Holiday travel can be taxing even without the added stress of disruptions such as cancellations, flight delays or lost bags.

Last winter, Southwest Airlines’ holiday travel meltdown left millions of travelers stranded and angry. Travelers were still filing for compensation for ruined trips weeks later. Consumer complaints against U.S. airlines to the Department of Transportation in February 2023 increased sixfold compared with February 2019, forcing the agency to temporarily stop reporting more data as it processes complaints.

Despite the chaos, holiday travel shows no signs of slowing down this year. About 50% of Americans plan to pay for flights or hotel stays this holiday season, according to a NerdWallet survey conducted by The Harris Poll in September among over 2,000 U.S. adults. They will be referred to as “2023 holiday travelers” going forward.

More than a third of 2023 holiday travelers (35%) say they will keep their usual holiday travel plans this year, regardless of expense. And given the rising cost of gas, a quarter (25%) of those traveling say they’re flying rather than driving.

If you’re determined to get your dose of festive cheer, you may wonder if it’s worth paying extra for travel insurance this year. The survey found that 21% of 2023 holiday travelers plan on buying or have already bought travel insurance for their holiday trips, up from 16% last year.

Is flying truly worse?

The post-pandemic travel surge is real. But has the flying experience honestly gotten worse? Let’s take a look at the numbers.

The Department of Transportation releases reports on the performance of the 10 largest airlines and their marketing carriers. An analysis of data through June 2023 (which, it should be noted, doesn’t capture the complete picture of summer travel) by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund found:

• The number of airline passengers for the first half of 2023 increased by 11%, to 419.2 million, compared with 2022. That’s almost back to 2019 pre-pandemic levels (419.7 million).

• On-time performance for flights in June fell to 71.3%, worse than a year ago. The on-time rate for the first half of 2023, at 76.5%, was slightly better than in 2022, but worse than in 2019.

• Flights are fuller this year than they were before the pandemic. More than 419 million passengers traveled in both the first half of 2023 and the first half of 2019. There were, however, fewer flights operated in 2023 — nearly 3.5 million compared with nearly 3.9 million in 2019 — meaning the same number of travelers had fewer flight options.

• The flight cancellation rate in June fell to 2.1%, better than a year ago. The cancellation rate for the first half of 2023, at 1.6%, was half of what it was in 2022 and better than in 2019.

So, while travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, travelers have fewer flight options. Given those gloomy statistics, travel insurance is at least worth considering this year.

Insurance aside, one way to lower the risk of disrupted travel is by adjusting when or how you fly. Nearly 2 in 5 2023 holiday travelers (35%) in the NerdWallet survey plan to avoid busy travel days by extending the duration of their holiday trips.

» Learn more: The busiest days to fly during the winter holidays

What type of travel insurance should you get?

The type of insurance you should buy depends on a few factors, including:

• Whether your trip is nonrefundable.
• Where you’re going.
• If your credit card has built-in protection.
• What your health coverage is at the destination.

Let’s assume you’re traveling domestically and already have health insurance coverage. Depending on your age and health, you may not have to pay extra for medical coverage. Note that only some travel insurance policies cover pre-existing conditions.

Some travel credit cards offer basic trip cancellation or interruption, baggage delay coverage and rental car coverage up to a certain dollar amount. If you think the options your credit card provides are good enough, you won’t need additional coverage.

If you don’t have a credit card with built-in protection or the limits aren’t high enough for you, look into buying a stand-alone travel insurance policy.

You can opt for the trip insurance your airline offers, buy it directly from an insurance provider or get it via an online travel agency such as Expedia. You can also compare quotes from travel insurance marketplaces you can find online. The cost of your policy will depend on the details of your trip.

Flying home for the holidays may not get any better this year, but having travel insurance could give you some comfort during your trip.

The article Should You Buy Travel Insurance for Holiday Travel? originally appeared on NerdWallet.

An Airbus A321 aircraft took off from London Stansted Airport last month with four damaged window panes, including two that were missing, according to UK air accident investigators.

Nine passengers and 11 crew members were on board the plane bound for Orlando International Airport in Florida on October 4, when the damage, apparently caused by high-powered lights used during a filming event the previous day, was discovered after takeoff.

The aircraft had reached an altitude of at least 14,000 feet by the time it was turned around, reads a special bulletin by the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB.) The plane landed back at Stansted Airport safely shortly afterward.

‘Increased cabin noise’

The report, published on November 4, details the incident, noting that it could have resulted in “more serious consequences” if “window integrity” had been “lost at higher differential pressure.”

It describes how passengers had noticed that the aircraft appeared to be “noisier and colder than they were used to” after taking off at Stansted Airport.

As the plane continued to climb and the seatbelt signs were switched off, the loadmaster, who had also noticed “increased cabin noise,” walked towards the back of the aircraft and spotted a cabin window on the left side of the aircraft with a window seal that was “flapping in the airflow.”

The loadmaster, who described the cabin noise as “loud enough to damage your hearing” informed the cabin crew and also went to the flight deck to let the commander know.

Ongoing investigation

Although there were no “abnormal indications,” the crew opted to stop the plane’s ascent at 14,000 feet and reduce airspeed while the window was inspected by an engineer and the third pilot.

“Having inspected the window, it was agreed the aircraft should return to Stansted,” the report continues.

“The cabin crew told the passengers to remain seated and keep their seatbelts fastened, and reminded them about the use of oxygen masks if that became necessary.”

The full extent of the damage to the aircraft wasn’t discovered until it was back on the ground.

The flight crew initiated a descent and the aircraft arrived back at Stansted Airport a short while later. The total flight time was 36 minutes, according to the bulletin.

After passengers had disembarked and the plane was parked and shut down, the crew inspected the plane from the outside, and found that two cabin window panes were missing and a third was dislodged.

“The four affected windows were adjacent to each other, just aft of the left overwing exit,” adds the bulletin.

The AAIB explains that the windows may have “sustained thermal damage and distortion” due to increased temperatures when the aircraft was used during filming for four to five and a half hours the day before the flight.

It will continue to investigate the incident to “fully understand the properties of the lights used and how this risk can be managed in future.”

“Aircraft owners and operators should consider the hazard posed by such activities to minimize the risk of aircraft damage,” it added.

CNN has contacted the AAIB for further comment.

The-CNN-Wire & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

To come or not to come? That is the question.

One faction of Hawaii residents is telling visitors to stay away so that more resources are available to those recovering from the loss of loved ones and property. Another camp is pleading for tourists to bring much-needed revenue, especially after what is now a one-two punch between the travel-restricting pandemic that lasted roughly two years and the wildfire that only a few months ago ravaged Maui and decimated historic Lahaina Town.

Considerate of both these viewpoints is Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Henry Kapono, who in between hard-ticket concerts plays Duke’s at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort on Sundays.

“Mixed messages are out there,” said the 75-year-old Oahu-born fixture. “The locals in West Maui are especially feeling the hurt of what happened and trying to heal at the same time. As they support themselves, their friends and community, the hope is that they can see the bigger picture of tourism being a key part of that support.”

Because of the devastating fires, Kapono’s Maui gig on his current 50-year anniversary tour has been postponed three months to December. In between, however, he organized a benefit concert in Maui that raised $200,000 for victims.

“It’s really sad about Lahaina,” said one half of the legendary, long-disbanded Hawaiian pop duo Cecilio & Kapono. “I have so many memories of working places that burned to the ground. It will take a while, but we know that Lahaina will come back in some shape or form. Until it does, Maui has other places to enjoy paradise, and people are welcome to have fun on the other islands as well. That’s what Hawaii is all about.”

Maui hosts about a quarter of all visitors to Hawaii, and although much of “The Valley Isle” is fully operational now three months after the catastrophic fires, Oahu, where nearly half of the state’s tourists flock to, seems to be welcoming island-bound travelers with the widest open arms — slathered with sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, of course.

Living up to its nickname of “The Gathering Place,” Oahu is seeing visitorship nearly back to pre-pandemic levels. Vacation-hungry Americans are being wooed by the tropical beauty and weather, world-class resorts and restaurants, and walkability of Waikiki — all accessible without a passport and, for many, a non-stop flight to Honolulu.

Also nonstop is Oahu’s vast array of unique experiences and attractions. With an eye out for what’s new, improved and special, let’s explore this eclectic and exciting island by land, sea and air.

On the ground

If you’re born to be wild, then get your motor running and head out for an adrenaline junkie’s kind of off-road adventure. New to Oahu is a 2 1/2-hour Pua Pua‘a Piglet ATV Adventure from North Shore EcoTours (northshoreecotours.com), and it packs a Hawaiian punch. Climbing, crawling and sloshing through rocky and often muddy trails in a rugged 4×4 ATV, with no more than three of these six-seaters on the tour, adds to the thrill of plowing through jungle and farm land while being caked in brick-red volcanic dirt that takes a couple of hot showers and loads of laundry to get off your skin and clothes. North Shore EcoTours also offers hikes and rides on electric, solo-rider Mongoose ATVs. Along the way a guide points out interesting landmarks and vegetation ripe for selfies. The Pau Pua‘a tour runs about $300 for two people — a bargain compared to ATV adventures around the world that are half as exhilarating.

Driving on a much different type of course is achieved at the official golf club of the Four Seasons Resort at Ko Olina, Disney’s Aulani Resort and other tony properties on Oahu’s west side. Rated one of Golf Digest’s “Top 75 Resort Courses in the U.S.,” Ko Olina Golf Club (koolinagolf.com), where LPGA star Michelle Wie developed her game, is gorgeous and challenging, yet comfortable for the golfer who may feel unworthy or intimidated playing courses used for pro tours. The grounds also have an above-par pro shop and a Roy’s Hawaiian fusion restaurant. Greens fees are very fair for a facility of this caliber — about $250, less if staying at a partner resort.

OK, so the most touristy thing one can do in Hawaii is go to a luau. They’re expensive, hokey and cookie-cutter, but not doing one, especially on a first visit, is almost sacrilegious. So, props to the ‘Ahaaina Luau (royal-hawaiianluau.com) at the gorgeous Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach for being different. Oh, it’s pricey, all right, costing $225 or $250, depending on how close you want to sit, but hokey and cookie-cutter it’s not. The show, held on Mondays and Thursdays, follows a three-course dinner that fuses Hawaiian, Korean and Japanese flavors. Told through story, song and dance, the history of Hawaii includes the colorful past of the hallowed grounds upon which the luau’s guests are gathered. Sure, it’s a commercial for the Royal Hawaiian, but it works, and how special for those actually staying at the near-century-old resort.

On the subject of entertainment, opening night isn’t for another year, but we mention Cirque de Soleil’s next permanent show because it’s bound to make a great property in the heart of Waikiki even better. The Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel is where an 800-seat theater that’s been dormant since the pandemic is being renovated for a production that will blend Hawaiian culture with Cirque’s signature avant-garde sights and sounds. The show’s name hasn’t been announced yet, but the hospitality company behind it has made a name for itself as ambassadors of the aloha spirit.

Corny as this may sound, Outrigger’s respect for local culture isn’t just a checkbox. It’s laid in the flooring of the flagship Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Hotel, where Hawaiian words are learned while strolling the lobby area. It’s baked in the locally made pono pie at Duke’s inside the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, home of the to-die-for dessert somehow free of gluten, sugar and dairy. And it’s woven in the island-crafted robes hanging in the closet of each unit at the Beachcomber … but they’ll charge you if stolen. The aloha spirit does have its limits.

The cultural center at the newly renovated Reef property is a benchmark among all island resorts, as is the hotel’s Kani Ka Pila Grille for live Hawaiian music. Paradise is chowing down on kalua pork nachos and pineapple crème brulée washed down with your favorite umbrella drink while enjoying home-grown contemporary artists every night in a casual outdoor venue, and with no admission charge. Indeed, the spirit of aloha is alive and well while eating, drinking or relaxing at an Outrigger (outrigger.com) property. If you want to add “sleeping” to the list, rates at Outrigger’s top Oahu hotels begin at around $400 a night, which is low for three-diamond AAA-rated hotels in Waikiki that behave more like those with four diamonds.

Recommending a genuine four-diamond property, on the west side of the island is the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina (fourseasons.com). New there is the Noe Mixology Masterclass ($75), a one-hour lesson starring gin, bourbon, rum, mescal, tequila and, on many days, Michael Milligan, formerly from Costa Mesa and now the Four Seasons’ lead bartender who made this guzzling guest the best espresso martini of his life. More hands-on expertise is found at the resort’s elegant Naupaka Spa. Try the 50-minute Signature Lomilomi Massage ($225) and you won’t be either sore or sorry.

Honolulu’s Waikiki area has grown as a foodie destination since the pandemic, and two of the more exciting newcomers are La Bettola Waikiki at the ‘Alohilani Resort (alohilaniresort.com) and Redfish at the Wayfinder Waikiki (wayfinderhotels.com). La Bettola, opened in June, features authentic Italian fare married with local ingredients under the guise of renowned chef Tsutomu Ochiai. His neighbor at the Alohilani is “Iron Chef” Masaharu Morimoto’s Momosan, home of perhaps the best ramen and sushi on Oahu.

The signature dishes at Redfish are the poke bowls, but it’s hard to beat the honey walnut shrimp. Opened in May, Redfish augments a boutique hotel with a cool and kitschy vibe that’s only outdone by its ‘60s-feel sister property, the White Sands Hotel, a few blocks away. Best of Waikiki’s chain restaurants: Hula Grill at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Tommy Bahama Restaurant on Beachwalk Drive and Monkeypod Kitchen at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Hotel.

In the air

Since you’re probably already spending thousands on a Hawaiian vacation, what’s another $400 to guarantee an even more memorable trip? That’s how much it is, per person, to see Oahu at rainbow level. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters (bluehawaiian.com) has a 65-minute Complete Island Tour from Honolulu that includes the biggies: Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial, Diamond Head, the surfing mecca of North Shore and Oahu’s tallest waterfall.

On the water

Sailing tours are among the more popular things to do while in Hawaii, and if you’re hoping to set a course for more romance than adventure, climb aboard the 150-foot, three-deck Majestic for a crowd-escaping Waikiki Sunset Cocktail Cruise (majestichawaii.com). Operated by Atlantis, which will be happy to take you under the water as well in one of its submarines, the cruise ($79 for adults, $39.50 for children) parallels the Waikiki coast for stunning views that culminate at sunset when the orange sun sinks behind the Hawaiian horizon. Majestic is the only cruise around with a full-service bar and lounge that offers open seating.

All this is just a drop in the warm and inviting ocean. For more on Oahu, visit gohawaii.com/islands/oahu.

For September, fares declined nationally by 13% when compared with September 2022, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They were down 6.5% from September 2019, which was months before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

While consumers whipsawed by sharply higher prices are happy to be cut a break, airline managements have started to adjust their strategies for the coming year amid slippages in demand and persistently high fuel costs.

Financially, the year is becoming a turbulent one for the airlines, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which reported an industrywide net loss among 26 scheduled airlines of $1.2 billion in the first quarter and a net profit of $5.5 billion in the second quarter. But as the third quarter reporting period unfolds, the results have been mostly losses or lower profits for carriers checking in thus far, highlighted by Delta reporting a large profit while American posted a sizable loss.

South Florida-based ultra low cost carrier Spirit Airlines, which posted a $157.6 million net loss, said it would scale back its growth plans. JetBlue Airways of New York, which wants to take over Spirit, lost $153 million and forecast another deficit for the fourth quarter.

Southwest Airlines, which posted a profit that was 30% below last year’s third quarter, announced changes in its route system starting in June 2024. The plan includes the shift to Orlando of most of its nonstop international flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

While no one is forecasting a financial washout for any of the airlines, the industry landscape is undergoing changes as the larger carriers start making things uncomfortable for the low-cost budget carriers, analysts say.

Budget carriers under pressure

“None of the budget airlines at least for now are at the risk of bankruptcy,” said Henry Harteveldt, of Atmosphere Research Group, a San Francisco-based advisory firm. “They all have cash balances and assets they can leverage to raise additional cash if necessary.”

“However, it’s very clear that larger airlines are starting to leverage their basic economy fare products more than they have in the past to compete for the customer base,” he said. “And that is going to make life more difficult for the budget airlines.”

“Southwest has been very aggressive so far this fall in offering a number of fare sales sometimes with flights starting as low as $29,” Harteveldt said.

Moreover, infrequent travelers who are “brand agnostic” are checking out amenities offered by the bigger airlines as alternatives to fee-based onboard services offered by the discount carriers.

“The airline industry is brutal when it comes to price-based competition,” Harteveldt said. “Our research shows 15% of passengers have loyalty.to some airline or alliance while 85% are making their airline purchasing decisions trip-to-trip. A lot of them divide their loyalties among multiple airlines.”

A takeover hangs in the balance

Looming in the background is the Biden Administration’s antitrust lawsuit that seeks to stop JetBlue’s $3.8 billion takeover of Spirit. The U.S. Justice Department, in concert with several Northeast states and the District of Columbia, argue the takeover would raise prices for consumers because Spirit would disappear after a deal is closed.

The case went to trial in a Boston federal court last Tuesday.

A win for the government would likely dash JetBlue’s expansion plans, which the carrier argues are critical for it to grow and offset a so-called “Big Four” domination of the industry by American, Delta, Southwest and United. A defeat would also likely squelch JetBlue’s ambitions to expand across Florida.

South Florida’s three international airports are among the most well-served in the country by lower-cost airlines ranging from Spirit and JetBlue to Allegiant and Sun Country. At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International relative newcomers Avelo and Flair have entered the picture, providing consumers with travel choices to cities that were unavailable before those carriers took flight.

For its part, Allegiant Air, which is the centerpiece of a travel company based in Las Vegas, Nev., is hoping for a JetBlue court victory in Boston.

In a September deal designed to help mitigate government concerns that JetBlue’s takeover of Spirit would boost consumer prices, JetBlue agreed to transfer to Allegiant all Spirit holdings at Boston Logan International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. JetBlue would also turn over up to five gates and related ground facilities at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International “to promote ultra-low-cost carrier growth,” the airlines said.

The deal followed another by JetBlue that would shift Spirit’s holdings at New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Denver-based Frontier.

Approvals of both deals are required from local airport authorities, the FAA and DOT, and would occur after the closing of JetBlue’s buyout of Spirit in the first half of 2024.

In theory, the agreements would redistribute discounted flight services to consumers flying out of Fort Lauderdale to two other airlines — Frontier and Allegiant.

Allegiant, which along with Frontier also posted losses in the third quarter, is sticking with its strategy of providing unbundled fares off a low base price.

“Affordable fares are the foundation of Allegiant’s business model and consumers can continue to expect industry-low fares across our network,” the company said in a statement to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

In the interim, will fares industrywide continue their downward trend?

“There is still a lot of uncertainty,” Harteveldt said. “What happens if there is a government shutdown? What happens if we have more strikes or if strikes are resolved? American and United are negotiating with the unions representing flight attendants.”

A likely outcome: Higher labor costs, and, perhaps, higher fares.

The holidays are fast approaching, and the time to book holiday flights is even closer. But as travelers securing end-of-year trip reservations begin to reach for their wallets, another payment option is on the table.

A growing list of airlines offers travelers the chance to buy expensive flights now and get an interest-free loan to pay off the purchase in smaller monthly installments. These “buy now, pay later” financing options are available through third-party providers, like Affirm, Uplift, Klarna or PayPal Credit, directly on the airline’s checkout page.

Almost 1 in 5 holiday travelers (about 18%) plan to use a buy now, pay later service to pay for their holiday travel expenses, according to a NerdWallet survey conducted by The Harris Poll in September among over 2,000 U.S. adults. For the purposes of the survey, holiday travelers were defined as people who plan to spend money on flights/hotels for 2023 holiday travel.

Buy now, pay later is a way for holiday travelers to finance the $1,947 they plan to spend on holiday flights and hotels this season, according to NerdWallet’s findings. This is an increase of more than 23% from last year’s holiday travel spending ($1,582 on average). That’s despite a decline in airfare prices since last year, according to the consumer price index data released in October.

The question is whether using these programs is a good idea.

The rise of buy now, pay later services

Buy now, pay later programs with five major lenders grew 970% from 2019 to 2021, according to a September 2022 report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

The agency also noted the dollar value of loans doled out by those companies rose from $2 billion before the pandemic to a whopping $24.2 billion in 2021. Buy now, pay later usage included everything from beauty products to groceries, gas, pet care and travel.

Experts say the jury is still out on whether buy now, pay later programs benefit consumers. A big reason for the uncertainty is the rapid rise of these financing options.

“There’s a lot we still don’t know about consumer uses of these,” says Michael Collins, an expert in consumer and personal finance at the University of Wisconsin.

According to the CFPB, these loans, paid down monthly by consumers, range in size from $50 to $1,000.

Benefits of using buy now, pay later for travel

There are some benefits to using buy now, pay later for travel.

For one, buy now, pay later can keep travelers from immediately paying for a sizable airfare expense when holiday gifts and other year-end costs can quickly add up.

Plus, there’s a convenience factor to making a buy now, pay later purchase, Collins says.

“You can instantly finance it even if you don’t have cash in the bank and you don’t want to use your credit card,” he says, noting its appeal to those who might not have stellar credit or who don’t have a credit card.

Unlike a credit card, though, many of these programs don’t charge interest if you make the minimum monthly payment.

Drawbacks of using buy now, pay later for travel

Buy now, pay later programs do carry risks, especially if you miss your monthly payment.

In the CFPB’s report on Buy Now, Pay Later trends, the explosion in popularity of these financing options last year is discussed, and users are cautioned about the risks of data harvesting, inconsistent consumer protections, minimal dispute resolution options and the potential to accumulate debt and late fees.

“We will be working to ensure that borrowers have similar protections, regardless of whether they use a credit card or a Buy Now, Pay Later loan,” the bureau’s director, Rohit Chopra, said in the report.

The agency also found that 10.5% of buy now, pay later borrowers were charged at least one late fee in 2021.

Use credit responsibly

Ultimately, Collins says, consumers considering taking advantage of one of these programs — or incurring any other debt, for that matter, should consider the basic principles of responsible credit.

“You should be your own best judge of what you can handle,” he says. “You have to take out these loans with the intent to pay them back in a timely way, or else they will get very expensive very fast.”

Survey Method:

The 2023 survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NerdWallet from September 5-7, 2023, among 2,057 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, among whom 967 plan to spend money on flights/hotel stays this upcoming holiday season. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.7 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact press@nerdwallet.com.

The article More Travelers Are Using Buy Now, Pay Later for Holiday Trips originally appeared on NerdWallet.

SEATTLE  — Three passengers sued Alaska Airlines on Thursday, saying they suffered emotional distress from an incident last month in which an off-duty pilot is accused of trying to shut down the engines of a plane while catching a ride in the cockpit from Washington state to San Francisco.

In the complaint filed Thursday in King County Superior Court in Washington state, San Francisco residents Matthew Doland and Theresa Stelter and Paul Stephen of Kenmore, Washington, alleged that the pilot should never have been allowed in the cockpit because he was suffering from depression and a lack of sleep.

Alaska Airlines said in an emailed statement that it is reviewing the complaint. “The pilots and flight attendants operating Flight 2059 responded without hesitation to ensure the safety of all onboard,” it added. “We are incredibly proud and grateful for their skilled actions.”

Alaska pilot Joseph David Emerson, 44, was riding in the jump seat — an extra seat in the cockpit — when he suddenly said “I’m not OK” and tried to pull two handles that would engage a fire-suppression system and cut fuel to the engines, authorities said in charging documents.

Flight 2059, operated by Alaska affiliate Horizon Air, diverted safely to Portland, Oregon, after the pilots quickly subdued Emerson and he was voluntarily handcuffed in the back of the plane, police said.

The lawsuit said the plane experienced “what felt like a nose-dive,” though some passengers quoted in news accounts have not described any such thing. Passenger Aubrey Gavello told ABC News: “We didn’t know anything was happening until the flight attendant got on the loudspeaker and made an announcement that there was an emergency situation and the plane needed to land immediately.”

“Airlines can and should take simple and reasonable steps before each flight to challenge the presumption that every pilot who shows up at the gate is rested, sober, and in the right state of mind to fly,” Daniel Laurence, aviation lawyer at The Stritmatter Firm, which is representing the plaintiffs, said in a statement. “Emerson’s statements while in the air and shortly after his arrest show that had the airlines here done so, he would never have been allowed aboard. … Only luck prevented it from becoming a mass disaster.”

It is a common practice for off-duty pilots to catch rides in jump seats, and in some rare emergencies they have pitched in to help, even saving lives.

Emerson has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges in Oregon state court and faces arraignment later this month on a federal charge of interfering with a flight crew.

It almost seems like an anachronism. Taking a trip by train is like something out of the past.

Now, Amtrak is looking to double in size.

By using funds from the 2021 infrastructure bill, Amtrak is making improvements at some of its biggest and most popular hubs. Those include train stations in New York, Washington, Baltimore, Chicago and Philadelphia.

“Amtrak is making significant investments to modernize our stations,” said EVP Laura Mason, who is overseeing the company’s internal infrastructure overhaul.

Amtrak’s budget is expected to zoom. Annual capital investments alone are slated to rise to $2.5 billion by 2025. They were $785 million as recently as 2019.

Improvements and renovations are scheduled for Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, New York’s Penn Station and Chicago’s Union Station.

Penn Station in Baltimore, which is over 100 years old, is also expected to undergo improvements and renovations. The station has not seen a refresh in almost 40 years.

The renovations could bring a whole new life to the national railroad company.

In August, Amtrak ordered 10 more Airo trainsets as part of its modernization efforts, bringing the total to 83 trainsets, which are expected to first debut in 2026.

The Amtrak Airo trainsets, which consist of both locomotive and passenger carriages, will modernize Amtrak’s fleet across the country, with greater comfort for passengers, more space for luggage and a greater focus on sustainability, producing 90% less particulate emissions than on traditional diesel trains.

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©2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Jonathan J. Dunn was indicted Oct. 18 and charged with interfering with a flight crew over an incident that occurred during a flight in August 2022. The Transportation Department’s inspector general says Dunn, who was the first officer or co-pilot, threatened to shoot the captain after a disagreement over diverting the flight to take care of a passenger with a medical issue.

“Out of respect for the ongoing aviation authority investigation of this incident, Delta will refrain from commenting on this matter but will confirm that this First Officer is no longer employed at Delta,” the airline said in a statement Wednesday.

The brief indictment in federal district court in Utah said that Dunn “did use a dangerous weapon in assaulting and intimidating the crew member.”

Dunn was authorized by the Transportation Security Administration to carry a gun on board under a program created after the September 2001 terror attacks and designed to safeguard the cockpit from intruders.

The TSA said Wednesday that it “immediately” removed Dunn from the program “upon learning of his actions, and took away his equipment.”

TSA said pilots must be vetted and attend training at a federal law enforcement center in New Mexico to become what is called a federal flight deck officer.

Interference with a flight crew is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Court records indicate that Dunn is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 16 in U.S. district court in Salt Lake City.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office there declined to comment beyond the information in the indictment.

The indictment was issued just a few days before an off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot riding in the cockpit jump seat tried to shut down the engines of a Horizon Air jet in midflight. Joseph David Emerson of Pleasant Hill, California, pleaded not guilty last week in Portland, Oregon, to charges of attempted murder and interference with a flight crew.

The incidents have revived debate about psychological screening, which relies largely on trusting pilots to volunteer information about their mental health. Pilots are required to disclose during regular medical exams any medications they take and whether they have depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol dependence.

There are two reasons for this — El Salvador has little media presence, so it seldom crosses most travelers’ minds, unless they have family ties or are surfers seeking the country’s world class surf breaks.

Also, I’m old enough to remember the bloody 20-year-long civil war that ended in 1992, and that was always the first thing that came to mind on the rare occasion when I gave any thought to it.

But let me tell you, I think differently now. My friend Cheryl and I flew there for a long weekend, after we scored incredibly cheap airfares on Avianca airlines.

I bought the plane tickets knowing nothing about the country, except that they have volcanoes there and it’s hot. But I’ll go anywhere as long as the flight is cheap. And, as I began to research where we might go, I began to get excited.

For one thing, it’s a bargain. The least expensive country in Central America that I’ve ever visited. A piña colada with fresh pineapple and coconut ran around $4 in most places. That alone would be enough to send me there.

If you’ve ever eaten pupusas — yummy Salvadoran pancakes stuffed with cheese, beans, veggies or other stuff — you’ll be interested to know we paid around 75 cents each for them.

On our last night in the country, Cheryl and I went to a pupusa restaurant for dinner. We had been splurging on fancier restaurants (still cheaper than here at home), but this time we shared five pupusas, and each of us had a cocktail. Total dinner check: $13.75. No wonder the cute restaurant was packed with families.

But cheap drinks and eats aren’t the only reason to visit. El Salvador’s mountains are covered with luxuriant rainforests, flowering trees and volcanoes. Even though it’s the smallest country in Central America, it has 23 active volcanoes and 170 total, according to our tour guide, Melissa.

If you’ve ever wanted to climb a volcano, well, they’ve got you covered. And while you’re hiking, you’ll probably come across one or more of what seem like 8.2 zillion waterfalls that seem to be everywhere in the country.

Even a gimp like me — leaning heavily on the arm of our driver Alex — managed to hobble an easy trail to a gorgeous pair of forest waterfalls called Cascadas de Don Juan, which had a swimming hole that tempts you to stay all day. I was sorry I didn’t have my swimsuit. Don’t make that mistake.

A COMPACT COUNTRY

We flew in nonstop from Los Angeles in about five hours, landing in between the capital city of San Salvador and the coastal surfing areas such as El Tunco frequented by avid surfers from around the world.

Because we arrived late, we spent the first night at the Hyatt Centric in San Salvador, which I was able to book with only 3,500 Hyatt points, a fraction of the normal cost.

It’s not difficult to get around El Salvador with a rental car or by public bus. It’s a small country — a bit less than the size of New Jersey — and the roads are good, although traffic can be heavy. However, I like to hire drivers, get to know them and let them do all the work.

We paid $300 for four days of drivers through EC Tours of San Salvador, including one day with a full English-speaking guide. Our drivers generally spoke Spanish.

Our EC Tours guide, Melissa, picked us up promptly at 10 a.m. the next morning, and we set out on the mountainous highway that the government has dubbed the “Ruta de las Flores.” And even though it was October and the rainy season, there were still many flowers to be seen along the scenic drive through the rainforest, including rare orchids and many flowering trees.

Let’s talk about the rainy season. Yes, it rained. Typically, our days would start out sunny and bright. It would begin clouding up in the early afternoon, become oppressively humid and then rain in the late afternoon or evening.

However, it never rained continuously for long periods. There were always breaks. And the warm tropical rain broke up the humidity and left the air damp but fresh feeling. So, it really wasn’t a problem for us.

The rainy season accentuated the many waterfalls. And it also kept some tourists away, meaning that rates for everything were cheaper. I wouldn’t hesitate to return at that time of year, unless a hurricane was forecast.

We meandered along the Ruta de las Flores, stopping at cute cobblestone villages, a coffee plantation and ended our day in Concepcion de Ataco, one of the favorite tourist destinations here.

The small town of 18,000 has cobblestone streets with many colorful street murals, restaurants, hotels and shops.

Because it’s also in the heart of coffee country, Ataco has a profusion of coffee houses with many choices at each one.

Coffee has been one of the top exports of El Salvador for centuries, and has only recently been overtaken by sugar cane as its top export, according to our guide Melissa.

Sadly, as in many such coffee meccas, the locals can’t afford their own best coffee. It is sent overseas, while the people who grew and picked it drink the dregs.

Much of El Salvador is hot and steamy, so I’d made sure to reserve a hotel with air conditioning. We loved Casa Degraciela, our 150-year-old hotel, built around a colonial style plaza, with its friendly staff, but I realized that we were in the mountains in the fall, and we never needed to turn on the air at all.

The following morning, our driver picked us up and drove us half an hour to one of the highlights I’d been looking forward to: One of the hot spring resorts in the area, thanks to the volcanoes.

Termales Santa Teresa is a pleasant rainforest resort with hot and cold pools, hiking, a restaurant and bar, massage and mud baths. There are also a few attractive cabanas available.

Admission for the day was $10, though you could splurge and pay $25 including lunch and a mud bath. A couples massage was $35.

Soaking there was truly an international experience, as I met friendly folks from all over, including engineers from South Korea who were there to build a highway and a woman born in El Salvador who grew up in New York, but now returns annually on vacation.

Next time, I plan to check out the adjacent hot spring resort called Alicante Hot Springs, which costs $5 to enter.

After soaking most of the day, we were ready to leave just as the clouds rolled in and got back to the hotel in time for a nap just as the rain started and before dinner at an Argentinian restaurant where I paid $20 for a luscious filet mignon dinner, and $4.75 for cocktails. Yeah. $4.75.

All too soon, the next day, it was time to start wending our way back to the airport. The following morning, driver Alex picked us up early and we headed out to see some volcanoes. We had fish for lunch at a simple restaurant overlooking the stunning Lake Coatepec, in a caldera created when a massive volcano blew its top starting around 72,000 years ago.

That’s when we also stopped to visit the waterfall, and then sadly made our way back to the new, clean, efficient San Salvador airport for our trip home.

We never even made it to the coast, which is ironic considering that is the most popular tourist destination today.

I recently tried to figure out a way to take my entire family to Hawaii for Thanksgiving weekend, but the cost was simply prohibitive for this single mom.

And, after our visit, I couldn’t help comparing the two:

• Hawaii has volcanoes. El Salvador has volcanoes.
• Hawaii has beaches and surfing. El Salvador has beaches and surfing.
• Hawaii is a five-hour flight away. El Salvador is a five-hour flight away.
• Hawaii has rainforests. El Salvador has rainforests.
• Hawaii is expensive. El Salvador is … not.

Hmm. Something to think about.

At one time, El Salvador had a violent gang problem. But the new president has thrown many of them in jail, and local residents told me they feel much safer now (though the move has been controversial with human rights activists.) For what it’s worth, the U.S. State Department has issued a “Level 3” advisory for El Salvador on its 4-tier scale, which means “reconsider travel.” The advisory noted both gang violence and the government’s crackdown against it — which has caused U.S. citizens to be detained — as reasons for caution.

We never felt unsafe. In fact, it may be the most friendly country I’ve ever visited.

It was also clean, something that can’t be said for every Latin American country. No trash. Anywhere. I didn’t have time to find out why, but I was grateful.

The main problem that I observed was a lack of English spoken in the tourism industry. Our guide Melissa told me that most of the tourists she guides now are former Salvadorans who left during the civil unrest or their children, and now feel safe enough to come back on vacation.

They generally speak Spanish, and so do tourists from neighboring countries. But if the country wants to attract more international travelers and their cash, it needs to teach English to its tourism people.

I speak enough tourist Spanish to get us around, but my friend was disappointed she couldn’t talk to more people. El Salvador tourism folks, are you listening?

Even with communication gaps, people were astonishingly kind and lovely and anxious to help out. I know I’ll be back, at least to check out the famous beaches at Playa El Tunco, El Zonte and El Cuco. And I hope to bring the rest of my family with me.

Hey. It’s cheaper than Hawaii.

You’ve probably heard of “workcations” that combine work travel with leisure trips, often in desirable locations. But there’s a new twist on this trend: The “hush trip,” in which employees don’t tell their bosses they’re actually working from vacation locales. These secret getaways by remote workers while on the clock seem to be gaining in popularity and frequency, although many companies frown upon this activity.

Thinking about taking a hush trip, especially during the upcoming holiday season? Read on to learn more about the benefits and risks of this practice, what employers think of hush trips and ways to pay for your next holiday trip.

Understanding the hush trip phenomenon

A hush trip can be defined as an excursion where an employee works remotely, usually in a vacation spot, without disclosing to their boss or colleagues where they’re temporarily located, according to Vicki Salemi, a career expert with Monster.

“Hush trips are growing more popular because more workers see opportunities to work remotely in places other than their homes,” she says. Salemi cites a recent Monster poll that reveals approximately one-third of workers didn’t think their managers needed to know that they were working from somewhere other than their home. A further one-fifth of respondents didn’t think their managers would approve of a “workcation,” and 16 percent believed their managers and colleagues would have a negative view of hush trips.

Joshua Bienstock, an associate professor at New York Institute of Technology’s School of Management and a practicing employment and labor lawyer, says he understands why hush trips have become more common.

“Employees are stressed out in a 24/7 world,” he explains. “As more workplaces recognize the utility of remote work, many employees can do their work in any place. So the thinking seems to be, ‘Why not combine my work and vacation by taking a hush trip?’”

Peter Strebel, president of RateGain, a provider of SaaS solutions for the travel and hospitality industry and former chairman of Omni Hotels & Resorts, isn’t surprised by the rise of hush trips.

“Many times, they occur when workers do not have vacation time to spare or are saving vacation days for a longer trip. Hush trips are in-demand among remote workers because they allow them to do their jobs during work hours and take advantage of amenities after work or on the weekends,” says Strebel. Given that 64% of full-time workers support fully remote work schedules, according to Bankrate data, there’s clear demand for the type of flexibility that enables hush getaways.

Pros and cons of taking a hush trip during the holidays

Thinking about taking a hush trip? It’s important to weigh the pluses and minuses of this decision.

“The pros of taking a hush trip during the upcoming holiday season are to combine the best of both worlds — being able to work from an enjoyable location and get paid for it,” Salemi notes. “As soon as you log off, you can quickly toggle to vacation mode, which may make you happier and more productive.” Further, she says, more than half of those surveyed by Monster report feeling less anxious when taking hush trips because they get a change of scenery without tapping into their paid time off.

Hush trips can also enable you to travel at non-peak times, such as flying mid-week on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, when rates are often cheaper.

“This allows you to avoid the peak vacation travel time of weekends and the higher rate of business travel on Mondays and Fridays,” Stebel points out. “For example, a person planning a hush trip from Boston to New York City for the holidays could take an early flight on Tuesday morning, work from the hotel lobby until the room is ready and plan to take in Rockefeller Center after work.”

On the other hand, it’s easy to get distracted during a hush trip. “The holiday season can feel more chaotic and stressful than non-holiday times of the year. Being in a new location and trying to concentrate on work with distractions at your fingertips may be challenging and could compound your stress,” cautions Salemi.

Strebel agrees, adding that traveling anywhere during the holiday season can be complicated. “A large number of travelers are on the move at this time of year, which increases the risks of flight delays or hotel overbookings,” he continues. “A delayed flight, for example, could force a remote worker to take calls from the airport, which is not an ideal scenario.”

Likely the biggest disadvantage of engaging in a hush trip is that your company could find out. This could land you in hot water with your employer — perhaps jeopardizing your job.

What do companies think of hush trips?

Hush trip acceptance and employer policies vary from company to company. But rest assured that most employers would like to know ahead of time if you expect to work in a different location than your home.

“The issue essentially comes down to whether you can effectively do your job with a host of distractions nearby. It’s up to you to ensure your work is done well and without disruption,” Strebel says. “I believe employers should consider flexibility with hush trips, as blanket policies condemning them can hurt morale. Similarly, an employee should tread carefully when on a hush trip, as it could cause tension with coworkers.”

Andrew Lokenauth, a personal finance expert and owner of BeFluentInFinance.com, says hush trips are discouraged by most businesses. “Employers have concerns about productivity, security and liability,” he says. “But some will tolerate a hush trip if it’s done discreetly and the work is completed to satisfaction.”

Ideally, employers would encourage workcations, creating cultures in which employees don’t need to keep secrets — including where they’re working from — from them.

“But other employers may have the mindset that everyone needs to be accountable and only work in the office or from a home office where they know your technology is reliable and where you can be easily reached,” Salemi explains. “Even though you may be doing an amazing job and can work well or even better while sitting on the beach, there may be a stigma around it.”

“A hush trip can positively impact employees who plan on traveling for the holidays,” adds Salemi. “For instance, maybe the trip involves staying with relatives who bring you immense joy. Rather than having to choose between working from home or seeing your relatives, you can do both.”

Paying for a holiday hush trip

If you’re expecting to travel this holiday season and make it a hush trip, think carefully about how you’ll fund this getaway. Cash always comes in handy, but using credit cards can make it safe, convenient and simple to pay for a flight, hotel stay, food and other transactions.

Consider that the majority of credit cards provide zero-liability fraud protection for unauthorized charges, as long as you report them within 30 days. Even if your card issuer doesn’t offer zero liability, the Fair Credit Billing Act limits your liability for unauthorized charges to a maximum of $50.

Moreover, if unauthorized charges occur on your credit card, you can often address the issue before your payment is due, preventing any actual loss of funds. That’s one reason using credit cards while traveling is preferred to using a debit card: If the latter is stolen or compromised, resolving the matter can be more time-consuming, as you’ll need to wait for the funds to be restored to your bank account.

With the right credit card in your wallet during a holiday hush trip, you can also earn cash back, points or miles on your typical expenditures. When you open a new rewards credit card, you may also qualify for a welcome bonus after reaching a specific spending threshold.

To maximize credit card rewards, it’s crucial to select a card that aligns with your spending patterns. For instance, frequent travelers might prefer a travel credit card, which earns points or miles for future travel and offers perks like lounge access and credits for traveler programs like TSA PreCheck. Alternatively, a cash back card with bonus rewards on everyday spending categories such as groceries and gas stations might provide more value for others.

Additional credit card perks can significantly enhance your experience, including travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, annual statement credits for specific purchases and discounts with partner brands.

Just remember to be careful when using credit cards during a hush trip. If, for instance, you use a credit card given to you by your employer, they may be able to track where your purchases were made. This could get you in trouble if your company doesn’t know where you’re working from.

The bottom line

Think carefully about taking a hush trip between now and New Year’s, rather than telling your employer you’re going on a “workcation.” The latter may prove less risky and stressful, but still allow you to enjoy some needed leisure time in a desirable spot.

“Do your research ahead of time to ease worries and anxiety,” recommends Salemi. “Your destination should have a dedicated workspace and fast Internet speed so you won’t miss a beat. Consider time zone differences, as well. If you are going overseas and it’s six hours earlier, ensure that you are working the same six hours that you would have been if you had remained at home.”

Lokenauth agrees. “Be discreet when taking a hush trip, and don’t publicize your actions on social media,” he advises. “Try to sync your schedule with your coworkers to avoid suspicions. And limit long or frequent hush trips to avoid getting caught.”

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