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Friday

He had a plane to himself after an 18-hour delay. What happened next was a wild ride

Phil Stringer bonded with the crew members on his recent flight from Oklahoma City to Charlotte, N.C. He even plans to visit them in Dallas later this month. Phil Stringer hide caption

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Phil Stringer

National

He had a plane to himself after an 18-hour delay. What happened next was a wild ride

Phil Stringer was the only passenger on his long-delayed flight from Oklahoma City to Charlotte, N.C. He credits crew members for their positive attitude — and is planning a trip to visit them soon.

Friday

Traveling over the Fourth of July weekend? So is everyone else

More than 50 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the upcoming July Fourth weekend. Traffic in Austin, Texas, is seen here in April. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption

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Brandon Bell/Getty Images

National

Traveling over the Fourth of July weekend? So is everyone else

AAA is forecasting record-high travel this weekend, when more than 50 million Americans are expected to get out of town. That could mean clogged roads and snarls at airports.

Saturday

China's COVID surge prompts CDC to expand a hunt for new variants among air travelers

In hopes of getting a better sense of which SARS-CoV-2 variants might be coming into the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently expanded its voluntary testing of some passengers exiting from international flights at certain airports. Rick Bowmer/AP hide caption

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Rick Bowmer/AP

Shots - Health News

China's COVID surge prompts CDC to expand a hunt for new variants among air travelers

It would make more sense to screen a plane's wastewater to look for new variants than to screen individual passenger volunteers, some researchers say. Others say any information is helpful.

China's COVID surge prompts CDC to expand a hunt for new variants among air travelers

Audio will be available later today.

Saturday

Friday

The mask mandate is off for U.S. travelers. In other countries it's definitely on

Masks are just one protective measure for these airline passengers arriving in Shanghai from Paris. Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

The mask mandate is off for U.S. travelers. In other countries it's definitely on

In China, for example, not only are masks required on planes but gloves are recommended — and passengers are urged not to touch their face during the flight. Here's what you'll find around the globe.

Here's why you might still want to wear masks on public transport

Travelers sit in a waiting area at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Providence, R.I., on April 19. A federal judge's decision to strike down the federal mask mandate has left travelers to assess the risks of public transit on their own. David Goldman/AP hide caption

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David Goldman/AP

Shots - Health News

Here's why you might still want to wear masks on public transport

Sure, you don't have to wear a mask on airplanes, buses and ride shares anymore, but you still might want to depending on the circumstances. Here's what experts say about the risks.

Monday

Tuesday

Passengers could lose their TSA PreCheck privilege over unruly behavior on flights

Air passengers heading to their departure gates enter TSA PreCheck at Orlando International Airport. Access to PreCheck could now be revoked for unruly passengers. John Raoux/AP hide caption

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John Raoux/AP

National

Passengers could lose their TSA PreCheck privilege over unruly behavior on flights

The Federal Aviation Administration says it will share information of passengers who are being fined for unruly behavior with the Transportation Security Administration.

Monday

New U.S. COVID vaccine rules for international travelers kick in today. Here's a guide

International visitors who fly into the U.S. will have a new set of rules and requirements regarding COVID-19 vaccines, starting Nov. 8. Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

New U.S. COVID vaccine rules for international travelers kick in today. Here's a guide

The requirements set by the Biden administration take effect Nov. 8 and cover approved vaccines, exceptions for the unvaccinated and protocols after arrival.

Friday

Coronavirus FAQ: What's The Advice About Traveling In The Delta Variant Era?

Passengers queue up at Greece's Thessaloniki Makedonia Airport on Sept. 2. Recommendations about physical distancing prove hard to follow at airports — and in the jetway leading to the plane. Konstantinos Tsakalidis/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Konstantinos Tsakalidis/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: What's The Advice About Traveling In The Delta Variant Era?

Here are questions to ask yourself — and databases to check — before making the decision to take off as the highly contagious coronavirus variant continues spreading.

Thursday

United Airlines Wants to Revive Supersonic Travel. But What About Climate Change?

An illustration of the Overture supersonic airliner designed by the Boom Supersonic company of Denver, Colo. United Airlines announced it will purchase 15 of the planes for commercial passenger service. United Airlines hide caption

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United Airlines

Business

United Airlines Wants to Revive Supersonic Travel. But What About Climate Change?

Boom Supersonic's Overture is designed to travel twice as fast as current airliners and complete transcontinental flights in roughly half the time. Passenger flights are expected to begin in 2029.

Thursday

Here's What Is (And Isn't) Changed By The New CDC Mask Guidance

A woman walks past posters explaining mask requirements at Grand Central Terminal train station in New York City on Wednesday. Rules requiring masks on transit are unchanged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated mask guidance for fully vaccinated people. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

The Coronavirus Crisis

Here's What Is (And Isn't) Changed By The New CDC Mask Guidance

Some parts of public life in the U.S. still operate according to restrictive rules, and that includes planes, trains and buses.

Tuesday

Friday

CDC Says Travel Is Safe For Fully Vaccinated People, But Opposes Nonessential Trips

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its domestic travel guidance for fully vaccinated people on Friday, lifting certain requirements while continuing to advise mitigation measures like mask-wearing and hand-washing. Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Coronavirus Updates

CDC Says Travel Is Safe For Fully Vaccinated People, But Opposes Nonessential Trips

Guidance released Friday allows fully vaccinated people to travel domestically without getting tested or self-quarantining, but advises them to keep practicing mitigation measures to protect others.

Friday

While Some Spring Breakers Swarm Beaches, Many Stay Home, Dreaming Of Summer Travel

For lighter moments during the coronavirus pandemic, passersby had an opportunity to vote for their stay at home spring break moments on the retaining wall of a home in St. Paul, Minn. Jim Mone/AP hide caption

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Jim Mone/AP

National

While Some Spring Breakers Swarm Beaches, Many Stay Home, Dreaming Of Summer Travel

Many colleges and universities are cancelling or shortening the annual week off that's usually a rite of spring, but good vaccination news has people booking vacations over the summer months.