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.

The software problem began on 19 July 2024, after cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike attempted an update to its Falcon product, resulting in a global Microsoft Windows crash. A vast number of businesses around the world were impacted, including essential sectors such as banking and hospitals.

For Delta, the situation led to the cancellation of approximately 7,000 flights, impacting 1.3 million passengers. Around 60% of its vital applications, including backups, depend on Windows. It was forced to physically reset a whopping 40,000 servers and is still in a legal dispute with CrowdStrike about the outage. Other major US airlines which use CrowdStrike were also affected, but American and United recovered faster than Delta, which took over five days to normalise.

12-hour timelapse of American Airlines, Delta, and United plane traffic after what was likely the biggest IT outage in history forced a nationwide ground stop of the three airlines. pic.twitter.com/wwcQeiEtVe

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) July 19, 2024

In line with its tight focus on consumer protections in aviation, the Biden administration began a probe into what took Delta so long to put things right and whether it had met its obligations to fliers. But now, a US Transportation Department (USDOT) spokesperson has said the scrutiny has been brought to a close, and that no penalty will be applied, after a ​review found “Delta’s passengers received prompt refunds, adequate baggage assistance, and appropriate assistance for ​passengers with disabilities.”

Delta, which lost around €500 million because of the incident, issued a statement expressing thanks to USDOT for taking into account “the catastrophic circumstances we faced ​as an industry during the unprecedented outage.” The airline also expressed gratitude for USDOT’s “dismissal of the investigation” and the government’s acknowledgement of “how we ‌cared ⁠for customers, which included millions of dollars in refunds, hotels, food and baggage assistance.”

Under President Donald Trump, USDOT has rolled back a number of penalties aimed at airlines for breaches of consumer rights, including waiving an $11-million fine on Southwest Airlines for a catastrophic set of failures at the height of the December 2022 holiday season. American Airlines also dodged a $16.7-million fine imposed by Biden because of the carrier’s treatment of disabled passengers and wheelchairs.

The department explained that the Delta CrowdStrike decision had been made “because the president has directed his administration to ensure enforcement actions serve the public interest.” It went on: “the matter was closed with direction given to Delta to provide adequate customer service assistance, including timely notification of the right to seek a refund.”

L’article Delta Air Lines escapes without penalty after catastrophic software outage est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In 1910, a new and grandiose building was added to New York City’s growing skyline. Penn(sylvania) Station was designed in the then-popular Beaux Arts style by Charles McKim of McKim, Mead & White, who found inspiration in the Roman Baths of Caracalla.

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Although allegedly 100,000 people came to wonder at the new landmark on its opening day, the building didn’t last as long as initially intended. In 1963, just 53 years after its inauguration, the station was demolished. The entertainment arena Madison Square Garden took its place, while the actual Penn Station went underground.

“Through Pennsylvania Station one entered the city like a god. One scuttles in now like a rat,” architectural historian Vincent Scully reportedly said about the transformation.

With 600,000 commuters passing through every single weekday, however, Penn Station remains of great importance for New York and its citizens. Therefore, plans to renovate and upgrade the transport hub have been in the making for years, but have had little to no success due to the multitude of parties and administrative hurdles involved in the process.

Fast forward to 2025, when Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy put Amtrak and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in charge of the project, which was previously managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Since then, the Trump administration has effectively been overseeing the plans for the future station.

On May 19 2026, Amtrak and the DOT selected Halmar and Skanska to be the lead developers of the building site, designed by architects PAU and HOK. Days later, the first renderings of the building were released, showing a station defined by grand stone columns, high ceilings, and endless window parties.

According to lead design architect and founder of PAU Vishaan Chakrabarti, the design draws inspiration from the Beaux Arts-style Grand Central Terminal as well as Art Deco buildings across New York, including the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center. The ultimate goal? Restoring the grandeur of Penn Station.

“There was this fearless embrace of ornament and decoration that in some ways we’ve lost. We want to bring some of that sense of craftsmanship back,” Chakrabarti said.

Earlier in 2026, several White House officials referred to the possibility of renaming the transportation hub ‘Trump Station’, both as a branding stunt for the president and as a potential way of raising more funds for the building. However, the first renderings still show the name ‘Pennsylvania Station’, along with the presidential seal and Trump’s name written in the southwest corner of the building’s new entrance.

As per the new plans, Madison Square Garden (MSG) will be able to remain in place. Only a theatre owned by MSG and located directly above the tracks will need to be demolished, the final terms of which are still being negotiated.

The building project is estimated to cost some $8 billion. Construction should start before the end of 2027 and should be completed in different phases over six years, with Penn Station remaining operational throughout. Several people and organisations have already raised their concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the project and the high costs, as it is yet unclear who exactly is expected to pay for the station.

L’article New $8 billion project aims to transform NYC’s Penn Station into new landmark est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

According to court documents obtained by People, 32-year-old Cody James Maluck of Indianapolis was charged with interference with flight crew members or attendants following the incident aboard Delta Flight 800 on 9 May. The flight had departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was bound for Los Angeles before it was diverted to Atlanta.

The incident occurred shortly after flight attendants began complimentary beverage service. A flight attendant identified in court records as “P.L.L.” told investigators that she passed by Maluck because she believed he was asleep.

After serving another passenger nearby, the flight attendant alleged that she “felt a slap to her buttocks area with sufficient force to cause her body to move forward,” according to the complaint.

Another flight attendant witnessed the encounter and confirmed that she heard P.L.L. yell and saw her body move “as if she had been struck or pushed,” the court filing said. 

The pilot was informed of the situation and decided to divert the aircraft to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where local law enforcement officers boarded the plane and took Maluck into custody.

During an interview with a federal air marshal, Maluck admitted that he “did touch” P.L.L.’s buttocks area but claimed not to “slap her” hard enough to push her forward. According to the complaint, he claimed he didn’t hear anyone asking if he wanted a beverage because he was wearing headphones.

“Maluck further stated it was not his intention to harm or disrespect [her], but rather that he was attempting to get her attention,” the court documents say.

Federal prosecutors allege that Maluck’s conduct interfered with the duties of the flight crew, resulting in the unscheduled landing. He was initially booked into the Atlanta City Detention Center and made his first court appearance on 11 May.

A federal grand jury indicted Maluck on 3 June, according to court records. The charge of interference with flight crew members and attendants is a felony offence.

Delta said in a statement to People that it maintains a strict policy regarding disruptive passenger behaviour.

“Delta has zero tolerance for disruptive or unruly behavior on our flights. We will always cooperate with law enforcement to address such conduct and protect our people,” the airline said.

The case is the latest in a series of incidents involving alleged assaults against airline employees, as carriers and federal authorities continue to emphasise the legal consequences of disruptive conduct aboard commercial flights.

The UK government is considering the introduction of a nationwide airline blacklist that could prevent disruptive passengers from flying with any carrier, rather than allowing them to switch airlines after being banned by one operator. The proposal, which is expected to be discussed with the aviation industry later this month, would target travellers involved in serious incidents such as violence, harassment of cabin crew and alcohol-related misconduct. A government source told the BBC: “Everyone should be able to enjoy a pint at the airport, but anti-social behaviour on flights is completely unacceptable. It puts the safety of passengers and crew at risk and disrupts holidays.” The plans would require airlines and the government to work together on a shared database of banned passengers, although current data protection laws present a significant obstacle to such a proposal.

Ryanair has stepped up its efforts to tackle disruptive passengers by introducing fines of at least €500 for travellers removed from flights due to unruly behaviour, with further civil damages if the misconduct results in extra costs for the airline. In one high-profile case, the airline sued a passenger for €15,000 after their alleged behaviour forced a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote to divert to Porto, causing overnight delays and additional expenses for more than 160 passengers and crew. Ryanair has also called on European airports to limit passengers to two alcoholic drinks before boarding, arguing that stricter controls on alcohol sales would help improve safety and reduce disruptive incidents on flights.

L’article Delta passenger faces charges after slapping flight attendant’s buttocks over missed drink service est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Gondola rides have long been a practical attraction in mountainous regions but are becoming increasingly sought-after for their high level of entertainment, offering an unusual way to look at the world from above. At the end of 2025, even Paris unveiled a new urban cable car system, which also turned out to be the longest of its kind in Europe.

On 22 May 2026, at the other end of the world, a whole different kind of cable car was inaugurated at the mountaintop adventure park Anakeesta in Tennessee. The Crystal Express, as the attraction is named, is the world’s first all-glass gondola ride, offering visitors previously unseen sights over the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains.

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During a four-minute ride, visitors who embark on the ride at Anakeesta’s Parkway station are transported over 600 feet (182 meters) up the mountainside to the Anakeesta summit. All 56 panoramic cabins feature glass floors and walls, guaranteeing an almost immersive ride and 360-degree views.

“The Crystal Express represents a major step forward at Anakeesta. From the moment visitors leave the Parkway, we want them to feel the magic of this mountain. This new lift enhances that experience with incredible views, greater comfort, and the efficiency needed to welcome even more families to the Smokies,” Bob Bentz, one of the founding partners of Anakeesta, said in a statement.

The Parkway station at the base of the gondola ride was also renovated as part of the building works, resulting in better accessibility. According to the adventure park, strollers now roll directly into the cabins without folding, while the system operates at triple the capacity of our previous gondola, thus limiting waiting times.

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The Crystal Express is part of a $100 million expansion of Anakeesta, a project called Making More Magic. Aside from the gondola ride, this includes a makeover of the park’s Firefly Village, described as “a whimsical storybook escape”, an elevated treetop walk reaching new heights, and a nighttime firefly experience during the first phase of the project.

“Most visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains never get to see the synchronous fireflies that appear for two or three weeks each summer. During this short window, crowds often descend on the Smokies, but depending on when they arrive during the event, they might only see a few flashing fireflies. Anakeesta is changing that. Starting this May, the park’s new Firefly Experience brings the wonder of one of the Smokies’ most extraordinary natural events to life year-round, with no seasonal window required,” the park explains.

Visitors purchasing a $39.99 general admission ticket for the mountaintop adventure park can enjoy unlimited access to the Crystal Express, as well as a visit to the AnaVista observation tower, the aviary-inspired adventure zone BirdVenture, and the Treetop Skywalk. Some of Anakeesta’s other attractions require an additional fee.

L’article World’s first all-glass gondola ride opens in Great Smoky Mountains adventure park est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.