Boeing's Political Cash, Bhutan's Crypto Tourism and U.S. Flight Spending
For Friday's podcast we count up Boeing's lobbying dollars, look at Bhutan's crypto push, and add up flight bookings in the U.S.
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Even before last week's Air India crash brought renewed scrutiny to Boeing's safety practices, the company had been ramping up its political spending in Washington, writes Contributor Dave Levinthal.
During the first five months of 2025, Boeing's federal PAC distributed nearly $1 million among almost 300 political committees. These include the campaigns of dozens of members of Congress.
The company, a major federal defense contractor in addition to its status as a civil aviation behemoth, also maintains a large force of D.C. lobbyists. Since 2008, Boeing has spent at least $11.9 million annually on federal lobbying efforts.
In recent years, Boeing has faced heavy criticism for its corporate safety culture, with federal lawmakers hauling top executives before their congressional committees multiple times.
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Next, Bhutan has launched the world's first nationwide crypto-based tourism payment system, writes Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia.
Partnering with crypto payment unit Binance Pay, and DK Bank, Bhutan now lets visitors pay for nearly everything in cryptocurrency — from visa fees and flights to local handicrafts and fruit at a roadside stall.
This marks the first time a nation has integrated cryptocurrency payments across its entire tourism economy.
The system works with Binance Pay and travelers can pay in more than 100 cryptocurrencies. DK Bank, the country's first fully digital, state-owned bank, converts payments instantly into Bhutan's local currency.
For businesses, especially those in rural areas, the new system allows access to a global payment network, without the need for international banking links or expensive card terminals.
Finally, U.S. flight sales through travel agencies are down overall, but online agencies have shown gains throughout the year, reports executive editor Dennis Schaal.
Sales through OTAs rose 8% in May while those through traditional leisure agencies dropped 5%, and corporate travel agencies saw an 8% decline.
Booking.com has been expanding its flights business and now outsells Expedia, according to Skift Research.
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