Ryanair

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled, official data from June 3 indicates

A UK tourist hotspot has been rocked by disruption today. Officials in Portugal say 44.7% of flights scheduled to Portuguese airports on the day of a general strike today, Wednesday, June 3, were cancelled.

Portuguese media reports say that out of 1,472 flights scheduled across the country, at least 658 were cancelled, officials say. Of the 658 flights scheduled for Lisbon Airport, 408 have been cancelled, equivalent to 62%.

EasyJet had said in advance that its passengers would be affected. It said on the eve of the strike: “Due to a national strike in Portugal on 3 June, like all airlines operating to and from the country we can expect some disruption to our flying programme. We will be doing all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action and will contact customers directly with their options if their flights are affected.

“While this is outside of our control we are sorry for any inconvenience this strike action may cause.” Ryanair said it would not be affected.

Sapo reports that the second-highest percentage of cancelled flights is in Ponta Delgada, where 41% of the 118 scheduled flights will not take place, according to ANA information. In Porto and Faro, nearly a third of flights will be cancelled.

In Madeira, 23% of the 102 scheduled flights were cancelled. Almost all flights were reportedly cancelled in advance. This enabled notifying passengers and rescheduling flights, local media reports said.

The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPAC) said that of the 508 scheduled flights, “329 flights have already been cancelled, that is, 65% of the operations planned for June 3”.

The strikes, which also affected public transport and other services in the country, were the second in six month called over proposed government labour reforms.

AROUND 150 Ryanair passengers were left stranded at a European airport following massive queues.

The passengers at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France missed their Ryanair flight last week due to lengthy queues at border control caused by staff shortages.

The flight to London Stansted left without some of its passengers as queues at border control meant they couldn’t reach their gate in time for the flight.

One passenger told The Connexion that it was “pure chaos” adding that “there was no structure at the airport” and “people pushing at all times”.

The woman’s flight wasn’t the only one to be impacted either – in total four flights were boarding at the same with destinations including Marrakech in Morocco, Tunisia and two to London.

Reportedly, around 500 people were in the border control area including passengers with babies.

Read more on travel inspo

HOL YES

I’m a travel editor & mum-of-3… my favourite family holidays from just £3pp a night

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

The woman also revealed that despite just managing to get onboard her flight, the pilot announced shortly after that 150 passengers had not made it.

On its website, the UK Civil Aviation Authority states: “Airports will try to do their best to ensure a smooth operation and provide passengers with a comfortable journey. However, sometimes problems do occur.

“If you miss a flight due to a long queue at security, even though you arrived at the airport on time, it is unlikely that an airline would pay compensation or consider itself obliged to offer you a free alternative flight.

“We are pleased to see that some airlines are helping their passengers find alternative flights voluntarily.

“We would recommend that you contact your travel agent or airline to help book you onto an alternative flight, but you may need to pay extra to do this.

“If you have taken out travel insurance, contact your insurance provider to see if your expenses are covered and make sure you keep receipts for these.”

A Ryanair spokesperson told Sun Travel: “Due to delays caused by border control staff shortages at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport on 30 May, a number of passengers booked to travel from Toulouse to London Stansted were not in the boarding gate area when boarding for their flight closed and missed their flight from Toulouse to London Stansted.

“All passengers that were at the boarding gate when this flight from Toulouse to London Stansted boarded were accommodated and travelled without incident.”

Sun Travel has contacted Toulouse-Blagnac Airport for comment.

The move will see passengers pay ’65 per cent’ less tax on a number of routes in a bid to make them more ‘affordable’

The prices of tickets for a number of flights in a holiday destination for British travellers will be lowered in a bid to make them more affordable. The move will see flights on 26 specific routes cut in price as tax is reduced on many flights in France, which gets around four million visits from UK travellers every year.

The move was introduced on June 1. Philippe Tabarot, minister at the French Ministry of Transport, confirmed the update this week, and it will affect some international flights as well as trips to some of France’s biggest cities.

Travellers in the UK heading for holidays to France from Heathrow and Gatwick could benefit. Air France, for instance, travels to Paris Charles de Gaulle, while Manchester airport and Birmingham airport also daily flights to both Paris and Lyon, and Newcastle, Edinburgh and Southampton airports also have regular Paris flights.

The move is due to a change in the so-called solidarity tax on airplane tickets (TSBA). French media website 20 Minutes reports that the TSBA had been raised in March 2025 for all flights departing from France.

Local media say the amount rose from €2.63 to €7.40 per passenger. Now passengers flying on certain routes will see the figure returne to the original rate of €2.63.

The Ministry of Transport says this represents a 65% reduction in the tax. That amounts to a saving of €4.77 per ticket.

The flights in France to be affected by the TSBA change

This discount applies to the following routes:

1. Calvi-Marseille
2. Ajaccio-Paris (Orly)
3. La Rochelle–Lyon
4. Ajaccio-Nice
5. Brive–Paris
6. Rodez–Paris
7. Strasbourg–Madrid
8. Strasbourg–Munich
9. Bastia-Nice
10. Figari-Paris (Orly)
11. Tarbes–Paris
12. Calvi-Paris (Orly)
13. Calvi-Nice
14. Brest–Ouessant
15. Bastia-Paris (Orly)
16. Limoges–Lyon
17. Figari-Nice
18. Poitiers–Lyon
19. Aurillac–Paris
20. Bastia-Marseille
21. Strasbourg-Copenhagen
22. Limoges–Paris
23. Figari-Marseille
24. Ajaccio-Marseille
25. Castres–Paris
26. Le Puy–Paris

The minister said: “By making these routes more affordable, this measure reflects the government’s commitment to supporting connectivity in the least well-served regions and to reducing the cost of air travel to and from these destinations.”

The move is designed to support routes officials believe are sometimes poorly served by other means of transport. While the flights are almost all domestic, Brits travelling around the country could benefit.

There are also international connections to Strasbourg that are included, as well as most of the links between the French island of Corsica and the mainland. These routes have a special status as ‘public service’ routes because they are in areas where other transport options are limited, or where flying represents the only fast connection, The Local reports.

The eco tax was originally added to plane tickets under Jacques Chirac’s government in 2005, French media reports say. It was doubled in 2024 in a move that Ryanair blamed for its withdrawal from some regional French airports.

The tax is added as an extra fee to each plane ticket bought. It is charged at a sliding rate based on the length of the flight and whether the ticket is standard class, business or first.

Official orders have spelt out what flights must be provided

EasyJet and Ryanair travellers have been issued with an official update as a UK holiday spot prepares for a major strike. Portugal will see a general strike on Wednesday, June 3.

It has previously been reported that around 500 flights from different airlines could be affected. EasyJet has said there could be some disruption for passengers on the day.

TAP Air Portugal says it is planning to operate at least 79 flights. The airline is also reportedly rebooking travel options for affected passengers.

Air Europa has reportedly cancelled all flights between Madrid and Lisbon and Porto. Tram services in Porto are also set to be affected.

Ryanair has said it will operate as normal. It will be the second time the nation has been hit by a general strike in recent months in protest at labour reforms the Portuguese government is planning. The disruption is likely to affect many areas of the country.

Portuguese media reports say that for those providing essential social services, minimum service levels have been established. Information has been reported in local media, based on official documents, about what minimum services are therefore expected for some airlines.

EasyJet ‘minimum services in Portugal on June 3’

Local media reports say that some flights involving major national carrier TAP will go ahead. Sapo reports that a deal has been reached between easyJet and the trade unions, providing for the following minimum services:

• two flights from Lisbon to Funchal;
• one flight from Porto to Funchal;
• one flight from Lisbon to Basel; one Lisbon-Nice flight;
• one Porto-Paris flight;
• one Porto-Geneva flight;
• one Porto-Luxembourg flight;
• one Lisbon-Luxembourg flight;
• and one Lisbon-London flight.

That information emerged in reports published by the Directorate-General for Employment and Labour Relations (DGERT). It stated that the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Crew also warns that, “if striking staff are replaced by crew from other bases, the conditions for future agreements will no longer exist”.

Full list of ‘Ryanair minimum services on June 3’

Sapo also reports that in the case of Ryanair, minimum services have been set by order of the Minister for Infrastructure and Housing. These reportedly state that, on the day of the strike, staff must report for duty to ensure the following connections:

• two Lisbon–Funchal–Lisbon connecting flights;
• one Lisbon–London–Lisbon connecting flight;
• one Lisbon–Luxembourg–Lisbon connecting flight;
• one Porto–London–Porto connecting flight;
• one Porto–Luxembourg–Porto connecting flight;
• one Porto–Paris–Porto connecting flight;
• and one Faro–London–Faro connecting flight.

“The staff required to ensure minimum services shall be designated by the trade unions that have called the strike no later than 24 hours before the start of each of the declared strike days or, if they fail to do so, the companies must make such a designation,” the order states.

EasyJet told the Sun: “Due to a national strike in Portugal on 3 June, like all airlines operating to and from the country we can expect some disruption to our flying programme. We will be doing all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action and will contact customers directly with their options if their flights are affected.

“While this is outside of our control we are sorry for any inconvenience this strike action may cause.”

Ryanair recently changed one of its rules

A Ryanair rule change could see some holidaymakers charged around £55 extra at the airport. The budget airline is well known for its no-frills approach, regularly slapping on extra fees for things like luggage and choosing your seat in advance.

Currently, passengers travelling on standard tickets are only allowed one small personal item as hand luggage without incurring any additional costs. Should that item be larger than the permitted dimensions, it will need to go into the aircraft hold, at an extra charge.

While plenty of travellers are well aware of this policy, there is another Ryanair requirement that could leave you out of pocket. Anyone flying with Ryanair must check in online. Passengers can then store their boarding pass on a mobile phone or tablet.

In November 2025, Ryanair has moved to “100% digital boarding passes via its app, eliminating paper passes to reduce costs, improve service, streamline rebooking, and save 300 tonnes of paper annually”. Online check-in opens 60 days before departure for those who have bought allocated seats, or 24 hours beforehand for passengers happy to accept a free seat assignment.

Regardless of seating preferences, the online check-in window shuts two hours before the scheduled departure time. Once online check-in has been completed, boarding passes are issued, and passengers are required to save a digital copy. Failing to check in online will land you with an airport check-in fee of £55, or the euro equivalent.

To sidestep this charge, make sure you have a valid boarding pass in hand before setting off for the airport, reports Chronicle Live. For those travelling without a smartphone or tablet, Ryanair will issue a free boarding pass, so long as online check-in has been completed before arriving at the airport.

Ryanair said it will send passengers a reminder to check in online shortly before their scheduled departure.

Leon says if he had been caught, he had a plan B

A holidaymaker has explained how he saved himself £75 to £100 on a Ryanair flight thanks to a £15 neck pillow. Leon Docwra packed underwear, T-shirts, swimming shorts and even a beach towel into a £15 travel pillow before boarding a Ryanair flight.

The 50-year-old also wore two tracksuits, three pairs of pants and three pairs of socks. Leon, who flies once a month, says the trick helped him avoid paying additional luggage charges after previously being stung.

“We fly frequently and have been charged for having too much stuff in our bags and wanted to find a way to get extra on without paying fees,” said Leon, from Great Yarmouth.

“Neck pillows are allowed and they didn’t check it. If they had, I would have gone to the bathroom and worn everything to avoid paying a £75 fine. I was already wearing two layers of clothes, three pairs of pants and three pairs of socks and it did get hot but it was worth it.”

The scrap metal dealer said he had paid only for hand luggage on the flight from Norwich to Portugal, which cost around £400. Among the items hidden inside were four pairs of boxer shorts, four pairs of socks, four T-shirts, two pairs of swimming shorts and a beach towel.

Leon admitted it wasn’t the first time he had used the money-saving tactic. He said: “I’ll do it every time. Flights are expensive enough without having to pay for extra luggage and fines.

“I fly a lot so I’d spend a fortune on baggage. It’s money we can spend on our holiday.”

Leon shared a video of the stuffed pillow online, where viewers praised the inventive travel hack. He added: “People think it’s great. They said they’re going to start doing it themselves.

“Anything at the moment where you can save money is great to share with others.”

One person said: “I wore two trackies when I travelled last week to avoid the extra cost. Was sweating like a b*tch though.”

Someone else said: “Mate, I’d rather pay the 80 quid than have to iron that lot the other end.” A third person added: “Just like Joey from Friends.”

Another person said: “Can u block the airline lo?l They will start asking to check these items.” Someone else added: “That’s actually good idea. I got charged over £100 on my last trip.”

An aeroplane had to be sent back to the airport it took off from after an incident mid-air

Air travellers are being forced to think carefully about Bluetooth rules on flights after a plane was sent back to an airport and evacuated. The incident has reportedly led to the arrest of a passenger.

Headlines today suggest that refusing to follow the rules may result in the flight returning to the airport for safety reasons. On Saturday afternoon, a flight took off for Palma de Mallorca in Spain from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Yet some time later, while over the Atlantic, it was forced to return to the airport it set off from due to a security emergency, reports say.

For UK travellers, the incident will emphasise the importance of following airline rules. It will also require many to check them to make sure they adhere to the guidance.

easyJet rules on Bluetooth use

easyJet’s website states that you can use portable electronic devices on board for activities such as playing games, reading e-books, watching movies and listening to your favourite music. The airline says passengers can use most devices during all parts (take-off, the flight and landing) of the journey.

The site adds: “All devices must be in ‘flight safe’ mode for taxi, take-off, inflight and landing and held securely in your hand or in your pocket. During the taxi-in to the arrival gate the cabin crew will let you know when you can make telephone calls or send text messages.”

The airline also notes that some devices can be used for boarding and in-flight provided they are in “flight safe” mode. However, this is not the case during taxi, take-off and landing – as they must then be safely stowed away in the overhead locker. These are:

• All Bluetooth accessories (wireless keyboard, headphones etc)
• Notebooks
• Large music players
• Ultra books
• Laptops
• DVD players
• Large electronic games

easyJet says that devices that do not have a “flight safe” mode will need to be turned off for the duration of the flight. There may be times when the pilot or cabin crew may ask for all electronic devices to be switched off so please follow their instructions, the airline says.

In the incident in America on Saturday, according to some passengers who spoke to the website AirLive, the crew had ordered passengers to immediately disconnect all Bluetooth devices. However, after repeated requests, at least two devices remained on.

The pilots decided to return to USA, Spanish news website El Diario reports. Reports say the threat originated from a device referred to by “a certain four-letter word.”

Passengers reportedly told aviation media that the message read ‘BOMB’. After landing back at Newark, the plane was evacuated while security staff inspected the aircraft.

The authorities later said it was the name of a device and arrested the suspect. According to media reports, he was a teenager.

Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI rules on Bluetooth use

Airline rules for UK travellers on popular carriers are clear on what passengers need to do. Ryanair’s website has a a section entitled “Will I be able to use my phone/device/electronics on board?”

It says: “Yes. You may use your laptop, tablet, smartphone and other electronic devices on board Ryanair flights. Your device will need to be switched to flight mode for the entire flight duration.

“Laptops and larger electronics can be used once the fasten seatbelt sign has been turned off. For safety reasons, these items must be kept in the overhead locker or stored in your bag under your seat when the aircraft is taxiing (moving towards the runway for take-off or towards the terminal after landing), take-off and landing stages of your flight.”

Jet2’s website also offers guidance for passengers. It says: “You can use all handheld electronic devices and Bluetooth gadgets, such as headphones, throughout the flight, as long as they’re switched to flight mode while onboard.

“Larger gadgets, such as laptops, must be switched off and put away for take-off and landing. If there are any changes to this, the captain or our cabin crew will let you know.”

TUI’s website has a similar section about using personal electronic devices on a flight. Its guidance states that passengers can use things like MP3 players, e-books, smartphones, and other handheld personal electronic devices at any time during a flight, unless they are told otherwise by the crew – “as long as they’re switched to ‘Flight Safe Mode’ or ‘Airplane Mode’.”

The site adds: “That said, please make sure you listen carefully to the safety briefing by the cabin crew. You’ll not be able to use any type of clip-on product to hold your phone or tablet on TUI flights, as you’re not allowed to attach anything to your tray tables or seats.”

The airline says that if you are carrying larger devices like laptops and larger tablets, you will be able to use them during the flight. However, it emphasises that they will need to be switched off for take-off and landing and stowed away.

The airline says: “You’ll need to take these items out of your hand luggage before you get to the security search point. This is because they’ll need extra screening. If any of your electronic devices can’t be switched to ‘Flight Safe’ or ‘Airplane Mode’, they’ll need to be switched off completely throughout the flight. Please also be aware that you won’t be able to charge your laptop on the flight.”

Officials are considering measures that would allow UK airlines to block disruptive passengers with a history of serious misconduct from travelling, amid a sharp rise in onboard incidents since the pandemic

Ministers are exploring proposals that could result in persistent troublemakers being banned from future flights amid growing alarm over disruptive behaviour on aircraft.

Officials are weighing up a system that would enable airlines to identify passengers with a track record of serious misconduct and potentially deny them the ability to travel. Under the plans, which are still at an early stage of consideration, details of blacklisted passengers could be shared throughout the aviation industry.

Should someone attempt to book a flight after being added to the list, the airline or tour operator could receive notification and be given the choice to block the reservation, effectively grounding that individual indefinitely.

Civil liberties campaigners have, however, raised alarm about the proposals, cautioning they could set a “dangerous precedent” through the sharing of personal data and limitations on access to transport, reports the Express.

Currently, airlines have the power to ban passengers who have displayed violent or abusive conduct while travelling with them. Yet existing restrictions only extend to the specific carrier involved in the incident, meaning offenders can frequently sidestep penalties by simply booking with a different airline.

The primary hurdle facing any new system is current data protection law, which prohibits carriers from exchanging passenger details with one another, even where criminal offences have taken place.

Who is calling for some passengers to be banned from all flights for life?

Calls for stricter measures have grown louder following a string of high-profile mid-air incidents that have gone viral online, reports the Daily Mail. These have included episodes where cabin crew faced death threats and violent clashes erupted between passengers in aircraft aisles.

Such incidents are among hundreds logged annually and have often led to expensive flight diversions that wreck holidays and travel arrangements.

There appears to be widespread public backing for harsher punishments, with recent polling indicating most Britons support restrictions on passengers who commit serious misconduct while airborne.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has previously urged limits on airport alcohol sales, including curbs on early morning pints, in an effort to cut the number of disruptive passengers getting on planes.

Ministers aren’t attempting to stop travellers from having a drink before their flight. Rather, they’re hoping any future system would promote better conduct while helping to safeguard cabin crew, families and fellow passengers.

It’s understood the proposals are being worked on by the Home Office and Department for Transport but remain in the early stages and require additional consultation with the aviation sector. Any system would need to tackle existing privacy regulations, which currently stop airlines from sharing passenger data.

Ministers are expected to sit down with industry bosses later this month to thrash out the details of the plans. A government source said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy a pint at the airport, but anti-social behaviour on flights is totally unacceptable.

“It threatens the safety of passengers and crew and disrupts hard-earned holidays.

“There are already tough laws in place to deal with offences committed on flights, but we are exploring with industry how we can better address this issue, ensuring we crack down on people who persistently cause chaos. Everyone should be able to fly without fuss.”

The low-cost airline is reducing the number of flights at 19 airports across Europe, including in the UK, and passengers have been warned to check their itineraries and alternative routes

Ryanair has slashed flights at 19 airports across Europe, including in the UK, ahead of its summer timetable.

Due to the changes, passengers have been urged to verify their itineraries and explore alternative routes.

Destinations affected by the reductions include Berlin, Manchester, Krakow and Malaga.

The decision comes as the budget carrier attempts to streamline its operations and tackle seasonal overcapacity, according to Travel and Tour World.

Travellers departing from or arriving at the airports facing reductions must verify their schedules to confirm their booking remains valid.

Full list of airports facing cuts:

United Kingdom

• London Stansted
• Manchester

Ireland

Germany

• Berlin Brandenburg
• Cologne Bonn
• Hamburg

Italy

Portugal

Belgium

France

Poland

Hungary

Romania

Bulgaria

Spain

The budget carrier has implemented the reductions to optimise its strategic network, ease economic pressures and manage rising costs.

The widespread cancellations form part of the airline’s efforts to safeguard profitability as the fuel crisis continues to fuel inflation worries.

The cuts come after Brits heading to Europe were caught in hours-long airport queues, with some passengers reportedly missing flights as new border checks continue to cause disruption across the EU.

The delays come following the rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which officially launched on October 12, 2025. Under the new system, non-EU travellers including Brits are required to register fingerprints and have their photograph taken when entering or leaving the Schengen area.

Thousands of people are finding their holiday flights disrupted as a result of the conflict in the Middle East but the CAA say there is one time you should never choose a refund

Scores of holidaymakers are facing an anxious wait ahead of their summer getaway as worries persist over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Thousands have already had their flights cancelled or disrupted, leaving them with the stressful task of replanning their trips or abandoning them entirely.

However, the Civil Aviation Authority, which oversees and regulates civil aviation in the UK, has issued summer guidance for passengers, outlining their rights should a flight be cancelled either before they depart or while they are already away. It has also reassured travellers that they are “well protected” when things go wrong.

It said: “You may have seen reports about possible disruption to flights this summer. As the summer travel season approaches, airlines, government and industry partners are working closely to support smooth journeys.”

It continued: “While there is a risk of some disruption as a result of the situation in the Middle East, travellers in the UK are well protected by some of the strongest passenger rights in the world, offering reassurance if disruption does occur.” Publishing the statement on its website, it went on to outline several key rules all passengers should be aware of if their flight is disrupted – including one scenario where you should not request a refund, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Cancellation of a flight departing from or travelling to the UK

If your cancelled flight was booked directly with the airline or via a third party your airline is required by law to offer you the following 3 options to choose from:

• a refund
• an alternative flight (referred to as “re-routing”) at the earliest opportunity
• an alternative flight (referred to as “re-routing”) at a later date at your convenience, subject to availability.

It said: “You will be required by the airline to select one of these options. Once you have committed to one of these options with your airline you are unlikely to be able to change your mind. Ensure that you consider all options carefully before selecting the best choice for you.

A Refund

The CAA advised: “Do not choose a refund of your flight if you still wish to travel. If you choose a refund, you will not be entitled to re-routing or care.

“If you no longer wish to travel you can ask for a refund. If you chose this option, you will need to confirm this with your airline. The airline should provide you with a refund within 7 days. If you booked through a third party, your refund may take longer.

“Your right to a refund applies to all the parts of the ticket you have not used. For example, if you booked a return flight and did not depart, you are entitled to the full cost of the return ticket. If you are part way through your journey and your connecting flight is cancelled you are also entitled to a flight back to your original UK departure airport if you decide not to, or cannot, continue your journey.”

An alternative flight (re-routing) at the earliest opportunity

This requires the airline to find you a different flight to your destination as close as possible to the time of your original flight, explained the CAA. It said: “If there are lots of flights being cancelled, it may be challenging for your airline to find you alternative flight seats as other flights may already be full.

“Although we expect your airline to do all it can to offer you an alternative flight (which may mean flying on an alternative airline) and keep you updated while you wait, limited available seats may mean that your airline may not be able to get you to your destination as quickly as you or it would wish.

“If you are already at the airport when your flight is cancelled and you choose this option, your airline should also provide you with care in the form of meals, refreshments and hotel accommodation proportionate to the wait for your alternative flight. You are also entitled a means of communication e.g. two phone calls or emails.”

If your cancelled flight was a component of a package holiday

If your cancelled flight was a part of a package holiday, you benefit from the same rights as if you had booked directly with the airline. Refer to “If you booked a flight directly with the airline or via a third party” for details of these rights.

In addition, you may also benefit from additional rights under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations. Your package provider must offer a suitable alternative holiday if it can, or a refund for the full price of your package holiday.

Cancellation of a flight to the UK

These are similar to the rules for flights from the UK with some small expections, The CAA said if you booked a flight directly with the airline or via a third party and your return flight has been cancelled, you may be covered by UK passenger rights legislation, however this is dependent on which airline is operating your flight.

If it is a UK or EU air carrier you will be covered however if you are travelling with a non-UK or non-EU air carrier you will not be covered. It adds: “If UK passenger rights legislation does not apply, we encourage airlines to do all they can to minimise the overall impact to their passengers. You may also have some protection if you booked your flight with a credit card or via your travel insurance.”

However if your flight is covered by UK passenger rights legislation your airline is required by law to offer you the following 3 options to choose from:

• a refund
• an alternative flight (referred to as “re-routing”) at the earliest opportunity
• an alternative flight (referred to as “re-routing”) at a later date at your convenience, subject to availability.

It added: “You will be required by the airline to select one of these options. Once you have committed to one of these options with your airline you are unlikely to be able to change your mind. Please ensure that you consider all options carefully before selecting the best choice for you. For most passengers, your choice will be a flight home.

A Refund

It said: “Do not choose a refund of your flight if you still wish to travel. If you choose a refund, you will not be entitled to re-routing or care. If you no longer wish to travel you can ask for a refund.

“If you chose this option, you will need to confirm this with your airline. The airline should provide you with a refund within 7 days. If you booked through a third party, your refund may take longer.

“Your right to a refund applies to all the parts of the ticket you have not used. For example, if you booked a return flight and did not depart, you are entitled to the full cost of the return ticket. If you are part way through your journey and your connecting flight is cancelled you are also entitled to a flight back to your original UK departure airport if you decide not to, or cannot, continue your journey.”

An alternative flight (re-routing) at the earliest opportunity

This option requires the airline to find you an alternative flight to the UK as close as possible to the time of your original flight. The CAA advised: “If there are lots of flights being cancelled, it may be challenging for your airline to find you alternative flight seats as other flights may already be full. Although we expect your airline to do all it can to offer you an alternative flight (which may mean flying on an alternative airline) and keep you updated while you wait, limited available seats may mean that your airline may not be able to get you to your destination as quickly as you or it would wish.

“If you are already at the airport when your flight is cancelled and you choose this option, your airline should also provide you with care in the form of meals, refreshments and hotel accommodation proportionate to the wait for your alternative flight. You are also entitled a means of communication e.g. two phone calls or emails.”

If your cancelled flight was a component of a package holiday

If your cancelled flight was a component of a package holiday, you benefit from the same rights as if you had booked directly with the airline, said the CAA. Refer to “If you booked a flight directly with the airline or via a third party” for details of these rights.

It added: “In addition, you may also benefit from additional rights under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations. Normally your tour operator will contact you in advance to re-arrange your flights back to you UK. However, if you are at the airport, you should contact your package travel organiser to talk through your options.”

KISS goodbye to overpriced holidays abroad this summer as we’ve found six gorgeous European beach resorts where you can fly out from UK airports for £15.99 or less.

Our list includes an undercover island paradise with white sands that look like the Caribbean and a cheaper Marbella alternative that offers the same high-end glamour.

You really don’t need to spend a fortune on a coastal city break either, so grab your sunglasses and pack your bags.

These aren’t your typical, overcrowded tourist traps, either – plus, we’ve hand-picked cheap hotels for each destination, too.

Malaga, Spain

In the heart of the sunny Costa del Sol, Malaga has all the high-end glamour, palm tree-lined boulevards, and buzzy cocktail bars of Marbella -but without the eye-watering price tags.

This sun-drenched hotspot blends a trendy city break with a classic fly-and-flop beach holiday.

History buffs can wander through ancient Moorish fortresses, while art lovers can browse the world-class Picasso Museum.

The bustling seafront promenade is lined with traditional beachside bars where you can feast on seafood such as espetos – fresh sardines barbecued on skewers. Pair that with sipping on some frozen cocktails on La Malagueta beach, and you’ve got the traditional Malaga experience nailed.

Ryanair offers £14.99 flights one-way from UK airports like Liverpool and Bournemouth.

Booking.com offers a 5-night stay for two at the Livensa Living Studios apartments for £242, working out to just £24.20pp per night.

Faro, Portugal

While some touch down in Faro only to sprint for the resorts of the central Algarve, staying put in Faro is well worth it.

This historic city is the gateway to the spectacular Ria Formosa Natural Park – a sprawling network of islands that feels a million miles away from the usual holiday chaos.

Hop on a ferry for a few euros to Ilha Deserta (Deserted Island), a stretch of pristine, white sand and turquoise water so bright that you could easily trick your friends into thinking you’re in the Caribbean.

After a day of sun-soaking on quiet beaches, wander back into Faro‘s beautifully-preserved Old Town.

Its cobblestone streets are lined with authentic pastelarias and traditional seafood taverns, where you can try locally harvested oysters washed down with a bottle of local Portuguese wine.

Ryanair offers £14.99 flights each way from London Luton and East Midlands airports.

Booking.com offers a 3-night stay for two at the Hotel Made Inn in Faro for £310.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is having its moment this year.

The city was crowned the World Capital of Architecture for 2026, and the Sagrada Familia officially became the tallest church in the world back in February.

There are plenty of famous spots to see here, and even if you’ve already visited, Barcelona is a city many return to time and again.

With 12 attractions to visit designed by famous architect Antoni Gaudí, nine golden sand beaches and thousands of bars and restaurants to try out, this city can never truly be ‘ticked off’ the travel list.

Stroll the famous shopping street La Rambla all the way along to the Port Vell to visit a harbour packed with market stalls selling hand-crafted goods, overlooked by a giant Ferris wheel.

Or visit the famous market La Boqueria to have a taste of anything from authentic Jamón Iberico to chocolate treats shaped like people, dinosaurs, flowers – basically anything you can imagine.

Ryanair offers £14.99 flights each way from London Luton, with £16.99 flights available from Birmingham, Bristol and East Midlands airports.

Expedia offers stays at the easyHotel Barcelona La Sagrera from £132 per night for a double room.

Genoa, Italy

If you want the romance of the Italian Riviera without the prices of nearby Portofino, Genoa offers those same stunning Ligurian Sea views for a much lower price.

This coastal city is home to the Caruggi: Europe’s largest network of medieval alleyways.

Here you can discover hidden pastel palaces and buy freshly-baked focaccia from local bakeries for pocket change.

For a seaside day out, hop on a quick 15-minute train ride down the coast to Boccadasse, a historic fisherman’s town.

Here, a cluster of pastel-pink, mint, and terracotta-coloured houses frames a pebbled cove where the locals like to sunbathe.

Genoa provides an authentic slice of La Dolce Vita that feels untouched by mass tourism.

Ryanair offers £14.99 flights each way from Manchester and London Stansted airport.

Booking.com offer stays at the Hotel Britannia in Genoa from £68 per night.

Alicante, Spain

Unlike the sprawling concrete high-rises found further down the coast, Alicante retains authentic Spanish charm.

The must-visit beach is Playa del Postiguet, a sweeping crescent of powder-soft sand and calm waters that sit at the foot of Santa Barbara Castle.

Afternoons are best spent strolling the Explanada de España – a beautiful promenade paved with wavy marble tiles and lined with towering palm trees.

As the sun sets, head into the colourful, winding streets of El Barrio (the old town).

Here you can sample authentic tapas and paella at local prices, before hitting the city’s glamorous marina for a sundowner alongside the yachts.

Ryanair offers £15.99 flights each way from airports including Manchester, Bristol and Exeter.

Booking.com offers a 5-night stay for two at the B&B HOTEL Alicante Aeropuerto for £334 total, working out to £33.40pp per night.

Ancona, Italy

Tucked away on Italy’s Adriatic coast, Ancona is a lesser-known gem that completely bypasses the packed tourist trails of the west coast.

This historic port city has a well-kept secret – its unique, elbow-shaped peninsula, which is one of the only places in Italy where you can watch the sun both rise and set directly over the sea.

The city itself is a treasure trove of Roman ruins, grand cathedrals, and lively piazzas, but the magic lies on the shores of the Conero Riviera.

Here, the rolling green hills of a dramatic national park plunge into the turquoise Adriatic Sea, carving out white-pebble beaches like Portonovo and Sirolo.

You can spend the day sun-soaking beneath dramatic limestone cliffs, swim out to hidden sea caves, and then wander back into the city to feast on fresh mussels with local white wine.

This wildly beautiful slice of Italy is a quiet spot that’s still off the radar for most Brits.

Ryanair offers £14.99 flights each way from London Stansted to Ancona.

Lastminute.com offer stays at the Hotel Fortuna from £72 per night.

*Prices correct at the time of publication.

Critics of the current system say it doesn’t reflect reality

The Government has issued an update about tax changes affecting UK air travel. The policy update could impact journeys with major airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet. The ministerial response comes after major concerns were raised about the current system, which campaigners branded “completely unfair”.

The Treasury has issued a response to a petition to Parliament that garnered more than 10,000 signatures calling for a review of the scale rate expenses paid to employees who travel outside the UK, such as airline cabin crew. These scale rate payments are where a business provides an employee with a set amount of cash, to cover business expenses such as travel and meals, so the worker does not have to provide receipts for each item. The petition called for ministers to “review and increase” the expenses rates. The campaign said: “We feel the rates are not reflective or the real costs for people whose work takes them abroad, and that the way they are put into blocks of 5/10 or 24 hour blocks is completely unfair.

“We want these rates to be reviewed by HMRC so they are up to date with the current cost of living.” These time blocks refer to the fact there are different rates that apply depending on the length of time the expenses relate to. There are different rates for a period of more than five hours but less than 10 hours, another one for more than 10 hours but less than 24 hours, and still another rate for a period of more than 24 hours.

The petition goes on to make the case why the current system is unfair: “If a flight is delayed by an hour this can mean dropping from the 24 hour payment down to the 10 hour payment so essentially working 12 hours without a payment. This is a common occurrence in air travel, hence crew being penalised for something out of their control.

“We believe the scale rates need to provide a wider range of rates and time blocks so that if you fall between rates you are not penalised.” Just over 11,000 people have pledged their support for the petition at the time of writing. If a petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the Government is obliged to pen a response.

You can read the petition in full

Government response

The Treasury has now issued a reply. On the question of whether there could be changes to HMRC’s policies in this area, the group said: “The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy making process.

“Any decisions on future changes in this area will be taken in the context of the wider public finances.” The group also set out the reasoning behind the current scale rates system.

The Treasury said: “Overseas scale rates (OSR) allow employers to reimburse overseas travel costs without receipts. Where costs exceed rates, receipts can be used. The Government keeps OSR under review. The Government recognises that employees who travel overseas for work, including cabin crew, incur additional costs and that employers need practical ways to reimburse those costs fairly.

“HMRC’s overseas scale rate system is intended to support this by providing a consistent, evidence based framework for tax free subsistence payments where employees are travelling abroad as part of their role.” The Government body went on to explain that the scale rates are not intended to reflect a person’s expenses in every case, but instead provide a “standard set of benchmark amounts” that employers and employees can use.

Bespoke rates

Further explaining the rules, the response set out: “Employers are not required to use HMRC’s published scale rates if they believe these do not reflect their employees’ circumstances. Employers can agree bespoke rates with HMRC based on evidence of actual costs, or they can reimburse the actual costs incurred where receipts are available.

“These alternatives allow employers greater flexibility where working patterns, disruption or sector specific issues mean the standard rates are not appropriate.” You can sign the petition on the website.

It comes as hundreds of thousands of Brits leave the UK for a break

Jet2 has released an update regarding its half-term travel operations. This follows ongoing concerns about the potential impact of the US-Iran war and jet fuel supplies, though airlines including Jet2 and Ryanair have maintained there will be no immediate disruption.

In its statement released today (Wednesday, May 27), Jet2 revealed it had experienced its busiest weekend on record. It announced that it had seen an unprecedented number of passengers departing from airports across the UK for the May half-term break.

The most popular destinations during half-term included the Balearics, Canaries, Turkey, Mainland Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Croatia and Bulgaria, as travellers capitalised on the key holiday period.

Jet2 is preparing for a hectic summer season and has an extensive programme available, with a fleet of 139 aircraft transporting passengers on their getaways from 14 UK airports to locations across Europe, the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and North Africa.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, said: “This weekend saw us operate a record-breaking weekend, as customers took advantage of the bank holiday weekend and May half-term and took off to the sunshine. Given the number of customers who travelled with us over the weekend, it is very clear how much people want to get away and enjoy their well-deserved holidays. With our famous Red Team looking after customers, holidaymakers can look forward to creating memories and be assured of a wonderful holiday.

“Everything is geared up and ready for a busy summer and our message to holidaymakers is that summer is very much on. We have always been very clear about our plans to operate as normal this summer, and the busy weekend shows just how eager customers are to get away.”

This follows the firm reassuring passengers that ‘summer is on‘ despite mounting concerns over jet fuel availability. The optimistic stance comes after the airline and tour operator received encouraging updates from fuel suppliers, who have confirmed increased production and extra imports of jet fuel.

It follows a report published just last week which saw Jet2 top a UK resilience ranking as the best protected UK airline against elevated fuel costs.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary echoed similar views on jet fuel, stating he had ‘no issues over jet fuel supply right now through to the end of September‘. However, he cautioned that he was ‘very concerned about the price of oil’ due to the ongoing disruption at the Strait of Hormuz.

This could result in ‘airlines failing all over Europe’, he warned. Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers, announced on Monday that future profits would also likely take a hit.

Travellers have shared frustration online after being left stuck in overcrowded terminals while trying to enter or leave countries within the Schengen zone

Brits heading to Europe have been caught in hours-long airport queues, with some passengers reportedly missing flights as new border checks continue to cause disruption across the EU.

Travellers have shared frustration online after being left stuck in overcrowded terminals while trying to enter or leave countries within the Schengen zone. Turning what was meant to be a relaxing getaway quickly turned stressful due to lengthy waits at passport control.

A Facebook user, Clarissa Ward, took to Facebook today after waiting in the “longest line” she’s seen in her life saying: “I saw lots of elderly people and families with small children. People who missed connections. Others who missed flights. Me included.”

“Airport staff only let TAP (Portugal’s main airline) passengers cut the line if they were seconds away from missing their flight. Everyone else? Good luck. Since the much delayed rollout began in October there have been similar scenes in many European cities.”

Another Facebook user, Craig Hackett, explained he arrived three hours ahead of departure and checked their bag at the earliest opportunity, however was met with a “enormous” queue just to reach the boarding gate.

“As a result, we and at least 15 other passengers missed our flight through no fault of our own. There was no prioritisation for passengers at risk of missing flights, no fast tracking, and no meaningful help from airport staff or easyJet representatives”

“What makes this even worse is watching flights take off without passengers who were already inside the airport and trying to reach the gate. How is this acceptable operationally, economically, or environmentally? Where is the customer care for passengers doing everything right and still being left stranded?”

The delays come following the rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which officially launched on October 12, 2025. Under the new system, non-EU travellers including Brits are required to register fingerprints and have their photograph taken when entering or leaving the Schengen area.

The Schengen zone, which includes 29 European countries, is the world’s largest free-travel area. EU officials say the new checks are designed to strengthen border security, and reduce illegal migration.

Since the heavy delays, Airlines have taken to social media to urge governments to suspend the new Entry/Exit system (ESS). Ryanair posted on Facebook sharing: “Portuguese Government needs to suspend new Entry/Exit System (EES) until after the peak summer season. Average Ryanair flight time is 1 hour 15 minutes. Lisbon border control wait time is up to 2.5 hours. Portuguese Government must suspend EES to avoid excessive border control queue times at Portuguese airports during peak summer season”

AN airport in Spain is finally set to reopen – after cancelling all flights for the last month.

Santiago de Compostela Airport, in northern Spain, closed in April due to much-needed repair works, costing millions.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Having closed on April 23, it will finally be back up and running from May 27.

On its closure, an announcement was made on the Spanish airport operator’s website, Aena at the time, saying: “Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport will be closed from 23 April to 27 May 2026 for runway resurfacing works.

“During this period, the airport will be closed to all traffic, and no takeoffs or landings will take place.

LUXE FOR LESS

Our experts’ favourite holidays that feel 5 star – but for half the price

YES YOU MAY

FREE and cheap family days out and activities across the UK for May half term

“If you have any questions about your flight status, schedule changes, or possible rebooking, we recommend contacting your airline.”

For Brits, the airport is the gateway to the city of Santiago de Compostela in the Galicia region.

There are direct UK flights from Ryanair, Vueling, British Airways and Iberia – all of which have had to be cancelled during the airport’s closure.

Normally, there are 30 flights a week from the UK to the Spanish airport from London Stansted, London Gatwick and London Heathrow which take just over two hours.

It wasn’t just Brits affected by the closure – around 3.6million people travel through the Spanish airport each year.

As a whole, it serves 23 destinations by 9 airlines.

Last year, Ryanair closed its base at Santiago de Compostela Airport meaning it has fewer flights to the destination than before.

But it still has flights every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from £15.99.

The decision to close the base was part of Ryanair’s cull 1.2million seats across Spain due to increasing airport fees.

Other destinations that completely lost Ryanair routes were to Jerez, Vigo and Valladolid.

The rule reminder comes after a flight was forced to divert and deal with the issue

An EasyJet plane had to make an emergency landing in Rome over the weekend because there was a potential fire risk linked to a passenger’s luggage. The captain told all 180 passengers that a restricted item in the cargo hold posed a serious danger and had to be dealt with on the ground.

Reports suggest that a passenger had left their phone charging in their checked baggage using a power bank. It is claimed that a woman told a flight attendant the location of her power bank, prompting the aircraft to be diverted due to a possible fire risk.

The emergency landing happened at 11.30pm on Saturday, May 23. Passengers were reportedly provided with hotel rooms, though some chose to sleep in the airport terminals, as the next EasyJet flight back to the UK wasn’t available until 2pm the following day (May 24).

On EasyJet’s website, the airline sets out its regulations regarding lithium batteries, including what is classed as “prohibited”. It said: “Power banks are accepted on EasyJet aircraft with a Wh rating not exceeding 160Wh for lithium batteries. Power banks are prohibited from use on EasyJet aircraft and must not be used to charge other devices.

“Power banks must be carried in carry-on baggage only. It is recommended that power banks be carried where they can be monitored (i.e. on your person)”

The airline also restricts people to bringing no more than two power banks per person. All power banks “must be individually protected”, according to EasyJet, such as placing them back in original retail packaging or a plastic bag.

These power bank regulations apply to virtually all major airlines, including Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and British Airways. Travellers should check with their individual airline for any specific rules and requirements concerning travelling with a power bank, reports the Express.

Why are power banks considered such a risk?

Power banks are forbidden from use or storage in specific areas on aircraft because they contain lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are extremely combustible and can suffer “thermal runaway,” a chain reaction that may cause them to overheat or ignite.

While they aren’t completely ‘banned’, power banks must be stored in hand luggage and cannot be used while airborne. This is because, should a battery overheat, cabin crew can quickly reach, identify, and put out the flames.

Charging gadgets through them generates additional heat, increasing the fire risk. Some carriers have rules stating that power banks cannot be placed in overhead lockers and must remain visible (such as in the seatback pocket or beneath the seat ahead of you) so that passengers and crew can immediately notice if smoke or flames appear.

Your entitlements if an aircraft is forced to make an emergency landing

If your aircraft makes an emergency landing or diversion, your entitlement to compensation, a refund, or an alternative booking depends entirely on the cause of the emergency. You are legally entitled to specific help during the delay, whatever the reason for the diversion.

Regardless of whether the emergency came from an airline problem or an unforeseeable circumstance, the carrier is legally required to care for you while you wait. This includes vouchers or reimbursement for reasonable meals and beverages, hotel accommodation and transport (if delayed overnight).

If your flight experiences substantial delays or is eventually cancelled, you have the right to select between alternative travel under similar conditions at the earliest opportunity or a refund. Check specific refund entitlements with your selected airline.

The Civil Aviation Authority today said ‘more awareness’ was needed as travellers ‘not aware’

Airlines have banned very common electrical items from flights – as news emerged of a surge in problems on flights caused by the items. Some carriers have begun to completely ban power banks that people use to charge their phones and tablets due to safety concerns. Generally, power banks are only permitted in carry-on, not checked luggage, amid fears they could explode and catch fire mid-flight.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today said ‘more awareness’ was needed as portable chargers carry ‘serious risks’ of overheating or catching fire. Jonathan Nicholson from the CAA told BBC News that restrictions such as not putting the devices in checked luggage were not “somebody being pedantic” or “for the sake of it”, with passengers urged “to do the right thing”.

Concerns are rising that people are ignoring the bans and simply taking the devices on board. Power banks have become popular because they offer essential, portable, and fast-charging power for smartphones and other devices while on the move, easing battery anxiety. They are affordable, compact, and versatile, enabling users to remain connected without needing a wall outlet, making them perfect for travel.

It comes after a UK-bound easyJet flight was diverted to Rome last week because a passenger had packed a charging power bank in hold luggage. The airline said the captain had decided to divert “in line with safety regulations” after a passenger informed crew during the flight that the portable charger was in the hold of the aircraft. Many airlines have toughened rules on power banks, often requiring that they be stored in hand luggage because of the risk of lithium-ion batteries catching fire.

The flight touched down safely at Rome Fiumicino and was rescheduled to the next day. A survey by the CAA of 1,000 UK passengers in November 2025 suggested more than a third know what lithium batteries are and are aware rules exist, but are unsure what the rules involve. Over-55s typically knew the rules better.

Mr Nicholson said the “basic set of international rules” all passengers must follow on power banks are:

• Take them with you on board the aircraft, not in checked luggage
• A maximum of two power banks per passenger
• When on board the aircraft, don’t use them and “absolutely do not charge the power bank itself because that’s when they become really hot and most susceptible to having an issue”

Mr Nicholson said incidents involving power banks were “certainly on the rise” as portable chargers grow in popularity, alongside vapes which are not allowed in checked luggage either.

Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and now Emirates have banned the batteries. Emirates states, like many airlines, the devices cannot be used during flight. In certain circumstances, they will be permitted on planes provided they are switched off and stored under your seat – not in the overhead cabin – with these rules coming into effect in October.

According to UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) safety experts, lithium batteries pose a danger on planes primarily because of their potential to enter “thermal runaway,” a phenomenon where a battery undergoes a rapid, uncontrollable rise in temperature, leading to fire, explosion, and the release of toxic fumes. Ryanair, easyJet and TUI all have regulations in place concerning power banks, batteries and electrical devices.

Ryanair

You may carry up to 15 personal electronic devices (this includes but not limited to: smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, handheld game consoles, headphones, power banks). Spare lithium batteries (including power banks) must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by placement in the original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch and carried in carry-on luggage only.

You may also carry up to 20 spare lithium batteries, provided they do not exceed 100Wh each.

Spare lithium batteries including power banks brought into the cabin should not be used to charge or power other portable electronic devices during taxi, take-off, or landing, not exceed 100Wh. They should not be placed in the cabin baggage loaded in the overhead storage locker. Be placed in cabin baggage under the seat in front, or on your person. Devices or batteries over 100Wh are not permitted in the cabin or the hold with the exception of Electric Wheelchair batteries.

Spare batteries, including power banks are not permitted in checked baggage.

For more information click here.#

easyJet

EasyJet strictly requires all lithium-ion batteries, spare batteries, and power banks to be carried in cabin hand luggage only, prohibited in hold luggage due to fire risks. Power banks under 100Wh (roughly 27,000mAh) are allowed without approval; items between 100-160Wh require airline approval. Batteries contained in portable electronic devices should be carried as carry-on baggage.

Should these items be packed in checked baggage, steps must be taken to prevent accidental activation and to safeguard the devices against damage; all devices must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode). EasyJet imposes a limit of 15 portable electronic devices per passenger. Portable electronic devices containing non-spillable batteries must not exceed 12V or 100Wh, and passengers may carry no more than 2 spare batteries.

Where Smart Baggage is being brought into the cabin, the customer must be able to easily disconnect and remove the lithium battery / power bank, but it can remain in the bag. Smart baggage must not be accepted for travel if the lithium battery / power bank cannot be readily disconnected and removed by the customer. If smart luggage is to be checked in and placed in the hold, the lithium battery/power bank must be disconnected from the smart luggage at Bag Drop and taken into the cabin. Any exposed terminals should be protected from short circuit. The lithium battery/power bank needs to be disconnected, so if you are unable to remove it from your luggage, we won’t be able to accept the bag on board.

For more information click here.

TUI

TUI’s regulations forbid passengers from carrying loose lithium batteries, power banks, or spare batteries in checked-in luggage. These items must be kept in hand luggage only. Power banks must generally not exceed 100Wh, and terminals must be shielded from short circuits. Devices should not be recharged while on board. Dry AA(A) batteries (type Alkaline, NiMh, NiC) for small personal items such as a pocket torch or a radio are permitted, provided they are inside the device or enclosed in sturdy packaging.

Where devices are stored in hold baggage, precautions must be taken to safeguard the device from damage and to prevent accidental activation; the device must also be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode). Loose batteries and power banks should be individually protected against short circuits by storing them in their original packaging, with terminals taped or placed in a plastic bag in hand luggage.

Airline permission is always required for medical devices. For further details, see section Baggage – Medical baggage. TUI fly requires all power banks to be carried in hand luggage, never in checked baggage. They must be packed to prevent short circuits (original packaging or taped terminals). Generally, capacity is limited to 100 Watt-hours (Wh) per battery, with power banks not permitted to be used for charging devices or recharged onboard.

• Hand Luggage Only: Due to fire risk, all lithium-powered battery packs must be in the cabin. Capacity Limits: Power banks up to 100 Wh (roughly 27,000 mAh at 3.7V) are generally permitted.
• Safety Requirements: Terminals must be protected against short circuits, such as by taping them or keeping them in individual plastic bags.
• In-flight Usage: Power banks cannot be used to charge phones or laptops during flight, nor should they be recharged using aircraft power outlets.
• Storage: Keep them in your seat pocket or under your seat, not in overhead bins

For more information click here.

Travel plans could be set for major disruption

Around 500 flights could be thrown into disarray due to a general strike set to take place in Portugal.

Portuguese news sources are reporting that the industrial action is expected to trigger major disruption across the transport network. The CGTP (General Confederation of Portuguese Workers) has called the strike, with Sic Noticias suggesting that growing numbers of workers’ representatives are backing the campaign.

The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC) has predicted that “around 500 flights” could be affected by the walkout on June 3, with the potential for travel chaos to also extend to the days surrounding that date. According to an internal document seen by Notícias ao Minuto and shared with union members, the SNPVAC has also warned that the general strike may impact “the days before and after”.

ECO has stated that the cabin crew strike will chiefly hit operations for TAP, Portugália and SATA. Idealista, along with several other Portuguese media outlets, indicates there may also be knock-on disruption to flights run by other airlines with Portuguese bases.

The outlet highlights this could potentially encompass easyJet and Ryanair, as the industrial action involves cabin crew operating from Portuguese bases.

This comes after comparable action last December which caused widespread chaos across the nation. Rail services ground to a halt across Portugal on December 11 last year. Hundreds of flights were cancelled simultaneously in protest against the very same proposed labour reforms that remain at the heart of this ongoing dispute.

Members of the National Union of Airline Workers voted in favour of the latest industrial action on Tuesday, in opposition to the planned labour reforms.

The CGTP filed a formal pre-strike notice for June 3 in protest against amendments to employment legislation, following fruitless talks with the Government.

The proposed changes to labour law were rubber-stamped by the Government in the Council of Ministers last week and are now due to go before Parliament for debate.

Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Rosário Palma Ramalho, confirmed the development at a press conference, a week after Government negotiations on employment law changes ended without agreement in the Social Dialogue.

What could be affected by the strike in Portugal?

Portuguese media reports indicate that urban passenger transport across the country, as well as airports, are likely to face significant disruption. The CGTP has called on all workers to join the industrial action.

The Federation of Transport and Communications Unions has thrown its weight behind the strike. Transport operators expected to be caught up in the action include Lisbon Metro, Carris, Transtejo/Soflusa, Fertagus, Porto Metro, STCP and CP – Comboios de Portugal. The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel has also confirmed its involvement in the strike, alongside the Union of Aviation and Airport Workers, with the decisions expected to cause widespread disruption across several airlines.

The retail workers’ trade union and the two organisations representing doctors and teachers had previously confirmed they would be taking part in the industrial action, with the Nurses’ Union also verifying its participation.

Meanwhile, Portuguese media is reporting that extra police will be deployed to the country’s airports to manage lengthy queues caused by the new EES border policy. The system affects non-EU nationals travelling for short stays whenever they cross the external borders of most European countries, including Portugal, Spain, Italy and France.

According to Sic Noticias, significant queues have been building in recent days at Portugal’s Schengen Area entry and exit checkpoints. The system is intended to replace manual passport stamping for non-EU nationals, including British citizens, entering the Schengen Area for short-term visits. It captures biometric data – fingerprints and photographs – at border control points, and applies to 90-day, visa-free, or short-stay visa travel.

There have been reports of queues stretching to three and four hours for some British travellers abroad, with a number of passengers even missing their flights altogether due to the lengthy delays. Portugal’s Public Security Police (PSP) is set to strengthen the country’s airports with an additional 360 officers in July, in a bid to cut waiting times for passengers arriving from outside the Schengen Area, according to an official PSP source.

PSP spokesman Sérgio Soares confirmed that the 360 officers are among 560 new recruits who will finish their training on May 28 before immediately embarking on a four-week border guard course. The 360 newly qualified officers are due to begin their airport duties in early July, forming a central part of the PSP’s summer contingency plan.

Police sources have revealed to Lusa that of the 360 new personnel, 150 will be posted to Lisbon airport, 90 to Porto, 70 to Faro, 30 to the Azores, and 20 to Madeira.

AMAZON shoppers are racing to snap up a viral cabin bag that is perfect for dodging dreaded airline luggage fees.

Originally priced at £29.99, the popular bag has been slashed to just £25.49 for the black version.

Vankev Underseat Cabin Bag, £25.49 (was £29.99)

With the bank holiday weekend just days away, lots of savvy shoppers will be jetting off on mini-breaks – and keen to keep extra costs to a minimum.

Budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet are notoriously stringent with their baggage rules, meaning flyers can usually only bring a single small personal item onboard for free.

Amazon sells plenty of bargain luggage – no doubt aimed at panicky last-minute spenders – but this particular underseat backpack has racked up thousands of rave reviews.

Measuring exactly 40x20x25cm, in line with Ryanair hand luggage rules, the 20-litre bag is perfectly sized to slide under the seat, meaning you won’t have to spend any extra fees.

It’s got two main compartments, including a suitcase-style opening for clothes, plus a separate padded sleeve that fits a 14-inch laptop.

The backpack boasts a TSA-friendly design, which means it unfolds flat between 90 and 180 degrees so you do not have to clumsily unpack your electronics at airport security.

It also features a handy luggage strap to slide over your main suitcase handle, and a hidden anti-theft pocket that’s perfect for passports and other valuables.

We in the Sun Shopping team haven’t tested this backpack ourselves.

But over 5,000 Amazon shoppers have left five-star reviews on the website, stunned by its quality at that cheap-as-chips price.

“I used this bag for an 8-day trip across Europe,” one happy traveller wrote.

“It was perfect for under the seat on both Ryanair and EasyJet. (No extra fees!) The compartments were all great.”

Another impressed flyer noted: “I have to say, it really impressed me. I easily managed to fit my essentials, including a 14-inch laptop, which had its own padded compartment – a nice touch for protection.

“The straps on this bag make it comfortable to carry around, whether you’re hiking through the airport or simply stashing it under the seat.”

It feels sturdy and well-made, which gives me confidence it’ll hold up during my travels.”

A third shopper added: “Much bigger than you expect, love this, couldn’t go wrong.

“I was amazed at how much I could fit in the bag and how it has a holster to put on my carry-on handle.

“Wow, love it. Worth every penny!”

Sale prices vary across each colour of the bag, and Amazon has marked the discount as a limited-time deal, so jet-setters will need to move fast.

ALL IN

Holiday spot slashes prices to entice Brits – from 7 nights all inclusive for £289pp

SAVE IN STYLE

The ‘perfect Ryanair underseat bag’ that ACTUALLY looks good is 40% off today

The Sun’s Travel writer Jenna Stevens spotted a similar deal on a Ryanair underseat cabin bag – and one that’s actually pretty stylish too.

A woman concerned about a name discrepancy between her easyJet holiday booking and passport was urged by the airline to get in touch directly to resolve the issue

Budget airline easyJet has urged a customer to get in touch after she queried whether she needed to make an amendment to her booking. The prospective passenger had secured a holiday with the carrier but had concerns about a potential issue with her trip.

Taking to the easyJet holidays Facebook page, Jessica asked: “Booked holiday with my “first” and “last name” My “given name” on my passport includes my middle name.

“Do I need to amend my booking? I fly in 2 weeks and haven’t yet checked in if that makes a difference.”

She received a response from easyJet stating: “According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), there’s no middle name rule as such, but their guidance is the recorded name on a reservation and ticket should match the name in your official travel document.” A follow-up reply from Anga then added: “Hi Jessica, thank you for reaching out.

“Please note that the name on your booking needs to match what is on your passport. To assist you with adding your middle name, kindly DM us with your booking reference, booker’s name and email address used on the booking.”

The UK government website advises travellers to ensure two key things are consistent when booking a trip, reports the Liverpool Echo. It states: “The name on your passport must match the one you use when you book your travel.”

However, it does not clarify whether a middle name featured in your passport must also be included when making a booking. Different airlines have their own policies, so it’s always advisable to check with them directly if you have any worries about anything on your travel documents.

Ryanair, for instance, addresses the question on its website, stating: “For security reasons, the first name and surname on your booking must match the names on your travel document(s). We do not require middle name or second/double-barrelled surnames for flights.”

Jet2 similarly states that middle names aren’t required, except in one particular scenario. On its website, it explains: “We don’t we don’t need your middle name(s) on your booking unless two people on the booking have identical first and last names. Please make sure all names are spelt exactly as they are on your passport.”

Tui has also confirmed it’s not essential. Responding to a query about the website not accepting a full name, it clarified: “Our website only allows for a maximum 15 characters in the name box.

“Just enter what you can and contact us so we can make a note of your full name on the system. Just so you know, we only need your title, first name and surname. You don’t have to include middle names.”

Little you may know, passengers travelling with Ryanair should obey by a certain rule when on planes. As soon as you board, it’s wise to remove a key item of clothing

It’s reached that time of year when many of us are travelling more; however, if you usually fly with Ryanair there’s a rule you may not be aware of. It turns out, when you board a plane, you’re advised to remove a certain item of clothing as the airline says it shouldn’t be worn during key times.

The travel tip was recently shared online by a woman known as Sarah Geissler who alluded to the rule in a light-hearted way. Even so, she drew attention to something a lot of people may not be aware of when they’re jetting off on holidays, and this is that a certain item of clothing should be removed on flights.

It’s not the only travel advice of its kind to be shared either. Just weeks ago, Ryanair also urged passengers to stop packing one item in their hand luggage.

She shared a clip of a sign on a plane seat, which seemed to show that heels are not permitted to be worn. Over the top of the clip, she wrote: “No heels allowed on your Ryanair flight.”

Sarah also teased that this was “bad news for baddies”, but it actually put a spotlight on something important. When it comes to air travel, there are some important things you need to be clued up on, but it’s not as simple as it seems.

Indeed, while there are rules you need to follow about wearing heels when flying with Ryanair, this doesn’t mean you can’t wear them when at the airport. There are actually vital guidelines you should follow, especially in case of an emergency.

What you need to know

Even though people aren’t banned from wearing heels when travelling with the airline, it is highly recommended that they avoid doing so. Heels significantly increase your risk of tripping in the cabin and can puncture the inflatable emergency evacuation slides.

For safety reasons, cabin crew will instruct you to remove your heels prior to going down an escape slide in an emergency. This is why it’s best to remove them before boarding a plane, and perhaps slip into something more comfortable.

Even better, you could avoid wearing them in the first place. During an emergency, you must remove all high heels before going down the slide.

To ensure a swift escape, flight attendants suggest slipping them off before sliding, should an emergency ever occur. If one took place, passengers are also advised to leave their hand luggage behind.

In the footage shared online, the video also showed you shouldn’t wear glasses or smoke in such an emergency either. It’s a topic that’s got people talking on Reddit in the past.

One person said: “Heels can damage an escape slide, and I’d guess that glasses, ear rings and false teeth could be ripped out during impact. Hence, get them off before the event.”

Another noted: “My theory. Remove glasses, dentures. They may come loose and become lost (so, put them in a pocket).

“Remove high heels (especially important if you leave the plane via slide). Remove ear buds or headsets (so you can hear emergency instructions).”

A third also suggested: “The point is not to wear pointy things when coming down the inflatable slide in order not to make holes in it.”

British travellers heading to Portugal have been warned that they could face major delays

Ryanair is cautioning Brits heading to Portugal that they could face waits of up to 2.5 hours at the airport. The budget airline has been an outspoken opponent of the new Entry/Exit System (EES).

EES is a digital biometric scheme that is taking over from traditional passport stamps. It requires travellers to have their fingerprints recorded and photographs captured when entering the Schengen Area, which comprises 29 European countries, predominantly within the European Union. For British travellers, this typically takes place at foreign airports.

Ryanair has been a fierce critic of the scheme after reports emerged of lengthy delays lasting several hours at destinations including Milan, Porto, and Lisbon. Greece has announced that it will postpone the full rollout of EES for British tourists until after the busy summer period has passed.

In a social media post titled Lisbon Airport Trivia Quiz, the airline offered a string of responses to tongue-in-cheek questions. These included asking what was slower between a tortoise, a snail, or Lisbon border control queues. Ryanair also issued a warning that travellers could be held up for as long as 2.5 hours.

It stated: “If you haven’t noticed the trend, Lisbon border control wait times are up to 2,5 hours. It’s time for the Portuguese Government to suspend the new Entry/Exit System (EES) until after the peak summer season and ensure adequate staffing at Lisbon border control and all Portuguese airports.”

READ MORE: EasyJet flight makes emergency landing after being struck by lightningREAD MORE: Travel expert issues EES update for Greece, Portugal, and Germany

EES was initially launched in October last year, with its implementation stepped up on April 10. Under current EU regulations, the checks can be temporarily suspended to prevent queues during busy periods, reports Glasgow Live.

Industry body Airports Council International recently revealed that EES was leading to hold-ups of up to three hours, with airports across Spain, Portugal, France and Italy among those hit hardest. More than 100 easyJet passengers missed a flight from Milan Linate to Manchester last month due to hold-ups at passport control caused by the intensified rollout of EES.