Mr Plane Guy Plane Blog,
Flight Reviews, Airport Lounges & Travel Hacks.

Speaking of upgrades… Seatfrog have been in touch and have sent over some exclusive money-off codes for you. I’ll be updating them inside my full review so you can see exactly how the app works and how to upgrade your train tickets to First Class for less. If you haven’t read it yet, start here:

This week I was dispatched to the tropical island of… Jersey. Yes, I really do get sent to some exotic locations from time to time. I flew over on British Airways, sorry, “Euroflyer”in Club Europe from Gatwick. Thanks to fog, we enjoyed a cute little two-hour delay at Gatwick. Naturally, this occurred just as the screens suddenly flashed gate closed while I was mid second pink gin fizz. I ran. I survived. I did not review the bathrooms. You probably won’t notice.

If you’ve Googled “what is data roaming”, “what is roaming”, or “what is an eSIM”, chances are you’re not just curious, you’re travelling soon and want to avoid a nasty phone bill surprise. Good news: you’re asking the right questions before you land. This guide explains roaming, data roaming, and eSIMs in plain English, then shows the simplest way travellers stay connected abroad without stressing about settings, compatibility, or costs.

There are airlines that transport you. And then there are airlines that attempt to seduce you. Air France has always belonged to the second category. From the cut of the cabin crew uniforms to the way a tray table is presented, there’s a certain confidence, an unspoken “bien sûr” that this is how flying should feel. In 2026, Air France has quietly elevated its Premium cabin once again. If you’ve been searching air france premium economy, wondering whether it’s worth the su

People were sharing tables, and the buffet area reminded me of the M25 at rush hour but with much better surroundings!

If you’re collecting British Airways Avios and flying through duty free Heathrow, this is one of the easiest “stacking” tricks most travellers completely miss. British Airways quietly partnered with Club Avolta in late 2025, and most travellers still don’t realise it exists. Club Avolta (formerly Dufry / Red by Dufry) is the loyalty programme behind World Duty Free and it now partners with British Airways and Iberia to let you earn and redeem Avios when shopping airside. It

Indian carrier IndiGo has announced changes to its long-haul network, including pausing Copenhagen flights and reducing services to Manchester and London Heathrow. The airline says the move is designed to improve on-time performance and reduce passenger disruption, following ongoing challenges affecting its wide-body operations. In airline speak, that usually translates to one thing: fewer flights now, to avoid bigger problems later.

But don't worry if you don't have this with your bank account or credit card I've got just the deal for you!

Welcome to Manchester’s Revamped Terminal 2 After years of construction, scaffolding and shuttle buses, Manchester Airport’s new Terminal 2 is finally complete and fully operational for 2026 and it’s a huge upgrade. With its airy glass atrium, new security zones, faster bag drops, and expanded shopping and dining, T2 has transformed from a worksite into a sleek international gateway. Whether you’re off to Doha, Dubai or the Dominican Republic, this terminal now looks and f

You Deserve a Reward, Not a Headache Let’s be honest. Collecting Avios is the fun part. Spending them? That’s where the stress kicks in. Trying to find British Airways reward flights on BA.com can feel like a full-time job: Searching date by date Cabin by cabin Route by route Watching seats appear… then disappear It’s slow. It’s frustrating and it’s why so many people sit on huge Avios balances they never use. That’s exactly why tools like Reward Flight Fin

If you’ve ever googled “how much are Avios points worth” or “avios points value”, here’s the Plane Honest answer: Most people use ~1p per Avios as a sensible baseline Your real value depends on what you’d actually pay in cash The best redemptions usually come from: peak cash prices + premium cabins + vouchers + good availability

British Airways has just confirmed some big news for frequent flyers: the bonus tier points offer first launched in December 2024 is now permanent. And the best bit? From 25 November 2025 you’ll earn these extra tier points automatically no more opting in. If you fly BA for work, or you’re planning a long-overdue holiday, these changes make it meaningfully easier to climb the British Airways Club tiers and unlock benefits like lounge access, priority security, extra baggage

You Don’t Need a Business-Class Ticket to Use Airport Lounges Airport lounges used to feel off-limits if your seat wasn’t at the front of the plane. That’s no longer the case. In 2026, there are several ways to get airport lounge access without flying business class and some are far cheaper (and easier) than most travellers realise. This guide explains:

If you’ve got a flight coming up and you’re already half-expecting delays, strikes, missed connections or weather chaos, you’re not alone and you’re exactly who AirHelp+ is designed for. AirHelp+ isn’t about upgrades or luxury travel perks. It’s about what happens when flying doesn’t go to plan and making sure you’re not left stressed, out of pocket, or stuck in an airport with nowhere comfortable to sit.

This one slipped out quietly, but it’s a meaningful change if you collect Avios and occasionally fly Vueling. Vueling, IAG’s Barcelona-based low-cost carrier and sister airline to British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus, has confirmed changes to its Vueling Club loyalty programme. The headline change? For many travellers, Avios won’t be earned at all at least not straight away.

Welcome aboard this week’s Plane News Weekly, your Sunday fix of UK airline updates, aviation news, loyalty deals, and travel hacks. Confession time: Dry January didn’t quite survive take-off. Okay, maybe just two or three beers… which I’m calling a soft landing. In my defence, have you tried Eurostar’s own IPA onboard? Surprisingly decent. This week I’ve been working on a TikTok with SafetyWing travel insurance, and honestly, their Nomad cover has been a lifesaver. I live

Flying with British Airways in 2026? Good news: BA’s baggage allowance is still one of the most generous among full-service airlines especially in economy. But there are still catches, particularly with: weight limits basic fares long-haul vs short-haul and expensive extra baggage fees

If you collect Avios points or you’re trying to build a balance fast for a specific trip, this is one of the strongest short-term plays British Airways has offered in a while. For a limited time, British Airways Club members can boost Avios by up to 500%, at a cost as low as 0.92p per Avios. Used correctly, this can materially change what you can book with British Airways Avios in 2026. Used badly, you’ll overpay. Here’s how it actually works.

If you’ve ever booked an easyJet flight thinking “£5.99 for a cabin bag? Bargain.”…only to get to checkout and suddenly it’s £23.99, welcome aboard. Turns out it’s not just you being dramatic. The UK’s advertising watchdog has officially BANNED an easyJet advert for being misleading about cabin bag prices. Yes. Really. The issue? That familiar little line saying you can add a large cabin bag “from £5.99”. Naughty easyJet. So… how much ARE bags really? The Advertising St

It’s also great news that Heathrow has finally lifted liquid restrictions in hand luggage. The original 100ml rule dates back to 2006 after a foiled transatlantic terror plot, I remember flying into Heathrow from New York as Virgin crew the day it was introduced. Fast-forward to a few weeks ago and, thinking the rule had already changed, I turned up with an expensive Rituals reed diffuser in my hand luggage. As a travel blogger and aviation nerd, I should know better. Oh, the