Delta already has routes to Hong Kong and Melbourne out of LAX, but will add Manila in 2027. Delta, United and American have hubs in Los Angeles, but none dominates. Delta would like to make its Asia services stand out, and Manila is a step in that direction. Business travelers heading to various points in Asia are getting new options.
ASAPP, AVEN HOSPITALITY, SABRE, & SOJERN + SKIFT
To understand how travel companies are preparing for an AI-mediated future, Skift Studio spoke with senior technology, product, and digital leaders across airlines, hospitality companies, travel platforms, and the broader travel technology ecosystem.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Hilton’s Chris Nassetta: Why 28 Brands Aren’t Too Many and the ‘Bazillion Points’ Problem
July 16, 2026
Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta defended the company's need for 28 brands as a data-driven strategy rather than sprawl, while also pointing to AI as the next lever for fixing guest problems in the moment.
Say Goodbye to $9 Tickets. Higher Fares Are Here to Stay, United CEO Says
July 16, 2026
United CEO Scott Kirby argues that surging fuel costs aren’t entirely responsible for higher airfares. Instead airlines are capitalizing on more pricing power driven by ballooning operating costs and a readjustment in domestic capacity.
Reach corporate travel decision-makers and position your brand at the center of the business travel conversation by sponsoring Skift’s new report, The New Corporate Travel Landscape. Learn more today.
SKIFT PODCAST NETWORK
Travel companies are making more money—but not necessarily by attracting more travelers.
In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko examine three stories that point to the same industry shift: travel is increasingly being driven by higher-value customers instead of higher visitor volumes.
They begin with new U.S. inbound tourism data showing that even the FIFA World Cup wasn't enough to reverse declining international arrivals. While visitor numbers remained weak, hotels still benefited from higher room rates, raising questions about whether success should be measured by volume or value.
The conversation then turns to Delta Air Lines, which posted strong earnings despite sharply higher fuel costs. Seth explains why the airline generated more revenue from premium seats than economy seats for the first time and what that says about the long-term evolution of airline economics. Sarah and Seth also debate whether the industry's premium strategy is becoming the new normal—or whether airlines risk overbuilding for demand that may not last.
Finally, they discuss new Skift Research identifying Latin America as one of the strongest near-term investment opportunities in global travel and unpack why Canada's modest rebound in U.S. travel still masks a much larger weakness in inbound demand.
Together, the stories reveal an industry increasingly focused on maximizing yield instead of maximizing volume.
SKIFT TRAVEL 200
How are public travel companies performing around the world? The Skift Travel 200 pulls the data you need to know to understand the market. Paid subscribers get full access here.
