American Airlines Is Now Flying a New Route To A Caribbean Island Filled With Beaches, Boutique Hotels And Rum Shops

There are about 1,000 of them on the island. Some say 1,500, some say more. They’re set on side streets, in the heart of town, or right on the beach. And in Barbados, rum shops are an integral part of the culture.

Barbados just got easier to visit.

You go in, choose your sugarcane spirit, take it with you and begin conversations that can last all day long, from politics to sports to the essential questions of life.

If you haven’t been to Barbados, a stop at a rum shop is essential. But it’s just a part of a vibrant tapestry of reasons why this Caribbean island is such a fascinating one, from its UNESCO World Heritage Site near Bridgetown to its jaw-dropping beaches and its unique collection of rarefied, lovely, mostly small resorts.

And Barbados just got much easier to visit from the all-important New York market.

Treasure Beach is a hidden gem in Barbados.

American Airlines has officially kicked off its newest route between New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport and Barbados, with service operating every day of the week on Boeing 737 aircraft.

It’s a huge addition for Barbados, which has been making a concerted effort to draw in more American visitors, part of a wider push for the world’s largest airline in the Caribbean for this winter season.

Book a flight in the main cabin and you’ll have prices starting at $535 round trip, and $861 in business class. The flight takes just under five hours.

https://www.caribjournal.com/author/alexander-britell/

If Planning A Trip To Israel, Here Are The Airlines Currently Flying There.

If you are planning to fly to Israel, here is an up-to-date list of foreign airlines that fly to Israel.

Emirates airlines, Fly Dubai and Etihad continue to fly to Israel daily. From Europe, you can see Tarom, Hi-Sky, Fly One, Cyprus, Smartwings, Blue Bird, Tus Airways and other companies.

In addition, Ethiopian Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, and a few other companies still operate direct flights to Israel. It is important to emphasize that information can change all the time and it is important to stay in constant contact with the airlines you are supposed to fly with.

The four Israeli airlines also continue to operate continuously, with El Al, Arkia and IsraAir operating direct flights to dozens of destinations around the world, and Air Haifa currently operates only on routes between Ben Gurion Airport and Larnaca.

Currently, most airlines from Europe, North America, Asia and Africa have postponed operations in Israel for the foreseeable future, and at this point, but hopefully we will soon see a massive return of airlines to Israel.

Travelore News: US No-Frills Pioneer Spirit Airlines Files For Bankruptcy Protection

Spirit Airlines has filed for bankruptcy protection, it said on Monday, after the pioneer of no-frills travel in the United States struggled with a long run of quarterly losses, failed merger attempts and looming debt maturities.

The Florida-based airline said it had pre-arranged a deal with its bondholders to restructure its debts and raise money to help it operate during the bankruptcy process, which it expects to exit in the first quarter of 2025.

The carrier said it expected to continue operating its business as normal through the proceedings and customers could book and fly without interruption.

The Chapter 11 process will not impact wages or benefits of its employees, it said. Its vendors and aircraft lessors will also continue to be paid and will not be impaired, it added.

The company said it expected to be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange in the near term, and its shares to be canceled and have no value as part of the restructuring.

PROFIT STRUGGLE

Spirit, known for its bright yellow livery, is the first major U.S. airline to file for Chapter 11 since 2011. It has been facing an uncertain future after the collapse of its $3.8 billion planned merger with JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O), opens new tab in January.

Meanwhile, intense competition among U.S. carriers for price-sensitive leisure travelers as well as an oversupply of airline seats in the domestic market hit its pricing power. Its average fare per passenger was down 19% year-on-year in the first half of this year from a year earlier.

It is also among the airlines most heavily affected by issues with RTX's (RTX.N), opens new tab Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engines, which have forced it to ground multiple aircraft and driven up costs.

Spirit has not posted a full-year profit since 2019. It lost about $360 million in the first half of this year despite strong travel demand.

Analysts say a merger with JetBlue opens new tab would have thrown a lifeline to the company. However, a Boston judge blocked the deal on the grounds it would reduce competition, raising doubts about the company's ability to manage looming debt maturities.

Spirit has been shrinking its operations as part of its efforts to cut costs and shore up its finances. It has furloughed hundreds of pilots and delayed aircraft deliveries. It is also selling its planes to boost liquidity.

A 'COMPREHENSIVE' RESTRUCTURING

It filed for Chapter 11 protection in New York. The airline said a "comprehensive balance sheet restructuring" was expected to reduce total debt, provide increased financial flexibility, position it for long-term success, and accelerate investments.
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As part of the restructuring agreement, the company has received commitments for a $350 million equity investment from existing bondholders. It plans to reduce its debt load by $795 million via debt/equity swap transaction.

Existing bondholders will also provide $300 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing, which, together with available cash, is expected to support the airline through the Chapter 11 process.
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Spirit's flight attendants union said the bankruptcy filing does not change pay, benefits or working conditions for its members. It told flight attendants to continue to work as planned.

Spirit's shares, which have plunged more than 90% this year, were halted for trading on Monday.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

The company started out as a long-haul trucking company in 1964 before shifting to aviation around 1983. It offered leisure packages to popular destinations under the name Charter One Airlines and rebranded to Spirit in 1992.

The discount carrier became popular with budget-conscious customers willing to forgo amenities like checked bags and seat assignments.

Ultra-low-cost carriers, which excelled at keeping their expenses low and offering affordable, no-frills travel, have struggled since the pandemic as some travelers prefer to pay extra for a more comfortable journey as they pursue experiences.

By Shivansh Tiwary and Rajesh Kumar Singh, Reuters Spirit's troubles, along with those at some of rival budget carriers, have spurred talk of a flawed business model among some Wall Street analysts.

St Maarten’s Princess Juliana Airport Finally Has A New Arrival Terminal

It’s been seven years in the making. First, St Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport unveiled its new departure terminal, an impressive reimagining of its pre-Hurricane Irma look.

Now, the long-awaited arrival terminal has officially made its debut, dramatically changing the way passengers get into St Maarten

It’s only been open for a few weeks, but the new terminal is a dramatic upgrade from what had been a make-shift, provisional space that had been used in varying forms since Irma in 2017, when the airport was significantly damaged.

But it’s not just a sleek, modern arrival area; it includes improved baggage handling; a new, streamlined immigration and customs process (one that includes the island’s new electronic arrival forms); new digital kiosks; and new facilities for the passenger experience.

“I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished,” said Michiel Parent, commercial director at the airport, in a statement provided to Caribbean Journal.

It’s a significant boost for the airport, following the successful launch of its new departure hall. We loved the new look of that terminal on our recent visit to Princess Juliana, from the vastly improved food and beverage offering (including a lovely Bacchus Express) to a very solid duty-free shopping experience.

St Maarten isn’t just a popular destination (both the French side and the Dutch side); it’s also an essential air hub for many of the islands in the Northern and Eastern Caribbean, particularly nearby islands like Saba, Statia, St Barth and Anguilla, all of which rely on the island for transiting passengers.

New digital kiosks.

Are you planning a vacation to St Martin right now? In recent years, it’s the French side that has seen the most tourism growth and development, from a culinary scene that is right at the top of the Caribbean to continued growth in the hotel sector, particularly boutique hotels like Le Martin and, more recently, The Forest.

Marriott also just opened a brand-new resort on the island, with the new JW Marriott Beach Resort on Dawn Beach, one of the best beaches on the Dutch side. Rooms from $449 per night.

Our favorite place to stay in St Martin remains one of the Caribbean’s top resorts: the Grand Case Beach Club.

https://www.caribjournal.com/author/alexander-britell/

AirBnB Users Will Play Gladiators In Rome’s Colosseum Under $1.5-Million Sponsorship Deal

The ancient Roman Colosseum will be the venue of gladiator fights for the first time in two millennia under a $1.5-million sponsorship deal with AirBnB that aims to promote “a more conscious tourism.”

Under the deal announced by Airbnb and the Colosseum on Wednesday, the sponsorship by the short-term rental giant will cover the renewal of an educational program inside the ancient Roman amphitheater covering the history of the structure and gladiators.

Eight of the platform’s users and their plus-ones will be able to participate in faux gladiator fights after the Colosseum’s closing time on May 7-8, taking the same underground route used by gladiators in ancient Rome to reach the arena. People can apply for the experience on Nov. 27 at no cost, and the “gladiators” will be chosen by lottery.

The superintendent of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, Alfonsina Russo, told The Associated Press that the deal is in conjunction with the release of Ridley Scott’s new film “Gladiators II,” which opened in Italy on Thursday.

Russo characterized the sponsorship arrangement as one of the many such deals to help finance projects at the park.

AP

New York Moving To Revive Manhattan Congestion Charge

New York plans to revive a congestion mitigation charge for driving in Manhattan that the state indefinitely put on hold in June, the U.S. Transportation Department said on Thursday.

New York City's congestion pricing program, the first of its kind in the United States, was initially to have charged a toll of $15 during daytime hours for passenger vehicles driving in Manhattan south of 60th Street starting June 30.

A department spokesperson said on Thursday that New York notified the Federal Highway Administration of updated plans to advance the project with a starting toll of $9 for passenger cars. The agency said it is finalizing the steps needed to complete the agreement.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul will announce the plan on Thursday, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing a source.

Hochul plans to announce a revised program at 12:00 p.m. ET (1700 GMT) that is expected to launch before Jan. 20, when President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Hochul had cited high inflation and a desire to not deter commuters or tourists because of the additional charge for her decision to halt implementation.

London implemented a similar charge in 2003.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is expected to vote next week to approve the charge, the source said.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said the decision is a long-awaited win for millions of subway users. "If we don’t get the system in operation before Donald Trump becomes president, we’ll lose $15 billion in critical transit investments," Lander said.

MTA has said congestion pricing would cut traffic by 17%, improve air quality and increase mass transit use by 1% to 2%, generate up to $1.5 billion annually and support $15 billion in debt financing for mass transit improvement.

In 2019, state lawmakers approved the plan to help fund improvements in mass transit using tolls to manage traffic in New York City, the most congested of any U.S. city.

New York says more than 900,000 vehicles enter the Manhattan Central Business District daily, which reduces travel speeds to around 7 miles per hour on average.

https://www.reuters.com/authors/david-shepardson/

TSA-Approved – These 11 Liquids Are Allowed Through Airport Screening, Regardless Of Size

Surely you have also gotten nervous before a plane trip because you forgot the small bottles of liquids, or you have also experienced how you have forgotten to transfer your liquids and the plane staff has made you throw away an entire bottle of cologne before boarding… We have all experienced it, don’t worry.

Since 9/11, passengers are required to carry their liquids in small containers that do not exceed 100 ml, and that do not add up to more than one litre per person.

According to The New York Post, there are speculations that some liquids will be able to be transported in their original size and container in the very near future. Technological advances could mean that the 3-1-1 rule (which requires liquids to be stored in a quart-sized resealable plastic bag and that no container can hold more than 3.4 ounces of liquid) may be coming to an end.

The New York Post has reported that 3D CT (computerized tomography) scanners used at airports to detect unauthorized liquids could be phased out, allowing personal hygiene products to travel in regular size.

There are already some airports (especially in Europe) where this restriction has been eliminated since 2023. The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) informed its workers that they are hoping that this limit can be lifted in the very near future, but that, for now, they could do nothing.

Are there liquids that I can carry in large format?
Yes, in fact, the TSA has reported that there is a list of 11 products that can travel in original size and are those related to daily use (many of them practically essential for health and well-being).
The list of these items is as follows.

Baby milk: If you are traveling with a baby, you can now carry breast milk or formula in the amount you need without worrying about the usual limits. Water and baby formula: In addition to milk, you can carry water to prepare the formula in mid-flight, something that will really make traveling with the little ones easier.

Liquid medications: Anyone who needs liquid medication can carry it without problems. The TSA recommends having the prescription or some medical document that justifies it on hand in case the authorities do not allow its passage.

Hand sanitizer: This product, which became essential during the pandemic, was already allowed in full size and will continue to be.

Nasal sprays and saline solutions: Very useful for those who need to maintain their respiratory health on long trips, these products can be carried without volume limits.

Artificial tears and eye drops: For all those who wear contact lenses or suffer from dry eyes, this permission is a relief and they will not need a justification to carry them with them on trips.

Non-flammable hair and body sprays: These personal care products (as long as they are not flammable) are also on the TSA list.

Contact lens solution: Essential for contact lens wearers.

Denture cleaning fluid: Now, denture wearers can carry their cleaning products without worrying about volume limits. 10. Creams and lotions (for medical use)

Inhaler fluids: Liquids needed for inhalation devices (for those with asthma or respiratory problems)

Live fish transported in water and other biological specimens.

Freezer or ice packs for necessary medical items (such as vaccines that need to be kept cold)

The TSA says officers can still scan liquids for explosives or prohibited items hidden in luggage, but that, for example, in the case of liquid medications that cannot be exposed to X-rays, there are other ways to examine them.

https://unionrayo.com/us/author/marezlau/