Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, August 13, and now here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
31.07.2024 - 09:29 / skift.com / Spirit Airlines / Ted Christie / Rashaad Jorden / Simone Venturini / Gordon Smith
Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, July 31, and here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
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A U.S. appeals court has struck down the Department of Transportation’s rule mandating airlines disclose all fees upfront, pending a full review, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi.
A three-judge panel said the rule likely exceeds the department’s authority and would significantly harm airlines. The case will be heard during the next available oral argument panel. The Department of Transportation released a final rule in April requiring airlines disclose “junk fees” associated with purchasing airline tickets, including those for baggage and changes to reservations.
Trade group Airlines for America — along with several prominent airlines — filed a lawsuit against the department in May, arguing the junk fee rule was a regulatory overreach that would cause confusion for customers. The DOT said it will continue defending the rule.
Next, Spirit Airlines is targeting premium-focused passengers as part of its effort to return to profitability, writes Airlines Editor Gordon Smith.
Spirit revealed four fare classes on Tuesday that CEO Ted Christie said represented a “new era” for the company. ‘Go Big’ — Spirit’s new top-tier option — includes perks such as priority check-in and boarding as well as complimentary onboard Wi-Fi. The changes at Spirit come shortly after Southwest Airlines announced moves to target premium travelers.
Spirit has had a rough start to 2024. A federal judge blocked its proposed merger with JetBlue, and business models at U.S. low-cost airlines have come under pressure due to overcapacity and rising costs.
We end today with a look at Venice’s efforts to manage visitor numbers. The city is banning group tours of more than 25 people starting August 1, writes Global Tourism Reporter Dawit Habtemariam.
Tour guides will also be banned from using loudspeakers on the streets. In addition, group tours will not be allowed to park their vehicles on bridges. Habtemariam notes those restrictions aim to deter overcrowding, reduce noise pollution and make it easier for pedestrians to get around the city. Deputy Mayor Simone Venturini said the city banned loudspeakers because it’s not “a theme park.”
Venice authorities also have plans to introduce new restrictions on short-term rentals in September.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, August 13, and now here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
A late-summer or fall getaway is now possible without breaking the bank. Spirit Airlines recently discounted hundreds of flights to popular destinations such as Las Vegas, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and more. The low-cost carrier advertised the fare sale on their «Popular Flight Deals» section of their homepage, where travelers can enter in their home airport to find the best deals for them. As part of the popular deals, Travel + Leisure spotted deep discounts for under $29 including Dallas (DFW) to Las Vegas (LAS) for $22 one-way in August, and Baltimore, MD (BWI) to Orlando, FL (MCO) for $21 in September 2024. Additional flight deals include:
Good morning from Skift. It’s Thursday, August 8, and now here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, August 7, and now here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, August 6, and now here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Thousands of flights were canceled or delayed on Monday as Hurricane Debby made landfall along the Big Bend coast of Florida as a Category 1 storm.
The Skift Travel Podcast is wrapping up its series on the Paris Olympics. Greg Klassen, senior director at Skift Advisory and former president and CEO of Destination Canada, joins Head of Research Seth Borko and Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of hosting large sporting events such as the Olympic Games.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, August 2, 2024, and now here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Spirit Airlines cited overcapacity and strong competition among the factors weighing down a sluggish set of second quarter earnings.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Thursday, August 1. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Starting Thursday in Venice, group tours won’t be able to exceed 25 people and guides will be banned from using loudspeakers on the streets.
Spirit Airlines is making major changes to its passenger proposition. On Tuesday, the ultra-low-cost carrier revealed that it is moving upmarket with a series of new travel options. Spirit said these will “empower travelers to choose an elevated guest experience at an affordable price.”