Shutdown and ICE at airports. I traveled by air toward the end of the month, but right after my trip, things got bad in the U.S., as TSA agents either quit (more than 450) or called out since they’re not being paid during the government shutdown. This has made TSA wait times the longest in its history. Meanwhile, ICE agents are now at the airports, purportedly to help the process, but many question whether they’re actually helping or making matters worse and only there to catch immigrants.
Professional line sitters? Yep, as the TSA lines are getting longer in airports, people are paying others $25 an hour to stand in line for them. There are apparently “placeholding concierge services.” Who knew? (I certainly didn’t.)
Should you travel to the Middle East? Dubai has said it’s open for business, but most countries are suggesting their citizens forego travel to all countries in the region unless it’s mandatory.
Fatal plane and truck crash at LaGuardia Airport. I arrived at this airport Sunday afternoon March 22nd, and by evening, I had heard about this horrible crash. An Air Canada flight collided with a firefighting vehicle on the tarmac, and both pilots were killed. Forty-one people were taken to the hospital. As a result, LaGuardia was shut down for a period of time going into Monday. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, but it does appear to be human error. And there are reports that pilots have been complaining about safety at LaGuardia.
Air Canada CEO to resign. When the CEO of Air Canada posted a condolence message about the two pilots who were killed in the crash at LaGuardia, he came under fire for only posting it in English rather than both English and French, as the airline is supposed to serve customers who speak both languages. So as a result of the backlash, he will resign/retire at the end of the third quarter 2026.
Delta suspends many special services for Congress. Due to the government shutdown, Delta has said many of the special services usually afforded to members of Congress will be suspended. So far, other airlines have not followed suit.
Airlines make it easier for passengers during the shutdown. As of this writing, Allegiant Airlines, Delta, and United are allowing customers to change or cancel their trips without having to pay a penalty during the government shutdown.
Floods in Hawaii. Recent flooding in Hawaii caused extensive damage, and more than 200 people had to be rescued. The governor says the cost of the damage could rise to more than $1 billion.
Gondola crash in Switzerland. One person is dead after a gondola crashed down a mountainside in Engelberg, Switzerland on March 18th. I visited that town back in the 1990s, and I believe I took that cable car gondola. Strong winds are being blamed, so that’s a lesson for us all to avoid these cable cars when it’s windy.
No WiFi on Delta 717s this summer. During an upgrade, there will be no WiFi on these planes. Delta currently has 80 of the Boeing 717 aircraft.
Why can’t you retrieve your phone between airplane seats? It seems that airplane seats have mechanical components that can crush your phone and cause it to catch fire. So this is why airlines advise you to get help before trying to pull your phone out from between seats.
Alaska Airlines under fire. Brenda Song, fiancé of actor Macauley Culkin, called out Alaska Airlines on social media this month because the airline separated her from her toddler-aged children on a flight even though the family had purchased first class seats. This is an ongoing problem with airlines, and I think it’s atrocious that any child under the age of 12 is separated from their parent.
More overtourism tactics in Italy. The Isle of Capri will now only allow tour groups to number 40 people, and they will restrict the use of loudspeakers and umbrellas to keep groups together. Meanwhile, in Florence, outdoor dining is now banned on 60 UNESCO-protected streets. Almost 75 other streets will no longer be allowed to have advertisements or bright lighting.
Be mindful in Bali. An American tourist was arrested by security guards when he walked in the Sukawati Village in the Gianyar Regency of Bali because he didn’t realize there was a mandatory stay-at-home order due to Nyepi Day of Silence celebrations. He wasn’t held for long before he was released.
American Airlines app changes. The app will now explain why your flight was delayed. This is a great effort toward transparency, and I hope other airlines do the same.
Southwest leaves two major airports. Starting June 4th, Southwest Airlines will no longer fly from Chicago O’Hare or Washington Dulles airports.
Want to move to Canada? The country has now made it possible to get Canadian citizenship if you can prove you have ancestors who were Canadian citizens – ANY ancestors. In other words, it’s no longer restricted to parents or grandparents. As long as you can prove it, you can go back as many generations as necessary.
United Airlines lie-flat rows. Starting in 2027, United will allow a lie-flat space when you buy three economy seats in the same row. The seats will come with leg rests that can be raised, and you’ll get a mattress pad, a blanket, and pillows. This will purportedly be less expensive than first class lie-down seats.
Hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th, could be less intense than usual this year. But they still expect as many as 16 named storms and possibly 4 major hurricanes.
Business class to the Maldives, anyone? Starting in December 2026, the business-class only airline beOnd will start flying to the Maldives from both London and Paris. If you try this out, please report back!
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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