Here it comes… Steve Glenn’s travel industry predictions for 2026

During the past 23 years over 70% of my predictions have come true. Over the next four weeks, I will provide you with 60 of my travel industry crystal ball predictions. Here is week 1 of what I think will happen in 2026. Part 2 of 4 will arrive in your inbox next week. Happy New Year! 

1. AI will quietly replace half the “customer service” humans in travel – While much of the travel industry is racing to replace human customer service with AI, Executive Travel is going in the opposite direction. By 2026, most airline, hotel, and rental car “agents” you interact with won’t be human at all—you’ll still hear “your call is important to us,” but the voice on the line will be AI: fast, rule-driven, and completely unsympathetic. At Executive Travel, your call is actually answered by a live, experienced professional—in an average of just 9 seconds. No bots, no scripts, no mercy-free algorithms—just real people solving real problems when it matters most.

2. Hotels will unbundle everything except the bed – The advertised room rate will look attractive, until you arrive and discover Wi-Fi, housekeeping, coffee, gym access, early check-in, late checkout, and towels are all à la carte. Hotels will swear they’re being “transparent,” while guests feel like they’re being nickel-and-dimed with a smile.

3. Dynamic pricing will officially feel like surge pricing everywhere – Hotels and airlines already adjust prices constantly, but in 2026 it will feel personal. Check a rate twice in one day and watch it change. Demand, weather, events, and even browsing behavior will influence what you pay—sometimes minute by minute.

4. Airline loyalty programs fully shift from flying to spending – By 2026, flying will be the least efficient way to earn elite status. Credit card spend, partner promotions, and bonus categories will matter more than actual time in the air. Road warriors will shake their heads as “elites” board first—despite barely flying.

5. Business travel becomes shorter, sharper, and more expensive – Travelers want upgrades, direct flights, and better hotels—and they’re willing to shorten their trips to get them. By cutting a night off a hotel stay, many business travelers can afford a nonstop flight, a premium seat, or a higher-quality hotel that actually lets them perform. The tolerance for missed connections, delays, and “good enough” options is gone. In 2026, it’s fewer trips, higher stakes, and a much better experience.                                                                                                                                                    

6. The middle seat becomes the airline industry’s penalty box – Airlines won’t need fancy marketing to sell upgrades. The fear of being trapped in the middle seat—between two strangers fighting for the armrest—will push travelers to pay more just to avoid it.

7. Europe leans harder into reservation-only tourism – Europe is leaning hard into reservation-only tourism—and I’ll admit, this one hurts. I love flying by the seat of my pants when I travel, but walk-up sightseeing is becoming increasingly difficult across major European destinations. Museums, historic sites, city centers, and even popular neighborhoods now require advance reservations and timed entry. Spontaneity isn’t dead—but in 2026, it definitely comes with a surcharge.

8. Checking luggage in 2026 is borderline crazy – Carry-on-only travelers move faster, rebook easier, and stress a whole lot less when things go sideways. Those who check bags face higher fees, longer waits, missed connections, and far fewer recovery options. Packing light is no longer a preference—it’s a survival skill.

9. Airport lounges hit peak overcrowding – And for many travelers, they’re no longer worth the cost. Too many premium credit cards, too many so-called “elite” members, and far too few seats have turned what was once a quiet oasis into a standing-room cafeteria. At $500–$700 a year for lounge access, the value proposition is collapsing fast. When you’re circling the room looking for a chair, balancing a plate, and competing for power outlets, it’s fair to ask whether sitting outside the lounge is actually more relaxing. The golden age of airline lounges is over.

10. Private drivers quietly replace rental cars internationally – Between EV confusion, outrageous taxes, parking nightmares, manual transmissions, and unfamiliar driving rules, more travelers are realizing that renting a car abroad often creates stress instead of freedom. A private driver removes the friction, adds local insight, and lets travelers actually enjoy the journey. No maps, no YouTube tutorials, no wrong turns—just the kind of seamless experience people imagine when they dream about the perfect Italian vacation. This is one of the key reasons Executive Travel launched AmoreItaly.com, the private driver, all-inclusive tour of Italy.

11. Travel insurance becomes non-negotiable – Not because travelers love insurance—but because disruption is now too expensive to risk. Medical issues, delays, strikes, weather, and airline meltdowns will push even skeptics to protect their investment. I have seen more people lose thousands of dollars they paid for their dream vacation because they refused to pay a few dollars more to add travel insurance.

12. Tour groups are getting smaller, more curated, and more personal –  Years ago, we launched Women of the Midwest, intentionally capping tours at roughly 20 women to create a more connected, comfortable experience. More recently, we introduced AmoreItaly.com, built around private-driver journeys for just 2–6 travelers. Fewer people, more flexibility, and deeper experiences—all designed to eliminate buses, flags, and megaphones and replace them with travel that actually feels personal.

13. Domestic airfares stabilize, but everything around it inflates – Airfares may finally level off, but hotels, meals, airport parking, rental cars, and “mandatory fees” will continue climbing. Travelers will wonder how a “cheap ticket” still produces an expensive trip.

14. Hotels are forced to pick a lane: experience or commodity – The bland middle ground disappears. Hotels will either compete purely on price or invest heavily in experience, design, service, and storytelling. Being “just fine” won’t be enough anymore.

15. This is the rebirth of the travel advisor – The smartest travelers aren’t outsourcing because they can’t book online—they’re outsourcing because they’re tired of fixing messes. As travel becomes more complex, unpredictable, and fee-driven, travelers are handing off planning, monitoring, and problem-solving to professionals who know how to navigate the chaos and step in when things go wrong.

FRANCE and GREECE – Fully Escorted, Open To All, Bucket-List Tours!

France – June 15-28, 2026. Ever dreamt of standing on the sands of the D-Day Beaches? Here’s your chance! But this trip is more than just a history lesson. Together, we’ll wander through Monet’s gardens, explore medieval towns, and stroll cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses. We’ll see how French farmers blend tradition and innovation—from cider-fed beef to world-famous cheeses—and taste the results right where they’re made. We’ll discover France’s art, architecture, and stories—from Gothic cathedrals to Impressionist harbors and the grandeur of Paris. Our day in Champagne promises sparkling cellars, rolling vineyards, and the chance to raise a glass with friends old and new. Click HERE for our detailed tour program. Greece – September 2–15, 2026, a journey of a lifetime designed for curious, culture-loving travelers. We will explore ancient wonders, savor authentic flavors, and discover the warm hospitality that makes Greece so extraordinary. From magnificent Athens to the Peloponnese—marveling at the Corinth Canal, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, the ethereal Byzantine city of Mystras, the charming seaside jewel of Nafplion—and on to the captivating island of Naxos. Come share stories, laughter, and experience Greece as it was meant to be. Click HERE for full details. Call or email our friendly group department today at 888.549.1186 / GroupDepartment@executivetravel.com.

Check out our Weekly Travel Alert Podcast – The Weekly Travel Alert Video Podcast is available on YouTube, as well on all your favorite podcast stations, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe to stay up to date with everything travel.