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, June 19
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,455,369 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, June 18

NTSB Urges Quick Fix On Boeing Plane Engines To Prevent Smoke From Filling Cabin After A Bird Strike
Safety experts recommended Wednesday that the engines on Boeing’s troubled 737 Max airplanes be modified quickly to prevent smoke from filling the cockpit or cabin after a safety feature is activated following a bird strike. The problem detailed by the National Transportation Safety Board emerged after two bird strikes involving Southwest Airlines planes in 2023 — one in Havana, Cuba, and another in New Orleans. The Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing already warned airlines and pilots about the problem and the engine maker has been working on a fix. AP

FAA Air Traffic Overtime Costs Soar As Hiring Lags
The Federal Aviation Administration’s overtime costs for air traffic controllers have jumped by more than 300% since 2013 as the agency faces hiring constraints and a misallocated workforce, a report from the National Academies of Sciences released Wednesday said. The FAA air traffic control workforce in 2024 logged 2.2 million hours of overtime costing $200 million, according to the report, which added that “widespread overtime use may be partly due to inefficient scheduling of the controllers available at facilities.” Reuters

Erick Upgraded To An ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Category 4 Hurricane, US Forecasters Say
Southern Mexico’s Pacific coast was braced for a Thursday morning impact with the approach of Hurricane Erick, which was upgraded to an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 early Thursday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. The major storm threatens to unleash destructive winds near where the eye crashes ashore, flash floods and a dangerous storm surge, forecasters said. AP

American, United Airlines Suspend Some Middle East Flights
American Airlines Group Inc. suspended daily flights from the US to the capital of Qatar, while United Airlines Holdings Inc. paused service to Dubai because of military actions and heightened tensions in the Middle East. American acted after the US embassy in Qatar warned US citizens in the country and its own personnel to “exercise increased vigilance.” It advised them to be aware of their surroundings, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, exercise caution at locations publicly associated with the US and to “keep a low profile,” according to an advisory posted on the US State Department website Thursday. Bloomberg

Ryanair Jet From UK Crashes Into Barrier On Runway At Greek Airport
A Ryanair flight from London crashed into a barrier after landing at a Greek airport, leaving the jet’s wing wrecked. The Boeing 737, which had departed London Stansted Airport on Wednesday morning, suffered ‘severe turbulence’ before it landed and collided with a barrier at Kalamata International Airport. Daily Mail

Transatlantic Airfares Slump As Europeans Continue To Shun Travel To America
Airfares for transatlantic flights from Europe to the United States have plummeted to levels not seen since before the pandemic, driven by a significant downturn in travel from Western European nations. This shift marks a notable pullback in tourism to the US, a trend expected to continue. The Independent

Waymo Takes On Manhattan, With Humans For Now
Waymo is bringing its robotaxis to New York next month, with a goal of launching a full-fledged driverless rideshare service in the future. Why it matters: Waymo is the autonomous vehicle industry leader, with a fleet of 1,500 robotaxis in multiple U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix. Axios

Boeing 737 MAX Victims’ Relatives Ask Judge To Reject Deal Ending Criminal Case
Relatives of some of the 346 people killed in two Boeing 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 asked a federal judge on Wednesday to reject a deal between the Justice Department and the planemaker that allows the company to avoid prosecution in a criminal fraud case. Reuters

JSX Adding Turboprop Aircraft
ATR Aircraft announced Tuesday at the Paris Air Show that Dallas-based JSX intends to begin operating ATR 42-600 aircraft by the end of 2025. The move marks ATR’s entry into the U.S. public charter market, with JSX planning to lease two ATR 42-600s to expand its semi-private network across the country. Airline Geeks

Cruise Passenger Allegedly Posed As US Citizen With Fake ID And Birth Certificate
A man allegedly used a stolen identity to board a Princess Cruises ship in Alaska. Enrico Ronquillo, 37, was indicted for using a counterfeit driver’s license and a birth certificate – both from California – to impersonate a U.S. citizen from May 11 to 14, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska said in a June 16 news release. He is a Philippine national residing legally in the U.S. USA Today

British Tourist Dies Of Rabies After Being Scratched By Puppy
A British mother has died of rabies after being scratched by a puppy while on holiday in Morocco. Yvonne Ford, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was “scratched very slightly” by the puppy in February but only started displaying symptoms earlier this month, her daughter said. Robyn Thomson said her mother had initially got a headache but then ended up losing her ability to walk, talk, sleep and swallow. The Telegraph

Summer Packing Tips From People Who Travel For A Living
Summer is finally here, and for many that might mean taking an extended vacation in the sun. There’s some specific considerations to keep in mind when traveling during the summertime, such as packing warm-weather appropriate attire. In search of the best summer packing tips and mistakes to avoid, I decided it’d be best to speak to the people who actually travel for a living. Apartment Therapy

Wednesday, June 18
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,455,369 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, June 17

Dangerous Heat Wave Ahead For Midwest, Northeast
An expansive heat wave will spread through the central U.S. as summer officially arrives late this week and then into the East, bringing the hottest temperatures of the year and uncomfortably muggy air to the Midwest and Northeast. Weather.com

Elderly Man Gets Stuck While Trying To Drive Down Rome’s Spanish Steps
A senior citizen in Rome found himself in a sticky situation on Tuesday morning while attempting to drive over an iconic landmark. The man, 80, was driving his Mercedes sedan down Rome’s iconic Spanish Steps, a steep, 95-foot slope across from the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, when his car got stuck part way down. Daily Beast

Heatstroke Alerts Issued In Japan As Temperatures Surge
Sweltering temperatures prompted heatstroke alerts in multiple Japanese regions on Wednesday, with dozens of people seeking emergency medical care in the capital Tokyo. The hot weather was headline news in the country, which last year experienced its joint warmest summer ever as climate change fuelled extreme heatwaves around the globe. Record temperatures were logged in 14 cities for June, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, while in central Tokyo the mercury hit 34.4 degrees Celsius (94 Fahrenheit). AFP

Hundreds Of Americans On Israel Birthright Trips Evacuated After Surviving Bombardment By Iran
Hundreds of Americans on Israel birthright trips have been evacuated from the Jewish state on a cruise ship bound for Cyprus — as fears grow over the deadly bombardments by Iran. The Israeli navy escorted the Birthright Israel ship, with 1,500 people on board, on its ten-hour voyage Tuesday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis chartered four jets to pick up the Americans and fly them to Tampa, where they can return home. NY Post

New Cargo Plane To Carry 12x Boeing 747 Capacity With ‘World’s Biggest’ Plane To Be Unveiled
A colossal plane, capable of carrying 12 times the capacity of a Boeing 747, is set to make its grand debut soon. This cargo plane, designed to transport massive amounts of goods, can take off and land on unpaved runways as short as 1,800 meters. The plane will be unveiled at the 2025 Paris Air Show, which runs from June 16 to 22. Radia, the company behind this innovative aircraft, will reveal more about its capabilities in the coming days. The Mirror

Waymo Expands Into Several More Bay Area Cities
Fresh off a tumultuous week that saw burning Waymo vehicles become a viral image of the Los Angeles protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Google-owned autonomous vehicle company is expanding its three service maps in California. Waymo announced the moves in a post on X and in a news release, and it had already updated its San Francisco service area as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Robotaxis in the city have become a ubiquitous norm; the add-ons to the service area push its southern boundary all the way to Burlingame, bringing Waymo availability to much of Brisbane, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae and Hillsborough. SF Gate

World’s Best Airline For 2025 Named By Skytrax
It’s been a year of historic milestones for a certain Middle Eastern airline. Just weeks after announcing the largest widebody aircraft order in Boeing’s history, Qatar Airways is celebrating another huge achievement. The Qatar flag carrier has just been named the winner at this year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards, announced on Tuesday at the Paris Air Show. CNN

A Record Number Of People Are Falling From Chair Lifts In Colorado Resorts. Families Of Victims Are Still In The Dark As To Why
A higher than normal number of people have been falling off of ski chair lifts — with some of them dying — in Colorado. Chris Oxford, who spoke to the Colorado Sun, recounted how he and his friend, Donovan Romero, were skiing in December. Oxford and his friend were riding a ski lift when he said he felt a “jolt,” and looked over to see his friend dangling from the lift chair. Romero fell from the lift, 47 feet into the snow below. He had to be airlifted to a hospital in Denver for treatment, but he ultimately died in May. The Independent

Watch: Alaska Cruise Ship Blown Away From Dock During Rare Severe Thunderstorm
A rare severe thunderstorm brought ferocious winds to southeastern Alaska Monday afternoon, blowing a massive cruise ship away from the pier. The Celebrity Edge ship was moored in Juneau when thunderstorms suddenly kicked up strong winds. A gust at the Federal Building in downtown Juneau reached 60 mph while the Coast Guard station clocked a gust at 47 mph, according to National Weather Service data. Fox Weather

A $125-A-Night All-Inclusive Vegas Deal? You Get What You Pay For
The best place to eat at the Plaza Hotel and Casino is Oscar’s Steakhouse, a local favorite downtown named for former mayor and mob defense attorney Oscar Goodman. I didn’t get to try the 40-ounce porterhouse or the $128 Australian wagyu filet during a two-night stay last week. The red bracelet affixed to my wrist at check-in sadly didn’t cover fine dining. WSJ

Tourist Reportedly Suspected Of Murdering Her Family In Iceland
A French tourist in her 60s has been arrested in Iceland suspected of murdering her daughter and husband while the three were vacationing in the country, Icelandic media reported. The husband and daughter were found dead at an upscale hotel in Iceland’s capital Reykjavik on Saturday morning, while the woman was found alive with stab injuries, Icelandic broadcaster RUV reported late Saturday. MSN

Why Summer Fridays — Workers’ Most Desired Perk — Are Increasingly Rare
Workers value summer Fridays — a policy that allows workers to take Friday afternoon off over the summer months — over any other seasonal benefit, a new survey by Monster found. Yet, employers have steadily phased out that perk as work-from-home Fridays became more common. CNBC

Tuesday, June 17
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,844,177 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, June 16

— U.S. Warns Americans Not to Travel to Israel
The United States advised Americans not to travel to Israel after a wave of Iranian missile attacks killed at least eight people. The updated travel guidance followed the authorized departure of U.S. diplomats’ families and some non-emergency personnel. USA Today

— JetBlue Cuts Flights and Staff Hours
JetBlue is reducing flights and trimming staff hours after reporting a drop in domestic travel. CEO Joanna Geraghty said the airline’s return to profitability is taking longer than expected. The Independent

— Canada Issues U.S. Travel Warning
Canada issued an updated travel advisory warning citizens to avoid demonstrations while in the U.S. Daily Mail

— Southwest Adds Cockpit Alerts to 737s
Southwest is installing new cockpit alert systems on its Boeing 737 fleet to prevent runway incidents and navigation errors. Business Insider

— U.S. Updates India Travel Advisory
The U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for India to Level 2, urging Americans to exercise increased caution. Men’s Journal

— United Launches First Nonstop U.S.–Greenland Flight in 20 Years
United Airlines has started nonstop service from Newark to Nuuk, Greenland — the first direct U.S.–Greenland route in nearly two decades. Travelmole

— European Airlines Criticized for Hidden Fees
Consumer advocates are pushing the EU to investigate hidden costs like rescue fees and baggage charges on budget airlines. Euronews

— U.S. States Offer ‘Canadians-Only’ Travel Deals
Border states like New York are promoting Canadians-only discounts to revive cross-border tourism amid a dip in visitors. CNN

— Skiplagged Ordered to Pay $9.4M to American Airlines
Skiplagged lost a court case over logo use and must pay $9.4 million in damages. The dispute stems from hidden-city ticketing practices. Skift

— Nashville Urges Tourists to Show Respect
The Nashville tourism board launched a campaign calling for respectful and responsible behavior from both locals and visitors. Axios Nashville

— Hawaii Volcano Visitor Rescued After 30-Foot Fall
A man fell off a cliff while trying to get a better view of the Kilauea eruption and was rescued with minor injuries. USA Today

— Trump Halts Immigration Raids at Hotels and Farms
The Trump administration paused immigration arrests at businesses like farms and hotels, redirecting focus to individuals with criminal records. WSJ

Monday, June 16
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,885,745 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, June 15

Airlines Suspend Flights After Israel Strikes Iran
Israel’s strikes against Iran have prompted international airlines to halt flights to some Middle East destinations. Below are some of the airlines that have cancelled their flights to and from the region: AEGEAN AIRLINES Greece’s Aegean Airlines has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv up to and including the early morning flight on July 12, as well as all flights to and from Beirut, Amman, and Erbil through the morning arrivals of June 28. MSN

Anti-Tourism Protests in Italy, Portugal and Spain Draw Attention to Quality of Life Issues
The squirt guns returned to the streets of Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday as thousands gathered for long-planned protests against mass tourism in cities across southern Europe. In Genoa, Italy, demonstrators rolled suitcases down the city center’s narrow paved streets, as part of what they called a “noisy stroll.” In Lisbon, protesters carried a handmade effigy of the city’s patron saint from his namesake church to the site of a future five-star hotel. And on the Spanish island of Majorca, locals stopped a double-decker tourist bus on Saturday, setting off flares and hanging a banner on its side. The New York Times

Overwhelmed and Understaffed, the Louvre Shuts Its Doors — A Warning Sign for Global Overtourism
The Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum and a global symbol of art, beauty and endurance, remained shuttered Monday — not by war, not by terror, but by its own exhausted staff, who say the institution is crumbling from within. It was an almost unthinkable sight: the home to works by Leonardo da Vinci and millennia of civilization’s greatest treasures — paralyzed by the very people tasked with welcoming the world to its galleries. AP

Air India Jet Returns to Hong Kong Due to “Technical Issue” After Takeoff
An Air India flight returned to Hong Kong on Monday shortly after takeoff due to a midair “technical issue,” the airline said, just four days after another one of the company’s flights crashed and killed at least 270 people. The plane that turned around on Monday was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, as was the Air India flight that crashed into buildings in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on Thursday morning. CBS News

Stranded Israelis Told Not to Go to Larnaca, Athens; Not to Use Egypt, Jordan Land Crossings
Israeli authorities have cautioned citizens stranded abroad against rushing to Larnaca or Athens in the hope of getting home sooner, as Israeli airspace remains closed for both arrivals and departures until further notice. The National Security Council on Sunday also ordered Israelis not to try to reach Israel by land through the border crossings from Jordan or Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Both countries are under Level 4 warnings, which means, according to the NSC website, that “travel to this destination is prohibited. Those who are already there must leave immediately.” Times of Israel

Southwest Throws a Street Party to Celebrate Assigned Seats
What kind of news would be good enough to get the general public dancing in the streets? The abolition of income taxes? Free CBD gummies for everyone? How about the chance to preselect your seat when you fly Southwest Airlines? If that last bit fails to stir untrammeled jubilation in your soul, it sure seems to have others excited—at least, those shown in the latest spot from Southwest, which debuts today. Ad Week

A Plane Crashed on a Doctors’ Hostel in India. Those Who Survived Began Treating the Injured
Navin Chaudhary had just begun eating his meal when a loud bang startled him. He turned back to see a massive fire taking over the dining area where he and other trainee doctors had assembled for lunch. The blaze approaching him, he rushed toward a window and jumped. From the ground, looking upwards, the sight of the Air India plane’s tail cone hanging from the burning building propelled Chaudhary and fellow medical students into action. “There was fire and many were injured,” said Chaudhary. AP

San Diego International Airport Just Added 2,400 More Parking Spots
San Diego International Airport on Friday opened 2,400 more parking spots. The airport opened up its new five-story T1 Parking Plaza over Labor Day Weekend in late August and just completed its second phase, bringing the total to 5,200 parking spots at the plaza. In total, there are now roughly 8,500 parking spots at the airport. Completion of the parking plaza marks the first major benefit to the public of the airport’s $3.8 billion remodel, which started in November 2021. The first phase of the new Terminal 1 is set to open around late September, but the whole thing won’t be done until 2028. San Diego Union-Tribune

American Airlines Involved in Controversy Over Flight Attendants’ Uniforms
After a multi-year battle, American Airlines employees have been awarded money in a lawsuit with the company and its former uniform supplier in California. The subject of the lawsuit was the uniforms American Airlines gave out to its employees in 2016, which allegedly led to many health problems that included skin, respiratory and even neurological issues. Men’s Journal

Florida TSA Worker Assaulted 79-Year-Old JetBlue Passenger, Cops Say
Florida police arrested a TSA agent Wednesday for allegedly pushing a 79-year-old JetBlue traveler at the Fort Lauderdale‑Hollywood International Airport. Officials say Janiyah Wilson-Robinson, 21, of Margate, committed aggravated battery on the Palm Beach Gardens woman by “placing the palm of her hands (on the victim) and forcefully pushing her.” The Independent

WestJet Probes Cybersecurity Incident Affecting App and Internal Systems
Canada’s WestJet Airlines is investigating a cybersecurity incident that has disrupted access to its mobile app and some internal systems, affecting an undisclosed number of users, the airlines said in a statement on Friday. WestJet said specialised internal teams are working alongside law enforcement and Transport Canada to limit the impact and determine the scope of the breach. Reuters

‘Miracle’: Bay Area Man Who Vanished in Himalayas Found After 9 Days
A Bay Area man who went missing after leaving for what was supposed to be a two-day hike in the Himalayas has been found alive, family members said. Samuel Vengrinovich, 44, planned to hike back on June 9 but never returned to his camp near Dharamshala in northern India. SF Gate

Top 14 Travel Stories of the Week
June 8 – June 15

Air India Crash Latest: At Least 200 Killed in Air India Plane Crash as One British Passenger Reportedly Survives
A London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 people crashes shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad, western India. The local police chief tells the BBC that 204 bodies have been recovered — it’s not known how many of those victims were on the plane, or were on the ground when the plane crashed. One passenger has survived, a local police chief says, with Indian media reporting he is British man Vishwashkumar Ramesh Ramesh — who shared a picture of his boarding pass with reporters — says: “Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise… it all happened so quickly.” BBC News/JohnnyJet.com

Middle East Airspace Shut After Israel Strikes Iran, Airlines Cancel Flights
Airlines steered clear of much of the Middle East on Friday after Israeli attacks on Iranian sites forced carriers to cancel or divert thousands of flights in the latest upheaval to travel in the region. Proliferating conflict zones around the world are becoming an increasing burden on airline operations and profitability, and more of a safety concern. Detours add to airlines’ fuel costs and lengthen journey times.
Reuters

An Airline Data Broker Is Selling Passenger Data to CBP
DHS bought access to airline passenger data, including itineraries and financial details, from Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), Wired reported. The data was reportedly used to identify “persons of interest” and shared with other law enforcement agencies. ARC’s board includes representatives from major U.S. airlines. USA Today

Anker Recalls More Than 1.1 Million Power Banks After Fires Reported
Anker Innovations is recalling 1.15 million portable chargers after some consumers reported fires and explosions. According to a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the lithium-ion battery inside certain “PowerCore 10000” made by Anker, a China-based electronics maker, can overheat. That can lead to the “melting of plastic components, smoke and fire hazards,” Anker said in an announcement. CBS News

First Crash Of Boeing’s 787 Model Comes Weeks After $1.1B 737 Max Payout
The Air India tragedy in Ahmedabad is the first time a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has crashed since the plane’s introduction in 2011. While airlines using the Boeing plane have had widespread problems with engines on the 787 – resulting in many having to ground planes and reduce flights – the 787’s safety record in service has so far been good. However, the US safety regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has had to investigate several concerns over the years, including a mid-air dive on a Latam flight last year.
The Guardian

Coordinated Protests Against Tourism Levels Planned In Spain, Portugal And Italy
Activists against overtourism are planning protests across Spain, Portugal and Italy on Sunday, with one group urging people to bring water pistols to the demonstration in Barcelona. Anger has been growing in southern Europe against what protesters say are excessive levels of tourism that they complain are forcing locals out of affordable accommodation, pushing up living costs and clogging up city centres.
Reuters

 ‘If You’re Not Here, You Think L.A.’s Burning’: Trump’s Alarm Meets City Calm
From the Griffith Observatory, a landmark perched on a hilltop 1,000 feet above sea level, Joe and Jolene McGuire had a prime view of this vast city, and they couldn’t see what their friends and family back home in Nebraska were so worried about. For days — as social media feeds and cable news replayed images of burning cars and smashed windows, as President Donald Trump claimed a violent insurrection was underway — the couple fretted about whether they should cancel their anniversary trip out West. Washington Post

Number of Canadians Travelling to U.S. Drops for Fifth Month in a Row
The number of Canadians returning from trips to the U.S from land and air has continued to plummet for the fifth consecutive month, marking a sharp decline from 2024. In May, only 1.3 million Canadians made return trips by car — a sharp 38.1 percent drop from the same month last year, according to data from Statistics Canada. The decline worsened from April, which saw a 35.2 percent decrease. Air travel is also down, with return trips to Canada slumping by 24.2 percent compared with the same period last year, while Americans are also making considerably less trips up north. Political tensions between the U.S and Canada stoked by President Donald Trump have been blamed for the drop in travel, in particular his tariff policy and repeated desire to make Canada the “51st State,” along with a weakened Canadian dollar. The downturn has had a knock-on effect on the airline industry with a number of Canadian carriers reducing flights to the U.S. to accommodate for the lower demand. Air Canada reduced the number of flights to Florida, Las Vegas, and Arizona by 10 percent in March, with other airlines also scaling back operations. Daily Beast

FAA Nominee Tells Senators He Will Modernize Air Traffic Control System
Bryan Bedford, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, told a Senate panel on Wednesday that if confirmed, he will push the agency to act with urgency on the administration’s multi-billion-dollar revamp of the nation’s air traffic control system. Washington Post

Man Gored by Bison in Yellowstone National Park After Getting Too Close, NPS Says
A man was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday after getting too close, the National Park Service said. Around 9:45 a.m. in the Upper Geyser Basin at Old Faithful, a man from Randolph, New Jersey, was gored after a large group of visitors approached the bison too closely, the NPS said in a statement. The man sustained minor injuries and was treated and transported by emergency medical personnel, officials said. CBS News

Australia’s Qantas to Close Low-Cost Arm Jetstar Asia
Australian flag carrier Qantas said on Wednesday it will close Jetstar Asia, the group’s Singapore-based low-cost unit, in a bid to recycle up to A$500 million ($326.40 million) as part of its fleet renewal plans. Qantas said that 13 Jetstar Asia Airbus A320 aircraft will be progressively redeployed to Australia and New Zealand. Reuters

Passengers Told ‘Not to Go to Airport’ After Airline Suddenly Shuts Down All Flights
A Florida-based airline announced it would immediately stop flying after a bankruptcy sale ceased operations, leaving passengers suddenly without flights on the day of travel. Silver Airways released a statement to its customers on Wednesday, 11 June, informing them it is ceasing operations immediately. The Independent

Florida Man Convicted of Posing as Flight Attendant to Get Over 100 Free Flights
A federal jury has convicted a 35-year-old South Florida man who fraudulently booked more than 120 free airline flights by posing as a flight attendant, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday. Tiron Alexander was found guilty on June 5 of wire fraud and unlawfully entering a secure airport area under false pretenses. Prosecutors said Alexander exploited a program intended for airline staff, using it to board 34 flights without paying between 2018 and 2024. CBS News

Iceland’s PLAY Airlines Ends United States Flights, Plots New Strategy
PLAY Airlines has been losing money since launch. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, since the company’s business model replicated WOW Air’s failed business model. After years of losses, PLAY is finally giving up on competing in the transatlantic market, and is instead focusing on point-to-point leisure flying. There’s now also a proposal for the company to be privatized, and to lease out a majority of its fleet to other airlines. One Mile at a Time

Saturday, June 14

Delta Cancels All Flights From New York-JFK to Tel Aviv Through August
Delta Air Lines has paused flights to Tel Aviv from New York-JFK through August 31 in response to the ongoing conflict in the region. “Customers impacted by flight cancellations will receive notifications via the Fly Delta app and contact information listed in their reservation as these cancellations are processed in Delta’s system and may contact Delta or their travel agent for rebooking options,” Delta said in a statement. ABC News

The National Weather Service Issues Alaska’s First Ever Heat Advisory
The first advisory is for Sunday in Fairbanks, where temperatures are expected to top 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius). Fairbanks has been warmer in the past, but this is unusual for June, officials said. AP

Two Major Airlines Ban Power Banks and Battery Packs on Flights This Summer
Two major airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways, have implemented new safety measures that prohibit passengers from using power banks and battery packs during flights. Power banks are classified as lithium batteries, which pose a fire risk due to their ability to generate extreme heat. The Mirror

Travellers Are Ditching Spain and Portugal for Cheaper Holidays. Here’s Where They’re Going
British tourists are increasingly choosing North Africa as a holiday destination, with travel firms reporting a shift away from traditional European hotspots. The rise in popularity is due to the availability of high-quality hotels in countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia, which are significantly cheaper than similar options in Spain, France, and Italy, experts say. The Independent

Chinese Scientists, Accused of Smuggling Biological Matter Into the US, Will Stay in Jail
Han was arrested Sunday at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after arriving on a flight from China, where she is pursuing an advanced degree at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan. She planned to spend a year completing a project at the University of Michigan lab, and is accused of shipping biological material months ago to laboratory staff. NY Post

Anker Recalls More Than 1.1 Million Power Banks After Fires Reported
Anker Innovations is recalling 1.15 million portable chargers after some consumers reported fires and explosions. According to a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the lithium-ion battery inside certain “PowerCore 10000” made by Anker, a China-based electronics maker, can overheat. That can lead to the “melting of plastic components, smoke and fire hazards,” Anker said in an announcement. CBS News

Airbnb Blames Hotels for ‘Overtourism’ in Europe
Airbnb has blamed the hotel industry for “overtourism” in Europe, after regional governments launched crackdowns on holiday rentals. Theo Yedinsky, the Airbnb vice president for public policy, hit back at criticism from furious residents and regulators that the company is causing overcrowding in holiday hotspots. He claimed the rentals group was the victim of “scapegoating” by local authorities, like in Spain, where large anti-tourism protests have become commonplace. The Telegraph

A Brawl Erupted on a Carnival Cruise. Now Those Involved Are Banned for Life
Several Carnival Cruise passengers have been banned for life after a brawl on a recent sailing. Video shared by TikTok user @hellokittyyx shows multiple guests involved in the fight, with security and crew trying to break it up. At least two chairs appear to have been thrown in the video dated June 7. USA Today

TSA Finds Two Loaded Guns in 10 Minutes at Boise Airport
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials at Idaho’s Boise Airport discovered not one but two loaded firearms just 10 minutes apart this week. Screeners made the first seizure at 5:40 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, uncovering the weapon in a passenger’s carry-on bag. A second loaded gun was found in another passenger’s carry-on just moments later. TravelPulse

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth Arrives in Seattle for Summer of Alaska Cruises
Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth arrived in Seattle on June 12, where the ship will homeport for Alaska sailings for the first time. After its summer Alaska season, Queen Elizabeth will do another first—a full season of Caribbean sailings from Miami, beginning in October. The roundtrip Seattle itineraries are between seven and 11 nights. Roundtrip cruises are convenient for U.S. guests, said Liz Fettes, Cunard’s senior vice president of commercial North America. Travel Weekly

Delta Overtakes American to Become Second-Largest Airline at Austin’s Airport
Delta Air Lines overtook American Airlines to become the second-largest airline at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in April, passenger data shows. Monthly passenger statistics for AUS are publicly available since January 2019. An airport spokesperson couldn’t confirm if Delta had carried more passengers than American in a month prior to 2019, but told KXAN this was “likely” the first time it happened in airport history, as Delta currently has its busiest schedule ever from AUS. KXAN Austin

World’s Most Popular TikTok Star Leaves the US After Being Detained by ICE
Khaby Lame, the world’s most popular TikTok personality with millions of followers, has left the U.S. after being detained by immigration agents in Las Vegas for allegedly overstaying his visa. The Senegalese-Italian influencer, whose legal name is Seringe Khabane Lame, was detained Friday at Harry Reid International Airport but was allowed to leave the country without a deportation order, a spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed in a statement. AP