Allegiant Air Launches New Fall Routes, Florida Destination

---

By Eric Hanson

Foreign Bureau

Budget travelers will have a wealth of new flight options for getaways this fall, thanks to Allegiant Air’s latest route expansion. 

The low-cost carrier just announced seven new routes that will launch in November and connect the Midwest and East Coast with Florida, with introductory one-way fares as low as $49. Allegiant will also add a new destination in Florida to its route map this fall: Fort Myers, which sits on the southwest coast of the Sunshine State.

The airline will launch three new routes to Fort Myers via Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). Starting November 13, Allegiant will operate nonstop flights from Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Fort Myers. Then on November 21, the carrier will begin nonstop service to Fort Myers from both Wisconsin’s Appleton International Airport (ATW) and Iowa’s Des Moines International Airport (DSM). Fares on all three routes are as low as with fares as low as $69 one way.

Allegiant only operates nonstop flights on a point-to-point route network, meaning passengers never have to worry about stressful connections. All of the new flights will also offer nonstop service.

Another key part of the airline’s business model is to add routes to domestic leisure destinations from smaller regional airports. “This expansion reflects our commitment to connecting underserved communities with affordable, convenient travel options," said Drew Wells, Allegiant's chief commercial officer. "By adding Fort Myers and increasing service to multiple beach cities, we're providing travelers nonstop access to sunny destinations, meaning they spend less time at the airport and more time on vacation."

Allegiant will also add four new routes between existing destinations in its network. The airline will begin operating two additional new routes on November 21, including flights between New Orleans and Punta Gorda, Florida, as well as service from Nashville to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Fares on those two routes are as low as $49 one way for a limited time.

On November 20, the carrier will launch new nonstop service between Sarasota, Florida, and Toledo, Ohio, as well as flights between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Introductory fares on both routes start at $59 one way.

To score the cheapest fares, travelers must book their flights by July 30, 2025, for travel by February 10, 2026.

By Suzanne Edgewater

West Coast Bureau

U.S. travel companies are sharing higher fourth-quarter revenue growth projections as budget-conscious Americans once again began booking their vacations in July. 

While summer is typically a busy travel season across much of the globe, the United States is the only country where that isn’t true this year, with the industry facing declines across the board in hotel revenue, domestic air passenger demand and, especially, international travel. 

American consumer confidence also dropped to record lows this year, but July seemed to bring back optimism for U.S. travel companies.  

According to Reuters, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Hilton and Wyndham all saw higher bookings in July and expect stronger fourth-quarter revenue growth than before. 

During the beginning of the year, when economic uncertainty was at its height, many of these companies chose to forgo issuing a full-year financial prediction at all, tempered by the Trump Administration’s trade war and international travelers’ cooling desires to visit the U.S. 

While Southwest’s financials are below 2024 levels, it noted in its second-quarter earnings report that it believes that air travel demand has leveled. While United showed declines due to the Newark flight incidents, it also remained optimistic for the rest of the year, noting that budget-conscious travelers are once again booking flights. 

“The world is less uncertain today than it was during the first six months of 2025 and that gives us confidence about a strong finish to the year,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. 

The airlines offering premium experiences, such as Delta, all cite these premium offerings as major reasons for their second-quarter financial success. 

Hotel giant Hilton projected the same confidence for the rest of the year, noting in its second-quarter financial report that while RevPAR was down, it raised its full-year profit forecast due to the United States’ current, and less chaotic, economic status. 

There are still some warning signs, however. While American travelers are bouncing back, key markets for the United States, including Canada, parts of Europe and Southeast Asia are all reporting declines as travelers cite fear of being detained, gun violence or distrust of the current presidential administration as main reasons why they won’t be visiting this year. 

By John Stutz

West Coast Bureau

The definition of luxury travel varies. And for LGBTQ+ globe-trotters, it’s about much more than sumptuous hotels and first-class airline seats.

“Luxury travel for LGBTQ+ travelers carries a deeper layer,” said Duncan Greenfield-Turk, chief travel designer and CEO for Global Travel Moments, a travel agency specializing in upscale travel. “It goes beyond suites, yachts or star ratings. It’s about emotional safety and cultural respect.”

Indeed, these travelers must consider factors that many others wouldn’t even think about. 

“I have a client who refuses to travel to any destination where being queer is criminalized—not just out of principle, but out of fear,” Greenfield-Turk explained. “That means every trip we design is reviewed with a safety lens first.”

Scott Wismont, founder and luxury travel specialist for Rainbow Getaways, echoes that sentiment. 

“It’s not truly luxurious if you’re second-guessing whether you can hold your partner’s hand at dinner, or if a resort is going to ‘welcome’ you by switching your king suite to two doubles,” he said. “We’re not just looking for five-star properties. We’re looking for five-star properties that are affirming, celebratory and create space for us to be fully ourselves.”

Wismont of Rainbow Getaways praises the positive changes he has seen in the travel, hospitality and tourism industries. 

“The biggest shift has been from tolerance to celebration,” he said. “We’re seeing more inclusive marketing, better staff training and curated experiences specifically designed with queer travelers in mind. Another significant evolution is visibility: LGBTQ+ luxury travelers are no longer a niche audience hidden in plain sight. We’re proudly front and center, and the industry is starting to reflect that.”

Laurie Whann of Grand Luxe Destinations, a NEST affiliate travel agency[1] , seeks out businesses and organizations that are openly supportive of this segment. 

“Luxury travel for LGBTQ+ clients isn’t just about five-star hotels,” she said. “My goal is always to craft trips where my clients feel respected and cared for—not just with amazing service, but also with thoughtful, inclusive touches that affirm who they are.”

Greenfield-Turk of Global Travel Moments notes that LGBTQ+ travelers can see through false gestures to attract business—especially during times like Pride Month, when many companies try to jump on the rainbow-hued bandwagon. His clients “are highly attuned to authenticity and will not tolerate pinkwashing or performative inclusion,” he says. 

“They pay close attention to which brands stand with the LGBTQ+ community year-round, not just during Pride,” he said.

The desire for authenticity has led to increased demand for immersive, meaningful travel, according to Greenfield-Turk. 

“We’ve seen a real shift from travel as escapism to travel as connection,” he said. “Now, our clients want meaningful cultural immersion and a deeper understanding of queer stories in the destinations they visit.”

Whann of Grand Luxe Destinations says her clients are also looking for new experiences. 

“Today’s LGBTQ+ travelers, especially younger ones, want culturally rich, authentic and affirming experiences that reflect who they are,” she said. “There’s a real focus on wellness, sustainability and destinations that feel both safe and celebratory.”

Upscale LGBTQ+ travelers today are gravitating toward experiences that are both luxurious and deeply meaningful, Whann adds.

Private group buyouts, boutique hotel stays and small-ship cruises are also growing in popularity, according to Wismont. 

“These trips offer the perfect blend of luxury, privacy and community,” he said, adding that upscale adventure travel is also on the rise.

Increasingly, LGBTQ+ travel is also fueled by a desire for meaningful and personally resonant experiences, Greenfield-Turk says. 

“Transformational travel is having a huge moment,” he said. “One of the most moving itineraries I’ve curated recently was for a mother and her trans son: a discovery trip in Thailand centered on reconnection and rebuilding trust. He was preparing to move back to the U.S., and this journey gave them a space to heal and rediscover their bond in a destination that embraced them fully. These are the moments that define luxury for our clients today.”

Industry insiders point to a growing list of luxury hotels that embrace inclusivity. Greenfield-Turk, for example, praises luxury brands such as Four Seasons, Belmond and Rosewood for their dedication to diversity. 

“They consistently deliver inclusive service at every touchpoint, and that makes a world of difference,” he said.

Independent hotels like Volga in Mexico City, meanwhile, seek certification from organizations that provide sensitivity training, such as Queer Destinations.

An ever-wider variety of destinations also appeal to upscale LGBTQ+ travelers with inclusive imagery and marketing; organizations from Discover Puerto Rico and the Guadalajara Convention and Visitors Bureau to Tourism Australia and Explore France feature robust listings for queer travelers, and back it up with an array of welcoming luxury hotels, tours and attractions.

No matter where upscale LGBTQ+ travelers go, Whann says that one factor remains consistent. 

“In the end, luxury isn’t about what’s offered,” she said. “It’s about the freedom to be your authentic self while exploring the world.”

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 Dorothy Sheridan

East Coast Bureau

A recent survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies reveals that a some Canadians no longer feel welcome or safe travelling to the United States.

The poll involved 1,626 respondents across Canada, between May 1 and 3, 2025. Its findings indicate that a significant number of Canadians feel less inclined to travel to the U.S. due to current political tensions and safety concerns. 

This sentiment aligns with broader trends observed in Canadian travel behaviour, as reported in various news outlets.

The Associated Press reports that there were over 910,000 fewer land border crossings from Canada into the U.S. in March 2025 compared to March 2024, marking a decline of more than 22%, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.

Since President Trump returned to office, his administration's policies and rhetoric have created tension in U.S.-Canada relations, resulting in a notable decline in cross-border travel. 

==

“There’s a little nationalism there I guess, perhaps,” Trump told reporters about the travel drop-off at the Oval Office in April. “It’s not a big deal.”

In March, the Government of Canada revised its travel advice for the United States. Although the advisory for travellers heading into the U.S. remained at a green "take normal precautions" level, the "entry and exit" section of the page was significantly expanded.

Several factors contribute to Canadians' reluctance to visit the U.S., including aggressive immigration enforcement, rising tariffs, and reports of tourists being detained at the border. 

Incidents like the 12-day detention of Canadian tourist Jasmine Mooney have heightened anxieties. New requirements mandating Canadians entering the U.S. for more than 30 days to register with authorities and be fingerprinted have further discouraged travel.

The economic impact of this decline is substantial. 

Politico reports that tourism was initially projected to have an 8.8% increase in international visitation to the U.S. for 2025 but has since revised its forecast to a 9.4% decrease, with Canadian travel expected to fall by over 20%, potentially resulting in a USD$9 billion loss in revenue. 

U.S. border towns and tourism-dependent States are experiencing significant downturns, with businesses reporting up to a 90% drop in bookings. 

Trump has publicly downplayed the trend, attributing the drop to “a little nationalism” and calling it no big deal during a recent Oval Office press briefing.

“There’s a little nationalism there I guess, perhaps,” he told reporters about the travel dropoff at the Oval Office in April. “It’s not a big deal.”

Several U.S. hotels are lowering prices and offering exclusive promotions to charm more Canadians.

California launched a “California Loves Canada” campaign to attract Canadian travellers back. Hawai'i Tourism Canada is focusing its marketing efforts on highlighting Hawai'i's unique cultural, natural, and experiential offerings for the Canadian audience. 

For more detailed information on the survey and its findings, visit the Association for Canadian Studies' official website.

By Stephen Miller

West Coast Bureau

A Delta Air Lines co-pilot was escorted from the cockpit of an airplane and arrested on the night of July 26 by local law enforcement and Homeland Security, with five charges of child sex crimes. 

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the pilot, who is now identified as 34-year-old Rustom Bhagwagar, was co-piloting DL2809 from Minneapolis to San Francisco. The flight had just landed after a delayed approach due to fog at around 9:35 p.m. when law enforcement agents boarded the plane and went straight for the cockpit, arresting Bhagwagar. 

A passenger witness in first class counted at least ten law enforcement officers, including those identifying as air marshals and agents from the Homeland Security Investigations San Francisco. They arrested the co-pilot and escorted him out of the plane, then another team collected his belongings. 

The passenger described the incident as “shocking and unnerving.” 

A short video of his escort out of the cockpit was shared with A View From the Wing.

According to the passenger witness, the remaining pilot seemed shocked at the incident and told passengers he had “no idea what just happened.” 

USATODAY reports that Bhagwagar is currently being held on $5 million bail. His victim is reported to be under ten years of age.

Delta released a statement, saying, "We are appalled by reports of the charges related to the arrest." 

By Cedric Johnson

West Coast Bureau

Authorities are investigating a recent death that occurred aboard the Carnival Dream, a Carnival Cruise Line ship that sails out of Galveston, Texas. While details remain limited, the FBI has confirmed it's looking into the matter and working alongside multiple agencies. So far, officials have not revealed whether this fatality could be the result of any criminal activity.

The incident reportedly occurred on July 23, while the ship was sailing a popular western Caribbean itinerary with stops in Costa Maya, Belize and Cozumel. Some guests reported being jolted awake by emergency sirens in the early morning hours—around 3:00 or 4:00 a.m.—followed by an announcement requesting medical help on the ship's Serenity Deck.

“I can confirm FBI Houston is aware of an incident that occurred around July 23, 2025, on the Carnival Dream cruise ship,” a spokesperson for the FBI’s Houston office said, according to KATU. “An FBI maritime liaison agent, based out of the Texas City resident agency, is coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and the cruise line regarding this incident.”

Carnival Cruise Line responded to rumors surrounding the incident with a statement, which read, "There is no investigation about a suspicious death on Carnival Dream and it's disappointing to learn that any guests might be spreading rumors about something they know nothing about."

The FBI is the main federal agency responsible for investigating possible crimes that occur at sea. Whether or not it steps in depends on various factors, including where the ship was located at the time, where it embarked and debarked, and the nationalities of those involved. In some cases, other countries may also have jurisdiction and choose to investigate themselves.