cabin

Many Brits are now looking for a comfortable staycation to take this autumn. The main challenge that many dog owners face when arranging a holiday is considering who will care for their pe. But they needn’t fret any longer if they’re reserving one luxurious collection of cabins

Plenty of people are currently searching for the ideal spot to enjoy an autumn getaway. The bright summer holidays are behind us and numerous

Brits are now choosing to book a comfortable staycation within the UK instead. The main challenge that many dog owners face when arranging a holiday is considering who will care for their pet. But they needn’t fret any longer if they’re reserving one luxurious collection of cabins situated in The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, which is completely dog-friendly. The Roost Luxury Cabins all feature a private sauna, outdoor bathtub, log burner and fire pit. There’s also all the kitchen kit you’ll require – a kettle, toaster, induction hob, microwave, mini-oven, fridge (with small freezer) and a dishwasher.

Plus pots, pans, crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils, washing up liquid, dishcloths, tea towels, cooking condiments, fresh ground coffee plus various teas and fresh milk.

All your bed linen and extra fluffy Egyptian towels are provided too, and there will even be some homemade brownies awaiting you.

Those bringing pets are permitted two small dogs or one medium sized dog.

The venue explains: “We leave a blanket, towel, poo bags, water and food bowel and a treat for each dog.

“If you pooch has got a bit muddy on all those lovely walks, we provide doggy towels and have a dog wash area behind the site office.”

They also provide details on canine-friendly pubs and eateries nearby.

There’s a fee of £30 for one dog (£40 for two dogs) per stay. This must be paid by card to the proprietor before arrival.

Discussing their dog-welcoming approach on their website, The Roost Luxury Cabins state: “Don’t leave your best friend behind! Here at The Roost we love dogs. The cabins are dog friendly with secure garden areas and all your doggy needs are catered for.

“Your pooch will be spoilt with their own handmade truckle bed.”

The establishment shared a video on its TikTok account showcasing the cabins, which rapidly became popular, gathering over 93,000 likes.

A dog was visible outside the lodge as the footage started, before revealing the outdoor bathing facility. The snug sleeping quarters were then displayed, accompanied by glimpses of the charming garden and external sauna.

Text overlay stated: “Call me crazy, but I would choose this with the dog over a fancy hotel.”

One viewer declared: “Oh my God, this looks INSANE!”

Whilst another commented: “Omg love this! Will have to take a look.”

A third remarked: “Looks like my sort of heaven.”

Visitors planning to book should be aware the location requires a minimum 2-night booking and check-in is restricted to Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

Rates are generally £499 per two nights but may fluctuate based on the date.

Whilst the establishment welcomes dogs brilliantly, families with children might prefer alternative accommodation as the cabins are exclusively for adults. Guests can select between two distinct cabins – The Nook and The Nest, with further information available on The Roost Luxury Cabins website.

The accommodation currently boasts a 5-star rating on Tripadvisor, drawing from 112 reviews.

One guest commented: “We have had a really relaxing and enjoyable week in this amazing cabin! Loved the sauna and hot tub and sitting on the swing seat enjoying the peace! A beautiful place in a wonderful location.”

Meanwhile, another visitor remarked: “A perfect place to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. Everything is beautiful and the soak tub and sauna made it super relaxing. We loved explore the local area and will definitely be back.”

What attractions can be found close to the cabins?

Outdoor and nature

• Beechenhurst and the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail: Explore art installations in a woodland setting.
• Go Ape: Enjoy high ropes courses and zip-lines in the trees.
• Forest of Dean Cycle Centre: Rent bikes for various woodland trails.
• Dean Forest Railway: Ride a steam train through the forest.
• Perrygrove Railway: A family attraction with a miniature railway and treehouses.
• May Hill: A prominent hill with a distinctive cluster of trees on top, offering great views.
• Wye Valley: Explore canoeing, kayaking, and walking opportunities along the river.

History and heritage

• Hopewell Colliery: Take an underground tour of this working free mine.
• Clearwell Caves: Explore this ancient and unique underground attraction.
• Dean Heritage Centre: Learn about the local history of the Forest of Dean.
• Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum: Discover the history of the regiment in Gloucester.
• Museum of Gloucester: Explore thousands of exhibits on the city’s past.
• Jet Age Museum: See aircraft and aviation equipment in Gloucester.
• National Waterways Museum: Learn about waterways in Gloucester.
• Coleford Great Western Railway Museum: A museum dedicated to the railway.

Other attractions

• Gloucester Cathedral: A magnificent cathedral in Gloucester with famous cloisters.
• Nature in Art: Explore art exhibitions and a sculpture garden.
• Sudeley Castle and Gardens: Visit this historic castle and its extensive gardens.

A seasoned cabin crew member believes there’s one secret trick that could be a gamechanger — and it’s designed to make the dreaded take-off and landing much easier for the little ones.

Air travel with children is often a stressful feat as they tend to experience discomfort while flying and react to it in different ways. As we approach the October half term, when many families will be jetting off for a well-deserved break, a seasoned cabin crew member has revealed her top tips for travelling with kids.

Andrea Owen, a TUI Cabin Crew member since 2003, has clocked up at least 3,000 flights in her 22-year career. From short hops to long-haul journeys, she’s witnessed hundreds of families take to the skies each week, heading to popular holiday spots like Majorca, the Canaries, Mexico and Jamaica.

With such a wealth of experience, there’s little Andrea hasn’t encountered. She’s seen families cool, calm and collected during their flight, some bubbling over with excitement, while others appear utterly frazzled and overwhelmed.

Andrea reveals: “After all these years of flying, I have looked after thousands of families. I can tell you that the secret to stress-free family travel is preparation. I always tell parents to expect the unexpected, pack more snacks than you think you’ll need, and don’t be afraid to ask crew for help. A lot of us are parents too, and we genuinely want every family to have a great start to their holiday.”

In fact, Andrea believes there’s one secret trick that could be a game-changer — and it’s designed to make the dreaded take-off and landing much easier for the little ones.

Read on for some of Andrea’s tried-and-tested tricks and tips for families travelling with kids in flights this October half term.

Relieve ear pressure

Andrea has shared some top-tier advice for take-offs and landings with young kids. She shares: “This is one of the most common concerns parents ask me about, and it’s really easy to solve. For babies and toddlers, feeding during take-off and landing is brilliant, whether that’s breastfeeding, a bottle, or even just a dummy – the sucking motion helps equalise ear pressure.

“For older children, give them chewy sweets or lollipops about 30 minutes before landing as that’s when the pressure really starts to build. I’ve seen many tears avoided with this simple trick.”

Always carry a range of activities

Andrea recommends throwing together a bag with a mix of toys, activities, and snacks to keep things interesting — and your child engaged. She reveals: “What works brilliantly is either letting them pack their own bag so they’re excited or pack some surprise toys they haven’t seen before. Keep everything small and compact with plenty of pencils, crayons, and paper.

“A surprise sticker book with a little bag of sweets is absolute gold. The games I see working best are Snap, Dobble, and colouring. And here’s a lovely tip – encourage your children to draw pictures for the cabin crew. We absolutely love receiving them and always have a stash of stickers at the ready for every flight.”

Figure out the exact time to board the flight

The in-flight expert notes: “This one really depends on your child’s personality, and you know them best. Some families find that boarding as soon as possible gives them that extra breathing space to get settled, stow the bags, and get the kids comfortable in their seats without feeling rushed. But I’ve also seen plenty of parents who swear by boarding last, especially if their little ones can’t sit still for long.”

Dress kids in multiple layers

The temperature on board can fluctuate throughout the flight. That’s why Andrea always suggests dressing children in layers so they can add or remove clothing to keep themselves comfortable.

She notes: “It’s always handy to pack a spare pair of clothes in your hand luggage just in case of a spill or accident. I’ve seen many parents caught out without a change of clothes, and it makes the rest of the flight uncomfortable for the both of you.”

Pack the home comforts

Andrea advises packing home comforts like a small pillow, blanket or cuddly toys to help children of all ages feel more relaxed.

She shares: “If you’re travelling at times when your child would normally be having a nap or going to bed, I really encourage parents to try and stick to that routine as much as possible. Let them sleep if they want to, you’ll arrive at your destination feeling so much fresher and ready to enjoy your holiday.

“It’s also worth thinking about time zones if you’re flying long haul. Maybe start adjusting their sleep schedule a day or two before you travel. A well-rested child makes for a much happier holiday start.”

Prepare them in advance

The cabin crew expert has some pre-flight advice for parents travelling with kids. “Preparation is everything when it comes to keeping children calm. Before you leave for the airport, talk through exactly what’s going to happen. Checking in, going through security, boarding the plane, and what take-off and landing will feel like.”

Andrea advises: “Let them know about the noises they might hear and explain that their ears might feel different. This is particularly useful if your child is neurodiverse. The key is to make it sound like an exciting adventure rather than something to worry about.”

Snack trays come in handy

Andrea reveals: “Those little snack trays with multiple compartments come in handy. Kids absolutely love them and there’s something about having lots of different treats in separate sections that keeps them entertained for ages. You can fill each compartment with different snacks: fruit, crackers, cheese cubes, raisins, a couple of sweets.”

She adds: “It turns snack time into something fun and interactive, and it means you’re not constantly rummaging through bags. We also have healthy snack boxes for kids available onboard which they love, so there will always be something they can eat.”

Don’t hesitate to ask cabin crew for assistance

Andrea emphasises that cabin crew recognise how daunting it can be for parents travelling with children. She says: “Don’t ever feel worried about asking us for help, that’s what we’re here for. Over my 22 years of flying, I’ve seen everything. We’ve warmed countless bottles, fetched extra sick bags, provided colouring sheets, and even entertained little ones while parents take a breather.

“Many of us are parents ourselves, so we completely understand how overwhelming it can feel. Whether you need extra wipes, help with the overhead locker, or just some reassurance, we’re here to make your journey smoother.”

Andrea advises: “We know flying can feel overwhelming for families, whether it’s your first flight with kids or you have an anxious flyer in the family, there are lots of simple and easy tips you can put into place to make it seem that little bit less daunting.”

A new EU rule change could mean that passengers are able to bring two bags on board at no extra cost

Ryanair and easyJet travellers could soon be permitted to bring two cabin bags aboard flights without paying extra fees. At the moment these airlines allow those flying on basic tickets to bring one small personal item onboard, with any additional baggage incurring supplementary charges.

Ryanair has been forced to expand the dimensions of the personal bag it permits, following amendments to EU regulations. Under fresh rules, passengers flying with the budget carrier will be permitted to carry hand luggage measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm, representing a 20% expansion from its previous 40 x 20 x 25 cm size limits.

easyJet’s personal bag dimensions already met these requirements, reports Plymouth Live. And another EU rule change could mean travellers are able to bring a cabin bag measuring up to 100cm, alongside a personal bag, without additional charges.

The proposed legislation requires backing from at least 55% of EU member nations. Should it receive approval, the regulation would apply to all flights within the EU, plus routes travelling to and from the EU.

Members of European Parliament (MEPs) also seek to ensure children under 12 years old are seated alongside an accompanying passenger without extra cost. Currently, airlines face no legal requirement to seat children with their parents, though the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advises they should do so.

The CAA states: “Young children and infants who are accompanied by adults should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults.

“This is because the speed of an emergency evacuation may be affected by adults trying to reach their children.”

An experienced cabin crew assistant and author revealed that on one particular airline there was a special space reserved for the most gruesome eventuality during a flight

There are many unseen happenings that take place on an aircraft while you manoeuvre your way down the narrow aisle trying to locate your seat, store your cabin luggage overhead and settle back for what you hope is a relaxing and smooth flight to your chosen destination.

Cabin crew members often share their secrets of life in the sky and what really goes on, with some grisly warnings of things to avoid when flying.

One experienced assistant has revealed what she’s learnt and witnessed behind the scenes during her years working for a US airline and there’s one quite morbid detail many travellers would never have known about.

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Heather Poole has worked for a major carrier for over 15 years and is the author of Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama, and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet. She has spoken about the rather morbid topic of death on board an airplane.

Although she says it’s very rare for a passenger to die in the air, it obviously does and can happen – although no one officially passes away in flight unless there is a doctor on board to pronounce it.

Speaking to mentalfloss.com, she said that in such challenging circumstances most stewards would rather move the deceased to an empty row of seats where they can be covered over away from other passengers, although this isn’t always possible.

“On these very rare occasions, the crew will do everything possible to manage the situation with sensitivity and respect,” she said. “Unfortunately, most flights are full, so it’s not always possible to move an “incapacitated” passenger to an empty row of seats.”

Heather revealed that one company, Singapore Airlines, decided to get around the problem with a “corpse cupboard”. This she explained was “a compartment for storing a dead body if the situation arises”.

The company installed the locker on its Airbus A340-500 in 2004 next to one of the aircraft’s exit doors. It was big enough to hold an average-sized human body and had special straps to secure the corpse and stop it being moved by turbulence or on landing.

It only chose this particular type of aircraft for the cupboard because it operated on extra long haul flights from Singapore to New York and Los Angeles. The routes had some of the longest distances in the world, with flight times of 18-19 hours. The fleet was retired in 2013-14 and the lockers aren’t used on any other airlines currently.

While Heather said she thankfully hasn’t had to deal with a death on board, her room mate has – and in some rather strange circumstances. She revealed that her friend realised a passenger was trying to sneak a dead body on the flight.

“She knew the man was dead the moment she saw him looking grey and slumped over in a wheelchair, even though his wife and daughter assured her he was just battling the flu,” she said. “Midway through the flight, the plane had to make an unscheduled landing when it became apparent that no amount of Nyquil was going to revive him.”

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AN EASYJET cabin manager has lost an appeal after being sacked for calling female co-workers “lovely ladies”.

Ross Barr was fired for gross misconduct after crew members and passengers logged multiple complaints about his inappropriate behaviour.

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He had worked for the airline for eight years, and defended his actions as “flirty banter”.

Mr Barr also claimed he was discriminated against or his sexual orientation, alleging it would have been accepted if “a gay colleague” have made the same remarks.

The former cabin manager appealed the decision to let him go at an employment tribunal, but lost.

Mr Barr began working at easyJet in 2014 and became a cabin manager in 2017.

He was hauled into a disciplinary hearing in 2022 and issued a final warning after a sexual harassment complaint.

More allegations of a similar nature were recorded against him in both 2023 and last year.

Customers also claimed he would refer to his team as “lovely ladies” over the PA system.

Passengers further reported he used the tannoy as an opportunity to perform his own comedy routines rather that conduct proper safety briefings.

Mr Barr had confessed to telling a stewardess “oh I have just brushed past your boobs” as he moved past her.

He was also overheard telling another cabin crew member on a separate flight: “I’m not doing anything.. I’m just staring at your ass.”

The comment was made in front of flyers, including young children, according to witnesses.

In another complaint, one woman said: “The entire shift pretty much he was talking about sex or making jokes about it.

“He explained that he had been suspended before due to a speak up speak out that someone previously put in against him because ‘all I said was that her tits would get bigger if she got pregnant, and guess what they did’.

“She also said that he had referred to her and another crew member as his ‘much more attractive colleague’.”

A different complaint was logged after he told a staff member “having a problem trying to stuff it in? Bet you’ve never had that problem”, while she was packing a bag.

Mr Barr argued he did not mean to make anyone uncomfortable and dubbed his comments “banter”.

He was sacked in September 2024 after the hearing but appealed the decision.

The former easyJet worker argued his case had been tainted by previous hearings.

But employment Judge Muriel Robison ruled: “As the cabin manager you are in a position of trust and I feel there has been a breakdown in trust in relation to these situations, you should conduct yourself in a manner that ensures your crew feel safe onboard the aircraft.

“This is not the first time you have been in this situation with regard to your conduct and comments made to female crew members.

“You raised that you were treated differently compared to others under similar circumstances due to your protected characteristics.

“My investigation did not uncover any evidence to substantiate this claim.

“It’s my belief the process followed was consistent and fair, and you were not treated any differently to your colleagues.

“On 19 March, 2024, you successfully completed training that included a thorough focus on diversity, inclusion and equality in the workplace.

“Despite this, your continued behaviour demonstrated a failure to uphold the values and principles outlined in this training.”

This comes after we reported how a mum was left furious after a British Airways flight attendant allegedly lifted her nursing blanket while she was breastfeeding her seven-month-old daughter.

Passenger Shayanne Wright made a sexual harassment complaint against the male host and said the incident left her feeling “violated.”

A British Airways spokesperson confirmed the allegations were being investigated and said the airline “have been in contact with our customer directly to resolve the matter”.

Wright said the airline did not apologise to her, however offered a $250 gift card, later increased to $1000.

Sand’s End – Scandinavia’s seas and sights are an easy win for a no-fly cruise, says Nigel Thompson, who boarded Ambassador’s 1,400-passenger cruise ship Ambience

My left foot is in the Baltic Sea, my right foot is in the North Sea and waves are dancing towards me from opposite directions. It’s wild, wonderful and a little weird as I step off what feels like the edge of the known world into the chilly water.

This is Grenen, in Denmark, at the tip of the Jutland peninsula where a 20-mile long sand spit narrows to nothing as it is swallowed up by the famously treacherous seas of the Skagerrak (North) and Kattegat (Baltic), which meet but do not mix due to differences in salinity, density and temperature (or possibly they are just neighbours who fell out over a boundary dispute). Not so much Land’s End, as Sand’s End.

My wife Debbie and I were on a tour from Ambassador’s 1,400-passenger cruise ship Ambience, which is docked in nearby Skagen, Denmark’s most northerly town.

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It’s a smart, likeable place of yellow-hued, red-roofed homes, shops, hotels and restaurants, which draws two million visitors a year to see the Grenen spit, a church half-swallowed by the omnipresent sand, a fishing and lifeboat museum and memorial to the many lost sailors – and to paint in what is regarded as glorious light for artists.

The fishing port is one of Europe’s largest, it’s the chief local employer and we were amazed by the vast size of some of the trawlers. We’d joined the ship, built in 1991 and given a major refurbishment in 2022, for a voyage to Scandinavia (or should that be Sandinavia?) from the London International Cruise Terminal in Tilbury, Essex. The Art Deco building dates from 1930 and is Grade II listed.

Handily, it’s just a half-hour drive from home for us – Ambassador also offers many convenient regional sailings from ports such as Bristol, Newcastle, Liverpool and Dundee – and it was an absolute doddle with the car park and luggage drop, then a short stroll to the terminal.

It’s worth taking the time to check the displays on the Empire Windrush immigration ship from 1948 and mail and cargo manifests from more than a century ago when Tilbury served the empire by sea.

So, speedily processed in the terminal and cruise cards picked up, we had gone from car park to cabin in a very impressive 41 minutes. Beat that.

And when I say cabin I more mean Manhattan penthouse! I have lived in flats considerably smaller than this and with none of the luxuries such as Occidental amenities, two TVs, a bath and shower, lounge/diner, dressing room, minibar, a vast amount of storage space and a large balcony.

A genuine showstopper and easily the poshest cabin we’ve ever had in a cruise ship. And we’ve had a few. We were still taking it all in (and taking many photos) when the bags arrived, again super-speedy work, and our friendly steward Mario introduced himself and gave us the cabin tour.

Helpfully, all the plugs are three-pin British with USB ports and the tea is Tetley, with a coffee pod machine and daily refilled bottles of filtered water. With a sailaway at 5pm, we had time to explore the 70,285 gross tonnage ship to get our bearings and do musters then watch the journey down the Thames Estuary with a glass of Prosecco on the open deck. Later, we’d be back on deck to look at the vast, mesmerising North Sea wind farms.

After a leisurely sea day (admittedly we’d overslept with the clocks changing and entirely missed breakfast!), day two had us docking in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city. We’d booked an excursion to Marstrand island, former royal summer retreat of King Oscar II (an Oscar wild for women, apparently) around an hour up the coast from the port.

The island is reached by just a 200-yard ferry journey to the pretty harbour with cobbled streets, upscale shops, cafes, taverns and restaurants. However, just past the (allegedly) randy king’s summer house is one of the most forbidding castles you’ll ever see.

Carlsten fortress dates from the mid-17th century, looks like it escaped from Game Of Thrones and we were not too surprised to learn it was also a prison. Our guide showed us the cells, the display of torture and execution instruments and the separate cells used for five years in solitary.

These are bleak beyond belief and one features a painting of horse and rider on a wall. What did the prisoner use for paint, you ask? His blood. What was his crime, you ask? He had publicly denounced Holy Communion. Harsh, those 17th-century Swedes.

We cheered ourselves up with a visit to the gallows in the keep then took in the view of the coast from the battlements.

Back on board, the avuncular and chatty Captain Egil, from Norway, was on the Tannoy that evening to tell us that the second stop in Sweden, Helsingborg, was now off-limits for cruise ships of a certain size (not that Ambience is particularly large by modern standards) so we would be staying in the Danish capital Copenhagen overnight and an extra day. Not the worst news we’d ever had.

The ship docks in the southern part of Copenhagen port and means a ­30-minute stroll to the city centre, via the ‘‘The Most Photographed Woman in Denmark’’. Yes, of course the Little Mermaid statue, which is slightly underwhelming but draws huge crowds of tourists for that essential Copenhagen photo opp.

It’s a grand-looking city of canals, redbrick older buildings, some modern development around the port mostly, but overall such a handsome, clean place and a pleasure to walk around – not least as the numerous local cyclists actually stop at red lights and pedestrian crossings.

We’d been a couple of times before, but not to the ­world-renowned Tivoli Gardens, a jolly city centre oasis of ponds, gardens, bars and restaurants and 30-plus theme park rides.

That was first on the list and we sauntered around, whizzed on roller coasters, flying carpets and swings and wound down in the serene aquarium. Next day, another must-see beckoned – pretty Nyhavn, a canal flanked by colourful buildings which are home to numerous bars and restaurants. Here, you can join a canals and harbour boat tour and we enjoyed the hour pootling around with a guide telling us about the historic and modern architecture and those fascinating snippets you only get from alocal.

He ­recommended the Broens street food market across the harbour (there is a pedestrian/cycle bridge from Nyhavn) where we narrowed down an overwhelming choice to fish and chips, as that seemed to be what the locals were mostly having!

Our Copenhagen sailaway that night took us past Helsingborg and, across the strait in Denmark, Kronborg Castle, which was the setting (as Elsinore) for Hamlet.

Skagen and Sand’s End seen (we noted how the captain gave it a very wide berth), a sea day with a spa treatment and another night took us back to the Thames Estuary, where we docked at Tilbury at 8am, were off the ship to the car park via bag collection at 8.30am and home by 9.15am.

We had such an easy, enjoyable week away and did not have to go to the ends of the Earth to find it. Well, actually…

We visited the top-notch, main included, Buckingham restaurant on five nights and were superbly looked after by servers Adie and Noor with standout dishes including a roast beet tartare with goat’s cheese, walnuts and rocket, a beef Wellington and a roast pork belly.

Our only quibbles were a couple of the grilled fish dishes we had contained some small bones and we sometimes felt a bit rushed. The drinks package allowed us to have the premium Spanish wines, with the zingy rosé proving perilously good. Also included is the Borough Market buffet, which can be very busy at breakfast and lunch but we always found a seat and something we liked.

Ambience has two extra-charge speciality restaurants and our ­seven-course tasting menu at Sea & Grass was fabulous. As the name suggests, it showcases seafood and meat and the smoked salmon, mushroom soup and pulled lamb were especially memorable with superb presentation and service.

Curry house Saffron also impressed, with excellent kebab starters and Thali veggie dishes and tamarind prawn mains. Our cleared plates said it all. The Coffee House is the go-to for that caffeine fix (extra charge), while The Grill by the pool rustles up included hotdogs, burgers and pizzas.

Our favourite bar was the swish and popular Botanical, perfect for anaperitif accompanied by the delightful sounds of classical violin and piano pair Mystic Duo.Version:1.0 StartHTML:000000096 EndHTML:000003119 StartFragment:000000186

We had plenty of variety, including a shocking performance in the interactive pop quiz (at least the winner was on our table!) in the Purple Turtle pub, but better efforts in the natural world and decades quizzes.

In the main theatre, we loved a wryly amusing stage play based on infidelity and a video doorbell and a murder-mystery matinee set in 1963 Cold War Berlin with more smiles via witty audience participation.

Late-night action saw us at the Observatory lounge’s lively Abba night and the brilliant mash-up of all four house bands, which filled the dance floor.

Book the holiday

On August 4, 294 passengers were trapped on a flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong and not allowed to disembark for almost 29 hours owing to a severe ‘Black Warning’.

Those boarding Cathay Pacific flight 883 on August 4, 2025, from Los Angeles to Hong Kong knew they were in it for the long haul — but little did they know exactly how long it would be.

In what can rightly be described as a nightmare flight from hell, 294 passengers were trapped on flight CX883 and not allowed to disembark for almost 29 hours.

While the initial journey from Los Angeles to Hong Kong averages around 13.5 hours, passengers aboard flight CX883 ended up spending almost twice that amount of time on the Cathay Pacific Boeing 777 due to a ‘black warning’ in Hong Kong at the time of landing. It comes after a ‘traumatised’ family are stranded at Palma Airport after being told they can’t board a Jet2 flight.

The Hong Kong Observatory issues a Black Rainstorm Warning in extreme weather conditions, which means over 70 mm of rain is expected to fall each hour increasing the likelihood of landslides, flooding, and severe disruption. In such cases, flights may be delayed, diverted, or cancelled.

And that’s exactly what happened with flight CX883.

After taking off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 12:55am local time, nearly 300 passengers onboard the Cathay Pacific flight made their way west across the Pacific.

After 13 hours, as the 15-year-old Boeing 777 craft began its final 5,000-foot descent into Hong Kong International Airport, the Black Warning was issued, and flight CX883 was diverted to Taipei to wait out the weather. The plane then landed at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport after 15 hours and 33 minutes since departing from LAX.

While it’s standard practice for Cathay Pacific to regularly divert to Taipei when a landing in Hong Kong is not possible — what’s unusual is Cathay Pacific’s decision not to allow passengers to disembark for another 10.5 hours citing immigration restrictions and international laws.

This resulted in the craft sitting at various remote stands on the tarmac, as per Flightradar24 . In fact, flight CX883 may have just broken the record for the world’s longest commercial flight in terms of duration spent by passengers inside the cabin.

Terrifying scenes from inside the flight were posted to the social media platform Threads by aircraft engineer Fahad Naim (@mfahadnaimb) with the caption: “On August 4th, a flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong set a new record for the longest continuous time spent in an airplane cabin.

“The flight, CX883, was delayed due to a thunderstorm in Hong Kong and was diverted to Taiwan. Passengers spent nearly 29 hours in the cabin, waiting for the weather to clear. The flight finally landed in Hong Kong on August 5th, and passengers applauded the pilot for a safe landing.”

Replying to a comment on his post, Fahad provided an insight into the situation inside the plane, writing: “I think the crew had it way harder because a lot of passengers were anxious and wanted to get off the plane. Plus, dealing with complaints and requests for food and drinks would make things even tougher for the flight attendants.”

At some point, Cathay Pacific was forced to swap out the pilots and cabin crew operating flight CX883, so as to ensure the crew were legally fit to finish out the final leg of the gruelling journey. The flight finally landed at Hong Kong International Airport at 7:15pm local time on August 5 — an astounding 28 hours and 20 minutes after its departure from the origin airport (LAX).

Hong Kong’s rare Black Rainstorm Warning comes as the city was battered with more than 350mm (13.8 inches) of rain in just a few hours on August 5 — making it the region’s most severe weather alert and the highest recorded daily rainfall in August since 1884 (when annual rainfall records started being kept).

The Mirror has approached Cathay Pacific for comment.

Hundreds of flights have been grounded after Air Canada’s unionised flight attendants went on strike after talks over an increase in wages with the country’s largest carrier stalled.

“We are now officially on strike,” the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents Air Canada’s 10,000 flight attendants, said in a social media post just before 01:00 ET [05:00 GMT].

The airline said on Saturday it had suspended all flights for Air Canada and its budget arm Air Canada Rouge due to the strike, which is the first since 1985.

“About 130,000 customers will be impacted each day that the strike continues,” Air Canada said in a statement.

“Air Canada is strongly advising affected customers not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed ticket on an airline other than Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge,” the airline added.

Flights for regional operators Air Canada Jazz and PAL Airlines would continue to operate.

Air Canada had announced its latest wage offer to flight attendants in a statement on Thursday, specifying that under the terms, a senior flight attendant would, on average, make CAN$87,000 ($65,000) per year by 2027.

CUPE has, however, described the airline’s offers as “below inflation (and) below market value”.

The union has also rejected requests from the federal government and Air Canada to resolve outstanding issues through independent arbitration.

In addition to wage increases, the union has said it also wants to address uncompensated ground work, including during the boarding process.

Rafael Gomez, who heads the University of Toronto’s Centre for Industrial Relations, told the AFP news agency that it is “common practice, even around the world” to compensate flight attendants based on time spent in the air.

He said the union had built an effective communication campaign around the issue, creating a public perception of unfairness.

An average passenger, not familiar with common industry practice, could think, “‘I’m waiting to board the plane and there’s a flight attendant helping me, but they’re technically not being paid for that work,’” he said, speaking before the strike began.

“That’s a very good issue to highlight,” Gomez further said, adding that gains made by Air Canada employees could affect other carriers.

On Saturday, flight attendants will picket major Canadian airports, where passengers have already been trying to secure new bookings earlier in the week, as the carrier gradually wound down operations.

Passenger Freddy Ramos, 24, told the Reuters news agency on Friday at Canada’s largest airport in Toronto that his earlier flight was cancelled due to the labour dispute and that he had been rebooked by Air Canada to a different destination.

“Probably 10 minutes prior to boarding, our gate got changed, and then it was cancelled and then it was delayed and then it was cancelled again,” he said.

Canadian businesses reeling from a trade dispute with the United States have urged the federal government to impose binding arbitration on both sides, which would end the strike.

In a statement issued before the strike began, the Business Council of Canada warned that an Air Canada work stoppage could add further pain.

“At a time when Canada is dealing with unprecedented pressures on our critical economic supply chains, the disruption of national air passenger travel and cargo transport services would cause immediate and extensive harm to all Canadians,” it said.

Air Canada has asked Prime Minister Mark Carney’s minority Liberal government to order both sides into binding arbitration, although CUPE, which represents the attendants, said it opposed the move.

Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge normally carry about 130,000 customers a day. Air Canada is also the busiest foreign carrier servicing the US by number of scheduled flights.

Attendants union says there is still time to reach an agreement, as airline warns 100,000 passengers affected by Friday.

Air Canada says it is at an impasse with its negotiations with the union representing its flight attendants and has announced that it will be pausing all its flights on Saturday morning.

Air Canada said on Thursday it expects to cancel several dozen flights by day’s end and approximately 500 flights by the end of Friday, affecting 100,0000 passengers, in advance of a planned Saturday strike by its unionised flight attendants.

The Air Canada executives were speaking at a news conference that ended abruptly due to protests by union members donning placards.

Mark Nasr, chief operations officer at Air Canada, said the complexity of the carrier’s network, which operates more than 250 aircraft on flights to more than 65 countries, requires it to start winding down service now.

A strike would hit the country’s tourism sector during the height of summer travel and poses a new test for the governing Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney, which has been asked by the carrier to intervene and impose arbitration.

Air Canada and low-cost carrier Air Canada Rouge carry about 130,000 customers a day. Air Canada is also the foreign carrier with the largest number of flights to the US.

US carrier United Airlines, a code-share partner of Air Canada, said it has issued a travel waiver to help customers manage their travel plans.

Half of hourly rate for hours worked

The dispute hinges on the way airlines compensate flight attendants. Most airlines have traditionally paid attendants only when planes are in motion.

But in their latest contract negotiations, flight attendants in North America have sought compensation for hours worked, including for tasks like boarding passengers and waiting around the airport before and between flights.

The union said Air Canada had offered to begin compensating flight attendants for some unpaid work, but only at 50 percent of their hourly rate.

The airline said it had offered a 38 percent increase in total compensation for flight attendants over four years, with a 25 percent raise in the first year.

Restarting Air Canada’s operations would take a week to complete, Nasr told reporters in Toronto.

“It’s simply not the kind of system that we can start or stop at the push of a button,” he said. “So in order to have a safe and orderly wind down, we need to begin down.”

FlightAware data shows Air Canada has, thus far, cancelled only four flights as of Thursday morning.

Earlier in the day, Canadian Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu urged the country’s largest carrier and union to return to the bargaining table to reach a deal that could avert disruptions.

“I understand this dispute is causing a great deal of frustration and anxiety to Canadians who are travelling or worrying about how they will get home,” she said in a statement posted on X. “I urge both parties to put their differences aside, come back to the bargaining table and get this done now for the many travelers who are counting on you.”

A spokesperson for the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents the carrier’s 10,000 flight attendants, said Air Canada negotiators are not bargaining and have not responded to a proposal they made earlier this week.

“We believe the company wants the federal government to intervene and bail them out.”

CUPE has previously said it opposes binding arbitration.

Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, chief human resources officer at Air Canada, said the carrier never left the table.

“We are still available to bargain at any time on the condition that the negotiation has substance,” she said.

While most airlines allow passengers to carry a small personal item or bag free of charge, some of the UK’s most popular airlines charge an additional fee for cabin bags

Airline staff have become adept at spotting luggage that exceeds the standard weight and size limitations. One personal bag or ‘small’ cabin bag – typically a purse or a backpack – is allowed on every one of the UK’s most popular airlines – no matter what type of fare you purchase or where you are travelling.

However, this ‘small’ cabin bag must typically be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. Passengers requiring additional space will need to separately purchase a cabin bag which can be stored in the overhead compartment. easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and Jet2 all charge extra for overhead storage cabin bags.

READ MORE: Genius packing hack praised as traveller avoids paying £43 for extra luggage

Below you can find the maximum weight and dimensions of both personal baggage and cabin baggage for each airline – as well as how much you will be charged.

easyJet

Every easyJet passenger is entitled to carry a maximum of two cabin bags: one small cabin bag (free of charge) and one large cabin bag (if included in membership and fare benefits or added during booking).

easyJet small cabin bags must be a maximum of 15kg and within the dimension 45 x 36 x 20cm. A small cabin bag or personal item is free with any fare for easyJet passengers.

easyJet large cabin bags must be a maximum of 15kg within the dimensions 56 x 45 x 25cm. A cabin bag is free for easyJet Plus members or FLEXI ticket holder, or available for purchase

Prices start from £5.99 to book a large cabin bag. Alternatively, you can choose to bring a hold bag, with prices starting from £6.99 for a 15kg bag.

Ryanair

Every Ryanair passenger is entitled to carry one small personal bag free of charge. The small personal bag must be between 40 x 20 x 25cm. Regular cabin bags can be purchased separately but must be within 55 x 40 x 20cm in size and weigh no more than 10kg.

Prices start from £6 to book a large cabin bag and can reach as high as £60 depending on your travel route, whether you add the cabin bag during or after the time of booking, and your travel dates.

Vueling Airlines

All Vueling passengers are entitled to one personal bag that can be stored in the seat in front of them between the dimensions 40x30x20 cm. However, there is an additional cost for basic fare passengers to add a cabin bag.

The cabin bag must be between the dimensions 55x40x20 cm and under 10kg in weight. The cost to add a cabin bag can range from 10 Euro to 75 Euro depending on whether you book it early or add it on later, as well as your travel destination.

Wizz Air

All Wizz Air passengers are entitled to one personal item free of charge. However only Wizz Priority passengers are entitled to bring an extra trolley bag of maximum size 55 x 40 x 23 cm into the cabin.

The cost of adding a cabin bag depends on whether it is high seasons or low season, as well as where you are travelling. Prices range from €15 during low season for a bag with a 10 kg weight maximum to €189.50 during high season for a bag with a 26kg maximum.

Two airlines that allow cabin bags free of charge

British Airways and TUI Airways both allow passengers of all fare classes to travel with one piece of hand luggage free of charge.

1) British Airways

British Airways specifies that passengers can bring one standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item on board with even their lowest fare – Economy Basic. The standard hand luggage, including wheels and handles, can be up to 56 x 45 x 25cm and must weigh no more than 23kg.

That said, it is important to note that if you have more than two pieces of hand baggage, or they’re over the permitted size, you may have to put your larger bags into the hold as checked baggage.

Additionally, when you’ve used your free checked baggage allowance, you’ll have to pay to put any extra bags into the hold. You can check your baggage allowance on the BA website using their handy baggage allowance calculator.

British Airways asks passengers to keep in mind that the carriage of excess baggage is subject to availability. In some destinations, additional local taxes may also apply. If your journey includes a flight with another airline, their allowances may be different.

2) TUI Airways

All TUI Airways passengers (excluding infants) are permitted to carry one piece of hand luggage free of charge. The luggage must be within the dimension 55 x 40 x 20cm and be a maximum weight of 10kg.

TUI passengers are also permitted to carry one personal item free of charge, but it must be stored under the seat in front of you and within the dimension 40 x 30 x 20cm.

Additionally, when you fly both ways with TUI Airways as part of a package holiday, your fare will include at least 20kg of checked-in luggage per person and 10kg for Under 2s.

“Untamed,” a quasi-police drama premiering Thursday on Netflix, is a vacation from most crime shows, set not in a big city or cozy village but in the wilds of Yosemite National Park. (Never mind that the series was shot in British Columbia, which has nothing to apologize for when it comes to dramatic scenery, and whose park rangers are not threatened by draconian budget cuts nor their parks by politicians’ desire to sell off public lands.)

The mountains and valleys, the rivers and brooks, the occasional deer or bear are as much a part of the mise-en-scène as the series’ complicated, yet essentially straightforward heroes and villains. Lacking big themes, it’s not so much meat-and-potatoes television as fish and corn grilled over a camp fire, and on the prestige scale it sits somewhere between “Magnum P.I.” and “True Detective,” leaning toward the former.

Created by Mark L. Smith (“American Primeval”) and Elle Smith (“The Marsh King’s Daughter”) and starring Eric Bana and Sam Neill, Antipodean actors wearing American accents once again, it’s a limited series, though, for a while, it has the quality of a pilot, introducing characters that could profitably be reused — with perhaps a little less of the trauma peeking out at every corner. Of course, if the show becomes a fantabulous success, the Netflix engineers may contrive a way to make it live again; it’s happened before.

“Untamed” starts big. Two climbers are making their way up the face of El Capitan when a woman’s body comes flying over the cliff, gets tangled in their ropes and hangs suspended, dead. She is hanging there still — the climbers have been rescued — when Investigative Services Branch special agent Kyle Turner (Bana) rides in on his horse.

“Here comes f—ing Gary Cooper,” mutters grumbling ranger Bruce Milch (William Smillie) to new ranger Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago), a former police officer (and single mother, with a threatening ex) newly arrived from Los Angeles. (The horse, says Milch, who regards it as a high horse, gives him “a better angle to look down on us lowly rangers.”) What are the odds on Vasquez becoming Turner’s (junior) partner? And on a difficult relationship developing into a learning curve (“This is not L.A. — things happen different out here”) and turning almost … tender?

More heroically proportioned and handsome than anyone else in the show, a man of the forest with superior tracking skills, Turner is also a mess — a taciturn mess, which also makes him seem stoic — barely holding himself together, drinking too much, living in a cabin in the woods filled with unpacked boxes, undone by the unaddressed family tragedy that broke him and his marriage. (The dark side of stoicism.) Sympathetic remarried ex-wife Jill (Rosemarie DeWitt, keeping it real), who herself is only “as happy as I can be, I guess,” and sympathetic boss Paul Souter (Neill), try to keep him straight.

“You’ve locked yourself away in this park, Kyle,” Souter tells Turner. “It’s not healthy.” Turner, however, prefers “most animals to people — especially my horse.” Nevertheless, he has a couple of friends: Shane Maguire (Wilson Bethel), a wildlife manager — that means he shoots things, so be forewarned — also living in the woods, but without the cabin, is the toxic one; Mato Begay (Trevor Carroll), an Indigenous policeman, the nontoxic one. And he’s sleeping with a concierge at the local nice hotel, just so that element is covered; it’s otherwise beside the point.

If the dialogue often has the flavor of coming off a page rather than out of a character, it gets the job done, and if the characters are essentially static, people don’t change overnight, and consistency is a hallmark of detective fiction. The narrative wisely stays close to Turner and/or Vasquez; there are enough twists and tendrils in the main overlapping plots without running off into less related matters. (Keeping the series to six episodes is also a plus, and something to be encouraged, makers of streaming series. Your critic will thank you for it.) Still, between the hot cases and the cold cases, with their collateral damage; hippie squatters from central casting chanting “Our Earth, our land;” a mysterious gold tattoo, indigenous glyphs and old mines — there is an especially tense scene involving a tight tunnel and rising water — the show stays busy. Though last-minute heavy surprises don’t register emotionally — trauma overload, maybe — you will not be left wanting for answers, or closure.

And you will learn quite a bit about vultures and their dining habits — not what you might think.

Aged seven or eight, planting onions on his father’s land above Kabak Bay, Fatih Canözü saw his first foreigner. Before the road came in 1980, his village on the jagged coast of south-west Turkey’s Lycia region was extremely remote, isolated by steep valleys and mountains plunging into the sea. It took his family two days to get to the city of Fethiye on winding donkey tracks, to sell their apricots, vegetables and honey at the market. Despite his shock at seeing the outside world intrude for the first time, Canözü remembers thinking even then that tourism was the future.

In a major win for Brits travelling abroad this year, Ryanair has confirmed it’s changing its infamous cabin bag allowance following a huge EU ruling – here’s everything you need to know

Ryanair is making some sizeable adjustments to its free cabin bag allowance, in a huge victory for Brits.

The ultra-low-cost airline, known for its sarcastic online presence, has frequently garnered global media attention for issuing out hefty fines for passengers flouting its strict luggage rules. Currently, passengers unwilling to pay for additional luggage must make sure their free ‘personal bag’ does not exceed 40 X 25 X 20cm – a volume of just 20 litres.

It is now common practice for card-machine-waving staff to ask customers to prove their bag fits the tiny dimensions during the boarding process. Those found attempting to bring a larger bag on board can be stung with a £75 charge. However, following a new European Union standard, all of this is about to change.

READ MORE: Ryanair blasts 5 countries including UK over major ‘scandal’ causing delays

Last month (June 24), members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in favour of introducing common dimensions for hand luggage. They agreed that all passengers should have a right to carry on board one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop with maximum dimensions of 40x30x15 cm without an additional fee.

Ryanair has been even more generous than the ruling dictates, confirming it will allow passengers to bring a personal bag up to 40 X 30 X 20cm in the coming weeks. However, its allowance is still stingier than rival easyJet – which permits passengers to bring a free under seat bag of 45 x 36 x 20cm (including wheels and handles).

British Airways (BA) technically has a smaller under-seat bag limit – with dimensions restricted to the EU minimum (40 x 30 x 15cm). However, passengers are also allowed to bring a larger cabin bag on board free of charge, as long as it is not heavier than 23kg and can fit in the overhead lockers.

“Today’s vote marks an important step toward fairer and more transparent travel,” vice-chair of the EU Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Matteo Ricci said in a press statement. “[It introduces] concrete measures such as the clear definition of free hand luggage … a fundamental right to avoid unjustified extra costs.”

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Last month the transport committee of the European parliament voted to give passengers the right to an extra piece of free hand luggage weighing up to 7kg. According to the BBC, the proposed rule would still have to be passed by the wider European parliament before becoming law.

Despite the ruling, Brits are still being advised to confirm the baggage rules with their selected airline directly this summer, to avoid any confusion. Showing up with a bag that exceeds the company’s allowance may result in a steep fine – or your luggage being taken away and stowed underneath the plane.

Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.

The budget airline has announced a change to luggage limits for free baggage – which will come into action in just a few weeks – here’s everything you need to know

Europe’s biggest budget airline, Ryanair, has revealed a huge change to luggage limits for free baggage, set to be implemented in weeks.

At present, the airline allows a carry-on bag measuring 40 x 25 x 20cm on board at no extra charge, offering a volume of 20 litres. But soon, travellers will be able to pack a little more generously as the new dimensions will change to 40 x 30 x 20cm – effectively increasing the volume to 24 litres.

This increase in the free allowance is a response to an initiative by the European Commission to encourage airlines across Europe to standardise. In a statement, Ryanair confirmed the change and said it would be introduced in time for the summer holidays in a few weeks.

A spokesperson said: “Ryanair’s current free ‘personal bag’ size is 40 x 25 x 20cm. Following the new EU minimum bag size of 40 x 30 x 15cm, Ryanair will increase its max ‘personal bag’ dimensions to 40 x 30 x 20cm, so that Ryanair’s ‘personal bag’ allowance is bigger than the EU standard.

READ MORE: Ryanair axes 170 flights as France air traffic control strikes spark holiday chaos

“This change will be implemented over the coming weeks, as our airport bag sizers are adjusted.” The spokesperson confirmed that the expanded luggage limit would be free, reports Belfast Live.

Airlines for Europe (A4E) has been in discussions with the transport commissioner in Brussels, Adina Vălean, about making life simpler for passengers. The organisation says that “all A4E airlines will roll out the guaranteed dimensions and have them in place by the end of the 2025 summer season.”

Ourania Georgoutsakou, the organisation’s managing director, added: “This will align A4E members with the decision of member states made last month and bring more clarity to passengers across Europe. From city-hoppers to family travellers, everyone will benefit from the same clear rule across our members’ networks.”

Despite the new “standardised” baggage dimensions, most airlines are set to carry on with their current practices. British Airways, Jet2, and easyJet already offer allowances that surpass these dimensions.

According to The Independent, an easyJet spokesperson confirmed their dimensions will remain the same, at 45 x 36 x 20cm, giving a maximum volume of 32 litres. British Airways and Jet2 currently offer a slightly similar size of 40 x 30 x 15cm for a small bag that fits underneath the seat in front.

Additionally, British Airways also offers the option of taking a 56 x 45 x 25cm cabin bag onboard for free. As it stands, Ryanair appears to be the only major airline set to make the change.

The adjustment in rules will require recalibration at all airport sizing stations, which means passengers with previously acceptable luggage will now have to shop for new ones.

Last month saw MEPs advocating for airlines to allow two pieces of cabin luggage per passenger. However, airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air staunchly oppose this, citing impracticality.

The EU Parliament’s transport committee has also endorsed an amendment aiming to scrap charges for small carry-on items. Under a prospective new EU regulation, passengers would have the right to carry handbags up to 7kg free of additional fees.

A number of airlines, including Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air, presently charge extra for larger cabin bags intended for the overhead locker as part of their standard fares, with only a small under-seat bag included in the basic ticket price.

Under the proposed policy, passengers would be entitled to one free cabin bag weighing up to 7kg and not exceeding 100cms in size, in addition to a smaller personal item that can fit under the seat. This policy would apply to all flights to and from the EU, including routes between the EU and the UK.

When asked for a comment, Ryanair referred to a statement by Airlines for Europe regarding the EU’s plans, stating: “Airlines for Europe (A4E) today confirmed that its member airlines have started applying the guaranteed set of dimensions of 40 × 30 × 15 cm for the item of cabin baggage that usually is placed under the seat in front- the ‘personal item’- agreed by member states last month.

“The agreement reached on June 5, 2025, sets out the dimensions of the personal item, which passengers can already bring into the cabin at no extra cost. It is defined as an unchecked bag with “dimensions of 40 × 30 × 15 cm”.”

All A4E airlines are set to introduce guaranteed cabin-bag dimensions by the end of the 2025 summer season. Carriers will still have the freedom to allow larger personal items, as many already do.

READ MORE: Large garden parasol with LED solar lights reduced by £85 at little-known retailer

Packing for a weekend getaway can be a struggle when you’re trying to keep costs low – but one woman has shared a simple trick to avoid paying cabin bag fees

We all want to score the best deals when jetting off to soak up some sun abroad.

But with major airlines cracking down on luggage allowances, packing for a quick weekend getaway has become tricky — and often expensive — especially when you’re trying to keep costs low.

Luckily, one savvy traveller has shared a clever hack that lets you avoid paying for a cabin or underseat bag altogether.

If you’ve already visited far-flung places like Australia or South America, chances are you might already own the perfect item for this trick.

Instead of splashing out on an extra carry-on, TikToker Nina Edwine showed how much you can actually fit inside an empty travel pillow cover.

READ MORE: Influencer’s travel hack gets you an entire row of seats on plane to yourself

Not only does this keep your clothes safe, but the packed pillow also doubles as a comfy cushion for those long flights. Don’t be fooled by its small size — Nina stuffed the pillow with plenty of clothes.

In her video, the German traveller unpacks a non-padded bra, a strappy dress, multiple tops, a stunning red co-ord, and more — totalling ten pieces of clothing.

She revealed that this stash was enough to put together “more than six” different outfits.

Proud of her budget-friendly hack, Nina said: “Smart trick to avoid paying 50 euros (£42) for cabin luggage.”

While some airlines allow a small free cabin bag, their size restrictions often aren’t enough — making this hack a game-changer.

The clip has gone viral, racking up over 2.6 million views on TikTok, with more than 75,000 likes and nearly 1,900 comments.

“This is actually genius, for real,” one user commented, liked over 4,100 times.

Another was amazed: “Wait, you fit so much stuff in there!”

A third said: “Legendary… how have I never thought of this?”

And one more chimed in: “Love doing this — it saves so much space.”

One fashion-savvy viewer added: “One of those Uniqlo crossbody bags fits loads. Wear it under your coat with a scarf to hide the strap.”

It comes after another influencer shared a simple trick that will help you get an entire row to yourself on your next flight.

Maddie revealed she had signed up for a service called Neighbour Free when she flew with Etihad. In a video posted to her social media platforms, she explained: “I bid on the seats next to me on the plane, and if the flight isn’t completely full when I board, I get the whole row to myself. It’s basically like Business Class in Economy. I can lie down, sleep, all that.”

The content creator was “excited” to discover she had “won” the seats, meaning she had the entire row to herself. Maddie managed to sleep for eight of the 13.5-hour long-haul flight.

When asked how much this luxury had cost her, Maddie revealed in the comments section of her video that she had paid £200 to upgrade to three seats. In response to a suggestion that it might have been cheaper to upgrade to Business Class, she retorted: “Business Class upgrade would have cost £1,900++.”

READ MORE: Hair loss sufferer says hairdresser ‘couldn’t believe’ growth with 55p-per-day supplement

An ex-flight attendant is sharing the details of exactly how, why and when crews ‘check out’ passengers and the reason has more to do with health and safety than attractiveness

A former flight attendant has lifted the lid on why some members of staff “check out” passengers when they get on the plane.

Divulging trade secrets and tips, the attendant who says they worked for a major airline says there is an important reason they eye up the general public as they get comfy in their seats.

Part of the TruTravels team, the flight attendant acknowledged that there are “so many stories of code words for hot passengers” admitting that they certainly don’t go unnoticed by the crew. “We see them and talk about them. But we’d rather just straight up say ‘that businessman in 2A is kinda [sic] fine’ than use some code word”.

That said, the attendant revealed that there is a legitimate safety reason that requires them to assess passengers. “We check you out to see if you’re looking well, healthy, in a fit state, aka not hammered and who would be helpful in an emergency.”

READ MORE: Cabin crew horror as flight attendant shares one ‘pre-used’ item given to flyers

While the greeting by flight attendants as passengers board is often attributed to common politeness or mandated etiquette, this is usually the point where crew members assess passengers. If passengers are too inebriated to fly, it can pose a health and safety risk and they can be removed from the flight.

Additionally, flight attendants need to assess who can provide physical assistance in the unlikely event of an emergency – looking out for a specific type of passenger. “We call them ABP’s (able-bodied people), the sort of people who can help you throw a door off and help passengers down an emergency slide. You know, the important stuff.”

It is for this reason that only able-bodied individuals are allowed to sit in the seats next to emergency exits. These seats are typically highly coveted – despite sometimes coming with added booking charges – because they offer extra legroom and there is no row immediately ahead.

However, the privilege of extra legroom comes with great responsibility; these passengers are required to be ready to assist in emergencies.

Reflecting this commitment, Ryanair’s terms and conditions state it reserves the right to ” change your allocated seats at any time, even if you had reserved it, if we need to do this for operational, safety or security reasons.”

The airline’s guidelines state that passengers who want to sit in rows 1, 16, or 17 – where the emergency exits are located – must meet specific requirements. These include being over 16 years old, capable of assisting in an emergency, not travelling with an infant, not needing any special assistance at the airport, not requiring a seat belt extender, and not having booked an extra comfort seat.

Another trade secret the former flight attendant shared is why aeroplanes are so cold. “This is for a few reasons, but normally temperatures should stay at around 21 degrees [Celcius] mainly because anything above people start to faint (trust me, this happens most flights).

“Although the flow of air throughout the plane makes 21 degrees feel more like 15 degrees, and if you’re [sitting] near a door, that suctions gonna freeze [you]. So, that’s the price you pay for extra legroom.”

One simple trick can help you get plenty more cabin storage space on your cruise ship without having to upgrade to a suite or larger room on holiday

Brits heading on cruise holidays this summer won’t need to fork out for a cabin upgrade if they want extra storage, thanks to a simple but effective trick.

While cruise suites often come with perks like extra storage space, they’re not always within your budget; but opting for a cheaper cabin doesn’t mean you’ll need to pack a little more lightly. In fact, there’s one clever trick that cruise regulars swear by, and all you need to do is pack one extra item.

The insiders over at Cruise Critic revealed the trick, explaining: “In many onboard bathrooms, there’s just not enough space for all your toiletries, cosmetics, jewellery and other personal items you like to keep by the sink and shower. An old favourite trick of many cruisers is to hang up an over-the-door shoe organiser and fill the pockets not with footwear but with hairbrushes, detangling spray and other beauty needs. The cloth organisers are easily foldable to fit in your cruise luggage.”

READ MORE: Cruise passengers can currently get free drinks packages on over 40 sailings in 2025

It wasn’t the only tip they had. If you’re packing lots of toiletries but think you won’t have enough space for things like your shampoo or razor, then the travel experts recommend also bringing a “magnetic or suction hooks to hang on doors and walls to hang toiletries from etc too”.

Of course one of the perks of cruises is that the ships don’t tend to have strict luggage limits, so you can often rock up with two large suitcases and a personal bag (although if you’ve booked a cruise that departs from abroad, check your airline’s luggage limits as these will apply!).

Whatever itinerary you’ve got planned, one cruise expert recently revealed the six items he recommends that you always pack. Out of those, there’s one easy mistake that a lot of people can avoid with a bit of planning.

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According to Bob McGowan, Chief Experience Officer at Ambassador Cruise Line, most people only pack a rucksack for shore excursions in mind, or poolside days on the deck. However, when it comes to the evening time, they suddenly find that they don’t have an appropriate bag for the restaurants and bars. He explained: “There is a common misconception that cruises are only about lounging around”. He explained that while you’ll want a backpack for your onshore excursions, it’s worth thinking about an evening bag too when you’re on the ship.

“Having a compact bag whilst at dinner, enjoying a show or popping to the bar can be handy – helping to avoid that moment of panic when you realise you’ve left your phone in the restaurant – whilst a rucksack is great for a big day of exploring once in port.”

Speaking of the evening, don’t forget to bring something a little fancier than your T-shirt and shorts combo for your adventures. He added: “Whilst the flamboyant and grandiose clothing once associated with cruising is less common now, it is definitely a good idea to bring along a smart outfit with gala dinners and speciality dining options often available on board. On most cruises there will be at least one black tie evening and it’s always better to be slightly overdressed than underprepared. Plus, you’re on holiday – the perfect excuse to get suited and booted for the occasion!”

Do you have a simple travel hack you want to share? Email us at [email protected].

In Old English its name meant “the land of the summer people”, after the local practice of coming down to the Somerset Levels after the winter flooding receded. Today, Somerset is still somewhere where seasons are felt vividly, as Sophie Brendel and Panu Long discovered when they and their two children moved to Thornfalcon, their farmstead in a village of the same name, 15 minutes’ drive from Taunton, at the end of 2022. Here, they are on constant weather watch, tending their young vines (Panu, now a winemaker, has a background in the drinks industry) and harvesting daily from the kitchen garden. They are also busy making plans for the apple harvest, which will go into the 150-year-old cider press.

In addition, they have created a handful of places to stay on their 16-hectare (40-acre) site, which sprawls through woods, orchards and vines to a reed-fringed lake. Walking around it at the end of May, you feel the cusp of summer, from the water lilies coming into bloom and the nesting swan, guarded by her mate. “Soon the eggs will hatch, and later she’ll teach the cygnets to fly, before taking them down to the Somerset Levels,” says Sophie.

My cabin, the Vine Hut, is surrounded by wildflowers overlooking rows of champagne grape varieties. Inside, nature is just as enveloping: nasturtiums climb over the bedroom wallpaper, a blousy bunch of homegrown peonies sits on the dining table. Behind the orchard, the Lambing Shed’s interior is clad in textured band-sawn planks and the bed’s headboard is painted with apple blossom. In front of the family’s blue lias stone farmhouse is the two-bedroom Coach House, filled with antiques and beautiful textiles, which hint at Sophie’s years spent among pattern and design as a director at the V&A. The latest arrival is a vardo Gypsy wagon with floral patterned ceiling, which sleeps two children as extra accommodation for families staying in the cabins.

As the sun creeps out, I wander back to the lake, Mr Swan still patrolling in case I had a mind for a dip. Instead I sit in the wooden sauna – the big picture window frames the scene as swifts dip, and the mental ticker tape of to-do lists begins to melt away. There’s a hot tub outside too, and nearby an old boat house has been turned into the wild treatment room, where local therapist Gemma undoes some of the rest of my knots as the bird calls carry in off the water. Both cabins have outdoor baths of their own, although the plum spot at the Vine Hut after dinner is a pair of adirondack chairs, positioned just so to catch the sunset.

The next morning, in the sunny, green-painted kitchen, I make breakfast with blue-shelled eggs from the brood of Legbar chickens. There’s the option to have a box of just-picked Thornfalcon produce in your cabin on arrival, or Sophie and Panu are full of recommendations for eating nearby, from roasts at the Dinnington Docks to something smarter at the Barrington Boar. Afterwards, I take the short stomp through the village and up Thorn Hill (known as “the clump” for its wooden top), where baby bunnies dart from hedgerows. A patchwork of green rolls away to the edge of the Quantock Hills. There are other walks from the door, looping round through the village of North Curry – where you can pick up a duck sausage roll at the Bird in Hand pub, which is in the process of reopening and is currently serving pints and street food from a converted wagon outside. Slightly farther away, you can strike out around Cothelstone Hill to spot the herd of Exmoor ponies and bronze age burial mounds, or rent paddle boards from the Somerset Boat Centre to float along the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal.

A current of creativity also flows through this corner of Somerset, and later that morning I meet Buc Dennis at his family’s Dennis Chinaworks in an old stable block outside Shepton Beauchamp (open Monday to Friday, and weekends by appointment). Visitors can buy beautiful vases and jugs, with patterns hand drawn by Buc’s mother, Sally Tuffin, a former fashion designer now in her 80s.

It’s not the only creative family hub in these parts, and afterwards I swing by the Temperleys’ Burrow Hill Cider Farm. The familiar Glastonbury cider bus is parked outside, the pumps fired up on Saturday afternoons, when local families spread picnic blankets between the apple trees, entertained by food trucks and circus troupes. Across the yard, Mary Temperley’s Make store is stocked with zesty body washes (also in bathrooms at Thornfalcon), baskets woven in Ghana and suzanis stitched in Jaipur.

Sophie and Panu, too, fizz with ideas. “When I developed long Covid, creativity and making were one of the key things that made me well again,” Sophie told me when pointing out a framed needlepoint she had stitched in one of the cabins. This summer, the first bottles of wine and cider will be ready; there are plans to take beekeeping courses and plant lavender fields; and to host feasts, yoga classes and painting workshops in a lovely old barn. It’s inspiring to be around, and equally, easy to dip into as much or as little as you choose. A place to get fired up or sink into a slower way of living, or, as I tried, to find a balance between the two.

Accommodation was provided by Thornfalcon Winery & Press: the Coach House sleeps five from £125 a night; the Vine Hut and the Lambing Shed sleep two from £170 a night, and the Gypsy Caravan an extra £70 a night (all two nights minimum), thornfalcon.com. Train travel was provided by Great Western Railway, which travels directly from London Paddington to Taunton, gwr.com.

Flight attendants are seen multiple times walking on the aisle. Other than serving foods and drinks, there’s one important task they must complete during the flight.

Being a flight attendant has lots of perks, such as travelling around the world. Still, it’s a tough job with a lot of responsibilities, especially for the passenger’s safety.

That said, there’s one important task all flight attendants must regularly complete throughout the flight. Have you ever wondered why flight attendants walk the aisle on certain occasions and even multiple times – even when most of the cabin is asleep? They’re not just stretching their legs, they are actually completing vital safety checks.

From serving drinks and meals, answering questions, offering duty-free, and going through pre-flight checks, cabin crew members are also tasked with being incredibly alert. This means no snoozing on the job, unless it’s a long-haul flight where attendants are designated periods of rest.

READ MORE: British Airways bans cabin crew from taking certain photos on layovers

Whether it’s a short or long flight, safety is the number one priority when flying. As explained on Go Opti’s website, the crew completes a mandatory check every 30 minutes to see if passengers need any assistance or anything that should be reported.

This check also applies at night, when all the lights are off and passengers are asleep. The website says: “Even if the passengers are sleeping, the cabin crew must keep checking that all is well. They will look for anything unusual and scan the passengers and the cabin. The flight crew must be checked upon every 30 minutes to make sure that they are ok and to see if they need anything.”

And their safety first policy doesn’t just come into play mid-flight, they are expected to see every passenger as they get on-board. During boarding, the cabin crew is responsible for identifying passengers who might be able to assist in the event of an emergency, along with anyone who may be unfit to fly. When seeing passengers get off, the crew has to ensure no one – or their belongings – are left behind.

READ MORE: ‘I’m a flight attendant and there’s some serious downsides to the job’

Flight attendant training

On average, flight attendant safety training can last four and six weeks, including real-life scenarios and practical exercises. Walking on the aisle is just one of them.

The exact frequency varies depending on the flight duration. Nonetheless, whether it’s a one-hour or a 16-hour journey, flight attendants will always be alert to keep everyone onboard safe.

Next time, don’t be surprised when you see the cabin crew walking on the aisle. Whether they’re serving food and drinks or swapping areas with their colleagues, they’re also checking out for your safety and at your disposal whenever you need their assistance.

TRAVEL lovers have been lapping up a big brand cabin bag that’s even more penny-pinching than Primark’s own version.

There’s nothing worse than getting caught out by militant measures – and here’s the answer.

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To avoid paying for an overpriced cabin bag, shoppers have been going potty for the Robert Dyas Underseat Cabin Bag.

Available in black/red, it comes in at a savvy £7.99 and is ideal for short breaks or business trips.

The travel companion is priced even lower than Primark’s £12 Underseat Bag.

High Quality Cabin Carry on Holdall Bag Duffel Under Seat. Additional sleeve section on the back to fit over trolley case handles. Adjustable shoulder strap and top carry handle.

Happy customers reviewed online: “Great bag to take on plane.”

A second added: “Underseat travel bag. Perfect size to use when travelling. Strong bag, easy to fold and store away.”

A third praised: “Looks good and roomy, ideal to take onboard a plane and lots of compartments for important stuff.”

“Perfect lightweight bag, just what I wanted,” applauded a fourth.

“Excellent quality and value,” wrote another.

“Very good. Correct dimensions for small bag to take as cabin bag. Love it!” penned another.

“Very sturdy, great quality bag. Amazing price. Perfect for Ryanair‘s ridiculously stringent sizing policy. Managed to ram more into it than I envisaged,” advised a fifth.

All Ryanair passengers can bring a small personal bag on board but this must fit under the seat in front of you.

All over-sized cabin bags will be refused at the boarding gate, or where available put in the hold for a fee.

Anyone wanting to bring another bag, you’ll need to upgrade and pay extra for priority and two cabin bags or checked baggage.

Many angry passengers have been caught out by Ryanair’s strict baggage allowance for flights.

However, the Robert Dyas lightweight bag has a 20L capacity with dimensions H:25 x W:40 x D:5 cm and fits perfectly under the seat.

With a front zip for passports and essentials, it features carry grab handles with an adjustable shoulder strap.

Made from strong polyester, it also offers a one year guarantee.

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