Latest news with #HowtoAvoidStrangersonAirplanes
New York Post
07-05-2025
- New York Post
Experts' tips to not get ‘stranded' at Newark Airport: ‘Avoid any connections through EWR'
Flight passengers departing and connecting through Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey are sharing concerns about travel delays amid recent airport mishaps — as experts share alternative ideas and bus companies report increases in ridership. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a ground delay for EWR due to staffing shortages, weather and construction issues as a recent report found that air traffic controllers briefly lost radar and radio signals last week. Advertisement Brandon Blewett, the Texas-based author of 'How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes,' told Fox News Digital he has found EWR to be less reliable in recent days, but would still use the airport. 'If it was New Jersey, I'd likely still fly into Newark but choose the earliest flights, which typically face fewer delays,' said Blewett. 'I'd avoid any connections through EWR right now … for better reliability,' he said. For travelers to and from New York City, Blewett suggested looking at other airports. Advertisement 'I'd consider alternatives to EWR like LGA and JFK until the runway reopens and ATC staffing stabilizes,' said Blewett. 'It may be more of a headache in traffic, but it seems you're less likely to be stranded for the time being.' 3 Leah Wagner, 47, sits on the floor in front of the United Airlines check-in at Terminal C in Newark Liberty International Airport, on May 6, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. Getty Images Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog 'View From the Wing,' told Fox News Digital that passengers should avoid New York airports for connecting flights. 'If you're connecting, it's often a good idea to avoid New York airports. If you originate in New York, it really depends on where in the city you're based,' he said. Advertisement 'While Newark is facing significant problems right now, I'm not sure I'd bounce over to JFK if I lived on Staten Island,' he added. 'Weigh the evils.' Some passengers have taken to social media to discuss the disruptions at EWR. One Reddit post entitled, 'Newark airport unsafe???' in the 'r/newjersey' forum garnered over 1,000 reactions and hundreds of comments. The user asked, 'Should I do the unthinkable and switch my EWR flight this weekend to JFK? how nervous should we be about this?' Advertisement 'I just flew into Newark this morning from New Mexico. I survived,' commented one person. 3 A taxi passes by an airport control tower at Newark Liberty International Airport, on May 6, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. Getty Images Another user shared, 'Just flew into EWR … Flight delayed 1 hr, checked in bags on a different flight (2.5 hrs later) because of plane weight issues, and had to be pulled by a tug because the plane overshot the jet bridge by 1.5 ft.' Said another person, 'I flew into Newark yesterday and the delays were annoying.' A Redditor commented, 'I flew out of EWR last week and back yesterday. All the delays we had both times were infuriating. Never had that experience before. And the times just kept changing. I almost changed my flight yesterday to LaGuardia or Trenton.' 'The issue is [that] air traffic controllers are in demand and they're very understaffed,' said one user. 'EWR obviously has a lot of traffic, so I kind of get it.' 3 An employee stands at the United Airlines check-in area at Terminal C of Newark Liberty International Airpor on May 6, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. Getty Images 'Bus travel a vital alternative' A spokesperson for Flix North America, the parent company of FlixBus and Greyhound, told Fox News Digital the company has seen an increase in riders. Advertisement 'We can confirm Flix North America has seen a 35% increase in originating passengers at our Newark location across both Greyhound and FlixBus within a span of just three days,' said the spokesperson. 'Ticket sales at this location are also up more than 80% year over year.' The spokesperson added, 'We are closely monitoring the situation and are well-prepared to welcome passengers impacted by flight cancellations and delays.' The spokesperson also said, 'In times like these, bus travel serves as a vital alternative, offering travelers an affordable, accessible and dependable way to reach their destinations.'
Fox News
11-04-2025
- Fox News
Airport's strict 'quiet policy' has flight passengers sounding off
One traveler is drawing attention from many others to a particular airport policy. Posted in the "r/unitedairlines" forum on Reddit, the post was entitled, "What do you think of SFO's 'Quiet Airport policy'? Should other airports take note?" The user then shared a photo of a monitor screen at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) that says, "This is a quiet airport," along with a speaker crossed out. "Flight announcements are made only [at] the boarding gates. Please refer to displays or your airline's app for real-time status," the screen says. Reddit users took to the comments section to debate whether or they supported this travel change. "I LOVE IT! There are so many ways to get notified (email, text, airline app push notifications) that you don't need loud announcements across the airport," said one user. Another person commented, "The only announcements needed are for left-behind items and lost children or old people." Said yet another, "Yes! Other airports need to take notes." A Redditor shared, "I flew through SFO a few weeks ago for the first time in a decade. The first thing I noticed was how quiet and peaceful it was compared to my outbound route with the connection in DFW," referencing the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. "For a 4-hour layover, it was GLORIOUS to not have all the noise. It seemed like people were calmer and not in a rush, either. Not sure it's related, but feels like it is," the person added. "Would be cool if they compensate[d] by adding more signs/screens around the terminal with flight alerts," said another user. "Otherwise, it's sort of a degradation of service in ways. And how does this work for blind people? They have to stay by the gate at all times." One user commented, "The best way to eliminate most noise is to make all passengers and employees use earbuds or headphones when using devices, including phones." Another Redditor wrote, "It's my home airport and I love it. I believe it sets the tone for a more calm and relaxed travel experience." The "quiet airport" program was launched in 2018. Its intention was "to limit sound footprints and establish guidelines around the use of music in tenant spaces," according to SFO's website. "The SFO Customer Care team realigned where public address announcements would be made, to ensure that audio paging for passengers would be made only in necessary and relevant areas," the announcement added. Staff at the airport estimated more than 90 minutes of unnecessary announcements have been eliminated each day, for a 40% reduction. Fox News Digital reached out to SFO for further comment. Brandon Blewett, the Texas-based author of "How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes," told Fox News Digital he's flown through SFO since 2020 and was not aware of the policy — but appreciates the intent. "Airports aren't exactly known for their serenity." "Airports aren't exactly known for their serenity," he said. "You've got hard surface floors, carts beeping, people FaceTiming at full volume, and neighboring gate agents just trying to make sure the right passengers get up [for boarding]." Blewett added, "Maybe I'm an outlier because I live in airports, but for me, quiet isn't the expectation — it just all blends together as background noise." "In theory, I like the idea of limiting overhead announcements," Blewett also said. However, he said, "the execution sounds doomed. If a gate agent has to contact airport staff — who then target a specific speaker zone just to announce a gate change or final boarding based on where they think a passenger might be — it starts to feel less like a 'quiet revolution' and more like sonar whack-a-mole."
Fox News
19-03-2025
- Fox News
Flight passenger's 'bar buddy' called out for seat squatting: 'So awkward'
Whether friend or foe, flyers might be unsure who they can trust when it comes to getting their seat stolen on a plane. One passenger heading from Chicago to New York City took to Reddit to share a "seat stealer" story. In the forum "r/delta," the user said that they went to an Irish bar in the Chicago Midway International Airport for a drink and began chatting with a fellow patron. "Joked around with the guy next to me about his weak-looking old-fashioned, to which he rolled his eyes and agreed with me, also showing his $30 tab for said poor drink. He left for the lounge after getting [a] notification," the person wrote. The user said they and their spouse had been upgraded to first class. "Got on the plane and my bar buddy was in our seat. I showed him my ticket and he moved aside. I said, nooo sorry we have both seats. He mumbled and moved back to the first row of comfort plus," the user wrote in the post. "He wasn't rude, but it was so awkward. I'm like, bro I thought we were friends," the post concluded. Reddit users took to the comments section to discuss the encounter. "You aren't friends. He's a seat stealer. Don't call a seat stealer a friend," commented one blunt user. Another user added, "It astounds me the people who think they can get away with sneaking into an entirely different class of service like that." "I bet this wasn't his first time. People do this because they know they can get away with it or have to sit in their assigned seat at worst," said one Redditor. "Sounds like homeboy was a bit tipsy. Surprised he was able to board," another person wrote. "Small world," a user commented. "Who steals seats, knowing it can just be shown that it's not their seat and they'd be told to move. It's wild," added a user. "I don't understand why these people think the FAs [flight attendants] won't notice someone in a FC seat that isn't supposed to be there," said another. Brandon Blewett, Texas-based author of the book "How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes," told Fox News Digital that he sees more people encountering airplane seat squatters. "Let the flight attendant handle it. Nobody wants to go viral in a reel titled, 'Passenger meltdown at 30,000 feet,'" Blewett advised. He said sitting in someone else's seat can cause disruptions to an entire flight. "[Squatter] encounters often lead to delays that often cascade, leading to missed connections and frustrated passengers throughout the cabin," Blewett added.
