Travel Predictions for 2017

It’s finally 2017; the unpredictable 2016 is finally over. If you’re looking for an escape to start off the year right, we are sharing our predictions for the year’s hottest destinations, hotels and much more.

Three-cabin aircraft will come full circle with economy, narrow seats that barely recline; premium economy, roomier seats that partially recline; and business, luxurious lie-flat seats.

Local vacation experiences will continue to grow. Travelers, thanks to millennials, are migrating toward local experiences and choosing neighborhoods and apartments over shiny, expensive hotels. Airbnb will continue to shake up the industry with the experiences section, connecting customers directly with locals for authentic experiences.

Last-chance tourism will be heavily pushed. Thanks to global warming, the Great Barrier Reef is bleached and dying, Miami and the Maldives will be submerged in water and polar bear habitats are quickly disappearing. Last-chance tourism means travelers are flocking to all of these places before they are gone for good.

More people are taking advantage of a premium credit card. With last year’s release of the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, premium credit cards are once again returning mainstream. The price tag of the hefty annual fee is reduced once the travel credit kicks in, showcasing the wide value of benefits premium cards offer. As more travelers take advantage of these cards, there could be longer lines for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry and more crowded Priority Pass lounges.

Airline fares are changing. Not all economy-class fares are created equal: United and American Airlines are two airlines that recently announced new basic economy fares. The fares will be lower, but also come with several restrictions like pre-selecting a seat, flight changes, upgrades and carry-on regulations.

Airport dining is upgrading. Airports across the country are revolutionizing the way dining functions. Restaurants are scouring for fresh vegetables at local farmers markets, making for a healthier option.

Drivers may be taking a backseat to cars — maybe Back to the Future was right with flying cars. Audi is currently set to release the A8 in 2017, the world’s first fully autonomous passenger car, with various brands not too far behind. Autonomous cars are also being tested to drive Uber passengers in Pittsburgh. The popular ride-hailing apps Uber and Lyft are slowly taking over the rental car industry and becoming a traveler’s go-to option as opposed to renting vehicles.

The doors will stay open to Cuba — 2017 is the first full year the doors have been open to Cuba and a number of U.S. airlines, cruise lines and hotels resumed business there after the long hiatus.

Americans may be taking a break from America. With the various changes in store for the United States in 2017, many Americans are unhappy. Instead of the typical two- to three-week vacation, travelers may be extending their stays. Canada is making its immigration process easier, and Australia is raising the age limit on its working holiday visa to 35 and lowering the application fee to encourage millennials to stay a bit longer.