Change has been and is the standard of how we live.  It seems like it will be going on for a while. I know a lot of you have been travel planning, whether it is for business or pleasure.  Restrictions are changing and I have found some new updates concerning restrictions and such. So, I did a little research and found some updates.

The US Department of State updated their website on January 10 as far as passports and also updated their website on December 30 as far as Covid restrictions on airlines.  I also included some travel advisories from the State Department.  Only the most recent 10 are listed and if you do not see your destination there, please go to the their travel advisory page to check out more destinations and the most current information about those advisories. The information below is directly from their the State Department site.

The airline websites are fairly standard across the board as far as information. Below are links to some of the top sites that have interactive maps with their most recent information.  If you don’t see what you need from these 3 airlines or you airline is not listed, call the airline or further search the site.  The TSA has extended the mask mandate on airplanes until March 18, 2022.

The TSA website has a travel page that answers a lot of general airline questions and is worth the visit.  If you want to make sure that you are within limits of the what you can pack or carry on, I have included a bit of that information.  You might want to go and check out the list since it makes for interesting reading and includes some oddly specific items like like live fish, a Harry Potter wand, and a tortilla press.  Although, it might make for an interesting trip.

If you are traveling with a pet, the State Department offers information, the restrictions and guidelines your destination may have.  The TSA has guidelines for small dogs only and yes you can carry wet and dry food with you.  For large dogs, you will need to have them onboard the plane in the cargo hold.  Each airline has different guidelines, so check whatever airline you are flying.  I have listed a couple below.

Something else to consider is when you are traveling with children or an unaccompanied minor. The State Department has guidelines for documents needed for unaccompanied minors on their site.  I have listed links to a few airlines and if your airline is not listed contact them for further information.  TSA also has guidelines for screening children. If a child is 13 years or older than the standard screening procedures apply. If a child appears to be 12 years or younger, then the parent is consulted on any concerns they may about screening their child. For more information check out TSA.

If you are looking for information on what documents you need to travel, check with your airline or TSA.  The TSA has guidelines for verifying your identity on their site.  The State Department provides a checklist for documents needed for traveling. The state department has guidelines for documents needed for unaccompanied minor on their site.  They also offer a Safe Traveler Enrollment Program so that you can receive updates about your destination and help the U.S. Embassy, friends, or family contact you in case of an emergency.

One final note.  Make sure that you check the airline website and the State Department website before you travel. This is to ensure that you are not reaching the airport or whatever departure site you are going to and not having all the documents you need or having to rid your luggage of something. Also, restriction and guidelines may be different for cruises and train travel.  Check those out, too.  As always, stay safe and happy travels.

Liquid Guidelines for Carry-On & Checked Baggage

The FAA limits the total amount of restricted medicinal and toiletry articles, including aerosols, in checked baggage. The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces). Here is more information on the liquids rule:  https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-rule.

Traveling with Children

American:  Guidelines and information about traveling with infants and travelers 18 and under.

Delta:  Guidelines and information about traveling with infants and travelers 18 and under.

United:  Guidelines and information about traveling with infants and travelers 18 and under.

Unaccompanied Minor Travel

American:  Information and guidelines including age rules, booking, fees, connections, and documents.

Delta:  Information and guidelines including age rules, booking, fees, connections, and documents.

United:  Information and guidelines including age rules, booking, fees, connections, and documents.

Flying with a Pet

American:  information about carry-on and cargo options along with fees and temperature restrictions.

Delta:  Information about carry-on and cargo options along with fees and destination guidelines

United: information about carrying on cargo options along with fees and links to book your pet onto the flight.

AIRLINE RESTRICTIONS

American Travel Updates:  OneWorld page with updates on travel possibilities, entry restrictions and COVID-19 requirements by country

Delta Discover Map:  Interactive map showing what is open for travel and entry requirements and restrictions and COVID-19 requirements by country

United Covid Map:  Interactive page with updates on restrictions and entry requirements and restrictions and COVID-19 requirements by country

Passport Operations in Response to COVID-19

What to Expect:

• As of October 29, routine processing is 8 to 11 weeks and expedite processing (for an additional $60) is 5 to 7 weeks.
• Our processing times begin the day we receive your application at a passport agency or center, not the day you mail your application or apply for a passport at a local acceptance facility.
• We are no longer using door-to-door timeframes to describe routine and expedited service.
• Mail times vary across the country. Plan ahead and apply early.

Select Trackable Mail:

• Send your application to us via USPS Priority Mail Express and pay an extra $18.32 for 1-2 day delivery of your completed passport. These services provide the fastest turnaround and protect your important documents

Use Self-Service Tools Online: Get your questions answered immediately by using one of the self-service tools available on our site. Check online for your passport status. Customer service representatives will not give status updates over the phone.

Planning to Travel? Apply Early! Apply at least 4-6 months before planned travel. Due to limited availability for urgent travel appointments, we cannot guarantee you can receive in-person service at a passport agency or center. We are prioritizing customers with life-or-death emergencies. We do not charge a fee to make an appointment. Visit our Passport Agency and Center page to learn more.

Appointments are Limited, Must Be Scheduled by Phone: Call 1-877-487-2778 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, Mondays through Fridays. Our appointment line is closed on weekends and federal holidays. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call 1-888-874-7793 for TDD/TTY teletype services.

We temporarily disabled the online appointment booking system to ensure our very limited appointments go to applicants who need them for urgent travel. You will need wait to speak to a customer service representative to book an appointment. Learn more to see if you qualify for an appointment.

Renew By Mail: Adults with 10-year passports can renew them by mail instead of appearing in person.

*If you applied over 11 weeks ago for routine service or 7 weeks for expedited service and have not received your passport, we may have sent you a letter requesting more information. We cannot continue processing your application until you respond to this letter. Learn more on our Respond to a Letter or Email page.

Travel Advisories

Advisory	Level	Date Updated
Hong Kong Travel Advisory	Level 4: Do Not Travel	March 1, 2022
Morocco Travel Advisory	Level 3: Reconsider Travel	March 1, 2022
China Travel Advisory	Level 3: Reconsider Travel	March 1, 2022
Vietnam Travel Advisory	Level 4: Do Not Travel	February 28, 2022
Saba Travel Advisory	Level 4: Do Not Travel	February 28, 2022
Russia Travel Advisory	Level 4: Do Not Travel	February 28, 2022
Mali Travel Advisory	Level 4: Do Not Travel	February 28, 2022
Jamaica Travel Advisory	Level 4: Do Not Travel	February 28, 2022
British Virgin Islands Travel Advisory	Level 4: Do Not Travel	February 28, 2022
Belarus Travel Advisory	Level 4: Do Not Travel	February 28, 2022

New Requirements for Air Travelers to the U.S.

Updated Pre-departure Testing Requirements for Air Travelers to the U.S.

Starting on December 6, air travelers aged two and older, regardless of nationality or vaccination status, are required to show documentation of a negative viral test result taken within one day of the flight’s departure to the United States before boarding. You must show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight. That includes all travelers – U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), and foreign nationals.

If you recently recovered from COVID-19, you may instead travel with documentation of recovery from COVID-19 (i.e., your positive COVID-19 viral test result on a sample taken no more than 90 days before the flight’s departure from a foreign country, and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).

Exemptions will be considered on an extremely limited basis. Please visit the CDC for more information about exemptions and the requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19, including types of accepted tests for all air passengers arriving in the United States.

Please see the CDC website for further information on the Omicron Variant.

CDC Order

The CDC recommends that you do not travel internationally until you are fully vaccinated. International travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some COVID-19 variants. Delay travel and stay home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. If you do travel, follow all CDC recommendations before, during, and after travel.

U.S. citizens who choose to travel internationally should be aware that they may face unexpected challenges related to COVID-19 as they attempt return to the United States or attempt to travel from one overseas destination to another.  If you choose to travel internationally, be sure to make contingency plans, as you may find yourself having to remain in a foreign country longer than originally planned.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order, which took effect November 8, 2021, requiring all  non-immigrant, non-citizen air travelers to the United States to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States remains in effect. Travelers should monitor the CDC website on international travel for the latest guidance regarding testing requirements.

Exceptions to the CDC Order requiring all air passengers to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States are extremely limited to the following groups:

• children under 18
• people medically unable to receive the vaccine
• emergency travelers who do not have timely access to a vaccine

Humanitarian exemptions to the CDC order are granted on an extremely limited basis.