It's expected that over 42 million Americans will be traveling for Memorial Day weekend this year. A marked increase from 2022, it will represent one of the busiest Memorial Day weekends on record. Between Thursday, May 25 and Monday, May 29, AAA anticipates that 42.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from their homes. Americans plan to travel by plane, train, bus, car, and more. Memorial Day is considered the unofficial start of summer, and sometimes seen as an indicator of that season's travel trends. The estimated 2023 figure represents a 7% increase compared to Memorial Day 20 ..read more

Just in time for summer vacation, Frontier Airlines has launched several new nonstop flights to Puerto Rico from cities across the mainland U.S. Earlier this month, the low-cost carrier added flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital city, to five U.S. destinations. The routes are between Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and Cleveland, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, and Detroit. Frontier also added two flights between Puerto Rico and Florida. This includes a route between the Rafael Hernández International Airport in Aguadilla and Tampa, and one that travels between the Mercedita Interna ..read more

Think before you book: Budget airlines might put a quick Eurotrip within reach, but those low fares often come with hefty fees and extra costs. A new analysis published by TradingPedia analyzed several airlines that service the U.K. to determine if low-cost carriers really are the most affordable option after extra fees are taken into consideration. These include charges for carry-on bags, checked bags, seat selection, convenience fees for online bookings, and more. "To be fair, these fees are not exactly hidden on the websites of the airlines — they are fully disclosed on each screen while yo ..read more

This fall, Air New Zealand will debut its new sleep pods – known as Skynest – for passengers traveling in economy class. According to the Washington Post, the airline’s latest batch of 787-9 Dreamliners, which features its innovative Skynest product, will roll out in September. Announced right before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the product will consist of six sleep pods that travelers flying in economy class can purchase as an add-on to their regular seat. So, what will it look like? The Skynest features two sets of three bunk beds that are stacked in an outward-facing, V ..read more

Great news! Japan will lift all COVID-19-related border restrictions on May 8, 2o23. It's one of the last remaining countries to drop pandemic-era rules for visitors. "Notice: All border measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be lifted on May 8, 2023," the Japan National Tourism Organization posted on its website. "Those who are entering Japan on or after May 8, 2023, will not be required to present a Valid Vaccination Certificate or a Covid-19 Negative Test Certificate." Japan first reopened to individual travelers last year, but underwent a series of rule changes in the meantime. In ..read more

What are the world's top airports? According to Skytrax, Singapore Changi Airport was voted the best this year, once again reclaiming the No. 1 spot. Known for its out-of-this-world activities ranging from a butterfly garden to a rock climbing wall, Changi airport was named 2023's best in the world in for the twelfth time. It had temporarily lost its title to Qatar’s Hamad International Airport in 2021 and 2022. Changi airport also took the top spot for the world’s best airport dining, world’s best airport leisure amenities, and the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport hotel also won best airport hotel ..read more

If you're wondering whether you should book your summer 2023 travel now, the short answer is yes. Experts anticipate airfares to continue to increase this spring and into the summer season. However, prices shouldn't be as sky-high as they were last year. It does look like there will be more travelers taking to the skies than ever, though, and demand isn't showing any signs of slowing. This combo of higher demand and less capacity means prices will remain steeper this year versus what than they might have been a few years back. Let's get down to business. If you haven't finalized your summer ai ..read more

With Spring Break season in full swing, hordes of American tourists are making plans to relax with some sun and fun in Mexico. However, a new travel warning has been issued by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico for tourists. The alert is related to high levels of crime, potential dangers of contaminated drugs or alcohol, and counterfeit prescription medications, among other things. An excerpt from the Embassy website reads as follows: Crime, including violent crime, can occur anywhere in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations. Travelers should maintain a high level of situat ..read more

Have you just booked an all-out holiday somewhere abroad for the coming spring and summer months, only to realize you need to renew your passport? Don't drag your feet, because U.S. passport processing times are on the rise – and show no signs of stopping. Unfortunately, it now is taking between and eight and 11 weeks for routine service, and five to seven for expedited service. Updated Passport Processing Times: What You Need to Know As of this month, U.S. passport turnaround times are up – and almost double. In the past, the approximate times were between six and nine weeks for routine servi ..read more

While traveling with just carry-on luggage is the ideal scenario in terms of saving time and stress, it's not always an option when we're flying. Ask around and we guarantee that almost every traveler will say that waiting at baggage claim is one of the least pleasant and most anxiety-inducing parts of any trip. Whether it's waiting for what feels like ages to see your bag come around the carousel, dealing with lost or damaged luggage, or losing valuable time in transit, it's no fun. However, there are some tips to help make the unavoidable as palatable as possible. Read on for our baggage cla ..read more