Frequent Flyers Face a Little-Known Risk at High Altitude
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on September 23, 2026
Solar radiation is an invisible passenger on every flight — and for some travelers, the cumulative effects may be more serious than they realize.
He Bought It Just for the Trip. The Airline Damaged It Before Landing
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on July 14, 2026
A new electric wheelchair broke mid-flight, leaving a disabled traveler reliant on family — and the airline’s makeup credit expires by November.
Delta Air Lines’ Business Class Fare No Longer Guarantees These Perks
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on July 8, 2026
Delta’s new basic tickets in first class and Delta One skip seat selection and lounge access unless your credit card or status covers it.
What the Allegiant and Sun Country Merger Means for Your Trips
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on July 7, 2026
Allegiant’s network VP explains why fliers won’t see combined tickets, shared loyalty perks or a single fleet for up to two years.
Some Disabled Veterans Can Now Get TSA PreCheck for Free
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on June 24, 2026
Disabled veterans who use a VA wheelchair or prosthetic can now waive the $85 enrollment fee — here’s what three conditions you must meet to claim it.
My Flight Got Canceled. Here’s How I Got Nearly $700 Back.
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on June 24, 2026
A British airline owed a USA TODAY reporter nearly $700 after a cancellation — but the airline never told him he could claim it.
What Travel Experts Love Most about Flying (and What Airlines Get Wrong)
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on June 17, 2026
Frequent flyers, travel journalists, and a flight attendant reveal what they still love about aviation — and the boarding and customer service failures airlines keep getting wrong.
Your DCA Flight Could Be Affected This Summer. Here’s Why
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on June 16, 2026
Reagan National Airport will have no flights after noon on July 4, and five other summer events could trigger delays for DCA travelers.
I Booked My Flight — Then the Fare Dropped by Hundreds of Dollars
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on June 10, 2026
Even the head of pricing at a major airline admits he can’t find the lowest fare without calling an analyst — here’s what travel experts say you should do instead.
A Broken Wheelchair, a 12-Hour Wait and a Preventable Mistake
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on June 4, 2026
An airline baggage handler forced a power wheelchair through a cargo door it didn’t fit, stranding a disabled traveler for 12 hours — and the airline’s remedy was a $400 voucher.
The Two Airlines That Have Grown the Most Since Spirit Shuttered
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on June 3, 2026
Average domestic airfares hit $510 this summer — up from $432 last year — as JetBlue and Frontier rush to fill the gap Spirit left behind.
Disney Sued Over Facial Recognition at California Theme Parks
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on May 19, 2026
A new class action lawsuit alleges Disney secretly scans visitors’ faces at park entrances — and collects biometric data from children — without proper disclosure or consent.
Her Scooter Was Damaged on a Flight. She Says It Keeps Happening.
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on May 18, 2026
Airlines damaged nearly 10,000 mobility devices in 2025 — and disabled travelers say the system forces them to choose between flying and keeping their equipment intact.
JetBlue and Southwest Are Flyer Favorite Airlines Again This Year
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on May 6, 2026
JD Power’s latest airline survey shows passenger satisfaction climbed across the board — but skyrocketing fares and new fees could quickly reverse those gains.
Spirit Airlines’ Gift to Passengers, Other Airlines
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on May 5, 2026
With Spirit gone, analysts warn fares will rise in its former markets while JetBlue and Frontier scramble to fill routes — and bargain-hunters may face a permanently higher price floor.
Airlines Rush to Help Stranded Spirit Passengers with Rescue Fares
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on May 2, 2026
United, Delta, JetBlue, and others are capping fares as low as $99 one-way for travelers with a canceled Spirit ticket — but most deals expire within days.
Spirit Airlines Shuts Down, Leaving Passengers Scrambling
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on May 2, 2026
Spirit’s confirmed shutdown strands ticketholders with frozen customer service, uncertain refunds, and miles that may vanish — here’s what the collapse means for your money.
American Airlines Has a New Rule for This Common Travel Item on Flights
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on April 28, 2026
Starting May 1, American Airlines passengers can bring only two portable chargers aboard — and must keep them visible at all times, not tucked in overhead bins.
This Little-Known Program Is Why Your Tiny Hometown Airport Has Flights
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on April 28, 2026
The Essential Air Service spent nearly $690 million last year subsidizing flights to 177 small U.S. communities — here’s how the program works.
How to Get Into an Airport Lounge Without a Fancy Credit Card
Zach Wichter and USA TODAY on April 27, 2026
Premium travel credit cards have made airport lounges more crowded and harder to access — but day passes, Priority Pass memberships and the right annual card can still get you through the door.
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