flights

TRAVEL chaos caused by a major tech outage across all UK airports earlier this week has left thousands stranded – with many left out of pocket when booking back up flights and hotels.

An Air Traffic Control failure in the UK on Tuesday saw thousands of flights cancelled, resulting in travel chaos across the globe.

Many have since been asking if they can claim compensation back, with flights both delayed and cancelled for days.

However, as the NATS issue was classed as an “extraordinary circumstance” travellers are not entitled to cash compensation.

The maximum compensation you can get is for long-haul flights which are delayed four hours or more, which would be £520.

This is only for when the problems are the caused by the airline, directly, however.

Read more on travel inspo

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

ALL IN

I found the best value all inclusive London hotel… just £55pp with free food & booze

Lisa Minot, Head of Travel said: “Airlines are only required to give you compensation if the delay or cancellation is the airline’s fault, as in a technical failure on a plane or issues with crew.

“In this situation, where ATC is the reason for the chaos, there is unfortunately no compensation due.”

Yet, airlines do have a duty of care, so you can recoup some of your costs.

When affected by flight delays, airlines must provide travellers with food and drink as well as accommodation.

‘Care’ you should receive includes food and drink, two phone calls, accommodation and transport between the airport and where you are staying.

Usually, an airline will provide you with a voucher to get food or drink, however if a voucher isn’t provided, make sure you keep your receipts to claim back expenses incurred.

While an airline might automatically book your accommodation when your flight is delayed or cancelled, sometimes you might be asked to book it yourself via its website or a dedicated app.

Although, it is advised to always ask airport staff before booking a hotel yourself.

If you pay for your own hotel, you must make sure to keep all your receipts so you can claim back your costs.

Airlines will cover a hotel with a reasonable price though, so don’t go booking a five-star stay.

Then head to your airline’s website and find their expenses claims page and fill out the form with the relevant details.

The CAA also recommends asking for an itemised receipt to show what you purchased and how much was spent on each thing.

Lisa added: “Check your insurance policy to see if you have any redress if you have incurred additional costs like missing a concert or unable to pick up car hire. You may be able to claim for that.

“Generally for delays, if an airline looks after you or provides you with food and drink or hotels, you cannot claim for the same costs against your travel insurance.”

HUNDREDS of thousands of British holidaymakers have faced travel misery this week after a massive air traffic control meltdown left them stranded.

A technical glitch on Tuesday (September 8) triggered chaos at major hubs across the country, leading to the cancellation of more than 2,000 flights arriving or departing the UK.

With the weekend fast approaching, families are wondering: “Will my holiday still go ahead, and who is footing the bill?”

Here is everything you need to know about the current travel situation, why flights have still been grounded, and what aviation bosses are saying.

Will flights be back to normal by the weekend?

The good news for weekend travellers is that the disruption has significantly eased.

Aviation analytics company Cirium confirmed that cancellations are slowing down, with schedules expected to return to normal later today (September 10).

HIGH 5

Cheap & great resorts that make hols with pre-schoolers easy – book now from £185pp

PLANE CHAOS

Thousands more passengers affected as dozens of flights grounded at UK airports

While 399 flights were cancelled or did not fly on Wednesday, only a “handful” of flights have faced the axe today.

Provided there are no further technical hiccups, weekend flight schedules should run as planned.

Why are airports still cancelling trips?

Even when an air traffic control system is fixed, the aviation network takes time to recover.

Tuesday’s four-hour outage meant that by Wednesday, planes and flight crews were stuck in the wrong locations across the globe.

This creates a “knock-on” effect that airlines have to untangle before schedules can get back on track.

London Heathrow was the worst affected airport on Wednesday, with 79 out of 666 departure flights disrupted.

British Airways (BA) took the biggest hit among airlines, seeing 88 of its 507 scheduled departures affected.

What are airlines and airports saying?

Airlines are furious about the disruption.

BA said it was “sorry” to its customers, but stressed the meltdown was “out of our control”.

Taking a swipe at air traffic bosses, a BA spokesperson said: “Our customers and colleagues are tired of dealing with these issues, time after time. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

Meanwhile, Heathrow has assured passengers that it is working with airlines to ensure the majority of flights operate normally.

But the west London hub advised all passengers to double-check with their airline for the latest information before travelling to the airport.

Will I get compensation?

If your flight was cancelled or delayed due to the outage, you’re unlikely to see a payout.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said that the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) meltdown is considered an “extraordinary circumstance”.

Under passenger rights rules, this means airlines do not legally have to pay out compensation for delays or cancellations caused by the incident.

But airlines are still legally required to “look after” passengers, meaning they must provide food, drink, and overnight accommodation if you’re severely delayed or rebooked onto a flight the next day.

Who is to blame?

NATS chief executive Martin Rolfe is facing mounting pressure to resign over the fiasco, with Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary branding Rolfe’s position as “untenable”.

Despite the backlash, Downing Street has said it still has confidence in Rolfe, who stated he takes “full responsibility” for the outage.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the outage was due to a technical issue at NATS’ Swanwick site, ruling out a cyberattack.

She told MPs she did not believe the issue was “unavoidable” and ordered the CAA to conduct an independent, six-month review into what went wrong.

FURTHER disruption to air travel could be on the horizon with easyJet pilots confirming strike action in Europe.

The walkout is set to take place across two days meaning flights could be delayed or cancelled – including some to and from the UK.

Affecting flights in France, members of the SNPL pilots’ union have said that its members who work for easyJet will walk out over a pay dispute.

It will start at 4.59am on September 13 and end at 11.59pm on September 14.

According to a statement by Syndicat National des Pilotes de Ligne (SNPL) which is the main French national union for airline pilots, the dispute is around the pilots’ rosters with the airline.

Currently, there is no official estimate of how many flights could be cancelled or delayed as a result of the strike.

ACT FAST

MEGA Last minute Loveholidays deals for October half term – from £149pp

TOP STAYS

Best-rated UK hotels as voted for by guests – with rooms from just £31 a night

The amount of disruption will depend on how many pilots participate in the strike and how easyJet changes its schedule.

For Brits, it could affect the airline’s flights to the likes of Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Lyon, Nice, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Rennes, La Rochelle and Strasbourg.

It’s likely that not every easyJet flight from these airports will be affected and passengers should check their flight status before travelling on these days for updates on their journey.

Last month another strike by easyJet staff in France resulted in almost 100 flights being cancelled.

The news comes after there were huge delays across all UK airports this week due to a NATS tech outage that left thousands of passengers stranded.

Sun Travel has contacted easyJet for comment.

Flight compensation rules

A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

ABTA has issued a statement on the situation at airports across the UK, advising passengers of their rights and what steps they should take if their flight is cancelled or delayed this week

ABTA, the UK’s biggest trade travel association, has issued a statement amid air traffic control chaos at British airports which has continued into a second day.

According to BBC figures, obtained from aviation analytics firm Cirium, 1,750 flights were cancelled yesterday (Tuesday, September 8), and more than 150 have been cancelled today so far. Significant delays are also expected to persist today due to the knock-on effect of yesterday’s cancellations.

At least 16 major UK airports have been affected by the wave of cancellations, which are due to a major technical problem impacting National Air Traffic Services (NATS), leading ABTA to issue advice to affected passengers.

Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at ABTA, said in a statement: “If your flight has been delayed or cancelled customers will have rights, which will vary depending on whether they booked their flight separately or as part of a package.

“ABTA members will be supporting those booked with them, to help make alternative arrangements, and we have advice on abta.com to help people understand their rights.

“While the immediate priority is supporting customers, as this isn’t the first NATS outage to cause widespread disruption, the industry and the public will want answers as to what has gone wrong, what lessons are being learned, and how the system will be made more resilient to avoid this happening again.”

ABTA has advised passengers to visit it FAQs page, which gives passengers a breakdown of their rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled. If a flight is delayed, your airline is required to offer certain support, from refreshments to accommodation and transfers, depending on the length of the delay and the route.

ABTA also says: “If the delay exceeds five hours, your airline must offer you the choice of taking a refund of the flight cost.” However, it’s unlikely passengers hit by today’s delays and cancellations will be able to claim for additional compensation. It states: “if it wasn’t the airline’s fault, you won’t be entitled to receive any compensation. Delays caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.”

For those hit by cancellations, ABTA says: “If your flight is cancelled and you’re departing from the UK, your airline must offer you the choice of a replacement flight at the earliest opportunity or a refund.”

It advises: “If you were at the airport when your flight was cancelled, and you’ve chosen rerouting, you’re also entitled to care and assistance while you wait to be rerouted. This usually means food, drink, access to communications (e.g. two free phone calls) plus accommodation and the necessary transfers if the replacement flight departs the next day or later.”

Airlines affected by delays and cancellations include London-Heathrow, Gatwick, London-Stansted, London-City, London=-Southend, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Liverpool John Lennon, Aberdeen, Belfast, EMA, Southampton, Leeds and Jersey.

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

LONDON — More than 400 flights were canceled Tuesday due to a technical issue in Britain’s air traffic control system, reported the flight monitoring website Flightradar24.

Britain’s National Air Traffic Services said a problem had been identified in its flight processing system and engineers were urgently working on the issue, which affected flights across the U.K.

In an update, it said it had “implemented a fix and our flight system is starting to recover.”

About 425 flights to and from U.K. airports, including Heathrow, were canceled, affecting services operated by multiple airlines including British Airways, EasyJet, KLM and Lufthansa.

The affected airports, which also included Stansted and City in London, as well as airports in Manchester, Birmingham and Scotland, said the technical issue caused disruptions. They warned passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline.

Budget airline EasyJet said some of its flights were “unable to operate” and that the system failure caused “delays to flights across Europe.”

Some passengers took to social media to complain about being stuck on the tarmac for hours. Many expressed frustration about a lack of communication from airlines.

Heathrow’s website showed that many short-haul flights departing for European destinations had been canceled or delayed.

Arriving flights did not appear to be affected. It was not immediately clear what caused the technical problem.

ALL departing flights from UK airports including both Heathrow and Gatwick are majorly disrupted due to an “air traffic control failure”.

Thousands of passengers have been stranded across the country as flights are grounded.

The country’s air traffic control service NATS has a “technical issue” causing widespread chaos for departing flights.

Planes arriving into airports are not impacted.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “The air traffic control service NATS is experiencing a technical issue which is affecting departing flights at UK airports.

“Arriving flights are not currently impacted.

Read more on travel inspo

SEA IT

All 25 of the English Riviera beaches ranked from best to worst – by a Devon local

TRAVEL TIP

The £2.99 SIM hack that can save Brits HUNDREDS abroad

“We are supporting our local NATS team in their efforts to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

“We will provide updated information when we have it.

“We apologise to those disrupted and advise passengers to check with their airline for the latest flight information.

“This is affecting all UK airports, not just Heathrow and Gatwick.”

Fuming passengers told The Sun they’re stuck abroad because their flights are unable to leave over the issue in the UK, and have been warned they may have to get hotels for the night.

A National Air Traffic Services spokesperson said in a statement: “We are investigating a technical issue which is causing some disruption to flight departures.

“Our engineers are on site and we will provide an update as soon as we can.

“We apologise for the delay this will cause to journeys, passengers should check with their airline on the status of their flight.”

Are you affected? Email emily.davies@thesun.co.uk

It said in an update: “We have identified that the issue was in our flight processing system. Our engineers are on site and working urgently to resume normal operations as quickly as possible. 

“We recognise the ongoing disruption to travel, for which we sincerely apologise. Flights are still departing and airspace is open, but recovery will take some time.

“We will provide further updates as soon as possible. Passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline.

“We will provide further updates as soon as we have confirmed information, at http://www.nats.aero and on X at @NATS.”

Airport management at Heathrow said all outgoing flights have been temporarily halted.

Belfast City Airport also warned of “some disruption” to flights.

Manchester Airport Group, the company that operates Manchester Airport, Stansted Airport in Essex and East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire, said flights from all three had been affected by the air traffic control issue.

In 2023, thousands of passengers were left stranded by another major air traffic control failure.

It grounded 500 flights across the UK and Brits were stuck for hours on a Bank Holiday.

The “one in 15 million” event led to thousands of flights being cancelled and delayed.

An investigation launched by NATS revealed that a flight plan error resulted in the failure, which meant the air space was forced to close down – and only resumed 10 hours later.

In the aftermath, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said NATS could raise the amount it charges airlines by 25 per cent to ensure “safety and quality service”.

The fee increased from £47 to £64 per flight, an increase of 43p per passenger to £2.08 on average.

Sarah, from Manchester, said that people were left “confused and upset” by the chaos while at Lisbon Airport.

She told Sun Travel: “We arrived at the correct time for our 4.30pm flight to Heathrow but were then told our flight was four hours delayed.

“The queues are backing up at the BA check in desks with confused and upset people and crying babies.”

A spokesperson for Jersey Airport said: “UK air traffic control is currently experiencing issues which is impacting flights across the UK including services between Jersey and UK.

“Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information directly with their airline.”

Gatwick Airport added: “We are aware of a NATS technical issue that is currently affecting a number of UK airports, including London Gatwick.

“Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for more information regarding their flights.”

Disgruntled travellers have flocked to social media following the disruption.

One said: “Still stuck next in line on the runway at LHR. 90 minutes in.”
Another said: “BA 742 back to engines off and waiting.  Approaching 2 hour mark in 15 minutes.”

Another person posted on X: “We are currently sat on Alicante tarmac going to Manchester and this is affecting us. Not just London!”

A third said: “Luton airport too! We’re stranded on the actual plane.”

People have been advised to stay indoors because of the ash fallout

Hundreds of flights have been suspended after an airport had to be closed because of the ash cloud caused by a volcanic eruption. Tens of thousands of passengers have been left stranded. 209 flights were suspended after ash from Anak Krakatau blew into the airspace near Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Sunday.

Soekarno-Hatta is the main airport in Indonesia. The volcano started erupting on Friday night and there were two more eruptions on Sunday. More than 22,000 people have been hit by the suspension of flights, which has hity major international routes.

There is no tsunami warning linked to the eruption in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. The health minister has urged residents to stay indoors and wear face masks.

Local newspaper Kompas said schools cancelled activities on Saturday after students reported eye irritations. Fishing vessels have also been grounded amid health concerns.

Resident Aldi Candra Prayogi told Kompas it felt like “small grains of sand had gotten into my eyes” and he is having to clear the path outside his home every five minutes.

Anak Krakatau emerged from the sea in 1927 inside the caldera formed by the catastrophic, climate-altering eruption of the original Krakatoa volcano in 1883.

Indonesia’s Geological Agency said the volcanic island located in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait between the main Java and Sumatra islands had shown signs of activity since Friday before erupting for 30 seconds at 3.53am.

CCTV footage showed lava flares from the volcano. No casualties were reported and no evacuation order was issued. The nearest settlement is more than 16 kilometres (10 miles) away, but authorities warned residents and visitors to stay at least three kilometres (2 miles) from the active crater.

Volcanic ash spread across parts of Jakarta and Lampung province on Sumatra’s southern tip, Indonesia’s centre for volcanology and geological hazard mitigation said. AirNav Indonesia closed airspace around Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma airports in Jakarta, as well as four other airports, including Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung, because of volcanic ash.

By mid-afternoon, the closure had affected 516 flight movements, with 202 in Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airport alone, affecting about 22,800 passengers, on Sunday. The airport was ordered closed until at least 5.30pm.

Indonesia’s directorate general of civil aviation said it was closely monitoring the eruption’s impact on air travel and co-ordinating with airlines, airport operators, air navigation services and the meteorology agency.

“Safety remains our top priority in every operational decision,” Lukman F Laisa, ministry of transportation director general of civil aviation, said in a statement.

He warned flight schedules could face cascading disruptions affecting aircraft rotations, fleet availability and terminal capacity as airlines work to restore operations.

The eruption also disrupted services at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and at Medan.

Indonesia’s volcanology agency and the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre identified two ash clouds using satellite imagery. One plume rose to 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) and drifted northeast over Jakarta, Banten, West Java and nearby waters. A second cloud reached 50,000 feet (15,200 meters) and spread over parts of Banten, Lampung and Bengkulu provinces, the southern Sunda Strait and sections of the Indian Ocean west of Sumatra.

Lana Saria, head of Indonesia’s geological agency, said activity at Anak Krakatau has intensified since July, with Sunday’s eruption the strongest during the current period of unrest.

The repeated eruptions indicate a continued supply of magma and volcanic gases beneath the volcano, she said, though officials cannot predict whether a larger eruption will occur.

“We continue to evaluate the volcano’s development based on all monitoring data, not solely on the number of eruptions or the height of the ash column,” Ms Saria said in a video briefing.

She said the main hazards include volcanic ash, high concentrations of gas and the ejection of hot rocks and other material around the crater area.

THE Portuguese love a summer spent in the Algarve as much as the rest of us.

But instead of the better-known Albufeira, Faro and Lagos, they head to the quaint fishing town of Tavira.

On the eastern end of the famous coastline, it has calmer, cheaper and more cultured experiences than its neighbouring tourist hotspots.

And with easyJet having launched new routes from the UK this summer, it’s the perfect time to explore new Algarvian shores.

WHY SHOULD I GO?

Put simply, for the numerous beaches. Tavira is a paradise within the Algarve, which was last year crowned the World’s Best Beach Destination 2025.

These numerous wild, sandy stretches are largely unspoilt and crowd-free, even in peak season.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Notably, they include the beautiful Praia da Ilha de Tavira, which spans eight miles, leaving plenty of room for your beach towel.

Here, the sea is famously warmer as it is more sheltered from the chilly expanse of Atlantic Ocean.

STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?

To reach Praia da Ilha de Tavira, you will need to take a ferry or, if you feel you like splashing out, a water taxi.

From Tavira, the easiest place to hop on is at the town’s pier.

Ferries, which operate between March and October, take 20 minutes and cost around £2 for a return trip.

Back on dry land in central Tavira, however, the town’s winding, cobbled streets can be easily explored on foot.

Make sure to stroll along the picturesque Gilao river, which runs through the centre, flanked by traditional tile-covered buildings.

And linger to take in the live music at golden hour on the old Ponte Romana bridge.

Want to rest your legs? You can travel past the town’s key landmarks on a traditional hop-on, hop-off “tourist train”.

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST?

For those who like to relax on holiday, the port town’s beaches include the option to rent sunloungers, as well as surfboards, and enjoy beach club drinks served while you sunbathe.

While you’re between the sandy dunes and saltwater lagoons, you may even see the flamingos, dolphins and turtles that call this area home.

If you often get itchy feet and like to immerse yourself in the local culture — or need to walk off the traditional dessert of a freshly baked pastel de nata — then this is a Portuguese spot rich in history.

The ruins of a Moorish castle can be found in Tavira, and they are free to explore.

Plenty of architectural evidence also remains of the sailors and fishermen who came to inhabit the town in the Middle Ages.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT?

Given its proximity to the coast, seafood is the most popular choice here.

Try Mesa Farta, which has a modern take on traditional Portuguese food, including homemade sourdough and mackerel, as well as fresh chocolate mousse.

Special occasion? You can’t beat A Ver Tavira. Situated near the castle and with the best views in town, it is one of only seven Michelin-starred restaurants in the Algarve, with mouthwatering dishes that take culinary inspiration from the local area.

A particular favourite of the locals is Restaurante Pedro, in the nearby village of Cabanas de Tavira.

I FANCY A DRINK

There are no shortage of bars in Tavira. One popular option is Arcada, positioned on the main square, which serves freshly-shaken cocktails.

Meanwhile, the Black Anchor is an Irish bar with a terrace that overlooks the river, with the Portuguese beer Sagres on the menu — or even a Guinness on tap if you must.

If you are more of an early bird than a night owl, the town is brimming with cafes where you can get your caffeine fix for less than a couple of euros.

Flat white or matcha more to your taste? Then head to speciality coffee shop, The Table.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

For complete tranquillity, head to the 4* Quinta dos Perfumes, with its rooms and pool area nestled in an oasis of orange and avocado trees.

It is less than a ten-minute drive from the centre, a 15-minute walk to the boats at Cabanas de Tavira and close to Benamor golf course.

ALL planes leaving Gatwick Airport have been grounded causing chaos for passengers.

A Boeing 787 aircraft was reportedly stuck on the runway and the technical issue is currently being investigated, it is understood.

Staff worked to resume flights as quickly as possible after the runway closed at 1.40pm today.

A London Gatwick spokesperson said: “Due to a technical issue with a departing aircraft, our runway is currently closed.

“Our teams are working to move the aircraft and resume operations as quickly as possible. As always, safety and security is our number one priority.”

Airport officials have informed customers to still travel to the airport on time for their flights.

‘UNSAFE’

Flights axed as Ukraine warns of ‘drone-infested skies’ leaving thousands stranded

JETTING OFF

A quarter of workers are travelling more for business now than before Covid

The Sun understands the plane was a flight to New York which was due to take off just after 1pm.

It appeared to be on the runway surrounded by several fire engines but has now been cleared.

One passenger returning from the Isle of Man said on X: “I’m stuck on a plane returning from the IOM to Gatwick after jawbone surgery yesterday.. exhausted.

“The plane has diverted to Luton…I’d rather get out and catch a train back to London!”

The grounded plane caused chaos with many EasyJet flights being reportedly sent to other airports.

Another added: “Gatwick Airport any idea what is happening? I am stuck on your runway with no information.”

It comes after a water outage at the airport last month where passengers were left without running water.

The airport was left unable to flush toilets, wash their hands and refill bottles for several hours.

The outage was caused by a burst water main, which has affected the supply to the airport.

One source told The Sun at the time: “There were no announcements, they just started turning away everyone at the restaurants.

“Water fountains weren’t operational either. People are treating the toilets like portaloos at a festival, its going to be a biohazard soon.”

The water in the area is covered by SES Water, which covers parts of Surrey, Kent and London.

The airport chaos came just weeks after a similar water outage left the airport with no running water, toilets or bars.

Passengers called it “disgraceful” with images showing vending machines with no water left and dirty toilets.

THE budget airline will axe two million seats across its 2026 winter schedule.

Ryanair cited high jet fuel costs as the reason for the reduction – and it has warned of rising prices too.

The airline announced that it has cut estimates for the expected number of passengers it will carry between April 2026 and March 2027.

The number has dropped from 216 million to 214 million.

In a statement, the airline explained that it was “sensible to strategically reduce the group’s exposure to unhedged jet fuel during the unprofitable winter schedule.”

It continued: “Subject to pricing and passenger demand, Ryanair expects this one-off winter schedule cut to reduce [November 2026 – March 2027 losses] by €70 million to €100 million (£85.8million).”

ALL IN

UK holiday parks where you can go ALL INCLUSIVE from £25pp with shows & waterparks

RETRO RATES

Our fave childhood holidays that have stayed ridiculously CHEAP – from £9.50pp

It won’t be the first time Ryanair has cut flights.

As a result of rising air tax, budget-friendly Ryanair has cut a huge amount of routes over the last year.

Lots of the axed routes affected Spain with flights to Vigo, Valladolid, Jerez and Tenerife (North) stopped.

Other places that lost connections through Ryanair were to the Azores in Portugal and Thessaloniki in Greece where the airline closed its base.

At the same time, the airline announced it would be scrapping off-season flights to Chania and Heraklion in Crete and will reduce its Athens services too.

All of this will result in 700,000 fewer seats on sale this winter.

In 2025, France lost 25 routes and some 750,000 seats last winter from and completely stopped services completely to Strasbourg and Brive.

In Brussels, Ryanair has axed 20 routes and cut one million seats across Brussels-Zaventem and Brussels South Charleroi airports.

The budget airline also warned that the prices of tickets could rise next year.

Conflict in Iran has caused jet fuel costs to climb due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and it will continue to affect holiday prices.

In a statement, Ryanair said: “If high oil prices continue through to S.27 (summer 2027), Ryanair believes short-haul airfares in Europe will increase materially to reflect higher oil prices as some less well-hedged competitors will struggle to maintain capacity or even survive this coming winter season.”

Ryanair said it currently hedges fuel (which means it pays a set price).

The airline added that 80 per cent of its jet fuel is hedged through March 2027 at about $67 (£50) a barrel.

The price of jet fuel is around $140 (£103) a barrel.

ANY Brits planning a bucket list holiday to Japan will be able to explore more of the city thanks to one airline offering free flights.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is offering domestic flights at no extra cost between December 2026 and February 2027.

Free domestic travel is part of a campaign with the tourism board to encourage travel across the country.

It was first brought about last year and after its success, is doing so again.

Called the ‘Stopover & Add-on Free Fare’ – the ticket offers free domestic flights between December 1 and February 28, 2027.

Bookings need to be made between 1-30 September 2026 and Brits can add up to two ANA domestic flights at no additional cost.

ALL IN

UK holiday parks where you can go ALL INCLUSIVE from £25pp with shows & waterparks

RETRO RATES

Our fave childhood holidays that have stayed ridiculously CHEAP – from £9.50pp

You do have to book it at the same time as international flights though, and the offer applies to all cabins.

ANA’s domestic network covers more than 40 destinations – so there’s plenty to choose from.

Most Brits will fly into Tokyo (Haneda) – from there you could explore the likes of Okinawa which consists of tiny islands with tropical beaches.

Another is Fukuoka, a city the island of Kyushu which is famous for its seafront location and food with specialities like Hakata Ramen and Mentaiko.

If you’re looking for some snow, head to Sapporo which is Hokkaido’s capital and one of the world’s snowiest cities.

You could even stop by the Sapporo Snow Festival which is being held between February 4-11 next year.

AN airport in the UK has been forced to close AGAIN just days after strike action resulted in cancelled flights.

Strikes have been ongoing throughout the last few weeks causing some passengers to be rerouted by over 100 miles.

And Norwich Airport will close again for three parts of today with flights already cancelled and delayed.

The air traffic closures are from 6am to 2pm, then 4pm to 4.45pm, and finally from 6.45pm to 7.30pm.

Three KLM flights have been cancelled so far, two of which were departing Norwich Airport this morning.

The 9am KLM flight from Amsterdam to Norwich has also been cancelled.

ALL IN

UK holiday parks where you can go ALL INCLUSIVE from £25pp with shows & waterparks

RETRO RATES

Our fave childhood holidays that have stayed ridiculously CHEAP – from £9.50pp

However the 2.05pm flight is currently delayed to depart at 2.45pm.

Another flight set to depart Norwich at 5pm for Amsterdam remains on the schedule.

The TUI flight to Rhodes is set to leave at 2.05pm, rather than its scheduled time of 12:35pm.

On the website, it reads: “Due to Air Traffic Control staff sickness and ongoing industrial action which limits the flexibility to provide additional staff cover, Norwich Airport will be closed to air traffic on Thursday 3 September during the following periods: 0600 to 1400, 1600 to 1645  and 1845 to 1945.

“Airlines have been informed of the closures. Passengers should check with their airline for the latest information about their flight before travelling to the airport.

“We apologise to passengers for the inconvenience this may cause.”

Last month, Norwich Airport was forced to close for an entire day and suspend all of its flights.

The 24-hour-strike was held by Prospect union as part of an ongoing dispute over pay, terms and conditions.

Some passengers were forced to divert their journey by 101 miles as they departed from Southend Airport in Essex rather than Norwich.

RYANAIR warns the price of jet fuel could soar next summer – meaning the cost of flights could too.

The airline has warned that other competitor airlines could struggle to ‘survive’.

Conflict in Iran has caused jet fuel costs to climb due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and it will continue to affect holiday prices.

In a statement, Ryanair said: “If high oil prices continue through to S.27 (summer 2027), Ryanair believes short-haul airfares in Europe will increase materially to reflect higher oil prices as some less well-hedged competitors will struggle to maintain capacity or even survive this coming winter season.”

Ryanair said it currently hedges fuel (which means it pays a set price).

The airline added that 80 per cent of its jet fuel is hedged through March 2027 at about $67 (£50) a barrel.

ALL IN

UK holiday parks where you can go ALL INCLUSIVE from £25pp with shows & waterparks

RETRO RATES

Our fave childhood holidays that have stayed ridiculously CHEAP – from £9.50pp

Currently the price of jet fuel is around $140 (£103) a barrel.

Ryanair isn’t the only airline to warn of higher costs on the horizon, easyJet has said the same.

Talking to The Times earlier this year, easyJet said it would increase minimum ticket prices of its winter 2026-27 flights “by two to three pounds” to offset higher costs and uncertainty around customer demand.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby also said he expects fares to keep rising into the first half of next year.

According to Reuters he said: “I think you’re going to still see gradual increases in fares. Not as big a jump as happened this year.”

When it comes to finding the cheapest flights right now – it’s best to use a comparison site.

Skyscanner is a great option for comparing the price of flights with various airlines – and it even have a price drop tool.

The feature claims to scour up to 80 billion prices a day and shows which destinations have seen flights that have dropped 20 per cent compared to the last week.

Google Flights is another search engine which compares flight prices and shows multiple airline options.

If you choose the ‘explore’ option, it can show the cheapest, direct flights across the world.

For even more hacks on when to fly, Expedia has put together a handy list on the cheapest days to fly – which is Friday.

Compared to travelling on a Saturday, jetting off the day before can save up to 18 per cent.

It also found that found that international travellers can save £93 on average by booking between 15 and 30 days ahead, instead of six months.

Where you fly from also makes a difference – some of the most expensive UK airports to fly from are London Heathrow, Humberside and Manchester..

For more hacks, head here.

AN AIRLINE has cancelled all of flights from a popular UK airport until further notice.

IndiGo has now stopped its flights from Manchester Airport to Delhi and Mumbai.

The suspension, originally announced back in June, is due to rising costs and airspace restrictions.

But from yesterday (August 31), the airline is “temporarily discontinuing” the flights, citing closed airspaces and higher costs.

There is currently no date of when the flights could return.

One of the six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft used for the route will be returned to Norse Atlantic Airways.

Read more on travel inspo

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

SEA IT

All 25 of the English Riviera beaches ranked from best to worst – by a Devon local

IndiGo introduced its first direct flights from Manchester in July last year, with a non-stop route to Mumbai.

In November, the airline then introduced the route to Delhi.

At peak, the two routes would operate nine times a week.

With the removal of flights from Manchester, if you want to fly with IndiGo, you will now need to go to either London Heathrow or London Gatwick.

Abhijit Dasgupta, Senior Vice President – Network Planning & Revenue Management, IndiGo, said: “We inducted these wide-body aircraft on a short-term basis to fast-track our connectivity to high potential long-haul destinations such as Manchester, and witnessed very encouraging demand response.

“It is, therefore, unfortunate that longer flying times due to airspace constraints, coupled with dramatically escalating cost, has compelled us to take the decision to temporarily discontinue our India – Manchester services.

“We would like to thank our customers, trade partners in India and in the UK, and Manchester Airport for their amazing support.

“The response and support for these services have reinforced our belief in the opportunity for IndiGo’s long-haul ambitions, and this discontinuation is temporary in nature.

“We look forward to serving this route again at the earliest viable opportunity and are exploring innovative solutions to continuing our collaboration with Norse Atlantic Airways.”

THERE’S nothing worse than a 3am alarm clock before a long flight – which is where airport hotels come in.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn at London Gatwick Airport. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the hotel like?

A very comfortable, convenient modern hotel for those wanting to grab more sleep before a flight.

There’s a shuttle bus running every 15 to 20 minutes most of the day and every hour from midnight to 3am, providing a direct link to check terminals.

What are the rooms like?

Clean, modern rooms with more facilities than you’d expect for an overnight stay.

There’s tea and coffee, free water, a mini bar and work desk with lamp.

Read more on airport hotels

SUITE DEAL

Stylish airport hotel in the UK with private transfers and free parking packages

TAKING OFF

I stayed at the trendy new airport hotel just 15 minutes from the terminal

The iron will ensure you’re presentable for any flight and there are also plenty of plug sockets and USB points. Room service is 24/7 too.

It took the sting out of our 6am flight and we managed to grab a few extra hours’ sleep before heading off on our trip feeling rested.

Book through Holiday Extras and with their Flextras policy, if you need to cancel or amend, you can without charge.

One night’s stay in a standard room at the Holiday Inn Gatwick is from £121 in total.

Or for one night plus four days Maple Meet & Greet parking, prices start from £244 in total. See holidayextras.com.

What is there to eat and drink there?

Great for a quick dinner before heading off for an early night, there’s a buzzy restaurant and bar.

The menu features comfort food from burgers (£18.50) and stuffed flatbreads (£12) to curries, steaks and salads.

Food arrived quickly and service was efficient and friendly. Breakfast served from 6am.

What else is there?

For those looking to drive, Holiday Extras can package up a stay at the hotel with a range of parking options from longstay to Meet and Greet.

Is it family friendly?

The hotel has connecting rooms, cribs on request and kids can eat free making this a family friendly hotel.

Is there access for guests with disabilities?

Guests can find accessible bathrooms equipped with grab bars, tall toilets, handrails, and a clear turning space for wheelchair users.

As well as easy access for wheelchairs, there are also conveniently located door locks.

EXCLUSIVE: A female pilot has shared the way she’s experienced sexism in the workplace, saying it’s probably not in the way you think, and shared a common misconception about pilots

Raja Katz was around 12 or 13 years old when she realised being a pilot was the “only thing” she wanted to do as a career. But it wasn’t because she wanted to follow in any family members’ footsteps, as she “didn’t know any pilots, let alone a female one” – it was just a gut feeling she had.

To test out her theory, at 15 she “started flying gliders,” which is how she managed to “turn the fascination into something concrete”. She explained: “Looking back, not having a role model or mentor of my own is a big part of why I now spend so much time trying to help increase representation for female pilots.”

Now, speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Raja has lifted the lid on what life as a female airline pilot – and how passengers react when they realise there’s a woman in the cockpit.

How did Raja become a pilot?

Raja, who posts on social media as @raja_in_the_sky, explained: “Broadly, there are two ways in. You can go through an airline’s own cadet programme, where you’re selected and trained specifically for that airline, which is comparatively rare and highly competitive. Or you go through a private flight school that you fund yourself, which is the far more common route.

“Either way, you start with classroom training, the theoretical side covering things like air law, meteorology, navigation and aircraft systems, and you sit a set of legal exams for that, either alongside or before your practical flying. The practical side starts on small, single-engine aircraft and builds up from there.

“You then add a multi-engine rating, which qualifies you to fly aircraft with more than one engine, along with an instrument rating and multi-crew training. Once you’ve completed the required theory exams, you hold what’s called a “frozen” ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License), which becomes a full license once you’ve built up enough flight hours.

“The final and most specific step is the type rating: the license for one particular aircraft type, an Airbus A320 or a Boeing 737, for example. This is most often provided or paid for by your employer once you’re hired.”

A typical day

Raja explained that there’s no such thing as a typical day at work as a pilot, and “every day is different”, but that’s what she loves about it. She explained: “Flying long-haul, you start your working day at your home base anywhere between early morning and late evening, depending on the flight.

“You report for duty and meet your fellow pilots, and depending on the flight time, there can be more than two of us on duty for a flight. Shortly after, you meet the cabin crew and go over the particulars for that flight: safety-relevant aspects and procedures, often for the first time, since it’s frequently the first time most of us have met at all.

“Then we take the crew bus out onto the apron (the area of the airport where planes are parked), boarding the aircraft, and once all checks are complete, the passengers board too. We finish our flight preparations: entering the route into the onboard computer, calculating our takeoff speeds, and thoroughly briefing the crew on that specific departure.

“Once loading is done and everyone’s on board, we get pushed back, taxi to the runway, run through our checklists, and we’re ready to take off. During cruise, we’re constantly monitoring weather, routing and terrain, and building contingency plans in case we ever need to land immediately.

“My long-haul sectors typically run between seven and 14 hours. As we get closer to our destination, we brief the entire approach and descent procedure in detail. After landing, we taxi to the gate, the passengers disembark, we hand the aircraft over to maintenance for its routine checks, and we head off to clear immigration and get to the hotel.”

Her experience with sexism

Raja has experienced sexism, but probably not “in the way people expect”. She explained: “The pilots and cabin crew I actually fly with have never questioned my competence, not once, and my colleagues take me seriously. Where I do notice it is with passengers, and it happened more often when I was flying short-haul.

“On those smaller aircraft, there’s barely any physical distance between where passengers board and the cockpit door, so people would see me walk in and react on the spot. Long-haul jets are bigger, and there’s simply much less contact between passengers and the flight crew, so I hardly ever get those moments now.

“Any form of discrimination is, of course, unacceptable. Sometimes, however, it’s more of a surprise on some faces when a woman is flying rather than rejection, and I understand that reaction, because it’s still rare”.

What Raja wishes people knew about pilots

Raja explained there’s “one thing” that she’d “love to clear up”. “It’s the difference between ‘pilot’ and ‘co-pilot’, because a lot of people assume the co-pilot is somehow the backup, someone who’s there just in case and doesn’t really fly the plane”, she said.

She continued: “That’s not how it works. Both the captain and the first officer, which is the correct term for what most people call the co-pilot, hold the same type rating for that aircraft and are both fully qualified to fly it.

“We take turns being ‘pilot flying’ and ‘pilot monitoring’ from one leg to the next, so on any given flight, it might be the first officer’s hands on the controls for takeoff and landing, not the captain’s. I’m a first officer myself, so I fly plenty of those sectors, take-offs and landings included, exactly like a captain would.

“The real difference between the two roles is seniority and responsibility. Captains have more experience and additional command training, and they carry the final legal authority and responsibility for the flight. But day to day, both of us are pilots in every sense of the word”.

For more information on learning to become a pilot, including the qualifications needed and the costs involved, visit the Civil Aviation Authority website.

EUROPEAN city breaks can easily break the bank.

One museum, two cups of coffee and a short taxi ride in Paris or Rome can have your banking app in the red before you have even considered lunch.

But, in Bulgaria’s capital, the grandest sight has a golden dome and a whole day on public transport costs a startlingly low £1.70.

Say “dobŭr den” (good day in the local lingo) to Sofia, a leafy, lively city, which is a brilliant value getaway still slipping under too many Brits’ radar.

I have been all over Europe, the US and the Gulf states and yet when it comes to the deal of the century, there is one country that stands head and shoulders above the rest — and that’s budget-friendly Bulgaria.

For proof, the latest Eurostat data showed Bulgaria has the lowest overall consumer prices in the EU, with hotels and restaurants around 48 per cent below the average.

HOL YES

The best last minute Spain & Greece deals you can book for under £300

SPAIN PAIN

Spain airport faces ‘open ended strikes’ with two MILLION passengers affected

In short, Sofia is a city where your holiday money can stretch almost as far as the eye can see.

Do not mistake the price tag for a lack of star power, though.

The mighty Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, all green copper and glittering gold, has that wow factor.

From there, you can stroll past grand old buildings, pavement cafes and Vitosha Boulevard, which stretches toward the mountain of the same name, rising in the distance like a blockbuster backdrop.

I checked into the magnificent Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia — a luxurious 5* retreat with 400 rooms and apartments, plus an amazing spa centre, gym and four themed restaurants and a one-of-a-kind Sky Bar, overlooking the city.

All that luxury would set you back upwards of £300 in one of Europe’s big-hitting capitals like Paris. But this was less than half that cost.

As part of the hotel complex, there is also a casino, the Palms Royale, which offers classic games such as roulette, poker, blackjack and modern slot machines as well as its own 24-hour restaurant and an upmarket Asian eatery.

Casino owner Milo Borissov, who is keen to welcome more British visitors, tells me: “We attract customers from Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

“Over half are weekend tourists who come specifically for the high-class service and games that the casino offers, combined with the restaurants, and the modern hotel accommodation.”

If you are out of luck at the casino, all is not lost, for Bulgaria also has some of the lowest prices in Europe for public transport, clothing, food, alcohol (you can still find a beer for about £1.50) and tobacco.

So where should you head first? St Petka of the Saddlers is a tiny, single-nave church partly sunk into the ground beside the bigger city sights.

It is so modest you could almost miss it, but make sure you don’t.

Standing on the site of an earlier Roman religious building, it preserves murals from several centuries. Duck inside and you can swap traffic noise for candlelit calm in seconds.

After this, head towards the former Central Mineral Baths.

Bring a reusable bottle: a restored marble fountain by the baths delivers warm mineral water from the city’s historic springs.

It is the sort of pleasingly simple freebie that makes you feel you have joined the locals, not just ticked off a landmark.

For another bit of time travel, go down to the Serdika area and take a lingering look around.

Roman-era Sofia is not sealed behind a museum door here — archaeological remains including excavated streets and ancient basilicas are right in the heart of town.

The cleverest hidden stop, though, is the Eighties-style Red Flat, on Ivan Denkoglu Street.

This is not a dusty museum. It is an interactive, four-room apartment that lets visitors touch, poke about and listen their way through the everyday life of a Bulgarian family in the Communist era. It’s an educational eye-opener.

For lunch, skip the obvious international chains and go on a mini food crawl.

Browse the Women’s Market for colourful stalls of fruit and veg plus ceramics and souvenirs, then seek out a Bulgarian cafe for home-cooked delicacies, such as banistra (cheese pastry) and kyufte (spiced, grilled minced meat rolls).

Then finish off your day with a glass of local wine or coffee in one of the side streets.

In fact, why not stretch to two? With prices this low, you’d be mad not to.

A EUROPEAN airline you’ve probably never heard of is launching its first flights from the UK.

Discover Airlines is set to launch flights from the UK to two German cities in summer 2027.

The flights include routes between Bristol and Frankfurt; Glasgow and Frankfurt; Glasgow and Munich and Inverness and Frankfurt.

The route between Glasgow and Frankfurt will take off from March 29, 2027 and will take place six times a week.

Then the Glasgow to Munich route will begin on May 16, 2027, and fly two times a week.

The Bristol to Frankfurt route will begin on May 17, 2027, and take place twice a week.

Read more on travel inspo

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

SEA IT

All 25 of the English Riviera beaches ranked from best to worst – by a Devon local

And finally, the Inverness to Frankfurt route will start on June 19, 2027, and will have one flight a week.

Discover Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group and it will become the only airline to offer non-stop flights from Frankfurt to Inverness, Bristol and Glasgow.

The Munich to Glasgow route will take over the route which was previously operated by Lufthansa.

Marco Götz, Chief Commercial Officer of Discover Airlines: “We’re always on the lookout for attractive destinations to offer travelers even more choice and, above all, new travel experiences.

“We see a clear trend toward nature, outdoor activities, and trips that combine culture and scenery – our three new destinations fit this trend perfectly.

“They open up a wide variety of ways to discover Great Britain.

“We are all the more pleased that our guests will be able to reach these destinations this summer more easily than ever via our two hubs in Frankfurt and Munich.”

A UK airport has been forced to close today as staff walk out with ALL flights suspended.

Norwich Airport is closed today following the strike action.

Flights cancelled today include three arrivals from Amsterdam and an arrival from Alicante.

As for departures, four flights to Amsterdam have been cancelled and one flight to Alicante has as well.

Airlines impacted by the strike action include Ryanair and KLM.

The strike was announced earlier this week, which has resulted in the flight suspension until the end of the day.

Read more on travel inspo

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

TRAVEL TIP

The £2.99 SIM hack that can save Brits HUNDREDS abroad

It comes as Prospect union announced the strike as part of an ongoing dispute over pay, terms and conditions.

In a statement on the airport’s website, it says: “Due to the 24-hour strike by Prospect union members in Air Traffic Control, Norwich Airport will be closed to air traffic on Friday 28 August and no flights will operate to or from the airport that day.

“Airlines have been informed. Passengers due to travel on Friday should check with their airline for the latest information about their flight and the options available to them.

“We apologise for the disruption and inconvenience this will cause to passengers.

“We remain firmly committed to resolving this dispute through constructive dialogue and will continue to engage with Prospect with the aim of reaching agreement.”

The airport operates to a number of destinations abroad, such as Spain and the Netherlands.

Yesterday, local travel agents told holidaymakers that they would need to travel 101 miles to catch their flights.

They would instead be departing from Southend Airport in Essex with passengers told to head to Norwich Airport, where they would then be taken on a coach to Southend.

A UK airport will be forced to fully close tomorrow due to strike action, resulting in all flights being suspended.

Norwich Airport will close all day on August 28 due to an air traffic control strike.

As a result, all flights have been cancelled.

The airport operates to a number of European destinations including Faro, Malta, Alicante and Amsterdam.

And the strike action is forcing holidaymakers to travel 101 miles to catch their flights.

Local travel agents have said that anyone due to travel from the airport tomorrow will now depart from Southend Airport in Essex.

Read more on travel inspo

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

Passengers have been told to head to Norwich Airport, where they will then be taken on a coach to Southend.

Strike action comes as Prospect union continues an ongoing dispute over pay, terms and conditions.

Strike action started last Monday after the airport failed to make an offer to resolve the dispute, with several cancellations on Friday including Loganair flights to and from Aberdeen.

In a statement on the airport’s website, it says: “Due to the 24-hour strike by Prospect union members in Air Traffic Control, Norwich Airport will be closed to air traffic on Friday 28 August and no flights will operate to or from the airport that day.

“Airlines have been informed.

“Passengers due to travel on Friday should check with their airline for the latest information about their flight and the options available to them.

“We apologise for the disruption and inconvenience this will cause to passengers.

“We remain firmly committed to resolving this dispute through constructive dialogue and will continue to engage with Prospect with the aim of reaching agreement.”

A woman has praised Primark’s clever £25 cabin suitcase which can supposedly save travellers money at the airport – and it’s even perfect if you fly with Ryanair regularly

Anyone travelling with Ryanair will know how hard it can be trying to keep within the hand luggage size limits. Often passengers have to spend extra money on not taking any luggage in the hold – or upgrading to priority travel.

That’s why one woman was thrilled to find a piece of hand luggage that doesn’t break the bank, and also fits in the Ryanair baggage policy. Primark’s £25 suitcase, complete with detachable wheels, means you can get through the priority lane supposedly without having to spend extra money at the gate.

Ryanair Priority allows passengers to bring a 55cm x 40cm x 20cm cabin bag (up to 10kg) for the overhead locker, plus a small personal under-seat bag – and this Primark suitcase ticks all the boxes.

TikTok user Denic joked: “Ryanair has got nothing on me,” as she popped the wheels off her pink suitcase before testing it against the recommended measurements.

And sure enough, it slotted in perfectly – meaning she was able to board her flight without any unnecessary stress or hassle.

The dimensions of the case are 48.5cm x 30cm x 20cm, making it a perfect fit for Ryanair priority boarding passengers.

The under-seat personal bag you’re also permitted must measure 40cm x 30cm x 20cm. Many commenters suggested she wouldn’t be allowed the white bag shown in the clip – but rest assured, an additional personal bag is permitted.

In the comments, one user clarified: “The top hole is a personal bag (small bag 40 x 30 x 20, no maximum weight, but you have to carry it yourself). You can only take 1 per person. But you have 2, the one in the hole on top and the one on the floor next to you. The bottom hole is the carry-on bag (the name speaks for itself, 55 x 40 x 20, 10kg).”

One fuming commenter wrote: “Acting like you tricked Ryanair when you bought a suitcase specifically sized for Ryanair?”

Another hit back: “It’s still better than paying 70€ for 2cm.”

A third chimed in: “If your luggage is going in the top bin, that suggests it’s your handbag allowance, so what are you doing with the second bag?

“If you’ve paid for overhead, then you’ve just demonstrated what a completely useless feature that is, as such a small bag would easily have fit in the bigger bin with the wheels.”

Others said the bag was a smart idea.

What is Ryanair’s baggage policy?

Ryanair travellers can carry a free cabin bag no larger than 40 x 30 x 20cm, provided it fits under the seat in front.

To upgrade baggage to priority, this allows passengers to keep a small under-seat bag plus a larger 10kg trolley bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm) in the cabin.

Alternatively, a 10kg bag can be checked in and dropped at the airport desk before security. While anyone who goes for checked baggage, this includes a 20kg bag or 23kg. No single checked bag can exceed 32kg, and any excess weight can lead to an airport fee.