The simple answer is no, Americans will NOT be required to obtain a visa before entering the European Union; however, we will need to apply for a VISA WAIVER called a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) beginning January 1, 2021.

What Happened?

The EU finalized this new rule last summer, but Travel + Leisure published an article last week which implied that Americans (and non-EU citizens) would need to obtain a visa before traveling to Europe. Other news agencies picked up the story and ran with it, causing lots of traveler confusion. Those news reports were misleading because American leisure and business travelers have never needed a visa for travel to Europe, nor would they need one going forward. Moreover, the process for obtaining a visa is very different from the process for obtaining a visa waiver. Nevertheless, mass hysteria ensued on social media after the T+L article published.

Watch this short video explanation on ETIAS:

Why Is An ETIAS Required?

Like most nations around the world, the EU and Schengen countries want to improve the security of their borders. They want to know who is visiting their countries before they arrive. The United States has required European and Australian visitors to apply and pay for visa waivers for years. Our system is called the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The EU is simply catching up to our travel security measures.

What Do I Have to Do?

If you’re planning to travel to Europe and/or Schengen countries after 2021, you will need to complete an online form and pay €7 well before your travel dates. Your application will be processed within minutes after a quick background check. Once approved, an ETIAS is good for 3 years, though you’re still limited to a 90-day stay in the EU.

So what happens if your online application is not immediately approved online? Your application data will undergo manual processing by a member of the ETIAS staff, which may delay online . If it’s still not approved online, then travelers can appeal the decision via snail mail.

Because of the potential delays involved with implementing a new travel security system, it’s a good idea to apply for an ETIAS waiver before booking your flights.

When Do the ETIAS Changes Go Into Effect?

The ETIAS changes take effect January 1, 2021.

Here’s a nifty infographic that illustrates the process for obtaining an ETIAS visa waiver.

Additional Reading

• ETIAS Fact Sheet
• All You Need to Know About ETIAS
• Travel Weekly Article

By now you’ve probably heard about the recent crashes of Lion Air 610 in October 2018 and of Ethiopian flight 302 last Sunday involving the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. There’s a lot of misinformation out there and fear-mongering among news organizations, so I’m here to answer some of your questions and clear up some of the misunderstandings.

Should I Fly on Boeing 737 Max Planes?

I’m not a qualified pilot and therefore not in a position to assess the safety of the aircraft in passenger service here or abroad. I, like everyone else, must rely on the government (FAA) for assessments regarding the safety question.

The question has been rendered somewhat moot because on Wednesday President Trump followed the lead of the world’s aviation authorities by issuing an executive order grounding the entire Boeing 737 Max fleet in the United States. This move will impact domestic carriers Southwest (34 planes), United (14 planes) and American Airlines (24 planes) the most since they operate quite a few planes in the new fleet.

I can provide you with some backstory and some additional information about the Boeing 737 Max planes.

What Happened?

Back in October 2018 Lion Air flight 610 went down in the Java Sea just after takeoff from Beirut, Lebanon, and all 189 passengers were lost. This past Sunday, on March 10th, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 crashed just after taking off from the capital Addis Ababa, killing all 157 passengers aboard.

Both flights were operating the new Boeing 737 Max 8 planes. Two crashes within five months have passengers, pilots, airlines, and government agencies wondering about the causes.

What Exactly is a Boeing 737 Max Plane?

Boeing 737 Max planes are slightly improved versions of the Boeing 737-7, 737-8, and 737-9 aircraft. You may have flown on the latter if you regularly fly Southwest Airlines. The new Max planes feature quieter cabins, more legroom, fuel efficiencies, and can carry up to 230 passengers. For low cost carriers such as Southwest, this is good news.

If you want to know if you are ever scheduled to fly on a Boeing 737 Max plane, the equipment is designated by the following numbers: 737 Max 7 (B37M), 737 Max 8 (B38M), and 737 Max 9 (B39M).

The cause of Sunday’s tragedy remains undetermined, and the investigation into the Lion Air accident is ongoing. In the end, the decision to fly on the 737 MAX is one you must make for yourself after being informed of all the relevant facts.

Additional Reading

• FAA Emergency Order
• New York Times Article
• New York Times Article