Day Headlines in Travel News: 2026-01-02

  • RYANAIR REVEALS TOP 5 DESTINATIONS FOR 2026 (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-02 07:33:29)
    As the year closes, a new year begins – which means it’s time to start planning your 2026 getaways. To help inspire your New Year travel plans, Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, today (Wed, 31 Dec) revealed the top 5 destinations across its industry-leading network of over 235 destinations that passengers are flocking to in 2026:
  • JetBlue Set to Launch New Nonstop Service Between New York and Cleveland (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-02 07:27:17)
    JetBlue has announced plans to launch new daily nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), expanding travel options for customers in Northeast Ohio with access to JetBlue’s New York focus city. The new route begins March 30, 2026, with tickets on sale today.
  • CALC orders 30 additional Airbus A320neo Family aircraft (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-02 07:24:56)
    China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited (CALC) has signed a firm order with Airbus for 30 A320neo Family aircraft to satisfy strong demand for the aircraft from its customer base.The agreement is the fifth order with Airbus, bringing the total number of Airbus aircraft ordered by CALC to 282, of which 203 are A320neo Family aircraft.
  • ICYMI! Emirates’ 2025 year in review: Top 10 things to know (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-02 07:19:17)
    This year, Emirates moved 55.6 million customers, circled Earth 29,290 times on nearly 180,580 flights, and placed orders for 73 new aircraft. The airline celebrated its 40th year of operations in October, but the real story of 2025 goes beyond that anniversary milestone, as Emirates plots what the future of flying better really means.Whether you’ve been following Emirates all year or just tuning in now, here are the top 10 highlights that defined 2025 for the world’s largest international airline:
  • American takes Chicago expansion up a notch with 100 new daily departures this spring (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-02 07:12:08)
    American Airlines is taking its ongoing expansion in Chicago to the next level with 100 new daily departures from O’Hare International Airport (ORD) — bolstering its schedule with additional flights to more than 75 popular destinations just in time for spring break. The airline’s largest ORD spring schedule on record enhances the strongest network in the U.S. and means more for American’s customers: more flights, more choices, more popular destinations and more opportunities to see the world. Additionally, the airline is expanding its summer seasonal service from ORD to two sought-after European destinations: Paris and Dublin. It’s the latest in American’s comprehensive expansion plan that has already enhanced the customer experience, improved operational reliability and deepened its century-long roots in the Chicago community.
  • iQIYI LAND Yangzhou to Open on February 8, Marking New Chapter in China’s Immersive Entertainment (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-02 07:09:08)
    Today, iQIYI, China’s leading online entertainment platform, announced that iQIYI LAND – its first global offline entertainment park – will open in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province on February 8, 2026. As a highly interactive, next-generation indoor theme park, iQIYI LAND is designed to bring beloved Chinese stories to life through technology, creating an immersive entertainment space that combines innovation with iconic Chinese IP.
  • China Daily Launches “China Bound”—An English-Language Smart-Tourism Service Platform (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-02 07:07:25)
    Enjoy a smart journey, and discover China! On Jan 1, China Daily officially launched “China Bound,” an English-language smart-tourism service platform for international tourists. It offers one-stop services from “travel inspiration” to “personalized itineraries, enjoying intelligent Q&A, convenient ticket booking, and sharing travel stories.” With just one click, travelers can unlock the wonders of China. It’s an invitation to friends from all over the world to better “see China, feel China, and fall in love with China.”
  • LAS VEGAS RINGS IN 2026 WITH EXOSPHERE COUNTDOWN, FIREWORKS, AND FIRST-EVER DRONE SHOW (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-02 07:05:06)
    Las Vegas welcomed 2026 in spectacular fashion with the 25th edition of “America’s Party,” lighting up the Strip with a synchronized Drone Light Spectacular and an eight-minute rooftop fireworks display by Fireworks by Grucci. Pyrotechnics launched simultaneously from the rooftops of 10 resorts:
  • Six Flags Entertainment Corporation’s First Destination Outside North America, is Now Open (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-02 07:02:05)
    Six Flags Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia’s first-of-its-kind theme park and entertainment destination, celebrated its grand opening Dec. 31 by welcoming guests from across the Kingdom and globe. The debut marks Six Flags Entertainment’s first theme park designed and built outside North America. The trailblazing new park blends immersive entertainment with innovative technology across its six themed lands.
  • Visit Lauderdale Launches New Global Brand Campaign, “Never Lose Your Splash” (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-02 07:00:34)
    Visit Lauderdale, the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale, unveiled “Never Lose Your Splash,” a bold new global brand campaign that celebrates the carefree confidence, vibrant energy, and welcoming spirit that define Greater Fort Lauderdale. Designed to inspire both first-time visitors and returning travelers, the campaign encourages travelers to reconnect with what makes them feel most alive — and to find it here, where sunshine, water and joy flow freely.
  • Princess Cruises Rings in New Year’s Day with Star Princess Alaska-Themed Float in the Rose Parade® (Breaking Travel News 2026-01-02 06:58:20)
    Princess Cruises rang in 2026 in full bloom with a stunning appearance at the iconic 137th Rose Parade®, unveiling its “Together in the Magic of Alaska” float. The floral masterpiece depicted Star Princess sailing through Alaska’s natural breath-taking beauty, marking the highly anticipated inaugural 2026 Alaska season for the cruise line’s newest ship.