The new ride will be found just outside of the walls of Raveleijn and at the centre of the ride there will be the Raven Medallion.
Across the ride there will also be banners with the five elements featured in Raveleijn.
At the end of the ride, visitors will find out which of the five elements matches them, from either water (blue), fire (red), wood (green), earth (brown) or metal (purple).
The transformation of Raveleijn was announced back in August last year, and will include a fully renewed show with a new storyline and special effects.
Guests have previously compared Efteling to Disney, with one saying: “If you are travelling to the Netherlands, we highly encourage visiting Efteling. I prefer it now to Disney because of the variety it offers.”
Koen Sanders, director of product, market, and image at Efteling previously said: “In keeping with our vision for complete immersion, we’re considering the entire area surrounding the park show for this development.
“The Raveleijn story lends itself perfectly to this. By placing the new attraction outside the open-air arena, we’re expanding the themed area.”
The best way to get there is to fly to Eindhoven, and Ryanair has flights from both Manchester and London Stansted from £14.99, taking just over an hour.
HAVING racked up nearly 60 countries in just a couple of decades, it’s fair to say I’ve been on a LOT of flights.
But at the same time, I’ve been cursed with the double whammy of being unable to sleep on public transport, and old knee injuries that swell up on planes. Not ideal for a Travel Editor.
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I fly every month and there is a great economy seat more people need to know about
So when it comes to choosing a seat on a plane, I think I’ve got it down to a fine art.
But my favourite seat is the one behind the bulkhead row on either the left or the right side of the plane.
Some of the bulkhead rows only have two seats on either side of the centre, due to the layout of the aircraft door.
This seat feels like a bulkhead but has no one walking in front of you
That means the seat behind these by the window has a crazy amount of legroom, but is more tucked away than the bulkhead.
Bulkhead seats, while often the best for legroom in economy, also come with the downside of lots of passenger traffic of people using the toilet or stretching their legs.
But this tucked away seat is a gem when it comes to economy.
In fact, I think it can be even better than premium economy, especially when you factor in the price.
Unlike other rows, seats 68A and 68K are tucked away but with legroom
I paid around £65 to pick this seat, whereas Premium Economy seats can be hundreds of pounds more expensive.
Not only that, but a lot of Premium Economy seats have built in arm rests you can’t lift.
If I lucked out with no one next to me on this seat, I could even lift the arm rests and have a double set to myself.
As a non-sleeper, I managed to get about five hours on and off of sleep, something unheard of for me normally on planes.
Not all planes will have this seat, so if it doesn’t I still recommend paying for the bulkhead seat if they are still available.
IF you don’t fancy the faff of an airport this summer, why not pop over to one incredible coastline that’s mere hours away from the UK?
You can get to the beautiful French region of Normandy by ferry or the Channel Tunnel to explore its beaches and pretty fishing villages – so there’s no need to even set foot on a plane.
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Normandy is hours from the UK with beautiful coastal spots like Mont Saint-MichelCredit: AlamyThe ‘trending’ destination has pretty fishing villages too – like BarfleurCredit: Getty
Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.
Airbnb has revealed the trending destinations this summer and for Brits, one spot that is increasing in popularity is Normandy.
It stated that not only is the French countryside in demand, but so are “rural coastal bookings”.
The Normandy region is generally much quieter than other tourist hubs in France like Paris, the Côte d’Azur, or the Dordogne.
If you’re tempted to visit, here are some places to consider – one Sun Writer discovered “village life” in peaceful Pourville.
She stayed in a beachside boutique hotel called Vue Sur Mer where guests can expect a basket of warm pastries, jams, juice and strong coffee to start the day.
The former fishing village is backed by towering chalk cliffs and has a pebble-sand beach perfect for a picnic, or having a paddle.
Pourville’s scenery even made it into artwork thanks to Claude Monet who painted ‘Cliff Walk at Pourville’ in 1882.
When it comes to sightseeing, a must-see along the Normandy coastline is Mont-Saint-Michel.
For Disney fans, the tidal island is said to have inspired the backdrop for Tangled.
Deauville is less rural but a glitzy town along the coastlineCredit: Alamy
It has a huge abbey at the very top and is surrounded by museums, shops and restaurants.
The island is best explored by foot and when the tide comes in, it’s cut off from the mainland.
Further down the coast, Barfleur is often considered one of the prettiest villages in France.
It’s a traditional Norman fishing port with granite houses and little restaurants that sit around the harbour.
Any fans of seafood will love it as Barfleur is where you can try moules de Barfleur – these are wild mussels which are usually accompanied with crusty bread and a glass of wine.
Or, if you’re after glitz and glamour, then a trip to Deauville could be on the cards.
The seaside town is a classic Norman resort with a huge beach and it even pulls incelebrityvisitors – the likes of Clint Eastwood and George Clooney have all been there.
On the beachfront is a huge casino with 300 slot machines as well as roulette and blackjack tables.
However, the cost of flights – especially across Europe – is actually dropping right now because of the ongoing uncertainty.
This includes not only fears of a jet fuel shortage, but also concerns over the cost of living, with food and fuel prices being pushed up as well.
According to the FT, the cost of flights to 27 of the top 50 European destinations when travelling in July has dropped in recent weeks.
Some routes in mainland Europe dropped as much as 44 per cent, while a number of UK routes, such as London Heathrow to Nice, London Gatwick to Barcelona and Manchester to Palma, all dropped by at least 10 per cent.
The Sun’s Head of Travel and expert of more than 30 years, Lisa Minot, explained what this means for your holiday.
She said: “Airlines and tour operators face an impossible choice right now as they attempt to get Brits booking.
“As the US / Iran war drags on into its fourth month, news of jet fuel shortages and fuel surcharges has led to a dramatic drop in bookings as the travelling public is paralysed with indecision.
“While many of our favourite airlines and tour operators are confident in the price – and availability – of jet fuel for the summer months, convincing us to book has proved more difficult.
“When the good times roll, supply and demand can see prices skyrocket.
“Conversely, when the outlook is less sunny, that demand drops and so do prices.”
Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket, told Sun Travel about some of the places that are seeing prices drop.
He explained: “What’s really striking is just how many short-haul European destinations are actually cheaper than they were before the conflict began.
“Italy is leading the way, with the Neapolitan Riviera down £232 per person to £905, the Amalfi Coast £126 cheaper at £1,073, and the Italian Lakes down £122 to £714.
“Spain‘s La Palma has fallen from £120 to £474, making it one of the best-value options on the market right now.
“Turkey is also seeing significant drops across the board — Bodrum is down £118 to £579, Dalaman is £110 cheaper at £492, and Antalya has fallen £90 to £520.
The beautiful Amalfi Coast has seen one of the biggest dropsCredit: AlamyWizz Air chief executive József Váradi warned the “level of hesitancy” is causing the drop in bookingsCredit: Getty
“The Greek islands are following suit, with Corfu down £83 to £568 and Skiathos down £82 to £844, while mainstream favourite Majorca is £86 cheaper at £581.
“Holiday companies are keen to get bookings moving, and that’s likely filtering through into some very competitive pricing right now.”
Wizz Air‘s chief executive József Váradi warned the “level of hesitancy” is causing the drop in bookings, previously telling the BBC: “That level of hesitancy can be overcome through price stimulation. So, short term, you are actually seeing prices dropping.”
Barclays analyst Andrew Lobbenberg backed this up, saying: “People are reluctant to book, they are booking late, and the airline and holiday companies are having to incentivise them with lower prices.”
What does this mean for your cheap flights?
Right now, easyJet has a number of cheap flights under £20 if travelling next month to destinations like Pisa, Amsterdam and Faro.
And Ryanair still has some cheap fares from £20 for July travel – when you’d normally expect fares to start going up – to destinations such as Barcelona and Venice.
Some of the biggest bargains in July include:
London Luton to Barcelona (£20)
London Luton to Venice (£21)
London Stansted to Milan (£15)
London Stansted to Cagliari (£20)
Manchester to Paris (£17)
Manchester to Ibiza (£20)
Birmingham to Pisa (£18)
Birmingham to Santander (£19)
TUI has some huge bargains for July still, especially to places like Corfu and Turkey.
Seven nights at Odysseus hotel just before the summer holidays is £275pp, with other stays coming in under £340pp.
Hard-hit destinations have seen holiday prices plummet, too.
Egypt is still on the safe travel list and hasn’t been drawn into the Iran war, but has seen holiday prices drop.
All-inclusive holidays for a week can be found for under £500pp in July – or ditch the food package, and there are deals from £419 each.
If you can wait until next year, seven-night, all-inclusive holidays for as little as £269pp with loveholidays in January 2027.
Turkey all-inclusive holidays are even cheaper, starting from £229pp for a week’s holiday – or travel in July for breaks still under £330pp.
Brits who are nervous about booking a trip abroad right now should look at booking package holidays instead, Lisa advised.
UK tour operators are ATOL protected, meaning your money is protected if your trip is cancelled.
This isn’t the case if booking flights and hotels separately.
But if you want to take the risk? You could find some mega cheap flight deals, which might be the last time for a while.
Lisa added: “With prices tumbling as the industry tempts us back into the skies, for the late deal hunters, things are looking good.”
KATIE Price has issued husband Lee Andrews a new ultimatum after he failed to fly to the UK AGAIN – ditching their first joint TV interview in the process.
The former glamour model, 47, spoke out about the latest debacle surrounding the self-styled businessman in a chat on Good Morning Britain.
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Katie Price has issued husband Lee Andrews a new ultimatum after he failed to fly to the UK AGAINCredit: ITVIt came after the self-styled businessman was a no show for their first ever joint TV interviewCredit: Instagram
In the chat, Katie defended her man and his absence, and said he had been delayed by business duties – and he has since taken to his Instagram page to double down on her claims.
Instead, the mum of five defended their marriage solo on the ITV daytime show sofaCredit: ITVKatie said she told Lee ‘I said ‘look I keep flying to you, you’ve got to come to England now’Credit: ITVKatie, 47, insisted Lee is at the airport and now preparing to travelCredit: wesleeeandrews/Instagram
She told GMB: “I’ve been in Dubai, I came back on Friday.
“But because I can’t keep going to Dubai, because obviously I’ve got work and my kids here,” before host Susanna Reid quipped: “And it’s expensive”.
Katie replied: “Well, he pays for it anyway.
“But I can’t keep going to Dubai”.
Who is Katie Price’s husband Lee Andrews?
KATIE Price tied the knot with Lee Andrews in January 2026. Yet who is he?
Failed actor is just another title to add toLee’s questionable CV, after he claimed to have once worked as the Director of Philanthropy at The Prince’s Trust (now The King’s Trust)
Lee also shared images – since proven to be AI – of him working with Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian
It’s been revealed shameless Lee told former girlfriends that he had studied at Cambridge University, and has a PhD in biotechnology science
But The Sun has seen a response from the university explaining it could not find a record of Lee being registered as a student with a date of birth they had provided
His LinkedIn profile says Lee has been a Member of the Board of Advisors to the Labour Party since 2015
Lee was also mocked for repeating theexact same wedding proposalon Katie – that he did for another woman just four months ago.
Laying down her ultimatum she added: “So he is now shifting to here, so he is going to spend a lot of time here now.
“Because I said ‘look I keep flying to you, you’ve got to come to England now’.
On today’s GMB, presenters Susanna and her co-host Ed Balls told how they had approached the Foreign Office to see if Lee had a travel ban.
They said they had been informed they had “supported a British man detained in the United Arab Emirates”.
When the pair quizzed Katie as to whether this was Lee, she said he had denied it in a voice note and added laughing Emoji icons to his message.
Explaining the reason for his no-show Katie, who wore a pink shirt and gold hoop earrings for her chat, said: “He just didn’t make the flight.
“He’s coming here to spend quite a few months now.
He’s been sorting out my visa, my international driving licence.
“He’s flying from Muscat and he had things to do, he didn’t make the flight but he’s at the airport now”.
She then clarified: “Because of his business he had some things he had to do last minute.
“He is at airport now he is on his way”.
Lee reinforced her words as he took to his social media page from the departures lounge.
He praised Katie’s appearance on GMB and said: “Hello everyone.
“Yes I am at the airport and flying to my wife, who did very well on GMB today.
“And I am on my way to her.
“I had a couple of things that I had to do last minute, I couldn’t make the show, I was hoping to get on there with the ZOOM link but they carried on with Kate, and she did really really well”.
Mum of three Susanna mused: “I wonder if he’s telling you everything, do you trust him?” to which Katie said yes.
Ed then quizzed if “the Foreign Office were right and Lee was arrested ayt the airport?”
He then asked if Lee was normally unreliable, and she replied: “Not with me”.
It isn’t the first time Lee has reneged on his vow to travel to Katie’s home turf.
Flight FR9251 was forced to land in Toulouse with almost 200 people on board
The London Stansted to Ibiza flight was forced to land in France (stock image)
Ryanair has issued a ‘no fly’ warning following an incident in which a plane carrying nearly 200 passengers was forced to make an emergency diversion. The disruption took place aboard a flight from London Stansted to Ibiza.
Flight FR9251 was diverted to Toulouse after two passengers turned ‘abusive towards fellow passengers’. The incident unfolded on 17 May 2025, with the case only recently being settled in court.
In an online statement headed ‘Bad behaviour won’t fly’, the budget carrier said: “On May 17 2025, two passengers became abusive towards fellow passengers on a flight from London Stansted to Ibiza and failed to comply with crew instructions, forcing over 84 passengers and six crew to divert to Toulouse.
“These two disruptive passengers were found guilty, and both received suspended sentences of up to 10 months, and received a combined penalty of over 10,000 Euros.
“On May 7, 2026, Ryanair welcomed the decision by the Toulouse Criminal Court to convict these two unruly passengers. Ryanair has a strict zero-tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take action to combat unruly passenger behavior on aircraft for the benefit of the vast majority of passengers who do not disrupt flights.”
Under the Air Navigation Order 2016, a person ‘must not enter any aircraft when drunk, or be drunk in any aircraft’. It goes on to state: “A person must not, when acting as a member of the crew of any aircraft or being carried in any aircraft for the purpose of acting as a member of the crew, be under the influence of drink or a drug to such an extent as to impair their capacity so to act.”, reports Glasgow Live.
Addressing the incident on board, Ryanair’s Jade Kirwan said: “We welcome this decision by the Toulouse Criminal Court to convict these two disruptive passengers and sentence them with up to 10 months jail time and to pay a penalty of over €10,000.
“It is unacceptable that passengers – many of whom are heading away with family or friends to enjoy a relaxing summer holiday – suffer unnecessary disruption and reduced holiday time as a result of unruly passenger behaviour.
“Yet this was regrettably the case for passengers on this flight from Stansted to Ibiza in May last year, which was forced to divert to Toulouse as a result of two passenger’s disruptive behaviour.
“This conviction demonstrates just one of the many consequences that passengers who disrupt flights will face as part of Ryanair’s zero tolerance policy, and we hope this action will deter further disruptive behaviour on flights so that passengers and crew can travel in a comfortable and respectful environment.”
Frequent flyer Mark Wolters has shared his airline travel secrets – and one of them involves setting your alarm for a very unsociable time
15:20, 09 May 2026Updated 15:31, 09 May 2026
It’s exasperating when you lose a chunk of your holiday to flight delays(Image: Jackyenjoyphotography via Getty Images)
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of air travel is discovering that your flight has been delayed and realising that you’re doomed to spend the next couple of hours in an uncomfortable plastic chair. But American travel expert Mark Wolters has some valuable tips that can save holidaymakers from the heartache of hanging around in the departure lounge.
In a new video on his Wolters World YouTube channel, Mark has a range of savvy solutions for finding the best restaurants and the cleanest loos at any airport.
He also advises, in the US at least , picking flights that depart from purely-international terminals as opposed to terminals that service both domestic and intercontinental flights.
He explains that quest for security checks will always be far longer at dual-use terminals: “For example,” Mark say, “when I go to Chicago, I know if I’m flying out of Terminal Five, the international terminal, it’s going to be a lot faster than if I’m flying out of Terminal Two, which has a lot of domestic flights.”
“It’s a good idea to look up because it could save you a time, especially if you’re running behind getting to the airport,” he advises.
Mark adds: “The airport secret I use the most when I travel is take the early morning flights if you want the least amount of headaches.”
He adds that while it might mean setting your alarm for a painfully-early time, there’s a good reason for picking those crack-of-dawn flights: “If you take that early morning flight, usually your plane landed the night before, so you don’t have the delays,” Mark explains.
“Also, when you go to check in, there’s not 3,000 extra people there. It’s just the first people flights that are there. So, it’s usually faster to get through security, faster to check in, faster to get to your gate, that takes a lot of the stress away.”
Additionally, Mark says, as the day wears on, any small delays tend to snowball and you’re much more likely to see a late evening flight delayed: “So, you’re going to travel for holidays or anything like that, don’t take the afternoon flight.
“Get up in the morning… suck it up, take that early morning flight so you have less chance for problems.”
Another one of Mark’s airport secrets is to try to use the loos nearest to the baggage reclaim, because they’re likely to be the cleanest and most pleasant to use.
He explains: “Think about it. When people get off the plane, they want to go to the bathroom right away. So, those bathrooms in the terminals by the busy gates, those get used a lot more than the other ones.
“All of them get cleaned, but the ones that aren’t used as much, they tend to they tend to stay cleaner longer. At baggage claim, no one’s thinking ‘I want to go to the bathroom’. They’re thinking, I want my luggage and I want to go home.’ So that would be a cleaner one to use.”
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
The dream of getting an F-14 Tomcat back up in American skies, discussed as a fantasy for the past two decades since the Navy retired the type, may actually become a reality.
Legislation making its way through Congress would allow the Navy to gift three retired F-14Ds to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center museum in Huntsville, Alabama, and open the door to one of the iconic jets potentially being returned to flight status. Companion bills in the Senate and House are both dubbed the “Maverick Act,” a clear reference to the Top Gun film franchise and the fictional Navy Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, played by star Tom Cruise.
Senator Tim Sheehy, a Montana Republican, introduced the Senate’s version of the Maverick Act on March 23. Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, co-sponsored that bill. Sheehy is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Navy SEAL. Kelly is also a retired naval aviator, who flew A-6 Intruders, and astronaut.In the House, Representative Abe Hamadeh, a Republican from Arizona and U.S. Army veteran, introduced the companion legislation with the same title on April 16. There are nine co-sponsors to Hamadeh’s bill, including one Democrat. The legislation cleared the Senate by unanimous consent on April 28, and the matter is now in the hands of the House.
A U.S. Navy F-14D Tomcat is silhouetted against the sun as it flies a mission over the Persian Gulf on December 4, 2005. DoD photo by Lt. j.g. Scott Timmester, U.S. Navy. (Released) Diana Nesukh
The last Navy F-14 was officially retired in September 2006 after 32 years of service to the fleet. Despite its retirement in the United States, the Tomcat has remained under extremely tight export controls due to its continued service in Iran, the only other country to ever operate the type.
The three Tomcats now earmarked for potential transfer are identified by their Navy serial numbers, or Bureau Numbers: 164341, 164602, and 159437. These are the only three F-14Ds currently in storage at the famed boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, per U.S. Air Force records. Three A variants and a pair of B models are also currently stored there. The current condition of any of these aircraft is unclear.
A satellite image showing some of the F-14s, as well as other aircraft, in storage at the boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. Google Earth
Sticking with the text of the Senate version at the time of writing for simplicity, the bill says the transfer of the F-14s to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, an air and space museum established by the government of Alabama in 1970, would be made at no cost to the government. “Any costs associated with such conveyance, costs of determining compliance with terms of the conveyance, and costs of operation and maintenance of the aircraft conveyed shall be borne by the Commission,” per the proposed legislation.
The bill explicitly states that the aircraft will “not have any capability for use as a platform for launching or releasing munitions or any other combat capability that it was designed to have.” It also lays out a series of conditions for the transfer, noting that the Secretary of the Navy would not be obligated to restore, repair, or otherwise modify the Tomcats before handing them over, but would provide accompanying maintenance and operations manuals along with any excess spare parts available.
A U.S. Navy F-14D Tomcat makes a near supersonic fly-by above the flight deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during the final launch of Tomcats as the ship operates in the Atlantic Ocean on July 28, 2006. DoD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Laird, U.S. Navy. (Released) Chief Petty Officer Nathan Laird
The matter of excess spare parts leads us to the most eye-catching section of the bill:
“The Secretary [of the Navy] shall provide excess spare parts to make one of the F-14D aircraft flyable or able to complete a static display, provided that any part transferred is from existing Navy stock, with no items being procured on behalf of the Commission.”
“The Secretary will not be responsible for transferring any additional parts or providing any additional support beyond what is stated in this section, during or after the conveyance of the aircraft,” the proposed legislation adds. As such, the Secretary of the Navy would allow the Commission to enter into agreements with relevant nonprofit organizations to help with restoring and operating the aircraft “for public display, airshows, and commemorative events to preserve naval aviation heritage.”
The transfer would also be made under the “condition that the Commission shall operate and maintain the aircraft in compliance with all applicable limitations and maintenance requirements imposed by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration,” the bill notes. “The Commission shall not convey any ownership interest in, or transfer possession of, the aircraft to another party without the prior approval of the Secretary.”
The Navy would reserve the right to immediately repossess the aircraft if either of the above terms were breached.
A retired F-14 is moved into position for static display at Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS JAX) in 2005. USN
“The Maverick Act of 2026 creates a narrow exception to the post-retirement restrictions that have destroyed nearly all F-14s, ensuring that its legacy is preserved,” according to a press release that Abe Hamadeh’s office put out on May 1. “The Maverick Act allows three of the world’s final Tomcats to be demilitarized and transferred for public display and education under strict national security safeguards. It does not restore combat capability or reopen foreign transfer.”
“I want to thank Senator Sheehy and his colleagues for passing this legislation aimed at preserving for history one of the most iconic aircraft ever flown,” Hamadeh said in an accompanying statement. “As a former U.S. Army officer, I know that many of the men and women I served with felt the same way. That is why I proudly introduced this legislation.”
It is worth noting that retired F-14s are on public display at various military bases and museums in the United States, but none are in flyable condition. Around it’s retirement, there had been unsuccessful pushes in the past to try to get a Tomcat back into the air in private hands, including by the late Dale “Snort” Snodgrass, a legendary naval aviator and F-14 pilot, who performed official Navy Tomcat demos at airshows for many years.
The prospect of getting a ‘warbird’ Tomcat flying has remained a persistent topic of popular discussion, but has long seemed largely impossible due to bureaucratic red tape, as well as the cost and complexity of doing so. TWZ stressed these points when it emerged that a non-flying F-14 would feature in the sequel to 1986’s Top Gun, Top Gun: Maverick, which hit theaters in 2022. The U.S. military was heavily involved in the production of both movies. The original film cemented the place of the F-14 and the Navy’s TOPGUN program in popular culture.
TOP GUN | Official Trailer | Paramount Movies
Top Gun: Maverick – Official Trailer (2022) – Paramount Pictures
A key factor in all of this has been that the story of the Tomcat is inseparably linked to Iran, which received a fleet of F-14As before the fall of the Shah in 1979. The Islamic Republic that emerged afterward continued to operate the jets despite the U.S. government cutting off support. American authorities also moved to impose very tight controls on access to retired F-14 airframes and spare parts, and many of the aircraft were destroyed outright as they left Navy service because of this.
Intriguingly, the prospect of having an F-14 flying again in the United States may have become more likely as a result of the latest conflict with Iran. As TWZ has previously reported, joint U.S. and Israeli strikes between February and April may well have finally put an end to the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force’s (IRIAF) Tomcat operations for good.
Even before the conflict, Iran likely only had a handful of serviceable Tomcats. For example, only one example appeared at the Kish Air Show in 2024, as you can read about here.
An IRIAF F-14A from the 8th Tactical Air Base at Isfahan participates in the 2024 Kish Air Show. @tower_eye, Tango Six
Still, even if the Maverick bill is passed and signed into law, there would be many more hurdles before an F-14 could return to the air. After many years spent in the desert boneyard, the Tomcat would require deep inspections to ensure its structure and critical subsystems were fully functional and compliant with the Federal Aviation Administration’s certification requirements.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jesse L. Alvarado ensures the tail hook of a F-14D Tomcat of Fighter Attack Squadron 31 is properly seated during his pre-launch checks aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) on March 26, 2005. DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class James E. Foehl, U.S. Navy. (Released) War.gov
Just getting the F-14 back to flight status would be massively labor-intensive and very expensive. Keeping the jet in the air would also require considerable funds, with the Tomcat being notoriously maintenance-heavy. Flying the jet regularly would impose high costs, including fuel. The F-14 holds roughly 2,280 gallons of fuel internally. So filling up the jet with a single tank of gas would run around $14,500 at today’s jet fuel prices. This jumps up considerably with external fuel tanks, which add another 534 gallons to the price tag. It can burn this fuel load very fast, especially during high-performance airshow routines.
Complex, supersonic swing-wing jets have periodically appeared at U.S. airshows, specifically the Soviet-era MiG-23 Flogger. In 2023, a privately owned MiG-23UB crashed at the Thunder Over Michigan airshow in Ypsilanti, Michigan, highlighting the challenges of operating these kinds of jets in private hands.
The next aviation project has arrived in the hangar. The Tornado F2. She can fly low and very fast w/ a variable-sweep wing. I imagine it will take a year but she will fly again. pic.twitter.com/sdZvbuL4qO
Whether or not the Maverick Act becomes law, or if the U.S. Space & Rocket Center returns an F-14 to U.S. skies, the legislation is a notable new development in the Tomcat’s story. It could have broader impacts, as well. On several occasions in the past, members of Congress have proposed legislation to curtail private operators from flying former advanced U.S. military aircraft, in general.
When it comes to the possibility of a Tomcat back in the air, while it is certain to be a big challenge, it is fair to say that no other single aircraft has more of a draw in popular culture and more pull in the public consciousness. There are likely to be many people with a lot of money who would be eager to get behind an initiative to get one of the jets back in the air if the opportunity presents itself.
Overall, turning the idea of a ‘warbird’ Tomcat from fantasy into reality would be extremely welcome among Top Gun movie lovers, loyal fans of the F-14, Naval Aviation veterans and aficionados, and the aviation heritage community at large.
Author’s note: Special thanks to @Osinttechnical on X for bringing this to our attention.
IF you’re having a night out at Wetherspoons, you can expect to drop around £25 for a bottle of wine.
But skip the bottle next time and you could fly somewhere to a beautiful beach instead – sometimes with some cash to spare.
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From Portugal to Spain, lots of beach destinations have flights in May for under £25Credit: AlamyBiarritz is less visited by Brits but has a fantastic coastlineCredit: Alamy
Of course, a bottle is always cheaper at a supermarket, but sometimes you just want to have a night out with your mates.
But there are lots of flights from the UK this month that are under £25 – so we’ve found 10 of the best which have a beautiful beach as well.
Faro
The Portuguese town is used as a gateway to the Algarve but it has its own amazing beaches too. Try Isla Deserta, home to just one restaurant but beautiful stretches of sand.
EasyJet has flights there for £19.99 when flying from London Southend or London Luton.
Did you know Alghero is often caleld Little Barcelona?Credit: Alamy
Santander
The northern part of Spain shouldn’t be overlooked, not least for its amazing ‘pitxos’ snacks – grab a bunch with some cheap wine to the El Sardinero beaches for a relaxing afternoon.
Flights are £14.99 this month with Ryanair, and you can fly from both Birmingham and Manchester for the bargain fare.
Alghero
Did you know Italy has its own ‘Little Barcelona? Sardinia’s Alghero is just as beautiful especially with its white sand beaches.
Ryanair flights are £15.99 when flying from London Stansted.
Dubrovnik
The Croatian city of Dubrovnik has more to it than it’s Game of Thrones popularity, in the form of Banje Beach right by the Old Town.
Ryanair flights from London Stansted are £16.99.
Madeira
The Portuguese island of Madeira has some of Europes most beautiful mountains to hike, with some fantastic beaches underneath.
£16.99 flights with Ryanair take off from Manchester this month.
Madeira is known for its amazing hikes as well as the beachesCredit: AlamyThe north coast of Spain including Santander shouldn’t be missedCredit: Getty
Fuerteventura
When it comes to Spanish islands, Fuerteventura is often overlooked in favour of its neighbours Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.
But fly there with easyJet for £19.99 from Birmingham and make the most of Sotavento Beach.
Beziers
In the south of France, Beziers has four nearby beaches to choose from – Portirangues Plage, Serignan Plage, Valras Plage and Vias Plage.
Flights from London Luton to Béziers Cap d’Agde with Ryanair start from £21.99.
Choose from one of four beaches in BeziersCredit: Alamy
Barcelona
Spain‘s second city is know for its beautiful beach, and now is a great time to go following the latest competition of the Sagrada Familia.
Fly with Ryanair from Edinburgh for 14.99. Or fly with Wizz Air from Luton for around £20.
Newquay
Don’t fancy leaving the UK? Newquay is often compared to the Med and if you don’t fancy getting the train, Ryanair has £14.99 flights from London Stansted.
JUST a few hours from the UK is a vibrant Spanish city that holds an uncanny resemblance to Cuba’s Havana.
Cadiz, that sits on the coast of southern Spain, is the perfect mix of city by sea, not to mention it’s seeing soaring temperatures this week.
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The city of Cadiz is called the ‘Cuba of Europe’Credit: AlamyIt’s been compared to Havana in Cuba with colourful buildings and narrow streetsCredit: Alamy
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Cadiz is nicknamed the “Cuba of Europe” thanks to its tall, colourful architecture and narrow cobbled streets.
It has a vibrant carnival culture too, holding one of Spain’s ‘most vibrant’ festivals with street parties, music, and elaborate costumes.
Meanwhile, Havana annually holds the second largest carnival in Cuba.
Cadiz has its sea-facing promenade Campo del Sur, and Cuba has El Malecón – both have similar looks with pastel-coloured buildings and of course sit by the ocean.
For Brits, Cadiz is much easier to explore with it being in Spain and as little as two and a half hours way rather than as many as 16 hours to Havana.
The city in Spain gets weather too – this week, it’s seeing highs of 25C.
In peak summer months, Cadiz gets average highs of 28C and usually no rain.
When it comes to dining out Cadiz is a great spot as it’s pretty cheap – you can get a beer from €3 (£2.61), coffee from €2.17 (£1.89) and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant from €14.50 (£12.61), according to numbeo.
A few years ago, Cadiz was named one of the cheapest places in Spain for a city break.
And when one Travel Writer visited, she hopped on public transport for as little as €1 (87p) and picked up bottles of wine for less than €4 (£3.48) at the supermarket.
As for the city’s food scene, visitors will often find restaurants serving traditional Andalusian tapas like tortillitas de camarones – crispy fritters made with tiny local shrimp.
Or if you fancy living like the locals do, head to Mercado Central de Abastos which is Spain‘s oldest covered market where you’ll find lots of fresh food.
It said: “Cádiz’s Carnaval is Spain’s biggest annual party, bringing extravagantly costumed revelers to its streets for 10 days of parades, fireworks, singing and dancing in February or March, to the accompaniment of more than 300 local murgas (bands).
“Pack a costume and book your accommodations months in advance or commute from nearby El Puerto de Santa María.”
Cadiz is just a few hours from the UK with highs of 25C this weekCredit: Alamy
For more on Spain – here are some of our favourite holiday spots…
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Hotel Best Punta Dorada, Salou
The Spanish resort is a popular destination near PortAventura World, a theme park with over 40 attractions and huge rollercoasters. It’s also close to sandy beaches like Platja de Llevant, and the scenic Camí de Ronda coastal walk.The hotel itself has an outdoor swimming pool to enjoy, as well as two bars along with evening entertainment and shows.
With its palm tree-lined pool and Mediterranean backdrop, it’s a miracle this Majorca resort is so affordable. Expect a classic family holiday feel – where days revolve around soaking up the Spanish sunshine, chilling by the spacious pool and sipping on frozen cocktails. Set away from the busier resorts, it’s a good option if you’re after a more out-of-the-way escape.
The Magic Aqua Rock Gardens Hotel is African-themed and less than a mile from the beach. It has two outdoor pools, including a children’s freshwater pool with a waterfall and a tipping water bucket for the little ones. There’s also an aquapark with slides, and a kids club for both younger children and teens.
For a calmer side of Ibiza, this hillside resort has two pools, a kids’ splash zone, and an all-inclusive buffet with a poolside bar. It’s a 10-minute walk from Cala Llonga’s shallow turquoise bay, offering a scenic, family-friendly base away from the island’s main party zone.
You can pick up cheap beer and wine in CadizCredit: Alamy
When it comes to what to see, Travel Reporter Jenna Stevens who recently visited the city, gives her verdict.
She said: “In Spain’s quieter Costa de la Luz, sunny Cadiz is where the locals like to holiday – and has even been compared to the likes of Cuba.
“The southern Spanish city has the best of Andalusian culture, with charming narrow streets overlooked by the impressive 18th century Cádiz Cathedral.
“The cathedral itself is well worth a visit, with an £7 ticket granting you access inside, as well as the top of the tower, the crypts and exhibitions.
“Plus this area comes alive in the evenings, with a vintage carousel in the same plaza and buskers playing the guitar.
“When you’re not strolling the narrow streets lined with tapas bars and cafes, you must make sure to tick off the beaches in Cadiz.
“Playa la Caleta is a small stretch of sand that sits between two castles (and was used to filmthat Halle Berry moment in James Bond) whilst Playa Victoria has white sand and a lengthy promenade to stroll.”
For those who want to organise a getaway to Cadiz you can get flights from £38 departing from London Stansted in May with Jet2.
The cost is slightly more expensive it you want to go immediately with one-way flights this week starting from £54 from Birmingham (involving a long stop-over in Majorca).
You can’t fly directly to Cadiz, but the nearest airport, Jerez, is just a 35-minute drive away.
