July 13 – July 20
Greetings! Here’s our dedicated page to the top 12 travel news stories from this past week. It’s updated every Sunday and is geared towards our newsletter subscribers. You can sign up for free here.
Noem Hints TSA Could Soon Ease Restrictions On Liquids On Flights
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem implied on Wednesday that she is supporting a move for the Transportation Security Administration to roll back its limit on the amount of liquids, aerosols, and gels passengers can bring with them onto airplanes. The Independent
TSA Expands Security Checkpoint Lanes for Families With Children and Military Members
The Department of Homeland Security announced an expansion of Transportation Security Administration checkpoints for families traveling with children and military members on Thursday. TSA will add a dedicated family lane at security checkpoints under a program called “Families on the Fly” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced at a press conference at Nashville International Airport. The project began with a pilot program in Orlando because of its close proximity to Disney World she said and it will be rolled out first in areas where families often travel with children. CNN
American Express Is Doing a Quick Stop Airport Lounge
American Express will open a new kind of airport lounge designed for travelers in a hurry called Sidecar by the Centurion Lounge. The new concept will debut at Harry Reid Airport in Las Vegas in 2026. Its design is speakeasy inspired American Express said and travelers can access Sidecar within 90 minutes before their flight’s departure. The lounge will feature a small plate menu. Travel Weekly
United Passengers Say They Were Stuck On Newark Tarmac For 7 Hours During Severe Weather Delay
Passengers aboard a United Airlines flight say they were stuck on the tarmac at Newark Liberty International Airport for seven hours before their flight was canceled when severe weather sparked delays at airports along the East Coast on Monday evening. Flavia Deluczas told WXYZ-TV that she was among dozens of passengers aboard a United flight to Detroit with limited access to food and water. Fox Business
American Airlines Will Introduce A Quick-Serve Lounge In Charlotte
American Airlines will introduce a quick-service lounge, Provisions by Admirals Club, with the first opening planned for Charlotte Douglas International Airport late this summer. Provisions by Admirals Club will be geared toward travelers in a hurry. The space, to be located in the airport’s Concourse A, will offer a variety of sandwiches, salads, snacks and fruit. Travel Weekly
Delta Announces New Routes From LAX To Hong Kong, Chicago
Southern California residents looking to travel to the Far East or the Midwest from LAX will have more options starting next year. Delta announced Wednesday two new major nonstop routes set to start operating in June 2026: LAX-HKG (Hong Kong) and LAX-ORD (Chicago). Both are considered to be two of the busiest airports in the world. KTLA
After Eight-Plus Years, The Waldorf Astoria New York Is Back
The Waldorf Astoria New York reopened its doors on Tuesday, following an extensive revamp. The landmark property had been closed since 2017. The Manhattan hotel now offers more spacious, redesigned rooms and suites. The redesigned property now has 375 hotel rooms and 372 condos, down from 1,400 guestrooms. Travel Weekly
Thailand Delays Tourist Entry Fee Until 2026 As Arrivals Dip And Economy Falters
Thailand has postponed the rollout of its long-discussed – and frequently delayed – entry fee for tourists, citing sluggish visitor numbers and economic uncertainty. Initially expected to take effect in 2025, the 300-baht (€7.50) “kha yeap pan din” (“stepping onto Thai soil”) fee will now be pushed back to the middle of 2026, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. EuroNews
The Grand Canyon Lodge Was An Elusive Getaway For Nearly A Century. Now It’s Gone
The nearly century-old Grand Canyon Lodge in far northern Arizona was a refuge for ambitious hikers and adventurous tourists eager to bask in the magnificent views of one of the most remote and renowned landscapes in the world. AP
Plunging Dollar Leaves American Travelers With Less Buying Power This Summer
American tourists have grown accustomed to their dollars traveling well, too. This summer, they are getting a wake-up call. The ICE U.S. Dollar Index, which compares the U.S. currency to a basket of six others, just posted its worst first half of the year in more than 50 years. The dollar has tumbled 13% against the euro this year and 6% against the Japanese yen. WSJ
Why Delta And United Are Pulling Away From The Airline Pack
U.S. airlines have been struggling with an oversupply of flights and weaker-than-expected demand this year. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines reported profits and said demand has stabilized, but more domestic-focused airlines are expected to struggle. Delta and United have benefited from an emphasis on premium travel and international trip demand. CNBC
Airbnb To Introduce More Guest-Friendly Cancellation Policies
Airbnb guests will welcome these policy changes, for sure. Many hosts, on the other hand, undoubtably will think that Airbnb’s policies are once again leaning too heavily against their interests. Skift
