- Mr Plane Guy
- Jul 12
- 6 min read
Plane News Weekly
12 July 2026
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 funds my ongoing airport lounge "research." Thanks for your support!
Note: I'm not a financial adviser. I'm simply sharing my own travel experiences, loyalty tips and the deals I genuinely use.
Welcome back to another edition of Plane News Weekly, your Sunday roundup of airline news, airport lounges, loyalty updates, travel deals and everything happening in the world of aviation.
This Week Got Me Thinking...this week has been one of those weeks where I had to stop and appreciate how far this little aviation blog has come.
Most of my week was spent in my day job, travelling across Europe during the heatwave, working in both Brussels and Amsterdam. Then yesterday I swapped airport terminals for Belgian chocolate, celebrating my sixth wedding anniversary with a fantastic day trip to beautiful Ghent thanks to FlixBus. If you've never been to Ghent, I genuinely recommend adding it to your travel list. It's one of Belgium's most underrated cities. 👉 Why Ghent Should be Your Next Belgian Destination
But the biggest surprise?
An airline has approached me to help promote one of their brand-new routes. I honestly couldn't quite believe the email.
When I started Mr Plane Guy, I simply wanted somewhere to share my love of aviation. Fast forward a few years and airlines are now asking me to help launch new destinations. Apparently I'm an influencer now...!
I can't reveal which airline just yet, but trust me, it's a very exciting collaboration and I'll be sharing more details very soon and heading off on this epic aviation adventure, so if you'd like to see plenty of behind-the-scenes airport life, lounges, aircraft and travel stories, make sure you're following me on Instagram. I'll be posting daily throughout the trip.
Anyway... enough about me.
Let's get airborne.
Boarding Announcements, Airline Updates & Loyalty News
I Can't Believe The Current Hilton Honors Bonus
I already rate the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card as one of the best travel debit cards available in the UK.
Unlike many travel cards, you instantly receive Hilton Honors Gold Status, meaning benefits like complimentary breakfast at many hotels, potential room upgrades and bonus points every time you stay.
Now Hilton has launched what I genuinely think is the best sign-up bonus I've ever seen on this card.
Because I use it as my everyday debit card, I'd built up enough Hilton points to book a completely free night at the Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow before an early morning flight, saving almost £200 on an airport hotel. You can Read my Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow Airport Review
It's exactly why I recommend collecting hotel points from your everyday spending.
Manchester Airport's New Lounge Has Finally Opened
Manchester Airport continues to improve its premium offering with the opening of its newest airport lounge.
If you're flying from Manchester, it's another welcome option for travellers looking to escape the busy departure lounges before boarding.
I've already covered everything you need to know about the new lounge, plus my complete guide comparing every lounge across the airport.
Air France Opens A Stunning New Heathrow Lounge
One of Heathrow's smartest new lounges has officially opened.
Air France has unveiled its beautifully redesigned lounge at Heathrow, complete with elegant French styling, upgraded dining and an altogether more premium experience.
If you're flying Air France or eligible through SkyTeam, it's well worth a look.
And Heathrow could certainly benefit from more genuinely premium lounge experiences. Read: The Best Lounges at Heathrow, Ranked from Champagne to Chaos.
Aspire Reveals The Airport Lounge Chair Of The Future
Airport lounge seating rarely gets anyone excited...
...until now.
Aspire has partnered with students from Central Saint Martins to design what could become the future of airport lounge furniture. The winning concept combines curved modular seating with integrated luggage storage, charging points, privacy screens and premium materials including Italian leather and walnut wood.
It looks less like airport furniture and more like something you'd expect in a boutique hotel.
If this is what airport lounges start looking like over the next few years, I'm all for it.
I've visited several Aspire lounges over the past year, including Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the new Suite by Aspire at Newcastle Airport, and the Aspire Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol. It'll certainly be interesting to see whether this new design starts appearing across the network.
30% Virgin Atlantic Transfer Bonus Returns
If you've been collecting American Express Membership Rewards, now could be the perfect time to transfer them.
American Express is once again offering a 30% transfer bonus when moving Membership Rewards points into Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
It's one of my favourite ways to boost the value of everyday spending.
If you're new to collecting points, my Virgin Red guide explains exactly how I earn thousands of Virgin Points without flying.
There's also currently an excellent welcome offer available on the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Card, offering up to 35,000 Membership Rewards points when you meet the qualifying spend.
I don't receive any commission for mentioning the transfer bonus itself. I simply think it's one of the best Membership Rewards offers we've seen this year.
💳 Check your eligibility the American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Card
Apply Here → Here is the link.
Could easyJet Be About To Be Taken Over?
One of the biggest stories this week came from easyJet.
US investment firm Castelake has submitted a £5.2 billion takeover proposal for the airline.
Nothing changes if you've already got flights booked, but if the deal progresses it could have significant implications for one of Europe's biggest low-cost airlines.
With Gatwick being easyJet's largest base, it's certainly one to keep watching.
IHG Launches A New UK Rewards Debit Card
IHG has finally returned to the UK debit card market.
The new partnership with Revolut introduces two Visa debit cards, giving travellers another opportunity to earn IHG One Rewards points from everyday spending.
If you regularly stay at Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo or InterContinental properties, it's definitely worth a closer look.
Wizz Air Quietly Cuts Three Gatwick Routes
While many airlines are announcing exciting new destinations, Wizz Air has quietly removed three London Gatwick routes from its booking system:
• Jeddah 🇸🇦
• Medina 🇸🇦
• Marrakesh 🇲🇦
The Saudi routes only lasted around a year and appear to reflect another shift in strategy for Wizz Air's longer-range Airbus A321XLR fleet.
It'll be interesting to see where those aircraft end up next.
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Did you enjoy this week's roundup? Forward it to a fellow plane geek who loves finding better ways to travel.
About Me
I’m Mr Plane Guy, sharing UK airline news, flight deals and loyalty tips with a Plane Honest perspective.
I test lounges, review flights, and break down what’s actually worth your money, so you can fly smarter, spend less and make the most of your points.
✉️ Subscribe to Plane News Weekly for exclusive flight deals, loyalty tips, and aviation updates every Sunday. Sign up here.
✈️ Plane Question of the Week
If you could bring back any discontinued airline route from the UK, which one would you choose? Let me know in the comments, I always read every reply.
Final Boarding Call
This week felt like one of those reminders of why I started Mr Plane Guy in the first place.
We've seen generous hotel loyalty bonuses, brand-new airport lounges, Virgin Atlantic making points even more valuable, easyJet takeover rumours and airlines continuing to reshape their networks.
Personally, it's also been a week I'll remember for a long time. Celebrating six wonderful years of marriage in Ghent, seeing another airline approach me for a collaboration and getting ready for another aviation adventure has reminded me how grateful I am for everyone who reads these newsletters every week.
Thank you for being part of the journey.
Until next Sunday...
Keep collecting points.
Keep discovering new lounges.
Mr Plane Guy
Let's make travel better.
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