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Disneyland is no stranger to patriotism. Reflecting America — both its positives and its “hard facts,” to quote park founder Walt Disney — was part of its mission statement.

Over the years, the Walt Disney Co. in its parks has become more focused on its IP — that is, its film and television properties — rather than looking beyond its gates. But remnants from Disneyland’s past remain. The park still hosts a daily flag retreat, a respectful, music-focused ceremony often with the Dapper Dans and the Disneyland Band to honor veterans. Then there’s the animatronic show “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln,” which is an inspiring, vital work of theme park theater. Using snippets of Lincoln’s most timeless speeches, it illustrates how words can unite rather than divide us, a rarity in today’s partisan-heavy landscape.

I’ve never believed Disney should stay out of politics. I’d argue that’s impossible, anyway, as all art is political. What a company shows — or chooses to leave out of its content — is a reflection of its values.

This summer, Disneyland is leaning all the way into its patriotic tendencies. A Sam Eagle popcorn bucket, complete with a Fourth of July-style stars and stripes cap, is on the way. And the centerpiece of the festivities will arrive July 2, which is when the Disney California Adventure staple Soarin’ Over California transforms into Soarin’ Across America. Key locations on the hang gilder simulator will include Mount Rushmore National Monument, the Washington Monument, the Statue of Liberty and the Hollywood sign, among many a national park.

Soarin’ Across America shows aerial vistas across the United States, and it’s arriving at a divisive moment in our nation’s political history.

(Disney Parks)

Though designed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding, it’s impossible to ignore that it’s coming at a divisive time in the U.S. Soarin’ Across America’s poster art, as I noted last year when the new version of the attraction was announced, made me cringe, as it features a Statue of Liberty juxtaposed with the American flag and bald eagle — art that conveys a sense of nationalistic pride. In 2026, such emotions are complicated. Our country is disrupting the world, ICE raids have shattered our communities and just the other day, our president was effectively shielded from examination of his finances and legal conduct.

So please forgive me if I don’t exactly want to don the red, white and blue right now. Soarin’ Across America feels like the excited guest showing up to a wedding that’s only happening because the couple can’t get their deposit back.

While I do want to cheer its representation of our national parks — spaces that need all the positive publicity they can get right now, thanks to the administration’s budget cuts and layoffs — I wonder about the inclusion, of, say, Mount Rushmore, which has a long, controversial history, and has been a fascination of President Trump’s.

I’m skeptical, in short, as to how Soarin’ Across America will be read at this moment, a time when many are questioning the relevancy of patriotism and loyalty to a flag. So I was eager to discuss these thoughts with veteran Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald, an executive creative director who recently worked on Main Street, U.S.A.’s Walt Disney animatronic show, who met with me last week.

An attraction poster for Soarin’ Across America released via the Walt Disney Co.’s corporate media site.

(The Walt Disney Co. )

I asked him about potential discomfort around Soarin’ Across America’s patriotic displays. He lightly pushed back, arguing in essence that’s why the attraction is necessary.

“I think we were taking the opposite approach, the optimistic approach, which is what Disney is all about,” Fitzgerald says.

“How can we do something that will help us all celebrate?” he continues. “I know personally when I saw the Artemis II mission recently, I felt like we all came together and said what an astonishing achievement. We were all rooting, going up and coming down. I think that’s more what we wanted to do. Let’s just do a portrait of America, and let the guests go in and just enjoy it. … Let’s just let the audience come in without any preconceived notions and enjoy this four-and-a-half-minute journey.”

I did ask a follow-up, wanting to hear about the conversations that were had at Imagineering to ensure this ride wouldn’t be seen as political, even as it is showing locations such as Mount Rushmore, often a site of protests and criticism from Native Americans.

“I think for us, it’s like, go for the iconic place, and keep it all in the Soarin’ style, with the big music, hang gliding,” Fitzgerland says. “Just make it a journey that just flows from coast to coast.”

A coastal scene from Soarin’ Across America.

(Disney Parks)

Fitzgerald says the ride came together in exactly 12 months, making it a relatively fast, time-crunched project. Yet that also means Disney was aware of the heightened cultural environment it was entering.

The attraction is already open at Florida’s Walt Disney World but I don’t believe in reviewing rides via point-of-view videos, so I’m waiting until July 2 to experience it here. When it lands in Anaheim, I hope I find it an empowering, uplifting work. A number of its locations, including our own Griffith Park, or the Grand Canyon West, Denali National Park, a Maine lighthouse and more, are a reminder of our park wonders. It’s in these scenes that I believe Soarin’ Across American will thrive, and become that “portrait or tapestry of crossing America” that Fitzgerald describes.

Also important: The attraction is a reminder that a theme park such as Disney California Adventure is not so much an escape as an idealized reflection of what is happening beyond its borders. Theme park additions don’t happen in a vacuum, and I applaud its designers for continuing to take risks, especially when they don’t involve pop-culture IP (the IP being explored here is America).

And if Soarin’ Across America can inspire a few trips into our great outdoors, whether that’s an afternoon at the Griffith Observatory or that Grand Canyon trip you’ve been putting off, I’ll take that as a win. But it would have been fine with me if the red, white and blue fireworks had been left in the editing bay.

This week in SoCal theme parks

Halloween season is coming soon. Universal Studios Hollywood announced this week one of its first major haunted houses for 2026’s Halloween Horror Nights.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

• “Sinners” is coming to Halloween Horror Nights. Ryan Coogler’s sexy, scary, music-heavy and politically-infused vampire film “Sinners” is getting the Halloween Horror Nights treatment at Universal Studios Hollywood. The 2025 Warner Bros. Pictures flick is set in the 1930s, and its Horror Nights haunted house will take guests into the film’s bluesy Club Juke. The would-be-safe haven, however, becomes anything but. I’m excited, but I do hope Universal is able to touch on some of the topicality and cultural commentary of the film. Halloween Horror Nights is currently set to launch on Sept. 3.
• Become a Disneyland ‘park ranger.’ Theme parks are stages, and I love when designers create activities to inspire play or exploration. And Disneyland has done just that this summer with its “Mickey’s Park Rangers” activity book. The free, 33-page booklet, available from retail shops near Disneyland’s Rivers of America, is full of puzzles, factoids (I honestly didn’t know there were catfish in the park’s river) and some light scavenger-hunt-like quests. The last will take players through Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, the boats of Rivers of America and the Disneyland Railroad. All told, it’s an excellent way to slow down, play some games and rediscover historic aspects of Disneyland.
• Do puzzles, see some apes. The Los Angeles Zoo on Saturday is hosting a special, game-focused puzzle adventure focused on its ape exhibits. “Zoo Quest: Amazing Apes” is an after-hours event in which participants will work in teams to solve puzzles across the zoo grounds, in this case zeroing in on the park’s ape habitats. The tasks will gradually reveal various ape facts as well as tip guests to the zoo’s conservation efforts. Tickets are $35 for those 12 and older, and $30 for those ages 2-11.
• Park hop to your heart’s content. The Disneyland Resort revealed that on June 9 it is eliminating a rule that prevents park hopping between the Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure before 11 a.m. Guests will still need to make a reservation at one of the Disney parks, but will be able to check in at either park, subject, of course, to availability. This is a positive development, essentially eliminating a pandemic-era rule and allowing guests who pay for the park hopper upgrade to freely move between locales.

The best thing I ate at the parks

A grilled cheese from the Grand Californian’s Hearthstone Lounge.

(Todd Martens / Los Angeles Times)

The signature restaurant at the Disneyland Resort is the Grand Californian’s Napa Rose. But don’t sleep on the hotel’s Hearthstone Lounge, which accepts walk-ups and reservations (bar seats can be hard to come by). Its relaxed casual atmosphere has made it one of my regular stops when at the park for a full day, and its menu ranges from the informal (sandwiches, pizza) to the more upscale (a $72 New York steak). I tend to lean to the former, and opted for the restaurant’s $21 grilled cheese sandwich on a recent visit. With Parmesan-crusted toast, it feels decadent but isn’t too filling, as bits of bacon, arugula and tomato balance out its mildly sweet and not-too-heavy Point Reyes Toma cheese filling.

Tell us your stories. Ask us your questions.

Have a theme park tale to share? Whether it was a good day or less-than-perfect day, I would love to hear about it. Have a question? A tip? A fun photo from the parks to share? Email me at todd.martens@latimes.com. I may feature your note in an upcoming newsletter.

Ride on,

Todd Martens

P.S.

“Mouse P.I. for Hire” is a recent video game in a vintage, 1930s-inspired animation style.

(Fumi Games / PlaySide Studios)

One of my non-theme park passions is video games, and I think Disney fans who also enjoy interactive entertainment may want to give a recent release a close look. “Mouse: P.I. for Hire,” essentially available on all platforms, is a well done lighthearted first-person shooter with some stylistic thought behind it. It’s gorgeous, a black-and-white game in the 1930s cartoon feel, and it’s filled with many a sight gag that wouldn’t have been out of place in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”

Its tone is of a noir film, and begins with a missing persons mystery while gradually spinning out to reveal a world full of of fascist, evil mice. When it comes to gameplay, it’s a bit old-fashioned, focusing on the cartoonish aspects of video game shooting rather than anything realistic. It’s good fun and a bit silly, and I like to think of it as something that an alternate world Disney could have dreamed up.

Tens of thousands of Brits are set to jet off to Spain this summer, but it’s vital to know what travel documents you might need to show at border control to enter the country

There are four key documents you should make sure to pack when heading off on holiday to Spain.

Spain has long been a firm favourite amongst British holidaymakers, boasting vast stretches of golden sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and that much-coveted Mediterranean climate, all just a few hours’ flight away from the UK. With the May half-term already underway and summer just around the corner, tens of thousands of tourists are gearing up to jet off to Spanish resorts, beaches and cities throughout the region.

Before travelling overseas, it’s crucial to check whether any travel documentation is required to enter the popular European destination. While Brits can visit Spain with a valid passport and without a visa for up to 90 days, they may still be asked to produce additional documents at the border, reports Wales Online.

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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) outlined that at the Spanish border control, Brits may need to show the following:

• A return or onward ticket
• Proof of travel insurance
• Proof of sufficient funds for the stay. They outlined that “the amount varies depending on your accommodation.”
• A hotel booking confirmation or proof of address where you’re staying, including your own property.
• An invitation or proof of address if staying with a third party, friend, or family member. For example, a ‘carta de invitation’ completed by your hosts.

In addition, Brits must also make certain that their passport has a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the arrival date. The FCDO states: “If you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it might have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago, making it invalid for entry to the Schengen area.”

The passport must also carry an ‘expiry date’ of at least three months beyond the date you intend to depart the Schengen area. The Foreign Office confirmed that the expiry date “does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue”.

When entering Spain, British nationals are now required to pass through the European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES), which was fully rolled out at airports on 10 April 2026. The new system requires all British visitors travelling to the Schengen zone to “create a digital record” and submit their biometric details, including fingerprints and a photograph.

This process must be completed when they first arrive at a Schengen area border, and following the initial registration, the EES remains valid for three years. The complete list of Schengen areas includes: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

With a valid passport, British citizens can visit Spain without requiring a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This covers tourists, those visiting relatives or friends, those attending business meetings, cultural or sporting events, and anyone undertaking short-term studies or training.

The Foreign Office further advises: “If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.”

For more information on travel to Spain, visit the Foreign Office website.

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

The Canary Islands are experiencing a tourism crisis, with activists warning the coastline is unsustainable as locals say the ‘land is being destroyed and speculated on’

The Canary Islands have witnessed mounting demonstrations in recent years. Frustration has been building amongst residents, who argue the surge in tourism to the sun-soaked Spanish archipelago is unmanageable. They point to outdated regulations that allow property speculators to purchase land for hotels and holiday flats, while paying only minimal tax.

Consequently, Canarians claim they receive the lowest average salaries in Spain and face difficulties securing affordable accommodation. Yet now they have a further complaint against holidaymakers. The islands are suffering coastal erosion at an alarming pace. Campaigners say the Canary Islands’ coastline is on the brink of disaster.

Each year, based on a report from SOS Costas Canarias, approximately 21⁄2 miles of coastline disappears. Anne Striewe, the foundation’s director, states that hotels, apartment blocks, housing estates and marinas, amongst other structures, are being constructed on this “lost” territory.

The organisation cautions that throughout the eight islands, roughly 18% of the territory within the first 500 metres from the sea has already been developed. Beyond protected natural areas (PNAs), this figure skyrockets: it surpasses 40% on multiple islands and coastal sections, reaching 43% in Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.

Nearly 20% of the living space on the Canary Islands is dedicated to tourism – in comparison to around 4% on the Spanish mainland. Five municipalities on the Canaries possess more tourist beds than permanent inhabitants: Yaiza (Lanzarote), Pájara (Fuerteventura), Mogán (Gran Canaria), San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Gran Canaria) and Adeje (Tenerife).

Ms Striewe highlights that, beyond holiday accommodation, there is a vast array of tourist-related infrastructure including access roads, golf courses and desalination plants, which fail to show up in hotel occupancy figures yet remain part of the same problem.

Sharon Backhouse, director of GeoTenerife, told Sky News that the Canary Islands are a “biodiversity jewel in the Atlantic,” yet local authorities provide minimal protection for the islands’ natural habitats.

She warned that each year more “beautiful landscapes are cemented over” to make way for new tourist resorts.

She added: “The problem with these resorts is that we just don’t have enough resources in terms of water, what happens to all the rubbish, how is it all recycled.”

Carmelo Javier León, director of the UNESCO Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPCG), describes a conflict between those who wish to protect the islands’ natural beauty and “the development of ever more accommodation options.”

The authors of the SOS Costas Canarias report are demanding an immediate halt and the scrapping of planning permissions for undeveloped coastal land.

They argue that the seemingly relentless construction not only obliterates irreplaceable natural habitats and undermines the very scenic beauty that attracted tourists to the islands in the first place, but also dramatically heightens the risk of localised flooding. Approximately 80,000 inhabitants are already vulnerable to coastal flooding risk, yet almost half of flood-susceptible territory has already been designated for housing.

Irma Ferrer, a lawyer for Urban Planning Transparency and Civic Action Against Corruption, highlights that this demonstrates the institutions are failing to operate properly. “In urban planning and environmental matters, legislation is not enacted to defend the public interest,” she complains.

She added that the islands now possess an economy which is essentially “based on the destruction of the land and on speculation.”

TAKING a cheeky croissant or two away from the buffet for a midday snack in your cabin seems harmless – but one cruise ship is cracking down on it.

Costa Cruises has said it will start fining passengers €60 (£50) who take buffet food away to eat it in their rooms.

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Costa Cruises recently told its passengers that they will be implementing the ‘cleaning fee’ if it finds evidence of anyone eating buffet food outside of the designated dining areas.

The cruise line told Sun Travel that “guest safety and well-being are our top priority.”

They continued to say: “On a limited number of specific sailings, onboard communication was shared as a preventive and deterrent measure, in line with our existing policies, to encourage guests to [have] responsible behavior.

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“Costa Cruises remains committed to ensuring a high-quality, safe and enjoyable experience for all guests on board.”

The new policy is only for food being taken out of the dining areas, not room service, which is available 24-hours a day. 

The news of the fines has been met with both positivity and criticism by cruise-goers.

On an Instagram post by unrealcruises, there were plenty of comments, one said: “Zero chance I’d pay that fine. Make breakfast in bed for my wife every morning by bringing food back. Who cares where you eat the included food.”

Another stated that they enjoyed eating food from the comfort of their balcony.

However others have said that it will be good as there’s “nothing worse than plates and cups lining the hallways”.

Costa Cruises, a brand owned by Carnival Corporation, is based in Italy, and offers sailings through the Mediterranean, Caribbean and South America.

It also heads to Asia, the Canaries, Northern Europe including the fjords – and there are mini cruises too.

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”

A THEME park in Europe often compared to Disneyland is launching a new ride.

Opening this winter,Dutch theme park Efteling will launch Ravenring in the Raveleijn themed world, which was recently upgraded.

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

According to Efteling, the ride will be “a rotating, floating experience where visitors will feel like they’re flying along on the raven’s wings”.

In total the ride will feature 18 winged vehicles, able to hold up to 36 riders.

To go on the ride, each passenger will have to be at least one-metre tall.

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The new ride will be found just outside of the walls of Raveleijn and at the centre of the ride there will be the Raven Medallion.

Across the ride there will also be banners with the five elements featured in Raveleijn.

At the end of the ride, visitors will find out which of the five elements matches them, from either water (blue), fire (red), wood (green), earth (brown) or metal (purple).

The transformation of Raveleijn was announced back in August last year, and will include a fully renewed show with a new storyline and special effects.

The new show will also open this winter.

Guests have previously compared Efteling to Disney, with one saying: “If you are travelling to the Netherlands, we highly encourage visiting Efteling. I prefer it now to Disney because of the variety it offers.”

Another said it was a “European twist” on Disney.

Koen Sanders, director of product, market, and image at Efteling previously said: “In keeping with our vision for complete immersion, we’re considering the entire area surrounding the park show for this development.

“The Raveleijn story lends itself perfectly to this. By placing the new attraction outside the open-air arena, we’re expanding the themed area.”

The best way to get there is to fly to Eindhoven, and Ryanair has flights from both Manchester and London Stansted from £14.99, taking just over an hour.

THINKING of heading on a city break but struggling to decide where to spend your hard-earned holiday cash?

Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina will get you the most bang for your buck in 2026, new research has revealed.

The Post Office Travel Money’s City Cost Barometer has unveiled the most budget-friendly destinations to visit right now – along with the ones that will make an eye-watering dent in your wallet.

Overall, Sarajevo pipped 49 other spots to the post and has been crowned the most affordable city this year with visitors able to bag free entry to its top heritage attraction and art gallery.

While this city may not have the most affordable accommodation of all the destinations analysed (£157 for two nights in a 3* hotel), basic items like a cup of coffee and a sightseeing city bus tour were shown to be very cheap, costing around £1.72 and £2.46 respectively.

To calculate the most affordable destinations, the Post Office looked at the cost of 12 typical city break items, including tickets to attractions, a bottle of beer/lager, a bottle of Coca-Cola/Pepsi, a glass of wine, a three-course evening meal for two, return airport bus or train transfer and a 48-hour travel card.

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It found that a two-night break in Sarajevo will set the average person back around £248.29 in total (around £10 less than the second cheapest destination, Bucharest in Romania).

Accommodation was shown to be more budget-friendly here than in Sarajevo, setting the average holidaymaker back £148 for two nights in a 3* hotel. This still wasn’t as cheap as accommodation in Tirana, though.

At just £128 for the weekend on average, this Albanian hot spot was shown to have the most affordable hotels of all 50 destinations in the barometer.

Overall, Tirana came in third place in the rankings with a total cost of £262.85 for the whole weekend, closely followed by Belgrade in Serbia at £265.13 on average.

While the cost of many things, including coffee, beer and food, were shown to be pricier in Belgrade than Sarajevo, travelling around the city looks to be much cheaper, with buses, trams, trolleybuses, and city trains all entirely free to use – great for those who are keen to go sightseeing.

If you’d rather spend your time taste-testing the local booze, however, you should set your sights on Trenčín in Slovakia instead, which was ranked fourth cheapest spot for a city break, overall.

According to the Post Office Travel Money, a bottle of beer will set you back just £1.49 on average here, less than it would in any other destination, including top budget city Sarajevo, where beer cost £2.46 on average.

It’s also the cheapest spot for sinking wine, at just £3.52 on average per glass.

You can soak up all that booze for little cost, too, with a three-course meal for two with (more) wine costing just £47.64 on average.

Comparatively, a similar three-course dinner with wine in Sarajevo would cost you £62.86.

In sixth place comes Riga in Latvia, followed by the French city of Lille, which may prove popular for holidaymakers worried about the jet fuel crisis as it can be reached by train.

In total, there are ten cities in the charts that can be accessed from the UK by train or ferry, including the ever-popular cities of Paris and Amsterdam, which sit at the pricey end of the charts in 40th and 44th place respectively.

Both were still cheaper than Oslo in Norway, however, which was shown to be the most expensive of all with a total barometer cost of £733.99 – almost triple the amount of a break in the cheapest spot, Sarajevo.

There are still some good bargains to be had for those that do their research, though.

Post Office Travel Money’s Laura Plunkett said: “Despite concerns about rising prices abroad, there are many European cities offering great value for money.

“Sterling has remained fairly strong but, in these challenging times, it will pay holidaymakers to do their homework before booking to see where their pounds are likely to stretch furthest, even for short breaks.”

A BUDGET train operator has launched a brand new rail service.

From this week, travellers can take a cross-border train journeys for under £30.

Lumo’s new low-cost journeys between London and Scotland have launched this week, connecting travellers between London Euston and Stirling.

Customers can travel on this 300 mile train route for only £29.90 per person, with journeys scheduled multiple times a day.

Stirling council leader, Cllr Susan McGill, said: “The sight of the first blue Lumo train in Stirling is an exciting moment, and we will continue to work closely with Lumo to ensure the new service is a success and delivers lasting benefits for everyone across the region.”

The new route also includes a handy connection between London and Preston, Lancashire, for just £23.90, and between Preston and Stirling for £14.90.

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Four direct return journeys will take place between Stirling and London Euston every day, with a fifth service running between Preston and London.

Lumo already runs a budget-friendly passenger train along the East Coast Main Line, connecting travellers between London King’s Cross, the North East of England and Edinburgh.

This new west coast route will call at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert.

For Scottish towns Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert, this is the first ever direct rail connection to London.

Graeme Cook, rail director for Transport Scotland, said: “Lumo’s new Stirling to London route is a very welcome addition to cross-border services which will provide wider economic and connectivity benefits to Scotland.

“The new services will not only boost tourism and hospitality for Stirling and the Forth Valley, but also increase connectivity by now providing customers from Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert with direct access to rail connections on the West Coast Main Line and London.”

The train service will run from Monday, May 25, with the full timetable set to be available in July.

British holidaymakers are increasingly seeking out budget-friendly European breaks

British holidaymakers grappling with spiralling travel costs are increasingly turning their backs on pricey resorts in favour of wallet-friendly destinations where a pint can still be enjoyed for under £2.50.

The most affordable European spots for travellers keen to keep their spending in check have been revealed, with southern Italy, Portugal and Spain leading the way. Puglia in Italy and Vilamoura in Portugal came out on top for inexpensive beer, with visitors able to snap up a draught pint for just £1.74, according to research by Zable.

Seville ranked third at £2.06 per pint, while destinations such as Gran Canaria, Faro, Madeira and Tenerife all clocked in at an average of £2.18. The findings emerge as countless families hunt for methods to slash holiday expenses amid ongoing strain on household finances.

Researchers examined flight costs, accommodation prices, tourist levies, supermarket shopping, dining out expenses and attraction fees across 49 destinations to identify where travellers receive the strongest overall value.

Cheapest European hotspots for a pint

Destination – Pint price – Av 5-night accommodation

Puglia, Italy – £1.74 – £516

Vilamoura, Portugal – £1.74 £1,592

Seville, Spain – £2.06 – £667

Plovdiv, Bulgaria – £2.07 – £386

Lanzarote, Spain – £2.18 – £830

Gran Canaria, – Spain £2.18 – £536

Faro, Portugal – £2.18 – £965

Madeira, Portugal – £2.18 – £1,031

Tenerife, Spain – £2.18 – £777

Tirana, Albania – £2.26 – £315

Puglia was highlighted as among Europe’s most budget-conscious destinations owing to its blend of bargain beer prices, complimentary attractions and comparatively affordable lodging. The region boasts nearly 15 hours of daylight throughout the height of summer, alongside its renowned beaches, olive groves and ancient towns.

Vilamoura equalled Puglia on beverage costs, though accommodation expenses were notably steeper due to demand for the Algarve resort’s marina, golf courses and vibrant nightlife scene. Meanwhile, Albania’s capital Tirana came out as the most affordable overall destination for a five-night getaway once flights, accommodation and daily expenses were factored in.

A typical five-night stay there totals £492.31, the study revealed. The report also identified Kotor in Montenegro as the top-value underrated destination overall, benefiting from reasonably priced flights, minimal tourist taxes and a wealth of attractions.

Cheapest destinations overall for a five-night trip

Destination – Country – Total cost

Tirana – Albania – £492.31

Plovdiv – Bulgaria – £558.10

Zagreb – Croatia – £651.06

Puglia – Italy – £690.37

Gran Canaria – Spain – £761.06

Seville – Spain – £802.47

Fuerteventura – Spain – £844.13

Bari – Italy – £914.81

Tallinn – Estonia – £953.11

Kotor – Montenegro – £974.03

Travellers opting for self-catering accommodation could slash their grocery bills by choosing destinations such as Sopot in Poland, where a standard supermarket shop costs just £30.74.

Cheapest destinations for grocery shopping

Destination – Country – Grocery basket

Sopot – Poland – £30.74

Vilamoura – Portugal – £31.19

Kotor – Montenegro – £31.63

Benidorm – Spain – £31.93

Dubrovnik – Croatia – £32.44

The research also spotlighted the growing trend of so-called “destination dupes”, where holidaymakers ditch pricey long-haul destinations for more affordable European alternatives boasting similar climates. Amongst the recommended alternatives were Capri instead of the Maldives, Mallorca instead of Hawaii and Sardinia instead of Costa Rica.

Arielle Rogers-Jenkins, senior product manager at the credit card company, Zable, said: “Planning a holiday often means balancing the experiences you want with the budget you have available. “Our research shows that travel costs can vary significantly between destinations, so choosing locations that align with your budget can make a real difference to the overall cost of a trip.”

AN abandoned English train station has been revamped with a £50,000 upgrade.

After years of disrepair, the 19th century station has now transformed into a luxury retreat that is opento the public.

Rowden Mill Station in North Herefordshire has been renovated into a vintage-inspired hotel, offering the perfect retreat for keen trainspotters.

Cecilia Chavez-Brandon and husband Paul Kirwan took on this dream renovation project in 2017, paying £395,000 for the 2.7 acre site that had been abandoned since the 1950s.

The site was primarily used for moving injured soldiers to field hospitals during the war and transporting livestock, losing its appeal as cars became more popular in the 1950s.

Inside were original buildings and a set of train tracks, which they have modernised into an experience that transports visitors back to the 1950s and 1960s.

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To add to the vintage feel, they bought an 18ft inspection saloon coach, coated with British Railway livery for historic railway fans.

Cecilia told SWNS: “It was not until the 1980s that the former owners found the station and bought it from the farmers.

“They built the rail track back. We arrived after they had been here 32 years and helped modernise it.

“They restored the station building and the parcel office and converted it into accommodation rather than a station.

“The booking office is now the kitchen, the waiting room is now the lounge. The gentleman’s toilet is now a full bathroom.

“The parcel office is a separate building and we converted it and put central heating in and new carpets. We turned that into a full studio with an ensuite.”

A steady stream of visitors can look around the renovated station, which has transformed ladies’ waiting areas into main bedrooms and carriages into accommodations.

Tourists can pay £260 per night to enjoy a luxurious stay overlooking the countryside in their renovated coaches fitted with an en suite and heating.

The main station building also has accommodation at £430 for two nights, or the Parcel Office studio at £220 for two nights.

Cecilia said: “We have a parcel office with a studio for two on the main platform. For anyone staying here, it’s like waking up in a railway station from the 1950s and 60s.”

The couple also bought an original 20-tonne brake van back in 2018 to create another luxury accommodation for the site.

Maintaining this beloved location has become a career for the couple: “We didn’t really start out as railway buffs but you obviously become one. It’s like going down a rabbit hole.

“You end up being a whole network of railway people and it’s really something amazing.

“The very first guest arrived in September 2017 and they came with books and were clear railway buffs and knew more about the branch line than we did at the time.

“In terms of guests we obviously have the railway buffs, even children with technical knowledge. We have station masters and train drivers – we get quite a range of fans.

“The whole site is great. It’s so peaceful, with gorgeous views and our other passion is nature. We’ve got our own meadows, hedgerows and wildlife ponds.”

THE heat is on and there’s a spot in Kent with an enormous lake and beach that people say feels more like being abroad.

Found at the site of a former quarry, St Andrews Lake in Kent is where you can do everything from open-water swimming to paddleboarding and kayaking.

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On a summer‘s day, the water is so blue that it’s even been called a ‘taste of the Mediterranean’, by author Lisa Drewe.

During the summer season, visitors can book a session for its aqua park, which is the largest in the county (from £26 per session).

The aqua park has inflatable slides, a climbing wall, swings and other obstacles to jump around on.

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There’s another inflatable park for smaller children which is specifically for those two to six years old – from £16 per child.

Around the lake there are even beach spots – so you will be able to feel even more like you’re on holiday.

In fact, there are two beaches at St Andrews Lakes; ‘Carp’ and ‘Coots’ – both have soft sand, sun loungers on the shore, free parking, and lifeguards are on duty.

For adults, entry starts from £27.50 per adult which is for all-day access and includes a deluxe sun lounger.

Entry for children starts from £7.50 per person which doesn’t include a sun lounger (children under two go free).

On the water, visitors can rent and have a go on the kayaks, pedalos, stand-up paddleboards, Mega SUP and Bell Boats.

Not all activities involve getting in the water, there are plenty of things to do on dry land too.

There’s a 24-foot climbing wall with 15 different routes, archery, axe throwing, yoga and the zip wire.

The zip wire is a great way to get spectacular views over the lake, which whizzes above the waters below.

When it comes to relaxing, there’s a place for wellness too with either a 1.5 or three-hour sessions.

Here, take a dip in a lakeside hot tub, detox in a wood-fired sauna, and refresh with a plunge in the natural lagoon.

On-site is also a pizzeria, cafe, ice cream hut and during the colder months, a crumble bar.

If one day here isn’t enough, there are options to stay, one of which is by bringing your own motorhome or campervan on one of the eight hard-standing pitches.

Or book one of the ‘luxury floating lodges‘ – each comes with private decking, a hot tub, and views across the lake.

One recent visitor said: “I never imagined that I could be blown away on a holiday in Kent. St Andrews Lakes lodges or boat houses are just amazing.

“If you want the Maldives but don’t want to pay or travel too far, then this is as good if not better – I’m talking from experience.”

One of the smaller lodges is Point Lodge which sleeps up to two people.

Inside is a double bed, kitchen, small table and chairs, TV, bathroom, and decking over the water with two fold-out deckchairs for sunbathing.

Seven-nights at Point Lodge starts from £569 – or £40.60pppn

The Lakeside is the largest of the overwater lodges, it sleeps up to five people and has two bedrooms.

Inside is a separate living area with a dining table and huge windows so even if the sun isn’t shining the views can still be admired.

The decking wraps around the lodge with the hot tub back on dry land to the side.

Prices for The Lakeside starts from £609per week.

A MAJOR cruise line is launching a new ship later this year and it will have a first-of-its-kind outdoor theme park onboard.

MSC World Asia is the third ship in the ‘World Class’ series, and will start sailings in December.

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Called The Harbour, the ‘open air’ theme park will be found on the top deck in the Family Aventura District – and it’s the first ship in Europe to have one.

Here is where guests can try out the Adventure Trail rope course and the longest dry slide at sea.

It will also have Europe‘s first over-water swing called Cliffhanger which will hang over the ocean.

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Families can also try out both the Twin Racer dueling waterslides and U Drop too.

For younger guests, there’s the a new playground called The Play Deck which is a relaxed space with comfy seating.

Rides can be enjoyed well into the evening as when it’s time for sunset as The Harbour lights up in the dark.

Luna Park is an interactive area with immersive game experiences – which isn’t found on any other MSC cruise ship.

It has three original game shows, Code Breakers, Labrinth and Chart Toppers.

The Family Aventura District also has The ClubHouse and Doremiland, a 10,000-square-foot kids club with dedicated spaces for each age group.

Inside Doremiland are two rooms dedicated to LEGO and another that’s Formula 1-themed.

MSC Cruises Vice President of Entertainment Steve Leatham said: “As a family-owned company, MSC Cruises knows what it takes to keep the whole family happy on holiday, with tailored family entertainment activities and facilities for guests of all ages.

“On board MSC World Asia, family entertainment will reach new heights – bigger, bolder and more innovative than ever.

“Featuring our widest range of programs yet, alongside immersive, interactive and personalized experiences for everyone from toddlers to teens, families can expect truly extraordinary moments at sea.”

MSC World Asia is expected to enter service in December 2026, offering 7-night itineraries to Mediterranean destinations across Italy, France and Malta.

Around the ship will be seven themed neighbourhoods, like the AquaDeck, Family Aventura, Galleria, MSC Yacht Club, Promenade, The Terraces and Zen Area.

On the Aqua Deck will be seven pools and 13 whirlpool baths, including two newly designed pools; the outdoor Manila Bay pool and the indoor Coral Cove pool.

MSC World Asia is part of the ‘World Class’ series – the first two ships were MSC World Europa, delivered in 2022 and MSC World America in 2025.

MSC Cruises is the world’s third-largest cruise line with 23 ships that sail across five continents and over 300 destinations.

ONE of the UK’s oldest indoor swimming pools is getting a huge makeover after being forced to close three years ago.

Moseley Road Baths in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, opened back in 1907 but has been shut to the public since 2023.

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Now, the Grade II-listed Edwardian pool will be brought back to life with a new community health and wellbeing hub as well as restored main pool.

The baths are split into three main pools: the Gala Pool (which used to be for upper class men); the second class men’s pool and then the women’s baths.

The Gala Pool – which closed back in 2003 due to safety concerns – will be completely restored and reopened, as will the mezzanine gallery around the pool and there will be a new ground-floor viewing area too.

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According to Visit Birmingham, the pool is “the grandest space in the building” with cast iron arches and viewing balconies on three sides of the pool.

The second pool onsite will then be converted into a flexible event space.

The Women’s Slipper Baths – which locals used to pay a small fee to bathe right up until 2004 – will be made into a community health and wellbeing hub and the Men’s Second Class Slipper Baths will be transformed into a community gym.

The former boiler room will then be made into another flexible studio space.

Following all of the upgrades, the baths are expected to reopen in late 2028.

Previous restoration works started in September last year, of the roofs at the baths and the Balsall Heath Library, which is getting a new mezzanine level.

Many original features will be kept though throughout the building, such as the oak wood ticket offices and 30-metre Gothic Renaissance facade with red brick and terracotta.

Other original features include glazed bricks in ivory, turquoise and cream and terrazzo floors.

In 2016, the baths were even placed on the World Monuments Fund’s watch list, placing the baths in the top 10 per cent of the most important historic buildings in England.

Joe Holyoak, Chair, Friends of Moseley Road Baths said: “For more than two decades, our community has fought to keep Moseley Road Baths open and to secure its future.

“Today’s news is a moment of immense pride.

“We will swim in the Gala Pool again, and this magnificent building will be a home for our community for generations to come.

“We’re hugely grateful to everyone who has played their part in making this happen, and to the swimmers who supported us along the way.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands said: “Moseley Road Baths is a real Birmingham icon and it’s now closer than ever to reopening to the public because local people never gave up on it.”

A plane recently had to be diverted after a passenger forget their electronics in their hold luggage

Air travel comes with a long list of things people can and can’t take with them depending on how it’s packed. However, one travel expert is urging people to pay more attention to an often overlooked electronic that can’t be packed into your big suitcases going in the hold of the plane.

Travel journalist Ash Bhardwaj warned people to take any electronics with lithium batteries into the cabin in their hand luggage and not to stow it away in the hold. He explained that this is due to a serious fire risk and while fires in the cabin can be handled, fires in the luggage hold could prove to be a far greater issue.

Ash joined Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones on the rooftop of BBC’s Morning Live studio to soak in some sunshine as the hot temperatures continuing rolling out across the country.

He highlighted one recent easyJet flight bound for the UK actually had to be diverted to Rome because a passenger realised they had left one of their lithium batteries in the hold.

Ash revealed he’d had to make this lithium battery check himself at the airport once: “We were in Vietnam, flying back home, and I saw these signs about not being allowed lithium batteries in your hold luggage. I was checking everything; ‘Is this one a lithium battery, like the fan for the baby carrier’.”

To be sure, Ash opted to put everything he suspected of maybe having a lithium battery into his hand luggage.

He continued: “Basically, it’s a fear of the batteries catching fire. If you’ve got it on you, in the cabin, in your hand luggage, that’s fine because if anything does happen the crew can deal with it.

“The key thing don’t put power banks in your checked luggage they need to come with you.”

Each airline may have different rules around what batteries and electronics must be kept in the cabin with you so it’s best to check with your airline before flying.

In general, spare batteries and power banks should only go into carry-on baggage. You may need to carefully pack these to prevent the circuit from shorting out, for example by putting it back in the retail packaging or placing each battery into a separate protective pouch according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

This protection must also prevent the item from being accidentally turned on or damaged during the flight. Some power banks may also require approval from the airline operator to be taken onboard.

Other items that may contain lithium batteries:

• Laptops
• Tablets
• Smartphones
• Smart watches
• Cameras
• Music players
• Smart baggage tags
• Electronic cigarettes

AN enormous indoor adventure park, fitted with inflatable obstacle courses and thrilling activities, has shut down with immediate effect.

The family-friendly attraction has been a hit with the community for over six years, welcoming 400,000 visitors during that time.

Ultimate Warriors, formerly Ninja Warrior UK, in Gloucester, shut down earlier this month.

This comes after the adventure park was plunged into administration, only a year after leaving the national Ninja Warrior group.

Ultimate Warriors hoped to sell the business, exploring every option to remain open.

Following a sale falling through last minute, they had no option but to close, nearly seven years after it opened in October 2019.

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Only recently, Ultimate Warriors had refreshed its equipment and activities, running independently as a family-run business.

Ultimate Warriors Gloucester said on Facebook: “After six and a half wonderful years, it is with great sadness that we announce Ultimate Warriors has entered administration and has closed its doors.

“We explored every possible option to keep our much-loved venue open. Unfortunately, despite strong interest, we are devastated to have a sale fall through at the last minute.

“As a small business, we simply do not have the financial reserves to continue operating in such uncertain economic conditions, even with the incredible support and feedback we have received from our guests over the years.”

Ultimate Warriors was formerly part of the Ninja Warrior UK franchise, which owns 16 adventure parks across the UK, all based on the hit ITV show.

Similar to the Ninja Warrior UK set up, Ultimate Warriors in Gloucester had a variety of activities, including monkey bars, slides and climbing walls.

Now, the Ultimate Warriors team is supporting its staff get new jobs, including reaching out to Airhop Gloucester to possibly accommodate them.

Ultimate Warriors Gloucester said: “To everyone who visited us, celebrated with us, worked with us, or supported us along the way – thank you. Your support, loyalty, and memories will stay with us forever.”

A POPULAR UK coastal path is set to close for months this summer.

It’s been confirmed that the scenic walking route will be out of use while essential repairs are made.

The Langstone Coastal Path, located behind Farlington Marshes near Portsmouth, is a beloved walking and cycling trail that passes through natural beauty spots and coastal towns.

But the public will not have access to the Hampshire footpath this summer while coastal erosion repairs are underway.

The nature-packed hiking trail, which boasts a 23km route that loops around the Langstone Harbour, will be closed over the summer months from May 26 until September.

This will allow for refurbishments to be done to areas of the sea wall damaged by coastal erosion, in order for the area and its wildlife to remain protected.

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The National Highways project means that a diversion will be put in place while the works are in progress. This will run along Eastern Road and Havant Road.

Katarina Saradinova, head of scheme delivery for the South East region, told The Portsmouth News: “This is a beautiful location, and our work will help protect the coastline, wildlife and surrounding environment for future generations.

“We understand the diversion route will lead visitors away from the scenic nature reserve, but these closures are essential to allow repairs to the sea wall, damaged by coastal erosion, to be carried out safely. Unauthorised access could also disrupt the construction schedule,” she added.

Efforts have also been made to ensure that the timing of the works disrupts wildlife habitats as little as possible.

The summer project has been planned in order to avoid disturbing the nesting period of overwintering birds in the area.

While access will still be available from the western entrance of Farlington Marshes, the path between Farlington Marshes car park and Chalk Dock Lake car park will be off limits.

The Chalk Dock Lake car park will also be closed.

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.

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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.

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“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 waits are so long that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been forced to issue an official warning with the UK half term now in full swing

Brits heading to a popular EU destination have been warned about long delays.

Long queues at arrivals have been plaguing Copenhagen Airport in Denmark in recent days. The waits are so long that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been forced to issue an official warning.

“Travellers flying into and out of Copenhagen Airport from non-Schengen destinations (including the UK) are experiencing long delays at passport control. Embassy staff are in discussion with the relevant authorities on managing this pressure. Passengers with accessibility requirements, who need assistance (e.g. with very young children) or who have tight flight connections should make themselves known to airport staff in yellow vests who are monitoring the queue. For travellers departing from Copenhagen to the UK and non-Schengen destinations, we recommend giving yourself extra time to allow for queues at passport control,” the comment released on Sunday reads.

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The long wait times come in the weeks after the EES border check system was fully implemented at Copenhagen Airport, after a partial rollout in October last year. The new system means that non-EU travellers arriving in the country from outside the Schengen Area, such as those with UK passports, will be fingerprinted at border control.

The scheme has been more than 12 years in development and has been delayed time and time again. Copenhagen Airport completed its rollout of the EU’s new Entry and Exit System (EES) last month.

The implementation of the EES system has caused issues across the whole of Europe, including in the UK. Long queues formed at Dover last week, before the new border checks were suspended amid concerns for drivers stuck in the sweltering bank holiday heat.

Holidaymakers faced hours-long waits on Friday at the Port of Dover and travellers on Saturday came up against similar disruption. In a bid to ease congestion, the French authorities suspended extra EU border checks under its EES, the port announced.

It also said anyone who has missed their ferry crossing because of queues can travel on the next available slot free of charge.

EES involves people from third-party countries such as the UK having their fingerprints registered and photograph taken to enter the Schengen Area, which consists of 29 European countries, mainly in the EU.

There have been delays at other European ports. Passengers in airports in countries such as France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Greece were waiting several hours at border checks, the Airports Council International (ACI) body said last month.

Olivier Jankovec, the director of the ACI European division, told the Financial Times: “This situation, in the coming weeks and certainly over the peak summer months, is going to be simply unmanageable. We are seeing those queueing times now, at peak times, when traffic is just starting to build up.”

Last week, the boss of budget carrier easyJet urged European member states to be more flexible and avoid long airport queues caused by EES.

He said: “We are in correspondence with all the European member states, encouraging them to use the flexibility they have already been given by the EC, because it is unacceptable if customers are made to wait in border queues because, frankly, they have had since 2017 to prepare.

“It is really inexcusable. They have got the means to avoid allowing the queues to overrun by opening up the passport desks. It is completely in the gift of the European member states to smooth this through.”

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.

Published on
26/05/2026 – 11:05 GMT+2

The Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), Italy’s antitrust authority, announced on Tuesday that it opened a formal probe into easyJet Airline Company Limited over alleged unfair commercial practices.

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The case centres on how the carrier structures and presents baggage fees on its website and mobile app, with the regulator alleging that passengers were routinely given a distorted picture of what they were actually paying.

According to the AGCM, easyJet’s platform set bundled checked baggage and sports equipment for round trips as the automatic default, presenting only an overall average price for the service, even when customers had no intention of purchasing it for both legs of their journey.

The regulator contends that anyone wishing to add luggage for one leg only was forced to interrupt the booking process to override this setting, a step most consumers would be unlikely to notice or navigate.

The investigation will assess whether easyJet’s booking system created unclear pricing conditions and limited consumers’ ability to make fully informed choices.

At the time of writing, easyJet has not publicly commented on the case.

Italy’s AGCM previous actions

This is not the first time easyJet has appeared before Italian authorities.

In May 2021, the AGCM imposed a €2.8 million fine on the airline alongside Ryanair and Volotea, after all three failed to offer cash reimbursements for flights cancelled when Italy lifted its COVID-19 travel restrictions, issuing vouchers instead.

EasyJet appealed, but the Lazio Regional Administrative Court in Rome rejected the challenge in February 2025.

The AGCM has shown no hesitation in pursuing the sector more broadly.

In December 2025, it fined Ryanair €255 million for abusing its dominant position in air travel to and from Italy.

The Italian authority concluded the carrier had deployed an “elaborate strategy” to obstruct travel agencies from purchasing its flights, including through facial-recognition checks, payment blocks and mass account deletions, a ruling Ryanair immediately vowed to appeal.

PROJECT Sunrise, which is set to operate the world’s longest direct flight, has been pushed back once again.

The Qantas project would see a non-stop, 22-hour flight between London and Sydney, which would make it the longest of its kind in the world.

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Despite plans to launch in early 2027, this has since been delayed.

The ongoing Iran War has resulted in supply chain challenges and disruption to Airbus‘ production of its modified A350 aircraft by four months.

It’s now expected to arrive in April 2027, rather than its original timeline of late 2026.

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Talking to Simple Flying, Qantas said despite the delayed first delivery, the next four Project Sunrise aircraft are expected to arrive in relatively quick succession.

According to the airline, the overall rollout schedule should return to its schedule by November 2027.

Qantas added that test flights were a matter of “weeks away” and that information on the first route and timing of the “inaugural commercial services” will be revealed in June.

The Qantas flight service previously announced delays in March 2025, and before that faced delays due to Covid.

When the flights begin, the airline will make history as the first to fly non-stop between London and Sydney, as well an between Australia and New York.

With flight time of up to 22 hours, the routes will make it the longest non-stop ones in the world.

This beats the current 18.5 hour flight from Singapore to New York.

With almost a whole day of flying, the A350 aircraft has been kitted out so that passengers can be comfortable for a long period of time.

Inside, passengers can expect First Class suites, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy seats.

A Wellbeing Zone will be onboard too where passengers can get up and move about for their circulation – here there will also be healthy snacks and drinks.

This space is open to all passengers – and there’s access for all when it comes to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

In First Class, there will be six cabins each with a two-metre-long bed that lies flat – there’s also a separate reclining armchair.

There will be 52 Business suites with sliding doors for privacy.

The 40 Premium Economy seats will have 20.3cm “winged privacy headrest” and a calf rest, to keep comfy on the 22-hour flight.

Economy passengers will have 83.8cm of legroom each at the 140 seats.

The plane is kitted out with 12 lighting settings including sunrise and sunset so that passengers can stay in sync with time zones and reduce jet lag.

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.