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Passenger loads are off the charts this month — in the NEGATIVE — with schedules about 35% of what they were a year ago! International travel to just about anywhere is hard to find – with domestic loads higher on weekends and fairly soft during the week.  Most US carriers have cut schedules to about 50-70% of what they were pre-Pandemic – with massive employee layoffs and furloughs in the works.  The only positive side of travel this month is less expensive airfares — that is if you can find some place to visit?

Don’t plan to travel to Oahu in the next few weeks — the island capitol has “closed down” for both visitors and locals  — so health officials can get COVID under control — outer islands are still “open for business” but plan a minimum 14 day quarantine — as well as proof of passing  a COVID test prior to even boarding departure from anywhere in the world!  And, arriving passengers might be required to take another COVID test prior to even leaving any arrival airport on any of the islands.  The State of Hawaii probably has the toughest visitor COVID restrictions and requirements of any US state — and almost its total economy based on travel and tourism.   

Yup — US airlines are saying “September will be a terrible month” for passenger travel — especially after increasing both domestic and international schedules to include more service!! Loads will hit bottom despite a few ticket bargains — the biggest incentive coming though is more availability to use frequent flyer miles — both for domestic and international travel — the low mile deals are available now through spring of 2021 — with business class for as low as 50,000 miles each way to Europe —if you book now for the great deals, you’ll more than likely pay a fee to cancel and rebook or put miles back in your account — might be worth $$$$????

It’s true — on a recent landing approach to LAX — both American and Jet Blue pilots reported seeing a “jet pack” flyer at about 3,000 feet just south of runways at LAX — talk about your “WOW” moment — no sign of where the Jet Pack-er finally went down or landed?

Might seem odd — that along with “runs” on toilet paper, bacon and paper towels, small boats and mid-size yachts are in short supply these days. Another shortage you can blame COVID 19?  Why you ask? Well, seems it’s a neat easy way to social distance — with family vacation plans canceled, kids summer camps closed — what’s left for the family to do together? Buy a boat and roam the oceans or nearby lakes. It’s easy to learn how to pilot or sail a boat — and sail off around a lake or pilot your yacht in the open oceans — AHOY!!!

Probably one of the most unusual partnerships ever — DELTA has asked LYSOL to help knock out COVID on its planes and airport customer service areas around the world.  The idea, long time overdue, is to help develop and implement “new protocols” (guess that’s a nice way for DELTA to say we’re finally going to really clean up our planes – especially the ever filthy aircraft restrooms and passenger gate areas) and public areas around airports.  Both United and DELTA are also working with Clorox to clean up airports and aircraft — the TC says “don’t forget to bring along your own disinfectant handy wipes — especially when using restroom doors on and off the ground!!! Without a doubt, the best place to pick up almost anything?

Starting in the second half of 2021, the company AXIOM in partnership with SpaceX will start taking passengers — 3 at a time — to the international space station. NASA has authorized the addition of a “space destination module (a space hotel) to be added to the space station. The fee, with early booking discount — $55 million.  Only major requirement, once potential space tourists pass the physical, is “not to interfere with-the NASA crew doing their jobs!!!

Inside reports from Delta show the airline, at its low point, running at about 80,000 passengers a day — with that number “bouncing” back now to over 500,000 a day —right now there are some good deals with all US carriers to use frequent flyer miles and, if you look hard, low price ticket deals too.  TC’s advice — look late at night or early am for the best travel deals!!!

Starting September 1 — United is increasing international flights by 30% — that’s what!!!  The feeling is people are wanting to get away from home — visit family and find domestic and international locations where they can “socially distance” outdoors.  Now — if airfares stay the same — the UAL move could encourage other carriers to follow?  We’ll seeeeeee!!!

That’s the current estimate from the worldwide cruise industry highlighting passenger loss this year — with most cruise operators completely stopped until late summer — and then on reduced schedules. Looking at prices for 2021 — yes there will be some deals, especially with the shorter low cost lines — but for now, expect top dollar for the upscale brands — with lots of early booking discounts, including free business class air.  Ahoy!