Operators

Jet2 claims generational leap with new AI-powered search for agents

Airline and operator hails new AI conversational search functionality the biggest shake-up of search for 20 years

Black Friday driving 'mini peaks' as value becomes top consumer priority

’At the beginning of November, Black Friday queries were already up by 7.3% on last year – Black Friday is definitely a shift we didn’t have previously,’ Google industry manager Ailish English tells Jet2holidays conference

Black Friday: UK holiday fraud hotspot named after £12m hit last year

Police have warned consumers to be vigilant about holiday buying scams on Black Friday after fraud totalling more than £12 million was reported in 2023

Lufthansa Group extends green levy fare despite sluggish take-up

Lufthansa Group’s Green Fares option has been extended across its worldwide network covering all its brands except Eurowings

Carrier to launch exclusive business course for advisors after inaugural summit

The luxury travel company unveiled its plans for 2025 at its first ever summit on Monday.

Virgin Voyages, Carnival Corp, Balkan Holidays: this week's travel trade people moves

People moves this week include a leadership shake-up at Carnival Corp and industry veteran Chris Cundall becoming JTA Travel Group’s new head of UK sales

Jet2 chief pins anti-tourist sentiment on 'unlicensed tourism'

Steve Heapy said demonstrations this summer in places like Majorca, the Canaries and Barcelona were a reaction to ’incompetent and impotent" politicians failing to regulate short-term rentals, not traditional package tourism

British Airways unveils new-look first class seats

The upgraded cabins have been inspired by a luxury hotel and will feature wider and larger seats, personal luggage space and several other luxury amenities.

8 top travel trends agents need to know for 2025

Which destinations are in vogue, how far in advance are consumers booking, and will AI take our jobs: just a few of the discussion points at Abta’s Travel Trends conference.

Jet2holidays to help homeworkers expand onto the high street during peaks

General manager trade Lloyd Cross has set out the airline and operator’s plans to support agents during peaks, including a new ’Scale up your Street’ push

Jet2 adds three new Greek island destinations, plus Tallinn city breaks

Airline and operator confirmed additions to its summer 2025 and 2026 programmes, plus its 2025/26 winter schedule, at its conference in Paphos on Wednesday (27 November)

ILTM Cannes 2024 will be ‘biggest to date’ with record numbers

The luxury travel tradeshow anticipates its 2024 edition to be its biggest yet.

Heathrow boss: 'Airport expansion decision to be made next year'

Heathrow’s chief executive Thomas Woldbye has said a decision on a third runway will be made next year but needs the backing of the industry and government

Travel urged to seek new allies in Westminster and not 'give up' on government

The former chair of parliament’s transport committee told Aito conference delegates to engage with the ’raft of new MPs’ in Westminster to seek new allies for the industry

Aito gains approval to resume offering members financial protection

Aito will launch the Aito Financial Protection Services scheme after gaining government approval, but there are still a few ’technical issues’ for the association to address

TTC Tour Brands launches flight-inclusive packages to agents

Agents will now be able to offer their clients flights when booking Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Costsaver and Luxury Gold

Uniworld bets on demand for unique long-haul river experiences

UK and Ireland managing director Chris Townson has told industry partners long-haul destinations such as India and Peru are already sold out for early 2025

SPL Villas fixes sights on 'doubling' trade bookings in 2025

SPL’s new head of marketing Sam Willan will be responsible for the specialist’s consumer and trade marketing strategies and for building stronger partnerships with agents and consortia after the specialist’s busiest-ever October

Jet2 puts first winter sun programme on sale from new Luton base

The programme, announced less than a week after Jet2 named Luton as its 13th UK base, majors on the Canary Islands, and also features mainland Spain, Turkey and Portugal

Clients with kids? Consider Disney’s Encanto country

From Disney inspiration to jungle adventures, here’s why you should be thinking of Colombia for adventurous families

Jet2 'mindful' of £25 million Budget blow despite record results

The airline and operator estimates its labour costs will jump by around £25 million a year following the Budget, adding it also continues to be ’mindful of the potential indirect impacts of ongoing geopolitical political challenges

Half the world's top travel firms making progress on sustainability, says WTTC

A new roadmap from the World Travel and Tourism Council says more than half the world’s top travel brands are taking sustainability initiatives

Inside Tui's evolution: 'It's an acceleration of where we've been going'

A senior-level shake-up and a new HQ herald sweeping and ambitious change at Tui in the UK, while new contracts for the operator’s top bosses in Hanover look set to give the giant’s transformation some clarity and continuity. Harry Kemble and Gary Noakes report

SPAA puts business rate reform top of Scottish Budget wish list

The SPAA has set out its wish list for the Scottish government ahead of the forthcoming Budget on 4 December