May the 4th Be With You! I hope you had a great week! For all of our new subscribers, this is a weekly round-up of the daily travel tips I shared throughout the week. Welcome!
Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2025
Can you believe Mother's Day is just a week away? This year is really flying by. My wife Natalie wrote our annual Mother's Day Gift Guide. Check it out if you're looking for a special and thoughtful gift idea for the Mom in your life.
Speaking of Natalie ... She flew to Toronto this week to pick up her mom, who hasn't been on a plane since the pandemic. Natalie didn’t want her mom to feel stressed about traveling solo and really wanted her to come to L.A. for Grandparents Day at the kids' school - especially since she's the last grandparent standing. Here’s my tribute to my mom and dad and my wife's tribute to her dad.
⛈️ New York Metro Weather
The National Weather Service is forecasting wet and stormy conditions for the New York City area for the next several days. In response, United and other airlines have issued a travel waiver through May 5, allowing for voluntary changes to flights traveling to, from or through major NYC airports (EWR, JFK, LGA). As you will see from the FAA map below, EWR currently has a 222-minute ground delay. Yikes! Here's what to do during weather delays and flight cancellations.
🚀 Middle East Unrest
Major international airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, Delta and Hungary-based Wizz Air, canceled flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday after a ballistic missile fired from Yemen struck within the grounds of Israel’s main airport, Ben Gurion International. United just issued a travel waiver for Tel Aviv, IL (TLV) through May 11.
Yesterday marked the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend three times (2016, 2005, 2002), mainly to take my late father, who absolutely loved horse racing and Derby Day. It brings back such great memories. The photo above is from 2016, with legendary jockey Chris McCarron wedged between us.
📰 Top Travel News This Week
There's a lot of travel news this week so scroll all the way down to read all the top stories or click this link.
🏨 Hilton Honors members can earn 1,000 Bonus Points
From June 1 to August 15, 2025, Hilton Honors members can earn 1,000 Bonus Points on every stay through the Points Plus Promotion. Pre-registration is open now and it only takes a few seconds. I just did it myself since my login info was saved. It’s an easy way to rack up points faster.
🍷 Former California Highway Patrol Captain Charged With Abusive Sexual Contact With Flight Attendants on JetBlue Flight
A former California Highway Patrol captain is facing serious federal charges after allegedly assaulting male flight attendants during a JetBlue flight last month. I bet you can guess what played a major factor in his atrocious behavior. Here's the story. |
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✈️ Today's Travel Outlook 
As of 11:38am PT, there have been 189 canceled flights to, from or within the United States and 3,754 delayed. Here's a link to the up-to-date stats and a live look at the FAA's National Airspace System Status. Here's what to do during weather delays and flight cancellations.
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🧭 Travel Products of the Week
Bagsmart Tech Organizer
If staying as organized as possible when you travel is a priority, you need a tech organizer like this. It keeps all your chargers, cords and cables neatly organized and easy to locate. At just $12.98, this is a bargain. It makes a great gift, too. Buy here.
I Always Carry Mini Rolls of Gaffer Tape in My Carry-on
If you read my post about passengers holding up a collapsed ceiling on a Delta flight, then you know I always carry mini rolls of gaffer tape: one in my carry-on and one in our checked luggage. I also keep one in my desk drawer at home. Trust me, it’s a travel essential.
Limited Time Deals
By now you know that a portable phone charger is a travel must-have and these two reader favorites are currently on sale for a limited time. Buy the charger pictured left here for 27% off and the charger pictured right here for 22% off. The one on the left is slimmer and cheaper but the display screen on the other charger is extremely helpful so you know exactly how much charge is left and aren't left stranded, trying to charge your phone with a dead charger.
✅ Apple AirTags are still on sale: Snag a four-pack for $79.98 or a single one for $24.95
✅ Scottevest jacket: It has 20+ pockets to keep valuables safe and hidden: men’s and women’s
✅ Mini rolls of gaffer tape ($13.88)
✅ 34% off Anker 5-in-1 hub
✅ Waterproof AirTag holders ($7.99)
✅ $6.42 for 10-pack lithium coin batteries
✅ 50% off ($8.49): 6-Foot Surge Protector Power Strip
✅ 43% off ($9.95) RFID blocking money belt
✅ $9.99 for portable digital luggage scale: Buy here |
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😩 Monday 
What a Mess: Spain and Portugal Blackout Halts Travel and Cuts Power
Around 12:30 p.m. local time on April 28, major power outages were reported across Spain, Portugal, Andorra and parts of France and Belgium. The outages have severely disrupted trains, airports, metro systems, hospitals, traffic signals and communications. Expect heavy traffic, widespread travel delays and a rise in opportunistic crime over the next 24 hours. Here's what you need to know about this and what to do if it ever happens again.
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🛫 Tuesday 
8 Tips For Actually Enjoying the Airport Experience Instead of Dreading It
If you ask any traveler what they hate most about traveling, chances are they’ll say it’s the airport experience. No one enjoys dealing with heavy traffic, long lines, extra fees, security hassles, delays, or overpriced food and drinks — and that’s just scratching the surface of the many travel headaches. Over the years, with all the flying I’ve done, I’ve learned how to navigate all of it (and then some). Here are my top 8 tips.
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⌛Wednesday 
American Airlines Overhauls Boarding Process: What You Need to Know Starting May 1
Thirty years ago, I always tried to be the last person to board a plane. I wanted to spend the least amount of time possible on the tarmac (I used to be afraid of flying). But after I conquered that fear, and when airlines started charging for checked baggage, I completely flipped my approach. The one airline I fly the most is American and they just announced a change to their boarding process, effective tomorrow (May 1).
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🛂 Thursday 
REAL ID Deadline One Week Away: Here Are Other Acceptable Forms of Identification
It may seem like I’ve been harping on this for months, but the REAL ID deadline is just a week away. I have a bad feeling that many Americans will show up at the airport on May 7 only to discover that their regular driver’s license isn’t enough to get through security. Here's what you need to know.
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🚢 Friday 
Going on a cruise? Don’t sail without these essentials
My family and I have been on a couple of cruises recently and are getting ready for another adventure. Our last two trips took us through the Mediterranean on the Enchanted Princess, and we had such a great time that we booked a Caribbean cruise on the same ship for New Year’s, just six months later. Here's what you need to know.
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⚠️Saturday 
Shark Tank Star Shares Crucial Tips to Help Rideshare Riders Avoid Scary Situations
Lori Greiner from Shark Tank recently shared some crucial tips for rideshare riders. Here's what you need to know to stay safe.
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💬 TRAVEL QUOTE OF THE DAY “The more I see, the less I know.” ~ John Lennon |
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📺 Travel Videos of the Week 
Chaos on American Airlines Flight: Passenger Thrown to the Floor in Wild Confrontation
If you haven’t seen this viral video yet, brace yourself. A shocking scene unfolded on an American Airlines flight from São Paulo, Brazil to New York. Now, full disclosure: I don’t speak Portuguese (unless I’m attempting to butcher “bom dia” and “obrigado” while in Brazil or Portugal), so I’m relying on some translation from The Independent to understand the gist of what's going on. Here's the video.
Hailstorm Smashes Car Windows in Midwest
Living in Los Angeles, hail is a rare sight. The only time I can remember it happening here was a couple of years ago and it barely lasted a minute. I’ve seen it once in Palm Springs (about three years back), and plenty of times growing up in Connecticut and during my travels. The most memorable was in Dallas, where the hailstones were so huge I couldn’t believe my eyes. Speaking of shocking ... did you see this video that's going viral on social?
Watch: Passengers Hold Up Collapsing Ceiling on Delta Flight from Atlanta to Chicago
Here’s something you don’t see often on a flight ... and that’s a good thing. A video recently emerged from a Delta Air Lines flight (Flight 2417) from Atlanta to Chicago, showing passengers dealing with an unexpected mid-air incident when a ceiling panel detached shortly after takeoff. Watch the video here.
Speedboat Going 200MPH Does Somersaults Through the Air in Crash at Lake Havasu
Did you see this? A speedboat on Lake Havasu in Arizona this past Saturday attempted to set a record, went airborne at over 200 mph before crashing into the water! Thankfully, both people on board survived with only minor injuries. Watch the video here.
How a Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant’s Journal is Creating Meaningful Connections at 30,000 Feet
Okay, picture this: You’re on a Southwest flight and the usual routine is happening. You get settled, check your seatbelt, maybe chat with the person next to you. But on some flights, something extra happens: something you didn’t expect at 30,000 feet. Here's the touching video and story. |
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🌎 Top 14 Travel Stories of the Week 1 JetBlue negotiates partnership with United Airlines, sources say
2 Spain and Portugal hit by major power outage, halting trains and flights and wiping out traffic lights
3 White House seeks to cut TSA funding and boost air, rail safety
4 United Airlines suffers nationwide outage
5 See inside Trump's magnificent new Air Force One jet
6 American Airlines to debut new suites with sliding doors after delays
7 Major Canadian airlines slash US travel routes as demand plummets amid diplomatic tensions
8 American Airlines Slashes Award Holds To 1 Day—Still The Only U.S. Airline Offering This Rare Perk
9 Transportation secretary warns ‘people will lose their lives’ unless US adopts new air traffic control system
10 United Airlines grows highest-end Polaris airport lounge by 50% in battle for wealthy customers
11 Flights in and out of Newark Airport severely disrupted due to FAA equipment outage
12 What to know about Southwest Airlines' new fare bundles, from Choice Extra to Basic
13 Vatican closes Sistine Chapel for papal conclave
14 Pilot in Deadly D.C. Crash Was Told to Turn at Last Second but Didn’t
Read it all here as well as the 84 other top travel news stories from this past week! |
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🧵 TRAVEL THREAD OF THE DAY @stats_feed: Most active airlines (daily flights):
🇺🇸 American Airline: 6,285
🇺🇸 Delta Air Lines: 5,012
🇺🇸 United Airlines: 4,679
🇺🇸 Southwest Airlines: 4,040
🇮🇪 Ryanair: 3,398
🇨🇳 China Eastern Airlines: 2,320
🇮🇳 IndiGo: 2,286
🇨🇳 China Southern Airlines: 2,086
🇨🇳 Air China: 1,625
🇨🇱 LATAM Airlines: 1,500
As of May 3, 2025
Source: AirNav Radar
@airnavradar |
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✅ Currency Exchange 🇪🇺 €1 Euro = $1.13 USD
🇬🇧 £1 GBP = $1.32 USD
🇨🇦 $1 CAD = $0.72 USD
🇦🇺 $1 AUD = $0.64 USD
🇲🇽 $1 MXN = $.051 USD
✅ Calendar Countdown 🎖️ 25 days until MD Weekend
🗽 61 days until 4th of July
🛠 120 days until Labor Day
🎃 180 days until Halloween
🦃 207 days until Thanksgiving |
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