With Memorial Day weekend on the horizon, travel expert Brian Kelly offered up his thoughts on where the travel ecosystem currently lies.
Kelly, known as The Points Guy, spoke on CNBC’s Squawk Box on Wednesday about important changes needed in order for travel to be consistent in the long term.
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“Our air traffic system is way outdated. We need to do a multibillion dollar investment,” Kelly said. “We saw the holiday meltdown that Southwest blamed on weather -- it was really just their technology.”
Kelly’s sentiments are not without merit. Just last month, a Southwest (LUV) pilot even admitted that the company is not confident in its own tech.
But Kelly did admit that the airlines and their outdated technology isn’t the only reason behind travel mishaps. United Airlines (UAL) CEO Scott Kirby told CNBC that staff shortages are also hurting travel processes and Kelly did support that claim.
“I do cold-heartedly agree [with Kirby.] This summer, the airlines have to cancel flights in and out of New York due to this shortage,” Kelly said.
However, at least when it comes to the upcoming long weekend, Kelly is optimistic, if only because he’s also traveling himself.
“I’m feeling good about this weekend -- also because I’m traveling this weekend, ” Kelly said. “So much is based on weather … So I think it's going to be smooth sailing this weekend, but you just never know with the airlines.”
