It’s been a bumpy week in travel. Due to the ongoing war in Iran and the Middle East, crude oil prices continue to rise, translating into higher airfares, while the ongoing partial government shutdown is affecting security line wait times, serving a double whammy for the majority of travelers. (The Smart Meetings staff is lucky that we often fly out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which hires private contractors to operate TSA services, so the shutdown does not affect security there.)
But it’s not all bad news. Hilton, this week, announced its bringing groovy hotel brand Yotel into its econosphere in a novel way that’s a real benefit to travelers.
War Rattles Global Fuel Prices
In the past three weeks, the war in the Middle East has pushed jet‑fuel and oil prices sharply higher and—already—produced targeted fare increases and fuel surcharges on many international/long‑haul routes. The Argus Jet Fuel Index, which tracks the average cost of a gallon of fuel on a daily basis, shows that on February 27, the day before military operations started, the average price for a gallon of fuel was $2.50. Now that price has jumped to $4.26 per gallon—a 41% increase. Wider, sustained base‑fare increases for U.S. domestic travel have mostly not yet happened, but analysts say they’re likely if the conflict and high fuel prices persist. Some airlines have long-term contracts to hedge against fluctuating fuel prices, but the majority are exposed to higher prices, meaning their fares are more directly affected by the sticker shock.
Major U.S. airlines have said strong demand is absorbing some higher fuel costs and have generally not yet rolled out separate fuel surcharges (they typically fold fuel into base fares), but executives warned fare increases could follow quickly if the price spike continues.
If you’re a nerd like I am, you might enjoy this interview with oil analyst Rory Johnston published in the Harvard Business Review. It’s a deep dive into how the war is affecting fuel prices across regions.
Security Line Wait Times Grow
Travelers increasingly rely on apps and websites to check Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wait times before heading to the airport—especially now that TSA has gone unfunded and its employees unpaid for a month due to a partial government shutdown over how parts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operate. (TSA falls under the auspices of DHS, as does immigration and border patrol.)
Official sources like the MyTSA site and many airport apps publish real-time and historical averages drawn from checkpoint reports, sensors, and turnstile counts. Third-party tools such as FLIO and On Air Parking combine those official feeds with crowd-sourced user reports and historical patterns. Google uses anonymized location data to infer crowding, and some airlines surface partner or airport-supplied estimates.
The aptly named Misery Map by Flight Aware shows domestic airport wait times. These services differ by coverage and method—official feeds tend to be most accurate, crowd-sourced inputs add granularity, and predictive models smooth short-term fluctuations. For a really good rundown, the travel experts at Frommers.com published a comprehensive list of wait time apps and sites earlier this week.
While we all wait for wait times to return to normal, it’s a good idea to enroll in TSA PreCheck, which lets you move through security lines faster and reach your gate sooner. Global Reentry allows passengers to move through Customs lines when returning from international travel.
Hilton Brings Yotel into the Fold with a New Branding Scheme
Hilton has launched Select by Hilton, a new branding initiative that brings high-quality independent and lifestyle hotels into Hilton’s distribution and loyalty ecosystem while preserving their distinct identities. The first partner, YOTEL, will join the Select by Hilton family under an exclusive agreement announced March 19, 2026, expanding travelers’ access to YOTEL’s tech-forward, space-efficient properties in urban centers.
For guests, Select by Hilton delivers three clear benefits: more choice, consistent perks, and easier booking. Independent brands retain their design and service, giving travelers fresh, locally flavored options beyond traditional Hilton properties. At the same time, these hotels gain connectivity to Hilton Honors, meaning members can earn and redeem points, enjoy instant benefits, and use Hilton’s contactless mobile tools across participating Select properties.
Integration into Hilton’s global distribution also increases availability and visibility of unique lifestyle hotels, simplifying comparisons and reservations on a familiar platform. For planners, this creates a broader network of bookable stays with predictable standards and loyalty rewards. Hilton’s asset-light expansion model aims to scale Select quickly, promising more locations soon.
Overall, Select by Hilton makes it easier for meeting profs to discover and book distinctive hotels without sacrificing the confidence, convenience, and rewards that come with Hilton.
