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):

=== Sunday, August 23 ===

Tropical Storm Moke could dump up to 15 inches of rain on Hawaii
Tropical Storm Moke is tracking just south of Hawaii, bringing the threat of heavy rain and gusty winds shortly after Hurricane Lala caused serious damage. The storm is expected to pass south of the Big Island Sunday before weakening as it moves west, with some areas potentially seeing up to 15 inches of rain. CBS News

Airbnb’s new fee structure shifts more costs to hosts
Airbnb is changing how it collects service fees from U.S. bookings, moving hosts to a single 15.5% fee by Sept. 15 instead of the previous split-fee model. Guests will no longer see a separate service fee at checkout, but some hosts are frustrated about what the change could mean for their bottom line. CNBC

UK-bound travelers faced a summer of airport queues and chaos
New technology may be making some parts of airport travel easier, but long lines and delays still caused plenty of headaches for passengers flying to the UK this summer. One traveler’s experience—missing a Stansted flight despite arriving two hours early—shows how unpredictable the airport experience can still be. BBC

Passenger’s laptop catches fire on American Airlines flight
A laptop caught fire aboard American Airlines Flight 2398 on Friday, prompting the pilot to report that passengers may have suffered burns. One passenger was treated and released after the flight landed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. CBS News

Alaska Airlines adds nonstop Seattle flights to Athens and Paris
Alaska Airlines is pushing deeper into Europe with new nonstop service from Seattle to Athens and Paris beginning in May 2027. The seasonal Athens route will operate three times a week and become the first nonstop link between the two cities, as well as Alaska’s longest route ever. Aviation Week

French tourist dies in Death Valley after car gets stuck in extreme heat
A 68-year-old French tourist died after his vehicle became stuck in mud in Death Valley, forcing him and a companion to set out on foot as temperatures reached 116 degrees. The incident is another stark reminder of how quickly travel in the park can turn dangerous during extreme summer heat. SF Chronicle

Another cruise line cracks down on hiding rubber ducks
Marella Cruises is asking passengers to stop hiding rubber ducks and other novelty items around its ships and destinations, saying the popular cruise tradition has become a safety concern. The quirky hide-and-seek game has become widespread among cruisers, but Marella would prefer guests keep their ducks with them. Travel + Leisure

Delta and Aeromexico win court fight to preserve joint venture
A U.S. appeals court has overturned a 2025 government order requiring Delta and Aeromexico to unwind their nearly decade-old partnership. The joint venture allows the airlines to coordinate schedules, pricing and capacity on flights between the U.S. and Mexico. Reuters

Nearly every cruise ship passed CDC inspections this year—except one
Of 153 cruise ship inspections conducted by the CDC so far in 2026, just one received a failing grade. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dawn scored an 84 in March, two points below the 86 required to pass. USA Today

United CEO Scott Kirby has JFK expansion and AI on his radar
A decade after leaving American Airlines, Scott Kirby is leading United Airlines and thinking about the carrier’s next big moves, including expansion at JFK and the impact AI could have on aviation. While Kirby has previously floated major airline mergers, he says buying a smaller carrier isn’t part of his current plan. CNBC

Federal agents arrest 11 after boarding cruise ships in Boston
Federal authorities arrested 11 people after boarding Holland America’s Volendam and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway in Boston. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the arrests were part of an operation involving allegations of receiving and distributing child sexual abuse and exploitation material. MSN

New Orleans considers an $850-per-float Mardi Gras fee
New Orleans officials are considering a new $850 fee for each float participating in Mardi Gras parades, a proposal requested by Mayor Helena Moreno. If approved, the money would help cover public services associated with Carnival season. NOLA.com

Swiss tourist gets a year in prison for violating Bali’s day of silence
A Swiss tourist has been sentenced to a year in prison in Bali after posting videos of himself violating Nyepi restrictions and insulting the religious tradition. A court found that the 26-year-old knowingly broke the rules after staff at his villa had explained the restrictions to him. MSN

American tourist dies after fall from 18th floor of Cancun resort
An American tourist died after falling from the 18th floor of the adults-only Breathless Cancun Soul Resort & Spa late Thursday, according to local reporting. Authorities have not publicly identified the woman, and details surrounding the fatal fall remain limited. New York Post

=== Thursday, August 20 ===

=== Tuesday, August 18 ===

Honolulu Shifts Into Cleanup Mode After Tropical Storm Lala
Honolulu is moving into full recovery mode as Tropical Storm Lala pulls away from Oahu. Weather alerts have been lifted, but officials say saturated ground, widespread power outages, fallen trees and power lines, and lingering flooding still pose hazards across the island. Hawaii News Now

Google Pays $10 Million for Spirit Airlines Data
Google has emerged as the winning bidder for data from defunct Spirit Airlines, agreeing to pay $10 million as part of the carrier’s court-supervised liquidation. The tech giant topped a $7.5 million bid from AI-training marketplace Mercor, according to a court filing. Travel Weekly

Palm Beach Airport’s New DJT Code Takes Effect
Palm Beach International Airport’s familiar PBI code has officially been replaced by DJT. The new three-letter designation is now showing up across airline reservation, ticketing and baggage systems, meaning travelers will need to get accustomed to using the new code. Johnny Jet

Intrepid Travel President Blasts Construction in Big Bend National Park
Intrepid Travel’s North American president is criticizing the Trump administration over construction activity in Big Bend National Park, where federal contractors have reportedly begun clearing desert vegetation and sensitive land. The work is moving ahead under exemptions from dozens of federal conservation, environmental and resource-protection laws and has drawn opposition from across the political spectrum. TravelPulse

Australian Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting TSA Officer at LAX
A 35-year-old Australian man has pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor stemming from an assault on a TSA officer at Los Angeles International Airport in March. Thomas Bingham of Melbourne faces up to one year in prison after admitting to simple assault on a federal officer. MyNewsLA.com

Austin Is Getting Its First Nonstop Flight to Paris
Delta Air Lines plans to launch daily nonstop service from Austin to Paris-Charles de Gaulle on March 27, 2027, giving Central Texas travelers a new direct connection to Europe. The seasonal route will be flown aboard an Airbus A330-900neo. TravelMole

Drought-Hit Tiber River Reveals Ancient Roman Bridge
Extremely low water levels in Rome’s Tiber River have exposed remains of Nero’s Bridge, giving visitors a rare look at the roughly 2,000-year-old structure. Officials say the river’s flow has dropped to about half its seasonal average as prolonged heat and dry weather deepen the region’s water crisis. CNN

American Hiker Dies After Lightning Strike on Mount Etna
A 30-year-old American tourist has died after being struck by lightning while hiking on Sicily’s Mount Etna during a thunderstorm. Emergency crews found him in cardiac arrest in a restricted area near the summit, and he was pronounced dead after being airlifted to a hospital in Catania. BBC

Americans Keep Traveling Despite Higher Prices
Higher airfare, gas and other everyday expenses haven’t stopped Americans from prioritizing vacations this year. A PwC survey found travelers planned to spend nearly $2,900 on average this summer, with 71% expecting to spend at least as much as they did last summer. CNBC

DFW Airport Drops Plans for Muslim Washing Stations
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport has scrapped plans to add washing stations in Terminal D that would have allowed Muslim travelers to perform wudu before prayer. The airport said it accelerated its review after increased public attention and ultimately concluded the project wouldn’t deliver the expected operational benefits. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

British Newlyweds Killed in Greek Helicopter Crash
A British couple on their honeymoon have died along with their pilot after a Bell 206 helicopter crashed on the Greek island of Sifnos. Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert were aboard the aircraft when it went down in the Tholos area Monday evening. MSN

Cruise Guests Accused of Breaking Into Cabin and Attacking Family
Two Ohio cruise passengers were arrested after allegedly forcing their way into another family’s cabin and attacking the occupants following a dispute over noise. Authorities say the confrontation began after the family asked the couple to quiet down, escalating into an alleged cabin intrusion and fight. USA Today