- Mr Plane Guy
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
This Week's Plane News
25 January 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 fuels my habit of buying overpriced lattes at the airport). Thanks for your support! Note: I’m also not a financial advisor just sharing my experience.
Welcome aboard this week’s Plane News Weekly, your Sunday fix of UK airline updates, aviation news, loyalty deals, and travel hacks.
I’m writing this somewhere under the Channel Tunnel, heading back to London for a few days and I’ll be honest, I’m very excited about going to Marks & Spencer.
Talking of supermarkets, I hope you managed to set up Tesco Clubcard → Virgin Points auto-convert. It ends today and comes with a 5,000-point bonus just for switching it on. I’ve been banging on about this for months because it really is one of the easiest points wins out there.
It’s also great news that Heathrow has finally lifted liquid restrictions in hand luggage. The original 100ml rule dates back to 2006 after a foiled transatlantic terror plot, I remember flying into Heathrow from New York as Virgin crew the day it was introduced. Fast-forward to a few weeks ago and, thinking the rule had already changed, I turned up with an expensive Rituals reed diffuser in my hand luggage. As a travel blogger and aviation nerd, I should know better. Oh, the drama.
And if you also love a bit of drama at the theatre, this week’s Plane Avios Tip of the Week is a good one, it deserves jazz hands and a standing ovation.
Here I am enjoying Moulin Rouge whilst also banking some Avios
This week feels like one of those rare aviation weeks where things actually got easier for travellers.
No more unpacking your bag at Heathrow. More ways to earn points without flying. And a genuinely useful new redemption option that turns long-haul miles into real-world holidays.
Less faff. More value. Proper “luxury for less” energy.
Let’s arm doors for departure for this week’s Plane News.
This week in Plane News:
Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday… Especially When You Pay With Emirates Skywards Miles
Could Wizz Air Be Eyeing Transatlantic Flights?
Heathrow Finally Ends Liquids Removal (Yes, Really)
Avios Tip of the Week: Earn Avios on West End Shows!
This Week's PLANE FLIGHT DEAL OF THE WEEK Bombay from £378
✉️ Subscribe to Plane News Weekly for exclusive flight deals, loyalty tips, and aviation updates every Sunday. Sign up here.
Boarding Announcements, New Routes & Airline Updates
Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday… Especially When You Pay With Skywards
Miles
Emirates Skywards has partnered with Jet2, meaning you can now redeem Skywards Miles on Jet2 flights to more than 75 leisure destinations across Europe. Redemptions start from around 8,000 Miles, including taxes, and Miles can also be used for extras like baggage and seat selection. A genuinely practical update that turns long-haul Emirates flights into the short-haul holidays UK travellers actually take.
Could Wizz Air Be Eyeing Transatlantic Flights?
Wizz Air UK has quietly applied for permission to fly to the United States, signalling a potential shake-up of the transatlantic market. The airline filed an application with the US Department of Transportation on 23 January under the UK–US Open Skies agreement, seeking approval for both scheduled and charter flights. While Wizz Air has historically avoided long-haul passenger routes and even ruled out North America as recently as 2023 ts growing fleet of long-range A321neo XLR aircraft makes a low-cost US service technically possible for the first time. If it happens, Wizz Air could become the first true ultra-low-cost carrier to operate UK–US flights, a move that would seriously disrupt pricing on some of the world’s busiest routes. Of course, this is Wizz Air, ultra-low fares would almost certainly come with tight seats, strict baggage rules, and a very no-frills experience.
Would you fly Wizz Air to the US if it was £199 each way?
If you’re wondering what flying Wizz is actually like, here’s my honest Wizz Air review, covering seats, fees, comfort and whether the savings are worth it
Pre-Flight, Lounge & Airport Experience
Heathrow Finally Ends Liquids Removal (Yes, Really)
After nearly 20 years of airport shampoo panic, Heathrow has confirmed passengers no longer need to remove liquids or laptops at security. Thanks to a £1bn rollout of new CT scanners, liquids can now stay in your bag, up to two litres per item, with no plastic bags required. Faster queues, fewer tray tantrums, and less plastic waste. A rare Heathrow win.
👉 Read the full breakdown, what it means for your next trip, and which other UK airports are following
Will you now be packing full-size toiletries?
Frequent Flyer Briefing, Loyalty Offers & Points
Want to Land 2000 Virgin Points in 2 minutes?
Sign up with my affiliate link and get a 2000 Virgin Points welcome bonus! (Very limited time offer be quick!)
Plane Avios Tip of the Week:
Earn Avios on West End Shows! You can now earn British Airways Avios without flying, simply by going to the theatre. Avios has launched a new partnership with TodayTix, meaning you’ll earn 1 Avios per £1 spent on West End and theatre tickets. Perfect if you’re London-based (or visiting) and want to boost your balance between trips.
Reward Flight Finder
If you’re serious about using Avios properly, this is one of the tools you need.
Reward Flight Finder shows you up to 355 days of British Airways reward availability on one simple page.
Once you’ve got the Avios, find seats before they vanish with Reward Flight Finder or grab Jack’s Flight Club for £1 and bag ridiculous flight deals when cash beats points.
Takeoff, Travel Deals & Flight Opportunities
This Week's PLANE FLIGHT DEAL OF THE WEEK
Return trips from London Heathrow (LHR):
Bombay from £378 (That's Mumbai!) Return trips to Mumbai (BOM):
London Heathrow (LHR) - £378 (non-stop)
Manchester (MAN) - £380 (non-stop)
TRAVEL DATES
February-May (excl. Easter)
AIRLINE
IndiGo
STANDARD FARE
£700 - £750 (non-stop, incl. bag)
BAGS & FEES
Full-size cabin bag and checked bag included.
BOOK BY
At least a few days, but some fares may go sooner.
More details here about how to
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!
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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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🌍 Travel Insurance Cover every trip for less with Coverwise (by AXA) annual European cover from £10.20.
That’s it for this week’s Plane News Weekly. As always, thanks for reading, supporting the site, and flying smarter with me.
Same time next Sunday. ✈️
Mr Plane Guy
Plane News This Week, 25 January 2026
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