Travel Week in Review – June 4th, 2021

American citizens who are currently abroad can return to the U.S. without having to renew their passports, if it has expired, until the end of the year. Passports that expired on or after Jan. 1, 2021 will be honored for re-entry into the U.S. through Dec. 31, the State Department announced, citing delays in passport processing due to the pandemic. “U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers will accept for admission certain expired U.S. passports.” Read More…

United Airlines is planning to turn the friendly skies into the ultrafast skies with the addition of supersonic jets. The carrier announced Thursday it’s buying 15 planes from Boom Supersonic with the option to purchase 35 more at some point. Boom’s first commercial supersonic jet, the Overture, has not been built or certified yet. Read More…

Europe is beginning to open up to travelers from outside the continent just in time for summer. While it’s been nearly 15 months since the COVID-19 pandemic was first declared and borders were initially closed to non-essential travel, travelers will have to wait a bit longer to visit some of Europe’s marquee destinations but can at least start the planning process. Future visitors should also anticipate travel requirements such as proof of vaccination. Read More…

Universal Orlando Resort will no longer require fully vaccinated guests to wear face coverings indoors or outdoors starting Saturday, May 29. “While we will not require proof of vaccination, we do expect our guests to comply with this revised policy and to use face coverings if they have not been vaccinated,” Universal said in a statement Friday. “The health and safety of our guests and team members remain our top priority.” Read More…

Southwest and American Airlines have each paused their plans to resume selling alcohol on flights following an uptick in unruly passengers this year. Southwest, which had initially intended to bring back alcoholic beverages later this month, has now put those plans on hold with “no timetable” planned for when the sale of alcohol will return. Read More…