Need fiber-fast Wi-Fi at 35,000 feet to keep up with that stream of emails? JetBlue just signed on with Amazon’s Project Kuiper to supercharge its free Fly-Fi. Planning an incentive trip to Bali or Jakarta? You’ll need to ensure your attendees have a new app required for entry. Watching bleisure blur the lines? ALTOUR’s latest index says business travelers are going shorter, flying comfier and sticking closer to their expert travel advisors.
As always, Smart Travel is here to bring you the latest updates shaping the way we move, meet and plan.
Italian Alps Meet the Ikon Crowd
The Ikon Pass just got a major European upgrade. Five new mountains in Italy’s Valle d’Aosta region are joining the roster for the 2025–26 winter season, including the iconic Courmayeur Mont Blanc. That means skiers can now chase powder under the shadow of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa, all on one pass.
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The new destinations (Courmayeur Mont Blanc, Cervino Ski Paradise, La Thuile, Monterosa Ski and Pila) offer everything from off-piste adventure to Michelin-starred apres. “We are proud and excited to join the Ikon Pass community,” said Danilo Chatrian, general director at Courmayeur Mont Blanc. “From iconic peaks and world-class skiing, to gourmet cuisine and authentic alpine charm, we are thrilled to share the unique spirit of our special region in Italy with a wider global audience.”
Even better? No blackout dates and direct connections to ski favorites like Chamonix and Zermatt. That’s five new ways to say ciao to winter, Italian-style.
Marriott Debuts New Luxury Resort in Barbados
Colony Club is back—and chicer than ever. The storied resort on Barbados’ Platinum Coast has officially reopened as Colony Club, a Luxury Collection Resort, Barbados, marking the island’s debut within Marriott’s prestige-filled Luxury Collection portfolio.
Originally built as a seaside residence in the 1930s, the resort has undergone a meticulous renovation with redesigned guest rooms, new wellness offerings and what Marriott calls “a refined escape rooted in authenticity.” Guests can expect lagoon-style pools, open-air dining with garden views and the Caribbean’s first-ever Rum Vault with over 150 bottles on offer.
“This reopening is not just about unveiling a beautifully reimagined resort,” said Alex Fiz, area general manager for the Barbados Collection Portfolio. “It’s about welcoming back those who have cherished it for generations and inviting new travelers to discover its ageless allure.”
Signature moments include Lobster & Jazz nights, Island-to-Table dinners and spa rituals based on the five elements, all designed to capture the soul of Barbados in quietly luxurious style.
ALTOUR Releases 2025 Business Travel Index
According to ALTOUR’s just-released 2025 Business Travel Index, corporate travelers aren’t flying more, they’re just flying smarter—and often with a side of vacation. The report shows a growing appetite for “bleisure,” with 39% of travelers tacking leisure time onto work trips (and that jumps to 59% for international fliers).
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Premium economy is the cabin of choice this year, growing 25% year-over-year as travelers look to split the difference between cost and comfort. Trips are getting shorter, too (hotel spend is down, air spend is up) and C-suite execs increasingly lean on human expertise, with 70% preferring travel advisors for high-stakes journeys.
“We’re seeing smarter, more purposeful travel in 2025,” said Gabe Rizzi, president of ALTOUR. “Companies are being more selective, focusing on trips that truly matter, where face-to-face connection drives business impact.”
Indonesia Announces New App Requirement for Entry
Indonesia is giving the arrival process a digital upgrade. The country’s new All Indonesia app is now live and mandatory at three major airports and six seaports as part of its Tourism 5.0 initiative to make entry easier, faster and far less paper-heavy.
“This app will make it easier and more comfortable for visitors to enjoy Indonesia’s stunning nature and rich culture,” said Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana.
Available on the App Store, Google Play and online, the app bundles immigration, customs, health and quarantine declarations into a single form. Travelers can fill it out up to three days before departure and even pay for their visa on arrival within the app—just flash the resulting QR code when you land and skip the lines.
It’s now required at key gateways including Soekarno-Hatta near Jakarta, Bali’s Ngurah Rai, and Juanda in East Java, as well as six ferry terminals in Batam, a short hop from Singapore.
With 7 million international visitors arriving between January and June 2025, mostly from Malaysia, Singapore and Australia, Indonesia’s tourism tech upgrade is timely.
JetBlue Becomes First Airline for Amazon’s Project Kuiper
JetBlue is taking its in-flight Wi-Fi from free to fast-forward. The airline just announced it will be the first in the world to partner with Amazon’s Project Kuiper, a low Earth orbit satellite network that promises to make streaming at 35,000 feet feel like scrolling at sea level.
“We’re always looking for ways to make our customers’ time in the air as connected and productive as they want it to be,” said Marty St. George, JetBlue’s president. “Our agreement with Project Kuiper marks an exciting leap forward for us as the hands-down leader in onboard connectivity.”
Fly-Fi, JetBlue’s signature free Wi-Fi, launched in 2013, is already a fan favorite. But starting in 2027, select aircraft will begin rolling out Kuiper’s next-gen mesh satellite tech, offering even faster speeds, lower latency and a smoother online ride from gate to gate.
Amazon’s Panos Panay put it this way: “We’re pumped to bring that to life with JetBlue.”
