Planes

A man was travelling home when he was offered a first class upgrade – but in a remarkable act of kindness, he gave it to a stranger sitting next to him, sparking a friendship that has lasted more than 20 years

A man has won hearts after explaining why he handed over a complimentary first-class upgrade to a complete stranger.

He recounted how he was heading back to Florida from Costa Rica after spending several weeks working overseas. Utterly shattered, he asked his company to book an aisle seat so he could stretch out his legs during the flight. But when he boarded, he found a “rather large woman” sitting in his allocated seat. He explained on Reddit: “As I checked my ticket, she explained she had sprained her ankle and would I mind sitting in the middle seat, as she was having trouble getting in and out of the seats.

“I looked at her and realised that she and I were probably the same age. I don’t normally like middle seats, but she needed the aisle seat more than I and so I said ‘sure’.”

The pair struck up a conversation and began learning about one another’s lives when, half an hour into the flight, a flight attendant approached him with a complimentary upgrade offer.

He revealed: “I thought about it for a moment and said to my seatmate, ‘Why don’t you go ahead and go up. you can use that seat more than I can’. She looked surprised and shed a tear before accepting.

“The flight attendant took her up, and then came back (with a drink) and said: ‘We’re not supposed to do that, but thank you for helping her’.

“Anyway, that was more than 20 years ago, and we still correspond from time to time. Sometimes, little acts make large impacts.”

One social media user responded: “That’s such a beautiful reminder that small kindnesses can mean the world to someone else.”

Another chimed in: “Exactly, you showed how little kindness can ripple into something much bigger, you showed love to the family that means a lot to them.

“This is the kind gesture the world need without anticipating anything in return.”

A third added: “That’s such a wholesome story. Funny how what feels small to us can mean the world to someone else. You never know the weight someone’s carrying when you decide to help. Makes me think those little choices on flights or in lines stick with people way longer than we realise.”

Yet another user shared: “Reading this hit me because I remember when I was a kid, strangers did the same so my mum could sit with me on flights.

“I never realised how huge that was until I got older. Honestly, it’s just a good reminder that kindness has a ripple effect. Now I try to do one small ‘inconvenience’ a week on purpose, kind of keeps me grounded.”

Travel chaos

It comes as a passenger sparked a debate after reclining their plane seat on a long-haul flight without first checking behind them.

Like many passengers on long journeys, they decided to get comfortable after the meal service had finished and prepared to recline their seat before trying to get some sleep.

However, what happened next was the last thing they expected. As they pushed their seat backwards, they suddenly heard somebody shouting: “Whoa, whoa, whoa!”

At first, they assumed the noise was coming from the TV show they were watching on their tablet and carried on as normal.

But moments later, a passenger sitting behind them tapped on their seat and delivered a stern warning.

British Airways flight BA919 was due to land at Heathrow Airport but before it could safely land it encountered an issue mid-air which has been reported as “the most serious ‘near miss’ in the UK in years”

A British Airways plane was “seconds from disaster” after a “serious incident” above London, it has been reported.

On Monday July 6, Flight BA919 from Dusseldorf was due to land at Heathrow Airport but before it could safely land it encountered an issue mid-air. Just before it was due to land the pilot reportedly faced a terrifying moment while the plane was above Canary Wharf.

Sources said the first officer’s error required a physical intervention by the captain as the Airbus A320 was on on route to land at Heathrow Airport.

It is said the jet suffered a stall and the captain had to step in to overide the first officer’s initial input to try and fix the problem.

Experts told The Sun the situation could have resulted in ‘hull loss’, where an aircraft is destroyed or seriously damaged. They added it was “The most serious ‘near miss’ in the UK in years”.

Following the incident the captain is now understood to be on “stress leave”.

The Air Accidents Investigation (AAIB) Branch are investigating the ‘serious incident’. AAIB is an independent agency and is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents in the UK and its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.

A spokesperson for British Airways said: “We’re assisting the AAIB with its investigation and are legally unable to comment further at this stage.”

A couple have shared the game-changing hack they used to guarantee they get a full row to themselves on a plane – but there’s one big catch that means it doesn’t always work

A savvy booking trick could see you snapping up an entire plane row for yourself. Let’s be honest – flying is rarely a comfortable experience, particularly when you’re wedged next to strangers for hours on end in a cramped seat with minimal legroom and precious little room to breathe.

However, if you’re travelling with a companion, there’s a nifty hack worth trying that could leave you both with the whole row to yourselves. One woman and her partner recently put the trick to the test on social media, and ended up with considerably more space than they’d ordinarily have had.

In a TikTok video, Lucy-Emma revealed that she and her partner had each booked the window seat and the aisle seat in the same row, deliberately leaving the middle seat vacant. They were banking on no one else claiming that middle spot, effectively bagging an extra seat without spending a penny extra – and it came off brilliantly.

She said: “We decided to do the thing where you book the aisle and the window seat and hope that no one sits here [in the middle seat]. Especially because I dislocated my toe this morning, and I want somewhere to put my feet up.”

Lucy-Emma later captured herself and her partner on film once all passengers had boarded, confirming that the middle seat remained unoccupied. This meant she could use it to rest her injured foot, while also taking advantage of the tray table to give herself extra room to watch her favourite show on her laptop.

Viewers of the video were left gobsmacked, with many having no idea that booking two seats and leaving the middle one empty was even an option. Others, however, admitted they were petty enough to deliberately book the middle seat just to scupper couples attempting to use this trick to their advantage.

One person said: “I didn’t know you could do this!”

Another added: “Wow, so lucky!”

But one argued: “And I’m the a**hole who sits in the middle seat and refuses an offer to swap seats. S*** goes both ways.”

A fourth also shared: “I’m that person who purposely books the middle seat just to miff people off.”

Numerous other commenters were quick to flag that this method is far from foolproof. Certain airlines may not permit you to leave the middle seat vacant, while on fully booked flights, the seat could simply be assigned to another passenger.

One person pointed out: “Doesn’t this only work if the flight isn’t full? If the flight is full, the booking system will automatically put someone there who hasn’t booked a seat.”

As such, this isn’t a reliable method of securing extra space on board, as you could find yourself with a complete stranger wedged between you and your travel companion – and they may well refuse to budge so the pair of you can sit together.

If you’re looking to guarantee more room on a flight, the only surefire solution is to book the middle seat yourself, which some airlines may offer at a reduced rate compared to your actual seat.

Need to know

Ryanair is targeting passengers who use large rucksacks or wheelie bags that exceed their free under-seat allowance. If you do not purchase ‘Priority Boarding’, your bag must fit under the seat in front of you (max 40x 30 x 20 cm)

All you need to know about Ryanair’s £79.99 hand luggage charge update

1. The £79.99 hand luggage charge, which has been causing a stir online, is a new baggage enforcement crackdown by Ryanair directly colliding with landmark new EU flight rules that aim to ban carry-on fees entirely.
2. Ryanair is targeting passengers who use large rucksacks or wheelie bags that exceed their free under-seat allowance. If you do not purchase ‘Priority Boarding’, your bag must fit under the seat in front of you (max 40 x 30 x20 cm). If it does not fit in the sizing gate, you will face an airport gate bag fee.
3. While standard pre-booked cabin bags cost between £6 and £36, being caught at the gate triggers a post-booking penalty that can reach up to £75 to £80.99 to put the bag in the aircraft hold.
4. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has doubled down on checking oversized bags. Ground handling crew bonuses for finding non-compliant bags are increasing, and the monthly bonus cap has been entirely removed to catch passengers “scamming the system”.
5. This enforcement push comes right as the European Parliament passed an air passenger rights update. New EU legislation will make it mandatory to include one overhead cabin bag and one personal item in the basic advertised airfare, eliminating hidden luggage fees. Airlines, search portals, and travel agents must display the full ticket price inclusive of hand luggage from the very beginning of the booking process.
6. O’Leary has furiously criticised the European Union‘s move. O’Leary claims the EU has “miss-sold” the regulations and that bundling overhead bags will make European airlines look less competitive globally. Ryanair warns that banning separate cabin bag fees will simply force base ticket prices up across the board, making travel more expensive for people who prefer to fly light.
7. The current cabin bag rules and gate fees remain fully in force. The new EU rules are a confirmed proposal expected to transition into law next year. Until the official transition period concludes, you will still be charged at the gate if your luggage exceeds the strict sizer dimensions.

READ MORE: Ryanair CEO says airports shouldn’t serve booze until 12pm to stop ‘misbehaviour’

RYANAIR boss has warned Brits not to be late for their flight as planes will takeoff without them.

The news comes after reports of hour-long delays at border control as a result of the introduction of the EU’s new Entry/Exit system (EES).

Talking on The Telegraph’s podcast, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said: “We will not wait for anybody.

“Our priority is to those passengers who are at the boarding gate when boarding starts. If you’re not at the boarding gate when we finish boarding, the plane is going without you.”

He further added that it is the responsibility of the traveller to leave enough time to get themselves through the airport on time.

It comes after reports of up to six-hour long queues at passport control and in some cases, passengers have missed flights as a result.

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At the beginning of June, 150 Ryanair passengers missed their flight from Toulouse to the UK due to the queues.

In another case, British passengers who were still in the airport queuing through passport control missed their Ryanair flight from Athens to London Luton.

One passenger told the BBC at the time that there had been a “mega queue” at Athens International Airport where hundreds of people were waiting at both security and passport control.

The plane took off without around 50 of its passengers.

However, Michael O’Leary said that planes cannot wait for anyone caught up in the chaos.

He added: “We’re not delaying our flights for people who are stuck in passport control queues.

“They have to show up at the airport earlier [and] be at the boarding gate, otherwise they’re not flying.”

Ryanair had previously called for EES to be delayed until September to save the summer holidays – but it has continued to go ahead.

With EES still in place, airlines are advising Brits to leave arrive three to four hours early for your flight to Europe this summer.

With the summer holidays set to be one of the busiest travel periods, everyone needs to be aware of the different rules when it comes to taking a nifty gadget on board flights

Before jetting off abroad this summer, it’s vital to understand the little-known gadget rule that varies by airline.

For most of us, packing a power bank for our holiday is top of the list, whether it’s to use at the airport or while exploring a new city. But there are strict rules for carrying the nifty gadget onboard.

Earlier this year, the International Civil Aviation Organisation amended its rules on passengers carrying power banks, along with lithium cells or batteries, onboard any aircraft. The changes came into effect on 27 March, limiting how travellers pack and use their power banks, with a cap on the number that can be taken on board.

The amended rules from the ICAO stated that power banks:

• Must be carried in carry‑on baggage
• Must be individually protected when not in use
• Must not be recharged on board the aircraft
• Should not be used to charge other portable electronic devices on board the aircraft
• Maximum of two power banks per person

There have been various reports of power banks causing hazardous issues onboard, with safety experts at the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) explaining that lithium batteries found in power banks can be dangerous on planes, primarily because they can enter “thermal runaway.” This is a process in which a battery experiences a rapid, uncontrollable temperature surge, potentially leading to fires, explosions, and the release of toxic fumes.

In accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation rules, most airlines allow passengers to carry two power banks per person on board. However, they cannot be used during the flight and must be taken on board in their hand luggage.

What airlines allow two power banks?

• Asiana Airlime
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• China Airlines
• easyJet
• EVA Air
• Jet2
• Lufthansa
• Korean Air
• Loganair
• Qantas
• Ryanair
• Singapore Airlines
• Starlux Airlines
• TUI Airways
• United
• Vietnam Airlines
• Wizz Air

While these airlines allow two power banks on board, they also outline their own additional rules, including the permitted watt-hours and the required device condition. So it’s vital to check your airline’s specific power bank rules before jetting off abroad.

What airlines only allow one power bank?

While most airlines allow travellers to take two power banks on board, Emirates restricts customers to just one power bank per person. They state that it must be under 100 watt-hours, carried in hand luggage, and cannot be used to charge devices on board.

The airline also outlines that the power bank should not be placed in the overhead lockers, but must be placed in the seat pocket or in a bag underneath the seat in front. For full details on Emirates’ power bank rules, visit their website.

What airlines allow more than two power banks?

Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic permits passengers to carry up to five power banks or spare batteries per person. However, it depends significantly on their watt-hour (Wh) rating.

They also need to be stored in hand luggage and cannot be used during the flight. For full details on Virgin Atlantic’s power bank restrictions, visit their website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Picking the right plane seat can make all the difference to your journey – and one flight attendant says there’s a simple strategy that could leave you with a much more comfortable flight

Whether it’s a weekend break or a long-haul holiday, most travellers spend at least a little time trying to pick the best seat on the plane that they can find. Now, one flight attendant has shared the plane seats she always recommends booking in economy – along with the ones she avoids at all costs if you want a more relaxing flight.

Air hostess Sandra Jennie Kwon, who posts as @jeenie.weenie on TikTok, explained how she worked out her ideal seat after years of working onboard aircraft. In the video, she says: “The first elimination should be a no-brainer – the middle seats suck.

The back row of every section doesn’t recline. I’m not a tall person, so I don’t need the emergency exit rows. There’s also nowhere to store your personal belongings there. They also have those flimsy tray tables and seats, so let’s scrap them.”

The travel expert then revealed why she prefers sitting towards the back of the plane, explaining that airlines typically fill seats from the front first to help with weight distribution.

Because of this, she believes passengers at the back are more likely to end up with an empty seat next to them.

“For those odds, I prefer the back,” she said. “Seats near a toilet really stink, so I recommend a five-row buffer just to stay in the safe zone.”

She also ruled out window seats for one simple reason.

“I hate asking people to move so I can use the toilet,” she explained. “So I eliminate all the window seats.”

However, she admitted there’s one advantage to sitting closer to the front.

“Meals are typically served from front to back, so you have a higher chance of getting your first meal choice.”

After weighing up the pros and cons, Sandra revealed her ideal economy seats are 49 C, D, F or G.

Her advice quickly sparked debate online.

One person joked: “No! Now everyone will rush to these seats and they’ll become more expensive than business class.”

Another wrote: “I was listening right up until you scrapped the window seat.”

A third added: “The amount of people that’ll be fighting for seats 49 C/D/F/G after watching this… omg.”

While someone else commented: “Me taking notes even though I probably won’t be on a plane for another year.”

If you’ve been on a plane, you would have noticed a certain passenger habit, and maybe you’re someone who does it. But a travel expert has revealed why it can do more harm than good

Regardless of the flight, be it long-haul or short-haul, I always see passengers make the same infuriating mistake – but it can be hazardous.

We all know the feeling; we’ve just landed, the seatbelt sign has been turned off, and we’re eager to disembark the plane and get through airport border control as soon as possible. Some travellers have the added pressure of trains and pre-booked taxis to catch, while others have family waiting for them in the arrival hall or vital flight connections to their final destination.

It’s understandable that passengers want to leave the plane as soon as possible, but this can result in a mass of people crowded together in the narrow aisles. Time after time, I see travellers scrambling around the cabin, getting out of their seats, grabbing their suitcases from the overhead lockers and standing in the plane aisle -before the plane doors have even opened.

It can take up to 20 minutes, sometimes more, for travellers to start leaving the plane, depending on the location, aircraft, and overall process, and during that time, it can get progressively congested. Instead of remaining in their seats with ample space, passengers are shoulder to shoulder in the aisle, bags lodged between their knees and arms stretching above people’s heads, with the risk that at any moment, a personal item could be dropped on an unfortunate nearby traveller.

While there’s nothing stopping them from getting out of their seats when the plane is parked at the gate, and the captain has turned off the fasten seat belt sign, it can cause absolute mayhem. I understand if you’ve got places to be, but overcrowding the aisle and selfishly filling it with your suitcases won’t make departing the plane any quicker or easier, and it frustrates me every time.

Not only can it cause disorder in the aircraft, but it can also be more dangerous than just an annoying passenger habit. “Even when an aircraft has safely arrived at the gate, and the seatbelt signs have been switched off, standing up immediately can still create avoidable risks, “Gavin Lapidus, company director at eShores, exclusively told the Mirror.

The travel expert at the luxury tour operator explained: “While many travellers are eager to leave the aircraft as soon as it lands, standing up immediately rarely gets anyone off the plane faster. Instead, it increases the likelihood of trips, falls, bumps, and luggage-related injuries.

“Waiting until the row ahead begins moving allows passengers to disembark more safely and efficiently, while reducing risks for both fellow travellers and cabin crew.”

Gavin added: “From a crew perspective, passengers crowding the aisle before the doors are opened can make it more difficult to carry out essential post-landing procedures. Flight attendants need clear access throughout the cabin and must be able to respond quickly if an issue arises. A congested aisle can slow communications, impede movement, and create additional hazards.”

So once the queue to leave the plane starts moving, by all means, get out of your seat and prepare to grab your bag from the overhead lockers. But until then, be patient. Aimlessly waiting in the aisle before the doors open won’t speed up the process, especially when you still have to wait for the passengers in front to leave; it really isn’t worth it.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

AN airline has temporarily axed one of its routes until the end of August.

Skybus has announced there will be no services between Newquay and St Mary’s Airport on the Scilly Isles with existing customers being rerouted.

Passengers received the news yesterday of the cancellations with Skybus.

The airline explained the route has been suspended due to “a combination of a shortage of both aircraft and qualified pilots”.

Skybus continued to say: “We have explored every available option to maintain the Newquay service, but with a limited fleet and crew availability, we would be unable to operate the route reliably throughout the remainder of the summer.

“Our priority is to provide certainty for our passengers.

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“We want to assure passengers booked to travel between Newquay and St Mary’s, you will be transferred onto a Skybus flight departing from Land’s End Airport on the same date.”

They said that by “concentrating” available aircraft and crews on services from Land’s End they can “provide greater reliability and reduce the risk of further disruption during the peak travel period.”

Customers will be contacted soon with dates for alternative flights.

They will also be offered free parking at Land’s End Airport, a refund of any fare difference between their original and revised flights, and a voucher to spend at the airport café.

Skybus operates year-round to the Isles of Scilly, but only from Land’s End Airport – and flights take about 20 minutes.

Flights from Newquay and Exeter usually operate seasonally between late March to October.

The Exeter route will continue as normal.

A plane passenger thought paying extra would guarantee a stress-free flight – but moments after taking his seat, another traveller made a request that quickly turned the journey awkward

For many travellers, paying extra to choose a seat is worth every penny, especially if it means avoiding the dreaded middle seat or securing a window view for a long-haul flight. That’s exactly what one passenger thought he was doing when he paid an extra £150 to reserve a window seat on his flight to Brazil. But shortly after boarding, another traveller approached him with a request that left him in an awkward position.

Sharing his story on Reddit, he explained: “This stranger who was seated on the middle plane seats across from me with his child asked me if I could give up my window seat for his kid. I said, ‘Sorry, but no. I paid an extra 200 dollars for this seat’.” The man assumed that would be the end of the conversation, but says the father responded by glaring at him instead of accepting his answer. He added: “In my head I said, ‘Okay f*** you too!’ and went back listening to my music while looking out the window.”

However, just a few minutes later, the situation escalated when a flight attendant came over to speak to him.

He continued: “Not even five minutes later a flight attendant taps me on the shoulder asking me if I could give up my seat for his kid.

“I pulled out my ticket and the receipt I got when I paid extra for the window seat and told her, ‘No, I paid extra for window seat’.

“She said, ‘Okay, sorry to bother you sir’. I saw her walk back to him and say, ‘no’ for me.”

The passenger claims the father shot him another angry look, seemingly expecting the airline staff to persuade him to move.

Wanting to know whether he’d handled the situation correctly, he turned to Reddit to ask if he was in the wrong for refusing to swap.

Most users backed his decision, arguing that paying extra for a specific seat meant he was under no obligation to give it up.

One person said: “I used to fly for work every few weeks. It was pretty common for this to happen.

“I did the exact same thing. If I paid extra for a seat, I said no. If I was just changing seats so family could sit next to each other, and they were polite, I usually switched.”

They added: “Didn’t matter to me. Just the politeness. I was going to read most of the time anyway. If they were rude I just said no and stuck my head in a book.”

THE summer holidays are about to start with families getting ready to jet off on their well-deserved holidays.

When it comes to flying you might be surprised to know there are items that you strictly should not be wearing, or taking, on a flight.

Clothing

Comfy clothing is key when it comes to travelling – but some items of clothing that fall under this category are ones you shouldn’t wear

Leggings, for example, are a no go.

Christine Negroni, who released a book on the world’s most mysterious air disasters, shared with 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.

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

Anything that restricts blood flow is also not advisable – particularly for long journeys.

The vein specialist at Metro Vein Centers told the Huffington Post: “Wearing restrictive garments such as skinny jeans that are too tight reduces blood’s ability to flow into and out of the legs.”

This, combined with sitting for long periods of time, can cause blood to pool in the legs, which increasing the chances of thrombosis – a serious condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein of the leg.

To be safe, it’s advisable to wear non-restrictive clothing, like trousers, skirts, shorts or dresses that have an elastic waistband.

Any clothing with swear words or offensive slogans could see you asked to cover up before boarding too.

Holidaymakers who are flying to a hot destination are encouraged to dress “modestly”.

So no wearing a bikini or swim trunks before getting to your destination.

Shoes

For any fan of flip flops, these aren’t advisable to wear onboard a flight – again, for health and safety reasons.

Former cabin crew member Tony Kuna commented on Quora: “During an emergency, all sorts of debris and unpleasant ground surfaces will block your way towards the exit, as well as outside the aircraft.”

“If your feet [aren’t] properly covered, you’ll have a hard time making your way to safety.”

Sitting in the same category are high heels – as these won’t be easy to wear in an emergency.

For more on what to wear – here are the travel bags, plane outfits and accessories we love that start from 99p.

Bags

There’s fewer rules when it comes to bags – apart from make sure they comply with the measurements of the airline.

But to give yourself full comfort, it’s advisable to take a less rigid bag with you if it’s going under the seat.

Having a stiff bag, like a basket or weave one, will restrict your own legroom as it can’t be compressed.

Other items

It might be tempting to pop your contact lenses in before a flight to avoid the faff of glasses.

But the dry environment on a flight really isn’t suitable.

On the London Vision Clinic website, it explains: “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.”

Wearing contact lenses on flights can cause itchy, irritated eyes and can even result in “distorted vision”.

Of course, don’t forget to pack your power bank in your hand luggage rather than a checked in bag.

The lithium in portable chargers mean that they pose a risk of overheating and even catching fire.

As a result, there has been a ban on having power banks in hold luggage since 2016.

Airlines ask passengers to take portable power banks in hand luggage, but they strictly cannot be used during a flight.

It can be hard to get comfy on a flight, particularly if you’re stuck in the middle seat, but now an airline has introduced an innovative hack where passengers can bag more space

An airline is embracing a nifty way to provide economy passengers with extra elbow room on flights, without having to pay for a Business Class or First Class ticket.

We’ve all been there, self-consciously taking it in turns with the traveller next to us on the plane on who rests their elbow on the armrest, while the other awkwardly tries to get comfy. Not to mention the nuisance of being sat in the middle seat, which can feel somewhat cramped, particularly on those long-haul flights.

In a bid to make plane journeys more comfortable for customers, United Airlines is launching new economy plus seats with extra elbow room. Not only will passengers benefit from extra armroom, but they can also enjoy a shared table that is fixed across an open middle seat in this innovative design.

The airline confirmed that all 50 of its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft will include the ‘special row in Economy Plus’ where open middle seats are “repurposed as shared spaces with large custom tables”. The new seats will be available to book later this year, with flights departing shortly after.

United outlined that on each of its XLRs, one row will have a large, permanently fixed table that spans both armrests in the middle seats. It will have a “soft leather-like covering” and two cup holders, allowing passengers to fully enjoy the extra space from either a window or aisle seat, in addition to the extra three-inch legroom provided in Economy Plus on the XLR.

United is thought to be the only US airline that will offer these alternative seating arrangements, allowing passengers to benefit from the space without forking out for Business or First Class tickets. As a first for the airline, there’s hope that they could introduce these types of seats on more of its aircraft in the future.

The new seats come shortly after United announced plans to launch a dedicated row of three economy seats that transform into a “lie-flat mattress-like space”. They confirmed in March this year that the ‘United Relax Row’ would be individually adjustable, with leg rests that fold up to a 90-degree angle, so travellers can either stretch out or use them as a bed to catch a restful night’s sleep.

Passengers will be treated to a “custom-fitted mattress pad, specially sized blankets, extra pillows” as the seats adjust into a flat bed after takeoff. Meanwhile, children in the dedicated row will also receive a plush toy and a family travel kit as additional amenities.

Following the airline updates, United’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Nocella, commented: “We’re investing nose-to-tail across our fleet and giving customers choice and value in every cabin.

“The XLR is our newest aircraft and not only offers all-aisle access lie-flat seats in United Polaris but now also includes seats in Economy Plus with extra leg and elbow room. Our customers are going to love all these new options.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

An airport has revealed an easy trick for a shorter wait at airport security

Holidaymakers can cut down the time they spend waiting at airport security using a little-known trick. The travel hack was shared by Manchester Airport, and it could be perfect for families ahead of the busy summer holidays.

According to Manchester Airport, there’s an easy way to reduce your queue time if you’re allowed to choose which lane to wait in. Posting tips for passengers online, the travel hub shared an ‘Ultimate Airport Guide’ on its website. There are various tips, covering everything from the best shoes to wear and how to decorate suitcases for maximum visibility.

In the ‘at the airport’ section of the guide, there’s a hack that could help passengers fly through security using ‘reverse psychology.’ Manchester Airport said: “If given the choice of security lanes, pick the left. Most passengers are right handed and will subconsciously prefer the right, making the left a little quieter.”

The airport added that customers can also pay to upgrade to FastTrack for a faster experience. “For just a few pounds, you can purchase FastTrack tickets to use the priority lane and avoid the queues before Security on your way out and Passport Control on your way in.” Many airports offer a similar experience, allowing passengers to pay to use FastTrack.

Elsewhere, London Stansted Airport offers the same security advice for passengers. The airport retierates: “If given the choice of security lanes, pick the left.”

The tip could be especially helpful when many passengers are travelling at the same time, such as during the school summer holidays. However, it’s worth noting that passengers don’t always get to choose their lane.

Nonetheless, they can help speed up the process by avoiding accessories that are difficult to remove. This makes the process faster for everyone.

Offering advice online, London Stansted Airport said: “To prepare your outfit for security, wear shoes that you can take off and put on easily. Avoid fiddley belts or fastenings in your clothes and excess jewellery. Try and keep your pockets empty of non-essentials.”

Despite this, passengers might still want to pack a few layers for later in their journey. The airport recommends packing items such as jumpers, which are easy to take on and off when the temperature changes.

The travel advice said: “Temperatures aboard flights can vary so wearing a few removable layers is advised. An extra jumper can always be used as a pillow if nothing else.”

A plane passenger has sparked outrage after refusing to move from another traveller’s assigned seat – before hitting them with a blunt five-word response that left people stunned

A plane passenger has been slammed for stealing a stranger’s seat and – before defending her actions with a blunt five-word response. The traveller had specifically booked a window seat for the flight, but was stunned to find another passenger already sitting in it when they boarded.

Taking to Reddit, the passenger explained how they politely pointed out the mistake, only to be wrongly told they had the aisle seat instead. They said: “I booked a window seat (27A) on my flight. When I got there, two women were already sitting in my row. I politely told them I had 27A, and one of them goes, ‘No, this is 27C, the window seat. 27A is the aisle’.”

Unsure who was correct, the passenger briefly sat in the aisle seat before asking a flight attendant to confirm the seating plan.

They added: “I was a bit confused, so I double-checked after sitting down briefly in the aisle seat and asked a flight attendant. She confirmed that 27A was, in fact, the window seat.”

After returning to the row and politely explaining the mix-up, the passenger was met with an unexpected response.

They said: “Her response was, ‘For f***’s sake, what are you so desperate to sit by the window for?’

“I told her calmly that I’d paid for that seat.”

Rather than apologising or moving, the woman hit back with a five-word defence.

“She snaps back, ‘We all paid for it,’ and still refuses to move,” the passenger said.

Fortunately, the flight attendant had witnessed the exchange and quickly stepped in.

They recalled: “The flight attendant is right there witnessing everything and says, ‘It’s her seat. If she wants to sit there, she will’.

“Only then did the woman finally move, but the attitude the whole time was unbelievable. No apology, no basic respect – just pure entitlement.”

Frustrated by the encounter, the passenger added: “Honestly, I don’t get how people can act like that over something so straightforward. If it’s not your seat, just move. It’s not that deep.”

Commenting on the post, one user said: “I remember when they said people had to sit in their assigned seat so they could be identified in an accident.”

Another user added: “My preference is short flight give me window, long flight give me aisle. I have a small bladder. But if that all goes out the window if someone is in the seat I paid for.

“Ask to switch and maybe I’ll be willing to sit in my seat and refuse to move or expect me to switch? Nah I’m standing on business. Sit in the seat you paid for.”

A third user said: “I like the aisle and window but I would have definitely made her move with that disposition!”

One more user added: “It’s rude and it is not allowed. You sit in the correct seat period. They just wanted to take your seat. That’s where the flight attendants come in and say move it.”

A man claims an airline tried to pressure him into giving up his business class seat so a parent could sit with their child – but he refused to play along and the youngster ended up sitting alone

A man has sparked a debate after refusing to give up his business class plane seat so a child could sit next to their parent. He explained how he had specifically booked his seat in advance to ensure he was as comfortable as possible during the flight.

But after a flight attendant noticed a child sitting alone in economy while their parent was in business class, they reportedly made it their mission to reunite the pair. Taking to Reddit, he said: “I was asked to move from a row of two so a parent and child could sit together, and I don’t feel guilty for declining, no matter how much the flight attendant and the parent tried to guilt me.

“I wasn’t going to take a downgrade to economy. But even if I was asked to change to a seat in the same class, I would refuse. When I have to fly, I choose the seat that I want. Or, in rare cases when there are no assigned seats, I choose the best seat that’s available.”

He argued that parents should pay the extra cost to ensure they are seated with their children, rather than relying on strangers to swap seats at the last minute.

He added: “I’m not moving just because someone else is a parent. If someone is travelling with a small child, they need to plan better.”

The man also criticised the airline’s handling of the situation, claiming staff tried to pressure him into giving up his seat without offering any compensation.

He said: “While I did complain to the airline about 1) being asked to downgrade to economy without a refund or any compensation – I still wouldn’t have moved, but being told I should help without getting a refund was upsetting – and 2) being guilted by the flight attendants because I refused, I don’t expect a response.

“In Canada, the airline is legally required to give a refund if you are downgraded, so being told I wouldn’t be compensated at all if I changed seats was wrong.

“I don’t know what ended up happening, but the seat next to me was empty during the flight and I got to sit alone.

“Just because I’m not a parent doesn’t mean I should have to move. I don’t care if not moving makes me a bad person.”

Commenting on the post, one user said: “I’m surprised you weren’t offered booze by the flight attendant.”

Another added: “Why didn’t they ask the person next to the child to upgrade so the parent could move to economy instead?”

A third wrote: “So the parent booked business class for themselves and economy for the child, hoping they could guilt someone into upgrading the child for free at their own expense. You did the right thing.”

A mum who flew her two children to Barcelona on holiday has claimed her family were made to endure the flight from hell – but people have sided with other passengers

We all hope we win the lottery when it comes to scoring a peaceful plane journey, but some of us aren’t that lucky.

Travelling by plane in the early hours of the morning is never anyone’s idea of fun, especially when you know you have several hours of travel ahead of you in a cramped seat. That’s before you’ve even considered the possibility of external factors making your flight even more miserable – such as being lumped with a middle seat, having babies on board that won’t stop crying, or sitting next to someone who insists on not using headphones while scrolling social media videos.

But one mum who recently took her two children to Barcelona on holiday has claimed that her flight from hell wasn’t caused by one inconsiderate passenger, as multiple passengers did something she could have never anticipated.

Megan Fitzpatrick shared a video on TikTok which showed her sitting on a Ryanair flight to Barcelona, where the passengers behind her, who were not on camera, could be heard blasting loud music and singing along.

In her caption, she claimed that this took place at 5:40 am, had been going on for three hours already, and was happening while her children were trying to sleep. Megan did not indicate whether the flight attendants had tried to get the passengers to stop their disruptive antics, as the 11-second clip featured only the singing.

But commenters on the post were largely on the side of the other passengers. Some pointed out that it was “Off Week” in Barcelona when Megan was travelling, which is an annual celebration of electronic music that attracts ravers and music fans from across the globe, and blamed the mum for not doing her research before flying.

One person said: “You’ve travelled to Barcelona during Off Week, what did you expect?” Another added: “Can’t believe people book family holidays to Barca when Off Week is on.”

A third wrote: “Well, maybe if you do research before your holibobs, you would’ve known that it’s Off Week in Barca.”

Others also tried to insinuate that it was “karma” for the mum and her kids, saying her frustration is how other people feel when children “scream” during flights.

Someone commented: “This is how we feel when your kids are screaming the whole flight.”

But many people responded to that commenter, claiming their words were unfair, saying one child being disregulated on a flight is “often a lot less annoying than this behaviour”.

Megan later uploaded a response video in which she said she wasn’t actually as upset about the party-goers as commenters seemed to assume. She was just tired, and while she did find the singing and the music “a bit inconsiderate”, she was mostly just shocked to learn that you’re allowed to make so much noise on a plane.

She explained: “It’s not that deep. It was a wee daft video of me saying that was where I was at with the travel. Like, a f*** my life moment. Noisy plane, five in the morning, kids tired, that’s all I was doing. I wasn’t at all saying ‘How f****** dare they be so noisy?’, that’s not what I was saying at all.

“I didn’t realise that you were allowed to blare speakers on a plane. I didn’t realise that. I’ve seen people be told to turn music off on a train, so that’s what I meant by I was surprised.”

The mum also said that she believes that if she went on a plane and started blaring metal music, people likely wouldn’t be so quick to defend her, so she does believe that no matter what genre of music it is, it is “inconsiderate” to blare it out of speakers on a plane when not everyone on the flight is going to the festival.

Can you play music through a speaker on a plane?

While it is generally considered polite to use headphones to listen to music while on any form of public transport, there is no law or rule that says you have to.

According to Muzen Audio, speakers can be used on planes except during takeoff and landing, when all electronic devices must be turned off or switched to airplane mode. The website does state you should always consider the feelings of others around you by asking for permission before you start playing your music out loud.

For Megan’s specific flight, the Ryanair terms and conditions do not state that headphones or earphones must be used to listen to music or videos, but they do state that if you behave in a way that could “anger, upset, offend, intimidate, frighten or injure any passenger or crew member”, then they can take measures to deal with the situation, including removing you from the flight.

Ryanair has been contacted for comment.

Travellers can save money on the popular onboard drink if they place their order at the right time

Jet2 says passengers can save money onboard of they order their drinks early. Customers often love to make the most of the onboard refreshments when they’re jetting off on holiday.

The airline enables passengers to pre-order their in-flight meals, which typically include a hot dish, snacks, and a drink (Costa Coffee, Yorkshire Tea, hot chocolate or water). For those who enjoy a celebratory tipple, Jet2 also serves a selection of alcoholic drinks. According to the website, customers who order ahead could save money on one of the most popular alcoholic drinks.

Jet2 said: “To make your holiday extra special, you can pre-order champagne to enjoy on board. Plus, when you pre-order, you’ll save £5 on the onboard price!” Many passengers bring their own food and drink on board to save money, packing snacks such as sandwiches, salads, wraps, and pasta dishes.

However, there are some restrictions that people should be aware of. For instance, customers can’t bring hot food or drink onto planes for safety reasons, and they cannot bring their own alcohol onboard to drink during the flight. This means passengers cannot drink any duty-free alcohol onboard their flight.

Jet2’s website explains: “No, you can’t bring your own alcohol onboard to drink while on the plane. Only alcoholic drinks bought onboard can be consumed during your flight. And we reserve the right to serve alcoholic drinks at our absolute discretion.”

The airline’s current menu includes spirits, cocktails, wines, and beers, including Grey Goose Vodka, Aperol Spritz, and Heineken. There’s also a range of soft drinks, including Harrogate Spring Water and Robinsons Fruit Shoot.

Remember to drink responsibly (18+) and be Drinkaware. For advice and support on alcohol, visit the Drinkaware website here. Drinkaware warns that the risk of developing a range of health problems, including cancers of the mouth, throat and breast, increases the more you drink regularly.

To keep health risks from alcohol low, you should drink no more than 14 units a week, ensure you have several drink-free days, and avoid binge drinking. The NHS website offers information about alcohol support.

Passengers should be aware that being drunk on a plane is a criminal offence.

Gov.uk explains: “It is an offence under the Air Navigation Order to be drunk on an aircraft and airlines have the authority to prevent passengers they believe are intoxicated from boarding aircraft.”

The airport confirmed that it was notified of a bomb threat on a plane and it has been evacuated as emergency services are carrying out investigations

An Australian airport has been evacuated due to a ‘bomb threat’ on board an arriving plane.

Dubbo Airport, in New South Wales, 400km from Sydney, was evacuated on Monday morning (June 29) due to the threat.

All passengers on board the plane have safely disembarked.

Emergency services are carrying out investigations into the threat.

A council statement said: “Dubbo Regional Council was notified of a bomb threat on a plane destined for Dubbo this morning.

“The plane has landed safely and all 74 passengers and crew have disembarked. Further investigations are underway by relevant emergency services.

“The Dubbo Regional Airport terminal has been evacuated and is currently closed.