Podcast
Skift Daily Briefing
Hosted by Skift · EN
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.
For ongoing coverage, please visit Skift.com/news.
92episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Spirit Airlines Collapses as World Cup Demand and Loyalty Face Reality Check
May 500:04:43Tap to summarizeSpirit shuts down and its assets spark a scramble, World Cup hotel bookings fall short of expectations, and new data shows loyalty programs aren’t delivering real loyalty. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down what Spirit’s collapse signals for budget airlines, why World Cup demand isn’t matching the hype, and what 7,000 travelers reveal about the future of loyalty in travel. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGSpirit Airlines Shuts DownFire Sale: What Assets Does Spirit Have and Who Could Buy Them?80% of Hotels Say World Cup Bookings Are Missing ForecastsWhat 7,000 Travelers Reveal About Loyalty, Pricing, and Where Demand Is Really Heading 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.
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Uber Enters Hotel Booking as AI Debate Shapes Travel’s Future
May 100:03:21Tap to summarizeUber starts booking hotels through Expedia, AI’s role in travel booking is still evolving, and travelers are prioritizing speed over service style. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Uber’s hotel feature is really about subscriptions, what the AI debate reveals about the future of booking, and why travelers care more about fast answers than whether they come from humans or machines. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGUber’s Hotel Deal Tells You More About Expedia’s Future Than Uber’sHigh-Touch Service Debate at Skift Asia ForumAI and OTA Trust Debate at Skift Asia Forum 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.
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Asia Is Overtaking Travel as Airlines and Luxury Brands Adapt
Apr 3000:03:45Tap to summarizeAsia is reshaping global travel demand, United expands loyalty into everyday spending, and Minor Hotels moves deeper into ultra-luxury. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Asia is becoming the center of gravity for travel growth, how United is turning Lyft rides into a loyalty play, and why Minor Hotels is adding private jets to its luxury ecosystem. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGThe Great Rebalancing: Asia’s Advantage and Why Travel Brands Need to Catch UpUnited Expands Lyft Partnership With Miles RedemptionMinor Hotels to Launch Private Jet Experience 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.
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Budget Airlines Seek Bailout as U.S. Travel Slump Hits Rentals
Apr 2900:05:00Tap to summarizeLow-cost airlines push for government aid, international travelers pull back from U.S. trips, and Virgin Voyages bets big on TikTok creators. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why budget airlines are asking for a $2.5 billion lifeline, how declining international demand is hitting vacation rentals harder than expected, and what Virgin Voyages’ massive influencer cruise reveals about the future of travel marketing. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGBudget Airlines Seek $2.5 Billion Bailout From U.S. GovernmentU.S. Tourism Slump Is Hitting Short-Term Rentals HardVirgin Voyages Invites 1,100 TikTok Creators on Cruise 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.
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United Pushes Merger Case as AI and Luxury Travel Take New Shape
Apr 2800:04:22Tap to summarizeUnited’s CEO makes a public case for consolidation, AI is simplifying complex travel booking, and onefinestay is doubling down on ultra-luxury. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why United is signaling future merger ambitions, how Google Cloud and Virgin Voyages are reshaping trip planning with AI, and why onefinestay is shrinking its portfolio to chase higher-end travelers. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGUnited CEO Defends American Airlines Merger in Public MemoGoogle Cloud and Virgin Voyages Launch AI Travel AssistantSteve Case’s Onefinestay Sheds Rentals to Focus on Luxury Travelers Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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Airline Alliances Shift as Emirates Bets on a Fast Travel Rebound
Apr 2400:03:53Tap to summarizeAmerican and Alaska explore a deeper partnership, Emirates says travelers will move on quickly from the Iran war, and hotel earnings are starting strong despite uncertainty ahead. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why American and Alaska teaming up could reshape airline competition, what Emirates’ confidence signals about travel recovery, and why hotel earnings are showing strength now with risk building later in the year. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGAmerican and Alaska Airlines in Talks Over Revenue-Sharing PartnershipEmirates President Tim Clark Says Travelers Will Forget the CrisisHotel Earnings Preview Shows Best Quarter in a Year After Weak 2025 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.
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White Lotus Picks Hyatt as Heat and Airbnb Rules Reshape Travel
Apr 2300:04:41Tap to summarizeWhite Lotus Picks Hyatt as Heat and Airbnb Rules Reshape Travel White Lotus Season 4 lands at Hyatt, extreme heat is shifting global travel patterns, and New York’s Airbnb crackdown is showing cracks. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why White Lotus moving away from Four Seasons matters for hotel brands, how rising temperatures are changing where and when people travel, and why nearly a third of NYC’s approved Airbnb listings may not be playing by the rules. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced:Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGHyatt and Airelles Win White Lotus Season 4 as Four Seasons Steps AsideNYC Finds 27 Percent of Approved Short-Term Rentals Turned IllegalExtreme Heat Is Changing When and Where People Travel Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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JetBlue Pushes Back on Bankruptcy Talk as World Cup Costs Surge
Apr 2200:04:03Tap to summarizeJetBlue’s CEO shuts down bankruptcy rumors, World Cup fans face rising costs at every step, and aviation’s clean fuel future is hitting real limits. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why JetBlue is feeling pressure despite denying restructuring plans, how the 2026 World Cup is turning into a high-cost event for travelers, and why sustainable aviation fuel isn’t ready to solve the industry’s biggest challenges. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGJetBlue CEO’s Note to Staff: No Bankruptcy NowWorld Cup Fees and Prices Are Squeezing TravelersAviation’s Decarbonization Bet Is Looking Shakier Than Ever Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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Hyatt Goes All In on AI While Google Tightens Its Grip on Travel Booking
Apr 2100:04:33Tap to summarizeHyatt is rolling out ChatGPT Enterprise across the company, American Airlines is shutting down merger speculation with United, and Google is adding new tools to keep travelers inside its ecosystem longer. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why Hyatt is treating AI like infrastructure, what American’s response says about airline consolidation pressure, and how Google is quietly strengthening its role in the booking journey. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced:Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGHyatt Rolls Out ChatGPT Enterprise Across the CompanyAmerican Airlines Says It’s Not Interested in a United MergerGoogle Adds Hotel Price Tracking for Individual Properties Connect with SkiftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnewsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnewsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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Travelers Are Choosing Predictability Over Price
Apr 1700:04:10Tap to summarizeAmerican travelers are prioritizing stability over deals, airlines are testing whether passengers will pay for sleep in economy, and Saudi Arabia is scaling back parts of its tourism ambitions to focus on what actually drives demand. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why predictability is reshaping travel decisions, what Air New Zealand’s new $495 Skynest product signals for airline strategy, and how Saudi Arabia is recalibrating Vision 2030. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG How Cartels Conflict and Live Tourism Are Redrawing the American Travel Map The $495 Nap Bunk Beds Are Coming to Economy Class This Fall Saudi Arabia Scraps Tourism Funding in Vision 2030 Shake Up 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.
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