All posts tagged: Travel advice

I’m a travel writer – book one plane seat to get an empty row | World | News

I’m a travel writer – book one plane seat to get an empty row | World | News

There’s a nifty hack I use to secure an empty row on planes (Image: Amy Jones) There’s nothing better than getting on a plane, hearing the ‘boarding complete’ announcement, and discovering that you have an entire row to yourself. Say hello to a blissful and undisrupted flight – even better during those long-haul flights. This feeling never fails to excite me when travelling abroad, knowing that I joyfully have a row all to myself for the next nine hours, so I can stretch out and even construct a makeshift bed with the spare seats, pillows and blankets. What more could I want during a long-haul flight? While I can’t always bag this level of luxury when flying economy, I can do everything in my power to give myself the best chance of making it happen. And it’s all about selecting the right seat, without paying for the privilege. Before every trip, I will always wait until I can check in online 24 hours ahead of the flight to choose my seat preference. Sometimes you can …

easyJet passenger orders chocolate and can’t believe what arrives

easyJet passenger orders chocolate and can’t believe what arrives

The traveller, who posts online as @sophiefamilytravel, shared the peculiar in-flight snack experience after purchasing the chocolate at Heathrow Airport. To add to the strangeness, the chocolate had taken on an odd cream colour, scattered with brown spots throughout. Visibly baffled by the state of the snack, the traveller filmed the moment and quipped: “POV: you’re flying easyJet and this is what your chocolate buttons look like.” Upon noticing the peculiar-looking treat, the passenger approached a member of the cabin crew to enquire whether the sweets were actually supposed to appear that way. The footage captured the crew member offering an awkward smile while shaking their head “no”, seemingly just as mystified by the whole situation. Posting the clip online, the traveller laughed: “easyJet customer orders chocolate buttons on flight and is floored by what they get.” They went on to invite their followers to share their own “crazy budget airline stories” — and it wasn’t long before plenty of fellow passengers came forward with their own unfortunate tales. One passenger joked: “I ordered a …

Major airline cancels flights to 6 popular European destinations this year | World | News

Major airline cancels flights to 6 popular European destinations this year | World | News

A leading airline has revealed it is cutting back services to six European destinations this year. Air India is preparing to reduce its international flight schedule through August, as surging jet fuel costs and ongoing airspace restrictions make several routes difficult to maintain. The US and Iran have been embroiled in conflict since February 28, when the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on several key Iranian targets. Iran responded by attacking sites across the Middle East and closing the crucial Strait of Hormuz trade route. The cuts could affect up to 100 flights daily, with routes linking India and North America facing the heaviest reductions. The move comes amid wider financial pressures throughout the aviation sector. In recent correspondence with the government, the carrier emphasised mounting financial pressure from rising fuel costs and ongoing airspace constraints, warning of significant strain across operations. Two key factors are driving the reductions: higher fuel costs and longer routes. Jet fuel prices have risen sharply, pushing up the cost of running long-haul services. At the same time, airspace …

Major airlines forced to axe thousands of flights in May | US | News

Major airlines forced to axe thousands of flights in May | US | News

Airlines flying from the world’s busiest airport will be forced to slash scheduled services to minimise operational chaos ahead of the summer period. Reports indicate that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is compelling carriers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport to reduce their schedules in a bid to cut operational disruption. The move has led major carriers American Airlines and United Airlines to axe nearly 2,700 flights between them in May. The FAA announced in April that it would be taking “action to prevent endless delays [and] cancellations at Chicago O’Hare.” It is believed that fewer than 60% of arrivals and departures were punctual at O’Hare last summer, with the airport keen to boost performance in 2026. O’Hare is expected to handle almost 15% more flights on its busiest days this year compared to summer 2025, according to MSN. This creates the risk of overscheduling. Carriers have been instructed to reduce services in an effort to avoid flight disruptions, reports the Mirror. “We appreciate the airlines working together with us to reach a responsible level of …

4 UK travel firms plunge into liquidation or cease trading – all bookings cancelled | UK | News

4 UK travel firms plunge into liquidation or cease trading – all bookings cancelled | UK | News

4 UK travel firms have plunged into administration or ceased trading in 2026 (Image: Getty) Four travel firms have ceased trading in 2026 and cancelled all bookings. With jet fuel prices soaring following the Iran crisis and international travel hit with uncertainty thanks to travel warnings, there could yet be more companies pushed to breaking point. When holiday businesses do collapse, bookings are cancelled and holidaymakers lose their trip and their money, unless their firm was covered by ATOL protection. In January, Regen Central Ltd went into liquidation and cancelled all trips without refunds. The firm, which was founded in Hertfordshire in 2011 before moving to London, lost its ATOL protection on January 13. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said Regen Central had no outstanding ATOL protect bookings, and that those sold as accommodation only, non flight or flight only bookings are not protected by ATOL. Read more: Three airlines plunge into administration or liquidation – all flights cancelled Read more: UK chocolatier plunges into administration – in business since 1986 On January 23, British …

‘I visited castle in Spain then realised cost of ticket was so cheap’ | UK | News

‘I visited castle in Spain then realised cost of ticket was so cheap’ | UK | News

Castillo de Colomares,Benalmádena (Image: Getty) While some travellers are happy to spend a week soaking up the sun, others prefer to dive into a destination’s history and culture. But one woman was left laughing at herself after mistaking a popular Spanish attraction for an “ancient castle” – only to discover it’s actually far more modern than it looks. Content creator Alisatata, known as @iam_alisatata on social media, shared how she paid just €3 (around £2.69) to visit Castillo de Colomares after relocating to Spain. She was immediately impressed by the intricate design of the structure, which sits in the coastal town of Benalmádena — but her amazement quickly turned to disbelief when she learned the truth behind it. Despite its grand, historic appearance, the building was actually constructed between 1987 and 1994, meaning it’s nowhere near as old as she had assumed. Read more: New airport rules comes into force but 1 thing keeps catching people out Sharing the moment on TikTok, she joked: “Admiring this ancient castle and wondering how the ticket was so …

Anyone staying in a hotel this Easter told ‘leave bowls of water out’ | UK | News

Anyone staying in a hotel this Easter told ‘leave bowls of water out’ | UK | News

BBC doctor urges anyone staying in hotels at Easter to leave bowls of water around (Image: Getty) With spring in full swing and the Easter bank holiday on the horizon, many Brits will be embarking on getaways. For those planning a hotel stay, BBC Morning Live’s resident doctor, Dr Punam Krisham, has offered advice she urges people to take to minimise the risk of falling ill, as she predicts there will likely be a “spike after the Easter holidays”. Explaining why infections often surge “every time the seasons change”, Dr Punam attributes this largely to fluctuations in temperature and air pressure, which cause “viruses and bacteria spread a lot quicker”. The NHS GP also noted that, naturally, people are “mingling more” and “young children and people are travelling”, reports the Mirror. Dr Punam informed viewers: “We’ve got Easter holidays, we fully expect a bit of a spike after the Easter holidays. And, there is this thing called a stacking effect. “So what will happen is, because there are so many viral things circulating, people feel …

Urgent travel warning issued for Easter over spread of ‘nasty disease’ | UK | News

Urgent travel warning issued for Easter over spread of ‘nasty disease’ | UK | News

Travellers heading overseas during the Easter break and spring travel period have been urged to take precautions against mosquito-borne infections. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned that while cases of dengue fever have fallen, chikungunya cases in England are at their highest point for more than a decade. Malaria cases in returning travellers also remain at a high level. Symptoms of chikungunya infection include a sudden onset of fever, usually accompanied by joint pain. While most people recover fully within one to two weeks, joint pain can persist for months or even years. In rare cases, the disease can be fatal, with the very young, older adults and those with other underlying illnesses at greatest risk. Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: “For some people chikungunya can be a prolonged and nasty disease and we continue to see cases in travellers returning to the UK, particularly from parts of Asia and the Indian Ocean region. “While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, …

Foreign Office issues new travel advice for 31 countries – full list | UK | News

Foreign Office issues new travel advice for 31 countries – full list | UK | News

The updated travel advice include 31 countries. (Image: Getty) An updated travel advice including 31 countries has been issued as the war in the Middle East continues. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has announced the update today (March 19). This is one of many issued by the FCDO for British citizens planning to travel to, or already in, affected countries. The latest was issued earlier this afternoon and covers 31 countries. “Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East,” the advice read. This comes as Iran, three weeks since the war began, intensified its attacks on oil and natural gas facilities around the Gulf. Read more: Haifa refinery in Israel struck in Iran missile attack as Middle East on brink Read more: Iran’s deadly missile blunder misses Israel and kills 3 Palestinian women Today (March 19), a refinery in Haifa, Israel, has been struck in an Iranian …

Major US airport evacuated as FBI rush to scene | World | News

Major US airport evacuated as FBI rush to scene | World | News

Kansas City Airport has reportedly been evacuated due to a bomb threat, with travellers stuck on the tarmac. The major travel hub in Missouri is said to have moved people from Concourse A to Concourse B on Saturday, according to social media reports. One frustrated passenger said his flight had landed from New Orleans, but not allowed to go to the gate. He wrote on X: “There’s an active bomb threat at the Kansas City Airport. My plane from New Orleans just landed. Pilot said we won’t go to the gate for hours. And this was after MSY TSA was a 3 hour line due to the government shutdown. Craziest travel day I’ve ever had.” The bomb threat has not been confirmed. The Kansas City Aviation Department told The Mirror US it “is aware of a situation at Kansas City International Airport (MCI)”. “As a precaution, the department has evacuated sections of the Airport Terminal,” the statement continued. “Airport Police are working with the FBI to substantiate any potential threat.” A spokesperson said they were …