Airlines travel tips

Welcome back to another episode of the TravelPulse Podcast!

Southwest Airlines just rolled out the ability to pay with a combination of both cash and points.

Delta Air Lines will return to Amsterdam with daily flights from Tampa this fall, allowing Floridians the chance to satisfy their cravings for stroopwafels and Gouda cheese.

Saturday may the perfect day to sleep in or mow the lawn. But it’s the worst day of the week to book a cheap flight, according to a new study from Upgraded Points, which analyzed Google Flights data for 10 of the busiest domestic routes over four weeks.

Taking a spontaneous trip is one of the most rewarding forms of travel. Finding cheap last-minute flights, on the other hand, can feel like an impossible barrier to flying by the seat of your pants. But booking with low-cost carriers isn't the only way to avoid forking over exorbitant fares. There are last-minute deals to be found—if you know where and how to look.

If you're looking for a feel-good way to boost your Alaska Airlines elite status, look no further than the carrier's latest initiative.

JetBlue is bolstering its partnership with a major Gulf airline. Starting Wednesday, the New York-based carrier will expand its partnership with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways to include loyalty benefits.

A bomb threat moments before takeoff saw nearly 200 British Airways passengers evacuated onto the tarmac at an airport on the Atlantic island of Bermuda.

A flight to Germany had to be met by emergency services after dozens of passengers started vomiting, the German outlet Bild reported.

A passenger was caught trying to smuggle a bag of snakes onto a plane at Miami International Airport last month.

In her Michelin three star restaurant Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, Dominique Crenn creates dishes that have been described as gastronomic poetry in their complex, ethereal visuals and flavor. As the culinary consultant for the film “The Menu,” her dishes served at a fictional temple of gastronomy, were unlike anything a diner had ever seen. In February, dishes created by the chef began rolling out in Air France’s premium cabins that, while not as wild as the film’s creations, are also creative, delicious and uniquely hers.

Flying on Japan Airlines has always been, well, delightfully Japanese. Think of it as an introduction—or if departing from Tokyo, a bid farewell—to the country’s characteristic tenets of respectful, nearly differential service; seafood-forward and fresh cuisine; and commitment to cultural traditions. (Onboard oshiburi, anyone?) Add in comfortable seats across all cabins—yes, even decent economy ones with 34 inches of recline—and you have an experience worth writing home about. Or at least not complaining to someone about.

It’s almost summertime, and those family vacations aren’t going to plan themselves. If you are hoping to earn points and miles for upcoming trips to sunnier (or cooler) climes, there are some travel promotions that can double or triple those loyalty program earnings. And for the jetsetters who want to redeem those hard-earned points and miles, now is the time to start looking to find the best deal.

Norse Atlantic Airways , the Norwegian low-cost, long-haul airline, flew its inaugural flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Paris’ Charles De Gaulle (CDG) on May 1. Norse flights from the movie capitol to the French capitol start at $239 one-way Economy (including taxes and fees) and $705 one-way in Norse Premium.

Emirates is famed for its extravagant service onboard its current fleet of Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s. It’s therefore little surprise that expectations are high for its incoming A350s – an aircraft that has been years in the making.

Looking to travel to Hong Kong in 2025? Cathay Pacific — a Hong Kong-based carrier — currently has open award availability in business and first class from January through March 2025, as first flagged by @FindFlightsforMe.

Hawaiian Airlines is known for many things like its stellar on-time reputation, serving hot meals on longer flights in economy class and for its famously Hawaiian approach to onboard service. This year, however, the airline is getting recognition for other milestones, namely a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet and a proposed combination with Alaska Airlines, all under the leadership of longtime airline executive and CEO Peter Ingram.

This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.

Building a brand community sounds like a great idea. According to marketing thought leader Mark Schaefer, community is “the last great marketing strategy.” In Belonging to the Brand, Schaefer calls community “the marketing megatrend of our time.”

I'm a frequent United Airlines flyer. I pretty much have to be since I live near Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) — a United hub where most of the gates in the airport belong to the legacy carrier.

Tampa International Airport (TPA) just scored a big win from Delta Air Lines.