planes

Ryanair is among those to have cancelled and rerouted flights amid the conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as continued attacks in Gaza

Ryanair has had to cancel over 800 flights in the last month and reroute planes due to the tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as the continued unrest in Gaza, reports the Express.

Despite this, Ryanair announced on Wednesday that it still managed to operate more than 109,000 flights in total in June, suggesting that less than 1% of flights were impacted.

The Ireland-based firm reported that it transported 19.9 million passengers over the month, marking a 3% increase compared to the same month the previous year. This means that it has carried a total of 202.6 million passengers over the past 12 months, a rise of 7% year-on-year.

It’s not the only airline to have seen an increase in passenger numbers. Fellow budget carrier Wizz Air stated that it carried 5.88 million passengers in June, a 10.8% increase compared to the same month last year. As a result, its seat capacity was 10.4% higher year-on-year. Wizz Air has carried approximately 65 million passengers over the past 12 months, marking a 4.7% increase year-on-year.

The ongoing tensions in the Middle East saw operations halted at Dubai airport last week, with passengers being warned to anticipate further delays and cancellations. Emirates, which operates a number of flights from the UAE airport, subsequently cancelled all flights to and from Tehran, up to and including July 5, 2025.

In a statement in its travel updates, the airline warned: “Customers connecting through Dubai with final destinations in Iran will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.”

The company added that it would plan to resume operations to Baghdad from July 1, and Basra from July 2.

Tensions in the Middle East have continued to cause disruption across air travel. Back in April, easyJet made the decision to pause all flights to and from Tel Aviv. The decision is still in place as the carrier continues “closely monitor the situation”, with passengers who have existing bookings being asked to get in touch with the airline up to a week in advance.

A statement on the airline’s travel updates, which was first shared in April, explains: “Due to the current situation in Israel, we have made the decision to pause our operations to and from Tel Aviv.

“Customers currently in Tel Aviv wishing to discuss their travel options can contact our Customer Services team on our dedicated line on +44 (0) 330 5515147.

“Customers with existing bookings, who are due to travel next week, will be contacted directly via email and SMS using the details provided at the time of booking and check in.

“If you made your booking through a travel agent, please contact your travel agency for help with your full travel plans.

“We are continuing to closely monitor the situation. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is always our highest priority.”

Have you had a flight or holiday impacted by the cancellations? Email us at [email protected].

A woman was looking forward to enjoying the views of Africa from 40,000ft on her dream holiday – but her experience was ruined by a family who let their kids climb all over her on a six-hour flight

A woman has slammed a set of parents who let their children ‘climb all over her’ on a plane so they could look out of the window. She explained how she spent years saving up enough money to enjoy the trip of a lifetime with her husband – and they decided to sit separately so they could each enjoy a window seat on the plane.

She made sure to plan every second of their trip down to the finest detail, but she forgot to factor in other people’s ‘entitlement’. Taking to Reddit, she recounted: “Flew first class, Polaris lounge access every leg. We booked separate rows, window seats, because, omg – Africa! Don’t want to miss a second of it.

“We had a 6.5 hour leg from Addis Ababa to Cape Town and are snuggled in (after a 14 hour leg from Washington) and a family of 4 board. The lie-flat pods are in a 2-2-2 layout.”

She shared how the mum instructed her young son to take the middle seat next to her, the young boy recoiled at the thought of sitting next to a stranger.

It appeared that his father also wasn’t keen on the arrangement, given that he sat himself down in the seat in front of her and instantly dozed off, leaving the mum to single-handedly look after the two youngsters.

She added: “The mum sits next to me and her toddler daughter and son in the middle, one row up.

“As soon as the plane is airborne (seatbelt signs still on, flight attendants still sitting) the daughter gets up and crawls into mum’s lap. And plays on mum’s iPad without headphones. Full volume.”

Each time she needed to use the loo, she found the young lad occupying her seat, gazing out of the window – and on every occasion, the mother suggested she let her son be and take the middle seat instead.

“I decline every time. After a couple of hours I finally lie flat to sleep (24+ hours awake) and wake up to horrible pain in my knees – the daughter used my legs as a bench to look out the window,” she continued.

“I understand that flying with kids is tough (mine are now adults) but I’m pleased to say nothing escalated- was too thrilled to be on my dream trip to let anything dampen my spirits.”

Responding to her post, most users concurred that she managed the situation far better than they would have, with one remarking: “The second my legs were touched I’d have probably started screaming.”

Another user chimed in: “I’m sorry I would have said something as soon as I woke up to a kid on me.”

A third user advised: “You need to more aggressively tell them to f*** off. Speak up for yourself.”

A commercial pilot has revealed why you’re asked to put your phone in airplane mode before takeoff – and it’s nothing to do with the plane crashing

The holiday season is back, and with it all the niggling hassles like squeezing into last summer’s shorts, digging out your forgotten passport, and sprucing up those toenails for sandal-worthy feet.

Once you’ve finally boarded your plane, you’re often met with a stark reminder from cabin crew to switch your mobile to airplane mode. Is it really plausible that one tiny device could threaten the integrity of a gargantuan jet?

This question has been addressed by aviation boffins, and indeed they suggest there’s a need for caution. Commercial aviator Perico Durán advises: “Smart people think that something could happen if we don’t activate airplane mode, so do it.”

Back when mobiles were becoming omnipresent, there was genuine concern regarding their potential to disrupt aircraft systems. Notably, in 2011, Boeing 737 cockpit displays were discovered to be vulnerable to mobile-induced interference.

Perico clarifies that while interference wouldn’t cause an engine failure or stop landing gears from deploying, it might lead to misreadings or untimely distractions: “What might happen is a false indication of something, a distraction at a specific moment.”

According to Perico, air travel regulations are formulated to preclude even the most minute hazards: “We tell people to activate flight mode to avoid distractions,” he asserts.

He emphasises the triviality of being disconnected briefly: “What difference does it make?” Perico remarked. “It’s only ten minutes from ten thousand to fourteen thousand feet. Put your phone in flight mode and avoid a distraction. Being without your mobile phone for ten minutes is nothing.”

A 2017 survey by Allianz Travel Insurance involving over 1,500 Americans revealed that 40% don’t always switch their phones to airplane mode, with nearly 14% admitting to sneaking texts or calls mid-flight.

In the US, adherence to the flight attendant’s advice is more stringent due to Federal regulations which state, “cellular telephones installed in or carried aboard airplanes, balloons, or any other type of aircraft must not be operated while such aircraft are airborne (not touching the ground). When any aircraft leaves the ground, all cellular telephones on board that aircraft must be turned off.”

However, European travel offers a more laid-back approach. With the introduction of 5G technology on airlines in 2023, EU passengers can now freely make and receive calls and texts during flights, thanks to EU 5G networks operating on different frequencies than American ones, thus not interfering with aircraft systems.

If you’re concerned about your mobile phone battery dying mid-flight, it’s perfectly acceptable to bring an external power bank in your carry-on luggage. However, they should not be packed in your checked luggage due to the lithium batteries they contain, which can occasionally ignite.

Should a battery fire break out in the passenger cabin, flight attendants can quickly identify and extinguish it before it causes significant damage. Conversely, if a fire starts in the cargo hold, it could become dangerously widespread before an alarm is triggered.

If crucial documents like your boarding pass are stored on your phone, having a backup battery is a wise move. While airline staff will likely assist if your phone does run out of juice during your journey, it’s always better to be prepared.

A shocked mum faced the wrath of an entitled plane passenger who called her a vicious name when he realised she’d booked her three-year-old child a first-class seat

An entitled plane passenger erupted into a sweary rant at a mum who booked her toddler a first class seat.

The foul-mouthed tirade came as a shock to the parent, who insisted her little girl was well behaved throughout the flight.

Every summer, a fierce debate ramps up online over the ‘correct’ flying etiquette with children – with some less tolerant passengers insisting that kid-free flights should exist.

The mum was confident that her three-year-old tot could handle the flight easily, having travelled many times before, but one passenger fumed at the concept of a toddler having a first class ticket, as they hated the thought of sitting next to a child.

Taking to Reddit to share her flight ordeal, the mum wrote anonymously: “My husband, toddler (almost 3) and I were flying across the country for Thanksgiving. Since we could afford it due to a nice pay raise my husband recently got, we decided to splurge on 1st class tickets for the trip.

“My toddler has always been a good flyer and has flown a lot throughout her short life. She’s never been disruptive or cried on an airplane, this flight included.

“She’s good at staying in her seat and tells us when she a needs to go potty, food, a toy, etc. She stayed seated and quietly playing throughout the flight, only getting up when she had to go potty.”

Despite the little one being on her best behaviour and not disrupting other travellers, one passenger was seething at the mum for sitting her child in first class – as he complained to the cabin crew on board.

The mum explained: “The issue was with another 1st class passenger. We boarded early since my husband is disabled and when another 1st class passenger saw us he started glaring.

“We take off and all is good. My kid fell asleep in the middle of coloring [sic], husband is snoozing. I’m listening to music when I get a tap on my shoulder.

“It was the guy that glared at us as he boarded and before I could even get a word out he told me that children weren’t allowed in 1st class and that we needed to move to our ‘real’ seats”.

In a bid to avoid confrontation, the parent asked the flight attendant to deal with the man’s complaint, as she felt ‘uncomfortable’. Things seemed to get cleared up, but the man was still hot with rage.

“The flight attendant came and explained to him that we were in the correct seats that we paid for and asked that he sit back down and not bother us again. He did go back to his seat but as we were getting off the plane he whispered to me that I was a ‘fat c***’ and that he pays too much money for first class to be surrounded by children.”

Desperate for advice, the mum concluded: “My kid was the only kid in 1st class and she didn’t misbehave or even cry so at first I felt like I was in the right, but after talking to family at Thanksgiving many of them told me that we should book economy next time because people pay extra to relax in 1st class. Are we really a******s for flying 1st class with our toddler?”

Many people flocked to the comments section to defend the mum’s decision, as one wrote: “Even if your child did cry, it wouldn’t have mattered because you paid and are entitled to the seats you paid for… if they don’t want to be around children/other people that bad – they should fly private”.

Another added: “I can understand why he would initially be wary and upset, but he frankly should have calmed the f down once it became apparent that your toddler was just sleeping peacefully like anyone else.

“And since you know that your kid is a good flyer, there’s no reason not to sit first class if you can”.

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A plane passenger taught an ‘entitled’ man the importance of planning ahead after refusing to swap seats on a flight so he could enjoy the journey next to his girlfriend

A man has been praised for refusing to swap plane seats so an ‘entitled’ boyfriend could sit next to his partner on a flight. The 29-year-old explained how he was travelling home from a work trip and made sure to pre-book an aisle seat so he could stretch his legs out a little.

However, his peaceful journey was disrupted when another passenger spotted him sitting alone and approached him to ask a ‘favour’. He said on Reddit: “I was flying home from a work trip and had booked an aisle seat because I’m tall and need legroom. As soon as I sit down, a guy comes over and says, ‘Hey bro, can we switch? My girlfriend’s by the window and I’m in the middle back there.’

“I glance at his seat, literally the second-worst spot on the plane. I say, ‘Sorry, I booked this one specifically’. He gets annoyed and says, ‘Dude, I’m just trying to sit next to my girl.'”

He told him he understood why he’d want to swap seats but tried to gently explain he didn’t want to give up his comfort for a stranger.

He added: “He said, ‘You’re sitting alone, man. What do you need the aisle for?’ I replied, ‘Because I paid for it. That’s how seats work’.

“He called me an ‘inconsiderate loner,’ which was cute, considering he tried to guilt-trip me into a downgrade. The flight attendant eventually had to tell him to sit down or be removed.”

Sharing a final message of disgust on social media, he added: “Couples don’t get priority over people who planned ahead. Sorry not sorry.”

While most users praised him for standing his ground, others shared their own stories about ‘entitled’ passengers on planes.

One user said: “This happened on a 12h flight from Korea to Toronto and when the person said no the girlfriend started bawling and eventually someone else nearby traded with her.

“I was so mad they gave into her crocodile tears because now she’s going to do it every damn flight.

“This poor tiny Asian woman was stuck in a middle seat for 12 hours instead of her aisle seat because a pretty young white woman can cry on command.”

Another user added: “In the airplane seat war card game, inconsiderate loners beat inconsiderate losers every time. Especially the ones too cheap to buy an aisle seat.”

A third user said: “This exact thing happened to me! What preceded it was the girl jumping into the window seat in my aisle and laughing cutely at him that she got the good seat first.

“Then she asked if I could trade with him (in the middle seat in another row) so they could sit together.

“I thought, if they really wanted to sit together, she could have given up her window seat to someone for a fair trade.

“I said no. She replied, ‘It doesn’t hurt to ask’. Sure it doesn’t, but don’t expect anyone to take a downgrade to give you an underserved upgrade.”

As many Brits up and down the country prepare to jet off on their summer holidays, the Mirror takes a look at some of the worst passengers ever to cross the airport tarmac

When boarding a plane for a sunny summer holiday, many of us will be praying for a seatmate who doesn’t make us wish for the aircraft to simply turn around.

From passengers sticking their bare feet on the armrest to vicious spats about seat swaps, there are a number of cabin faux pas that can seriously dampen your holiday mood before you’d even had a chance to sample the drinks trolley.

But perhaps next time you sit next to a thunderous snorer, or an enthusiastic Pringles chewer who sprays crumbs all over your lap, you’ll remember that really, it could be so, so much worse.

Here, the Mirror takes a look at some of the most obnoxious passengers of all time, from potty-mouthed ranters to those whose selfish actions have posed a serious health and safety risk…

READ MORE: Warning greedy airlines can legally ‘bump’ you from your flight with little notice

Reckless emergency door act

Back in May, a young man caused chaos during a flight from Changsha, China, to Kunming Changshui International Airport after opening the emergency exit.

Just as China Eastern Airlines flight MU5828 was taxiing on the runway, he yanked the emergency handle and deployed the evacuation slide, causing complete panic onboard.

As witnesses later reported, he’d opened the exit to “get some fresh air”. His reckless actions resulted in a 20-minute delay for passengers wishing to disembark the aircraft.

The unnamed man was eventually escorted off the plane by police officers and taken for questioning. Thankfully, nobody was injured.

Depending on the plane and circumstances, those flying in China can face fines for opening an emergency exit ranging from £10,482 to £20,985 (CNY 100,000 and 200,000), China Eastern Airlines was previously approached for comment.

Cruel meltdown over seat

Shocking footage emerged this week of an allegedly intoxicated passenger cruelly raging that she had “sit next to a f***ing fat lady” during a flight from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Kansas City.

Videos taken in the early hours of Monday, June 16, aboard a Southwest Airlines flight show the unamed woman pulling at another female passenger’s hair, spitting in her face and kicking her. Other clips show her screaming at the other passenger, and making nasty jibes about her physical appearance.

Slurring her words, she lashed out in an unacceptable rant, appearing to say: “Look at this fat lady. Look at this fat a** b****.”

The alleged foul-mouthed passenger also ridiculed the victim’s decision to wear a face mask, screeching: “It’s horrible. Look at her outfit. Look at this fat a** b****. Hilarious. You can’t even show your mouth because you’re embarrassed.”

Another passenger who recorded the scene told the Daily Mail that the woman had even “knocked the glasses off the Southwest employee”.

They claimed: ‘”When she first started saying stuff, I called out, ‘Why don’t you be nice?” She turned around and called me ugly a few times, and that I could never get a boyfriend or have sex. I looked at her and said I’ve been married for almost 20 years, lady’.”

Eventually, the ranting woman was escorted off the plane and was not permitted to return, Southwest Airlines informed the publication. The Port Authority Police Department also confirmed they’d been called at approximately 1.10 am following reports of an ‘intoxicated passenger’, who was then taken for hospital evaluation before being remanded into custody at New York City Department of Correction, on charges of aggravated assault.

A Southwest spokesperson stated: “We commend our Team for their professionalism during the incident.” The woman, a 32-year-old New York resident, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.

Punching cabin crew

In May this year, an aggressive passenger was escorted off a flight from Gran Canaria to Birmingham after allegedly punching a member of cabin crew in the face.

The passenger, who witnesses say was inebriated, had to be led off the plane in handcuffs following an hour-long ordeal that left air hostesses in tears.

Staff even had to use a ‘restraint kit’ in a desperate bid to get the situation under control. An eyewitness told The Sun: “It all kicked off just before 1 am as we were landing in Birmingham from Las Palmas.

“When they slammed the brakes, he was shouting that the plane was going to crash. He started shouting at the hostesses and got up to go to the toilet compartment.

“The stewardess told him to sit back down, which he did, but then he got back up for the second time and went to the same place. There was a lot of screaming and shouting between him and the crew, and then he punched an air hostess in the nose.”

They continued: “Air hostesses were screaming for police in panic – they were shook up and crying. People had to tell them to stop screaming because it was scaring the kids – it was a nightmare.”

Cheers rang out across the cabin as West Midlands Police arrived to deal with the violent troublemaker, who reportedly resisted arrest.

Failed exit dash

An entitled woman who was in a frantic rush to be the first one off the plane following an already tiresome eight-hour flight ended up getting more than she bargained for when the captain publicly called her out, to the delight of her seatmates.

Showing no care whatsoever for seat etiquette, the passenger determinedly leapt from her seat as soon as the plane hit tarmac, making a beeline for the exit. The seatbelt sign was still on, and flight attendants pleaded with her to return to her seat until they came to a safe stop. However, she paid them no heed.

Having none of her antics, the captain himself then decided to get involved, revealing that he had a “special guest onboard”, whom he would be greeting after they arrived at the gate. Recalling the incident in a Reddit post, a passenger who witnessed the brazen dash wrote: “The woman stood there awkwardly until we did the whole rolling into the gate thing, and whatever planes do when they land, for about 15 to 20 minutes.

“Everyone sat there waiting to see what the captain was talking about. Eventually, the captain came out and asked the lady to please move back a little to get to his special guest, then a little more, then a little more. He was looking from row to row, trying to find a specific person. Everyone is watching and looking around to see who it could be.”

The pilot continued ushering the cheeky traveller back one row at a time until, finally, they were at the very back of the plane. He then requested that she sit down for a moment while he grabbed the intercom. The Reddit user continued: “He said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to announce our special guest sitting in seat 42C. Let’s give her a round of applause’. The whole plane went wild with laughter and applause. I loved every moment of that.”

Reclining seat karma

A ticked-off woman decided to exact a “14-hour revenge” against an elderly power couple who “gloated” after buckling themselves into seats which had been reserved for her and her then-husband. When they confronted the couple, they refused point-blank to move, as “they had scored three seats to their two bottoms, whereas the row in front had a very slim girl at the window”.

A flight attendant got involved, by which point the audacious couple played “the age card” to get their own way. The woman and her now ex were asked to sit in front, next to the “slim girl who took up no room whatsoever”.

When they overheard the couple “loudly gloating” about their brazen behaviour, they began taking petty revenge, reclining in order to reduce their leg room. Then, as the indignant passenger put it, “Karma took a dump on the gloating couple’s lap”.

Taking to Reddit, the now-vindicated woman revealed: “So here we were settled when this man started walking up the plane. he was a very, very large man, long, long dreadlocks, shoving a baguette in his mouth as he made his way up the aisle. My husband just looked at me and smiled as he realised the only spare seat was that window seat, which would have been next to mine.

“Karma took a dump on the gloating couple’s lap as the man asked them to move so he could get into his seat. Once settled, he took up a lot of the space, and once in the air, the lady called a hostess down and started having a strop about how we had stolen their seats and that we had refused to move when they boarded.”

“Sadly for the lady, our argument at the start of the flight had been witnessed by the staff as everyone else was settled by then so she was shut down by the staff who refused to move us.”

To the amusement of their new enemies, the seat thieves endured a “miserable” 14-hour flight, with their unexpected seatmate repeatedly getting up for the toilet, and to grab extra snacks and beverages.

‘Inexcusable’ Ryanair damages

Back in January, Ryanair announced it would be pursuing legal action against an unruly passenger, whose “completely unacceptable” behaviour resulted in a Dublin to Lanzarote flight having to be diverted to Porto, Portugal.

Revealing that they would be suing the unnamed passenger to the tune of £12,500, the airline told of how the flight had been delayed overnight, causing 160 passengers to “face unnecessary disruption as well as losing a full day of their holiday”.

The damages sought were intended to cover accommodation costs plus any other expenses for passengers affected by the “inexcusable” antics. It was also hoped that the legal action taken would deter any other future troublemakers from following suit.

Describing the incident as a “major clampdown”, a spokesperson released the following statement on the Ryanair website: “It is unacceptable that passengers – many of whom are heading away with family or friends to enjoy a relaxing summer holiday – are suffering unnecessary disruption and reduced holiday time as a result of one unruly passenger’s behaviour.”

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Pro-Palestinian activists have broken into RAF Brize Norton and sprayed two military planes with red paint in a major security breach.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the action as “disgraceful”, saying that it was an “act of vandalism”.

Footage posted online by Palestine Action on Friday showed two people inside the Oxfordshire airbase in darkness, with one riding on a scooter up to an Airbus Voyager and spraying paint into its jet engine.

The Ministry of Defence, which has also condemned the move, is now expected to conduct a review of security at UK military bases. It is working with Thames Valley Police, which is leading the investigation.

Palestine Action said the activists evaded security and claimed they had put the air-to-air refuelling tankers “out of service”.

However, RAF engineers are assessing the damage and a defence source told the BBC they did not expect the incident to affect operations.

In a statement, a Palestine Action spokesperson said: “Despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US and Israeli fighter jets.”

RAF Brize Norton serves as the hub for UK strategic air transport and refuelling, including flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The air force has conducted reconnaissance flights over Gaza out of the Cyprus base.

The base is encircled by a large perimeter fence, with security camera and sensors in the area in addition to manned security checkpoints. Patrols around the base are also carried out from time to time.

But a defence source said these measures would not have been able to provide complete cover around the large airbase.

Palestine Action has engaged in similar activity since the start of the current war in Gaza, predominantly targeting arms companies. In May, it claimed responsibility for the daubing of a US military plane in Ireland.

The group said the activists who entered RAF Brize Norton used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray red paint into the planes’ engines.

It also said they caused “further damage” using crowbars – though this is not visible in the bodycam footage it provided.

Video shows the activists then roaming around the airbase.

The protesters did not spray paint on the Vespina aircraft – used by the prime minister for international travel – which was also on the base.

The MoD told the BBC that RAF Voyager aircraft had not been involved in refuelling or supporting Israeli Air Force jets.

A spokesman said Voyagers have been used in the Middle East to refuel RAF Typhoon jets involved in the ongoing international efforts to tackle the so-called Islamic State in eastern Iraq and Syria.

They have also been used in operations in the Red Sea in the past in operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Thames Valley Police confirmed it had received a report about people gaining access to the base and causing criminal damage.

“Inquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible,” the force said.

Lord West, Labour minister for UK security and former head of the Royal Navy, said earlier that while he was not aware of the full details, the break-in was “extremely worrying”.

“We can’t allow thing like this to happen at all,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, adding that breaches like it were “really a problem” for national security.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the security breach was “deeply concerning”.

“This is not lawful protest, it is politically motivated criminality,” she said in a statement.

“We must stop tolerating terrorist or extremist groups that seek to undermine our society.”

Shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois told the BBC any attempt to interfere with the engines of large aircraft was “totally reprehensible”.

He added there were “serious questions for the MoD to answer” about how protesters were able to “gain access to what is supposed to be a secure RAF airbase”.

The local Liberal Democrat MP Charlie Maynard described the activists’ actions as “stupid and dangerous”.

He said the investigations should establish “how this happened and what can be done in future to make sure no further breaches occur”.

Following a dispute a Ryanair passenger had with the airline when he asked to give up their place on the flight, a travel expert has offered detail on how such airlines exploit loopholes

Greedy airlines can legally “bump” passengers – move them onto other services without their permission – when they overbook flights, a travel expert has warned.

Passengers are not guaranteed a seat even when they book one, the professional confirmed, following recent disputes around the practice. One Ryanair passenger was moved onto another flight after the airline switched planes from a Boeing 737-8200 to a 737-800, which has eight less seats.

But Scott McCormick and his girlfriend Helena Boshwick, from Birmingham, “hadn’t reserved seats” for the two-hour trip to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, something travel expert Rory Boland recommends. However, he added airlines passengers are not guaranteed a seat even when they book one.

Mr Boland, travel editor at consumer group Which?, said: “Sometimes a last minute change of aircraft might mean less seats available than planned for, in other cases some airlines actively overbook, betting on ‘no shows’ to balance things out, while maxing their profits by charging for more seats than the plane can actually accommodate. If an airline ends up with too many people at the gate, it can’t just bump someone from the flight because they didn’t pay extra to reserve a specific seat.”

READ MORE: TUI flight erupts in panic after ‘bomb threat note’ discovered in toilet

Speaking to Mail Online, he continued: “So long as the flight is either departing the UK, or flying into the UK on a UK or EU based airline, the airline is legally obliged to ask for volunteers before resorting to forcibly denying boarding.

“If you volunteer then you surrender your right to statutory compensation, so you should make sure you’re happy with the amount you negotiate – at a minimum be sure to get at least get the amount you would be owed if the flight was cancelled – which would be up to £520 each for a long-haul flight, or less for a short-haul journey.

“If there are no volunteers, only then an airline can choose to deny a passenger boarding. Anyone who is bumped from a plane should have their flight rebooked as quickly as possible, and be paid cancellation compensation.”

Those who volunteer to be bumped on a flight must agree compensation with the airline, which will often make an announcement at the gate offering cash or vouchers. Passengers in such cases are also entitled to an alternative flight or a refund.

Mr McCormick and Miss Boshwick, both 33, did not book seats, it is understood, because they did not mind sitting apart on the two-hour flight. Because of this, Mr McCormick and Miss Boshwick were each assigned a random seat free of charge upon checking in, which they did online before departure.

READ MORE: I flew on hyped new airline claiming to bring back ‘golden age of aviation’ – it has a long way to go

Responding in relation to the couple’s complaint, a Ryanair spokesman said: “This flight from Birmingham to Palma de Mallorca (May 1) was not ‘overbooked’ – it was scheduled to operate on a 737-8200 (197 seats) but for operational reasons had to be swapped to a 737-800 aircraft (189 seats).

“As a result, 1 passenger was unable to travel on this flight, and was reaccommodated onto the next available flight to Palma de Mallorca.

“Mr McCormick’s travel companion was not refused boarding but chose not to board and travel on this flight from Birmingham to Palma de Mallorca and was required to pay a Missed Departure fee (£100) to be booked onto the next available flight.

“Mr McCormick was notified by email on the day of travel (May 1) that he was entitled to claim back reasonable receipted expenses, however Mr McCormick has yet to submit any expense receipts to Ryanair.”

Brits booking flights with easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Jet2 and more airlines should take note of the rules around what alcohol you can and can’t bring on flight

Whether you’re buying some alcohol in duty-free or hoping to pack some bottles in your suitcase to save money on the other side, there are strict rules on what booze you can and can’t bring on planes.

Brits flying with the likes of easyJet, TUI, Jet2, British Airways and Ryanair should be aware of the rules before heading to the airport, or you could risk your drinks being confiscated.

That’s because there’s a little-known rule around the exact alcohol you can take on a flight – and it can catch some Brits out. It all comes down to the drink’s Alcohol By Volume (ABV), which measures how much alcohol is in a specific volume of a beverage. Airlines including easyJet and Ryanair have a ban on any alcohol with an ABV of over 70%.

If you bring alcohol on a flight, check the ABV as usually, airlines have a rule that if your drink’s ABV is over 24% then it must be sealed and packed in either an airport shopping bag or your cabin bag. This applies to alcohol that’s bought in duty-free too. Alcohol drinks with an ABV of under 24% are not usually subject to restrictions.

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Then of course, if you’re planning to bring booze before you get to the gate, you’ll need to make sure your drinks also adhere to the 100ml liquid restrictions at airport security.

As for drinking on an aircraft? The law is pretty clear, stating that “a person must not enter any aircraft when drunk, or be drunk in any aircraft”. Those who break the rules could risk being denied boarding or, if they’re disruptive on the flight, could face fines or further action when they land.

Airlines such as Jet2 have a ban on you drinking your own booze – you’ll need to buy it from the drinks trolley and have it be poured by a cabin crew member. These rules can differ, so to make life a little easier we’ve rounded up individual airline rules around booze below.

easyJet

The airline’s website states: “You can bring alcohol bought in the airside departure lounge into the cabin, as long as it’s unopened. Alcohol must be lower than 70% abv, and packed either in an airport shopping bag or in your cabin bag. It’s strictly forbidden to drink any alcohol that has not been purchased on board the aircraft and those found consuming their own alcohol may face prosecution.”

Ryanair

The airline allows you to bring your duty-free bag with duty-free items into the cabin, alongside your cabin bags. (But be warned they do check them so it’s not necessarily an extra bag you can use for all of your belongings as a way to get around cabin rules). Meanwhile, “alcohol with an ABV of more than 70% (140% proof) is not permitted” on Ryanair flights.

TUI

The airline’s website allows “alcoholic beverages, containing more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol by volume, when in retail packagings in receptacles not exceeding 5 L, with a maximum total net quantity per person of 5 L for such beverages”.

Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol by volume are not permitted, but those under 24% abv are not subject to restrictions (unless you’re taking them through airport security in which case the 100ml rule applies).

Jet2

Jet2’s website is clear: “You may not bring on board alcohol for the purposes of consumption whilst on the aircraft. For safety reasons we restrict the consumption of alcohol on board. Only alcoholic drinks purchased on board may be consumed during the flight. It is an offence to be drunk on any aircraft. Jet2.com reserves the right to serve alcoholic drinks to customers at our absolute discretion.”

Alcohol with an abv over 70% will not be allowed in either your checked or hand luggage.

British Airways

“There’s no limit on the number of alcoholic beverages you can travel with as long as their alcohol volume is below 24%,” a statement on the airline’s website reads. “You can bring up to five litres of alcohol with an alcohol volume between 24% and 70%. This can travel in your cabin bag if you purchased it in the airport duty-free shop, or you can pack in your checked baggage.

“Drinks above 70% alcohol volume are not permitted on board our aircraft in either checked baggage or hand baggage. Please see the hand baggage requirements section above for information about taking liquids in your hand baggage through the security check areas.”

Air India was battling an ‘exceptionally poor’ reputation before the horror incident that claimed the lives of all but one flight AI171 passengers – and many more people on the ground

Air India flights were notoriously plagued with issues in the years before the tragic AI171 disaster last week, with bad publicity from a series of incidents giving the airline what an expert has said was an “exceptionally poor” reputation.

Hospital officials in Ahmedabad, in Gujarat province, western India, confirmed today that 270 people died in the disaster after the doomed flight hit a medical college hostel on Thursday shortly after takeoff – killing all but one of 241 passengers and dozens of people on the ground. Indian officials continue to pick up the pieces this morning, with investigations underway to determine exactly what caused the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to crash as bereaved families wait to collect the bodies of their loved ones from a post-mortem centre.

The airline has received high praise for its response to the disaster, which comes three years after it was acquired and privatised by Tata steel. Prior to this, Rhys Jones, a luxury travel expert and editor of Head for Points, told The Mirror, Air India’s reputation was “extremely poor” despite it being cleared by European and US regulators. Previous incidents aboard Air India planes have seen window panels break off and passengers complain of dirty interiors.

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Window panel chaos

Back in 2018, chaos erupted during a 30-minute Air India flight from Amritsar to Delhi, when intense turbulence resulted in the inside part of a window panel becoming dislodged.

Panic spread across the packed cabin, filled with 240 passengers, while a cabin crew member bravely pushed the panel back in, all while comforting a distressed passenger.

Footage of the terrifying incident was shared widely on social media at the time and shows some overhead oxygen masks being deployed.

Three people were left requiring hospital treatment, as per The Times of India newspaper.

A source told the publication: “Passengers were naturally terrified.” He continued: “The turbulence on Flight AI 462 was such that the head of a seated passenger, who possibly did not have his seat belt fastened, hit the overhead cabin because of a bump.

“The person suffered injuries. Two more had minor injuries. The inside of a window panel came off. The outside window did not break, and there was no depressurisation.”

‘Dirty’ conditions

One year ago, after the Tata group took over the airline, a Dubai-based travel influencer, who vlogs via the YouTube channel Living Jet Setters, reviewed a flight they took aboard a 787-8 Dreamliner, to see if improvements had been made.

The vlogger, who travelled in economy class, was impressed by the speedy check-in and the “great service” they received from “extremely friendly and very nice” cabin crew members. They also noticed improvements with the on-flight food, which they described as “tasty” and “delicious”, and found their seat and headrest to be comfortable.

However, there were a number of areas they found to be “pretty outdated” aboard the aircraft, which had been part of Air India’s fleet for 10.4 years by this point. They noted: “Even the magazines aren’t very well kept”.

Expressing displeasure at the “very poor hygiene” standards that quickly became apparent when they took their seat, the travel reviewer showed footage of stains on the torn seat cushions, as well as on the fold-out tray table. He remarked: “Air India has to improve on this.”

On top of this, their remote control socket was broken, and their in-flight entertainment screen wasn’t working. A glance around the cabin showed he wasn’t alone on this front.

Unfortunately, there were yet more grim finds awaiting him in the “old and dirty” bathroom, which he claimed had “no amenities” or even tissue paper. The air freshener also didn’t seem to be working. Calling upon Air India to update and refurbish their older planes, he asserted: “It’s only been half an hour into the flight, and it’s already dirty”.

Broken seats

In April of this year, as previously reported by the View From The Wing travel publication, an Air India passenger making the 7,500-mile journey from Chicago to Delhi claims she was told “there was a technical issue” with her business class seat, which “wouldn’t recline”.

Instead, she says she was offered two economy seats, which she was allegedly pressed to take.

Although she allegedly made it clear that she wished to keep the broken business class seat and have a partial refund, she was informed this wasn’t an option.

She claims staff continued to press her to take the economy seats, and handed over a form for the seat reassignment.

After sitting in her original business class seat, the passenger allegedly found only a broken tray table. She also learned that her seat opponent had accepted a downgrade from first class, on account of a broken seat.

Two rows of business class had also been cleared out, apart from the crew rest seats in the cabin that were curtained off.

This alleged series of events was told by the woman’s daughter, who uploaded a screenshot of the seat reassignment form to Reddit.

Claiming that her mother had been “scammed”, she wrote: A few hours in, several of the crew/attendants get in the seats, cover themselves with blankets, and go to sleep.

“Then on her flight back home there were no issues with her seat but she watched them run the exact same play on the woman in front of her in line with the form, technical issue, etc – she tells her and multiple of the passengers get to talking about it and corroborate similar happening to them on other flights. Same situation occurs with rows of empty business seats that the crew takes over midway through the flight.”

‘Technical snag’

In a more recent review filmed back in May, aviation vlogger and content creator Noel Phillips documented his “awful” flight aboard Air India’s “Filthy Boeing 797”, showing followers sights such as a “grimy” window button, and a hair left behind by the previous seat occupant. They also spoke about how the power went out, and how passengers were told they’d been a “technical snag”, after learning the flight would be delayed by 45 minutes.

In one part of the video, a baffled Noel, who was travelling business class, shared: “So a passenger across the aircraft has got to their seat, and there’s like a massive bit of metal sticking out of the seat. Okay, they’ve fixed it with a bit of gaffer tape, so that’s all good, I suppose.”

According to Noel, staff initially didn’t mind him taking a review video, but when the technical difficulties began, it allegedly became clear that his camera was no longer welcome, forcing him to be more “discreet”.

While inspecting the toilet, Noel was alarmed to find “liquid matter on the floor”, and also wasn’t majorly won over by the in-flight entertainment, where advertised content such as games, music, and even the flight map, wasn’t available.

Unfortunately, Noel’s reading light was out of order, meaning he couldn’t even read the newspaper he’d been handed at the beginning of the flight. He also advised future travellers to bring along a power bank, as neither the 3-pin plug nor USB were working.

Flights deemed safe despite poor reputation

Mr Jones noted that, before the airline was acquired in 2022, the overall reputation of Air India was “exceptionally poor”, but regulators in the US and Europe continued to allow the airline to take passengers.

He said it was important to note that the airline would not have been able to if any “significant safety lapses” were found. The expert said: “Prior to privatisation, Air India’s reputation was exceptionally poor. But it’s important to remember that the airline was still deemed safe by European and American regulators, who permitted the airline to operate flights to the US, UK and Europe.

“If these bodies had found significant safety lapses then this would not have been permitted, as we saw over the last five years with Pakistan International Airlines which was banned from flying to these destinations until their safety record (and that of the Pakistani regulator) improved.”

The Mirror has reached out to Air India for comment

Do you have a story to share? Email me at [email protected]

Many Brits enjoy vaping as well as a pre-flight pint – but doing so in the wrong area at the airport could see your holiday come to an abrupt end

Brits jetting off on holiday have been warned that vaping in the wrong area at the airport could land them a £1,000 fine and see them denied boarding.

For many holidaymakers heading off somewhere sunny, a pre-takeoff pint is as much a part of the travel ritual as checking your passport 15 times and buying a small tube of toothpaste from Boots.

As night follows day, for those who enjoy nicotine, a drink often leads to a desire to smoke or vape – something that can prove difficult in an airport. Having a puff outside of designated smoking areas could bring their holiday to an abrupt end.

UK airports have banned smoking and vaping inside terminal buildings, and a recent crackdown means passengers can no longer assume they can vape freely while waiting to board. Fines for vaping or smoking in prohibited areas can be up to £1,000, with penalties starting at £50 for smoking in non-designated areas.

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While smoking and vaping bans are widespread, there are limited exceptions at some airports where smokers and vapers can access designated outdoor areas, past security:

• Heathrow: No vaping allowed inside terminal buildings.
• Gatwick: Designated outdoor smoking areas only.
• Manchester: No vaping in terminals; outdoor smoking zone available.
• Stansted / Luton / Edinburgh / Glasgow / London City: Vaping prohibited indoors.
• Birmingham: Outdoor smoking and vaping areas beyond security.
• Liverpool: Heated outdoor space accessible after security.Bristol: Outdoor area available for smoking and vaping after security.

Mike Byers, who works at vape company WickdUp, said: “We’ve all been there – the pre-flight pint with a craving for a cigarette or a quick vape. But with the tightening of smoking and vaping rules at airports across the UK, travellers need to know that indulging in these habits could result in serious fines or even missed flights.

“With long waits, delays, and already expensive airports, the last thing you need is a penalty that could ruin your trip.”

Mike urges people to check the rules at the airport they’re flying from. “I can’t stress the importance of checking each airport’s specific smoking and vaping policies before heading to your gate. For many passengers, not knowing where you can legally vape or smoke could mean an unexpected fine – or missing your flight,” he said.

“If you’re flying from a busy terminal like Heathrow or Gatwick, it’s even more important to be aware of the specific zones where smoking or vaping is allowed. Some airports have invested in dedicated areas after security, but the rules differ from terminal to terminal. Never assume you can just light up anywhere — it could cost you more than your holiday.”

MIT researchers say the devices could pack three times as much energy per pound as today’s best EV batteries – offering a lightweight option for powering planes, lorries or ships

A groundbreaking fuel cell could be the key to unlocking electric planes, according to a new study.

The researchers suggest that these devices could hold three times as much energy per kg compared to today’s top-performing EV batteries, providing a lightweight solution for powering not just planes, but lorries and ships too.

Batteries are fast approaching their capacity in terms of how much power they can store relative to their weight. This poses a significant challenge for energy innovation, particularly in the quest for new ways to power aeroplanes, trains, and ships.

Fuel use is a huge problem in aviation. Airlines spend around a quarter of their operating budgets on jet fuel, meaning it has a significant impact on the cost of a ticket. What’s more, flying is one of if not the most polluting way to travel.

Passenger taking an economy-class flight from London to New York generates around 309kg of carbon dioxide, which would take roughly a year to absorb via 10 mature trees.

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However, a team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) may have found a solution that could help electrify our transportation systems. Their concept doesn’t involve a battery, but rather a type of fuel cell – similar to a battery but can be quickly refuelled instead of recharged.

In this innovative system, the fuel is liquid sodium metal, a cheap and readily available resource. On the other side of the cell is ordinary air, which provides oxygen atoms. Sandwiched between them is a layer of solid ceramic material acting as the electrolyte, allowing sodium ions to pass freely through. A porous electrode facing the air aids the sodium in chemically reacting with oxygen to generate electricity.

Through a series of experiments with a prototype device, the research team demonstrated that the cell could carry over three times as much energy per unit of weight as the lithium-ion batteries currently used in almost all electric vehicles.

Professor Yet-Ming Chiang said: “We expect people to think that this is a totally crazy idea. If they didn’t, I’d be a bit disappointed because if people don’t think something is totally crazy at first, it probably isn’t going to be that revolutionary.”

He believes the tech has genuine potential to shake up the industry, especially in the field of aviation where keeping weight down is paramount. The team of researchers are convinced that their advancements in energy density could well be the game-changer needed to pivot towards substantial electrically powered flights.

Prof Chiang noted with enthusiasm: “The threshold that you really need for realistic electric aviation is about 1,000 watt-hours per kilogram. Today’s electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries top out at about 300 watt-hours per kilogram – nowhere near what’s needed.”

He admits that even a battery achieving 1,000 watt-hours per kilo wouldn’t make transcontinental or trans-Atlantic flights feasible yet.

That achievement is still out of bounds for any current battery chemistry; however, Prof Chiang insists reaching 1,000 watts per kilo would start to enable regional electric aviation, cutting about 80% of domestic flights’ emissions and 30% of aviation emissions overall.

The study released in the Journal Joule suggests that such a technological breakthrough could also revolutionise other industries like marine and rail transport.

The team imagines that this technology could be used in aircraft by inserting fuel packs filled with cell stacks, akin to sliding racks of food trays into a cafeteria slot, into the fuel cells. As the sodium metal within these packs is chemically altered to generate power, a by-product is produced.

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In the case of aircraft, this by-product would be expelled out the back, similar to jet engine exhaust, but without any carbon dioxide emissions. Instead, the emissions, primarily sodium oxide, would actually capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The researchers explain that this compound would rapidly react with atmospheric moisture to form sodium hydroxide, a substance often found in drain cleaners, which then readily reacts with carbon dioxide to create a solid called sodium carbonate, eventually turning into sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda.

Prof Chiang concluded: “There’s this natural cascade of reactions that happens when you start with sodium metal. It’s all spontaneous. We don’t have to do anything to make it happen, we just have to fly the aeroplane.”

He noted that the sodium bicarbonate by-product could be a boon for our oceans, potentially neutralising their acidity—a side effect of greenhouse gas emissions.

Prof Chiang highlighted the safety advantages of the new fuel cell, describing it as “inherently safer” than many conventional batteries.

He pointed out the need for caution with sodium metal due to its high reactivity and the necessity of keeping it secure. Like lithium batteries, sodium poses a risk of spontaneous combustion when in contact with moisture.

Prof Chiang remarked: “Whenever you have a very high energy density battery, safety is always a concern, because if there’s a rupture of the membrane that separates the two reactants, you can have a runaway reaction. But in this fuel cell, one side is just air, which is dilute and limited.

“So you don’t have two concentrated reactants right next to each other. If you’re pushing for really, really high energy density, you’d rather have a fuel cell than a battery for safety reasons.”

Although currently only a small-scale prototype exists, Prof Chiang believes scaling up the system for commercial use should be “quite straightforward”.

A team of researchers has already established Propel Aero, a company aimed at advancing this technology. Their envisioned system would operate using a refillable cartridge filled with liquid sodium metal, securely sealed for use.

When it’s exhausted, it would be taken back to a refilling station and replenished with fresh sodium.

A former Caledonian Airways cabin crew member has shared her advice on what foods to avoid on-board and explains why a more expensive travel class may not mean a better meal

Many airlines have been striving to improve the poor reputation of in-flight food by expanding their menus. But one former cabin crew member says there are some foods you should still avoid.

Charlotte Crocker spent 12 years working as cabin crew on long-haul flights for airlines including Thomas Cook, Astraeus and Caledonian Airways. Speaking to Metro, Crocker shared what in-flight food you should avoid, and explained why the meals are so salty.

When it comes to food worth avoiding, the ex-air hostess shared that passengers should avoid any food (fruit and salad in particular) that isn’t served in a sealed packet. “Cabin crew are trying their best, but it gets very busy in the galley during catering, sometimes lids get dropped and salad doesn’t always get washed,” explains Crocker.

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Though she emphasises that you are unlikely to get food poisoning on a flight and that travellers just need to use “common sense” when it comes to what they’re eating. She also shared that she avoids drinking alcohol on planes.

“Personally, I don’t drink alcohol on planes as it’s very dehydrating. I also try to stay away from anything fizzy as well as food that’s too salty or spicy because it causes bloating and nobody wants to be unwell on a plane.”

You may have noticed that the food choices in the cabin are not known to be particularly healthy, and tend to be quite salty. She added: “It’s difficult to have healthy food at 35,000 feet” and there is a reason it’s usually sodium-heavy.

“Our bodies are functioning differently at that [high] altitude, so our tastes change and the food becomes bland, so we end up having to put lots of salt and seasoning on the meals to make it taste better,” she explained.

She also says that if you are looking for quality food, you’ll probably need to upgrade your seat. “If you’re in economy, the frozen meals are not the greatest quality and that’s because of the budget – if you want really cheap flights, you’re not going to be able to have the type of food that you get in first-class, which is of a much higher standard.”

That said, the ex-cabin crew member admits it’s difficult to produce decent meals when you don’t have a proper kitchen on-board, which affects all classes of passengers. “The galley in first-class is lovely but the ovens aren’t actually any different to the ones down the back of the plane.”

Crocker says that the best meal to eat on a flight is actually the one you bring yourself. While she and her fellow crew used to “polish off whatever passengers didn’t want” this didn’t leave her feeling great.

“There’s too much fat and salt in the meals and snacks – I would end up feeling absolutely horrendous,” she said. “I had to reprogram myself and start taking my own food on flights. It’s a complete pain to have to do meal prep, but it makes such a difference and I recommend giving it a try as it’s so much better for you.”

Each airline has specific guidelines on what food and how much you can bring into the cabin, so you will need to familiarise yourself with these regulations before flying. Crocker says she usually opts for “packet soups, tea bags, oatcakes and instant porridge pots” – though keep in mind some crew members warn against drinking the hot water on planes.

From low-slung jeans to loud singing and even 10kg boobs, passengers have been kicked off flights for the most bizarre reasons. Here are some of the wildest stories from the skies

Flying can test everyone’s patience, but sometimes the reasons people get booted off flights just don’t make sense. One particular flying tale probably takes the cake.

A model claimed that her 10kg breasts got her kicked off a flight. Mary Magdalene, 25, says she was removed from a plane because of her “explicit” look wearing leggings and a sports bra, but the airline claimed it was because she hadn’t listened to instructions while wearing headphones.

The model, who’s had over £120,000 worth of cosmetic surgery, including breast enhancements, hit back on Instagram, saying: “I was kicked off the flight for how I look… Obviously, [my outfit] is why she kicked me off because I look too explicit. But that’s not legal, so she had to say it’s because I was sleeping and wouldn’t hear her.”

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Mary added that smaller-chested women wouldn’t face the same treatment, calling the incident “discrimination,” adding: “It’s not right to pick and choose who the rules apply to based on appearance/body type.”

From giant boobs to baggy jeans, and mid-air singalongs to notes in Arabic, here are some of the most ridiculous stories of travellers getting kicked off planes.

Billie Joe Armstrong kicked off for wearing low trousers

Not even rock stars are safe. Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong was banned from a Southwest Airlines flight in 2011 for wearing his trousers too low. When told to pull them up, the singer reportedly quipped, “Don’t you have better things to do?” He was promptly escorted off and later tweeted, “Just got kicked off a Southwest flight because my pants sagged too low!” The airline later apologised and offered a new booking.

Alec Baldwin ejected for playing Words With Friends

Actor Alec Baldwin was famously removed from an American Airlines flight after refusing to stop playing the smartphone game Words With Friends during take-off preparations.

Baldwin vented on Twitter: “Flight attendant on American [Airlines] reamed me out 4 playing WORDS W FRIENDS while we sat at the gate, not moving.” His spokesperson added: “He loves WWF so much that he was willing to leave the plane for it.”

Maybe he should have switched his phone off, but regardless, it’s ridiculous all around.

Passenger steals megaphone mid-flight

During a WestJet flight from Toronto to Saskatoon, police were called after a cabin megaphone mysteriously disappeared. It turned out passenger Jake Michael Piasentini, 29, had stolen it, reportedly influenced by alcohol. The theft delayed the flight, and Jake faced a CAD $5,000 fine.

‘Queen of the aeroplane’ comment gets mum removed

American traveller Nicki Gazley was removed from a Frontier Airlines flight after sarcastically calling a flight attendant “the Queen of this aeroplane” during a disagreement over her baby carrier.

Despite complying with requests to remove her son from an Ergo Baby Carrier, the flight attendant took offence and booted Nicki. Frontier Airlines stated that the FAA does not approve Ergo carriers for takeoff or landing.

Tweet about ‘drunk pilot’ leads to ban

Lisa Carter Knight was banned from a JetBlue flight after tweeting photos and comments suggesting the pilot was undergoing a sobriety test following a passenger’s ill-judged joke about a “drunk pilot.”

Though the pilot passed the test, Lisa says she was still not allowed to board. JetBlue denied it was due to the tweets, explaining that passengers exhibiting disruptive behaviour can be removed.

Whitney Houston fan forces emergency landing

A passenger belting out Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You aboard a Los Angeles to New York flight was so disruptive that the pilot diverted to Kansas City to remove her mid-performance.

Man kicked off flight for bad body odour

A 27-year-old French passenger flying from Paris to Dallas was removed after the crew complained about his smell. Despite dousing himself in Dior perfume, the crew said his stench was too much.

Police were called, and the passenger filed a complaint. American Airlines denied the odour claims, citing an issue with his US visa.

‘Merry Christmas?’ Not for this passenger

A man travelling from Dallas to New York on American Airlines went into a rage after being wished “Merry Christmas” at the gate and again on board.

After reprimanding staff for the greeting, he reportedly caused a scene and was removed, much to the relief and cheers of fellow passengers.

Confused economist mistaken for a threat

Most recently, Guido Menzio boarded a flight from Philadelphia to Syracuse only to be asked to leave after a passenger reported him for writing notes in what she thought was Arabic and found “threatening.”

Police kept the flight grounded for two hours before realising Guido was an Ivy League economist jotting down math equations for a talk.

Teen removed after coughing fit delays flight

On a Continental Airlines flight from Newark to Honolulu, a 16-year-old on a school trip was asked to leave after waking up with a coughing fit before takeoff. Although given water and cleared by the onboard doctor, the pilot refused to allow her and her teacher to fly. They had to find overnight accommodation and buy clothes and toiletries.

Flying can be a rollercoaster ride, and it’s always best to follow instructions and safety guidelines too. But as these wild tales show, sometimes even that’s not enough to keep you in your seat. Whether it’s baggy jeans or belting out a power ballad, you never quite know what might get you grounded.

So, next time you board a flight, maybe leave the megaphone at home and smile extra brightly at the flight attendants.

If you hear this word whilst you are on a flight, it might mean that one of your fellow passengers has died on board – and cabin crews have a whole host of codewords like this

Cabin crews have a lot to deal with as they take care of passengers during their flights. In addition to keeping everyone happy and well-fed, they occasionally have to deal with more major crises, but flight attendants are known to use secret codewords to ensure that they don’t panic any of the other passengers.

One phrase, in particular, can mean, if you hear it whilst travelling, that someone on the plane has sadly died – and the staff are trying to let each other know what’s going on, whilst keeping the situation under wraps from the passengers.

The code words regularly used for a death mid-flight are “Angel” or “Code 300.” These words allow discretion while the crew deals with the sad situation and ensure that no excess attention is drawn or alarm is generated amongst those on the flight.

Travel experts at Wander have put together a list of in-flight codes and phrases that passengers may encounter on a flight, but do not know what they mean. Whilst most flights go smoothly, on others there can be some issues where flight crews need to communicate with each other secretly, so as not to alert passengers.

There are a number of other in-flight codes and phrases that passengers may hear when on a flight.

If a traveller hears ‘Squawk 7500’ or ‘Hotel’, it means that a hijacking is in progress. As a passenger, if you hear this either mentioned by the flight crew or air traffic control, it signals that there is a potential security threat on the flight. Usually, the aircraft’s transponder will send a signal with this code to alert authorities that the plane is in danger.

Another alert is ‘Code Yellow’. A ‘Code Yellow’ indicates a minor medical situation, such as a passenger feeling lightheaded or nauseous. While not an emergency, it allows crew members to discreetly monitor a situation and assess whether they need any assistance.

If a serious but non-life-threatening emergency occurs while on a flight, passengers may hear ‘Peter Pan’. The phrase indicates that something is wrong onboard the flight, which could be mechanical trouble or a medical emergency, but it also signals that the flight is not in imminent danger.

‘Mermaid’ is a nickname used for a passenger who deliberately sprawls across empty seats. This behaviour is particularly common on flights with spare seats, where a passenger may stretch out to try and claim the extra space. Last year, one passenger got into an argument with another passenger over an empty seat, as she was told she wasn’t ‘allowed’ to sit in it despite nobody paying for it.

The woman needed to move seats because something was wrong with hers, and a flight attendant informed her she could move to an empty seat in the row across from her own. When she tried to sit in it, however, the woman sitting next to the empty chair told her she “wasn’t allowed”—despite nobody having booked it.

‘Code Adam’ is not used onboard planes but in airports to indicate a missing child. If an announcement is made for a ‘Code Adam’, staff will begin searching the airport while securing exits to prevent abductions. At an airport, ‘Code Bravo’ may also be used to signal a general security alert.

Finally, while ‘VIP’ is usually used to refer to a ‘Very Important Person,’ in the airline industry, it can sometimes refer to a ‘Very Irritating Passenger.’ Crew will sometimes use the code to refer to a traveller who is making excessive demands, complaining a lot, or generally being difficult without violating any specific rules.

Do you have a story to tell? Email: [email protected]

On long-haul flights, there is a tiny, and normally completely secret room that passengers are banned from entering, but one flight attendant has pulled back the curtain – literally

The next time you’re about to take a snooze on a long-haul flight, you are going to want to remember this secret area exists on the plane – as passengers are totally banned from entering it.

It isn’t just the passengers who need to get some rest while they fly across the world – the cabin crew also need to make sure they get some sleep as they work their seriously long shifts making sure all their customers are well watered, fed, and safely enjoying their trip.

But to the uninitiated, you might wonder where on earth the flight attendants manage to get any rest – as they are seemingly always working hard.

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One air hostess revealed on her TikTok account that there is actually an entire secret area tucked away on long-haul flights for exactly this purpose, lifting the lid on the aviation industry’s best-kept secret.

In a viral TikTok video that has racked up over 1.3 million views, flight attendant Kaytee ( @gh.inthesky ) gives passengers a rare glimpse into the secret areas of the plane where cabin crew can catch some much-needed shut-eye. The clip shows Kaytee climbing into a compact, dimly lit space above the main cabin, entirely out of sight from passengers.

“This is where we sleep on long-haul flights,” she explains, showing off her allocated bunk. The bed is fully equipped with a thin mattress, bedding, and, of course, a safety belt to keep the crew secure in case of turbulence. Despite its confined dimensions, Kaytee describes the pod as surprisingly comfortable. “The turbulence actually rocks you to sleep, it’s like being in a cradle,” she says.

These hidden crew rest compartments are often compared to ‘coffin-like’ spaces due to their incredibly snug design but are a vital feature on long-haul aircraft.

They are typically located either above the main cabin, near the cockpit, or in compartments underneath the passenger seating area. Each bunk is also fitted with a privacy curtain, a pillow, and dim lighting to ensure the crew can get some well-deserved sleep during extended journeys.

Reactions to Kaytee’s tour have been mixed, with some TikTok users fascinated by the behind-the-scenes look at airline operations. Others feel uneasy at the sight of such a compact space.

One commenter wrote: “What in the coffin is this?” while another jokingly added, “I’d need an escape plan before even getting in there!” Despite their claustrophobic appearance, these rest areas are essential for flight attendants who are working long shifts, which can often span 10 hours or more.

All airlines are required to provide designated sleeping quarters for crew members on long-haul flights to ensure they remain alert and refreshed throughout the journey.

For many passengers, the idea of crew members vanishing mid-flight has always been an unsolved mystery. But now, thanks to social media, we have an exclusive look into the secret world behind the curtain (literally and figuratively)!

Do you have a story to tell? Email: [email protected]

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While it can be tempting to close your eyes while you’re waiting for your flight to depart, a member of cabin crew has revealed why you should avoid having some shut-eye

You might think that taking a snooze before your plane takes off is harmless, but a flight attendant has revealed a vital reason why you should avoid doing it on your next getaway.

Catching a flight can be tiring, especially if you’ve woken up at 3am to get to the airport in plenty of time for your long-haul flight. The early starts can quickly catch up with you, and before you know it, you’ve drifted off while waiting for everyone to board the plane.

But flight attendant, Ale Pedroza, who lives in Orlando, Florida, has revealed ‘what not to do’ on a flight – and top of her list is when not to nap.

“Let’s talk about things you shouldn’t do on an airplane – coming from a flight attendant,” she said in a TikTok video. “The first tip is try not to fall asleep before take off. I know travelling can be exhausting and sometimes you just want to get on an airplane and go straight to sleep.”

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She continued: “So not only is it not good for your ears to fall asleep before take off but you also want to remember that taxiing is one of the most crucial phases of flights. You want to make sure that you are completely aware and completely awake in case of an emergency or in case you have to evacuate.”

Ale, who has worked in the industry for a decade, then shared tip number two. “Next is do not consume your own alcohol. It is against federal relations to consume your own alcohol because we do need to make sure that you are drinking responsibly.

“And if you are drinking your own alcohol we can’t really track that. It is a federal thing, it is not an airline thing.” Serving your own alcohol on a plane is also banned in the UK.

Finally, she concluded: “One of the most obvious ones is don’t walk around barefoot on any airline or any airplane. If you decide to take your shoes off in your seat, that’s a different story, but do not walk into the lavatory with bare feet. You never know what you are stepping on, and the floor is not always the cleanest!”

It comes after air steward Tommy Cimato urged passengers not to wear shorts on a flight. The aviator turned video creator, who boasts more than 450,000 followers on his account @tommycimato, warned that wearing shorts can potentially pose a risk without you even realising it.

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“Don’t or try not to wear shorts when on an airplane. You never know how clean it’s going to be, so if you’re wearing trousers you’re going to have fewer germs,” he explained.

Sharing other vital first-hand advice with his followers, Tommy went on: “Do not ever push the flush button or lever with your bare hands. It’s honestly just unsanitary and it’s pretty gross, so when you flush use a napkin or tissue. Don’t forget to drink water and stay hydrated! You’re going to want about 16 ounces for every flight that you go on.

“Do not fall asleep or lean your head on the window. You’re not the only person to do that and you don’t know how many people or children have wiped their hands or other things all over the window. Don’t feel afraid to let a flight attendant know that you’re feeling sick. We are there to help so if you need food, water, or an air sickness bag then please feel free to let us know.”

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NEW YORK — In the interest of doing things differently last October, the Dodgers made a subtle, but profound, change in their travel plans.

In previous postseasons — many of which ended with disappointing early eliminations — the Dodgers would use one wide-body plane to shuttle players, coaches, executives, staff, broadcasters and other members of their bloated playoff traveling party from city to city.

Last year, they opted for a different flight pattern.

Players took one plane, as part of a larger effort to promote a sense of togetherness in pursuit of a World Series title.

Everyone else, meanwhile, flew on a second, separate chartered commercial jet.

“I think it’s just [a way for us to make sure] more of the time we spend is together,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said during last year’s postseason. “Making sure we stayed together as a group.”

Given the results, the Dodgers decided to keep the change in place for this season.

What started as a one-month experiment then, has become a permanent routine for the defending champions now.

This year, in a significant shift to the way they travel, the Dodgers are using two planes on a full-time basis for their regular-season road trips: One for players, just like they did last October; and another for everyone else, from manager Dave Roberts and the rest of his coaching staff to the dozens of other team personnel that make up each trip.

“It was driven by them,” Roberts said of the players, noting their interest in continuing the two-plane itinerary this year. “And we facilitated it.”

“It’s reimagining team travel,” added Scott Akasaki, who as the Dodgers’ senior director of travel has overseen the transition. “It’ll be interesting to see what the positive things that come out of it are.”

Indeed, as club officials looked ahead to their 2025 title defense this winter, they quickly warmed to the idea of making the two-plane system permanent.

Already, they had bought into the positive impacts it had on team chemistry during the playoffs, believing it to be a contributing factor to the heightened level of camaraderie players cited as a driving force behind their 2024 championship.

But as they mapped out ways to ease the burdens of a grueling 162-game season, they recognized other logistical benefits that could result from the added travel investment.

“Our ownership was incredibly supportive of the idea,” general manager Brandon Gomes said. “And yeah, it seems like it’s gone well so far.”

For starters, players now have more comfortable seating arrangements on flights, able to spread out on an aircraft that includes only a handful of additional clubhouse support staff.

“It’s providing an environment where our players are more apt to get rest and recovery, with just less people on the plane and more room to move around,” Akasaki said.

And after the team experienced several lengthy travel-day delays last year because of mechanical problems with their charter, they now have a “fail-safe” contingency plan, as Gomes described it; always having a second plane available to transport team members to their next city as scheduled.

“In theory, the players and critical staff can hop on the working plane and go,” Akasaki echoed, “while the remaining folks stay behind until the mechanical problem gets resolved.”

Four road trips into this year, however, no trickle-down effect has been as lauded as the changes the Dodgers have made to their actual travel schedule.

In the days of traditional single-plane travel, the Dodgers would typically wait to fly out of Los Angeles if they had an off day between the end of a homestand and the start of a road trip. It meant one extra night at home, but a later arrival into cities on the eve of an away series.

“When you’re spending your off day on the plane,” veteran third baseman Max Muncy said, “you don’t ever feel like you’re as recovered.”

Using two planes for road trips has allowed the Dodgers players to leave right after the final game of a homestand, which so far this season has been followed by an off day. “When you’re spending your off day on the plane,” veteran third baseman Max Muncy said, “you don’t ever feel like you’re as recovered.”

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

With the benefit of a second plane, the Dodgers can do things differently now.

Though each of the team’s first four homestands this year have been followed by an open date, the players’ plane has departed immediately after all four getaway-day games, getting them into road cities the same night (or, in the case of Wednesday’s flight to New York this week, early the next morning) before the rest of the traveling party arrives the following afternoon.

“I think it’s better,” Freeman said. “It gives us actually a whole day off.”

“It’s nice to just have the off day [without having to fly],” Muncy added. “You’re tired on the off day, but then you can get a full night’s sleep to rest and recover. That felt pretty good.”

Sometimes, that extra day affords players with rare additional personal time — giving someone like Muncy, a Dallas-area native, a full afternoon to see family before last month’s Easter weekend series in Texas.

But even for other guys, Muncy added, “it was, let me go lay out by the pool, or let me go grab some lunch somewhere, and then we’ll go get a nice dinner. It just gives you the whole day to kind of recover. I think it’ll be a better change for us.”

Accounting for a second plane, of course, does add complexities to the planning of each road trip. The truckloads of equipment the Dodgers travel with has to be specifically sorted and loaded onto the correct flight. The team has to coordinate between two airline partners, chartering a Boeing 757 from Delta and a Boeing 737-800 from United, to handle travel parties sometimes upwards of 100 in all. Akasaki now even has a bigger team of people who help with the planning process, too.

“From Andrew [Friedman, president of baseball operations] on down, it was like, ‘Hey, this is a big thing, and it’s a lot for one person to handle,” Akasaki said. “So [they asked], ‘What do you need to keep this all organized?’ That’s been very helpful.”

The team also had to account for potential other negatives. There were considerations made over the environmental impact of using a second plane, according to one person involved in the process but not authorized to speak publicly. There were more simple day-to-day changes to the rhythm of the team’s season as well.

“Like, you can’t have that organic conversation in the back of the plane between a staff member and a player like you used to,” Akasaki noted.

But, in the end, the pros outweighed the cons.

“You can still have that [conversation] in the clubhouse,” Akasaki noted.

Plus, for an organization that has long tried to maximize its monstrous financial resources to become a premier destination for star talent in baseball, being able to pitch prospective free agents on the luxury of using two planes certainly “doesn’t hurt” either, Gomes quipped.

With the Dodgers’ new travel system believed to be unique among MLB clubs, Roberts noted that “there’s a lot of other teams already asking about the two planes.”

And to this point, players said, the reviews have been positive.

“It’s still early,” Muncy noted. “I’ve only ever done it the one way since I’ve been here, so I don’t know what the other way is like” over the course of a full season.

But, Freeman joked with a grin, “I haven’t heard one complaint about it.”

One flight attendant has taken to social media to shed light on why crews always greet passengers at the plane doors prior to take-off – and it goes beyond just simple politeness

A flight attendant has shared insider information about why passengers are welcomed at the doors of a plane during boarding. Frequent flyers will be familiar with the standard boarding protocol that includes a warm welcome at the plane doors – usually consisting of big smiles and gentle direction to the correct aisle to find your seat.

Naturally, this is assumed by many to be a show of basic politeness, considering flight attendants are the face of any airline. Another common assumption is that the greeting is meant to lay the groundwork for a pleasant flight experience or even, to simply check boarding passes for one final time.

However, one working flight attendant alleges that hospitality is not the primary motivation for the warm reception. The real reason for the greeting is to give flight attendants the opportunity to conduct a visual assessment of passengers before take-off.

In a now-viral TikTok video, MrsMiva – who claims to work for TUI out of Stuttgart airport – has explained flight attendants use the boarding process to check if passengers are able fliers. According to the creator, flight attendants need to determine if passengers are “too drunk or sick to fly”.

In the caption for the video, MrsMiva explains that the pause at the door helps attendants see who might be able to assist in the unlikely event of an emergency. The video – which has been viewed over 18 million times – started a lively conversation in the comments section, with many seconding MrsMiva’s claim.

Many commenters confirmed they’ve certainly experienced the attendant greeting and that the reason behind it is valid and logical. One commenter who also claimed to be a long-time attendant confirmed the policy, writing: “FA (flight attendant) of eight years – or to check if they could be an ABA (able-bodied assistant).”

The comments took a turn as users began to explain the different types of flight attendants they had encountered in their travels. Some said they had “really chill” attendants, while others added theirs were helpful when they were in poor condition to travel.

Being able-bodied and physically fit is a requirement of passengers wishing to sit next to emergency exit doors, which may be why attendants double-check this at the door. Emergency exit seats are often coveted for their extra legroom, though they can cost extra.

Passengers that sit near the emergency exit doors must be willing and able to assist flight attendants in the unlikely event of an emergency. For this reason, Ryanair’s terms and conditions state that it “can change your allocated seats at any time, even if you had reserved it, if we need to do this for operational, safety or security reasons.”

The airline’s guidelines stipulate that passengers who wish to sit in rows 1, 16, or 17 where emergency exits are located must meet certain criteria, including being over 16 years old, capable of assisting in an emergency, travelling without an infant, not requiring airport special assistance of any kind, not requiring a seat belt extender, and not having an extra comfort seat booked.

Many flight attendants have begun sharing trade secrets on social media, letting passengers in on the reason for many common behaviours or practices. Another TikTok account recently revealed why flight attendants sit on their hands while they’re in jumpseats.

Another cabin crew members also shared when it is – and isn’t – acceptable to recline your seat on an plane. And how you can ensure you have a more enjoyable flight and be a considerate passenger.