- Mr Plane Guy
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Plane News Weekly: UK Airline & Aviation Updates, 02 November 2025
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger, Flight Expert & Plane GEEK
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog running (and fuels my habit of buying overpriced airport lattes). Thanks for your support! Note: I’m also not a financial advisor just sharing my experience.
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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. Let's start this week PLANE strong!
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Boarding Announcements, New Routes & Airline Updates
Plane News: Eastern Airways Grounds All Flights as Airline Faces Administration
Eastern Airways has cancelled all services after filing notice of its intention to appoint administrators, giving the regional carrier ten days to find a rescue plan. The Humberside-based airline, which flew around 1.3 million passengers in 2023 across just four UK routes Aberdeen to Humberside, Teesside and Wick, plus London Gatwick to Newquay has become the latest casualty in Britain’s shrinking domestic network, following the collapse of Monarch, Thomas Cook, flybmi and Flybe (twice).
The CAA has advised passengers not to travel to airports, while Loganair has launched discounted rescue fares on select Aberdeen routes. With a small fleet of 17 aircraft and about 250 staff, Eastern’s failure leaves only a handful of independent regional airlines still flying in the UK, including Loganair, Blue Islands and Aurigny.
Eurostar to Launch Britain’s First Double-Decker Trains
Big news for city break fans, Eurostar has confirmed a £1.7 billion deal to introduce Britain’s first-ever double-decker trains across its London–Europe network by 2031.
The new fleet, built by Alstom, will offer 20% more seats, extra legroom, and space for bikes and wheelchairs, connecting London St Pancras with Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam in more comfort than ever before.
More seats also mean more availability on Eurostar Snap deals so your last-minute city breaks by train could soon be even easier to book.
Planning your next Plane City Break?
Try:🇧🇪 24 Hours in Brussels 🇫🇷 Lille in a Day | 🇳🇱 24 Hours in Amsterdam
Read the full story → Eurostar Double-Decker Trains: The Future of City Breaks
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Everything’s Thai Right Now!
Thailand is officially the hot new route of 2026. Virgin Atlantic has finally announced direct flights from London Heathrow to Phuket, launching 18 October 2026, its first-ever service to Thailand and a big move into the premium-leisure market.
Plane News: Norse Launch Flights to Thailand
Not to be outdone, Norse Atlantic Airways has already started flying from London Gatwick to Bangkok, bringing long-haul sunshine within budget reach. Seems every airline’s going Thai this season and honestly, I get the hype. I went in 2019 and loved every minute: rooftop cocktails in Bangkok, beach sunsets in Phuket, and massages that cost less than an airport sandwich. Here is the full article.
Plane News: Virgin Cleared to Challenge Eurostar
Virgin Trains has been given the green light to take on Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel after regulators approved its bid to share the Temple Mills depot in East London. The move ends Eurostar’s 30-year monopoly and could see Virgin services from London St Pancras to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030. The ORR says the plan could unlock £700 million in investment and 400 jobs a “win for passengers and choice,” according to founder Sir Richard Branson.
Plane News: Wizz Air to Trial Business Class (Yes, Really)
In a move no one saw coming, ultra-low-cost Wizz Air is testing a new “Wizz Class” from December 2025, offering a blocked middle seat, priority boarding, and guaranteed overhead space on select flights from London, Bucharest, Budapest, Rome, and Warsaw. It’s row 1 only for now no champagne, no lounge, just elbow room, but it could mark the start of a new “smart-budget premium” era. Next up, Ryanair with lie-flat beds?
Pre-Flight, Lounge & Airport Experiences
This week I'm jetting off from the international hub London Luton, I'm heading back to Amsterdam Schiphol using my easyJet Plus features which makes things much easier, oh that leads a link to this review very nicely Why easyJet Plus is a Game-Changer for Frequent Flyers! So look out for my review of No1 Lounge coming very soon, if you't wait check out my IG stories this week! I've already tried My Lounge at Luton, not bad at all!
Priority Pass with 30% off is the easiest way to access airport lounges without worrying about availability or paying full price.
✉️ Subscribe to Plane News Weekly for exclusive flight deals, loyalty tips, and aviation updates every Sunday. Sign up here.
This week's Plane Poll, you HAVE to vote! Which will you choose?
Which Airport Coffee shop?
Pret
Costa
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.
Sign up with my affiliate link and get a 2,000 Virgin Points welcome bonus! (Very limited time offer be quick!)
My Weekly Avios Bonus Tip
Avios Tip of the Week: Collect Avios with HelloFresh
Fancy earning Avios while you cook? With HelloFresh, you’ll get delicious recipes and fresh, pre-portioned ingredients delivered straight to your door and earn 1 Avios per £1 spent, plus a tasty 900 bonus Avios for new customers.
Perfect for topping up your balance without ever leaving the kitchen!
Takeoff, Travel Deals & Flight Opportunities
Flight Deal of the Week
Jack’s Flight Club Deal of the Week has to be to Thailand, How about Chiang Mai from £461 Return
Everything’s Thai in the skies this week! With Virgin Atlantic launching Heathrow–Phuket and Norse Atlantic Airways celebrating its Gatwick–Bangkok debut, it’s the perfect moment to go north all the way to Chiang Mai
After almost a year, return fares to Thailand’s mountain capital are finally back under £500
from just £461 return from London Gatwick with China Eastern, including a checked bag. Travel in November–December (excluding Xmas/NYE) the best season for cooler nights, golden temples, and lush countryside escapes.
👉 See the latest cheap flight offers here and sign up for Jack’s Flight Club Premium for £1 you’ll also enter a £500 flight voucher giveaway this month.
With Christmas Market season approaching, now is the time to plan festive European trips check out my Christmas Market guides. Full details of Christmas Market dates for 2025, amazing deals, reviews and guides.
Plane Talk, Insider Insight & Reader Engagement
Have a lounge or route you’d like reviewed? Drop a comment or DM me on Instagram, your question might feature in next week’s edition! Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes travel updates, flight tips, and real-time airline news from my journeys.
About Me
I’m Mr Plane Guy, sharing UK airline news, flight deals, and loyalty tips with a plane honest perspective and loyalty tips each week.
I test lounges, try new routes, and offer practical travel hacks so you can fly smarter, save money, and make the most of your points.
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Plane News This Week, 02 November 2025.
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