Delta cuts 2 transcon LaGuardia routes, adds new flight to Seoul

The spotlight is on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. But Delta Air Lines had some interesting things to say last week as well.

Delta Air Lines is already bringing artificial intelligence into its operations. At an investor conference Wednesday, Delta executives said that they started experimenting with AI in the past month for its reservations team and to determine pricing. 

For most New Yorkers, Times Square is a place to be avoided at all times—especially and unequivocally on New Year’s Eve. The Ball Drop looks fun and exciting when watched from the warmth and privacy of your couch but in real life, it looks like a million people packed between police barricades and squished up against each other in the cold for way too many hours, waiting for a 10-second countdown. And there are no public restrooms.

Delta Air Lines will launch flights from Seattle to Taiwan next summer, flying direct from the United States to the island for the first time.

Seven years later, Delta Air Lines is officially returning to Taiwan.

Turkish Airlines flies to 345 destinations in more different nations than any other carrier in the world, with one of the newest and most acclaimed airports as its hub. It also consistently ranks among the very best airlines and just won–again–Best Airline in Europe in the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards, the industry’s most influential, beating out the likes of Air France, Swiss, Lufthansa, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. It also took home four other Number Ones in the awards, including Best Economy Class Seat in Europe and Best Business Class Cuisine worldwide. (I recently wrote in detail here at Forbes about another award-winning carrier, Qatar Airways, which has won World’s Best Airline and World’s Best Business Class among other titles).

AvantStay confirmed late Tuesday afternoon it cut 37 employees, or nearly 10% of its workforce. Responding to a Skift inquiry, the Los Angeles-based vacation rental property manager tied the layoffs to platform and tech improvements, adding that the company is profitable.

If you've used Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club program to book Delta-operated flights in the past, listen up. You have just a couple of days before Virgin significantly increases the price of many Delta award itineraries. While it's not all bad news, you'll soon need more Virgin points across a large portion of Delta's route network.

Guests can check-in early, purchase upsells and cut their own room key using the intuitive, streamlined kiosk.

United Airlines is extending Premier elite status for a few select flyers.

With a population of almost 10 million, Seoul is one of Asia's largest and most vibrant metropolises. City workers spill out of futuristic skyscrapers at the end of the day, heading to the city's delicious and varied restaurants. On the weekends, nightlife rules—think neon-signed karaoke spots and lively bars in addition to the popular grab-and-go eateries. By day, however, the city is an underrated shopper's paradise. Forget the high-fashion boutiques (although you'll find those here, too), as it's all about neighborhood hotspots. From ceramic studios to sustainable zero-waste havens, these are the best places for shopping in Seoul.

Jet setting around the world can be incredibly glamorous, but it can also be incredibly expensive. That’s where Air Tahiti Nui comes in.