Travel News & Advice – September 30, 2024

Travel News. Graphic by Melanie Votaw.

Donate to help those affected by Hurricane Helene. Our hearts go out to all of those who experienced loss of life or property damage from Hurricane Helene. This link will take you to the American Red Cross North Carolina, where the flooding damage was especially horrible. There are victims in other states as well, however, including Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee.

Eurostar joins Sky Team Alliance. Starting early next year, Eurostar will become the first non-airline member of the Sky Team Alliance, which includes 20 airlines from around the world, including Delta, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and SAS. Eurostar offers train service, including the English Channel Tunnel.

Can travel slow aging? It turns out the answer is yes, according to a study conducted by an Australian university. The positive experiences and potential for stimulation and stress reduction can possibly keep us younger longer.

Where’s the best pizza in the world? Nope – it isn’t Italy! It’s New York City. Next time you’re in Manhattan, visit Una Pizza Napoletana on Orchard Street, which ranked as No. 1 in the world in 50 Top Pizza‘s 2024 guide.

Pizza image. Photo by deeznutz1.

Delta and SAS now have a codeshare agreement. This agreement means travelers can use miles from each airline on the other, and it expands Delta’s reach in Scandinavia.

American and JetSmart now have a codeshare agreement. JetSmart is a South American carrier, so American Airlines loyalists can now get to South America easier.

JetBlue is entering the world of airport lounges. The airline plans to open its first lounges in late 2025 at NY’s JFK and soon after at Boston’s Logan Airport. You’ll have to have status with the airline or hold their premium credit card to enter on a complimentary basis.

British Airways lounge in Miami. Next year, British Airways will open a lounge at Miami’s international airport. It will be 13,000 square feet and on the fourth floor of Concourse E.

Airplane in airport. Photo by cegoh.

Southwest Airlines cabin redesign. Assigned seats are coming from Southwest with larger bins and seats with more legroom for a price. Watch this video for more info. Bags will still be free.

The 50 best hotels in the world. Check out this list. Have you stayed at any of these? I haven’t, unfortunately.

New Zealand increases its tourism tax. Starting October 1st, New Zealand’s International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will increase from NZ$35 to NZ$100. In USD, that’s an increase from about $22 to $62 or approximately $40 more.

Which airline bumps the most people? Frontier Airlines bumped the most, according to a recent study. American Airlines came in second.

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Melanie Votaw is the Publisher and Executive Travel Writer of LuxuryWeb Magazine. She has visited more than 50 countries on 6 continents and written for such magazines as Executive Travel, Just Luxe, Business Insider, South China Morning Post, Travel Mindset, and more. She is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, New York Travel Writers Association, and International Travel Writers Alliance. Melanie's photography has won awards, and she has also written 43 nonfiction books as either the author or ghostwriter.

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