CCL Crew Member Lauded as a Hero After Saving Baby’s Life

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By Eric Hanson

Foreign Bureau

There was plenty of drama for an off-duty member of the Carnival Celebration ship during a cruise last month. Millić Šarović, a restaurant manager who hails from Montenegro, has been given Carnival’s “Hero” award during an onboard ceremony after he saved the life of an 11-month-old passenger. 

According to online recounting of the events Šarović was eating at one of the restaurants aboard ship when another crew member approached him in a panic. A baby girl was choking on a grape, and multiple attempts to clear her airway had been unsuccessful; the little passenger had actually begun to turn blue.

“I instinctively jumped in because no one was applying the correct maneuver,” Šarović told Bar Info. “I took her even though I didn’t know if she was alive. It was a huge responsibility, but my parental instinct was stronger. Maybe it lasted only a minute, but to me it felt much longer. Then she vomited the grape she had swallowed and started breathing again. I just sat down afterward. I was completely overwhelmed.“

Šarović used his emergency training knowledge to perform a modified choking rescue technique designed for babies. When the ship’s medical staff arrived and checked on the baby, they credited Šarović’s prompt intervention with saving her life.

It was also reported that Šarović recently earned another significant achievement, as last year, Carnival named him the company’s Best Leader, recognizing his commitment to leadership and the support he provides to his peers.

 By Suzanne Edgewater

West Coast Bureau

Partner airlines Delta and Aeromexico must dissolve their joint venture agreement, the Department of Transportation said Tuesday.

The two carriers formed the agreement in 2016, and it allows them to list flights together and share revenue. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said the partnership must end because Mexico is not being fair to United States airlines.

At the center of the issue is a disagreement about Mexico City’s two airports. 

Duffy says that the Mexican government rescinded slots for U.S. airlines and all-cargo carriers at the capital’s Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) in 2022 and 2023 under the guise of upcoming construction projects.

However, that construction was never started, the DOT states. The U.S. cargo airlines were forced to move to the newer but less appealing Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU) 30 miles from the center of the city.

“By restricting slots and mandating that all-cargo operations move out of MEX, Mexico has broken its promise, disrupted the market, and left American businesses holding the bag for millions in increased costs,” the DOT says.

The change provides an unfair advantage in the market to Delta and Aeromexico, according to Duffy. As a result, he terminated the airlines’ agreement and withdrew its antitrust immunity. The two carriers must wind down the joint venture by January 1, 2026. 

The two carriers will need to end common pricing, capacity management, and revenue sharing, but the DOT says they will still be able to continue “arms-length activities,” like codesharing, marketing, and coordinating their frequent flier programs.

“Empty promises mean nothing,” Duffy said. “After years of taking advantage of the U.S. and our carriers, we need to see definitive action by Mexico that levels the playing field and restores fairness. Under President Trump’s leadership, we will continue to put America First and hold any country who thinks they can distort the rules accountable.”

The termination of the partnership follows a warning from Duffy in July that he would end the agreement if Mexico didn’t take any action to restore the U.S. airlines’ slots. 

“We are disappointed that the Department of Transportation has chosen to terminate its approval of the strategic and pro-competitive partnership between Delta and Aeromexico, a decision that will cause significant harm to U.S. jobs, communities and consumers traveling between the U.S. and Mexico,” Delta said. “We are reviewing the Department’s order and considering next steps.”

The airline says that all of its flights will continue to operate as normal, unless passengers are contacted by Delta.

By John Stutz

East Coast Bureau

Big travel plans are taking off at Alaska Airlines. 

The Seattle-based carrier is undertaking an aggressive expansion plan to add even more international flights, increase its fleet by dozens of planes, and grow its network of premium lounges over the next few years.

The airline, which combined operations with Hawaiian Airlines starting in 2024, is on a mission to be among the largest carriers in the United States.

“We are in an incredible time,” the airline’s COO Jason Berry said in an interview with Seattle news station KOMO. “Alaska Airlines is growing and growing rapidly with the merger with Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska. We’re now a global airline and ready to compete to be the fourth largest U.S. international airline.”

Alaska Airlines’ international route expansion is already well underway. Over the last year, the carrier has been busy adding nonstop service from Seattle to Rome, Seoul, London, Reykjavik, and Tokyo.

The route to Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT) launched in spring 2025 with daily flights and has been a strong performer for the airline, with a 90% load factor. 

“That route is already profitable in less than a year,” Berry said. “International flights take a long time to build up, and we’re just encouraged by the demand.”

The carrier is planning to announce even more international routes this fall. 

To serve its growing international network, Alaska is using Boeing 787 Dreamliners outfitted with a completely new business class suites concept. 

The airline currently operates five Dreamliner planes, with another one expected for delivery in the fall and a seventh of the widebody aircraft planned to launch in early 2027. Four more 787s are slated to join the fleet in 2028, according to Berry.

Alaska also placed an order for 105 Boeing 737 Max 10 planes, which along with the upcoming Dreamliners, makes up the carrier’s largest-ever aircraft order.

“You don’t do that lightly,” Berry said of the fleet expansion. “We have about 400 jets today at Alaska and Hawaiian combined, and by 2035 we’ll have 550 airplanes, and a lot of that will be made up of Boeing aircraft.”

In addition to more international routes and a bigger fleet, Berry said that passengers can also expect additional lounges and more premium options, too. 

In terms of the carrier’s global expansion, it seems no destination around the world is off limits. 

“I hope we’ll be on five or six continents by the time we’re done,” Berry said.

By Eric Hanson

Foreign Bureau

Heading into the busy summer travel months, airline demand around the world took a notable dip in May 2026, according to new data from IATA. 

Over the course of the month, total global demand fell 2.2% compared to May 2025, IATA’s report says.

International air travel demand dipped by 1.6%, while domestic demand shrank by 3.1% year over year.

But on the whole, the lower demand was due to the impact of the war with Iran, according to IATA’s Director General Willie Wash. “The decline was centered on carriers in the Middle East with a 28.4% year-on-year fall,” Walsh said. 

Operations and demand continue to improve throughout the Middle East as negotiations to formally end the conflict with Iran continue. May’s data is “a significant improvement on the 46.6% decline recorded for April, a sign of the region’s resilience,” Walsh said. 

But it wasn’t just the Middle East. Other regions also saw air travel demand shrink amid the global headwinds. “Notably, we also saw year-on-year contractions in demand in both North America and Asia, largely related to domestic market conditions in the US and China,” Walsh said. 

Overall demand in North America was 0.8% lower year over year in May 2026, while the Asia-Pacific region’s demand fell by 1.4%.

The good news is that despite the slightly lower air travel numbers in May, overall airline demand remained relatively resilient amid the higher costs of jet fuel and airfares, according to Walsh.

But even though oil prices are becoming cheaper, the headwinds will take time to sort out. Passengers should brace themselves to see elevated airfares continue into the near future. 

“While the recent sharp drop in oil prices is an encouraging development, the challenges created by the war will likely persist for some time,” Walsh said. “Oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain and it is likely to take time before the benefit of lower oil prices is reflected in ‘normalized’ jet fuel pricing.”

In the meantime, airlines will continue to make airfares more expensive as they attempt to cover the ongoing elevated costs of jet fuel.

By Carla Martilotti

Foreign Bureau

In 2016, American Airlines introduced new gray uniforms, moving away from the old blue outfits. Twin Hill, a subsidiary of Tailored Brands, was contracted by AA to supply new uniforms to their 70,000 employees. But numerous employees reported issues with the new clothing, saying it led to conditions such as skin, respiratory, eye, neurologic, gastrointestinal, and reproductive issues.

According to the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents the airline’s cabin crew, there were a total of 3,758 complaints from roughly 18,000 flight attendants. Further, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health noted that 796 of the reports involved medical care. An additional 47 employees said they experienced symptoms simply from being in proximity to the uniforms, without wearing them.

But now several outlets have reported that the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for American and uniform manufacturer Twin Hill on Tuesday, tossing out the case, which was originally brought by 70 American Airline employees.

After the complaints started, American hired the testing firm Intertek to examine 123 of the new garments, as well as previous uniforms and regular retail clothing. Intertek found some potential sensitizers in the Twin Hill items but concluded it was unlikely those chemicals were uniquely responsible for the reported reactions, as they were within normal ranges.

While American chose not to recall the uniforms, the airline did offer alternatives. Employees were allowed to wear their older uniforms or purchase retail substitutes. Eventually, in June 2017, American announced that the Twin Hill uniforms would be replaced by 2020. And in 2020, the company switched to Lands’ End as its official supplier for staff uniforms.

By Robert Jeffers

East Coast Bureau

Generation Z are largely adults now, able to make and spend their money on travel experiences. Yet how does their approach to planning travel differ from their elder Millennial siblings’ travel trends and desires, or those of their parents and grandparents? 

We spoke to travel advisors to discover how Gen Z actually spends money on travel: how and why they approach using a travel advisor, how social media plays a major role in their travel planning process, and how this generation is actually becoming more mindful about travel experiences, from desiring to travel more responsibly to being more particular about how they spend their travel dollars. 

One thing to note: a lot of travel advisors don’t book a whole lot of Gen Z travelers. This could be for a variety of reasons, including the perceived cost of an advisor versus booking alone, the increased digital savviness of this generation, or other factors. 

Skyscanner’s Gen Z research found that 38% of Gen Z travelers use travel advisors over online travel agencies or booking sites. That number could shift higher should AI and social media lead to disillusionment over what they see online. 

The first thing you should know about Gen Z travelers is that they know what they want—mostly. Over and above other generations, Gen Z travelers have already researched a destination, resort or the experiences they desire heavily, often before even meeting with a travel advisor. 

“I would describe Gen Z travelers as experience-focused, research-driven, socially influenced, and very intentional with how they spend their money,” explained Samantha Shawhan at Destination Fun Travel. “They value authenticity, flexibility, personalization, and experiences that feel meaningful and memorable. They want trips that are worth sharing, but they also want honest guidance when planning them.” 

Shawhan pointed out a very critical aspect of Gen Z: social media. Not only do they wish to visit a place that’s worth sharing, but this generation is also prioritizing researching travel through TikTok and Instagram—something every one of the advisors we spoke with agreed on. 

“Social media plays a role in all generation’s travel desires, and especially Gen Z’s desires,” said Cole Kirkpatrick, Travel Advisor, VTA. “They see places that are beautiful; they learn about experiences they instantly put on their list. 

Some go as far as to curate their vacation daily itinerary around influencer recommendations. Even for restaurant recommendations Gen Z is avidly trying to find that which hasn’t been found yet and do it before everyone else does. Social media only stirs their desire to plan for or avoid places within the destinations they hope to explore.”

Gen Z knows what they want. The curated experience they see online is often the jumping-off point for this generation. 

James Berglie, President, Be All Inclusive - Destination Weddings is now planning the majority of destination weddings for Gen Z couples: a new shift that started just this year. He explains their connection to social media.

“Prior generations came in having done some research, maybe read some reviews, talked to a friend who got married there,” Berglie said. “Gen Z comes to us having watched 47 TikTok videos about specific properties, having read the comments on those videos, having already ruled out resorts based on something a stranger said in the comments section 6 months ago. They have opinions that are this specific before we ever have our first conversation with them.”

Yet that doesn’t mean they believe everything they see online, as Shawhan explains: “That being said, I also think Gen Z travelers are becoming more aware that social media does not always reflect reality. It is a good place to find ideas but not the end all,” Shawhan continued. “They are looking for creators and travel advisors they trust to give honest opinions and realistic expectations, not just perfectly curated marketing.”

While the youngest adult generation certainly derives the majority of its travel influence over social media, that doesn’t actually make them vapid or naive. 

Kirkpatrick explained that this generation tries hard to craft an itinerary that doesn’t lead to traveler fatigue. Pacing, destinations—especially ones that are less popular and therefore less crowded—and more in-depth travel experiences are often top of mind for Gen Z travelers. 

“They likely have seen some places around the globe, but many have never left North America,” Kirkpatrick said. “They prioritize great experiences; they want to take vacations, not tours. They have a lot of great questions and truly want cultural interactions when they travel. Many Gen Z’s are thoughtful about their travel impact — how their visit to a destination impacts the people and places they visit. This generation knows what they want, but often they don’t have the confidence to do everything themselves. They would rather travel more than take one big trip every five to ten years.”

One big common thread for Gen Z travelers appears to be a greater focus on the quality of experiences they have while traveling—not just staying in a nice hotel. 

In fact, advisors believe they’re less likely to spend money on a luxury hotel than spending money on more experiences that connect them to the people and places they’re visiting. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the cheapest and will avoid luxury or premium experiences; their definition of luxury is simply different than older generations. 

“They are much more willing to spend money on experiences rather than just upgraded rooms. ‘We are sleeping and showering there, we won’t be in the room much,’” said Shawhan. “Excursions, beach clubs, unique dining, concerts, festivals, wellness experiences, and aesthetically appealing resorts are all things they are willing to splurge on. 

“I also see Gen Z travelers prioritizing convenience. They are more likely to pay extra for nonstop flights, upgraded seats, airport lounges, or all-inclusive resorts where they know the price upfront and can avoid surprise costs later. Compared to older generations, they care less about ‘formal luxury’ and more about whether something feels worth the money and shareable.”

Gen Z travelers are also less likely to wait to splurge on trips, choosing to travel more often throughout the year than previous generations, while saving on dining out and other at-home experiences to pay for it. Skyscanner’s Gen Z research found that globally, 52% of Gen Z travelers are taking at least three trips a year. 

This means their budgets will shift accordingly, but since they are largely experience-driven, they’ll also likely feel more motivated to spend on the experiences they really desire. 

“In 2026, my Gen Z clientele continue expressing their desire to minimize their hotel stays while maximizing their experiences,” said Kirkpatrick. “Instead of the four- or five-star boutique hotel stay, some opt for modest stays so they can do a private wine tasting or the semi-private boat outing. They see value in what they experience more than the glamour of where they will stay by-and-large.”

So they know what they want, and are willing to spend money to get it: unique, shareable experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime. 

“I would describe many Gen Z travelers as highly trend- and media-driven, curious, and experience-oriented,” said Lexi Johnston, Research & Concierge with Churchill & Turen and fellow Gen Z. “They often value flexibility, personalization, and opportunities to engage more deeply with local culture, food, and activities.”

So what brings the most tech-savvy generation to a travel advisor for help planning their next trip? 

The first is confidence: they know that what they might be seeing online isn’t reality, and they’re determined to ensure they spend their money well. They also find greater confidence in traveling in an uncertain world when they have an advisor that can support them should things go awry. 

“They have all these wonderful ideas and see how their vacation should go, but many are leaning on trusted travel advisors to make it happen,” said Kirkpatrick. “Some of my Gen Z clients have previously traveled with parents. So, they see the value of having someone handle their details. Others are completely new to travel, and even though they trust themselves and the plan they have, they still want someone to be responsible for them; they desire having someone available to them for inevitably when something happens. In a way, this bridges the gap for Gen Z travelers to their parents and grandparents: trust in professionals continues to be a priority.” 

In an age of increasingly technologically led lives, having a human support contact like a travel advisor while traveling seems to increase traveler confidence and ease anxieties for all generations, both young and old. 

Connection remains one of the most important benefits a travel advisor can provide that even AI can’t—and as Generation Z increasingly turns to more analog ways of life, this might prove to be the reason why Gen Z turns to advisors more than AI in the future. 

“One thing I think is really interesting is that Gen Z travelers are pushing the travel industry toward more transparency and personalization,” Shawhan explained. “...As a full-time travel advisor, I also see them valuing expert guidance because there is almost too much information online now. Social media may inspire the trip, but many still want help figuring out what is actually worth their time and money.”

Generation Z is a growing traveler demographic with a very different approach to travel planning and with some unique travel desires. 

Advisors should understand that they’re more likely to research via social media, desire travel experiences that feel personal or meaningful to them, and, while budget conscious, are more willing to spend on the travel experiences they really desire.