Skift

Alaska Airlines pushes into long-haul flying, Southwest reshapes its identity for a new era, and Marriott signals confidence despite a softer quarter. On today’s Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down Alaska’s unexpected global ambitions, Southwest’s transition from quirky challenger to convenience-first carrier, and Marriott’s outlook as it prepares for a stronger 2026 boosted by international demand, luxury travel, and major global events. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon!⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising.amazon.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Articles Referenced: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alaska Airlines Leans on Hawaiian For Global Expansion Southwest Airlines Exec Defends Changes, Says Network Is a ‘Huge Differentiator’ Marriott CFO: Year-End Softness, Sonder Lessons, and 2026 Rebound Honorable Mention: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AskAConcierge on IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Skift LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠