12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today

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

=== Tuesday, October 13 ===

FAA warns airlines about flight risks in Saudi Arabia
The FAA is warning U.S. airlines about increased safety risks when flying in or near Saudi Arabia following attacks on Riyadh’s airport. The warning comes as Delta prepares to launch its first nonstop flight between Atlanta and Riyadh later this month, though the airline says it hasn’t decided whether the inaugural flight will go ahead as scheduled. CNBC

New Hollywood Burbank Airport terminal opens to passengers today
It’s a big day for Southern California travelers. Starting today, all arriving and departing flights at Hollywood Burbank Airport will operate from the airport’s brand-new 14-gate, 355,000-square-foot terminal, replacing the old terminal at the nearly 100-year-old airport. Daily News

Cruise passenger rescued after going overboard
A Royal Caribbean passenger who went overboard was found alive by a cargo ship participating in the search. The woman was reportedly conscious when rescuers found her in the early hours of Oct. 10 after spotting the flashing light from a lifebuoy. USA Today

Bridge upgrade expected to cause five weeks of headaches for New Jersey commuters
Good luck commuting between New Jersey and Manhattan over the next several weeks. A major bridge upgrade beginning today is expected to disrupt bus, ferry and train service, with the headaches potentially lasting five weeks. The New York Times

Paris’ oldest food market destroyed by fire
Paris’ historic Marché Couvert des Enfants Rouges was destroyed by an early-morning fire Monday. About 150 firefighters and 50 vehicles responded to the blaze in the popular Haut Marais neighborhood, and the cause remains under investigation. The Telegraph

Selma Blair in custody after alleged incident aboard flight
Actress Selma Blair was taken into custody following an alleged incident aboard a commercial flight from Los Angeles to New York on Sunday night in which flight attendants were reportedly injured. As of Monday afternoon, she was at central booking at Queens Criminal Court, according to a law enforcement source. CNN

Qantas flight grounded after bedbugs found on plane
Here’s one travel nightmare no one wants to experience: A Qantas flight from Rome to Australia was canceled after bedbugs were discovered on the aircraft. Passengers on the previous nearly 17-hour flight from Perth to Rome had reportedly complained about being bitten. BBC

New Sonoma County airport service will let travelers skip SFO security lines
This is pretty cool: Starting Nov. 17, travelers will be able to check their bags and clear security at Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport before taking a bus directly onto the airfield at SFO. The new “Straight to Gate” service will offer eight round trips a day, with one-way adult fares of $55 and kids 15 and younger riding free with a paying adult. The Press Democrat

One dead in another attack on Riyadh airport
One person was killed and 11 others were injured in another attack on Riyadh’s international airport Sunday, just a day after a Houthi-claimed strike killed 13 people and injured more than 300. Saudi authorities said an unidentified projectile targeted Terminal 4 and caused a fire. Reuters

Man dies after entering tiger enclosure at wildlife park
A man was killed by a tiger after entering its enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England. Witnesses said a woman desperately tried to stop him from jumping into the enclosure, and the park has since confirmed that the tiger will not be euthanized. The Independent

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park closes trails amid Kilauea uncertainty
Kilauea is experiencing its longest pause between lava-fountaining episodes since the current eruption began in December 2024, and scientists aren’t sure what will happen next. The uncertainty has prompted additional trail closures at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so travelers heading there should check conditions before visiting. Travel Weekly

Passenger jet makes emergency landing after power bank catches fire
Another reminder of why lithium batteries don’t belong in checked luggage: A passenger jet in India made an emergency landing Sunday after a power bank stored in a bag in an overhead bin caught fire. Video reportedly shows passengers scrambling as cabin crew worked to extinguish the flames. Daily Mail

=== Sunday, October 11 ===

Plane damaged at Riyadh airport as Houthis escalate attacks, sources say
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis escalated their campaign of strikes against Saudi Arabia on Thursday, trying to shut down the kingdom’s ​airspace and oil facilities with missile fire that has killed three people this week and left a plane badly damaged. The group said it had struck Riyadh airport and warned workers ‌to stay away from energy plants, which would be targeted. Reuters

Southwest Airlines Is Considering Boeing 787s for Long-Haul International Flights
This would be a huge change for Southwest: The airline is reportedly leaning toward the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as its first widebody aircraft as it considers expanding into long-haul international flying. No final decision has been made and any aircraft order would ultimately need board approval. Reuters

Delta Cuts Its 2026 Forecast as High Fuel Prices Take a Toll
Delta missed Wall Street earnings estimates for the first time in two years and lowered its 2026 profit forecast as soaring jet fuel prices continue to pressure airlines. CEO Ed Bastian says travel demand remains strong and fares appear to be climbing even higher. CNBC

Icelandair Is Launching Flights From St. Louis to Reykjavik
St. Louis is getting a new nonstop link to Iceland next summer, with Icelandair planning three or four flights a week to Reykjavik from May 14 through Oct. 27. The airline can also take advantage of its partnership with Southwest, the largest carrier in St. Louis, for connecting passengers. Travel Weekly

U.S. Issues Security Alert for France Amid Violent Protests
Travelers heading to France should be prepared for transportation disruptions and road closures as large student demonstrations continue across the country, some of which have turned violent. More than 250,000 protesters took to the streets Tuesday, according to France’s Interior Ministry. Travel Weekly

American Airlines Is Building Its Largest-Ever Admirals Club in Charlotte
American Airlines is going big at Charlotte Douglas International Airport with a new Admirals Club spanning more than 40,000 square feet, making it the airline’s largest standard lounge. Construction is expected to begin this year with an opening planned for early 2028, while the airport’s existing American lounges will remain open. Travel Market Report

Delta passenger steals airport tug and drives around John Wayne Airport tarmac
Talk about a bizarre airport incident: A Delta passenger at Southern California’s John Wayne Airport allegedly went through an access door, stole a vehicle on the tarmac, crashed it and then tried to commandeer an airline truck before being arrested. CNN

FAA investigating after Delta plane clips Air Canada jet at LAX
A Delta plane taxiing for takeoff at LAX clipped an Air Canada aircraft that was being towed to its gate Tuesday morning. The FAA says the Delta jet’s left wingtip struck part of the Air Canada plane’s tail and is investigating. CNN

British Airways plans whopping 106-seat business class on its A380s
British Airways is planning a massive 106-seat business-class cabin for its Airbus A380s, which it says will be the world’s largest business class. It’s another sign of airlines betting big on growing demand for premium travel. CNBC

JetBlue flights mysteriously vanish from schedule for October 13–14
JetBlue passengers are reporting canceled flights and forced rebookings after the airline’s October 13 and 14 schedules appeared to vanish. Some travelers say they were moved to another day, while others reportedly discovered their reservations were gone without receiving a notification. View from the Wing

U.S. Closes Review of Airlines’ Data Privacy Practices Without Penalties
The U.S. Department of Transportation has closed a review of the 10 largest U.S. airlines’ data privacy practices, saying it found no violations of applicable laws or departmental policies. The review began during the Biden administration amid concerns from lawmakers about how airlines collect and protect passenger information. Reuters

FlyDubai Co-Pilot Used Crash Ax in Attempted Terrorist Act, UAE Says
Authorities say a FlyDubai co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash ax on a flight bound for Israel, sending the plane into a sharp descent before the situation was brought under control. UAE officials are describing the incident as an attempted terrorist act. Washington Post

=== Friday, October 9 ===

Tropical Storm Rachel Could Bring Heavy Rain to Southern California
Tropical Storm Rachel, which was a hurricane on Wednesday, could send moisture into the Desert Southwest this weekend, bringing heavy rain to parts of Southern California along with possible squalls in Utah and a tornado risk in Arizona. Washington Post

Southwest Airlines Is Considering Boeing 787s for Long-Haul International Flights
This would be a huge change for Southwest: The airline is reportedly leaning toward the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as its first widebody aircraft as it considers expanding into long-haul international flying. No final decision has been made and any aircraft order would ultimately need board approval. Reuters

Delta Cuts Its 2026 Forecast as High Fuel Prices Take a Toll
Delta missed Wall Street earnings estimates for the first time in two years and lowered its 2026 profit forecast as soaring jet fuel prices continue to pressure airlines. CEO Ed Bastian says travel demand remains strong and fares appear to be climbing even higher. CNBC

Brightline Filed for Bankruptcy. What Does It Mean for Passengers?
Several entities affiliated with Brightline Florida filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but the subsidiary that actually operates the trains did not, so service is continuing as usual for now. The company has also secured $490 million in new financing to help keep operations running. Palm Beach Post

Inside the New Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique
Waldorf Astoria has brought its signature luxury touches to Costa Rica, including a tropical take on the legendary Peacock Alley lounge from its New York hotel. The new resort blends the brand’s Art Deco heritage with Costa Rican design and surroundings. Travel Weekly

Icelandair Is Launching Flights From St. Louis to Reykjavik
St. Louis is getting a new nonstop link to Iceland next summer, with Icelandair planning three or four flights a week to Reykjavik from May 14 through Oct. 27. The airline can also take advantage of its partnership with Southwest, the largest carrier in St. Louis, for connecting passengers. Travel Weekly

U.S. Issues Security Alert for France Amid Violent Protests
Travelers heading to France should be prepared for transportation disruptions and road closures as large student demonstrations continue across the country, some of which have turned violent. More than 250,000 protesters took to the streets Tuesday, according to France’s Interior Ministry. Travel Weekly

U.S. Tourism Envoy Tells Countries Boycotting American Travel to “Cut the Nonsense”
Nick Adams, the U.S. presidential envoy for American tourism, exceptionalism and values, had a pointed message for countries encouraging travelers to boycott the United States, telling leaders at the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Global Summit to “cut the nonsense and start doing business.” Travel Weekly

American Airlines Is Building Its Largest-Ever Admirals Club in Charlotte
American Airlines is going big at Charlotte Douglas International Airport with a new Admirals Club spanning more than 40,000 square feet, making it the airline’s largest standard lounge. Construction is expected to begin this year with an opening planned for early 2028, while the airport’s existing American lounges will remain open. Travel Market Report

Delta Passenger Claims She Contracted a Bacterial Infection From a “Filthy” Seat
A California woman is suing Delta Air Lines, alleging that she developed a severe bacterial infection after being made to sit in what she described as an extremely dirty economy seat on a 2025 flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles. The allegations have not been proven in court. The Independent

Stranger Allegedly Found Inside Guest’s Big Bear Hotel Room
A 55-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested on suspicion of theft and trespassing after deputies say he entered a hotel room in Big Bear Lake and was discovered inside by the guest. KTLA

Australian Man Jailed After Assaulting TSA Officer at LAX
An Australian man has been jailed in the U.S. after attacking a TSA officer at Los Angeles International Airport following a dispute over his bag and passport. Court documents say the confrontation began in an airport bathroom before continuing into a public area. Daily Mail

Norse Atlantic Keeps Capacity Down as High Fuel Costs Bite
Norse Atlantic Airways continued flying a reduced schedule in September as expensive fuel puts additional pressure on the struggling long-haul carrier. Norse, which has been exploring a possible sale or merger, is also discussing leasing out Boeing 787s as it looks for ways to improve its finances. Reuters

Airfares Are Soaring. Is Spirit Airlines’ Demise Partly to Blame?
If you’ve searched for flights lately, you’ve probably noticed the sticker shock. U.S. airfares were reportedly 24% higher in August than a year earlier, while Hopper says Thanksgiving fares are up 31%, raising questions about how much the loss of ultra-low-cost competition from Spirit is contributing to higher prices. The New York Times

United Passengers Waited Nearly 12 Hours for a Rome Flight, Then It Was Canceled
Talk about a nightmare: Passengers scheduled to fly United from Washington Dulles to Rome reportedly endured nearly 12 hours of delays involving multiple problems, including weather, maintenance issues, refueling and a crew change, only for the flight to finally be canceled around 4 a.m. Men’s Journal

=== Wednesday, October 7 ===

=== Tuesday, October 6 ===

U.S. Closes Review of Airlines’ Data Privacy Practices Without Penalties
The U.S. Department of Transportation has closed a review of the 10 largest U.S. airlines’ data privacy practices, saying it found no violations of applicable laws or departmental policies. The review began during the Biden administration amid concerns from lawmakers about how airlines collect and protect passenger information. Reuters

FlyDubai Co-Pilot Used Crash Ax in Attempted Terrorist Act, UAE Says
Authorities say a FlyDubai co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash ax on a flight bound for Israel, sending the plane into a sharp descent before the situation was brought under control. UAE officials are describing the incident as an attempted terrorist act. Washington Post

American Airlines Will Soon Let Travelers Pay With a Combination of Cash and Miles
American Airlines is giving AAdvantage members another way to use their miles. U.S. members will soon be able to combine cash and miles when paying for domestic flights instead of having to choose one or the other. CBS News

American Airlines Tells Employees to Stop Involuntarily Bumping Passengers
American Airlines is reportedly telling airport employees to avoid involuntarily bumping passengers and instead keep looking for volunteers, even if doing so causes a delay. The airline is also making it easier for volunteers by allowing them to be confirmed on the next flight even when that flight is already full. View From The Wing

Alaska Airlines Starts Selling Breeze Flights and Awarding Atmos Points
Alaska Airlines has launched a limited partnership with Breeze Airways that allows travelers to buy select Breeze flights through Alaska’s website and earn Atmos Rewards points. It’s not a full-blown partnership yet, but it gives Alaska loyalists another way to earn points when flying Breeze. Cranky Flier

Airfares Are Climbing as Airlines Face Higher Costs
U.S. airfares jumped 23.4% in August compared with a year earlier, and Thanksgiving and Christmas fares are also significantly higher. Volatile jet fuel prices and limited capacity are putting pressure on airline profits while giving carriers more incentive to hold the line on higher fares. CNBC

British Airways Flight to Chicago Drops 27,000 Feet and Returns to London
A British Airways Boeing 777 flying from London to Chicago declared an emergency Monday and descended from 36,000 feet to 9,000 feet in about seven minutes. The aircraft then returned safely to London. NBC News

Ryanair Canceled More Than 1,000 Flights in September Amid ATC Disruptions
Ryanair says it was forced to cancel more than 1,000 flights in September, blaming disruptions involving the UK air traffic control system as well as ATC strikes in Belgium and volcanic activity from Mount Etna in Sicily. Daily Mail

A Push to Update Airplane Emergency Medical Kits Takes a Surprising Turn
After repeatedly helping passengers experiencing medical emergencies in the air, immunologist Dr. Kim Blumenthal began pushing for improvements to the emergency medical kits U.S. airlines are required to carry. Her experiences are now part of a larger debate over whether the decades-old requirements need an overhaul. Washington Post

October Heat Wave Continues to Bake California and Break Records
More than 35 million people were under heat alerts as an unusually intense October heat wave sent temperatures soaring across much of California. Some areas were running as much as 20 degrees above normal, with temperatures reaching the 90s and 100s from Northern California to the Mexican border. ABC News

Tourist Ignores Hawaii Beach Closure: ‘I’mma Go Down Anyway’
A tourist visiting Maui posted a TikTok showing herself ignoring a closure sign at Waianapanapa State Park and heading toward a closed beach and hiking area anyway. It’s a good reminder that closures in Hawaii aren’t suggestions, and travelers should respect local rules, especially when they’re there for safety or environmental protection. New York Post

Washington, D.C. Tour Operators Report Bookings Down as Much as 70%
Some Washington, D.C. tour operators say business has fallen sharply in 2026, with individual companies reporting booking declines of up to 70%. Operators point to landmark closures, blocked access and weaker international demand, although citywide data are incomplete and the White House disputes claims that Trump administration policies are hurting tourism. Arkansas Public Advocate