A US airport made a ‘confusing’ name change. Here’s how it’s going

In travel news: Hurricane Helene, a true Gulf of Mexico monster, disrupted air traffic and travel plans in the Southeast and beyond late this week while a different kind of storm has been slowing brewing in San Francisco Bay. Also: Flight attendants’ etiquette tips and the wonderful world of waffles.

In May, California’s “Metropolitan Oakland International” changed its name to “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” – despite the fact that San Francisco International Airport is just 30 miles (48 kilometers) away. There’s been rancor ever since.

The Port of Oakland said the rebrand’s goal is to remind tourists that Oakland is an access point for visiting the Bay Area, but some people seem to have found themselves more confused than helped.

Some travelers have shown up at the wrong airport, according to San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu. Meanwhile, San Francisco has filed a trademark lawsuit against its neighbor, saying that the new Oakland airport name was part of a plan to “intentionally and knowingly capitalize off of confusion.”

In addition, San Francisco is asking for an injunction and for Oakland to pay its legal fees. The Port of Oakland has rebuffed the motion. Its attorney, Mary Richardson, accused Chiu’s office of “tactics rooted in publicity and anti-competitive bullying.”

Whichever way the lawsuit goes, consider it a useful reminder to always triple-check the airport name and location before your flight, lest you end up in Bucharest when you meant to fly to Budapest.