Deeply personal Cruising Altitude this week, talking about how I went from a terrified traveler to a travel writer, with help from lots of therapy and my professional hero, Samantha Brown. I hope you'll give it a read www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Job offer!! I’m helping a PBS series look for a social media manager/content creator for an upcoming promotional campaign. The start date is ASAP, and a project timeline that currently goes to July. This is for a series on American Muslim history, so candidates with cultural familiarity preferred!

We put on an all-Yiddish community production of fiddler on the roof in Philadelphia and cast member and local artist Sofie Rose Seymour created the most amazing show poster that ever was

Data suggest people are more ready to check bags these days. A combination of being used to paying bag fees, and credit cards or airline perks that help cover them, may be part of the reason. Cruising Altitude this week digs in. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

It’s the end of an era at Southwest Airlines as the carrier started assigning seats on Jan. 27. The move drew little fuss in airports and onboard, but it says a lot about the current state of aviation in the U.S. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

LOUDER FOR THOSE IN THE BACK

The Star-Tribune is taking donations to help fund the purchase vital newsroom supplies and equipment, including protective and tactical gear for street reporters and photogs. If you live in MSP, pls subscribe. If you don't and want to help, here's a way -- www.startribunecompany.com/donate-payme....

You heard it here first: a new version of American Airlines’ app will make it easier to navigate flight disruptions. Here’s what to know. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

USA TODAY is doubling down this year on highlighting accessibility in travel. If have your mobility device damaged or destroyed by an airline, or trouble getting some other accommodation you need when you fly this year, please reach out -- I want to tell your story. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

This is Ollie. He found a perfectly placed carrot snack on his walk. Simply can't believe his luck. 13/10 best day ever (TT: maxime_aries)

Whether you’re flying with your own kids this winter or just dealing with other kids on your flight, there’s plenty you can do to make the it less stressful. Cruising Altitude this week brings advice from the best source: a flight attendant who is also a mom. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

I forgot to post the doodle this week! I spoke to Brittney Griner about her experience getting arrested for possession of medical marijuana in Russia, and what she hopes others can learn from her experience about the right ways to travel with prescription meds. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Ok, this is legitimately awesome youtu.be/yvHT_VYVEvI?...

lol @ an in-uniform NYPD traffic cop boarding the same bus as me and not paying the fare…

Airport lounges have evolved from focusing on business travelers to appealing to a much broader array of flyers. Cruising Altitude this week looks at why, and what comes next for these more premium spaces. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

If you're flying in the next few days, keep an eye out for updates from your airline as Airbus A320s face a required technical fix before their next flights www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

I tried to use (approved) AI for such a simple task at work today and it failed me so many times! My company has Microsoft Copilot, and I needed a transcript of an audio file. So I asked Copilot if it could transcribe the file for me and it said yes, just upload the file 1/

Wondering what to do if your Thanksgiving flight plans don’t go off without a hitch? Check out Cruising Altitude for what to do if you face delays or cancellations this holiday weekend. Remember to be nice to the people who are working to get you to your destination. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Ever wondered how mixed-airline itineraries on partner carriers work? Cruising Altitude this week takes a deep dive on airline codeshares, how they benefit travelers and what some of the drawbacks can be when you fly more than one airline on the same trip. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

I know it’s frustrating, but there’s just not enough overhead bin space for everyone on a plane. Just because you have a ticket doesn’t mean you automatically get to stow your stuff in the cabin. Cruising Altitude this week looks at how we got here. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Cruising Altitude this week is all about one of my favorite little quirks of (some) international travel: customs preclearance. So much better than going through on the U.S. side. Read the column and learn how it works. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Everyone needs to stop worrying about “disruptions” in air service and start caring about flight safety and how wrong it is to demand that people work unpaid & exhausted at one of the most stressful jobs in the world. Politics continues to endanger ATC and it needs to stop. Now.

Sometimes people fly because they have to, but some trips happen just because an airline offers an attractive new route. This week’s Cruising Altitude looks at how airlines can induce demand for new passenger traffic. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Me every time Microsoft updates and I have to toggle through six menus to turn off text predictions in Word. Let me do my job, computer! You deal with the beep boops and assorted 0s and 1s.

Listen, we all have to share space for our carry-on bags when we fly. Cruising Altitude this week looks at why the carry-on bag limit exists and why it matters that ALL passengers pay attention to them. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

British Airways recently announced a new flight from London to St. Louis. Cruising Altitude this week takes a look at how airlines decide which routes to operate, and how that specific flight came to be. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Do you know the difference between first class and business class on a plane? Check out this guide I wrote for @usatoday.com to put your #avgeek knowledge to the test www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Desperately wish this had happened like two days ago so I could have included this wild story in my column about seat switching today www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

I'm really proud of this doodle! Also, this week's Cruising Altitude is about why you can't just switch your airplane seat without asking. Yes, there's a revenue issue for airlines, but there's a safety one for passengers as well. Check it out. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

If you don’t have a seat assignment before your flight, is there anything you can do to boost your odds of a better spot? Cruising Altitude this week looks at your options, any why basically none of them are sure shots. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Most airlines are doubling down on investments to attract premium passengers. Cruising Altitude this week asks the question: as the economy softens, will travelers still pay the extra price? Here’s what experts say. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Airlines don’t have clear guidance on what to do if you need to evacuate your flight with a service animal or pet, but Cruising Altitude this week explores how you can advocate for yourself and some of the best practices in an emergency. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Theres.... a new artist meme going around where you describe your style in detail with 3 samples and babes if that doesn't sound like training data i dont know what is

Are you the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk? Do you know them? Have an idea who they are? My DMs are open. Talk to me.

Wow a guest on MSNBC talking about this Charlie Kirk thing just said off-handedly that the first terrorists in history were a movement of Jewish zealots killing Romans, so that’s cool.

Yesterday I got to join JetBlue's final Embraer E190 flight and had a chance to write about why the plane means so much to me in Cruising Altitude this week www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

ok night night

As Southwest Airlines moves to restrict its industry-leading refund policy for plus-size passengers, Cruising Altitude this week takes a look at how major U.S. airlines stack up and how passengers who need extra space can travel safely, comfortably and economically. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

I got a first look at Amtrak’s new Acela trains ahead of their entry into regular service tomorrow. Here’s what passengers can expect www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Traveling internationally with your pet may have a few extra hurdles, but with the right advanced legwork it can be a smooth and stress-free experience. Cruising Altitude this week takes a look at what you need to know. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Airlines are already using AI to help set their prices, but that doesn’t mean airfares are personalized…yet. Cruising Altitude this week looks at how airlines are already using technology to tweak ticket prices, and what the future could hold. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Pilots, if you have thoughts, feel free to reach out! [email protected]

Getting older doesn’t have to stop you from traveling. Cruising Altitude this week offers some general advice on how to keep seeing the world, especially as you navigate the airports on the way. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

You can get extra space on your next flight without upgrading to business class, but you’ll probably still have to pay. Cruising Altitude this week looks at some of your options for leg and elbow room when you fly. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Don't get caught off guard if you have to gate check your carry-on. Cruising Altitude this week helps you know what to expect and how to prepare www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

‘It’s all about trusting yourself, pushing your limits’: Malawi’s first climbers take their sport to new heights

Is it ever OK to take your shoes off on a plane? Cruising Altitude this week walks through the safe, polite way to do it, and features possibly my favorite doodle yet. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Airline pricing can be intentionally opaque. This week’s Cruising Altitude takes a look at why, and explores some common questions about ways to save, like whether it’s cheaper to buy a roundtrip ticket or two one-ways. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...

Summer heat can make airplanes uncomfortably warm, especially while they’re on the ground. Cruising Altitude takes a look this week at why some advocates are calling for airplane cabin temperature regulations. www.usatoday.com/story/travel...