Window shopping #20

Shoes off at security, music made from planes, and a postcard from Menorca

This is Window Shopping, a weekly mini-letter from Window Seat—your stylish scroll through what’s new, noteworthy, and next in the world of travel. Each issue blends timely headlines, personal favorites, and design-forward hotels to keep your wanderlust well-fed.

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Good news for those without PreCheck: After nearly 20 years, TSA wants to let you keep your shoes on. TSA is testing new screening technology that could finally eliminate one of the most annoying (and gross) parts of airport security: taking off your shoes. Also being tested at select airports is a pilot program that would allow travelers to pass through checkpoints without interacting with officers. As air travel booms and security checkpoints get busier than ever, these kinds of streamlined improvements will be welcome changes for travelers. It’s a small step, but one that signals a broader shift toward post-9/11 protocols being reimagined for both our safety (and sanity). h/t

Gate Access

for first reporting the news.

Music for Heathrow’s summer soundtrack: the airport itself. Wondering if I’m literally the only person this will appeal to, but: in partnership with the airport, Grammy-nominated musician Jordan Rakei created Music for Heathrow, the first-ever score made entirely from airport sounds. It’s an unexpected way to transform travel nerves into calm anticipation. See also: my Cruising Altitude playlist.

Leisure travel isn’t slowing anytime soon, but growth won’t come from the West. According to a new report from Boston Consulting Group, global spending on leisure travel is expected to triple by 2040, soaring from $5 trillion to $15 trillion. Most interestingly, the biggest drivers will be emerging markets like China, India, and Saudi Arabia. The forecast confirms what many of us already know: people are traveling more often and seeking out more personalized experiences from every touchpoint. For travelers, that means fuller terminals and lounges, more boutique options, and an ever-growing ecosystem of digital tools promising to streamline it all.

Is there anything better than seeing your vacation vision board come to life?

I’m writing to you from Menorca, and let me just say: it’s even more magical than I imagined. I can’t wait to share the incredible hotels, meals, and moments with you all soon. But in the spirit of vacation, I’m keeping this week’s note short and sweet.

In the meantime, in case you missed it:

• An updated list of the best travel products I’ve ever packed

• Five outfits I brought on this trip + my long-haul packing list

• The app I use to beat jet lag

Vestige Son Vell—Menorca, Spain

In honor of one of my new favorite vacations, feast your eyes on what might be Menorca’s crown jewel of a hotel. Tucked among lemon trees, olive groves, and wildflower fields, Vestige Son Vell looks straight out of a storybook. Set on a 200-year-old agricultural estate, it blends five-star polish with the rustic charm that’s become synonymous with the island. The 143-hectare grounds offer seasonal Menorcan cuisine, an idyllic pool you could easily lose hours beside, and a stay that’s now firmly on my dream list.

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Tori Simokov is a Travel Writer and Graphic Designer/Strategist based in New York. To get in touch, email tori@v1projects.com. Want more? Check out Instagram, TikTok, or shop her curated favorites.