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

Virgin Atlantic is finally heading to Thailand and it’s about time. From 18 October 2026, the airline will launch direct flights from London Heathrow to Phuket, operating three times a week. The route marks Virgin’s first ever direct link to Thailand and a major step into Asia’s booming premium leisure market.

Flights Delayed More Than Before the Pandemic, New Data Shows If you feel like your flights are running later than ever, you’re not imagining it. According to new data from Which? and the Civil Aviation Authority, passengers flying with six of the UK’s biggest airlines are now facing worse delays than before the pandemic. In the year to April 2025, every major UK airline performed worse than it did in 2019, with TUI, Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and British Airways all

The Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards 2025 have revealed the world’s best airlines, and I’ll be honest a few of the results nearly made me spit out my Pret latte at Heathrow T5. More than 900,000 readers voted for their favourite airlines this year, split into short-haul and long-haul categories. Some results were predictable, others genuinely eyebrow-raising. It’s been a record year for UK travellers too, 95 million trips abroad last year, according to The Times’ Cathy

National Geographic has just revealed its Top 25 Travel Destinations for 2026, and alongside bucket-list heavyweights like Fiji, Beijing, and the Dolomites, there’s a surprise entry: Hull, Yorkshire, England right here in the UK.

A New Era for Train Travel Between London and Europe Eurostar has just announced plans to launch Britain’s first-ever double-decker trains a huge leap forward for high-speed travel and a major milestone for anyone planning a quick city break from London.

Welcome aboard this week’s Plane News Weekly, your Sunday fix of UK airline updates, aviation news, loyalty deals, and travel hacks from the skies. Let's start this week PLANE strong!

Qatar Airways has officially touched down at one of the Middle East’s most anticipated new destinations the Red Sea International Airport (RSI) on Saudi Arabia’s west coast. The airline now operates three weekly non-stop flights between Doha (Hamad International Airport) and the Red Sea, adding this coastal luxury hotspot as its 12th Saudi destination.

A New Way to Earn and Redeem Avios on Flights to China Avios collectors, here’s a redemption you probably didn’t know existed. It involves a SkyTeam airline, a Dreamliner, and a surprise spicy chicken.If you’re collecting Avios and planning a trip to China, here’s some big news: Xiamen Airlines has quietly joined the Avios family.

When your long-haul flight turns into a long-haul saga A TUI Airways long-haul flight from Cancun to London Gatwick became a travel nightmare after a couple were allegedly caught smoking onboard, forcing the pilot to divert to Bangor International Airport in Maine, USA. Flight BY49, scheduled to land at Gatwick on July 8, made the unscheduled stop when crew reported “disruptive behaviour” mid-flight. The two passengers were removed by US authorities, but for everyone else,

There’s good news for weary travellers touching down at Heathrow Plaza Premium Lounge has officially reopened its Arrivals Lounge in Terminal 3, once again giving flyers a place to shower, recharge, and regroup before tackling London traffic or a connecting flight. Previously operated by Delta (before the airline moved to Virgin Atlantic’s Revivals Lounge in 2017), the Heathrow Arrivals Lounge has been lightly refreshed with a clean, modern look. Expect updated seating, Tube

Welcome aboard this week’s Plane News Weekly, your Sunday fix of UK airline updates, aviation news, loyalty deals, and travel hacks from the skies. I’ve just landed back from New York, where I tested new lounges at Heathrow Terminal 3 check out my latest reviews of the No1 Lounge and Clubrooms.

British Airways has just brought a wave of Miami luxury energy to the skies with the opening of its brand-new British Airways Lounge at Miami International Airport and it might just redefine what airport luxury looks like in the US.

United Airlines will operate a new 737 MAX service from Newark to Glasgow, providing another transatlantic option for UK travellers. This route adds capacity and flexibility for passengers looking to fly between the US and Scotland. Frequent flyers will benefit from additional miles and loyalty opportunities. The new service highlights the growing range of UK-US flights available in 2025.

Right now, thanks to a limited-time partnership between Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Hilton Honors, you can save 10% off your flights and earn up to 6,000 bonus Avios. Combine that with your American Express Gold Card or Hilton Debit Card, and this becomes a powerhouse travel hack that turns every booking into an Avios-earning machine. This is not your average points deal. This is the kind of offer that gets you closer to your next Qsuite upgrade, Doha stopover, or Maldi

Liverpool John Lennon Airport has unveiled its brand-new Aspire Lounge, marking a major upgrade in pre-flight comfort and convenience. Part of a £9 million terminal enhancement, the lounge now offers more space, improved amenities, and a stylish environment for travellers. If you want to make the most of it, Priority Pass with 30% off is the easiest way to access the lounge without worrying about availability or paying full price.

Big news for anyone planning a trip to Dubai (or beyond) this winter: Emirates is stepping up its London flights in a major way. From 26 October 2025, the airline will add a brand-new Heathrow–Dubai frequency, meaning Emirates will now fly six A380s plus one Boeing 777 out of Heathrow every day, except Fridays. That takes Emirates’ Heathrow schedule to 48 weekly flights, with a total of up to 13 daily flights from London airports combined

If you’ve ever flown with Ryanair, you’ll know the airline is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you can fly across Europe for less than the price of dinner. On the other hand… fees, fees, and more fees. Ryanair check in fee? Yep. Printing your boarding pass? Fee! Now, there’s a brand-new rule you don’t want to ignore:

Buying gifts for the travel-obsessed people in your life can be tricky. They don’t want more clutter, they don’t need another mug, and let’s be honest socks usually don’t cut it (unless they’re very special socks, more on that later). So, what do you get the adventurer, the wanderer, or the person who’s already planning their next trip while still on their current one?

It’s official: Buckingham Palace is getting festive. For the first time ever, the royal residence is opening a Christmas pop-up shop inside the historic Royal Mews. From November 14, 2025, to January 5, 2026, visitors will be able to shop a curated collection of seasonal gifts, decorations, and treats, all inspired by centuries of royal tradition. That means you could be wandering the same grounds where royal horses are stabled while browsing bau

It’s a YES for London Gatwick’s Second Runway and that means big changes are coming for travellers. The UK government has officially approved plans to bring the airport’s Northern Runway into regular use, unlocking more flights, more destinations, and potentially cheaper fares. For Europe’s busiest single-runway airport, this is nothing short of a game-changer. From exciting new long-haul routes powered by next-gen aircraft like the Airbus A321XLR, to a boost in short-haul ca