Record heat, crowds drive offseason boom in international travel - Australian Business Announcements

Record heat, crowds drive offseason boom in international travel describes how more U.S. travelers are shifting vacations to the international offseason, prompting airlines and hotels to compete for higher-spending demand. The article says flights to once-seasonal European destinations now depart earlier and sometimes run later than traditional late-spring to late-summer schedules. It cites examples: American Airlines’ service to Edinburgh began in March; United’s nonstop to Palermo runs from Newark until December; and Delta’s route to Rome from Minneapolis extends into January. With jet fuel costs expected to cut about $100 billion from airline profits this year, the International Air Transport Association says carriers need to capitalize on demand. Delta and United, among the most profitable U.S. airlines, have seen record share performance, while American hit an 18-month high. Executives describe “creeping” seasons as shoulder periods blend into peak travel, aided by year-round Europe.