holidays

NEW rules being introduced will make it much easier and more affordable to visit a European country.

In a new deal between the UK and Switzerland, the country is set to introduce automated passport eGates for Brits.

The scheme will allow much faster travel for Brits, and joins a number of other countries in Europe that allow the eGate passage for UK travellers.

The use of eGates is expected to start later this year at Zurich Airport, and then expand to Basel and Geneva airports next year.

UK travellers will still have to follow the new EES rules when visiting Switzerland, which require biometric checks when entering an EU country.

Another major change for Brits will be scrapping of mobile roaming charges between the UK and Switzerland.

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Any Brit heading to Switzerland will be able to use their mobiles without paying additional mobile fees.

This often catches holidaymakers out who assume the country follows the same rules as other countries in Europe.

A start date for this has not been announced yet.

The changes were made in a £5.2billion agreement between the Minister of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin, Peter Kyle and Keir Starmer.

Around 800,000 UK citizens visit Switzerland each year whether that be for its ski resorts, or to see its incredible lake scenery in the summer.

The new deal also means that UK ‘service’ professionals’ can travel to Switzerland visa-free for up to 90 days per year for work.

A MAJOR airline is set to take off to a new destination that is known for having some of the fewest tourists in Europe.

Wizz Air is launching a new route from London Gatwick Airport to Chisinau in Moldova.

The route will operate year-round, four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Flights will take off on October 25 and cost from £36.99.

Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director at Wizz Air UK, said: “We’re delighted to give our UK customers another opportunity to discover Chișinău with the launch of our new service from London Gatwick.

“Moldova is one of Europe’s emerging destinations, offering everything from fascinating history and vibrant culture to some of the world’s oldest wine regions.

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“We’re making it easier than ever for customers to uncover one of Europe’s best-kept secrets for less.”

Sun reporter Felix Naylor Marlow visited the country last year and here are his thoughts:

“Despite sharing a continent, Chisinau feels a world away from the UK with its stark Soviet design

“Once there, pretty much every local I met was shocked to see a tourist doing a spot of sightseeing.

“Their confusion was understandable though, as the largely forgotten country of Moldova – squeezed between Ukraine and Romania – holds the title of ‘least visited country in Europe’.

“Chisinau is a city that has been through a lot – a mind-boggling 70 per cent of it was destroyed in wars across the twentieth century.

“During my stay in the city in early March, as the UK was seeing temperatures of 6C, I was wandering around the city in a T-shirt thanks to highs of 24C.

“I spent a very pleasant evening ordering several martinis in the bar’s cute cocktail garden, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.

“If you fancy somewhere completely different, cheap as chips, and where people are genuinely pleased to see you, book a flight.”

Budget airline Ryanair has shared an ‘important’ announcement on Facebook telling people to stop wearing jeans on flights – and passengers have plenty to say about it

Ryanair has issued an ‘important’ message to passengers who choose to wear jeans on their flights, having previously threatened to introduce a ‘denim fee’ for travellers not adhering to this guidance.

Staying warm and comfortable during a flight can prove more challenging than expected, especially when you’re confined to your seat with limited movement for hours at a time. Fortunately, selecting the appropriate travel attire could dramatically improve your comfort levels while in the air.

For many, this means tracksuit bottoms or leggings, while others continue to wear less comfortable garments, such as jeans, on their journeys.

But now, Irish budget airline Ryanair has posted an announcement on its Facebook page addressing all passengers regarding their clothing choices on flights.

“Important Travel Announcement,” the company posted, accompanied by three images of a Ryanair aircraft in the sky, zoomed in to reveal various details.

The first two images showed a Ryanair plane soaring through the air, with a brilliant blue sky visible in the background. However, the third image displayed a banner trailing from the rear of the aircraft.

The message was short and sweet. It read: “Stop travelling in jeans.”

This isn’t the first occasion the airline has criticised passengers wearing jeans on their flights, as they’ve previously advised travellers to avoid the popular clothing item when flying.

While there’s no real cause for concern here, the joke simply comes from most travellers preferring to dress comfortably on flights, as jeans are well known for being rather restrictive when sitting for extended periods of time.

But this didn’t deter passengers from joining in with the banter. Scores of people quickly headed to the comments section to share their views, with many insisting they had no intention of ditching their beloved denim on flights.

“I’m always flying in jeans because they are 200g heavier than sweats and you would just love to charge me for those 200g in my suitcase,” one person said. Another went on to say: “It’s how many layers we have under our jeans that you should be worrying about.”

“Noted. I’ll fly in pyjamas… unless that’s a €12 add-on too,” a third person said.

Someone else wondered: “What, should I just travel in a t-shirt and my pants to save weight?”

Another person went on to share the safety reasoning of flying in jeans, explaining: “Better jeans than shorts… much safer in case of an emergency evacuation (same applies to closed shoes vs flip flop by the way).”

One of the two pilots onboard a commercial plane made a personal announcement over the tannoy ahead of a flight, which left people in tears and feeling overwhelmed with emotion

Passengers who had just boarded their flight were in tears after the pilot of the plane made an announcement over the tannoy before take off. Once passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight found their assigned seats and got comfortable ahead of an upcoming flight, two pilots came out of the cockpit of the plane to make an announcement to all the passengers and crew.

The pilot, Captain Svein, explained how he was “very excited” ahead of the upcoming flight as it was a “very special day” for him personally. He turned around and then explained how he had a brand new pilot on board with him who had “just finished training”.

In the video, which was posted on social media by Southwest Airlines, the pilot said: “I’m very excited today is a very special day for me personally and I would like to use this moment to introduce to you our latest addition to Southwest Airlines pilot group.

“She is right behind me, she just finished training and today is her very first day flying for Southwest Airlines.

“Just one more thing, she is my daughter.”

The video, which has been viewed over half a million times on social media, showed the entire plane started clapping and cheering after the dad made the announcement.

The dad continued: “I’m so glad you folks are coming with us today to enjoy this little party. Thank you so much for flying Southwest Airlines thank you folks thank you.”

Southwest Airlines a major U.S. low-cost carrier headquartered in Dallas that serves over 100 destinations across 10 countries.

People in the comments section of the video that appeared on Southwest Airline’s TikTok page were thrilled for the father-daughter duo on their first flight co-piloting together.

One person said: “The safest flight to be on, he has his most precious cargo at the helm with him.”

A second said: “Probably his proudest dad moment for him, no doubt about it.”

A third simply said: “You should not make us cry.”

A fourth added: “The father has passed his legacy wings to his daughter on her first flight. As a qualified aviator, she’ll make a fine captain of her own aircraft someday.”

Southwest Airlines said: “Like father, like daughter! Hanna recently joined Southwest as a First Officer, following in the footsteps of her dad, Captain Svein.

“He inspired her to start flying at the age of 15, and she was immediately hooked. She made it her mission to one day fly alongside him!.

“Just 8 years later, she accomplished that mission serving as her dad’s First Officer on her very first Southwest flight. Welcome to the Southwest Family, Hanna!”

Swanage in Dorset is home to the fantastic Swanage Carnival, which takes place across two weekends in July and August and is about to return for its 2026 outing

It wouldn’t be a trip to the British seaside without a lorry-load of child stormtroopers appearing at some point.

Or at least, that seems to be the case in Swanage.

Last week, the seaside town was named the 14th best in the country by readers of Which?, who praised its fantastic scenery and beach. What the 5,320 readers did not mention in the rankings (which placed Bamburgh in Northumberland for a sixth year in a row), is Swanage’s weirder side.

I visited the Dorset town of 10,000 during a stay in the beautiful village of Kimmeridge, a little further down the Jurassic Coast. I was expecting more of the same: a pebbly beach, rugged headlands and a sense of peace and quiet that belies its location and quality.

I got nothing of the sort.

Swanage is home to one of the best and weirdest events you’ll find anywhere on the British coastline. The iconic Swanage Carnival.

The Swanage Regatta and Carnival, as it is formally known, has a history dating back to the mid 1800’s when the first sailing regatta was held in Swanage Bay. The carnival portion was added in the early 1900s and hit a real high point in the 1950s when Noddy and Famous Five author Enid Blyton became its president. She loved getting stuck in, even organising the closing firework display.

Today, the show remains one of the best points of the carnival. On warm evenings, people swim out into the sea to get a unique view of the rockets and roman candles exploding above.

What has changed quite a bit – and where Swanage’s strangeness lies – is in the carnival floats.

When I visited, a lorry was loaded up with a primary school classroom’s worth of girls dressed as Star Wars stormtroopers, sporting blasters and shiny white helmets. A short while later, they were joined by Granny Tourismo, the world’s first (and only) shopping trolley dance display team. Look up to the sky, and you’d be treated to a genuinely breathtaking aerobatic wingwalking display team.

The year’s theme? ‘Swanage Goes Musical’, of course.

Last year, the dress code was ‘Cirque du Swanage’. Cue a floatload of 20 clowns in violently bright rainbow wigs and a traveling circus float, followed a short way after by a child in an electronic jeep, pulling a large giraffe toy.

Belly-dancers danced and majorettes twirled their batons, at the same time as a pair of orange-faced Oompa Loompas raced against the Undertaker and Hulk Hogan for glory in the ever-popular wheelbarrow race.

A woman dressed as a tiger could only watch on from her position on the back of a lorry, locked in a cage.

It’s all the kind of excellent, distinctly weird stuff that the south coast does particularly well. When viewed on a scorching hot summer’s day, sky blue and ice cream melting onto your hand, the effect is almost surreal.

And the good news is, the Swanage Carnival is about to begin again. For eight days from July 25, thousands of visitors will descend on the town to enjoy more than 100 events. This year’s theme is ‘A wacky western in Carnival Canyon’. Expect Stormtroopers in cowboy hats.

If all of that wasn’t enough, come September, the streets of Swanage are taken over by hundreds of members of Britain’s longest-running and most beloved cult, morris dancers.

TOP 30 SEASIDE TOWNS & VILLAGES

1. Bamburgh — 84%
2. Tynemouth — 82%
3. St Andrews — 81%
4. Aldeburgh — 80%
5. Crail — 80%
6. Frinton-on-Sea — 80%
7. Portmeirion — 80%
8. St Davids — 79%
9. Bude — 78%
10. Southwold — 78%
11. North Berwick — 77%
12. Plockton — 77%
13. St Ives — 77%
14. Swanage — 77%
15. Lyme Regis — 76%
16. Lytham St Annes — 76%
17. Portstewart — 76%
18. Conwy — 75%
19. Dornoch — 75%
20. Filey — 75%
21. Lynmouth — 75%
22. Sidmouth — 75%
23. St Mawes — 75%
24. Tenby — 75%
25. Tobermory — 75%
26. Wells-next-the-Sea — 75%
27. Whitley Bay — 75%
28. Broadstairs — 74%
29. Falmouth — 74%
30. Llandudno — 74%

BOTTOM 30 SEASIDE TOWNS & VILLAGES

1. Ilfracombe — 57%
2. Minehead — 57%
3. Bridlington — 56%
4. Cleethorpes — 56%
5. Fishguard — 56%
6. Seaton — 56%
7. Torquay — 56%
8. Abersoch — 55%
9. Colwyn Bay — 55%
10. Morecambe — 55%
11. Newquay — 55%
12. Barry Island — 54%
13. Skegness — 54%
14. Mablethorpe — 53%
15. Margate — 53%
16. Paignton — 53%
17. Southport — 53%
18. Herne Bay — 52%
19. Littlehampton — 51%
20. New Brighton — 51%
21. Weston-super-Mare — 50%
22. Burnham-on-Sea — 48%
23. Clacton-on-Sea — 48%
24. Southend-on-Sea — 47%
25. Bangor — 46%
26. Blackpool — 46%
27. Fleetwood — 46%
28. Great Yarmouth — 46%
29. Lowestoft — 46%
30. Bognor Regis — 41%

Results are based on an online survey conducted in January-February 2026 of 5,320 Which? Connect panel members who spoke about 11,999 experiences of visiting a UK seaside town for leisure purposes in the previous 12 months.

She wasn’t even aware to begin with

A woman was bitten by a bat on holiday and ended up seeking rabies treatment thanks to AI.

Laura Horton, 53, was on a two-week birthday trip to Lesbos, Greece, in May 2026 when she found a bat drowning in the swimming pool at the apartment complex where she was visiting a friend. She grabbed the animal from the water and let it sit in her hand for 10 minutes to “dry off” – unaware it had bitten her before flying away.

Laura wanted to know what type of bat she had rescued, so she uploaded a photo of it sitting in the palm of her hand to Google Lens. As well as identifying it as a pipistrelle bat, the AI programme alerted her to seek medical treatment immediately due to the risk of contracting rabies from handling the animal.

She also claimed Google Lens warned her that she would be unable to feel a bat bite as their teeth are too small, and on closer inspection, Laura noticed two tiny pin-prick bite marks. According to the NHS website, rabies is a rare but serious infection that is usually caught from an infected animal’s bite or scratch, and it is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Laura went to the Hospital of Mytilene, Lesbos, the following day, May 8, where she started a course of preventative rabies post-exposure vaccines. She had a total of three jabs in Greece, followed by her fourth and final jab when she returned to the UK on June 1 at the School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool.

Laura, a personal trainer from Mossley Hill, Liverpool, who spoke to Talk to the Press, said: “I had no idea you could catch rabies from a bat. I grabbed it from the water on instinct because it was drowning – I had no idea of the risks.

“It sat on my hand for about 10 minutes, drying off. We all thought it looked cute, so I took a photo of it.”

After uploading the image to Google Lens to determine the species of bat, Laura was met with a series of questions from the AI tool.

She said: “It started asking questions like, ‘are those your hands?’ and ‘have you washed your hands for 15 minutes after handling it?’ It warned me of the risk of rabies and said I wouldn’t feel a bite, as their teeth are too small.

“I thought it was all a bit dramatic. But when I took a photo of my hand, I saw two tiny bite marks.”

Laura was four days into her two-week holiday in Petra, a village on the Greek island of Lesbos, with friends when she was bitten. She rang her insurance company the following day, May 8, which confirmed she should seek medical attention.

She needed to undergo a course of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) – a life-saving treatment given immediately after a potential bite or scratch from a rabid animal. Later that day, Laura went to the hospital, but claims a language barrier nearly prevented her from getting the correct treatment.

“At first, they tried to send me away with antibiotics,” she said. “I’m not sure they understood what happened.

“I was sent to a travel clinic and a nurse was furious I hadn’t been given the first dose yet. I went back to the hospital and found the infectious diseases department – they were brilliant.”

She returned on May 11 and May 15 for two more jabs while in Greece and had a fourth when she returned to the UK on June 1.

She said: “My GP didn’t actually know what to do. Luckily, we have the School of Tropical Medicine in Liverpool and I was able to get my fourth injection arranged with them very easily.

“I later found out there is a dedicated rabies hotline in the UK that would have delivered it to my doctor’s surgery. It was lucky Google Lens told me to go to hospital – who knows what might have happened.

“I read the tragic case about the boy in Canada who died after a bat landed on his face. A lot of people aren’t aware of the dangers of these wild animals and the risks. Hopefully I can help raise awareness.”

“I’m not going to wake her up,” I hiss at my 12-year-old son who’s standing half naked in a dark corridor of a Victorian house. “Please, Mum. She said we could come at any time! I don’t want to get Lyme disease,” he begs.

This is not the kind of drama I was expecting when I signed up to a family walking holiday in Exmoor. A few meltdowns about an extra mile or a blister perhaps, but not a night mission to one of the guides to request a tick removal.

The door opens and Jill comes out brandishing her tweezers. “Have you found another one?” she says cheerily as she whips out the bug that’s buried its head in my son’s torso.

As we trot back to our room, I feel as though I’ve walked into one of the Enid Blyton boarding school books I devoured as a child, returning from a visit to matron with the warm fuzzy feeling of being safe and looked after. Everything about this HF Holidays trip, based at Holnicote House, near Selworthy, feels as though I’ve stepped into a little piece of British history. From the morning briefings in the boot room to pre-dinner hula-hooping on the lawn, we could easily have time travelled to 1956.

The company – a cooperative – has been around since 1913, when Lancashire pastor Thomas Arthur Leonard founded the Holiday Fellowship to give working people access to countryside walking holidays. More than a century later, much of that original spirit survives: communal dining tables, organised walks, evening entertainment and the feeling that everyone has collectively agreed to leave behind modern life for a few days.

I’ve come with my two daughters, 10 and 14, and my son in the hope that one of them might turn into a new walking buddy. Since marrying my husband 18 years ago, holidays have tended towards the accessible – he has partial paralysis – and long hikes, ridge walks and muddy scrambles are things I associate with a previous version of myself. This time I’ve left him at home and have four days (and four walks) to turn the kids on to the pleasures of the great outdoors. We share two rooms with Victorian sash windows and built-in cupboards, simple but spacious. The house has been an HF Holidays property since 1952 and has 32 rooms (14 are singles), sleeping up to 50. This week, there are about 40 of us.

Over scones and cream at the arrival briefing, the kids scour the room for children their age, while I clock other solo parents and grandparents along with a couple of multigenerational family groups. Each day, we can choose from four walks graded in difficulty from level one (about 3 miles), to level four (about 10 miles and with the steepest ascent).

We quickly find our stride: ticking boxes to order packed lunches; attending evening briefings to choose the next day’s walk; joining in organised nightly activities. It’s an introduction for my children to a particular brand of Britishness – one of tea in the drawing room and snacks in brown paper bags, of camaraderie and can-do. And although they are the only mixed-race children here, they easily fold into the tribe of HF Holidays repeaters. Their presence speaks to the history of this country mansion, which during the second world war became Britain’s first mixed-race orphanage, established for children born to Black American GIs and white British mothers at a time when many faced open hostility and rejection.

My children’s initial resistance to the idea of a walking holiday turns to enthusiasm when they realise we’re all in it together and friends made out on the lawn are also on the walks with them. Each day, we’re out for five or six hours. The walks are so brilliantly paced with snack stops, paddle stops, tree climbing stops and the promise of ice-cream at the end, that even my youngest, the most reluctant, happily keeps pace and asks questions about trees and flowers. Mary, our guide, was a geography teacher and imparts her encyclopaedic knowledge engagingly, getting us to count rings on felled trees to determine their age or to guess which leaves come from which tree. We’ve borrowed some binoculars and enjoy identifying the white feathers of a buzzard’s belly and working out the name of a cargo ship far away in the Bristol Channel.

The walks, which are largely circular, cover varied landscapes: fields of buttercups and noisy sheep, pine forests and cliff paths. A particular favourite is a walk that starts by travelling two stops on the steam train of the West Somerset Railway and ends with a visit to Dunster Castle, which emerges fairytale-like from a deer-filled field.

As a solo parent I’m never lonely. Long conversations on walks lead to shared meals and drinks. The children bag “kids tables” at dinner, forcing us adults to mingle. I share one meal with a father who’s with his youngest while the older children are home revising, another with a woman who’s brought her grandchildren (up to three under-11s stay for free with a paying adult). Nearly everyone has been on an HF Holiday before; many came themselves as children. The food is surprisingly good with nightly three-course dinners; my son loves the soups, my eldest the salads and the youngest feels too grown up for the kids menu of burgers and nuggets and opts instead for fish and couscous, or chicken and potato gratin.

The holiday ends with dancing to a live ceilidh band. The final song has Sally walking down an alley and meeting a man from Tennessee. I think of those young English girls and their GI lovers, and for all the old-fashioned fun of the past few days I feel grateful I’ve had my children in a different era. Watching my daughters line dance with pensioners, I vow that this is where I, too, will bring my grandchildren, if I’m lucky enough to have them. But until then, I will bring my son, who tells me on the drive home that he preferred this holiday to any beach holiday we’ve had – despite the ticks. I think I may just have found myself a new walking buddy.

The trip was provided by HF Holidays. The next four-night Exmoor Family Walking Adventures are on 17 and 24 August, £909pp (under-11s free), including full board and daily guided walks. Book now for discounts of up to £172pp for Easter, August and October 2027

WHILE many will be hitting beaches across the UK, we’ve got an idea to help you swerve the crowds.

These glorious woods and forests are perfect for escaping the current heatwave, with plenty of dappled shade for lovely treks and picnics.

Here, Sophie Swietochowski looks at seven great days out . . . 

WESTONBIRT ARBORETUM

One of the UK’s largest and most glorious arboretums, Westonbirt, in Gloucestershire, is much more than just a forest.

More than 2,500 species are thriving here and some of the trees in this 240-hectare space are so ancient, they’ve weathered almost 2,000 years of change.

Why not grab a sandwich from the cafe and take a pew next to the arboretum’s oldest tree — a small-leaved lime in the Silk Wood area.

WAIL OF A TIME

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

TEMPTED?

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

HALDON FOREST PARK

Devon’s beaches are likely to be packed in the coming weeks, but this fabulous park is a great alternative.

There are plenty of shaded areas, plus kids can be kept entertained along the Room on the Broom activity trail.

Pack a coolbox of goodies and take advantage of the many picnic spots.

BEDGEBURY NATIONAL PINETUM & FOREST

This haven in Kent is the largest pinetum in the entire world, and its collection of conifers is renowned globally.

Now is the best time to visit, as the team have mowed grassy paths to help visitors explore, while also sheltering beneath the giant trees.

HAMSTERLEY FOREST

If you would prefer to cool off by water, this forest in County Durham has a river running through its centre.

Kids can slip off their shoes and go for a paddle after tiring themselves out at the outdoor Viking Wildplay, which is pretty well shaded.

If you do want to stroll the trails, they are mostly wheelchair-accessible and pram-friendly.

ALICE HOLT FOREST

Worried about how you’re going to amuse the kids over the summer months?

Then make a beeline for this forest in Hampshire.

It’s an adventurer’s paradise with nature and play trails galore and even a Go Ape course, sheltered by the surrounding trees.

Make sure to check the events page ahead of your visit to find out what’s happening that week.

DELAMERE FOREST

This gorgeous spot in Cheshire is a wonderful spot for nature enthusiasts.

Major work has gone into restoring the hidden pools within the forest to encourage the return of the White-Faced Darter dragonfly — one of the rarest in the UK.

This forest is likely to be one of the coolest of the bunch, too, thanks to the many peat bogs and moss carpets that keep the forest floor damp.

FINESHADE WOOD

Both the kids and Fido will love this gloriously sheltered spot in Northamptonshire.

You’ll be sharing the 516 hectares with deer, dragonflies and butterflies, and keep an eye out through the tree canopy for the buzzards soaring overhead.

When the heat gets too much, the on-site Grounds Cafe is loaded with ice cream — and there’s even some doggy-friendly scoops, so no one misses out.

• For more details on any of the sites featured on this page, head online to forestryengland.uk.

Delta Air Lines Inc. Chief Executive Ed Bastian said travelers care more about their seat than extras like lounge access or limousine shuttles often thrown into costly tickets, as he defended a stripped-down premium product that has irked some customers.

“Consumers want different value decisions to take,” Bastian said in a Bloomberg Television interview on Monday. “If you can give people the opportunity to sit in first class, they may not want different elements and they may not need to go in the lounge.”

Delta is bringing the basic-economy playbook to Delta First, Delta Premium Select and Delta One, offering passengers the same onboard seats, meals and service at a lower price in exchange for fewer benefits. Depending on the product, restrictions can include reduced mileage earnings, lower checked-bag allowances, fees for changes or cancellations and limits on lounge access and advance seat selection.

“What consumers care more about than anything is the seat,” Bastian said. “All the other things are nice, but it’s the seat and the comfort of the seat that’s most important.”

Bastian’s comments contrast Delta’s recent investments in its ground amenities. The airline has spent years opening and expanding swanky Sky Clubs and Delta One lounges, which remain in such high demand that crowding and lines have prompted tighter access rules.

Delta last month opened the first phase of a second Delta One Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport, a 4,000-square-foot space with table-service dining, showers and a premium bar. By 2028, Delta plans to operate four lounges at LAX spanning 60,000 square feet and seating more than 1,000 guests, part of a global network that now includes five Delta One Lounges and more than 50 Sky Clubs.

“One of the things we’re disappointed about is the continued segmentation of the fare structure,” Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu said in an interview with Bloomberg Television, referring to how Delta has refined its premium offering into different, sometimes hard-to-follow groups. “You could accidentally get locked out of a lounge if you don’t pick that main business fare.”

Delta last week reported second-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street expectations despite recording the highest quarterly fuel expense in its history. The airline earned an adjusted $1.56 a share, topping analysts’ estimate of $1.51, while revenue rose 14% from a year earlier and capacity increased just 1%. Delta also reaffirmed its full-year profit guidance.

Bastian said strong demand for premium, corporate and international travel helped offset the surge in fuel prices caused by fighting in the Middle East. Although fuel costs eased as the war in Iran appeared to be winding down, renewed US military strikes have raised the risk of another escalation and kept energy markets volatile.

The CEO reiterated that Delta would continue pricing tickets to recover those higher costs and did not expect airfares to decline. The new basic premium fares give the airline another way to appeal to price-conscious travelers without broadly discounting its most valuable seats.

The strategy also allows Delta to widen the pool of passengers who can afford premium cabins while still charging more to corporate travelers and frequent fliers who value flexibility, loyalty benefits and lounge access. It reflects how airlines are increasingly selling each component of the travel experience separately.

But it risks alienating premium and loyalty travelers by introducing complexity or making it seem harder to get the same level of access.

“Delta’s change to its premium-seating offerings suggests competition is weighing on pricing at the front of the cabin, a negative for earnings,” Bloomberg Intelligence analyst George Ferguson said.

Taylor and Abramowicz write for Bloomberg.

Ever wondered what it’s like travelling from the UK to Spain without any flying involved? One woman recently embarked on the journey and it surprised quite a few people

Travelling to another country is exciting, but not when you have a nervous fear of flying. Whether it’s the stress of airport security or even missing your flight, it can become a huge anxiety for many travellers.

One woman recently showed how you can travel from London to Spain – without any flight involved. The great thing is, once you’re in France, travelling across mainland Europe can be quite straight-forward. Although it’s a given travelling via plane is a lot more quicker than car or train, but you don’t get the sense of adventure as much as you would by train where you take in the sights.

Spending two days on her trip, Claire decided to embark on the journey from London St Pancras where she rode the Eurostar to Paris. She said on TikTok under the name Claire’s Footsteps: “You can travel overland from London to Malaga in two days and this is how much it costs.

“First take the Eurostar from London to Paris and there are trains available for around £49. You can either stay in Paris for a night or take the 2:42pm train to Barcelona, this costs around £89 and arrives into Barcelona at 9:32pm.”

She said hotels close to Barcelona Sants, which is the city’s largest and most important railway station, cost around £65, although this varies on time of year.

The traveller added: “You could stay for two nights and see more of Barcelona or stop off at any of these nearby cities – Figueres, Girona, Zaragoza and many more options – and see them too.”

As for the next day, Claire boarded a direct train to Malaga at around 11am, arriving just before 6pm – a journey that set her back £58.

In the clip, she revealed the total cost of the trip, including one night’s accommodation, came to £265. People in the comments section appeared amazed by the total cost, although someone said it was time-consuming.

Someone else said: “I would,” while a second added: “Yes absolutely.”

It’s worth bearing in mind the overall cost of the trip can differ depending on when you book as this is just a guideline.

Claire, who provided a thorough breakdown of the journey in her caption, claimed: “The schedule shown allows travel across two calendar days: Day 1 London to Paris (and optionally Paris to Barcelona), overnight in/near Barcelona Day 2 Barcelona to Malaga.

“Staying two nights in Barcelona is an option if you prefer sightseeing or a more relaxed pace. What to consider before booking: Fares fluctuate with availability and sales; check Eurostar and rail operator sites for current prices.

“Connect times: allow buffer for delays between service if changing stations or transferring luggage. Accommodation near Barcelona Sants is convenient for the morning departure to Malaga.”

She also noted the overland journey from London to Malaga across two days is entirely doable and can amount to roughly £265 based on the example prices provided.

So will you be trying this trip? Let us know in the comments below…

STUDENTS have been left thouands of pounds out of pocket after a UK travel company unexpectedly went bust.

Customers have called the news “gut-wrenching”, as bosses say they “deeply regret” the decision to shut close after nearly three decades.

UK gap year students may lose thousands after volunteer travel company, Global Vision International (GVI), cancelled all its holidays.

The Exeter-based company offered a range of conservation and “voluntourism” placements all over the world, becoming especially popular with school leavers and gap year students who paid to take part.

On July 1, after 28 years, the company was plunged into liquidation in a move that bosses say they “deeply regret”.

CEO of GVI, Andrew Valentine, said in a statement: “It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I write to share that GVI is today closing its doors.”

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“I deeply regret the effect that GVI’s closure will have on staff, projects and customers, and we are committed to providing clear information to those affected as GVI goes through a formal liquidation process.”

GVI states on its website that “all current and future GVI programs have been cancelled”.

It continues to inform customer that “all impacted participants will receive formal correspondence detailing the liquidation process and instructions on how to lodge a claim”, and how to get their money back.

Amy Taylor, 21, a wildlife conservation and zoo biology student from Manchester, told BBC Newsbeat that GVI’s closure was “gut-wrenching”.

The student forked out £4,000 to pay for her once in a lifetime South Africa internship, hoping it would help her “stand out” on the job market -but now she is just filled with “disappointment”.

Linus Rowland-Bell, 23, from Liverpool worked two days a week alongside his university studies to pay for a programme in Peru.

Advertised as an internship in the Amazon rainforest, he found out about it through his university careers fair, paying £2,258 in total for his trip.

“The thought of all that money, all that time that I’ve saved up, that excitement completely vanishing into the ether, it was terrifying,” he told Newsbeat, after receiving the news of the liquidation.

Rowland-Bell received a full refund, but many more are waiting for more information from the liquidators.

Taylor further said she was relying on her bank to reclaim the money, as her insurance was booked through GVI.

“If I don’t get the money back, I can’t go anywhere else and I don’t really trust anyone at the moment to be able to go anywhere else.

“It didn’t seem like they were struggling – everything looked professional.”

The Sun reached out to RG Insolvency, who are overseeing GVI’s liquidation, that declined to comment.

A great novel can transport you to places you’ve never been, take you on imaginary adventures across the globe and, just occasionally, inspire you to visit a literary location in real life. We’d love to hear about a book you’ve read that led to one of your favourite trips, whether it was somewhere far-flung or close to home.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.

We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.

The competition closes on Monday 20 July at 10am BST

Have a look at our past winners and other tips

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IF YOU’RE dreaming of a late summer holiday but holding off until the Three Lions finish their World Cup run, let me give you some free advice: stop playing chicken with the booking button.

Because I work in travel, my screen is constantly locked onto live booking data, and I’ve been crunching the numbers from Euro 2024 and the last World Cup, comparing tournament months against normal years, and the trend is identical.

The second England gets knocked out (or in this year’s case, hopefully lifts the trophy) the market goes completely mental.

Millions of Brits who put their summer plans on ice to watch the football suddenly rush to the package holiday sites at the exact same time.

And according to the data, this massive surge forces package prices to spike five to eight per cent above normal seasonal baselines within hours.

Whether we lose to Argentina on Wednesday or go all the way, demand is going to flood the market.

So if you still fancy a summer holiday this year but haven’t yet booked, you need to beat the post-tournament rush.

And here’s exactly where the data suggests prices are about to climb fastest.

5. Antalya, Turkey

Turkey always reacts aggressively after a major tournament, especially around the Antalya coast where all-inclusive packages dominate.

Our data shows that the moment football fever breaks, resorts like Alanya experience an immediate eight per cent price hike above the normal baseline.

You could stay at the Lemas Suites Hotel Side, which is a cracking value base right near the harbour, but my favourite thing about this hotel is its private river-boat shuttle.

The property sits slightly back from the coast on the side of the Manavgat river, and they run a free, regular boat service that drops you directly onto their private sandy beach lot, completely cutting out the sweaty August coastal walk.

On the Beach offers a five-night stay from August 22 at Lemas Suites Hotel Side, including return flights from Manchester Airport, from £355pp.

4. Canary Islands, Spain

The Canaries are Britain’s ultimate safety net for guaranteed summer sun, which makes them prime targets for the post-football booking surge.

The data shows that Fuerteventura’s Caleta de Fuste climbs a massive 17 per cent above normal rates post-tournament, while Matagorda in Lanzarote jumps by 13 per cent.

But, fear not, because you can check in to Club Tenerife in Los Cristianos.

And because the hotel’s built directly into a sheltered hillside, the main sun terraces are entirely shielded from the standard high-summer Atlantic winds that plague the flat beachfront hotels, giving you a proper, peaceful sunbathing setup.

On the Beach offers a five-night stay from August 22 at Club Tenerife in Los Cristianos, including return flights from Liverpool Airport, for £318pp.

3. Crete, Greece

Crete is another major mover in our holiday tracking, with the family-heavy resort of Kato Gouves seeing a massive 24 per cent price surge the second England exits a tournament.

You could stay at Ourania Apartments in Kato Gouves – this hotel’s an absolute peach of a pick too. 

Every week, the family hosts an incredible local souvlaki night where they cook everything over open coals right in the central courtyard, serving up an elite, authentic Cretan feast for a fraction of what you’d pay at the beachfront tourist spots.

Where do I sign?

On the Beach offers a five-night stay from August 22 at Ourania Apartments in Kato Gouves, including return flights from Manchester Airport, from £383pp.

2. Costa Brava, Spain

As you’d expect, Spain always runs hot after the football finishes – but the Costa Brava sees some of the steepest climbs on the board, specifically, the resort of Calella routinely records package prices sitting 25 per cent higher than normal once the tournament wraps up.

You could head to MedPlaya Esmeraldas Aparthotel in Tossa de Mar, for example.

These apartments are exceptionally modern, but the best feature here is the private underground walkway that links the complex directly to the beachfront avenue.

It means you can wander from your living room to the sand in about two minutes without ever having to cross the busy main resort traffic.

On the Beach offers a five-night stay from August 22 at MedPlaya Esmeraldas Aparthotel in Tossa de Mar, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £283pp.

1. Costa Blanca, Spain

The undisputed heavyweight of post-tournament price surges is the Costa Blanca.

Cala de Finestrat routinely explodes by 32 per cent above normal rates, while Albir climbs by 18 per cent.

Even Benidorm, despite its massive hotel capacity, jumps five per cent overnight.

You could opt for five-nights to the Jardin Milenio Hotel in Elche for under £300pp and for peak August, that is an unbelievable data loophole.

The standout feature here is that the hotel is located directly inside the famous Palmeral of Elche – a massive, UNESCO-protected tropical palm grove.

It means the entire pool area is surrounded by thousands of ancient palm trees, giving you a lush, high-end Caribbean resort aesthetic for less than three hundred quid.

On the Beach offers a five-night stay from August 22 at Jardin Milenio Hotel in Elche, including return flights from London Luton for £268pp.

You may need to seek urgent medical attention while abroad

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning to Brits heading abroad. As our government’s foreign affairs department, the FCDO is responsible for many tasks – one of which is distribute travel advice in a bid to help trips run smoothly and to keep people safe.

And in a new post on X, formerly Twitter, FCDO has warned of a potentially life-threatening issue that can present symptoms similar to a “bad hangover”. The alert reads: “Methanol poisoning can be hard to spot. Early symptoms can feel like a bad hangover.

“Learn the warning signs and know how to reduce the risk.” Further information found within a linked government campaign explains: “Alcohol contaminated with methanol and targeted spiking incidents can lead to serious illness and death.”

Methanol is an industrial alcohol used in products like antifreeze, fuel and paint thinners. FCDO guidance continues: “In some parts of the world methanol products are sometimes illegally mixed with ‘real’ alcohol such as spirit-based drinks and cocktails.

“Medical experts believe that as little as 30ml (roughly equivalent to a shot) of methanol can be fatal for an adult, while 10ml can cause blindness.” Early symptoms include vomiting, a loss of balance, drowsiness, and poor judgement.

Twelve to 48 hours after drinking there may be vertigo, hyperventilation, abdominal pain, breathlessness, coma, convulsions, and blurred vision and/or blindness. If you or someone you are travelling with have these symptoms you should seek urgent medical attention.

FCDO advice adds: “Vision issues are a distinctive red flag, particularly blurry vision, trouble looking at bright lights, and in some cases complete blindness. ‘Snowfield vision’ (seeing snowy static like an old TV) or tunnel vision can also occur.”

Seeking urgent medical attention could save your life.

TWO sisters were left stunned after they found a picture of themselves in an Airbnb they had never stayed at before.

When Aubrey Birrell and her sister Libby entered their Airbnb in San Diego, California, USA, they spotted a large photo canvas on the wall.

In a video that has now gone viral on social media, Aubrey points at the picture of their family holiday 10 years prior, showing a group of swimmers at the beach.

Stunned, she says: “That’s my dad” before then pointing out Libby and their brother Brady.

Shocked Aubrey, who posted via her TikTok account @aubsbirrell, said they found the discovery “crazy” and “unsettling”, especially because they had never stepped foot in the Airbnb before.

Her description of the video stated: “We can’t make this up….. this is the craziest thing.”

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The two sisters never learnt how the picture ended up there.

Social media users took to the comments to share their own similar experiences.

One said: “I flew to India, then travelled up the Himalayas to my old boarding school where is was teaching for the summer.

“On the first day I was looking at the school photos in the cafeteria and another lady was also looking at photos.

“We met in front of one and I said I’d gone to boarding school here 40 years ago and this was the first time I’d been back.

“She said she’d gone to boarding school here 40 years ago and was back on vacation.

“Turns out she was Cathy, my best friend in school!

“We lost touch after we left the school and hadn’t spoken since.”

Another added: “This literally happened at our rented beach house TODAY.

“I had seen this TikTok days ago and something made me look at the giant canvas hanging in the primary bath[room].

“I immediately see my daughter and her high school friend group in the pic – one of whom is with us on this trip!

“We live two hours away and have been coming to this beach for decades. CRAZY.”

A FAMOUS UK pier that is loved by families has had to close one of its popular attractions.

Southend Pier in Southend-on-Sea is known for being the world’s longest pier, stretching over 1.3 miles long.

And on the pier is a unique railway attraction that runs up and down the pier.

However, over the weekend the train had to be suspended due to technical difficulties.

Everything else on the pier, including the museum and gift shop, is still open, but to get to them tourists will have to walk along the pier.

The pier’s website states: “The Pier train is currently out of service and is expected to remain unavailable until at least later this week.

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​”The pier remains open as normal, and visitors are still very welcome to enjoy a walk along the world’s longest pleasure pier and visit the Pier Head.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

The railway is less than a metre wide, and runs for 1.25miles of the pier.

Services take place every half hour, from 10:30am each day.

The first transport on the pier was a horse tramway, which opened in 1872.

The horse tramway was then replaced by a single electric railway in 1890, marking the first pier railway in the country.

The following year, the pier railway was running the full length of the pier.

Later in the 1930s, the railway was expanded with four trains, each made up of seven carriages.

Today, the current carriages have been running since 2021.

Ben Morris visited Sambuca di Sicilia, dubbed “Italy’s little America”, to investigate a seemingly incredible €1 home scheme, but he quickly discovered a catch

A travel vlogger who visited the beautiful Mediterranean island of Sicily to investigate a €1 home scheme quickly came across a major “catch”. A wave of reports advertise small towns in Italy flogging vacant properties for as little as €1 (just 85p in today’s money).

It’s a phenomenon that comes on the back of a reported rural exodus. Young Italians have been increasingly drawn to city life, leaving stunning villages to empty out as their ageing populations dwindle.

Around 25 municipalities are said to be offering the €1 homes, betting that renovated and occupied properties will be more lucrative; second homes come with tax bills.

Ben Morris visited the commune of Sambuca di Sicilia, Sicily, dubbed “Italy’s little America” due to the influx of US property buyers, to investigate. On his self-titled YouTube channel, Ben spoke to a local estate agent about the scheme.

She explained: “So, when they launched the first project, then there has been three: €1 houses, €2 houses, and €3 houses.”

The estate agent went on to say: “The rules are more or less always the same. You have to do an offer of at least €1, €2 or €3, but you know that the higher offer will win the house.”

Returning to Ben’s narration, he stated: “So there’s the catch in Sambuca. Although houses do go on the market for €1, they usually get bid on for up to €5,000 (about £4,200).

“However, the town that we’re going to visit after this actually has houses that you can straight up buy for €1. No catch. And there’s actually places available now.”

Ben then spoke about the home of Meredith Tabbone, who bought hers for €5,000 and later bought the home next door. However, her renovations set her back a whopping $446,000 (about £333,000).

Later, he set off in search of a no-strings-attached €1 home in the town of Mussomeli. Ben met up with a woman named Natalie, who said she’d show him a range of homes, including two that cost just €1.

Once he entered one such property, it was immediately visible that the house needed a lot of work. Ben was advised to only walk on the edges of the floor as he ventured through the property for “safety” reasons.

After he inspected the seemingly dilapidated two-level property, he commented: “And that is exactly why so many of these homes are being sold for so cheap. You’re going to need to do renovations and spend money to make it livable.

“You also have the responsibility to make sure your house doesn’t fall down and like kill your neighbour or something.”

Natalie also explained that, in addition to this, the buyer would have expenses to close the sale. Ben said this was another “little catch”, adding that you’d have to pay for notary fees and certificates.

Speaking previously about the scheme, 1eurohouses.com said in a statement, as reported by the Independent: “We do not need new constructions and new overbuilding.

“The strategy to improve the housing environment and reclaim our cultural identity is to revive the small abandoned centres or to redevelop buildings in a state of abandonment, with a story that is our history.”

AN AIRPORT at a major holiday hotspot for Brits just two hours from the UK is about to get a multi-million transformation.

Alicante Airport in Spain is getting a huge £980million overhaul, which will be the airport’s biggest upgrade in history.

The airport itself will be 30 per cent bigger, with a new pier just for non-Schengen departures, which includes Brits.

This means Brits will have their own area to go through, which should help ease queues caused by the introduction of Europe’s new Entry/Exit System.

Security across the airport will be replaced with the latest technology too, which includes Automated Tray Returns Systems (ATRS).

This new technology will allow travellers to keep their laptops and liquids in their hand luggage.

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There will also be new shops at the airport, as well as a VIP lounge for non-Schengen departures.

Several areas outside the airport will see improvements as well, including car parking and new taxi and bus drop-off zones.

If you don’t plan on driving to and from the airport, then this too will become easier with a new rail link that would have an underground station.

The train will link onto a nearby commuter line and is expected to be built between now and 2030.

The first phase will start in 2027 and is expected to be completed by 2031.

The second phase will then take place in the mid-2030s.

The upgrade was first announced last year.

The project comes as the airport handled nearly 20million passengers last year, with it expected to pass that number this year, with Brits making up one of the largest groups of tourists.

YOU don’t need to empty your pockets to visit big-name theme parks and resorts this summer.

Especially not when these major UK attractions are offering free extra return tickets and 89p admission for kids.

We’ve rounded up the very best offers at popular resorts like Alton Towers, Chessington, Legoland and Butlin’s that you can book this school summer holidays.

From half-price entry offers to kids tickets for less than £1, here are the ultimate theme park bargains for summer 2026.

Legoland Windsor Resort

Legoland are running a summer promotion that lets you unlock an extra day of theme park fun for the price of a single ticket.

There is an absolute mountain of things to do at this resort to keep both little ones thrill-seekers happy all day long.

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Tackle the park’s 55 rides and live shows, marvel at the Lego models in Miniland, or let the kids’ imaginations run wild in the brick-building zones.

While trying to cram the entire resort into a single day can feel like a mad rush, knowing you can return means you can relax and take in the park at your own pace.

The best part about this offer is that the free ticket you unlock doesn’t have to be used only at Legoland.

You can also redeem your free ticket for a trip to Chessington World of Adventures, Alton Towers or Thorpe Park instead.

Book your tickets to Legoland Windsor Resort from £29.75pp + claim an extra FREE return ticket

Gulliver’s Theme Parks

Save a massive 48% off a trip to a Gulliver’s Theme Park this summer at any of their four theme parks: Milton Keynes, Rother Valley, Matlock Bath, or Warrington.

With this Wowcher deal families can bag a ticket for £12.50 each, nearly halving the cost of buying a ticket direct for £25.

Whether you want to conquer the dizzying Gyrosaur, board the Rocky Ridge Railway, or meet live animals at the farm park, there’s plenty to do across all locations.

Throw in completely free parking and free entry for toddlers under 90cm, and you’ve got an affordable school holiday treat for the family.

Book your tickets to Gulliver’s Theme Parks for £12.50pp

Alton Towers Resort

Alton Towers is slashing the cost of a visit this school summer holidays with two theme park visits for the price of one.

The sprawling theme park is packed with world-class, white-knuckle rollercoasters for adrenaline junkies, alongside family-friendly rides like the new Bluey kids coaster.

There’s also exciting events this summer, such as the Minecraft Meet the Mobs from July 18 – August 28 plus the Bluey live experience with meet and greet, running throughout the summer.

To get the offer, make sure to claim the deal before July 27 and save your ticket and barcode from your first visit. Then you can claim yourself another visit to Alton Towers, or a free trip to Legoland, Chessington or Thorpe Park.

Book your tickets to Alton Towers resort from £29.75 + claim an extra FREE return ticket

Flamingo Land

Families heading to North Yorkshire this summer can slash up to 50% off their day out at Flamingo Land Resort thanks to a Wowcher deal.

Here you’ll find hair-raising rollercoasters like the 10-inversion Sik Coaster and the lightning-fast Velocity motorbike ride, which launches from 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds.

Smaller thrill-seekers in tow can explore the Peter Rabbit Adventure, brave the river rapids, or take a quick break from the rides to stroll the zoo.

Tickets can be used on any date until November and start at £29pp, plus there are extra discounts available if you purchase multiple tickets. For example, if you book for a group of six you will save an extra £18 on top of the deal, while groups of four can save an extra £19.

Book your tickets to Flamingo Land from £29pp

Chessington World of Adventures

Score two visits for the price of one on your next trip to Chessington World of Adventures.

Visitors can test their nerve by hurtling backwards on the terrifying Mandrill Mayhem in the World of Jumanji, or fly through the treetops on the popular Vampire coaster.

You could even tick off the World of Paw Patrol, a colourful themed land new for 2026 with gentle rides such as Chase’s Mountain Mission.

To claim the deal, buy a ticket online before July 27 to snap up a free return ticket that is valid for visits until September 25. As part of a combined summer promotion, you could also use your tickets at Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, or Legoland Windsor instead.

Book your tickets to Chessington World of Adventures from £29.75 + claim an extra FREE return ticket

Butlin’s

Kids can bag a day visit to Butlin’s for 85p when visiting with a full-paying adult this summer, plus under 2’s go free.

This means that for one adult and one child, your entire family day out would cost a total of £19.85.

A day pass drops you straight into the action with unlimited turns on the traditional fairground rides and access to massive outdoor play areas.

You can also pack your swimsuits and tackle the flumes and wave pools at the subtropical Splash Waterworld, before catching a live daytime stage show starring the kids’ favourite characters.

Available across their Bognor Regis, Minehead, and Skegness resorts, it’s a ridiculously cheap way to enjoy a fun-filled family day out.

Make sure to get in quick, because this offer is only available until July 16. However, from then, day tickets during the school summer holidays will be discounted by 15%.

Book your day tickets to Butlin’s – with kids tickets from 89p

*Prices correct at the time of publication. Terms and conditions apply.

Keeping the item with you until you’ve got off the plane and collected your luggage on the other side is best

Millions of people are expected to go abroad during the six-week holiday, as the peak travel season typically sees masses of British families take advantage of the kids being off. With so many people set to pass through UK airports over the coming weeks, it is important to stay up to date with the latest guidelines and advice to ensure a smooth journey.

Jet2 is one of the most popular budget airlines in the UK, and welcomes around 20 million passengers on board each year. Jet2‘s website is full of information for passengers to read up on and keep in mind when travelling, including steps to take and things to do to minimise disruption and delays as much as possible, especially when bringing luggage to go into the aircraft’s cargo hold.

On its ‘Top Tips Before Travel‘ page online, the airline urges passengers to bring one particular item along with them on their journey, right until they collect their checked luggage at their chosen destination. By doing so, they can reduce the risk of longer delays should the worst happen

The airline explains: “At check-in, each item of checked baggage will be given a destination tag showing your flight number. Do not get rid of your checked baggage receipts (if given) until you pick up all checked baggage at your destination airport. Never carry unidentified items on behalf of other people.”

Why is it important to keep the luggage receipt with you?

It’s important to keep your checked baggage receipt because it helps you track down lost luggage, file for compensation, and prove ownership if security or customs officials need to check your bags. Usually, these are the small adhesive tags that get stuck to your boarding pass or passport after you drop off your luggage at the check-in desk.

When you check-in a bag, the barcode and receipt information are linked to your digital flight booking file. If your suitcase doesn’t show up, the barcode and the 10-digit number on your receipt help airline agents find your specific bag using global systems like WorldTracer.

If I lose my luggage receipt, will I face delays?

If your bag is lost and you have misplaced your checked baggage receipt, the airline can still look up your digital tracking information, but the process will require more manual verification and may face delays. Locating your profile manually can be time-consuming, particularly during busy travel times or when the booking system is experiencing delays.

If your bag is lost for good (missing for over 21 days), the airline or your travel insurance company may ask for more evidence of check-in. Misplacing the receipt can complicate the process of making a formal financial compensation claim, but your digital booking records usually serve as a valid paper trail, according to Citizens Advice.

Jet2 also urges passengers to label each piece of baggage with their name, flight number, and phone number. It adds: “Please ensure your baggage is strong and fit for purpose, to protect the contents and to withstand the normal baggage handling process. Soft sided cases and handles, wheels and locks can be particularly vulnerable.”

The airline also says: “Take care when claiming your baggage at your destination, as many suitcases look the same. It is best to always check the name on the baggage tag.

“You must contact the Jet2.com team at the airport (or our handling agents) immediately if your baggage is damaged or has not arrived. Irregularities must be reported immediately as claims cannot be processed once you leave the airport. Staff will help you to complete a Property Irregularity Report Form.”

A CITY with 3,000 sunshine hours a year that is barely visited by Brits is getting its first UK flights in more than a decade.

Launching later this month, Air Zimbabwe will connect the UK to Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.

The first route takes of on July 22 from London Gatwick, with three flights a week.

It will be the first direct flights to the capital in 14 years, amid plans to open up travel between the UK and Africa.

The route was scrapped back in 2011 due to a financial difficulties at the time.

Fights start from £490 each way, or £675 return.

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While Zimbabwe welcomed 1.78million tourists in 2025, 76 per cent of this was from Africa.

Despite this, the UK is the biggest market for the city when it comes to European arrivals.

Harare is known as the City of Sunshine for its sunny weather all year round thanks to it high altitude.

It is also much better to visit in the autumn and winter, as this is where highs of 30C can be found (compared to the cooler summers of 20C).

The city is also known for its beautiful green spaces, such as Mukuvisi Woodlands where you can everything from zebras and giraffes to wildebeast and impalas.

It also a great jumping off point for going on safari, or visiting Victoria Falls.

Here are some other new flights launching in the UK soon:

Certain holiday destinations have seen a rise in cases of a nasty infection

British travellers have been issued a food warning amid an outbreak of a bug that causes “explosive” diarrhoea. Mexico and the US are among some of the holiday destinations that have seen a rise in cyclosporiasis.

Cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora. This is typically spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated with human faeces containing the parasite.

Symptoms can include “watery diarrhoea” and “explosive bowel movements”, and can last several weeks. In an update provided on its website, Travel Health Pro explained that “most” UK cases have been linked to visits to Mexico.

It said: “Cyclospora is a parasite found in some tropical and subtropical countries. In the UK, infections are most commonly linked to summer travel abroad.

“Cyclospora has been found in Central and South America, South and Southeast Asia, and most UK travel-related cases and outbreaks have been associated with visits to Mexico.”

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recently published data showing there had been 843 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the US between May 1 and July 9 this year. No deaths have been reported, and 86 people were admitted to hospital, the CDC said.

As part of its advice, Travel Health Pro provided guidance on eating while abroad. It said: “People usually become infected by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with human faeces. Foods most commonly linked to Cyclospora include fresh produce such as soft or unpeeled fruit, lettuce, green salads and herbs like coriander or basil.”

It continued: “You can reduce your risk of Cyclospora infection by following good food and water hygiene, even if you are staying in a luxury hotel or high-end all-inclusive resort.” To do so it said you should:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water; use alcohol hand gel only when handwashing is not possible
• Where there is no clean water supply, drink only bottled or boiled tap water (this includes brushing your teeth)
• Avoid ice in drinks
• Avoid fresh produce that may not have been washed with bottled or boiled water, including berries, salads, vegetables and herbs like basil or coriander
• Choose fruit that you can peel yourself, such as bananas and oranges
• Eat food that has been freshly cooked and is served hot
• Remember that smoothies, juices and other drinks may contain raw fruit, herbs or vegetables

Symptoms

Travel Health Pro said: “Not everyone infected with Cyclospora will become ill. If you do get symptoms, they will usually start about a week after consuming contaminated food or drinks.”

Symptoms of Cyclosporiasis include:

• Watery diarrhoea
• Fever
• Stomach cramps
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Tiredness and muscle pain
• Bloating and excess wind
• Feeling sick

It said: “Cyclospora infections are usually mild and resolve themselves. However, symptoms can sometimes last for several weeks and return even after a person seems to have recovered. People with a weakened immune system, including those living with HIV, may be at greater risk of severe illness.”

The CDC added: “Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes watery diarrhoea with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.”

When to seek help

Travel Health Pro says you should do the following if you become ill abroad:

• Drink plenty of “safe” fluids, such as bottled water, or tap water that has been thoroughly boiled and cooled
• Use oral rehydration solutions so that you do not become dehydrated
• Get early medical advice if you have a weakened immune system or are at higher risk of complications
• Seek medical help if your symptoms are severe or do not improve

If you are back in the UK, you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have diarrhoea and you’ve recently travelled abroad and:

• The diarrhoea is severe and has lasted for more than three days
• You have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from your bottom
• You have a high temperature (fever)
• You are dehydrated
• You have a weakened immune system or other condition

The NHS said: “If you’re still abroad, get medical advice where you are as soon as possible.”