The airline is cracking down on “gate lice” who skip the queue

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In this week's travel news: American Airlines takes on the line jumpers, the world's best bars for 2024, plus National Geographic and Lonely Planet reveal their top destinations for the coming year.

Gate Lice: What They Are and Why They Are a Problem

This will be difficult news if you're someone who likes to gather at the airport gate before your scheduled boarding time, either because you're an anxious flyer or because you're genuinely interested in securing the overhead bin space. There is a not very flattering term for those who exhibit this behavior: “gate lice.”

It may feel harmless, but crowding at the gate can lead to traffic jams, confusion, and longer wait times. To address the problem, American Airlines is testing new technology at airports in New Mexico, Arizona and Virginia. Passengers who attempt to board before their assigned group is called will emit an error tone that alerts the gate agent – and other rule-abiding fellow passengers – to this. The line cutters are then sent back on board with their rightful party.

“We have been pleased with the test results so far,” AA told CNN via email.

In other airport news, following headlines last week that a New Zealand airport had introduced a time limit on hugs, London's Heathrow Airport has gotten in on the action with new signage reading “Maximum hug time, unlimited.” Warm farewells in Departures, welcome.”

That sounds like a challenge. Heathrow is technically a 24/7 operation, so train your stamina.

Summer may be the most popular time to visit Europe, but experienced travelers prefer the shoulder season from mid-October to mid-December, when there are fewer crowds, more pleasant temperatures, and cheaper flights and accommodations.

Now is also a good time to plan your vacation for 2025 and beyond. National Geographic and Lonely Planet have both released new lists of must-visit destinations in the coming year, with Thailand and Italy appearing on both lists and slow travel a rising trend on both.

Of course, you might prefer to organize your trip according to another list published this week: the world's best bars for 2024. Mexico City, Hong Kong, Barcelona, ​​London – the best drinking spots are all in cities worth going to , to immerse yourself.

Mike Grossman assured his mother that there was “no way” he would fall in love with anyone in Australia when he traveled there on a business trip in 1988. Then he met a colleague at a conference in the boardroom and it was like a “lightning strike”. He tells CNN: “That’s where it all started.”

Erin Tridle's life was turned upside down when she met Jordan, a Parisian bartender, at a rooftop bar on her first night in the French capital. Electricity also played a role here. “In French we say 'un coup de foudre' – a lightning strike,” says Jordan. “That’s exactly what happened to me that first day.”

For Vlad Dimovski and Iga Olszak, who met as teenagers on vacation in Greece in 2005, love was a slow development. What began as a friendship and an unexplained crush was rekindled ten years later when their paths unexpectedly crossed again.

In the Turkish capital Istanbul, street cats are ubiquitous and the well-groomed kittens are popular with locals. There is even an art museum dedicated to them.

The holidays are just around the corner. So if you have a special cat in your life, you might want to gift them a beautiful new cat tree. Our partners at CNN Underscored, a CNN product reviews and recommendations guide, have tested a selection of the best.

Disney World has increased prices for these Annual tickets by up to $100.

This follows news that Disney's new skip-the-line all-access plan often costs more than the park ticket.

A woman tried to retrieve her phone after it fell between boulders.

She ended up trapped upside down for seven hours before being rescued.

This American ex-pat has how-to guides for navigating political minefields abroad.

Top tip: Let the other person talk first.

They moved from the US to Italy to save their marriage.

Here you can find out how it worked.