iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

More calls to "avoid travel chaos" — A group of travel industry organizations just issued a statement warning of major travel and supply chain disruptions if the Trump administration pulls CBP officers from large airports.

000

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Worth noting: The travel sector ALREADY felt like Washington used air travel as leverage during two of the longest government shutdowns in history.

041

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Airlines for America responds to talk of pulling CBP officers from airports: “Reducing CBP staffing at major airports would have a devastating effect on the airline and tourism industries, causing a significant operational disruption to carriers, travelers and the flow of international cargo.”

072

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Passenger traffic at U.S. airports over Memorial Day weekend (Thu through Mon) was down nearly 1% from last year. The TSA screened about 130,000 fewer passengers vs. the long weekend in 2025.

030

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

We've now seen several airlines in recent months make on-board internet free, before announcing an upgrade to the Wi-Fi tech. AA+Southwest are going w/ Starlink; Delta is (eventually) adding Amazon Leo. United+Alaska, on the other hand, are adding Starlink to planes, THEN making the service free.

020

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

American Airlines joins the wave of U.S. carriers adding Starlink Wi-Fi to its planes. The move comes just months after American made its on-board internet free to anyone with an AAdvantage loyalty account (on most planes, that is...)

thepointsguy.com

American Airlines to add Starlink Wi-Fi service to its planes - The Points Guy

American Airlines is getting in on the inflight Wi-Fi upgrade push, adding Starlink satellite service to its jets beginning in 2027.

110

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Memorial Day weekend travel ramps up. 2.9m passengers screened by TSA on Thursday — busiest day at airports since the Sunday after Thanksgiving. However, the number of passengers screened yesterday was down (slightly) from the Thursday before MDW last year.

000

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Alaska Airlines today officially announced its new, 41,000 square foot business-class lounge for Seattle – a first for the airline as it expands globally. CEO Ben Minicucci gave me a preview last month. Worth noting: this will be just the latest elevated club for SEA, which has a Delta One Lounge

thepointsguy.com

Alaska Airlines plots premium economy, luxe Seattle lounge - The Points Guy

After acquiring Hawaiian Airlines last year and launching its first European service last week, there is a lot of positive change on the horizon for Alaska.

010

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

United just announced its next new international destination: Sapporo, Japan ❄️⛷️ launching in December It’s also adding a Tokyo Narita route from Chicago (on top of its Haneda service)

thepointsguy.com

United unveils 2 new Japan routes, flights to popular ski destination - The Points Guy

United Airlines plans to launch two new routes to Japan this fall and winter, including service to Japan's top ski destination, Sapporo.

030

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Update on Spirit Airlines refunds: The consulting agency working with Spirit says the majority of customers who had future flights booked/paid for on a credit or debit card were refunded by Saturday evening — "with a small percentage continuing to process."

000

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Despite the ongoing partial government shutdown, the TSA recently completed a nationwide rollout of the new TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes, which are now available at 60-plus airports

thepointsguy.com

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is now live at more than 60 airports - The Points Guy

The TSA has completed an ambitious rollout of its Touchless ID program, which is now available at more than 60 hubs nationwide.

000

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

"My bet is that fuel shortages would start at secondary and tertiary airports that don't have fuel farms while the major hubs would be insulated for a bit longer" More on the potential jet fuel shortage in Europe, and what it could mean for travelers:

thepointsguy.com

000

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

A sign that airfare could be higher for the foreseeable future. United's CCO Andrew Nocella today: “I think the longer the price of fuel remains in this range and the longer consumers pay these prices and airlines get used to this revenue stream, the more likely it is to stick."

100

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Deutsche Bank analysis of initial United + American cuts at Chicago O'Hare in May after FAA-ordered schedule reductions AA - around 15 daily departures trimmed (about 2.8% of flights). All regional service. United - around 42 daily departures cut (5.8% of flights). Close to 90% regional service.

192

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

American Airlines issues statement saying it is not discussing or interested in any merger with United. “While changes in the broader airline marketplace may be necessary, a combination with United would be negative for competition and for consumers.”

000

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

American Airlines became the 5th U.S. carrier to raise checked bag fees this week. But the airline went further, using the opportunity to add in restrictive new basic economy policies that will be felt by all customers — especially its elite status members

thepointsguy.com

American Airlines reveals higher bag fees, new basic economy restrictions - The Points Guy

American Airlines became the latest to hike checked bag fees as the industry grapples with rising prices. The carrier also tightened its basic economy policies.

141

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Delta gives update on when customers might see additional premium segmentation (think 'basic business,' 'basic premium economy') “You can expect more from us in the next couple of quarters."

100

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Southwest Airlines joins the wave of U.S. carriers hiking checked bag fees. Bags will start at $45 beginning April 9. 4 of the 6 largest U.S. airlines have now raised baggage fees within the past week.

thepointsguy.com

Southwest is next: Checked bag fees to increase by $10 - The Points Guy

Southwest Airlines added checked bag fees less than a year ago. Now, the carrier is raising its prices as the airline industry battles spiking jet fuel costs.

000

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

JUST IN: Delta Air Lines becomes the third U.S. airline in less than a week to raise checked baggage fees, following similar moves by JetBlue, United Airlines

110

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

DHS spokesperson: TSA has begun paying officers, who "should begin seeing paychecks as early as Monday, March 30."

000

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

AFGE spokesperson re: TSA pay and Trump last night saying he'd order DHS to "immediately" pay officers: "The executive order hasn’t even been issued yet so no TSOs have been paid. It will take between 7 and 30 days for workers to receive their backpay once the shutdown is over."

100

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

We're seeing a flurry of changes when it comes to airlines' 'basic' fares. - No miles at American (or United, if you don't have status or a card) - Delta now sells 'Comfort Basic' and is pondering more - JetBlue bars access from its new lounge - Southwest now has basic economy Story just posted:

thepointsguy.com

The evolution and the future of basic economy tickets - The Points Guy

Basic economy exclusions have changed a lot over the years, and you may want to think twice before booking basic for your next flight.

020

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Also worth noting: Yesterday was the busiest day at U.S. airports since Jan. 4, which was the final day of the holiday rush.

000

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

At Houston Hobby today, average security wait times now top 3 hours. But if you have TSA PreCheck? 10 minutes.

021

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Emirates to begin operating some flights late Monday amid airspace restrictions affecting DXB

000

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

“The same paper that broke the Dan Snyder investigation, sent reporters to every Olympics, and produced some of the most important sports journalism in American history, is now frontloading wire copy about European soccer for a Washington audience”

amp.awfulannouncing.com

Tony Kornheiser blasts what's left of the Washington Post sports section

000

Reposted by Sean Cudahy

Edward Russell @byerussell.com · 02/03/2026

MONDAY GULF FLIGHT UPDATE Emirates flights are suspended until at least 1500 UAE time on Tuesday, 3/3 Qatar Airways flights are suspended until at least 0900 Doha time on Tuesday, 3/3 Etihad flights are suspended until at least 1400 UAE time until Tuesday, 3/3 (📷 @photojdl.bsky.social)

1121

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

During a week that's brought all sorts of headlines about Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, here's an update on another (more expensive) airport shorcut — Clear. Its new e-gates are live at 37 airports

thepointsguy.com

Clear expands security e-gates to 37 airports nationally - The Points Guy

Clear, which fast-tracks paying members through airport security, has expanded a new high-tech setup to dozens of major hubs.

000

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

In 2024, a top CBP official told me this about Global Entry, and how it helps w/ overall waits, safety: “Not only does the traveler benefit, the whole, basically, travel industry benefits from overall improved efficiency, and the agency and the U.S. government benefit from the improved security."

000

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

The U.S. Travel Association shares a scathing statement on the Trump administration's decision to suspend Global Entry amid the partial shutdown affecting DHS. "There is no fiscal – or logical – rationale for this decision," the org. said. “We urge DHS to restore Global Entry immediately."

021

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

JUST IN: TSA PreCheck lanes will NOT close, after all, the agency confirms "At this time, TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public. As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly."

020

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

TSA PreCheck still running at RDU and many airports across the country. Talking to sources, sounds like there’s a lot of confusion. Very little communication from DHS about what they’re actually doing with PreCheck/Global Entry - all we’ve gotten so far is a politically-charged statement.

010

Sean Cudahy @seancudahy.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

American Airlines made a tweak to its checked baggage fees today — customers will either have to pay more for their second bag, or pay ahead of time thepointsguy.com/news/america...

thepointsguy.com

American Airlines tweaks checked baggage policy - The Points Guy

American Airlines announced a change in how much it will charge certain customers for their checked bags.

010