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):

=== Wednesday, January 28 === 

Southwest Ends Open Seating, Closing a Quirky Chapter in Flying
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, Southwest Airlines became a little more like all the other U.S. carriers. Right before boarding my 6:05 a.m. departure from New York, even Southwest employees acknowledged it. “It’s going to be the same process as every other airline does it,” the gate agent working my flight to Nashville said. Southwest, the carrier once known for its quirks, officially moved from first-come, first-served seating to assigned seats. USA Today

NTSB Recommends Actions at Hearing on Deadly Midair Collision Near Washington, DC
National Transportation Safety Board members were deeply troubled Tuesday over years of ignored warnings about helicopter traffic dangers and other problems, long before an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk collided a year ago, killing 67 people near Washington, D.C. AP News

This Is Grim: Tourism in Cuba Plummets Amid U.S. Tensions
Tourism in Cuba is plummeting at a time when the island desperately needs that revenue, with the number of visitors dropping by more than half since 2018. For almost two decades, a steady stream of visitors sparked a boom in tourism, only for the COVID-19 pandemic and severe blackouts to hit, coupled with increased U.S. sanctions. Travel Industry Today

Dollar Crumbles After Trump Remarks; Euro, Yen, Sterling Surge
The U.S. dollar was grappling with a “crisis of confidence” as it struggled near four-year lows on Wednesday after President Donald Trump brushed off its recent weakness, exacerbating the dollar selling and lifting the yen, euro and sterling. The euro breached past the $1.2 level for the first time since 2021 and was at $1.2015, a tad weaker on the day, while sterling was also near its highest level since 2021 at $1.3823 in early Asian hours. Reuters

Australian Dollar Surges to Three-Year High in ‘Absolutely Momentous’ Change: What It Means for You
Australia’s currency has reached a three-year high against its American counterpart – and looks poised for further gains in welcome news for Aussies considering international travel. On Wednesday morning, the dollar reached 70.1 US cents after a 1.4 per cent jump, which City Index analyst Matt Simpson described as an ‘absolutely momentous move to the upside’. Daily Mail

American Airlines Projects Revenue Growth for 2026, Misses Earnings Estimates for Fourth Quarter
American Airlines projected Tuesday that its focus on premium will “begin delivering results in 2026” as the carrier races to catch up to its far more profitable rivals and capitalize on strong demand from high-spending customers. The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline projected it will deliver nearly $2 of improvement in adjusted earnings per share at the midpoint over last year. American also expects to earn 7% to 10% more revenue in the first three months of 2026 compared with 2025. CNBC

Outcry After France’s Famed TGV Rail Service Bans Children From New Premium-Class Carriage
France’s famed high-speed rail service TGV INOUI is facing a backlash after introducing a new premium-class carriage that bans children. As of January 8, national rail operator SNCF has been offering “Optimum” class on many TGV INOUI routes to and from Paris, according to the ticket-selling SNCF Connect website. As well as flexible tickets and a dedicated customer service, the offer promises a “dedicated 1st-class carriage” designed for “privacy” and “access to a quiet, dedicated space on board.” CNN

Boeing Just Turned a Rare Profit. Its Problems May Be Coming to an End
Boeing just announced the end of years of deep financial losses, a turnaround for a company after nearly seven years of bad news. The US aircraft maker reported $8.2 billion in net profit in the fourth quarter, its first profitable period in more than three years thanks to the sale of a unit that made airline software. This is only Boeing’s third quarterly profit since early 2019, which was the beginning of a 20-month grounding of its 737 Max planes following two fatal crashes that killed 346 people. The pause contributed to $47 billion in total core operating losses for Boeing. MSN

Snow Leopard Attacks Skier in China’s Xinjiang Region
A tourist was mauled by a rare snow leopard in northwest China on Friday after trying to get closer for a photo, according to authorities and state media. The tourist, a skier, was bitten in Koktokay town in China’s Xinjiang region, while on their way back to their hotel, according to the county’s Forestry and Grassland Bureau. CNN

San Francisco Issues Warning as Mountain Lion Roams City Streets
A young mountain lion has been spotted prowling the streets of downtown San Francisco as officials have warned people in the area to take caution. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management issued an alert late Monday evening saying that the mountain lion was spotted in the Pacific Heights neighborhood near the intersection of Octavia Street and Pacific Avenue, just north of Lafayette Park. ABC News

Ex-FIFA President Sepp Blatter Joins Those Calling for Boycott of World Cup in United States
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday backed a proposed fan boycott of World Cup matches in the United States because of the conduct of President Donald Trump and his administration at home and abroad. Blatter was the latest international soccer figure to call into question the suitability of the United States as a host country. He called for the boycott in a post on X that supported Mark Pieth’s comments in an interview last week with the Swiss newspaper Der Bund. AP

United To Take Chicago by Force, Will Hit 750 Peak Day Departures
What a difference a day makes. After writing about the escalating war between United and American yesterday, United has decided it is done messing around. The airline is announcing this morning that it is adding five new cities from Chicago and is going to soar to 750 peak day departures this summer. On a call yesterday with media, United EVP Communications and Advertising Josh Earnest said this isn’t about gaining linear gate frontage — the proxy that O’Hare uses for divvying up gates. Instead, he said it’s about obliterating a competitor. Cranky Flier

=== Monday, January 26 === 

Near-Record Number of Flights Canceled As Storm Sweeps U.S.
Widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain threatened nearly 180 million people — more than half the U.S. population — in a path stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England, the National Weather Service said Saturday night. More than 11,400 flights were canceled on Sunday, according to FlightAware, and aviation analytics firm Cirium said the storm is the highest experienced cancellation event since the pandemic. Travel Weekly

See Snow Totals Across The U.S., Including NYC, Boston
As of midnight Monday, Jan. 26, 11.4 inches of snow had fallen in Central Park. Westchester County, New York, saw between 10 and 17 inches, while Long Island measured up to 13 inches in Suffolk County and 15 inches in Nassau County. Western New York recorded more than a foot, with some areas reaching 17 inches. USA Today

Millions Of Americans Digging Out After Monster Storm Face Days Of Bitter Cold
Tens of millions of Americans were digging out Monday after a monster winter storm dumped up to a foot of snow from New Mexico to New England, paralyzed large portions of the eastern U.S., scuttled thousands of flights and caused widespread power outages. Reuters

Canadians’ Boycott Of U.S. Travel Hits Ski Resorts Hard: Report
Canadians are reportedly boycotting American ski resorts to protest President Trump’s tariffs and remarks about making Canada the “51st State,” leading resort owners to panic over season passholder numbers. The tensions have already begun affecting winter tourism. New York Post

European Airline Becomes Latest To Launch Free Wi-Fi On Board
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has introduced free, unlimited Wi-Fi on its European flights, rolling out the service in phases across most aircraft used for short-haul routes. Daily Mail

U.S. Coast Guard Helps Free Cruise Ship Stuck In Antarctic Ice
The U.S. Coast Guard responded after Scenic Eclipse II became beset in ice during an Antarctica voyage, about eight nautical miles from McMurdo Sound. The incident occurred Jan. 17 and was confirmed in a Jan. 23 release. USA Today

Canadian Teen’s Death On Untamed Australian Island Puts Spotlight On Its Inhabitants
Nineteen-year-old Piper James was found dead after going for a morning swim on K’gari, a national park island off Australia’s eastern coast known for roaming dingoes. The incident has renewed scrutiny on human-wildlife interactions there. BBC

For Greenland Tourism, Trump’s Interest Creates Uncertainty
President Trump’s renewed desire to acquire Greenland has driven curiosity and tourism interest, benefiting some local businesses — but also creating uncertainty about the future and political implications. New York Times

Australian Open Alters Schedule Over Extreme Heat
Tournament organizers adjusted the schedule again as temperatures in Melbourne are expected to reach 42C, postponing wheelchair events and moving outside-court matches to earlier in the day. BBC

San Francisco Giants Outfielder Jung Hoo Lee Detained By Immigration Agents At LAX
Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was detained by Customs and Border Protection after forgetting documents in Korea, according to Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s office. The team confirmed the incident. CBS LA

Charter Bus That Caught Fire On I-95 Was Headed To Massachusetts During CT Travel Ban
A charter bus carrying 55 passengers and a driver caught fire while traveling during Connecticut’s storm-related highway ban. Six people were taken to the hospital, officials said. CT Insider

Airbnb Rules Have Literally Split This Bay Area Beach Town In Two
Pacifica, California’s strict new short-term rental regulations have already led to an exodus of permitted Airbnbs, dividing residents and reshaping the town’s housing landscape. SF Chronicle

=== Sunday, January 25 === 

US Airlines And Airports Brace For A Brutal Travel Day Amid Massive Winter Storm
A massive winter storm set the stage for a brutal travel day Sunday, with airlines warning of widespread cancellations and delays at some of the nation’s busiest airports. Widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain threatened nearly 180 million people — more than half the U.S. population — in a path stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England, the National Weather Service said Saturday night. After sweeping through the South, forecasters said the storm was expected to move into the Northeast, dumping about 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) of snow from Washington through New York and Boston. (AP)

Air France, KLM Pause Flights To Middle East, Including Dubai, Israel
At least two European airlines have suspended flights to cities in the Middle East, with Air France saying it will temporarily stop service to Dubai as it continues to monitor the “geopolitical situation”. Dutch airline KLM also halted flights until further notice to cities in Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia and would not fly through the airspace of several countries in the region, including Iraq and Iran, according to the Netherlands’ state broadcaster NOS. (Al Jazeera

Air India Cancels New York, Newark Flights Due To US Winter Storm
Air India said on Saturday it had canceled all flights to and from New York and Newark, New Jersey, for Sunday and Monday as a severe winter storm with heavy snow is forecast for the area. Winter Storm Fern is disrupting U.S. air travel, prompting airlines to cancel flights, warn of delays and issue travel waivers as ice, snow and strong winds sweep across major hubs and regional airports in the South, East and central parts of the country. MSN

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Announces Ban On Hotel Hidden Fees
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has announced a policy aimed at eliminating hidden fees and unexpected credit card holds in the hotel industry. According to the City of New York, the directive addresses charges often listed as “resort fees” or “hospitality service fees,” as well as surprise credit card holds, with an estimated annual savings for consumers of around $46 million. Hoodline

Car Crashes Into Detroit Airport, Injures Six
Officials are investigating after a car drove through the entrance to Detroit Metro Airport’s McNamara Terminal on Friday, Jan. 23. The crash took place about 7:30 p.m. Friday and the vehicle hit a ticket counter, the Wayne County Airport Authority said in a statement. USA Today

Chicago O’Hare Becomes America’s Busiest Airport, Surpassing Atlanta For The First Time Since 2019
For the first time in more than half a decade, the busiest airport in the United States is not in Atlanta. According to operations data from the Federal Aviation Administration, Chicago O’Hare International Airport was the busiest American airport in 2025, with 857,392 takeoffs and landings, a 10.5% increase from 2024. Men’s Journal

American Rock Climber Alex Honnold Reaches Top Of Taipei 101 Skyscraper Without Ropes
American rock climber Alex Honnold ascended the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Sunday without any ropes or protective equipment. Cheers erupted from a street-level crowd as he reached the top of the spire of the 508-meter (1,667-foot) tower about 90 minutes after he started. Wearing a red short-sleeve shirt, he waved his arms back and forth over his head. ABC7 San Francisco

US Spending Deal Provides Funding For 2,500 New Air Traffic Controllers
A bipartisan spending deal announced by U.S. lawmakers Tuesday provides funding for 2,500 air traffic controllers and $2.4 billion for U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak, while cutting funds for electric vehicle charging and high-speed rail. The congressional funding deal also includes $514 million to subsidize air services to rural communities, known as the Essential Air Service program, rejecting a White House proposal to cut the program by 50%, and boosts annual funding to modernize air traffic control towers by $824 million. Reuters

These Caribbean Islands Were Bought By US. Now They Have A Message For Greenland.
Traces of Denmark’s 250-year imperial reign are still visible on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and the smattering of tiny islets that today make up the U.S. Virgin Islands. Cities and street signs hold Danish names, like Frederiksted; buildings feature yellowish-red bricks brought on boats across the Atlantic; and the stone facades of sugar plantations where enslaved Africans were forced to labor still stand. USA Today

Now Boarding The Freedom Plane: Precious Founding-Era Documents From The National Archives
Nearly a dozen 18th-century documents will travel to eight cities across the U.S., aboard a jet called the Freedom Plane, to honor the 250th anniversary of American independence. New York Times

TSA Is Expanding Touchless ID To More U.S. Airports
The Touchless ID program began in March 2021 at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in partnership with Delta and United, according to the TSA representative. Then in June 2022, the program expanded to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Since then, the program has become available at Los Angeles International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport with Delta Air Lines. TSA then launched the service in partnership with United at Los Angeles International Airport and O’Hare International Airport. Qualifying Alaska Airlines passengers traveling through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will be able to use the program as well. AFAR

Why ‘Slow Travel’ Is About To Be 2026’s Biggest Vacation Trend
Farcia Harvey considers herself to be pretty well traveled. The 27-year-old has crossed off New York City, New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Barcelona and Madrid from her travel bucket list. But one of her favorite trips was her 2024 birthday trip to Cincinnati, of all places. “I think about that trip to Cincinnati genuinely all of the time,” Harvey tells CNBC Make It, saying she wanted somewhere not too far from her home at the time in Nashville, but not a staycation either. “It’s one of the best memories I have for my birthday, and it’s something that to this day, me and my friends still talk about.” CNBC

=== January 23 === 

Winter Storm Updates: Ice, Snow Storm Set To Unleash Dangerous Impacts For 200M
Governors across more than a dozen states from the South to the Mid-Atlantic have issued states of emergencies or preparedness ahead of the greatest impacts from what is expected to be the largest winter storm of the season. AccuWeather

United Plans Changes To Its Frequent Flyer Program
United Airlines is planning structural changes to the MileagePlus program. The move, chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella said Wednesday, will orient the program more toward rewarding loyalty rather than offering quick enticements to attract new members. The carrier has yet to offer details on how MileagePlus will change. Those can be expected in the next 10 weeks to three months, Nocella said during the airline’s earnings call. Travel Weekly

American Airlines Adds New Nonstop Flights From LAX
American Airlines is expanding its Los Angeles footprint, announcing new daily, year-round nonstop flights out of Los Angeles International Airport beginning this spring. Starting April 7, the airline will launch new service from LAX to Cleveland and Washington Dulles International Airport, with both routes operated on Boeing 737 aircraft, the company said Thursday. KTLA

At Check-In, Your Face Is Increasingly Your ID
Travelers can expect biometric technology to spread at U.S. airports this year. The tech will speed things up at security and customs and immigration checkpoints, as well as during the boarding process, allowing passengers to keep their documents in their pockets. Passengers are also likely to encounter more e-gates, or physical barriers that use facial recognition to verify a traveler’s identity and authorization to be in the United States, as they board international flights, raising worries among some privacy experts and immigration activists. The New York Times

Former Flight Attendant Accused Of Posing As Pilot To Get Free Flights
A former Canadian flight attendant has been accused of fraudulently obtaining hundreds of free flights from US airlines by posing as both a commercial pilot and a serving cabin crew member, authorities have revealed. Dallas Pokornik, 33, from Toronto, was apprehended in Panama following his indictment on wire fraud charges in a Hawaiian federal court last October. He entered a plea of not guilty on Tuesday, subsequent to his extradition. The Independent

3 Tourists Gunned Down At Florida Rental Home; Suspect Charged
Three people were gunned down at a Florida rental home Saturday afternoon, authorities said. Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon said at 12:14 p.m., his deputies responded to a shots fired call at the the Indian Point subdivision near Kissimmee, Florida. WFLA

Hotels Are Getting Rid Of Proper Bathroom Doors And Guests Are Revolting
First they came for the closets. Then they took the bathtubs. Now, hotels are stripping away the only thing separating us from the animals: the bathroom door. Guests are waving goodbye to the luxury of a fully-closable opaque barrier between the restroom and bedroom, checking in to find sliding barn doors, curtains, strategically placed walls and other replacements that aren’t as proficient in the art of noise and smell containment. WSJ

United Air Warns Of Geopolitical Disruptions Hurting ‘Hot’ 2026
United Airlines Holdings Inc. warned that geopolitical tensions risk disrupting what’s been “a pretty hot start to the year.” Chicago-based United remains exposed to fallout between global powers due to its extensive long-haul network, Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby said during an interview on Bloomberg television after the carrier reported better-than-expected financial results. Bloomberg

Disneyland Is Pivoting On ‘Star Wars’ Land. Here’s Why
Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is turning back the clock. In a shift from its original ambitions, the land will no longer be primarily set in the time period of the recent “Star Wars” sequels. That means modern villain Kylo Ren will be out, at least as a walk-around character, while so-called “classic” characters such as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa will make their way into the fictional galactic town of Black Spire Outpost. LA Times

Ski Areas Get Creative As Low Snowfall Threatens Season
With the holiday rush building up on Dec. 23, ski areas across Colorado struggled to open even 20% of their terrain because of historically low snowpack. But Monarch Mountain, located along the Continental Divide in the center of the state, had 51 of 77 runs open. Travel Weekly

American Airlines Is Changing Up Its Drink Cart With Cult-Favorite Non-Alcoholic Options
For travelers who want a drink in the air—just not that kind of drink—American Airlines is making a much-appreciated change. Starting Feb. 1, American will begin offering non-alcoholic beer on flights, officially adding Athletic Brewing Company’s Free Wave Hazy IPA to its inflight lineup. It’s the first non-alcoholic beer American has ever served onboard, and it signals a broader shift in how airlines are thinking about inflight drinking—more choice, less pressure and options that feel current. Parade

How A Travel Writer Became Timothée Chalamet’s Ping-Pong Nemesis
By Pico Iyer: The author’s TED Talk “What Ping-Pong Taught Me About Life” has been viewed more than two million times. Jan. 9, 2026. “I’m guessing you don’t get angry very often,” the film director Josh Safdie was saying to me on Zoom, about 18 months ago. We’d never met or spoken, but he’d seen me onscreen. NYTimes