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
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!)
- , 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.