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):

=== 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 ===