Delta’s Premium Surge, Kayak’s Close Call, U.S. Inbound Travel Slips

Delta starts 2026 with strong demand led by premium travelers, Kayak’s near-miss with going private reveals the growing pressure on travel search, and overseas visits to the U.S. continue to slide.

On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Delta’s business model is now built on front-cabin and loyalty revenue, what Kayak’s behind-the-scenes story says about Google and metasearch, and why rising friction at U.S. borders could threaten the next big wave of inbound travel.

This episode is presented by ⁠Lodgify!⁠

Articles Referenced:

• Delta Sees More Consumer and Business Demand in 2026
• Kayak CEO Tried to Take the Company Private: Scoop
• Overseas Travel to the U.S. Slumps for 8th Straight Month
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