travel game changer

29 Essential Travel Items That Are a Complete Game Changer

By: Author Aly Smalls

Posted on Published: February 17, 2022  - Last updated: March 31, 2024

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Packing sucks.

You always feel like you’re forgetting something.

Or you over-pack and end up using only half of what you brought.

Packing for your next trip doesn’t have to be this way.

As a full-time travel blogger and after loading up my carry-on luggage dozens of times, I’ve learned to bring some essential travel items that keep me organized and play double duty so that I don’t bring stuff I don’t need .

Whether you’re packing for an international trip, a long flight or want to know what you should put in your carry on, there are some things you should never travel without . 

Being prepared also means I save money when I travel, since I know I have everything I need and don’t have to worry about buying things on the road.

Avoid tourist tax and don’t pay double or triple what you should when you forget something simple like sunscreen! 

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission if you make a purchase through them – at no extra cost to you. I only share products that I use myself and love, btw.)

This list shares my most unique items that every traveler should have that aren’t so obvious but make your life so much better and easier when you’re on the move. 

You won’t find all the same-old, overdone, boring recommendations that are obvious like remembering to pack your phone charger or packing cubes.

TRAVEL PRO TIP: Packing last minute? A lot of the travel items on this list can be found on Amazon. And if you have Amazon prime, most items will arrive the next day. Sign up for a free trial of prime here (and then you can cancel your membership before the month is over). 

Let’s get to my list of 29 essential travel items that will make your life way easier.

1. A Scarf With Hidden Pockets 

This super sneaky scarf is one of my most recommended travel must haves.

There’s a hidden zippered pocket inside the scarf where you can store cash, keys, sunglasses, a passport and even your phone if you want to.

It’s perfect if you’re traveling solo and want to have your valuable items hidden but easily accessible.

Or if you’re worried about pickpockets, this scarf is a stealthy way to hide your things.

It’s probably one of the best travel accessories for women out there.

The perfect travel accessory - discreetly hide your cash, credit cards, ID, jewelry and other lightweight items.

If you’re browsing a busy farmer’s market or at a crowded festival, it’s perfect for keeping your hands free and not showing off a flashy purse when you want to buy something.

Plus, it’s also the perfect air travel accessory, since it doubles as a small purse which won’t count as a personal item and it will keep you warm and cozy. 

2. A Stuffable Neck Pillow

A stuffable neck pillow is my favorite item for packing light and saving money carry-on luggage fees.

You can easily fit several articles of clothing into this soft, neck pillow shell, and it doesn’t count towards your carry-on luggage.

In the neck pillow above, I packed:

• One cardigan
• One light athletic zip-up
• Two t-shirts
• Two tank tops

So if you’re only traveling for 5-6 days, you could fit your entire ‘top half’ of your wardrobe in this neck pillow, and it won’t even be close to being overstuffed.

I demonstrated packing this neck pillow in my YouTube video about packing light (without feeling like you’re packing light).

Buy this neck pillow on Amazon

3. Soothing Tea Bags for the Plane

Speaking of air travel accessories that you might not have thought about…I always pack my own tea bags with me when I travel, especially on flights.

Just ask the flight attendant for hot water and brew your own.

My favorite is Eucalyptus tea – it opens up your airways and helps prevent your nose from getting all stuffed up.

It helps soothe your throat too.

My throat always gets scratchy from all the stuffy, recycled air on the plane.

A soothing tea is also one of the most useful things for traveling if you’re prone to getting sick when you travel. 

TRAVEL PRO TIP – If you’re an anxious flyer or have trouble sleeping on the plane, you HAVE to try the Sweet Slumber tea made with valerian root . This stuff will put even the most high strung traveler to sleep.

The main ingredient is Valerian root, which is also known as nature’s Valium.

And with some chamomile and lavender for calming, your slumber party is only minutes away.

If you can’t find tea bags, you can build your own or just pack loose leaf tea into a travel mug.

This is my favorite travel tea mug which comes with its own infuser.

So yeah, sleepy time tea is one of the most underrated but essential travel items in my opinion!

TIP: get immediate access to crazy discounts on flights (including business class) when you sign up for FareDrop here (it’s my current travel hack obsession ).

4. Solid Lotion Stick/Body Butter

Another one of my favorite items for travel is a lotion stick (instead of liquid lotion).

It’s one of the best products for travel because it’s not considered a ‘liquid’ when you put it in your carry on.

Plus, there’s no risk of it spilling or exploding in your bag.

Having lotion on you when you travel is always important, because your skin gets so dry from airplane travel or if you’re traveling in a lot of buses with the air conditioning blasting.

As this means one less liquid to pack in your carry on bag, it’s definitely an essential travel item for any trip I take. 

See also: 14 Brilliant Travel Hacks for Packing Toiletries

5. White Noise Machine

The sound quality on a white noise machine is so much better than anything you'll find on the phone apps.

No matter how comfy it is, sleeping in a different bed in a different location is never the same as sleeping in your own bed.

Using a white noise machine can help put you to sleep.

It covers up potentially weird sounds from your hotel room, and the variety of soothing sounds helps keep you asleep.

I like this compact white noise machine , which can also be hung.

I also like this one that changes color and doubles as a night light.

Read more: What to Pack for a Hotel Stay (13 genius ideas)

6. A Tassel USB Charger  

Ok, this is a cool travel accessory that you will absolutely love. The USB cable and cord is cleverly hidden within the leather tassel .

Just clip it to your purse or your overnight bag and it’s conveniently available whenever you need it.

No messy cords to untangle, this is one of my newest favorite items for travel. 

Keep it clipped to your purse or travel bag for those 'oh no' moments when your phone is almost dead!

7. Microfiber Travel Towel 

This is another one of those essential travel items that have a dual purpose.

First, being microfiber, this towel will be fast drying, which is important when you’re on the move.

The one I have is barely even damp by the time I’m done drying myself off.

Plus, if you’re traveling on a budget, I find that cheap hotel rooms have the worst towels that don’t really absorb.

And since they’re so compact, they make the perfect air travel accessory since it can double as a blanket when you need it. 

Doubles as a blanket on the plane/train and also great if you're sensitive to the hotel towels that use too much bleach.

8. Compression Bags 

Wondering how to pack your clothes for travel? Compression bags are the way to go.

Everyone loves travel cubes these days, but compression bags are so much better.

All you do is lay your folded clothes inside, then roll up the bag to push all the air out.

You are then left with super flat clothes that take up 50% less space.

They’re great for saving space and staying organized.

Plus, they’re clear -making your airport security experience go much more smoothly than the cubes which are usually opaque.

Honestly, they’re one of the most useful things for travelling I’ve come across in a long time. 

However, if you DO prefer packing cubes, I also use this set which have a compression component built in to them.

These cubes really are the best of both worlds.

Have a 15 lbs (7kgs) weight limit for your carry-on luggage? Here are 7 bags UNDER 6 pounds that we tested on multiple airlines.

9. A HeroClip Carabiner

This isn’t just any carabiner – this is a clip that hooks to almost anything, anywhere so you can hang your things and keep them off the ground. 

I use this to hang my purse off the table at restaurants and in public washrooms when there’s no hook on the door to hang my bag.

It even hangs off the hinge of the door if there’s no gap to use. 

It’s the perfect travel accessory to hang bags (backpacks, duffel bags, etc) off the floor when you’re traveling like when you need to change in a bathroom stall and there’s no hooks. 

You can attach a water bottle to your bag, or even at the gym. It’s a great ‘gear holder’ for any item, anywhere. 

These are so versatile.

Choose your HEROCLIP here

Keep your bags off the floor! Use these to hook your purse on the table, hang your bag at a public restroom when there's no hook on the door, anywhere!

Read next: These Travel Gear Essentials for Men Are Game-Changing

10. Luggage Tracker

Worried about lost bags? It’s an unfortunate reality that this happens, and when it happens to you it sucks. Especially when you’re starting your vacation.

Attach these smart luggage tags to your bags, and if they get lost, just activate the code on the website to start tracking.

Most bags are recovered within 24 hours.

Luggage trackers for half the price of AirTags!

Plus, you’ve got added security because you don’t have to write your phone number and address on your luggage tags, which is a dead giveaway that you’re not home to potential thieves.

If you’re a bit of an anxious traveler, these are definitely a must have travel item for peace of mind. 

11. A Legit Carry On Bag

Another traveller essential is a high quality and trusty carry on bag.

There are tons of carry on bags out there to choose from, but I have to include the two bags I use on this list.

I only fly carry-on and never check a bag, and this bag (pictured above) has held up great.

I’ve taken it on several different airlines and have never had a problem.

It’s small enough that I use it for a weekend getaway, and big enough for packing two weeks worth of clothes. 

This is the carry-on bag I use the most and has been featured on my YouTube channel!

You Might Also Like: 20 Things to Pack for An All Inclusive Vacation

12. Towel Clips

Towel clips are such a travel hack!

I use these at the beach, at the all-inclusive resort and on cruises!

You can even use them at the local pool or when you’re at the pool in Vegas.

They’re perfect for saving your towel on your lounge chair, so that you don’t have to leave items like sunglasses, books or sunscreen to save your spot.

I like these fun towel clips because they come in all kinds of fun themes – flip flops, pineapples, flamingos, etc!

Planning a trip to Mexico? Check out These 26 Travel Tips for Mexico You Are Guaranteed to Use

13. A Hanging Toiletry Bag

The #1 best-selling toiletry bag on Amazon! It now comes in 12 different colors.

This is one of those travel products that everyone needs, but no one likes to spend the money on a good one.

Well, my life changed forever when I found this bag on Amazon that hangs from a hook or a towel rack.

It’s roomy enough to carry everything you need without being bulky.

It’s perfect for when you check into your hotel and realize there’s zero counter space for your stuff.

Just hang it from a towel rack or even the shower rod and you’re good to go. 

14. A Multi-Tool That’s Safe to Fly With

This multitool is TSA-compliant.

Pack one of these TSA-compliant multitools into your travel bag and keep it there!

The TSA allows you to fly with a multitool in your carry-on bag provided it does not have a blade and has scissors less than 4 inches in length:

• “Multi-tools (multipurpose tools) with scissors less than 4 inches may be placed in carry-on bags.” – source: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all

This one is TSA compliant as it doesn’t have a blade. But it does have tweezers, pliers, a nail file, etc.

It’s perfect for those small, inconvenient travel moments where a little tool would come in handy.

Fixing jewelry, removing clothing tags or when you need to get rid of a splinter.

15. An Extra Long Phone Charger

Keep your regular phone charger at home, and pick up a 10-foot cord for traveling.

You never know where the electrical outlets will be in your hotel room, and more often than not they’re only on one side of the bed.

16. Insulated Tumbler

Comes in multiple colors, comes with 2 different lids, fits perfectly in cupholders. Simple, elegant and classy!

For road trips, camping, the beach, a cruise, an all-inclusive resort or any kind of travel, an insulated tumbler is a must-have travel accessory.

This tumbler has an insanely high amount of 5-star ratings on Amazon and comes in a variety of funcolors!

These are perfect at the all inclusive resort or when you’re walking around in the Las Vegas heat – this cup keeps your drinks ICE COLD (but can also be used for hot beverages)!

Use it for your poolside drinks and to stay hydrated all day long.

17. Bed Shelfie

Perfect for hotel stays, travel trailers, cruises, holding CPAP machines and staying at Airbnbs.

Don’t you hate it when you check into your hotel room and there’s a small bedside table or no bedside table at all?

This bed shelfie is the perfect solution.

Use it to hold your phone, drinks, books, glasses, anything.

If you travel with a CPAP machine, it will fit on the bed shelf, too.

A lot of people use these for their RVs and travel trailers and attach them to the sofa.

18. Fanny Pack/Belt Bag

Fanny packs (or belt bags depending which generation you’re from) are in and I am SO okay with this trend.

They’re the perfect size for carrying your essentials without being too bulky.

I also love that it stays close to my body for feeling more secure and keeps my hands free to take photos or hold a drink.

You can go hiking with them, or when you sit down at a restaurant you don’t need to set it down anywhere.

A good fanny pack has been one of my most useful items for traveling.

I love my black lululemon fanny pack. I wear it for all my Las Vegas trips (perfect for pool parties, too).

But this fanny pack comes in 18 different colors and is the perfect bag for a music festival this summer!

19. Vicks VapoInhaler

This is so handy to have on road trips or on the airplane for instant relief from the dry air.

It’s small and super stealth to use so no one will notice.

Check out Vicks VapoInhaler here .

20. Chub Rub Anti-Chafing Balm

This is the ultimate hack to staying comfortable in a warm climate.

If you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, cycling or hiking on vacation, you need this chub rub to prevent chafing!

Wear your beautiful dresses and skirts without having to worry about any thigh chafing.

Once you try it, this is the summer travel accessory you won’t ever leave home without.

Try the all natural anti chafing stick here .

21. Bottle Protectors

No more wrapping your bottles in towels and hoping for the best!

Bring home your bottles of wine or liquor safely, securely and stress-free with these bottle protectors, also appropriately named ‘ wine angels ‘.

Grab a set of wine protectors here .

22. Slippers

If you’re coming back to your hotel room after a long day of walking and adventures, it’s so nice to take your shoes off.

But I never trust how clean the floors are in hotel rooms, which is why I won’t ever go bare foot and not even in my socks.

So I pack a pair of slippers to wear in the hotel room and problem solved!

These slippers have memory foam , so they’re ultra comfy for sore feet (and they come in 10 colors)!

23. An e-SIM Card

If you’re visiting another country, an e-SIM card is the easiest, most convenient and usually the most affordable way to get data on your smart phone.

Airalo offers data plans in 190 countries around the world.

All you do is visit the website, download the app, choose your country and the amount of data you need and activate your eSIM.

No need to pre-buy a physical sim card.

Plus, if you’re not sure how much you need, if you run out, you can easily add more with the press of one button.

As a Canadian, I’ve used Airalo eSIM cards in Mexico , France , Germany and the United States .

24. A Bag That Fits Under the Airplane Seat (Personal Item)

Airlines are jacking up the prices on luggage and carry-on bags. On short trips to save money, you could try and only bring a personal item that fits under the seat.

This bag is the largest one I can find that fit under the seat, but still holds lots!

I packed cowboy boots, a jacket, sweater, one pair of pants, two pairs of shoes and a few small travel accessories.

View the bag here in 20 different colors and patterns.

This is my number one travel bag. It's small enough for your second carry-on item (fits under the seat) but large enough to fit enough for a weekend trip. It has an internal wet pocket if you need to travel with a wet swim suit!

25. Luggage Cup Holder

Go hands free through the airport when you have your coffee, water and other small items - no spillage!

This luggage cup holder is one of the most useful travel accessories I’ve ever owned.

Slip it over the handle of your luggage, and you’ve got two cup holder or one cup holder and another spot to hold your phone or other small items that you need quick access to.

When you’re waiting in line at the airport gate and have a coffee in your hand and need to have your boarding pass and ID ready, this luggage cup holder is a life saver.

View the cupholders here (dozens of colors to choose from).

26. Toiletry Skins for Leak-Proof Travel

Grab these viral travel accessories!

These are plastic ‘skins’ that you slip over top of the tops of your liquids bottles (almost like a condom, lol)!

The idea is that they’re watertight and prevent a bottle from opening or leaking.

View the toiletry skins here .

I also love this set of LeakLocks® that were featued on Buzzfeed!

27. Airplane Foot Hammock

This foot hammock has been the biggest flying hack when it comes to comfort.

I sling it behind the tray table in front of my and now my feet are elevated.

This helps with circulation and my legs are so much more comfortable.

The foot rest is adjustable and it folds flat so it takes up no room at all.

View the foot hammock I use here .

28. A Flight Deal Subscription

What if I told you there’s an app that finds you crazy discounts on flights (we’re talking an average of 50-70% lower) – especially business class flights!?

It’s called FareDrop .

It’s an app (or desktop version) that sends flight deals straight to your phone (or email) based on your travel goals. 

After you sign up for your free account ( right here ) you simply set your home airport along with places you want to go.

You can sign up for a free membership, or check out the paid plans to score insanely low prices on business class flights.

I also wrote a full review and tips about using FareDrop to its fullest potential .

29. Universal Sink Stopper

Perfect for your hotel room when you need to fill the sink full of ice (if you don't have a mini-fridge) or if you have to do some quick laundry.

I always carry a universal sink stopper for hotel stays.

Here’s how I use it:

• Allows you to use the sink to wash some clothes
• Fill the sink with ice to keep your drinks cold.

Grab your universal sink stopper here

I hope you found this list of traveler essentials to be helpful. I have to say, these are my tried and true best items for travel and they’ve never let me down.

Packing is always a pain in the you-know-what no matter how many times you do it, so I find that list like these are super helpful to make sure you’ve pack all the essential travel items you need. 

More Packing List Posts:

• T hese Travel Gear Essentials for Men Are Game-Changing
• 14 Brilliant Travel Hacks for Packing Toiletries
• What to Pack for a Hotel Stay (13 genius ideas)
• What to Pack for Vegas – 15 Things to Bring (beyond the obvious)
• The Only Road Trip Packing List You Need: 16 Items to Bring
• 20 Things You Should Pack for an All Inclusive Vacation
• Day Hike Packing List | 13 Essentials for Hiking (& how to avoid extra bulk)

Do you have any other travel must haves? Let me know what travel products you can’t leave home without! 

Before you go…

If you want to stay up to date, get behind the scenes content, or connect with me directly – you can follow my YouTube channel , Facebook Page , Instagram or Twitch channel !

New photos, videos and live streams!

Liked this post? Share it with your travel buddies and save a pin to your travel boards so you don’t forget what to pack!

Wednesday 29th of April 2020

Hey Alyssa! Super great post!! I live in Germany and travel a lot but am always looking for ways to fit everything into 1 small carryon bag with the strict bag policy on cheaper airlines in Europe. I am absolutely LOVING that hidden pocket scarf! Genius!! Don't know why I have never thought of that!! And the solid lotion stick is a must!! I like the solid shampoo and travel products from Lush too!! Anyways, thanks again for this awesome post!!

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Just 28 “Game-Changing” Travel Products Reviewers Love

You're gonna wonder how you ever traveled without owning these genius products.

BuzzFeed Staff

1. An  AirFly Pro wireless transmitter  so you can connect your wireless earbuds to the airplane entertainment system. Watching your favorite shows/movies with clear sound is a heck of a lot better than the static that comes with the junk headphones the airline tries to sell you.

Promising review: "I loved being able to move around in my seat, eat, and stretch and not get bothered by a cord from my Bluetooth headphones to the video screen on the airplane. It's a game changer for sure. Battery lasted from Accra, Ghana all the way to Texas in the USA, 18+ hours in the air! Buying a second one for my son for our next flight!" — Stephanie Schmidt

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+  (available in three styles and two colors).

2. A set of compression organizers for keeping clothing and undergarments neat and orderly in your suitcase, which may just leave you enough room to get that extra souvenir you probably wouldn't have had room for if you didn't own these babies.

Promising reviews: " These are a game changer. I was able to pack two week's worth of clothes to Europe in a carry-on with these including plenty of dresses, pants, shorts, shirts, sweats, light jackets, sweatshirts, and undergarments. And it was all organized and labeled so easy to find when I was traveling between cities. Do not hesitate to buy!" — Alanna Dini

Get a pack of six from Amazon for $39.99 (available in a variety of colors and as a pack of two or four).

3. And a neat little checklist notepad so you can ensure you're not forgetting to pack the essentials. Having to explain to the hotel concierge that you left your toothbrush at home is always a humbling experience. 

Promising review: "I hate packing. I mean, I really hate packing! I am always afraid I am going to forget something and the entire ordeal is a stressful one for me. Since I have to travel to many of my cases, this is a real problem for me. Not anymore...someone brilliant made these pads. This is a game changer for me. No more guessing if I forgot my underwear, everything I need is on this list." — Dr. Oceanfront

Get it from Amazon for $7  (available in three colors)

4. A  portable door lock  that'll provide some extra security and peace of mind in hotel rooms, hostels, and Airbnbs. 

Just be aware that this may get flagged if you bring it through security, so it's best to bring this in a checked bag!

Promising review:  " This product is a complete game changer  for me when I travel alone on my business trips. I’m a young woman who travels for work, so having this door lock makes me feel safe and helps me sleep soundly through the night when I’m in hotels. I think everyone who travels should have one of these just in case!" — Dev_Carrs

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 .

5. A portable harness because traveling with kiddos presents its own whole set of challenges — like needing to securely fasten them to the plane/train seat next to you for jut a few minutes while you eat lunch. 

This harness is designed for ages 6 months and up.

Promising review: " Game changer. We bought this to use while moving, knowing that not everywhere has baby seats available, and have continued to use it when we go out. It's a great thing to throw in our diaper bag as it is lightweight and totally versatile. We've adapted it to all kinds of chairs and the baby stays comfortably in it." — Matt

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 .

6. An  acupressure anti-nausea wristband  that claims to ward off motion sickness and nausea, minus the drowsiness side effect found in most nausea medications.

For more info on how to use acupressure for nausea management, check out this guide from the  Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center . 

Promising review: " Simple game changer! My car sickness has been getting worse for years. I drive often with my family back to my hometown about five hours away. I put these on and was finally able to ride without constantly fighting nausea. They fit comfortably and I quickly forgot they were on. This feels like a simple, cost-efficient fix." — Breya Porter

Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.49  (available in adult and children's sizes ).

7. A set of leak-proof TSA-approved containers for holding your liquids and ensuring they arrive to your destination without spilling out everywhere. Not to mention, it's cheaper than having to buy expensive travel-sized versions.

I own and love this set! it includes the zippered bag, four soft silicone bottles with leakproof caps, three compact jars, and two toothbrush caps. I've used this set on more than five trips and and for trips when I don't require body wash or shampoo (like to visit my parents) I use the extra room in the bag to shove in all my beauty products and daily contacts. Plus! It comes with labels that stay on the containers really well despite my thoroughly washing these containers between trips. I bought this set in spring 2019 and have, admittedly, lost a container or two. But the ones that I've held onto over dozens of trips have all held up well!

Promising review: "Lifesaver, travel game changer. The reviews are true! I travel at least two to three times per month and these never leak. Easy to refill and dispense, too! I have several chemical allergies and can never use hotel soaps or shampoo/conditioner so I have to take my own products. I use to bring my large bottles because every other travel container leaked everywhere. You can trust these, though." — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $14.79+  (available in eight variations).

8. And if you already have containers but don't have a great place to keep them, a TSA-approved clear toiletry bag is a great option and comes in a bunch of great colors! 

Promising review : " This is a game changer. I work in consulting and travel 50%–75% of the time for my job. I've burned through many a quart baggie over the last few years and dozens of flights. It's nearly impossible to use the full volume of a quart baggie without breaking the zipper, and this toiletry bag allows me to bring about 150% of what I was able to fit in my crappy press-and-seal bags. I do not regret this purchase one bit and have already recommended it to several friends and family members." — Ainsley H.

Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).

9. A  seat-back organizer  great if the thought of putting your personal belongings like glasses, drinking bottles, and tech items into the provided seat back pouch makes you squirm. 

Promising review: "I bought one of these for myself and my sister. I haven’t used mine yet but my sister sent me pictures of her using it on her flight. She said it was easy to put on and held two drinks, snacks, tissues, and still had room. So nice to be able to grab what you need without getting into the bag under your seat. And having a place to put your drink is a game changer!" — Angie

10. An inflatable travel pillow featuring a genius design that provides support for your head and arms so dozing off while en route to your destination will be comfy as can be.

Promising review:  "I can't even tell you enough how grateful I am to have purchased this! I am such a light sleeper and have a hard time falling asleep even in the comfort of my own bed. Falling asleep on a plane has always been a near impossible feat. That all changed with this travel pillow. On my journey to Cambodia from Chicago, I was able to reach a solid seven hours and arrived rested. Being able to fully and comfortably rest your head was a game changer. Goodbye neck pillows!" — chantelhanzo

Get it from Amazon for  $24.99.  

11. A pair of  compression socks  for potentially bringing sweet relief to feet that tend to swell during air travel. 

Read more about compression socks and swelling or long flights at  Cleveland Clinic . 

Promising review: "Game changer. I bought these to wear on the plane. Usually when I fly my ankles are swollen for days. These socks kept swelling to a minimum. So glad I bought them." — MeganLucey

Get them from Amazon for $18.80+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and 13 styles).

Check out my colleague's  Physix Gear compression socks review  for more deets!

12. A car trash bin because road trips are all fun and games until you get to point B and realize your vehicle resembles a landfill of snack bags, empty juice pouches, and gum wrappers.

It comes with 10 trash bags.

Promising review:  "I liked this so much that I bought a second one for my husband's car. We line the inside with a plastic bag so we keep it from getting dirty inside. I love the opening at the top and that this holds a ton of garbage! It’s been a game changer for holding trash on long trips!" — Jennifer L Byerly

Get it from Amazon for $9.17+  (available in eight colors).

13. A  stroller  that *actually* folds up small enough to fit as a carry-on in the plane's overhead compartments. Let's be real: You and your kiddo who has been screaming their head off since takeoff do NOT wanna wait to retrieve a checked stroller and now you won't have to. 

Fun fact: This stroller was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for the most compact stroller! It weighs 9.5 pounds and has a weight limit of 55 pounds.

Promising review: " Game changer for traveling! This stroller was amazing on our trip to DC. We were able to count it as a carry-on on the plane, and it was perfect for the airport and our entire trip! Can easily fold up the stroller when not in use and carry it around in a backpack we ordered specifically for this. Well worth the money!" — Marcus Cole

Get it from Amazon for $149.99+ (available in three styles and two colors).

14. A  portable digital luggage scale  because the year is 2023 and it's time we put an end to that gut-wrenching moment the airline counter tells you your suitcase is a few pounds over the weight limit. Being forced to transfer your things from your suitcase into your carry-on in the middle of the terminal for everyone to see is dreadful.  

I simply do not need the entire JetBlue terminal judging me for being so indecisive that I felt the need to pack my entire closet into my suitcase.   

Promising review: " This has been a game changer  to make sure our luggage is underweight for airline limits. It allows us to shuffle clothes at home or from a hotel before we get to the scales at the airport." — Susu

Get it from Amazon for $10.18  (available in six colors and a two-pack).

15. A wallet designed to hold all of your important travel documents because every time you're at the airport you swear you'll have your license, passport, and boarding pass easily ready to show and every time you're at the airport you end up fumbling all of those things and holding up the line. 

Promising review: "Just returned from Paris and this wallet is a game changer! Was able to quickly retrieve everything I needed to survive TSA and border patrol, felt safe traveling on the metro, and it is super cute. It even had a tiny pocket for my metro tickets so I was able to quickly find those as well without rummaging around. LOVE this wallet!!" — Jocie

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+  (available in 37 colors).

16. A set of foldable hangers because hotel closets are not exactly known for providing enough hangers for your precious items you don't want to fold up and wrinkle throughout your trip. Buy these babies and then go ahead and pack all of the dresses and suits your heart desires. 

Promising review:  " Game changer for traveling . I was always so frustrated while traveling when the hotels only had a few hangers in the room. These are very light and small, so they're very easy to pack. Because they are so lightweight, they may not be best for heavy stuff, but that is not a concern for me. Highly recommend!!" — mn

Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $13.99 . 

17. A portable lock box in case you're staying somewhere during your journey that doesn't have a safe to hold your personal items. This is also great if you're going on a beach vacation and want to keep your items protected while you're swimming in the ocean. 

Promising review: "I was able to use this and take it on my trip. I wrapped the wire around the closet rod and it secured my belongings. I was able to hide my passport and other valuable things. I used a towel to throw it over the rod in order to hide the safe, total game changer , no one suspected anything." — Viva Jackie

Get it from Amazon for $16.70+ (available in three colors).

18. An ultra cozy  hoodie  you'll never ever wanna be without. This comes with eye covers so you can look forward to a comfy trip spent sleeping like a bb.

Pond Los Angeles is an Asian woman-owned small biz that sells luxury travel products! 

Promising review: "I fly a lot and am constantly trying to find a hoodie with a big hood to cover my eyes so I can catch up on some beauty sleep on flights. I saw this product on Instagram and knew it would be a game changer. I was able to use it recently for the first time on an early morning flight, and let me tell you, it is EVERYTHING I was looking for and more. It’s comfy, cozy, oversized, and the eye covers make you feel like you’re in a whole other world and not packed like a sardine on a plane. My over-ear headphone fit perfectly under it and I got the best sleep I’ve had on a plane — EVER! Like other reviews have said, it is big, so size down if you want something a little more snug. I have been wearing it every day at home and can’t wait to get the black and blush ones!" — Heather G.

Get it from Pond Los Angeles for $102.40+  (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and five colors). 

19. A set of Tide sink packs if your goal is to pack less and re-wear more of the items you're bringing. These will make it so simple to do so. No washing machine required!

Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag.

Promising review : " Game changer for travel! We were gone for two weeks and I was able to wash all my clothes I packed! Helped with using only a carry-on for the trip and kept my clothes fresh and clean! So easy to use and smelled nice! Will never travel without them again!" — Kristy

Get nine packs from Amazon for $6.94 .

20. A  luggage caddy  so making a pit stop at the airport Starbucks for a caramel macchiato and a breakfast sandwich doesn't mean having to juggle your food/drink on the way to your gate. 

Promising review : "This cup holder is a game changer  for traveling solo or with kids! It holds a venti Starbucks cup and a large McDonald’s beverage at the same time! It doesn’t tip over! But I would suggest using it with a four-wheel rolling suitcase! Worth it! Would recommend!!" — Emily rose Hudson

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 24 patterns/styles). 

21. A velvet jewelry travel box to keep your precious accessories neat and orderly. I mean...just look at pretty that case is. 

Promising review: "One of my favorite purchases for traveling. This little jewelry box is SO convenient! It holds so much jewelry, it’s velvet and soft, and it doesn’t take up too much space in your bag. It’s perfect and cute! I used to throw my jewelry in random little pockets in my bag so this has been a game changer  for me not to lose any of it." — Marilyn Orellana

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+  (available in eight colors).

22. A pack of  perfume atomizers  for bringing your signature scent on your next trip without needing a checked bag just so you can bring a reg. perfume bottle, purchasing the expensive travel-sized version, or settling on a scent you don't typically use or particularly like just because you can get it through TSA. 

Promising review:  "This travel size perfume carrier is a game changer! Super easy to use and did not leak at all. Easy to travel with or even take in my purse if I'm gonna be out late, and the colors are pretty and good to differentiate which perfume is in which." — Anamika Khosla

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8.65 .

23. A rolling bag that's small enough to fit under your airplane seat AND can count as a personal item rather than a carry-on bag! 

Promising review : "This little but not so little piece of luggage is a game changer. And it holds a nice amount of stuff too. Perfect for the plane and short trips." — Lisa Fox

Get it from Amazon for $57.02+  (available in three colors).

24. Or if you'd prefer a backpack , this option is a great one. It opens like a suitcase would so when you need to take something out, you can find it quickly instead of rummaging your hand around the bottom and playing a guessing game.

Promising review:  " Game changer for travel. LOVE this bag. I usually try to pack everything into a traditional backpack for travel and always end up frustrated when trying to find specific items. This bag is perfect for a long weekend trip. The straps pack into the bag for ease of sliding bag under an airplane seat. The cube organizers are also convenient. 10/10 would recommend. Very much worth the money." — Rachel Hoffmann

Get it from Amazon for $49.35+  (available in four colors and with or without packing cubes).

25. A  phone mount  so you can watch your favorite downloaded shows/movies on your flight — because sometimes the airline doesn't offer your comfort characters on their entertainment menu or worse...there's no television at all.

Promising review: "If you travel a lot, buy this!! Even if you don't travel, this phone holder would be useful. My hubby and I fly fairly often and I'm always tired of holding my phone or figuring how to set it up during plane rides. This is a game changer for flights. Makes it so easy and convenient to watch movies or shows during trips. A few people even asked me where I got it from. Definitely recommend!" — Alex Norman

Get it from Amazon for $12.97+ (available in three colors and as a two-pack).

26. A mini flat iron for anyone who knows the struggle of packing hot tools in a bag with very limited space. This handy gadget is smol, efficient, and just perfect for your travel needs.

It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying!

Promising review: "100% recommend. Used this plugged into an adapter during my birthday trip to Paris this past week. I was skeptical at first when I saw the size, but it really was a game changer. It worked just as well as my CHI straightener that I typically use. It was cheap enough that if it didn’t work then it wouldn’t be a huge loss, but it worked great and I was very impressed! I have shoulder length fine/medium hair and this straightener got it silky straight in no time!" — David Gonzalez

Get it from Amazon for $14.97+  (available in three colors).

27. An  Apple AirTag  so you can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing where your luggage is. That is  very  important.

Promising review:  " These are a game changer for travel. I put one in each of my checked luggage bags for international travel. So great for peace of mind. I could see the movement from check-in to the plane and then that the bags arrived when I landed. Even was able to track when I wanted to see where they were while waiting at baggage claim. Also, so easy to set up." — Robyn McNeill

Get it from Amazon for $28.99 .

28. A ride-on suitcase because sometimes the only thing worse than sitting through a long flight with your young one is getting them from the car to the gate and this thing is here to help reduce that struggle.

Promising review:  " This was a complete game changer  for flights with my very active 4-year-old. She loved riding on this and was able to sleep on the plane. Several people stopped us to ask where we got it." — Apash

Get it from Amazon for $229  (available in four colors). 

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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Travel 'Game-Changer' for Sports Mega-Fans

How far are you willing to go to support your team and get your professional sports fix do you plan your free time around your team's schedule, paint your face, wear your team's jersey, or drive crazy distances to see the game live, there are a lot of ways to support your team, but we've found the ultimate mega-fan travel experience..

Chicago-based Big Game Air provides same-day round-trip travel on private jets to major sporting events across the USA.

Its tarmac-to-stadium transfers and same-day returns mean no luggage, no hassle, no parking, no hotels, just a day rather than an extended long weekend of navigating crowds, and all the adrenaline of being at the game – plus all the perks of private aviation.

Like many innovations, the idea arose to solve a problem: one of the company founders didn't want to miss a big game – but also didn't want to leave his wife and newborn overnight. With help from his co-founder, they put their aviation and hospitality backgrounds to work, roped in some buddies, booked a private jet, left in the morning for the game… and arrived home 12 hours later - with a new luxury sports travel business plan.

Pardon the pun, but we think this is a 'game changer' for sports experiences and sports travel.

If you can get yourself a game ticket, they can get you there in style.

• Fans can purchase individual seats on 8-30 seat flights scheduled to the highest-demand games throughout the year - up to 24 hours in advance of the game date. (So if you score a last-minute ticket, you can still make the game).
• There are no membership fees required (unlike some other private jet programs).
• Ground transportation is included to and from the sporting event.
• You'll have all the amenities and conveniences of private air travel, plus
• Group and charter options, including:
• Ways to really celebrate a corporate team win, a bachelor party, or any other group event with add-on perks including custom jet hangar parties, tailgate parties in the sporting destination, professional athlete- or celebrity-hosted flights and premium onboard catering.

In its first year, Big Game Air flights flies from Chicago, New York, Columbus, and Detroit; in 2018, the company adds Dallas and Atlanta as originating cities; and in 2019, you can depart from Los Angeles and San Francisco to join your team's big day.

Flights are already scheduled to marquee sports events like the SuperBowl and major NFL games, College Football championships, NHL, the Masters Tournament, the Kentucky Derby, as well as major game dates on the calendar that run the gamut of team sport in the USA.

The company subcontracts a fleet of private jets, making the ultimate game day trip more affordable than other private options. Flights still cost in the $1200 – 2200 USD range for a round trip, so it's not the cheapest way to get to the game. (But it still might be less expensive than your seats at center field).

For time-pressed executives and groups of friends willing to splash out on their sports adventure, Big Game Air seems like a big win for big fans on game day.

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F&W Game Changers: Travel, Eat (Don't) Repeat

These innovators are reimagining culinary travel, one unique and delicious trip at a time.

As the world emerges from the biggest social disruption of our time, several ground-breaking companies are looking to reinvent travel through one-of-a-kind, highly curated food experiences.

READ MORE: Food & Wine Game Changers: 25 People and Companies Changing the Way We Eat and Drink

For PRIOR cofounder and CEO David Prior, the trick is maintaining a fine balance between stage-managing magical moments (like floating 1,000 tea lights down a river, say) and shining a light on the people, traditions, and culture of a destination. A food and travel writer by trade with a keen eye for style and design, Prior attributes his knack for orchestrating those moments not only to his magazine background, but also to his time working alongside chef Alice Waters, whom he calls "the maestro of event experiences." His subscription-based travel club launched in 2018 and curates bespoke trips such as exclusive weekend takeovers of properties with celebrated chefs; there are retreats planned this year with Italy's Massimo Bottura and Slovenia's Ana Roš.

This summer, the company is ramping up its offerings: Outside of guided trips, the company will launch a marketplace for experiences (where you can book a sommelier in Paris to take you to the best wine bars, for example), as well as unique guides for different major cities. In each, you'll find the very best picnic spots marked on a map, and, yes, they'll collaborate with a number of high-profile chefs to deliver you that picnic, as well.

Modern Adventure launched in 2017 with a similar ethos of "creating moments that couldn't be replicated," says CEO Luis Vargas, a trained sommelier and travel curator. The company partners with "Tastemakers"-including Food & Wine Best New Chefs such as Traci Des Jardins, Nina Compton, and Kate Williams-for rare, one-off trips. "We're really giving people the opportunity to travel with some of the world's most interesting people," says Vargas.

The trick is maintaining a fine balance between stage- managing moments and shining a light on the people, traditions, and culture of a destination.

Their culinary trips mostly include meals in people's homes-Vargas is adamant that local communities are supported. "As a certified B Corp, we believe the lion's share of the money should stay in the country," he says.

In the pipeline for 2022 are new trips under the rubric Paragon by Modern Adventure. The first of these no-expense-spared, suspend-all-disbelief experiences will head to Japan with chef Kyle Connaughton of California's three-Michelin-star SingleThread Farms. Vargas says Paragon will always raffle off two spots on the trips to raise money for a charitable cause and democratize access to this type of experience.

That sentiment is echoed by Aashi Vel, CEO and cofounder of Traveling Spoon , a culinary travel company that launched in 2013 and operates like the Airbnb of cooking classes, connecting travelers with vetted hosts for a class and a meal in their home. The company offers over 1,000 cooking, dining, and market experiences in more than 60 countries including Armenia, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan. It pivoted to virtual classes at the start of the pandemic.

While Vel initially made that move to support the company's hosts, many of whom are women in developing countries, the virtual classes were so successful that she plans to keep operating a hybrid business, even as travel resumes. "I feel like these online classes have democratized food travel," says Vel. "You don't have to spend tons of money to fly to a different part of the world to learn."

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Gen-AI in 2024 travel: game-changer or overhyped?

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Speculation about the powers of generative AI for travel were common in 2023, but real-world working examples were few and far between.

Gen-AI in travel in 2024: game-changer or hype?

Speculation about the transformative powers of generative AI for our travel industry were everywhere you looked in 2023, but real-world working examples were few and far between.

So, as 2024 advances will the world slowly lose interest as the technology doesn’t deliver results?  In fact some top analysts are already calling the technology ‘overhyped’ , even predicting it will get a ‘cold shower’ in 2024 because of unrealistic expectations, high costs and regulatory challenges. 

We asked technology experts from across the travel industry for their thoughts on whether or not generative AI will really change the travel experience in 2024, or whether we are getting too excited, too soon.

Mike Coletta, manager of research and innovation at Phocuswright , disagrees with the analysts who are negative about the potential for generative AI. “The travel industry in on the cusp of massive change, and there’s huge potential for AI to transform the travel experience for both travellers and the travel provider ecosystem. Phocuswright research shows that nearly half of travellers in most countries would be extremely or somewhat comfortable using a GenAI tool to help them plan a trip. Between 13-22% of total traveller populations have used GenAI in some capacity. As the industry moves beyond the initial hype, 2024 will be all about leveraging what has been learned so far to focus on the most beneficial use cases – and avoid wasting resources on those without a clear ROI. Travel companies in 2024 are expected to accelerate investment in generative AI applications. But separating the winning use cases from the losers will be an ongoing process of trial and error. At this juncture, a results-based approach is needed to highlight the most relevant and impactful use cases in travel.”

The initial success of AI is likely to depend on the challenges people are applying it to.  As Haluk Kayhan, CEO & Co-Founder of B2B accommodation booking platform Bedsopia – which is powered by global distributor PrimeTravel – points out:  “AI could be hugely transformative for travel in 2024, but the industry needs to work out where it is most needed and avoid trying to solve problems that no one knows they even have.  Focus on the real headaches or high-cost / low return areas of your operations like staff shortages, flight disruptions, sudden waves of cancelations, payments processing and operational inefficiencies generally.  These are areas where AI could catalyse the most change, most quickly – perhaps even meaningfully in 2024.  AI technology needs to be essential at this stage, not just a gimmick.  Let’s be realistic – it’s not going to change the whole world overnight – people aren’t ready for that.”  

Access to data is a key consideration and one of the most impactful use cases for travel.  “The main way we’ll see AI make an impact on travel in 2024 is around data,” says José Arozarena at from Tour Review , a platform for tours & activities providers to manage their online reviews.  “Companies with the largest amounts of data available – or who offer services to clients who in turn have large data sets – will benefit most and the most quickly too.  AI will be able to make sense of that data more effectively, offering insights that result in them making services to travellers better and more personalised. Think of it like the revolution in consumer market research from the 1950s onwards, just happening over a few years and not decades.”

According to Sami Doyle from  TMU Management , a data-driven insurance intermediary specialising in travel, generative AI could transform how financial institutions service the travel industry. “The travel industry is inherently risk based and that risk extends to consumers paying for goods in advance of service and to financial institutions providing services to travel companies for future delivery products. AI could be a powerful tool to assist financial institutions in providing services such as credit card acquiring and financial protection in a sustainable manner that alerts stakeholders to potential exposures before they happen. This has a knock on effect on the cost of these services and their continued provision to the sector, which would mean lower costs to consumers and comfort that financial protection is in place to cover failures.”

As with any new technology, the most valuable benefits aren’t always immediately obvious. Adam Harris, CEO of Cloudbeds – the provider of hospitality technology solutions to independent property owners – believes that hoteliers will see accelerated efficiencies in their internal operations. “In a perfect world, advanced AI would fine-tune revenue management for hoteliers and work on their behalf as a 24/7/365 GM. This year that’s the direction we’ll be moving in as forward-thinking vendors like Cloudbeds continue innovating on products that drive and streamline internal efficiencies. Technology companies like ours are already using advanced AI and machine learning to make guest communication tools more intelligent and help hoteliers quickly develop web pages and high-performing ad copy. Over the next year, hoteliers will continue to benefit from intelligent AI solutions that help them make better decisions and execute them.”

Meanwhile, Sergio Mendoza, CEO of pricing and airface intelligence firm Airnguru , believes the real game-changer for AI in travel has been the emergence of cloud technology. “Machine Learning techniques have long been used by airlines to forecast demand for Yield Management. However, the cloud revolution provided cost-efficient, democratic access to unprecedented, virtually unlimited storage capacity and processing power. The cloud catalysed the use of big data for improving machine learning models and business intelligence, and the emergence of new breakthroughs such as generative AI. The cloud has empowered us to leverage off-the-shelf AI tools at a scale unimaginable a decade ago. Airlines already rely on artificial intelligence applications in several areas of their business. Generative AI is poised to substantially amplify the breadth of business functions for AI applications, increasing its impact across the enterprise. In particular, this revolution is enabling carriers to improve their pricing and overall commercial strategies substantially, driving revenue growth.”

As a final thought, the industry shouldn’t get too carried away with new ideas that are too futuristic warns Alex Barros, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer at leading hotel revenue management platform BEONx . He believes that instead we should focus on what can be done right with this this new technology, “for AI to be transformative in travel, we need to start with how it can be applied to the things we’re already doing.  For example, we’re seeing many hotels use it to generate enticing and accurate hotel descriptions, leading to instant increases in conversation rates.  This is demonstrating real impact, and plays to consumer behaviour; the chances of a hotel offer being purchased will be much higher with AI, as there will be better and more attractive levels of personalisation and engagement.”

Related topics

Artificial intelligence (AI) , Contactless / Touchless technology , Passenger experience and seamless travel

Related organisations

Airnguru , Bedsopia , BEONx , Cloudbeds , Phocuswright , TMU Management , Tour Review

Related people

Adam Harris , Alex Barros , Haluk Kayhan , José Arozarena , Mike Coletta , Sergio Mendoza

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Videh Kumar Jaipuriar has been nominated for his exemplary leadership in managing and navigating Delhi International Airport (DEL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. He led multiple initiatives to ensure business continuity at DEL, which included passenger safety and convenience, stakeholder management, cash conservation, adoption of new technologies, and care for environment and employee safety.

He proactively engaged with the government stakeholders and supported them in safeguarding aviation through strong confidence building measures for travellers, such as developing several indigenous technology solutions like air circulation with six changes per hour and a combination of UV and plasma disinfection systems to provide safest journey experience to their passengers. Under his leadership, DEL has been forefront of implementing safety measures which was later adopted across the country.

Despite lockdown, Jaipuriar ensured that DEL was operational for rescue missions, medical evacuations, and transporting medical essentials to various parts of the country. He further led the Vande Bharat Mission flights of Government of India (a rescue mission to get Indians back to India), as well as rescue flights by other international governments. His outstanding leadership across all areas across the stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem and going beyond the call of duty in managing and navigating this crisis for a national capital airport having national importance makes him the apt choice for the Person of the Year Award.

Adnan Saggaf continues to demonstrate strong leadership skills throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and brought out of the box ideas in attracting traffic and to support his team during this difficult time. With new innovative ideas in balancing cash flow, the facilities were kept maintained and the personal were kept employed. 

Saggaf has protected the financial stability of his staff income, ensured valuable cost cutting management, shown excellent performance of crisis management, and exceptional negotiation skills shown with authority regarding agreement restructuring and receivable payments.

To handle the loss of Umrah traffic to the airport, Saggaf chose to attract new airlines, mainly LCCs, to use the terminal with attractive offers and more reliable services. He built a new strategy by diversifying the airport offers. He prepared the facilities by deploying new technology and working on enhancing passenger experience. Saggaf also initiated a capacity building programme for the airside team by drafting SOPS, training and coaching, as well as initiating dedicated workshops to discuss ideas and to deploy new initiatives.

Leaders show strength in difficult times, and this is exactly what Saggaf showed and why he deserves to be awarded as the Person of the year 2021.

Peter has been with the Sangster International Airport for over 25 years. 

He has experience in customer service, operations and now oversees the security function and is also the Chief Operations Officer. 

Peter has been instrumental in co-ordinating the preparation and implementation of a COVID-19 response plan for not just MBJ, but to guide the operation of all agencies operating on airport. The aim of this plan was to ensure a safe environment for staff and the travelling public; therefore, this plan was instrumental to establish consumer/travellers/public confidence and provided information and guidelines on the new protocols implemented at the airport.  

Peter is well known for his expertise in investigation and aviation security. His co-operation with law enforcement stakeholders has been unrelenting in assuring the security of the airport and stakeholders alike. 

While Peter is known as a firm individual that displays the outmost professionalism and integrity, he operates on the basis of equity and fairness in all matters relating to staff, clients, passengers and the general public.   

Robson Freitas has developed and led the BH Airport plan for the resumption of airport operations post-COVID-19, as well as being responsible for leading the group of Directors and Managers at the airport, defining the three main pillars of recovery: Health and Safety of People, Institutional and Integrated Communication and Institutional Partners. These central pillars include ensuring hygiene and health and social distances measures for passengers, users, and the airport community, in addition to participating in strategic committees involving the public sectors to comply with regulatory rules. Freitas developed the COVID guardians programme, who were responsible in monitoring and following up on the measures already implemented for COVID-19 and advising users, employees and other people on compliance with distancing, hygiene and health measures recommended by health authorities. He also developed a COVID booklet with information and guidance for the airport community regarding good hygiene and health practices and led the beginning of the publication of a monthly newsletter with passenger curve information, allowing the planning of reopening and rehiring by commercial stores. Freitas also supported the reduction of OPEX by planning the temporary closure of areas, toilets and equipment in common use and internalising some activities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Raghunath worked closely with all the aero concessionaires and cargo operators to minimise disruption and provide financial relief to them. The airline marketing team helped launch a historic first route to the U.S. West Coast and the cargo team at BIAL also achieved record numbers over this period, with the airport becoming India’s leading airport for the export of perishables. Despite the impact of COVID-19, Raghunath has led a digital transformation and expansion at BIAL airport, with new initiatives and the deployment of the fully biometric-based self-boarding solution for seamless passenger flow and travel experiences and a process automation and analytics platform. These initiatives amongst many others, meant that the airport won ACI World’s ‘Voice of the Customer’ initiative, which recognised BIAL airports efforts to prioritise their customers during COVID-19. Raghunath has remained a staunch and resilient leader during such an uncertain time and is very much appreciated by his team.

As Head of Operations, Alicia Prince has played a critical role in leading and navigating Cairns Airport through the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, Prince implemented a functional plan to ensure business continuity and staff welfare, segregating front-line operational staff into work teams to avoid interaction between groups, as well as strict sanitisation processes. She ensured that the $55 million domestic Terminal upgrade continued safely despite the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.

She also deployed the COVIDSafe Operation Plan for Cairns Airport, which was endorsed and later commended by Queensland Chief Health Officer. As part of this plan Alicia developed an airport layout to provide physical separation of low risk and high-risk arrivals and initiated increased hygiene and sanitisation protocols. The health and safety of the airport community was paramount to maintaining operations, and in response to this Alicia initiated a COVIDSafe training program for the entire airport community and worked closely with her team to deliver.

As a result of the great work Prince has done to ensure COVID-19 best practices, Cairns Airport was one of the first Australian Airports to be awarded an ACI Global Health Accreditation.

Alicia also led the terminal optimisation project, which assessed and implemented terminal downscales due to the crisis. Significant savings (both financial and environmental) were achieved by reducing the operational footprint of the airport.

Whilst maintaining operations throughout the pandemic was a priority, Alicia ensured her team were kept well informed and engaged. Cairns Airport has a team of 33 volunteers which form part of Alicia’s wider team. To ensure they remained connected and cared for, Alicia and her team created care packages including home-made cakes and personally delivered to each of the volunteers’ houses in a COVIDSafe manner. Alicia demonstrated great leadership throughout the pandemic and continues to do so today. Her clear and transparent communication and collaboration with other Australian Airports and key agencies to ensure best practice and alignment contributed greatly to business continuity. Furthermore, all the above was managed whilst working remotely and juggling home schooling with her two young boys.

Balram Bheodari leads Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as North America’s most efficient airport, due to his vast knowledge of and astute attention to efficiency in aviation, which has allowed the airport to thrive in the most difficult of markets. Bheodari combines operational expertise, integrity, and selflessness to provide a quality of leadership throughout Atlanta Airport. He oversees all facets of airport governance, including operations and a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement programme, ATLNext, designed to pave the way for Atlanta’s growth over the next 20 years. During COVID-19, Bheodari developed a comprehensive resumption of operations playbook that served to support ATL’s recovery efforts. With guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amid evolving health and safety guidelines, Bheodari steadfastly encouraged collaboration among stakeholders, team-building among aviation employees, and adaptability in uncertain times. Throughout the pandemic, he participated in daily calls with Airports Council International and other large-hub airports to share best practices as well as information from Washington, D.C. federal offices and the CDC.

He aimed to restore customer confidence and ensure the airport was a healthy facility using COVID-19 safe protocols. Since, the airport achieved Airport of the Year by the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC).

During the height of the pandemic, Bheodari was the most ardent supporter of our mission-critical employees. Having worked his way up through the ranks, he fully appreciates the oftentimes thankless jobs these employees perform that keep the Airport safe and running optimally at all times. Morale never flagged because Bheodari made sure those employees felt valued through hazard pay, special meals, social media posts, intranet spotlight features, and other incentives.

His actions and his directives all reflect his commitment to the three key focus areas of our organisation’s strategic plan: people, purpose and performance.

Jonas Abrahamsson has shown the strength to steer the company towards its long-term sustainable goals, despite the challenges of COVID-19. Abrahamsson has ensured that Swedavia achieved its net zero target for all ten of the airports in 2020 and has continued to support strategic development and innovation to further the cause of sustainable air travel. During 2020, when passenger numbers where down over 90 per cent and a lot of investments were paused, he decided that investments in the company’s net zero target should proceed, allowing Swedavia to become the first net zero airport group by the end of 2020.

Chris Dinsdale has worked at Budapest Airport since 2015, originally as CFO until March 2021, where he was nominated for the position as CEO. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dinsdale, as CFO of the airport at the time, fought relentlessly to make sure that the company survived the crisis and worked with great commitment to secure the funding of the airport. For example, a voluntary salary cut for the executives and the founding of the Budapest Airport Foundation, which supports blue collar workers who lost their job during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After being nominated to CEO position in March 2021, Dinsdale continues to work closely with the executive team to create a clear COVID-19 recovery strategy for Budapest Airport. This will also mean that we come out stronger of the pandemic and have a clear focus. Dinsdale is an inspiring true leader who helped us all to cope with the very difficult times of the pandemic and I am convinced that he truly deserves this award.

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When an airline gives you anything for free, that’s usually good news. In-flight snacks, extra miles or a seat upgrade are all worth celebrating.

But one travel freebie that generally won’t get anyone excited is the offer of free headphones . (As with travel pillows , you’re better off bringing your own.)

Airplane headphones are cheap, breakable and never as comfortable as your own. And unless you’re wise enough to always travel with an aux cable, these dinky wired headphones are your only hope for being able to listen to your in-flight movie.

That is unless you own an AirFly . This brilliant device turns any old-fashioned audio port, including the headphone jacks on airplanes, into a Bluetooth receiver that you can pair your wireless headphones and earbuds to. It works with Apple AirPods, Beats, Bose and any other brand of earbuds or headphones, and is small enough to fit in any pocket or bag with all your other travel essentials .

AirFly makes three models but we tested their AirFly Duo . It offers more features than the less expensive AirFly SE , but at a lower price than the high-end AirFly Pro .

Use this compact gadget to instantly transform any audio source with an auxiliary port into a Bluetooth-enabled device. It connects to any brand of wireless headphones and is great to have when you’re traveling.

• Long battery life (22 hours)
• Compatible with all wireless headphones
• Able to pair up to two sets of headphones simultaneously
• The pairing procedure can be tricky
• The design creates strain on auxiliary cable during regular, intended use

What is the AirFly Duo?

The AirFly Duo is a battery-powered adapter that connects to a standard auxiliary port, allowing you to wirelessly connect your headphones to an audio source via Bluetooth. The audio source does not need to have its own Bluetooth capabilities, so you can use the AirFly with a commercial airline headrest TV, a smartphone or tablet, a portable video game console or anything you would want to listen to using your headphones.

The AirFly Duo has a battery life of 22 hours and can be recharged using a USB-C cable. It’s a little over 2 inches long, not including the short aux cable coming out of one end, and you can pair your headphones with it from up to 33 feet away.

What does the AirFly Duo do?

The AirFly Duo converts the auxiliary port on any audio source into a Bluetooth device that you can connect wireless headphones to. You can connect up to two different pairs of wireless headphones at once, which allows you and a friend to both listen to the same audio source using separate headphones. That makes this tool great for letting two people watch the same entertainment on one screen or play the same video game together on a Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck.

Once the AirFly Duo is plugged into an audio source, just press either the single- or double-dot button on the AirFly to connect to one or two pairs of headphones.

Why we love the AirFly Duo

After testing the AirFly Duo on airplanes, we found it to offer some much-needed convenience while traveling. Whether you find yourself on a flight that doesn’t hand out headphones, or you don’t want to use the ones offered (according to a 2023 Reader’s Digest article , airlines may be able to reuse their headphones), having the AirFly Duo nearby lets you comfortably enjoy your in-flight entertainment.

The extended battery life is a big plus since it means you can take multiple flights before needing to recharge it. Plus, the fact that it charges via USB-C is helpful, as that type of port is becoming the current standard among electronics. While the small fabric carrying bag that comes with the device doesn’t offer a lot of protection, it does serve as a useful place to keep the AirFly together with the included charging cable.

How the AirFly Duo could be better

While the AirFly Duo doesn’t have any major flaws, the one thing to keep in mind when using it is to make sure you’re not using other audio sources nearby specifically when you’re connecting your headphones to the AirFly. If you’ve ever paired your wireless headphones with your cellphone, tablet or laptop, and you have any of those devices up and running, they will compete with the AirFly and may not allow you to connect to it.

This issue can be avoided by simply making sure your other audio sources are in standby mode, but it is something to get used to as you use the AirFly.

The other flaw is the AirFly’s pairing procedure. It works slightly differently depending on the kinds of headphones you’re pairing, so you’ll want to consult the user’s manual the first few times you use it (and maybe save the link for future reference). If you don’t follow the instructions very closely, it’s easy for the pairing to not work, but in our tests with a pair of Apple AirPods Pro, it worked fine. However, this is something to keep in mind if you’re getting this as a gift for someone who isn’t tech-savvy.

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Elevating your travel

This Covid-19 Test Is A True Travel ‘Game Changer’

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It wasn’t just the scarcity of reliable testing suited for travel, but also the costs and confusion at every turn. A few months ago, a lot changed, as more countries began to accept antigen tests prior to departure, rather than PCR tests. But still: where, when?

When the answer is whenever you like, wherever you are , travel becomes a lot more fun. Thanks to the Abbott Labs BinaxNOW test, in collaboration with eMed, that’s a reality. Here’s everything you need to know.

Covid-19 Travel Testing Wherever, Whenever

Abbott Labs and eMed solved two key pain points in testing, as they concern travel. You may know where to get a test near home, but what about when you’re in another country? Even if so, how much?

The US CDC mandates that all international arrivals into the USA must have an antigen or PCR test taken within 3 days of departure, so for the time being, every person flying into the USA needs a test.

The eMed x Abbott Labs solution allows you to buy the tests before you leave the USA, take the test with you on vacay, and actually take the test yourself, wherever you are – even poolside, or at dinner! Alarm bells ringing? Not even!

The key is that eMed has a video practitioner help guide you through the test. They check your ID, ensure the test had not been opened prior to the video chat, make sure its actually you taking the nasal swab, and confirm the result via your smartphone or computer camera! There’s even a QR code to ensure the process is digitally seamless.

For countries, this helps eliminate the risk of testing fraud, which is why the test is approved by the CDC.

For their part, eMed and Abbott are careful to position the test as one mostly intended for entry into the USA, but it’s worth noting that as of the time of writing, it satisfies the requirements for pre-departure testing into the UK and many European countries that are currently accepting antigen tests for entry, among others.

It’s Just So Easy, Really

I write this as a buyer and user of the Abbott BinaxNOW x eMed tests. I’m a fan. One added reason? The clinicians to supervise the test are available on demand.

I didn’t even need to make an appointment to take the test. I just logged into my eMed account, which is then linked to the Navica app, and pressed “start test”. A test clinician then introduced themselves within seconds, and I’ve tested this at varying hours of the night, without fail!

From there, you remove the swab, put a few drops in a hole, move the swab around your nose, put the swab in the solution and then wait 15 minutes for the result.

I bought two of the (6) packs currently sold on eMed at a cost of $150 per six pack. These tests are allowing my family to move freely around the globe, not worrying about varying access to health services in foreign countries, or needing to make our way to testing centers prior to travel.

I took a test just yesterday with the test and computer on my bed, while I packed a suitcase. It’s the least hassle I’ve seen in unlocking international travel, and at a cost of $25 per test, it’s really not going to be prohibitive to many people who are traveling internationally in the first place.

If you’re even considering an international trip, this is by far the easiest solution to safely satisfy international travel requirements, or return to the United States. Other similar solutions exist elsewhere , but my understanding is that these tests are only sold in the USA right now, but are available with overnight shipping from eMed.

Again, you can just pack them and take them with you wherever you go, whenever you go – and someone will help get you your results just about any time of day. This really is the game changer travel needed, and it might be for a long time to come.

Gilbert Ott

Gilbert Ott is an ever curious traveler and one of the world's leading travel experts. His adventures take him all over the globe, often spanning over 200,000 miles a year and his travel exploits are regularly... More by Gilbert Ott

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• Pingback: This Covid-19 Test Is A True Travel ‘Game Changer’ - Kaizen Law

Does your health insurance reimburse you for the tests?

It’s not clear from the linked website or your post – is this a rapid antigen test or a PCR test? I think this is worth noting as countries like Canada won’t accept the former.

It’s an antigen test.

Amazon.com is now selling BinaxNOW antigen tests for $19.88 per two-test box. Would these work for international travel, too?

I believe eMed is the only one selling them with the video consult, but I could be wrong.

This feels like paid content. I’m sorry if it isn’t, but it’s all just a little ‘over the top’ positive.

It’s not. People are looking for solutions to travel again. The simpler the solution the better.

So this is basically another Qured or Project Screen by Prenetics?

It’s the US equivalent. I wrote about Qured when it first came out and have been a strong proponent of their LFD test. The Abbott Test was first to market.

Can one family use a pack of six? Traveling with my mom and wondering if we need two 6 packs

That does sound great. Can you split the 6 packs between different people in different families, or needs to be used by the buyer and his family on the same trip?

Is this available in UK?

Qured has the closest thing. https://www.godsavethepoints.com/ba-qured-test-at-home-travel-kit/

Does this test work for entry UK? Thanks

Do you know if you can add someone after purchase- eg I didn’t register one of the people who would be using before purchasing.

I have bought the test kit in preparation for my travel to Iceland.

Do you know the procedure if the test comes positive? Are we required to notify Icelandic authorities or self-isolate?

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Hi, On the eMed site it now warns that not all airlines have accepted this test. Can you please tell us which airlines you have used it with? We are taking an Air France flight next month to come home to the US and not sure if we can use this test. When I called eMed they said the US carriers accept it, but other unnamed airlines have refused the test to return home.

I’ve never encountered an airline which doesn’t accept it. I’ve used it on multiple international airlines. It’s legally valid by US authorities, so an airline would be dumb not to.

Hi! Do you know if BA accepts this? I’ve been told it only works for US based airlines. Thanks!

I used it on Virgin recently without issue. It’s legally valid in the US, so would be idiotic not to.

Have you used this to satisfy entry requirements flying INTO the uk and not just into the us? Would be really helpful to know. Thanks

Yes, I have.

I also suggest printing out the certificate, rather than just using the app.

Two things stopping travel :-

A) Government restrictions. These have to be sorted ASAP as the virus is not going away. Why are some countries just closed, not even quarantine available.

B) The hassle and cost of testing – this solution at least helps start to sort this issue.

I think testing needs to be done at the airports and the economies of scale there, will make them very cheap (and move away the rip off PCR testing companies). This is such an obvious solution that the out of touch John Holland-Kaye should have done at Heathrow a year ago (and not at the ridiculous £150 he originally quoted – they need to be c.£10 per person).

Take the hassle out of testing and people will use your airport and travel.

Hi, this was a really useful article and we successfully used the Abbott BinaxNOW tests back in September for a UK/US trip based on your recommendation. Thank you. Do you have any updates as to if these tests are still valid now that the guidance for both countries has changed?

Hey, still work in both direction (UK/US) to this day! Thanks for the kind words!

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Gamechangers: Travel Tours & Experiences

Gamechangers: Travel Tours & Experiences

From rare expeditions and custom quests to mind-expanding activities and responsible cultural encounters, these travel companies offer tours and experiences that go above and beyond a typical vacation.

Black Tomato 007

Since Black Tomato’s launch in 2005, the company’s innovative team has been dreaming up some of the most creative travel experiences in the industry –– trips that place clients at the center of a cinematic-style experience. The company’s recent offering, 007 , takes travelers on a James Bond-themed “assignment” through Europe in partnership with the film producers behind the franchise. It’s a 12-night journey stopping in London, Paris, Monaco, Lake Como, and Venice, where you’ll visit shoot locations and recreate famous scenes from the Bond films, with special appearances from consultants and cast members along the way. Though it’s geared toward avid Bond fans, Black Tomato’s 007 experience will thrill any traveler craving an adventure with plenty of pizazz. 

blacktomato.com/james-bond

Klahoose Wilderness Resort & Tours

If exploring the vast wilds of Canada is on your travel hit list, you need to know about Klahoose Wilderness Resort , an Indigenous-owned lodge located in a remote, breathtakingly beautiful part of British Columbia. Accessible only by seaplane or boat, and with space to accommodate a maximum of 22 guests, Klahoose Wilderness Resort aims to offer an intimate travel experience that’s environmentally sensitive, mentally stimulating, and spiritually enriching. Guests can join a selection of nature-filled activities including grizzly bear viewing tours, rainforest hikes, stargazing, and boat excursions to view humpback whales and orca––each accompanied by local Indigenous guides and cultural Interpreters, ready to share their unique knowledge of the land and its inhabitants. 

klahooseresort.com

Blue Ocean Adventure Tours

With its sharp ridges, hidden waterfalls, and remote beaches, there’s something truly special about Kauai’s Na Pali coastline. The best way to access this unique part of Hawaii is by boat, and the best boat tour to book is  Blue Ocean Adventure Tours – a company owned and operated by locals with a deep love of the ocean. Zip through sea caves on the Zodiac, a nimble speed boat with space for 14, or take a smooth trip past 3,500 ft tall cliffs on the catamaran while spotting dolphins, turtles, and humpback whales along the way. After a day of incredible scenery and snorkeling, you’ll understand why Blue Ocean Adventure Tours has won many tourism awards. 

goblueadventures.com 

Out Adventures

It was a life-changing trip to Antarctica (and a rare encounter with tens of thousands of penguins) that inspired the creation of Out Adventures, a travel company that plans small-group trips for the LGBTQ+ community. Next year, the company is planning trips to Antarctica and Greenland in partnership with Quark Expeditions, as well as a Gorilla Trek to Rwanda , a destination that isn’t typically viewed as LGBTQ-friendly.   “Along with global gay hotspots, we visit seemingly less welcoming places,” explains Out Adventures co-founder Robert Sharp. “This sense of adventure has taught us that despite sometimes hostile politics, a queer (and queer-friendly) community will welcome us and foster important conversations about inclusivity on a grassroots level. Ultimately, we provide a safe environment where guests can relax, be themselves, and open hearts and minds along the way.”

outadventures.com

​​Featured image courtesy of Blue Ocean Adventure Tours

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Located in the historic center of Mexico City, @sohohousemexicocity offers a blend of luxury amenities. The pool area is meticulously designed with chic loungers, umbrellas, and lush greenery, creating an oasis in the heart of the bustling metropolis. 📍 @sohohousemexicocity ...

Soar above the city hustle at Cloud 22 Dubai—where every view is a postcard moment and the skyline is your playground. 📍@cloud22dubai Photo: @taramilktea ...

"Known for its rugged mountains, Grand Teton National Park has a lot to offer for outdoor adventurers. With the airport located inside the national park, landed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming is an experience. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elk, wolves, black and grizzly bears. With glacial alpine lakes and mountain ranges all around, Grand Teton National Park is a treat for rock climbers, hikers and backpackers." 📍 Mormon Row 📍 Schwabacher Landing 📍 Delta Lake 📍 Hidden Lake falls Reel: @seekthatadventure ...

Explore the fascinating world of Piedra Pómez in northwest Argentina! This lightweight volcanic rock is used in everything from construction to beauty products, while its unique formations create breathtaking landscapes that attract adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. Reel: @danielkordan ...

From hotels to restaurants, and fashion to relaxation, we reveal the best in destinations to help you travel like an insider, and Curaçao is never short on unforgettable experiences. The best way to get to the full island effect is to discover all this Southern Caribbean gem has to offer. Experience picturesque views, culture in abundance, and peace of mind. Link in bio for Full-Time Travel recommendations for the best of Curaçao. ...

Spring has arrived in the state of Washington. Reel: @jakeguzman ...

Off the grid - at the end of the world, where dunes collide into the Atlantic Ocean. 📍 Sandwich Harbor / Namibia Reel: @formgestalter ...

Reel: @s.x.traveler ➡️ Escape to the rugged beauty of Calhau das Achadas da Cruz, where Madeira`s wild heart beats in harmony with the Atlantic`s endless blue. Nestled in the remote northwest, this gem in Porto Moniz is a world away from the everyday. ...

As any seasoned traveler will attest, having insider intel on your destination is the key to a memorable trip. Once you’ve arrived in Curaçao, chatting up small business owners (instead of your hotel’s concierge) is the best way to find the hidden gems. Link in bio for a hotlist of locals-approved beaches and non-touristy to-do’s you’re sure to enjoy. ...

Nothing beats spring in the English countryside. Reel: @dpc_photography_ ...

Swim with killer whales, camp with friends, and cool off in a river surrounded by the beauty of Baja, California. 🇲🇽 Reel: @rodtrvn ...

This surreal store in Chengdu, China, which includes over 80,000 books, is lined with images of books on the upper shelves so it would appear that they stretch from floor to ceiling. Reel: @losojosdelau ...

Patagonia is pretty much the most magical place on Earth. Reel: @kylekotajarvi ...

The best way to tap into any culture is through its culinary scene. The cuisine in Curaçao is a vibrant mix of Dutch, Caribbean, Latin American and North American fare, and part of the fun is enjoying the melting pot of flavors. Whether you’re craving the catch of the day, savory arepitas or a few bites of bitterballen, tap link in bio for a list of not-to-miss cafes and eateries to sip and savor every moment. ...

inspired by Space exploration’s seminal era, as it sits in quiet solitude surrounded by pitted rock format, Echo Camp in Antarctica gives you as close as you can get to feeling off the planet without leaving Earth. It`s the newest luxury adventure experience from White Desert where you can enjoy fine dining, ice climbing, cross-country skiing and for the adventurers learn life saving techniques. Reel: @jeremyaustiin ...

Welcome to the new @thewhitelotus hotel @fskohsamui 🌴 The resort offers stunning views, beautiful beaches, and upscale amenities, which align with the high-end and exotic backdrop often sought after by TV producers. Will you be tuning in to the new season? Reel: @postcardsbyhannah ...

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This hidden iPhone feature is a game changer for air travel

• A hidden iPhone feature is gaining popularity thanks to a viral TikTok.
• Without downloading a third-party app, you can easily track any flight on an iPhone.

Whether you arrive at the airport hours before your flight or cut as close to the boarding door being closed as humanly possible, you can’t deny that it’s helpful to at least know your gate and if your flight is on time.

While there are countless dedicated apps for tracking your flight, identifying your aircraft’s tail number, determining the inbound flight, and even displaying your flight path, the iPhone itself has a bit of a superpower hiding in plain sight.

Related: iPhone owners just got access to a life-changing feature

“Preview Flight” has long been integrated into Apple's  ( AAPL )  iPhone and isn’t a new feature found in a recent software update like iOS 17.4 . Rather, it’s a classic — much like Shake to Undo — that’s once again gaining popularity thanks to TikTok .

It’s a personal favorite of mine regarding iPhone features. It makes it super simple to figure out the gate and track my flight, as well as to keep family and friends in the loop on travels. Here's how to use “Preview Flight” on your iPhone within Messages and by searching in Spotlight.

How to track a flight in Messages?

Unlike Flighty, an app I love, “Preview Flight” is already integrated with your iPhone and doesn’t require a separate download. In fact, if you text someone your flight number with the airline code in front, there is a chance you’ve already used it.

Once you’ve sent the airline code and flight number, you can simply tap on it in-line and then hit preview flight. From there, a splash screen will show a flight map showing the airline and flight number, flight status, arrival and departure times, overall duration, and even the gate and baggage claim.

Now, if that flight number is used for multiple flights, you can swipe between the corresponding flights.

It’s really that simple, and it updates in real time. So, if you’re already in the habit of texting your flight number to a loved one, a friend you're meeting, or a general group when you’re traveling, it’s also an easy way to track your flight.

As a cheat sheet, here are the flight codes for a few United States carriers: United is UA, Delta is DL, JetBlue is B6, American Airlines is AA, Frontier is F9, Spirit is NK, and Southwest is WN. Simply type that and your flight number with no space.

While a common place where this will appear and be used is in Messages, it also works in the email app.

Related: Report: Apple is bringing major changes to a fan-favorite product

How to search for a flight in Spotlight?

Thanks to Spotlight, aka the native search function built into the iPhone , you can also search for your Flight Number and get the same handy result without texting someone else.

On your iPhone’s home screen, you’ll swipe top to bottom in the middle of the screen. This will pull up the Spotlight menu, and you can easily type in your flight number via the keyboard to see the results in real-time.

Once you’ve searched, you’ll see the “Preview Flight" and can tap that to see the full widget. Like in Messages, this will pull up the flight map and pertinent information like the gate, arrival and departure times, and flight duration.

This is a handy way to confirm the gate or that you aren’t delayed as you make your way through the airport.

Of course, we’d be remiss not to share the current TikTok that is going viral showcasing this iPhone superpower.

Related: Veteran fund manager picks favorite stocks for 2024

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Follow our news, recent searches, calls grow in malaysia for qr code clearance at johor land checkpoints, paving way for passport-free travel, advertisement.

Singapore’s QR code rollout has cut travel time for commuters, who want Malaysia to do the same ahead of the completion of the Rapid Transit System Link and planned Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. 

File photo of the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine Complex (BSI CIQ) in Johor Bahru. (Photo: CNA/Zamzahuri Abas)

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JOHOR BAHRU: Malaysian IT analyst Sarguneshwara Subramaniam, who commutes between Johor Bahru and Singapore thrice a week, has endured congestion at the land checkpoints for more than a decade.  

Traffic at the Woodlands Causeway and Tuas Second Link is particularly heavy at this time of the year, as people mark the Qing Ming festival by visiting their ancestors’ graves as well as celebrate Hari Raya Puasa, he said.

In recent weeks, however, the 44-year-old has been pleasantly surprised.

“With the QR code now (implemented) on the Singapore side, travelling has been way smoother than I expected,” said Mr Subramaniam, who works in Singapore and heads north thrice a week to visit his family.

“There’s no handing over (of) any passports – just scan the QR code and wait for the officers to verify your name and identity."

Since Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) rolled out its QR code initiative on Mar 19 for drivers on its side of the land border, Mr Subramaniam’s average travel time for a one-way trip has shortened to 90 minutes, from around two hours.

It now takes him and his wife less than 40 seconds to drive through Woodlands Checkpoint, instead of around 90 seconds previously.

“We actually monitored the time taken and were quite pleased,” he said.

Another frequent commuter, Singaporean Murphy Lip, has seen his journey times cut from 90 minutes to just an hour these days. 

“I notice that it’s particularly good for big groups of people travelling in large cars. With the QR code scanners, it takes between 45 and 50 seconds to clear these groups as the officer does not need to flip through the pages of each passport to verify identity,” added the 41-year-old senior cloud engineer, who lives in Malaysia and travels to Singapore for work every alternate day.

Calls for Malaysia to also implement QR code clearance at its land checkpoints with Singapore have grown louder in the wake of positive user feedback to Singapore’s rollout.

Both countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Jan 11 to develop a framework for a legally binding agreement on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ). A key part of the MOU was exploring passport-free clearance on both sides of the border, and Singapore unilaterally introduced its system last month.

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Malaysia’s federal government has not made any announcement on passport-free clearance at land checkpoints since, but Johor’s state government and businesses are keen to move things forward.

Johor works, transport, infrastructure and communication committee chairman Mohamad Fazli said that he would be meeting the relevant agencies in Singapore after Hari Raya to look at the QR code initiative, news outlet The Star reported on Tuesday (Apr 9).

“We want to see whether the implementation has been successful or not,” Mr Fazli reportedly said. 

“I will compile all the related information and have a discussion with our Immigration director-general after that,” he added.

CNA has asked the Johor immigration department if there are plans to develop passport-free immigration clearance in the short term, ahead of further discussions for the planned SEZ. 

“IT MUST BE DONE NOW”

Mr Andrew Chen, Johor state assemblyman for the Stulang constituency – an area adjacent to the Johor Bahru immigration complex – told CNA it is imperative that Malaysia begins to implement a passport-free clearance system as soon as possible. This would signal the Malaysian government's commitment to the terms of the SEZ, he said.

The Democratic Action Party (DAP) politician explained that Malaysia may not necessarily implement a QR code system like Singapore's, but should consider options such as facial recognition biometric clearance or other methods that would allow passport-free travel when the SEZ comes to fruition. 

DAP is part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition and unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. 

“It is very important that these systems are put in place soon. The agreement to one day implement passport-free travel is there, and Malaysia will honour it,” said Mr Chen, who led a state task force between 2018 and 2020 to ease congestion at the Causeway.

“Smooth traffic flow of people is especially important for the SEZ to be fruitful and for the Malaysian economy to benefit from this bilateral initiative. But it must be done now, ahead of further discussions in regards to the SEZ,” he added.

The authorities should also look at a system – similar to the one to be implemented for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link – where travellers only need to clear immigration once, suggested Mr Chen.

The RTS Link is slated to be completed by end-2026. And while no date has been set for the SEZ, Mr Samuel Tan, executive director of KGV International Property Consultants in Johor, expects the project to boost the number of travellers passing through the land checkpoints to more than half a million a day, up from over 400,000 currently.

The Malaysian government should make QR code clearance a “top priority” to avoid a “bottleneck for commuters”, said Mr Tan.

IS MALAYSIA READY?

But Ms Christina Karl, global immigration leader at Deloitte, noted that Malaysia may be at a different stage from Singapore in the process.

“When considering the implementation of initiatives such as QR code clearance at land and/or air checkpoints, it is crucial to acknowledge and respect the sovereignty of each nation and understand that they may have different priorities, resources and levels of technological readiness,” she said.

“Adopting new technologies can vary significantly based on infrastructure, investment priorities, regulatory frameworks and political considerations, and the number of neighbouring countries which these changes may impact,” said Ms Karl.

That said, she agreed QR code clearance has increased convenience for travellers at Singapore’s land checkpoints. “Removing the human element from the process also allows for increased accuracy and an additional security layer which comes hand in hand with this technology,” she said.

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Globally, border control is becoming more seamless, Ms Karl noted.

Travellers have been free to move between 26 countries in the Schengen area in Europe without the need for passport checks at the borders since 1995. This includes nations like Germany, Belgium, France, as well as non-European Union countries Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. 

The United Arab Emirates is also set to implement facial recognition at its borders and remove the need to produce a passport at the port of entry. 

“The global landscape is evolving rapidly and advancements in technology and societies’ expectations are driving transformations in border control,” said Ms Karl.

Mr Teh Kee Sin, advisor to the South Johor Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Association, acknowledged the Malaysian government will have to put in place infrastructure such as QR code scanners and a centralised app, as well as train immigration officers.

This would take time, he said, but would pay off in reducing congestion and commute times.

“Imagine a time in the near future where we do not need to carry our passports in hand to cross the border into Singapore,” said Mr Teh. 

For Mr Subramaniam, precious minutes shaved off per trip add up to countless hours saved by users of the Causeway and Second Link each day.

“When you multiply this by hundreds of thousands a day, it makes a difference,” he said. 

IN FOCUS: Johor’s abuzz over a proposed T-shaped integrated transport network that could boost its SEZ with Singapore

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State-of-the-art veterans clinic in West Oahu seen as a game changer for military families

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Friday is the grand opening of the long-awaited Daniel Kahikina Akaka Veterans Affairs Clinic in Kapolei.

HNN got an exclusive first look at the modern facility more than a decade in the making.

Veterans advocates say the clinic is a life changer for military families on the leeward side and across the Pacific.

“Our investment in this new 88,000 square foot facility, the $130 million that is taken to build this. This is our commitment to veterans in the Pacific Islands for the 21st century. This is our commitment to make sure that we honor our veterans, that we give them the care that they need,” said Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) Director Dr. Adam Robinson, Jr.

The new site means veterans like James Sewell of Kapolei won’t have to drive two hours to the VA clinic at Tripler Army Medical Center anymore.

“Traffic is bad in the morning, and in the evening. So it’s better that it’s here. I can just come from work and come right over here and get my services,” Sewell said.

It’s a huge relief for many who rely on the VA and have been frustrated with service wait times, traffic and parking challenges.

Parking shouldn’t be an issue at the Akaka clinic, with 528 parking spots total — 43 are reserved for disabled veterans and 19 are for electric vehicle charging. Patients can also use the clinic’s free valet service.

“We’ll have our red coat ambassadors here, and they can actually help them out of their car and into the facility. But one of their main functions is to guide them to where they need to be since it’s a new facility,” said clinic chief April Seghorn, who gave HNN a tour.

The clinic offers primary care and specialty services, including mental healthcare, eyecare, dental, prosthetics, women’s health, pharmacy and audiology.

“We have four state of the art audiology booths for hearing testing for the veterans. And so we’re going to have six audiologists here,” Seghorn said. “Our wait times right now are about 78 days. So this will cut down tremendously time to be seen.”

“Most veterans do come out with some type of hearing loss due to being in combat or just going to the range and all of the loud noises that they’re around,” she said.

The physical therapy areas include modern equipment, such as an anti-gravity treadmill, and outdoor recreation.

Radiology will also house the VA’s first MRI scanner in the Pacific, minimizing the need to travel to the continent.

Named after the first U.S. Senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry and fellow veteran, Daniel Akaka, the clinic serves veterans from across the region, including Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Rota and American Samoa.

“Now that we have authority through COFA legislation that Congress recently passed, we can actually have veterans from the freely associated states here,” Dr. Robinson said. “That includes Marshall Islands, that includes Palau, and that also includes Micronesia. So this is a big deal.”

Akaka’s son Dr. Gerard Akaka, a veteran and physician, said the West Oahu clinic is badly needed.

“Access is a thing,” he said. “It’s not easy to get transportation. If you don’t have it, and if you’re dependent on others, like your kids who have full time jobs, it’s just not easy. To provide such a facility with such capability and beauty in that area close to home for them, where they don’t have to deal with traffic and parking and other things that are really our barriers, I think it’s a real blessing for them.”

When asked what he hopes the center will mean for the future of healthcare in Hawaii and the Pacific, Akaka said: “I’ll put it in a way that maybe Dad would say it. My hope is that when they know they’re going to go to that center, they will smile. They will look forward to it. Because they know that they’ll be greeted with aloha, that they’ll feel safe in that place. And that the ‘ano or the feeling in the spirit of that place will be a reflection of him, which was one of aloha and and care and love.”

“For those who have been injured, from war or in the line of duty, thank you so much on behalf of our family and for the people of Hawaii, because they did help to protect us at various times of need so big thanks to them. And again, my hope and our family’s hope and Dad’s hope is that this will be a place of safety of healing, a place that will help them,” Akaka added.

The grand opening starts at 10 a.m. Friday, followed by a public open house and VA enrollment opportunity from 1-4 p.m.

Patient services begin on Monday, April 8. Hours are Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Akaka clinic is located at 91-1051 Franklin D. Roosevelt Ave. in Kapolei, across from the Costco. The VA clinic in Queen’s West will close on Friday.

There’s a free courtesy shuttle for veterans to/from select landmarks, while Veteran Transportation Services (VTS) offers free pick-up from eligible veterans’ homes who live as far out as Mililani going north and into Waikiki, though not past Hawaii Kai. For more information, call 808-433-7982.

For general information, call 800-214-1306 or visit hawaii.va.gov or facebook.com/VAPacificIslands .

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

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JetZero’s futuristic ‘blended wing body’ plane set to take flight in 2030

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The future of aviation starts with JetZero's new "blended wing" plane. Photo / JetZero

Commercial aeroplanes have hardly changed for the past 60 years, but a new and more sustainable aircraft is in the works to take flight as soon as 2030, and it’ll likely be the biggest leap in commercial aircraft architecture since the Boeing 707.

The skies are shaping up for what is being billed as a “ revolution in aviation”, as JetZero announces that its 1:8 scale “blended wing body” demonstrator plane, Pathfinder, has been granted an FAA Airworthiness certificate and will start test flights soon.

The general “tube and wing” shaped aircraft that we know and love today has been used since the 1950s. This traditional design has solidified its reputation in commercial aviation due to its safe and tried-and-tested solutions.

However, as the industry desperately looks for new ways to create a sustainable way to take to the skies , the traditional form of aircraft makes it harder to reach the goal and, thus, poses a challenge to innovators.

JetZero’s answer is a “blended wing”. The goal is simple: pave the way to a new form of commercial aircraft to establish greater carbon efficiencies in aviation.

Read more: Sustainable aviation fuel takes off overseas, why not in New Zealand?

At first look, the “blended wing body” resembles the “flying wing” design used in military aircraft such as the famous B-2 bomber, but what sets it apart is its larger middle section. Its naturally stable design requires no tail surfaces and creates a lighter aircraft.

More importantly, the company says it will provide a flight path to zero emissions in big jets. Tom O’Leary, co-founder and chief executive of JetZero promises a 50 per cent lower fuel burn and emissions in the new aircraft.

The long ride to the future

This isn’t the first time such a design has been pitched, but it’s closer to fruition than ever.

The first earliest attempts at building a blended wing design were in the late 1920s in Germany. In 1947, American aircraft designer and industrialist Jack Northrop created a jet-powered flying wing design, which inspired the B-2 in the 1990s.

What’s great about the hybrid between the military’s “flying wing” design and the commercial “tube and wing” is it allows the entire aircraft to generate lift and minimise drag.

Nasa has also confirmed that a “blended wing” aircraft will have a wingspan slightly greater than a Boeing 747, and will weigh less, cost less, and more importantly, generate less noise and emissions.

Both Boeing and Airbus have already been experimenting with this concept, even before JetZero, but the challenge of sustaining pressure has been holding manufacturers back.

O’Leary has confirmed that the new non-cylindrical fuselage would make the interior of the plane wider. “Your typical single-aisle plane has three by three seats, but this is a sort of a shorter, wider tube. You get the same amount of people, but you might have 15 or 20 rows across the cabin, depending upon how each particular airline will configure it.”

A game changer in the industry

Building an entirely new aeroplane from scratch is a big challenge and will take years to be fully certified. JetZero plans to create an engine that can have emission-free propulsion powered by hydrogen. But to meet their 2030 target, the blended-wing aircraft will initially borrow engines from today’s narrowbody aircraft, like the Boeing 737.

Although it is promising news, the feasibility of achieving a 50 per cent reduction in fuel use remains uncertain. Both Nasa and Airbus quoted a more modest 20 per cent for their designs, while the US Air Force says a blended-wing aircraft could “improve aerodynamic efficiency by at least 30 per cent over current Air Force tanker and mobility aircraft”.

Bailey Miles, an aviation analyst at consulting firm AviationValues, confirms, “It’s important to note that while a blended wing body can reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency, the actual benefits depend on the specific design, configuration, and operational conditions.”

Miles agrees that the blended wing body aircraft holds promise as a game changer in the aviation industry, but with the challenges of aerodynamic complexities, ensuring structural integrity, navigating regulatory hurdles, and adapting airport infrastructure, JetZero’s target of 2030 for entry into service is highly “inconceivable”.

But who truly knows?

Right now, all eyes are on JetZero and Pathfinder’s way to success.

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