“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

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Travel

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

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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

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines is preparing to shut down after a $500 million bailout effort collapsed, putting the budget carrier on the brink.
The airline failed to secure support from the Trump administration and key bondholders as disagreements stalled a potential deal. Asked about the situation on Friday, President Donald Trump said, “We’re looking at it,” adding, “If we can do it, we’d do it,” even as reports say operations could wind down as soon as this weekend.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Q: Did you decide against bailing out Spirit Airlines?
TRUMP: Well, I guess we&#8217;re looking at it. If we can do it, we&#8217;d do it
Q: They&#8217;re preparing to shut down this weekend
TRUMP: Well, we&#8217;re looking at it <a href="https://t.co/GUieC0F8Mm">pic.twitter.com/GUieC0F8Mm</a>
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/2050252136613593142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The low-cost carrier could shut down as soon as Saturday unless a last-minute deal comes together. Talks over government aid fell apart after bondholders pushed back on the terms, leaving the airline with only days of cash on hand, according to reports. U.S. officials are said to be closely monitoring the situation as pressure builds.
Despite the uncertainty, Spirit says it is continuing normal operations for now, with flights still scheduled and crews focused on completing trips safely. A spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations, saying only that the airline is “operating as usual.”
The potential collapse could disrupt travel for thousands of passengers across the country. Spirit operates dozens of routes, including nonstop flights between major cities such as Dallas-Fort Worth, Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, Nashville, New Orleans, and Newark. Travelers with upcoming flights are now facing uncertainty as the airline’s future hangs in the balance.
The crisis comes as budget carriers face mounting pressure from soaring jet fuel costs tied to global instability. Industry data shows fuel prices have surged sharply in recent months, squeezing already thin margins for low-cost airlines that rely on ultra-cheap fares to stay competitive.
A trade group representing several low-cost carriers, including Spirit, recently asked the Trump administration for $2.5 billion in temporary support, warning smaller airlines are being hit hardest even as they carry tens of millions of passengers each year. The group argued that short-term government backing would help preserve competition and prevent further consolidation in the airline industry.
Spirit, which has already filed for bankruptcy twice since 2024, had been exploring options to stay afloat, including possible government-backed financing. With talks stalled and time running out, the airline’s future now appears to hinge on whether any last-minute lifeline emerges — or whether one of the country’s most recognizable budget airlines disappears altogether.

Landing in sunset hues, airplane landing at sunrise.

Major Passenger Airline On Brink Of Shutdown After Lifeline Fails

Donald Trump

Spirit Airlines could shut down and begin liquidation as soon as this week, raising questions for travelers.
The airline has already filed for bankruptcy twice, and its latest effort to emerge from the process is not going well, CNBC reported.
“We don’t comment on market rumors and speculation,” the budget airline told <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/spirit-airlines-could-liquidate-as-early-as-this-week-sources-say.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNBC</a>.
Some travelers may be able to get refunds if their flights are canceled, depending on factors such as whether they booked with a credit card, have travel insurance, and others, according to The Points Guy.
InsureMyTrip CEO Suzanne Morrow said that travelers&#8217; options depend on “when that policy was purchased.”
“For those who already hold a policy, the answer is in the fine print. Timing plays a major role here. At this stage, many insurers view Spirit’s financial situation as a known or ‘foreseeable’ event, which can limit access to key benefits like Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption,” she added.
“If someone is thinking about buying coverage now, they should be aware that if Spirit ceases operations after the policy is purchased, standard cancellation or interruption benefits generally won’t apply,” Morrow continued.
A federal judge shot down a proposed merger between Spirit and JetBlue in 2024, a move supported by the Biden-era Justice Department. There were also reports late last year of a possible merger between Frontier Airlines and Spirit, <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Spirit-is-again-in-merger-talks-with-Frontier" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Travel Weekly</a> reported.
“Today’s decision by JetBlue is yet another victory for the Justice Department’s work on behalf of American consumers,” then-Attorney General Merrick Garland said after JetBlue scrapped the merger.
“The Justice Department proved in court that a merger between JetBlue and Spirit would have caused tens of millions of travelers to face higher fares and fewer choices. We will continue to vigorously enforce the nation’s antitrust laws,” Garland added.
The potential collapse of Spirit Airlines comes at a tumultuous time for air travel in the United States, as costs have risen due to higher fuel prices and other pressures on the industry.
The Daily Wire reached out to the Department of Transportation for comment.

Air Travel During Spring Break Travel Season

Airline Could Go Under Any Day. What Happens To Your Ticket Now?

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.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“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

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One In Ten Airport Screeners Skip Work As Funding Fight Drags On

The Real Reason Your Airport Is Now A Disaster Zone

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Opinion

Actor Macaulay Culkin and his fiancée, Brenda Song, vowed never to fly Alaska Airlines again after they were separated from their young children during a recent flight.
Song, best known for her role on the Disney Channel sitcom “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” shared what happened on her Instagram stories. 
“I didn’t know when you book your first class tickets 6 months in advance for your family of six for your son’s birthday — @alaskaair can just give away your seats the morning of with no warning — splitting up you and your 3 and 4 year old kids,” Song wrote on her Instagram Stories. “We will never fly @alaskaair again and neither should you.”
The couple has two sons: Dakota, 4, and Carson, 3. Culkin shared her post to his Stories, adding the caption, “Hell hath no fury like a Brenda scorned…”
A representative from Alaska Airlines <a href="https://people.com/brenda-song-calls-out-alaska-airlines-for-giving-up-her-familys-seats-with-no-warning-11931826">told</a> People in a statement that the incident was &#8220;unacceptable and not reflective of the care” the airline aims for.
&#8220;Traveling can be stressful, especially with young children, and we pride ourselves on being a top airline for traveling families,” the statement says. “We are deeply sorry for adding friction to the experience.&#8221;
Alaska Airlines noted that they &#8220;have reached out to the family to make it right.”
Song and Culkin met in 2017 on the set of “Changeland.” Though they’ve been known to keep their relationship private, they do sometimes make public appearances or do interviews that allow fans to get a peek into their lives. They’ve been engaged since 2022.
Airline seating policies have become a topic of debate in recent months. In January, Southwest Airlines <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/southwest-enters-a-new-era-as-airline-officially-ends-open-seating">changed its longstanding open seating policy</a> in favor of assigned seats, with mixed reviews from customers.
Then, in February, a family flying with two young children went viral after the father posted about his experience being randomly assigned to sit in a different row from his children. Many commenters <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/travel/family-outraged-after-major-airline-seats-toddler-apart-from-parents-sparking-viral-debate">pointed out</a> that the dad should have paid the upgrade fee to select seats together. But others argued that airlines should automatically seat parents and young children together.

Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin Swears Off Popular Airline After Seating Snafu With His Kids

Macaulay Culkin Swears Off Alaska Airlines After Seating Snafu With His Kids

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Airline CEOs are calling on Congress to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown as travelers face longer lines at the airport, and TSA agents are struggling to make ends meet while working without pay.
The department has faced a lapse in funding since Feb. 14 over a dispute regarding federal immigration enforcement policies. TSA, the Coast Guard, and FEMA are among the most heavily impacted agencies, as the Trump administration’s immigration agenda was already largely funded through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” last year.
“Americans-who live in your districts and home states-are tired of long lines at airports, travel delays and flight cancellations caused by shutdown after shutdown,” the letter addressed to Congress said, which was signed by the CEOs of Alaska Air Group, American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta, Southwest, Fedex, United, JetBlue, and UPS, as well as Airlines for America President and CEO Chris Sununu. The letter was first published in The Washington Post, according to a <a href="https://www.airlines.org/news/airline-ceos-open-letter-to-congress-published-in-the-washington-post/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a>.
“Yet, once again air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown,” the letter added, saying that the “problem is solvable.”
The letter released on Sunday comes as travelers are headed throughout the United States and around the globe for spring break vacations. The White House confirmed to The Daily Wire last week that 300 TSA agents have quit since the shutdown started, as the essential government employees received an empty paycheck this cycle. The Denver International Airport even asked people to consider giving $10 and $20 grocery store and gas station gift cards to TSA agents. Starting pay for agents can sometimes be under $40,000 a year.
“TSA officers just received $0 paychecks. That is simply unacceptable. It&#8217;s difficult, if not impossible, to put food on the table, put gas in the car and pay rent when you are not getting paid,” the letter added.
“But too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long-and painfully slow-lines at checkpoints. Wait times of 2, 3 and even 4 hours have been reported. Airlines are doing everything we can to mitigate disruption by holding flights for late passengers and rebooking others,” it added.
Talks to end the shutdown have appeared minimal as of late last week, with Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), the top Republican negotiator on the issue, saying that Democrats have yet to come to the table, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mounting-frustration-as-senate-dems-dig-in-on-dhs-shutdown?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Hundreds+Of+TSA+Workers+Quit+As+Dems+Dig+In+On+Shutdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported.
“TSA officers have gone 74 days without a paycheck in FY26 because of Democrats’ two shutdowns. This is absolutely unacceptable,” Britt posted to X on Monday in response to the airline CEOs&#8217; letter. “Democrats need to end their political posturing, stop using our TSA agents as political pawns, and fully fund DHS.”
However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) posted last week that “Democrats are ready to fund TSA. Republicans are blocking it. Democrats are ready to fund CISA. Republicans are blocking it. Democrats are ready to fund FEMA. And Coast Guard. Republicans are blocking it.”

Airline CEOs Send Warning As Americans Face 4-Hour Airport Lines

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Update, March 14: The ground stop has been lifted at the affected airports, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy <a href="https://x.com/SecDuffy/status/2032619927387914503">said</a>. Firefighters traced the smell to an overheated circuit breaker, and determined that there was no threat to workers.
WASHINGTON—Planes have been grounded at all three Washington, D.C.-area airports after a strong chemical smell forced workers to evacuate the region’s air traffic control center.
Flights were abruptly grounded at Reagan National, Dulles, and Baltimore-Washington International Airports late Friday, and inbound flights were diverted, causing major delays at one of the nation’s largest air travel hubs. It is unclear what caused the smell, or how long the airports will remain locked down. Flights were also grounded at Richmond International Airport.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨BREAKING🚨 GROUND STOP CURRENTLY AT THE FOLLOWING AIRPORTS:
⚠️ Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) 
⚠️ Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) 
⚠️ Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)⁰⚠️ Richmond International Airport (RIC)<a href="https://twitter.com/FAANews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FAANews</a> is working to…
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDuffy/status/2032582233920307569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
The FAA said the smell caused employees at the Potomac Consolidated Terminal RADAR Approach ​Control (TRACON) in Warrenton, Virginia, to evacuate the building, causing the delays. The agency is relocating controllers to a nearby facility, where they may begin diverting incoming flights due to congestion, Reuters <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/flights-halted-dc-airports-after-chemical-smell-2026-03-13/">reported</a>.
&#8220;The FAA has temporarily stopped traffic at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) because of a strong chemical smell at the Potomac TRACON that is impacting some air traffic controllers,&#8221; the agency said in a statement.
The D.C.-area airports will likely continue to experience delays even after operations resume.
Friday&#8217;s shutdown is the latest incident to put stress on the nation&#8217;s airports. Over 300 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mounting-frustration-as-senate-dems-dig-in-on-dhs-shutdown?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=undefined&amp;elementPosition=8&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;title=Hundreds+Of+TSA+Workers+Quit+As+Dems+Dig+In+On+Shutdown">TSA agents have quit</a> amid the ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which directly affects their pay. Even more are expected to begin calling out of work beginning Friday, the first day agents missed a paycheck since the shutdown began.
“Democrats, regrettably, have chosen to punish the American people with long TSA lines and withholding paychecks from workers who help protect our country,” the White House told The Daily Wire Friday afternoon, adding that the Trump administration remains “interested in continuing conversations with Democrats about ways to end this shutdown.”
This is a developing story, please refresh this page for more updates

Airport

Chemical Smell Suddenly Grounds Flights At Several Major Airports

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Why Our Disgusting Airports Are Proof Of The Country’s Decline

Why Our Disgusting Airports Are Proof Of The Country's Decline

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United Airlines is getting a lot of support from fed-up flyers for its new policy, which would require passengers to use their devices with headphones or risk being permanently banned from the airline. 
The new rule was added to United’s contract of carriage terms under its “refusal to transport” section in late February. At the time, the airline didn’t draw attention to the small tweak, but CBS News <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/united-airlines-remove-passengers-who-dont-wear-headphones/">reported</a> on the change earlier this week. 
United&#8217;s new rules say they may &#8220;refuse transport, on a permanent basis&#8221; any passengers who &#8220;fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.” 
The airline had already been encouraging headphone use for passengers. &#8220;Don&#8217;t worry if you forget your headphones for your flight. If they&#8217;re available, you can request free earbuds,&#8221; it says on the official <a href="https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/inflight/inflight-entertainment.html">website</a>.
A spokesperson for United confirmed the change, <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/03/04/lifestyle/united-airlines-updates-contract-of-carriage-rules-to-force-flyers-to-use-headphone-when-using-devices/">per</a> NY Post. “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 popular among social media users, with many questioning why the practice wasn’t standard across the airline industry.
“If anyone around you can hear any noise coming out of your phone, ever at all, you should be arrested and flogged and then thrown into the Pacific,” Daily Wire podcast host Matt Walsh <a href="https://x.com/mattwalshblog/status/2029542961025822966?s=43">observed</a>.
“The inane world we’re living in where we have to make this a RULE instead of accepting it as common sense and a courtesy to other humans…,” a second person <a href="https://x.com/BroadsideBrief/status/2029555092177727871">agreed</a>.
“I don&#8217;t get it,” a third person chimed in. “Why do people actually feel the need to use speakers? I never did and never will. Don&#8217;t they know how disturbing it is? I see many people using speakers while talking on the phone like they are the only person in this world.”
Travel expert Scott Keyes told CBS News that only a small minority of travelers violate this standard of decorum, but the comments prove that the policy was needed.
&#8220;This is in line with how the vast majority of travelers comport themselves and would like others to comport themselves,&#8221; he told the outlet. &#8220;It&#8217;s usually only a small number of folks on airplanes who are making noise by not using headphones, so this is a graceful way to handle those folks.&#8221;

Airplane headphones

United Airlines Threatens To Ban Passengers Who Make Noisy Faux Pas

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