12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today

I travel to 20+ countries a year sharing my firsthand knowledge of reward travel, travel credit card deals, travel tips and more.

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

Monday, May 5
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,761,985 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, May 4

Trump says he will reopen Alcatraz prison
President Donald Trump says he is directing his government to reopen and expand Alcatraz, the notorious former prison on a hard-to-reach California island that has been closed for more than 60 years. In a post on his Truth Social site Sunday evening, Trump wrote that, “For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering. When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.” AP

United cutting 35 flights per day from Newark Airport as problems persist
Delays persisted Saturday at Newark Liberty International Airport. There were at least 377 delays and 82 cancellations throughout the day, according to FlightAware. This comes a day after United Airlines announced it’d be cutting 35 flights per day from Newark due to persistent equipment and staffing issues. CBS News

U.S. offers migrants free airline tickets and $1,000 stipend if they self-deport
The Trump administration announced Monday it will offer immigrants in the U.S. illegally free airline tickets and a $1,000 incentive if they sign up for self-deportation and return to their home countries voluntarily. The Department of Homeland Security said it has helped some migrants obtain flight tickets, so they can return to their native countries in the next two weeks. A migrant has already returned to Honduras using the self-deportation program to book a flight out of Chicago, the department added. CBS News

Airbnb CFO: ‘Absolutely have seen a decline in popularity of foreign travelers coming to the US’
Airbnb (ABNB) says that international travelers are increasingly skipping visits to the US, an indication that President Trump’s trade war may be impacting consumer preferences. “We absolutely have seen a decline in popularity of foreign travelers coming to the US,” Airbnb CFO Ellie Mertz told analysts during the company’s first quarter earnings call on Thursday. She added, “It’s less popular to come to the US from a year ago also relative to the beginning of the year.” Yahoo

Travel chaos in Spain as theft delays thousands of train passengers
Travel chaos erupted across Spain on Monday as a brazen cable theft crippled the high-speed rail link between Madrid and Seville, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and delayed. The theft, which targeted the crucial signalling system cables at four separate locations late Sunday, threw the busy route into disarray, particularly impacting those returning to the capital after the holiday weekend. NewsBreak

Battle lines drawn over proposed $30 minimum wage for L.A. tourism workers
A contentious $30 minimum wage proposal for tourism workers has sparked fierce opposition in Los Angeles, with hoteliers warning it could cripple an industry still reeling from January’s wildfires and the pandemic. On April 29, tourism stakeholders gathered at Los Angeles City Hall to oppose an amendment to the city’s Living Wage Ordinance and Hotel Workers Minimum Wage Ordinance. The proposed measure, nicknamed the “Olympic Wage Ordinance,” would incrementally raise minimum wages for airport workers and employees of hotels with more than 60 rooms to $30 per hour by 2028, coinciding with the Los Angeles Olympics. Travel Weekly

Detained in the DR: Canadian not allowed home despite false arrest
The wife of a Canadian man who was arrested in the Dominican Republic after he was accused of smuggling drugs says all charges against him have been dropped, but he remains stuck there indefinitely. Jane Wilcox and her husband David Bennett had spent a week at a resort in the Dominican Republic with two friends and were on their way home on March 7 when her husband was denied entry at the automated customs gate at a Punta Cana airport and taken to an interrogation room, she said. Travel Industry Today

Porter takes bigger bite of Big Apple with LGA flights
Passengers flying to New York with Porter now have a new option with flights to LaGuardia complementing the carrier’s existing Newark service. And with LGA flights departing from Pearson, travellers can also choose an alternative departure point to the Big Apple than Billy Bishop island airport. Travel Industry Today

Art Institute of Chicago president under investigation, accused of stripping off clothes on flight to Germany
Leadership at the Art Institute of Chicago was scrambling Friday, after their director was accused of being involved in a bizarre incident onboard a flight to Europe last month. Art Institute president and director James Rondeau is now voluntarily taking time away amid an independent investigation into the incident. CBS Chicago

Hawaii lawmakers pass bill raising state’s hotel tax for visitors
A trip to Hawaii is about to get even more expensive for travelers in an attempt to preserve the islands’ future. Hawaii lawmakers have passed a first-of-its-kind bill that will raise the tax on hotel stays and other vacation rentals, specifically to fund efforts to fight climate change. The bill was unanimously passed in the Senate on April 25. On May 2, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted in favor of the bill. Gov. Josh Green is expected to sign the bill. SF Gate

Most foreign airlines halt flights to Tel Aviv after Houthi missile hits airport
Major foreign airlines, including German carrier Lufthansa, France’s Air France, US carrier Delta and Hungary’s Wizz Air, on Sunday canceled their scheduled flights to Tel Aviv, after a ballistic missile from Yemen struck inside the grounds of Israel’s main airport, Ben Gurion International. The Times of Israel

Welcome to Starbase, population 283
Texas has a brand new city, and its name is Starbase. A vote Saturday to decide whether to turn part of south Texas into a new city centered around Elon Musk’s SpaceX delivered a victory to the tech billionaire and his rocket company. As expected, the measure passed with broad support, paving the way for a newly incorporated city made up almost exclusively of SpaceX employees and people connected to the company. NBC News

Top 12 Travel Stories of the Week
April 27th – May 4

JetBlue negotiates partnership with United Airlines, sources say
JetBlue Airways and United Airlines have been negotiating a partnership, three industry sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The New York-based airline has been seeking partnerships after a federal judge blocked its so-called Northeast Alliance with American Airlines (AAL.O) in 2023. Reuters

Spain and Portugal hit by major power outage, halting trains and flights and wiping out traffic lights
A widespread and unexplained power outage knocked out electricity in most of Spain and Portugal on Monday, shutting off traffic lights and causing chaos at airports, train stations and on the roads. Portugal’s grid operator Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN) said electrical supply was lost across the entire Iberian peninsula, and in parts of France, on Monday. It could be several hours until power is fully restored, Spain’s grid operator said, meaning parts of the two countries could be plunged into darkness once the sun sets. CNN <<<< Here are my tips.

White House seeks to cut TSA funding and boost air, rail safety
The White House said on Friday it wants to cut funding for the Transportation Security Administration by $247 million, while boosting spending on rail and air safety. The 2026 budget proposal seeks another $360 million for the Federal Aviation Administration to support air traffic controller hiring and salary increases and updates to its outdated telecommunications systems, and $400 million in new rail safety and infrastructure, citing a 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Reuters

United Airlines suffers nationwide outage
United Airlines is suffering a nationwide outage, leaving travelers unable to check in for upcoming flights. Downdetector, a site that monitors online outages, shows issues hit the airline’s website and app around 2pm ET. While United Airlines has not made an official announcement, it has acknowledged issues on social media saying: ‘We’re aware of the issue at hand and are working to get it resolved as soon as possible.’ Daily Mail

See inside Trump’s magnificent new Air Force One jet
President Donald Trump is so desperate for a new Air Force One jet that he asked a Florida-based company to overhaul a plane once used by the Qatari government. The moves comes amid years-long delays in the provision of two replacements for the aging presidential planes that the president commissioned during his last time in office. Daily Mail

American Airlines to debut new suites with sliding doors after delays
American Airlines is doing away with long-haul first class on many planes in favor of a larger single cabin with new suites. The seats, which enter service next month, feature sliding “privacy doors,” a trend in airplane cabin design. The carrier is competing with Delta and United for high-paying travelers. American’s new suites on the Boeing 787-9 will debut for regularly scheduled service on June 5 between its hub at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and London Heathrow Airport, followed by Philadelphia to London on Aug. 6 and Philadelphia to Zurich on Sept. 3. Another flight, outfitted with the new seats, between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Brisbane, Australia, is set to start Oct. 26. CNBC

Major Canadian airlines slash US travel routes as demand plummets amid diplomatic tensions
Several Canadian airlines are cutting routes to major US cities as travel companies say Canadians are canceling US travel due to rising tensions with the Trump administration. Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, and Flair are set to slash routes to cities including San Francisco, Miami, New York, and Washington following a significant drop in leisure and business travel from Canada to the US, TTW reports. Instead, the airlines are increasing routes to Europe amid strong demand and a more favorable political climate. The Mirror

American Airlines Slashes Award Holds To 1 Day—Still The Only U.S. Airline Offering This Rare Perk
American Airlines is eliminating the ability to put an award ticket on hold for five days, reducing allowable hold time to just one day. View from the Wing

Transportation secretary warns ‘people will lose their lives’ unless US adopts new air traffic control system
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asserted on Wednesday that “people will lose their lives” unless the United States invests in a new air traffic control system. Duffy raised extreme concerns about the U.S.’s “aging” air traffic control infrastructure during a televised cabinet meeting, after President Donald Trump said he would ask Congress for funding toward the new system. The Independent

United Airlines grows highest-end Polaris airport lounge by 50% in battle for wealthy customers
United Airlines expanded its Polaris lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and plans to open a revamped one at its hub in Newark Liberty International Airport in June. The remodeling comes as rivals Delta and American have opened similarly dedicated lounges for long-haul, business-class customers. Airlines have said that premium-class travel has remained resilient while bookings in the back of the plane have come up light. CNBC

Flights in and out of Newark Airport severely disrupted due to FAA equipment outage
An equipment issue led to major disruptions in and out of Newark Airport on Monday, according to officials. The FAA says it began slowing arrivals and departures at Newark Liberty International Airport after telecommunications and equipment issues at Philadelphia TRACON, which guides aircrafts in and out of Newark. United Airlines is diverting at least 35 flights to other airports. The FAA canceled a ground stop later on Monday afternoon, but hours after the problems began, departures for Newark were still being delayed on average by more than three and a half hours, while arrivals were being delayed by an average of 48 minutes. ABC News & Reuters

What to know about Southwest Airlines’ new fare bundles, from Choice Extra to Basic
As Southwest Airlines prepares for major changes, including the introduction of assigned seats, extra legroom rows and bag fees, it’s also overhauling its fare bundles. The new fares, branded as Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, Choice and Basic, will go on sale in the third quarter of this year for flights beginning in 2026. Travelers will find that the bundles mirror those sold on other low-cost airlines like JetBlue, and the more expensive fares will come with more amenities included. USA Today

Vatican closes Sistine Chapel for papal conclave
Exit tourists. Enter cardinals. The Vatican has closed the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals will gather next week for the conclave to elect the next pope after the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at age 88. Francis was buried Saturday after a funeral in St. Peter’s Square that gathered world leaders and hundreds of thousands of others, and a nine-day period of mourning is continuing before the conclave can start. Travel Industry Today

Pilot in Deadly D.C. Crash Was Told to Turn at Last Second but Didn’t
A Black Hawk helicopter pilot who collided with a passenger plane over Washington D.C. in January reportedly failed to follow instruction from her co-pilot to change course seconds before the crash. In a new report published Sunday, The New York Times details the many missteps that led to the fatal collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport earlier this year, which killed all three military personnel aboard the helicopter and all 60 passengers, plus four crew members, aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 flying in from Kansas. Daily Beast

Saturday, May 3

Long a New York Punchline, Newark Airport Is Getting Even Worse
Families huddled on Mickey Mouse-printed suitcases. Businessmen shouted into phones with their offices trying to rebook flights. Strangers commiserated over shared indignities. Airline employees yelled for passengers to board a shuttle that would take them to another airport two rivers away. WSJ

NJ Transit Strike Would Be ‘Disaster’ for Region, Sherrill Says
New Jersey Transit is on the brink of a “huge crisis” as a train engineers strike threatens to upend commutes as early as May 16, according to US Representative Mikie Sherrill. “Everybody has got to get back to the table,” Sherrill, a Democrat from North Jersey who is running for governor, said Friday in an interview with Bloomberg News. “I’m incredibly concerned that it would be a disaster for everyone.” Bloomberg

People are choosing the path less traveled for vacations this year, studies show
It’s out with the hotspots and in with the path less traveled. Choosing the more local and affordable destinations is the travel trend for this summer, at least according to a recent Airbnb study. The CasaBlanca Resort and Casino in Mesquite, Nevada, is a perfect example. It’s gotten so busy in recent years that the resort is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation this summer to keep up with demand. Fox Business

Infamous Midtown migrant hotel dubbed the ‘New Ellis Island’ has a new offer on the table for redevelopment
The owners of the 101-year-old Roosevelt Hotel, oft-referred to as New York City’s “New Ellis Island,” have a new redevelopment offer. Shahal Khan’s Burkhan World Investments and its partners want to build a tower on the shuttered hotel’s roughly 42,000-square-foot parcel, Bloomberg reported. The offer would allow the current owner — the Pakistan government’s PIA Holding Co. (Pakistan International Airlines) — to keep a 50% stake in the joint venture. NY Post

Australian man dies after falling from staircase at Thailand hotel
An Australian man fell to his death from a staircase at a hotel in Phuket on May 1, allegedly due to intoxication, in full view of his wife. Officers from Patong Police Station and rescuers from the Kusontham Foundation rushed to a hotel on Rat Uthit 200 Years Road in the Kathu district of Phuket after being alerted to an incident on the B floor. Thaiger

What Green Card Holders Should Know in Preparing to Travel Outside the U.S.
The Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration has fueled anxiety at airports, border crossings and other U.S. ports of entry, with visa holders and tourists concerned that they may be detained or deported. Even some green card holders have faced increased scrutiny. A green card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a legal authorization to live and work in the United States permanently. In the past, green card holders traveled in and out of the country with less worry than other foreign nationals, but the administration’s restrictive approach at the borders — and stronger enforcement against green card holders who have committed crimes — has changed all that. The New York Times

Air India allowed to temporarily extend duty, rest for long-haul crew, memo shows
India’s aviation regulator has allowed Air India to temporarily extend the maximum duty hours and rest period for pilots on long-haul routes to allow the airline to tackle Pakistan’s airspace ban, according to an internal memo and a source familiar with the matter. Reuters

Travelers warned be wary of safety risks at exotic tourism destination
Travelers to tourist destinations in Morocco should be wary of the possibility of terrorism, the U.S. State Department has warned. In a travel advisory issued this week, the U.S. government cautioned that terrorist groups continue to plot possible attacks. “Terrorists may attack with little or no warning,” the advisory states. “They target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, and local government facilities.” The Plain Dealer Cleveland

Forget Bali – these are Asia’s most affordable destinations, with five-star stays for £50
Bali is no longer Asia’s cheapest seaside destination, with better value provided by beach resorts in Vietnam, Thailand and other parts of Indonesia. Since the pandemic, this tropical Indonesian island has seen prices soar, especially for accommodation and shopping. Bali remains hugely popular, regardless, receiving a whopping 16 million visitors across 2024, including domestic tourists. That eclipsed its chief regional rival, the Thai island of Phuket, which welcomed about 13 million. And Bali is still relatively affordable, especially for Europeans used to paying £130 a night, or more, for a basic hotel room in Paris, Berlin, London or Amsterdam. The Telegraph

Friday, May 2
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,743,730 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, May 1

UK Bank Holiday airport delay warning marks start of chaotic summer for travel
Warnings of long air-traffic control delays on flights to Europe and a broken rail on Britain’s flagship rail route have got the bank holiday weekend off to a difficult start. Rail passengers face further disruption on a range of routes in the UK for planned engineering work, while motoring organizations are predicting long delays on key holiday routes. Looking further ahead into May, rail passengers in France are being warned by the unions of a semaine noire (“black week”). And at London Gatwick airport, the Unite union is predicting disruption. These are the key pain points for travellers. The Independent

Alaska Airlines announces Philippine Airlines partnership
Alaska Airlines has inked a new airline partnership with Philippine Airlines. PAL becomes the Seattle-based airline’s 32nd airline partner. The partnership is set to go live later this year, offering Alaska customers codeshare flights via Philippine Airlines; network and the ability to earn and redeem Mileage Plan miles on these flights. PAL flies from Manila to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and to Alaska’s main hub in Seattle. Travelmole

FAA offers incentives for air traffic controllers in bid to ease shortage
Even as it has pushed thousands of federal employees to leave their jobs, retire early or face the possibility of being laid off, the Trump administration is showering one group of government workers with praise and cash bonuses to get them to stay on. On Thursday, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy unveiled a package aimed at bolstering the number of air traffic controllers in the system, including bonuses for new hires and incentives to keep those closer to retirement on the job for a few more years. The plan builds on an earlier initiative that boosted pay for newly recruited controllers and sought to speed the process for getting new candidates into the training pipeline. Washington Post

American Airlines, DFW Airport plan $4B terminal
DFW Airport’s sixth terminal will be almost double its originally planned size and will have only American Airlines flights, the airport announced Thursday. Why it matters: The airport, almost midway between Dallas and Fort Worth, has been critical to the population and business growth of the region. Axios

The first driverless semis have started running regular longhaul routes
Driverless trucks are officially running their first regular long-haul routes, making roundtrips between Dallas and Houston. On Thursday, autonomous trucking firm Aurora announced it launched commercial service in Texas under its first customers, Uber Freight and Hirschbach Motor Lines, which delivers time- and temperature-sensitive freight. Both companies conducted test runs with Aurora, including safety drivers to monitor the self-driving technology dubbed “Aurora Driver.” Aurora’s new commercial service will no longer have safety drivers. CNN

Exclusive: JetBlue’s plan for domestic partnership faces union backlash
A plan by JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O), opens new tab to sign a domestic partnership with another airline faces opposition from its pilot union, which has warned the move could “fundamentally reshape” the U.S. carrier and impact the future of its workers. The head of JetBlue’s pilot union told members on Wednesday that a job protection provision in their existing contract does not allow the company to enter into a commercial agreement, according to a letter seen by Reuters. Reuters

Southwest flight returns to gate after passenger’s phone ignites
A Southwest Airlines flight headed for Houston did not take off from El Paso, Texas, as planned Wednesday morning after one passenger’s cellphone caught fire as the aircraft prepared for departure, the airline said. The plane returned to its gate at El Paso International Airport around 7:50 a.m. local time, the Federal Aviation Administration told CBS News in a statement Thursday, confirming it will investigate what went wrong. CBS News

US consumer confidence plummets to Covid-era low as trade war stokes anxiety
Americans’ confidence in the economy slumped for the fifth straight month to the lowest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic as anxiety over the impact of tariffs takes a heavy toll. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell 7.9 points in April to 86, its lowest reading since May 2020. Nearly one-third of consumers expect hiring to slow in the coming months, nearly matching the level reached in April 2009, when the economy was mired in the Great Recession. AP

Trump Wants a New Air Force One So Badly He’s Refurbishing a Qatari Plane
President Trump is done waiting for Boeing. Frustrated by delays on Boeing’s work to deliver a new Air Force One, Trump has commissioned a smaller defense contractor to ready an interim presidential plane by year’s end. Boeing will continue plugging away on a pair of Air Force One replacement jets, which have fallen so far behind that Trump might not get to fly on them while in office. WSJ

New Trump Hotel & Residences in Dubai unveiled where apartments come with free 10 year ‘golden visa’
Trump is set to expand his property empire into Dubai – with a new 80 story skyscraper. Plans have been unveiled for Trump Hotel & Residences Dubai in the heart of the UAE, measuring almost 1,150 feet with a swimming pool at the top. Prices for two-bed apartments start at $1 million and the website for the property offers free 10 year ‘golden visas’. The Independent

Thursday, May 1
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,300,316 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 30

Delta Air Lines offering pay increase to employees for fourth consecutive year
Each employee will receive a 4% wage increase, which is in accordance with what CEO Ed Bastian announced in January at a leadership conference, according to a Delta news release. The increase in wages comes just three months after the company paid out nearly five weeks of extra pay in February as part of its profit-sharing program. Delta said it shares profits with employees more than any other U.S. airline or company, totaling over $10 billion in payouts over the past 10 years. Fox Business

Major airlines ask US to extend cuts to minimum New York flight requirements
Major U.S. airlines have asked the Federal Aviation Administration to extend cuts to minimum flight requirements at congested New York City-area airports through October 2027, citing severe air traffic controller staffing shortages. Reuters

Hawaii pod hotel hopes to attract Japanese tourists back to Islands
When I walked into the new luxury capsule hotel in Waikiki, it felt like any other hotel, with a front desk and seating area set off to the side. But the hotel, which is on the 14th floor of the Waikiki Business Plaza, is a new style of hotel for Hawaii. It’s made up of rooms filled with capsules of various sizes. Some rooms have dozens of capsules, stacked one on top of another. SF Gate

Travel warning for popular tourist country as Aussies ‘targeted’
Certain Aussies travelling to the United States are being warned that they will be “targeted” by officials at the border amid a scary crackdown on foreign visitors. Prominent immigration lawyer Melissa Vincenty told Yahoo News Aussie backpackers will face higher scrutiny visiting the USA following an executive order by President Donald Trump, which directed federal agencies to implement enhanced vetting and screening for all foreign nationals entering the country. Yahoo

Lufthansa celebrates inaugural flight of world’s largest passenger aircraft from Denver to Munich
On Wednesday, the Denver International Airport marked a major milestone: its inaugural Airbus A380 flight to Munich Airport in Germany. This afternoon, the airport welcomed the A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, operated by Lufthansa German Airlines. It’s the first scheduled A380 service in Denver’s history. CBS News

Canada Freezes US Travel as Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, and Flair Slash Routes
Canada is rapidly reshaping its aviation ties with the US as declining travel demand, rising diplomatic tensions, and shifting consumer preferences drive major airlines—Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, and Flair—to slash routes to key U.S. cities including San Francisco, Miami, New York, and Washington. With a significant drop in both leisure and business travel from Canada to the U.S., carriers are now reallocating capacity toward Europe, where demand remains strong and political conditions are more favorable. Travel And Tour World

US lawmaker warns Ryanair against buying Chinese-made planes
A senior U.S. lawmaker has warned Ryanair against purchasing Chinese-made aircraft due to security concerns, following comments by the CEO of the low-cost Irish airline that he would consider buying Chinese jets at the right price, according to a letter seen by Reuters. Yahoo Finance

Maya Merhige: American teenager withstood thousands of jellyfish stings during a 14-hour swim across the Cook Strait
Maya Merhige eventually stopped counting her jellyfish stings, such was the frequency with which they were getting scorched against her skin. At this point, Merhige was already several hours into her 27-mile swim across the Cook Strait in New Zealand and had slowly become immune to the small, burning sensations that covered her body. By the end, even her face – her nose, ears and lips – had been peppered with them. CNN

Strike action cancels 140 Finnair flights over Bank Holiday weekend
Finnair has announced another mass cancellation of flights due to strikes, this time coinciding with the May Day bank holiday weekend, following a string of similar cancellations in the past six months. The Finland flag carrier airline announced on Wednesday 30 April that will cancel approximately 140 flights due to industrial action in the country on Friday 2 May. The Independent

Beaches Ocho Rios in Jamaica is closing May 31, Sandals says
Sandals Resorts International has announced that the Beaches Ocho Rios in Jamaica will close on May 31. In a statement posted on the resort’s website, Sandals said that unlike other properties in the Beaches portfolio, the Beaches Ocho Rios is owned by a third party, and the owner is planning a major renovation. In an emailed statement, Beaches said there’s a “possibility of a continued relationship” with the property owner after the renovation is complete. Travel Weekly

Wednesday, April 30
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,067,400 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 29

Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and winds threaten Dallas, south-central US
The threat of thunderstorms, flash flooding and a chance of tornadoes hovered over the south-central part of the country to close out April, and some of the greatest risk is in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and north Texas, forecasters said. North Texas, southeast Oklahoma, southwest Arkansas and northwest Louisiana were all at an enhanced risk for tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds on April 30, according to the Storm Prediction Center. More than 2 million people were under tornado watch in the region. More serious tornado warnings were rolling through counties in Oklahoma. USA Today

Airlines collect $33 billion in baggage fees — and they’re looking to get more
It’s getting more and more expensive to check a bag when you fly. Since 2024, some major carriers — including American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue — have raised their fees by $5 to $10 per bag, with charges now going as high as $45, according to reports. And Southwest Airlines, one of the carriers that had long bucked the industry trend and didn’t levy luggage fees, recently announced it would begin charging for baggage starting on May 28, although the exact amounts have not been revealed. MarketWatch

Exclusive: JetBlue negotiates partnership with United Airlines, sources say
JetBlue Airways and United Airlines have been negotiating a partnership, three industry sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The New York-based airline has been seeking partnerships after a federal judge blocked its so-called Northeast Alliance with American Airlines (AAL.O) in 2023. Reuters

House Republicans propose $15 billion for air traffic control, new $200 EV fee
U.S. House Republicans are proposing $15 billion in new funding for air traffic control reform and a new $200 fee on electric cars as part of a wide-range tax reform bill under consideration. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday will take up the proposal from Representative Sam Graves, who heads the panel. The proposal includes new funding through 2029 for replacing aging facilities, including air traffic control towers, radar systems, and telecommunications infrastructure, as well as $1 billion for air traffic control hiring. Reuters

Hawaii plans to increase hotel tax to help it cope with climate change
In a first-of-its-kind move, Hawaii lawmakers are ready to hike a tax imposed on travelers staying in hotels, vacation rentals, and other short-term accommodations and earmark the new money for programs to cope with a warming planet. State leaders say they’ll use the funds for projects like replenishing sand on eroding beaches, helping homeowners install hurricane clips on their roofs, and removing invasive grasses like those that fueled the deadly wildfire that destroyed Lahaina two years ago. AP

Carnival bans 24 people after cruise terminal fight: See video
Nearly 30 people are banned from sailing with Carnival Cruise Line after getting into a fight while disembarking a cruise over the weekend. Video footage of the April 26 incident appears to show a group of passengers shoving past barriers inside a terminal in Galveston, Texas, before pushing at least one person to the ground and punching them. The scuffle continues even as security guards intervene. USA Today

Yosemite now requiring reservations on peak visitor days
As the weather warms up this spring season, more and more people are inclined to go outdoors. That includes visiting the most popular national park in California: Yosemite. For certain days until September, visitors will be required to make a reservation at Yosemite, according to a recent alert by the National Park Service (NPS). The reservation requirement will be on certain dates between May 24 and Sept. 1 to drive into or through Yosemite National Park. KTLA

Norovirus is making waves on cruises, and travelers are feeling it
Pam Feinstein’s cruise was different than usual even before she boarded. Princess Cruises delayed boarding of the September voyage to do a deep-clean of the ship, following cases of gastrointestinal illness on its previous voyage, she said. When the 75-year-old embarked for a 12-day European cruise with her family, she noticed crew members aboard the Caribbean Princess ship were serving guests at the buffet, for example, and staff carefully wiped down containers or salt, pepper, and sugar – which were only available upon request – between each use. USA Today

Woman claims American Airlines let ‘known sexual predator’ on flight
A Bay Area woman is suing American Airlines, alleging she was groped on an overnight flight while seated next to a man with a “known history of predatory sexual misconduct” on the airline’s flights. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court in San Francisco, alleges the airline knew that the man, Cherian Abraham, had previously been accused of sexual misconduct. SF Chronicle

Hawaii Promised A World-Class Airport. Visitors Got This Instead
HNL’s long-promised transformation remains grounded, and travelers are reeling from the turbulence. While official press releases tout a world-class experience in the making, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Beat of Hawaii

A man airlifted from Japan’s Mount Fuji returns to the slope days later and is rescued again
A climber airlifted with altitude sickness from near the peak of Japan’s Mount Fuji last week returned to the slope and was rescued for a second time just four days later, authorities said Monday. Officials urged people to be aware of the harsh conditions at the country’s tallest peak during its off-season. AP

Tuesday, April 29
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,827,041 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 28

American Airlines sues JetBlue as partnership talks end
American Airlines is suing JetBlue Airways to recover money owed after partnership talks with the carrier ended over business differences, potentially clearing the runway for its rivals to pursue alliances with JetBlue. American Airlines Vice Chair Steve Johnson said Monday that while it made “a very attractive proposition to JetBlue…it became clear over time that JetBlue was focused on different business priorities.” WSJ

California sees drop in international tourism, report shows
A newly released report shows that California has experienced a significant drop in international tourism. Visit California, a nonprofit that promotes tourism to the Golden State, said international tourist visits from Canada, Mexico, the U.K., Germany, and Australia, among other countries, are down 15% to 26% this year. KTVU

Nepal to restrict Everest permits to climbers who have scaled another 7,000+ foot Nepali mountain
Nepal will issue Everest permits only to climbers with experience of scaling at least one of the Himalayan nation’s 7,000-meter (22,965 ft) peaks, according to the draft of a new law aimed at reducing overcrowding and improving safety. Nepal, which is heavily reliant on climbing, trekking and tourism for foreign exchange, has faced criticism for permitting too many climbers, including inexperienced ones, to try to ascend the 8,849-meter (29,032 ft) peak. CNN

Delta routes new Airbus plane to Tokyo to sidestep Trump tariffs
Delta Air Lines Inc. is flying a new Airbus SE plane through Japan to skirt US import tariffs as President Donald Trump’s trade war threatens the flow of new jets to the aviation industry. The A350-900 aircraft is set to leave Toulouse, France, home of Airbus’s main manufacturing facility, on April 30, arriving in Tokyo on May 1, according to data from FlightAware, an online tracking provider. Bloomberg

Flights from India to Europe and North America are taking 4 extra hours and requiring fuel stops as airlines avoid Pakistan
Airlines are adding hours of flight time to reroute around Pakistan amid rising tensions. Air India has added a fuel stop in Europe on treks to and from North America. IndiGo has suspended some flights to Central Asia because its planes now can’t make the trek. Business Insider

United flight from Hawaii diverted to San Francisco after midair door alert
A United Airlines flight from Hawaii to Denver was forced to divert to San Francisco early Monday morning after a malfunctioning door sensor prompted precautionary measures, officials said. United Flight 1731, a Boeing 777-200, departed Kona International Airport at 6:56 p.m. Sunday and was en route to Denver when the crew received an alert indicating an open cargo door, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. SF Chronicle

Passenger rail service through San Clemente suspended for emergency repairs
Metrolink and Amtrak train services will be temporarily halted starting Monday, April 28, for emergency repairs. The closure will last about six weeks and affect Metrolink’s OC and IE-OC lines, as well as Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner trains. The closure aims to stabilize sections of track threatened by landslides and coastal erosion. Fox 11

Norse Atlantic cuts winter US flights by 52% as 3 routes removed
The latest schedule update shows that Norse Atlantic has removed three winter US routes: Athens to New York JFK, Berlin to JFK, and Paris CDG to Los Angeles. It might not have intended to operate them all anyway, especially not Athens to JFK, a summer market, but it had scheduled them. Barring any additions, its December–February US flights have fallen 52% year-on-year. SimpleFlying

Alaska Airlines unveils new aircraft livery inspired by Disney theme-park attraction
Alaska Airlines has unveiled an “enchanting” aircraft livery inspired by The Princess and the Frog and new log flume rides at Disneyland Park in California and Walt Disney World. The design, sported by a Boeing 737-800 with the tail number N596AS, is a “celebration” of the classic Walt Disney animation starring Princess Tiana and the “immersive” Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction, which opened at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland in June and November 2024 respectively. The Independent

Monday, April 26
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,827,041 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 27

2 suspects arrested in theft of Noem’s bag were in U.S. illegally: officials
Two people were arrested this weekend in connection with the Easter Sunday theft of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse, authorities confirmed Sunday. The first suspect was arrested in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, according to the U.S. Secret Service. Noem said Sunday that the man was in the country illegally. She called the suspect a “career criminal,” but did not specify any more details about the individual’s immigration status. CBS News

Crowds line up to visit Pope Francis’ tomb in Rome as his last resting place opens to the public
Crowds of mourners waited in line on Sunday for a chance to visit Pope Francis’ final resting place in the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome, a day after his funeral service that was attended by world leaders and royalty. Hundreds were seen filing past his tomb early on Sunday morning, while some 200,000 people were also still in the vicinity of St. Peter’s Square, according to the Vatican. CNN

Marriott acquiring citizenM brand for $355 million
Marriott International is set to acquire urban lifestyle hotel brand citizenM. The two parties have inked a deal worth about $355 million. Marriott is buying the citizenM brand and its related intellectual property. The brand has 36 hotels in over various cities worldwide including London, Paris and Rome. US locations include Austin, Boston and Chicago. Travelmole

Irish Woman Legally Living in U.S. Detained by ICE at San Francisco Airport
An Irish woman who had legally been living in Santa Cruz for more than 30 years was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement this month after returning home from an overseas trip. Green-card holder Cliona Ward, 54, first ran into legal trouble in March after arriving back in the U.S. from a trip to Ireland to visit her father with dementia, according to a GoFundMe page set up by her sister, Orla Holladay, to cover legal costs. Daily Beast

Campgrounds and visitor centers at federal lakes are closing amid Trump’s budget cuts
Campgrounds, boat ramps and other facilities in at least 30 locations at federal lakes and reservoirs in six states will be closed or have their hours curtailed as of mid-May as the Trump administration tries to rapidly shrink the U.S. government. Officials at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees the lakes and reservoirs and their amenities for boating, camping, hiking and sightseeing, said they are dealing with staffing shortages and other budgetary restrictions. AP

Ex-Disney Worker Who Hacked Menus Gets 3 Years in Prison
A former employee of Walt Disney World who hacked into menus used by its restaurants and edited them — changing prices, adding profanity and altering listed allergens — was sentenced to three years in prison by a federal judge in Florida this week. None of the changes, including falsified information about food allergens that could have been harmful to visitors, ever appeared before the public, according to court records. The menu alterations were caught and court records show that none of the changes ever reached the printing stage. The New York Times

Clearwater ferry: 1 person is dead and several others injured after a boat strikes a ferry in an apparent hit-and-run
A ferry ushering families from a popular sand sculpting competition in Florida was struck by a recreational boat Sunday evening in an apparent hit-and-run, killing one ferry passenger and injuring several others, police and witnesses said. Brenda Alvarez, who is about eight months pregnant, was on the ferry with her husband and two young children when a crew member started yelling, “Hey, hey hey!” the family told CNN affiliate WFTS. CNN

At least 11 people killed after car plows into crowd at Vancouver Filipino festival
A driver plowed a car into a crowd at a street festival celebrating Filipino heritage in Vancouver on Saturday night, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens more in what police are calling “the darkest day” in the city’s history. Some of those attending the festival helped chase down and detain the suspect, who police identified as a 30-year-old man who had a history of mental health-related interactions with authorities. MSN

On the Eve of the First Aircraft Retrofit, Southwest Keeps Changing Its Plans
I continue to be confused by Southwest Airlines. This is a company that had a credible start to a plan to modernize the business, then was forced to sell its soul to make more money more quickly, and now… I am at a loss. The airline is preparing for its first modified airplane with extra legroom seating options, but it can’t seem to get its story straight. The configuration appears to be changing on a regular basis. There is clearly an internal struggle going on here, and it’s playing out in public. Cranky Flier

British Airways flight forced to make emergency landing in Boston amid smoke in cabin
A British Airways flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Boston due to a ‘possible bird strike’ and cabin smoke during a trip from Washington DC to London. The flight took off at 5:36 pm from Dulles International Airport, but was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport at 7:30 pm on Saturday, according to flight logs tracked on Flight Aware. Crew on board the Boeing 777 plane reported a bird strike and fumes in the cabin, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Daily Mail Online

New airport scanners allow liquids to remain in bags
A new security system means passengers at Edinburgh Airport can now keep liquids and large electrical items in their bags. Eight scanners costing £24m have been installed at the international hub. Liquids still need to be 100ml or under but can remain in bags. Officials said it means the airport will no longer issue single-use plastic bags, delivering a sustainability benefit through the project. BBC

Niagara Falls ‘at breaking point’ with migrants filling hotels
Niagara Falls is at a ‘breaking point’ after ‘thousands of asylum seekers’ have taken refuge in the popular tourist hotspot, the city’s mayor has warned. The famous southeastern Ontario city has more migrants per capita than any other city in Canada, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati told The Telegraph. Daily Mail

FAA tightens up on private aircraft owners information, affects plane watchers
A South Korean Boeing 737 aircraft was spotted at the Vero Beach Regional Airport the week of April 21 before it left town the next day. The aircraft was a Hyundai Boeing 737-7GE aircraft operated by a private owner registered in South Korea, according to its tail number information on Flightradar24, a flight-tracking service. St Lucie News

Top 12 Travel Stories of the Week
April 20-27th

International tourism to the U.S. slumps, but Americans can’t stop traveling overseas
U.S. government data show a roughly 10% decline in visitors arriving by air in March from the year before. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines CEOs say international and premium-travel demand is growing, making up for the shortfall in inbound tourism and weakness in domestic main cabin bookings. CNBC

FAA finds safety concerns at Las Vegas airport in review spurred by midair collision in Washington
A federal review of helicopter safety around some of the busiest U.S. airports, prompted by the deadly midair collision in January between a passenger jet and Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., revealed dangerous flying conditions at the Las Vegas airport. The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday the potential for a collision between air tour helicopters and planes at Harry Reid International Airport led the agency to make immediate changes to flying rules. In the first three weeks after implementation the number of collision alerts for planes dropped 30%. AP

Pahalgam, India: At least 26 people killed as gunmen open fire on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir
The Indian Army corps is searching for the people responsible for a deadly attack on sightseers in the disputed Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. Gunmen killed at least 26 people and injured a dozen others in the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam, which is located in the mountainous Anantnag district. It was one of the region’s worst assaults on civilians in years. A little-known militant group called The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the attack. CNN

Southwest to cut flights this year, pulls guidance, citing ‘macroeconomic uncertainty’
Southwest Airlines said Wednesday that it will reduce its capacity in the second half of the year, as more signs point to weaker domestic bookings this year. The airline said it expects unit revenue to be flat to down as much as 4% in the second quarter from a year earlier. Southwest said it is not reaffirming its guidance for earnings before interest and taxes for 2025 and 2026. CNBC

Plane tickets are getting cheaper as domestic travel demand weakens
Is a recession brewing in row 33? Airline CEOs this month warned Wall Street that passengers’ appetite for domestic trips is coming in lighter than they had hoped when they set forecasts high at the start of 2025. On a series of earnings calls, they said the reasons range from President Donald Trump’s whipsawing tariff policies to volatile markets and, most notably, economic uncertainty. CNBC

New York City placing regulations on tourist helicopter industry to meet FAA’s strict noise standards
On a typical fair-weather day, there’s close to 9,000 helicopter flights in New York City, creating an endless noise that most New Yorkers say they are sick of. Many of those New Yorkers, including those making up City Council, are now speaking up — not just about the noise — but also raising safety issues in wake of the recent tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River. ABC7 New York

Police called after passenger defecated on Southwest plane
Police were called to meet a Southwest Airlines flight as it landed in Chicago after reports that a passenger on the flight took off her clothes and defecated on her seat, a source told NBC News. According to a statement from Southwest Airlines, flight 418 from Philadelphia to Chicago’s Midway Airport was met by law enforcement and medical personnel who responded to “a situation involving a customer.” A source with knowledge of the situation told NBC News the passenger had removed her clothing and defecated on the seat, forcing the plane to be taken out of service for cleaning. NBC Chicago

Lyft to Start Dispatching Taxis for First Time to Cut Wait Times
Lyft Inc. will begin dispatching standard taxis to some US riders starting next month in a first as it expands its features to compete with much-larger rival Uber Technologies Inc. The rollout will begin in St. Louis on May 5 for riders who have opted in to taxis as an alternative to gig drivers in rideshare vehicles. Such users may be picked up in a cab when they request Lyft Standard, “Wait & Save” or priority pickup rides, the company confirmed to Bloomberg News.

Hawaiian Airlines Switches to a New Terminal at LAX and JFK
Beginning tomorrow (April 22), Hawaiian Airlines will relocate its operations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B or TBIT) to … JohnnyJet.com and they switch terminals at JFK. American Airlines Newsroom

Thai Airways Regains Category 1 Rating, Clears Path for U.S. Routes
Thailand has regained its Category 1 safety rating from the FAA nearly a decade after being downgraded, paving the way for Thai airlines to launch flights to the U.S. and enter codeshare agreements with American carriers. The FAA officially reinstated the rating on April 22 following a reassessment process that began in November 2024 and included the identification of 36 findings requiring corrective action. Aviation Week Network

Surveillance video shows New York-to-Paris flight stowaway slipping past gate agents
The woman who was able to sneak onto a New York-to-Paris flight without a boarding pass late last year was able to get on the plane by glomming onto a group of ticketed passengers as they passed gate agents, new surveillance video shows. The video, provided by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to The Associated Press on Wednesday after a records request, shows Svetlana Dali slipping by two gate agents who were checking boarding passes and strolling onto an airbridge along with a group of other passengers. AP

Teenage German tourists deported from Hawaii over ‘suspicious’ hotel booking
Their travel plans upended when they were denied entry to the U.S. and detained by border officers who called their trip “suspicious,” according to a report. Charlotte Pohl, 19, and Maria Lepère, 18, from Rostock—about 140 miles north of Berlin—had already visited New Zealand and Thailand as part of their around-the-world trip after graduating from high school. The Independent

Saturday, April 26

‘Mess is an understatement’: St. Pete-Clearwater Airport shut down due to bomb threat
The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport was shut down for several hours Friday for a bomb threat written on a lavatory door. According to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, just before 5 p.m., as the plane was preparing to head to Cincinnati, a flight attendant opened the rear lavatory door and found a threat to “place an explosive device” written on the door. WPEC

The ripple effect of Trump’s tariff war with Canada on Nashville’s local economy
In Music City, there are early signs that President Trump’s trade war with Canada is striking the wrong chord. Around half of Nashville’s international visitors come from Canada, according to the nonprofit Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. But Canadians are not crossing the border in the numbers they once did, angry about the president’s tariffs on Canadian goods not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement and his disparaging remarks towards America’s northern neighbor. CBBS News

Guernsey airline apologises for flight delays
An airline has apologised for travel disruption after some flights were delayed or rescheduled due to maintenance. Blue Islands, which operates in Guernsey, has been carrying out the maintenance following engineering inspections. The company said it apologised for any inconvenience and said it is “working around the clock” to return to normal operations. BBC

The world’s tallest bridge will open this summer
Move over, Golden Gate and Sydney Harbour. China is set to open the world’s tallest bridge in June, the latest feat of engineering from the infrastructure-focused country. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is currently nearing the end of construction in Guizhou, southwest China. It will measure 2,051 feet above river level, which is 947 feet taller than current bridge title holder the Millau Viaduct in France. CNN

Downtown Houston finally gets a direct bus to Bush Airport
Metro has relaunched a nonstop bus route connecting downtown Houston to George Bush Intercontinental Airport — the first direct service in more than a decade. Why it matters: Houston is a major city with limited public transit between the airport and downtown. Parking, rideshare, and taxi costs add up quickly — but this new route offers an affordable alternative. Axios

Fraudsters ‘pose as parking attendants in new scam’
Police have issued a warning after motorists were targeted in a series of fraud incidents at car parks, which cost one victim £1,300. Officers said victims were approached and guided to specific machines in Leicestershire to pay for parking and then told to insert a bank card and verbally ‘register’ their PIN. BBC

This remote Pacific island nation just got its first ATMs
The Pacific paradise of Tuvalu is one of the most remote nations in the world, surrounded by bountiful exotic fish and colorful corals. Located between Australia and Hawaii, the country is so isolated that all transactions, either by locals or visitors, have only ever been done in cash. CNN

Miami Marlins’ hot dog tower tops 2025 new ballpark grub
Move aside, hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jack. Baseball teams are becoming more innovative and stepping up their food game in 2025. One of those creations includes the Miami Marlins’ ultimate hot dog tower. The tower includes four hot dogs, four Polish sausages and four corn dogs on the lower levels with a penthouse of loaded salchipapas. ESPN

Why tourist information centers are some of Asia’s top tourist attractions
Xiang Li, director of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, says that Asia’s tourist information centers are thriving because of the different mindsets of travelers in the region. “Asian tourists generally value structured guidance and interpersonal explanations,” he tells CNN Travel. “Many of these travelers are less experienced with international travel and have language barriers, making face-to-face interactions and assistance particularly important to them. CNN

Friday, April 25
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,757,802 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 24

Man Dead After Being Shot by Police at Toronto’s Pearson Airport
A man is dead after being shot by Peel police at Toronto Pearson’s Terminal 1 Thursday morning. The shooting happened shortly before 7 a.m. after police received a call from a member of the public about a dispute involving two or three people, Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said. The group knew each other and was there “for the purposes of travel,” he said. Three officers responded to the call. Police had been attempting to mediate the dispute for around 10 minutes when the man abruptly took out a firearm and pointed it at an officer, he said. CBC News

American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Co-locate at Terminal 8 at JFK
American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are streamlining the connecting traveler’s journey at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) as Alaska and Hawaiian officially move their operations to Terminal 8 in 2025. The strategic move starts today with Hawaiian kicking off operations of its daily flight from JFK to Honolulu (HNL) out of Terminal 8. Both Alaska and Hawaiian expect to fully move their operations to Terminal 8 by October, including moving their gates, ticket counters and other guest services. With the addition of Alaska, Terminal 8 will be home to 10 oneworld® carriers. American Airlines Newsroom

Heathrow’s Highest Airport Charges in the World Blamed on ‘Unique Challenges’
Heathrow airport has blamed expensive building costs, its constrained area and large numbers of long-haul flights for its high fees. Airlines say Heathrow has the highest charges in the world – an accusation not challenged by the airport. The justification appears in a letter sent by Heathrow’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, to the Transport Select Committee. The airport’s CEO appeared before MPs on the committee earlier this month to explain the shutdown of Heathrow on 21 March after a fire in an electricity substation. The Independent

Canadians Put Off by Trump’s Bluster and Border Arrests Are Booking Far Fewer U.S. Visits
Diana and Rick Bellamy initially planned to take a Caribbean cruise out of Houston before heading to Laurel, Mississippi, to visit the home of one of their favorite HGTV shows, “Home Town.” The Calgary couple scrapped those plans and vacationed last month along Mexico’s Pacific coast instead, put off by U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada, the insults he’s hurled at their homeland, and stories about American border agents searching people’s phones and detaining foreigners for minor reasons. AP

Trump Shrugs Off Plunge in Visitors to the U.S. as No Big Deal
Donald Trump is not worried about tourists turning their backs on the United States en masse after the high-profile detention of some visitors and imposition of global tariffs. The president was quizzed by a reporter in the Oval Office as to why he thought visitor numbers were falling, but appeared to shrug off the issue. The Daily Beast

Las Vegas Sees ‘Some Level of Decreased Visitation’ Amid Trump Tariffs
President Donald Trump’s tariffs are impacting small businesses throughout the Las Vegas valley, though their effects on tourism have yet to fully materialize. Earlier this month, the president announced tariffs – taxes on imports, which essentially end up as taxes on the American consumer – as part of a “Liberation Day.” The president later pulled back after financial markets crashed, calling for 10% tariffs and a 90-day pause for negotiations. KLAS

LA Metro Sets Opening Date for New LAX Transit Center
LA Metro has released the opening date for its new massive transit hub near LAX. The LAX/Metro Transit Center located at 96th Street and Airport Boulevard in Westchester will officially open to the public on June 6, Metro officials announced. When opened, the new station, the largest in Metro’s network, will be located along the K and C lines and will have a light rail station, bus plaza, bike share and bike parking, as well as other amenities. KTLA

Construction of World’s Tallest Abandoned Skyscraper to Resume After a Decade
Construction of the world’s tallest unoccupied skyscraper may resume as early as next week, almost 10 years after work ground to a halt, according to Chinese state media. The 597-meter-tall (1,959-foot) Goldin Finance 117, which topped out in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin but has stood unfinished since 2015 amid major financial difficulties, is now expected to complete in 2027. CNN

Indian Airlines to Suffer Higher Costs, Detours in Ban from Pakistan Airspace
Indian airlines Air India and IndiGo are bracing for higher fuel costs and longer journey times as they reroute international flights after Pakistan shut its airspace to them amid tensions over a deadly militant attack in Kashmir. Reuters

These US Airports Have the Best Food and Drink ‘Experiences,’ Poll Finds
The global poll of more than 400 industry experts determined the nation’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport in Georgia had the best food and drink offerings. The outlet highlighted the airport’s southern and soul food spots, as well as rapper Ludacris’ Chicken and Beer. The airport lists more than 160 dining spots throughout its concourses online. Chicago O’Hare International Airport was ranked as No. 2 overall. Food & Wine noted that since 2023, the James Beard Foundation has partnered with the airport to bring pop-up food festivals to some O’Hare terminals. Plus, in 2024, new restaurants came to O’Hare’s Terminal 5, offering even more options for travelers. KLAS

Thursday, April 24
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,343,470 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 23

Mourners line up in St. Peter’s Basilica to pay respects to Pope Francis
Pope Francis, the Holy Father known for his support of the LGBTQ+ community, women in the church and immigration rights, died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday after a 12-year papacy. His death on April 21 came just one day after he greeted thousands in St. Peter’s Square after Easter Mass in his open-air popemobile in what would be his final public appearance. Pope Francis had battled bilateral pneumonia and other health issues during an extended hospital stay in the weeks before his death, which was ultimately attributed to stroke and heart failure. USA Today

Venezuelan man in Detroit deported to El Salvador after taking wrong turn at Ambassador Bridge
A 32-year-old Venezuelan man reportedly took a wrong turn onto the Ambassador Bridge, crossing into Canada, while delivering food back in January, and has since been detained and deported to El Salvador. According to the New York Times, which first reported on the incident, Ricardo Prada Vásquez was detained on Jan. 15 while attempting to reenter the U.S. at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and was taken into custody by U.S. authorities. CBS Detroit

Alaska Airlines warns of slower demand as second-quarter profit outlook falls short
Alaska Airlines said it expects a six-percentage-point hit to revenue in the second quarter. The carrier, which merged with Hawaiian Airlines last year, said it wouldn’t update its full-year forecast because of “economic uncertainty and volatility,” but that it expects to remain profitable in 2025. CNBC

Inside the Country’s Saddest Airport Lounge
The lunch menu at the Swissport Lounge at O’Hare International Airport, if you can call it that, leans more convenience-store staples than the carefully curated fare airline and credit-card lounges serve up to woo big spending travelers. Tiny sandwiches wrapped in brown paper. Prepackaged pasta salad. And those cups of Maruchan instant noodles that grocery stores sell for less than a buck. No chafing dishes in sight. WSJ

Yosemite Is Closing Its Backpackers Campgrounds Until Further Notice
Beginning on April 25, Yosemite will close two of its four backpackers campgrounds, routing many hikers who would have stayed there to the Valley’s crowded Camp 4 instead. Typically, the campgrounds—one in Yosemite Valley, one in Hetch Hetchy, one in Tuolumne Meadows, and the White Wolf Campground off the Tioga Road—are open from either April or July to October, depending on the location. The park has several areas that it designates for backpacker use, some of which are vital to Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and John Muir Trail (JMT) and other multi-day backpackers’ trips. The backpackers campgrounds often serve as a resupply point, and a destination with showers and other basic amenities. According to a notice from the park, the Yosemite Valley and White Wolf campgrounds will not open at all in 2025, while the Tuolumne Meadows campground may open in August. Outside

Alaska Airlines’ San Diego service will increase 30%
Alaska Airlines is expanding in San Diego, adding thrice-daily service to Phoenix, Chicago O’Hare and Denver. Alaska will also increase frequencies on four San Diego routes beginning Oct. 26. Combined, the new routes and frequencies will beef up Alaska’s San Diego flights by 30%. It will also grow the combined San Diego route network of Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines to 44 nonstop destinations. Travel Weekly

Conclave Streaming Views Soar by 283% After Pope Francis’ Death
The death of Pope Francis on April 21 resulted in an increase of people watching the 2024 film “Conclave” from home. The movie is available on various PVOD platforms and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video at no extra cost to subscribers. The drama film revolves around the selection of a new pontiff. Variety

Travelers can no longer grab Starbucks at CVG, as airport closes locations
Weary travelers, beware! Your coffee run at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport may look a little different now. CVG has officially closed both its Starbucks locations in the Concourse A and B food courts, and it is set to replace them with Dunkin’ restaurants. The airport originally announced its plans to do so in January 2024, but did not share a timeline for the swap. Cincinnati Enquirer

Silversea’s groundbreaking hotel will elevate luxury for Antarctica cruises
Silversea Cruises has for years appealed to customers eager to visit Antarctica without sacrificing comfort or luxury, an endeavor that led the cruise line to build the world’s southernmost hotel. Silversea announced April 15 that the hotel, scheduled to open in Puerto Williams, Chile, in January, will be named The Cormorant at 55 South. Travel Weekly

Wednesday, April 23
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,265,653 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 22

Earthquake strikes off coast of Istanbul, Turkish officials say
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Istanbul on Wednesday, according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD). The quake occurred in the Sea of Marmara close to Silivri, which lies around 70 kilometers (40 miles) to the west of the Turkish metropolis, and aftershocks are continuing, AFAD said. CNN

Tourism associations report decline in travel to the U.S.
The National Tour Association, American Bus Association and Student & Youth Travel Association released a study showing that international travel to the U.S. is down.
The three associations surveyed their U.S. members about inbound travel, and 51% of respondents reported that their business or destination has experienced a drop in business, bookings or visitation. A quarter of respondents reported no impact, and the rest said they were unsure or do not operate inbound travel. Travel Weekly

New Jersey wildfire: Over 3,000 evacuations ordered, power outages recorded in Ocean County as blaze explodes in size
A fast-moving wildfire in New Jersey expanded to 8,500 acres Tuesday afternoon, causing over 3,000 evacuations and threatening more than 1,300 structures while also closing a portion of the Garden State Parkway in the southern portion of the state. The fire started in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area of Ocean County Tuesday morning and 10% of the fire has been contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. The cause is under investigation. CNN

FAA to deploy new pilot messaging database system by September
The Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday it plans to deploy a new pilot messaging database by September after a series of outages have raised safety concerns. The FAA said it had selected CGI Federal to work on modernizing the “Notice to Airmen” system that provides pilots, flight crews and others with critical safety notices about U.S. airspace. In January 2023, the failure of the NOTAM system disrupted more than 11,000 flights in the first nationwide U.S. ground stop since 2001. Reuters

Turbulence injures 5 on United flight from San Francisco
Five people were injured when a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Singapore encountered severe turbulence while cruising over the Philippines late last month, a United Airlines spokesperson said Tuesday. United Flight UA1, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner carrying 174 passengers and 14 crew members, was flying at 40,000 feet near Claveria, Philippines, on March 27 when it hit unexpected turbulence, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. SF Gate

Why Florida’s Condo Owners Are So Desperate to Sell
Florida is contending with a condo crisis, and the ballooning costs of ownership are a big reason why. Retirees Rob and Karen Dickson moved from upstate New York to Punta Gorda, Fla., in 2021. They paid $319,000 for a condo with a terrace on the third floor, overlooking a golf course inside their gated community. WSJ

White House Reacts to Countries Issuing Travel Warnings for US
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to growing international concerns over travel to the U.S., as more countries issue updated travel advisories in response to President Trump’s immigration and transgender rights policies. Leavitt assured reporters that the U.S. remains a desirable destination, citing improved safety compared to the previous administration. Newsweek

Rubio unveils first stage of major State Department overhaul
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday rolled out the first stage of a major plan to reorganize the US State Department with changes that will eliminate 132 domestic offices, cut around 700 positions in Washington, DC, and close offices focused on war crimes and global conflict, according to a senior State Department official and documents obtained by CNN. The State Department argued the changes are necessary to maintain its efficacy and relevance, with a senior State Department official calling the current department organization chart “bloated” and arguing it has had a “deleterious effect on foreign policy and relevance of the Department.” CNN

Royal Caribbean halts Labadee calls amid Haiti safety concerns: reports
Royal Caribbean International is again dropping its private beach destination of Labadee, Haiti, from itineraries “out of an abundance of caution,” according to reports.
Labadee sits on Haiti’s northern coast, more than 100 miles from the capital of Port-au-Prince. Cruise ships had been calling since October, when the line reopened the destination after a seven-month hiatus amidst political instability. Travel Weekly

He Was a Prophet of Space Travel. His Ashes Were Found in a Basement.
The basement of the prewar co-op on the Upper West Side was so cluttered and dark in one area that the staff called it “the Dungeon,” and last year, the building’s new superintendent resolved to clear it out. For weeks, he hauled the junk left behind by former tenants — old air-conditioners, cans of paint, ancient elevator parts and rolled-up carpets — through the winding hallway with its low ceilings to the dumpster out back. About halfway through the job, he spied an old tin can on a shelf next to a leaf blower. He read the label: “Remains of Willy Ley. Cremated June 26, 1969.” NYTimes

Tuesday, April 22
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,783,296 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 21

Alaska Airlines to scrap two Washington Dulles routes amid government travel slump
Alaska Airlines is pulling back from Washington Dulles. The airline will suspend service on two of its four Dulles routes once the summer travel season winds down. “We’ve seen a recent decrease in demand on our routes between San Francisco-Washington Dulles and Los Angeles-Washington Dulles, potentially connected to economic uncertainty and a decrease in government-related travel,” the airline said in an email. Travel Weekly

Honolulu Ocean Safety has issued a box jellyfish alert this morning for Waikiki beaches
The box jellyfish, also known as box jellies or jellyfish, can leave painful stings upon contact, and have been observed on Waikiki and Ala Moana beaches, officials said. Warning signs have been posted. A warning was also posted to HNL Alert, the City and County of Honolulu’s official notification system for severe weather, road closures, ocean conditions, water main breaks and more. Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Canadian airlines revamp offerings as travellers ditch U.S. vacations
A steep decline in Canadian travel to the U.S. has dealt a blow to airlines that usually cash in on popular Florida beach vacations and family trips to Disneyland. That’s left airlines scrambling to adjust their summer schedules, trim U.S. flight capacity and add more seats to destinations within Canada and overseas. WestJet, for example, says it has scaled back some capacity between Canada and the U.S. and shifted its summer schedule to redeploy aircraft to “markets of strength,” including Europe and sun destinations. CBC News

It’s the world’s northernmost airport. And its runway is melting
The frozen expanses of the Arctic are fast becoming some of the world’s hotspots. President Donald Trump’s bid for Greenland, and growing Russian and Chinese interest in opening the sea lanes along Siberia’s northern coast, have put these remote regions in the spotlight. But the Arctic’s newfound popularity is not all about geopolitics. Destinations along the Arctic Circle, from Alaska to Lapland, are reporting record visitor numbers as adventurous travelers seek the thrill of exploring the planet’s ultimate frontiers. CNN

Indian man says his US visa for Florida holiday was rejected in less than a minute
An Indian man claimed his U.S. visa for a dream holiday to Florida was rejected in less than a minute after answering just three questions. The man who was applying for a visa which is typically used for tourism or short business visits shared his ordeal on social media site Reddit, in hopes of finding out why he was rejected. The Independent

San Francisco’s Turo cuts 15% of staff after scrapping IPO
Turo, the peer-to-peer car rental company, is laying off approximately 15% of its workforce, roughly 150 employees, after scrapping its long-anticipated plans to go public. “Due to ongoing economic uncertainty and in order to strengthen our position for long-term growth, Turo has made the very difficult decision to reduce the size of our team by approximately 15%,” a spokesperson said in a statement to Bloomberg, which first reported the cuts. SF Chronicle

Hawaii travel executive: ‘Tourism as we have known it is over’
Envisioning revolutionary changes for Hawaii’s tourism industry, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau CEO Aaron Sala said at the Travel Weekly Hawaii Leadership Forum on April 15, “Tourism as we have known it is over.” Sala was hired last September, coming to the HVCB as a business entrepreneur and educator. As president and CEO of Gravitas Pasifika, he led a boutique firm dedicated to advancing Native Hawaiian talent. Sala’s hire is in line with Hawaii tourism’s movement toward prioritizing the well-being of Native Hawaiians (including tourism workers), environmental protection and cultural preservation, while de-emphasizing growth in visitor numbers. Travel Weekly

Ryanair beware, a new UK airline wants to put the glam back in air travel
A new UK airline has been unveiled, and it’s already selling tickets for its inaugural Glasgow to New York flight. But they don’t come cheap: an economy return ticket on Global Airlines will cost passengers £778. Compare that with a £399 British Airways fare for the same dates, and it’s almost 95% more expensive. Metro

Scammers are texting drivers about unpaid tolls, causing chaos amongst some consumers
If you’ve received a text claiming you owe unpaid tolls, you’re not alone. Over 60,000 complaints were made to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center last year about unpaid toll scams. People all over the country are being contacted, mostly via text messages, and being told they owe money for highway tolls. CNN

These are the big winners as the US dollar weakens
The dollar has slumped against other currencies as President Donald Trump’s tariffs pinch demand. Haven currencies, export-driven economies, and commodities stand to gain from its decline. Here are some of the likely winners from a weaker greenback. BI

US airlines struggle to forecast their business in worsening economic fog
President Donald Trump’s trade war has created the biggest uncertainty for U.S. airlines since the COVID pandemic. With little clarity on how consumers will behave in the face of a potentially worsening economy, carriers are struggling to accurately forecast their business. Reuters

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

Daisy L.|
April 7, 2025 at 1:04 am | Reply

Great roundup of the latest travel updates! From the new TSA screening technologies to the trending destinations for 2024, this article covers everything a traveler needs to know. I especially appreciated the tips on avoiding flight delays and the insights into airline policy changes. JohnnyJet always delivers practical and timely advice—perfect for planning stress-free trips. Thanks for keeping us informed!
sellmymiles|
March 28, 2025 at 2:03 pm | Reply

Great roundup of travel updates! Always appreciate a one-stop source for industry news, especially with changing airline policies and new travel trends emerging. Looking forward to seeing how these developments impact travelers in the coming months.
Harriet J. Hartley|
February 1, 2025 at 9:02 pm | Reply

Staying updated on travel news is always a game-changer! Looking forward to seeing what’s on the list today—whether it’s new routes, travel hacks, or industry updates. Thanks for keeping us in the loop!
Buzzy Gordon|
November 20, 2024 at 4:11 pm | Reply

Arthur Frommer, RIP, was a particular inspiration to me, and I am honored that, as one of his authors, our names will be linked together for posterity.
Richard G Allen|
August 19, 2024 at 5:08 pm | Reply

On August 13th or 14th, I sent you a response to your reply to my original response in which you claim your Headline Trump flew on Jeffery Epstein’s Jet. You have never printed this response just as you had not printed the reply from Ms. Carlson. I am relieved to read that you are not intentionally blocking my reply. I just tried to resubmit this reply and received a message that you already have this information. I therefore request that you print the reply is submitted on either August 13th or 14th. Thank your for you courtesy.
Richard G Allen|
August 19, 2024 at 5:08 pm | Reply

On August 13th or 14th, I sent you a response to your reply to my original response in which you claim your Headline Trump flew on Jeffery Epstein’s Jet. You have never printed this response just as you had not printed the reply from Ms. Carlson. I am relieved to read that you are not intentionally blocking my reply. This unpublished reply appears below.

It appears you are very confused with what was contained in my original response to you. You, just confirmed your Headline statement was false and misleading. In your response to me you state “Thanks for your comment! It wasn’t false. His campaign confirmed it to be true: https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-campaign-confirms-he-chartered-epsteins-old-jet.
I never questioned whether or not Trump has flown on a plane formerly owned by Jeffery Epstein. If you had properly read what you responded to, I was pointing out that your Headline was false and misleading in that Jeffery Epstein did not own the plane the Trump Campaign Chartered.
In your response you say “epsteins-old-jet. That is a far cry from what you said in your article. I know you can read and you wrote – “NOW HE’S FLYING JEFFERY EPSTEIN’S JET”. You must obviously see the difference. In my original email to you I wrote “Your headline is obviously false and also misleading. Instead of printing an accurate headline that Trump was flying an aircraft formally owned by Jeffery Epstein, as the “HONEST” media has done, you went for the jugular knowing you were providing false information to your readers.”
You verified that thedailybeast.com did the correct thing and pointed out that the plane the Trump Campaign Chartered was Epsteins Old Jet. You clearly stated that Trump is flying Jeffery Epstein’s Jet. No modifier – former, old, etc. Do you believe that the plane the Trump Campaign Chartered was owned by Jeffery Epstein at the time Trump Chartered the plane last week? You must have – that is what you said. You wanted to give the impression Trump was associated with Epstein and now flying in his jet. Why else would you print this? Why do this and discredit yourself?

I also asked several other simple questions which you have chosen to ignore. You have made a big mistake and should own up to it. You have many readers who do not want to read about your political views and probably more important to you, you act as an ambassador to many companies that do not want their product or representatives to be involved in the political world. You may soon find out how quickly these companies cut ties with those who bring unwanted notice to them.

I wrote this original response as a word to the wise, it appears you have not learned from it and only compounded your problem. I suggest you re-read my original comments and compare you misguided response to what I originally wrote.

I do truly wish the best for you and your lovely family. Please take some time and think this over, your actions are extremely important to your future. I/we are still awaiting an explanation and apology.
1. Johnny Jet|
  August 19, 2024 at 6:08 pm | Reply
  
  Hi Richard,
  
  As I told Mary, I didn’t write the story (https://viewfromthewing.com/trumps-plane-ground-after-emergency-landing-now-hes-flying-jeffrey-epsteins-old-jet/) I included it in my roundup of the day’s travel story and it was travel news. I will leave you with https://www.instagram.com/p/C8jxWO9hxwQ/ Peace and love
Mary Carlson|
August 16, 2024 at 8:08 pm | Reply

Hello again Mr. Jet:
The other day I wrote and sent you the following reply to your short article regarding Trump flying on Epstein’s former Jet. It has been a couple of days and it has not been published on the web page. Have you now taken to censoring your readers who call you to task for printing false information? If so, you have reached a very low in your life. If you cannot explain why, you made such a dangerous mistake, you are admitting you are guilty of the misdeeds Mr Allen and I have claimed. I would have expected Mr Allen to have called you out on your pathetic and incorrect response. Perhaps he has, and you have blocked his reply as well. I hope for your sake you have just been busy and not had time to correct this issue. An issue like this should not ruin your career.

Hello Mr. Jet:
I must agree completely with Mr. Allen. You absolutely crossed the line and presented to your readers false information regarding the airplane Mr Trump used to fly after his primary plane broke down. You said that Mr Trump flew in Epstein’s plane. Then is not true and unless you believed that Mr. Epstein was alive and stilled owned this plane, you deliberately set out to mislead you readers and defame Mr Trump.
This is not of any concern to me as a reader of your newsletter. I read it to gain information that may enhance my traveling experience. I cannot see how this could in anyway do that, I think you would agree.
Your response to Mr Allen is laughable, in your response you show that your source correctly identified the plane as epsteins-old-jet and you still think you did nothing wrong?
I should no nothing of your political view. Why would you do such a thing other than you have a great hate for Mr Trump. At this time over have of the people who will be voting in November will be voting for Mr Trump. You risked alienating so many of your readers for what?
I am now looking for a replacement newsletter to yours. I will not stop the search until I find one. The author my have similar political views to yours, and that is fine with me, as long as I never know. I also buy Air Jordans for my kids.
I hope you have learned from this, but it is too late for me.
1. Johnny Jet|
  August 16, 2024 at 9:08 pm | Reply
  
  Hi Mary,
  
  Thanks for the reminder to approve comments. I always approve them unless they have swear words or are anonymous. I just didn’t get around to it since it was my daughter’s 5th birthday was on Wednesday and then she broke her arm so we were in the hospital most of the day yesterday. I don’t engage in political banter because I know I could never change your mind on who to vote for and vice versa. But the story I linked to was factually correct. I didn’t write it so if you have a problem with it go after the author. I will leave you with https://www.instagram.com/p/C8jxWO9hxwQ/ Peace and love
Mary Carlson|
August 14, 2024 at 8:08 pm | Reply

Hello Mr. Jet:
I must agree completely with Mr. Allen. You absolutely crossed the line and presented to your readers false information regarding the airplane Mr Trump used to fly after his primary plane broke down. You said that Mr Trump flew in Epstein’s plane. Than is not true and unless you believed that Mr. Epstein was alive and stilled owned this plane, you deliberately set out to mislead you readers and defame Mr Trump.
This is not of any concern to me as a reader of your newsletter. I read it to gain information that may enhance my traveling experience. I cannot see how this could in anyway do that, I think you would agree.
Your response to Mr Allen is laughable, in your response you show that your source correctly identified the plane as epsteins-old-jet and you still think you did nothing wrong?
I should no nothing of your political view. Why would you do such a thing other than you have a great hate for Mr Trump. At this time over have of the people who will be voting in November will be voting for Mr Trump, You risked alienating so many of your readers for what?
I am now looking for a replacement newsletter to yours. I will not stop the search until I find one. The author my have similar political views to yours, and that is fine with me, as long as I never know. I also buy Air Jordans for my kids.
I hope you have learned from this, but it is too late for me.
Richard G Allen|
August 13, 2024 at 5:08 pm | Reply

“TRUMP’S PLANE GROUNDED AFTER EMERGENCY LANDING—NOW HE’S FLYING JEFFERY EPSTEIN’S JET”. Jeffery Epstein died 5 years ago, almost to the day, therefore could not be the current owner of this jet. If you want to play that game, I am sure you have flown on air craft owned, leased, or occupied by notorious individuals and in a timeframe much less than 5 years. What exactly does that have to do with improving my traveling experience? How do you know where Trump is obtaining the funds to repair his regular air craft? According to most independent financial reviewers, Trump’s current net worth is approximately $7.5 Billion. What does any of this have to do with travel?

Your headline is obviously false and also misleading. Instead of printing an accurate headline that Trump was flying an aircraft formally owned by Jeffery Epstein, as the “HONEST” media has done, you went for the jugular knowing you were providing false information to your readers.

Your hatred for Trump is so strong you are going to destroy what you have worked so hard to build. Do you know anything about Michael Jordans political views? I think not. As Mr. Jordan often says, “I never discuss my political leanings – both Republicans and Democrats by shoes”.

So, you hate Donald J. Trump. Partisan politics does not belong in a Travel News Letter. Keep this up and you will end up like your friend and idol – Leo Laporte. His politics have driven him out of the radio business and now out of a studio and into his attic, for his Podcasts. You can look forward to the same.

Creditability is paramount in all business – especially yours. Your have lost a great deal of you waning creditability through bush-league actions such as these.

I and many others find your actions of publishing such an article to be highly degrading to us, the readers of your newsletter. I hereby request a written apology for publishing false information and treating us in such a disgusting manner and turning this into a political publication.
1. Johnny Jet|
  August 13, 2024 at 6:08 pm | Reply
  
  Thanks for your comment! It wasn’t false. His campaign confirmed it to be true: https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-campaign-confirms-he-chartered-epsteins-old-jet
B. Manoogian|
July 16, 2024 at 5:07 pm | Reply

On Sunday, July 14, 2024 you wrote –“Crazy times and as former President Obama said on Threads, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.” I assume this is in reference to the assassination attempt on President Trump. Your HATE for the former President has been clear for many years, but never cleared that in this paragraph. You refused to mention President Trump’s name and do what all decent people have done – thanked God for his survival and hope him a rapid recovery. An innocent member of the crowd was killed and 2 others put in the hospital with critical injuries. You make no mention of this.
It has been clear for a long time throughout your newsletter that you have very left leaning views that skew what should be forthright reporting, but never more evident that in this short article.
I feel so sorry for your wife and children who must live with your hate.
Jerry Mandel|
May 25, 2024 at 4:05 pm | Reply

TSA numbers of no value. Who cares?
Jerry Mandel|
April 22, 2024 at 10:04 pm | Reply

Why would anyone care about yesterday’s TSA numbers? This is silly.
1. Johnny Jet|
  April 23, 2024 at 10:04 pm | Reply
  
  A lot of people do. Shows how the economy is doing especially for the airlines.
Ross Copas|
January 20, 2024 at 8:01 pm | Reply

What’s your recommended VPN
Richard G Allen|
November 3, 2023 at 5:11 pm | Reply

Hello –

I just read the article titled “Woman in tears after being blocked from luxury cruise due to little known rule”. After reading this, I am still not clear as to why she was denied to board. It says something about an invalid issue date. What is an “invalid issue date”. How can you have a valid passport with an expiration date 7 months in the future if the Passport has an “invalid issue date”? Please explain.

Thanks
1. Johnny Jet|
  November 4, 2023 at 2:11 am | Reply
  
  I wasn’t clear either.
Alyza|
June 30, 2023 at 3:06 am | Reply

Such a great article! Thanks for sharing.
Nors|
June 15, 2023 at 6:06 pm | Reply

I think that it is interesting that oversized people think that airlines should offer then free seats. Perhaps the airlines could do what the cruise ships do which is offer seats at 150% similar as to what cruise lines do for singles. (I really don’t think that there is an easy answer to this question, This proposal opens a pandoras box of issues – I suspect that a lot of people can think of why they might benefit from an extra free seat, e.g. people flying with babies/small children; people flying with medical equipment; people flying with service animals; people working; etc.)

On the issue of cruise ships, I often feel not appreciated as a cruiser because not only do I often have to pay 150% but the single rooms that are available to single cruisers are often on the lowest deck with no balcony/veranda (with very few exceptions) and often at a higher rate.
Kent Clyde|
June 2, 2023 at 8:06 pm | Reply

Well that’s true, it’s better to use the companion fare on more expensive tickets. I was trying to say that long flights are not necessarily more expensive. Short flights can be expensive too. It really depends on the cities you fly between and when you book.
Olivia|
May 22, 2023 at 4:05 am | Reply

Love your newsletters but I used the TA you recommend for cruising and was very disappointed. He was supposed to issue a $200 OBC and it never showed up. I sent an email a week before we left and he never responded. I called and he was out of the office. No out of office reply to email or an emergency contact by phone when we wasn’t available.
It was our first cruise and we loved it but I would recommend this agent.
1. Johnny Jet|
  May 24, 2023 at 2:05 am | Reply
  
  I’m sorry to hear this. I will email him to find out what happened.