Wizz Air

ONE country in Asia with incredible mountain scenery, Alpine lakes and a vibrant capital city is now so much cheaper for Brits to explore.

To encourage more holidaymakers to visit, Armenia has dropped visa fees, ahead of a budget airline beginning direct flights in just a few months.

Armenia isn’t a popular holiday destination for Brits yet, but this could soon change as it has scrapped visa entry requirements for the first half of 2026.

Travellers can stay in Armenia for up to 180 days within a one year period.

The rules are less strict to encourage tourism, particularly longer holidays as well as short city breaks.

Previously, the visa system meant travellers had to apply and pay a fee to enter the country – which at its most expensive cost around £30 and for a stay of up to 120 days.

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Lusine Gevorgyan, chairman of the tourism committee of Armenia, said: “This decision is a clear invitation to travellers around the world. Armenia is open and welcoming, and we look forward to sharing our culture, landscapes and hospitality with more visitors throughout 2026.

“With its ancient monasteries, dramatic mountain scenery, vibrant food scene and rich traditions, Armenia offers travellers a unique blend of history and modern life.

“From exploring Yerevan’s cafe culture and museums to discovering hiking trails and Unesco World Heritage sites, the country provides diverse experiences year-round.”

In a few months, Brits will be able to visit Armenia very easily as one budget airline will begin direct routes.

Wizz Air has gained new slot at London Luton Airport and will fly to  Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

The flights will start on June 8, 2026 – these will be the only direct flight routes from the UK.

In August, one-way flights are as little as £38 and will take just over five hours.

The direct flights from Wizz Air will stop on October 23, 2026.

Armenia is incredibly affordable too.

Last year, travel insurance company HelloSafe studied the average daily budget required by travellers in 131 countries.

Taking into account expenses like accommodation, food, and transport, Armenia came out as being the sixth cheapest destination.

According to Wise, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant is on average £8.85 with a local beer costing as little as £1.57 and a coffee is under £3.

The country shares borders with Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran.

In the capital of Yerevan there’s lots to see like Yerevan Cascade which is a giant, art-filled stairway which has incredible views of the Mount Ararat mountain which sits across the border in Turkey.

Also in Yerevan is Republic Square, the central town square in the city which is a symbol of Armenia.

The buildings in the square include the Government House, the History Museum, the National Gallery and Armenia Marriott Hotel.

It also has huge fountains that are lit up and in the summer there’s even an evening show.

For those wanting to pick up a souvenir, head to Vernissage Market which sells handmade crafts, artwork, and jewellery.

An hour outside of is the popular spot of Lake Sevan which is one of the world’s highest freshwater alpine lakes.

It’s popular in the summertime with swimmers and those wanting to bask on its sandy banks.

The best time to visit Armenia is between May and June as well as autumn between September and October due to the mild temperatures up to 25C.

The 15 cheapest countries in the world to travel…

For more on cheap holiday destinations, one in Asia is getting a new £168million airport.

And one man who left the UK to travel on £35 a day loved this unheard of destination with fairytale canyons.

Brits are being urged to check their travel documents especially passports after it’s been revealed that over one million UK adults may not have valid documents when the summer holidays come around

Brits are being warned to check their passports after data revealed that over 1.4million UK adults could see their documents expire before the summer holidays.

The team at budget airline Wizz Air revealed that they studied data obtained from the HM Passport Office and found that over 1.4million documents are due to expire by the end of June 2026. For those who haven’t checked their passports, it could mean their holiday is over before it’s even started, with extra headaches along the way.

That’s because an invalid passport not only means you’ll be denied boarding at the airport, but your travel insurance is unlikely to cover any claims because you’ve travelled with an invalid document, therefore voiding your policy for that trip.

With the summer holidays just a few months away, Wizz Air is urging travellers to check their passport validity now before the peak season to avoid any potential last minute stress or cancelled trips.

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For Brits heading to Europe, there’s a post-Brexit rule that continues to catch holidaymakers out. That’s because you need to check not one but two dates on your document. The first is the issue date; UK travellers must have passports issued less than 10 years before the date they enter a country. If you’re using an older passport, it may still be valid for your travel dates, but could push you past the 10-year rule.

However, you also need to check the expiry date. Passports need to be valid for at least three months beyond the date you plan to return from EU countries, while some non-EU destinations require six months remaining. It’s crucial to check your passport’s validity based on your intended return date to the UK, not the date you’re due to fly out.

If you’re unsure about the entry requirements for a destination, one of the best resources for UK passport holders is the Foreign Office’s travel advice for that destination, as they will advise of any updates or changes that you need to be aware of.

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Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director at Wizz Air UK said: “Don’t let an expiring passport ruin your summer plans. Summer holidays should be about excitement, not last-minute stress. With peak booking season underway, now is the time to check if your passport is valid. A quick two-minute check today could save weeks of disruption later and ensure travellers can book with confidence and enjoy the full range of destinations across our network.”

If you do realise that your passport won’t be valid for the summer and want to book a holiday, then renewing your document is simple. You can either renew it online for £94.50, or through a paper application which costs £107. To renew your passport you’ll need both your old passport and any valid passports you have from a different country – send either a colour photocopy of every page (including blank ones) or the physical passport. You can also find out more on gov.uk/renew-adult-passport.

A word of caution – if you’ve already booked a trip and had to enter your passport details, make sure you update those on your booking if needed!

Have you had a holiday ruined because of a passport issue? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com.

Just in time for the February half-term and to prevent the stress of travel, Wizz Air is offering a new nifty bag drop of hack for UK holidaymakers who have early morning flights

Ahead of a busy travel period, Wizz Air has introduced a new check-in procedure that allows UK travellers to drop their bags off at the airport the day before they fly.

Airports are expected to be busier than usual as hundreds of families jet off abroad during the February half-term for a sun-soaked getaway, while other travellers seek a winter escape amid the chilly British weather. In a bid to help Brits have a smooth start to their holiday, Wizz Air has introduced a twilight check-in option.

Available from today (Monday, 16 February), the new service allows passengers to check in and drop their luggage off at London Luton Airport the night before they fly. It will be available seven days a week, between 9pm and 2am, for travellers departing on a flight scheduled up to 9am the following morning.

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Wizz Air is the third airline to offer twilight check-in at Luton Airport, following EasyJet and Jet2, who introduced the option to their passengers last year. It comes at the perfect time amid the February half-term, as Luton Airport alone is predicted to handle a whopping 325,000 passengers during the week. (It’s worth noting that TUI also offers the service although not from Luton, but other airports including Gatwick).

Following Valentine’s weekend, Amsterdam, Bologna and Paris are thought to have been Luton Airport’s most popular destinations for couples jetting off for a romantic escape. Meanwhile, Berlin, Budapest, Lisbon, Prague and Seville are among the favourite destinations for a half-term city break, offering warmer climates and charming streets to explore.

For UK travellers looking for a sun-soaked getaway, Palma de Mallorca, Murcia and Malaga are ranked as Luton’s most favourable destinations. While Lanzarote, Madeira and Turkish hotspots Antalya and Dalaman have also proven popular among those looking for a winter sun escape with blistering rays.

To keep up with demand, Wizz Air is set to launch new routes from Luton to Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, Valencia and Seville from March 29. Meanwhile, Jet2 will launch five new routes to Corfu, Kos, Preveza, Skiathos and Menorca, from May 21.

Clare Armstrong, Head of Guest Experience at London Luton Airport, commented: “February half term provides the perfect opportunity to take a well-earned break and to escape the notorious British weather that we typically see this time of year. As ever, our teams will be working hard to deliver a simple and friendly passenger experience to all those travelling from the airport, from Valentine’s couples heading off for a romantic getaway, to families searching for sunshine and solo travellers exploring new regions.

“The launch of another twilight check-in service will mean even more passengers can get their travels off to the swiftest and simplest start and follows another hugely exciting year for LLA, with continued investment in passenger facilities, new shops and restaurants and record customer satisfaction scores achieved. We are all set for another busy and exciting week, and we’re thrilled to see so many passengers choosing LLA as the starting point for their travels.”

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

Sanne and Nick Gibson are two Wizz Air captains who first met at pilot school in Arizona and now fly for the same budget airline, managing to juggle life as parents with flying across Europe

This is your captain speaking. And this is your captain’s husband speaking.

Not the words you’d expect to hear as you buckle up ahead of a trip away, but ones that could crackle through the intercom of Sanne and Nick Gibson’s Wizz Air plane when they happen to be flying together.

The aviators are a vanishingly rare duo who don’t just work for the same company, but do exactly the same job. Sometimes in the same cockpit.

They are veteran captains for the Hungarian budget airline, both based at its UK base in Luton. They start work at the same time, jumping out of bed in the small hours, heading to the airport and skillfully flying a plane load of people to one of the 190 or so airports Wizz Air serves, before heading back to the UK again after a short 35-minute break.

Impressively, Sanne, 31, and her 33-year-old husband manage to make it back from Budapest, Corfu, Rome or wherever they happen to be going that day in time to pick up their 1.5-year-old daughter from nursery.

Having known each other for more than 10 years has its advantages when it comes to working together. When they first joined one another in the cockpit, the professional connection was instant.

“We didn’t have to understand each other first. I knew Sanne’s thought process before it came out of her mouth. I couldn’t have asked for a better co-pilot, because you know each other so well, you understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Nick, from Leeds, explained.

It seems to be true what they (might) say: couples that fly together, stay together.

Sanne and Nick’s soaring romance began in 2015 when they met at pilot school in Arizona. “Away from the prying eyes of parents,” for the first time and beneath the scorching desert sun, the Yorkshire lad and Dutch woman hit it off one evening around a pool after a hard day’s flying.

They exchanged bucket lists, Nick impressing Sanne with boasts of a police ride-along he’d secured in a chance encounter with a cop.

Wings earned, what had remained a friendship in the US blossomed into a romance in the UK, where Nick took Sanne for her first Nando’s on their first date. From then, they may well have been inseparable – had the fast-paced, demanding life of a young pilot not got in the way.

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He scored a job in Munich, and she in Strasbourg, meaning they were a two-hour drive apart. When Sanne later landed a gig in Toulouse, Nick managed to transfer to Bristol so he could do night layovers in the French city.

And then, when Sanne secured a job at Wizz Air in 2017 and Nick the year after, the couple had achieved their ambition of working from the same base for the first time. “I know other people in this job had been at it for ten years trying to get to the same place,” Nick explained.

On his very first flight as a captain, Sanne was there alongside Nick as his co-pilot.

“Sometimes I have to pinch myself that we live together. And we get home every night. I am so lucky,” Sanne said.

The couple’s rotas are aligned, meaning they both work five days on and then four days off. They have permanent, live-in childcare for five days when they’re at work – something they say is crucial to them getting enough sleep to be ready to fly.

“The mum guilt is a real thing, but I think it’s a really important thing to keep going. Flying is a perishable skill; if you don’t fly, you lose it. It’s not like riding a bike. I remember that first takeoff after maternity leave, I was halfway down the runway before I got my head in the game,” Sanne said.

While Nick and Sanne do fly together, they don’t do so all the time. In fact, it’s a chance when they do end up in the same cockpit. “We don’t push for it, but it is quite nice. It was just us, no daughter, no phones. We just sat there and had a chat,” Nick said.

Both are quick to note that they’ve never had a domestic while behind the controls, despite Sanne noticing that Nick does sometimes make a loud whistling sound into the microphone when he’s flying.

They also resist doing a ‘his and hers’ bit to the cabin over the intercom, for fear it’d freak out passengers concerned that they aren’t taking their jobs seriously enough.

Looking to the future, the husband and wife won’t be flying together anytime soon. Because Sanne is due to give birth just before Valentine’s Day.

But after six months of maternity leave, they’ll both be back in the cockpit, jetting off to somewhere sunny together.

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

There was choas on board a Wizz Air flight from Luton to Tel Aviv when a passenger started messaging someone else on board having changed their WiFi name to ‘terrorist’

Fighter jets were forced to to intercept a flight from the UK after being alerted that a passenger on board changed their WiFi name.

The planes arrived after a person reported ‘threatening messages’ were being sent to people on the Wizz Air flight from Luton, which was due to land at Ben-Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. The ‘security incident’ unfolded when crew notified security officials in Israel of a potential threat.

Authorities believe a traveller changed their WiFi account name to ‘terrorist’ and started directly messaging fellow passengers. They raised the alarm and the fighter jets were given the order to circle the skies before the plane eventually landed safely in Israel.

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The Airports Authority said: “Due to suspicion of suspicious behaviour on the plane, security forces acted according to the procedures for such a case. The incident ended. The plane landed and it was found that there was no actual incident.”

N12 News reports that this isn’t the first time those in charge at the airport have been forced to act. Three years ago, during a flight of the Turkish airline Anadolu Jet, passengers were airdropped pictures and videos of planes crashing on their mobile phones.

There is no blame on the airline, but analysis of the latest data from the Authority shows that Wizz Air had the highest number of complaints per million passengers flown, beating Ryanair to the bottom spot. In fact, the Hungarian airline romped home with the prize.

It received 10,548 customer complaints from mid-2024 to March 2025, or 918 complaints per one million passengers. That means for every customer who flew, just under 1,000 registered a complaint during that period.

In Wizz Air’s favour is the relatively low ‘complaint upheld’ rate during that time, at 47%. It paid out £1,482,183 as a consequence, or £651 per customer on average.

The airline said: “At Wizz Air, every minute matters and customers are at the heart of everything we do. Since 2024, we have made significant investments across every part of our operations, including our Customer First Compass initiative – a £12 billion framework launched in 2025 to ensure we deliver the best possible service for our customers.

“This investment is already delivering results. In 2025, our UK flight completion rate was 99.8% – one of the best in the entire industry, while our on-time performance also improved by 14.23% compared to 2024. As a result, in 2025 customer satisfaction ratio already increased by 7% point year-on-year.

“We recognise that disruption does occasionally occur, on many occasions due to factors outside of our control. We are focused on responding quickly and effectively when it does. Our automated Chatbot, Amelia AI, is available 24/7 to address most customers’ enquiries and needs.”

Meanwhile, British Airways had a far lower complaints rate (192/one million customers), but 83% were upheld. BA paid out £6,238,378 in total, or £837 per customer.

Ryanair’s complaints-per-million-customers rate was 188, with a low complaints upheld rate of 28% and an average award of £694.

Wizz Air has added a new route to the Greek island of Santorini from London Gatwick starting July 2026, with flights from £45.99 offering crystal-clear waters and whitewashed villages

Wizz Air has unveiled new routes to a stunning island boasting scorching sunshine and crystal-clear azure waters, with fares kicking off at just £45.99.

As dreary British weather continues, many of us are fantasising about a sun-drenched holiday, making it the perfect moment to discover that Wizz Air has expanded its routes to the iconic Greek island of Santorini. The breathtaking destination has remained a firm favourite amongst holidaymakers craving a peaceful retreat amongst its whitewashed and blue-domed clifftop villages.

The fresh Wizz Air route connecting London Gatwick to Santorini will officially launch on 1 July 2026, as the airline bolsters its Greek connections ahead of the busy summer travel season. The new service, offering Brits greater flexibility for their summer holiday plans, will run twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Direct flights begin at only £45.99 one-way, making it simpler than ever to secure that tranquil getaway during the summer break without the eye-watering cost. Santorini delivers plenty for travellers, from its spectacular clifftop vistas and black volcanic sand beaches to some of the most breathtaking golden sunsets imaginable.

Tourists can meander through cobbled pathways flanked by whitewashed structures adorned with pink bougainvillaea blooms for a picture-perfect Mamma Mia! moment. Due to its dramatic position perched atop volcanic cliffs, there’s an array of hiking trails to appreciate the island’s distinctive charm, including the renowned Fira-Oia trail.

Beyond that, visitors can discover the ancient ruins at Akrotiri, embark on a boat excursion across the turquoise waters, enjoy a dip in Santorini’s hot springs, and taste local wines during a vineyard tour. Additionally, there’s a wide selection of delightful restaurants, lively bars and authentic cafes where guests can savour Greek cuisine, from Gyros to Horiatiki.

The introduction of the new Wizz Air route to Santorini arrives as the carrier continues to broaden its UK- Greece connections. Wizz Air has also announced extra flights to Chania, Corfu, Mykonos, Rhodes and Zakynthos launching this summer.

Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director at Wizz Air UK, said: “The addition of Santorini to our London Gatwick network comes at the perfect time ahead of the peak summer season. Our upcoming Greek routes are already set to become firm favourites with our customers, and Santorini is a bucket list destination that people dream of visiting.

“As London’s low-cost airline, we’re delighted to give travellers the opportunity to experience this iconic island destination at an affordable price. We listened carefully to what customers wanted, and through our Customer First Compass framework, we are making sure their needs remain front and centre in every decision we take.”

The upcoming flights from London Gatwick to Santorini, with a journey time of less than four hours, will soon be available for booking on the Wizz Air website or through their app. Prices for a one-way direct ticket will kick off at £45.99, with the inaugural flight scheduled for 1 July 2026.

Got a travel tale to tell? Drop us an email at webtravel@reachplc.com

In November 2025, Ryanair also made a major change to its ticketing system by discontinuing the use of physical tickets

It’s no secret that Ryanair is among the UK’s most popular airlines. Between 2024 and 2025, it celebrated reaching 200 million passengers, a first for any European airline in a one-year period.

Yet future passengers should know that a single oversight could incur a hefty charge. Dealing with this at the airport generally costs £55 in the UK, £30 (€30) for departures from Spain, and even £40 (€40) for departures from Austria. The fee is charged per passenger, per ‘sector’, which includes connections.

You may be surprised to learn that the mistake is simply forgetting or choosing not to check in with Ryanair before arriving at the airport. Customers are urged to check in for flights ahead of their journeys and use a Digital Boarding Pass (DBP).

Official online advice from Ryanair explains: “All Ryanair passengers will still receive email reminders to check-in online 48 and 24hrs predeparture. If any passenger arrives at airport but hasn’t checked in online (having ignored these reminders), they will still be required to pay the airport check-in fee.”

In November 2025, Ryanair made a major change to its ticketing system by discontinuing the use of physical tickets at most airports and instead operating as ‘100%’ DBPs. This scheme, originally planned for May 2025, aims to lower costs, save approximately 300 tonnes of paper annually, and enable travellers to receive direct flight updates.

To get one, travellers should check in online via the website or the Ryanair App, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. After check-in, a DBP will automatically show up in the Ryanair App. This should be presented at airport security and the boarding gate before flights.

Overall, the budget airline insists that this method is ‘quicker, easier’ and results in ‘less stress’ compared to using paper tickets. Plus, travellers should still be able to board the flight even if their phones are lost or run out of battery.

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This is primarily because personnel will have each traveller’s ‘sequence number’ at the departure gate. Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary explained on The Independent’s daily travel podcast last year: “The big concern that people have is: ‘What happens if I lose my battery or what if I lose my phone?’

“…If you lose your phone, no issue. As long as you’ve checked in before you got to the airport, we’ll reissue a paper boarding pass at the airport free of charge.”

Advice on Ryanair’s website mirrors this, adding: “If you have already checked in online and you lose your smartphone or tablet (or it dies), your details are already on our system and you will be assisted at the gate.”

Despite this, it’s important to note that Ryanair isn’t the only airline to issue check-in fees at airports. Wizz Air similarly charges between €40 and €50 for airport check-ins, which also apply per flight, per passenger.

For more information on airline fees, refer to Ryanair’s fee list here or Wizz Air’s fee list here.

How can I check in online with Ryanair?

1. Visit Ryanair.com or access the Ryanair app on your device.
2. Log in to your existing account or create a new one if needed.
3. Click on the ‘Check-in’ option.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions and enter the required details from your travel documents.
5. Once check-in is complete, either print out your boarding pass or save it to your mobile device for easy access.

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