PASSENGERS travelling between the UK and Ireland will see a major change to passport requirements from tomorrow.
A popular airline is switching up its identification process for anyone flying between the two states.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Aer Lingus passengers travelling between the UK and Ireland will now be required to carry a valid passport or passport card (stock image)
From Wednesday, February 25, Aer Lingus will join Ryanair in requiring all passengers travelling between the UK and Ireland to carry their passports.
The Irish airline previously accepted alternative identification documents for these routes, such as driving licences or Irish Garda age cards.
Despite the Common Travel Area agreement between the UK and Ireland, a new rule change will require all passengers travelling between the two states to carry either a passport or passport card.
In a statement issued by Aer Lingus’s spokesperson, the airline said the new measures “will ensure consistency across our network and further improve our operational performance for our customers”.
They added: “Aer Lingus is updating its travel document requirements for flights between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, effective from 25th February 2026.
“All customers (including Irish or British nationals) travelling on Aer Lingus and Aer Lingus Regional services between the Republic of Ireland and the UK will now require a valid passport or Irish passport card.
“The other forms of photo ID (driver’s licence, etc.) previously accepted will no longer be valid for travel.”
Flights between Belfast and the UK are exempt from this latest update.
British Airways, which is the sister airline of Aer Lingus, will continue to allow passengers to travel without passports on flights from London City and Heathrow to Dublin.
The airline said: “You do not need a passport to travel between these destinations, known as the Common Travel Area (CTA), but you do require recognised photographic identification that proves your identity and nationality.”
Ferry companies sailing between Ireland and England and Wales will continue to accept alternative forms of identification.
There are no checks between the Republic and the North of Ireland.
Aer Lingus has launched dedicated phone lines for passengers who do not have a passport but need to fly between Ireland and the UK before they can obtain one.
British Airways will not require passports for its services between Dublin and London City and London Heathrow (stock image)
IT IS starting to feel like we are never going to escape the doom and gloom of winter – but next week, you could jet off somewhere on a short flight for some 20C heat.
With February feeling as long as January and rain continuing across the UK, the memories of warm weather and sunshine seem distant.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
A number of destinations less than five hours from the UK are hitting 20C or more next weekCredit: GettyFor example, you could head to Marrakech in Morocco which is reaching up to 24C and has £14 flightsCredit: Getty
And unfortunately for us Brits, we have still got a while to go until we see the budding and blooming of spring.
So, why not just forget about it for the week and head somewhere next week for cheap to catch some rays? Here are some destinations all under five hours away, with weather at least 20C.
Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech in Morocco will reach temperatures of up to 24C next week.
On March 3, you could fly from London Stansted to Marrakech for just £14 one-way.
RYANAIR has warned it’s planning on axing even MORE routes to Spain next year.
This comes after the budget airline announced it would be cutting 1.2million seats from popular destinations this summer.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
The airline is planning on cutting seats to Spain due to Aena proposing a hike in feesCredit: GettyFlights to Tenerife (North Airport) were suspended over the winter monthsCredit: Getty
Ryanair has already revealed that this year it plans to axe over a million seats to certain Spanish routes, with some routes being cut down.
Others could be axed completely – and there could be more to come.
This is in response to Aena – the state-controlled airport operator in the country – increasing its fees for airlines.
The operator has proposed an increase in passenger fees, meaning airlines would be paying 21 per cent more from 2027 to 2031.
CEO of Ryanair, Eddie Wilson has now said: “Next winter we will make further cuts to regional airport services and I remind you that our total traffic in Spain for this summer will only grow by 0.5 per cent compared to 9 per cent in Italy, 11 per cent in Morocco or 20 per cent in Poland.”
He added: “Aena’s proposal to increase fares by 21 per cent is regrettable, but not surprising, as this airport monopoly has a history of applying the highest fares at the expense of traffic development, especially at Spain’s regional airports, which are 70 per cent empty.”
Eddie Wilson continued to say that if the fees were to be increased it would “make even the most popular airports in Spain uncompetitive.”
He said that Ryanair’s aircraft would end up going to “other places in Europe where rates are more competitive” instead.
Ryanair isn’t the only airline hitting back at the proposals from Aena.
According to Business Travel News Europe, “‘airline groups are objecting to proposed increases” and have called for an “annual reduction in the fees.”
Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s regional vice president for Europe, called AENA’s proposed level of increases “unsustainable and unrealistic”.
After the proposals were announced, Ryanair last year revealed cancellations of its routes to Vigo and Santiago.
Vigo is another destination that will no longer be served by RyanairCredit: Getty
The airline is also reducing its capacity at Santander, the Canary Islands, and Zaragoza.
It is also significantly scaling back its operations at Santiago de Compostela.
Elsewhere in Spain, Ryanair is halting all flights to Asturias and Vigo, and the base in Jerez will remain closed in 2026.
Other axed routes last year include those to French airports like Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg.
This means that your trip to Tenerife could become more expensive – and if so, you should take a look at Morocco instead.
Cities around the North African country could be set to get cheaper flights as Ryanair has said that the capacity removed from Spanish airports will be reallocated to more competitive European markets, including Morocco.
“We were sunbathing on the roof of our riad in the Medina in glorious 22 degree temperatures – and I loved the amazing desert landscapes just 40 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the souks.
“Tourism is booming in the city and while the streets are as colourful and chaotic as ever, the influx of visitors has brought some gorgeous new bars, restaurants and stunning hotels.“
ANOTHER airport is introducing a new drop off fee from next month and travellers are fuming.
From March, London Southend Airport in Essex will charge passengers £8 for up to 10 minutes drop off.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
London Southend Airport has created a new Express Lane drop-off and pick-up areaCredit: Instagram/londonsouthendairport
It comes as the airport has opened a new drop-off and pick-up area at the airport, called the ‘Express Lane’.
Announcing the new fee, the airport said that it “has been designed to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and create a smoother experience for drivers and passengers alike”.
Drivers will be able to stop for up to 10 minutes; no ticket is needed, and there are no barriers for entry or exit.
The £8 charge must then be paid online within 24 hours of exiting the Express Lane.
According to the BBC, a spokesman for the airport said: “Our existing paid pick-up and drop-off parking facility successfully operates and is in line with arrangements at other airports across the UK.
“In March, we are launching an improved and more convenient express lane, as well as doubling the dwell time available to passengers.
“As a privately owned airport, London Southend must generate its own revenue to operate and continue to support our airline partners, maintain operations and reinvest in facilities to improve our easy, speedy, friendly experience for passengers across Essex, London and East Anglia.”
However, a lot of people have taken to social media to express their disappointment with the new fee.
One person said: “Probably the only thing I disagree with at the airport.
“Extortionate fees for dropping off passengers.”
Another person said: “Another money-making mechanism instead of actually improving the situation and traffic flow…”
It will officially open on March 1 and travellers will be charged £8 for 10 minutesCredit: Getty
“Instead of charging, why can’t there be a penalty fee if someone stops for over 10 minutes?
“Then, people will be in and out even faster!”
The BBC added that Liberal Democrat councillor James Newport, who is the former leader of Rochford District Council, commented that the charges are a “rip-off” and that he raised the issue in a committee meeting “as soon as I was made aware”.
He said: “It’s not acceptable that the airport should be trying to fleece not only our residents but also local taxi drivers who are also impacted by these charges.”
The fee comes as a number of other airports across the UK have either introduced drop-off and pick-up fees or raised them.
For example, earlier this month, Glasgow and Aberdeen Airports increased their fees to £7 for up to 15 minutes.
This meant that Glasgow Airport increased its fee by £1, and Aberdeen increased its fee by £5.50.
And in January, London Gatwick Airport raised its drop-off fee to £10.
The £3 increase applies to all drivers using the drop-off zone, except for Blue Badge holders.
At the time, the airport commented that it was “not a decision they took lightly”, but that the “doubling of business rates” was one of the reasons for the increase.
HOLIDAY prices move constantly. Most people know that.
But only a few realise just how much the time of day you book can influence what you pay.
Holiday expert Rob Brooks has taken a deep dive into data to find the ultimate booking timeCredit: Rob Brooks
I work in travel and spend a large part of my job analysing pricing data, and recently, I wanted to understand how big the swing really is across a single day.
Not just the cheapest day of the week, but the cheapest hour, and even the cheapest minute.
The results were clearer (and way more dramatic) than I expected.
When is the most expensive time to book?
The data shows that the most expensive time of day to book a holiday is between 9am and 10am.
Bookings made in that window came in at around 30 per cent more expensive than the cheapest time of day, according to the data.
There is a straightforward reason for this: it’s when demand spikes.
People arrive at work, open their laptops and start browsing.
Search volumes increase, airline pricing systems respond, and fares begin to rise. Then, package holiday prices follow the same pattern.
In simple terms, booking your summer break with your first coffee of the day is statistically one of the pricier moments to do it.
When is the cheapest hour to book?
At the other end of the scale, the cheapest time to book is consistently between 4am and 5am.
Overnight, demand drops off. Fewer searches mean less upward pressure on prices.
Airline systems effectively reset after the previous day’s activity, and fares often return closer to their baseline before building again through the morning.
It’s not a secret loophole. It’s simply supply and demand working in your favour while most of the country is asleep.
Is there a more realistic option?
Of course, most people are not setting alarms for 4am to book a holiday.
So I looked specifically at sociable hours.
If you are booking in the late evening, roughly 8pm to 10pm, prices were on average around 5 per cent cheaper than during the 9am to 10am rush for the same holiday.
Five per cent may not sound dramatic, but on a £2,000 family holiday that equates to around £100.
That is a tangible difference for many households – mine included.
Rob found a 24% price increase in just a few hours on a stay at Turkey’s Catty Cats Garden HotelCredit: On the Beach
When is the exact cheapest minute?
Out of curiosity, I pushed into the data further and examined booking times by the minute.
Consistently, the single cheapest minute recorded was 2:48am.
At that exact point, bookings were around 60 per cent cheaper than the most expensive time of day in the data sample.
Now – reality check time. Booking at 2:48am does not mean every holiday will magically be 60 per cent cheaper.
Pricing is influenced by many factors, including availability and route demand.
However, it illustrates just how wide the gap can be between peak and off-peak booking behaviour.
Rob tested hotel rates throughout the day to find the exact moment that prices dropCredit: Rob Brooks
Testing it in real time
Data is one thing. I wanted to see it happen on screen. So I tested two different package holidays.
First, I checked Catty Cats Garden Hotel in Turkey at 2:47am. It was pricing at £133 per person.
Later that same morning, at 11:36am, the exact same hotel and dates were pricing from £165 per person.
That is roughly a 24 per cent increase in a few hours.
Then I repeated the test with a completely different deal – Mahdia Beach & Aqua Park in Tunisia.
At 2:48am, it was pricing from £130 per person. When I checked again at 11:46am, it had risen to £143 per person.
Again, same hotel, same dates. The only thing that changed was the time of day. Early hours versus late morning – identical searches but different prices.
It is a simple demonstration of how sensitive holiday pricing can be to demand levels throughout the day.
What this means for sunseekers
I want to be clear: I’m not encouraging everyone to live like an insomniac just to save a few pounds. But the broader trend is consistent.
Peak browsing hours tend to coincide with higher prices. Quieter periods – particularly early morning and late evening – often offer better value.
If you want a practical takeaway: avoid the 9am to 10am window if you can. Consider booking later in the evening instead.
And if you do happen to wake up at 4am and find yourself scrolling… it might be the most financially productive scroll of the week.
WANTING to go on holiday but don’t want to spend much money? Well, British Airways has just launched a sale.
British Airways is offering up to 25 per cent off flights to Europe and beyond, including popular destinations such as Malta, Marrakech, Madeira and Faro.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
British Airways has launched a sale on return flights to EuropeCredit: GettyFor example, you could travel to Majorca for £84 returnCredit: Getty
The sale on return flights operated by Gatwick-based subsidiary airline, BA Euroflyer, is running from February 19 to 24 and is available on travel between March 1 and July 31.
Passengers will also get a complimentary drink and snack onboard, as well as hand luggage allowance.
For example, you could head off to Faro in Portugal from London Gatwick from £104 return.
The city is the capital of southern Portugal‘s Algarve region and is known for its historical buildings including the 13th century Faro Cathedral.
Visitors can also head to the Municipal Museum, which is inside a 16th-century convent and boasts a collection of prehistoric displays and medieval artefacts.
Or perhaps you want to go further afield? Well, you could travel to Marrakech in Morocco from £118 return.
Dubbed the ‘Red City’, Marrakech features a large medina – which is the old walled city that was built centuries ago.
In the medina, visitors can explore a network of narrow, winding alleyways with hidden treasure shops selling everything from brass lamps to freshly made flatbreads.
Elsewhere in the city, you can head to Ville Nouvelle, where you will find the modern part of the city with art galleries, boutiques and cafés.
Want to spend less than that? Travel to Majorca, Spain, for £84 return.
This Spanish island is loved for its blue waters, sandy beaches and secret coves.
You can spend time exploring charming villages, but there are also a number of world-famous beaches to venture to.
Make sure to try some of the local food, which consists of Mediterranean dishes with pork, lamb, fresh vegetables and olive oil.
And it isn’t just flights you can save on…
Or you could head to the ‘Red City’ of Marrakech, in MoroccoCredit: Getty
Currently, you can get £200 off a £5,000 holiday, which includes flights and a hotel.
Or £100 off a £2,500 holiday, which includes flights, hotel and car reservations.
There is also a £50 discount on £1,250 holidays and £25 off of £625 holidays.
Many of the destinations are top winter sun spots with sprawling beachesCredit: Getty
For example, you could head to Majorca for seven nights and stay at the five-star Hotel De Mar Gran Melia costing from £1,229 per person between May 1 and 31.
If you don’t fancy spending quite that much, then head to Morocco for seven nights, staying in the four-and-a-half-star Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech from £879 per person between May 1 and 31.
A NEW economy seat has been revealed but it isn’t your normal limited leg-room option.
Dubbed the ‘SkyNook’, there’s a new economy seat that could offer passengers a “semi-private” retreat when flying.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
SkyNook is a new economy seat that offers a more private experienceCredit: aerospaceglobalnews
The seat would feature at the back of a plane, transforming the underutilised space into an area that could host families, travellers with service animals or pets, travellers with sensory sensitivities or even someone flying with either a bulky or fragile item that cannot go into hold.
The reason the seat would feature at the back of a plane, is because widebody aircraft often taper inwards at the back – which means a triple row of seats cannot fit.
Instead, two seats are usually put in this area, but there is still some extra room between the side of the plane and the window seat.
The SkyNook would fill this space so that a secure car seat would fit or a pet carrier or service animal.
Mock-ups of the cabin show how the armrest of the seat nearest the window could lay flat to be used as a table or to sit a baby carrier on.
A bassinet could also be fitted into the space and secured onto the armrest.
Travellers in this seat could also make use of a privacy divider which is designed to reduce cabin noise and separate the seats from the aisle, which can often fill with people waiting for the toilet.
The screen could be particularly useful for passengers who want to feed children, for example.
Created by Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, the seat is up for a 2026 Crystal Cabin Award in the Passenger Comfort category.
The award recognises innovation, excellence and creativity in aircraft cabin interior design.
The winner of the award will be announced on April 14.
Another concept that has been named a finalist is Airbus’ new Airspace A350-1000 first class cabin concept.
The new first class cabin experience would be similar to flying in a private jet and would feel more like an apartment.
A master suite would be in the middle of the cabin of the aircraft and for two travellers with a double bed, a private toilet, a changing area and a bar.
The seat utilises the extra space for either having a service animal, baby carrier or just extra spaceCredit: aerospaceglobalnews
And to make the experience not feel claustrophobic, there are virtual panoramic windows that wrap around the suite which stream images from outside the aircraft.
So, essentially, you will always have a view.
Another finalist is Spaceframe, which is another take on an economy seat.
The seat would have a mesh backrest with foam to make it more comfortable for longer journeys and they would also slide forwards, to recline, which would mean they don’t invade the passenger’s space behind.
The seats would also have integrated power, lighting and wireless charging.
Some airlines are already well-known for their economy seats, such as Emirates.
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot recently flew in economy with Emirates and said: “Even in economy it’s easy to see how Emirates is in a different league to other long haul airlines.
“Launching their first London flights back in 1991, the next year they were the first ever airline to install in flight entertainment screens in all seats across every class.
“And as the first airline to order the game-changing Airbus A380 and I was among the first to travel on the two-deck leviathan capable of holding up to 615 passengers.
“The in-flight catering always feels generous compared to other airlines and while the seats may not be any more generous than our flag-carrier, the plush padding makes it much more comfortable over a long flight.
“And unlike the service I’ve received on some American airlines over the years, the Emirates crew have been faultless on every trip I’ve been on.”
ONE of Asia’s biggest airport projects is underway and it will make it so much easier to travel to one of the country’s most famous landmarks.
Travellers will be able to get to the beautiful Taj Mahal so much quicker – in half the time – once building work is completed.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
A new, huge airport is under construction in IndiaCredit: Noida International AirportNoida’s International Airport will have lots of natural light, shops and restaurantsCredit: Noida International Airport
Noida International Airport is being built near Jewar in India and once fully constructed, will be one of Asia’s biggest airports.
The first phase will include the building of one terminal and one runway -which will handle 12million passengers each year.
The long-term masterplan could see it expand to accommodate up to 120million passengers per year with multiple terminals and up to six runways.
This would make it rival Asia’s other biggest and busiest airports including Beijing Daxing and Dubai International Airport.
Inside terminal one will be automated check-in kiosks, contactless boarding systems, spacious lounges and waiting zones.
The design of the airport is to make it easy for passengers to move about which it has done by separating the arrivals, departures and baggage areas.
There will be lots of seating too in zones between check-in, security and boarding.
The waiting areas will be air-conditioned, there will also be Wi-Fi, prayer rooms and child care areas.
As for its aesthetic, the terminal will be light and airy with a white and see-through roof that is wavy to mimic the flow of a river.
There’s a central courtyard where travellers can get some fresh air – it also has plenty of greenery and shaded areas.
Designs show escalators on the outside and inside, along with shops, restaurants and cafes.
The airport will sit in Jewar, which will make it easier for travellers heading to Agra where the Taj Mahal is.
The new airport will be light, airy and could see up to 120million passengersCredit: Noida International AirportThe new airport will be two hours from Agra, the home of the Taj MahalCredit: Getty Images
The mausoleum that sits on the bank of the river Yamuna in Agra sees up to eight million visitors every year.
Until the airport is up and running, travellers have to fly into New Delhi before heading almost four hours south by car.
The location of Noida International Airport will cut that travel time in half – from Jewar it will take just over two hours.
As for when the new airport will open, there is no date yet although local reports suggest it could be as early as next year.
Both IndiGo and Akasa Air have confirmed they will operate at the airport, although these will be for mainly domestic destinations.
When it comes to Brits, international routes are yet to confirmed if they will be to the UK, with destinations mentioned including Zurich and Dubai.
Current UK-India routes are operated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
The original target opening was two years ago in September 2024, however construction is still ongoing.
The airport covers around 5,000 hectares, making it one of the largest airport sites in India once fully built.
King Salman International Airport is set to surpass all other airports in size, including the current biggest airport in the world which is also in the country.
The 22sqm airport will feature six runways – up from two – parallel to each other and will be built around the existing King Khalid International Airport.
It will approximately be the same size as Manhattan in New York – or twice the size of the city of Bath, in the UK.
And now the airport has moved into its construction phase.
The airport will be designed by Foster + Partners, a UK firm which is behind London‘s famous Gherkin.
Inside, travellers will be able to explore 4.6sqm of shops.
A lot of features in the airport are set to include high tech, such as climate-controlled lighted.
Travellers will have plenty of seating, indoor and outdoor spaces with greenery and vast glass windows, ideal for a bit of plane spotting.
The airport was announced back in 2022 and is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman‘s Saudi Vision 2030 – which is set to make Riyadh into a major hub for transport, trade and tourism.
It will eventually accommodate up to 120million passengers each year, which is then expected to rise to 185million by 2050.
And the number of aircraft takeoffs will rise from 211,000 per year to over one million.
The mountainous Greek island is also known for Muscat wine and across the island there are a number of vineyards you can visit.
For example, you could head to Vakakis Winery where you can go on a relaxed tour.
If you prefer history, across the island there are a number of historical ruins to explore as well.
In Vathy, the island’s main town and port, the Archaeological Museum of Vathy of Samos has treasures from the Heraion of Samos such as statues and pots.
You can also visit the site of Heraion itself, which costs £5.24 per person to visit.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a ruin of an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Hera – believed to be her birthplace.
Today, only one of the original 155 columns remains.
When it comes to exploring the island’s landscape, the green mountains provide the perfect place for a hike and the soft sand beaches are ideal for relaxing.
One beach, Tsamadou Beach, is well-known for having smooth pebbles and turquoise water.
There’s even a beach bar that will bring you drinks right to the lounger.
Another great spot is Potami Beach and the waterfalls.
The beach itself is large, but follow the river from the beach through the woodland and you will find a waterfall you can swim in.
Littered across the island there are also a number of smaller villages to discover.
In the picturesque fishing village of Kokkari, have a wander along the colourful waterfront and through narrow cobbled alleyways.
Many people who come to Kokkari enjoy windsurfing, as the area is known for having the ideal conditions for the sport.
And Jet2 are launching new flights to the island from MayCredit: AlamyThe new flight routes will be from Manchester and London Stansted AirportsCredit: Alamy
And for those wanting a challenge, hike to Mount Kerkis which is the highest peak on the island at 1,433 metres.
The warmest weather on the island is usually from May to October and this is also when the tavernas are open – which if you do head to, you can expect to pay around €4 (£3.49) for a beer.
If you want to avoid crowds, June and September are the best months to visit.
When it comes to choosing somewhere to stay, there are a lot of villas over the island.
Though, there are some hotels as well like the Scorpios Hotel and Suites, which costs from £74 a night with a pool.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “The launch of Samos for Summer 26 gives holidaymakers and independent travel agents access to this beautiful Greek island and the exclusive chance to enjoy an authentic slice of Greece from Manchester and London Stansted Airports.
“We are very pleased to be expanding our presence across Greece by adding this brand-new gateway to our portfolio, appealing to holidaymakers looking for a laid-back Greek island experience.”
In other Greek destination news, there’s a quiet Greek island without the party crowds and locals love tourists.
Back in July, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism banned passengers from storing any power banks in the overhead lockers on domestic and international flights.
And batteries of this kind are already not allowed in checked baggage.
Despite the new rules, passengers will still be able to carry up to two power banks with them onto a flight – it is just that they cannot be used at all throughout the flight and must be out of the overhead locker.
The handy and popular travel item is thought to catch fire when there is damage, a manufacturing defect or overcharging has caused it to overheat.
When a power bank does overheat, it can be made worse on a plane due to the high-altitude and low-pressure conditions.
Last January, a flight operated by Air Busan, experienced a fire on board which they believe was as a result of a defective power bank.
Even though passengers weren’t harmed, the plane was badly damaged.
Following the incident, Air Busan was the first airline to ban the use of power banks onboard.
And since, a number of other airlines have followed in its footsteps.
It comes as a number of airlines have banned the use of power banks on board their flightsCredit: Getty
For example, both Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines have banned the use of power banks on board.
And back in November, Qantas and Virgin Australia announced that they would ban onboard use of power banks after one caught fire in an overhead locker onboard a Virgin Australia flight.
The changes for Virgin Australia flights came into force on December 1.
Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar then followed on December 15.
In January, Lufthansa then became the latest airline to introduce new rules on power banks.
It came into force on January 15 and means that passengers on Lufthansa flights are no longer allowed to use their power banks onboard either.
AS staying connected becomes ever-more important, a ban on the handy gadget that can keep our devices topped up could be seen as a pain.
But the catastrophic consequences of a fire on a plane are an obvious reason to make rules stricter.
After countless incidents – and with so many counterfeit and faulty goods out there – it makes sense they are cracking down.
But airlines do need to understand the need for us to be able to top up our devices in the air. With plans afoot to get rid of physical boarding passes in the coming years, making sure we are able to use our devices will become ever more essential.
Adapting plane interiors to include USB ports will alleviate the need to top up on the go.
And more needs to be done to highlight the new rules – and the dangers these devices can pose.
ONE country in Asia with incredible mountain scenery, Alpine lakes and a vibrant capital city is now so much cheaper for Brits to explore.
To encourage more holidaymakers to visit, Armenia has dropped visa fees, ahead of a budget airline beginning direct flights in just a few months.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Exploring Armenia will be very easy for Brits this springCredit: AlamyWizz Air will start direct flights to Yerevan in June – the city if famous for the Cascade staircaseCredit: Alamy
Armenia isn’t a popular holiday destination for Brits yet, but this could soon change as it has scrapped visa entry requirements for the first half of 2026.
Travellers can stay in Armenia for up to 180 days within a one year period.
The rules are less strict to encourage tourism, particularly longer holidays as well as short city breaks.
Previously, the visa system meant travellers had to apply and pay a fee to enter the country – which at its most expensive cost around £30 and for a stay of up to 120 days.
Lusine Gevorgyan, chairman of the tourism committee of Armenia, said: “This decision is a clear invitation to travellers around the world. Armenia is open and welcoming, and we look forward to sharing our culture, landscapes and hospitality with more visitors throughout 2026.
“With its ancient monasteries, dramatic mountain scenery, vibrant food scene and rich traditions, Armenia offers travellers a unique blend of history and modern life.
“From exploring Yerevan’s cafe culture and museums to discovering hiking trails and Unesco World Heritage sites, the country provides diverse experiences year-round.”
In a few months, Brits will be able to visit Armenia very easily as one budget airline will begin direct routes.
The flights will start on June 8, 2026 – these will be the only direct flight routes from the UK.
In August, one-way flights are as little as £38 and will take just over five hours.
The direct flights from Wizz Air will stop on October 23, 2026.
Armenia is incredibly affordable too.
Last year, travel insurance company HelloSafe studied the average daily budget required by travellers in 131 countries.
In the capital, tourists can explore the Vernissage MarketCredit: AlamyAn hour outside of the city is the beautiful Lake SevanCredit: Alamy
Taking into account expenses like accommodation, food, and transport, Armenia came out as being the sixth cheapest destination.
According to Wise, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant is on average £8.85 with a local beer costing as little as £1.57 and a coffee is under £3.
The country shares borders with Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran.
In the capital of Yerevan there’s lots to see like Yerevan Cascade which is a giant, art-filled stairway which has incredible views of the Mount Ararat mountain which sits across the border in Turkey.
Also in Yerevan is Republic Square, the central town square in the city which is a symbol of Armenia.
The buildings in the square include theGovernment House, theHistory Museum, theNational Gallery andArmenia Marriott Hotel.
It also has huge fountains that are lit up and in the summer there’s even an evening show.
For those wanting to pick up a souvenir, head to Vernissage Market which sells handmade crafts, artwork, and jewellery.
An hour outside of is the popular spot of Lake Sevan which is one of the world’s highest freshwater alpine lakes.
It’s popular in the summertime with swimmers and those wanting to bask on its sandy banks.
The best time to visit Armenia is between May and June as well as autumn between September and October due to the mild temperatures up to 25C.
SPRING Break travelers are set to be hit by disruption amid the partial government shutdown.
Major airlines and travel groups have urged Congress to sort out funding for thousands of Transportation and Security Administration workers.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Millions of high school and college students are preparing to travel nationwide for Spring breakCredit: Getty50,000 TSA workers will be hit by the partial government shutdownCredit: Reuters
It comes as millions of high school and college students are preparing to travel nationwide for Spring break.
The annual one-to-two-week academic vacation period is kicking off soon.
But, holidaymakers and flyers will be hit by annoying flight delays and longer wait times at security due to the partial US homeland security shutdown, according to travel groups and airlines.
And, TSA staff are likely to suffer financially, reported Simple Flying on Saturday.
“Not again: 50,000 TSA officers face unpaid work as shutdown threatens Spring Break travel,” its headline warned.
“As yet another government shutdown looms, so does one of the busiest travel times of the Year — spring break,” said U.S. Travel, Airlines for America, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association in a joint statement last Friday.
“Travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay.”
They warned that the funding delays raise “the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights.”
The annual one-to-two-week academic vacation period is kicking off soonCredit: Getty
The partial government shutdown began on Saturday over money for the Department of Homeland Security.
Congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team failed to reach a deal on legislation to fund the department through September.
And their inability to reach a compromise has sparked huge concern within the travel and hospitality industry – particularly with Spring break looming, plus the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The United States, along with Canada and Mexico, will be hosting the biennial football competition from June 11 through July 20.
Airlines for America also warned that funding uncertainty is “creating lasting damage to the entire travel ecosystem.”
The organization said the damaging interruption would hit “airlines, hotels and thousands of small businesses the travel industry supports.”
Tips on getting through TSA security faster during the 2026 partial shutdown
Funding for the DHS expired at midnight last Friday
The 95% of TSA workers deemed essential personnel will be required to keep working – but without pay.
To minimize delays at the airport:
Arrive at the airport with ample time to pass through airport security – about 1–2 hours before your flight
Ensuring you are dressed without excess layers or metal devices
Slip-on shoes also make the screening at TSA much quicker
“With America’s 250th anniversary and the 2026 World Cup this summer, the nation should be focused on showcasing the country on the world stage and maximizing the multi-billion-dollar economic opportunity these events bring,” the statement added.
“A lapse in TSA funding will significantly undermine those efforts.
“Last year’s shutdown alone resulted in an economic impact of $6 billion —nearly $140 million per day — and disrupted travel for more than 6 million travelers.”
FATAL SHOOTINGS
It comes days after Delta Air Lines’ boss told international visitors ahead of the World Cup that the U.S. remains a welcoming destination despite the controversial crackdown on immigration.
“Hopefully, the World Cup will bring a lot of Europeans, a lot of international visitors into the US market,” said Ed Bastian last Thursday.
“Yes, the US has a focus on immigration. This is not immigration. This is tourism,” Bastian added.
“And as long as people are coming with the proper credentials, they’re not having any issues.”
Democrats are demanding changes to how immigration operations are conducted after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officers in Minneapolis last month.
Congress is on recess until February 23.
OFF SICK
The longer the shutdown continues, the more likely flyers will be hit with delays as they will have to queue in longer lines at airports if workers call in sick.
Ha Nguyen McNeill, the acting TSA administrator, explained last Wednesday that TSA remained “laser-focused on returning the U.S. back to being the top global travel destination.”
Spring break 2026 – in numbers
Spring breakers are primarily high school and college students
2 million college students travel for the holiday nationwide
Florida enjoys a $2.7 billion economic windfall from Spring break
Cancun’s Spring break tourism brings in $300 million yearly
More than 500,000 students flock to South Beach Miami
1.5 million visitors attend Spring break in Panama City Beach
Only around 30% of bookings are made within 30 days of travel
The most popular domestic beach destinations this year are: Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Diego
However, this can’t happen “in a timely manner if Congress does not fund DHS through the end of Fiscal Year 2026.”
“With the United States hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June of this year, TSA does not have the luxury of time to prepare for the influx of passengers and international travelers,” McNeill warned.
“A lack of funding and predictability will pose significant challenges on our ability to deliver transportation security for the American public with the level of excellence we expect, and the American taxpayer deserves.”
Of the new routes, easyJet will start flights to Nice, France in March 2026 and Malta this summer.
The airline will also start flights to Faro in Portugal between March and October and to Enfidha, Tunisia, flights will begin in time for summer.
Jet2 will start operating flights to Preveza, Greece in May 2026, for the summer season and flights to Palermo, Sicily from May too, with weekly flights until November.
The airline will also launch its first flights to Porto in Portugal in May, running for the summer season until October.
The airport also recently announced that easyJet is launching new routes to Lisbon and Rome Fiumicino.
The two routes will launch this summer with the Newcastle to Rome route starting on March 30 and the Newcastle to Lisbon route starting on June 22.
Both new routes will operate on Mondays and Fridays.
Leon McQuaid, director of Aviation Development at Newcastle Airport, said: “Lisbon is a brand-new destination from Newcastle Airport and one we’ve been keen to deliver for the region on the back of strong customer demand and feedback, so it’s fantastic to see flights and package holidays now on sale, alongside easyJet’s new route to Rome.”
“With just two months to go until easyJet opens its new base, this investment is not only delivering exciting new routes but will also bring significant economic benefits to the North East, including creating 130 direct jobs and supporting around 1200 UK jobs in total as well as attracting more visitors to the region.”
The new routes come as the airport expects 120,000 passengers this half-term, which is a 10 per cent increase compared to last year.
New destinations include Porto and Nice, as well as returning destinations such as CopenhagenCredit: Getty
In total, over 750 flights will arrive and depart the airport, with popular destinations including Alicante, Antalya, Dubai and Tenerife.
Ski trips are also expected to be popular, with families heading to Chambery, Grenoble and Geneva.
The new routes are part of a wider £60million investment plan at the airport, which will see facilities updated as well as a larger departure lounge and international arrivals baggage hall.
In the departures lounge, there will be more seating areas, toilets and additional food and drink spots.
The three-storey terminal expansion will also have a new security search area with extra check-in desks and new self-service bag drop counters.
By 2040, the airport hopes to welcome nine million passengers a year.
FANCY a cheap holiday? Well, British Airways has flights for a couple of quid, but there is a catch.
British Airways has released its latest batch of Avios-Only flights to two picturesque European destinations.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
British Airways has launched Avios-Only flights to Spain and FranceCredit: Getty
Avios-Only flights are where all of the seats on the plane are Reward Seats.
And the latest version of this offer includes flights from London City Airport to Madrid in Spain and Toulon Saint-Tropez in France.
But you will need to be a member of the British Airways Club to get the offer.
Seats included in the offer will be available to book from February 12, with return prices starting just £2 plus 21,500 Avios for Toulon and £2 plus 28,000 Avios for Madrid.
The return flight will be on June 20, leaving Toulon at 10:45am and landing down back in London at 11:50am.
Travellers that also have a British Airways American Express Credit Card can use their Companion Vouchers on these flights.
These allow members to get a second seat for no extra points – all you have to pay are the taxes and fees.
Colm Lacy, British Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “These flights are always incredibly popular, and we’re delighted to give our loyal customers even more opportunities to enjoy the benefits of the British Airways Club.”
Travellers can get return flights to Madrid for as little as £2 and 28,000 AviosCredit: Alamy
Adam Daniels, IAG Loyalty’s CEO, said: “With all seats onboard only available to book with Avios, the initiative shows the continued power of loyalty, and opens up greater redemption opportunities for customers during the peak summer months.”
The British Airways Club is free to join and when you fly with British Airways or its partner airlines, you collect Avios.
You can also collect them by shopping at over 2,000 retailers.
NEW travel advice has been issued warning Brits not to travel to a major destination in the Caribbean.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) is advising against all but essential travel to Cuba – the Caribbean’s biggest island – as flights get cancelled.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) is warning against all but essential travel to CubaCredit: Getty
On Gov.uk, the FCDO states: “Cuba is experiencing severe and worsening disruption to essential infrastructure, persistent nationwidepower outages, fuel shortages, and increasing safety risks.
“These conditions significantly affect the ability of visitors to access reliable transport, medical care, communications, and basic services.
“Authorities have introduced fuel rationing, scaled back public services, and made temporary changes to healthcare, education, transport and tourism operations in order to conserve severely limited energy supplies.
“Flight schedules are also being disrupted due to aviation fuel shortages, with some airlines reviewing routes or temporarily cancelling services which risk visitors being unable to leave the country.”
Flight cancellations include to and from Havana, with aviation authorities warning that no fuel will be available for the next month.
The shortage comes after the US sanctioned the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, as Venezuela is key supplier of oil to Cuba.
President Donald Trump later claimed that the “policies, practices and actions of Cuba directly threaten the safety, national security and foreign policy of the United States“.
He added that he would place tariffs as a punishment on any country that directly or indirectly sells or gives oil to Cuba.
And as a result, the country’s supply has run dry.
This has then impacted flights into and out of the country.
From February 10, jet fuel has been unavailable and this is expected to go on until March 11.
The notice was given by the island’s aviation authorities and impacts Havana, Varadero, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Coco and other airports.
For example, Air Canada has been forced to cancel its weekly programme of 32 flights.
Brits often travel via Canada to get to Cuba and if you have an upcoming flight with Air Canada or WestJet, you can get a full refund.
Air Canada has cancelled flights and is offering refundsCredit: Alamy
Anyone currently in Cuba who is due to fly home is having to catch ‘ferry flights’, with Air Canada carrying extra fuel to manage both outward and return flights.
For those travelling from Europe, flights are usually with Air Europa or Iberia from Madrid to Havana.
Alternatively, you can get a flight from Paris to Havana on Air France or from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines or from Moscow on Rossiya.
However, these flights are likely to be forced into making technical stops for more fuel.
If you already have a flight booked to Cuba and the flight will still be taking off, you unfortunately have no right to cancel and won’t get a refund.
The same goes for if you have a holiday booked with a travel firm and they can still provide the holiday that you booked.
However, if it becomes impossible to carry out your trip itinerary – such as certain activities – travellers should be given the option to cancel.
When FCDO advises against travel, your travel insurance will typically not cover you.
It comes after the US announced that it would place tariffs on any country that supplied oil to CubaCredit: Getty
For package holidays, you are generally entitled to a full refund or alternative holiday when the FCDO issues advice against all but essential travel.
The FCDO adds: “If you are currently in Cuba, carefully consider if your presence is essential.
“Take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and be prepared for significant disruption.
“Check for messaging from your airline or tour operator.”
BRITS flying to or from a popular holiday destination in Europe will face delays and cancellations today.
Major flight disruptions are expected today on Lufthansa Group flights which includes Lufthansa and short-haul carrier CityLine, as pilots and cabin crew strike.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Lufthansa has cancelled numerous flights to/from Frankfurt and MunichCredit: EPA
While Lufthansa has not provided cancellation numbers, German airport association ADV estimated that more than 460 flights will be cancelled – affecting 70,000 passengers.
Sun Travel found that 14 flights from Frankfurt Airport to the UK today have been cancelled from Frankfurt Airport.
Lufthansa often uses aircraft for these routes that have between 150 and 180 passengers.
If 165 passengers are travelling in each flight, then the total number of people impacted by the cancellations could be more than 2,000.
Ten flights from London Heathrow to either Frankfurt or Munich have been cancelled.
One flight to Munich and one flight to Frankfurt have been cancelled from Birmingham Airport.
Two flights to Frankfurt have been cancelled from Manchester Airport.
German pilots’ union VC (Vereinigung Cockpit) called the 24-hour strike on Tuesday, to demand more generous retirement benefits.
A spokesperson for Lufthansa said the announcements were “extremely short-notice” and “disproportionate”, adding that they would hit passengers hard.
The spokesperson continued: “Sustainable solutions can only be found through dialogue; strikes must always remain a last resort.
“We therefore call on the unions to resume talks with us.
“We are ready to do so at any time.”
The spokesperson also said that passengers would be notified if the strike impacted their flight.
The strike action comes just three days after Lufthansa City Airlines officially commenced flight operations from Frankfurt Airport, which is also the Lufthansa Group’s largest hub.
Sun Travel has contacted Lufthansa for comment.
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
The new route will start from June 2026 although flight prices are yet to be confirmed.
Pierre-Hugues Schmit, CEO, London Gatwick said: “The new daily service will provide excellent opportunities to visit the city or onward connectivity across the region – ideal for holidaymakers, businesses and the many British‑Malaysian families who will now have even better options for visiting friends and relatives.”
One of the biggest new additions to London Gatwick is Jet2, which is launching its first ever flights for London Gatwick.
The first take taking off next month, with flights to Tenerife on March 26.
However, this is just one of 29 new routes from the airline connecting to Europe.
This includes flights to Spain, Greece, Portugal, Malta, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy and Cyprus.
One of the longest new Jet2 flights will be to Turkey, flying to Antalya.
COMING back from your holiday should be straightforward – but for one British couple, a recent easyJet flight turned into a nightmare.
Olly Andrews, 36, and Lucy Andrews, 32, from South East London were less than 10 minutes into their flight from Amsterdam to London Luton Airport when disaster struck.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Lucy and Ollie were on their way back from Amsterdam when a bird hit their planeCredit: Lucy Andrews
The couple had been in the Dutch capital for a four-day mini-break to see their best friend get married.
But just after taking off to return home to London, the couple heard something ominous.
Lucy said: “I heard a massive thud and I looked at Olly and I was like what was that?
“Not only that but the air stewardesses suddenly went quite quiet at the back.
“We were in the back seats, so we could hear everything and people started looking around in confusion.
“Then we were flying really low – we were going over the sea and I could see the wind turbines looked really close up.
“I was like something’s wrong, why are we flying so low to the sea and something just felt off.”
There was then an overhead message from the pilot to say that the plane had been hit by a bird and that they needed to return to Amsterdam Airport.
Lucy added: “[The pilot] was quite calm and said there’s nothing to worry about.
Olly said: “The pilot said we’d hopefully be landing in 10 minutes – that actually turned out to be like 25 minutes.”
Lucy continued: “I’m quite a nervous flyer, so I was like ‘oh my god’.
“You know it must be pretty bad if we had to do an emergency landing back in Amsterdam.
“The captain said it was most likely a seagull we hit.”
Despite being told to stay put, when the plane landed a collection of curious passengers flooded to the front of the plane to find out what happened.
She said: “As we got off the plane we could see there was gore and blood splattered all over the cockpit window and blood smeared everywhere.
The plane had to land back at Amsterdam AirportCredit: Lucy Andrews
“The pilot wouldn’t have been able to see out properly – it was everywhere.”
It became clear that the bird had hit the windscreen and then also hit other parts of the plane as blood was splattered over the tail, Lucy explained.
After getting off of the plane, the couple spent the following two and a half hours in the airport waiting for the next available flight.
During this time, there were no easyJet reps or staff around and the couple kept checking for updates via the easyJet app.
“We could only see the Gate G section and Amsterdam is a silent airport, so they didn’t announce updates.
“There was one update, but we couldn’t hear it.
“We kept refreshing the app and we couldn’t see anything, but they were giving quite regular updates such as there weren’t any sandwiches on board.
“We just wanted to go home.
When back at the airport, the couple had to wait over two hours for a replacement flightCredit: Lucy Andrews
The update said: “We’re sorry that we won’t be able to offer you any sandwiches on your flight today.
“We’ll still have a selection of snacks as well as hot and cold drinks on board.”
EasyJet did give all passengers a £6 voucher for food and drink at the airport though.
They also received a message to explain what had happened, saying: “There has been an additional delay because the plane that was scheduled for your flight today experienced a bird strike.
“Because the issue could not be resolved, we’ve decided to arrange a new plane to fly you to your destination today.”
EasyJet had to then send a plane from London Luton to collect the passengers and crew – although Lucy said they nearly missed it.
She explained: “We wouldn’t have got on the plane if we hadn’t seen a passenger who we recognised heading towards a gate and asked if there had been an announcement, which they had been.”
The couple then had to run through the airport to make their flight.
The couple has to keep checking the app for updatesCredit: Lucy Andrews
Lucy added: “We were really scared for other passengers because we recognised one passenger who was asleep and we had to wake them up and be like you’ve got to go the flight is here.”
Directly next to Lucy and Olly, the seats were empty despite a couple sitting there in the previous flight.
It wasn’t clear if this couple made the flight or not.
“The app updates were quite poorly handled because we really should have been given like regular updates.
Looking back on the incident, Lucy added: “It was described by easyJet as a ‘exceptional circumstance’ which I agree with, it was a freak incident and not the fault of easyJet.
“It was the fact that the updates for the flight weren’t communicated with the passengers.
“They have an app which gives updates and they chose to send us a message apologising that there would not be sandwiches served to us on the flight, but failed to tell us when the next flight actually was.
“It left several passengers in the lobby not knowing that the plane was being boarded.”
YOU COULD listen to music, dance and watch planes take off at the same time for one day a year at a major European airport.
Each year, Zurich Airport in Switzerland hosts a huge daytime rave – just metres from the planes.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
This observation deck at Zurich Airport gets transformed into a nightclub for one day a yearCredit: AlamyThe gig takes place on Observation Deck B in Terminal 2Credit: Ricardo
Sauvage Off is a music event that takes place on Observation Deck B in Terminal 2 at Zurich Airport.
For one day a year, a crowd of revellers dance the day away to live DJs as planes take off next to them.
Just a week ago, Sauvage Musique posted on their Instagram stating: “In five months from now, Switzerland will bring back the most iconic Airport Dayparty.
“The event will once again take place in 2026 on Observation Deck B at Zurich Airport.”
Future Events show that this year’s party will take place at Observation Deck B in Terminal 2 of the airport on June 20 between 2pm and 10pm.
Visitors must be over the age of 20 and the line up is yet to be announced.
According to the website, Sauvage is a “Zurich-based label, known for its high-end events at venues like Halle 622, Kunsthaus, Gessnerallee, and Werft Wollishofen”.
In the case of bad weather, if the event has to be cancelled, the back-up date is July 7.
Attendees will also be able to get food and drink on site.
Tickets to the event cost 89 CHF (£83.73); however, they are already sold out for this year, and an event for next year is yet to be announced.
If you can’t make the event but enjoy plane spotting, then you can still head to Observation Deck B – which is a tourist attraction in its own right.
The observation platform is open to the public and is one of Switzerland‘s most popular destinations for a day out, according to Zurich Airport.
There is an observation walkway where visitors can watch pilots sitting in the cockpits of planes, and inside there are also flight information pillars, which share information about all the different aircraft you can see and their destinations.
For little ones, there is even a mini airport play area with a model plane with a slide at the end, trampolines in the ground, a control tower climbing frame, and swings.
It is hosted at Observation Deck B at Zurich Airport where there is also a kids play areaCredit: AlamyThe play area includes a model plane and a control tower climbing frameCredit: Alamy
There’s a shop too that sells miniature plane models in case you want to grab a souvenir.
And if you get a little hungry, there is a small cafe selling sandwiches and drinks.
You don’t need to have a flight booked or show your passport to enter the observation deck.
Though passengers who do have a valid boarding pass on the day of departure or arrival can access the observation deck for free.
Otherwise, it is 5 CHF (£4.71) per adult and 2 CHF (£1.88) per child between 10 and 15 years old – those under 10 years old can visit for free.
One recent visitor said: “A great and fancy modern observation deck with huge space, basically on an entire terminal roof!
“There is much interesting information [boards] and many interactions for the visitors, such as live radio transmission from the tower, flight info of the aircraft in front of you, different seating options, and a huge children’s playground.”
In other aviation news, the UK gets a new flight route to world’s best airport – under four hours from the UK.
Over the years lots of plans have been drawn up for Luís de Camões AirportCredit: Refer to SourceThere have beenCredit: Refer to Source
Believe it or not, the potential of building a new airport near Lisbon has been on the cards since the mid-1960s.
During that time it was realised that it would be almost impossible to expand Lisbon Airport – known at the time as Portela Airport which opened in 1942.
So plans were made to build a second airport which would eventually serve Lisbon called Luís de Camões Airport.
It would open in Alcochete which is across the Tagus River from Lisbon and would be a 50-minute drive from the city.
There have been many proposals year-on-year about the airport, and recently more changes have been made to the plans.
As reported in The Portugal News, there have been new talks to discuss issues such as the ‘size of the runways, the separation between them, and the contact positions’.
Designs of the airport featuretwo runwaysin its initial phase, with construction expected to begin around 2030–2031.
In the future there would be potential to expand with another two runways taking the total up to four in order to handle up to 100 million passengers by 2050.
It’s estimated that the cost to build Luís de Camões Airport will be €9billion (£7.7billion).
Currently, Lisbon’s main airport, Humberto Delgado Airport, has two runways and sees more than 35 million passengers per year.
This makes it one of the largest airports in Europe when it comes to the amount of passengers.
It’s also one of the only major airports that has an approach path directly over the city.
Eventually when Luís de Camões Airport opens, the one in the heart of Lisbon will close completely.
With discussions still being made about the airport, work is yet to start however operations are estimated to begin in 2034 – and it has come to the attention of officials too.
Carlos Mineiro Alves, executive director of the Portuguese Construction Foundation said: “We cannot have a country that is lagging behind. We have already lost a lot of time on fundamental issues such as the new Lisbon airport and the high-speed railway.”
EVER travelled with Ryanair and had to upgrade your fare to include more luggage? Well, you could be spending more than you need to.
Even though Ryanair is a budget airline, when it comes to booking a flight, if you want anything more than a small bag under the seat in front of you, you have to upgrade.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
It could be cheaper to book Ryanair’s Basic fare than Regular or PlusCredit: Getty
The same goes for if you are travelling as a group and want to sit together.
But, new findings by Which? have revealed you might actually be spending more money when you upgrade your fare, instead of just booking the most basic ticket and adding the extras on afterwards.
When you are booking a flight with Ryanair, a banner often appears stating that “Regular is ideal for your trip”.
This Regular fare is different to Basic, as it includes priority boarding, carry-on luggage and free standard seat selection.
However, on around 30 checks over the last two years, Which? found that if they had followed Ryanair‘s advice – choosing its more expensive Regular fare rather than Basic – it would have actually only been cheaper in one instance.
Every other time it would have been cheaper to book Basic and add the extras individually.
Which? also looked at 15 flights to a range of locations for travel this month and again found that only once was the Regular ticket cheaper.
Often the Regular fare was more expensive by just a pound, but sometimes it was much more.
For example, for flights for a family of four from London Stansted to Alicante, it would have cost £61 more to choose Regular rather than Basic, for exactly the same priority boarding, cabin bags and seat selection.
Flights from Manchester to Marrakesh with a Regular fare were £45.50 more.
Instead, Which? found that if you choose Basic and just add bags and seat selection yourself later in the booking process, it works out cheaper.
If a family of four choose to book the airline’s Basic fare with four cabin bags – instead of eight with the Regular fare – then they could save £163.
It is worth noting though that the Basic fare (not with the add-ons) does have strict bag rules where your bag must fit under the seat in front and cannot measure more than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.
If your bag is bigger than this and they spot it at the gate you could face an additional fee between £46 and £60.
If you do add cabin luggage, the same strict rules apply.
Which? has found that it is often cheaper to book a Basic fare and add the extrasCredit: Getty
Cabin luggage must measure a maximum of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm – but if it is bigger than this, you could be charged an extra £70 to £75.
People have even been caught out in the past by a zip or handle, so it is worth being within the measurements.
And this isn’t the only way to save when booking with Ryanair…
Which? claims that passengers should also ignore Ryanair’s Plus fare, where passengers get a 20kg suitcase and seat selection.
On a summerLondon Stansted to Malaga route, Which? found it was actually £35 cheaper for a family of four to choose Basic and add the extras later.
Last year, the airline denied that it’s cheaper to buy the Basic fare with the extras, than use its Regular or Plus fares.
Which? asked again in February 2026 and the airline said it had nothing further to add.
And as for the Family Plus option – it isn’t needed for most families.
On around 30 checks over the last two years, Which? found that if they had followed Ryanair’s advice, it would have actually only been cheaper onceCredit: Getty
When Which? checked the price for two adults, a teenager and a four-year-old to travel to Alicante, they found that it would be £260 extra for the Family Plus option.
Instead, if they booked a Basic ticket and added seat selection, three 10kg cabin bags and a larger, 20kg suitcase to check-in, they would’ve paid £45 less.
Ryanair’s Flexi Plus offering has a similar story.
This fare allows you to change your flight without a fee as well as the option to choose your seat, more legroom, fast track through security and two cabin bags.
Which? found that this would cost an extra £354 for a couple flying from London to Alicante; the same extras (but without the flight change allowance) bought separately would cost £186 – a saving of £168.
Other advice Which? has for passengers travelling with Ryanair is to not add the airline’s travel insurance as it is unlikely to be tailored to your needs and could be more expensive.
Similarly, passengers should not let Ryanair do their currency conversion.
Other advice Which? has for passengers travelling with Ryanair is to not add the airline’s travel insurance as it is unlikely to be tailored to your needs and could be more expensiveCredit: Getty
When you book a flight with Ryanair, the fare will be shown in the currency of the country you are departing from.
For example, if you were heading back from Spain it would be in euros.
The airline then converts the fare into pounds, but it is often charged at a terrible exchange rate, meaning you could be paying more for your flight.
You can opt out of Ryanair’s automatic conversion rate, but it isn’t the easiest process.
After you enter your card number, a figure will appear that shows the conversion rate.
There is then a small arrow downwards, with the question: “Want to learn more about our guaranteed exchange rate?”
If you click on the arrow, another message appears: “If you do not wish to accept the exchange rate, you can pay in the currency of the flight and have the currency converted by your Payment Service Provider.
“However, bear in mind that the rate you receive from your bank is not guaranteed and is subject to daily fluctuations, which could result in a significantly different cost for you.”
There is then also a pre-ticked box, with the message: “We recommend you do not untick the checkbox so that you receive our guaranteed exchange rate.”
Which? recommends that travellers ignore this and untick the box, leaving the exchange rate to be calculated by your bank.
Since 2017, Which? has found that the bank rate has always been better.
Similarly, passengers should not let Ryanair do their currency conversionCredit: Alamy
However, Ryanair told Which? that this claim is false and said that its currency conversion is competitive.
Another piece of advice is to consider checking in a 20kg bag, instead of taking two 10kg bags.
If you are not bothered by priority boarding, it can work out cheaper to check in one 20kg suitcase than having two 10kg hand luggage bags and priority boarding.
Which? found that this method was £3.50 cheaper on a route to Alicante in 2026.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: “Ryanair’s low cost fares may look tempting, but make sure you have a calculator with you when you book.
“By the time you’ve paid extra for basics like cabin bags or simply sitting next to your own family, the headline price quickly unravels – and other airlines can work out cheaper.
“It pays to do your own research.”
Ryanair repsonds to Which? claims…
A SPOKESPERSON for Ryanair said:
“Your claims are false and inaccurate.
“People should avoid Ryanair’s high fees for outsized bags – they can do so by simply travelling with bags that meet our agreed dimensions.
“Our sizers are bigger than our permitted dimensions, so if the bag fits in the sizer, it gets on, if it doesn’t, it gets charged.
“Your claim that it is ‘cheaper’ to book the basic fare and then add the same extras than to book Ryanair’s bundles – it is never cheaper.
“The Ryanair bundles are a facility, which make it easier for passengers to buy and book the bundles.
“They are however dynamically priced, using the cheapest available fare at time of booking, and so the Ryanair bundles are the same price as the underlying air fare, plus the extras if booked separately.
“Your claim that it is ‘cheaper’ to book separately is false.
“We don’t care whether people buy Ryanair’s travel insurance or third-party travel insurance, as long as they buy travel insurance.
“We strongly recommend all passengers buy travel insurance.
“Your advice in relation to currency conversion Ryanair’s currency conversion is competitive, but again we don’t care whether people use our currency conversion or use some other currency conversion service.
“As usual this Which? report is false and inaccurate.
“Although since almost nobody reads Which?, and certainly nobody pays any attention to your advice, we won’t either.”
THERE’S bad news for passengers flying with easyJet to Italy this weekend.
On Saturday, unions representing easyJet’s pilots and flight attendants have announced a strike due to to take place between 1pm and 5pm.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
easyJet flight warning as passengers face chaos this SaturdayCredit: AlamyFlights from the UK to Italy could face delaysCredit: Alamy
easyJet operates daily departures across Italy in destinations like Milan Malpensa, Naples, Venice and Rome Fiumicino.
Currently, easyJet says that there is only one return flight scheduled to and from the UK within the strike period which is currently set to operate as planned.
Another nine intra-EU flights are also within the strike period, but there are also plans in place to operate.
easyJet also told Sun Travel: “We have contingency plans in place so our flying programme to and from Italy is currently scheduled to operate as planned tomorrow.
“We will contact customers directly should their flight be affected.”
Naples Airport operator GESAC has warned of “possible delays and cancellations”, urging travellers to check the status of their flights.
The industrial action has been taken as a result of delays in talks over roster patterns, post-pandemic wage restoration and integration of the new Airbus A321neo aircraft.
A number of services could be grounded and the select time of the walkout is to maximise disruption.
SkyRefund has advised that if your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer you a choice between a full refund or re-routing to your destination.
If the airline cannot fly you out quickly, they should book you onto a flight with an alternative carrier.
Commenting on passenger rights, Ivaylo Danailov, CEO of flight compensation specialists SkyRefund, said: “Passengers should be aware that while airlines often cite strikes as ‘extraordinary circumstances’, industrial action by an airline’s own employees, such as this walk-out by easyJet pilots and cabin crew, is generally considered within the carrier’s control under UK and Under EU 261/2004 regulations.
“Because this strike stems from internal disputes over wages and rosters, it does not typically meet the criteria for an ‘unforeseeable’ event.
“If your flight is cancelled or delayed by more than three hours, you aren’t just entitled to a seat on the next available flight; you are likely eligible for fixed financial compensation of up to £520 (€600) per person.”
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
