Travel News
Rule changes as they are announced.
Airline Weather Waivers, Explained: How Hurricane-Season Rebooking Windows Work
When a hurricane threatens an airport, US airlines publish waivers that let you rebook without change fees or even travel free — but only inside a defined window of dates and airports, and only if you move before the airline cancels the flight.
DOT Extends Its Pause on Renumbered-Flight Refund Enforcement — What Still Applies to You
A Federal Register notice dated July 7, 2026 extends the Department of Transportation's pause on enforcing refund requirements for renumbered flights — the canceled-and-rebooked-under-a-new-flight-number scenario — while core cash-refund rights for canceled and significantly delayed flights remain fully in force.
Summer Thunderstorm Season Is Here — the Refund Rules That Apply to Your Delayed Flight
When June and July thunderstorms strand you, DOT's rules still owe you a full cash refund for a canceled flight if you decline rebooking — regardless of the weather cause, per the Department of Transportation's consumer guidance.
NOAA Predicts a Below-Normal 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season — 8 to 14 Named Storms
NOAA's May 21 outlook projects 8-14 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes and 1-3 major hurricanes for the 2026 Atlantic season, citing a developing El Nino — a calmer-than-average forecast that still does not change how summer trips to the Caribbean and Gulf should be booked.
Passport Processing Times Ahead of Summer 2026: 4-6 Weeks Routine, 2-3 Expedited
As of May 2026, the State Department quotes 4-6 weeks for routine passport processing and 2-3 weeks expedited — and mailing time on both ends can add up to four more weeks, which decides whether a June or July application lands in time.