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):

Sunday, April 28
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened TSA DOESN’T UPDATE ON WEEKENDS people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 27. One year ago on the same day: 2,522,454. (TSA)

Airlines required to refund passengers for canceled, delayed flights
Good news for airline travelers: the Department of Transportation on Wednesday announced it is rolling out new rules that will require airlines to automatically give cash refunds to passengers for canceled and significantly delayed flights. The delays covered would be more than three hours for domestic flights and more than six hours for international flights, the agency said. This includes tickets purchased directly from airlines, travel agents and third-party sites such as Expedia and Travelocity.  ABC News

 

American Airlines extends deadline for agencies to reach preferred status
Travel agencies that are working toward becoming an American Airlines preferred agency will have more time to do so. American had said it would cease awarding AAdvantage points for bookings through nonpreferred travel agencies starting May 1. The new deadline is July 11.  Travel Weekly

 

JetBlue shares tumble after airline lowers 2024 revenue outlook
JetBlue’s forecasts for second-quarter and full-year revenue fell below analysts’ estimates. The carrier has been on a cost-cutting spree and is cutting unprofitable routes and focusing on those with steady and premium demand. JetBlue called off its merger agreement of Spirit Airlines last month after a judge blocked the deal earlier this year. CNBC

 

Big changes coming to LAX ahead of World Cup, Olympics
LAX is reportedly set to undergo some significant organizational changes intended to help travelers better navigate the airport ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games in 2028. According to a report published on the industry website View from the Wing, Los Angeles International Airport plans to combine the planned Concourse 0, an expansion of the Southwest Airlines portion of the airport, with the existing Terminal 1. The combined space will remain Terminal 1. KTLA

 

Heathrow strikes: Hundreds of airport workers set to walk out in April and May
Many staff members at the UK’s busiest airport will strike over changes unions say are unfair – here’s when and why it’s happening. Heathrow Airport is set to face severe disruption as staff announce several walkouts. The London hub has confirmed there will be strikes at the end of April and for much of May. The Unite union has warned that planes will likely be “delayed, disrupted and grounded”. Euro News

Southwest Airlines’ flight attendants approve new $6.3 billion contract
Southwest Airlines Co.’s flight attendants approved a new $6.3 billion labor contract, setting a standard that could influence talks at other US carriers. The four-year agreement will provide an initial 22.3% pay raise, followed by three annual increases of 3%, the Transport Workers Union local 556 said in a statement Wednesday. The pact was approved by 81% of those voting, according to the union, which represents 21,000 Southwest workers.  Bloomberg

Not again! Boeing plane makes emergency landing in New York when emergency slide flies off mid-flight
This time, it was a Delta Air Lines flight headed to LAX from JFK Airport this morning, when, about an hour into the flight, the crew and passengers could feel a vibration. They also heard a “very loud sound” coming from near the right wing of the plane. In fact, one person who was “overwhelmed” and “really scared” told NPR the strange noise was so loud, they couldn’t hear announcements being made by the crew. BoingBoing

 

Atlantic hurricane season could be worst ever
An extremely active upcoming Atlantic hurricane season has been predicted by researchers at Colorado State University in their initial 2024 outlook. Pointing to record warm tropical and eastern subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures as a primary factor, the CSU Tropical Weather and Climate team is forecasting 11 hurricanes this year – the highest prediction for hurricanes ever issued in the institution’s April outlook. Travel Industry Today

American Airlines cuts some international flights into 2025
American is reducing service on a host of long-haul routes, citing Boeing’s delivery delays. Boeing Dreamliners and 737 Max aircraft are arriving late to customers due to supply chain issues and the plane-maker’s safety crisis. Among the changes are reduced international service from New York and Dallas/Forth Worth. CNBC

FAA will require more rest time for air traffic controllers
The Federal Aviation Administration will require a minimum of 10 hours of rest between shifts, up from nine hours. The changes come amid concerns about air traffic controller fatigue and air travel safety. The FAA is trying to ramp up hiring of air traffic controllers but is still short-staffed. CNBC

 

Saturday, April 27
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened TSA DOESN’T UPDATE ON WEEKENDS people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 26. One year ago on the same day: 2,522,454. (TSA)

 

Severe weather: Tornadoes tear across Nebraska, Iowa and Texas, weather service warns of ‘catastrophic’ damage
Devastating tornadoes are tearing across parts of eastern Nebraska and Iowa on Friday as a multiday severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States, injuring at least three people. Storms began in parts of the Plains and South early Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service had received at least 60 reports of tornadoes in at least five states as of 9:30 p.m. ET, making today the busiest day for tornadoes in the US in more than a year. CNN

 

Not again! Boeing plane makes emergency landing in New York when emergency slide flies off mid-flight
This time, it was a Delta Air Lines flight headed to LAX from JFK Airport this morning, when, about an hour into the flight, the crew and passengers could feel a vibration. They also heard a “very loud sound” coming from near the right wing of the plane. In fact, one person who was “overwhelmed” and “really scared” told NPR the strange noise was so loud, they couldn’t hear announcements being made by the crew. BoingBoing

 

Flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September. Police have also alleged that Estes Carter Thompson III, 36, of Charlotte, North Carolina, had recordings of four other girls using lavatories on an aircraft where he worked. The Independent

 

American Airlines passenger alleges discrimination over use of restroom
A Chicago woman is accusing American Airlines of racial discrimination after one of its flight attendants allegedly confronted her after she used the plane’s first-class lavatory. In a complaint sent to American Airlines and obtained by NPR, Pamela Hill-Veal, who is Black, said that while she and her family were flying first class on Feb. 10, from Chicago to Phoenix, one of the flight attendants stopped her as she returned to her seat — and accused Hill-Veal of slamming the restroom door. NPR

 

Celebrities and crowds are making life hard at this famous Calif. hike
Every year, millions of travelers descend on Los Angeles, braving traffic, Hollywood street performers and even the occasional bad tourist trap meal while meandering around the city. Many are there to see the physical sights, like old movie theaters and the Walk of Fame; others come for LA’s proximity to so many celebrities. But unbeknownst to many, a secret hack to accessing a celebrity hangout also involves bonus views of Hollywood’s top tourist attractions — and without all the hassle of traffic and fighting for a parking spot. SF Gate

 

Nearly 200 people sick in norovirus outbreaks on Princess, Royal Caribbean ships
Nearly 200 people got sick in norovirus outbreaks on Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International ships. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionsaid 94 of the 2,532 guests on Sapphire Princess reported being ill during its April 5 cruise, along with 20 crew members. The round-trip cruise, which left from Los Angeles with stops in Hawaii and the South Pacific, will end on May 7, according to CruiseMapper. USA Today

 

American Airlines cuts some international flights into 2025
American is reducing service on a host of long-haul routes, citing Boeing’s delivery delays. Boeing Dreamliners and 737 Max aircraft are arriving late to customers due to supply chain issues and the plane-maker’s safety crisis. Among the changes are reduced international service from New York and Dallas/Forth Worth. CNBC

 

Man arrested after months of laser strikes on incoming flights
Tampa police arrested a man who repeatedly aimed lasers at incoming flights over several months. 47-year-old Douglas Sollenberger is in custody after a months-long investigation into a string of laser strikes targeting incoming flights at Tampa International Airport. WFL

 

Congestion pricing NYC: MTA announces plan will start on June 30
New York City’s controversial congestion pricing plan officially has a start date. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber joined Eyewitness News on Friday to announce the plan will go into effect for New Yorkers early on Sunday, June 30, at 12:00:01 a.m. “I am thrilled, it’s a beautiful spring day in New York, I’m surrounded by tourists and people who came to lower Manhattan, they took mass transit,” Leiber said. “Ninety percent-plus of the people come to the congestion zone, the central business district, walking, biking and most of all taking mass transit. We are a mass transit city and we are going to make it even better to be in New York.” ABC7 New York

 

Boeing to pay $443 million to airlines for its Max 9 grounding as losses and problems mount
Boeing reported a slightly smaller loss in the first quarter compared to the same time a year ago, but said fixing the problems that got attention after the Alaska Air incident will push back its financial recovery and cost it $443 million in compensation to its airline customers. Boeing reported a core operating loss of $388 million, or $1.13 a share, from the $440 million it lost on that basis a year earlier. That was significantly less than analysts’ forecast of $1.63 a share in the quarter. But the improvement came from outside its key commercial airplanes unit, where losses from operations nearly doubled to $1.1 billion. CNN Business

 

American Airlines (AAL) earnings Q1 2024
American Airlines swung to a loss in the first quarter, but its forecast for the current period surpassed analysts’ estimates, sending shares roughly 5% higher Thursday. American expects to earn between $1.15 and $1.45 per share in the second quarter, on an adjusted basis, largely above the $1.18 that analysts compiled by LSEG estimated on average. American reiterated its forecast to earn between $2.25 and $3.25 per share for the full year. CNBC

 

How Heathrow airport strikes could ruin your holiday travel plans
Strikes will take charge of Heathrow Airport next month, threatening travel during the Early May Bank Holiday. Planes could be grounded and flights delayed or cancelled at the busiest airport in London. Two separate rounds of industrial action are planned from the beginning of May. This is everything you need to know if you are planning to travel from Heathrow during this period. Metro

 

Friday, April 26
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,675,734 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 25. One year ago on the same day: 2,522,454. (TSA)

DOT’s new refund rules elicit harsh airline response
Airlines are pushing back against refund requirements finalized by the Department of Transportation (DOT) on April 24. The new rules are slated to take effect in late June. In a strongly worded statement, the Airlines for America (A4A) trade group rebuked the DOT, saying its rules will make air travel more expensive. Travel Weekly

Heathrow strikes: Hundreds of airport workers set to walk out in April and May
Many staff members at the UK’s busiest airport will strike over changes unions say are unfair – here’s when and why it’s happening. Heathrow Airport is set to face severe disruption as staff announce several walkouts. The London hub has confirmed there will be strikes at the end of April and for much of May. The Unite union has warned that planes will likely be “delayed, disrupted and grounded”. Euro News

 

Central US weather: Extremely active pattern threatens strong tornadoes and other dangerous storms for days
A multi-day severe thunderstorm event is underway as the central US endures damaging wind gusts, large hail and tornadoes, and the danger posed by these fierce storms will only increase into the weekend. Damaging storms Thursday in the Plains kicked off the event and produced at least two confirmed tornadoes, dozens of hail reports – some of which were bigger than baseballs – and wind gusts up to 70 mph. CNN

Arrests made for attempted Stairway to Heaven hikers in Hawaii
People are flocking to Hawaii’s arguably most infamous – and illegal – hike, the Stairway to Heaven, before it is removed for good. Arrests and dozens of citations have immediately ensued. Just two weeks after the announcement of the infamously dangerous Oahu hike’s permanent removal, the Honolulu Police Department on Thursday reported that seven hikers had been arrested for trespassing and 56 had been cited. Over the weekend, around 60 warnings were issued. USA Today

 

Atlantic hurricane season could be worst ever
An extremely active upcoming Atlantic hurricane season has been predicted by researchers at Colorado State University in their initial 2024 outlook. Pointing to record warm tropical and eastern subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures as a primary factor, the CSU Tropical Weather and Climate team is forecasting 11 hurricanes this year – the highest prediction for hurricanes ever issued in the institution’s April outlook. Travel Industry Today

 

Alaska Airlines announces increased San Diego, Los Angeles service
Alaska Airlines is expanding its presence in Southern California this fall, increasing existing and adding new service to two of the region’s busiest airports. The airline announced Thursday it would be offering its largest Southern California schedule in years, with more flights going in and out of LAX and San Diego International Airport (SAN). Fox 5 San Diego

 

Overrun Japanese town putting up eight-foot barrier to block tourist photos of Mount Fuji
Fujikawaguchiko, at the foot of the Yoshida Trail to Mount Fuji, has become overrun with foreign tourists trying to get the perfect photo of Japan’s most famous mountain. Specifically, they’re standing in front of Lawson’s, an outpost of the large Japanese convenience store chain, to get a shot of the contrast between the busy neon-lit shop and the peaceful mountain behind it. CNN

 

10 U.S. cities with the worst air pollution in 2024
Once again, Bakersfield, California topped the list for the worst short-term particle pollution, and also ranked as the metropolitan area with the worst level of year-round particle pollution for the fifth year in a row. On the other side of the Tehachapi Mountains, Los Angeles — long known for its smog — has the worst ozone pollution in the nation, as it has been for 24 of the 25 years the “State of the Air” report has been released. California cities make up a large portion of these locations, despite having the country’s strictest emission requirements. In total, nearly four in 10 Americans are estimated to be living in an area with unhealthy levels of air pollution. Men’s Journal

 

JetBlue will now let you watch movies with other people on your flight
Long in the past are the days in which your fellow plane passengers felt like family while watching a movie. It was a communal experience—every screen playing the same show, and everybody listening via overheard speakers. That used to be a nostalgic memory. But now, JetBlue has come through with an in-flight entertainment update that is making us feel nostalgic. Thrillist

How to avoid a vacation rental cancellation
Talk to the owner: Before you rent a vacation home, ask if the place is for sale. If it is, ask what would happen if the unit were to be sold. If it’s sold, talk to the new owners,” said hospitality consultant Steve Turk. “See if they’ll honor your reservation.” Read the reviews – all of them: If you’re renting on a popular platform, don’t just skim the reviews. Read them. Sometimes, hosts will stop caring about their rental unit if they know they’re going to sell. “Check to see if recent guests have posted any negative reviews,” advised Pete Evering, a business development manager at Utopia Property Management, a rental management company. USA Today

 

Ireland’s most exclusive hotel owned by US group for sale for $50m
One of Ireland’s most luxurious hotels is on sale for nearly $50million. Mount Juliet Estate, located in Co Kilkenny, is a five-star resort known for its stately architecture and pristine golf course. The historic grounds cover over 500 acres of undisturbed countryside, making it a popular spot for luxe weddings and celebrity vacations. Irish Star

 

Thursday, April 25
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,296,148 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 24. One year ago on the same day: 2,183,316. (TSA)

Southwest Airlines’ flight attendants approve new $6.3 billion contract
Southwest Airlines Co.’s flight attendants approved a new $6.3 billion labor contract, setting a standard that could influence talks at other US carriers. The four-year agreement will provide an initial 22.3% pay raise, followed by three annual increases of 3%, the Transport Workers Union local 556 said in a statement Wednesday. The pact was approved by 81% of those voting, according to the union, which represents 21,000 Southwest workers.  Bloomberg

 

Frontier Airlines trickery helped inspire new DOT ruling
The Biden administration and the Department of Transportation announced Wednesday a new policy that streamlines the air travel system by requiring airlines to provide automatic cash refunds for flight cancellations, significant delays and other travel inconveniences caused by an airline.  SF Gate

 

Ryanair cancels 300 flights affecting 50,000 passengers
Thousands of British passengers face travel chaos today after Ryanair cancelled more than 300 flights across Europe. The Irish airline has warned 50,000 of its customers will be impacted by the scrapped services, including many Brits heading on trips to Spain and Italy.  Daily Mail

 

Tesla driver charged with killing motorcyclist after turning on Autopilot and browsing his phone
A 28-year-old motorcyclist died in Washington State on Friday afternoon because a dipshit Tesla driver rear-ended him at speed. A Snohomish man, 56, was commuting in his 2022 Tesla Model S when he activated the car’s camera-based advanced driver assist system and according to his statements to police, began looking through his phone. With nobody paying attention to the car’s actions, the Tesla software ignored Jeffrey Nissen on his motorcycle and continued on at speed. The car rear-ended the two-wheeler, Nissen was flung from the bike, and his life ended pinned underneath the electric car, where he was still lodged when police arrived to the scene.  Gizmodo

 

Buttigieg: US needs more air traffic controllers
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said more air traffic controllers are needed to address the concerns of them being overworked. Buttigieg said the administration is requesting funding from Capitol Hill lawmakers to hire 2,000 additional controllers. The Hill

 

U.S. Transportation Secretary says Boeing must meet FAA quality plan before raising 737 MAX output
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Wednesday that Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab must meet a government mandate to address systemic quality-control issues within 90 days before it will be able to boost 737 MAX production. Buttigieg noted that Boeing is about halfway through that 90-day clock set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Reuters

 

Venice access fee starts today: what is it and how much does it cost?
After years in the making, Venice will on Thursday begin charging day trippers to enter the city in an effort to protect the Unesco world heritage site from the effects of over-tourism. While the measure has ignited criticism and derision from some, who argue it is unconstitutional and restrictive of freedom of movement – the Venice mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, has compared his “bravery” in enacting the charge to that of the Venetian explorer Marco Polo, in daring to go where others have feared to tread.  The Guardian

 

Passengers struggle to breathe after plane loses power just before takeoff
Passengers screamed and struggled to breathe after a plane lost power shortly before takeoff. AirAsia flight QZ533 was due to fly from Perth, Australia to Jakarta in Indonesia at about 3am on Thursday when the plane suffered a power failure. The flight hadn’t yet taken off and was still on the tarmac when the failure occurred, but it still led to panic amongst passengers. Metro

 

Korean woman’s expletive-laden tirade forces Polish Airlines flight to make emergency landing in Kazakhstan
A flight from Hungary to South Korea reportedly had to make an emergency landing in Kazakhstan because of unruly behaviour by a passenger. According to The Korea Times, a South Korean woman, whose identity has not been revealed, went on an expletive-laden rant that made the operation of the flight difficult. The Independent

 

Lufthansa Airlines plane bounces off runway at LAX: Watch the bumpy landing
‘Roughest landing’: Watch video of plane bouncing off runaway as it attempts to land at LAX Saman Shafiq USA TODAY A Boeing 747 operated by Lufthansa Airlines ran into a couple of bumps as it landed at LAX Airport in Los Angeles. Video footage of the landing, captured by Airlines Videos Live, shows the aircraft skidding on the runaway and then bouncing off the ground as it attempts to land. The plane then takes off again, flying for a few minutes before successfully landing.  USA Today

 

Expand Sky Harbor: Phoenix mayor announces terminal plans
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego wants to expand Sky Harbor International Airport, announcing a plan for a new terminal in a State of the City address she gave on Tuesday. “Next month, the City Council and I will get to work on a new, cutting-edge terminal at Sky Harbor’s west end,” Gallego said. “It will be beautiful, with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, and able to welcome the newest in airplane technology.”  KTAR

Wednesday, April 24
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,134,276 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 24. One year ago on the same day: 2,015,155. (TSA)

Airlines required to refund passengers for canceled, delayed flights
Good news for airline travelers: the Department of Transportation on Wednesday announced it is rolling out new rules that will require airlines to automatically give cash refunds to passengers for canceled and significantly delayed flights. The delays covered would be more than three hours for domestic flights and more than six hours for international flights, the agency said. This includes tickets purchased directly from airlines, travel agents and third-party sites such as Expedia and Travelocity.  ABC News

 

American Airlines extends deadline for agencies to reach preferred status
Travel agencies that are working toward becoming an American Airlines preferred agency will have more time to do so. American had said it would cease awarding AAdvantage points for bookings through nonpreferred travel agencies starting May 1. The new deadline is July 11.  Travel Weekly

 

JetBlue shares tumble after airline lowers 2024 revenue outlook
JetBlue’s forecasts for second-quarter and full-year revenue fell below analysts’ estimates. The carrier has been on a cost-cutting spree and is cutting unprofitable routes and focusing on those with steady and premium demand. JetBlue called off its merger agreement of Spirit Airlines last month after a judge blocked the deal earlier this year. CNBC

 

Big changes coming to LAX ahead of World Cup, Olympics
LAX is reportedly set to undergo some significant organizational changes intended to help travelers better navigate the airport ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games in 2028. According to a report published on the industry website View from the Wing, Los Angeles International Airport plans to combine the planned Concourse 0, an expansion of the Southwest Airlines portion of the airport, with the existing Terminal 1. The combined space will remain Terminal 1. KTLA

 

FAA probes union claims Boeing retaliated against two engineers in 2022
The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday it is investigating a union’s claims that Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab retaliated against two employees who in 2022 insisted the planemaker re-evaluate prior engineering work on 777 and 787 jets. The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) said the two unidentified engineers were representatives of the FAA, which delegates some of its oversight authority and certification process to Boeing workers.  Reuters

 

Air traffic meltdown boss defends staff working from home
The boss of the UK’s air traffic services provider has defended engineers who work from home, in evidence presented to MPs about major flight disruption last summer. The CEO of National Air Traffic Services (Nats) Martin Rolfe insisted the ability to problem solve remotely when called upon was “a bonus”. BBC

 

Douglas DC-4 plane crashes in Alaska
A Douglas DC-4 airplane carrying two people was involved in a fiery crash Tuesday in the Alaska city of Fairbanks, just minutes after takeoff, authorities said. The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that a Douglas C-54, which is a model of the Douglas DC-4, was carrying two people when it crashed southwest of Fairbanks International Airport at about 10 a.m. local time (2 p.m., ET). CBS News

 

Woman who went missing during hike near Angeles National Forest found dead
A woman who went missing during a hike near the Angeles National Forest was found dead on Monday, a day after she was reported missing.  The L.A. County coroner’s office listed Li’s cause of death as blunt trauma. The Sheriff’s Department said foul play is not suspected at this time. LA Times

 

Carnival Firenze cruise ship arrives at new home in Long Beach
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal has a new resident — a 1000-foot-long, 5,200-guest cruise ship by the name of Firenze. The Carnival cruise ship arrived Tuesday after traveling from Europe to Long Beach, which will be its permanent home base as it sails year-round, offering multi-day cruises to the Mexican Riviera. KTLA

 

A British Airways flight to nowhere circled in the air for 4 hours after its weather monitoring system collapsed
A British Airways plane went on a “flight to nowhere” after experiencing a problem. After flying in circles for four hours to burn fuel, the plane landed back in Singapore. The delay had a knock-on impact on British Airways, leading to a flight from London to LA being canceled. BI

 

Girl, 9, ‘snatched’ outside Harrods while shopping with family
A56-year-old man has been arrested after a nine-year-old girl was allegedly snatched from outside Harrods department store while shopping with her family. Police were called to the scene outside the department store at 2.44pm on Monday where the youngster had become separated from her family. Evening Standard

 

Tuesday, April 23
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,570,159 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 22. One year ago on the same day: 2,425,693. (TSA)

 

California bill could change how third-party airport security vendors operate at state airports
A California bill could prohibit third-party airport security vendors from operating in state airports unless they utilize their own security lanes. The bill, formally known as SB 1372, would prohibit vendors like Clear Secure from using standard security or the Transportation Security Administration PreCheck security lanes for their expedited services. KTLA

 

Airbus hires former JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes to lead North America unit
Airbus SE hired Robin Hayes, the former chief executive officer of JetBlue Airways Corp., to lead its operations in North America. Hayes will replace Jeff Knittel, who is retiring as chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas Inc., the European planemaker said in a statement Monday. He will oversee the North American aircraft unit and be responsible for coordinating among Airbus’s helicopter, space and defense units, the statement said. Bloomberg

 

Boeing expects slower production increase of 787 Dreamliner because of parts shortages
Boeing executives have previously said parts and supply chain issues have persisted. Boeing has been trying to ramp up 787 production in recent months after quality problems suspended deliveries for nearly two years, ending in mid-2022. The company is grappling with a production slowdown in its 737 Max program stemming from a door plug blowout on one of its planes earlier this year. CNBC

 

Public advised to stay out of 3 Los Angeles County beaches due to poor water quality
The Los Angeles County Public Health Department is advising beachgoers to avoid all water contact at three beaches in the region. The three locations are: Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach. (Near Will Rogers Tower 18, 100 yards up and down the creek in both directions) Marie Canyon Storm Drain and Puerco Beach. (The entire swim area) Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. (The entire swim area) KTLA

 

Delta Air Lines gives staff another 5% raise, hikes starting wages to $19 an hour
Delta Air Lines said it is raising staff pay by another 5% this year as the country’s most profitable airline prepares for the busy summer travel season. The pay increase, which starts June 1, applies to workers including flight attendants, ground handlers, mechanics and some office workers, among others. It does not apply to pilots, who are unionized and ratified a contract last year for big pay increases after stagnant wages during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA launched a unionization campaign of Delta’s cabin crew in late 2019. CNBC

 

I’m a native Hawaiian. Locals are tired of tourists treating the island like a theme park
Keani Rawlins-Fernandez grew up in Hawaii and has seen tourism increase over the years. Now a local council member, Rawlins-Fernandez says locals can feel overrun by tourists. She said her advice for tourists is to be respectful and not entitled. BI

 

Handbag designer to the stars gets 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile bags from Colombia
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the “Sex and the City” TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia. The Independent

 

New access restrictions go into effect at Hartsfield-Jackson airport
Access is restricted to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport beginning today in compliance with legislation passed by the Atlanta City Council on Feb. 19. Going forward, access will be restricted 24/7 to ticketed passengers, personnel, individuals meeting or greeting passengers, those performing facility maintenance, and others who have legitimate business to conduct at the airport. Yahoo

 

Huge change coming to Qantas international flights
You’ll soon be able to browse the internet on your phone or laptop on Qantas international flights. Being connected to the world wide web on ground-level is something that people take for granted, but it’s a different story when you’re 33,000 feet in the air. While passengers have been able to surf the net on certain domestic routes, they’ve been kept offline when flying on most overseas journeys. But change is afoot. Yahoo

 

Thousands of planes have run into issues with jammed GPS signals while flying over Eastern Europe, and some people are blaming Russia
About 46,000 flights reported navigation problems flying over the Baltics during an eight-month period, The Sun reported. The tabloid reported that many were likely to have been Russian jamming and spoofing attacks. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Türkiye, and Cyprus are all at high risk of the attacks, per the report. BI

 

How moving from the US to Costa Rica’s ‘blue zone’ transformed this family’s life forever
When Kema Ward-Hopper and her then-fiance Nicholas Hopper, both from the US, decided to get married in Costa Rica, they had no idea that they’d end up relocating there a few years later. But a series of devastating events led the couple and daughter Aaralyn, now 15, to a new life in the Central American country’s very own “blue zone,” one of the regions of the world where people live longest and are the healthiest. CNN

 

Monday, April 22
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 2,751,741 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, April 21. One year ago on the same day: 2,570,184. (TSA)

FAA will require more rest time for air traffic controllers
The Federal Aviation Administration will require a minimum of 10 hours of rest between shifts, up from nine hours. The changes come amid concerns about air traffic controller fatigue and air travel safety. The FAA is trying to ramp up hiring of air traffic controllers but is still short-staffed. CNBC

 

United Airlines cancels flights to Tel Aviv through May 2 on security concerns
United Airlines, opens new tab on Friday canceled its daily flight from Newark, New Jersey to Tel Aviv in Israel through May 2 due to security concerns after Israel’s apparent strike on Iran. The carrier said a scheduled second flight from Newark to Tel Aviv has also been canceled until May 18. Germany’s Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), opens new tab also called off all flights to Tel Aviv and Erbil until Saturday and said it would fly around Iraqi airspace during the period. Reuters

 

Brightline West Vegas-to-LA rail system groundbreaking set for today
Brightline West plans to break ground next week on its Las Vegas-to-Southern California high-speed train system. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will join Brightline founder Wes Edens and federal, state and local officials from Nevada and California on Monday at the planned Las Vegas station site for a ceremony kicking off construction on the 218-mile rail line. Local Las Vegas

 

Billions in dirty money fly under the radar at world’s busiest airports
Jo-Emma Larvin wheeled a baggage cart piled with suitcases through London’s Heathrow Airport in August 2020 and handed her passport to an Emirates Airline agent for a flight to Dubai. Larvin was traveling business class with another woman and together they heaved seven heavy suitcases onto the conveyor belt. She exchanged texts with her boyfriend en route to the security line. WSJ

 

Dubai Airport survives unprecedented rainfall – Emirates Airlines president writes apology letter
On Tuesday 16 April, the UAE experienced its highest rainfall in 75 years. Lashing storm winds and rain disrupted activity across the cities. Our 24/7 hub in Dubai remained open, with flight movements reduced for safety, but flooded roads impeded the ability of our customers, pilots, cabin crew, and airport employees to reach the airport, and also the movement of essential supplies like meals and other flight amenities. Travel Pulse

 

Dulles people movers set for an overhaul
One of the quirkier aspects of flying out of Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., is getting set for a major face-lift. Yes, we’re talking about Dulles’ so-called “people movers.” Over the coming years, the airport’s fleet of “mobile lounges” and “plane mates” is getting a multimillion-dollar overhaul. It’s work that, like it or not, should solidify the notorious — and, dare we say, iconic — vehicles as part of the airport’s airside transportation picture for years to come. The Points Guy

 

Man arrested after Denmark’s Billund Airport evacuated over bomb threat
A man was arrested in Denmark on Saturday in connection with a bomb threat at Billund Airport, the country’s second largest aviation hub, police said in a statement. The airport, in central western Denmark, was evacuated and remains shut following the threat. “The evacuation has proceeded calmly and as expected, with travellers following our instructions,” police inspector Michael Weiss said in a statement. Reuters

 

Liverpool John Lennon Airport power outage: What happens if my flight is cancelled?
Flights at Liverpool John Lennon airport are severely disrupted due to a power failure affecting the air-traffic control tower. Just before 2pm, the airport posted on X: “Unfortunately, a power failure is impacting air-traffic control and aircraft operations are temporarily suspended. AOL

 

American Airlines offering nonstop PHL flight for Eagles game in Brazil
The Birds are flying south to make history this upcoming season, and you can meet them there! American Airlines has announced nonstop flights from Philadelphia to Sao Paul, Brazil, to see the Eagles take on the Packers on September 6. The first flight will take off on September 5, then a second will bring fans home on September 7. Fox 29

 

Memphis woman busted with 56 pounds of marijuana in luggage
Before a 21-year-old Memphis woman could board an United Airlines flight, Memphis International Airport Police found 56 pounds of marijuana in her luggage, according to multiple reports. The woman was charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intention to manufacture, deliver or sell, Shelby County jail records show. This charge is a felony offense that “carries harsh penalties,” the Law Office of Bernie McEvoy, an attorney in Nashville, Tennessee, said. USA Today

 

United struggles to fill all those seats Down Under
United made a huge push into the Pacific this winter, and the numbers are somewhat staggering. With so many seats flooding the market, it’s perhaps not surprising that United has struggled to fill them all. Early results may not look good, but this doesn’t mean it’s a complete failure. There will be some improvement as markets mature, but there’s also going to be some tweaking needed. Cranky Flier