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

When Skyscanner dropped its Travel Trends 2026 report, one particular theme caught my eye “Catching Flights and Feelings.” Here is the report BTW. Apparently, 20% of UK travellers will meet new people on the road in 2026. Friends, flings, maybe even a fiancé. I laughed… until I realised, I am that statistic. I met my partner on holiday in Turkey fast-forward years, and here we are, still arguing over who gets the window seat.

Europe is once again in weather meltdown mode. Heavy snow, low visibility, and high winds are triggering easyJet cancelled flights, British Airways Gatwick disruptions, and widespread flight delays across Europe today. If your flight has been delayed, cancelled, or you’re staring at a departure board that’s going nowhere fast, here’s what you need to know, especially when it comes to compensation.

When you think of the best long-haul airlines for 2026, names like Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates probably spring to mind. TUI? Probably not. Yet according to new passenger and performance data analysed by MoneySuperMarket, the UK holiday airline TUI has quietly beaten several full-service global carriers, a result that made me stop, blink, and double-check the numbers.

Welcome aboard this week’s Plane News Weekly, your Sunday fix of UK airline updates, aviation news, loyalty deals, and travel hacks.   I hope you all had a great New Year’s Eve! I spent mine in Rotterdam, which was crazy! The Dutch do love a firework or two! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for more up-to-date travels!

British Airways cutting hot breakfasts from short-haul business class isn’t, on its own, headline-worthy. But as part of a wider pattern, it says a lot. From 7 January 2026, British Airways will remove hot breakfast options from Club Europe on several key UK and European routes. In their place: fruit, yoghurt, and a single warm pastry. No eggs. No bacon. No choice. Officially, the change is about giving cabin crew more time to “engage with customers”Unofficially, it looks

If you’re setting new goals for 2026, travel goals, financial organisation, or simply being a bit more intentional, this is one of the cleanest Avios offers I’ve seen in a while. No shopping portals.No endless stacking.Just one action… and 10,000 Avios.

Travel websites love shouting about “exclusive perks”. Most of them aren’t worth the effort. Lastminute PRO is different, mainly because it’s free, but does it actually save money? And is it worth using as a UK traveller booking city breaks and short holidays? Here’s the honest breakdown.

The last major UK airport still offering free terminal drop-off has finally fallen. From Tuesday 6 January 2026, London City Airport will introduce an £8 drop-off charge, ending its long-standing position as the UK’s final hold-out on forecourt fees. If you’re flying from London City this year, or dropping someone off, here’s exactly what’s changing, why it’s happening, and the smarter ways to plan around it.

A plethora of drinks awaits, featuring exquisite wines, sadly no champagne, but fear not, I kicked things off with an Aperol Spritz.

If you’re buying clothes, basics, or last-minute festive bits online anyway, this is one of the easiest Avios wins I’ve seen in a while. Right now, new customers shopping at SHEIN UK can earn up to 30 Avios per £1 spent and on top of that, Avios is running a 50% Christmas bonus across 1,000+ brands. That means your everyday online shopping can quietly turn into British Airways Avios, flight upgrades, or future reward flights.

Finnair eyes Melbourne, a major Avios win for Australia Jet2 loads winter routes from Gatwick Norse Atlantic reliability under the microscope Gatwick drop-off jumps to £10, how to avoid it Manchester Airport’s new hub is changing parking prices Flight deal of the week: Barbados return for £267

Gatwick Airport is increasing its terminal drop-off charge to £10, making it one of the most expensive airport drop-off fees in the UK. From 6 January 2026, drivers stopping outside the terminal for up to 10 minutes will pay £10, a £3 rise overnight and more than double the original charge when drop-off fees were first introduced in 2021. If you’re researching how to get to Gatwick, or planning airport parking before a holiday, this is one cost worth factoring in early.

Norse Atlantic Airways promises cheap long-haul flights to places people actually want to go, New York, Orlando, Bangkok, Phuket and Cape Town, often for hundreds less than BA or Virgin. But with just a handful of Boeing 787 aircraft flying from Gatwick, Manchester, Rome, Oslo and Stockholm, the big question is: How reliable is Norse really? Here is the Plane Honest breakdown.

If you’re comparing the cheapest travel eSIM versus a global SIM card, the right choice depends on how often and how long you travel. If you’re still landing abroad and: hunting for airport Wi-Fi paying £2–£7 a day in roaming fees or buying dodgy plastic SIMs from a kiosk …you’re doing travel the hard way.

TUI Airways has quietly rolled out one of the most advanced inflight systems in Europe and it’s not just about movies anymore. Passengers on short- and medium-haul TUI flights can now enjoy a digital entertainment platform that lets them stream films, chat via WhatsApp, and even plan their holiday excursions before landing. It’s currently live on 59 Boeing aircraft, with another 15 being equipped by the end of 2025. According to Peter Glade, TUI Airline’s Chief Commercial

Manchester Airport has quietly entered a new era. With the £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2 now complete and airlines fully moved across, this is officially the airport’s new centre of gravity. Meanwhile, Terminal 1 is in its final chapter, with full closure now in motion. That shift doesn’t just affect flights and lounges it’s already changing Manchester Airport parking demand, pricing, and availability. Here’s exactly where to park for each terminal in 2026 without ov

Flying with easyJet in 2026? Knowing exactly what baggage you’re allowed, and how strictly it’s enforced, can save you stress and surprise fees at the gate. easyJet’s baggage rules are simple on paper, but they are actively enforced, especially at busy airports like London Gatwick. This guide explains: easyJet cabin bag size hand luggage rules paid cabin bags hold luggage options easyJet Holidays baggage allowances…and what actually happens if your bag doesn’t fit.

Welcome to Plane Lounge Life From pre-flight prosecco to proper British tea service, the UK is home to some of the best airport lounges in the world and I’ve personally tested the lot (purely for research, of course). Whether you’re flying from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, or Edinburgh, here’s my insider guide to the best airport lounges in the UK, tested, tasted, and rated by yours truly.

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. This week like everyone else I have been running around buying things for Christmas, if you're still wondering what to get people then maybe you should get them a Priority Pass, who wouldn't love discounted airport lounge access all year round?

JetBlue has finally opened its first-ever airport lounge, BlueHouse at JFK Terminal 5. Designed to feel more like a New York apartment than a typical airport lounge, it’s a huge upgrade for JetBlue flyers who’ve been left lounge-less for years. I break down who gets access, what’s inside, and how it compares to Priority Pass lounges at JFK and whether it’s actually worth arriving early for.