Biman Bangladesh Airlines Orders 14 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX Jets
The new order includes:Eight 787-9s, Biman’s first order of this largest 787 variant to serve high demand flights to the Middle EastTwo 787-9s will support long-haul services to Europe and North America
Four 737 MAXs, the airline’s initial 737 MAX purchase, will efficiently connect Bangladesh to destinations in the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia
The airline currently operates 14 Boeing aircraft – 787-9s (long-haul), 787-8s (short-haul), 777s (short-haul) and Next-Generation-737s (long-haul). The 787-10 will increase passenger and cargo capacity, while improving fuel efficiency. The 737-8 will help Biman renew its single-aisle fleet and meet growing regional demand. The 737 MAX and 787 families deliver 20-25% fuel-use improvement compared to the airplanes they replace.ADVERTISEMENT”We are proud to build on our partnership with Biman with this order and support their strategy to modernize their fleet, expand their network and enhance the passenger experience,” said Paul Righi, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, Eurasia, India and South Asia. The 787-10 is a highly efficient aircraft that shares many features with Biman’s 787s. The 737-8 is a versatile aircraft that offers fuel savings, crew compatibility, and a seamless transition from the 737 fleet. The airline’s longest flight is via Istanbul to Toronto on a Boeing 787-9. According to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook, South Asia’s widebody aircraft fleet will more than double in the next 20 years. Bangladesh will continue to play a role in this growth, as the region is poised to experience significant air travel demand within the next 20 years. Boeing, a leading global aerospace company, is the top U.S.-based exporter. It develops, manufactures, and services commercial planes, defense products, and space systems, for customers in over 150 countries. Our U.S. workforce and global supplier base are responsible for driving innovation, economic opportunity and sustainability. Boeing is committed in fostering a company culture based on its core values of quality, safety and integrity.
Peacock Takes Flight: United Launches New Inflight Entertainment Channel
United announced today the launch of a dedicated in-flight entertainment channel that will feature content from NBCUniversal’s streaming home Peacock. The channel will be available on more than 160,000 seatbacks and on personal devices through the United mobile app beginning May 1, and new Peacock Originals are added regularly. The Traitors (4th Season), All Her Fault (Season 3), The Paper, and Poker Face are some of the shows that will be available for launch. Additional titles, such as The Copenhagen Test and Ponies are expected to be released in June. “Entertainment is a key part of the onboard experience and we continue to expand the quality and diversity of what’s offered,” said Dominic Green. Director of Inflight entertainment at United Airlines. “With these popular Peacock series, we’re introducing an outstanding lineup of widely recognized shows to our seatback screen and personal device entertainment. This will further strengthen our premium inflight offering and give customers more engaging ways of spending their time in flight.” The Peacock channel builds upon United’s ongoing investment in its inflight experience, with a collection that includes over 450 movies and over 1,000 TV episodes. United is the leader in inflight entertainment with over 800 planes equipped Bluetooth audio enabled seatback screen – the highest number of any airline. United is also rolling out new airplanes with 27-inch, 4K OLED seatback screens – the largest among U.S. carriers.ADVERTISEMENTFor more information, visit united.com.
IHG Hotels & Resorts strengthens its resort offering in India
IHG(r) Hotels & Resorts has signed a contract with Yash Hotels & Resorts LLP to develop Holiday Inn Resort Alwar. Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, one of IHG’s most recognized brands, focuses on delivering warm, dependable service to help guests make the most out of their travels. The brand’s service philosophy is based on creating brighter experiences and meaningful stays. This is well suited to meet the changing needs of leisure travellers and business groups visiting Alwar. The hotel is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for accommodation in the city. Its proximity to Delhi NCR and Jaipur, as well as the Sariska Tiger Reserve, makes it a great choice. Holiday Inn Resort Alwar will feature multiple dining options, resort-style amenities, and dedicated meeting and event spaces, making it well suited for leisure stays, social celebrations and corporate gatherings.Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are pleased to partner with Yash Hotels & Resorts LLP to bring Holiday Inn Resort Alwar to market. This signing reflects IHG’s confidence in the long-term prospects of emerging markets like Alwar. The hotel’s scenic setting and the Holiday Inn Resort name will help it to meet the changing needs of travellers.” Mr. Mukesh Gulati is the Managing Partner of Yash Hotels & Resorts LLP. He added: “We’re delighted to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts in introducing the Holiday Inn Resort to Alwar. The city’s proximity of key markets like Delhi NCR and Jaipur combined with its natural beauty, cultural heritage and historical significance makes it a perfect destination for hospitality development. With IHG’s global expertise and strong brand recognition, we are confident the resort will become a preferred choice for weddings, events, and leisure stays.”ADVERTISEMENTIHG(r) currently has 51 hotels operating across six brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts(r), Crowne Plaza(r), voco(tm) Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort(r) and Holiday Inn Express(r), and a strong pipeline of 89 hotels due to open in the next 3-5 years.
IHG accelerates growth in Egypt with dual Holiday Inn signing
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed management agreements with Misr Holanda and Avenue for Development to bring Holiday Inn Aswan and Holiday Inn Resort New Aswan to the market, adding a total of 400 keys to IHG’s growing Egypt portfolio. The agreements, signed with Misr Holanda & Avenue for Development, will bring Holiday Inn Aswan & Holiday Inn Resort New Aswan on the market, adding 400 keys to IHG’s growing Egypt Portfolio. Holiday Inn is one of the most iconic and trusted hospitality brand in the world, with over 1,200 hotels. The brand is rooted in a service philosophy that focuses on creating brighter experiences and genuine moments of connectivity. Its goal is to help guests make the most out of every trip. Holiday Inn Aswan, which will have 200 keys, will be located near the city centre and the major tourist attractions. Holiday Inn Resort New Aswan is located in a newly developed part of New Aswan and will offer quality branded accommodations. The resort is set to open in 2030 and will have 200 rooms that are designed to appeal travellers who want a resort-style experience in a destination defined for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. We are proud to continue that legacy with the signing of Holiday Inn Aswan & Holiday Inn Resort New Aswan. This expansion will take place in one of Egypt’s most important tourist gateways. Aswan continues attracting both domestic and foreign travellers. These signings allow us meet the growing demand of high-quality branded accommodations with globally trusted brands. They also reflect our long-term commitment to Egypt and the strength of our partnerships with local owners as we continue to grow in this important market.”ADVERTISEMENTCommenting on the signing, Dr. Eng. Ibrahim Sadek is the CEO of Misr Holanda for Tourism and Hotel Investment and Avenue for Development. He said: “Our collaboration reflects our confidence and trust in IHG’s strong brand portfolio and operational experience. Holiday Inn Aswan, Holiday Inn Resort New Aswan, and Holiday Inn Aswan are important additions to our growing hospitality sector. We see a lot of potential in the area for a high-quality international hospitality offering to serve both local and foreign visitors. We are confident that the Holiday Inn resort hotel, with IHG’s expertise and the strength in the Holiday Inn brand will be an important addition to the destination’s hospitality landscape. “Aswan is one of Egypt’s most fascinating tourism destinations, celebrated by its stunning Nile scenery, rich Nubian cultures, and exceptional concentrations of ancient heritage sites. Aswan’s strategic location along the Nile, its rich history, and the proximity to attractions like the Temple of Philae continue to position it as a key tourist hub. It offers a unique blend of natural and cultural beauty, as well as river-based travel and iconic attractions. The Group’s commitment to Egypt’s tourism sector is further emphasized by the pipeline of 23 hotels that are scheduled to open over the next few years.
Plan a Family Road Trip for America’s 250th on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail
As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, the classic American road trip is making a comeback. More families are opting for drivable vacations this summer that combine value, flexibility and meaningful experiences—trading crowded itineraries for time together on the open road.
The U.S. Civil Rights Trail (USCRT) offers a powerful way to explore the nation during this milestone, connecting more than 130 historic sites across 14 states and Washington, D.C. From immersive museums to walkable historic districts, the trail provides dozens of multi-generational opportunities for families to experience American history firsthand.
Tennessee: Music and Movement In Nashville and Memphis, families can explore the intersection of music and civil rights. The National Museum of African American Music offers interactive exhibits spanning 50+ genres, The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music explores how the music and its musicians served as a source of hope and unity, while the Jefferson Street Sound Museum highlights the legacy of legendary performers. In Memphis, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the National Civil Rights Museum—which debuts its new “Legacy Experience” May 16th —provide engaging ways for families to connect past and present.
Arkansas: A Defining Chapter The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site brings one of the most pivotal moments in civil rights history to life. Nearby, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center explores African American culture and community in a setting that resonates with visitors of all ages.
Virginia: A Ready-Made Road Trip Virginia offers a ready-made route along the trail, with stops including the Caroline County Historic Courthouse Campus—site of Loving v. Virginia—and the Robert Russa Moton Museum, tied to the student protests that lead to Brown v. Board of Education. The route blends history with charming towns and walkable downtowns.
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Beyond the Major Cities In Abilene, Kansas, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home offer insight into the leadership of President Eisenhower. In Charleston, South Carolina, the International African American Museum on the historic site of Gadsden’s Wharf provides an immersive experience tracing African American history, with summer programming designed for families.
“The Trail transforms a traditional road trip into a journey with purpose,” said Mark Ezell, Chairman of the USCRT Marketing Alliance. “Families can learn and connect while exploring the stories that shaped America.”
When the biggest soccer tournament comes to town, are you ready to strike?
Amadeus’ Senior Vice President of Commercial, Hospitality Americas, Jill Boegel, takes a look at how hoteliers can maximize the impact of the upcoming competition
This summer, the USA, Canada and Mexico are stepping into the spotlight to host the world’s largest football tournament. A total of 104 games will be played across 16 cities. Current estimates anticipate over five million fans to attend the tournament far outpacing some of the largest sports events in the United States.
In the hospitality industry, five million fans equates to tens of millions of critical data points: flight searches, hotel searches, booking windows. All coming together to map a blueprint of opportunities.
But how do you actually use this data to drive demand and additional revenue? What do you do if you don’t have analysts and dedicated teams to collate and interrogate data? How do you know when to target travelers and offer promotions? To demystify the opportunities at hand, let’s explore how occupancy levels and flight booking data can be used to drive profitable demand and unlock additional streams of revenue.
While everyone fights over match day, smart hotels win extra time
In soccer, sometimes the biggest wins are determined by the final goal in extra time, and for hotels, that means the shoulder nights.
This summer, we can see that across North America, cities hosting games will see occupancy spike on the night before and of a fixture. However, it falls sharply around these two nights. For instance, Amadeus data from Demand360 shows that the night before and of first game in Mexico City, average occupancy stands at 23%, up from 9% over the same nights in 2025. During the three days prior, occupancy averages just 13%. For me, this data showcases a clear opportunity to drive occupancy around these nights and drive profitable demand beyond the event.
A simple and effective way for hoteliers to capture these opportunities is to run promotions that incentivize additional nights, for instance a complimentary breakfast when you stay for three nights or more. In destinations where games are spread out, Destination Management Organizations can keep travelers engaged between matches by hosting and promoting local events, tours, and activities, helping retain visitors longer, maximize economic impact and cultivate a positive brand across the host city. There is also the potential for hotels and DMOs to partner to offer the types of packages that enable these potentially new travelers to explore beyond the stadium.
Know the fixtures, predict the fans, score the demand
Beyond the buzz and headlines, hoteliers need some granularity to convert a global event into day-to-day bookings. In other words, when the whole world is coming to your market – where do you start?
Hoteliers should consider investing in targeted regional media campaigns to capture demand at its source. By focusing on flight bookings, we can identify which markets are driving demand and where host cities and neighbouring markets should focus their media campaigns. Across the tournament, data from Amadeus Travel Intelligence shows that international arrivals are led by Europe, with the UK accounting for 18% of bookings overall made in the month following the match schedule announcement on December 6th, and routes from Scotland to Boston surged 162-fold during the same period. If hoteliers or DMOs are unsure about which fixtures to focus their campaigns on, flight bookings can offer the context needed to make an informed decision on traffic in and out of the region.
Get the team together and go for the trophy
International soccer tournaments draw in loyal groups of fans, families and tours. This is a great window to win block bookings, leveraging group trips to drive additional revenue.
For some of these travelers it may be their first time visiting these new destinations, and the logistics of traveling to the games can be daunting. Hotels have an opportunity to help them enjoy the experience and focus on their team and deliver an unforgettable tournament stay. Co-ordinating transport to stadiums, promoting spaces that they can watch other games in and offering catering packages for hungry fans could help you stand out from the crowd while unlocking additional revenue.
For group hotels with a footprint in multiple host cities, a smart way to capture group bookings could be offering packages for loyal fans traveling to follow their team across different cities. This doesn’t just simplify their trip and drive bookings, it also provides multiple touchpoints to build long-term loyalty.
Don’t wait for kick-off — the winning strategy starts now
Events of this scale present a prime opportunity to fill rooms, sell ancillary packages, and reach new markets. With resources tight in 2026, every promotion, media campaign, and local event must be optimized for maximum impact. Leveraging data to pinpoint precise pockets of demand and revenue opportunities is essential.
This year, occupancy data highlights that shoulder nights remain under booked, while flight data shows that European travelers are driving international bookings. In this environment, data is like a map in a maze guiding hoteliers to the most effective path to success.