The Daily Valet. - 11/16/23, Thursday
✔️ The Holiday Hustle
Thursday, November 16th Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
Wishing you safe travels all season long.
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Today’s Big Story
The Holiday Hustle
This Thanksgiving Could Be the Busiest for U.S. Air Travel in two decades
Where are you headed for the holidays? On the heels of a record-setting summer travel season, this holiday season is likewise shaping up to be a record-breaker. Americans can expect busy roads and airports when they visit family and friends over the next few weeks. It all starts next week, when U.S. airlines expect to fly nearly 30 million passengers between Nov. 17-27 — more than any year in history, according to The Points Guy. And don't expect the crowds to lighten when Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's arrive, either. Assuming this Thanksgiving follows historical patterns, the TSA says you can expect the biggest crowds next week in the two days just before Turkey Day and on the Sunday after the holiday.At security checkpoints, agents will be working to keep lines moving. Their goal: wait times of 10 minutes or less in the TSA PreCheck lanes and a half-hour or less in the standard lanes. “We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever,” TSA administrator David Pekoske said in a statement this week.“Even with inflationary prices all around for the cost of goods and services, it's not deterring people from traveling,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA. Last year, Southwest Airlines had a massive meltdown during the December holiday period that disrupted the trips of millions of travelers. So this year, airlines have begun prepping to meet demand—United announced that it will fly more than 3,900 flights per day on average and add more than 550,000 seats. Of course, the major variable to watch out for is a weather disruption, like a snowstorm at an airport, which could cause a domino effect on the entire air traffic system. “The wildcard really is weather,” Twidale told Skift.In case of a disruption, brush up on your rights. U.S. law doesn't require airlines to pay compensation to passengers for delays. If airlines cancel a flight, passengers are entitled to a refund for the unused travel and other fees, like payment for a checked bag. Airlines aren't required to pay for meals or a hotel room, but some do. Passengers can ask airlines to cover those costs if they get stuck overnight. And some airports are better at managing the crush than others. The Wall Street Journal just announced their annual ranking of the 50 largest U.S. airports found that fliers in the West have lots to brag about, while New Yorkers settle for “works in progress.”
FYI:
A plane was forced to return to JFK Airport earlier this week after a horse escaped from its stall in the cargo hold.
Hamas Agrees to Tentative Hostage Deal
The UN Security Council has also called for urgent humanitarian pauses in Gaza fighting
Hamas has agreed in principle and Israel is now considering a proposal for the release of at least 50 women and children among about 240 foreign and Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, reports the Washington Post. In exchange for the hostages, Israel would agree to a three-to-five-day pause “in place” in the fighting, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the release of an unspecified number of women and children held in Israeli prisons.Amid reports that an agreement on at least some components of a deal may be near, U.S. officials and other interested parties spent much of Wednesday awaiting word from Israel. But officials say there are unresolved issues in the negotiations, and it's unclear whether a deal can be reached in the next few days. Also on Wednesday, the FBI said that the bureau had opened a slew of investigations into Hamas as it tries to thwart potential attacks and stymie financial support for the militant group.Meanwhile, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Wednesday that calls for “urgent and extended” humanitarian pauses in the fighting in Gaza and demands all parties involved in the war to comply with their obligations under international law and protect civilians. It was the first time since the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7 that the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on the war in Gaza. According to Axios, 12 member states voted in favor of the resolution, which was tabled by Malta. Three countries — the U.S., the U.K. and Russia —abstained. While it doesn't include a clause condemning Hamas for the attack, it does call for “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children.”
Partner
Planning what to wear to the season's events? MR PORTER has got you covered.
Thanksgiving Will Cost Less This Year
holiday dinner prices are finally falling from record high
Food inflation has been on a tear, with prices for consumables at home up 2.1% year-over-year in October, according to the Consumer Price Index. But here's some good news ahead of the biggest grocery day of the year: The cost of the average Thanksgiving dinner is falling after years of rising prices and a record high in 2022. The American Farm Bureau Federation's annual Thanksgiving survey showed that lower turkey prices are making the holiday meal more affordable. Cranberry prices are also down about 18%.The average meal with the turkey and trimmings will cost 4.5% less than last year's record, but a traditional meal for 10 will still cost 25% more than it did in 2019, reports Forbes. The federation estimates a classic feast (with all the usual fixings) for 10 will cost around $61.17—approximately $6.12 per guest. This, of course, doesn't include the wine, which, to me is mandatory.But you can thank turkeys for the lower meal cost this Thanksgiving. The centerpiece bird is often the most expensive item, but prices are down almost 6% from last year. This is especially welcome news, as turkey prices shot up 50% between 2020 and 2022—though they remain 30% higher than pre-pandemic 2019,which many consider a baseline. Why are prices dropping? While there's plenty of demand, there's even more supply. Last year's round of avian flu resulted in a huge loss of turkeys. This year, farmers raised extra birds to beef up supplies. And according to CNBC, prices could go even lower if supplies continue to increase.
Early Birds:
If you can't wait to indulge in a leftover sandwich, packed with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce, here are the best ones being sold right now.
MoviePass 2.0 Enters the Future
Months after the return of the subscription service, customers can now buy Tickets via the Moviepass App
In case you didn't know, we're about to enter what is known as the “holiday movie season”, which kicks off the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas Day. That's when the buzziest Oscar contenders—the weird and the wonderful—arrive, along with fun family films, prestige biopics and, at least this year, two Holocaust-themed heavyweights.So it might be a good time to check out MoviePass again. On Wednesday, the subscription movie theater service announced it will now offer a virtual card—hopefully making online ticket purchases easier, including at theaters offering increasingly popular premium formats like IMAX.CNET reports that customers will start seeing the virtual cards “soon” in the MoviePass app. The cards can be used to buy advance tickets through any movie ticketing site, and the company hopes they will help alleviate “timing issues” some have reported when buying tickets in person. The in-person function of MoviePass will still be an option for customers, as will the physical cards—for now, at least; the company is planning to phase them out gradually, with an eye toward theaters whose payment systems might not yet be technologically compatible.
Dig Deeper:
Local cinemas may not have agreed to be part of this reincarnated movie subscription service—but they're going along for the ride anyway.
In Other News
The meeting broke a yearlong silence marked by rising tensions.
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Partner
Shop MR PORTER’s Latest to Upgrade Your Winter Wardrobe
Planning what to wear to the season’s events? MR PORTER has got you covered
As the days get shorter and the nights darken earlier, it's a reminder that winter is a serious season that requires proper outerwear and plenty of layers. We're also heading into prime party season. As the holidays approach, there are plenty of occasions for which you need to look your best. MR PORTER, of course, has everything you need to get gussied up. Their well-curated selection pulls from the best brands and designer labels from around the world, from luxe outerwear and elegant accessories to classic knitwear and heavy-duty footwear that will both keep you warm and make a statement.
Refined materials enrich the casual style of these sneakers.
Suede-trimmed sneaker, $850 by Brunello Cucinelli
Cotton moleskine coat, $3,990 by Tom Ford
Herringbone wool and cashmere gilet, $4,295 by Brunello Cucinelli
You get two belts in one, since this scratch-resistant full-grain Italian leather belt has both midnight-blue and black sides.
Reversible leather belt, $790 by Tom Ford
Garment-dyed pleated trouser, $210 by Mr P.
Sea island cotton sweater, $290 by John Smedley
A cozier, more interesting take on everyone's favorite slip-ons.
Turbach shearling-lined suede clog, $215 by Polo Ralph Lauren
Upgrade your wardrobe:
Shopping
What We’re Buying
A floral print tie
The Tie Bar just unveiled a collaboration with stylist Warren Alfie Baker. An in-demand menswear fixture, he's dressed everyone from Andrew Garfield and Glen Powell, to Patrick Dempsey and Sir Patrick Stewart. He tells us that the inspiration for the seven-piece collection is “rooted in vintage textiles, evoking signature 1960s and '70s style.” Honoring the way cultural icons like Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger “managed to wear their vintage ties with elegance but without looking stuffy.” Our favorite piece? This abstract floral print tie, which is sure to make a splash over the holidays.
Get It:
Painted tulip burnt ochre tie, $28 by Tie Bar
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