10 Quaint Seaside Towns in New England Where Charm Doesn’t Stop

Who wouldn’t take the chance to escape to a quiet and quaint seaside town in New England?

Even if you rarely seek out vacations with a lot of downtime, the Northeast region specializes in sleepy, charming towns with sprawling Atlantic beaches. Best of all, they aren’t as pricey as many travelers imagine.

While there might not be too much to do in terms of nightlife or large events, that’s part of the magic.

You show up, log your brain off, and wander across town without a care in the world.

Stop at a mom-and-pop restaurant when you’re hungry, explore an art gallery when you’re feeling intrigued, and then stop off at the beach for great views and a little bit of introspection.

And while these types of seaside towns in New England really come alive during summer’s warmer months, they’re great to visit any time of year. (Especially if you’re not shy about battling a little winter snow in exchange for next-level, fireside coziness.)

Want to know which seaside towns in New England are ideal for a quiet escape? Start with these ten picks.

10 quaint seaside towns in New England

Mystic, Connecticut
Bar Harbor, Maine
Kennebunkport, Maine
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Rockport, Massachusetts
Camden, Maine
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Ogunquit, Maine
New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Bristol, Rhode Island
Chatham, Massachusetts (Cape Cod)

Charming and quiet seaside towns in New England

Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, USA (Getty)

If you’re into harbors and maritime history, Mystic (named after the Pequot term for a large river or ‘missi-tuk’) should be top of mind. It’s home to the US’s largest maritime museum, where you can explore the sailing and whaling ships that once cruised New England’s shorelines. Its downtown is walkable and dotted with historic architecture. There are also plenty of galleries—a theme you’ll notice throughout this list.

Tips on visiting:

Bar Harbor, Maine

Old Wooden store buildings on waterfront at the town of Bar Harbor in Acadia national Park (Getty)

Natural beauty abounds in Bar Harbor, Maine. This small town is known for being one of the state’s best gateways into Acadia National Park, but you’ll also find rugged and scenic coastal views that capture your attention not far from town. Lobster lovers can rejoice, as well, because Bar Harbor is known as a major Maine lobster port. Oh, and history also comes alive, as Bar Harbor was once a summer retreat for powerful families like the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts.

Tips on visiting:

Kennebunkport, Maine

Kennebunk’s Lower Village & Kennebunkport’s Dock Square (Getty)

When someone brings up New England and starts tossing around words like ‘quaint’ and ‘seaside’, I think about Kennebunkport first. It’s home to stunning beaches, dockside shops and fine dining, gorgeous and historic mansions, and has its own distinct shingle-style architectural tastes. Think of it like a Gilmore Girls-caliber small town where locals are friendly and passionate about keeping Kennebunkport small and adorable.

Tips on visiting:

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

North America, United States of America, New Hampshire, Portsmouth (Getty)

Portsmouth is too large to be considered a quiet seaside town in New England, but it’s got too much charm to pass up on this list. As New Hampshire’s oldest settlement, there’s plenty of rich history to soak up around town, from architecture to museums. In summer, there’s also plenty in the way of markets, galleries, and community activities like small arts festivals. Plus, an awesome naval shipyard to explore.

Tips on visiting:

Rockport, Massachusetts

Rockport is a seaside town in Essex County, Massachusetts (Getty)

Rockport is renowned for its arts scene—in fact, many flock to town for a photo of the famous red fishing shack known as “Motif Number 1,” which former arts students used to paint as part of their training. Today, there are over 30 galleries in town, making it one of the US’s most iconic arts colonies. But don’t worry, there are also lovely rocky beaches and coastal forests where you can disappear for a while.

Tips on visiting:

Camden, Maine

USA, Maine, Camden, Camden Harbor, dawn (Getty)

With views of both Penobscot Bay and the nearby Mount Battie, this relaxing seaside town has long been a summer hub for residents of Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City. Most come for those outdoor activities, from hiking and kayaking to sailing and rock-climbing. If you’re looking for plenty to do between those relaxation sessions, Camden will keep you busy. (Not too busy, though.)

Tips on visiting:

New Shoreham, Rhode Island

Late afternoon summer photo of the North Lighthouse located in New Shoreham, Block Island, Rhode Island. (Getty)

Located on Block Island and renowned for its summer activities, New Shoreham offers the same level of excitement as Camden (above)—just with slightly different views. In New Shoreham, expect plenty of low coastal dunes and panoramic views of the Atlantic. Founded in 1661, there’s also plenty of history to explore in New Shoreham. Assuming you can be torn away from those lovely cycling and hiking paths that crisscross the island.

Tips on visiting:

Ogunquit, Maine

Forget Florida and California. Ogunquit, Maine, is known by beach enthusiasts for its unspoiled stretch of 3.5 miles of soft-sand beach. If the sand doesn’t call to you, head to Ogunquit’s 1.5-mile cliff walk called the Marginal Way, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic. When you’re ready to head back into town, enjoy art galleries, small restaurants, and lovely shops that ooze small-town charm.

Tips on visiting:

Bristol, Rhode Island

Bristol is a town in Bristol County, Rhode Island, US as well as the historic county seat (Getty)

If historic charm is important to you, book a trip to Bristol for the Fourth of July celebration—it’s the oldest in the country and regularly attracts 200,000 visitors. Aside from the big bash, Bristol is usually known for its historic sites and patriotic heritage. You can enjoy gorgeous and preserved architecture in Bristol’s downtown area, along with a lovely seaport.

Tips on visiting:

Stonington, Connecticut

Path with New England-style homes at edge of Long Island Sound, Stonington, New London County, (Getty)

With a long history of shipbuilding, whaling, and sealing, there’s plenty of maritime history for you to explore in Stonington. (Don’t miss out on the Old Lighthouse Museum!) But if you prefer natural, coastal scenery, you’ll also find plenty of lovely beaches outside of its harbor district. On top of that, Stonington is home to plenty of historic architecture, which adds an extra dose of seaside intrigue.

Tips on visiting:

What to Do in Bellevue, Washington, Seattle’s Sister City

Officially, Bellevue, Washington, isn’t Seattle’s Sister City—that honor belongs to a city in Japan named Yao, along with other towns in Taiwan, the Czech Republic, and Latvia.

But you might know Bellevue as a close neighbor to Seattle and a bona fide tech hub.

Ringing any bells?

Bellevue is where Jeff Bezos originally launched Amazon back in 1994, followed by other major companies like T-Mobile and video game developer Valve.

But those little factoids don’t paint an accurate picture of what life is like in Bellevue.

Back in 2024, over two million tourists packed their bags for overnight trips in Bellevue—and they weren’t visiting with tech in mind.

Instead, they’re after Bellevue’s booming culinary and cultural scenes. From Michelin-star eateries to lake cruises to brand-new breweries to world-class gardens, there’s something fresh and exciting around every corner.

Did I mention Bellevue also has big plans to go carbon free by 2040? And that it’s been dubbed a ‘minority city’ thanks to the over 50 global languages spoken by its residents?

Welcome to Bellevue, Washington—a unique place you probably haven’t heard too much about. Here’s what to do and where to go when the city calls.

What to do in Bellevue: first, feast!

Here’s the first thing you need to know about visiting Bellevue, Washington: you need to arrive hungry. The city is known for its Asian-American culinary scene, letting you sample beloved fusions, imaginative new dishes, and masterclasses in traditional fare in neighborhoods like Crossroads. (There’s even Japanese-Italian fusion for any foodies.)

Over 80 restaurants have opened across the city in the last five years, and five local chefs are James Beard Award winners. Even one of the local food tours, Bites of Bellevue, has nabbed spots on lists like USA Today’s Top 10 Walking Food Tours.

Don’t miss these restaurants:

Jiang Nan (Michelin-recognized)
Banaras (USA Today No. 3 Best New Restaurant in the U.S.)
Bis on Main (Wine Spectator ‘Best Of’)
Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi (Wine Spectator ‘Best Of’)
Daniel’s Broiler (Wine Spectator ‘Best Of’)

And if you want to sip in style, head to:

Browne Family Vineyards tasting room
Bellevue Brewing Company

Then, take a walk on the greener side of life

The Pacific Northwest is a lush paradise—and Bellevue has gone above and beyond to preserve its green spaces while also promoting sustainability.

As mentioned above, Bellevue has plans to go carbon-free by 2040. One way that the goal will benefit you is via its unique BellHop service, a free, fully electric, on-demand rideshare that serves residents. There’s also BikeHop, a city-wide free e-bike rental service.

Transportation aside, there are dozens of parks and outdoor recreation spaces for you to soak up the PNW vibes. (Uniquely, there’s even an ADA-accessible zipline at Bellevue Adventures Park.)

There’s also Bellevue Lake, which you can explore via a fully electric boat tour. Or if you’d rather paddle yourself, head to the Meydenbauer Bay Park & Boathouse, where you can rent a kayak.

Aside from Meydenbauer Bay Park, don’t miss out on Bellevue’s other green spaces. There’s Bellevue Downtown Park, which includes a stepped canal and a waterfall; Clyde Beach Park, a lakefront spot with a great beach; and Mercer Slough Nature Park, a massive space that includes wetlands and other spots for nature excursions.

Where to stay in Bellevue

If you couldn’t tell by Bellevue’s booming culinary scene, it’s become a bit of a hotspot. To tend to its growing number of annual visitors, Bellevue’s hotel scene has also started to grow quickly.

In December 2024, the city opened the first InterContinental property in the Pacific Northwest. There are also plans to open an Autograph Collection SOMM Hotel & Spa this summer.

Or you can stick with the city’s other well-known hotels, including The Westin Bellevue, W Bellevue, and the Hyatt Regency Bellevue.

The EU Wants New Laws for Carry-Ons—Here’s the Down-Low

The EU is a haven when it comes to flight rights.

If you’ve followed my coverage of passenger rights on commercial flights over the last year, you know that there have been many ups and downs in the US. For example, though the previous administration’s plans to launch an official Fly Rights program have stalled, Americans at least have new Air Traffic Control funding to look forward to.

Still, we’re a long way away from a reality in which airlines are held accountable for issues like delays, lost luggage, missed connections, and more.

That’s not the case in the EU. Airlines are held to relatively tight standards when it comes to owing passengers refunds for delays. A three-hour delay on a domestic flight will get you a partial refund, along with a six-hour delay for an international flight.

I use AirHelp to file my claims and, though I share a chunk of the refund with the company, have had great success. (Money aside, it’s also nice to feel that I have rights as a consumer.)

Still, rosy outlook aside, passengers in the EU still have to deal with some ridiculous, inane rules. For example, while I’ve had great luck getting compensated for delays, I’ve had to deal with issues like an ever-shifting carry-on luggage size requirement. In short, there are still many flaws.

But there’s one recent coup that American travelers should know about: hand luggage rules are about to get a lot simpler.

EU fights for simplified carry-on requirements

The EU recently voted on updating policies related to airline carry-on fees with the hopes of promoting standardized rules throughout the industry. To clarify, the law has not been passed and still requires approval from EU member states. That being said, it looks like a win, and residents around the EU are hopeful it will nix predatory policies.

Mainly, it aims to standardize the size of the free carry-on permitted by airlines.

Again, see me complaining in this article about Swiss Airlines attempting to check my small carry-on because, though it was narrower than their requirement, it was an inch taller than allowed. This is precisely the type of experience it looks like EU lawmakers want to address.

Though the law is geared at low-cost carriers like EasyJet and Ryanair, all airlines have the right to check bags that don’t fit their size requirements or even up-charge for them. The former is a bigger issue, as it adds undue costs for passengers.

What are the new carry-on rules?

The proposed change by the EU would allow passengers to bring two items into the cabin, both of which are free and are standardized across the EU in terms of size. One is a cabin bag weighing up to 15 pounds (seven kilos) with a height of up to 40 inches (100 centimeters). Additionally, they would have the right to bring an under-seat item around the size of a small backpack.

The new rules about carry-on items would apply to all flights within the EU, as well as all flights arriving in the EU and leaving from the EU. Though the law still requires approval, it’s already been unofficially adopted by the trade association known as Airlines for Europe, which represents 17 major airlines operating on the continent.

LA from Every Angle: 13 Tours in Los Angeles Perfect for Visitors

Los Angeles is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the United States.

It’s a menagerie for anyone who loves history, architecture, pop culture, celebrity run-ins, and the finer things in life. Also, endless days of sunshine.

That being said, Los Angeles is a nightmare to navigate.

Even if you’ve found the perfect hotels, crafted an airtight itinerary, and know which tourist traps to avoid, you might still run into a few hiccups. And by hiccups, I mean you might find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of activities at your fingertips—and the long distances between them.

Cut through all those possibilities with this list of tours in Los Angeles. I’ve rounded up 13 of the most highly rated, specialized, and interesting tours that show you the real side of this West Coast metropolis.

While it’s by no means exhaustive, I promise you won’t go wrong with these frontrunners for the best tours in Los Angeles.

LA tours that show you the city like never before

A single day trip to get to know the city: Full Day Iconic Sights of LA
Get out on the water: Guided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach
Get out on horseback: Mullholland Trail Horseback Tour
Get out in the forest: Private Day Tour to Sequoia and King Canyons Park
A weird but fun mashup: Full Hollywood Sign Tour with Comedians & Their Dogs + Sunsets
Take a peek behind the Hollywood curtain: TCM Classic Films Tour
Nerd out with astronomy: Griffith Observatory Inside Tour
Nerd out with architecture: Downtown Los Angeles History and Architecture Walking Tour
Get artsy: Demystifying Art at The Getty—90 minutes
Hang with the cool crowd: Swan Boat Rental in Echo Park
Eat your heart out: LA Venice Beach Walking Food Tour
Eat your heart out in gourmet fashion: Beverly Hills Food Tour
True crime galore: Manson Family Murders Limo Tour

Coolest tours in Los Angeles

A single day trip: Full Day Iconic Sights of LA

Only have a day to fit in all that sightseeing? Don’t worry—you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to single-day tours in Los Angeles. I suggest booking with this tour if you only have 24 hours to get the job done. You’ll get to see Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Griffith Park, and Venice Beach—and that’s just the start. Plus, you also get free hotel pickup for even easier journey.

Get out on the water: Guided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach

This excursion takes you into the Pacific Ocean where you’ll sit and relax while spying for whales. While it’s not guaranteed that you’ll spot whales, sea lions, or dolphins, you’ll enjoy the experience either way. The captain is knowledgeable, you get to experience Long Beach from the water, and you also get to rub elbows with fellow travelers.

Get out on horseback: Mullholland Trail Horseback Tour

Want to explore the Hollywood Hills on horseback? This tour lets you take on the city’s surrounding hills while guiding a steed for up-close looks at the Hollywood Sign, along with great vistas of the ocean and Downtown LA. Whether or not you have experience with horses, you’ll do just fine on this tour.

Get out in the forest: Private Day Tour to Sequoia and Kings Canyon Park

The redwoods are located hours north of Los Angeles—but you can still enjoy an experience with the giant sequoias at this UNESCO Biosphere located inland from Los Angeles. In fact, I think this is one of the coolest tours available from LA, as it’ll take you to one of the state’s coolest parks that usually flies under the radar compared to Yosemite, Muir Woods, Lake Tahoe, and Joshua Tree.

A weird but fun mashup: Full Hollywood Sign Tour with Comedians & Their Dogs + Sunsets

Want to see the Hollywood Sign and enjoy a few laughs? While surrounded by dogs? At sunset? Welcome to one of the weirdest tours in Los Angeles—one that guests have raved about. As you scale the hillside (be prepared to walk), you’ll get to learn about the city from a cheeky comedian. And their faithful Fido.

Take a peek behind the Hollywood curtain: TCM Classic Films Tour

Similar to single-day tours, you won’t be short on options when it comes to exploring Los Angeles’s most famous Hollywood studios. This tour is a great pick because it combines Turner Classic Movies and Warner Bros Studios access, letting you take a look at locations like the Rose Garden while you learn about the Golden Age of filmmaking. Just know there’s more emphasis on history than modern releases.

Nerd out with astronomy: Griffith Observatory Inside Tour

Griffith Park is one of LA’s most famous green spaces—but what do you know about the observatory that sits on top of it? This tour takes you deep into the large observatory where you’ll learn about history, architecture, science, and, in pure LA style, even movie trivia.

Nerd out with architecture: Downtown Los Angeles History and Architecture Walking Tour

Downtown LA might not have a sterling reputation these days, but it’s dotted with hidden gems and iconic buildings alike. This tour gives you the knowledge you need to see the city with new eyes—and to identify some of its coolest Art Deco, Beaux-Arts, and Modernist structures. Plus, you’ll learn a lot about architecture from this qualified, passionate guide.

Get artsy: Demystifying Art at The Getty—90 minutes

Don’t just walk around The Getty pretending you understand what you’re looking at. Dive into the history, highlights, and art theory behind this incredible museum and its most popular pieces. You’ll get to learn about eras from the Renaissance to Deco Arts to Impressionism along the way.

Hang with the cool crowd: Swan Boat Rental in Echo Park

Just like the tour below, this is sort of like a two-for-one offer. When you sign up, you can choose a time slot to schedule your swan boat rental—which gives you the chance to set aside some time to explore the trendy Echo Park neighborhood and unwind around Echo Park Lake. Just bring a shopping bag because this is an area full of boutiques, shops, pop-ups, and more.

Eat your heart out in the center of the action: LA Venice Beach Walking Food Tour

Get a two-for-one experience with this food tour. It’ll take you around some of Venice Beach’s tastiest restaurants to sample its most well-known dishes. Along the way, you’ll pass some of LA’s most iconic pedestrian streets and its famous Venice Beach Boardwalk. It’s a great way to learn more about the neighborhood, with more than just a walking tour.

Eat your heart out in gourmet fashion: Beverly Hills Food Tour

If Venice Beach is a little casual for your LA interests or if you want to take a look at the ‘other side’, go on this Beverly Hills tour. Not only can you take a bite out of the neighborhood’s most delicious eats and tastiest cocktails, but you’ll also get a quick tour of the neighborhood—including Rodeo Drive.

True crime galore: Manson Family Murders Limo Tour

If you’ve spent any time learning about the well-known Manson Family Murders, this tour will take you around the city to see the actual places involved in the terrible crime spree. Expect an in-depth and psychological dive into Charles Manson and his crimes. To help you deal with the dark content, you’ll be ferried around in a limo.

Forget the Hubs: 6 Cheap Summer Holidays in the Midwest

According to the US Census Bureau, around 95 million Americans live in coastal regions. That’s around one-fourth of the entire nation. According to the Pew Research Center, close to 100 million Americans live in urban metros.

I’m sure there’s plenty of overlap between those two data points (as in, some of those urban metros are located in coastal regions), but it paints a solid picture: the majority of large US cities are located on the coast.

In fact, only two non-coastal cities land in the top ten in terms of population among American cities: Phoenix and Chicago.

That means there’s only one major hub in the Midwest.

That leads me to my next point: Though the Midwest is often dubbed flyover territory, and although its cities are smaller than the US’s heavy-hitting cultural metros, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit.

In fact, these smaller cities (with populations under one million) offer savings, unique activities, and hidden gem restaurants, museums, and more. And they’re great spots to plan cheap summer holidays stateside.

Ready to take another look at Midwestern cities near you that are ideal for summer vacations?

There’s a lot more waiting than you might think. Let’s take a closer look at six of the best cheap summer holidays in the Midwest. (Or autumn holidays, if you’re a little bit behind on your trip-planning.)

Cities in the Midwest you’ll love this summer

A well-balanced pick: Cleveland, Ohio
The party never ends: Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Summerfest)
Family-friendly adventures galore: Indianapolis, Indiana
Tons of outdoor activities: Traverse City, Michigan
Eat your heart out: Omaha, Nebraska
A dose of culture: Kansas City, Missouri

6 cheap summer holidays in the Midwest

A well-balanced pick: Cleveland, Ohio

A vessel is making a turn on Cuyahoga River at the front of Cleveland Skyline (Getty)

In case you haven’t heard, Cleveland, Ohio, is enjoying a rebirth. Its summer roster of activities is fittingly thrilling. You can take on beloved activities like the West Side Market, explore the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, or head to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

If you want to get outdoors, take a Victory Cruise on Lake Erie or head to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to celebrate its 50^th birthday. Seriously—there’s something for everyone in Cleveland this summer.

The party never ends: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Aerial View of Daniel W. Hoan Memorial Bridge Spanning Across Lake Michigan in Milwaukee (Getty)

If you’re already in the know when it comes to music festivals in the US, you probably already have Milwaukee’s Summerfest on your radar. It’s not just the world’s largest music festival—it’s a major event that’s spread out across multiple weekends in June and July.

Even if you miss this year’s event, you’ll still be able to enjoy plenty of fanfare that’s planned around the festival, including free outdoor concerts and cultural events like Jazz in the Park, Festa Italiana, Bastille Day, and German Fest.

You might also want to invest in the Milwaukee Pub Pass, which lets you sample 25 beers at locations city-wide.

Family-friendly adventures galore: Indianapolis, Indiana

Downtown Indianapolis reflecting on the canal (Getty)

The Indianapolis Children’s Museum turns 100 this year, which is a big deal for the world’s largest children’s museum. It’s filled to the brim with interactive exhibits, and will keep your kiddo excited all day.

When you’re ready for another day of fun, head to the Indianapolis Zoo where you can and the family can feed giraffes and other gorgeous creatures. The cherry on top is the Indiana State Fair, which runs the first three weeks of August on the Indiana State Fairgrounds in the city.

Tons of outdoor activities: Traverse City, Michigan

People sit on a cafe-pretzel shop patio in downtown Traverse City, Michigan (Getty)

It’s hard to beat Michigan’s natural wonders in the summertime. Those heavy winters make for more manageable summers, letting you hike, kayak, bike, and even sail without worrying about spiking temperatures.

From Traverse City, you can take advantage of the 10-mile TART Trail or take on the longer Leelanau Trail, which is 17 miles. There are even beaches to enjoy, including Lake Michigan spots like West End and Bryant Park. But the cherry on top is the Spring Bear Dunes National Lakeshore area, home to rugged, forested landscapes.

Eat your heart out: Omaha, Nebraska

Nebraska is a major hub for cattle ranchers and dairy farmers, which means one thing for foodies: Expect world-class red meat and next-level ice cream from those beautiful cows. (This is the birthplace of the Reuben, y’all!)

For something sweet, grab an ice cream at Coneflower Creamery or eCreamery, then head to Bob’s Donuts. When you’re ready to stuff yourself, go to Gorat’s Steakhouse, Omaha Prime, or The Drover Steakhouse. Just be prepared to loosen your belt.

(If you’re on the hunt for other things to do in Nebraska, start with its coolest natural wonders or its weirdest destinations. I’ve fallen in love with Nebraska this year.)

A dose of culture: Kansas City, Missouri

Union Station and downtown Kansas City MO at dusk

Ready for the unexpected? Head to Kansas City, Missouri, for a pleasant surprise or two. In summer, the city comes alive with its Country Stampede and Q BBQ Fest.

Or take things in a classier direction by booking a seat at the Kansas City Symphony, which is free to the public. You can also buy a ticket for the KC Airshow or the Worlds of Fun Amusement Park if you want a more high-octane way to pass the time.

Inside the US’s $12.5 Billion Fund to Fix Air Traffic Control Systems

It’s official—Congress has approved a fund of $12.5 billion in Air Traffic Control-related upgrades, which President Donald Trump is expected to sign and approve.

That’s right. The now-famous Big, Beautiful Bill will be funding a major project. And it’s one I think every American can get behind.

While plane crashes aren’t actually up in 2025, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the number of serious delays and communication outages has become an issue nationwide. The idea is that, sooner or later, infrastructural issues like this could lead to a large-scale disaster.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been seeking to overhaul the outdated Air Traffic Control system for years now, but has faced major obstacles related to funding and staffing. Technology is also a major hurdle.

Would you believe me if I told you that some Air Traffic Control technology runs on paper flight strips, Windows 95, and even floppy disks. (In the event a Gen Zer is reading this, a floppy disk is a digital storage device and precursor to the CD.)

So, what can Americans expect from Congress’s plans to overhaul the ATC with that $12.5 billion in funding? Let’s dive in.

What’s next for the ATC?

Though it’s obvious that the ATC needs an infrastructural update that uses tech from the 21^st century, there’s no obvious path to get there. After all, the ATC isn’t just using floppy disks and running on Windows 95 software. Every part of the process, from the hardware to the software to the operational outlook, is outdated.

In other words, buying new equipment won’t save the ATC. Instead, it needs a conceptual rebirth that will make up for decades of chronic underfunding that led to little to no research and development. And, unfortunately, there hasn’t been any clear champion in terms of a new system.

In fact, the US Transportation Department started looking for help from the private sector in early June. They’ve released a ‘Request for Information’, according to NPR, in which companies are invited to share their ‘best and brightest’ ideas for a new ATC approach.

That might sound like a pipe dream given the amount of work and the number of obstacles facing any crew that wants to overhaul the ATC, but let’s not forget: there’s now $12.5 billion on the table to help fund the FAA’s new plans.

Over the next four years, it’s expected that the US ATC will receive vital upgrades related to flight control facilities, hardware and software, and operational practices.