An Australian cruise ship, Coral Adventurer, ran aground off Papua New Guinea with 80 passengers and 44 crew onboard. Efforts to refloat the vessel have failed, and passengers will be flown home early. The ship is under investigation due to an unrelated incident in October involving a passenger's death. No injuries or damage have been reported, and authorities are working to resolve the situation.
A labor dispute between Air Canada and its flight attendants has led to a strike, grounding about 700 flights daily and affecting 500,000 passengers, causing widespread frustration, rebooking issues, and additional expenses for travelers, despite legal orders to return to work.
Passengers flying to Turkey are now subject to a US$70 fine if they stand up before the seatbelt sign is turned off, following new regulations aimed at preventing premature standing and baggage retrieval, with airlines required to enforce and report violations.
Turkey's civil aviation authority has introduced fines for airline passengers who stand up before the seatbelt sign is turned off after landing, aiming to improve safety and order on flights. Passengers who violate this rule may be fined around US$70, and airlines are required to report non-compliance. Turkish Airlines has updated its landing announcements to enforce these regulations.
In Kenya, a bus carrying 51 passengers was swept off the road by flood waters on its way to Nairobi, leading to a dramatic overnight rescue operation where some passengers escaped through windows while others awaited help on top of the bus; all passengers and crew were safely evacuated by local police.
Southwest Airlines hosted Solarbration flights for passengers to witness the total solar eclipse at 35,000 feet, providing festive eclipse-themed glasses, napkins, and cocktails. The airline also partnered with Omni Hotels for a Solarbration Sweepstakes, offering winners an eclipse-themed room stay and a celestial adventure aboard Southwest Airlines flights within the eclipse path. This unique experience allowed passengers to observe the phenomenon from a whole new perspective, creating a memorable and exciting journey.
A ferry carrying over 100 passengers caught fire off the coast of southern Thailand while en route to Koh Tao, prompting some to jump into the sea to escape. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
A Frontier Airlines flight from Charlotte to Orlando was evacuated after a strong odor was detected, leading to all 226 passengers being offloaded using both jet bridges and emergency slides. One person was injured during the evacuation. The cause of the odor remains unclear, and Frontier Airlines is investigating the incident while apologizing to those affected.
Two men were detained after a fight broke out on a Southwest Airlines flight from Oakland to Hawaii, with passengers intervening to separate them. The cause of the altercation remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether the men will face charges. Southwest Airlines praised the crew and passengers for their handling of the situation.
A Norwegian cruise ship, MS Maud, carrying 400 passengers and crew is being towed back to Germany after being hit by a 'rogue wave' during a storm in the North Sea. The wave shattered windows on the bridge and caused a power outage, but the ship's main engine is still functioning. The ship's 266 passengers and 131 crew members are safe, and there have been no serious injuries reported. The vessel is being towed to Bremerhafen, Germany for disembarkation. This incident comes six weeks after another cruise ship, the Spirit of Discovery, was battered by a storm in the Bay of Biscay.
Passengers aboard the MSC Meraviglia cruise ship were shocked and disappointed when their Bahamas-bound trip was rerouted to Boston, Maine, and Canada due to unseasonable and worsening weather conditions. The last-minute itinerary change left guests scrambling to repack for winter weather instead of tropical heat. Some passengers felt "punked" by the sudden change, but MSC Cruises stated that it was necessary for the safety of the passengers. The ship can accommodate over 5,000 passengers and 1,600 crew members, and it is unclear how many guests decided to continue with the rerouted cruise.
The MSC Meraviglia cruise ship, scheduled to sail to the Bahamas, was diverted to New England and Canada due to unseasonable and worsening weather conditions. Passengers were given the option to cancel their trip for a future cruise credit or sail on the new itinerary. Many guests were caught off guard by the last-minute change and had to scramble to find winter clothes. While some tried to make the most of the situation, others expressed disappointment as they had planned for a sunny vacation. Cruise ships often have the right to change ports of call due to weather conditions.
The names of the pilot and two passengers who died in a plane crash in Independence, Oregon, have been released. The single-engine Cessna C-172 crashed into powerlines and burst into flames, causing a power outage in the neighborhood. The pilot was identified as Mohammad Hussain Musawi, and the passengers were Mohammad Bashir Safdari and Ali Jan Ferdawsi. The investigation is ongoing, and more than 200 people remain without power.
Over 200 passengers were stranded for more than 21 hours at a remote military base in Goose Bay, Canada, after a Delta flight from Amsterdam to Detroit experienced a mechanical issue and made an emergency landing. The passengers were stuck on board the plane for hours in freezing temperatures, without proper meals or jackets. Delta sent a rescue flight, but the crew timed out and couldn't fly, leaving the passengers stuck overnight. They eventually arrived in Detroit more than 24 hours after the emergency landing. Delta apologized for the inconvenience.
