.

A new Frontier Airlines fare product enables flyers to guarantee an empty middle seat next to their own window or aisle seat in the first two rows of the aircraft.

Frontier Airlines is adding a new seating option at the front of the aircraft. Its big selling point: an empty middle seat.

A major Chinese airline has warned passengers not to throw coins into its planes' engines after an incident last week.

Amtrak is adding more trains to its schedule along the busy Northeast Corridor, owing to major strides in ridership after pandemic setbacks between 2020 and 2022.

Following a triumphant sold-out edition last year, Skift Short-Term Rental Summit is making its comeback in New York City on June 5. Expanding on Skift’s comprehensive coverage of short-term rentals, the Summit will explore the impact of distribution, platforms, and technology on both traditional and unconventional vacation rentals. Join us for insights into consumer behavior, investor perspective, and more.