July 23, 2025

A Weaker U.S. Passport, Travel Lobbying Spending and Delta's AI Airfares

3 minutes

The U.S. passport has fallen to 10th place in the Henley Passport Index—its lowest ranking in 20 years—while Asian countries like Singapore, Japan, and South Korea now lead. Major U.S. travel associations and airlines ramped up lobbying efforts in Q2, though some large hospitality companies like Marriott and Hilton slightly reduced their spending. Meanwhile, Delta is testing AI-driven airfare pricing, prompting criticism from lawmakers who fear it could lead to consumer price discrimination.

U.S. Passport Power Slips: See Which Countries Are Gaining Ground

Travel Companies Spent Big in Q2 on Lobbying — Here’s What They Want

Delta’s Use of AI for Setting Fares Sparks Concern in Washington

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