Global Entry in the U.S. has been reinstated after it was suspended for a few weeks.
Travel and the Iran war. The war in Iran is causing problems with lots of air travel, whether or not you’re heading to the Middle East. That’s because the airspace over these countries (some of which are now closed) is needed to travel to other parts of the world, such as Asia and Australia. With reduced available airspace, there are bound to be delays, and from what I’ve read, airlines and travel insurance might not compensate you for this loss. So tread carefully. The other issue is that oil availability is reduced while oil prices are increasing, which will probably make flights more expensive.
Skip the coffee and tea on the plane. According to the Center for Food as Medicine and Longevity’s 2026 Airline Water Study, the water used on airplanes to make tea and coffee might not be safe. American Airlines and JetBlue came out the worst, while only Delta and Frontier had fairly clean water.
Polio alerts. The CDC has issued an alert for travelers to the following countries because of an upsurge in cases of polio. If you haven’t been vaccinated, please do it! There is no cure for polio, which causes paralysis, lifelong disabilities, and early death, but it can be prevented through the vaccine. Some of the countries on the list will surprise you: United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Finland, Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gaza, Ghana, Guinea, Israel, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.
European carry-on rules. European airlines can no longer charge fees for under-seat bags and carry-ons after a vote by European Parliament. But personal items must be no larger than 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches, while carry-on bags in the overhead bin must be about 40 inches (combining all sides added together) and no heavier than 15 pounds.
Are you a member of CLEAR? If so, the new app for the service will provide some new perks. It will tell you what time to leave home in order to get to your gate on time, allow you to reserve Uber rides, store your travel documents, and sign up for a VIP experience with CLEAR Concierge. In the latter case, an “Ambassador” will meet you at the curb and guide you through the airport.
Barcelona tax increase. Starting next month, the much-beloved city in Spain will double its tourist tax on accommodations to $14 on holiday rentals and to $11-$17 per night for hotel guests. Cruise passengers won’t pay more, as their tax will stay at $7.
Sagrada Familia construction. Speaking of Barcelona, exterior construction of the famous Sagrada Familia church by Gaudi has finally been completed after 144 years. When Gaudi died, only 25% of the church was finished, and interior work remains to be done. But it’s now the world’s tallest church at 566 feet.
Passenger removed from Southwest flight. On March 6th, a passenger was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight because of a security threat that was later cleared. The flight left Nashville for Fort Lauderdale and had to be diverted to Atlanta because of the security scare.
Robbery at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas. A couple from Michigan is suing the Ritz-Carlton after they experienced an armed robbery on the hotel’s property in St. Thomas that ended in a loss of $425,000 worth of luxury goods.
Washington, D.C. cherry blossoms. While there’s no way to predict with 100% accuracy, the National Park Service expects the cherry blossoms in D.C. to reach their peak between March 29th and April 1st.
New airport lounges. LAX has a new Korean Air lounge in Terminal B, and word is it’s quite beautiful. If you get to check it out, please report back! American Express also just opened a speakeasy-inspired Centurion Lounge in Concourse D at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
Speaking of LAX. The airport’s LAX/Metro Transit Center opened in the middle of last year, giving passengers a rail connection, but it won’t be complete until the Automated People Mover (APM) is finished. Originally supposed to be finished in 2023, it’s now slated for the end of 2026. It will connect the Transmit Center with terminals and allow travelers to bypass car traffic in the airport. (If you’ve ever driven in LA, you’ll know what a blessing this will be!)
Famous Iceland beach changed. Reynisfjara Black Beach in Mýrdalur has been altered by powerful currents. People used to be able to walk right up to the beach’s famed basalt columns and cave, but now, the water reaches those areas, making them impassable.
Flooding in Australia. Floods in the Northern Territory and northern Queensland in Australia have necessitated the evacuation of an entire town, and the flood waters are filled with crocodiles.
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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