- Mr Plane Guy
- 8 hours ago
- 6 min read
Plane News Weekly: UK Airline & Aviation Updates, 26 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. Let's start this week PLANE strong!
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This week's Plane Poll, something, I said 300 times per day for 15 Years, "Feather or Leather?"
Airline Food, Chicken or Beef?
Chicken
Beef
Boarding Announcements, New Routes & Airline Updates
Plane News: Qatar Airways Lands at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea
Qatar Airways has officially touched down at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport, marking the launch of a brand-new route from Doha. The move strengthens the airline’s growing Middle Eastern network and opens up direct access to one of the region’s most anticipated luxury destinations, the Red Sea Project, home to ultra-exclusive resorts and pristine beaches.
👉 Read the full story here Qatar Airways Lands at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea
If you’re curious what flying with Qatar Airways is actually like, check out my recent reviews:
Qatar Airways Economy Class Review a surprisingly comfortable long-haul experience
Qsuite Business Class Review still one of the world’s best ways to fly
British Airways Opens a New Route from Glasgow to Palma de Mallorca
British Airways has added a sunny new route for Scottish travellers, launching a weekly service from Glasgow to Palma de Mallorca starting 9 May 2026. Operated by BA CityFlyer, the Embraer aircraft will feature no middle seats and complimentary snacks & drinks – a small touch of old-school BA charm. Prices start from £111 each way, ideal for leisure travellers looking to escape to the Balearics in style.
👉 Read my British Airways Euroflyer Review to see how BA’s short-haul service compares before you book.
Two Pakistani Airlines Cleared to Resume UK Flights
Big news for the UK–Pakistan corridor: Airblue and PIA have finally been cleared to resume services after a five-year ban. Airblue will kick things off in November 2025 with Islamabad–Leeds via Istanbul, while PIA plans to restart direct Manchester flights in October, before expanding to Birmingham and London. Expect increased competition and hopefully lower fares, as Pakistani carriers return to British skies.If you’re flying from the North, pair your journey with a relaxing start in the Aspire Lounge Manchester.
Emirates Cargo 747 Incident in Hong Kong
A dramatic moment this week as a Boeing 747 cargo jet operating for Emirates overshot the runway and plunged partially into the sea during landing at Hong Kong. Thankfully, the crew escaped unharmed, but the footage went viral and reignited safety discussions around ageing freighters. Read the full report here.
Europe’s Weather Chaos: Thousands of Flights Delayed or Cancelled
Severe storms across Europe have caused 83 flight cancellations and 3,416 delays, affecting airlines including Lufthansa, KLM, Swiss, Air France, Vueling and easyJet. If you’re caught up in the disruption, check out my guide on easyJet Flight Delays & Cancellations, for your rights and compensation tips.
And while many passengers turned to rail and coaches, I’ll just say, if you don’t already know about the star of FlixBus this summer, where have you been? Yes, yours truly in a FlixBus campaign this summer and ended up on a whirlwind trip to Bilbao, read my honest review here of how it all began on a day trip to Brugge.
Pre-Flight, Lounge & Airport Experiences
Arrivals Lounge at Heathrow, The One Few Travellers Know About
Heathrow has a hidden gem that most travellers walk straight past, the Arrivals Lounge at Heathrow. Perfect for early-morning landings, it offers showers, breakfast buffets and quiet spaces to freshen up before facing London traffic.
If you’re flying through Heathrow soon, check out my full Heathrow Airport Lounge Guide for the best lounges in every terminal from No1 to Plaza Premium and how to access them for less.
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.
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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
You can now use your Avios to fly to China with Xiamen Airlines, one of the newest (and slightly unexpected) partners in the Avios network. It opens up new redemption routes via Doha and Amsterdam, great value if you’re looking to explore Asia on points.
I’ve actually flown Xiamen myself and let’s just say, turning up straight after a Qatar Qsuite made the experience feel a little… economy. Still, it’s a solid option if you’re chasing long-haul redemptions on a budget.
👉 Read my full review here: Xiamen Airlines: Flying to China Using Avios
Takeoff, Travel Deals & Flight Opportunities
Flight Deal of the Week
Jack’s Flight Club Deal of the Week, Edinburgh Christmas Markets
This week’s top deal is a festive one, flights to Edinburgh from as little as £28 return, just in time for the Christmas Market season! Here are some of the best finds: Belfast from £30, London Stansted from £31, and Bristol from £42.
👉 Plan your festive trip with my full Edinburgh Christmas Market guide for dates, tips and where to stay.
👉 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, 26th October 2025.
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