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News Roundup
It’s time for another look at some interesting stories from around the web. Bilt is expanding its housing platform with a new partnership and acquisition, Priority Pass is looking well beyond airport lounges, and United is adding live football to Starlink-equipped flights. Plus, Marriott has a new Ritz-Carlton all-inclusive resort in the works, and the debate over American Airlines’ strategy continues.
Bilt Partners with Collective Residential and Acquires Livly to Accelerate Its Neighborhood Hospitality Platform
Bilt, the hospitality platform for housing, today announced a partnership with Collective Residential and the acquisition of Livly’s technology platform. The acquisition brings together Bilt’s existing housing platform that creates a unified experience from prospect through renewal with Livly’s smart-building capabilities, creating a more connected platform for multifamily owners, operators, property teams, and residents. Bilt is partnering with Collective Residential to operate their communities’ resident experience through the Bilt platform, further expanding Bilt’s network.
➡️ Read more at Bilt
Priority Pass Expands Beyond Lounges With Fast Track, a New App, and Luxury Airport Experiences
Priority Pass is pushing well past its origins as a lounge-access program, with expanded fast track security at airports around the world, a redesigned app, and a high-end tier called Priority Pass Private. The company announced its intentions September 15 and sits inside a broader 5-year, £500 million ($676.7 million) investment plan from parent company Collinson.
➡️ Read more at Upgraded Points
United Teams Up with DISH to Broadcast Professional and College Football Games Live on Starlink-Enabled Seatback Screens
United Airlines customers won’t miss a play this football season, thanks to a new agreement between the airline and DISH. Starting this week, travelers can catch live professional and college football games right on their Starlink-enabled seatback screen.
➡️ Read press release
Marriott Will Open Ritz-Carlton, Kemer, All-Inclusive in Türkiye in 2028
Marriott International, Inc. today announced it has signed an agreement with Özak GYO to introduce its first luxury, all-inclusive resort in the Europe, Middle East & Africa region. Situated in Kemer within the Antalya region, The Ritz-Carlton, Kemer, All-Inclusive is set to deliver legendary service and an elegant aesthetic, along with an immersive resort experience in one of Türkiye’s most coveted coastal destinations.
➡️ Read press release
Actually, American Airlines’ Pilots Union Is Right: Sorry, View From The Wing
“Here in the blogosphere, we all have our opinions on the failures of American Airlines’ management, and what the solution is for the airline to improve its financial performance. I’ve certainly been vocal about my take. However, in this post I’d like to focus on something different — not on what American management is saying, or what union leaders are saying, but instead, on what a blogger is saying about what a union leader is saying. Hopefully this doesn’t lead to a blogger responding to a blogger responding to a union leader…”
➡️ Read more at OMAAT
Guru’s Wrap-up
There are a few interesting developments here, especially Priority Pass expanding beyond traditional lounge access and United bringing live football to seatback screens. Bilt’s continued push beyond rewards and payments is also worth watching as it builds out a broader platform around housing and neighborhood services.
