Dawn Gilbertson

DALLAS—Give Southwest Airlines credit. The lighthearted airline that cracks in-flight jokes can make even the most dramatic changes seem like a win for all travelers. The goal: To hype its switch to assigned seats late next year after decades of open seating.

Carriers are pushing harder for people to check their luggage at the gate, even when it turns out there’s plenty of room in overhead bins.

With business travel back, the split returns between employees who love extracurricular activities and those who very much don’t.

With business travel back, the split returns between employees who love karaoke and casino night and those who very much don't.

Audible alerts at gates go a step further in calling out people in line to board earlier than they should.

Tales from sleeping in a furnished tent next to the site of the season-ending event at Phoenix Raceway.

This simple step for faster boarding is one of the easiest ways to help your plane take off on time.

Pursuing those annoying vacationers who plop down towels then disappear for hours.

A recent stay at a Brooklyn apartment saved hundreds—and came with trade-offs.

What we learned from testing an array of ground transportation—even an e-bike—on a busy Friday afternoon.