All articles tagged with #air travel
TSA PreCheck remains operational during the partial government shutdown, with officials saying they will adjust operations on a case-by-case basis as staffing constraints arise; courtesy escorts for Members of Congress have been suspended. Travel lines appeared largely unchanged Sunday, though it’s unclear how Global Entry will be affected amid the funding fight and winter storm disruptions.
A U.S. Homeland Security funding lapse began, with about 95% of TSA personnel deemed essential and continuing to work without pay while air-traffic controllers remain funded, raising the risk of longer security lines and potential travel delays as airlines plan for reduced screening capacity; travelers are advised to arrive early, check airport wait times, and pack carefully to avoid screening delays.
A May–June 2025 measles outbreak in Colorado was linked to an infectious international traveler, resulting in nine secondary and one tertiary Colorado cases, with seven additional cases reported by other states. Notably, two vaccinated patients had the virus detected only in urine, highlighting urine RT-PCR as a potentially more sensitive diagnostic tool. Public health authorities identified about 1,400 contacts, offered postexposure prophylaxis, and emphasized full MMR vaccination (two doses) for travelers and staying up to date on vaccination.
American Airlines said it plans to resume daily service to Venezuela pending government approval and security assessments, a move tied to the Trump administration’s push to lift airspace restrictions; the FAA will need to conduct route and safety reviews, and flights are not expected to resume for several months amid broader U.S.-Venezuela tensions.
American Airlines announced plans to reinstate nonstop service between the United States and Venezuela, becoming the first carrier to reconnect the two countries. The flights are contingent on government approvals and security assessments and are intended to support business, leisure and humanitarian travel. The airline, which has a 30-year history with Venezuela, says it will work with regulatory authorities, unions and staff before resuming service.
Southwest Airlines is seeing limited open seating on its flights as demand remains high, prompting travelers to book soon to secure available seats and avoid last-minute shortages.
A weekend winter storm disrupted U.S. air travel, with about 4,000 flights canceled and more than 2,000 delayed as of Monday morning; the Northeast bore the heaviest impact, though major hubs nationwide saw disruptions. American Airlines was hit hardest, canceling around 3,000 flights Friday–Sunday and more than 650 on Monday. Officials hoped normal schedules would resume by midweek (Wednesday) as conditions improved, though lingering ice and cold could slow progress.
A sprawling winter storm blankets much of the United States, canceling almost 12,000 flights over the weekend and triggering widespread power outages as about 140 million people—from New Mexico to New England—face winter storm warnings. The system brings heavy snow, dangerous ice, and extreme cold that could linger for days, prompting governors to declare emergencies, utilities to prepare for outages, and major hubs such as Dallas–Fort Worth, Nashville, and Charlotte to be hit hard while officials urge people to stay home and prepare for extended travel delays.
Ahead of Winter Storm Fern, U.S. airlines canceled more than 7,860 flights from Friday through Sunday, threatening major hubs and prompting waivers and flexible rebooking as travel disruptions mount.
Preliminary FAA data show Chicago O’Hare International Airport handled 857,392 takeoffs and landings in 2025, surpassing Atlanta’s 807,625 and reclaiming the nation’s busiest-airport title for the first time since 2019. Chicago Midway contributed 210,930 operations. O’Hare’s growth comes as it prepares a $1.3 billion expansion, including a new 19-gate Concourse D, due for completion by 2028, underscoring Chicago’s momentum in air travel.
Elon Musk and Ryanair are trading online barbs after Ryanair refused to install Starlink, with Musk insulting Ryanair’s CEO and Ryanair leaning into the feud by launching a big ‘idiot’ seat sale featuring Musk’s image, turning a tech dispute into a global marketing moment.
American Airlines will bring Pecan Lodge’s smoked brisket and sausage to First Class on select DFW-to-LGA/JFK routes, with a February barbecue platter (brisket and sausage with sides) and a March chopped brisket sandwich; orders open Jan 11 via aa.com or the airline app, as AA expands premium offerings alongside Champagne Bollinger, Lavazza coffee, and complimentary Wi‑Fi for AAdvantage members.
Delta Air Lines will cease service to Greater Binghamton Airport on Feb. 14, 2026, due to airline retention issues despite recent renovations, with passengers offered refunds or route switches; the airport is exploring new airline options to restore service.
The article discusses the turbulent start of 2026 for Spirit Airlines, which remains in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and highlights key airline industry trends for the year, including new premium products, route expansions, changes in fare structures, and ongoing issues with air traffic control staffing and regulations, all shaping the future of air travel.
In 2026, the airline industry is expected to see significant upgrades in premium services, airport amenities, and consolidation through mergers, amidst geopolitical and economic uncertainties that may temper overall growth, with a focus on enhancing passenger experience and maintaining industry stability.