To Renew a Passport During the Current Backlog, You Should Apply Earlier Than You Think

I remember the day back in 2014 when I’d just settled into my new apartment in Santiago and a powerful earthquake rattled the walls. I leaped up from my couch and ran for the door, while all the Chileans in the room just sat still and laughed at me, confident in Chile’s strong building codes and unfazed by the regular tremors.

A passenger who appeared to be asleep but did not wake after a plane landed had died during the flight, apparently unnoticed.

If you thought this was a difficult summer for air travel, just try boarding a flight this holiday season. Experts are predicting more crowded terminals, sky-high fares and planes bursting at the seams with passengers. How do you get better service from an airline at a time like that?

Traveler satisfaction with North American airports climbed this year despite numerous challenges from an ongoing pilot shortage to record passenger volumes.According to the J.D. Power 2023 North America Airport Satisfaction Study released Wednesday, overall satisfaction improved by 3 points to 780 on a 1,000-point scale. The rise was propelled by improvements in three key areas, including terminal facilities, food and beverage and retail service and baggage claim.The study, currently in its 18th year, examines overall traveler satisfaction with mega (33 million or more passengers a year), large (10 to 32.9 million passengers a year) and medium (4.5 to 9.9 million passengers a year) North American airports across six factors, including terminal facilities; airport arrival/departure; baggage claim; security check; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail.The big winners among North American airports were Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (800) Tampa International Airport (832) and Indianapolis International Airport (843), which ranked highest among mega, large and medium airports, respectively. 2023 marks the second straight year that Tampa and Indy have won their respective categories.

If you’ve always thought that a vacation on a yacht was out of reach, only available for the super-rich and famous, then think again. You don’t have to be Jay Z or Beyoncé, David or Victoria Beckham, or Leonardo Dicaprio to indulge in a week-long holiday at sea. A yacht charter is more affordable, and less exclusive, than you might believe.

In the five years I worked as a VIP tour guide at Disneyland, I got to know the park very well.

As bellhops grabbed my bags, a valet driver swiped my car keys, and a receptionist handed me a key to my room at The Little Nell, a five-star hotel in Aspen, Colorado, I was already feeling the pressure of time.

Many of us travel for both personal and business reasons, and sometimes, it's hard to keep them separate. And with the continued trend toward blended travel, where trips have both leisure and business purposes, this is even more challenging. The last thing you want is to charge a personal expense to a business card (or vice versa).

New York City’s world-class cultural institutions, incredible diversity and everything-goes kind of vibe make it a one-of-a-kind destination to visit.

Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer. CNN is showcasing the work of The Conversation, a collaboration between journalists and academics to provide news analysis and commentary. The content is produced solely by The Conversation.

Editor’s Note: Monthly Ticket is a CNN Travel series that spotlights some of the most fascinating topics in the travel world. In September, we’re celebrating superlatives as we look at some of the world’s biggest, tallest and most expensive attractions and destinations.

Abu Dhabi’s distinguished lifestyle destination The Galleria Al Maryah Island is proud to commemorate a significant milestone in redefining luxury experiences. Celebrating “A Decade of Luxury” since its inauguration, The Galleria is rewarding guests with the opportunity to win a share of an incredible AED 1 million gift card giveaway.