Several workers were injured Thursday after a Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner collapsed while parked at the gate of Frankfurt Airport in Germany.
The aircraft was being prepared for a flight to Los Angeles when it &#8220;unexpectedly retracted while it was parked,&#8221; the airline said in a statement, <a href="https://abcnews.com/International/employees-injured-after-lufthansa-boeing-787-nose-gear/story?id=133588703" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC News reported</a>. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Several people are injured as a Lufthansa plane collapses at a gate. <a href="https://t.co/vwR4cXqatk">https://t.co/vwR4cXqatk</a> <a href="https://t.co/MfXn7IWFll">pic.twitter.com/MfXn7IWFll</a>
— TMZ (@TMZ) <a href="https://x.com/TMZ/status/2062678120860184908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2026</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Several people sustained minor injuries – two Lufthansa cabin crew members and other employees from service providers were taken to a hospital for medical treatment,&#8221; the statement added. 
No passengers were aboard the aircraft at the time of the collapse.
Lufthansa said it is working with authorities to determine what caused the nose gear failure.
“We are currently investigating the exact circumstances together with the relevant authorities. Technicians and support staff are on site. We will provide further information as soon as it becomes available,” the statement concluded.
Photos and video from the scene showed the front section of the Dreamliner resting on the ground after the collapse.
The incident marks the latest high-profile aviation mishap to draw public attention, though officials have not suggested it is connected to other recent airline accidents or runway incidents.
Last month, a Frontier Airlines jet <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-moment-pilot-realizes-plane-packed-with-passengers-hit-person-on-runway">struck a trespasser</a> on the runway during takeoff, triggering panic onboard and a fiery emergency evacuation. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy later said the individual had deliberately entered a restricted area of the airport. 
Also in May, a United Airlines aircraft <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-united-airlines-plane-hits-bakery-truck-moments-before-landing">hit a light pole</a> while landing and approaching the runway at Newark Liberty International Airport. The light pole <a href="https://abc7.com/story/new-details-released-united-plane-flew-15-feet-jersey-turnpike-striking-pole-truck-ntsb-report-says/19239322/#:~:text=On%20May%203%2C%20United%20Flight,delivery%20truck%2C%20the%20report%20said.">then hit</a> a delivery truck. The truck driver reportedly sustained minor injuries.
In March, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/all-flights-cancelled-at-nycs-laguardia-after-deadly-runway-collision">two pilots were killed</a> following a collision between an Air Canada Express jet and an airport fire truck at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport. More than a dozen passengers were injured in the crash.

Lufthansa plane

WATCH: Jet Suddenly Collapses While Parked At Gate, Several Injured

Air Travel

Airlines

Germany

Lufthansa

“Tower, Frontier 4345, we&#8217;re stopping on the runway. Uh, we just hit somebody&#8230; we have an engine fire.”
That transmission crackling over air traffic control audio Friday night after a Frontier Airlines jet struck a person on the runway during takeoff, triggering panic onboard and a fiery emergency evacuation.
It happened shortly after 11:15 p.m. as Frontier Flight 4345 was accelerating for departure at Denver International Airport.
According to officials and air traffic control audio, the aircraft hit an individual who had entered the runway area during takeoff.
Denver International Airport later confirmed the person had jumped the airport perimeter fence and was hit just minutes later while crossing the runway.
“The pedestrian is deceased, and is not believed to be an employee of the airport nor have they been identified,” the airport posted Saturday morning.
The person who was struck was killed. An official says the victim was at least partially pulled into one of the plane’s engines, sparking a brief fire that firefighters later extinguished.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy <a href="https://x.com/SecDuffy/status/2053106272967279068?s=20">labeled</a> the individual a &#8220;trespasser&#8221; who &#8220;deliberately scaled a perimeter fence and ran out onto a runway.&#8221;
&#8220;No one should EVER trespass on an airport,&#8221; Duffy said on Saturday morning.
Inside the cabin, passengers reportedly began noticing smoke as pilots slammed the brakes and stopped the Airbus A321 on the runway.
Emergency slides were deployed and travelers evacuated directly onto the tarmac before being bused back to the terminal. 
The flight was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members.
Airport officials now say 12 people suffered minor injuries during the evacuation, with five transported to local hospitals.
Moments after the impact, the crew warned air traffic control that conditions onboard were deteriorating.
“We&#8217;ve got smoke on the aircraft, we&#8217;re gonna evacuate on the runway,” the pilot said.
Denver airport officials also said investigators examined the perimeter fence after the incident and found it to be intact, raising even more questions about how the person managed to access the restricted runway area before the collision.
The runway remained closed Saturday morning as investigators continued processing the scene, though airport officials said they expected it to reopen within hours.
The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified and Frontier says it is coordinating with airport officials to determine exactly what happened.
Frontier called the incident “deeply saddening” in a statement released early Saturday morning.
The flight to Los Angeles has since been rescheduled, with most passengers later departing Denver on another Frontier aircraft.

Holiday Travel Surge At Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport

The Moment Pilot Realizes Plane Packed With Passengers Hit Person On Runway

National transportation Safety Board

Travel

If you thought Spirit Airlines going out of business would mean fewer bare-bones flights, think again. A major airline is now taking a page out of the former budget carrier’s playbook and cutting out the perks people actually notice.
Delta is officially nixing free food and drinks on hundreds of flights.
Starting May 19, the airline is pulling all snacks and beverages from about 450 daily routes. These are shorter flights, anything 349 miles or less, which make up a noticeable chunk of Delta’s schedule.
So if you’re hopping on a quick flight, don’t expect a drink, don’t expect a snack, and definitely don’t expect anything complimentary.
Now, Delta says this is about creating a more “consistent” experience across its network. Translation: what you get now depends entirely on how far you’re flying. If your flight is 350 miles or more, you’re still getting the usual drinks and snacks. First class passengers also keep full service no matter what.
But for everyone else on those shorter routes, it’s a clear downgrade.
And this didn’t just happen overnight. Delta has been slowly scaling this back for years. They already cut service on very short flights, then moved to limited “express” options. Now, they’re just wiping it out entirely on these routes.
Zoom out, and this is part of a bigger trend.
Airlines are charging more, trimming perks, and squeezing more out of every seat. At the same time, budget competition like Spirit disappearing means less pressure to keep prices low or amenities high.
And that’s really the shift people are reacting to. Flying used to come with at least a few basic perks built in. Now, more and more, those extras are being stripped away, even as ticket prices stay high.
And travelers are noticing.
Social media lit up after the announcement, with passengers calling it “ridiculous” and pointing out that Delta still markets itself as a premium airline while quietly taking things away.
For a lot of people, the frustration is simple.
You’re paying more to fly, and now on hundreds of flights every single day, you’re getting even less once you board.

delta_no_snacks

Major Airline Scraps Free Snacks And Drinks On Flights

airport

Delta Airlines

Spirit Airlines

A United Airlines plane appeared to hit a light pole and damaged a delivery truck on Sunday moments before landing at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
Dramatic dashcam video shows a delivery driver glancing out the window after hearing a loud, screeching noise — moments before a Boeing 767 crashes into his truck.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: Watch as dashcam video shows a United Airlines flight clipping a light pole during landing before striking a bakery truck on the ground, leaving the truck driver hospitalized.
📌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Newark?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Newark</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewJersey?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewJersey</a>
Watch as dashcam footage from a bakery truck captures the moment… <a href="https://t.co/OXw3xUVvtu">pic.twitter.com/OXw3xUVvtu</a>
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) <a href="https://twitter.com/rawsalerts/status/2051056982312772059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2026</a></blockquote>
The truck was traveling northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike at around 1:50 p.m., according to <a href="https://thenationaldesk.com/">The National News Desk</a>.
Aircraft landing on one of the main runways at Newark come sailing in, low, over multiple lanes of traffic on the Turnpike, which is one of the most congested parts of Interstate 95, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-flight-strikes-light-pole-jersey-turnpike-74bf3bf4960d9342c09b02d8b896d1e9">according to the Associated Press. </a>
Chuck Paterakis, the senior vice president of Transportation &amp; Logistics and co-principal at H&amp;S Bakery, claimed that the wheel of the commercial plane crashed into the driver&#8217;s window.
The truck driver reportedly suffered minor injuries and is being treated at a hospital.
&#8220;To me, that everybody on that plane, everybody and the driver, God was looking after them, there&#8217;s no doubt,&#8221; Paterakis told the National News Desk, &#8220;if we did that scenario again, I don&#8217;t know if anybody could&#8217;ve survived that.&#8221;
In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the incident.
&#8220;While on approach to land at Newark Liberty International Airport, United Airlines Flight 169 struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike around 2 p.m. local time on Sunday, May 3. The Boeing 767 landed safely and was arriving from Venice, Italy.  The FAA will investigate.
The National Transportation Safety Board also <a href="https://x.com/NTSB_Newsroom/status/2051075321370161160?s=20">announced an investigation. </a>
&#8220;An NTSB investigator is scheduled to arrive in Newark on Monday. The agency has directed United Airlines to secure and provide both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder to support the investigation. A preliminary report outlining the facts and circumstances of the event is expected within 30 days.&#8221;
In a statement to The Daily Wire, United Airlines confirmed one of its planes &#8220;came into contact with a light pole.&#8221;
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<div>
Upon its final approach into Newark International Airport, United flight 169 came into contact with a light pole. The aircraft landed safely, taxied to the gate normally and no passengers or crew were injured. Our maintenance team is evaluating damage to the aircraft. We will conduct a rigorous flight safety investigation into the incident and our crew has been removed from service as part of the process.
Background:
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<ul>
<li>UA169 VCE-EWR</li>
<li>221 passengers and 10 crew</li>
<li>Aircraft: Boeing 767-400</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>

United Airlines Inaugurates BariNewark Route At Karol Wojtya Airport

WATCH: United Airlines Plane Hits Light Pole, Damages Truck Moments Before Landing

Airplane crash

Viral plane freakouts might finally be getting grounded.
Airlines have watched passengers turn midair moments into content for years. Now one major carrier is making it clear the camera party is over if it is aimed at crew.
British Airways has updated its passenger rules to crack down on people filming staff without permission. The airline warns the behavior could lead to serious consequences, including removal from a flight, long-term travel bans, or even legal trouble.
The policy draws a clear line. Recording, photographing, or livestreaming crew members without consent now counts as “unacceptable behavior.” That places it alongside other disruptive conduct that can escalate quickly.
It does not take much for a normal moment on a plane to end up online. What starts as a routine interaction can quickly turn into a viral clip without the full context.
Passengers who cross the line could be removed mid-journey, barred from continuing their trip, or reported to authorities. If a situation forces a diversion, the airline says the passenger responsible may have to cover the costs, which can add up quickly.
On the other hand, do not get it twisted. Passengers can still brag to their social media followers about the trip. So go ahead and snap photos of your meal, the view outside your window, or that first-class seat. Because if you didn&#8217;t post it these days, did it even happen?
The rule also reflects how quickly technology is changing the cabin. Devices like smart glasses and action cameras make it easier to record interactions without drawing attention, raising new concerns about privacy for crew members doing their jobs.
The airline has not pointed to any single incident behind the change. Instead, the update signals a broader effort to get ahead of a growing trend.
Here is why it matters. What used to be a forgettable moment can now follow someone forever. Airlines are stepping in before every awkward exchange turns into the next viral clip.
British Airways is not alone. Other carriers, including Qantas, KLM, and Virgin Australia, have introduced similar restrictions in recent years.
The timing is notable. British Airways is expanding onboard Wi-Fi, including plans for faster satellite-based service, which will make live-streaming more accessible during flights. Airlines appear to be preparing for the risks that come with that shift.
The airline also reiterated other behaviors that could lead to consequences. These include ignoring crew instructions, interfering with their duties, or acting in a way that disrupts other passengers.
The message is straightforward in the end: just sit back and enjoy the flight.

Say Goodbye To Viral Plane Meltdowns? Major Airline Changes Fine Print On Cell Phone Use

Airports

Business

Flying

Canceled.
The worst-case scenario for any airline passenger just hit thousands of travelers at once.
Spirit Airlines customers woke up to a blunt message inside the airline’s app: every flight is canceled, effective immediately.
The message read in part that passengers should not go to the airport under any circumstances. It also made clear the airline cannot help rebook travelers on other carriers, leaving many scrambling for alternatives on their own. Instead, customers were told refunds would be automatically issued back to the original form of payment for flights purchased with a credit or debit card.
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1088575 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-02-at-7.55.19-AM-296x576.png" alt="" width="296" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-02-at-7.55.19-AM-296x576.png 296w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-02-at-7.55.19-AM-154x300.png 154w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-02-at-7.55.19-AM.png 598w" sizes=" (max-width: 296px) 100vw, 296px" /></div>
The message made one thing clear. There is no backup plan.
The collapse comes just days after a last-ditch effort to save the airline fell apart. A roughly $500 million bailout push failed after disagreements between the Trump administration and key bondholders stalled any deal.
President Donald Trump had signaled the administration was at least open to stepping in. “We’re looking at it,” Trump said Friday. “If we can do it, we’d do it.”
That window has now closed.
Industry groups had also been pushing for a much larger safety net, requesting as much as $2.5 billion in temporary federal support for struggling low-cost carriers. The pitch was simple. Without help, airlines like Spirit could collapse, cutting competition and driving up prices.
That warning is no longer hypothetical.
The budget carrier had been flashing warning signs for months. By the end of the week, it was clear the company’s last lifeline was barely hanging on. Overnight, that uncertainty turned into reality.
For travelers, the fallout is immediate.
Flights are gone. Plans are blown up. And for many, the scramble to find a replacement just got a lot more expensive.
Other major carriers are already stepping in to pick up the pieces. American Airlines said early Saturday it is rolling out “rescue fares” for stranded Spirit Airlines customers on overlapping routes, while also looking to add larger aircraft and extra flights where possible. The airline said it serves the vast majority of Spirit’s network and is working with the Department of Transportation to help ease the disruption. Travelers are being urged to rebook directly through American’s app or website, while displaced Spirit crew members are also being offered travel support and potential job opportunities as the airline ramps up recruiting efforts.
The shutdown marks a stunning collapse for the 34-year-old company that once built its brand on rock-bottom fares and no-frills travel.
For years, Spirit Airlines positioned itself as the go-to option for cheap domestic flights, even as complaints about fees, delays, and customer experience piled up.
The ripple effects could hit quickly. With one of the country’s most aggressive low-cost carriers suddenly gone, competition shrinks, and prices could climb, especially on routes where Spirit helped keep fares low.
Spirit Airlines said refunds will be processed automatically, but offered little else in terms of support. Travelers hoping to salvage their trips will now have to navigate other airlines, often at significantly higher prices.
For thousands of passengers, the message could not have been clearer.
Do not go to the airport.

Spirit_Money_Oxygen

Spirit Airlines Officially Shuts Down. See The Message Stranded Customers Woke Up To

President Trump

The first commercial flight from the United States to Venezuela since 2019 took off from Miami International Airport on Thursday morning, a win for the Trump administration as the president reshapes Washington&#8217;s relationship with Caracas.
The American Airlines plane destined for Caracas was given a water salute by fire engines on the tarmac before it took off from Miami at around 10:00 a.m. ET. Flight AA3599 was operated by Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines. The plane was one of the airline&#8217;s America 250 commemorative aircraft.
&#8220;For nearly 7 years there have been no direct commercial flights between the U.S. and Venezuela,&#8221; the State Department said. &#8220;Under President Trump we&#8217;re changing that today. Flights between Miami and Caracas restored.&#8221;
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For nearly 7 years there have been no direct commercial flights between the U.S. and Venezuela.
Under President Trump we&#8217;re changing that today. Flights between Miami and Caracas restored. <a href="https://t.co/3fsLVwWHQQ">pic.twitter.com/3fsLVwWHQQ</a>
— Department of State (@StateDept) <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDept/status/2049870663138083123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Flight AA3599 is expected to arrive in Caracas just after 1:20 p.m. local time. The plane will return to Florida later Thursday afternoon, the Associated Press <a href="https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/flights-resume-from-miami-to-caracas-venezuela-for-the-first-time-in-7-years/3803307/">reported</a>. Miami resident Lennart Ochoa said he was excited for the reopening of commercial air travel between the two countries.
“I’m very excited to go and see the family and I’m looking forward to see the country,” Ochoa said, according to the AP.
Thursday&#8217;s flight from the United States to Venezuela comes less than five months after U.S. forces captured dictator Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges. In March, President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article314795646.html">praised</a> acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez and said his administration&#8217;s relationship with Venezuela had greatly improved after the operation to capture Maduro.
The Department of Homeland Security <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/15/politics/dhs-suspends-venezuela-flights">suspended</a> air travel between the United States and Venezuela in 2019 during Trump&#8217;s first term &#8220;based on the ongoing political instability and increased tensions in Venezuela.&#8221; Just a few months earlier, the Trump administration sanctioned Venezuela&#8217;s state-run oil company, citing Maduro&#8217;s corruption.
“As a result of the Maduro regime’s inability to govern and perpetuation of lawlessness, it is no longer possible to certify that Venezuela is meeting baseline standards of security,&#8221; a U.S. official told CNN at the time.
The flight to Caracas on Thursday is just the first of many commercial flights to come between the two countries. In the coming months, American Airlines will also offer <a href="https://www.aa.com/en-us/flights-to-venezuela">flights</a> to Caracas from Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, and Washington, D.C.

American Airlines

Trump Officially Opens Flights To His Favorite South American Country

Donald Trump

Global Politics

Trump Administration

Venezuela

World

Some conservatives are pushing back against a possible federal government deal to avoid Spirit Airlines’ collapse, as the company struggles to emerge from bankruptcy.
The Trump administration is weighing a $500 million bailout that could result in the federal government taking a significant ownership stake in the budget airline, according to the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/trump-administration-nearing-rescue-deal-for-spirit-airlines-2f6a5556?mod=e2tw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wall Street Journal</a>.
Several Republican lawmakers blasted the idea.
“If Spirit’s creditors or other potential investors don’t think they can run it profitably coming out of its second bankruptcy in under two years, I doubt the US Government can either. Not the best use of taxpayer dollars,” Sen. <a href="https://x.com/SenTomCotton/status/2047075850386804756?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tom Cotton</a> (R-AR) posted to X on Wednesday.
Sen. <a href="https://x.com/tedcruz/status/2047054442332029439?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ted Cruz</a> (R-TX) described the proposal on social media as “an absolutely TERRIBLE idea.”
“The TARP corporate bailouts were a huge mistake &amp; the government doesn’t know a damn thing about running a failed budget airline (that the Biden admin killed),” he continued, referencing the 2008 recession-era Troubled Asset Relief Program.
Outside groups on the Right also weighed in. Advancing American Freedom, an organization aligned with former Vice President Mike Pence, released a memo slamming a possible deal.
“Why should taxpayers bail out one company that has been uniquely unprepared?” the memo asked. “American families shouldn’t be forced to bail out Spirit and the shareholders or pay the bill to see if the federal government can run an airline.”
Labor groups, however, expressed support for the potential federal assistance. The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), argued that federal intervention could protect jobs and stabilize the airline.
“Federal relief is not a handout,” said Capt. Ryan P. Muller, chair of the Spirit Airlines ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC). “It is a loan that will allow the airline to finish the work that is already well underway, and it is the right call for 14,000 workers, nearly 2,000 pilots, the families who depend on those paychecks, and the millions of passengers who rely on affordable air travel.&#8221;
On the Left, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) blamed the war with Iran for the airline&#8217;s demise.
&#8220;Donald Trump’s war with Iran caused the sky-high fuel prices that finally did Spirit Airlines in. What do the American people get out of this taxpayer bailout? Will the failed airline executives be held accountable?&#8221; Warren <a href="https://x.com/SenWarren/status/2047057083950899338?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> on X.
The White House has not confirmed whether a bailout is on the table, but pointed to a Biden-era lawsuit that led to the rejection of the Spirit-JetBlue merger.
“Spirit Airlines would be on a much firmer financial footing had the Biden administration not recklessly blocked the airline’s merger with JetBlue,” White House Spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement.
President Donald Trump told CNBC’s “<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/21/cnbc-transcript-president-donald-trump-speaks-with-cnbcs-squawk-box-today-.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Squawk Box</a>” that he would prefer a private-sector solution, saying he would &#8220;love somebody to buy Spirit, it’s 14,000 jobs.&#8221;
Economist Peter St. Onge of The Heritage Foundation told <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/did-joe-biden-kill-spirit-airlines?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Did+Joe+Biden+Kill+Spirit+Airlines%3F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> that the merger likely led to the airline&#8217;s decline.
“The main thing that drove them over the edge was blocking the JetBlue merger,&#8221; St. Onge said. &#8220;On the day that it was denied, their stock fell 47%. And the big picture here is that the low-cost carriers can’t pass anything on, right? They have razor-thin margins, like 2 or 3%. So they need scale in order to survive.”

Airplanes Depart

Not Everyone Is On Board With Using Your Money To Bail Out A Failing Airline

Bailouts

Conservatives

Economy

The European Union will urge members to cut their dependence on Middle Eastern jet fuel and look into increasing imports from the U.S., in new guidelines expected next week, an official source told Reuters, as the Iran war disrupts global supply.
The plans, previously unreported and still being finalized, will put a greater focus on self-sufficiency and resilience via Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) or synthetic fuels.
European airlines have warned of potential jet fuel shortages within weeks ‌as a result of the Iran war, which could disrupt the summer travel season. Europe is particularly vulnerable as it imports some 30% to 40% of its jet fuel, at least half of that from the Middle East.
The EU&#8217;s non-binding recommendations will emphasize the bloc&#8217;s limitations in increasing jet fuel output domestically and provide guidance on how to handle potential shortages, the source said.
The person asked not to be named because the discussions are ongoing and the draft is not yet finalized. A European Commission spokesperson confirmed plans to present a response to the energy crisis next week, including measures on jet fuels.
Availability of supply &#8220;remains the primary concern,&#8221; the Commission spokesperson said, adding that if supply remained snarled through the Strait of Hormuz, the EU could launch a possible coordinated release of jet fuel stocks.
Iran opened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, a key gateway for energy flows from the Gulf, after a ceasefire accord in Lebanon, though U.S. President Donald Trump said a naval blockade remains in place until a deal is sealed with Tehran.
The EU spokesperson said he hoped a resumption of safe passage through the Strait would last, but reflecting the ongoing uncertainty, added: &#8220;Let&#8217;s see.&#8221;
FLIGHT CANCELLATION THREAT GROWS
Flights in Europe could start to be cancelled from the end of May due to a lack of jet fuel, the International Air Transport Association&#8217;s director general Willie Walsh said on Friday. Airlines are cutting flights and grounding some planes.
The source familiar with the EU&#8217;s plans said the document would lay out guidance for airline handling issues in the case of fuel shortages such as losing airport slots due to cancellations and the EU&#8217;s anti-tankering rule, designed to prevent planes from loading extra fuel in cheap locations.
It will clarify whether a fuel shortage can be considered exceptional enough for airlines to avoid paying compensation for cancellations. The source added that the EU has decided airlines&#8217; calls for changes to or the suspension of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and SAF allowances were not justified.
The European Commission also plans to introduce EU-wide mapping of refining capacity for oil products and introduce measures &#8220;to ensure that existing refining capacity is fully utilized and ​maintained,&#8221; a draft proposal earlier seen by Reuters showed.
EUROPEAN IMPORTS OF U.S., NIGERIAN JET FUEL RISE
They will also look at the distribution logistics of increasing the use of U.S. Jet A fuel, traditionally seldom used in Europe because it has a higher freezing point than the European standard. Europe&#8217;s Jet A-1 is better suited to long‑haul, high‑altitude and cold‑temperature operations and is preferred by the military. Jet fuel imports from the U.S. and Nigeria rose sharply in April.
Some of Europe&#8217;s key hubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany rely on the NATO-operated CEPS pipeline, which supplies European grade jet fuel. A spokesperson for NATO did not immediately reply to questions about the pipeline&#8217;s logistics.
Airlines are preparing for a potential supply crunch, with the International Energy Agency forecasting jet fuel shortages by June if the region can only replace half of the supplies it normally gets from the ​Middle East.
Some airports have warned of shortages within three weeks if the Strait of ‌Hormuz remains ⁠closed to fuel shipments. The European Commission is expected to warn jet fuel supply could remain limited even if the Strait of Hormuz is unblocked.
(Reporting by Julia Payne and Joanna Plucinska; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Elaine Hardcastle)

Airplane Fuel

Jet Fuel Crunch Looms: Europe Faces Flight Cuts As Iran War Drags On

Europe

Iran

Strait of Hormuz

Agents with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) should start seeing paychecks Monday or Tuesday, but it could still be quite some time before the business of traveling by air returns to business as usual.
Border Czar Tom Homan told CNN anchor Jake Tapper on Sunday that he had spoken with newly sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin about President Donald Trump&#8217;s order — which directed him to pay TSA agents out of preexisting funding — and that they expected agents to see their first paychecks in weeks within the coming days.
WATCH:
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Border Czar Tom Homan says TSA agents can expect to be paid &#8220;tomorrow or Tuesday.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/b8XBX11sLC">pic.twitter.com/b8XBX11sLC</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/2038245064388858129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Homan also addressed Trump&#8217;s decision to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents into airports — a move made to mitigate the chaos of long lines and wait times as the lack of pay led to mass callouts among TSA employees — and said that they may remain in place for a time yet.
&#8220;We’ll see. You know, it depends how many TSA agents come back to work. How many TSA agents have actually quit and have no plan coming back to work? I’m working very closely with TSA administrator and the ICE director to decide what airport needs what,&#8221; Homan told Tapper.
The president issued an executive order on Friday directing Mullin to use funding that had &#8220;a reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations&#8221; to ensure that agents received pay. They have not been paid since Democrats voted against funding the Department of Homeland Security some six weeks earlier, forcing a partial government shutdown that has also impacted the U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Secret Service.
The Democrats voted to block the DHS funding bill after the deaths of protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti during the ICE surge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, despite the fact that ICE agents were still being paid under provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill.
But as Fox News congressional correspondent Bill Melugin <a href="https://x.com/BillMelugin_/status/2037604682370003061">reported</a>, only frontline ICE and Customs and Border Patrol agents are receiving paychecks amid the shutdown.
&#8220;The ICE, Border Patrol, and CBP agents we see in the field are all getting paid via OBBB. HOWEVER &#8230; their professional and civilian support staff are NOT being paid,&#8221; Melugin explained. &#8220;These are people who work the computers, the public affairs offices, and other support staff who aren&#8217;t on the front line making immigration arrests, but are supporting the agents who are. These civilian support staffers haven&#8217;t been paid for almost half of the last six months when you factor in the prior shutdown last fall.&#8221;
In an effort to get the TSA funded, the Senate <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-strikes-overnight-deal-to-pay-tsa-agents-in-bid-to-end-airport-chaos">passed a measure</a> on Thursday that would break the logjam for most of DHS — with the exception of ICE and some parts of Border Patrol. But following President Trump&#8217;s lead, the House rejected the bill.
Neither the Senate bill nor a House bill that would fully fund DHS includes any of the ICE reforms demanded by Democrats, such as a ban on federal immigration agents wearing masks and a provision requiring judicial warrants for immigration enforcement operations.

TSA_Trump

Trump Gets TSA Paid Starting Today As ICE Presence Hinges On One Key Factor

Paychecks Are Coming For The TSA, But When Will Things Get Back To Normal?

Government Shutdown

Politics

Tom Homan

United Airlines is introducing a new seating option aimed at making long flights more comfortable, especially for families traveling with young children. 
The airline recently unveiled &#8220;Relax Row,&#8221; which transforms three adjacent economy seats into a lie-flat space. The feature, announced on social media, is expected to roll out in 2027.
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The entire row is alllllll yours.
Welcome to United Relax Row, three adjacent United Economy seats with adjustable leg rests that can each be raised or lowered to create a cozy lie-flat space for stretching out&#8230;
You&#8217;ll also get a mattress pad, blanket and two pillows. If… <a href="https://t.co/Q6gcOuXbXo">pic.twitter.com/Q6gcOuXbXo</a>
— United Airlines (@united) <a href="https://twitter.com/united/status/2036505633470431412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2026</a></blockquote>
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“The entire row is alllllll yours,” the X caption says. “Welcome to United Relax Row, three adjacent United Economy seats with adjustable leg rests that can each be raised or lowered to create a cozy lie-flat space for stretching out.”
Passengers will also receive a mattress pad, blanket, and two pillows. Families traveling with children will be offered a plush toy. United said the option would be available on more than 200 Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft, with up to 12 designated rows per plane.
According to the airline, the setup is designed to give travelers more flexibility and comfort.
“Whether you’re traveling as a family, solo or as a couple, you’ll have the freedom to stretch out, cozy up and make the journey your own,” United said on its website.
The announcement drew mostly positive reactions online.
“Much needed. United is innovating faster than anyone,” one reply <a href="https://x.com/DrWilliamBrady/status/2036532429846917544">said</a>.
“Good idea. Finally, something new from the airlines,” another commenter <a href="https://x.com/LeviSpires/status/2036519609558262177">replied</a>.
“May this set the standard for more child-friendly travel!” a third <a href="https://x.com/The_Nomad_News/status/2036613595925303521">added</a>.
United has not yet released details on pricing or how the seats will be booked.
This is the second encouraging update from the airline, which made <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/united-airlines-threatens-to-ban-passengers-who-make-this-noisy-faux-pas">headlines</a> recently when it added language to its contract of carriage stating it may refuse to transport passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content. 
A spokesperson for United noted that headphone use had long been encouraged.
“We’ve always encouraged customers to use headphones when listening to audio content — and our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones,” the spokesperson said. “With the expansion of Starlink, it seemed like a good time to make that even clearer by adding it to the contract of carriage.”
The policy change was widely supported on social media, with many travelers saying it addressed a long-standing frustration and should become standard across the airline industry.

Traveling family

United Airlines Just Changed The Game For Families Traveling With Kids

Parenting

United Airlines

Unlike regular Delta customers, members of Congress get to bypass security lines — until now.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Delta is suspending its “red coat” high-level concierge services and “courtesy escorts” amid the partial government shutdown. Those services allow members of Congress to bypass general TSA lines, among other perks.
“Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta,” the airline said in a statement. “Next to safety, Delta’s No. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment.”
The partial government shutdown has led to lengthy airport security wait times and delayed paychecks for federal TSA agents. As a result, employee callouts have increased, and more than 400 workers have quit since the shutdown began.
Business Insider <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tsa-agents-working-without-pay-how-much-salary-they-make-2026-3">reports</a> that the majority of TSA agents earn salaries from $40,000 to $75,000 and many live paycheck-to-paycheck. Several <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-tsa-employees-during-funding-crisis">GoFundMe</a> accounts have been started by communities, as well as individual TSA employees, to help make ends meet during the funding crisis. Elon Musk even stepped in to offer to pay TSA agents&#8217; salaries during the shutdown.
When the Atlanta Journal-Constitution broke the news, the author <a href="https://x.com/MurphyAJC/status/2036402602649276683">claimed</a>, “Delta is suspending its special congressional desk service for members of Congress until the shutdown is over.” 
Delta was praised for the decision, but several hours later, the author offered a correction. “Elite services for Members of Congress that have been temporarily suspended include specialty services such as airport escorts and red coat service. The Capital Desk, a reservations line, remains open.”
Delta did not respond to a request for comment from The Daily Wire.
Members of Congress have also taken steps to hold themselves accountable for shutting down the government. On Monday, Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) called out Senate Democrats for blocking his resolution to halt lawmakers&#8217; pay until an agreement on funding was reached. &#8220;I tried to bring the bill yesterday on the floor, but got objected to by the Democrats,&#8221; he <a href="https://x.com/SenJohnKennedy">said</a>.
During the record 43-day government shutdown last fall, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) called for Congress to pass the No Budget, No Pay Act. He calls funding the government one of the most basic jobs of Congress.
&#8220;The American people elected us to come together, look at what we’re collecting in revenues, and put together and pass 12 appropriations bills that use those dollars effectively,&#8221; he said. &#8220;The last time Congress passed all 12 appropriations bills on time was nearly three decades ago. Congress has failed, time and time again, to do one of its basic duties.&#8221;
The legislation did not pass the Senate.

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