With the announcement of a refresh to the American Express® Gold Card came a number of (not all bad) changes to one of our favorite premium cards, with new statement credits to go along with an increased annual fee.
16.07.2024 - 02:38 / euronews.com / Saskia ODonoghue
We’re getting ever closer to 6 October - the day when the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to come into force for travellers.
From that date, EES - an electronic system which will replace the physical stamping of passports when you go through passport control - will be compulsory for many non-EU citizens.
All EU member states except Cyprus and Ireland, where passports will still be stamped manually, and all four non-EU Schengen countries - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland - will take part.
From 6 October, when you arrive in a new country, you’ll need to provide your passport as always, alongside having a photo of your face taken and your fingerprints scanned electronically.
All entries and exits to and from the participating European countries will be recorded, which effectively means your movements will be registered every time you cross a border in or out of the EU or Schengen area.
While the decision to implement the scheme has not received entirely positive feedback - with some people saying they’re “put off” the idea of travelling in Europe because of it - travel companies have been laying out their plans ahead of its arrival.
That includes cross-Channel train service Eurostar, which recently announced its tactics to make the EES work as seamlessly as possible.
Here’s everything we know so far about how they’re planning to handle the change.
Eurostar transported 18.6 million passengers in 2023 and the company is keen to make customers aware that the extra EES processes will be “seamlessly integrated into existing check-in times”, promising “zero seconds lost on departure”.
At its London hub, St Pancras station, Eurostar has already put in place dedicated spaces for the EES registration process. It also assures passengers that there will be “specially-trained staff available at all times”.
The existing Eurostar system is unique in that it already has representatives for both British and European border forces at each terminal.
In simple terms, that means if you’re leaving London and arriving in Paris, you only need to show your passport to two lots of border staff in London and are able to walk off the train and straight into the French capital on arrival with no extra checks.
While Eurostar is working on making the EES process as painless as possible, it marks a significant change to its operations.
As well as doubling the number of border staff, the company will also double the number of manual booths at the London hub and the kiosks at its Paris and Brussels stations, while the number of e-gates will go up too.
At St Pancras, though, this change will look very different.
There isn’t space for all of the new EES kiosks, up to 49 from 24, in their usual location, so they’ll be
With the announcement of a refresh to the American Express® Gold Card came a number of (not all bad) changes to one of our favorite premium cards, with new statement credits to go along with an increased annual fee.
While Southwest just announced changes to its seating program (gone are the days of seat free-for-alls), one thing that hasn’t changed is its beverage program. The jostle of the cart, the “what would you like?” and the “ice or no ice?” But while you wait for your drink, you might be interested to know that the service starts in certain rows, and those rows are well-known before a flight. So yes, you can get your drink first.
JetBlue is on the move with new flight routes, while saying goodbye to others. Ahead of the winter travel season, the airline will add a variety of new routes to popular destinations such as Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Phoenix. “These moves underscore JetBlue's commitment to refining its network while leveraging its award-winning experience,” the airline shared in a release announcing the news. In the New York area, the airline will begin new service from Long Island’s MacArthur Airport (ISP), with a new daily flight to Orlando, and also service to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and West Palm Beach (VPS) four times a week.
A popular international airline just announced a major upgrade for business class passengers.Turkish Airlines revealed its new Crystal Business Class Suite during the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom. For the first time, the business class will have an adjustable sliding door which will offer more privacy in the cabin. The seat has a 22” television screen, and 23” of seat width, which make the suite comfortable for sitting or when extended into a bed for sleeping.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, July 26, and here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Southwest Airlines just announced a monumental shift in its passenger experience. The Dallas-based carrier said on July 25 that it plans to soon introduce seat assignments, as well as premium extra-legroom areas on board its fleet of narrow-body aircraft.
As a kid who dreamed of being a professional artist, I spent hours at an abandoned dairy farm near my childhood home.
Jul 25, 2024 • 11 min read
One of the most notable new attractions on a cruise ship won't be opening.
North Korea plans to open its much-talked about Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone within the next 12 months. The tourist site is set for an inauguration on May 2025, state media reported on Thursday.
It just got easier to visit the «world’s greatest open-air museum.» Luxor, Egypt is known for its massive historical temples, the nearby Valley of the Kings, stone statues, and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Now, thanks to a newly introduced flight route from low-cost carrier easyJet, travelers to the region will have direct access from London's Gatwick airport.
Skift Global Forum – happening September 17-19, 2024 in New York City – is an essential event for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in the travel industry.