Jet2

All-inclusive breaks are perfect for families who want to go away without worrying about the cost of food and drink at the resort. If you fancy a few days without washing up in May half-term, here are some deals to look out for

All-inclusives can be a good option for those who are on a tight budget. While initially booking an all-inclusive holiday costs more, once you arrive, you technically don’t need to spend any extra money. This means you can enjoy your meals, cocktails, and beers without worrying about the bill at the end of the trip.

May Half Term can be a good time to book an all-inclusive holiday in Europe, as you usually get good weather across the continent but not the intense heatwaves that often hit in July and August. While it’s a busy travel time, it’s slightly less full on than the six-week holidays.

Here are a few all-inclusive deals available during half-term week based on two adults, two children sharing. Prices are subject to availability and may change.

Castell dels Hams – Porto Cristo, Majorca – 4 nights from £361 per person

This Majorcan hotel has a 4T rating from TUI and offers comfortable, contemporary accommodation surrounded by countryside. There are three outdoor pools to choose from, and if you fancy a day at the beach, there’s a free daily bus service. If you prefer a livelier break, you can enjoy activities from tennis to volleyball and a great entertainment program that includes a kids’ club and evening entertainment.

During half-term, you can enjoy four nights of AI accommodation in a standard double or twin room from £361 per person. The package includes Ryanair flights from East Midlands Airport and you can book via the TUI website.

Sungate Hotel – Sidari, Corfu – 4 nights from £469 per person

Jet2 is offering a four-night package to lively Sidari in Corfu for £469 per person, which you can book here. The price includes flights from London-Stansted, 22kg of checked baggage per person, coach transfers, and all-inclusive accommodation in a family room.

The Sungate Hotel is just 300m from the beach and has an outdoor pool, buffet restaurant, and pool bar. The weather in Corfu often hits 24C in May, meaning it’s just right for days at the pool or lounging on the beach.

Inter 2 – Salou, Spain – 7 nights from £487 per person

Another Jet2 deal for Spain includes an entire week of as much food and drink as you like, but this time in sunny Salou in Spain. Inter 2 is 500m from the beach and the lively resort town of Salou, so there’s plenty to do. The hotel has two pools and offers daytime and evening entertainment, or you can simply relax and enjoy the sunshine.

Accommodation is in a studio apartment, and your package includes 22kg of luggage and coach transfers from Reus, which take just over half an hour. Prices for seven nights, departing London-Luton on May 25, start at £487, and you can book the package here.

Magic Cristal Park Hotel – Benidorm, Spain – 4 nights from £329 per person

With a flight time of about two and a half hours, Benidorm is ideal for short breaks, and this half-term deal from easyJet Holidays starts at £329 per person. Its all-inclusive offering includes two buffet restaurants and four bars, a seasonal kids’ club, a top-floor pool and roof terrace, a games room, and much more.

Benidorm’s iconic beach is just a 10-minute walk away, and you can wander around and enjoy the colourful sights in this lively resort town. The package from easyJet holidays can be booked here and includes flights from Bristol to Alicante, hold bags, transfers, and accommodation in a standard double room.

Bone Club Hotel Svs – Alanya, Turkey – 7 nights from £367 per person

Enjoy a week in a four-star hotel on an all-inclusive basis for £367 per person this half-term. This package deal, on offer through Thomas Cook, includes Wizz Air flights from London-Gatwick and accommodation in an economy room, although you can upgrade for a small fee. There’s a buffet restaurant, snack bar, pool bar, and even a nightclub where you can enjoy your all-inclusive package.

During the day, enjoy the sunshine by the pool or the sandy beach just a short walk away. You’re also in a great spot to explore the Turkish Riviera, and the resort town of Alanya is full of places to visit, from castles and caves to traditional Turkish baths.

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POPULAR airline JET2 has launched its first flights from a major UK airport.

Jet2 flights to Tenerife and Alicante in Spain have taken off from London Gatwick, marking its first flights from the airport.

This summer, travellers can fly to 29 destinations with Jet2 from Gatwick, including the Canary Islands, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Malta, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria and Cyprus.

And the airline won’t stop at the end of the season either, as for the winter season it will fly to 14 winter sun destinations, ideal for Brits wanting to escape the cold.

Jet2 will also fly to five ski destinations and four Christmas market spots over the winter period.

Looking ahead to next year, even more routes will be added.

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The airline’s routes will rise from 29 to 34 destinations including flights to Lesbos – a large island in Greece – which will operate weekly.

Lesbos is Greece’s third largest island and boasts a lot of history as well as sprawling olive groves.

For those flying from Gatwick with Jet2, there will be six aircraft including the new Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Jet2’s arrival at the UK’s second largest airport comes after increased demand, especially with travellers from the South East of England and marks the airline’s 14th base.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “Today is an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2, as we welcome our first customers at London Gatwick and wave off our inaugural flight.

“After years of demand to come to London Gatwick, we are delighted to be bringing our award-winning service, recognised 11 years in a row by Which? as its recommended travel provider, to the UK’s largest beach and city leisure destination airport.

He added: “Since going on sale, we have experienced phenomenal demand from customers and independent travel agents, and we are looking forward to a hugely successful future from our newest UK airport base.”

The arrival of Jet2 at London Gatwick Airport is the airport’s largest airline launch in more than a decade.

Pierre-Hugues Schmit, Chief Executive, London Gatwick said: “Today’s inaugural Jet2 flights mark an exciting moment for London Gatwick and for passengers across the region.

“The launch of 29 new routes and the creation of more than 300 jobs demonstrate the strength of demand for travel from our airport and the confidence airlines have in London Gatwick as a place to grow.”

According to The Independent, Jet2 has been trying to get slots at Gatwick Airport for years and it was only when slots were freed up that the airline could move in, first announcing this four months ago.

In other flight news, easyJet has returned to a major UK airport after six years away and has announced 11 new routes.

Plus, how savvy Brits are bagging £449 return flights to Australia with clever £5 subscription service.

Jet2 boss Steve Heapy has issued an update to industry experts

Jet2’s boss has warned of a sharp drop in bookings to Cyprus and Turkey but said tourists could get special offers. CEO Steve Heapy said flights on these routes are becoming “empty” due to the uncertainty caused by the Middle East conflict.

The boss said demand is instead moving to destinations such as Spain and Italy. TTG reported that he spoke about the issue via video link at the airline’s annual conference in Cádiz in Spain.

He also warned hotel partners to not ‘get greedy’ in Spain and Italy and keep prices competitive. And he vowed to protect customers where that happened.

He said he expects holidays to Cyprus and Turkey to recover quickly once the war in Iran ends. “I think we should all be prepared for a fairly rapid end to the conflict and a fairly sharp recovery when that happens,” he said.

Heapy said: “Bookings to Cyprus and Turkey are drying up, cancellations are up and our aircraft are emptying.” He said Jet2 was working to cross-sell customers to western Mediterranean destinations where demand “seems to be OK”.

Heapy added that Cyprus remained a safe destination despite a drop in demand to the island, which has been targeted by Iran since America and Israel launched airstrikes on the Middle Eastern nation.

He said: “Cyprus is still far enough away that you can still travel. We’re doing what we can to understand what’s going on and how we can work our way through it.”

‘Special offers’ to lure more travellers to Cyprus and Turkey

He expects hotels in Cyprus and Turkey to introduce special offers in the weeks ahead to lure more tourists in. Speaking to travel agents at the conference, he said: “We’ll do what we can to work with you and fight to get through this the best we can,” he said. “Our job is to put our customers’ fears to one side and reassure them that these destinations are safe.

“We’re a very resilient industry. These events happen every couple of years, and I’ll do whatever I can to help all our of businesses navigate through this.”

TTG also reported that Phil Nuttall, CEO of Travel Village Group, said it is too early to offer a full assessment of the crisis’s impact. Yet he said possible price rises could create problems for many families.

Jet2’s head of overseas operations, Lee Davies, also said the operator was putting more resource into challenges arising from the conflict, TTG said. “We’ve had to adapt our service, especially across Turkey and Cyprus at the moment. We have our red team, we’ve increased our presence, we’re visiting hotels, reassuring customers.

“We’ve expanded our visiting times and ring-fenced our 24/7 team in the UK. We’re contingency planning in terms of disruption management, you always have to have a very solid plan behind the scenes ready to activate.”

He reportedly added: “You’ve got to understand why in their minds, wherever that destination is, that they possibly don’t want to travel.” He added that by helping customers now, even if they do not then travel, “they will come back”.

Flying with a red, blue or green suitcase could be a bad idea

Planning and setting off on a getaway is among life’s finest pleasures, but sometimes, events outside your control can occur. Flights might get axed, accommodation double-booked, or in the most serious cases, you could become a target for criminals.

Whilst remaining vigilant is crucial, there are several steps you can take prior to departure to guarantee your possessions and personal items stay safe at the airport and during your travels. Shahzad Ali, security specialist and CEO of Get Licensed, revealed his key tips for safeguarding your luggage while on holiday.

He urged passengers to steer clear of brightly coloured luggage at all costs, as it could draw unwanted attention.

The travel specialist cautioned passengers flying with major carriers this summer, including Jet2, Ryanair, easyJet and TUI, and recommended they choose a black suitcase instead.

He said: “Although a new and colourful suitcase may look more fashionable, it won’t only be attractive to you. It’s best to choose a more common-looking suitcase, and if possible, a worn-out one – as to not stand out from the crowd – and with it, a high-quality padlock,” reports the Express.

“This can make a big difference in keeping your items safe. You can add an identifier, such as a ribbon or sticker, to avoid getting your luggage mistaken for someone else’s whilst still remaining subtle.”

He offered another handy security recommendation: “When packing, organise your items in three categories: extremely valuable (such as documents, credit cards, mobile phones and larger sums of cash), valuable (such as jewellery and other expensive items) and less valuable (such as clothes and self-care products).

“The extremely valuable items that don’t need to be used often at the airport should be placed in a money belt that will stay close to your body at all times until you reach your destination.

“The ones that need to be used at the airport should be placed in a small handbag or fanny pack that will stay in front of you at all times. When they’re not needed any longer, these items should be placed in the money belt. Larger valuables, such as laptops or tablets, can be placed in your carry-on luggage.

“Valuables such as jewellery should be strategically hidden among less valuable items, such as clothes, in your checked luggage.”

WE have teamed up with Jet2holidays to give away £25,000 worth of vouchers, 25 readers will each win £1,000. 

Jet2holidays is the UK’s number one tour operator, providing package holidays you can trust to more than 70 sun-soaked destinations across Europe and beyond. 

From the classics like Greece, Turkey and sun-soaked Spain to charming spots like Italy and La Palma, there is something for every type of holidaymaker. And right now, you can save £75pp on all Summer 2026 holidays in the Jet2 sale, plus there are millions of Free Child Place^ holidays available!

With decades of expertise and their famously friendly Customer Helpers in airports and resorts, they are with you every step of the way. 

All of their holiday packages include return flights, 2 to 5-star accommodation, return transfers+, 22kg baggage and 10kg hand luggage, wrapped up into an ATOL-protected package. 

You could use your winnings to wander the historic streets of Rome, Barcelona, or Prague on a culture-packed city break, or treat yourself to a luxurious stay at one of their many five-star hotels, all in fantastic locations with top service. If you would rather whisk the whole family away, you could even opt for one of their hand-picked villas in top European destinations like Malta, Gran Canaria, or Tenerife.

Jet2holidays have everything you need, from a choice of boards, budgets, flexible durations and flights times, making traveling that much more convenient. 

And the best part? You can secure your stay with a low £60pp deposit* and spread the cost with Pay Monthly^. 

18+ UK only (Exc. NI, IoM & CI). Sun Savers multiple code collect 07/03/26–18/03/26 or subscription to Sun Club required. 25 x £1,000 vouchers available, redeem by 17/05/26 and all travel complete before 31/10/27.  Entry closes 11:59pm on 25/03/26. +Unless otherwise stated.*On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. Full payment required by balance due date. ^See http://www.jet2holidays.com/part-payment for full details. Online access required. Non-transferable & non-refundable. Minimum 2 adults per booking. Travel by Oct 31, 2027. Full T&Cs apply, see sunsavers.co.uk. 

Passengers have been evacuated from Paphos International Airport in Cyprus amid reports of an unidentified drone flying into its airspace. Here are the latest updates from airlines with flights to the island.

Paphos International Airport in Cyprus ordered an ‘immediate and total evacuation’ this morning (March 2) amid reports that an unidentified drone had been flown into its restricted airspace.

Some European airlines including easyJet have already been cancelling their flights to Larnaca International Airport, a major hub for package holidays, after a drone strike hit the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Cyprus is a popular destination for Brits, with over 1.3 million visiting each year, and with the busy Easter period on the way, many holidaymakers may be wondering how this will affect their travel plans. Around 60 flights have been cancelled to the island today, and airlines will be closely monitoring the situation in order to make a decision on resuming flights in the coming days and weeks.

Check out updates from airlines including British Airways and easyJet below. Travellers to the island should also keep up to date with FCDO advice for Cyprus, as the situation is likely to change quickly.

British Airways (BA)

BA said in its latest statement: “We are closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled a number of flights to the Middle East. We understand it is a difficult time for customers in affected destinations and we are in contact with them to offer reassurance and support. Safety is our top priority and we will only operate a flight if it is safe to do so.”

It added: “We have cancelled flights to Amman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv up to and including the 05 March and today’s Larnaca service [March 2].

“We have actioned a flexible customer booking policy which allows all customers due to travel between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Tel Aviv in the coming days the option to change their flights for free or get a refund. Customers travelling to Larnaca can rebook for free.

“We are advising customers to check their flight status on BA.com for the latest updates before travelling to the airport due to the evolving situation.”

EasyJet

EasyJet has been advising passengers on X (formerly Twitter) to check its Flight Tracker for the latest information on whether their Cyprus flight will be delayed or cancelled.

An easyJet spokesperson told The Express: “Due to the events overnight affecting the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus, as a precaution, three return flights between Paphos and Larnaca and the UK today will not be operating.

“Flights from 3 March are currently operating as planned but we would advise customers due to travel to and from Cyprus over the coming days to check our flight tracker for the latest information.

“We are doing all we can to minimise the impact for our customers and are providing options for rebooking including on other airlines or a refund as well as hotel accommodation and meals for those who require them.”

TUI

A TUI spokesperson said: “The safety of our customers is our highest priority, and we are closely monitoring the situation in the middle east and surrounding regions. We are currently operating our Cyprus program as planned, but as this is an evolving situation, that could be subject to change.” Paphos and Larnaca airport shows TUI flights scheduled from Wednesday onwards, with no cancellations or delays showing at the time of writing.

TUI has also previously released a statement for customers due to fly out to the UAE or Qatar up to and including March 8, advising: “our pre-travel team will be in contact with you ahead of your departure date.” It also advises: “We are working though bookings in date order and will call you to discuss your options. However, if you would prefer, please call us on 0203 451 2688.” Should the current situation extend to Cyprus, it’s likely the process would be the same.

READ MORE: Emirates, British Airways and Wizz Air’s latest updates on UAE flight cancellationsREAD MORE: What travel insurance will actually cover if you’re affected by UAE travel chaos

Jet2

Jet2 flights scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday (March 3 and 4) are not yet showing as cancelled or delayed on the Paphos Airport website. Customers who have asked for advice via Jet2’s official X account have been advised to contact the Jet2 pre-travel team via Whatsapp to discuss their options.

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