- Mr Plane Guy
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
This Week's Plane News
01 March 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.
Like many of you, I’ve been watching developments in the Middle East closely. The region is home to some of the world’s largest global hubs, so when airspace closes, the ripple effect is immediate. Even if you’re not flying directly to Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, knock-on delays and aircraft repositioning can impact routes worldwide. As always, safety comes first but flexibility is key right now.
On a lighter (and more controlled) note…
Seatfrog have sent over an exclusive code for you, and yes, it’s a good one.
I’ll be adding it into my full review so you can see exactly how to upgrade your train ticket to First Class for less, because we don’t do standard around here.
🚄 £3 off your first Seatfrog upgrade Use code PLANEGUY3 (new customers, ends 30 June 2026). If you have no idea what Seatfrog is check out this review
If you’re not familiar with Seatfrog, it’s the app that lets you bid or instantly upgrade to First Class on selected UK train routes, often for less than the price of a sandwich and a coffee at the station. Full review here.
Speaking of controlled chaos, I’ve just taken a Eurostar Snap to Paris.
If you remember last week, I’d booked it and was hoping I hadn’t been put on the first train of the day.
Obviously… I was on the first train.
For those who haven’t heard of it, Eurostar Snap is where you buy a discounted ticket and Eurostar tells you your exact departure time around 24 hours before travel. It’s flexible, cheaper, and occasionally very early.
Last week I also popped over to Jersey to try No1 Lounge’s new airport lounge and I’ll be honest, it was worth the 2.5-hour delay on the Gatwick tarmac. Champagne does soften the blow. Read the full No1 Lounge Jersey Airport review here.
More below, including this week’s Plane Avios Tip and what I’m watching in UK aviation.
This week in Plane News:
Dubai Airport Chaos: Major Middle East Flight Suspensions Continue
British Airways to Base Boeing 787-10 at Gatwick from 2029
Pre-Flight, Lounge & Airport Experience, Jersey Airport Lounge, thats the channel islands, not New York!
Plane Avios Tip of the Week: Earn 30,000 Avios From an Estate Agent?!
PLANE FLIGHT DEAL OF THE WEEK
✉️ 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
Dubai Airport Chaos: Major Middle East Flight Suspensions Continue
Thousands of passengers are facing disruption after Emirates suspended flights in and out of Dubai following regional airspace closures linked to US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Carriers including Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways have also temporarily halted operations, while British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air have reduced or diverted services. Authorities in Abu Dhabi confirmed casualties after debris from an intercepted drone strike fell near Zayed International Airport.
If you’re travelling to or via Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, here’s what to do:
• Check your flight status directly on the airline website, not just airport boards
• Follow your airline’s official social media accounts for real-time updates
• Contact your travel insurance provider to understand what disruption is covered
• Expect further delays even once airspace reopens, aircraft and crew repositioning takes time
• Keep all receipts for hotels, meals and transport
• Travel with extra medication, snacks, chargers and access to emergency funds
• Consider rerouting via alternative hubs where possible
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, read my full step-by-step guide here:
Plane Honest advice: stay calm, stay flexible, and don’t head to the airport without confirmed status.
British Airways to Base Boeing 787-10 at Gatwick from 2029
Big fleet news for Gatwick. British Airways has confirmed it will begin replacing its ageing Boeing 777-200 fleet at London Gatwick with the newer Boeing 787-10 from 2029. The aircraft will operate BA’s long-haul leisure network from LGW, covering routes such as the Caribbean and Orlando, with potential for frequency growth. The move follows strong 2025 financial results from parent group International Airlines Group and signals continued investment at Gatwick.
The 787-10s are not expected to feature First Class (unlike some Heathrow-based aircraft), but should support premium leisure demand and improve onboard experience. For Gatwick flyers, this is a notable upgrade from a 26-year-average 777 fleet and could mean more modern cabins on holiday routes later this decade.
I just recently flew with British Airways from London Gatwick in Club Europe and visited British Airways Gatwick airport lounge.
Pre-Flight, Lounge & Airport Experience
Jersey Airport Lounge (that’s the Channel Islands, not New York).
I’ve just visited Jersey and reviewed the No1 Lounge at Jersey Airport, runway views, solid food, great service… but no Jersey Royals.
If you’re flying from Jersey in 2026 and wondering if it’s worth it (especially with Priority Pass), I break it all down.
Plane Points & Miles News:
Plane Avios Tip of the Week: Earn 30,000 Avios From an Estate Agent?!
London landlords, this one’s niche but big. Foxtons is offering up to 30,000 Avios per property when you link your British Airways Executive Club account in My Foxtons. Avios are paid over 12 months and yes, that’s potentially a European Club Europe return just for choosing the right agent.
You can earn:
✈️ 30,000 Avios – Sole letting agent instruction
✈️ 20,000 Avios – Convert to fully managed
✈️ 20,000 Avios – Instruct to sell before 31 March 2026
Plane Honest take: don’t choose an agent purely for points… but if you’re already selling or renting in London, this is one of the highest non-flight Avios earn rates I’ve seen recently.
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 Gatwick
Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) - £311 Yes, Vietnam for under £400
TRAVEL DATES
June-July & September-November
AIRLINE
AirAsia X
STANDARD FARE
From £600
BAGS & FEES
Personal item and cabin bag included (both combined 7 kg max), checked bag starts from £60 rtn.
BOOK BY
At least a few days.
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.
✈️ Plane Extras Express
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🍸 Lounge Access Start your journey with a prosecco instead of a queue.
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.
Plane Honest Take: 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, 01 March 2026
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