Aerial photograph of San Francisco International airport in twilight

Airlines + Airports

While the airlines and airports travelers use are often dictated by their departure point and destination, there are still options to consider for planning the best trip. Travel + Leisure's writers and editors draw on their extensive experience to help ease your journey and elevate your in-flight experience. Before you take off, check out the latest airline news, terminal guides, and insider tips.

Latest Stories
Low angle selective focus shot of unrecognisable people boarding a plane, walking up the aisle. The plane is going to the UK from France.
You Can Get Kicked Off a Plane for Being Barefoot — and 14 Other Reasons You Can Be Removed From a Flight
comfy mens plane outfits
I'm a Frequent Flier, and These Are the 16 Comfiest Airplane Outfits for Men — Starting at $34
Some passengers wait patiently in an airport lounge for their flights, sitting in chairs and passing the time chatting and looking at their smartphones.
Do Airlines Really Have Dress Codes? What to Know
Asian men hand pressing blue flush button sign at the air plane lavatory to clean after use. Interior toilet design to match with small space inside the aircraft.
Here's What Happens When You Flush the Toilet on an Airplane
A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. The FAA's authority over federal aviation programs has been extended through Dec. 31 as part of the stopgap legislation to keep the government open that President Joe Biden signed on Saturday, narrowly averting a lapse as long-term reauthorization remains tied up in disagreement over pilot training.
What Happens If You Bring a Prohibited Item Through Airport Security? We Asked the TSA
Passengers on board an airplane
Here's Why Planes Smell Like Burning Fuel Before Takeoff, According to Aviation Experts
Exterior of a Tropic Ocean Airway Aircraft
I Flew This Semi-private Airline’s New Route From Palm Beach to the Bahamas' Out Islands — and Airfare Was Actually Affordable
Lufthansa Lounge at EWR
Lufthansa's Newark Lounge Just Got a $10 Million Makeover — Take a Look Inside
pretty young business woman working in the train station.
How to Use Google Flights to Save Money, According to a Google Employee
Plaza Premium Lounge in Orlando
15 of the Best Priority Pass Lounges Around the World
Woman walking the aisle on plane
How to Get the Best Seat in Coach, According to Experts
Woman sitting in economy class
Can You Get Downgraded From First Class on a Flight? What to Know
A woman walking through an airport
Can You Leave the Airport During a Layover? What to Know
Interior of commercial aircraft cabin with rows of seats down the aisle
Why Do Airlines Overbook Flights — and What to Do If You Get Bumped
Air France Business Class cabin
I Flew in the World's Most Spacious Business-class Seat — Complete With Lie-flat Seats, Sliding Doors, and 17-inch Screens
Rear View, Young Asian at the Airport in China
What to Know About Airline Million Miler Status
A Clear biometric screening kiosk inside Terminal 7 at Los Angeles International Airport
How to Get Clear for Free
The suitcase lost by the airport staff lies on the floor. Concept of lost luggage.
What to Do When an Airline Loses Your Luggage
Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris, Check-in area in Aerogare 2, Terminal 2E, for international departures
How Do Airports Get Their 3-letter Codes?
TSA accepted lock on luggage bag or suitcase
Do Luggage Locks Actually Make Your Luggage More Secure? We Asked the TSA
A pilot's hand on the controls of a plane.
Why Airplanes Make These 7 Common Sounds During a Flight
A person holding a passport holder
Can You Fly With a Damaged Passport? What to Know
Commercial airplane on the airfield docked with passenger ladder
Ground Stops, Explained: What They Are and How They Could Impact Your Flights
Salt Lake City International Airport
This Major U.S. Airport Is Getting a Delta One Lounge
Plane on a tarmac
Why Last-minute Flights Are so Expensive — and How to Save Anyway
Collage of different travel essentials we recommend to make air travel easier
10 Airport Mistakes I See Travelers Make — and What You Should Do Instead to Save Time and Money
A Cessna 750 Citation X Plus, owned by a private company, is taking off from Barcelona Airport
The 10 Fastest Planes in the World
View of the Global Entry computers at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the San Francisco International airport on Thursday, July 26, 2018 in San Francisco, Calif.
Is Global Entry Worth It? What to Consider Before You Apply
Foil wrapped luggage are seen at the Barajas Airport in Madrid
Does Wrapping Your Luggage Make It More Secure? TSA Weighs In
A tray of caviar with Qatar Airways Business Class
This Airline Is Giving Its Business Class a First Class Upgrade With This Over-the-top Offering
Young girl using phone to check in airport before boarding
8 Airlines That Give Students and Young Adults Discounts and Exclusive Benefits
Aerial view of the Qatar Airways Next Gen Q-Suite
Qatar Airways Unveils Massive 'Next Gen' Suites — See Inside
Immigration, Airplane, Airport, Airport Check-in Counter, Journey
There Are 2 Types of No-fly Lists — What to Know About Each One
A passenger plane on a runway in a blizzard
Here's How Dangerous Frost Really Is to a Plane, According to a Former Pilot
Grey tray filled with liquid toiletries in a clear zip top bag, boarding pass and a beige tote bag. A female hand is holding the tray on a roller conveyors table at airport security.
This Hack Lets You Bring Larger Liquids Through TSA — What to Know
A Hoper helicopter over the Greek Islands
The First-ever Helicopter Airline in Greece Launches — and Fares Are Actually Affordable
Handsome young man using smart phone and drinking coffee while in an Airplane.
Why Some Airplane Seats Don't Align With Windows — and How to Avoid Them
Lizzethe Escoto of Continental Airlines looks over at a friend who has to use the Customs line as she uses a Global Entry kiosk to enter the country
How to Get Global Entry for Free
No smoking sign in an airplane bathroom
The Important Reason Airplanes Still Have Ashtrays Despite the Smoking Ban
A JetBlue A320 airplane flying through the clouds
JetBlue and British Airways' Codeshare Partnership Has Been Approved — What We Know So Far
Passenger travel via commercial air plane. Travel and airline business concept.
Do Flight Attendants Get Free Flights? Experts Weigh In
Seats on board an American Airlines flight
American Airlines Changes Course, Reverts Back to Allowing Travelers to Earn Miles When Booking Flights Via Third Party
Cropped shot of young woman booking flight tickets on airline website online with laptop, entering credit card details to make online payment at home. Travel planning. Booking a holiday online. Travel and vacations concept. Business trip planning - stock photo
Why Are Flights So Expensive Right Now? We Asked the Experts
Bark Air
Flights on This New Airline for Dogs — with $8,000 Tickets — Are Selling Out
Iconic British World War II Supermarine Spitfire fighter photographed at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.
9 Best International Aviation Museums
JetBlue ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating flight to Scotland.
I Just Arrived in Edinburgh on JetBlue's First Flight to Scotland — Here's What to Expect on the New Route
Aircraft wing on the clouds,flying background. Airplane wing and white clouds
Why Airplanes Fly at 35,000 Feet, According to a Former Pilot
Several Southwest Planes
Southwest Airlines Is Now Featured on Google Flights
Several contrails in the sky
What Those White Lines Behind Airplanes in the Sky Really Are
Gros Piton - the famous volcanic peak in St Lucia
American Airlines Is Adding 8 New Caribbean Routes This Winter
Sydney Australia, Crew Bunk bed under the roof of an aircraft. Prepaired with a blanket and pillow.
Here's Where Pilots and Flights Attendants Sleep on Long-haul Flights
Passengers check in at Oakland International Airports Terminal 1
Oakland Airport's Name Change Is Causing Controversy — Here's Why
Low angle view of airplane against sky
Why Airplanes Are Almost Always Painted White
View of the tarmac from the Sky Deck at the new LaGuardia Airport Delta Lounge Expansion
Delta's Largest Lounge In the Country Just Got Even Bigger — See Inside
A dimmed airplane cabin
Why Flight Attendants Dim the Lights During Takeoff and Landing
Aerial view of Paradise Island harbor and Nassau with vibrant colored condos and yachts.
Southwest Adds New Route to the Bahamas From This Major U.S. Hub
Airplane floating in the air
The Scientific Reason Planes Sometimes Look Like They're Frozen Midair
Aerial view over San Juan Old Town, Puerto Rico
JetBlue Launches New Flights to Puerto Rico, Bonaire, and More in Latest Expansion
View of a plane shade that is open
Here's Why Window Shades Have to Be Up During Takeoff and Landing
Etihad and JetBlue airplanes
JetBlue Just Made It Easier to Travel to the UAE With Expanded Etihad Partnership
Airport waiting area, airplane taking off
What Is Skiplagging? What to Know About the Controversial Air Travel Hack
Female tourist taking a photo with smartphone in Amsterdam
Delta Restarting Route to Amsterdam From This Major U.S. Hub