FAA Investigating Unusual Incident Involving Trump’s Helicopter and Passenger Jet
FAA Investigating Unusual Incident Involving Trump’s Helicopter and Passenger Jet
Nils Huenerfuerst/Unsplash
https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/faa-investigating-unusual-incident-involving-trumps-helicopter-and-passenger-jet
And more of today's top travel news stories.
Today in travel, we have several stories that may have flown under your radar. Among them: a scam is hooking drivers hoping for cheap gas; an airline will start charging for overhead bin space; and the FAA is investigating an airspace incident involving Marine One.
Dive into these and more as we examine the latest in travel news.
Some or all of this article was crafted with help from AI. An editor reviewed and vetted this article before publishing.
PHOTO: WESTY72/ISTOCK
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FAA Investigates Possible Loss of Separation Involving Marine One
The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing a Tuesday afternoon incident involving Marine One and a commercial jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that controllers apparently failed to halt civilian traffic before the presidential helicopter departed from the Ellipse near the White House for Joint Base Andrews.
Investigators are examining whether Marine One and Envoy Air Flight 3742, an Embraer E170 bound for Pensacola, Florida, came closer than the required minimum of 1.5 miles horizontally and 500 feet vertically. The FAA said the episode did not appear to be a dangerous near-collision because the aircraft were not converging. Both flights continued safely, while a Republic Airways flight arriving from Raleigh-Durham was instructed to circle before landing.
The review comes after federal officials tightened helicopter operations around Reagan National following the January 2025 midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which killed 67 people. Commercial traffic is generally paused when Marine One operates near the airport.
PHOTO: KWANGMOOZAA/SHUTTERSTOCK
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BBB Warns Consumers About “Free” Gas and Grocery Card Scam
An official-looking postcard promising hundreds of dollars in free gas or grocery gift cards may actually be an attempt to obtain payment details, the Better Business Bureau warns.
The mailers often feature barcodes, tracking numbers, and urgent language such as “Final Notice” or “Act Now.” Recipients are directed to call a phone number or visit a website, where they may be asked to pay a small processing or shipping charge by credit or debit card. Some operators also seek names, addresses, or financial-account information.
The promised gift cards may never arrive. Instead, recipients can face unauthorized charges, recurring subscriptions, or identity theft. The BBB advises consumers to research the company independently rather than relying on contact information printed on the postcard. An offer that requires payment to receive a supposedly free reward is a major warning sign.
Anyone who has already paid or shared sensitive information should contact the bank or card issuer, monitor accounts and credit reports, change compromised passwords, and report the solicitation to the BBB or an appropriate consumer-protection agency.
PHOTO: JOHN MCARTHUR/UNSPLASH
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17 Injured After Air India Flight Suddenly Loses Altitude
Seventeen people were injured when an Air India flight from Phuket to New Delhi encountered severe turbulence and abruptly lost altitude during cruise on Tuesday.
Flight AI2379, an Airbus A320neo carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, continued to Delhi and landed safely at 11:07 a.m. local time. Air India said 13 passengers and four crew members were taken to hospitals for evaluation. A Directorate General of Civil Aviation official told Indian media that the aircraft dropped about 300 feet, though that figure remains part of the investigation.
Passengers described people being thrown upward or into the aisle. One traveler said his father struck the cabin ceiling, while his wife and 2-year-old daughter landed in the aisle. Air India said the aircraft flew normally after the brief event.
By Wednesday, all 13 injured passengers had been discharged, while four crew members remained hospitalized. India’s aviation regulator is investigating. The episode is another reminder that unexpected turbulence can occur without enough warning for passengers to react; safety authorities recommend keeping a seatbelt fastened whenever seated, even when the sign is off.
PHOTO: SAYAN URANAN/ISTOCK
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Record Heat Forces Cancellations Across South Korea and Japan
A record-breaking heat wave is disrupting travel and outdoor events across South Korea and Japan, with temperatures reaching dangerous levels and authorities issuing widespread health warnings.
South Korea’s southeastern city of Yangsan reached 108.5 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday, the country’s highest temperature since national weather observations began in 1904. Temperatures in the greater Seoul region climbed as high as 102.2 degrees, while President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials to treat the prolonged heat as a “national disaster.”
The Korea Baseball Organization canceled all 10 games scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday after two spectators in their 20s collapsed during and after a Tuesday night game in Incheon. One received CPR before being taken to a hospital.
In Japan, the Environment Ministry issued heatstroke alerts across most western and southern regions. More than 18,000 people were transported to hospitals with heat-related symptoms during the week of July 20 through 26, according to the country’s disaster agency. Tokyo’s Tama Zoological Park also reported that three female lions died after suffering dehydration and multiple-organ failure believed to be connected to the heat.
PHOTO: HAYDN/UNSPLASH
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Jetstar Will Charge Travelers for Overhead Bin Space Starting in 2027
Jetstar will begin charging passengers to place a larger carry-on bag in an overhead locker under new rules taking effect in February 2027.
The Australian budget airline’s base fares will include one handbag, laptop case, or small backpack that fits beneath the seat. Travelers who want to bring a second bag for the overhead compartment will need to purchase “Priority Carry-on,” which also includes priority boarding.
Jetstar says the route-dependent fee will begin at 25 Australian dollars. Prices may be considerably higher on some international flights: The Guardian found an overhead-bag charge of A$86 on a Melbourne-to-Tokyo flight and A$108 on the return trip.
The airline is also replacing its current 7-kilogram cabin-bag allowance. It will no longer routinely weigh carry-on bags at the gate, although customers will be expected to keep overhead luggage at or below 10 kilograms and comply with existing size limits.
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said the change should reduce crowding, speed boarding, and improve on-time departures. Australia’s transport minister, Catherine King, responded that the airline must demonstrate that the new policy genuinely helps keep base fares affordable.
Spend 7 Nights on a Croatian Yacht for Just $1,099
Laurens Verhoeven/iStockphoto
https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/croatia/experiences/news/croatia-yacht-cruise-deal-7-night-sailings-from-1099
Cruise Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast aboard a small ship carrying just 38 passengers, with select seven-night voyages between Dubrovnik and Split starting at $1099 per person.
Sailing Croatia’s island-dotted coastline ordinarily comes with a substantial price tag. This Travelzoo offer lowers the cost of select seven-night Zantium Travel voyages to as little as $1099 per person, with savings ranging from 50% to 60%.
The cruises travel between Dubrovnik and Split, with the direction determined by the departure date. Selected Saturday sailings are available through October 17, 2026. Each vessel accommodates no more than 38 passengers, offering a markedly smaller-scale experience than a conventional cruise ship.
Travelzoo currently lists a 100% approval rating for Zantium Travel among members who reviewed the company.
Cabin Prices
The rates are per traveler and require two people to share a cabin:
– Inside cabin: $1,099 per person, regularly $2,770
– Seaview cabin: $1,899 per person, regularly $5,496
– Balcony cabin: $2,399 per person, regularly $7,176
Solo bookings are available, although travelers occupying a cabin alone must pay a supplement equal to the regular per-person price.
Groups may instead reserve an entire vessel for as many as 38 passengers. Private charters begin at $50,000 for seven nights, compared with a stated standard cost exceeding $70,000. A $5,000 payment is collected when the offer is purchased, and the remaining amount is paid to Zantium Travel once the sailing date is selected.
Airport transportation and guided excursions are not part of the private-charter package.
Courtesy of Zantium Travel/Travelzoo
Meals, Tours, and Activities
The individual cruise package covers considerably more than the cabin. Passengers receive breakfast and a three-course lunch each day, along with fruit, drinking water, and onboard Wi-Fi. A welcome dinner and captain’s dinner are also provided.
The sightseeing program includes locally guided walks in Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar, and Korcula. Other included experiences are admission to the Blue Cave on Biševo and a tasting during the ship’s visit to an oyster farm near Slano. Voyages scheduled during August and October also feature a Mamma Mia-themed tour of Vis.
Airport transfers at the beginning and end of the cruise are included for passengers purchasing individual cabins.
The precise route varies, but scheduled or potential stops include Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar, Korcula, Mljet, Slano, Vis, and Biševo. The itinerary also incorporates opportunities to swim, use a stand-up paddleboard, or relax in the water during the sailing.
Because these ships carry relatively few passengers, they can generally berth close to the towns being visited rather than requiring passengers to take a tender or shuttle from a distant cruise terminal.
Courtesy of Zantium Travel/Travelzoo
Dubrovnik and Split
The two principal cities serve as natural bookends for the voyage.
In Dubrovnik, travelers can explore the pedestrian streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town and walk along the fortifications overlooking the Adriatic. Restaurants, historic buildings, and waterfront views are all concentrated within or immediately outside the city walls.
Split’s defining landmark is Diocletian’s Palace, the sprawling Roman complex that now forms part of the city’s historic center. Its ancient walls contain homes, shops, restaurants, passageways, and the Cathedral of St. Domnius, which incorporates the former mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian.
Important Costs and Booking Conditions
Travelzoo membership is required to purchase the offer. Membership currently costs $50 per year, while eligible new members may be able to begin with a 30-day trial priced at $1.
Airfare is not included. Passengers must also pay port and residence taxes of $95 per person aboard the ship. National-park admission charges, listed at $30 per person, are optional and additional.
A voucher can ordinarily be refunded through Travelzoo during the first 14 days after purchase. After that period, it becomes nonrefundable unless the purchaser paid for Travelzoo’s optional refundable-voucher feature.
Once a sailing has been reserved directly with Zantium Travel, the voucher cannot be refunded. Reservations departing within 90 days cannot be changed; changes to later departures depend on availability.
All dates and cabin categories remain subject to availability.
Some or all of this article was crafted with help from AI. All deal content comes from Travelzoo, and all destination content comes from Fodor’s Travel. An editor reviewed and vetted this article before publishing.
American Airlines Quietly Changed Its Refund Policy. Naturally, It’s Worse
Courtesy of American Airlines
https://www.fodors.com/news/news/american-airlines-quietly-changes-24-hour-refund-policy-for-flight-bookings
American Airlines has updated its 24-hour refund policy for nonrefundable tickets, shortening the eligibility window for last-minute bookings.
American Airlines has slightly narrowed the window for close-in bookings to be refunded within 24 hours of purchase.
In an unannounced change to its contract of carriage on July 29, American Airlines updated its policy to allow passengers to request refunds for nonrefundable tickets if reservations are canceled within 24 hours of booking and the reservation was made more than seven days before the departure of the first flight in the itinerary.
This is a change from the previous version, which allowed cancellations within 24 hours of booking if the reservation was made more than 48 hours before the departure of the first flight in the itinerary.
The move brings American’s policies in line with several other carriers, which are also in line with the minimum requirements set forth by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT requires airlines to offer either a refund within 24 hours of booking if made more than seven days in advance of travel or a 24-hour courtesy hold without collecting the fare. American still offers both a refund within 24 hours (also subject to the seven-day minimum before departure) and a free courtesy hold on many fares in excess of DOT requirements. Separate from the requirements, American allows customers to hold a reservation without payment for a longer period than 24 hours in exchange for a nominal fee.
American’s policies match those of United, JetBlue, and Frontier.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines allow passengers to cancel within 24 hours as long as the flight is booked more than 24 hours in advance. Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines have no advance purchase requirement—any flight canceled within 24 hours of booking is eligible for a refund.
When it comes to 24-hour courtesy holds, American is the most generous. United offers them in limited circumstances. Most other airlines do not offer courtesy holds, instead requiring payment in order to confirm space on a flight.
The DOT has required airlines to offer 24-hour courtesy holds or refunds within 24 hours of booking since the issuance of the Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections (EAPP) rule during the Obama administration in 2011. Airlines are free to offer more generous policies than what is required by the rule.
The rule is designed to give air travel consumers added flexibility for booking mistakes like incorrect or misspelled names or misunderstanding of travel dates (like those involving flights that depart just after midnight, which can confuse customers on which day to go to the airport for their departure). Before implementing the rule, airlines often responded punitively to oversights or mistakes on the part of passengers, spurring complaints to the DOT. The seven-day advance rule allows airlines some leeway to protect their most precious revenue period, when last-minute bookers typically pay some of the highest fares, and close-in cancellations leave the airlines with little time to resell the seats to other buyers.
The rule applies to all airlines selling travel to or from U.S. airports, regardless of the airline’s country of origin. All international carriers serving the United States must also comply with the rule, although most of them limit their compliance only to itineraries involving a U.S. departure or arrival airport. European regulators do not have an equivalent version of this rule, so European airlines may apply it to flights involving U.S. points, but not to flights within Europe.
All airline tickets were once refundable. American was the first airline, early in the deregulated era, to introduce non-refundable fares in exchange for a discount, a pricing mechanism that quickly became standard across the industry and is still a limitation on most discounted fares today.
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