the travel edit group

"Live with no excuses, travel with no regret"

Oscar Wilde

At The Travel Edit Group, we specialise in creating bespoke, innovative and engaging experiences. We pride ourselves in bringing you a unique and creative concept, focusing on every detail to ensure the execution of a seamless event. Whether it’s a travel incentive or a special event, our team have extensive experience in creating ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ moments.

With over 20 years combined experience in the business, hundreds of thousands of air miles travelled and almost every continent visited, we have been lucky enough to build a global network of some of the leading suppliers in the industry.  Our team have travelled to each corner of the globe to bring you the best of the best. We will work with you from the creative concept, communications and collateral design, registration, event development, travel management and on-site delivery.

We are passionate about what we do and our goal is to work as an extension of your team, bringing passion, knowledge and creativity to ensure a successful and memorable event.

We create bespoke travel incentives that inspire and motivate your team whilst increasing productivity and driving engagement, with a key focus on providing a return on your investment.

We design communication campaigns and create an exciting itinerary that incorporates extraordinary, life-changing experiences to encourage individuals to achieve their targets.

Conferences

Conferences and meetings are an impactful way to convey your key business messages to your audience. Whether it is a small meeting for an executive team or a conference for your business partners and colleagues, we work with you to create a strategic agenda that keeps your audience engaged and excited.

Whether you are hosting your conference in the picturesque city of Sydney or heading across the Atlantic to experience some of the culturally rich destinations that Europe has to offer, we will design an itinerary that showcases the best venues, restaurants, activities and experiences that your chosen location has to offer.

Executive Retreats

Taking time out for Executives and Leaders is always important. Whether it's a retreat for the Senior Leadership Team to regroup for a business update, or time out to focus on Personal and Professional Development, our team has an itinerary that will meet your objectives.

Event Design

Our love for all things sophisticated means that we live for creating elegant events that encompass style and imagination. From the initial design concept to the seamless planning and implementation, our team work with you to create a memorable experience for your special event.

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Curated Incentive programs, Conferences & Events for Corporate Australia

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Luxury-travel consultancy, content and branding

LUTE is an agency that provides consultancy, branding and content-creation services to luxury-travel businesses. It was founded by John O’Ceallaigh, who for many years was Telegraph Media Group’s luxury travel editor and oversaw all luxury-travel content published across The Telegraph, Ultratravel magazine, Telegraph Luxury and telegraph.co.uk . LUTE works with industry experts, including some of the world’s foremost luxury-travel journalists and editors.

LUTE clients include Amaala, Dublin Airport, Expedia, Four Seasons, Innovation Norway, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, The Luxury Collection, Mandarin Oriental Hotels, Maybourne Hotel Group, Qatar Airways, Qatar Tourism, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Saudi Tourism Authority and St. Regis Hotels and Resorts . LUTE is currently providing consultancy services for a number of forthcoming projects being undertaken by international hotel groups, tour operators and PR agencies. Tasks might range from conceiving new creative and storytelling concepts for hotels to advising resorts on emerging travel trends to guiding tourist boards on how to successfully lure luxury consumers in this new age of travel.

Services LUTE can provide:

• Consultancy relating to all aspects of luxury travel
• Creation of compelling campaigns, be they publicity drives or trend-setting, industry-leading services and experiences
• Competitor analysis
• Product appraisals, property reviews and mystery shopper services carried out by luxury-travel experts
• Content creation for websites, brochures, social media campaigns and other marketing material
• Assistance with developing compelling press campaigns
• Development of attention-grabbing, headline-making press releases
• Participation in and moderation of brainstorming sessions and webinars for internal and external use

In addition to overseeing operations at LUTE, John O’Ceallaigh continues to contribute on a freelance basis to publications worldwide and has written for titles such as the Financial Times, The Times, Departures, Robb Report and Wallpaper* . He regularly hosts, moderates and appears on luxury-travel panels and seminars, whether online, from his base in London or internationally. You can connect with John O’Ceallaigh via LinkedIn here , or on Instagram or Twitter .

To keep up to date on the latest from LUTE, you can subscribe to our forthcoming mailing list here . You can follow LUTE’s company page on LinkedIn here . LUTE also publishes updates on Instagram . 

For more information, to submit your latest industry news for consideration for publication on lute.co, or just to say hello, email [email protected]. 

• Eating & Drinking 4
• Experiences 24
• Journeys 14
• Travel Industry 19

The Life Edit

The Travel Edit

Because this is the year we start traveling better.

Say it with me, “We’re traveling better in 2024.” We are using our vacation days and taking the “one day” out of the group chat and making the reservations instead. January is my favorite month for planning in general, but it doesn’t hurt to start dreaming up trips when it’s anything but dreamy outside. Here are 6 of the destinations on my radar this year and the itineraries that put them on my list.

FORT WORTH: A Repeat Offender

Our friends moved to Fort Worth, TX a few years ago and it only took one visit for us to add Funkytown to our favorite destinations list. We go for the BBQ, we stay for the BBQ, and we keep coming back for…. you get the drift!

Thanks for reading Lindsey’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

ON THE ITINERARY:

Staying at the newly opened Bowie House

Brunch at Brix BBQ and another BBQ stop at Dayne’s

Building a custom hat at Shop Wide Brim and then soaking in the gorgeous interior of Hotel Drover ’s lounge

The sushi bar at the new Hudson House

Seeing a show at the iconic Billy Bob’s

And a trip to Fort Worth isn’t complete without sliders and tots from Nickel City

MEXICO CITY: First Pick For Our Anniversary Trip

As someone that loves to travel, Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure are two of my favorite reads. Mexico City has been on my radar for awhile now, but recently Conde Nast named it THE city for foodies which promptly shot it to the top of my list.

Deciding to stay between either Brick Hotel or Sofitel Mexico City

Tasting menu at Pujol : #13 on the World’s 50 Beset Restaurant List

Spending the afternoon at the Frida Kahlo Museum

Mezcal cocktails at La Clandestina

Tuna tostadas at Contramar

Lunch at Maximo Bistrot

Jenni the quesadilla lady (it’s a real thing)

SANTA BARBARA : The Trip Most Likely To Make It Out Of The Group Chat

When a wine tasting weekend enters the group chat »»

We did a private wine tasting around the holidays and our sommelier gave us the rundown on some of the best wine regions in California (outside of Napa). One thing led to another and flight calendars were up, dates were being thrown out, Air BnBs were being researched, and we were plotting how to make the most of a weekend in the American Riviera. We figured if Santa Barbara is good enough for Meghan and Harry, a couple’s weekend here will do.

Staying at the Hotel Californian or sharing this chic Air BnB

A seafood lunch right on the water at Brophy Bros.

Tastings, tastings, and more tastings. There are over 150 tasting rooms, but Alma Rosa , Babcock , Fess Parker and Brewer-Clifton have been suggested as some of the best.

Hangover fries over brunch at The Lark

Checking out where Rosewood Miramar Beach (where Kortney and Travis got engaged)

SEATTLE: A Long Overdue First Tripe

I have never been to the PNW and it is a trip that’s long overdue. My husband has a bucket list goal to hit all the MLB ballparks so we’re checking 2 boxes by adding a Mariner’s game to our summer plans.

Jazz brunch at Hotel Sorrento

Dinner at Oddfellows Cafe

The foodie in me has dreamt of getting lost at Pike Place Market

An afternoon checking out Chihuly Garden & Glass

Getting my caffeine fix at The original Starbucks Reserve

If you have a favorite Seattle hotel, I feel like search is falling short. If you have a good recommendation, send it my way!

NYC: For The US Open

If you’ve been around awhile you already know that NYC is my happy place. For fashion reasons, for the foodie in me, and because I’m rewatching Gossip Girl for the umpteenth time I may have text my girlfriends to rope them into another weekend trip. Coordinating career girl’s schedules is no easy feet, but we lucked out that our availability coincides with the US Open. This will be prim

Reliving our best Chuck Bass moments with a stay at The Palace

Coffee at The Elk , perusing Left Bank Books , and shopping through the West Village

The ultimate bagel Brunch at Sadelle’s

Walking The High Line before checking out Chelsea Market

Cocktails at The Swan Room inside Nine Orchard before pizza at Rubirosa

A Broadway show- hoping Moulin Rouge gets extended, but if not Wicked is also on my list. Plus pre-show dinner and drinks at either The Edition Times Square or Quality Bistro (they have the best french onion soup)

Learning to make the best pies at Pizza School NYC

CHICAGO: A Staycation

Because we don’t live in Chicago proper, every once in a while I love to stay and play tourist in my hometown. The Hoxton in the West Loop is always my 1st choice for where to stay and with a plethora of amazing restaurants in the neighborhood, it’s also one of my favorites to play. My nieces are coming to visit this Spring so I have already started planning for a perfect Windy City Weekend.

Coffee at La Colombe and checking out the new Voodoo Doughnut next door

A little pampering with a Mask Bar at Scratch Goods

Burgers at Au Cheval (a must) before an architecture tour by boat

Chef’s table experience at Nobu

Pasta making class at Sapori Trattoria followed by cocktails at King of Cups

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If you’re a new here, WELCOME! I’m Linds 👋🏼

‘the life edit’ is a newsletter dedicated to sharing practical tips for a life well lived. elevating your travel, style, and daily habits., you can find me on instagram here or if you’re a facebook person, join the life edit community here ..

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I'm a photographer, a hotelier, a research nerd, a fashion lover, a Bondi local but most importantly just a friendly gal who loves working in this amazing industry.

Professionally I am a sales, marketing, distribution & team development specialist who has worked most of her life in the Hotel and Distribution ( .com)  space.

I am also an enthusiastic coach and sounding board...for those in their early stages of concept who may need someone to provide them with direction or alternative avenues of thought.

I have an extensive understanding of hotel brands, operations and have worked with the smallest of operations to large scale resorts within Oceania.

15 years of placements across Greece, Canary Islands, Canada, UK, Australia, Fiji and Indonesia. 

Companies of employment:

Travelocity.com

Lastminute.com

Expedia.com

Accor 

Radisson Hotels & Resorts

Mantra Group

Mantra, Art Series, Peppers, Breakfree, Tribe​

Hamilton Island

Whistler Blackcomb

First Choice Holidays.

My  life has revolved around sport  and hospitality tourism.

Having had a professional sports career for the most part of 15 years I understand what hard work is.  

Professionally I am a service focused team development and motivational specialist.I thrive working with new teams and assisting to create streamlined work flows and procedures. I have a no nonsense attitude with an assertive displayed behaviour.

I thrive as a connector, a collaborator, and an events & logistics specialist.

Companies of Employment:

The Canterbury Bulldogs

The Townsville Cowboys

The South Sydney Rabbitohs

Schwartz Family Company

EVT Holdings

The Roosters

RAND Refrigeration and Logistics

My corporate network of connections includes:

Triple Crown Racing

Moet & Chandon

Lion Nathan

Sydney Brewery

QT Hotels & Resorts

Ovolo Hotels

Rydges Hotels & Resorts

Hope Estate 

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Mobile:      0450 400 437

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Destinations we have completed work within:

New Zealand

Cook Islands

New Caledonia

French Polynesia

Papua New Guinea

Canary Islands

Destinations we have experienced:

Switzerland

The Phillipines

The Bahamas

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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

A Taste of the Sweet Life in Slovenia

Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

8 Trending Destinations to Visit in 2023

Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 7 million dollars to over 130 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

The 10 Best Sites to Book a Cruise

Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination.

For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

Program These Numbers Into Your Phones Before Traveling Internationally

Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

Book Your Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels

For independent explorers who don’t want to miss out on these amazing destinations, book your hotel stay for a great rate with SmarterTravel Hotels .

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Moscow Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

Our 60 most popular moscow trips. compare tour itineraries from 45 tour companies. 308 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating., popular moscow tours.

St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Winter

• Explore the majestic St Petersburg & Moscow on private city tours
• Admire the rich Russian history, art and architecture
• Travel to Moscow on a highspeed train
• Enjoy the local cuisine in stylish restaurants

Lower Volga Voyage

• Visit magnificent Red Square and Kremlin and examine the collection at theKremlin’s State Armory.
• Experience Russia’s diverse musical traditions at lively folk music performances
• Explore Volgograd, the site of the decisive battle of World War II’s eastern front

Volga Dream Russian River Cruise

St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Summer

White Russian - 7 days

• Discover Moscow's UNESCO-listed Red Square, home to spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and the historic GUM Department store
• Explore the grounds of Moscow's mighty Kremlin, with its numerous governmentbuildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the giant tsar bell
• Celebrate New Year's Eve in Moscow!
• Take in the highlights of St Petersburg including a guided tour of the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the remarkable Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace

Vodka Shot - 6 days

• Explore the beautiful city of St Petersburg, including the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Nevsky Prospekt
• Marvel at the dazzling array of art and exhibits in the world-famous Hermitage Museum, at the Winter Palace in St Petersburg
• Discover a lavish residence of the tsars on a day trip to Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo (winter: mid-October to April) or Peterhof Palace and gardens (summer: May to mid-October)
• Take in the highlights of the capital on a walking tour, visiting Moscow's famous Red Square, home to the historic GUM Department Store, Lenin’s Mausoleum and spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the Moscow Kremlin, Russia’s political power house. Stroll around the grounds of this fortified complex, visit the Kremlin's cathedrals and see the mighty Tsar Bell

Route of the Romanovs - 10 days

• Learn about the last days of the Romanovs in Yekaterinburg, visiting the sites where Tsar Nicolas II and his family were assassinated and buried
• Straddle two continents at the famous obelisk Europe/Asia border marker in Yekaterinburg
• Experience the Trans-Siberian railway on an overnight train journey from Moscow to Yekaterinburg

New Year's in Moscow - 9 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo on Christmas Day and marvel at the incredible Amber Room
• Spend a night in Novgorod, an ancient city by the Volkhov River - explore the kremlin, cathedral and other sights and enjoy a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

All Moscow , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Moscow

Small Group Moscow Tours

Back in the USSR - 7 days

Russian Revolution - 9 days

• Visit historic Novgorod, an ancient city which straddles the Volkhov River. Explore the attractive riverside kremlin and experience a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

The Snowball - 6 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo and marvel at the incredible Amber Room

Mood for Moscow - 4 days

• Head underground to visit a Stalinist-era Soviet Bunker on an optional excursion
• Stroll to the vibrant Izmailovo Market, which lies behind the walls of an ancient Kremlin, and shop for an array of souvenirs

Best Moscow Tours by Duration

Tours, Cruises & Private Trips

Best Moscow Tours by Price

Top Moscow Attractions & Experiences

Moscow Tours & Travel Guide

Moscow Attractions & Landmarks Guide

Moscow reviews & ratings, capitals of the north.

some hotels could have been better

It was jam packed with every place I wanted to go and see. I especially love my photo of us setting out on the night time river cruise in St Petersburg and the Peter...

I really did not buy much and what I did buy was small gifts for others .

Johanna-Marie

Good hotels, some better than others. Interesting itinerary

Too rushed. Optional tour rather too short

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Moscow Vacation Packages

Moscow vacations are always a great idea when it comes to traveling in Russia. Plan your trip to Moscow with a leading tour operator for Russia and enjoy the ease and pleasure that comes from it. You will stay at the centrally-located hotels, enjoy guided tours to Moscow's best sights with charming local guides, and, most importantly, feel relaxed and immersed in the Russian culture at all times. Wondering what the ideal way to see the best of Moscow is? Well, with a private tour to Moscow, of course! We will listen to your travel preferences and prepare a custom Moscow itinerary just for you. Let's start talking about your upcoming vacation to the gorgeous capital city of Russia.

Moscow Tour Highlights

Explore the capital of the largest country in the world, Russia.

Learn about the most visited sights in Moscow that are worth adding to your Russian itinerary. Create a fantastic tour to Moscow with a destination, choosing your wished activities.

• Moscow walking tour
• The Red Square
• St Basil's Cathedral
• Moscow Subway ride
• Tretyakov Gallery
• The Red Square in Moscow
• The Bolshoi Theater
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Moscow's Kremlin exploration
• 'Seven Sisters' Skyscrapers

Tips for Moscow Travel

Take a look at the good-to-know tips before visiting Moscow and have a fantastic time in the capital.

What to pack

Make sure to check the weather prognosis before your trip and pack accordingly.

When to travel

Moscow is beautiful all around the year. Choose traveling time according to preferred activities.

We suggest to always have some cash with you. You will need Rubles (RUB) for Russia.

How much to tip

Tipping is not required in Russia, but it's considered good etiquette, tip 10%-15% of your bill.

The average summer temperature is approx 18°C (64°F), and winter is around -6°C (22°F).

Some of the most popular souvenirs from Moscow are caviar, Krasnaya Moska perfume.

Best Moscow Sights

One of the highest points in Moscow and one of its most breathtaking places - the Sparrow Hills.

See the 344-feet Cathedral of Christ the Savior - the tallest Orthodox church in the world.

Enjoy masterpieces of Russian opera and ballet in Moscow's legendary Bolshoi Theater.

Being the most recognizable symbol of Russia in the world, Red Square is an absolute must see when in Moscow. 

The famous GUM is a large department store in the Kitai-gorod part of Moscow facing Red Square.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is Moscow’s most famous artistic work of architecture set in the romantic Red Square.

History and luxury is revealed inside the Kremlin as the Armoury Chamber displays treasures like Faberge Eggs.

The symbol of Moscow and entire Russia, the Kremlin is often described as the 8th Wonder of the World.

Moscow Metro is like a whole underground city that holds the world's largest collection of Stalinist Art.

I am very satisfied.

I have been using the Firebirds (Travel All Russia) services for a while. I am very satisfied.

WOW. From the choice of hotels to...

WOW. From the choice of hotels, an itinerary that ran to plan, the amazing Guides and drivers, and of course the stunning cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. No long queues for entry to museums, churches, and palaces.  I would gladly recommend using Firebird Tours (Travel All Russia) to anyone.

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I must say from the day I started to book my tip till the day I got home I had one GREAT trip and experience I always felt safe and cared for help was seconds away not that I needed any I will defiantly highly recommend your company to any traveler to Russia WELL DONE to the Whole team THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

We enjoyed the whole trip a lot

Overall we enjoyed the whole trip a lot. Moscow is beautiful and clean. Thank you very much for your patience and excellent organization of this tour. Everything ran very smoothly and according to schedule. The guides met us on time at hotels or at our train carriage on arrival. They all spoke good English, had a good local knowledge and were very kind and helpful.

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I’m most pleased with Travel All Russia in arranging our ‘Volga Dream’ Russia tour, I would recommend using your services again as every aspect of our tour went off without a hitch. The communication between our tour representative was excellent as we required additional days on both ends of our tour. The visa process and the logistics were flawlessly implemented.

We had a great time in Moscow!

Everything was perfect and we are very satisfied with services and accommodations.

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The trip was great. Especially want to mention the guides I had on the extra days were exceptional. Both guides and drivers worked out well. Thanks again for all your help and attention. Loved my time in Russia, and still haven’t stopped talking about it.

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Watch CBS News

Delta is changing how it boards passengers starting May 1

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Aimee Picchi

Updated on: April 12, 2024 / 12:35 PM EDT / CBS News

Delta Air Lines is changing its boarding process beginning May 1 in an effort to speed up loading passengers onto planes. 

If you're flying on the airline, you'll have to know what zone number you're in to board in the correct sequence. The move is hardly innovative, experts say, and instead reflects a return to the traditional way of boarding passengers followed by most airlines. 

That's because Delta is introducing numbered boarding zones for all flights, meaning that customers will have a zone number assigned to them instead of boarding groups labelled by airline status or fare class, such as "Sky Priority." The airline stressed that boarding orders will not change, but the group names will.

When Delta introduced its branded fare boarding process in 2018, it called zone boarding "a thing of the past." But the airline is now reverting to the traditional way of boarding people, in what some experts call an unusual move for an innovative airline.

Customers who need more assistance will still pre-board as usual before passengers in Zone 1, which will comprise Delta One and First Class customers. Zone 2 will include Diamond Medallion Members and Delta Premium Select ticket holders. 

Delta Comfort+ customers will board in Zone 3, followed by Sky Priority in Zone 4, according to a  chart  on the airline's website. Zone numbers will go up to 8, when basic economy passengers will board. 

Delta said the change is small, but could make the process easier for infrequent fliers and non-English speakers who only have to listen for a number to know when it's their turn to board. The change will also make the process less stressful for gate agents, Delta added. 

Still, some travel experts questioned whether the change would meaningfully speed up the boarding process. 

"They're not changing who boards when or the sequence," Clarkson University professor John Milne, an expert on airline boarding, told CBS MoneyWatch. "All they are changing is the names of what passenger group boards next." 

In a statement to CBS MoneyWatch, Delta said the "simple change" will "provide customers more clarity into the boarding sequence and make the boarding process more intuitive—especially for infrequent travelers and/or customers who might face a language barrier at the gate."

Delta added, "Numbered zones will also align more closely with our joint venture and international partners, providing international customers a more simplified, consistent experience when traveling on mixed-metal itineraries. "  

CEO Ed Bastian addressed the change on the company's first quarter earnings call Wednesday. "When you have a number and you're standing in line, we are all trained to know when it's our turn," Bastian said.

Superficial changes?

The change is fairly superficial, Milne said, noting there are other changes Delta and its competitors could make to boarding processes that would make them more efficient. 

The airline still prioritizes passengers with airline status or who paid for a higher class fare on a particular flight. Instead, it would be more efficient to board passengers based on where on the aircraft they are seated, Milne said. 

For example, boarding window seat customers in the back half of the plane first would speed up the process. "That way you would minimize some of the congestion," he said. 

Delta instead assigns passengers to boarding groups based on their loyalty to the airline and ticket prices. 

Travel expert Scott Keyes also emphasized that the change does little to meaningfully improve or expedite the boarding process. All Delta is doing is reverting to the traditional way of boarding passengers and scrapping its branded boarding process that began in 2018, he noted.

"The fact that they've reverted to numbered zones, like those employed by virtually all other airlines, speaks volumes," Keyes said. "Traditionally, Delta has been seen as the innovative airline and others have followed suit. In this case, Delta's innovation didn't pan out, and they've been forced to once again mimic American and United's boarding processes."

To be sure, any move that would actually speed up passenger boarding could give an airline a leg up on competitors.

"Speeding up the boarding process by even 10 minutes can prevent delays, and if sustained, allow airlines to add an additional daily flight to the schedule," Keyes said.

The airline posted a $37 million first-quarter profit on Wednesday and said demand for air travel is strong heading into the busy summer travel season. Travelers are flocking to book trips despite a string of recent air safety incidents, including a panel blowing off a Boeing 737 Max aircraft during an Alaska Airlines flight.

• Delta Air Lines

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News Streaming to discuss her reporting.

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Districts [ edit ]

Central Moscow districts [ edit ]

Outlying districts [ edit ], understand [ edit ].

Moscow is the financial and political centre of Russia and the countries formerly comprising the Soviet Union. It has a population of around 13 million and an area of 2,511 square kilometres (970 sq mi) after an expansion in 2012. One-tenth of all Russian citizens live in the Moscow metropolitan area. Moscow is the second most populous city in Europe, after Istanbul , and has the most populous metropolitan area in Europe, with some 21 million residents. Moscow is in the UTC+3 time zone; there is no daylight saving time.

Many years since the break up of the Soviet Union, the economy has improved, and the modern era has brought upon a wide variety of construction projects, modern architecture and newer transport systems replacing the derelict ones during Soviet times.

Geography [ edit ]

Moscow is a large metropolis on the Moskva River, which bends its way through the city. The historical center is on the northern bank of the river. The other major waterway is the Yauza River, which flows into the Moskva east of the Kremlin.

Much of Moscow's geography is defined by the 3 'Ring Roads' that circle the city at various distances from the centre, roughly following the outline of the walls that used to surround Moscow. With Red Square and the Kremlin forming the very centre, the innermost ring road is the Boulevard Ring ( Bulvarnoye Koltso ), built in the 1820s where the 16th century walls used to be. It runs from the Christ the Savior Cathedral in south-west central Moscow, to the mouth of the Yauza in south-east central Moscow.

The next ring road, the Garden Ring ( Sadovoe Koltso ), derives its name from the fact that landowners near the road in Tsarist times were obligated to maintain gardens to make the road attractive. In Soviet times, the road was widened, and there are now no gardens there.

The Third Ring Road, completed in 2004, is not much use for tourists but is a heavily used motorway which absorbs a bit of Moscow's traffic. It roughly follows the outline of Kamer-Kollezhsky val , the customs boundary of Moscow in the 18th – early 20th century. The outer edge of Moscow is largely defined by the Moscow Ring Road (widely known by its abbreviation: MKAD-Moskovskaya kolcevaya avto doroga), a motorway which is 108 km (67 mi) long and encircles the entire city (similar to London's M25 and Paris' Périphérique ).

Climate [ edit ]

The climate of Moscow features warm summers and long, cold winters.

Get in [ edit ]

See Russia#Get in for visa requirements to Russia.

By train [ edit ]

Moscow is a railway hub, with connections to all parts of Russia and far into Europe and Asia. Due to its hub status, Moscow's train stations are often crowded; trains are the usual form of intercity transport for most Russians. The stations have a reputation for being unsafe but paradoxically the threat of terrorism has improved things: security gates, policing and surveillance deter the casual thugs and villains. Guard your valuables and yourself as you would in any big city.

All long-distance trains are operated by Russian Railways and its subsidiaries, except for a few international trains with other operators. Tickets can be bought at stations or online . For domestic trains, you can show the ticket officer your online boarding pass; however, international trains require a printed ticket. There are usually ticket counters with English-speaking personnel - they may be marked as such, or the clerk may direct you to another counter if they can't cope with your English. See Russia#By train 2 for more details on travelling in Russia by train.

From Europe [ edit ]

All trains from Europe halted since 2020

Train stations in Moscow [ edit ]

Moscow has 10 train stations, 9 of which are near metro stations close to the center of Moscow. Be sure to note the station from which your train is departing, which will be indicated on the ticket, or online . Three stations ( Leningradsky , Yaroslavsky , and Kazansky ) are on one huge square, informally known as the "Three Stations' Square". A running joke among Moscow taxi drivers since the Soviet times is to be able to pick up a fare from one of them to the other, taking the unwary tourist on an elaborate ride in circles. Be prepared for enormous queues trying to enter or exit the Metro at peak times, as people are getting off or on the commuter trains.

By car [ edit ]

Many entry points to Moscow over the Ring Road and into the city feature rotating roadblocks, where teams of traffic police may stop a vehicle, especially if it is not featuring Moscow plates. You may be stopped and questioned but you'll be allowed to proceed if you have all the proper documents.

Foreign cars, especially expensive cars, might attract unwelcome attention, and there is cumbersome paperwork involved to enter Russia by car.

By boat [ edit ]

There is no scheduled passenger service to Moscow by boat; however, cruise ships do provide service to the Northern River Terminal, on the Moscow Canal near the Khimki Reservoir. The pier is not convenient to the city and it can take over 2 hours to reach the city centre by car.

A system of navigable channels and locks connects the Moskva River with the Volga River, which is further connected to the Baltic Sea , White Sea, the Azov, the Black Sea, and the Caspian Sea. In the Soviet times this allowed the official propaganda to refer to Moscow as "a port on the five seas".

By bicycle [ edit ]

Moscow is the easternmost destination of the EuroVelo cycling routes . Eurovelo Route 2 , the Capitals Route, is a 5,500 km (3,400 mi) route starting in Galway , Ireland , passing through Dublin , London , Berlin , Warsaw and Minsk before terminating in Moscow.

By metro [ edit ]

The Metro is open from 05:30-01:00. Station entrances are closed at 01:00, and at this time the last trains depart from all of the termini stations. After 01:00, many locals will enter the train station using the exits, which are still open. Service on the ring line runs until 01:30, although entrances are closed at 01:00. The down escalators are also shut off at 01:00.

There is signage in the Metro stations in English and the Latin alphabet, but these signs are not everywhere. Each train carriage has a map in Latin script and there is one near the entrance to each station. Note the direction of the train before you alight. It is worth printing a map of the metro system in both Cyrillic and Latin letters to take with you.

All trains in the system have free WiFi onboard, but you will need to have a Russian phone number to get the authorization code to access the WiFi. Some of the older train cars are not climate controlled.

2 or 3 stations may be connected as transfer points but will each have a different name. There are 2 stations called Smolenskaya and 2 stations called Arbatskaya , but the station pairs are not connected to each other despite having the same name. Some of the stations are very deep underground, and transfer times between certain metro lines can take a lot of time. In the city centre, it can save time to go directly to the above-ground entrance of the line you want to take rather than to enter at a connecting station and transfer underground. On the escalators, stand on the right and walk on the left except for peak hours, when standing on the left side is also allowed.

Some of the train stations include beautiful architecture and it is worth taking a guided tour of the metro system. The most interesting stations in terms of decor are Komsomolskaya (ring line), Novoslobodskaya (ring line), Kievskaya (ring line), Kropotkinskaya (Line #1 - red), Kievskaya (Line #3 - dark blue), Arbatskaya (Line #3 - dark blue), Ploschad' Revolyutsii (Line #3 - dark blue), Mayakovskaya (Line #2 - dark green). Also look at the architecture of the ground entrance building of Arbatskaya (Line #4 - light blue) and Krasnye Vorota (Line #1 - red). History buffs may appreciate that Metro Line #1 (red) has the oldest stations, opened in 1935.

The Vorobyovy Gory Metro Station on Line #1 (red) is unique in that it is on a bridge crossing the Moscow River. This bridge also carries auto traffic road on another level. There is a beautiful view through the transparent sides of the station. A great observing point around Moscow is located nearby on Vorobyovy hills, next to the main building of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

There are a couple of unique trains operating through the system and you will be lucky if you get to ride them. Aquarelle (Watercolor) is a train that includes an art gallery. The train operates daily on Line #3 (dark blue). The Sokolniki Retro Train is a train modeled after the original 1930s trains and it occasionally is placed into service, usually around a major anniversary of the metro system.

The metro is relatively safe, although pickpockets are a problem, as they are in any environment where a lot of people are pressed together. Opportunistic petty crime, such as snatching someone's mobile phone and jumping out just as the doors are closing, is also commonplace. Take the usual precautions at night when gangs of inebriated teenagers may look for an excuse to beat someone up. There is no train guard or conductor, so the first car near the driver may be the safest. Every car is equipped with an intercom to the driver's cabin; they are beige boxes with a grill and a black button near doors, and mostly work, unless visibly vandalized.

By tram [ edit ]

There are several tram routes, although trams are not common in the city centre.

By monorail [ edit ]

Moscow Monorail is a 4.7 km (2.9 mi) monorail line with 6 stations. It is slower, less frequent, and has shorter operating hours when compared with the metro (every 30 min, 08:00-20:00). However, the view is picturesque. It is useful to get to the Ostankino Tower, or to get to the VDNKh exhibition centre from Metro Line #9 (silver). Interchanges between Moscow Metro and Monorail is free, no additional fee will be charged.

By hop-on-hop-off bus [ edit ]

The hop-on-hop-off bus is a convenient way for tourists to see the major sights quickly and efficiently. The buses feature English-speaking guides to answer any questions. A 1 day pass costs $24 for adults and $15 for children.

See [ edit ]

Do [ edit ].

Moscow has many attractions, but many of them are not friendly to a non-Russian-speaker. English-language newspapers like The Moscow Times , Element [dead link] , Moscow News and others can help to navigate towards English-language friendly attractions and services.

Circuses [ edit ]

Theatres [ edit ].

• Bolshoi Theatre , one of the oldest and best known ballet and opera companies in the world.

Learn [ edit ]

Moscow remains the educational center of Russia and the former USSR. There are 222 institutes of higher education, including 60 state universities & 90 colleges. Some of these offer a wide-spectrum of programs, but most are centered around a specific field. This is a hold-over from the days of the USSR, when Sovietwide there were only a handful of wide-spectrum "universities" and a large number of narrow-specialization "institutes" (mostly in Moscow & St.Petersburg). Moscow offers some of the best business/management, science, & arts schools in the world. Moscow is also a popular destination for foreign students to learn Russian.

Work [ edit ]

You will need a work visa which is not an easy process. The visa needs to be arranged well in advance of traveling. It is possible to work in Moscow, you just need to find a good company to support you. The main obstacle for many foreigners will be a mandatory Russian language exam required to obtain a work permit.

Shopping malls [ edit ]

Large shopping malls are common near metro stations.

Tipping [ edit ]

For information on tipping in restaurants, see Russia#Eat .

Ethnic food [ edit ]

Authentic ethnic food from countries of the nearby Caucasus ( Azerbaijan , Georgia , Armenia ) is common in Moscow. Japanese food, including sushi, rolls, tempura, and steakhouses are very popular in Moscow. Other Asian cuisines including Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese are becoming increasingly more common.

Budget [ edit ]

Street food [ edit ].

Free-standing kiosks serving sausages, meat pies, or kebobs are plentiful, although the origins of the meat served is questionable and the food has been known to occasionally make people sick.

Muscovites are also fond of their ice cream, consumed in any weather, even in the dead of winter, cheap and usually of superior quality; kiosks can be found all over the center and near all Metro stations.

Foodcourts 2.0 [ edit ]

This term is used in articles by local food critics: since 2016, several special food courts were opened with independent and small food chains, for those people who get bored of McDonald's-like food. They offer a wider choice of cuisines.

Clubs [ edit ]

Nightlife in Moscow is bustling, intense and exciting. It starts quite late; it's common for the headliners to start at 02:00-02:00. Most noticeable are areas near Solyanka street and Krasniy Oktyabr' place. At summer time a lot of clubs opening open-air terraces called "verandas". Most of clubs in Moscow are very picky of who they let in, so make sure you have a positive attitude and dress up if you are going to a fancy club.

Gazgolder [dead link] (not far from Kremlin) is among the best.

Cafes [ edit ]

Moscow has several café chains with great coffee including Coffeemania and Coffee Bean [dead link] . Moscow also has a good selection of tea saloons. High-quality infusion teas such as Newby, are widely available in cafes, both in packets and loose.

Asking to add boiling water to the tea you ordered earlier is a practice that some cafes don't welcome, but normally it's acceptable.

Sleep [ edit ]

Stay safe [ edit ].

Moscow enjoys a relatively low crime rate.

Drunk people are the most likely sources of problems. In the past years, lots of policemen were corrupt, and it was best to avoid them. Nowadays Moscow has a Tourist Police force, whose officers are able to speak foreign languages and help tourists. Police officers are equipped with body-cameras.

It is preferable to avoid some parts of the outer districts of Moscow, especially in the south. Some of those areas are notorious for gopniks (drunkards notorious for muggings and starting fights with strangers, and will do so seemingly unprovoked), who normally hang out in sparse residential areas and in industrial zones. The same problems can be witnessed in the surrounding regions and in other Russian cities as well.

While traveling in Moscow, as in the rest of Russia, you should always have your passport with you. If you look non-white, your papers may get checked more often than otherwise. The police may demand to see your papers to check if you have been registered within 7 business days of your arrival into Moscow. Always remember that if you stay in a hotel then you are automatically registered and will be handed a confirmation paper at a time of check-in, so don't worry in this case. The police are usually looking for migrants from Central Asia and unless you fit this profile, you are unlikely to be questioned.

Women should take caution walking alone late at night since they may receive unwanted attention from drunk men. Women should also stay clear of large companies of men in front of bars, restaurants, etc. It is best to walk with a friend if possible.

Streets can become very slippery in winter. Wear shoes or, even better, boots with decent grip to prevent twisted ankles. Ice patches can be hard to spot. A waterproof raincoat is also sensible.

Traffic is poorly handled, and vehicle accident rates are very high.

If you need help with translation, ask students or pupils: younger people are more likely to be able to help you than the older generations.

Connect [ edit ]

For information on using telephones and buying SIM cards in Russia, see Russia#Connect .

Mobile Internet is quite affordable in Russia, but you have to buy Russian SIM-card first.

Wireless Internet [ edit ]

Moscow Metro has Wi-Fi in all trains. It is ad-supported.

Mosgortrans has Wi-Fi spots on every bus, trolleybus and tram. Also sometimes you can find Wi-Fi spot on a public transport stop.

Beeline Wi-Fi [dead link] operates the largest network of both paid and free Wi-Fi access points. If there is a charge, you can pay online via credit card.

There is a large network of free Wi-Fi hotspots in the city centre; check your device in the middle of a busy area and you may find one.

Many cafes and restaurants offer Wi-Fi - ask for password. Most bookstores offer free Wi-Fi, including "Dom Knigi" on New Arbat Street or "Respublika" bookstore on Tverskaya near Mayakovskaya Metro Station.

Some establishments that offer free Wi-Fi may require you to verify an authorization code sent to a Russian phone number before gaining access, but for the most part, foreign numbers also work as of 2016.

Cope [ edit ]

Embassies [ edit ].

Moscow is one of the global diplomatic capitals, competing with Berlin , Brussels , Beijing , Paris , London , Tokyo and Washington D.C. . Most of the world's countries have their embassies in the city.

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More From Forbes

Ranked: the best airlines in 2024, according to a new report.

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What are the best airlines to fly? As the world emerges from the turbulence of the global pandemic, the airline industry is navigating a new landscape marked by shifting consumer expectations, evolving safety protocols and fluctuating economic conditions. Against this backdrop, travelers are weighing factors beyond mere ticket prices as they choose the best airlines to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.

The personal-finance website WalletHub has just announced its annual ranking of the best airlines . The study evaluates the nine largest national airlines in the United States and one regional carrier across a range of criteria, including reliability, safety, comfort and overall service quality, providing travelers with valuable insights to inform their decision-making process.

According to WalletHub, airline ticket prices had dropped significantly in 2023, but are back on the rise. However, costs are only part of the story. “WalletHub’s airline report is unique because it evaluates airlines beyond just ticket prices,” WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe told me in an interview. “While many reports prioritize affordability, WalletHub takes into account a wider range of factors that are important to travelers, such as comfort, safety, and overall service quality.” Compare this year’s list to 2023’s list of best airlines .

What are the best airlines in 2024? A new WalletHub report ranks the best U.S. airlines.

To rank the airlines for 2024, WalletHub analyzed flight data from the U.S. Department of Transportation and using a strategic methodology that compared key metrics, including cancellation, delays, baggage mishaps and in-flight comfort.

This year’s report unveils Alaska Airlines as the best airline in the U.S., earning the highest WalletHub score and beating out Delta Air Lines, which ranked first in 2023 and 2022. Alaska Airlines has ranked at the top of the list in a number of past WalletHub rankings, including 2021, 2019 , 2018 and 2017. For 2024, a track record of consistent performance and a commitment to passenger satisfaction propelled Alaska Airlines back to the top of the list.

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“Alaska Airlines has regained the top position owing to its consistent and remarkable performance across multiple metrics,” says Happe. “The airline has exceeded expectations in in-flight comfort and cost, providing passengers with amenities such as ample legroom, a range of entertainment options and complimentary refreshments. Moreover, it has demonstrated robust safety measures, ranking first in safety-related categories, such as the number of injuries in aviation incidents and accidents. The airline’s balanced performance across various aspects of air travel has contributed to its return to the top position.”

Following closely behind is Alaska Airlines SkyWest Airlines, followed by Spirit Airlines in the number three spot. “It’s quite surprising to see Spirit Airlines ranking so high on the list,” says Happe. “This is notable because Spirit is usually associated with budget travel and may not be considered as competing in terms of overall service quality. However, it seems that Spirit has made significant progress in areas beyond affordability, such as safety. This is evident by the airline being ranked as the safest airline, which is increasingly valued by travelers.”

Coming in last on the list for the third year in a row is Southwest Airlines. “Although the airline shows satisfactory performance in baggage and departure metrics such as cancelled flights and delays, it falls short in terms of mishandled baggage reports and denied boardings,” says Happe. “When considering in-flight comfort and cost, the airline ranks low in price affordability, which is a crucial factor for many travelers. Furthermore, Southwest’s safety scores are notably low compared to its competitors. Overall, it appears that Southwest needs to address its mishandled baggage and denied boarding issues, as well as work on improving its safety measures and price competitiveness, in order to improve its ranking.”

In addition to ranking the best airlines, WalletHub also reveals the most reliable airline, the most comfortable airline, the most affordable airline and the safest airline.

In terms of dependability, Delta Air Lines emerges as the most reliable airline for the second year in a row, due to the lowest rates of cancellations, delays, mishandled luggage and denied boardings. At the opposite end is Frontier, which is named the least reliable airline for the second year in a row, due to high levels of denied boardings and delayed flights. “Delta Airlines is widely regarded as the most dependable option when it comes to air travel. This is primarily because of their exceptional track record in minimizing cancellations, delays, denied boardings, and mishandled luggage,” says Happe. “However, Frontier Airlines falls short in most reliability metrics, although it does surpass Delta by securing the second overall rank for mishandled baggage.”

Delta Air Lines and JetBlue tied as the most comfortable airlines in the WalletHub rankings. According to WalletHub, they excelled by offering free amenities. The least comfortable airline? Frontier. “Delta Airlines and JetBlue Airways provide a comfortable flight experience with amenities such as Wi-Fi, extra legroom and complimentary snacks and beverages,” says Happe. “Frontier Airlines, on the other hand, does not offer the same level of comfort during the flight, as they lack many of the complimentary benefits provided by their competitors.

When it comes to safety, Spirit Airlines takes the win as the safest airline, boasting a commendable safety record including no fatalities and fewer than 15 injuries between 2018 and 2023. Alaska Airlines earns the runner-up position in terms of safety, highlighting its commitment to passenger well-being. Spirit Airlines has been recognized as the safest airline due to its superior performance in various safety metrics, including incident and accident rates,” says Happe. “On the other hand, Alaska Airlines, despite its good overall performance, has a lower ranking in safety metrics when compared to Spirit Airlines. Since 2018, Alaska Airlines has had a higher rate of incidents and accidents per total number of flights.”

The most affordable airline in 2024 is Spirit Airlines. At the opposite end of the list is American Airlines, which is named the most expensive airline. “Spirit Airlines is the most affordable airline, offering budget-friendly options” says Happe. “Conversely, American Airlines lags behind its competitors in affordability based on our study.”

Read on for the overall list of the best airlines in America, as well as the other key findings.

Alaska Airlines was named the best airline in the U.S. in a new report.

Overall Rankings: The Best Airlines in the U.S.

• Alaska Airlines
• SkyWest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• United Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Hawaiian Airlines
• American Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Southwest Airlines

Delta Air Lines was named the most reliable airline.

The Most Reliable Airlines in the U.S.

Delta Air Lines was named the most comfortable airline.

The Most Comfortable Airlines in the U.S.

*Note that SkyWest is not represented in this list because it is a regional carrier and serves other major airlines, which may dictate what amenities are provided.

• Delta Air Lines (tie)
• JetBlue Airways (tie)

Spirit ranked as the safest airline in the U.S.

The Safest Airlines in the U.S.

Spirit Airlines was named the most affordable airline.

The Most Affordable Airlines in the U.S.

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‘Great change is possible’: female artists grapple with social and political upheaval

A new group exhibition brings together the work of 28 artists from America and beyond who use their work to cover how difficult times have inspired them

A braham Lincoln seated in a monumental chair. Thomas Jefferson standing tall surrounded by excerpts from the Declaration of Independence. Andrew Jackson raising his hat as his horse rises on its rear legs.

Washington’s statues tell a heroic story, usually with a white male face. But the newest arrival, while carved from Carrara marble like a classical sculpture, is different. Intra-Venus is a nude self-portrait by Marina Vargas , candidly depicting her body during breast cancer treatment. The Spanish artist, who lost the use of her left arm for a time, shows herself with left arm raised aloft in triumph.

“This process where I had to be nude and so vulnerable and exposed was itself therapeutic,” says Vargas, 45, whose medical scan was useful for the project. “I decided to use art as a mirror and window. We recognise this raised hand as a revolutionary proud act. It’s anti-monumental. For a woman to show this mastectomy scar is an act of strength. It’s an artwork that shows the strength and resistance of women as an act of power.”

The canon-busting Intra-Venus stands like a sentinel at the entrance to New Worlds: Women to Watch 2024 , which opened last week at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA). The exhibition features 28 artists from America and beyond exploring a central question: how has the upheaval of recent years, from the coronavirus pandemic, climate crisis and stark political division, inspired artists?

Their answers – in paintings, sculpture, photography, installation, video and textiles – grapple with gender, displacement and belonging, the natural world, technology and the power of community to challenge the status quo reimagine past, present and alternate realities. It is part of a Women to Watch collaboration between the museum and its global network of outreach committees presented every three years.

Among the works on show, Rajyashri Goody, a member of the Dalit people of the Hindu caste system in India, offers sculptural installations made of ceramic foods to illuminate how deprivation led Dalits to forage resources and invent new recipes.

Nicki Green paints symbols related to queerness on to Jewish ritual objects such as porcelain wash basins and wine chalices, challenging notions of gender in Judaism. Graciela Arias Salazar of Peru portrays the celestial origin story of the Shipibo-Conibo, an Indigenous group in the Peruvian Amazon, in brightly coloured scenes painted on 10 machetes, a tool necessary for survival in the jungle.

The potential and perils of technology inevitably loom large. For (Im)possible Baby (2015) , a mixed-media installation comprising photography, videos and texts, Ai Hasegawa of Japan analysed the DNA data of a lesbian couple to simulate their potential genetically related children in fictional family photos – a breakfast, a birthday party, a play time.

Along with scientific charts and diagrams, there is a wall of video interviews and social media comments expressing various opinions about the ethics of such reproduction and whether it might create a more – or less – inclusive society. One speech bubble says: “Prejudice towards women who cannot reproduce might disappear.” Another asks: “Could males become unnecessary in the future?”

In Past/Presence/Future (2020) by Mona Cliff /HanukGahNé (Spotted Cloud), a multidisciplinary Indigenous artist, a beaded gas mask reflects on the past, disease, toxic environments, war in the present and a future without limits. The idea came to Cliff when visiting the Cahokia mounds near St Louis, Missouri.

She says via email: “The Cahokia mounds were once inhabited by Indigenous people, a large populated city. As we visited we passed a landfill, just a few miles away, I began to think, this is what we are leaving to our future generations? The inhabitants of Cahokia built this amazing city and this generation leaves a landfill that is higher than the mounds?

“While creating the piece we were in the middle of the pandemic and my thoughts were also of self-protection. I felt this will not be the last time we experience a pandemic. My thoughts were of a future and how a medicine person would adorn themselves in this future. I imagined how traditional knowledge would be carried and how will future generations interpret and apply traditional knowledge.”

Asked if she feels optimistic or pessimistic about the future, Cliff replies: “If I had to lean into a feeling I would say optimistic, as I see in the resilience of my own community we have adapted and continue our traditional knowledge systems with great effort.

“However, I also see the greed and unchecked trajectory of major corporations will be forcing people to become resilient in the face of climate change, as it is the people who live without the resources of the first world who suffer the most from the consequences of climate change. I see that humans can adapt and great change is possible when communities come together to protect each other.”

In her ongoing series Project 42 , launched in 2012, Molly Vaughan and her team create garments that commemorate the lives of murdered transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. Vaughan uses Google Earth takes screen shots of locations where the murders took place, then manipulates the digital images to create abstract patterns, printing them on fabric to make into clothing that can be worn by a collaborator during an “activation”.

Vaughan, who has honoured 23 of her chronologically selected 42 individuals so far, was spurred into action by the low life expectancy of trans women. She says via email: “I deeply fear travelling in much of the US. Though I continue to purposefully push into anti-trans states to be a voice for my community, I am aware that I could face a range of situations from medical discrimination in an emergency to violence from the non-trans community.

“I am fortunate that Project 42 is not rooted in experiences I have had; mostly I have experienced threats of violence but have avoided actual violence. I know many individuals in my community, though, who have experienced dangerous situations due to their transness.

“The more an individual’s identity is intersectional, the higher the likelihood of discrimination, injustice and violence. Black trans women in particular face the highest rates of violence in our community, making up more than 90% of all victims each year in the US.”

Although trans people make up only an estimated 1.4% of the population, Vaughan notes, more than a thousand legislative bills have been proposed since January 2023 to limit or take away their rights to healthcare, family privacy and equal protections under the law.

The artist adds: “The trans community has pushed tremendously hard to move ourselves out of the shadows and into more mainstream and visible areas of society. We have triumphed in so many ways and we have normalized trans inclusion far beyond what was possible just 15 years ago.

“But we are losing ground in many arenas of society, we are being demonized, stripped of our rights to live safe and productive lives, and worse of all, we are watching trans children be harmed at an alarming rate by adult bullies. Children and the parents of children are fighting against an aggressive movement of individuals most concerned on spreading misinformation for their own benefit than trying to lift up and take care of those in communities who need the most care.

“It is astounding to see politicians attack a group of people using statistics and information that they know, so obviously, is wrong just to score points with a small population of conservative voters.”

Housed in grand premises built in the early 20th century as a temple for the Freemasons, an organisation that allowed only male members , the NMWA is the world’s first major art museum solely dedicated to championing women artists.

Katie Wat, the museum’s deputy director and chief curator, says: “These women creatives choose their particular topic that resonates with them. If they are living a life where the degradation of the environment is impacting their community, they’re passionate about that.

“Through history we’ve paid a lot of attention to what male artists think about particular issues. We paid much less attention to what women creatives think about these issues and so I think an exhibition like this one that concentrates these viewpoints together is absolutely useful.”

New Worlds: Women to Watch 2024 is on display at the National Museum of Women in the Arts

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Reporting by Arathy Somasekhar in Houston

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