Noise-canceling headphones, app-based check-ins, AI concierges — the future of travel promised convenience, but it’s also created distance. Travelers can now pass through airports, hotels, and even entire vacations without exchanging a single word. What used to be a social experience — chatting with gate agents, concierges, fellow passengers — has become eerily solitary.
I’m reporting on how technology and post-pandemic habits have combined to make travel quieter and more efficient, but also lonelier. Is this what travelers really wanted? Or have we lost something essential in the pursuit of frictionless movement?
I’m looking for input from travelers who’ve noticed the shift — especially those who miss the small talk, human help, or spontaneous moments that used to define the journey. What are you doing to prevent loneliness?
I’d also like to hear from psychologists, behavioral scientists, or sociologists who can explain what this silence says about us. Has travel become a mirror of our increasingly disconnected lives, or just a refuge from too much noise? What are your strategies for increasing human interaction (if you want to).
The Department of Transportation just dropped a proposed rule that would have required airlines to compensate U.S. travelers for delayed flights. Behind the scenes, the airline industry is lobbying to undo even more consumer protections — from refund requirements to fee disclosures.
I'm researching a story about which rules are most at risk of being rolled back, and what travelers can do to protect themselves if airlines get their way.
I'm looking for air travelers who’ve already felt the sting of weakened protections. Maybe it was a delayed refund, being forced to accept a credit, or a surprise airline fee. I'm interested in hearing your personal stories about what happens when rules vanish and passengers are left to fend for themselves.
For industry experts, I'd love to know which DOT regulations are most vulnerable. How would repealing these rules affect travelers? And what steps can consumers take now to safeguard themselves?
If you’ve experienced any of this, I'd love to hear your story.