12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today

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12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today
(This is a recurring post, updated daily with new information):

Monday, June 16
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,885,745 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, June 15

Airlines Suspend Flights After Israel Strikes Iran
Israel’s strikes against Iran have prompted international airlines to halt flights to some Middle East destinations. Below are some of the airlines that have cancelled their flights to and from the region: AEGEAN AIRLINES Greece’s Aegean Airlines has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv up to and including the early morning flight on July 12, as well as all flights to and from Beirut, Amman, and Erbil through the morning arrivals of June 28. MSN

Anti-Tourism Protests in Italy, Portugal and Spain Draw Attention to Quality of Life Issues
The squirt guns returned to the streets of Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday as thousands gathered for long-planned protests against mass tourism in cities across southern Europe. In Genoa, Italy, demonstrators rolled suitcases down the city center’s narrow paved streets, as part of what they called a “noisy stroll.” In Lisbon, protesters carried a handmade effigy of the city’s patron saint from his namesake church to the site of a future five-star hotel. And on the Spanish island of Majorca, locals stopped a double-decker tourist bus on Saturday, setting off flares and hanging a banner on its side. The New York Times

Overwhelmed and Understaffed, the Louvre Shuts Its Doors — A Warning Sign for Global Overtourism
The Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum and a global symbol of art, beauty and endurance, remained shuttered Monday — not by war, not by terror, but by its own exhausted staff, who say the institution is crumbling from within. It was an almost unthinkable sight: the home to works by Leonardo da Vinci and millennia of civilization’s greatest treasures — paralyzed by the very people tasked with welcoming the world to its galleries. AP

Air India Jet Returns to Hong Kong Due to “Technical Issue” After Takeoff
An Air India flight returned to Hong Kong on Monday shortly after takeoff due to a midair “technical issue,” the airline said, just four days after another one of the company’s flights crashed and killed at least 270 people. The plane that turned around on Monday was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, as was the Air India flight that crashed into buildings in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on Thursday morning. CBS News

Stranded Israelis Told Not to Go to Larnaca, Athens; Not to Use Egypt, Jordan Land Crossings
Israeli authorities have cautioned citizens stranded abroad against rushing to Larnaca or Athens in the hope of getting home sooner, as Israeli airspace remains closed for both arrivals and departures until further notice. The National Security Council on Sunday also ordered Israelis not to try to reach Israel by land through the border crossings from Jordan or Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Both countries are under Level 4 warnings, which means, according to the NSC website, that “travel to this destination is prohibited. Those who are already there must leave immediately.” Times of Israel

Southwest Throws a Street Party to Celebrate Assigned Seats
What kind of news would be good enough to get the general public dancing in the streets? The abolition of income taxes? Free CBD gummies for everyone? How about the chance to preselect your seat when you fly Southwest Airlines? If that last bit fails to stir untrammeled jubilation in your soul, it sure seems to have others excited—at least, those shown in the latest spot from Southwest, which debuts today. Ad Week

A Plane Crashed on a Doctors’ Hostel in India. Those Who Survived Began Treating the Injured
Navin Chaudhary had just begun eating his meal when a loud bang startled him. He turned back to see a massive fire taking over the dining area where he and other trainee doctors had assembled for lunch. The blaze approaching him, he rushed toward a window and jumped. From the ground, looking upwards, the sight of the Air India plane’s tail cone hanging from the burning building propelled Chaudhary and fellow medical students into action. “There was fire and many were injured,” said Chaudhary. AP

San Diego International Airport Just Added 2,400 More Parking Spots
San Diego International Airport on Friday opened 2,400 more parking spots. The airport opened up its new five-story T1 Parking Plaza over Labor Day Weekend in late August and just completed its second phase, bringing the total to 5,200 parking spots at the plaza. In total, there are now roughly 8,500 parking spots at the airport. Completion of the parking plaza marks the first major benefit to the public of the airport’s $3.8 billion remodel, which started in November 2021. The first phase of the new Terminal 1 is set to open around late September, but the whole thing won’t be done until 2028. San Diego Union-Tribune

American Airlines Involved in Controversy Over Flight Attendants’ Uniforms
After a multi-year battle, American Airlines employees have been awarded money in a lawsuit with the company and its former uniform supplier in California. The subject of the lawsuit was the uniforms American Airlines gave out to its employees in 2016, which allegedly led to many health problems that included skin, respiratory and even neurological issues. Men’s Journal

Florida TSA Worker Assaulted 79-Year-Old JetBlue Passenger, Cops Say
Florida police arrested a TSA agent Wednesday for allegedly pushing a 79-year-old JetBlue traveler at the Fort Lauderdale‑Hollywood International Airport. Officials say Janiyah Wilson-Robinson, 21, of Margate, committed aggravated battery on the Palm Beach Gardens woman by “placing the palm of her hands (on the victim) and forcefully pushing her.” The Independent

WestJet Probes Cybersecurity Incident Affecting App and Internal Systems
Canada’s WestJet Airlines is investigating a cybersecurity incident that has disrupted access to its mobile app and some internal systems, affecting an undisclosed number of users, the airlines said in a statement on Friday. WestJet said specialised internal teams are working alongside law enforcement and Transport Canada to limit the impact and determine the scope of the breach. Reuters

‘Miracle’: Bay Area Man Who Vanished in Himalayas Found After 9 Days
A Bay Area man who went missing after leaving for what was supposed to be a two-day hike in the Himalayas has been found alive, family members said. Samuel Vengrinovich, 44, planned to hike back on June 9 but never returned to his camp near Dharamshala in northern India. SF Gate

Top 14 Travel Stories of the Week
June 8 – June 15

Air India Crash Latest: At Least 200 Killed in Air India Plane Crash as One British Passenger Reportedly Survives
A London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 people crashes shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad, western India. The local police chief tells the BBC that 204 bodies have been recovered — it’s not known how many of those victims were on the plane, or were on the ground when the plane crashed. One passenger has survived, a local police chief says, with Indian media reporting he is British man Vishwashkumar Ramesh Ramesh — who shared a picture of his boarding pass with reporters — says: “Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise… it all happened so quickly.” BBC News/JohnnyJet.com

Middle East Airspace Shut After Israel Strikes Iran, Airlines Cancel Flights
Airlines steered clear of much of the Middle East on Friday after Israeli attacks on Iranian sites forced carriers to cancel or divert thousands of flights in the latest upheaval to travel in the region. Proliferating conflict zones around the world are becoming an increasing burden on airline operations and profitability, and more of a safety concern. Detours add to airlines’ fuel costs and lengthen journey times.
Reuters

An Airline Data Broker Is Selling Passenger Data to CBP
DHS bought access to airline passenger data, including itineraries and financial details, from Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), Wired reported. The data was reportedly used to identify “persons of interest” and shared with other law enforcement agencies. ARC’s board includes representatives from major U.S. airlines. USA Today

Anker Recalls More Than 1.1 Million Power Banks After Fires Reported
Anker Innovations is recalling 1.15 million portable chargers after some consumers reported fires and explosions. According to a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the lithium-ion battery inside certain “PowerCore 10000” made by Anker, a China-based electronics maker, can overheat. That can lead to the “melting of plastic components, smoke and fire hazards,” Anker said in an announcement. CBS News

First Crash Of Boeing’s 787 Model Comes Weeks After $1.1B 737 Max Payout
The Air India tragedy in Ahmedabad is the first time a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has crashed since the plane’s introduction in 2011. While airlines using the Boeing plane have had widespread problems with engines on the 787 – resulting in many having to ground planes and reduce flights – the 787’s safety record in service has so far been good. However, the US safety regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has had to investigate several concerns over the years, including a mid-air dive on a Latam flight last year.
The Guardian

Coordinated Protests Against Tourism Levels Planned In Spain, Portugal And Italy
Activists against overtourism are planning protests across Spain, Portugal and Italy on Sunday, with one group urging people to bring water pistols to the demonstration in Barcelona. Anger has been growing in southern Europe against what protesters say are excessive levels of tourism that they complain are forcing locals out of affordable accommodation, pushing up living costs and clogging up city centres.
Reuters

‘If You’re Not Here, You Think L.A.’s Burning’: Trump’s Alarm Meets City Calm
From the Griffith Observatory, a landmark perched on a hilltop 1,000 feet above sea level, Joe and Jolene McGuire had a prime view of this vast city, and they couldn’t see what their friends and family back home in Nebraska were so worried about. For days — as social media feeds and cable news replayed images of burning cars and smashed windows, as President Donald Trump claimed a violent insurrection was underway — the couple fretted about whether they should cancel their anniversary trip out West. Washington Post

Number of Canadians Travelling to U.S. Drops for Fifth Month in a Row
The number of Canadians returning from trips to the U.S from land and air has continued to plummet for the fifth consecutive month, marking a sharp decline from 2024. In May, only 1.3 million Canadians made return trips by car — a sharp 38.1 percent drop from the same month last year, according to data from Statistics Canada. The decline worsened from April, which saw a 35.2 percent decrease. Air travel is also down, with return trips to Canada slumping by 24.2 percent compared with the same period last year, while Americans are also making considerably less trips up north. Political tensions between the U.S and Canada stoked by President Donald Trump have been blamed for the drop in travel, in particular his tariff policy and repeated desire to make Canada the “51st State,” along with a weakened Canadian dollar. The downturn has had a knock-on effect on the airline industry with a number of Canadian carriers reducing flights to the U.S. to accommodate for the lower demand. Air Canada reduced the number of flights to Florida, Las Vegas, and Arizona by 10 percent in March, with other airlines also scaling back operations. Daily Beast

FAA Nominee Tells Senators He Will Modernize Air Traffic Control System
Bryan Bedford, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, told a Senate panel on Wednesday that if confirmed, he will push the agency to act with urgency on the administration’s multi-billion-dollar revamp of the nation’s air traffic control system. Washington Post

Man Gored by Bison in Yellowstone National Park After Getting Too Close, NPS Says
A man was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday after getting too close, the National Park Service said. Around 9:45 a.m. in the Upper Geyser Basin at Old Faithful, a man from Randolph, New Jersey, was gored after a large group of visitors approached the bison too closely, the NPS said in a statement. The man sustained minor injuries and was treated and transported by emergency medical personnel, officials said. CBS News

Australia’s Qantas to Close Low-Cost Arm Jetstar Asia
Australian flag carrier Qantas said on Wednesday it will close Jetstar Asia, the group’s Singapore-based low-cost unit, in a bid to recycle up to A$500 million ($326.40 million) as part of its fleet renewal plans. Qantas said that 13 Jetstar Asia Airbus A320 aircraft will be progressively redeployed to Australia and New Zealand. Reuters

Passengers Told ‘Not to Go to Airport’ After Airline Suddenly Shuts Down All Flights
A Florida-based airline announced it would immediately stop flying after a bankruptcy sale ceased operations, leaving passengers suddenly without flights on the day of travel. Silver Airways released a statement to its customers on Wednesday, 11 June, informing them it is ceasing operations immediately. The Independent

Florida Man Convicted of Posing as Flight Attendant to Get Over 100 Free Flights
A federal jury has convicted a 35-year-old South Florida man who fraudulently booked more than 120 free airline flights by posing as a flight attendant, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday. Tiron Alexander was found guilty on June 5 of wire fraud and unlawfully entering a secure airport area under false pretenses. Prosecutors said Alexander exploited a program intended for airline staff, using it to board 34 flights without paying between 2018 and 2024. CBS News

Iceland’s PLAY Airlines Ends United States Flights, Plots New Strategy
PLAY Airlines has been losing money since launch. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, since the company’s business model replicated WOW Air’s failed business model. After years of losses, PLAY is finally giving up on competing in the transatlantic market, and is instead focusing on point-to-point leisure flying. There’s now also a proposal for the company to be privatized, and to lease out a majority of its fleet to other airlines. One Mile at a Time

Saturday, June 14

Delta Cancels All Flights From New York-JFK to Tel Aviv Through August
Delta Air Lines has paused flights to Tel Aviv from New York-JFK through August 31 in response to the ongoing conflict in the region. “Customers impacted by flight cancellations will receive notifications via the Fly Delta app and contact information listed in their reservation as these cancellations are processed in Delta’s system and may contact Delta or their travel agent for rebooking options,” Delta said in a statement. ABC News

The National Weather Service Issues Alaska’s First Ever Heat Advisory
The first advisory is for Sunday in Fairbanks, where temperatures are expected to top 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius). Fairbanks has been warmer in the past, but this is unusual for June, officials said. AP

Two Major Airlines Ban Power Banks and Battery Packs on Flights This Summer
Two major airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways, have implemented new safety measures that prohibit passengers from using power banks and battery packs during flights. Power banks are classified as lithium batteries, which pose a fire risk due to their ability to generate extreme heat. The Mirror

Travellers Are Ditching Spain and Portugal for Cheaper Holidays. Here’s Where They’re Going
British tourists are increasingly choosing North Africa as a holiday destination, with travel firms reporting a shift away from traditional European hotspots. The rise in popularity is due to the availability of high-quality hotels in countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia, which are significantly cheaper than similar options in Spain, France, and Italy, experts say. The Independent

Chinese Scientists, Accused of Smuggling Biological Matter Into the US, Will Stay in Jail
Han was arrested Sunday at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after arriving on a flight from China, where she is pursuing an advanced degree at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan. She planned to spend a year completing a project at the University of Michigan lab, and is accused of shipping biological material months ago to laboratory staff. NY Post

Airbnb Blames Hotels for ‘Overtourism’ in Europe
Airbnb has blamed the hotel industry for “overtourism” in Europe, after regional governments launched crackdowns on holiday rentals. Theo Yedinsky, the Airbnb vice president for public policy, hit back at criticism from furious residents and regulators that the company is causing overcrowding in holiday hotspots. He claimed the rentals group was the victim of “scapegoating” by local authorities, like in Spain, where large anti-tourism protests have become commonplace. The Telegraph

A Brawl Erupted on a Carnival Cruise. Now Those Involved Are Banned for Life
Several Carnival Cruise passengers have been banned for life after a brawl on a recent sailing. Video shared by TikTok user @hellokittyyx shows multiple guests involved in the fight, with security and crew trying to break it up. At least two chairs appear to have been thrown in the video dated June 7. USA Today

TSA Finds Two Loaded Guns in 10 Minutes at Boise Airport
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials at Idaho’s Boise Airport discovered not one but two loaded firearms just 10 minutes apart this week. Screeners made the first seizure at 5:40 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, uncovering the weapon in a passenger’s carry-on bag. A second loaded gun was found in another passenger’s carry-on just moments later. TravelPulse

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth Arrives in Seattle for Summer of Alaska Cruises
Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth arrived in Seattle on June 12, where the ship will homeport for Alaska sailings for the first time. After its summer Alaska season, Queen Elizabeth will do another first—a full season of Caribbean sailings from Miami, beginning in October. The roundtrip Seattle itineraries are between seven and 11 nights. Roundtrip cruises are convenient for U.S. guests, said Liz Fettes, Cunard’s senior vice president of commercial North America. Travel Weekly

Delta Overtakes American to Become Second-Largest Airline at Austin’s Airport
Delta Air Lines overtook American Airlines to become the second-largest airline at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in April, passenger data shows. Monthly passenger statistics for AUS are publicly available since January 2019. An airport spokesperson couldn’t confirm if Delta had carried more passengers than American in a month prior to 2019, but told KXAN this was “likely” the first time it happened in airport history, as Delta currently has its busiest schedule ever from AUS. KXAN Austin

World’s Most Popular TikTok Star Leaves the US After Being Detained by ICE
Khaby Lame, the world’s most popular TikTok personality with millions of followers, has left the U.S. after being detained by immigration agents in Las Vegas for allegedly overstaying his visa. The Senegalese-Italian influencer, whose legal name is Seringe Khabane Lame, was detained Friday at Harry Reid International Airport but was allowed to leave the country without a deportation order, a spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed in a statement. AP

Friday, June 13
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,887,807 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, June 12

First “Black Box” Found Amid Wreckage Of Air India Flight 171
One of the so-called “black boxes” — the flight data and cockpit voice recorders — from Air India flight 171 was recovered from the charred wreckage of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in India’s western city of Ahmedabad, an Indian aviation official said Friday. The passenger jet slammed into buildings on Thursday morning, killing all but one of the 242 people on the plane and dozens on the ground.
CBS News

Chaos At Site Of Air India Plane Crash
The medical students in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad were eating lunch on Thursday when an Air India passenger plane crashed into their dining hall. “We only heard a blast,” said Mohit Chavda, an intern who was halfway through his meal of lentils, cabbage and bread when the disaster struck. “Then we just saw the dust and smoke coming inside with force.”
The New York Times

FAA Shrinks Area Where Helicopters Are Allowed Near Reagan Airport
The Federal Aviation Administration said on Thursday it is shrinking the area around Reagan Washington National Airport where helicopters are allowed to operate. In March, the FAA imposed permanent restrictions on non-essential helicopter operations around Reagan to eliminate helicopter and passenger jet mixed traffic, including permanently closing one key route.
Reuters

JetBlue Flight Rolls Off Runway At Boston’s Logan Airport Upon Arrival From Chicago
A JetBlue flight landing at Logan Airport in Boston from Chicago rolled off the runway and on to the grass Thursday morning. Airport officials said there were no reports of injuries. The Airbus A220 arrived from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport just before noon. A photo taken by a passenger on another plane showed multiple fire engines and emergency vehicles responding to the scene.
CBS Boston

The Summer Travel Season Is Ramping Up — But Many Airlines Are Cutting Back
The busy summer travel season has kicked off, but many airlines have been trimming their schedules thanks in part to economic uncertainty. That’s according to a recent Business Journals analysis of schedule data from Cirium Inc., which found the deepest cuts nationally have been at budget airlines — although major carriers have also trimmed their schedules for the summer season.
The Business Journals

First Utah-Asia Nonstop Flight Takes Off
The first direct route to Asia from Utah has now taken off. Delta Air Lines introduced the first transpacific route to Asia linking Seoul’s Incheon International Airport with Salt Lake City, Utah. The route will operate daily during the summer aboard Airbus A350-900 jets, with Delta One Business Class, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort, and Delta Main. It will then operate three times a week in the winter.
Travel Mole

Couple Found Dead In Tent After Suspected Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
A couple have been found dead in a tent from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning while camping near a loch in Argyll and Bute. The man and woman were discovered by police on the shores of Loch Awe, close to the village of Dalmally, at about 16:25 on Saturday. It is understood the couple, who have not been named, may have died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning related to a camping stove.
BBC

US Wine Exports To Canada Fall By Most In Over 20 Years
US wine exports to Canada, its largest customer, fell by the most in more than 20 years in April as consumers and government agencies continue their boycott of American booze in retaliation against US tariffs. Wine shipments from the US to the northern nation fell 93%, the largest year-over-year decrease in monthly data from the US Census Bureau going back to 2002. The next two biggest wine markets for US producers — the UK and China — also imported less in April.
Bloomberg

Northern Lights May Be Visible In These 18 US States Tonight And Over The Weekend
The northern lights could put on a show tonight and through the weekend as ongoing geomagnetic storm conditions driven by turbulent space weather may push aurora farther south than usual. Earth is currently reverberating from a solar storm impact that occurred overnight on June 12–13, during which moderate G2 geomagnetic storm levels were reached. A co-rotating interaction region (CIR) — a turbulent region in the solar wind in which fast-moving streams collide with slower wind ahead of them — is also on the way, with the effects expected around June 14.
CBS News

Thursday, June 12
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,504,198 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, June 11

TSA Approves Mobile Passport on iPhone for SFO Flights
It’s been a little more than a month since the Transportation Security Administration started enforcing Real ID requirements for domestic travelers at airports across the country. But travelers whose state IDs aren’t Real ID compliant could soon have another option that may already be in their pocket. SF Gate

Out-of-Control Oregon Wildfire Forces Evacuations and Highway Closures as Gusty Winds Challenge Firefighters
A wildfire burning out of control in Oregon, near the state’s border with Washington, has forced hundreds of evacuations and closures of major roadways as gusty winds threaten further spread and challenge firefighting crews. The Rowena Fire has burned 2,500 acres since it ignited on Wednesday afternoon in Wasco County, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. It’s 0% contained as of early Thursday morning. CNN

Starbucks Will Pay Up to $136,000 for New Job to Travel the World
Coffee giant Starbucks is hiring one internal and one external candidate to become “Global Coffee Creators,” a social media-savvy role that could pay up to $136,000 and involves traveling the world to showcase the company’s coffee operations. Newsweek

Why Your Buffet Breakfast Croissant Is Getting Smaller: How Hotels Are Using AI Bins to Slash Food Waste
If you’ve noticed your hotel breakfast croissant looking a little daintier lately, you’re not imagining things — and no, you’re not being short-changed. The pastries have been reduced to a petite 28g portion as part of a wider effort by Hilton to tackle food waste with the help of AI-powered smart bins. Recognising that food waste is a significant problem in the hotel industry, Hilton has deployed a waste-tracking system created by British technology company Winnow in nearly 200 hotels. Daily Mail Online

Skier Caught in an Avalanche Is the Second Person to Die This Season on Alaska’s Denali
A skier died after being caught in an avalanche on North America’s tallest peak, officials said Wednesday — the second death of this year’s climbing season on Alaska’s Mount McKinley. Nicholas Vizzini, 29, of Washington state and his climbing partner, a snowboarder, triggered the avalanche high on the 20,310-foot (6,190-meter) peak Tuesday while descending a slope, according to a statement from Denali National Park and Preserve. AP

Teenager Slips on Rocks Near 50-Foot Waterfall and Falls to His Death at Olympic National Park
A teenage boy slipped on rocks near a 50-foot waterfall and fell to his death while at a national park in Washington over the weekend, officials said. On Monday, park rangers recovered the 18-year-old’s “completely submerged” body at the Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park after he had fallen over the falls the day before, the National Park Service said in a press release. The Independent

Jamaica’s ‘Crocodile Guardian’ Is Fighting to Save the Island’s Feared Predators
In the heat of the Jamaican sun, where the wetlands glisten and buzz with life, an ancient predator is vanishing. There are around 28 species of crocodiles found throughout the world’s tropical and subtropical regions. But there is only one species in Jamaica, found primarily along the southern coast from St. Thomas to Westmoreland. Once revered and feared across the island, the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) has long ruled the mangroves and coastal lagoons. CNN

Canada Strong: Promised Teen Tourism Pass to Come Into Effect June 20
The federal government is set to announce details of its promised “Canada Strong Pass” next week and the tourism initiative is expected to take effect expected to be available from June 20 until the end of August. During the recent federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to introduce a single pass that would give young people under 18 free access to Canada’s national galleries and museums and free seats on Via Rail when travelling with their parents. Travel Industry Today

Wednesday, June 11
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,363,300 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, June 10

137 Plane Passengers Stuck on 32-Hour Flight Which Landed 5 Times and Ended Up Right Back Where It Started
A Condor Airlines flight from Zurich, Switzerland, to Crete, Greece, was rerouted due to “extreme weather conditions” and ended up making five landings during its 32-hour travel time. The flight, which was carrying 137 passengers, ended up back at Zurich for its final landing. Condor told PEOPLE that the strong winds in Crete made it impossible for the flight to land despite multiple attempts and it was diverted “several times” and also made an overnight stop. People

Extra Checks at U.S. Airports as Trump’s Revised Travel Ban Takes Effect
President Donald Trump’s new ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens from a dozen countries took effect Monday with relative calm, as some travelers with valid visas reported extra scrutiny at American airports before being allowed entry. The ban targeting mainly African and Middle Eastern countries kicked in amid rising tension over the president’s escalating campaign of immigration enforcement. But it arrived with no immediate signs of the chaos that unfolded at airports across the U.S. during Trump’s first travel ban in 2017. Travel Weekly

Major Airline Offering ‘All You Can Fly’ Pass for Less Than $600 Per Year
A US-based airline is offering its customers an annual ‘all you can fly’ pass for less than $600. For those dreaming of limitless journeys in 2025, Frontier Airlines is on hand to assist would-be jetsetters with a limited-time deal on its GoWild! Pass. For just $599, savvy adventurers can enjoy an unlimited number of flights across Frontier’s domestic and international destinations, including the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America. The pass is valid for travel between 1 May, 2025 and 30 April, 2026, where it then automatically renews at $699 a year. Daily Mail

Airlines Offering Vouchers, New Flights for Passengers Impacted by Airport Delays During Army Parade in DC
Passengers flying through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Saturday will experience delays as the Army celebrates its 250th birthday with a parade and flyover in Washington, DC. The celebration, which coincides with President Donald Trump’s birthday, will impact vehicle and airline traffic. The Federal Aviation Administration said it will issue temporary flight restrictions for the Washington area during the celebration, which begins with a parade at 6:30 p.m. and ends with fireworks at 9:45 p.m. CNN

Maine Proposes Ban on Small Hotel Shampoo Bottles to Reduce Plastic Waste
A bill in Maine would mandate hotels to forgo small bottles containing “single-use plastic containers” in “lodging establishments” — banning single-size hotel shampoo offerings and other toiletries. The enforcement bill is advancing in the Pine Tree State’s legislature in the hopes of reducing waste. “This bill prohibits lodging establishments from providing personal health or beauty products in small single-use plastic containers to persons staying in a lodging establishment or within bathrooms shared by the public and guests of the lodging establishment,” reads bill LD 1928’s summary. Fox News

World Cup Organizers Accept US Immigration Crackdown Could Affect Tournament
Philadelphia’s host city executive for the 2026 World Cup says organizers accept that an immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump’s administration may be among the outside events that impact next year’s tournament. “There are certainly things that are happening at the national level, the international level, there are going to be geopolitical issues that we don’t even know right now that are going affect the tournament next year, so we recognize that we’re planning within uncertainty,” Meg Kane said Monday at a gathering of the 11 U.S. host city leaders, one year and two days ahead of the tournament opener. AP News

Tuesday, June 10
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,758,305 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, June 9

— Man Chased Across Tarmac at Heathrow Airport
The Sun understands the man was set to board a deportation flight before he escaped, fleeing past moving aircraft on Sunday evening. In the stunning clip shared on social media, the man could be seen racing across the tarmac while wearing something wide around his waist. It is understood he managed to break free from his security escorts before boarding the flight. After being chased for over a minute across the busy airport grounds, the man eventually gives up. The Sun

— ‘It’s Scary’: Travelers Caught Off Guard as Travel Ban Rules Come Into Effect
A new round of travel restrictions from the Trump administration quietly took effect Monday, catching many travelers off guard and sparking fresh anxiety for immigrants and visitors at U.S. airports. At New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, passengers arriving at Terminal 4 and their loved ones waiting to greet them seemed unaware of the policy shift. About a dozen people in the terminal’s arrivals area told USA TODAY they were unfamiliar with the updated travel ban, which adds new limitations on visas and entry from almost 20 countries, part of the administration’s continued efforts to tighten U.S. borders. USA Today

— U.S. Travelers Are Cutting Back on Summer Europe Trips — But Chinese Tourists Are Making Up for It
Just 33% of U.S. respondents to a survey by the European Travel Commission (ETC) were planning to visit Europe this summer. That is around 7% less compared to 2024. The share of Chinese travelers planning a European summer trip has increased by 10%. CNBC

— 6 People Killed in Crash of Small Aircraft off San Diego, FAA Says
Six people were killed when a small plane crashed into the ocean off San Diego on Sunday afternoon, the Federal Aviation Administration said Monday. The final moments before the twin-engine Cessna crash – which triggered a major search of the Pacific Ocean near San Diego – are captured in an air traffic control audio recording from LiveATC.net. “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” the pilot of the Cessna 414 can be heard shouting on the recording only five minutes after taking off from San Diego International Airport. CNN

— Newark Airport’s Flight Restrictions Will Continue Through End of Year
Federal officials will continue to limit the number of flights arriving and departing from New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) through the end of 2025. The FAA will keep the current caps in place to maintain safety and “continue easing delays to the traveling public,” amid ongoing challenges with air traffic control equipment and staffing, the agency said on Friday, June 6. Travel Pulse

— 2 Killed in Shooting at Bellagio Fountains on Las Vegas Strip
Two people are dead and a suspect is in custody after a shooting in front of the Bellagio Fountains on the Las Vegas Strip. The suspect, Manuel Ruiz, 41, walked into a Henderson police station Monday morning and turned himself in. He is facing two counts of murder with the use of a deadly weapon, Las Vegas Metropolitan police said. The shooting, which was reported around 10:40 p.m. Sunday, when two Metro officers on routine patrol heard gunfire and ran toward the area where they discovered two people with gunshot wounds on the sidewalk, according to LVMPD Undersheriff Andrew Walsh. 8 News Now

— British Climber Is Killed After ‘Falling From His Rope’ in French Alps
A British climber has died after falling from a glacier during a descent from a 12,500ft mountain in the French Alps. The mountaineer, who has not been named, was reportedly coming down the Grands Couloirs glacier when he fell at around 11am on Sunday. The man, in his sixties, reportedly ‘fell from his rope’ during the descent, above the town of Pralognan-la-Vanoise, in Savoie. Daily Mail

— The Top 10 US Beaches for 2025, According to ‘Dr. Beach’
If you’ve visited Cooper’s Beach in Southampton on the eastern end of Long Island and concluded it’s the best beach around, you’re right. Because according to Dr. Beach, it’s the No. 1 beach in the US. The beach’s large sand dunes and pristine location put it over the top this year, according to Stephen Leatherman, a coastal scientist at Florida International University in Miami who’s gained the nickname Dr. Beach for his annual rankings. CNN

— A Couple Who’ve Worked in the Maldives and Bali Share How Living in Paradise Differs From Visiting It
From the Maldives to Bali to the Cayman Islands, Marc LeBlanc and Laura Robinson have lived and worked in places that most people dream of visiting. They work in the hospitality industry — a journey that LeBlanc, who is Canadian, began at 16 years old when he accepted a job as a dishwasher at a hotel. He worked his way up to bellman, then to the reservations desk, before pursuing a degree in hotel management. CNBC

— IndiGo Flight Facing Severe Weather Was Denied Diversion Requests, India Says
An IndiGo passenger plane attempting to avoid severe weather en route to Indian Kashmir was denied permission to divert towards Pakistan by both the Indian Air Force and Pakistan, India’s aviation regulator said on Friday. Reuters

— When Is the Cheapest Month to Take a Cruise? What to Know
For deals on European and Caribbean cruises, Kuther recommended travelers sail in September or October. Kids are generally back in school, and that coincides with the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, which reaches its height between mid-August and mid-October. Cruise ships can usually sail around storms and amend itineraries to steer clear of their path. USA Today

— Canadian National Parks Offer Alternatives to U.S. Parks
For national park lovers, the recent staff and budget cuts to the U.S. National Park Service threaten to bring long admission lines, shuttered campgrounds and overflowing garbage cans. If you’re seeking to avoid the potential chaos, there’s a set of parallel parks just north of the border, in Canada’s park system. American visitors are second only to Canadians in park visitation, said Guy Thériault, the chief spokesman for Parks Canada, which oversees 48 national parks. The New York Times

Monday, June 9
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,855,018 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, June 8

No Fatalities Reported After Skydiving Plane Crashes in Tennessee
Several people are receiving medical treatment after a skydiving plane with 20 passengers and crew on board crashed in Coffee County, Tennessee, about 60 miles south of Nashville, according to the City of Tullahoma, where the crash occurred Sunday afternoon. Three people were airlifted to hospitals for medical treatment while one person with serious injuries was transported by ground, according to Lyle Russell, a city spokesperson. CNN

Why It’s Getting Even Harder To Get Into Airport Lounges Now
Starting in February, Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders won’t be able to automatically bring a guest into the credit card company’s network of airport lounges. Instead, those customers will have to spend at least $75,000 in a year to bring a guest or pay per guest, per visit. The move follows similar measures by American Express and other companies to combat overcrowding at airport lounges. CNBC

Air Traffic Control Overhaul Faces Daunting Obstacles
This week, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration laid out an ambitious goal of bringing the U.S. air traffic control system into the 21st century. It’s been a harrowing month for travelers at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J. Radar and communication systems have stopped working on at least three occasions since April 28. The incidents have raised big questions about how the air traffic control mess in Newark got as bad as it did. National Disbelief, then fury: A Newark air traffic controller says they saw a crisis coming. “The whole idea is to replace the system,” acting FAA administrator Chris Rocheleau explained to the House Appropriations Committee during a hearing on Wednesday. “No more floppy disks or paper strips.” NPR

American Airlines Passengers Forced To Take A Bus After Airplane Wasn’t Allowed To Land Because It Was Too Big
Passengers on an American Airlines flight from the United States to Italy were forced to take a bus to their final destination after their aircraft was forced to land 140 miles away because it was too big to land at the original destination. American Airlines Flight 780 left Philadelphia International Airport at 7:42 p.m. local time on Monday and was supposed to land in Naples, Italy, at 10 a.m. local time, according to FlightAware. CBS News

Man Made A False Bomb Threat So He Wouldn’t Miss A Flight To LA
A man who missed a flight to Los Angeles from Detroit called in a false bomb threat with the hope that any delay would allow him to get on the Spirit Airlines plane, authorities said Friday. The 23-year-old man was charged with maliciously giving false information about an explosive. The phone call caused a scramble Thursday morning at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The FBI said passengers on the plane were removed, interviewed and screened again. The flight didn’t leave until six hours later. NBC Los Angeles

From Research To Restrooms: Summer Staffing Crunch Hits National Parks After Trump Cuts
At Yosemite National Park in California, one of the oldest and most popular U.S. natural preserves, the workforce is stretched so thin this season that nearly all staffers, even scientists, are required to take turns cleaning campground toilets, according to two people familiar with conditions there. The staff hydrologist and an invasive species expert have also been posted at entry gates to process visitors, a job normally handled by lower-paid seasonal workers and junior staff, one of the sources said. Reuters

African Country To Suspend Visas For US Citizens In Response To Trump’s Travel Ban
Chad has announced it will suspend issuing visas to U.S. citizens, retaliating against the Trump administration’s ban on Chadians visiting the United States. The decision follows Trump’s announcement of a visa ban on 12 countries, including Chad, citing “deficient” screening and vetting processes and a history of refusing to repatriate citizens who overstay in the U.S. The Independent

Brazen Murders Threaten Mexico City’s Tourism As Safety Image At Risk
On a Tuesday morning along a busy Mexico City avenue last month, a secretary to the city’s mayor pulled her black Audi SUV up to a metro station to pick up a colleague. Their killer was waiting for them. The assassin shot the political staffers at point-blank range through the windshield, and then through the driver’s window, before breaking into a sprint and disappearing into the city’s morning bustle, CCTV video of the attack seen by Reuters shows. The Independent

Work Begins On World’s Longest Undersea Tunnel
Europe is building the longest underwater tunnel in the world linking Denmark and Germany. The project will reshape transport across the continent and slash travel times for both cars and trains. DW

World’s Biggest TikToker Detained By ICE At LAS Airport
Khaby Lame, who at 162 million followers boasts the largest fan base of any account on TikTok, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials on June 6, Men’s Journal reports. After contacting ICE for confirmation, the agency confirmed to Men’s Journal that it had detained Lame at Harry Reid International Airport in Paradise, Nevada, on June 6 for immigration violations. According to the statement from ICE, Lame, who is Senegalese and Italian, entered the U.S. on April 30 and overstayed his visa. Daily Beast

Delta Buses 200 Passengers From A Canceled Flight To A Hotel With 13 Available Rooms
Over 200 Delta Air Lines passengers were stranded in Naples, Italy, after their flight was canceled, according to a TikTok posted by one traveler. The user said the airline transported the passengers by bus to a local hotel that only had 13 rooms available. The incident comes shortly after the airline introduced direct flights between Atlanta and Naples. People

American Airlines Passengers Bused Over 140 Miles In Italy After Diverted Flight
Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight to Naples, Italy, had to be bused over 140 miles to their destination from Rome because their plane was seemingly too big to land in Naples. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner departed Philadelphia at 7:10 p.m. on Monday, June 2, FlightAware shows. The flight was supposed to land in Naples around 9:10 a.m. the next day, but an American Airlines spokesperson told USA TODAY on June 7 that “operational limitations” led to the diversion and eventual landing at the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) in Rome at 9:43 a.m. on June 3. USA Today

Top 12 Travel Stories of the Week
June 1 – June 8

JetBlue Not Pursuing Merger with United Airlines, Says CEO
JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O) CEO Joanna Geraghty said on Monday the company’s partnership with United Airlines (UAL.O) would not lead to a merger between the two carriers. The two companies last week announced a collaboration that allows travelers to book flights on both carriers’ websites, while interchangeably earning and using points in their frequent flyer programs. Reuters

D.C.’s Massive Army Parade Will Close Reagan Airport For Several Hours
Reagan National Airport is expected to halt takeoffs and landings for several hours on June 14 to accommodate military flyovers and other events on the National Mall that are part of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday celebration, with aviation officials forecasting disruptions for more than 100 flights and thousands of passengers. The activity will require the Federal Aviation Administration to suspend passenger traffic at the airport, according to the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority; the airport is across the Potomac River from the Mall. On Jan. 29, a midair collision of an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a regional passenger jet on final approach over the river killed 67 people. An investigation continues while officials have pointed fingers over continued conflicts between military and civilian aircraft in the nearby airspace. The Washington Post

TSA Working On Haptic Tech To ‘Feel’ Your Body In Virtual Reality
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are researching an incredibly wild virtual reality technology that would allow TSA agents to use VR goggles and haptic feedback gloves to allow them to pat down and feel airline passengers at security checkpoints without actually touching them. The agency calls this a “touchless sensor that allows a user to feel an object without touching it.” 404

FAA Expects to Ease Flight Limits at Newark Airport After Runway Project Finishes Early
A construction project on one of Newark Liberty International Airport’s three main runways wrapped up nearly two weeks early, so the Federal Aviation Administration expects to be able to ease flight limits next week despite the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers. Federal Transportation Department officials said Monday that some of the runway equipment must be tested before the FAA can increase the flight limits at the second busiest airport in the New York City area. The runway began to be used for departures Monday but won’t be available for arrivals until after that testing is completed early next week. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that if all goes well, the runway should be certified by June 10. AP News

United Airlines Turns Off Starlink Access Amid Interference Concerns
United Airlines’ plans to retrofit its entire regional fleet with Starlink connectivity have hit a roadblock, at least temporarily. United first started rolling out Starlink access using a free-with-ads model in May, becoming one of a select club—including Hawaiian Airlines and the boutique air carrier JSX—to offer flyers access to SpaceX’s satellite broadband service. Its speed and performance proved a hit with PCMag when it debuted, and United announced plans to install Starlink in its entire two-cabin regional fleet by the end of 2025. PCMag

Disneyland Is Closing A Beloved Ride, Adding 2 New Attractions
Disneyland Resort announced several major updates Thursday about its future, including plans for a new parking structure and details on the upcoming “Avatar” and “Coco” attractions coming to Disney California Adventure Park. A 6,000-space parking structure will be built east of Harbor Boulevard, featuring a pedestrian bridge and a redesigned esplanade arrival experience. Construction is set to begin in fall 2026. The new area will also include designated shuttle and rideshare zones, security screening, and dedicated traffic access from Disney Way — improvements aimed at easing congestion and enhancing guest flow throughout the resort. KTLA

Italy’s Mount Etna Erupts with Huge Plume of Ash; Tourists Seek Safety
A volcanic eruption in Italy left people scurrying for cover from what officials are saying is a pyroclastic flow. Several videos circulating online show people running as smoke from the side of Mount Etna, an active stratovolcano in Sicily, filled the air on June 2. Footage and photos were also shared by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) in Italy. The government agency wrote in a translated post that a pyroclastic flow, a combination of ash, rock, and gas, “probably produced by the collapse of material from the northern side of the Southeast Crater.” USA Today

Condor Flight Misses Munich Curfew By 10 Seconds, Causing Detour
A Condor flight from Mallorca to Munich missed the airport’s midnight curfew by just 10 seconds, forcing an unplanned diversion and an eight-hour delay. The delay was largely caused by a late inbound aircraft. One Mile at a Time

Brazilian Airline Azul Files For Bankruptcy Despite Promises
Despite earlier claims that it would avoid bankruptcy at all costs, Brazilian airline Azul has now filed, citing mounting pressures from currency issues and pandemic recovery. Executives had previously argued that bankruptcy would benefit only lawyers and advisers. Bloomberg

Alaska Airlines Announces New Nonstop Service Between Seattle and Rome
Rome remains one of the most-requested destinations for Mileage Plan members, and it’s the largest European destination not currently served nonstop from Seattle. Flights will begin in May 2026 and can be purchased at alaskaair.com starting in fall 2025. Alaska Airlines News

Trump Orders FAA To Remove Supersonic Flight Restrictions
President Trump is boosting supersonic aviation in the United States. An executive order the commander in chief signed Friday directs the Federal Aviation Administration to repeal a 1973 rule prohibiting overland supersonic flight, establish new noise standards for aircraft, and remove other regulations that get in the way of the development of high-speed planes. NY Post

Trump Administration Reinstates And Expands Travel Ban
President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on Wednesday restricting the entry of travelers to the United States from more than a dozen countries, resurrecting and expanding sweeping restrictions from his first term that are expected to draw swift legal challenges. The proclamation, slated to go into effect June 9, fully restricts and limits the entry of individuals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It also partially restricts the entry of individuals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Washington Post

85 Comments On "12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today"

Jnaoh|
June 13, 2025 at 8:06 am | Reply

What a thorough roundup, Johnny! The mix of urgent updates—like the Air India crash survivor, TSA checkpoint stats, and mobile passport news—is incredibly useful for both frequent flyers and travel planners. I especially appreciated the deep dive into airline pesticide spraying and the safety concerns around phenothrin exposure. Your practical travel tips, such as staying up-to-date on REAL ID rules and digital credentials, always keep me a step ahead. Thanks for keeping us informed with facts, not panic. Looking forward to tomorrow’s edition!
Sherrie|
June 12, 2025 at 8:06 pm | Reply

I’ve been a long-time reader and often share your newsletter with others because of the great travel insights you provide. That’s why I get super disappointed to see political jabs included—especially when it seemed dismissive of serious events, like the fires in LA and the impact on local small businesses. (ie Not all of LA is burning!)
It’s concerning to see such issues minimized. What if it was happening in Manhattan Beach—or to people close to you—I imagine the tone might be different. The destruction of a jewelry shop and the many losses of people’s livelihood deserve attention, regardless of where it happens.
Also, while everyone is entitled to their views, I find the political jabs—especially those targeting Trump supporters—off-putting. Many readers, myself included, come to your newsletter for engaging travel content, not political commentary. I’ve recommended your work to others, and it’s tough when I have to brace for a partisan slant.
For context, I now live in Billings, MT after leaving LA because of the out of control crime and homelessness. When Trump’s plane broke down here last summer, I can say with confidence—through family connections in aviation—that he absolutely didn’t fly on Epstein’s plane. The Secret Service only uses pre-cleared aircraft, and my brother-in-law was nearly involved in that backup flight with his own private plane.
All I ask is that you consider your audience. We turn to your newsletter for your strength—informative, inspiring travel content. I’d love to see you stay focused on what you do best and not obvious articles poking at Trump and a good portion of the nation that support him.
1. Johnny Jet|
  June 12, 2025 at 9:06 pm | Reply
  
  Keep drinking the Kool-Aid if you think he wasn’t on Epstein’s plane and much worse sleeping with young girls. I guess you never listened to him on Howard Stern where he admitted to it. Did you miss this Tweet from Musk? “Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” Please. We all know — including you what kind of man he is.

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