And other travel news from the week.
This week in travel, we’ve uncovered several stories that might have flown under your radar. Among them: A passenger attempted to hijack a plane in Mexico; a passenger lashed out at a family in a disturbing incident at Los Angeles International Airport; and United Airlines is flying families to the North Pole.
Dive into these and more as we explore the week’s five most intriguing, under-the-radar travel news.
NO.1
WOMAN LASHES OUT AT AN INDIAN AMERICAN FAMILY
Pervez Taufiq was traveling the week before Thanksgiving with his wife and three children when a woman yelled at him and his family on an airport shuttle bus. Taufiq, a wedding photographer, shared the incident on Instagram.
The family flew from Mexico to Los Angeles and were sitting apart when a female passenger started questioning Taufiq’s 11-year-old son about his race. Later, on the shuttle bus to the airport, the same passenger told Taufiq’s children to “shut up.” That’s when Taufiq decided to intervene.
In the video, which does not record how the confrontation started, the woman tells Taufiq that he’s not American and uses words like “tandoori” to insult him while also making gestures at them. Another person on the bus came to the family’s defense, and United staff was seen talking to the woman outside the bus.
Taufiq, a well-known photographer, told NBC News that it has been an overwhelming experience, especially because he had to explain to his kids why it happened. The 11-year-old, who allegedly first faced racism on the flight, has been the most upset.
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NO.2
NOTRE DAME REOPENS FIVE YEARS AFTER DEVASTATING FIRE
After a five-year restoration effort, Paris’ Notre Dame held its first mass on Sunday. The historic service was attended by 150 bishops and more than 100 priests, along with celebrities and world leaders, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
The first public service later that evening was attended by 2,500 people. Starting December 16, travelers will be able to visit the cathedral using an online booking system.
Notre Dame is one of the most famous landmarks in France and welcomed 12 million visitors in 2018. It caught fire on April 15, 2019, and the 850-year-old cathedral suffered extensive damage. According to Rebuilding Notre Dame, donations poured in from around the world—340,000 donors sent €846 million ($895 million) from more than 150 countries to restore the cathedral to its former glory. CNN estimated that renovations cost €700 million ($760 million).
NO.3
STOWAWAY WOMAN TRIED TO SNEAK MULTIPLE TIMES
The passenger who evaded security and airline staff and managed to stow away on a flight from New York to Paris is facing federal charges in the U.S. The court released 57-year-old Svetlana Dali from custody on Friday, though it acknowledged that she is a flight risk.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke Theodora told the court in a bail hearing that it wasn’t the first time Dali tried to sneak onto a flight without a ticket. One of her failed attempts was at Miami Airport in February. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo released Dali from custody with strict bail conditions requiring electronic monitoring and a curfew. She is also banned from all airports.
If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
Related: How Did a Passenger Fly to Paris From New York WITHOUT a Ticket?
NO.4
PASSENGER TRIES TO DIVERT FLIGHT TO THE U.S.
A Volaris flight made an emergency landing at Guadalajara International Airport after a passenger attempted to divert it to the U.S. The flight took off from El Bajío and was on its way to Tijuana when the passenger tried to redirect the plane “by use of force.” It’s not known where in the U.S. he wanted to go, how he attempted it, or what his motives were.
However, the passenger was detained in Guadalajara. The airline confirmed that there was no damage to the aircraft and that all passengers safely made it to their final destination after the diversion.
NO.5
UNITED IS FLYING PASSENGERS TO THE “NORTH POLE”
United Airlines is operating Fantasy Flights from multiple cities to a new seasonal hub, “North Pole,” with the airport code “JOY.” The airline has partnered with non-profits like Make-A-Wish and volunteers to share Christmas cheer with deserving families and children.
Last week, the first flight took off from Honolulu with much fanfare and, after a short roundabout, returned to the city. Around 125 children and adult passengers were escorted to the decked-out hangar, where they spent an evening playing games, watching hula performances, and meeting Santa, who also gave them gifts from their wish lists.
The flights are designed for pre-selected families with kids suffering from critical conditions or those who have lost someone in active duty. This year, the airline is planning Fantasy Flights from 13 airports, including Los Angeles, Chicago, London, and Tokyo. As a traveler, you can contribute by donating miles or money, and United will match it.
