With the new year upon us, it’s a good time to look ahead at some of the changes we’ll be facing when traveling.
First up is the REAL ID requirement.
Announced at the beginning of 2023, the system is meant to "deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system, which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the U.K. border each year," the U.K. government's Home Office website stated. It was supposed to launch at the end of 2023 but was delayed.
The U.K. joins a list of other countries that already have an authorization scheme in place, including the U.S., Canada, Australia and, soon, the European Union.
ETIAS REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR VISITING THE EUROPEAN UNION
Starting “some time in 2025,” the European Union will launch the ETIAS travel security program.
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorization System, a travel security program that conducts background checks on applicants to identify potential security risks entering Europe’s external borders. Visitors who are currently able to visit 27 European Union countries in the Schengen area without a visa will need to apply for EITAS approval before being allowed to enter those countries. In addition, three non-Schengen countries of Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania will participate in the program.
Once ETIAS comes on line, visitors will have to provide basic personal data to obtain ETIAS approval. The online application will cost €7, payable only with a credit or debit card. “Once payment is completed, most applicants will receive an approval within minutes,” according to the official website ETIAS.com. An approval is valid for three years or whenever the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first, and is good for unlimited travel to participating countries.
Travelers can sign up for email updates on the ETIAS launch date and any new requirements on ETIAS.com.
ONE U.S. AIRLINE IS MAKING POSITIVE CHANGES
Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV), long a leader among no-frills carriers, is finally going to do away with what I (and many other travelers) consider “cattle-call boarding.” The carrier will end open seating early in 2026 and will sell tickets for the first flights with assigned seating in the second half of 2025.
The change is an effort to keep existing customers happ(ier) and attract new ones. Research shows that 80 percent of Southwest customers and 86 percent of potential customers prefer assigned seats.
Assigned seating with Southwest will work the same way as other airlines. Passengers who buy the cheapest seats will be able to select a seat for a fee, or a seat will be assigned to them the day before the flight.
At the same time the airline, which currently offers only one class of seat, will also add premium seating. Premium seats, that will account for about one-third of a plane’s seats, will have up to five inches of additional legroom, and premium passengers will be among the first to board.
And to dispel rumors about other changes that may be afoot, Southwest says it is NOT ending free checked bags. Customers (including TheTravelPro) value the free checked bag policy, and Southwest (correctly) sees it as a big part of what attracts people to the airline.
In our case, we travel between SEA and SMF (Sacramento) several times a year. Southwest and Seattle-based Alaska Airlines (NYSE:ALK) generally offer competitive “ticket prices” but Alaska charges an additional $35 for the first checked bag each way. For our recent Christmas trip, that would have cost us an additional $140, which we would much rather spent on grandkids or save for the next trip.
First up is the REAL ID requirement.
Starting May 7, 2025, air travelers will have to present a READ ID-compliant driver’s license or alternative piece of identification to board commercial airliners in the United States.
The REAL ID Act of 2005 – yes, passed 20 years ago! – required that states offer driver’s licenses that confirm both the identity and the citizenship of the holder.
The act mandates that states and territories must require proof of U.S. citizenship or proof that a person has been “lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence in the United States” before issuing a driver’s license or state ID card for those documents to be considered acceptable “for official federal purposes” including flying on commercial aircraft, visiting federal sites, or going into nuclear plants.
ALTERNATIVES
All states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories issue REAL ID-compliant licenses, though five state issue both standard and "enhanced" driver's licenses, or EDLs. Those states are Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington. In those states, the standard licenses are not REAL ID-compliant.
Without a compliant ID, travelers must use a passport or another federal ID, such as a military ID, Global Entry or passport card, even for local flights.
The REAL ID Act of 2005 – yes, passed 20 years ago! – required that states offer driver’s licenses that confirm both the identity and the citizenship of the holder.
The act mandates that states and territories must require proof of U.S. citizenship or proof that a person has been “lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence in the United States” before issuing a driver’s license or state ID card for those documents to be considered acceptable “for official federal purposes” including flying on commercial aircraft, visiting federal sites, or going into nuclear plants.
ALTERNATIVES
All states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories issue REAL ID-compliant licenses, though five state issue both standard and "enhanced" driver's licenses, or EDLs. Those states are Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington. In those states, the standard licenses are not REAL ID-compliant.
Without a compliant ID, travelers must use a passport or another federal ID, such as a military ID, Global Entry or passport card, even for local flights.
ETA REQUIRED FOR AMERICANS VISITING THE U.K.
Starting Jan. 8, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will go into effect for most U.S. citizens traveling to or through the U.K.
Starting Jan. 8, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will go into effect for most U.S. citizens traveling to or through the U.K.
Announced at the beginning of 2023, the system is meant to "deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system, which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the U.K. border each year," the U.K. government's Home Office website stated. It was supposed to launch at the end of 2023 but was delayed.
The U.K. joins a list of other countries that already have an authorization scheme in place, including the U.S., Canada, Australia and, soon, the European Union.
ETIAS REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR VISITING THE EUROPEAN UNION
Starting “some time in 2025,” the European Union will launch the ETIAS travel security program.
ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorization System, a travel security program that conducts background checks on applicants to identify potential security risks entering Europe’s external borders. Visitors who are currently able to visit 27 European Union countries in the Schengen area without a visa will need to apply for EITAS approval before being allowed to enter those countries. In addition, three non-Schengen countries of Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania will participate in the program.
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| Map of Schengen-area countries plus other participants in ETIAS |
Once ETIAS comes on line, visitors will have to provide basic personal data to obtain ETIAS approval. The online application will cost €7, payable only with a credit or debit card. “Once payment is completed, most applicants will receive an approval within minutes,” according to the official website ETIAS.com. An approval is valid for three years or whenever the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first, and is good for unlimited travel to participating countries.
Travelers can sign up for email updates on the ETIAS launch date and any new requirements on ETIAS.com.
ONE U.S. AIRLINE IS MAKING POSITIVE CHANGES
Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV), long a leader among no-frills carriers, is finally going to do away with what I (and many other travelers) consider “cattle-call boarding.” The carrier will end open seating early in 2026 and will sell tickets for the first flights with assigned seating in the second half of 2025.
The change is an effort to keep existing customers happ(ier) and attract new ones. Research shows that 80 percent of Southwest customers and 86 percent of potential customers prefer assigned seats.
Assigned seating with Southwest will work the same way as other airlines. Passengers who buy the cheapest seats will be able to select a seat for a fee, or a seat will be assigned to them the day before the flight.
At the same time the airline, which currently offers only one class of seat, will also add premium seating. Premium seats, that will account for about one-third of a plane’s seats, will have up to five inches of additional legroom, and premium passengers will be among the first to board.
And to dispel rumors about other changes that may be afoot, Southwest says it is NOT ending free checked bags. Customers (including TheTravelPro) value the free checked bag policy, and Southwest (correctly) sees it as a big part of what attracts people to the airline.
In our case, we travel between SEA and SMF (Sacramento) several times a year. Southwest and Seattle-based Alaska Airlines (NYSE:ALK) generally offer competitive “ticket prices” but Alaska charges an additional $35 for the first checked bag each way. For our recent Christmas trip, that would have cost us an additional $140, which we would much rather spent on grandkids or save for the next trip.
Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.
Photos by Carl Dombek
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