The New York Times recently issued its look ahead for 2018 in the travel industry, and the newspaper’s rundown of what we can expect touched on a variety of headline-making categories, according to the following article published by travelpulse.com:
The preview covered such things as high-tech smart bags, new airline routes and increased security screening procedures along with the reopening of more hotels in the Caribbean, regulations on Airbnb rentals in Paris and new high-speed trains in Israel.
New Airport Security Measures
Electronics larger than a cell phone will be put through enhanced screening measures going forward.
Laptops have long been required to be removed from carry-on bags. Nevertheless, under new rules issued by the Transportation Security Administration, such things as e-readers, noise-canceling headphones and hand-held games will also need to be placed in a separate bin for inspection when passing through airport security.
Up until recently, the new rule was being tested in specific airports. It will be rolled out to all of them by spring.
Real ID Act
As of January 22, a driver’s license or identification card issued by a state may no longer be enough.
Licenses and identification cards must be compliant with the new minimum security standards under the Real ID Act. If they’re not, passengers will need an alternative form of identification even to fly within the US.
US passengers should take a few minutes to investigate whether their state is compliant, or alternatively, has been approved for an extension to meet Real ID Act standards. They must visit the relative Department of Homeland Security website to find out more. Texas and Vermont are already compliant, while California and New York have been granted extensions.
So Long Smart Bags
High-tech travel bags that can charge portable electronics and be locked remotely have been a boon for many busy, harried jet-setters. Yet, they haven’t been viewed so favorably by airlines.
As of January 15, 2018, a variety of airlines will no longer allow smart bags that permit lithium-ion batteries unless the batteries can be removed. Carriers shifting to this new policy include American, Delta, United, Hawaiian and Alaska.
As TravelPulse’s Donald Wood wrote in December, the objection to the batteries is that they can potentially overheat and cause a fire during flight. The high-tech luggage will be allowed as a carry-on, but the battery must be removable in the event that an airline is forced to downsize to a smaller plane without overhead bin space.
The New York Times’ full look ahead for 2018 can be viewed here.
Read more here.
Related link: https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/guide-airport-security-options.php
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Source: travelpulse.com
