Flight

Brits who find themselves stranded in Europe due to a cancelled flights could soon have new rights to claim back travel replacement costs, amid a shake-up of the EU’s air travel rules

Cancelled flights could soon come with a more costly penalty for airlines, as a landmark air passenger rights agreement was reached between the EU Council and the European Parliament in good news for holidaymakers.

The ruling means that Brits who find themselves stranded in Europe due to their flight being cancelled could soon claim back replacement travel costs worth up to four times the price of their original ticket. It comes amid a raft of changes around airline charges for cabin bags and family seating, which could see Brits getting a fairer deal when they visit destinations such as Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, or France.

The law states that, after a flight cancellation, “if an airline fails to offer rerouting within three hours, passengers may organise their own rerouting and claim reimbursement of up to 400% of the original ticket price.” According to AirAdvisor, which specialise in claims for disrupted flights and mishandled baggage, this means passengers will no longer need to wait around for the airline to sort out a journey home for them.

AirAdvisor also said in a statement that this rerouting reimbursement will be separate from the standard compensation that some passengers are entitled to for cancelled flights. It explained: “The Council statement confirms that even when a passenger is rerouted, “airlines remain responsible for compensation for delays at arrival.”

This means passengers could potentially reclaim the cost of replacement flights, as well as claiming for standard cancellation compensation, which can be up to £350 per passenger for a UK to Spain flight, and higher for long-haul journeys.

“However, the standard compensation would still depend on the usual qualifying conditions, including whether the disruption was within the airline’s control. If extraordinary circumstances apply, airlines may not be required to pay financial compensation,” the statement continued.

EU rights aren’t based on nationality, but rather the route and the airline operating the flight. So even post-Brexit, Brits are protected on journeys departing from an EU airport to the UK, or any flights from the UK to the EU that are operated by an EU airline. For example, Brits taking a Ryanair flight from Malaga to the EU would be covered by the legislation.

However, flights from the UK to the EU on non-EU airlines wouldn’t be covered. So, the outbound leg of a London to Madrid flight on a carrier such as British Airways would not follow these rules because it is arriving in the EU from a non-EU country on a non-EU airline.

The UK has its own UK261 framework, which includes the Right to Care for journeys delayed over two hours, but it’s not known whether this legislation will be updated in light of the changes in the EU.

Anton Radchenko, aviation lawyer and CEO of AirAdvisor, said: “For the passengers who are genuinely in trouble, the ones standing at a desk in a European airport being told the next available flight is days away, this is the change that actually matters. A reimbursement cap of up to four times the original ticket price could make a real difference to families who suddenly have to buy last-minute flights home, and it is a part of the reform I would want every British holidaymaker to know about.”

He added: “The importance of this rule is that it gives people a clearer point at which they can act. The harder part, as with every passenger right, will be making sure travellers know it exists before they are stuck at the airport, rather than finding out months later.

“My practical advice to any traveller is straightforward. If your covered flight is cancelled, give the airline its three-hour window to offer a suitable reroute, and then keep everything: your original booking, the cancellation notice, proof of what the airline offered or failed to offer, and every receipt for the travel you arrange yourself.

“In my experience, the passengers who successfully recover what they are owed are almost always the ones who documented the situation as it happened, not the ones who tried to piece it back together weeks later. A right is only ever as useful as the evidence you keep to support it.”

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

EASYJET is launching 13 new routes from the UK including to lesser-known destinations.

The routes include the airline’s first international destination from a tiny UK airport.

EasyJet will launch a route between Newquay Airport in Cornwall and Geneva in Switzerland – which will be its first international route from the airport.

The route will launch on January 16, 2027 and operate once a week on Saturdays until February 27, 2027.

Among the 12 other routes being launched are new routes from London Luton to Kittila in Finland launching on November 24 and Strasbourg in France launching on November 29.

Flights to Kittila will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays whereas flights to Strasbourg will operate four times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

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London Southend will get new flights to Edinburgh, Scotland operating twice a week from October 25 on Thursdays and Sundays from £23.99 per person.

From Birmingham you will be able to fly to Copenhagen in Denmark, twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, launching on November 16 and costing from £31.99 per person.

Or if you live near Manchester, you can head to Cairo in Egypt from November 9 – the only direct route from Manchester to the ‘Sphinx’ airport.

The route will operate twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, with flights costing from £131.99 per person.

Liverpool will get two new routes including to Kittilä in Finland and Reykjavik in Iceland.

Flights to Kittila will start on November 25, departing twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays with tickets costing from £30.99 per person.

On the other hand, flights will head to Reykjavik from November 2, taking off on Mondays and Fridays, with flights costing from £43.99 per person.

And Newcastle will get several new destinations including Barcelona in Spain, Berlin in Germany, Copenhagen in Denmark, Hurghada in Egypt and Rovaniemi in Finland.

Flights to Barcelona will be the first to launch on October 25, operating twice a week on Fridays and Sundays and costing from £28.99 per person.

Hurghada flights will then start on October 27 twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays, costing from £121.99 per person.

Copenhagen flights will launch on November 5, followed by Berlin on November 20 and then Rovaniemi on November 25.

THE longest flight in the world is taking off from the UK – with an official launch date finally confirmed.

Qantas Airways‘ Project Sunrise will launch the mega long flight from London to Sydney.

The flight will take around 20 hours, taking off from London Heathrow Airport to Sydney, Australia.

Eventually, flights will also take off from New York, USA.

Vanessa Hudson, CEO of Qantas Airways, said: “Australia’s distance from the rest of the world should never stand in the way.”

Flights to Sydney traditionally have a stopover often in Singapore, but Project Sunrise will be able to continually fly for up to 22 hours.

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At the moment, the current longest flight in the world is Singapore Airlines’ Singapore to New York route, which takes around 19 hours.

UK tourism minister Stephanie Peacock said: “Qantas’s decision to make London the first destination for Project Sunrise is a powerful vote of confidence in the UK as a hub for global tourism, and a reflection of the deep ties between our two countries.

“This is a historic moment, not just for British aviation and tourism, but for the millions of passengers who will experience flying from Sydney to London non-stop for the first time.”

VisitBritain chief executive Patricia Yates said: “Australia is one of our most valuable inbound markets, set to reach £1.8 billion this year in visitor spending, and expanding airline connectivity and seat capacity is fantastic news for our competitive tourism offer and our welcome.”

Onboard the plane, passengers can expect 238 seats across First Class suites, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy seats.

The cabins will prevent jet lag through different light settings, to help passengers to adapt to the time zone of their destination.

All passengers will also be able to use a Wellbeing Zone onboard, with space to move about, listen to guided wellbeing content and grab a healthy snack or drink.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity will also be available onboard.

Eventually there will be 12 aircraft as part of Project Sunrise.

Back in April the airline was hoping for an early 2027 launch, however this has now been pushed back to October 2027 with tickets for the first flights expected to go on sale in February 2027.

A newly emerged video offers what appears to be a first look at China’s R6000 uncrewed tiltrotor aircraft in free flight, marking a significant step beyond the tethered hover tests that had been seen previously. The design has attracted interest on account of its similarities to Bell’s MV-75A Cheyenne II, America’s crewed second-generation tiltrotor. More broadly, the development of this aircraft could have very significant implications for the People’s Liberation Army as well as civilian operators.

The footage, which first appeared on Chinese social media, shows the large drone in vertical flight, making a pedal turn (rotating around its vertical axis in the hover), and in sustained forward flight with its twin proprotors fully tilted. Previous imagery was limited to tethered evaluations that demonstrated basic hover capability. Now, with flight testing advancing, more could be revealed about the aircraft’s performance envelope.

As in the previous imagery, the aircraft’s engines are unshrouded, with their streamlined fairings removed. Like the MV-75, the R6000 features fixed engine nacelles with hinged proprotors, in contrast to the first-generation tiltrotor design found on the V-22 Osprey, in which the entire nacelle pivots up and down as a complete unit.

Previous imagery showing the R6000 conducting a tethered hover test had begun to circulate last November, as we discussed at the time.

While no details have been released about the scope of the current trials, the ability to conduct sustained untethered flight is a key milestone for any tiltrotor program, given the complexity of the aircraft’s aerodynamics and flight-control systems. Tiltrotor designs are especially challenging, as evidenced by the V-22’s checkered record through the years. 

In October 2024, a photo emerged showing the first completed prototype of the R6000 at the Wuhu United Aircraft Production Workshop in China’s eastern Anhui province. United Aircraft had unveiled the design, also referred to as the UR6000 and Zhang Ying (or Steel Shadow), at the 2024 Singapore Airshow.

Developed by the Chinese firm United Aircraft, the R6000 is one of the largest uncrewed tiltrotor designs currently in development anywhere in the world. Combining the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities of a helicopter with the speed and range advantages of a fixed-wing aircraft, it is — officially, at least — aimed at logistics, disaster relief, offshore support, and other missions requiring access to areas without prepared runways. United Aircraft has presented both crewed and uncrewed versions of the R6000 in the past.

As we have outlined previously, a crewed or uncrewed tiltrotor in the R6000 class could fulfill various military applications for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The aircraft would be particularly valuable for sustaining PLA island bases in the South China Sea, as well as isolated installations elsewhere in the Pacific and along China’s remote border regions, where conventional airfield infrastructure is limited.

This kind of aircraft could support overseas deployments and regional contingencies, including a potential operation against Taiwan, by moving troops, supplies, and equipment between dispersed locations without relying on prepared runways.

In particular, the R6000 would be well suited to operating from the Type 076 amphibious assault ship and other large People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) amphibious ships, greatly extending their reach for logistics, reconnaissance, and other missions.

As well as logistics, a fully developed R6000 has clear potential as a multi-mission platform. Its payload capacity could also accommodate intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) equipment, electronic warfare payloads, communications relay systems, or potentially even precision-strike weapons. It is worth noting at this point that a special operations version of the MV-75 is already in the works, with a gunship variant likely, and a sea control concept has been displayed, too. China is likely to at least explore similar development paths for its tiltrotors.

In this respect, the R6000 also makes for an interesting comparison with Bell’s V-247 Vigilant, which was originally pitched to meet the U.S. Marine Corps multirole, VTOL-capable drone program, known as MUX. The V-247 has also been pitched to the U.S. Navy, while Bell has presented renderings showing V-247s operating together with the crewed V-280 Valor tiltrotor design, which the U.S. Army’s MV-75 is based on.

When it comes to advanced uncrewed aviation, this is an area that China has invested heavily in over the past decade. Its projects span everything from smaller tactical drones to high-altitude reconnaissance platforms and increasingly sophisticated combat drones. The R6000 fits squarely within Chinese efforts to develop a range of uncrewed transport aircraft, including developing large autonomous logistics aircraft capable of operating in challenging environments.

In the vertical-lift segment, China is also busily exploring crewed tiltrotor designs.

Earlier this month, new footage emerged showing what is understood to be China’s first crewed tiltrotor aircraft during flight trials. That aircraft had first broken cover in August of last year, as we wrote about at the time.

Although the R6000 has, in the past, been pitched primarily for civilian applications, the technology has obvious military relevance. Large autonomous tiltrotors could provide rapid resupply to dispersed forces, support operations in remote regions, or deliver cargo to ships and austere bases without the need for conventional runways. Tiltrotors have huge potential for the PLA, which has major littoral mission demands and a growing fleet of amphibious warships to which these kinds of aircraft are especially well suited.

As such, the R6000 is worth watching as another indicator of the Chinese military’s increasingly ambitious vertical-lift programs, as well as its diverse and growing series of uncrewed aircraft.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

THE EU is in the midst of making huge changes when it comes to air travel and all of them will greatly benefit passengers.

These include no extra fees, better compensation rights and families heading on holiday can sit together at no extra charge – but now we’re out of the EU, the new rights will only carry weight for Brits on certain flights.

The new regulations were agreed by the EU Council and Parliament yesterday, making it the first overhaul in over 20 years and will come into play in 2027.

Some of the biggest changes include allowing families to sit together at no extra cost, as well as passengers having a free personal item to take onboard.

There also won’t be penalties for missing one leg of a booking, and hand luggage costs will be shown upfront in the fare.

There will also be a ban on additional fees for alterations like name correction.

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It will be easier for passengers to get money back for delays or cancellations too.

Airlines will need to immediately acknowledge a claim and then reply within 30 days.

For those who experience delays, there is a right to assistance which includes refreshments every two hours of waiting time, a meal after three hours, internet access and phone calls.

When passengers need overnight stays, they should be given the hotel free of charge and get free transport from the airport to the accommodation and back.

After a cancelled flight or denied boarding, passengers who choose to reroute must be given an alternative journey within three hours.

This all sounds great doesn’t it? Well, there is some bad news – this won’t count for all British travellers leaving the UK.

As a result of Brexit, British holidaymakers won’t necessarily benefit from this as in some cases their flights will fall under passenger rights called UK261.

Whereas for those living in the EU, the new regulations count for all.

For Brits heading on holiday, taking advantage of these EU changes will depend on the route and the airline.

For example, a flight leaving the UK for Malaga with Ryanair will fall under EU rules as Ryanair is an EU airline.

The Malaga to UK return leg will also be under the EU rules – on the return journey, it doesn’t matter if the airline is EU or non-EU, because the flight departs from the EU.

Along with Ryanair, the likes of Wizz Air, easyJet and Lufthansa are all EU-airlines so the new rules automatically count for Brits on both journeys to EU countries.

There will however, be a gap on flights leaving the UK on a non-EU airline.

For example, if a British passenger flies from London to Madrid on a UK airline like British Airways, that outbound leg would remain under UK261 rules rather than the new EU regulations.

But the return would fall under the EU rules because it departs from Madrid in the EU.

So Brits heading on holiday will only get the new benefits if they are travelling on EU-covered flights.

They will not get them automatically on all flights from UK airports.

UK-airlines like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Jet2 won’t fall under the new EU rules.

But these do have their own guidelines and policies regarding families sitting together and luggage costs.

AirAdvisor CEO Anton Radchenko, a renowned aviation lawyer, added: “This agreement is a meaningful step forward for European passengers, and it throws the position of UK travellers into sharp relief.

“For the first time since Brexit, we are looking at a real divergence in the
everyday rights of passengers flying from the UK versus those flying
from the EU.

“The headline compensation amounts remain broadly aligned,
but on the things passengers deal with on every single trip, being
penalised for a missed leg, paying to sit next to your own child,
comparing fares that hide the cost of a bag, EU travellers are about
to pull ahead, and UK travellers are at risk of being left behind.”

Uruguay will reportedly arrive in the US less than 24 hours before the kickoff time for their game against Saudi Arabia.

Uruguay’s national team have arrived in Miami after enduring a travel ordeal ahead of their opening World Cup match in the United States.

The squad and support staff landed in Miami on Sunday, less than 24 hours before kickoff in their Group H match against Saudi Arabia.

Uruguay pinned the blame for their troubles flying from Mexico to the US on FIFA. They also reportedly faced the threat of sanction if their head coach and captain could not make it to a mandatory news conference on the eve of the match.

The original flight was reportedly not allowed to depart due to administrative issues, including some missing paperwork, and officials had to scramble to line up a new flight.

FIFA is in charge of all travel related to the 48-team World Cup.

Uruguay are training in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and held a practice there on Sunday. When the traveling delegation reached the airport in Cancun, approximately 72km (45 miles) away, they learned that the group was not authorised to enter the US.

The Uruguay Football Association (AUF) said that a second plane from South Florida was en route to pick up the squad, while the players waited at a resort outside Cancun until its arrival.

“Due to problems beyond the control of the AUF, the departure from Mexico has been delayed,” the association said in a statement. “The squad is resting at the hotel. The new departure time set by FIFA is 4:15pm [21:15 GMT].”

FIFA later released a statement, saying: “Due to an airline permitting error in Mexico, the Uruguay national team’s departure from Cancun to Miami was delayed.

“The airline has apologised for the inconvenience caused. FIFA remained in close contact with the Uruguay national team throughout their delay and worked alongside airport and operational partners to help expedite the process and minimize disruption to the team’s travel arrangements.”

Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa and team captain Jose Maria Gimenez missed Sunday’s originally scheduled news conference in South Florida due to the issue. The news conference was pushed back to 8pm Eastern Time (00:00 GMT), and the coach and captain were in attendance.

“The trip went well; we made the most of it and saw it in a positive light,” Gimenez said in Spanish. “We took the chance to rest at the hotel [in Cancun].”

Bielsa was asked what sort of disruption the flight snafu caused his team.

“No, the flight doesn’t cause any complications,” Bielsa said, before changing the subject to his team’s preparation in both the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo and Mexico’s Playa del Carmen.

“In Montevideo, the players had constant obligations, but they also had family time, which I felt was necessary.”

Uruguay and Saudi Arabia will play their first match of Group H at Miami Gardens at 6pm (22:00 GMT), giving them less than 24 hours to settle in before kickoff.

The other members of the group, Spain and Cape Verde, will play in Atlanta on Monday.

Uruguay were the latest to face travel issues at the World Cup.

Top Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the US this week after he was “determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns”.

Meanwhile, the Iranian team were granted US visas just 10 days before their first match in Los Angeles. And Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was interrogated for hours at Chicago’s airport before eventually being allowed entry. The team’s photographer, however, was denied.

There are four signs you need to be aware of before you get on a plane

A doctor has explained the red flag warning signs that should never be ignored after a flight. Millions of people will jet off on their summer holidays in the coming months and a vascular consultant says holidaymakers should be aware of tell-tale signs before they become a medical emergency.

Dr Mark Regi, Consultant Interventional Radiologist at VeinCentre, said: “Air travel, particularly long-haul flights, can put extra strain on your circulatory system as most people will have limited movement for a long period of time. People with poor circulation or varicose veins can be at greater risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot usually found in the leg.

“For most people, a walk around the cabin and some compression socks will do the trick, but it’s always worth knowing the signs to look out for that something potentially serious could be happening.”

Last year influencer Molly-Mae Hague told how she feared she had suffered a blood clot after experiencing severe pain in her leg following a flight home from Dubai. After rushing to hospital doctors gave the former Love Island star the all clear. She told fans: “It needs to be taken so much more seriously because it can happen to anyone at any age.”

Symptoms of DVT include a throbbing pain in the calf or thigh, swelling in one leg, swollen veins and the skin around the leg becoming red, blue or darkened. Dr Regi said: “If any swelling doesn’t ease after a flight and you experience a dull ache or heavy cramping then it’s always worth speaking to a doctor.

“DVT can be serious so keep a close eye on any changes that don’t settle down. If you experience shortness of breath or chest pain, together with these symptoms, seek medical advice straight away as this could be a sign a clot has travelled to the lung.”

Dr Regi continued: “People who already know they have poor circulation, for example if they have varicose veins, should try and move around as much as is practical during any long-haul flights. That’s because twisted or bulging veins can struggle to circulate blood effectively during extended periods of immobility.

“I always recommend investing in medical-grade compression stockings if you have varicose veins. You should also keep hydrated and keep alcohol and caffeinated drinks to a minimum. Exercises such as calf raises and ankle pumps can also keep blood pumping around your legs when you can’t get up for a wander.”

Dr Regi says varicose veins are often seen as purely a cosmetic issue, but they should be taken seriously and treatment is available. He said: “Varicose veins mean they are not working as they should. Treatments are available which focus on the underlying venous insufficiency to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications. Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses laser energy to close off affected veins, treating the root cause of varicose veins.”

What should have been the start of an exciting family holiday to Greece turned into a nightmare, after a mother of three was unable to board the plane due to a passport mistake

A mum was banned from boarding an easyJet flight with her family and was left £700 out of pocket after being caught out by a crucial passport rule.

Bolaji Omisade, 35, was filled with excitement as she headed to London Gatwick Airport with her husband and three sons ahead of their family holiday to Greece. But on arrival at the airport, she was told by easyJet staff that she wouldn’t be allowed to board the plane.

Confused by the situation, the social worker and content creator from Rainham in Essex was told at check-in that while her passport had not expired, it had been issued more than 10 years earlier, meaning it did not meet EU entry requirements. “Until that moment, I had absolutely no idea this rule existed,” Bolaji told creatorzine.com.

All UK passports must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of entry when travelling to most European countries under post-Brexit travel rules. Bolaji checked that her passport hadn’t expired before heading to the airport, but wasn’t aware of the crucial rule regarding the issue date.

It was a devastating moment for Bolaji as the reality of not being able to go on holiday with her husband and their three sons hit home. “I had to hold back my emotions because my children were watching everything unfold,” she said. “As a parent, that was one of the hardest parts. They were so disappointed.”

With no refund option and their planned departure time approaching, the family decided that Bolaji would return home with their youngest son, while her husband and two older boys would board the easyJet flight to Greece. Amid the holiday nightmare, Bolaji said she saw another holidaymaker being turned away at the airport for the same reason. “That was the moment I realised this wasn’t an isolated incident,” she said.

In an attempt to salvage the holiday, Bolaji swiftly booked an appointment to secure a new passport by using the one-day premium service through His Majesty’s Passport Office. While there were no suitable appointments available in London due to the bank holiday weekend, the mum managed to secure a 9.30am slot in Newport, Wales, and travelled up the night before.

After waiting several hours, Bolaji was finally issued a fresh passport, and she booked new flights. Bolaji and her youngest son joined the rest of the family in Greece on Thursday, but it meant they had only two days left of the holiday before flying home on Saturday.

While it was a stressful time for the family, it also resulted in an expensive mistake. With the cost of the emergency passport, hotel stay in Wales, travel expenses, and extra flights, the family ended up spending an additional £700 on top of their already prebooked getaway.

Since the ordeal, Bolaji has shared her experience on social media, warning other travellers and urging booking platforms to clarify the rule. “I believe airlines and booking platforms could do much more to highlight this rule,” she said. “If sharing my story helps even one family avoid being turned away at the airport, then something positive will have come from what was a very upsetting experience.”

To renew or replace your passport, online or at the HM Passport Office, visit the government website.

EasyJet has a dedicated page on its website to warn passengers of passport rules and requirements, including for the EU. As part of these warnings it explains: “Please check your passport’s expiry and issue date before you travel. If you’re a UK passport holder travelling to the EU (except Ireland), or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican City or Switzerland, your passport will need to meet the following criteria:

• It must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to depart from the EU or above countries*
• It must be no more than 10 years’ old on the date of travel to the EU or above countries.

“Visit the UK government’s advice page for more information.

“Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland may travel within Europe using a valid EU/EEA/Swiss National Identity Card or Passport Card.”

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

A MUM was forced to cancel her flight after discovering her son doodled a dinosaur in her passport just hours before a work trip abroad.

The distraught parent shared the stressful experience online, along with photos of the ballpoint scribbles, captioned: “I hate dinosaurs!”

“I feel like crying. My flight is tonight,” she said.

“I was packing, and my little one was busy scribbling on my passport. I didn’t notice when he got hold of it.

“This morning I was running around queuing at immigration.

“I’m hoping I don’t have to declare the passport as damaged.”

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The woman then went to the Immigration Department in Kajang, Malaysia before being sent to Putrajaya.

Unfortunately, her worst fears were realised.

Officials told her her passport was damaged and not valid for travel.

To make matters worse, as it was a weekend, she could not get a replacement until Monday.

She said: “I’m now on the way to Kuala Lumpur International Airport to ask Qatar Airways if I can change my ticket to Monday night.

“Please pray that everything is made easier.”

Fortunately, she was able to change her flight to Monday – though at a not insignificant price of £114.

Accepting the outcome, she wrote: “To those asking about the little one who scribbled on the passport, he’s still smiling without any sense of guilt and still saying, ‘Let’s go to the airport!’

“Please pray that our affairs are made easier as we continue our 11,977km journey soon… amen.

“Also, thank you to the immigration officer in Putrajaya who was on duty this morning and helped us accept fate with more calmness.

“God willing, there is a blessing in it.”

This is not the first time passport issues have caused last-minute travel chaos.

In August last year, a couple left their 10-year-old son behind at Barcelona Airport after discovering his passport had expired.

Determined not to miss their flight, they arranged for a relative to collect him and boarded the plane without him.

The plan quickly unravelled when airport staff spotted the boy alone and alerted police.

It is not known if the family were charged or given any sort of caution by the police.

BOARDING gates are usually good for people spotting, but I don’t usually see famous faces among the frazzled families, loved-up couples and hen parties.

British Airways’ newest route isn’t your average flight though.

The 2-hour journey from London City airport (best airport in the UK in my opinion) is taking passengers to Toulon-Hyeres airport in the south of France twice-weekly until September.

The seaside city is a taxi ride away from A-List heavy holiday destinations like St Tropez, Grimaud and Sainte Maxime.

Which is why my plane featured not one, not two, but three celebrities queueing to board.

Kelly Brook was sat in Business Class with her actor husband Jeremy Parisi, while Pixie Geldof and her sister Tiger Lily Hutchence-Geldof boarded the back of the plane in the Economy cabin.

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London City is a dream airport, with non-existent security queues, almost non-existent check-in queues and very short walks to boarding gates.

I kicked myself for arriving a keen two hours before the flight, because we did everything so quickly that we had masses of time to kill.

The planes are small by BA standards but as they’re part of the BA CityFlyer brand that operates out of London City, Economy passengers get a free drink and a light snack on the two-hour trip, with flights costing from £130 one-way.

Business Class passengers get a full meal and car service, which includes fried breakfasts, salads and a hot main, plus pudding and bread roll, depending on the time of day you travel.

Despite this, flights cost from £130 one-way.

The flight is aiming itself at passengers who want relaxed and luxurious travel to the famous French Riviera, and Toulon airport is so tiny that arrivals at the other end are similarly breezy.

The dreaded lengthy passport control queues were perfectly manageable as the airport only serves seven destinations.

Because it’s so small, there is only a tiny cafe at Toulon after check-in though, so it’s worth coming armed with your own food if you have specific tastes.

The French Riviera isn’t known for being cheap, but you don’t have to splash 100 euros on a taxi to St Tropez.

There is a coach that leaves twice daily from the airport and costs 2.50 euros per person and travels all the way to St Tropez, stopping at a number of holiday destinations en route.

I was staying at the Eurocamp in nearby Port Grimaud and it took me nearly all the way, with just a 10 euro Uber at the end to get me to my campsite.

St Tropez is in the spotlight even more than usual this summer, as the new series of HBO’s The White Lotus will be set on the French Riviera, with the posh Chateau de la Messadiere in St Tropez being used as the main filming location.

So if you fancy checking out the real-life location that’ll be beaming onto our screens next summer ahead of the crowds, this is one of the easiest and most comfortable flights to get you there.

Plus you might even spot a celeb or two on your way.

A flight attendant has shared the piece of advice she would give plus-size passengers who are boarding the plane, especially if they’re feeling anxious about the journey

A flight attendant has urged plus-size passengers to follow her simple advice when boarding a plane, especially if they’re feeling anxious about what’s ahead.

Flying when plus-size can feel daunting. You may be worried about whether people will be kind to you, or if they’ll cause a scene about sitting next to someone in a bigger body, rather than questioning why plane seats are so small in the first place. But there’s something you can do before you even make it to your seat to ensure the flight is comfortable for you, and you’re not stressing or feeling embarrassed.

Jeenie Weenie, who shares videos about her life as a flight attendant, said she was making content for “all the beautiful plus-size passengers”.

Someone said they feel uncomfortable and have “anxiety” about asking for a seatbelt extender in front of their seatmate.

Of course, in an ideal world, seatbelt extenders wouldn’t be necessary, as belts would be longer and more accommodating for all, but alas, this isn’t the case right now.

However, Jeanie said: “When you’re boarding the plane, ask a crew member at this time for a seatbelt extender. Some airlines keep the extenders at the boarding area, so they’ll give them to you right away.

“And if they don’t have it there, you can give them your seat number, and once boarding is complete, they will give you the extender without you having to ask for it.”

This means the only person who will hear you asking for a seatbelt extender is the crew member, because everyone else “will be busy boarding”.

In the comments, someone praised the professionalism of all the cabin crew members they’d ever dealt with, as one wrote: “I no longer need a seat extender, but when I did, I’d ask when boarding. The flight attendants were always so nice about it and never made me feel ashamed.”

Another shared: “I remember struggling with my weight (still do) after my car accident, and I put on a lot of pounds. As soon as I was given the okay to work out, I went to the pool daily, ate better, etc. I did lose weight, but not enough.

“My first flight since the accident, I could alllllmost click the buckle. I remember being so upset and having to stop myself from crying, as I already hate walking with a limp.

“An attendant -I assume was off the clock- sat down next to me, and as she saw me quietly losing my mind and feeling desperate, she passed me an extender like a ninja and told me ‘it’s okay’ with such a reassuring smile. It was so nice to be treated with genuine care and human respect. I hope she is doing well.”

Someone else commented: “I always ask as I’m boarding. I don’t always need it since seat belt lengths aren’t the same, but I always ask just in case I need it.”

SUNEXPRESS has been forced to cancel four flight routes from the UK this summer.

The airline has said the ongoing fuel crisis caused by the Iran War is the reason for the cancellations.

One of the cancelled SunExpress routes is from Leeds Bradford to Antalya.

Currently there are only two more flights set to depart from Leeds Bradford for the city on the Turquoise Coast with the last being on June 7.

Flights between Manchester and Bodrum have also been axed – this has been done immediately as there are no tickets on sale or further routes planned on its website.

The Manchester to Bodrum route was only launched a month ago on May 4.

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Routes from Glasgow to Dalaman and Antalya have also been axed.

The final flight from Glasgow to Dalaman will be on June 9.

There are no more flights between the Scottish airport and Antalya.

A spokesperson from SunExpress told Travel Gossip that the reasons for the routes being axed were “geopolitical developments” and a “highly volatile environment”.

Another was the increasing price of jet fuel and as a result of this it is also reducing the number of flights on other services.

They added: “We regret any inconvenience caused, and will continue to provide UK travellers with a wide range of flights and routes to Türkiye from airports across the UK.”

“At this stage, we’re not in a position to confirm when the suspended services may be reinstated. We will provide further updates as soon as more information is available.”

SunExpress – a budget airline – will continue other routes to Antalya.

These go from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton, Manchester and Newcastle.

The airline will also continue to fly to Antalya from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Manchester, and Newcastle.

A couple who were flying out of Manchester Airport were furious after realising a major downside to spending £150 each on seats with extra legroom – with the couple vowing ‘never again’

A passenger on a plane was furious after paying £150 for extra legroom on a flight, before realising one major downside. Being comfortable when travelling is one of the most important things for passengers.

Depending on where you are travelling to, you could be on a plane for up to 19 hours, so being somewhat comfortable is important if you’re planning to sleep while onboard. There are a number of ways people can ensure comfort on a flight including upgrading seats to extra legroom or buying a first-class ticket for the duration of the flight.

Upgrades, however, do come at a cost which can be thousands of pounds on top of the initial flight price – which can already be pricy enough.

But if you’re travelling on a smaller plane, the only upgrade available can be a seat with extra legroom, also known as exit row seats.

Sitting in this row means that you must both be physically and mentally able, and willing, to help cabin crew open the heavy exit door and assist them in the event of an evacuation.

One couple, from Manchester and Yorkshire, flew out of Manchester Airport and decided to upgrade to seats with extra legroom for £150 each.

They were initially happy with their seats, until the flight took of and the seatbelt signs were turned off, and they instantly realised the downside to paying extra money for their flight.

The couple said: “You pay £150 for extra legroom seats just to have people queuing for the toilet right in front of you. The British people see a queue and love to join it. There was a free toilet approx 10 rows back but here they are.”

They shared a video on TikTok showing the situation, where a crowd of people were seen standing waiting for the toilet right in front of them.

The couple were unable to extend their legs and were forced to be sat the same as anyone else on the flight due to the amount of people in front of them.

Other people commented on the video to explain how they had also learned the hard way after purchasing seats with extra legroom.

One person said: “This always happens and exactly why I’d never choose those seats! Plus the smell.”

The couple replied: “Literally never again! we had the ones in the middle on the way to Mexico which weren’t as bad, but these seats were the worst!!”

Another person said: “I just leave my feet out and they have to move around them. I’ve never been stood on …yet.”

A third person said: “I did this when I had a cast on my leg and some pensioner stepped over my leg and tripped then had the cheek to look at me like it was my fault.”

A flight attendant has said she can’t stand it when passengers break one common phone rule, as it could actually be quite dangerous for the pilot and other passengers

When boarding a plane, there are several things passengers are required to do to ensure their own safety and that of fellow travellers. Once everyone has taken their seats, cabin crew will deliver safety information that must be listened to, and it’s frequently essential that you take their warnings seriously.

If you’re someone who flies regularly, you may believe you no longer need to absorb this safety information as you’ve encountered it numerous times before. But one cabin crew member on social media has insisted it’s always crucial that you remain attentive, as flouting the rules could result in injury, disruption to the aircraft, and possibly harm to your own possessions.

Yasmeen, a flight attendant working out of Los Angeles, posted a video on TikTok from a recent flight, revealing she was left stunned by what one passenger was doing while the aircraft was airborne.

The cabin crew member was travelling as a passenger on this occasion, but explained that her professional experience means she understands just how risky it can be to disregard the rule that the other traveller was so openly flouting.

In the footage, Yasmeen revealed that another passenger seated across the aisle had received a phone call mid-flight and proceeded to answer it with the phone on loudspeaker, allowing everyone within earshot to listen in on their conversation.

Not only is blaring your phone on speaker thoughtless when crammed into a confined space with dozens of other passengers, but you’re meant to switch your mobile to aeroplane mode upon boarding, which blocks all signal and prevents you from making or taking calls.

Yasmeen said: “As a flight attendant, I’m actually about to jump out of my skin.”

Viewers of her clip were split, though. Some insisted they’d never dream of leaving their phone on during a flight, while others claimed they’ve “taken full Zoom calls” on planes previously, suggesting it shouldn’t be a problem.

One person said: “I just don’t understand. With all this technology, and supposedly we went to the moon, but we can’t use our phones on the plane?”

Another added: “I don’t understand what some of y’all don’t understand. You are NOT supposed to be making phone calls while in the air!”

A third wrote: “I’ve taken full Zoom calls on the plane. It’s not against the rules to be on a call.”

Why do phones need to be on aeroplane mode when flying?

Phones, tablets, and other wireless-enabled devices should be switched to aeroplane mode as a safety measure. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), any device that emits radio waves has the potential to interfere with navigation and radar systems, as well as disrupt pilots’ headsets.

The extent to which mobile phones impact aviation technology hasn’t been thoroughly researched, but pilots have reported hearing background noise and interference from handsets while in the air, particularly during landing. This could prove distracting to pilots at a critical stage of the flight, so it’s advisable to simply keep your phone on aeroplane mode throughout.

Failing to switch your phone to aeroplane mode is unlikely to bring the plane down, but even if it doesn’t irritate your pilot, it could also result in unnecessary strain on your own device.

Ways not putting your phone on aeroplane mode can affect you include:

• Severe battery drain: Your phone will be working overtime to try and find a signal in the air by attempting to connect to towers on the ground, which can drain your battery.
• Costly roaming charges: On international flights, flying over multiple countries and having your phone connect to their towers could land you with hefty roaming fees that you weren’t prepared to pay.

One stunning beach has been crowned the world’s most beautiful by TUI

Just a three-hour flight from the UK lies Tunisia‘s breathtaking Yasmine Hammamet Beach, which has just been crowned the most beautiful beach in the world. Travel specialists at TUI assessed countless beaches across the globe, with this stunning coastal gem coming out on top.

The beach scored exceptionally well for its perfect blend of turquoise waters, golden sand and unspoilt coastal scenery, making it an ideal destination for all manner of holidaymakers, from families to watersports fans. Coming in second place was Içmeler Bay Beach in Türkiye, which wasn’t the only Turkish beach to feature, with the country claiming four of the top ten spots. Third place, meanwhile, went to Reduit Beach in Saint Lucia.

A recent visitor to Yasmine Hammamet Beach took to TripAdvisor to rave about the experience, writing: “We travelled with Senior Discovery Tours for 16 days and loved every minute of Tunisia!

“Can’t say enough about how beautiful this country is and especially Hammammet Beach! Beautiful sand and can walk for miles! Would highly recommend!”

Another holidaymaker enthused: “Warm clear blue water and golden sand, lovely clean and safe. Beach cafes and hot sun. I could stay here forever!”

A third visitor added: “Beautiful golden sands – camels seen walking near to water’s edge. Very tranquil. transport available from hotel to beach for guests – Hotel staff accompanying guests – bar available on beach for cold drinks.”

Revealing the findings of their research, Abbigail Head, a TUI retail agent, said: “Beautiful beaches continue to be one of the biggest drivers when people choose a holiday destination, because they represent the ultimate sense of escape.

“We find that travellers are naturally drawn to clear blue water, soft golden sand and bright coastal scenery because these landscapes instantly create feelings of relaxation.

“Whether families are looking for long beach days, couples want romantic sunset walks, or holidaymakers simply want somewhere to completely switch off, visually stunning beaches remain at the heart of the perfect getaway experience.”

The most beautiful beaches in the world, according to TUI

1. Yasmine Hammamet Beach, Tunisia
2. İçmeler Bay Beach, Türkiye
3. Reduit Beach, Saint Lucia
4. Belek Beach, Türkiye
5. Gündoğdu Beach, Türkiye
6. Tsilivi Beach, Greece
7. Kadriye Beach, Türkiye
8. Qawra Point Beach, Malta
9. Naama Bay Beach, Egypt
10. Vrysoudia Beach, Cyprus

A major airline is cutting complimentary meals offered to passengers on flights with the introduction of a chef curated menu that has to be pre ordered ahead of takeoff

A major airline has announced a new in flight charge that will impact passengers from July, with meals no longer being complimentary.

Hawaiian Airlines services included the free perk of meals when flying between Hawaii and the US mainland.

However, in a recent announcement the airline stated that passengers will not longer automatically receive complimentary meals.

Travellers will now have to purchase pre-ordered dishes from a new menu, between two weeks before departure and 20 hours ahead of takeoff.

Prices are expected to range from about $10 (£7.45) to $17 (approx £12.66) per meal.

However, according to the airline, flights between Honolulu and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, will continue to include a complimentary meal for Main Cabin passengers.

The menu has been curated by Maui-based chef Sheldon Simeon, who developed a menu featuring elevated local favourites including crispy mochiko chicken with garlic noodles, barbecue teriyaki chicken bento, and corned beef hash with eggs.

Passengers will also be able to try signature dishes inspired by Simeon’s restaurants including his popular K mayo, teriyaki sauce, and banana bread syrup.

“At the heart of this transformation is what has always defined Hawaiian Airlines: authentic Hawaiian hospitality,” Alisa Onishi, the Managing Director of Hawai‘i Marketing at Hawaiian Airlines, said in a statement.

“We’re still going to keep the authentic parts of our hospitality, free beverages, free local snacks, (and) the sweet treat at the end of the flight. We’re really proud to offer this new option in our main cabin for our guests to explore and enjoy a little more from our island home.”

The airline added: “By moving to a pre-order model, we’re expanding beyond a single standard meal to offer a broader menu that reflects how our guests want to dine today.”

Business Class and First Class menus are also being revamped, with complimentary snacks remaining available on flights.

A flight on the A350-1000ULR, developed for ultra-long-haul routes, is set to enable non-stop services between Sydney and major cities, including London and New York

A plane offering a non-stop flight tipped to be the world’s longest and spanning up to a whopping 22 hours has reached a massive milestone. Yesterday (Tuesday, June 2), Airbus completed the first test flight of its A350-1000ULR, developed for ultra-long-haul routes and aimed at setting a new record for the longest non-stop commercial flight.

It will enable non-stop services between Sydney, Australia, and major cities London and New York. On its maiden flight, the MSN 707 model aircraft flew for three hours and 43 minutes.

Flown by an Airbus test crew and fitted with specialised instrumentation, the aircraft departed from and returned to Toulouse, France, reaching an altitude of more than 41,000 feet (12,500 metres).

It marks a turning point for the world of long-haul travel, with the plane making these non-stop routes possible for the first time and potentially cutting journey times by up to four hours.

At present, the longest commercial flight in use is Singapore Airlines’ more than 18-hour Singapore to New York, a distance of some 15,350 km; on the other hand, however, Sydney to London would be 18,500km.

The “ULR” in A350-1000ULR — a variant of the A350-1000 — stands for “ultra-long range”. A key difference is an extra tank capable of holding 20,000 litres of fuel, which Airbus says extends the range by more than 1,800km.

It stated: “During the first flight, the crew carried out general performance checks on the aircraft and tested the new fuel system architecture. This marks the start of a two-month flight test campaign to certify the modifications.”

Further tests will cover things like ventilation and temperature control in the cabin, and a refrigeration system. Aussie airline Qantas has ordered the first 12 units, the first of which is scheduled to arrive in April 2027.

Qantas’ plans form part of its so-called “Sunrise Project”, a name that refers to the fact that those flying on the lengthiest flights can see the sun rise twice as a result of the time difference.

Some of the features of the Qantas flight will be reduced passenger numbers (about 300 down to 238), a wellness area, and Wi-Fi access.

It comes after a flight attendant weighed in on passengers who ask to swap seats on planes. The individual, who goes by Ms Attendant Tea on TikTok, didn’t mince her words in her assessment.

She said: “What is the problem with that? Now, if you wanted to change a seat, you could have done so when you booked the flight. I don’t know, there are some sites of where you get the tickets from, it is an extra fee for you to select your seats, but you could have done that when you booked the flight.

“You may have had to pay a little extra, but you could have done that. Or, once you were assigned a seat, you could have taken care of that at the gate.

“Now, let me say something. When you get to me on the plane, every weight has been accounted for. All the calculations have been done, and everything else so, yes, where you are sitting is calculated in our weight and balance, which is an issue.

“So, when you get on a plane and ask me ‘can I sit here because I see [an] empty seat?’, and I say ‘no’. What is the problem?”

AROUND 150 Ryanair passengers were left stranded at a European airport following massive queues.

The passengers at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France missed their Ryanair flight last week due to lengthy queues at border control caused by staff shortages.

The flight to London Stansted left without some of its passengers as queues at border control meant they couldn’t reach their gate in time for the flight.

One passenger told The Connexion that it was “pure chaos” adding that “there was no structure at the airport” and “people pushing at all times”.

The woman’s flight wasn’t the only one to be impacted either – in total four flights were boarding at the same with destinations including Marrakech in Morocco, Tunisia and two to London.

Reportedly, around 500 people were in the border control area including passengers with babies.

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The woman also revealed that despite just managing to get onboard her flight, the pilot announced shortly after that 150 passengers had not made it.

On its website, the UK Civil Aviation Authority states: “Airports will try to do their best to ensure a smooth operation and provide passengers with a comfortable journey. However, sometimes problems do occur.

“If you miss a flight due to a long queue at security, even though you arrived at the airport on time, it is unlikely that an airline would pay compensation or consider itself obliged to offer you a free alternative flight.

“We are pleased to see that some airlines are helping their passengers find alternative flights voluntarily.

“We would recommend that you contact your travel agent or airline to help book you onto an alternative flight, but you may need to pay extra to do this.

“If you have taken out travel insurance, contact your insurance provider to see if your expenses are covered and make sure you keep receipts for these.”

A Ryanair spokesperson told Sun Travel: “Due to delays caused by border control staff shortages at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport on 30 May, a number of passengers booked to travel from Toulouse to London Stansted were not in the boarding gate area when boarding for their flight closed and missed their flight from Toulouse to London Stansted.

“All passengers that were at the boarding gate when this flight from Toulouse to London Stansted boarded were accommodated and travelled without incident.”

Sun Travel has contacted Toulouse-Blagnac Airport for comment.

FLIGHTS to New York could eventually take the same amount of time as it does to fly to Tenerife – and passengers might be onboard sooner than you think.

X-59 QueSST, nicknamed the “Son of Concorde” has been developed by NASA to travel as much as 300mph faster than current commercial flights.

At the speed of over 900mph, the aircraft could travel from London to New York in 3hr45 – far less than it does to get to some of the Spanish islands.

Currently, flights from the UK to New York take around 7hr30, on average.

With the jet it could be under four hours which is even quicker than a flight to Tenerife at 4hr30.

Most commercial flights currently operate at around 600mph but the aircraft is set to conduct test flights where it will reach supersonic speeds of 630mph at 43,000ft for the first time.

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After that, NASA said that “mission conditions” will follow where the jet will go even faster.

If successful, it is hoped that supersonic flights could launch by 2029.

Don’t worry about hearing a sonic boom either – despite the sound barrier sitting at 660mph, the aircraft have been designed to avoid this.

Instead it will create a sonic “thump”, which is “about as loud as a car door closing”.

Up until now, NASA has been conducting tests in wind tunnels or in the skies but at slower speeds.

The jet is dubbed the ‘Son of Concorde’ as Concorde was the world’s very first supersonic airliner that first flew passengers in 1976.

Concorde’s fastest recorded flight was on February 7, 1996, when British Airways flew Concorde from New York’s JFK airport to London Heathrow in two hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds.

Around 20 Concordes were created, but the fleet was grounded in 2003.

This was three years after the crash of an Air France flight, in which all passengers and crew were killed.

Low passenger numbers and high costs were also cited as reasons for the ending of Concorde.

When Concordes were flying they would often break the sound barrier, causing the shaking of windows and creating a loud noise that replicated thunder when passing overhead.

Fancy seeing a real Concorde plane? You can see retired ones at Manchester Airport, Aerospace Bristol or Brooklands Museum in Surrey.

Travel companies have been contacting people with holidays booked after change made

Jet2 passengers have been told that a key change is now ‘in force’ after some got in touch worried that an email they received could be a fake. Holiday travel companies have also been getting in touch with customers to tell them of the change.

Thousands of travellers have received emails notifying them that their holiday documents will be arriving later than originally expected. This has raised alarm bells among some customers who fear it could be a scam – particularly as Jet2 has recently been warning about numerous fake social media accounts being created in an attempt to defraud passengers.

Previously Jet2 sent all documents to travellers 28 days in advance of the break – however in 2026 this has changed with great uncertainty about the situation this summer with the Middle East conflict still not resolved. In a recent post on Facebook travel company Holiday Getaway said: “Just a quick update for customers travelling with Jet2. Holiday documents will now be available 14 days before departure to ensure you have the most up-to-date information for your trip. No action needed. Online check-in is still available from 28 days before travel.”

One passenger wrote on X: “@jet2tweets Hi, I’ve just received this email apparently from Jet2 saying I will now get my holiday documents 14 days before my holiday departure instead of 28, is this true or is it still 28, I’ve a feeling this was a spam email though.”

Another passenger added: “I had the same email. Flying on 25 May with jet2,” A traveller added: “Ive just had the same email !”

The email says: “Just so you know, following a change to when we send out the documents for your holiday, you’ll now receive your documents 14 days before departure, rather than 28 days as stated on your original booking confirmation. You don’t need to contact us or take any action – you’ll receive your documents 14 days before you travel. Have a lovely holiday!”

Responding on X, Jet2 confirmed it was a genuine message and explained: “Hi there, thanks for reaching out. Yes we can confirm that you will receive your documents 14 days before departure. Should you require any further assistance, then please feel free to send us a DM. “

Jet2 advice says: “At 10 weeks before departure we will take any outstanding balance payment and send a confirmation that the balance has been paid. At 14 days before departure, we will send you a final confirmation with your travel documents attached, consisting of your booking confirmation; your flight voucher; your accommodation voucher, your cruise voucher (where applicable) and your transfer or car hire voucher. We will also provide you with your ATOL Certificate. Please remember to print off all your vouchers as well as your booking confirmation and your ATOL Certificate where applicable.”

Jet2 has also explained why some flight schedules may change, and has moved to remind passengers of an action they must take during a 48-hour period. The major airline states in the Frequently Asked Questions section of its website that it “always aims to operate our flights at the scheduled time of departure”. However, Jet2 added: “Sometimes we may need to make changes or provide alternative carriers or aircraft and cannot always notify you of this in advance. We may also alter or remove the planned schedules as shown on your booking confirmation.”

The guidance notes that Jet2 does not wish to cause inconvenience to passengers, yet “unfortunately sometimes changes to scheduled flight times may be required for operational or technical reasons outside our control”. Jet2 confirmed that in such circumstances, travellers would be given as much advance warning as possible.

Passengers flying with Jet2 are encouraged to keep a close eye on their email and text message inboxes, as these are typically the methods used to get in touch should any changes arise. Jet2 added: “Please contact us if you change your email address or mobile number so we can update your details.

“From the Manage My Booking section on our website you can see your booking summary, request a further email confirmation or select a different email address.” Jet2 is also reminding travellers that they are obligated to review their flight summary within a 48-hour window prior to departure.

Jet2 said: “Please be aware that it is one of our Terms and Conditions that you re-check your flight summary 72 to 24 hours before departure.” The airline also continues to urge passengers to consult the “latest travel information” on its website at least 12 hours before take-off to ensure they remain fully informed.” Additional advice reads: “Please check this section of the website at least 12 hours before your flight for the latest flight information.

“We recommend arriving at the airport at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure time. Please remember – check-in desks close 40 minutes before this.”

A NATIONWIDE strike across a European country today has already resulted in hundreds of flights being cancelled.

The walkout has affected public transport workers including train staff and cabin crew across Portugal.

The strikes follow a proposed labour legislation change, which they claim are an  “assault on workers’ rights”.

Airlines have been forced to cancel flights already, with TAP Portugal warning earlier this week that 500 flights would be cancelled and only 79 flights would be running.

Nearly 100 flights have been cancelled to and from Lisbon Airport already.

This includes a number of UK arrivals and departures including:

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• 7:20am Lisbon to London Heathrow with British Airways
• 10:05am London Heathrow to Lisbon with British Airways
• 11am Lisbon to London Heathrow with British Airways
• 2:30pm London Heathrow to Lisbon with British Airways
• 3:15pm Lisbon to London Heathrow with British Airways
• 4:25pm Lisbon to London Heathrow with British Airways
• 11pm London Heathrow to Lisbon with British Airways

EasyJet and Ryanair flights are yet to be affected, but more may be cancelled throughout the day.

Nearly 60 flights to and from Porto Airport have been cancelled, including Ryanair flights, although no UK routes have been affected yet.

Faro Airport is also seeing cancellations , affecting around 40 arrivals and departures.

These include:

• 6:50pm London Gatwick to Faro with British Aiways
• 7pm Leeds to Faro with Ryanair
• 7:35pm Faro to Leeds with Ryanair
• 7:40pm Faro to London Gatwick with British Airways

Along with cancellations, there are lots of delays as well.

easyJet warned passengers that passengers should expect “some disruption” throughout the day.

They told Sun Travel: “Due to a national strike in Portugal on 3 June, like all airlines operating to and from the country we can expect some disruption to our flying programme. 

“We will be doing all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action and will contact customers directly with their options if their flights are affected.

“While this is outside of our control we are sorry for any inconvenience this strike action may cause.”

Other public transport services are also being affected in the country.

Lisbon Metro said no train services will run at all today, wile the Porto Metro will have “limited services”

The strike could also cause problems in the coming days due to a knock on effect.

The low-cost airline is reducing the number of flights at 19 airports across Europe, including in the UK, and passengers have been warned to check their itineraries and alternative routes

Ryanair has slashed flights at 19 airports across Europe, including in the UK, ahead of its summer timetable.

Due to the changes, passengers have been urged to verify their itineraries and explore alternative routes.

Destinations affected by the reductions include Berlin, Manchester, Krakow and Malaga.

The decision comes as the budget carrier attempts to streamline its operations and tackle seasonal overcapacity, according to Travel and Tour World.

Travellers departing from or arriving at the airports facing reductions must verify their schedules to confirm their booking remains valid.

Full list of airports facing cuts:

United Kingdom

• London Stansted
• Manchester

Ireland

Germany

• Berlin Brandenburg
• Cologne Bonn
• Hamburg

Italy

Portugal

Belgium

France

Poland

Hungary

Romania

Bulgaria

Spain

The budget carrier has implemented the reductions to optimise its strategic network, ease economic pressures and manage rising costs.

The widespread cancellations form part of the airline’s efforts to safeguard profitability as the fuel crisis continues to fuel inflation worries.

The cuts come after Brits heading to Europe were caught in hours-long airport queues, with some passengers reportedly missing flights as new border checks continue to cause disruption across the EU.

The delays come following the rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which officially launched on October 12, 2025. Under the new system, non-EU travellers including Brits are required to register fingerprints and have their photograph taken when entering or leaving the Schengen area.