AFAR Media

AFAR partners with CreditCards.com and may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Compensation may impact how an offer is presented. Our coverage is independent and objective, and has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are entirely those of the AFAR editorial team.

Usually when loyalty programs announce changes, frequent fliers prepare for the worst. However, Southwest’s recently announced changes to its loyalty program, Rapid Rewards, are all for the best.

JetBlue is on a Europe growing spree with the most recent additions to the airline’s transatlantic lineup being Dublin and Edinburgh. The airline announced Wednesday that it will be adding new seasonal service to the Ireland and Scotland hubs starting in spring 2024.

Food is my go-to gift when visiting friends, a favorite souvenir to bring home, and usually an essential item on my packing list. So, more often than not, I’ve stashed some sort of tasty treat in my carry-on—which sometimes causes a little delay at TSA checkpoints. Over the years, I’ve had yogurt confiscated, pâté tossed away, and hot chocolate mix sent through additional screening by TSA agents. But I’ve also had countless protein bars, chips, and sandwiches pass through without a problem.

In mid-September, Delta announced an overhaul to its SkyMiles loyalty program and proprietary Sky Club lounge access policies that would take effect in 2024. The anticipated changes—which made obtaining elite frequent flier status and accessing its airport lounges much harder—resulted in significant backlash, such that Delta’s chief executive Ed Bastian said the airline would backpedal and make “modifications” to the changes.

New Yorkers and visitors alike are blessed with convenient air access to and from numerous points away, thanks to the fact that New York shares nonstop flights with countless major cities and smaller hubs throughout the world. And if you haven’t been to New York City in the past few years, you might be surprised to find entirely new terminals, concourses, and modernization projects that have and are continuing to completely transform the three major hubs that serve the New York City area.

For certifiable germaphobes (like me), the transportation, accommodations, and people-to-people interactions of traveling can present a bit of a challenge (read: a huge, whopping struggle).

United Airlines is reintroducing a boarding procedure for economy passengers that it had previously implemented several years ago, and if all goes according to plan, it should speed up an often-loathed process. According to an internal memo reviewed by AFAR, starting later this month, United will begin to designate most economy boarding groups by a passenger’s precise seat location. That is, those at window seats get on first, followed by middle seat sitters, and then those on the aisle.

For many travelers, airline miles and hotel points are extremely valuable—they are a type of currency that can be used to book flights and overnights around the world.

No one enjoys wasting their time in long airport lines—especially when there’s an exciting vacation at the other end. Fortunately, there are programs like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear that can save travelers valuable time and hassle at the airport. Before takeoff, TSA PreCheck and Clear allow travelers to go through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security lines faster. After landing, Global Entry speeds up checks at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) international checkpoints. All three have their own designated lanes, if they’re available at the airport.

Imagine a world where you don’t have to play jump rope over headphone wires every time you climb into or out of your airplane seat, settle for a set of subpar provided plug-in earbuds to enjoy the inflight entertainment, or remove your wireless headphones to hear about the snack selection from your friendly flight attendant. Too utopian? Perhaps. But United Airlines and Apple believe it is possible.

It feels good to have an overstuffed wallet. At least, that’s what I was saying to myself after a recent flight from Dubai to Frankfurt when the staff asked if I would downgrade my seat from business to premium economy for 800 euros (about US$965). The flight was oversold in business class, and I jumped at the chance.

When Delta decided to revamp its wine lists recently—across main cabin international and higher-fare classes—the airline couldn’t just sip and spit its way to a new drinks menu. For one thing, wines don’t taste the same when you’re 35,000 feet off the ground.

The door to your airplane closes, and it’s time to leave the gate, but before the aircraft can pull away, a white mist appears out of thin air, swirling around the overhead bins. No, it’s not a disco-themed cabin crew introduction (cue the lasers!) or a new method to attract your attention to the safety video.

While the current prices of airline tickets are down from their peak earlier this year—thanks to pent-up travel demand being released and more flights being added—they likely won’t stay that way for long. The holidays are coming and, with them, an increase in flight prices.

The few inches of personal space taken up by a reclined airplane seat are some of the most valuable territory in the world. Wars have been waged over them. Much effort has been devoted to conflict resolution too (and, in case you’re wondering, there is a less obnoxious way to recline your seat).

AFAR partners with CreditCards.com and may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Compensation may impact how an offer is presented. Our coverage is independent and objective, and has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are entirely those of the AFAR editorial team.

As flight technology advances (such as being able to hold more and burn less fuel) and long-haul carriers make improved efforts to provide a more comfortable journey (be that with jet lag–reducing lighting, serving healthier food, and enhancing business-class and economy seats for a more comfortable journey), the longest flights in the world are gradually getting even longer. The lengthiest now connect cities on opposite sides of the globe and are upwards of 17 hours.

As another crazy summer of travel to Europe came to a close, Americans once again put their seemingly insatiable appetite for Europe travel on full display this year. Heading into the busy holiday season, airlines and airports in Europe are still struggling with staffing shortages and on-and-off-again worker strikes, meaning that lines and wait times at Europe’s airports will likely continue to be pretty long well into the holidays and beyond.

Hot on the heels of releasing its new domestic schedule—which includes connections to a slew of cities known for their access to the outdoors—Delta Air Lines has announced its updated lineup of transatlantic flights for summer 2024, complete with routes not flown in years.

It’s been years in the making—more than five to be exact—but at long last, Delta Air Lines passengers have a state-of-the-art 27-gate terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. In August, the Atlanta-based airline completed its $2.3 billion LAX project that began in 2018. The undertaking is part of a larger revamp of the entire airport, including the creation of an Automated People Mover (APM) and consolidated car rental facility.