12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today

12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today
(This is a recurring post, updated daily with new information):

=== Monday, January 26 === 

Near-Record Number of Flights Canceled As Storm Sweeps U.S.
Widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain threatened nearly 180 million people — more than half the U.S. population — in a path stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England, the National Weather Service said Saturday night. More than 11,400 flights were canceled on Sunday, according to FlightAware, and aviation analytics firm Cirium said the storm is the highest experienced cancellation event since the pandemic. Travel Weekly

See Snow Totals Across The U.S., Including NYC, Boston
As of midnight Monday, Jan. 26, 11.4 inches of snow had fallen in Central Park. Westchester County, New York, saw between 10 and 17 inches, while Long Island measured up to 13 inches in Suffolk County and 15 inches in Nassau County. Western New York recorded more than a foot, with some areas reaching 17 inches. USA Today

Millions Of Americans Digging Out After Monster Storm Face Days Of Bitter Cold
Tens of millions of Americans were digging out Monday after a monster winter storm dumped up to a foot of snow from New Mexico to New England, paralyzed large portions of the eastern U.S., scuttled thousands of flights and caused widespread power outages. Reuters

Canadians’ Boycott Of U.S. Travel Hits Ski Resorts Hard: Report
Canadians are reportedly boycotting American ski resorts to protest President Trump’s tariffs and remarks about making Canada the “51st State,” leading resort owners to panic over season passholder numbers. The tensions have already begun affecting winter tourism. New York Post

European Airline Becomes Latest To Launch Free Wi-Fi On Board
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has introduced free, unlimited Wi-Fi on its European flights, rolling out the service in phases across most aircraft used for short-haul routes. Daily Mail

U.S. Coast Guard Helps Free Cruise Ship Stuck In Antarctic Ice
The U.S. Coast Guard responded after Scenic Eclipse II became beset in ice during an Antarctica voyage, about eight nautical miles from McMurdo Sound. The incident occurred Jan. 17 and was confirmed in a Jan. 23 release. USA Today

Canadian Teen’s Death On Untamed Australian Island Puts Spotlight On Its Inhabitants
Nineteen-year-old Piper James was found dead after going for a morning swim on K’gari, a national park island off Australia’s eastern coast known for roaming dingoes. The incident has renewed scrutiny on human-wildlife interactions there. BBC

For Greenland Tourism, Trump’s Interest Creates Uncertainty
President Trump’s renewed desire to acquire Greenland has driven curiosity and tourism interest, benefiting some local businesses — but also creating uncertainty about the future and political implications. New York Times

Australian Open Alters Schedule Over Extreme Heat
Tournament organizers adjusted the schedule again as temperatures in Melbourne are expected to reach 42C, postponing wheelchair events and moving outside-court matches to earlier in the day. BBC

San Francisco Giants Outfielder Jung Hoo Lee Detained By Immigration Agents At LAX
Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was detained by Customs and Border Protection after forgetting documents in Korea, according to Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s office. The team confirmed the incident. CBS LA

Charter Bus That Caught Fire On I-95 Was Headed To Massachusetts During CT Travel Ban
A charter bus carrying 55 passengers and a driver caught fire while traveling during Connecticut’s storm-related highway ban. Six people were taken to the hospital, officials said. CT Insider

Airbnb Rules Have Literally Split This Bay Area Beach Town In Two
Pacifica, California’s strict new short-term rental regulations have already led to an exodus of permitted Airbnbs, dividing residents and reshaping the town’s housing landscape. SF Chronicle

=== Sunday, January 25 === 

US Airlines And Airports Brace For A Brutal Travel Day Amid Massive Winter Storm
A massive winter storm set the stage for a brutal travel day Sunday, with airlines warning of widespread cancellations and delays at some of the nation’s busiest airports. Widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain threatened nearly 180 million people — more than half the U.S. population — in a path stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England, the National Weather Service said Saturday night. After sweeping through the South, forecasters said the storm was expected to move into the Northeast, dumping about 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) of snow from Washington through New York and Boston. (AP)

Air France, KLM Pause Flights To Middle East, Including Dubai, Israel
At least two European airlines have suspended flights to cities in the Middle East, with Air France saying it will temporarily stop service to Dubai as it continues to monitor the “geopolitical situation”. Dutch airline KLM also halted flights until further notice to cities in Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia and would not fly through the airspace of several countries in the region, including Iraq and Iran, according to the Netherlands’ state broadcaster NOS. (Al Jazeera

Air India Cancels New York, Newark Flights Due To US Winter Storm
Air India said on Saturday it had canceled all flights to and from New York and Newark, New Jersey, for Sunday and Monday as a severe winter storm with heavy snow is forecast for the area. Winter Storm Fern is disrupting U.S. air travel, prompting airlines to cancel flights, warn of delays and issue travel waivers as ice, snow and strong winds sweep across major hubs and regional airports in the South, East and central parts of the country. MSN

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Announces Ban On Hotel Hidden Fees
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has announced a policy aimed at eliminating hidden fees and unexpected credit card holds in the hotel industry. According to the City of New York, the directive addresses charges often listed as “resort fees” or “hospitality service fees,” as well as surprise credit card holds, with an estimated annual savings for consumers of around $46 million. Hoodline

Car Crashes Into Detroit Airport, Injures Six
Officials are investigating after a car drove through the entrance to Detroit Metro Airport’s McNamara Terminal on Friday, Jan. 23. The crash took place about 7:30 p.m. Friday and the vehicle hit a ticket counter, the Wayne County Airport Authority said in a statement. USA Today

Chicago O’Hare Becomes America’s Busiest Airport, Surpassing Atlanta For The First Time Since 2019
For the first time in more than half a decade, the busiest airport in the United States is not in Atlanta. According to operations data from the Federal Aviation Administration, Chicago O’Hare International Airport was the busiest American airport in 2025, with 857,392 takeoffs and landings, a 10.5% increase from 2024. Men’s Journal

American Rock Climber Alex Honnold Reaches Top Of Taipei 101 Skyscraper Without Ropes
American rock climber Alex Honnold ascended the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Sunday without any ropes or protective equipment. Cheers erupted from a street-level crowd as he reached the top of the spire of the 508-meter (1,667-foot) tower about 90 minutes after he started. Wearing a red short-sleeve shirt, he waved his arms back and forth over his head. ABC7 San Francisco

US Spending Deal Provides Funding For 2,500 New Air Traffic Controllers
A bipartisan spending deal announced by U.S. lawmakers Tuesday provides funding for 2,500 air traffic controllers and $2.4 billion for U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak, while cutting funds for electric vehicle charging and high-speed rail. The congressional funding deal also includes $514 million to subsidize air services to rural communities, known as the Essential Air Service program, rejecting a White House proposal to cut the program by 50%, and boosts annual funding to modernize air traffic control towers by $824 million. Reuters

These Caribbean Islands Were Bought By US. Now They Have A Message For Greenland.
Traces of Denmark’s 250-year imperial reign are still visible on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and the smattering of tiny islets that today make up the U.S. Virgin Islands. Cities and street signs hold Danish names, like Frederiksted; buildings feature yellowish-red bricks brought on boats across the Atlantic; and the stone facades of sugar plantations where enslaved Africans were forced to labor still stand. USA Today

Now Boarding The Freedom Plane: Precious Founding-Era Documents From The National Archives
Nearly a dozen 18th-century documents will travel to eight cities across the U.S., aboard a jet called the Freedom Plane, to honor the 250th anniversary of American independence. New York Times

TSA Is Expanding Touchless ID To More U.S. Airports
The Touchless ID program began in March 2021 at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in partnership with Delta and United, according to the TSA representative. Then in June 2022, the program expanded to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Since then, the program has become available at Los Angeles International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport with Delta Air Lines. TSA then launched the service in partnership with United at Los Angeles International Airport and O’Hare International Airport. Qualifying Alaska Airlines passengers traveling through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will be able to use the program as well. AFAR

Why ‘Slow Travel’ Is About To Be 2026’s Biggest Vacation Trend
Farcia Harvey considers herself to be pretty well traveled. The 27-year-old has crossed off New York City, New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Barcelona and Madrid from her travel bucket list. But one of her favorite trips was her 2024 birthday trip to Cincinnati, of all places. “I think about that trip to Cincinnati genuinely all of the time,” Harvey tells CNBC Make It, saying she wanted somewhere not too far from her home at the time in Nashville, but not a staycation either. “It’s one of the best memories I have for my birthday, and it’s something that to this day, me and my friends still talk about.” CNBC

=== January 23 === 

Winter Storm Updates: Ice, Snow Storm Set To Unleash Dangerous Impacts For 200M
Governors across more than a dozen states from the South to the Mid-Atlantic have issued states of emergencies or preparedness ahead of the greatest impacts from what is expected to be the largest winter storm of the season. AccuWeather

United Plans Changes To Its Frequent Flyer Program
United Airlines is planning structural changes to the MileagePlus program. The move, chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella said Wednesday, will orient the program more toward rewarding loyalty rather than offering quick enticements to attract new members. The carrier has yet to offer details on how MileagePlus will change. Those can be expected in the next 10 weeks to three months, Nocella said during the airline’s earnings call. Travel Weekly

American Airlines Adds New Nonstop Flights From LAX
American Airlines is expanding its Los Angeles footprint, announcing new daily, year-round nonstop flights out of Los Angeles International Airport beginning this spring. Starting April 7, the airline will launch new service from LAX to Cleveland and Washington Dulles International Airport, with both routes operated on Boeing 737 aircraft, the company said Thursday. KTLA

At Check-In, Your Face Is Increasingly Your ID
Travelers can expect biometric technology to spread at U.S. airports this year. The tech will speed things up at security and customs and immigration checkpoints, as well as during the boarding process, allowing passengers to keep their documents in their pockets. Passengers are also likely to encounter more e-gates, or physical barriers that use facial recognition to verify a traveler’s identity and authorization to be in the United States, as they board international flights, raising worries among some privacy experts and immigration activists. The New York Times

Former Flight Attendant Accused Of Posing As Pilot To Get Free Flights
A former Canadian flight attendant has been accused of fraudulently obtaining hundreds of free flights from US airlines by posing as both a commercial pilot and a serving cabin crew member, authorities have revealed. Dallas Pokornik, 33, from Toronto, was apprehended in Panama following his indictment on wire fraud charges in a Hawaiian federal court last October. He entered a plea of not guilty on Tuesday, subsequent to his extradition. The Independent

3 Tourists Gunned Down At Florida Rental Home; Suspect Charged
Three people were gunned down at a Florida rental home Saturday afternoon, authorities said. Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon said at 12:14 p.m., his deputies responded to a shots fired call at the the Indian Point subdivision near Kissimmee, Florida. WFLA

Hotels Are Getting Rid Of Proper Bathroom Doors And Guests Are Revolting
First they came for the closets. Then they took the bathtubs. Now, hotels are stripping away the only thing separating us from the animals: the bathroom door. Guests are waving goodbye to the luxury of a fully-closable opaque barrier between the restroom and bedroom, checking in to find sliding barn doors, curtains, strategically placed walls and other replacements that aren’t as proficient in the art of noise and smell containment. WSJ

United Air Warns Of Geopolitical Disruptions Hurting ‘Hot’ 2026
United Airlines Holdings Inc. warned that geopolitical tensions risk disrupting what’s been “a pretty hot start to the year.” Chicago-based United remains exposed to fallout between global powers due to its extensive long-haul network, Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby said during an interview on Bloomberg television after the carrier reported better-than-expected financial results. Bloomberg

Disneyland Is Pivoting On ‘Star Wars’ Land. Here’s Why
Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is turning back the clock. In a shift from its original ambitions, the land will no longer be primarily set in the time period of the recent “Star Wars” sequels. That means modern villain Kylo Ren will be out, at least as a walk-around character, while so-called “classic” characters such as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa will make their way into the fictional galactic town of Black Spire Outpost. LA Times

Ski Areas Get Creative As Low Snowfall Threatens Season
With the holiday rush building up on Dec. 23, ski areas across Colorado struggled to open even 20% of their terrain because of historically low snowpack. But Monarch Mountain, located along the Continental Divide in the center of the state, had 51 of 77 runs open. Travel Weekly

American Airlines Is Changing Up Its Drink Cart With Cult-Favorite Non-Alcoholic Options
For travelers who want a drink in the air—just not that kind of drink—American Airlines is making a much-appreciated change. Starting Feb. 1, American will begin offering non-alcoholic beer on flights, officially adding Athletic Brewing Company’s Free Wave Hazy IPA to its inflight lineup. It’s the first non-alcoholic beer American has ever served onboard, and it signals a broader shift in how airlines are thinking about inflight drinking—more choice, less pressure and options that feel current. Parade

How A Travel Writer Became Timothée Chalamet’s Ping-Pong Nemesis
By Pico Iyer: The author’s TED Talk “What Ping-Pong Taught Me About Life” has been viewed more than two million times. Jan. 9, 2026. “I’m guessing you don’t get angry very often,” the film director Josh Safdie was saying to me on Zoom, about 18 months ago. We’d never met or spoken, but he’d seen me onscreen. NYTimes

=== January 21 === 

Americans brace for another snowstorm as ice threatens southern states
With many Americans still recovering from multiple blasts of snow and unrelenting freezing temperatures in the nation’s northern tier, a new storm is set to emerge this weekend that could coat roads, trees and power lines with devastating ice across a wide expanse of the South. The storm arriving late this week and into the weekend is shaping up to be a “widespread potentially catastrophic event from Texas to the Carolinas,” said Ryan Maue, a former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. AP News

FAA Warns Airlines On Central, South American Flights Of Potential Military Actions
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned airlines on Friday to exercise caution when flying over Mexico, Central America and parts of South America, citing the risks of potential military activities and GPS interference. The FAA said it had issued Notices to Airmen covering Mexico and Central American countries, as well as Ecuador, Colombia and portions of airspace within the eastern Pacific Ocean. The warnings began on Friday and will last 60 days, it said. Reuters

American Airlines Updates App To Simplify Rebooking After Delays
A new update to American Airlines’ app aims to make things more streamlined for passengers when flight disruptions occur. “Our focus, when things don’t go as planned, is making things as smooth and seamless for customers as possible through our digital tools,” Heather Garboden, AA’s chief customer officer, told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview. “It’s maybe not as sexy as a new lounge or champagne or offering free Wi-Fi, but it’s just as important.” USA Today

Four Shark Attacks In Two Days. Why Australia’s Beaches Are So Dangerous This Year
Australia’s long summer school holidays usually draw crowds to the beach but a spate of shark attacks in the country’s most populous state has triggered warnings to stay out of the water. Around 40 beaches along the coast of New South Wales remain closed after four shark attacks in 48 hours, with all attributed to bull sharks – a stocky species with powerful jaws that lurk in murky waters near the mouths of rivers after heavy rain. CNN

High-Speed Train Crash Kills Dozens In Spain, Many More Injured
Survivors described scenes of “total chaos” at the site of a high-speed train crash that killed at least 39 people. Two express trains derailed Sunday evening near the city of Cordoba, in Spain’s deadliest rail disaster in more than a decade. CNN

With Longer Europe Seasons, River Lines Inch Close To Year-Round Operations
The weather may be chilly in the winter, but river cruising is heating up. River cruise lines and advisors say their customers are willing to brave colder temperatures to get more bang for their buck in less crowded destinations in the offseason. And lines are expanding itineraries and their operating seasons to meet that demand. Travel Weekly

Ryanair Launches ‘Great Idiots’ Seat Sale ‘Especially For Elon’ As Feud Escalates
Elon Musk has been quarreling with Ryanair and its CEO about Starlink for the past few days. He started a poll about buying the Irish airline, though EU regulations would most likely prevent him from acquiring it. In response, Ryanair said it was launching a “Great Idiots” seat sale “especially for Elon.” Business Insider

Three Sydney Shark Attacks In 26 Hours Leave Two In Critical Condition
A 12-year-old boy is “fighting for his life,” a man in his 20s was left in critical condition, and an 11-year-old boy escaped with only damage to his surfboard in a spate of shark attacks at beaches in Sydney, Australia. The first attack took place at 4:20 p.m. local time Sunday, the second just before lunch Monday, and the third around 6:20 p.m. local time Monday, according to local authorities. CNN

Airlines To Save On Fuel As Weight-Loss Pills Grow Popular
Wall Street is finding an unexpected beneficiary of America’s weight loss boom: airlines. With the first GLP-1 weight loss drug now available in pill form, analysts at Jefferies say broad adoption across society could quietly lower fuel bills — airlines’ single largest cost — and lift earnings for the carriers. Wall Street

United’s Hiring Of Former American CCO Is Wise, Not Spite
You may have heard that former American Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja has been hired by United Airlines to temporarily run its Kinective Media group as part of a larger shake-up in loyalty. The reaction to this has been particularly silly, so let’s set the record straight. This is a good idea. Cranky Flier

Losing Everywhere I’ve Been In The Palisades Fire
When my home burned down in the Los Angeles wildfires last January, I felt bereft of not just my belongings and my way of life, but of my identity. We left the house the morning of the fire to go to school and work. Only my partner managed to return home once we’d heard the news. As the fire consumed the hill behind our house, he grabbed a few important items like passports, some jewelry, and a change of clothes. The next day our house—and the entire town of the Pacific Palisades—was gone. All we had to our name was what we were wearing and whatever was in our cars. No longer having the items of daily life, like my own clothes, eyeglasses, and shoes, made me feel like a stranger in my own body. Condé Nast Traveler

Aer Lingus Refuses To Rebook Disrupted Passengers On Virgin Atlantic
Thousands of people booked to fly from Manchester airport to the US on Aer Lingus have been told their flights are in jeopardy as the airline considers closing its base at the end of March. Under air passengers’ rights rules, travelers whose flights are cancelled are entitled to be switched to another airline operating the same route. The Independent

TTP Mobile App Enables Push Notifications
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has launched a new push notification feature within the Trusted Traveler Programs Mobile Application to allow users to receive real-time status updates. With these alerts, travelers can move through the application process faster, allowing CBP to review and process TTP applications without delay. Applicants will receive notifications of key milestones, including submission dates, conditional approvals, approvals, and denials. Users can also select up to five enrollment centers in their area of interest and opt in to receive updates on interview availability. U.S. Customs and Border Protection

=== January 11 to 18 === 

Allegiant To Buy Sun Country In $1.5B Deal Reshaping Budget Travel
Low-cost airline Allegiant will acquire Sun Country Airlines in a deal valued at about $1.5 billion, including debt, the companies said on Jan. 11. As part of the agreement, Sun Country shareholders will receive 0.1557 Allegiant shares and $4.10 in cash for each share, valuing the stock at $18.89, representing a premium of about 19.8% to its Friday close of $15.77. USA Today

Americans Urged To Exercise Caution In This Caribbean Destination
The State Department is warning travelers to be careful when visiting an increasingly popular Caribbean destination. The agency recently raised its travel advisory ranking for Grenada to “Level 2: Exercise increased caution” due to risk of crime. “Violent crime can occur anywhere in Grenada,” according to an advisory update on Jan. 5. “American citizens in Grenada have been victims of armed robbery, assault, burglary, and rape. In some cases, American citizens have been killed. Police response times are not as fast as one may expect in the United States.” USA Today

Delta CEO Sees Record Earnings In Reach Again Thanks To High-End Travel Demand
Delta Air Lines forecast adjusted 2026 earnings of between $6.50 per share and $7.50 per share. The carrier expects first-quarter revenue to rise between 5% and 7% over last year, and earnings of between 50 cents and 90 cents a share, in line with analysts’ estimates. Delta is the first of the U.S. airlines to report quarterly results. CNBC

Plane Part That Broke in Deadly UPS Crash Had Failed on Other Planes Before
Boeing warned plane owners in 2011 about a broken part that contributed to a UPS plane crash that killed 15 last year, but at that point, the plane manufacturer didn’t believe it threatened safety, the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday. The UPS plane crashed in Louisville, Ky., in November shortly after takeoff, when the left engine flew off the wing. LA Times

WestJet Backpedals on Economy Seats That Don’t Recline
Several months after announcing a cabin refresh featuring economy seats that don’t recline, WestJet is backtracking amid a public outcry about insufficient legroom. The carrier, Canada’s second largest, had previously said that the seats helped “preserve personal space.” But many passengers disagreed, criticizing the economy seating on social media as cramped and pain-inducing. The New York Times

‘Here We Go’: Motorists Speed Through Highway 1 in Big Sur for the First Time in 3 Years
Brandon Steiner woke up Wednesday morning with no idea that he’d become a part of California history. Steiner, from Minnesota and out on the West Coast for a work trip, decided to take the scenic route from Los Angeles to San Jose early Wednesday. Shortly after 11 a.m., he found himself stopped at a road block near the southern end of Big Sur, with an eager lineup of cars, including many classics, queuing behind him. SF Gate

Norwegian Cruise Line Announces New Ship, Norwegian Aura, Slated to Debut in 2027
The Norwegian Cruise Line fleet is growing. In late May 2027, the brand will debut Norwegian Aura, the longest and largest ship in its fleet. After setting sail in Europe, Norwegian Aura will journey across the Atlantic and begin homeporting in Miami in June 2027, offering seven-day Caribbean cruises. TravelPulse

National Park Staff Are Asking About the Citizenship Status of Visitors
Visitors to some of the most popular national parks in the U.S. may be asked whether they are American citizens, a question intended to determine whether nonresident fees apply. A Department of the Interior spokesperson said the question is used solely for fee purposes, though some visitors have found it unsettling. LA Times

European Airlines Continue to Avoid Iran and Iraq Despite Airspace Reopening
Major European carriers are continuing to steer clear of Iranian and Iraqi airspace despite official reopenings, opting for longer routes over Central Asia to reduce geopolitical risk amid ongoing regional instability. Reuters

United and American Compete to Dominate Chicago’s O’Hare Airport
United Airlines and American Airlines are locked in an intensifying battle for dominance at Chicago O’Hare, competing over gates, routes, premium services and market share at one of the world’s busiest and most connected airports. Reuters

Louvre Hikes Ticket Price For Non-EU Visitors By Almost Half
France began charging non-EU visitors to the Louvre Museum 45% more than people with either European citizenship or residency on Wednesday. Louvre tickets for individual visitors who are not either citizens or residents of EU member states — or of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway — now cost €32 (roughly $37.50), rather than the former flat fare of €22. DW

Air Canada Plane Taxied For Takeoff With Baggage Handler Trapped In Cargo Hold
News has emerged that a baggage handler went for an unexpected ride in the belly of an Air Canada Rouge Airbus A319 after the plane prepared for takeoff with the handler still in the cargo hold. The aircraft had started to push back and taxi for takeoff when passengers heard yelling and banging from below. SimpleFlying

=== January 18 ===