Free Wi-Fi Coming To Many Delta US Flights In February

Delta Air Lines will provide free Wi-Fi service on most of its U.S. flights starting in February, CEO Ed Bastian announced Thursday at the CES technology trade show.

Bastian said by the end of the year, the airline will outfit more than 700 planes with high-speed, satellite-based broadband service from T-Mobile. It plans to expand free Wi-Fi to international and Delta Connection flights by the end of 2024. The service will use equipment from Viasat, a U.S.-based satellite broadband provider.

“It’s always struck me that when we fly, we fly to connect,” Bastian told The Associated Press in an interview. “But when we’re in the sky, we disconnect.”
Many airlines are upgrading internet access on their planes so passengers can stay connected or stream entertainment on their electronic devices, but they usually have to pay for it. New York-based JetBlue Airways already provides free Wi-Fi service to passengers, but Delta’s announcement puts it ahead of its largest rivals: American, United and Southwest.
“People want to be connected, and the fact that airlines can’t connect in the sky is something that I felt we had to figure out,” Bastian said, noting that the rollout of the $1 billion project was accelerated by the pandemic-triggered shutdowns in 2020, when most of the airline’s planes were grounded.
Customers will need an account in Delta’s SkyMiles frequent-flyer program, which is free to join, to use the Wi-Fi service. There is no limit on the number of devices passengers can connect to the inflight Wi-Fi. More than 500 planes will have the free service as of Feb. 1.
Delta’s announcement at CES comes on the heels of Southwest Airlines canceling 15,000 flights around Christmas and leaving holiday travelers stranded around the U.S.
The disruptions started with a winter storm and snowballed when Southwest’s ancient crew-scheduling technology failed.
Bastian declined to comment on his rival’s issues but said Delta for “many years” has invested in its scheduling technology.

“And we are continuing to improve the ability for crews to connect efficiently with the airplane,” he said.

By RIO YAMAT and DAVID KOENIG

Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Erupts Again, Summit Crater Glows

Hawaii’s Kilauea began erupting inside its summit crater Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, less than one month after the volcano and its larger neighbor Mauna Loa stopped releasing lava.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected a glow in webcam images indicating Kilauea had begun erupting inside Halemaumau crater at the volcano’s summit caldera, the agency said.

Kilauea’s summit is inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and away from residential communities.

Earlier Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey raised the alert level for Kilauea due to signs that magma was moving below the summit surface, an indication that the volcano might erupt.

Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It last erupted for 16 months starting in September 2021. For about two weeks starting Nov. 27, Hawaii had two volcanoes spewing lava side by side when Mauna Loa erupted for the first time in 38 years. Both volcanoes stopped erupting at about the same time.

During the twin eruption, visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park were able to see lava from both eruptions at the same time.

“It was a beautiful eruption, and lots of people got to see it, and it didn’t take out any major infrastructure and most importantly, it didn’t affect anybody’s life,” said Ken Hon, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s scientist in charge.

Mauna Loa lava didn’t pose a threat to any communities, but got within 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) of a major highway connecting the east and west sides of the island. A 2018 Kilauea eruption destroyed more than 700 residences.

The observatory planned to continue monitoring the volcanoes for signs of renewed activity. Hon previously said there is generally a three-month “cooling off” period before scientists consider an eruption to be complete.

It was unclear what connection there could be to the volcanoes stopping their eruptions around the same time. The volcanoes can be seen at the same time from multiple spots in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park near Kilauea’s caldera.

Scientists planned to look at data to study the relationship between the two volcanoes, Hon previously said.

For Native Hawaiians, volcanic eruptions have deep cultural and spiritual significance. During Mauna Loa’s eruption, many Hawaiians took part in cultural traditions, such as singing, chanting and dancing to honor Pele, the deity of volcanoes and fire, and leaving offerings known as “hookupu.”

By AUDREY McAVOY

Seabourn Announces "The Suite Life Event," Offering Savings Of Up To 25% On All Suite Categories On Select Sailings Through 2024

Seabourn invites guests to enjoy the "suite" life and sail in style with its second annual "The Suite Life Event," featuring incredible savings on Seabourn sailings through 2024, including Seabourn Pursuit, the second of the line's two new purpose-built expedition vessels scheduled to launch in 2023.

Guests who take advantage of "The Suite Life Event" can enjoy the following exceptional offers:

up to 15% off Seabourn's ocean voyages - up to 25% off on expedition voyages - a 15% deposit (valid only in US, Canada and Australia markets)

Seabourn's second annual "The Suite Life Event" is currently live and will run through February 28, 2023.

"As the new year calls for new adventures, our Suite Life Event is the perfect time to make exciting travel plans in 2023," said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn. "What better way to explore the world than on a Seabourn voyage, where our phenomenal team will provide unforgettable 'Seabourn Moments' and guests will experience life-changing moments as they sail the high seas in ultra-luxury style."

Seabourn's The Suite Life Event applies to more than 600 worldwide 2023-2024 voyages, visiting hundreds of destinations on all seven continents. Destinations include Alaska, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific, Asia, Arabia & India, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, South America, Canada & New England, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, and the Transatlantic, as well as expedition voyages on Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit to the Arctic, Antarctica, British Isles, Amazon and more. A complete listing of the sailings, savings and amenities can be viewed on Seabourn's website.

Sample sailings available with "The Suite Life Event" include:

7-Day Alaska Fjords & Canadian Inside Passage: Seabourn Odyssey will sail from Juneau to Vancouver on June 2, 2023, visiting various locations in Alaska such as Tracy/Endicott Arm, Wrangell, Rudyerd Bay (Misty Fjords), and in Canada such as Prince Rupert, and Alert Bay, and beyond.

14-Day North Cape & Majestic Fjords: Seabourn Ovation will depart from Copenhagen, Denmark on June 11, 2023, and sail to Norway exploring ports in Tromso, Storstappen Island, Stavanger and more with scenic cruising through fjords such as Nordfjord and Sognefjord.

15-Day Greenland & Iceland: Vikings & Volcanoes: Guests will sail roundtrip from Reykjavik, Iceland, aboard Seabourn Venture and sail off to explore Norse archaeological sites, Greenland's icebergs and deep-cut fjords, massive glaciers and more alongside the ship's Expedition Team. Departure dates: June 17 and July 29, 2023.

7-Day Mediterranean Medley: Departing from Barcelona on October 29, 2023, Seabourn Ovation will explore a number of charming ports and destinations along the Rivieras in Spain, France and Italy. For even greater value, "The Suite Life Event" may be combined with other Seabourn promotions, including "Seabourn Club Savings," offering 5% savings on select sailings for Seabourn Club Guests.

For more details about Seabourn, or to explore the worldwide selection of Seabourn cruising options, contact a professional travel advisor, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

US Border To Require COVID-19 Vax For Non-Citizen Visitors Until Spring

It appears that the US land border, as well as airports, will continue to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination until spring of 2023, according to this TSA document.

For months, the US border has been open to its citizens regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status, but it has been closed to non-citizens who are not vaccinated for COVID-19. There are very few exceptions listed to the ban.

There was some expectation that the US would end its COVID-19 vaccination requirement in early January, bringing its COVID border policy in line with much of the rest of the world, including next-door neighbors Canada and Mexico, who are both open to non-vaccinated US citizens.

At the time of writing this piece, the US has not changed the rules for entry, but a policy change announced at the end of December may still be good news to European travelers.

Previously, the US border would only admit travelers who had received a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccine, carrying proof of that vaccination. In regulations announced on April 21, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security stated:

Non-U.S. travelers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals, whether for essential or non-essential reasons, must continue to:

verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status; provide, upon request, proof of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the CDC website; present a valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document, such as a valid passport, Trusted Traveler Program card, or Enhanced Tribal Card; and, be prepared to present any other relevant documents requested by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer during a border inspection.

The CDC website has more details. Before December 30, the regulations only allowed travelers with Pfizer, J&J, Moderna or Novavax COVID-19 vaccines to enter the US. Now, there’s a much longer, updated list that includes several other WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines (see the whole list here).

That’s good news for travelers from the EU or other regions who may have received a COVID-19 vaccine that is approved in their home country, but was not previously approved in the US. However, it’s bad news for travelers who have received a vaccine that is not on the list (Sputnik, Abdala, and others). It is also bad news for those who have not been given a COVID-19 vaccine, even if they are considered vaccinated in their home country (which was the case at one point for some Europeans, who were considered vaccinated after surviving a COVID-19 infection even if they had not received a full course of COVID-19 vaccines).

Confused? The US government websites don’t make it easy to understand what’s going on, and you’ve got to consult the TSA, Homeland Security and CDC websites to figure it out—and even then, it’s easy to get misled by out-of-date information that remains posted online. Go down the rabbit hole in travel forums, and there’s plenty of inaccurate information. The best policy, if you’re traveling internationally in 2023, is to research the latest border information on whatever country you’re visiting. Ensure you’re getting the most up-to-date details; if possible, go right to the embassy or other government source for the information directly, then double-check with recent travelers to see what their experiences are.

But no matter what those travelers say, remember that the law is the law, and border officials can (and often will) revert to official policy even if there has been a pattern of exceptions. This is true around the world, and the US border is the perfect example. While some travelers report stories of crossing without showing proof of vaccination, the law states that non-residents must be vaccinated to enter. Do not plan your riding trip to the US around the potential good graces of a border guard looking the other way. If you want to be guaranteed entry, your paperwork must be in order.

Source: https://www.advrider.com/

Atlantis Paradise Island Announces Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival

Atlantis Paradise Island, the Caribbean's most iconic destination resort in the Bahamas, is thrilled to announce its inaugural Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival (NPIWFF), taking place Wednesday, March 15 – Sunday, March 19, 2023. Tickets for the Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival are on sale now at npiwff.org.

The five-day festival showcases world-renowned top chefs, master sommeliers, mixologists, and notable TV personalities, including Tony Abou-Ganim, Alex Guarnaschelli, JJ Johnson, Aarón Sánchez, Alon Shaya, Michael White and Andrew Zimmern, plus a performance by Grammy® Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated rapper Wyclef Jean at Jerk Jam on March 18. Duff Goldman and DJ Kim Lee, from Netflix's Bling Empire, host the festival's closing night Sugar & Spice after party at The Cove pool. The festival will highlight the Bahamas as a growing culinary and entertainment hub while generating awareness for Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), founded in 2005 with the mission to protect and preserve marine wildlife and its endangered habitats throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean seas.

After Atlantis' successful Taste of Paradise Food & Wine Festival, the newly named Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival will be expanded to include local and regional chefs and restaurants, music performances, exclusive dinners, beachside parties, culinary demos and family-friendly activities hosted throughout the resort. In addition to bringing internationally acclaimed chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists to the Bahamas for the highly anticipated five-day festival, Atlantis Paradise Island is the only destination in the Caribbean with three Michelin-rated chefs – boosting the Bahamas as the ultimate culinary destination in the region.

While participating in events with visiting celebrity chefs, guests can dine like a local and enjoy the island's long-standing dining favorites, including Sip Sip, McKenzie's Conch Shack, Bimini Road, Sun & Ice gelato and ice cream by Bahamian chef Wayne Moncur, locally produced beers, and Paradise Rum, Atlantis' signature rum produced by John Watling's Nassau distillery. Guests will also experience the highly anticipated new restaurants and bars opening at the resort, including Paranza from Michelin-starred chef Michael White, Café Martinique helmed by globally acclaimed chef Adrian Delcourt and The Dilly Club, the new offshoot of locally loved Bon Vivants Bar & Café.

Festival attendees will spend five days in culinary bliss – set to the backdrop of Atlantis' renowned paradise location, with five miles of white sand beaches, crystal blue waters and #BahamasAtHeart hospitality. Culinary event programming includes:

Taste of Paradise – The festival's key tasting event with JJ Johnson, Alon Shaya, Andrew Zimmern and other celebrity chefs. Celebrity Chef Wine Lunches and Dinners – Alex Guarnaschelli, Aarón Sánchez, Michael White and Andrew Zimmern will each host a memorable in-restaurant dining experience featuring their recipes paired with signature wines.

Ice Cream Social – A family-friendly, sweets-filled afternoon with Duff Goldman and the resort's resident pastry and dessert chefs. Jerk Jam – A signature event celebrating Jerk, the iconic Caribbean flavor, hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli and JJ Johnson with a special performance by Grammy® Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated rapper Wyclef Jean.

Sparkles At Sunset – An elegant Champagne tasting in the famous Bridge Suite of The Royal Tower. Sugar & Spice – A late-night event at The Cove Pool hosted by pastry chef Duff Goldman with over-the-top desserts and music from DJ Kim Lee (from Netflix's Bling Empire). Tacos and Cocktails – A taco and tequila fiesta with Aarón Sánchez and festival mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim.

The complete line-up of festival events, live entertainment and appearances can be found online at npiwff.org or atlantisbahamas.com. Tickets are available for purchase now. Follow @NPIWFF and @AtlantisBahamas for the most up-to-date festival details.

In 2023, Atlantis Paradise Island is rolling out bold multimillion-dollar renovations and exciting new partnerships throughout the resort – from a complete renovation of The Royal Towers to a reimagined Atlantis Casino and much more. The resort's 25th anniversary launches a new chapter for the celebrated destination, ensuring travelers will continue to experience the best at Atlantis Paradise Island, with stunning accommodations, innovative cuisine and extraordinary experiences.

For more information and reservations, please visit atlantisbahamas.com.

UK Trains Disrupted Again As Workers Stage Fresh Strikes

LONDON (AP) — Commuters returning to work on Tuesday after the Christmas break were advised not to travel as tens of thousands of British rail workers stage a fresh round of strikes that will disrupt services all week.

Around half of the U.K.’s railway lines are closed, and only one-fifth of services are running amid a long-running dispute over pay and working conditions.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union were striking Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, while drivers in the Aslef union will strike Thursday. Many places, including most of Scotland and Wales, have no train services.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper urged union leaders to come to the negotiating table and said the government has offered a “very fair pay offer.” But union boss Mick Lynch said officials have not put forward any fresh proposals and suggested the government was blocking an agreement.

“What we keep hearing is the same stuff from the government across the sectors that they want to facilitate an agreement, but they don’t actually do anything,” Lynch told Sky News from a picket line at London’s Euston train station.

Train companies and the government argue they need to change the way the rail network operates to control costs after the coronavirus pandemic reduced passenger traffic and changed commuting patterns.

But rail workers, like others who work in the public sector, say wages have failed to keep pace with the skyrocketing cost of living. Inflation in the U.K. has soared to a 41-year high of 11.1%, driven by sharply rising energy and food costs.

Nurses, airport baggage handlers, ambulance and bus drivers and postal workers were among those who walked off their jobs in December to demand higher pay.

Ambulance staff are set to strike again on Jan. 11 and 23, while nurses will do the same Jan. 18-19.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents National Health Service organizations, urged the government to reopen talks with unions over pay. He said the last thing hospitals needed was four days of strikes in January as they grappled with too few staff and high demand exacerbated by more flu and COVID-19 cases.

New Israeli Government Vows To Develop West Bank Tourism

The tourism minister of Israel’s new government on Sunday promised to invest in developing the West Bank, calling the area “our local Tuscany.”

Haim Katz made the comments days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government took office, promising in its coalition guidelines to make West Bank settlement construction a top priority.

Israel captured the West Bank during the 6 Day War from Jordan who controlled the territory from 1948-1967. Israel defeated three Arab armies, gained territory four times its original size, and became the preeminent military power in the region.

At a ceremony Sunday, Katz said he would channel resources to promote tourism in the West Bank. “We will invest in areas that may not have received sufficient support to date,” he said. “For example, our local Tuscany in Judea and Samaria,” he added, using the biblical term for the West Bank favored by religious Israelis and Christians.

The West Bank settler community has developed a small tourism sector that includes hotels, bed and breakfasts and wineries. Israel considers these industries to be part of the country’s broader tourism sector, while international human rights groups have said they deepen control of the territory.

Airbnb in 2018 said it would bar listings in the Israeli settlements, but it quickly backed down under heavy Israeli pressure. Last year, Booking.com said it was adding warnings to its listings there.

On Friday, the U.N. General Assembly asked the U.N.’s highest judicial body to give its opinion on the legality of Israeli policies in the West Bank.

Netanyahu called the resolution “disgraceful” and said Israel is not obligated to cooperate with the International Court of Justice.