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

Parking at UK airports has become the hidden upgrade fee of modern travel. A week’s parking at Heathrow or Manchester can now cost more than a return flight to Spain and that’s before you’ve even reached security.

easyJet introduces Flex Pass, a little flexibility for a tenner While we’re still waiting to see if easyJet will ever roll out a full loyalty program (and whether Flight Club is gone for good), the airline has quietly launched something new: Flex Pass. It’s an interesting move, offering one of the benefits you’d normally expect from a frequent flyer scheme: the ability to change your flight without a fee.

Pack your patience! The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has already caused over 1,000 flight cancellations and 5,000 delays at major airports like JFK, Chicago O’Hare, and Atlanta. The FAA warns cuts could rise to 4–10% if it continues and yes, it’s starting to affect some transatlantic flights from Europe too.

In a move that’s ruffled more than a few frequent-flyer feathers, Qatar Airways has quietly started charging for Business Class seat selection on Avios reward flights — unless you have British Airways Silver or Gold status (or another oneworld equivalent). The change kicked in this week and applies to both new and existing bookings, whether you made them through Qatar Airways or the British Airways Executive Club.

For travellers who collect Qatar Airways Avios, one of the more exciting partnerships in recent years is with JetBlue Airways. This collaboration means you can now redeem Avios for JetBlue flights, including the highly sought-after JetBlue Mint business class. In this guide, I’ll explain how the redemption works, what to expect in terms of Avios pricing, and whether using Avios on JetBlue is good value.

So I used to be part of a team at a London Airport that handled and reduced airport delays,

China Eastern Airlines is set to make aviation history this December with the launch of the world’s longest direct passenger flight, linking Shanghai (PVG) to Buenos Aires (EZE) via Auckland (AKL).

Flying from London Luton Airport (LTN) soon? Whether you’re off on a Wizz Air city break, an easyJet getaway, or a Ryanair weekend, this guide covers everything you need, from parking and hotels to lounges, duty free, and travel cards. If you’re planning your next flight, here’s how to save time, money, and stress before you even reach the gate.

You’ve probably heard whispers about the Barclays Avios Upgrade Voucher, that digital golden ticket hiding in your British Airways Executive Club account that can bump you up a cabin without spending a single extra Avios point. Sounds good? It is. But there’s a knack to using it, and a tool that makes it ten times easier. Here’s the full story, written by someone who’s actually used one.

Qatar Airways doesn’t just fly you halfway across the world it tempts you to stop halfway and live a little. If you’re connecting through Doha on a long-haul route, you can score a free or ultra-discounted 4- or 5-star hotel stay, airport transfers, and even a transit visa, all courtesy of the Qatar Airways Stopover Program. Think Champagne, skyline views, and Arabian sunsets, without the usual price tag.

Frequent Flyer Briefing, Loyalty Offers & Points Loyalty programs continue to offer significant benefits for frequent travellers. You can earn 2,000 Virgin Flying Club points via the refer-a-friend program, a quick and easy way to boost your balance.

Wait, What? Wizz Air… Business Class?! No, it’s not April Fools’ Day.Wizz Air yes, the ultra-low-cost, pink-and-purple powerhouse that charges you extra if you look at the overhead bins too long is actually trialling a business-class-style product this December.

Norse Atlantic Airways has launched its first-ever direct flight from London Gatwick to Bangkok, opening up a new low-cost link between the UK and Thailand just in time for the 2025/26 winter sun rush. Norse Atlantic Airways launches direct Gatwick–Bangkok flights from £429 return. Discover routes, fares, and luxury-for-less Thai escapes. The inaugural Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner touched down at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport on 27 October 2025 to a Thai-style welcome, complete wi

Finnair has just dropped a frosty deal that’s making Avios collectors melt up to 40% off when you buy Avios through Finnair Plus until 2 November 2025. That means you can stock up on Plane Points & Miles for as little as 1.26 euro cents each around 1.47p one of the best Avios prices we’ve seen this year (and cheaper than anything in the last BA sale).

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.

From sunrise walks across Brooklyn Bridge to cosmos in Meatpacking district, New York is still the one city that never loses its magic (or its queues). From helicopter rides over Manhattan to late-night milkshakes at Black Tap, New York never stops it just changes attitude. Here are my Top 10 Things to Do in New York, from skyline icons to hidden gems and a few Plane Tips to make your trip smoother, smarter, and way more stylish.

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

On the plus side, TUI still includes a complimentary hot meal and drink on most long-haul routes, something many low-cost competitors have scrapped. On recent flights to Cancun and Phuket, travellers were served pasta or chicken mains, a bread roll, dessert and tea or coffee. Premium cabins receive slightly larger portions and breakfast options like fruit, yoghurt and pastries for fights landing back into the UK.

India Golden Triangle Tour: Delhi, Agra & Jaipur Hotel Stays & Flights

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