SFGATE - Travel

United to JFK; Hawaii testing blossoms; another SFO lounge + more travel news

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 22:52:54 GMT

SFO transcon flyers get a second NYC option on United, Hawaii testing options blossom, and SFO gets yet another lounge this month.

Routes: United at JFK, Hawaii updates, Alaska-American + AAdvantage, Southwest, AmEx at SFO, more

Sat, 17 Oct 2020 17:12:05 GMT

In route news, it looks like SFO transcon flyers on United will get the option of Newark or JFK next year.

Take a look inside SFO's big USO lounge upgrade for service members

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 16:35:36 GMT

The USO is now back in business in a brand new location, hosting about 30,000 active duty military travelers each year. Take a look inside!

Hawaii's murky reopening, more SFO flights, T-giving travel plans + more travel news

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 19:14:31 GMT

With just a few days left before Hawaii-bound travelers can skip quarantine and head straight for the beach, the state's plan to reopen tourism is showing cracks.

Cracks, confusion appear as Hawaii traveler testing deadline looms

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 11:33:40 GMT

The Aloha State’s plan to reopen tourism is showing as many cracks and fissures as a lava field, but the uncertainty around booking trips might actually be a good thing for Hawaii

Routes: Two Latin nations re-open, United to China; TAP, Hawaii flights

Sat, 10 Oct 2020 21:41:06 GMT

In airline route news, United revives flights to China, two Latin American countries re-open to Americans and Hawaii gets more flights.

Runway paving project could delay SFO flights through Oct. 16

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 22:09:47 GMT

Currently, two of SFO's four runways are closed down for a major maintenance project that could cause flight delays.

Southwest Airlines to fly between Oakland and Palm Springs for $79 roundtrip

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 22:10:08 GMT

New Southwest service is going to make a getting to and from Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley this winter quicker, easier and less expensive on all airlines.

The good news: Smaller airport crowds this Thanksgiving...

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:31:59 GMT

If you have been dreading the annual Thanksgiving crunch, you won't have much to worry about this year as early indications are that we could be headed into the lightest holiday travel season in decades.

Qatar Airways lands at SFO this December

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 22:31:57 GMT

Qatar Airways will land at SFO on December 15, 2020 with four weekly flights using a new Airbus A350-900.

New SFO lounge, COVID tests, Walmart Int'l airport, Paris locks down + more travel news

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 22:34:11 GMT

In airline news, Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines set plans to resume many Hawaii routes; new COVID-19 testing options are available from Hawaiian, Alaska, American and JetBlue; JetBlue founder’s new low-cost domestic airline eyes a spring start; United may return to JFK next year; route news from Delta, United, SAS; Customs preclearance coming to Brussels; San Francisco International starts CBP photo recognition program for arriving passengers; Mineta San Jose speeds Uber pick-ups; Berlin’s new airport finally opens nine years late; and Denver International debuts a reservations-only TSA screening line. Read: Routes: Hawaii route revivals, COVID-19 testing; UA to JFK? + Breeze, SFO, SJC, Berlin, Denver

First look inside SFO's new American Airlines Admirals Club

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 22:34:11 GMT

After a lengthy delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, American opened its highly anticipated new Admirals Club in Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Tuesday — with some modifications to keep passengers and airline staff safe. American gave SFGATE a first look inside the new lounge, a space many frequent SFO Admirals Club visitors have been curious about.

Routes: Hawaii route revivals, COVID-19 testing; UA to JFK? + Breeze, SFO, SJC, Berlin, Denver

Sat, 03 Oct 2020 16:12:13 GMT

In route news, Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines set plans to resume many Hawaii routes; new COVID-19 testing options are available from Hawaiian, Alaska, American and JetBlue; JetBlue founder’s new low-cost domestic airline eyes a spring start; United may return to JFK next year; route news from Delta, United, SAS; Customs preclearance coming to Brussels; San Francisco International starts CBP photo recognition program for arriving passengers; Mineta San Jose speeds Uber pick-ups; Berlin’s new airport finally opens nine years late; and Denver International debuts a reservations-only TSA screening line.

Why your local Walmart will soon look like an airport

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 17:55:51 GMT

Grounded fliers feeling nostalgic about walking through airports will find some solace in Walmart's new store designs. The giant retail chain is getting inspiration from airports as it revamps the layout and signage of its stores to speed up shopping and better cater to smartphone-armed customers.

A long way home to Australia for stranded flight attendant

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 18:51:21 GMT

Michelle Parker, a San Francisco-based flight attendant for a U.S. carrier, with a house, a spouse and three kids living in Sydney, Australia, really wants to go home, and stay home. But she can't.

That's because of Australia's stringent quarantine rules that are currently allowing a very measured number of citizens and permanent residents to trickle back into the country. Currently, that number is set at just 6,000 per week.

Oakland Airport will offer free COVID-19 tests for Hawaii-bound travelers

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 18:51:21 GMT

Following recent announcements from both United and Hawaiian Airlines that they will make COVID-19 testing available at San Francisco International for Hawaii-bound travelers, Oakland International Airport has come out with its own plans for passenger testing – and at no cost to the traveler.

The state of Hawaii is preparing to reopen to tourists on Oct. 15, granting an exemption from its mandatory 14-day quarantine rule for travelers who get a COVID test no more than 72 hours before departure and show proof of a negative result upon arrival. Travelers who don’t have their results by the time they land will have to quarantine until the results come in.

Hawaii testing update, Palm Springs hotter, more JetBlue at SFO + more travel news

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 03:11:48 GMT

This past August was the hottest ever in Palm Springs, with high temperatures rising to 110 or above on 24 days, and even hitting an astonishing 120 degrees. That kind of heat would normally keep away all but the most intrepid desert rats. But not during a pandemic. Since June, after county and state leaders allowed hotels and home rentals to re-open, Palm Springs has enjoyed a relative surge of visitors — and that interest should extend into the cooler fall and winter months.

Why is Palm Springs so hot these days?

Sun, 27 Sep 2020 11:26:00 GMT

This past August was the hottest ever in Palm Springs, with high temperatures rising to 110 or above on 24 days, and even hitting an astonishing 120 degrees.

That kind of heat would normally keep away all but the most intrepid desert rats. But not during a pandemic. Since June, after county and state leaders allowed hotels and home rentals to re-open, Palm Springs has enjoyed a relative surge of visitors-- and that interest should extend into the fall.

Routes: Latest on Hawaii tests + JetBlue, Alaska expand, Delta perks, Emirates exit

Sat, 26 Sep 2020 18:31:30 GMT

In route news, Hawaiian Airlines joins United in offering COVID-19 testing; the state of Hawaii offers more details on preparations for Oct. 15 reopening; JetBlue will begin new transcontinental routes, including one from San Francisco; Alaska Airlines sets new California routes, including one from San Jose; Palm Springs emerges as one of airlines’ hottest destinations this winter; Delta extends perks for SkyMiles and Sky Club members; Emirates scraps winter schedule to SFO; American adds Mexico routes; and El Al faces an ownership controversy.

United offers COVID-19 tests at SFO for Hawaii passengers, but they are not cheap

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 12:11:15 GMT

Hawaii has set Oct. 15 as the date when it will open up tourism to visitors who have tested negative for COVID-19, and United Airlines aims to make that easier by offering a pilot testing program for its San Francisco passengers. But it won't be cheap.