Holiday tips tricks and hacks

A FORMER flight attendant has revealed some of her shocking mile-high experiences – from love rat pilots to passenger deaths.

Alanna Pow joined the cabin crew when she was just 19-years-old and worked on short-haul flights for three years before leaving the industry behind.

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The 22-year-old, who is now a model with three million followers across social media @alannasworldx,liked her job but admits certain situations could be very challenging.

And she was left stunned by some of the things she witnessed.

“What happens on flights is crazy,” said Alanna.

“For one thing, passengers die on planes more than people think.

“On our way from Melbourne to Cairns, an old man was in the toilet for half an hour or so.

“We opened the door to check on him and his body fell out onto my colleague.

“He was unresponsive and his poor wife was on the plane.

“We have a defibrillator onboard so we tried to resuscitate him, but it was too late.

“So, we just had to lay the passenger’s body down on the floor until we landed.

“What flight attendants go through and what we have to be trained in makes me sad.

“I was only 21 at the time and it’s such a big responsibility.”

The adult model also revealed that romances between cabin crew, pilots and passengers are rife.

She herself admits to having flings with three pilots – and even once hooked up with a passenger who slipped her his business card in first class.

Alanna said: “Some pilots are so flirty that you get warned about them by other colleagues and they can do what they want, because they’re in charge of the plane.

“Most of them are cheats.

“I slept with three pilots and one had a girlfriend.

“Sometimes they would see my name on the sheet and invite me into the cockpit for take-off and landing.

“One pilot would come over to mine when he had layovers even though he had a girlfriend, which was really bad.

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“When you have stopovers, all the cabin crew and pilots spend it together.”

Alanna also shared two tips for passengers who want a smooth ride.

She said: “Always be nice to flight attendants.

“And always have cash on you in the right currency to bribe people if your bag is overweight.”

The model quit flying and joined OnlyFans in 2023 after rumours circulated that she was already an adult star.

She said: “Passengers and colleagues always assumed I was on OnlyFans before I was because of my body type and the photos that I posted on Instagram.

“They weren’t too crazy but because I had really big boobs they always were out.

“I love flying and I love traveling as every flight attendant would say, though it got a bit boring after one year because the flights I was on were domestic.

“And the early mornings and long hours are hard.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back to a normal job.”

PLANE passengers need to be aware of this one boarding pass code which could land you the worst seat on the entire plane.

Although these tickets are small, they hold a wealth of information about flight details – some of which could impact where you are sat.

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At the bottom of a typical boarding pass there is often a SEQ number, according to Simple Flying.

This is also known as the “sequence number”.

It refers to the passenger boarding order for the flight.

For example, if your ticket reads SEQ08, it would mean you are the eighth person to check in.

With this information, you may be able to determine what seat you have been allocated.

Some airlines reportedly assign seats in the order of how travellers have checked in.

This means that people who were last to show up may be given a less desirable seat, reports say.

The SEQ code could also cause issues if the passenger is one of the last people to check in and the flight is full. 

In Groups

Other codes on boarding passes include the group number, with airlines like Air Canada and Finnair using these.

This code is designed to help make boarding easier.

It usually reads as something like “Group 1” or “Group 2”, which staff then call out at the gate.

These groups are often assigned based on things like families, passengers with disabilities and seating class. 

Enhanced Screening

Another common code on a boarding pass is “SSSS”.

This stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection – and works as an thorough security check.

It was created by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US.

Passengers who notice it on their boarding ticket should expect an “enhanced” screening.

This can take longer than normal security checks.

And it can sometimes cause delays for travellers who don’t anticipate this factor.

Overbooking

Some airlines can also overbook planes.

When everyone turns up without anyone pulling out of the flight, those who check in last are at risk of being transferred to a different flight. 

Another code that appears on boarding passes is the booking reference or reservation number.

The Passenger Name Record (PNR) is a six-digit alphanumeric code that appears on each and every boarding pass. 

This randomly-generated sequence labels you as a unique passenger.

It can help distinguish you in case you share an exact first and last name with another person on your plane. 

Every passenger’s PNR is essentially a detailed travel itinerary which includes a trove of data.

This includes things like flight details to meal preferences and even frequent flyer status.

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ACCIDENTS can always happen when you are travelling – but did you know there are secret codes for different emergency situations?

Whether travelling across the globe on a flight or setting sail on a cruise to the Med, staff have several codes for different situations that need to be addressed.

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Whilst many are to alert something less serious, there are some codes that signify something more horrifying is happening.

Here’s a run down of the codes you might hear at the airport or on planes, cruise ships and trains – and what they really mean.

Planes

For most passengers, their worst nightmare is hearing there is a problem whilst flying.

And by using codes, cabin crew often are able to communicate with each other without alerting passengers.

For example, ‘Code 300’ or ‘Angel’ means that a passenger has died on board the plane.

If this happens, passengers will hear ‘Angel’ being used by flight staff, where they will then communicate on what to do including potentially moving the body away from other passengers.

Another code, ‘Squawk 7500’ or ‘Hotel’ rather scarily signals a hijacking.

Pilots will send the transponder code ‘Squawk 7500’ to air traffic control to alert them that the plane is in danger without actually explaining the situation or alerting passengers.

However, passengers may hear ‘Hotel 7500’ to indicate the emergency.

If you hear ‘Pan-Pan’, then it means there is a serious, but non-life-threatening incident on board – this could be mechanical or medical.

There are codes for less serious situations too including ‘Code Yellow’ which alerts staff to a minor medical situation, such as a passenger feeling sick.

Similarly, if you hear ‘Mermaid’ there isn’t anything to worry about – flight crew just used the term to refer to a passenger who is spreading themselves out across more than one seat.

Airports

You won’t just hear codes on the plane, but you might also hear them being announced in the airport.

For example, ‘Code Adam’ means a child has gone missing and is announced to begin a search for the child, including securing exits in case of a potential child abduction.

According to The Telegraph, ‘Code Bravo‘ alerts a general security issue.

There are also a number of codes you might not necessarily hear at the airport, but are used behind the scenes to communicate different issues.

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For example, according to The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the code ‘DF’ means that the aircraft has experienced damage, due to incidents such as a bird strike or lightning.

Alternatively, the code ‘DG’ means that an aircraft has damage from ground operations, such as a collision.

Code ‘FS’ signifies there is a flight crew shortage and code ‘FC’ suggests there is a cabin crew shortage.

And code ‘FB’ means that the captain of a flight has requested a security check.

Cruise ships

According to The Telegraph, passengers won’t want to hear ‘Operation Rising Star’on a cruise ship, which means a passenger has passed away.

Alternatively, ‘Operation Bright Star’ or ‘Blue Star’, means there is a medical emergency onboard.

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‘Code Alpha’ can also mean there is a medical emergency onboard.

If someone has fallen overboard, you’ll hear ‘Code Oscar‘ and rather scarily, ‘Code Echo’ means the ship is at risk of colliding with another ship.

Alternatively, if you hear ‘Code Charlie’, there is a security threat on the ship.

There are some less serious codes as well that you could hear including ‘PVI’, which stands for ‘public vomiting incident’.

And ‘Code Zulu’ flags that a fight has broken out onboard.

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Trains

For commuters or people heading to different destinations in the UK on the train, you could also hear some secret codes.

For example, you might hear someone asking for ‘Inspector Sands’ which means there is a fire.

Depending where you are, the code you hear for fire could also be ‘Mr Sands’.

Different numbered codes between one and seven are also used to signify different cleaning tasks that are needed including blood, urine and vomit.

Experts have also shared five ways to escape a plane crash.

Plus, there is also a common parent trick used on flights that experts say should be banned for safety.

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A LITTLE-known resort with white sands, a Unesco-listed old town and beer for less than £2 tops a new listing of most affordable autumn beach breaks in Europe this year.

Nessebar, on a peninsula in Bulgaria, is No1 in budget airline easyJet’s Cheap Beach Index, thanks to its affordable hospitality and dependable deals on flights and hotels.

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The research analysed areas within easy reach of airports that offer affordable direct routes from the UK, and the costs of a typical holiday “basket” of essentials including beer, ice cream and family meals out.

The Budva Riviera in Montenegro came second, followed by Spain’s Costa de Almeria then Costa Dorada.

Next came Croatian towns Nin and Medulin.

Lisa Minot describes what makes these autumn breaks winners, and offers some great deals . . . 

NESSEBAR, BULGARIA

THIS little gem offers the best of both worlds with golden sands on South Beach and plenty of charm in the Old Town with its Roman and Ottoman architecture, 19th-century wooden houses and cobbled streets.

It’s not all culture, though – the resort has plenty to keep visitors happy with lots of bars and restaurants and a lively nightlife.

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The report found beers would cost on average £1.60, while a three-course meal will set you back around £22 for a couple.

GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H Festa Panorama, Nessebar is from £477pp including flights from Manchester departing on September 30, 23kg luggage and transfers.

See easyjet.com/en/holidays.

BUDVA RIVIERA, MONTENEGRO

LOCATED on Montenegro’s gorgeous Adriatic Coast, the Budva Riviera has more than 35km of stunning coastline.

There are several beaches, from the lively, expansive Jaz and Slovenska Plaza to the picturesque coves of Mogren.

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At its heart is the charming medieval Old Town (Stari Grad) with its Venetian walls and historic churches.

The index found beers will set you back just £1.90, a meal for two is £30 and ice creams a bargain £1.50.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the 4H Eurostars Queen of Montenegro is from £452pp, from Gatwick on September 30, 23kg luggage and transfers.

See easyjet.com/en/holidays.

COSTA DE ALMERIA, SPAIN

FOR a more authentic Spanish experience, distinct from the more crowded Costas, the Costa de Almeria is Europe’s only desert landscape, providing a dramatic backdrop.

Highlight is the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, a protected area with volcanic geology, hidden coves like Monsul and vast, unspoiled beaches for you to set aside the pressures of life.

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Roquetas de Mar is a perfect beachfront town with lots of shops, bars and restaurants close by.

The report found beers will cost just £3 and a meal for two £36.

GO: Seven nights’ half-board at the Best Roquetas Hotel, Costa de Almeria is from £372pp including flights from Southend on September 27, 23kg luggage and transfers.

See easyjet.com/en/holidays.

COSTA DORADA, SPAIN

ALWAYS among the best value of the Costas, this area is known as the Golden Coast – perfect for families with its long, gently shelving golden sand beaches.

Salou has a buzzing nightlife scene and direct access to the ever popular PortAventura World theme park.

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Head to Cambrils for great seafood restaurants while Tarragona has a magnificent Roman amphitheatre overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

The index found beers would cost £2.55 and a meal for a couple around £36.

GO: Seven nights’ R/O at the 3H Hotel Eurosalou is from £306pp including easyJet flights from Southend on September 30, 23kg luggage and transfers.

See travelsupermarket.com.

MEDULIN, CROATIA

THIS family-friendly resort on Croatia’s Istrian Coast stands out with its kilometre-long sandy Bijeca beach with shallow waters.

The sheltered bay is also ideal for watersports such as paddle boarding.

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For nature lovers, the rugged Cape Kamenjak reserve has stunning cliffs, secluded coves and walking trails.

The nearby city of Pula with its historic Roman remains, is a short bus ride away.

The report found beers would cost around £3.10 and a meal for two £40.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the 4H Park Plaza Belvedere Medulin is from £580pp including easyJet flights from Luton, 23kg luggage and transfers.

See love holidays.com.

NIN, CROATIA

THE ancient Croatian town is on an islet within a lagoon on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea.

Known as the birthplace of Croatian kings, its historic centre is linked to the mainland by two 16th-century stone bridges.

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Nin is famous for beautiful sandy lagoons, among them Queen’s Beach, a 3km stretch of sand in a shallow, warm bay.

Nearby, you can experience the tradition of applying therapeutic mud, renowned for its healing properties.

The index found beers were £3.20 and a meal for two £40.

GO: Seven nights’ self-catering in an apartment is from £473 in total, based on four sharing, from Sep 23 – novasol.co.uk.

Fly EasyJet from Gatwick to Zadar from £136pp return.

See easyjet.com.

SOME people enjoy netball or cross-stitch, but my hobby is booking holidays – and I’m really good at it.

I know a lot of people hate searching for a family holiday, working out what resort is best and whether it’s good value for money, but I enjoy it and it can save you A LOT of money.

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I treat it like a sport, and as a family of four, with two children aged 8 and 5, we have been on some brilliant budget breaks.

There is no better feeling than getting a really great deal for a week in the sun, and I’ve got some great tips to help you do the same.

I go through the flights, hotels and dates with a fine-tooth comb, working out little ways to save. 

It’s even easier to do this at the end of the school holidays or in the shoulder season, such as the October half term, because there are some great deals around.

I have been doing this since my early 20s, after picking up the habit from my dad – back then, the best bargains were on last-minute deals.

We used to pack our suitcases, and my dad would be on the phone to Teletext Holidays, nabbing a same-day bargain. 

His greatest achievement was booking a flight that had already started boarding. Although we’d never be able to do that now. 

However, it’s still a thrill when you lock in a trip for a bargain price. It makes the holiday instantly better. 

Sometimes it’s a small saving, like finding a cheaper airport transfer and saving £20, but sometimes my research pays off, saving hundreds, and nowadays it all adds up. 

Getting a package deal

Last year, I got my biggest saving yet on a family holiday to Greece. 

By booking everything individually, instead of going for a package deal, I saved over £1000 – which was a third of the price. 

I couldn’t believe it!

Having just moved house, we hadn’t booked anything for the summer, hoping to utilise the garden. 

But the end of term was approaching, and after months of grey skies and drizzle, I decided we needed a proper holiday. 

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Heading first to a popular holiday provider, I browsed the best deals across all six weeks of the kids’ school break. 

I didn’t have a set departure airport or destination in mind, and I kept the dates and length of time we’d be away flexible, which meant I had a wide range to choose from. 

At the time, Greece was coming up as the cheapest, and I narrowed it down to the Louis Apostolata Island Resort in Kefalonia.

The deal was pretty good. Flights from London, a week’s half-board in a four-star resort, a suitcase each and transfers to and from the airport in Greece for £3400.

But, since we hadn’t planned on a summer holiday, it was still over budget. 

That’s when I started looking into each aspect separately. I discovered that instead of flying with the designated airline, we could fly with Ryanair for half the cost. 

Flights were £140 return on the budget airline.

Since we didn’t need four suitcases, we just booked one between us for the week, immediately saving another £150 on the Ryanair flights. 

Going onto the hotel’s own website, I noticed that I could book directly with them, and the price was coming up a lot less.

They also had an offer on a room upgrade if you signed up for the mailing list. We actually ended up with a nicer room while paying less. 

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The only thing that wasn’t covered was transfers. On the package deal, a coach transfer was included, but it also stopped at a number of other hotels. 

When I looked it up, a taxi to the resort was only £80 return. 

However, even with this on top, we still saved a whopping £1001 on the whole trip, which in total cost £2300.  

We used the money we saved to book a weekend in Disneyland Paris in October.

Again, I booked everything separately, using the Eurotunnel to drive to France and booking a hotel close to the theme park with 2-day tickets for just £440 for all of us. 

Our trip only cost £1300. 

After saving money on our Greece trip, I told people that Disneyland only cost us £300! 

Book carefully

My advice would be to always book with reputable suppliers, because you could end up forking out more if they are not legitimate. 

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

I do like DIY holidays, but I am not against booking a package deal, and sometimes they are so good, I can’t beat them.

Our favourite places to shop for a package holiday are Jet2holidays and TUI.

Booking a package means you get extra protection for your holiday through regulators like ABTA, ATOL and ABTOT. 

This means you’ll get your money back on all aspects of the package in the event of any holiday disasters, like flight cancellations or issues at the hotel – which I wouldn’t have had with my DIY version.  

For peace of mind, some people prefer to pay extra and not have to think about that, but massive holiday disasters are rare so I am happy to take the risk. 

IT’S 3am at The Red Lion pub in Gatwick Airport and British Gas field engineer Sam Singleton is in a French maid’s outfit, waving a feather duster and clutching a pint of Guinness.

His 17-strong stag group is having the typical pre-flight drinks that have become a rite of passage for Brits jetting off abroad.

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While many pubs are struggling to survive during the cost-of-living crisis, those operating at UK airports are reporting that business is on the up and up.

And it’s not just plentiful food offerings and the sociable atmosphere that are bringing in travellers in droves — terminal pubs remain one of the only places where it is socially acceptable to have a pint at 5am.

Sam, 34, from Crawley, West Sussex, says: “I’m dressed like this because I’m getting married in four weeks to my beautiful fiancee, Erin.

“We’ve had a few drinks and a really good laugh. I couldn’t imagine starting a stag in any other way, to be honest.”

The Sun on Sunday spent 24 hours at JD Wetherspoon’s The Red Lion in Gatwick’s North Terminal to see why Britain’s airside bars are hitting new heights.

This is what we found . . . 

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04:00   

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Nicole Briggs, 29, from    Essex, is heading to the Greek island of Mykonos to celebrate her birthday, wearing a pink cowboy hat and matching sash.

Her pal Danielle Grimes, 30, also from Essex, tells us: “Having drinks at this time is just the law of the airport. It’s the only way to do it.”

On the other side of the pub, siblings Alicia, Adan, 17, and Heart Evanelio, 20, from Medway, Kent, are tucking into an early-morning breakfast before they fly to Basel, Switzerland, with 20 family members.

Alicia, 27, says: “We come here because the food is always good. It’s affordable, comfortable, welcoming and the staff are fantastic.”

05:00   

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 Another stag party has    arrived. Robert, James, Jay, Jimmy and John are in their 30s and from different parts of the UK, but they are all flying to Benidorm.

Robert says: “There will be 28 altogether and we’ve had a fantastic day and night already.”

Jay adds: “We came to Wetherspoons because it’s better value and you know exactly what you are getting.”

06:00   

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 Actor David Green, 58,    from Brighton, and Sam Peters, 52, from Croydon, South London, clink pint glasses, having only just met.

Sam says: “The Red Lion is very different to the average pub where people are scared to strike up a conversation with strangers. No-one bats an eyelid here.”

07:00    

Factory worker Jay Law,    34, and Sasha Cross, 35, from the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, are going to Malta for the weekend.

They eat eggs Benedict and drink coffee with Guinness and a bourbon. Jay says: “It is the rule at airports — have a proper drink with your brew.”

08:00  

 Broker Lorna Stevens, 42,    and special educational needs worker Amanda Sargent, 38, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, met in their local pub 20 years ago.

They are drinking pink gin and tonic before flying to Marrakech, and Amanda says: “We always take a photo of ourselves at The Red Lion — the start of the holiday, the obligatory picture.”

09:00   

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Team   leader and    mum- of-two Megan Gardner, 23, from Crawley, West Sussex, does four seven-hour shifts a week at The Red Lion.

She says: “I haven’t a bad word to say about working here — that’s why I’ve been here seven years.”

10:00  

Tasha Clements, 28, from    Horsham, West Sussex, has been a bar worker at The Red Lion for two years.

She says: “Every day someone makes the same joke — ‘It’s five o’clock somewhere!’. And it is.”

11:00  

 Jhonny Da Corte has  been    the pub’s kitchen chief leader for five years. He is overseeing 13 people today.

Venezuelan Jhonny, 30, from West London, says: “We go through around 20,000 eggs per week.

“Our most popular dish in the morning will be our traditional breakfast and, at lunch, burgers take over as the top sellers.”

12:00 

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  Spandau Ballet star Steve Norman has popped into The Red Lion ahead of a gig in Leipzig, Germany, with his new band, The Sleevz.

Over a pint of Doom Bar, he opens up about his ambition to reunite the band.

Steve, 65, says: “It would be great, before one of us pops our clogs, to be in a room together at the very least — and maybe, who knows, do a last farewell tour.”

13:00  

 Dad Zesh Sadique,    46, and    his wife Sadia are en route to Bodrum, Turkey, for four days with their children, Zidane, eight, and Arya, three.

Tucking into fish and chips, Sadia, 37, from London, says: “We came here because there is a great range of food. We’ll be back.”

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Electrician John    Penny, 38,    and his wife Lucy, who live near Crowborough, East Sussex, are celebrating their first child-free holiday in 12 years.

They’re off to sunny Palma, Majorca, and John is celebrating with a pint, while community helper Lucy, 35, is content with a Pepsi.

She says: “We always come here with the kids, too. You order on an app, so it’s easy.”

15:00   

Beccie    Simms, 47, and her    nine-year-old neurodivergent twins Poppy and Ethan are having pizza and chips before flying to Crete.

Maternity ward worker Beccie, from Surrey, says: “This suits the twins. It is relaxed and has a great choice of food. The twins are very picky!”

16:00   

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Portsmouth students    Poppy Davinport, Hannah Wilson and Alice Richardson, all 21, together with Millie Parker, 20, are heading to Majorca.

They are drinking Proseccos, gin and tonics and apple juices. Millie says: “The plan is to get tanned, drink and eat lots of paella.”

17:00   

Londoners Olivia Moris-Brown, 19, who works for M&S, and her partner Jason Pham, a 20-year-old insurance broker, are off to Pisa in Italy to celebrate their sixth anniversary.

Tucking into chips and curry sauce, a spicy Korean chicken bowl and fish and chips, Jason says: “We love Spoons, we are fans. The food is always banging.”

18:00   

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Guinness-drinking Leon    Ojukwu, 43, from East London, and his wife Abbie, 40, are primary school teachers.

They’re celebrating their tenth anniversary in Majorca with kids Esme, eight, and Zac, five. Abbie, who has had a Prosecco, says: “We always come here before a flight.

“Everyone has a smile on their face, the drinks come quickly and you don’t need to dress up.”

19:00   

Ian Gordon, 62, is waiting    for the Inverness flight, heading home to Lhanbryde, Moray, after a work trip.

Tucking into a ham and mushroom pizza, the salmon fisherman says: “The Guinness is good at Wetherspoons.

“I just came back from Iceland — you’re paying at least double for a pint there.”

20:00 

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Wearing a sparkly hat,    facilities manager Nicola Sandhu is heading to Vilamoura, Portugal, with nine friends for her 40th.

Nicola, from Bexleyheath, Kent, says: “We’ve got wines, Prosecco and lemon spritzes, nachos, fish and chips and an ultimate burger to set our trip off on the right note.”

21:00   

Five pint-sipping friends    from Selsey, West Sussex, are en route to party capital Prague in the Czech Republic.

Yet NHS service manager Mike Brooks, chef Ryan O’Hara, builder Riley Evans, all 25, carpenter Jenson Holden, 20, and carer Will Jenkinson, 26, insist they are “going to see the local sights”.

Riley says: “We will be in bed by 10pm, reading our Kindles.”

22:00   

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Teaching assistant Millie Horner and HR worker Bella Caesar, both 21, from Hedge End, Hampshire, are eating chicken strips and are on their third round of vodka lemonade and rum and Coke.

They got here early for their Ibiza flight and Millie says: “It’s a debrief before the main event begins.”

23:00   

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The passengers have all  gone, and now The Red Lion worker Holly Taplin, 19, from Burgess Hill, West Sussex, is mopping up after a long shift.

She says: “I am a bar associate, which means I host, clean, serve, make drinks — the whole lot.”

00:00   

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Ollie Wilcox, 29, from    Crawley, West Sussex, is a shift manager at the pub.

He says: “We stay open until the last flight goes, then we get ready for the morning shift.

“Passengers start coming through at 2am, and by 4am, the pub’s chock-a-block — there is a queue all the way down to WHSmith.”

INDEPENDENT travel agency, InteleTravel, is answering questions about their business practices after The Sun’s investigation shined a light on the true cost of joining their organisation to sell travel.

With glamorous celebrities like Strictly’s Vicky Pattison and TOWIE’s Jess Wright promoting the scheme on their huge social platforms, it was revealed they could be earning over £200,000 as fans sign up to the scheme.

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However, our report showed that almost 90 per cent of people don’t make a single penny working as an Independent Travel Agent (ITA) – with many ending up out of pocket.

Those selling travel through the Vicky’s Vacay team will almost certainly have signed up with recruitment firm, PlaNet Marketing, who are a separate company to InteleTravel.

Even though they are different companies, The Sun could find no way of joining InteleTravel without signing up to PlaNet Marketing and paying an initial fee of £140 and then £30 per month thereafter.

Industry experts TTG, have reported that since The Sun called for clarity on how many Brits are affected negatively by joining the scheme, InteleTravel is now reviewing its partnership with the US-headquartered company that recruits agents on its behalf.

In our report, we looked at how likely it is for everyday women and fans of these glamourous celebrities to earn money selling holidays to their friends and family for a small commission.

Social media messaging flaunting a jet-set lifestyle and ability to ‘be your own boss’ is rife on platforms like Instagram.

And it’s not just the celebrities who are at it.

Many ITAs who say they make ‘big money’ from selling travel are, in fact, doing so with an elaborate recreruitment downline.

This means anyone they sign up to their ‘team’ must pay them a commission, as well as the commission to InteleTravel – an ABTA-approved travel agency – on anything they go on to sell.

InteleTravel came under criticism as recruiters for the network, appear to approach people, most-often women and mums, on social media.

Subtle messaging, which some women who spoke to The Sun allege they are trained for, is used to lure new agents in by telling them a glamorous lifestyle can be achieved while on their family holiday.

It’s heavily implied that a huge salary can be achieved while being a full-time mum or working in another job.

A recruiter told our reporter that she earned £27,000 alongside her full time job in a different sector.

Tricia Handley-Hughes, InteleTravel’s UK and Ireland managing director, insisted the agency’s partnership with PlanNet Marketing had “not run its course” but added: “discussions need to take place”.

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Senior industry agents also reacted to the story, calling it “deeply concerning”.

In a article published by trade publication, Travel Weekly, they raised concerns about InteleTravel’s recruitment methods and about the impact of the story on the professional reputation of other agents in the sector.

Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said said: “It’s important to remember the vast majority of travel agents across the UK are highly professional and trustworthy”.

“Being a travel agent is not a hobby. It should never be treated as a casual side hustle to make some extra money”.

While marketing consultant Steve Dunne, chief executive of Digital Drums, said such stories “could push back the reputation of the travel agents a generation”.

A number of InteleTravel agents have reacted to our report in defence of InteleTravel.

They were keen to tell their followers that agents can ‘just sell holidays’ and do not have to sign up to be part of the business responsible for the recruitment of other agents.

James Pirie-Warsop said: “I’ve been with Intele for about two or three years and I’m glad I did [join them]. Yes, there’s a multi-level marketing side, but you don’t have to do it”.

Whilst no-one is forced to recruit a ‘dream team of travel agents’ like Vicky and Jess, official data from the Direct Selling Association reveals that 63 per cent of agents in the sector do go on to build a ‘team’.

InteleTravel’s own figures may differ from the UK wide average, but when asked directlt by The Sun, they declined to comment on the amount their agents earn.

Read our full InteleTravel report here.

Have you been approached to join InteleTravel or asked if you’d like to make money selling travel with a team of like-minded agents? Get in touch with us at

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SMALL details can sometimes lead to the biggest headaches when it comes to air travel.

And when it comes to passenger names on a booking, getting these right is key if you want everything to go smoothly at the airport.

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Airlines have a right to deny boarding to anyone who’s ticket doesn’t match their ID, and some travellers have been denied boarding for failing to correct this ahead of their flight.

So whether you need to correct a typo or transfer a ticket to a different person entirely – here are the name change rules for different airlines, made simple.

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Ryanair

Low-cost airline Ryanair allows changes to names up to 24 hours before a flight’s departure time if processed online, and two hours before if done at the airport desk.

Both of these options will incur a name change fee: £115 on the website and £160 through an agent.

If you notice a minor mistake within 48 hours booking you can correct up to three characters in a name free of charge – but more substantial or later changes will carry a price tag.

Maiden and married names are the exception here.

Ryanair will amend a name at no extra cost if your surname has changed on the document you are using for travel.

Editing a booking to be in someone else’s name is also possible, but not if one of the flights on the booking has already departed (for example, if you are already abroad and trying to make changes for your return flight).

Those name changes that fall within 48 hours of booking and over 24 hours before flying can be made on the Ryanair website or app by clicking ‘Manage this booking’ and selecting ‘Change a name’.

But if you’re already checked in, you’ll need to contact the airline and pay the slightly higher price.

easyJet

easyJet also allows name tweaks, letting passengers correct titles and spelling mistakes of up to three letters without any fee.

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The airline is slightly more lenient than Ryanair with this, as it does not have a time limit of 48 hours after booking.

You can do this on either its website or app under ‘View Bookings’.

Changes of more than three characters or a whole name can also be made, but a fee will be applied per passenger, per flight.

The cost is £60 for online amendments and £65 for going through the customer service team.

And in the event of needing a very last-minute change, easyJet gives you a little more time than Ryanair by allowing requests at the airport desk up to 90 minutes before departure.

Jet2

British airline Jet2 has a more restrictive policy when it comes to name changes.

Only the lead passenger can make edits and absolutely no changes are allowed after check-in.

It does have the same three letter rule as easyJet and Ryanair – allowing minor tweaks for free – but the fee that applies for more major changes can end up being higher.

While amendments made 14 days or more ahead of the flight time only cost £50, changes made after that will cost £150 plus any fare difference since the booking was made.

This means that if the price of your flight has gone up and you request changes just days before your trip, it could be significantly more costly than £150.

Jet2 also does not allow for any name changes within 48 hours of flying, so you have less flexibility.

If you are within the permitted window and wish to go ahead with a change it’s easy to do this through the ‘Manage My Booking’ function on its app or website.

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Vueling

Vueling is fast becoming a popular choice for budget-friendly flights, with many European destinations on its roster.

It also offers different fare options from Basic to Flex.

Name change fees for Vueling are dependent on which you have purchased – if you have a Basic plane ticket, a full name swap will cost you €50 (roughly £43).

And similar to Jet2, you may also be charged the difference if the price of your flight has increased.

However, if you paid for a Flex ticket the total price might be lower as you will only be asked to pay the set change fee, not the fare difference.

Small spelling errors can be corrected at no extra cost up to two hours before flying providing none of the flights in the booking have already been taken.

Adding middle names or second surnames is also free of charge.

This is very important to check as some airlines don’t require middle names for a booking, but Vueling’s policy is that passenger tickets must match their identity documents exactly.

Wizz Air

Passengers can access their Wizz Account and go to ‘Make changes’ if they wish to change a name for their upcoming flight.

Typos of up to three letters are free, while ticket transfers to a new completely name cost €70 (around £61).

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This is allowed up to three hours before departure.

Wizz Air‘s call centre is also on hand for anyone who would prefer to make these changes by phone.

The airline is accommodating when it comes to changing surnames after marriage or divorce and will amend these for free for any passenger that provides the required documentation.

However, its website states that responses to such emails can take up to 30 days, so get in contact as soon as you can if you wish to request this.

British Airways

British Airways differs slightly compared to more budget airlines.

Its tickets are non-transferable, meaning passengers are not able to change an entire name on a booking and will instead need to cancel and re-book the ticket.

This will likely cost significantly more than any flat fee.

However, unlike other carriers, BA has a 24-hour grace period.

Customers have one day to completely cancel their flight free of charge, giving them the option to get a full refund and make a new booking in this time frame.

Free spelling corrections of up to three characters can be made by contacting the BA customer services team.

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