A Round-up of the Latest Travel News

Stay informed and up to date about what’s new in the world of travel. Travel News Round-Up Sept. 30, 2019 provides you with a quick summary and links to the latest travel news of this past week.

This week’s headlines: Southwest’s New Hawaii Flights; NCL Eliminating Single Use Plastic Bottles; More Plant Based Food Options at Disney Parks; Thomas Cook Collapse, Hypersonic ‘Space Planes’ by 2030 and World’s Largest Airport Opens in Beijing.

1. Southwest’s New Hawaii Flights

We have grown so accustom to delays in everything upcoming; it’s refreshing to hear that a timeline has been moved up! Southwest has announced that it’s will be offering flights between Sacramento and Honolulu in November 2019 rather than January 2020 as originally planned. Thanks Southwest!

Read the story from Travel + Leisure; or the press release from Southwest.

2. NCL Elminating Single Use Plastic Bottles

I love to cruise. Yes, I know some people think it’s not the most eco-friendly way to travel. But, the cruise lines are doing their part to be more eco-friendly. NCL is doing away with single use plastic bottles across it’s fleet by January 1, 2020. That’s a pretty quick implementation.  Hopefully, all of us at home are doing our part by using fewer single use plastic bottles on a daily basis.

Read the press release from NCL.

3. More Plant Based Food Options at Disney Parks

Okay, I admit, I only searched out this story after hearing it on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update. But after checking out the Disney Blog, it seems like people are responding well to having more plant based food options available during their visits to the Disney Parks.

Read the Disney Blog for more details.

4. Thomas Cook Collapse

It’s never good to see a major travel company collapse; but it is especially painful when it is a company with such a long history. This is one reason I always recommend the purchase third party travel insurance. However, if the company is already in financial difficulty, it may not be possible; always read the details before purchasing any travel insurance to make sure you’re fully covered.

Here’s a report from USA Today.

Hypersonic ‘Space Planes’ by 2030?

Although it was a dream of mine, I was never able to fly on the Concorde. I did watch it as it flew directly over my house, and I was able to see it from a window at the airport terminal. Now, I have a new dream, flying on the hypersonic ‘space plane’! I’m sure it will be expensive, so I’ll start saving now and maybe by 2030, I’ll be able to afford a ticket.

Here’s the full story from Travel + Leisure.

6. World’s Largest Airport Opens

Having just returned from France, we seemed to walk forever just to get to the check in counter at the Charles de Gaulle Airport. Beijing, China just opened the world’s largest airport (in surface area). Supposedly the longest walk from security to the farthest gates will be no more than eight minutes. Unfortunately, I don’t have plans to fly to Beijing in the near future; perhaps one of my readers will be able to report to us on their experience? 

Once again, Travel + Leisure provides more details.

There you have it, the Travel News Round-Up Sept. 30, 2019.

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