Senate report criticizes airline ‘junk fees’ totaling billions of dollars
Airlines are raking in billions of dollars in “junk-fees,” according to a new report. The report from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations centers on extra charges people pay when they fly, like checking bags or choosing their seat.
It found from 2018 to 2023, five U.S. airlines made more than $12 billion on seat selection fees alone.
The report said for an extra legroom seat, United Airlines charged as much as $319, Spirit Airlines charged up to $299, Delta Airlines charged as much as $264, Frontier Airlines charged as much as $141 and American Airlines charged as much as $140.
Lawmakers reported some of the fees are set up to avoid taxes.
Federal law applies a 7.5% tax to passenger air transportation, with some airlines calling certain services “optional” to bypass the tax on those charges. The ambiguity encourages airlines to charge more in non-taxable fees.
Some are maximizing this strategy to gain an advantage in attracting budget-conscious customers.
The report also found some airlines, like Frontier and Spirit, reward agents for catching travelers who do not follow carry-on rules.
Earlier this month, the Biden administration started ramping up consumer protections.
The Department of Transportation proposed to ban family seating junk fees. The proposal would guarantee parents can sit with their kids for no extra charge.
This led to at least four airlines offering fee-free family seating.
Last week, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg responded to criticism from airline executives who say they’re being over-regulated.
“I know that some airline CEOs have expressed hopes that the next administration will be less passenger-friendly and more corporate-friendly than this administration,” Buttigieg said. “What I will say is the passenger protections that we have put in place deservedly enjoy broad public, bipartisan support.”
It’s unclear exactly what incoming President-elect Donald Trump’s plans are for the airline industry.
The Senate subcommittee will hold a hearing next week, giving airline officials a chance to respond.
American Airlines cracks down on line cutters during boarding process
Just in time for the holiday travel season, American Airlines is expanding its technology that calls out those who cut in line during the boarding process. Passengers who try to board before their assigned group will set off an error beep that alerts the gate agent. The agent will then instruct them to rejoin the line when their boarding group is called.
Crew members tested the process over the last month in three airports. Airline officials said they received positive feedback from both passengers and workers.
American is rolling out the technology to over 100 airports, including the world’s busiest airport in passenger traffic, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International.
The company plans to expand it to additional hubs later but it’s not clear exactly when.
Airlines including American reward frequent flyers with perks like early boarding and are trying to crack down on “gate lice,” which has become a term used to describe people who crowd the gate in an attempt to board early.
American currently allows families traveling with children under 2 years old to request an earlier boarding group at the gate.
AAA predicts record Thanksgiving week travel, nearly 80 million on the move
Americans are gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday. The busiest holiday for travel is only about a week away and AAA has its latest projections on how the busy travel season might look.
The group predicts 79.9 million Americans will drive, fly or take some other form of transportation 50 miles or farther during the Thanksgiving travel season.
The 2024 projection would be a 2% increase compared to last year or up by roughly 1.7 million travelers from 2023.
This year, AAA expanded its window for Thanksgiving holiday travel. It now goes from next Tuesday, Nov. 26, through Dec. 2, or the Monday after Thanksgiving.
Drivers will see lower gas prices. The national average is on pace to be below $3 per gallon for the first time since 2021.
Transportation experts say the best time to hit the road is Thanksgiving Day itself when the highways are less congested. The afternoons of Tuesday, Nov. 26 and Wednesday, Nov. 27 are the worst times, according to AAA.
After the holiday, AAA expects the roads to be busiest Dec. 1, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Experts advise drivers to hit the road early in the morning if they plan on leaving that day.
If you plan on flying, AAA predicts about 5.8 million people will head to airports over the holiday week. That’s up by about 100,000 from last year.
Booking data shows the top destinations are warm places like Orlando and Las Vegas. Major metropolitan areas including Atlanta and Los Angeles are also popular among travelers.
Forecasters believe cooler temperatures, cold rain and snow in the higher elevations will arrive Sunday, Nov. 24, for the East Coast.
The U.S. Climate Prediction Center’s outlook shows California, the Pacific Northwest, Montana, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa and Great Lakes States receiving above-average precipitation. However, meteorologists will know more as we get closer to Thanksgiving.
New rule requires full cash refunds for flight delays, cancellations
The Biden-Harris administration implemented a new rule on Monday, Oct. 28, requiring U.S. airlines to issue full cash refunds to passengers whose flights are significantly delayed or canceled. The policy, aimed at bolstering consumer rights, received positive feedback online, as travelers hailed it as a financial win and a boost for peace of mind.
Passengers wouldn’t need to request the refund. The refund is processed automatically if they declined the airline’s offer for a rebooked flight.
Passengers become eligible for automatic refunds if a domestic flight was delayed by three or more hours, an international flight by six or more hours or if the flight was canceled.
National Geographic releases Best of the World 2025 list
National Geographic released its highly anticipated Best of the World 2025 list. It highlights some of the most exciting, meaningful and unique travel experiences for the upcoming year.
The list features something for every type of traveler, from families to foodies, animal lovers to adventurers.
The 2025 destinations include a new rock-climbing paradise in India and an island-hopping trail in Stockholm, each chosen to inspire and captivate visitors.
Nathan Lump, editor-in-chief at National Geographic, described the Best of the World list as an annual invitation to explore the diverse beauty of the world.
“In a time of uncertainty, we wanted to lean into travel that brings joy and taps into the excitement of discovery,” Lump said in an interview with CNN.
This year, joy became a key theme in travel trends.
One destination making waves is Guadalajara, Mexico, which earned its spot on the list thanks to its lively Mariachi Festival. The event transforms the city’s streets into a vibrant musical celebration.
Another notable pick is Boise, Idaho, where the Basque community’s Jaialdi Festival returns after a decade-long hiatus, featuring street parties and traditional sports, including wood-chopping competitions.
For travelers seeking a slower, more reflective experience, Italy’s centuries-old cenobitic monasteries offer a tranquil setting perfect for meditation and connection.
Cork, Ireland, also made the list. The city is known for its vibrant culture and warm locals, and it is undergoing a massive urban transformation that is expected to attract even more visitors in the coming years.
Los Angeles secured its place on the list for its rapidly growing art scene. Additionally, Bangkok was recognized for its quieter, lesser-known spiritual sites, like Wat Chaiwatthanaram, which offer a serene escape from the more crowded tourist destinations.
For those interested in remote cultural immersion, Haida Gwaii, located off the coast of British Columbia, offers a rare opportunity to connect with indigenous traditions and local wildlife.
Whether travelers want to hike active volcanoes in Guatemala, rock-climb in India’s Ladakh region or take a wildlife photography class aboard Malaysia’s luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express, the Best of the World 2025 list provides a variety of incredible experiences.
Amtrak unveils new campaign to compete with air and road travel
Amtrak is hoping a new marketing campaign will get more people on board. The “Retrain Travel” ads will mostly appear online and around transit hubs. It is all part of Amtrak’s continued effort to try and sway people who prefer to drive or fly.
An exclusive report by the Wall Street Journal explored the challenges Amtrak has faced. Industry experts said the issue has been supply, including train production and parts management, which has affected operations.
“The biggest constraints on a lot of this is just capacity, pure and simple, and there’s not an easy marketing fix for that,” Sean Jeans-Gail, vice president of policy and government affairs of the Rail Passengers Association, said.
Jeans-Gail added the experience of traveling by train is too often impacted by delays and breakdowns. As a result, many see train travel as slow and unreliable.
To combat that, Amtrak’s chief commercial officer, Eliot Hamlisch, said the company has ramped up investment in the customer experience from its app to on-board hospitality.
Amtrak has also been working to refurbish its stations and upgrade its trains. This is thanks to 2021’s $1 trillion infrastructure law that gave the railroad around $22 billion in direct aid.
According to numbers from the data-intelligence firm Morning Consult, 83% of Americans have heard of Amtrak. However, the percentage of those who say they are considering becoming a customer is much lower at 23%.
Since Amtrak started more than 50 years ago, it has been trying to convert frequent flyers. For example, a 1983 campaign featured the tagline “take off without leaving the ground.”
Those ads clashed with news of late arrival times. Flying also ultimately became cheaper and a habit for a lot of people.
Amtrak executives pointed to air travel complaints skyrocketing and traffic congestion problems as more reasons to travel by train.
Vacations and travel may lead to real health benefits: Study
New research reveals that your next vacation might do more than just help you unwind. It may actually help to slow down the aging process.
That’s the key takeaway from the study, which comes out of Australia’s Edith Cowan University, published in the Journal of Travel Research. The findings suggest new experiences and social connections could reduce your risk of premature aging.
Researchers applied the concept to entropy, which is basically the natural decline of our bodies as we age, to tourism. It turns out, by shaking up your routine with new activities, travel can reduce stress, stimulate your mind and improve your overall well-being.
The authors of the study say tourism isn’t just about having fun. It plays an important role in both individual and public health. The found travel promotes healthy habits like walking, eating well and socializing.
While there’s no right or most healthy way to travel to maximize their benefits, the study suggests that anything from a weekend getaway to a longer holiday vacation could be helpful. Whether it’s a local road trip or an international adventure, the study suggests it might be time to get out there and experience something new.
Israel strikes Hezbollah site in Lebanon; both sides claim victory
Israel and Hezbollah are both claiming victories after their biggest exchange of fire yet. And two NASA astronauts stuck aboard the International Space Station will have to stay there a few more months. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Aug. 26, 2024.
Israel strikes Hezbollah site in Lebanon; both sides claim victory
There are new concerns over the war in the Middle East expanding into a larger conflict after Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon had their biggest exchange of fire since the conflict broke out in the region ten months ago. Both sides are claiming victories.
On Sunday, Aug. 25, Israel launched what it described as “a preemptive strike” against a major attack that Hezbollah was planning to launch on Israeli soil. Israel said 100 of its military planes successfully took out thousands of “rocket launcher barrels,” and six Hezbollah fighters were killed.
Hours later, Israel’s missile defense system intercepted 300 rockets and drones launched by Hezbollah toward Israel. The Israel Defense Forces said one navy officer was killed after being hit by shrapnel when the Iron Dome was intercepting the drones.
In a televised address, Hezbollah’s leader called this a victory for their side, saying the attack was in retaliation for the recent assassination of one of its founders.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this attack “will not be the final word.”
ISIS claims responsibility for deadly Germany stabbing attack
ISIS has now claimed responsibility for a deadly stabbing attack in Germany that happened during a festival Friday night, Aug. 23. A 26-year-old man from Syria has been arrested in connection with the attack.
Police said the man turned himself in for the knife attack that left three people dead, and eight others injured. Officials say the man has “radical Islamist beliefs” and “wanted to kill as many people as possible.”
ISIS said in a statement Saturday, Aug. 24, the man is “a soldier for the Islamic state” who was “targeting Christians” in his attack.
The festival was commemorating the 650th anniversary of the western German city of Solingen.
Harris, Trump campaigns to focus on battleground states this week
On the campaign trail, the 2024 candidates are focusing on battleground states this week. Vice President Kamala Harris will be launching a bus tour in southern Georgia and former President Donald Trump will hit multiple swing states.
On Monday, Aug. 26, Trump is set to address the National Guard Association’s conference in Detroit. He’s also slated to hold a rally in Michigan, a town hall in Wisconsin, and a rally in Pennsylvania.
This comes after both campaigns had big weeks last week.
Harris officially accepted her party’s nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, Aug. 22. The Harris campaign said they’ve raised $540 million in only a month since it launched.
While she hasn’t yet done a sit-down interview with the media since emerging as a presidential candidate, that will soon change. She is expected to sit down with her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to record their first joint interview next week.
NASA astronauts to stay on ISS until February
Two NASA astronauts who have been stuck on the International Space Station since June will have to stay there a few more months. On Saturday, the space agency decided it’s not safe enough for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return to Earth in Boeing’s Starliner.
Concerns linger over multiple helium leaks and degraded thrusters. Instead, Wilmore and Williams will wait until February when SpaceX already has a mission to the ISS planned and will pick them up.
“Spaceflight is risky even at its safest,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “And so, the decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring the Boeing Starliner home uncrewed is a result of a commitment to safety.”
The decision means two of the four astronauts who were supposed to go to the ISS in February for the SpaceX mission will have to give up their seats so NASA’s astronauts can finally come home. They were originally only supposed to stay on the ISS for about a week.
Meanwhile, SpaceX is getting ready for a high-stakes mission Tuesday, Aug. 27. Private astronauts on the Polaris mission are set to attempt the first-ever commercial spacewalk.
Long Labor Day weekend travel expected to break records
We’re just days away from the unofficial end of summer and this Labor Day travel weekend is gearing up to be a busy one. The TSA predicts it will be the busiest Labor Day travel period on record.
AAA predicts the roads won’t be any less crowded, as gas prices are lower than last year.
If you are hitting the road, AAA said expect the heaviest traffic in the afternoon and early evening hours of Thursday and Friday, Aug. 30. For those traveling on Saturday, Aug. 31, AAA suggests departing in the afternoon for smoother traffic.
If you’re returning home on Sunday, Sept. 1, or Labor Day, Sept. 2, AAA said it’s best to leave as early as possible to avoid heavy afternoon traffic.
Babe Ruth’s 1932 ‘called shot’ jersey sells for record $24.12M
Almost a century after Babe Ruth called his shot during the 1932 World Series he’s made history again. More specifically, his jersey has.
Ruth’s famous “called shot” came as the Yankees and Chicago Cubs faced off in game three of the world series at Chicago’s Wrigley Field on October 1, 1932. In the fifth inning, Ruth made a pointing gesture while at bat and then hit the home run off Cubs pitcher Charlie Root, ultimately leading to the Yankees winning the World Series.
The jersey is now the most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold at auction, according to MLB.com.
Delta reveals 29% drop in profits despite record summer travel numbers
Americans are traveling in record-breaking numbers this summer. However, the travel is not translating to record-breaking profits for airlines. Delta announced on Thursday, July 11, that its profits dropped by 29% in the second quarter of 2024. The news sent shares tumbling 8% before Thursday’s opening bell.
Delta blamed higher costs and lower fares for the fall in profits. Though the company said that revenue grew, expenses reportedly rose 10%, including labor, fuel, airport fees and airplane maintenance.
In addition, spending on labor grew 9% compared to 2023 after thousands of workers were hired as post-pandemic travel picked up.
Other airlines besides Delta also haven’t reaped the benefits of record air travel due to delays of new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing. Boeing sold just 14 jets in June compared to 304 new aircraft during the same month last year.
The dwindling number of planes produced by Boeing comes as the aero giant’s sales have reportedly fallen 70% in 2024. Boeing has been facing safety issues and legal woes, leading to less demand for its jets.
To make up for the lost profit, Delta is increasingly targeting premium passengers who have spurred much of the airline’s revenue. The airline is offering better seating, luxury lounges and other amenities to attract more premium travelers.
However, Delta’s CEO still expressed optimism despite the drop in profit, saying that he believes the airline industry is already taking the right steps to course correct. He predicts that by the end of August, the domestic market will improve as travel remains in high demand.
Biden looks to solidify support from Democrats after debate
The White House released President Joe Biden’s next plans to reassure concerned Democrats after last week’s debate. And July 4 holiday travelers are expected to break records on the road amid soaring temperatures. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
Biden looks to solidify support from Democrats after debate
President Joe Biden and his team are taking this holiday week to reassure supporters that his decision to remain in the presidential race is the right one after his performance during the June 27 debate left some in his party questioning his candidacy. During a campaign fundraiser event in Virginia Tuesday, July 2, Biden blamed his poor performance on jet lag from back-to-back European trips, telling donors that “he wasn’t very smart” that he “didn’t listen” to his staff.
Reports also said Biden added that he almost “fell asleep during the debate.” To what extent the president was joking is not clear.
Previously, Biden’s campaign had said the president had a cold going into the debate.
On Wednesday, July 3, the president will speak with Democratic governors and party leaders as he looks to calm their fears. The White House reportedly will also be holding an all-staff meeting which the Associated Press describes as a “morale-booster.”
Biden has also agreed to sit down for an interview ABC News on Friday, July 5.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration really wants to turn the page on this topic with Biden heading to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania in the coming days, but that didn’t stop reporters from pressing the issue.
“I think the American people need to get a yes or no answer on this: Does President Biden, at 81 years old, have Alzheimer’s any form of dementia or degenerative illness that would cause these sorts of lapses?” Andrew Feinberg, a reporter with The Independent, said. “And it’s a yes or no question and if you don’t know, why don’t you, as one of his senior staff members, know?”
Jean-Pierre fired back, “I have an answer for you. Are you ready for it? It’s a ‘no’ and I hope you’re asking the other guy the same exact question.”
This all comes as some members of the Democratic party are calling for Biden to step aside.
“I thought it was time for me to speak up, not for any self-gain, but because I think the risk to our country is so great we need to have the strongest candidate possible in order to ensure that the values that we hold for our democracy are not traded for an authoritarian strongman bent on revenge against his opponents,” Doggett told NBC News.
In a Newsweek opinion column, former Ohio congressman and presidential candidate Tim Ryan promoted the idea for Vice President Kamala Harris to replace Biden on their party’s ticket.
Speaking to CBS News after leaving a fundraiser in California, the vice president confirmed President Biden remains the Democratic nominee.
“Look, Joe Biden is our nominee,” Harris said. “We beat Trump once and we’re going to beat him again. Period.”
Harris added, “I am proud to be Joe Biden’s running mate.”
Judge delays sentencing in Trump criminal case
Former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his New York criminal trial has been pushed back to at least September. The judge’s decision came out Tuesday, July 2, a day after the U.S. Supreme Court handed the former president a big win, ruling he has some immunity from being criminally prosecuted on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 election.
Trump’s sentencing in New York was originally scheduled for next Thursday, July 11. Now, the judge overseeing the trial says Trump will be sentenced on Sept. 18 “if such is still necessary.”
That’s an “if” because Trump’s lawyers say the Supreme Court ruling should not only delay the sentencing but lead to tossing out his conviction completely.
Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social after the decision came down, saying the Supreme Court’s decision awarded him “total exoneration” in this and other criminal cases he faces.
Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a felony in May, when a Manhattan jury found him guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records.
The Supreme Court’s decision has cast doubt on Special Counsel Jack Smith’s indictment of Trump on election subversion charges, and a trial before the November election is highly unlikely now.
Giuliani disbarred in New York for 2020 election interference efforts
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been disbarred in New York after a Manhattan appeals court found he repeatedly made false statements about former President Trump’s loss in the 2020 election. The court said Giuliani “flagrantly misused” his position.
Giuliani, once a legal adviser to Trump, has been banned from practicing law in “any form” in New York. Giuliani’s lawyer said his legal team was disappointed by the court’s decision.
Island-wide emergency declared in Jamaica ahead of Beryl
As Hurricane Beryl hurtles toward Jamaica, the country’s prime minister preemptively declared the whole island a disaster area. He’s also instated an island-wide curfew for Wednesday, July 3.
Beryl has been downgraded to a Category 4 storm now, but it’s already caused at least six deaths in the Caribbean.
Beryl is forecast to weaken more as it gets closer to Jamaica, but is still expected to be a major hurricane — at least a Category 3 — when it hits, bringing life-threatening winds and storm surge.
Eli Lilly’s drug has been shown in clinical trials to slow a decline in memory and thinking abilities in people in the early stages of the disease. The drug, which will be sold in the coming weeks under the brand name Kisunla, is an infusion given every four weeks that targets a protein buildup in the brain — considered to be the main indicator of Alzheimer’s.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 6.7 million people in the U.S. 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s last year. That number’s expected to increase to 13.8 million by 2060.
Watch for heat, rain, busy roads this July 4 holiday
The July 4 holiday is almost here, and while people get set to celebrate America’s independence, they may find themselves having to face two separate issues — the weather and the roads. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the brief break from the heat in the eastern U.S. is over, with heat and humidity pushing through New England.
In California and portions of the southwest, triple-digit temperatures are expected throughout the holiday week. Meanwhile in the Midwest, NOAA said rain could spoil the cookouts.
Then there’s the jam-packed roadways. AAA projects a record 60.6 million people will drive over the July 4 week. That’s nearly 3 million more than last year and would surpass 2019’s pre-pandemic levels, when around 55 million traveled by car.