Southwest Will Be Ending Its In-flight Service Earlier — Here’s Why

Paris and Berlin are about to get a little closer.

As horizon-expanding as travel has the potential to be, it’s simply impossible to go everywhere and see everything properly within one’s lifetime. There are a number of reasons for this sorry fact—time and budget, war and other tragedies. There’s also the reality that, no matter where you go and for how long, no matter who you pay, you’ll never quite experience a slice of life as a tourist in the way a resident does. For better and worse.

Southwest Airlines is set to expand its domestic network next year, having just added eight new routes to its U.S. service map. The Points Guy first noticed the alterations in Cirium schedules and afterward confirmed them with a Southwest spokesperson. 

A new Alaska Airlines premium credit card with enhanced perks and greater opportunities to earn bonus miles is coming next summer.

As of 1 January 2025, Romania and Bulgaria will officially become full-time members of the Schengen Area, which allows free movement between member states for 450 million citizens.

As the end of the year approaches, thoughts begin to turn to plans for next summer and a welcome getaway to another country. Travelling by ferry is a popular option, with the European ferry sector transporting some 794 million passengers a year.

I had intricately planned my road trip exploring the Italian and German heritage of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state, to maximize immigrant cuisine, unsung wineries and villages with charming timber-frame buildings. I’d visit Antônio Prado, the self-proclaimed “most Italian city in Brazil,” drive along rural roads lined with hydrangeas, and explore Gramado, a town whose center this time of year resembles an Epcot version of an Alpine ski town, decked out with Santa statues and massive candy canes.

One of the many benefits of opting for an Airbnb over a hotel is remote check-ins. The lockbox check-in has become common practice at most rental properties due to its convenience for the guest and host. It means you don’t need to fix an arrival time or make small talk after a long journey. In some cases, you never meet your host, leaving you in peace to relax on vacation. Last month, however, the landscape of short-term rentals changed in Italy due to backlash against the market by local residents and new regulations put in place by the government to verify guests’ identities. You must now meet your hosts on arrival to receive a key in person and fill out information to share with the government for bookings on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.

Shake Shack is taking their signature cheeseburger to 30,000 feet with a partnership with Delta Airlines. For many, there are moments when only a cheeseburger will suffice — during a frantic Christmas shopping trip, when we are feeling a little worse for wear, and in a week or so, some fortunate passengers can chow down on Shake Shack as part of their in-flight meal on routes over 900 miles. And I say “some” because this privilege is reserved for Delta’s flist-class passengers. From December 1, the world-famous burgers will be available on select long-haul flights out of Boston.

Seattleites will have two new options to Asia on their hometown airline next year when Alaska Airlines launches new nonstops to Tokyo and Seoul.

Giving Tuesday may be over, but Southwest Airlines is offering Rapid Rewards members the chance to earn 10x bonus points for donations to select charities for a limited time. 

Dec 9, 2024 • 7 min read