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):

=== Tuesday, October 6 ===

U.S. Closes Review of Airlines’ Data Privacy Practices Without Penalties
The U.S. Department of Transportation has closed a review of the 10 largest U.S. airlines’ data privacy practices, saying it found no violations of applicable laws or departmental policies. The review began during the Biden administration amid concerns from lawmakers about how airlines collect and protect passenger information. Reuters

FlyDubai Co-Pilot Used Crash Ax in Attempted Terrorist Act, UAE Says
Authorities say a FlyDubai co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash ax on a flight bound for Israel, sending the plane into a sharp descent before the situation was brought under control. UAE officials are describing the incident as an attempted terrorist act. Washington Post

American Airlines Will Soon Let Travelers Pay With a Combination of Cash and Miles
American Airlines is giving AAdvantage members another way to use their miles. U.S. members will soon be able to combine cash and miles when paying for domestic flights instead of having to choose one or the other. CBS News

American Airlines Tells Employees to Stop Involuntarily Bumping Passengers
American Airlines is reportedly telling airport employees to avoid involuntarily bumping passengers and instead keep looking for volunteers, even if doing so causes a delay. The airline is also making it easier for volunteers by allowing them to be confirmed on the next flight even when that flight is already full. View From The Wing

Alaska Airlines Starts Selling Breeze Flights and Awarding Atmos Points
Alaska Airlines has launched a limited partnership with Breeze Airways that allows travelers to buy select Breeze flights through Alaska’s website and earn Atmos Rewards points. It’s not a full-blown partnership yet, but it gives Alaska loyalists another way to earn points when flying Breeze. Cranky Flier

Airfares Are Climbing as Airlines Face Higher Costs
U.S. airfares jumped 23.4% in August compared with a year earlier, and Thanksgiving and Christmas fares are also significantly higher. Volatile jet fuel prices and limited capacity are putting pressure on airline profits while giving carriers more incentive to hold the line on higher fares. CNBC

British Airways Flight to Chicago Drops 27,000 Feet and Returns to London
A British Airways Boeing 777 flying from London to Chicago declared an emergency Monday and descended from 36,000 feet to 9,000 feet in about seven minutes. The aircraft then returned safely to London. NBC News

Ryanair Canceled More Than 1,000 Flights in September Amid ATC Disruptions
Ryanair says it was forced to cancel more than 1,000 flights in September, blaming disruptions involving the UK air traffic control system as well as ATC strikes in Belgium and volcanic activity from Mount Etna in Sicily. Daily Mail

A Push to Update Airplane Emergency Medical Kits Takes a Surprising Turn
After repeatedly helping passengers experiencing medical emergencies in the air, immunologist Dr. Kim Blumenthal began pushing for improvements to the emergency medical kits U.S. airlines are required to carry. Her experiences are now part of a larger debate over whether the decades-old requirements need an overhaul. Washington Post

October Heat Wave Continues to Bake California and Break Records
More than 35 million people were under heat alerts as an unusually intense October heat wave sent temperatures soaring across much of California. Some areas were running as much as 20 degrees above normal, with temperatures reaching the 90s and 100s from Northern California to the Mexican border. ABC News

Tourist Ignores Hawaii Beach Closure: ‘I’mma Go Down Anyway’
A tourist visiting Maui posted a TikTok showing herself ignoring a closure sign at Waianapanapa State Park and heading toward a closed beach and hiking area anyway. It’s a good reminder that closures in Hawaii aren’t suggestions, and travelers should respect local rules, especially when they’re there for safety or environmental protection. New York Post

Washington, D.C. Tour Operators Report Bookings Down as Much as 70%
Some Washington, D.C. tour operators say business has fallen sharply in 2026, with individual companies reporting booking declines of up to 70%. Operators point to landmark closures, blocked access and weaker international demand, although citywide data are incomplete and the White House disputes claims that Trump administration policies are hurting tourism. Arkansas Public Advocate

=== Sunday, October 4 ===

Pilot on Flight Carrying Israelis Stabs Another Pilot and Allegedly Tries to Crash Plane
A pilot on a flight from the United Arab Emirates carrying dozens of Israelis allegedly stabbed another pilot and then tried to crash the plane. Passengers and crew subdued the attacker and the aircraft made a safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. AP

Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar: “I Couldn’t Let Everybody Else Die”
Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar has spoken publicly for the first time about the terrifying attack by his copilot, saying that despite being severely wounded, he kept fighting because he couldn’t “let everybody else die.” Machchhar recounted the ordeal during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. CNN

FAA: Boeing 737 MAX 10 Certification Delayed by Software Issue
The FAA says it won’t certify Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 until it evaluates a newly identified software issue that could interrupt automated landing guidance during a go-around. Boeing had been expecting certification of the long-delayed aircraft in the coming weeks. CNBC

TSA Officers No Longer Allowed to Sit While Checking IDs and Boarding Passes, Union Says
TSA officers checking IDs and boarding passes at airport checkpoints will no longer be allowed to sit while working, according to the union representing them. The union says chairs are being removed from travel document checker positions at checkpoints. CNN

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Just Announced Major Changes: Here’s What Travelers Need to Know
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines just unveiled some major changes and I was in Seattle to hear the news firsthand. From lie-flat suites on Alaska’s 737s and a new premium economy cabin to massive new airport lounges and big Atmos Rewards changes, there’s a lot for travelers to look forward to. JohnnyJet.com

United Is Bringing Basic Economy-Style Restrictions to First Class
United is introducing a lower-priced “base” fare for eligible United First and United Business flights. The new fare comes with more restrictions, including a fee for advance seat selection and a smaller checked baggage allowance. USA Today

American Airlines Can Now Automatically Move You Out of a Middle Seat
American Airlines has added a handy feature that could save eligible AAdvantage members from getting stuck in a dreaded middle seat. Travelers can select their preferred seat characteristics after booking and potentially be moved automatically when a better seat becomes available. The Independent

Judge Allows Lawsuit Over United Airlines “Window Seats” Without Windows to Proceed
A California judge has allowed a class-action lawsuit against United Airlines to move forward after a passenger alleged the carrier charged extra for a window seat that didn’t actually have a window. United argues that “window seat” describes the seat’s position relative to the aisle rather than guaranteeing an actual window. ABC News

United CEO Wants 1,000 Daily Flights From Chicago O’Hare
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has an ambitious vision for Chicago O’Hare: 1,000 United flights a day and an airport he wants to make the best in the world. Such major growth could further strengthen Chicago’s role as a global aviation hub while adding pressure to an already strained air traffic control system. Axios Chicago

$215 Million SFO Runway Project Finished Ahead of Schedule
San Francisco International Airport has reopened Runway 1R after a six-month, $215 million renovation that included repaving, lighting and taxiway upgrades and the replacement of 64 miles of electrical cable. The big question for travelers is whether the improvements will help reduce SFO’s notorious delays. ABC7 San Francisco

United Airlines Goes After Top Frequent Flyers at Delta and American
United is making an aggressive play for elite travelers at Delta and American with a new status match offer. Depending on the tier, travelers will need to spend between $1,500 and $7,000 on eligible United flights within 90 days to keep their matched status. CNBC

TSA Terminates SFO Security Contractor After 24 Years
Security screening at SFO is getting a new contractor after 24 years, though passengers shouldn’t notice much difference at the checkpoint. The screening procedures will remain the same, but the employees performing them will soon be working for a different company. SFGATE

=== Friday, October 2 ===

United Airlines Goes After Top Frequent Flyers at Delta and American
United is making an aggressive play for elite travelers at Delta and American with a new status match offer. Depending on the tier, travelers will need to spend between $1,500 and $7,000 on eligible United flights within 90 days to keep their matched status. CNBC

Oman suspected FlyDubai co-pilot of extremism and other Mideast news
The FlyDubai co-pilot who stabbed a plane’s captain in an apparent attempt to crash a flight with 182 people on board was barred from flying in his native Oman over security concerns, a source told the AP on Saturday. Meanwhile, a Palestinian citizen of Israel who was running in Israel’s upcoming election is withdrawing his candidacy following comments about Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Friday. Full coverage is available here. AP News

Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar: “I Couldn’t Let Everybody Else Die”
Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar has spoken publicly for the first time about the terrifying attack by his copilot, saying that despite being severely wounded, he kept fighting because he couldn’t “let everybody else die.” Machchhar recounted the ordeal during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. CNN

United Airlines Adds Flighty-Style “My Flight Journey” Feature to Its App
United’s already impressive app just added a “My Flight Journey” feature that lets travelers look back at stats from their flights over the past couple of years. If it sounds familiar, that’s because it’s similar to Flighty, an app United CEO Scott Kirby has previously praised. One Mile at a Time

$215 Million SFO Runway Project Finished Ahead of Schedule
San Francisco International Airport has reopened Runway 1R after a six-month, $215 million renovation that included repaving, lighting and taxiway upgrades and the replacement of 64 miles of electrical cable. The big question for travelers is whether the improvements will help reduce SFO’s notorious delays. ABC7 San Francisco

United Is Bringing Basic Economy-Style Restrictions to First Class
United is introducing a lower-priced “base” fare for eligible United First and United Business flights. The new fare comes with more restrictions, including a fee for advance seat selection and a smaller checked baggage allowance. USA Today

TSA Terminates SFO Security Contractor After 24 Years
Security screening at SFO is getting a new contractor after 24 years, though passengers shouldn’t notice much difference at the checkpoint. The screening procedures will remain the same, but the employees performing them will soon be working for a different company. SFGATE

MLB Considers Playing a Baseball Game at Grand Teton National Park
Major League Baseball has approached the federal government about potentially staging a game at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The idea follows other special-site games, including the popular Field of Dreams games in Iowa, but it’s already drawing concerns from environmental groups and others. ABC News

U.S. Travel Chief Calls for More Positive Messaging to Foreign Tourists
International tourism to the U.S. continued to decline over the summer, with visits reportedly falling 2% year-over-year in June, 7% in July and 11% in August. U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman is calling for clearer and more welcoming messaging from President Trump and the U.S. government to international visitors. New York Post

Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Unruly Behavior on Delta Flight
A South Carolina man has been sentenced to two years in prison for interfering with a flight crew following an altercation aboard a December 2025 Delta flight from Atlanta that had to divert to Anchorage. People

United Passenger Dies After Medical Emergency Forces Flight to Divert
A United Airlines flight from Tokyo to Denver diverted to Seattle after a passenger suffered a serious medical emergency and reportedly turned “deep purple” during the flight. The passenger later died and the case was turned over to the King County Medical Examiner. TMZ

Whale Sinks Yacht in South Pacific, Four Sailors Rescued 18 Hours Later
Four sailors were rescued after a sperm whale reportedly cracked the hull of their 52-foot yacht about 250 nautical miles north of Norfolk Island, forcing them to abandon ship and spend 18 hours awaiting rescue. CBS News

Amtrak’s New Airo Trains Begin Service in the Pacific Northwest
Amtrak’s next-generation Airo trains have officially entered passenger service for the first time, debuting September 30 on the Cascades route. The new trains are operating between Vancouver, Seattle, Portland and Eugene as part of Amtrak’s larger fleet modernization program. TravelMole

=== Wednesday, September 30 ===

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Just Announced Major Changes: Here’s What Travelers Need to Know
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines just unveiled some major changes and I was in Seattle to hear the news firsthand. From lie-flat suites on Alaska’s 737s and a new premium economy cabin to massive new airport lounges and big Atmos Rewards changes, there’s a lot for travelers to look forward to. JohnnyJet.com

Pilot on Flight Carrying Israelis Stabs Another Pilot and Allegedly Tries to Crash Plane
A pilot on a flight from the United Arab Emirates carrying dozens of Israelis allegedly stabbed another pilot and then tried to crash the plane. Passengers and crew subdued the attacker and the aircraft made a safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. AP

FAA: Boeing 737 MAX 10 Certification Delayed by Software Issue
The FAA says it won’t certify Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 until it evaluates a newly identified software issue that could interrupt automated landing guidance during a go-around. Boeing had been expecting certification of the long-delayed aircraft in the coming weeks. CNBC

TSA Officers No Longer Allowed to Sit While Checking IDs and Boarding Passes, Union Says
TSA officers checking IDs and boarding passes at airport checkpoints will no longer be allowed to sit while working, according to the union representing them. The union says chairs are being removed from travel document checker positions at checkpoints. CNN

Ryanair CEO Warns Airfares Could Jump 20%
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary says European airfares are “far too cheap” and warns that higher fuel costs could push the airline’s average one-way fare from about £50 to £60, a 20% increase. The Telegraph

American Airlines Can Now Automatically Move You Out of a Middle Seat
American Airlines has added a handy feature that could save eligible AAdvantage members from getting stuck in a dreaded middle seat. Travelers can select their preferred seat characteristics after booking and potentially be moved automatically when a better seat becomes available. The Independent

Judge Allows Lawsuit Over United Airlines “Window Seats” Without Windows to Proceed
A California judge has allowed a class-action lawsuit against United Airlines to move forward after a passenger alleged the carrier charged extra for a window seat that didn’t actually have a window. United argues that “window seat” describes the seat’s position relative to the aisle rather than guaranteeing an actual window. ABC News

Tourist Sparks Outrage After Riding Sea Turtle While It Was Laying Eggs
A tourist in Oman is facing backlash after reportedly climbing onto and riding a sea turtle while it was laying eggs on a beach. The incident involving fitness influencer Vadym Oleynik was captured on video and quickly sparked outrage. Daily Mail

Mom Allegedly Leaves Four Young Children Home Alone to Take Carnival Cruise
A Florida mother is facing four counts of child neglect after police say she left her four children, including a 2-month-old baby and a toddler, home alone while she took a weekend Carnival cruise to the Bahamas. The children were discovered after the infant’s father went to the apartment and called authorities. Law&Crime

Woman Accused of Inappropriate Behavior on American Airlines Flight
A Maryland woman allegedly removed her pants and began touching herself inappropriately during an American Airlines flight from Baltimore to Miami. Law enforcement met the aircraft after it landed in Miami. CBS Baltimore

United CEO Wants 1,000 Daily Flights From Chicago O’Hare
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has an ambitious vision for Chicago O’Hare: 1,000 United flights a day and an airport he wants to make the best in the world. Such major growth could further strengthen Chicago’s role as a global aviation hub while adding pressure to an already strained air traffic control system. Axios Chicago

International Traffic at SFO Has Recovered, Except From One Major Country
International passenger traffic at SFO has leveled off around pre-pandemic levels despite San Francisco’s tourism rebound. One major market remains a notable exception: Travelers from China still haven’t returned in the numbers seen before the pandemic. San Francisco Chronicle