Skift Daily Briefing
Skift
Everything you need to know about the business of travel today. Each episode covers new travel stories from Skift's editorial team. Listen to the latest developments at hotels, airlines, destinations, online booking sites, and more.
Published Tuesday through Friday by 5am ET. Presented by Lodgify.
For ongoing coverage, please visit Skift.com/news.
Published Tuesday through Friday by 5am ET. Presented by Lodgify.
For ongoing coverage, please visit Skift.com/news.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 8, 2026 • 4min
Sabre Showcases AI Booking, Delta Takes Lounges Off-Airport, Alaska Places Record Boeing Order
Sabre debuts an agent-first AI booking demo at CES, Delta opens its first-ever non-airport lounge at Sphere, and Alaska Airlines places its largest Boeing order as it eyes long-haul growth.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how AI is pushing deeper into trip planning, why airlines are shifting loyalty from points to access, and what Alaska’s aircraft bet says about its global ambitions — and the risks tied to certification timelines.
Articles Referenced:
Sabre Brings AI Travel Demo to CES, in Push Toward Agent-First Trip Booking
Delta Opens Its First Non-Airport Lounge at Sphere
Alaska Airlines Makes Its Largest-Ever Boeing Order
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
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Jan 7, 2026 • 4min
American Goes Free Wi-Fi, Hilton Enforces Brand Lines, Hawaii Cruise Tax Blocked
Airlines race to make free Wi-Fi the new standard, hotel brands tighten control over franchise behavior, and Hawaii’s climate tax on cruise ships hits a legal roadblock.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why American Airlines’ Wi-Fi move is really about premium positioning, how Hilton’s swift franchise action highlights the stakes of brand control in 2026, and why a courtroom battle in Hawaii could reshape how destinations fund climate and tourism initiatives nationwide.
Articles Referenced:
American Airlines Debuts Free Wi-Fi
Hilton Drops Franchise After it Refuses Rooms for ICE Agents
Cruise Sector and U.S. Government Block Hawaii’s Climate Tax on Cruise Ships
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
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Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Jan 6, 2026 • 5min
Live Tourism Rises, Luxury Gets Precise, AI Trust Takes Center Stage
As 2026 begins, travel demand isn’t slowing — it’s becoming more intentional.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why live tourism will remain a powerful driver without a single mega-tour, how luxury travel is shifting from excess to precision, and why “travel slop” from poorly deployed AI could become one of the industry’s biggest risks this year.
From global events like the World Cup and a rare solar eclipse to evolving loyalty, experiences, and trust in technology, here’s what’s shaping travel in 2026.
Articles Referenced:
The Live Tourism Events That Will Shape 2026
5 Luxury Hotel Themes for 2026
Welcome to the Age of Travel Slop
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
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Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Dec 19, 2025 • 4min
Flying Taxis Advance, Hilton Rethinks Branding, Micro Events Rise
Flying taxis move closer to U.S. airspace, Hilton rethinks brand building in an AI-driven marketing world, and micro events emerge as a defining trend for 2026.
In the final Skift Daily Briefing of 2025, Sarah Dandashy looks ahead at the forces reshaping travel and hospitality — from electric air mobility gaining regulatory momentum, to why brand loyalty still matters as AI optimizes acquisition, to how smaller, more intentional events are redefining the meetings industry.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Articles Referenced:
Trump Administration Looks to Ramp Up Flying Taxis
Building Brands vs. AI’s Cheap Wins: How Hilton’s CMO Strikes the Balance
Why Micro Events Are a 2026 Megatrend
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
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WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
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Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Dec 18, 2025 • 4min
United Goes AI-First, OTAs Face an Identity Test, World Cup Prices Bite
United upgrades its app into a predictive travel assistant, online travel agencies face an identity crisis in the age of AI, and World Cup ticket prices come down — but only on paper.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how United is using AI to reduce travel friction, why Expedia and Booking are rethinking their roles as AI reshapes discovery, and what World Cup pricing really means for fans planning to travel in 2026.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
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X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Dec 17, 2025 • 4min
Airline CEOs Shuffle, NYC Casinos Approved, U.S. Raises Travel Fees
Airlines reshuffle leadership at a rapid pace, New York City clears the way for three new casino resorts, and the U.S. continues layering on travel fees that could test inbound demand.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down what’s driving the sudden wave of airline CEO changes, why New York’s casino approvals matter for tourism strategy, and how rising entry fees risk pushing travelers to competing destinations.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Articles Referenced:
9 New Airline CEOs in 5 Weeks: What’s Driving the Global Reshuffle?
New York City Casinos Get Final Approval. What Does it Mean for NYC Tourism?
U.S. Hikes Travel Fees and Entry Requirements. Where Will Travelers Draw the Line?
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Dec 16, 2025 • 5min
Hotel Costs Surge, Google Enables Live Translation, Spirit Gets Lifeline
Hotels face a widening cost squeeze, Google turns everyday earbuds into real-time translators, and Spirit Airlines secures a last-minute lifeline to stay airborne.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why rising labor and operating costs are reshaping hotel economics, how live translation tech could remove one of travel’s biggest barriers, and what Spirit’s $50 million rescue means for the future of ultra-low-cost airlines.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Articles Referenced:
The Ugly New Math Crushing Hotels
Google Turns Millions of Earbuds Into Live Translators
Spirit Airlines Gets $50 Million Lifeline Following Liquidation Rumors
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
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Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Dec 12, 2025 • 4min
Hilton Expands Luxury, Boom Advances Supersonic, Expedia Buys Tiqets
Hilton accelerates its global luxury expansion, Boom Supersonic leverages AI demand to fuel its aviation timeline, and Expedia steps deeper into the experiences market with its acquisition of Tiqets.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how Hilton is positioning itself for the next wave of high-end travel, why Boom’s new turbine business could speed up the return of supersonic flight, and what Expedia’s latest deal means for the future of tours, attractions, and full-trip retail.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Articles Referenced:
Hilton Execs Bet on Luxury as Wealthy Travelers Fuel Global Boom
Boom CEO: Powering AI Data Centers Will Speed Path to Supersonic Flights
Expedia Agrees to Buy Experiences Platform Tiqets to Bolster Its B2B Offering
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Dec 11, 2025 • 4min
Record U.S. Holiday Travel, Gulf Cruises Rise, U.S. Adds Social Media Checks
U.S. holiday travel is about to break records, the Gulf positions itself as cruising’s next major hub, and America plans new digital screening requirements that could slow inbound tourism.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy unpacks why more than 122 million Americans are expected to travel this holiday season, how a unified GCC visa could transform cruising across the Middle East, and what mandatory social media disclosures mean for visitors from top global markets.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Articles Referenced:
Alaska Airlines Leans on Hawaiian For Global Expansion
Southwest Airlines Exec Defends Changes, Says Network Is a ‘Huge Differentiator’
Marriott CFO: Year-End Softness, Sonder Lessons, and 2026 Rebound
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Dec 10, 2025 • 4min
Self-Driving Competes with Air, Luxury Bubble Grows, Travelers Drink Less
Skift’s 2026 Megatrends are here — and today’s Daily Briefing zooms in on three that are already reshaping traveler behavior: self-driving cars that quietly compete with planes, a luxury bubble that’s becoming the industry’s load-bearing wall, and a new wave of sober-curious travelers redefining what “vacation mode” looks like.
On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how autonomous vehicles unlock productive travel time, why luxury demand is propping up entire sectors, and what hotels and cruise lines need to understand about guests who are drinking less — but still seeking elevated experiences.
This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com
Articles Referenced:
Alaska Airlines Leans on Hawaiian For Global Expansion
Southwest Airlines Exec Defends Changes, Says Network Is a ‘Huge Differentiator’
Marriott CFO: Year-End Softness, Sonder Lessons, and 2026 Rebound
Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG
Connect with Skift
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social
X: https://twitter.com/skift
Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
