Alaska Airlines Partners with Expedia to Launch Stays by Alaska Vacations

Alaska Airlines Partners with Expedia to Launch Stays by Alaska Vacations

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 25, 2024

Alaska Airlines is taking its commitment to customer satisfaction to new heights with the launch of Stays by Alaska Vacations, a collaboration with Expedia Group. This new platform allows guests to explore exclusive deals on over 900,000 unique hotel and vacation rental properties worldwide, all while earning and redeeming miles through Alaska’s award-winning Mileage Plan.

Starting today, guests can take advantage of top deals on accommodations through Stays by Alaska Vacations. Alaska Mileage Plan members will earn one mile per dollar spent on all bookings, while Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® cardholders can earn an additional three miles per dollar spent on eligible prepaid stays, maximizing their rewards and saving on travel costs.

Stays by Alaska Vacations not only offers incredible value but also makes it easier than ever for guests to redeem their miles for their next hotel room or vacation rental. For Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® cardholders, preferred redemption rates make the experience even more rewarding.

"Our Mileage Plan is the most generous in the industry, with the fastest path to elite status," said Courtney Lansing, Managing Director of Business Development and Products at Alaska Airlines. "Through our partnership with Expedia Group, we're empowering our guests with choices for every part of their trip—from flights to where they're staying. Stays by Alaska Vacations combines convenience and affordability, unlocking special savings while earning status on an award-winning airline."

Earlier this year, Alaska Airlines announced Packages by Alaska Vacations, where guests can access package-only discounts on airfare, hotel rates, car rentals, and activities. Powered by Expedia Group's robust technology, the travel portal allows guests to easily customize and bundle their vacation packages, ensuring they save money and earn miles every step of the way.

"We are excited to expand our partnership with Alaska Airlines, underscoring our commitment to seamless, end-to-end traveler experiences backed by proven, reliable tech," said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Expedia Group. "Stays by Alaska Vacations unlocks our vast lodging supply and offers incredible value for Alaska Mileage Plan members to earn and redeem miles across various trip elements."

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Alaska Airlines continues to enhance its guest experience with premium offerings such as the most legroom in First Class* and Premium Class, global connectivity to thousands of international destinations through its Global Partners, and no change fees. Guests can also enjoy high-quality West Coast-inspired food and a premium selection of beverages.

Alaska Airlines and its regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico. With the support of oneworld Alliance members and additional Global Partners, Alaska Airlines offers guests even more choices, making it easier than ever to purchase, earn, or redeem miles across 30 airlines and more than 1,000 worldwide destinations.

For those who haven’t yet joined, now is the perfect time to become an Alaska Mileage Plan member and start earning miles on the most rewarding loyalty program in the industry. Alaska Airlines’ loyal flyers, affectionately known as MVPs, earn more miles on average than with any other airline, making every flight count.

*Out of any U.S. legacy airline excluding lie-flat seats.

About Alaska Airlines:
Alaska Airlines and its regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico. Known for offering a premium flying experience with award-winning customer service and an industry-leading loyalty program, Mileage Plan, Alaska Airlines ensures a memorable travel experience for its guests. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com and follow @alaskaairnews for the latest updates.

About Expedia Group:
Expedia Group, Inc. is a global travel platform that powers travel for everyone, everywhere. With a strong belief that travel is a force for good, Expedia Group helps people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. The organization is composed of three pillars: Expedia Brands, Expedia Product & Technology, and Expedia for Business, each focused on providing industry-leading technology solutions and memorable travel experiences. Visit www.expediagroup.com for more information.


Green signal for ₹136cr city-side hub at Thiruvananthapuram airport

Green signal for ₹136cr city-side hub at Thiruvananthapuram airport

By Hariharan U

Published on September 15, 2025

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is moving closer to a major transformation, with the Union environment ministry’s expert appraisal committee (EAC) recommending environmental clearance for a ₹136 crore city-side development project. The initiative, planned by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) at Chackai within the airport grounds, aims to reshape the capital city’s gateway into a modern hospitality and commercial hub.

The project will feature a 240-room luxury hotel, expansive food and beverage areas with over 600 seats, and world-class infrastructure across nearly 34,000 sq. m. Spread over two basements, a ground floor and four upper floors, the complex will rise up to 23 metres. Once clearances are finalized, the hotel is expected to come under a global five-star brand such as Marriott, Hilton or Intercontinental.

This city-side facility is part of the larger terminal expansion plan, "Project Anantha" The project faced delays after the state environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA) sought changes in the basement design, citing environmental risks. The revised proposal has now cleared hurdles, and with pending cases moved to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the project is finally back on track.

Construction could begin within three months. Alongside enhancing airport facilities, the project is expected to generate around 300 direct jobs and nearly 900 indirect employment opportunities. “The project will not just address rising accommodation needs but also give a strong push to Kerala’s hospitality sector,” said a source close to the airport.

The EAC has attached strict environmental safeguards. Construction will rely on recycled water and rainwater harvesting. Once operational, the complex will need 318 KLD of water, with nearly half supplied by an in-house sewage treatment plant. Solid waste, expected at 418 kg daily, will be processed sustainably—biodegradable waste will be converted on-site while non-biodegradable material will be handed over to authorized vendors.

Other eco-measures include rooftop rainwater harvesting tanks, a 20% reduction target in energy use, and transplantation of 40 trees within the airport boundary. The land, currently serving as open parking, was allocated to AAHL under a 50-year concession agreement signed in 2021 with the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The EAC has clarified that the site is free from ecologically sensitive zones, coastal regulation restrictions or protected habitats.

Thiruvananthapuram airport is already handling record traffic, with nearly 4.9 million passengers between April 2024 and March 2025, and this new city-side development is expected to further elevate the airport’s standing as a gateway to Kerala.


Air India Group Adopts SITA Tech to Boost Efficiency and Cut Emissions

Air India Group Adopts SITA Tech to Boost Efficiency and Cut Emissions

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 15, 2025

Air India Group has taken a major step in its modernization journey by deploying SITA OptiFlight and eWAS, two advanced data-driven digital solutions designed to improve flight efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The rollout is aimed at tackling rising fuel costs and the growing need to reduce carbon emissions, challenges faced by airlines worldwide.

The new technology is now active across the Air India Airbus A320 fleet and the Air India Express Boeing 737 fleet, covering both domestic and international routes. Deployment on Air India’s widebody fleet is set to follow. Together, the solutions are expected to help the group cut carbon emissions by 35,000 tons annually.

“As the aviation industry navigates growing regulatory and environmental pressure, the need for intelligent, predictive solutions has never been more critical,” said Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific at SITA. “Air India’s deployment of SITA OptiFlight® and eWAS is a strong example of how smart digital technologies can cut emissions, save fuel, and unlock real operational value across every flight.”

Basil Kwauk, Chief Operations Officer, Air India, added: “Sustainability and efficiency are core to our transformation into a world-class airline. With SITA OptiFlight and SITA eWAS, we’re taking meaningful steps to modernize our operations, reduce our carbon footprint.”

SITA OptiFlight® uses historical flight data, aircraft-specific performance models, and 4D weather forecasts to optimize key flight phases. At its core is OptiClimb, which provides pilots with customized climb-out schedules tailored to each aircraft. This reduces fuel burn during one of the most energy-intensive stages of flight while maintaining safety and performance.

SITA eWAS complements this by providing real-time weather updates and predictive forecasting, enabling pilots to avoid turbulence, reroute efficiently, and make informed in-flight decisions. Together, these solutions strengthen operational performance while supporting Air India’s sustainability goals.

With these tools, SITA continues to expand its footprint in Indian aviation, helping carriers achieve operational resilience, cost efficiency, and reduced environmental impact.


Historic Moment: Mizoram Joins India’s Railway Map with Bairabi–Sairang Line

Historic Moment: Mizoram Joins India’s Railway Map with Bairabi–Sairang Line

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 13, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 51.28 km-long Bairabi–Sairang railway line in Mizoram on September 13, marking a historic moment for the northeastern state. With this, Mizoram will be connected to Kolkata by train for the first time, significantly improving accessibility and connectivity.

The Kolkata–Sairang–Kolkata express train will operate three times a week, providing a vital link between the state capital and West Bengal. In addition, the Prime Minister will also flag off two more services, a weekly Rajdhani Express to Anand Vihar and a daily express train to Guwahati, officially bringing Aizawl onto the Indian railway map through its nearest station, Sairang.

Constructed at an estimated cost of ₹8,071 crore, the Bairabi–Sairang rail line is a feat of engineering that navigates Mizoram’s challenging hilly terrain. The route passes through 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, 87 minor bridges, five road overbridges, and six road underbridges. Among the engineering highlights is a bridge that rises to a height of 114 metres, taller than Delhi’s iconic Qutub Minar by 42 metres. Adding cultural significance, the tunnels are adorned with local artworks that reflect Mizo heritage and traditions.

Officials emphasized that the project, part of the Central government’s Act East policy, is more than just an infrastructure development. It is expected to bring multiple benefits, including enhanced trade opportunities, improved inter-state travel, and a major boost to tourism in the region. “Through this project, Mizoram, long deprived of railway service due to its difficult geographical conditions, has now been gifted with direct connectivity close to Aizawl,” a railway official said.

Experts believe that this rail link will not only make travel easier but also spur socio-economic development. Raj Basu, convenor of the Association for Conservation of Tourism, noted that increased accessibility will attract more visitors from West Bengal and beyond. He highlighted Mizoram’s reputation as a safe, welcoming destination with strong women-led entrepreneurship, especially in homestays, which is drawing all-women tourist groups to the state.

Currently, Mizoram is connected to Kolkata only by air and road. With this new railway line, the “Land of Blue Mountains” is poised to emerge as a more accessible and attractive destination, paving the way for stronger tourism and cross-border opportunities.

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