Tui

There are certain spots that people will want to reserve – and some they should try to avoid

People might only just be jetting off for a bit of sunshine before the schools go back in September, but others may already be planning their next getaway. Knowing a few tips when picking your seat can improve your experience on carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, and TUI if you book accordingly.

It’s no secret that not all seats are made the same – with some specifically having perks like extra legroom. But most do not realise that the position of the seats can make a bigger difference than a few extra inches of wiggle room.

Depending on how you plan to spend the flight, selecting a ‘cheaper’ seat in certain spots could make your flight more enjoyable – and bring perks that money can not often buy. For example, some seats are prime spots for getting on and off the plane more quickly, while others offer great views and first call on snacks.

However, with these seat perks come some seats that customers may wish to avoid if given the option. Some may say that these can make even a short flight feel uncomfortable.

Below, we’ve had a look at some popular seat perks you can expect on Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, and TUI planes. For the most part, these money-can’t-buy upgrades are often much more sought after.

Best seats for pictures

If you’re keen to document your trip from start to finish, or simply enjoy an unrivalled view above the clouds, then certain seats will be the best for you. Opting for certain sections in the front or back can give those Instagram-worthy snaps that aren’t just a shot of the metal plane wing.

When booking, pick any of the window seats in rows one to five across all of the named airlines above. These sit well forward of the engines, meaning clear glass and no heat haze will distort the look of your photos.

Best seats for getting on and off the plane

Some of these same rows will benefit from another perk of getting off the plane and starting their holiday not long after the seatbelt sign goes off. Most people caught in the middle of the cabin end up trapped until they can find an opening to leave, whereas these seat holders can usually slip straight out if they have their hand luggage ready and waiting.

There are options for the front and rear of the plane – just check before choosing that your plane has exits that it uses from the rear as some airlines may only open one. These are the rough seat areas to pick if you want to be first in line:

• easyJet: Rows 1–3 (front exit) or Rows 29–31 (Airbus A320) / Rows 38–40 (Airbus A321neo) for the back doors.
• Ryanair: Rows 1–3 (front exit) or Rows 31–33 (Boeing 737-800) / Rows 33–35 (Boeing 737 MAX 8-200) for the rear stairs.
• Jet2: Rows 1–2 (front) or Rows 31–33 (Boeing 737-800).
• TUI (Short-haul 737): Rows 1–2 (front) or Rows 31–33 (rear).

Being near the front also puts passengers as some of the first in line for meals, snacks and drinks when cabin crew make their rounds. On very short flights, sitting to close to the middle means passengers may risk missing out on refreshments entirely.

Seats you may want to avoid

Picking some of these front seats appears to offer a few perks, along with the extra legroom that often comes at a premium in the front row. But, they aren’t all perfect – and it may pay more to sit a few rows back.

Toilets are often located near the front and back of the plane, so anyone sitting in the first and last rows may face a steady queue and unavoidable smells. Some seats might also end up being windowless.

Due to the configuration of some budget planes, seats are pushed closer together than in the original layout to boost passenger capacity per flight. There are a handful of left-hand seats that are often so misaligned that people end up with a solid wall instead of a view outside.

If you have a slightly longer journey, or just want to recline and unwind as your holiday starts, be aware that some seats don’t offer this option. Aside from every Ryanair seat being locked in place, certain back-row or emergency-exit seats cannot recline either.

• easyJet A320: Avoid reclining in Rows 11 and 12 (ahead of exit Rows 12 and 13).
• Jet2 / TUI / Ryanair 737s: Avoid Rows 15 and 16 (ahead of emergency exit Rows 16 and 17).

If you’re travelling as a family or group, a little-known hack can be useful for those who pack a lot, and most airlines allow it as long as you follow certain restrictions that they set

Every group of travellers inevitably has one person who is filled with dread when they put their suitcase on the baggage scales. It might be the person who is super organised and taking the essentials everyone needs, or just a holidaymaker who loves to have multiple outfit options per day.

If you’re travelling as a couple, family, or group, then ‘bag pooling’ can be a handy hack to know, and many passengers haven’t heard of it. When you book checked luggage with airlines such as Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet, you can choose a weight allowance, usually 15, 20, or 23Kkg, and if you book more than one suitcase, the allowance can be shared between them and doesn’t have to be equally divided.

For example, if as a couple you book two 23kg bags, that gives you a 46kg allowance, which can be distributed as you please. One of you could take 15kg and the other 30kg. But airlines do have an upper limit, due to restrictions on the maximum weight that baggage handlers can deal with. Here’s what some of the UK’s most popular airlines say about bag pooling and their specific rules around it.

EasyJet

Bag pooling is allowed on easyJet flights, and the airline clarifies: “If you’re travelling with family or friends on the same flight and booking, you can pool your total weight allowance.

“This means the total weight allowance can be split among the total number of bags booked, as long as no single item weighs more than 32kg. Maximum total size (length + width + height) = under 275cm. Please note that you cannot pool weight between hold bags and sports equipment.”

Ryanair

One of Ryanair’s FAQs asks: “Is bag pooling allowed?” to which the airline replied: “Yes. Bag pooling is allowed between passengers with check-in bags on the same flight reservation. This means that checked baggage allowances can be shared across passengers on the booking. For example, if you have 2 20kg Check-in Bags (40kg total) on your booking, one of those bags could weigh 15kg while the other weighs 25kg. However, no bag can weigh more than 32kg.”

TUI

TUI has clarified its rules around bag pooling on its website, however, passengers who’ve booked a TUI package holiday should double check which airline they’ll be flying with, as they sometimes use airlines such as Ryanair or easyJet. You’ll need to follow airline specific guidance.

On its official FAQs page, asking “Can I pool our luggage allowance?”, TUI states: “If you’re travelling with TUI Airways, you’re allowed to pool your luggage allowance with anyone else travelling on your booking. However, each bag can only weigh up to 25kg.

“If you’re unsure of your luggage allowance, then you can find this on your booking confirmation or by logging into Manage my booking. If you’re flying with any other airline, you’ll need to contact them directly.”

Jet2

Jet2 representatives took to social media after a passenger asked about bag pooling: “If one person is over does all the weight pool together or does everyone individual need to be 22kg?”, they queried, going on to explain that they had a group booking for 10 passengers, each with 22kg of checked luggage included in their booking.

A Jet2 spokesperson advised: “Yes you are able to pool your luggage providing you do not go over your overall weight limit and no one bag weighs more than 32kg.” The customer then followed up to ask: “So one person won’t be charged if their case is overweight slightly and the rest are under?”, to which Jet2 replied: “That’s correct. If one bag is slightly over, but others are under, you will still have room within your overall allowance and will not be charged.”

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

People picking this side of the plane could get a lot less – and for some that could actually be a good thing

When aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus build planes, they design the windows to line up perfectly with standard, comfortable legroom (usually a 31-to-32-inch seat pitch). But most budget airlines make a change to their seating set-up that some passengers might actually prefer.

Because aircraft seats are mounted on floor tracks, airlines can move them freely. Budget airlines like Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and Easyjet will often deliberately push the seat rows much closer together (down to a tight 28-to-29-inch pitch) to fit extra rows onto the plane.

Although the seats move, the window cut-outs in the metal body of the plane stay. It’s this shrinking legroom that instantly forces the seats and windows out of sync.

Most window seats that passengers pick will have a view out of the plane, but some are known to have restricted views. In some cases, there are seats that have no window at all.

While this might sound like a complaint waiting to happen, some people may actually see this as a perk. Unlike the ‘extra legroom’ trick, this flat surface offers the best spot for those wanting to take a nap during their flight – or those nervous fliers who would rather not know what being 30,000ft in the air looks like.

Certain people claim that the window-free wall space offers a great place to rest a pillow. These misaligned seats often run down the left-hand side of the plane.

For people wanting to benefit from less of a view, check your plane’s seating chart before confirming your choice. You can often see how the window situation will work.

• Ryanair (Boeing 737-800): The misalignment runs heavily down the left side of the aircraft. It is so pronounced that Seat 11A and 11F often has no window at all.
• EasyJet (Airbus A319/A320): Highly noticeable misalignment on the left-hand side. The final rows (Row 31 on A320s and Row 26 on A319s) are completely windowless as well as certain overwing exit rows which may also have slightly altered alignment.
• Jet2 (Boeing 737-800 or Airbus A321neo): On their Boeing 737s, you will find the Jet2 windows out of alignment past the front bulkhead. If you book an “A” seat on the left, you will frequently find yourself staring directly at the plastic pillar between two windows rather than out of the glass.
• TUI (Boeing 737 MAX or 787 Dreamliner): On TUI’s short-haul Boeing 737s, the misalignment works exactly like Ryanair and Jet2 models. However, if you are flying on TUI’s long-haul Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the rule does not apply as long-haul aircrafts usually maintain standard legroom pitches, meaning the seats and windows stay properly aligned.

If your goal is to sleep on your next flight, sitting on the left side (Seats A) of a short-haul flight on these airlines gives you a higher statistical chance of getting a solid wall or a heavily forward-shifted window to rest your head against.

If you actually want to enjoy the view, you are better off sitting on the right side (Seats F). Booking these seats may also offer a little ‘extra’ legroom at a fraction of the cost.

WHEN twenty-something me holidayed in Ayia Napa, ­gorgeous scenery and chic cuisine were the furthest things from my mind.

I was firmly focused on foam parties and feral antics.

Now, 15 years on, I’m back to savour a different side to the party town and see what the rest of Cyprus has to offer.

And while there were still plenty of excited Gen Z holidaymakers on my Tui flight from Gatwick, this trip was to be a much more grown-up affair.

Luxury, relaxation and an itinerary younger me simply wouldn’t recognise.

Ayia Napa’s famous party strip and old fishing port looked very similar as we travelled from the airport, but arriving at the 5* Mare Ayia Napa could not have been more different from my youthful experiences.

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A ten-minute drive out of town, Mare sits on the edge of the Cape Greco national park, with its turquoise waters, nature walking trails and limestone sea caves.

The resort resembles a sun-drenched Cypriot village with low-rise, whitewashed bungalows featuring terracotta roofs set among winding stone paths.

Young me made do with a hostel. This time, I walked into a modern luxe dream.

Think muted tones, Molton Brown toiletries and Nespresso on tap.

Some rooms have access to pretty gardens, while others have swim-up pools or even a private place to take a dip.

After a long day travelling, I hit the hotel’s adult-only Sky Lounge rooftop bar to watch sunset.

It delivered stunning beachfront views as well as a potent Paloma cocktail of tequila and grapefruit soda. A girl still needs her treats.

On that subject, the all-inclusive hotel has eight restaurants to enjoy, ranging from poolside sushi and charcoal grilled kebabs to Mediterranean meze and dry-aged steaks.

There is also a splash park with slides for the kids, and adults can escape to their own pool with plush cabanas.

By day, there’s a sandy and quiet Blue Flag beach in a calm bay that’s perfect for paddling kids and paddleboarding.

With Tui’s extensive range of tours, there’s the option to explore parts of Cyprus younger me would never have considered.

A Coastal Landmarks trip takes us through the stunning Cape Greco park where we admire clifftop views over the caves and the tiny white-washed Agioi Anargyroi church perched over the water.

Legend has it that if you kiss while making a wish at the Lovers’ Bridge — a natural limestone arch spanning the sea — your dreams will come true.

While I didn’t have anyone to pucker up with, the view alone was worth it.

After a leisurely stop at Cyprus’s most famous stretch of sand, Nissi Beach, for a drink and quick dip, we move on to the Ayia Napa Sculpture Park.

I adored the hundreds of statues, mythical beasts and art installations right next to the Cacti Park, also perfect for a stroll.

We end the day with coffees and cocktails at a beachside taverna in Protaras.

Called Fig Tree Bay, it is named after the single tree that has stood near the beach since the 17th century.

Next day we up the ante on the adventure front with some unique experiences that would normally be the reserve of qualified scuba divers.

Underwater Sea Adventures on Ayia Triada beach take you out to a purpose-built pontoon positioned over a reef.

There are two unusual ways to observe it. On the seabed walk, you wear a huge “space age” helmet that is supplied with fresh air pumped down from the surface via a hose.

Once on, your head and hair stay dry — you can even keep glasses on — while you follow a guided trail along the seabed, little fishes dart in and out.

Or take the pace up a bit with an underwater scooter or Breathing Observation Bubble (BOB).

You sit upright with your head inside a clear dome helmet fed with air as the scooter glides along the seabed doing the hard work for you.

The crystal-clear waters mean you feel like you’re in a Little Mermaid remake, walking, dancing and feeding the fish. It was an incredible experience.

My rediscovery of this one-time party island of my youth wasn’t over yet.

First there was a trip into the hills to see a different side of the island above the town of Paphos.

Aphrodite Hills Resort is perched high on a coastal plateau overlooking the legendary birthplace of the ancient Greek goddess.

The huge estate feels more like a self-contained village, complete with its own central square, chapel and a dozen restaurants.

This is low-key luxury and we were soon in golf buggies zipping through the sprawling grounds, ticking off the Elemis spa, 18-hole PGA championship golf course and Real Madrid-backed kids’ football academy.

But with Aphrodite’s birthplace just below us, we make a pilgrimage to admire Petra tou Romiou at sunset before making our way up to the village of Kouklia for an evening of fabulous food, live music and dancing.

Emboldened by one too many glasses of glorious Cypriot wine, I am first on my feet to join in.

You can take the girl out of Ayia Napa, but you seemingly can’t take Ayia Napa out of the girl.

WHETHER you’re on a fly and flop break or sight-seeing adventure, it’s only natural to want more out of a holiday.

TUI has revealed one trick that lets you visit three countries in one day – and there’s no queueing up at the airport either.

It works particularly well if you’re booked at a TUI hotel, called the TUI BLUE Kalamota Island which is on an island off the coast of Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Not only is it off the coast of Croatia, it’s right beside both Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This is where TUI comes in – if you book with TUI Musement it offers full day tours and experiences of the neighbouring countries which don’t require any flying.

In some cases they can even pick you up from your hotel.

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One day trip to Montenegro starts off in Perast with a visit to the island of the Lady of the Rocks before heading off to Kotor.

There’s a guided tour as well as free time where guests can explore the sites in their own time – these start from £79pp.

There are more options if you start away from the hotel in Dubrovnik – for example a full day trip from Dubrovnik to Montenegro starts from £52pp.

It includes a drive through Zupa Dubrovacka and Konavle valleys and along the picturesque Bay of Kotor.

This is followed by a visit to a charming fishing village called Perast and then hop onboard a boat to reach the island of Lady of the Rocks.

There’s then a tour of the Old Town of Kotor before returning to Dubrovnik.

You can also book a tour to explore some of Bosnia and Herzegovina from Dubrovnik without having to fly.

One experience heads to the city of Mostar and the beautiful Kravica Waterfalls from £41pp.

The full day trip starts at the waterfalls where visitors can even have a quick dip in the water.

Then it goes onto Mostar to wander about the city, see the famous Old Bridge before heading to the village of Počitelj.

If you want to book a stay in the TUI BLUE Kalamota Island this year, there are still holidays available from £718pp.

This is for an all-inclusive break from October 11-18 in a double room with a balcony or terrace including return flights from Birmingham Airport.

The hotel is adults-only with a white pebble beach, swimming pool and the island itself is traffic free.

TUI BLUE Kalamota Island Experience Manager Kelebek Canbulat said: “Guests can wake up on a peaceful island, head out on a TUI Musement experience to Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina, and be back in the evening for dinner by the sea.

“It gives customers the best of both worlds. They can explore multiple countries during their stay, but still enjoy the comfort, ease and relaxation of having one hotel base.”

ALEXANDER the Great would have approved – I’m on my trusty black steed conquering the streets of his rival Athens under the watchful eye of the Parthenon.

It’s a whizzy Segway, not the all- conquering king of ancient Macedonia’s fabled warhorse Bucephalus, but what a brilliant way to see historic and modern sights in the Greek capital.

Lively guide Stelios led my group of a dozen — all on an excursion from Tui’s Marella Voyager cruise ship — taking in outstanding views of the Acropolis, Temple of Hephaestus and Pnyx Hill, where the Athenians created the concept of democracy.

Next time you put an X on a ballot paper, this is where it all began 2,500 years ago.

The Segway tour (£110pp), started in tourist hangout Plaka and also visited ­Thiseio, where the locals chill. Fun and insightful, it was a hit with my group.

And, in the free time in Plaka afterwards, treat yourself to a frozen yoghurt for a couple of quid — the Lukumades shop is deservedly popular.

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My wife Debbie and I had joined the all-inclusive Voyager in Corfu, with a seamless airport transfer and check-in at the port.

Greeted by stewards Andi and Yosua, we settled into our balcony cabin then demolished a Mexican meal at the Abuela’s restaurant, followed by a rocking sailaway show from The Journeymen band.

Before arriving at Athens we had a sea day with pre-booked spa treatments. Debbie loved her Thai massage (£129) from Cherry, and I was wowed by a rejuvenating men’s pro- collagen grooming and shave (£69) by Marco.

I felt like a Greek god after an hour in the barber’s chair. We dined like gods that night too, on a superb seven-course food odyssey at the Silver Fork restaurant (£51.95pp), with the highlights a spicy white tomato soup and a beef Wellington to fill your boots with.

Another standout was the Kora La Asian-inspired restaurant (£38.95pp) and its Thali tasting experience — surely this is the best curry at sea.

Mind you, if you’re on a budget you can easily spend the week eating well in the included The Kitchens buffet and the Latitude 53 (international), Vista (Italian) and Piccadilly’s (British) restaurants, along with Abuela’s (Mexican), Nonna’s (pizza/pasta) and the poolside Shack (fast food).

Drinks-wise, we rated swanky Flutes for fizz and laid-back Summer House, with its retractable roof and al fresco area at the stern, for cold beers and ciders.

The Squid & Anchor is your go-to for lively nights of music, quizzes and karaoke and the Broadway theatre hosts West End-style performances.

Up for some immersive, cocktail-fuelled fun? Head to The Exchange speakeasy, where many guests dress up in 1920s-style clothes (£18.95pp).

New day, new country. After our Athens adventure, next up was Kusadasi, Turkey.

We could have hit the beach but walked to the 16th-century castle — on an island reached by a 400-yard causeway — and its open-air/indoor museum covering local maritime trade, wildlife (check the whale skeleton) and plants. Worth a look, decent views and a nice waterfront cafe (£8pp).

Before strolling back to Voyager, we failed to resist the shops selling carpets, knock-off designer goods and that leather jacket you never knew you needed. Luckily, everything is a “special price today, just for you!”

Kusadasi is the gateway to Ephesus, home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. If you haven’t been, get it on your cruise excursion list. It’s outstanding.

Back in Greece for the next call at Insta-fave island Santorini, we joined a tour to Akrotiri — the “Pompeii of the Aegean” — where archaeologists have uncovered part of a city buried under 27ft of ash when the Thera volcano erupted in 1600 BC.

The Thera explosion was around 20 times more powerful than when Vesuvius blasted the real Pompeii in AD 79 and the resulting 100ft tsunami wiped out the Minoan civilisation on Crete 60 miles away, with the ash cloud even affecting the weather in China.

Our excellent guide was former archaeologist Marianne, who used to work here so has the best facts about life in the Bronze Age. Unsurprisingly, she knew a group of Brits would be enthused by seeing the 3,600-year-old “flushing” toilet in a house!

You’re dropped off in pretty Fira overlooking the sea-filled caldera for a wander at leisure, with a ticket for the cable car down to the dock and the tender boats (£62pp).

Next up is Chania, in western Crete, where a €1.80 each-way, 20-minute bus from Souda dropped us near the beautiful Venetian port, where we climbed the tower in the harbour fort to take it all in and idly wandered through the grid of shopping streets.

It’s a real charmer and you could easily while away a full day here, but the ship has a schedule to keep and that took us to our final port, Argostoli in Kefalonia.

We’d only planned to pick up some souvenirs and an ice cream but headed to the footbridge south of the centre to see why there were so many tourists gathered.

GO: AEGEAN CRUISE & CORFU STAY

GETTING, CRUISING & STAYING THERE: A 14-night cruise-and-stay holiday costs from £2,313pp, including a seven-night Aegean Shores cruise on Marella Voyager, plus a seven-night stay at the Atlantica Grand Mediterraneo Resort in Ermones.

Price is based on two adults sharing on an all-inclusive basis with flights from Stansted on September 25, 20kg of luggage each, transfers, tips and service charges.

Cruise calls at Corfu, Piraeus (for Athens), Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Santorini, Souda (for Chania) in Crete, and Kefalonia.

See tui.co.uk/cruise.

The answer was four adult loggerhead turtles swimming around just feet from us and we snapped away with the excited crowd. A magical holiday highlight to see these ­vulnerable creatures so close up.

Next morning, back in Corfu, we headed down the gangway one final time. But not before checking eBay to find out how much a second-hand Segway is!

A NEW low-cost, no-frills travel brand has just launched offering budget breaks to Europe and beyond.

Sundeals, which is owned by the TUI Group, is aimed at holidaymakers who ‘who want great value without the faff’ with clear prices and honest opinions on holidays and hotels.

On Sundeals, there is everything from last-minute trips to all-inclusive holidays, winter sun breaks and adult-only vacations across 100 destinations.

There will be 20,000 hotels alongside a range of airline options from Ryanair to easyJet and TUI.

Looking at its ‘top cheap holiday deals’ – there are breaks to Tunisia from as little as £106pp and trips to Tenerife start from £185pp.

One cheap deal that Sun Travel found is a seven-night holiday to Marrakesh from September 2 to September 9 from £199pp.

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This is for bed and breakfast at the Riad Quodwa Marrakesh in a double room with return flights to Liverpool Airport.

This is for bed and breakfast at the Riad Lalla Khadija Moulaty & SPA in a double standard room with return flights to Newcastle Airport.

For winter sun, another break is to the Jardins de Toumana in Djerba, Tunisia from November 24 to December 1.

Staying in a Junior Suite, two adults can stay with bed and breakfast board from £277pp – including return flights to Manchester.

For short breaks, there a three-night stay at Pierre & Vacances Resort Terrazas Costa del Sol in Spain starting from £139pp.

It has an outdoor swimming pool, sun terrace, bar, restaurant, pretty courtyards gardens and return flights to London Luton.

For short-haul, it provides breaks to mainland Europe including Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Malta.

There are far-flung holidays on the cards too with options to Thailand, Mexico, Cape Verde, Barbados, Iceland and the USA.

When it comes to sorting your holiday, you can arrange it by price ‘low to high’.

Or select to rank holidays by TripAdvisor rating to see which holidays were highly-rated by other travellers.

Kevin Nelson, Managing Director for Sundeals said: “We know there is a large group of travellers who genuinely enjoy researching and planning their holidays. They’re confident, digitally savvy and like the feeling of finding a holiday, and deal, that’s right for them.

“But these travellers told us that they’re tired of spending hours going round in circles trying to compare options and work out whether they’ve truly found the right trip – a feeling that we’re calling Bookers Burnout.

“Sundeals has been designed specifically for these savvy deal hunters, helping them cut through the holiday clutter and make decisions with greater confidence.

“We’ve launched with a simple user experience focused on the core features customers told us they need most, and over time we’ll continue to introduce smart tools and innovations that make finding and evaluating holiday options even easier.”

GOING away with just hand luggage seems easy until you realise all the airlines have different policies on exactly what hand luggage is allowed.

While we all know budget airlines are some of the strictest, other airlines could still catch you out with a hidden fee at the airport.

So we’ve explained everything you need to know about taking a suitcase with some of the UK’s major airlines.

Read on for the current rules for Ryanair, easyJet, TUI, British Airways, Wizz Air Jet2 and Virgin Atlantic.

Easyjet

All easyJet passengers are allowed to bring one small underseat bag per person on board for free, measuring up to 45 x 36 x 20cm and weighing up to 15kg.

Currently, if you want a cabin bag measuring up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, you’ll need to pay extra for it.

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The price for this depends on demand, the route, your flight date and the time of booking.

Though if you get to the gate and haven’t paid for a cabin bag but have one with you, you will be charged £60.

Wizz Air

Each passenger can bring onboard a small bag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm and weighing a maximum of 10kg with Wizz Air.

The bag must fit under the seat in front of you.

However, it does state on the airline’s website that you can also carry onboard a coat or blanket, mobile phone, reading material for the flight, and duty-free items for free.

But a neck pillow is not included in this, and must fit in your cabin baggage allowance.

Currently, if you want a cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 55 x 40 x 23cm, you will need to purchase this through Wizz Priority.

This will set you back between £12.85 and £89.98 during the low season and between £17.14 and £98.55 during the high season.

Ryanair

Each passenger can take a small bag on board that measures a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm.

It must fit under the seat in front of you and be a handbag, laptop bag or backpack.

If you want a cabin bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20cm, then you will need to purchase this.

This will cost you between £12 and £36 at the time of booking, or between £20 and £60 when at the airport.

Jet2

All Jet2 passengers are entitled to a 10kg cabin bag, measuring a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25cm and a small under seat bag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm.

On busy flights, Jet2 may ask to put your cabin bag in hold and if your bag is too big or heavy, you could be charged £45.

TUI

On TUI flights, passengers can each take one cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 55 x 40 x 20cm and a handbag measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm.

If a bag exceeds the weight limit, you will be charged £60 per 15kg bag.

British Airways

With British Airways‘ basic economy fare, each passenger is entitled to one handbag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 15cm and one cabin bag measuring a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25cm.

Your handbag must fit under the seat in front of you and your cabin bag must not have any valuables, electronics or essential medicines inside it.

If your cabin luggage is too big or heavy, British Airways might put it in the hold.

Though, you will have to pay a fee for this, which is usually £65 per bag, per way.

Virgin Atlantic

With Virgin Atlantic, each passenger in economy light is allowed to have one cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 23 × 36 × 56cm as well as an underseat bag such as a handbag or small rucksack measuring a maximum of 40cm x 30cm x 15cm.

Your under seat bag must fit under the seat in front of you and any bags that are over the allowance could get a £65 charge as well as being placed in the hold.

TUI is opening two new hotels in destinations a few hours from the UK.

New TUI Blue hotels will open their doors to guests in both Seville and Lisbon as it expands to European cities as well as beach destinations.

The first new TUI Blue Hotel will be in the pretty Spanish city of Seville, which is set to open later this year.

Called TUI Blue Sevilla Suites, it will be the first TUI Blue hotel to open in a European city.

It will have 89 rooms, co-working space and even a rooftop pool which will no doubt have incredible views.

It’s in Vega del Rey which is a 10-minute drive from the city centre.

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Seville is a city in southern Spain just two hours and 45-minutes away from the UK.

It’s easily walkable with plenty to see from the Royal Alcázar to the enormous cathedral which is the biggest Gothic Church in Europe.

The city is pretty affordable with tapas dishes ranging from around €3 (£2.56) to €6 (£5.15) per plate.

If you head to El Rinconcillo, you can pick up a huge glass of wine for £3.

The second European city hotel will be in TUI Blue Rossio in Lisbon‘s Baixa district.

It’s currently undergoing ‘a comprehensive redesign’ but is set to open as a 30-room boutique early next year.

Lisbon can be reached in as little as two hours 35-minutes from the UK and is the perfect spot for a city-by-the-sea break.

It’s also a cheap spot and one expat who moved there from the UK suggests picking up a local ‘vinho verde’ which costs “a few euros“.

The city itself can be explored via the tram system with tickets starting from as little as £2.70.

In Lisbon, a Lisboa card is a savvy way to save – buy one from £27 for access to 51 museums and galleries across the city.

TUI Group Chief Operating Officer Marco Ciomperlik said: “Following the first openings in cities across Asia, we are now bringing our distinctive leisure hotel concept to some of Europe’s most attractive urban holiday destinations.

“Lisbon and Seville are ideal destinations, combining strong city break appeal with the rich local culture, food and experiences that sit naturally at the heart of the TUI Blue concept.”

This comes after TUI announced its expansion in Asia.

It announced the opening of two new hotels last year in both Malaysia and Cambodia.

TUI also opened its first hotel in Bhutan in May called TUI Blue Paro Taktsang which is nestled in the Himalayas.

The ‘adults-only lifestyle resort’ has 34 suites, a restaurant and bar both with mountain views.

Marella Cruises announces it’s first-ever musical theatre cruise – and one star of the show has already holidayed on the ship

Former Pop Idol star Zoe Birkett says a family holiday aboard a Marella ship ticked all the boxes – and now she’s returning as one of the headline performers on the cruise line’s first-ever musical-themed sailing.

Zoe will join fellow West End favourites Lee Mead, who shot to fame after winning BBC show Any Dream Will Do, and Jenna Lee-James, best known for playing Elsa in Frozen in London.

The five-night cruise aboard Marella Voyager will depart in October 2026, promising guests a programme packed with show-stopping musical theatre numbers and live entertainment inspired by hit musicals.

For Zoe, however, the trip will feel like something of a homecoming.

The singer and actress, 41, revealed she holidayed on the very same Marella ship last year with her family after her dad persuaded them to give cruising a try.

“My dad loves cruises, he’s a total buff,” she said. “I’d never been before and he said, ‘Look, this is great for families.’ So we booked it and honestly it ticked all the boxes.”

Travelling with her nine-year-old daughter, Zoe said she quickly understood why cruises have become so popular with families.

“The entertainment was brilliant, the food was fab and if you want everything in one place, I think it’s perfect.”

The holiday wasn’t entirely anonymous, though.

“There were whispers on the first night and then the next day there was an influx of people saying, ‘Oh my God, that’s Tina Turner,” joked Zoe, with a few holidaymakers recognising her from her musicals past.

“It was really lovely. The entertainment team on board were fantastic and everybody was so friendly.”

Now she’ll be swapping the audience for the stage with a show celebrating the roles and artists that have shaped her career.

“I’ve got some Tina songs in there,” she explained. “I’ve got some Whitney Houston songs, some Janet Jackson and some Michael Jackson. I also talk about Pop Idol because a lot of people know me from way back.

“I like to boogie, so I do expect everybody to be dancing with me.”

Away from the cruise, Zoe has enjoyed a career spanning more than two decades, appearing in productions including Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Bodyguard and The Witches. But she says portraying the legendary Tina Turner remains the defining role of her West End career.

“It was a career highlight,” she explains. “I had to delve very, very deep into her personal life, her career and everything she faced from misogyny, ageism, racism and violence. Then you’ve got her vocals on top of that and the dancing. It was probably the toughest thing that I’ve done, but also the most rewarding.”

The role demanded more than simply recreating Tina’s famous songs. “The way she walked was so particular and even the way she held her microphone. People who are hardcore fans want to see those little nuances.”

Although audiences only see the finished performance, Zoe admits life in the West End is far more demanding than many people realise.

“It’s incredible, but it’s extremely hard because you’re doing eight shows a week with only one day off. The life of a West End lead, the ensemble, the crew and wardrobe is definitely a sacrifice. Getting a show off the ground takes an incredible team and hours and hours of work, but it’s always worth it in the end because of the response you get from audiences.”

The former Pop Idol contestant was just 16 when she was thrust into the spotlight on one of Britain’s biggest television shows.

“The general experience of Pop Idol was fab because I was really looked after. Because I was only 16, my mum was allowed to be with me a lot of the time, which was brilliant.

“And Simon Cowell loved me! Which helped. I got off quite lightly!” she jokes.

She also formed a close bond with fellow teenage contestant Gareth Gates: “We were only 16 and 17 together all the time. We got on really well because we were going through very similar experiences.

“We were doing our GCSE’s one minute and then performing in front of a panel the next.”

Since then, Zoe has continued to diversify her career, recently touring stadiums with Take That, appearing in BBC comedy Smoggie Queens, presenting television programmes and working as a DJ.

After finishing the run of Take That tour dates, Zoe said: “The response online has been unbelievable.

“I text Gary Barlow afterwards and said, ‘You know where I am if you ever need another northerner with a soul-rock voice.’

“He replied, ‘I really hope to see you soon.’

“The Take That boys are just incredible. They are so professional but also so down to earth and they love to have a laugh. That tour will be in my heart forever. They made me feel so welcome.”

When she’s not performing on board, Zoe already has a plan for making the most of her return to cruising.

Describing her ideal day, Zoe says: “I’m a gym-aholic, so I’m straight to the gym first, then a nice breakfast, then relaxing by the pool.

“I definitely want to watch the theatre shows in the evenings as well because I remember thinking they were absolutely brilliant.”

Zoe Birkett will be headlining on Marella Cruises’ ‘Musical Med-leys’ in October 2026. The five-night first ever musical themed mini cruise includes musical style performances onboard Marella Voyager. Find out more about Marella Cruises’ holidays at www.tui.co.uk/cruise/

IF you still want to book a family summer holiday there’s still time.

But if you want to take advantage of TUI‘s child-free place breaks, you need to act fast.

Families have just 10 days to get free child places on hundreds of summer holidays – there are some for under £2,000 for a family of four.

If you fancy having an August summer break, check out TUI free child place holidays here – and Sun Travel has picked out some good ones too.

HL Rio Playa Blanca, Lanzarote

In Lanzarote, the village-style bungalow is surrounded by palm trees.

It has two swimming pools, themed restaurants, bars and it’s close to the golden Playa Flamingo Beach.

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There are lots of activities all day and into the evening, including an aerial adventure course for kids.

And the Aqualava Water Park which has water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool is next door.

A family of four can head here from August 20-27 with all-inclusive board and return flights to Glasgow from £1780 (including a free kid’s place).

Ponient Marinada & PortAventura Theme Park, Spain

The Ponient Marinada Hotel is in the heart of Salou and has everything to entertain the whole family.

There’s a games zone and a TUI KIDS’ CLUB, outdoor pools and a splash park – and in Salou, the hotel is within 10 minutes from multiple beaches, restaurants, bars and shops.

Kids will love all the rides and water fun at the PortAventura Park and Ferrari Land – you get a free day pass with the hotel and free daily shuttles.

A family of four can head here from August 18-25 with half board and return flights to Aberdeen from £1927 (including a free kid’s place).

Kefalos Beach Village, Cyprus

This spot in Paphos, Cyprus is described as more of a mini village than a hotel – and might be a tiny bit more expensive, but it’s worth it.

It has a swimming pool, kids pool, two bars, two restaurants with landscaped gardens.

It’s close to the promenade which is lined with shops, bars and restaurants – and it’s a 10-minute walk from the Tombs of the Kings.

A family of four can head here from August 20-28 with bed & breakfast board and return flights to London Gatwick from £2293 (including a free kid’s place).

TUI Managing Director Neil Swanson said: “There are genuinely great last-minute deals still available and thousands of free kid’s places left this August, so this is an exciting time to book for anyone who hasn’t yet snapped up a summer getaway.”

“We’re seeing particularly good value across a range of popular European destinations, including Spain, Greece and Portugal. Travellers who can be flexible on their departure date, airport or destination are likely to find the biggest savings”.

The offer ends on August 11 for departures up until August 31.

Only one free kid’s place is available in each selected hotel room or selected apartment type or villa with a minimum of two full paying adults.

STRIKES at an airport in Spain have started today – with passengers being told to ditch cabin bags for hand luggage to avoid the chaos.

Walkouts from multiple unions will continue across the next couple of weeks affecting baggage handling and check-in.

Palma Airport on the island of Majorca is one of the busiest in Spain during the summer season – and lots of its workers are going on strike.

The first walkouts are by those working in technical maintenance, ground equipment and airport infrastructure roles.

These are being planned by three unions, which started yesterday and will continue until July 30.

Swissport – who handle check in and boarding – is also striking today, as well as on August 1, 4 and 8.

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On these days ground staff will walk out between 7am to 12pm, then again from 7pm to 10pm.

The airport has warned passengers that today could be particularly bad as the strikes coincide at the same time.

Airlines affected by the Swissport ground handlers’ dispute include TUI.

But others could be affected too, as a statement from the airport said that “its impact will stretch beyond Swissport-handled airlines”.

While flights are yet to be cancelled, according to Qsensor, the wait time at security in Palma Airport this morning has been 26 minutes longer than average.

Passengers going to the airport during this time have been asked not to arrive too early and even ditch check-in bags for hand luggage instead.

On its website, the airport issued advice to travellers who are heading through the terminal on strike days.

• Check in online: Complete your check-in online before heading to the airport to minimise time spent in queues.

• Travel light if possible: Travelling with hand luggage only allows you to bypass potential check-in and baggage carousel delays.
• Monitor your airline’s app: Keep a close eye on text alerts or app notifications from your airline for real-time schedule updates.
• Arrive on time (but not too early): Stick to the standard arrival window recommended by your carrier (usually two to three hours before departure). Arriving half a day early can worsen airport congestion.

On the strike, a TUI spokesperson said: “We are aware of planned industrial action affecting airline operators at Palma airport.

“At this stage, we do not anticipate any disruption to our customers. However, we are working closely with our local teams and airport partners to minimise any potential impact.

“As always, we will proactively update our guests if there are any changes to their itinerary. Customers should continue to check their flight details as usual before travelling.”

Meanwhile, Ryanair told Sun Travel that it will “operate as normal” with “no impact to operations”.

easyJet also said its flights will be operating as normal.

BRITS heading to Spain in the next few weeks have been warned of upcoming strikes which could cause travel chaos.

Staff at Palma Airport are preparing strike action across the next two weeks.

There are multiple walkouts being held by different unions at the airport which start from today.

The first strikes are by those working in technical maintenance, ground equipment and airport infrastructure roles which will stage 24-hour walkouts.

These are being planned by three unions which start today until July 30.

Swissport, which is a leading company for airport ground services and air cargo handling, has also planned strike action starting on July 28 as well as August 1, 4 and 8.

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On these days ground staff will walk out between 7am to 12pm, then again from 7pm to 10pm.

The airport has warned there to be major disruption tomorrow when a key pinch point is on Tuesday when both sets of workers will walk out at the same time.

Airlines affected by the Swissport ground handlers’ dispute include TUI.

But others could be affected too, as a statement from the airport said that “its impact will stretch beyond Swissport-handled airlines”.

Popular airlines taking Brits to the island include Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2.

The airport said: “Large-scale airport strikes can occasionally create a minor knock-on effect. If Swissport-served flights experience delays at the gates, it can sometimes lead to localised congestion on the tarmac or minor delays at security control.”

It continued: “That said, any disruption for non-Swissport passengers is expected to be minimal.”

The airport did then add that the impact for passengers is likely to be “longer waiting times” and delays due to “operational bottlenecks.”

But added that “widespread cancellations are unlikely”.

Delays are likely to be at check-in and bag drop locations before departure, as well as passengers boarding during the morning and evening.

On the strike, a TUI spokesperson said: “We are aware of planned industrial action affecting airline operators at Palma airport.

“At this stage, we do not anticipate any disruption to our customers. However, we are working closely with our local teams and airport partners to minimise any potential impact.

“As always, we will proactively update our guests if there are any changes to their itinerary. Customers should continue to check their flight details as usual before travelling.”

Meanwhile, Ryanair told Sun Travel that it will “operate as normal” with “no impact to operations”.

easyJet also said its flights will be operating as normal.

Palma Airport is one of Spain’s busiest during the summer season.

According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, the Majorca Hoteliers Federation has said that 2.2million Brits travelled to Majorca last year and this summer it will be even more.

With Entry/Exit System (EES) being implemented, it’s possible there could be longer queues due to registration for Brits too.

Flight compensation rules

A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

There are some items that are best kept in your hand luggage for safe keeping, so make sure these items don’t end up in your big suitcase when you go away for your summer holidays this year

No matter how many times you go on holiday, packing is always an awkward task, as you need to balance the lack of space with the essentials.

And if you have checked luggage in addition to a cabin bag, you may be tempted to throw most of the things you own into your hold baggage. This means you have less stuff to carry around the airport and onto the plane with you.

But there are some things you should never put in checked luggage, and it’s not just the obvious stuff like weapons and flammable items. Here are five items to never send to the hold.

1. Prescription medication

Overall, less than 1% of hold luggage goes missing, and usually it’s simply misdirected, so it will eventually make its way to you. But while you try to retrieve your bag, it’s a good idea to have supplies of essential items.

Prescription medication is better taken as hand luggage, as it’s much less likely to go missing. If there’s a delay with your hold bag getting back to you, you won’t need to worry about missing vital doses of your meds.

If you do lose your medication when travelling, visit a local pharmacy for advice, as they may be able to arrange an emergency supply.

2. Batteries and electronics

Because of the risk of items such as power banks catching fire, items with lithium batteries, such as power banks and vapes, can’t be placed in hold luggage and must be taken onboard with you.

Some airlines have limits on how many Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) can be taken onboard, with Jet2 and Ryanair restricting the number to 15 per passenger. Ryanair also has a limit of 20 lithium batteries or power banks, each up to 100Wh, in hand baggage.

3. Valuable items

If you have jewellery, cash or other expensive items, you may be nervous about carrying them around in your backpack at the airport. However, it’s not a good idea to leave valuables in your checked-in bags.

There’s a risk of damage to items in transit, and while it’s rare, theft from bags does happen by airport staff. While travel insurance does cover lost baggage, it usually has a limit and policies have an excess to pay, meaning you may not be able to claim enough to cover valuable items.

4. Swimwear

When you’re on the way to a sunny beach holiday, you may want to pack swimwear in your hand luggage rather than your big suitcase. This means that if there is a delay in getting your bag to you, you can at least spend some time on the beach or by the pool while you wait for your bag to arrive.

It also means that if you can’t check into your room straight away when you arrive, you can just change into your swimwear and enjoy some sunshine while you wait for your room to be ready.

5. Phone charger and adapter

Once you arrive at your destination, your phone battery is going to be as low as your energy levels, and you won’t want to be scrambling through your suitcase to find your charger.

Ensure you’ve got your phone charger and adapter for the country you’re visiting in your hand luggage so you can get plugged in as soon as you arrive.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

FOREIGN holidays this summer are shaping up to be the cheapest they’ve been in decades – and we’ve found some of the best deals out there.

With peak August package holidays starting from just £188pp and all-inclusive weeks away from £269pp, the dreaded school holiday price surge appears to have collapsed.

Brits’ booking behaviour has been impacted by the cost of living crisis, summer heatwaves and worries over the Iran war and increase in fuel prices, with many opting for a staycation this year instead.

Meanwhile, holiday companies have slashed the price of package holidays abroad – and almost nobody seems to have noticed.

The Sun’s Head of Travel, Lisa Minot, explained: “The conflict in the Middle East – and resulting fears about fuel availability – saw many of us pause our holiday planning.

“Many also chose to wait as England stormed through to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

“With the cost of living still an issue for millions AND the sun shining in yet another heatwave across the UK, there were yet more reasons for us to wait before we booked.

“And that’s resulted in some incredible deals as the big tour operators desperately tempt us to put our holiday pounds on the table.

“Jet2 – now the UK’s largest tour operator – opened its 14th base at Gatwick as the summer season took off putting it in direct competition with its great rivals TUI and easyJet at the UK’s second biggest airport for the first time.

“Increased competition will mean all of the big operators trying to tempt us to book with the kind of holiday prices we haven’t seen in a decade.”

To help you cash in on these price drops, we’ve rounded up seven of the cheapest family holiday deals we could find this summer.

All of these package hols are within the school summer holidays, based on a family of two adults and two kids, and come in at under £300pp.

Marmaris, Turkey – £239pp

Marmaris on Turkey‘s turquoise coast is a very popular family destination, and for good reason.

The resort is a sun-drenched playground packed with golden sandy beaches, ancient castles and a lively waterfront that gives Marmaris that unmistakable holiday buzz.

The Grand Villa Sol Apart offers a brilliant, budget-friendly base close to all the action.

Relax by the sparkling outdoor pool with a drink from the poolside bar, then catch evening entertainment shows out on the terrace.

There’s also a shuttle to whisk you straight to the beach in ten minutes, plus the Aqua Dream Water Park is just a five-minute drive away.

Majorca – £285pp

For beaches with powder-soft sands and waters so calm they feel like a giant paddling pool, take a family holiday to Alcudia in Majorca.

The O7 Be Klub hotel boasts a staggering 11 swimming pools, complete with waterslides and children’s splash zones.

When the sun goes down, head over to the open-air Garden Theatre for live shows, or challenge the family to a round of mini golf.

Alcudia Beach is easily reached by a scenic, three-minute boat trip which takes you straight from the hotel down to the sand.

Tenerife – £188pp

Costa del Silencio is a laid-back Tenerife resort known for its dramatic volcanic landscape, peaceful seafront boardwalk and glass-clear natural pools far away from any noisy crowds.

The Parque Carolina Apartments offer a relaxed place to stay with plenty of room for big families, plus a pretty sun terrace made for catching rays.

The self-catering apartments come with fully-equipped kitchens, plus private patios to enjoy breakfast out in the sun.

When you’re ready for a dip, the bright yellow cliffs and clear waters of Playa Amarilla beach are just a few minutes’ stroll away.

Plus golf lovers can tee off at nearby Amarilla Golf or Golf del Sur, while a 15-minute drive takes you to world-class waterparks like Siam Park and Aqualand.

And at an unbelievable £188pp, this island getaway is the cheapest package holiday deal on our list.

Bulgaria – £279pp

With sweeping golden beaches and famously cheap prices, Sunny Beach is a go-to pick for a bargain summer break.

The Sunny Day Club hotel is an ideal spot for families, tucked into a quieter northern patch of the resort.

Days here revolve around the giant outdoor pool, where parents can laze out on a lounger while little ones burn off energy in the children’s playground.

When hunger strikes, there’s an on-site restaurant and cafe serving unfussy family favourites, plus a poolside snack bar for quick bites.

The buzzy bars, shops and restaurants of Sunny Beach are just a short bus ride away, with a convenient bus stop directly outside the hotel.

Agadir, Morocco – £189pp

For some guaranteed summer heat, head to Agadir, where temperatures sit in the high 20s to early 30s in August.

The Moroccan resort boasts a six-mile stretch of sand to enjoy, plus a vibrant centre with bustling souks and budget-friendly restaurants.

The whitewashed Appart Hotel Igoudar sits right next to a bustling local market, where you can wander past colourful souks selling local goods and spices, as well as browse for souvenirs.

Here you’re a five-minute stroll from the main beach, with a spacious self-catering apartment to return to after days out exploring.

Costa Brava, Spain – £209pp

Blanes offers traditional Spanish charm with its wide sandy shores, lively tapas bars, and bustling seaside promenade.

Hotel Esplendid feels like your own little oasis, where a turquoise swimming pool is sheltered by massive, leafy gardens.

Active families will love the sports setup, with tennis, volleyball, and three separate swimming pools, including an indoor heated option.

There’s also a kids club and games room to keep boredom strictly off the itinerary.

Here you’re just steps from S’abanell Beach, which is the longest sand beach on the Costa Brava.

Pick between sunbathing on its sands or taking in the stunning coastline views from the water on a jet ski or pedalo.

Antalya, Turkey – £269pp

Sitting on Turkey’s sun-drenched southern shores, Mahmutlar in Antalya pairs quiet beaches with dramatic mountain backdrops.

Sun Star Beach Hotel delivers a classic hassle-free, all-inclusive family holiday.

The palm-lined outdoor pool is complete with a yellow waterslide, plus plenty of loungers – so no need to worry about sunbed hoggers.

We found a bargain all-inclusive package that covers buffet meals, poolside snacks and drinks.

There’s even an on-site spa to escape to with a traditional Turkish bath and sauna, allowing you to truly unwind.

You’re also just a minute’s walk from the hotel’s own private beach, and a short bus ride away from central Alanya where you can explore its historic hilltop castle and harbour.

As Brits set out to fly abroad this summer, they may need to know when is best to arrive at the airport – some may have been going too early or even way late this whole time

When to arrive at the airport? It’s a question as old as time itself.

As airports are set to experience heavy amounts of visitors during the school holidays and summer months, travellers are keen to prepare more than ever for any potential delays or ways to make their journey as smooth as possible.

Whichever airline you’re flying with this year, you may find that what they expect of their passengers is very different. The exact arrival time, bag drop-off times and gate closures can vary from airline to airline, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

It’s always wise to give yourself enough time to allow for security checks and face any check-in or passport queues. Often, bigger airports can have bigger queues, and so this is worth bearing in mind ahead of your flying schedules.

TUI

According to TUI, passengers should arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before departure for short and mid-haul flights. For long-haul flights, give yourself more time and arrive within 3.5 hours before.

Passengers have the chance to review their specific itinerary when they press ‘Manage My Booking’ on the TUI website, confirming the ideal departure terminal and times.

Easyjet

For easyJet flights, it is suggested that you turn up at the airport at a minimum of two hours before your flight is due to take off. This aligns with the airlines’ bag drop-off desks, which typically open two hours before the flight and close around 40 mins to an hour prior to departure.

As for boarding times, boarding typically starts 40 minutes before departure and closes strictly 30 minutes before the scheduled time.

Ryanair

Ryanair’s Help Centre offers information on specific terminal time recommendations, but overall, the airline operates on a strict two-hour arrival time recommendation. This aligns with the time that the bag drop-off and check-in desks open for passengers, two hours prior to departure time.

Although many Reddit notes advise that passengers should allow longer when flying out of busier airports such as London Stansted or during the peak holiday months.

The boarding gate must be reached at least 30 minutes before the flight leaves, as gates typically close 20 minutes beforehand, and therefore, two hours should allow for enough time for this.

Jet2

Jet2 recommends, according to their website, arriving at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure time. The airline’s check-in desks close 40 minutes before this time.

It’s worth noting that if you’re flying with Jet2 and are travelling with hand luggage only, as long as you already have a boarding pass, you can arrive as late as 90 to 120 minutes before your flight’s departure.

WHEN it comes to holidays, travel agents know their stuff – but no one knows more than Britain’s longest serving one, Ellen Davey.

She started selling holidays in 1966 – the same year that England won the the World Cup and before the moon landings.

When Ellen first started advising Brits on their travels, they’d pick their holiday from a glossy brochure rather than a website.

Some customers have even been booking their breaks with Ellen for more than 40 years who say her “knowledge of travel is phenomenal”.

But the 77-year-old said she has no plans to stop.

She said: “People often ask me when I’m going to retire, but I genuinely don’t want to. I think work keeps me young.

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“Some people count down the days until retirement. I’m counting down the days until my next holiday.”

So where does Ellen recommend Brits travel to?

Ellen said: “Gran Canaria has become one of my favourite destinations in recent years and I am actually heading back there again soon.

“I love the RIU Gran Canaria because it is close to the shops, perfect for a real fly and flop break, with the beach just five minutes away.

“The food is excellent, the entertainment is great, and what really stands out is how the staff remember you and make you feel so welcome when you return.”

If you fancy visiting the island yourself, there’s still space to book at RIU Gran Canaria which has four pool, six bars and a nearby beach.

An all-inclusive break from August 10-16 for a family of four starts from £1,137pp including return flights from Newcastle.

Other spots that Ellen still loves are close to home.

She said: “I have always had a real love for Spain, having travelled there for around sixty years.

“I still recommend it and would love to go back again, particularly to the Balearic Islands like Majorca and Ibiza, as well as the Costa del Sol and the Canary Islands.

“I also used to visit the Costa Blanca and still have a real fondness for all of these destinations.”

Ellen says she continues to travel to Lanzarote twice a year too.

Looking further afield, Ellen added: “Boa Vista in Cape Verde is another place I absolutely love, as it is so quiet and beautiful, ideal for relaxing by the pool with a good book.

“The entertainment at the RIU Palace Boavista is brilliant, as you would expect from a RIU hotel, it is only about thirty minutes from the airport, and again the food is fantastic.

“I have been going there for around fifteen years now and always recommend it”.

A family of four can have an all-inclusive break at the RIU Palace Boavista between August 15 and September 1 from £1,010pp.

Economy passengers will continue to receive a complimentary beer or wine served with their main meal, but will now be required to pay if they want additional alcoholic beverages

A carrier has changed its rules concerning alcohol on board flights, leaving passengers with mixed responses.

TUI Airlines offers economy passengers up to three free alcoholic drinks on long-haul flights, but passengers will now have to pay for drinks from November 1.

Customers will continue to receive complimentary soft drinks throughout their flight as well as a complimentary beer or wine served with their main meal. However, they will now be required to pay for additional alcoholic beverages onboard.

Adults with existing bookings affected by the change will receive a £12.50 refund per flight, each way.

Passengers in the premium cabin will not be affected.

Passengers took to social media to respond to the change.

One Tiktok user said: “Good, I am glad. I sat on a 10-hour flight to Mexico last year, a wedding group of about 20 adults where absolutely pissed before even getting on.

“TUI still served them for about 7 hours. I was fuming; it was like a flight to Ibiza with 18-year-olds.”

Another user said: “All alcohol should be banned from airports and aeroplanes, it causes too much trouble.”

Others were angered by the change, with one Tiktok user saying: “TUI are dead to me.”

Another said: “It shouldn’t have to be a blanket ban for everyone. People just need to have more control. Many just enjoy one or two drinks, and I don’t see an issue with that.”

“Sadly, some people ruin it for everyone else.”

Earlier this year, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary told The Times that airports should be banned from serving alcohol to passengers prior early flights to reduce disruption.

A Ryanair spokesperson subsequently told Metro: “The problem is not drinking on board one-hour flights; the excessive drinking occurs in airport terminals where no limits are placed on alcohol consumption, especially during flight delays.

“Ryanair have several processes in place to manage disruptive passengers onboard, including crew’s discretion to limit the number of drinks permitted to be purchased inflight.”

Ryanair introduced a €500 fine for disruptive passengers in June 2025.

Intoxication is a regular cause of trouble on aircrafts. Civil Aviation Authority statistics for 2019 showed that there were 390 occasions when airlines reported “difficulty in controlling intoxicated, violent or unruly passengers”.

By 2023, the number had risen to 1,245 incidents, and in 2024 it remained over 1,000.

Being drunk on a plane is a criminal offence and can be punished by a fine of up to £5,000 and two years’ imprisonment.

ONE travel expert who has lived in 25 different countries has revealed the one destination that trumps them all.

The Turquoise Coast in Turkey has it all from year-round sunshine to cheap hotels with huge swimming pools, and plenty of restaurants.

Gary Cook, a TUI retail agent, explained: “I’ve worked everywhere, but I keep coming back to Turkey – particularly the Antalya region and Marmaris on the Turquoise Coast.”

He’s racked up 17 trips to Turkey since working in Marmaris over 30 years ago.

“It’s got everything you might want – stunning beaches, such as the Turunc Beach, incredible history, amazing food.

“With an amazing selection of all-inclusive resorts, you can enjoy the views, sip on a cocktail and not have to worry about paying extra while you’re there.”

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It’s no secret that the Turquoise Coast with destinations like Marmaris and Antalya is a hit with Brits thanks to its cheap prices and short four-hour flight from the UK.

While Antalya has golden sands and is famous for its huge waterpark, The Land of Legends Theme Park, Gary really recommends Marmaris.

Gary added: “Marmaris offers a completely different vibe – a large beach dotted with bars and restaurants.

“A promenade stretching down to the old town with its markets and bazaars, plus a cosmopolitan harbour. The bay is absolutely stunning, especially at sunrise.”

When it comes to where to eat out, Gary recommends Nil, a fish restaurant on the Marina or Mehmet Ocakbasi for authentic Turkish food.

When it comes to shopping, the newly renovated Marmaris Bazaar is the place to be.

When it comes to booking, you don’t have to wait until the summer seasons as Gary explains that “even the winters are mild”.

“Whether you want to go in the school holidays or off-season, you are sure to get your fix of sun.”

Although the season runs from April through to October, Gary calls it a year-round destination with mild winters.

While it’s not necessarily ‘hot’ in the months of November to March, it can still see highs of 17C – much warmer than it is in the UK.

Gary even has hotel suggestions, including some of his favourites.

TUI BLUE Side

Found in Antalya, the TUI BLUE Side has a huge swimming pool, three restaurants, and five bars.

Gary said: “This adults-only hotel is smaller and modern with loads of activities. The pool area has luxury sunbeds spread, and there is a beautiful sandy beach club and jetty.

“Hop on a local bus to Side’s historical centre where you’ll find the Temple of Apollo – one of those rare places where time seems to pause, set dramatically at the edge of the Mediterranean.”

A seven-night trip to TUI BLUE Side can be booked from £632pp – or £90pppn.

Trendy Lara

With its big swimming pool, plenty of waterslides and evening entertainment – the Trendy Lara is an ideal family destination.

Gary describes it as a “modern hotel” with a “great selection of restaurants, pools and activities for all ages”.

Lara Beach is also right on your doorstep.

A family of four heading abroad during the school holidays in August 2027 for a seven-night stay can book the Trendy Lara from £1,327pp – or £189pppn.

Liberty Lara

The Antalya hotel sits right by a beach – it comes with a few pools, a private pier and has plenty of food and drink spots.

Gary calls it a “beautiful hotel, with the most amazing service and food.”

It’s close to Lara Beach and is in a great central location perfect for exploring.

An all-inclusive seven-night break for two at the Liberty Lara can be booked from £530pp – or £76pppn.

TUI BLUE Grand Azur

Found in Marmaris, this hotel is another by the beach with a promenade just a short walk away.

It has a freshwater pool surrounded by sunloungers as well as a tennis court, and fitness classes.

Gary confessed it’s his “absolute favourite hotel in Turkey” with great customer service and a private beach.

An all-inclusive seven-night stay at the TUI BLUE Grand Azur starts from £615pp – or £87.85ppn.

A POPULAR airline is introducing new rules for economy passengers on long-haul flights.

From November 1, TUI Airways has confirmed that it will scrap free alcoholic drinks for all economy passengers on long-haul flights.

Currently, economy passengers are allowed up to three free alcoholic drinks across their long-haul flight with TUI.

However, the new policy reduces this to just one alcoholic drink – beer or wine – which will be served with their main meal.

If travellers then want an additional alcoholic drink, they will need to purchase it.

Passengers will still be able to get complimentary water, soft drinks and juices.

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For those travelling in Premium Economy, there will be no changes.

The rules will apply for both inbound and outbound flights.

A TUI spokesperson told Sun Travel: “From 1 November 2026, we are making some changes to the food and drink service included for customers travelling in Economy on our long-haul flights.

“Customers will continue to receive complimentary soft drinks throughout their flight and a complimentary beer or wine served with their main meal.

“Additional alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase onboard.”

Adults with pre-existing bookings affected by the change will be given a £12.50 refund per flight, each way, as a gesture of goodwill.

Travellers have reacted with anger after the change was made to services on flights

TUI has emailed passengers telling them of an ‘important change’ to holidays already booked. Travellers have reacted with anger after the change was made to services on the flight – with alcoholic drinks off the menu.

In messages posted on Facebook pages from holiday travel companies, it emerged TUI is making the change from November 1. Anyone travelling long-haul with the company has been told that complimentary drinks will no longer be service in economy class.

Instead travellers will receive one complimentary beer or wine with the main meal. All other drinks will now have to be paid for – however, passengers travelling in Premium will continue to receive complimentary alcoholic drinks as part of their experience.

Anyone already booked is being offered a small amount of money back: “If you’ve already booked and paid for a long-haul holiday departing after 1st November, TUI has announced a £12.50 per person, each-way goodwill refund for affected customers.” Many have been sent an email with the subject in caps saying ‘IMPORTANT NEWS REGARDING A CHANGE TO YOUR HOLIDAY’.

The travel operator said: “Everyone will have their own opinion, but for some travellers this could take away a little of that ‘holiday starts on the plane’ feeling.”

TUI traveller Sharon said: “It would be interesting to see if this is reflected in the price.” Another user replied: “Sadly I think we know the answer to that!”

Jamie thought it was a good thing: “Probably a good thing with the number of alcohol related incidents onboard these long-haul holiday flights. “ However, Nigel was taking his trade elsewhere: “Plenty saying book with another airline, good luck with that, particularly if you do not have easy access to London airports.” One user said: “That is a tiny amount of refund.”

Some have not had nice experiences. Charlotte said: “Last time we did long haul paid premium it wasn’t loads of drinks it was moderated and disappointing for the amount of money we spent and rudeness of staff.” A user added: “It would make me consider another airline first. But I’ve had issues with TUI when we were supposed to go to Jamaica last year so already not in my good books. If the £12.50 was ongoing, that’s actually reasonable, but to have to pay for drinks moving forward sucks a bit.”

Graeme added: “This is a total joke.” Olive said: ”TUI can ram that nonsense. The whole idea of long haul is getting smashed.”

June added: “The drinks were never ‘free’…they were complimentary. There’s a difference. The complimentary drinks were meant to be limited, but people just take the proverbial’ **** Not surprised it’s been pulled.”

TUI responded to one user: “Thank you for your comment. We’re sorry to hear of your disappointment with the changes to our long-haul service. This change helps us focus on the things that matter most, like keeping fares competitive, maintaining great value overall, and giving customers more flexibility in how they spend onboard.

“Soft drinks will remain free, customers will still get a complimentary beer or wine with their main meal, and there’ll be a wider range of alcoholic drinks available to buy, so people can choose exactly what they want during their flight. Thanks!”

Last month, it emerged that TUI Airways was ranked among the worst airlines for UK flight punctuality, with one route having an average delay of more than three-quarters of an hour.

The leisure carrier’s departures from UK airports were an average of 20 minutes and 24 seconds behind schedule in 2025, according to analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data.

The least punctual of its routes with at least 100 flights was from Birmingham to the Greek island of Zante, which had an average delay of 46 minutes.

Rory Boland, editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, said it was “unacceptable” that airline passengers “continue to face unreliable service” amid fare rises. He went on: “Airlines must do more to support travellers during delays, including clearly communicating their rights and eligibility for compensation.

“It’s worth putting in a claim with your airline if you think it’s responsible – and escalating the complaint if it refuses to pay.” TUI Airways is owned by TUI Group, which also operates the UK’s second-largest package holiday company.

Many of its holiday customers use the airline, which serves more than 20 UK airports.

The punctuality analysis took into account all scheduled and chartered departures from UK airports by the 34 airlines which operated more than 2,500 of these flights last year. Cancelled flights were not included.

Aage Dunhaupt, TUI Group’s director of communications, said: “We fully understand that for holidaymakers, every minute counts. Minimising delays remains a top priority, and our teams work continuously to improve operational performance across our network.”

Mr Dunhaupt said the airline makes “a conscious choice” to operate flights “wherever possible, even if they are delayed, rather than cancelling them”, as this ensures passengers reach their destination “rather than facing the risk of extended disruption”.

He added: “If we were to follow broader industry practices of cancelling flights more readily, our punctuality ranking would improve significantly.

“However, this would come at the expense of our customers.”

Checking a little-known page could help you find cheap flights, even in the six-week school holidays, and if you’re not fussy about your destination you can save on a family getaway

The school summer holidays are in full swing in Scotland, and looming for parents across England and Wales, meaning there are going to be families up and down the land looking for inexpensive ways to get away.

Unfortunately, going away with the kids during the six-week break is never going to be an inexpensive undertaking, but if you aren’t fussy about the destination and just want some sunshine, a little-known webpage could be a good place to start.

Simply enter the dates you’d like to depart, plus airports you want to fly from, and you’ll find a list of the cheapest places to take the family. The more flexible you can be, the better the deals, so midweek departures and choosing a slightly farther airport could help cut your costs.

TUI airways’ dedicated Cheap Flights page is where you’ll find inexpensive return tickets for selected routes for unbooked or returned seats. The best deals are often found on last-minute dates, as the airline looks to fill remaining capacity.

Best of all, unlike many cheap flight deals, flying with TUI Airways on a flight-only ticket gives you two pieces of hand luggage per adult and child. You can take one small personal item like a handbag or laptop bag that’s small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, with maximum dimensions 40x30x20cm, as well as a 10kg bag per passenger of maximum dimensions 55x40x20cm.

Checked-in bags and seat selection cost extra, but TUI says: “If you’re flying with TUI Airways and there’s a child under the age of 12 on your booking, we’ll make sure they’re seated with at least one adult in your party.”

It’s worth noting that this can mean they end up sitting in front of you or across an aisle, so consider whether you want to pay to select your seat.

TUI’s flights operate from more than 20 UK airports and cover over 100 destinations, so you may find a hidden gem using this tool that you might have otherwise missed. Return flights on this tool can start at as little as £30 return, and you’ll find both short-haul destinations such as Spain, Greece, and Italy, as well as long-haul routes from the Caribbean to Mexico and Thailand.

Cheap deals in the next couple of weeks from Scotland include a £70 fare from Glasgow to Reus, departing July 11 and returning July 25. While parents in England and Wales can choose from school holiday deals such as a £70 return from Bournemouth to Ibiza from July 18 to 29, just at the start of the six-week break, or London Gatwick to Split, Croatia for £128 return from July 20 to 27. However, seats for these deals are extremely limited and will sell out very quickly.

Flight search aggregator sites such as Skyscanner are also a great way to find the best deals. Simply choose ‘everywhere’ as your destination and tick ‘add nearby airports’ if you’re willing to fly from a different hub.

A family travel advisor at Lapland Famille, who plans full Arctic adventures, advised parents to consider the total cost of the journey, not just the headline fare. “A very low flight price can be a brilliant find, but families need to look at the whole trip before booking.

“If the cheapest option means difficult flight times, separate seats, extra baggage costs or a long transfer with tired children, the saving can disappear quickly. The best-value holiday is usually the one where the total cost, timing and stress level all work for the family.”

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com