Customer service

A Jet2 survey has shown a shift in how people are booking their holidays amid concerns over jet fuel supplies

Jet2 has revealed that passengers are making a major change to how they book holidays amid concern over major jet fuel problems this year due to teh Middle East Crisis. As the Middle East crisis deepens, mounting concerns suggest Britain could face a jet fuel shortage that may disrupt holiday flights.

Goldman Sachs has cautioned that Britain is the country “most exposed” to jet fuel shortages triggered by the Iran conflict, stoking fears of further flight cancellations and ruined summer getaways. Analysts at one of the world’s largest investment banks warned that the UK is heavily dependent on imports routed through the closed Strait of Hormuz, with “critically low levels” of supplies and inadequate refining capabilities.

And personal finance expert Martin Lewis has spoken out about the issue – highlighting people who book their flights and hotels separately might not get compensation if flights are cancelled. Jet2 said package holidays are now the top choice for travellers, with 51% opting for this booking method – a 5% rise since February. During the same timeframe, those preferring to book through separate providers has fallen by six percentage points to 20%, while ‘accommodation only’ bookings have plummeted to just 2%.

Jet2 said the results showed main attractions of package holidays have remained consistent, with value (36%) and convenience (36%) leading the way. However, the appeal of ‘added security with one provider, ATOL/ABTA protection’ has climbed by four percentage points since February to reach 26%, according to the survey.

This protection ensures customers are safeguarded against any alterations to their bookings, including the possibility of refunds should travel plans be scrapped, while guaranteeing holidays meet the highest standards for customer service, booking amendments, and health and safety.

READ MORE: Jet2, easyJet, Jet2, TUI passengers with flights booked warned of ’14 day rule’ changeREAD MORE: TV travel expert Simon Calder gives Spain, Portugal, Italy summer rule update

Jet2 has pledged not to impose surcharges on any confirmed flights or holidays to offset rising costs, such as jet fuel, giving customers peace of mind that the price they book is the final price they’ll pay.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, commented: “Consumers want assurance during times of uncertainty and package holidays provide that assurance. On top of all the protection that our package holidays guarantee, Jet2 is well known as being a consumer champion that goes above and beyond to look after customers. Ahead of a busy summer season, this means new and existing customers know that their well-deserved holidays are in the very best hands with us, and we are very excited about welcoming everyone onboard and taking them on their breaks.”

As millions of Jet2 customers gear up for a bustling summer season, the firm has confirmed it intends to run its scheduled services as planned.

Martin Lewis gave a warning for anyone who has already booked their holiday for this summer. In an update the personal finance guru gave an alert to people who have already paid for breaks from the main holiday firms and airlines like TUI, Jet2, Ryanair, Wizz, easyJet and British Airways.

During his Money Show Live on ITV, the financial expert responded to an audience member who asked: ‘If my flight’s cancelled due to no jet fuel will you definitely receive all your money back even for your hotel booking as well.’

Mr Lewis made clear that travellers would lose their hotel booking costs if they had arranged accommodation independently from flights booked with airlines such as Jet2, TUI, Wizz, Ryanair or easyJet – as they would not be protected under consumer regulations.

He stated: “No. And I think this is what people need to be very aware of. If you booked a package holiday where you booked everything in one, then under the package holiday regulations and rules and protections generally if your flight went you would get everything back.”

He went on to say: “And so actually at the moment package holidays give you a certain level of extra security that you wouldn’t get if you did a DIY booking where you bought your hotel and flight separately.” The reason behind this, he explained, is that the hotel booking itself remains valid: “Because the point is if you lose your flight and you’ve DIY booked, there’s nothing wrong with your hotel.

“The issue is you can’t get there. Your hotel is still there. It’s not faulty. It’s not cancelling. So, you don’t have those consumer rights.” If the hotel hasn’t done anything wrong, then guests might look at how they’ve made their booking – but that route offers no solution either.

He said: “So, you would then say, ‘What about using a credit card or debit card protection?’ It won’t work because there’s nothing faulty. And that’s just giving you the same replica rights that you would have with the retailer.”

Meanwhile, holiday giant TUI has issued a direct message to those with May bookings. TUI Managing Director Neil Swanson in a message on Facebook, pledged that May half-term flights would proceed as scheduled: “We know you may be feeling a little uneasy after recent headlines, and we want to reassure anyone travelling over May half term that they can look forward to their holiday with confidence with TUI. We have good visibility on fuel supplies and are operating our holiday programme as planned, with no flights being cancelled due to fuel shortages.

“Our careful planning across fuel, flying and hotel capacity means we’re able to continue offering great value and stable prices – with no fuel surcharges added by TUI. The price you see is the price you pay, and all TUI package holidays are ABTA & ATOL protected, giving peace of mind from booking right through to returning home.”

On TUI’s Facebook page, holidaymakers reported seeing significant price hikes. Marie said: “We booked our August holiday nearly 18 months ago and paid 5.2K. Just checked it to book now and it’s 6.7K. Glad we booked so far in advance. Already booked August 2027 holiday for same price as we paid this year.”

Lynn replied: “Marie Tomes we’re the exact same. Been going to the same hotel for 7yrs. They renegotiated the contract last year. For us to book for next year its going to be nearly 1k each more for our 2weeks. We’re going to make the most of this year as our last visit.”

One concerned traveller, Rno, raised worries about upcoming summer trips: “What about those who have already booked a hotel and flight for the entire month of August? I have a booking for my family and I’m worried Note that the plane is a TUI and the flight is to Egypt.”

TUI responded: “Hi there. We’re monitoring the situation closely. Right now, we don’t expect any disruption to flights or holidays, but we’ll keep this under review and contact customers directly if anything changes that affects their booking. “

Meanwhile, Jet2 revealed it too is witnessing a notable shift in booking behaviour amongst travellers. Experts such as Martin Lewis have urged travellers to book holidays as a package deal, warning that purchasing flights and accommodation separately could leave them without full compensation should anything go awry.

The money-saving guru has urged those who have paid for trips with major holiday firms and airlines to avoid the DIY approach

Martin Lewis has delivered a stark warning to anyone who has already booked a holiday for this summer – and explained why people could be making a big mistake getting flights and hotels separately. In a recent update, the money-saving guru has urged those who have paid for trips with major holiday firms and airlines, including TUI, Jet2, Ryanair, Wizz, easyJet and British Airways, to pay close attention.

It was suggested this week that the UK could be worst hit by jet fuel shortages because it has ‘critically low levels’ of supplies and poor refining tools, by Goldman Sachs. The giant investment bank Goldman Sachs said in a research note to clients: “The UK is the largest net importer of jet fuel in Europe, and it holds no strategic reserves, leaving commercial inventories as the primary buffer.”

During his Money Show Live on ITV, the financial expert responded to an audience member who asked: ‘If my flight’s cancelled due to no jet fuel will you definitely receive at the moment package holidays give you a certain as well.’ Mr Lewis explained that holidaymakers would lose their hotel booking costs if they had arranged accommodation independently from flights reserved with airlines such as Jet2, TUI, Wizz, Ryanair or easyJet – as they would not be protected under consumer regulations.

He said: “No. And I think this is what people need to be very aware of. If you booked a package holiday where you booked everything in one, then under the package holiday regulations and rules and protections generally if your flight went you would get everything back.”

He added: “And so actually at the moment package holidays give you a certain level of extra security that you wouldn’t get if you did a DIY booking where you bought your hotel and flight separately.” The reason for this, he explained, stems from the fact that the hotel reservation itself remains entirely valid: “Because the point is if you lose your flight and you’ve DIY booked, there’s nothing wrong with your hotel.

“The issue is you can’t get there. Your hotel is still there. It’s not faulty. It’s not cancelling. So, you don’t have those consumer rights.” If the accommodation provider hasn’t violated any terms, then guests might examine how they’ve paid for their booking – but that route offers no solution either. He said: “So, you would then say, ‘What about using a credit card or debit card protection?’ It won’t work because there’s nothing faulty. And that’s just giving you the same replica rights that you would have with the retailer.”

For those still seeking a solution, travel insurance may seem like the next logical port of call. Mr Lewis revealed: “So, you’ then say, ‘What about travel insurance?’ This is the bad bit. We were checking 40 travel insurance policies. Of those, only a few would have covered you for the knock-on eventuality of your flight being cancelled due to jet fuel and then your hotel costs.

“Only about three or four and most of those were package bank accounts where it’s linked to your bank account. Only one standalone provider. So we need to be blunt at the moment. There is a big risk in those circumstances. If you’re booking, you want something with free or limited cancellation quite short before. So you could just cancel it. You should always talk to the provider.

“Government are saying there isn’t one at the moment and they’re working on consolidating flights and doing things so there won’t be one, but people’s hotel costs if they book separately and other knock-on costs are potentially at risk.”

Speaking on his ITV programme, he also cautioned that neglecting to take one vital step after booking could leave holidaymakers with absolutely nothing if their plans fall through. With the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East sparking serious worries over jet fuel supplies, Mr Lewis warned that those who book a holiday and put off arranging insurance could risk losing everything should something go wrong in the interim.

Mr Lewis emphasised that travel insurance ought to be bought the instant a holiday is booked: “The reason you do that is because half of the cover you’re paying for is in case something happens that stops you going before the trip. And if you don’t have the travel insurance place, you’ve got no cover. So, you may as well have it in place. But at this time of year when many people have already booked, I have a slight adaptation, which is this. If you’ve booked and you don’t have it yet, just get it now.

“Get it done as soon as possible.” A Money Show Live viewer named David said: “I booked flights to Australia for a family group of seven to travel in March next year. I took out insurance immediately. One of our group is now pregnant and can’t travel on the dates planned. It costs £5,000 to reschedule, which I’m happy to report the insurance covered.”

Mr Lewis also commented on the complexities facing larger groups: “Very quick aside on that, think of who you’re booking for. So, if it’s a family group and one can’t go, they’ll often cover you. But if there’s a large group of friends going, you often all get independent travel insurance. Well, then if one can’t go or and you can’t all go on the trip, it’s only the person who’s who’s got that cover. So, you’d need a group insurance policy so that if one can’t go, you all can’t go.”

Jet2 today said now people choosing a package holiday as their preferred method of booking is up 5% to 51% since February. In the same period, the number of people preferring to book through different providers has dropped by six percentage points to 20%. Those choosing ‘accommodation only’ has dropped to 2%.

The primary reasons for choosing a package holiday have remained steady, with value (36%) and ease (36%) the main drivers, however the benefit of ‘added security with one provider, ATOL/ABTA protection’ has increased by four percentage points since February to 26% the poll said.

This protection means that customers are covered should any changes happen to their bookings, including the option of receiving refunds if their travel plans are cancelled, and that those holidays are held to the highest standards when it comes to customer service, changes to bookings, and health & safety.

Jet2 has confirmed it will not introduce surcharges on any booked flights or holidays to cover cost increases, for example jet fuel, assuring customers that the price they book with Jet2 is the price they will pay.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: “Consumers want assurance during times of uncertainty and package holidays provide that assurance. On top of all the protection that our package holidays guarantee, Jet2 is well known as being a consumer champion that goes above and beyond to look after customers. Ahead of a busy summer season, this means new and existing customers know that their well-deserved holidays are in the very best hands with us, and we are very excited about welcoming everyone onboard and taking them on their breaks.”

The all-you-can-eat venue says it has had a problem with ‘many customers’

An all-you-can-eat restaurant in Spain is introducing a “vomit fee” for diners who eat until they are sick on the premises. Sushi Toro, located in Gelves near Sevilla, said it had experienced a growing number of incidents in recent months involving customers “eating until they burst” and then vomiting.

The restaurant said the problem had affected tables and bathrooms, creating difficulties for staff and raising concerns over hygiene and customer service. In a statement shared on social media, restaurant staff said: “We have had many customers who keep ordering non-stop and eat until they burst, until they vomit. We have had vomit on the tables and in the bathrooms.”

They added that “the only solution” was to start charging vomiting fees. The restaurant, which promotes a fusion of “tradition and innovation”, offers a buffet menu featuring dishes prepared using fresh ingredients and specialist techniques. Prices range from €16.90 (£14.40) to €23.90 (£20.30), depending on the day and time of dining.

Sushi Toro bosses said their staff “strive hard to get orders out on time and maintain good hygiene” throughout all service periods. They urged diners to “order what you can eat” and apologised for any inconvenience caused by the new policy.

Demand for sushi has been surging in Spain in recent years, with diners increasingly opting for Asian seafood dishes over traditional Spanish fish fare.

Passengers have been left stranded at airports without their luggage after the immediate closure of a major airline cancelling all flights with no customer service

Passengers have been left stuck without their bags after the closure of a major airline.

One of America’s largest low-budget carriers, Spirit Airlines, announced its closure “effective immediately”.

The airline said in a statement: “All Spirit flights have been cancelled and Spirit guests should not go to the airport.”

As a result, customers could not get connecting flights and have been left stranded at airports across the country, with some passengers unsure where there bags are located.

On Sunday, a day after the airline closed, some passengers are still waiting at the airport for their luggage.

One passenger explained they ‘don’t know what to do’ as they have been left waiting for more news on the whereabouts of their belongings.

The traveller told NBC6 “I cannot fly because I don’t have my bags with me, so I’m just stuck here.”

Grace Florez was heading from North Carolina to Colombia but got stuck in Fort Lauderdale after her connection was cancelled.

She still doesn’t know where her bags are nearly two days later.

“It’s difficult, and it’s frustrating,” she said. “I just go with the flow. I don’t stress myself, but I need to work tomorrow.”

As the airline has been left with no customer service, she is left with no answers.

“I’m clueless,” she said. “I hope they are somewhere back there. I don’t know what to do. Other than waiting.”

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Spirit Airlines, an impish upstart that shook the industry with its irreverent ads and deep discount fares, announced Saturday that it has gone out of business after 34 years.

The ultra-low-cost airline that once operated hundreds of daily flights on its bright yellow planes and employed about 17,000 people said it had “started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately.”

Although Spirit had gone bankrupt twice before, the company said high oil prices, which have been rising because of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, made it impossible to stay aloft.

The airline said on its website that all flights have been canceled and customer service is no longer available.

“We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry over the last 34 years and had hoped to serve our guests for many years to come,” the announcement said.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Saturday that Spirit had a reserve fund set up for customers who bought directly from the airline to get refunds. People who bought from third-party vendors such as travel agents would have to seek refunds from them. He had a stark message for people flying with Spirit.

“If you have a flight scheduled with Spirit Airlines, don’t show up at the airport. There will be no one here to assist you,” Duffy said.

He said United, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest were offering $200 one-way flights for people who could confirm that they had Spirit confirmation numbers and proof of purchase for a limited time. Duffy also said other airlines would help with Spirit employees who might be stranded and would offer them a preferential application process as they look for work.

Spirit said in a statement that it was working to get more than 1,300 crew members to their home bases and that the final Spirit flight landed early Saturday at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport from Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The company advised customers that they could expect refunds but there would be no help in booking travel on other airlines.

The Trump administration had considered a government bailout for the cash-strapped business to keep it from going under, but a deal was not reached. Of the potential bailout, Duffy said Saturday that “we oftentimes don’t have half a billion dollars laying around.”

President Trump had floated the idea of a bailout last week after the airline found itself in bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in less than two years with jet fuel prices soaring since the start of the Iran war.

‘They get you there’

Five Spirit flights were still showing as “on time” on Saturday morning on the departure board in Atlanta. A trickle of passengers who hadn’t heard the news were still showing up.

“What!?” exclaimed Taylor Nantang as she, her husband and four children arrived for a Saturday afternoon Spirit flight from Atlanta to Miami for a spur-of-the-moment vacation. The family had driven down from Tennessee to the Atlanta airport.

“So the whole airline at every airport is out of business?” asked Nantang. “Oh my, that’s crazy.”

Other passengers wondered whether the airline would still answer its customer service phone, or when the refunds for canceled flights might arrive on their credit cards.

Joshua Sigler, who had bought a ticket Friday for a flight Saturday to Miami, said he would just return home after learning of the cancellation rather than try to take advantage of deals other airlines were offering to stranded Spirit passengers. He said he had gotten no communication from Spirit, which he had flown multiple times in the past.

“They get you there,” he said of his Spirit travels. “It was cheap.”

Waking to the news

Former Spirit flight attendant Freddy Peterson was on a Spirit flight from Detroit that arrived in Newark, N.J., around 11 p.m. Friday. He said that despite rumors flying on social media Friday, things seemed kind of normal, with more than 200 passengers on the plane.

“All our aircraft were packed,” he said.

Peterson, 60, said he set his alarm clock for 3 a.m. Saturday to check the company website at the hour of the rumored shutdown and learned all Spirit flights were canceled. He said Delta Air Lines brought him and another flight attendant back to Atlanta on Saturday morning, with Peterson leaving from there to drive to his home in Shellman in southwest Georgia.

“I’ll probably do my boo-hoo crying and all that other stuff once I get in the car.”

Peterson said he had been a flight attendant with Spirit for 10 years and the company has “done wonders for me.” He said the airline’s reputation for bargain-basement chaos was largely undeserved, but he did fault management for not communicating with the employees in the closing days, saying a promised employee town hall was canceled.

Bailout fizzles

As late as Friday afternoon, Trump had said his administration was looking at a bailout for Spirit and had given the budget carrier a “final proposal” for a taxpayer-funded takeover.

Spirit proudly disrupted the penny-pinching portion of the airline industry with its no-frills, low-cost flights and provocative ads like its “Check Out the Oil on Our Beaches” campaign after the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010, referencing suntan oil but alluding to the massive spill of crude along the Gulf Coast.

But Spirit has struggled financially since the COVID-19 pandemic, weighed down by rising operating costs and growing debt. By the time it filed for Chapter 11 protection in November 2024, Spirit had lost more than $2.5 billion since the start of 2020.

The budget carrier sought bankruptcy protection again in August 2025, when it reported having $8.1 billion in debts and $8.6 billion in assets, according to court filings.

White House blames Biden

The White House had blamed the Biden administration for Spirit’s tenuous financial situation, noting that President Biden opposed a proposed merger between Spirit and JetBlue in 2023. On Saturday, Trump administration officials took to social media to amplify voices of conservative critics who faulted that decision.

On Saturday, Duffy concentrated blame on Biden as well as Duffy’s predecessor, Pete Buttigieg. “Many at the time said that this was a disaster. This merger should have been allowed,” he said.

Tad DeHaven, a policy analyst at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, said the Trump administration also bears responsibility, arguing that the airline’s latest crisis reflected a chain reaction of policy missteps rather than a single decision. He pointed specifically to Trump’s decision to strike Iran as “bad foreign policy,” noting the conflict drove up jet fuel prices and therefore Spirit’s operating costs.

“They were already in trouble,” DeHaven said, describing the situation as “a compounding effect in terms of policy.”

Supporters of a rescue including labor unions representing Spirit’s pilots, flight attendants and ramp workers said a collapse would put thousands of Americans out of work and hurt consumers by reducing airline competition and increasing airfares. About 17,000 jobs could be impacted, according to Spirit lawyer Marshall Huebner.

Budget-conscious and leisure travelers are likely to feel Spirit’s absence the most, especially in places where the airline has a big footprint such as Las Vegas and the Florida cities of Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.

The carrier flew about 1.7 million domestic passengers in February, roughly half a million fewer than during the same month a year earlier, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Spirit also has sharply reduced its capacity; about half as many seats had been available this month as in May 2024.

Madhani, Yamat, Amy and Catalini write for the Associated Press and reported from West Palm Beach, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Morrisville, Pa., respectively. AP writer Josh Funk in Omaha contributed to this report.

People need to remember this, or they could be caught out

Passengers set to head off on holiday with Jet2 soon have been reminded of an important policy they will need to follow on their flight. Failing to prepare could see people caught out by the fairly common airline rule.

Anyone who has been on an aeroplane recently will know that cabin crew will often offer a choice of popular snacks and drinks as well as meal options. On short-haul flights, these are not included in the ticket price, and people can pay extra for them if they choose.

Ahead of their holiday with the airline, a passenger asked Jet2’s customer service team online for a reminder. Posting on X, Kim said: “Am I able to pay with cash on board flight or are you cashless?”

Jet2 responded within minutes to confirm the policy. The airline said: “Hi Kim, that is correct. We operate a fully cashless service onboard all flights, accepting only card and contactless payments.”

Aside from in-flight food and drinks, Jet2 offers customers a selection of in-flight purchases to start or end their holiday. Passengers can use the on-board magazine to browse from the choice of available skincare, makeup, beauty, watches and more.

Why have airlines stopped accepting cash for on-board purchases?

Accepting payments by debit or credit card, including Apple Pay or Google Pay, helps cabin crew keep services running as quickly and smoothly as possible while in the air. It removes the need for staff to handle and keep cash secure on flights.

Businesses in the UK are under no legal obligation to accept cash. While cash is legal tender, businesses have the right to set their own terms of sale and choose which payment methods to accept, according to Parliament.

There is no law requiring businesses to accept cash, though this is a subject of ongoing debate regarding consumer choice. A business can legally refuse cash, provided they inform customers of its card-only policy.

In Jet2’s case, it is made clear on the company website, as a spokesperson said: “Just so you know, we only accept card and contactless payments onboard all our flights. You’ll need to bring your physical bank card to use chip and PIN when purchasing products from our Jet2shop.”

In other news, Jet2 has shared a new ‘suspended’ Greece holiday update for passengers. On its website, the firm issued an announcement on Tuesday, April 28, that will affect travellers with flights and holidays booked to the European country.

In the announcement, Jet2 praised Greek authorities for “prioritising customers” by putting the European Union ‘s new Entry/Exit System (EES) checks on hold. It follows the country’s confirmation of the suspension of the EES biometric checks for UK holidaymakers travelling to Greece.

TUI, Jet2 and easyJet have all confirmed they will not add fuel surcharges to pre-booked or new package holidays and flights this summer

Airline TUI has this afternoon released a statement for passengers worried about being slapped with surcharges on holidays they’ve already booked. The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted oil deliveries, raising the prospect of serious jet fuel shortages.

This has also caused fuel prices to skyrocket, leaving those who’ve already secured their holidays – and those preparing to – anxious they’ll be asked to stump up extra cash to offset the soaring costs facing airlines.

Jet2 and easyJet confirmed over the weekend that they will not be passing on any price increases to passengers via surcharges. Now, this afternoon, airline and tour operator TUI has announced it will not charge passengers additional fees.

Neil Swanson, Managing Director at TUI UKandI, said: “We understand that customers want both confidence and clarity when booking a holiday. Our teams are here to support people who are thinking about booking, and those who have already booked with TUI can be reassured that their holiday price is fixed, with no fuel surcharges added.”

easyJet has issued a fresh statement confirming the airline and tour operator will not add surcharges to any pre-booked flights and package holidays, or future bookings. The company said travellers can book their package holidays with confidence thanks to its Best Price Guarantee and Ultimate Flexibility policy: “easyJet and easyJet holidays has confirmed that it will not introduce surcharges on its flights or package holidays, giving customers complete peace of mind when booking.

“No surcharges will apply to any pre‐booked easyJet holiday packages or to any new bookings for summer 2026.easyJet currently sees no disruption to its jet fuel supply and all flights and package holidays continue to operate normally.” Garry Wilson, CEO of easyJet holidays, said: “We know that holidaymakers may have questions about what recent global events might mean for their travel plans this summer so we are giving our customers absolute peace of mind that no surcharges will be added to their flights or package holidays.”

“Our operations remain unaffected, so customers can be confident that not only will their holiday go ahead as planned, but there will be no surprise extra payments, and they can enjoy their brilliant holidays at unbeatable prices.”

Jet2 has confirmed it won’t be slapping surcharges on any pre-booked flights or holidays to cover increased costs, including those related to jet fuel. In an effort to calm growing anxieties, the Department for Transport yesterday issued direct guidance to passengers with bookings through carriers such as Jet2, Ryanair, Wizz, easyJet and British Airways. Jet2 has axed surcharge provisions across all its flights and holidays, despite the carrier never having previously imposed them. The policy applies to all flights and holidays booked through any channel, be it online, via the mobile app, contact centre or independent travel agent. It does not cover tourist taxes, which are payable at the resort during the stay and are settled directly with the accommodation provider.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2. As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them. Ahead of a busy summer this is yet more evidence of why, on top of our incredible holidays and award-winning customer service, nothing beats a Jet2holiday.”

The DfT said on Friday: “There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.

“If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing. Read this factsheet for the full picture on the current situation and what it means for you.”

Meanwhile, IAG – the parent company of British Airways, Aer Lingus and Spain’s Iberia – has referred to “pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs”. A spokesperson commented: “We are not seeing jet fuel supply interruptions, but fuel prices have risen sharply and, despite our hedging strategy, which gives some shorter-term mitigation, we are not immune to the impact.”

Boss speaks out with pledge after big concerns about travellers being hit with ‘extra’ charges to cover soaring fuel

easyJet has issued a major announcement for all holidaymakers with flights booked this summer. Concerns are mounting that the Iran situation, which has seen the crucial Strait of Hormuz closed and severely disrupted global oil supplies, could significantly affect jet fuel availability.

EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen has warned ‘it’s very likely that many people’s holidays will be affected, either by flight cancellations or very, very expensive tickets’ because of the crisis. Fears are growing that travellers could face additional charges from airlines attempting to manage spiralling fuel costs.

On Friday, Jet2 confirmed it would not impose surcharges on passengers – and now easyJet has released a fresh statement pledging the airline and tour operator will not add surcharges to any pre-booked flights and package holidays, or future bookings.

The company said travellers can book their package holidays with confidence thanks to its Best Price Guarantee and Ultimate Flexibility policy: “easyJet and easyJet holidays has confirmed that it will not introduce surcharges on its flights or package holidays, giving customers complete peace of mind when booking.

READ MORE: Government issues new ‘cancellation’ update for airlines amid jet fuel stock concern

“No surcharges will apply to any pre‐booked easyJet holidays packages or to any new bookings for summer 2026.easyJet currently sees no disruption to its jet fuel supply and all flights and package holidays continue to operate normally.” Garry Wilson, CEO of easyJet holidays, said: “We know that holidaymakers may have questions about what recent global events might mean for their travel plans this summer so we are giving our customers absolute peace of mind that no surcharges will be added to their flights or package holidays.”

“Our operations remain unaffected, so customers can be confident that not only will their holiday go ahead as planned, but there will be no surprise extra payments, and they can enjoy their brilliant holidays at unbeatable prices.”

Jet2 has confirmed it will not impose surcharges on any pre-booked flights or holidays to offset rising costs, such as those linked to jet fuel. In a move to ease mounting concerns, the Department for Transport yesterday issued direct guidance to passengers booked with carriers including Jet2, Ryanair, Wizz, easyJet and British Airways.

Jet2 has scrapped the surcharge provision across all flights and holidays, despite the fact the airline has never previously applied them.

The policy covers all flights and holidays booked through any channel, whether online, via the mobile app, contact centre or independent travel agent. It excludes tourist taxes, which are payable at the resort during the holiday and are paid directly to the accommodation provider. Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2. As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them. Ahead of a busy summer this is yet more evidence of why, on top of our incredible holidays and award-winning customer service, nothing beats a Jet2holiday.”

The DfT stated on Friday: “There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.

“If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing. Read this factsheet for the full picture on the current situation and what it means for you.”

However, IAG – the parent company of British Airways, Aer Lingus and Spain’s Iberia – has spoken of “pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs”. A spokesperson said: “We are not seeing jet fuel supply interruptions, but fuel prices have risen sharply and, despite our hedging strategy, which gives some shorter-term mitigation, we are not immune to the impact.”

Here’s what Jet2 passengers travelling as a family need to know

Heading off on holiday is an exciting time, but travelling as a family can also prove demanding. You’ll need to ensure everything is organised and all your crucial documents such as passports and boarding passes are sorted.

As well as this before departing, it is useful to familiarise yourself with any rules or regulations you might be unaware of – including any airline requirements. This is particularly important when travelling with children and babies. And by making sure you know what’s expected, you can make your journey as easy as possible.

Here are the latest Jet2 rules for passengers travelling with children and babies.

Firstly, the travel operator allows only those aged 14 or above to travel unaccompanied, and that any passenger under the age of 14 can only travel if accompanied by a passenger aged 16 years or over who will assume full responsibility for them. Jet2 guidance adds: “Some countries impose special conditions for minors who are travelling either alone, or without their legal parent/guardian.”

Passengers are advised to verify the requirements for their destination. When departing or entering Portugal, including Madeira, without a parent or legal guardian, young people under the age of 18 are required to have a letter of authorisation with them.

This letter must be signed by the parent or legal guardian and contain accurate detail confirming the young person’s temporary address and the responsible person’s contact information, while in their destination. Jet2 adds: “To avoid delays at the border, we recommend a copy of the signatories’ (parent or legal guardian) photo identification is carried with the young person for verification purposes, by the authorities at the Portuguese border.

“Residents or nationals of Portugal under the age of 18, leaving Portuguese territory, may additionally require authorisation letters to be legally certified prior to departure.”

Travelling with Jet2 with children and babies

Travellers are permitted to bring up to two items per child or infant at no extra cost, which can include a pram or buggy, a car seat, a baby carrier, and a travel cot. Items must not exceed 32kg in weight and any further items will be subject to excess baggage charges.

Infants under two years of age on the date of travel can fly free of charge. Infants over 7 days old without any underlying health conditions won’t require prior clearance and will be permitted onboard.

However, babies aged between two and seven days old will require prior approval from Jet2.com. Infants 2-14 days old who have been incubated, ventilated or have experienced any birth complications will also need authorisation before flying, and Jet2 says it is unable to carry any infants less than 2 days old.

Bookings can be made before an infant has been born. Should their name be unconfirmed, simply enter the first name as ‘Unborn’ and last name as ‘Baby’. Jet2 further explains: “Once the infant’s name has been confirmed, contact us and we’ll be happy to update the name free of charge.”

Infants will be positioned on the lap of their accompanying adult and fastened using an extension seatbelt, which will be supplied by cabin crew and you are not allowed to use your own infant or extension seatbelt. Alternatively, you can reserve a seat for them where they’ll need to sit in a car seat, provided it meets the necessary criteria.

Anyone wishing to book a seat for an infant is advised to contact the Jet2 Customer Service team for guidance and costs. Jet2 is also informing passengers that if you’re flying with an infant and you’ve already added a hold bag to your booking, your allowance will automatically be increased by an additional 10kg per infant, free of charge.

Jet2 holidays to Spain just got even easier for Brits to plan as the holiday giant has announced exciting news ahead of the summer 2026 holidays

Jet2 has made it easier for Brits to plan Spain holidays this summer, as the travel giant is expanding its range of Eurocamp packages to the holiday hotspot. This means families booking a package holiday through Jet2 can now choose one of Eurocamp’s mobile homes or other accommodation for their break.

Jet2holidays previously offered Eurocamp packages in France, Croatia, and Italy, and has now added parks to Costa Brava , bringing the total number up to 54. Holidaymakers can book a Eurocamp package holiday online, and can filter results by selecting ‘Holiday Parks’.

While you can simply book accommodation directly with Eurocamp, a package holiday can come with perks; for example, with Jet2 your deal includes return flights, 22kg of checked and 10kg of hold luggage, ATOL protection, and car hire. The packages include the cost of bed linen, towels and and end-of-stay clean in most Eurocamps, as well as access to the entertainment and facilities on-site.

Eurocamp parks offer facilities such as restaurants, bars, and takeaways on site, and many offer daytime and evening entertainment during peak times, including the ever-popular minidiscos. Some parks in Costa Brava also have direct access to the beach where you can truly soak up the Spanish sunshine and take a cooling dip in the sea.

Its selection of Spanish parks include Castell Montgri, which sits between a lush green pine forest and a rugged stretch of the coast. Castell Montgri has four outdoor pools, including one with slides and kids areas, and there are four restaurants, a snack bar, and a pool bar. Enmar is another option close to the lively town of Enmar. The sandy beach is just 100 metres away, and there’s a large pool with a wildlife theme and slides.

Guests who stay on the Costa Brava can also take a day trip to Barcelona for some sightseeing, culture, and more. Explore the iconic Sagrada Família that dominates the skyline, or the unique Casa Batlló with its colourful Gaudi architecture. Wander around the historic La Boqueria market to try locally made foods or book a tour of Camp Nou and stand in the same spot as so many football legends.

In addition to Eurocamp, the Costa Brava has a range of other family-friendly accommodation such as Yelloh! Villages, which offer a similar style of mobile home holiday, pools, and entertainment. Another option is to go all inclusive, as some families find this easier to budget than a self-catering break. Package providers such as TUI offer a range of Costa Brava holidays from simple and friendly to luxury hotel options, so there’s something for all styles of holidaymaker.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

A flight attendant has shared the little-known reason passengers are welcomed onboard planes – and it has nothing to do with manners

A flight attendant has lifted the lid on a trade secret about the moment passengers board a plane. The little known fact explains why passengers are welcomed at the aircraft doors during boarding.

Most air travellers are well acquainted with the customary warm reception at the plane doors, which typically involves broad smiles and even some direction on locating their allocated seat. The most widespread assumption is that this is simply a display of good customer service, with the flight attendants, the public face of any airline, setting the tone with courtesy and decency.

Another presumption is that the welcome is intended to set passengers up for an enjoyable flight experience, or perhaps verify boarding passes one last time. However, one serving flight attendant claims that hospitality is not the primary driving force behind the warm greeting. The genuine reason for the friendly reception is to carry out a visual assessment of passengers from head to toe before take-off.

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In a now- viral TikTok clip, MrsMiva – who claims to work for TUI out of Stuttgart airport – has revealed that flight attendants use the boarding process to assess whether passengers are fit to fly. According to the content creator, flight attendants are checking to establish whether passengers may be “too drunk or sick to fly”.

In the caption accompanying the video, MrsMiva also clarifies that the greeting enables attendants to identify who could potentially assist in the event of an emergency. The video has been watched over 18 million times and sparked a flurry of discussion in the comments.

Numerous users confirmed they’ve definitely experienced the cabin crew greeting and that the reasoning behind it makes perfect sense. One commenter who purported to be a long-serving attendant verified the policy as well, writing: “FA (flight attendant) of eight years – or to check if they could be an ABA (able-bodied assistant).”

The comments also started to diverge into the various types of cabin crew passengers had come across. Some remarked they had “really chill” attendants, while others noted theirs were supportive when they were in poor health to travel.

Being able-bodied and physically capable is essential for passengers seated adjacent to emergency exit doors, which is potentially why attendants verify this at the entrance. Emergency exit seats are highly sought-after given that they provide additional legroom and have no row ahead of them.

That being said, occupying these seats means that a passenger must be willing and capable of helping cabin crew in the improbable event of an emergency. For this reason, Ryanair’s terms and conditions stipulate that it “can 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.”

According to the airline’s regulations, passengers wishing to occupy rows 1, 16, or 17, where emergency exits are situated, must fulfil specific requirements. These include being aged over 16, being physically capable of assisting during an emergency, travelling without an infant, not requiring any special assistance at the airport, not needing a seat belt extender, and not having an extra comfort seat reserved.

Should the added responsibility of emergency exit seats not appeal to you, there are alternative methods to guarantee extra legroom while on board.

Do you have a story to tell? Email: emma.mackenzie@reachplc.com

The pair paid extra to upgrade their stay, more for a city centre break and even more for transfers, food and tourist tax

A travel lover who tried a £99 mystery holiday bargain soon regretted it when it ‘turned into a nightmare’. Lauren Kirby and her friend each paid £99 for a trip, plus an extra £20 to change from Venice to Malta and then an extra £12 for a city centre hotel.

On top of that, there was another €3 tourist tax and €100 for transfers and food. But despite the extra outlay, they say the destination was ‘not worth it’. Lauren, 22, from Maidstone, Kent, says she will think twice before doing it again.

“We bought our ticket in August 2025 and went on the trip in January 2026,” she said. “We didn’t expect a five-star hotel for £99 but we did expect a basic level of customer service, which we don’t believe we received.

“Initially, we got Venice and paid £20 each to upgrade to Malta as we had been to Venice before, but hadn’t been to Malta. We changed this when we found out there was an option to do so and were really excited.

“But when they rang us to confirm the booking, that’s when the problems started. We were told we couldn’t go to Malta, even though we paid specifically to go there and then we were told we could go to Prague or Venice instead but wouldn’t get the £20 back.

“Which didn’t make sense when we’d already paid £20 not to go to Venice. After a lot of toing and froing and swapping agents, it was reluctantly agreed that we could still go to Malta. But after that point, my trust in them disappeared.

“The hotel itself was OK and the hotel staff were very nice. But we had paid £12 each on top of the £20 we already paid to stay in the city centre. “And our hotel turned out to be located a 30-minute drive away from the centre.

“Not what we paid for. It would have been significantly cheaper to book it ourselves. On top of this, the travel agents asked us for our login details to easyJet to be able to complete the booking – we were told that we could change the password afterwards.

“I think a reputable travel service would be able to do that themselves without needing to log into our accounts. The whole thing was highly disappointing as it was not what we had paid for. There wasn’t anything within walking distance apart from a corner convenience shop, so we were very annoyed that we had paid extra but didn’t feel we received anything for it.

“I don’t think I would do it again. So in future if I want a mystery holiday, I’d prefer putting a list of destinations in a hat myself and doing it that way.”

Jet2 boss Steve Heapy has issued an update to industry experts

Jet2’s boss has warned of a sharp drop in bookings to Cyprus and Turkey but said tourists could get special offers. CEO Steve Heapy said flights on these routes are becoming “empty” due to the uncertainty caused by the Middle East conflict.

The boss said demand is instead moving to destinations such as Spain and Italy. TTG reported that he spoke about the issue via video link at the airline’s annual conference in Cádiz in Spain.

He also warned hotel partners to not ‘get greedy’ in Spain and Italy and keep prices competitive. And he vowed to protect customers where that happened.

He said he expects holidays to Cyprus and Turkey to recover quickly once the war in Iran ends. “I think we should all be prepared for a fairly rapid end to the conflict and a fairly sharp recovery when that happens,” he said.

Heapy said: “Bookings to Cyprus and Turkey are drying up, cancellations are up and our aircraft are emptying.” He said Jet2 was working to cross-sell customers to western Mediterranean destinations where demand “seems to be OK”.

Heapy added that Cyprus remained a safe destination despite a drop in demand to the island, which has been targeted by Iran since America and Israel launched airstrikes on the Middle Eastern nation.

He said: “Cyprus is still far enough away that you can still travel. We’re doing what we can to understand what’s going on and how we can work our way through it.”

‘Special offers’ to lure more travellers to Cyprus and Turkey

He expects hotels in Cyprus and Turkey to introduce special offers in the weeks ahead to lure more tourists in. Speaking to travel agents at the conference, he said: “We’ll do what we can to work with you and fight to get through this the best we can,” he said. “Our job is to put our customers’ fears to one side and reassure them that these destinations are safe.

“We’re a very resilient industry. These events happen every couple of years, and I’ll do whatever I can to help all our of businesses navigate through this.”

TTG also reported that Phil Nuttall, CEO of Travel Village Group, said it is too early to offer a full assessment of the crisis’s impact. Yet he said possible price rises could create problems for many families.

Jet2’s head of overseas operations, Lee Davies, also said the operator was putting more resource into challenges arising from the conflict, TTG said. “We’ve had to adapt our service, especially across Turkey and Cyprus at the moment. We have our red team, we’ve increased our presence, we’re visiting hotels, reassuring customers.

“We’ve expanded our visiting times and ring-fenced our 24/7 team in the UK. We’re contingency planning in terms of disruption management, you always have to have a very solid plan behind the scenes ready to activate.”

He reportedly added: “You’ve got to understand why in their minds, wherever that destination is, that they possibly don’t want to travel.” He added that by helping customers now, even if they do not then travel, “they will come back”.