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

January is about resetting and planning, and before we go any further, I just want to say this: over 30,000 of you read MrPlaneGuy.com last month. I’m genuinely touched and incredibly grateful it still blows my mind that so many of you choose to spend your time here.

Most travellers have a horror story about cramped seats, sore knees and a flight that felt twice as long as it should have. But which airline is actually the worst for legroom and which one quietly offers more space than you’d expect? A recent comparison by Which? reveals how much room you really get in economy class on popular UK and European airlines and the results may surprise YOU!

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 hosting, gifting, or simply stocking up for Christmas, this is one of the easiest Avios boosters of the season. Right now, you can earn: 5,000 Avios when you spend £150 2,500 Avios when you spend £100 on wine, Champagne, spirits and mixed cases across the Christmas shop.

The Smart Reality of Spending Avios after the Devaluation Avios isn’t “dead” but it has officially become a precision tool, not a blanket reward system. Smart Avios users will now: Target very specific routes Compare upgrade vs full redemption Use tools like Reward Flight Finder to avoid blind searching Spend Avios sooner, not later Because one rule always wins with airline currency:

British Airways has quietly launched a new way to upgrade your flight and for once, it gives passengers real control over what they pay. Instead of fixed upgrade prices at check-in, BA is now testing a bidding system that allows selected passengers to make an offer for a higher cabin before departure. If your bid is successful, you move up. If not, you stay put, no harm done. It’s rolled out slowly, and not every route or flight qualifies yet. But this is clearly part of BA

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.

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

helicopter ride NYC is the ultimate bucket-list adventure, offering breathtaking views of landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire

British Airways has landed in the desert and it’s looking seriously good. The airline’s brand-new Dubai airport lounge, in Terminal 1 at Dubai International Airport, is where British class meets Dubai flash. Think marble, mirrors, and mezze with a side of Champagne and English Sparkling Wine.

As part of oneworld’s 25th anniversary celebrations, this lounge is not just a pit stop, it’s a full-on experience. Let’s fly straight into

British Airways has just brought a wave of Miami luxury energy to the skies with the opening of its brand-new British Airways Lounge at Miami International Airport and it might just redefine what airport luxury looks like in the US.

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.

If you’re trying to boost your Avios balance without even stepping on a plane, you’re not short of options, but few are as easy (or as enjoyable) as earning Avios through The Wine Flyer. The Wine Flyer is British Airways’ dedicated wine shop, delivering a wide range of well-priced, good-quality wines straight to your door and rewarding you with Avios every time you order. Whether you’re stocking up for a party, topping up your wine rack, or even planning ahead for Christm

If you've ever dreamed of flying in style but thought business class was out of reach, I'm here to tell you that it's possible and you don’t need to spend a fortune to do it! In just three months, I went from zero Avios to securing a business class upgrade on Qatar Airways. Even better? My entire flight from Dublin to Beijing only cost me £300, £200 less than flying from London! Here’s how I made it happen, and how you can too.

If you collect Avios, you already know how valuable they can be for saving money or upgrading your travel. But you don’t always have to fly to earn them. This week’s Avios bonus tip is a clever one. Right now you can earn up to 14 Avios per £1 spent when you shop online at Harrods. That’s more than double the usual rate and a brilliant opportunity to treat yourself or someone else to something special while boosting your Avios balance. Here’s how it works, how much you cou

If you collect Avios (and you should, they’re one of the best ways to save money or upgrade your travel), here’s a new offer you don’t want to miss. This summer, British Airways Holidays is giving Executive Club members up to 10,000 bonus Avios when you book a package holiday to Europe. That’s on top of the Avios you’d usually earn on flights and your spend. Here’s how it works, how many Avios you can earn, and why this is a great way to boost your balance if you’re plannin

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