Latest news with #ZachWichter
USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
Which airports are most likely to have delays this summer? What DOT data shows.
Which airports are most likely to have delays this summer? What DOT data shows. Show Caption Hide Caption Flight delayed? US airlines are now on the hook for your travel woes New rules will now require U.S. airlines to refund passengers for travel headaches. This is when you can expect refunds. Weather, especially hurricanes and extreme heat, is a major cause of flight delays and cancellations, particularly during summer. Florida airports, such as Orlando International, experienced significant arrival delays last summer. Booking morning flights is recommended to minimize the risk of weather-related disruptions. Weather is typically a major factor in flight delays and cancellations. And with hurricane season and the hotter summer temperatures approaching, many travelers are likely to face disruptions in the coming months. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, hurricanes can have a major impact on flight operations, up to and including the closure of airports and airspace in a storm's path. Likewise, extreme heat can disrupt airline schedules, because some planes may struggle to take off when the temperatures soar. While weather patterns can be a little inconsistent, looking at last summer's most-disrupted airports can give travelers an idea of where headaches are likely to occur this year. Not surprisingly, Florida and the Gulf Coast were trouble spots for arrival delays. Orlando International Airport had a particularly bad summer, ranking among the five most-delayed airports in June and July 2024. According to Department of Transportation statistics, less than 64% of flights arrived at MCO on time in July of last year. Over the entirety of 2024, these were the most delayed airports according to the DOT: San Francisco (SFO): 68.9% of arrivals on time Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 73.9% of arrivals on time Tampa (TPA): 73.9% of arrivals on time Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW): 74% of arrivals on time Orlando (MCO): 74.6% of arrivals on time San Diego (SAN): 74.6% of arrivals on time Miami (MIA): 75% of arrivals on time Austin (AUS): 76% of arrivals on time Boston (BOS): 76.1% of arrivals on time Newark (EWR): 76.2% of arrivals on time Philadelphia (PHL): 76.7% of arrivals on time What to do if your flight is delayed or canceled Airlines typically aren't on the hook to compensate or rebook you if your flight is delayed by weather, but you can get a refund if your flight is canceled and you choose not to travel on the alternate arrangements offered, even if you booked a nonrefundable ticket. The DOT has a dashboard that outlines the responsibilities and commitments of every major airline in the event of a significant delay or cancellation. How to avoid flight disruptions Weather delays tend to pile up as the day goes on, so the best hedge against flight disruptions over the summer is to book a morning departure. Those early flights are the least likely to be affected by weather or its ripples. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
If you fly on a US airline, your personal information could be sold to CBP
If you fly domestically on a major U.S. airline, your personal data could wind up in the hands of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Wired first reported on a deal that DHS and its Customs and Border Protection (CBP) division has with Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), a data firm that focuses on airline tickets and passenger data. According to Wired's reporting, ARC sold access to airline customer records, including their names, full itineraries and financial details. ARC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY. The documents obtained by Wired show that CBP said it was using the data "to support federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to identify persons of interest's US domestic air travel ticketing information." ARC's board of directors includes representatives from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and others. According to the documents, ARC and the government agreed that the agencies would not disclose where they received the data ARC was providing. The data provided is based on third-party airline ticket sales, not those purchased directly through the carrier. Still, the documents show it is updated daily and includes more than 1 billion itineraries over 39 months. 'CBP is committed to protecting individuals' privacy during the execution of its mission to protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and enhance the nation's economic prosperity. CBP follows a robust privacy policy as we protect the homeland through the air, land and maritime environments against illegal entry, illicit activity or other threats to national sovereignty and economic security,' a CBP spokesperson told Wired in a statement. CBP did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: An airline data broker is selling passenger data to CBP
USA Today
10-06-2025
- USA Today
United Airlines temporarily turned Starlink Wi-Fi off on planes. Here's why.
United Airlines temporarily turned Starlink Wi-Fi off on planes. Here's why. Show Caption Hide Caption Flight safety tips and tricks for electronics If you've flown recently, your airline probably asked you a question or issued a warning about packing your electronics safely. Here's why. United Airlines temporarily disabled Wi-Fi on some regional planes due to static interference from new Starlink antennas. The static is not a safety concern, but the airline is working with Starlink to resolve the issue. Static interference is a common issue in aviation, and can be caused by a number of factors. United Airlines temporarily shut off Wi-Fi service on some of its regional aircraft after reports of static interference from newly installed antennas. The airline has been working to roll out Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi on much of its regional fleet this year, and said that although the static is not a safety issue, it is being extra cautious while the problem is rectified. "Starlink is now installed on about two dozen United regional aircraft. United and Starlink teams are working together to address a small number of reports of static interference during the operation of the Wi-Fi system, which is fairly common with any new airline Wi-Fi provider," the airline said in a statement to USA TODAY. "We expect the service to be back up and running on these aircraft soon. " United added that it expects to have all its two-cabin regional jets fitted with Starlink Wi-Fi by the end of the year. Static interference in radio communications is also one of the common issues pilots report when passengers do not adhere to regulations about using airplane mode during flights, and according to United, is a fairly common occurrence across the industry because of the number of antennas aboard modern aircraft. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@
USA Today
10-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
If you fly on a US airline, your personal information could be sold to CBP
If you fly on a US airline, your personal information could be sold to CBP Show Caption Hide Caption Safeguard your data privacy while flying and sharing on social media These important data privacy tips can protect you when flying and sharing content on social media. DHS bought access to airline passenger data, including itineraries and financial details, from Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), Wired reported. The data was reportedly used to identify "persons of interest" and shared with other law enforcement agencies. ARC's board includes representatives from major U.S. airlines. If you fly domestically on a major U.S. airline, your personal data could wind up in the hands of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Wired first reported on a deal that DHS and its Customs and Border Protection (CBP) division has with Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), a data firm that focuses on airline tickets and passenger data. According to Wired's reporting, ARC sold access to airline customer records, including their names, full itineraries and financial details. ARC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY. The documents obtained by Wired show that CBP said it was using the data "to support federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to identify persons of interest's US domestic air travel ticketing information." ARC's board of directors includes representatives from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and others. According to the documents, ARC and the government agreed that the agencies would not disclose where they received the data ARC was providing. The data provided is based on third-party airline ticket sales, not those purchased directly through the carrier. Still, the documents show it is updated daily and includes more than 1 billion itineraries over 39 months. 'CBP is committed to protecting individuals' privacy during the execution of its mission to protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and enhance the nation's economic prosperity. CBP follows a robust privacy policy as we protect the homeland through the air, land and maritime environments against illegal entry, illicit activity or other threats to national sovereignty and economic security,' a CBP spokesperson told Wired in a statement. CBP did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Apple Wallet soon to include passports, but it won't be valid for this type of travel
Apple announced that iOS users will be able to create a digital ID using their passport in Apple Wallet beginning this fall when the new iPhone operating system rolls out. An Apple spokesperson said during the event, "While not a replacement for your physical passport, digital ID can be used for domestic travel and at supported TSA checkpoints. " To be clear, that means even travelers who have a digital passport in their Apple Wallet will still need to present the physical document at customs and border checkpoints when traveling internationally. However, the Transportation Security Administration confirmed that a digital passport will be accepted by TSA officers at security screenings for domestic travel. When the REAL ID law took effect in May, many travelers had to double-check whether they had compliant driver's licenses or would need an alternative form of ID, like a passport, to board domestic flights. Apple said it is also refreshing digital boarding passes and improving the travel-centric features of its Wallet app. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can I travel with my Apple Wallet's passport feature?
