The European Aviation Safety Agency and the U.S. FAA announced today that the much-anticipated Airbus A380 plane will be allowed to land and take-off at airports with runways 150 or more feet wide. That means the double-decker plane will be able to operate from major airports. Singapore Airlines will be the proud recipient of the first Airbus A380 plane. The delivery is scheduled for October.

Airbus A380 Wins European, U.S. Approval to Serve Top Airports

Since the liquid ban turned air travel upside down about a year ago, passengers connecting through European Union countries have had to discard large bottles of alcohol, perfume or other liquids purchased in duty free shops at their departure airports - even though the purchases were made after passing through the origin airport’s security checkpoints. Luckily for international travelers with a penchant for duty free shopping, the rules may be changing in the coming months. The EU announced today that it would begin examining security procedures at non-EU airports. If the airports in question display security that’s up to snuff, the EU will then allow passengers to bring their duty-free goods with them on their connecting flights from EU airports.

European Union to Ease Duty-Free Rules on Planes

Yesterday, President Bush signed the Passport Backlog Reduction Act of 2007 into law. This is what the White House press page had to say about it:

S. 966, the “Passport Backlog Reduction Act of 2007,” which facilitates the hiring of Foreign Service retirees to assist in the processing of passport and visa applications and fraud investigations relating to passport applications.

Now what does this mean for travelers awaiting passports? Not surprisingly, that part isn’t so clear. More workers to help process passport applications is no doubt a positive - and sorely needed - development. Even so, even this won’t change the out-of-control passport backlog situation overnight.

President Bush Signs Passport Backlog Reduction Act of 2007

If you’re flying Northwest in the near future, you best check your flight status before heading to the airport. Yours may be one of the airline’s hundreds of canceled flights.

Northwest Flight Cancellation Rate Soars

Luxist turned my attention towards Ermenegildo Zegna’s new jacket with solar panel collar ideal for recharging iPods and cell phones on the go. Luckily, the solar panels are removable and can be charged on or off the jacket - so you don’t have to sit in direct sunlight with the coat on before (or on) your next trip. The jackets, which come in both short and long styles and should hit stores this November, come with adapters for different mobile devices and will retail for $750.

New Zegna Jacket Charges Your Gadgets

But were too lazy to ask. Luckily, you can get an excellent crash course in mileage and points programs through FlyerTalk’s forums - a common resource for travel junkies. But instead of wading through the threads, start with:

A Collection of the Most Useful and Interesting MilesBuzz Threads

You’ll find basic topics like choosing a rewards credit card to the best and worst reward programs of all time, as well as more obscure topics like how to handle miles during a divorce. It’s a great primer for anyone who wants to get a grip on the reward programs out there today and the best ways to accrue and then use miles.

I can’t help but say, oops she did it again. Britney Spears is under fire this weekend for taking her kids out of California for a surprise trip to Las Vegas without telling ex Kevin Federline or his lawyer - kinda a no-no when you’re in the middle of a legal battle with an ex who’s seeking sole custody. To make matters worse, during Brit’s stay at the Wynn Las Vegas, her body guard reportedly proceeded to pummel a photographer or someone with a photographer trying to snap pics of Spears’ kids. Brit and her crew apparently checked out of the hotel shortly after the incident.

Spears Goes to Vegas, Bodyguard Gets in Scuffle

New airport lounges are popping up so often these days, you’d think the airlines are under the mistaken impression that travelers actually want to sit around at the airport. Nevertheless, airport lounges are great perks for business travelers and others willing to pay to access them. While the most impressive example I’ve heard of recently is the Qantas first class lounge in Sydney (free spa treatments while you await your flight), the UK’s Business Traveller doesn’t even mention it in its recent round-up Lounging Around.

Instead, the story mentions Club 48, the new lounge from Eos Airlines, at London Stansted airport. There, travelers are treated to wi-fi and 50-inch TVs, while in Tokyo, Virgin has opened a new Clubhouse with a sun deck and two swanky lounges for its first class (upper class) passengers. And that’s not all. Star Alliance recently opened a new lounge in Los Angeles, while Japan Airlines has revamped its lounges at Narita Airport.

Have you been to a fabulous airport lounge recently? Tell us about it, and maybe we’ll feature it here.

Travelocity has launched Travelocity Mexico to serve residents of Mexico and its Spanish-speaking customers in North America.

Travelocity Launches in Mexico