12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today
(This is a recurring post, updated daily with new information):
August 17 through August 24
Air Canada Will Cover Some Customer Strike Expenses
Air Canada says it is adopting a policy to cover “certain transportation expenses” incurred by customers while getting to their destinations during the recent work stoppage. The airline says it will reimburse customers for those costs if they had a cancelled flight originally scheduled to depart from Aug. 15 to Aug. 23, Air Canada was unable to rebook them, and they then made alternative arrangements themselves. Travel Industry Today
Alaska Airlines Is Rolling Out Elon Musk’s Starlink To All Its Planes And Letting Customers Choose How To Earn Loyalty Points
Alaska Airlines has launched a major overhaul of its loyalty program. Starlink WiFi, free for all loyalty members, is expected to be fully installed in 2027. Loyalty members are “integral to everything that we do,” an Alaska exec told Business Insider.
BI
Hurricane Erin Forces Outer Banks Vacationers To Evacuate As Storm Nears North Carolina
Holly Andrzejewski hadn’t yet welcomed her and her family’s first guests to the Atlantic Inn on Hatteras Island when she had to start rescheduling them, as Hurricane Erin neared North Carolina’s Outer Banks on Tuesday and threatened to whip up wild waves and tropical force winds. NY Post
United Airlines Faces Lawsuit After Selling ‘Windowless’ Window Seats
United Airlines is facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly selling “windowless” window seats to passengers. The potential lawsuit, which is still recruiting members, claims that the airline “misled customers” by charging for aircraft window seats without windows. According to Top Class Actions, plaintiffs are seeking compensation for the “false advertising” practice that they say violated air passenger rights. The Independent
Airline Pilot Fails Field Sobriety Tests Before Boarding, On Body Cam Video
A Southwest Airlines pilot failed multiple field sobriety tests on the bridge just outside the airplane he was supposed to fly … and, it was all caught on shocking body cam footage. David Allsop — a 52-year-old pilot — was arrested in Georgia back in April where he was supposed to fly a plane from Savannah to Chicago after police were alerted by a concerned third party that he allegedly smelled like alcohol. TMZ
Two Carnival Cruise Passengers Drown At Celebration Key Resort
Two American tourists drowned hours apart at Carnival’s private Bahamas resort on Friday, less than a month since the cruise line opened the $600 million Caribbean getaway destination. Carnival officials told The Post that the “water emergency incidents” involving guests traveling on two different ships happened at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island. NY Post
Boston–Honolulu Nonstop Flight Cancelled
It just became more difficult for Bostonians to travel to and from Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines has announced that it will suspend nonstop service between Logan International Airport and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The airline will operate its last flight from Boston to Honolulu on November 19. Patch
Part Of Delta Plane’s Wing Detaches During Flight
Part of a wing of a Delta Air Lines plane flying from Florida to Texas detached midflight Tuesday. “After DL 1893 landed safely and without incident in Austin, it was observed that a portion of the left wing’s flap was not in place,” a Delta spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill. The Hill
Spirit Flight Sparks Storm Fears After Flying Near Hurricane Erin
A Spirit Airlines flight appeared to fly through Hurricane Erin’s path. Spirit Airlines stated the flight operated safely under air traffic control guidance and established procedures. Experts explain that planes are built to withstand harsh weather, and pilots likely flew through calmer air around the storm. USA Today
Amazon Now Sells Used Hertz Rental Cars
Hertz has announced that it will start selling used cars from its rental business on Amazon Autos. The company’s pre-owned vehicles are now available in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle, according to a new page on Hertz’s website, with “more locations coming soon.” The Verge was unable to find any live Hertz vehicle listings at the time of writing. CNBC reports that customers living within 75 miles of the four launch cities can start browsing on Amazon Autos “as soon as Wednesday” and that Hertz is planning to expand its operation to 45 locations across the US, bringing availability more in line with the wider list of Amazon Autos locations. The Verge
Disneyland To End Early Entry Perk For Hotel Guests In 2025
Disneyland is sunsetting a major perk for its hotel guests. Starting Jan. 5, guests staying at the California resort’s hotels will no longer get early theme park entry. Instead, they’ll receive one Lightning Lane entry per guest, per stay. Not per day. USA Today
Boston–Honolulu Nonstop Flight Cancelled
It just became more difficult for Bostonians to travel to and from Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines has announced that it will suspend nonstop service between Logan International Airport and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The airline will operate its last flight from Boston to Honolulu on November 19. Patch
Friday, August 22
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,731,265 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, August 21
Hurricane Erin Moves Away From The East Coast, But It Remains A Coastal Threat
Erin is moving away from the United States but don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet: The massive hurricane is still churning up the Atlantic Ocean, keeping dangerous conditions in place for more than 1,000 miles of the East Coast. Hurricane Erin has been a major disruption for coastal communities this week – especially North Carolina’s Outer Banks – even without making landfall. It’s stirred up life-threatening rip currents that prompted dozens of rescues and sent rushing water and sand over coastal roads from the Southeast all the way up through Massachusetts. Erin could keep pushing the ocean onto coastlines through at least Friday. CNN
Air Canada Expects To Return Close To Full Schedule By Friday
Air Canada said it would be able to restore full operations ahead of schedule after resolving a three-day labor dispute with its 10,000 flight attendants. The Montreal-based carrier said Thursday it expects to “deliver close to its full network schedule” by Friday. Its previous guidance indicated it would take seven to 10 days to return to full capacity. Air Canada started to wind down its operations a week ago in anticipation of a labor disruption involving its flight attendants. The flight attendants went on strike Saturday, just before 1 a.m. EDT, with the two sides in a stalemate over pay. A deal was reached Tuesday morning, with the first flights starting that evening. WSJ
Part Of Delta Plane’s Wing Detaches During Flight
Part of a wing of a Delta Air Lines plane flying from Florida to Texas detached midflight Tuesday. “After DL 1893 landed safely and without incident in Austin, it was observed that a portion of the left wing’s flap was not in place,” a Delta spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill. The Hill
Spirit Flight Sparks Storm Fears After Flying Near Hurricane Erin
A Spirit Airlines flight appeared to fly through Hurricane Erin’s path. Spirit Airlines stated the flight operated safely under air traffic control guidance and established procedures. Experts explain that planes are built to withstand harsh weather, and pilots likely flew through calmer air around the storm. USA Today
Delta Flight Diverted After Passenger Goes Into Labor – ‘It Was Pretty Nuts’
A Delta Air Lines flight was diverted after a passenger went into labor mid-flight and eventually gave birth, say passengers and flight data. Flight 668, a Boeing 757, left John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York at 6:53 a.m. Wednesday, and was headed for San Francisco International Airport, when things took an unexpected turn. The Independent
Surging Tourism Is Polluting Antarctica, Scientists Warn
Soaring numbers of tourists and expanding research projects are increasingly polluting Antarctica, scientists warned Wednesday, a fresh blow for one of Earth’s most pristine environments already threatened by human-driven climate change. AFP
Qantas Passenger Lashes Out At Business Class Meal Claiming It’s A Joke – But Not Everyone Agrees
A Qantas passenger has furiously hit out at the airline’s culinary offering after upgrading to business for a flight to Singapore. The traveller had booked a seat on the QF 35 flight departing Melbourne at 12.05pm last month when they were served up what they said was a disappointing meal. Daily Mail
American Aircraft CEO Dies After Wingsuit Helicopter Jump
The CEO of an American aviation company has died after jumping out of a helicopter in the Swiss Alps. Kirk Hawkins, the 58-year-old founder of ICON Aircraft, leapt from a helicopter in a wingsuit near the peak of the 13,000-foot Eiger with three others. Hawkins, a former U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot, was gliding along the mountain’s east face when he collided with trees and crashed, Swiss police confirmed. An investigation into the accident is underway. Hawkins co-founded ICON Aircraft in 2006 with longtime friend Steen Strand, building the company around their signature A5 light sport aircraft. Daily Beast
‘Remove Stops From Google Maps’: Venetians Angered After Tourists Discover €2 Gondola Ferries
Venice is a notoriously pricey city, and the internet is full of articles dishing out money-saving advice and budgeting hacks for visitors. Recently, travel influencers have become wise to what they are calling a low-cost dupe for a gondola ride. This classic Venice experience will currently cost you €90 for 30 minutes during the daytime. EuroNews
4 Things Casinos Have Seen During The Las Vegas Tourism Downturn
Las Vegas has been on a hot streak coming out of the pandemic. The state saw casinos win record amounts from gamblers three years in a row before the run ended in June, the end of the fiscal year (July 1-June 30). But this year is different. A few interesting observations have emerged over the past weeks as leaders from Station Casinos, Caesars and MGM Resorts International have been peppered with questions about what’s wrong with Las Vegas this year. KTLA
Flight Attendant Pleads Guilty After Taking Drugs And Stripping Naked In Air
A British Airways flight attendant has pleaded guilty after being found high on meth and naked in an Airbus A380 bathroom during a San Francisco to London flight. Haden Pentecost, 41, was described in court as “sweating, babbling,” and unable to complete basic pre-flight safety checks before retreating to a lavatory. Complaining of stomach cramps, he locked himself inside. When he finally emerged, colleagues were stunned to find him completely naked and seemingly unaware of the fact. Daily Beast
$800 For A Credit Card? Why Your Premium Cards Will Cost More
It’s getting harder to be a travel hacker. For years, savvy consumers found ways to squeeze every last drop of value out of travel credit cards and loyalty programs run by banks and airlines. But the companies have become increasingly sophisticated about closing loopholes and limiting certain perks. The latest changes to some travel cards include much higher annual fees and more coupon-like benefits that points-and-miles experts say will make it harder to easily score big deals or unlock access to business class seats and other premium services. The New York Times
Thursday, August 21
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,293,657 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, August 20
Hurricane Erin’s Waves Lash NC: 40M Under Coastal Flood Alerts On East Coast
Hurricane Erin was bringing tropical storm conditions at or near portions of North Carolina’s coast on Wednesday night — as the “large” storm’s outer bands brushed the N.C. Outer Banks, forcing officials to close a section of highway. The big picture: The National Hurricane Center warned U.S. East Coast beachgoers on Wednesday against swimming at most beaches due to “life-threatening surf and currents,” while the Outer Banks region was also under threat from “life-threatening” surge flooding and tropical conditions. Axios
Alaska Airlines Launches $395 Card, Combines Loyalty With Hawaiian
Alaska Airlines is launching a $395-a-year rewards credit card as it joins the industry’s race for high-spending customers. It is also launching a combined loyalty program with Hawaiian Airlines, called Atmos, and raising requirements for elite status. Alaska acquired Hawaiian last year and plans to keep the two brands operating separately. CNBC
Atmos Rewards Pushes The Burden Of Elite Status Further On To The Alaska And Hawaiian Customer
Alaska and Hawaiian officially rolled out their new combined loyalty program yesterday called Atmos Rewards. In short, the program largely stays similar to what Alaska Mileage Plan had before. I’m not here to give you a summary — you can find that anywhere. Instead, I want to talk about one change in particular: the ability to choose how you earn miles. I don’t love it. Cranky Flier
Amazon Now Sells Used Hertz Rental Cars
Hertz has announced that it will start selling used cars from its rental business on Amazon Autos. The company’s pre-owned vehicles are now available in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle, according to a new page on Hertz’s website, with “more locations coming soon.” The Verge was unable to find any live Hertz vehicle listings at the time of writing. CNBC reports that customers living within 75 miles of the four launch cities can start browsing on Amazon Autos “as soon as Wednesday” and that Hertz is planning to expand its operation to 45 locations across the US, bringing availability more in line with the wider list of Amazon Autos locations. The Verge
Disneyland To End Early Entry Perk For Hotel Guests In 2025
Disneyland is sunsetting a major perk for its hotel guests. Starting Jan. 5, guests staying at the California resort’s hotels will no longer get early theme park entry. Instead, they’ll receive one Lightning Lane entry per guest, per stay. Not per day. USA Today
Air Canada Will Cover Some Customer Strike Expenses
Air Canada says it is adopting a policy to cover “certain transportation expenses” incurred by customers while getting to their destinations during the recent work stoppage. The airline says it will reimburse customers for those costs if they had a cancelled flight originally scheduled to depart from Aug. 15 to Aug. 23, Air Canada was unable to rebook them, and they then made alternative arrangements themselves. Travel Industry Today
Delta Asks Fliers To Vote On New Europe Flight Route
Over the past several years, airlines have been racing to add boutique routes to their networks that help get travelers off the beaten path. Think: secondary cities and under-the-radar islands that feel fresh to U.S. travelers. Now, Delta Air Lines is going one step further by handing its route planning over to travelers-at least for one 2026 summer destination. It’s a notable pivot from the usual top-down network announcements. It also underscores how carriers are chasing premium leisure demand. Afar
California Heat Wave: These Cities Could See Record-Breaking Temperatures
Nearly three-quarters of California is under an extreme heat warning or heat advisory as a late-summer heat wave peaks over the next two days. Temperatures could top 110 degrees Thursday in parts of the state, with much of the Central Valley near 105. Weak onshore flow means the heat will press unusually close to the coast, especially in Southern and Central California. SF Chronicle
Italian Guide Collapses And Dies While Leading Colosseum Tour In Searing Heat
Tour guides in Rome have repeated their calls for a rethink of the summer opening hours of some of the city’s biggest attractions after one of their colleagues died of a suspected heart attack while showing a group around the Colosseum in baking heat. Giovanna Maria Giammarino, who was 56, collapsed in the amphitheatre at 6pm on Tuesday. Despite the efforts of tourists and the emergency services, she could not be revived and died at the scene. The Guardian
Airport Workers To Strike In Dispute Over ‘Poverty Pay Offer’
Airport workers are to take strike action in a dispute over an “insulting poverty pay offer”. Unite the union said more than 100 OCS Group workers based at Edinburgh Airport will take part in a series of 48-hour stoppages next month. The workers provide support for passengers with reduced mobility, including assisting with wheelchairs and ambulift vehicles. The Irish News
Spirit Airlines Is On Shakier Ground After Avoiding Hard Decisions In Bankruptcy
Spirit Airlines last week warned that it might not be able to survive a year without additional cash. Signs of strain are showing, and some aircraft lessors have reached out to competitors to gauge interest in some of Spirit’s aircraft, according to people familiar with the matter. The carrier emerged from bankruptcy in March after almost four months and was met with a drop in domestic demand. CNBC
Why The Bay Area Will Be The Center Of The ‘Flying Car’ Revolution
The race is on in Silicon Valley to create the region’s first air taxi network, a futuristic mode of transportation in which riders flit from Wine Country to Palo Alto in planes the size of a charter helicopter. It’s a commuter vision that verges on magical thinking. And the sales pitch is bold: You don’t have to be a well-heeled jet-setter to use the service, according to the startup founders who are trying to produce it. Ultimately, they hope to offer prices comparable to the Uber Black luxury ride-hail service, but with far shorter travel times. Not by accident do many observers compare the air taxis to flying cars. SF Chronicle
Wednesday, August 20
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,187,079 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, August 19
Hurricane Erin’s Path Poses A Serious Threat To North Carolina’s Outer Banks And Dangerous Surf Up The East Coast
Hurricane Erin is churning up life-threatening rip currents and dangerous surf along much of the US East Coast and will soon send destructive waves and storm surge to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Meanwhile, Atlantic hurricane season is hitting its stride, threatening to spin up another named storm in Erin’s wake.
CNN
Air Canada Labor Deal May Reshape Pay For North American Airline Crews
Tentative deal ends unpaid work for Air Canada flight attendants, union says. Strike reflects broader unrest over unpaid labor in airline industry. Airlines face higher costs from new compensation models, analysts says.
Reuters
Alaska Airlines Is Rolling Out Elon Musk’s Starlink To All Its Planes And Letting Customers Choose How To Earn Loyalty Points
Alaska Airlines has launched a major overhaul of its loyalty program. Starlink WiFi, free for all loyalty members, is expected to be fully installed in 2027. Loyalty members are “integral to everything that we do,” an Alaska exec told Business Insider.
BI
Car Crashes Through Restaurant Window While Food Influencers Film Review
An SUV crashed into a restaurant and injured two food influencers while they were filming a review on Saturday. On Aug. 18, NinaUnrated and Patrick Blackwood posted a video showing the stunning moment at Cuvee’s Culinary Creations in Houston, Texas, as well as its aftermath. In the video, the pair learn about their dishes served by restaurant owner and chef Ivory Watkins before he walks away from the table. As they take a bite of their sandwiches, the crash sends shards of glass and other debris flying toward Blackwood, who was closest to the window, and NinaUnrated, who falls out of the booth.
Today
Paris Residents Fight Overtourism And ‘Disneyfication’ Of Beloved Montmartre Neighborhood
When Olivier Baroin moved into an apartment in Montmartre about 15 years ago, it felt like he was living in a village in the heart of Paris. Not anymore. Stores for residents are disappearing, along with the friendly atmosphere, he says. In their place are hordes of people taking selfies, shops selling tourist trinkets, and cafés whose seating spills into the narrow, cobbled streets as overtourism takes its toll.
AP
Dave Koz And His Band Were In Flight Delay Hell. So They Picked Up Their Instruments
Passengers on a flight from St. Louis to Seattle got an unexpected pick-me-up when jazz saxophonist Dave Koz and bandmates held an impromptu jam session in the aisle while the plane was stuck on the tarmac hundreds of miles from their final destination. It happened Aug. 11, when Koz and fellow musicians on the Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns Tour were headed to Seattle for two days of shows. What was supposed to be a direct flight was beset by delays, including having to divert to Boise, Idaho, after flight crew members timed out and needed to be relieved and the plane encountered a mechanical issue, Koz said Tuesday.
AP
Passenger Attacks Southwest Gate Agent During Airport Meltdown
An incandescent woman attacked a Southwest Airlines gate agent and destroyed his computer during an unseemly Orlando Airport meltdown that was caught on camera. The unidentified female flew into a rage at the Florida travel hub after being unable to make three flights in a row on standby, eyewitness Peyton Turbeville said.
Daily Mail
2 Brothers Swept Away By Riptide At Lake Erie. 2 Hours Later, 60-Year-Old Man Goes Missing In Separate Incident
Two brothers and a man went missing in separate incidents on Lake Erie on Sunday, Aug. 17. Family said the brothers were visiting Huntington Beach in Bay Village when they were swept away by a rip tide. Police said the third victim, a 60-year-old man, fell into the water at Edgewater Park in Cleveland about two hours after the first incident.
People
‘Coolcations’ Are Booming Again As Tourists Prioritize Quieter, Off-Peak Trips
Tourists are turning away from Europe’s traditional summer hotspots amid concerns over scorching heat and raging wildfires. Jenny Southan, CEO of Globetrender, described the summer of 2025 as “a turning point for European tourism, underscoring that no destination is truly immune to climate volatility.” Data published by the European Travel Commission found that travel remains a top priority for Europeans despite economic uncertainty.
CNBC
Las Vegas Tourism Is Down. Some Blame Trump’s Tariffs And Immigration Crackdown
Tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, with resorts and convention centers reporting fewer visitors compared to last year, especially from abroad, and some officials are blaming the Trump administration’s tariffs and immigration policies for the decline.
AP
Baseball Can Drag On. So This Guy Did A Painting Of Dodger Stadium At The Game
When former Angeleno Larry Quach returned to the City of Angels for a vacation with his wife and mother-in-law, he knew he had to take the latter to her very first Dodgers game. “It’s mainly my mother-in-law who’s a big Shohei [Ohtani] fan,” said Quach, who moved to Osaka about two years ago to live with his wife and her family. “They are really big on Shohei in Japan all over.”
LAist
Three Big Airlines, Three Very Different Approaches To Long-Haul
I’ve had a lot of offline discussion about aircraft configuration and premium focus as of late, so I decided it was time to dive into the details to see just how things have changed at different airlines over the past decade. I unquestionably expected we’d see differences, but, well, I did not expect them to be as dramatic as they are. Each of the Big 3 US airlines has employed a very different strategy.
Cranky Flier
Tuesday, August 19
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,704,335 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, August 18
Air Canada Strike Ends But Travel Disruptions May Last A Week
Air Canada and its unionized flight attendants reached a tentative agreement, ending a nearly four-day strike. The strike disrupted travel plans for thousands and caused Air Canada to withdraw its quarterly and annual earnings guidance. The airline expects a full restoration of operations may take a week or more. USA Today
Hurricane Erin Forces Outer Banks Vacationers To Evacuate As Storm Nears North Carolina
Holly Andrzejewski hadn’t yet welcomed her and her family’s first guests to the Atlantic Inn on Hatteras Island when she had to start rescheduling them, as Hurricane Erin neared North Carolina’s Outer Banks on Tuesday and threatened to whip up wild waves and tropical force winds. NY Post
‘Drunk’ Flight Attendant ‘Crashed Car Before Being Removed From Flight’
A Virgin Atlantic flight attendant attended work while she was four times over the alcohol limit after crashing her car on the way to the airport, a court has heard. Kathryn Scott, 44, had to be removed from a plane at Heathrow after drinking wine the night before. The Telegraph
Airline Pilot Fails Field Sobriety Tests Before Boarding, On Body Cam Video
A Southwest Airlines pilot failed multiple field sobriety tests on the bridge just outside the airplane he was supposed to fly … and, it was all caught on shocking body cam footage. David Allsop — a 52-year-old pilot — was arrested in Georgia back in April where he was supposed to fly a plane from Savannah to Chicago after police were alerted by a concerned third party that he allegedly smelled like alcohol. TMZ
O’Hare Airport Breaks Ground On New Global Concourse
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joined airline executives Monday to cut the ribbon on construction for a new global concourse at O’Hare International Airport. Why it matters: The $1.3 billion Concourse D will be the first major concourse built at the airport since 1993. Axios Chicago
United Airlines Faces Lawsuit After Selling ‘Windowless’ Window Seats
United Airlines is facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly selling “windowless” window seats to passengers. The potential lawsuit, which is still recruiting members, claims that the airline “misled customers” by charging for aircraft window seats without windows. According to Top Class Actions, plaintiffs are seeking compensation for the “false advertising” practice that they say violated air passenger rights. The Independent
Chris Sununu Named CEO Of Airlines For America
Sununu will assume the posts of CEO and president on Sept. 9, replacing the retiring Nick Calio, who has headed A4A for 14 years. Calio, who announced his intention to retire in January, will stay on as CEO emeritus through the end of the year. Sununu was chosen by a search committee headed by United CEO Scott Kirby and American CEO Robert Isom. Travel Weekly
Last-Minute Flight Bookings Set Up ‘Nail Biter’ Holiday Season For US Airlines
US leisure and business travelers beaten down by economic uncertainty are waiting until the last minute to book air travel. Many trips are being booked less than two weeks ahead of time — instead of the more typical one month or more. That is making it tough for airlines to forecast the capacity they need, putting revenue and profits at risk if carriers misjudge demand. Bloomberg
Six Flags Is Having A Seriously Scary Summer
To understand the challenges facing Six Flags Entertainment FUN -4.38%decrease; red down pointing triangle, look no further than Siren’s Curse. The new roller coaster opened in late June to rave reviews at Cedar Point, its theme park on the shore of Lake Erie halfway between Cleveland and… WSJ
Flights Resumed At Reagan Airport In DC Area After Fire Alarm In The Tower Halted All Traffic
Flights in and out of Reagan National Airport in the Washington, D.C., area resumed around midday Monday after a morning fire alarm in the control tower halted all traffic. The Federal Aviation Administration said flights into the airport continued to be delayed more than half an hour into midafternoon because of heavy traffic after flights were stopped between 10:45 a.m. and noon. MSN
Tourists Told To Stop Cliff-Diving After Man Dies In Italy
Daredevil tourists have been warned to stop cliff-diving after the death of a man at an Italian beauty spot. Francesco Aronica, 23, hit his head on the rocks after jumping off a cliff in the southern coastal town of Polignano a Mare on Sunday afternoon. His death sparked an angry reaction from residents who are calling for more patrols and surveillance to stop thrill-seekers attempting the jump – many inspired by professionals who compete in Red Bull’s Cliff Diving World Series, held in the town in June. The Telegraph
Qatar Airways Plans Terminal Move At JFK
Qatar Airways has announced a new home at New York’s JFK airport. The airline, currently operating out of Terminal 8 at JFK, will move operations to the new Terminal One in 2026. This comes as a surprise to many, given that over the years, oneworld airlines have been consolidating operations at American’s Terminal 8. The several oneworld lounges and easier connections made the terminal a natural choice for carriers in the alliance. Airline Geeks
Monday, August 18
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,907,207 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, August 17
Air Canada Halts Guidance As Flight Attendant Strike Continues
Air Canada AC -1.67%decrease withdrew its financial targets for the year on Monday as a strike by flight attendants entered its third day, forcing the country’s largest airline to cancel about 500,000 flights. The roughly 10,000 attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, walked off the job early Saturday after contract talks reached an impasse over wages. The strike has left Air Canada’s operations suspended despite a directive from the Canada Industrial Relations Board that the union return to work Sunday. Negotiations remained stalled. WSJ
4 Things To Know About The Air Canada Labour Dispute
After months of stalled negotiations, 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants walked off the job early Saturday morning. The federal government stepped in hours later to order binding arbitration, forcing an end to the strike — or so it thought. The union representing Air Canada flight attendants said Sunday it would defy the back-to-work order and remain on strike. Here’s everything you need to know. CBC
NTSB Investigating After Airplane Lands Short Of Runway At BNA
An airplane landed just short of the runway at the Nashville International Airport on Thursday, according to the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB). The plane that was landing was from the airline Air Canada. The NTSB is investigating the cause. They told WSMV4 there were no injuries and no damage to the plane. WSMV
Storms To Batter Florida As Hurricane Erin Fears Grow
People in the Sunshine State will be hit by storms later while Hurricane Erin seems set to head off in a different direction. Those living in South Florida will see some storms appear later in the afternoon after a dry and sunny start to the day. But forecasters say it will be humid, despite the storm fears. Irish Star
Two Carnival Cruise Passengers Drown At Celebration Key Resort
Two American tourists drowned hours apart at Carnival’s private Bahamas resort on Friday, less than a month since the cruise line opened the $600 million Caribbean getaway destination. Carnival officials told The Post that the “water emergency incidents” involving guests traveling on two different ships happened at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island. NY Post
Cruise Ship Water Slides Scrutinized After Royal Caribbean Incident
Should you think twice about taking a ride down that water slide on your next cruise? That’s what some may be asking in light of the news that a passenger was injured on a slide aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas ship earlier in August. The aftermath of the scene was captured on video, with fellow passengers reacting in horror as water gushed out of a hole in the attraction. MarketWatch
More US Tourists Visit Canada Than Canadians Visit US
Tourists from the Great White North are giving the US the cold shoulder. In a surprise twist to the ongoing trade war between North American neighbors, July marked the first time ever more Americans road-tripped it to Canada, than vice versa. That month saw 1.8 million US car trips into Canada, compared to 1.7 million Canadian excursions to the Land of the Free, new data from Statistics Canada released Monday found. NY Post
Qantas Fined $58 Million For Illegal Layoffs During Pandemic
Qantas Airways, Australia’s largest airline, has been fined A$90 million ($58.64 million) for illegally sacking 1,800 ground staff and replacing them with contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic, a court ruled on Monday. In imposing a penalty close to the maximum available for breaching Australia’s workplace laws, Federal Court of Australia Judge Michael Lee said it was to ensure it “could not be perceived as anything like the cost of doing business.” MSN
Oahu’s Hanauma Bay To Close For Parking Lot Revamp
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, a popular Oahu destination known for its snorkeling and plentiful fish, will be closed for two weeks this fall, from Sep. 8 through Sep. 23. The closure is due to a $840,000 repaving project. “This will allow the city contractor to conduct the repaving and restriping of the two main public parking lots, which offer approximately 280 parking stalls,” the City and County of Honolulu said in a news release. Travel Weekly
New Zealand Mother And Son Released From US Immigration Custody
A Washington state mother and her 6-year-old son have been released after spending more than three weeks in US immigration detention due to a brief trip to Canada and a small paperwork mistake, her attorney told CNN on Saturday. Sarah Shaw, a New Zealand citizen who has lived legally in the US since she arrived in 2021, was detained at the Blaine, Washington, Customs and Border Protection checkpoint when returning home after dropping her two oldest children off at the Vancouver airport for a flight to visit their grandparents in New Zealand. CNN
Southwest Revives ‘Bags Fly Free’ With Catch
Southwest Airlines’ “Bags Fly Free” policy may not be dead yet, but it’s only going to be available under one condition. For decades, Southwest was known for its popular declaration that each passenger was entitled to two free checked bags. When that rule was abolished earlier this year, it unsurprisingly sparked backlash. Men’s Journal
Boston–Honolulu Nonstop Flight Cancelled
It just became more difficult for Bostonians to travel to and from Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines has announced that it will suspend nonstop service between Logan International Airport and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The airline will operate its last flight from Boston to Honolulu on November 19. Patch
August 10 through August 17
Air Canada Suspends All Operations As Flight Attendants Go On Strike
Air Canada suspended all operations as more than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants went on strike early Saturday after a deadline to reach a deal passed, leaving travelers around the world stranded and scrambling during the peak summer travel season. Canadian Union of Public Employees spokesman Hugh Pouliot confirmed the strike has started after no deal was reached, and the airline said shortly after that it would halt operations. NBC News
Erin Now A Rapidly Strengthening Category 4 Hurricane; Heavy Rain Threat In Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
Hurricane Erin has become the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season northeast of the Caribbean, where it is expected to bring rain, gusty winds and high surf this weekend. The NOAA Hurricane Hunters have found sustained winds have climbed to 145 mph, making it a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The first Category 3+ hurricane of the season typically forms on September 1, so Erin is slightly ahead of schedule. Weather Channel
Spirit Airlines Warns It Might Not Be Able To Survive Without More Cash
The airline issued a going-concern warning in its quarterly filing, months after emerging from bankruptcy. The budget airline icon has tried to attract bookings by marketing more upscale products like premium economy. The carrier has been challenged by an oversupply of domestic flights, changing consumer tastes and an engine grounding. CNBC
Why Cheap Airline Seats Are Getting Harder To Find
The window to buy a cheap plane ticket is closing. Airfares rose 4% on average in July from the prior month, according to seasonally adjusted federal data, the first such increase since January. Fares in July were also higher than the same month a year earlier. Travel demand wobbled earlier this year when consumers grew nervous about the health of the economy and the potential impact of President Trump’s sweeping tariffs. As people scaled back their travel plans, airlines that had planned lots of flights were left with too many seats, especially for domestic routes. Carriers offered cut-rate tickets in an effort to fill flights. WSJ
Frontier Pilot Accused Of Faking Bomb Threat To Target Ex-Girlfriend
A Frontier Airlines pilot based at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is facing serious allegations after allegedly making a false bomb threat against one of the carrier’s flights. The police say the incident, which happened back in May, appears to have been an attempt to target a former Frontier employee with whom he had a personal history. Simple Flying
A Program That Saves Time in U.S. Airport Security Lines Opens to Some International Travelers
Travelers from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can apply for Clear+ memberships that verify passenger identities using biometrics. More countries will likely be announced later this year, the company said. CNBC
2 EasyJet Planes Clip Wings at Manchester Airport in UK
Two easyJet planes clipped wings on the runway at Manchester International Airport in the United Kingdom on Friday morning, officials said. A spokesperson for Manchester Airport confirmed to ABC News that “two easyJet planes clipped wings as they taxied on the airfield” and a temporary ground stop was ordered immediately after the planes made contact with each other. ABC News
Incredible Moment ‘Drunk’ Southwest Pilot Who ‘Reeked of Booze’ Was Escorted Off Flight by Cops Moments Before Takeoff
Shocking new bodycam video shows a Southwest pilot being pulled off a flight by police moments before it was due to take off over fears he was blind drunk. David Allsop, 52, was arrested for a DUI in January at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia, with footage of the incident emerging Thursday. Allsop was due to captain Flight 3772 to Chicago, but was apprehended in his cockpit after TSA officers notified police that they suspected he was drunk. Daily Mail Online
FAA Proposes To Extend Flight Restrictions At Newark Airport Until 2026
The Federal Aviation Administration proposed on Friday to extend air traffic restrictions at Newark Liberty International Airport until October 2026. The proposal comes after the FAA’s initial plan in June to reduce operations at the airport through the end of 2025, following a series of flight delays and cancellations. nj.com
Canadians Returning From U.S. Drops For 7th Straight Month
Canada saw a seventh straight month of declines in travel by residents to the U.S. in July, according to preliminary data released Monday. Statistics Canada released a report showing the number of Canadians who made a return trip from the U.S. by car dropped 36.9 per cent in July compared to the same month in 2024. StatCan
Southwest Airlines Offers Two Blind Women Measly $100 Credit After Leaving Them Behind
Southwest Airlines has apologized to two blind women who were left behind at their gate while waiting for their flight to Orlando, but only offered them a $100 credit for the inconvenience. Friends Camille Tate and Sherri Brun were planning to fly home from New Orleans on July 14, but their flight was delayed by five hours, leaving them temporarily stranded after the airline rebooked all other passengers on another, earlier flight. NY Post
Emirates Bans Power Bank Use on Flights from 2025
Starting October 1, Emirates will prohibit the use of portable power banks on all flights. The move comes after a power bank ignited on a flight to Amsterdam, filling the cabin with smoke. Metro
