U.S. Government Tightens Cuba Travel Restrictions

In the latest blow to Cuba tourism, the U.S. Department of the Treasury today issued new restrictions on travel to the island nation. Apparently following up on President Trump’s promise, in June, to strengthen Cuba sanctions and travel restrictions, U.S. citizens wishing to visit Cuba will only be allowed to do so as members of

FAA Warns on Exploding Cellphones

Remember those exploding hoverboards , the once-popular self-balancing scooters that most airlines banned late last year due to their proven combustibility? The problem with the hoverboards was pinned on their lithium ion batteries, which were also the culprits in a series of onboard fires that bedeviled early models of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. In yet another

PreCheck Now Available When Flying 19 Airlines

It’s been a long time in coming, but PreCheck, the TSA’s trusted-traveler program, is now available to passengers flying on Frontiers Airlines . PreCheck-enrolled travelers may access expedited screening lanes in more than 180 U.S. airports, with no need to their remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. According to the TSA, 97 percent

Travelers Sue to Block Alaska-Virgin America Merger

The merger of Alaska Airlines and Virgin America has left many travelers bemoaning the impending disappearance of Virgin, one of the industry’s best-loved airlines, as it’s folded into Alaska. Some of those disgruntled travelers are plaintiffs in a suit filed last week in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco seeking to block the merger

Trump Travel Ban Is Hurting the Travel Industry

Donald Trump’s ascent to the presidency was predicated largely on two promises: more jobs and stiffer border security. Easier said than done. As it turns out, there are trade-offs that Trump either didn’t foresee or opted not to disclose. Consider, for instance, the effect his contentious travel ban is having on the travel industry, a

Alaska-Virgin America Merge, Creating 5th Largest U.S. Airline

On the landing page of a new website touting the consumer benefits of Alaska’s acquisition of Virgin America , which closed today, there’s this: Alaska Airlines and Virgin America are coming together. Like bacon on a donut, electricity and guitars, or Labradors and poodles, we’re an odd couple that works well together. We may seem

Will the Government Make Air Travel Great Again?

Washington lawmakers are flyers, too. Frequent flyers in most cases. So they were as horrified as anyone at the images of Dr. David Dao being dragged, screaming and bloodied, from United flight 3411. And unlike the rest of us, they’re in a position to do something about the industry policies and practices that allowed such

New York Wants to Kill Airbnb. And It Might

If New York has its way, the popular accommodations-sharing company Airbnb will be toast. Last week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law that would outlaw the bulk of Airbnb bookings, levying fines between $1,000 and $7,500 on anyone who advertised for rent most apartments for fewer than 30 days. New York is Airbnb’s

Popular ‘Cesspool’ Tourist Island Closing for 6 Months

One of the most popular vacation spots in the Philippines, the island of Boracay, is undergoing a “total closure” to tourists beginning April 26 and lasting for six months, according to Philippines Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque. The idyllic island regularly appears on round-ups of the world’s best beaches, which likely contributed to the massive numbers

U.S. State Department Issues Cuba Travel Warning

Since diplomatic relations with Cuba were reinstated and a newly liberalized U.S.-Cuba aviation agreement was enacted last year, travel between the two countries has been a decidedly up-and-down affair. U.S. airlines initially mis-forecast demand for Cuba travel, and launched far more flights than the market could support. Several carriers have since cut back on their