- Mr Plane Guy
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
This Week's Plane News
15 February 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.
Happy Valentine’s weekend, Plane Jet Setters ❤️✈️
This week I was dispatched to the tropical island of… Jersey. Yes, I really do get sent to some exotic locations from time to time.
I flew over on British Airways, sorry, “Euroflyer”in Club Europe from Gatwick. Thanks to fog, we enjoyed a cute little two-hour delay at Gatwick. Naturally, this occurred just as the screens suddenly flashed gate closed while I was mid second pink gin fizz. I ran. I survived. I did not review the bathrooms. You probably won’t notice.
The reason for the trip? The brand-new No1 Lounge in Jersey and WOW, genuinely impressive. The airport itself, however, is clearly mid-renovation and… it shows. Security took around 45 minutes, so if fast track is available when you travel, use it.
Elsewhere, some interesting new routes have been revealed, including AirAsia launching services to Bahrain and Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur is a solid 16 hours from the UK (I’ll emotionally prepare for that another day), but what really caught my eye is the Bahrain connection, flights reportedly pricing between £80–£100. That’s a serious Middle East gateway play.
It gave me flashbacks to my late-90s Monarch Airlines crew days operating Bahrain–Goa and Bahrain–Sri Lanka sectors. Looks like Bahrain might be back on my routing again.
And finally, just a couple of days left (ends 16 February) to buy Avios with up to a 50% bonus. Qatar’s current promotion prices Avios at around 1.53 US cents each, with bonus tiers starting at 30% for 12,000+ miles and rising to 50% for 32,000+. Not the cheapest we’ve seen… but useful if you need a top-up.
Right. Arm doors for departure.
Let’s get into this week’s Plane News.
This week in Plane News ✈️ In 60 Seconds:
Is AirAsia X Returning to London?
Aer Lingus Launches Direct Dublin–Barbados Flights for Spring 2026
Southampton Airport to Add Two New Lounges
Plane Avios tip of the week
BA Adds New Avios-Only Flights from London City
Plane Flight Deal of the Wek
✉️ 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 Plane News Weekly
Is AirAsia X Returning to London? 👀✈️
AirAsia X could be heading back to London Gatwick after a 15-year absence, with rumours pointing to daily Kuala Lumpur flights launching from 26 June via Bahrain. This could reopen one of the most interesting “long-haul on a budget” options from the UK , especially for travellers eyeing Malaysia, Thailand or wider Southeast Asia without paying traditional long-haul prices. Kuala Lumpur is an easy gateway to stunning destinations! Islands such as Langkawi (which I rate highly for luxury-for-less island vibes → Langkawi Travel Guide) and onward connections into Bangkok.
Review: How I Was Scammed by Seat Fees on a ‘Cheap’ Flight. If this route launches, it’ll be fascinating to see whether it delivers real value… or just clever pricing.
🌴 Aer Lingus Launches Direct Dublin–Barbados Flights for Spring 2026
Aer Lingus is launching a temporary direct service between Dublin and Grantley Adams International Airport in spring 2026. The seasonal route will run from 31 March to 31 May, operating three times weekly (Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays) using the Airbus A321XLR the airline’s new long-range narrow-body designed to make “long thin” routes like this commercially viable.
Aer Lingus uses Avios via AerClub, and you can combine or transfer Avios between programmes (including British Airways Club). That means this Barbados route could open up new long-haul redemption opportunities potentially with lower taxes than UK departures.
As always, collecting Avios is the easy part. Finding and using them well is where the value sits.
👉 Read my full Plane Guide to Avios here and learn how to go from zero to Business Class faster.
Pre-Flight, Lounge & Airport Experience
Southampton Airport to Add Two New Lounges
Southampton Airport has confirmed plans to expand its terminal, including two new passenger lounges as it targets growth to three million travellers a year. The first phase will extend the departures lounge to ease congestion, with further expansion planned in phase two. Airport bosses say the move is about improving space and comfort, not adding more flights, but for travellers, it means more lounge capacity and a smoother Southampton Airport experience ahead. If you are Southampton based, it's time to get a Priority Pass!
Frequent Flyer Briefing, Loyalty Offers & Points
Want to Land 2000 Virgin Points in 2 minutes?
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Limited time welcome bonus, these tend to disappear quietly.
Plane Points & Miles News:
Plane Avios Tip of the Week
Flying through Heathrow (or Spain) soon? Here’s a stacking trick most Avios collectors still miss.
British Airways quietly partnered with Club Avolta (the loyalty scheme behind World Duty Free), meaning you can now earn 1 Avios per £1 spent airside, plus a 250 Avios bonus when you first link your accounts and shop. You’ll also unlock 5–10% instant discounts, with Reserve & Collect deals sometimes hitting 20% off.
It won’t fund Business Class on its own… but combine it with your BA Amex and you’re double-dipping on spending you were doing anyway.
BA Adds New Avios-Only Flights from London City ✈️
British Airways has unveiled two new Avios-Only flights for summer 2026, London City to Madrid and Toulon. On these routes, every seat is bookable only with Avios. Prices start from £2 + 21,500 Avios return (Toulon) and £2 + 28,000 Avios (Madrid), with Club Europe also available. London City usually has limited reward space, so this is a rare chance to redeem more easily.
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.
Takeoff, Travel Deals & Flight Opportunities
This Week's PLANE FLIGHT DEAL OF THE WEEK
Return trips from London Heathrow (LHR):
Muscat From £348
TRAVEL DATES
April-June (excl. peak dates, varies by route)
AIRLINE
Oman Air
STANDARD FARE
From £700
BAGS & FEES
Full-size cabin bag included. Checked bag upgrade starts at £18 rtn.
BOOK BY
Until the Oman Air sale ends on the 12th Feb. Some fares may last longer.
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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Get 30% off Priority Pass membership and relax in 1800+ lounges worldwide.
🌍 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, 15 February 2026
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