Author: Lee Fletcher
British Airways has expanded its codeshare partnership with Bangkok Airways, offering UK travellers more travel options to the vibrant destinations of Southeast Asia. The extended agreement allows British Airways customers to book a single ticket from London to five popular locations in Thailand and Cambodia, including Koh Samui, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. The existing partnership agreement offers codeshare travel between Singapore and Koh Samui for British Airways customers. Beginning October 28, 2024, British Airways will resume its direct flights from London Gatwick to Bangkok, initially operating three times per week. The service will increase to up to five flights per…
As the cost of foreign holidays continues to soar, two-thirds of Brits (66 percent) are opting for UK getaways this summer, according to new research by TransPennine Express (TPE). The study reveals that a quarter of Brits surveyed (25 percent) have decided against traveling abroad due to increased costs. Over a third (35 percent) report that flights to popular destinations have become prohibitively expensive, with one in five (20 percent) having difficulty affording an overseas holiday for the first time. Millions of Brits are now choosing UK breaks. Over two-thirds (69 percent) plan to holiday within the UK this summer,…
In a bid to make family vacations more affordable, Jet2holidays, the UK’s largest tour operator, has announced the addition of Free Child Place holidays on every flight for Summer 2025. With these new additions, Jet2holidays now offers millions of Free Child Place holidays for both this summer and next. These deals are available across all Jet2.com and Jet2holidays’ UK airports, including the new base at Bournemouth Airport, launching in February 2025. To accommodate rising demand, the tour operator has over 18.2 million seats available for Summer 2025, covering destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands. This is the…
Ireland-based low-cost airline Ryanair has announced another ‘Approved OTA Aggregator’ partnership with Travelfusion, claimed to be the world’s largest flight aggregator, which is now authorised to offer Ryanair’s low fare flights to its network of OTA partners providing full price transparency. This new deal is claimed to ensure that customers that book Ryanair flights through Travelfusion OTA partners can access their bookings in their myRyanair account, without needing to complete Ryanair’s customer verification (which unauthorised OTA customers must continue to do) and will receive essential flight updates directly. The company says that this is great news for Travelfusion’s OTA partners…
Hilton has announced the signing of Hampton by Hilton London Heathrow Bath Road, marking the brand’s first presence at Europe’s busiest airport. Strategically situated near the M4 motorway, the hotel offers access to Heathrow Airport Terminals 2 and 3, just a 7-minute drive away. Guests can also reach Central London in approximately 30 minutes via the Elizabeth Line, making it an ideal location for both leisure and business travellers. The new hotel, developed in partnership with Acre Hotels Ltd, a subsidiary of the Westcombe Group, will add to Hilton’s extensive portfolio in the area. The 157-room property will feature Hampton…
Cornwall Airport Newquay has announced the launch of Aurigny’s new summer route from Guernsey, marking a fresh connection for the 2024 season. This new weekly service during the summer holidays offers a direct and picturesque link between Guernsey and Cornwall, enhancing travel convenience and fostering tourism between the Channel Islands and Cornwall. Guernsey is one of the five small islands that make up The Channel Islands. Guernsey is known for its picturesque landscapes, including beautiful beaches and coastal cliffs. The capital, St. Peter Port, is a historic harbour town with a charming blend of old and new architecture. The island…
Cornwall Airport Newquay has announced an expanded summer flight schedule, highlighting the airport’s rapid growth. Following a record-breaking winter in 2023, Cornwall Airport Newquay is now offering more travel options. The number of airlines at the airport has nearly doubled since pre-pandemic times, increasing from six to 10, providing a wider range of destinations for travellers. Cornwall Airport Newquay offers year-round services through carriers such as Loganair, Aer Lingus, Eastern Airways, and Ryanair. Seasonal carriers like SAS and Aurigny further expand the airport’s offerings during the summer peak, catering to increased traveller demand. Notably, Cornwall Airport Newquay is the only…
Tour operator TUI has announced the launch of its winter 2025 holiday season. Customers can now book holidays up until Easter 2026, providing more flexibility to plan and spread the cost of their trips. The company claims that this season will feature the largest number of free children’s places ever offered. TUI is also expanding its regional flight options with the introduction of a new fortnightly service from Cardiff to Cancun. Flights are scheduled for March 23, 2026 and April 6, 2026, catering to those seeking a long-haul Easter holiday. Additionally, to complement its Marella Cruises itineraries, TUI has added…
TransPennine Express (TPE) is set to run up to three extra services daily for festivalgoers returning from this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. From Saturday, August 3 until Friday, August 30, the train operator will provide additional services alongside its usual timetable, supporting those attending various shows, including live music, comedy, and dance. On weekdays, special TPE services will depart from Edinburgh Waverley at 9:56 pm to Glasgow Central, stopping at Haymarket. Another service will leave Edinburgh Waverley at 11:00 pm, making stops at East Linton, Dunbar, Reston, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth, and Morpeth, before arriving in Newcastle at 12:59 am. Additionally, a…
Virgin Atlantic has announced that it is terminating its only route to mainland China at the end of the summer 2024 season, citing ‘significant challenges and complexities’ due to being unable to overfly Russia. The final Virgin Atlantic flight from London Heathrow Airport to Shanghai Pudong International Airport will depart on Oct. 25, retuning the following day. Virgin currently operates the 4,987-nm route daily, operating a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said, ‘after careful consideration, we’ve taken the difficult decision to suspend our London Heathrow to Shanghai services, after proudly serving this Asian hub city since 1999. Our…