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Travel + Leisure
15 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
This $37 Item Is 1 Frequent Flier's Easy Fix to Avoid One of the Grossest Parts of Hotel Rooms
I was at my home airport of LAX covering a recent Condor press event, at which the airline unveiled new European routes and showed off its sleek A330neo business class cabin. But there was another highly specific detail that caught my attention: While standing in a group, I overheard one airline executive casually mention he never travels without his portable kettle. Even on short trips. Even when flying carry-on only. Naturally, I had to know more, so I leaned in and pressed the conversation. 'Why bother taking it? I guess it's the most British thing you'll hear this week, but good black tea needs boiling water," explained Stephen Mc Kenna, an area manager for Condor. And that, he explained, is where most hotel rooms fall short. 'These coffee makers in hotel rooms tend to be way below that, so you get really weak tea,' he said. 'They also have a constant lingering stale coffee taste in them, which I just can't do; it's the same thing in all the chain hotels that have a usually much-appreciated coffee and tea station: the water boilers have nearly always had coffee in them before, so again, that lingering taste.' Beyond ensuring a quality brew, Mc Kenna's inclination to travel with a portable kettle also acts as an ingenious fix for a rather unsettling hotel guest phenomenon. In April, the hosts of Britain's This Morning revealed that guests are known to wash their dirty underwear and socks in the hotel room's kettle. "You'd be surprised how many treat the kettle like a general-purpose pot because they don't want to use the sink," a Manchester-based housekeeper shared with the daytime television program. "Unless there's a complaint, kettles are usually just wiped on the outside and left in place." That's why, no matter how light he's packing, Mc Kenna makes room for a kettle similar to the Loutytuo Portable Travel Kettle—a compact, collapsible option that boils clean-tasting water fast and reliably. Available on Amazon starting at $37, the Loutytuo kettle has thousands of five-star reviews from travelers who praise its portability, speed, and reliability. Made with food-grade silicone and stainless steel, it folds down to under three inches high and weighs less than a pound, making it ideal for even the strictest luggage setups. 'There's always a couple of sachets of oatmeal in my bag, in case I need a quick breakfast,' Mc Kenna added. With the ability to boil water in just a few minutes, this kettle isn't just about tea. You can rehydrate instant soup, make pour-over coffee, or whip up noodles—all without leaving your hotel room. The device is dual-voltage (100–240V), so it works internationally with the right plug adapter—a key feature for frequent flyers. It heats quickly (typically under five minutes for .5L of water) and automatically shuts off when it reaches a full boil. A secure locking lid prevents spills, and the wide-mouth design makes it easy to clean between uses. Travelers also love that it cools down fast, so you can collapse it and pack it away not long after using it—perfect for those early hotel check-outs or airport transfers. Over in the review section, one traveler wrote, "This kettle folds up very nicely and the handle folds conveniently out of the way so that it takes up very little room in luggage," and another shopper added, "This is probably my favorite travel purchase ever." If you're someone who values a proper cup of tea, wants total control over your hot drinks while traveling, or just likes to keep your breakfast routine consistent on the road, a little kettle like Loutytuo Portable Travel Kettle might be worth the carry-on real estate. For Mc Kenna, it's non-negotiable: 'You don't know what kind of coffee-flavored water situation you're walking into at any hotel. This solves that every time.' Keep scrolling to explore the other top-rated Amazon travel essentials that will elevate your next hotel stay. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
L.A. Travelers Can Now Skip Airport Traffic Thanks to This New Metro Transit Center
As of June 6, the LAX/Metro Transit Center is officially open, connecting Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to two Metro lines and 14 bus lines. Eventually, the LAX/Metro Transit Center will be directly connected to LAX via the Automated People Mover Train, but for now, travelers can take free shuttles between the two points. The center's opening comes just in time for several huge events that will take place in L.A., including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympics. In Los Angeles, people often say that the true test of someone's love is their willingness to pick you up from Los Angeles International Airport—enduring the traffic of LAX for a friend or loved one requires a certain selflessness and bravery. But now that the LAX/Metro Transit Center is open, getting to and from the airport could be a little easier. The new LAX/Metro Transit Center is located just outside the airport, near Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street, close to the LAX Rental Car Center. The new transit center is directly connected to the Metro's C and K metro lines. The C line links L.A.'s West Side to the east, running from El Segundo (where LAX is located) to Downey. The K Line runs north to south, going from the Jefferson Park neighborhood to Redondo Beach. The LAX/Metro Transit Center doesn't just provide travelers easy access to the airport, though. It also closes a key gap in the Metro's rail network by serving as a hub for the C and K lines. In addition to the two metro lines, travelers will be able to hop on 14 different bus lines at the new station, including Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus, the Culver City Bus, Torrance Transit, and Gardena's GTrans system. However, the LAX/Metro Transit Center isn't quite directly connected to the airport just yet. The Automated People Mover is slated to open in 2026, and once it does, travelers will be able to take the APM train from the transit center to LAX seamlessly. For now, shuttles will run every 10 minutes between the center and the airport, and will pick up and drop off guests at the lower level of each terminal. In order to ride Los Angeles' public transportation system (whether you're taking the metro or the bus), you'll need a Tap Card—you can purchase tickets and passes at any metro station or add the card to your Apple or Google Wallet for easy use. If you're driving into LAX from out of town, you could park your car at one of the L.A. Metro System's many Park & Ride facilities, and then hop on a Metro line to get to your flight. Los Angeles International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, and since Los Angeles will play host to a few big events in the coming years, it will likely only get busier. The new LAX/Metro Transit Center debuted just in time for events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl, and, of course, the 2028 Olympics. The new metro center will hopefully take some of the pressure off of LAX-IT, the airport's ride-share hailing and taxi lot.
Condé Nast Traveler
09-06-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station Is Now Open—Here's How to Use It
In 2024, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) saw over 76.6 million passengers, averaging close to 210,000 travelers per day. But in a city known for its traffic congestion and lack of public transit options, travelers have limited options for getting to and from the bustling airport. That's finally starting to change. On Friday, June 6, the highly-anticipated LAX/Metro Transit Center Station opened, connecting the airport to two Metro rail lines and 14 bus routes for the first time via a free shuttle. The nearly $900,000 million project has been years in the making and is the latest push toward a more accessible LAX, with bigger changes on the horizon. In 2026, a new electric train called the Automated People Mover (APM) is set to debut, offering direct rail access to the airport terminals just in time for the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl LXI in 2027, and the LA 2028 Summer Olympics. While the APM remains under construction, the new Metro station marks a major step forward for increasing connectivity between the airport and the rest of the city. I checked out the new LAX metro station for myself shortly after it opened to the public last week. Here's everything you need to know before using it. How to get to the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station Located just east of the airport, The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, formerly called Aviation/96th Street, offers a new way to reach LAX without driving or relying solely on expensive rideshares. No new trains or lines were added; rather, the station connects to existing transit routes. Fares remain at $1.75 and can be paid via a TAP card or the mobile app. Here's how to get to the station from key locations in LA: Hollywood: Take the B Line (Red Line) to 7th Street/Metro Center, transfer to the E Line (Yellow Line) toward Santa Monica, and then switch to the Expo/Crenshaw to the K-Line (Pink Line). Downtown: Board the E Line (Yellow Line) from 7th Street/Metro Center and transfer to the K-Line (Pink Line). Or, take the A Line (Blue Line) from 7th Street/Metro Center and switch to the C Line (Green Line) at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks. Santa Monica: Ride the E Line (Yellow Line) and transfer to the K-Line (Pink Line) at Expo/Crenshaw. Long Beach: Take the A Line (Blue Line), transfer to the C Line (Green Line) at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks, and continue to the LAX station. The station also connects to 14 bus routes, including; Big Blue Bus, Culver CityBus, Torrance Transit, GTrans, and Beach Cities Transit. Travelers can take a free shuttle from the LAX/Metro Transit Center to the airport. Courtesy LAX Metro Center The free shuttle to LAX Once you arrive at the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, follow the signs to the free LAX shuttle. Buses run roughly every 10 minutes and drop passengers at each terminal's arrival level—just take an escalator or elevator up to departures. If you're leaving from LAX, look for the pink LAX shuttle signs outside arrivals and hop on. The same bus runs in a continuous loop between the station and terminals. (Timing tip: I tested the loop on a Friday evening when traffic was relatively light and the full loop took about 45 minutes. If you're flying out of a later-stop terminal like 6 or 7, give yourself extra time.) What to expect inside the station Though the new station spans 500,000 square feet, it's easy to navigate. Clear signage directs passengers from the platform to shuttle pickup bays on the ground level. Built to handle 5,000 passengers per hour, the space is fully accessible, with 11 elevators,12 escalators, and 9 staircases. Amenities include public restrooms, a customer service center, and secure automated bike storage. However, there are no dining or retail options. When does it make sense to use the metro connection? For locals near the K or C lines, this new connection is a game changer. For just $1.75, it offers a budget-friendly and relatively seamless way to reach LAX. That said, the journey can still involve multiple transfers, and until the APM opens in 2026, it could take you potentially an extra hour to reach later-stop terminals. Travelers coming from farther out may find other alternatives like the LAX FlyAway bus more convenient. At the very least, the LAX/Metro Transit Center provides a smart backup plan for when LA traffic is peaking and freeways grind to a halt. Consider the bigger picture, though, and it's a major step toward a more connected future for Los Angeles.
New York Post
08-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
United Airlines' new business class offerings may be the best thing that's happened to air travel
Not since the advent of the lie-flat bed, has a business class offering been more of a gamechanger. OK, this might only be true if you've got as much of a sweet tooth as I do, but hear me out – you're cruising along at 38,000 feet, feet up on your glorious recliner, full of your gourmet dinner, when something absolutely glorious, and unexpected, comes rattling down the aisle. Advertisement An ice cream sundae cart! With all the trimmings! On a plane! I rest my case. United Airlines is famous for this particular in-flight miracle, which has reached icon status among its passengers. After your meal, the cart comes along, offering to adorn your vanilla or chocolate ice cream scoop with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, slivered toasted almonds, M&Ms and a cherry on top. If there's a better food experience on a plane, I haven't had it. New cabins 5 There are eight of the new seats in each upgraded cabin, located at the front of each business class section. United Advertisement Last month, United Airlines unveiled its new United Elevated interior, which includes sliding privacy doors for all business class seats, and a brand new studio suite experience. There are eight of the new seats in each upgraded cabin, located at the front of each business class section. They are 25 per cent larger than the standard business offering and offer even more privacy. I flew from Sydney to LA on the standard Polaris service, here's how it went down. Baggage Like most business class offerings, your ticket includes two free checked bags, up to 32kg (70.5 lbs.) each, which is a challenge I was unable to meet, with my puny 22kg (48.5 lbs.) offering. You're also entitled to Premier Access, which is essentially a priority check-in lane, and the promise of seeing your bags faster on the other side with priority bag handling. Lounge Advertisement 5 United Airlines unveiled its new United Elevated interior, which includes sliding privacy doors for all business class seats, and a brand new studio suite experience. United Polaris customers also get access to United Polaris lounges, where they are available (currently there are six, Chicago O'Hare, Houston Intercontinental, LAX, New York Newark, San Francisco and Washington Dulles). Don't worry, if there's no Polaris Lounge at your departure airport, you will get access to a partner lounge of your choice. I used the Polaris Lounge at LAX. It features deluxe shower rooms with Therabody products, an a la carte restaurant (order the famous burger and the skillet cookie, even if you're not hungry, trust me on this) as well as a buffet for lighter meal options. If you're already tired, there's a private rest area with daybeds, soft lighting and white noise to help you rest and relax The seats 5 Like most business class offerings, your ticket includes two free checked bags, up to 32kg each. United Advertisement Like many business class offerings, the staggered 1-2-1 seat configuration means every seat is an aisle seat, but window seats are definitely the pick of the bunch. But not all window seats are created equal – to enable a full lie-flat experience, the seats are offset, with one being right next to the window, the next being closer to the aisle and so forth. This makes seats 1L or 9L superior choices, as they are both front of their respective parts of the cabin, closest to the windows and with the most privacy and least disturbance from the aisle. There was lots of legroom, as expected, and top notch extras, including noise-reducing headphones, bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, premium toiletries and premium mattress toppers available on request (please, tell me, who is not requesting a complimentary 'mattress cloud'?). Food 5 A cart offers to adorn your vanilla or chocolate ice cream scoop with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, slivered toasted almonds, M&Ms and a cherry on top. United In addition to the expected champagne on arrival, the meals were excellent on my flight. The main meal is an event, with warmed mixed nuts, a main you can pre-order before you fly (I chose roasted salmon with hollandaise and pearl couscous) salad, bread and the aforementioned sundae. Still hungry after your movie is over? They offer midnight snacks, including an extremely melty grilled cheese sandwich, available anytime, and a snack bar you can help yourself to. The app 5 Polaris customers get access to United Polaris lounges, where they are available (currently there are six). United It can be hard to stand out in a saturated airline market where most offerings are variations on the same thing, but United's app is where it truly shines. Advertisement I've never come across such an efficient and user-friendly airline app experience. You can obviously plan and book using it, but it's once you arrive at the airport that it comes into its own. My gate changed, no worries, I got a notification. Boarding about to start? told me that too. In-flight I was updated about changes to our arrival time and upon landing, it knew my bag was about to come out onto the carousel before it was visible. There's also a terminal guide, meal and seat choices and delay and cancellation options but it's the real-time notifications, taking some of the stress and uncertainty out of travel, that gets my vote. The writer travelled as a guest of United Airlines
Associated Press
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Now Boarding: Metro's LAX/Metro Transit Center Station Officially Opens, Connecting Communities; Bringing Faster, Easier Travel for Angelenos, Visitors
New Station Sets Stage for Metro, Los Angeles to Welcome World to FIFA World Cup 2026™, Super Bowl LXI, 2028 Olympic, Paralympic Games LOS ANGELES, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) celebrated the official opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center station with a ribbon-cutting today. Metro is now ready to welcome global fans headed to Los Angeles for major events, such as FIFA World Cup 26™, Super Bowl LXI, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games forever changing how car-centric Angelenos travel to and from LAX. 'The wait is over, Los Angeles,' said Metro Board Chair and LA County Supervisor, Janice Hahn. 'At long last, we are getting a train to LAX. And when the Automated People Mover finally opens, we will truly have an international airport that connects people from inside the terminals to the world beyond through Metro.' The grand opening of this station marks the eighth project completed in Metro's ambitious Twenty-Eight by '28 initiative, a comprehensive plan to enhance the region's transit infrastructure in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station is poised to play a crucial role in facilitating the movement of athletes, officials, and spectators during these global events. The state-of-the-art transit center embodies a large-scale open station concept. With continuous swooping canopies guiding users' views through large open spaces, the station reinforces intuitive wayfinding and walking access to buses and light rail trains, and the soon-to-be-opened Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Automated People Mover (APM). 'The opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center is a major step forward in how we prepare Los Angeles to welcome the world. This is about more than bringing people to and from the airport — it's about building a more connected, reliable and climate-conscious city for Angelenos and for the millions who will visit in the years ahead,' said LA Mayor Karen Bass and Metro Board Member. 'I want to congratulate LA Metro for this accomplishment and look forward to their continued partnership.' Located at Aviation Blvd./96th St., the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station signifies the K line is a fully functional connection in Metro's network. Connecting Metro's C and K rail lines, six Metro bus lines and eight municipal bus lines, including Beach Cities, Big Blue Bus, Culver City Bus, GTrans, Torrance Transit and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) shuttles to and from the terminals. Metro Micro will also service this station. By providing a direct connection to regional transit, the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station expands options for airport-area employees and travelers, and decreases reliance on more costly options, such as taxis, rideshares or private vehicles. 'Not only is LAX one of the busiest airports in the world, it's also an important job center for Angelenos, particularly for residents of South Los Angeles,' said Holly Mitchell, LA County Supervisor and Metro Board Member. 'The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station will serve an important role for visitors, residents, and our vital airport-area employees.' The new station illustrates for Angelenos and the world that public transportation is the secret to bypassing traffic on their way to and from LAX, and that Metro, with one of the most ambitious capital project programs in the United States, is a reliable and comfortable way to travel across the county. Featuring a bus plaza, bike hub and a customer service center, the station spans more than 1,100 feet from north to south. With the widest light rail platform in the Metro system, its two main levels provide a welcoming, convenient and secure connection point offering riders access to a wide array of destinations throughout LA County. In addition, this station features security coverage monitored 24/7 by security operations staff. As part of Metro's commitment to sustainable urban planning, the station also includes numerous environmentally friendly features such as energy-efficient lighting, landscaping with native plants, and plans for further expansion to accommodate future growth. This project represents Metro's on-going efforts to enhance regional mobility, support green infrastructure, and prepare Los Angeles for the future. When the APM opens and connects to Metro in 2026, Angelenos and visitors alike will have a more direct, easier connection to Metro's public transportation system, with a total of six stops – three in the terminal, one at the Metro/LAX Transit Center Station, one at economy parking and one at the Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility (ConRAC) which is directly across the street from the transit center. As riders await access to the APM, LAWA will provide shuttles every 10 minutes. The shuttle's schedule will be based on the operating schedules for the C and K light rail lines and municipal bus routes serving the new station ensuring seamless travel to and from the airport helping to alleviate traffic congestion around LAX. 'For more than half a century, Angelenos have been dreaming about a rail connection to LAX airport – and that day has finally come. Our LAX/Metro Transit Center Station not only enhances the travel experience for millions of visitors to Los Angeles but also serves as a key piece of our ongoing efforts to build a more sustainable and efficient transportation network for our city,' said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro. 'We look forward to welcoming millions of Angelenos and visitors to the LAX/Metro Transit Center in the coming months and years, and we can't wait for the final link in the chain – LAX's People Mover.' This station features towering artwork at the center of the station, by Los Angeles native and internationally renowned artist Glenn Kaino, The Distance of the Sun, which welcomes visitors to the arts and cultural capital of the nation. Commissioned by Metro Art, the suspended sculpture consists of a series of vessels for travel, both real and imagined, rafted together in increasing size to create a spiral pathway towards the sky above. The work is a meditation on collective ambitions and shared hope, acting as a bridge to the future created from the designs of the past. For additional information about the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station please visit For more information about Metro Art, visit Additional Quotes 'The long-awaited LAX/Metro Transit Center Station will provide a crucial transportation hub that connects Metro's rail system to LAX, the world's seventh busiest airport,' said Fernando Dutra, Whittier Council Member and Metro Board First Vice Chair. 'We look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to upcoming major events and providing them with convenient, affordable and sustainable transit to and from LAX.' 'The opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station marks a transformative moment for Inglewood and the greater Los Angeles area. This state-of-the-art facility not only enhances connectivity to the airport but also serves as a catalyst for economic growth and urban revitalization,' said James T. Butts, Mayor of Inglewood and Metro Board Member. 'Many in our community and surrounding region work every day at LAX and can now commute today through quality transit. Making this critical connection to LAX means reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality, and greater access to opportunities. It's a testament to our commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive future for all residents.' 'Today's LAX/Metro Transit Center Station opening is a testimony of promises made that are being kept --- to Los Angeles and the surrounding neighborhoods. The value added is the connection of residents to economic opportunities, educational institutions and essential services that will help to redefine 'transit dependency' to include those who 'choose' to 'Go Metro'', said Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Metro Board Second Vice Chair. 'Thank you to all who can and will partner with LA Metro in reducing congestion and enhancing mobility. This project is evidence of seamless envisioning by servant leaders on the LA Metro board, in partnership with the community who entrust us to uplift all Angelenos.' 'The opening of the LAX Metro Transit Center Station marks a monumental step in connecting LAX and the world to the greater Los Angeles region,' said John Ackerman, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports. 'After four years of dedicated effort by Metro under the leadership of CEO Stephanie Wiggins, this project is finally complete — delivering a crucial transportation hub that will transform how Angelenos and travelers navigate to and from the airport via the future LAX Automated People Mover. LAWA is grateful for Metro's partnership in advancing our shared vision of a more connected Los Angeles.' About Metro The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries nearly 1 million boardings daily on four light rail and two subway lines and 119 bus lines utilizing 2,000 low-emission buses. Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at and Missy Colman Metro Media Relations 213.922.6862 [email protected] B-Roll and Photos View original content: SOURCE Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
