JetBlue Forbids Free Carry-Ons for Basic Fares, Drops Change Fees Elsewhere
Posted on 02/17/2021, 1:00 PM
JetBlue is adding an irksome catch to its cheapest category of plane tickets. Any customer who books a basic economy fare—dubbed "Blue Basic" by JetBlue—for travel after July 20 will not be allowed to board the plane with a carry-on bag. A small personal item that fits under the seats is still permitted, but the overhead bins are off-limits for basic economy passengers. They'll be required to pa...
Finland Created a Kitchen Made Out of Ice—and It Works
Posted on 02/16/2021, 1:00 PM
As if a hotel built from more than 20,000 tons of ice and snow weren't impressive enough, the designers and igloo constructors of Lapland Hotels SnowVillage in northern Finland keep finding ways to melt the hearts of guests who might have grown cold to the wonders of elaborate winter sculptures. In 2018 and '19, the seasonal property, located in the Arctic Circle near Kittilä in Finnish Lapland, ...
Virgin Voyages Is Giving Away 1,000 Free Cruises
Posted on 02/16/2021, 7:00 AM
Before Covid hit—back in the Pleistocene era—huge excitement was building over the impending debut of the Virgin Group's first cruise ship, the Scarlet Lady, which promised to be a ship like no other. Onboard features include a tattoo parlor, "experimental" eateries, daily yoga on the sundeck, and other touches meant to convey that this is truly a contemporary vessel and brand. But then came the ...
Alaska Opens Up: Visiting No Longer Requires a Negative Covid-19 Test
Posted on 02/15/2021, 2:00 PM
As of this week, travelers entering Alaska are no longer required to show proof of negative Covid-19 test results upon arrival. That was one of the provisions in the state's emergency declaration adopted in response to the pandemic. But the state of emergency expired on Sunday at midnight, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy decided not to renew it, thus ditching the testing requirement too. “From what we ca...
Historic Queen Mary Is In Dire Straits As Operator Collapses
Posted on 02/15/2021, 9:00 AM
January 2021 kept people occupied with a few other news headlines, so you're forgiven if you missed this one: The company that operates the famous and irreplaceable Queen Mary filed for bankruptcy. Singapore-based Eagle Hospitality Trust claims more than $500 million in debt. And although Covid-19 has been harsh to the grand old ship, keeping it closed since May 2020, the pandemic isn't fully to b...
Airline Waives Mask Rule for Passengers in First and Business Class
Posted on 02/15/2021, 7:00 AM
First class and business class flyers getting special perks is not news. But it's a shocking development when airlines decide to bend science in an effort to attract big spenders. That's what Hong Kong–based carrier Cathay Pacific is doing. According to Executive Traveller magazine, the airline circulated an internal memo advising that when passengers are lying flat—as in the fully reclining seats...
Go Inside Beijing's Forbidden City With Lush Images From This $995 Book
Posted on 02/12/2021, 8:00 AM
Beijing's imposing Forbidden City complex has been wowing travelers for centuries. Marco Polo called it the "greatest palace that ever was." Franz Kafka, who never visited China except in his imagination, took the very Kafkaesque view that the 180-acre cluster of red walls, gold-capped pavilions, courtyards, and winding corridors inspires both awe and dread. He pictured Ming and Qing Dynasty empe...
Flash Sale: Two-For-One Tickets On Amtrak For Travel Through August
Posted on 02/12/2021, 7:00 AM
How does Amtrak celebrate Valentine's Day? Nope, it isn't painting train carriages bright pink or handing out chocolates on the Acela. Instead, the rail service is doing something even more doting by throwing what it calls the "Amtrak Loves You Sale," which will give passengers who book by February 16 the gift of BOGO tickets on travel from February 22 through August 27, 2021. The offer is availa...
Eiffel Tower in Paris to Be Painted a New Color for 2024 Olympics
Posted on 02/11/2021, 10:00 AM
Imagine how strange it would be if San Francisco decided to paint the Golden Gate Bridge lavender. Or if the Great Wall of China was redone in red shellac. A structure just as iconic is getting a new color, and although the makeover won't be as jarring as those scenarios, the change may take some getting used to. The landmark in question? The Eiffel Tower in Paris, which is going gold. Of course, ...
See the World from Home with Amazing Travel Photographer of the Year Images
Posted on 02/10/2021, 11:00 AM
With travel curtailed since the start of the pandemic, the work of skilled photographers lets us explore the world vicariously and, just as important, reassures us that it's all still there—from the northern lights shimmering in arctic skies to polychrome fish swimming through cathedrals of kelp on the ocean floor. Any doubts about whether Earth still houses marvels are quickly dispelled with a ...
