On the Go – October 9, 2025

Industry News – Click on the title to read the full article. Many of the sources below require a free registration to gain access to the article. If a paid registration is required, the individual source will be noted.

Airlines

Study: Domestic Airfares From in 41 States (Source: Forbes)
Domestic travel in the US has increased by 2% year over year, with airfares dropping in 41 states, according to NetCredit. Orlando Sanford International Airport in Florida offers the cheapest domestic flights, while Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming is the most expensive. Hawaii has the lowest average domestic flight cost by state, while Wyoming is the most expensive, followed by Alaska.

American Removes Gate Bag Sizers To Streamline Boarding (Source: KTLA-TV)
American Airlines will remove bag sizers from gate areas starting Monday to simplify the boarding process. Bag sizers will remain in lobby areas for passengers to check their carry-on size, and staff will continue to monitor baggage for compliance.

Southwest Will Start Alaska Flights In May (Source: Travel Weekly)
Southwest Airlines will begin flying to Alaska in May.  The carrier will launch daily routes to Anchorage from Las Vegas and Denver and will announce specific start dates as tickets go on sale later this week. The services will be summer seasonal, according to Anchorage Airport.

General Interest

FAA Staffing Shortages Cause Delays As Shutdown Continues (Source: Reuters)
The Federal Aviation Administration has delayed flights for a third consecutive day because of staffing shortages from the government shutdown. By Wednesday evening, nearly 3,000 flights had been delayed, adding to 10,000 delays earlier in the week, with Reagan National and Newark Liberty airports among those affected. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged air traffic controllers to continue working despite not being paid, while Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and other Democrats called for an end to the shutdown.

Security

TSA Urges Patience As Shutdown Could Slow Airport Security (Source: TravelPulse)
The Transportation Security Administration has asked travelers to be patient as the government shutdown continues, warning that an extended shutdown could result in longer wait times at airports. Although most TSA employees are required to work without pay, a prolonged shutdown could lead to increased absenteeism, as seen during the 2018-2019 shutdown.

Hotels

Wyndham Introduces The Dazzler Select Collection For Economy Lifestyle Hotels (Source: Travel Weekly)
Hotels & Resorts has launched Dazzler Select by Wyndham, a collection of economy lifestyle hotels. The concept is an offshoot of Dazzler, a brand Wyndham acquired as part of its 2016 purchase of Fen Hotels.  According to Wyndham, Dazzler Select will enable owners of independent hotels “to preserve the individuality, branding and character of their hotels” while accessing Wyndham’s distribution network and the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program.

Hilton Unveils New Collection Brand Outset (Source: Business Travel News)
Hilton Worldwide has launched a new collection brand for its lifestyle portfolio, designed for independent boutique hotels, the company announced Monday.  Dubbed Outset Collection by Hilton, the conversion brand—Hilton’s 25th brand—is designed to allow for a flexible set of experiences and amenities offered. “For example, food and beverage offerings will vary across the brand, based on market demand, guest sentiment or hotel experience, ranging from cafes with light bites to full lunch and dinner concepts,” according to Hilton.

Ground Transportation

Enterprise Tops J.D. Power ’25 Car Rental Satisfaction Survey (Source: Business Travel News)
Enterprise dethroned National from the top of J.D. Power’s annual 2025 North American Car Rental Satisfaction Study, J.D. Power announced Wednesday.  Enterprise was No. 1 in the J.D. Power survey with a score of 734 out of a possible 1,000 points, and National was No. 2 with 721 points. The two brands traded places at the top for the second year in a row.

Leisure Travel

The 9 Best River Cruises For Every Type Of Traveler (Source: The Points Guy)
River cruise operators are highly competitive, generally offering very similar excursions and onboard amenities. Even the ships are comparable in layout and features, albeit with different decor styles.  Still, every line has its strengths, and the wide variety of destinations and itineraries means there are plenty of river cruise choices for every type of traveler, from adventure lovers to history nerds and wine and food aficionados.

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