Travel companies and hotel booking platforms have reported a sharp increase in searches and reservations for the Florida city, where the match will be played at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, 11 July. According to travel booking data cited by The Independent, hotel searches in Miami by UK travellers jumped significantly after England’s dramatic victory over Mexico confirmed its next clash against Norway. 

The spike marks a sharp turnaround for Miami’s hospitality sector, which had experienced slower-than-expected bookings earlier in the tournament despite hosting several World Cup matches. Industry analysts had previously warned that hotel demand across many US host cities was falling short of expectations, but interest has accelerated as the quarter-final stages have drawn fans to high-profile matches.

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Accommodation prices have also climbed as demand has increased. Hotels close to the stadium and in popular areas such as Miami Beach have seen availability tighten, while many supporters have turned to short-term rentals as an alternative. Earlier industry data had already shown that demand for holiday rentals in South Florida was strengthening around major World Cup matches, with booking levels rising sharply compared with the same period last year. 

The growing interest in England’s quarter-final has been reflected in accommodation searches across major booking platforms. Booking.com said searches by UK travellers for Miami stays between 10 and 12 July, made between 4 and 7 July, were up 403%. Expedia.co.uk also reported a 300% increase in lodging searches between 5 and 8 July compared with the same dates last year. Demand for short-term rentals has also risen, with AirDNA reporting a 15% year-on-year increase ahead of the knockout stages.

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The match has attracted additional attention after Norway’s preparations were disrupted by an unexpected hotel change. The Scandinavian side relocated after just one night at their original accommodation in Fort Lauderdale, following complaints from players about traffic noise and nearby construction work.

“It is brutal having to move but we are satisfied with the new place and everyone is happy now. Some people might fear that this will affect the players, but it was the players who wanted this more than anyone else,” said Truls Daehli, the Norway team’s logistics manager. 

“We have strong people in our support team and managed to move in two-and-a-half hours. The process of changing hotel is not ideal but we wanted to take action as soon as possible. Having a good atmosphere is most important.”

On the pitch, England head into the quarter-final aiming to extend their unbeaten run under Thomas Tuchel, while Norway arrive full of confidence after a remarkable tournament run that has already included a shock victory over Brazil. Leading the charge is Erling Haaland, who has been one of the stars of the competition with seven goals, placing him among the World Cup’s top scorers alongside Lionel Messi (eight goals) and Kylian Mbappé (seven). Just behind him is England captain Harry Kane, who has claimed six goals and will now face his fellow striker in one of the tournament’s most anticipated battles.

L’article Miami hotels face World Cup rush as England fans book stays for Norway quarter-final est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The history of the White Pass & Yukon Route dates back to 1898. During the Klondike Gold Rush, the 177-kilometre narrow-gauge route heading from Skagway in Alaska through British Columbia to Canada’s Yukon Territory was built by no less than 35,000 workers, through rugged and hard-to-reach terrain.

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“Building the one hundred and ten miles of track was a challenge in every way. Construction required cliff-hanging turns of 16 degrees, building two tunnels and numerous bridges and trestles. Work on the tunnel at Mile 16 took place in the dead of winter, with heavy snow and temperatures as low as 60 below slowing the work. The workers reached the Summit of White Pass on February 20, 1899, and by July 6, 1899, construction reached Lake Bennett and the beginning of the river and lakes route,” the White Pass & Yukon Route explains on its website.

In 2026, the railway was not just recognised as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark; it was also named as one of North America’s most beautiful train journeys in an eye-tracking study by travel insurance company InsureandGo. And, luckily for those who will be visiting North America over the coming months and are still looking for a unique experience, the White Pass & Yukon Route has reopened for the Summer season.

Travellers who are looking to embark on the journey can do so through several different experiences. The most popular is the so-called White Pass Summit Excursion, which starts in Skagway and takes passengers to the White Pass Summit, located at an elevation of 2,888 feet (880 metres). The entire round trip spans over 40 miles (64 kilometres), costs $155 (€135) per person and takes approximately 2.5 hours. Journeys are available until 7 October 2026.

@emilylynnv There are no words to describe this feeling #alaska #whitepassrailway #yukon #bookthecruise ♬ Northern Attitude – Noah Kahan & Hozier

“Relax in vintage passenger coaches as you retrace the original route to the White Pass Summit, passing Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch. Enjoy a breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites. See the original Klondike Trail of ‘98 worn into the rocks, a permanent tribute to the thousands of souls who passed this way in search of fortune,” the White Pass & Yukon Route writes.

At the time of writing, the longest available train journey on the White Pass & Yukon Route is the Bennett Scenic Journey, taking travellers from Skagway all the way to Carcross. The 120 miles (193 kilometres) round trip takes eight hours to complete and includes a 45-minute layover in scenic Bennett, a town only accessible via the White Pass train or by hiking the famous Chilkoot Trail. The trip is bookable until 12 September 2026 and costs $289 (€253) per person.

Other routes, including one-way trips and hiker services, can be found through the White Pass & Yukon Route.

L’article One of North America’s most scenic rail journeys returns for the summer est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Fourth of July weekend is traditionally one of the busiest of the year across airports in the United States. Millions of people are going on holiday or visiting family, which can lead to crowded departure halls and long queues at the luggage check-in.

In order to decrease the luggage friction as much as possible and to make travelling a little less stressful, for the Fourth of July 2026, United Airlines introduced its new Twilight Bag Drop scheme at its hub, O’Hare International Airport. Although tests had been running for months beforehand, the busy travel weekend was the ideal occasion for a hard launch.

@kyemartin14 Ultimate pre-flight move? Or too much planning??? Lmk in the comments… @NBC Chicago ♬ original sound – Kye Martin

“Fly through the airport in the morning without stressing about bag drop, just head straight to security,” United Airlines said in an email to eligible customers seen by USA Today Travel.

Thanks to the Twilight Bag Drop, United Airlines passengers travelling from O’Hare International Airport with a flight scheduled between 5:00 am and 9:00 am can drop their checked bags the night before. Drop-offs can be made between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm outside Terminal 1 by door 1Da on the departures level.

Although the service is free for all eligible passengers, travellers still need to complete the online check-in beforehand, through the United Airlines app or website. During the drop-off, customers will be asked for ID, after which the staff will tag the luggage and send it for sorting and screening. On the morning of the departure, the check-in and bag drop process is thus avoided.

Terminal 3 security line at O’Hare this morning, 6/5/26, at 6:10am pic.twitter.com/wH0PHozoOb

— Hannah Anthony (@20UnDiSpuTed13) July 6, 2026

Although the launch of the service at O’Hare International Airport is being widely shared, it is not the only United Airlines hub to offer the service. Passengers travelling from Guam (GUM) can also use the scheme, although the timetable slightly varies.

“If your flight leaves Guam before 9:30 am, you can check bags the night before, between 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Food that can go bad should still go through regular check-in,” United specifies on its website.

It is yet unclear whether or not United Airlines plans on introducing the service at other hubs as well, if the launch goes as expected. However, according to travel outlet Live And Let’s Fly, the airline is also working on a Home Bag Pick-Up service. Reportedly, some passengers in eligible locations have already been offered a free trial, which means their luggage is being picked up at their homes before their flight.

For travellers, such a Home Bag Pick-Up service would be a great addition to United Airlines’ offer. Not only would it allow them to avoid lugging around heavy bags, but it would also greatly diminish the need to arrive (very) early at the airport in order to check in their bags. For the airline, however, the logistics of such an operation could prove to be quite complicated.

L’article United Airlines introduces Twilight Bag Drop to ease early morning flights est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Delta Flight 1076 from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport was due to land at Midway International Airport at around 8:30 pm when air traffic controllers warned the pilots to “use caution: there are multiple homes near the approach end shooting off fireworks.”

Shortly afterwards, with the aircraft at an altitude of about 200ft (61m), a pilot told the controllers, “We just had a firework hit our plane.” The pilot added: “We’re just hoping it was just a mortar that went off underneath but definitely felt a big bang.”

No injuries were reported among the flight’s 52 passengers and six crew, and the plane subsequently “landed safely at Chicago Midway International Airport around 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, July 4,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement. The airline said the aircraft then taxied to the gate and was inspected. The FAA is investigating the incident, which caused “minor paint damage”, according to the Chicago Police Department, speaking to the BBC.

The incident was not the only one that evening. Around a quarter of an hour later, Southwest Airlines flight 223 out of Denver was told “Welcome to the war zone” by air traffic controllers as it approached Chicago’s Midway, to which the crew responded wryly: “That’s reassuring.”

On audio recordings taken during the evening’s events, air traffic controllers described “multiple reports” of similar occurrences. Local authorities had reportedly been informed of the situation and were liaising with law enforcement, the control tower said, although their powers to intervene were in question. “They said they would notify the Chicago police, but you know, I don’t know what they’ll do, right?” said one controller.

@randomclipsusa1 250th BIRTHDAY #fireworks #chicago #4thjuly #usa #downtown ♬ original sound – ☆

While the Chicago incidents appear to have been caused by civilian fireworks, official US Embassy Independence Day celebrations in Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels have also caused controversy in recent days, after nearby historic buildings reported damage, which some attributed to fireworks let off during the event. After the Brussels 4 July party, attended by 8,800 guests, the roof of the Royal Museums of Art and History was scorched and impacts were found on decorative friezes, leading to the launch of an inquiry by Belgium’s Federal Buildings Authority.

Responding to the claims, Bill White, the US Ambassador, wrote on social media platform X: “We are in immediate contact with the Belgian company that was hired to coordinate all event logistics, including the fireworks company.” Promising that the firm would put the damage right if needed, White posted pictures that he said showed “Cinquantenaire has never looked any cleaner than it was the day after we cleaned up after our event.”

L’article Delta flight hit by fireworks near airport during Independence Day celebrations est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

According to Airbnb’s announcement, the measures are part of a broader effort to support responsible stays and protect both hosts and local communities during peak demand weekends. The company says the system is specifically targeted at short-term rental bookings that may pose a higher risk of unauthorised parties, particularly in full-home listings that are more susceptible to large gatherings.

The anti-party system, first introduced in 2020, uses a combination of predictive signals and booking restrictions to identify and deter potentially higher-risk reservations. While Airbnb does not publicly disclose the full details of its enforcement algorithms, the company has previously described the system as relying on a range of factors, including booking patterns, length of stay, and reservation characteristics. When a booking is flagged, guests may be prevented from reserving certain entire-home listings or may be redirected toward alternative accommodations such as private rooms or hotels.

The system is being deployed ahead of the 4^th of July weekend, a period highly associated with increased incidents of unauthorised parties in short-term rentals. The move comes amid Airbnb’s ongoing effort to discourage large gatherings that violate its year-round party and event ban, which was made permanent in 2022 after being initially introduced as a temporary pandemic-era policy.

“This is the fifth year in a row we’ve run these defenses for July 4, and last year they redirected more than 20,000 people from higher-risk bookings over the holiday weekend. That kind of capability – improved year over year – is what it takes to help make the holiday great for our hosts, guests and the communities around them,” said Rog Kaiser, Vice President of Fraud and Safety Operations at Airbnb.

The anti-party measures are intended not only to protect property owners but also to reduce neighbourhood disturbances and support responsible stays on the platform. Airbnb said that fewer than approximately 0.06% of bookings in the United States resulted in a reported party in 2025.

During last year’s 4^th of July holiday weekend, the company said its screening technology redirected more than 20,000 guests from booking entire-home listings. That figure included approximately 3,100 guests in Florida, 3,100 in Texas and around 2,500 in California.

The renewed rollout of the technology comes as several recent incidents have drawn attention to unauthorised gatherings at short-term rental properties. On 22 June, three people were hospitalised following a shooting at a party held at an Airbnb property in Butchertown, Kentucky, according to local outlet WAVE.

In another incident earlier this year, a Texas mansion was left heavily damaged after a party advertised on social media attracted an estimated 500 to 800 teenagers and young adults. The homeowner told FOX 4 News that the property had been rented through Airbnb by a guest who said it would be used for “a party of seven people.”

@cbsnewstexas

Celina police say a social media post advertising a massive house party led to 500 to 800 teens gathering at a home rented through Airbnb. The party ended with multiple gunshots and two arrests. The owner of the $7.6 million property, Kishore Karlapudi, says he had no idea a house party was planned.

♬ original sound – CBS News Texas

Some hosts have said the anti-party screening system can make it harder to secure legitimate holiday bookings, particularly during peak demand periods like the 4^th of July weekend. Josh Zozosky, who manages more than 50 Airbnb properties in Charlotte, North Carolina, told WBTW that “Our houses will very frequently sit empty on the biggest holiday of the year,” adding that there is “nothing we can do if we rely solely on Airbnb to fill those bookings.” He noted that he would like to see Airbnb provide stronger support for hosts when parties do occur, saying, “I think that’s something they can improve on.”

As travel demand surges for summer events and national holidays, Airbnb’s approach reflects a broader industry focus on preventing misuse of vacation rentals while maintaining availability for legitimate travellers.

L’article Airbnb brings back anti-party system ahead of 4 July weekend to prevent disruptive gatherings est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The figure beats last year’s record of 71.8 million on the move, but by an increase that is smaller than recent year-on-year gains. The number of people driving and flying to their destinations is relatively flat compared to last year, while travel by other modes, including cruises, is the category seeing the biggest increase. 

No matter how many days they spend on vacation, AAA says that going away during this time is customary. “For many Americans, traveling the week of the 4^th of July is tradition,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, adding: “The 9-day travel forecast includes travelers who are vacationing all week and people just getting away for the long holiday weekend. While the overall number of Independence Day travelers appears to be plateauing, we’re still expecting record volumes this year.”

If you’re flying somewhere this weekend, it’s going to be busy at airports across the country. TSA Officers are working hard to keep skies safe. Harassment, threats, or physical violence will not be tolerated. pic.twitter.com/koUbzgXH03

— TSA (@TSA) July 1, 2026

By car

The association is predicting 61.4 million people making Independence Day car journeys, nearly the same number as last year when 61.3 million took road trips on the America’s 6.6 million kilometres of tarmac. This means 85% of all those travelling for Independence Day are expected to drive to their destinations, despite fuel prices reaching four-year highs. Last year, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.15. This year, prices are higher but remain lower than in 2022, when the national average was $4.80 on Independence Day. AAA points out, nonetheless, how cheap car travel is. “Regardless of those higher fuel prices, filling up the tank during a road trip is still cheaper than purchasing flights” the association said in a statement, “especially for families with kids.”

Meanwhile, AAA car rental partner Hertz expects Thursday, 2 July, to be the busiest pickup day, with Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City experiencing the highest demand based on advanced bookings. According to AAA booking data, domestic car rentals are 10% more expensive compared to 2025.

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By air

AAA projects 5.85 million 4^th of July week flyers, an annual increase of 0.2%. Air passengers represent eight percent of all trips. Based on what consumers paid when booking, round-trip domestic flights to top destinations like Chicago and Denver are 5% more expensive than in 2025. Domestic flights overall are averaging about $830 (around €729) a ticket. 

Meanwhile, airline data has American Airlines preparing for record numbers of flyers between Thursday, 25 June and Monday, 6 July, with 8.1 million passengers booked on over 80,000 flights, a 10% increase since last year.

United Airlines is set for six million passengers over the holiday period (from Friday, 26 June to Monday, 6 July 2026). The airline has reported an increase in bookings for Philadelphia and Boston.

Alaska Airlines has 6,283 flights scheduled for the main holiday weekend (Friday, 3 July to Monday, 6 July), 2.5% more than last year. Friday and Monday are predicted to be its busiest days.

Other modes

Nearly five million (4.93m) Americans will take buses, trains, and cruises over Independence Day week, a 5.3% increase from last year. That number surpasses 2019’s 4.79 million journeys by other modes, due mostly, AAA says, to the “post-COVID cruising boom,” attributing the popularity of cruises to the predictability of their upfront, all-inclusive costs and wide-ranging destinations.

Destinations

AAA members are “heading to major U.S. cities over the 4^th of July week and flying internationally to Canada and Europe,” the association says. For cruises, Alaska is at peak season, meaning Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Seattle are top destinations.

Independence Day fireworks and festivities in New York, Chicago, and Boston also tend to draw big crowds. Florida’s theme parks, beaches, and cruise ports are reeling consumers in, and internationally, Vancouver is number one, followed by major European cities like Rome, Dublin, Paris, and London.

L’article Record 72 million Americans expected to travel over Independence Day 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The U.S. are currently co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The large-scale event – which is spread across sixteen cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada – has led to some remarkable initiatives. One of those concerns is operating aircraft in areas around stadiums and fan zones.

On 2026 FIFA World Cup match days, strict temporary flight restrictions apply. All aircraft, including drones, that have not obtained permission from air traffic control are banned from operating within a three-nautical-mile radius around and up to 3,000 feet above stadiums.

TSA Federal Air Marshals, working with state and federal partners, have seized over 300 drones during @FIFAWorldCup events thus far. Flying a drone in a restricted zone is a federal crime and can result in fines up to $100,000, prison time, and drone confiscation. pic.twitter.com/hk9RrSCP0K

— TSA (@TSA) June 23, 2026

Around and above fan zones, similar restrictions apply on match days, with unauthorised aircraft being banned within a one-nautical-mile radius around and up to 1,000 feet above the designated areas.

However, according to the Transportation Security Administration, not everyone seems to be obeying the match day rules.

“The federal government, led by the White House Task Force, and in partnership with the FBI, DHS/TSA, FAA, and state/local law enforcement have implemented the most comprehensive airspace security and drone mitigation effort in US history for the FIFA World Cup 2026, resulting in the seizure of more than 300 unauthorised drones to date. Unauthorised drone flights in restricted areas are a serious violation of federal law. Enforcement is swift and proactive,” the TSA said in a statement.

In order to respond as quickly as possible to any drones approaching stadiums and fan zones, the federal authorities have deployed so-called counter-drone teams. Not only do those detect unauthorised drones, but they have also been designed to neutralise the aircraft. Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meant to finance equipment, software, and training.

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The Miami office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation reportedly issued citations to 49 drone operators, while confiscating 54 drones in Florida alone. In Kansas City, Missouri, eight drones and their controllers were confiscated by the FBI over the course of a week. They were accused of violating the flight restrictions.

Those who do not follow the restrictions regarding drones and other aircraft put themselves at risk of hefty consequences. The Federal Aviation Administration mentions fines of up to $100,000, while criminal prosecution and seizure of their aircraft are also part of the risks involved.

The anti-drone measures during the 2026 FIFA World Cup can be seen as part of a broader U.S. policy. An executive order signed by President Donald Trump in 2025 was specifically aimed at bolstering the country’s defences against drone attacks. Ever since, country-drone teams have been deployed at sections of the U.S.-Mexico border and at a selection of large public gatherings, out of fear for possible terrorist attacks.

L’article Over 300 drones seized by U.S. authorities during 2026 FIFA World Cup est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Pokémon North America International Championships (NAIC) is considered the final and highest-level international event of the competitive Pokémon season. It brings together thousands of players from around the world who compete across several formats, including the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon GO, Pokémon UNITE and Pokémon Champions. Players compete not only for prize money, but also for the title of North America International Champion and a direct qualification spot for the World Championships. The event is also the final opportunity for competitors to earn championship points before the season ends.

Organisers explained that Chicago was selected due to its strong international accessibility and wide range of visitor experiences. Nick Salazar, Associate Public Relations Manager at Pokémon, said the city meets several key requirements for hosting the growing event. He stated, “When evaluating host cities for an event such as NAIC, we look at several factors, including accessibility, transport, and family-friendly attractions.” He added that Chicago “checks all those boxes” and offers plenty for visitors to explore beyond the competition venues. The city’s transport links and global connectivity were also highlighted as major advantages.

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Chicago’s recent success with large-scale Pokémon events also played a role in the decision. Earlier this year, Pokémon GO Fest Chicago took place in Grant Park and attracted more than 100,000 attendees, setting a new North American attendance record for the franchise. The city also offered city-wide activations and collaborations with attractions such as the Field Museum and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

The 2027 championship will be held at McCormick Place, a venue known for hosting major international conventions, exhibitions and trade shows. Its large capacity and flexible event spaces make it suitable for an expanding global competition like NAIC. As attendance continues to grow, with recent editions attracting more than 18,000 visitors, organisers have increasingly looked for venues capable of handling both competitors and spectators. McCormick Place is expected to support not only tournament matches but also side events and fan experiences spread across multiple halls.

Visitors to the 2027 event can expect a mix of competitive gameplay and fan-focused activities. The Pokémon Center pop-up store is expected to return, offering exclusive merchandise for attendees. Side events, training spaces known as Play Labs, and photo opportunities with characters such as Pikachu will also be part of the experience. Organisers have emphasised that the event is designed to bring fans together, whether they are competing or attending as spectators, creating a shared experience around the franchise.

The NAIC also plays an important role in the wider competitive Pokémon ecosystem, leading into the annual World Championships. The 2026 edition of the World Championships will take place in San Francisco and will be held alongside PokémonXP, a new fan-focused convention featuring exhibitions, workshops and brand partnerships. The growing scale of these events shows how Pokémon has expanded beyond gaming into a broader entertainment and travel experience, with cities like Chicago becoming central to its international event strategy.

L’article Chicago to welcome 2027 Pokémon North America International Championships est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In an audio capture posted on LiveATC, the pilot of Flight 3046 can be heard alerting air traffic controllers about the incident, saying: “He just bit a passenger, and he’s trying to fight everybody.”

While the pilot did not know what had caused the violence to break out, he appeared to rule out a premeditated or terrorist attack, and speculated that the passenger may have been undergoing a mental health crisis, by asking law enforcement officers to attend the plane’s landing “just as a precaution.”

“Can you pass along, we need EMTs [Emergency Medical Technicians] as well as law enforcement,” the pilot said, adding: “I don’t know… if he’s hallucinating.”

Later, American Airlines confirmed to reporters that the incident had been a health emergency, with the passenger in question helped by a medical professional among the passengers before arrival in Philadelphia at around 10 am, where an additional medical team took over.

“Medical personnel met American Airlines flight 3046 at the gate for a customer experiencing a medical emergency,” the airline said. “We appreciate the actions of our team members and the medical professional on board who assisted the customer as the flight arrived safely at Philadelphia (PHL).”

Press reports note that the incident took place on Father’s Day and that the pilot, who has two daughters, remained calm enough to share some light-hearted banter about the coincidence after air traffic control staff gave him their good wishes.

“What a day, huh?” the pilot replied. “I’ll be sure to tell my daughters about this one.”

Problem behaviours in the skies have become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading Michael O’Leary, chief of Europe’s largest airline Ryanair, to call for a ban or limits on airport alcohol sales.

Incidents where airline passengers have disrupted flights with threats or violence “are an ongoing problem”, the United States Federal Aviation Administration says, noting that “airlines have seen rapid growth in occurrences since 2021.” That year, unruly passenger reports to the agency peaked at 5,973, compared to 1,161 in 2019. There have been 754 unruly passenger reports to date in 2026. Like other aviation stakeholders globally, the FAA states that it has “a zero-tolerance policy on unruly passenger behavior.”

L’article American Airlines flight turns chaotic after passenger allegedly bites another traveller est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Boeing 747-8 aircraft, to be known as VC-25B “Bridge”, was gifted “unconditionally” to the US administration in 2025 by the Qatari government and has undergone a refurbishment. Trump presented the makeover at the Maryland airbase, calling the new-look jet, “the world’s most luxurious plane.”

“The workmanship of this plane is when you see it, you won’t believe it,” Trump said, adding: “Actually, the quality of woods, the quality of the materials, the quality of the engines – these engines are the finest, they’re the best in the world, nothing like it.”

“Everything was designed good. It was my taste, I will say,” he told crowds. Noting the new “more appropriate” colour scheme, changed from the traditional pale blue chosen by Jacqueline Kennedy in the 1960s, to the colours of the Stars & Stripes flag, he said: “I like the color of the American flag, right? That makes sense.” The “Old Glory” flag on the tail has also been tweaked. “We put the wave in it,” Trump explained. “We’ve always gone with a straight little noodle, and I never loved that.”

Questions were raised at the time of the Qatari donation last year, with critics pointing out a plethora of concerns about the implications of a gift worth estimated to be worth $400 million from a foreign power, well over the legal limit of $50. But on Friday, Trump insisted the gift is “really an honour.” He added: “I want to thank the Emir of Qatar.”

The exterior modifications mean that the plane now very much resembles Trump’s own private jet. But the Qatari head of state’s choice of interior decor in the plane is reported by the Air Force to have been left almost untouched, with lie-flat seating, tan panelling, and gold light fixtures.

The VC-25B Bridge aircraft has officially arrived at Joint Base Andrews!

More info: https://t.co/xhurcI0mjL pic.twitter.com/zyUpB99jqm

— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) June 19, 2026

Though some updates were binned in order to get the aircraft delivered on schedule, Troy Meink, secretary of the Air Force, said in a statement: “The safety and security of the commander in chief is our highest priority.” He explained: “From the beginning, we meticulously evaluated every requirement to accelerate delivery while maintaining the high standards expected of the presidential mission.”

In terms of first outings for the new jet, the Air Force has announced forthcoming “exam” flights to test the modifications. Mount Rushmore may be one of the destinations that form part of this year’s 250th US Independence Day celebratory calendar, as well as a fly-by of the US Capitol. The plane is intended to be a stopgap until two purpose-built aircraft costing between $3.7 and $5 billion are ready in 2027 or 2028.

Lovers of aviation history may be pleased to hear the old Air Force One Boeing 747-200Bs that were in use since the 1990s will be “fixed up a little bit, not like this one, and we’ll do museums,” Trump said. “They’re great planes, they’re great history.”

L’article Trump reveals revamped Qatari Boeing 747 for Air Force One Fleet est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.