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What does PTA stand for in the airline industry?

May 13, 2023

By Kristy Tolley

Understanding PTA in the Airline Industry

Air travel has revolutionized the way people travel and has made it easier for passengers to reach their destinations. However, the airline industry is a complex sector that operates on a variety of processes and protocols. One of these protocols is the Passenger Ticket Authorization (PTA). In this article, we will delve into what PTA stands for, its significance in the airline industry, how it works, and how to obtain it.

What Does PTA Stand for in Airline Industry?

PTA is an acronym that stands for Passenger Ticket Authorization. It is a document that authorizes the issuance of an airline ticket on behalf of a passenger. The PTA is issued by an airline or travel agency and allows the passenger to travel without having to pay for the ticket upfront. Instead, the passenger can pay for the ticket later, usually via a credit card or bank transfer.

Defining the PTA: Passenger Ticket Authorization

A Passenger Ticket Authorization is a legal document that allows airlines and travel agencies to issue tickets on behalf of passengers. The PTA is issued when a passenger has not paid for their ticket upfront or when the passenger wants to pay for the ticket using an alternative method. The PTA contains important information about the passenger, such as their name, passport number, and flight details. It is a binding agreement between the passenger, the airline, and the travel agency, if applicable.

The Significance of PTA in Air Travel

PTA is significant in the airline industry because it allows passengers to travel without having to pay for their ticket upfront. This is particularly important for individuals who do not have access to credit cards or other forms of payment. The PTA also allows travel agencies to issue tickets on behalf of their clients, which makes the booking process more efficient. Additionally, the PTA is necessary for travel agencies and airlines to keep track of their financial transactions and ensure that payment is received for each ticket issued.

PTA vs. E-Ticket: What’s the Difference?

PTA and e-ticket are two different concepts in the airline industry. E-ticket or electronic ticket is a paperless ticket that is stored electronically in the airline’s system. It is a ticket that is issued and paid for upfront and does not require a PTA. On the other hand, PTA is a document that authorizes the issuance of a ticket and allows the passenger to pay for it later. The PTA is issued when a passenger cannot pay for their ticket upfront, whereas an e-ticket is issued when a passenger pays for their ticket upfront.

How PTA Works in the Airline Industry

When a passenger wants to travel but cannot pay for their ticket upfront, they can request a PTA from the airline or travel agency. The PTA is issued to the passenger, which authorizes the issuance of the ticket. The PTA contains important information such as the passenger’s name, passport number, and flight details. Once the PTA is issued, the passenger can travel without having to pay for their ticket upfront. Instead, the passenger can pay for the ticket later via a credit card or bank transfer.

Benefits of Using PTA for Airlines and Passengers

The main benefit of using PTA for airlines and passengers is that it allows passengers to travel without having to pay for their ticket upfront. This is particularly important for individuals who do not have access to credit cards or other forms of payment. The PTA also allows travel agencies to issue tickets on behalf of their clients, which makes the booking process more efficient. Additionally, the PTA is necessary for travel agencies and airlines to keep track of their financial transactions and ensure that payment is received for each ticket issued.

Who Needs PTA in the Airline Industry?

PTA is required for passengers who cannot pay for their ticket upfront or who want to pay for their ticket using an alternative method. Additionally, travel agencies need a PTA to issue tickets on behalf of their clients. Airlines also require a PTA to keep track of their financial transactions and ensure that payment is received for each ticket issued.

How to Obtain a PTA in Air Travel

To obtain a PTA in air travel, passengers can contact the airline or travel agency and request a PTA. The passenger will need to provide their personal information, such as their name, passport number, and flight details. Once the PTA is issued, the passenger can travel without having to pay for their ticket upfront.

PTA and International Flights: What You Need to Know

PTA is required for both domestic and international flights. However, the requirements for obtaining a PTA may vary depending on the country or airline. Passengers should check with the airline or travel agency to determine the requirements for obtaining a PTA for international flights.

Frequently Asked Questions About PTA in Air Travel

Some common questions about PTA in air travel include what happens if a passenger cannot pay for their PTA, how long is a PTA valid, and can a PTA be transferred to another person. Passengers should check with the airline or travel agency for specific answers to these questions.

Conclusion: The Importance of PTA in Airline Industry

The Passenger Ticket Authorization (PTA) is a significant protocol in the airline industry that allows passengers to travel without having to pay for their ticket upfront. It also allows travel agencies to issue tickets on behalf of their clients, which makes the booking process more efficient. Additionally, the PTA is necessary for travel agencies and airlines to keep track of their financial transactions and ensure that payment is received for each ticket issued. Overall, the PTA is an important document that plays a crucial role in air travel.

Kristy Tolley

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Travel Therapy Mentor

Travel PT duo helping PTs, OTs and SLPs to become successful travel therapists!

What is Travel Physical Therapy?

Did you know that you can get paid to travel for work as a physical therapist (PT)? In fact, physical therapist’s assistants (PTA), occupational therapists (OT), occupational therapist’s assistants (OTA), and speech language pathologists (SLP) can all get paid to travel!

Maybe you’ve heard of travel therapy (or travel nursing) before, but don’t really understand what it is or how it works. travel physical therapy (“travel pt”) and other travel therapy careers are growing in popularity, and for good reason, as it is actually a very accessible and lucrative career path., keep reading if you want to learn more about the basic ins and outs of travel physical therapy (and other disciplines), and how you can get started, what is travel therapy.

Travel therapy is a career option for PTs/PTAs, OTs/OTAs, and SLPs/SLPAs allowing them to work temporary, short-term contracts while moving around to different facilities all over the United States. The length of each contract varies from a few weeks up to a year, but the most typical travel therapy contract length is 13 weeks (3 months). Travel therapists work at facilities that need a temporary employee for various reasons which could include: a temporary medical leave, a seasonal increase in caseload requiring increased staffing, or a short term staffing need while trying to hire a permanent employee.

Why Choose Travel Therapy?

There are many benefits of choosing a career in travel therapy. Financial gain is a major reason many therapists choose to travel, since travel therapists typically earn a higher income than permanent therapists . Another perk of choosing travel therapy is being able to explore new areas of the country and experience new adventures. Therapists can also gain experience in new practice settings, learn new skills, and meet new friends and co-workers. Plus, travel therapy can afford therapists significant lifestyle flexibility , as they can choose to work when they want to and take off from work when they want to. For example, we have been able to work only one or two 13-week contracts per year, while taking 6 months or more off from work each year to travel around the world for leisure !

For more on our domestic and international travel adventures, check out our travel physical therapy blog ! 

How Does Travel Therapy Work?

There are different ways that a therapist can become a traveler, for example by working through a travel staffing company, working as an independent contractor, or working as an internal traveler through a particular medical system. The most common way is working through a staffing company, often referred to as a “travel company.”

Travel therapists, especially new grad travel therapists, often ask, “Which is the best travel company?” The truth is that there are well over 100 different travel companies out there, and they all have their pros and cons. Each travel therapist has their own unique situation and needs that will influence which travel company is best for him/her. Finding the ideal travel company for you can be difficult, but it helps to get individualized recommendations based on your situation.

If you’re wondering which travel company to choose, send us a message and we’ll give you personalized company recommendations based on our experience !

When working through a travel company, the therapist’s primary point of contact is the recruiter. Your recruiter helps you find travel therapy jobs, assists you throughout the process, and is a resource to you during your contract. The individual recruiter you work with can make or break your experience with a particular travel company. It’s vital to find a great recruiter at any company you choose to work with in order to have a successful travel therapy career. You want to search for a recruiter that is personable, trustworthy, attentive, and understanding. Unfortunately there are many recruiters out there that are willing to low ball travel therapists on pay and push therapists into a bad situation just to make money off of them. Be sure to choose wisely and reach out if you need help!

Travel therapists should communicate with more than one company in order to have the most job options, because not all companies have access to the same jobs. This also introduces a bit of healthy competition between recruiters, which discourages low ball pay offers that I mentioned earlier. Since the recruiters are working to get your business and are aware that you have other options, they are much more likely to present the therapist with the highest pay offer possible in order to not lose out to a different recruiter/company. Therapists are free to work with as many companies as they want, and they are only employees of one company during the length of one contract. There are no binding commitments to stay with one company for a certain length of time. Travel staffing companies are simply there to help you through the process and offer positions for you to pursue.

Travel therapists have a choice to take as many or as few contracts as they wish. They can work one 13-week contract, then decide they want to take a permanent job after that, or they can continuously work travel contracts for their entire careers, with short or long breaks between jobs. They also have a choice as to where they would like to go and when they would like to work. However, finding a position depends on the jobs that are available and the timing. Therapists have three major factors to consider when searching for positions: location, setting, and pay. The more flexible therapists are on these factors, the more job options they will have. If they are too particular, for example only willing to work in one setting and in one state, there will be less job options and may lead to extended periods of unwanted time off.

How Much Money Do Travel Physical Therapists Make?

Travel physical therapy salary is a major concern for many prospective travel PTs. This is no surprise with the massive amounts of student loans that many new grad physical therapists begin their career with these days! Travel physical therapists can sometimes make up to double what a permanent physical therapist would make ! Similarly, travel OT’s, SLP’s and assistants can make quite a bit more than permanent therapists in these professions.

A typical weekly pay for a Travel PT would be between $1500 to $1800 after taxes. This is the equivalent of a permanent gross salary of over $120,000 in many cases! Some travel physical therapy jobs can pay as high as $2,000/week after taxes, although these jobs are usually on the west coast and in the home health setting. Travel SLPs and Travel OTs make similar weekly take home pay, while assistants can expect to make between $1100-1300 per week after taxes.

Travel therapist pay works a little differently than salary pay. Typically the travel therapist will be paid an hourly rate, plus a stipend for housing, meals and incidentals. The stipend is not taxed, as long as the therapist meets the IRS requirements for maintaining a proper tax home and traveling away from that tax home . Since part of the pay is untaxed, the net amount that the travel therapist keeps is much higher than with a permanent, salaried position. The bottom line is that a travel physical therapist salary, when working consistently throughout the year, is very high, and that is even the case for new grad travel physical therapists!

In What Settings Do Travel Therapists Work?

The most prevalent travel physical therapy jobs are in Skilled Nursing Facilities and home health, followed by outpatient and acute, then schools. Specialty settings such as pediatrics, neuro, and women’s health are less common to see for travel physical therapists. Skilled Nursing and home health are by far the most common for Travel PTA’s and Travel COTA’s. Travel OTs and Travel SLPs most often work in Skilled Nursing, acute, home health, and schools.

Do You Have to Be Licensed in Each State?

When moving to a new state to work as a travel therapist, you must have a license to work in the new state. Traditionally, therapists apply for licensure in each individual state in which they plan to work. Currently, physical therapists in some states are eligible for an an interstate licensure agreement called the “ PT Compact ” which makes licensing easier between states. Hopefully in the future, all 50 states will participate in this agreement, which would be a huge perk and make life much easier for travel physical therapists! Occupational and speech therapy organizations are in the process of working on this type of compact licensure as well, which would greatly benefit Travel OT’s and Travel SLP’s.

Do Travel Therapists Receive Benefits?

When therapists take travel contracts through a staffing agency, they become employees of the staffing agency, just like the recruiter with whom they’re communicating. During that contract, they are eligible to receive benefits (including health insurance, liability insurance, 401k, etc.) through the staffing company. They would maintain these benefits as long as they are on contract, and the benefits would carry over to the next contract and during short breaks between contracts if the therapist takes the next contract with the same company. If, however, the therapist switches companies, the benefits would change and switch to the new company.

If therapists choose to work as independent contractors, or choose to decline the benefits from the travel company, they would be responsible for maintaining their own benefits. For more information, check out this article explaining how benefits work as a travel therapist .

What About Housing?

There are many options for housing as a travel therapist. The staffing agency can help you set up housing, however it is often better to set up your own housing. If they set up your housing for you, they will not pay you a housing stipend, and your weekly pay would be reduced. If you opt to set up your own housing, they will pay you the tax-free housing stipend, and you are responsible for making your own housing arrangements.

There are a variety of ways to go about searching for short term housing as a travel therapist. Some real estate agencies and apartment complexes allow short term housing arrangements. Therapists can stay in extended stay motels, or many therapists choose to use sites such as Airbnb , VRBO, Furnished Finder, and Craigslist to find short term housing. Some travel therapists choose to stay with friends or family, or search Facebook communities to find housing options using their peer groups. You can also contact the facility where you would be working and ask if they have any housing leads. Others choose to live in an RV and stay at campgrounds, like we did for several years! Finding short term housing as a travel therapist can be a hassle, but there are many options!

Is Travel Therapy Limited to the United States?

The typical travel therapist is licensed to work in the United States and takes contracts within the United States or the US Territories.

Therapists who are trained outside of the US can pursue travel therapy within the US, but there are more regulations and hoops to jump through, so often this is not an easy career path. It is generally recommended that foreign-trained therapists apply for their work visas within the US at a permanent position prior to pursuing travel contract positions.

US-trained therapists who would like to travel for work outside the US will encounter similar challenges. It is possible to arrange short term travel contracts in another country, but it is certainly more challenging and not the norm. US therapists may have more success applying for a work visa in another country and applying directly to a certain facility to work there, rather than searching openings to try to obtain short term contracts.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re interested in getting started as a travel physical therapist or other travel healthcare professional, check out our guide to starting your travel therapy career to learn what steps to take.

If you’d like our recommendations on travel therapy companies and recruiters that we’ve had a good experience with, fill out this form and we will send you personalized recommendations for your situation!

To learn even more about travel therapy, you can visit the other articles on our Travel Therapy Mentor website , and check out some of our own personal stories on our travel physical therapy blog “ Fifth Wheel Physical Therapist .” Feel free to  send us a message if you have more questions about pursuing a travel therapy career!

Written by Whitney Eakin, PT, DPT, ATC

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Published by Travel Therapy Mentor

Travel Therapy Mentor is brought to you by two traveling physical therapists, Jared and Whitney Casazza who have been working as travel healthcare professionals since 2015. We are here to help mentor others who are considering starting a travel career, as well as provide information to current travelers to grow and expand their knowledge. View all posts by Travel Therapy Mentor

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how to find companies for travel therapist

Hey! If you fill out this form we can help get you connected with some recruiters that should work well for your specific situation. All companies have pros and cons so it’s never a one size fits all for everyone. https://traveltherapymentor.com/travel-therapy-recruiter-recommendations/

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A Student Career Guide to Becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant

• Can You Be A Travel Physical Therapist Assistant?

They provide assistance to physical therapists in treating patients who are recovering from injuries or surgeries, managing chronic conditions, or seeking rehabilitation services.

Their duties typically include helping patients with exercises, stretches, and various therapeutic activities, as well as assisting in the documentation of patient progress and communicating with the physical therapist about any changes or improvements noticed during sessions.

Becoming a travel PTA requires completing the necessary education and obtaining the required license. Firstly, one must complete an associate’s degree program from an accredited institution , which generally takes around two years. These programs include both classroom instruction and clinical experiences, allowing students to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to work as PTAs.

Upon graduating from an accredited program, aspiring PTAs must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for Physical Therapist Assistants, administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Successfully passing this exam will grant licensure to practice as a PTA in the specific state where the exam was taken. However, keep in mind that licensure requirements can vary between states , so it is important to research and fulfill the specific requirements of the desired travel destinations.

Once licensed, PTAs can begin exploring travel opportunities. Travel PTAs are typically employed by travel healthcare staffing agencies that specialize in matching healthcare professionals with assignments across the country. These agencies handle the logistics of finding suitable placements, arranging housing and travel, and coordinating the necessary licenses and paperwork.

There are several advantages to becoming a travel PTA. Firstly, it offers the opportunity to explore various geographic locations and work in different healthcare settings. This can be particularly enticing for individuals who enjoy traveling or those seeking new experiences. Additionally, travel PTAs often receive competitive compensation packages, including higher pay rates, travel reimbursements, and housing allowances. Lastly, working as a travel PTA can provide valuable professional growth and networking opportunities by exposing individuals to a diverse range of patients, colleagues, and treatment approaches.

In summary, it is absolutely possible to be a travel physical therapist assistant. By completing the necessary education, obtaining proper licensure, and partnering with a travel healthcare staffing agency, individuals can pursue rewarding and dynamic careers as travel PTAs.

Questions About Becoming a Travel PTA?

If you have any other questions about travel PTAs, then ask us in the comments below.

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Travelling soon take one thing off your checklist..

Making travel plans is stressful enough already; that’s why we are helping you take one thing off your checklist.

Apply for your Personal or Business Travel Allowance at any of our branches and get your funds in record time.

No matter what your FX travel needs are, we have the perfect solution for you. Walk into any Union Bank branch today to get your Personal or Business Travel Allowance. You can choose to collect in cash or load to your UnionAce card for security and convenience.

Don’t forget, you can also get great rates on your travel insurance policy when you purchase through our partners. Talk to us to find out more.

Click here to locate a branch closest to you or book an appointment on UnionCalenda and visit the banking hall at your convenience.

Who can apply?

You can apply for your PTA/BTA if:

• You are at least 18 years old
• The flight time to your travel destination is 5 hours or more
• The purchase is within 14 days of your departure

Requirements

• Personal Travel Allowance
• Business Travel Allowance
• School Fees Payment
• Medical Bills Payment
• A valid Nigerian passport
• A valid visa of the country of destination
• A return air ticket
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Letter of invitation from the company abroad
• Letter of nomination from the Nigerian company

* Please note that the quarterly limit per person is $4000 or its equivalent in Euro or Pounds for personal travel and $5000 or its equivalent in Euro or Pounds for business travel

• Completed Form A application
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• International passport data page of the student
• Admission letter from school of choice (this should include fees to be paid)
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• You must be applying to a university/tertiary institution
• The maximum limit per semester is USD $15,000 or its equivalent in Euro or Pounds
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• Written instruction giving authority to debit. Signature must be verified
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PTA/BTA is a foreign currency product that ensures customers who are travelling out of the country on personal or business trips have access to foreign currency at approved CBN rates.

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No, you do not need to be a Union Bank account holder to access this service.

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Yes, you can.

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No, you cannot get PTA on behalf of someone.

Can I also get travel insurance cover from the Bank?

Yes, you can get travel insurance from any of our partners when you visit the branch.

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Yes, you do.

What is the maximum amount I can access for my school fees payment?

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How to Apply for PTA and BTA from Banks in Nigeria

Are you relocating or traveling abroad soon? Then you need to request for a travel allowance from your bank. Here’s why – at the moment, there’s a significant gap between the official rates and black market rates. 

Unfortunately, this means any Nigerian traveler who plans on swapping their Naira for USD, GBP, or EUR before traveling abroad is automatically at a loss because they have to do this exchange using the black market rates. 

Thankfully, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) allocates specific foreign exchange currencies for situations like this. So if you’re eligible for a travel allowance, you can swap your Naira directly from your bank at a lesser rate. In this article, we’ll show you how to do this. 

Types of Travel Allowance

If you’re traveling abroad, you can either apply for a personal travel allowance (PTA) or a business travel allowance (BTA). This is also available in any registered traditional bank in Nigeria.

You can get a PTA if you’re traveling as an international student or going on a vacation. However, you can only purchase up to $4,000 every quarter (90 days). BTAs are for executives traveling solely for business reasons and the limit is $5000 every quarter (90 days).

Eligibility Criteria for PTA from the Central Bank of Nigeria

So if you have personal reasons for traveling abroad and you’re ready to apply for a PTA, here are the requirements 

• An international passport
• A flight ticket originating from Nigeria
• A valid visa
• Admission letter if you’re going as a student
• Return flight tickets
• You have to be older than 18 years
• Not be visiting a blacklisted country
• The travel date should be within the next two weeks

Once you have all of this available, you can now follow the steps to apply.

Steps to Apply for a PTA in Nigeria

Fortunately, the entire application process is now online. Here’s how to go about it;

• Visit the trade portal monitoring system’s website
• Create an account by entering your valid BVN

• An OTP will be sent to the email address linked to your BVN
• Log in and tap on form A

• Fill out your personal information and click on next
• Tap on PTA and fill out the remaining details like how much you need

• Fill out your bank information and the branch you’d want to pick up your cash from
• Upload all the necessary documents and don’t forget to include a letter of authority to debit your account
• Preview your form and submit
• You’ll get a response within 14 days

Also, keep in mind that the cost of this application is N5,000 and it’ll be directly debited from the account you entered in your application. Once you get a response, visit the bank with your international passport to pick up your request.

CBN Requirements for BTA in Nigeria

The requirements for a business travel allowance are a lot more rigid than a personal travel allowance. Here’s what you need to qualify for a BTA;

• Introduction letter from your company explaining the reason for the travel
• A letter of invitation from your business partners abroad
• Copies of the CAC documentation
• The travel and return date should be within the next two weeks
• A credit balance of the amount you want to purchase

Steps to Apply for BTA

If you have all of these documents available, here’s how to apply for a business travel allowance online;

• Enter the type of BTA you’re requesting for along with how much you need
• Fill out your bank information and the bank branch if you’re picking up your cash 
• Upload all the necessary documents and don’t forget to include a letter giving authority to debit your account

You’ll get a response within the next 14 days. Be sure to keep checking your portal within this period.

A lot of travelers get tempted to either upload fake tickets or other documents especially when they don’t meet all the criteria. However, this is a punishable offense by law. So we recommend preparing ahead of time.

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What time the 2024 solar eclipse started, reached peak totality and ended

By Sarah Maddox

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:04 AM EDT / CBS News

The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible across North America today. As the moon's position between the Earth and sun casts a shadow on North America, that shadow, or umbra, will travel along the surface from west to east at more than 1,500 miles per hour along the path of totality . 

That means the eclipse will start, peak and end at different times — as will the moments of total darkness along the path of totality — and the best time to view the eclipse depends on where you are located. Some places along the path will have more totality time than others.

In Texas, the south-central region had clouds in the forecast , but it was better to the northeast, according to the National Weather Service. The best eclipse viewing weather was expected in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, as well as in Canada's New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

What time does the 2024 total solar eclipse start?

The total solar eclipse will emerge over the South Pacific Ocean before the shadow falls across North America, beginning in parts of Mexico. The path of totality , where onlookers can witness the moon fully blocking the sun (through eclipse viewing glasses for safety ), is expected to first make landfall near the city of Mazatlán around 9:51 a.m. MT. 

The total solar eclipse will cross over the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas, where it will emerge over Eagle Pass at 12:10 p.m. CT and then peak at about 1:27 p.m. CT.

In Dallas, NASA data shows the partial eclipse will first become visible at 12:23 p.m. CT and peak at 1:40 p.m. CT. The next states in the path of totality are Oklahoma and Arkansas, where the eclipse begins in Little Rock at 12:33 p.m. CT. 

Cleveland will see the beginning of the eclipse at 1:59 p.m. ET. Darkness will start spreading over the sky in Buffalo, New York, at 2:04 p.m. ET. Then, the eclipse will reach northwestern Vermont, including Burlington, at 2:14 p.m. ET. Parts of New Hampshire and Maine will also follow in the path of totality before the eclipse first reaches the Canadian mainland  at 3:13 p.m. ET.

Although the experience won't be exactly the same, viewers in all the contiguous U.S. states outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial eclipse. Some places will see most of the sun blocked by the moon, including Washington, D.C., where the partial eclipse will start at 2:04 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:20 p.m. ET.

In Chicago, viewers can start viewing the partial eclipse at 12:51 p.m. CT, with the peak arriving at 2:07 p.m. CT.  In Detroit, viewers will be able to enjoy a near-total eclipse beginning at 1:58 p.m. ET and peaking at 3:14 p.m. ET.

New York City will also see a substantial partial eclipse, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET and peaking around 3:25 p.m. ET.

In Boston it will begin at 2:16 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:29 p.m. ET.

The below table by NASA shows when the eclipse will start, peak and end in 13 cities along the eclipse's path.

What time will the solar eclipse reach peak totality?

Millions more people will have the chance to witness the total solar eclipse this year than during the last total solar eclipse , which was visible from the U.S. in 2017. 

The eclipse's peak will mean something different for cities within the path of totality and for those outside. Within the path of totality, darkness will fall for a few minutes. The longest will last more than 4 minutes, but most places will see between 3.5 and 4 minutes of totality. In cities experiencing a partial eclipse, a percentage of the sun will be obscured for more than two hours.

Mazatlán is set to experience totality at 11:07 am PT. Dallas will be able to see the moon fully cover the sun at 1:40 p.m. CT. Little Rock will start to see the full eclipse at 1:51 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 3:13 p.m. ET and Buffalo at 3:18 p.m. ET. Totality will reach Burlington at 3:26 p.m. ET before moving into the remaining states and reaching Canada around 4:25 p.m.

Outside the path of totality, 87.4% of the sun will be eclipsed in Washington, D.C. at 3:20 p.m. ET, and Chicago will have maximum coverage of 93.9% at 2:07 p.m. CT. New York City is much closer to the path of totality this year than it was in 2017; it will see 89.6% coverage at 3:25 p.m. EDT. 

Detroit is another city that will encounter a near-total eclipse, with 99.2% maximum coverage at 3:14 p.m. ET. Boston will see 92.4% coverage at 3:29 p.m. ET.

What time will the solar eclipse end?

The eclipse will leave continental North America from Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NT, according to NASA.

At the beginning of the path of totality in Mazatlán, the eclipse will be over by 12:32 p.m. PT, and it will leave Dallas at 3:02 p.m. CT. The eclipse will end in Little Rock at 3:11 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 4:29 p.m. CDT and Buffalo at 4:32 p.m. ET. Burlington won't be far behind, with the eclipse concluding at 4:37 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the viewing will end in Chicago at 3:21 p.m. CT, Washington, D.C. at 4:32 p.m. ET, and New York City at 4:36 p.m. ET. 

In Detroit, the partial eclipse will disappear at 4:27 p.m. ET, and in Boston, it will be over at 4:39 p.m. ET.

How long will the eclipse last in total?

The total solar eclipse will begin in Mexico at 11:07 a.m. PT and leave continental North America at 5:16 p.m. NT. From the time the partial eclipse first appears on Earth to its final glimpses before disappearing thousands of miles away, the celestial show will dazzle viewers for about 5 hours, according to timeanddate.com . 

The length of the total solar eclipse at points along the path depends on the viewing location. The longest will be 4 minutes and 28 seconds, northwest of Torreón, Mexico. Near the center of the path, totality takes place for the longest periods of time, according to NASA.

Spectators will observe totality for much longer today than during the 2017 eclipse , when the longest stretch of totality was 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

The moon's shadow seen on Earth today, called the umbra, travels at more than 1,500 miles per hour, according to NASA. It would move even more quickly if the Earth rotated in the opposite direction.

What is the longest a solar eclipse has ever lasted?

The longest known totality was 7 minutes and 28 seconds in 743 B.C. However, NASA says this record will be broken in 2186 with a 7 minute, 29 second total solar eclipse. The next total solar eclipse visible from parts of the U.S. won't happen until Aug. 23, 2044.

Sarah Maddox has been with CBS News since 2019. She works as an associate producer for CBS News Live.

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Port of Baltimore suspends ship traffic after bridge collapse: What it means for travel

Travel is being impacted by Tuesday’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse along Interstate 695 in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Drivers were immediately directed to take alternate routes through the city, following the early morning incident. What’s less clear is what the bridge collapse may mean for upcoming cruises in and out of Baltimore.

“Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice,” the Port of Baltimore posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Live Updates: Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship hits it; construction crew missing

Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Md., whose district includes the bridge and the port, called the collapse an “unthinkable horror” and said he had spoken with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the White House. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

“They are responding with all of the assets at their disposal,” he said in a statement. “Our prayers right now are for the missing individuals and victims of this tragedy. We thank God for the effective service of our first responders.”

Here’s what we know.

Which cruises go to Baltimore?

Several major cruise lines serve Baltimore. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade group, published itineraries in the 2024 calendar year include a dozen ships making 115 stops in Baltimore.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Key Bridge that occurred last night and extend our support and heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” CLIA spokesperson Anne Madison said in an emailed statement. “We join everyone in extending our thanks and appreciation to the first responders and emergency workers in Baltimore, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other professionals who are working with one goal in mind—to save lives. We are closely following this situation.”

Carnival’s website shows Carnival Pride and Carnival Legend also have sailings into or out of Baltimore set for April. 

Carnival Legend will temporarily move operations to Norfolk, Virginia.

The ship's current cruise, which left for a planned round-trip sailing from Baltimore on March 24, will end in Norfolk on Sunday. Passengers will then receive free bus rides to Baltimore. The vessel's next cruise will sail round-trip from Norfolk later that day.

“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Carnival president Christine Duffy said in a statement. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.”

The cruise line has not yet shared plans for Carnival Pride. Carnival's parent company, Carnival Corp., said the temporary change in homeport is estimated to have an impact of up to $10 million on adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income this year, according to a news release .

Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas, which left from Baltimore on March 23 , will return to Norfolk instead on April 4. "Our guests on board will be provided compensation and complimentary shuttle transportation as well as Wi-Fi and phone calls to adjust their travel arrangements," a spokesperson said in an email.

The ship's April 4 and 12 cruises will leave from Norfolk, too. "Our guests booked to sail with us will receive compensation due to the necessary adjustments made to their vacations," the spokesperson added. "After returning from the April 12 cruise, Vision will head to the Bahamas for its previously scheduled maintenance."

Was your cruise itinerary changed?: What to do next

American Cruise Lines has roundtrip sailings from Baltimore scheduled in May, according to its website.

“We will monitor the situation and make adjustments to future cruises if needed, but at the present time our schedules remain unaffected, and our thoughts remain with those affected by the immediate situation and rescue efforts underway,” an American Cruise Lines spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t appear to have any Baltimore sailings until September on Norwegian Sky . The line will stay in contact with the port and share any changes with passengers and travel partners, according to a spokesperson.

"In the meantime, we wish the city of Baltimore strength during this very unfortunate event," they said in an email.

Alternate routes for the Baltimore bridge

Most drivers can take Interstate 95 (Fort McHenry Tunnel) or Interstate 895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) to avoid the collapsed bridge. However Maryland Transportation Authority notes there are some exceptions .

Vehicles carrying hazardous materials, including more than 10 pounds of propane, are not allowed in the tunnels. Additionally, vehicles more than 13-feet and 6-inches high or 8-feet wide may not use the 1-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. Vehicles more than 14-feet and 6-inches high or 11-feet wide may not use the I-95 Fort McHenry Tunnel. 

Those vehicles should use the western portion of I-695 instead.

BREAKING: Inflation remained elevated in March, ticking up by 3.5% 

Solar eclipse 2024: Photos from the path of totality and elsewhere in the U.S.

Images show the Great American Eclipse, seen by tens of millions of people in parts of Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada for the first time since 2017.

Millions gathered across North America on Monday to bask in the glory of the Great American Eclipse — the moment when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. 

The path of totality measures more than 100 miles wide and will first be visible on Mexico’s Pacific coast before moving northeast through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and upward toward New York, New Hampshire and Maine, then on to Canada.

Total solar eclipse 2024 highlights: Live coverage, videos and more

During the cosmic spectacle, the moon’s movements will temporarily block the sun’s light, creating minutes of darkness, and will make the sun's outer atmosphere, or the corona, visible as a glowing halo.

Here are moments of the celestial activities across the country:

Breaking News Reporter

Elise Wrabetz is a Senior Photo Editor for NBC News digital

Chelsea Stahl is the art director for NBC News Digital

An official website of the United States government

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Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Take a Pet From the United States to Another Country (Export)

Traveling with a pet in a foreign country can be complex and time-consuming. You need to meet the destination country's specific entry requirements for pets. These may include vaccinations, tests, treatments, and a health certificate (also called an international health certificate, a veterinary health certificate, a veterinary certificate, or an export certificate). Find out what you need before you and your pet travel.

Not all animals qualify for pet travel.

What is considered a pet? A pet is a privately owned companion animal not intended for research or resale and includes only certain animal groups.

Find out if your pet qualifies to travel

Your animal doesn't qualify for pet travel and is subject to different import regulations and export regulations if you:

• Don't see your pet listed below.
• Are exporting semen or embryos from any animal.
• Have a pet that's considered livestock or poultry, like pigs or chickens.

The following animals qualify as pets, meaning they're subject to pet travel requirements:

The following birds DON'T qualify as pets, meaning they're subject to different regulations:

Because they may carry and transmit certain diseases to the U.S. poultry industry, these birds are regulated as poultry.

• Guinea fowl

View import regulations and export regulations if the type of animal you have does not qualify as a pet.

Before You Start the Process

Traveling with a dog know the latest requirements.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has extended the temporary suspension on dogs entering the United States from high-risk countries for dog rabies. If you leave the United States with your pet dog, you'll need to meet specific CDC import requirements to bring your dog back into the United States. This extension is in effect until July 31, 2024.

Visit the CDC for details on these requirements and other related information. If you have questions about CDC requirements, contact CDC-INFO or call them at 404-718-3660 .

Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

With help from a USDA-accredited veterinarian , you can learn more about your destination country's entry requirements for pets, including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments. We recommend creating a schedule to make sure you meet all requirements within the specified timeframe.

Gather This Information for Your USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

• The type of pet traveling
• The destination country
• If applicable, countries where your pet will stop (for customs clearance or upon leaving the airport or seaport) on the way to the destination country
• The date of departure from the United States
• Whether the pet will be traveling alone, as cargo, or with a person in the cabin of the plane
• Note: If you're traveling with a pet bird or exotic animal, you may need to work with additional agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service . Visit the pet travel requirements page for your destination country (see dropdown menu below).

Read These Resources

• In Spanish (En Español): Guía de viaje para mascotas que viajan a otro país desde Estados Unidos
• In Chinese (用中文（表達): 宠物出国旅行指南
• Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling With Your Pet

Where Are You Traveling With Your Pet?

Your destination country sets the entry requirements for pets, which can change at any time. You must verify the country requirements every time you plan to travel with your pet.

Find Your Destination Country Requirements

If your country is not listed in the menu, visit Pet Travel: Unknown Requirements .

Airbus and Boeing's problems spell bad news for the cost of your summer vacation

• IATA predicted this year will beat the pre-pandemic record for air travel.
• But both Boeing and Airbus jets are having problems that are reducing capacity.
• Some airlines are already warning that prices will go up.

You can expect to pay more for plane tickets this summer, as airline capacity struggles to keep up with demand.

In December 2023, the International Air Travel Association predicted 2024 would break records for the most air passengers ever . It expects 4.7 billion people to travel this year — 200 million more than the pre-pandemic high set in 2019.

But airlines are warning they'll have fewer seats available than they initially thought, as both Boeing and Airbus are dealing with problems.

IATA had predicted a 9% growth in capacity. But passenger airlines will see 19% fewer aircraft than expected this year, Martha Neubauer, a senior associate at AeroDynamic Advisor, told Reuters .

Southwest Airlines has paused hiring because it now expects to receive 46 new Boeing 737 Max jets, down from 79.

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And the CEO of Europe's biggest budget airline, Ryanair, warned its ticket prices could go up 10% due to Boeing delivery delays.

Additionally, United has asked pilots to take an unpaid leave in May to help mitigate delayed deliveries of Boeing planes.

Boeing has had a bad year as the Alaska Airlines blowout in January sparked increased scrutiny from regulators. The Federal Aviation Administration has limited how many 737 Max jets it can manufacture.

And since CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would resign at the end of the year, Boeing's new chairman is trying to win back customers' trust.

While Boeing has been under the spotlight, Airbus also has some problems of its own.

A flaw in the Pratt & Whitney engines used on Airbus A320neos will ground 650 jets for inspections in the first half of this year.

IATA also predicted that airline profits would be up 10% from last year. But the trade group's director general, Willie Walsh, said the average airline only makes $5.45 for every passenger.

"That's about enough to buy a basic grande latte at a London Starbucks," he added. "But it is far too little to build a future that is resilient to shocks for a critical global industry."

Watch: Thousands of bags pile up at US airports after flight cancellations

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