Greetings from Austin! We’re settling in for a relaxing three day weekend at home thanks to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. While the weekend should be relaxing, the past week in the travel world has been anything but.
Things started off with a bang on Sunday as ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Allegiant announced that it was purchasing Minneapolis based Sun Country Airlines. We also saw Delta make a major aircraft order, a former politician get in trouble with their credit card, and ICE set up at the Minneapolis airport. Those stories and more in the ATX Jetsetter weekly recap for the week ended January 17, 2026.
In this post:
- Allegiant Announces Merger With Sun Country
- ICE Agents will be Performing Document Checks at MSP Airport for the Next Three Weeks
- Marriott is Reportedly Buying Rosewood Hotels and Resorts
- Delta Adds Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Widebody Fleet
- Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Sued Over Unpaid United MileagePlus Credit Card Bill
- Review: Kyoto Arashiyama Onsen Kadensho
- Summary
Allegiant Announces Merger With Sun Country
Allegiant and Sun Country have announced plans to merge. The two ultra-low-cost carriers operate complimentary route networks with almost no overlap and have compatible fleets. The airlines also serve point-to-point flying only, making this a natural fit. I
It will be interesting to see if Allegiant retains Sun Country’s hub at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP) or if it elects to move those aircraft elsewhere. The merger, if approved, is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
ICE Agents will be Performing Document Checks at MSP Airport for the Next Three Weeks
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are reportedly patrolling MSP Airport for the next three weeks. Passengers traveling through the airport may be stopped for document checks and airport employees and other individuals on airport property are also subject to these document checks.
Marriott is Reportedly Buying Rosewood Hotels and Resorts
Rumors are swirling that Marriott International is finalizing the purchase of some, or all, of the Rosewood Hotels and Resorts portfolio. While these rumors haven’t been confirmed, there is certainly plenty of smoke here to warrant a closer look.
Delta Adds Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Widebody Fleet
Delta Air Lines has placed an order for up to sixty Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners. The carrier will use these planes to replace aging Boeing 767-300s on Transatlantic and South American routes. Deliveries for these planes are expected to begin in 2031.
While I’m not surprised to see a Dreamliner order from Delta, the rumors have been floating around for quite a while, I am surprised that they decided to order the largest variant of the plane instead of the 787-9, especially considering the size of the plane it is intended to replace.
Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Sued Over Unpaid United MileagePlus Credit Card Bill
Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is being sued by JPMorgan Chase over an unpaid balance on her United MileagePlus card. Lightfoot owes the bank more than $11,000 in charges that she has failed to pay. Her next court appearance is scheduled for December 2026.
Review: Kyoto Arashiyama Onsen Kadensho
Our onsen visit was one of the more unique hotel experiences I’ve had during my travels. While I understand people travel from around the world to have the experience, it’s not really my cup of tea. In addition, the property that we chose was isolated and fairly worn out. If we return to another onsen, which I’m sure we will, I’ll be searching for a more modern option.
Summary
It was a very busy week on the news front with a major merger announcement, aircraft order, and rumors that one of the world’s most luxurious hotel chains may be up for grabs. There will definitely be plenty of things to keep track of over the next few weeks and I appreciate you all checking out the weekly recap for the week ended January 17, 2026!