As the May 2017 travel trends reveal, there is an ongoing effort to make air travel a quicker, more comfortable and overall more seamless experience for travelers. This doesn't just mean reducing the stress of navigating a busy airport, but also making planes themselves more comfortable for passengers.
In terms of making airports run more efficiently, one of the most groundbreaking initiatives is the use of facial recognition technology. Currently in use at Heathrow airport, the process allows travelers to board without the need to continually show their passport.
Beyond the airport, the May 2017 travel trends also reveal an emphasis on elevating the in-flight experience. For instance, Hawaiian Airlines features upscale cabins that draw on elements of the island's spirit and traditions. Even more impressive is the Simba Air-Hybrid by Simba Sleep, which makes sleeping on an airplane more comfortable than ever before.
Top 25 Travel Ideas in May
From Passport-Free Travel Boarding to Reengineered Airline Beds:
Katherine Pendrill — May 27, 2017 — World
25
Reengineered Airline Beds
The Simba Air-Hybrid Focuses on Comfort for Sleeping on a Plane
24
Luxury Airline Cruises
The Crystal AirCruise Offers Luxury Amenities in a Boeing 777 Aircraft
23
Beachside Bar Activations
'Bomboras' is a Temporary Beachside Bar in Torquay, Australia
22
Hawaiian Airline Cabins
Hawaiian Airlines' New Cabin Design Incorporates Cultural Details
21
Millennial-Focused Neon Hostels
COO Hostel was Designed with Millennial Guests in Mind
20
Instantaneous Translation Devices
The 'Travis' Personal Translator Works with Over 80 Languages
19
Lifeguard Tower Hotels
This Beachside Hut in Tel Aviv is Now a Luxury Pop-Up Hotel
18
Keyless Vacation Rentals
August Home and HomeAway are Reshaping Access to Short-Term Rentals
17
Pop-Up Beach Bars
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel Created a Luxurious Space to Watch Surfing
16
Surprise Rewards Programs
Kimpton Hotels Offers Spontaneous 'Karma Credits' to Guests
15
Mobility-Aiding Airport Cars
The Studio Rotor 'Multimobby' Airport Vehicle Turns on the Spot
14
Panoramic Airplane Windows
Boeing's SkyView Panoramic Window Offers Picturesque Aerial Views
13
Social Travel Networks
'Nomo FOMO' Enables Social Travel Planning by Detailing Trips
12
Lavish Indian Resorts
The W Goa is the Luxury Hotel Brand's First Location in India
11
VR Hotel Previews
Expedia is Envisioning the Future of Travel with Virtual Reality Listings
10
Atypical Tourism Ads
These Bizarre Illinois Travel Posters Encourage Chicago Residents to Explore
9
Sculptural Terminal Seats
The 'Sea Cloud' Sculpture Offers an Artistic Touch with Public Seating
8
Passport-Free Travel Boarding
British Airways is Using Facial Recognition Tech on Passengers
7
Airport-Analyzing Information Apps
The 'Ment' Status App Informs Flyers of Wait Times and More
6
Renter-Friendly Lock Systems
HomeAway and August are Partnering to Make Rental Security Easier
5
Guest Review Hotel Programs
The Art Series Hotel Group Offers 'Reverse Reviews' to Benefit Guests
4
Humorous Youth Travel Promotions
Student Flights Shows Why People Should Travel Early in Life
3
Airport Loyalty Programs
Strata Club is a Travel Loyalty Program Specific to the Auckland Airport
2
Adventure Show Companion Sites
'Explore Parts Unknown' Lets Anthony Bourdain Fans Dive Deeper
1
Pinboard Theme Park Planners
Walt Disney World Created Specialized Pinterest Trip-Planning Tools
Related Ideas
Discreet Trackable Suitcases
The Qantas x July Collection Features Built-in CaseSafe Technology
AI Travel Journals
Document And Discover Destinations With Been There’s AI-Powered Platform
Airline-Based Creative Platforms
Qatar Airways x Swizz Beatz Launch The Qatar Airways Creative 100
Airline Route Expansions
Riyadh Air Opened Ticket Sales on Its First Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
Airline Cabin Upgrades
Alaska Airlines Launches International Business Class Suites
Retailer-Branded Airport Lounges
Marshalls Debuts 'The Upgrade Lounge' at JFK Airport
Reimagined Artwork-Based Travel Campaigns
Plaza Premium Group Debuts 'The Art of Travel'
Simplified Hotel Inquiries
Hotels.com Introduced an AI Chatbot for Trip Planning
Experiential Beauty Campaigns
Heathrow Airport Launched Immersive Beauty Experiences
Festive In-Flight Experiences
Emirates Offers Seasonal Experience for Travelers
Premium Narrow-Body Cabins
United will Introduce the Airbus A321XLR Cabin This Summer
Otherworldly Airport Hotels
JFK Airport's TWA Hotel Boasts Retro-Futuristic Elements
Personalized AI-Powered Travel Apps
Mindtrip is an AI-Powered App for Localized Recommendations
Luxurious Eco-Conscious Amenities
Aeroflot is Launching Eco-Friendly Amenity Kits for Passengers
Anime-Themed Airports
Japan Will Open the World’s First Pokémon-Themed Airport on Miyako Island
Month-Long Airport Photography Exhibitions
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Debuts Dogs in Flight
Paper-Based Airline Amenity Kits
Icelandair Introduced Sustainable Amenity Kits for Business Class
AI Travel Planning
Mindtrip Turns Tourism Website Content into Personalized Travel Itineraries
Premium Amenity Kit Collections
ELIE SAAB x Saudia Airlines Redefine In-Flight Luxury
Bookable Autonomous Shuttles
Uber and May Mobility Partner to Launch Robotaxi Fleet
Festive Airport Pop-Ups
Urban Outfitters' Club Holiday Pop-Up Entices Gen Z Travelers
Wellness Hospitality Series
The 'Luxury Wellbeing Series 2025' will Span Across Asian Cities
Departure Lounge Pop-Ups
giffgaff's Holidata Lounge Helps Travelers Get Ready for Adventure
Tech-Enhanced Operational Infrastructures
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is Advancing
AI Travel Guides
Tourlii creates personalized journeys for smarter world exploration
Integrated Travel Wallets
Samsung Wallet Organizes Bookings, Tickets and Itineraries in One Place
Relaxing Private Jet Experiences
The VistaJet Sleep Program Supports Rest and Recovery in the Air
Corporate Travel Trends
Navan Reported Its Corporate Booking Data for FIFA World Cup Host Cities
Generative AI Travel Tools
Expedia Group Introduced Travel Tools and APIs for North America
Corporate-Based AI Virtual Assistants
HQ Launches an AI Virtual Assistant for Travel Admin Tasks
Economy Sleep Seating
United Airlines Relax Row Introduces Bed-Style Seating in Economy
Cookie-Enhanced Airline Menus
The Cookie Department Partners with United Airlines
Conversational Travel Booking
Mindtrip Uses AI to Simplify Flight Planning and Checkout
Retro-Inspired Airline Experiences
Pan Am Journeys by Private Air are From Beyond Capricorn
Airline Festival Sponsorships
Alaska Airlines is the Official Airline of Coachella and Stagecoach
Travel Visualization Tools
Fake Travel Generates AI Images Of Travel Experiences And Destinations
Smartphone Passport ID Features
The Apple Digital ID Can Be Used for Boarding Planes and More
Business Traveler Wellness Guides
Corporate Traveler Partners with Sweat for a Wellness Guide
Member-Exclusive Travel Promotions
Qatar Airways Launches its 'QDays Discount'
Waffles-Centric Travel Experiences
Choice Hotels International Conducts a Nationwide Survey
Airport Sleep Stations
Airport Dimensions Offers a Quiet Refuge for Travelers Craving Relaxation
TV Series-Inspired Airline Dining
United Airlines & Chef's Table Boast Exclusive Inflight Meals
Travel Story Visuals
Travel Wrapped Turns Your Annual Journeys Into Shareable Infographics
AI-Powered Corporate Booking Features
BizTrip AI Introduced BizTrip Platform
Collectible Amenity Kits
British Airways Launched a New Range of Business Class Amenity Kits
AI Travel Planners
Plan Personalized Trips Quickly with JustBookIt’s AI Travel Tools
Traveler-Focused Nutrition Features
Flykitt Expands Its Health-Focused Travel Technology Suite
AI Travel Planning
Backpackk Simplifies Trip Planning and Booking With AI-Powered Customization
Travel Organization Tools
Travel Planner Keeps Every Part Of Your Trip Organized In One Place
Underrated Travel Locations
Intrepid Travel Has Released Its Annual Not Hot List
Collaborative Airline Dining Menus
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Debut Seasonal Dining Selections
AI Travel Concierges
Smartrip AI Simplifies Luxury Travel Planning with an AI-Powered Agent
Lie-Flat Economy Seats
The United Relax Row Transforms into a Couch for More Comfortable Travel
Super App Travel Features
Uber Added Hotel Bookings & Travel Tools at Its Go-Get Product Event
Airline Entertainment Partnerships
United x Spotify Collaborate to Enhance In-Flight Entertainment
Flexible Flight Payment Partnerships
Klarna and Qatar Airways Announced a New Partnership
Cheeky Sandwich Seat Campaigns
Subway Takes Away the Dread of the Middle Seat with Free Sandwiches
Airport Merch Drops
The New King's Hawaiian Logo Inspired Cozy Softwear Sets
Colorful Promotional Travel Campaigns
Curaçao Tourist Board Marks First Chicago Nonstop Flight
Worldwide Service Marketplaces
Airbnb Services are for Booking Everything from Catering to Makeup
Subway Cabin Makeovers
British Airways NYC Subway Turns Commute into an In-Flight Experience
Travel Planning Apps
Triply Helps Track Trips, Flights, And Explore Global Experiences
AI-Powered Travel Booking
12Go Enables Real-Time Transport Search and Booking via ChatGPT
Inflight Sleep Pods
Air New Zealand's Skynest Provides Space to Spread Out on Long-Haul Flights
Travel Planning Tools
CoTrips Uses AI To Generate Personalized Travel Itineraries Quickly
Conversational Flight Bookings
The Virgin Atlantic App in ChatGPT Simplifies Discovery & Planning
Curated Luxury Travel Packages
The easyJet Holidays Luxury Collection Offers Five-Star Experiences
AI Travel Search Tools
Airbnb Tests AI Search To Let Guests Describe Trips Naturally
Premium Airline Bedding Kits
NewTerritory Designs an Exclusive Bedding Kit for Aeroméxico
Ultra-Connected Aircraft Ecosystems
Airbus Has Developed the Connected Aircraft Ecosystem
Energizing Aircraft Designs
Dunkin' and JetBlue Unveiled a Special Brewing Altitude Design
Expansive AI-Powered Travel Tools
KAYAK.ai Expands to Offer Car Rentals for Localized Road Trips
Woman-Focused Travel Companies
Girls' Guide to the World Serves a Niche Market
Customizable Ramen Libraries
Korean Air's New Prestige East Lounge Has an Extensive Ramen Library
Lie-Flat Night Bus Seats
Twiliner Reimagines European Night Travel with Hotel-Grade Sleeping Seats
Plane-Compatible AI Catering Systems
Airbus Has Developed Smart Catering to Enhance Convenience
AI-Native Airline Collaborations
Riyadh Air and IBM Are Embedding AI Into Airline Operations
Upgraded Airlines Mobile Apps
United Airlines Adds Connecting Flight-Centric Feature to Its App
Conscientious Tourism Campaigns
Evaneos Advocates Against Overtourism in a New Campaign
Centennial‑Inspired Airline Menus
American Airlines' Themed Menu Offers a Taste of the 20s
Accessible Travel-Focused Airlines
The Global Brand Frontier Awards Recognized SATENA
AI Travel Planners
CloneMyTrips Transforms Social Media Travel Inspiration Into Bookable Trips
Travel Discovery Platforms
Ready To Traveling Inspires Exploration With Curated Travel Ideas
Airline Wi-Fi Advancements
Qatar Airways Install Starlink on its Boeing 787-8 Aircraft
Collectible Baggage Allowance Stickers
Let It Fly Rewards Travelers for Buying Cultural Items
Travel-Optimized Restaurant Formats
Portillo's Launches a Compact Concept for Airport Travelers
In-Flight Wi-Fi Services
China Airlines Makes a Significant Advancement in Passenger Connectivity
Traveler-Focused Accessibility Resources
The Chicago Department of Aviation Emphasizes Inclusion
New Year Travel Experiences
Trip.com Group Spotlights 2026 Lunar New Year Travel
Hawaii-Themed Onboard Dining Programs
Hawaiian Airlines Boasts a Chef-Approved Dining Program
Skin Longevity Pop-Ups
The Estée Lauder Skin Longevity Institute Rejuvenates Tired Traveler Skin
Identity-Based Travel Matches
Travelese Introduced Its Matching Architecture
Travel Planning Assistants
FastTrack Helps Users Plan Trips And Manage Travel Programs
Instant Trip Planning
Airial Travel Turns Social Inspiration Into Ready-To-Use Travel Plans
Destination-Branded Transportation
Themed Taxis Promote Scottish Travel During Major Soccer Events
High-Performance Travel Seating
Departures Seating is a New System for Airport Gates & Terminals
Aerial AI Concierge Apps
This Voice-Activated Service Will Assist Virgin Atlantic Passengers
AI Travel Planners
Trazzeo Simplifies Travel Planning With Personalized AI Guidance
Custom Travel Stickers
Your Travel Stickers Lets You Create Personalized Travel-Themed Stickers
No-Neighbor Airline Seats
TAP Economy Prime is a New Long-Haul Cabin with More Space & Privacy
AI-Powered Travel Discovery
Amap Uses AI Rankings to Guide Singapore Visitors
Hotel-Grade In-Flight Mattresses
Air France and Sofitel are Boosting Comfort in Business Class
Travel-Focused Accessibility Platforms
Smartvel's TravelAble Seeks to Consolidate Travel Info
Fare Finding Tools
Jetbzaf Finds Cheap Flights Using Low Fare Calendar And Deals
Convenience-Focused Vacation Bundles
Southwest Airlines Debuts Getaways by Southwest
Personalized Travel Planning
Globe Tales Delivers Travel Tips, Tools, and Curated Recommendations
AI Travel Planners
Travania Converts Videos And Images Into Complete Travel Itineraries
Travel Planning Apps
Packy AI Simplifies Trip Planning With AI Itineraries And Smart Travel Tools
Fresh Meal-Focused Flight Experiences
United Airlines Expands Access to Fresh Meals on Flights
Interactive Traveler-Focused Campaigns
Tessan Will Spotlight the 100 Travelers Campaign
AI Travel Journal Tools
Trippy Taless Turns Travel Photos And Videos Into AI Story Journals
Points-Powered Sports Travel
point.me Helps Fans Use Rewards for World Cup Travel and Tickets
European-Inspired In-Flight Menus
American Airlines Offers a European Destination Summer Menu
Travel Planning Apps
Let’s Trip Simplifies Personalized Travel Planning and Itineraries
Cloud-Based Airport Platforms
International Airports are Implementing Integrated Digital Systems
Neurodivergent Airport Events
Toronto Pearson, Autism Ontario & Air Transat Hosted a Special Event
Free Inflight Wi-Fi Perks
American Airlines Adds Sponsored High Speed Wi Fi Access
Curated Travel Plans
Travely Provides Ready-to-Use Itineraries for Stress-Free Exploration
Sponsored In-Flight Wi Fi Perks
American Airlines Offers AT&T Sponsored Free High Speed Wi Fi
Stress-Free Travel Resources
Pacific Mind Health Debuts '10 Ways to Travel with More Ease'
Festive Airline Menus
Emirates is Introducing a Special Selection Of Meals to Mark Eid Al-Adha
Flight Tracking Tools
SkyJourney Is a Platform to Log Flights and View Travel Statistics
In-App Air Travel Trackers
United Airlines Adds a TSA Wait Time Tracker in Its App
Shared Tracker Tag Features
Google Lets Airlines Use Find Hub Links with Android Users
Airport Terminal Activewear Shops
Lululemon Heathrow Terminal 5 Supports Comfort-Focused Travelers
Simulated Air Travel Experiences
MIA, Delta and LATAM Organized a Air Travel Simulation Event
AI Travel Planner Apps
Hilton's New App Uses Conversational Queries To Guide Discovery and Booking
Slow Immersion Travel
Tripmasters Promotes Longer Stays and Experience-Focused Vacations
Fresh In-Flight Offerings
Alaska Airlines Expands its Fresh Meal Options
Post-Booking Saving Tools
Fare Bear Tracks Flight Prices and Alerts You When Fares Drop
Travel Access Intelligence
Visa Free List Shows Visa-Free, E-Visa, And Arrival Options Worldwide!
Travel Planning Tools
Stays & Flights Helps Compare Multi Flight Trips And Find Better Deals
AI Travel Planning Tools
Custour AI Removes The Complexity From Planning And Booking Entire Trips
A-Lister Vacation Getaways
Trainline x Deuxmoi Partner for Celebrity-Inspired European Itineraries
Award Flight Searches
Award Travel Finder Surfaces Airline Reward Seat Availability
Travel Planning Tools
Itinerary Planner Helps Create Personalized Trip Plans And Organize Travel
Meaningful Travel Reunion Ads
Heathrow’s Bear Couple Return in a New Must Be Love Campaign
International Traveler-Focused Campaigns
Brand USA Launches Two Complementary Campaigns
Travel Visa Tools
FastOnward Generates Instant Flight Reservations For Visa And Travel Proof
In-Flight Explorer Apps
Flight Compass Tracks Flights, Landmarks, and Countries While Flying