12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today

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

Thursday, March 30
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,206,337 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, March 29. Four years ago on the same day (pre-pandemic): 2,151,626. (TSA)

JetBlue is preparing to trim New York flights in response to FAA staffing shortage
JetBlue is preparing to cut scores of weekly flights in the New York City area this spring and summer in response to a shortage of air traffic controllers. Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration unveiled a new plan to help avoid a repeat of 2022’s flight disruptions. “We don’t want to pull down flights,” CEO Robin Hayes said in an interview with CNBC. “But if we don’t cut them the system is not going to be workable this summer.” CNBC

 

Italy: Unionized airport workers set to strike nationwide, April 2
Multiple unions representing airport staff plan to strike nationwide on April 2 over pay disputes and other working conditions. The strike is due to last from 13:00 to 17:00; however, some disruptions are likely before and after this period. The UGL-TA and UNICA, FILT-CGIL and Uiltrasporti, and FIT-CISL labor unions plan three separate national strikes. Separate local strike action is also scheduled at Bologna (BLQ), Naples (NAP), and Rome Urbe (No IATA Code) Airports. The industrial action will impact airport handling, security, aviation, and other support services. The cumulative impact of the actions is likely to vary at different airports. Garda

 

This low-cost airline has flights to Europe for as low as $139
The global low-cost carrier Norse Atlantic Airways has launched a new springtime sale for travelers looking to book a low-cost European getaway. The “Explorer’s Sale” — which ends April 6 — features flights as low as $139 one-way from New York City, Los Angeles, and other cities to major tourist destinations across Europe including London, Berlin, and Paris. T+L

 

Frontier Airlines is giving away a million miles
For lucky travelers, a million airline miles from Frontier could be in your future. The airline is hosting its first-ever jackpot giveaway, called “Lott-o Miles.” Similar to a traditional lottery, but with a Frontier spin, participants will choose five of the Frontier animal ambassadors instead of numbers. If a participant matches the five animals, they’ll win one million Frontier miles. T+L

 

Congress considers TSA no-fly list for unruly passengers after spike
The Protection from Abusive Passengers Act would prohibit individuals on the list from boarding any commercial aircraft flight, and would let the TSA determine the duration of the ban. The bill includes guidelines for notifying people that they’re on the list, and how to appeal it, according to lawmakers who proposed it. Axios

 

How one man went to all 12 Disney parks around the world in 12 days
It seems like an impossible vacation: Go on every ride at every Disney park in 12 days. That’s 216 rides, 12 parks, four countries and three continents. But an Atlanta man named Nathan Firesheets appears to have conquered the feat this month, gaining a modest global following as he documented the journey in a series of exuberant selfies, always giving a thumbs-up. USA Today

 

Airlines urge measures to curb French air traffic disruptions
European airline leaders called on Wednesday for measures to prevent chronic French air traffic control strikes penalising thousands of passengers using the country’s airspace for transit, as Paris warned of new protests on Thursday. Reuters

 

Private jet flights in Europe soar to record levels — and most were ultra-short journeys
Analysis published Thursday by environmental campaign group Greenpeace showed the number of private jet flights in Europe rose by a whopping 64% to reach a record high of 572,806 last year. It comes at a time when Europe is in the grip of a severe winter drought and shortly after the region’s driest summer in at least 500 years. CNBC

 

United Airlines reaches tentative deals with union for 30,000 ground workers
United Airlines Holdings Inc CEO Scott Kirby said on Wednesday the carrier has reached an agreement in principle with a workers union over new contracts that include higher wages for its nearly 30,000 ground workers. Shares of the airline rose 2.1% in afternoon trade. US News & World Report

 

 

Delta is dropping these popular international routes
Uh oh, Delta, we still want to go to Germany! (and Switzerland and Sweden and Denmark)…what gives? The Points Guy revealed this week that Delta is scrapping six of its transatlantic flights next winter. Guess not enough of us flew this winter to warrant the long haul flights. Timeout

 

The Queen Mary lives! Tours and overnight stays on the liner are back
For fans of cultural preservation and maritime history, the news is royally good. The world-famous Queen Mary,which has been closed for years, is lowering the gangway for visitors once again. Frommers

 

Wednesday, March 29
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,033,766 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, March 28. Four years ago on the same day (pre-pandemic): 2,026,256. (TSA)

American and United cut spring flights due to pilot shortage, aircraft delays
Come June, Erie, Pa., will be a one airline town. United Airlines will end flights to the community on the shores of the lake of the same name leaving American Airlines as the community’s sole air carrier, a shift that comes as airlines struggle to recover and grow their schedules in a constrained market. Airlineweekly

 

American tourist shot by unidentified armed men in Mexico
A U.S. tourist was shot in the leg by unidentified assailants at a resort town on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, prosecutors in the coastal state of Quintana Roo said on Tuesday, March 28th. They said the shooting occurred in the low-key town of Puerto Morelos, just south of Cancun. Prosecutors said the American was approached by several suspects near midnight Monday and they shot him in the leg. The motive remains under investigation. The Cancun Post

 

United flight makes emergency landing in Houston over possible engine fire
A United Airlines flight that left Houston for Rio de Janeiro reversed course on Tuesday night, eventually making an emergency landing at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport after one of the plane’s engines reportedly caught fire, officials said. CBS News

 

Turks and Caicos is dropping Covid vaccine requirements
Turks and Caicos will lift its Covid vaccine requirements for visitors on April 1. The country was one of the last in the Caribbean to continue to enforce major, Covid-era travel restrictions. Most countries lifted their requirements on vaccinations, testing and quarantines in mid-2022, but Turks and Caicos maintained a strict policy, requiring all visitors over age 18 to show proof of vaccination. Travel Weekly

 

 

British Airways launches Aruba, Guyana flights
British Airways has added Aruba and Guyana flights to its route network. They become the latest destinations with the inaugural flights touching down this week. British Airways operates more routes to the Caribbean and Mexico than any other UK airline. Aruba and Guyana flights bring the total number of destinations served in the region to 17. Travelmole

 

Second airport may be needed to accommodate Las Vegas’ continued tourism growth
Since its inception more than two decades ago, Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air has grown to service hundreds of nonstop routes across the country, including several that fly in and out Nevada. Allegiant adds stops according to demand from customers, said Kristen Schilling-Gonzales, Allegiant’s vice president of planning. And, she said, that demand often includes one destination: Las Vegas. Las Vegas Sun Newspaper

 

Italy’s ban on cultivated meat could set the industry back
Just when the U.S. government was getting more comfortable with the concept of cultivated meat, the Italian government put forth a bill banning the use of lab-grown food. The process of making cultivated meat includes a method, like precision fermentation in a laboratory, that uses animal cells without slaughtering the animals. TechCrunch

Cargo handler at Miami airport accused of $1.2M cellphone theft
Last Monday, a cargo container from South Florida arrived in Colombia. It was supposed to be full of cellphones. Instead, it was full of sandbags. That led to a Miami-Dade police investigation and led detectives to arrest a cargo handler working out of a company based at the Miami International Airport. Thirty-seven-year-old Eduardo Miguel Rivera-Paz of Miramar is accused of committing the crime. He faced three grand theft charges. Local10

 

Erie, PA is down to one commercial airline
Erie International Airport will be served by just one airline beginning June 2. United Airlines has made the “strategic but difficult decision” to suspend service at Erie and at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois, on that date, according to an announcement by the airline to airport staff. Erie International Airport Executive Director Derek Martin confirmed the suspension of Erie service Friday morning. Go Erie

 

Why Hawaii might release millions of mosquitos in Maui
On Thursday, National Park Service officials announced they would move forward with a plan to reduce the transmission of avian malaria to threatened and endangered forest birds by suppressing invasive mosquito populations. As NPS explained, the idea is to use an incompatible insect technique (IIT) which consists of repeatedly releasing incompatible male mosquitoes into the wild to reduce the reproductive potential of female mosquitoes in the project area. The Hill

 

Celebrity Cruises latest ship to offer methanol powered cruising
Celebrity Cruises newest ship will offer hybrid power with three fuel sources, including methanol. The fifth ship in the Edge Series will give unmatched fuel flexibility, it says. “As we innovate our ship design, we’re also focused on equally evolving the fuel and technology that powers them,” said Jason Liberty, CEO Royal Caribbean Group.Travelmole

Tuesday, March 28
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,374,441 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, March 27. Four years ago on the same day (pre-pandemic): 2,360,053. (TSA)

Ski resorts in California got so much snow they’re going to be able to stay open through June
The slopes are open for summer, at least in California. Several California ski resorts have announced they have received so much snow that they plan to stay open until well into the summer months. Mammoth Mountain, a popular four-season resort located in the Eastern Sierra mountains, announced earlier this week it would be open for skiing at least until the end of July. This is the earliest in the year the resort has ever announced it would be open so late. CNN

 

US air travel is ‘overwhelmed’ and that’s putting off some flyers, industry group says
Travel is so busy this spring break season at Miami International Airport that officials are advising flyers to give themselves an extra hour – arriving three hours, rather than two – before a domestic flight. Miami International is the fastest-growing airport in the United States, setting monthly passenger records 12 of the past 13 months. CNN

Delta is spending $1.5 billion to upgrade New York’s largest airport — see the improvements so far
Delta Air Lines is investing $1.5 billion into New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The carrier has already opened an upgraded check-in lobby, 10 new gates, and a new cargo building. Delta One flyers will eventually have a dedicated check-in lobby and an exclusive lounge at Terminal 4. Business Insider

 

NTSB: Former White House official died when jet pitched violently upward and downward during flight
The NTSB’s report details that the movement occurred after pilots responded to automated cockpit warnings and switched off the system meant to keep the private aircraft stable. The National Transportation Safety Board says in a preliminary report that a former staffer of both the Clinton and Obama administrations died in a private jet after pilots switched off an aircraft stabilizing system while in flight, causing the aircraft to pitch violently. People

 

United resumes services to Dubai with daily flight from New York
On Monday, United Airlines said that it had launched a new nonstop daily service between its New York/Newark hub and Dubai International (DXB). United is thus the only US airline to offer nonstop flights between Dubai and the US. The schedule of its new daily flights is below. Business Traveller

 

Hawaii hotels are strategically increasing their prices
If you feel like booking a hotel in Hawaii is becoming more expensive, you’re not wrong. Hotel room rates have increased greatly since 2019 ― in some cases by 50%. Though there was a post-pandemic surge of visitors to the islands that increased demand, arrivals have since softened. Hawaii is still recovering and seeing fewer visitors than before the pandemic. With that said, hotel occupancy levels are also still down, so there’s a larger supply of rooms than there was pre-pandemic. SF Gate

 

Sharks, tourists jostle for space around Thai destination island
On any given day in Thailand’s Maya Bay, up to 40 blacktip reef sharks cruise in the cyan shallows while about 4,000 tourists visit its white-sand beach flanked by towering cliffs. Shark numbers have improved since almost every last one was driven from the bay by the influx of tour boats and tourists keen to see the uninhabited idyll that was made famous as the set of Leonardo Di Caprio’s 2000 thriller “The Beach”. Reuters

 

Americans who have moved abroad are sharing their experiences
Is it just me, or do you also fantasize about packing up your life and moving abroad for a new adventure? Well, it can actually be done. And while moving to a new country can be amazing, it’s often also full of challenges. So I browsed the subreddit r/expats and rounded up a bunch of honest responses from Americans who have left the states for other countries. Here’s what they say about their own experiences. Buzzfeed

 

Trans flight attendant featured in United ad passes away
A United Airlines flight attendant who shared her transition journey in a United Airlines Ad has sadly passed away after she shared an emotional goodbye message to her social media pages. Kayleigh Scott from Denver took to her social media to speak with her loved ones and urge them to cherish the “good memories we have shared.” MSN

 

The latest travel threat the CDC is warning about is super gross
You’re either a person that brings wipes and hand sanitizer when you travel, or you just leave it in the hands of the gods and go about your business. Whether you hope for the best or clean every surface as much as possible, we’re going to add another thing to be scared of when you travel. According to the CDC travel guidelines, there’s a new gross reason that will make you rethink your vacation plans (or, at least, be more vigilant about washing your hands). MSN

 

What relief will airlines give FAA this summer?
There has been a shortage of air traffic controllers in the US building for ages, and things became more dire during the pandemic. Now, we’ve learned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) still is unable to properly staff up, and so it has resorted to begging the airlines to help avoid disaster this summer. Will any of them help? Probably, but not all. Cranky Flier

Monday, March 27
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,514,762 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, March 26. Four years ago on the same day (pre-pandemic): 2,510,294. (TSA)

Germany ‘mega strike’: Public transport network halted over pay
Germany’s transport network is at a near standstill as the country experiences one of its largest strikes in decades. Staff at airports, ports, railways, buses and subways walked out shortly after midnight for a 24-hour stoppage. Two of the Germany’s largest unions are demanding higher wages to help with the rising cost of living. The country’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said she was optimistic an agreement would be reached this week. BBC News

 

No flights leaving Ben-Gurion Airport in judicial reform strike
There will be no flights leaving Ben-Gurion Airport until further notice as part of widespread strikes announced by the Workers’ Union on Monday morning in protest of the judicial reform. The announcement of grounded flights was made by Israel’s Airport Authority Committee Chairman Pinhas Idan. The Jerusalem Post

 

Heathrow announces contingency plan for 10-day airport security strike
Heathrow has announced contingency plans to keep the airport operating during a 10-day strike by security guards. Members of the Unite union will walk out on Friday in a dispute over pay, with travellers warned to brace for disruption. The strike will continue until April 9 and involves security guards employed at Terminal Five. A Heathrow spokesman said: “We will not let these unnecessary strikes impact the hard-earned holidays of our passengers. Evening Standard

 

Air India, Nepal Airlines planes almost collide mid-air; 3 air traffic controllers suspended
On Friday, a major tragedy was averted when an Air India and a Nepal Airlines aircraft came close to collision mid-air but the warning systems alerted the pilots whose timely action prevented the disaster. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has suspended three employees of the air traffic controller department for “carelessness”, news agency PTI reported quoting CAAN spokesperson Jagannath Niroula as saying. BusinessToday

 

Delta restarts Los Angeles flights to Heathrow
Delta Air Lines has restarted daily Los Angeles flights from London Heathrow. The direct flights were last operated back in 2015. Los Angeles flights are operated by four-class A330-900neo aircraft, which includes Delta One Suites. Travelmole

 

Iconic Santa Monica hotel to relaunch
Santa Monica hotel The Georgian is set to officially reopen. A fixture of the Southern California coastline since 1933, the historic hotel will reopen on April 3. The famed Art Deco property has seen several iterations over the years, and hosted regular guests including Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe. The Georgian has been carefully restored by Jon Blanchard and Nicolo Rusconi of BLVD Hospitality.  Travelmole

 

After Florida school uproar, Italy extends an invitation to parents and students to view Michelangelo’s ‘David’
The Florence museum housing Michelangelo’s Renaissance masterpiece the David on Sunday invited parents and students from a Florida charter school to visit after complaints about a lesson featuring the statue forced the principal to resign. Florence Mayor Dario Nardella also tweeted an invitation for the principal to visit so he can personally honor her. Confusing art with pornography was “ridiculous,” Nardella said. LA Times

 

Miami Beach declares state of emergency as mayor considers ending Spring Break
Officials in Miami Beach have declared a state of emergency as “massive crowds” of Spring Breakers descend on the Florida city causing mayhem, including the shooting deaths of two people. Alina Hudak, the city manager, signed the emergency declaration Wednesday which has allowed officials to impose measures “to protect the health and safety of persons and property.” The emergency declaration is in effect through Monday. UPI

 

Truck tire causes car to flip on highway in wild car wreck video
Sometimes L.A. freeways look like action movie scenes, but this car flying several feet into the air and flipping over after a tire popped off a truck … is painfully real, and crazy!!! TMZ

 

Yang Bing-yi: Founder of Din Tai Fung dumpling empire dies
The founder of one of the world’s biggest dumpling empires has died. Yang Bing-yi, who set up the Taiwanese restaurant chain Din Tai Fung, “passed away peacefully” at the age of 96, the company said in a statement Saturday. It did not mention the cause of death but said that private funeral arrangements were underway and that the family has asked for privacy. CNN Business

 

From crop dusting to the Widget: How one woman gave Delta its name
The true origin of the Delta name doesn’t lie solely in the Greek letter – it’s the brainchild of a woman named Catherine FitzGerald, who suggested the name to Delta’s founder as a way to pay homage to the agricultural region that was foundational to the airline’s success. Delta News Hub

 

Sunday, March 26
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,208,254 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, March 25. Four years ago on the same day (pre-pandemic): 2,172,920. (TSA)

Technical issues at Lufthansa cause delays in Frankfurt
Lufthansa’s operations were disrupted Sunday at Frankfurt airport because of technical problems, German news agency dpa reported. Check-in systems on the airline’s website and at the counter, as well as boarding, were affected at Germany’s biggest airport, a Lufthansa spokeswoman told dpa. Some flights were delayed or would have to be canceled because of the problems. AP

 

Woman tracks Apple AirPod headphones left on plane to airport worker’s home
We’ve had people tracking their bags when airlines can’t find them. Now here’s something new: a passenger tracking an item she left on a plane — to an airport employee’s home. Earlier in March, Alisabeth Hayden, from Washington state in the US, was separated from her AirPods — Apple’s pricey micro headphones — while disembarking from a plane in San Francisco. She swiftly realized that they appeared to have been stolen. ABC7 Los Angeles

 

Photos show the Northern Lights made a rare appearance as far south as Phoenix, Arizona on Friday morning
A giant “hole” in the sun and solar eruptions blew strong electromagnetic winds toward Earth this week. That caused the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, to make a rare appearance in skies across the US. The colorful lights were seen as far south as Arizona, much further than what was forecast. Business Insider

Uber driver carjacked, shot and killed after dropping off 2 passengers in L.A.
The search is on for two suspects after an Uber driver was carjacked and then shot and killed shortly after conducting a drop-off at a gas station in Lynwood, authorities said. The shooting was reported just after 1:30 a.m. Friday at a 7-Eleven, which just celebrated its grand opening the day before, on the 2800 block of Imperial Highway. FOX LA

 

Eric Garcetti sworn in as US ambassador to India
Former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was sworn in as the next U.S. ambassador to India Friday by Vice President Kamala Harris. Members of Garcetti’s family were on hand to witness the brief ceremony in Washington, D.C. FOX LA

 

American Airlines boosts seasonal transatlantic flights
American Airlines is expanding seasonal transatlantic flights this summer. It announced the return of popular European routes for the summer and boosts transatlantic flights by an extra 14% compared to last year. It represents an additional 240 flights each month to Europe. Next month seasonal service resumes to Madrid and Rome from its Charlotte base, and to Dublin from Dallas/Fort Worth. Travelmole

 

Two distressed sailors rescued by Princess Cruise Ship off the Australian coast
Two people were rescued by a Princess Cruises ship off the coast of Wilsons Promontory National Park in Victoria, Australia after their boat ran out of fuel earlier this week. A dive boat captain and his skipper were stranded after the boat ran out of fuel off the coast of a granite island known as Skull Rock. They were drifting and unable to anchor due to the water depth. The boat then began to take on water, but the pair didn’t have a bilge pump to get the water out. Cruise Radio

 

MSC’s newest ships will run on liquid natural gas
The MSC Cruise Division has just taken a giant step toward its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050: They’ve launched MSC World Europa and are looking forward to MSC Euribia, two ships powered entirely by liquid natural gas (LNG). LNG is the cleanest, lowest-emission marine fuel yet developed.It releases only about half the CO2 of coal and drastically reduces nitrogen oxide emissions. And it emits zero soot, dust, or fumes. Porthole

 

Man guilty of sexually assaulting women on flight from LAX
A California man on Friday pleaded guilty to assault charges stemming from a groping incident aboard a Boston-bound plane last year, according to the District of Massachusetts U.S. Attorney. According to federal prosecutors, Jairaj Singh Dhillon, 43, of Modesto, Calif., assaulted two women sitting near him on a flight from Los Angeles to Logan Airport in May 2022. Patch

SoCal couple caused crashes for road rage Youtube channel
A Yucaipa couple faces multiple felony charges stemming from a YouTube channel that prosecutors allege documented dozens of intentional crashes and road rage incidents in the Southland. Investigators allege Christopher and Kimberly Phelps, both 40, caused collisions to receive insurance payouts and also used the incidents as fodder for their YouTube page, posting 162 clips showing crashes, near misses and road rage. In several instances, the couple’s child was in the vehicle, according to San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office. Patch

 

Get pregnant while staying at this resort, get rewarded with more than a baby
Couples looking to start a family often travel to luxury resorts because they tend to be conducive to romance and relaxation. In fact, so many past guests have contacted Tierra Magnifica in Costa Rica to let them know they were having babies that the resort decided to create a special package to celebrate. Forbes

 

Friday, March 24
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,189,372 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, March 23. Four years ago on the same day (pre-pandemic): 2,273,811. (TSA)

German unions call for wide-ranging transport strike Monday
German unions are calling on thousands of workers across the country’s transport system to stage a one-day strike on Monday that is expected to bring widespread disruption to planes, trains and local transit. The Ver.di service workers’ union and the EVG union, which represents many railway workers, announced the 24-hour walkout in a joint appearance Thursday. Employees in many sectors have been seeking hefty raises to reflect persistently high inflation. Travel Weekly

 

FAA encourages airlines to cut New York schedules this summer
Because of a shortage of air traffic controllers, the FAA this summer will allow airlines to surrender 10% of their landing and departure slots at capacity-restricted Newark, LaGuardia and JFK airports without being subject to losing access to those slots in future years. The moratorium will be in effect May 15 to Sept. 15. Travel Weekly

 

The new Crystal extends an offer to guests impacted by the old Crystal’s collapse
The new Crystal has launched a program for guests who lost money after the collapse of the old Crystal Cruises. Eligible guests with a verified claim in the Crystal Cruises LLC case will be able to apply for a credit to use toward future sailings on the Crystal Serenity or Crystal Symphony. Travel Weekly

 

US tourist fined for driving Ferrari into Florence’s famous piazza
Getting behind the wheel of a bright red Ferrari sports car doesn’t mean you can drive anywhere – not even in Italy. That’s what one American tourist found to his cost when he drove a gleaming Ferrari Spider into the Piazza della Signoria, a famous pedestrianized square in the historic center of the city of Florence. The tourist was apprehended on Monday after he parked the Swiss-registered Ferrari Spider, having been seen motoring along the adjacent Via dei Gondi street in what local officials described as a “nonsensical” way. CNN

 

France pension reform protests turn violent following national day of action
More than a million people took to the streets across France on Thursday with protests turning violent in some areas as demonstrators voiced their fury at proposed pension reforms. Clashes between groups of protesters and police broke out after workers staged a national strike throughout Thursday, with flare-ups in Paris and regional capitals. French police said around 1,000 people acted “violently,” setting fires, launching smoke bombs and damaging property. In the southwestern city of Bordeaux, protesters set fire to the entrance of the city hall during ongoing clashes with police, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV. CNN Business

 

Passports: Blinken says State Department is working to deal with ‘unprecedented demand’
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday the State Department is facing an “unprecedented demand” for passports, and has increased staffing and resources to deal with it. Blinken said the current wait time for a regular passport is “about ten to thirteen weeks, and for an expedited passport about seven to nine weeks.” CNN Politics

 

Tickets to Bruce Springsteen concerts are now so expensive in the US that American fans are flying to Europe
Music lovers are complaining that the price of concert tickets in the United States are now so expensive that it is cheaper to buy a plane ticket and see the show in Europe. Beyoncé fan Mercedes Arielle, from Dallas, announced on Instagram that she had saved money by booking a flight to Stockholm to see the Renaissance tour, rather than buying a ticket in her hometown. Daily Mail

 

Mammoth Mountain ski season extended through July
California skiing haven Mammoth Mountain will stay open through at least July. It could continue beyond July thanks to the huge amount of snowfall this winter. They haven’t yet to confirmed a closing date for the season. There has been unprecedented snowfall across the Golden State in recent weeks. Travelmole

 

I started my Turo side hustle in 2021 with one car. Last year, I earned $76,620 in passive income from 7 cars.
Camesha Whitmore is a 31-year-old Turo host in Phoenix. In 2021, she started a side hustle on the car-rental app hoping to earn passive income. Last year, she earned $76,620 in passive income from her fleet of seven cars.  Business Insider

This couple bought and renovated a 14th-century Italian home
Buying and renovating a home in Italy was something Doug and Leah Johnson had often dreamed about. The couple, who are based in Gloucester, Massachusetts, say they’d sometimes go to view houses while vacationing in the European country.  CNN

Finland has been named the happiest country in the world — again.
The Nordic country topped the “World Happiness Report 2023,” published this week by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, which measures factors such as income, mental and physical health and societal generosity. CNBC

 

Thursday, March 23
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,189,372 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, March 22. Four years ago on the same day (pre-pandemic): 2,273,811. (TSA)

FAA issues industrywide call to action following runway close calls
The Federal Aviation Administration told airlines in a rare industrywide bulletin Wednesday to step up vigilance at airports after a series of close calls on or near runways. The agency published an “aviation safety call to action,” urging carriers to “reinforce adherence to published processes and procedures.” “Operators should evaluate information collected through their safety management processes, identify hazards, increase and improve safety communications with employees and enact mitigations,” the safety alert says. CNN

 

U.S. FAA cuts airlines’ minimum flight requirements at NY, Washington airports
The U.S. aviation regulator said on Wednesday it will temporarily cut minimum flight requirements for airlines at congested New York City-area airports and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to address summer congestion issues, citing air traffic controller staffing levels. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) agreed to the request of Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) and United Airlines (UAL.O) to temporarily return up to 10% slots and flights at New York airports and National with the condition they not be backfilled by other carriers. Reuters

 

Off-duty pilot helps Southwest Airlines flight after pilot’s emergency
A Southwest Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Columbus, Ohio returned to Las Vegas Wednesday morning after one of its pilots became ill, the carrier and Federal Aviation Administration say. A pilot from another airline who happened to be on board stepped up to help the second Southwest pilot in the cockpit, the airline says. CBS News

Tourist survives bungee jump fall in Thailand after cord snaps
Some thrill seekers describe bungee jumping as a near-death experience, but few come quite as close as one man who managed to survive his cord snapping in Thailand. Footage of the terrifying ordeal went viral this week after the 39-year-old tourist from Hong Kong went public with his story. CNN

 

Vote on Biden’s pick to run FAA delayed amid GOP opposition
A vote on President Joe Biden’s choice to run the Federal Aviation Administration was delayed indefinitely Wednesday in the face of an opposition blitz by Republicans, who say the nominee lacks enough experience in aviation to lead the agency, which is under pressure to stem a surge in dangerous close calls between planes. The Senate Commerce Committee was scheduled to vote on Denver International Airport CEO Phillip Washington, whose nomination has languished since Biden announced his choice last July. AP News

 

One of Europe’s busiest airports to be forced to cut flights due to planet-warming carbon pollution
Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs, is to be forced to limit the number of international flights and passengers it handles under the Dutch government’s plans to cut carbon emissions — a move that has triggered airline concerns. Dutch officials announced on March 17 that it would impose restrictions on all international flights leaving the Netherlands in order to reach its climate goals.  CNN

United Airlines and Archer announce first commercial electric air taxi route in Chicago
United Airlines and Archer have selected O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Vertiport Chicago as the next point to point route in which the two companies will utilize Archer’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as part of their urban air mobility (UAM) network buildout Chicago has a long-standing reputation as a major transportation center and leader in mobility innovation and, with ORD being United’s largest operations hub, it provides an ideal location for United and Archer to ramp their UAM operations. Business Wire

 

Section of Highway 101 in Northern California sinks after storm
Nearly a mile of Highway 101 in Northern California is damaged by the the winter storms, including a section of the highway that became so waterlogged it caved in on itself, compromising both lanes. In response, Caltrans is directing one-way traffic over the eastern shoulder of the crucial roadway near the border of Mendocino and Humboldt counties. SF Gate

 

Nearly 90 percent of Americans have flown commercially
This spring, U.S. passenger airlines are expecting a record 158 million passengers – an average of 2.6 million every day throughout March and April. Carriers are making every effort – including operating larger aircraft to accommodate the increase in travelers while paring back schedules to reduce pressure on the system – to prioritize seamless travel. As travelers take to the skies, Airlines for America (A4A) is pleased to share the results of our annual 2023 “Air Travelers in America” survey conducted by Ipsos. Airlines For America

San Francisco’s travel industry is recovering slowly
San Francisco said the city drew 21.9 million visitors in 2022, a 29% increase over the prior year but still 16% down from 2019, when a record 26.2 million visitors arrived. Rebounds in international leisure travel from Europe and the city’s convention business fueled the 29% increase, according to the San Francisco Travel Association, the city’s destination marketing organization. Travel Weekly

Here’s what it’s actually like to find an apartment in Paris
In 2019, after nearly six years in New York City and on the verge of turning 30, I decided to take one of those impractical life plunges that only makes sense from an emotional standpoint. I packed up my structurally questionable East Village apartment, waved a reluctant goodbye to my local bodega, and moved to Paris. Blessed with dual EU citizenship, I was able to indulge in a bit of international whimsy, though the experience was still no walk in the…Luxembourg Gardens. Jobless and predominantly friendless, the weight of my decision didn’t fully hit until touching down on the tarmac at Charles de Gaulle Airport faced with the daunting task of finding somewhere to live. BI