AXA Health physiotherapist Bethany Tomlinson has warned plane plassengers to stop adopting a common sitting position when aboard flights due to the health risks
It’s hard to know how to deal with cramped budget airline seats(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
When confronted with the unforgiving, padding-light seats on offer on budget airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air, getting comfy is no mean feat. Particularly when dealing with a seat in front that looms just centimetres away from your knees.
According to AXA Health physiotherapist Bethany Tomlinson, crossing your legs is not the way to go. While it may feel like a polite way to avoid a spot of man-spreading that embraces some of the European sophistication of the destination you may be heading to, Bethany warns that it can lead to joint issues.
Sometimes it can be difficult to get comfy on a flight
“Avoid crossing your legs in your plane seat as this will impact blood flow and increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT),” she told Mail Online.
DVT is the formation of a thrombus in a deep vein, which partially or completely obstructs blood flow in that vessel. Travel-related DVT can occur as a result of prolonged immobility during long-distance travel. This results from a combination of factors, including prolonged cramped sitting and seat-edge pressure.
The annual incidence of DVT is estimated to be about 1 in 1000. However, the risk of developing DVT is increased two to fourfold after long-haul flights of more than four hours, according to NICE. Most clots are small and do not cause symptoms.
For healthy people, the risk is estimated to be one event in 4,656 to 6,000 flights over four hours in length.
One of the best ways to lower your risk of DVT is to keep your legs elevated and choose different relaxing positions. Bethany suggests keeping your legs slightly elevated using the footrest on the seat in front of you.
This can help lower the risk of DVT, while also decreasing the chance that you’ll arrive on holiday with stiff knees – something that blights the lives of one in three Brits.
The pros at Netflights have also shared their top tips for making that long-haul journey a tad more bearable. One of their key recommendations is to rise from your seat and take a stroll every one to three hours. Make a deliberate effort to move about frequently during your flight.
Even something as simple as walking to the loo or standing up for a stretch can help keep you feeling sprightly and prevent stiffness, which is particularly vital on flights exceeding four hours. Stretching is another crucial aspect, and you can do this right from your seat. Gently roll your neck from side to side, rotate your shoulders forwards and backwards, and carefully twist your spine.
Watch: Moment Air Canada ends news conference after union activists disrupt event
Air Canada flights will resume on Sunday after the government ordered cabin crew to end a strike that led to hundreds of cancellations, the airline has said.
The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) told staff to return to return to work by 14:00 EDT (18:00 GMT) and said that a collective agreement that expired on 31 March would be extended until a new one was agreed, Air Canada added.
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu ordered binding arbitration to end the dispute, after more than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants walked earlier on Saturday causing 700 cancellations.
The union accused the government of “caving to corporate pressure”, having resisted a forced agreement.
Flight attendants are calling for higher salaries and to be paid for work when aircraft are on the ground.
The strike took effect at 00:58 EDT on Saturday, though Air Canada began scaling back its operations before then.
Air Canada said it had suspended all flights, including those under its budget arm Air Canada Rouge, for the duration of the strike, and advised affected customers not to travel to the airport unless with a different airline.
Flight attendants picketed major Canadian airports, where passengers were trying to secure new bookings earlier in the week.
But later on Saturday, Hadju said “stability and supply chains” must be preserved, while the two parties had been “unable to resolve their differences in a timely manner”.
She invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to restart negotiations arbitrated by the government, with a resulting deal being legally binding.
Air Canada, which flies directly to 180 cities worldwide, said the first flights will begin this evening, but cautioned that it would take several days to return its operations to normal.
“During this process, some flights will be canceled over the next seven to 10 days until the schedule is stabilised,” it said in a statement. “Air Canada deeply regrets the inconvenience for its customers.”
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (Cupe) described Hadju’s decision to intervene in the dispute as “violating our charter rights”, saying it will cause “incalculable damage” to workers’ rights.
It alleges that forcing a bargain to end the strike will “ensure unresolved issues will continue to worsen by kicking them down the road”.
Cupe has yet to publicly respond to the directive to end the strike.
In contract negotiations, Air Canada said it had offered flight attendants a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, with a 25% raise in the first year.
Cupe said the offer was “below inflation, below market value, below minimum wage” and would still leave flight attendants unpaid for some hours of work, including boarding and waiting at airports ahead of flights.
The union and the airline have publicly traded barbs about each other’s willingness to reach an agreement.
Earlier this month, 99.7% of employees represented by the union voted for a strike.
Cupe has asserted that it had been negotiating in good faith for more than eight months, but that Air Canada instead sought government-directed arbitration.
“When we stood strong together, Air Canada didn’t come to the table in good faith,” the union said in a statement to its members. “Instead, they called on the federal government to step in and take those rights away.”
As Air Canada suspended “all operations” due to a flight attendant’s strike that began Saturday, the federal government has stepped in to force both parties to the bargaining table.
The attendants gave a 72-hour strike notice earlier this week, after contract talks reached an impasse.
Their union said the company was not addressing key issues such as wages and unpaid work, and the strike took effect shortly after midnight on Saturday.
Soon afterwards, the carrier began delaying and cancelling some flights. On Friday, it expected to scrap 500 flights, affecting 100,000 passengers.
With the strike in effect, the airline announced it would halt flights on its Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge service.
As the cancellations mounted, Canadian officials used their powers to force the airline and the union into binding arbitration, in an effort to minimise disruptions for travel and the economy.
Here’s what you need to know about the strike.
Why is Air Canada cancelling flights?
The airline, which operates in 64 countries and has a fleet of 259 aircraft, warned that a “complete cessation of flying” would begin on Saturday, if the labour issues aren’t resolved. Air Canada Express flights, which carry about 20% of Air Canada’s daily customers, will not be affected.
Still, a shutdown could affect 130,000 daily customers, including 25,000 Canadians.
Upon receiving the strike notice, Air Canada issued its own 72-hour lock-out notice and began winding down operations, delaying and cancelling flights over those three days.
Chief Operations Officer Mark Nasr explained the airline’s system was complex and not something “we can start or stop at the push of a button”.
Watch: Moment Air Canada ends news conference after union activists disrupt event
What led to the strike?
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 10,000 Air Canada attendants, has asserted that it bargained in good faith with the airline for more than eight months.
The airline said it recently offered flight attendants a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, with a 25% raise in the first year.
But the union said the offer was “below inflation, below market value, below minimum wage” and would leave flight attendants unpaid for some hours of work, including waiting at airports ahead of flights or guiding the boarding process.
They said that wages had not kept up with inflation, so that Air Canada’s suggested pay increase was “in effect, a pay cut”.
Almost all of the attendants – 99.7% – voted to strike earlier this month. The company, meanwhile, has asked the government to intervene.
Government representatives had facilitated some of the negotiations already, but the carrier went further and asked Canada’s jobs minister, Patty Hajdu, to refer the matter for binding arbitration.
How has the government responded?
On Saturday, Hajdu ordered Air Canada and CUPE into binding arbitration by invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code.
“Despite significant supports from the government, these parties have been unable to resolve their differences in a timely manner,” Hadju said.
“I am exercising this authority because it is critical to maintaining and securing industrial peace, protecting Canadians and promoting conditions to resolve the dispute,” she said.
CUPE has responded by accusing the of Liberal Party of “violating our charter rights.” They allege that forcing a bargain to end the strike will “ensure unresolved issues will continue to worsen by kicking them down the road.”
Earlier this week, Air Canada proposed having a third party step in to develop an agreement through what is called “binding arbitration”, but the union rejected that.
It then asked the government to force the parties into binding arbitration, pointing to recent government interventions in rail, port and other negotiations.
In binding arbitration, an independent third party sets the terms of a contract in an agreement that is legally enforceable.
The union said in a statement on Friday that it had requested that Hajdu not intervene and, instead, allow “the parties to reach a resolution through free and fair negotiations, without undue interference”.
For the flight attendants, the only answer is for both sides to come back to the table.
There was growing pressure from other parts of Canada, as well. The Board of Trade for the Toronto region had calledfor a government intervention, while the province of Newfoundland and Labrador released a statement describing the impact of a strike as “catastrophic” for the tourism industry during the summer season.
How long will the strike last?
That’s unclear.
When Air Canada pilots went on strike in September 1998 for 13 days, all of the carrier’s more than 600 daily flights were grounded, stranding passengers and costing the airline C$133m ($96m; £71m) before a negotiated deal was reached.
In recent years, the federal government has stepped in during labour disputes by Air Canada workers by blocking strikes and imposing agreements.
Hadju’s intervention may alter the timeline for the two parties reaching an agreement.
The union said imposing arbitration would stop the first strike by the carrier’s flight attendants since 1985.
What to do if your flight is cancelled?
Air Canada has said it will notify passengers if there is a change to the flight’s scheduled departure time.
As of Saturday, Air Canada was “strongly advising” passengers not to go to the airport unless they had tickets on other airlines.
Customers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and receive a full refund, the airline said. The company has also made arrangements with other Canadian and foreign carriers to provide customers alternative travel options.
If it’s a round trip, return flights are not automatically cancelled in case the passengers reaches the destination.
Hundreds of flights have been grounded after Air Canada’s unionised flight attendants went on strike after talks over an increase in wages with the country’s largest carrier stalled.
“We are now officially on strike,” the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents Air Canada’s 10,000 flight attendants, said in a social media post just before 01:00 ET [05:00 GMT].
The airline said on Saturday it had suspended all flights for Air Canada and its budget arm Air Canada Rouge due to the strike, which is the first since 1985.
“About 130,000 customers will be impacted each day that the strike continues,” Air Canada said in a statement.
“Air Canada is strongly advising affected customers not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed ticket on an airline other than Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge,” the airline added.
Flights for regional operators Air Canada Jazz and PAL Airlines would continue to operate.
A flight board is seen at the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport in Quebec, Canada [File: AFP]
Air Canada had announced its latest wage offer to flight attendants in a statement on Thursday, specifying that under the terms, a senior flight attendant would, on average, make CAN$87,000 ($65,000) per year by 2027.
CUPE has, however, described the airline’s offers as “below inflation (and) below market value”.
The union has also rejected requests from the federal government and Air Canada to resolve outstanding issues through independent arbitration.
In addition to wage increases, the union has said it also wants to address uncompensated ground work, including during the boarding process.
Rafael Gomez, who heads the University of Toronto’s Centre for Industrial Relations, told the AFP news agency that it is “common practice, even around the world” to compensate flight attendants based on time spent in the air.
He said the union had built an effective communication campaign around the issue, creating a public perception of unfairness.
An average passenger, not familiar with common industry practice, could think, “‘I’m waiting to board the plane and there’s a flight attendant helping me, but they’re technically not being paid for that work,’” he said, speaking before the strike began.
“That’s a very good issue to highlight,” Gomez further said, adding that gains made by Air Canada employees could affect other carriers.
On Saturday, flight attendants will picket major Canadian airports, where passengers have already been trying to secure new bookings earlier in the week, as the carrier gradually wound down operations.
Passenger Freddy Ramos, 24, told the Reuters news agency on Friday at Canada’s largest airport in Toronto that his earlier flight was cancelled due to the labour dispute and that he had been rebooked by Air Canada to a different destination.
“Probably 10 minutes prior to boarding, our gate got changed, and then it was cancelled and then it was delayed and then it was cancelled again,” he said.
Two Air Canada planes are seen on the tarmac of the Trudeau airport in Montreal, Quebec, Canada [File: AFP]
Canadian businesses reeling from a trade dispute with the United States have urged the federal government to impose binding arbitration on both sides, which would end the strike.
In a statement issued before the strike began, the Business Council of Canada warned that an Air Canada work stoppage could add further pain.
“At a time when Canada is dealing with unprecedented pressures on our critical economic supply chains, the disruption of national air passenger travel and cargo transport services would cause immediate and extensive harm to all Canadians,” it said.
Air Canada has asked Prime Minister Mark Carney’s minority Liberal government to order both sides into binding arbitration, although CUPE, which represents the attendants, said it opposed the move.
Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge normally carry about 130,000 customers a day. Air Canada is also the busiest foreign carrier servicing the US by number of scheduled flights.
Ticket experts have analysed pricing data and industry travel trends.
CEO of AttractionTickets, Oliver Brendon, explained: “It’s easy to assume the early bird always gets the deal.
“In reality, travel companies adjust fares repeatedly based on demand, and we see opportunities appear even in the final days before departure.
“There’s still time to save on last-minute August bank holiday travel if you know when to book.”
Brendon reveals the trick to finding value no matter how late the purchase is made.
Through review of historic pricing, as well as industry reports, Sundays have been found to regularly deliver the lowest average booking prices.
This is because airlines adjust seat availability and prices over the weekend.
Therefore, holidaymakers who plan to book on Sundays can more often find a better deal and pay significantly less than those who book on other days.
3 tips to help you get the cheapest flights when booking holidays
Furthermore, Fridays have been found to be time to avoid as it is the time when prices tend to spike due to increasing demand.
A clear morning advantage has also been found through analyses.
Around 6am is when the fresh fares tend to show up, so it is good to get in early before search traffic ramps up into the day.
So those looking to book a getaway from the bank holiday this month should set their alarms for Sunday morning.
Oliver adds 6am on Sunday, August 17 “both sit within the sweet spot before the long weekend and will give you a chance at potentially unlocking better pricing.”
This timing tip comes from expert insights and data-driven research from travel and ticketing platforms.
It also focused on last-minute booking trends by travellers in the UK.
The advise follows suggestions from CEO of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, who said flights could also be booked cheaper in the first two months of the year.
Winter months are believed to be the best time of the year to find cheap air fares, as well as just before the peak of school holidays.
Another study looked in to the best time to book flights for certain destinations.
For Faro in Portugal, the cheapest flights for the summer holidays were found to be just five weeks before travelling.
And for long-haul flights like to New York, the best time was found to be June to book for an August vacation.
Other tips for saving money on flights
Here are some of the best ways you can save money on flights
Mistake Fares
A mistake fare is essentially an error that occurs when airlines or travel agents accidentally list the wrong price for a flight.
It might happen when airline staff accidentally leave out a zero — or two — while listing the cost of a ticket online.
While the odds of airlines making these mistakes are fairly low, such incidents do occur from time to time — and travellers can save hundreds of pounds by just keeping an eye out.
However, they will have to be quick as airlines will remove these prices as soon as they spot the mistake.
Being flexible
Being fussy about where you go on holiday can reduce your options for saving money.
Going on Google Flights and clicking on the map instead of searching for a specific destination will show you the cheapest rates to a number of cities.
That way you can make sure you head to the most affordable destination, or at least choose somewhere with cheap flights.
Avoid pricey luggage additions
Most airlines now charge extra for passengers to check luggage in during their flights and it’s much more affordable to fly with just carry-on.
So practice packing before you fly and make sure you can squash everything into a case or bag that will fit in the airline’s hand luggage rules — it could save you a fair amount.
Znojmo, a town in the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic, is one of the most pleasant yet overlooked places in Europe and the flights are so cheap.
Znojmo is a town in the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic(Image: Getty)
Visitors can enjoy over 120 samples of local wines from leading winemakers for as little as 50p(Image: Getty)
With 34,000 residents, Znojmo represents one of Czechia’s most ancient municipalities, tracing its origins to the 11th century. Established by King Ottokar I of the Premyslid dynasty, this enchanting Royal settlement continues to radiate its abundant heritage from every cobbled lane, reports the Express.
Znojmo has earned recognition for its viticultural traditions, which have flourished since mediaeval times. Within Znojmo’s historic heart sits Enotéka, a wine establishment featuring a contemporary café.
Positioned on the grounds of the Znojmo brewery, offering spectacular panoramas of the settlement and Dyje river valley, guests can sample over 120 varieties of regional wines from prominent local vintners for as little as 50p. Nevertheless, Znojmo offers far more than viticulture. The settlement features a complex maze of tunnels beneath the town centre, known as the “underground passages”.
Guests can participate in a 60-minute guided exploration, discovering the settlement’s history and its tunnels, which have generated numerous theories regarding their purpose. Some reckon these were once used as storage spaces and for transporting goods, while others suggest they served as hideouts from foes.
Don’t miss out on visiting the Znojmo castle, Louka Monastery – one of Europe’s most significant monastery complexes dating back to the 12th century, now housing millions of wine bottles – and Podyjí National Park, nestled between the towns of Znojmo and Vranov nad Dyjí.
Despite its relatively small size, the park is teeming with natural beauty. It tempts travellers with its stunning vistas, untouched charm, pervasive tranquillity, and hundreds of rare animal and plant species. Podyjí is a must-visit for every nature enthusiast.
With Ryanair flights starting at just £16 from the UK to Brno, a nearby airport, you can reach this delightful destination in merely two hours. Brno, the country’s second-largest city, is just over 70 km away from Znojmo, while Vienna, Austria’s capital, is less than 90 km away. The short distance from these two popular cities makes Znojmo an ideal day trip destination.
If you’re planning a journey to the south of Czech Republic or even to Vienna, make sure to include Znojmo in your travel plans!
Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, started suspending flights on Thursday morning ahead of a potential strike by its flight attendants.
Hundreds of flights are expected to be cancelled by the end of the week if the flight attendants walk off their jobs as expected.
Air Canada and the flight attendants’ union have struggled to agree upon a deal that would increase compensation for the airline workers.
Here is what we know about the labour dispute and its potential consequences:
What is happening to Air Canada?
The Montreal-based airline has reached an impasse with the union representing more than 10,500 flight attendants in a dispute over compensation, despite eight months of negotiations. Both the company and the union have issued notices that disruptions to the airline’s services will begin on Saturday.
What services will be affected, and when?
Air Canada said it will reduce flights gradually over three days, starting with dozens of cancellations on Thursday and about 500 more by Friday evening. By 1am Toronto time (05:00 GMT) on Saturday, all flights will be halted.
Cargo services will also be affected, but Air Canada Express regional flights will operate as usual, as they rely on contracts with other airlines.
However, these partners handle only about 20 percent of Air Canada’s daily passengers. Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, a subsidiary that offers low-cost flights, carry roughly 130,000 passengers a day.
In response to the walkout anticipated for early Saturday, Air Canada has announced its own “lockout”, a strategy that prevents employees from coming into work in order to force them to the negotiating table.
The airline has warned that once the lockout begins, about 1:30am Toronto time (05:30 GMT), it may not be able to quickly restore flights.
Mark Nasr, the chief operations officer for Air Canada, explained that a restart, “under the best circumstances, will take a full week to complete”.
Air Canada flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, form a picket line at the Toronto Pearson international airport on August 11 [Carlos Osorio/Reuters]
Why are flight attendants striking?
Wages are the main sticking point in the negotiations.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) said its negotiators are unhappy with Air Canada’s proposed wage hikes and other compensation terms, and they have therefore turned down an offer to move the contract discussions into arbitration.
“For the past nine months, we have put forward solid, data-driven proposals on wages and unpaid work, all rooted in fairness and industry standards,” said Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada component of CUPE, in a statement. “Air Canada’s response to our proposals makes one thing clear: they are not interested in resolving these critical issues.”
According to the union, the airline declined to raise flight attendant pay to meet industry standards, keep pace with inflation or match the federal minimum wage.
Since 2000, starting wages for flight attendants with Air Canada have risen only $3 per hour, while inflation has climbed 69 percent over the same period, the union explained.
We stand in solidarity with Air Canada flight attendants who are done with unpaid work and poverty wages! 📢 Fair pay. Dignity on the job. No more excuses! Read more → https://t.co/YqVQEwTbpC#aircanadastrike
Air Canada, however, said the union turned down a proposal sent on Monday that included a 38-percent pay increase over four years, along with other benefits and protections.
But the union disputed the benefits of that deal. Instead, it explained that the flight attendants suffered a 9-percent cut in their last contract, meaning that an 8-percent increase over the first year of the new deal is inadequate to recoup the costs.
“It is, in effect, a pay cut,” CUPE said in its statement.
The union also argues that Air Canada does not currently offer “ground pay”, an industry term that describes compensation given for all the services provided before a plane’s doors close.
That work can include assistance given to travellers in the airport, baggage handling and helping travellers get settled in their seats as the plane prepares to push back from the airport gate.
“[For] any of our federally regulated safety checks, which we do an hour before boarding, we are not compensated. We are not compensated for boarding and deplaning,” Shanyn Elliott, the chair of the CUPE strike committee, told the news outlet Global National.
“It averages about 35 hours a month that we are at work not paid.”
The union said that it is seeking full pay for all hours worked, along with cost-of-living increases.
Ground pay, also called “boarding pay”, has been a key issue in negotiations at US airlines as well, since many carriers do not compensate flight attendants at their hourly rate during crucial periods before or after the flight.
Union activists hold placards as they interrupt a news conference by Air Canada executives on August 14 [Kyaw Soe Oo/Reuters]
How many passengers will be affected, and what will they get in return?
The airline, which serves 64 countries with a fleet of 259 aircraft, said the shutdown poses “a major risk” to both the company and its employees. The disruption could impact 130,000 passengers each day, including 25,000 Canadians, during the height of the summer travel season.
Air Canada has nearly 430 daily flights between Canada and the US, reaching more than 50 US airports. It also provides domestic service to 50 Canadian airports and averages more than 500 daily flights.
The airlines said that passengers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and can receive a full refund online.
The airline has also arranged with other Canadian and international carriers to offer alternative travel options where possible. But it emphasised that some flight alternatives may not be feasible.
“Given other carriers are already very full due to the summer travel peak, securing such capacity will take time and, in many cases, will not be immediately possible,” the airline explained.
How has the government responded?
Air Canada has said it has sought government-directed arbitration to resolve the situation.
Under Canada’s Labour Code, the government’s labour minister has the power to intervene and trigger the imposition of a deal through the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
That, in turn, could force flight attendants back to work. The union has asked Canada’s PM Mark Carney “to refrain from intervening”. It argued that government action would tip the negotiations in Air Canada’s favour.
“Why would any employer bother negotiating if they know the government is going to bail them out when negotiations get tough?” the union wrote in a letter posted to social media.
Canada’s Labour Minister Patty Hajdu urged both sides to return to the bargaining table. “To be clear: deals that are made at the bargaining table are the best ones,” Hajdu said.
“I urge both parties to put their differences aside, come back to the bargaining table and get this done now for the many travellers who are counting on you,” she added.
Please see my statement on the latest development between CUPE Flight Attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada: pic.twitter.com/hqQJ5JDYkN
Attendants union says there is still time to reach an agreement, as airline warns 100,000 passengers affected by Friday.
Air Canada says it is at an impasse with its negotiations with the union representing its flight attendants and has announced that it will be pausing all its flights on Saturday morning.
Air Canada said on Thursday it expects to cancel several dozen flights by day’s end and approximately 500 flights by the end of Friday, affecting 100,0000 passengers, in advance of a planned Saturday strike by its unionised flight attendants.
The Air Canada executives were speaking at a news conference that ended abruptly due to protests by union members donning placards.
Mark Nasr, chief operations officer at Air Canada, said the complexity of the carrier’s network, which operates more than 250 aircraft on flights to more than 65 countries, requires it to start winding down service now.
A strike would hit the country’s tourism sector during the height of summer travel and poses a new test for the governing Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney, which has been asked by the carrier to intervene and impose arbitration.
Air Canada and low-cost carrier Air Canada Rouge carry about 130,000 customers a day. Air Canada is also the foreign carrier with the largest number of flights to the US.
US carrier United Airlines, a code-share partner of Air Canada, said it has issued a travel waiver to help customers manage their travel plans.
Half of hourly rate for hours worked
The dispute hinges on the way airlines compensate flight attendants. Most airlines have traditionally paid attendants only when planes are in motion.
But in their latest contract negotiations, flight attendants in North America have sought compensation for hours worked, including for tasks like boarding passengers and waiting around the airport before and between flights.
The union said Air Canada had offered to begin compensating flight attendants for some unpaid work, but only at 50 percent of their hourly rate.
The airline said it had offered a 38 percent increase in total compensation for flight attendants over four years, with a 25 percent raise in the first year.
Restarting Air Canada’s operations would take a week to complete, Nasr told reporters in Toronto.
“It’s simply not the kind of system that we can start or stop at the push of a button,” he said. “So in order to have a safe and orderly wind down, we need to begin down.”
FlightAware data shows Air Canada has, thus far, cancelled only four flights as of Thursday morning.
Earlier in the day, Canadian Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu urged the country’s largest carrier and union to return to the bargaining table to reach a deal that could avert disruptions.
“I understand this dispute is causing a great deal of frustration and anxiety to Canadians who are travelling or worrying about how they will get home,” she said in a statement posted on X. “I urge both parties to put their differences aside, come back to the bargaining table and get this done now for the many travelers who are counting on you.”
An Air Canada plane taxis at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada [File: Carlos Osorio/Reuters]
A spokesperson for the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents the carrier’s 10,000 flight attendants, said Air Canada negotiators are not bargaining and have not responded to a proposal they made earlier this week.
“We believe the company wants the federal government to intervene and bail them out.”
CUPE has previously said it opposes binding arbitration.
Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, chief human resources officer at Air Canada, said the carrier never left the table.
“We are still available to bargain at any time on the condition that the negotiation has substance,” she said.
Around 20,000 passengers have been affected by flight cancellations, delays and rerouting.
Torrential rains have forced Mexico City’s main airport to suspend numerous flights for multiple hours for a second consecutive day, causing chaos in one of Latin America’s busiest travel hubs.
Authorities at Benito Juarez International Airport said on Tuesday that all runways were operating again by midday, after all flights were suspended for at least four hours earlier that day. Around 20,000 passengers were affected by flight cancellations, delays and rerouting.
The Mexican capital is experiencing one of its heaviest rainy seasons in years, leading to constant flooding in other parts of the city.
Passengers have reported numerous cancellations and delays this week as heavy rains fall on the capital.
Alicia Nicanor, 69, said her Sunday flight to the northern city of Tijuana was cancelled, and when she returned Tuesday morning for her early morning flight, it was also cancelled.
Vehicles navigate flooding near Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City on August 12, 2025 [Fernando Llano/AP Photo]
“I told them I have to go because I have an important appointment with my doctor, but they didn’t listen,” she said.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada said heavy rains on Sunday flooded the city’s main plaza, known as the Zocalo, with more than 76mm (3 inches) of water, much of which poured down in just 20 minutes. It broke a record set in 1952.
Meanwhile, videos from the city’s south showed cars floating on flooded streets. The flooding has fuelled criticism by some in the capital, who call it a sign of larger infrastructure failures by the city’s government.
Travellers could face issues and delays on their trips after further strike action was announced which will take place on set days and times
10:09, 10 Aug 2025Updated 10:55, 10 Aug 2025
There could be delays(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Holidaymakers going to Spain are facing a fresh blow as new strikes have been announced affecting major airports and airlines across parts of the country. The UGT union previously stated there will be a series of strikes affecting Ryanair’s baggage handling department.
These are set to start on August 15. However there is now increased potential for delays and flight cancellations after 1,500 workers with a second firm, Menzies, said it would hold its own industrial action, which will also start in August.
Menzies services a number of major airlines including British Airways, easyJet, Wizz Air, American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Norwegian. The UGT union said the strike by ground staff of the Menzies group will affect five Spanish airports, including Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante, Palma, Malaga and Tenerife South, on August 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31.
It is peak tourist season(Image: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
In a statement the union explained it is objecting to what it says are “serious and repeated breaches of labour agreements and the conditions established by agreement” by Menzies. Amongst these “violations”, UGT highlights “salary breaches, violation of subrogation rights, disorganisation in working hours and schedules.”
The union also claims there have been “constant errors in the management of personnel and payroll”, reports the Express. It also argues that there is a shortage of staff to handle the workload and an “arbitrary imposition of holidays.”
It claims Menzies is in breach of the sectoral handling agreement, the company’s own agreement, and the sectoral agreement ratified by the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA) in December 2024, which led to the cancellation of a previous strike. The union has already called for multiple strikes in Ryanair’s handling department.
These are set for the peak holiday season when Spain is brimming with tourists. This strike, which involves more than 3,000 workers who load and unload luggage, will be held this week – on Friday, August 15, Saturday, August 16, and Sunday, August 17 and then every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Ryanair strikes could continue until next January unless an agreement can be reached. However legally, the workers must provide a “minimum service” which is yet to be determined, but the action will still significantly affect travellers.
The strikes could affect travellers significantly
The union says those protests are “against the sanctions imposed on workers and the abuse of hours.” Ryanair’s bases are situated in Valencia, Alicite, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Ibiza, Palma, Girona, Tenerife South, Lanzarote and Santiago.
The strike at Azul Handling (Ryanair’s handling subsidiary) is set for August 15, 16 and 17 and will continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until at least December 31, as confirmed by the UGT in a statement. The actions could potentially extend into January.
The strike will take place between 5am and 9am, noon and 3pm and 9pm to 11.59pm. The FeSMC-UGT airline sector is requesting mediation before the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA).
The union has said the reasons for the strike call. It says these are:
Lack of stable job creation and consolidation of working hours for permanent part-time staff
Imposition and coercion in the performance of complementary hours, both ordinary and voluntary, apply in some cases, with disproportionate sanctions
Repeated failure to comply with the opinions of the Joint Committee of the Sectoral Agreement on guarantees and bonuses
Illegal restrictions on reinstatement after medical discharge and on the adaptation of working hours to exercise the right to family conciliation
It says: “UGT regrets having to go to these extremes and all the damages that may occur, for which the direct responsibility will be solely and exclusively the company and its reckless action with the workforce.”
Jose Manuel Perez Grande, Federal Secretary of the FeSMC-UGT Air Union, has accused Azul Handling of maintaining “a strategy of precariousness and pressure on the workforce that violates basic labour rights and systematically ignores union demands.”
The FeSMC-UGT Air Sector is calling for the company to withdraw the sanctions, stick to the recommendations of the Joint Commission, and start a real negotiation process aimed at enhancing the working conditions for over 3,000 employees across the country.
A United States appeals court has thrown out a lower judge’s determination that the administration of President Donald Trump could face charges for acting in contempt of court during the early days of his mass deportation drive.
The ruling on Friday undid one of the most substantial rebukes to the Trump administration since the start of the president’s second term.
The appeals court, however, was split two to one. The majority included two Trump-appointed judges, Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao. The sole dissent was Judge Cornelia Pillard, an appointee from former President Barack Obama.
In a decision for the majority, Rao ruled that the lower court had overstepped its authority in opening the door for Trump officials to be held in contempt.
“The district court’s order attempts to control the Executive Branch’s conduct of foreign affairs, an area in which a court’s power is at its lowest ebb,” Rao wrote.
But Pillard defended the lower court’s decision and questioned whether the appeals court was, in fact, eroding judicial authority in favour of increased executive power.
“The majority does an exemplary judge a grave disservice by overstepping its bounds to upend his effort to vindicate the judicial authority that is our shared trust,” she wrote.
Trump administration celebrates decision
The appeals court’s decision was hailed as a major victory by the Trump administration, which has long railed against the judicial roadblocks to its agenda.
“@TheJusticeDept attorneys just secured a MAJOR victory defending President Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport illegal alien terrorists,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on social media.
“We will continue fighting and WINNING in court for President Trump’s agenda to keep America Safe!”
The court battle began in March, when US District Court Judge James Boasberg, based in the District of Columbia, heard arguments about Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan men accused of being gang members.
That law allows for swift deportations of foreign nationals — and has, prior to Trump, only been used in wartime.
Boasberg ruled to pause Trump’s use of the law and ordered the administration to halt any deportation flights, including those that may already be in the air.
But two deportation flights carrying about 250 people nevertheless landed in El Salvador after the ruling.
The Trump administration maintained it was unable to safely reroute the flights and expressed confusion about whether Boasberg’s verbal order was binding.
It also questioned whether Boasberg had the authority to intervene. Trump went so far as to call for Boasberg’s removal, writing on Truth Social in March: “This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges’ I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!”
Weighing penalties for contempt
In April, Boasberg determined that the Trump administration’s actions showed a “willful disregard” for his ruling. He concluded that “probable cause exists to find the government in criminal contempt”.
A contempt finding can result in various sanctions, including fines and prison time, although it remains unclear what penalties the Trump administration could have faced.
“The court does not reach such conclusion lightly or hastily,” Boasberg continued. “Indeed, it has given defendants ample opportunity to rectify or explain their actions. None of their responses has been satisfactory.”
Trump’s Department of Justice, for its part, maintained that Boasberg had tread on the president’s executive power in issuing the order.
Also in April, the US Supreme Court lifted Boasberg’s temporary restraining orders against using the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged gang members.
But it nevertheless ruled that the targeted immigrants “are entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge their removal” before their deportations.
The Trump administration has faced persistent scrutiny over whether it was complying with that order, as well as other decisions from lower courts that interfered with its deportation campaign.
Critics have accused the president and his allies of simply ignoring rulings they disagreed with, raising questions of contempt in other cases, as well.
Inside Friday’s appeals court ruling
But the two Trump-appointed judges on the appeals court, Katsas and Rao, upheld the Trump administration’s position that Boasberg’s rulings had gone too far.
“The district court’s order raises troubling questions about judicial control over core executive functions like the conduct of foreign policy and the prosecution of criminal offenses,” Katsas wrote.
He compared Boasberg’s order to recall the deportation flights to a district court’s order in July 1973 that sought to halt the US bombing of Cambodia. Within hours, however, the Supreme Court upheld a stay on that opinion, allowing the bombing to proceed.
“Any freestanding order to turn planes around mid-air would have been indefensible,” Katsas wrote, citing that 1973 case.
But Pillard — the Obama-appointed judge — offered a counterargument in her dissent, pointing out that the US is not currently at war.
She also noted that the Venezuelan men who were deported on the March flights had, by and large, not faced criminal charges. Yet, the US had chosen to deport them to El Salvador for imprisonment in a maximum-security facility with a history of human rights abuses.
“Whatever one might think about a Supreme Court Justice’s emergency order superintending an ongoing military operation, the authority of a federal district court to temporarily restrain government officials from transferring presumptively noncriminal detainees to a foreign prison without any pre-removal process is well recognized,” Pillard wrote.
The appeals court’s decision comes just days after the Department of Justice announced it had filed a formal complaint against Boasberg, accusing him of misconduct for public comments he made criticising the Trump administration’s approach to the judiciary.
Critics have called the complaint a blatant retaliation and evidence of an increasing politicalisation of the Justice Department.
The airport in Greece has one of the shortest runways for passenger jets in Europe – but it can accommodate aircraft as large as a Boeing 767-200
Flights from across Europe fly to the airport(Image: Getty)
For many jet-setters, the lengthy taxi down the airport runway before take-off can feel like an eternity. It often seems as though the plane will never lift off as it trundles along the tarmac before the engines roar into action and it ascends.
However, travellers to a small Greek island may be surprised to learn that it boasts the shortest runway for passenger jets in mainland Europe. The runway at Skiathos measures a mere 5,341 feet, significantly shorter than the norm.
To put it into perspective, London Heathrow’s northern runway stretches approximately 12,801 feet, Manchester’s runway spans 10,948 feet, and Birmingham’s runway is 10,013 feet long, reports the Express. Despite its relatively modest length, the airport can handle aircraft as large as a Boeing 767-200 and welcomes flights from across Europe.
The airport is popular with planespotters(Image: Getty)
These include routes from various UK airports, with numerous seasonal flights operating to this Aegean island. Due to the island’s rugged terrain, land had to be reclaimed from the sea to facilitate the construction of the airport, which opened its doors to passengers in 1972.
Now, hundreds of thousands of passengers pass through each year, with over 552,000 recorded in 2023 – including more than 192,000 travelling to or from the UK. Its proximity to a public road, coupled with its location and frequency of flights, makes Skiathos Airport a favourite spot for plane enthusiasts who often share snaps of massive aircrafts swooping in low for landing.
The airport’s runway is ‘short and narrow’(Image: Getty)
Despite having one of the shortest runways in Europe, it doesn’t hold the record for the shortest runway within a European nation. That distinction belongs to Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on Saba, boasting a mere 1,312 feet long runway and being part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The twist is that Saba is actually an island located in the Caribbean, across the Atlantic.
TUI passengers can travel with four luggage items for free this summer, but there are some rules to be aware of if you’re jetting off abroad with a baby or infant
Amy Jones Lifestyle & Features Writer and Claire Schofield
15:54, 07 Aug 2025Updated 15:54, 07 Aug 2025
TUI customers can take extra luggage onboard their flight, free of charge (Image: Getty Images)
TUI passengers are in for a treat this summer as they can bring four pieces of luggage onboard flights without any additional charges.
Every TUI traveller aged two and above is permitted to carry one piece of hand luggage on flights free of charge, provided it doesn’t exceed 10kg and its dimensions don’t exceed 55x40x20cm. In addition, passengers can also bring one small personal item onboard, such as a backpack, laptop bag or a handbag.
Young families can check pushchairs and/or car seats into their TUI flight for free(Image: Getty Images)
For those who’ve booked a package holiday with TUI, a checked-in luggage allowance of at least 20kg per person is included. However, for flight-only bookings, checked-in luggage comes with an extra fee.
But there’s good news for families travelling with infants – TUI is allowing up to two additional items of luggage on flights free of charge, reports the Express.
TUI permits passengers to check in a collapsible pushchair and a car seat into the hold at no extra cost on both package holidays and flight-only bookings. Although passengers do have the option of bringing pushchairs onboard, provided it doesn’t exceed 50x40x20cm and weighs no more than 10kg. However, in this case, it will count as your large piece of hand luggage.
Infants under the age of two don’t get a hand luggage allowance on TUI flights, so if you have a baby changing bag that you need to take with you, this will be counted as part of your 10kg free allowance.
TUI states: “If you’re flying on a TUI flight (package or flight only), you can check in pushchairs and/or car seats into the hold for free. You can also bring your pushchair with you onboard, as long as it weighs less than 10kg, is no bigger than 55x40x20cm and has a hand luggage label provided during check-in.
“This’ll count as your larger piece of hand luggage for an adult on the booking, meaning you can have this and one smaller piece of hand luggage that fits under the seat in front of you, with maximum dimensions 40x30x20cm.
“There’s the option to use your pushchair at the airport and hand it to a member of staff at the gate before you board, but please make our ground staff aware when you check in as you’ll need a label for this too.
“Just so you know, pushchairs and car seats will be returned on the luggage belt when you arrive, and there’s occasionally a long walk between the aircraft and the luggage reclaim area. Any pushchairs need to be completely collapsible. Please note, if you’re travelling with an infant under 2, they don’t have a hand luggage allowance.”
Every TUI aircraft features baby changing facilities situated within the loos, though travellers are encouraged to consult the cabin crew beforehand since amenities can differ based on the aircraft type. Children under two years old also don’t receive meals during flights, meaning passengers must pack their own grub, although the carrier can warm baby milk bottles while airborne.
United Airlines plane takes off at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles on January 18, 2024. Photo by Carolina Brehman/EPA-EFE/CAROLINE BREHMAN
Aug. 6 (UPI) — United Airlines on Wednesday night briefly suspended flight departures nationwide because of a technology issue and expected further flight delays throughout the night.
Shortly after 7 p.m. CDT, the airline reported an outage and one hour later the system was coming back up, CBS News reported.
“Due to a technology issue, we are holding United mainline flights at their departure airports,” United said in a statement obtained by ABC News. “We expect additional flight delays this evening as we work through this issue. Safety is our top priority, and we’ll work with our customers to get them to their destinations.”
United later posted on Instagram: “We are working with customers to get them to their destinations after a technology disruption on Wednesday evening. The underlying technology issue has been resolved, and, while we expect residual delays, our team is working to restore our normal operations.”
The airline said to go to united.com or its United app for the latest flight information.
The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily issued a ground stop for United flights at United hubs: Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Denver International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Houston’s George Bush International Airport and San Francisco International Airport.
By 10:30 p.m. EDT, the stops were only in Denver and Newark until 11 p.m. EDT.
Airports urged travelers to check with the airline on status. Passengers on connecting flights with other airlines could be affected.
United Express Flights and those already in the air were not affected, the airline told ABC.
United, which is based in Chicago, has approximately 4,600 flights per day at 354 destinations in 38 countries.
Through 10:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday, 1,308 flights have been delayed and 53 have been canceled, according to FlightAware.
At O’Hare, 16 flights — 11 departures and seven arrivals — have been canceled. The airport was reporting delays ofg hours, as of 9:30 p.m. CDT.
A line of United planes at O’Hare were stopped at the tarmac waiting for available gates, according to video taken by a passenger to CBS News.
Blessed with a Mediterranean climate and summer temperatures soaring up to 30°C, it’s a paradise for sun worshippers. Jetting off to Albania won’t break the bank either.
Albania has been keen to push the idea that it’s the ‘Maldives of Europe’(Image: Getty Images)
Wizz Air has launched a new route, linking up the UK with a cheap and sunny European destination.
Albania has been dubbed “the Maldives of Europe” thanks to its unspoilt white sandy shores and crystal-clear waters that grace its spectacular Riviera. Whilst it’s not exactly a hidden gem – with growing numbers of holidaymakers discovering the region – it still offers remarkable value compared to other European hotspots. Travellers can indulge in luxury accommodation without emptying their bank accounts, with seafront flats available from just £20 per night.
Food is equally kind to the purse strings, with a hearty meal and drinks typically setting you back around £15. Thanks to a flurry of TikTok videos flaunting its crystal-clear waters and pristine white sands, Albania has become a hot topic for holidaymakers seeking a slice of the Maldives experience.
Wizz Air has launched a new route to Tirana(Image: Fani Kurti via Getty Images)
Blessed with a Mediterranean climate and summer temperatures soaring up to 30°C, it’s a paradise for sun worshippers. Jetting off to Albania won’t break the bank either.
Albania boasts the lowest living costs in Europe, with city-centre hotel rooms in Tirana going for less than £30, breakfast included. Beachside flats along the Adriatic coast are even more affordable.
Another wallet-friendly route to Albania’s glittering coastline is to fly into Corfu and then hop on a ferry for roughly £15 each way. If you set up camp in Dhërmi, you can explore a new beach every day. A delightful beachfront lunch in the area will only cost about £10 per person.
Laura Hewson, a Kiwi backpacker who explored the country last autumn, said: “We were planning to go Croatia. But one of our friends who’d been to Albania told us [we should go there]. They said it’s like Greece or Croatia but cheaper and a lot more beautiful because there are not as many tourists. We’re actually staying at a four-star hotel with breakfast included for the same price that we were staying in hostels with eight [strangers] in a room in Italy and Spain.”
Her travel companion, Farrell Modd, mentioned that social media influenced their decision to visit Albania, noting the impact of TikTok videos from travel accounts that highlighted the country’s stunning landscapes. She commented: “It’s beautiful, clear blue water, lots of swimming spots.”
A number of planes have been diverted from the West Midlands airport, while others have been diverted. At 2.48pm, Birmingham Airport’s official Twitter account announced that its runway was closed
One bar stool was priced down to £10.32 from £103.20.
How to bag a bargain
SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain…
Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with.
Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks.
Sales are when you can pick up a real steal.
Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on.
Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer.
Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping.
Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
There are certain seats on a plane that could become a nightmare on a long haul flight according to a travel expert – who shared her top tips when it comes to plane seat selection
Travellers are being urged to not selected one specific seat on a plane(Image: Vera Vita via Getty Images)
When going on a long haul flight – experts urge people to never select these certain seats if they want a smooth journey. Flying long haul can already be hard, and it can be made even worse if you choose the wrong seat.
A travel expert has shared some of her top tips when it comes to where to sit on a plan for comfort, sleep quality and less disruptions on a long flight as poor sleep selection can make jet lag worse and leave people exhausted before their holiday has even started.
While people may think the window seat on the end row is the ideal spot for some peace and quiet, tucked away at the back – Dawn Morwood, Co-Director of Cheap Deals Away said “it’s actually a recipe for a miserable flight”.
There are certain seats experts urge people to never opt for(Image: Getty Images)
That back corner window seat might seem like the prime spot when you’re scrolling through the seat map, but it’s actually where comfort goes to die, the expert revealed. Located next to the toilets and galley, it will cause sleep disrupting problems,
“The biggest issue is the constant foot traffic,” Dawn said. “You’ve got passengers queuing for the loo right beside you, flight attendants rushing back and forth with trolleys, and people stretching their legs in the aisle. It never stops.” These seats also don’t recline because there’s a wall directly behind them. On a 10-hour flight to Asia or an 8-hour journey to the States, that upright position becomes torture for your back and makes proper sleep nearly impossible.
Dawn’s expert tips for choosing the perfect long-haul seat
Pick your sweet spot wisely
The best seats are typically in the middle section of the aircraft, she advised, away from both the busy front galley and the chaotic rear area. “Look for seats around rows 6-15 on most wide-body aircraft,” advised Dawn. “You’re far enough from the action but still have easy access to facilities when needed.”
Avoid the bathroom zone
Never book within three rows of any lavatory. The queues, smells and constant activity will make your journey miserable. Check the aircraft’s seat map carefully before selecting.
Choose your side strategically
“If you’re flying eastbound for a daytime arrival, pick a seat on the right side of the plane to avoid the sun streaming through your window during the final hours,” Dawn suggested. “For westbound flights, sit on the left side.”
Consider the exit rows carefully
While exit row seats offer extra legroom, they come with restrictions. You can’t store anything under the seat in front during takeoff and landing, and these seats often don’t recline.
Book early for best selection
“The golden rule is simple – book as early as possible,” says Dawn. “Airlines release their best seats to early bookers, and you’ll have the widest choice of positions.”
The expert said that while the back corner window seat might look appealing on the booking page, “you’ll regret it the moment you try to get comfortable,” and added: “Poor seat selection not only impacts your flight, but your entire trip. If you can’t sleep properly on the plane, you’ll arrive with worse jet lag, feeling cranky and tired. Your first few days of holiday are essentially written off while you recover.”
LONDON Heathrow Airport has revealed their multi-billion masterplan for the extension of the airport including the controversial third runway.
The huge project is expected to cost nearly £50million, if given the go-ahead by the government.
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London Heathrow Airport has unveiled their £49billion masterplanCredit: Heathrow
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A third runway, new terminal and upgraded M25 access are the major parts of the projectCredit: Heathrow
The major new upgrade will be the £21billion third runway, which is set to be operational in the next 10 years.
This is the same estimation of costs predicted in 2014 of £14billion, when adjusted for inflation.
The new 3,500 metre runway will be in the northwest of the airport, and will eventually welcome up to 276,000 new flights a year.
This takes the annual flights from 480,000 to 756,000, with as many as 30 new flight routes a day.
Read more on new airports
It could even welcome more budget airlines, such as easyJet who have expressed desires to launch from London Heathrow with the expansion.
easyJet boss Kenton Jarvis said: “I’ve always thought Heathrow would fit our network of primary airports with great catchment areas.
“It would be a unique opportunity to operate from Heathrow at scale and give us an opportunity to provide lower fares for UK consumers that currently at Heathrow just have the option of flag carriers.”
The airport suggests this could save as much as £79billion over three decades with the addition of low-cost airlines.
A new £15billion terminal complex will also be built, called T5XW and T5XN.
The creation of the new terminals will also see T1 and T3 demolished, and T2 expanded, at the cost of £15billion.
London Heathrow reveal top airport security tips
In total, the entire project is expected to cost as much as £49billion.
As many as 150million passengers could then be using the airport, up from 84million.
The airport hopes to get planning permission by 2029, if ministers allow the proposal to go ahead.
Other parts of the renovation include a 50 per cent in cargo capacity, and and larger access for buses and trains.
One of the biggest concerns is the access around the M25, a notoriously busy motorway.
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A rival Heathrow expansion plan would see a shorter new runwayCredit: Arora Group / Bechtel
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However Heathrow has hit back at the plansCredit: Arora Group / Bechtel
The improvement plans also include the widening the M25 near the Heathrow junctions (at a cost of £1.5billion) which will see a new section in a tunnel under the runway to reduce congestion.
A similar road layout is already in place at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
Arora Group – a major Heathrow landowner – proposed a shorter third runway which would eliminate the need to reroute the M25.
Rather than being 3,500 metres in length, it would be just 2,800 metres.
The plans also include a new T6 terminal, with the full project estimated at £25million – half the cost of the official LondonHeathrow plans.
Mr Surinder Arora explained in regards to the ‘Heathrow West’ plan: “I am proud to unveil the Heathrow West proposal which meets the UK’s ambition to grow its only hub airport while delivering on time and on budget.”
He added that the Arora Group had a “track record of delivering on-time and on-budget projects including in and around Heathrow airport.”
However, London Heathrow refuted their suggestions in the their own proposal, saying “any other proposal would not have this extensive public scrutiny and policy backing, risking years of delay and judicial review which mean the Government’s timetable would be undeliverable.”
They also said that shorter runways “do not necessarily cost less” as the different location would require buying more residential properties with compensation costs not factored in.
A travel expert has shared what free products that airlines will give away for free when asked for on any long-haul flight but she has warned that the items ‘aren’t always offered’
A travel expert has shared which products you could get for free on long flights (stock photo)(Image: Me 3645 Studio via Getty Images)
A travel guru has spilled the beans on the freebies that airlines can give out for any long-haul flight, but she warned they ‘don’t always offer them to you’ and the secret to bagging them is to ‘ask nicely’. The summer season is when many people jet off on their holidays.
This often involves gearing up for a journey that includes hopping on a plane. Flying is the perfect way to reach far destinations that holidaymakers may have been fantasising about for ages. Not many people are aware that on all long-haul flights, passengers can snag certain items for free regardless of what they’ve paid for their seat. Rachel Bernabeu is a content creator based in Barcelona who’s an expert in travel.
She recently posted a video on TikTok explaining what products passengers could nab for free on long haul flights.
In the clip, she revealed: “Did you know you can ask for loads of free things on a plane and almost nobody does?”
The travel content creator clarified that she got this tip from a flight attendant and that it applies to all long haul flights.
She continued: “All airlines have these things, but they don’t always offer them to you.” For her, the trick is to “ask very nicely”, as she wrote in the caption of her TikTok video.
Rachel first brought up “the classic plane socks”, which are usually quite long and “save your feet from freezing.”
She also highlighted earplugs, stressing that “if you end up near crying babies or expert-level snorers, these are essential”.
The travel enthusiast shares that airlines frequently provide complimentary dental kits featuring a toothbrush and miniature toothpaste, ensuring you don’t get off the plane with unpleasant breath.
Similarly, she highlights that female sanitary products are also accessible for travellers during unexpected situations.
For families, Rachel explains there are activity packs for children, including colouring books or puzzles.
Finally, the specialist revealed that airlines carry surplus food, and if meals remain after the lunch or dinner service, passengers can request them at no charge.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Rachel’s TikTok clip has attracted 212,100 views, over 5,000 likes and almost 90 comments within two days.
Several followers have asked whether these amenities are available to economy passengers.
She confirms that on long-distance flights this is certainly possible, referencing multiple airlines in comments section, but she clarifies this doesn’t apply to low-cost airlines.
Numerous TikTok users contributed details about their personal encounters about the validity of these claims, and which airlines provide them, within the comments area.
One stated: “Lufthansa offers all that, it’s true.” Another remarked: “Emirates gives it its all.”
A third noted: “I’ve been to China a couple of times and they only gave us blankets. Iberia from Barajas to London did have paints for the children.”
Another added: “Qatar provides it. When we went to Thailand, the service was good.”
Some viewers weren’t as optimistic, with one saying: “Very few airlines do this, and it depends greatly on the countries of departure and destination.” Another user quipped: “Now they don’t even say good morning to you.”
