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

 

Top 12 Travel Stories of the Week
February 9-16

United Regional Jet slides off taxiway at an icy St. Louis Lambert Airport
A plane carrying 27 passengers, including crew, slid off the taxiway before coming to a stop at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) late Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the airport. CNN

Car rams into Munich crowd injuring at least 28 in suspected attack
German police said Thursday that at least 28 people were injured when a car plowed into a crowd in the city of Munich in what officials called a “suspected attack.” The incident came the day before a major security conference attended by world leaders was set to begin. Vice President JD Vance is among those due to address the conference. NBC News

FAA wants permanent helicopter restrictions at Reagan Airport
Federal air-safety officials want to permanently keep helicopters away from commercial jets taking off and landing at a busy Washington, D.C., airport after the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in more than two decades. The move, under consideration by senior Federal Aviation Administration officials, would be part of a long-term plan to improve safety at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to people familiar with the discussions. WSJ

Venice doubles daytripper entry fees for 2025
The Venice entry fee is back — and this time it’s double the trouble. Or rather, it will be for last-minute daytrippers to the city, who’ll see the entrance fee double from last year’s 5 euros to 10 euros. The fee will also be applied on almost twice as many dates as it was last year. CNN

 

Norovirus outbreak sickens nearly 120 guests, crew on Holland America cruise ship
A norovirus outbreak on a Holland America Line cruise sickened nearly 120 people. Among 2,614 guests aboard the line’s Rotterdam ship, 107 reported being ill during its current voyage, along with a dozen crew members, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Their main symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea. USA Today

FAA reopens DCA runways, increases arrivals rate as crash investigation continues
The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Tuesday that it was reopening runways and increasing the arrival rate at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The agency had closed runways 4/22 and 15/33 to accommodate investigatory efforts following a fatal collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near the airport on Jan. 29. USA Today

 

Frontier makes another takeover bid for Spirit Airlines and it is rejected, again
Spirit Airlines has again rejected a third takeover bid from budget rival Frontier, saying that it would focus on its own plan to emerge from bankruptcy and stabilize its finances. The offer this week, like the last bid, offers Spirit stakeholders $400 million in newly issued debt and a 19% stake in Frontier Group Holdings Inc., the parent company of Frontier. Yahoo

Yosemite National Park is in trouble.
Hamstrung by President Donald Trump’s hiring freeze, hundreds of rescinded job offers and the threat of coming layoffs, the park is poised to enter its busiest months of the year severely short-staffed. Not only that, but the park’s day-use reservation system — created to protect park resources and improve the visitor experience by reducing crowding — appears unlikely to return this year. SF Gate

 

Big storm possible in Mid-Atlantic next week. How much snow could D.C. get?
D.C. has already clinched a snowier-than-average winter, and yet another storm could be on the way next week. Computer models suggest a winter storm could affect the region Wednesday and/or Thursday, although there is uncertainty in the storm timing, strength and path. Some of the aggressive computer model projections suggest a high ceiling for the amount of snow and even simulate a blizzard, but there is also still the legitimate possibility of a more glancing blow or a miss. Washington Post

Air Canada to trim USA flights: WestJet says US demand down 25%
Air Canada says it will reduce capacity to Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona as the U.S.-Canada tariff dispute simmers and the Canadian dollar continues to struggle. And WestJet might be next in line. Speaking on a conference call to discuss Air Canada’s fourth quarter and yearly earnings for 2024, Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue & Network Planning and President, Cargo, said it’s too early to know how Canadian currency issues and the U.S.-Canada tariff dispute will play out. But he said Air Canada will be reducing capacity to such U.S. destinations as Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona beginning in March. Jim Byers

Plane carrying Secretary of State Rubio to Europe turned around because of a mechanical issue
An Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Sen. Jim Risch, to Germany for the Munich Security Conference was forced to return to Washington late Thursday after developing a mechanical issue. AP

Minnesota man wins free Norwegian cruise vacation — then catches the flu onboard and gets hit with $47K medical bill
A Minnesota man won a free weeklong cruise vacation to the Caribbean for him and his girlfriend, only to catch the flu onboard and get slapped with an eye-popping $47,000 medical bill. Mike Cameron and his girlfriend Tamra Masterman won a free Norwegian cruise trip from the Grand Casino Hinckley that set sail out of Miami on Jan. 5, he told The Post Thursday night. Cameron has one piece of advice for travelers after his ordeal. “We want people to be aware, if you go on a cruise make sure you got good traveler’s insurance,” he warned. NY Post

Saturday, February 15
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened TSA DOESN’T UPDATE ON WEEKENDS OR HOLIDAYS
people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, February 14

Fire breaks out at London luxury hotel
About 100 people have been evacuated from a five-star hotel in central London as a fire continues to burn through the building. Twenty fire engines and about 125 firefighters have been called to the blaze at Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. BBC

Yosemite National Park is in trouble.
Hamstrung by President Donald Trump’s hiring freeze, hundreds of rescinded job offers and the threat of coming layoffs, the park is poised to enter its busiest months of the year severely short-staffed. Not only that, but the park’s day-use reservation system — created to protect park resources and improve the visitor experience by reducing crowding — appears unlikely to return this year. SF Gate

 

Nice’s ban on big cruise ships has industry urging a reconsideration
CLIA executives are clinging to hope that they can persuade government officials to reconsider banning large cruise ships from the Nice-Cote d’Azur region in the south of France. The cruise industry association is combating yet another attempt by a popular European destination to restrict ship access in the name of overtourism and environmental issues. This time, the ports are Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer, and the restriction is a ban on ships carrying at least 900 guests. Travel Weekly

Florida sets new all-time tourism record
Florida set a new  tourism record in 2024, welcoming 142.9 million visitors. It marks the most travelers in the state’s history. There were over 30 million visitors in the fourth quarter of 2024, with almost three million foreign travelers. Of these, 742,000 were Canadians. Overall, the state welcomed a total of 8.9 million overseas visitors in 2024. “That is a pretty good increase over 2023 and the highest on record,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. Travelmole

Storm of the season? Huge snowfall buries California ski resorts
Power outages, lift delays, and feet of snow — welcome to what might be California’s storm of the season. To start, in Mono County, Mammoth Mountain is well and truly buried. The ski resort, per a recent social media, has received between 34 and 55 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours. The resort’s current storm total ranges between 50 and 79 inches or, on the upper end, six and a half feet. Powder

 

Big storm possible in Mid-Atlantic next week. How much snow could D.C. get?
D.C. has already clinched a snowier-than-average winter, and yet another storm could be on the way next week. Computer models suggest a winter storm could affect the region Wednesday and/or Thursday, although there is uncertainty in the storm timing, strength and path. Some of the aggressive computer model projections suggest a high ceiling for the amount of snow and even simulate a blizzard, but there is also still the legitimate possibility of a more glancing blow or a miss. Washington Post

Here’s a potential winner from the Trump tariffs: American tourists traveling abroad
Economists expect the U.S. dollar to strengthen further against foreign currencies in 2025 due to President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. That would give travelers who are going abroad more buying power. Interest rates play a big role in currency moves with developed nations like the United Kingdom and European countries, economists said. CNBC

Canadians are cancelling trips to the U.S. amid tension
The urge for Canadians to buy local and to support Canadian businesses has been growing since U.S. President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs, most recently on Canadian steel and aluminum, and made repeated comments about making Canada the 51st state. But has it seeped into the travel world? It may be too soon to tell, but here’s what airlines and travel groups are noticing. National Post

 

Ryanair scraps multiple routes to avoid paying too much tax
Anyone planning to holiday in Europe this year may face major disruptions as Ryanair is making huge changes to its 2025 flight schedule. In a bid to reduce the tax and surcharges it pays for operating at airports across the continent, the low-cost Irish airline has announced certain routes will be axed. Metro

St Patrick’s Day parade cancelled
This year’s St Patrick’s Parade in Birmingham has been cancelled, the organisers have confirmed. It had been due to take place in Digbeth on 16 March. Maurice Malone, Chief Executive at Birmingham Irish Association and head of the organising team, said the decision had been taken “with a heavy heart”. The event, which first took place in 1952, returned to the city last year for the first time in five years. It has previously been known to attract up to 80,000 people and has been thought to be one of the biggest St Patrick’s Day events in the world. BBC

This California national park is ‘chill Yosemite,’ an outdoor wonderland without crowds
Just five hours north of Los Angeles sits a national park that should be on your outdoor bucket list. It features a valley carved millions of years ago by glaciers, hulking mountains made of granite and other rock, countless waterfalls, massive ancient trees and a cool, clear river. Kings Canyon National Park will give you the majestic outdoors respite you’re dreaming of without all the busy trails, swarming crowds and traffic jams at the park entrance gate that come with the Hollywood Boulevard of national parks. LA Times

 

British couple detained in Iran while on round-the-world motorbike trip are named
The family of two Britons detained in Iran said they are “united in our determination to secure their safe return”. Craig and Lindsay Foreman, a couple in their early fifties, were reportedly on a trip across the world on motorbikes and had been due to end their journey in Australia.  The Independent

  

Friday, February 14
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,560,756
people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, February 13

Valentine’s Day: 940 million flowers are traveling to you
If any husbands or boyfriends mess up Valentine’s Day this week, it’s not because of a shortage of flowers. In the run up to Feb. 14, agricultural specialists at Miami International Airport have processed about 940 million stems of cut flowers, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Around 90% of the fresh cut flowers being sold for Valentine’s Day in the United States come through Miami, while the other 10% pass through Los Angeles. AP News

Air Canada to trim USA flights: WestJet says US demand down 25%
Air Canada says it will reduce capacity to Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona as the U.S.-Canada tariff dispute simmers and the Canadian dollar continues to struggle. And WestJet might be next in line. Speaking on a conference call to discuss Air Canada’s fourth quarter and yearly earnings for 2024, Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue & Network Planning and President, Cargo, said it’s too early to know how Canadian currency issues and the U.S.-Canada tariff dispute will play out. But he said Air Canada will be reducing capacity to such U.S. destinations as Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona beginning in March. Jim Byers

Plane carrying Secretary of State Rubio to Europe turned around because of a mechanical issue
An Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Sen. Jim Risch, to Germany for the Munich Security Conference was forced to return to Washington late Thursday after developing a mechanical issue. AP

New season of ‘The White Lotus’ brings a tourism boom in Thailand
When the third season of the hit HBO series “The White Lotus” debuts on Sunday, viewers will be transported to the tropical island of Koh Samui, Thailand. And if previous seasons are any indication, many of them will soon be booking vacations there, too. The show, which takes place at a different fictional White Lotus luxury resort each season, centers on a group of wealthy tourists, their interpersonal dramas and the inevitable tension with staff and locals, all against a backdrop of paradise skewed. The New York Times

Airbnb shares jump on strong quarterly results, expansion plans
Airbnb shares rose as much as 13.3% in premarket trade on Friday after the vacation home rentals company beat Wall Street estimates for fourth-quarter results, boosted by strong international travel demand. Travel companies have been helped by healthy demand in Asia, especially from Chinese consumers visiting destinations in Southeast Asia. Yahoo

Sri Lanka: Monkey blamed for nationwide blackout as island scrambles to restore power
Sri Lanka extended power cuts for a third day on Thursday as it scrambled to restore its national grid to full capacity after a monkey triggered a widespread blackout over the weekend that disrupted supply to the island’s 22 million people. An outage lasting six hours on Sunday was blamed by power minister, Kumara Jayakody, on a monkey that disrupted a grid station in a Colombo suburb. No power cuts were implemented on Wednesday, which was a holiday in Sri Lanka. CNN

Best restaurants in the US: 44 spots you need to visit in 2025
After the positive feedback from our inaugural USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year and Bars of the Year stories published last year, our extensive team of dining writers has once again collaborated to answer one simple but important question: What’s the best restaurant to try? USA Today.

New Zealand is home to the ‘world’s clearest lake.’ Tourists are being told to wipe their shoes before visiting it
Deep within Nelson Lakes National Park, in New Zealand’s South Island, lies a magical blue-violet lake. Surrounded by steep alpine forests and spring-fed from the glacial waters of Lake Constance, it is small but not insignificant. It was first discovered by Ngāti Apa, a Māori iwi, or tribe, who named it Rotomairewhenua, meaning “the lake of peaceful lands.” It became a sacred place where they cleansed the bones of the dead, believing this would secure the spirit a safe journey to the ancestral Māori homeland of Hawaiki. CNN

 

Woman arrested after sports reporter in Louisiana covering Super Bowl is found dead in hotel room

A Louisiana woman with a history of “drugging men” and stealing their credit cards was arrested after the death of a TV reporter who was New Orleans for the Super Bowl, police said Friday. Hotel security video showed Danette Colbert, who lives in nearby Slidell, with Kansas City Telemundo’s Adan Manzano, 27, and entering his room at 4:35 a.m. Wednesday, Kenner police chief Keith Conley told reporters. NBC News

 

Out-of-fuel plane made to wait to land – report
A passenger plane that was running dangerously low on fuel with 300 people on board was made to wait while another aircraft was given permission to land, a report has found The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) described how the TUI Boeing 787 eventually landed at Birmingham, having been diverted from Manchester in high winds, and then turned away from East Midlands Airport. BBC

 

39-year-old American expat lives on $15,500 in one of the world’s most expensive cities: I have ‘so much of what I could ever want’
When he moved to Paris in 2017, Jay Swanson “was in dire straits,” he says. The now 39-year-old was drowning in around $86,500 of debt from projects like publishing novels and investing in a tech startup. He was putting about $2,100 a month toward the minimum payments on his credit cards and loans while earning not much more than that as a tour guide his first summer in Paris. CNBC

 

9 L.A. locals share their favorite walks in the city
Los Angeles is teeming with beautiful places to walk, but for many of us, our favorite paths are those that are closest to home. These are the walks we do again and again, when we need to shake out our blues, get a new perspective or just enjoy some of our city’s famous sunshine. So it comes as no surprise that when we asked readers to share their favorite walks, many of you responded with a path in your neighborhood. LA Times

Thursday, February 13
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 1,990,129
people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, February 12

United Regional Jet slides off taxiway at an icy St. Louis Lambert Airport
A plane carrying 27 passengers, including crew, slid off the taxiway before coming to a stop at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) late Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the airport. CNN

Car rams into Munich crowd injuring at least 28 in suspected attack
German police said Thursday that at least 28 people were injured when a car plowed into a crowd in the city of Munich in what officials called a “suspected attack.” The incident came the day before a major security conference attended by world leaders was set to begin. Vice President JD Vance is among those due to address the conference. NBC News

Frontier makes another takeover bid for Spirit Airlines and it is rejected, again
Spirit Airlines has again rejected a third takeover bid from budget rival Frontier, saying that it would focus on its own plan to emerge from bankruptcy and stabilize its finances. The offer this week, like the last bid, offers Spirit stakeholders $400 million in newly issued debt and a 19% stake in Frontier Group Holdings Inc., the parent company of Frontier. Yahoo

Schools closed, evacuations issued as California braces for powerful storm
Officials throughout Southern California issued evacuation warnings ahead of a potent storm that could cause life-threatening flooding and debris flow in areas charred by the wildfires that broke out across the region last month. Several evacuation warnings and orders were active in areas impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires as well as other recent blazes in Los Angeles County. Evacuation warnings were also issued for residents in Orange County and several communities along the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in San Bernardino County. USA Today

 

Australia braces for ‘very destructive winds’ as Category 5 cyclone nears landfall
Northern Australia is bracing for a Category 5 tropical cyclone that is expected to bring “very destructive winds” and “very heavy rain” to its coastline on Friday, with meteorologists warning of gusts up to 180 miles an hour. As of Thursday, the slow-moving Cyclone Zelia was 90 miles north of Port Hedland and was forecast to hit the Pilbara Coast as early as Friday morning with winds of up to 130 miles an hour, Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said in an advisory. NBC News

 

Air France offering one-off flights between LAX and Nice for Cannes Film Festival and Monaco F1 GP
Air France is once again offering one-off flights between Los Angeles, New York, and Nice, France, in support of the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Formula One Grand Prix. The first pairing will take place in May 2025, connecting Los Angeles (LAX) and Nice (NCE). Flight AF041 will depart LAX on May 12th at 1:15 p.m., arriving in Nice at 9:40 a.m. the next day. Gate Checked

 

Rescued from virtual slavery in Myanmar’s online scam centers, 260 foreigners are being repatriated
Some 260 people believed to have been trafficked and trapped into working in online scam centers are to be repatriated after they were rescued from Myanmar, Thailand’s army announced Thursday. In a fresh crackdown on scam centers operating from Southeast Asia, the Thai army announced Thursday it is coordinating an effort to repatriate some 260 people believed to have been victims of human trafficking after they were rescued and sent from Myanmar to Thailand.  AP

 

Remembering Jim Burns, the larger-than-life doorman at London’s Athenaeum
Over the years, I had the chance to stay at London’s The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences — the first time in one of the apartment-style residences with the kids — and, as many parents know, finding spacious accommodations for a family of five can be a challenge in the U.K., nevermind one with a private front door and pop-up bunk beds — and years later in the posh main hotel with my husband. Travel Weekly

 

HawaiianMiles just upended by Alaska—here’s what it means for you
Alaska Airlines just dropped a long anticipated major update on how its merger with Hawaiian Airlines is hugely reshaping the HawaiianMiles loyalty program. The changes, including status match, reciprocal mileage earning, and new elite perks, are concrete steps toward an eventual single loyalty program coming soon. But while some details are now official, big questions remain about the future of HawaiianMiles and what this means for frequent Hawaii travelers. Beat of Hawaii

 

Airbus exploring double-level airplane seat design
If you’ve seen images of the infamous double-level airplane seat concept and thought “that’s never going to happen” — maybe think again. Aviation start-up Chaise Longue, the brains behind the controversial dual-level seat, announced today it’s “exploring some early stage concepts” with aviation giant Airbus. This collaboration with an aircraft manufacturing heavyweight is a significant step in this seat design’s journey from college student project to potential in-air reality. CNN

 

‘Dear Emirates, if this is business class – I’ll stay in economy, thanks’
The moment I stepped aboard the Emirates Boeing 777, I was enthralled. After decades of trudging past the posh seats on the way to the back of the plane, suddenly I was a premium passenger. What joy! Just four seats abreast, compared with 10 at the back of the plane. Acres of personal space. The Independent

 

Petition for Denmark to buy California for $1 trillion surpasses 200,000 signatures
A satirical online petition is catching the attention of both Californians and Danes alike. As of Tuesday, the “Denmarkification” petition – which calls for the country of Denmark to buy the state of California – has collected more than 200,000 signatures. The petition comes in response to President Trump’s continued interest in purchasing Greenland, a territory of Denmark. In January, the president even talked about how he hasn’t ruled out using military force take control of both Greenland and the Panama Canal. CBS News

Wednesday, February 12
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 1,753,887
people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, February 11

Snow and freezing rain pummel the mid-Atlantic while California prepares for likely flooding
Snow, sleet and freezing rain were expected to continue pummeling the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic states Wednesday, while California readied for a storm that could flood areas ravaged by the recent wildfires. Especially heavy snowfall — up to nearly 14 inches (25 centimeters) — was expected in parts of Virginia and West Virginia, according to the National Weather Service. Ice accumulations could reach more than a third of an inch (8.4 millimeters) in Stanleytown, Virginia, and a quarter of an inch (6.3 millimeters) in Glendale Springs, North Carolina. AP

FAA wants permanent helicopter restrictions at Reagan Airport
Federal air-safety officials want to permanently keep helicopters away from commercial jets taking off and landing at a busy Washington, D.C., airport after the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in more than two decades. The move, under consideration by senior Federal Aviation Administration officials, would be part of a long-term plan to improve safety at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to people familiar with the discussions. WSJ

 

FAA reopens DCA runways, increases arrivals rate as crash investigation continues
The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Tuesday that it was reopening runways and increasing the arrival rate at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The agency had closed runways 4/22 and 15/33 to accommodate investigatory efforts following a fatal collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near the airport on Jan. 29. USA Today

 

Major airlines urge Trump administration to abandon passenger compensation review
Major U.S. airlines on Tuesday asked the U.S. Transportation Department to abandon a review launched by the Biden administration over whether carriers should be required to pay passengers compensation over flight disruptions. Airlines for America, a trade group representing American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and others, urged the Trump administration to end the review launched in December to take comments on whether airlines in the United States should provide cash to compensate for carrier-caused disruptions like they are required to do in the European Union and Canada. Reuters

 

Major Toronto snowstorm could take days to dig out from, officials say
A major snowstorm is expected to arrive in Toronto this evening, bringing as much as 25 centimeters of snow to the region over a 24-hour period. Here are live updates of how the storm is impacting the GTA. CTV

 

Why airlines are racing into Connecticut
Connecticut has become one of the hottest aviation markets in the U.S., but the added convenience for residents and travelers has come with some headaches. Upstart carriers Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways have established small hubs in Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport and Tweed New Haven Airport. Carriers including JetBlue and Spirit also have added routes from the state. WSJ

 

A Boeing 737 Max was taking off when it collided with a vehicle on the runway
The Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes plane was about to fly from Rio de Janeiro’s international airport to Fortaleza in northeastern Brazil on Tuesday. A video posted on X appears to show the jet accelerating down the runway when a loud noise can be heard. BI

 

Bartender in Vietnam arrested over tourist couple’s deaths linked to tainted alcohol
A bartender was arrested in Vietnam on Friday for making toxic liquor that led to the death of a British and South African couple in January, state media said. The bodies of the couple were found at a resort villa in the central city of Hoi An on December 26, without any signs of physical trauma, violence or a break-in.  CBS News

Kilauea is spewing lava again. It is the Hawaii volcano’s latest activity in an on-and-off eruption
Kilauea volcano began shooting lava into the air once again Tuesday on the Big Island of Hawaii. Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has been erupting on and off for nearly two months since it burst to life on Dec. 23. The eruption has been taking place at the the volcano’s summit crater inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. No residential areas have been threatened by lava. AP

 

With 2025 well-booked, cruise’s Wave season has been anticlimactic
Travel advisors say that the early Wave season has so far seen strong pricing, which along with cruise lines coming into 2025 in their strongest booked position in history, has contributed to some dampening of demand. Travel sellers say that with less cruise inventory to sell, a slip in demand has not been unexpected and has pushed up rates.  Travel Weekly

 

MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages match loyalty status from other lines
Cruise line loyalty programs like Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society are designed to keep cruisers choosing the same cruise brand for all their vacations. With Royal Caribbean’s program, passengers earn one cruise point for every night they sail, and double points when they book a suite. Points add up to perks like discounts and access to special amenities. As passengers’ points grow, so do their benefits and status. MSN

 

Major update on Virgin Australia’s pets on planes policy
Virgin Australia has announced new details about its pet-friendly policy, making it the first airline in the country to allow pets to travel in the cabin beside their owners. The carrier proposes to offer two pet-friendly rows for animals and their owners, with pets required to be in soft-sided carrier cases. The pet and its carrier must have a combined weight of no more than 8kg and must remain under the seat in front throughout the flight. Daily Mail

 

Tuesday, February 11
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,323,951
people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, February 10.

Venice doubles daytripper entry fees for 2025
The Venice entry fee is back — and this time it’s double the trouble. Or rather, it will be for last-minute daytrippers to the city, who’ll see the entrance fee double from last year’s 5 euros to 10 euros. The fee will also be applied on almost twice as many dates as it was last year. CNN

 

Norovirus outbreak sickens nearly 120 guests, crew on Holland America cruise ship
A norovirus outbreak on a Holland America Line cruise sickened nearly 120 people. Among 2,614 guests aboard the line’s Rotterdam ship, 107 reported being ill during its current voyage, along with a dozen crew members, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Their main symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea. USA Today

 

Two American tourists injured in apparent shark attack in the Bahamas
Two American women were injured in an “alleged shark attack” while swimming in the Bahamas, authorities said. The reported attack, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, occurred on Friday around 6:30 p.m. in the waters of Bimini Bay, a popular tourist destination in the western Bahamas renowned for its pristine beaches and fishing. Authorities in Bimini are investigating the reported attack, police said in a statement. CNN

 

FAA reinstates ‘Notice to Airmen’ pilot message name, reversing Biden decision
The Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday it is reversing a four-year-old decision to rename safety messages to pilots and reinstating the prior “Notice to Airmen” term. In December 2021, the FAA under former President Joe Biden renamed the messages “Notices to Air Missions,” commonly known as NOTAMs, saying it was “inclusive of all aviators and missions.” Reuters

 

Mötley Crüe share statement after Vince Neil’s plane crashes in Arizona
Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil was not on board when a private jet he owned crashed at an airport in Arizona, the band have confirmed. The pilot of the aircraft has died. The incident, which happened off the runway at Scottsdale Airport on Monday afternoon (10 February) left Neil’s girlfriend Rain Andreani and her friend with injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening. The Independent

Airlines attack Heathrow for ‘world’s highest passenger charges’ and ‘declining service’
Heathrow’s key customers – airlines and hotels – are demanding lower charges and higher standards at the UK’s busiest airport. Virgin Atlantic, British Airways’ parent IAG, the Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee (AOC) and the Arora hotel group have joined forces in an unprecedented coordinated attack on the airport’s regulatory regime. The Independent

 

MSC Cruises opens new terminal in Miami
MSC Cruises opened what it calls the largest cruise terminal in the world on Feb. 8 in Port Miami. The MSC Miami Cruise Terminal’s first ship was the MSC Seascape. The terminal can accommodate three ships at once and process up to 36,000 guests each day, MSC said. Travel Weekly

 

BA plane comes within 10FT of ‘drone’ in terrifying near miss
Pilots of a British Airways aircraft received a Halloween fright after a suspected drone came within 10ft of crashing into the passenger jet flying over London. The plane, operated by the airline’s regional carrier BA Cityflyer, was travelling at 3,000ft four nautical miles north west of London City Airport, when pilots noticed an object with lights. MSN

 

At least 54 die in Guatemala after bus plunges off bridge
At least 54 people were killed after a bus veered off a bridge into a ravine in Guatemala City on Monday, according to the country’s National Institute of Forensic Sciences. The bus was traveling across Belize Bridge in zone six of the Guatemalan capital when it plunged into the ravine, officials said CNN

 

Gulf of America name change in the U.S. — what you’ll see in Maps
In the U.S., the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) has officially updated “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America.” As we announced two weeks ago and consistent with our longstanding practices, we’ve begun rolling out changes to reflect this update. People using Maps in the U.S. will see “Gulf of America,” and people in Mexico will see “Gulf of Mexico.” Everyone else will see both names. Google

 

The late Queen was a regular visitor to our hotel – here’s how luxury should be done
I am never happier than when sitting in the lounge of a hotel. It’s a secret delight that dates back to my school days when I would sneak across to The Maids Head Hotel in Norwich, which stood close to where my school was located. There I would use a sizeable chunk of my pocket money to order a toasted tea cake and a pot of English Breakfast tea and watch the world go by. I have never looked back. The Telegraph

 

One of the world’s strangest museums can be found in the middle of the desert  
Back at the turn of the 21st century, Qatar was a country with few cultural attractions to keep visitors and residents entertained. Yet the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum — known as the FBQ Museum — was a place that most people visited as an alternative to the then-still rather ramshackle National Museum of Qatar. You had to make an appointment, and drive out into the desert, getting lost a few times along the way, but then you were welcomed to the lush Al Samriya Farm with a cup of tea and some cake. The highlight was being allowed into a space crammed full with shelves and vitrines holding all sorts of eclectic artifacts from swords to coins — with the odd car and carriage standing in the grounds. CNN

Monday, February 10
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,186,009
people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, February 9.

 

National park advocates warn of potential drilling, mining
The Department of Interior is exploring ways to use federal lands for energy production, and national park advocates worry that could put some park sites at risk. Citing an executive order by President Donald Trump encouraging “energy exploration and production on Federal lands and waters,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum ordered the department’s assistant secretaries to review current oil, gas and mining on public land and submit an action plan this month on ways to reduce “barriers to the use of Federal lands for energy development,” “offer more parcels of the public land for oil and gas leasing” within the limits of existing law, and more. USA Today

 

Two winter storms put 29 million people under alerts with freezing conditions to come
Two winter storms will bring snow, freezing rain and Arctic cold in a one-two punch to parts of the United States this week. Some 29 million people were under winter alerts across the central Plains, the Midwest, the Ohio Valley and the mid-Atlantic on Monday morning ahead of two winter storms expected this week.  NBC News

 

Trump Administration prioritizes high-birthrate areas for transportation funds
The day after Sean Duffy was confirmed as President Trump’s transportation secretary, he signed a memo dictating how federal transportation funds should be allocated. The list of new criteria included one directive that stood out: All of the department’s grant and loan programs should prioritize projects in “communities with marriage and birthrates higher than the national average,” to the extent allowed by law. NYTimes

 

Ed Sheeran busted by Indian police for busking without permission
Ed Sheeran took to a busy street in southern India this weekend to surprise fans with a live performance but police soon swooped and pulled the plug on the British singer, saying he hadn’t received permission. The four-time Grammy winner was in between shows in the southern city of Bangalore when he decided to do some busking on the city’s Church Street. CNN

 

Super Bowl parade a reminder ‘New Orleans is still in business’
Mardi Gras floats with bead-tossing revelers cruised through New Orleans on Saturday as the city celebrated its record-tying 11th Super Bowl hosting gig with a stout security presence after a New Year’s Day attack. Reuters

 

Emergency landing for EasyJet flight after pilot collapses
An easyJet flight from Manchester to Egypt has been forced to carry out an emergency landing after a pilot on board collapsed. The plane had been travelling from Hurghada in Egypt to the northern English city on Saturday evening but had to be diverted to Athens when one of the pilots had a medical emergency. Daily Mail

 

Tsunami warning canceled for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands after magnitude-7.6 earthquake in the Caribbean
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 occurred on Saturday in the Caribbean Sea, according to the US Geological Survey, sparking a tsunami warning. The tremor hit 129 miles southwest of Georgetown, Cayman Islands, at 6.23 p.m. ET Saturday, the USGS reported. The US National Tsunami Warning Center (NWTC) initially said there was a tsunami threat to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Residents in those places were advised to move out of the water, off the beach and away from harbors, marinas, bays and inlets, and not go to shore to observe the tsunami. CNN

 

Hyatt announces plan to acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts for $2.6 billion
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced on February 10 that it has a plan to acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V. at a purchase price of $13.50 per share, or around $2.6 billion, which would add all the brand’s all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic into Hyatt’s growing all-inclusive portfolio. Hyatt currently owns 9.4 percent of Playa’s outstanding shares. In December, there was discussion of a potential acquisition. TravelPulse

 

Minnesota man wins free Norwegian cruise vacation — then catches the flu onboard and gets hit with $47K medical bill
A Minnesota man won a free weeklong cruise vacation to the Caribbean for him and his girlfriend, only to catch the flu onboard and get slapped with an eye-popping $47,000 medical bill. Mike Cameron and his girlfriend Tamra Masterman won a free Norwegian cruise trip from the Grand Casino Hinckley that set sail out of Miami on Jan. 5, he told The Post Thursday night. Cameron has one piece of advice for travelers after his ordeal. “We want people to be aware, if you go on a cruise make sure you got good traveler’s insurance,” he warned. NY Post

 

A photographer visited McDonald’s in more than 55 countries. Here’s what he found
“Everyone has a relationship with McDonald’s,” says Gary He. Including him. He didn’t set out to write a book about McDonald’s. And, even now, the James Beard Award-winning photographer still says that “McAtlas” — his book about McDonald’s — is not a book about McDonald’s. CNN

 

The star attraction at the Hyatt Regency Maui
It’s not the usual Hawaii attraction, but that’s what makes it special. At the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, visitors can take a walk across the rooftop to a little corner set up with three large telescopes. It’s the location of the resort’s Tour of the Stars astronomy program, which guests and nonguests alike may book through the resort’s concierge. Travel Weekly

 

The Middle East’s first super-luxury train will gleam gold
It’s the train set to whisk people across the largest country in the Middle East — and to do so in style, according to the designs that have just been released. Saudi Arabia’s Dream of the Desert train, which is slated to hit the rails next year, is set to be the region’s first five-star luxury train, and the first renderings for the 14 carriages have finally been unveiled. CNN

 

Top 12 Travel Stories of the Week
February 2-9

United Regional Jet slides off taxiway at an icy St. Louis Lambert Airport
A plane carrying 27 passengers, including crew, slid off the taxiway before coming to a stop at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) late Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the airport. CNN

Car rams into Munich crowd injuring at least 28 in suspected attack
German police said Thursday that at least 28 people were injured when a car plowed into a crowd in the city of Munich in what officials called a “suspected attack.” The incident came the day before a major security conference attended by world leaders was set to begin. Vice President JD Vance is among those due to address the conference. NBC News

FAA wants permanent helicopter restrictions at Reagan Airport
Federal air-safety officials want to permanently keep helicopters away from commercial jets taking off and landing at a busy Washington, D.C., airport after the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in more than two decades. The move, under consideration by senior Federal Aviation Administration officials, would be part of a long-term plan to improve safety at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to people familiar with the discussions. WSJ

Yosemite National Park is in trouble.
Hamstrung by President Donald Trump’s hiring freeze, hundreds of rescinded job offers and the threat of coming layoffs, the park is poised to enter its busiest months of the year severely short-staffed. Not only that, but the park’s day-use reservation system — created to protect park resources and improve the visitor experience by reducing crowding — appears unlikely to return this year. SF Gate

Venice doubles daytripper entry fees for 2025
The Venice entry fee is back — and this time it’s double the trouble. Or rather, it will be for last-minute daytrippers to the city, who’ll see the entrance fee double from last year’s 5 euros to 10 euros. The fee will also be applied on almost twice as many dates as it was last year. CNN

Big storm possible in Mid-Atlantic next week. How much snow could D.C. get?
D.C. has already clinched a snowier-than-average winter, and yet another storm could be on the way next week. Computer models suggest a winter storm could affect the region Wednesday and/or Thursday, although there is uncertainty in the storm timing, strength and path. Some of the aggressive computer model projections suggest a high ceiling for the amount of snow and even simulate a blizzard, but there is also still the legitimate possibility of a more glancing blow or a miss. Washington Post

Canadians are cancelling trips to the U.S. amid tension
The urge for Canadians to buy local and to support Canadian businesses has been growing since U.S. President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs, most recently on Canadian steel and aluminum, and made repeated comments about making Canada the 51st state. But has it seeped into the travel world? It may be too soon to tell, but here’s what airlines and travel groups are noticing. National Post

 

Air Canada to trim USA flights: WestJet says US demand down 25%
Air Canada says it will reduce capacity to Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona as the U.S.-Canada tariff dispute simmers and the Canadian dollar continues to struggle. And WestJet might be next in line. Speaking on a conference call to discuss Air Canada’s fourth quarter and yearly earnings for 2024, Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue & Network Planning and President, Cargo, said it’s too early to know how Canadian currency issues and the U.S.-Canada tariff dispute will play out. But he said Air Canada will be reducing capacity to such U.S. destinations as Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona beginning in March. Jim Byers

Plane carrying Secretary of State Rubio to Europe turned around because of a mechanical issue
An Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Sen. Jim Risch, to Germany for the Munich Security Conference was forced to return to Washington late Thursday after developing a mechanical issue. AP

Frontier makes another takeover bid for Spirit Airlines and it is rejected, again
Spirit Airlines has again rejected a third takeover bid from budget rival Frontier, saying that it would focus on its own plan to emerge from bankruptcy and stabilize its finances. The offer this week, like the last bid, offers Spirit stakeholders $400 million in newly issued debt and a 19% stake in Frontier Group Holdings Inc., the parent company of Frontier. Yahoo

 

FAA reopens DCA runways, increases arrivals rate as crash investigation continues
The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Tuesday that it was reopening runways and increasing the arrival rate at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The agency had closed runways 4/22 and 15/33 to accommodate investigatory efforts following a fatal collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near the airport on Jan. 29. USA Today

 

Norovirus outbreak sickens nearly 120 guests, crew on Holland America cruise ship
A norovirus outbreak on a Holland America Line cruise sickened nearly 120 people. Among 2,614 guests aboard the line’s Rotterdam ship, 107 reported being ill during its current voyage, along with a dozen crew members, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Their main symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea. USA Today

 

Minnesota man wins free Norwegian cruise vacation — then catches the flu onboard and gets hit with $47K medical bill
A Minnesota man won a free weeklong cruise vacation to the Caribbean for him and his girlfriend, only to catch the flu onboard and get slapped with an eye-popping $47,000 medical bill. Mike Cameron and his girlfriend Tamra Masterman won a free Norwegian cruise trip from the Grand Casino Hinckley that set sail out of Miami on Jan. 5, he told The Post Thursday night. Cameron has one piece of advice for travelers after his ordeal. “We want people to be aware, if you go on a cruise make sure you got good traveler’s insurance,” he warned. NY Post

 

 

Wreckage of missing commuter Alaska plane found with no survivors, Coast Guard says
The U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska said Friday afternoon that it had located the wreckage of the Nome-bound plane that went missing after takeoff with 10 people on board Thursday. In a post on X, the Coast Guard also reported that three deceased individuals were found inside the plane, which was located on sea ice about 34 miles southeast of Nome. Fox News

FAA to slow arrivals at Reagan National Airport to reduce risks after crash
The FAA told airlines late Wednesday that the reduction from a maximum of 28 to 26 arrivals per hour would reduce risk but also increase average delays from 40 minutes to 50 minutes. The email said investigators from the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board “have expressed concern for our tower personnel on duty, who have an increased level of stress while also having a front row view of the accident recovery.” Reuters

Trump blames ‘obsolete’ U.S. air traffic control system for the plane-chopper collision near D.C.
President Trump on Thursday said he thinks last week’s deadly collision of a passenger jet and Army helicopter was the fault of what he called an “obsolete” computer system used by U.S. air traffic controllers, and he vowed to replace it. Trump said during an event that “a lot of mistakes happened” on Jan. 29 when an American Airlines flight out of Wichita, Kan., collided with an Army helicopter as the plane was about to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, killing all 67 people on board the two aircraft. LA Times

Black Hawk helicopter in D.C. plane crash had a safety system off, senator says
The Army Blackhawk helicopter that collided with an American Eagle flight over the Potomac River late last month was flying with a safety system turned off, Sen. Ted Cruz told reporters Thursday following a closed door briefing by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board. All 67 people on the two aircraft were killed when they collided near Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C. CBS News

Greece declares state of emergency on Santorini following quakes
Greece has declared a state of emergency on Santorini after a series of earthquakes shook the popular tourist island this week and prompted more than 10,000 residents and workers to evacuate. Since Sunday, hundreds of near-constant tremors have been recorded in the sea between Santorini and the island of Amorgos, the strongest measuring a magnitude of 5.2 on Wednesday night. Reuters

Heavy weekend snow and ice will hit swath of Midwest and Northeast
The latest in a train of storms will sweep across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast this weekend, bringing more heavy snow and ice. Snowfall amounts from this storm could eclipse 5 inches in a corridor that includes central Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, northern Michigan, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, southern Vermont, southern New Hampshire, southern Maine and Ontario, Canada, from late Saturday into Sunday. Washington Post

 

Man accused of inappropriately touching teen on Boston flight, prosecutors say she took photos
A Massachusetts man was in federal court on Friday on charges that he inappropriately touched a teenage girl on a Boston-bound flight and prosecutors said they have cellphone evidence to prove it. CBS News

Super Bowl ticket prices take sudden dip 48 hours before Chiefs-Eagles showdown in New Orleans
Less than a month ago, the cheapest ticket to Sunday’s game was $4,352. But as of Friday, February 7, the lowest price tag to get into the Caesars Superdome is around $2,528 on Vivid Seats. Ticket Master’s price for a 600-level ticket follows at $2,900. Other prices include $3,854 on SeatGeek, $3,607 on StubHub and $3,582 on Gametime. Daily Mail

 

Flu levels now highest since 2009 pandemic, CDC reports
Levels of influenza nationwide are now at the highest they have been since the peak of the 2009 swine flu pandemic, according to figures published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, amid this winter’s second wave of the virus. Close to 8% of visits for respiratory illness to outpatient providers, including urgent cares and doctors offices, reported to the CDC this week were people sick with influenza. That is the worst on record in the CDC’s influenza surveillance network since late 2009, during the swine flu pandemic. CBC News

 

These airlines are using Apple AirTags to help reunite passengers with lost luggage
Major airlines are integrating an Apple AirTag location feature into their bag tracing services. Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic are some of the first to use the feature Apple announced in November. Lufthansa, which briefly banned AirTags in 2022, said it’s part of ongoing “digital innovations.” Yahoo.

Japan Airlines Boeing 787 that struck the tail of parked Delta jet at SEA airport JohnnyJet.com

 

Elon Musk says doge will dig into F.A.A. technology and make safety upgrades
Elon Musk’s team will now dig into the nation’s aviation system, the Trump administration announced on Wednesday. Mr. Musk, on the social media platform X, said that President Trump’s cost-cutting group, the Department of Government Efficiency, will work to “make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system.” “Just a few days ago, the F.A.A.’s primary aircraft safety notification system failed for several hours!” Mr. Musk wrote, referring to the Federal Aviation Administration. The New York Times

 

37 live beetles concealed as Japanese snacks seized at LAX
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials intercepted dozens of live beetles concealed in Japanese snack packages at the Los Angeles International Airport last month. Agriculture specialists assigned to the airport discovered 37 live beetles hidden inside packages of Japanese snacks, chocolate and potato chips, the CBP said. The contraband was discovered during a physical examination of a shipment arriving from Japan via air cargo last month. The items are valued at $1,480. KTLA

 

78 Comments On "12 things in travel you need to know today"
  1. Mavis Sawtell|

    Hi, I came across this blog very helpful I am happy to know that we have such great community. I also have passion of drawing, sketching and painting. You may also share my artwork on your own blog here you will see my art work too in the link. Many thanks so much please lets support eachother.

  2. William Walker Jr|

    I have searched your site but can find nothing on the refund policy at Air France which recently sent out a letter to customers announcing an extension of the policy until 30 September 2021.
    How good is this promise by Air France? Is there fine print travelers should know about?

  3. B Manoogian|

    I received an email this morning from a friend who knows that I have stopped reading your news letter due to you “political comments”. He informed me that several others must have felt as I do and wrote to you stating their positions regarding your “Political Comments” regarding the attack on the Capital. We use to live in a country that allowed and encouraged open debate and discussion. Unfortunately, today we live an America where this is not allowed. Your comments on the Capital were the result of either your closed mine or your inability to receive the facts due to the major news sources blocking and presenting only one side of the issue. I know you do not like President Trump – this is something I should not know about you, but it does not allow you to provide only one side of a story as the “Truth”. I hope you will give this and the other comments you have received on this subject full consideration as you continue to publish your newsletter. I am willing to give you a second chance – Good Luck. Don’t blow it.

    1. Katey|

      Its his blog..he can say whatever he wants..if you don’t like it…move on

  4. SMC|

    He doesn’t need your validation nor your threat to not read the blog. Just don’t do it if you don’t want to . And it’s closed “mind” not mine.

    The evidence of truth for the January 6 riots is in all the footage especially the sound. That’s all one needs to hear and see.

  5. Carolyn Lancaster|

    Where is the Map App Every Traveler should have? I’ve looked through your site and not seen it. Thanks.

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Hi! Sorry. I forgot to highlight it. It was under Friday’s tip but the direct link is
      https://johnnyjet.com/the-map-app-every-traveler-needs-to-download-now/

      1. John J|

        No android version? Boooooo!

        1. Johnny Jet|

          Looks like there is. From a reader
          On Android:

          • Press and hold the power and volume down buttons at the same time.
          • Screenshot (full screen) will be saved to the “Screenshots” folder

          The process may vary if you have a more ‘skinned Android phone (Samsung, etc.).

  6. james wilson|

    I have read the whole thing looking for the map and never found it. This has happened before. When you put a clickbait headline on your email please let us find it when we click through.

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Hi! Sorry. I forgot to highlight it. It was under Friday’s tip but the direct link is
      https://johnnyjet.com/the-map-app-every-traveler-needs-to-download-now/

  7. Stefan|

    Thanks for sharing your tips with us.

  8. Robin Chalkley|

    5,800 people getting COVID after vaccinations is a ridiculously small number – .005 percent. And the vaccines were never “bulletproof”, it’s always been known that they are about 90% effective according to the manufacturers. This is the kind of statistical b.s. that serves to keep people needlessly afraid when the situation nationally is significantly improving.

  9. Lybrand@yahoo.com|

    How Can I Copyright Protect Stories and Articles on My Website?

  10. T Sandeep|

    Amazing guide…. Thanks for sharing this wonderful article.

  11. Yankiwi|

    I agree with B Manoogian. Keep politics out of Johnny Jet.

  12. Drishti Darshan|

    Great Information , Thanks For haring such a informative blogs.

  13. Lynne Ranney|

    I value and appreciate this newsletter’s comments about the January 6, 2021 attack on our Capital. Hundreds of hours of video taken by hundreds of people, including those involved in the attack themselves, show just what happened. There is no legitimate doubt and no room for speculation. I am a patriot and will never, ever, forget the lawlessness of that day and the cries to “Hang Mike Pence” and “Kill Pelosi.” For now, we can only debate who was behind the attack, but eventually we will know, thanks to the bipartisan House investigation.

    Johnny Jet has every right to state the facts in *his* own newsletter. There is no requirement for him to give voice or space to any perspective. If there were such a requirement, Fox News would not exist. If you benefit from the information in this newsletter – which you get for free – you can endure an occasional comment with which you disagree. Big deal. It’s not like you’re being maced or hit with bear spray, or being crushed between doors, while trying to protect the Capital and *all* our elected representatives. It’s not like you risked your own life to protect our elected politicians, then were badly treated by half of them, who even denied anything happened. It’s not like you were driven to suicide by these terrible events, like four officers were.

  14. Kirill Nesterenko|

    Thanks, Johnny!
    This is a good list of things that are rarely found on regular travel checklists.
    Especially now, we are planning our corporate trip to the anniversary of our company, so it was very interesting to read your article!
    WorkTime team

  15. James F Bauer|

    So TSA processed 1.6 M travelers yesterday, without a single suicide bomber. In fact, I don’t recall the last time they had a suicide bomber.

    Perhaps the Government should have used TSA to process Afghanistan travelers, instead of the Taliban.

  16. Ann|

    I have a question about VeriFLY… I understand how to input my personal information, but I don’t know how to upload my travel info or vaccine or test info and I can not locate anyplace with steps to help. American Airlines and British Air both keep sending emails to sign up, but I no instructions on how to connect the flights. Can you help?
    Many thanks
    Ann

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Hi Ann,

      Try this post https://onemileatatime.com/verifly/

  17. Douglas Lock|

    The wife and I are flying away for 5 weeks on back to back OAT trips to Sicily and Turkey early next week. Got our Covid vaccination booster shots thanks to your tip and our flu shots as well. Also our KN95’s. Wish us luck!
    Doug Lock – a few blocks east of you.

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Good luck! Let me know how it goes

  18. Annie|

    I’m looking for a job stop trip from Ontario CA to Boise Id. I checked Expedia which showed non of the major airlines having a non-stop. How do I find the odd named smaller airlines to see if they have the flight? All I could think of is Jet Blue and Spirit and they didn’t have it. Thanks.

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Try Avelo

  19. Lonn Wolf|

    I can no longer read your articles because of the constant pop ups that won’t go away and just lead from one pop up to another. The stable ones between articles were manageable, these other invasive species are infuriating. Also trying to hit that little “x” the size of a pin head is impossible on a phone screen, tiny. I will unsubscribe if this continues. What’s the point, teaser titles I can’t get to open without playing duck hunt with the ads.

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Hi Lonn,

      Thank you for bringing this to my attention. We don’t have pop up ads just the newsletter signup once every 30 days. There is also a small video player at the bottom and the X is in the upper right. I can see if they can make it bigger.

  20. B. Manoogian|

    In January I sent you comments regarding your politics getting in the way of your impartial reviews and reporting. At that time I told you that I had stopped reading you newsletter because of you political comments, but I had been told by several friends that you had changed and this was no longer happening. I have been enjoying your newsletter since. Well that all changed in mid-November when you posted a special review on the sale of the Trump Hotel in Washington DC. In this article you tell of your special tour of this INFAMOUS hotel. You went on to say “The hotel is arguably one of the most beautiful hotels in the United States”. Why is it that you wait until Trump is selling this hotel that you tell of your wonderful visit and this beautiful hotel? It looks to me that once again your political leanings have entered into your reviews and once again I am out of here. Just how many other GREAT hotels are out there that you will not report on because the owners have political views contrary to yours? Or how many average hotels get superb reviews because you agree with the political leaning of the owners. I feel sorry for you and anyone else that puts politics above the truth and honest reporting.

  21. Bernice|

    Canadians flying from Bellingham to Las Vegas by Allegiant Air, will we be required to show a negative Covid test for this flight? Does TSA require same? Thank you.

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Flying to the USA does require a negative test but not within the USA

  22. Wendy Westley|

    Hi Johnny Jet,
    Love your newsletter. Since you are featuring opinions from Bill Gates, it might we a good idea to watch this to get a perspective that about 35% or more of Americans have of his opinions:
    https://www.bitchute.com/video/yJ3AP778FuPR/

  23. John Anderson|

    Hi Johnny, Great for informing and sharing us 12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today. As going back to be a traveler. I want to know on what new in traveling so that I’ll thankful I found this. Keep sharing and keep it up.

  24. Sue Hankin|

    Hey Johnny,
    Just wondering, TSA officers screened 1,200,580 yesterday, Same number a week ago and 2019?????

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Good catch! I will fix. It’s 1,059,741

  25. Susan S|

    Love your newsletter, Johnny! Do you have a source that you recommend for reviews or ratings of international airports? I have found a few websites, but there either have ratings based on very few reviews, or they seem very outdated.

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Thanks! They’re all pretty bias but this is the most popular one https://skytraxratings.com/a-z-of-airport-ratings

  26. Josh K|

    One or more of our advertisers’ goods are mentioned in this post. When you click on links to such items, we may gain commission. lovely newsletter thank you

  27. jhondew|

    thanks for an amazing blog.

  28. Gordon Wininger|

    Johnny,
    You have some good information on your website. I have been reading your 12 things in travel section for several years. Your suggested items for travel have been very helpful.

    Unfortunately, it appears that you just can’t help including politics into your blog.
    Your dislike for President Trump has no place in a travel blog if you want to keep 50% of your audience.

    Just a Thought

  29. Kyle Blake|

    Hi Johnny,
    Recently, you posted something about United extending their ETCs that were scheduled to expire 12/31/22 to 12/31/2023. I have 5 from a cancelled quarantine period wedding, but haven’t received notice from United. I tried finding your post or something on United’s site that would verify the extension, but can’t. Can you point me in the right direction? If I can’t, I have to start booking travel quickly! Thank you!

    1. Johnny Jet|

      You sure it was me? Can’t even remember but I know Delta extended theirs and I wrote about it

  30. Jack Delehey|

    Thank you for this informative article! I hope all travelers could read this wonderful article of yours.

  31. Emma Miller|

    Hi Johnny! Traveling around the globe is very beautiful but now a days have a little changes because of the changes of flight ticket increases due to the economic sustainability. But when you touch down to your destinations, it’s priceless and the beauty of the places is exquisite. Thank you for sharing this blog. I remember those days. Keep sharing!

  32. What|

    Crime in Philadelphia has soared with Larry Krasner as the DA. Refuses to prosecute criminals, refuses to support the police and thus more crime, more death and in general lawlessness. Put blame for the rise in crime in Philie wear it belongs, it belongs to “communist” DA Larry Krasner.
    More detail here: https://www.heritage.org/crime-and-justice/commentary/meet-larry-krasner-the-rogue-prosecutor-wreaking-havoc-philadelphia

  33. David Fleischer|

    I signed up for program to get Global Entry appointment faster.
    I was delighted to get a few messages this AM about possible dates in next few weeks (GREAT!)
    I clicked on desirable date
    It took me to LOGIN.gov and I completed some non-related comments re: date I had chosen (July 27). [IS IT CORRECT THAT I SHOULD GO TO THIS SITE?. I DIDNT SEEM TO HAVE OPTIONS)
    When I left that page the process dropped
    I got no feedback about the date I had chosen and when I went back to the email, it was still there. I don’t feel that johnnyjet has advanced my cause.
    Please explain. Should I have done anything differently. Thanks David Fleischer
    *** My application is pending but I haven’t completed background check. Can I still apply for interview?

  34. Lucas James|

    Hi Johnny, I’d really appreciate more posts like this. Being updated on recent news is something I’m not too good at so I enjoy posts like this that keep big scoops compact and neat. Thanks a lot, Johnny.

  35. Peter Brezinski|

    Be careful when posting TSA numbers. Very often, the same number is posted for 2019 and pre-pandemic. It happened in newsletter of July 16.

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Good catch! I just fixed it

  36. Thomas|

    Very detailed post

  37. KELLY STEVENS|

    My mom is 94 today also. They were made of good stock back in those days! I’m sending up prayers for your dad’s recovery and health ?

    1. Johnny Jet|

      That’s AMAZING! HBD to your mom. Thank you for the prayers

  38. Jay Alexander|

    Where can I find tour informtion for Portugal, would like togo to Lourdes next year with my wife and sister in-law.

  39. John J|

    Johnny, why am I suddenly getting a pop-up asking me to sign in with my email when I’m reading your weekly newsletter? It’s never happened before…

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Sorry for the delay. Are you still getting it?

  40. Debbie Dutton|

    If you have any information about the Westjet proposed pilots strike we would like to hear about it pls. Also what are our options should our flight be cancelled due to such a strike? Our options are different in Canada and do not have the same rules as U.S.A and often not clear.
    Many thanks for your wonderful information

  41. Olivia|

    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|

      I’m sorry to hear this. I will email him to find out what happened.

  42. Kent Clyde|

    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.

  43. Nors|

    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.

  44. Alyza|

    Such a great article! Thanks for sharing.

  45. Richard G Allen|

    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|

      I wasn’t clear either.

  46. Ross Copas|

    What’s your recommended VPN

  47. Jerry Mandel|

    Why would anyone care about yesterday’s TSA numbers? This is silly.

    1. Johnny Jet|

      A lot of people do. Shows how the economy is doing especially for the airlines.

  48. Jerry Mandel|

    TSA numbers of no value. Who cares?

  49. B. Manoogian|

    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.

  50. Richard G Allen|

    “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|

      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

  51. Mary Carlson|

    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.

  52. Mary Carlson|

    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|

      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

  53. Richard G Allen|

    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|

      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

  54. Richard G Allen|

    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.

  55. Buzzy Gordon|

    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.

  56. Harriet J. Hartley|

    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!

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