12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today

Three airports join TSA’s privatized screening program
Three more airports—Tampa, Charleston and Des Moines—will move to the TSA’s new Gold+ privatized screening program, expanding the agency’s use of private contractors for passenger screening. The move is part of a broader push toward privatization and is drawing opposition from the union representing TSA employees. Travel Weekly

Pan Am crash site found more than 70 years later
Researchers have located the wreckage of the Pan Am Clipper Endeavor, which ditched into the Atlantic shortly after departing San Juan in 1952. While everyone survived the water landing, a number of passengers later died during the chaotic evacuation. The New York Times

U.S. airlines cleared to resume Lebanon flights
President Donald Trump said U.S. airlines will once again be allowed to operate flights to Lebanon, ending a ban that has been in place since the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847. The announcement came after a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. CNBC

Volcanic ash cancels Alaska Airlines flights
Alaska Airlines canceled 10 flights after volcanic ash from an eruption on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula drifted into Alaska. More disruptions are possible as officials continue monitoring changing wind patterns. Alaska Public Radio

Hawaiian to replace Boeing 717 fleet with 737-800s
Hawaiian Airlines will retire its aging Boeing 717 fleet and replace it with Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800 aircraft for interisland service. Parent company Alaska Airlines says the change will improve reliability and the passenger experience. Alaska Airlines

Terminally ill passenger left overnight at Gatwick
A terminally ill easyJet passenger says he was forced to sleep on the floor at London Gatwick Airport after his flight was canceled and no hotel accommodations were provided. The incident has renewed scrutiny of airline care during major disruptions. The Telegraph

ICE detains Southwest flight attendant
ICE says it detained a Southwest Airlines flight attendant in Nashville after determining he had overstayed a U.S. visa issued in 2021. The employee’s union has raised concerns about the arrest, which occurred while he was at work. CBS Texas

Low rivers disrupt European cruises
Persistent drought and extreme heat are lowering water levels on major European rivers, forcing some cruise lines to modify itineraries, swap ships and use motorcoaches to move passengers around impassable stretches. Operators say they’re adjusting schedules as conditions evolve. Travel Weekly

Southwest ships jet fuel by sea to Los Angeles
Southwest Airlines transported more than 12 million gallons of jet fuel from Texas to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal to help guard against supply shortages. The unusual move comes as higher fuel prices continue to pressure airline profits. CNBC

Lizard parts seized in luggage at LAX
Customs officers at Los Angeles International Airport seized nearly 100 pounds of prohibited agricultural and wildlife products from a passenger arriving from Thailand, including Bengal monitor lizard parts. A CBP detector dog alerted officers to the suitcase during inspection. New York Post

Carnival responds to viral dining room incident
Carnival Cruise Line addressed a viral video showing a guest using a fork to scratch her foot in a ship’s dining room, saying crew members quickly removed the utensil from service and spoke with the passenger. The incident generated widespread attention on social media. Us Weekly

Two tourists stabbed near Athens Acropolis
Two Greek American tourists were stabbed near the Acropolis Museum in Athens, close to one of Greece’s busiest tourist attractions. Authorities are investigating the attack, which occurred near the entrance to the historic site. The Independent

Germany bans alcohol at all train stations
Germany’s national railway operator will prohibit alcohol consumption at all 5,400 train stations by mid-October. Officials say the nationwide policy is intended to improve safety for both passengers and employees. The Independent

Video captures ICE arrest at San Francisco airport
Video circulating on social media shows federal officers detaining a Ukrainian woman at San Francisco International Airport. The woman can be heard alleging the officers were choking her as ICE confirmed it was carrying out an enforcement action. San Francisco Chronicle

Tourists filmed near Yellowstone hot spring
Video from Yellowstone National Park shows two visitors leaving the designated boardwalk and walking dangerously close to the Grand Prismatic Spring. Park officials regularly warn that the area’s geothermal features can cause severe or fatal burns. Daily Mail

Wildfire smoke from Canada blankets parts of the U.S.
Smoke from more than 100 wildfires burning across Canada is spreading into the Midwest and Northeast, prompting air quality alerts across several states. In Minnesota, thousands of visitors were evacuated from a remote wilderness area that can only be reached by boat. AP News

FAA restores Boeing’s authority to certify 737 MAX and 787 aircraft
The FAA has restored Boeing’s ability to issue airworthiness certificates for its 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner jets, marking another step in the manufacturer’s recovery following increased oversight after the two fatal MAX crashes. CNBC

Lawmakers move to block in-flight phone calls
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers wants to prevent airlines from allowing voice and video calls in the cabin, even as more carriers install high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi. The proposal comes after British Airways began permitting calls on some aircraft, raising concerns that the practice could spread. Travel Weekly

United offers free airport changes after Palm Beach rename
United Airlines is allowing eligible passengers to switch flights from the newly renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport to Miami or Fort Lauderdale at no extra cost, following strong public reaction to the airport’s name change. The policy appears aimed at travelers who prefer to avoid the renamed airport. Johnny Jet

Venice mayor proposes tenfold increase in day-trip fee
Venice’s mayor wants to raise the peak-season fee for day visitors from €5 to €50 in an effort to curb overtourism and help pay for maintaining the city’s infrastructure. Overnight guests and several other groups would remain exempt. People

Low Danube water levels disrupt river cruises
Exceptionally low water levels on the Danube are forcing river cruise operators to cancel sailings, swap ships and use buses to complete itineraries during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. The disruptions are tied to Europe’s ongoing heatwave. Cruise Fever

WestJet flight attendants vote overwhelmingly to authorize a strike
WestJet flight attendants have voted 99% in favor of authorizing a strike, putting a potential walkout as early as August 2 on the table if contract negotiations fail. More than 4,400 cabin crew members are represented by the union. Travel Industry Today

EU refuses to delay controversial border entry system
European officials have rejected calls from the aviation industry to pause the new Entry/Exit System (EES), despite reports of long airport lines and confusion since it launched. The biometric program requires many travelers entering the Schengen Area to provide facial scans and fingerprints. The New York Times

Frontier Airlines plans to add Starlink Wi-Fi
Frontier Airlines says it will begin installing SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet across its fleet, with the first equipped aircraft expected to enter service in 2027. The move follows several other airlines that have adopted Starlink for faster in-flight connectivity. The Independent

United flights delayed nationwide after technology outage
United Airlines experienced a systemwide technology outage Saturday morning that delayed flights across the country. The airline says the issue has been resolved and operations are returning to normal, but travelers should still check their flight status before heading to the airport. Business Insider

FAA restores Boeing’s authority to certify 737 MAX and 787 aircraft
The FAA has restored Boeing’s ability to issue airworthiness certificates for its 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner jets, marking another step in the manufacturer’s recovery following increased oversight after the two fatal MAX crashes. CNBC

NTSB: Birds likely caused fatal Hudson River helicopter crash
Federal investigators say a sightseeing helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River in April 2025, killing a family of five and the pilot, likely struck a flock of geese before breaking apart in flight. The findings come from the NTSB’s latest investigative reports. CNN

United agent accused of threatening to call ICE on passenger
A confrontation between a United Airlines gate agent and a passenger at San Francisco International Airport is drawing attention after video surfaced showing the employee threatening to call ICE. United has not publicly commented on the incident. View From The Wing

World Cup final ticket prices reach record highs
If you’re hoping to attend Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium, be prepared to pay. The cheapest tickets are reportedly around $10,000, while the average resale price is approaching $19,000, making it the most expensive championship ticket on record. MSN

Delta warns flight disruptions could continue through summer
Delta executives say operational challenges that have led to hundreds of flight cancellations in recent months may continue through the busy summer travel season. Travelers with flexible plans may want to monitor schedules closely. Men’s Journal

Visitors criticize New York City’s World Cup meal deals
Some World Cup visitors say New York City’s official $26 dining promotions don’t offer much value, with some participating restaurants not even providing televisions to watch the matches. The city’s tourism campaign has sparked complaints online. New York Post

California train route named America’s most scenic
If you’re planning a California trip, consider taking the train. Travel + Leisure named Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner the country’s most scenic rail journey thanks to its spectacular ocean views stretching along the Southern California coastline. New York Post

California visitor dies after Maui beach rescue
A 56-year-old California woman died after being pulled from the water at Koki Beach on Maui. Another person remains in critical condition following the rescue at the remote beach, according to local authorities. San Francisco Chronicle

The airport lounge battle is expanding beyond airports
American Express and Chase are taking their premium card perks beyond airport terminals by offering exclusive lounges and experiences at concerts, festivals and sporting events as they compete for high-spending customers. CNBC

Four Seasons expands into luxury cruising
Four Seasons is bringing its luxury hospitality to the water with curated yacht-style cruises in Greece. The intimate experience is designed to feel more like a private escape than a traditional cruise. The New York Times

More airlines are embracing stopovers. Will U.S. carriers follow?
International airlines continue expanding stopover programs that encourage travelers to spend a few extra days exploring a connecting city. It’s a perk that remains surprisingly rare among major U.S. airlines. Travel Weekly ess. KTLA