Window shopping #24
Happy Meals in the sky, a record-breaking travel show, and the flight search tool I can’t stop using
This is Window Shopping, a weekly mini-letter from Window Seat—your stylish scroll through what’s new and noteworthy in the world of travel. Each issue blends timely headlines, personal favorites, and design-forward hotels to keep your wanderlust well-fed.
United’s latest passenger is a nod to its own ’90s-era menu. Earlier this week, United shared social videos of Grimace, everyone’s favorite McDonald’s character, boarding a flight to “McDonaldland” (airport code MCDL). The posts coincided with the return of McDonald’s McDonaldland Meal, which relaunched on Tuesday after a 20-year hiatus. The United tie-in might feel a bit random but it isn’t—If any of you were flying with United in the ’90s, you may remember seeing Happy Meals being served in-flight as part of its “Friendly Skies” program: an effort to win over kids and, by extension, their parents, building early brand loyalty. I love the playful nod to that history.
Tracee Ellis Ross has a show on Roku about solo travel that you should ALL be watching. It just came out a month ago, it’s already the most-watched unscripted show in the channel’s history, and it’s been renewed for season 2. Who can help me get her on Seatmates?!
“Find me a solo trip to a mountain town this winter, near hot springs.” That’s the kind of search you can now type into Google’s new AI-powered Flight Deals tool, which launched this week in beta. Instead of flipping through endless date and destination filters, now you just describe your dream trip like you would to a friend and it finds the cheapest flight options that match. I got early access to the tool and can’t stop playing around with it; as someone who swears by AI for travel planning, I can already tell it’s a gamechanger.
In case you missed it:
My Seatmates feature with Liv Perez went live this week. You neeeeed to check out what she wears to the airport.
I wrapped up one strategy & design project and started another. (I have one slot left for next month if you’re interested in branding for your publication too!)
Chris Danton, who writes one of my favorite letters, mentioned Window Seat in a guest post about her media diet (so flattered!). There are so many amazing publications in there if you’re in the market for some new reads.
I finally hit my TikTok follower goal, thanks in part to a video introducing myself to the internet. The irony lol.
Hyde Melbourne Place — Melbourne, Australia
For a warm, grounding city break in the heart of Melbourne’s central business district, check yourself into Hyde Melbourne Place. Creatives will feel right at home here; art is woven into the hotel’s DNA with local works curated by MARS Gallery. This carbon-neutral lifestyle hotel draws an eclectic crowd, whether they’re sipping rooftop cocktails after work or settling in to dine at one of its two on-site restaurants. Unfortunately, you won’t find a pool or spa, but there are branded, hooded bathrobes that would definitely “accidentally” end up in my suitcase.
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.
loved your tiktok intro!
Too kind! Thanks for the mention.