The number of coronavirus cases among passengers aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship has almost doubled, going from an initially reported 70 to 136 as of Monday. Indian crew members are making public appeals, begging their government to rescue them. In a series of Facebook posts, Binay Kumar Sarkar said that those who are …
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Extreme tailwinds helped 3 planes break records flying from New York to London in under five hours
Storm Ciara saw aircraft flying transatlantic routes on Saturday night perform flights in record times. Three flights from New York to London performed by UK carriers British Airways and Virgin Atlantic were accomplished in under five hours, beating the previous record. The current supersonic record for the route is held by British Airways and the …
Review: The Delta Reserve card is best for loyalists who take full advantage of the lounge, or for Delta flyers who have another Amex
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is currently offering 80,000 bonus miles and 20,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 within the first three months. You can also earn 20,000 additional bonus miles after you renew your card after the first year. This welcome bonus is only available until April 1. One …
San Francisco’s Sea Cliff neighborhood, where Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey owns $30 million worth of homes, is a parade of oceanside mansions. Here’s what it’s like inside.
On the northwest corner of San Francisco is the exclusive neighborhood of Sea Cliff. It was founded in 1913 as one of the city’s residence parks, or makeshift suburbs. It’s become one of San Francisco’s most elite residential areas housing prominent figures, including Twitter and Square founder and billionaire Jack Dorsey. Visit Business Insider’s homepage …
This RV built on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is so big it fits a queen bed — see inside
German RV maker La Strada has released its new flagship Nova EB: a tiny home on wheels built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. There’s also a complete bathroom and kitchen inside of the tiny home on wheels. The van is currently being sold in Germany and starts at €100,930, about $110,520.87. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for …
Bankrupt South African Airways just debuted its newest plane, the Airbus A350, weeks early despite verging on the brink of collapse
South African Airways recently debuted its newest aircraft, the Airbus A350-900 XWB, on the Johannesburg-New York route. The new A350 is the airline’s first next-generation aircraft that it aims to use to revitalize its aging fleet. Despite buying four of the aircraft type, South African remains on the brink of financial collapse. Visit Business Insider’s …
I went to Saudi Arabia’s national museum, and it’s clear how proud the kingdom is of its longstanding, controversial alliance with the US
I spent several hours in Saudi Arabia’s national museum and cultural center while visiting Riyadh in January 2020. It’s full of evidence of the kingdom’s long, fraternal relationship with the US, which started a year after the formation of Saudi Arabia in 1932. A desk gifted to King Abdulaziz by President Harry Truman, and a …
I’m a full-time digital nomad, and credit card points make traveling 8 months of the year no more expensive than staying at home
I’m a full-time digital nomad who travels about eight months a year, but it’s no more expensive than staying home. In fact, it might even be cheaper. In 2019 I spent just about $18,000 — or $1,549 a month — on transportation, lodging, food, experiences, and shopping combined. I’m able to keep my transportation and …
JetBlue founder David Neeleman’s new airline will fly the Airbus A220, the controversial plane Boeing tried to keep out of the US
The Bombardier CSeries was meant to be a game-changing aircraft. Produced by the Canadian aircraft manufacturer, it was its first foray in the 100-to-150-seat market. Though initially successful with sales to major airlines, the program was turned upside following a trade dispute with Boeing. The aircraft program was taken over by Airbus as a result, …
‘It is nasty over here’: Expats in China struggle with lost wages, abandoned and hungry pets, and the looming threat of quarantines amid coronavirus outbreak
Expats in China are facing an assortment of issues, including economic uncertainty, debilitating restrictions, and the looming threat of quarantines, as the country deals with the coronavirus. “Nobody enters and nobody leaves unless you have a special permit from the government to leave the city,” said Jovan Vazquez who lives in Zhejiang province, where drastic …
Forget the Galápagos and Iceland — here are 10 under-the-radar destinations to visit in 2020 if you want to escape the crowds
Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest small-group adventure travel company, has released its fourth annual “Not Hot” list, highlighting off-the-beaten-path and emerging destinations to visit in 2020. This year’s list ranges from the “Galápagos of the North,” a wild archipelago off the coast of British Columbia, to the deserts of northern Sudan. The purpose of the …
The 17 best luxury hotels in the US to visit this year
US News & World Report just released its 10th annual ranking of best hotels in the world. Over 30,000 luxury hotels worldwide were evaluated and over 4,000 US hotels were ranked, based on a combination of travel expert opinion and guest satisfaction. Resorts in Hawaii, swanky hotels in Chicago, and basically any Four Seasons property …
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2 Delta credit cards come with an annual companion plane ticket — it can be an incredible value if you use it right
Two Delta credit cards, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, come with an annual companion certificate each year when you renew the card. It’s basically a buy-one-get-one coupon for domestic flights. When you book a round-trip ticket for yourself, you can get a second one for …
You don’t need to book a suite at the InterContinental San Diego to maximize your stay, but you do need a water view — here’s why the small splurge is worth it
Many visitors to San Diego flock to the coastal city for the beautiful beach. Those seeking to maximize scenic views should look to InterContinental San Diego, with floor-to-ceiling windows in every guestroom. Centrally located across from The Embarcadero in an urban setting, this popular San Diego hotel is walkable to several attractions including museums, shopping, …
Royal Caribbean forbids passport-holders from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau from boarding its cruise ships
Passport-holders from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau have been banned from all Royal Caribbean cruise ships, regardless of how long ago they visited those places. People who traveled “from, to, or through mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau less than 15 days prior to their sailing” will also not be allowed to board, the …
An apartment development that bans cars is being built in Arizona — here’s what it will look like
A car-free development, by real estate developer Culdesac and architecture firm Optico, is being built in Arizona and will house 1,000 people. All of the homes will be walking distance from amenities and community areas, such as grocery stores, bars, and bookable communal spaces. The 16-acre community includes 24,000 square feet of retail spaces. It’s …
The best luxury hotels on or near the Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas draws millions of tourists a year to its world-class gaming, dining, shopping, entertainment, and high-end hotels. For hotels, Las Vegas offers a great way to experience five-star luxury at a more accessible price point than is typically available. We selected 11 of the nicest luxury hotels in Vegas, on or near the Las …
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I’ve been in Korea for 10 days and have already been to KFC 3 times. Here’s what makes it so special in Korea compared to the US.
I visited KFC in Seoul, South Korea and was blown away by the menu items that aren’t available in the US. In South Korea, you can order beer, the infamous Double Down, and chicken gizzards at KFC. I kept finding myself returning to KFC while I was visiting Seoul, drawn by the cheap beer and …
China’s unprecedented quarantine of 11 million people in Wuhan is 2 weeks old. Here’s what it is like in the isolated city.
The 11 million residents of Wuhan, China, have been under lockdown for two weeks thanks to the deadly coronavirus. The residents are worried about food running out, getting the virus from other people in the city, and how to stay entertained as they largely choose to stay in their homes. The city is shipping in …
How 30,000 meals a day are made on the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas
Royal Caribbean‘s Symphony of the Seas has a weekly passenger list of at least 6,600 vacationers every week. A culinary team of 280 chefs run the kitchens 24/7, with each chef working 10 to 12 hours a day to feed their guests on the cruise ship. Cooking and prep work is divided between 36 kitchens, …
The founder of JetBlue just launched a new US airline, aimed at routes that others have left behind
JetBlue founder David Neeleman on Friday announced the name for his new airline: Breeze. The airline was previously code-named Moxy. Breeze will fly routes between smaller cities that don’t otherwise have direct service. It expects to start flights in late 2020. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories. JetBlue founder David Neeleman launched his fifth …
The best pet-friendly hotels in the US
More and more boutique and high-end hotels are making it easy to overnight with four-legged friends with pet-friendly features that provide a welcome alternative to chain motels. Many hotels in the US are promoting perks that include plush pet beds, fresh-baked dog treats, in-house dog parks, and even “yappy” hours. We chose top pet-friendly hotels …
When I visit Disney World I like to stay at Bohemian Hotel in Celebration, an Orlando suburb that looks plucked from a movie set — the town was originally created by the Walt Disney Company as a utopian community for Disney fans
Celebration, Florida is an Orlando suburb and charming town originally owned and designed by The Walt Disney Company as a place for avid theme park fans to live in a resort-style community. The resort casual lifestyle is still upheld even though it’s no longer owned by Disney, and best observed at my favorite hotel in …
Mercedes-Benz unveiled a new camper van with a pop-up roof that’s coming to the US — see inside the ‘Weekender’
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its first pop-up camper van available in the US market: the Weekender. The camper van is being built on the body of a Mercedes-Benz Metris van and can seat five people and sleep four. Pricing has not been announced yet. Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories. Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its first pop-up camper …
United is launching a New York to DC shuttle with a new plane that only has 50 seats and looks more like a private jet
United Airlines is taking on American Airlines and Delta Air Lines with a new shuttle route between Newark, New Jersey, and Washington, DC launching March 29. The Chicago-based airline plans to compete using its newest premium-oriented aircraft, the Bombardier CRJ-550, a 70-seat designed aircraft that only features 50 seats. No other special amenities for the …
An Airbnb cofounder explained the strategy behind its success in China, a market where most US companies have failed
American tech companies have historically struggled in China, but Airbnb has had success there. Airbnb hoped Chinese travelers’ experiences as guests would lead them to become hosts, Blecharczyk said in a talk hosted by NYU on Tuesday. The strategy seems to be working: Blecharczyk said two-thirds of stays by Chinese travelers are now within the …
I visit Palm Springs regularly and the Avalon Hotel and Bungalows has become my second home for the chic rooms, manicured grounds, and excellent pools — after trying most rooms, here’s my favorite
Avalon Hotel and Bungalows is one of Palm Springs’ top-rated hotels, originally built for Hollywood’s elite stars in 1929. Today it’s still a popular desert destination, with iconic style, three pools, a spa, and excellent on-site dining, all within walking distance of downtown Palm Springs. Rates begin around $152 for a standard room in low …