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Olivia Harden

Travel Reporter at SFGATE -- based in California. Writing about social justice and mental health everywhere else. Passionate about food, exploring the world, and uplifting the voices of those who often go unheard.

SFGATE •

Fatal head-on big rig collision closes Northern California highway

A fatal collision has shut down a California highway during one of the busiest days for drivers on the road.

A fatal collision has shut down a California highway during one of the busiest days for drivers on the road.

On Wednesday, around 10:55 a.m., the California Highway Patrol was dispatched to Highway 20 between Penn Valley and Grass Valley, where two semitrucks crashed in a head-on collision, CHP Officer Sean Armacher told SFGATE. Following the major crash, a Toyota Tacoma also crashed in...
SFGATE •

California man dies while snorkeling at Hawaii beach

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, first responders were called to Lawai Beach for an unconscious swimmer, according to a news release from the Kauai Police Department. Upon arrival, they found bystanders performing CPR on 56-year-old California resident Gavin Phillips. He had been snorkeling before he was brought to shore, officials said.

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, first responders were called to Lawai Beach for an unconscious swimmer, according to a news release from the Kauai Police Department. Upon arrival, th...
SFGATE •

Calif. travelers should brace for some Thanksgiving week headaches

California travelers should brace themselves for a busy week at the state’s major airports as they catch flights in time to be settled for Thanksgiving dinner.

California travelers should brace themselves for a busy week at the state’s major airports as they catch flights in time to be settled for Thanksgiving dinner.

Although the majority of Thanksgiving travelers are arriving by car, over 1.1 million travelers are expected to depart from California’s airports for the holiday, according to AA...
SFGATE •

TSA wants to charge you a fee if you don't have a Real ID

Six months after the Transportation Security Administration began enforcing its long-delayed Real ID policy, the agency is considering imposing a fee on noncompliant flyers.

Six months after the Transportation Security Administration began enforcing its long-delayed Real ID policy, the agency is considering imposing a fee on noncompliant flyers.

On Thursday, the TSA filed a notice to implement an $18 fee for travelers who show up at the airport without a valid Real ID-compliant document. In th...
SFGATE •

SFO becomes first California airport to launch new expedited security tech

Security for anyone willing to spend $209 a year to cut the line at San Francisco International Airport is expected to be even smoother now.

Security for anyone willing to spend $209 a year to cut the line at San Francisco International Airport is expected to be even smoother now.

Clear, the company that uses biometric data to expedite the security process at airports, announced on Thursday the launch of its eGates at SFO. The eGates allow passengers to bypass the TSA podium by matching their...
SFGATE •

Unexpected Bay Area route to see peak congestion during Thanksgiving travel

Bay Area travelers should brace themselves for sprawling traffic next week as drivers brave the roads to make it in time for Thanksgiving dinner. According to AAA’s annual holiday travel report based on data from INRIX, almost 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving — about 1.6 million more than last year and 4 million more than in 2019, before the pandemic.

Bay Area travelers should brace themselves for sprawling traffic next week as drivers brave the roads...
SFGATE •

Bay Area woman indicted for allegedly attacking flight crew on SFO-bound flight

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that a grand jury indicted a Bay Area woman, Reshma Kamath, on Nov. 13 on several charges related to the alleged assault of a flight crew.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that a grand jury indicted a Bay Area woman, Reshma Kamath, on Nov. 13 on several charges related to the alleged assault of a flight crew.

On June 28, Kamath boarded Air India flight 173 from New Delhi to San Francisco International Airport. Federal prose...
SFGATE •

Trump admin ends policy requiring cash payouts for flight delays, cancellations

Just one week after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut up to 10% of their flights from 40 major U.S. airports, the Trump administration is scrapping a Biden-era policy that made getting refunds from airlines a lot easier.

Just one week after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut up to 10% of their flights from 40 major U.S. airports, the Trump administration is scrapping a Biden-era policy that made getting refunds from airlines a lot easier.

On F...
SFGATE •

Apple debuts mobile passport on iPhone. Here's how to use it.

Travelers who have a passport but not a Real ID are now able to leave their booklet in their bag.

Travelers who have a passport but not a Real ID are now able to leave their booklet in their bag.

On Wednesday, Apple launched its new Digital ID feature, having announced in June that it would debut as part of iOS 26. Travelers can now use their passports to create a Digital ID, which is valid for use at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at over 250 airports. It is not currently...
SFGATE •

Hawaii tourists are canceling their trips as flights are cut

As tourists question whether to cancel their trips to Hawaii, the Hawaii Department of Transportation has yet to receive a response from the Federal Aviation Administration regarding its request to be exempt from the mandate to drop up to 10% of flights at major airports.

As tourists question whether to cancel their trips to Hawaii, the Hawaii Department of Transportation has yet to receive a response from the Federal Aviation Administration regarding its request to be exempt from the mandate t...
SFGATE •

Bay Area tech company purchases LA airport ahead of World Cup and Olympics

A Bay Area tech company has purchased a small Los Angeles airport ahead of the 2028 Olympics.On Nov. 6, Archer Aviation, based in San Jose, announced it had purchased the Hawthorne Municipal Airport from the city of Hawthorne for $126 million. The company plans to use the airport to “serve as its operational hub for its planned LA air taxi network” and for test projects, including artificial intelligence-powered aviation technology.

A Bay Area tech company has purchased a small Los Angeles airp...
SFGATE •

How SFO's largest airlines are handling the FAA's reduction in flights

In an unprecedented move, the Federal Aviation Administration has directed airlines to cancel up to 10% of flights across 40 major airports to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who are not being paid during the government shutdown. Flights nationwide on Friday and Saturday have already been cancelled, and San Francisco International Airport is among the affected airports listed Thursday by the FAA, along with neighboring Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport.

In an unprecedented move, the...
SFGATE •

Why SFO TSA remains drama-free amid federal shutdown

As the government shutdown continues, causing flight delays and prompting an unprecedented move by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce flights by up to 10% at 40 major airports nationwide, the security gates at San Francisco International Airport remain intact.

As the government shutdown continues, causing flight delays and prompting an unprecedented move by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce flights by up to 10% at 40 major airports nationwide, the security gates at San Fr...
SFGATE •

What we know about Southwest's plans to build its first airport lounge

The Dallas-based airline, which started flying to Hawaii in 2019, has received approval from the Hawaii Department of Transportation to add a lounge to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Dallas-based airline, which started flying to Hawaii in 2019, has received approval from the Hawaii Department of Transportation to add a lounge to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Southwest Airlines has no immediate plans to build the lounge, but by prem...
SFGATE •

SFO plagued by delays in wake of Bay Area storm

Miserable weather conditions have prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to extend its ground delay at San Francisco International Airport, with significant delays anticipated for travelers.

Miserable weather conditions have prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to extend its ground delay at San Francisco International Airport, with significant delays anticipated for travelers.

At 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the FAA extended its early morning ground delay at SFO until midnight, citing...
SFGATE •

NFL superstar pitches impossible coaster for theme park investment

Kelce announced on his Instagram on Oct. 21 that he’s added Six Flags Entertainment to his investment portfolio. Kelce, in partnership with investment firm Jana Partners, now has a 9% stake in the company, according to a news release.

Kelce announced on his Instagram on Oct. 21 that he’s added Six Flags Entertainment to his investment portfolio. Kelce, in partnership with investment firm Jana Partners, now has a 9% stake in the company, according to a news release.

“Couldn’t pass up the opport...
SFGATE •

Several sections of SFO to close Tuesday until 2027

Travelers heading through San Francisco International Airport during the holiday season should prepare for changes that could impact their travel routines.

Travelers heading through San Francisco International Airport during the holiday season should prepare for changes that could impact their travel routines.

The $2.6 billion SFO Terminal 3 West Modernization project is in full swing to renovate the 650,000-square-foot western part of the terminal, including adding 20,000 square feet of addit...
SFGATE •

Google reveals the best days to purchase Thanksgiving, Christmas flights

With the holiday season just around the corner, travelers who haven’t already committed should get a move on making their travel plans.

With the holiday season just around the corner, travelers who haven’t already committed should get a move on making their travel plans.

According to a study conducted by Google Flights, travelers should book their Thanksgiving travel plans at least 24 days before departure. Additionally, Hopper recommends that last-minute buyers secure their tickets by Hallowe...
SFGATE •

Disneyland to lose 100 employees in round of layoffs

Around 100 Disneyland Resort employees are slated to be dropped from the theme park’s payroll.

Around 100 Disneyland Resort employees are slated to be dropped from the theme park’s payroll.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Disneyland Resort told SFGATE that the company “made the difficult decision to eliminate a limited number of salaried positions” in a round of layoffs.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Disneyland Resort told SFGATE that the company “made the difficult decision to eliminate a li...
SFGATE •

Alaska Airlines slashes SFO routes in exchange for SoCal hub

Alaska Airlines is adding new California routes at one airport as it sunsets others from the Bay Area.On Monday, Alaska announced new flights out of San Diego and Portland, Oregon, starting in 2026, plus more nonstops between the West Coast and Hawaii. But those additions will come at the expense of several routes the airline is cutting, including 25% at San Francisco International Airport and others at San Jose Mineta International Airport.

Alaska Airlines is adding new California routes at on...
SFGATE •

Bay Area tech CEO says test project likely struck United flight at 36,000 feet

The mystery object that struck a plane at 36,000 feet is likely not space debris, as some speculated, but rather a Silicon Valley test project gone wrong.

The mystery object that struck a plane at 36,000 feet is likely not space debris, as some speculated, but rather a Silicon Valley test project gone wrong.

On Oct. 16, United flight 1093 took off from Denver International Airport at 5:51 a.m. MDT and was supposed to land in Los Angeles. The plane was forced to divert to Salt Lake City Interna...
SFGATE •

Unidentified object hits windshield of Calif.-bound flight, forcing 6-hour delay

On Oct. 16, United Airlines flight 1093 took off from Denver International Airport at 5:51 a.m. MDT and was headed to Los Angeles, according to FlightAware, but an unidentified object at an unusually high altitude, 36,000 feet, struck the windshield, forcing the flight to divert to Salt Lake City International Airport.

On Oct. 16, United Airlines flight 1093 took off from Denver International Airport at 5:51 a.m. MDT and was headed to Los Angeles, according to FlightAware, but an unidentified o...
SFGATE •

New boarding process for Southwest Airlines revealed

Although Southwest Airlines is moving forward with hitting the kill button on one of its distinguishing features, the airline still plans to do things slightly differently from its competitors.

Although Southwest Airlines is moving forward with hitting the kill button on one of its distinguishing features, the airline still plans to do things slightly differently from its competitors.

On May 28, Southwest got rid of its beloved two free checked bag policy. Up next on the chopping block is its...
SFGATE •

White House, Newsom clash over Calif. freeway closure for military celebration

The most recent clash between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the White House centered around whether live ammunition should be allowed to fly over a major California freeway.

The most recent clash between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the White House centered around whether live ammunition should be allowed to fly over a major California freeway.

On Saturday, the White House plans to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday at Camp Pendleton — a significant military base between San Diego and Orange County t...
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