This is Window Shopping, a weekly briefing from Window Seat. Every issue covers essential news in luxury travel, spotlights one exceptional hotel, and shares personal updates or recent product discoveries.
Central Ohio is finally getting a nonstop route to Europe. Huge news for my friends in the Midwest who are tired of annoying layovers just getting across the pond. Lufthansa announced six new routes this week, and among them is a direct flight between Columbus (my hometown airport!) and Frankfurt launching in May 2027. It’ll run three times a week on a 787-9 outfitted with Allegris cabins.
Boeing’s 737-10 earned its type certification after first being unveiled almost a decade ago. This officially clears it for commercial service and production, with deliveries slated for early 2027. This certification is especially important as it marks the first commercial airliner to be approved under the strict safety and human factors rules outlined in the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (ACSAA)—a law that was passed to prevent federal aviation oversight in the wake of the MAX tragedies.
United celebrated the opening of the largest airline-branded lounge in the Americas at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas. The massive 54,000-square-foot lounge is located in the new Terminal B North Concourse and features a 1,350-square-foot open-air terrace (with airfield views for plane-spotting), two bars and buffet stations, 11 private phone rooms, and seating for 800 guests. To enter, you’ll need a same-day United or Star Alliance boarding pass, plus a United Club membership, an eligible premium-cabin ticket, Star Alliance Gold status, or a valid one-time pass.
Amex Travel fixed an old blind spot by adding over a million Airbnb listings to its booking portal. Cardholders now earn Membership Rewards points when booking prepaid stays, and Platinum cardholders can use their $600 annual Lodging Credit toward Airbnb Luxe bookings that are at least two nights (which also unlocks a nice $250 credit to put toward Airbnb Experiences).
As I’ve become a real, card-carrying frequent traveler, I’ve really come to appreciate using actual minis of my favorite beauty products instead of having to go through the whole song and dance of decanting all my products before each trip. And this is especially important because if you’re like me and take your skin, makeup, and haircare routines incredibly seriously, those items alone can easily add up to 20-30lbs in your suitcase. (How that happens, exactly, is one of life's great mysteries.)
With the annual Sephora Savings Event starting next week, I put together a little edit of my favorite mini beauty products I’m loving and shopping on the site. Let me know what you'll be grabbing!
The Cormorant at 55 South — Puerto Williams, Chile
Earlier this week, this hotel opened its doors down in Puerto Williams, Chile and was crowned the world’s most southernmost hotel. This property was purpose-built as a basecamp for travelers embarking on Silversea’s Antarctica Fly-Cruise program; you come here, enjoy local Patagonian food and Yaghan-inspired design, and then fly straight over the Drake Passage to the Frozen Continent versus enduring two days of notoriously brutal seas. I’ll be part of the first group of guests staying here myself, so keep an eye out for a full look inside soon!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase (at no cost to you).
Window Seat covers the business, culture, and experience of traveling well, written by Tori Simokov, a writer and designer based in New York. For partnership opportunities: tori@v1projects.com. You can also connect with her on Instagram, TikTok, or ShopMy.