If you've dreamed about diving into the ocean's depths and exploring an ancient sunken city, Dubai has something to offer you...except it doesn't involve the ocean. The metropolis is now home to the world's deepest swimming pool, one set in a faux sunken city full of 'old' relics and ruins (and at least one car) for visitors to explore.
Space travel and space science have seen several historic milestones in the past years, from reusable rockets to the first space helicopter on Mars. But while others have their sights on longer travels, exploration, and colonization, some companies are aiming to start a new commercial industry a bit closer to Earth. Virgin Galactic just took one step closer to that goal in its latest test flight that carried not just any human into space but its own founder, Sir Richard Branson.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported screening a huge number of people on Thursday, July 1, marking a milestone in the US's efforts to move past the pandemic. Though the pandemic is not over and likely won't be on a worldwide basis until next year, the US has broadly offered a COVID-19 vaccination program since early spring and has since loosened many of its pandemic-related restrictions.
A lot of industries have been hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and, unfortunately, that has resulted in layoffs and even bankruptcies. Those that managed to survive sometimes operate with reduced workforces, including those on sometimes critical operations like long-haul flights. In lieu of that, Airbus and Cathay Pacific are working on a system that will have just one pilot at the cockpit most of the time, a system that seems to be prioritizing savings over passengers' safety and even their own employees' welfare.
Most people think of astronauts as humans dressed in bulky suits flying onboard rockets hurtling into the vast expanse of outer space. Virgin Galactic, however, wants to change that conception and make every human a potential astronaut. At least, every human who can afford one of its super-expensive space flights. First, however, it needs to actually prove to everyone, especially authorities, that it can safely carry humans above a certain altitude. Its third-ever test flight last Saturday took it one step closer to that goal while also achieving a first for space science and travel.
If you're traveling through Romania and you haven't yet been vaccinated, you now have the opportunity to get the COVID-19 vaccine and a fun story to go along with it. Officials in Romania have turned the popular tourist attraction into a vaccination site, offering visitors the opportunity to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for free during their trip.
The US Customs and Border Protection agency made a surprising announcement on Monday, stating that its agents have found cow dung packaged in luggage -- and, it warns, you should stop doing this because of the health risk it presents. The cow dung may have been transported under the mistaken belief that it offers protection against COVID-19.
In a travel advisory update published today, the US Department of State 'strongly' recommended that all citizens 'reconsider' any international travel they have planned. The reason, according to a release from the agency, is the continued presence of SARS-CoV-2 and the risks related to COVID-19. With this update, the State Department will label around 80-percent of countries at 'Level 4: Do Not Travel' risk.
Aerion plans to launch a supersonic business jet for the wealthy in 2027 called the AS2. After the launch of the business jet, the company plans to turn its hand to something meant more for the masses. It's currently planning a supersonic passenger aircraft called the AS3TM that would carry 50 passengers at speeds over Mach 4.
New COVID-19 travel recommendations by the US CDC have given the green light to fully vaccinated people to get back on planes or take other trips, though pandemic precautions should still be observed the agency warns. The new guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges that fully-vaccinated travelers are both less likely to get, and to spread, COVID-19.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that its COVID-19 vaccine and test results 'travel pass' app will arrive for iPhone next month. The app, assuming the travel industry adopts it in any significant way, will provide an alternative to carrying around paper vaccination cards and test results when traveling or visiting venues that require documentation.
Boeing's almost cursed 737 MAX is slowly starting to return to service but it seems that the aircraft maker has another headache coming. Fortunately, there were no lives lost before Boeing learned about what could be another faulty component that could have just as deadly consequences if left unchecked. Dozens of Boeing 777 planes have been temporarily put out of service after a flight from Denver had one of its engines failed in a rather dramatic way just after takeoff.