Flying Cars, Privatized Airports, and the Future of U.S. Aviation
In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko are joined by aviation attorney Jennifer Trock, a partner at Morgan Lewis and one of the leading legal minds in global aviation.
Together, they unpack what the latest U.S. aviation legislation means for travelers — from a $12.5 billion overhaul of air traffic control to the slow path toward airport privatization. The conversation also explores the rise of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the regulatory hurdles ahead, and how the race toward flying taxis could redefine short-haul travel by 2028.
Presented by EF World Journeys.
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Can the U.S.-Europe Travel Corridor Recover?
In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit and Head of Research Seth Borko unpack the transatlantic slowdown — why over a million European tourists are skipping the U.S. and what it means for global travel.
Fresh off Skift’s first-ever Transatlantic Summit, they dive into the data behind the world’s most important travel corridor, exploring how politics, sustainability, and shifting traveler behavior are reshaping cross-Atlantic tourism.
They also share insights from airline and rail leaders, debate the economics of sustainability, and launch a new rapid-fire format featuring predictions, myths, and travel tips.
Presented by EF World Journeys.
Connect with Skift:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
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Glenn Fogel on Booking.com’s AI Strategy, Connected Trip Vision, and the Future of Travel
In this Skift Travel Podcast live session from Skift Global Forum, Skift’s Founding Editor Dennis Schaal sits down with Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking.com and Booking Holdings, for a wide-ranging discussion on how technology is reshaping online travel.
Fogel reflects on Booking’s evolution from the dot-com era to the dawn of agentic AI, sharing how the company is using new tools to enhance customer experience, unify its connected trip vision, and expand its B2B partnerships.
He also weighs in on competition with Airbnb, regulation challenges in Europe, and the future of distribution through large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini — offering an insider’s perspective on what it takes to stay ahead in an increasingly AI-driven travel landscape.
Presented by EF World Journeys.
Connect with Skift:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
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Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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Skift Sessions Episode featuring Brian Chesky, CEO & Founder of Airbnb
In this special Skift Travel Podcast live session from Skift Global Forum, Skift CEO and Founder Rafat Ali sits down with Brian Chesky, CEO and Founder of Airbnb, for an in-depth conversation about the company’s evolution and what’s next for one of the world’s most influential travel brands.
Chesky discusses Airbnb’s bold expansion beyond stays into services and experiences, its renewed focus on hotels and global markets, and how the company is preparing for a new era of AI-powered travel.
From addressing slowing growth to redefining how travelers book and experience trips, this wide-ranging discussion offers an unfiltered look into Airbnb’s future and the broader shifts shaping travel and technology.
Presented by EF World Journeys.
Connect with Skift:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
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Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
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Rethinking Cruising for the Modern Traveler - Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys
Luxury hospitality veteran Anna Nash, now President of Explora Journeys, joins Skift’s Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko to unpack how the brand is reframing the cruise experience as “ocean travel.”
From positioning ships as floating boutique hotels to balancing wellness, cuisine, and destination immersion, Nash shares how Explora Journeys is targeting both longtime cruisers and first-time travelers.
The conversation explores challenges in standing out in a crowded luxury market, shifting booking behaviors, and the role of sustainability and community-building at sea.
Presented by EF World Journeys.
Connect with Skift:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/
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Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Get the latest from the most-trusted travel industry news source.
Skift sits down with creatives, executives, and entrepreneurs from across travel to discuss their insights and perspectives on the hows and whys of travelers’ habits, industry patterns, and the seismic changes happening across the industry.
Listen for exclusive conversations with travel leaders and Skift's own in-house editors and analysts. Presented by EF World Journeys.
Read the latest news every day at skift.com/news
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