Flying

WANT a getaway but don’t want the hassle of flying? Well, you can see amazing destinations across and within reach of the UK, just by sailing.

Whether you want to see dramatic landscapes or explore beaches that make you feel as if you are in the Caribbean, sailing to destinations can achieve just that.

UK ferry industry body, Discover Ferries, and its 12 operator members have shared the 10 most scenic and iconic ferry routes that you can try out across the UK and further afield.

Abby Penlington, director of Discover Ferries, said: “Ferry travel is not just a mode of transport but a premier sightseeing platform.

“There are so many fantastic sights on our doorstep, from Britain’s own Hebridean fjords to the turquoise waters and white sands of the Isles of Scilly, these routes offer a visual scale that other forms of travel simply cannot replicate.”

Oban to Castlebay

The Hebridean waterway is often dubbed ‘Britain’s fjords’ due to its jagged coastlines, ancient castles and colourful seafront homes of Tobermory.

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You can hop on a ferry and travel through the Sound of Mill before heading onto the open sea to travel to Castlebay with the Caledonian MacBrayne from just £19.05 per adult.

Oban is the busiest port in Scotland and located directly in the pretty coastal town.

Known as the seafood capital of Scotland due to its supply of fresh and locally-sourced fish, the town is surrounded by miles of pretty coastline and dramatic landscapes.

When you get off at Castlebay, on the Isle of Barra, you can explore Kisimul Castle, which is also known as the ‘Castle in the sea’.

The 15th century fortress is the ancestral seat of Clan MacNeil and is the only remaining medieval castle in the region.

Plus, you can only get to it by boat.

France to Dover

When you are on a boat, ferry or ship and are heading towards the White Cliffs of Dover, you can’t help but be impressed.

The chalk-formed cliffs essentially act as a gateway to England.

You can sail from either Calais or Dunkirk with DFDS, Irish Ferries or P&O Ferries with day returns starting from £44 per car.

There are other attractions you can explore in Dover as well, such as wartime tunnels and a Bronze Age Boat at Dover Museum.

Holyhead to Dublin

The journey from Holyhead to Dublin is bookended by mountains so is ideal for those who love to see impressive and breathtaking landscapes.

In Holyhead you will leave the mountains of Snowdonia behind and as you arrive into Dublin you’ll see the Irish Alps (Wicklow Mountains).

Day trips cost from £10 with Irish Ferries or Stena Line.

There is a lot to see and do in Dublin including heading to the famous Guinness Storehouse, which is a multi-story experience with a panoramic rooftop bar.

If history is more of your thing, then head to Dublin Castle and explore the state apartments and sprawling gardens.

Penzance to The Isles of Scilly

Down in Cornwall, you can see the deep-blue Atlantic ocean transform into crystal clear waters that will remind you of the Caribbean but actually belong to The Isles of Scilly.

The Penzance to the Isles of Scilly route is named one of the best for wildlife spotting, with passengers often seeing whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals.

And this year is the last year that travellers can sail across on the Scillonian III, which has served the island for over four decades.

When exploring the Isles of Scilly, you will see numerous white-sand beaches, historic ruins and subtropical gardens.

For example, head to the Tresco Abbey Garden which is spread across 17 acres and features exotic plants from around the world.

Hiking is great on the island as well and you will most likely spot puffins if you visit this spring.

Lymington to Yarmouth

The picturesque fishing town of Lymington in the New Forest is a pretty place itself to explore, but you can also head towards the Isle of Wight which is another picturesque spot to discover.

On a clear day, you will be lucky enough to see the Needles, which are three iconic stacks of chalk rock and are visible from the deck.

As you approach Yarmouth, you will see Yarmouth’s pier, which is the longest timber pier in England.

If you travel at dusk you might see one of the pretty sunsets and arrive on the island at the ideal time to stargaze.

Day return tickets with Wightlink start from £22.20.

Arriving in medieval St Malo

When you arrive at St Malo in Brittany, France, you will be greeted by a walled Breton city with ancient spires.

According to Discover Ferries, it is said, “A wave of emotion washes over anyone who beholds Saint-Malo, so striking and proud…Spellbinding!”.

You can travel with Brittany Ferries on a day return from Portsmouth to St Malo from £63 per person based on two sharing an en suite cabin both ways, or book an adult day trip with DFDS via Jersey from £32.

In St Malo, visitors can head to a number of pretty beaches on the Emerald Coast or head on a mile-long walk to the 12th-century city walls with panoramic views of the sea.

Embankment to Greenwich

If you are in the capital, head on the Uber Boat by Thames Clipper to see some of the city.

You can hop on and hop off at some of London’s most iconic sights such as the Houses of Parliament, the Shard, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

A one-day hop on, hop off ticket costs £25.40 per adult.

Make the most of hopping on and off the boat by exploring the major landmarks.

For example, you can stop off at Battersea Power Station and see the building that once used to produce a fifth of London’s power supply.

Or jump off at Tower Bridge and walk across the bridge to see the city’s skyline from a new angle.

Southampton to Cowes

Cowes’ harbour on the Isle of Wight is known for being full of Victorian charm and maritime heritage.

You can head on the ‘Chain Ferry’ or Floating Bridge service which connects West and East Cowes.

Adults can sail with Red Funnel from £14 each way.

Cowes is a great destination for those who love spotting luxury boats, as the marina is full of yachts.

In the town centre you can then explore lots of independent shops and cafes as well.

Heysham to Isle of Man

As you set sail from Heysham, you will leave the rolling hills of the Lake District and Morecambe’s sandy beach before the Isle of Man – the Jewel of the Irish Sea – comes into view.

As you approach the island, you will see the Tower of Refuge on Conister Rock, which is built on a partially submerged reef.

You can sail with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company from £26 each way.

The Isle of Man is a great spot for those who love Viking history, as you can head to the Manx Museum, which has historical artefacts from the Viking period and information about Celtic heritage.

There’s also Peel Castle, which dates back to the 11th century and the House of Manannan, which is an interactive museum based on the island’s Celtic and Viking roots.

Sailing into Rotterdam

If you are wanting to explore further afield, you could head to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The city is dubbed the ‘New York of Northern Europe‘ due to its skyline which is visible from the port.

Sail with P&O Ferries from £144 one way or from £95.40 each way with Stena Line.

When it comes to exploring Rotterdam, the city features a huge market with more than 100 food spots.

Make sure to look up at the ceiling when in the market hall, as often there are digital butterflies flitting around.

You can also see the iconic cube houses just opposite the market.

For more no-fly holidays, there’s an English Channel cruise with island hopping, seawater pools and dining with the captain.

Plus, the no-flight holiday abroad dubbed the’ Parisian Riviera’ – and it costs just £39 to get there.

The U.S. Air Force has given us our first look at one of Anduril’s YFQ-44 Fury ‘fighter drone’ prototypes carrying an inert AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).

“The Air Force has entered the next phase of developmental testing for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, initiating disciplined weapons integration and captive carry evaluations using inert test munitions to validate airworthiness, safety, and systems performance,” according to an Air Force press release put out this evening. “This milestone represents a deliberate step forward in integrating CCA into the Air Force’s future force design.”

“CCA program officials emphasized that this phase remains developmental and focused on safe systems integration — not operational employment,” the release also noted. “The use of inert test weapons allows engineers and test pilots to evaluate performance characteristics and separation safety in a controlled environment without live ordnance.”

“Throughout development and testing, a human retains authority over weapons release decisions,” the Air Force has also stressed. “CCA is designed to operate within established command structures and legal frameworks that govern all Air Force weapons systems.”

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach first announced this new development at the Air & Space Forces Association’s annual Warfare Symposium, at which TWZ is attendence. The YFQ-44 is one of two designs now under development as part of the first phase, or Increment 1, of the service’s CCA program. The other is General Atomics’ YFQ-42A Dark Merlin. No images have yet been released of the YFQ-42A carrying inert munitions.

Renderings have previously been shown of Fury carrying AIM-120s under its wings. The design, at least as it exists now, does not have an internal munitions bay. Anduril has also talked about weapons testing as part of its larger plans for the ongoing development of the YQ-44A in the past.

“We are following the same detailed approach used in every other aircraft developmental test program to validate structural performance, flight characteristics and safe separation,” Wilsbach said in a statement accompanying the release. “This ensures the CCA can safely integrate inert weapons before future employment.”

“CCA is a critical part of a larger, integrated system-of-systems that will give our warfighters the overwhelming advantage,” Wilsbach added. “This program is about delivering a network of effects that will sense, strike, and shield our forces in contested environments. We are empowering our teams to take smart risks and deliver this capability faster, ensuring we can deter, and if necessary, defeat any adversary.”

What other munitions beyond the AIM-120 may be included in the weapons integration and captive carry test plan remains to be seen. The Air Force has said in the past that future operational CCA drones are expected to be armed with AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missiles (JATM). JATM, which is still in development, is the planned successor to the AMRAAM.

The Air Force is not the first to fly a CCA-type drone with an AIM-120. Australian authorities, together with Boeing, announced the first live test shot of an AMRAAM from an MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone in December. You can read more about that milestone here.

Uncrewed MQ-28 Ghost Bat showcases its combat capability

In November, Turkish drone-maker Baykar had also announced a similar test involving its fighter-like Kizilelma. The drone fired a Turkish-made radar-guided Gökdoğan air-to-air missile in that instance.

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The beginning of weapons integration and captive carry testing is still an important development for the U.S. Air Force CCA program, and Increment 1 more specifically. Both the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A only made their first flights in the second half of last year.

Carrying air-to-air missiles is exactly what these drones were intended to do, at least to start. CCAs will also help increase the sensor reach of crewed fighters they’re teamed with. Overall, the Air Force sees CCAs as providing critical combat mass while helping to reduce risk and providing new tactical possibilities, especially potential high-end fights against opponents such as China.

The Air Force has yet to decide which Increment 1 CCA, or both, it wants to buy in larger numbers. Whatever the Air Force chooses will be set to become its first operational ‘fighter drones’ intended to carry live munitions into real combat alongside crewed companions.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com

TUI, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and British Airways rules on flying with pets including the airlines that do allow you to bring animals into the cabin

Every pet owner has found themselves missing their cuddly companion when away from home. If you’re particularly close to your dog or cat, you might even be wondering whether it’s possible to take them with you. Policies vary from airline to airline, as does the cost. It’s also worth checking the requirements for bringing pets to your destination, as well as returning to the UK with your pet, as you’ll need to follow a number of steps to get them through customs.

Here’s what some popular airlines say about travelling with animals.

TUI

Pets aren’t allowed in the cabin of TUI’s aircraft, although registered assistance dogs can travel with their owners for free. Any other animals need to travel in the hold, and TUI say pets will usually go on the same flight as their owners. Its website reassures owners that: “The hold is pressurised and at the same temperature as the passenger cabin.”

Pets need to be kept in a travel box with a water bowl, and cannot be medically sedated, although herbal calming products cam be used. Owners will need to call or email TUI beforehand to check whether their pet can be accommodated, as some routes have restrictions, and to arrange for their pet’s travel in advance.

EasyJet

EasyJet’s policy is clear: “Animals are not allowed on our flights, apart from recognised registered guide and assistance dogs.” Animals can not be carried in the cabin or hold.

Passengers travelling with assistance dogs will need to contact the special assistance team in advance, at least 48 hours before the flight, and will need to provide documents that the pet is a trained assistance dog. The dog will also need an animal health certificate, or pet passport if accepted, and the necessary vaccination certificates depending on the destination.

Ryanair

Ryanair also say: “We do not carry animals on board any Ryanair flights, except guide/assistance dogs on certain routes.” Assistance dogs need to be registered with an organisation such as Assistance Dogs International (ADI), Assistance Dogs UK, or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).

Ryanair added: “Emotional support or therapy dogs that are not recognized as assistance dogs by the above organizations are not permitted to travel with Ryanair.” It also has a list of requirements for assistance dogs on its website.

Jet2

Jet2 does not allow pets in the cabin or hold, and assistance dogs are the only animals allowed onboard. Assistance dogs travel with their owner for free, and Jet2 advise that passengers should contact their Assisted Travel Team before travelling so arrangements can be made.

It advises: “Please note an additional seat may be required to ensure there is enough floor space for the assistance dog to lie down, and if this is the case, an additional charge may be applicable depending on the size of the assistance dog.” Jet2 also warned: “If the assistance needs (including carriage of assistance dogs) of customers on the same flight create conflicting health issues, we reserve the right to decide how the conflict shall be resolved at our absolute discretion.”

British Airways (BA)

BA advise that all pets must be carried in the hold on flights to and from the UK. It has partnered with cargo services that specialise in the transport of pets, details of which can be found on its travelling with pets page.

BA warn: “British Airways is unable to accept emotional support dogs for travel in the cabin on any British Airways operated flights. Your emotional support dog can travel as a pet.” However, it also makes an exception for assistance dogs, which can travel free of charge in the cabin. Assistance dogs will need to be registered and trained with a suitable organisation, and the dog will need to be registered ahead of the flight’s departure.

Air France

Air France is one of the few European airlines to allow pets in the cabin, but there are restrictions. It only allows cats or dogs up to 8kg in weight, and up to 75kg in total with its carrier. Pets over this size must go into the hold.

Owners will need to contact Air France before they travel and check the strict list of requirements. Certain breeds with snub-noses will need to be cleared by a vet to fly. This includes pugs, bulldogs, and Persian cats. Pets can’t travel in the cabin on intercontinental flights and aren’t allowed in business class.

Vueling

Spanish airline Vueling also allow some pets onboard including dogs, cats, birds, and turtles, although they must be kept inside a carrier at all times when in the cabin. It does not allow pets in the hold.

The maximum weight for pets travelling on Vueling is 10kg including the carrier, and it’ll need to go under the seat in front of you. Pet owners will need to check the requirements for their destination country and should contact the airline to book their pet’s space.

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In November 2025, Ryanair also made a major change to its ticketing system by discontinuing the use of physical tickets

It’s no secret that Ryanair is among the UK’s most popular airlines. Between 2024 and 2025, it celebrated reaching 200 million passengers, a first for any European airline in a one-year period.

Yet future passengers should know that a single oversight could incur a hefty charge. Dealing with this at the airport generally costs £55 in the UK, £30 (€30) for departures from Spain, and even £40 (€40) for departures from Austria. The fee is charged per passenger, per ‘sector’, which includes connections.

You may be surprised to learn that the mistake is simply forgetting or choosing not to check in with Ryanair before arriving at the airport. Customers are urged to check in for flights ahead of their journeys and use a Digital Boarding Pass (DBP).

Official online advice from Ryanair explains: “All Ryanair passengers will still receive email reminders to check-in online 48 and 24hrs predeparture. If any passenger arrives at airport but hasn’t checked in online (having ignored these reminders), they will still be required to pay the airport check-in fee.”

In November 2025, Ryanair made a major change to its ticketing system by discontinuing the use of physical tickets at most airports and instead operating as ‘100%’ DBPs. This scheme, originally planned for May 2025, aims to lower costs, save approximately 300 tonnes of paper annually, and enable travellers to receive direct flight updates.

To get one, travellers should check in online via the website or the Ryanair App, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. After check-in, a DBP will automatically show up in the Ryanair App. This should be presented at airport security and the boarding gate before flights.

Overall, the budget airline insists that this method is ‘quicker, easier’ and results in ‘less stress’ compared to using paper tickets. Plus, travellers should still be able to board the flight even if their phones are lost or run out of battery.

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This is primarily because personnel will have each traveller’s ‘sequence number’ at the departure gate. Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary explained on The Independent’s daily travel podcast last year: “The big concern that people have is: ‘What happens if I lose my battery or what if I lose my phone?’

“…If you lose your phone, no issue. As long as you’ve checked in before you got to the airport, we’ll reissue a paper boarding pass at the airport free of charge.”

Advice on Ryanair’s website mirrors this, adding: “If you have already checked in online and you lose your smartphone or tablet (or it dies), your details are already on our system and you will be assisted at the gate.”

Despite this, it’s important to note that Ryanair isn’t the only airline to issue check-in fees at airports. Wizz Air similarly charges between €40 and €50 for airport check-ins, which also apply per flight, per passenger.

For more information on airline fees, refer to Ryanair’s fee list here or Wizz Air’s fee list here.

How can I check in online with Ryanair?

1. Visit Ryanair.com or access the Ryanair app on your device.
2. Log in to your existing account or create a new one if needed.
3. Click on the ‘Check-in’ option.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions and enter the required details from your travel documents.
5. Once check-in is complete, either print out your boarding pass or save it to your mobile device for easy access.

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