BRITISH Airways passengers will soon be able to stay connected mid-flight without having to pay a penny.
The airline has confirmed that they will be rolling out Starlink WiFi on all of their planes next year.
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All passengers will soon be able to use free Starlink WiFi on BA flightsCredit: AlamyStarlink is owned by Elon MuskCredit: Alamy
Not only will it be available in all cabins, but it will be completely free for all passengers.
The high speed network means passengers will be able to stream video onboard without any lag.
This also includes over remote regions and oceans, a common area where WiFi can often cut out.
BA boss Sean Doyle, British Airways said “Launching Starlink on both our long-haul and short-haul aircraft is game-changing for us and our customers, elevating their experience on board our flights by offering them seamless connectivity from gate-to-gate.
Another 15 airport lounges are being upgraded, with 17 new short-haul aircrafts being introduced.
British Airways is also rolling out a new First Class Suite, with its biggest bed yet as well as 32inch screens.
A new app is also being rolled out next year.
Mr Doyle said at the time the app would be similar to an Amazon when it comes to easily being able to book flights.
He explained: “The website’s been around for 22 years. We were leaders in it many years ago and we’d improved it down through the years.
“But we’ve been falling behind and we need to catch up and leapfrog the rest.”
Other inflight upgrades include larger overhead lockers – where suitcases lie on their side rather than flat – and upgraded seats made from Scottish leather.
But British Airways isn’t the first airline to roll out Starlink onboard.
Back in March, United Airlines confirmed that they would be adding the free WiFi service to more than 40 aircraft.
And Qatar Airways confirmed that all passengers will be able to use free Starlink onboard – even FaceTiming a flight attendant to show how fast it will be
BA is currently undergoing as £7billion expansionCredit: Getty
Budget airline Ryanair to scrap the option for passengers to print out and use a paper boarding pass
12:58, 06 Nov 2025Updated 12:59, 06 Nov 2025
Ryanair is pressing ahead with a big change to aircraft boarding by going 100% digital (Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Ryanair passengers will be forced to use digital boarding passes only from next week.
The budget airline issued update to remind customers, ahead of the big change from Wednesday November 12. From that date, passengers will no longer be able to download and print a physical paper boarding pass.
Instead, they will have to use the digital boarding pass generated in the “myRyanair” app on their mobile device – smartphone or tablet – during check-in process to board any of its flights.
Ryanair insisted the “vast majority” of people already use digital boarding in this way, adding that nearly 80% of its more than 207 million passengers annually did so. But that still means that around 40 million passengers who prefer other methods, including printing their pass, will be impacted.
Dara Brady, Ryanair’s chief marketing officer, said: “While over 80% of passengers already use digital boarding passes, and therefore won’t be affected by this progressive change, we remind the small number of passengers who still print boarding passes to download the myRyanair app ahead of the move to 100% digital boarding passes from Wednesday, 12 November.
“Moving fully digital means a faster, smarter, and greener experience for passengers, whilst also providing easier access to a range of innovative in-app features, including ‘Order to Seat’, live flight information and direct updates during disruption. We look forward to delivering an enhanced travel experience for 100% of our customers, streamlined through our best-in-class myRyanair app.”
Ryanair insisted the move would mean lower airport costs and so fares for all Ryanair passengers, as well as saving 300 tonnes of paper annually.
But it has already had to reassurance customers who fear they will be caught out. For instance, it says that if passengers lose their smartphone or tablet they can get a free boarding pass at the airport, but assuming they have already checked-in to their flight online. The same is true if their battery runs out before they get through airport security, it says, while if it packs up before boarding then they “will be assisted at the gate.”
Then there is the question of what happens if a customer does not have a smartphone with the Ryanair app. The airline says: “If passengers don’t have a smartphone or tablet, as long as they have already checked-in online before arriving at the airport, they will receive a free of charge boarding pass at the airport.”
Ryanair added that, as long as passengers have checked-in online, the digital boarding pass will be available regardless of whether they have a mobile signal or not.
The airline has advised that even if you lost your phone or the battery dies at the airport, you will still be able to travel as long as you have checked in.
The gate agent will instead be able to assist and print one.
Airports will still have desks for checking in.
Some destinations such as Morocco still require a printed boarding pass, so passengers will have to show their digital boarding pass and will then be able to get a printed version at the airport.
Anyone who doesn’t check in before their flight will have to pay a check in fee at the airport.
The scrapping of boarding passes was initially planned for May, but this was then delayed to November 3, then to November 12.
Ryanair CMO Dara Brady said at the time: “This move to 100 per cent paperless boarding passes from November 2025 will allow us to deliver an enhanced travel experience for customers, streamlined through the myRyanair app during our less busy Winter schedule.”
It’s not the only big change that the budget airline recently rolled out.
The budget airline has announced a new upgrade option for fliers who’d like more space, which it claims will still be cheaper than buying two seats and will come with some extra perks
Wizz Air passengers will be able to upgrade their experience with an empty middle seat(Image: itchySan via Getty Images)
When you fly on a budget airline, every inch of space counts, and now Wizz Air is offering the ultimate upgrade for those who want to stretch out.
We all know the excitement of boarding a plane only to find the seat next to you empty, and now passengers can guarantee they won’t have a fellow traveller crammed in next to them. When booking with Wizz Air from December, passengers will be able to upgrade to Wizz Class, which will leave the middle seat next to them free.
While the change is being dubbed ‘budget business class’, travellers shouldn’t expect lie-flat beds, free champagne, or a separate cabin to escape the chaos of economy class. In addition to the extra middle seat space, the only other perks will be a seat towards the front of the plane, allowing you to disembark first, as well as priority access to the overhead bins.
Wizz Air hasn’t confirmed how much this new seating option will cost, although Bloomberg reports that executive Michael Delehant said: “In terms of fares, it’s never going to be more than buying the cost of another seat. It’s not meant to be a money-grab.”
In a statement to the Independent, Silvia Mosquera, the commercial officer at Wizz Air, explained: “The roll-out of Wizz Class follows feedback from our growing number of business travellers who value low-cost travel options and prefer additional space during the flight”.
Currently, Wizz Air passengers can pay to select their seat when flying, with complimentary seat selection available to Wizz Plus and Privilege Pass members. However, the only real upgrade available is choosing the front seats or exit rows, which come with additional legroom.
The new seating option will appear on selected flights departing from London, Rome, Warsaw, Bucharest and Budapest in December.
Wizz Air also recently announced the return of the All You Can Fly membership, which for €499.99 (approx. £440.37) offers access to numerous flights per year, with a booking fee of €9.99 (approx. £8.80) per booking. According to the company’s press release, members who’ve previously taken out a subscription used it on average nine times in a year. People who sign up can fly on over 950 routes across their network, with destinations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Members can book flights between 72 hours and three hours before departure, making it ideal for people who enjoy spontaneous adventures. However, only 10,000 memberships are available each year.
However, reviews of the product have been mixed. In a Reddit post, one customer claimed: “I recently bought Wizz Air’s “All You Can Fly” pass, thinking it would be an amazing deal to travel more affordably. But honestly, this has been one of my worst decisions.
“The “unlimited” flights feel like a joke because there’s almost never any availability! When there is, it’s typically for routes that would have cost around £20 anyway.
“The whole thing feels like it’s set up to make it nearly impossible to use, especially with their 3-day rule. You can only book flights 3 days in advance, which just seems designed to trap you into buying a return ticket separately.”
But another poster had a more positive experience, saying: “I’ve had 20 flights with Wizz Air from Budapest. They offer a lot of flights from Budapest so its a good start. Sometimes the availability was very good (for example, I could fly to Tenerife in Christmas time when the round trip was around 1000 €).
“I’ve had a flight to Eindhoven in Eastern period when the flight would have been almost 500 €. So it could be a good deal if you don’t have fixed dates and you fly alone.”
Pretoria Drever and Rhonan Kelly said they were “absolutely gutted” to miss their trip to Amsterdam but felt they “probably would’ve died” had they stayed on the KLM plane
05:16, 30 Oct 2025Updated 06:03, 30 Oct 2025
Pretoria Drever and Rhonan Kelly have shared their experience(Image: Kennedy News and Media)
A British couple claim they had no choice but to leave their aircraft and miss their holiday despite boarding — as staff “ignored” their nut allergies.
Pretoria Drever and Rhonan Kelly say KLM flight attendants continued to hand out free almond-topped cakes, even though they had told employees of their airborne allergies. Despite again raising their concerns after boarding, the couple decided they had no option but to disembark and miss their holiday to Amsterdam booked for Rhonan’s 25th birthday.
KLM says it “cannot control or prohibit other passengers” from eating products that contain — or may contain — nuts during flights. It did, though, state staff do request tourists refrain from doing so by delivering onboard announcements upon boarding.
But the situation at the gate at Edinburgh Airport on Saturday October 25 became so concerning for the couple, they felt “backed into a corner” and left the aircraft.
Rhonan, who recently got engaged to Pretoria, said: “I’ve never felt so discriminated against in all my life. I honestly believe if we took off on that flight and they served the nuts they’d have taken an emergency landing in London or we’d have probably died on the flight.
“When we book a holiday, we always double check with the airline [about our allergies]. We asked if they’d put an announcement out to ask passengers not to open anything if they do have nuts in them and if they could not sell nuts on the plane.
“Even the menu for that day was meant to be a cookie but when we got on the plane it was a banana loaf with almonds and nuts on it. The manager on the plane was saying ‘we’re not going to stop selling [nut products]. We spoke to KLM Amsterdam and they’ve told us to go ahead with selling the nut products and they can’t put an announcement out’. They said if we don’t like it, we have to basically not fly.
“I was angry but it was very embarrassing. I felt as if I was backed into a corner because no matter what we said or did, we knew we weren’t going to win.
“The pilot said that basically they need to carry out a service for what everybody’s paid for but I paid for it as well. I feel quite disgusted that an airline would do something like that.”
Although staff allegedly told Pretoria and Rhonan EpiPens were onboard, the couple felt this was not sufficient because it is only a short-term measure and typically effective until paramedics help.
Now, having missed the two-day trip, Pretoria and Rhonan, from Bellshill, Lanarkshire, hope to get a refund from KLM, the flag carrier of the Netherlands. They say they declared their allergy to nuts and peanuts on an online form, and arrived two hours early to Edinburgh Airport so they could alert staff on Saturday.
“I was absolutely gutted [to miss out on the trip] It’s put me off using that airline again and it’s actually putting the fear in me flying. I have to build myself up to be able to go on a plane. I know the air is circulated and I know that’s the chance I take,” Rhonan added.
Pretoria, who works in car insurance, admitted she could go into anaphylactic shock within just two minutes of nut exposure because of her airborne allergy and the experience has put her off flying.
Pretoria said: “Before we got on the flight, I had such bad anxiety about flying but I thought ‘it’s only an hour and a half’. But it was the worst experience ever.
“It made me feel I was different to everyone else. It was humiliating getting off the plane and as if we were less than everyone else, as if we’ve paid less so we should be leaving.
“But we obviously paid the same as every other passenger. It made me feel rubbish and unwanted. No-one even stuck us for us or said ‘I won’t eat that so they can fly’.
“They were putting our safety at risk. There’s two of us but 190 passengers so that’s the whole air with nuts in it, it was horrible. I’ll never fly with them again and it’s put me off flying ever again.”
A KLM spokesman said: “We are sorry to hear about the experience Mr. Kelly and Ms. Drever had prior to their flight from Edinburgh to Amsterdam.
“We understand how serious nut allergies can be and how distressing this situation must have been for them. When a passenger informs our crew about a nut allergy, we can make an onboard announcement kindly requesting fellow passengers to keep nut-containing products sealed for the duration of the flight.
“However, we cannot control or prohibit other passengers from consuming products that may contain nuts during the flight. While we do our utmost to support passengers with allergies, we unfortunately cannot guarantee a nut-free environment on board.
When booking a flight, most people will always choose between window or aisle — but one of these choices is actually significantly better than the other for a couple of reasons
One seat is ‘always a winner’(Image: Getty)
When it comes to booking a flight, there are typically two preferred seating options. No one fancies being sandwiched in the middle of a row, so most passengers will always opt for either window or aisle. However, one of these choices is significantly superior to the other for a couple of reasons.
One key reason is that this seat is more likely to be thoroughly cleaned between flights, reports the Express.
According to Andrea Platania, travel expert at Transfeero, the aisle seat is “always a winner”.
She explained: “Cabin crews have limited time between flights to clean every row, and reaching window seats properly is tricky.
“The aisle seats tend to be wiped more thoroughly simply because they’re easier to access.”
In addition to likely receiving a more comprehensive cleaning, the aisle seat also feels a bit fresher during long-haul flights. This is due to the way air circulates within the plane’s cabin.
Andrea clarified: “Air in the cabin circulates from top to bottom and side to side. So while the whole plane shares the same filtered air, being in the aisle gives slightly more exposure to moving air, as it can feel fresher, especially on older aircraft.”
Those who favour the aisle seat often mention more freedom to move as one of the reasons they prefer it. You don’t have to scramble over other people to get to the loo, or stretch your legs.
Andrea stated: “You can move when you want without asking anyone to stand up or doing that awkward shuffle past strangers. Being in the aisle means you can stretch, go to the loo or grab something from the overhead bin whenever you please.”
Those lucky enough to snag an aisle seat are also typically among the first to disembark the flight.
Andrea added: “When everyone stands up at once, you’re already halfway to the door while the window seat passengers are still waiting to squeeze out.
“For business travellers or anyone catching a transfer, those few minutes can be priceless.”
The Irish airline has decided to make a major change that will impact their passengers from 12 November onwards. Here’s everything you need to know about the new system
Passengers have been urged to familiarise themselves with Ryanair’s new policy before heading to the airport.(Image: Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
Ryanair passengers have been given a last-minute warning about a major change the airline is making in a matter of days.
Passengers flying with the Irish airline any time from 12 November onwards will need to follow a new rule – and not everyone is happy about it.
The budget airline has announced it is ditching physical boarding passes and going completely digital, which means paper print-outs will be a thing of the past. Travellers will now be required to show their boarding passes through the Ryanair app.
The company hopes to cut around 300 tonnes of paper annually by switching to digital, with Ryanair CMO Dara Brady explaining the airline settled on November 12 because it’s a quieter time for travel.
However, many have expressed concern about the potential challenges for elderly passengers who might not use the internet or possess smartphones.
Ryanair’s boss, Michael O’Leary, has now sought to reassure passengers with anxieties about the compulsory smartphone boarding passes. He said: “Almost 100 per cent of passengers have smartphones, and we want to move everybody onto the smartphone technology.
“The big concern that people have is: ‘What happens if I lose my battery or whatever, I lose my phone?’ reports Wales Online.
“If you lose your phone, no issue. As long as you’ve checked in before you get to the airport, we’ll reissue a paper boarding pass at the airport free of charge. But you have to check in before you get to the airport.
“Also, if your battery dies or something happens, once you’ve checked in, we’ll have your sequence number anyway at the boarding gate, we’ll take you, you’ll get on. So nobody should worry about it.
“Just make sure you check in online before you get to the airport, and then all will be fine.”
Guidance on Ryanair’s website echoes this, adding: “If you have already checked in online and you lose your smartphone or tablet (or it dies), your details are already on our system and you will be assisted at the gate.”
The website also emphasises the importance of completing their online check-in. “All Ryanair passengers will still receive email reminders to check-in online 48 and 24hrs pre-departure.
“If any passenger arrives at the airport but hasn’t checked in online (having ignored these reminders), they will still be required to pay the airport check-in fee.”
Currently, the fee is set at £55/€55 per passenger for most flights. However, passengers flying out of Spain are obliged to pay £30/€30, while those departing from Austria will be hit with a £40/€40 charge.
There are two exceptions to the new digital boarding pass rule; the first is passengers flying to Albania. Authorities there have insisted passengers present paper passes until March 2026, after which they’ve agreed passes can be digital.
Morocco has the same paper pass policy as Albania, however, it won’t be changing its rules to fit Ryanair’s new paperless policy. Michael O’Leary has confirmed the airline will make exceptions in this case and accept physical passes for flights to the African country.
ANOTHER European airline is set to go into administration in days – impacting hundreds of thousands of passengers.
Eastern Airways, that serves different destinations in England and Scotland, has filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.
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Eastern Airways has filed for an administratorCredit: Alamy
This means the company has 10 days to fix its problems before it officially goes bust.
However, all routes have now been suspended with all flights axed.
Selina Chadha, Consumer & Markets Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Eastern Airways flights are cancelled.
“Eastern Airways customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website for the latest information.”
Eastern Airways launched back in 1997 and carries around 1.3million passengers each year.
The airline plays a key role in providing regional air travel across the UK, with current destinations including Wick and Aberdeen in Scotland, and then Humberside, Teeside International, London Gatwick and Newquay.
However, the airline has previously operated many other routes including to Gibraltar from Southampton and Birmingham.
Services to Gibraltar were launched back in 2021 but then axed just a year later.
And in March last year, the operator also cancelled its route between Cardiff to Paris Orly, France.
Only this year, did the airline also announce that it would be launching flights from Newquay in Cornwall, to London Southend Airport in Essex.
Currently, this route cannot be seen on the airline’s website.
Eastern Airways is also the number one provider of charter flights for sports teams in Europe – this includes Premier League and Championshipfootball teams, Rugby Union teams and Super League teams.
For the 12 months to March 2024, Eastern Airways reported a net loss of £19.7million — £4.8million higher than the previous year.
The company’s total debt rose by £4.8million to £25.97million, while profit fell sharply to £454,000 from £1.55million the year before.
What to do if you have an upcoming flight with Eastern Airways
LISA Minot, Head of Travel at The Sun, shares her advice…
Passengers stranded by the collapse of Eastern Airways have several options depending on their circumstances.
If you’re flight is cancelled, you’ll need to find – and pay – for an alternative flight with another airline.
Many airlines offer rescue fares when competitors go bust, offering lower prices for those who can prove they were due to fly with the airline that has failed.
It will be your responsibility to get yourself home – but if you have scheduled airline failure as part of your travel insurance policy you may well be able to claim on that and recoup the cost.
For those without scheduled airline failure insurance, you will sadly be left out of pocket and have to get yourself home.
If you are due to fly with Eastern Airways in the coming days, weeks or months, you should put a claim in straight away with your debit or credit card provider.
They should refund you without fuss.
For those who are due to fly with Eastern Airways as part of a package holiday they have bought from a travel agent or tour operator, your package holiday provider is obliged to find an alternative way for you to reach your destination or offer you a full refund.
Or if you can get the train, London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), ScotRail, TransPennine Express (TPE), and Northern Railway are offering free Standard Class travel to Eastern Airways staff and customers on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 October, on suitable routes operated by each train company.
The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has the latest information on its website, caa.co.uk
Many Brits are unaware of certain specific rules to do with carrying phones and laptops on planes that could get caught you out at the airport if you are not careful
Many people don’t know this hand baggage rule(Image: Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
All airlines have their own restrictions, such as the size of hand luggage you can take onboard or whether you can pack your own food and drink. But one little-known security rule in particular can still catch out even seasoned travellers, and it concerns electronic items.
The rule applies to all airlines, so whether you’re jetting off with TUI, British Airways, Ryanair, or easyJet, it’s important to follow these guidelines.
All airlines allow certain electronic items in hand luggage, including mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, and chances are, you’ll be taking at least one of these on board to keep you entertained.
However, if any of these items have a flat battery, you could find yourself facing a difficult decision. Electrical items need to be charged, as security may ask you to switch these items on. If you can’t, they can refuse to let you through security, putting a stop to your travels.
The UK government’s official website, which has a wide variety of travel advice and updates, states: “Make sure your electronic devices are charged before you travel. If your device does not switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft.”
If you do make the mistake of leaving an uncharged item in your bag, your options will depend on the country you’re departing from and the airline you’re flying with. One option is to put it in your checked luggage if it hasn’t been checked in yet.
British Airways
British Airways offers this advice on its website: “Please ensure that any items in your hand baggage are fully charged and switched on before you arrive at the airport. If your device is not charged, please place it in your checked baggage.
“If you are connecting, make sure that you do not deplete power in your devices during the first part of your journey as charging points at airports might be very limited and you may need an adapter.”
If you find yourself unable to get through security, British Airways advises passengers at London Heathrow Airport to consider rebooking onto a later flight, giving them time to charge their device.
However, the airline’s advice continues: “A fee might apply for changing your booking, subject to your ticket type”, meaning a flat battery could be a costly mistake.
BA also suggests leaving your goods at “Bagport, who operate the lost property office in London Heathrow.” They will then get a reference number and need to contact them once they’ve arrived at their destination to arrange retrieval of the item.
TUI’s advice states: “If you’re carrying any electronic devices in your hand luggage that are capable of holding a charge, you’ll need to make sure they’re fully charged when you go through airport security. This is part of new security measures that have been introduced by airports in the UK and abroad.
“We recommend you keep things like mobile phones switched on until you board the plane, as there might be more checks at the departure gate.”
Ryanair
Ryanair doesn’t provide any additional guidance on its site. Under the FAQ ‘What happens if my smartphone or tablet dies before airport security?’, it states: “If you have already checked in online and your smartphone or tablet dies, you will receive a free of charge boarding pass at the airport.” However, it is not mentioned what your options would be if security refuses to let you through.
BRITAIN has just opened a brand-new train station in a 100-year first – marking a major milestone for rail travel in the UK.
Beaulieu Park Station saw its first passengers roll out at 7:20am on Sunday morning – marking the first new stop on Essex’s main rail line.
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The historic moment took place at Beaulieu Park station in Chelmsford, Essex, as the first commuters boarded trains from the long-awaited stop on Sunday morningCredit: Greater AngliaThe £175million project marks the first new station on the Great Eastern Main Line since 1896Credit: Greater Anglia
The shiny new £175million station, operated by Greater Anglia, welcomed the Colchester 6.56am train to London Liverpool Street, pulling in at 8.12am.
The long-awaited stop promises to slash journey times, with commuters reaching the capital in just 40 minutes.
It was funded by a £175million pot, including £141million from the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, £12million from the South-East Local Enterprise Partnership and £22million from developers Countryside (now part of Vistry) and L&Q.
The station is set to ease pressure on Chelmsford’s busy main station and cut car trips into the city centre.
Part of the new Beaulieu and Channels neighbourhoods, the state-of-the-art hub will boost access to jobs, drive investment and fuel growth in the north of Chelmsford.
The new Beaulieu Parkway relief road links directly to the station from the A12, and a future North-East bypass will connect travellers from Braintree and surrounding villages.
Features and amenities
The new Beaulieu Park Station comes packed with modern features designed to make travel smoother for everyone.
There’s step-free access to all platforms via two lifts, alongside ticket vending machines, a staffed gate line and fully accessible toilets with baby changing facilities.
Passengers can also take advantage of a comfortable waiting area and space for retail or catering outlets.
For drivers, there’s parking for 705 vehicles spread across two car parks – including 38 free Blue Badge bays, 10 electric vehicle charging points, and dedicated areas for staff, emergency services and motorcycles.
Public transport links have also been upgraded, with local bus routes C11, C9, C8 and 73 now stopping directly at the station.
A handy pick-up and drop-off zone includes dedicated taxi bays, while the transport interchange offers bus stands for local services.
Cyclists haven’t been forgotten either – there are 500 spaces for free covered bike storage and paid secure storage options too.
To top it off, local walking and cycling routes have been improved, with several new paths created to make the station more accessible to nearby communities.
Ticket prices
An off-peak day return from Beaulieu Park Station to London Liverpool Street is priced at £28.20, while seven-day season tickets will cost £134.60.
A day return to London Liverpool Street during peak hours will cost travellers £42.60.
For those travelling to and from Stratford, the costs are £22.60 for an off-peak ticket, £19.70 for a standard day single and £35.30 for a standard day return.
The new service will also service Southend Airport, with tickets costing £16.90 for a standard day single, £24.10 for a standard day return, and £21.30 for a child day return.
Residents of other cities such as Ipswich and Norwich will also benefit from Beaulieu Park Station.
The full list of fares and services is available from operator Greater Anglia.
There’s a new train operator in town
They hope to challenge Eurostar with trips across the Channel…
A brand-new train operator is hoping to launch services between the UK and Europe, offering ‘competitive fares’ for passengers.
Currently, Eurostar is the only rail operator that connects the UK to destinations across Europe, including cities in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
This could all change as a new train operating company, Gemini,has announced its plans to launch services between the UK and Europe.
The new train operator, which is currently being established, hopes to begin its rail journey by launching services from London to Paris and Brussels.
Once services between London and Paris/Brussels have launched, Gemini hopes to further its list of European destinations.
The new rail operator plans to introduce ‘new cutting-edge trains and a fresh approach to sales and ticketing’ on services between the UK and Europe.
The first passengers boarded the Colchester 6.56am train to London Liverpool Street at 8.12amCredit: Greater AngliaOperated by Greater Anglia, the station provides travel to London Liverpool Street in 40 minutesCredit: Greater AngliaPassengers can also take advantage of a comfortable waiting area and space for retail or catering outletsCredit: Greater Anglia
A MAJOR UK airport has been shut down after facing difficulties with one of its runways.
Flights were cancelled and planes grounded overnight with passengers encouraged to check with their airlines to see if their journey has been affected.
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Planes due to land at the airport were diverted to other UK sitesCredit: LNPLeeds Bradford Airport was closed following issues with its runwayCredit: Alamy
Leeds Bradford Airport is expected to remain closed to both departures and arrivals until 5am on Saturday.
Jet setters were warned that the closure could continue on longer.
The first flight out of the closed airport, a Jet2 service to Heraklion in Crete, is expected to leave shortly before 5:25am.
Flights due to land at Leeds Bradford Airport were diverted and sent to other UK airports in the wake of the runway issue.
The busy airport usually operates for 24 hours a day but has been closed now until the issue can be adressed.
Staff at the airport are reportedly working at speed to fix the problem as soon as they can.
The team at Leeds Bradford Airport said that customer safety is their number on priority.
Disappointed holidaymakers can make contact with staff on the ground at terminals to ask any questions about their flights.
A statement on the airport’s website, posted at 10pm, reads: “Due to an unforeseen issue with the runway, we have had to take the decision to close the airport until the morning.
“Customers are advised to check with their airline for the most up-to-date information regarding their flight.
“We are working to resolve the disruption as soon as possible, the safety and comfort of the passengers travelling through our terminal is our number one priority.
“Our team is on the ground in the terminal to answer any customer queries regarding departures.”
Leeds Bradford Airport was granted planning permission to operate round the clock in 1994.
Dozens of flights take off and land at the busy midlands airport on a day-by-day basis.
According to the airport’s website there is a designated night-time flight period.
This lasts from 11pm to 7am every evening with only the quietest jets permitted to operate between these hours.
Here’s the full list of best to worst UK airports according to Which?
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It is not yet clear how many passengers have been affected
A massive airline system failure has left thousands of travellers facing lengthy delays. Alaska Airlines called for a temporary ground stop early on Friday morning (October 24) which resulted in at least 229 flights being axed.
The number of passengers – including Britons – who may have been delayed or impacted remains unclear. Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, was also hit by the disruption. Flight operations have now resumed.
The carrier emphasised that safety was never compromised during the breakdown, which stemmed from a malfunction at the airline’s primary data centre. Matas Cenys, head of product at Saily, explained that even small technical faults can paralyse vital processes, creating chaos for travellers.
They explained: “Airlines today operate on highly interconnected digital systems. When one system fails, the effects can spread across the entire network, grounding flights and disrupting operations. This is why Alaska Airlines’ recent outage, while labeled a ‘technical error’, caused widespread cancellations and delays. Even minor glitches can freeze critical processes because redundancy systems are not always perfect.
“Airlines’ digital systems are like a row of dominoes. Each system – scheduling, crew assignments, baggage, gates – depends on the one before it. If a single one falls, even from something small, like a database error, it can trigger a chain reaction that stops the whole operation. Most passengers never see these links, but that’s how flights keep running on time.
“There’s also a cybersecurity overlap. Even when outages are accidental, system downtime can create potential opportunities for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities. During a disruption, normal safeguards and monitoring may be reduced or delayed, allowing malicious actors to target systems before defences are fully restored.
“Travel runs on trust that systems will work, flights will depart, and bags will arrive. Every outage chips away that confidence. Rebuilding it will require transparency and visible investment in resilience.
“Every outage has a huge human cost. Travelers get stranded in airports, tired and nervous, and airport workers have to operate under stress trying to manage the chaos. This incident should serve as a reminder to the entire travel and tech industry to reassess and reinforce their IT systems.”
Bob. Mermaid. Code 300. Gate lice. These are all code words that flight attendants use to subtly discuss passengers when whizzing along at 30,000 feet. Knowing how to crack the code is key to working out what they’re talking about
Shelly Martin Peters has lifted the lid on her life as a flight attendant
Flight attendants have a subtle way of letting each other know if there is a hottie onboard.
When working the aisles at 30,000 feet, there isn’t much room for maneuvering a food trolley around or gossiping about which of the passengers has caught your eye. Which is why flight attendants use two code words to make it clear which way their heart is beating.
“If you hear them refer to someone as ‘Bob’, they are using the secret acronym ‘babe on board’. When you are disembarking from the aircraft, if the flight attendant says ‘cheerio’ to you this could also be code they have a secret crush!” a flight attendant, who asked to remain anonymous, told eShores.
“We always run back to the galley and let the rest of the crew know where the sexy passenger is sat. We will be extra nice to them and give them freebies. I can confirm phone numbers have definitely been written on napkins!”
Sherry Martin Peters, a veteran flight attendant and founder of Atlas + Wild AtlasAndWild.com, is keen for passengers to know that, behind the professional exterior, she and her colleagues lead intriguing and sometimes less glamorous than you might expect.
“I’ve been an international flight attendant for 26 years, and passengers only see the smiling, polished version of us—but there’s an entirely different reality behind that image,” she told the Mirror.
“We speak in acronyms because airline lingo becomes its own mother tongue. Trips aren’t described by days, but by city: ‘I’m flying Athens this month.’ Casually mentioning having lunch in New York, then breakfast in Paris is not bragging — it’s just Tuesday and it’s our normal. Confusing to outsiders, yes. You may start to understand it, and even speak our language to some extent if you are married to us, or are close friends.
“Our geography is fluid. Our bodies no longer belong to a single time zone. So we build rituals to feel grounded — even when we’re 35,000 feet above it.”
There are plenty of other codewords that flight attendants deploy when subtly chatting about passengers. They include:
Mermaid – A playful yet passive-aggressive nickname for a passenger who deliberately sprawls out across empty seats to deter others from sitting in their row.
Code 300 or Angel – These indicate that someone has died on board.
ABP – translates to ‘able-bodied passengers’. These are individuals that the crew seek out just in case of an emergency.
Gate Lice – This term refers to passengers, often inexperienced flyers, who crowd around or line up at a gate at an airport, completely blocking the boarding area and preventing First and Business Class passengers from getting on the plane when they’re allowed to.
A seasoned traveller has shared a list of items that should never be packed in checked luggage, as they could be difficult to replace if your suitcase goes missing
15:54, 17 Oct 2025Updated 15:57, 17 Oct 2025
Some items shouldn’t be left in checked luggage(Image: Jackyenjoyphotography via Getty Images)
A travel guru has issued a stark warning to holidaymakers, urging them not to pack certain items in their checked luggage. With many travellers heading off for Christmas breaks or to enjoy some winter sun, Jet2, Ryanair, easyJet, and TUI passengers are being warned about the potential dangers of packing a variety of everyday items.
TikTok user @thepointsguy has offered crucial advice on what you should “never put in your checked bag, regardless of how short your flight is.”
He’s highlighted items such as suncream and plug adaptors, due to the potential issues if your checked bag goes missing.
This guidance serves as an important reminder to always keep certain essentials within reach during travel. One item that should always be kept close at hand is any prescription medication, reports Chronicle Live.
The expert said: “One thing that should always be kept close at hand is any prescription meds. The expert said: You may be able to get a doctor to call in your prescription, but that becomes trickier if it’s a weekend or a holiday or if your medication doesn’t allow for refills before the previous prescription runs out.”
Moreover, he has advised against storing electronics in checked luggage. He cautioned that despite the honesty of most airport staff, there remains a “risk” of theft.
He also warns against packing “jewellery and cash” in checked luggage, along with any “items with significant personal value”, urging holidaymakers to keep such treasures close to hand to prevent “financial or emotional loss”.
Finally, he suggested that “plug adapters and high-quality suncream” should remain in your hand luggage, as these could be difficult to find in more remote locations if your checked baggage goes missing.
The savvy traveller suggests packing “daily necessities” in your carry-on bag – always ready for those times when a spare outfit, essential toiletries, or vision aids such as glasses or contact lenses might be needed at short notice.
Following this prudent advice going viral and receiving widespread praise online, one TikTok user commented: “Everything important goes into my carry-on. Meds, contacts, electronics in particular.”
Another agreed, adding: “I only have clothing and shoes in checked bags. Everything else is in my carry-on.”
This handy guidance comes as millions of Brits jet off to Christmas markets as well as winter sun destinations from the Canaries to the Caribbean. However, if you’re hoping to travel light with just hand luggage and space is a concern, another travel expert has revealed a clever trick to pack ‘three months’ worth of stuff’.
This strategy was shared on TikTok by @joanna. pirog, who ditched the use of packing cubes for a more simple and cost-effective method.
Her demonstration involved an empty suitcase and a selection of holiday clothes, which she neatly rolled before carefully placing them within the luggage.
Her suitcase held an impressive range of dresses, shirts, tops, skirts, and shorts with ease, and even when it appeared full, Joanna managed to fit in extra items by slotting them into small gaps. She insisted that this method allowed her to pack ‘three months’ worth of clothes into a single compact suitcase.
A TikTok user has shared a ‘travel hack’ that shows how to get an açaí bowl through security – but experts have warned that it could result in a hefty fine
Make sure you check liquid rules before you fly(Image: Jaromr Chalabala / 500px via Getty Images)
Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have become a hub for so-called “travel hacks.”
Holidaymakers often turn to these online content creators for tips on how to make the most of their flights and hotel stays.
However, much of the advice found online should be taken with a pinch of salt, especially if it doesn’t come from a qualified expert.
This has been the case with one passenger’s video, which has caught the attention of travellers worldwide and has now been viewed over a million times.
In the clip, she reveals how she manages to get her açaí bowl past security: by freezing it before packing it in her hand luggage, reports Chronicle Live.
The post sparked confusion in the comments section, with one viewer asking: “Wait, how did you get this through security?”, and another warning, “Pretty sure this is still considered a liquid.”
Now, travel experts are weighing in – and they have one clear warning.
According to Amanda Parker, spokesperson for Netflights, freezing açaí bowls or similar liquids to bypass security screening isn’t just ineffective – it could result in your snack being confiscated or, worse, a hefty fine.
“According to official government guidelines, you’re not allowed to carry frozen items in your hand luggage,” explained the travel specialist.
Even though this açaí bowl is frozen, it’s still considered a liquid and security will treat it as a liquid. “Your treat may start to thaw when you pass through airport security, and if it exceeds the 100 ml liquid limit, it’ll be going straight in the bin. Plus, the spillage while you carry it, not worth the hassle.”
Furthermore, the risk continues beyond security, as the contents of the bowl could also cause issues at customs for those returning to the UK. Many popular toppings and ingredients, including dairy, seeds, and fresh fruit, breach UK border regulations.
“There are restrictions on bringing food back to the UK, too. Meat, dairy, fish, fruit, veg, nuts and seeds are all no-nos,” Amanda warned. “You could face a £5,000 fine if you break these rules. Since açaí bowls are typically topped with nuts, seeds, and dairy, it’s crucial not to freeze your açaí bowl for your flight back to the UK, as you could pay the price.”
ONE popular airline was forced to stop flights this week after a ‘freak’ maintenance issue.
Thousands of passengers have had their flights cancelled or delayed due to an unusual safety problem.
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Popular carrier Finnair saw flights cancelled due to safety issueCredit: GettyThe airline said in a statement that the cancellations were due to the cleaning of the seatsCredit: Finnair
According to Finnair, the issue that caused the cancellation was aircraft seat covers being cleaned incorrectly.
A statement from the airline revealed that the “seat cover cleaning method (water washing) on fire protection has not been properly verified”.
It continued to add that safety is its “top priority” and it would be acting on the “manufacturers’ maintenance instructions as well as the guidelines and recommendations of the authorities”.
The airline said that it would make daily aircraft type changes to minimise the number of cancellations, but that this would likely “lead to overbookings”.
It added that “several flights between 13 and 17 October 2025” had been cancelled and it would be likely that there would be more “flight cancellations, delays or changes in the operating airline”.
On October 13-14, the airline cancelled 40 services, with a further 18 more services grounded on October 15-16, according to FlightAware.
Today, four flights have been cancelled travelling from London Heathrow to Finland‘s capital, Helsinki.
Finnair is one of Europe‘s largest airlines and the cancellations have affected around 10,000 passengers.
Passengers caught up by these cancellation mishap may be due up to £520 in compensation for the inconvenience caused, as outlined by AirAdvisor.
Anton Radchenko, CEO of AirAdvisor, said: “From a compensation perspective under UK and EU law passengers whose flights were cancelled as a result of this operational error could be due up to £520 in compensation.”
Some of the cancelled routes were from London Heathrow to HelsinkiCredit: Finnair
Anton continued: “It remains to be seen how Finnair will frame the cause of the cancellations, but the issue appears to have originated from a maintenance procedure rather than a regulatory safety order.
“If your flight is delayed by over two hours, airlines should offer affected passengers free food and drink vouchers to make the delay more comfortable.
“Equally, if your flight is moved to the following day, you can seek overnight accommodation from your airline.”
There were also problems in Belgium airports this week as thousands of passengers had their journeys interrupted due to strikes.
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
THE new EES is officially underway – and the new system has already been causing long wait times at certain airports.
Passengers at Brussels Airport have complained about waiting for up to three hours to get through border control this week.
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The introduction of EES has been rolled out at the airport where there were long queuesCredit: AlamyOne video added to X revealed long lines for border controlCredit: X
One passenger spoke to The Brussels Times about her ordeal getting through border control at Brussels Airport claiming she waited for more than three hours.
Rebecca Wells who was travelling with a US passport, told the publication that the queue for those arriving outside of the EU was much longer than the one for EU passports.
She added: “There was nobody there to brief you or tell you what was going on.”
And when it came to the new EES system, it wasn’t used. Rebecca explained that her passport was “stamped like normal”.
Despite there being a spot to take fingerprints, it wasn’t used.
Another disgruntled passenger took to social media taking a picture of the queue and remarked that just two out of the five customs booths were open during “peak time”.
However, another passenger who also spoke to The Brussels Times on an EU passport said it was “all digital” and she had no issues going through.
When The Brussels Times approached Brussels Airport for comment, they could not confirm whether the long wait times were due to the EES system.
A spokesperson for the Federal Police, which is responsible for the airport’s border control, told the publication that the long wait time was due to “a combination of factors”.
The new EES rules began the first phase of the rollout on October 12, 2025.
The new EES machine have been installed at certain airportsCredit: REUTERS
For travellers, it means having fingerprints scanned and photo taken at European borders.
The new system is being rolled out across Europe gradually and is set to be completely operational at all external Schengen border crossings by April 10, 2026.
At Dover, the new EES is required by coach drivers and won’t apply to other passengers until November 1.
Meanwhile, Eurostarhas started with just business travellers, and the Eurotunnel will begin with coaches and lorries before moving to cars.
You’ll scan your passport, then the machine will take your fingerprints and a photo.
Kids under 12 will not need to give fingerprints.
You will also answer four quick questions on the screen about your trip, such as where you are staying and confirming you have enough money for your holiday.
Once registered, your details are stored for three years, and on future trips, you’ll just need a quick face scan to verify it is you.
As many as 48,000 airline passengers are set to be affected by a nationwide strike on Tuesday
21:32, 13 Oct 2025Updated 23:02, 13 Oct 2025
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled due to a nationwide strike against government austerity measures(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Tens of thousands of passengers are facing travel chaos as a nationwide strike brings Belgium to a standstill.
Two of the country’s main airports have confirmed mass cancellations for Tuesday, October 14, with flights grounded and severe delays expected.
At Brussels Airport – the country’s biggest – all departing flights have been cancelled, while around half of all arrivals have been scrapped. Brussels Charleroi Airport, which is a key base for budget airlines like Ryanair, has also confirmed that all flights – both arrivals and departures – will be cancelled on Tuesday.
The strike was called by Belgium’s trade unions in protest against government austerity measures. Metro, bus and tram services across the country are also expected to be severely disrupted.
Brussels Airport spokesperson Jeffrey Franssens said on Monday that 115 of 238 scheduled arrivals have been cancelled. Two weeks ago, the airport announced that all 234 departures had been scrapped due to a planned walkout by “a large number” of G4S security staff.
The airport warned of “major disruptions” on the day of the strike, adding that both Monday and Wednesday would be particularly busy as passengers try to rearrange travel plans.
Charleroi Airport said on its website: “Passengers affected scheduled to fly via Charleroi on 14 October will be contacted in the coming days by their airline for a rebooking or refund.”
A total 48,000 passengers will be affected by the strike – 33,000 of whom were scheduled to depart and 15,000 of whom were scheduled to arrive – The Brussels Times reports.
Union representatives said they expect a massive turnout at their demonstration in Brussels. “We want to send a strong signal,” said ACLVB spokesperson Kurt Van Hissenhoven.
Following this advice could ensure your trip is as safe and stress-free as possible
Heathrow Airport urged all passengers to make some checks before flying(Image: Getty)
A major UK airport has issued an alert to all passengers. Heathrow airport told people to “make sure to check” travel advice ahead of a planned trip.
While many of us head abroad as a way to relax and take a break from our day-to-day lives, holidays can prove stressful if they don’t go smoothly. For this reason, it is important to stay up-to-date with any travel warnings and advice for your chosen destination. In a on X, the official Heathrow Airport account said: “Looking to book your next trip from Heathrow?
“Whether you’re relaxing on the beach or engaging in extreme sports, make sure to check the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination and sign up to http://GOV.UK email alerts.”
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides a comprehensive travel guide for each country on its website here. You can use this to get the latest information on your destination.
As part of a more general travel checklist, the FCDO says before your trip you should:
Research your destination
Get insured
Check your documents
Consider your health
Research your destination
Before heading off you should make sure you are up-to-date on all the latest travel advice for your destination. The FCDO said: “Get up-to-date advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences by checking foreign travel advice for the country you’re visiting.”
You should not leave this important step until the last minute. “Get appropriate travel insurance as soon as you book,” the FCDO said.
“Check that it covers the places you will visit, the duration of your visit and any planned activities such as adventure sports. Tell your insurance company about any medical conditions, including undiagnosed conditions which are being investigated, and check that your policy will cover these.”
Check your documents for travel
This includes doing the following:
Sign your passport and complete the emergency contacts page
Ensure that your passport meets the entry requirements for the country you are visiting (for example, it may need to be valid for a set period after your trip ends)
Get the correct visa for your destination
Take an extra form of photo ID with you, other than your passport
If you are travelling with children check whether you need extra documentation
If you plan to drive abroad check whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)
Consider your health
As standard, you should check the healthcare advice for all countries you’re visiting. It is also vital to check what vaccinations you need and what health precautions you should take at least eight weeks before you travel.
Information on this is available on the NHS website. You should also check the rules on taking your medicine abroad.
More specifically, if you are travelling to an EU country or Switzerland, you should apply for a new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), if your GHIC (or EHIC) has expired. The FCDO said: “An EHIC or GHIC may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. It is not a substitute for travel insurance.”
If you are planning on drinking while away you should also “be alert” to the risk of spiked and contaminated drinks, including methanol poisoning. You can check the Travel Aware website for more details.
Getting help from the FCDO
You can stay up to date before and during travel by following FCDO Travel Advice on Facebook and X. You can sign up for email alerts on GOV.UK
You can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the FCDO in London 24 hours a day on 020 7008 5000 for advice.
A well-known airline has launched a new scheme which allows travellers place a bid to keep the seat next to them free on both domestic and international short-haul flights
This airline allows passengers to bid for an empty seat [stock image](Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Great news if you hate being bunched up next to strangers while flying – a major airline is now allowing passengers to bid to keep the seat next to them empty.
This handy new scheme, launched by Virgin Australia, will allow flight passengers to have two seats instead of one. The ‘Neighbour-Free Seating’ option will be available for travellers heading on either domestic and short-haul international flights.
If they select the new option, economy passengers can place a bid through the airline’s app to reserve an additional seat next to them – with the auction starting for as little as £14 but rising upon demand.
Successful passengers will be informed two hours before their flight departure if they have their seat free, reports The Sun. Of course, there is a possibility that someone may book the empty seat. In this case, the winning passenger will be refunded.
It’s also important to note that while Neighbour-Free Seating provides extra personal space next to the assigned seat, it does not include any additional baggage allowance.
According to Virgin Australia, the new option means passengers will have “a more spacious Economy experience at great value”. The new feature comes after a 2023 survey which found that 42 per cent of Virgin Australia passengers said they would consider paying a fee to have the middle seat empty on international flights longer than three hours.
Additionally, 35 per cent of passengers also said they would do the same for domestic flights more than three hours.
Virgin Australia executive, Libby Minogue said: “Our priority is to give Virgin Australia guests even more value and choice when they choose to fly with us.”
She added: “Neighbour-Free Seating is a clever add-on for Economy travellers who want the certainty of extra space without the price tag. After booking their flight, passengers can bid for the additional seat via the Virgin Australia app.”
A similar feature is offered by other airlines like Qantas and Air France.
Those flying with Air France have the option to pay for the ‘Empty Seat Option – My Extra Space’, when they check-in online or through the airline’s app, allowing them to reserve up to three empty seats next to their own for greater comfort, space and privacy.
