- Mr Plane Guy
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
This Week's Plane News
05 April 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 overpriced airport lattes). Thanks for your support!
Note: I’m 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.
This week feels like a proper aviation shake-up, routes cancelled, routes added, and airlines doubling down where demand is strong. Exactly the kind of shifts you can take advantage of if you know where to look.
This Week in My World
It’s been a bit of back-and-forth travel again (Netherlands life continues), and I’ve been deep in route planning for upcoming trips, but here’s the thing…
I’m not searching for flights anymore. I’m letting the deals come to me.
That’s why I still use Jack’s Flight Club and right now you can try it for £1
If you want “luxury for less” flights without the stress… this is it.
💳 Deal of the Week: 45,000 Avios Boost (Limited Time)
American Express has a limited-time boosted welcome offer on the Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card and through my referral, you can get 45,000 Membership Rewards points (normal offer is 40,000, which itself is amazing!) when you spend £5,000 in the first 6 months. If your wondering what you can do with 40000 points, I flew business class with Qatar with mine.
That’s enough for serious “luxury for less” value. You’ll also get 4 free Priority Pass lounge visits per year, plus bonus points on travel spend.
⚠️ Important: I’m not a financial advisor, this is a credit product, so please do your own research and make sure it’s right for you before applying. Terms apply, 18+, subject to status.
👉 If you’re going to get this card anyway, using my link gets you more points than the standard public offer. Check your eligibility.
Boarding Announcements, New Routes & Airline Updates
Virgin Atlantic Cancels Riyadh Route
Virgin Atlantic has pulled its London Heathrow – Riyadh route before it properly got going.
👉 Plane Honest take:This was always a bit of a gamble. Demand + competition + timing didn’t quite align.
But here’s the interesting part…
Virgin Doubles Down on India Instead
Virgin Atlantic is now increasing Heathrow – Bengaluru to up to 13 weekly flights from 1 June 2026.
👉 Translation: Less focus on speculative routes… more focus on high-demand, high-yield markets.
👉 If you’re collecting points: More flights = more reward seat potential (and upgrade opportunities )
NEW ROUTE: Air China to London Gatwick
Air China is launching a new Chengdu Tianfu → London Gatwick route from 12 July 2026 (seasonal):
CA629 TFU → LGW (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)
CA630 LGW → TFU return service
👉 Why this matters:
More China–UK connectivity
Potentially cheaper long-haul fares
And interesting for positioning flights into Asia
NEW ROUTE: Pegasus Airlines Expands Gatwick
Pegasus Airlines is launching: Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen → London GatwickStarting 15 June 2026
👉 Expect:
Low-cost fares
Strong competition vs Turkish Airlines
Useful connection point into Asia & the Middle East
Qantas Expands Europe Routes
Qantas is making some big moves for Summer 2026:
Sydney → Singapore → Paris CDG
Increasing to 5x weekly (from 3x)
Perth → Rome
Increasing to daily (7x weekly)
👉 This replaces the Perth–Paris routing and strengthens Europe access.
If you’re planning long-haul “once in a lifetime” trips…and next year is an exciting year for Qantas and aviation with direct London to Sydney Qantas Flights: The 22-Hour Direct Route Taking Off in 2027
Airport & Lounge News
🇮🇪 Dublin Airport Reopens 51st & Green Lounge
Dublin Airport has reopened its 51st & Green Lounge in Terminal 2 and this one’s different.
This lounge sits after US Preclearance, meaning:
👉 You clear US immigration in Dublin
👉 Arrive in the US as a domestic passenger
Inside you’ll find:
Full Irish breakfast + hot buffet
Guinness on tap (of course)
Workstations + showers
€50 walk-up / €42 online
Manchester Airport’s New Premium Lounge
Manchester is levelling up again.
A new lounge called “The Executive by Escape Lounges” is opening in Terminal 2 this summer.
Expect:
Restaurant-style dining with table service
Chef-led menus
Premium drinks
Prices from £57.99 (buffet) or £82.99 (dining experience)
Plane Honest take: Manchester is quietly becoming one of the most interesting airport lounge scenes in the UK.
Hotel & Loyalty Update
Hilton x YOTEL Why This Actually Matters
Hilton has partnered with YOTEL and this is bigger than it sounds.
👉 You’ll soon be able to:
Earn Hilton Honors points at YOTEL
Redeem points for stays
Book via Hilton
👉 Plane Honest take:This is exactly the kind of move that makes points + miles more powerful in real life travel.
Plane Travel Extras
🌍 Why eSIMs Are Becoming Essential
After getting hit with a £1,500 roaming bill (yes… painful) I switched to eSIMs.
Now:
I land → I’m connected instantly
No SIM swapping
No surprise bills
It’s one of the easiest travel upgrades you can make.
✉️ Subscribe to Plane News Weekly for exclusive flight deals, loyalty tips, and aviation updates every Sunday. Sign up here.
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 Honest Take: That’s it for this week’s Plane News Weekly.
👉 Big theme this week: Airlines are cutting weak routes… and doubling down on what works.
That’s exactly where the opportunities are.
More flights. More competition. More chances to fly better for less.
Same time next Sunday.
Mr Plane Guy Let’s make travel better.
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