Planes flights and airlines

A LONG haul holiday to somewhere hot and sunny might be tempting – until you have to sit on a plane in economy for 20 hours.

Yet with so many ‘hacks’ and tricks to surviving a long flight, which of them actually work?

So on a recent flight to Australia, I decided to try them all out to see which ones were actually worth it.

While mentally prepared to be uncomfortable for the duration, I was surprised by some that really made the difference.

Of course, some where absolutely no help at all either.

Here’s my verdict on 13 item hacks I’d heard about and whether they are actually worth it.

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Scarf hack

You’ve probably seen the famous scarf hack lingering around on social media – where you tie it to your head rest to make, well, a head rest.

Now, when I saw it, I was skeptical. To me it looked more like something that would hurt my neck, rather than aid it.

You essentially tuck it in behind your seat head rest and then tie it in front of your neck, you then untuck one side and it creates a hammock for your head.

I hated this hack and sacked it off within a couple of minutes.

My scarf slipped too much, turbulence mean I kept getting choked and I felt overwhelmingly like I would be suffocated.

My verdict: Bin this off – you look stupid and it hurts your neck and ear.

Cheap vs high-tech airport neck pillows

Neck pillows seem to be the number one travel item to take on a plane.

But I’ve never used one.

Yes, you heard that right – I travel on dozens of flights each year and have never purchased a neck pillow.

On my 20-hour flight I decided to try out two – one from the airport that cost me an arm and a leg and another high-tech one I bought online.

I used neither on my flight, scrapping them both after about 10 minutes.

I find that they make my neck, head and ears hurt instead of feel comfortable, as well as getting too warm and feeling like I have something suffocating me.

Instead, I just opted for the pillow (which admittedly isn’t given out with all airlines) and was far more comfortable.

My verdict: If you like a neck pillow, obviously take one. But don’t feel like it is a tragedy if you don’t have one, you can often sleep much better with a bundled-up fluffy jumper or a pillow given onboard your flight.

Nasal strips

When you think of nasal strips, you probably either think of elite runners or people snoring.

Nasal strips help with getting more air through your nose when you breath in.

And let’s be honest, with all that stagnant air on a plane bunging you up you want to be able to get as much air as possible.

I tried out SleepyDeepy’s nasal strips and out of all items on this list, this is the one I now swear by.

You simply stick it onto your nose and you will feel the relief with the amount of air you can now breath in through your nose.

And it isn’t just good for getting better sleep.

For those of us who do snore or are worried about snoring on a plane, it helps to stop this.

My verdict: I was so impressed with how much more air I could breathe in when wearing the strip and it is definitely something I’d use on all my long-haul flights going forward.

Mouth tape

Mouth tape is another product I have always been skeptical of, but after getting a sore throat after every flight, on this flight I wanted to try something that would stop that.

SleepyDeepy’s mouth tape looks like a black cloud and you just stick it over you mouth.

It has a small air/vapour hole in the middle.

I slept like a baby with it on and it stopped me snoring or drooling on the plane.

Even better, I got off my flight without a sore throat for once.

My verdict: This is not something I ever thought I would like but it definitely made me feel like I wasn’t snoring or drooling… and that of course, is an instant win.

Ear plugs

A lot of people will skip earplugs when it comes to their flights but they are wrong.

Planes are loud, and while that constant droning fades into the background after a while, all that loud noise is not good for our ears.

I swear by Loop Earplugs and for the times on the flight when you don’t want to listen to music, but also don’t want to hear the plane they are ideal.

They are super comfortable and come in a load of different colours.

I then swapped to SleepyDeepy’s regular foam earplugs when I wanted to sleep as I found that these don’t stick out, making resting your head more comfortable.

My verdict: I love Loop Earplugs and think they are super practical – but they are great for sleeping. I would deffo opt for both and switch between them for when you are reading or having a snooze.

A good eye mask

For 20 hours I wanted to do everything I could to get good sleep, so I opted to take a SleepyDeepy silk eye mask on board.

The soft eye mask wraps around your head with a Velcro close, no tight strap and soft cushioning around the eyes to stop getting marks around your eyes.

It was so comfortable and cosy, I slept like a baby for my flight.

My verdict: This is a lovely eyemask that doubles up as a little bit of a cushion. But if like me and you don’t struggle sleeping with the lights on, then make just opt out of this one.

Silicone suction phone mount

If one item has changed my life (no exaggeration) for the better, it is a silicone suction phone mount.

These little items cost a few quid on Amazon and stick to the back of your phone or phone case and then the other side will suction on to smooth surfaces, such as a window or screen.

This means if you have downloaded films or TV shows onto your phone then you can watch them without having to hold your phone in your hand.

My verdict: A cheap must have item that will help you watch things on your phone but also take pictures without the need for a phone tripod.

AirFly

An AirFly is a brilliant piece of tech and means you can use your own headphones and ditch the annoying, cheap inflight headphones given out.

The Airfly gets plugged into your headphone socket and it connects to your own headphones or earphones wirelessly.

This means you don’t have to battle with an annoying cable or have poor sound quality.

My verdict: An absolute must travel item which means no more dodgy airplane earphones and input holes.

Electrolytes

Electrolytes aren’t just for marathon runners as they can help to counteract the harsh environment of a plane cabin and also help the impacts of jet lag.

I love Good Flyte electrolytes which come in a handy tube, you can snap them in half if you wish and all you need to do is drop it into your water and it will dissolve.

The taste is a nice orange flavour so it is enjoyable to drink as well.

My verdict: I love electrolytes and really do think they help me stay energised after a flight. If anything, they make your drink taste nice. Just make sure you don’t overdo it.

A small bottle of your fave fragrance

I love a Lavender pillow spray and genuinely think it helps to calm me down and get a good night sleep.

Taking one on a plane didn’t occur to me before this flight.

But spraying the pillows given to you on the flight and the blanket allowed me to feel at ease with 20 hours of travelling ahead of me.

My verdict: There is nothing quite like something that makes you think of home and a small bottle of fragrance is the ideal way of doing that – perhaps just spraying before your flight or subtly to not annoy other passengers.

Backpack footrest

If you are short like me (5’1 for reference), your feet often don’t comfortably reach the floor of the plane cabin.

For me, this makes me fidget and leaves me unable to get comfortable so now, I am strategic with not only which under seat bag I use but how I pack it.

I will use a large duffle bag and place a couple of jumpers or items of clothing at the top to bulk it up a bit but also make it squishy – this think makes the idea footrest and stops me from getting uncomfortable.

My verdict: This is the easiest way to ensure you have a comfortable foot rest without splurging the cash – it is an easy fix.

Compression socks

For long haul flights, you should always wear compression socks.

Compression socks help to improve blood circulation and prevent fluid from pooling in your lower legs while you are sat for long periods of time.

I picked up a pair from Boots a while back for around a tenner, and while they are not anything glamourous they definitely do the job. The added benefit is they help to keep your legs warm!

My verdict: These are a must to help blood circulation and prevent nasty blood clots – they might not be the sexiest, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Slippers

Don’t be that person wonder around the cabin or plane bathroom with just socks on, so I was told to take a pair of slippers with me onboard.

These are easy to slip on and off for when you do get up and wonder around the cabin or head to the toilet (and keep your feet warm when they ramp up the air con).

If you forget a pair of slippers, don’t stress – nick them from the hotel you are staying at (they always throw them away anyways).

My verdict: Slippers are great if you want to get comfy and if they have rubber bottoms even better as it means you aren’t stepping in anything suspicious when you nip to the loo onboard.

IF YOU are heading on the world’s best airline next year, it will have an entirely new cabin.

Singapore Airlines has revealed a massive £1.16billion overhaul of its cabin, with new economy, premium economy, business class and first class seats.

In economy, the seats will be grey and teal with a width of 44.7cm.

On the back of each seat there will be a 33cm 4K OLED screen, which passengers can pair their Bluetooth headphones to.

Under each screen will be storage nooks, a personal device pocket and cup holders.

Passengers in economy won’t miss out on amenity kits usually reserved for upper classes either, as each seat will have a small pouch with a selection of travel essentials.

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When it comes to premium economy, each seat will have a 101cm pitch and have a leather finish.

It will be able to recline 22.8cm as well.

The headrests will be winged and each seat will also have a footrest for added comfort.

As for tech, there will be 4K screens, multiple USB ports and noise-cancelling headphone connections.

Each seat will have an amenity kit as well with Ink and Water products.

In Business class, seats will have sliding doors and adjustable dividers, making them more like suite-style pods with a grey and yellow theme.

Seats will be able to recline to a lie-flat bed, stretching 182cm.

Tech includes 4K screens, Bluetooth connectivity, multiple charging ports and Starlink wifi.

Amenity kits at each seat will include products by Byredo.

If you are lucky enough to be in a First Class suites, you’d have your own door, with the seat measuring 76.2cm wide and 203.2cm long when lying flat.

And the two centre suites have two seats next to each other that look more like a comfy sofa.

These can then also be reclined to make a 152.4cm wide double bed, which is the largest of any airline bed in the sky.

There will be 4K screens, ambient mood lighting and wireless charging too.

And for when you want to freshen up, there is even a dressing table that slides out from under the screen, complete with a lit-up mirror.

New amenity kits will include products from Sisley and passengers will get cotton pyjamas as well.

Singapore Airlines’ 777-9s will have all four new cabin products and then 41 A350-900 long-haul and A350-900 ULR planes will be retrofitted with the new business class seats.

And the A350-900 ULRs will get first class seats for the first time.

Food on board is also getting upgraded, with more than 100 new appetisers, main courses and desserts across all cabin classes.

There will be new drink options too, including wine and spirits.

The new cabin will be rolled out in the second half of 2027.

Mr Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “Our customers experience Singapore Airlines as one seamless journey, and this significant investment is designed to deliver greater comfort, choice, and convenience at every stage.

“This launch is not an endpoint, but another step in our continuous pursuit to earn and retain the trust and loyalty of our customers and reinforce our leadership in the airline industry.”

SOUTHAMPTON Airport is set to undergo a massive expansion and it is good news for travellers.

The airport has announced plans to expand its passenger terminal by 800 square metres, to handle nearly three times as many passengers per flight.

The expanded terminal would allow the airport to host larger aircrafts, capable of carrying around 200 passengers.

Planes at the airport currently, have around 70 seats.

The bigger planes would include Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s and could lead to new routes from the airport in the future.

Currently, inside the terminal up to 200 passengers may need to wait in a pre-controlled boarding area while other passengers get off the plane.

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The expansion would also help with this, creating more space for passengers to move around.

The extension would be built in the area next to the existing terminal building.

Previously plans suggested that a passenger walkway would also be added to the airport, as well as a new domestic baggage reclaim.

The airport already underwent a runway expansion of 164 metres in 2023.

The airport currently serves between 800,000 to 900,000 passengers a year and heads to 15 destinations including Paris, Mallorca and Barcelona.

Airlines that operate from the airport include Aer Lingus, Easyjet, KLM and Loganair.

BUSINESS class is a rare luxury – a chance for those with deep pockets to sip champagne, lie flat and catch the latest movies at 35,000 feet.

But what if the option to recline was taken away…

As well as the large TV screen… Would you even be left with a business class seat? One airline thinks so.

Trinity Airways’ new business class seat features a sofa-like chair and a wraparound privacy screen… And that is it.

There is no recline option nor a TV screen.

The plane does have WiFi onboard so you can watch films on your own laptop or tablet though.

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This ‘no frills’ seat is the new option on the South Korean budget carrier’s rebranded cabins on its new Airbus A330-900neo jets.

The seat is called SoFab and is despite being around since 2023, Trinity recently adopted the seat and is currently the only airline to have it onboard its planes.

Unlike most business class seats that recline, have a large – and usually – LED screen and a cosy lie-flat bed, SoFab instead takes it back to basics.

When you do want to sleep, you will have to pull a tab and a cushioned ottoman will slide out, filling the gap between the seat and the footwell to create the long bed.

This means you can sit upright with your legs stretched out or slouch down into the chair, lying across it and the ottoman.

Reports claim that SoFab’s bed is around 25 per cent larger than other business class seats.

In total it stretches, 198cm long (roomy enough for someone who is 6’5 to lie flat) and 102cm wide.

Across the cabin, these seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout so that each passenger can directly access the aisle.

Instead of each seat featuring a door, a curved shell wraps around the passenger acting as a privacy screen,

And for the two passengers in the middle of the plane, there is also a privacy divider between them.

Of course, like most seats, there is air conditioning as well as a USB socket.

As for when it comes to meal time, the tray table can also be a side table – which means passengers don’t have to fully collapse the table just to get up and pop to the loo.

And because the seats down have a screen, the plane is cheaper to fly, which also means cheaper tickets.

While Trinity Airways doesn’t fly direct from the UK, a one-way trip from Rome to Seoul for example, costs around £1,296.21 for a business class seat in December.

In comparison, a one-way trip from Rome to Seoul with Korean Air in business class costs around £1,816.96.

A UK travel company that sells holidays to Turkey, Greece and Portugal has entered administration after nearly four decades.

Wroxham Travel first opened in 1987 as an independent travel agency selling holidays to numerous destinations including UK staycations, short-haul trips and long-haul holidays.

The company also sold ocean and river cruise trips.

However, the Norwich-based company officially closed on October 30.

The company had two high street stores – one in Hoveton and one in Aylsham.

While the impact of the company’s closure isn’t clear, it is expected to primarily affect holidaymakers in the Norfolk and Greater Norwich areas.

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The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said in a statement: “We are sorry to inform you that Wroxham Travel has ceased trading with effect from 30 October 2026.

“We are now treating this as a financial failure.

“If you booked a holiday through Wroxham Travel, the tour operator or principal business with whom Wroxham Travel booked your holiday will be named on your paperwork (or ATOL certificate if it was a flight inclusive holiday; this would be stated on your ATOL certificate under “Who is protecting your trip”).

“To ensure your holiday can continue as planned, you will need to contact the credit control department of your tour operator or other principal travel business with whom you have a contract.

“Your booking should continue as normal, and they will be your direct point of contact.

“Please ensure that you have all your documentation with you, as they may require information from it to assist you.”

RYANAIR is changing its luggage rules from next week – and it’s not good news if you leave checking in bags until the last minute.

From November 10, the airline will close its bag drop off service one hour before departure.

Currently, passengers can drop their bags 40 minutes beforehand – so they’ll be losing 20 minutes.

Ryanair announced this change in April adding that it will give passengers 20 per cent more time to get through security and passport control.

It will mean that those checking in a bag will need to arrive at desks earlier than before.

The change in rules does not affect passengers who are not checking in a bag.

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Ryanair CMO, Dara Brady, said: “From Tue, 10 Nov, bag drop services at all Ryanair airports will close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of the current 40 minutes.

“This small change will give the 20 per cent of Ryanair passengers who check in a bag, more time to clear airport security and passport control queues and get to their departure gate before boarding begins, particularly during busy travel periods when airport queues can be longer.

“We remind passengers using airport bag drop services to arrive at the airport in good time and ensure they have checked in and dropped their bags before check-in and bag drop closes 60 minutes before departure.

“The remaining 80 per cent of passengers who check in online and do not check in a bag are unaffected by this change.”

It comes after Ryanair has dropped its hidden charges for families in June.

Ryanair said that there will be free parent and child seats available together in the rear of its planes for families.

For adults travelling with children who choose this new seating option, they will be told of their seat allocation after they have checked in for their flight.

WE ALL have our travel preferences but did you know there are some items you should absolutely not wear on a plane?

Whether it is for your health or safety on the plane, there are actually several items you should avoid wearing on your flight.

While you might want to wear your favourite pieces from your wardrobe, it might actually increase your chances of becoming unwell or injured in an emergency.

Flight cabin crew have also warned against certain items. So here’s your breakdown on what not to wear on a flight.

Flip flops & heels

A number of flight attendants have warned against wearing flip flops on flights as they don’t provide your feet with any comfort.

Plus, other passengers don’t want to see your toes – or smell your feet.

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More importantly, flip flops are not good in an emergency.

If you need to get off the plane in the dark, people might slip on loose flop flops.

Plus, they aren’t practical for when you are off the plane.

The same goes for high heels – instead, you should wear comfortable and practical shoes.

Jewellery

Another item you should avoid wearing on a flight is jewellery.

This is because it can snag on items and possibly even puncture an emergency slide.

Also, you wouldn’t want to lose valuable jewellery – so it is better to keep jewellery safe in your luggage or even at home.

Anything constricting

You want to be comfortable on a flight, so wearing tight clothing is already a bad idea.

But it is actually bad for you as well.

Tight clothing can restrict blood circulation, which is vital for avoiding deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

DVT is when a blood clot forms in a vein, usually in the legs, hence why the only constricting item you should wear on a flight is compression socks.

This also includes tight underwear, as it could dig into your skin,

Dr Rachel Ward previously told The Sun: “The main blood vessels supplying and draining our legs pass together in the groin area.

“If you have tight underwear, when in a sitting position for a prolonged period, it will add extra pressure to these vessels and worsen leg swelling and leg numbness and tingling.”

Leggings

Christine Negroni, who released a book on the world’s most mysterious air disasters, previously told Sun Travel that when it comes to fires onboard a flight, leggings could leave you with terrible scars.

She said: “Everyone is wearing yoga pants on planes now, but I avoid all artificial fibres because they are more likely to burn and stick to you if there is a fire.

“I’d advise wearing cotton clothes or anything made of natural fibres.”

Contact lenses

If you are used to wearing contact lenses, you might not realise that you should stick to your glasses for a flight.

The dry environment in a plane cabin isn’t great for your eyes, and if you are wearing contact lenses, they will become dry.

On the London Vision Clinic website, it states: “With the average humidity on planes coming in as low as 20 per cent, our skin and eyes can dry out pretty quickly.

“Combine this with the moisture-sapping effects of contact lenses, and you can have a real recipe for disaster on your hands.”

As a result, keeping your contact lenses in could cause you to have itchy or irritated eyes and could result in “distorted vision”.

Shorts or short skirts

If you are travelling somewhere warm, there is the temptation to wear shorts or a skirt.

However, TikTok user Tommy Cimato has warned against wearing bottoms that end above the knee in a viral video.

This is because the chairs on planes aren’t regularly cleaned.

He said: “Don’t or try not to wear shorts when you’re on a plane.

“You never know how clean it’s gonna be, so if you have pants [trousers], you’re going to have fewer germs.”

IT’S now easier than ever to get to the world’s largest non-continental island.

Greenland has opened a new airport in Ilulissat – the country’s third largest town.

The country is one of the least visited in the world, only welcoming 180,000 tourists a year (for comparison, the US welcomes that many tourists per day, on average).

The airport aims to connect Greenland to the rest of the world, costing an estimated 1.77billion DKK (£197million).

It is the third new airport to open in the country since 2024 as part of a huge project costing around £700million.

The new airport has a 2,200 metre runway which can host larger aircraft, allowing for international flights and as a result, making Greenland easier to get to.

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There’s also a passenger terminal that sprawls across 5,000 square metres for departures and arrivals.

One of the airlines that operates at the airport is Air Greenland, with domestic flights between Ilulissat Airport and destinations including Nuuk, Aasiaat, Qaarsut and Upernavik.

Air Greenland also launched a direct route between Ilulissat and Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen this week, which takes around six hours.

And Icelandair will operate a seasonal service between Keflavík and Ilulissat from June 3 to October 16, 2027.

The airport is currently ramping up its operations gradually but is set to be fully operation by summer 2027.

Jens Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports said: “The opening is a historic milestone for Ilulissat, for North Greenland, and for all of Greenland.

“The three new airports in Ilulissat, Nuuk, and Qaqortoq fundamentally change how the country is connected internally and how Greenland is connected to the rest of the world.”

Near to the airport is the Ilulissat Icefjord UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can see enormous icebergs as well as the local wildlife.

You could even head off on a whale watching excursion.

To get to Ilulissat from the UK, you will need to fly to Copenhagen, taking less than two hours, and then fly onto Iluissat.

IT’S BAD news for travellers heading to a popular European city as its airport is set to close for an ENTIRE month.

Naples Capodichino Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in Italy, will be closed for all of November to carry out major works.

Around €30million (£25.1million) of the €250million (£209.2million) project will focus on the runway with a complete refurbishment.

A second terminal for non-Schengen flights, which would include flights to the UK, will also be built.

Across the entire airport, there will be new aircraft stands, as well as a new area for cargo and logistics.

The airport will get a new hotel, with road links and underground connections as well.

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And the overall airport will be modernised to allow for increased passenger numbers.

Currently 13million travellers use the airport each year, but this is set to rise to 17.3million by 2035.

The area surrounding the airport will also be redeveloped.

All the changes being made will allow the airport to use higher-capacity aircraft, which means more passengers at the airport.

Naples Airport website states: “Naples Airport will be closed in November 2026 for extensive and planned runway upgrades, in compliance with stringent industry regulations and in line with GESAC’s priority commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards.”

Current airlines that fly to the airport include easyJet from London Gatwick and Ryanair from London Stansted, Manchester and Edinburgh.

During the closure, travellers will need to head to the new Salerno-Pontecagnano Airport.

Gesac, the company managing the Naples airport, has launched a shuttle bus between Naples Piazza Garibaldi and Salerno Costa d’Amalfi and Cilento Airport to help travellers get to the airport.

There will be eight services in each direction, each day and costs €12 (£10.04) per person.

Alternatively, you can get the train from Naples Central to Salerno for £5 per way.

Naples airport will then reopen on November 30.

JET2 is launching a fancy new plane with sleek seats and loads of legroom.

The airline’s new VIP plane will be used for charter customers with a total of 76 seats which are all business class.

Each seat has a minimum leg room of 42 inches – compared to the average 30 inches in an economy seat.

Each seat features a black leather-like fabric with wide armrests and collapsible tray tables.

Images also suggest that a foot rest raises from the seat.

Passengers can also expect higher levels of comfort across the cabin as well as upgraded catering, with pictures showing champagne served alongside meals.

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The Boeing 737-800NG is based at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and will be used for sports, music and entertainment event groups.

It marks the first plane the airline has configured an aircraft with a business class layout – usual layouts have 189 seats.

The airline is currently accepting bookings on the plane for the winter season.

Trevor Caplis, Head of Charter & Airline Sales at Jet2, said: “This is the first time that we have featured a dedicated business class specification on our aircraft, so this is an incredibly exciting development for charter customers.

“The feedback from charter customers who have flown on it has been exceptional, with the premium feel, space and comfort onboard really shining through.

“This luxurious cabin environment, alongside the award-winning Jet2 customer service, looks set to be a huge hit with charter clients this winter.”

A MUCH-LOVED Italian holiday destination is set to charge visitors £25 just to enter the city.

Venice is looking to raise its tourist entry fee to €30 (£25.13) as well as increasing the time frame for when it applies.

Venice’s budget and taxation councillor Michele Zuin told Reuters that the current €5 (£4.19) to €10 (£8.38) fee is no longer deterring excessive visitor numbers.

As a result, there are now proposals to raise the fee in 2027.

The proposed new fee of €30 (£25.13) would cost more than some flight tickets to Venice from the UK.

For example, one-way flights in November and December cost as little as £13 per person.

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And a return would only cost you a couple of quid more than the proposed fee, with £27 return flights in December from the UK.

Michele Zuin told regional news: “The current €5-10 charge is affordable for virtually everyone; ​the risk is that it no longer has the deterrent ​effect that this measure is supposed to have.”

There are even talks of the fee going up to €50 (£41.89) in the future.

The fee was originally introduced back in 2024 for day trippers entering the city.

Visitors would be able to pay less if they booked in advance and there are a number of exemptions including for children under the age of 14-years-old.

This year, the fee was in place between April 3 and July 26, between 8:30am and 4pm each day.

The new fee would need to be agreed on by the government before being introduced.

The fee was originally introduced to battle overtourism in the city.

The fee and when it applies for 2027 will be announced before the end of the year.

A HUGE new airport is coming to Turkey and it will be built directly on the sea.

The new airport in the Black Sea province of Trabzon in Turkey will be the country’s third airport built on the sea and is set to cost £732million.

The airport will eventually have a 3,000 metre runway that will be 45 metres wide, meaning it will be able to handle larger planes.

There will also be a taxiway next to the runway of the same width and length.

As for the terminal, it is set to span 110,000-square-metres and will be able to handle up to 10million passengers a year.

There will also be a new air traffic control tower.

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Currently, the airport has one runway that is 2,640 metres long and handles around three million passengers a year.

In order to build the new airport, more than 100million tonnes of ‘fill’ will need to be dumped into the Black Sea to create the airport.

A 6,000 metre breakwater will also need to be built.

Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said that the current runway is not suitable for the growing passenger numbers at the airport.

According to Daily Sabah, Uralogu added: “We will give Trabzon a new, higher-capacity, modern airport that meets international standards.”

The airport is set to be completed by the early 2030s.

The city of Trabzon is home to around one million people and is known for its cliffside monasteries as well as rolling green hills.

RYANAIR has announced a major new rule that will impact all its passengers.

From November 10, Ryanair will close its bag drop off services 60 minutes before flight departures.

This will change from the current rule, where the bag drop off services close 40 minutes before departure.

As a result, travellers will need to be at the airline’s bag drop off services earlier than currently.

The change was originally announced back in April.

The airline has commented that it will give its passengers 20 per cent more time to clear airport security and passport control queues.

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Though, passengers checking in a bag will need to ensure they are at the drop off desks earlier now.

The change will not impact passengers who are not checking in a bag.

Ryanair CMO, Dara Brady, said: “From Tue, 10 Nov, bag drop services at all Ryanair airports will close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of the current 40 minutes.

“This small change will give the 20% of Ryanair passengers who check in a bag, more time to clear airport security and passport control queues and get to their departure gate before boarding begins, particularly during busy travel periods when airport queues can be longer.

“We remind passengers using airport bag drop services to arrive at the airport in good time and ensure they have checked in and dropped their bags before check-in and bag drop closes 60 minutes before departure.

“The remaining 80% of passengers who check in online and do not check in a bag are unaffected by this change.”

ONE airline is returning to the UK after more than a decade with a direct route from London.

Cyprus Airways is relaunching daily direct flights to Larnaca on April 23, 2027.

The airline last regularly served London until 2015, also flying to Stansted – although it was a different company at the time under government ownership.

It will be a year-round service and according to its website, return trips start from €423 (£355) in Economy Basic.

With this option, holidaymakers get one 10kg cabin bag included and a personal item.

Another is Economy Flex which includes one 10kg cabin baggage and a personal item as well as one checked bag at 23kg included – there’s also free seat selection.

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Cyprus Airways also has Business Class which has in-flight service, lounge access and priority check-in.

The ticket includes 15kg cabin baggage, two 32kg checked bags, seat selection, fast track, meals included and priority boarding.

Thanos Pascalis, chief executive of Cyprus Airways, said: “By adding London Stansted to our network from April 2027, we are providing our customers with greater choice and flexibility while further strengthening our presence in one of Cyprus’ most significant international markets.

“We look forward to welcoming passengers on board and offering them the convenience, reliability and authentic Cypriot hospitality that define Cyprus Airways.”

For those Brits who arrive in Larnaca in April, they can expect average highs of around 18C.

It’s a popular spot for the cooler months as well as in October it still has highs of 22C and it remains as high as 14C in December.

There shouldn’t be a long wait in the airport either as Cyprus doesn’t require EES checks.

Brits with a valid passport can visit the country for up to 90 days without the need for a visa.

The island itself gets over 300 days of sunshine each year and is known for having beautiful beaches – including one of the best in the world.

In the Europe list of ‘World’s Best Beaches‘, Golden Beach found on the Karpaz Peninsula in the north of the island comes in at number 30 out of 50.

The beach has 2.4 miles of sand and is known for its wild beauty and sand dunes – it’s a place where you’ll find sea turtle nesting grounds.

Larnaca is a favourite destination of singer Peter Andre’s who has his own villa there – and he knows lots of great restaurants in the area.

Talking to Sun Travel he said: “For anyone going to Larnaca, I have three recommendations. One is a new restaurants called Theta in Perivolia which is very near the airport.”

Peter also loves to go to a Japanese restaurant called Nippon.

He also added: “There’s another one called Opa Souvlaki Kiti, it’s not fancy, but if you want a proper Greek kebab done the Cypriot way, go there.”

NEXT time you’re flying somewhere long-haul, there is a little-known code you might spot on your boarding pass.

The ‘secret’ code means you could be entitled to a complimentary hotel room, certain meals, and airport transfers by the airline.

STPC is an abbreviation for ‘Stopover Paid by Carrier’ – it’s a perk for when a long-haul journey requires a longer layover.

Usually this is given if there is no connecting flight available and travellers then have to take a stopover between eight to 24 hours.

In some cases you can request this at the gate, but in most, you will have to apply for the STPC voucher days in advance through the airline’s website or customer service.

Talking to Travel + Leisure, Andrés Serra, head of operations at Optimise Travel said: “This is a transit service arranged in advance for long layovers. It is different from compensation for delayed or cancelled flights.”

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She continued to add that in some cases if a traveller chooses to take the longer layover when a shorter one is available, some airlines might offer STPC, while others might not.

Eligibility depends on the airline, specific route, fare class, cabin type, and the exact length of the connection.

Included in STPC programs is usually the hotel room, some meals and airport transfers, but additional things like room service and alcohol usually are not.

Turkish Airlines offers complimentary STPC for passengers with long connections in Istanbul.

This is available for passengers travelling in economy with a layover of 12 hours or more.

Those travelling in business class with the airline who have a layover of nine hours or more are eligible for a complimentary hotel stay if a shorter layover flight option is not available.

Emirates‘ STPC is called Dubai Connect, providing a free hotel, transfers, and meals for those with long stopovers.

For those travelling in economy and premium economy there must be a minimum of an 8 hour layover with a maximum of 26 hours.

Business and first class passengers are entitled to Dubai Connect for a layover that’s a minimum of six hours.

Those who want to use Dubai Connect must book at least 12 hours ahead of the incoming flight to Dubai.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways offers STPC for passengers with a long layover at Hamad International Airport in Doha.

The connection in Doha must be between 8 and 24 hours.

For those buying tickets through the likes of Avios or other award schemes, the STPC will not be able to be used.

The hotel will be between four and five stars, with complimentary round-trip airport-to-hotel transfers and a visa will be supplied too.

EASYJET is allowing parents to claim back the cost of their baby’s first passport from today.

Simply book an easyJet holiday, use the promo code and the £66.60 will come off the price of the break.

The new initiative starts from today after research showed that almost four in five parents said a baby’s first holiday was a landmark family moment.

Usually when Brits apply for a baby passport online, it costs £66.60 – a paper application sent by post increases the price to £80.

But with the airline, this cost will be paid for by easyJet when families book their next holiday.

Use the promo code FIRSTPASSPORT when making the booking to get the extra discount.

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There’s no minimum spend on the holiday and children must be two-years-old or younger at the time of travel.

The offer ends on November 26 at 11pm – for more information, head here.

Stuart Wright, Customer Director at easyJet holidays, said: “Travel has a unique way of bringing families together, and a baby’s very first holiday is often one of those moments parents remember for years to come.

“By covering the cost of a baby’s first passport, we’re helping more families start making those memories that little bit sooner.

“Combined with our great-value packages, family-friendly hotels and thousands of Free Kids Places, it’s another way we’re making family holidays easier and more affordable.”

If you need some inspiration on where to book, easyJet recently announced it would be launching six new routes from UK airports in time for autumn.

One of these flights will be from Newcastle to Fuerteventura which will start on October 25, and operate twice a week – on Thursdays and Sundays.

Easyjet’s Luton-Ljubljana flights start on October 26 three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

There are 18 new routes launching next summer too with a choice of city breaks to island escapes.

Two of these routes will be to Girona which will be a first for easyJet.

One will take off from Liverpool on March 28 and operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Girona will also take off from Gatwick starting on June 3, operating three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

IN JUST over two months, we will be in 2027 and with that in mind you might want to start planning your next getaway.

The good news is that the best 25 places to visit in 2027 have just been revealed.

The list compiled by National Geographic features far-flung islands as well as European city gems.

So here are some of our favourites from the list:

Vestland, Norway

Vestland can be found in the southwest of Norway and is known for its waterfalls and wilderness.

Head to Folgefonna National Park where you can see one of the country’s largest glaciers and Trolltunga, a massive rock formation that sticks out of a lake.

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There’s also Sognefjord, which is Europe’s longest and deepest fjord.

The best way to get to Vestland is by heading to the capital of the country, Bergen, with flights from the UK taking around two hours and costing from £91 return.

Luxor, Egypt

Luxor in Egypt is often forgotten about compared to the likes of Cairo and El Gouna but the destination is known for an ancient city and tombs.

Travellers can head to The Lost Golden City, which is the ancient city of Aten and is thought to be one of the largest ancient cities ever found in Egypt.

National Geographic also noted how getting to Luxor will be easier soon as there will be an extension of two free visas – the summer entry visa for travellers visiting on Egyptian-owned airlines and a four-day transit visa.

Flights direct to Luxor from the UK take around five-and-a-half hours and cost from £149 return.

Puerto Rico

Dubbed the ‘La Isla del Encanto’ which translates in English to ‘The Island of Enchantment’, Puerto Rico is dominated by a central mountain range covered in tropical rainforest.

In addition to this, the island is littered with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.

Visitors can explore the historic forts of Old San Juan, where you’ll find blue cobblestone streets.

Flights from the UK to Puerto Rico usually include a stopover, taking between 11 and 15 hours and costing from £550 return.

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

The only UK spot to feature on the list is Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, with sandy beaches and rugged coastline.

Often nicknamed the ‘Scottish Riviera’, Dumfries and Galloway can be found in the southwest of Scotland and is home to medieval castles, such as Caerlaverock Castle, which is a triangular pink sandstone castle with its own moat.

There’s also Galloway Forest Park, which is the UK’s first International Dark Sky Park, with clear views of around 7,000 stars as well as the Milky Way.

If heading to the region, it is about an hour-and-a-half from Glasgow Airport, which costs as little as £30 return to fly to from London.

Grenada

The Caribbean island of Grenada is known as the ‘Spice Isle’ for producing nutmeg, mace and cocoa, but also has beautiful mountains, rainforests and beaches.

Each August you could even travel to Spicemas on the island, which is an annual carnival with parades, street parties and Jab Jab (where people paint themselves with molasses and mud) – and the festival is celebrating 150 years in 2027.

While on the island you can also snorkel Molinere Bay, which features life-size submerged art.

Flights from the UK to Grenada usually involve a stop and cost from around £932 return.

Santander, Spain

If you are looking for somewhere different in Spain to head to in 2027, look no further than Santander, the coastal capital of the country’s Cantabria region.

Full of history, the city has a vibrant Old Town where you can visit the Magdalena Palace.

The city also has a fishing quarter, which is the ideal spot to dig into some local cuisine with favourite dishes including calamari with onions and clams in marinara sauce.

Flights between the UK and Santander take around two hours and cost as little as £29 return.

Normandy, France

Known for its Gothic cathedrals, Normandy is a great European destination for history lovers.

And in 2027 the city will celebrate Millennium 2027: European Year of the Normans with more than 1,000 events planned across the year including medieval feasts, street performances and concerts.

One event in June will see 40 Viking-style ships sail along the Normandy coast.

And you don’t even have to hop on a plane to get to the destination – instead, you could catch the ferry from Portsmouth costing as little as £28 per way.

Melbourne, Australia

For a long-haul trip, Melbourne in Australia is one of National Geographic’s highlight destinations for 2027 with sports, a vibrant nightlife and thriving food scene.

And for rugby fans, the waterfront Docklands district will host eight matches during the Rugby World Cup next October.

Make sure to visit St Kilda Pier and beach as well to spot the colony of local penguins.

Flights to Melbourne from the UK usually involve a stopover and cost from around £550 return.

Leipzig, Germany

For somewhere different in Germany, in 2027 you should head to Leipzig, which is the largest city in the state of Saxony.

The city is home to one of Europe’s largest railway stations, Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, which has a grand 300 metre facade as well as a multistorey shopping centre.

In 2027, there will also be several events celebrating all the famous musicians to come from the city including Bach and Beethoven, with a Beethoven Festival in May and Bachfest in June.

The closest airport with direct flights from the UK is Berlin with returning flights costing from £41 – it then takes around an hour-and-a-half to drive to Leipzig.

Tricity, Poland

Sat on Poland‘s Baltic coast, Tricity refers to the three neighbouring cities of Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia.

Each city has its own character, heaps of history and vibrant seaside resorts.

For example, in 2027, Gdynia will host the regatta of the World Sailing Championships meanwhile Gdansk will have its St Dominic’s Fair with food, concerts and performances.

The best way to get to the region from the UK is by flying direct to Gdansk, which takes around two hours and costs from £29 return.

RYANAIR is axing 20 routes from two European airports this winter – including one route from a city in the UK.

The airline has said the increase in aviation tax has resulted in the cancellation of over one million seats.

From its winter 2026/2027 schedule, Ryanair will no longer fly certain routes to and from Brussels South Charleroi and Brussels Airport at Zaventem.

It will be withdrawing six of its aircraft from the two bases and relocating them to other European airports.

The UK that will be affected is between Newcastle and Brussels Charleroi.

Looking at its website, the route remans on sale up until January 22.

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The last outgoing flight is from Newcastle at 4.25pm with fares starting from £21.99.

The last inbound flight from Brussels to Newcastle is at 7.30pm with prices from £214.99.

At Brussels Airport in Zaventem, The Brussels Times reported that the only Ryanair route that will remain will be to Dublin.

By January 2027, the price of aviation tax will have risen by 50 percent going from €2 (£1.68) in January 2025 to €7 (£5.87) in January 2027.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary called the measure a “failed and stupid initiative.”

According to reports, eight routes will be discontinued from Brussels Airport in Zaventem.

Meanwhile, 12 routes will be cut from Brussels South Charleroi Airport.

This comes after Ryanair recently announced it would be cancelling all flights to Bremen in Germany.

Currently, Ryanair offers daily flights from London Stansted to Bremen for as little as £15.

But in a new announcement, these will come to an end in April 2027.

On the Ryanair website, it appears tickets for the final flights to Bremen are scheduled for March 27, 2027.

ONE UK airport which closed in 2022 is taking another step closer to welcoming passengers back.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed after becoming “commercially unviable” and has been left empty since, but it has now announced it’s set to come under public ownership.

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard called the deal a “major milestone” towards reopening the airport.

According to reports, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will buy the airport becoming the freehold owner and landlord to the City of Doncaster Council lease.

Oliver Coppard said that the airport being bought by SYMCA would also “provide long-term control, certainty and flexibility” and attract private investment too.

The proposals are subject to approval next week.

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Doncaster Sheffield Airport is preparing to reopen to passengers in 2028 as part of a £193million project.

Before it closed, the regional airport acted as a gateway to Europe for those living in the north of England.

It had airlines like TUI and Wizz Air and flew to the likes of Spain and Portugal.

When it reopens, it’s possible certain routes could be reinstated, as well as longer ones too.

The airport is home to one of the longest runways in Europe, measuring 2,893 metres, which means it could host big jets for long-haul journeys.

As of yet, no airlines have been confirmed for when the airport reopens.

Christian Foster, Director of FlyDoncaster – the company set up to manage the airport – told Sun Travel: “It does feel like the world has changed post-Covid, whereas people were focused on two weeks in Spain or Greece, nowadays we’re seeing a lot of people keen to take city breaks.”

“We’d love to fly to places like Croatia, and other destinations that are a bit more quirky like Azerbaijan.

“We’re keen to look at emerging places to visit as well, like India.“

Another plan for the airport is that when it opens, it will have local businesses rather than chains like Costa or Starbucks.

There would be a mixture of restaurants, bars and shops as well as seating.

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.

RYANAIR is cancelled all flights to a European airport next year, – which works out to half a million seats.

As of early 2027, the airline will no longer fly to the German city of Bremen.

Currently, Ryanair offers daily flights from London Stansted to Bremen for as little as £15.

But in a new announcement, these will come to an end in April 2027.

On the Ryanair website, it appears tickets for the final flights to Bremen are scheduled for March 27, 2027.

The German city is known for its maritime history and gothic look that some often say looks ‘fairytale-like’.

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With Ryanair withdrawing the route, there will be no direct links to Bremen from the UK.

Those wanting to visit the German city will have to take stopover flights which can take over double the time.

The shortest is with KLM, which has a stopover in Amsterdam and takes three hours and 20minutes.

Last year, Ryanair announced it would be dropping 24 routes to and from Germany, cutting nearly 800,000 seats in total.

It was revealed that nine airports would be affected, along with the plans of those wanting a winter break, and including major cities that are popular with tourists.

These are:

• Berlin
• Hamburg
• Memmingen
• Baden-Württemberg
• Cologne
• Frankfurt-Hahn
• Dortmund
• Dresden
• Leipzig

In April of this year, the airline confirmed it would be reducing its flight schedule to and from Berlin by 50 per cent.

Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson said back in August: “Germany’s air travel market is broken and needs an urgent fix.

“As a result of these high government taxes/fees (the highest in Europe), and Lufthansa’s high-fare monopoly, German citizens/visitors now pay the highest air fares in Europe.”

NEW ‘contactless’ e-gates have just been introduced at a major UK airport.

Brits returning to the UK won’t have to scan their passport in a new government scheme to speed up arrivals – and it’s now in place at Gatwick Airport.

East Midlands Airport was the first to introduce the new system on October 6, followed by Gatwick – and eventually it will be rolled out at 13 UK airports.

The contactless system is set to be up to 25 per cent faster than current e-gates.

When one writer for The Times tested out the new e-gates, she said it took just 12 seconds to get through.

How it works is that passengers will have their photo taken at an e-gate which will be checked by the system, verified against immigration, travel and passport information.

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Essentially it takes away the need to both have a picture taken and scan the passport.

Once the checks are complete, the e-gates will open automatically.

If there is a need for further checks, then passengers will need to place their passport on the reader – or they could be asked to see a Border Force officer.

Passengers are still being told to keep their passport with them at all times.

At the moment, the contactless system will be for British citizens only, but eventually could be used by other nationalities.

The other airports which will have the new e-gate system are Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, London Heathrow, London City, London Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and London Stansted.

Phil Douglas, director general of Border Force, said: “This is a win for travellers coming to our brilliant country.

“By using state-of-the-art technology, we are making journeys smoother and faster, all while fully maintaining the UK’s robust border security.

“Our digital transformation also builds on our work this summer to extend eGates to children aged eight and above, making life a little easier for families.”