Traveling Blog: Airbnb's Grown-Up Move + Megatrends Podcast + JetBlue's Shrinking Legroom

January 26, 2018

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Note From the Editor

Airbnb is getting all grown up. That's what you might take from the appointment of retiring American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault to the Airbnb board. Still, as Hospitality Editor Deanna Ting reports, Airbnb is trying to stay true to its community-oriented roots.

One issue that is getting very old and not showing much sign of progress is gender diversity in the upper ranks of the travel industry. Europe Editor Patrick Whyte breaks down a UK report on the topic, and finds that it would take a real jolt to improve female representation in the board room and to discourage male CEOs from appointing their own clones as directors. It doesn't take artificial intelligence to tell you that good-old-boy networks still have a strong toehold and need to be shaken up.

— Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor

Travel Megatrends 2018: Mobile Devices Move Beyond Customer Service to Predict Needs and Solve Problems in Real Time

In short, Airbnb's message is: "We're not an Uber, guys. And we haven't forgotten about the people who made us a $31 billion company."

Gender Diversity Is Still Massively Lacking in Travel and Hospitality

Laws have been changed to supposedly eliminate gender bias but the problem at senior levels still persists. Companies first need to admit they have a problem, then they can do something about it. Perhaps there should be greater consideration of quotas.

JetBlue Has Started Shrinking Legroom and Upgrading Interiors on Its Older Aircraft

JetBlue is the latest airline to fall behind on a cabin retrofit program. It happens sometimes, as it's not so easy to update airplane interiors. But the first plane is in the shop. Considering JetBlue has some planes that haven't been touched since the early 2000s, this is welcome news.

American Airlines CEO Insists Growth Plans Won't Start a Fare War

In a lengthy soliloquy on American's first quarter earnings call, CEO Doug Parker indirectly told investors to relax. Yes, U.S. airlines are increasing capacity this year. But they're being prudent by solidifying their hubs, he said, and not repeating past mistakes.

Southwest Expects a Tax Reform Windfall Will Keep Its Momentum Going in 2018

Southwest has posted record earnings and believes that tax reform will be a major benefit in 2018. But the airline's overall strategy going forward will remain consistent, at least for the time being.

Blacklane Raises $40 Million: Travel Startup Funding This Week

Laughing all the way to the bank is even more fun when you're in the back seat of a chauffeured car. The founders of the Berlin-based professional driver service Blacklane have received significant funding from an investor in the Gulf states, a growing regional source of investment for travel companies.

Some companies are betting big on blockchain's bandwagon effect. Time will tell whether the new technology materializes into cheaper, better, and faster travel experiences.

Marriott CEO: Known Traveler Program Could Balance Visitor Demand With Security Issues

The balance between the freedom to travel versus security issues is a dynamic playing out across the globe. A known traveler program that uses biometrics and other data to alleviate security concerns would be great for road warriors and other supertravelers, but might have less utility for once-a-year vacationers. Then again, there are no panaceas.

Ace Hotels' New Sister City Brand, Explained

Details are scant about Ace Hotels' new sister brand. But if Ace Hotels' track record is any proof, perhaps this could be a hit. But the bigger question is how do you balance travelers' desires for more local experiences versus feeling like they can escape the city they're in?

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