12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today

Wildfire smoke from Canada blankets parts of the U.S.
Smoke from more than 100 wildfires burning across Canada is spreading into the Midwest and Northeast, prompting air quality alerts across several states. In Minnesota, thousands of visitors were evacuated from a remote wilderness area that can only be reached by boat. AP News

FAA restores Boeing’s authority to certify 737 MAX and 787 aircraft
The FAA has restored Boeing’s ability to issue airworthiness certificates for its 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner jets, marking another step in the manufacturer’s recovery following increased oversight after the two fatal MAX crashes. CNBC

Lawmakers move to block in-flight phone calls
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers wants to prevent airlines from allowing voice and video calls in the cabin, even as more carriers install high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi. The proposal comes after British Airways began permitting calls on some aircraft, raising concerns that the practice could spread. Travel Weekly

United offers free airport changes after Palm Beach rename
United Airlines is allowing eligible passengers to switch flights from the newly renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport to Miami or Fort Lauderdale at no extra cost, following strong public reaction to the airport’s name change. The policy appears aimed at travelers who prefer to avoid the renamed airport. Johnny Jet

Venice mayor proposes tenfold increase in day-trip fee
Venice’s mayor wants to raise the peak-season fee for day visitors from €5 to €50 in an effort to curb overtourism and help pay for maintaining the city’s infrastructure. Overnight guests and several other groups would remain exempt. People

Low Danube water levels disrupt river cruises
Exceptionally low water levels on the Danube are forcing river cruise operators to cancel sailings, swap ships and use buses to complete itineraries during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. The disruptions are tied to Europe’s ongoing heatwave. Cruise Fever

WestJet flight attendants vote overwhelmingly to authorize a strike
WestJet flight attendants have voted 99% in favor of authorizing a strike, putting a potential walkout as early as August 2 on the table if contract negotiations fail. More than 4,400 cabin crew members are represented by the union. Travel Industry Today

EU refuses to delay controversial border entry system
European officials have rejected calls from the aviation industry to pause the new Entry/Exit System (EES), despite reports of long airport lines and confusion since it launched. The biometric program requires many travelers entering the Schengen Area to provide facial scans and fingerprints. The New York Times

Frontier Airlines plans to add Starlink Wi-Fi
Frontier Airlines says it will begin installing SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet across its fleet, with the first equipped aircraft expected to enter service in 2027. The move follows several other airlines that have adopted Starlink for faster in-flight connectivity. The Independent

United flights delayed nationwide after technology outage
United Airlines experienced a systemwide technology outage Saturday morning that delayed flights across the country. The airline says the issue has been resolved and operations are returning to normal, but travelers should still check their flight status before heading to the airport. Business Insider

FAA restores Boeing’s authority to certify 737 MAX and 787 aircraft
The FAA has restored Boeing’s ability to issue airworthiness certificates for its 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner jets, marking another step in the manufacturer’s recovery following increased oversight after the two fatal MAX crashes. CNBC

NTSB: Birds likely caused fatal Hudson River helicopter crash
Federal investigators say a sightseeing helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River in April 2025, killing a family of five and the pilot, likely struck a flock of geese before breaking apart in flight. The findings come from the NTSB’s latest investigative reports. CNN

United agent accused of threatening to call ICE on passenger
A confrontation between a United Airlines gate agent and a passenger at San Francisco International Airport is drawing attention after video surfaced showing the employee threatening to call ICE. United has not publicly commented on the incident. View From The Wing

World Cup final ticket prices reach record highs
If you’re hoping to attend Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium, be prepared to pay. The cheapest tickets are reportedly around $10,000, while the average resale price is approaching $19,000, making it the most expensive championship ticket on record. MSN

Delta warns flight disruptions could continue through summer
Delta executives say operational challenges that have led to hundreds of flight cancellations in recent months may continue through the busy summer travel season. Travelers with flexible plans may want to monitor schedules closely. Men’s Journal

Visitors criticize New York City’s World Cup meal deals
Some World Cup visitors say New York City’s official $26 dining promotions don’t offer much value, with some participating restaurants not even providing televisions to watch the matches. The city’s tourism campaign has sparked complaints online. New York Post

California train route named America’s most scenic
If you’re planning a California trip, consider taking the train. Travel + Leisure named Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner the country’s most scenic rail journey thanks to its spectacular ocean views stretching along the Southern California coastline. New York Post

California visitor dies after Maui beach rescue
A 56-year-old California woman died after being pulled from the water at Koki Beach on Maui. Another person remains in critical condition following the rescue at the remote beach, according to local authorities. San Francisco Chronicle

The airport lounge battle is expanding beyond airports
American Express and Chase are taking their premium card perks beyond airport terminals by offering exclusive lounges and experiences at concerts, festivals and sporting events as they compete for high-spending customers. CNBC

Four Seasons expands into luxury cruising
Four Seasons is bringing its luxury hospitality to the water with curated yacht-style cruises in Greece. The intimate experience is designed to feel more like a private escape than a traditional cruise. The New York Times

More airlines are embracing stopovers. Will U.S. carriers follow?
International airlines continue expanding stopover programs that encourage travelers to spend a few extra days exploring a connecting city. It’s a perk that remains surprisingly rare among major U.S. airlines. Travel Weekly

Lawmakers move to block in-flight phone calls
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers wants to prevent airlines from allowing voice and video calls in the cabin, even as more carriers install high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi. The proposal comes after British Airways began permitting calls on some aircraft, raising concerns that the practice could spread. Travel Weekly

Video of ICE airport arrest sparks backlash
Video showing plainclothes ICE agents tackling and attempting to detain a man at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport has triggered widespread criticism after the agents walked away when bystanders began filming. The incident is drawing scrutiny from elected officials and the public. AP

United offers free airport changes after Palm Beach rename
United Airlines is allowing eligible passengers to switch flights from the newly renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport to Miami or Fort Lauderdale at no extra cost, following strong public reaction to the airport’s name change. The policy appears aimed at travelers who prefer to avoid the renamed airport. Johnny Jet

Ryanair warns of long delays at 15 European airports
Ryanair says travelers should expect significant border delays at 15 busy European airports due to the rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). The affected airports include major holiday gateways in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, Poland and Hungary. The Independent

Passenger accused of assault after seat dispute
German police are investigating an incident aboard a Turkish Airlines flight in which a passenger allegedly refused to sit beside a woman, citing Sharia law, before reportedly slapping a flight attendant during the confrontation. The flight was bound for Düsseldorf. Daily Mail

Health officials trace parasite outbreak to Taco Bell lettuce
The CDC and FDA say shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants has been linked to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened more than 1,600 people across five states. The investigation remains ongoing. USA Today

Airlines say permanent daylight saving time won’t be simple
Airlines are warning that making daylight saving time permanent could require up to two years of planning and system changes, citing the complexity of global flight schedules and operational software. The proposal has cleared the House and now moves to the Senate. CBS News

Ireland on track for its longest heatwave in 50 years
Ireland is expected to record its longest heatwave since 1976, with temperatures at or above 25°C forecast to continue beyond 12 consecutive days in parts of the country. The prolonged stretch comes amid unusually hot weather across Europe. BBC

Venice mayor proposes tenfold increase in day-trip fee
Venice’s mayor wants to raise the peak-season fee for day visitors from €5 to €50 in an effort to curb overtourism and help pay for maintaining the city’s infrastructure. Overnight guests and several other groups would remain exempt. People

Low Danube water levels disrupt river cruises
Exceptionally low water levels on the Danube are forcing river cruise operators to cancel sailings, swap ships and use buses to complete itineraries during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. The disruptions are tied to Europe’s ongoing heatwave. Cruise Fever

Aer Lingus cuts U.S. routes and plans job reductions
Aer Lingus will end service from Dublin to Denver, Minneapolis and Las Vegas, while Seattle becomes a seasonal route, as the airline also plans to eliminate 500 jobs. The decision has drawn criticism from Irish politicians. Irish Star

Who profits most from the World Cup?
As FIFA prepares for the expanded 2026 World Cup, analysts expect record revenues from broadcasting, sponsorships, hospitality and ticket sales. While host nations and businesses benefit, FIFA remains the tournament’s biggest financial winner. BBC

WestJet flight attendants vote overwhelmingly to authorize a strike
WestJet flight attendants have voted 99% in favor of authorizing a strike, putting a potential walkout as early as August 2 on the table if contract negotiations fail. More than 4,400 cabin crew members are represented by the union. Travel Industry Today

United beats earnings estimates despite higher fuel costs
United Airlines reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings but warned that rising fuel prices could add about $6 billion in costs this year. The carrier also said travel demand remains strong despite higher airfares. CNBC

EU refuses to delay controversial border entry system
European officials have rejected calls from the aviation industry to pause the new Entry/Exit System (EES), despite reports of long airport lines and confusion since it launched. The biometric program requires many travelers entering the Schengen Area to provide facial scans and fingerprints. The New York Times

Aviation industry seeks $20 billion to modernize U.S. air traffic control
Airlines, airports, manufacturers and labor groups are urging Congress to invest $20 billion to overhaul the nation’s aging air traffic control system. The coalition says modernizing facilities and technology is essential to improving safety and reducing delays. Reuters

U.S. updates travel advisory for Turks and Caicos
The U.S. State Department has renewed its Level 2 travel advisory for the Turks and Caicos Islands, reminding Americans to exercise increased caution because of crime and the territory’s strict ammunition laws. Travelers should be especially careful to avoid accidentally bringing ammunition into the country. AOL

Bride recovering after medical emergency on honeymoon in Japan speaks out
Sarah Danh, who suffered acute liver failure during her honeymoon in Japan, has shared her story publicly for the first time since emerging from a coma. She thanked supporters around the world and said she’s continuing her recovery back home in Texas. People

One dead and three missing after boat capsizes near Alcatraz
A pontoon boat capsized in San Francisco Bay near Alcatraz Island, leaving one person dead and three others missing. The Coast Guard, local rescue crews, helicopters and nearby boaters all joined the search effort. MSN

Frontier Airlines plans to add Starlink Wi-Fi
Frontier Airlines says it will begin installing SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet across its fleet, with the first equipped aircraft expected to enter service in 2027. The move follows several other airlines that have adopted Starlink for faster in-flight connectivity. The Independent

Norwegian Cruise Line refunds passengers after skipping multiple countries
Norwegian Cruise Line is refunding passengers after a technical problem forced one of its Baltic cruises to skip all scheduled stops in Sweden, Lithuania and Poland. The itinerary was originally marketed as a Scandinavian and Baltic voyage. The Telegraph

Space mirror project clears major hurdle
California startup Reflect Orbital has received FCC approval to launch its first demonstration satellite, which will test a giant mirror designed to reflect sunlight back to Earth. The company hopes this could eventually become the first of thousands of similar satellites. Space

Apple Watch helps family respond after 86-year-old’s fall
An Apple Watch’s Fall Detection feature automatically alerted family members after an 86-year-old woman suffered a serious fall. It’s another real-world example of how wearable technology can do much more than track fitness. KTLA