I commuted by helicopter in New York City. It was convenient and luxurious, but I can see why some locals hate the flights.

Like so many modern couples, Gabriella Lourie and GT Svanikier met first on a dating app. It was the summer of 2020 in Brooklyn, and COVID-19 was ravaging the city, so their first date was spent outdoors. Their “big pandemic love story,” as Gabriella puts it, was sealed with an engagement on New Year’s Day 2023. But they faced a problem as they began to plan—their families and friends were scattered around the world: Gabriella has lived in Massachusetts, Washington, DC, and New York, while GT was born in Ghana and also has lived in DC and New York. Their guest list included folks on the West Coast of the US as well as in Europe, so “it made sense to bring everyone to a neutral territory, a place we knew relatively well,” says Gabriella. “We knew a lot of our friends and family wanted to go to Turks and Caicos at some point, so the stars aligned,” for a destination wedding.

There has been a flurry of new, and exciting, airline routes launched over the last several months. From Icelandair’s Miami to Reykjavík route, to American Airlines’ New York City to Charleston, SC, there are new routes for every type of traveler. However, despite the new routes, some airlines have been cutting back services Avelo Airlines, a Houston-based discount carrier, recently confirmed to Travel + Leisure that it would cut back service from Connecticut's Bradley International Airport. The airline will exit its routes to Wilmington International Airport in Wilmington, NC (ILM) as well as Concord-Padgett Regional Airport in Concord, NC (USA). Both routes will end on March 30, 2025, and passengers with tickets after this date can contact the airline for rebooking. The changes come as Avelo says it will refocus their efforts on only international departures from the Bradley International Airport, and operate domestic flights from New Haven, CT at the Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN).  The airline will also end routes from Wilmington Airport (ILG) in New Castle, DE to both Concord, NC (USA) and Atlanta, GA (ATL).  All four of the routes generated low demand, according to an airline spokesperson.

Getting to Mexico just got easier—and cheaper. Volaris Airlines, a major carrier throughout Mexico, recently announced dozens of new routes from the United States, with a major expansion that including the launch of service at New York/Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). From Newark, the airline will begin service to Guadalajara, Mexico and San Salvador, El Salvador.

Porter Airlines recently announced a new flight between New York City’s Newark International Airport (EWR) and Montréal Trudeau Airport (YUL). The new route takes off on June 1, 2025, and will operate daily, before expanding to twice daily during peak season. The flight will be operated on a Dash 8-400 aircraft.  The flights will operate seasonally for the summer travel season through September 7, 2025.

This essay is a part of Companion Fare, a series of personal stories about nonromantic love and travel.

If you're a JetBlue loyalist, you've probably noticed that you have not previously been able to redeem JetBlue TrueBlue points on the airline's least expensive fare option, Blue Basic (JetBlue's version of basic economy). Starting this week though, that has changed. JetBlue now has TrueBlue points redemptions available for every class of service — and we're seeing redemptions for as low as 700 points for Blue Basic.

Just days after JetBlue filed plans to exit perhaps the most iconic domestic business route, American Airlines is coming to fill the void.

Birthdays usually involve receiving gifts, but one airline is giving them out for a special celebration. JetBlue is turning 25 and is rolling out discounts and deals every day this week in celebration of the achievement. For today’s limited-time deal, the New York-based airline is offering $25 one-way fares throughout the United StatesTravel + Leisure spotted a variety of flight deals for $25 one-way, including: 

A low-cost airline is offering a special last-minute Valentine’s Day gift. 

Travelers looking for something a little off the beaten path have a new flight option to Italy's Puglia region, an area known for its proximity to the Adriatic Sea, delectable food and historic medieval architecture.

Breeze Airways will ramp up its flying in a big way this spring and summer. The Utah-based low-cost carrier on Wednesday announced plans to launch service from three new airports by midyear.

Planet Hollywood is coming back to New York City.A major tourist attraction in the 1980s and early 1990s, the restaurant was owned by, among others, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.The start power was palpable. But, the allure quickly died off, like many chain restaurants.The doors on 42nd Street opened on Monday. There was a $20 million investment in the new property.According to the eatery, the restaurant redefines Hollywood glamor beneath a 360-degree canopy of state-of-the-art, high-definition screens. Encircling the entire perimeter is an impressive array of over 692 video tiles delivering cutting-edge dining and event experiences through dynamic and interactive displays."We're relaunching Planet Hollywood in Times Square not just as a restaurant but as an all-encompassing sensory experience that magnificently combines innovative technology with the unique flair of Hollywood," said Robert Earl, Founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood and Earl Enterprises. "This venue is poised to deliver exceptional entertainment and dining in the spirit of New York's celebrated theatrical grandeur."Instead of traditional memorabilia, an all-encompassing audio-visual experience brings Hollywood to life through synchronized video projections, soundscapes, and interactive elements that turn dining into a fully sensory affair. Every detail of the space has been thoughtfully curated to provide guests with a unique dining adventure that feels fresh. The venue is slated to be a hotspot for the late-night scene, with the mood on the second and third floors becoming very different when they transform following dinner service.Culinary creativity remains at the core of the Planet Hollywood experience featuring an elevated, yet approachable variety of appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and entrees. Culinary highlights include Kobe Cheesesteak Empanadas, Prime Rib Sliders, Chicken Caesar Salad, All-American Double Smash Cheeseburger, Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, NY Strip Steak, and Lobster Pot Pie. Guests can also enjoy the nostalgic "1993 Icons" section with beloved classics that pay homage to Planet Hollywood’s original menu including the World-Famous Chicken Crunch, Planet Nachos Grande, L.A. Lasagna, and St. Louis BBQ Ribs.The new Planet Hollywood will be within walking distance of other nightclubs and Madison Square Garden.