Alton, IL – December 20, 2023 – The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, in collaboration with FLOCK Food Truck Park, the Audubon Center at Riverlands, and National Great Rivers Museum, is set to celebrate the official start of Eagle Season. The festivities will begin with the annual Eagle Ice Festival on Saturday, January 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., marking the return of the Great American Bald Eagles to their winter homes in southwest Illinois.

The U.S. State Department has announced a significant improvement in passport processing times, now back to pre-pandemic levels. This development comes as a relief for travelers, with processing times for new passports and renewals now estimated at six to eight weeks for routine service. For expedited service, which costs an additional $60, wait times are reduced to an estimated two to three weeks.

A volcano near the most populated area of Iceland has erupted, emitting flames and lava close to the town of Grindavik. Despite the eruption, travel impacts remain minimal for now, but this could change, particularly if ash and smoke become more prevalent.

W Hotels, a renowned global hospitality brand, is expanding its presence in the United Kingdom with the launch of the W Edinburgh. Situated in the vibrant St. James Quarter, this 12-story hotel is set to become a new landmark in Scotland's capital.

Windstar Cruises has initiated a comprehensive, multimillion-dollar redesign and update of its three iconic sailing ships, with the project slated for completion in 2026. The ambitious renovation began with the 148-guest Wind Star and will continue with the Wind Spirit and the larger Wind Surf.

Hacienda del Mar (HDM) Los Cabos Resort is thrilled to announce a vibrant lineup of events for the 2023/2024 holiday season. The resort's festive offerings include Advent wine and tequila tastings from December 1st to 24th, a traditional Mexican Posada on December 16th, and a glamorous New Year’s Eve Black & White dinner party on December 31st.

United Airlines has officially commenced service with its first Airbus A321neo, marking a significant addition to its fleet. The inaugural flight took off last Thursday from Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport to Chicago O'Hare. For now, the aircraft will operate routes between O'Hare and Phoenix, as well as between O'Hare and Fort Lauderdale.

United has placed firm orders for 130 A321neos, with 30 expected to be delivered by the end of the next year. The airline's configuration for these planes includes 20 first-class seats, 57 Economy Plus seats, and 123 economy seats.

Alaska Air Group has announced a significant acquisition, agreeing to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a deal valued at $1.9 billion, including debt. This strategic move will see the combined entity retaining both airlines' distinct brands, deeply rooted in the U.S.'s 49th and 50th states.

Under the terms of the agreement, Alaska will pay $18 in cash for each share of Hawaiian, a notable increase from Hawaiian's closing stock price of $4.86 on Friday. The deal also encompasses $900 million in Hawaiian debt, bringing the total value of the acquisition to $1.9 billion.

Clear, the registered travel program, is set to enhance airport security by implementing facial recognition technology across its lanes during 2024. This initiative, named NextGen Identity+, will replace Clear's existing biometric identification system that currently uses iris and fingerprint scans. The transition to facial recognition comes amid political scrutiny following three security breaches involving Clear.

In a stunning turn of events, Life at Sea Cruises has canceled its highly anticipated three-year global cruise, leaving passengers in a lurch. The cruise, which was set to offer an unparalleled experience of circumnavigating the globe over three years, has been called off due to the company's inability to secure a ship.