This week brings the usual chaos, including reports of bedbugs on three separate Turkish Airlines flights, new travel requirements in 2025, and a fire in Chicago O’Hare. was seen. And on a lighter note, there was an announcement about recommended hikes for each month of 2025. That year.
Turkish Airlines passengers report bed bugs on multiple flights
got it. You don’t want to be that unruly passenger who demands to change seats mid-flight. But what happens if you find bed bugs crawling inside your seat cushion? Turkish Airlines has been under fire after it was revealed that the airline received three complaints of bed bugs on three separate flights last year. It doesn’t look good. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to do some freelance infographic work for bed bug control experts, so I learned a lot about bed bugs, including the fact that they don’t have a very strong correlation with cleanliness and hygiene. The facts about it stick in my mind right away. It’s more due to the amount of human vehicle exposure than people think. And the bad reviews we hear from various hospitality brands have less to do with poor hygiene and more to do with poor legal/PR responses to these unfortunately unavoidable incidents. It seems so. That’s because hotels with significant occupancy are likely to deal with bed bugs at some point. I couldn’t help but think of that when I read the following quote from the article: “Aviation health experts say regular deep cleaning and prompt response to complaints are key to maintaining passenger confidence.” My (probably paranoid and cynical) interpretation is that , this is not a story about Turkish Airlines failing in hygiene, but rather in dealing with complaints.
New travel requirements coming into effect for domestic and international destinations in 2025
Every time I go to the DMV to renew or renew my driver’s license, it’s this “Real ID” that has come up over the last few visits (I recently found an ID that can be stored for a long time, so I’m still using it). (I didn’t get it) This was supposed to roll out sooner, but was delayed due to the pandemic. From May 2025, travelers aged 18 and over will need a ‘Real ID’ to board domestic flights. (I think your passport counts as a Real ID, but I recommend updating your driver’s license to the “Real ID” version eventually.) Also, in 2025, you’ll be able to travel to Europe and the UK. You’ll need a little more for traveling. We are planning more traditionally for US travelers. Starting next week (January 8), travelers from the US to the UK will need to apply for an ETA and pay up to $13 for this authorization, and those in Europe will need to apply for authorization through the ETIAS program. When traveling anywhere, always Google the country name and “travel.state.gov” to find out the latest entry requirements.
Emergency responders activate sprinkler system after restaurant fire at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport
I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to smell smoke when I’m at the airport. That just means some kind of bad news. At Chicago O’Hare Airport on Monday morning, a fire broke out in one of the terminal’s restaurants, setting off the sprinkler system, sending one person to the hospital and causing a partial evacuation. This is exactly how 2024 will end. Has anyone experienced this firsthand by flying through Chicago O’Hare on Monday?
Best hiking destinations for each month of 2025
On a lighter note, let’s talk about your hiking goals. I love that this hike list is made up almost entirely of hikes I’ve never done before. There are two exceptions: Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio (which is a really nice place to go if you’re in the area) and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. (It features a geological phenomenon that is definitely worth a visit.) My father has hiked a good portion of the Mah Da Hay Trail in North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park. and is also on this list. He recommends this as a fascinating way to experience the Badlands terrain. Bryce Canyon in particular caught my eye. It’s not the most exotic place on the list, but I’ve always been curious about what winter hiking in this area would be like. This list suggests that February is the best time to experience Bryce Canyon.
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out the podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
