Tag: Flight

8 Tips for Navigating Travel Chaos and Flight Delays This Summer
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Traveling has probably never been more challenging than it is this summer. Unprecedented demand for air travel fueled by low staffing across the aviation industry has made flying a challenge for even the most seasoned traveler.

If you’re going to travel this summer, there are ways however to limit the amount of frustration and headaches you have to deal with. Here are 8 tips for navigating through travel chaos and flight delays this summer.

8 Ways to navigate through travel chaos and flight delays this summer.

Tip #1: Spend extra time researching.

Low prices and deals are hard to find on the surface, but if you dig deep, you’ll still find some deals.

-Use Google Flights to research cheap flight paths.

-Check your hotel across all hotel booking platforms to ensure you’re getting the lowest price.

-In some instances, you may even be better off booking with the hotel directly. Booking directly with the hotel will sometimes give you access to better deals and discounts.

-When booking with airlines, be sure to select reputable airlines that have a strong on-time departure percentage and a low cancellation rate.

Here are 4 airlines that are your best bet for avoiding flight delays:
- Delta: Only 19% of its flights were delayed in May and 21% faced a delay in June.
- United Airlines: May and June saw just 23% of the airline’s total flights delayed.
- Spirit Airlines: 80% on-time performance.
- Alaska Airlines: 81% on-time performance.
Here are 3 airlines that have had the most delays in recent months:
- Allegiant: 39% of their flights have been delayed.
- JetBlue: #2 airline with the most delays. 36% of JetBlue’s flights have been delayed.
- Southwest Airlines: This airline has had 29 of its flights delayed.
If your trip allows you to select to travel with an airline that has a lower cancellation and delay rate than another airline, it is recommended that you book with that airline in order to minimize the chances of having your trip disrupted.

Tip #2: Get travel insurance (seriously).

No one thinks they need travel insurance until they are the ones with the canceled flight, lost luggage, or delayed flight. Travel insurance is oftentimes more than affordable and can completely alleviate unnecessary problems travel disruption can cause.

Be sure to get travel insurance that covers things like:

– Delayed flights.

– Cancelled itineraries.

– Lost or delayed baggage.

– Or even if you get sick right before the trip and can’t go.

Tip #3: Give yourself extra time.

-There are going to be lines, delays, waits, and lots of frustrating moments, so add extra hours or days

into your itinerary and plan for delays ahead of time.

– Get to the airport extra early.

– Try and fly in a day or two in advance, in case the flight is canceled last minute and you need to rebook.

Tip #4: Take the earliest flight the day that you fly.

If you are traveling by plane and are going to a destination that offers multiple daily flights, try and book the earliest flight of the day. In case you encounter any delay or cancellation, you’ll have a greater chance to get rebooked on another flight.

-According to data gathered by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the best time to fly is between 6 and 7 a.m.

-Delay times only get worse as the day goes on, though. For every hour later you depart, you can expect an extra minute of delays, FiveThirtyEight reports.

-Delay times hit a peak between 6 and 7 p.m. (reaching up to 20.7 minutes on average!), and they remain above 20 minutes through 9 p.m.

Tip #5: Pack carry-on only.

If you’re planning on going on a summer trip this year, try to avoid checking in any luggage. Airlines all over the world are struggling with delays and cancellations. The last thing you want when your flight is canceled is to wait hours to reclaim your luggage.

-Each airline has its carry-on luggage rule, some are a lot stricter than others, be sure to check with your airline and when booking with an airline, ensure that you are allowed to bring on a carry-on bag with you.

– A rolling carry-on luggage and backpack (personal item) will be your best chance to bring on the most amount of items onto the plane without having to check a bag in.

-Pay for priority boarding so you can ensure that you can fit your items into the overhead compartment.

-Boarding at the end or with a basic fair ticket often means your carry-on items will automatically be checked in due to the lack of space.

Tip #6: If you have to check in a bag, be smart about it.

If you can’t pack a carry-on, get super smart about your checked luggage.

-Don’t wait until the last minute to check in your luggage. The earlier, the better.

-Keep all your valuables such as medicine, travel documents, electronics, and valuables with you.

-Get travel insurance that covers lost or delayed luggage.

-Many credit card companies will reimburse you for lost luggage. Contact your credit card company.

-Lock your luggage.

-Tag your bag and make it stand out so you can easily recognize it.

Tip #7: Check on the status of your flights

– Every day leading up to your flight, and then every hour on the day of your flight, keep checking the status. Anywhere from 10%-40% of flights in North America are being canceled or delayed so far this summer, so there is a good chance your itinerary may be impacted last minute.

– Download the airline app. They usually update these apps faster than they update the airline gate/counter

– Check the flight # on Flight Aware. This is another site where airline updates will commonly show before the gate agent is even aware.

Tip #8: Know your rights if your flight is canceled or your luggage is lost.

-Act fast: Open up a lost/delayed luggage claim as soon as you realize your luggage is missing.

-If you paid a fee to check your luggage, you are entitled to a refund in most cases.

-Check coverage and track expenses. Some airlines will reimburse you for any expenses incurred during the process of reclaiming your luggage.

-Have the luggage sent to your final destination and directly to your place of accommodation.

– Travelers in the U.S. need to be sure to know their rights, Airlines have to refund you your ticket in the event of a cancellation.

– Airlines also have to compensate you if your flight is overbooked.

Bottom line:

The travel industry is going to take another few months in order to rebound from the 2-year-long pandemic. Airlines and airports across the globe have to replenish their staff to meet travel demand. Ultimately things will go back to normal, it’s just a matter of time.

Until then, do the best you can do to minimize the chaos you’ll undoubtedly experience at airports.

READ MORE:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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July 12, 2022
These 4 Airlines Are Your Best Bet For Avoiding Flight Delays

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Whilst flight delays may be something we have to learn to live with this summer, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do to help minimize the risk of them happening – and there are four airlines in particular that are your best bet when it comes to looking to avoid delays. No airlines have a perfect record so far this summer, but in a climate where the worst performing airlines in the US have experienced delays on between a quarter and a third of all of their flights, choosing the right airline to fly with really could make or break your trip.

Fortunately for travelers, we have the low-down on which airlines have been taking off on time most frequently over the last few months – and which have been subjecting their passengers to the most delays. Here’s a look at which four airlines are best when it comes to avoiding flight delays, and which airlines you should be looking to avoid altogether.

Delta

Delta has been one of the best performing airlines in the US over the past few months when it comes to avoiding delays. The Atlanta-based airline has put some of its rivals to shame, with only 19% of its flights delayed in May and 21% facing a delay in June. Whilst these figures may sound high, the worst performing airline for those months, JetBlue, featured an average percentage of delayed flights that was above 30%, meaning that one in three of their flights failed to leave on time – that’s a lot of angry travelers.

Delta’s comparatively good performance has come at a cost to travelers, as thousands of flights were trimmed from the airline’s route network in order to ensure they could continue to offer a high level of service – a move that looks to have paid off for the country’s second largest airline. Whilst flying Delta doesn’t guarantee an on-time departure, it gives travelers more of a chance of a smooth flight experience than any other airline in the US at present.

United Airlines

Not far behind Delta were United Airlines, who consistently posted the second lowest delay figures of any US airlines over the past few months. May and June saw just 23% of the airline’s total flights delayed – significantly lower than the second worst performing airline Southwest, who had 30% of their flight delayed last month. Despite their solid performance, United have stated that a significant portion of their delays weren’t actually their fault.

Just last week, United’s Chief Operating Officer Jon Roitman blamed the airline’s high delay percentage on air traffic control staffing problems.

“We estimate that over 50% of our delay minutes and 75% of our cancels in the past four months were because of FAA traffic management initiatives – those have been particularly acute in Newark and Florida,” Roitman said, before adding: “These ATC challenges can not only disrupt the schedule, but they also cause us to burn crew time throughout the month.”

Air traffic issues or not, United are one of the safest bets when it comes to avoiding delays this summer.

Spirit and Alaska

Hot on the heels of United and Delta are Spirit Airlines and Alaska Airlines. So far this month, both airlines have seen relatively low delay rates, whilst posting some impressive on-time performance figures of 80% and 81% respectively over the 3rd and 4th of July – the second and third highest totals of any airlines in the US, behind only Delta. Having coped so well throughout the hectic Fourth of July holiday period, Spirit and Alaska are likely to be wise picks for travelers looking to avoid delays this summer.

On the other side of the coin, there are some airlines that should be avoided where possible if you’re looking to get to your destination on time. Allegiant Airlines saw as many as 39% of their flights delayed over July 3rd and 4th, and JetBlue close behind with 36% of their flights delayed. The third worst performing airline was Southwest, who saw 29% of their flights delayed over the same period.

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July 9, 2022
Delta May Offer You $10,000 Dollars To Get Off An Overbooked Flight

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One of the airlines most heavily affected by the 2022 aviation crisis, Delta is reportedly resorting to more radical measures to ensure operations run as smoothly as possible, going as far as offering passengers on an overbooked flight 10,000 dollars to peacefully leave the aircraft. You know what they say…

Every cloud has a silver lining.

These have been interesting times for air travel, to say the least. Even though Covid is being treated more and more like a moderate disease, and the world has finally reopened following endless months of draconian travel rules, a wave of flight disruptions has marred the first restriction-free summer of travel.

Besides staffing shortages, overbooking on some airlines’ part is also helping make this a turbulent season:

Delta Is Offering Some Pretty Hefty Compensation For Passengers Booked On Oversold Flights

Passengers who were scheduled to fly from Grand Rapids (GRR) to Minnesota (MSP) on a Delta Airlines flight last week were reportedly offered 10,000 U.S. dollars to leave their overbooked flight. According to Jason Aten, who writes for Inc. Magazine, Delta crew made the announcement minutes before the aircraft was due to leave the gate.

In Mr. Aten’s account of events, the airline offered the beefy, immediate compensation to eight volunteers, although Delta representatives have not confirmed this information as of yet. Despite lack of an official statement, other passengers who were on the same flight took to Twitter to back Aten’s reports.

As stated by Todd McCrumb, a Twitter user, it is a ‘true story’, though he could not take up the offer as he was flying with his wife, who has ‘very limited eyesight’ and needs him nearby when traveling. In an interview with KTVB 7, Mr. McCrumb further asserted that Delta was willing to give out 80,000 dollars to avoid some major disruption.

While he did not opt for the money prize, citing his wife’s limitations, he saw ‘at least four others’ accept the offer. The June 27 flight, initially scheduled to depart Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids at 6:45 AM, ended up taking off 20 minutes later until enough volunteers came forth. Mr. Aten himself didn’t leave the aircraft.

As he revealed to Fortune, not a single person in his group of eight, who were on a connecting flight with Alaska as a final destination, raised their hands as they ‘didn’t immediately know how many volunteers were needed’. However, had they known it was eight, the exact number of seats booked for the group, they would have gotten off.

It then became too late for Mr. Aten to volunteer when ‘four or five people had already left’. As for the compensation itself, flight attendants seemingly stated passengers accepting the deal would receive the money instantly, especially if they had Apple Pay. We were not able to verify this part of Mr. Aten’s statement.

What’s Behind The Recent Travel Chaos?

Nearly every major American airline has reported severe staffing shortages affecting their ability to fulfill their summer schedule. American Airlines has paused sales on Amsterdam routes at Amsterdam’s airport own request, while United has been forced to suspend seven of its most important flight routes in order to protect others.

These issues have been largely attributed to staffing constraints, resulting from the Covid-induced mass layoffs of the last two years. Throughout 2020 and 2021, as air travel nearly came to a halt, both airport authorities and airlines significantly scaled back operations, meaning some of its highly qualified personnel had to be let go.

Delta is no exceptions and their delays have been well documented, with CEO Ed Bastian apologizing to customers via a lengthy LinkedIn post. Bastian reaffirms that Delta’s team of 75,000+ professionals around the globe ‘remain focused on providing the very best care‘ for customers and their loved ones.

Besides the limited capacity, airlines are visibly struggling to cope with their new reality, and they have only reluctantly adjusted their schedules to accommodate passengers. Expressly, overbooked flights are becoming increasingly common, especially now that carriers are keen on maximizing profit amid the travel chaos.

Was This A One-Off Or Is It A New Delta Policy?

We do not know, at this point, whether this has been a one-off, or Delta is willing to continue taking drastic measures to ensure flights leave on time – and reliable customers getting bumped from overbooked aircraft don’t turn into some of their active detractors. But don’t worry: we will keep an eye out for similar stories.

Legally, airlines can oversell tickets, but this does not mean kicking passengers off a plane is an ideal move when they are already under fire over the recent spate of delays. Fortunately for Delta customers, the compensation they may be offered when being escorted out of an overbooked flight could now far outweigh these inconveniences.

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July 6, 2022
Southwest Launches 4 New Nonstop Flight Routes
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Southwest Airlines announced four new domestic routes on Thursday. Starting in November, the carrier will offer new routes connecting cities in Colorado, California, and Tennessee. The new routes are open for booking through January 4, 2023.

The carrier also expanded all its flight schedules until that date. Unlike other airlines, Southwest usually allows passengers to book their itineraries only a few months in advance, and the previous date limit was November 5, so it’s great news for those who want to plan other holidays —like Christmas or New Year’s Eve— with more anticipation.

Adam Decaire, Vice President of Network Planning, Southwest Airlines, said: “Summer is heating up early this year and our Network Planning Teams are focused on holiday travel options for Southwest Customers ready to plan family gatherings and winter getaways.”

According to the statement, the carrier is working hard to satisfy their customer’s needs and provide more alternatives for every traveler. Decaire also added: “We have returning seasonal fan favorites and brand new time-saving nonstop service, as we continue the work to restore more flying across our network on business and leisure routes.”

Southwest Airlines has already pleased customers with great offers for summer travel —like a 3-day sale to save 40% on qualifying base fares and a flash sale for top destinations starting at $45. Those interested in traveling low-cost should stay tuned and take advantage of the current promos and new itineraries.

Southwest Airlines announced four new domestic routes on Thursday. Starting in November, the carrier will offer new routes connecting cities in Colorado, California, and Tennessee. The new routes are open for booking through January 4, 2023.

In just a few months Southwest will start offering new nonstop routes that will benefit travelers, from those who want to visit the coast and spend some time in San Diego during cold winter to those who want to take advantage of the snow and go skiing in Steamboat Springs.

These are the new itineraries:
- From San Jose (California) to Palm Springs: beginning on November 6, the carrier will serve daily flights except on Saturdays. One-way tickets start at $79.
- From Nashville to Long Beach (Calif): Southwest will offer daily services beginning on November 6. One-way fares start at $195.
- From Nashville to Steamboat Springs (Hayden, Colorado): This route will only operate on Saturdays, beginning on Dec. 17. One-way tickets start at $148.
- From Colorado Springs to San Diego: This route will operate “on select peak travel days” from late November through January. One-way fares start at $115.
The new routes are exciting for third parties as well. Robert Garcia, Long Beach Mayor, shared his excitement about the new route including Long Beach, and said: “As passenger traffic at Long Beach Airport continues to climb back toward pre-pandemic numbers, it’s great to see Southwest connecting more travelers and destinations to our award-winning airport.”

Travelers can book and see more details about the itineraries available on Southwest’s official website. Those interested in taking advantage of the special prices should bear in mind that low fares are limited and time-sensitive.

Southwest Airlines announced four new domestic routes on Thursday. Starting in November, the carrier will offer new routes connecting cities in Colorado, California, and Tennessee. The new routes are open for booking through January 4, 2023.

The carrier has been offering great deals to travelers this 2022 and during the past few days also special promotions for its anniversary. Considering that flight prices have been increasing in the past few weeks, Southwest is making travel more affordable during peak season.

Southwest Airlines has also been making improvements in promotions, fares, and services. A few months ago, the carrier made a major fare change and added a new category, the Wanna Get Away Plus, giving travelers more benefits like same-day changes, more frequent flyer miles, and the possibility to bring two bags in the cabin for free.

The carrier is also developing its 5-year plan to enhance customer experience and will be offering better wifi, more comfortable seats, useful USB chargers, larger bins for carry-on bags on the planes, and more options for beverages and snacks. So travelers taking the new routes in California, Tennessee, and Colorado, might be able to experience cabin, seat, and services improvements

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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June 18, 2022
On A Budget? These New Cheap Flight Deals Will Make Your Day

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These new cheap flights to domestic and international destinations will allow travelers to visit a new city on a budget this summer and beyond.

From London and Glasgow to DC and LA, here are the latest new flight routes announced by low-cost airlines.

Toronto To Glasgow On WestJet

Canadian travelers will be happy about this inaugural route launched last week with WestJet, offering an affordable and direct flight option to Scotland just in time for summer.

Flights are currently set for 4 times per week, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The flight takes off in Toronto at 9:40 p.m. local time, scheduled to arrive in Glasgow at 9:10 a.m. the following morning.

“The launch of service between Toronto and Glasgow marks another milestone in recovery as we rebuild our network and strengthen transatlantic connectivity between our two countries,” said John Weatherill, COO at WestJet, on the kick off of this new flight.

One-way flights for this route are currently going for less than $200 on flight search engine Skyscanner.

New York To London On Norse Airways

Want to plan a cheap trip to London for the end of summer? Low-cost airline Norse Atlantic just made the route between New York and London more accessible for budget travelers.

Starting August 12th, Norse will launch its first transatlantic route between New York City’s JFK Airport and London’s Gatwick International Airport. Flights will operate daily, leaving New York at 5:55 p.m. and arrive across the pond in London at 6:20 a.m. the next morning.

If you’re looking for more cheap flight options to Europe, Norse is scheduled to launch a few more routes from the US to Oslo, Norway.

Flight prices from New York to London will start at $116 US (one-way fare).

4 New Flight Routes Launched By Low-Cost Airline Avelo

Low-cost airlines across the US have been ramping up their flight routes this year, and Avelo Airlines has jumped into the mix. Just last week, three new cheap flight routes were announced from Connecticut’s Tweed New Haven Airport to Washington DC, Chicago, and Raleigh. On top of that, a new direct route was launched from Boise to Hollywood Burbank on the budget airline.

“Avelo’s momentum at Tweed (airport) continues to build as we take flight today to three more popular destinations. With today’s addition of Chicago, Raleigh-Durham and Washington, D.C., Avelo now brings more choice, affordability and ease-of-travel to the state than any other airline,” said Avelo’s CEO Andrew Levy at the launch of the new flight routes last week. Here’s a breakdown of the new routes and the current flight prices.

Connecticut To Washington, DC

Departing from Tweed, flights will land in DC’s Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. According to the airline’s website, flights will be operating between 3-4 times per week from Connecticut to the US capital.

One-way fares for this route currently start at $59.

Connecticut To Chicago

Landing in Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), this new direct flight route will connect the East Coast with the Midwest, making for a budget option for travelers to explore the Second City this summer. Flights are currently scheduled for four times per week on Avelo.

One-way fares for this route start at $89.

Cheap Flights Now Available To Raleigh, NC On Avelo Airlines

Explore the city of Raleigh this summer on a budget. Flights between Connecticut and North Carolina’s charming capital are currently scheduled five times per week on Avelo.

One-way fares between Connecticut and Raleigh on Avelo Airlines start at $79.

Cheap Flights To Hollywood Burbank Airport

The City of Angels is even more accessible for Boiseans with the launch of Avelo’s flight route last week between Boise Airport and Hollywood Burbank Airport. Hollywood Burbank is the airline’s base of operations out of the West Coast, so look out for more low-cost flights departing from a city near you if you’re living in one of the West Coast states.

One-way fares are currently going for as low as $69 on the airline’s website.

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May 31, 2022
Canadian Airlines Announce New International And Domestic Flight Routes

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Airlines are ramping up flights to new destinations around the world, and Canadian airlines are no different.

This week, the major Canada-based airlines WestJet and Air Transat announced the launch of some inaugural nonstop routes to European destinations. The new flights include services to Rome, Amsterdam, and London’s Gatwick International Airport. We’ve got all the information for you below.

WestJet’s New Route Between Calgary And Rome

Are you living in western Canada and dreaming of Italy this summer? If so, you’ll be happy to hear that WestJet’s home city of Calgary is now better connected to Europe with the launch of the new flight route between Calgary and Rome on Saturday, May 7th.

The route was originally scheduled to launch in May of 2020 but was suspended due to the pandemic.

“With its rich history and culture, it is no surprise that our guests are eager to visit Rome. We are thrilled to provide Western Canadians with increased connectivity to this incredible city. We are also excited to bring guests from Rome to visit Canada and assist with the recovery of Canada’s vital tourism industry,” said Angela Avery, WestJet’s Executive Vice President of External Affairs at the launch of the new flight.

The direct connection between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Rome-Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) with WestJet is currently scheduled to operate until November 4, 2022 and will resume on March 16, 2023.

At this time, nonstop flights between the two destinations are available two times per week. You can check WestJet’s homepage for more details.

Italy has also been dropping some of its entry requirements for travelers, so visiting the country is much easier than its been compared to the previous two years.

Air Transat Launches New Routes To Amsterdam And London

Just in time for the summer tourist season (and due to traveler demand), Air Transat has launched a new direct flight service between Montreal and Amsterdam.

This inaugural route on the popular vacation airline is the first of its kind in Canada, with Air Transat being the only Canadian-based passenger flight carrier to offer nonstop service to these two destinations.

Flights will operate on a new, more eco-friendly plane – the new-generation Airbus A321neoLR, which is 15% more fuel-efficient than other passenger carriers.

This new flight launch means that Air Transat now offers nonstop services from Toronto and Montreal to the Dutch capital city. Flights will operate three times per week, and are currently scheduled until mid-October in accordance with the high travel season.

The airline also launched another inaugural flight route this week between Quebec City (YQB) and London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW), with direct weekly flights available until late September on the airline. This new route marks the second direct connection between Quebec City and Europe on Air Transat, the other one being QC City to Paris, France.

Air Transat Ramping Up More Flights For Summer 2022

The Canadian vacation airline is also set to relaunch 25 of its routes to Europe by June 2022. Air Transat currently offers six flight routes between Canada and Europe.

With the gradual restart for summer 2022, Air Transat will provide flight services to 15 destinations throughout Europe from Toronto Pearson Airport. Destinations will include Dublin, Lisbon, Glasgow, Zagreb, and more.

16 European destinations will also be available from Montreal, including nonstop flights to Athens, Brussels, Madrid, as well as a number of destinations throughout France.

Swoop, Air North Launch New Domestic Routes

On top of the resumption of international routes to Europe from Canada, ultra-low-cost carrier Swoop has launched its first-ever service from Hamilton to New Brunswick. Flights are currently scheduled four times per week for summer 2022.

This new route is one of 11 inaugural routes that will be available on Swoop to Canada’s East Coast, in an effort to boost tourism to the region after an over two-year closure.

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May 15, 2022
Travelers Will Face Mass Flight Disruptions Across Europe This Summer

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Sounds familiar?

If you’re traveling to Europe for summer 2022, you should be prepared for long delays – and even potential cancellations – as a new wave of flight disruptions is set to sweep across the continent. This time around, a new Covid variant is not to blame, or at least not directly.

If you have been following all the latest Travel Off Path updates, you may have noticed pandemic reports are becoming fewer and fewer every day, as more countries drop all restrictions and fully return to normal ahead of the highly-anticipated tourist season.

In fact, over 65% of Europe is now open without any Covid curbs in place. On the other hand, staff shortages and a lack of trained personnel seems to have become widespread across the aviation industry, with Europe being poised to face its most chaotic summer in years:

Two Thirds Of Europe To Be Hit With Delays During The Tourist Season

As evidenced on a research released by the European Airports Association (ACI Europe), 66 per cent, or virtually two-thirds of European airports currently foresee delays over summer. Additionally, more than one third expect operations to be affected as a result of staffing constraints, both during summer and well into winter.

As Covid finally subsides, the industry has begun to feel the painful effects of a two year-long pause, which may prove as damaging as the virus itself. While demand was generally being met throughout the pandemic, in spite of the usual setbacks, more passengers are now transiting international airports and transatlantic travel is booming again.

In short, airlines and airports were not ready for such a quick and unexpected rebound, having made a considerable portion of staff redundant over the pandemic. As demand has increased dramatically, they are in turn severely understaffed and struggling to recruit more personnel in time for fulfilling their duties to customers.

Inevitably, this unfortunate scenario has led to flight schedules being trimmed down, and even long delays at border control. Recently, the UK was the first European nation plagued by reports of extremely lengthy waiting times at its outer borders, with tourists waiting in line for hours on end until they are through security.

As Lucy Moreton, a spokesperson for the Immigration Services Union puts it, the UK Border Force is ‘catastrophically understaffed’. Even though new officers are being trained, the process can take up to a whole year, suggesting the infamously long delays could be experienced for months to come.

Poland Has Just Narrowly Averted A Mass Wave Of Flight Cancellations – For Now

In continental Europe, Poland also narrowly averted a spate of flight cancellations following renewed demands from air traffic controllers regarding pay and safety conditions. As airports in Europe cope with a surprising surge in travel, available staff could be working longer hours overseeing operations.

In Poland, over 130 controllers planned to resign at the end of April, in a move that would lead to mass flight cancellations across all of Europe, as several Polish airports are among the continent’s busiest hubs. While this was successfully avoided once a deal was struck, it is an indication the industry may not be fully prepared to deal with the fallout of Covid in the long-term.

Being only the 23rd country to fully scrap entry restrictions, and thus having high hopes for summer, Poland managed to avoid what would have been a true pre-season catastrophe, but will other European nations be as lucky?

For now, it seems likely this is a Europe-wide trend, with Amsterdam’s Schiphol also currently struggling with shortages, while TUI Airways has recently announced it will cut catering on short-haul flights in Europe due to limited staff.

Authorities Urged To Speed Up Security Clearance To Avoid Summer Of Chaos

As a result, several European airports teamed up with ACI Europe and ASA (Airport Services Association) in urging European authorities to speed up security clearance to new employees. In a statement, they claimed current training and security clearance requirements have made it ‘impossible to quickly adapt and deploy additional staff’.

Even though they concede there is ‘no quick and easy fix‘, reducing the waiting period from recruitment to deployment, which currently takes roughly 16 weeks, would allow airports to better prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. Both ACI Europe and ASA are also pleading with airlines to ‘reduce traffic peaks’ and return unused slots ‘as early as possible’.

At the same time, we have all seen what lack of intensive training, or faster security clearance for air traffic controllers with the sole purpose of meeting higher travel demand can lead to, suggesting there is no simple solution for this complex situation.

Sadly, there is no way of knowing for certain which flights, or airports, will be most affected until summer is in full swing. If you have a trip to Europe coming soon, and would like to minimize any risks of facing financial burdens following a potential travel disruption, then we seriously advise you to take out travel insurance before flying.

Luckily, we have a whole article detailing some of the best, and most comprehensive insurance policies out there, including both Covid coverage and financial compensation in the event of a flight cancellation. You can read more on the topic clicking here.

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May 13, 2022
10 New Flight Routes Announced This Week From The US And Canada
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Air travel is continuing to ramp up in 2022. From new sunny destinations to local favorites, here are some of the latest flight routes from the US and Canada just announced this past week.

Fort Lauderdale to Havana, Cuba

Dreaming of Havana after a two-year closure? Salsa nights and sunset mojitos might be closer than you think. Southwest recently announced that the airline will be ramping up daily flights between south Florida and Cuba’s iconic capital city, on top of a number of new round-trip flight services along the west coast and the islands of Hawaii.

Beginning May 4, 2022, Southwest will offer three daily round-trip flight services between Fort Lauderdale and Havana. Daily round-trip flights will launch between Tampa and Havana a few days later on May 7th.

Vancouver and Montreal to Dublin, Ireland

After a two-year hiatus, direct flights between the Canadian cities of Vancouver and Montreal and Dublin, Ireland are back starting in June.

The direct flight services will be on the national airline of Air Canada. Services between Montreal and Dublin will begin on June 2, with flights operating three times per week. Flights between the west coast city of Vancouver and Dublin are scheduled to launch from June 3 until September 30, with services four times per week. You can see more information and more details about the flight departure times here.

New York to 7 U.S. Destinations

30 miles north of New York City, you’ll find Westchester airport, the latest hub for Breeze airlines. From Westchester, passengers will be able to fly direct to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Savannah, Charleston, Jacksonville, and Norfolk.

These new routes add to the already impressive route system Breeze has in place, especially since the airline is only one year old.

New York City to Tobago

A new flight route is scheduled to launch between the Big Apple and the Caribbean island of Tobago this spring.

Beginning May 5, 2022, flight carrier Caribbean Airlines will offer weekly flight services on Thursdays between New York’s JFK International Airport and Tobago’s ANR Robinson International Airport.

According to local reports, this will be the first time in years that there will be direct flight services available between the continental United States and the island of Tobago.

Los Angeles to London

On Saturday, April 16, United Airlines finally resumed its popular flight route between Los Angeles’ LAX Airport and London’s Heathrow after more than a two-year break. Daily flights depart for London leaving LAX at 5:10 p.m. and flights from London to Los Angeles are scheduled at 4:15 p.m.

The resumption of this flight route is big news, as its one of the major connections between the US and Europe.

Toronto to Amsterdam

Canada’s sunny vacation airline Air Transat has relaunched its popular flight route between Toronto Pearson Airport and Amsterdam. Flights are currently scheduled to depart four times a week, as travel demand for Europe ramps up for the summer months.

The airline also recently announced that it will be adding a new flight route between Montreal and Amsterdam. This new route is scheduled for three times per week starting in May of this year until October.

Miami to Lima, Peru

Lima-based SKY Airline Peru, a subsidiary of Chile’s SKY Airline, just announced the launch of its sixth international flight route from Peru starting on June 7th.

Flight services between the two popular destinations of Lima and Miami are currently scheduled to depart five times per week, with services ramping up to daily flights beginning in August.
- Miami – Lima, departing Miami at 9:35 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
- Lima – Miami, departing Lima at 2:35 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Atlanta to Cape Town, South Africa

After over a year of negotiations, Delta Air Lines was finally given the go-ahead to begin flight services between its home city of Atlanta and South Africa.

The new flight service will depart from Atlanta to Cape Town, via Johannesburg. While there is no exact date set at this time, the airline plans to launch the new route in November 2022, with flights departing three times per week.

Sarasota to Austin, Texas

US-based budget airline Allegiant announced this week that it will be launching a new flight route this month between Sarasota, Florida and Austin, Texas.

Flights are scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 21, with twice-weekly services offered between the two cities. The new route will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays until at least the end of the year.

Toronto to Cartagena, Colombia

In another big announcement from Air Transat this week, the airline will be launching direct flights between Toronto and the Caribbean destination of Cartagena starting in December of this year.

Canadian travelers can enjoy flight deals for less than $600 round-trip between Toronto and Cartagena, making for an ideal sunny winter getaway.

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April 21, 2022
Americans Flying To The UK Risk Long Delays At Border And Flight Cancellations

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Americans visiting the United Kingdom this summer could be faced with a number of adversities both before and/or soon upon landing, as both UK-based airlines and the country’s immigration services struggle with staff shortages which have led to major disruption.

Much like JetBlue and Alaska Airlines across the pond, British carriers have been suffering from Covid-related absences. Besides revised schedules and multiple cancellations, the fact that the UK Border Force is severely understaffed will only add to the woes of UK-bound travelers.

Dozens Of Flights Cancelled Ahead Of Easter

Again citing a temporary reduction in staff as a result of Covid isolation guidelines, multiple flights were axed at British airports this week, throwing the travel plans of many into turmoil. Flag bearer British Airways and low-cost carrier EasyJet were among the most affected.

On April 13, a total of 70 flights were canceled between the two, with customers flying via London Heathrow and London Gatwick, notoriously the UK’s two busiest hubs, taking the brunt of it. Seeing that both Heathrow and Gatwick are the main gateways into Britain, visitors are advised to make contingency plans.

One of the best ways American travelers can minimize disruption brought about by flight cancellations or positive Covid tests while abroad is by purchasing travel insurance in advance. On this post, you can find out all you need to know about travel insurance that covers Covid and how exactly you can benefit from it.

Unfortunately, it seems exercising a higher degree of caution will continue to be the norm, as Johan Lundgren, EasyJet’s chief executive, reveals the company has seen staff absence rates of 20% in ‘some cases’. This left the airline no option but to cancel a number of flights.

More worryingly, Lundgren stated processing delays in security checks for new crew were ‘also contributing to flight cancellations’, signalling other entities in the aviation sector may also be dealing with a huge backlog of work.

Staff Shortages Behind Wave Of UK Flight Cancellations

Lundgren’s concerns seem to corroborate Kully Sandhu’s statement to BBC Radio 4, the managing director of Aviation Recruitment Network Limited. According to Sandhu, ‘it is going to take at least the next 12 months for the industry vacancy-wise to settle down’.

To put it simply, despite its recent reopening, vacations in Great Britain may not be completely hassle-free for a while still, as a wave of cancellations sweeps across airports.

Despite the turbulent period, EasyJet has still flown 94% of its scheduled flights in the seven days leading up to April 12, or ‘four times higher than this time last year’.

On the other hand, Lucy Moreton, from the Immigration Services Union, warned that Border Force was “catastrophically under-staffed“, as high Covid rates translate into more absent officers, adding that it takes nearly a whole year to fully train new ones.

In an interview with the BBC, Moreton reiterated that the Border Force is failing to attract enough candidates to fill the vacancies, warning of a challenging summer ahead, as restrictions ease and people begin flying again.

While Americans visiting Britain usually enjoy smooth, fast-track entry, as U.S. citizens are eligible to use eGates when crossing the border, understaffing may still lead to longer waiting in lines.

Like Mexico did some weeks ago, in this case, due to record arrival figures, we expect the UK government to detail how the impacts of Covid on airports will be mitigated.

What Measures Has The UK Taken To Mitigate The Delays?

So far, cash incentives have been offered for those willing to work extra shifts in Heathrow, Britain’s number one airport. Staff from other airports, including in Scotland and Northern Ireland have also been flown to London to help fill in the gaps.

In light of the recent events, Heathrow has assured the public new recruits can start working between three to six months following training and security checks, and that 1,000 new security officers are expected to assume their roles by summer.

The UK Home Office, which oversees border activities, also reaffirmed their ‘number one priority is to maintain a secure border’. Accordingly, they will be deploying additional staff ‘to help minimize queuing times for passengers.

In the meantime, travelers are warned of ‘congestion in check-in areas at peak times’.

As Europe sets out on a reopening path, with some nations scrapping all existing Covid measures, more and more tourists are returning to its shores for their yearly breaks. A favorite among Americans, the UK is no exception, having removed all internal restrictions and welcoming all travelers again, without restrictive entry rules.

For more news on travel to Europe, please visit this link.

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April 14, 2022
10 Non Stop International Flight Routes You Can Take From The U.S. This Year

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Traveler demand is increasing and airlines are ramping up flights to destinations around the world. Ready for some inspiration?

Here are ten international flight routes from the U.S. you can take this year.

New York To Cartagena

Cartagena is one of Colombia’s hottest travel destinations (literally and figuratively) and it’s now even more accessible with the launching of Avianca’s direct flight route between New York’s JFK Airport and the Caribbean city of Cartagena.

In less than five hours from New York City, you can be exploring Cartagena’s colorful Old Town, the backstreets of Getsemani, and feasting on empanadas from a streetside food cart as you watch the sunset over this beautiful port city.

The flag carrier also resumed flight services from Miami on March 27.

Dallas Fort-Worth To Melbourne

After two years of minimal flight activity, Australian airline Qantas recently announced some new international flight routes as the island-nation begins to reopen its borders to tourists. The new flights include an inaugural route from Melbourne to Dallas Fort-Worth, which is scheduled to launch in December of this year.

Starting April 17th, fully vaccinated travelers to Australia will no longer need to show a negative Covid test result pre-departure. So, if you have your heart set on Australia’s southeast coast, Qantas is ramping up flight services between Los Angeles and Melbourne.

San Diego To Munich

On March 30th, German airline Lufthansa launched a direct, long-haul inaugural route between San Diego International Airport and the Bavarian city of Munich.

This route replaced the one between Frankfurt and San Diego, which had to pause services in March 2020. Flights are currently scheduled five times per week. Flying to Munich gives you easy access to the rest of Germany and it’s just a short car ride to the Austrian countryside, so start planning your adventure to the German Alps!

Austin To Amsterdam

KLM’s new flight routes between Austin, Texas and Amsterdam have finally launched. Flight services began on March 28 and the route is currently running three times a week.

This new international route is one in a slew of new transatlantic flight routes announced recently by major American and European airlines.

These two cultural cities have so much to offer travelers. And since The Netherlands removed all Covid-related travel restrictions this month, it will undoubtedly be a busy summer in the Dutch capital.

Seattle To Istanbul

It was announced earlier this week that Turkish Airlines will be launching an inaugural flight route between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Istanbul. Set to launch on May 27th, this will be a long-haul flight as well as the 12th US city with direct services on Turkish Airlines.

Flights will operate four times per week on the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

New York To Milan

Get ready to fly to Italy’s stylish city in the lap of luxury. European boutique airline, La Compagnie, just launched a new international flight route between Newark Airport and Milan. La Compagnie is an exclusively business class airline, and other flight services include New York-Paris and New York-Nice routes.

This new international flight route will offer travelers a menu of Italian food and drink developed by expert chefs, as well as boutique amenity kits featuring products from local Italian skin care companies. Flights depart five times per week from Thursday to Monday.

Boston To London

If your heart is set on visiting England this summer, know that you will soon be able to get there on a budget from the East Coast.

Just announced this week, low-cost airline JetBlue will be launching flights from Boston Logan International Airport to London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports this summer. The Boston to London Gatwick route is scheduled to launch on June 19 and Boston to Heathrow set for August 22.

Los Angeles (Burbank) To Edmonton

As an alternative airport to the always-busy LAX, Los Angeles’ Burbank Airport is ramping up flight services for international travel, and that includes flights to major cities in Canada.

That being said, Canadian ultra low-cost airline Swoop announced it would be increasing flight routes both internationally and domestically this past year. One of the newest international flight routes set to launch by the airline is between Los Angeles Burbank and Edmonton International Airport. Thrice weekly flight services will begin on June 23rd, allowing southern Californians an easy budget option to visit Alberta’s capital city.

Orlando To Edinburgh

First of its kind on Virgin Atlantic, travelers can swap the humidity for the highlands and haggis on the new Orlando to Edinburgh nonstop flight.

This new, seasonal summer route launched on March 30th and flight operations are available two times a week from the US. Departures from Orlando are scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays and flights from Edinburgh to Orlando are available on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Los Angeles To Barcelona

More transatlantic flights from the West Coast are ramping up in 2022, this time with low-cost airline LEVEL. The airline’s summer flight schedule this year includes a direct route between Los Angeles International Airport and Barcelona. Flight departures from LAX to the Catalan city are currently scheduled three days a week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The itinerary will expand to also include Wednesdays starting on June 1st.

This new route is currently the only nonstop flight from the US West Coast to Barcelona.

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April 7, 2022