Southwest switching to bamboo drink cups in effort to reduce single-use plastics

Oct 30, 2024 • 12 min read

Southwest Airlines has unveiled a new bamboo cup and wooden stir stick for in-flight beverage service that's expected to help the low-cost carrier reduce its single-use plastics by more than 1.5 million pounds annually.The new cold cup is comprised of 93 percent non-plastic materials, with a pulp blend consisting of 75 percent bamboo and 25 percent paper with a polyethylene lining while the new stir stick is made from 100 percent FSC-certified birch wood.The new cup and stir stick are part of Southwest's Nonstop to Net Zero strategy, which has set a goal to eliminate single-use plastics from inflight service where feasible by 2030."We expect our new bamboo cold cup, wood stir stick, and other initiatives to exceed our goal to reduce plastics from inflight service by 50 percent by weight by 2025, and we're excited to continue collaborating with our suppliers to work toward our goal of fully eliminating, where feasible, single-use plastics from inflight service by 2030," Helen Giles, Managing Director of Environmental Sustainability at Southwest Airlines, said in a statement."It's been a year of work since we announced our Nonstop to Net Zero strategy, including our initiatives to tackle single-use plastics in our inflight service," added Giles. "Today's announcement celebrates the hard work and dedication of many Teams across Southwest to meet these goals."This past summer, Southwest eliminated additional plastic by transitioning to a paper overwrap for its napkins made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled materials.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, October 25, 2024, and here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today. 

I've never really had a work bag that I truly loved; I've always opted for a backpack that I kept from my time in school, but I'd been eager to switch over to something that looked more professional (and made me feel less like a kid on their way home from class), but was still versatile enough that I could use regularly. While I certainly love to sport a classic canvas tote on the weekends—perfect for tossing in odds and ends while out and about—I needed something more structured and sturdy for work and travel so my essentials wouldn't be knocking around inside. The 13-inch System Tote from Cuyana was definitely more upscale than my average canvas tote, seamlessly befitting happy hours, work, and exciting new restaurant openings. I loved the signature Italian leather exterior and interior, which was understated, tasteful, and complimented any outfit I threw on.

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. In the US, the leaves begin to change into vibrant hues, pumpkin patches and apple orchards welcome guests, sports seasons start to pick up, and, best of all, there’s a lull in the travel calendar causing prices to drop. One of the most highly anticipated sporting events this season is Formula 1's return to Las Vegas this year. Sin City is gearing up by offering bundle packages that combine race tickets with hotel stays on the strip. For hockey fans, Holston House Nashville is offering 10 percent off bookings and an exciting fan experience at their property. Guests can look forward to a custom jersey, dining credit, and themed cocktails.

New Zealand is home to the most breathtaking nature I've seen.

Southwest announced Thursday the appointment of six new directors to its board as part of a settlement with activist investor Elliott Investment Management. 

Southwest Airlines reported Thursday that it is seeing strong bookings for the holiday travel season and healthy demand as it deals with an activist investor. 

Southwest Airlines is having a «Catch a Sale Fare, Go See your BOO!» promotion, with discounted tickets as low as $59. The sale ends on October 24 at 11:59pm PST, and offers discounts on travel through February 12, 2025. Travel + Leisure spotted a variety of one-way deals in the fare sale including:

Last quarter, MakeMyTrip introduced Myra, an AI-powered chatbot designed to streamline international flight bookings. Myra has since evolved, and currently handles hotel and homestay bookings, providing real-time assistance based on a wealth of proprietary data, including customer reviews.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but you don’t need to type any of them to search the internet these days. Boosted by artificial intelligence, software on your phone can automatically analyze objects live in your camera view or in a photo (or video) to immediately round up a list of search results. And you don’t even need the latest phone model or third-party apps; current tools for Android and iOS can do the job with a screen tap or swipe. Here’s how.

Booking your next car rental with Southwest Airlines just got more rewarding, offering travelers discounts and bonus points for their upcoming trips.