Hey there, fellow traveler! Can you feel the buzz? Summer 2025 is rolling in, and airports are humming with excited vacationers, families on road-trips-in-the-sky, and all of us chasing adventures under the warm rays of the season. As a blind or low-vision traveler, each sunny departure brings that familiar thrill… and yes, a few butterflies about how changes in airline policies might trip us up.

That’s why I’m so glad you’re here—keeping up with those under-the-radar updates that can make or break a smooth journey. Let’s unpack eight key shifts happening this summer, from hidden surcharges to new boarding rules, all through the lens of someone who travels without relying on sight.

1. Solo Traveler Surcharge: Yes, Really 💸

Okay, this one hit hard. Earlier this summer, travel bloggers and fare watchdogs started raising red flags: airlines charging more for one-way flights if you’re flying solo.

I mean, come on, how did this sneak in?

• Delta was the first to tip the scales: search for two passengers, and the fare dropped about 70% from the price of a single ticket. It wasn’t a glitch, it was baked into the fare rules, with fine print stating, “Must be accompanied… by at least one adult”  viewfromthewing.com+1frequentmiler.com+1.
• United and American weren’t immune, they quietly introduced similar “solo traveler” premiums thriftytraveler.com.
• The rationale? Airlines think solo flyers are either business travelers or unswayed by price, so they can slap on extra charges to boost revenue.

This hits blind and low-vision travelers hard: needing assistance or booking early often means buying single fares. I did a test on Google Flights—solo from Atlanta to L.A.? $249. Booking for two? $159 each. Surprise cost: $90 just because I flew alone.

But here’s the silver lining…

Public uproar grew fast, within a week, Delta and United reversed course, tossing those sneaky fare rules en.wikipedia.org+10thriftytraveler.com+10frequentmiler.com+10. American? Still holding firm… for now. So, next time you’re booking, here’s a pro tip:

Always compare “1 passenger” vs “2 passengers”, you might find a hidden bargain.

2. United’s 45-Minute Check-In Cutoff

Another curveball: United now requires all domestic flyers to check in at least 45 minutes before departure—no exceptions, no gate-agent overrides ctinsider.com+9apnews.com+9yahoo.com+9.

Here’s the deal:

• As of June 3, whether you’re check-bagging or traveling light, check-in closes 45 minutes prior.
• That’s 15 minutes earlier than before for carry-ons, and in line with bag-deadlines.
• Miss it? They may not let you board—and there’s no appealing to a staff member.

For blind and low-vision travelers, that’s a biggie. If you rely on offline or assisted check-in, aim to do it well in advance—and don’t arrive with less than an hour to spare.

3. Southwest Says Goodbye to Open Seating

Southwest is mixing things up (again):

• Starting May 28, the airline is adding fees for the first checked bag, though some Chase cardholders get a freebie.
• Travel credits? They’ll now expire after six months or a year, depending on your fare—no more credits that live forever.
• Early 2026 brings the big shift: bye-bye open boarding, hello assigned seats.

Some people miss the A/B/C stampede; I actually liked it, especially for securing space and scanning the environment early. But for low-vision travelers, a guaranteed seat and boarding order might offer more certainty, even if it means paying extra for selection.

4. Power Banks: Keep Them Within Reach

Heads-up: airlines are tightening power-bank rules:

• Pack those power banks in carry-on only, no dumping them in checked bags or containers.
• Southwest now requires portable chargers to be visible and within reach, in case crew need to inspect them mid-flight.

For many of us, audio devices, screen-readers, and accessible tech are lifelines. Keep your power bank tucked into your personal item, reachable, accessible, and from a trustworthy brand.

5. Shrinking Transatlantic & Canada-US Flights

This summer, we’re seeing fewer flights between the U.S. and Canada (-33%) or Europe (-10%) compared to last year.

Airlines like Lufthansa, BA, Air France, KLM, WestJet, and Air Canada are trimming U.S. routes to focus on regions closer to home. What this means for us:

• Fewer direct route options, longer travel times, and potentially higher costs.
• For international roamers or U.S. returnees, plan early—flexibility may cost more.

6. United–JetBlue Alliance: A Win for Us ✈️

In brighter news: United and JetBlue are launching a partnership this fall.

• Book on either site, earn or spend rewards across both airlines.
• Maintain elite status perks (priority boarding, baggage) no matter whose metal you’re flying.
• Joint flights at JFK make transfers smoother.

This is great for accessible travel planning—better route options, more backup choices, and consistent service for those of us who rely on assistance.

7. ETA Requirement Arrives for UK Visitors

New policy in play: U.S. (and Canadian) travelers must apply for a UK ETA—a digital visa of sorts—before traveling.

• Cost: £16 (~$18), valid for multiple trips over two years.
• Apply via UK government website or app.
• Approval usually arrives within a few days.
• ETA is separate from the EU’s delayed ETIAS (still not happening before late 2026).

If you need help managing forms, confirmations, or digital steps, consider assistance early—especially for ticketing and boarding.

8. Turkey’s New “Seatbelt or Fine” Rule

Landing in Turkey? Head’s up: taxi-to-gate seatbelt rule:

• You must stay seated with seatbelt on until the sign is OFF after landing.
• Flight attendants report any violators—and authorities can impose fines from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

As a traveler who might stand for orientation or ease, this one requires a mindset reset. Stay seated until that seatbelt light goes off, even if your aide is waiting to guide you through the crowd. In general this is a great new rule as it might reduce the stampede that happens every time the flight lands.

What All This Means for Us

• Fare check: Look at both solo and group prices to avoid hidden fees.
• Check-in buffer: Leave early—especially with United’s new 45-minute rule.
• Power bank stashing: In personal item, not packed away. I always suggest packing a smaller bag inside your carry on with the power banks and other tech goodies, especially if it is a larger roller style carry on that you can quickly pull out and keep with you. As a bonus add snacks and other in-flight items you may need.
• Southwest seat plan: Decide if it’s worth paying for assigned seats.
• ETA early: Apply for UK travel days before departure.
• Turkey seatbelt: Stay buckled until drumroll seatbelt sign goes off.
• Explore UA–JetBlue: Use alliance perks for smoother travel.

Final Thoughts

Traveling sight-impaired is already an adventure; policy shifts shouldn’t rain on the parade. By staying alert, savvy, and a bit proactive, we can keep soaring smoothly—even when airlines try to change the rules mid-game.

Here’s to a bright summer backlit by big skies and accessible adventures. If any of these updates feel like a struggle, or you want a deeper dive on accommodation needs, assist protocols, or planning tools, I’m here to help.

Do you have a travel tip or travel news that you think my readers would be interested in Feel free to drop me a message here on Blind Travels or on my socials linked below.  Additionally, if you would like more information on the topics mentioned here, find the resources links below. 

See you at the gate!

-Ted and Fauna

Sources for “8 Air Travel Changes Coming Summer 2025”

1. Solo Traveler Surcharge
   • Thrifty Traveler. “Delta Is Quietly Charging Solo Travelers More on Some Routes.” (May 2024)
     https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/delta-solo-traveler-surcharge
   • Forbes. “Delta Drops Controversial Solo Traveler Surcharge After Backlash.” (June 2024)
     https://www.forbes.com/sites/gergelyorosz/2024/06/07/delta-solo-travel-fee-dropped
2. United Airlines 45-Minute Check-In Rule
   • United Airlines Travel Notices. “Check-in Requirements & Cutoff Times.” (Effective June 3, 2025)
     https://www.united.com/en/us/checkin
3. Southwest Airlines Changes
   • Southwest Airlines Newsroom. “Bags Fly Free Changes & Travel Credit Expiration Policy.” (April 2025)
     https://www.southwest.com/html/about-southwest/newsroom
   • View From The Wing. “Southwest To Assign Seats in 2026.” (May 2025)
     https://viewfromthewing.com
4. Power Bank Storage Rule
   • TSA.gov. “Portable Chargers and Power Banks.”
     https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/portable-chargers-or-power-banks
   • Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy. Updated May 2025
     https://www.southwest.com/help/baggage
5. Decline in Transatlantic and Canada–U.S. Flights
   • CBC News. “Air Canada Reduces US Routes Due to Low Demand.” (April 2025)
     https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/air-canada-cuts-us-routes
   • Reuters. “Lufthansa, BA Reduce U.S. Flights as Demand Shifts.” (March 2025)
     https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airlines-cut-us-capacity-2025
6. United and JetBlue Partnership
   • United Airlines Press Release. “MileagePlus Partnership with JetBlue Launching Fall 2025.”
     https://hub.united.com
   • JetBlue Media Center. “JetBlue–United Loyalty and Booking Integration.”
     https://news.jetblue.com
7. UK ETA Requirement
   • UK Home Office. “Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Visitors to the UK.”
     https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
   • The Independent. “UK’s New ETA Scheme for U.S. Travelers Explained.” (May 2025)
     https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/uk-eta-travel-visa-us-citizens
8. Seatbelt Enforcement and Fines in Turkey
   • Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM). “New Passenger Conduct Fines Enforced.”
     https://web.shgm.gov.tr
   • Simple Flying. “Turkey Fining Passengers Who Stand Up Before Seatbelt Sign Is Off.” (April 2025)
     https://simpleflying.com/turkey-passenger-fines-seatbelt