A BRIT has become the first person to fly around the world in economy class.
Dale Charman, 44, spent £1,300 to set off from London Heathrow to return just 67 hours later, having stopped at Kuala Lumpur, Sydney and Los Angeles.
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Dale, 44, took off from London Heathrow, to return just 67 hours later having been around the globeCredit: SWNS
The tube driver, who posts videos on YouTube on his channel ‘Dale Charman Travels’, said he had seen videos of people online doing the same challenge, but for business and first class – not economy.
So the flight enthusiast decided to be the first to fly around the globe in economy.
Dale set off from London Heathrow at 9:35pm on August 25 and then returned to the capital – after 24,000 miles of flying – on August 28 just after 5pm.
According to Dale, he was “absolutely knackered” after his journey, which included four flight.
He said: “I knew I’d be tired, because that’s obvious.
“What I didn’t think about was I wouldn’t be laying down for the best part of three days.
“It’s amazing how much pain you get in your knees and your hips, just being in a sitting position for so long.
“My friends and family all think I’m crazy – some people think it’s cool, my mum thinks I’m absolutely crazy.”
Over the course of nearly three days flying, Dale explained how he tried to sleep as much as possible and when he wasn’t asleep he would watch films via the in-flight entertainment screens.
After spending 12 hours on a Malaysia Airlines flight from London to Kuala Lumpur, Dale had just a five-hour layover before boarding another Malaysia Airlines flight, lasting eight hours, to Sydney in Australia.
Once in Sydney, Dale had a seven-hour layover, so had enough time to make a quick visit to the Sydney Opera House.
He then returned to the airport and boarded a 13-hour Qantas flight to Los Angeles in America.
Dale added that the flight has the best “comfort food” out of all the flights, consisting of beef and mash.
Even though Dale had another seven-hour layover in Los Angeles, this time he decided to stay in the airport as it took over an hour to get through immigration.
Then, all that was left was a 12-hour Virgin Atlantic flight back to London Heathrow, landing just after 5pm on August 28.
Dale then had a couple of days of rest, before heading back to work on August 31.
And the tube driver, did the entire trip in economy classCredit: SWNS
Dale said: “I just think it’s a cool thing to do. Obviously the environment doesn’t particularly like it.
“I’d never flown across the Pacific.
“I’ve been to Australia and I’ve been to the US many, many times, but I’ve never done that other bit.
“I thought it was cool to cover that, and it’s just an adventure.
“You never know when you’ll wake up tomorrow, and I thought it was just a cool thing to say I’d done.
“It’s a shame I didn’t have more time to actually visit these places properly, but I always use it as an excuse – I’ll have to do it again when I’ve got more time and more money.”
WIZZ Air is pulling back at Britain’s second-busiest airport as it races to stem rising costs in a Europe-wide shake-up.
The Budapest-based budget carrier will slash flights from Gatwick after deciding it is losing money there, boss József Váradi said.
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Wizz Air is reducing flights from Gatwick due to high operating fees and poor slot timingsCredit: AlamyOne aircraft will move from Gatwick to Luton, increasing Luton’s fleet to 13 jetsCredit: Getty
High operating fees and badly timed departure slots have made Gatwick a drag on performance.
Mr Váradi said: “Gatwick is expensive and we have been operating an inferior set of slots there.
“We think that we can enhance financial performance by operating that capacity from Luton.”
As part of the overhaul, Wizz will start by moving one aircraft from Gatwick to Luton, giving Luton 13 jets and cutting Gatwick’s fleet to seven.
He added: “Circumstances change and you have to take action.
“Whichever bases give you the most profitability, you should be biased toward them.
“That includes moving aircraft over from Gatwick to Luton.”
Gatwick has been near capacity for years, keeping prices high and limiting space for rivals.
A £2.2billion plan to convert an emergency strip into a second runway is expected to double passenger numbers, but not until the 2030s.
Wizz insists it isn’t quitting Gatwick entirely.
Mr Váradi said the base will be “optimised”, adding: “You have to churn your network for profit. We are simply more efficient financially in Luton.”
He dismissed any link to Jet2’s plan to position seven aircraft at Gatwick from next year.
“Gatwick is stuck. It is so set with regard to slots that no newcomer can make any significant difference. Jet2 will be very sub-scale versus the established players,” he said.
The retreat comes as Wizz battles a series of financial shocks.
The airline has been hit hard by the Ukraine war, which has disrupted some of its biggest routes, and a global recall of faulty Pratt & Whitney engines that has grounded up to 45 planes at a time.
Mr Váradi has responded with aggressive cost-cutting.
The carrier shut its Abu Dhabi offshoot in July and is axing its Vienna base because of “airport costs and taxes”.
The shake-up in Austria has already triggered fresh disruption for UK passengers.
WE might be heading into winter, but looking ahead to a summer getaway for 2026 doesn’t hurt.
One airline in particular is doing exactly that and has announced that it plans to add more flights from the UK to one very popular Turkish resort.
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Antalya is known for its pretty beaches and year-round warm weatherCredit: AlamyCorendon Airlines is upping its flights to Antalya for next summerCredit: Alamy
Corendon Airlines has announced that it plans to extend lots of its summer services next year.
One of these routes from the UK heads to the Turkish resort of Antalya which is known for its family-friendly hotels and waterparks.
During the next summer season there will be daily flights to Antalya from Stansted Airport.
Matthew Carpenter, Corendon Airlines UK Country Manager said: “For 2026 we’re doubling down on the routes that have performed well for us – for example, we’ve had two flights a week to Antalya from Stansted and this will be increasing to five flights a week in the shoulder seasons and daily flights in peak season.”
Antalya sits on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey and has been nicknamed as ‘paradise on Earth‘ thanks to its beautiful beaches, mountain scenery and great weather.
In the summer months, Antalya has average highs of 33C – and it still has daily highs of 23C in November this week.
Thanks to this, Antalya is incredibly popular with Brits, around 1.5 million British tourists visited Antalya between January and October 2024.
Most read in Beach holidays
To make it even better, the average flight time from the UK is around four and a half hours.
There are plenty of great beaches around the coast likeLara Beach, known for its fine sand and luxury resorts.
The Turkish resort is known for having plenty of family-friendly hotelsCredit: Alamy
Other popular beaches include Konyaaltı Beach, which has a long pebble and sand coastline.
Patara Beach is one of Turkey‘s longest beaches, and there’s also Kaputaş Beach which is small cove between the towns of Kaş and Kalkan.
Being such a family-friendly destination, there are plenty of huge hotels with on-site waterparks, kids clubs, activities, and beach access.
It’s found on a quiet sea valley, surrounded by mountains, crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches.
The village was called “one of Turkey‘s best-kept secrets” in an article in the Sunday Telegraph.
Despite not being far from Kemer and Antalya, only a few Brits seem to holiday in Cirali.
Because of its protected status as a nesting site for loggerhead turtles, the seaside village doesn’t have huge all-inclusive resorts or large hotel chains.
The beach, which is a mixture of shingle and sand, is its main attraction. While metal cages mark the turtle nests, there is still plenty of space for holidaymakers.
Other facilities at the beach include several restaurants that serve a range of grilled fish and rustic stews.
Away from the beach, other activities include yoga classes, cycling routes and walking routes.
THOUSANDS of travellers are being warned to brace for major disruption this weekend as engineering works are set to cause significant delays at the UK’s busiest airport.
Heathrow, which is set to handle around 84 million passengers this year, has announced that major rail connections to and from the airport will be closed this weekend while essential maintenance work is carried out.
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Travellers are being urged to consider alternative routesCredit: Shutterstock / van Blerk
The disruption will affect travellers using the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line on Saturday November 15 and Sunday November 15, prompting airport officials to advise passengers to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.
Heathrow Airport announced the closure on X, formerly Twitter, warning: “Due to planned engineering works, there will be no Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line train services to/from Heathrow on Sat 15 & Sun 16 November 2025.
“Piccadilly Line services to/from #Heathrow will be running as normal. Please plan your journey in advance as other services will be busier than normal.”
The engineering works are taking place between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport stations, and according to National Rail, “all lines” on the route will be closed during the two-day period.
The National Rail website also states: “No trains to / from London Heathrow Airport from Saturday 15 to Sunday 16 November.”
This means that both the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line will be completely out of service over the weekend, affecting thousands of passengers travelling to or from the airport.
Routes listed as affected include the Elizabeth line between Shenfield and Heathrow Airport and the Heathrow Express between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport.
To help travellers plan ahead, Heathrow has released the times of the final trains before the closures begin.
The last Heathrow Express service from Terminal 5 will leave at 11.57pm on Friday, while the final train from Terminals 2 and 3 will depart at 12.03am.
From London Paddington, the final Heathrow Express departs at 11.25pm.
As for the Elizabeth line, the final service to central London will depart Terminal 5 at 12.07am, Terminals 2 and 3 at 12.12am, and Terminal 4 at 11.37pm.
The last Elizabeth line train from Paddington will leave at 11.24pm.
Those travelling from Terminals 2 and 3 to Terminal 5 can catch the final Elizabeth line service at 11.37pm, while the last train from Terminal 4 to Terminals 2 and 3 departs at 11.52pm.
Despite the disruption, the Piccadilly line will continue to operate as normal, providing the only direct underground connection to Heathrow throughout the weekend.
Travellers are being urged to consider alternative routes, including TfL Rail replacement buses, coach services, and taxis, which are likely to experience increased demand.
A Heathrow spokesperson reminded passengers: “We encourage everyone travelling on 15 and 16 November to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journey.
“With trains not running, roads and alternative transport will be busier than usual.”
The works form part of ongoing infrastructure improvements aimed at maintaining safety and reliability on the network.
However, the timing has sparked frustration among passengers planning half-term holidays and weekend getaways.
Experts have also warned that disruption could spill over into Monday morning as services return to normal and trains are repositioned.
For up-to-date travel information, passengers are being advised to check the Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line, and National Rail websites before setting off.
The Sun has approached Heathrow for comment.
The disruption will affect travellers using the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line on Saturday November 15 and Sunday November 15Credit: pablorebo1984
The new routes will be operated by five new Airbus A321neo aircraft.
The addition of Jet2 flights at London Gatwick takes their bases in the UK to 14.
Jet2’s CEO Steve Heapy said: “Today’s announcement represents an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2.
“For many years, our ambition has been to provide our differentiated, service led, end-to-end product offering from London Gatwick, and we see this as a once in a generation opportunity to accelerate our growth from the UK’s largest beach and city leisure destination airport.”
He added that they saw “high demand” from passengers wanting to travel with Jet2 from London Gatwick, which he called a “game-changer” move.
The news was also welcomed by London Gatwick’s Chief Executive Pierre-Hugues.
They added: “We are thrilled to welcome Jet2 to London Gatwick, marking an exciting new chapter for the airport and our passengers.
“Jet2’s arrival brings even more choice and flexibility to passengers across the South East and beyond, strengthening London Gatwick’s vision to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey.”
The full list of flight destinations launching from London Gatwick with Jet2 in 2026 are:
Fuerteventura – two weekly services (Wednesday and Sunday)
Gran Canaria – two weekly services (Wednesday and Sunday)
Lanzarote – two weekly services (Tuesday and Saturday)
Tenerife – three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
Ibiza – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
Majorca – 10 weekly services (Monday, 2 x Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 2 x Saturday and 2 x Sunday)
Menorca – three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
Alicante – five weekly services (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
Girona – three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
Malaga – four weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday)
Reus – three weekly services (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
Faro (The Algarve) – ten weekly services (Monday, 2 x Tuesday, Wednesday, 2x Thursday, Friday, 2 x Saturday and Sunday)
Antalya – three weekly services (Monday, Friday and Saturday)
Corfu – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
Crete (Heraklion) – two weekly services (Tuesday and Friday)
Kalamata – one weekly service (Wednesday)
Kefalonia – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
Kos – two weekly services (Monday and Thursday)
Halkidiki – two weekly services (Thursday and Sunday)
Preveza – two weekly services (Wednesday and Saturday)
Rhodes – two weekly services (Tuesday and Friday)
Skiathos – one weekly service (Tuesday)
Zante – one weekly service (Wednesday)
Malta – two weekly services (Thursday and Sunday)
Naples – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
Verona – one weekly service (Wednesday)
Paphos (Cyprus) – two weekly services (Monday and Thursday)
Pula – one weekly service (Saturday)
Bourgas (Bulgaria) – two weekly services (Wednesday and Saturday)
Earlier this year, Jet2 celebrated 22 years of flying, after first launching back in 2003.
This was followed by the launch of Jet2holidays in 2007.
And it isn’t only London Gatwick that has new Jet2 flights.
SECURING slots at the UK’s second biggest airport marks the pinnacle of what has been an astonishing success story for Jet2.
In just a few short years the airline has gone from a tiny cargo airline to the UK’s largest tour operator.
Gatwick – the world’s busiest single-runway airport – will be Jet2’s 14th UK base and cements the airline’s dominance of the market and is the final piece in the puzzle in the south east of England.
From Jet2’s first flights in 2002 from Leeds Bradford, the airline first established themselves as a serious player by expanding into northern regional airports.
But the game-changing moment came in 2007 when it launched its package holidays arm, Jet2holidays. It began with an ATOL licence allowing it to take just 23,000 passengers to a modest 15 destinations.
It is now the UK’s largest tour operator with an ATOL covering more than SEVEN MILLION passengers.
Its strong, steady growth was given a boost with the failure of boost of both Thomas Cook and Monarch but the company’s success has also come from its relentless focus on customer service.
It rightly received praise for the way it looked after its customers in the pandemic, building vital loyalty and trust.
This is alongside another 16 destinations in Europe including Greece, Spain and Portugal.
It was the first new airline base or London Luton in 20 years.
The services will fly to 17 destinations across Europe, including Greece, the Balearic Islands and Portugal.
Boss of Luton Airport, Alberto Martin, said that today was the “start of a bright future” and “a day of celebration”.
TRAVELLERS will soon be able to fly between a popular town in Cornwall and a major London airport once again.
The previously suspended route operated by Eastern Airways, which fell into administration earlier this month, is being reinstated in a matter of days.
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Eastern Airways had operated a route between Cornwall and LondonCredit: AlamyNow it will be taken over by Skybus that generally operates to and from the Isles of ScillyCredit: Alamy
Eastern Airways had operated flights between the seaside town of Newquay in Cornwall and London Gatwick seven times per week.
But in early November when the regional airline fell into administration, the route was temporarily cancelled.
Now, Cornwall Council has secured a temporary agreement with Skybus to take on the route on a short-term contract, with flights resuming on November 23.
The Skybus service will operate daily with plans to increase to twice-daily flights on weekdays from 14 February 2026.
Skybus will operate the route on its ATR72 aircraft, which has room for 70 passengers. The average flight time is around one hour and 20 minutes.
Leader of Cornwall Council, Councillor Leigh Frost said: “We’re pleased Skybus has worked with us so closely to get this over the line as quickly as possible to ensure that lack of service wasn’t prolonged.
“We know the train line into Cornwall is not great and other routes of transport are really difficult so we need that secure route so Cornwall can access the rest of the world.”
Skybus will operate the route initially until mid-2026 as Cornwall Council is seeking a permanent airline to take on a four-year tender.
Previously, the route has been operated by FlyBe and after that, British Airways.
Newquay is known for its pretty coastline and spots for watersportsCredit: Alamy
Eastern Airways launched in 1997 and had been one of the UK’s remaining regional airlines, with services across England and Scotland.
Regional routes across the UK included Wick and Aberdeen inScotland, and then Humberside, Teesside International,London Gatwickand Newquay.
For the 12 months to March 2024, Eastern Airways reported a net loss of £19.7million, which was £4.8million higher than 2023.
While Skybus is taking on the new route between Cornwall and the capital, it’s no stranger to Newquay airport having been flying from there to the Isles of Scilly for over 30 years.
Skybus runs services to the Isles of Scilly, with flights from Newquay, Land’s End and Exeter.
The airline’s owner, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company (ISSC) also operates boats to the islands.
One writer visited Newquay during the summer and revealed their highlights…
“The open-air tropical room is a big highlight of Newquay Zoo. Birds fly completely freely among visitors and the lack of cages makes for a different experience than that of a traditional zoo.
“Here we watched a penguin feed on krill, saw a roaming peacock take up residence atop a bin and were charmed by the little squirrel monkeys swinging from ropes.
“We were staying at the Newquay Beach Hotel, which perfectly blends solid hotel basics with convenient extras like the Abangamba play room — a kids’ club with toys and games — and decorative flair.
“If you’re after food with a view, then the Stables pizza restaurant on Fistral beach might be the most beautifully placed UK restaurant I have ever enjoyed.
“And Newquay is surrounded by pretty beaches, no matter which direction you potter in. Towan Beach, slightly to the west of Newquay’s main hub, is a great spot for lounging, cave exploring and taking a paddle.
“And overlooking this lively stretch is the Blue Reef Aquarium, a must for anyone with little ones.
The beautiful town of Newquay will be reachable from London once againCredit: Alamy
HOLIDAYMAKERS jetting off with one of the UK’s most popular budget airlines are being stung by a sneaky charge hidden in the small print – and families could be left £140 out of pocket.
Even as a seasoned budget traveller, I thought I knew every trick.
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Wizz Air has a strict airport fee catching passengers outCredit: AlamyMake sure to check in more than three hours before your flightCredit: Alamy
But when recently travelling with Wizz Air, I was still caught me out with a rule in the fine print.
Like many travellers, I tried to check in on the morning of my flight – only to be met with an error message.
Online check in had closed, and I was told I had to pay €40 (£35) at Milan Malpensa just to get my boarding pass.
Wizz Air’s online check-in opens 24 hours before your flight – and unlike most airlines, closes three hours before departure.
Miss the window, and you’ll be slapped with a hefty fee to pay.
So if you check in on the day of your flight – or fly early in the morning – you could easily miss the cut off.
The strict fee allows even less time than Ryanair or easyJet, which open online check in up until around two hours before take off.
According to Wizz Air’s policy: “Online check-in is available from 30 days up to three hours before the scheduled departure time if you have purchased a seat during your booking.
“In case you have not purchased any seats with your booking, check-in will become available only 24 hours before departure.”
That means a family of four who forgets to check in online within the specific time frame could be looking at an eye-watering €160 (£140) bill before they’ve even reached security…
And though the airport check in fee is listed at just €13 (£11) on the official Wizz Air site, this price only applies to those who choose to add this charge on in advance, rather than check in online.
Plenty of travellers have been caught out by this little known rule too.
On social media, you’ll find threads full of passengers complaining about “unexpected” airport check-in charges.
Luke, 22, from London, was caught with the charge flying back to the UK.
He told The Sun: “You’d think checking in three hours before a flight would be fine, but with Wizz Air, it’s already too late.
“We had to pay €80 (£70) for two of us to check in at the airport – I thought I could just do it on my phone like every other airline.”
Wizz Air isn’t breaking any rules in the UK; the information is there on its website.
But, it’s easily missed unless you’re combing through the small print before your holiday.
Terms and conditions on Wizz Air’s website state: “Online check-in is available from 24 hours up to three hours before scheduled departure.
“Passengers who fail to check in online must complete the process at the airport and will be charged a fee as outlined in our terms.”
How to avoid the €40 fee
Here’s what travellers should do to stay one step ahead:
Check in as soon as online check-in opens. For Wizz Air, that’s exactly 24 hours before your flight. Set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.
Download your boarding pass immediately. Don’t rely on the app or airport WiFi, which can be unreliable. Print it at home, or save it to your smartphone’s wallet.
Avoid leaving it until the morning of your flight – always check in the day before, then you know that you’re sorted.
A Wizz Air spokesperson said: “Like many other airlines, Wizz Air encourages all passengers to check-in online as early as possible before their scheduled departure time. We aim to make check-in simple for passengers and provide instructions during the booking process, on the Wizz Air website and via email reminders on how to check-in online to avoid fees.
“Customers who have not purchased seats with their booking, can check-in online 24 hours before departure via the Wizz Air app or website. At this point, they also have the opportunity to purchase a seat.
“Passengers who fail to check-in online, or who wish to check-in within three hours of their flight, must do so at the airport. This service can be pre-booked online for £12.00 or €13 per flight. Airport check-in without pre-booking costs £36.50 or €40.00. Full details on our check-in policy can be found on the Wizz Air website.
“Wizz Air does not discriminate against any passenger. While we are a digital-first airline, we offer special assistance to any passenger who might need it, abiding by all relevant UK CAA regulations, which specifies passengers who need special assistance should contact the airline at least 48-hours before departure. Wizz Air is fully committed to accommodating the special needs of any passenger who contacts them in the stipulated timeframe, which can also be requested by telephone.”
Wizz Air passengers have slammed the unfair chargesCredit: Alamy
OVER 1,700 flights have already been canceled across the country this weekend as officials warn Thanksgiving will be hit by travel chaos.
It comes as the US endures its longest government shutdown in history and federal aviation officials order 40 major airports to slash services due to staffing shortages.
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Over 1,700 flights have already been canceled this weekend as the FAA ramps up cuts to protect traveler safety (stock)Credit: EPAUS Transportation Secretary has warned that travel chaos for Thanksgiving is now inevitableCredit: Splash
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has vowed on X to “keep the skies safe” by using every tactic at his disposal, which he said will see travelers increasingly hit with delays and cancelations.
On Friday he warned that even if the government shutdown ended now, Thanksgiving air travel would still be impacted.
“So if the government opens on Day 1, will I see an immediate response from controllers? No, the union is telling me it’s going to take time to get them all back in,” Duffy told CNN.
At the time of writing, the number of canceled flights for today alone already stands at 957, according to FlightAware, and at least 8,442 are delayed.
Sunday already has at least 838 flight cancelations and 213 delays.
Duffy confirmed in a joint statement with the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday that cuts to services will increase across this weekend and into next week.
“We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said.
“The FAA will continue to closely monitor operations, and we will not hesitate to take further action to make sure air travel remains safe.”
The statement noted a 4% cut in operations on Friday, “ramping up to 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and 10% by November 14”.
This percentage of cuts could rise to 15% or 20% if the government shutdown does not end “relatively soon,” Duffy warned when speaking to Fox News.
Major airlines have already tried to do damage control by announcing cancelations ahead of time.
On Friday, American Airlines told CNN it would cut 220 flights from its Saturday services.
United Airlines confirmed hundreds of cuts across the weekend through to Tuesday, and Southwest has axed approximately 100 flights on Saturday and 150 on Sunday.
Travelers caught up in the chaos have described the carnage awaiting them at the airports with people lying on floors and sleeping where they can while hoping to hear news of their flights.
List of airports ordered to cut capacity
THE airports that fall under the FAA’s order
Anchorage International
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Boston Logan International
Baltimore/Washington International
Charlotte Douglas International
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International
Dallas Love
Ronald Reagan Washington National
Denver International
Dallas/Fort Worth International
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Newark Liberty International
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International
Honolulu International
Houston Hobby
Washington Dulles International
George Bush Houston Intercontinental
Indianapolis International
New York John F Kennedy International
Las Vegas Harry Reid International
Los Angeles International
New York LaGuardia
Orlando International
Chicago Midway
Memphis International
Miami International
Minneapolis/St Paul International
Oakland International
Ontario International
Chicago O’Hare International
Portland International
Philadelphia International
Phoenix Sky Harbor International
San Diego International
Louisville International
Seattle/Tacoma International
San Francisco International
Salt Lake City International
Teterboro
Tampa International
Travelers should check with their airline for the latest updates on their flights.
Meanwhile, tourism officials are urging both Republicans and Democrats to end the stalemate that began on October 1 as they fear catastrophic economic blows.
Hawaii in particular is in danger of unique harm, officials have warned Duffy, as the islands are hit with the enforced cuts but with little alternative for health care, commerce, or security.
“We strongly urge federal leaders to reach an immediate resolution,” Hawaiian Airlines said while thanking the air traffic controllers and TSA officers keeping airports running without pay.
And officials in Las Vegas, which is already suffering from a tourism hole, have warned that the shutdown and airport cuts have happened at the worst possible time.
The U.S. Travel Association joined by MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, The Venetian, and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority wrote a letter urging Congress to take action now to end the shutdown.
Air traffic controllers and TSA agents have gone without pay for 38 days due to the ongoing shutdownCredit: AFPTravelers should check with their airline for the latest updates on their flightsCredit: Alamy
They warned that the travel industry has already lost $4 billion and that the economic situation will only worsen as Americans and travelers from abroad rethink their trips.
Retailers are also preparing to feel the impact just as holiday season hits as supply chain officials warn that a large amount of cargo is carried on commercial flights.
“Forty percent to 50% of all air freight is shipped in the belly of passenger planes,” Patrick Penfield, a Syracuse University professor of supply chain practice told NBC News.
“If you eliminate 10% of airline capacity, air freight prices will rise, and we could see delays in getting materials via air.”
The shutdown has entered its 38th day and no end is in sight after Senate Republicans rejected an offer by the Democrats on Friday to reopen with a health care deal.
THE first look at the plane set to serve the world’s longest flight has been revealed – and it even has a wellbeing area.
Qantas and Airbus have unveiled the first look of the aircraft that is due to travel non-stop between Australia and London and New York.
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The world’s longest flight reveals first look at aircraft that will fly for 22 hoursCredit: QantasThe aircraft is due to travel non-stop between Australia and London and New YorkCredit: Instagram/QantasThe first flight is expected to take off in 2027Credit: Instagram/Qantas
Nicknamed Project Sunrise, it will be the longest flight available to date -lasting 22 hours – thanks to an additional 20,000 litre fuel tank.
The flight is expected to cut up to four hours off total travel time compared to today’s one-stop services.
Onboard the plane, the cabins have been developed with the help from aviation experts.
Sleep scientists have even helped to combat jetlag on the plane, through features including unique lighting and a timed meal service.
The cabin will also give passengers more space than usual.
There will be 238 seats, compared to over 300 seats usually found on other A350-1000 operators.
Also onboard the plane, there will be a Wellbeing Zone located between Premium Economy and Economy.
In the Wellbeing Zone, there will be stretch handles, guided on-screen exercise programmes, a hydration station and a range of refreshments.
For First Class, there will be six spacious suites that feature a flat bed and separate reclining arm chair.
Each suite will also have work and dining space for up to two people, a full-length wardrobe and other storage areas.
For entertainment, each suite will have a 32 inch touchscreen, with Bluetooth connection.
There will also be a Business Class, Economy Plus and Economy cabins.
Key features of an Economy seat include 13.1-inch screens, a six-way adjustable headrest, multi-use seatback table, two USB-C outlets and a shelf for personal devices.
And there will be free Wi-Fi across all cabins.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said: “Given Australia’s position in the world, Qantas has a long history of breaking aviation barriers.
“Project Sunrise will not only overcome the tyranny of distance, it will fundamentally change the way our customers travel the world.
Onboard the plane, there will be First Class, Business Class, Economy Plus and EconomyCredit: QantasFirst Class will feature suites with a flat bed and chair in eachCredit: Qantas
“These flights will cut up to four hours off the journey and transform how people experience ultra long-haul travel, through science backed design to minimise jetlag and maximise wellbeing.”
The first of 12 new aircraft will be delivered in late 2026, with the first commercial flight due to take off in the first half of 2027.
The initial flights launched will be from Sydney to London and New York.
The news follows Qantas’ announcement of new Economy Plus seats.
The airline’s new Economy Plus cabin features extra legroom for passengers.
The new cabin will launch in February 2026 on the Airbus A321XLR, A220 and Boeing 737 aircraft.
US airlines are experiencing severe delays and cancellations after the Trump administration ordered flight reductions at major airports across the country.
The order was made due to a shortage of air traffic controllers during the longest government shutdown in history.
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America is facing thousands of flight delays and cancellations due to a government shutdownCredit: Alamy
As a result, there are expected to be thousands of flight delays and cancellations at short notice.
Airlines have estimated that around 3.2million travellers will be impacted due to the government shutdown.
What has happened?
On Wednesday, the US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy ordered 10 per cent of flights to be cut, starting today, at 40 major US airports including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.
Yesterday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revised this plan and said that airlines must cut four per cent of domestic flights starting at 6am today through to Monday.
This will then rise to a 10 per cent cut by November 14.
It comes after the US government shut down on October 1 after the Republicans and Democrats could not agree to pass a bill on funding government services.
Air traffic controllers are employed by the FAA, which is part of the US government and as a result is one of the services impacted, with controllers expected to work without pay.
For American Airlines, this means 220 flights cancelled each day from today through to Monday.
Delta Air Lines announced that it would be cancelling 170 US flights due to fly today.
United Airlines then confirmed that it would have less than 200 daily flight cancellations.
During the government shutdown, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners have been forced to work without pay.
Before the shutdown, the FAA was already approximately 3,500 air traffic controllers short.
So what does this mean for British travellers?
The delays and cancellations aren’t impacting international flights, meaning for Brits travelling from the UK to America or vice-versa, they will not be impacted.
However there will be issues for Brits catching flights within America, including connecting flights.
For example, you could be on holiday in New York and decide to go to Boston – well, in this case your flight might be delayed or cancelled.
In addition, due to internal flights being delayed or cancelled, there may be reduced or congested service when flights land in America.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has warned: “There could be travel disruptions, including flight delays and longer queue times at some airports, due to the current US federal government shutdown.
Though international flights are not impacted, Brits could still face delays or cancalletionsCredit: AFP
“Check for messaging from your travel provider or airline and follow their guidance.
“There may also be restrictions on access to some federally-managed tourist attractions.
“Please check the relevant websites in advance.”
What should you do if you are in America and due to get an internal flight?
The Sun’s Head of Travel, Lisa Minot said: “Scenes of travel chaos as the US government shutdown enters its 38th day are always going to be a concern to travellers.
“While most flights to the United States with our traditional carriers are running ok at the moment, British passengers who have connecting flights in the States are right to worry they could be impacted.
“If the longest shutdown in US history continues, Brits should brace themselves for delays and longer queue times at airports across the country.
“But your passenger rights are very different depending on where you are flying to or from – and on which airline.
Internal flights are impacted, meaning Brits travelling within America could have their flight delayed or cancelledCredit: Alamy
“If a flight from the UK to the US is delayed or cancelled, passengers should be flown to their destination as quickly as possible.
“If the delays are significant, your airline has a duty of care and should be providing you with food and drink and if necessary, overnight accommodation.
“If you are flying back to the UK on a British or European airline, the same rights apply.
“But, take a note of exactly WHO you are flying with.
“Some tickets bought from the likes of British Airways may be code-sharing flights with their partner American Airlines, the same applies for those who have bought Virgin Atlantic flights if the plane they are travelling on is owned by Delta, their code-share partner.
“If you are flying on an American or Delta plane and there are significant delays or cancellations, the same passenger rights do NOT apply.
“The best advice is to check exactly who you are flying with and make sure you check with your airline regularly in the run up to your flight.”
THE UK regional airline Eastern Airways has officially gone into administration.
Last week, the regional airline made 330 staff redundant after the airline filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator on October 27.
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Eastern Airways has entered administration after 28 yearsCredit: Getty
Having launched in 1997, Eastern Airways was one of the UK’s remaining regional airlines, with services across England and Scotland and in the past, even offered flights to Europe.
Jamie Miller, partner at RSM UK and joint administrator, said: “It is extremely sad that such a long established and historically successful independent airline, one of the few remaining in the UK, has had to enter administration.
“The unexpected and sudden termination of Eastern’s KLM contract, along with other economic factors, unfortunately left the directors with no choice but to appoint administrators.”
RSM explained that Eastern Airways was operating four aircraft for KLM Cityhopper in Europe.
However, when the contract was terminated it meant that Eastern experienced “high fixed overheads and a staff base that has ultimately proved too high to be sustainable”.
Miller added: “At its peak, Eastern was an award-winning airline providing 200 flights per day.
“Its passengers included Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal Family, as well as Prime Ministers, Premier League Football Clubs and Formula 1 Teams and management.
“They also provided valuable services on public service obligation (PSO) routes and supported energy critical services to the oil and gas sector.”
Regional routes across the UK included Wick and Aberdeen in Scotland, and then Humberside, Teesside International, London Gatwick and Newquay.
But the airline also used to fly to Gibraltar and Paris Orly in France.
Miller said: “We would welcome any interest from potential alternative operators, or those who may have an interest in the underlying assets.”
For the 12 months to March 2024, Eastern Airways reported a net loss of £19.7million, which was £4.8million higher than 2023.
This meant that the company’s total debt rose to £25.97million.
At the time of the announcement, Selina Chadha, consumer & markets director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Eastern Airways flights are cancelled.
“Eastern Airways customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website for the latest information.”
What to do if youwere due to fly with Eastern Airways
LISA Minot, Head of Travel at The Sun, shares her advice…
Passengers stranded by the collapse of Eastern Airways have several options depending on their circumstances.
If you still need to fly, you’ll need to find – and pay – for an alternative flight with another airline.
Many airlines offer rescue fares when competitors go bust, offering lower prices for those who can prove they were due to fly with the airline that has failed.
Or if you can get the train, London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), ScotRail, TransPennine Express (TPE), and Northern Railway are offering free Standard Class travel to Eastern Airways staff and customers on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 October, on suitable routes operated by each train company.
For those without scheduled airline failure insurance, you will sadly be left out of pocket.
If you are due to fly with Eastern Airways in the coming days, weeks or months, you should put a claim in straight away with your debit or credit card provider.
They should refund you without fuss.
For those who are due to fly with Eastern Airways as part of a package holiday they have bought from a travel agent or tour operator, your package holiday provider is obliged to find an alternative way for you to reach your destination or offer you a full refund.
The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has the latest information on its website, caa.co.uk
In other air travel news, a major airline with bunk beds onboard reveals plans to relaunch UK flights for the first time in five years.
MORE than 800 flights across the US have already been canceled as millions of travelers brace for even more chaos.
Airlines have frantically cut routes after federal officials ordered 40 major airports to slash capacity.
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Travelers in Houston have encountered long lines and delaysCredit: GettyLong lines built up at security checkpoints in San Francisco airportCredit: AP
It comes as US vice president JD Vance warned the country faces an “aviation emergency.”
“The shutdown has now passed from farce into tragedy, and the consequences of this national emergency fall on every senator and congressman who refuses to open the government,” he railed.
The total number of canceled flights now stands at more than 800, according to FlightAware.
Dozens of flights originating out of Chicago airport, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, Denver and Fort-Worth have been axed.
Forty flights departing Chicago have been axed, and 38 from Atlanta.
Southwest has canceled more than 120 flights, which is 3% of its total, while United has cut 2%.
At least 20 flights heading out of Los Angeles, Newark, and San Francisco have also been culled.
More than 1,200 flights are experiencing some form of delays.
Five percent of flights leaving JFK airport and Chicago are delayed.
Passengers arriving into Newark were met with three hour delays on Thursday night.
One airport worker told The New York Post the situation on Friday will be a nightmare.
“Tomorrow, the FAA will just shut down. Get out while you can,” they warned.
Federal officials have warned how the current shutdown is unprecedented.
“I’m not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures,” Bryan Bedford, the FAA administrator, said.
“Then again, we’re in new territory in terms of government shutdowns.
The current shutdown is the longest in US political history.
It surpassed the 2018-19 federal government closure, which Donald Trump also presided over, in terms of length.
FAA officials ordered a slew of airports to reduce capacity.
This is part of a bid to keep the skies safe while there is a shortage of air traffic control workers.
List of airports ordered to cut capacity
THE airports that fall under the FAA’s order
Anchorage International
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Boston Logan International
Baltimore/Washington International
Charlotte Douglas International
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International
Dallas Love
Ronald Reagan Washington National
Denver International
Dallas/Fort Worth International
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Newark Liberty International
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International
Honolulu International
Houston Hobby
Washington Dulles International
George Bush Houston Intercontinental
Indianapolis International
New York John F Kennedy International
Las Vegas Harry Reid International
Los Angeles International
New York LaGuardia
Orlando International
Chicago Midway
Memphis International
Miami International
Minneapolis/St Paul International
Oakland International
Ontario International
Chicago O’Hare International
Portland International
Philadelphia International
Phoenix Sky Harbor International
San Diego International
Louisville International
Seattle/Tacoma International
San Francisco International
Salt Lake City International
Teterboro
Tampa International
Air traffic controllers have gone without a full months pay because of the shutdown.
Airports on the FAA’s list include major hubs such as Los Angeles International, Orlando, New York’s JFK airport, and Miami.
San Francisco and Oakland airports are also on the list of hubs ordered to cut capacity by 10%.
Earlier this week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Americans that air travel would need to be reduced to prevent any casualties.
“We will restrict the airspace when we feel it’s not safe, if we don’t have enough controllers to effectively and safely manage our skies,” he said.
Airlines have responded to the FAA’s order.
Scott Kirby, the CEO of United, revealed schedules will be updated on a rolling basis.
The airline’s international flights are not impacted by the restrictions.
He revealed travelers can apply for a refund even if their flight isn’t delayed or canceled.
He expects the carrier to still offer around 4,000 flights a day despite the restrictions.
Southwest Airlines has said it will rebook impacted customers.
And, American will liaise with travelers about new flights if they are impacted.
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, lawmakers are working to end the shutdown.
Senate Democrats have voted 14 times not to reopen the government.
But, Senate Republicans want to bring forward new funding bills that will see the government reopen.
One bill top GOP lawmaker John Thune is proposing would see programs funded until December or January.
Travelers waiting in long lines at Seattle airport in WashingtonCredit: APTravelers wait for information at Boston-Logan airport in MassachusettsCredit: Shutterstock EditorialPassengers sitting on the floor at Newark airport as they wait for updates on their flightCredit: Getty
BRITISH Airways passengers will soon be able to stay connected mid-flight without having to pay a penny.
The airline has confirmed that they will be rolling out Starlink WiFi on all of their planes next year.
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All passengers will soon be able to use free Starlink WiFi on BA flightsCredit: AlamyStarlink is owned by Elon MuskCredit: Alamy
Not only will it be available in all cabins, but it will be completely free for all passengers.
The high speed network means passengers will be able to stream video onboard without any lag.
This also includes over remote regions and oceans, a common area where WiFi can often cut out.
BA boss Sean Doyle, British Airways said “Launching Starlink on both our long-haul and short-haul aircraft is game-changing for us and our customers, elevating their experience on board our flights by offering them seamless connectivity from gate-to-gate.
Another 15 airport lounges are being upgraded, with 17 new short-haul aircrafts being introduced.
British Airways is also rolling out a new First Class Suite, with its biggest bed yet as well as 32inch screens.
A new app is also being rolled out next year.
Mr Doyle said at the time the app would be similar to an Amazon when it comes to easily being able to book flights.
He explained: “The website’s been around for 22 years. We were leaders in it many years ago and we’d improved it down through the years.
“But we’ve been falling behind and we need to catch up and leapfrog the rest.”
Other inflight upgrades include larger overhead lockers – where suitcases lie on their side rather than flat – and upgraded seats made from Scottish leather.
But British Airways isn’t the first airline to roll out Starlink onboard.
Back in March, United Airlines confirmed that they would be adding the free WiFi service to more than 40 aircraft.
And Qatar Airways confirmed that all passengers will be able to use free Starlink onboard – even FaceTiming a flight attendant to show how fast it will be
BA is currently undergoing as £7billion expansionCredit: Getty
A MAJOR airline has revealed plans to restart UK flights – and you might just get the best sleep onboard.
Air New Zealand last had flights between the UK and New Zealand back in 2020.
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Air New Zealand has said they want to relaunch flights between London and New ZealandCredit: Getty
However the route – which went via Los Angeles – was axed during Covid.
The London-Auckland route first launched in 1982, and was the first commercial airline to welcome a royal when the Queen broke with tradition in 1995 to travel onboard.
And now the airline’s new CEO has revealed future plans to start up again, alongside a number of routes in India.
Nikhil Ravishankar told local outlet Stuff: “Places we would go tomorrow if we could, and we want to get there as quickly as we can, would be London [and India] – those are places that we know New Zealanders are interested in being connected to.
“I think all three of those are equally important for us, but India and London are top of the list.
“There are a lot of reasons why New Zealand should be connected to the United Kingdom – it’s a very, very important, almost a cultural highway for us, and so we need to get that route up and running.”
It isn’t clear when this could restart, or where the airline will connect via.
Due to the long nature of the flight – often taking around 24 hours – connections are often in destinations such as Singapore or Hong Kong.
If it does restart, its good news for passengers as Air New Zealand is the only airline in the world set to have bunk beds onboard.
Launching in early 2026, the Skynest will include six bunk bed sleep pods that both economy and premium economy passengers will be able to book.
Each bed can be booked for a four hour slot, and will have new pillows, sheets and blankets per passengers, as well as earplugs, charging points and a personal light.
A curtain will be able to be closed to offer some extra privacy.
They were initially set to launch in 2024 on flights from New York to New Zealand but have since been delayed.
While prices are yet to be confirmed, it was previously suggested that the four hour sessions could be between NZ$400-$600 (£173-£260).
However, you can only book one slot per flight – so make the most of the four hours.
Air New Zealand is launching bunk beds onboard next yearCredit: Air New ZealandIt also currently has the Skycouch which lets you turn economy seat into a bedCredit: Air New Zealand
Otherwise there is also the Skycouch, where you can turn a row of three sets into a lie flat bed.
Rather than pay for three seats, passengers can buy two seats and then upgrade to the Skycouch, with then includes the third seat.
Passengers don’t need to buy three seats – instead, you pay for two seats and then upgrade to the Skycouch which automatically includes the third seat.
Prices start from £104 each way.
In the mean time, Brits can fly to New Zealand with other airlines such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific.
Flights include stopovers in Dubai, Singapore, Doha and Hong Kong, respectively.
A TEENAGE boy was banned from boarding his flight because of a sticker on his passport.
Thirteen-year-old Alix Dawson was due to fly to Thailand with his family last month for two weeks.
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A teenage boy was banned from his flight because of his passportCredit: Kennedy NewsA luggage sticker mark meant the airline didn’t accept the passportCredit: Kennedy News
However, after arriving at Edinburgh Airport, his mum Meghan Law was told that he wouldn’t be allowed to board the flight with his passport at the check in desk.
Meghan, who lives in Aberdeen said: “We got to the airport and were checking in my bags when the [check-in staff member] looked at my passport then just walked away from the desk. She didn’t say anything.
“We were standing there for 20 minutes before I asked what’s going on. She came back and said that my passport was damaged.
“I said I’ve used this umpteen times. No one’s ever mentioned any damage on it before.
“There were no rips or stains, I don’t know what she was trying to imply. I was really shocked.
“What they were trying to say was that the luggage check-in stickers that had been stuck on one of the pages [and] had damaged the page. But it wasn’t even on the photo page.
“There were no rips, it was just where the sticker marks had been. They said we couldn’t travel with it.
“I knew there were no issues with their passports. We’d probably travelled over a dozen times with them.”
She was then told that they would need to go to Glasgow Airport to get a new emergency passport.
Fearing for their £3,000 holiday, she contacted TUI, who they booked the trip with.
After sending photos of the reported ‘damage’, Meghan said the tour operator found no issues with the passport and put them on the next available flight to Thailand which was with Emirates rather than Qatar Airways.
The family were able to head on holiday with no further obstacles, albeit the next day, from a different airport.
Meghan said: “If I hadn’t booked through TUI and booked it myself, we just wouldn’t have been able to go on holiday.
“One way from Glasgow on the same day of travel would’ve been £2,800.
The family had to fly from Glasgow instead of Edinburgh, with TUI getting them on the next flightCredit: Kennedy NewsMum Meghan has slammed the rules as she said they have never had problems flying with it beforeCredit: Kennedy News
“We used it six times over the two-week holiday and no one said anything which confirms there were no issues with the passports.”
She said that it “ruined the start of the trip” for being so stressful and is calling for compensation.
Other passengers have been banned from their flights due to them being too damaged.
Passengers will have to download the Ryanair app to get the mobile boarding passes instead.
This will be required for all countries, excluding Morocco where a printed boarding pass will need to be given at the check in desk.
Initially hoped to be rolled out back in May, it was delayed to November 3, before being confirmed for November 12.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary previously said: “Our goal is to eliminate check-in desks at the airport, just like we’ve done with luggage counters.
“It also means, once we get everybody onto the app, nobody will ever again pay for a boarding pass at an airport – the airport check in fee will be gone.
“So, I think it will be a smoother, easier journey for everybody.”
The airline has reassured passengers that if they lose their phone or the battery dies, Ryanair staff can still print out a pass at the airport gate.
Of course, Ryanair still has a number of other strict fees that catch passengers out.
Changing the name of the passenger can cost up to £160, while a missed flight fee is £100.
The airline recently increased the size of their free personal bag that passengers can take onboard, by 5cm.
But you could have to pay up to £45 if it breaks the size rules and you have to check it in.
This is if it is 10kg – anything over this can be a £60 fee.
