Travel

The only two survivors aboard the plane carrying 181 passengers that crashed in South Korea lucked out and had their lives spared because of their seating arrangement, according to news reports.

The fortunate flight attendants -- a man and a woman -- were reportedly seated in the tail section of the Jeju commercial airliner, which was landing at Muan International Airport after taking off from Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday.

When the plane touched down on the runway, it veered off and rammed into a wall, exploding into flames.

Charlize Theron is heating things up down in Mexico ahead of the New Year ... enjoying some fun in the sun in a jaw-dropping black swimsuit.

Check it out ... the actress looked practically ageless as she donned a strapless one-piece bathing suit while abroad with her family south of the border Saturday.

She tried to keep a low profile, choosing to wear her platinum blonde locks -- featuring brunette peekaboo highlights -- up in a messy bun. Theron wore classic, black cat-eye shades and a beige fedora ... which perfectly rounded out her beach bombshell aesthetic.

A charter jet carrying the Gonzaga men's basketball team was just yards away from being wiped out by an outbound plane over the weekend ... and the near collision was all captured on video.

Check out footage from LAX at around 4:30 PM on Friday ... you can see as the Bulldogs' Embraer E135 aircraft was taxiing to its gate after landing in Los Angeles, a Delta flight was taking off on a nearby runway, and the two planes got so close to each other, an air traffic controller actually had to tell the Zags' pilot to stop.

Thankfully, the two avoided one another ... but the FAA still said in a statement to TMZ Sports on Monday it's investigating the situation.

Leonardo DiCaprio is still seriously smitten with girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti ... staying close to the Italian model's side during a beach outing in St. Barts.

Check it out ... the couple, who has been hot and heavy since linking up last year, looked as happy as ever while enjoying some fun in the sun in the Caribbean. Vittoria, who donned a little black bikini and white baseball cap for the beach day, was spotted smiling and laughing with friends while splashing around in the crystal blue water.

It didn't take long for Leo to follow suit ... as he trudged down the beach in a pair of cobalt blue swim trunks and joined his lady in the water. Not only did the Oscar winner take in the scenic sights, but he also got an eyeful of VC's backside -- which was on ample display in her high-rise bikini bottoms.

J.D. Vance is a long way from Donald Trump's golf courses and Mar-a-Lago ... because he's on a snow-covered mountain in Colorado.

The Vice President-elect hit the slopes in Aspen on Friday ... with his family and a Secret Service security detail in tow.

J.D. was covered head to toe in skiing gear for the occasion ... ski mask, helmet, goggles, gloves, the whole nine yards.

Mariah Carey's going back to her roots -- her hair roots, that is -- changing up her usually silky smooth 'do for a curly look reminiscent of her style back in the day.

The singer-songwriter pulled up to Catch Steak, a high-class restaurant in Aspen ... bundled up in a pristine white coat and matching boots with just a hint of her long legs showing through the garment's opening.

Her curly hair is eye-catching here ... down the left side of her face while the hair on the right is tucked behind her ear.

Mark Wahlberg clearly didn't put on any pounds this holiday season ... showing off his ripped chest and stomach while shirtless down in Barbados on Christmas Eve.

The actor was spotted walking around the island with his wife, Rhea Durham, the day before Xmas ... with Marky Mark outfitted in just swim trunks and a backward cap.

Check out the pics ... Wahlberg may be 53, but he's still looking ripped -- stopping to chat with people on his way to the beach.

Jennifer Lopez and her sister Lynda brought the block to Aspen ... smiling wide in a series of Instagram photos from her snowy holiday.

The singer-songwriter shared a photo set late Christmas Day ... kicking it off while sitting in the snow with her child Emme and another kid -- sipping on hot drinks and taking in the snowy landscape.

Another photo captures J Lo leaning in to smooch her sister's cheek ... both looking chic in sunglasses and thick coats.

A collective sigh of relief is sweeping through airports across the country right now after American Airlines resumed flights early this morning, ending a brief but chaotic nationwide ground stop on one of the busiest travel days of the year.

The carrier halted operations early Tuesday saying in a statement on X, American said, "We’re currently experiencing a technical issue with all American Airlines flights. Your safety is our utmost priority, once this is rectified, we’ll have you safely on your way to your destination."

According to the FAA, American requested the ground stop. The grounding caused last minute panic amongst travelers hoping they'd reach their destination in time for the holiday.

A Royal Caribbean Cruise passenger died during a trip to Mexico ... and, video shows him trying to beat down a door just before his untimely death.

New video captures Michael Virgil -- a 35-year-old passenger aboard the Ensenada-bound liner -- shouting out in a hallway and repeatedly kicking a door, appearing to attempt to break through it.

Check out the clip -- obtained by L.A.'s Fox 11 ... Virgil's swinging his foot with force, taking periodic breaks to yell at the assembled crowd, and even remove his shirt.

A horrifying scene unfolded in Hawaii on Tuesday ... as a plane crashed into a building, killing two people onboard.

The tragic incident was captured on dashcam video attached to a vehicle traveling down a highway in Honolulu on Tuesday afternoon while the Kamaka Air Cessna 208 Caravan was conducting a training flight in the skies above.

Check out the footage ... as the car barrels down the roadway, the dashcam captures the aircraft rapidly descending in the distance.

JoJo Siwa is no longer flying solo it seems ... because we filmed her picking up rumored new girlfriend Kath Ebbs from LAX Airport.

The "Dance Moms" alum rolled up in her Cybertruck to pick up Ebbs at the Tom Bradley International Terminal in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Check out photos and video, obtained by TMZ ... JoJo is all smiles as she greets Ebbs with a nice big hug before stepping back and staring into each other's eyes.

American Airlines passengers had a foul flight Thursday ... when a fowl flew into a jet engine turbine and caused an emergency landing -- and, it was all caught on video.

Here's the deal ... Flight 1722 took off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City Thursday -- when a bird almost immediately flew headlong into the turbine, causing a minor fireball to appear on the side of the plane.

Watch the clip ... the bird hurtles toward the jet and smacks into the engine -- making a huge thumping noise and seemingly causing engine strain as the plane pitches slightly to the side.

Sam Asghari looks committed to Brooke Irvine ... 'cause she's posted several pics of the two together -- and, they're looking loved up on vacay!

The realtor -- who is private on Instagram -- has posted a few photos of the two on vacation in recent days ... including one yesterday where Brooke, clad in baby blue workout gear leaped onto Sam's shirtless chest on a beautiful sandy beach.

Britney Spears' ex-hubby and Brooke are nose to nose in the pics ... and, though not locking lips, the two look ready to finish off their picturesque embrace with a smooch.

5:52 PM PT -- Tyler Perry has broken his silence over the death of Steve Mensch ... expressing his deep admiration and respect for his friend ... while noting how hard this time of year is for him with devastating losses.

"This time of year, grief meets me like an unwanted visitor, as tomorrow marks 15 years since the loss of my mother. It feels especially harder because I have lost so many friends and mentors this year, ranging in age from as young as 40 to 92. And today, yet another loss.

I’ve been trying to understand this tragedy all day—what went wrong with that plane. Steve loved flying, and he loved that plane; he took so much pride in it. I’m praying for his family as we all try to make sense of this heartbreak.

Life is but a moment; we are like vapors. Hold strong to the people you love AND TELL THEM!"

9:03 AM PT -- Tyler Perry Studios Studios has released an official statement on Steve Mensch's death.

“Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than 8 years, and well beloved in the community of Atlanta. It is hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our heart goes out to his family as we all send them our prayers.”

Steve Mensch, the president and manager of general operations at Tyler Perry Studios, was killed in a single-seater plane crash in Florida on Friday night, a source close to the studios told TMZ.

3:22 PM PT -- According to CNN ... an NYPD spokesperson says a backpack found in Central Park is being investigated as possibly belonging to the suspect wanted for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

As TMZ reported yesterday, the backpack appears to be an Everyday Backpack from Peak Design ... a bag meant for serious photographers but designed for casual use as well.

The manhunt for the suspect who fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan is expanding beyond New York City ... because cops think he fled the Big Apple.

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tish told CNN that NYPD investigators have reason to believe the suspect is no longer in town.

As we reported ... police believe the gunman arrived in NYC last month on a bus from Atlanta and shacked up in a hostel, using a fake ID to check in, before Wednesday's shooting outside a Manhattan hotel.