Travel News: Rowdy Kids on Planes, Check-In via Text & More

by  Jennifer Fauci | Jun 7, 2013
Plane in the sky
Plane in the sky / undefinedundefined/iStock

From teenagers getting kicked off an AirTran flight, to knives on planes, here’s what’s happening in travel this week...

  • The TSA has officially reversed their decision to allow passengers to carry knives and other potential weapons on US flights. The good news? You can rest assured that your seatmate isn’t armed. The bad? You have to check your hockey stick. Via USAToday
  • Aloft Hotels have taken check-in to a whole new level by enabling guests to check in via – wait for it – text message. The service eliminates waiting in line, and lets guests go straight to their rooms upon arrival. But you do have to plan in advance. Guests using this service will have to register for a key card, which will be mailed to them. After you’ve made a reservation, a room number will arrive via text, and you can unlock your room using the card. Via HotelChatter
  • Trekkers rejoice: The U.S. National Trails System is about to expand, and will include 28 new trails this year. The expansion will add 650 miles to the existing system, further linking together the 18 states that already have historic car-free routes, and include expansions in California, Alabama, and Iowa, to name a few. The new plan hopes to draw in more hikers, cyclists, and runners. Happy trails! Via Gadling
  • We all get by with a little help from our friends. Apparently, so does Myanmar. The Southeast Asian country recently received $500 million from Norway in an effort to boost tourism rates. Via Skift
  • In the most recent case of juvenile travel delinquency, 101 high school seniors traveling on an AirTran flight from New York to Atlanta were told to leave the plane for not listening to flight attendant’s instructions. While the airline said that the students were being disruptive, rowdy, and ignoring safety rules, the high school is taking another view. “They treated us like we were terrorists; I've never seen anything like it,” said a student. The high school is claiming that the airline targeted the group of Orthodox Jewish students, saying it was an act of anti-Semitism. Via CNN
  • Marriott plans to bring its AC Hotels brand to the U.S. in order to catch the eye of younger business travelers. AC Hotels, which currently has 79 hotels throughout Europe, plans on launching in metropolitan cities like New York, San Diego, and Miami. The first hotel is set to open late next year. Via HotelChatter
  • No more 3:00 am grilled cheese sandwiches for some guests staying in Times Square. The New York Hilton Midtown, NYC’s largest hotel, announced that it would no longer offer room service. Instead, the hotel will open a cafeteria-style restaurant called Herb n’ Kitchen to feed its hungry guests. Via ABCNews
  • Princess Cruises will sail to farther reaches of the globe next year. Beginning in the fall of 2014, new itineraries will take passengers to Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Tahiti and the South Pacific, and South America. For a crash-course initiation, you can sail on Princess’ first-ever World Cruise, sailing roundtrip from North America to more than 25 countries and 34 ports – that’s six continents on one cruise. Pack lots of sunblock. Via BreakingTravelNews

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