Some good news is in the air. A new OAG report shows average airfares are dipping in key city pairs, meaning planners may have a little more budget to work with for 2026 experiences. And while the skies get friendlier, the U.S. is rolling out a global campaign to boost international arrivals just in time for some major milestones.
American Airlines is embracing its centennial year with retro flair and modern Flagship upgrades, while in Dubai, a hospitality icon is getting the MGallery treatment with a luxe refresh. Meanwhile, Princess Cruises is proving you can have your five-star dinner and pool zone too.
As always, Smart Travel is here to bring you the latest updates shaping the way we move, meet and plan.
Airfare Trends Show Surprising Drops in Key Routes
It may feel like your wallet is bracing for take‑off, but a new analysis from OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited shows that airfares in many major city‑pairs are actually going down this year.
In North America, six of the top ten city‑pairs saw drops in average fares, including Las Vegas to Los Angeles (‑7%) and Dallas/Fort Worth to L.A. (‑6%). In Asia, increased capacity helped domestic routes in Japan fall by around 7 % on average. But in Europe, the story diverges: Some routes, like Dublin‑London, jumped by 24%.
So what does this mean for meeting and incentive travel? It suggests you might be able to reallocate budget—less on airfares, more on experiences, lodging or destination upgrades. And when you spot a fare that feels like a bargain, OAG says it probably is—so strike while the data’s hot.
Brand USA Rolls Out ‘America the Beautiful’ to Draw International Travelers
Brand USA just launched its biggest campaign yet, “America the Beautiful,” during Travel Week U.K. & Europe in London. The goal? To remind the world that the U.S. isn’t just a place to visit—it’s a place to feel, taste and experience.
“Every element, from powerful creative storytelling to AI-powered planning tools, is designed to inspire travelers to see America in new ways,” said Leah Chandler, Brand USA’s chief marketing officer. “We’re not asking people to simply visit America; we’re inviting them to feel it, taste it and carry home experiences that become core memories.”
Read More: Brand USA Focus on MICE and Special Events Could Expand Annual Global Travel Beyond 90 Million in the Future
The timing is no accident: International travel to the U.S. is on the rise, with 2025 projected to generate more than $550 billion in total economic impact. And with 2026 bringing the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th birthday and Route 66’s centennial, Brand USA is putting out the welcome mat in nine key markets from India to Ireland.
The campaign will show up across streaming, social and out-of-home in cities around the globe, backed by a shiny new digital planning hub and tools to help connect major gateways with regional gems.
This all adds up to a richer mix of international interest—and hopefully, more incentive and meeting groups making their way stateside.
American Airlines Goes Retro-Future with New Livery and Luxe Upgrades
Just in time for its 100th birthday, American Airlines is throwing it back and stepping it up. The carrier just unveiled a special Flagship livery that blends vintage swagger with modern shine, set to debut in November on a Boeing 777-300.
The new look nods to American’s early days, reviving the iconic orange lightning bolt from the 1930s and adorning the plane with “Flagship DFW” as a wink to its largest hub. There’s even a classic eagle roundel on the tail for extra charm.
But this isn’t just a cosmetic refresh. That same aircraft is getting a luxe interior upgrade in 2026, featuring 70 Flagship Suite seats (with privacy doors and wireless charging), 44 Premium Economy seats with new calf rests and headrest wings, and 4K QLED screens in the Main Cabin, the first in the U.S.
“Painting the original Flagship design on our Flagship aircraft is a powerful way to honor that legacy while embracing the future,” said Ron DeFeo, American’s chief communications officer.
Centennial merch is also landing in the airline’s brand store, giving aviation fans a chance to snag vintage-inspired gifts that celebrate a century in the skies.
Dubai’s Hidden Gem Gets a Bold New Chapter
One of the Dubai’s best-kept hospitality secrets is getting a glow-up. Accor has officially signed the Creekside Hotel, a longtime local favorite with ties to tennis royalty and historic views, to its global portfolio, with plans to relaunch the property under the boutique-inspired MGallery Collection.
Set next to Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium and just minutes from the airport, the hotel is owned by Dubai Duty Free and will be operated by United Hospitality Management (UHM) under a white-label franchise agreement. A full renovation will precede the official rebrand, with plans to elevate every detail from design to dining, while preserving its sporty soul.
Expect 292 refreshed rooms with creek and city views, two rooftop pools, the expansive Akaru Spa and a fitness complex that includes tennis, squash and paddle courts. A curated collection of more than 480 commissioned artworks will also help channel MGallery’s signature storytelling style, blending modern luxury with cultural depth.
“By partnering with UHM and Accor, we are ensuring that the Creekside Hotel is not only managed with operational excellence but also refreshed with a bold new vision. Guests can look forward to an elevated experience that continues to reflect Dubai Duty Free’s commitment to excellence in hospitality and world-class sporting events,” said Ramesh Cidambi, managing director of Dubai Duty Free.
Royal Princess Ship Crowned World’s Best for Food
If your event diet starts with steak and ends with sushi, Princess Cruises has your ship. The line’s Royal Princess just earned the title of World’s Best Culinary Cruise Ship in the 2025 World Culinary Awards, serving proof that group travel can still mean five-star dining.
The recognition, voted on by industry experts and culinary insiders, celebrates the ship’s elevated menus and wine pairings, onboard partnerships and flavor-forward guest experiences. “This honor is a true testament to the creativity and dedication of our entire food and beverage team,” said Sami Kohen, vice president of food and beverage at Princess Cruises.
Guests aboard Royal Princess can sample everything from hand-cut steaks at Crown Grill to a Tuscan tasting menu at Sabatini’s, created in partnership with legendary winemakers Frescobaldi. There’s also the Champagne-soaked Chef’s Table Lumiere, sushi with a view at Ocean Terrace and pizza by 13-time world champ Tony Gemignani at Alfredo’s Pizzeria, plus wine dinners with Napa’s Caymus Vineyards.
This winter, the ship sets sail from Los Angeles with itineraries along the California coast and Mexico, before heading north to Alaska in summer 2026.
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