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

So, dust off that Flying Blue login, check your eligible miles, and decide whether multiplying is the right move for you. With options to scale up as high as 20x (plus that cheeky 30% bonus), this could be the best time in years to build your balance. If you’ve been dreaming about sipping champagne in business class or just hopping around Europe on weekend getaways, your Flying Blue miles could be your golden ticket. Celebrate like it’s your birthday, even if it’s theirs.

Few travel experiences compare to wandering through a European city square in December, warmed by mulled wine as fairy lights sparkle above and choirs sing carols. From Cologne’s Gothic cathedral to Riga’s cobbled old town, Europe’s best Christmas markets combine festive tradition, local culture, and unbeatable atmosphere. The problem? December flights are some of the year’s priciest. London to Cologne can hit £250 return, and even budget airlines hike fares. But if you’re s

Germany's Christmas markets are legendary, each city offering its own unique blend of history, culture, and festive cheer. Whether you're seeking the grandeur of Cologne's cathedral backdrop or the medieval charm of Nuremberg, this guide covers the top German Christmas markets for 2025, complete with dates, insider tips, and affiliate links to help you plan your perfect holiday getaway.

If you’re looking for a little extra sparkle this winter, a trip to Europe’s best Christmas markets is exactly the ticket. Forget the frantic high street rush and endless online deliveries – nothing beats wrapping up warm, strolling through twinkling stalls, and sipping a steaming mug of glühwein as carols drift through the frosty air.

The Northern Lights or aurora borealis happen when solar particles hit Earth’s magnetic field and light up the sky in shimmering greens, purples, reds and blues. The stronger the solar activity, the more vivid and widespread the displays. Right now, solar activity is at its peak, which means more powerful geomagnetic storms and more frequent shows even further south than usual. Still, your best bet is to head north into the Arctic Circle for the most reliable sightings.

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?

There’s something magical about London during Christmas. From sparkling lights to cozy pubs, the city transforms into a festive wonderland with countless things to do in London at Christmas for locals and visitors alike. If you’re short on time but want to soak up the holiday spirit, here’s a one-day itinerary to help you make the most of your day in the capital. With scenic boat rides, indulgent hot chocolates, and dazzling decorations, this plan will leave you in awe of Lon

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

Christmas markets are one of Europe’s most magical traditions, twinkling lights, steaming mugs of glühwein, wooden chalets filled with ornaments, and the smell of roasted chestnuts in the air. The best part? You don’t need two weeks of annual leave to enjoy them. With cheap flights, trains, and clever use of points, you can visit some of Europe’s top Christmas markets in just a weekend break. In this guide, I’ll share the best short breaks for Christmas markets you can do fr

Every year, without fail, Christmas sneaks up on us. One minute it’s pumpkin spice lattes and autumn walks, and the next bam! You’re staring at your calendar, realising Christmas is less than two weeks away. And what do we all end up doing? Rushing around the shops or scrolling online, panic-buying socks, scented candles, and novelty mugs nobody asked for.

If you’ve ever found yourself meandering around Gatwick Airport, doing laps of the shops, eyeing up a £7 latte at Black Sheep or a £15 salad in Pret, pouncing for a seat, and forget even trying to get near a socket or USB port, then you know the struggle is real. That’s exactly why a lounge pass can feel like heaven. Today, I’m diving head first into the free buffet (having not eaten properly for days thanks to man flu) at the No1 Lounge Gatwick North Terminal – and trust me,

If you’re serious about seeing the Northern Lights, Tromsø should be at the very top of your list. Perched 200 miles above the Arctic Circle, this lively little Norwegian city is right in the heart of the auroral oval, the sweet spot where geomagnetic activity lights up the sky most reliably. Add in direct flights from the UK, cosy hotels, Arctic activities like dog sledding, and a surprisingly good restaurant scene, and Tromsø delivers the perfect mix of wilderness and comf

Virgin Red is Virgin Group’s lifestyle rewards program that links with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Both use Virgin Points. You can earn Virgin Points from flights, Tesco Clubcard, credit cards, online shopping, transfer partners, and even quirky Virgin experiences. Virgin Points can be redeemed for Virgin reward flights, seat upgrades, hotels, cruises, and even once-in-a-lifetime splurges like Richard Branson’s Necker Island. Virgin Points never expire, so you can stash t

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

If you’re flying with easyJet in 2026, you’ll already know their cabin bag size rules are no joke. No “squash it and hope for the best” like the old days. The orange army has got stricter than ever, and travellers are finding themselves paying hefty fees at the gate for bags that are even a couple of centimetres over. But here’s the good news: with some smart packing hacks (and a bit of kit I’ve been testing out on my own trips), you can beat easyJet’s cabin bag rules withou

Flying budget airlines in 2025 is all about strategy. Cabin bag restrictions are stricter than ever, airport prices are wild, and comfort isn’t exactly a priority if you’re crammed into a Ryanair 737 middle seat. That’s why I’ve built a kit of travel essentials I never leave home without. These aren’t gimmicks, they’re the exact items that get me through EasyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair and beyond, without extra baggage fees, sore legs, or losing my sanity. Here’s my top 10.

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.

Flight prices can feel like daylight robbery. One day it’s £120 to Spain, the next it’s £480 and you’re wondering if you should just give up and take a staycation. The good news? Finding cheap flights isn’t about luck it’s about knowing the right tricks and having the right tools. After years of hunting deals and trying every travel hack out there, I can confidently say one service stands out: Jack’s Flight Club. I’ll walk you through how it works, why it’s worth it, and so