Miscellaneous

✈️ Air France-KLM partners with IBS Software to integrate the iFlight solution across a fleet of over 500 aircraft. The goal is to streamline operations, reduce costs, and minimize delays through a unified digital platform. The implementation promises improved decision-making and resource allocation, enhancing passenger experience. This deal, following a successful deployment at Transavia Netherlands, is the largest iFlight operations agreement for IBS, affecting Air France, KLM, and KLM CityHopper.

💻 Nomadix Inc. has announced a distribution agreement with TD SYNNEX, a leading distributor, to expand its connectivity and digital engagement solutions across North America. This partnership targets industries like hospitality, education, and government. Michael Fox and Speleos Dravillas from Nomadix emphasize growth and leadership in technology delivery, while Cheryl Day from TD SYNNEX highlights adding Nomadix to their vendor portfolio. VARs, MSPs, and SIs can access these solutions immediately.

📈 Consumer sentiment showed improvement in June 2025, with dining participation rates rising to 77.3% from 76.4% in Q4 2024. Visits per week increased from 1.99 to 2.19. Despite this, 87% of trade-off households plan to reduce restaurant spending. Menu prices have outpaced groceries for 27 months, but median household income rose to $85,632. Trade-off consumers have increased to 34.5% in June. Restaurants are advised to entice these consumers with promotions and value offerings.

🍗 In 2011, Edley’s Bar-B-Que launched in Nashville, now expanding to Chattanooga, Franklin, and Gallatin, Tennessee. They introduced “Nashville-Style BBQ,” featuring a dry rub with 15-20 ingredients like cayenne and a sauce blending traditional barbecue flavors with fermented habanero mash. This new style is available in brisket, pork, ribs, and wings. Edley’s aims to create a unique barbecue identity for Nashville, driven by consumer demand for the city’s signature heat in authentic, slow-smoked barbecue.

🛫 LeShuttle and IAG Loyalty's new partnership allows customers to collect and redeem Avios for the first time on LeShuttle journeys. Launched last month, Club LeShuttle offers discounts starting at 1,000 Avios per vehicle. Exclusive offers and rewards target frequent travellers, families, and leisure adventurers. Deborah Merrens, CCO of LeShuttle, highlights this as a significant milestone for multi-modal travel loyalty, enhancing customer journeys. Club LeShuttle will roll out in phases over the coming year.

💻 KDS screens replace paper, offering real-time visibility into active orders, improving order accuracy, workflow efficiency, and communication. Customer-facing displays allow real-time order tracking. Labels enhance off-premises scenarios by ensuring order accuracy and reinforcing brand identity. Integrated KDS and label systems streamline operations, aligning order prep and fulfillment seamlessly, supporting both immediate efficiency and long-term growth.

🌇 Laho in Paris offers stunning sunset views above Gare de Lyon, with DJs on weekends. TOO TacTac, in the 13th arrondissement, provides panoramic views, including the Eiffel Tower. Khayma Bar at Generator Paris features cocktails starting at €13.00 with views of Sacré-Cœur. La Bellevilloise offers natural wines starting at €39.00 per bottle. Popular rooftops include Mademoiselle Mouche for Eiffel Tower snaps and Mama Shelter Paris East for brunch. Le Toit de la Tour and Le Bar à Bulles provide romantic and cultural experiences, respectively.

✈️ Jet2’s pre-tax profits increased by 12% to £593 million for the year ending March, with passenger numbers rising by 12% to 19.77 million. Annual revenue grew by 15% to £7.17 billion. The company expanded operations at Bournemouth and Luton airports, adding a fifth aircraft in Liverpool. Jet2 plans for a summer capacity of 18.6 million seats, 8% higher than last year. Seven new Airbus A321neos were added, and 132 more are expected by 2035.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, specializes in food trends. Formerly, he was a New York Sun columnist (2005-2008) and Asia Times sub-editor (1995-1997). A Tufts University history graduate, he studied at Le Cordon Bleu and in China. Thorn won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and served as IFEC president in 2005. He contributed to Oxford's food encyclopedias in 2012 and 2015. Thorn resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.

🏖 The French tourism industry faces a severe shortage of seasonal workers, with 63,000 positions unfilled in 2025 according to the Minister Delegate for Tourism. This issue affects hospitality sectors like restaurants and accommodation, which constitute 35% and 26% of seasonal jobs, respectively. Major tourist regions, including Occitania, report recruitment difficulties, exacerbated by a 40,000-worker shortfall in 2024. This challenge impacts various accommodations, including campsites, highlighting a persistent national workforce issue.