NPR

Travel plans to or across Europe? Prepare for long lines

Just like in the U.S., airlines and airports that slashed jobs during the depths of the COVID-19 crisis are now struggling to keep up with exploding travel demand.

LONDON — Got European travel plans this summer? Don't forget to pack your passport, sunscreen and plenty of patience.

Liz Morgan arrived at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport 4 1/2 hours before her flight to Athens, finding the line for security snaking out of the terminal and into a big tent along a road before doubling back inside the main building.

"There's elderly people in the queues, there's kids, babies. No water, no nothing. No signage, no one helping, no toilets," said Morgan, who is from Australia and had tried to save time Monday by checking in online and taking only a carry-on bag.

People "couldn't get to the toilet because if you go out of the queue, you lost your

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR1 min read
How The FBI's Fake Cell Phone Company Put Criminals Into Real Jail Cells
There is a constant arms race between law enforcement and criminals, especially when it comes to technology. For years, law enforcement has been frustrated with encrypted messaging apps, like Signal and Telegram. And law enforcement has been even mor
NPR1 min read
Bringing A Tariff To A Graphite Fight
Graphite is sort of the one-hit wonder of minerals. And that hit? Pencils. Everyone loves to talk about pencils when it comes to graphite. If graphite were to perform a concert, they'd close out the show with "pencils," and everyone would clap and ch
NPR2 min read
The Jawbone Of Washed-up Whale In New Zealand Was Removed With Chainsaw And Stolen
The jawbone of a nearly 50-foot sperm whale that washed ashore in New Zealand's southernmost region has been removed. While the act is illegal, it's also considered disrespectful to the Māori people.

Related Books & Audiobooks