Fast Company’s Most Innovative of 2024 Includes Delta, Intrepid, Brightline, and More

Fast Company has announced its World’s Most Innovative Companies 2024, and a dozen travel companies ranked in three categories. 

Companies such as Delta, Intrepid, Brightline, Hilton, Vail Resorts, and United Airlines all performed highly in the Travel, Leisure, and Hospitality; Social Good; and Corporate Social Responsibility sections. 

“Our list of the Most Innovative Companies is both a comprehensive look at the innovation economy and a snapshot of the business trends that defined the year,” said Fast Company Editor in Chief Brendan Vaughan. “We face daunting challenges on many fronts, but the solutions we celebrate in MIC give me plenty of hope about the future.” 

Here’s more about the companies and how they received the recognition. 

Travel, Leisure, and Hospitality

In this category, Delta ranked second to Hopper, the online travel-booking platform, which clinched first for “taking the pain out of the booking process – wherever you are.” Delta earned the spot, up from eighth place last year, “for making fast and free Wi-Fi standard in the sky.” 

Hilton ranked third on this list “for sparkling travelers with two new hotel brands.” The hotel giant recently introduced Spark and LivSmart Studios brands to its portfolio. Another hotel company, Vail Resorts, ranked seventh “for hands-free lift passes and easy ski rentals.” 

In experiences and tours, Intrepid ranked eighth for calculating the carbon emissions of its trips and overall climate transparency and dedication to meeting science-based climate targets.  

“We are honored to receive this recognition. Fast Company’s annual list is globally regarded we hope this will further inspire other businesses to become more transparent.” said James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, “The travel industry cannot shy away from our environmental impact.” 

Padi earned fifth for certifying ocean-friendly dives and GetYourGuide sixth for pushing travelers toward off-the-beaten path locations. The other companies listed in this category were Point.Me, Matador Network, and Global Rescue. 

Social Good 

Brightline earned first place for the most innovative social good companies for its high-speed rail routes that “could spark more U.S. rail projects.”  

“Building Brightline has been a decade-long mission to reinvent train travel in America, making it faster, greener and safer,” said Wes Edens, Brightline’s founder and chairman. “With the success of our Florida system and the development of Brightline West, we are establishing a blueprint for how to build high-speed rail around the country and setting the foundation for a new industry that will generate jobs right here in America. We appreciate Fast Company taking notice.” 

Corporate Social Responsibility

United Airlines ranked second only to Verizon, which clinched the top spot “for bringing service to first responders in even the most extreme circumstances.” United was recognized for The United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund, which supports startups that are researching and producing technologies that could decarbonize air fuel, otherwise known as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).