In travel news for July 28, 2023 we talk about SouthWest Airlines refocusing their flight schedules to focus more on leisure travel, Princess Cruises adds more inclusive options at no extra cost for their Plus and Premier packages, and United Airlines is making travel for blind travelers a little easier.
Southwest Airlines Readjusts: Key Insights for Leisure Travelers
SouthWest Airlines is set to substantially reduce midweek flights from January, aligning its schedule with post-pandemic travel trends that favor leisure travel. The decision is expected to contribute around $500 million to pretax profits next year. Southwest will reduce flying on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to about eight percentage points below the heavy Monday travel day. The airline will also reduce less profitable late-night and early morning flights, adjust its flight patterns in new markets like Hawaii, and decrease frequencies on short business-travel routes, reallocating those aircrafts to more leisure-oriented medium- and long-haul routes. These changes reflect a shifting travel landscape in the wake of the pandemic.
Unpacking Princess Cruises' Inclusive Packages for Easier Vacation Planning
Princess Cruises is revamping their Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, adding more inclusive options at no extra cost. Starting from August 12, guests on these packages can enjoy fixed-price dining options in the ship's casual restaurants, with a three-course set menu that changes daily. The OceanNow on-demand delivery service and the room service charges are waived for Plus and Premier guests. The Princess App has an improved OceanReady process, giving guests "Green Lane Status" for smoother embarkation. This allows them to go straight to the ship with no lines if their travel information and documents are complete. These enhancements are aimed at providing travelers a more inclusive and effortless vacation at sea.
United Airlines Pioneers Braille Integration: More Accessibility for Flyers
United Airlines has become the first American airline to incorporate Braille into its aircraft interiors, aiming to improve accessibility for visually-impaired travelers. Currently available on a dozen aircrafts, the plan is to equip the entire mainline fleet with Braille by the end of 2026. United is also partnering with disability advocacy groups to explore the use of other tactile navigational aids. The airline has previously launched other initiatives to enhance accessibility, such as a mobile app redesign for people with visual disabilities and the addition of accessibility features to in-flight seatback entertainment screens.