Spirit Airlines Launches Non-Stop Service From Savannah Along With a New Loyalty Program Promotion
Spirit Airlines officially began operations at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) with the launch of daily nonstop service to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), enhancing connectivity between the Southern city and the New York metro area. It marks the airline’s third destination in Georgia. Expanding on this debut, Spirit plans to roll out additional SAV routes in the fall, including Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Nashville (BNA) starting October 9, 2025, followed by Detroit (DTW) on October 10. According to Spirit’s Chief Commercial Officer Rana Ghosh, the move brings affordable and accessible travel options to Savannah while opening new avenues for travelers to enjoy beach destinations, music hubs, and metropolitan experiences.
Savannah Airport Commission Executive Director Greg Kelly said, “Spirit’s addition of SAV to its route network is a major win for our region. This new service opens up exciting travel opportunities for visitors heading to Southeast Georgia and the coastal areas of Southeast South Carolina. For our local community, it means convenient access to four of Spirit’s most popular destinations — bringing more choice, value, and connectivity. We’re confident this marks the beginning of a strong and mutually beneficial partnership.”
Spirit is also celebrating the launch with a promotion through its revamped Free Spirit® loyalty program, awarding up to 1,500 bonus points for eligible bookings made by specific deadlines, encouraging early adoption of the new routes. Passengers traveling through Savannah can also experience Spirit’s recently upgraded service tiers: Spirit First, Premium Economy, and Value. These options are tailored to offer varying levels of comfort, convenience, and pricing flexibility. Spirit’s industry recognition continues to grow, having been named Best Airline Overall for 2025 by WalletHub.
Learn more about the Free Spirit Loyalty Program here.
Acqualina Resort Named Top Destination Resort and Waterfront Hotel By USA Today
Acqualina Resort & Residences, located in the heart of Sunny Isles Beach in Miami, has earned national acclaim by securing two #1 spots in USA Today’s prestigious 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Recognized as the #1 Best Destination Resort and #1 Best Waterfront Hotel/Resort in the United States, Acqualina continues to set the standard for excellence in luxury hospitality. Situated on 4.5 acres of pristine beachfront, this oceanfront haven is celebrated for its world-class service, lavish accommodations, and serene surroundings, distinguishing itself as a top-tier destination for discerning travelers.
Acqualina Resort CEO and Partner, Deborah Yager Fleming, said, “Our team takes great pride in providing exceptional attention and care to every guest, always going above and beyond to ensure each person feels truly looked after. We want our guests to feel at home, knowing that in addition to offering beautiful surroundings, every detail is handled with purpose, thoughtfulness, and the highest level of care. Under the leadership of General Manager Jeff Giasson, our team is deeply passionate about what we do, and we remain committed to continuously striving to make Acqualina one of the finest hotel experiences in the world.”
Beyond USA Today’s honors, Acqualina has received the Forbes Five-Star Award for both its hotel and spa for 13 years in a row, as well as the AAA Five-Diamond Award for 17 years straight. It was also named the #1 Best Resort and Hotel in the Continental U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. To celebrate its recent accolades, Acqualina is offering a special Staycation Package available to residents of Florida, Texas, and Georgia through September 30, 2025. The exclusive offer includes a $100 resort credit, daily breakfast, complimentary valet parking, late check-out, and a curated welcome amenity. Guests can also enjoy access to the AcquaMarine Children’s Program, elevated dining experiences, and a host of wellness and leisure activities.
View the entire Top 10 List from USA Today here.
Noodles & Company Shifts Strategy Amid Disappointing Quarterly Results and Consumer Push for More Value
Since launching a new menu on March 12, Noodles & Company has faced shifting consumer expectations, particularly around price sensitivity. Customers became more cautious about spending, prompting the fast-casual chain to realign its brand strategy and introduce a more affordable combo meal, “Delicious Duos,” in late July. Outgoing CEO Drew Madsen, whose role will be assumed by COO Joe Christina, admitted that despite a 1.5% increase in same-store sales for the second quarter, the results fell short of expectations. The growth was largely driven by increased menu prices, while actual traffic declined by 2.5%, highlighting a gap between pricing and perceived value. Madsen attributed the traffic drop to a misjudgment in how guests would react to the new menu, especially given today’s heightened demand for value in the dining space. Although guest satisfaction has since rebounded, especially with popular items like Garlic Bacon Crunch and Buffalo Ranch Mac & Cheese,early dissatisfaction caused a setback.
Madsen said, “While we delivered positive same-store sales in a choppy consumer environment for our segment, overall results were below our expectations going into the quarter. We have identified what we believe drove the traffic shortfall versus our expectations and have been working quickly to address it.”
Noodles & Company has responded to setbacks by adjusting its offerings and replacing high-cost ingredients with more affordable alternatives without compromising taste. Operational challenges also led to the removal of the Green Goddess Salad due to execution issues. Improvements in guest traffic and sales have been seen since the value combo launch, with traffic moving from negative to slightly positive. The chain is implementing new operational coaching programs to enhance consistency and guest satisfaction. The upcoming fall menu will feature a chile-garlic ramen as a limited-time offer. Meanwhile, the company continues to close underperforming locations, with up to 32 closures expected in 2025 and more in 2026. While second-quarter revenue dipped 0.7% to $126.4 million and net losses widened to $17.6 million, new CEO Joe Christina is focused on driving traffic, improving margins, and restoring guest loyalty as the company approaches its 30th anniversary.
Gain more insights from the second-quarter financial results here.
Original Article Links:
Spirit Airlines Serves Up Southern Hospitality with the Launch of New, Nonstop Service from Savannah
ACQUALINA RESORT & RESIDENCES ACHIEVES #1 RANKINGS IN THE 2025 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS BY USA TODAY 10BEST
Noodles & Company adjusts new menu in response to consumer sentiment