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Tag: flights

  • Are budget airfares worth it?

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    But make sure you know what you’re getting. The cheapest fares you see in searches are typically budget tier. And while budget flights can be a great way to save, you could end up paying more than planned through add-ons like checked baggage, seat selection, and even a carry-on.

    What are budget airlines?

    Budget airlines—also called low-cost carriers (LCCs) and ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs)—are bare-bones airlines. You’re paying for a seat to get you from point A to B and little else.

    In Canada, our last remaining true ULCC is Flair, although the company is looking to change its business model to a more “premium product.” But if you’re travelling south of the border or overseas, you’ll see a lot more ULCC options, including Spirit, Frontier, Ryanair, and Air Asia.

    That said, all of Canada’s carriers have added ULCC-like options to their bookings, like WestJet’s UltraBasic and Air Transat’s Eco Budget. These fares can drastically bring down the costs of your next vacation, but keep in mind what’s often not included:

    • Seat selection
    • In-flight food and drinks
    • Checked baggage
    • Carry-on baggage (although a personal item is often allowed)
    • Changes or cancellations
    • In-person check-in (for example, Flair charges $34 if you don’t check in online)
    • Loyalty rewards (Air Canada’s Basic fare doesn’t earn Status Qualifying Credits and WestJet’s UltraBasic doesn’t earn WestJet Rewards)

    Depending on your travel plans, some (or all) of these extras might not matter. On a short flight, for example, you might not care about ending up in the middle seat. And if you already have trip cancellation insurance, you may be covered if a family emergency prevents you from flying.

    This is where a bit of math helps. If you’re likely to pay for several add-ons, the total cost could exceed the price of a higher fare that bundles those features. On the other hand, if you only need one or two extras, the lowest base fare may still be the better deal.

    Here’s what to consider before you book.

    How long is the flight?

    While it may be tempting to go with the cheapest ticket, be honest about how much comfort you’re willing to sacrifice.

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    Most traditional airlines charge to pre-book a seat but allow you to select one for free when online check-in opens, typically 24 hours before departure. Many budget airfares eliminate that option. For example, WestJet’s UltraBasic doesn’t include complimentary seat selection at check-in—and if you do choose to pay for a seat, the fee is higher than it is for the other fare tiers.

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    How much are you bringing?

    If you’re choosing a fare that only allows carry-on, check the permitted weight and dimensions—especially if you’re travelling overseas. Ryanair’s carry-on limits, for example, are three centimetres narrower than those of Canadian airlines.

    If you realize the night before that you need to pack more or that your bag exceeds the size limit, you’ll likely end up paying significantly more in last-minute baggage fees than you would have by booking the next fare tier up in the first place.

    Do you have flight perks through your credit card?

    Credit cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa and WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard include free checked bags for you and up to eight companions. That could help you decide which airline to choose.

    For example, I searched for direct flights from Toronto to Cancún for March Break with Air Canada Rouge and Flair. Both were roundtrip Monday–Monday flights (because bumping your flight by just one day can help you drastically reduce your flight cost). Flair’s Basic Bundle, which includes checked luggage, was $1,118.29. To include checked baggage on Rouge, you need the Flex fare at $1,149.32.

    At first glance, Flair is the cheapest option. But if you have an Aeroplan credit card that includes checked bags, you could go for Rouge’s Basic ($924.32) or Standard ($1,020.32) fare and save $98–$194 per person.

    What’s the bundle value?

    It may feel like a hassle, but pulling out the calculator can pay off when you’re comparing the true cost of booking a bare-bones fare vs. a bundled option.

    For that same Toronto-Cancún trip, Air Transat listed these prices:

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    Tammy Burns

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  • How to find cheap flights anywhere – MoneySense

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    Thankfully, I’ve picked up a few tips for hunting down cheap (or at least cheaper) flights from Toronto and beyond. Here’s how I keep my flight costs down while keeping my sense of adventure up.

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    8 ways to save on flights 

    From travel apps to credit card rewards, here’s how Canadian frequent flyers stay on budget.

    1. Search the smart way

    The first site I always check when booking a trip is Google Flights, which has a ton of tools many people don’t know about. In addition to listing flights, it can help you find lower prices. For example, you can set alerts for price changes for your preferred dates or for any date for a given destination. It also shows you a price grid for alternative dates, and a graph that predicts when fares will peak.

    Last year, Google Flights added an AI feature that lets you describe your ideal trip—for example, “family weekend ski vacation in Canada” or “one-week trip to a city with great museums and architecture.” Google will then search for the best destinations and flights that match that query. 

    The feature is still in beta mode, so you need to be signed into your Google account to access it. There are also limits on what you can search. For example, it won’t find you multi-city trips or layover requests.

    I’m also a fan of Hopper, which is Canadian-owned. The app tells you whether now is a good time to book or you should wait. If Hopper recommends waiting, you can “watch this trip” and receive an alert when it’s a better time to buy.

    If you find a good price but need more time to decide, you can pay for Hopper’s “Price Freeze” option to hold the fare for one, three, seven, or 21 days. If the price of the flight rises, Hopper will cover the difference up to $406. If the price falls, you pay the lower price, and if the seat is sold out, you get a refund.

    The Price Freeze fee varies by the time window and ticket price. For example, for a $192 Toronto–Montreal flight in mid-June, the quoted fee was $24 for three days and $50 for 21 days. For a $1,016 Vancouver–Hanoi flight in April, the fee was $57 for three days and $122 for 21 days.

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    2. Book at the right time

    There’s a sweet spot for when to book your flight. For domestic flights, one to three months in advance tends to yield the best prices.

    For international trips, Hopper recommends you start flight shopping sooner—about three to six months before departure. You might find great deals just a month prior, but you risk not getting your preferred airline, flight route, or seat.

    The day you book can also help save money. According to Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report, booking on Sunday gets you the biggest savings.

    3. Fly at the right time

    If you can, avoid flying during peak periods (March Break, Christmas, etc.), when flights can jump by hundreds of dollars.

    Of course, not everyone has the flexibility to choose when they vacation, but you could still save by changing your travel dates by a day or two. For example, flying midweek is almost always cheaper than flying on weekends and can reduce the cost by $50 to $100 or more.

    This is especially true during those peak times. As of writing, a direct Air Canada Rouge flight (Standard Economy) from Toronto to Cancún during March Break is $2,052 if you fly Sunday to Sunday. But if you’re able to do Monday to Monday, that same flight drops to $1,373. 

    When you’re searching for flights or setting alerts, tick the “flexible dates” option so you’ll be notified about cheaper fares on alternate dates.

    4. Opt for the layover

    Direct flights are typically more expensive than those with a stop along the way. While a layover can be a pain—especially if you’re on a tight schedule—spending a few extra hours in an airport may be worth it if the savings are significant.

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    Tammy Burns

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  • Airspace and travel restrictions on much of Caribbean airspace following US strikes on Venezuela

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    Much of Caribbean airspace has been closed as the United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington — an extraordinary nighttime operation announced by President Donald Trump on social media hours after the attack. This has caused flight cancellations to and from Caribbean airports. So far, there have been nearly 900 cancellations and over 4,000 delays.The airspace closure impacted thousands of people traveling to or from Caribbean countries, all as a busy holiday travel season winds down.Related video above: See a report on the strikes and capture of Venezuela’s presidentThe legal authority for the strike — and whether Trump consulted Congress beforehand — was not immediately clear. The stunning, lightning-fast American military action, which plucked a nation’s sitting leader from office, echoed the U.S. invasion of Panama that led to the surrender and seizure of its leader, Manuel Antonio Noriega, in 1990 — exactly 36 years ago Saturday. Here’s what the attack on Venezuela means for travel in the region:FAA imposes airspace restriction on Puerto RicoThe Federal Aviation Administration has imposed a temporary airspace restriction on Puerto Rico’s international airport and surrounding regions.An announcement by Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan posted on the social media site X said the restriction was placed because of the “security situation related to military activity” in Venezuela.As a result, most commercial airlines to and from the airport that are operated by U.S. airlines have been suspended or may be canceled.Foreign airlines and military aircraft are not included in this restriction, the statement said. “Passengers are urged to check the status of their flight directly with their airline before heading to the airport.”Delta Airlines announced that it began canceling flights in Caribbean airspace Saturday morning, and announcements from American Airlines and United followed soon after.State Department urges Americans in Venezuela to shelter in placeThe State Department issued a new travel alert early Saturday, warning Americans in Venezuela urging them to “shelter in place” due to the situation.”U.S. Embassy Bogota is aware of reports of explosions in and around Caracas, Venezuela,” it said without elaboration.”The U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, warns U.S. citizens not to travel to Venezuela. U.S. citizens in Venezuela should shelter in place.” The embassy in Bogota has been shuttered since March 2019 but operates remotely.The view from New EnglandThe cancellations affected many New England travelers, some of whom became stranded in foreign countries.”At first, we didn’t know what was going on because they kept delaying the flight,” said Tricia Maloney. “All the flights but ours were cancelled, and ours kept being delayed and delayed and delayed and it was finally cancelled.”Maloney and her family were scheduled to fly back to Boston on Saturday from vacation in Curacao, which is about 40 miles from Venezuela.Plans quickly changed for them.”Our hotel didn’t have any availability, so everyone was scrambling for hotels,” Maloney said. “So, we’re in a new hotel now for tonight, and we’ll have to figure something out tomorrow.”Others, like the Marchese family from Wilbraham, ran into the opposite problem.They were supposed to vacation in Aruba, but amid ongoing flight restrictions, their plan B is Florida.Two families from New Hampshire are now struggling to make changes.”Everyone is like panicking, we can’t even find flights out here until Friday,” said Casie Woodman of Fremont, New Hampshire.A vacation to Aruba for Casie Woodman, of Fremont, New Hampshire, is taking an unexpected turn after she woke up Saturday to learn of the U.S military actions in Venezuela and the closed airspace in the area. “There’s no flights through any airlines, even just to get in the United States, until Friday,” said Woodman.Woodman says families at the resort are scrambling and older people are concerned about getting their medicine.Manchester’s Gus Emmick and his family thought they’d be spending their vacation in Saint Martin, but now they are at Logan Airport.”Many, many families are just sitting here trying to scramble and figure out what happened and what they are going to do,” said Gus Emmick, of Manchester, New Hampshire.The family is switching gears and looking to head to Florida.”As much as we love New Hampshire, December has been a little rough, so we are looking for warmer weather and hoping we’ll see some,” said Emmick.Aviation expert Tom Kinton said safety is the reason behind the airspace closure.”There were hundreds of aircraft and fixed-wing drones as part of this operation. You want to get that all cleaned up before you let civilian aircraft back into that airspace again,” said Tom Kinton. According to the FAA, the closed airspace is impacting flights in and out of Caribbean destinations like Aruba, Barbados and even Puerto Rico. Delta flights to and from the following airports have been cancelled for the day, according to a spokesperson. They are as follows:Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico (SJU)Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten (SXM)Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in Saint Croix (STX)Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas (STT)Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba (AUA)Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport on St. Kitts, Caribbean Islands (SKB)Curaçao International Airport in Curaçao (CUR)Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados (BGI)Hewanorra International Airport in St. Lucia (UVF)Bonaire International Airport near Kralendijk in the Caribbean Netherlands (BON)Argyle International Airport in Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVD)Maurice Bishop International Airport in Grenada (GND)V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua and Barbuda (ANU)It’s unclear when the Delta flights will resume for these airports. Now, Kinton said the airspace is slated to open at 5 a.m. Sunday. However, it could be that a narrower airspace is opened for the time being or the opening could be delayed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

    Much of Caribbean airspace has been closed as the United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington — an extraordinary nighttime operation announced by President Donald Trump on social media hours after the attack.

    This has caused flight cancellations to and from Caribbean airports. So far, there have been nearly 900 cancellations and over 4,000 delays.

    The airspace closure impacted thousands of people traveling to or from Caribbean countries, all as a busy holiday travel season winds down.

    Related video above: See a report on the strikes and capture of Venezuela’s president

    The legal authority for the strike — and whether Trump consulted Congress beforehand — was not immediately clear. The stunning, lightning-fast American military action, which plucked a nation’s sitting leader from office, echoed the U.S. invasion of Panama that led to the surrender and seizure of its leader, Manuel Antonio Noriega, in 1990 — exactly 36 years ago Saturday.

    Here’s what the attack on Venezuela means for travel in the region:

    FAA imposes airspace restriction on Puerto Rico

    The Federal Aviation Administration has imposed a temporary airspace restriction on Puerto Rico’s international airport and surrounding regions.

    An announcement by Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan posted on the social media site X said the restriction was placed because of the “security situation related to military activity” in Venezuela.

    MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO

    Passengers wait at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport as all flights are cancelled following U.S. military action in Venezuela, on Jan. 3, 2026, in Carolina, Puerto Rico. 

    As a result, most commercial airlines to and from the airport that are operated by U.S. airlines have been suspended or may be canceled.

    Foreign airlines and military aircraft are not included in this restriction, the statement said. “Passengers are urged to check the status of their flight directly with their airline before heading to the airport.”

    Delta Airlines announced that it began canceling flights in Caribbean airspace Saturday morning, and announcements from American Airlines and United followed soon after.

    State Department urges Americans in Venezuela to shelter in place

    The State Department issued a new travel alert early Saturday, warning Americans in Venezuela urging them to “shelter in place” due to the situation.

    “U.S. Embassy Bogota is aware of reports of explosions in and around Caracas, Venezuela,” it said without elaboration.

    “The U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, warns U.S. citizens not to travel to Venezuela. U.S. citizens in Venezuela should shelter in place.” The embassy in Bogota has been shuttered since March 2019 but operates remotely.

    The view from New England

    The cancellations affected many New England travelers, some of whom became stranded in foreign countries.

    “At first, we didn’t know what was going on because they kept delaying the flight,” said Tricia Maloney. “All the flights but ours were cancelled, and ours kept being delayed and delayed and delayed and it was finally cancelled.”

    Maloney and her family were scheduled to fly back to Boston on Saturday from vacation in Curacao, which is about 40 miles from Venezuela.

    Plans quickly changed for them.

    “Our hotel didn’t have any availability, so everyone was scrambling for hotels,” Maloney said. “So, we’re in a new hotel now for tonight, and we’ll have to figure something out tomorrow.”

    Others, like the Marchese family from Wilbraham, ran into the opposite problem.

    They were supposed to vacation in Aruba, but amid ongoing flight restrictions, their plan B is Florida.

    Two families from New Hampshire are now struggling to make changes.

    “Everyone is like panicking, we can’t even find flights out here until Friday,” said Casie Woodman of Fremont, New Hampshire.

    A vacation to Aruba for Casie Woodman, of Fremont, New Hampshire, is taking an unexpected turn after she woke up Saturday to learn of the U.S military actions in Venezuela and the closed airspace in the area.

    “There’s no flights through any airlines, even just to get in the United States, until Friday,” said Woodman.

    Woodman says families at the resort are scrambling and older people are concerned about getting their medicine.

    Manchester’s Gus Emmick and his family thought they’d be spending their vacation in Saint Martin, but now they are at Logan Airport.

    “Many, many families are just sitting here trying to scramble and figure out what happened and what they are going to do,” said Gus Emmick, of Manchester, New Hampshire.

    The family is switching gears and looking to head to Florida.

    “As much as we love New Hampshire, December has been a little rough, so we are looking for warmer weather and hoping we’ll see some,” said Emmick.

    Aviation expert Tom Kinton said safety is the reason behind the airspace closure.

    “There were hundreds of aircraft and fixed-wing drones as part of this operation. You want to get that all cleaned up before you let civilian aircraft back into that airspace again,” said Tom Kinton.

    According to the FAA, the closed airspace is impacting flights in and out of Caribbean destinations like Aruba, Barbados and even Puerto Rico.

    Delta flights to and from the following airports have been cancelled for the day, according to a spokesperson. They are as follows:

    • Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico (SJU)
    • Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten (SXM)
    • Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in Saint Croix (STX)
    • Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas (STT)
    • Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba (AUA)
    • Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport on St. Kitts, Caribbean Islands (SKB)
    • Curaçao International Airport in Curaçao (CUR)
    • Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados (BGI)
    • Hewanorra International Airport in St. Lucia (UVF)
    • Bonaire International Airport near Kralendijk in the Caribbean Netherlands (BON)
    • Argyle International Airport in Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVD)
    • Maurice Bishop International Airport in Grenada (GND)
    • V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua and Barbuda (ANU)

    It’s unclear when the Delta flights will resume for these airports.

    Now, Kinton said the airspace is slated to open at 5 a.m. Sunday. However, it could be that a narrower airspace is opened for the time being or the opening could be delayed.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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  • American Airlines Just Added a Big New Restriction to Its Frequent Flyer Miles

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    As of earlier this week, American Airlines basic economy passengers will no longer receive frequent flyer miles or points for elite status, the carrier announced. 

    “We routinely evaluate our fare products to remain competitive in the marketplace,” the company said, according to CNBC. “Customers who purchase a Basic Economy ticket on December 17, 2025 and beyond will not earn AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points towards AAdvantage status. Basic Economy customers will continue to receive one free personal item and one free carry-on bag, free snacks, soft drinks and in-flight entertainment.” 

    The Basic Economy Offering

    Basic economy is American’s cheapest ticket offering, and it comes with the most restrictions. First introduced by Delta Air Lines in 2012, and American in 2017, the discounted option was a way for larger carriers to compete with budget airlines. Flyers with these tickets are required to pay a fee before they can change their ticket, their seats are typically assigned during flight check-in, and they are the last to board. 

    American’s move is part of a recent trend in airlines decreasing the perks associated with their lowest fare ticket options. The change echoes that of Delta, which said recently flyers with Delta Main Basic tickets would not earn Delta SkyMiles any longer. Similarly, United Airlines customers with basic economy tickets are only permitted one personal item onboard. 

    Higher Prices With Less Competition

    According to Axios, the decision reflects American’s dominance in certain airports. The airline runs roughly 90 percent of flights in and out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, making the airport its second-largest hub. Because of that, travelers have limited options for airlines and flights, and the airline ends up charging more for tickets.

    From December 18 through January 5, American expects it will see over 11,700 flights in Charlotte, translating to more than 1.4 million tickets. 

    American’s elite loyalty members with economy tickets are still eligible for first-class upgrades on domestic flights, a spokesperson told CNBC. 

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    Ava Levinson

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  • If you’re flying out for the holidays, expect a lot of company – WTOP News

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    The Federal Aviation Administration said that as many as 52,000 flights will carry millions of people to their holiday destinations on Friday.

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    DC-area travelers brace for holiday rush

    If you’re flying out for the holidays, you should expect a lot of company. That’s because the Federal Aviation Administration said that as many as 52,000 flights will carry millions of people to their holiday destinations on Friday.

    The FAA says it also expects at least 440,000 flights will take off between Friday and Sunday, Dec. 27.

    “This is always an amazing time at any airport, but here at BWI Marshall we’re prepared for this,” BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport CEO Shannetta Griffin said.

    “We know that during this time of the year, up to New Year’s, they’ll be lots of passengers. I think it’s 440,000 passengers we are anticipating.”

    A group of carolers serenaded passengers in BWI’s Terminal A near the Southwest Airlines ticket counters, giving flyers some musical holiday spirits before going through the TSA checkpoint.

    Bethesda’s Jack Carter was flying to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He said he prefers coming to BWI, rather than flying out of Reagan or Dulles.

    “This is a great airport. I love flying out of BWI. It’s easy. You can get in and out. It’s intelligently designed. You don’t have to deal with people movers,” he said.

    Airport officials say Monday will be the busiest day of the holiday travel period.

    At Reagan National Airport, there have been a couple of delays due to the winds that have hit the D.C. region and not many crowds.

    The FAA said that the No. 1 cause of delays and cancellations is weather. Furthermore, data from the National Airspace System shows that close to 63% of total delay minutes is due to the weather.

    WTOP spoke to some people who said they’re happy to get to their families for the holidays.

    Kelly, who has been living in D.C. recently, is traveling to Des Moines, Iowa, to see her parents and said checking into her flight has been “pretty smooth.”

    “It doesn’t seem too insane,” Kelly said. “I’m wondering if more people are traveling tomorrow morning or this evening.”

    Tara, a resident of Maryland, is flying with her family to Alabama for a Christmas cruise to the Bahamas.

    “Been kind of frustrating … the lines are long and traveling with kids but people not so helpful because is just a lot going on,” Tara said.

    The FAA said that as many as 52,000 flights will carry millions of people to their holiday destinations on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
    (WTOP/Alan Etter)

    WTOP/Alan Etter

    Christmas tree at Reagan National Airport
    A Christmas tree shown inside Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
    (WTOP/Alan Etter)

    WTOP/Alan Etter

    Flights dashboard at Reagan National Airport
    Christmas tree at Reagan National Airport

    WTOP’s Dan Ronan and Alan Etter contributed to this report. 

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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  • The government shutdown is over, but what about Thanksgiving flights?

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    The 43-day government shutdown is officially over, but several large airports will continue to reduce flights by six percent.

    On Nov. 7, the FAA ordered flights to be reduced by 10 percent. Then on Nov. 12, Congress met and voted on a Senate-passed funding package to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

    However, just because the government reopened does not necessarily guarantee immediate travel relief. And airline experts predict reduced flights will affect Thanksgiving travel plans.

    Both local North Texas airports– Dallas Love Field and DFW International Airport – were among the 40 airports that were forced to cut down service. If you are traveling for Thanksgiving, it’s important to be prepared for a rescheduled or even cancelled flight.

    Why do airports have to keep flights reduced though the government is reopened?

    The FAA flight reduction was ultimately a safety decision, said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

    “Such strong staffing levels suggest a further ramp up in-flight reductions are not necessary to keep the traveling public safe,” Duffy said in a statement.

    Air traffic controllers will receive back pay, according to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019. However, based on the last shutdown, back pay can take up to two-and-a-half months to receive.

    “Since the beginning of the shutdown, controllers have been working without pay, and staffing triggers at air traffic facilities across the country have been increasing,” the National Air Traffic Controllers Association wrote in an email to the Star-Telegram this week. “This has resulted in increased reports of strain on the system from both pilots and air traffic controllers.”

    What will DFW Airport and Dallas Love Field be like during Thanksgiving week?

    Tiffany Funk, co-founder and president of the travel-tech company point.me, told USA Today that airports during the week of Thanksgiving will most likely be stressful. It sounds like for those who will travel, they need to determine if they have the patience to.

    “You can’t just flip a switch and reboot our national aviation infrastructure,” Funk told USA TODAY. “We have aircraft that are out of place, crews that are out of place, pilots that are out of place … When you try to restart the system like that, it’s not going to get better quickly. I would expect really bumpy operations and pretty brutal travel experiences, at least throughout the week.”

    Earlier this year, the Star-Telegram spoke to travel advisor Denise DelVecchio about holiday travel tips. Keep in mind that plane tickets the day before, of and after holidays will always be more expensive and busy. Always arrive early to the airport (two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight).

    If your flight gets canceled due to lingering effects of the shutdown, try and re-book as soon as possible, either in-person at the airport or through the airline’s app. Some airlines may waive change fees.

    Why has there been a lack of air traffic controllers since the shutdown?

    Since the government reopening doesn’t mean an immediate paycheck– or immediate backpay– it is uncertain whether air traffic controllers will all bounce back right away.

    NATCA told CNN some controllers have already taken second jobs, and those side hustles could continue until they get their missed paychecks.

    Duffy also told CNN that there has been a spike in air traffic controller retirement since the shutdown began. Before Oct. 1, an average of four controllers would retire per day. Now, there’s 20 to 25 controllers retiring per day.

    Duffy and the FAA will have to figure out how many controllers retired or resigned due to the shutdown and assess the damage from there. This means that once the government reopens, it will take some time to assess the damage done to the controller space because of the shutdown.

    Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Ella Gonzales

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.

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    Ella Gonzales

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  • Trump Kills Plan to Compensate Travelers With Cash for Delayed Flights

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    In the wake of the government shutdown that resulted in nearly one out of every 10 flights getting delayed, you’d imagine the Trump administration would do something to restore its reputation and consumer confidence in air travel ahead of the holidays. But, wild pitch here: what if they did the exact opposite? In a new filing from the Department of Transportation, the Trump administration said it would kill a Biden-era rule that would have required airlines to provide meals, hotels, and cash to passengers hit with flight delays.

    According to the document, the Trump administration has decided that it isn’t authorized under existing rules to require airlines to provide compensation to travelers, which seems like one of the few times it is concerned with what the law says. It also argued that the changes wouldn’t “yield meaningful improvements in airline flight performance.” Even if that were true, and performance didn’t improve, there would be a rubric in place to compensate people when their carrier of choice fails to get them to their destination on time. Now there is both no incentive to improve and also no mandate to compensate affected travelers.

    The Trump administration cited industry groups representing the airlines that claimed the required payments could cost carriers up to $5 billion per year. The groups also not-so-subtly suggested that cost “could potentially be passed down to American consumers in the form of higher ticket prices.”

    Instead of the required compensation established under Biden, the Trump administration is going with the old “free market” approach. “The Department concludes that it is consistent with this statute to continue to allow airlines to compete on the services and compensation that they provide to passengers rather than imposing new minimum requirements for these services and compensation through regulation, which would impose significant costs on airlines, and potentially consumers,” it wrote.

    The Biden-era rule, first proposed in 2023, would have required airlines to pay travelers between $200 and $775, depending on the length of their delay, as well as offer free meals, lodging, and rebookings when flights were disrupted for circumstances within the control of the airlines. While most carriers do offer things like free rebooking and vouchers for food or hotels during extended delays, the rules vary depending on who you’re flying with. None of the carriers, prior to the Biden proposal, offered cash compensation for the inconvenience of getting delayed.

    Had the rule gone forward, it would have standardized what people can expect from an airline during a delay. Instead, we’re back to a free-for-all. Consumers will surely take solace during their next delay that their airline won a battle in the marketplace of ideas to deny them compensation.

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    AJ Dellinger

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  • Will your travel insurance cover U.S. flight chaos? – MoneySense

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    Hundreds of thousands of Canadians fly to and from the U.S. each month. Those who purchased cancellation insurance before the government shutdown was announced as a travel advisory should be eligible for compensation, said Marty Firestone, president of Toronto-based insurance firm Travel Secure Inc. “After that date, any purchase of a policy will not cover anything related to the government shutdown or related air controller issues,” he said.

    That means travellers who bought a policy more recently or held off entirely may be out of luck for meal, hotel and transport coverage—though the airline would still owe them a rebooking or a refund for the cancelled trip.

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    “The key here for this specific situation is having insurance in place before the advisory went in place, because now it’s considered a ‘known event,’” said Matt Hands, vice-president of insurance at Ratehub. In the insurance world, a known event is a foreseeable one, which is thus excluded from coverage.

    Some credit cards offer travel insurance that includes flight cancellation or interruption coverage. But consumers should still review their terms and conditions to confirm what is covered, said Hands. For example, the insurance may only apply if the trip was booked using that card.

    U.S. flight controller shortage leads to Canadian cancellations

    American flight controller shortages stemming from the federal shutdown prompted U.S. regulators to order air traffic reductions starting last Friday. Since then, wintry weather across parts of the continent has exacerbated the staffing disruptions.

    Several Canadian airlines told The Canadian Press last week that passengers could be affected, particularly those with connecting flights in the United States. Even direct cross-border routes between major hubs have been hit. Air Canada informed passengers booked on a flight from New York City to Toronto on Monday that the evening trip was “cancelled because of air traffic control restrictions.”

    “Air traffic control restrictions can happen if there are too many aircraft sharing the same airspace,” read the email sent to customers and obtained by The Canadian Press.

    FAA warns flight delays could persist

    The average cancellation rate over the last few days has already exceeded the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration requirement of 4%—a figure that was set to rise to 6% Tuesday and 10% this Friday—according to Cirium.

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    The FAA warned Monday that staffing at more than a dozen towers and control centers could delay planes departing for Phoenix, San Diego, the New York area, and Houston, among other cities. The agency also expanded its flight restrictions Monday, barring business jets and many private flights from using a dozen airports already under commercial flight limits.

    The U.S. Senate passed legislation Monday to reopen the government, but the bill still needs to clear the legislature’s lower house and final passage could be days away—with further flight disruptions possible through the rest of the month.

    “It’s going to take a good one week to 10 days, if not two weeks, which is going to lead into that Thanksgiving period when it’s their busiest day of travel,” Firestone said. “This has an effect on so many people, including Canadians who are travelling for business and can’t run the risk of getting stuck in New York for two or three days because of this shutdown. It’s a domino effect.”

    U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made clear last week that flight cuts will remain until the FAA sees staffing levels stabilize at its air traffic control facilities.

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    About The Canadian Press

    The Canadian Press is Canada’s trusted news source and leader in providing real-time stories. We give Canadians an authentic, unbiased source, driven by truth, accuracy and timeliness.

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  • US airlines again cancel more than 1,000 flights on second day of cuts tied to government shutdown

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    U.S. airlines again canceled more than 1,000 flights Saturday, mostly because of the government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce air traffic.The slowdown at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports is now in its second day and so far hasn’t caused any widespread disruptions. More than 1,000 flights were canceled Friday, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks air travel disruptions.Related video above: What to do if your air travel is impacted by the government shutdownTHIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below:Hundreds of flights at the busiest airports in the U.S. are being scratched this weekend as airlines move forward with reducing air service due to the lingering government shutdown.So far, the Federal Aviation Administration’s mandated slowdown across the airline industry that began Friday hasn’t caused any widespread disruptions. But it has widened the impact of what’s now the nation’s longest federal shutdown.”We all travel. We all have somewhere to be,” said Emmy Holguin, 36, who was flying out of Miami Saturday to visit family in the Dominican Republic for the week. “I’m hoping that the government can take care of this.”Analysts warn that the upheaval will intensify and be felt far beyond air travel if the cancellations pick up and move closer to the Thanksgiving holiday.Already, there are concerns about the impact on cities and businesses that rely on tourism and the possibility of shipping interruptions that could delay getting holiday items on store shelves.Here’s what to know about the flight reductions:How many flights have been canceled?The first day of the Federal Aviation Administration’s slowdown saw more than 1,000 flights canceled, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions.More than 950 were off for Saturday — typically a slow travel day. The airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, was by far the hardest hit with 120 arriving and departing flights canceled by midday.Airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Orlando, Florida, were among the most disrupted. Staffing shortages in Charlotte and Newark, New Jersey, were slowing traffic too.Not all the cancellations were due to the FAA order, and those numbers represent just a small portion of the overall flights nationwide, but they are certain to rise in the coming days if the slowdown continues.The FAA said the reductions impacting all commercial airlines are starting at 4% of flights at 40 targeted airports and will be bumped up again on Tuesday before hitting 10% of flights on Friday.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned this week that even more flight cuts might be needed if the government shutdown continues and more air traffic controllers are off the job.Why are the flights being canceled?Air traffic controllers have gone without paychecks for nearly a month as the shutdown continues, leading many to call in sick and add to already existing staffing shortages.Most controllers are working mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, and some are taking second jobs to pay their bills, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said.How are passengers being affected?Most were relieved to find that airlines largely stayed on schedule Friday, and those whose flights were called off were able to quickly rebook. So far, longer international flights haven’t been interrupted.There’s still a lot of uncertainty about what flights will be canceled next.And not everyone has the means to pay for a hotel or deal with a last-minute disruption, said Heather Xu, 46, who was in Miami on Saturday after a cruise and flying home to Puerto Rico.”Travel is stressful enough, then you put these disruptions in place and it really makes everything more challenging,” she said.Rental car companies reported a sharp increase in one-way reservations Friday, and some people are simply canceling flights altogether.What could be the impacts beyond air travel?First, there’s the potential for higher prices in stores, as nearly half of all U.S. air freight is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft.Major flight disruptions could bring higher shipping costs that get passed on to consumers, said Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University.More losses will ripple through the economy if the slowdown continues — from tourism to manufacturing, said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group.”This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel,” he said. “It’s going to hit the hotel taxes and city taxes. There’s a cascading effect that results from this thing.”___Associated Press journalists Cody Jackson in Miami, Paul Wiseman in Washington, Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, and Matt Sedensky in New York contributed.

    U.S. airlines again canceled more than 1,000 flights Saturday, mostly because of the government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce air traffic.

    The slowdown at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports is now in its second day and so far hasn’t caused any widespread disruptions. More than 1,000 flights were canceled Friday, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks air travel disruptions.

    Related video above: What to do if your air travel is impacted by the government shutdown

    THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below:

    Hundreds of flights at the busiest airports in the U.S. are being scratched this weekend as airlines move forward with reducing air service due to the lingering government shutdown.

    So far, the Federal Aviation Administration’s mandated slowdown across the airline industry that began Friday hasn’t caused any widespread disruptions. But it has widened the impact of what’s now the nation’s longest federal shutdown.

    “We all travel. We all have somewhere to be,” said Emmy Holguin, 36, who was flying out of Miami Saturday to visit family in the Dominican Republic for the week. “I’m hoping that the government can take care of this.”

    Analysts warn that the upheaval will intensify and be felt far beyond air travel if the cancellations pick up and move closer to the Thanksgiving holiday.

    Already, there are concerns about the impact on cities and businesses that rely on tourism and the possibility of shipping interruptions that could delay getting holiday items on store shelves.

    Here’s what to know about the flight reductions:

    How many flights have been canceled?

    The first day of the Federal Aviation Administration’s slowdown saw more than 1,000 flights canceled, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions.

    More than 950 were off for Saturday — typically a slow travel day. The airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, was by far the hardest hit with 120 arriving and departing flights canceled by midday.

    Airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Orlando, Florida, were among the most disrupted. Staffing shortages in Charlotte and Newark, New Jersey, were slowing traffic too.

    Not all the cancellations were due to the FAA order, and those numbers represent just a small portion of the overall flights nationwide, but they are certain to rise in the coming days if the slowdown continues.

    The FAA said the reductions impacting all commercial airlines are starting at 4% of flights at 40 targeted airports and will be bumped up again on Tuesday before hitting 10% of flights on Friday.

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned this week that even more flight cuts might be needed if the government shutdown continues and more air traffic controllers are off the job.

    Why are the flights being canceled?

    Air traffic controllers have gone without paychecks for nearly a month as the shutdown continues, leading many to call in sick and add to already existing staffing shortages.

    Most controllers are working mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, and some are taking second jobs to pay their bills, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said.

    How are passengers being affected?

    Most were relieved to find that airlines largely stayed on schedule Friday, and those whose flights were called off were able to quickly rebook. So far, longer international flights haven’t been interrupted.

    There’s still a lot of uncertainty about what flights will be canceled next.

    And not everyone has the means to pay for a hotel or deal with a last-minute disruption, said Heather Xu, 46, who was in Miami on Saturday after a cruise and flying home to Puerto Rico.

    “Travel is stressful enough, then you put these disruptions in place and it really makes everything more challenging,” she said.

    Rental car companies reported a sharp increase in one-way reservations Friday, and some people are simply canceling flights altogether.

    What could be the impacts beyond air travel?

    First, there’s the potential for higher prices in stores, as nearly half of all U.S. air freight is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft.

    Major flight disruptions could bring higher shipping costs that get passed on to consumers, said Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University.

    More losses will ripple through the economy if the slowdown continues — from tourism to manufacturing, said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group.

    “This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel,” he said. “It’s going to hit the hotel taxes and city taxes. There’s a cascading effect that results from this thing.”

    ___

    Associated Press journalists Cody Jackson in Miami, Paul Wiseman in Washington, Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, and Matt Sedensky in New York contributed.

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  • FAA Says It Will List Airports Where It’s Reducing Flights During The Government Shutdown – KXL

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    Associated Press – The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to list where it plans to scale back flights by 10% starting Friday.

    The agency says it will release details Thursday.

    It says flights are being reduced to maintain safety during the government shutdown.

    Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since Oct. 1. And many are working mandatory overtime.

    Officials warn there could be chaos next week if controllers miss a second full paycheck.

    Staffing-related flight delays had been largely isolated and temporary throughout October.

    But the past weekend brought some of the worst staffing issues since the start of the shutdown.

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    Grant McHill

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  • FAA Reducing Air Traffic By 10% Across 40 ‘High-Volume’ Markets During Government Shutdown – KXL

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    An United Airlines flight arrives at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that it will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets beginning Friday morning to maintain safety during the ongoing government shutdown.

    The agency is confronting staffing shortages caused by air traffic controllers, who are working unpaid, with some calling out of work during the shutdown, resulting in delays across the country.

    FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency is not going to wait for a problem to act, saying the shutdown is causing staffing pressures and “we can’t ignore it.”

    Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said they will meet later Wednesday with airline leaders to figure out how to safely implement the reduction.

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    Jordan Vawter

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  • Flight Delays Tied to Government Shutdown Expected to Get Worse: Trump Admin

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    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Friday he expects more flight delays and disruptions over the next week as the government shutdown impacts the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

    “Coming into this weekend and then the week after, I think you are going to see even more disruptions in the airspace,” Duffy said on Fox News.

    The government shutdown has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers to work without pay, sparking staffing shortages at multiple airports including the major hubs of Orlando, Dallas/Fort Worth and Washington, D.C.

    This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow. 

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  • Flights To Los Angeles International Airport Halted Due To Air Traffic Controller Shortage – KXL

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    (Associated Press) – The Federal Aviation Administration says flights departing for Los Angeles International Airport were halted briefly due to a staffing shortage at a Southern California air traffic facility.

    The FAA issued a temporary ground stop at one of the world’s busiest airports on Sunday morning soon after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted that travelers would see more flights delayed as the nation’s air traffic controllers work without pay during the federal government shutdown.

    The hold on planes taking off for LAX lasted an hour and 45 minutes and didn’t appear to cause continued problems.

    The FAA said staffing shortages also delayed planes headed to Washington, Chicago and Newark, New Jersey on Sunday.

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    Grant McHill

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  • Cancellations and closures begin at Jamaican airports ahead of Hurricane Melissa

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    A man installs storm shutters at a business in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in Portmore, St. Catherine parish, Jamaica, on October 25, 2025. Deadly storm Melissa strengthened Saturday afternoon into a Category 1 hurricane, with rapid intensification expected over the weekend as it cut a worryingly slow course toward the Caribbean island of Jamaica, forecasters said. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)

    A man installs storm shutters at a business in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in Portmore, St. Catherine parish, Jamaica, on October 25, 2025. Deadly storm Melissa strengthened Saturday afternoon into a Category 1 hurricane, with rapid intensification expected over the weekend as it cut a worryingly slow course toward the Caribbean island of Jamaica, forecasters said. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)


    RICARDO MAKYN

    AFP via Getty Images

    A major international airport in Jamaica will close on Saturday night as Hurricane Melissa closes in on the island, officials announced.

    The Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston will be shut down at 9 p.m. after the departure of the final scheduled flight of the night.

    Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is open for now but may close later today, said Transport Minister Daryl Vaz. It is unclear when airports will be fully operational, as Melissa is set to make landfall sometime this weekend.

    Meanwhile, a JetBlue Airways spokesperson confirmed that all flights scheduled for Sunday and Monday to and from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport and Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport have been cancelled.

    Sangster International Airport reported multiple cancellations but noted that additional flight sections have been added to accommodate travelers leaving the island, according to a press release issued Saturday morning.

    At least seven Air Canada flights scheduled between Saturday and Tuesday have been cancelled, while JetBlue has cancelled 14 flights between Sunday and Tuesday. Caribbean Airlines has canceled two flights on Saturday and Sunday. Southwest has also cancelled eight flights planned for Sunday. Cancellations may change based on conditions and airport operations.

    American Airlines plans to cancel all flights to and from Kingston, Jamaica on Sunday, Laura Masvidal, a spokesperson for the carrier said. Flights in and out of Montego Bay will operate regularly. “We have a travel alert in place for those traveling to and from Jamaica,” she said.

    To assist affected passengers, Air Canada has added two extra flights on Saturday, and American Airlines has increased capacity on two of its Saturday departures.

    A spokesperson for Miami International Airport said there is one delayed departure to Montego Bay and that “isn’t necessarily because of the storm.”

    Miami Herald staff writer Jacqueline Charles contributed to this report.

    This story was originally published October 25, 2025 at 3:26 PM.

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  • Alaska Airlines Says An Information Technology Outage Is Grounding Its Flights – KXL

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    Alaska Airlines planes are shown parked at gates with Mount Rainier in the background at sunrise, March 1, 2021, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

    SEATTLE (AP) — An information technology outage has prompted Alaska Airlines to ground its planes, the airline said Thursday.

    The company said in a post on the social platform X that it imposed a “temporary ground stop.” It recommended that passengers check their flight status before heading to the airport.

    “We apologize for the inconvenience,” the post said.

    The airline didn’t immediately respond to an email requesting more information.

    The grounding was affecting Alaska Air and Horizon Air flights.

    Hawaiian Airlines, which was bought by Alaska Air Group last year, said its flights are operating as scheduled.

    In July, Alaska grounded all of its flights for about three hours after the failure of a critical piece of hardware at a data center.

    There has been a history of computer problems disrupting flights in the industry, though most of the time the disruptions are only temporary.

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    Jordan Vawter

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  • Six major US travel rules that have changed in 2025, explained

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    From policy reversals to fee introductions and digital transformations at borders, 2025 has seen significant changes in travel rules that affect millions of passengers globally. Here, experts unpack some of the biggest updates so far this year.

    Travel Rules Changes for 2025:

    No Mandatory Cash Compensation for Delays

    A key proposal that would have required airlines to provide mandatory cash compensation to passengers for controllable delays was scrapped in September.

    “I think one of the biggest changes was in September, the Trump administration dropped a Biden-era plan that would have required airlines to provide cash compensation for significant flight delays,” travel expert Bobby Laurie, a former flight attendant and in-flight policy and procedure analyst, told Newsweek. “As a result, there is no federal rule mandating that airlines pay passengers for delays caused by issues within the carrier’s control.”

    According to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, the Department of Transportation (DOT) previously issued an “Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that examined requiring U.S. and foreign air carriers to adopt and adhere to customer service plans identifying essential services,” such as meals, rebooking, hotel stays, transportation to or from the hotel, timely customer service, as well as “compensation which airlines would be required to provide to mitigate passenger inconveniences” when a flight cancellation or delay was “due to circumstances within the airline’s control.” 

    However, the office noted that “consistent with Department and administration priorities, the Department plans to withdraw the ANPRM.”

    Each airline sets its own compensation policies. According to the website of the DOT, which was last updated on September 11, “If an airline has made a commitment to provide a particular service or compensation, then the Department can hold the airline accountable.”

    The DOT guidance advises that “controllable delays” include those due to maintenance, crew issues, fueling, or baggage loading. Passengers are advised to check with their carrier during delays, as amenities such as meals or hotel stays vary by airline.

    American Airlines Removes Bag Sizers at Boarding Gates

    Another notable change came from American Airlines, which removed its gate-area bag sizers in October, a decision made to streamline boarding processes. According to an internal memo reported by the aviation website View From the Wing, gate agents are now instructed to “use their judgement” and “err on the side of the customer” when determining if a bag needs to be checked.

    While the move doesn’t change actual baggage size limits, it alters enforcement. “The bag sizer isn’t a ‘rule change’ per se,” Laurie told Newsweek. “The bag sizes are still in force, but the agents can now eyeball it and also take the passengers’ word for it.”

    Southwest Airlines Ends ‘Bags Fly Free’ Policy

    Perhaps one of the most dramatic shifts in airline policy this year came from Southwest Airlines. Known for its “Bags Fly Free” mantra, the airline eliminated free checked bags for most travelers on flights booked from May 28 onward.

    “One of the biggest shakeups in the travel industry this year comes from Southwest Airlines,” Sarah Silbert from Points Path, a flight search browser extension tool, told Newsweek. “The airline ended that longstanding perk…and has now joined the ranks of other major U.S. airlines by introducing hefty checked bag fees.”

    Sarah Pardi, a travel expert at the global insurance firm Insurte, told Newsweek: “Checking a bag can be expensive, so it was definitely a selling point for customers looking for a great deal.”

    Travelers with a Southwest credit card or A-List status can still check one bag for free.

    Spirit Airlines Offers Two Free Checked Bags—to Some

    While other carriers tighten baggage perks, Spirit Airlines has taken a different approach. As of 2025, the ultra-low-cost carrier now allows co-branded credit card holders to check two bags for free—provided the booking is made directly through the airline.

    Pardi said: “The Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard, which is co-branded with Bank of America, will allow Spirit Airlines travelers a two-bag allowance each when tickets are booked directly through Spirit with the credit card.”

    Southwest To Introduce Assigned Seating

    While not yet active, another big shift is on the horizon for Southwest Airlines. As of January 27, 2026, the airline will transition from its open seating model to an assigned seating system.

    “One of the more quirky experiences when flying Southwest is that seats are not assigned,” Pardi told Newsweek. “Starting January 27 of 2026, this is changing…fare choices will include Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom.”

    Southwest’s website confirms the change, promising “seat options that allow you to choose the experience you prefer,” and highlighting upgrades as part of its broader rebrand, including new cabin designs and loyalty perks.

    Digital Entry Replaces Passport Stamps

    A major change across the pond will affect American travelers looking to collect passport stamps while trekking around Europe. As of October 12, the European Union began rolling out its Entry/Exit System (EES), phasing out physical passport stamps in favor of biometric data collection at border checkpoints.

    “The new Entry/Exit System (EES) started to be operational on 12 October 2025,” according to the European Commission’s official travel website. The system captures fingerprints and facial images, and will be gradually deployed across the Schengen Area, with full implementation expected by April 10, 2026.

    Do you have a travel-related story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

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  • ‘Ur mom making it worse is SENDING ME’: Man flies from Miami to New Jersey. Then he survives the ‘flight from hell’

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    A New Jersey man recounts his scary turbulence experience when he had to fly from Miami during a storm. Viewers react to how he coped with the hellish flight and other anxious passengers.

    In a video with around 10,000 views, TikToker Mike Panettiere (@mikepanettiere) sits in his car as he recounts the “flight from hell” from Miami to New Jersey. He says he originally planned to fly out a day later but was hoping to catch an earlier flight to miss a storm in New Jersey.

    “I get a text that the flight was delayed an hour and a half,” he says. “No big deal.”

    He heads to the airport in an Uber and decides to “garden,” TikTok slang for using marijuana, to ease his nerves before the flight.

    Panettiere gets a text while going through security that his flight is delayed even longer. In that moment, he realizes his edible will “hit” before he boards the flight.

    When he gets to the gate, an agent announces over the loudspeaker that the flight may be canceled. He calls his mom, who was going to pick him up in New Jersey, to let her know the flight may not go out.

    “[She says], ‘What? What do you mean? What are we gonna do? You’re gonna have to stay till Tuesday,”” he recounts dramatically. “Now my stress and cortisol levels are through the roof.”

    Luckily, a short time later, the agent announces that the flight will leave at 7:30 p.m.

    Panettiere continues that other passengers began freaking out as they boarded the plane. One couple begs the flight attendant to let them sit together, as the wife has severe flight anxiety. He watches the couple switch seats with other passengers to sit next to each other.

    Then, the pilot makes an announcement that they expect severe turbulence about one hour into the flight.

    Is it safe to fly in a storm?

    He says the first hour of the flight was smooth, but the turbulence intensified in the second hour of the flight.

    “I kid you not, the plan was going like this,” he says, making wave motions with his arm. “And I am bugging out.”

    While turbulence can be disturbing for passengers, it’s generally fine to fly during a storm, according to the BBC. In fact, pilots are trained to perform special maneuvers that make flying with turbulence safe. Should a severe storm impact flying conditions, the flight may be canceled.

    Panettiere says his heart rate was so fast during the turbulence, getting a reading of 170 beats per minute on his watch.

    He says the woman with anxiety starts screaming as the turbulence worsens, leading other passengers to begin freaking out, too.

    “So now I’m hearing this and I’m bugging out,” he says. “She’s stressing me out to the max.”

    He says the turbulence only lasted 10 to 15 minutes, but it felt like “two and a half to three hours.”

    “I’ve never been on a plane where the turbulence is that bad,” he remarks at the end of the clip. “I recommend not gardening before a flight.”

    How did viewers react to his flight story?

    In the comments, viewers joke about his chaotic flight saga.

    “I’m sorry but as a flight attendant myself…I am crying laughing at this story,” one says.

    “I’m laughing so hard i work over nites shifts this made my nite lol sorry though this happen to u,” another comments.

    Others share their own scary turbulence experiences.

    “Miami to jersey is a different flight. I was sick MULTIPLE TIMES BACK BC OF TURBULENCE,” a commenter writes.

    “My brother, sisinlaw & niece were on a plane from Cincinnati to RI. Turbulence inbound to RI in pitch black. Lightning, thunder, up and down. My niece? 2 rows back screaming: Get me off this plane!!” another shares.

    “My scariest flight was alsoooo Miami to nj,” a third adds.

    @mikepanettiere Buckle up… because I just survived the FLIGHT FROM HELL ?? I swear I’m not exaggerating — this was straight out of a movie ?✈️ #flightfromhell #storytime #traveling #fyp #turbelence ♬ original sound – Mike Panettiere

    The Mary Sue reached out to Panettiere via Instagram direct message.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Rebekah Harding

    Rebekah Harding is a reporter and content strategist based in Philadelphia. You can contact her at rebekahjonesharding.com.

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  • Filing a complaint about the Air Canada strike? Expect a long wait – MoneySense

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    The Canadian Transportation Agency said its backlog of air travel complaints stood at about 85,000 as of Aug. 14, two days before the strike started.

    The agency had received nearly 13,500 complaints this year as of that date, which would not yet have included complaints related to the Air Canada work stoppage. The backlog has been growing since the federal government passed rules that came into force in 2019 that set compensation amounts for flight delays, cancellations, and the like.

    Complaints have nearly quadrupled in recent years

    The CTA implemented a new system in 2023 to ramp up its capacity to deal with complaints, but the number of gripes being submitted has also swelled. The agency received nearly 47,000 complaints during the 2024–25 fiscal year, up from around 43,500 in 2023–24 and 42,000 the year before that. Complaints in 2022–23 skyrocketed from the prior year, when the agency received around 12,000.

    “This unpredictability in complaint volumes poses challenges in planning for case processing times and delivering accurate information to the public,” said CTA spokesperson Jadrino Huot in an email. “To mitigate this risk, the CTA continually reviews and streamlines its business processes and procedures, while also adopting new technologies and tools to enhance efficiency.”

    Huot said that in the 2024–25 fiscal year, the CTA closed more than 33,600 complaints, a sharp increase from previous years, but not enough to reduce the growing backlog.

    With the current logjam, customers who have filed a complaint with the CTA can expect to wait 1.5 to two years for a resolution, if not longer as the system becomes increasingly overwhelmed, said Air Passenger Rights advocacy group president Gabor Lukacs. He said he recommends customers instead take the airline to small claims court where cases can often be resolved more swiftly.

    At the CTA, unresolved cases continue to pile up in part because Canada’s passenger rights charter is “unnecessarily and disproportionately complex,” especially compared with its European counterpart, said Lukacs. He said that increases how long it takes the CTA to decide whether or not compensation is owed by an airline.

    The agency also hasn’t implemented a cost recovery fee that would force airlines to contribute to the cost of the complaint resolution process, he said. “The current strike and its aftermath and how passengers were treated bears evidence that the Canadian Transportation Agency is just not fulfilling its function when it comes to the (regulations),” said Lukacs.

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    First, file a claim with the airline

    Huot said that with regards to the recent Air Canada strike, the Canada Transportation Act stipulates that passengers must first contact the airline in writing with their claims. After doing so, passengers who still believe the airline has not met its obligations, or have not received a response within 30 days, may submit a complaint to the CTA.

    Air Canada has offered customers with cancelled flights related to the work stoppage a full refund or credit for future travel if they could not be rebooked on a competitor’s flight. The company also announced a reimbursement policy last week for alternative transportation and out-of-pocket expenses. 

    Those with cancelled Air Canada flights originally scheduled to depart from Aug. 15 to Aug. 23 can submit a request to be reimbursed for the cost of their alternative arrangements through a form on Air Canada’s website. The policy also covers “reasonable expenses” for hotel stays, meals, and other related costs. It said it may take four to six weeks to reimburse affected customers “due to the anticipated volume” of claims.

    “If Air Canada is willing to do the right thing, I would go along with the form,” said Lukacs. “But the form is not the end of the road. The form is just the beginning of the road. It’s the easiest way possible for Air Canada to do what is required by law.”

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    About The Canadian Press


    About The Canadian Press

    The Canadian Press is Canada’s trusted news source and leader in providing real-time stories. We give Canadians an authentic, unbiased source, driven by truth, accuracy and timeliness.

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  • TSA announces checked-in luggage change

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    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has updated its rules for checked luggage.

    According to new rules announced by the TSA on social media, cordless curling irons, flat irons, and hair straighteners that use lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal, or gas/butane fuel are now prohibited from checked luggage, though some of the items may be allowed in carry-on bags.

    Newsweek has contacted the TSA for comment via email.

    Why It Matters

    The change directly affects millions of travelers who rely on battery-powered hair styling tools, particularly those who frequently fly for work or vacation.

    A notice of baggage inspection by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), an agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is displayed in Frederick, Md., on Aug. 12, 2013.

    Jon Elswick/AP

    What To Know

    Travelers packing these devices in carry-ons must use a safety cover to prevent accidental activation. Spare gas cartridges are strictly banned from all luggage.

    Wall-plugged hot tools remain allowed in checked baggage. Popular brands such as Tymo and Conair also offer cordless models that fall under the new restrictions.

    The items have been flagged by the Federal Aviation Administration for having potentially hazardous materials, according to a report from TheStreet.

    “Any cordless curling irons containing gas cartridges (butane) discovered in a checked bag will be removed and turned over to the airline as a HAZMAT item,” the TSA said on X.

    This policy change comes a couple of months after the TSA’s July 8, 2025, decision to end the requirement for passengers to remove their shoes during security screenings.

    The TSA said the policy change will increase hospitality for travelers and streamline the TSA security checkpoint process, leading to lower wait times.

    “Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

    “We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience. As always, security remains our top priority. Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multilayered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards. This initiative is just one of many the Trump administration is pursuing to usher in the President’s vision for a new Golden Age of American travel.”

    Since Trump’s second term began, the Department of Homeland Security has made a series of moves aimed at streamlining airport security.

    On July 2, TSA launched its “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” program, offering uniformed service members and their families benefits such as discounted TSA PreCheck enrollment and access to expedited security lanes at select airports. Earlier in May, the agency began enforcing REAL ID at checkpoints, achieving a 94 percent compliance rate and helping to speed up the security screening process.

    What People Are Saying

    Daniel Velez, the spokesperson for Florida’s TSA, told the Florida Times-Union: “Bottom line … If these items can catch fire in the cargo area where checked bags are transported, there’s no one there to put it out. That’s why they’re only allowed in carry-on bags.”

    What Happens Next

    The changes will come into effect immediately.

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  • Delta Passenger Swaps Seat To Be With Air Hostesses, Outrage Over Why

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    Reddit Post

    Form 2106 instructions

    The Federal Aviation Administration says that flight attendants are expected to “verify that the armrests are in the normal forward/down position in order to ensure that they do not obstruct the passageway between the row or seats leading from the aisle to the emergency exit.”

    A spokesperson for Delta told Newsweek: “Armrests must be lowered upon taxi, takeoff and landing. This is announced ahead of takeoff and landing.”

    Asked whether passengers are allowed to stay among flight attendants during a flight journey, as the woman allegedly did in the Reddit post, the spokesperson added: “No further comment on the rest of the post, as we are unable to verify the accuracy of the claims made by the poster.”

    Scientific research also supports the importance of proper seat belt use. An October 2020 study published in World Neurosurgery found that, while lap seat belts can help protect passengers from turbulence, they may be less effective during sudden deceleration during takeoff or landing. The study recommended enhanced safety harnesses as a more-protective alternative in such cases.

    ‘Infuriating’

    The woman in the Reddit post said that the encounter began before takeoff, when she found the armrest already raised as she arrived at her assigned seat. “He was on the phone before takeoff, so I didn’t know when/how to interject before I asked for my seat belt,” she said.

    She added that the issue continued throughout the flight until she finally sought help from a flight attendant. “I ended up asking FA [flight attendant] for help. The FA walked me back to the seat and shook him awake from his nap. She told him we must put the armrest down for safety and I need to be able to fit in the seat and put my seat belt on.

    “He put up a complaint that he is 6’5″ but we were able to get the armrest down and he moved his leg straighter so our thighs were no longer touching.”

    When the poster initially tried asking the man directly to put down the armrest, she said he replied: “I could try.”

    The experience left her so unsettled that she temporarily removed herself from the situation. “I was in the back when I made this post and I first stayed in the bathroom an extra long time and then I was standing in the back,” she wrote. “The leg touching was very uncomfortable and I didn’t want to go back to my seat.”

    The Reddit post sparked swift reactions, with users sharply criticizing the man’s response and lack of spatial awareness.

    “Some people really have zero boundaries. It’s infuriating,” wrote u/ProfessorRealistic86. Another commenter, u/Traditional-Buddy136, reacted to the attached image by saying: “Good Lord. That’s an entire leg.”

    Others pointed out inappropriate body language, with u/Intelligent-Award881 adding: “And then the hand in the crotch thing. Bro, find another place and time for that.”

    Seat-belt safety has also become part of the debate. One Reddit commenter, u/tireddoc1, criticized the passenger’s dismissive remark, writing: “Such an ignorant comment about the seat belt.”

    U/Rubes2525 added: “Seatbelts are also to make sure you don’t slam your head on the ceiling in case of turbulence. Keeping your seat belts fastened during the flight has little to do about a potential crash.”

    Some Reddit users called for better passenger education. “They should play a video on [airplane etiquette] before playing the safety video,” suggested u/Constant-Juggernaut2.

    Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via the Reddit messaging system.

    Stock image: A flight attendant directs a woman on a plane toward a seat. Getty

    Do you have a travel-related story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

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