Latest travel news: May 2018

JetBlue adds two routes to Mexico City

JetBlue has announced two new daily services flying to Mexico City from Boston and New York, expected to commence on October 25 of this year. These will be in addition to their existing flights to the Mexican capital from Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. The opportunity comes after the Department of Transportation required Delta and Aeromexico to divest from some routes at the over-crowded Mexico City airport.

American cuts ties with 2 regional carriers

American Airlines Group has announced they are ending their arrangements with two reginal U.S. carriers, ExpressJet and Trans States. American says this move is part of its broader effort to simplify short-distance operations. Other American Airlines partners such as SkyWest and Envoy Airlines.

Starwood offers points bonus for mobile check-ins

Marriott has announced a new promotional initiative for its Starwood Preferred Guest program, underscoring the importance the hotel giant is placing on app interactions as part of its loyalty strategy. Guests who use the mobile check-in capacity of the app will earn an automatic 250 points per stay at selected Starwood locations.

TWA Hotel unveils new model room at JFK

Showcasing their new design concept, the TWA hotel at New York’s Kennedy Airport has revealed a fresh model room this month. The new aesthetic features midcentury furnishings designed by Eero Saarinen, vintage phones and a martini bar, drawing on the rich history of the location as one of the standard bearers of cutting-edge design in the Jet Age. The 512-room TWA hotel is set to open in 2019 at the iconic TWA Flight Center.

Southwest to fly Hawaiian Islands Routes

Southwest Airlines have announced that they will begin offering routes within the Hawaiian islands, subject to regulatory approval. The carrier is intending to fly from four locations in California to Honolulu, Kona, Maui and Lihue. This move is seen as a challenge to Hawaiian Airlines, which operates a near monopoly on short-haul flights between the islands of its home state.

New York’s iconic Plaza Hotel to Change Ownership

The Plaza Hotel, high-profile fixture of the New York hotel industry for more than a century and home of fictional New Yorker Eloise, will soon be under new ownership. The new buyers, Dubai-based White City Ventures and the New York based Hakim Organization. The deal, set to take effect on June 25, will see the new owners paying $600 million for the iconic hotel on the south-east corner of central park to the current operators.