Today in travel, we have several stories that may have flown under your radar. Among them: a scam is hooking drivers hoping for cheap gas; an airline will start charging for overhead bin space; and the FAA is investigating an airspace incident involving Marine One.
FAA Investigates Possible Loss of Separation Involving Marine One
The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing a Tuesday afternoon incident involving Marine One and a commercial jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that controllers apparently failed to halt civilian traffic before the presidential helicopter departed from the Ellipse near the White House for Joint Base Andrews.
Investigators are examining whether Marine One and Envoy Air Flight 3742, an Embraer E170 bound for Pensacola, Florida, came closer than the required minimum of 1.5 miles horizontally and 500 feet vertically. The FAA said the episode did not appear to be a dangerous near-collision because the aircraft were not converging. Both flights continued safely, while a Republic Airways flight arriving from Raleigh-Durham was instructed to circle before landing.
The review comes after federal officials tightened helicopter operations around Reagan National following the January 2025 midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which killed 67 people. Commercial traffic is generally paused when Marine One operates near the airport.
BBB Warns Consumers About “Free” Gas and Grocery Card Scam
An official-looking postcard promising hundreds of dollars in free gas or grocery gift cards may actually be an attempt to obtain payment details, the Better Business Bureau warns.
The mailers often feature barcodes, tracking numbers, and urgent language such as “Final Notice” or “Act Now.” Recipients are directed to call a phone number or visit a website, where they may be asked to pay a small processing or shipping charge by credit or debit card. Some operators also seek names, addresses, or financial-account information.
The promised gift cards may never arrive. Instead, recipients can face unauthorized charges, recurring subscriptions, or identity theft. The BBB advises consumers to research the company independently rather than relying on contact information printed on the postcard. An offer that requires payment to receive a supposedly free reward is a major warning sign.
Anyone who has already paid or shared sensitive information should contact the bank or card issuer, monitor accounts and credit reports, change compromised passwords, and report the solicitation to the BBB or an appropriate consumer-protection agency.
Read more at NBC Houston affiliate KPRC Channel 2.
17 Injured After Air India Flight Suddenly Loses Altitude
Seventeen people were injured when an Air India flight from Phuket to New Delhi encountered severe turbulence and abruptly lost altitude during cruise on Tuesday.
Flight AI2379, an Airbus A320neo carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, continued to Delhi and landed safely at 11:07 a.m. local time. Air India said 13 passengers and four crew members were taken to hospitals for evaluation. A Directorate General of Civil Aviation official told Indian media that the aircraft dropped about 300 feet, though that figure remains part of the investigation.
Passengers described people being thrown upward or into the aisle. One traveler said his father struck the cabin ceiling, while his wife and 2-year-old daughter landed in the aisle. Air India said the aircraft flew normally after the brief event.
By Wednesday, all 13 injured passengers had been discharged, while four crew members remained hospitalized. India’s aviation regulator is investigating. The episode is another reminder that unexpected turbulence can occur without enough warning for passengers to react; safety authorities recommend keeping a seatbelt fastened whenever seated, even when the sign is off.
