Ever Heard of Janet Airlines? Inside the U.S. Government’s Secret Airline
By
Michael Nordine
Read time: 4 minutes
September 4, 2025
Updated: September 4, 2025
Ever Heard of Janet Airlines? Inside the U.S. Government’s Secret Airline
History •September 4, 2025•Updated: September 4, 2025
By Michael Nordine
Author
Michael Nordine
Michael is a staff writer for Daily Passport and film critic who writes the weekly newsletter Movie Brief. His writing and criticism have also appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Variety, and the Washington Post, among others. A native Angeleno, his favorite countries to visit are Norway and Japan.
You’ve surely never flown on Janet Airlines, but there’s a decent chance you’ve seen one of its planes somewhere in the Southwest without knowing it. There’s a good reason for the uncertainty: The airline flies a semisecret fleet of aircraft owned and operated by the Department of the Air Force, which uses it to ferry military personnel, contractors, and civilians working for the Department of Defense to Special Access Program Facilities (SAPF). Here’s what we know about Janet Airlines, the unofficial name for the U.S. government’s highly classified airline.
Given the highly classified nature of the operation, no one knows for sure why Janet Airlines is called Janet Airlines. But there are several theories as to the meaning of the unofficial moniker, which is used as the airline’s call sign with air traffic controllers. According to a report from Business Insider, some think it’s an acronym for “Just Another Nonexistent Terminal,” while others have suggested it stands for “Joint Air Network for Employee Transportation.”
Though there’s no reason to assume anything nefarious about Janet, they certainly threw conspiracy theorists a bone by having their first flight travel from Las Vegas to Homey Airport, the official name for the airfield at Area 51, in 1972.
Today, just 11 aircraft make up the Janet fleet. Unlike other aspects of the airline, the planes the airline operates are well known. Currently, there are six Boeing 737-600s and five twin-engine Beechcraft turboprops. All six 737s formerly flew for Air China from 2003 to 2009 under lease from General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The aircraft were transferred to the Air Force beginning in 2008.
The 737s are recognizable for their short fuselages and tall vertical stabilizers, which give them a distinctive look, though they are otherwise unmarked aside from a horizontal red stripe on their sides. That first flight from Las Vegas to Area 51 was made with a Douglas DC-6, which, along with a second DC-6, was in operation until 1981.
One of the main routes Janet flies today is the same one it started with in 1972: from Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran International Airport) to Area 51. If you’ve flown in or out of Las Vegas, you might have noticed a private terminal on the west side used for helicopters and private jets. It’s the same one Janet Airlines uses. Though the highly secretive base at Area 51 — officially known as Homey Lake or Groom Lake — is only 83 miles away, the easiest way to reach it from certain directions is by air.
Janet also flies to other military sites that, like Area 51, are part of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), which the Nellis Air Force Base website describes as “a flexible, realistic and multidimensional battle-space to conduct testing tactics development, and advanced training in support of U.S. national interests.” If that sounds vague, well, that’s very much in keeping with most of what is publicly known about Janet. According to the independent Area 51 enthusiast website Dreamland Resort, other destinations include Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Edwards Air Force Base, and Palmdale Plant 42, all of which are in California. Most of what happens at these installations is on a need-to-know basis.
These destinations have code names, too. Plant 42 is known as Station 1, Area 51 is Station 3, Basecamp is Station 6, Tonopah Test Range is Station 7, and Janet Terminal at Harry Reid is Station 9.
If you’d like to know more about Janet, you might have to get a job there. The airline does occasionally hire flight attendants, though the requirements are a bit steeper than they would be at, say, United or Southwest. Anyone hoping to fly the friendly skies with Janet Airlines will need to be comfortable handling unusual security situations such as hijackings and also will need to obtain top-secret government clearance. Considerations include applicants’ allegiance to the United States, alcohol and drug use, financial status, foreign influence, and mental health.
Flight attendants also must keep any information about their duties and the destinations they’re flying to shrouded in secrecy, so it’s unlikely that the rest of us will know much more about Janet anytime soon. In fact, it wasn’t until 2013 that the CIA officially confirmed the existence of the airline’s secret base at Area 51 through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed in 2005.
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6 Things That Are Totally Normal in Other Countries (But Not in the U.S.)
By
Julia Hammond
Read time: 4 minutes
September 4, 2025
Updated: September 4, 2025
6 Things That Are Totally Normal in Other Countries (But Not in the U.S.)
Tips •September 4, 2025•Updated: September 4, 2025
By Julia Hammond
Author
Julia Hammond
Julia is a U.K.-based travel writer whose work has been featured in The Independent, The Telegraph, The New Zealand Herald, and Culture Trip, among others. She’s an enthusiastic advocate for independent travel and a passionate geographer who has had the privilege of traveling to more than 130 countries in search of a story.
For travelers, the joy and wonder that comes with venturing overseas is often associated with moments when we embrace new experiences and encounter practices we don’t see at home. In the opening act of George Bernard Shaw’s play Widowers’ Houses, one of the characters remarks, “I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad” — and it’s a mantra that many of today’s most avid travelers would echo. With that in mind, discover seven things that are totally normal in other countries that Americans might find strange.
Luxembourg: Riding Free Public Transportation Everywhere
Credit: Jui-Chi Chan/ iStock via Getty Images Plus
Depending on where you live in the U.S., you might be fortunate to enjoy free public transportation in your city. But can you imagine doing so across an entire state or country? That’s precisely what the Luxembourg government introduced in 2020. Whether you opt to ride a bus, train, or tram, it won’t cost you a cent in this European nation, the smallest of the 27 EU member states. Regardless of where the journey takes you, residents and visitors don’t need a ticket to travel in standard class until they cross the border into a neighboring country.
In the U.S. and many other cultures, it’s a common habit among friends and family members to greet each other with a hug, a kiss on the cheek, or perhaps both. When visiting the Netherlands, however, don’t pull away from a local before a third peck, or you might create an awkward situation. While Dutch people embrace the extra affection, it’s a good idea to approach sufficiently slowly to avoid making a social faux pas by kissing a person who isn’t expecting it, such as a casual acquaintance. Air kisses are preferable, and most people opt to kiss the left side first, followed by the right and the left again, but there’s no hard-and-fast rule that this will always be the favored routine.
Finland – Leaving a Baby in a Stroller Outside for a Nap
If you’re touring the Nordic nations in winter, you might be alarmed to see strollers with babies in them parked outside cafés and stores with no sign of a responsible adult. But in countries such as Finland and Sweden, it’s a perfectly normal thing to do. The thinking behind it is that the swaddled infants will get a healthy dose of fresh air as they nap, and that doing so better enables them to ward off colds and sniffles. The common practice is also emblematic of the high degree of trust among members of the local community. Many parents view it as a way of instilling a love of the outdoors as well as building their child’s independence and resilience.
Take a stroll through one of the older residential neighborhoods in Singapore, and you’ll likely notice bamboo poles laden with wet clothing protruding from apartment buildings. The tradition of hanging laundry out to dry in this way was a solution to the lack of space and a response to Singapore’s humid climate, as clothes dried faster outside. However, the practice is dying out, which is probably good news for anyone walking alongside the buildings. According to statistics shared by the Ministry for National Development, there have been an estimated 100 cases of bamboo poles falling; as a consequence, new housing isn’t being fitted with the required fixtures to maintain this tradition.
There’s nothing unusual about walking barefoot on the beach, but in New Zealand (and neighboring Australia), locals take things much further than in the U.S. In summer especially, it is remarkably common to see people walking without shoes in public spaces such as parks, sidewalks, and even in supermarkets. For New Zealand’s Indigenous Maori peoples, entering a marae (communal sacred meeting grounds) shoeless shows respect; it’s also a way to feel a deeper connection to the land. Nevertheless, while the practice of going barefoot in New Zealand is championed by many, there are some places where you’ll need to don shoes, such as in upscale malls or on flights.
The requirement to tip for services is ingrained in American culture, and in many instances factored into pay structures. But in Japan, it’s an entirely different scenario. There, tipping is not the norm, and offering to add gratuity to a restaurant check or even round up a taxi fare is likely to result in confusion or may even be considered rude. In Japanese culture, the idea of omotenashi refers to the deep-rooted desire to look after guests and provide warm hospitality. If you’re keen to recognize good service, positive comments go a long way — tailored praise requires thought and as such is considered far more meaningful than anything with monetary value.
When Did People Start Sending Postcards From Vacation?
By
Daily Passport Team
Read time: 6 minutes
September 4, 2025
Updated: September 5, 2025
When Did People Start Sending Postcards From Vacation?
History •September 4, 2025•Updated: September 5, 2025
By Daily Passport Team
Author
Daily Passport Team
Daily Passport writers have been seen in publications such as National Geographic, Food & Wine, CBC, Condé Nast Traveler, and Business Insider. They're passionate about uncovering unique destinations and sharing expert tips with curious travelers.
Wherever your travels take you, postcards are the first thing you see outside any self-respecting gift shop. Chances are, you’ve sent a few postcards yourself, detailing news of your exciting adventures to friends and family back home, and have heard about your loved ones’ vacations in return. But have you ever wondered how the postcard tradition came to be? Let’s delve into the fascinating history of the humble postcard.
The postcard was born as a result of two key inventions: the postal service and the printing press. In the United Kingdom, the introduction of the Penny Black (the world’s first adhesive stamp) in 1840 meant that lightweight letters and cards could be mailed quickly and cheaply. A similar innovation happened in the United States in 1861, when Congress began allowing privately printed cards to be sent in the national mail.
The idea for a card that could be mailed without the use of an envelope was first proposed by Heinrich von Stephan, the general post director for the German postal service, at the 1865 Karlsruhe Postal Conference. His idea was rejected, however, as his colleagues did not believe that people would allow their private messages to be read by nosy postmen. Neighboring Austria took a similar idea and ran with it, introducing the correspondenz-karte in 1869. The open card without an envelope, which cost half the price of an ordinary letter to mail, was a surprising success.
With the onset of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, the correspondenz-karte (and similar versions in other European countries) became an ideal method for soldiers to send rapid, inexpensive notes to those back home. They became essential for keeping soldiers’ morale high. That same year, the British Post Office issued their first official postcards, selling an astonishing 76 million of them that year. Britain wasn’t at war during that time, so it was mostly civilians who purchased them. With the introduction of the Bank Holidays Act in 1871, Brits flocked from the factories to the seaside, using postcards to tell family and friends about the jolly time they were having.
The U.S. government began printing postcards in the early 1870s. Many of these had images of notable sites on them, such as an engraving of the Capitol. Yet, postcards back then were still little more than boring, brief memos — a far cry from the vibrant versions we’re used to today. It took the construction of a world-famous landmark for postcards to become the way to boast about one’s travels.
Picture this: You are at the opening of the Eiffel Tower for the 1889 world’s fair. People around you stop to crane their necks at the structure’s full height. Naturally, attendees wanted their acquaintances to know they were present at this historic occasion, so special postcards, featuring an engraving of the tower by Charles Libonis, could be bought and even mailed from the Eiffel Tower itself.
The postcard mania continued into the next world’s fair in Chicago in 1893. Forty-six nations set up stands to educate the 26 million fair visitors, many of whom may not have set foot outside the borders of their own state. Once again, the official postcards of the event — this time designed by Charles W. Goldsmith using new color-printing technology — were a smash hit.
Five years later, a German immigrant named Curt Teich arrived in Chicago. His family ran a printing press back in Germany, and Teich decided to set up his own company in the Windy City. However, competition was tough. Many of the great minds who attended the 1893 world’s fair decided to stick around to see if they could make their own Chicago fortune printing newspapers. Searching for another niche, Teich saw an opportunity in the burgeoning postcard trade. He packed his camera and order pad, and hopped on a train to document the wonders of small-town America. For Teich, no town was too insignificant.
Developments across the pond helped Teich’s business. In the early 20th century, postcards continued to be wildly popular in Europe. They were cheap to send and could be delivered in a matter of hours, with as many as 12 postal collections a day in London. And as wealthier Europeans toured the world, postcards proved to be a handy way of communicating with loved ones at home. They also became a collector’s item, with each new design adding to the treasure trove of an amateur collector. And in 1945, postcards even led to the creation of a new word, deltiology — the hobby of collecting postcards.
Unfortunately, World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II put a damper on fun-filled vacations and leisurely pursuits. However, Teich’s business kept going and growing, as he sensed that postcards were more than just a passing fad.
As a child, Teich would have been familiar with postcards emblazoned with the words “Gruss Aus…” (“Greetings From…”) accompanied by an illustration of an idyllic German town. Teich, with his vast collection of images of various American cities, brought this same idea to the United States. The airbrushed images were distinctly American and played up to nostalgic, sentimental views of America unscarred by war and recession. Teich’s designs showcased each town’s main landmarks with each letter of its name, from its picturesque city hall to the spectacular waterfalls lying just outside city limits.
After the wars were over, Americans hit the newly opened Route 66 to explore all their country had to offer. Teich’s postcards were the perfect way to show off to the folks back home. Stocked in five-and-dime stores such as Woolworth’s, the postcards drew in hordes of customers. Many loved that Teich had a design for seemingly every place in America — 150,000 are estimated to have existed.
By the 1960s, photographic postcards had overtaken Teich’s design as the most popular style of postcard in America. Postcards also became less useful as a rapid way of sending information, as other, quicker postal services (and even the telephone) had become household staples. Still, postcards remained a vacation tradition, one we continue to this day. From Lady Liberty to the savannas of Africa, and everywhere in between, postcards are truly a global phenomenon.
The warm, fuzzy feeling we get upon receiving a postcard today is the same feeling people 150 years ago would have felt, seeing a colorful little card from somewhere far away arriving in the mail. Nowadays, we can send virtual postcards, personalized versions, and even 3-D ones. But next time you travel somewhere new, try picking up a few old-fashioned ones and sending them to your friends — you might just spark a new appreciation of these humble, nostalgic souvenirs.
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History •September 4, 2025•Updated: September 4, 2025
By Bradley O'Neill
Author
Bradley O'Neill
Bradley is an English travel writer who’s wandered through 50-plus countries and lived on four continents while chasing waves, the perfect pint, and family adventures. Bradley's work has appeared in publications such as Skyscanner and Matador Network, and he now splits his time between Buenos Aires and Uruguay.
From famous battlefields to the homes of civil rights leaders and gold rush-era landmarks, America’s National Historical Parks and National Historic Sites are living windows into the past. While a historical park tends to encompass an entire town or a collection of landmarks, a historic site focuses on a single location. Collectively, they help to keep alive the people, places, and stories that have shaped the nation’s culture, history, and heritage. Read on to discover the 10 most-visited National Historic Sites and National Historical Parks in the United States, as of the latest available data from 2024.
10. Fort Point National Historic Site – San Francisco, California
Nestled beneath the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point has stood guard over San Francisco for over 150 years. Constructed from 1853 to 1861, at the height of the California gold rush, it was part of the Third System of Coastal Forts, whose main purpose was to protect the country from naval attacks. However, Fort Point was never deployed in battle. In the years that followed, the landmark was utilized as barracks, a military school, and a World War II station.
Today, visitors can check out the multilevel casemates and enjoy sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge from the fort’s rooftop. Additionally, ranger-led talks, programs, and museum exhibits shed light on the fort’s fascinating history.
9. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park – San Antonio, Texas
The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park tells the stories of Indigenous South Texans and the Spanish missionaries who arrived in the area in the early 1700s. Spread over 948 acres, the park shelters the remains of four missions: San José, Concepción, San Juan Capistrano, and Espada. Each was at the heart of a thriving frontier town in the 18th century, and today they form North America’s largest concentration of Spanish missions.
Self-guided or ranger-led tours of the missions offer the chance to explore the living quarters, intricate stonework, and antique frescoes. Linking the park with downtown San Antonio is the 8-mile-long Mission Reach section of San Antonio River Walk. Ideal for walking or cycling, it passes public art displays, the Alamo, and other historical landmarks.
8. San Juan National Historic Site – San Juan, Puerto Rico
Credit: UCG/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Recreation visits in 2024: 1.33 million
Standing proud at the entrance to the Bay of San Juan, San Juan National Historic Site boasts some of the finest Spanish colonial architecture in the Americas. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built progressively from the 1500s through the 1700s, with modifications in the centuries that followed. Its defensive walls, forts, and military buildings served to protect Puerto Rico from privateer attacks and colonial invasions.
The site encompasses key landmarks within the Old San Juan district. Here, the Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal forts stand almost unblemished, and the Cuartel de Ballajá military barracks have been reimagined as a cultural center. Meanwhile, Paseo del Morro affords sweeping views over the Caribbean Sea. Adding to the charm are the nearby boutiques, cafés, and churches that line scenic plazas and cobblestone streets in Old San Juan.
In 1896, Keish, a member of the Tagish First Nation who also went by the nickname Skookum Jim, discovered gold at Bonanza Creek, near Dawson City in the Yukon. His discovery sparked a stampede of prospectors to Alaska and the Yukon Territory, an event known as the Klondike gold rush. Once-quiet First Nations settlements turned into boomtowns overnight as an estimated 100,000 prospectors arrived to seek their fortune. Detailing the legacy of the 1897-1898 boom, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park preserves a six-block district in the city of Skagway, Alaska, alongside nearby sites tied to the gold rush.
Downtown Skagway is home to preserved buildings such as the Mascot Saloon and Moore Cabin, built by the town’s founder William Moore. Nearby Dyea, once a boomtown that rivaled Skagway, is now a ghost town that marks the starting point of the Chilkoot Trail, a 33-mile backpacking and hiking trail that retraces the path once trodden by hopeful gold seekers.
6. Valley Forge National Historical Park – King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
During the brutal winter of 1777 to 1778, George Washington and the Continental Army set up camp in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The troops faced extreme temperatures, food shortages, and disease. Nevertheless, under the training of Baron von Steuben, they transformed into a disciplined and unified unit. This marked a pivotal turning point in the Revolutionary War, symbolizing the perseverance to fight for independence. Nearly 250 years later, the 3,500 acre site is a thought-provoking and quintessential stop for anyone interested in American history.
Dominating the lush landscape is the triumphal National Memorial Arch, which honors the army’s 12,000 troops. Visitors can learn their stories at the Visitor Center at Valley Forge, visit Washington’s headquarters, and see re-creations of the log huts used for shelter. There are also 35 miles of walking and biking trails around meadows and forests to explore.
Set around Aquatic Park Cove, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park details California’s impressive seafaring history. The 50-acre park encompasses art deco landmarks, maritime buildings, shipyards, and seafront promenades. In the east end of the park, you’ll find the iconic Hyde Street Pier (currently closed for renovations). Opened in 1922, it served as a vital ferry link across the bay to Berkeley, Oakland, and Sausalito. Historic ships, including the Balcutha and Hercules, once lined the pier, although many have since been relocated to Mare Island Historic Park for preservation.
Located in an old brick cannery warehouse, the Visitor Center features interactive exhibits, including a display of San Francisco’s original six neighborhoods. Find more art, artifacts, and activities at the Maritime Research Center and Maritime Museum. The latter occupies the former Aquatic Park Bathhouse, itself a Streamline Moderne-style architectural masterpiece overlooking the bay.
4. Colonial National Historical Park – Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial National Historical Park brings together two of the most pivotal sites in American history. On the banks of the James River sits Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the country, established in 1607. Here, archaeological remains, reconstructed forts, and hands-on exhibits highlight the innovations and struggles that shaped the colony. The Jamestown Glasshouse also showcases the colony’s first efforts at industrialization.
On the opposite side of the Williamsburg Peninsula is the Yorktown Battlefield, where American and French troops fought together to defeat the British in 1781. Walk the battlefields and check out the visitors center, where a short film and exhibits delve into the events of the 1781 Siege of Yorktown. And don’t miss the 23-mile-long Colonial Parkway, which combines fascinating colonial history and one of Virginia’s most bucolic landscapes in one go.
3. Boston National Historical Park – Boston, Massachusetts
Boston National Historical Park groups together some of the most defining sites in Boston’s rise from a center for colonial resistance to a naval powerhouse in the newly independent United States. Compact and walkable, the park is an all-encompassing and immersive journey into the birth of the nation. Seven of the park’s eight attractions are connected by the Freedom Trail. This 2.5-mile redbrick pathway weaves through the city, passing historical landmarks and interactive exhibits.
One of the most popular stops is the Old North Church, where Paul Revere set off on his famous midnight ride in 1775 to warn colonists of advancing British troops. A few months later, one of the first major battles of the Revolution unfolded at Bunker Hill Monument. In the heart of downtown Boston, Faneuil Hall hosted gatherings where colonists protested and listened to stirring oratory. And don’t miss the Charlestown Navy Yard, where the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship, is moored and open for tours.
2. Independence National Historical Park – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Independence National Historical Park covers 20 landmark-filled blocks in Philadelphia’s Center City neighborhood. Here, a collection of historic buildings and museums present an opportunity to discover the nation’s founding stories. Standing in the heart of the park is Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were debated, finalized, and signed.
At the Benjamin Franklin Museum, original artifacts and immersive exhibits tell the story of the founding father who signed the Declaration of Independence. You’ll also find portrayals of explorers, politicians, and military officers hanging in the Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank. Outdoors, the peaceful Magnolia Garden draws on George Washington’s love for magnolias, while gorgeous flower displays fill the 18th-Century Garden and Rose Garden. Lastly, be sure to listen for the hourly chime of the Centennial Bell, which first rang to commemorate the nation’s 100th anniversary.
1. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park – Potomac, Maryland
America’s most popular National Historical Park is the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, which incorporates 185 miles of the historic Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal (aka the P&O Canal). The canal, which served as a vital transportation route along the Potomac River from 1831 to 1924, was built to transport agricultural goods, coal, and lumber between Washington, D.C., and the mountains of western Maryland. During nearly a century of operation, it provided employment to the people of the Potomac River Valley while witnessing battles, community growth, and transportation milestones.
Today, the canal’s aqueducts, locks, and towpaths remain as poignant reminders of 19th-century innovations in commerce and engineering. Lockhouses have been converted into interpretation centers, and guided tours and ranger programs tell stories of daily life on the canal. Ideal for biking, hiking, and horseback riding, the towpath follows the course of the river, meandering through canal towns, forests, and wetlands. The site offers both a lesson in industrial history and the opportunity to discover the untouched natural landscapes and thriving wildlife of the Potomac region.
Tips •September 3, 2025•Updated: September 3, 2025
By Julia Hammond
Author
Julia Hammond
Julia is a U.K.-based travel writer whose work has been featured in The Independent, The Telegraph, The New Zealand Herald, and Culture Trip, among others. She’s an enthusiastic advocate for independent travel and a passionate geographer who has had the privilege of traveling to more than 130 countries in search of a story.
When booking flights, many travelers want to simply grab the best fare possible. But knowing when to book can be hard to pin down. Thanks to the airlines’ dynamic pricing models, there’s no way of knowing for certain that the same tickets won’t cost less at some point between when you buy and when you fly. As a consequence, the internet is full of hacks about how to ensure you book at the right time — but amid all the accurate tips, there’s a slew of misinformation and outdated advice. Take a look at five of the most common flight-booking myths below.
One of the most prevalent flight-booking tips you may have come across is that Tuesday is the cheapest day to book flights. Unfortunately, this is outdated advice, based on the way some airlines used to release seats and launch sales. According to the 2025 Air Hacks Report, published by Expedia in conjunction with the Airlines Reporting Corporation, Sunday is the best day to book a flight.
In an analysis of flight bookings between January and October 2024, the report concluded that “domestic travelers can save 6% while international travelers can save 17% compared to booking on a Monday or Friday.” The same report claims that actually flying on a Saturday instead of Sunday, the most expensive day, can save domestic travelers 17%.
At the end of the day, however, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer — and there’s still considerable variation depending on your route. So, it pays to be flexible with different times, dates, and even neighboring airports until you find the best combination for your trip.
Browsing in incognito mode allows you to prevent cookies and other browsing data from being tracked before embarking on your flight search. Cookies are small pieces of text that note traffic to a website, creating a log of your browsing history and preferences. However, while cookies record the searches you make, many experts say they don’t influence pricing.
Instead, airlines use dynamic pricing, raising or lowering fares in response to demand. This may mean that how far in advance you book can influence the prices you see — once seats become limited in supply, they go up in price.
While you could theoretically score a deal by waiting until closer to your departure date to book, by betting the airline still has seats to fill, that strategy doesn’t always lead to big savings. Depending on the route, it can actually result in the exact opposite, particularly during peak demand periods like summer or the holiday season. Tracking prices using a tool such as Skyscanner’s Price Alerts or Google Flights is generally more likely to secure you a better fare than simply clearing your cookies.
Credit: ozgurcankaya/ iStock via Getty Images Plus
Sometimes, the route you wish to travel is served by both low-cost carriers — like Spirit, JetBlue, or Frontier — and full-service airlines such as American, Delta, or United. If that’s true, you might be forgiven for thinking that the former will automatically give you the best deal. That’s not always the case. In a competitive market, full-service airlines have had to make changes to their own pricing structures to hold their market share, most notably with the introduction of basic-economy fares.
As a result, it’s now crucial that you factor in add-on fees for things such as seat selection, carry-on or checked baggage, in-flight food, and other extras such as priority boarding. Only once you’ve totaled up these costs can you work out which airline is best on price for your dates, so think carefully about what your needs are and do the math before settling on an airline.
An Overbooked Flight Is a Traveler’s Worst Nightmare
Overbooking isn’t a myth: Airlines routinely sell more seats than are available for any given flight. The reason this happens is to allow for no-shows — those who book a flight but change their plans at the last minute. From the airline’s perspective, the practice makes solid business sense, enabling them to minimize empty seats and maximize revenue. But surely, it can’t ever be a good thing for a bumped passenger, right?
Think again. If you are flexible with your travel plans, volunteering to give up your seat opens up the possibility of compensation. Incentives can take the form of cash, travel vouchers, and even upgrades. It’s always a good idea to carefully check the terms and conditions of what the airline is offering before agreeing. Sometimes, however, no volunteers come forward and passengers can be bumped against their wishes. These passengers are due compensation, but only in certain situations. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation website.
It was once commonly cheaper to book a flight if your travel dates incorporated a Saturday night stay. The thinking behind this pricing policy was that business travelers would be flying during the week, but in most cases they weren’t paying for their ticket, so airlines could charge more. Leisure travelers, on the other hand, would be far more likely to base decisions on when to fly according to the price of their flight — hence the Saturday night rule or other minimum-stay requirements to spread out demand.
Lately, however, the lines between business and leisure travelers have become blurred. And since low-cost carriers revolutionized the industry by selling fares for individual segments rather than discounted round-trip fares, the Saturday night rule has faded into a myth rather than reality.
Outdoors •September 3, 2025•Updated: September 3, 2025
By Bennett Kleinman
Author
Bennett Kleinman
Bennett is a New York City-based staff writer for Daily Passport. He previously contributed to television programs such as the Late Show With David Letterman, as well as digital publications like the Onion. Bennett has traveled to 48 U.S. states and all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.
Hate traveling in high humidity? Look no further — we’re taking a look at the 20 least humid states in the U.S. These rankings are based on data compiled by climatologist Brian Brettschneider for Forbes, which analyzed a metric known as dew point — a measurement of the total amount of moisture in the air. The lower the dew point, the drier (and less humid) the air will feel, whereas higher dew points are closely associated with unpleasant mugginess. Discover the 20 least humid U.S. states based on their average annual dew point. (And, if you’re curious, we’ve also ranked America’s most humid states.)
New York is a state that experiences four true seasons, so the dew point can vary substantially throughout the year. For instance, in central New York, the dew point bottoms out at 16.1 degrees in January and rises to 66 degrees in July. A similar trend is seen in New York City, where the dew point tends to hover in the 20s and 30s between November and April, before rising up to the 40s, 50s, and 60s throughout the summer. All told, the average annual dew point throughout New York state comes in at just under 40 degrees, which places it among the 20 least humid states in the nation.
Given its proximity to the ocean, Oregon’s coastal region tends to have more moisture in the air than the eastern parts of the state. But no matter where you find yourself in the Beaver State, the humidity shouldn’t be too overwhelming. For example, Portland has a fairly narrow dew point, between 36 and 54 degrees year-round. This falls below the 55-to-65-degree range, which the National Weather Services considers “sticky” and “muggy.” However, the lack of humidity does have its drawbacks, as Oregon has seen an increased risk of wildfires and droughts during particularly dry summers in recent years.
Michigan sits adjacent to four of the five Great Lakes, so there’s definitely a lot of moisture in the air. But despite that, Michigan’s average dew point isn’t considered too oppressive. Measurements from Detroit, for instance, indicate that the city’s annual dew point bottoms out at 19 degrees in January and rises to only 61 degrees in July. While a dew point of 61 does mean some muggy days, it falls short of the severe humidity more commonly found in the South. Dew points dip even lower in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where averages range from around 10 degrees in the winter up to the mid-50s in summer.
Though Nebraska has experienced an abnormally humid summer in 2025, on average, it ranks as the 17th-least-humid state in the nation. Dew points tend to be lower in the western part of the state, as elevations rise from east to west as you get closer to the Rocky Mountains. This is because higher elevations tend to have thinner air, which can only hold so much moisture. But even in Omaha, in the eastern part of Nebraska, there’s only a 57% chance of the dew point going above 65 degrees, and that’s mostly in July.
Even in the dead of summer, there’s less than a 40% chance of experiencing sticky, unpleasant weather in Wisconsin cities like Madison and Milwaukee. In Madison, in particular, there are only 30 days each year that could be considered very humid, mostly in July and August. For the remaining 10 months of the year, the weather is relatively dry throughout the Badger State.
The coastal town of Portsmouth experiences roughly 9.2 muggy days each July. But with only 18 miles of coastline in the entire state, most cities in New Hampshire are located further inland. This separation from the ocean means less humidity in the air — and fewer sticky days to boot. For instance, Claremont, located in the west-central part of the state near the Vermont border, sees dew point averages dipping as low as 13 degrees in the winter and rising to just over 61 degrees in summer.
14. Vermont
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Average annual dew point: 35.9 degrees
Vermont’s average annual dew point comes in at just under 36 degrees. In the capital of Montpelier, the monthly average hovers around 11 degrees in the winter and up to 58 degrees in July, with October being the closest to the state’s annual average. Over in Burlington, which is located in the northwestern part of the state along Lake Champlain, there’s only a 23% chance of encountering a muggy day in July. From October through April, the odds of experiencing noticeable humidity are more or less zero.
13. South Dakota
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Average annual dew point: 34.6 degrees
In eastern South Dakota cities such as Sioux Falls, there tend to be around 25 to 30 notably humid days each year — still fewer than you’ll find in the more humid Gulf states. As you travel farther west, you’ll find even fewer humid days. Rapid City, located along the Black Hills National Forest in western South Dakota, experiences fewer than two humid days each year on average. The state follows a similar pattern to the neighboring state of Nebraska — as you travel west, elevations rise, the air becomes thinner, and humidity decreases.
Though Maine ranks in the top 10 in terms of “relative humidity” — a statistic that measures the amount of water vapor in the air relative to how much it can hold — many climatologists consider that a less accurate reading than dew point when it comes to what the average person experiences as humidity. In terms of dew point, the Pine Tree State ranks as the 12th-least-humid state in the U.S. However, recent climatological trends have shown an increase in statewide humidity throughout Maine. In Bangor, for example, 2021 was the most humid summer on record. Even still, truly humid days in Maine continue to be few and far between.
11. Minnesota
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Average annual dew point: 33.9 degrees
Minnesota is home to the Northwest Angle, the northernmost point in the Lower 48. Given its northerly location, the state tends to experience drier summers than many of the states located farther south toward the Gulf. For instance, the lowest dew point ever recorded in the Twin Cities was just 10 degrees in 2020. But even in those hot Minneapolis summers, average dew points tend to max out at around 61 degrees, resulting in a generally dry and pleasant environment.
North Dakota ranks as the 10th-least-humid state in the U.S. The state capital, Bismarck, sees average dew points dip as low as the single digits in January. On the flip side, the city’s dew point typically peaks around 58 degrees in July. The Red River Valley, which is located in the northeastern part of the state, tends to be the most humid part of North Dakota, thanks to the additional moisture in the air from the river.
Arizona has a reputation for its dry heat, one reason so many retirees and snowbirds flock there. Not only does Arizona boast the ninth-lowest statewide average dew point in the country, but it also has the second-lowest relative humidity, at 38.5%. Those two metrics combine to create dry air conditions throughout the Grand Canyon State. Notably, in the retirement community of Youngtown, the minimum average dew point fell as low as -4.1 degrees in February 2011.
In general, low dew point levels mean dry summers and mild winters for those living in Idaho. Things are especially comfortable year round in Boise, where the dew point rarely exceeds 60 degrees on even the hottest of summer days. As you go north in Idaho, the dew point drops even further. Take, for instance, the community of Fernwood, which recorded a record low dew point of -33.9 degrees in January 2024. The Snake River plateau is the driest area in Idaho, with less than 10 inches of annual partial precipitation.
Much like the neighboring state of Arizona, New Mexico is a haven for those who loathe humid weather. The state has the seventh-lowest average dew point and third-lowest relative humidity in the country. In Albuquerque, the dew point averages 44.5 degrees from June to September. The state’s dry climate is attributable to its low precipitation levels, plentiful amounts of unobstructed sunshine, and mountainous terrain.
Despite Montana’s reputation for having low humidity, KULR in Billings reports that regions east of the Rockies have seen a 2.5-degree increase in average summer dew point since 1950. As climate scientist Cameron Lee told the station, “This is showing a massive increase over a relatively short period of time.” So despite Montana’s ranking as the sixth-least-humid state for now, changing climate trends are likely to have a continued impact on the state’s overall humidity levels going forward.
With the fifth-lowest dew point and fifth-lowest relative humidity in the country, the Centennial State is known for its dry summers and winters. For example, the northern Denver suburb of Thornton sees dew points dip as low as -14.9 degrees. That said, the city of Denver just experienced its highest dew point in 17 years, hitting 66 degrees in July 2025. But generally, the high elevation and thin mountain air of Colorado keeps the air from holding too much moisture.
Similar to neighboring Colorado, Utah’s combination of mountainous and desert terrain contribute to less humidity in the air. Even though temperatures can spike into the triple digits in summer, the lack of humidity means that weather is often more manageable. In Salt Lake City, for instance, average dew point tends to fall into a very narrow range between 23 degrees in the winter and 45 degrees in the summer. Additionally, with less moisture in the air, Utah’s skies tend to be a deeper shade of blue, according to the state’s official tourism board.
Not only does Nevada have the third-lowest dew point in the U.S., but it also boasts the lowest relative humidity of any state. According to data from WeatherSpark, the city of Reno boasts the most dry days anywhere in the nation, with an average of 363.91 days annually, followed by the nearby city of Sparks, with 363.78 days. (Outside of Nevada, the U.S. city with the most dry days is Bend, Oregon, with 363.66). Farther south in Las Vegas, dew point averages rarely exceed 44 degrees; they spend most of the year in the 20s or low 30s.
In Wyoming’s capital, Cheyenne, the average dew point maxes out at 46 degrees in the dead of summer, while in winter, averages drop as low as 10 degrees. The driest part of the state is the Big Horn Basin, located in Wyoming’s north-central region. The basin’s lower portion experiences only 5 to 8 inches of annual precipitation, as the surrounding mountain ranges block moisture from entering the area, keeping humidity levels low.
Despite having the highest relative humidity of any state, Alaska ranks dead last in terms of the dew point metric. This is because colder air masses frequently seen in Alaska can’t hold as much moisture as warmer air masses. So while the relative humidity in Alaska may be higher, the average statewide dew point is the lowest of any state. In Anchorage, the average dew point caps out at 50 degrees in July, but tends to sit in the teens from November through March. However, there are some more humid exceptions in Alaska, such as St. Paul Island of the Aleutians. St. Paul is surrounded by the ocean on each side, so moisture levels tend to be higher there than in other areas in Alaska.
10 Beautiful European Cities You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
By
Michael Nordine
Read time: 5 minutes
August 28, 2025
Updated: August 28, 2025
10 Beautiful European Cities You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Culture •August 28, 2025•Updated: August 28, 2025
By Michael Nordine
Author
Michael Nordine
Michael is a staff writer for Daily Passport and film critic who writes the weekly newsletter Movie Brief. His writing and criticism have also appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Variety, and the Washington Post, among others. A native Angeleno, his favorite countries to visit are Norway and Japan.
If you’ve been to London, Rome, and the other big European capitals, and you’re ready to explore more of Europe, look no further. You could spend weeks, months, or even years traveling across the continent without seeing every place you’d like to, but checking a few of these lesser-visited European cities off your list is a good start.
Oslo is the capital and most populous city in Norway, but Bergen might just be the prettiest. Also known as the “city of seven mountains,” Bergen — home to just under 300,000 people — is the gateway to a number of Norway’s most breathtaking fjords, including the Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord. Its U-shaped port is especially striking from above — and given how conducive those mountains are to hikes, there are plenty of opportunities to take in the view from whatever elevation strikes your fancy. Bergen’s colorful seaside buildings may you remind you of those in Copenhagen, Denmark, but there’s less hustle and bustle to distract you from how scenic the city is.
If you can resist the charms of a fairy-tale-like island in the middle of a glacial lake, you have more restraint than us. The aforementioned — and oft-photographed — Lake Bled is the main reason why most tourists come here, but it is just one reason to visit Bled. The tiny Slovenian town (population: 8,100) also boasts a stunning cliffside castle and is famous for Blejska kremšnita (Bled cream cake) — a delicious treat that warrants a trip all its own.
A must for history buffs who will be fascinated by its rich past, Gdańsk is one of Poland’s lesser-known gems. This jewel on the Baltic coast also boasts one of Europe’s most picturesque old towns — that is, according to Rick Steves. If you aren’t sure where to start, go for attractions like Artus Court (named for King Arthur) and the nearby Neptune’s Fountain along the Royal Route. There’s no better way to get acquainted with the city before launching your own exploration.
If you only have time to visit one city in Austria, most tourists probably would choose Vienna. If you really want to experience the country, though, you should make time for Graz. A college town that’s been designated as both a City of Culinary Delights (2008) and Cultural Capital of Europe (2003), Graz is gorgeous throughout. But the city’s charm is especially evident from Schlossberg, a 1,550-foot hill that offers stunning views of the city whose name means “little castle.”
Getting to Locarno isn’t easy — the nearest airport, in Lugano, is both tiny and a little intimidating to land in. But we’d argue that the trek is certainly worth it. Nestled alongside Lake Maggiore (also known as Verbano) at the southern end of the Swiss Alps, the picturesque town of 16,000 is like a postcard come to life. If you visit in early August, you can even catch a movie in the Piazza Grande as part of the Locarno Film Festival, which has been ongoing since 1946.
If you’re visiting Copenhagen, consider extending your trip with a side excursion to Malmö. Though it is Sweden’s third-largest city, Malmö is considerably less popular with American tourists. It’s easy to get there thanks to the impressive Øresund Bridge, a 25,748-foot-long engineering marvel linking Copenhagen and Malmö. Offering an enchanting mix of old-world charm and modern urbanism, the charming, quickly growing city is home to both a 500-year-old castle and a neo-futurist twisting skyscraper called the Turning Torso.
The Stari Most (Old Bridge) that links the two sides of Mostar is like something out of a fantasy novel. The bridge was destroyed during the 1993 Croat-Bosniak War after standing for 427 years, but it has since been rebuilt, which should be welcome news to anyone who appreciates remarkable 16th-century architecture. The bridge is also among the most popular spots in the country for cliff divers. Mostar itself is no less striking than its most famous landmark, particularly when seen from the viewing platform located on a nearby hill.
Only 42,000 people live in Ohrid, and it’s hard not to be envious of them after catching a glimpse of this lakeside town. The city’s namesake, Lake Ohrid, is among the oldest lakes in the world and, with a maximum depth of 945 feet, one of the deepest in Europe, too. Often called the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” for the 365 churches it used to be home to — one for every day of the year, as natives used to say — Ohrid is one of those places you won’t be able to stop talking about once you visit.
Paris in the north and the entire South of France tend to get most of the attention from visitors, but central France holds a special allure of its own. That’s especially true of the Loire Valley, sometimes known as the “Garden of France,” and the commune of Saumur in particular. There are more than 10,000 dolmens (single-chamber tombs) in France, and the Dolmen de Bagneaux in Saumur is the largest. (It’s also located behind a cafe, making it easy to access.) But the real attraction here is the 10th-century Château de Saumur, which was originally built to defend against those pesky Normans and remains an awe-inspiring site more than 1,000 years later.
Eight centuries after it was built, Tallinn’s Old Town remains one of Europe’s most well-preserved medieval cities — so much so that it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. That old-world charm blends seamlessly with an ultra-modern sensibility that has made Estonia’s capital and largest city uniquely “smart,” with more free Wi-Fi and digital services than most of its peers. But more importantly, it’s still relatively off-the-radar in terms of tourism (at least compared with bigger cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam) — making Tallinn an excellent place for travelers in search of lesser-known European gems.
A New Rule Is About To Change Every Trip to Europe
By
Julia Hammond
Read time: 4 minutes
August 28, 2025
Updated: April 28, 2026
A New Rule Is About To Change Every Trip to Europe
Tips •August 28, 2025•Updated: April 28, 2026
By Julia Hammond
Author
Julia Hammond
Julia is a U.K.-based travel writer whose work has been featured in The Independent, The Telegraph, The New Zealand Herald, and Culture Trip, among others. She’s an enthusiastic advocate for independent travel and a passionate geographer who has had the privilege of traveling to more than 130 countries in search of a story.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Europe or a frequent traveler across the pond, you should be aware that there are changes afoot. In late 2026, the European Union plans to introduce new entry requirements for U.S. travelers, following the rollout of a new electronic entry and exit system in April this year. Be prepared for Europe’s electronic travel authorization and ensure a stress-free trip with our helpful guide.
What Is the ETIAS?
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Sometime during the fourth quarter of 2026, the EU intends to implement a new electronic authorization for travelers from qualifying visa-exempt countries such as the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. If you were previously able to enter Europe for a short-term stay without obtaining a visa, you will now need to apply for an ETIAS, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, before you travel.
You’ll need to apply for an ETIAS if you’re visiting one or more of 30 European countries — 26 out of the 27 members of the EU (excluding the Republic of Ireland), plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Additionally, since Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, and Vatican City are accessible only via another EU country, these destinations are also impacted by the change.
Once your ETIAS travel authorization has been approved — a process that should take no more than three days, and typically even less than that — you can travel to these European countries as often as you want for as many as 90 days in any 180-day period. The ETIAS is valid for three years, as long as you are using the same passport.
Effectively, the ETIAS acts as a prescreening program. It will operate in a similar way to the long-established ESTA that eligible visitors have needed to apply for prior to arriving in the U.S. since 2009. It also follows a similar move by the U.K., which introduced its Electronic Travel Application (ETA) in 2025.
The application will collect personal details and ask about your travel plans, criminal convictions, and other relevant data in advance. In doing so, EU border authorities believe they can boost security for their citizens by having a better understanding up front about who is traveling in and out of the Schengen Area. The system also aims to cut down on immigration wait times by providing essential information in advance.
The ETIAS follows the introduction of Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which began a phased rollout in October 2025 and went fully live on April 10, 2026. (Not without a few hiccups, however.) The new digital border control system replaces traditional passport stamps with electronic passenger details and biometrics. Passengers will find the new fully digital entry and exit checkpoints in the same countries above that are implementing the ETIAS, with the exception of Cyprus (for the time being).
It’s been reported that the ETIAS will go live six months after the new EES. So, while the EU has yet to announce a firm date, we can expect to see it sometime in October 2026, after which travelers will have to apply and pay for authorization in advance to visit most of Europe.
The ETIAS hit headlines recently when it was announced that the fee would be 20 euros (around $23 USD) per person, rather than the 7-euro fee that was initially proposed. Notably, travelers who are under the age of 18 or over the age of 70 are exempt from the application fee, though all travelers will still have to apply and be approved for an ETIAS regardless of their age.
This price hike comes in response to inflation and higher operating costs than were previously expected. It has also taken longer than anticipated to roll out the ETIAS, largely due to the need to align policies and coordinate procedures between so many different countries. EU authorities expect the increased revenue to help pay for features such as upgraded automation, stronger encryption, and improved coordination with the new Entry/Exit System (EES).
Despite the higher cost of an ETIAS, Europeans currently pay significantly more for an ESTA to be able to visit the U.S.. In September 2025, the U.S. government hiked the cost of the ESTA, nearly doubling it from $21 to $40 USD.
Other countries have introduced similar electronic travel authorizations or are considering their implementation. For example, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the U.K. costs £20 (around $27) as of April 2026. Hop on a flight to Australia, and your ETA will set you back AU$20 ($14 USD); for New Zealand, it’s NZ$17 ($10 USD).
While no one likes extra tourism fees, in practice, paying an additional $23 for a European vacation or business trip isn’t likely to be a deal breaker for most travelers, given the cost of the trip as a whole. However, it’s important to be prepared for these new entry requirements ahead of time so you can avoid any last-minute stress before you jet off to Europe later this year.
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Geography •August 22, 2025•Updated: August 22, 2025
By Bradley O'Neill
Author
Bradley O'Neill
Bradley is an English travel writer who’s wandered through 50-plus countries and lived on four continents while chasing waves, the perfect pint, and family adventures. Bradley's work has appeared in publications such as Skyscanner and Matador Network, and he now splits his time between Buenos Aires and Uruguay.
The 50 U.S. states span an impressive 3.8 million square miles, which is similar to the entire continent of Europe. But not every state is characterized by enormous swathes of land and water. Some are bite-sized regions that pack in rich histories, vibrant cities, and charming small towns within just a few thousand square miles. So, whether you’re drawn to colonial streets or scenic coastlines, take a look at the 10 smallest states by area.
The Mountain State was first inhabited by Paleo-Indians some 12,500 years ago and later by the Cherokee and Delaware peoples, among other Indigenous tribes. From 1607 to 1861, the area was part of the British Virgin Colony, which later became the state of Virginia. In 1863, under President Abraham Lincoln and following the formation of an independent government by the state’s western counties, West Virginia branched off to become the 35th state. Interestingly, it is the only U.S. state created by presidential proclamation.
Today, West Virginia’s rugged natural scenery is a playground for outdoor adventures, from hiking and white water rafting around New River Gorge National Park to skiing on Snowshoe Mountain. A short section of the Appalachian Trail cuts through the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, the ancestral home of the Shawnee and Tuscarora peoples that bore witness to pivotal battles during the Civil War.
Founded in 1632 as a refuge for English Catholics, the Maryland colony quickly flourished thanks to its tobacco trade and busy ports. One of the original 13 colonies, Maryland is named after Queen Henrietta Maria of England. Historians also have found evidence of of Lenape, Nanticoke, and Powhatan peoples living in the region as far back as 13,000 years ago. In Baltimore, the Maryland Center for History and Culture brings state history to life through art, archaeological discoveries, and hands-on exhibits.
One of Maryland’s biggest draws is Chesapeake Bay, the northern portion of which is found within the state. It lures culture buffs and nature lovers with its mix of historical sites, waterfront towns, and wildlife reserves. Be sure to visit Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park to walk the terrain the famed abolitionist traversed while leading nearly 70 people to freedom in the 1800s. Elsewhere in Maryland, visitors can discover the sandy beaches, salt marshes, and wild ponies of Assateague Island.
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Area: 10,932 square miles
Around 1,500 years ago, Polynesian voyagers arrived on the islands of Hawaii, after paddling across the Pacific Ocean in double-hulled canoes and using the stars for navigation. In 1795, warrior chief Kamehameha, who later became the islands’ first king, established the Kingdom of Hawaii. By 1810, all of the islands had been unified. Hawaii continued as an independent kingdom until 1898, when it was annexed by the United States, and later admitted to the Union in 1959.
This remote Pacific chain is made up of eight main islands, six of which are open to visitors. Almost three-quarters of Hawaiian residents live on Oahu, where the bustling metropolis of Honolulu sits alongside the surf meccas of Waikiki and the North Shore. Spectacular natural wonders dot the archipelago’s landscape, including Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Haleakalā National Park. Notably, Hawaii is home to the tallest waterfalls in the U.S. and the world’s highest sea cliffs.
7. Massachusetts
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Area: 10,554 square miles
Officially declared a state in 1788, Massachusetts has witnessed many significant milestones in U.S. history, starting with the Mayflower ship landing at Provincetown on Cape Cod in 1620. Soon after, the Pilgrims established the Plymouth Colony, one of the earliest European settlements in North America. Around 150 years later, the Boston Tea Party was a catalyst for the American Revolution. And long before all of this, the state was home to the Mohegan, Mohican, and Wampanoag peoples.
From the Berkshire Mountains to the lighthouse-dotted Atlantic coastline, Massachusetts has a diverse geographical landscape. Martha’s Vineyard is a celebrity-favorite historic vacation spot known for its quaint harbor towns, while Nantucket welcomes tourists with its dune-backed beaches. In Boston, don’t miss the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile route incorporating 16 sites related to the American Revolution. And every March, the state capital hosts one of the most famous St. Patrick’s Day events outside of Ireland.
6. Vermont
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Area: 9,616 square miles
Like many states, Indigenous peoples were the first to inhabit Vermont, which was home to the Abenaki tribe, among others. When French explorer Samuel de Champlain arrived in 1609, he named the region “Les Monts Verts” after the Green Mountains. This inspired both the state’s official name and nickname, the Green Mountain State. Interestingly, Vermont briefly declared itself an independent republic in 1777 before ultimately joining the Union in 1791.
Today, Vermont is home to 55 state parks and a 150-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail, part of which is shared with the Long Trail, running for 272 miles across the Green Mountains. In Stowe, small-town charm blends with first-rate skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort, while Burlington boasts a lively arts scene on the banks of Lake Champlain.
Vermont’s eastern neighbor is also the ancestral home of the Abenaki peoples, as well as the Pennacock peoples. Founded as the New Hampshire colony in 1623, it was the first colony to declare independence from England and was granted statehood in 1788. Today, New Hampshire is among the country’s best places to experience fall foliage — particularly the Kancamagus Scenic Byway winding through White Mountain National Forest.
Some of the highest annual snowfall in the country also makes New Hampshire a snowsports hot spot. Powder hounds can carve up on around 30 ski resorts, including the popular Breton Woods Ski Area. Those looking for a dose of culture will find well-preserved Georgian architecture in Portsmouth and historic mills around Dover. And beachgoers make the most of the shortest state shoreline, at just 18 miles.
The earliest inhabitants of New Jersey were the Lenni Lenape peoples roughly 10,000 years ago. In the 1600s, the Dutch established the New Netherland colony, followed by a short-lived Swedish settlement. The English took control of the region in 1644, naming it after the isle of Jersey in the Channel Islands.
Sweeping beaches and American Revolutionary War history draw many visitors to the Garden State. Popular destinations include the entertainment-packed boardwalks of the Jersey Shore and Washington Crossing Historic Park, where George Washington’s troops crossed the Delaware River. New Jersey is also the “Diner Capital of the World,” with an estimated 450 diners spread around the state.
3. Connecticut
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Area: 5,543 square miles
One of the six New England states, Connecticut stretches inland from the shores of Long Island Sound. Just 70 miles long and 110 miles wide, it’s one of the country’s most densely populated states, with around 760 people per square mile. Connecticut’s name means “land on the long tidal river” in the Algonquian language. Before the arrival of Dutch and English settlers, the Algonquian people were the main inhabitants of the region.
Despite its compact size, Connecticut packs in a variety of different landscapes, from the pastoral farmlands of Kent Falls State Park to the prehistoric lands of Dinosaur State Park and the vineyards of Litchfield County. Picture-perfect small towns steeped in maritime history sit along the state’s shoreline. See: Mystic, the epitome of New England charm and home to a working seaport, wharfside shops, and the Mystic Seaport Museum.
The First State gets its nickname because it was the first of the 13 colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Before that, the Lenni Lenape and Nanticoke peoples lived there for thousands of years prior to European colonization. The state’s small size means that, today, it’s split into only three counties: New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. This is the fewest number of counties of any state — a far cry from the 254 counties of Texas, the state with the highest number.
Life along Delaware’s Atlantic coast is centered on towns such as Bethaney Beach and Rehoboth Beach, featuring quintessential boardwalk entertainment and seafood restaurants serving blue crab and clams. Inland, Brandywine Creek State Park offers lush meadows and old-growth forests alongside tubing and kayaking adventures.
Measuring just 48 miles long and 37 miles wide, Rhode Island is the smallest U.S. state by area. With around 1,075 people per square mile, it’s also the third-most densely populated state. Some of the state’s earliest settlers were the Niantic, Narragansett, and Wampanoag peoples. In the 1600s, English minister Roger Williams established a colony after being expelled from Massachusetts for his views of religious freedom and separation of church and state.
Despite its small size, Rhode Island boasts a 400-mile coastline, which earned it the nickname the “Ocean State.” It meanders along Black Island Sound before cutting into Narragansett Bay and creating a series of dramatic bays, coves, and cliffs, from the surf break at Narragansett Beach to the calmer waters of Misquamicut State Beach. No visit is complete without a stop in Newport, famed for its maritime heritage, Gilded Age mansions, and prestigious regattas.
The TSA Is Now Allowing Some Passengers To Skip This Step
By
Peter Vanden Bos
Read time: 4 minutes
August 22, 2025
Updated: August 22, 2025
The TSA Is Now Allowing Some Passengers To Skip This Step
Tips •August 22, 2025•Updated: August 22, 2025
By Peter Vanden Bos
Author
Peter Vanden Bos
Peter is a Toronto-based journalist, editor, content strategist, and self-professed avgeek with 15 years of experience covering all things travel. Prior to joining Daily Passport, he oversaw newsletter publication for Travelzoo. His favorite destinations to explore include Japan, France, Chile, New Zealand, and his adopted home country of Canada.
No traveler likes to wait in a long line — especially after a long-haul flight. But if you’re flying internationally back to the U.S. and have a domestic connection, that’s likely exactly what you’ll be facing. When travelers arrive in the U.S. from an international flight, they not only have to stand in a customs line but also must wait for their checked bags, recheck them, and clear TSA security again. Fortunately, a new pilot program called One Stop Security (OSS) promises to reduce wait times during your next layover — find out how it works and where you can use it below.
Most travelers prefer to fly nonstop if they can, but often that’s not possible, especially if their home airport is a smaller one. Under the current system, if you take an international flight to a U.S. airport that is not your final destination, you have to jump through a number of hoops before boarding your domestic connection.
First, you must clear customs and immigration (unless you’re flying from an airport with preclearance). Those lines can be lengthy, but you can skip them if you have Global Entry or you’re enrolled in Mobile Passport Control. Then, if you have checked bags, which is often the case for travelers on big international trips, you have to proceed to the baggage claim, wait for your luggage, and check them again to your final destination.
Lastly, you’ll have to undergo TSA security screening, even though you went through a similar process before boarding the first leg of your trip. That’s where One Stop Security (OSS) comes in: Travelers on a handful of flights that are participating in this pilot program can bypass the second security screening altogether and don’t have to worry about collecting and rechecking their bags.
Instead, passengers on those flights will head to a dedicated customs area at the arrival gate that is separate from standard screening. There, they will undergo passport checks before heading directly to their connecting gate, while bags are transferred automatically.
Industry experts have praised the pilot program. In a statement, the U.S. Travel Association said One Stop Security signals “a new era for U.S. travel,” calling it “a smart, long-overdue step toward modernizing the travel experience, eliminating redundant screening, cutting connection times, and unlocking more international air service.”
Unfortunately, you might have to wait a while to take advantage of the new program, which is a partnership between airlines, the TSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.K.’s Department of Transport.
Currently, One Stop Security is available to a very limited number of passengers. American Airlines was the first to introduce the program in the U.S., starting with flights from London Heathrow Airport to Dallas/Fort Worth in July 2025. In a statement, the airline said the streamlined process reduces connection times for those passengers by 50%.
Delta Air Lines also introduced One Stop Security on select flights from London Heathrow to Atlanta in July. However, with Delta’s program, travelers must be enrolled in Global Entry or Mobile Passport Control to be able to skip the second TSA screening. Delta says those passengers who are eligible can save up to 45 minutes on their connections.
Details on the future of the program are scarce, but the TSA’s deputy administrator Adam Stahl said in an interview that more international airports will be added in the “coming months.”
The program launched on the other side of the pond in February 2025. Passengers landing at London’s Heathrow Airport on select flights from Dallas/Fort Worth and connecting to destinations outside of Britain can also skip security checkpoints upon arrival.
In recent months, the TSA has announced a number of changes aimed at reducing wait times and improving the passenger experience. The biggest change came in July 2025, when the department dropped the requirement for passengers to remove their shoes at standard security screening checkpoints. Additionally, the TSA has introduced dedicated family screening lanes at select airports, with more to be rolled out in the coming months. Many U.S. airports have also implemented a new security system called Credential Authentication Technology (CAT), which allows passengers to breeze past security without showing their boarding pass.
