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):

=== Friday, May 29 === 

Travel Industry Worries After Trump Administration Reiterates Threat To Sanctuary City Airports
The travel industry is on edge after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reiterated his threat to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in so-called “sanctuary cities” in a move that could jeopardize international flights. The U.S. Travel Association said that Mullin confirmed he is considering withdrawing CBP officers in a meeting where the trade group was pressing its concerns about other proposals the Trump administration is considering that could hamper travel. U.S. Travel and the major airlines quickly condemned the idea, and even Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said it doesn’t make sense to him. PBS News

FAA Chief: Spirit’s Slots At LaGuardia Should Go To Another Low-Cost Carrier
Slots at LaGuardia Airport once held by the now-defunct Spirit Airlines should be taken over by another low-cost carrier, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said Wednesday. “As long as the slots are going to a low-fare airline and for the public good, the FAA and DOT would support that,” Bedford told reporters in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was attending the CAPA Airline Leader Summit. Airline Geeks

Air Traffic Control Run By Compaq Computers Is Safe But Inefficient, FAA Head Says
As the summer travel season starts to take off, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration tells CBS News he has confidence in the system, despite hundreds of FAA facilities being run on decades-old technology. “Go back to last summer. We saw, you know, we saw equipment failures in Washington, Newark, Philadelphia, places where the system was just breaking. Most of that has been corrected, not all of it,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in an exclusive interview with CBS News this week. “We still have, I think, some real reliability risk in the system because we’re running off of 1970s and ’80s computing power, compact disks. It’s crazy what the system is using today. …There’s a lot of floppy disks still in the system.” CBS News

Consumer Confidence Strong In Cruising Despite Hantavirus
Though the hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch expedition ship Hondius made headlines in May, the incident has not hurt cruise bookings, according to travel agencies and analysts. CEOs at Signature Travel Network and Avoya Travel, for example, said they haven’t seen a material change in cruise booking patterns. Travel Weekly

EgyptAir Launches 1st Direct Cairo–Los Angeles Flights To Expand US Network
EgyptAir has inaugurated its first direct flights between Cairo and Los Angeles, marking a significant expansion of its international route network and strengthening air connectivity between Egypt and the western United States. The launch ceremony for the inaugural flight was attended by Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman and CEO of EgyptAir Holding Company; Robin Haroutunian, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Egypt; Marjon Benguli, Regional Attaché for US Customs and Border Protection; and Captain Mohamed Alyan, Chairman and CEO of EgyptAir Airlines, who also commanded the inaugural flight. Egyptian Gazette

Train Passengers Travelling From Paris To Nice Left Stranded For Four Hours In Baking Hot Sun
Hundreds of train passengers heading from Paris to Nice were forced to wait on the side of the tracks for four hours – with no air conditioning available inside the carriages. The train left Paris at 2.10pm but was forced to stop in the middle of the French countryside, just north of Lyon, in Civrieux-D’Azergues. Daily Mail

End Of Spirit Airlines Complicates A Search For Cheap Summer Flights
Days after Spirit Airlines shut down in the middle of the night, a lawyer for the defunct budget carrier stood before a bankruptcy judge and apologized to the price-conscious customers who might struggle to find affordable flights in its absence. “We apologize most specifically to those Americans who may now be priced entirely out,” Spirit lawyer Marshall Huebner said in court, thanking all the passengers who relied on the airline during its 34-year run, many of whom, he said, “could not otherwise have afforded air travel.” AP News

Southwest Walks Back Controversial Seating Policy That Singles Out Plus-Size Passengers
Southwest flyers may finally be getting some breathing room. One TikTokker is going viral as she believes the airline is quietly walking back part of its controversial “customer of size” policy after furious backlash from travelers who slammed the carrier for making them shell out extra cash just to fly comfortably. NY Post

Tesla Driver Infamous For Southern California Road Rage Attacks Sentenced In Hawaii Case
A Tesla driver infamous for a series of road rage attacks caught on camera in Southern California has been sentenced to seven years in prison after he was convicted in a similar case in Hawaii. Videos from 2023 that went viral show a pipe-wielding man getting out of his Tesla and striking vehicles on Southern California roads. Nathanial Radimak was arrested early that year for a series of attacks, was convicted in two road rage incidents and served time behind bars in California. Now he’s headed to prison again in Hawaii for a similar attack. KTLA

‘Traumatic’: SF Ferry To Alcatraz Slams Into Pier 31, Shattering Windows
A ferry carrying passengers on a sightseeing cruise around San Francisco Bay reportedly collided with San Francisco’s Pier 31 on Sunday evening while attempting to dock. Several videos posted on Tik Tok show shattered windows in the dining area on one of the vessel’s decks. Passengers on the ferry told KGO-TV that the vessel’s crash into the pier caused a large jolt that knocked people off their feet. “The people that worked there were not making a big deal about it, but you can tell in their face that they were panicking,” Genesis Alcocer, one of the passengers, told the news outlet. SF Gate

Delta Air Lines Extends Suspension Of Flights To Tel Aviv, Israel
Delta Air Lines is extending its pause of service from Atlanta to Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV) through December 18 as the conflict in the Middle East continues. On April 29, Delta announced a previous extension of paused service on the route through November 30. The extension now cancels all flights through December 18, with updates being made accordingly as the situation changes. TravelPulse

The US Keeps Losing Canadian Travelers, And Billions In Spending
The last time Paul Doroshenko was in the United States for longer than a day was more than nine years ago. And the Vancouverite has no plans to return anytime soon. It was 2017, and Doroshenko, a lawyer, was in Arizona for a trade conference, which happened to coincide with President Donald Trump’s first inauguration. Calling himself a “close political watcher,” he saw the swearing-in on a television in the hallway. USA Today

Denver Airport To Build Pedestrian Walkways Linking Concourses
New travel option: Denver International Airport will create pedestrian walkways linking concourses A, B, and C, repurposing underground baggage tunnels for the first time. Why it matters: The train system suffered 131 outages last year, causing chaos during delays; walkways will provide redundancy and reduce missed connections. Timeline and scope: Construction is planned for 2027, lasting up to two years, with final design decisions influencing overall scope and features. MSN

US Airlines Oppose Trump Plan To Require Small Airports To Use Private Security
A group representing major U.S. airlines opposes a White House proposal to require smaller airports to use private security screeners instead of the Transportation Security Administration, according to written testimony ‌seen by Reuters. Airlines for America CEO Chris Sununu will tell a U.S. House of Representatives committee on Wednesday that ensuring that private security “remains an option for airports and does not become a mandatory program is paramount to the U.S. aviation industry.” Reuters

Fed Up With Bad Behavior, Thailand Reduces Visa-Free Length For Over 90 Countries, Including The US
Months-long backpacking trips to Thailand might have just got a lot harder to arrange. The Southeast Asian nation is ending a 60-day visa-free entry program for travelers from 93 countries and territories, the Thai Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. Visitors from countries including Australia, the UK and the US will instead receive 30-day visa-free stays, while some nationalities will have to obtain visas on arrival. CNN

Alaska Airlines Allegedly Let 11 Intoxicated Passengers Board Its Flights, Now FAA Is Threatening Major Fine For Violations
Alaska Airlines is facing a steep fine from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after the agency alleged that the airline allowed intoxicated passengers to board flights. In a statement released on Tuesday, May 26, the FAA announced that it was proposing a civil penalty in the form of a $165,000 fine against the airline for allegedly allowing intoxicated passengers to board 11 different flights that took place between February 2024 and February 2025. People

FAA Proposes Fining Alaska Airlines $165,000 Over Allowing Intoxicated Passengers To Board
The Federal ‌Aviation Administration ‌on Tuesday proposed fining Alaska Airlines $165,000 for allegedly allowing intoxicated passengers to ‌board ⁠numerous flights. The alleged incidents occurred ⁠on 11 flights between February 2024 and February 2025, ‌the FAA said, adding that agency regulations prohibit airlines from allowing ‌anyone who appears to be intoxicated ‌to board an aircraft. Alaska did not immediately respond to ‌a request for comment. Reuters

=== Monday, May 25 === 

Official Warns US Could Halt Immigration, Customs Processing At ‘Sanctuary City’ Airports
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin privately warned that authorities could stop processing international travelers and cargo at major U.S. airports in “sanctuary cities” that have declined to cooperate with the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, sources told Reuters. Mullin reportedly told travel executives the department could suspend processing at airports in cities including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and others. Reuters

LGA Sinkhole: Runway Reopens After Repairs, Inspections Completed At LaGuardia Airport
A runway at LaGuardia Airport that had been closed due to a sinkhole has reopened following repairs and inspections, though the cause is still under investigation. ABC7 New York

What Travelers Need To Know About The Ebola Virus Outbreak In Africa
An Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa has prompted new travel advisories, with officials monitoring cases in Uganda and neighboring countries. Travel Weekly

Atlanta, Houston Join List Of Airports That Can Receive Passengers From Three Countries Amid Ebola Outbreak
The U.S. has expanded airport screening locations for passengers arriving from affected African countries due to Ebola-related concerns. CNN

TSA Gold+ Could Change How Airport Security Works In The US
A new TSA initiative allows airports to opt into upgraded screening systems designed to improve efficiency and passenger experience. USA Today

U.S. Considers Revised Approach To Social Media Screening Of Foreign Travelers
CBP is revising a proposal that would require expanded social media history disclosure for Visa Waiver travelers after receiving public feedback. Travel Weekly

Sinkhole Forces Canceled Flights And Delays At New York Airport
A sinkhole caused significant disruptions at LaGuardia Airport, leading to delays and cancellations. The Independent

Sean Duffy Defends Controversial Road Trip With Whataboutisms & Immaturity
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy faced scrutiny over a donor-funded road trip tied to companies his department regulates. One Mile at a Time

London Passengers Urged To ‘Carry Water’ In Heatwave
Transport for London is advising passengers to prepare for extreme heat conditions during a bank holiday heatwave. BBC

Delta To Relaunch LAX–London Route With 70% Premium Cabin
Delta is returning to the LAX–Heathrow route with a premium-heavy aircraft configuration. MSN

A PDF Let The Internet Hear The Final Words In The Cockpit Of A UPS Plane As It Crashed. The NTSB Now Wants It Taken Down
The NTSB has paused release of certain investigation materials amid concerns over privacy and sensitivity. CNN

Yosemite, Other National Parks Face Overcrowding After Dropping Entry Reservations: ‘Felt Like A Day At Disneyland’
National parks are experiencing congestion after rolling back reservation systems. NY Post

Woman Faints On American Airlines Flight From Miami To New York City. Then She Wakes Up And Realizes Her Luggage Is Missing
A passenger claims she lost belongings after a medical emergency onboard and is disputing responsibility with the airline. NewsBreak

Ryanair CFO Warns Weaker European Carriers May Not Survive Jet Fuel Crunch
Ryanair warns rising fuel costs could push weaker airlines out of the market. CNBC

Japan Is Getting A Pokemon-Themed Airport Two Years After Being Damaged By Magnitude 7.6 Earthquake
A regional Japanese airport is being redesigned with a Pokémon theme as part of a tourism revival effort. Daily Mail

People Are Using Their Laptops On BART. Officials Think They Know Why
Riders are increasingly using laptops on public transit as theft rates have declined significantly. San Francisco Chronicle

Shanghai-Bound Delta Flight Forced To Divert To Seattle Over Disruptive Passenger — Stranding Travelers Overnight
A Delta flight was diverted after a disruptive passenger incident, causing delays for travelers. NY Post

EasyJet Flight Diverts To Rome Over Power Bank In Luggage
A flight diversion occurred after a lithium battery issue was discovered onboard. BBC

U.S. Travel Disappointed With CBP’s Social Media Screening
The U.S. Travel Association criticized revised CBP screening proposals as potentially discouraging tourism. Travel Weekly

THAT’S A KICK IN THE TEETH: Cost, Travel Fears, Dampen Demand For World Cup In U.S.
Hotel demand in World Cup host cities is softer than expected according to industry surveys. Travel Industry Today

TSA To Pilot First Off-Site Screening For Boston Logan Flyers
A pilot program will allow passengers to complete TSA screening off-site before arriving at Boston Logan Airport. MSN