passengers

Jet2 issued a new alert on Friday morning

Jet2 has issued a warning to many passengers who are soon due to fly abroad.

One of the UK’s largest airlines, Jet2 now flies from some 14 airports across the country, including London Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham. Jet2 also flies from East Midlands Airport, and passengers due to travel from here over the weekend have been urged to plan wisely ahead of their trips. On Friday morning (April 16) Jet2 issued a new alert ahead of an expected “increase in traffic”.

Jet2 said at 10am on Friday: “We wanted to let you know there may be an increase in traffic over this weekend due to the British Touring Car Championship event at Donington Park on Saturday 18th April 2026 and Sunday 19th April 2026. If you’re affected, please allow extra time for your journey to the airport as we’re operating all our flights as scheduled.

“Please arrive at the airport at least two hours before your departure time. Check-in closes 40 minutes before a flight’s departure time.”

The announcement comes after Jet2 also updated passengers travelling to parts of Spain on Friday. The airline warned there may be some delays on flights to Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Jerez, and La Palma, due to strike action by Spanish Air Traffic Control company Saerco.

All passengers travelling with Jet2 are advised to check the travel information section of its website at least 12 hours before their flight is due to depart.

A STANDOFF between unions and operators means a town’s brand new train station is still closed – two years after being built.

A transformative railway line aiming to link Oxford and Cambridge is continuing to see setbacks, leading to delayed openings of stations.

The £7 billion project by East-West Rail (EWR) aims to improve transport links for millions of residents in the region and boost economic growth.

Finished in 2024, the line between Bicester Village and Bletchley, a 36-mile journey, was due to open last year.

Currently, passengers trains are running on the tracks – except they have no passengers on board.

A series of disputes between trade unions and the operator, Chiltern Railways, have meant that the stations remain closed and only empty trains are travelling along the tracks.

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The ghost-trains currently running through the station are a combination of freight trains and those used for driver training.

Currently, the only EWR trains on the new line in use are those between Oxford and Bicester Village.

Winslow is one of the towns located on the Bicester Village to Bletchley line that has been affected by the closures.

The £5 million station was completed back in 2024, but has remained closed amid the rows.

It’s opening has also been delayed by concerns raised over the platform length at the station which are going to have to be extended to accommodate the number of travelers.

Both setbacks have frustrated local residents.

A local told the The Telegraph, that the exasperating delays have caused “difficult and annoying delays” for her daughter who has to travel to Oxford to work.

They said that the delays indicate that Britain “doesn’t work like it used to”, and believe a situation like this would “never” have occurred when they were a youngster.

The cause of the row boils down to who operates the doors.

Chiltern Railways, the operator, beleive that the train line should run as a driver-only operation (DOO) meaning that only the train driver is in charge of opening and closing the doors and no guards are required.

They are in a standoff with the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, who represent train guards.

The back-and-forth between the two parties means that plans to continue with the lines opening have be brought to a standstill.

An action group has been set up on Facebook by upset locals to discuss ongoing updates.

It has also become a place for residents to vent their frustration with the continued delays, with one local calling the lack of passenger trains running “an absolute farce”.

Long-haul flights are always an endurance test, but one airline aims to make it easier with comfy sleep pods that you can book for a few hours to sleep or just stretch out your legs

Long-haul holidays allow you to go on exotic adventures, but the trade off is that you spend hours cramped into a plane seat, desperately trying to adjust to the time zone at your destination.

If you’re feeling flush, you might consider an upgrade to business or first-class for access to lie flat beds, although that usually costs several times the price of an economy ticket, so for most of us it’s an option that’s out of reach.

But one airline has launched an option that costs far less than a cabin upgrade and can be enjoyed by economy and premium economy passengers as an add-on.

Air New Zealand passengers flying on ultra long-haul flights between New York and Auckland will be able to book a slot in Economy Skynest™ from May 18, and the service will be available on flights from November this year. Billed as “the world’s first sleep pods in the sky”, Skynest will feature six individual lie-flat nests which can be booked for four-hour slots during the journey.

Given that the flight time on this route is up to 18 hours, making it one of the world’s longest flights, spending some time in the pods could give passengers some much needed respite from their economy class seat. The pods will be in a separate area of the cabin with a privacy curtain, and each pod is around six foot six inches in height, so even tall passengers can stretch out.

Each passenger who books the a pod gets a free amenity kit including an eye mask and ear plugs, and the bed linens are refreshed between passengers to ensure a clean space. Each pod has a seatbelt, so you won’t be woken up if the seatbelt sign comes on, and there’s a USB charging outlet and small light if you want to read or scroll through your phone.

A session in Skynest will cost from $495 New Zealand Dollars, around £215, making it a pricey upgrade but still cheaper than flying in a premium cabin.

READ MORE: Two more major airlines forced to increase flight prices by £86 due to fuel crisisREAD MORE: 5 travel changes Brits should be aware of before summer

Skynest isn’t the first upgrade Air New Zealand has offered to its economy passengers. In 2011, it launched Skycouch, an option for economy class passengers to reserve an entire row that converts into a lie-flat bed, allowing for extra comfort on long trips. These seats have a pull out footrest so the bed is wider than a standard airplane seat.

The Skycouch option is available to passengers on selected routes who fly onboard its Boeing 777-300ER or 787-9 aircraft. The cost depends on the route and availability, although reportedly the upgrade ranges from NZ$525 to $1,500 per row (about £228 to £652). United Airlines is set to launch a similar product in 2027 with Relax Rows, while Lufthansa already offers the option of a Sleeper Row on flights over 11 hours.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

The airline responded to a passenger who asked for an update on upcoming flights

TUI has shared a message to passengers worried about possible ‘fuel shortages’. The travel company issued advice on social media, responding to a customer with concerns.

The update comes as experts have warned Europe could face jet fuel shortages if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened in the coming weeks. Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, the trade body for European airports, previously said: “At this stage, we understand that if the passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in any significant and stable way within the next three weeks, systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality for the EU.

“The fact that we are entering the peak summer season… is only adding to those concerns.” On Thursday, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned Europe has “maybe six weeks of jet fuel left”.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has also said disruption could begin in May. He previously told Sky News: “Fuel suppliers are constantly looking at the market.

“We don’t expect any disruption until early May, but if the war continues, we do run the risk of supply disruptions in Europe in May and June, and we hope the war will finish sooner than that and the risk to supply will be eliminated.”

In response to the developments, a TUI passenger contacted the airline on X to ask if it could share an update for any flights booked after May 1. The social media user wrote: “TUIUK, with the reported jet fuel shortages, are you expecting holidays from May 1st to be affected?”

Replying to the message on April 16, a customer service team member answered on behalf of the airline. She wrote: “Hey, we’re closely monitoring the developing situation in the Middle East and its potential impact on global aviation fuel supplies.

“At present, we’re not anticipating any immediate disruption to our flight schedules or holiday programmes from fuel shortages.”

Other airlines have faced similar questions from passengers. In an X post shared with easyJet Holidays last week, a customer asked: “How concerned should we be that, given the potential aviation fuel shortages from end May, that our July flights Gatwick Bordeaux will be cancelled? Do you have surety of supply from Canada for example?”

In a response on April 10, an employee told the passenger they would be notified if any changes were made to the booking. easyJet Holidays said: “Hi there, thanks for reaching out. We do appreciate your concerns.

“Please be assured, we are monitoring the situation closely and if there were to be any changes to your booking at all, our dedicated pre-travel team would be in touch to advise on your options.”

I went behind the scenes on a Marella cruise and ended up getting a sneak peek at some of the rooms that the passengers usually don’t get to see

Cruises are made to feel effortless – from island-hopping, flowing cocktails to all-inclusive dining. But behind the scenes, an army of staff are working around the clock to keep things powered to the highest of stands.

For my first Caribbean cruise on board the Marella Discovery, I was given access to areas passengers don’t normally see. After getting to grips with the 11-deck vessel – home to nine restaurants, six bars and everything from mini golf, an escape room and a climbing wall to keep you entertained, it was time to see the ship from a new angle.

Here’s everything I learned…

Where the magic happens

Only a handful usually get to see the command centre of any ship; the bridge. Here, the Captain and his crew navigate these huge vessels from ‘parking’ in tight corners at the docks, to steering the course when out in the middle of the ocean. The view from the bridge was unlike anything I’d seen before, and quite impressive. We watched how the crew navigated as our ship docked among huge superyachts owned by millionaire (just to add that extra bit of pressure).

Your air con affects the speed of the ship

Next, I head into the engine room where a team operates the smooth running of five engines, two massive propulsion motors and multiple air-conditioning systems – working 24 hours a day. Modern cruise ships like the Marella Discovery distribute power to meet the demand. That means lighting, kitchens and even your cabin’s air con will play a role. “If we were in Alaska in the middle of the night, with no air con running, we could reach 24 knots,” one crew member explained. “But during the day, when everything’s in use, it drops to around 22.” At full speed, the ship burns around 8,000 litres of fuel an hour. Efficiency is key.

It all comes out in the wash

In the laundry room, staff wash around 1000 towels a day with industrial machines and steam presses. It’s not just the passengers who are catered for. In these rooms tucked out of sight, the crew’s immaculately white uniforms are maintained. Since that’s a lot of similar looking clothing, every item is labelled with a unique number to make sure they go back to the right person.

The show must go on

As a theatre fan, I couldn’t wait to get up on the stage of the Broadway Show Lounge – from a view not many get to see. Behind the curtain, the performers do more than just sing and dance. I learned that they handle their own props, do their own hair and make-up, and of course all of the warm-ups they undergo. In the dressing room, wigs, hairspray and hairpins fill every space, but among the seeming chaos there’s a strong camaraderie. After working with each other for three months at sea at a time, it’s clear the performers are like family.

The motion in the ocean might be in your head

Unlike the seasoned sailor, I admit that being a cruise-newbie means I feel the ship moving especially at night. However, according to the crew, the tilting is far less dramatic than I was expecting. Thanks to stabilisers, the ship can only ever move to a maximum of one degree either side. “We keep your soup in your bowl and your drinks in your glasses,” one jokes.

The most eaten food on board? It’s not what you’d expect

I got a chance to see the ship’s galley – the central multi-floor hub of the ship where thousands of meals are prepared every single day. A team of 101 chefs work around the clock to fuel up 1800 passengers and 700 crew members every single day. The head chef shows me what is known as ”the manual’, a list of detailed recipes for every single food item on the menu – ensuring the exact same meal can be recreated anywhere in the TUI fleet. Around 3,600 meals are served at lunch and dinner, but breakfast is the real peak with passengers get through a staggering 7000 dishes a day. The most popular food on board? Eggs. Around 2,300 are served up at breakfast alone – that’s a lot of omelettes.

The customer service is down to a tea

It’s not just the big systems that are carefully thought out on Marella. As an avid Yorkshire tea drinker, I was thrilled to see the boat was well stocked even in the Caribbean. One crew member told me it’s something that was introduced after passenger feedback and quickly became a staple.

Book the holiday

Marella Cruises offers a seven-night Tropical Isles round trip from La Romana, Dominican Republic on Marella Discovery from £1573 per person. Price based on two adults sharing a Deck 2/3 inside cabin on an all-inclusive basis. Includes flights from London Gatwick, 20kg of luggage per person, transfers, tips, and service charges. Find out more at tui.co.uk/cruise.

Anyone planning on boarding a plane with hold luggage has been urged to make one change to their suitcases before they fly – as it will help keep belongings safe

Plane passengers need to make one crucial change to their hold luggage. If you’re jetting off and you’ve got bags destined for the plane’s cargo hold, you’ll know just how nerve-wracking it can be to be parted from your belongings. There’s always that nagging worry that your luggage could be lost or stolen before you reach the baggage carousel at your destination, leaving you stranded without clothes, toiletries and other essentials during your holiday.

To tackle this, most travellers will attach luggage tags to their bags. These hold small pieces of paper where you can jot down vital information, such as your email address and phone number, so that should your bag go missing or end up on the wrong flight, airport staff can reach out to you if and when it’s located.

However, one woman on social media has flagged that these tags might not be the most secure option when you’re separated from your bags, particularly as some people inscribe their full name and home address on them.

In a TikTok video, Sammy urged fellow passengers to do something different with their tags, claiming it would help safeguard their personal details from anyone who might attempt to sneak a peek at their information.

She said: “This is something I’ve never seen anyone talk about, and I had to figure it out on my own. This is not safe for you for a plethora of reasons. You have your full name on there, you have your phone number, you have all of your contact information.

“These will flip over. You’re going to have your luggage, and it’s going to flip over, and anyone who sees it can not only take a photo of it, but also anyone who sees your content online that shows your luggage can get all of your information.”

Sammy described the risk of having your details stolen from your luggage tag as “so dangerous” and “so not worth it”. In its place, she advised opting for a luggage tag featuring a full cover. These typically open like a book and fasten with a popper or Velcro, ensuring nobody can access your personal details without deliberately taking your luggage.

You can also accomplish the same outcome by removing the piece of paper from your tag and flipping it around so your details aren’t visible from the outside. You could then write something along the lines of “information overleaf” or “please turn over” on the blank side facing outwards, so airport staff know exactly where to look should they need to get in touch with you.

Those commenting on the post put forward further alternative solutions, such as listing a dummy email address that you can monitor should you ever lose your luggage, but don’t use for anything else.

One person said: “I have a fake name with my spam email that I’ll check if I ever lose my bag.”

Another added: “I write my name and flight number on the front, then put ‘see reverse for personal details’ with my address.”

A third wrote: “Thank you!! I’ve been saying the same thing for years, and people think I’m nuts. Same with names on kids or pets clothing!”

Should you opt to include only your email address without your name, ensure the email itself doesn’t contain your name within the address.

Using a false name, as one commenter proposed, is not recommended, as should your bag go missing, you won’t be able to verify it’s yours if your ID fails to match the name on the luggage tag. That said, you can choose to display only your surname or initials on the card to safeguard as much of your personal details as possible.

NEW images have revealed what to expect from the first ever bunk beds launching on a plane – that even economy passengers can book.

First announced back in 2020, Air New Zealand will be rolling out the new sleeping options later this year.

Called the Skynest, there will be six bunks, each with lie flat beds, measuring around 6ft6 in length and 64cm wide.

All passengers who book them will be given fresh sheets, blankets and pillows, as well as amenity kits containing eye masks, ear plugs, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, and hand cream.

The seats have privacy curtains, as well a small bag storage area, USB charging and flight attendant call buttons.

Each one can be booked for four hour slots, which is an additional cost on a standard economy seat or premium economy seat.

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Once the four hour session is over, lights will slowly turn on and crew will wake passengers up to go back to their seats.

Each flight will have two sessions, meaning 12 passengers per flight can book it.

No kids are allowed however – passengers must be over 15 to sleep in them.

Air New Zealand boss Nikhil Ravishankar told USA Today: “We really do hope that this starts a bit of a revolution in economy class travel, where sleep becomes available to more customers.

“One sleep in New York, you wake up, and you’re in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.”

Booking for the beds will open on May 18, with them being rolled out by November.

Prices start from $495 (£365).

They will initially only be on flights between New York and Auckland but they will be rolled out on other services eventually.

They could also be expanded to include more than six beds, depending on demand.

Air New Zealand previously rolled out the Skycouch seats in economy, the first in the world to do so.

Having launched back in 2010, Skycouch allows passengers to book a row of seats and turn them into a bed.

Other airlines such as United Airlines recently revealed plans for similar ‘economy bed’ options, called the ‘relaxed row’.

Thai Airways is also launching lie flat beds in premium economy.

An EU rule change is expected to affect most short haul flights from the UK

Passengers flying with Ryanair and easyJet could soon enjoy more generous cabin baggage allowances – but travellers have been issued with a warning.

At present, those on basic fares with these carriers are limited to one small personal item, with any additional luggage incurring extra charges. Following amendments to EU regulations, Ryanair has had to increase the allowed dimensions of its personal bags. The new rules allow passengers to bring a small carry-on item measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm.

This is a 20% increase from the previous 40 x 20 x 25cm restriction. easyJet’s personal bag dimensions already met these requirements.

And now further EU regulatory changes could allow travellers to bring both a cabin bag measuring up to 100cm and a personal bag without facing extra costs. In February, the European Parliament voted decisively to grant all passengers the right to carry a small case alongside the free under-seat bags currently permitted.

The Parliament’s proposal would entitle passengers to bring on board, at no additional cost, one personal item (such as a handbag, rucksack or laptop) and one small piece of hand luggage with maximum combined dimensions of 100cm (length, width and height) and weighing up to seven kilos.

The proposed changes, which require sign-off from the European Council to become legislation, would affect all passengers flying to or from an EU airport on an EU-based carrier. This directly impacts the vast majority of short-haul flights departing from the UK.

While this might appear to be welcome news, experts have cautioned that requiring free hand luggage on flights will reduce pricing flexibility, push up base fares, and ultimately leave many travellers forking out more for services they may not even need. Zoltán Kész, Government Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center, said: “Consumers benefit when airlines can compete on price, service, and flexibility.

“Mandating bundled carry-on luggage is not a pro-consumer reform; it is a market distortion that increases fares for everyone, including travellers who purposefully choose more affordable tickets. Political micromanagement of airline pricing does not improve transparency.

“If policymakers want consumers to make informed choices, the better approach is to require clearer disclosure of baggage fees and fare conditions, not to force a uniform product offering for every passenger.”

easyJet has branded the proposals to enforce free additional baggage a “lunatic idea” and similarly warned that fares are likely to rise. Earlier this year Kenton Jarvis, easyJet’s chief executive, said giving all passengers the right to extra free carry-on baggage would be “crazy European legislation” and “terrible for the consumer”.

He added: “We would go back to the days of having to offload cabin bags and put them in the hold – it was one of the number one causes of delayed boarding in the old days.”

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has also taken aim at the policy. He said last year: “The idea that everyone is entitled to two free bags on board is unimplementable [as] they don’t fit in the aircraft. There’s not room on largely full aircraft for one small carry-on bag and one large trolley bag.

“About 50% of the passengers can bring a trolley bag and we do that using the priority boarding service. Any rules that would alter that would be infringing EU rules guaranteeing the freedom of airlines to set pricing and policies, and we don’t believe that will happen.

“I think it’s unlikely to play out but there’s clearly going to be some kind of negotiation between the parliament and the commission on passenger rights.”

Flying is about to feel very different for travellers with Virgin Atlantic thanks to a major change set to transform how passengers spend hours in the air

Passengers flying with Virgin Atlantic will start to notice a major change the moment they board. The airline has confirmed it will begin rolling out a new onboard service that promises to change the in-flight experience entirely.

Installation of Starlink will begin on its Airbus A350 aircraft from May 2026, Virgin Atlantic has announced. It says the new amenity will deliver high-speed, low-latency internet from take-off to the moment you land – but there’s a catch.

It will be available to passengers completely free of charge as part of their journey. This means they can scroll social media, stream TV shows or films, and even make calls or send messages while cruising at 30,000ft.

The first flight to feature the service is expected to depart in early May on route VS153 from London Heathrow to New York JFK. Virgin Atlantic says this marks the beginning of a wider rollout across its long-haul fleet.

All Airbus A350 aircraft are expected to be equipped by early summer, according to the airline. Installation will then expand to Boeing 787 planes later in 2026, reaching around two-thirds of the fleet by the end of the year.

The remaining Airbus A330neo aircraft are set to follow, with full fleet coverage expected by 2027. According to Starlink, its low-Earth-orbit satellite network is designed to deliver faster and more reliable internet, even over remote areas like oceans.

Unlike traditional in-flight Wi-Fi, which relies on older satellite systems, Starlink offers significantly lower latency and higher speeds. According to Ookla, low-Earth-orbit satellite technology can deliver speeds comparable to fixed broadband in some cases.

Virgin Atlantic first announced the partnership in July 2025, becoming the first UK airline to commit to free, fleet-wide Starlink connectivity. The airline says Flying Club members will be able to access the service at no extra cost.

Passengers will be able to stream TV shows, make video calls and browse the internet on multiple devices simultaneously. According to International Air Transport Association, demand for onboard connectivity has surged in recent years, with more travellers expecting seamless internet access in the air.

Juha Järvinen, Chief Customer Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: “We were the first UK airline to announce free, fleet-wide Starlink Wi-Fi, and from May, we’re starting to deliver it for our customers.” He added that the airline aims to achieve full connectivity across its fleet by 2027.

He said the move is part of a wider push to create a “brilliantly connected experience” for passengers. The airline believes the upgrade will allow customers to use their flight time more flexibly, whether for work or leisure.

Industry experts say reliable Wi-Fi is becoming a standard expectation rather than a luxury. According to research from Inmarsat, a majority of airline passengers consider onboard internet a key factor when choosing flights.

Virgin Atlantic’s move is seen as a major step forward in meeting that demand. With rollout beginning in just weeks, passengers could soon experience a new era of fully connected air travel.

The airline has shared advice for customers with concerns about upcoming bookings

easyJet Holidays has shared a message to passengers with concerns over upcoming bookings. Ahead of the summer holidays, experts have warned Europe could face jet fuel shortages if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened within three weeks.

Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, the trade body for European airports, said: “At this stage, we understand that if the passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in any significant and stable way within the next three weeks, systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality for the EU. The fact that we are entering the peak summer season… is only adding to those concerns.”

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has also warned disruption could begin in May. He previously told Sky News: “Fuel suppliers are constantly looking at the market.

“We don’t expect any disruption until early May, but if the war continues, we do run the risk of supply disruptions in Europe in May and June, and we hope the war will finish sooner than that and the risk to supply will be eliminated.

“We think there is a reasonable risk, some low level, maybe 10% to 25% of our supplies might be at risk through May and June, so like everyone else in this industry, we hope the war ends sooner rather than later. If the war finishes by April and the Strait of Hormuz reopens, then there is almost no risk to supply.”

In response to recent developments, an easyJet Holidays customer asked the package holiday provider if their upcoming flight could be affected. Reaching out to EasyJetholidays on X, the customer said: “How concerned should we be that, given the potential aviation fuel shortages from end May, that our July flights Gatwick Bordeaux will be cancelled? Do you have surety of supply from Canada for example?”

In a message on April 10, an employee told the passenger they would be notified if any changes were made to the booking. In the X post, easyJetholidays said: “Hi there, thanks for reaching out. We do appreciate your concerns.

“Please be assured, we are monitoring the situation closely and if there were to be any changes to your booking at all, our dedicated pre-travel team would be in touch to advise on your options.”

In other easyJet news, passengers have been advised that they will miss their flights if they are late arriving at their departure gate. The airline clarified its policy when a social media user contacted EasyJet after spending an hour in a passport control queue, which threatened to make them late for their departure gate.

On X, a user wrote: “EasyJet, we have 20 mins left until our flight from Palermo to London takes off, been in finger print queue for an hour now and moved three steps. They let LOADS of BA people through before us who are leaving 10 mins before our flight, and now we’re even more delayed. What will happen?”

In response, a member of the customer service team named Thando, on April 8, explained: “Hi Kez, thank you for reaching out. Please note that the boarding gate closes a minute before departure. After it closes, you will not be able to board and will miss your flight.”

With EasyJet passengers missing flights, and tourists with other airlines left affected too, the Mirror can explain more about the rules that have come into affected at European Union nations

Brits have been plunged into travel chaos after long delays due to new EU border rules which have led to some passengers missing their flights home and ending up stranded abroad.

Around 100 EasyJet passengers were left behind when a flight from Milan’s Linate airport to Manchester left travellers behind who were stuck in massive lines, on Sunday. The new European Entry/Exit System (EES) was fully rolled out across the EU on Friday and it requires people from third-party countries, including the UK, to go through biometric and facial recognition checks.

Huge lines hit major airports in several cities, including Paris, Lisbon and Milan, as desperate travellers were forced to wait to clear immigration.

Some stranded passengers claimed people were vomiting and passing out in the huge queues at Milan’s Linate airport, on Sunday, as they also dealt with a heatwave.

READ MORE: Spanish airport launches ‘Brits only’ lanes to cope under new border rulesREAD MORE: Historic 180 year-old ferry to UK seaside towns ending as ‘no takers’ to run it

What is the EES?

The EU’s Entry/Exit System started on October 12, 2025, but it was rolled out fully on Friday, April 10. It is a new digital border system for people from third-party countries, including the UK, entering the Schengen area, which is essentially anywhere in the EU and a few additional countries.

This new system has replaced the old method of officials manually stamping passports when people arrive into the Schengen area.

What does the new process look like for Brits?

British travellers are asked to create a digital record at the port or airport on arrival, on their first visit to a Schengen area country after this new system. People do not have to fill anything out before they travel and the EES registration is free of charge.

Travellers could be asked to have a photo taken at a dedicated booth and submit their fingerprints. People could also be asked to provide fingerprints or a photo when they leave the Schengen area.

The government noted that the EES may take “each passenger a few extra minutes to complete”, but once done, the EES record is valid for three years.

Later this year, Brits will also need to participate in the new visa-waiver scheme, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), which is set to be implemented in late-2026.

Not to be confused with EES, ETIAS will require Brits visiting the EU to apply for a visa-exemption, with the application costing €20 (about £17.42), although it will be valid for three years.

What countries are in the Schengen area?

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not within the Schengen area, and therefore EES is not applicable when travelling to either of these countries.

What issues have travellers faced so far?

One Brit revealed she was among the 100 people desperate to get home after the EasyJet flight took off from Milan and abandoned them. Carol Boon, 59, speaking to the BBC, said she had been away for a hen do but was left stuck in a “very stressful” situation at the airport with “people arguing, someone fainted, someone was sick”.

Another traveller, Max Hume, from Leeds, told the BBC that he spent a staggering £1,800 to get back home as soon as possible and travelled through Luxembourg.

EasyJet told The Mirror that the ordeal was “outside of our control” and said it held the flight for nearly an hour, adding: “These delays are unacceptable and so we continue to urge border authorities to ensure they make full and effective use of the permitted flexibilities for as long as needed so our customers’ travel plans are not impacted.

“Should a customer miss their flight due to EES delays they are offered free flight transfers on a later easyJet flight. For customers who book on other airlines they will need to contact their travel insurance to make a claim.”

Another passenger slammed EasyJet for the ordeal and claimed she was only offered £12.25 in compensation from the airline. Speaking to the BBC, the 17-year-old student, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, said she was forced to wait 20 hours in the airport with her boyfriend until they could get a flight the next day.

Kiera said these new flights would set her mum back £520 and they were going to Gatwick instead of Manchester. The student added that the couple got to the airport hours ahead of their flight but still didn’t make it on. She said: “We got here at seven-thirty for our flight at eleven so were super early. We got to Border Control and it was a massive queue of people.”

Jet2 has issued a fresh alert to passengers at Faro Airport, in Portugal, after reports of “congestion” through the site. In response to a passenger’s post online, a spokesperson for the airport said “the queues are completely out of our control”, adding: “We kindly recommend customers arrive to the airport as early as possible, to allow plenty of time to make it through.”

A spokesperson for ABTA, the association of travel agents and tour operators, says: “We’re advising passengers to go straight to passport control as soon as you have gone through check-in and security; that way you get the EES checks out of the way as early as possible.

“We’re also advising passengers to follow their transport provider’s advice on when to arrive at airports/ports etc. If flying, the usual rule is to arrive at the airport for a flight from Europe at least two hours before, so we’d encourage people to apply that as a minimum, but to also check with their airline and airport.”

THE new EES travel system came into full effect just days ago – and it is causing travel chaos at airports in Europe.

Over the weekend, huge queues at border control meant some passengers were forced to miss their flights while others waited hours to leave the airport.

EES, which is the EU’s Entry/Exit System, became fully operational on April 10, 2026.

The new rules require all non-EU nationals to register their details like fingerprints and facial images before going abroad.

It will replace the need for stamps and is designed to make border crossings quicker.

But so far, lots of passengers have faced huge queues at border controls, some over four hours long.

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This weekend, the use of EES biometrics at three Portuguese airports; Lisbon, Porto and Faro, were actually stopped because of excessive passenger wait times.

To ease the queues, EES registration was halted on the morning of April 11 – it later restarted in the afternoon.

Public Security Police spokesperson Sérgio Soares, told press “the collection of biometrics at departures from Humberto Delgado (Lisbon), Francisco Sá Carneiro (Porto) and Gago Coutinho (Faro) Airports was interrupted from the beginning of the operation this morning.

“The interruption continues and is currently being reevaluated. This is to ensure that the waiting time is not longer than what we intend, namely so that people do not miss flights.”

However this was the case at Milan Airport in Italy.

Some passengers were left behind over the weekend as a result of the huge EES registration queues.

The BBC reported that over 100 people were left stranded when an easyJet flight to Manchester left without them.

The delays due to the new EES checks means travellers were waiting in lines over three hours long.

Some passengers left in the heat of the airport were throwing up and passing out.

One passenger told the BBC that her having to rebook her flights cost her an extra £520 as a result.

Another stranded passenger who spoke to The Independent said they had booked another flight at the cost of £1,600 – and with a connection through Luxembourg.

easyJet told The Sun: “Due to delays in EES processing by border authorities, some passengers departing from Milan Linate yesterday experienced very long waiting times at passport control.

“We held flight EJU5420 from Milan to Manchester for nearly an hour to give passengers extra time but it had to then depart due to crew reaching their safety regulated operating hours. Customers who missed the flight have been offered a free flight transfer. 

“We continue to urge border authorities to ensure they make full and effective use of the permitted flexibilities for as long as needed while EES is implemented, to avoid these unacceptable border delays for our customers.   

“While this is outside of our control, we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

Meanwhile, at Brussels Airport on the very first day of the EES rollout, the Airports Council International reported that in one instance there weren’t any passengers on a plane when the gate closed.

It said one flight from Brussels to the UK was missing 51 passengers at departure.

And then, “another flight had zero passengers on board at gate closing time, and 90 minutes later, 12 passengers were yet to reach the gate”.

There were concerns raised about the new travel rules prior to the full rollout, with officials asking for EES to be delayed until later in the year.

If you’re heading abroad soon, here are our seven tips for the new EES rules.

And this travel app could help you avoid massive airport queues caused by EES.

The airline has issued guidance online after a passenger shared their concerns

EasyJet Holidays has responded after passengers shared concerns online that they may miss their flights due to long queues at popular European airports. As the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to roll out across the continent, passengers face long waits because it requires non-EU travellers to register biometric data, such as fingerprints and photos, on arrival, replacing passport stamps.

The new automated digital border system launched on October 12, 2025, and is expected to be fully operational in the Schengen Area by April 10, 2026. A statement on Gov.uk reads: “EES may take each passenger extra time to complete, so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.”

The countries in the Schengen area include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Many airports are reportedly facing long border check queues due to the new system.

The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not part of the Schengen area, so EES is not required when travelling to either country. Gov.uk adds: “You may also be asked to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you exit the Schengen area. The checks may take slightly longer than previously, so be prepared to wait during busy times.”

People have taken to social media to share their concerns about missing their flights due to long passport control queues, including EasyJet passengers. One woman, called Jenny, who goes by the username @MunchkinMumsie on X, posted about her worries of not getting through border control on time for her upcoming flight home.

She said: “Hi @EasyJetholidays, I’m returning home from Palma tomorrow, our coach transfer is picking us up at 12.30, our flight is at 15.40 and we are 90 minutes away from the airport. I’m worried this will not give us enough time to get through the airport with my child, will this be ok?”

A spokesperson replied: “Hello Jenny, thanks for reaching out. Our transport providers are the local experts and will use their knowledge of the destination and airport experience to calculate your transfer pick up time to ensure your journey to the airport is stress free and that you arrive with enough time to drop off your bags and clear security. Do let us know if you’d prefer to make your own way, and we’ll be happy to update our suppliers! – Alex.”

Jenny then asked: “If we catch your transfer and don’t get through in time, do you cover all our expenses and book our alternate flight home?” The spokesperson told her: “Yes – our dedicated On Holiday Support teams will be more than happy to assist with rescue flights if required – Alex.”

Jenny responded with: “Thank you, there are lots of posts on Mallorca travel forums of the children’s queue for border control at Palma being 2-3 hours long. It seems crazy you are not arranging transfers for families to get to the airport earlier.”

Updating Jenny with guidance, the spokesperson issued an alert about ‘missed flights’ and what happens. They told her: “If we are alerted to any flights being missed, we will work alongside our in destination teams to address the issue at hand. As it stands, our customers have not advised us of any major issues with flights being missed – Alex.”

In another post in the thread, the spokesperson added: “Please do let us know if you are looking to make your own way to the airport on this occasion, and we’ll be more than happy to update our suppliers. We are unable to assist with adjusting your pick-up time – Alex.”

A statement on Palma Airport’s website reads: “The EES is mainly designed to save time and improve border security. It automates passport checks, identifies travellers who overstay, and helps detect fraudulent documents. It also supports authorities in preventing and investigating terrorism and other serious crimes.”

When passengers find out they might be late to their boarding gate, they should tell their airline using their app, email, or phone. They can also ask airport staff for assistance, since some airports have electric cars or allow passengers with short connections or flights leaving soon to skip to the front of the line.

It is advised that passengers arrive at the airport early to handle any unexpected delays at security or passport control. A spokesperson for ABTA, the association of travel agents and tour operators, says: “We’re advising passengers to go straight to passport control as soon as you have gone through check-in and security; that way you get the EES checks out of the way as early as possible.

“We’re also advising passengers to follow their transport provider’s advice on when to arrive at airports/ports etc. If flying, the usual rule is to arrive at the airport for a flight from Europe at least two hours before, so we’d encourage people to apply that as a minimum, but to also check with their airline and airport.”