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PASSENGERS travelling between the UK and Ireland will see a major change to passport requirements from tomorrow.

A popular airline is switching up its identification process for anyone flying between the two states.

From Wednesday, February 25, Aer Lingus will join Ryanair in requiring all passengers travelling between the UK and Ireland to carry their passports.

The Irish airline previously accepted alternative identification documents for these routes, such as driving licences or Irish Garda age cards.

Despite the Common Travel Area agreement between the UK and Ireland, a new rule change will require all passengers travelling between the two states to carry either a passport or passport card.

In a statement issued by Aer Lingus’s spokesperson, the airline said the new measures “will ensure consistency across our network and further improve our operational performance for our customers”.

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They added: “Aer Lingus is updating its travel document requirements for flights between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, effective from 25th February 2026.

“All customers (including Irish or British nationals) travelling on Aer Lingus and Aer Lingus Regional services between the Republic of Ireland and the UK will now require a valid passport or Irish passport card.

“The other forms of photo ID (driver’s licence, etc.) previously accepted will no longer be valid for travel.”

Flights between Belfast and the UK are exempt from this latest update.

British Airways, which is the sister airline of Aer Lingus, will continue to allow passengers to travel without passports on flights from London City and Heathrow to Dublin.

The airline said: “You do not need a passport to travel between these destinations, known as the Common Travel Area (CTA), but you do require recognised photographic identification that proves your identity and nationality.”

Ferry companies sailing between Ireland and England and Wales will continue to accept alternative forms of identification.

There are no checks between the Republic and the North of Ireland.

Aer Lingus has launched dedicated phone lines for passengers who do not have a passport but need to fly between Ireland and the UK before they can obtain one.

A MAJOR airline has axed over a hundred flights from London Heathrow and Gatwick.

Qatar Airways has made big changes to its spring schedule and has cancelled 131 upcoming flights from its rota.

Qatar Airways flies from both London Heathrow and Gatwick with direct services to Qatar’s capital, Doha.

Between the months of April and June 2026, there had been 951 departures from the two London airports to Doha.

But according to the new schedule, it now has just 818 outbound flights, which is a reduction of 133 flights across the three months.

SimpleFlying found that on week starting May 1, 2026, Qatar Airways has planned for 59 weekly departures rather than 70.

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During that week at Gatwick, there will be 11 weekly departures, which is reduced from the previous double daily service at 22 flights.

That same route will continue to have 11 weekly flights throughout September.

At the same time in London Heathrow, Qatar Airways will provide 48 flights rather than 59 – a loss of 11 services.

SimplyFlying added that it’s “believed that it’ll hand slots back to British Airways”.

Qatar Airways and British Airways are part of the Oneworld alliance, meaning BA effectively serves Doha on the carrier’s behalf.

Currently, there are no changes planned to BA’s flight offering.

The route between London and the capital of Qatar takes on average six hours and 45 minutes.

Other changes Qatar Airways has made changes to its upcoming schedule. include suspending flights to Aleppo.

It will also reduce services to other destinations like Peshawar, San Francisco, Sialkot and Venice.

Qatar Airways also plans fewer London services from July to October – but this is a decrease of only two per cent.

Sun Travel has gone to Qatar Airways for comment.

For more on Qatar Airways, here’s what one Sun Travel writer made of the airline when she flew with them in business class.

The airline was even named the best for the ninth time in the Skytrax Awards last year.

Just in time for the February half-term and to prevent the stress of travel, Wizz Air is offering a new nifty bag drop of hack for UK holidaymakers who have early morning flights

Ahead of a busy travel period, Wizz Air has introduced a new check-in procedure that allows UK travellers to drop their bags off at the airport the day before they fly.

Airports are expected to be busier than usual as hundreds of families jet off abroad during the February half-term for a sun-soaked getaway, while other travellers seek a winter escape amid the chilly British weather. In a bid to help Brits have a smooth start to their holiday, Wizz Air has introduced a twilight check-in option.

Available from today (Monday, 16 February), the new service allows passengers to check in and drop their luggage off at London Luton Airport the night before they fly. It will be available seven days a week, between 9pm and 2am, for travellers departing on a flight scheduled up to 9am the following morning.

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Wizz Air is the third airline to offer twilight check-in at Luton Airport, following EasyJet and Jet2, who introduced the option to their passengers last year. It comes at the perfect time amid the February half-term, as Luton Airport alone is predicted to handle a whopping 325,000 passengers during the week. (It’s worth noting that TUI also offers the service although not from Luton, but other airports including Gatwick).

Following Valentine’s weekend, Amsterdam, Bologna and Paris are thought to have been Luton Airport’s most popular destinations for couples jetting off for a romantic escape. Meanwhile, Berlin, Budapest, Lisbon, Prague and Seville are among the favourite destinations for a half-term city break, offering warmer climates and charming streets to explore.

For UK travellers looking for a sun-soaked getaway, Palma de Mallorca, Murcia and Malaga are ranked as Luton’s most favourable destinations. While Lanzarote, Madeira and Turkish hotspots Antalya and Dalaman have also proven popular among those looking for a winter sun escape with blistering rays.

To keep up with demand, Wizz Air is set to launch new routes from Luton to Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, Valencia and Seville from March 29. Meanwhile, Jet2 will launch five new routes to Corfu, Kos, Preveza, Skiathos and Menorca, from May 21.

Clare Armstrong, Head of Guest Experience at London Luton Airport, commented: “February half term provides the perfect opportunity to take a well-earned break and to escape the notorious British weather that we typically see this time of year. As ever, our teams will be working hard to deliver a simple and friendly passenger experience to all those travelling from the airport, from Valentine’s couples heading off for a romantic getaway, to families searching for sunshine and solo travellers exploring new regions.

“The launch of another twilight check-in service will mean even more passengers can get their travels off to the swiftest and simplest start and follows another hugely exciting year for LLA, with continued investment in passenger facilities, new shops and restaurants and record customer satisfaction scores achieved. We are all set for another busy and exciting week, and we’re thrilled to see so many passengers choosing LLA as the starting point for their travels.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

One airline has launched an incredible family deal that will see children aged up to 11 fly free to a European hotspot this summer. Make sure you don’t miss out on the offer

Plenty of us are daydreaming about a family summer holiday after the miserable conditions we’ve been battling lately, and if you’re itching to whisk the kids off for a European coastal adventure, you’ll want to listen up as one airline has launched an absolutely brilliant offer on flights.

Aegean Airlines is currently running a superb travel promotion for families, allowing youngsters to jet off to a European destination without paying a penny. The news was shared on Instagram by baby travel guru Diana, who posts under the handle @babylifewithdiana. She shared a reel with her 79,800 followers, showcasing clips from a gloriously sunny family holiday.

Text across the screen read: “Every parent needs to know this!

“Kids fly for free in Greece in 2026.”

Expanding on this in the caption, she wrote: “Forget everything what you’re doing! Aegean Airlines has launched an amazing offer for families.

“Kids will travel free to Greece this summer.”

However, there are a few strings attached if you’re hoping to snap up this bargain.

Bookings need to be made by February 19th, 2026 and you’ll need to jet off between March 1st, 2026, and November 30th, 2026.

The offer is valid for youngsters up to 11-years-old.

Through this promotion, children and babies fly at no cost, whilst other family members bag up to 30% off their tickets.

The Aegean Airlines offer is valid across all direct and connecting flights to and from any international or Greek destination. The announcement sparked excitement amongst users, racking up more than 3,000 likes.

One person enthused: “What a deal,” whilst another added: “On our bucket list.”

Which Greek destination works best for families with kids?

Greece makes for a brilliant family getaway suitable for youngsters of every age – offering gorgeous beaches, safe bathing spots, engaging pursuits, cultural experiences, and delicious food all wrapped up in glorious sunshine. Here are some top picks for a family-friendly Greek escape:.

Crete

• Greece’s biggest island boasting golden sandy shores and tranquil shallow waters ideal for youngsters.
• Plenty of family-oriented activities: boat excursions, water parks, gentle walks, and historic attractions like Knossos.
• Accommodation and hotels frequently feature kids’ clubs, splash pools, and family suites.
• Perfect if you’re after diversity and an extended break with abundant exploration opportunities.

Corfu

• Renowned for gentle, secure beaches with shallow waters, Corfu is perfect for tiny tots.
• Family highlights include Aqualand Waterpark offering slides suitable for all age groups.
• Picturesque towns, seafood tavernas, and convenient transport links make getting about straightforward.
• Ideal for families seeking both seaside entertainment and cultural landmarks.

Rhodes

• Blends medieval settlements and kid-friendly beaches like Faliraki with ample room for play.
• Pursuits in Rhodes include wildlife farm visits, aquariums, and straightforward day-trips across the island.
• Excellent if your children enjoy combining history with coastal adventures.
• Naxos Long sandy beaches with shallow water near towns like Naxos Town (very walkable).
• Less crowded than some islands but still plenty of tavernas and activities.
• Perfect for a relaxed holiday, especially with younger children.

Zante

• Beautiful sandy shores in places like Tsilivi and Alykanas with shallow water.
• Chance to see loggerhead sea turtles in the National Marine Park – exciting for kids.
• Great if your family enjoys nature and wildlife.

A MAJOR European airline has introduced strict new luggage rules, with huge fines for rulebreakers.

Spanish airline Iberia is cracking down on passengers who travel with non-standard shaped luggage.

This can mean any bulky or irregular shaped items, which can also include soft luggage if it doesn’t fit the usual shape.

The new rules were rolled out last month since January 28.

The website states: “Starting today, January 28, an extra charge may apply for checking in irregularly shaped baggage.

“Irregularly shaped baggage is defined as any item whose shape, material, or dimensions may interfere with the airport’s automated systems (for example: soft bags, plastic packages, round or oval bags, or non-rigid packaging).”

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The airline warns that the bag will be assessed at the special baggage check in counter.

The maximum fine is £125, for anyone on a connecting long-haul flight to America or Asia.

Brits are more likely to be fined around £55 for a flight from the UK to Europe.

Passengers could even have the bag refused if it is said to fail any “operational or security reasons”.

Or, it might have to travel on a later flight in “exceptional cases”.

The Sun has contacted Iberia for additional comment.

Last year, Ryanair changed its hand luggage for the better.

The airline increased the size of the free bags that can be taken into the cabin from 40cmx20cmx25cm to 40cmx30cmx20cm.

This means the overall capacity increased from 20 litres to 24 litres.

Here are some other hand luggage rules to be aware of.

We’ve rounded up some of the best suitcases to buy ahead of your summer holiday.

And here are our best underseat cabin bags.

Analysis of Civial Aviation Authority data by the Mirror has found the UK operating airline that had the most complaints made by passengers during the most recent recorded period

The most complained-about airline in the UK is not Ryanair or easyJet.

While flying, at its best, can feel like a modern-day miracle, transporting us across the world in a handful of hours in a way our forebears could only have dreamed of, it can also be deeply frustrating and annoying.

Whether it’s waking up at the crack of dawn for an early flight, getting stuck in an hours-long boarding queue for a service that promised to leave long before, spending a small fortune in the airport, or suffering from small-airline-seat-cramp, there is plenty to gripe about.

And gripe we have.

The most recent figures from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority show that over 43,000 complaints were made about airlines operating in the UK from mid-2024 to March 2025. The list of things one could complain about is endless, but the most common are disruptions, denied boarding, lost or damaged baggage, and lack of assistance for disabled passengers.

Have you had a complaint-worthy flight? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

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Particularly given the rough few months aviation has had. The first five months of 2025 were marred by tens of thousands of delays and cancellations, EuroNews reports. Dutch carrier KLM scrapped the most flights during that period, with 2,760 grounded, followed by British Airways (1,763) and Germany’s Lufthansa (1,757), according to FlightRight.

The highest rate of flights scrapped in those five months was on Finnair, with 3.35% of its flights grounded out of a total of over 43,000 trips.

Whatever the reason for a passenger’s gripe, so long as a flight took off or landed in the UK, they have the right to register a complaint with the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Analysis of the latest data from the Authority shows that Wizz Air had the highest number of complaints per million passengers flown, beating Ryanair to the bottom spot. In fact, the Hungarian airline romped home with the prize.

It received 10,548 customer complaints from mid-2024 to March 2025, or 918 complaints per one million passengers. That means for every customer who flew, just under 1,000 registered a complaint during that period.

In Wizz Air’s favour is the relatively low ‘complaint upheld’ rate during that time, at 47%. It paid out £1,482,183 as a consequence, or £651 per customer on average.

Contrastingly, British Airways had a far lower complaints rate (192/one million customers), but 83% were upheld. BA paid out £6,238,378 in total, or £837 per customer.

In what may be a surprise to some, Ryanair did not receive the most complaints. Its complaints-per-million-customers rate was 188, with a low complaints upheld rate of 28% and an average award of £694.

The most complained-about airlines

(UK operating airline: complaints per million customers; complaints upheld; average award)

1. Wizz Air: 918, 47%, £651
2. Air France: 301, 43%, £828
3. Turkish Airlines: 265, 51%, £718
4. Egypt Air: 234, 19%, £630
5. TUI: 223, 20%, £722
6. Air Baltic: 221, 52%, £617
7. BA: 192, 83%, £837
8. Ryanair: 188, 28%, £694
9. Air Portugal: 171, 37%, £662
10. EasyJet: 147, 18%, £630

NOT all airlines are created equally. Which ones are worth splashing your hard earned cash on? That depends where you’re heading.

Last year Air Canada was named the best airline in North America by Skytrax, pipping mega rivals like Delta, United and JetBlue to the post.

Referred to by aviation geeks as ‘The Oscars of travel’, a Skytrax award is certainly an accolade to boast about.

And this carrier has several under its belt for 2025, including Best Cabin Crew in Canada & North America and Best Business Class Lounge Dining in not just this region but the entire world.

This is something I can attest to. 

The airline only has two of these luxury Signature Suite lounges: one in Vancouver and one in Toronto, which took home the golden title. 

While I haven’t dined in the award-winning Toronto lounge, I have been to its sister lounge – and my word, I ate (and drank) very well indeed.

So well, in fact, that I turned down my evening meal on the nine-hour flight home, even in business class where dinners are served with miniature dressings for your side salad, followed by fancy cheese platters.

I was still too full from my lobster tortellini, which had been so elegantly decorated with dill fronds and droplets of orange oil that it looked like it had been plated in a Michelin-star kitchen as opposed to a clinical airport.

The airline lounge’s head chef, David Hawksworth, certainly knows his game.

I washed dinner back with a Smoking Daisy, a deep purple cocktail made with mezcal, lime and hibiscus. And then another – this time a West Coast Trail, made with honeyed whisky, mezcal and rosemary – all while soaking up views of aircraft taxi’ing across the tarmac.

Generally speaking, you have to be travelling in business class to enjoy this luxurious lounge.

So, how does the on board experience compare?

The Signature Class seats may not have taken home a trophy at the travel Oscars – Best Business Class Seat went to Qatar Airways – but they do elevate the overall experience.

I’m very lucky to be able to say I’ve flown in business class with several airlines, including the aforementioned Qatar Airways.

And while Air Canada’s pods don’t have sliding doors for privacy, like some others, they do still feel cosy and comfortable.

Ample space was the first thing that stood out to me.

I’m above average height for a female Brit, at 5’7, and I still couldn’t reach the footstool with my tippy toes unless adjusting the seat into a more relaxed position. Big tick for leg room. 

There’s plenty of storage too, and charging ports in convenient places, as with most airlines.

Not every airline has massage tools integrated into the chair, though, and this is a big plus for Air Canada, in my opinion. 

When you’re stuck on a long haul journey, massage features offer light respite and the slow and gentle pressure on my lumbar spine was an extra touch I didn’t know I needed. 

The ultra-plump pillow helps with comfort, too.

If I were to be really analytical, Air Canada’s pillow is definitely larger and softer than others, offering a decent amount of support. Another big tick.

So what about the amenity kits?

Some travellers believe that this is the best part of flying in a fancier cabin class and those of that opinion won’t be disappointed with the Signature Class pod.

Kits come with luxury Acqua di Parma toiletries, including a heavily-scented hand cream and lip balm, plus the usual eyemask, ear plugs and tooth brush.

The food was of a good standard too. On my flight from London, I tucked into well-seasoned prawns, with a lemon wedge for drizzling, followed by fish with a wonderfully-crispy skin (don’t ask me how they manage that in a microwave-style oven at 38,000 ft!).

The star of the show was the Biscoff tart, though. Caramel-like and deliciously gooey.

I had an easy time kicking back and relaxing post meal.

Despite being a bit of a fusspot when it comes to plane TV, I was pleasantly surprised by the great and varied selection of genres, shows and blockbuster movies.

I fell asleep watching a Christmas classic on a rather comfy flat bed.

It may not have been the widest of business class seats, but the padded seat cover (that acts as a slim sort of mattress) was foamier than others and came with an elasticated edge, meaning it stayed securely on my seat, rather than move around each time you roll over. One final big tick.

So, what really makes Air Canada sing?

It’s lounges, for sure. I’m still dreaming of that lobster pasta.

A MAJOR airline has confirmed it is axing all long-haul flights from a UK airport – starting next month.

The airline will cancel its long-haul transatlantic routes to the US and the Caribbeans.

Aer Lingus will stop flying from Manchester to New York JFK from February 23.

The operator will then cease its flights to Orlando and Barbados from March 31.

In order to re-accommodate impacted passengers who were scheduled to travel to the Caribbean island from Manchester, the airline will run a service from Dublin to Barbados in April and May.

The affected customers have already been contacted and given options for a refund or rebooking.

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The airline said that the developments will not affect Aer Lingus or Aer Lingus Regional services between Ireland and Manchester.

A spokesperson told The Sun:

An airline spokesperson told The Sun: “Aer Lingus informed staff and their representatives at its Manchester base today that the airline’s Manchester transatlantic operations will fully cease as of and from 31st March 2026.

“Manchester-New York operations will cease from 23rd February 2026 and Aer Lingus plans to operate a service from Dublin to Barbados (subject to receipt of necessary approvals) during the months of April and May to reaccommodate affected customers.

“There is no impact to Aer Lingus or Aer Lingus Regional (Emerald Airlines) flights between Manchester and Ireland. Customers are being informed directly of the cancellation of flights and provided with reaccommodation and refund options.

“Aer Lingus will continue to engage with staff representative groups to discuss the phased reduction in operations, redeployment opportunities and the terms of a severance package at the Manchester Base.

“Aer Lingus acknowledges that this is a very difficult time for colleagues based in Manchester and will seek to ensure that colleagues are kept informed and supported as discussions evolve during the next phase of the consultation.”

In the past, the airline has said that its long-haul routes from Manchester had an operating margin that “significantly lags behind” that of Ireland.

About 200 employees at the base, which Aer Lingus launched in 2021, could be impacted if the closure goes ahead.