Are Masks on Airplanes Here to Stay? | Airlines Canceling Hundreds of Flights

I hope that all who were celebrating had a very Merry Christmas! We sure did because Santa showed up and my family is healthy, which seems to be an anomaly these days. Almost everyone I know has an immediate family member or a close friend who is sick with Covid.

The good news is that those who are fully vaccinated and boosted didn't even know they had it. They only found out by getting tested before a trip or a family get-together. This is why it's important to test yourself before getting on a plane since you don't want to be forced to quarantine (at your own expense) upon arrival like some people I know.

Unfortunately, omicron is running rampant through airline crews too as airlines have canceled hundreds of flights since they don't have enough backup workers. As of 10:33am PT, here are the numbers just for today (the first number is today's cancelations and the second is the number of delayed flights):

Delta: 133 | 305
JetBlue 110 | 230
United 103 | 188
American Airlines 74 | 240
SkyWest 84 | 274
Allegiant Air 68 | 69
Southwest 56 | 431

Omicron is definitely impacting travelers as TSA security checkpoint numbers have fallen off a cliff. TSA officers screened 1,533,398 people yesterday, December 25. Two years ago on the same day, that number was 2,470,786. It's still an improvement from 2020, when 1,128,773 people passed through.

What to Do: Weather Delays and Flight Cancellations
Some of the cancelations are related to weather so here's what to do if your flight is delayed or canceled.

Deal of the Day: 26% off NutriBullet Blender
My wife and I drink green smoothies almost every day (and definitely before we head out to the airport). If you're planning to get healthy in 2022, a NutriBullet blender can help you easily add more greens to your diet - it has for us. Plus, it's on sale for 26% off today and it's a great long-term investment in your health. Read more here.

Travel Tips/Stories from This Week

Travel Quote of the Day
“Santa Claus had the right idea. Visit people only once a year.” — Victor Borge

Travel Tweet of the Day
@ashishk: "As Omicron cases explode. We need a strategy for isolating folks who test positive. We need to think about the purpose of isolation clearly. Because if we don't get it right, It'll both be hugely disruptive and won't keep us safe. So let's discuss what we need to do. Thread.

Travel Tips from Last Week:
Monday:
-These Straps Will Prevent Sore Ears from Wearing a Mask
-What's the Best First Class Between Miami and New York and Airline Cancelation Policy
-Ryanair Wins Twitter By Throwing the UK Government Under the Bus
Tuesday:
-An Obvious Resource That Many Travelers Don't Take Advantage Of
Wednesday:
-The TSA’s Advice for Traveling with Gifts This Holiday Season
Thursday:
-PLAY, A New Low-Cost Icelandic Airline Is Offering Cheap Tickets to Europe
-39 Travel Questions with Captain Sandy from Bravo’s Below Deck Mediterranean
Friday:
-Warning: These Two Days Are Expected to Be the Busiest at U.S. Airports
-Holiday Gift Idea: The Smithsonian Children's Illustrated Atlas
Saturday:
-Manhattan Beach Police Respond to Possible Active Shooter at Manhattan Village and I Was There
-How Not to Get Scammed by the Bad Guys
-Holiday Gift Idea: Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree
-My travel segment on Leo Laporte's The Tech Guy
Sunday:
-Don't Go to Mexico?

Travel Product of the Day

Worried about the air you breathe when you travel, go out to eat or sit in a long meeting? I highly recommend getting Wynd Plus. It’s a portable air purifier with HEPA filters, about the size of a water bottle. My story.

Miles & Points
-Here's how you can earn extra American Airlines AAdvantage Miles when you fill up your gas tank, including an easy extra 100 bonus miles.
-Which of these top travel cards is better for you? Both earn 3x rewards on dining, come with an annual hotel credit, and more.

Travel Contests
-United Cruises - 1,000,000 Mile Sweepstakes (Dec 31)
-Win a trip to Puerto Rico, Florida, or St. Croix (Dec 31)
-Win an eight-day Viking cruise for two (Dec 31)
-Win a Caribbean cruise for two (Jan 16)
-Win a five-night getaway for two to the Dominican Republic (Jan 17)
See all contests here

P.S. As always, thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I hope you like it and you share with your friends, family and colleagues so they can subscribe to either my bi-weekly newsletter or Daily Travel Tip.

The Sunday Round-Up | December 26, 2021