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, April 10 === 

=== Wednesday, April 8 === 

Delta, Southwest Raise Checked Bag Fees $10 Amid Jet Fuel Price Surge
Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines joined United and JetBlue in raising checked bag fees. Delta and Southwest are increasing fees by $10 starting this week as the industry grapples with a surge in fuel costs. CNBC

Lufthansa Cabin Crew Union Calls One-Day Strike In Germany
Lufthansa faces a one-day strike this week, its third labor disruption in two months. The cabin crew union UFO has called on staff at the core Lufthansa brand and its feeder airline Cityline to strike, affecting departures from Frankfurt and Munich, along with multiple German airports. Reuters

Hawaii Faces Another Kona Storm 2 Weeks After Its Worst Flooding In 20 Years
A powerful multi-day Kona storm is hitting Hawaii with heavy rain, raising the threat of major flooding and landslides as the state continues recovering from March’s devastating floods. Several areas could see months’ worth of rainfall in just days. CNN

US Transportation Secretary Sees Room For Airline Mergers
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said there is room for consolidation in the airline industry, though any potential mergers would face close scrutiny regarding consumer impact. Reuters

Southwest Airlines To Limit Passengers To One Portable Charger On Flights
Southwest Airlines will limit passengers to one portable charger and ban them from overhead bins starting April 20, aiming to reduce fire risks linked to lithium batteries. Reuters

Donald Trump Proposes Cutting 9,400 TSA Workers From Budget 1 Week After Paying Them To End Travel Crisis
A White House budget proposal would cut over 9,400 TSA workers and expand privatized airport screenings, raising concerns amid ongoing disruptions affecting Homeland Security personnel. People

International Jet Fuel Shortage Drives Up Airfare Costs, Flight Cancellations
A global jet fuel shortage is driving up airfare prices and causing widespread flight cancellations as airlines struggle with rising costs tied to geopolitical tensions. The Hill

Asian Airlines Cut Flights And Raise Fares As Fuel Crisis Deepens
Airlines across Asia are reducing schedules, adding fuel surcharges, and carrying extra fuel as supply disruptions push prices to record highs, potentially affecting millions of travelers. Reuters

Bahamas Missing Woman: Recovery Mission Underway For American Who Fell Overboard
Authorities in the Bahamas have shifted to a recovery mission for a U.S. woman who fell overboard during a boat trip in turbulent weather, according to local police. CNN

Qantas Flight Makes Dramatic Mid-Air U-Turn As Passenger Reveals What Happened Onboard
A Qantas flight from Sydney to Dallas turned back mid-flight after a passenger medical emergency, with all travelers safely returning to Sydney. Daily Mail

El Al Cancels All Scheduled Flights Till April 18 Due To War In Middle East
El Al has canceled all scheduled flights through April 18 following government restrictions tied to the ongoing conflict, limiting departures from Israel. The Jerusalem Post

Baby Born On A Plane Has No Country, Experts Say
A baby born on a Caribbean Airlines flight from Jamaica to New York has an unclear citizenship status, highlighting the complexities of nationality laws for births in international airspace. NY Post

Wireless Festival Cancelled After Kanye West Banned From Entering UK
The Wireless Festival in London has been canceled after Kanye West, now known as Ye, was denied entry into the UK due to controversy over past remarks. The Guardian

Airlines Are Using Older Planes Than Ever — Here’s What That Means For Passengers
Airlines are increasingly operating older aircraft while upgrading interiors, balancing cost pressures with passenger expectations for modern cabin experiences. CNN

Southwest Airlines Begins Service To Sonoma County Airport On Tuesday
Southwest Airlines has launched new service to Santa Rosa’s Sonoma County Airport, marking an expansion into Northern California’s wine country. Press Democrat

Cathay Flight From LA To HK Makes Emergency Landing In Japan, No Injuries Reported
A Cathay Pacific flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong made an emergency landing in Japan due to a possible mechanical issue, with all passengers and crew landing safely. The Standard

=== Sunday, April 5 === 

United Is Rolling Out ‘Basic Business Class’ To Make Premium Flying Cheaper. Here’s How It Will Work.
United Airlines is introducing “basic” business class on long-haul flights later this year. These unbundled tickets can be cheaper because they let flyers only pay for what they value. Some industry analysts say the move could make business class more expensive over time. Business Insider

Delta Air Lines Cuts Flights Between Los Angeles & Anchorage Amid High Fuel Costs
Delta Air Lines has confirmed it will cancel its seasonal Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) route, citing high oil prices and cost pressures, reports Ishrion Aviation. The decision means the summer service will not return as previously expected, marking a notable shift in the airline’s Alaska strategy. The route connected Southern California with Alaska’s largest city during peak travel months. The cancellation reflects broader challenges airlines face as fuel costs continue to impact network planning. Simple Flying

British Airways Strands Hundreds Of Passengers On Freezing Canadian Island For 2 Days After Flight Diverts For Emergency
Passengers were stranded in freezing temperatures without access to their luggage after their flight from London to Houston, Texas, was diverted to an island in Canada. Jon Shipman of Liverpool, England, is blasting British Airways for what he describes as poor communication and a lack of support during the two-day debacle. British Airways offered passengers a £500 ($659 USD) voucher, but Shipman says, “That’s not good enough. Our whole holiday is ruined.” People

Asian Travelers Seek Respite In Other Options As Middle East Travel Plans Stay Grounded
Asian travelers reconsider their vacation plans due to rising airfare and safety concerns. Last minute airfare changes are cited as the biggest reason for cancellations, experts say. Cruises and alternative locations in the region have become more of a viable option. CNBC

Atlanta Woman, 40, Killed In Freak Ziplining Accident In Puerto Rico
A Georgia mother is desperately trying to bring her daughter home after she was killed in a ‘freak’ ziplining accident during a Caribbean birthday trip with friends. Tamirah Dix, 40, of Atlanta, allegedly struck her head during a ziplining excursion in Puerto Rico on Saturday and died later that night after experiencing seizures, according to 11 Alive News. Daily Mail

Canadian Family Living In Martha’s Vineyard Banned From Re-Entering US After Weekend Trip To Quebec
A Canadian family living in Martha’s Vineyard was banned from re-entering the United States after taking a weekend ski trip in Quebec in March. Michael Freeze, his wife Cinthya and their three young children have been stuck in Ottawa for weeks at a vacation rental in Kanata, CTV News first reported. Daily Mail

Caribbean Airlines Passenger Gives Birth Aboard NY-Bound Flight — As Airport Officials Suggest Crafty Name For Newborn
A Caribbean Airlines passenger went into labor moments before her flight landed at John F. Kennedy Airport on Saturday – as air traffic control suggested a crafty name for the newborn. The bundle of joy was delivered aboard Caribbean Airlines’ Flight 005 as the aircraft was on final approach to New York just before noon, according to an ATC recording obtained by CBS News. NY Post

Sexual Harassment Lawyer Sues Over Rejected Airport Ad, Now Has A Massive Billboard
A lawyer sued an upstate New York airport after it rejected a small ad for her sexual harassment law firm. Now she has a massive sign there. Megan Thomas signed a contract last summer for the ad at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. She wanted it to read: “When HR called it harmless flirting … we called it exhibit A,” but the airport asked her to soften the “harsh” wording. ABC News

Alaska Airlines Passenger Caught Vaping Mid-Flight Gets Banned From Flying With The Airline
The passenger was allegedly vaping in the plane’s bathroom when the aircraft’s smoke alarm was triggered. A passenger allegedly vaping in the bathroom triggered a smoke alarm on an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Sacramento, Calif., on Thursday, March 26. Law enforcement met the passenger upon landing, and Alaska Airlines banned them from flying with the airline. The FAA warns that vaping on flights is illegal and considered a federal offense. People

London Flight Diverted As Cloud Of Saharan Dust Smothers Greek Island
Holidaymakers heading to Crete have been hit by travel chaos after a huge Saharan dust cloud swept across the island, turning the sky an eerie red-orange and cutting visibility. Flights from the UK were among those disrupted as conditions worsened at Heraklion Airport. A British Airways service from London was rerouted to Corfu, while a SKY Express flight from Brussels was sent to Athens after visibility dropped to around 1,000 metres, a level considered unsafe for landing. Evening Standard

Take The Train To LA For The World Cup With This Deal
Southern California soccer fans who take the train to the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Los Angeles this June and July will score big: 20% off Pacific Surfliner fares. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board announced a partnership Monday designed to help SoCal residents experience LA during this year’s World Cup, and some time before and after the big event. NBC Los Angeles

The Highs And Lows Of My $939 Upgrade To United Business Class
United raved about its free speedy Starlink Wi-Fi at a media event in Los Angeles last week. But the main place you’ll find it right now is on the United Express regional jets the airline uses on shorter flights. The service is installed on more than 300 of those planes but just 18 of its mainline jets. Starlink won’t be on all of its 1,000 planes with dual-class service until the end of 2027. And those cool couches in economy? They won’t debut until 2027; it’ll be 2030 before they are on 200 planes. WSJ

Low On PTO? Join The Gen Z Travelers Taking International ‘Microtrips’
One Friday night last year, Akylah Cox and her boyfriend took a red-eye flight from Pennsylvania to Dublin for a whirlwind adventure. The trip lasted less than 30 hours. They hit up an impressive number of spots: the Guinness Storehouse, the Book of Kells experience at Trinity College, Ha’penny Bridge, Capel Street for thrifting (“I gave myself only 30 minutes to do this, but it had to get done,” Cox says) and the Celtic Nights dinner and show. LA Times

Royal Caribbean Passenger’s Sudden Death On Anthem Of The Seas Sailing Prompts Police Investigation
A passenger died on board Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas ship on its way to Waitangi, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. New Zealand Police are investigating the “sudden death” on behalf of the coroner with no cause of death yet disclosed. The ship is on a 12-day New Zealand cruise that departed from Sydney, Australia, and includes stops at several popular destinations. People

New York City Defies U.S. Travel Decline In 2025 With 65 Million Visitors
Destination marketing organisation New York City Tourism + Conventions has released its 2025 Annual Report regarding tourism in New York City. Data show that both tourist numbers and spending went up compared with 2024, proving the city’s resilience in a difficult market. In 2025, the U.S. tourism sector went through some hard times. Industry stakeholders blamed President Donald Trump’s policies – including trade tariffs and tourist detentions at the U.S. border – for a decline in foreign tourism arrivals, causing many to adapt their growth projections. European and Canadian tourists in particular were less likely to visit the U.S. Travel Tomorrow

=== Friday, April 3 === 

FAA Warns Of San Francisco Airport Delays, Adds Safety Rule
The US Federal Aviation Administration warned travelers to expect flight delays at San Francisco International Airport resulting from a runway repaving project and a new safety measure banning planes from landing side-by-side. The construction and prohibition together are predicted to cause delays of at least 30 minutes for as many as 25% of arriving flights, a spokesperson for the airport said Tuesday in an email. The FAA and the airport said they’re looking at ways to safely increase the arrival rate, which is dropping to 36 planes landing per hour from 54. Bloomberg

Mount Everest Climbers ‘Poisoned’ By Guides Prompting Mass Helicopter Rescues In $20 Million Insurance Fraud Scheme
Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau reportedly found that some Mount Everest guides have been “poisoning” climbers as part of a scam that generated $20 million in insurance fraud. On March 12, 32 guides were charged in connection with the scheme, which authorities say impacted 4,782 international climbers between 2022 and 2025. The scam was initially uncovered in 2018, but authorities re-opened their investigation in 2025. People

Global Airlines Could Go Bankrupt As Jet Fuel Costs Soar During Iran War, Billionaire Jet Tycoon Warns
A billionaire Dubai-based jet tycoon is warning that global airlines could soon go bankrupt as the Iran war squashes travel demand and sends jet fuel prices soaring worldwide. Avia Solutions Group Chairman Gediminas Ziemelis said he’s planning to shift a chunk of his business’ 145 jets from Europe to Asia and Brazil as the Middle East conflict grounds flights and wipes out demand in Europe – similar to the COVID pandemic. NY Post

Senate Democrat Demands That TSA Lift Its “Shoes-On” Policy, Calling It A “Reckless” Safety Risk
A key senator is demanding the Transportation Security Administration reverse its decision to let travelers keep their shoes on their feet while passing through airport screening, a controversial policy at the center of a classified security warning — escalating pressure on the agency following months of scrutiny over airport security vulnerabilities. CBS News

‘I’m Done’: Rideshare Drivers On The Brink Of Quitting Over Higher Gas Prices
Tamira Moncur didn’t fill up her tank at an Atlanta-area gas station last month because she was afraid she couldn’t afford it. The teacher, who works part-time as a Lyft driver, doesn’t know how long she can keep up the side gig if the price of gas keeps climbing. “I’m working now for rideshare, but I don’t know what that’s going to look like next week. Because if gas is $4 a gallon, I’m done.” CNN

United Airlines Hikes Checked Bag Fees By $10 As Fuel Prices Climb
United Airlines’ first checked bag fee for most passengers will be $45 if prepaid, and $50 if purchased within 24 hours of a flight. JetBlue earlier this week raised the price to check a bag by up to $9, depending on when travelers purchase the add-on. The airline industry is grappling with a more than 80% jump in jet fuel costs since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February. CNBC

Hawaiian Airlines App To Go Out Of Service In April
Another change is coming to Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines as Alaska Air Group announced the launch of its new app that will combine services. The new app, simply titled “Alaska Hawaiian,” will provide travelers with all their travel needs without having to switch between separate Alaska and Hawaiian interfaces, the company said. Alaska Hawaiian has already begun to take over the previous Alaska Airlines app, with the Hawaiian Airlines app expected to be defunct after April 22, the date of the final merger between the airlines. KHON

Luxury Travelers Are Ditching Passports For U.S. Escapes
According to Classic Vacations, the #1 rated resource for luxury travel advisors, passport-free luxury travel is on the rise. Recently, travelers have shown a growing interest in domestic destinations that offer the excitement, culture, and indulgence of international escapes — without requiring a passport. From coastal retreats to desert escapes, Erin Fernandes, Classic Vacations’s Product Development Manager, shares why U.S. luxury travelers are now looking to explore right at home (and where they’re headed). The Manual

Delta Air Lines Taps Amazon Leo For In-Flight Wi-Fi As Streaming Wars Heat Up
Delta says it has signed an agreement with Amazon’s Leo for in-flight Wi-Fi starting in 2028. The service will initially be available on 500 aircraft. American Airlines is also considering Amazon Leo as well as Amazon content on board its planes in an in-flight entertainment upgrade, CNBC reported last week. CNBC

Republic Airways Pilots Mistakenly Contact JFK Air Traffic Control Tower While Landing At LaGuardia Airport
Republic Airways pilots mistakenly contacted the wrong New York air traffic control tower while landing at LaGuardia Airport earlier this month, according to reports and authorities. Delta connection flight 5752, operated by Republic Airways, was gearing up to land at LaGuardia Airport on March 15 when the pilots contacted the tower at John F. Kennedy Airport — roughly 10 miles away, CBS News reported. NY Post

US Marine Detained After Explosive Round Discovered In Luggage At Palm Springs Airport
A 30-year-old U.S. Marine could face charges after authorities accused him of having a live 25mm explosive round in his checked luggage Monday afternoon at Palm Springs International Airport in California. Palm Springs police told ABC News that servicemember — identified as Ryan Weaver, of Henderson, Texas — had the explosive round in his checked luggage. Transportation Security Administration officers discovered it and called law enforcement. ABC News

Houston Airport Officials Say TSA PreCheck Has Reopened At Bush Airport
After being closed for more than a week, TSA PreCheck has reopened at Bush Airport at all terminals, with CLEAR expected to open at a later time. Officials with Bush Airport made the announcement Wednesday, while reassuring travelers “that’s no April Fool’s joke!” “Once TSA can consistently maintain operations, CLEAR will reopen,” officials said in a post on X. Houston Chronicle

Alaska Airlines Launches New International Business Class Suites
Alaska Airlines is unveiling major changes as it expands service to Europe and Asia. The airline unveiled its new International Business Class. The company is looking to rebrand from just a west coast airline to an international player. Alaska will offer the service for long-haul flights, starting with its new Seattle to Seoul flights starting in April. The airline also announced that they will be partnering with T-Mobile and Starlink to offer free Wi-fi starting this fall. Men’s Journal

Construction Expected To Snarl Traffic At Hollywood Burbank Airport
Hollywood Burbank Airport is warning passengers to arrive even earlier than usual beginning next week, as a two-month construction project is set to impact traffic near the terminal. “If you’re coming to Hollywood Burbank Airport, expect potential traffic delays,” airport officials posted Thursday. “Starting April 6 through June 6, construction work will close one lane of traffic on the southbound side of Hollywood Way near Thornton Avenue.” KTLA