Airline distribution in 2030: Gravitating to what? / Travel app study / Uber air taxis

Today's news on travel technology, distribution and the digital economy Email not displaying correctly: [View it in your browser]( We are updating our PhocusWire eNewsletter sending technology including a change to the domain. To ensure you continue to receive your copy without interruption, please whitelist: @news.phocuswire.com Please [click here]( for additional instructions on how to whitelist our new domain. Top Stories from the past 24 hours January 17, 2019 How accurately can the future of airline distribution be predicted? With shifting user behaviors, the rapid expansion of giants like Google, new standards like NDC and the adoption of emerging technologies, it might seem like a futile effort to understand how the distribution landscape will ultimately shake out. Today, though, we [offer a holistic view]( what airline distribution in 2030 might look like – and some scenarios might surprise you. Airline mobile app usage in the present day, meanwhile, is on the rise, according to [a new study](. Today we also look at Uber’s plans for an [air taxi]( and have news on peer-to-peer RV rental platform [Outdoorsy's]( $50 million haul. Make sure you check out the release of [the first group of speakers]( for our sister brand Phocuswright's European event in Amsterdam in May. Many more to come and make note of the discounted ticket price that ends tomorrow. - Jill Menze, news editor Today's Top Story Opinion I Distribution [Airline distribution in 2030, part 1: Gravitating towards airlines, intermediaries or tech giants?]( More Headlines [Airline mobile app usage is on the rise, bike and scooter apps freewheeling]( News | Technology App Annie's State of Mobile report reveals travel and wider mobile app trends. [READ MORE]( [Uber's plans for an air taxi, explained]( News | Technology Uber air taxis by 2023? As the realities were laid out at CES, it became clear: It's not easy. [READ MORE]( [Outdoorsy rides off with $50M to expand its RV rental marketplace]( News | Online Peer-to-peer RV rental platform Outdoorsy has raised $50 million in Series C funding that will be used toward continued international expansion. [READ MORE]( [Conference time ahead - Phocuswright Europe 2019 and WIT Middle East]( News | Online Phocuswright Europe returns to the Dutch city of Amsterdam on May 15 and 16 this year. WIT Middle East comes back to the United Arab Emirates' city on Tuesday, April 9. [READ MORE]( [VIDEO: Quicket.io - Launch pitch at Phocuswright 2018]( Interview | Technology Quicket demonstrates what could be possible if there are no legacy technology constraints for speech and face recognition, virtual and augmented reality, and machine-learning advancement in mobile computing. [READ MORE]( [In The Big Chair - Felix Schneider of Dreamlines]( Interview | Online Dreamlines, with €107 million in funding over seven rounds, is the largest online travel agency for cruises that is based outside North America. [READ MORE]( [MORE STORIES]( FREE WEBINAR NEXT WEEK! [How well are independent hoteliers adapting to the digital age?]( In 2018 independent hotels are performing better in the online environment — but challenges remain. - To what extent independent properties have shifted their marketing and distribution online - Through which channels they receive the most sales - What are the core challenges hoteliers are up against and why they’re proving difficult to overcome SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, January 24. [REGISTER TODAY!]( Trending Stories [Polarsteps walks away with €3M investment round]( News | Startups INKEF Capital has backed the Netherlands-based company - an app that helps travelers track and share their trips. [READ MORE]( [On The Beach makes NDC direct connection with Emirates to assist long-haul push]( News | Distribution The online travel agency is claiming it is the first in the U.K. to have a direct connection with Emirates via the carrier’s NDC API. [READ MORE]( [Urban Airship acquires Accengage for Europe mobile marketing push]( News | Technology Urban Airship has acquired Accengage to boost its mobile marketing capabilities and strengthen its presence in Europe. [READ MORE]( [WEBINAR ALERT! Personalizing the group experience for hotels]( News | Distribution Amadeus will explain how you can improve customer relationship management across your entire hotel portfolio by leveraging data to better connect with guests, filling guest rooms and function space and delivering memorable experiences. [READ MORE]( [VIDEO: iinside - Launch pitch at Phocuswright 2018]( Interview | Technology This travel API platform creates better, data-driven travel experiences for OTA, ride-share and airline apps. [READ MORE]( [From investors to incubators - a look inside the vast travel startup ecosystem]( News | Startups A five-year examination of the sector reveals a wide array of incubators, investors and communities dedicated to helping new businesses in the travel industry. [READ MORE]( [Privacy]( | [Subscribe]( | [Unsubscribe]( Northstar Travel Group LLC. 116 West 32nd Street New York, New York 10001