Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silk-logic-travel-daily/id1842162269
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
‘Stakes are high.’ With shutdown over, airlines predict record numbers of travelers this Thanksgiving
U.S. airlines expect a record 31 million flyers over the Thanksgiving period (Nov. 21–Dec. 1), with the Sunday and Monday after the holiday set to be the busiest days. Bookings jumped after the government shutdown ended, international demand is hitting records, and industry leaders are pressing Congress to protect air traffic controller pay in any future shutdown—while some carriers like Spirit trim schedules amid financial pressures.
Etihad global up to 35% off Black Friday 2025 sale for travel January 1 – June 30, 2026 (book by December 2)
Etihad is offering up to 35% off base fares in Economy for travel between January 1 and June 30, 2026, when booked by December 2. The discount applies to the base fare only (taxes and fees excluded), availability is limited, and Abu Dhabi stopover deals may sweeten longer itineraries.
Project Sunrise: the business of breaking aviation’s final frontier
Qantas is gearing up to launch nonstop Sydney–London and Sydney–New York flights with specially outfitted Airbus A350-1000s, betting that premium travelers will pay for ultra-long-haul convenience. While the move challenges hub-and-spoke norms, analysts expect these routes to remain niche given economic and environmental constraints.
Cathay Pacific Black Friday sale: flights from US$552 + save up to an extra $100
Cathay Pacific’s Black Friday deals feature fares from US$552 (U.S.) and C$642 (Canada), plus extra savings with promo codes: BFUS50/75/100 in the U.S. and BFCA50/75/100 in Canada. Book by November 30, 2025 for travel January 10 to October 24, 2026—ideal for locking in 2026 trips at lower prices.
Thailand cracks down on the misuse of visa exemption entries & stay extensions
Thai authorities are tightening enforcement against repeated “visa runs” and back-to-back visa-exempt entries, with stricter screening, potential denial of entry after multiple runs, and closer scrutiny of extensions. Travelers planning longer stays should secure appropriate visas (e.g., tourist, DTV, retirement, LTR) and complete the digital arrival card to avoid issues during peak season.
Direct flights are officially relaunching between London and Cornwall
Skybus is temporarily restoring the London Gatwick–Newquay route after Eastern Airways’ collapse, with daily flights starting November 23 and plans to increase to two daily from February 14, 2026. Fares start at £79.99 and the flight time of about 1 hour 15 minutes offers a faster alternative to the five-hour-plus train journey while supporting regional connectivity.
From record-breaking holiday crowds and ultra-long-haul ambitions to seasonal fare sales, visa rule enforcement, and a revived UK regional link, today’s stories underscore a travel landscape that’s both booming and evolving. If you’re heading out, plan early, check the fine print—especially on visas and sale terms—and keep an eye on new routes that can save you time (and sometimes money). Safe travels, and we’ll see you on the next episode.
