passengers

One of the country’s major airport hubs has introduced a new twilight-hour service to give early morning budget travellers more time to relax before taking off.

One of the UK’s major airports has introduced a new check-in service that will ease the burden of early morning flights. The new check-in option will ensure budget travellers are “ready to relax and unwind” before their flight.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the latest England airport to introduce twilight bag drop and check-in services. Many airlines have introduced twilight bag drop to ease stress on travellers and check-in desks, especially during heavy travel periods.

Twilight bag drop services allow passengers to arrive at the airport the night before their scheduled departure and check-in their large bags well before the flight’s check-in window.

According to the Liverpool Airport website: “Twilight check-in is now available at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, making it easy for you to turn up the night before your flight and check-in your hold luggage at your airline’s dedicated check-in desk.

“Then, simply turn up the next day, bypass check-in and head straight to security, ready to relax and unwind in departures before your flight.”

Twilight services were previously only available for passengers flying with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, however a recent announcement confirmed expanded availability.

An “amber alert” announcement from the airport reads: “Passengers travelling with easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair and departing on flights before 08:00 can all now check in their hold luggage up to three hours before their departure, giving more time to relax and make use of the facilities in the Departure Lounge.”

This service is particularly convenient for anyone living or staying close to their departure airport. But again, not every airline offers this service – so it’s best to check with your tour operator first.

The first step of Twilight check-in is to complete online check-in via Jet2’s website, app, or through their travel agent, at least 24 hours before the flight.

Check-in luggage can then be dropped off at the Jet2 desks at Liverpool Airport between 4.30PM and 9PM the evening before scheduled departure. The following morning, passengers can go straight through to security – bypassing check-in entirely.

Passengers driving to the airport to make use of twilight check-in services can park in the airport’s Drop-off 2 car park. Travellers get one hour complimentary parking to check their bags in, but anything over that time (or the use of other car parks) will be subject to standard parking fees.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport also urges passengers to arrive a minimum of two hours before departure to allow enough time to check-in and pass through security.

Air Canada has announced it has begun serving complimentary beer, wine and snacks to economy passengers on every flight across its network, in a major win for those who love free stuff

“Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps please.”

No longer will this request be met with an eye-watering bill when made at 30,000 feet, at least on one airline.

Air Canada has announced it has begun serving free beer, wine and snacks to economy passengers on every flight across its network.

That is a significant change, as previously the airline only served free alcohol and food to economy passengers on long-haul flights.

As generous as it may sound, the policy is designed to be a cost-effective way to keep passengers flying with Air Canada. Scott O’Leary, vice president of loyalty and product, explained the rationale in a statement.

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“Food and beverage tend to have a disproportionate impact on customer satisfaction. As part of our commitment to elevating the onboard experience, we’re delighted to introduce even more exciting new options to our menus,” he said.

“These upgrades offer something for everyone and proudly showcase Canadian brands so that our customers can sit back, relax and kick-start their travels no matter where they’re going.”

What customers can expect to get for free on economy flights varies significantly.

Unsurprisingly, budget carriers such as Wizz Air, Ryanair and easyJet provide nothing for free.

Airlines offering free drinks on short-haul flights include KLM, which offers a free snack and drink on all European flights, and LOT Polish Airlines, providing free beer, wine, or juice on their short-haul routes.

Free water and snacks are also typically available with British Airways, though the extent of the service can vary by division and route. For other airlines like Lufthansa and Swiss, only a complimentary bottle of water and perhaps a small snack are provided.

For short and medium-haul flights within Europe, Lufthansa offers a paid “Onboard Delights” service where passengers can purchase food and drinks.

Air France offers free food on many of its flights. While a “buy on board” system is being tested on some routes, most flights still provide complimentary meals, snacks, and beverages, depending on the flight duration and class. Passengers on short and medium-haul flights can expect a free sandwich, pastry, or snack, along with a drink.

On short and mid-haul TUI flights (less than seven hours), a variety of hot and cold snacks and drinks are available for purchase from the onboard café.

Most full-service airlines do still include meals and drinks on long-haul routes. Think flights to the US, Asia, or the Caribbean.

• British Airways: Even on the cheapest economy fare, you can get complimentary meals, snacks, and drinks.
• Virgin Atlantic: Offers free meals and drinks, and they’re known for a decent veggie option.
• Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines: All offer full meal service in economy, and it’s usually good quality. You’ll get at least two meals plus snacks and unlimited drinks.
• Turkish Airlines: Generally provides free meals on their international flights, including both economy and business class. On longer flights, passengers are typically offered a choice of main courses, side dishes, bread, and dessert. Drinks are also complimentary on all flights.
• Air France: On long-haul flights, an extensive selection of meals is offered, including hot dishes, and passengers can also purchase a la carte meals in advance.
• American Airlines: Meals and drinks are typically included on international flights, including wine and beer
• United: United Airlines offers complimentary food on most flights, especially on longer distances and for higher class tickets.
• Air Canada: Generally offers complimentary meals and snacks on international flights. On flights longer than 2 hours, you’ll typically receive a complimentary meal and beverage service, including salad, warm bread, a hot entrée, and dessert.
• Tui: On long-haul flights (seven hours or more), a complimentary meal is included. Additional drinks and snacks can still be purchased on these flights as well
• Lufthansa: Lufthansa generally provides complimentary meals and drinks on long-haul flights
• KLM: Provides complimentary meals and drinks on most of its flights. The specific offerings vary depending on the flight duration and class of travel, but generally include snacks and drinks on shorter flights and more substantial meals on longer routes.

The budget airline has warned passengers of impending strikes in France that could disrupt the plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers heading to destinations including Greece, Italy and Spain

Ryanair has delivered a stark warning to passengers planning to travel in October that hundreds of flights could be cancelled.

The budget carrier is alerting customers about looming strikes in France that threaten to wreck the holiday plans of tens of thousands of travellers. France’s biggest air traffic controllers’ union, Syndicat Majoritaire des Contrôleurs Aériens, is preparing to down tools from October 7 to 10. The union members are taking action over their current working conditions.

Initially planned for September 17-18, the industrial action was delayed due to political turmoil across the country. Now rearranged for October 7 to 10, one travel company is forecasting ‘chaos’. The walkout won’t just hit flights bound for France but also those travelling through French airspace.

Now Ryanair’s chief executive has warned that 100,000 passengers could see their flights disrupted next week as a consequence of the strike. Michael O’Leary estimated that the industrial action would cost Ryanair around £20m.

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The budget airline CEO called for overflights to be protected from strike action, saying disrupting them is an abuse of the free single market. Countries including Spain and Greece already do that, but France doesn’t offer such protections.

Mr O’Leary said that Ryanair was expecting to be asked to cancel about 600 flights, with almost all of them overflights. “That’s about 100,000 passengers who will have their flights cancelled needlessly next Wednesday and Thursday,” he told Sky News.

“On any given day at the moment, we operate about 3,500 flights and about 900 of those flights cross over French airspace and about two-thirds of those, around 600 flights, are cancelled every day there’s an air traffic control strike. The UK is the country whose flights get cancelled most because of the geographic proximity to France.”

The airline voiced its exasperation earlier this summer when a Belgrade ATC strike held up 99 flights and affected more than 17,800 passengers in merely two days. The French strikes could cause significant disruption.

During the peak travel season in October, Charles de Gaulle Airport alone typically sees over 200,000 passengers daily, and France recorded roughly 1m overnight stays by international tourists between October 9-11 in 2024.

Holidaymakers are being urged to check with their airlines 48 hours before departure to learn of any disruption. They are also advised to brace themselves for a longer-than-expected wait at the airport and arrive well ahead of their flight.

Downloading airline apps can also help you stay updated, and be prepared for delays on things like trains and coaches as affected passengers seek alternative means of transport.

If your flight has been delayed or cancelled as a result of strike action by cabin crew or pilots, then you are entitled to compensation by law. That’s because the airline could have foreseen and preempted this problem.

However, strikes by airport staff and air traffic controllers are not considered to be within the control of the airline, so no compensation would apply. If strikes have an impact on your airport then get their early or follow the advice from your airline. Problems with airport staff strikes can result in major queues to check in bags, so if this kind of industrial action is announced, you might want to think about reducing your baggage to just carry-on cabin bags in order to cut out one queue.

A new EU rule change could mean that passengers are able to bring two bags on board at no extra cost

Ryanair and easyJet travellers could soon be permitted to bring two cabin bags aboard flights without paying extra fees. At the moment these airlines allow those flying on basic tickets to bring one small personal item onboard, with any additional baggage incurring supplementary charges.

Ryanair has been forced to expand the dimensions of the personal bag it permits, following amendments to EU regulations. Under fresh rules, passengers flying with the budget carrier will be permitted to carry hand luggage measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm, representing a 20% expansion from its previous 40 x 20 x 25 cm size limits.

easyJet’s personal bag dimensions already met these requirements, reports Plymouth Live. And another EU rule change could mean travellers are able to bring a cabin bag measuring up to 100cm, alongside a personal bag, without additional charges.

The proposed legislation requires backing from at least 55% of EU member nations. Should it receive approval, the regulation would apply to all flights within the EU, plus routes travelling to and from the EU.

Members of European Parliament (MEPs) also seek to ensure children under 12 years old are seated alongside an accompanying passenger without extra cost. Currently, airlines face no legal requirement to seat children with their parents, though the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advises they should do so.

The CAA states: “Young children and infants who are accompanied by adults should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults.

“This is because the speed of an emergency evacuation may be affected by adults trying to reach their children.”

A RYANAIR flight was diverted after a passenger allegedly “ate his passport” and another tried to flush theirs down the toilet.

The passenger jet set off from Milan for Stansted before the two men began acting strangely around 15 minutes into the flight, it is claimed.

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The US Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration has issued a ‘Safety Alert for Operators’ (SAFO) to airlines

US-based airlines have been urged to re-examine their safety practices amidst a ‘recurring safety hazard’. The US Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration issued its message in a ‘Safety Alert for Operators‘ (SAFO), spotlighting the persistent problem of hand luggage safety.

The alert, issued on September 16, reads: “This SAFO serves to emphasise the operational and safety-critical importance of strict passenger compliance with crewmember instructions during emergency evacuations.

“Specifically, it addresses the adverse effects of passengers attempting to evacuate with carry-on items, which can significantly impede evacuation procedures and increase the potential for injury or fatality.”

The federal government agency stated that operational data and post-incident reviews have shown passengers consistently try to retrieve carry-on items during aeroplane evacuations. This behaviour creates several risks, such as overcrowding in aisles, blocking exits, and damaging evacuation slides.

Retrieving hand baggage significantly contributes to delays in evacuation, higher injury rates, and reduced chances of survival. This is particularly critical during emergencies involving smoke, fire, or structural damage plane

“Any delay caused by retrieval of baggage can significantly affect survival rates in rapidly deteriorating conditions,” the alert added.

In light of these risks, the FAA has urged operators to reassess their emergency evacuation procedures, announcements and training to tackle passenger ‘non-compliance’ in this area.

It said this could encompass bolstered communication methods to ‘highlight consequences of non-compliance with crewmember commands’ or displaying more visual content in airports to stress its importance.

The alert continued: “Operators should evaluate their emergency evacuation procedures, training and emergency announcements and commands to address passenger non-compliance particularly in relation to carry-on item retrieval.

“A coordinated approach rooted in regulatory compliance, operational best practice, and clear public communication may contribute significantly to reducing evacuation times and preserving life in time-critical emergencies.”

The FAA oversees civil aviation and commercial space transportation in the US. Similarly, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority advises passengers to leave all luggage behind during emergency evacuations.

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Its official guidance reads: “In the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation, you must follow crew instructions and leave the aircraft quickly, leaving all cabin baggage behind.

“Evacuations occur only when there is a significant safety risk. Even if the cause of the emergency is not immediately apparent, rapid evacuation is imperative. Do not block your own or others’ escape by attempting to retrieve belongings.”

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Ryanair has announced that it will be banning the use of paper boarding passes from November 3, with digital boarding passes replacing the paper version

Ryanair has changed the date that it will introduce a significant change that will impact all passengers.

The airline has decided to ban the use of paper boarding passes, which will no longer be accepted at the gate. Instead, digital boarding passes will become mandatory for all.

All travellers flying to or from any destination with Ryanair must download their boarding pass via the Ryanair app. These digital boarding passes will provide real-time updates to “minimise” disruption, store travel documents for “simple” check-in and offer access to features like Travel Assistant, live flight updates and Order To Seat.

Today, the budget airline announced that it “will move to 100% digital boarding passes from Wednesday, November 12, instead of Monday, November 3, ensuring a seamless transition for customers in the less busy travel period after the mid-term break.”

Are you concerned about the new policy? Comment below or email [email protected]

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Ireland’s mid-term break, like the UK’s half-term, takes place at the beginning of October this year.

Earlier this year, Michael O’Leary, the airline’s chief executive, announced his plans to eliminate almost all airport check-in desks, stating it would “create a smoother, easier journey for everybody”. Back in July, the airline estimated that roughly 25% of Ryanair passengers still rely on printed boarding passes.

However, not all countries are ready to accept digital boarding passes. According to Ryanair’s website, airports in Morocco and Turkey (except Dalaman), and Tirana airport in Albania do not yet accept mobile passes. If you’re travelling from or through these airports, you should download your boarding pass from your email confirmation or from the app, print it out and keep it handy.

Speaking to The Independent’s daily travel podcast, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said: “Between 85 and 90% of passengers show up with smartphones. Almost 100% of passengers have smartphones, and we want to move everybody onto that the smartphone technology. The big concern that people have is: “What happens if I lose my battery or whatever I lose my phone?”

He added: “If you lose your phone, no issue. As long as you’ve checked in before you got to the airport, we’ll reissue a paper boarding pass at the airport free of charge. But you have to have checked in before you got 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.”

The airline claims that utilising the myRyanair app improves passengers’ journey as they gain access to various useful in-app tools and services.

People were left in stitches after one woman shared a video of her arrival at a tiny airport in the US, with the baggage carousel leaving people in hysterics as to how small it is

When you jet off for a weekend city break or embark on a holiday abroad, it’s always intriguing to see the variety of airports.

Some are grand and contemporary, others retain an old-world charm – and some are surprisingly petite. One US airport has left passengers astounded with its unique baggage claim system.

Hattiesburg Laurel Regional Airport in Mississippi, US, has a baggage conveyor belt so compact that bags only make one circuit before being collected. Established in 1967, this airport primarily serves international flights and caters to a region spanning ten counties.

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Nestled in the ‘Hub City’, renowned for its ‘Southern hospitality’, it is a significant business hub for much of America’s Southeast.

The airport recently left one traveller gobsmacked upon reaching the baggage claim area. Casey, hailing from Chicago, garnered over eight million views after posting a video of the diminutive conveyor belt, where she observed bags making just a single round before collection, reports the Express.

Casey said: “Please, this airport is so small. Small but efficient.” In another video documenting her journey to Hattiesburg Airport, Casey added: “I knew this airport would be small but when we pull up and there is one singular gate, I could not stop laughing.

“I got my bag plane-side but I couldn’t help but take a look at this fun-size baggage claim. When she [a staff member] rolled this door open and then just started individually placing them [the bags] on the carousel, this was the funniest thing to me.”

People were quick to comment, with one saying: “Just hand me my bag. Why you playing with me with this lil baby belt?” Stop, why is this so cute,” another chimed in. “I’ve seen bigger sushi belts,” quipped a third.

Another added: “Oh bless it, and the little baggage claim sign.” “At this point do they even need the baggage belt,” Booking.com questioned. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines joined in, stating: “At this point the baggage belt is just there for the vibes.

“At this point, why even put a belt in it?” agreed another. “Just call my name at this point,” added another. One person joked: “And passengers will still be asking what carousel their luggage is at… like babe there’s only one.

“The Starbucks in LAX airport is bigger than this space,” another pointed out. Another shared: “I remember I was landing there and I told my boyfriend (who is from Hattiesburg) to meet me in the airport so I didn’t get lost… he was so confused and then I landed and saw this.”

While Hattiesburg may be a small airport, there are others which are even smaller. Morgantown in West Virginia is also home to a tiny airport, served by just one commercial airline offering direct flights to two places – Clarkburg and Washington.

Other small airports around the globe include Barra Airport in Scotland, Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Nepal, Saba Airport in the Caribbean and Agatti Airport in India.

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Radio star Nikki Osborne was approached by a member of staff as she headed to the Qantas lounge ahead of her flight – and what followed left her feeling ‘angry and frustrated’

A woman has said she was left feeling ‘humiliated’ and ‘degraded’ after she was approached by an airline worker with concerns over her outfit.

Nikki Osborne has now opened up about the incident, which took place in Qantas’s Brisbane lounge. The 44-year-old was dressed in tailored white shorts, a pink lace bodysuit and a knitted white cardigan for a work trip to the Whitsundays, Australia, when she claims she was confronted by a lounge employee.

“A staff member hurried up to me, grabbed me by the arm and said: ‘Firstly, I’m a long-time fan of yours, but I’ll need you to button your cardigan up to cover yourself to protect the other cultures in the lounge,” Nikki, an Australian radio personality, wrote in her QWeekend column.

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“Other cultures I thought? All I saw in the lounge were a few FIFO workers and a mum! She was very polite about it. I however was suddenly shaken with a combination of shock, embarrassment, humiliation, anger and frustration.

“It was actually hard to process that I’d been made to feel like a tart in my hometown, in front of my male colleague too.”

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Nikki continued: “Now, I’m a born and bred Queenslander but I’ve always made an effort to dress well and be taken seriously in my profession as a radio host, writer and stand up comedian. I’m also a mother. To have a woman suggest that my choice of dress is inappropriate really hit hard.

“I was wearing tailored white shorts, a pink bodysuit with a knitted white cardigan over the top, which I had worn at work earlier that day. Do I have cleavage? Yes. Had I covered the top of it? Yes. Was that enough? Apparently not!”

According to Nikki, the airline later reached out with assurances the incident wouldn’t happen again. But she said the follow-up phone call left her feeling even more scrutinised when staff went through her outfit item-by-item.

But her faith in Qantas was restored when a flight attendant greeted her warmly by her comic persona ‘Bush Barbie’ and treated her with complete respect. “That air steward salvaged my week,” she said.

Nikki has now said that while she’ll continue flying with Qantas, she’ll think twice about what she wears in the lounge, the Daily Mail reports.

“I’ll continue to choose what is appropriate clothing to wear and steer clear of the high moral ground of the Lounge.”

According to the Qantas website, the airline declines entry to its lounge if “some items of clothing are too casual or inappropriate”.

Among the banned list are thongs, bare feet, head-to-toe gym wear, beachwear (such as boardshorts), sleepwear (such as Ugg boots), clothing with offensive images or slogans and revealing, unclean or torn clothing.

“These guidelines are intended to create an environment everyone can enjoy, so please be mindful of your choice of clothing and footwear when visiting Qantas Clubs and Business Lounges in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney,” the website said.

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Nikki is by no means the only traveller who has come under fire for their choice of attire. A woman previously said she was “shamed” on a flight after being accused of wearing an “inappropriate” and “lewd” outfit.

Maggi Thorne, 42, boarded a Southwest Airlines flight from Orlando to Nashville when she was left shocked by the reaction to her outfit choice. The seven-time American Ninja Warrior contestant says she was approached soon after boarding by a flight attendant.

The flight attendant reportedly told Maggi to cover up, writing on X, formerly Twitter: “[Southwest Airlines] attendant just shamed me in front of passengers saying my attire wasn’t appropriate”. Maggi was wearing a black cropped top and high waisted jogging bottoms to travel, meaning most of her body was covered – apart from her arms.

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She added: “A tank top and high-waisted pants. Flight 1039. Is this really happening in 2023? The passengers around me were stunned as she shamed me for all to hear.”

Maggi said she told staff she was “not ok” with being told to cover up her outfit. The AWN star maintained there was nothing wrong with her outfit. She thinks the attendant was out of line for categorising her outfit as breaching Southwestern’s clothing policy of “lewd, obscene, or patently offensive” attire, she told Insider .

Maggi reportedly refused to cover up and complained to another crew member, adding: “When I told her I wasn’t okay, I don’t think she knew what to do. I’m not a confrontational person, but what happened isn’t okay and someone should say something about it.”

Southwest Airlines has since reached out to Thorne, offering her an apology and informing her that a complaint has been filed on her behalf.

Gatwick Airport has announced plans to bring its emergency runway into routine use as part of a 2.2bn expansion project, but who will pay for the works and when might the new runway open?

Gatwick Airport has had its £2.2billion plan green lit by the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander.

With the privately financed project, the West Sussex hub is aiming to massively increase its capacity. Gatwick will move its emergency runway slightly to the north, enabling it to be used for departures of narrow-bodied planes such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s.

– How many runways does Gatwick have?

It has one conventional runway, and one standby runway.

– What is the standby runway used for?

It is mostly used for aircraft to taxi to and from terminals, but is also used when the main runway is closed for emergencies or maintenance.

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– Why does Gatwick want to expand?

It is the UK’s second busiest airport and one of the busiest single-runway airports in the world. Spare slots at peak periods are scarce and the runway is heavily utilised, meaning disruption can have a severe knock-on effect.

– What must happen to the standby runway for it to be brought into routine use?

It must be moved 12 metres to the north – away from the main runway – to meet strict aviation safety rules.

– What else does the plan involve?

Remodelling and replacing existing taxiways, which connect runways to terminals, hangars and other facilities, extending both terminals, and installing new aircraft gates.

– How about transport?

Gatwick says it would pay for road connections to both terminals to be enhanced, creating fly-overs which separate local traffic from vehicles travelling to or from the airport. A £250 million upgrade of the airport’s railway station was completed in November 2023.

– What would the standby runway be used for?

Departures of narrow-bodied planes such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s.

– What impact would that have on Gatwick’s capacity for flights?

This would allow the airport to accommodate approximately 386,000 flights per year, a significant increase from the current 286,000. From the passenger’s perspective, that would increase the number of options when it comes to flying to established destinations, while also, presumably, upping the airports Gatwick is connected to.

– How about annual passenger numbers?

The number of passengers could potentially surge from around 45 million to a staggering 75 million by the late 2030s.

– How much will the project cost?

Gatwick has estimated the project to be priced at a hefty £2.2 billion.

– Who will pay for it?

The airport has assured that the project will be privately financed, promising to cover the costs without increasing charges to airlines.

– When could the new runway open?

A Government source hinted that flights could commence from the new full runway before 2029.

– Who owns Gatwick Airport?

The airport is owned by French firm Vinci and investment fund Global Infrastructure Partners.

– Does Heathrow’s third runway proposal affect Gatwick?

While the Government has shown support for Heathrow’s expansion plan, Gatwick remains undeterred in its ambition to enhance its own capacity.

– Does anyone oppose it?

Zack Polanski, the new Green Party leader, described ministers’ support of a second Gatwick runway as a “disaster”. “It ignores basic climate science and risks undermining efforts to tackle the climate crisis. Labour keeps wheeling out the same nonsense about growth, but at what cost? What this really means is more pollution, more noise for local communities, and no real economic benefit,” he said.

CAGNE, a residents campaign group that has long opposed the expansion of Gatwick, added: “As this is a new runway by the backdoor, offering little compensation for some and nothing for the majority of residents whose homes will be devalued as will areas of outstanding natural beauty and places of historic importance. As the only guarantee Gatwick has offered is that instead of one runway starting up at 6.30am until 11.30pm at night there will be two, so double the noise over rural areas.”

Skye Taylor, 50, from Southampton, travelled the world with Virgin Atlantic for 16 years and has revealed the worst routes for drunk and disorderly passengers

A former cabin crew worker has shared her experiences of “absolute chaos” on certain routes where passengers consumed the most alcohol.

Ex-flight attendant Skye Taylor, who spent 16 years travelling the globe with Virgin Atlantic, made her comments after a discussion on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne show. Travel correspondent Simon Calder sparked the debate by questioning whether it was time to trial alcohol-free flights.

Simon highlighted an increase in individuals combining alcohol with prescription drugs, leading Claire to ask: “If the airlines decide that they’re going to trial this and ban the sale of alcohol on flights, does it not just encourage us to get tanked up at the airport?”

After the conversation, Skye, 50, from Southampton, argued that a complete ban wasn’t the solution. However, she did advocate for restrictions on alcohol, attributing most of the issues she faced on the job to alcohol-related incidents.

Offering a troubling insight, she revealed: “Long haul flights… It is absolute chaos sometimes. I had an absolutely awful experience in upper class. I am going to say it because it was awful.

“There were a lot of quite well off guys off to a boxing match in Vegas and because they were in upper class there was no control on how much they were drinking.

“They literally drunk the bar dry which led to some behaviour that I couldn’t imagine seeing, like trying to touch the cabin crew, just in general, awful.”

She revealed that passengers mixing alcohol with prescription medication often caused the biggest headaches.

Skye also urged travellers to exercise caution, revealing how one drink at 30,000ft in the air was equivalent to downing three on the ground.

The mum, who left the industry after developing insomnia, said some upper class passengers felt overly entitled after splashing out so much cash for their seat.

However, she insisted this shouldn’t give them the right to make cabin crew workers feel threatened.

And discussing the contrast in different destinations, she added: “It is crazy to see the difference in routes. Say you are going to Dubai, the majority of your passengers are not going to be drinking because they don’t drink alcohol (in Dubai), so there are very very few incidents on flights like that.

“But the rest of the time the incidents are caused by alcohol and it is scary, it is scary sometimes when you are up there.”

So what does Skye reckon are the worst flights for drunken behaviour?

Las Vegas

Skye discovered the American party capital Las Vegas was the worst flight when departing from the UK.

She explained: “On the way out it can just be carnage. Which does make you feel unsafe as crew and other passengers if they are flying with families and stuff like that as well.”

But the return journey is frequently vastly different.

She revealed: “It is very different, if you come back from Vegas nobody wants to drink on the way home, so it is a very different atmosphere. Everyone is relaxed, chilled, everyone is going to sleep. It makes your job very easy.”

Magaluf and Ibiza

Predictably, two of Spain’s most legendary party hotspots featured on Skye’s list of the most challenging flights.

While detailing some of her tactics for handling disruptive passengers (see below), Skye highlighted the destinations as among the most problematic on budget carrier routes.

Jamaica

Remembering a flight to the Jamaican capital of Kingston, she revealed “it was absolutely chaos”.

Skye added: “And it was a big aircraft but we had the staff to deal with it then and I think most airlines now don’t have the staff. They are down to minimum crew and that’s not leaving anyone to watch for people drinking because they are too busy.”

The most challenging route, she discovers, is from the UK to Las Vegas.

Following her description of Las Vegas as the most difficult route, Skye noted that paradoxically, on the homeward flight to England, nobody aboard wishes to drink.

‘Booze ban is not the answer’

According to the International Air Transport Association, air rage incidents have risen by 8% in the past year. And while not believing that an alcohol prohibition on flights was the solution, Skye did offer one recommendation.

According to Skye, most difficulties emerged when travellers brought aboard alcohol purchased in the airport, before uncorking the bottle during the flight. She firmly believes any booze bought in duty free should be collected during boarding, then returned after touchdown.

Skye reckons this would prevent passengers “acting like they are in Wetherspoons” which occurs on numerous routes.

She concluded: “It definitely needs tighter restrictions and even if alcohol is free on board, just reduce that, especially routes that cause the problems, so low cost routes it is going to be Ibiza, Magluf, that type of flight.

“Stop them bringing alcohol on that board, because that is when they act up. I don’t know how they get away with it anyway, it is purchased outside the aircraft and it shouldn’t be in their hands, that’s my opinion.”

Mamma Mia’s scene-stealer island is a top stop on a tall ship trip for Dave Monk, who visited the spot where Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan captured Abba movie magic in 2008

My singing abilities certainly aren’t up to Meryl Streep’s – or even Pierce Brosnan’s. But when I stood at the spot where the pair performed The Winner Takes It All in the 2008 Abba movie Mamma Mia!, I couldn’t help but hum the tune under my breath.

The chapel of St John, on the Greek island of Skopelos, perched 200 steps up on top of an outcrop, made the stunning backdrop when Streep, as Donna, sang the emotive melody to Brosnan – the Sam she thought had abandoned her 20 years earlier.

While the scenery is just as impressive, filmmakers created a new exterior for the church and filmed the interior shots elsewhere. Handrails have been put on the steepest half of the ascent to help the thousands of fans who visit every week.

The beach elsewhere on the island that was also used in the box office hit is a lot more crowded now – and missing the jetty that was built just for the set.

OPINION

Milo Boyd

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Even so, the visit was a highlight of a week’s voyage on the tall ship Star Clipper that combined ancient with modern. It began in Athens where, under a full moon, the sails on the four towering masts started to unfurl to the stirring music of Vangelis.

This was no ordinary cruise. As we ventured out on to the silvery sea in search of small islands, it was also a sail of the centuries back to the time when square riggers, barques and schooners ruled the seas.

There are no water slides or dodgem cars on these ships, only two small pools, a library, a couple of bars and a restaurant. The 126 passengers on our cruise – the ship can take 166 – spent their days learning how to read charts, tie knots or follow the stars. Or simply relaxing.

There’s a chance to climb the rigging, clamber out on to the bowsprit at the front of the ship, or even take a turn at the helm under the watchful eye of the captain. Even the 20 children on board – part of a large Belgian group – had fun swimming, playing board games andexploring.

On a choppy first night, with 10ft swells and 57mph winds, my wife Mandy and I rolled around on the cosy beds in our compact cabin. Getting to the en-suite bathroom felt like climbing a hill. The timbers were certainly shivering.

But with the throbbing heartbeat of the engine and the splashing of the waves, we were soon rocked back to sleep. By the time we had crossed the Aegean to reach Dikili in Turkey after a day at sea, the ocean had calmed.

Docked near the town centre, I took a coach to the ancient town of Pergamon, first its ruined hospital then the acropolis towering over the landscape.

If you think ­psychotherapy is new, think again. The second-century doctors used to whisper at patients as they walked along a tunnel to encourage them to get better. The nearby Acropolis, which has an impressive amphitheatre, invented a new way of making paper, so Pergamon gave the world the word “parchment”.

The following morning we headed back to Greek waters but were unable to land at Lemnos as the waves were too high for our tender boats.

After another relaxing sea day we arrived at Skiathos, where I swam on a nearby islet that The Beatles once tried to buy. At night, back on the ship, I joined passengers to watch the Mamma Mia! movie on deck ahead of our visit to Skopelos the next day.

Our final stop was in Poros – and a trip to a nearby beach for ­watersports – before heading back to Athens. Of course, food is an important factor on any cruise and you don’t go short on Star Clipper, from buffet breakfasts and lunches to afternoon treats, ala carte dinner and even a midnightsnack.

One afternoon I had a massage – not in a swanky ship spa but in a metal cabin on the top deck. It was every bit as good. For the more active, the ship carried kayaks, ­paddleboards and snorkels– as well as Zodiac boats to make beach landings.

But even the main pool on board offered underwater views – ­windows in the sides and bottom looked into the Piano Bar above the dining room. The main meeting point was the al fresco Tropical Bar on the main deck opposite the library – the shaded deck space in between was used for meetings andyoga.

Much of the time we were able to sail totally under wind, giving a sense of how the ancient Greeks felt as they ventured out on odysseys.

While many cruise ships have lots of distractions, noise and lights, Star Clippers – which also owns a twin ship, Star Flyer, and a bigger sister, Royal Clipper – brings you back to the sea, sunsets and the stars. And each other.

The fact that our cruise was nearly 90% repeat guests shows they must be doing something right. When it comes to bragging rights to the most authentic holiday at sea– to paraphrase Abba – the clipper takes it all…

Book the holiday

• Star Clippers offers a seven-night 2026 Sporades Highlights round trip cruise on Star Flyer from £1,893pp, departing from Piraeus (Athens) and calling at Dikili, Lemnos, Skiathos, Skopelos and Poros. Available on July 25, August 15, September 5 or 26. Flights extra. starclippers.co.uk
• More info at visitgreece.gr

Cruise passengers have been warned to check certain items in their cabins before they start settling into their holiday – and it will only take a few minutes

When you board a cruise, it’s natural to want to ditch your bags and head straight to the pool or buffet, and get the holiday started as soon as possible.

However, insiders have suggested that before you head out, you should get settled in your cabin properly. That includes doing a quick sweep of the “high traffic areas” which previous passengers may have been touching, which may not fall into the crew’s list of deep cleaning priorities.

Unpacking your bags, getting your bearings and joining the safety drills before the ship sails are all on most people’s radars already, but according to industry experts, there are approximately seven items that you may want to sanitise before you can truly settle in.

When sharing their advice on the first things to do when you board a cruise, the team at Cruise Critic explained: “We’re not suggesting that your cabin steward isn’t doing a proper job at cleaning your room. But a little extra precaution never hurt anyone, and it will just take a few minutes to sanitise (or re-sanitise) certain areas of your cabin.”

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The seven “high-traffic areas” in your cabin which you may want to check are the “doorknob, deadbolt, TV remote, light switches, bathroom faucets, thermostat, safe keypad”, as well as other items you think might have been picked up a lot by previous passengers. (We know, it’s not nice to think someone else has been in the room before you but of course that’s the reality!). The experts added: “If you want to go the extra mile, rewash the bar glasses if your cabin has them.”

Before the ship sails off, you may also want to check your phone, or you may end up facing some hefty bills when you get home. In fact, there’s a costly mistake which quite a lot of passengers make with their phones onboard the ship.

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You may not be getting any signal at sea, but that doesn’t mean that data roaming charges won’t apply. Most people assume that because they are unable to connect to the internet unless they opt for a cruise line’s Wi-Fi package, then their phone won’t be incurring data charges. However, even at sea your phone may intermittently connect to maritime networks and satellites – and you’ll be hit with the fees that come alongside this.

Opting for a Wi-Fi package can be an easy way to avoid these types of costs, but of course these can be quite expensive. If you’re sticking to a budget or you’re quite happy to ditch your social media feeds and emails for a few days, then one of the easiest ways to avoid the potentially high costs is to switch off data roaming, or at least put your phone on airplane mode.

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Two more airlines have implemented strict regulations around the use of power banks onboard aircrafts, following in the footsteps of other major carriers concerned about lithium battery safety

Two airlines are introducing bans on a common travel item, following the lead of other major airlines.

The bans are a heightened measure to ensure the safety of passengers following previous lithium battery-related incidents. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air are the latest air carriers to ban the use of power banks and portable chargers.

The new regulations mean passengers will no longer be able to use power banks while onboard a flight. The new ban also prohibits passengers from charging their power banks using the inflight ports.

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From now on, passengers are required to remove power banks from their carry-on luggage prior to boarding and keep them in a visible location throughout the flight.

That said, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air passengers are still permitted to carry power banks on to aircrafts in limited quantities. But power banks are strictly prohibited in checked luggage.

The ban is a result of growing concerns over the safety of lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries onboard aircrafts. These batteries are highly sensitive to heat, impact and rapid changes in air pressure.

Because of this sensitivity, there is a heightened risk of battery malfunctions, including short circuits, overheating, and in severe cases, fire or explosion.

These dangers are amplified when batteries are stored in the cargo hold, which is less closely monitored and where temperature and pressure can fluctuate dramatically. This is why power banks are banned outright from checked luggage.

Devices with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) are allowed in quantities of up to ten per passenger. For larger power banks, with capacities between 100 and 160 Wh, the limit is two per person.

Any power bank that exceeds 160 Wh is not permitted on board under any circumstances. Both Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet insist passengers check the specifications of their devices before travelling.

In addition to the new ban, the airlines also introduced new heat-resistant gloves and fire- containment bags onboard.

Air Busan banned the use of power banks onboard after a fire broke out on one of their flights this past January. The Air Busan plane caught fire at Gimhae International Airport on January 28—causing three people on board to sustain minor injuries.

Following the incident, South Korea’s transport ministry said that interim investigation results indicated the fire may have started because insulation inside a power bank battery had broken down.

Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Singapore Airlines and multiple other airlines have also introduced new power bank regulations over this year.

A mum was left fuming after a recent flight with her two children, as the behaviour of the passenger sitting in front of her completely ruined the experience for her kids

If you’ve ever taken a flight with young children, you’ll know how much of a headache it can be at times. Rushing them through airport security, making sure you all get to your boarding gate on time, and hoping that they don’t cause a scene when you’re on the plane can leave you feeling drained.

Many people have sparked discussions in the past about how they don’t like flying with “screaming” children on board, but the parents of those children are likely even more exhausted – and we should all be more compassionate. But one mum didn’t receive any sympathy on a recent flight she was on with her two children, as the passenger in front of her chose to do something “rude” in the middle of their journey.

Matilda Norton shared a video on TikTok of herself sitting with her two children on the plane, where the family was happily minding their own business. Matilda had her youngest child on her lap, while her older son was standing up in the seat beside her, playing with a toy plane.

But her problem came when the man in front of her decided to recline his seat – meaning she had very little room for herself and her young baby, who was already getting restless and starting to cry.

The mum also explained in her video that the seat next to the man in front of her was empty, meaning he could have moved across and reclined that seat, which was in front of her older child.

Although that still would have encroached on their space, it would have given the mum enough room to properly look after her younger child.

In the video’s caption, she said: “He had an empty seat next to him. He could have moved over and put the other seat back … where there was no baby behind him.

“Or when he lay down across both seats, he could have at least put his seat upright since he wasn’t even using it. I know everyone has the right to put their seat back, but where is the common courtesy? We had no space.”

Commenters on the post were split over the issue. Some said that the mum was right to be annoyed, as even though the man was within his rights to recline his chair, he could have been more respectful of her situation.

Others, however, said the man did nothing wrong. They also argued that the mum could have swapped seats with her son so that she took the window seat and he was in the middle, meaning she would still escape the reclined chair.

One person said: “You could literally swap with your other son, and the issue would be resolved. People are allowed to recline their seats on a flight.”

Another added: “Why do people think they are entitled to special treatment? He’s allowed to recline his seat without any question or explanation.”

However, someone else defended the mum, stating: “This comment section isn’t it. It’s so rude to recline your seat on a short flight. It’s entirely unnecessary, and you know that it makes the person behind you uncomfortable.”

Matilda also later shared in the comments why she refused to swap seats with her son, as she said she would rather make sure he has a good time and enjoys his flight.

Responding to one commenter who told her to swap seats, she wrote: “He likes the window seat and I would rather him happily look out the window than be grumpy in the middle. You’ve clearly never travelled with kids!”

The ‘pillowcase hack’ has been a popular way for travellers to avoid paying for checked luggage – but experts have warned that airlines are now ‘cracking down’ on the trick

If you’re looking to save a few quid on your upcoming holiday, chances are you’re flying with hand luggage only. As any seasoned traveller knows, cramming all your essentials into a small suitcase can be a right faff.

However, there are always those who try to bend the rules. One such method is known as the ‘pillowcase hack’.

This involves stuffing an empty pillowcase full of clothes and taking it on board your flight along with your bag.

Airlines can slap passengers with a £75 fee for travelling with an oversized carry-on bag, meaning travellers could end up shelling out £150 for a return journey due to overpacking.

In response to this, travel experts at Netflights have shed light on whether passengers should risk trying the pillowcase hack, and why cramming your clothes into a pillowcase could save you hundreds if you’re a frequent flyer, reports the Express.

Amanda Parker from Netflights has issued a warning to travellers that, despite numerous success stories, the pillowcase hack isn’t always a surefire win.

“Airlines are cracking down on sneaky flight hacks, so you might want to think twice about testing this hack on your next flight.

“An overly stuffed pillowcase bursting with clothes can raise suspicion, and if you’re already boarding the plane with maximum baggage, then your pillow can be flagged as extra.

“What works for one airline or crew might be refused by another, as different airlines’ cabin baggage rules vary.

“By risking the pillowcase hack, you could risk holding up the boarding process or being denied boarding entirely if you can’t pay the fee.

“Some low-cost airlines state that any item used to carry belongings, even if disguised, must be treated as luggage.

“Before jetting off, always check the baggage allowance rules to ensure you’ll be boarding your flight with the correct baggage and belongings.”

Aircraft swaps, or equipment changes, are becoming routine as airlines juggle fleets to cut costs, cover technical issues, or respond to delays

Airline passengers across the UK are increasingly finding that the seat they booked, or even paid extra for, disappears at the last minute.

This practice, known in the industry as ‘aircraft swaps’ or ‘equipment changes,’ is becoming routine as airlines juggle fleets to cut costs, cover technical issues, or respond to delays.

Latest analysis has found that this airline procedure, swapping an aircraft just before departure, affects nearly 140,000 flights every year in the UK. And for passengers that can often mean losing a reserved seat, being downgraded, or facing overbooking when a smaller plane replaces the original.

Fleet shortages, staff strikes, and ongoing weather disruptions make last-minute swaps more likely, says AirAdvisor, an air passenger rights company.

And while you would be forgiven for thinking that your ticket guarantees a specific plane or seat it, in fact, only guarantees travel in a given class between two points. That legal grey area leaves thousands unsure of their actual rights.

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AirAdvisor’s analysis found between 1 per cent and 5 per cent of flights face aircraft changes within 24-48 hours before departure, rising to more than 5% at peak periods on legacy carriers like British Airways and Lufthansa.

Low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet are less affected because of their standardised fleets, but summer demand spikes increase the risk across the board. If you’ve ever turned up for a flight only to find that the seat you’ve booked or paid for is no longer available, it’s crucial to know your rights.

These rights vary depending on the situation.

Downgrading: If you’re bumped down to a lower class, UK261 regulations entitle you to a refund of 30-75 per cent of your ticket price, depending on the length of your flight.

Seat loss: If you’ve forked out extra for a specific seat (like an exit row, window, or aisle), you can claim a refund of that surcharge if the seat is no longer available. However, if you didn’t pay extra, airlines can reassign you within the same class without offering compensation.

Overbooking due to smaller aircraft: Passengers who are denied boarding are entitled to compensation ranging from €250-€600 (£216 – £519), plus rerouting or a refund.

Unwanted aircraft type: If your flight is reassigned to a model you’re not comfortable flying in (such as the Boeing 737 MAX), airlines aren’t legally required to change your booking. However, some might rebook you as a goodwill gesture if you act quickly.

At present, there’s no regulation requiring airlines to inform passengers of seat or aircraft changes, except when they’re downgraded to a lower class. This legal grey area can be problematic, especially when passengers have paid extra for seat selection or comfort.

As a result, these swaps often happen without any advance warning, leaving passengers caught off guard.

Some consumer groups have argued that airlines should notify passengers of any alterations, giving travellers the right to accept or decline new seating arrangements, and providing automatic refunds when services aren’t delivered as promised.

However, the current review of UK261 regulations, which is being debated in Brussels, has caused some concern. Rather than bolstering passenger protections, certain proposals could actually weaken airlines’ duty to compensate travellers when flights are delayed or scrapped.

Meanwhile, the matter of aircraft substitutions – which are becoming increasingly frequent – remains largely overlooked in the talks.

For British travellers, this means a greater chance of finding out at the departure gate that their seat has vanished or that their flight has fewer places than anticipated.

THIS is the moment a passenger is dragged off a Ryanair plane after sparking a bloody brawl.

He reportedly attempted to yank open the emergency door mid-air during the flight from Bournemouth to Girona, Spain, on Thursday.

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The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Toulouse, France, so the troublemaker could be booted off.

Footage from the runway in Toulouse shows four cops carrying the bloke, who is lying limp and handcuffed in their arms.

They dump him down onto the tarmac as others stand guard.

The man – seen in a white t-shirt and orange shorts – apparently burst out with: “I want to go,” before making a beeline for the plane’s door.

Other passengers – realising he was intent on opening the hatch – jumped to stop him and a scrap followed.

The unidentified man allegedly spat and threw punches at fellow passengers before he was pinned to the floor.

A seatbelt was even bound around his legs to immobilise the troublemaker.

After being plonked back into a seat, he is said to have aimed a headbutt at a pensioner sitting next to him.

Other passengers broke down in tears and even suffered panic attacks in the face of his aggression.

One witness said: “The whole event was very traumatic.

“The man had gone into the toilet and then afterwards was trying opening one of the emergency exit doors.

“He then went to try the other shouting ‘I want to go.’

“That’s when a huge brawl started with a lot more than one man trying to get him away from the doors.

“There was a big punch up and he then finally got taken down in the isle and was pinned to the floor where they then managed to get a seatbelt extender round his ankles to stop him kicking.”

Fellow passenger David Malone said: “They started brawling in the middle of the plane.

“It went on for about 30 minutes and one guy was completely off his head, it took about three people to restrain him.

“It was horrible, there was blood everywhere there were people screaming and crying.

“It was horrible, disgusting really. It made you ashamed to be British to be honest.

“It’s sad really, I felt sorry for the staff. Something needs to be done about the amount of alcohol they allow people to consume at the airport.”

It’s understood the man had been fighting with another person in his group before heading for the doors.

After the man had been removed, the plane continued on to Girona, landing around two hours behind schedule.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: “This flight from Bournemouth to Girona (4 Sept) was diverted to Toulouse after a passenger became disruptive onboard.

“Crew called ahead for police assistance, who met the aircraft upon landing at Toulouse Airport and offloaded this passenger before this flight continued to Girona.

“Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a respectful and stress-free environment, without unnecessary disruption.”

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The dry cabin air, dehydration and long periods of sitting after a flight already put our bodies under stress, and a hot shower can put extra strain on your skin and circulation

Brits jetting off on holiday have been warned that jumping straight into a hot shower after a flight could do more harm than good.

A steamy shower can worsen post-flight swelling in the ankles and feet, dry out skin and even affect blood circulation, according to shower and spa experts at Vidalux.co.uk.

It is a fairly common practice, at the end of a long day’s journeying, to head straight home or to the hotel to relax, freshen up and take a shower. However, turning the water on and having a good, steamy soak could in fact leave you feeling worse.

Dry cabin air, dehydration, and long periods of sitting after a flight already stress our bodies, and a hot shower can put extra strain on our skin and circulation. Instead, travellers should opt for a cool or lukewarm shower.

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This will deliver similar, if not higher, levels of freshness, while also lowering the risk of drying out your skin and negatively impacting your blood circulation. Taking a milder shower may also help your body regulate its temperature more effectively and reduce fluid retention.

Andy Ellis, shower specialist at Vidalux.co.uk, said: “A lot of us love taking a shower after a flight to help freshen up when we get back home but those taking a hot shower could be doing more harm than good to their bodies.

“After a flight our skin is already pretty dry and dehydrated from the low humidity in the plane. Taking a hot shower can worsen this feeling as the hot water will strip the body of its natural oils. Hot water also causes our blood vessels to dilate, which can worsen existing swelling and blood circulation issues after flying.

“This doesn’t mean you can’t take a shower though. As long as you stick to a cool or lukewarm shower post-flight then you’ll be absolutely fine.”

Swelling in the ankles and feet is common after flying and hot water can make this issue worse by causing the blood vessels to dilate further.

Planes are extremely dry and they can leave you feeling dehydrated. This is because the low humidity levels cause the air to pull moisture from our skin, lips and eyes. Hot showers also strip natural oils from the skin which can worsen dryness or irritation after a flight.

Long periods of sitting and cabin pressure changes can lead to poor circulation. Hot showers, which dilate blood vessels, can also lower blood pressure.

Hot showers can interfere with your sleep schedule, especially if you’re already suffering from jet lag. The hot water raises your body’s core temperature, which can make you feel more awake. Taking a hot shower after an evening flight can disrupt your body’s natural cooling process that signals it’s time to sleep.

The Italian travel hub Rome Fiumicino was recognised with its “impressive commitment to passenger experience, sustainability and innovation in the ACI Europe Best Airport Awards

An airport in the Italian capital has been named the best in Europe for a seventh year in a row.

Rome Fiumicino has scooped the gong as the best airport handling more than 40 million passengers a year in the ACI EUROPE Best Airport Awards. The Roman travel hub was recognised with its “impressive commitment to passenger experience, sustainability and innovation.”

While no one is pretending that flying is good for the environment – in fact, it is one of the most polluting forms of transport – Fiumicino’s bosses have made better efforts than most when it comes to decarbonising the airport itself. It recently launched Europe’s largest solar farm, which should cut more than 11,000 tons of CO2 a year. Judges also highlighted its data-driven approach to management.

Fiumicino has now snatched the prize for a seventh year in a row, asserting its dominance in the ‘large airport’ category.

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A spokesperson for the airport said: “Rome’s Fiumicino Airport has been named the best airport in Europe for the seventh time. This award celebrates its great service, comfort, and modern spaces. Travelers enjoy smooth arrivals, clear signs, and many food and shopping options. Fiumicino keeps growing, making travel easier and welcoming millions each year.”

On Airline Quality, some passengers have shared what they like about Fiumicino. One person from Taiwan wrote: “It is clean, modern and spacious. It is easily accessible by the Leonardo Express from Termini in about half an hour. Employees are friendly and helpful and can speak English well. The WiFi connection is stable. Signposts are clear.”

Another, from the UK, added: “Great facilities, huge range of luxury and non-luxury shops and restaurants/food choices. I travel to/from this airport often and have never experienced long queues, not at the security checks nor when recollecting my luggage.”

A third, from the UAE, shared: “Since my last visit, there have been tremendous improvements in the lounges and in the food and beverage on the second floor. The electronic passport scanner. I’m impressed. I’m positively impressed. Management efforts, I think, were amazing, and for me and my family, it has been a very pleasant experience.”

While some aviation buffs may make their way to Fiumicino just to check out its award-winning facilities, most will only grace its hallowed halls on the way into the Eternal City.

Each year, 35 million people visit Rome. And you can certainly feel it on the streets. Earlier this year, one holidaymaker told of how they’d resorted to visiting the Trevi Fountain at 2am in an attempt to dodge the notorious crowds that congregate there.

Even at such a small hour, she was confronted by throngs.

In truth, visiting any of the great city’s main attractions – whether that be the Colosseum, the Forum, or the Vatican – will bring you shoulder-to-shoulder with the masses. When visiting, picking up a book such as the Blue Guide, which is written by locals or those with a very intimate understanding of destinations, can help you find lesser-trod corners, underrated restaurants and ancient buildings with a baffling small number of visitors.

If you’re after broad stroke recommendations, the Castel Sant’Angelo is a good bet. Also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, it was once the tallest building in Rome and used as a fortress by popes. Nowadays, it’s a museum packed with incredible artwork, sculptures and artefacts that offer you a glimpse into Rome’s rich history.

The Galleria Borghese houses a spectacular range of artwork including pieces by Rossi and Bernini. Consisting of paintings and sculptures from throughout the ages, it is impossible not to fall in love with the grandeur of their histories.