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, October 18 ===

TSA Scales Back New PreCheck Benefit Just Weeks After Launch
Well, that didn’t last long. The TSA is scaling back its new Gateside by TSA PreCheck program, which launched in September at 13 airports and allowed PreCheck members to go through security even when they weren’t flying. The program required members to apply for a pass one to three days in advance, but some participating airports say the benefit has already been reduced. CNN

Southwest Airlines Is Making Major Changes to Its Frequent Flyer Program
Southwest is giving its Rapid Rewards loyalty program a major makeover, replacing A-List and A-List Preferred with three new elite tiers: Silver, Gold and Platinum, beginning January 1. The airline is also introducing new benefits and changing the requirements for earning its popular Companion Pass, so loyal Southwest flyers will want to pay attention. CNBC

LAX Restaurant Named Best Airport Grab-and-Go Spot in America
Here’s some good news for travelers flying through LAX. Urth Caffé has been named the best airport grab-and-go restaurant in the country in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The California-based café is known for its organic coffee, teas and food, making it a popular stop for travelers looking for something beyond typical airport fast food. New York Post

Mexico’s Pacific Coast Braces for Another Major Storm After Weeks of Flooding
Travelers heading to Mexico’s Pacific coast should keep a close eye on the weather as another powerful storm threatens communities still recovering from previous hurricanes. Areas around Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas have experienced weeks of heavy rain, flooding and mudslides, leaving residents exhausted and concerned about what’s coming next. Los Angeles Times

Singapore Airlines Flight Returns to SFO After Unruly Passenger Incident
A Singapore Airlines flight from San Francisco to Singapore was forced to return to SFO Wednesday after an unruly passenger reportedly injured himself onboard. Flight SQ31 landed back in San Francisco around 8:40 p.m., nearly nine hours after its scheduled departure, and the passenger was turned over to local authorities. San Francisco Chronicle

New York City’s Iconic Plaza Hotel Is Closing for Four Years
One of New York City’s most famous hotels is preparing for a massive four-year shutdown, and it turns out some residents knew about the plans long before the public announcement. The Plaza, famous for its luxury accommodations and appearances in movies like Home Alone 2, is facing an extended closure that could also complicate condo sales inside the landmark building. New York Post

France Protests Turn Violent With 1,800 Arrests and Buildings Set on Fire
Travelers visiting France should be aware of widespread demonstrations that have turned violent in several cities. Police arrested at least 1,800 people following clashes, looting and fires during protests over the rising cost of living and conditions in schools. In Limoges, a historic 19th-century city hall was badly damaged by a fire authorities say was deliberately set. Associated Press

15 Strangers Show Up at SFO for a Mystery Trip and One Wins a Flight to Fiji
Now this is a fun travel promotion! Fifteen strangers arrived at San Francisco International Airport with their passports and packed bags, knowing only that one lucky person would be boarding a flight to a mystery destination. The surprise turned out to be Fiji, giving one traveler an unforgettable adventure while the others went home with quite a story. San Francisco Chronicle

Salem Is Seeing Huge Halloween Crowds and Visitors Should Plan Accordingly
If you’re thinking about visiting Salem, Massachusetts, for Halloween, be prepared for some serious crowds. The city welcomed approximately 136,500 visitors on a single Saturday, a 12% increase over the same weekend last year. With Halloween tourism continuing to grow, taking the train instead of driving might be your best bet for avoiding traffic and parking headaches. CBS Boston

Trespasser Detained After Entering Denver International Airport Airfield
Denver International Airport confirmed that police detained a person who allegedly entered a restricted area on the north side of the airfield Saturday afternoon. The incident happened around 2:30 p.m., and the individual was subsequently transported to the University of Colorado Hospital. Authorities have not released additional details about how the person accessed the area. CBS Colorado

American Airlines Plans to Make LAX Its Pacific Gateway Again
This is big news for American Airlines flyers, especially those of us based in Los Angeles. American’s Chief Commercial Officer Nat Pieper confirmed that the airline plans to restore LAX as its Pacific gateway, reversing a pandemic-era strategy that reduced its international focus there. The news came during an interview with aviation blogger Brett Snyder, and it could eventually mean more international flight options for travelers departing Los Angeles. Cranky Flier

Unusually Strong El Niño Brings Rare and Exotic Marine Life to California
California’s coastline is seeing some extraordinary visitors thanks to unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters associated with a strong El Niño. Scientists have spotted species rarely or never seen in the state, including the longfin bigeye fish, venomous yellow-bellied sea snakes, whale sharks and hammerhead sharks. Even more remarkable, sea turtles have reportedly nested on California beaches for the first time. Reuters

=== Thursday, October 15 ===

United Airlines Makes It Harder to Earn Top-Tier Elite Status United is changing how MileagePlus members qualify for Premier status by eliminating flight segments as a qualifying option. Members will have to earn status through qualifying points from airfare and eligible credit card spending, and reaching the coveted Premier 1K tier will become even harder. CNBC

Delta Is Upgrading Delta One With New Suites, Dining and More Perks Delta is giving its premium international cabin a makeover, including new suites on its largest Airbus A350 aircraft starting next year, upgraded menus, new dinnerware and Blanton’s bourbon. The airline is also expanding its fleet of Porsche vehicles used to transport select premium passengers between flights. CNBC

Lufthansa Wins $1.3 Billion Deal for Nearly Half of TAP Air Portugal Lufthansa has beaten Air France-KLM in the race to acquire a 49.9% stake in TAP Air Portugal for approximately $1.34 billion. The Portuguese government will retain a controlling 50.1% stake in the airline as it moves forward with privatization. The Wall Street Journal

Breeze Airways Adds Four New Destinations and Expands Myrtle Beach Service Breeze Airways is expanding its network in 2027 with service to Boston, Buffalo, Latrobe, Pennsylvania and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The airline also plans a major expansion at Myrtle Beach, adding flights to 11 more destinations throughout the year. Travel Weekly

Frontier Airlines Is Cutting 19 Routes From Denver Frontier Airlines plans to eliminate 19 routes from Denver International Airport by the end of 2026 as it reshapes its network. The budget carrier has also been adjusting its schedule to attract travelers in markets affected by Spirit Airlines’ shutdown earlier this year. If you’re flying Frontier, it’s worth keeping an eye on your reservations. 9NEWS

New Federal Rule Identifies 10 Flight Disruptions Outside Airlines’ Control A new federal rule taking effect October 19 identifies 10 situations airlines aren’t responsible for, including disruptions caused by unruly passengers or a death onboard. That distinction matters because airlines generally aren’t required to provide the meal vouchers, hotel accommodations or other assistance they’ve promised for delays within their control. The Press Democrat

American Airlines Passenger Who Was Duct-Taped to Seat Could Face 20 Years in Prison A 67-year-old Arizona man who was restrained with duct tape during an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark has been federally indicted. Prosecutors allege he assaulted another passenger and interfered with the flight crew, forcing an emergency landing in Baltimore. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Newsweek

Charlotte Airport Plans Massive $2.1 Billion Expansion Charlotte Douglas International Airport is preparing for another major round of improvements with a proposed $2.1 billion development program called CLT Beyond. The investment is nearly four times the size of the airport’s previous capital program and would support future growth at one of America’s busiest airline hubs. Axios

Close Call at LaGuardia: Delta Flight Avoids Business Jet That Took Off Without Clearance A Delta regional jet had to abort its landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport after a business jet reportedly took off without clearance on October 7. Flight data indicates the aircraft came within approximately 1,000 feet of each other. Thankfully, the Delta pilots performed a go-around and both planes avoided a collision. People

Israel Turns Away Ethiopian Airlines Flight Over Pilot’s Nationality An Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight headed to Tel Aviv was forced to turn around midflight after Israeli authorities reportedly denied landing permission because one of its pilots was Indonesian. The incident appears to reflect stricter enforcement of existing nationality-related restrictions. The Telegraph

JetBlue’s New Domestic First Class Is Now on Sale JetBlue is introducing BlueFirst, its new domestic first-class product, beginning December 8 on select routes, including Fort Lauderdale to Boston. Passengers can expect reclining seats, extra legroom and priority boarding as JetBlue expands its premium offerings in an effort to improve profitability. CNBC

Ryanair and easyJet Cancel Thousands of Flights as Fuel Costs Soar Travelers flying around Europe this winter could face major disruptions as Ryanair and easyJet cancel thousands of flights amid surging fuel prices. European jet fuel prices have reportedly climbed to approximately $196 per barrel, roughly double their level at the beginning of the year. If you’re booked on either airline, check your flight status and know your rights regarding refunds and rebooking. The Telegraph

=== Tuesday, October 13 ===

FAA warns airlines about flight risks in Saudi Arabia
The FAA is warning U.S. airlines about increased safety risks when flying in or near Saudi Arabia following attacks on Riyadh’s airport. The warning comes as Delta prepares to launch its first nonstop flight between Atlanta and Riyadh later this month, though the airline says it hasn’t decided whether the inaugural flight will go ahead as scheduled. CNBC

New Hollywood Burbank Airport terminal opens to passengers today
It’s a big day for Southern California travelers. Starting today, all arriving and departing flights at Hollywood Burbank Airport will operate from the airport’s brand-new 14-gate, 355,000-square-foot terminal, replacing the old terminal at the nearly 100-year-old airport. Daily News

Cruise passenger rescued after going overboard
A Royal Caribbean passenger who went overboard was found alive by a cargo ship participating in the search. The woman was reportedly conscious when rescuers found her in the early hours of Oct. 10 after spotting the flashing light from a lifebuoy. USA Today

Bridge upgrade expected to cause five weeks of headaches for New Jersey commuters
Good luck commuting between New Jersey and Manhattan over the next several weeks. A major bridge upgrade beginning today is expected to disrupt bus, ferry and train service, with the headaches potentially lasting five weeks. The New York Times

Paris’ oldest food market destroyed by fire
Paris’ historic Marché Couvert des Enfants Rouges was destroyed by an early-morning fire Monday. About 150 firefighters and 50 vehicles responded to the blaze in the popular Haut Marais neighborhood, and the cause remains under investigation. The Telegraph

Selma Blair in custody after alleged incident aboard flight
Actress Selma Blair was taken into custody following an alleged incident aboard a commercial flight from Los Angeles to New York on Sunday night in which flight attendants were reportedly injured. As of Monday afternoon, she was at central booking at Queens Criminal Court, according to a law enforcement source. CNN

Qantas flight grounded after bedbugs found on plane
Here’s one travel nightmare no one wants to experience: A Qantas flight from Rome to Australia was canceled after bedbugs were discovered on the aircraft. Passengers on the previous nearly 17-hour flight from Perth to Rome had reportedly complained about being bitten. BBC

New Sonoma County airport service will let travelers skip SFO security lines
This is pretty cool: Starting Nov. 17, travelers will be able to check their bags and clear security at Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport before taking a bus directly onto the airfield at SFO. The new “Straight to Gate” service will offer eight round trips a day, with one-way adult fares of $55 and kids 15 and younger riding free with a paying adult. The Press Democrat

One dead in another attack on Riyadh airport
One person was killed and 11 others were injured in another attack on Riyadh’s international airport Sunday, just a day after a Houthi-claimed strike killed 13 people and injured more than 300. Saudi authorities said an unidentified projectile targeted Terminal 4 and caused a fire. Reuters

Man dies after entering tiger enclosure at wildlife park
A man was killed by a tiger after entering its enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England. Witnesses said a woman desperately tried to stop him from jumping into the enclosure, and the park has since confirmed that the tiger will not be euthanized. The Independent

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park closes trails amid Kilauea uncertainty
Kilauea is experiencing its longest pause between lava-fountaining episodes since the current eruption began in December 2024, and scientists aren’t sure what will happen next. The uncertainty has prompted additional trail closures at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so travelers heading there should check conditions before visiting. Travel Weekly

Passenger jet makes emergency landing after power bank catches fire
Another reminder of why lithium batteries don’t belong in checked luggage: A passenger jet in India made an emergency landing Sunday after a power bank stored in a bag in an overhead bin caught fire. Video reportedly shows passengers scrambling as cabin crew worked to extinguish the flames. Daily Mail