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Another week has passed and 2026 is off to a busy start. I’m in Tampa for the long holiday weekend and catching up on some hotel reviews from the past month. Look for the first from my New Year’s trip to Asia this coming week. In travel news, former NYC mayor Adams threatens a woman in a jet bridge, former Chicago mayor Lightfoot is sued by Chase, I review a few hotels, Cathay plans an NYC lounge, and ICE takes to the airport in Minneapolis this week in travel news.

Airlines
Lots of new routes from United, Spirt, and more, plus pets on JSX, Lufthansa cracking down on power banks, and much more in airline news this week.
- Breaking: Allegiant to Acquire Sun Country in $1.5 Billion Deal
- EVA Air to Launch First Nonstop Washington to Taipei Service in July 2026
- Spirit Adds Mardi Gras Service to New Orleans With Expanded Flight Schedule in February
- American Airlines Introduces New Inflight Food and Beverage Options for 2026
- Asiana Will Relocate to Seoul Incheon Terminal 2 on January 14th as Part of Post-Merger Integration
- Lufthansa Group to Equip Entire Fleet Across Airlines with Starlink High-Speed Internet
- Delta to Pay $1.3 Billion in Profit Sharing, Equal to More Than Four Weeks of Extra Pay for Employees
- Air France Introduces Alcohol-Free Sparkling Rosé in La Première Cabin
- Food Leads the Way: United Introduces Economy Meal Pre-Orders
- Delta Moves Toward Unbundling Premium Cabins With “Basic” First and Business Class Fares
- Former NYC Mayor Adams Threatens Female Passenger With a Punch in the Face
- Lufthansa Group Airlines Will Crack Down With Stricter Power Bank Rules Starting Tomorrow
- Spirit Will Resume 15 Routes Across the US This April
- Ryanair Rejects Starlink Wi-Fi as Its CEO Questions Cost, Fuel Burn, and Passenger Demand
- Icelandair Launches Social Campaign Defending “Real Travel” Against AI-Generated Images
- United Adds Five Year-Round and Nine Seasonal Routes for Summer 2026
- Delta Passenger Jailed for 18 Months After Inflight Disturbance and Death Threat to Crew Member
- STARLUX First Nonstop to Phoenix Landed Yesterday, Adding to the Airport’s First Asia Route
- WestJet Reverses Course on Non-Reclining Seat Plan After Passenger Backlash Over Legroom
- JSX Partners With Petco to Launch VIP Pet Travel Program With Pet-Friendly Amenities
- Aerolíneas Argentinas Adds US Flights for FIFA World Cup and Launches Córdoba to Miami Route
- EVA Air Suspends Captain After Alleged Cockpit Assault During Taxi at LAX

Hotels
I review two JDV by Hyatt hotels in Louisville and NYC, Hilton’s new promotion is live, and it also entered the short-term apartment segment this week in hotel news.
- Register Now: Hilton Launches New Global Promotion Offering 2,000 Bonus Points Per Stay
- Hotel Review: Hotel Genevieve – JDV by Hyatt
- Hilton Enters Short-Term Apartment Segment With Apartment Collection Brand
- Hotel Review: The Time New York – JDV by Hyatt

Lounges
Delta opens a lounge at the Las Vegas Sphere and Cathay plans for its first NYC lounge this week in lounge news.
- Delta Becomes Official Airline of Las Vegas Sphere and Opens Delta SKY360° Club Lounge
- Cathay Pacific to Open First Dedicated Lounge in New York as Airline Moves to New Terminal 6

Destinations & Travel News
Illinois gets digital licenses, Austin plans for more gates, Chase is suing Chicago’s former mayor, and more this week in travel news.
- Austin to Add 32 Gates in $5 Billion Expansion as Passenger Growth Surges
- Chase is Suing Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Over Unpaid United Credit Card Debt
- Finally: TSA Now Accepts Digital IDs From Illinois Residents
- ICE to Conduct Three Weeks of Document Checks at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
Anthony’s Take: I hope that you enjoyed reading all the news, reviews, and travel-related items that caught my eye this week. Thanks for your continued support of The Bulkhead Seat.
(Image Credits: cherdchai chawienghong via iStock, Lufthansa, Delta Air Lines, and TSA.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.