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

Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) has just welcomed a brand-new addition to its passenger experience, the Aspire Executive Lounge, the very first of its kind in Italy. For frequent flyers, business travellers, or anyone wanting to start their trip with a touch of comfort, this is big news.

When most people think about earning Avios, they picture booking flights with British Airways or swiping a credit card. But here’s a little travel hack I love: you can earn thousands of Avios simply by shopping online for the stuff you were already going to buy. That new suitcase? Those summer trainers? The sunglasses you’ll inevitably leave on the beach bar table? All of those purchases could be quietly stacking Avios in the background. And one of the easiest ways to do it

But as of 2025, Ryanair has quietly updated its rules. The Ryanair hand luggage allowance has increased slightly, with the maximum free cabin bag size now set at 40 x 30 x 20 cm. It may not sound like a huge change, but this adjustment makes a real difference for travellers. In fact, it brings Ryanair more in line with other low-cost airlines like easyJet and Wizz Air, making it easier to choose a cabin bag that works across multiple carriers.

Norse Atlantic is a low-cost, long-haul airline based in Norway. They fly a consistent fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which is something I rate highly. Unlike some airlines, you don’t need to worry about being put on an old aircraft last minute. It’s always the 787, which means modern cabins, better air quality, quieter engines, and a generally smoother ride.

Big news in the world of hotel points and perks, Marriott Bonvoy has officially launched its loyalty partnership with Nectar, and it’s got some decent value if you shop at places like Sainsbury’s or Argos and fancy a free night or two somewhere swanky.

London Heathrow is many things: a global hub, a frequent flyer’s second home, and for most of us, a place where you spend half your time staring at the Heathrow departures board wondering why your gate still says “TBA.” But above all, it’s one of the most busiest airports in the world. Slots here aren’t just valuable, they’re gold dust. Airlines fight tooth and nail to get a piece of the Heathrow action, and in 2025, four new contenders are lining up to do exactly that: Air P

If you’ve ever flown through Heathrow Terminal 3, you’ll know the lounge scene is already one of the best in the airport. But this week it got even better with the opening of the brand-new My Lounge at Heathrow T3. Replacing the old Club Aspire space, My Lounge is a fresh, modern, and much more relaxed take on airport lounging and as someone who’s spent a fair bit of time sampling Heathrow lounges over the years (purely in the name of research, of course), I’m genuinely exci

We’re talking up to 45% off Avios redemptions across BA’s network including premium Club Europe seats. If you’ve been saving up your Avios for a rainy day, this could be the moment to cash them in and actually enjoy the fruits of your collecting.

In an era of ultra-efficient, sleek jets like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350, you might think the double-decker Qatar Airbus A380 is a relic of the past. But despite whispers of its retirement, this superjumbo continues to turn heads and for good reason. Having already flown and reviewed the excellent Qatar Airways 787 business class, I couldn’t help but dive into what makes the Qatar A380 so unique in today’s aviation landscape and why it remains firmly on my bu

Qatar Airways has introduced a brand-new way for members of its Qatar Privilege Club to earn Avios faster and it’s called Privilege Club Pro. This subscription service is aimed at frequent flyers and loyal customers who want to top up their Avios balance regularly while working towards tier upgrades in the Privilege Club. According to the airline, Privilege Club Pro is designed to “accelerate the path to rewards”, making it easier to plan for award flights, upgrades, and eve

I’ve flown Upper Class on the 787 Dreamliner and lounged at both Heathrow and LAX and every time, it feels just a bit different from its rivals. But Virgin isn’t standing still. With free WiFi rolling out across the fleet, an AI-powered concierge service on the horizon, and even changes to the Flying Club loyalty programme promised, Virgin Atlantic is putting its own spin on what the future of premium travel looks like.

Manchester Airport has just been named one of the worst in the UK for flight delays. If you’ve ever stood in a long departure queue, checking your watch and wondering why nothing’s moving, you’re not alone. As someone who used to work as a flight delay controller at a major London airport, I’ve seen it all: late arrivals, crew issues, overbooked flights, aircraft swaps, you name it. My job was to stop delays from snowballing and get planes off the ground, even when the odds w

Let’s be real: cheap flights aren’t magic – they’re strategy. Hi, I’m Paul aka Mr Plane Guy – travel blogger, airline reviewer, and seasoned flyer with over 100 airport lounges under my belt. I’ve flown on everything from £9.99 Ryanair hops to long-haul biz class bargains, and I’m here to help you get the best bang for your buck when it comes to airfare. Whether you’re planning a dream trip to Japan or a cheeky city break in Seville, this is your full, no-nonsense guide to

At last, some genuinely good news for travellers and yes, it’s from Ryanair. If you’ve flown with Ryanair in the past few years, you’ll know that their baggage policy has been… let’s say, minimal and strict. The infamous “free personal bag” that you squeeze under the seat has been getting smaller and smaller, while add-ons like Priority Boarding (to bring a second, larger cabin bag) keep creeping up in price.

If you’ve ever tried to book a flight from Manchester to Bangkok before, you’ll know the drill: a cheeky connection through Dubai, Doha or Istanbul, a hefty layover, and at least 14-16 hours of your life gone before you even see a mango sticky rice. Well… good news, Northern jetsetters: Norse Atlantic Airways has just made your Thai dreams a whole lot easier and cheaper.

There’s a new lounge in town – or more accurately, in the terminal. Escape Lounges has just opened their first Scottish location at Edinburgh Airport, and if you’re on the hunt for somewhere quiet to sit, snack, and sip before your flight, this might be one to check out.

TUI is back with another long haul beauty for Northern Ireland travellers – a direct flight from Belfast International Airport to Cancun is set to launch just in time for Easter 2026. If you’re dreaming of tacos on the beach, all-inclusive mojitos, and a proper sunshine recharge, this one’s for you.

Let’s be real flight cancellations are never fun. But when it’s BA cancelled flights, things can get especially stressful. British Airways, while a flagship airline, has had its fair share of disruption recently. If you’ve landed on this post after a frustrating experience (or you’re just trying to prepare for the worst), I’ve got your back. I’m Paul a former flight delay controller at a busy London airport. I’ve been behind the scenes, helping resolve chaos when planes don’

If you’d told me a few months ago that my weekly Tesco shop and maybe a cheeky few tins of beans here and there, could help me book a Premium Economy flight to New York, I probably would have laughed. But here I am, with a confirmed seat on Virgin Atlantic’s London to JFK flight thanks to the power of Tesco Clubcard points, the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and a very generous 5,000 Virgin Points bonus that landed in my account at just the right time.

Flying with Ryanair in 2025? Good news – for once, there’s been a baggage rule change that actually benefits you(especially if you're travelling with small humans). The airline famous for measuring your bag with a ruler made of rage has updated its policy… Children aged 2–11 can now bring a Trunki or similar ride-on suitcase for free, even though it’s technically bigger than the standard Ryanair hand luggage size. Yep. You read that right. More space. No extra charge. No ne