FAA Warns Total Solar Eclipse Could Impact Air Travel

The U.S. Travel Association revealed a sneak peek of the return its Daily Getaways program, which is set to officially launch on April 15.

Accurate weather forecasts for Monday’s path of totality weren’t available until a few days ago, but scientists have confirmed that cumulus clouds over land begin to disappear almost instantly when a partial solar eclipse begins.

Texas is the best place for the total solar eclipse, right? It has a higher chance of clear skies. Whether that holds true or the presumed-to-be-cloudy northeast U.S. and Canada are now back in play is up in the air.

It’s the month we’ve all been waiting for. In just a few days, the total solar eclipse will delight skywatchers along a 100-mile-wide strip of North America, known as the path of totality. This April 8 marvel is expected to draw tens of millions of viewers — especially since the contiguous U.S. won’t see another total solar eclipse until 2044.

Can April 8’s total solar eclipse be explained using emojis? Of course! First came the “Map of Nope” meme to explain the intricacies of the rare celestial event. It proved hugely popular when I shared it on this page. In its wake comes the “Emoji Map” that successfully turns complicated science into a simple visual.

If you haven’t experienced a total solar eclipse, you haven’t lived.

Southwest Airlines announced the return of its Companion Pass promotion. 

As the world prepares for the 2024 Summer Olympics from Paris between July 26 and August 11, Air France is expanding service to the United States and North America to support the increased demand.

Although a federal judge dashed his hopes for a merger with JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines’ chief commercial officer still believes that more airline consolidation will come.

A rep shows off tech device accessories. (Photo Credit: Lark Gould)

With measles making a global comeback - cases increased 79 percent in 2023 - the CDC is issuing new guidelines for those planning to travel abroad.“Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles,” says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, adding: “The majority of measles cases imported into the United States occur in unvaccinated U.S. residents who become infected during international travel.”In particular, the CDC website says Americans who intend to visit other countries should consult with a doctor six weeks prior if there’s any question about whether they’ve had the measles vaccine. Travelers are at risk of contracting measles if they've not been fully vaccinated two weeks ahead of traveling abroad, says the agency's travel advisory.“All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.In another notable update, Russia and Malaysia have been added to the CDC’s map of 46 countries that are experiencing a significant uptick in measles cases. Some of the additional countries where health officials have reported large measles outbreaks include Afghanistan, Armenia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Qatar, Saudia Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. To view the full list of countries experiencing a significant measles outbreak, visit the CDC website.And if you do travel abroad and develop any of the following symptoms, the CDC recommends seeking medical care:

As part of its Nonstop to Net Zero effort, Southwest Airlines is signing on to a project that's been dubbed the Hawaii Seaglider Initiative.A new mode of transportation designed to combine the speed of an aircraft with the “relatively lower cost of a boat to reduce the time and cost” of transporting travelers, seagliders are all-electric, zero-emission vessels. They operate exclusively over water and can move at up to 180 miles-per-hour, which dramatically reduces travel time. Seagliders function by floating on their hull before transitioning to “wave-tolerant underwater hydrofoils” and then take flight at ultra-low altitudes about 30- to 60-feet above the surface of the water. The vessels are being designed by Rhode Island based manufacturer REGENT.The Hawaii Seaglider Initiative (HSI) was first announced in January and includes a broad coalition of partners. Some of the high-profile corporate and community partners supporting the effort include AES Hawaiʻi, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii Building & Constructions Trades Council, Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association, Japan Airlines, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, Mokulele Airlines, Molokaʻi Chamber of Commerce, Polynesian Adventure, and United Airlines.