Skift Take
In today’s podcast, the discussion includes Booking.com’s cruise offering, Americans’ international preferences, and Wizz’s recent challenges.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, November 10. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
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Episode Notes
Booking.com made a strategic move to diversify on Thursday. They launched cruises in the U.S. through a partnership with World Travel Holdings, according to Executive Editor Dennis Schaal.
Schaal explains that Booking.com’s introduction of cruises is part of their push to expand their presence in the U.S. cruise market. Customers can expect exclusive deals and offerings on the platform, with over 10,000 sailings available on 30-plus lines.
Additionally, a significant number of Americans have been traveling abroad this year. The top destinations for U.S. travelers have been Cancun and London, as reported by Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill.
About 17.5% of flight bookings from U.S. cities to international destinations were for Cancun, reaching 91% of 2019 levels. London followed as the second most popular destination for U.S. travelers.
On the domestic front, New York City was the top destination for U.S. travelers with approximately 4% of flight bookings.
Lastly, Wizz Air has seen significant growth post-pandemic but is facing challenges going forward, according to Edward Russell, editor of Airline Weekly at Skift.
The Hungary-based airline saw growth due to increased seats in London and Italy, along with the addition of new Airbus jets. However, engine issues affecting a large portion of their fleet have led to the grounding of at least 45 planes in January. Wizz Air also suspended flights to Israel.
Despite challenges, Wizz Air reported a $560 million operating profit and 17.1% operating margin in the six months leading up to September.
