- Mr Plane Guy
- Oct 19
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Plane News Weekly: UK Airline & Aviation Updates, 19 October 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 at the airport). 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.
I’ve just landed back from New York, where I tested new lounges at Heathrow Terminal 3 check out my latest reviews of the No1 Lounge and Clubrooms.
I flew out on Virgin Atlantic’s A350 in Premium Economy, and here’s the best bit my seat to New York cost just 11,000 Virgin Points, thanks to a clever Virgin Red redemption and the Tesco Clubcard auto-exchange offer. That’s the magic of the Virgin Red ecosystem, turning everyday spending into long-haul adventures.
On the way home, I grabbed a £250 flight deal via Jack’s Flight Club to Amsterdam. I nearly booked a €1,000 Business fare but hesitated, blinked and the price doubled!Though my empty row of three in economy gave me a near lie-flat experience anyway. Here is my review of JetBlue New York to Amsterdam.
Want to start collecting or redeeming Virgin Points like a pro? Read my full guide here: How to Earn and Redeem Virgin Points with Virgin Red
That leads me to this week's poll, after flying out from London to New York with Virgin Atlantic and then inbound with JetBlue from New York JFK to Amsterdam Schiphol, which do you think would be better?
Which flight was better? Virgin Premium or JetBlue Economy?
Red
Blue
Read the reviews and you will find out! Here is the review from my flight out with Virgin Atlantic in Premium Economy I mean it was free except for the taxes, yet I still moan!
Boarding Announcements, New Routes & Airline Updates
Virgin’s New Captain: A Familiar Name Takes the Controls
Funny enough, I was just wondering why so much had been trimmed from Virgin Atlantic’s Premium Economy service and then this week, Virgin Atlantic announced a new CEO. The board confirmed that Shai Weiss will step down on 31 December 2025 after a strong seven-year run that saw the airline return to profitability. Corneel Koster will take over as Chief Executive Officer on 1 January 2026.
I remember Corneel’s first stint at Virgin Atlantic between 2010 and 2013, I was also with the airline at that time (until 2016) so it’s great to see a familiar name returning to lead the brand.
Maybe Shai’s focus on cost-cutting explains why I didn’t get a Baileys after-dinner liqueur on my last flight! Still, he’s left Virgin in a strong position. And with British Airways unveiling stunning new lounges in Miami and Dubai, the transatlantic rivalry is definitely heating up again. More about the Lounges shortly!
Etihad Expands Fast with Four New Routes Across Asia and Africa
Etihad Airways just added four new destinations in one week, Medan, Phnom Penh, Addis Ababa, and Krabi, marking a major network boost for the Abu Dhabi-based carrier. The airline used its fuel-efficient A321LR and A320 aircraft to launch the routes, all of which reportedly sold out their inaugural flights.
Etihad now serves 86 global destinations, with more new routes on the way, including Algiers, Hong Kong, Hanoi, and Tunis as it continues its rapid post-pandemic expansion.
Etihad was actually my favourite economy product… until I flew with JetBlue this week! You can read my full Etihad Airways review here and decide which you’d rather fly next time.
Pre-Flight, Lounge & Airport Experiences
British Airways’ Lounge Comeback: Miami & Dubai Raise the Bar
British Airways has officially returned to the global lounge spotlight with two stunning new openings at Miami International Airport and Dubai International Airport and they’re nothing short of wow. The airline’s new lounge design blends British sophistication with destination flair: Miami’s Art Deco glamour meets Dubai’s gold-accented modernity. Both lounges feature striking full-service bars, Concorde Dining Rooms, and menus championing local ingredients with a British twist.
It’s all part of BA’s £7 billion transformation programme, a major investment across the globe, including refreshed spaces in Gatwick, Singapore, Seattle, Lagos, and Dulles. The verdict? Welcome back, BA this is the new benchmark for premium pre-flight luxury, and the future of “Better BA” looks seriously bright.
Priority Pass with 30% off is the easiest way to access the lounge 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.
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
This week’s Avios trick is a clever one you can now turn your energy bill into Avios. When you switch to Sainsbury’s Energy, you’ll earn up to 8,000 Nectar points, worth around 5,000 Avios, plus up to triple points on your Sainsbury’s shops. Link your Nectar and British Airways Executive Club accounts, and those points will soon be fueling your next flight.
Takeoff, Travel Deals & Flight Opportunities
Flight Deal of the Week
🛫 Flight Deal of the Week: London to New York from £236 Return
This week’s Plane Deal Spotlight is all about the Big Apple 🍎
with return flights to New York (JFK) starting from just £236, spotted via Jack’s Flight Club.
That’s an incredible price for transatlantic travel, often seen in flash sales or limited offers across airlines like Virgin Atlantic, Norse Atlantic, and British Airways. Availability typically runs from November 2025 through March 2026, making it the perfect time to plan a winter getaway or a pre-summer escape.
👉 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.
Plane News Weekly: 19 October 2025
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Plane News This Week, 19th October 2025.
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