And other travel news you may have missed this week.
This week in travel, we’ve uncovered several stories that might have flown under your radar. Among them: Spirit Airlines has updated its clarifies its dress code; Ryanair crew spar with a supposed diplomat; and thieves undertake a massive heist in a Dutch museum.
Dive into these and more as we examine the latest in travel news.
NO.1
SPIRIT AIRLINES INTRODUCES A DRESS CODE
Spirit Airlines updated its contract of carriage on Jan. 22, 2025, to include a dress code for passengers. It specifies that those who are “inadequately clothed” may not be permitted to board the aircraft or could be asked to leave. The conditions include “see-through clothing; not adequately covered; exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts.” It also mentions that offensive or lewd clothing, articles, or body art may result in a passenger losing their seat on the plane.
All airlines have a code of conduct for passengers, which also warns against intoxication or going barefoot. Offensive or revealing clothing has been a contentious issue for years because it’s not clearly defined and is left to the crew’s discretion. As a result, airlines often face controversies when they ask passengers—mostly women—to cover up.
Related: Do Airlines Have the Right to Dictate Dress Codes?
NO.2
FIRE AT TURKEY SKI RESORT KILLS 78
Last week, a hotel at a popular ski resort in Turkey caught fire, killing at least 78 people. The incident occurred in the early morning at The Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in northwest Turkey.
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There were 238 guests staying at the hotel during the busy holiday season. A fire started in a restaurant on the fourth floor, and survivors reported that smoke alarms didn’t go off and fire detectors didn’t operate properly. In photos and videos from the incident, bedding could be seen hanging from room windows as people tried to escape the flames. Three people reportedly died after jumping from their rooms.
It is suspected that faulty fire systems contributed to the high number of casualties. Authorities have detained 11 people in connection with the tragic event, including the hotel owner.
NO.3
RYANAIR REMOVES PASSENGER CLAIMING TO BE DIPLOMAT FROM FLIGHT
Irish ultra-low-cost airline Ryanair is cracking down on unruly passengers. After suing a passenger earlier this month for disruptive behavior, the airline pushed for a two-drink rule at airports. Now, it’s in the news for removing a passenger—who claimed to be a diplomat—from a flight after he refused to cooperate with the crew.
The incident occurred on Jan. 17 on a flight from Lanzarote to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. A passenger claimed to be a U.N. diplomat and demanded to be relocated to the front row of the plane. He refused to show the crew his boarding pass or move to another seat. The heated exchange with the flight crew prompted the pilot to call authorities, and the passenger was forcibly removed from the plane by four police officers.
Ryanair said in a statement, “Ryanair has a strict zero-tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behavior on aircraft for the benefit of the vast majority of passengers who do not disrupt flights. This is a matter for local police.”
Related: Can Airlines Sue You if You Behave Badly?
NO.4
THIEVES BLOW UP MUSEUM IN THE NETHERLANDS
Four artifacts were stolen from the Drents Museum in Assen, northeast Netherlands, in the early hours of Jan. 25. Thieves broke into the museum using explosives, but no one was injured.
The stolen items include a gold helmet from the 5th century and three royal gold bracelets from 50 B.C.E. These artifacts were part of the “Dacia – Empire of Gold and Silver” exhibition and were on loan from the National History Museum of Romania.
Harry Tupan, general director of the Drents Museum, called it a dark day for both museums. “We are intensely shocked by the events last night at the museum. In its 170-year existence, there has never been such a major incident. It also gives us enormous sadness towards our colleagues in Romania. The police are investigating, we are awaiting the outcome of that.”
The museum is closed until further notice.
NO.5
LIGHTNING STRIKES A PLANE AT SAO PAULO AIRPORT
In a dramatic video widely circulated this weekend, lightning struck the tail of a plane at São Paulo-Guarulhos Airport in Brazil just before takeoff. The British Airways plane was attached to the jet bridge when the incident occurred. It was inspected before departing for London.
A British Airways plane was struck by lightning during a severe storm in São Paulo, Brazil. pic.twitter.com/uRAhXKYZrX
— USA TODAY Travel (@usatodaytravel) January 27, 2025