- Mr Plane Guy
- Jun 7
- 5 min read
Plane News Weekly
7 June 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 advisor, just sharing my personal experiences and travel tips.
Welcome aboard this week's Plane News Weekly, your Sunday roundup of airline news, airport chaos, loyalty updates, flight deals and "luxury for less" travel hacks.
This week got me thinking...
Are we slowly witnessing the death of traditional short-haul Business Class?
Because one airline has just unveiled a Premium Economy product that honestly looks better than some Business Class cabins I've flown in recently.
Meanwhile British Airways has launched more Avios-Only flights, Virgin Atlantic is practically giving away bonus points, another airline has collapsed, fuel prices are surging, and airlines across the industry are starting to feel the pressure.
Let's get airborne.
Boarding Announcements, Airline Updates & Loyalty News
China Airlines Just Made Premium Economy Look VERY Tempting
China Airlines' New Dreamliner Premium Economy Looks Better Than Some Business Class Seats
Premium Economy is becoming one of the biggest battlegrounds in aviation.
And honestly?
Some airlines are now offering Premium Economy products that look better than older Business Class cabins. China Airlines has just unveiled its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner Premium Economy cabin and it looks seriously impressive.
The gap between Economy and Premium Economy keeps growing.
The gap between Premium Economy and Business Class? It's getting smaller.
Barclaycard Quietly Improved The Barclaycard Avios Credit Card
British Airways and Barclays have announced several changes to the Barclaycard Avios cards.
But one detail immediately caught my attention.
You can now earn Avios on eligible balance transfers and money transfers.
That may not sound exciting...
But for people strategically managing spending and chasing Avios rewards, it's potentially a significant change.
Other updates include revised terms around welcome bonuses and qualifying spend.
It's worth checking the latest Barclaycard conditions if you're collecting Avios regularly.
This could become one of the more interesting Avios developments of 2026.
And yes...I suspect the points geeks are already doing the maths.
Virgin Atlantic Launches Another Big Points Sale
Up To 70% Bonus Virgin Points
Virgin Atlantic has launched another points promotion running until 7 July 2026.
Current bonuses:
5,000 to 39,000 points = 20% bonus
40,000 to 79,000 points = 40% bonus
80,000 to 124,000 points = 60% bonus
125,000 to 200,000 points = 70% bonus
At the top level, points work out at around 1.48 cents each.
As always, I wouldn't buy points unless I've already found a redemption and know exactly how I will use the points, these sales can sometimes unlock surprisingly good value.
Especially for Premium Economy and Upper Class redemptions.
If you're new to Virgin Points:
Another Airline Collapses
European Cargo Enters Administration
It feels like every week another airline is running into trouble. This week it was European Cargo entering administration. Sadly, this story feels particularly personal for me. The airline operated Airbus A340-600 aircraft that previously flew for Virgin Atlantic and I spent many years working on those aircraft during my airline career. Seeing them parked up and facing an uncertain future is genuinely sad.
The wider problem?
Fuel prices.
Political instability.
Global uncertainty.
And increasingly fragile airline business models. Airlines operate on incredibly thin margins.
When fuel spikes dramatically, profitability can disappear very quickly.
Unfortunately I don't think European Cargo will be the last airline facing difficulties this year.
Only the strongest business models will survive if fuel prices continue climbing.
IndiGo Pulls Out Of Manchester
IndiGo has announced it will end both:
✈ Delhi - Manchester
✈ Mumbai - Manchester
The Boeing 787 aircraft used on the routes will return to Norse Atlantic Airways.
The move highlights how difficult long-haul expansion can be, even for one of the world's largest airlines.
Quite sad news for Manchester, with Aer Lingus also pulling its long haul flights, Norse Atlantic stopping its Manchester to Bangkok. It will be interesting to see whether another carrier steps into the gap.
British Airways Launches New Avios-Only Flights
British Airways has announced its latest Avios-Only flights.
This time passengers can choose between:
🇮🇸 Reykjavík
or
☀ Tenerife
during the October half-term period.
For anyone unfamiliar with Avios-Only flights: Every seat onboard is bookable entirely with Avios.
Economy starts from:
£5 + 33,500 Avios return
Club Europe starts from:
£40 + 60,000 Avios return. Here is my guide to Avios.
British Airways American Express Companion Vouchers can be used.
And Barclaycard Upgrade Vouchers can potentially offer excellent value too.
If I had to choose?
I'm probably taking Iceland, I visited a few years ago and loved every second!
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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.
Final Boarding Call
The aviation industry feels increasingly divided right now.
On one side? Airlines are collapsing, fuel prices are rising, and operating costs keep increasing. On the other? Premium travel has never been more accessible.
Premium Economy keeps improving. Points collectors keep finding new opportunities.
Airlines continue fighting for high-value travellers.
The travellers who win will be the ones who understand the loyalty schemes, know how to use points, and spot value when it appears.
That's exactly what Plane News Weekly is here to help with.
See you next Sunday.
Mr Plane Guy Let's make travel better.
Next week I'll be reporting from Sardinia, where I'm testing whether a 5-star Hilton resort is really worth the points. 👉 Follow the Journey on Instagram
Airport lounges, free upgrades, travel chaos and the occasional meltdown. Real travel, not influencer nonsense.
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