Towards the tip of every 12 months, I really like opening my digicam roll and reflecting on all the images and movies I took through the 12 months.
It may not shock you that almost all of my photos and movies are taken throughout my travels, so it is an effective way for me to recap my prime experiences and relive the monumental moments from every year.
I simply did this train and may assuredly say that 2023 was a blockbuster 12 months for me and my adventures. From a journey perspective, it was the primary 12 months since 2020 that felt decidedly again to regular for the reason that onset of the pandemic. Because of the elimination of practically all COVID-related journey restrictions and the resumption of key airline routes, I used to be capable of attain some far-flung locations, comparable to Kenya, Taiwan and Brazil.
From a private perspective, I additionally began an MBA program at Wharton in Philadelphia. I not solely moved from New York, however I’ve additionally traded many airplane journeys for practice rides forwards and backwards from New York Metropolis. In actual fact, that is my first 12 months ever incomes Amtrak standing.
There have been many different travel-focused highlights this 12 months, so I am going to recap a few of them beneath and share what’s on the horizon for 2024.
2023 journey stats
Complete miles flown: 191,271 (2022: 185,780; 2021: 152,033; 2020: 133,796 miles; 2019: 205,985 miles)
Longest flight: Newark to Dubai (6,844 miles)
Shortest flight: Nairobi Wilson to Masai Mara (109 miles)
Distinctive airways: 26
Every day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day e-newsletter
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
Distinctive airports: 51
Elite standing earned: 7 (Amtrak Choose Plus, American AAdvantage Govt Platinum, United Premier 1K, JetBlue Mosaic, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, World of Hyatt Globalist)
2023 highlights
A historic Center East tie-up
Flying a serious U.S. service to the United Arab Emirates would not have essentially been on my 2023 bingo card.
That is as a result of United Airways, together with “Massive Three” U.S. rivals Delta Air Traces and American Airways, spent a lot of the mid-to-late 2010s unified in protests towards the Center East (ME3) carriers: Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways. They alleged that these fast-growing Center Japanese airways took subsidies from their respective governments, which enabled the airways to supply superior service at a aggressive worth on long-haul routes to the U.S.
Nonetheless, this 12 months, United reentered the Dubai market with a brand new every day nonstop from Newark as a part of a once-unthinkable partnership with Emirates. I used to be on the inaugural flight, and like a lot of United’s first flights, it made for 12 hours that I will not overlook anytime quickly.
Marriott’s first luxurious safari lodge
Till this 12 months, the world’s largest lodge chain did not function a luxurious safari property. That modified with the opening of the brand-new JW Marriott Masai Mara in Kenya, a luxe 20-tent lodge in one of many world’s most well-known sport reserves.
I used to be one of many first vacationers to make a redemption on the property when bookings opened, and I scored a once-in-a-lifetime deal that I wrote about in my full assessment. However even when I had paid a rack fee, I’d’ve been impressed with my keep.
The property wasn’t simply bodily beautiful — the service, facilities and culinary choices resembled one thing you’d discover at an Aman or 4 Seasons resort (after which some).
Setting the brand new home customary
Whereas the U.S. airways spent a lot of the previous few years perfecting their long-haul business-class choices, this 12 months was the primary time a few of them, significantly United, leaned into a brand new home expertise.
Dubbed United Subsequent, the Chicago-based service rolled out a brand new flagship onboard expertise for short-haul flights onboard the Airbus A321neo.
That is United’s first new Airbus jet in practically a decade, and it is certain to impress essentially the most discerning flyers. From 4K TVs to speedy Wi-Fi, this jet is a harbinger of fine issues to return to the United inflight expertise.
United’s additionally been busy retrofitting present jets, such because the Airbus A319, A320 and Boeing 737, with these new cabins, however the A321neo is the primary aircraft that appears purpose-designed for this next-generation onboard product.
LAX will get even higher
Previously few years, many U.S. airports have acquired massive facelifts.
Maybe none are as noteworthy as what’s occurring at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX), the place the airport has gotten (or is getting) some new and renovated terminals, a individuals mover, a consolidated rental automotive facility and extra.
Delta’s new LAX terminal is likely one of the shining stars of all the redevelopment venture, and I liked testing the brand new non-public Delta One check-in facility through the opening festivities in Could.
This non-public lounge is probably essentially the most unique method to fly commercially from the airport, in need of paying just a few grand to make use of the close by PS facility.
Gear upgrades
I started the 12 months with an enormous journey hiccup — my Away backpack broke throughout a visit. I spent the subsequent few weeks testing out some prime replacements and rounded up my findings in a narrative on the perfect enterprise journey backpacks.
Later within the 12 months, I reviewed a number of the greatest noise-canceling headphones, and my favourite pair may not essentially shock you. The excellent news is that an increasing number of airways are including assist for Bluetooth connectivity, so irrespective of which pair you find yourself with, the chances of connecting them to the inflight leisure system are getting higher.
However my favourite gear upgrades this 12 months had been within the journey tech division. Apple’s iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Professional households are a serious improve for vacationers — simply learn my assessment — and I’ve liked taking part in round with the brand new Double Faucet function on the Apple Watch that is already streamlined my journey routine.
And at last, the MacBook Air, one of many world’s greatest journey laptops, now is available in a bigger, 15-inch design that is certain to be successful with vacationers who need a bigger display.
Right here at TPG, we’re at all times offering well timed protection of all the perfect journey gear, so keep tuned for extra in 2024.
Chase’s first airport lounge
The competitors between bank card issuers has formally entered the airport.
Not solely do Amex and Capital One function airport lounges, however now Chase does too. Dubbed the Sapphire Lounge by the Membership, these outposts are fairly swanky.
I liked testing Chase’s first home lounge in Boston on opening day, and I am extremely impressed by all of the facilities — particularly the therapeutic massage chair room — and the tasty food and drinks choices.
I can not wait to see what 2024 brings for Chase (and its opponents).
A premier method to cross the pond
I did not suppose 2023 could be the 12 months I might get to fly Air France’s La Premiere first-class cabin.
Nonetheless, when irregular operations struck on a visit from Paris to New York, I used to be capable of rearrange my schedule and rebook onto a flight to Washington, D.C., that featured this legendary first-class cabin. I managed to buy a last-minute improve from enterprise class for 1,639 euros, and boy, what an expertise it was.
From the free-flowing Champagne to the luxurious predeparture expertise to the non-public onboard suite, La Premiere lived as much as the hype (after which some).
What’s on faucet for 2024
Now that I am in enterprise college, my travels look barely totally different. I have been taking extra group journeys and do not essentially have the time to jet off for just a few days in the course of the week.
The excellent news is that I have already got just a few bucket-list journeys lined up, comparable to Patagonia and snowboarding in Europe, and I am excited to probably be part of one in all American’s or United’s massive European inaugurals this summer season.
Within the gear world, we’re inching nearer to the discharge of Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional headset, and I can not wait to see how this gadget may revolutionize the inflight leisure expertise.
I am certain many extra plans will pop up all year long, so keep tuned to TPG for heaps extra thrilling protection in 2024 and past.
Associated studying:
