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.
93episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
ChatGPT Drops Checkout, F1 Faces Cancellations, World Cup Stays Shift
Mar 1000:04:38Tap to summarizeOpenAI backs away from in-chat checkout in ChatGPT, potential Formula One cancellations raise concerns for Middle East events, and strict short-term rental rules in New York are pushing World Cup lodging demand across the Hudson River to New Jersey. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why AI may control travel discovery but not transactions, how F1’s disruption signals broader risk for the regional events economy, and how housing policy is reshaping where World Cup visitors — and their spending — land in the New York metro area. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGChatGPT Bails on Transactions — Good News for Expedia and BookingF1’s Likely April Cancellations: A Major Warning for Middle East EventsAirbnb Faces World Cup Shortfall in NYC — New Jersey Is Dominating 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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Airbnb Expands Trip Control, Gulf Jet Demand Surges, World Cup Pressures
Mar 600:04:07Tap to summarizeAirbnb pushes its “entire trip” strategy with airport transfers and services, private jet demand out of the UAE surges amid regional disruptions, and the 2026 World Cup countdown faces mounting concerns over tickets, security funding, and entry barriers. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down Airbnb’s push to own the trip interface, why airspace disruptions are fueling a premium aviation scramble, and how logistics — not soccer — may be the toughest challenge as the World Cup approaches. This episode is presented by Lodgify!Articles Referenced:Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGAirbnb’s “One-Stop-Shop” Plan to Own Your Entire Trip300% Increase in Private Jet Demand in UAE, Charter Provider ClaimsUnpaid Bills, Blocked Fans, and Cartel Violence Cloud World Cup Countdown 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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Google Deepens Airline Bag Tracking, Accor Warns AI Could Commoditize Hotels, Expedia Signals a Reset
Mar 500:05:29Tap to summarizeGoogle is pushing luggage tracking deeper into airline baggage systems, giving travelers a new way to share live bag location data directly with carriers. Accor is sounding the alarm from ITB Berlin, warning the industry not to let AI flatten hotel differentiation or hand the guest relationship to third-party interfaces. And Expedia is describing a dramatic internal pivot, tightening performance metrics and costs while doubling down on machine learning and AI to defend its position as distribution competition intensifies. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down why the real battleground is the interface — who owns the relationship, the data, and the moment of travel need. This episode is presented by Lodgify! 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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Canada Reroutes Travel, Consumers Resist AI Booking, The ‘Claude Effect’ Hits Travel
Mar 400:04:49Tap to summarizeCanadian travelers are rapidly re-routing their winter trips as traditional sun destinations wobble — creating new winners and losers in 2026. Meanwhile, travel brands are racing to build “agentic” AI tools, but most consumers still aren’t ready to let bots handle their bookings. And Rafat Ali’s “Claude Effect” highlights how even small AI breakthroughs are already rattling travel valuations and forcing distribution players to defend their margins. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how shifting demand, fragile AI trust, and market anxiety are reshaping travel strategy in real time. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Why Ignoring Canada Just Got Expensive Travel Brands Are Building AI Agents for a Consumer That Doesn't Exist The Claude Effect Is Coming for Travel 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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Dubai’s Safe Haven Image Shaken, FAA Eyes O’Hare Flight Cuts, Southwest Bans Smart Glasses
Mar 300:04:36Tap to summarizeDubai’s reputation as a stable global travel hub faces new pressure after regional strikes disrupt airspace and test traveler confidence. The FAA considers limiting flights at Chicago O’Hare to prevent cascading summer delays as airlines battle for dominance. And Southwest bans smart glasses in the workplace, signaling a new era of privacy and risk management as wearable tech spreads. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy unpacks how geopolitics, infrastructure limits, and emerging technology are reshaping airline operations and destination perception. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Dubai's Status as a Travel Safe Haven Tested as Iran Strikes the UAE FAA Considers Reducing Flights at Chicago O’Hare After American and United Turf War Southwest Airlines Bars Employees From Wearing Smart Glasses: Scoop 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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Loyalty as Profit Engine, Barcelona Tax Hike, Vrbo’s Rain Refund
Feb 2700:04:04Tap to summarizeHotel executives spotlight loyalty as a growing profit engine beyond room revenue, Barcelona moves to double its hotel tax to manage overtourism, and Vrbo tests a weather-refund add-on that pays travelers automatically if rainfall crosses a set threshold. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how hotels are monetizing guest relationships beyond RevPAR, why Barcelona is betting demand can withstand higher visitor fees, and how embedded “peace of mind” products are becoming a bigger part of the booking flow. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGHotel Execs Reveal New Revenue Priority: Making More From LoyaltyBarcelona to Double Hotel TaxVrbo Guests Can Pay Fees to Get Refunds When Rain Ruins a Stay 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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Amadeus Goes Conversational, Layoffs Hit Meetings, Red Sea Scales Luxury
Feb 2600:04:51Tap to summarizeAmadeus acquires SkyLink to accelerate conversational AI booking, corporate layoffs begin tightening approval and ROI scrutiny around meetings, and Saudi’s Red Sea airport pushes for a 50:50 international split while scaling a controlled luxury destination. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy unpacks how booking interfaces are shifting from search to dialogue, why meetings now have to prove their revenue value, and how Saudi Arabia is engineering premium tourism growth without overwhelming its brand promise. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGAmadeus Acquired SkyLink to Infuse Its Products With Conversational AISweeping Corporate Layoffs Start to Make Their Mark on MeetingsSaudi’s Red Sea Airport Aims for 50:50 Split Between Domestic and International Travelers 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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Spirit’s Reset, Tariff Risk Hits Hotels, Airbnb Expands Again
Feb 2500:05:03Tap to summarizeSpirit Airlines reaches a deal to exit bankruptcy leaner and more premium-focused, hotel owners grapple with shifting U.S. tariff rules that complicate renovation budgets, and Airbnb tests airport pickups as it edges closer to becoming a full-service travel platform. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how Spirit is betting on margin over size, why tariff uncertainty is forcing hotels into “wait and hedge” mode, and how Airbnb’s push into ground transport signals a broader grab for the entire trip. Articles Referenced:Spirit Airlines Reaches Deal to Emerge From BankruptcyHoteliers Scramble to Price U.S. Tariff RiskAirbnb Is Testing Airport Pickups. Are Flights Next?
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Airline Chaos Weekend, Oneworld’s New CEO, U.S. Entry Scrutiny
Feb 2400:04:54Tap to summarizeA turbulent travel weekend brings TSA PreCheck confusion, 7,000+ blizzard cancellations, and flight suspensions to Puerto Vallarta, Oneworld names a new CEO as alliances fight for relevance, and proposed U.S. entry requirements raise fresh concerns for international meetings and business travel. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy unpacks how operational volatility is testing traveler trust, why airline alliances must prove their value beyond branding, and how stricter visa data rules could chill inbound demand ahead of major global events. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG TSA PreCheck Remains Operational After DHS Said It Would Suspend Program Airlines Cancel Over 7,000 Flights as Blizzard Hits Northeast Airlines Suspend Flights to Puerto Vallarta as Unrest Erupts in Mexico Oneworld Appoints New CEO as Airline Alliances Fight for Relevance Proposed U.S. Entry Requirements Could Wreak Havoc on Meetings and Events 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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Booking Defends Independents, Airbnb Tests Loyalty, Air France-KLM Soars
Feb 2000:04:21Tap to summarizeBooking doubles down on independent hotels as AI agents and Airbnb target the same supply, Airbnb begins testing loyalty benefits it calls a potential “massive accelerant,” and Air France-KLM crosses a €2 billion profit milestone on strong premium demand. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how platforms are fighting for control of independent inventory, why Airbnb loyalty could reshape repeat behavior, and how premium cabins continue anchoring airline profitability. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IGBooking CEO Touts Ties With Independent Hotels as Agentic AI and Airbnb Seek GainsAirbnb Tests Loyalty Benefits. Chesky Says Program “Could Be a Massive Accelerant”Air France-KLM Hits €2 Billion Profit Milestone as Premium Anchors Outlook 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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