By Eric Hanson
Foreign Bureau
It has been a crazy up and down year for Frontier Airlines when it comes to its network.
The carrier has added 71 new routes already this year, but has cut 30.
One of the latest cuts among eight new ones seems awfully peculiar since the routes just started two months ago. Frontier is cutting its flight from Ontario, California, and San Diego to El Paso, Texas. Frontier is not leaving the market; it will still fly there from its home base in Denver and from Las Vegas. None of the flights involve abandoning a city, just a reduction in the number of flights from certain cities.
All eight are domestic routes, such as between Phoenix and St. Louis.
Frontier declined to discuss its network changes other than to say the routes “have been discontinued, at least seasonally.”
Frontier will add another route, thanks to its crew base in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The low-cost carrier will fly three times a week from San Juan to fellow Caribbean nation Barbados. It will be Frontier’s first foray into Barbados.
The flights will be nonstop.
Frontier also flies from San Juan to St. Maarten, St. Croix, Santiago in the Dominican Republic and, starting next week, Trinidad.
Frontier recently announced transparent pricing and no change fees.
By Suzanne Edgewater
West Coast Bureau
Maybe the beleaguered Boeing Company isn’t so beleaguered after all.
Despite its well-documented protocol and safety issues in the wake of the January 5 incident in which a door panel blew off an Alaska Airlines plane manufactured by Boeing, and despite nearly a half-dozen federal investigations, Boeing found the time, and $4.7 billion, to purchase Spirit AeroSystems.
Spirit AeroSystems was formerly a part of Boeing before being spun off into its own company. It makes the fuselage for airplanes. It is not affiliated with Spirit Airlines.
This is an all-stock deal if you’re wondering about the money portion.
“Among the many actions we’re taking as a company, this is one of the most significant in demonstrating our unwavering commitment to strengthen quality and make certain that Boeing is the company the world needs it to be,” Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said in a message to employees.
The deal was officially announced on Monday; Spirit’s shares closed Friday at $32.87 a share. Calhoun said he expects the deal to close next year pending regulatory approval.
Spirit AeroSystems had been a part of Boeing for almost 20 years and even though it was its own company it still drew almost 70 percent of its revenue from Boeing. Ironically, Spirit CEO Pat Shanahan is considered a possible successor for Calhoun, who said he would step down at the end of the year.
Boeing was under fire again this week after it said that missing paperwork led to the Alaska Airlines incident.
By Suzanne Edgewater
West Coast Bureau
Aer Lingus has been forced to cancel some flights next week due to what is called an ‘industrial action’ – or a labor issue – by the Irish Air Line Pilots Association (IALPA).
The flight cancelations will take place between July 11 and July 14.
These are in addition to flights that have already been canceled. The Irish carrier made the announcement on its X feed. The airline said it was due to the “indefinite nature” of the action.
Certain flights from Manchester, England, are not affected, but the airline said to please check to see if you are impacted.
Ironically, Aer Lingus just joined the Transportation Security Administration’s Pre-Check program, which is designed to speed things up at the airport.
By Carla Martilotti
Foreign Bureau
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has just expanded its TSA PreCheck program to include four new global airlines: Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, Ethiopian Airlines and Saudia. With this addition, nearly 100 airlines now participate in the expedited screening program, offering more travelers a faster and more efficient airport security experience.
TSA PreCheck provides a streamlined screening process for low-risk passengers at over 200 airports across the United States and at one international preclearance location, the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas.
Travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck can enjoy a range of special conveniences, including keeping on their shoes, belts and light jackets, and not having to remove laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, or food items from their carry-on bags. Impressively, about 99 percent of TSA PreCheck passengers around the nation wait less than 10 minutes in dedicated lanes at airport checkpoints.
The program is accessible to eligible travelers departing from a participating U.S. airport or connecting on domestic flights after returning to the U.S. from an international trip. U.S. citizens, nationals and lawful permanent residents can apply for TSA PreCheck through any of its approved enrollment providers, including CLEAR, IDEMIA and Telos. Users can select any of these providers based on the best pricing, their location and any additional benefit they may offer. Enrollment costs do vary depending on the provider selected.
Applying for TSA PreCheck is a straightforward process. Prospective enrollees can visit tsa.gov/precheck, select an enrollment provider, and complete an online application in about five minutes. The final step involves a 10-minute in-person appointment for fingerprinting, document and photo capture and payment.
Most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) within three to five days, which, when added to their airline reservation, grants access to dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes.
Additionally, teenagers aged 13-17 can now accompany their TSA PreCheck-enrolled parents or guardians through the expedited screening process, provided they are on the same reservation and have the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass. Children 12 and under can join an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes without any restrictions.
For enrolled travelers, it is essential to ensure that the TSA PreCheck indicator, such as TSA PRECHK, is displayed on their boarding pass before approaching a TSA checkpoint to confirm eligibility for the expedited screening.
By Eric Hanson
Foreign Bureau
In 2024, an increase in travel has prompted a significant rise in the demand for security advisory and extraction protection services, according to the Global Rescue Spring 2024 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.
Global Rescue is a leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services around the world. For the study, the company polled 2,000 of its current and former members to discover their behaviors, attitudes and preferences when it comes to current and future travel plans.
A notable 63 percent of seasoned travelers indicated they would purchase security extraction protection services if the U.S. State Department travel advisory for their intended destination was rated Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) or Level 2 (exercise increased caution).
Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce, highlighted the impact of current global conflicts on travel security decisions. “Travelers are saying the war in Ukraine, the Hamas attacks on Israel, or other violent conflicts make it more likely they will add security extraction and advisory protection to their travel protection packages,” he said.
The survey findings further revealed that nearly a third (31 percent) of respondents would seek additional security travel protection when traveling to areas prone to terrorism, civil unrest or regions neighboring war zones. Additionally, 27 percent would obtain such protection for any international travel, regardless of specific regional threats.
Correspondingly, Richards revealed that his company is seeing a significant increase in demand for these protection products. "We're experiencing double-digit growth in membership sales for both medical evacuation and security protection services. As travel booms, we’re seeing an understandable increase in traveler safety concern worldwide,” he said.
Another notable finding from the survey is the shift in travel preferences regarding the customarily popular destination of Paris. Nearly 90 percent of respondents indicated they would avoid the French capital city in 2024 altogether.
The attitude of these experienced travelers toward Paris seemed to stem from a mix of safety concerns about potential protests and civil unrest, the anticipated crowds from the upcoming Summer Olympic Games and a general preference for less traditional travel destinations.
By Michael Sinclair
Foreign Bureau
American Airlines is moving forward with plans to integrate hydrogen-electric engines into its regional jet fleet.
The carrier announced today that it has entered into a “conditional purchase agreement” with clean aviation innovator ZeroAvia for 100 hydrogen-electric engines. The new engines are intended to power regional jet aircraft with zero inflight emissions excluding water vapor.
The engine agreement comes on the heels of a Memorandum of Understanding announced by the companies in 2022.
American Airlines also announced today that it is stepping up its investment in ZeroAvia. The carrier made its first investment in ZeroAvia back in 2022 and has since participated in the company’s Series C financing round.
ZeroAvia is developing hydrogen-electric (fuel cell-powered) engines for commercial aircraft, which offer the potential for close to zero inflight emissions, according to the statement issued today by American Airlines. The company is flight testing a prototype for a 20-seat plane and designing an engine for larger aircraft such as the Bombardier CRJ700, which American operates on certain regional routes.
Advancing the transition of commercial aviation to a low-carbon future requires investments in promising technologies, including alternate forms of propulsion,” American’s CEO Robert Isom, said in a statement.
“This announcement will help accelerate the development of technologies needed to power our industry and uphold our commitment to make American a sustainable airline so we can continue to deliver for customers for decades to come," Isom added.
The investment and conditional commitment to purchase novel engine technology comes as American seeks to achieve a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
In pursuit of that goal, the airline has embarked on a fleet renewal effort and has also made investments in sustainability, including finalizing an offtake agreement with Infinium, a producer of next-generation low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel. The airline was also the first customer in line for an innovative permanent carbon removal process pioneered by Graphyte, a startup that's backed and incubated by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers.
The only inflight emission resulting from this process is low-temperature water vapor. Additionally, the lower intensity electrical systems have the potential to offer significant cost savings.
“In signing this purchase agreement and furthering its investment, American is supporting our mission of innovation for clean aircraft propulsion and it is a good signal that ZeroAvia is delivering on our technology roadmap,” ZeroAvia founder and CEO Val Miftakhov, said in a statement today. “The solutions that can serve the largest airlines are within reach, and the clean future of flight is coming.”
By Steve Fortz
West Coast Bureau
The United States Department of State has issued a warning to all Americans who are traveling abroad – be cautious.
The warning is because of rising tensions in many parts of the world and anti-American sentiment.
This is unusual because even though warnings are usually for specific areas or regions and not worldwide, there is a heightened sense of security.
There are currently wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as terrorist attacks in the Middle East and protests on college campuses in the U.S. That’s not to mention issues in such places as Haiti and elsewhere.
The alert also mentions potential violence against the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride Month begins shortly, on June 1. There are numerous related parades and events set to take place so the State Department is urging vigilance. The department is concerned that foreign terrorist organizations will try to disrupt events.
It is also asking travelers to enroll in STEP, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, to receive real-time information and alerts.
“We are aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events and advise U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution,” the warning reads.
By Jane Pearson
East Coast Bureau
United Airlines is already the leading carrier at San Francisco International Airport.
Now the carrier is looking to expand its service.
The carrier will inaugurate service between San Francisco and Belize City, Belize. The non stop seasonal flights begin on December 21.
The flight will be once a week. They were initiated by the Belize Tourism Board and intended to boost tourism. It also opens up another market for San Francisco to draw visitors from.
“We are excited to welcome nonstop United Airlines flights from SFO to Belize,” said Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. “For Bay Area travelers seeking a warm-weather getaway this winter, United’s new service will be a welcome addition to their wide range of destinations from SFO. We thank United for their commitment to SFO and are confident this new service will be a success.”
San Francisco International Airport has been embroiled with nearby Oakland over a name change to Oakland Airport that includes the words San Francisco.
By John Stutz
West Coast Bureau
Hundreds of vacationers sailing aboard a P&O Cruises ship have fallen ill with suspected norovirus. Suffering from what’s been referred to a “vomiting bug”, reports indicate that over 150 guests are currently in isolation on board the MV Ventura, which departed from Southampton, England on May 11 for a 14-night voyage around the Canary Islands, with stops in Spain and Portugal.
An unnamed source told Metro that, in the last four days alone, around 250 suspected cases of the illness have emerged, with passengers reportedly "throwing up in public spaces" throughout the ship. Another unidentified source revealed, "This is a serious outbreak. We don't know where it came from, it has been on board for a month, maybe 5-6 weeks now, and each cruise we think it has gone, but more and more people get sick."
While they did not delve into specifics, a P&O spokesperson did confirm to Business Insider that numerous passengers had reported "gastrointestinal symptoms" on board. They stated that, "upon embarkation, all guests were provided with an advisory notice with precautionary health measures for on board and on shore."
Regarding the current outbreak, P&O told the Mirror that it had activated a phased and prove approach that is “appropriate to the specific scenario”. A spokesperson said that the cruise line had "implemented proven and enhanced sanitisation protocols" and that a “further extended and enhanced sanitisation took place in Tenerife" while the ship was docked on Friday.
Although norovirus has not been confirmed as the cause of the contagion, it is a likely culprit for the spread of such symptoms aboard cruise ships. Also called the “vomiting bug”, it’s a highly transmissible virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea, which can spread through close contact with an infected person, touching your mouth after contact with contaminated surfaces or consuming contaminated food.
In close quarters, like those aboard a cruise ship, norovirus can spread especially rapidly. It’s worth noting that the United Kingdom (UK) saw a spike in norovirus activity last month. "Between weeks 14 to 17 of 2024, the total number of norovirus laboratory reports was 75% higher than the 5-season average for the same 4-week period," according to UK government report.
So, the virus could readily have made its way on board the Ventura in recent weeks and the vessel’s ongoing outbreak is not an entirely isolated incident. As far back as February, more than 120 passengers aboard Cunard's Queen Victoria cruise ship experienced similar symptoms, the cause of which was later confirmed to be norovirus. And, in January, 100 passengers and crew likewise came down with norovirus on board a Celebrity Cruises ship as it sailed roundtrip from Tampa to New Orleans and down through the Western Caribbean.
Altogether, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented six separate outbreaks of gastrointestinal diseases on cruise ships, five of which were attributed to norovirus, while one was reported to have been caused by E. coli. This underscores the challenge that cruise lines face in preventing and managing such infections, despite their stringent health protocols and sanitation measures.
By Suze Miller
Foreign Bureau
Icelandic budget carrier Play is observing Memorial Day with a special flash sale, which offers travelers the chance to book one-way flights to Europe for as low as $99. This promotion, which ends at 12:00 a.m. ET on May 27, covers travel dates from August through December 2024. It also extends to some of the Continent’s most sought-after destinations, including such as France, England, Iceland, Ireland, Germany, Greece and others.
“Summer is finally here and Play challenges travelers to get ahead on their shoulder season trips to take advantage of low prices and a calmer time of the year to visit top tourist destinations,” Einar Örn Ólafsson, Play’s CEO, told Travel + Leisure. “Getaways during the fall and winter are a perfect time to unwind after a hectic summer, and Play wants to make these trips more affordable with this Memorial Day Discount to kick off summer and travel planning.”
The sale includes $99 one-way flights to Reykjavik and $129 one-way flights to other popular European cities, such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, London and Paris. These discounted flights are available from all of Play’s U.S. gateway airports, which include Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Play, which began operating in Europe in 2021 and launched its first U.S. flight the following year, uses a hub-and-spoke model wherein all flights connect through Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik before proceeding to various destinations across Europe. The airline currently serves more than two dozen European cities, offering a range of options for travelers looking to explore the Continent.
As a low-cost carrier, Play’s pricing is per flight leg, and it charges extra for such additional services as checked baggage, food and drinks, allowing travelers to customize their flying experience according to their budget and preferences.
And, while this limited-time deal will enable you to get to Europe without breaking the bank, it does come with some restrictions. Importantly, to qualify for the sale prices, travelers must book roundtrip flights, even though the pricing as listed is for one-way travel.
Would-be travelers should also note that the exact travel dates available and applicable blackout periods vary depending upon the destination. For instance, flights to Iceland, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London and Paris are available on Mondays from August 19 to November 25, and from December 2 to December 16.
By Richard Alexander
West Coast Bureau
The private Boeing 757 owned by former United States President Donald Trump clipped another corporate airplane while taxiing at West Palm Beach International Airport in Florida on Sunday.
According to Reuters.com, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson confirmed that a privately-owned Boeing 757 was involved in an accident that saw it collide with an unoccupied corporate jet parked at the south Florida airport.
FAA representatives did not confirm that the former president owned the plane, but an investigation has been launched regarding the incident. The spokesperson said the contact occurred at an area of West Palm Beach Airport where the FAA does not direct planes.
A report from The Palm Beach Post found that a separate online FAA report said the Boeing 757 “struck the rear elevator of a parked VistaJet.” The same report indicated that no one was injured in the incident.
Trump’s Boeing 757 was purchased in 2010 for $100 million and heavily customized with “gold plated accents, two private guestrooms, three bathrooms, dining and conference areas and an extensive entertainment system.”
With Trump looking to become president again in November, TravelPulse’s Mia Taylor spoke with travel professionals to find out how they think a second term in office might impact the industry.
By Eric Hanson
Foreign Bureau
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is on board.
The FAA has given its approval to start construction on a second airport in the Las Vegas area.
This will be an executive airport just outside the city. This new airport will service single engine and multi-engine planes, as well as rotocraft (like helicopters) and accommodate aircraft that could not normally fit at Harry Reid International, formerly McCarran Airport, especially on huge tourist days like the Formula 1 race and the Super Bowl.
Las Vegas is hoping to lure a national Basketball Association franchise. It recently hosted its first Grand Prix race. Las Vegas has professional sports franchises in the National Hockey League and the National Football League and the Women’s National Basketball Association, and is in negotiations to get the Oakland Athletics baseball franchise to relocate.
Las Vegas is already an important tourist city to visit, and it draws almost 41 million tourists per year. The city also has a plethora of high-profile events. It was estimated that in 2023 more than 57 million people arrived in Las Vegas by airplane.
Construction on the new airport is slated to begin later this fall now that it has much of the approvals in place. It will be located about 30 miles from the city limits.
Robert Lauer, CEO of the Las Vegas Spaceport said, “This is a major step toward creating a space economy that will lead to thousands of high-paying jobs in our community, our county, and our state.”
The Spaceport is a $310 million project that hopes to attract space tourism. It will be in close proximity to, but separate from, the new airport.
By Dorothy Sheridan
East Coast Bureau
Americans left the country more this spring than they did before the pandemic, according to new passenger volume data released by The National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO).
The new data focused on the month of April and found that over 8 million Americans left in April to travel internationally, an 8 percent increase from April 2023 and 106.3 percent higher than in April of 2019, prior to the pandemic.
Of the departures made in April, 38.5 percent left for Mexico, while 20.2 percent left for Europe. Canada is receiving an increase in popularity, with a 12.9 percent growth in visitation from Americans from April 2023.
We’ve seen an increased desire for international travel among Americans since the pandemic ended and confidence once again grew for travel as a whole, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
The NTTO reports a strong statistic supporting that confidence: April was the 37th consecutive month that the total number of Americans traveling internationally grew on a year-over-year basis. This might indicate that the international travel trend is only growing the farther removed we are from the pandemic era.
NTTO data from March 2024 found much the same, with a 20 percent increase in Americans traveling internationally compared to March of 2019. The data also reported a growth in Americans heading to Europe, especially.
It’s not just an American trend, either. April data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) found that international air travel demand grew nearly 16 percent globally year over year.
Travelers heading to America from other countries increased 5.2 percent in April compared to the year prior, for a total of 5.88 million travelers. Yet that’s still 83.6 percent of the pre-pandemic number, which indicates that while other countries are seeing international visitor growth the likes of which exceed their pre-pandemic average, America is still far behind.
By Alex Johnson
East Coast Bureau
There have been plenty of crazy travel stories that prove why it's always wise to book with a travel advisor.
The latest involves a recent viral TikTok post from user @girlgoingtravel in which she racked up more than one million views chronicling a passport emergency after she accidentally sent the document through the washer and dryer.
"The anxiety of having a damaged passport five days before my trip to Thailand was eating me alive," the voice says in a clip. "I was so anxious I got there the night before and stayed in a hotel so that I could be there nice and early for my 9:30 a.m. appointment. I think it's really important to be there early because the line was really long."
Fortunately for the woman in this instance, everything worked out. "I will say the whole experience was so much more pleasant than I had expected it to be. I handed everything over. They told me to come back at 1 p.m. so I did," the voice says.
Nonetheless, surging travel demand has led to longer wait times for passports in some cases and many travelers aren't always lucky enough to secure a same-day or last-minute appointment. That's where it helps to have an experienced travel advisor in your corner.
That decision was vital for one traveler who lost her passport just days before her son's destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
"Leveraging my connections, I secured Mrs. Thompson an appointment for the next morning, ensuring she could be present for her son's special day. She received her passport that same day," says Cari Miles, Owner/ Travel Stylist Miles In Style Travel, a NEST affiliate.
Accidents happen but a trusted travel advisor can take the anxiety out of incidents like losing or damaging a passport ahead of an international trip by putting their experience and contacts to work.
By Carla Martilotti
Foreign Bureau
Passengers aboard a Delta flight bound for Amsterdam were served spoiled food and received treatment from emergency medical responders.
Delta Flight 136, which departed from Detroit around 11 p.m Tuesday was rerouted to New York City where it landed at about 4 a.m.
The spoiled food was served to passengers in the Main Cabin as part of the in-flight meal service, according to a Local12 news report.
Meanwhile, a Delta Air Lines spokesperson told USA Today: “This is not the service Delta is known for and we sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience and delay in their travels."
In total, 12 passengers were treated as a result of the spoiled food ingestion, FDNY told The Associated Press. It is unknown however, exactly how many of the 277 passengers onboard may have eaten a contaminated meal.
CBS New York has reported that about 70 people became sick and that "black mold" was seen on the food.
Delta’s spokesperson said the airline’s food safety personnel are investigating the incident in order to “immediately isolate” any contamination.
By Glenn Tune
East Coast Bureau
The arrival of warmer temperatures and longer days with the start of summer means travelers have lots of options when it comes to picking the perfect destination this June.
Whether partaking in an exciting event, celebrating Dad on Father's Day or simply escaping the daily grind for a long weekend, there's no shortage of exciting places to explore this month.
The first day of summer isn't until June 20 but travelers can celebrate the season all month long in places like St. Augustine and Florida's Historic Coast.
The 42 miles of amazing beaches stretching from Ponte Vedra south to Marineland are getting refreshed and the region will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act with special exhibits and tours throughout the month.
Travelers can also enjoy salty breezes and summer fun without the crowds in Ogunquit, Maine. The charming New England town is known for its LGBTQ+ friendliness, with its third annual Pride Weekend kicking off June 1.
Meanwhile, The Dunes on The Waterfront offers luxe cottages where visitors can make the most of their trip with an on-site heated pool, fishing, kayaking, waterfront yoga and much more.
Father's Day is Sunday, June 16 and travelers can celebrate all weekend with a special getaway to Mexico. Book a three-night stay at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit and take advantage of a complimentary upgrade to the next suite category, a tequila tasting experience, an 80-minute Golf Ball Massage, access to hydrotherapy and a 10 percent discount on golf, among other perks.
For a truly unique Father's Day vacation, consider SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites, where dads can look forward to a relaxing experience in the beautiful wine country of Mendoza, Argentina. It's the only wine hotel in Latin America with integrated spa features, including in-room spa services, steam rooms, sensation showers, locally made bath amenities and curated wine fridges.
Domestically, families can check out Mohegan Sun's Sun BBQ Fest from June 15-16. The Connecticut casino and resort will celebrate dads with smoky flavors, ice-cold beer, delicious cocktails and live music each night. Dads will also love the Mohegan Sun Golf Club and Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook.
Start the month in London for one of the biggest soccer matches of the year when Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid square off in the UEFA Champions League final to crown a European club champion on June 1. England's capital city is a bucket list destination for most travelers and this showdown at Wembley Stadium is yet another reason to venture across the pond.
Two weeks later the UEFA Euro 2024 soccer championship will kick off in Germany. The month-long tournament will take place in 10 cities throughout the country, including Berlin and Munich, among others.
Golf fans won't want to miss the 2024 U.S. Open taking place Father's Day Weekend from June 13-16. This year's major championship will be held in Pinehurst, North Carolina for the first time in a decade.
For those who can't wait for the Summer Olympics in Paris, the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in track and field will be held in Eugene, Oregon from June 21-30. With an average high temperature of 74 degrees in June, this college town is a runner's paradise so don't forget to pack a pair of sneakers.
Reno Tahoe will be the place to be this June as the region will host the Reno River Festival from June 7-9 with a celebration of culture, cuisine and interactive experiences that include an adventure park, local food trucks and art vendors, a music festival, and the famous Great Reno River Rally guided rafting tour down the scenic Truckee River.
Visitors can stick around for the annual BBQ, Brews and Blues Festival from June 14-15 and the Reno Rodeo, which will be held from June 20-29 and feature a rodeo competition, carnival, kick-off concert and a Western marketplace.
On the other side of the country, Alexandria, Virginia will celebrate the Portside in Old Town Summer Festival on June 21-22 with live music, local craft beer and fun for the entire family. Visitors can also stroll the waterfront, explore parks and art installations and sample mouthwatering bites at local restaurants.
Travelers also won't want to miss the Arts, Eats & Beats celebration at Couples Swept Away in Negril, Jamaica from June 18-22. Highlights will include live music, unique culinary experiences and even a mixology masterclass.
Looking for an adventure this June? Travel to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, a 2,550-acre nature preserve just outside of Atlanta boasting miles and miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, water activities on the South River, junior ranger programs and can't-miss cultural sites like the Monastery of the Holy Spirit and Bruce Street School.
For perhaps a more intense adventure, you can head to one of the nation's least-visited protected lands in Alaska's Lake Clark National Park for the start of grizzly bear season. Natural Habitat Adventures will guide you on a six-day once-in-a-lifetime adventure that includes daily bear-viewing experiences, stays in deluxe tent cabins and chef-prepared gourmet meals.
By Cedric Johnson
West Coast Bureau
Security identity company CLEAR has expanded its official TSA PreCheck enrollment services to six new airports across the nation, totalling 33 TSA PreCheck enrollment locations nationwide.
The new locations include Boise Airport (BOI), Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP).
"TSA PreCheck with enrollment by CLEAR provides a fast and efficient airport experience," said CLEAR CEO Caryn Seidman-Becker. "This is a win-win for U.S. travelers who will have access to more enrollment locations, expanded hours and other benefits."
CLEAR became an authorized TSA PreCheck enrollment provider on April 30, and has since begun expanding the service to locations across the nation.
TSA PreCheck travelers enjoy a variety of benefits when going through airport security checkpoints, including keeping their shoes, belts and light jackets on their bodies, and keeping their electronics and liquids in their carry-on bags.
CLEAR’s full list of TSA PreCheck enrollment locations and times of availability are listed below:
By Rick Jetters
East Coast Bureau
A strange, green liquid dripping from a ceiling momentarily halted operations at Miami International Airport on Thursday.
The incident happened in Concourse G.
The liquid turned out to be from a broken pipe, airport officials said. It was not hazardous.
Gross, but not hazardous.
The liquid turned out to be water from the air conditioning system that has a green dye so that it can be traced to its source in the event of a leak.
Airport maintenance workers had the situation under control and cleaned up in 90 minutes.
Weather and precipitation delays are common at airports, and airlines are trying to be more predictive, but rarely are they green.