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Olivia Harden

Travel Reporter at SFGATE -- based in California. Writing about social justice and mental health everywhere else. Passionate about food, exploring the world, and uplifting the voices of those who often go unheard.

SFGATE •

Trump admin ends policy requiring cash payouts for flight delays, cancellations

Just one week after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut up to 10% of their flights from 40 major U.S. airports, the Trump administration is scrapping a Biden-era policy that made getting refunds from airlines a lot easier.

Just one week after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut up to 10% of their flights from 40 major U.S. airports, the Trump administration is scrapping a Biden-era policy that made getting refunds from airlines a lot easier.

On F...
SFGATE •

Apple debuts mobile passport on iPhone. Here's how to use it.

Travelers who have a passport but not a Real ID are now able to leave their booklet in their bag.

Travelers who have a passport but not a Real ID are now able to leave their booklet in their bag.

On Wednesday, Apple launched its new Digital ID feature, having announced in June that it would debut as part of iOS 26. Travelers can now use their passports to create a Digital ID, which is valid for use at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at over 250 airports. It is not currently...
SFGATE •

Hawaii tourists are canceling their trips as flights are cut

As tourists question whether to cancel their trips to Hawaii, the Hawaii Department of Transportation has yet to receive a response from the Federal Aviation Administration regarding its request to be exempt from the mandate to drop up to 10% of flights at major airports.

As tourists question whether to cancel their trips to Hawaii, the Hawaii Department of Transportation has yet to receive a response from the Federal Aviation Administration regarding its request to be exempt from the mandate t...
SFGATE •

Bay Area tech company purchases LA airport ahead of World Cup and Olympics

A Bay Area tech company has purchased a small Los Angeles airport ahead of the 2028 Olympics.On Nov. 6, Archer Aviation, based in San Jose, announced it had purchased the Hawthorne Municipal Airport from the city of Hawthorne for $126 million. The company plans to use the airport to “serve as its operational hub for its planned LA air taxi network” and for test projects, including artificial intelligence-powered aviation technology.

A Bay Area tech company has purchased a small Los Angeles airp...
SFGATE •

How SFO's largest airlines are handling the FAA's reduction in flights

In an unprecedented move, the Federal Aviation Administration has directed airlines to cancel up to 10% of flights across 40 major airports to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who are not being paid during the government shutdown. Flights nationwide on Friday and Saturday have already been cancelled, and San Francisco International Airport is among the affected airports listed Thursday by the FAA, along with neighboring Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport.

In an unprecedented move, the...
SFGATE •

Why SFO TSA remains drama-free amid federal shutdown

As the government shutdown continues, causing flight delays and prompting an unprecedented move by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce flights by up to 10% at 40 major airports nationwide, the security gates at San Francisco International Airport remain intact.

As the government shutdown continues, causing flight delays and prompting an unprecedented move by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce flights by up to 10% at 40 major airports nationwide, the security gates at San Fr...
SFGATE •

What we know about Southwest's plans to build its first airport lounge

The Dallas-based airline, which started flying to Hawaii in 2019, has received approval from the Hawaii Department of Transportation to add a lounge to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Dallas-based airline, which started flying to Hawaii in 2019, has received approval from the Hawaii Department of Transportation to add a lounge to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Southwest Airlines has no immediate plans to build the lounge, but by prem...
SFGATE •

SFO plagued by delays in wake of Bay Area storm

Miserable weather conditions have prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to extend its ground delay at San Francisco International Airport, with significant delays anticipated for travelers.

Miserable weather conditions have prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to extend its ground delay at San Francisco International Airport, with significant delays anticipated for travelers.

At 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the FAA extended its early morning ground delay at SFO until midnight, citing...
SFGATE •

NFL superstar pitches impossible coaster for theme park investment

Kelce announced on his Instagram on Oct. 21 that he’s added Six Flags Entertainment to his investment portfolio. Kelce, in partnership with investment firm Jana Partners, now has a 9% stake in the company, according to a news release.

Kelce announced on his Instagram on Oct. 21 that he’s added Six Flags Entertainment to his investment portfolio. Kelce, in partnership with investment firm Jana Partners, now has a 9% stake in the company, according to a news release.

“Couldn’t pass up the opport...
SFGATE •

Several sections of SFO to close Tuesday until 2027

Travelers heading through San Francisco International Airport during the holiday season should prepare for changes that could impact their travel routines.

Travelers heading through San Francisco International Airport during the holiday season should prepare for changes that could impact their travel routines.

The $2.6 billion SFO Terminal 3 West Modernization project is in full swing to renovate the 650,000-square-foot western part of the terminal, including adding 20,000 square feet of addit...
SFGATE •

Google reveals the best days to purchase Thanksgiving, Christmas flights

With the holiday season just around the corner, travelers who haven’t already committed should get a move on making their travel plans.

With the holiday season just around the corner, travelers who haven’t already committed should get a move on making their travel plans.

According to a study conducted by Google Flights, travelers should book their Thanksgiving travel plans at least 24 days before departure. Additionally, Hopper recommends that last-minute buyers secure their tickets by Hallowe...
SFGATE •

Disneyland to lose 100 employees in round of layoffs

Around 100 Disneyland Resort employees are slated to be dropped from the theme park’s payroll.

Around 100 Disneyland Resort employees are slated to be dropped from the theme park’s payroll.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Disneyland Resort told SFGATE that the company “made the difficult decision to eliminate a limited number of salaried positions” in a round of layoffs.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Disneyland Resort told SFGATE that the company “made the difficult decision to eliminate a li...
SFGATE •

Alaska Airlines slashes SFO routes in exchange for SoCal hub

Alaska Airlines is adding new California routes at one airport as it sunsets others from the Bay Area.On Monday, Alaska announced new flights out of San Diego and Portland, Oregon, starting in 2026, plus more nonstops between the West Coast and Hawaii. But those additions will come at the expense of several routes the airline is cutting, including 25% at San Francisco International Airport and others at San Jose Mineta International Airport.

Alaska Airlines is adding new California routes at on...
SFGATE •

Bay Area tech CEO says test project likely struck United flight at 36,000 feet

The mystery object that struck a plane at 36,000 feet is likely not space debris, as some speculated, but rather a Silicon Valley test project gone wrong.

The mystery object that struck a plane at 36,000 feet is likely not space debris, as some speculated, but rather a Silicon Valley test project gone wrong.

On Oct. 16, United flight 1093 took off from Denver International Airport at 5:51 a.m. MDT and was supposed to land in Los Angeles. The plane was forced to divert to Salt Lake City Interna...
SFGATE •

Unidentified object hits windshield of Calif.-bound flight, forcing 6-hour delay

On Oct. 16, United Airlines flight 1093 took off from Denver International Airport at 5:51 a.m. MDT and was headed to Los Angeles, according to FlightAware, but an unidentified object at an unusually high altitude, 36,000 feet, struck the windshield, forcing the flight to divert to Salt Lake City International Airport.

On Oct. 16, United Airlines flight 1093 took off from Denver International Airport at 5:51 a.m. MDT and was headed to Los Angeles, according to FlightAware, but an unidentified o...
SFGATE •

New boarding process for Southwest Airlines revealed

Although Southwest Airlines is moving forward with hitting the kill button on one of its distinguishing features, the airline still plans to do things slightly differently from its competitors.

Although Southwest Airlines is moving forward with hitting the kill button on one of its distinguishing features, the airline still plans to do things slightly differently from its competitors.

On May 28, Southwest got rid of its beloved two free checked bag policy. Up next on the chopping block is its...
SFGATE •

White House, Newsom clash over Calif. freeway closure for military celebration

The most recent clash between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the White House centered around whether live ammunition should be allowed to fly over a major California freeway.

The most recent clash between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the White House centered around whether live ammunition should be allowed to fly over a major California freeway.

On Saturday, the White House plans to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday at Camp Pendleton — a significant military base between San Diego and Orange County t...
SFGATE •

No, SFO is not playing politically charged shutdown video about TSA

Last week, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem released a video that blames Democrats for slower airport travel times due to the government shutdown. However, many airports are refusing to air the public service announcement, including all major airports in the Bay Area.

Last week, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem released a video that blames Democrats for slower airport travel times due to the government shutdown. However, many airports are refusing to ai...
SFGATE •

Hundreds of flight delays hit SFO as storm rolls into Bay Area

A string of disruptive weather conditions has forced a ground delay at San Francisco International Airport on the tail end of the holiday weekend.

A string of disruptive weather conditions has forced a ground delay at San Francisco International Airport on the tail end of the holiday weekend.

Beginning at 10:45 a.m. Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration enacted a ground stop at SFO caused by low-ceiling clouds. The average delay time is 30 minutes, but travelers could experience delays l...
SFGATE •

Bay Area hotel ranked best hotel for second year in a row

For the second year in a row, a Bay Area hotel has taken the top spot for best hotel in the world.

For the second year in a row, a Bay Area hotel has taken the top spot for best hotel in the world.

On Tuesday, Conde Nast Traveler released its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, recognizing the best travel destinations in the world. After receiving 757,109 votes, readers named the Lodge at Bodega Bay the best hotel in the world — beating out contenders in Morocco, Istanbul and New York.

On Tuesday,...
SFGATE •

California man dies swimming off Hawaii beach

On Oct. 6, 61-year-old Todd Wilt was swimming at Anini Beach Park on the North Shore of Kauai. Around 3 p.m., first responders were sent to the beach following reports of a swimmer in distress, according to a news release from the Kauai Police Department.

On Oct. 6, 61-year-old Todd Wilt was swimming at Anini Beach Park on the North Shore of Kauai. Around 3 p.m., first responders were sent to the beach following reports of a swimmer in distress, according to a news release from the Kauai Police...
SFGATE •

More than 1,000 people are working without pay at SFO amid shutdown

Since Oct. 1, workers employed by the federal government, including those at the Federal Aviation Administration, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coast Guard, the FBI and federal air marshals, have all been reporting to work without the immediate promise of a paycheck.

Since Oct. 1, workers employed by the federal government, including those at the Federal Aviation Administration, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coa...
SFGATE •

Cost nearly triples to build train between LA, Las Vegas

The company that owns the Brightline West project, which plans to build a nearly 220-mile rail line connecting Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, has recently revealed that the cost is almost three times higher than initially projected. The project was initially expected to cost $8 billion, and more recently, the number grew to $16 billion. As first reported by Bloomberg, a report from the Transportation Department released Wednesday estimated that the cost of building Brightline West is now $21.5...
SFGATE •

Highway into popular California lake closes indefinitely after storm

A significant route to Big Bear Lake, one of the most popular lakes in Southern California, is closed indefinitely after a cataclysmic storm last week. On Sept. 18, a major storm ripped through Southern California, triggering floods and mudslides in the San Bernardino Mountains. The storm closed over 30 miles of Highway 38 due to excessive mud and debris while washing out a significant portion of the highway.

A significant route to Big Bear Lake, one of the most popular lakes in Southern Califo...
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