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

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

Why the Time to Act is Now (Offer Ends 14 August 2025) This isn’t a forever kind of deal. Until 14 August 2025, you can: Get the card for £30 instead of £60 (standard Hilton Honors version) Triple your welcome bonus on the Plus version (from 10,000 to 30,000 points) After that, it’s back to standard offers. If you're even thinking about it, now's the time.

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 been casually browsing for flights lately, you might’ve stumbled across something called Opodo Prime and wondered what it’s all about. Is it worth the hype? How much can you really save? And most importantly, is it right for your travel style? Let’s dive in and unpack everything you need to know about this flight subscription service, so you can decide if it’s your new travel hack or just another monthly expense.

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.

Let’s be honest – Heathrow is one of those airports that can go from smooth sailing to “why is there a 45-minute queue for Pret?” in the blink of an eye. But there’s a silver lining: get yourself into a decent lounge and suddenly things feel much calmer (and tastier). I’ve been in and out of Heathrow more times than I care to count, and I've visited most of the Priority Pass-accessible lounges – some great, some just... there. Here’s how I rank them, based on my real visits

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.

One of the biggest transformations slated for 2025 is the overhaul of Heathrow Terminal 3’s independent lounges. The comprehensive upgrade promises an exciting shift for travelers using services like Priority Pass or DragonPass as well as premium passengers flying with airlines lacking dedicated lounges.

DragonPass is a global airport lounge access programme that promises entry to over 1,300 lounges worldwide, including some right here in the UK. It’s often bundled with premium bank accounts or credit cards – think Barclays Avios Rewards or the Revolut Ultra plan. You download the DragonPass app, show your membership at the lounge desk, and – theoretically – in you go.

Okay, let me preface this by saying: don’t do what I did. Unless you like being awake at 3 AM, wandering around a foreign city mildly hallucinating from exhaustion, and realizing half the shops are closed. But also—yes, do exactly what I did, because this was one of the most random, exhausting, and unexpectedly beautiful day trips I’ve ever taken. If you’ve ever googled “day trips from London to Europe,” chances are you found Paris, Amsterdam, maybe even Brussels. Cute. Effi

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’

Geneva Airport in winter? It’s basically one big puffer jacket convention with people dragging snowboards, ski boots, and duty-free Toblerone around like they’re prepping for a week-long après-ski survival mission. And fair enough if you’re flying into Geneva, you’re in the right place to hit some of the best ski resorts in Europe.

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

Does Norse Atlantic Airways Check Bag Size? Yes, they do and they don’t mess around. Norse Atlantic Airways is serious about luggage compliance, especially if you're on an Economy Light fare. On my last trip, even my trusty little Cabin Max backpack got the full VIP treatment at check-in: weighed, measured, and lovingly shoved into the sizer (yes, the metal doom cage of airline luggage). If your bag doesn’t fit their requirements, you’ll likely be charged to check it in.

If you're always on the lookout for cheap flights and spontaneous trips, you’ve probably come across Jack’s Flight Club. I first discovered it a few years ago and have been a Premium member ever since. In this post, I’ll give you my full, honest review based on my personal experience with both the free and Premium versions. I’ve used Jack’s Flights to save on everything from weekend breaks to long-haul holidays—like that incredible deal I scored on flights to Mexico last yea

Planning your next getaway? Whether it’s sipping espresso in Rome or shopping in New York, sorting your travel money can be the make-or-break of a smooth holiday. Using your regular debit card abroad can be costly – think hidden fees, poor exchange rates, and ATM charges. But good news – travel money cards are here to help you save, earn rewards, and spend with confidence.

If Japan is high on your travel wish list (and let’s face it why wouldn’t it be?), here’s some exciting news: Jack’s Flight Club are currently giving away TWO free round-trip flights to Japan!