Miscellaneous

🛩 Passengers surveyed across 25 countries want smarter, faster, and sustainable air travel, reports SITA Passenger IT Insights 2025. With mobile usage up 20 points since 2020, nearly 80% are ready for phone-stored passports, and digital ID users are projected to hit 1.27 billion by 2029. About 90% would pay extra for greener flights. Intermodal trips gain traction, with 70% planning one this year. Despite low mishandling rates, 78% would pay for better baggage services.

🚀 DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub faced profitability challenges during the pandemic, with DoorDash posting its first profitable quarter in October 2024 and Uber Eats taking seven years to achieve profitability in 2021. Grubhub's value plummeted by nearly 90% from $7.3 billion in 2020 to a $650 million sale to Wonder in 2024. By 2023, DoorDash held over 60% of the delivery market. Platforms are diversifying, with DoorDash expanding into tech services and Grubhub integrating meal-time channels.

🌃 Returning from an international trip, the author experienced a moment of profound human connection at an airport's exit. With hundreds of people present, a man was reunited with his family, embodying universal joy and relief. The author observed this for 30 minutes, soaking in the beauty of genuine human interactions. This scene highlighted the significance of being present and cherishing moments of belonging, emphasizing that such experiences offer a glimpse of heaven.

🚀 Six by Nico launched its SPACE menu on August 25, 2025, at all locations. This six-course cosmic dining experience costs £45 per person, with an optional £30 wine pairing. The menu will be available until November 16, 2025, offering dishes like Zero Gravity Oyster and Solar Flare. Chef Nico Simeone’s inspiration stems from space exploration, offering imaginative presentations and flavors, pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity, available for a limited 12-week period.

💳 78% of 2,000 millennials prioritize payment flexibility when booking trips. 66% would choose flexible options over identical priced airline offers. Financial constraints led 43% to delay or cancel plans last year. Hidden fees (62%), lack of flexibility (61%), and upfront costs (58%) are major barriers. 70% would book earlier, 66% more often, and 67% would upgrade if costs were spread. Over 51% spend more than £2,000 annually on travel. Only 40% find airlines financially accessible, but 49% say booking sites are better.

🍴 Bret Thorn is the senior food & beverage editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. He joined NRN in 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality in 2016. Thorn has expertise in food trends, notably in French and Asian cuisines, and holds a degree from Tufts University and a certificate from Le Cordon Bleu. His accolades include a 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. Thorn, a Denver native now residing in Brooklyn, started his career with roles in Thailand and at The New York Sun.

🍴 Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley joined The View, a historic rotating restaurant in New York City, now owned by Union Square Hospitality Group. With a background in top U.S. restaurants, she crafted a menu blending classic New York chop house vibes with seasonal touches. Her favorite dish is the Brazilian Picanha, simply seasoned and broiled. Side dishes like peas and carrots, inspired by Swanson TV dinners, reflect her focus on simplicity and flavor.

🎬 Harkins Theaters partnered with The Culinary Edge to launch The Backlot in July at The Shops at Norterra, Phoenix, AZ. The 90-year-old brand offers a family entertainment center with bowling, darts, and an arcade. The Studio Canteen serves film-themed dishes like pizzas, burgers, and desserts. The Culinary Edge, a San Francisco consultancy, ensured an unforgettable menu. An indoor-outdoor bar offers drinks, including local brews and mocktails.

✈️ Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) becomes the first airline group to partner with Adobe, Google, Skyscanner, and Visa. This collaboration aims to enhance digital engagement and payment processes, offering a data-driven, personalized travel experience. Clarence Lee, MAG’s Chief Digital & IT Officer, and Dersenish Aresandiran, MAG’s Chief Commercial Officer, highlight its potential to transform customer journeys. This strategic move positions MAG towards its goal of being a leading global aviation group.

🎙 Josiah Mackenzie shares insights from over 1,000 podcast interviews on how hospitality leaders can prepare effectively and communicate confidently to create value for listeners. This solo episode emphasizes the power of podcasts for exchanging stories and ideas in the industry. 🎧