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THE UK regional airline Eastern Airways has officially gone into administration.

Last week, the regional airline made 330 staff redundant after the airline filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator on October 27.

Having launched in 1997, Eastern Airways was one of the UK’s remaining regional airlines, with services across England and Scotland and in the past, even offered flights to Europe.

Jamie Miller, partner at RSM UK and joint administrator, said: “It is extremely sad that such a long established and historically successful independent airline, one of the few remaining in the UK, has had to enter administration.

“The unexpected and sudden termination of Eastern’s KLM contract, along with other economic factors, unfortunately left the directors with no choice but to appoint administrators.”

RSM explained that Eastern Airways was operating four aircraft for KLM Cityhopper in Europe.

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However, when the contract was terminated it meant that Eastern experienced “high fixed overheads and a staff base that has ultimately proved too high to be sustainable”.

Miller added: “At its peak, Eastern was an award-winning airline providing 200 flights per day.

“Its passengers included Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal Family, as well as Prime Ministers, Premier League Football Clubs and Formula 1 Teams and management.

“They also provided valuable services on public service obligation (PSO) routes and supported energy critical services to the oil and gas sector.”

Regional routes across the UK included Wick and Aberdeen in Scotland, and then Humberside, Teesside International, London Gatwick and Newquay.

But the airline also used to fly to Gibraltar and Paris Orly in France.

Miller said: “We would welcome any interest from potential alternative operators, or those who may have an interest in the underlying assets.”

For the 12 months to March 2024, Eastern Airways reported a net loss of £19.7million, which was £4.8million higher than 2023.

This meant that the company’s total debt rose to £25.97million.

At the time of the announcement, Selina Chadha, consumer & markets director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Eastern Airways flights are cancelled.

“Eastern Airways customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website for the latest information.”

Eastern Airways isn’t the only airline that went bust this year.

In September, Play Airlines announced that it would be ceasing operations with all flights cancelled.

The airline flew to a number of different European destinations including London Stansted, Amsterdam, Paris and Faro.

And last year, Spirit Airlines – a US low-cost carrier – also filed for bankruptcy.

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In other air travel news, a major airline with bunk beds onboard reveals plans to relaunch UK flights for the first time in five years.

Plus, airlines are now banning Bluetooth earbuds from going in checked luggage.

Airports in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago along with hubs across the U.S. are among the 40 that will see flights cut starting Friday due to the government shutdown, according to a list distributed to the airlines and obtained by The Associated Press.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that it would reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the ongoing government shutdown.

The airports impacted cover the busiest across the U.S. — including Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Orlando, Miami, and San Francisco. In some of the biggest cities — such as New York, Houston and Chicago — multiple airports will be affected.

The FAA is imposing the flight reductions to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who are working without pay during the government shutdown and have been increasingly calling off work.

Controllers already have missed one paycheck and are scheduled to again receive nothing next week as as the shutdown drags on and the financial pressure on them mounts.

The FAA has already been delaying flights at times when airports or its other facilities are short on controllers.

Airlines said they would try to minimize the impact on travelers. United Airlines said it would focus the cuts on smaller regional routes that use smaller planes like 737s.

Passengers should start to be notified about cancellations Thursday. The AAA recommended that travelers download their airline’s app and turn on notifications. United Airlines and Delta Air Lines both said they will offer refunds to passengers who opt not to fly — even if they purchased tickets that aren’t normally refundable.

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. The cuts could represent as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, according to an estimate by aviation analytics firm Cirium.

“I’m not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures,” Bedford said Wednesday. “We’re in new territory in terms of government shutdowns.”

Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1. Most work mandatory overtime six days a week, leaving little time for side jobs to help cover bills and other expenses unless they call out.

Mounting staffing pressures are forcing the agency to act, Bedford said.

“We can’t ignore it,” he said, adding that even if the shutdown ends before Friday, the FAA wouldn’t automatically resume normal operations until staffing improves and stabilizes.

Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Wednesday that they would meet with airline executives to figure out how to safely implement the reductions.

Major airlines, aviation unions and the broader travel industry have been urging Congress to end the shutdown, which on Wednesday became the longest on record.

The shutdown is putting unnecessary strain on the system and “forcing difficult operational decisions that disrupt travel and damage confidence in the U.S. air travel experience,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman in a statement.

Duffy warned on Tuesday that there could be chaos in the skies if the shutdown drags on long enough for air traffic controllers to miss their second full paycheck next week.

Duffy said some controllers can get by missing one paycheck, but not two or more. And he has said some controllers are even struggling to pay for transportation to work.

Staffing can run short both in regional control centers that manage multiple airports and in individual airport towers, but they don’t always lead to flight disruptions. Throughout October, flight delays caused by staffing problems had been largely isolated and temporary.

But the past weekend brought some of the worst staffing issues since the start of the shutdown.

From Friday to Sunday evening, at least 39 air traffic control facilities reported potential staffing limits, according to an Associated Press analysis of operations plans shared through the Air Traffic Control System Command Center system. The figure, which is likely an undercount, is well above the average for weekends before the shutdown.

During weekends from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, the average number of airport towers, regional control centers and facilities monitoring traffic at higher altitudes that announced potential staffing issues was 8.3, according to the AP analysis. But during the five weekend periods since the shutdown began, the average more than tripled to 26.2 facilities.

Funk and Yamat write for the Associated Press. AP journalist Christopher L. Keller in Albuquerque, N.M., contributed to this report.

A MAJOR airline has revealed plans to restart UK flights – and you might just get the best sleep onboard.

Air New Zealand last had flights between the UK and New Zealand back in 2020.

However the route – which went via Los Angeles – was axed during Covid.

The London-Auckland route first launched in 1982, and was the first commercial airline to welcome a royal when the Queen broke with tradition in 1995 to travel onboard.

And now the airline’s new CEO has revealed future plans to start up again, alongside a number of routes in India.

Nikhil Ravishankar told local outlet Stuff: “Places we would go tomorrow if we could, and we want to get there as quickly as we can, would be London [and India] – those are places that we know New Zealanders are interested in being connected to.

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“I think all three of those are equally important for us, but India and London are top of the list.

“There are a lot of reasons why New Zealand should be connected to the United Kingdom – it’s a very, very important, almost a cultural highway for us, and so we need to get that route up and running.”

It isn’t clear when this could restart, or where the airline will connect via.

Due to the long nature of the flight – often taking around 24 hours – connections are often in destinations such as Singapore or Hong Kong.

If it does restart, its good news for passengers as Air New Zealand is the only airline in the world set to have bunk beds onboard.

Launching in early 2026, the Skynest will include six bunk bed sleep pods that both economy and premium economy passengers will be able to book.

Each bed can be booked for a four hour slot, and will have new pillows, sheets and blankets per passengers, as well as earplugs, charging points and a personal light.

A curtain will be able to be closed to offer some extra privacy.

They were initially set to launch in 2024 on flights from New York to New Zealand but have since been delayed.

While prices are yet to be confirmed, it was previously suggested that the four hour sessions could be between NZ$400-$600 (£173-£260).

However, you can only book one slot per flight – so make the most of the four hours.

Otherwise there is also the Skycouch, where you can turn a row of three sets into a lie flat bed.

Rather than pay for three seats, passengers can buy two seats and then upgrade to the Skycouch, with then includes the third seat.

Passengers don’t need to buy three seats – instead, you pay for two seats and then upgrade to the Skycouch which automatically includes the third seat.

Prices start from £104 each way.

In the mean time, Brits can fly to New Zealand with other airlines such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific.

Flights include stopovers in Dubai, Singapore, Doha and Hong Kong, respectively.

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Another airline has revealed plans for non-stop 20-hour flights to London.

And here is the regional UK airport that has revealed plans for long-haul flights.

THE world’s best airlines have been revealed and one that’s decades old scooped up three awards.

It’s possible you’ve flown on it too, as it offers flights from London Heathrow, London City, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Manchester.

Lufthansa has been crowned Europe‘s Leading Airline for the second consecutive year at the World Travel Awards.

It also scooped up awards for Europe’s Leading Airline – Economy Class 2025 and World Leading Airline Brand 2025.

The airline is no stranger to the awards having won 13 times since the awards began in 1993 – and it had a six-year winning streak between 2011 and 2016.

World Travel Awards are determined by votes from industry professionals, media, and travel consumers around the world.

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Lufthansa first began operating in 1953 and is the largest airline in Germany, and the second-largest in Europe.

Flights from the UK to Frankfurt with Lufthansa take an hour and a half.

Lufthansa recently upgraded its premium economy.

The premium economy seats, which look more like business class seats, were rolled out on some of Lufthansa’s aircraft in 2024.

The new seats have a three-point seatbelt, a cocktail table for drinks, and an armrest where phones can be charged wirelessly.

But the best feature is how passengers can recline the seat without disturbing the people in the row behind.

Unlike seats on other airlines, the hard shell surrounding the new premium economy seats on Lufthansa flights doesn’t move.

Inside the hard shell cube, the seats can recline freely with the touch of a button, so it’s a win-win for all passengers.

Passengers in premium economy are also given neck pillows and blankets.

Other added perks include USB charging ports, noise-cancelling headphones and a large entertainment screen with Bluetooth.

Another airline that scooped up a big award this year was Qatar Airways which was named the world’s best airline the 2025 Skytrax awards.

Not only that, but it was also named the Best Airlines in the Middle East – and having the best business class in the world.

Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey, tried out the airline’s Qsuite describing it as a ‘hotel in the sky’ – you can read more about her experience in the suite here.

Meanwhile, Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski, tried out Qatar‘s economy seats.

She said: “Economy seats in Qatar Airways’ newer aircrafts feel much roomier than those on other airlines I’ve travelled with.

“The design is sleek and stylish and there are conveniently-placed USB ports for charging your devices, but that’s not what makes the carrier standout. For me, the highlight of flying Qatar Airways is the service.

“As with most Middle Eastern airlines, customer care is a step above the rest. Staff are diligent and eager to please, ensuring that you’re well looked after and refreshed throughout the journey. All in all it makes for a more comfortable experience.”

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Check out another of Europe’s best airlines which scooped up an award from Skytrax.

Plus, one of the world’s best airlines has introduced strict new cabin rules.

ONE low-cost airline that flies from the UK will be testing out a new seating option – to block the middle seat.

Passengers willing to pay a little more for the perk will no longer have to squeeze next to someone on the aircraft.

Wizz Air is launching middle seat free options from December 2025 as part of a test.

Essentially the airline is targeting ‘low-cost’ business travellers who want extra space to work on a flight but don’t want to pay such a high premium.

The new system will allow travellers to ‘block’ the middle seat next to them from being booked.

The new initiative is called ‘Wizz Class’ and was unveiled by the airline at a media event on October 28.

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Unlike other airlines which have cabins dedicated to business class, there won’t be any reconfiguration for Wizz Class.

In fact, Wizz Class is likely only to be possible in the first front row of seats that has extra legroom.

The announcement also suggested that no other perks, like lounge access or meals, would be included.

Michael Delehant, Senior Chief Commercial and Operations Officer explained that the move comes off the back of requests from front-row passengers.

And the new idea has landed well with some customers, one person said: “Love it. Blocked middle seat is something that makes flying economy bearable. But this should extend to more than just the first row.”

Another added: “Blocking seats in the first row is nice. It compensates for the lack of storage space in front of the seating. It also gives you the opportunity to be first off on landing. I would pay extra for that.”

Wizz Class won’t be available on all flights, but will be rolled out on certain journeys from its hubs in Bucharest, Budapest, London, Rome, and Warsaw.

Another product Wizz Air is testing is lightweight onboard connectivity solutions called ‘Wizz Play’.

This is to appease the business traveller, but also other passengers as it hopes to provide a service so customers can use online messaging and streaming.

The airline is also launching a third wave of its ‘All You Can Fly‘ membership.

It’s making space for another 10,000 memberships across 34 countries.

The cost for signing up is €499 (£439.31) but the membership includes unlimited flights for 12 months across 950 routes and 53 countries.

Although there is a €9.99 (£8.80) booking fee each time.

It’s a popular scheme with frequent passengers saving hundreds on flights.

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Here’s more on Wizz Air’s newly relaunched ‘All You Can Fly’ membership.

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ALL flights bound for a quaint UK seaside town have been axed after a domestic airline filed for administration.

Eastern Airways, that serves different destinations in England and Scotland, has filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator as it stares down crippling debts of over £25million.

The news means that the carrier will no longer be flying to Wick, a popular Scottish coastal town.

Eastern Airways launched flights to the town’s airport with flights to Aberdeen in April 2022, after pausing during Covid.

But Wick John O’Groats Airport will receive its final flight on Sunday.

That means that from next week, the airport will no longer have any commercial flights.

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The local Highland Council is calling for a subsidized flight routes to continue to Wick from Aberdeen.

A spokesperson called the cancellation of Eastern Airways “deeply disappointing,” adding: “This makes the case not only for the continuation of the PSO air services to Wick but for the expansion of provision.”

Local businesses are set to be hit by the airline’s financial woes.

It comes after Wick High Street was given a £2millon boost to upgrade the main high street.

Eastern Airways launched back in 1997 and carries around 1.3million passengers each year.

The airline plays a key role in providing regional air travel across the UK, with current destinations including Wick and Aberdeen in Scotland, and then Humberside, Teeside International, London Gatwick and Newquay.

However, the airline has previously operated many other routes including to Gibraltar from Southampton and Birmingham.

Services to Gibraltar were launched back in 2021 but then axed just a year later.

And in March last year, the operator also cancelled its route between Cardiff to Paris Orly, France.

Only this year, did the airline also announce that it would be launching flights from Newquay in Cornwall, to London Southend Airport in Essex.

Currently, this route cannot be seen on the airline’s website.

Eastern Airways is also the number one provider of charter flights for sports teams in Europe – this includes Premier League and Championship football teams, Rugby Union teams and Super League teams.

For the 12 months to March 2024, Eastern Airways reported a net loss of £19.7million — £4.8million higher than the previous year.

The company’s total debt rose by £4.8million to £25.97million, while profit fell sharply to £454,000 from £1.55million the year before.

It isn’t the only airline that recently went bust this year.

Last month, Play Airlines announced that it would be ceasing operations with all flights being cancelled.

Play Airlines flew to a number of different European destinations likes London Stansted, Amsterdam, Paris and Faro.

And last year, Spirit Airlines – a US low-cost carrier – also filed for bankruptcy.

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Monarch Airlines ceased operations in 2017, which at the time was the UK’s largest ever to collapse.

Thomas Cook then shut down in 2019 – although the airline has since relaunched.

ANOTHER European airline is set to go into administration in days – impacting hundreds of thousands of passengers.

Eastern Airways, that serves different destinations in England and Scotland, has filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.

This means the company has 10 days to fix its problems before it officially goes bust.

However, all routes have now been suspended with all flights axed.

Selina Chadha, Consumer & Markets Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Eastern Airways flights are cancelled.

“Eastern Airways customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website for the latest information.” 

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Eastern Airways launched back in 1997 and carries around 1.3million passengers each year.

The airline plays a key role in providing regional air travel across the UK, with current destinations including Wick and Aberdeen in Scotland, and then Humberside, Teeside International, London Gatwick and Newquay.

However, the airline has previously operated many other routes including to Gibraltar from Southampton and Birmingham.

Services to Gibraltar were launched back in 2021 but then axed just a year later.

And in March last year, the operator also cancelled its route between Cardiff to Paris Orly, France.

Only this year, did the airline also announce that it would be launching flights from Newquay in Cornwall, to London Southend Airport in Essex.

Currently, this route cannot be seen on the airline’s website.

Eastern Airways is also the number one provider of charter flights for sports teams in Europe – this includes Premier League and Championship football teams, Rugby Union teams and Super League teams.

For the 12 months to March 2024, Eastern Airways reported a net loss of £19.7million — £4.8million higher than the previous year.

The company’s total debt rose by £4.8million to £25.97million, while profit fell sharply to £454,000 from £1.55million the year before.

The Sun has contacted Eastern Airways for comment.

It isn’t the only airline that recently went bust this year.

Last month, Play Airlines announced that it would be ceasing operations with all flights being cancelled.

Play Airlines flew to a number of different European destinations likes London Stansted, Amsterdam, Paris and Faro.

And last year, Spirit Airlines – a US low-cost carrier – also filed for bankruptcy.

Monarch Airlines ceased operations in 2017, which at the time was the UK’s largest ever to collapse.

Thomas Cook then shut down in 2019 – although the airline has since relaunched.

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A NEW airline has operated its first flight to London Heathrow.

On October 26, new airline Riyadh Air operated the flight to London Heathrow Airport.

This flight was the first of the airline’s daily launch flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow, which are being used to ensure they are ready to operate for the public.

Once it fully launches, the new airline will be based at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

Flights to London Heathrow will depart Riyadh at 3:15am and arrive in London at 7:30am.

The return flight will then depart London at 9:30am and arrive in Riyadh at 7:15pm.

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The new airline is hoping to fly to 100 destinations by 2030, as part of the Saudi Aviation Strategy and the National Tourism Strategy.

The airline stated: “Further exciting new routes are set to be announced in the coming weeks for winter 2025 and summer 2026.”

The airline’s CEO Tony Douglas said earlier this year: “We’re not going public with the full list until we’ve got all the slots.

“But Western Europe is essential.”

The aircraft used for the first flight, named ‘Jamila’, is a Boeing 787-9 technical spare aircraft and only employees and invited guests were on the flight.

The airline is still awaiting its first deliveries from Boeing, having ordered 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in February, with options to add another 33 in the future.

Also earlier this year, the airline revealed the interior of its business class suites.

Inside its ‘Business Elite’ cabins, passengers will find speakers built into the headrest of their chair, which can also be turned into a double bed.

The cabins will be arranged in a 1-2-1 layout on board the plane, with the airline saying that they will compare to those found in Emirates’ first class.

If you are in one of the middle two cabins, and know the person next to you, you can always change it into a double bed.

As for entertainment, passengers can watch films and series on a 31-inch screen – which is set to be the biggest in business class, on any airline.

Of course there will be multiple USB ports, power outlets and wireless charging pads as well for charging devices.

Cabins will also have sliding doors for privacy.

On the other hand, premium economy will be “more like business” class, but it won’t feature lie-flat seats.

In economy, passengers will then have 13.3 inch screens and USB-C charging ports.

The airline is expected to be super high tech as well, with the possibility of biometric scans instead of boarding passes.

However, passengers shouldn’t expect to get any alcohol onboard, as Saudi Arabia has strict laws on booze which mean it’s been banned since 1952.

The airline also recently announced its loyalty programme called ‘Sfeer’.

Sfeer members will be able to share points within the community, which will allow family and friends to increase their membership levels, as well as their benefits.

The loyalty programme will be fully active in 2026, and will also include gamified features such as challenges and leaderboard competitions.

The points will never expire and can be used to get special culinary and entertainment experiences, as well as opportunities to win free flights and other prizes.

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In other airline news, a UK airline is on the brink of administration and could close in days – affecting 1.3million passengers.

Plus, TUI has axed its own flights to popular destinations from a major UK airport.

At least 229 flights have been cancelled

A massive airline system failure has left thousands of travellers facing lengthy delays. Alaska Airlines called for a temporary ground stop early on Friday morning (October 24) which resulted in at least 229 flights being axed.

The number of passengers – including Britons – who may have been delayed or impacted remains unclear. Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, was also hit by the disruption. Flight operations have now resumed.

The carrier emphasised that safety was never compromised during the breakdown, which stemmed from a malfunction at the airline’s primary data centre. Matas Cenys, head of product at Saily, explained that even small technical faults can paralyse vital processes, creating chaos for travellers.

They explained: “Airlines today operate on highly interconnected digital systems. When one system fails, the effects can spread across the entire network, grounding flights and disrupting operations. This is why Alaska Airlines’ recent outage, while labeled a ‘technical error’, caused widespread cancellations and delays. Even minor glitches can freeze critical processes because redundancy systems are not always perfect.

“Airlines’ digital systems are like a row of dominoes. Each system – scheduling, crew assignments, baggage, gates – depends on the one before it. If a single one falls, even from something small, like a database error, it can trigger a chain reaction that stops the whole operation. Most passengers never see these links, but that’s how flights keep running on time.

“There’s also a cybersecurity overlap. Even when outages are accidental, system downtime can create potential opportunities for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities. During a disruption, normal safeguards and monitoring may be reduced or delayed, allowing malicious actors to target systems before defences are fully restored.

“Travel runs on trust that systems will work, flights will depart, and bags will arrive. Every outage chips away that confidence. Rebuilding it will require transparency and visible investment in resilience.

“Every outage has a huge human cost. Travelers get stranded in airports, tired and nervous, and airport workers have to operate under stress trying to manage the chaos. This incident should serve as a reminder to the entire travel and tech industry to reassess and reinforce their IT systems.”

SOUTHWEST Airlines has revealed its new cabin interior and the seats have been made to be extra comfy.

The budget airline says it has listened to travellers and improved facilities in its updated cabin like USB chargers and entertainment holders.

Southwest Airlines is the world’s biggest budget airline as it serves the largest number of routes around the world.

Now, it has revealed the new design onboard its Boeing 737 MAX 8 – the airline even took passenger feedback into account when creating the new cabin.

It has covered “employee perceptions of color, comfort, and aspirations for the overall onboard experience, and it’s meant to create a cabin environment that feels modern, welcoming, and uniquely Southwest.”

The airline added that its seats “are intuitively designed for ultimate comfort, while maximizing seat width and overall support”.

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The design should make for better lumbar support than the current seats on Southwest’s planes.

Along with a new seat design the cabin has bigger overhead lockers with space for 60 per cent more bags, USB-A and USB-C chargers at every seat and carpeting and lighting updates.

It even has a holder for electronic devices on the back of seats, and tray tables have inset drink holders on left and right.

On the plane are extra legroom rows which have been fitted ahead of the official launch of assigned seating from January 2026.

More than half of the carrier’s planes have now been fitted with extra legroom as of mid-October 2025.

So while economy seats have been fitted with extras, they aren’t any bigger. The pitch is 31″, while extra legroom seats have five inches more legroom.

Extra legroom seats also come with two free checked bags, early boarding, premium drinks and snacks, and free Wi-Fi.

Earlier this year, Chris Perry, a Southwest spokesperson, told USA TODAY: “We didn’t want to remove any seats from the planes so we pulled down an inch of pitch to accommodate the ELR [extra legroom] seating and stay at 175 seats” referring to the Boeing 737-800 and Max 8 planes

He added the airline’s 737-700s will each have six fewer seats after retrofits.  

Meanwhile, another airline has revealed its new cabin configuration which stops passengers in basic economy from fully reclining its seats.

WestJet announced it has had a “full cabin refresh” and introduced economy seating with a “fixed recline” to its Boeing 737-8 MAX and 737-800 aircraft.

WestJet explained that the reason for this is to “help preserve personal space”.

For passengers who do want to put their seats back, you can do so in premium – a new seating option which has been added to the aircraft.

The airline went on to add that the new seating options are good news for passengers as it will result in cheaper tickets.

It’s not uncommon for airlines to reduce the size of an economy pitch altogether.

This is because filling economy seats means that airlines can cover basic costs, whereas selling premium or first class tickets is where they make their money.

By reducing the size of economy seats, or even taking some out altogether, airlines have room to create more space for high-profit cabins.

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RYANAIR has launched its winter 2025 schedule for a popular Spanish destination – and it means more flights from the UK.

The budget airline has announced its winter schedule for Alicante, with 79 routes in total including 10 new destinations.

Alicante is known for having pretty beaches with clear waters and a famous nightlife scene.

And new flights to Alicante will include from Cardiff in Wales as well as Aberdeen in Scotland.

Three flights a week will operate from each airport to Alicante.

And extra flights will be added from Edinburgh to Scotland, a route already in place.

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As a result of the additions, Ryanair‘s winter capacity in Alicante will rise by 12 per cent.

However, the additions come as Ryanair has scrapped around two million seats to Spain in the past months.

Last month, the airline said that they would be cancelling all of their flights to Tenerife North, Vigo and Santiago.

Ryanair currently has two aircraft based at Santiago de Compostela and when Sun Travel looked at Ryanair’s booking platform, it found that the last flight to the destination before operations cease, departs on March 27, 2026.

For Tenerife North, no flights appear on the booking platform and all Ryanair flights to Vigo will stop in January 2026.

Both of the airline’s bases at Valladolid and Jerez will remain closed as well.

Just last week O’Leary also confirmed that a further 1.2million seats would be axed to Spain next summer, yet the airports that will be impacted have not been revealed yet.

The flurry of cancellations come as the airline disagrees with current airport tariffs in Spain.

AENA, which owns and operates 46 airports across Spain, recently announced that airport charges would increase by 6.5 per cent at the start of 2026, marking the highest rise in a decade.

The charges are for airlines’ use of airports and services at them, such as using terminals, runways, security and baggage handling.

Last week, O’Leary said: “AENA and its major shareholder, the Spanish Govt, continue to harm regional traffic growth, tourism and jobs in Spain through high airport fees and unjustified price increases.

“AENA should be lowering airport fees at underused Regional airports, but instead they plan to increase them by seven per cent, the highest fee increase for over a decade.

“The Spanish Govt has failed to stimulate Regional tourism and jobs, as it continues to protect the Aena Monopoly’s high fee operations.

“We regret that these fee increases make Regional Spanish airports uncompetitive, and this is why Ryanair is switching 1.2m more seats away from Regional airports in Spain in S2026, to some of Spain’s bigger airports, but mainly to lower-cost competitor airports in Italy, Morocco, Croatia, Sweden, and Hungary.”

It is believed that AENA is implementing the increased tariffs to fund investments in its airports.

This includes Malaga Airport, which is set to undergo a £1.3billion multi-year expansion project which will include making the terminals larger and security more efficient.

Barcelona Airport is also due to get a major upgrade.

If plans are approved, AENA will invest £2.8billion into expanding the airport, with the operator hoping to reach a runway capacity of 90 flights per hour.

Both projects form part of the DORA III plan – a £11.3billion investment plan for the next five years.

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In other Spanish flight news, another airline is launching new flight routes from UK to five top Spanish destinations including ‘Europe’s best city’.

Plus, Jet2’s new flights will connect the UK to two Spanish beach cities.

Different airlines have different seat dimensions and leg room — and you may wonder what standard tickets actually provide

With autumn in full swing, many people in the UK are heading off for winter sun or a European city break. But comfort on flights can be hard to come by, especially on the cheaper airlines.

Cramped legroom and tight seating can put a damper on your flight experience. It’s well known that seat sizes and leg space vary from airline to airline. For those unwilling to fork out extra for “extra legroom” options, you might be wondering what standard tickets actually offer.

Luckily, back in 2023, Which? conducted a study looking at legroom and seat width among 12 leading short-haul carriers flying out of the UK, reports the Express.

The study looked at “seat pitch” — the distance between your seat and the one in front — as a measure of legroom. Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, and KLM came out on top, offering a generous seat pitch of 31 to 32 inches, 29 to 33 inches, and 30 to 32 inches respectively. On the other hand, Wizz Air and TUI were at the bottom of the pile, both providing a seat pitch of just 28 inches.

When it comes to seat width – the actual space between the two armrests either side of your seat – most airlines offer similar dimensions, around 17 inches. However, easyJet, TAP Portugal, and Lufthansa provide slightly more room, at 18 inches.

Airlines that offer the most to least legroom (in inches)

• Aer Lingus: 31-32
• British Airways: 29-31
• easyJet: 29
• Jet2: 28-31
• KLM: 29-33
• Lufthansa: 30-32
• Norwegian: 29-31
• Ryanair: 30
• TAP Portugal: 28-31
• TUI: 29
• Vueling: 29-30
• Wizz Air: 28

Passengers on one budget airline might be subjected to even more fees when it comes to their seat selection, but there is one particular way to try and get around it

A budget airline has introduced a new fee for passengers who want to be able to recline their seat on their journey – and some aviation experts are unimpressed with the introduction of the new cost.

When it comes to booking a flight, the original price you see listed is often for the most basic option – and for a lot of airlines, even booking a specific seat to be with your friends or family will mean your wallet takes a hit.

From baggage costs to seat selection, it can seem like almost everything you might need on a flight will end up costing you even more – which can be a serious pain when most people are operating on pretty tight budgets.

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One more budget airline has decided to join the ranks of the businesses determined to eke as much out of their customers as possible, and will now be charging their customers to have a seat that reclines, redesigning their cabins with rows of fixed seats on some of their planes to fit in an extra row.

To avoid the extra cost, you’ll need to book one of the fixed seats in the Economy cabin.

The major Canadian airline, WestJet, will not have the vast majority of its Economy seats fixed upright, with passengers given the opportunity instead to pay more for a seat in the Premium cabin. The 12 seats in Premium will be ergonomically designed, have four options to adjust the headrest, and will recline.

Behind Premium will be 36 ‘Extended Comfort’ seats, part of the Economy option, which don’t recline, but do offer a bit more legroom for passengers.

“The cabin has been thoughtfully designed to offer WestJet’s welcoming service at every budget,” the Executive Vice-President and Chief Experience Officer of WestJet – Samantha Taylor – said in a statement, per news.com.au.

“It reflects our commitment to elevating every aspect of the travel experience and meeting guest demand for a broader range of product offerings,” the exec continued.

However, the experts are not necessarily impressed with the argument that the change is about creating more choice for consumers, or that by fitting in an extra row, prices will actually come down that much for passengers using the airline.

“The imagination of airline marketers never stops to astound me: the depths they will go through kind of gives people an impression that if I pay more, I get more,” John Gradek, an aviation lecturer at McGill University, fumed.

The airline passenger rights expert added: “Right now, it’s like you pay more to get what you had.”

WestJet is by no means the first airline to remove the option of reclining seats – Ryanair did so all the way back in 2004, and many other budget airlines operate similarly.

Even more premium airlines like British Airways, American Airlines, and Delta have reduced the number of reclining seats on offer, with BA removing them entirely on short-haul aircraft.

Richard Deakin, a security consultant from Halesowen, West Midlands, has sparked debate after sharing footage on TikTok of his conversation with easyJet staff at Luton Airport

A tourist has accused easyJet of using a “money-making tactic” following a dispute about his baggage.

Footage on social media shows easyJet staff ask Richard Deakin, 37, to repeatedly put his luggage in the sizer as he checked in at Luton Airport. He claimed the suitcase – his hand luggage – fit easily but he said staff continued to ask him to pop it in the sizer. Richard asked a fellow passenger to film him doing so to “prove a point,” a clip he later shared on TikTok where it has been watched by more than 106,000 people.

He feared he was going to miss his flight to Málaga, Spain for his four-night break and became “quite angry” at staff’s insistence. He eventually made the plane, but is now speaking out to encourage people not to simply stump up cash if their luggage is within the dimensions.

The security consultant said: “If I hadn’t been so persistent they would’ve forced me to pay that fine. It’s a money-making tactic. Before I put [the bag] in I was confident it was the right size because I’d measured it and weighed it.”

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Richard, who is from Halesowen, West Midlands, added: “At first it’s a bit of a struggle pushing it down but then it just slides in and goes all the way down to the bottom.

“It was hard to get in because I had several tubs of gravy granules because in Spain it’s quite expensive. I was quite angry. I did know I could just take a few things out of my bag but I was being a bit pedantic out of principle. If you want to pick on me, I don’t mind having a debate about it.

“After that video was recorded a manager came down and asked me to do it again. This is the bit that really [annoyed] me. I said ‘it’s just been witnessed by six of your staff who said it’s okay and this is the video’. He said ‘I need to see it again’.

“I’d done it once or twice before the video, and [then] two times with managers. It looked like the flight was going to take off and I was scared at that point. The ego got put away in the back pocket really quick. I took the book and the charger pack out and put [the bag] in [the sizer].”

Richard had enough clothing in his bag for the short stay last month but, despite measuring the little bag at home, came into difficulty at check-in. He admitted it was “hard to get in” but claimed it fit clearly in the end.

The security professional added: “So many people wouldn’t have been so persistent and fallen right into the trap. There are people that won’t stand up and talk and ask the question so they’re getting charged.

“While I understand the rules, it’s frustrating to pay for a bag that was underweight and would have been placed in the same overhead locker as everyone else’s.”

The tourist’s social media clip has divided opinion with some criticising him for “yelling” at employees. Some, though, users jumped to Richard’s defence in the comments.

One user wrote: “EasyJet should be ashamed.” Another user commented: “I will avoid EasyJet at all costs. It’s a greedy, uncaring airline. Shame on them.” A third added: “If it fits, it doesn’t matter if it’s easy or not.”

Other users criticised Richard for his demeanour. One user wrote: “Why are you yelling at them?” Another commented: “Why are you shouting at them for doing their jobs?” A third user commented: “That bag is too big. Simple as that.”

An easyJet spokesman said: “We have a well understood bag policy and customers are only charged if their bags are too large, in fairness to customers who have paid to bring larger bags, and we do not tolerate aggressive or threatening behaviour towards our ground crew. Once Mr Deakin was able to fit his bag in the gauge, he was not charged and was able to board.”

American Airlines has moved its bag sizers away from the boarding gate. Now, passengers are being encouraged to check whether their luggage is too big when checking in, rather than just before they enter the aircraft

American Airlines is moving its bag sizers from the boarding gate to the check-in area in a process shakeup.

The airline—the third biggest in the world by number of employees—charges passengers whose carry-on bags are too big to check in.

While the size limits will still apply, American Airlines has moved its bag sizers away from the boarding gate. Now, passengers are being encouraged to check whether their luggage is too big when checking in, rather than just before they enter the aircraft.

That should, in theory, give them more time to repack or remove items from their carry-on bags before they get to the boarding gate, when time and space can feel limited.

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In an internal memo, American Airlines team members have been directed to “use their judgment” and “err on the side of the customer” when passengers arrive at the boarding area from now on. If there is uncertainty over the size of items to be taken on board with passengers, only luggage that is “clearly oversized” should it be forcibly checked in, the new rules say.

“Team members will continue to monitor carry-on baggage in the lobby and at the gate, and oversized items will still be required to be checked in ahead of the flight,” the carrier said.

American insists that the changes are part of improvements to the boarding process that the carrier has been making since 2024. But some might argue that boarding with carry-on bags is about to become a more subjective process as a result of the rule change, making it harder for passengers to prove that their bag is within reasonable limits.

American Airlines allows passengers one “personal item” and one carry-on. The personal item should fit under the seat in front and be no bigger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm). Meanwhile, the carry-on should be able to be placed under the seat in front or in an overhead compartment and cannot exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm).

It’s definitely not something you’d want to get wrong. The most expensive fee for an oversized bag with American is $200 (£150).

The news has been met with a mixed reaction by those who fly regularly.

“Honestly, I think this is an unnecessary and stupid change. The size restrictions haven’t changed, but now there’s no way to check them at the gate? And when the gate agent has to stop someone with an oversized bag, they don’t have proof to back them up?” one person wrote on the American Airlines subreddit.

“I’m sure they were used occasionally by overly-eager gate agents, but I personally have never seen the sizers used except by curious passengers sizing their own bags. There’s no reason for them not to exist; they should just (continue to) only be used when necessary.”

A defender on the new system said: “This is an awesome move. Those gate sizers were never accurate and just made people feel like rubbish.”

A well-known airline has launched a new scheme which allows travellers place a bid to keep the seat next to them free on both domestic and international short-haul flights

Great news if you hate being bunched up next to strangers while flying – a major airline is now allowing passengers to bid to keep the seat next to them empty.

This handy new scheme, launched by Virgin Australia, will allow flight passengers to have two seats instead of one. The ‘Neighbour-Free Seating’ option will be available for travellers heading on either domestic and short-haul international flights.

If they select the new option, economy passengers can place a bid through the airline’s app to reserve an additional seat next to them – with the auction starting for as little as £14 but rising upon demand.

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Successful passengers will be informed two hours before their flight departure if they have their seat free, reports The Sun. Of course, there is a possibility that someone may book the empty seat. In this case, the winning passenger will be refunded.

It’s also important to note that while Neighbour-Free Seating provides extra personal space next to the assigned seat, it does not include any additional baggage allowance.

According to Virgin Australia, the new option means passengers will have “a more spacious Economy experience at great value”. The new feature comes after a 2023 survey which found that 42 per cent of Virgin Australia passengers said they would consider paying a fee to have the middle seat empty on international flights longer than three hours.

Additionally, 35 per cent of passengers also said they would do the same for domestic flights more than three hours.

Virgin Australia executive, Libby Minogue said: “Our priority is to give Virgin Australia guests even more value and choice when they choose to fly with us.”

She added: “Neighbour-Free Seating is a clever add-on for Economy travellers who want the certainty of extra space without the price tag. After booking their flight, passengers can bid for the additional seat via the Virgin Australia app.”

A similar feature is offered by other airlines like Qantas and Air France.

Those flying with Air France have the option to pay for the ‘Empty Seat Option – My Extra Space’, when they check-in online or through the airline’s app, allowing them to reserve up to three empty seats next to their own for greater comfort, space and privacy.

One of the country’s major airport hubs has introduced a new twilight-hour service to give early morning budget travellers more time to relax before taking off.

One of the UK’s major airports has introduced a new check-in service that will ease the burden of early morning flights. The new check-in option will ensure budget travellers are “ready to relax and unwind” before their flight.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the latest England airport to introduce twilight bag drop and check-in services. Many airlines have introduced twilight bag drop to ease stress on travellers and check-in desks, especially during heavy travel periods.

Twilight bag drop services allow passengers to arrive at the airport the night before their scheduled departure and check-in their large bags well before the flight’s check-in window.

According to the Liverpool Airport website: “Twilight check-in is now available at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, making it easy for you to turn up the night before your flight and check-in your hold luggage at your airline’s dedicated check-in desk.

“Then, simply turn up the next day, bypass check-in and head straight to security, ready to relax and unwind in departures before your flight.”

Twilight services were previously only available for passengers flying with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, however a recent announcement confirmed expanded availability.

An “amber alert” announcement from the airport reads: “Passengers travelling with easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair and departing on flights before 08:00 can all now check in their hold luggage up to three hours before their departure, giving more time to relax and make use of the facilities in the Departure Lounge.”

This service is particularly convenient for anyone living or staying close to their departure airport. But again, not every airline offers this service – so it’s best to check with your tour operator first.

The first step of Twilight check-in is to complete online check-in via Jet2’s website, app, or through their travel agent, at least 24 hours before the flight.

Check-in luggage can then be dropped off at the Jet2 desks at Liverpool Airport between 4.30PM and 9PM the evening before scheduled departure. The following morning, passengers can go straight through to security – bypassing check-in entirely.

Passengers driving to the airport to make use of twilight check-in services can park in the airport’s Drop-off 2 car park. Travellers get one hour complimentary parking to check their bags in, but anything over that time (or the use of other car parks) will be subject to standard parking fees.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport also urges passengers to arrive a minimum of two hours before departure to allow enough time to check-in and pass through security.

Air Canada has announced it has begun serving complimentary beer, wine and snacks to economy passengers on every flight across its network, in a major win for those who love free stuff

“Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps please.”

No longer will this request be met with an eye-watering bill when made at 30,000 feet, at least on one airline.

Air Canada has announced it has begun serving free beer, wine and snacks to economy passengers on every flight across its network.

That is a significant change, as previously the airline only served free alcohol and food to economy passengers on long-haul flights.

As generous as it may sound, the policy is designed to be a cost-effective way to keep passengers flying with Air Canada. Scott O’Leary, vice president of loyalty and product, explained the rationale in a statement.

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“Food and beverage tend to have a disproportionate impact on customer satisfaction. As part of our commitment to elevating the onboard experience, we’re delighted to introduce even more exciting new options to our menus,” he said.

“These upgrades offer something for everyone and proudly showcase Canadian brands so that our customers can sit back, relax and kick-start their travels no matter where they’re going.”

What customers can expect to get for free on economy flights varies significantly.

Unsurprisingly, budget carriers such as Wizz Air, Ryanair and easyJet provide nothing for free.

Airlines offering free drinks on short-haul flights include KLM, which offers a free snack and drink on all European flights, and LOT Polish Airlines, providing free beer, wine, or juice on their short-haul routes.

Free water and snacks are also typically available with British Airways, though the extent of the service can vary by division and route. For other airlines like Lufthansa and Swiss, only a complimentary bottle of water and perhaps a small snack are provided.

For short and medium-haul flights within Europe, Lufthansa offers a paid “Onboard Delights” service where passengers can purchase food and drinks.

Air France offers free food on many of its flights. While a “buy on board” system is being tested on some routes, most flights still provide complimentary meals, snacks, and beverages, depending on the flight duration and class. Passengers on short and medium-haul flights can expect a free sandwich, pastry, or snack, along with a drink.

On short and mid-haul TUI flights (less than seven hours), a variety of hot and cold snacks and drinks are available for purchase from the onboard café.

Most full-service airlines do still include meals and drinks on long-haul routes. Think flights to the US, Asia, or the Caribbean.

• British Airways: Even on the cheapest economy fare, you can get complimentary meals, snacks, and drinks.
• Virgin Atlantic: Offers free meals and drinks, and they’re known for a decent veggie option.
• Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines: All offer full meal service in economy, and it’s usually good quality. You’ll get at least two meals plus snacks and unlimited drinks.
• Turkish Airlines: Generally provides free meals on their international flights, including both economy and business class. On longer flights, passengers are typically offered a choice of main courses, side dishes, bread, and dessert. Drinks are also complimentary on all flights.
• Air France: On long-haul flights, an extensive selection of meals is offered, including hot dishes, and passengers can also purchase a la carte meals in advance.
• American Airlines: Meals and drinks are typically included on international flights, including wine and beer
• United: United Airlines offers complimentary food on most flights, especially on longer distances and for higher class tickets.
• Air Canada: Generally offers complimentary meals and snacks on international flights. On flights longer than 2 hours, you’ll typically receive a complimentary meal and beverage service, including salad, warm bread, a hot entrée, and dessert.
• Tui: On long-haul flights (seven hours or more), a complimentary meal is included. Additional drinks and snacks can still be purchased on these flights as well
• Lufthansa: Lufthansa generally provides complimentary meals and drinks on long-haul flights
• KLM: Provides complimentary meals and drinks on most of its flights. The specific offerings vary depending on the flight duration and class of travel, but generally include snacks and drinks on shorter flights and more substantial meals on longer routes.

Leg room can be an important factor for many passengers. Here are the airlines that offer the most room without having to pay extra

When it comes to jetting off, whether it’s a short-haul or long-haul flight, comfort is often a top priority. For those who are taller or struggle with leg space, the prospect of a cramped flight can be less than appealing.

The size of the seats and the amount of leg room can vary greatly depending on which airline you choose to fly with. As we head into the shoulder season for travel, many holidaymakers might be planning ahead for their Christmas or next summer.

Starting your holiday on the right note with a comfortable plane journey can be a deciding factor when choosing an airline. So, without having to fork out extra for additional legroom, which airlines offer the most space when buying a standard ticket?

According to a survey by consumer watchdog Which?, one airline offers more legroom than 15 other short-haul carriers from the UK. The survey measured seat pitch, which is the distance between your seat and the one in front – to determine legroom.

Taking the leading position is Aer Lingus, Ireland’s flag carrier, offering 29 to 30 inches. However – British Airways provide the same amount of room with exactly the same pitch.

The poorest performer regarding leg space is TAP Portugal, which provides just 28 inches of legroom, reports the Express.

Here’s a rundown from the airlines offering the most legroom to those offering the least:

It had operated from Stansted Airport and Liverpool Airport

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued guidance after Play Airlines (Iceland), an airline serving Stansted and Liverpool airports, abruptly ceased all operations.

The CAA confirmed that all flights operated by Play Airlines have now been cancelled, advising passengers: “Therefore, please do not go to the airport as flights will not be operating. Play Airlines customers are therefore urged to make their own alternative travel arrangements if required.”

Andrew McConnell, spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said on Monday evening: “It’s always unfortunate when an airline ceases operations, and we understand that Play Airlines’ decision will be unsettling for its employees and customers. UK customers seeking the latest information are advised to visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website.”

In a statement, Play Airlines announced: “Fly PLAY hf. has ceased operations and all flights have been cancelled. We kindly advise you to check flights with other airlines. Some carriers may offer special ‘rescue fares’ considering the circumstances.”

The airline further advised passengers who purchased their ticket with a payment card to contact their card issuer regarding a refund, while those who booked a ticket as part of a package through a travel agency in the EEA should reach out to their travel agent for assistance.

The airline added: “Some rights may also apply under EU Air Passenger regulations. In case of bankruptcy, claims should be directed to the appointed administrator.”

Encouraging passengers to seek advice from www.icetra.is and www.kefairport.com, it said: “We are deeply sorry for the disruption this causes and thank you for your understanding.”