Author: openjargon

• Luxury air travel is on the rise, including the use of private jets and premium tickets.
• The pandemic's 'revenge travel' trend has people spending more on luxury air experiences.
• Semi-private jets and premium-class options offer accessible luxury for budget-conscious travelers.

It's official: 2024 is the year of luxury air travel.

Travel experts told Business Insider they had noticed an uptick in clients opting for luxury air travel experiences, from private jets to first-class and premium-class plane tickets.

Oliver Bell, cofounder of luxury travel company Oliver's Travels, said this trend could be partly attributed to "revenge travel," where people are "willing to spend more for incredible experiences" in the aftermath of the pandemic.

According to a Forbes Advisor survey of 1,000 Americans in January of this year, 39% of people say their travel budget in 2024 will be higher than the previous year. (That's down from 45% of people surveyed in 2023.)

But you don't have to be flushed with cash to experience luxury air travel. You just have to do your research.

Semi-private jets are often overlooked

Private jets are one of the most obvious ways to travel in luxury, but according to Bell, they are often overlooked because people assume they are too expensive.

"A lot of people assume that flying private is only for the rich and famous, the Elon Musk's of the world," Bell said.

"Of course, it's by no means a 'cheap' way to fly as it still will typically be more expensive than flying commercial, but it is much more accessible than people think, which could be why we're seeing an increase now that people are becoming more aware," he added.

As BI's Alesandra Dubin previously reported, June 2022 had the most private flights in the US since October 2007.

Dubin recommended booking a publicly available seat on a "hop on" semi-private jet flight to save money. Numerous private regional airlines, such as JSX, offer this option.

JSX offers various routes from private terminals across the West Coast and Texas. Passengers don't have to worry about crowds or security lines, and with a maximum of 30 passengers on each flight, you can get the feeling of flying private without actually hiring your own jet.

In June 2021, Dubin wrote about her experience traveling from LA to Vegas on a JSX flight for $99. Her ticket included a free checked bag, snacks, and drinks, including alcohol.

Alternatively, some private jet companies offer subscription services where you get full access for a set fee every month. For example, Surf Air is an LA-based private jet company that offers unlimited private flying memberships for $295 per month or $3,540 annually.

"Instead of having to wait in long queues with limits on baggage or extra payments required, you can arrive as little as 15 minutes before your flight, board directly, and enjoy complete comfort and privacy," Bell said.

Affordable or 'middle-of-the-road' luxury

Some passengers can travel in first or business class for less using credit cards or airline reward points.

But for less frequent flyers or those who don't have the points, there are alternative options.

David Guthrie, founder of safari company Tent with a View, said he has noticed an increase in clients opting for "middle-of-the-road luxury" options, such as premium-class plane tickets.

He said it's become common for airlines to offer a "more elevated experience compared to standard economy," but these options are "not nearly as plush or pricey as first-class or private charters."

Airlines, including KLM, Delta, and United, offer premium or comfort-class tickets.

Each airline offers different perks. With United Airlines' Premium Plus package, passengers will get bigger seats, more legroom, and an amenity kit with skincare products from TheraFace, including eye serum, facial spray, hand cream, and lip balm.

It also includes free alcohol, upgraded meal cutlery, and noise-canceling headphones on board, as well as larger TV screens, priority check-in and boarding, exclusive security lanes, and priority bag handling.

According to Martina Coogan, head of United Airline's corporate sales in the UK and Ireland, fares start at around $1,077.

Coogan told BI that Premium Plus is "gaining in popularity with both leisure and corporate travelers, and we expect this trend to continue."

He said it's an especially popular option for passengers traveling on long-haul flights from the US to the UK.

Meanwhile, with KLM's premium comfort package, passengers are seated in a "quiet cabin" with up to 28 seats with 17cm more legroom and 7.5cm more recline than an economy seat. Guthrie said this package is popular among his clients, who appear to spend double the amount on premium comfort tickets compared to economy.

Similarly, Delta's Comfort Plus package offers more legroom (though it's not clear by how much), early boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, and complimentary snacks on flights over 900 miles and drinks on flights over 251 miles.

• WalletHub released a report ranking the best US states for summer road trips.
• States were ranked across 32 metrics including gas prices, safety, and number of attractions.
• Texas was ranked the best state for summer road trips, followed by Minnesota and New York.

If you're determined to take a road trip this summer but aren't sure where to go, consider one of these 10 states ranked by WalletHub as the best summer road-trip destinations.

To determine the best states for summer road trips, WalletHub, a personal-finance website, measured 32 metrics in each state across three overall categories: costs, safety, and activities.

Each state's road trip potential was determined by examining factors such as gas prices, safety, and the number of attractions including amusement parks, historical sites, and national parks.

These 10 states earned the highest scores in WalletHub's ranking.

10. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania ranked 32nd in costs and 14th in both safety and activities, according to WalletHub.

Popular road-trip destinations include views of Amish country along Route 30 and historic sites such as Gettysburg and the Liberty Bell.

9. Maine

In addition to numerous scenic byways, Maine is also home to Acadia National Park, one of the most-visited national parks in the US.

WalletHub found that Maine had the lowest average cost of car repairs out of any state. Maine was also the safest state, taking the top spot in WalletHub's safety ranking. It scored 29th in costs and 30th in activities.

8. Wyoming

Camping prices in Wyoming are the second-lowest in the country — perfect for visiting hot spots like Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Wyoming was also the fifth-safest state in WalletHub's ranking and placed 22nd in activities.

7. North Carolina

North Carolina's Blue Ridge Parkway helped the state rank fourth for the most scenic byways and seventh in WalletHub's overall activities ranking. It was also 17th in costs and 34th in safety.

6. Ohio

Ohio features a mix of natural wonders like Cuyahoga Valley National Park, touristy spots like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and quirky roadside attractions like the world's largest basket.

It's the second-cheapest state for car repairs behind Maine, contributing to its ranking of 21st in costs. WalletHub also ranked Ohio 24th in safety and 13th in activities.

5. Florida

Florida is tied with Alaska, Hawaii, California, and Washington for the state with the highest percentage of total area designated as national parkland. It also has attractions like Disney World, placing it second in WalletHub's activities ranking (California, the home of Disneyland, snagged the top activities spot).

Florida ranked 23rd in costs, but last in safety.

4. Louisiana

Louisiana has the third-lowest average gas prices, contributing to its first-place pick in WalletHub's costs ranking. It ranked ninth in activities and 46th in safety.

New Orleans offers a plethora of live music, Cajun restaurants, and lively festivals, but there's also plenty of wildlife to see in Louisiana's famous wetlands.

3. New York

New York is full of fascinating tourist sites with the second-most National Historic Landmarks per capita, placing it third in WalletHub's activities ranking. It ranked 40th in costs and 12th in safety.

In addition to the densely packed streets of New York City, upstate New York offers hiking trails, historic mansions, and views of Niagara Falls.

2. Minnesota

Minnesota ranked 12th in costs and 20th in activities. WalletHub found that the state has the third-fewest vehicle fatalities per million miles, contributing to its ranking of seventh in safety overall.

Minnesota also has the fourth-most fairs and festivals per capita in the summertime — the Minnesota State Fair in particular is legendary for its over-the-top culinary offerings.

1. Texas

With over 9,500 miles of scenic byways, numerous famous attractions including The Alamo and the Space Center Houston, and affordable accommodations, WalletHub ranked Texas the No. 1 state for summer road trips in 2024. It topped WalletHub's list with rankings of 11th in costs, 39th in safety, and fifth in activities.

• I moved my family to Switzerland for the summer instead of sending my kid to day camp.
• Our two-month Airbnb rental in Zurich fits five people and costs less than his day camp would have.
• The decision wasn't purely economical; My son is also getting to experience a different culture.

Summer camp is expensive, and even if you're willing to pay for it, your kid might not get a spot.

When I started researching day camps for my 5-year-old son in New York last year, I found that many would set us back by almost $10,000 for just one child — and we weren't even considering overnight camps. 

That high price tag generally includes transportation to and from the camp, breakfast and lunch, daily activities, and swimming lessons. But a lot of day camps have drop-off at about 9 a.m. and pickup at 2:30 p.m. or 3 p.m., when my partner and I are still working. So, in some cases, the price of camp doesn't even cover full-time childcare during work hours. 

Instead of dealing with lottery systems and day-camp costs, which averaged $87 a day per child in 2022 a(nd $96 a day in 2023), my husband and I, both remote workers based in the US, decided to spend the summer in Zurich, with our son and in-laws. 

Renting our accommodations abroad cost significantly less than sending our child to summer camp, and it came with perks. 

Our long-term Airbnb rental in Zurich was cheaper than many US day camps

We found that renting an Airbnb with three bedrooms and an office in Zurich was more cost-effective than enrolling my child in summer camp from June through August. 

The rental, which spanned from July 9 to August 18, cost us about $6,000. The owner offered us a discount for the extended stay and was willing to arrange the rooms to accommodate our living situation. 

We could've booked a cheaper and smaller place, but we went with a larger home with laundry and two bathrooms since my in-laws came with us to help care for our son. Paying for the extra space to house my in-laws and a week-long soccer camp in Zurich was still cheaper than the day camps in the tristate area. 

We also used points to cover most of our flights and split food costs with my in-laws to keep expenses down.

There are benefits of living abroad as a family that aren't financial

Aside from the financial benefits, the experiences and lessons my son learned while living abroad are invaluable. He was exposed to different cultures, foods, and ways of life.

Staying in Zurich for an entire summer also gave my family the opportunity to explore places far outside the tourist track. We planned trips to places we would've never likely explored otherwise, like Feldkirch, Austria, and Vaduz, Liechtenstein. As an added bonus, we signed our little one up for a week of a local soccer camp in Zurich, which cost about $300.

Plus, my son is a train fanatic, so we put several rail trips on our itinerary. He'd been so eager to see Big Ben, so we also planned a weekend trip to London, which is just a 90-minute flight from Zurich.

My husband and father-in-law love cycling, so living here gave them the chance to catch the Tour de France at the French border. The memories created from these trips were priceless. 

Because my husband and I can do our jobs remotely, we were able to spend this summer abroad without compromising our professional commitments or paychecks.

My husband's company is based in Switzerland, and I work with editors on the East Coast, so our schedules allowed us to take turns watching our son. And when we were both working, my in-laws helped take care of him.

I'd consider making these extended family trips a tradition

This summer was a bit of an experiment. I'd always wanted to live abroad for a short period of time, and I could potentially see us extending our stay during summers down the road. 

If possible, it would be great to rent a different home base to explore another region in depth. I even saw an intriguing camp called Alpine French School, which incorporates both French lessons and activities. I'd love for my son to have the opportunity to learn a new language and make friends from around the world.

I'm also not closing him off from day camps in the US, especially as he gets older and forms stronger bonds with kids at school. Perhaps we can even switch between day camp and family vacations every year. 

Spending time together as a family and seeing new places is extremely important to my husband and me. With limited time to travel during the school year, summer offers the best opportunity to explore.

This story was originally published on July 20, 2023, and most recently updated on June 26, 2024.

• Delta Air Lines debuted its first-ever lounge just for business-class customers.
• The nearly 40,000-square-foot space features a wellness center, terrace, and full restaurant.
• The new lounge should help alleviate crowds at Delta's more widely accessible SkyClub lounges.

Delta Air Lines has debuted its highly anticipated Delta One Lounge at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The nearly 40,000-square-foot lounge builds on the airline's famous SkyClubs with high-class perks like a wellness center, terrace, and full-service restaurant.

The bougie-ness isn't surprising considering Delta's premium-focused reputation. It's the only carrier of the Big 3 with sliding doors in business class, for example, and free WiFi on more than 650 of its domestic planes.

But it wasn't the first to open a dedicated business-class-only space; American Airlines and United Airlines run their respective Flagship and Polaris lounges. It also wasn't the first of the three to incorporate a separate restaurant or spa-like amenities.

Still, after previewing the space ahead of its grand opening, I think Delta's is the best of its kind thanks to a wide suite of amenities that all conveniently fit into one exclusive space.

Plus, frequent SkyClub goers at JFK can rejoice, as the new Delta One Lounge could help split up the crowds.

The new Delta One Lounge differs from the airline's collection of SkyClubs with more amenities and exclusivity.

Delta has dozens of SkyClubs across the US, and there are plenty of ways to get access, such as a paid membership, flying on a first or business-class ticket on Delta or an eligible partner, or having the right credit card.

The new Delta One lounges, which are expected to open in Los Angeles and Boston later this year, are more selective. According to Delta, same-day arriving or departing Delta One passengers and invite-only 360 members flying first class can visit.

Also allowed are those departing or connecting same-day on partner airlines in their respective business or first-class cabins. These include Air France, Korean Air, Latam, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic Airways. You can't get in by having the right credit card.

The perks start before security at a dedicated check-in space on the far right side of Terminal 4. It's stocked with drinks and snacks.

A frosted-glass room will welcome eligible travelers and direct them to the check-in desks. This is Delta's second dedicated business-class check-in, the other being at Los Angeles International Airport.

The LAX location connects to a SkyClub — which is one of its most extravagant ones, in my opinion — but the airline said it will eventually lead to its own Delta One Lounge in October.

There are concierge desks and bag drop stations to help travelers before they are directed to what will eventually be a private security line.

At Wednesday's opening, customers will use whatever security line they're eligible for at New York-JFK, like PreCheck or Delta's digital ID line.

However, come fall, Delta One lounge-goers can use a private TSA security line that leads right into the lounge. Delta has a similar setup at LAX.

To its credit, American has a fast-track security line for its premium passengers flying out of its fully renovated Terminal 8 at New York-JFK, which is co-branded with Oneworld partner British Airways.

Once past the chaos of crowds and security, customers will step into what I think is the best premium lounge among the US Big 3 airlines.

I've previously visited two of American's new Flagship lounges at JFK and United's Polaris lounge at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC.

All are beautifully done and individually have great elements — like United's sleeping pods and restaurant and American's wine-pouring table and circular Champagne bar.

However, I like that Delta combines everything into one and tops it off with a penthouse flare and bougie finish. It's simply more extravagant with a wider variety of amenities compared.

The Delta One Lounge is divided into several sections, the most glamorous being its 140-seat Brasserie restaurant.

The sit-down restaurant offers a three-course meal complete with an appetizer, main course, and dessert. There's all sorts of seating, from high-top tables to booths, and charging ports are also available.

"We haven't done anything like this before in any of our SkyClubs," Claude Roussel, VP of Delta Sky Clubs and Lounge Experience, told Business Insider. "The level of food and beverage and quality is really unlike anything you'll see, we think, at any other airport lounges."

It's similar to United's dining room at Dulles, which also offers a full sit-down service made from scratch but is less extravagent.

The restaurants at United and Delta's business-class lounges are separate from their respective buffet and market areas and offer on-demand dining.

Delta's dining room felt like I was in a Manhattan skyrise, complete with gold and wood finishings, unique wall and ceiling designs, an open kitchen, and a chandelier inspired by the Brooklyn Bridge.

Five small courses were served during the preview, and, as expected, everything was delicious.

Delta partnered with famous New York City-based Union Square Events and Restaurant Associates, a Danny Meyer concept, for the restaurant menu.

The meal (which had five courses for the media instead of the planned three) included hamachi crudo, corn agnolotti, seared salmon, rotisserie chicken, dark chocolate souffle, and New York cheesecake.

A market and bakery complete with hot and cold food is available on the other side of the lounge for quick bites.

The market and bakery host everything from salmon and flatbread to avocado toast and eggplant Parmesan. Allergies and other eating restrictions can be accommodated.

It's impossible to go hungry here.

There's also a bar with cold non-alcoholic drinks on tap and a coffee bar. Bar carts are stationed throughout the lounge, too.

The cold drinks on tap during the preview included things like green tea, beetroot, and flavored waters.

Staff members were available to take orders.

Complementing the restaurant and buffet is the giant bar just outside the Brasserie.

The half-circle bar reminds me of the equally beautiful champagne bar that is the centerpiece of American's Terminal 8 Chelsea Lounge.

Roussel said a few expensive top-shelf drinks at the Delta One Lounge, like a LOUIS XIII Cognac, will cost, but most alcohol is complimentary.

Passengers can enjoy their beverages in one of the seemingly neverending seating areas in the giant lounge.

The lounge has hundreds of seating spots available, from the bar to the restaurant to the terrace to the living room, complete with loungers, couches, and soundproof booths for private calls.

There's also a smaller dining area by the buffet, and beyond that is a section designed for business travelers. Here, customers can find portable computer monitors made by the company Espresso that connect to a laptop to provide a second screen.

I'd recommend the terrace.

The Delta One Lounge's all-season terrace resembles the indoor-outdoor concept also present at its grandiose Los Angeles SkyClub.

"The sunroof will open, and it's fully conditioned, so you can be there in the middle of winter or on a beautiful spring day," Roussel said.

The best part of the terrace, though, in my opinion, is the view of the planes. I could sit there and just watch them come and go all day.

If you don't want to be reminded you're at an airport, lounge-goers can escape to the wellness center for one of three spa-like services.

Delta's swanky new lounge offers a mini spa with three wellness services: shoulder and neck massage, hand and arm massage, and eye treatment. Roussel said the services would take about 15 minutes to keep travelers' time in mind.

Products from Grown Alchemist are available on a cart, like face and hand creams and toners.

Other services include 20-minute massage chairs and zero-gravity chairs, which Roussel said are good snooze options.

United, by comparison, has two full sleeping pods at Dulles with beds and a door, but Roussel said Delta's JFK lounge isn't intended for transiting passengers needing a long sleep.

"We focus really on the flights going out in the afternoon, so we don't expect people wanting to come here and take three to four-hour naps," he said. "You may have a connecting passenger in the morning, but that's not the breath of our clientele."

Complementing the wellness center are eight showers — which I imagine would be welcomed after a long-haul flight.

In addition to separate restrooms, the Delta One Lounge sports giant shower rooms stocked with toiletries, towels, slippers, and robes. Staff members are available to help.

For example, Roussel pointed to the two-way closet where customers can place suits or jackets so employees can access them without opening the shower room door.

This allows them to press or iron their clothes while the traveler freshens up. United has the same design, as well as offers robes, heated towels, and toiletry products.

There's also a shoe shine — rounding out all of the business traveler's needs.

If you are fresh off a long-haul flight from Europe and heading for a meeting, you could shower, get your suit pressed, and have your shoes shined all in one place.

Delta said this all-inclusive experience would distinguish it as a premium airline, and Roussel described the new exclusive Delta One space as a "destination lounge."

While I'll likely never get access on my own, the Delta One Lounge will impress the airline's most premium flyers.

Delta clearly knows what its most premium customers want, from the unique artwork lining the walls and spacious seating to the business-focused services like portable monitors and suit pressing.

"You might be here for four hours and start with a coffee, followed by lunch at the Brasserie and a massage in our wellness treatment, and finishing with a cocktail at the bar before you leave," Roussel said.

It's also a win for those with SkyClub access as Delta One passengers clear up space in the commonly overcrowded lounges.

Delta has had a problem with its SkyClubs being overcrowded with long entry lines, prompting the airline to change who can access the lounges, including barring employees and restricting basic economy tickets.

With the opening of the new Delta One Lounge, SkyClub goers will get relief at JFK — and eventually at Los Angeles and Boston this fall.

• CNN reports that Biden is considering allowing US private military contractors to go to Ukraine.
• Sources told the outlet that they would be restricted to helping maintain US-supplied equipment. 
• The Biden administration has long ruled out a move like this. 

President Joe Biden's administration is moving toward a plan that would allow US military contractors to deploy to Ukraine for the first time in a limited capacity, CNN reported.

Four US officials familiar with the matter told the outlet that a policy is being worked on to allow the Pentagon to issue private contracts to send troops for the maintenance and repair of US-supplied systems in Ukraine.

Biden himself has not signed off on the policy, CNN reported.

A White House spokesperson told Business Insider: "We have not made any decisions and any discussion of this is premature.

"The President is absolutely firm that he will not be sending US troops to Ukraine," they added.

Should the draft plan go ahead, it would be put into action later this year, the officials told CNN.

The move would cross a long-held red line for Biden, who has been wary of taking actions that would put American troops in the firing line or bolster Russian claims that the US, and NATO more broadly, is fighting a proxy war in Ukraine.

CNN's sources insisted that the plan includes the requirement that contractors develop strong risk-mitigation plans.

They also said that the move would likely see numbers from just a few dozen, up to around 200, contractors in Ukraine at any one time.

This would be a far cry from the previous situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, which saw tens of thousands of private personnel contracted by the US.

If it went ahead, the move would likely help relieve considerable logistics headaches over keeping US-supplied weapons and equipment working.

US maintenance support remains remote, conducted via video calls and chat lines, with seriously damaged equipment needing to be sent to neighboring countries for repairs.

This is a problem for artillery like Howitzers, which are needed almost constantly for the defense of the front line — but is also likely to be a key issue for the F-16s Ukraine is readying to use, which bring with them a host of complex maintenance needs.

In February, European leaders balked at French President Emmanuel Macron's statement that the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine should not be ruled out.

As of earlier this month, Macron is proceeding with a plan to bring together a coalition of countries who could send troops to Ukraine in a similar supporting role to the plan being considered in the US — the training of Ukrainian troops and the maintenance of equipment.

Allowing US private contractors to go to Ukraine would not be the first time that the Biden White House has crossed its self-imposed red lines regarding support for Ukraine.

F-16s were a no-go until last summer — while more recently, the US said it was allowing Ukraine to use its weaponry in limited strikes on Russian soil.

• I tried five different cheeseburgers from Burger King, including the Whopper and the Bacon King.
• I thought the Triple Whopper was less flavorful than some of the smaller, cheaper burgers.
• The Whopper impressed me with its flame-grilled patty and classic cheeseburger toppings.

I've tried many different fast-food burgers over the years, and Burger King's cheeseburgers consistently rank among my favorites.

According to an original menu reported by Delish, Burger King has sold cheeseburgers since its inception in the 1950s, but exactly how the chain makes them has changed considerably.

The chain started with simple broiled cheeseburgers, but now the Burger King menu includes cheeseburger melts, seven variations on its classic Whopper, chicken sandwiches, nuggets, fries, and more.

To determine which Burger King burger truly reigns supreme, I compared five different cheeseburgers from the chain. I tried the classic Whopper with cheese, the Triple Whopper with cheese, a plain cheeseburger, a double cheeseburger, and the Bacon King.

Here are how the burgers ranked, from my least favorite to my favorite.

My least favorite cheeseburger I tried was the chain's classic plain cheeseburger.

The cheeseburger from Burger King cost $2.59, excluding tax.

The cheeseburger came with American cheese, pickles, ketchup, and mustard on a sesame-seed bun.

The burger was extremely simple, but I was impressed by the generous serving of toppings. There was a hearty amount of condiments on the burger, and the cheese was thick and perfectly melted.

The sesame-seed bun also added a lot of flavor, but this burger was just a little simple compared to the other burgers I tried.

The flame-grilled burger had a grilled, smoky flavor that worked well with the ketchup and mustard.

Not only was this burger flavorful, but it also provided the best value — priced at $2.59, it was the cheapest option among the cheeseburgers I tried.

I enjoyed this burger a lot, but it could have been improved with an extra patty or more creative ingredients. At the end of the day, it was a basic fast-food cheeseburger.

Next up was the chain's double cheeseburger, which was a step up from the basic cheeseburger.

It cost $3.89, excluding tax and fees.

The double cheeseburger came with two of the chain's beef patties, American cheese, pickles, mustard, and ketchup on a sesame-seed bun.

Like the regular cheeseburger, there was a hearty serving of ketchup and mustard.

The pickle slices were thick and crunchy, and I enjoyed the flavor of the bun.

I thought this burger was certainly a step up from the regular cheeseburger. It packed the same grilled flavor and low price, but the extra patty made it even more flavorful and filling.

The Triple Whopper landed squarely in the middle of my ranking.

The burger cost me $10.79, excluding tax, making it the second-most expensive burger I tried.

The Triple Whopper comes with three quarter-pound beef patties, one slice of cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mayonnaise, and ketchup.

The burger patties had a deliciously smoky and savory flavor that gave the sandwich a freshly grilled taste. The lettuce and tomato slices tasted extremely fresh, and I liked the addition of mayonnaise.

However, I thought this burger could have been improved with another slice of cheese between the layers of beef. The cheese's flavor was lost amid all the meat and other toppings.

I thoroughly enjoyed this burger and would certainly order it again — if I have the appetite for it.

This burger was extremely filling, and I would struggle to eat it all, in addition to fries. However, if you have a big appetite or simply love Burger King's beef, this might just be the burger for you.

The burger was also significantly more expensive than the smaller cheeseburgers and the regular Whopper with cheese. However, I don't think the higher price was worth it — the two extra patties were a hindrance, rather than an asset, to the burger.

My second favorite burger was the Bacon King.

It cost $10.99, excluding tax and fees, making it the most expensive burger I tried.

The Bacon King comes with two quarter-pound beef patties, bacon, two slices of cheese, ketchup, and mayonnaise on a sesame-seed bun.

The burger was swimming in mayonnaise and ketchup, but I didn't mind.

I like mayonnaise a lot, but I quickly noticed the generous amount spread on both the burger and the sesame-seed bun. If you're not fond of mayo, you might consider customizing or skipping this burger.

It was the most decadent, filling burger I tried.

The slices of cheese were evenly layered over the burger patties, which had a distinct smoky taste.

The perfectly crispy bacon added even more smoky flavor, and the cheese and condiments added a lot of moisture, which I felt the Triple Whopper lacked.

My favorite Burger King burger — and one of my favorite fast-food burgers, period — is the Whopper with cheese.

Burger King's signature burger has been around since 1957, just four years after the chain opened. Back then, the Whopper cost 37 cents.

Today, it costs $8.29, excluding tax and fees.

A Whopper comes with a quarter-pound beef patty, pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mayonnaise. I always add cheese for an additional $0.50.

Immediately, it was evident that this burger would be bursting with flavor. Thick layers of ketchup and mayo spilled from the sides of the burger, but the sizable sesame-seed bun kept all the ingredients together.

I'm not surprised the chain's signature burger is so famous — it was my favorite, by far.

The cheese coated the burger patty, and the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions all tasted very fresh. They added a delicious crunch to the burger.

Even though this burger is a classic, and perhaps not the most creative burger I tried, it was the most satisfying. I also thought it was a great value for the price, and I would definitely order it again and again.

• Ukraine destroyed columns of waiting Russian soldiers with HIMARS, a Ukrainian commander said.
• He said Ukraine targeted them as soon as it got permission to use allied weapons across the border.
• Military experts say Ukraine's ability to use Western-supplied weapons in Russia is aiding its fightback.

Ukraine has been able to destroy columns of Russian soldiers after it got permission from its allies to use their weapons to strike military targets across the border into Russia, a Ukrainian commander has said.

The artillery commander, with the call sign Hefastus, told the Associated Press that Ukrainian HIMARS started firing in the northern Kharkiv region as soon as Ukraine got permission.

"The HIMARS were not silent for the whole day," he said, referring to the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

Ukraine got permission from its allies last month to strike military targets in Russia with weapons they'd supplied, reversing a long-held restriction.

"From the first days, Ukrainian forces managed to destroy whole columns of troops along the border waiting for the order to enter Ukraine," Hefastus said, according to the AP.

He said Ukraine couldn't have achieved this without its new permissions, as regular ammunition couldn't reach that far.

Hefastus added that Ukraine was now able to destroy Russian command centers.

His claims have not been independently verified.

Even so, Ukraine appears to have used HIMARS to strike targets in Russia since the restrictions were lifted.

Russia has also been stationing troops close to the border with Ukraine, ready to be called in to fight.

Ukraine's deputy defense minister, Ivan Havryliuk, told the AP that at least 90,000 Russian troops deep in Russian territory were readying for a new assault when the restrictions were lifted.

It's not clear whether any of these were the troops said to be hit by the HIMARS attacks.

In the past, analysts described Ukraine as being forced to fight with one hand behind its back, with Russia using its own territory to resupply its forces and launch drone, missile, and aircraft attacks.

This changed in May when many of Ukraine's allies said it could now use weapons they'd supplied to go after military targets on Russian soil.

The US, which announced its policy change on May 30, didn't go as far as some but still said Ukraine could use weapons it provided to hit into regions across the border from Kharkiv.

This has allowed Ukraine to fight back more forcefully against a new Russian offensive that started in Kharkiv on May 10.

On Tuesday, Ukraine's national guard posted images of what it said were two destroyed Russian Pantsir-S air defense systems, just south of the city of Belgorod. Russian outlets also reported the attack, which was well within range of HIMARS.

While it's unclear exactly which weapons were used, Defense Express reported that the Pantsirs' locations had been compromised to OSINT researchers some six months ago, and went on to suggest the attack had been enabled by the switch in US posture.

Experts say this new reality has had a big impact in Kharkiv, particularly given the Russian border is so close to the fighting. In the past, Russia was able to resupply its forces with troops, ammunition, and equipment and Ukraine could do little to interfere.

George Barros, a Russian-military expert at the US' Institute for the Study of War, told BI that within the first days, there was a "positive difference."

"They've actually helped blunt the Russian offensive at the heart," he said, with Ukraine able to launch "small tactical counterattacks."

Two Ukrainian officials told The Washington Post that some Russian attacks had been reduced, but they added that air bases where it was launching attacks from were out of range of what the US permission allowed Ukraine to hit.

The AP reported that Ukraine's new strike abilities had "greatly slowed Russia's momentum," with local reports saying Ukrainian troops had been able to push forward and reclaim some territory — though the country's military is still under great pressure.