Travel Week in Review – July 23rd, 2021

Passport applications are currently taking up to 18 weeks to process and the State Department says it “will take time” before that long waiting period eases. The State Department currently has an application backlog of between 1 and a half million to 2 million applications, which is “somewhat higher” than normal, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services Rachel Arndt told reporters in a news briefing last week. Read more…

Vaccinated and hoping to visit our northern neighbors? Canadian officials announced this week that the U.S.-Canada border reopening will happen on August 9, for inoculated Americans with a negative coronavirus test. This news comes after over one year of restricted travel between the two countries. United States citizens and permanent residents who have received both doses of an approved coronavirus vaccine will be the first travelers. Read More…

Air travel is rebounding, but airports aren’t ready for it—so if you’re planning on flying any time soon, prepare for long waits at security and at airport shops/restaurants. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) admitted in a memo obtained by The Washington Post that they are short at least 2,500 officers, with some airports being down more than 100 agents. This has resulted in record wait times at security checkpoints around the country, resulting in missed flights for some. Read More…

Several major commercial airlines made headlines this week regarding new investments, partnerships, and ongoing studies of electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft. United Airlines and Icelandair signed agreements for next-generation aircraft and hydrogen. Delta Air Lines CEO commented on the international carrier’s interest in the development of eVTOL aircraft. Read More…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and State Department is warning Americans not to travel to the United Kingdom, designating the UK as “Level 4,” its highest warning level, just as the country began to loosen COVID-19 restrictions. The CDC warned U.S. residents to “avoid travel” to the UK and said for those who have to go, to make sure they are fully vaccinated. Read More…