Ryanair proposes 2-drink limit at airports to tackle unruly passengers
Ryanair wants to limit passengers’ alcohol consumption. The airline is proposing a two-drink cap at airport bars, echoing CEO Michael O’Leary’s comments.
“We don’t want to begrudge people having a drink, but we don’t allow people to drink-drive –– yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000 feet,” O’Leary told The Telegraph. He believes stricter alcohol limits at airports could help prevent mid-air incidents.
Not everyone agrees with Ryanair’s stance, including a former Ryanair pilot. Still, the airline wants to take a hardline approach.
The cost of unruly passengers
Last week, Ryanair filed a legal claim against a passenger whose disruptive behavior delayed a flight overnight. The incident cost the airline more than $15,000 in accommodation expenses.
According to FAA data, there were nearly 6,000 unruly passenger reports in 2021. While that number dropped to 2,100 in 2024, O’Leary insists alcohol restrictions could reduce it further.
Legal consequences for passengers
Ireland-based Ryanair already limits alcoholic drinks on its flights. Under Irish law, passengers who “breach the peace” can face fines or even imprisonment.
The debate over airport alcohol limits continues, but Ryanair remains steadfast. For the airline, smoother skies may depend on keeping pre-flight drinks to a minimum.
Delta introduces new in-flight perks, announces YouTube partnership
Delta Air Lines has unveiled new perks for those looking to fly. The airline announced innovative updates to its in-flight experience during its 100th-anniversary celebration at CES.
The airline is soon phasing out wired headphones on its flights. The new in-flight entertainment system includes a partnership with YouTube, offering SkyMiles members ad-free access to their favorite creators, music and podcasts while flying.
AI-powered travel assistant
Delta also unveiled its new “assistant” powered by artificial intelligence, Delta Concierge, which is on track to roll out this year. The assistant will provide travel guidance, including passport expiration alerts and visa requirement updates, enhancing the customer experience.
Collaboration with Thales Aviation
The airline is teaming up with aerospace technology company Thales Aviation. This partnership aims to improve air traffic management and elevate in-flight entertainment.
Starting in 2026, Delta plans to roll out hardware and software upgrades, including:
4K HDR QLED displays.
Bluetooth capabilities in all cabins.
96-terabyte storage system for content and streaming.
Recommendation engine to tailor content to customer preferences.
“Do Not Disturb” seat back feature.
“Whether through fast, free Wi-Fi, our industry-leading seat back screens, or other personalized channels in Delta’s digital ecosystem, we’re committed to creating a seamless and enriching experience for our SkyMiles members,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian.
Earn miles with Uber
Delta’s new partnership with Uber offers SkyMiles members 15% off all Uber rides to and from the airport. Customers can join the waitlist now to receive the latest updates on this feature.
DOT fines JetBlue $2 million for ‘chronically delayed flights’
JetBlue Airways has a $2 million fine to pay from the Department of Transportation (DOT), marking the first time the agency has held a major airline accountable for what it calls “unrealistic” scheduling. The penalty stems from several routes flown between June 2022 and November 2023 consistently delayed by the airline.
The DOT defines a flight as “chronically delayed” if it is more than 30 minutes late over half the time and runs late at least 10 times a month.
The DOT specifically warned JetBlue about four of its East Coast routes as they work to improve overall service for travelers.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigiegsaid, “Illegal chronic flight delays make flying unreliable for travelers. Today’s action puts the entire airline industry on notice that we expect their flight schedules to reflect reality.”
Frequent delays have affected flights between New York’s JFK Airport and Raleigh, North Carolina, as well as routes from New York to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida. The department also flagged flights between Fort Lauderdale and Connecticut.
Data submitted by JetBlue to the Transportation Department shows the airline was responsible for 70% of the delays. The agency said it resulted in 395 delays and cancellations for passengers.
Under the Transportation Department’s rules, airlines are prohibited from setting schedules that do not reflect actual departure and arrival times.
However, JetBlue is pushing back, blaming the government for air traffic control issues.
JetBlue spokesperson Derek Dombrowski said, “We have used tens of millions of dollars to reduce flight delays, particularly related to ongoing air traffic control challenges in our largest markets in the Northeast and Florida.”
Half of the $2 million fine will go to passengers who experienced delays on the affected flights. The other portion will go to the U.S. Treasury.
Americans will need a REAL ID to board domestic flights in 2025
Before people start to plan their 2025 vacations, they need to make sure their driver’s license or state ID complies with a federal law set to take effect in May 2025. The REAL ID law, which has faced multiple delays over two decades, will take effect for passengers boarding domestic flights.
Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005. It was designed to improve national security in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. However, implementation has been delayed several times, most recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the new law, all states must verify the identity of anyone 18 years and older before issuing a driver’s license or ID. This includes confirming their Social Security number, legal name, date of birth and proof of address.
The REAL ID is an enhanced version of a standard state-issued driver’s license or ID card. A gold, white or black star on the card indicates that it meets the federal security standards outlined in the REAL ID Act.
While obtaining a REAL ID is optional, travelers who choose not to get one will receive a standard driver’s license or ID, which will be marked with “Federal Limits Apply.” This means the ID cannot be used for certain federal activities, such as boarding an airplane or visiting a military base.
For frequent flyers, having a REAL ID is important. Starting May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration will require passengers to have one at security checkpoints for domestic flights.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, travelers without a REAL ID will need to present a passport or military ID to fly within the U.S.
A REAL ID is not required for activities like driving or voting. A standard driver’s license or ID will still be valid for those purposes.
Bring first-class vibes to your economy seat with these new travel accessories
Getting restful sleep while traveling can feel impossible. But new travel accessories aim to upgrade your comfort, even in economy seats.
Whether you’re gearing up for a flight or a road trip, finding the right tools could turn your restless journey into a rejuvenating one.
Over the past 30 years, economy seats have become less comfortable. According to USA Today, legroom has decreased by 2 to 5 inches, while seat width has shrunk by two inches.
With less space to stretch out, it’s no surprise that in-flight sleep has become a struggle for many travelers.
Ergonomics expert Carla Jaspers told The Wall Street Journal, “Ideally, it is great if you can steal a couple degrees of recline from your seatback, just to put your body in a little bit more of a supported sleep position.”
Upgrading your sleep game
The traditional neck pillow is still a favorite for many, but travel accessories have evolved.
Some travelers are turning to cross-body inflatable pillows. These innovative designs support the neck, preventing the forward slump that often interrupts sleep.
Others opt for the Pluto Pod, a futuristic accessory offering a personalized fit. The pod includes a supportive design for your neck and chin, a built-in eye mask, and what the company calls “your very own sensory deprivation space.”
Other travel accessories to consider
If pillows aren’t enough, consider gadgets like the foot hammock. This simple tool relieves lower back pressure and boosts blood circulation during long flights.
Eye masks and noise-canceling headphones are also essential.
Airplane lighting, sunlight and screen glare can disrupt your sleep, but eye masks help block out light and stimulate melatonin production.
Meanwhile, noise-canceling headphones help combat disruptive sounds like crying babies and chatty passengers. These tools can create a quieter, more peaceful environment for rest.
So next time you’re preparing for a trip, don’t just hope for a good nap –– plan for it. Sweet dreams, wherever you are!
Millions of tourists expected to flock to largest ice and snow park in the world
Winter is in full swing, and while summer is typically the season for travel, China is expecting tourists to book a flight to see the largest ice and snow park in the world. The frozen wonderland is taking shape in Harbin, located in the country’s northeast province.
For 26 years, the winter attraction has drawn in millions with the help of towering ice sculptures illuminated with glowing neon lights. The “Big World of Ice and Snow” festival is the world’s largest ice and snow theme park, equipped with 300,000 cubic meters of ice and snow.
Park officials expect people from all over the world and other parts of China to make the trek to the attraction.
Chinese officials said they’re preparing for half a billion visitors to the country during the snowy season.
In an attempt to draw in domestic and international guests, the Chinese government has increased flight routes and reduced travel restrictions.
Snow-covered ski resorts, parks and landscapes are keeping China’s economy booming. The government saw a 500% increase in revenue during last year’s winter season.
The country’s economy is expected to keep growing during the Ninth Asian Winter Games in 2025, a sports event that will bring athletes from around Asia to Harbin to compete.
South Korean parliament votes to impeach acting president
The political turmoil involving key U.S. ally South Korea deepens as its acting president is impeached. And severe weather could disrupt plans for millions on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
South Korean parliament votes to impeach acting president
Han, South Korea’s number two official, has been leading the country since the opposition-controlled National Assembly moved to get rid of Yoon. The assembly voted Friday to approve the impeachment motion against Han 192-0, with current governing party lawmakers boycotting the vote.
Meanwhile, two lawyers from Yoon’s legal team appeared before the constitutional court on Yoon’s behalf as hearings into his impeachment begin. The court has 180 days to decide whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him from office.
South Korea is a key ally of the United States. The U.S. has nearly 30,000 troops stationed there. Any new government would have to deal with President-elect Donald Trump come January. Trump has previously stated that South Korea should pay as much as $10 billion to have American troops there.
Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen airport where WHO chief was boarding plane
A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports Thursday, Dec. 26. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment happened not far from where he was about to board a flight, injuring a crew member with the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service.
Our mission to negotiate the release of @UN staff detainees and to assess the health and humanitarian situation in #Yemen concluded today. We continue to call for the detainees' immediate release.
As we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about two hours ago, the airport… pic.twitter.com/riZayWHkvf
At least three people were later reported killed and dozens injured in the airport strike.
A U.S. spokesperson said U.N. team members have since left the airport and are “safe and sound” in Sanaa. The injured crew member was getting treatment at a hospital.
The Israeli army told the Associated Press it was not aware that the WHO chief or delegation was at the location in Yemen.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli strikes left 20 people dead, including five Palestinian journalists, according to the territory’s health ministry. The Israeli military claimed they were militants posing as reporters.
Russian anti-aircraft system may have struck Azerbaijan passenger plane
Early indications point to a Russian anti-aircraft system as the cause of a deadly Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Dec. 25, a U.S. official told multiple outlets. There are reports that the Russian system used a surface-to-air missile to hit the flight before it crashed near the city of Aktau, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.
A commission has been set up to investigate the crash, including representatives from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia. However, Russian and Azerbaijani investigators will not be allowed to conduct their own forensics investigations, according to Kazakh state media.
The flight was en route, from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny when it was diverted. Russian state media said the diversion was because of fog. The plane crash landed while attempting to make an emergency landing in Kazakhstan.
Some aviation experts have pointed to holes in the underside of the plane as evidence of shrapnel and that the plane appeared to have been shot down.
Judge rules ‘Diddy’ and Jay-Z rape accuser can remain anonymous
A New York judge has ruled a woman who is accusing music moguls Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, of raping her when she was 13 can stay anonymous for now.
Judge says woman accusing Jay-Z, Sean 'Diddy' Combs of raping her at age 13 can proceed anonymously https://t.co/GwuLF7l5N0
In her decision, Judge Analisa Torres reserved the right to revisit the decision at a future date if the case moves forward, which would help defense lawyers prepare for trial. Torres also cited “substantial interest” from the public.
Severe weather threatens to disrupt post-Christmas travel
Friday is the start of one of the busiest travel weekends of the year and severe weather will likely throw a wrench in many people’s plans. Storms across the western and southern U.S. are threatening delays for millions of passengers, especially Saturday, Dec. 28.
Here are some key messages regarding the severe weather threat this Saturday (12/28). pic.twitter.com/BmzmpznyeE
The National Weather Service said another round of severe thunderstorms is expected to hit the deep south Saturday with strong tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail from Louisiana to Alabama. Meanwhile, a series of Pacific storm systems will continue to impact the west, bringing strong winds, low-elevation rain and heavy mountain snow.
Americans get lottery fever as Mega Millions jackpot hits $1.15 billion
While lottery officials say the odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24, chances of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 302.5 million. However, come April, the chances will go up — along with ticket prices.
Right now, Mega Millions is $2 per ticket, but that cost will jump to $5 in April. Lottery officials insist the price hike will lead to improved jackpot odds along with more frequent giant prizes and even bigger payouts.
Alerts for international college students ramp up ahead of Trump presidency
A wave of uncertainty is spreading across college campuses among international students ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office. Concerns about potential travel bans and tightened immigration policies are sparking new warnings.
China’s Consulate General is advising students to think twice about leaving the country over the holiday and said students should “try to reduce unnecessary cross-border travel.”
The alert comes after Trump targeted Chinese student visas during his first term. His administration focused on those deemed “security risks” to American scientific research, including Chinese graduate students and post-grad researchers with close ties to the country’s defense industry.
When President Joe Biden took office in 2021, he reversed several of Trump’s executive actions, including a ban on citizens entering the U.S. from predominantly Muslim countries, which Trump has vowed to reinstate.
Despite Biden’s reversals, Chinese students still face challenges like visa denials and entry bans under Trump-era policies.
Along with China’s recent warning, at least a dozen U.S. universities from California to New York are recommending students return to campus before Trump’s inauguration.
“While there’s no certainty such orders will be issued, the safest way to avoid any challenges is to be physically present in the U.S. before the Spring semester begins on January 13, 2025,” the USC Office of International Service said.
Cornell University also warned about possible restrictions. Officials told students to let their advisers know about their plans and be prepared for delays if they did plan to travel abroad.
Site of 1978 Jonestown massacre in Guyana to become tourist attraction
The scene of the largest mass murder-suicide in recent world history is becoming a tourist attraction, according to a report from NBC News on Thursday, Dec. 12. A South African tour group is turning the site of Jonestown in Guyana, where more than 900 adults and children died in 1978, into a travel destination.
The first tour group is reportedly ready to visit the site in January. The experience costs $650 and meant for small groups. Visitors will get an overnight experience to educate them on the lessons of the tragedy. The tour company’s owner says while tragic, Jonestown is an important part of the country’s history and has “global significance.”
With the help of the Guyanese government, Wanderlust Adventures will teach about “cult psychology, manipulation and abuse of power.” All while taking people to notable spots where the massacre unfolded.
Once a commune founded by American Rev. Jim Jones and hundreds of his followers, the living compound would later become home to the Jonestown Massacre. Jones ordered his followers to drink cyanide mixed with a flavored beverage.
A U.S. representative and two NBC News crew members died, while a congressional staffer sustained injuries that day. They were shot while attempting to board a plane after visiting the commune.
Despite the history, some in Guyana are reportedly uneasy about tourists visiting a site with such a dark past.
However, Wanderlust Adventures disagrees, noting that tourists from all over the world pay to see places like Chernobyl in Ukraine and Nazi concentration camps in Poland. The owner of the company adds, “it’s not to dwell on the tragedy” but rather to “understand the events” and make sure “histories are neither repeated nor forgotten.”
Boeing resumes 737 MAX production, releases delivery numbers
Boeing announced it had resumed production of its 737 Max jet nearly eight weeks after production had been halted due to a machinist strike at the company. Factories in Washington state were idle from September to mid-November.
After visiting the factories, Federal Aviation Administration head Mike Whitaker credited Boeing with following safety principles.
After previous strikes, the company resumed production without precautions. Boeing said it has focused on safety and retrained some of its workers.
In 2018, 189 passengers died when a 737 Max aircraft crashed off the coast of Indonesia. Months later, in early 2019, another flight crashed in Ethiopia, killing 147 people.
The FAA grounded all 737 Max jets pending investigation. It later lifted that grounding in November 2020.
In January 2024, a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines aircraft mid-flight. The pilots landed the plane safely, but the incident caused the FAA to ground the 737 Max 9 aircraft for about three weeks.
It was the first of several Boeing incidents this year.
As for sales, Boeing said it delivered nine Max jets in November. This is the lowest figure the company has produced since 2021, during the coronavirus pandemic.
In 2024, Boeing delivered 318 planes, including 243 of the 737 Max. Boeing’s biggest rival, Airbus, made 84 deliveries in November and 643 planes through November.