Philadelphia police on Wednesday released the identity of a 37-year-old man who was killed in his car when a medevac jet crashed in a city street.

Steven Dreuitt, 37, of Philadelphia, was killed at 6:07 p.m. when Medical Jet Flight 56 crashed on the 2300 block of Cottman Avenue, according to the Medical Examiner's Office for the City of Philadelphia.

‘ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION’ OF ISSUES ON PLANE THAT CRASHED IN PHILADELPHIA: MEDEVAC COMPANY

First responders found Dreuitt dead inside his car.

At the time of the crash, which claimed the lives of all six people inside the plane, there were several vehicles traveling on the block. At least 22 people on the ground were injured.

PHILADELPHIA PLANE TRAGEDY: MEDICAL AMBULANCE TRANSPORTING PEDIATRIC PATIENT CRASHES, EXPLODES NEAR HOMES

The medical examiner's office said the investigation remains ongoing. 

The family of 38-year-old Jason Rodriguez, who was shopping in the area at the time of the crash, said he is still missing, according to FOX 29.

The driver of an aircraft tug was sent to the hospital in critical condition after an incident at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago on Saturday, according to the Chicago Police Department. 

The wing of the aircraft struck the tug vehicle as the plane was taxiing to the gate, police said.

The passenger plane was operated by American Airlines under American Eagle Flight 6181, the airline confirmed to Fox News Digital in a statement.

"Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and team members, and we are reviewing this incident," American Airlines said.

AMERICAN AIRLINES WORKER KILLED IN CHARLOTTE AIRPORT VEHICLE ACCIDENT

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also confirmed the tug was reportedly crossing the taxiway when it was hit by a Bombardier CRJ-200, which flew from Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport in Michigan.

Upon contact, the tug vehicle flipped over and pinned its 64-year-old male driver, whose name has not been released, according to the police. The driver was later taken to Lutheran General Hospital with head and lower body injuries but is now stable.

UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT RETURNS TO CHICAGO AFTER HITTING COYOTE

United Airlines also confirmed that the tug driver was one of its employees.

"We are ensuring he receives any necessary support and care," United Airlines said in a statement.

No other customers or crew members were injured in the incident, police said. 

The FAA also stated that the passengers were deplaned safely and bussed to the terminal.

The investigation is ongoing.

The incident at the Chicago airport occurred just days after another one that led to the death of an American Airlines worker at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina. 

That incident, which occurred on Monday, involved an airline ramp vehicle, the airport told Fox News Digital in a statement, but no additional details were immediately given. 

Fox News' Stephen Sorace contributed to this report. 

Southwest, Delta and more major airlines have scheduled additional flights for fans traveling for Super Bowl LIX, as the costs of airfare and hotel stays rise in the game's host city of New Orleans.

Southwest recently announced 31 new flights from Kansas City and Philadelphia to New Orleans.

The cost of Southwest's flights vary, depending on the arrival date, but 15 flights to the Super Bowl city from the Chiefs' and Eagles' home base have been added, along with 16 return flights from New Orleans to Kansas City and Philadelphia, according to Southwest.com.

HOW TO WATCH SUPER BOWL LIX BETWEEN CHIEFS, EAGLES STREAMED ON TUBI

The highest-priced tickets to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport include a nonstop flight from Kansas City, costing $798, and another business class ticket with a layover in Dallas, Texas, for $848 on Saturday, according to Southwest's website.

Delta also added flights in time for the NFL's championship game with first-class tickets exceeding $4,000.

Delta's additional flights will cater to more than 1,300 passengers, officials with the airline announced on Delta's website. Prices range from $400 to $700 or more, depending on departure dates.

Fox News Digital reached out to Delta for comment.

Prices will dip 50% or more for most flight dates after the game, according to Delta's and Southwest's online fare calendars for 2025. 

TRAVELERS AT AIRPORTS ARE PLAYING 'CHECK-IN CHICKEN' IN LATEST FLIGHT-BOOKING TREND

Other flights from Kansas City to New Orleans on Feb. 9, Super Bowl Sunday, are priced around $300 to nearly $700, for those hoping to make it to the game just in time for kick off.

"Last year alone, Southwest added 341 extra flights, supporting a whopping 61 events, such as the Kentucky Derby and college football games," The Points Guy, a New York-based travel blog, reported.

A Southwest spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the airline is "excited to welcome Philadelphia and Kansas City fans on our extra flights as they travel to and from New Orleans."

DELTA BRINGS SHAKE SHACK TO FLIGHT PASSENGERS, BUT WILL THE MEAL HAVE A SMOOTH TAKEOFF?

"Additionally, some of our flight numbers have Easter eggs such as Flight #3 from Kansas City to New Orleans (potential for a three-peat), Flights 15 and 87 for Chiefs players, and we have some from Philly too with the same numbers of their players including flights #1, #26, and #11."

United and American Airlines have also added additional flights, and are including "Easter eggs for Chiefs and Eagles fans," according to Nola.com.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle

As for overnight bookings, motel and hotel prices range from $550 to $4,700 or more for a two-night stay during Super Bowl weekend.

More than two dozen hotels are booked from Feb. 8 to Feb. 10, according to Hotels.com search results. Prices will decrease, and availability appears to return to normal towards the end of February.

For travelers who are looking for the full experience, ticket packages that include hotel accommodations are listed for sale through the Chiefs' and Eagles' partnership with On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider of the NFL.

One package, which includes an official game ticket and "pregame hospitality," is currently sold out online.

Other options with a starting price of $7,005 per person are still available.

Fox News Digital reached out to On Location for comment.

Ask many of Congress' frequent fliers, and they'll tell you Ronald Reagan National Airport has sent up red flags for years. 

"I've long been very, very nervous about congestion at Reagan National," said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

"The congestion of the airspace around Reagan and D.C. as a whole definitely played a part in this," said Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., a former firefighting pilot. "The sheer number of aircraft in the air is as high as it's ever been."

"A lot of aircraft transit up and down the Potomac," said Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a former Navy combat pilot and astronaut. "Getting in and out of certain areas. The Pentagon. Other military installations. Reagan right there in that highly trafficked area."

"Whenever I'm at Reagan and I see new gates being built, the terminal getting larger, I realize that there will never be another inch of runway. The skies are pretty congested," said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. "I often think there's too much activity for this small plot of land. And I'm sure there'll be a reevaluation of all of that."

REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT CRASH: MILITARY BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER COLLIDES MIDAIR WITH AMERICAN AIRLINES JET

The nation’s worst air disaster in nearly a quarter-century spilled into the Potomac River just short of Washington’s Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night. Sixty-seven people died after American Eagle Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kan., collided with an Army Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter feet from the runway.

Aviation experts say flying in and out of Reagan National is one of the most complicated airports in the country. The approach from both the north and south is over water. Pilots must navigate a narrow corridor above the river – but not fly over the nearby Pentagon. That’s to say nothing of piercing Washington, D.C.’s super-protective airspace. The White House and U.S. Capitol are clearly visible when planes take off to the north.

Moreover, the airport is known for notoriously short runways. The runway on which the American Eagle flight attempted to land stretches a little more than 5,200 feet. Slightly less than a mile in length.

That’s not even the main runway. Standard commercial runways average around 13,000 feet. The longest runway at Reagan National is about 7,000 feet. Plus, all three runways cross one another. Such a configuration is rarely seen at modern airports.

DC PLANE CRASH: ATC STAFFING LEVELS UNDER SCRUTINY AS BARGES ARRIVE TO HELP SALVAGE OPS

Last spring, there were two incidents where planes nearly crashed into one another while crossing runways.

The runways are some of the most overused in the entire American flight system. The airport was designed to handle 14 million passengers annually. But that number spiked to 25 million in 2023. The airport accommodates a staggering 800 takeoffs and landings each day.

There were efforts to close Reagan National when Dulles International Airport opened in 1962. Dulles is a monstrosity of a campus. However, it resides nearly 30 miles from Washington, D.C., proper. The nation’s movers and shakers never gravitated to Dulles when it was so easy to fly into Reagan National, deplane, catch a cab and arrive at the State Department for a meeting 15 minutes later.

Lawmakers, aviation, national security officials and the Secret Service conducted serious conversations about permanently closing the airport after 9/11. It was thought that air traffic in and out of Reagan National posed too much of a risk to the seat of government. It wouldn’t take much for hijackers to commandeer an aircraft and reroute it to Capitol Hill.

After all, one plane crashed into the Pentagon on 9/11. The fourth plane – which went down in a field near Shanksville, Penn. – was ultimately bound for the Capitol.

DC PLANE CRASH: POTOMAC RIVER DIVERS' SEARCH FOR BODIES COMPLICATED BY CONDITIONS OUT OF THEIR CONTROL

That said, advocates for maintaining Reagan National argued it was nearly impossible to hijack a plane taking off and immediately send it barreling toward the Capitol. It takes a while to engineer a hijacking. There was simply not enough time to execute such a plan seconds after takeoff.

Still, authorities shuttered Reagan National for more than three weeks following 9/11. New safety rules were in place once the airport re-opened. Planes couldn’t have more than 156 seats. All passengers were required to be seated a half-hour before landing. Air marshals patrolled most if not all flights in and out of the airport.

The feds loosened many of those restrictions anywhere from a few months to nearly four years after 9/11. But that didn’t diminish questions about the safety of this particular airport.

VICTIMS IDENTIFIED IN DC PLANE CRASH INVOLVING AMERICAN AIRLINES JET AND MILITARY HELICOPTER

However, proponents of maintaining Reagan National had some of the most powerful allies in the nation: Members of Congress.

Lawmakers keep insane schedules. In fact, the invention of the jet airplane contributed to such bedlam. Lawmakers are in high demand in their districts or states – and on Capitol Hill. That’s to say nothing of conferences in Aspen or Halifax – and glitzy fundraisers in New York or San Francisco. So air travel, coupled with access to a nearby airport, is paramount in the modern Congress.

The importance of aviation is even incorporated into the Congressional vernacular.

Mondays or Tuesdays are often deemed "fly-in" days. The House and Senate don’t truly get going until late in the day during the first day of the week. Thus, votes on Monday might not unfold until 5:30 pm et in the Senate and 6:30 in the House. Depending on if the House (and sometimes the Senate) convenes on a Monday or Tuesday, Thursdays and Friday are considered "getaway" days. The House might cut town by late morning or noon on a getaway day. If the Senate doesn’t toil for five days (which has happened a lot this year, but not this week), the last vote often hits around 2:15 or 2:30 pm. on a Thursday.

Thus, lawmakers have a vested interest in keeping Reagan National operational. Even after 9/11.

Congress reauthorized programs for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years in 2024. But one of the most contentious issues in the bill was whether Congress should authorize additional daily "slots" for Reagan National. New, regular flights commence in a few weeks to Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, San Antonio and San Francisco. Lawmakers have blessed an increase of about 50 additional daily "slots" at Reagan National since the turn of the century.

It’s telling that only four senators opposed the FAA bill last year. All four were the local Washington, D.C., area senators: former Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., – who just retired – along with Sens. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Mark Warner, D-Va., and Kaine.

The Senate confirmed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on a bipartisan vote Tuesday. Duffy faced a crisis by Wednesday night. By Friday, the new secretary tightened up airspace around Reagan National for helicopters.

But like everything in Washington, the key to Reagan National is all about access. It’s hard to find any major airport on the planet located so close to the levers of power.

And as long as the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, a myriad of federal agencies and lobbying shops exist in Washington, it’s doubtful that Reagan National is going anywhere.

Fox News' Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.

On Friday’s broadcast of the Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends First,” Virginia Lt. Gov. and gubernatorial candidate Winsome Sears (R) said that there is an issue with “perpetual understaffing” at airports. Sears stated, “Well, certainly something has to be

The post Sears: There Is ‘Perpetual Understaffing’ at Airports appeared first on Breitbart.

The fatal collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter at Reagan International Airport on Wednesday night was likely a culmination of factors, according to aviation attorney Jim Brauchle, who says "we’ve been lucky" there haven’t been more air accidents.

Brauchle is a former U.S. Air Force navigator who now represents families of victims involved in aviation disasters, including the 2019 Boeing 737 Max 8 crash that killed 157 persons in Ethiopia shortly after takeoff and a 2014 Army Black Hawk helicopter crash that killed a soldier and seriously injured two others on board during a training flight at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia.

"I hate to say this, but a lot of people in the aviation industry have predicted that there was going to be an accident," Brauchle told Fox News Digital. "No one wants to, you know, say that out loud because obviously that's a horrific thing. But there's been a lot of near misses over the last several years. And we've been, you know, we've been lucky that there haven't been more of these."

The collision happened around 9 p.m. EST when a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said. The regional jet had departed from Wichita, Kansas.

VIDEO SHOWS DC PLANE CRASH INVOLVING AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT, BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER

American Airlines said the jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the military said three soldiers were onboard the Army helicopter. Officials said later Thursday morning that no one is expected to have survived after a massive search-and-rescue operation in the frigid waters of the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia.

Brauchle said there are several ways aircraft avoid midair collisions, especially at the busy Reagan National Airport, including transponders and traffic collision avoidance systems that most commercial aircraft are equipped with, communication with air traffic control and what he called "seeing and avoid," in which pilots keep a lookout for other aircraft and obstacles.

Brauchle said that keeping a lookout for obstacles is harder than it looks.

"Having flown at night, having tried to look and see traffic, I think most people would say, ‘Oh, how hard is it to miss an airliner,’ right? You should be able to see that. But it's a lot more difficult than people would expect," he said.

At night in an urban environment like Washington, D.C., or northern Virginia, pilots may not be able to see other aircraft and instead may rely on seeing anti-collision or landing lights, according to Brauchle. But different ambient lights from tall buildings and towers that are lit may make it difficult to distinguish which lights belong to other aircraft.

"What I've heard from the audio is that they called out to [air traffic control]. The helicopter said that he had the aircraft in sight," the attorney said. "My guess is, and again, I'm just speculating, is they saw something that they thought was the airplane, whether it be a tower light, maybe it was another aircraft that was taking off. Whatever they thought they saw obviously wasn't the aircraft."

DC PLANE CRASH INVESTIGATORS TO REVIEW COMMUNICATION BETWEEN 2 AIRCRAFT: SENATOR

Brauchle said that typically, if two aircraft find themselves on the same path, the more maneuverable aircraft is supposed to try to move out of the slower aircraft’s way.

"In this case, it's kind of a really unique situation," he said. "Both of these aircraft appear to be where they were supposed to be, or at least on the route. Maybe not necessarily the altitude."

Citing the published routes for the two aircraft, Brauchle said that even if both aircraft are exactly where they’re supposed to be, there is only a couple of hundred feet of separation.

"If you have any type of, you know altimeter error or a pilot just slightly off altitude, you very easily are putting airplanes in the same airspace," the attorney said.

Reagan National Airport facilitates commercial, private and military traffic all in a relatively condensed airspace.

5 OF THE DEADLIEST US AIR DISASTERS

"You’re combining all these different aircraft, all different types of aircraft, all in a very confined space," he said, noting the swath of restricted airspace in the D.C. area due to national security concerns. "And that's kind of what's unique, I think, about Reagan is that it is so congested in such a confined space."

The cause of the collision remains unknown in the hours after the accident. Hundreds of first responders conducted a massive search-and-rescue operation for survivors, though the operation turned into a recovery later Thursday morning.

Brauchle said that, based on his experiences litigating and investigating such accidents with the Charleston, South Carolina-based Motley Rice law firm, the families of those who died are likely in shock because airplane accidents are "not supposed to happen."

"What I've also seen from the families is they're always looking for answers," he said. "They want to know why this happened. Why did they lose their loved one?"

Brauchle said the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will likely release a preliminary report in 30 days, and thinks that families will eventually seek litigation as a result of this accident.

The NTSB is leading the investigation into the midair collision, with investigators from the FAA assisting.

The deadly midair collision involving an airplane and a military helicopter on Wednesday night appears to have been caught on camera.

Footage shows a bright, fiery explosion as the two objects collide.

First responders were "switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation," D.C. Fire and EMS Department Chief John Donnelly said during a press conference on Thursday morning, noting that they do not believe there are any crash survivors.

He indicated 27 bodies had been recovered from the airplane, and one from the helicopter.

"A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time," the Federal Aviation Administration noted on Wednesday night. "PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation."

RECORDINGS REVEAL MORE INFORMATION ON DC AIRCRAFT COLLISION

The chopper had been engaged in a "training mission" at the time of the collision, Ron McLendon II, Deputy Director, JTF-NCR/USAMDW Public Affairs noted.

"While performing a training mission a United States Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Va., collided in midair with an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet Flight 5342 last night at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport," McLendon noted. "The FAA, NTSB and the United States Army will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation. We are working with local officials and will provide any additional information once it becomes available."

U.S. Figure Skating has indicated that members of its community were on the airplane.

"U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C. These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas," U.S. Figure Skating noted.

"We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available," the statement added.

AMERICAN FIGURE SKATING MEMBERS, RUSSIAN OLYMPIANS ABOARD PLANE IN REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT CRASH

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., noted that he had landed at the DCA airport on a flight from Houston's IAH airport shortly before the collision occurred.

"I landed at DCA this evening at 8:42pm, IAH—DCA, minutes before an in-flight collision over the airport. My thoughts are with all involved and their families. Hoping first responders find survivors," the congressman noted on Wednesday night.

REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT CRASH: TRUMP, LAWMAKERS REACT TO TRAGEDY AS OFFICIALS INVESTIGATE

President Donald Trump sounded off about the crash on Truth Social.

"The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!" Trump declared in a post shared shortly after midnight.

"What a terrible night this has been. God bless you all!" he added in another post.

Fox News' Melissa Summers and James Levison contributed to this report

An investigation into how an American Airlines jet carrying dozens of passengers and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair at Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C., will likely involve communication between the two aircraft, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said Thursday morning.

"What we’re seeing right now is what happens if you have a lack of communication or a misunderstanding," Rounds, who serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told "Fox & Friends First."

Rounds said investigators will look at everything that happened during the flight, including potential mechanical breakdowns and avionic system failures, but he believes much of the discussion surrounding the collision will focus on communication between the aircraft and whether that communication was accurate.

"I’m sure there will be some second guessing, but I suspect that when everything is done and the dust settles the chances are really good that they’ll talk about a lack of communication between the aircraft," Rounds said.

LIVE UPDATES: AMERICAN AIRLINES PLANE, MILITARY HELICOPTER COLLIDE NEAR REGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT IN WASHINGTON, DC

The cause of the collision remains unknown in the hours after the accident. Hundreds of first responders conducted a massive search-and-rescue operation for survivors in the frigid waters of the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia. The operation turned into a recovery later Thursday morning. More than 30 bodies have been recovered so far, national security advisor Michael Waltz told Fox News.

The collision happened around 9 p.m. EST when a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.

PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines, and it departed from Wichita, Kansas. American Airlines said the jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members.

An Army official said three soldiers were onboard the helicopter as the aircraft was flying a training mission. The Army described the helicopter as a UH-60 Blackhawk based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

5 OF THE DEADLIEST US AIR DISASTERS

All takeoffs and landings from the airport were halted as dive teams and helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region scoured the site for survivors. Images showed boats around a partly submerged wing and what appeared to be the mangled wreckage of the plane’s fuselage.

Reagan Airport will reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday, the FAA said. 

Rounds said while questions over safety around the airport will begin to surface, it is important to take care of the families of those onboard the two aircraft and first responders.

"This is a terrible tragedy," he said. "Right now, I think we hold those families close and we think about them, we think about the crews and also those first responders that have been out there all night long."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly announced in a press conference on Thursday that following a commercial airplane's collision with a military helicopter, nearly 30 bodies had been recovered so far. Donnelly added that authorities do not believe there are any survivors from the crash.

"We have recovered 27 people from the plane and one from the helicopter," he added. "Despite all these efforts, we are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation."

"The district office of the medical examiner has the lead on reuniting these bodies and these people, with their loved ones," Donnelly continued. "And we will continue to work to find all the bodies and collect them. and reunite them with their loved ones."

DC PLANE CRASH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AUDIO REVEALS MOMENT CONTROLLERS SAW DISASTER

Speaking at the same press conference, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser thanked first responders for working throughout the night in the "very frigid" river to recover bodies and search for survivors. Bowser expressed sorrow "for American Airlines, the US DOD, and for all Americans for the loss of life that happened with the collision of these [aircraft]."

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was sworn-in hours before the collision, vowed to get answers on behalf of the collision victims’ families and the American people. Duffy noted that the collision occurred on a clear night and that both the airplane and helicopter were in "standard" patterns.

"Safety is our expectation. Everyone who flies in American skies expects that we fly safely, that when you depart an airport, you get to your destination. That didn’t happen last night," Duffy said.

Duffy said that from what he had seen so far, he believed that the collision was "absolutely" preventable.

5 OF THE DEADLIEST US AIR DISASTERS

American Airlines CEO Robert Eisen called the collision "devastating," saying that "we are all hurting incredibly." He urged families concerned about loved ones to call 1-800-679-8215.

Eisen said it was still unknown why the military aircraft "came into the path" of the commercial aircraft, which was on a "normal approach" when the collision occurred. He added that the pilots were experienced, noting that the captain had almost six years of experience with PSA and the first officer had almost two years of experience.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.

Some planes may have more than the usual amount of legroom — giving passengers an entire seat space of room due to placement near the exit door.

One flight passenger recently posted an interesting dilemma on the "r/delta" Reddit forum. The person shared that he or she was sitting in a window seat with no seat in front of them — allowing a two-row distance of extra space.

"Seat 29F on a 757 has no seat in front of it. It’s just 28D and 28E because of the exit door," the person wrote. "The seat is great for extra legroom on flights where I’m not getting upgraded."

FLIGHT ATTENDANT TAKES TO REDDIT FOR PASSENGER ‘PET PEEVES,’ SPARKS SOCIAL MEDIA OUTPOURING

The user went on, "The person in 28E used the under-seat storage on 27F and this person even used the entertainment system to display the flight tracker while she watched a movie on the seat directly in front of her."

Fox News Digital reached out to both the Reddit user and Delta Air Lines for comment.

"I had planned on throwing my bag underneath the seat in front of me and using my wireless adapter to connect the entertainment center to my headphones," the person added. 

A photo shared with the post showed the fellow passenger looking at both monitors with her bag underneath the seat in front of the poster.

Not being able to use the monitor in front, the user then asked, "Who gets the space and the entertainment center for this seat?"

FLIGHT PASSENGER ASKS IF 'SEAT SQUATTERS' ARE BECOMING THE NEW NORM, TRIGGERING REACTIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Reddit users took to the comments section to share thoughts and tips as well. 

"You get the space and TV on the seat directly in front of you," declared one.

Another agreed, adding, "It’s your space."

"That looks like your monitor, honestly. They have one already," commented a user.

One said, "That space is supposed to be yours. End of story."

"That is your space. Ask them to move it. I am the most nonconfrontational person I know, and I have asked many people to do this," suggested one user.

Another shared, "If you don't want to ask them to move their bag, one thing you can do is place your bag in your foot space during the preflight checks."

"When the FA [flight attendant] asks you to stow it, you can point to the bag that's under the seat in front of you," added the user. 

California-based etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall told Fox News Digital, "It would seem logical to use the screen and space underneath the seat in front of you."

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She shared that the Reddit user could call the flight attendant to settle the issue or "forget about it and store your belongings in the [overhead] bin."

"In a non-accusatory manner, [the person could] say something like, 'It's a bit confusing, but that is my designated space.' Or, 'Are these yours? Sorry, but it looks like I'm going to need my space,'" Randall added. 

For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle

"You've got to have great eye vision to view the screen from a two-row distance. If it's an older plane where the volume and channel buttons are on the armrest, then they couldn't be using your screen," said Randall.

She also said that once the plane was in the air, the user could simply reach the screen and select the preferred movie. 

"Safety and civility should always be our approach and main concern," said Randall.

Randall added, "In today's easily sparked society, giving up a small space underneath a seat may be the better decision." 

Sixty-seven people were killed after an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter collided and crashed into the Potomac River.

Sen. Mike Lee is continuing to call for the abolition of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

"Tired of being groped every time you travel? Abolish TSA," the senator said in a recent post on X.

"Make Airport Security Free Of Sexual Assault Again," Lee said in another tweet, adding, "Abolish TSA."

TSA OFFICER REPORTEDLY CAUGHT WITH FIREARM IN BUSY ATLANTA AIRPORT IS ARRESTED

In another post, he suggested that President Donald Trump should eliminate the TSA.

Lee suggests that instead of TSA, airlines could handle passenger screening.

"You may be required to undergo a pat-down procedure if the screening technology alarms, as part of unpredictable security measures, for enhanced screening, or as an alternative to other types of screening, such as advanced imaging technology screening," according to the TSA website. "A pat-down may include inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet. This includes head coverings and sensitive areas such as breasts, groin, and the buttocks."

The agency was established in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

"The Aviation and Transportation Security Act, passed by the 107th Congress and signed on November 19, 2001, established TSA," according to the TSA's website.

TSA REVEALS TOP UNUSUAL FINDS AT AIRPORT SECURITY CHECKPOINTS IN 2024

Lee advocated the idea of nixing TSA last year as well.

"It’s time to abolish the TSA. Airlines can and will secure their own planes if a federal agency doesn’t do it for them. They’ll do it better than TSA, without undermining the Constitution and with less groping—showing more respect for passengers," the senator declared in a post last year on March 11.

Days later, Lee indicated that he had been subjected to a TSA pat down.

SEN MIKE LEE: REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS MUST IMMEDIATELY ADVANCE TRUMP'S MAGA AGENDA

"Update: days after calling to abolish TSA, I got 'randomly selected' for the needlessly slow, thorough TSA screening & patdown. Maybe it’s a coincidence. Or not. Impossible to know. That’s part of the problem with having a federal agency in charge of airport security," he tweeted on March 14, 2024.

In December, the senator shared a video of a man being subjected to a pat down.

"It’s unsettling knowing that the TSA does this countless times every day, constantly conducting needlessly invasive, warrantless, suspicion-less searches of law-abiding Americans," Lee wrote when sharing the video. "Please share if you’d like to abolish TSA," he added.

President Joe Biden’s inauguration in Jan. 2021 may have been scaled back due to COVID-19, but Washington, D.C., is now preparing to welcome a tremendous influx of visitors for the monumental event this year for President-elect Donald Trump. 

Elliott Ferguson, II, Destination DC president and CEO, told Fox News Digital, "The public hasn’t been able to participate in the inauguration since 2017, so we expect significant interest."

Typically, first-term presidents have larger inaugurations, according to Destination DC’s data partners.

TSA REVEALS TOP UNUSUAL FINDS AT AIRPORT SECURITY CHECKPOINTS IN 2024

Kristin Petersen, a travel adviser at Travelmation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, told Fox News that she encourages clients to avoid the rush hour when flying into the Washington, D.C., area.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia are the airports nearest to the nation’s capital.

"Your commute during rush hour will be jam-packed and slow," said Petersen. 

So "I recommend flying in the middle of the week because most people are coming and going from the city on the weekends."

Petersen said she anticipates that hotel rates will continue to rise and rooms fill up.

JIMMY CARTER CARRIED OUT THIS TRAVEL RITUAL ‘EVERY TIME’ HE BOARDED A FLIGHT

"The ideal location is a hotel within walking distance of Capitol Hill," she said. 

"A lot of the city will shut down and many locations will be gated, so it's extremely difficult to move around the city." 

Petersen said she advises visitors to consider staying at destinations that are located outside the district on metro stops if hotel costs in the area are outside people's budgets.

Travelers should check the weather prior to their trip, ensuring proper clothes are packed.

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"We have had a snowy start to 2025 and the temperatures have been below normal …Travelers should anticipate freezing temperatures and the potential for snow," she said.

"You can always remove layers if temperatures increase," said Petersen.

Heavy coats, insulated walking shoes, gloves, hats and even hand-warmers are helpful to pack.

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The inauguration takes place on Jan. 20 on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. 

The parade will begin at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Inauguration Day, lasting 60 to 90 minutes, according to Destination DC’s website.

The public viewing areas for the parade start at 3rd Street, extending to Pennsylvania Avenue near the Canadian Embassy.

The storm caused thousands of flights and dozens of train trips to be delayed or canceled. At Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, all runways were closed Monday evening.

A viral post on social media has sparked a heated debate over airplane etiquette and personal boundaries after a passenger admitted to refusing to give up an aisle seat when another traveler requested it.

Posted in the "r/ AITAH" forum on Reddit, the note was titled, "Not giving up my aisle seat on a 15hr flight for an older lady with mobility issues."

The user said he or she was "seated in the aisle seat of the bulkhead row in the middle section. Next to me was an older lady, probably in her 60s" — and the woman got up from the seat.

'GATE LICE' AND 'SEAT SQUATTERS' AMONG 2024'S MOST VIRAL TRAVEL TRENDS

"A couple of minutes later, she returned with a flight attendant and asked if I could swap seats with her because she had ‘mobility issues.’"

The Reddit user said that in the seat right next to the woman’s original seat was a heavy passenger who was spilling into the space. 

Assuming the older woman would have had a pre-assigned seat if she did have mobility issues, the user refused to swap seats, as it seemed the woman wanted to switch merely so that she wouldn't need to sit next to a larger passenger.

Fox News Digital reached out to the original Reddit poster for comments.

The "seat switch" refusal had people divided online, with some defending the passenger’s decision and others showing concern for the older woman.

FLIGHT PASSENGER CALLS OUT FELLOW FLYERS FOR BAD HABIT, SHARES FIX FOR PROBLEM

"She knew she [had] mobility issues and CHOSE not to book a seat that was comfortable for her and thought she would just force someone else out of their assigned seating," commented one user.

Another added, "She just didn’t want to sit beside her seatmate in a middle [seat]. Especially if she was offered another aisle and declined."

"I have to book two seats or fly first class because I have a large frame … Old lady can do the same, she was just being cheap and trying to take your seat," commented a user.

One person suggested, "Just look the flight attendant in the eye. Smile politely. And say, ‘I'll swap seats if my alternative is business class or higher.’" 

'MATTRESS RUNS' ARE LATEST TRAVEL TREND THAT COULD BACKFIRE WHEN BOOKING HOTEL ROOMS. EXPERT WEIGHS IN

"Former cabin crew here: People with reduced mobility are usually supposed to be seated [at] a window seat for safety reasons," claimed one user.

The same user added, "In case of an emergency, they are the last to get out of the plane to make sure the vast majority of the passengers get evacuated safely."

Another person wrote, "Making her climb around you to get out … It may have looked like [there was] plenty of room, but as we get older our balance and reflexes diminish."

"Airlines need to have a policy where they don't ask people to switch seats for others," stated a user.

The flight passenger updated the post, sharing that the woman in question was given an alternative by the flight attendant. 

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"The flight attendant offered her an aisle seat after I declined to move, but she wanted the extra leg room in the bulkhead row and refused the alternative aisle seat offer," said the poster.

California-based etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall told Fox News Digital that "no one has the obligation to switch their seat."

"The person making the request has no right to expect [this], or make a scene when they don’t get their way," said Randall.

Randall said making a polite request to switch seats is OK, though it may frustrate other passengers. 

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She suggested some nicer ways to pose the request.

"Consider this: You may have more luck if a flight attendant makes the announcement or can offer to buy them a beverage or two, pay for airline extras, pay them cash/transfer funds," suggested Randall.

Randall said there may be some circumstances in which it would be a minor inconvenience to switch. 

"It’s a short flight, you can find a similar seat in another row, or anyone would be an improvement from the passenger [you're currently] sitting next to," said Randall.

A traveler took to social media to ask whether passengers could ask for a whole can of soda versus just a small cup filled with the bubbly beverage.

Posted in the "r/delta" forum, the user's comment said, "I was told once by a FA [flight attendant] on the plane you can ask for ‘a can of soda’ rather than just the cup they usually give you."

The user also wrote, "On a recent flight, the flight attendant told me no. (He was NOT a nice FA. I was surprised, honestly.)"

'GATE LICE' AND 'SEAT SQUATTERS' AMONG 2024'S MOST VIRAL TRAVEL TRENDS

"Then on another flight after that, the guy said, ‘Oh, you’re gonna be that guy, huh?’ It was all lighthearted and we laughed, and I was not offended in any way … (He gave me the can.)"

The user asked fellow Redditors if it was "annoying" to ask flight attendants for the whole can.

"I always ask for the whole can when I get mixed drinks on the plane and no one’s ever said no," shared one user.

Another added, "I think it really depends on how many cans they have and how likely they're going to run out of [soda]."

TRAVELERS MAY FACE YET ANOTHER ‘TOURIST TAX’ WHEN VISITING CERTAIN CITIES

One user who claimed to be a flight attendant said, "Usually it’s not a problem, but sometimes, if 2 or 3 people in a row ask for a can [and] we’re not even 20% of the way done with service, I’ll politely decline and say that if I have enough, I’ll bring the can back later."

"Who cares if it's annoying? It's not an unreasonable request given the prices we pay. And if they don't have it, they don't have it," commented a traveler.

One user suggested, "I've always said that ‘I don't need the cup.’"

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"Bottle of water gets a ‘no’ most of the time," said a Redditor.

Another added, "If it's a regional jet, the flight attendant is working alone in the back with a tiny half-cart and very limited stock. Definitely no full cans then."

On Delta’s website, under "Onboard dining," the information does not specify how beverages are served.

"From our signature Biscoff cookies to special-order meals, we're refreshing onboard refreshments with the foods and drinks you love," the site reads.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Delta for comment.

Aviation safety analysts said they expect officials investigating the crash, which killed 179 people, to look into the location and composition of a structure housing an antenna.

It is not uncommon for planes to strike wildlife, but most episodes don’t result in deaths or serious injuries.

Witnesses to a deadly plane crash in South Korea on Sunday said they observed flames in the engine of the aircraft and heard explosions, according to a report.

A Jeju Air flight skidded off a runway at Muan International Airport in the town of Muan, roughly 190 miles south of Seoul, and collided with a concrete fence, killing at least 176 people, the Associated Press reported, citing the country's National Fire Agency (NFA).

Authorities are investigating a potential landing gear failure stemming from a bird strike that may have caused the crash, according to Yonhap News Agency. 

Videos show the plane attempting to land without its landing gear deployed.

PLANE VEERS OFF AIRPORT RUNWAY IN SOUTH KOREA AND CRASHES, KILLING AT LEAST 176: REPORTS

The flight was carrying 181 people when the collision happened at about 9:03 a.m. local time. Emergency workers pulled two crew members to safety who health officials say are conscious and not in life-threatening condition, while three people remained missing.

South Korea's Transport Ministry said the plane was a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 jet that was returning from Bangkok in Thailand.

"We are in contact with Jeju Air regarding flight 2216 and stand ready to support them," Boeing said in a statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew."

One witness, Yoo Jae-yong, 41, who was staying at a rental house near the airport, said he saw a spark on the plane's right wing before the incident, according to Yonhap News Agency.

"I was telling my family there was a problem with the plane when I heard a loud explosion," Yoo said.

Another witness, identified only by his last name, Cho, told the outlet he was taking a walk 4.5 kilometers, or about 2.8 miles, from the airport when the plane crashed into the concrete wall at the end of the runway.

"I saw the plane descending and thought it was about to land when I noticed a flash of light," Cho said. "Then there was a loud bang followed by smoke in the air, and then I heard a series of explosions."

Kim Yong-cheol, 70, said the plane was unable to land in the initial attempt and had to circle back around to try again before the crash occurred.

Kim said he heard the sound of "metallic scraping" twice about five minutes before the crash. He also said he looked up at the sky and observed the plane ascending after failing to land before he heard a "loud explosion" and noticed "black smoke billowing into the sky."

KAZAKHSTAN PLANE CRASH SURVIVORS SAY THEY HEARD BANGS BEFORE AIRCRAFT WENT DOWN; PUTIN ISSUES STATEMENT

A 50-year-old witness, identified by his last name, Jung, was fishing nearby when he says he observed a flock of birds colliding with the plane, which resulted in a fire in the right engine.

"As the plane was landing on the runway, it hit a flock of birds approaching from the opposite direction," he said. "I heard two or three bangs as if the birds had been sucked into the engine before I saw flames coming from the right engine."

Kerati Kijmanawat, the director of Airports of Thailand, said in a statement that the plane departed from Suvarnabhumi Airport with no reports of abnormal conditions with the aircraft or on the runway.

Jeju Air said in a statement it expresses its "deep apology" over the crash and that it will do its "utmost to manage the aftermath of the accident."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Many Americans traveled far and wide across the U.S. throughout 2024.

Travelers may have participated in, or noticed, a few different travel trends that emerged in 2024.

As 2024 wraps up and the New Year of 2025 soon begins, here is a round-up of some of the biggest travel trends of the past year.

"Gate lice" refers to passengers who cut lines in the hope of boarding a flight early.

American Airlines announced it is expanding its new technology to counter "gate lice" at over 100 airports. 

AMERICAN AIRLINES EXPANDS 'GATE LICE' CRACKDOWN TO MORE THAN 100 AIRPORTS

The system audibly flags when a passenger attempts to board the plane before his or her designated assignment is called — and will automatically reject the person's ticket.

Dubbed "mattress runs," the fad has people booking hotel rooms in order to earn free nights or accumulate status points.

These travelers, however, are apparently not completing their stays, yet they still reserve rooms in the hope of racking up rewards. 

'MATTRESS RUNS' ARE LATEST TRAVEL TREND THAT COULD BACKFIRE WHEN BOOKING HOTEL ROOMS. EXPERT WEIGHS IN

Alston Causey, vice president of Travelmation, a U.S.-based travel agency, told Fox News Digital, "A ‘mattress run’ is more for people who are on the cusp and tend to find themselves there every year."

"Flying naked" is a trend in which passengers fly without checked or carry-on luggage, bringing only essentials like a phone, charger, and wallet. 

Advocates appreciate the convenience of avoiding baggage fees and the hassle of overhead bin space — while critics find the concept too limiting. 

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TikTok users posted videos showing their participation in the trend, with one creator sharing a series of travel videos titled "Traveling with No Bags, Just Vibes."

'FLYING NAKED' IS THE LATEST TRAVEL TREND DIVIDING THE INTERNET, AND IT DOESN'T MEAN WHAT YOU THINK

In 2023, airlines made over $33 billion in baggage fees, FOX Business reported.

The term "seat squatters" refers to airline passengers who occupy seats not assigned to them, hoping to secure a more desirable spot without paying extra fees. 

'SEAT SQUATTERS' ON PLANES ARE LATEST TRAVEL TREND TAKING OVER SOCIAL MEDIA

This trend has gained attention on social media, with travelers sharing experiences of confronting such individuals.

Travel industry expert Gary Leff, based in Texas, emphasized that passengers are entitled to the seat indicated on their boarding pass.

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He suggested that those seeking a different seat should politely request a swap, offering a reasonable trade in return.

The concept of "sleep divorce," in which couples choose to sleep separately to enhance their sleep quality, has been gaining in popularity, especially during vacations. 

Hilton's 2025 Trends report indicates that 63% of travelers sleep better alone, and 37% prefer separate beds from their partners while traveling. 

'SLEEP DIVORCE' ON VACATION: TRAVEL TREND HAS COUPLES 'BREAKING UP' AT BEDTIME 

Sleep expert Dr. Wendy Troxel, a RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and a licensed clinical psychologist in Utah, told Fox News Digital that some couples are opting to sleep separately while on vacation with the "goal of improving sleep quality."

"This trend reflects a growing awareness that sleep is crucial not only for personal health and well-being but also for relationship health," said Troxel.