Do you tap the plane before boarding? Travel expert explains bizarre phenomenon

Do you tap the plane before boarding? Travel expert explains bizarre phenomenon

With the holiday season in full swing, many are traveling by air to spend special days with their loved ones. While many Americans are comfortable flying, some might get nervous, which is why some passengers tap a plane’s exterior prior to boarding. Gary Leff, a Virginia-based travel industry expert and author of the blog “View From the … Read more

United blames FAA staffing shortages for causing ‘significant disruption’ at Newark Airport

United blames FAA staffing shortages for causing ‘significant disruption’ at Newark Airport

United Airlines said Tuesday that an acute shortage of air traffic controllers was causing “significant disruption” for travelers at its busy Newark, NJ, hub outside of New York City. The airline said the Federal Aviation Administration has been forced to reduce traffic flows to Newark hub because of low staffing on 12 of the first 25 … Read more

I travel across the world without taking any PTO — here’s how you can too

I travel across the world without taking any PTO — here’s how you can too

Meet the man who goes on ‘extreme’ day trips as a hobby — covering thousands of miles in just 24 hours. Michael Cracknell, 35, spends his spare time traveling across Europe — reaching as far as Switzerland and Athens from his home in West Sussex. And he does it all in one day — so … Read more

‘Check-in chicken’ is latest viral airport trend — here’s how it can get you better seats for free

‘Check-in chicken’ is latest viral airport trend — here’s how it can get you better seats for free

A travel hack has taken over the internet with social media users discussing this risky trick. “Check-in chicken” consists of flyers waiting until check-in is almost closed until booking a seat. The gamble is that left-over seats that are more desirable, such as extra legroom or an exit row, will be assigned. One travel influencer … Read more

United Airlines passenger restrained after attacking own seat in wild video

United Airlines passenger restrained after attacking own seat in wild video

He practiced some kung flew. Thought you were frustrated about a seat assignment? A United Airlines passenger had to be restrained by his fellow flyers after he began attacking his airchair in flight, as seen in a bizarre Reddit video taking off online. The epic seat-down reportedly occurred on November 16 aboard UA Flight 502 … Read more

Most Americans met their travel goals in 2024 — with one type of trip becoming especially popular

Most Americans met their travel goals in 2024 — with one type of trip becoming especially popular

Two-thirds of Americans either met or exceeded their 2024 travel goals, according to new research. A survey of 2,000 US adults who have traveled within the past year revealed that while 43% traveled just as much as they planned to over the last 12 months, 23% actually exceeded that goal. The survey examined the travel … Read more

Planning holiday travel with your kids? This is when you can expect ‘peak stress’ to hit – and how you can mitigate it

Planning holiday travel with your kids? This is when you can expect ‘peak stress’ to hit – and how you can mitigate it

Three and a half hours into holiday travel with their kids is when “peak stress” hits parents, according to new research. The survey of 2,000 parents with kids aged 5–12, who have traveled for the holidays with their child in the last year, looked at the highs (and lows) of traveling with little ones during … Read more

Flight attendant calls out passengers who queue for the bathroom: ‘Lining up makes it worse’

Flight attendant calls out passengers who queue for the bathroom: ‘Lining up makes it worse’

There’s no need to skip to the loo when there’s a line. Lining up for the bathroom might seem like proper airplane protocol, but this seemingly standard practice is actually both inconvenient and potentially hazardous, flight experts have revealed. Rich Henderson, a flight attendant who runs the Two Guys on a Plane blog with his husband … Read more

Pinkies up: The 11 best Christmas afternoon teas in and around London

Pinkies up: The 11 best Christmas afternoon teas in and around London

There’s nothing Brits value more than tradition… and there are few things more traditional than sitting down for an afternoon tea experience. Buttery scones, finger sandwiches and an assortment of desserts paired with the finest teas around make for the perfect afternoon delight. Now pair that with the festive season, and you have the recipe … Read more

I’m a travel writer— these 5 tips will stop you from booking a bad Airbnb

I’m a travel writer— these 5 tips will stop you from booking a bad Airbnb

Not going home for the holidays? One travel pro has revealed their tips and tricks for spotting red flags on rental listings. “I’ve stayed in gorgeous farmhouse lofts, high-rise city apartments, and desert hideaways — but I’ve also booked a few duds along the way,” full-time traveler Tammy Barr, who has lodged in over 40 different rental … Read more

‘Genius’ plane hack allows passengers to avoid dreaded middle seat — without paying

‘Genius’ plane hack allows passengers to avoid dreaded middle seat — without paying

He’s managed to game the seat reservation system. Choosing one’s own airplane seats can be agonizing — but travel influencer Jordan Tually says he’s devised a way to avoid being placed in the middle seat without paying a fee. “This travel hack has saved me from MANY a middle seat over the years,” declared the … Read more

Passenger shocked when part of airplane window breaks off during rough landing: ‘This is a first’

Passenger shocked when part of airplane window breaks off during rough landing: ‘This is a first’

They didn’t protect the border. A Delta Airlines passenger was understandably nervous after the frame encircling their window toppled off during a rocky landing, as detailed in a Reddit post taking off online. “Whelp, it’s not often that things other than wi-fi break on my flights, but this is a first,” read the caption to … Read more

American Airlines expands ‘gate lice’ crackdown to over 100 airports

American Airlines expands ‘gate lice’ crackdown to over 100 airports

American Airlines has announced it is expanding its new technology to end a process known as “gate lice,” which is when passengers cut lines in hopes of boarding a flight early. The system audibly flags when a passenger attempts to board the plane before their designated assignment is called and will automatically reject the ticket. American … Read more

This new travel trend has Americans chasing fountain of youth

This new travel trend has Americans chasing fountain of youth

A new report from Booking.com provides insight to the top travel trends for next year, with many travelers going beyond sightseeing. The annual travel predictions report for 2025 highlights the “passport to longevity” trend.  “Vacations in 2025 will go beyond relaxation, evolving into life-enhancing journeys focused on health and well-being,” Booking.com’s website says. Fifty-two percent of … Read more

Actress ripped for doing full body workout in middle of airplane aisle: ‘Idiot of the Year award’

Actress ripped for doing full body workout in middle of airplane aisle: ‘Idiot of the Year award’

This flight ended up looking like a jazzercise class in the sky. A Mexican ex-soap opera star and fitness influencer was ripped online after performing a full “body pump” workout during a long-haul flight. And naturally, fellow passengers didn’t take kindly to her air-obics routine. Barbara de Regil, who regularly shares her workout routines with … Read more

Minecraft partners with Legoland operator on new US theme park attraction: ‘Just the beginning’

Minecraft partners with Legoland operator on new US theme park attraction: ‘Just the beginning’

It will be built brick by brick. Minecraft will soon be a theme park attraction at a to-be-announced location in the United States. Microsoft-owned Mojang, creators of the best-selling video game, will partner with British amusement giant Merlin Entertainments, operator of New York’s Legoland and Madame Tussauds — along with countless attractions across the pond. Minecraft … Read more

Glossy mag calls Rust Belt burg 2025’s ‘best place to travel’ in bizarre pick: ‘A magical time’

Glossy mag calls Rust Belt burg 2025’s ‘best place to travel’ in bizarre pick: ‘A magical time’

They really are taking the midnight train going anywhere. Detroit has been touted by Travel + Leisure as a top destination for 2025 — no doubt raising eyebrows on a list that also plugged other non-traditional tourism spots like Sacramento and Uzbekistan. “It really is a magical time in Detroit right now, and we hope … Read more

WestJet replaces passengers’ simple return flight with brutal 72-hour itinerary: ‘I cannot spend a week of my life flying’

WestJet replaces passengers’ simple return flight with brutal 72-hour itinerary: ‘I cannot spend a week of my life flying’

Leaving Las Vegas wasn’t so lucky for these tourists. A Canadian couple is protesting WestJet airlines after a cut-and-dry flight home from Las Vegas, Nevada, nearly turned into a week-long Odyssey from hell. “I thought this was a mistake,” Andrew Korchacov, 44, from Terrace, B.C., told the National Post while recalling the extreme jet lag. … Read more

This top-ranked chain restaurant’s cheeseburgers will be served on Delta flights — but only in first class

This top-ranked chain restaurant’s cheeseburgers will be served on Delta flights — but only in first class

Shake Shack is cleared to fry. Delta Airlines has announced a partnership to serve the New York-based burger joint on long-haul flights — to a lucky, moneyed few. That’s right, an all-beef cheeseburger with Shake Shack’s special sauce, plus lettuce, onions, pickles, and tomato on a potato bun, can be yours at cruising altitude — as long as … Read more

Sure, you can take turkey and stuffing on a plane — but the TSA will confiscate other Thanksgiving goodies

Sure, you can take turkey and stuffing on a plane — but the TSA will confiscate other Thanksgiving goodies

Don’t be a turkey this year. Airports have been bracing for the coming Thanksgiving crush, with nearly six million Americans taking flight amid worries of winter storms and cheaper than usual flights. Travelers can expect long waits at airport security next week, but the Transportation Security Administration is hoping to keep things clucking along by … Read more