Travel briefs: State Department heightens Syria, Mexico travel warnings

Travel warnings for Syria, Mexico

The U.S. State Department has expanded travel warnings for Syria and Mexico.

The department has advised Americans in Syria to leave and others to defer travel, as the Syrian government steps up a crackdown against pro-reform demonstrators. Nonessential U.S. embassy staff and their families were ordered to leave, but the embassy in Damascus remained open for limited services.

More drug-related violence in Mexico prompted the department to widen a previous warning to include a Gulf of California resort area known as Rocky Point, and the area in Mexico around the border crossing near Nogales, south of Tucson. It also warned of continued problems in popular tourist cities such as Monterrey and Acapulco and Northern Baja California, including the city of Tijuana.

An estimated 35,000 people have died or disappeared in drug-related violence over the past four years. Almost all were Mexican citizens. No major drug violence has targeted tourists, but the State Department warned that visitors could get caught in the crossfire. Details: www.travel.state.gov/

More bag fee changes

United and Continental airlines (which have merged) have done away with the $2 to $3 discount that passengers used to get if they paid for their checked luggage online instead of at the airport.

The charge for domestic flights is now $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second, no matter how or when you pay. Delta Air Lines still offers a similar discount for online payment. Other carriers, including Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, don't offer different prices. Southwest Airlines continues to allow free checked bags.

Airport closures justified

The disruptive closing of some European airports after last year's volcanic eruption in Iceland was the right thing to do and may have saved lives, a new study concludes.

The hard, sharp particles of volcanic ash blasted high into the air could have caused jet engines to fail and sandblasted airplane windows to the point where it would be impossible to see out, according to a University of Iceland study. The eruptions grounded 100,000 flights and affected an estimated 10 million travelers worldwide. The shutdown cost airlines more than $2 billion.

Pets take flight

Pet Airways is adding St. Louis as a destination, but only for travelers with four legs and a tail. The Florida-based Pet Airways is the nation's only airline designed specifically for cats and dogs; the pets fly in the main cabin, not cargo. Officials at Lambert Airport in St. Louis say the airline is adding the city to its network of 14 destinations, starting this summer. Pets are monitored by an in-flight attendant, and destinations include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale and other major cities, but it doesn't fly to Seattle.

Seattle Times staff and news services