Is Newark Airport Ready for the Summer Travel Season?
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Flights at busy Newark Liberty International Airport have been beset by delays and cancellations this spring due to staffing shortages and equipment failures at a facility in Philadelphia that guides planes in and out of the hub.
The problems have exposed cracks in an air traffic control system that has been wearing down over decades. The crisis has reinvigorated calls for a complete overhaul of the critical infrastructure that manages 45,000 flights carrying 2.9 million people each day.
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Travel + Leisure
35 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
I Lived in Portland, Maine, for 8 Years—Here's My Insider's Guide to the City
Book a stay at The Docent's Collection and cook with some of Maine's locally sourced produce and seafood. Catch a Sea Dogs game at Hadlock Field. Head to Eventide for the can't-miss brown butter lobster roll and a round of oysters. Carve out some time to browse Washington Avenue for everything from ferment-forward pantry staples to vintage cookbooks. Stroll on the Eastern Promenade to work up an appetite and take in views of Casco Bay. I first started visiting Portland regularly a little over 10 years ago, taking the quick trip north from Boston every spare weekend I could. Well regarded as a culinary hot spot that's soaked in seaside charm, the easily walkable city is the perfect place to spend a long weekend—or more. From the cobblestone streets of the Old Port to beloved local haunts on Washington Avenue and the West End, it's easy to feel at home here instantly, while still sometimes experiencing it like a tourist. Guest room inside The Blind Tiger hotel. Longfellow Hotel is not only situated in the heart of one of Portland's best neighborhoods, the West End, but it's also relatively large by the city's standards. If you need another reason to book, though, the property is just a stone's throw from Tandem Coffee + Bakery, putting you at a distinct advantage to be first in line for one of their legendary breakfast sandwiches. The 48-room boutique hotel has a focus on wellness, housing an on-site spa with private infrared saunas and guest rooms designed for a great night's rest. The Francis is a small boutique property from the same team behind the Longfellow Hotel, Uncommon Hospitality. It's housed in a building from 1881, and each of the 15 rooms has its own unique charm. Like all historic properties, it has some quirks. While the free parking and included breakfast are big perks, one of the hotel's best features is that it shares a building with Wayside Tavern, a top restaurant in the city. Finn Naylor, marketing director at Rosemont Market & Bakery, says, 'Wayside Tavern is at the top of my list. Their food is always seasonal and thoughtful, the wine list is excellent, and the vibe is unfussy in the best way.' If you've ever wanted to try living in one of downtown Portland's best neighborhoods, the Old Port, this is the place to do it. The Docent's Collection offers a handful of loft-style apartments, complete with kitchens. Jordan Nugent, director of travel and events with Experience Maine, says, 'I love The Docent's Collection because it feels more like apartments, each with its own kitchen and living area, located in the heart of the Old Port. It's great for larger groups traveling together or longer stays.' Blind Tiger is made up of two historic buildings in Portland's West End. When traveling throughout New England, I always go out of my way to see if there's a Lark Hotels property nearby. No two rooms are ever identical and each location is engrained in its individual neighborhood, with Blind Tiger being no different. The property offers a complimentary light breakfast, and free parking and ample (and comfortable) public space on the first floor make it easy to linger between jaunts to one of the many amazing restaurants and bakeries in the neighborhood. The Press Hotel is in downtown Portland, operating in the historic headquarters of the Portland Press Herald . The 110-room property, operated by Marriott, has a boutique feel and welcome amenities such as valet parking and room service. Don't skip out on breakfast at Union, where you'll contemplate where blueberry breakfast sausage has been all your life. Boats docked in Portland's harbor. Ivey Redding/Travel + Leisure Take a quick drive over to Cape Elizabeth and stroll through Fort Williams Park. Roughly 15 minutes from downtown Portland, the park spans more than 90 acres, with dramatic cliffs and the iconic Portland Head Light. Pack a picnic lunch or grab one of the city's best lobster rolls from Bite Into Maine. The best way to appreciate the beauty of Portland is to see it from the water, and luckily, there's no shortage of ways to do it. Nugent says, 'Get out on the water when the weather is nice. We have so much access to neighboring islands and boat tours.' You can enjoy a wine tasting aboard a sailboat with Wine Wise Wine Sails, see how lobsters are caught with Lucky Catch, hop on a low-key sunset lighthouse tour with Portland Schooner Co., or take a casual cruise onboard the mail boat. According to Naylor, 'If you haven't taken a sunset cruise on Casco Bay Lines, add it to your list. It's the best midweek reset—affordable, BYO everything, and totally magical. My move? Stop by Rosemont beforehand for a chilled bottle of rosé, a fresh baguette, and some charcuterie, then hop on the ferry and let the sea do the rest.' If you find yourself in Portland during baseball season, don't miss the opportunity to catch a Sea Dogs game. Hadlock Field is a quick drive from downtown, and the energy here is unparalleled. Nothing feels quite like summer in Maine than watching a game on a sun-drenched afternoon with a Sea Dogs Biscuit ice cream sandwich in hand. There's nothing like packing up a cooler full of snacks and spending a couple of hours by the shore. Stop by Mr. Tuna for a bento box, Ramona's for a hoagie, or Rosemont Market & Bakery to build your own snack platter before heading to Willard Beach in South Portland, Crescent Beach in South Portland, and local's favorite Ferry Beach in Scarborough. Naylor says, 'I'm a big believer in the beach being a year-round activity. My friends and I are at Kettle Cove most Saturday mornings in January, breakfast burritos in hand. The proximity to beaches is part of what makes Portland so special—15 minutes in any direction and you're there.' If there's one thing Maine does well, it's craft beer. With more than 100 breweries in the state, you're nearly guaranteed to find your favorite style around Portland. If you're a beer enthusiast, it's worth carving out some time to spend a few hours hopping between some breweries. Oxbow, Allagash Brewing Company, Bissell Brothers, and Bunker Brewing Co. are all local favorites. A variety of oysters on ice. Crispy Gai will make you rethink your entire evening whenever you find yourself in its orbit, suddenly scanning the block for a parking spot to sneak in a quick visit. Between its stellar bar program with original takes on tiki-style classics and crave-worthy wings dusted with spices you'll be dreaming of for weeks, Crispy Gai is an absolute must-visit. Magissa is a Greek-style taverna in East Bayside that's owned and operated by the team who was behind The Greeks of Peaks food truck. The menu features small bites, meze, and shareable dishes that are exactly what you'll need after spending a day hopping from breweries, beaches, or both. The food and cocktails are creative, expertly executed, and made with care. It's impossible to talk about Portland without mentioning Eventide. Its brown butter lobster roll—made with warm lobster meat and piled high on a pillowy soft bao bun—and flights of oysters from here and away make vying for a parking spot and facing the ever-present waitlist more than worth it. If visiting Portland has you conjuring up visions of feasting on fresh fish while gazing out across the docks in Old Port, Scales is the place for you. The restaurant is slightly upscale, without being fussy, and part of a powerhouse group that operates Street & Co., Fore Street, and Standard Baking Co.. Don't miss the cloverleaf rolls, halibut with brown butter and hazelnuts, and whatever the custard of the day is. Nestled on Thames Street, Twelve is doing something truly special. The front and back of the house are armed with stellar resumes—and it shows. The team at Twelve puts their spin on classic Maine dishes and ingredients, (think: a martini crafted with kombu). Stop by for a cocktail, order dishes a la carte, or go all in on the prix fixe, but whatever you do, don't miss out on the lobster roll served on a flaky croissant. People walking around Portland's Wharf area. Ivey Redding/Travel + Leisure If budget isn't a consideration, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better time to visit Maine than late June through mid-September. Of course, you won't be the only one with this idea, so be prepared to pay a premium for lodging and book your reservations well ahead of time. If you're willing to trade in a far less crowded city for some cooler temperatures, consider planning a visit during late Spring (April-May) or early fall (late September-October). The weather will still be mild, but the uptick in visitors during high season is stark and the city may be much more enjoyable in the shoulder seasons. If you're lucky, you can catch a direct flight into Portland International Jetport (PWM), which is just 15 minutes from downtown Portland. Otherwise, fly into Boston's Logan International Airport and either rent a car to drive the roughly two hours north to Portland, take a bus via Concord Coach, or hop on the Amtrak Downeaster for the approximately 2.5-hour journey. Both operate year-round. Buildings in Portland's old historic neighborhood. Tamme Wichmann/Adobe Stock While visitors may flock to the Old Port, Washington Avenue is where you'll find locals on their days and nights off. Be sure to carve out a couple of hours to explore the bars, restaurants, and shops on Washington Avenue. Stop by Maine & Loire for a bottle of wine (or two) to bring back to your hotel, peruse Onggi for some ferment-forward pantry staples, snag some snacks from Sissle & Daughters, and browse through rare and vintage cookbooks at Rabelais. Since there's so much great food in Portland, you're going to need a place to work up an appetite before your next meal. Enter: the Eastern Promenade. The 78-acre park features a two-mile harborside stroll that has sweeping views of Casco Bay and the Portland harbor, plus plenty of benches and green space if you just need a place with great views to relax. Naylor says, 'I love strolling down the Eastern Promenade Trail—it drops you right onto Commercial Street, which is perfect for a little shopping, restaurant hopping, or just watching the working waterfront in action.' Just across the bridge from the Old Port is South Portland, home to stellar beaches and some standout food. Don't miss Night Moves Bread, SoPo Seafood, and Red's Dairy Freeze—all ideal stops before or after a walk on Willard Beach. Home to the working waterfront and souvenir shops galore, the Old Port is a popular area in the city. While there are tourist traps here, some gems do exist in this part of town, too. Room for Improvement is a cozy dive bar serving up fun takes on classic cocktails and snacks like the Red Snapper, Maine's illustrious neon-red hot dogs. If your accommodations have a kitchen, be sure to visit Harbor Fish Market, where you'll find Maine lobsters, clams, mussels, and more. Grab a lobster roll at Luke's Lobster and get ready—the team will be reopening Portland's legendary Dry Dock restaurant later this summer with chef Matt Ginn at the helm. Cars driving past pedestrians in Portland, Maine. Ivey Redding/Travel + Leisure Portland is a walkable city, but if you want to venture outside of downtown to visit nearby beaches, you'll want to have a car. Ride-share services are fairly available and affordable, but wait times can be longer during off-peak travel times. You can take the Amtrak Downeaster to nearby towns up the coast as well. There are rental car companies based at Portland International Jetport, but be sure to book in advance if you're visiting during the summer or other busy times throughout the year, as rentals can hit capacity quickly.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Delta's struggles with the airport lounge and the angst of the upper middle class in the age of ‘elite overproduction,' explained
Delta Air Lines is having a good 2025, reporting strong second-quarter earnings and reinstating its April profit guidance, leading to a substantial stock bump (up roughly 16% from June to July). True, its guidance is down from its January projections, but it's weathering the storm of the tricky global economy well, maintaining its status as America's leading premium airline. As Fortune's Shawn Tully reported in March 2025, it has somehow managed the trick of being America's most profitable airline, while giving billions back to employees in the form of profit sharing. At the start of the year, CEO Ed Bastian kicked off a celebration of Delta's centenary by announcing 'a new era in premium travel' with the opening of Delta One lounges, a step above its usual Sky Clubs. The Delta One locations will offer 'amenities for the premium traveler' ranging from fine dining to spa-like wellness treatments and valet services. Bastian clarified that Delta will continue to invest in its Delta Sky Clubs, with more openings planned to come. But there is more to the story for Delta, America's leading premier airline. The Sky Clubs are coming off years of turbulence, with significant customer backlash following several of Delta's attempts to improve a lounge experience that has become overcrowded. These problems date back several years, to the beginning of the 'revenge travel' boom that accompanied post-pandemic reopening. Bastian told Fortune in 2022 that even he was shocked by the level of demand: 'People talk about revenge travel, or pent-up travel—this is beyond anything that people can classify as truly pent-up,' he said, adding that his team calculated a whopping $300 billion burst of travel thirst. 'That gap is $300 billion—with a B,' Bastian emphasized. America's leading premium airline has long offered a standard lounge experience through its Sky Clubs, with free wi-fi, buffets of cold snacks and heated steam trays, and a range of complimentary drinks. The Sky Clubs were no match for the burst of revenge travelers. Bastian's efforts to fix these problems in 2023—barring Basic Economy passengers and capping the number of visits allowed for credit card holders—sparked backlash on customers' part and soul-searching for Bastian. 'We are victims of our own success,' he told Fast Company's Stephanie Mehta in 2024, as he explained changes to benefits including access to Sky Club lounges. 'It's hard to tell someone who's been at a certain status for many years that what they've earned is no longer as valuable.' That's why the declining pleasure of the airport lounge resonates for a deeper reason: it's a metaphor for the declining prospects of the upper middle class in an age of 'elite overproduction,' which argues that certain societies grow so rich and successful that they produce too many people of premium education for the number of premium jobs—or premium experiences—that the economy can actually support. The elites have been so overproduced that you can literally see them—in lines stretching out of airport lounges. The elite lounge overproduction theory Several factors make Delta's overcrowding issue particularly severe, and they have to do with how Delta is really trying—and, as Bastian says, succeeding—in offering a premium service to a large, affluent customer base. Delta offers more comprehensive food and beverage options than many competitors, so travelers linger longer, compounding capacity issues. Indeed, when reached for comment, Delta confirmed that its SkyMiles program has seen 'unprecedented engagement,' and its member satisfaction is higher than ever. Delta said it's committed to continuous investment to further please customers, which includes 'modernizing and expanding our lounges.' Generous lounge access deals with American Express (including non-Delta-branded Platinum Card holders) have greatly expanded eligibility, overwhelming facilities. As more travelers achieve status or purchase high-tier tickets, both due to credit card spending and business travel rebounds, demand for lounge space has increased beyond what legacy facilities can handle. Delta isn't alone in its lounge struggles, as shown by its partner, American Express, which has tried to physically expand many of its Centurion Lounges. Those have gone from the epitome of exclusivity and comfort to another kind of crowded waiting room—albeit with arguably better snacks and Wi-Fi. The root of the problem is the same: too many people now have access. The proliferation of premium credit cards, airline status programs, and paid day passes has democratized lounge entry, eroding the exclusivity that made these spaces desirable in the first place. It is unclear if Delta expanded too far, too fast, or if it was surprised by the number of lounge lovers in its clientele. UBS Global Wealth Management has noted a surprising trend in the upper middle class: the rise of the 'everyday millionaire,' or people whose assets fall between $1 million and $5 million. These are exactly the kind of people who would see themselves as lounge-worthy, and likely frustrated to find their small-M millionaire status doesn't go so far. The consequences for travelers are palpable. Social media and travel forums are rife with stories of travelers paying hundreds of dollars in annual fees only to find long lines clogging, say, New York's JFK terminals on a daily basis. The proof is abundant on TikTok. On the other hand, expectations are heightened. Travel research firm Airport Dimensions has conducted an 'airport experience report' for over a decade and found in 2024 that airport lounges are a contradiction: the definitive democratic travel luxury. This widespread expectation—and dissatisfaction—is not just a matter of comfort. For many, the lounge was a symbol of having 'made it'—a reward for loyalty, status, or financial success. Its decline has become a source of frustration and even embarrassment, especially for those who remember a more exclusive era. There's an emotional trigger behind an unpleasant lounge experience. The theory behind the malaise: elite overproduction The overcrowding of airport lounges is more than a logistical headache—it's a microcosm of a broader societal phenomenon. University of Connecticut professor emeritus Peter Turchin has developed a controversial theory of 'elite overproduction' which posits that frustration and even instability result when a society produces more people aspiring to elite status than there are elite positions. It's an unorthodox theory from an unorthodox academic: Turchin is an emeritus professor at UConn, research associate at the University of Oxford and project leader at the Complexity Science Hub-Vienna, leading research in a field of his own invention: Cliodynamics, a type of historical social science. The catch with Turchin's theory is that his own type of complexity science takes on a pseudo-prophetic quality, similar in some ways to William Strauss and Neil Howe's 'Fourth Turning.' And Turchin has foreseen that the United States has reached a stage repeated in civilizations throughout history, when it has produced too many products of elite education and social status for the realistic number of jobs it can generate. Decline and fall follows, Roman Empire-style. The Atlantic profiled Turchin in 2020, warning 'the next decade could be even worse.' Several writers have expanded on his ideas since then, approaching it from their distinctive and different sensibilities. Ritholtz Wealth Management COO Nick Maggiulli posted to his 'Of Dollars and Data' blog on the subject of airport lounges specifically, writing that the 'death of the Amex lounge' simply shows that 'the upper middle class isn't special anymore,' although he did not specifically link this to the concept of elite overproduction. 'There are too many people with lots of money,' he concluded. In the context of airport lounges, the 'elite' are not just the ultra-wealthy, but the vast upper middle class—armed with a combination of higher degrees, status, and premium credit cards—now jostling for the same perks. But what if much of society has been turning into some version of an overcrowded airport lounge? In an interview with Fortune Intelligence, Turchin said this theory makes sense and fits with his thesis when presented with the similarities. 'The benefits that you get with wealth are now being diluted because there are just too many wealth holders,' he said, citing data that the top 10% of American society has gotten much wealthier over the past 40 years. (Turchin sources this statement to this working paper from Edward Wolff.) Turchin said lounges are not by definition restricted from expansion in the same way that political offices are, with a core element of his thesis being there are too many sociopolitical elites for the number of positions open to them, but 'it's the same thing' in light of the difficulties many providers have in expanding lounge access. 'There is a limited amount of space, but many more elites now, so to speak … low-rank elites.' Turchin said these low-rank elites, or 'ten-percenters,' don't have the status typically associated with elite status. 'The overproduction of lower-ranking elites results in decreased benefits for all.' When asked where else he sees this manifesting in modern life, Turchin said 'it's actually everywhere you look. Look at the overproduction of university degrees,' he added, arguing that declining rates of college enrollment and high rates of recent graduate unemployment support the decreasing value of a college diploma. 'There is overproduction of university degrees and the value of university degree actually declines. And so the it's the same thing [with] the lounge.' Noah Smith argues that elite overproduction manifests as a kind of status anxiety and malaise among the upper middle class. Many find themselves struggling to afford or access the very symbols of success they were promised—be it a prestigious job, a home in a desirable neighborhood, or, indeed, a peaceful airport lounge. He collects reams of employment data to show that Turchin's theory has significant statistical support from the 21st century American economy. Freddie DeBoer largely agrees, framing the issue as 'why so many elites feel like losers.' He focuses more on the creator economy than Smith, but asserts that he sees 'think many would agree with me about 'a pervasive sense of discontent among people who have elite aspirations and who feel that their years toiling in our meritocratic systems entitles them to fulfill those aspirations.' Delta's plan to restore status In its lounge strategy, Delta is trying to walk a fine line: Offering a premium service to a class of consumers that is becoming more and more mass-market. CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged as much on the company's latest earnings call. While touting the fortunes of Delta's target customers, households making $100,000 or more a year, Bastian noted the income cutoff 'is not, by the way, an elite definition—that's 40% of all U.S. households.' Beginning February 2025, Delta implemented new caps on annual lounge visits for American Express cardholders, setting a maximum of 15 visits per year and requiring exceptionally high annual spending ($75,000+) to re-unlock unlimited access. Basic Economy passengers, meanwhile, are permanently excluded from lounge access, further tightening entry. Travelers can only enter lounges within three hours of their flight's departure time, discouraging extended stays and unnecessary early arrivals. Delta is opening and upgrading lounges in key markets: New Delta One Lounges in Seattle, New York-JFK, Boston, and Los Angeles feature larger spaces, exclusive amenities, and new design concepts for premium passengers. Major expansions are under way in hubs like Atlanta, Orlando, Salt Lake City, and Philadelphia, with multiple new or enlarged clubs opening between spring and late 2025—some over 30,000 square feet in size, making them among the largest in the network. Renovations to existing lounges (e.g., Atlanta's Concourses A and C) are aimed at maximizing capacity and improving guest experiences. Delta is also exploring emergency overflow options and flexible staffing to address unpredictable surges, especially during weather and operational delays. Delta executives are optimistic. They predict that by 2026, most crowding issues—aside from extreme disruptions—will be resolved on 'almost all days.' Continued investments in larger, better-designed lounges, coupled with tighter access controls, are expected to restore the premium experience customers expect. However, critics note that crowding still occurs at peak times, especially in flagship locations, and design/layout flaws occasionally undermine even the newest clubs. The success of Delta's fix-it agenda is being closely watched by both rivals and loyal travelers. But Delta may be overmatched in rehabilitating the overcrowded airport lounge as a potent symbol of this broader malaise. What was once a marker of distinction is now a crowded, noisy, and often disappointing experience. The democratization of luxury, while laudable in some respects, has left many feeling that the rewards of success are increasingly out of reach—or at least, not what they used to be. As airlines grapple with how to restore the magic of the lounge, they are also confronting a deeper truth: in an age of elite overproduction, the promise of exclusivity is harder than ever to keep. For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing. This story was originally featured on Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
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WIRED
an hour ago
- WIRED
Nemo's Updated Dagger Osmo Tent Has Nicer Fabric and Better Design Details
If you look at the photos, you'll notice that the rainfly arcs up at each end of the tent. This saves a bit on weight and improves ventilation, but it was one area that worried me when I reviewed the 3-person version years ago. Thankfully this has never been an issue, the bathtub floor (which is what is exposed below the fly) has proved plenty waterproof in my use. Speaking of bathtub floors, there is a clip-in vestibule floor that's also a bathtub shape. Nemo calls this the Landing Zone. It's a little extra triangle of fabric that covers about half the vestibule and protects any gear you've stored there from back-splash and any water that might come under the fly. There are stays in the rainfly to help it maintain its bathtub shape. The Landing Zone weighs next to nothing (1.7 ounces) and makes the vestibule much more usable, keeping your gear dry even if the ground gets wet. It's a nice feature I've come to appreciate on rainy days. Photograph: Scott Gilbertson What I really like about Nemo's tents over other options, like the Copper Spur tents, is the attention to detail. The Landing Zone, the ceiling headlamp pocket (which turn your headlight into a lantern, complete with reddish light), the quick clip fly attachment, the fact that the near vertical sidewalls mean the doors can use a straight zipper (which you can open with one hand), the nice hooks that allow you to roll the vestibule and inner doors out of the way … all adds up to a living experience that trumps most other tents I've tested. There are a couple of trade-offs here. The big one is weight. This is not the tent for ultralight backpackers, thru-hikers, or anyone looking for a very low-weight, minimalist structure. If that's you, look to tarps and non-freestanding tents like the Lunar Solo. Again, though, split between two people, I think a 4-pound tent like the Dagger is perfectly acceptable. The other trade-off: The Nemo is toward the high end of the price spectrum. In my experience, the combination of high quality materials, durability, and attention to detail make the Dagger Osmo 2P worth the investment.
