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):

=== Thursday, August 27 ===

Dozens of Americans and Canadians Missing After Deadly Nepal Flooding
Dozens of U.S. and Canadian citizens are among hundreds reported missing after devastating flash floods and mudslides near the Nepal-Tibet border, with authorities reporting more than 150 deaths so far. The U.S. State Department says Americans were impacted but has not released specific numbers. BBC

U.S. Airlines Are Returning to Tel Aviv
U.S. carriers are steadily restoring Israel service, with Delta resuming daily JFK-Tel Aviv flights Sept. 6 and United bringing back twice-daily Newark service Sept. 8. American Airlines is taking a more cautious approach, with its JFK-Tel Aviv return currently planned for March. Travel Weekly

Will the U.S.-Canada Trade War Affect Your Trip?
Despite escalating tariffs and political tensions between the U.S. and Canada, the border remains open and travelers aren’t expected to see an immediate impact on the cost of visiting either country. USA Today

Home of Florida Couple Killed in Kenya Helicopter Crash Burglarized
Days after South Florida couple Henry Parra and Adam Hlavaty were killed in a helicopter crash in Kenya, burglars allegedly ransacked their Coral Gables home and stole more than $500,000 worth of property, including their cars. Police say the break-in happened sometime in the days following the Aug. 19 crash. MSN

Thousands Back Renaming Nashville Airport for Dolly Parton
A petition to rename Nashville’s airport in honor of Dolly Parton is gaining thousands of signatures following the country music legend’s death at age 80. Tributes have poured in for the Tennessee icon, celebrating both her extraordinary career and decades of philanthropy. iHeart

Airport Worker Dies After Malaria-Carrying Mosquito Arrives by Plane
Five workers at Frankfurt Airport contracted malaria and one died after apparently being bitten by an infected mosquito that arrived aboard an aircraft. Because none of the employees had recently traveled to a malaria-endemic area, health officials say diagnosing the unusual cases was delayed. The Telegraph

TSA Scraps Its “Gold+” Airport Security Privatization Plan
TSA is dropping its new Gold+ privatization initiative after airports showed little appetite for the program, including Tampa International, which opted to stick with TSA officers. Private screening isn’t going away, though—the agency plans to expand its existing Screening Partnership Program instead. Federal News Network

United CEO Says Airfares Could Keep Climbing in 2027
Don’t expect much relief from higher airfares next year. United CEO Scott Kirby says strong travel demand should lead to gradual fare increases during the first half of 2027, although he expects the jump to be smaller than this year’s. Reuters

Another Laptop Fire Highlights Airlines’ Growing Battery Problem
A second laptop fire involving American Airlines this year is putting another spotlight on the risks posed by lithium batteries aboard aircraft. With travelers carrying multiple battery-powered devices on the average flight, aviation insurers increasingly view the threat as a broader, systemic risk rather than a string of isolated incidents. Insurance Business

British Traveler Returns to Singapore—and Gets Arrested for an Airport Theft
A 26-year-old British man was arrested after returning to Singapore more than two years after he allegedly stole a denim jacket from a mannequin at Jewel Changi Airport. Apparently, some airport souvenirs have a very long return policy. Daily Mail

Should You Cancel a Puerto Rico Trip Because of the Water Crisis?
Puerto Rico is grappling with drought, low reservoir levels, aging infrastructure and a major aqueduct rupture that has forced water rationing around San Juan, impacting more than 180,000 households. Travelers don’t necessarily need to cancel, but checking directly with hotels about their water supply and backup systems before arriving is a smart move. USA Today

Why Do We Sometimes Come Home From a Trip Acting Like Someone Else?
Ever returned from vacation with a new wardrobe, new habits—or even a suspiciously new accent? There’s a reason travel can reshape how we present ourselves: immersing ourselves in another culture can influence everything from speech patterns and mannerisms to our sense of identity. BBC Travel

Disney Cruise Line Is Returning to New York City
Disney Cruise Line is heading back to New York for the first time since 2023, with Disney Wish scheduled for seven special sailings in fall 2027. The four- to seven-night itineraries will include five cruises to Bermuda following the ship’s inaugural European season. TravelPulse

Southwest Passenger Posts $1,000+ Voucher Online—and Strangers Spend It
Here’s your reminder not to post travel vouchers online. A Southwest passenger shared a photo of her $1,000-plus denied-boarding voucher on Threads, only to discover strangers had used the information to book flights until just $6.07 remained. View From The Wing

=== Tuesday, August 25 ===

United Airlines Announces Its Largest International Expansion Ever — 10 New Cities and More International Routes Coming in 2027
United Airlines is going big internationally in 2027 with the largest network expansion in its history. The airline is adding 10 new destinations across Europe and Asia, including eight cities no other U.S. airline will serve nonstop from the U.S., plus additional routes and the international rollout of its new Airbus A321XLR. Johnny Jet

Tourism Boom Pushes Athens Air Traffic Control to Its Limits
Greece’s tourism boom is putting serious pressure on Athens air traffic controllers, who say the skies are becoming increasingly difficult to manage during peak season. With planes piling up on their screens, controllers warn there’s little room left for additional traffic. AFP

Feds Say Two Arrested in 24-Pound Fentanyl Handoff Inside LAX Bathroom
Federal authorities say an LAX worker and another man were arrested after allegedly attempting to transfer more than 24 pounds of fentanyl inside a men’s restroom at one of the airport’s terminals. Authorities had reportedly been monitoring the two before the Aug. 19 exchange. KTLA

The ‘Let’s Buy Spirit Airlines’ Campaign Failed—Now It Wants Fans to Fund a New ‘Costco of Airlines’
Remember the viral campaign to buy Spirit Airlines? That never got off the ground, but the group behind it is now pitching “Spirit 2.0,” a new airline concept that hopes to turn its large online following into investors and prepaid passengers. View From the Wing

airBaltic Is Shrinking Because Winter Sucks
airBaltic has spent years pursuing ambitious growth with its fleet of Airbus A220s, but the Latvian carrier is now scaling back and shifting priorities. The underlying problem is a familiar one for European airlines: winter demand makes it much harder to profitably deploy all that capacity year-round. Cranky Flier

Three Cyclists Die in One Week in Hit-and-Runs in New York City
Three e-bike riders were killed in hit-and-run crashes in New York City in a single week, bringing the number of cyclists killed this year to 17. Cycling advocates say the deaths underscore the urgent need for additional street-safety improvements. The New York Times

Hotel Off Las Vegas Strip Admits to Taking Bookings for Fake Rooms
Here’s a reminder to look closely before booking a hotel online: The OYO Hotel near the Las Vegas Strip admitted it was behind listings for seemingly different, more upscale hotels called Palette and Collection O. The listings reportedly used altered images of the existing OYO property and appeared on major booking sites including Expedia. SFGATE

Southwest Flight Attendant Mysteriously Found Dead During Hawaii Layover
A Southwest Airlines flight attendant was found dead in Waikiki while on a layover, and her family says they’re still searching for answers about what happened. Relatives say they were told the 50-year-old appeared to have fallen from the balcony of her 24th-floor room at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The Daily Beast

Cruise Ship Cap on Portugal’s Douro River Gets Applause From Travel Advisors
Portugal’s Douro River has apparently reached its limit for river cruise ships, with the port authority telling cruise lines that maximum capacity for “hotel ships” has been reached. There are currently about 30 river ships operating on the Douro, and some travel advisors say limiting further growth could help protect the region from overtourism. Travel Weekly

Tourist Falls 120 Feet Trying to Get a Better View at Glacier National Park—and Survives
A 60-year-old tourist remarkably survived a 120-foot fall at Glacier National Park after the ground reportedly gave way as he moved closer to get a better view of McDonald Falls. He landed in a creek and was helped by a Good Samaritan after the frightening plunge. New York Post

Europe’s Hottest Town Says Climate Change Is Reshaping Daily Life
Five years after Floridia, Sicily, recorded Europe’s highest-ever temperature, locals say extreme heat is increasingly affecting everyday life rather than just making headlines. Residents describe spending more time indoors, socializing less and worrying about the impact of prolonged heat on their livelihoods. Reuters

Southwest Airlines Is Turning Nashville Into a Caribbean Gateway With New Aruba Flight
Southwest Airlines is continuing to build Nashville into a bigger international gateway with new service to Aruba. The route gives travelers another nonstop option for reaching the popular Caribbean island and expands Southwest’s growing international footprint from Nashville. Caribbean Journal

=== 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