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Why Flight Attendants Greet Passengers At The Door

Published

1 day ago

26 July 2026

Why Flight Attendants Greet Passengers At The Door

You’ve probably never thought too hard about it. As you board a plane, a flight attendant stands at the aircraft door, smiles, says “welcome,” maybe glances at your boarding pass. It feels like basic hospitality, like the aviation equivalent of a host greeting you at a restaurant.

But that brief interaction is doing a lot more than it seems.

“The smile and greeting you get at an airplane door is probably one of the most judgmental welcomes you’ll ever receive,” Jay Robert, a senior flight attendant and the founder of A Fly Guy Travels, told HuffPost. “We’re judging a lot in those few seconds, and believe it or not, that judgment is part of our job.”

It’s not for the sake of judgment, however. The purpose is actually safety.

“Greeting passengers at the door is our first line of defense in identifying threats that could be brought onto the aircraft,” Robert explained. “Whether it’s illness, intoxication or someone carrying prohibited dangerous goods, we’re constantly scanning for anything that could disrupt the flight or pose a safety risk.”

Of course, there is a customer service and hospitality element to the greeting as well.

“It’s the first opportunity to welcome passengers onboard and set a positive tone for the flight,” said Yuvraj Datta, the chief supply and revenue officer at the travel tech company Fareportal. “It’s also an important observational moment for the cabin crew. Flight attendants are making initial safety and operational assessments that can help identify potential issues before departure.”

He added that flight attendants begin assessing the cabin environment the moment they get on board.

“The greeting is actually a behavioural assessment,” said AirAdvisor founder and CEO Anton Radchenko. “The social framing is deliberate – passengers engage more naturally when they believe they’re being welcomed. Crew are trained to read each individual during that interaction – orientation, steadiness and anything that could become a liability in an enclosed environment at altitude with no exit available.”

In an era of increasing reports of unruly passenger behaviour and even abuse of flight attendants, airline crews are more vigilant than ever. And many of those incidents involve alcohol.

“Generally, flight attendants assess passengers during boarding for sobriety,” said Henry Harteveldt, president and airline industry analyst at Atmosphere Research Group. “If they notice a passenger who appears to be overtly drunk or high, they may ask to see their boarding pass, under the premise of directing them to their seat, but also to alert the crew who may be working where that passenger is sitting to monitor her or his alcohol intake on board.”

Robert echoed that intoxication is one of the biggest things flight attendants are checking for during that greeting process.

“It’s much easier to stop someone at the aircraft door than it is to remove them once they’re seated and settled in,” he said. “During boarding, we constantly communicate with each other. I’ll often call the crew at the back and ask them to keep an eye on a passenger I’ve noticed or get a second opinion before we decide whether someone is fit to fly.”

Flying with an intoxicated passenger can be a serious matter. Dan Bubb – a former airline pilot and professor in residence in the honors college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas – explained why catching these situations early matters so much.

“You don’t want to be at altitude and have somebody who’s drunk and belligerent, and now you’ve got a problem,” he said. “You have to divert the plane. That’s going to cost money and time. So it’s better to try to catch those possible problems at the door before it closes.”

Mongkol Chuewong via Getty Images

There are legal implications to getting it wrong as well.

“Boarding an impaired passenger creates significant legal and operational exposure,” Radchenko said. “By the time a passenger reaches the cabin door, gate agents have already conducted an initial screen. If you’re flagged at the door, you’ve already passed one assessment, which means the carrier has two separate documented grounds to work with if a denial gets challenged.”

For passengers, the legal calculus runs in the other direction.

“If you’re denied boarding after that interaction, aviation law starts from the assumption that the crew was right,” Radchenko said. “The discretionary authority aircrews hold on safety grounds is wide by design. To challenge it, a passenger has to demonstrate the decision was arbitrary, not just uncomfortable or inconvenient.”

He advised anyone who believes they are unjustly denied boarding to ask for a written reason before leaving the gate. “That document is the starting point for any claim worth filing,” he said.

Flight attendants are also trained to pick up on physical cues that passengers might be trying to hide.

“I’m looking for signs of illness, such as clammy or pale skin, excessive sweating or even visible contagious skin conditions that may require us to offload a passenger before the aircraft door closes,” Robert said.

“Passengers often try to hide the fact they’re unwell, so we have to use all the clues the body gives us to quickly determine whether someone is fit to make the journey by air.”

He’s also paying attention to the way passengers respond to his greetings.

“Slurred speech, confusion, difficulty maintaining balance or the smell of alcohol can all indicate intoxication or impairment,” Robert said. “Once passengers move into the cabin, the other flight attendants continue the assessment, watching for the same signs and making their own observations.”

Scent is part of these assessments for multiple reasons.

“We’re checking for the smell of alcohol but also for offensive body odour,” Robert said. “Both can result in you being denied boarding, as BO is a no-go. Many people don’t realise that excessive body odour can significantly affect the comfort and wellbeing of everyone else on the flight, and airlines have the right to refuse carriage if it becomes an issue.”

Flight attendants also keep an eye on people’s luggage to ensure carry-ons meet the airline’s size and quantity requirements and to identify bags that need to be gate-checked. Robert added that they look out for anything that could be considered a dangerous item as well.

“In recent years, we’ve also added another important responsibility during boarding – looking for potential signs of human trafficking,” he said. “Cabin crew around the world now receive training to recognise indicators that someone may be a victim and know how to discreetly report their concerns.”

These assessments can be wide-ranging, but the practice becomes second-nature over time. And it’s a subtle but important function.

“Airlines often position their most experienced cabin crew at the aircraft door because we’ve developed the ability to rapidly identify potential issues,” Robert said. “As a purser, or cabin manager, while I’m making a good first impression and welcoming guests onboard, I’m also continuously assessing whether each passenger is fit to travel.”

Beyond looking for potential issues, flight attendants are also quietly scanning for potential assets.

“We’re also identifying passengers who may be able to assist in an emergency if they’re seated in an exit row,” said Paula S. Adams, a former crew member for Etihad Airways who now works as a private flight attendant and aviation and business trainer.

Indeed, the boarding process is when crew members identify what they call able-bodied passengers or ABPs.

“These are the passengers we’re most likely to ask for assistance if we ever have an emergency,” Robert said. “I naturally take note of people who appear physically capable, law enforcement officers, military personnel, firefighters, medical professionals or simply someone who looks strong and confident enough to help if a passenger becomes disruptive or assistance is needed during an evacuation.”

Harteveldt noted that another pre-flight step contributes to this process.

“The FAA requires flight attendants to give a verbal briefing to passengers sitting in exit rows and by exit doors about the requirements to operate the doors in an emergency, if so directed by cabin crew, and to receive a verbal confirmation from each passenger sitting in those seats that they understand and agree to the safety-related requirements they are expected to fulfill,” he said. “The flight attendants also use this briefing to determine that the passengers meet the safety requirements and, again, are not impaired by alcohol or other substances before take-off.”

The boarding process is also a time when flight attendants identify travelers who might need additional assistance during the flight due to disability, for example.

“It helps crew members build situational awareness about who is on the aircraft. In an emergency, knowing which passengers may need extra help, or which travelers appear particularly capable of assisting others, can be valuable,” Datta said, adding, ”The few seconds spent greeting each passenger can help crew members identify potential issues before the aircraft ever leaves the gate.”

For all the safety assessment happening at that door, flight attendants also genuinely enjoy greeting travellers.

“While we’re scanning the cabin, we’re also looking for passengers we genuinely want to connect with,” Robert said. “Contrary to popular belief, many flight attendants actually like people. We enjoy chatting with our guests, hearing their stories and helping make their flight memorable.”

“That brief greeting is often our first opportunity to build rapport with passengers,” Adams said. “A friendly interaction at the door helps set a positive tone for the entire flight while allowing us to quietly assess the cabin before departure.”

Robert noted that he’s usually spotted his “in-flight friends” during boarding.

“And if you want a little galley gossip, flight attendants also tend to spot the ‘BOB’ during boarding,” Robert added. “That’s the ‘Best On Board,’ otherwise known as the passenger who catches our eye. It’s usually harmless fun, and you’ll often hear a little discussion in the galley about who we think is the most attractive passenger in our section.”

Now and then, these kinds of connections turn into something more as well.

“I know several cabin crew who met their husbands or wives because of a spark that started during boarding,” Robert said. “So you never know. That warm smile and eye contact at the aircraft door could one day lead to you enjoying one of the best perks of dating a flight attendant. As we often joke in the industry, ‘Marry me and fly for free.’”

Marriage prospects aside, there’s something to be said for simply being kind to the crew.

“If you can just greet the flight attendant, say hi or ask how their day is going, believe it or not, those little comments go a long way with flight crews because they have very long days,” Bubb said. “Before I go on a trip, I even buy a small stack of $5 Starbucks gift cards, and I give them out to the flight crew. It really brightens people’s days. One time I did that, the captain actually came back, shook my hand and gave me a handwritten note. It’s all about little things.”

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Beach dangers for dogs – York vet warns pet owners

Published

3 minutes ago

27 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Beach dangers for dogs - York vet warns pet owners

York-based veterinary group VetPartners has issued a warning after its practices have seen an increase in pets that have become unwell after trips to the beach.

The company highlighted five common hazards that could put dogs at risk during seaside outings, including sharp rocks, ingesting sand, drinking seawater, heatstroke and cliff falls.

Amy Jennings, a vet at VetPartners, said: “Going to the beach with your dog can be a lot of fun for both of you, but plan to take your dog when it’s a comfortable temperature and not too hot.

“Take plenty of fresh water with you, ensure your dog has a shaded area to rest in and limit their time in the sea.”

Injuries from rocks are one of the most frequent issues seen by vets, especially when dogs chase toys without noticing the terrain.

Owners are advised to play in open areas away from rocky patches to reduce the risk of cuts and scrapes.

Sand ingestion is another concern.

Although it may not seem likely, dogs can accidentally swallow sand while playing or licking their fur, leading to intestinal blockages.

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Ms Jennings recommends avoiding sand-covered toys and steering clear of tennis balls, which easily collect sand.

She said: “There can be lots of temptations for dogs at the seaside, so it’s important to keep a close eye on them to make sure they don’t eat anything they shouldn’t, such as washed-up crabs, seaweed, and left-over picnic food or rubbish, all of which can make them very ill.

“Watch out for discarded fish, too, which can seem like a tasty treat to pets but might contain fishhooks that can damage mouths or the throat and stomach if swallowed.”

Seawater poses its own set of risks.

Dogs that drink from rock pools or the sea can develop gastroenteritis, and dehydration due to the level of salt it contains; it also harbours bacteria.

Owners are urged to bring plenty of fresh water for their pets to reduce the likelihood of them drinking seawater.

Despite the breeze, beaches can become extremely hot and offer little shade, putting dogs at risk of heatstroke.

Young or energetic dogs are especially vulnerable, as they may not know when to stop running or playing.

Ms Jennings suggests scheduling beach visits during cooler parts of the day, providing shade, and limiting time spent in the sun and sea.

Cliffs and coastal paths also present significant dangers.

Unfamiliar terrain and distractions can lead to falls, resulting in serious injury or worse.

Owners should keep dogs on short, secure leads near cliff edges and avoid using retractable leads in these areas.

Additional coastal hazards include jellyfish stings, which can cause severe reactions, and fishhooks that can injure the mouth or digestive tract.

Ms Jennings said: “Keep your dog in sight when they are swimming in the sea, and consider using a dog life jacket to keep them afloat.

“Watch out for jellyfish, too, as a sting could trigger a potentially fatal anaphylactic shock.

“Symptoms of a jellyfish sting include blistering, burning pain, changes in heart rhythm, difficulty breathing, itching, nausea, fever, excessive drooling, vomiting, swellings and hives.

“If you are concerned your pet appears unwell after a trip to the beach, seek veterinary advice immediately, and be aware that in some cases, such as sand ingestion, they might not show signs of being unwell until the following day.”

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Savannah Guthrie pays COMPLIMENT to kidnapper who took her mom Nancy, 84, in cryptic new video

Published

9 minutes ago

27 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Today star Savannah Guthrie appeared to address suspects in her mother's kidnapping case on Monday, saying in a self-filmed social media video: 'I know you have tried to do things the right way'

By ALEX HAMMER, US MEDIA CORRESPONDENT

Updated: 20:00 BST, 27 July 2026

Today star Savannah Guthrie appeared to address suspects in her mother’s kidnapping case directly on Monday, saying in a self-filmed social media video: ‘I know you have tried to do things the right way.’

In the post, Guthrie pleaded for the senior’s return almost six months after the 84-year-old’s disappearance.

‘I am coming on today with a very specific message,’ a bleary eyed Guthrie, 54, began.

‘It has been months since our mom was taken from us.

‘Our family is in agony,’ she continued.

‘We are in a nightmare that will not end. Nothing about or situation has changed. We have done our part. We will never stop looking for her.

‘We will always ache for her and feel that hole in our hearts.’

Guthrie went on to acknowledge how ‘the world can be a cruel and unforgiving place’ before offering the surprise praise.

Today star Savannah Guthrie appeared to address suspects in her mother’s kidnapping case on Monday, saying in a self-filmed social media video: ‘I know you have tried to do things the right way’

Savannah Guthrie has issued a fresh plea to suspects in her mother Nancy’s kidnapping case

‘So I’m asking you, begging you, to do the right thing now. Make the right choice. Help us find her. Tell us where to look for her.

‘I truly believe it is never too late to do the right thing. Help us bring this situation to an end,’ Guthrie said.

‘For all of us, no matter where we’ve been and what we have done, I believe there is always a way home. Please make the right choice.’

The message was noticeably different from one offered to Today viewers late last month, when Guthrie addressed reports that contents of a ransom note the family received early on in the search, in February.

The note in question – which is believed to be authentic – said Nancy died of heart failure shortly after being taken. She was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona, during the early hours of February 1, cops said.

‘We beg you now to return our mother to us, so that we can celebrate with her,’ Guthrie told viewers at the time, speaking to them directly.

‘This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay,’ she added.

Guthrie concluded that her family ‘cannot be at peace, no matter how much I try to come out here every day and smile and find that joy’ as the investigation currently stands.

Nancy was taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona, pictured, in the early hours of February 1

‘And so please, if you’re watching, no matter how small the reward is there, you can tell us. It can be anonymous. Please do the right thing for us, for our family, for our children,’ she asked.

The message appeared to acknowledge how Nancy may no longer be alive but the possibility she could still be afforded a Christian burial.

Early last month, Guthrie posted an image that appeared to depict the ascension of Jesus Christ. Captioned were the words ‘Bring her home.’

The family is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to Nancy’s recovery.

There are no suspects, according to local police and the FBI.

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Tree planting boost for Hamilton and Rutherglen

Published

17 minutes ago

27 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Extra government funding has been made available to the Clyde climate forest for additional planting

Hundreds of new trees are to be planted in Burnbank, Blantyre and Rutherglen following a funding boost for the Clyde climate forest project.

The initiative and similar planting projects in Fife, Lothians and Forth are sharing an additional £1 million from the Scottish Government to support their work in planting and protecting existing woodlands in communities with the fewest trees and greatest climate vulnerability.

Clyde climate forest, which covers the eight council areas of the Glasgow city region, has now identified the three South Lanarkshire areas among 16 “urban target neighbourhoods” where new planting will take place to increase low amounts of tree canopy cover and address risks including “flash flooding and urban overheating”.

The additional funding will also be used to pilot a new project to engage rural communities in understanding local climate impacts, beginning with work over the next year to identify sites and carry out tree planting at Douglas Water and Rigside.

Councillor Robert Brown, who chairs South Lanarkshire’s community and enterprise resources committee, said: “Through the 1000 Trees campaign, the Clyde climate forest aims to plant at least 1000 new urban trees in each of the selected communities, and I am delighted that so far 6276 trees have been planted in South Lanarkshire’s target neighbourhoods.

“This new funding will help our plans to push ahead in this transformative work that will bring many social, health and environmental benefits, including capturing carbon, protecting the environment, increasing biodiversity, improving access to nature and supporting local communities to become more climate-resilient.”

The Clyde Climate forest initiative, which includes both South and neighbouring North Lanarkshire, has planted nearly five million trees across the Glasgow city region over the past five years.

It was established in 2021 and has since been followed by similar projects across Scotland, aiming to plant 35 million trees by 2035 with the backing of almost £13m in Scottish Government funding.

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Met Office heatwave verdict this week as temperatures to hit 28 degrees again

Published

23 minutes ago

27 July 2026

NewsAdmin

The hottest conditions are forecasted for Wednesday when Monmouth is expected to reach 28C. Newport and Chepstow, along with Wrexham, are also expected to be among the hottest places in the country this week

Another heatwave could hit Wales this week with temperatures expected to reach 28C in parts of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Forecasters say temperatures will reach around 26C by 4pm on Tuesday, marking the start of a spell of hot weather which is expected to intensify on Wednesday before remaining very warm into next week.

The hottest conditions are forecasted for Wednesday when Monmouth is expected to reach 28C. Newport and Chepstow, along with Wrexham, are also expected to be among the hottest places in the country this week.

The Met Office defines a heatwave in Wales as three consecutive days with maximum temperatures of at least 25C, with the threshold varying across different parts of the UK to reflect regional climates.

There could well be a heatwave in Wales this week, but it’ll likely be isolated to the east or south east of the country.

Eastern parts of Wales are expected to bear the brunt of the heat. Much of mid Wales is forecast to see highs in the mid 20s, while western coastal areas will remain noticeably cooler, generally in the low 20s.

Although temperatures are expected to ease slightly on Thursday, parts of the east of Wales are still forecast to remain at around 24 or 25C, which could tip us into heatwave territory.

Conditions will continue to be warm from Friday and remain so until around Wednesday next week, which is when temperatures are expected to return to more typical summer temperatures in the low 20s across much of Wales.

July has been 3C above average across the UK, according to provisional Met Office data, and with more than a month of summer left, the UK has already faced more days above 30C than ever before.

The prolonged spell of hot, dry weather comes as parts of Wales continue to experience exceptionally dry conditions following one of the driest Julys on record, increasing concerns over drought and wildfire risk.

Firefighters have spent days tackling a major blaze covering around 220 hectares of bracken and gorse at Blaenavon, while North Wales has also seen several large moorland fires as drought conditions tighten their grip on the region.

The combination of persistent heat, very low rainfall and dry vegetation has prompted repeated warnings from fire services for people to avoid lighting barbecues or campfires in the countryside.

Last week, Natural Resources Wales announced that parts of Wales are now in drought, saying that all of the country is experiencing prolonged dry conditions.

NRW said on Thursday that record-low river flows, back-to-back heatwaves and widespread wildfires have prompted the declaration of drought status in north Wales and the Upper Severn, causing problems for fish, wildlife and crops.

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Nigel Farage calls for Zack Polanski to be arrested for posting photo of T-shirt about his execution

Published

30 minutes ago

27 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Nigel Farage has called for Zack Polanski to be arrested after the Green Party leader shared a photograph of a man wearing a T-shirt 'planning his decapitation'

By FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 18:54 BST, 27 July 2026 | Updated: 19:40 BST, 27 July 2026

Nigel Farage has called for Zack Polanski to be arrested after the Green Party leader shared a photograph of a man wearing a T-shirt ‘planning his decapitation’.

Mr Polanski, 43, shared the image of the unknown bearded man, wearing sunglasses, a rainbow-striped hat and making the ‘peace’ symbol, to his 713,000 followers on Instagram earlier today.

The man’s black top showed a guillotine with the slogan: ‘We’re only making plans for Nigel.’

It is thought the shirt references a 1979 song title by English rock band XTC, but the addition of a guillotine suggests a darker statement.

Mr Farage tonight called for the Green leader to be arrested.

The Daily Mail understands Reform UK is in the process of reporting Mr Polanski to police, while Alex Wilson, Reform UK leader on the London Assembly, will be raising a complaint to the Greater London Assembly.

Just hours after it appeared, Mr Polanski removed the post, with a Green party spokesman stating he does not ‘support’ this ‘dangerous message’.

However, the original post is tonight being shared widely on social media.

Mr Farage, 62, retweeted the image on X, writing: ‘This is what Zack Polanski has just posted on his Instagram.

‘If I was to post anything as inciteful then I would expect to be arrested, and so should Polanski.’

Nigel Farage has called for Zack Polanski to be arrested after the Green Party leader shared a photograph of a man wearing a T-shirt ‘planning his decapitation’

Daily Mail understands Reform UK is in the process of reporting Mr Polanski to police over the post, which has since been removed

The party told The Daily Mail the post was ‘staggering’ given that it appeared just days after the brutal killing of Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe in her own home

Zack Polanski has deleted the post, which the Green Party said was part of a ‘collaboration’

Reform shadow home secretary Zia Yusuf told the Daily Mail the post was ‘staggering’ given that it appeared just days after the brutal killing of Reform UK spokesman Ann Widdecombe in her own home.

He said: ‘Zack Polanski has posted to his 713k Instagram followers a photo of a man in a T-shirt depicting the beheading of Nigel Farage.

‘To do this just two weeks after our friend Ann was murdered is staggering. This is incitement to murder.

‘It should be treated as such by the police.’

Lord Walney, the government’s former adviser on political violence, called the post ‘sickening’.

He told the Daily Mail: ‘There must be serious consequences for Zack Polanski after he shared material implying the assassination of another politician.

‘This would be sickening and unacceptable at any time but it is even more serious in the present environment in which a senior Reform member has been brutally killed.

‘The Green Party must be barred from participating alongside mainstream parties if it fails to take action against its leader.’

A Green Party spokesman said the post had now been deleted and had appeared as part of a social media ‘collaboration’.

They said: ‘After attending a public event, Zack accepted a request to collaborate on a post with several images.

‘Once this image was brought to his attention he immediately unshared the post. He unequivocally does not support this type of dangerous message.’

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Northumbria Police detective allegedly made sexist comments

Published

36 minutes ago

27 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Northumbria Police detective allegedly made sexist comments

DC Rachel Fletcher is alleged to have made “sexist, inappropriate and offensive” comments about men between February and December 2023 while on duty for Northumbria Police.

The officer is also accused of making a comment about transgender women in or around January 2024 which is alleged to have been “transphobic, inappropriate and/or offensive”.

No details of the alleged comments have been confirmed.

It is alleged that, if proven, the actions would amount to gross misconduct.

A misconduct hearing is due to take place for three days from Wednesday (July 29) at the Old Magistrates Court in Houghton-le-Spring.

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Nitrous oxide canisters recovered from Astley Bridge flat

Published

43 minutes ago

27 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Nitrous oxide canisters recovered from Astley Bridge flat

The discovery was made during a joint visit today, Monday, July 27 by Bolton North Neighbourhood Team officers and Bolton Council Trading Standards to a shop on Blackburn Road.

The visit was prompted by reports of illicit cigarettes and nitrous oxide being sold in the area.

Enquiries remain ongoing and anybody with information can contact the force.

Nitrous oxide canisters were recovered (Image: GMP)

A spokesperson said: “Nitrous oxide seized following concerns from the community.

“Today officers from the Bolton North Neighbourhood Team have conducted a joint visit with Bolton Council’s Trading Standards to a shop on Blackburn Road in Astley Bridge.

“This visit is acting on concerns from the community about the sale of illicit cigarettes and nitrous oxide in the area.

“During the operation, a quantity of nitrous oxide canisters were recovered from a nearby flat and enquiries are ongoing.”

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Evil Bryan Kohberger says he wants to REVOKE his guilty plea a year after he admitted murdering four Idaho students after claiming that new evidence exonerates him

Published

54 minutes ago

27 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Bryan Kohberger has petitioned to revoke his guilty plea in the 2022 killings of four Idaho students

Idaho college killer Bryan Kohberger has petitioned to revoke his guilty plea and is demanding to stand trial after he previously admitted to slaughtering four students.

The 31-year-old, who is serving four consecutive life sentences, revealed his decision to file the petition in an interview with the New York Times and claimed he had an ‘absolute claim of innocence.’

‘My actual innocence is my truth, and the plea, hinged on by false promises and blatant disinformation, MUST be withdrawn,’ he told the newspaper.

Kohberger pleaded guilty to the November 2022 murders of University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20, last July.

He was sentenced to life without parole.

Though Kohberger admitted responsibility for the killings as part of a plea deal that spared him the death penalty, he has never publicly explained why he targeted the four friends.

He declined to comment on specifics about the alleged evidence that he says will exonerate him, the Times reported.

He also reportedly refused to talk about the concerns he has surrounding the plea process.

Bryan Kohberger has petitioned to revoke his guilty plea in the 2022 killings of four Idaho students

Best friends Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, were sleeping in the same bed after a night out. They were both stabbed multiple times

Young couple Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were also murdered by Kohberger

Mogen, Kernodle, Goncalves and Chapin were found stabbed to death on November 13, 2022, in a rented off-campus house in the small, rural town of Moscow.

Prosecutors say that Kohberger, who was masked, snuck into the home and brutally murdered the students.

Kohberger, a graduate student in criminology at nearby Washington State University, was arrested in Pennsylvania, where his parents lived, roughly six weeks later.

A Q-tip from the garbage at his parents’ house and genetic genealogy were used to match Kohberger’s DNA to material recovered from a knife sheath found at the home, investigators said.

They also used surveillance camera footage to help locate a white sedan that was seen repeatedly driving past the home on the night of the killings.

Cellphone location data also showed that Kohberger had been in the neighborhood multiple times before the attack.

Kohberger’s attorneys got the trial moved to Boise after expressing concerns that the court wouldn’t be able to find enough unbiased jurors in Moscow.

But Judge Stephen Hippler rejected their efforts to get the death penalty taken off the table and to strike critical evidence – including the DNA – from being admitted in trial.

The student home at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, where the murders were committed

No blood or DNA was found in Kohberger’s white Hyundai Elantra after his arrest

From left: Dylan Mortensen, Goncalves, Mogen (on Goncalves’s shoulders), Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke

In exchange for Kohberger admitting guilt and waiving his right to appeal, prosecutors agreed not to seek his execution. Both sides recommended that he serve four consecutive life sentences without parole.

After his arrest in December 2022, Kohberger’s initial court-appointed lawyer said that the murderer was ‘eager to be exonerated.’

The defense spent more than two years challenging the evidence against hi before accepting the surprise plea deal just weeks before he was set to go to trial.

Kohberger acknowledged he committed the ‘willful, unlawful, deliberate’ murder of the victims ‘with premeditation and with malice aforethought’ as part of this agreement. But it didn’t force him to provide a narrative or say why he did it.

It’s unclear why Kohberger killed the four students and spared two roommates who were home at the time.

Investigators also never found a connection between Kohberger, the four victims or the two surviving roommates.

Judge Steven Hippler suggested in court that he too wanted to know why Kohberger did it, but he cautioned against continuing to wonder.

‘By continuing to focus on why, we continue to give Mr Kohberger relevance, we give him agency and we give him power,’ the judge said at the defendant’s sentencing.

‘The need to know what is inherently not understandable makes us dependent upon the defendant to provide us with a reason, and that gives him the spotlight, the attention and the power he appears to crave.’

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

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Martin Lewis Flight Warning: The Exact Day To Book Your 2027 Holidays For A Fraction Of The Price

Published

1 hour ago

27 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Martin Lewis Flight Warning: The Exact Day To Book Your 2027 Holidays For A Fraction Of The Price

Money saving pro Martin Lewis has shared an “urgent warning” for anyone who wants to try and bag cheap flights for their 2027 summer holiday.

Taking to social media, Lewis said that Tuesday (28 July) marks easyJet’s ‘flight release day’, when the travel provider releases millions of new flight seats for people to buy ahead of their 2027 holidays.

“Now, easyJet has a rather interesting system for pricing its flights,” said Lewis. “It’s called ‘dynamic pricing’ and it means that the price depends on the demand – the more demand, the more that you pay.

“So, the most predictable time to get cheap flights is exactly the moment it releases the flights because there’s minimum demand at that time because they weren’t available beforehand.”

When will the seats be released?

The financial expert said 14 million seats are being released across 78,000 different flights.

“As for when those seats are released, I don’t know, easyJet won’t say,” said Lewis, noting that in the past it’s been around 5am or 6am, while other times it’s been spread throughout the morning.

The expert added it’s “not a definitive” that you’ll bag a cheap seat, but it’s “something to look at and try”.

HuffPost UK has contacted easyJet for comment.

Set an alarm and get your details ready

If you are looking to book cheaper flights, Lewis suggested getting up early and knowing which routes you want to look at, while having all your passenger details ready.

He also urged people to benchmark and compare with other flights ahead of booking, so you know what a competitive price looks like at present.

More tips for cheaper travel

Travel expert Ferdinando D’Agostino at Transfeero previously warned that flights which appear to be the cheapest aren’t always the best option overall due to costly add-ons (baggage and seat selection being some of the most obvious ones), but also other overlooked costs, such as the cost of getting from the airport to your final destination.

If you want to save money on your travels, he advised:

Calculating the ‘door to destination’ costs before you book. Booking a slightly more expensive flight could mean saving much more money in the long run, so make sure you add up every possible additional cost.
Planning all transport in advance, not just the flight. Having your onward journey arranged, removes the uncertainty of being able to get a taxi at the airport – and the unpredictable costs.
Creating an ‘arrival budget’. Having a separate budget with a realistic amount of money to get from the airport to the hotel means you reduce the pressure to choose the quickest and most expensive mode of transport, and it also means you can set that budget and have everything arranged before you get there.

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NewsBeat

Ryedale Show 2026: All you need to know about tomorrow

Published

1 hour ago

27 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Ryedale Show 2026: All you need to know about tomorrow

Ryedale Show, which has been at the heart of the county’s agricultural calendar since 1855, attracts thousands of visitors each year and features one of the region’s largest displays of livestock, horses, local produce and traditional rural crafts. This year’s show also introduces a number of new features designed to make the visitor experience even better.

A major focus for 2026 has been improving traffic management following last year’s event. Working with professional traffic management specialists, the show has invested heavily in measures to reduce delays, including advance roadside signage, clearer routes into Helmsley, alternative routes for non-show traffic, improved on-site access roads and a dedicated professional parking team managing vehicle movements throughout the day. Organisers hope the changes will significantly reduce queue times while ensuring visitors arrive safely and efficiently.

For those travelling into Helmsley by bus or parking in the town, a new “Tractor and Trailer Taxi” service will run throughout the day, transporting visitors between the Duncombe Park main entrance and the showground, making it even easier to enjoy the event without the walk. This will also enable showgoers to visit the Sheepdog Section, located by the Park Entrance.

Once inside the showground there is something to entertain every member of the family. Hundreds of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and other livestock will compete for championship honours, alongside an extensive horse section featuring more than 90 classes, show jumping, Heavy Horses and the popular Mounted Games entertainment in the main ring.

Visitors can also browse an impressive array of produce, horticulture, arts, crafts and photography exhibits. And, with over 250 trade and craft stands there is everything from local delicacies and artisan products to country clothing and agricultural machinery to shop for!

Animal lovers won’t want to miss the ever-popular Fun Dog Show, open to dogs of all shapes and sizes, alongside gundog displays and sheepdog demonstrations that celebrate the skills of working dogs in the countryside.

Families can enjoy free children’s activities throughout the day, including competitions, races, treasure hunts and hands-on experiences, making the Ryedale Show one of North Yorkshire’s favourite family days out.

For those wanting to round off the day in style, the celebrations continue after the show closes. Members are invited to stay for the new Members’ After Party, taking place from 4.30pm until 6.30pm, featuring live music from local rockabilly favourites The Rhythm Burners and a delicious hog roast—a perfect opportunity to relax, catch up with friends and enjoy the unique atmosphere that has made the Ryedale Show such a special event for generations.

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