Travel Week in Review – July 2nd, 2021

The state of Hawaii will no longer impose strict pre-entry testing and quarantine requirements for domestic travelers fully vaccinated in the U.S., Governor David Ige’s office announced on Thursday. From July 8, U.S. visitors will only need to submit proof of, and carry with them, a CDC vaccination card to visit the islands. Those considered to be fully vaccinated are at least two weeks past their final shot. Read More…

United Airlines is making basic economy better. The airline’s basic economy fares can now be upgraded after purchase, allowing passengers to cancel or change their flights and use credits for future travel. Previously, these bargain airfares were nonrefundable and nonexchangeable, forcing passengers to forfeit the value of any unused tickets. Read More…

More than a year after COVID-19 virtually stopped most cruises, the industry has been in flux. with many large cruise ships anchored in international waters awaiting finalized clearance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to resume sailing from U.S. ports, or making alternate plans to sail from international destinations instead. But last week, the CDC released further clarification to the Conditional Sailing Order that’s been in effect since October 2020, allowing cruising to resume on a firmer timeline. Read More…

The carrier took delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max-8 on June 28 and displayed it for the media at a Newark Airport hangar on Tuesday. The plane will take to the skies no later than July 15. The two-cabin aircraft offers a first-class cabin with 37 inches of pitch (the space between rows). In the main cabin, Economy Plus seats have either 34 or 33 inches of pitch, and economy seats have 30 inches of pitch. Read More…

The Transportation Security Administration will once again offer self-defense classes to flight attendants and pilots as the airline industry deals with a surge in cases of unruly passengers and sometimes violent behavior on flights. The return of the classes comes after the coronavirus pandemic prevented crew members from receiving the training. The Federal Aviation Administration has documented more than 3,000 reports of unruly passengers this year. Read More…