Window shopping #41
A decade-old aviation mystery resurfaces, Southwest shakes up domestic flying, and the rituals I'm using to rest before the year begins
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.
Hope you all had a restful holiday and a happy New Year! I can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for all of us.
After more than a decade of silence, the search for MH370 is underway once again. The search for MH370 has officially resumed, with a specialized vessel arriving this week to scour a newly identified “high-probability” zone in the southern Indian Ocean during a 55-day mission. Finding the aircraft nearly 12 years after its disappearance would offer long-awaited closure, but the stakes go beyond answers alone. MH370 exposed a major blind spot in global aviation safety, directly prompting the creation of the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS). Recovering the wreckage would be the ultimate proof point for the satellite-tracking technologies now required on modern airliners—ensuring a plane can never truly vanish again.
The airline that once refused to change is now changing everything. After a year of major policy shifts, from ending its decades-long “bags fly free” perk and introducing new fare types to assigned seating and partnerships, Southwest is now being seen as a real threat by its bigger legacy rivals while delighting many consumers with fresher, more flexible options. The airline’s evolution could reshape domestic flying in 2026 (better pricing or booking dynamics anyone??) even as competitors rethink their own strategies in response.
I love this strange, in-between time of year when work slows down and there’s a focused momentum between what was and what will be. Envisioning the year ahead and all that I want to release and call in, for me, is incredibly energizing. But as much as I’m leaning into the energy of a fresh start, I’m also giving myself real permission to rest and recharge. If there’s one thing the universe has forced me to remember lately, it is how essential rest really is.
Here are a few of the ways I am leaning in and keeping things extra cozy during this hibernation period:
Robe wardrobe: I’ve said this before and I’ll keep saying it—one robe is not enough! I like having options. But my favorite right now is this one. It’s super plush, as luxe as they come, and makes me feel like I’m perpetually on vacation at a high-end hotel. Hard to beat that combo.
Fleece sweatshirt: I wear this at least half of every week now beacuse of how cozy it is. I like the feeling of being bundled up. I genuinely want to order one in every color.
Nourishing snacks: Lately, I cannot get enough of cherry tomatoes drizzled with good olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. It’s so simple, refreshing, and surprisingly grounding. Plus it actually makes my body feel good.
Digestion tea: I have been drinking Rest + Digest nightly as part of my evening wind-down, or after meals when my stomach feels off, and it works gently but noticeably - often within an hour. The warming blend helps relax digestive tension while supporting enzyme production, which makes digestion feel smoother and less reactive overall. It is subtle, grounding, and has quickly become one of those quiet routines that makes my body feel more at ease.
Patina Osaka — Osaka, Japan
If you’ve been dreaming about it for what feels like forever, let 2026 be the year you finally take that trip to Japan. While Osaka is a staple for any first-timer’s itinerary, the city has a fresh crown jewel: Patina Osaka. As the debut Japanese property from the ultra-luxury Capella Hotel Group, this 20-story sanctuary overlooks the historic Osaka Castle park, offering a "transformative luxury" experience that balances the city's neon energy with deep soul. The hotel is anchored by a massive 1,400-square-meter wellness floor, where traditional Japanese therapies meet more modern offerings like cryotherapy and hyperbaric chambers. For a change of pace, you can retreat to The Listening Room—an analog haven by legendary sound designer Devon Turnbull of OJAS—to experience high-fidelity vinyl on custom-built speakers. Between the world-class audio and the floor-to-ceiling castle views, Patina Osaka offers a sophisticated, soulful alternative to the city’s high-energy neon districts.
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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.