Articles

Tagged: airports

TSA Bins Are Absolutely Disgusting, Says This TSA Agent

Here's another reason to hope that the social media trend of posting photos of artfully arranged airport security trays remains back in 2024 where it belongs. Turns out that using…

What a Federal Government Shutdown Means for Air Travel, National Parks, and Passports

When the U.S. Congress can't agree on a budget before federal funding expires, the government goes into shutdown mode, ceasing all operations deemed nonessential and furloughing…

Are TSA Liquid Carry-On Restrictions Really Relaxing Soon?

We're seeing a lot of speculation around the internet this week about whether the Transportation Security Administration is about to relax limits on the size of liquids that passengers…

How to Meet Therapy Llamas at the Portland Airport in Oregon

It might sound like the premise of a lost installment in the Llama Llama children's book series, but there are llamas roving Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon (if it…

Can You Really Fly with a Gun in the USA? Or Bring a Toy Gun on an Airplane? We Hate to Tell You...

In the first 9 months of 2024, the Transportation Security Administration intercepted more than 5,000 firearms at airport security checkpoints across the United States, the federal…

These Are the Best Airports in the U.S. in 2024, According to Passengers

Nearly two-thirds of North American flyers (60% to be precise) report having "enjoyed spending time in their airport," according to the latest passenger satisfaction survey from J.D.…

Rome Jubilee in 2025 Means Tons of Construction in 2024: What Travelers Need to Know

Sorry, travelers, but getting that perfect shot of the Pantheon may require a return trip to Rome. (The photo above was taken earlier this month.) As we all know, Rome wasn’t built in…

Orlando Sanford International Airport's Name Could Confuse Passengers Going to Orlando

A small airport an hour away from Walt Disney World has trademarked its name to associate itself with the tourist powerhouse of Orlando—and that inclusion can cause confusion when…

The Difference Between CLEAR and TSA PreCheck? For Starters, One Has Way More Critics

“Enough is enough,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, at a hearing in December. “As carried out by the private sector,…

New Tulum International Airport Connects Mexico Hot Spot to These U.S. Cities

Reaching Tulum, Mexico, from the United States will get a lot easier this spring. The brand-new Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport—aka Tulum International Airport (TQO)—is…

The Most On-Time Airlines and Airports of 2023

More than 32 million passenger flights were scheduled in 2023, and global carriers managed to stay punctual about 83% of the time, according to a new report from Cirium, an aviation…

What’s Behind the Uptick in Close Calls at U.S. Airports?

The headlines have been jarring. In February, a FedEx jet and a Southwest Airlines plane nearly collided in Austin, Texas. That close call followed a January near miss at New York…

The Proposed U.S. Airline Mergers Are Terrible for Americans, And Here's Proof Why

I spent Halloween in federal court in Boston at a trial that pits the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) against the merger of JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines. There have been much…

Airport Tips for Faster Service Without TSA PreCheck and Other Perks

A lot of advice out there for getting through airports quickly and comfortably involves enrolling in paid programs like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (or even CLEAR), carrying the right…

The Worst U.S. Airports for Catching a Connecting Flight

From summer thunderstorms to winter ice, airline meltdowns and computer outages, the last couple of years have given travelers examples of just about everything that can go wrong when…

The Air Traffic Controller Shortage: When Will It Improve? How Can You Prepare?

The summer travel season started with a lot of hope that air travel headaches might be behind us. Beginning with a smooth-sailing Memorial Day weekend, flight cancellations through…

1 in 3 Flights Could Be Canceled This Summer, Europeans Warn

Today's Times of London published a headline that will dismay anyone who has a European vacation in the works for this year: Air traffic control strike will hit up to 1 in 3 summer…

5 Reasons Early Morning Flights Are Less Likely to Be Delayed

The reasons not to book a 6am flight are obvious the moment the alarm sounds. Yet catching the first flight of the day is frequently one of the top pieces of advice experts offer to…

Lyft Airport Pickup Just Got a Lot Easier for Some Riders

The tricky task of timing pickup at the airport from a ride-hailing app is getting easier for a lot of Lyft users this summer. The company has launched a new feature that lets you…

Why Getting to JFK Airport in NYC Could Be a Nightmare for Years to Come

Getting to and from New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport by car, public transit, taxi, and ride-hailing services will soon get a lot more difficult—and the situation…

An Easy Way to Eliminate Long Global Entry Interview Wait Times

It’s shaping up to be another busy summer in air travel. So far in 2023, the TSA has already logged 9 of its 10 busiest days since the start of the pandemic, and we haven’t even…

Amid Record TSA PreCheck Enrollment, Here’s How to Get Through Airport Security Faster

If you’re a TSA PreCheck member and have noticed more company in the line at airport checkpoints lately, you’re not imagining things. New numbers show the TSA is seeing interest in its…

Are We Headed for Another Chaotic Spring and Summer in Air Travel?

Go back to this time one year ago, and the mood throughout the travel sector was one of anticipation. As countries eased entry restrictions and the Omicron wave faded, it became clear…

Airline Passenger Bumping Is Back. Do You Know Your Rights?

Lately, it seems like everything that could go wrong in air travel has done just that, from entire airlines going on the fritz to technical glitches temporarily grounding…

Did You Know You Can Enroll in TSA PreCheck at Staples Stores? Here’s How

Because I'm a frequent traveler, I know I should have enrolled in TSA PreCheck long ago. But I'm also a writer and therefore a chronic procrastinator. So even though the U.S.…