Extra legroom with Thomas Cook Airlines

Thomas Cook Airlines has increased the amount of legroom available to people travelling long-haul in economy class.

The airline flies from airports such as London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham to destinations including Goa, Montreal, Vancouver and the Dominican Republic.

From next May, economy passengers will have seat pitches of 33 inches, the Travelmole website reports. This is up from the current standard pitch of 30 inches, and is greater than that offered by British Airways or Virgin Atlantic (which both offer 31 inches).

Singapore Airlines dashes 'mile high club' hopes

Singapore Airlines has said that it will forbid amorous liaisons in suites on board its Airbus A380 superjumbo planes, dashing the hopes of those wishing to join the 'mile high club'.

The carrier launched the first commercial flights on board an A380 earlier this month (as reported by Cheapflights), with some affluent passengers enjoying the double beds in the 12 first-class suites.

However, the airline is urging travellers to refrain from ‘nookie’ in the rooms, which are not soundproofed.

VLM marks one year of Antwerp to Manchester service

VLM Airlines has marked the first year of its Antwerp to Manchester service with a special ceremony, and news that the flight has proved more successful than expected.

The airline launched the route on October 30, 2006 and a year later invited Flemish Minister President, Kris Peeters to a ceremony where he was joined by Jaap Rosen Jacobson, chairman of VLM Airlines.

The route has proved popular with travellers with passenger numbers 16 per cent higher than initially planned, and better figures predicted for the future.

New York flight on offer from Robin Hood Airport

Holiday firm Travelscope is to offer a one-off trip between Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield and New York, offering passengers a chance to experience the delights of the Big Apple.

The five day trip will depart on November 25 and travellers will be based at a hotel in midtown Manhattan, and with tickets starting from £648 this also includes all airport transfers.

It's 100 up for Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport has hit a special landmark in its operations by now offering passengers the chance to fly to 100 destinations.

The one hundredth destination was recently announced by Edinburgh-based airline Flyglobespan: a weekly flight to the Croatian city of Dubrovnik which will start next year.

The airport's operator BAA Scotland has seen a surge in new international services over the past 10 months, boosting the overall number of destinations available from the capital, with 29 extra routes added to the route map in 2007 alone.

New food court at Manchester Airport

A new food court has opened at Manchester Airport.

The food and bar area at Terminal 1, which was the first phase of a £35 million redevelopment programme at the airport, was officially opened by Coronation Street actress Jane Danson.

Jane, whose on-screen character Leanne Battersby runs a pizza restaurant, said of the new outlets: "I'm pretty sure they will be a lot more successful than Leanne's restaurant! It's early days yet for her new business but I'm sure there may be trouble around the corner."

New Bournemouth to Krakow route from easyJet

EasyJet launched a new route between Bournemouth and Krakow in Poland yesterday.

To mark the occasion, traditional Polish dancers took to the streets of the Dorset town to hand out gifts and food, and the first passenger to check in received two free flights for the new Bournemouth to Grenoble route that launches on December 13.

Flights to Krakow operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with fares available from £19.99 one-way (£37.98 return) including taxes. EasyJet hopes to carry around 36,000 passengers on the route in the first year.

Bmibaby puts summer 2008 flights on sale

Low-cost airline bmibaby is selling flights for summer 2008 from Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands and Manchester. Prices quoted are for one-way flights, including taxes and charges.

The summer season runs from March 29 to October 25, 2008, and routes on offer include Alicante, Faro, Lisbon, Malaga, Murcia, Nice, Palma and Rome (Fiumicino). Fares to Nice and Rome cost from £24.99, with the other destinations beginning at £29.99.

As well as this, flights from Cardiff and East Midlands to the Polish cities of Gdansk and Warsaw are on sale, costing from £24.99, and the airline has increased the number of flights from East Midlands to Faro from one to three per week, in order to meet demand.

Toronto link launched from Newcastle

Holiday operator Canadian Affair will return to Newcastle Airport next year to offer flights from the North East of England to Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Weekly flights will depart every Wednesday from May 21, 2008 and one-way tickets will start from £99, which includes meals, and passengers can also benefit from child discounts for those travelling with kids under 12 years of age.

Changes to passport rules for young people

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has announced that young people aged 16 or 17 will be able to apply for a passport without parental consent.

The IPS says the change is being brought in from December 10 and will ensure its service is brought into line with modern legal practice.

Parental consent will still be needed where a court order requires it, or if the young person has a mental disability, the IPS said.

Long stay parking deal at Durham Tees Valley

Durham Tees Valley Airport has launched a promotional offer for its long stay car parking services for people who book a spot online.

The airport is offering passengers travelling up to March 31, 2008 the chance to enjoy savings of up to 50 per cent on the current prices should people turn up at the front gate.

Hugh Lang, managing director of Durham Tees Valley Airport, said: "We are sure that this online promotion will be of great value to passengers using the airport over the winter season as it provides huge savings for those parking for two days or more."

'Skedaddle' with bmibaby's cut-price air fares

Book by midnight on Thursday, November 1: bmibaby is offering cut-price air fares in its 'Let's Skedaddle' sale.

For flights between November and March, 2008, the following routes are on offer (prices are one-way, including taxes and charges):

Virgin launches flights to Kingston, Jamaica

Virgin Atlantic today (October 30) began flying between London Gatwick and Kingston, the capital of Jamaica.

The service will run twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays. On the way out, flights will leave London at 9.25am, getting to Kingston at 2.20pm; on the return leg, flights will leave Jamaica at 5.35pm, getting back to Gatwick at 7.15am on Wednesday and Sunday mornings.

Spacious Boeing 747-400 aircraft will be used for the route.

Survey: Cleanliness important for air travellers; Tunisia top destination

Cleanliness is top on the list of travellers' concerns, according to a new poll.

The annual trends poll of more than 2,500 travellers from around the world, conducted by travel website TripAdvisor, also found Jerba in Tunisia to be the top destination and British Airways the favoured airline among travellers outside the US.

Eight out of ten respondents said they were concerned about germs, bacteria and viruses when travelling, with 28 per cent considering planes to be "germy". People are also worried about cleanliness in restaurants, hotels and airports, and 55 per cent said they wash their hands more often when they are travelling.

KLM cuts prices to Amsterdam and further afield

Dutch flag-carrier KLM has a number of low fares to destinations in Europe and further afield. Prices quoted are for return tickets, including taxes and charges.

For departures between now and October 24, 2008, the following routes are available (minimum stay two days/one weekend night; maximum stay one month):

Newcastle to Amsterdam from £105.90
Aberdeen to Amsterdam from £128.70
Glasgow to Amsterdam from £105.60

Air Southwest adds routes from Plymouth and Newquay

Air Southwest has announced plans to double the number of routes it operates from Plymouth City Airport, and to add three new routes from Newquay Airport.

From Plymouth, there will be new daily flights to Gatwick and Newcastle, four-times weekly flights to Cork and a three-times weekly service to Dublin. They will all begin on April 28, 2008 and will operate year-round.

From Newquay, there will be daily flights to Glasgow and Newcastle, six-times weekly flights to Cork, and weekly flights to the Alpine ski gateway destination of Chambery. They will begin on April 28 and operate year-round, with the exception of the Chambery route, which will begin on December 20, 2008 and continue until March 28, 2009.

Jet2.com award from Guardian readers

Jet2.com has been awarded the title of Best Short Haul Airline by readers of The Guardian, The Observer and The Guardian Unlimited website, for the second year running.

The airline fought off stiff competition from a number of different airlines operating European routes, with Dutch airline KLM coming second and bmi third; the results were announced at an awards ceremony in Seville.

Ian Doubtfire, managing director at Jet2.com, said: "This really is a fantastic achievement for our airline, all the more special because it is voted for by the British public on key factors such as customer service and inflight experience.

Manchester to Stansted service takes to the skies

Eastern Airways launched its Manchester to Stansted service today, with Lancashire and England cricketer Dominic Cork pitching up to ensure the flight got off to a seamless start.

The airline took the operation of the route from Air Berlin and will operate up to 15 flights a week, Eastern Airways has revamped the route's timetable to include an early morning departure from Manchester, which is set to appeal to business travellers.

Chris Holliday, Eastern Airways’ chief operating officer, said: "We’ve stepped in to rescue this important route, which will significantly benefit companies in the north of England that have business links in the counties around Stansted.

Virgin to move Barbados flights to Heathrow

Virgin Atlantic is set to move its Barbados flights from Gatwick to Heathrow Airport.

According to The Jamaica Observer, Sir Richard Branson's airline will use Heathrow slots sold by Air Jamaica for the route.

Virgin has apparently wanted to make the move for a long time and will switch to Heathrow from December 11.

Monarch increases winter sun flights for festive period

Low-cost airline Monarch is to increase services on a number of routes over the Christmas and New Year festive period.

In response to increased customer demand, between December 22 and January 2, 2008, the following routes will have increased services:

Birmingham to Alicante, Faro, Malaga, Murcia and Tenerife
London Gatwick to Alicante, Faro, Lanzarote, Malaga, Murcia and Tenerife
London Luton to Alicante, Gibraltar, Malaga and Tenerife
Manchester to Faro, Malaga and Tenerife

Thomsonfly cancels Coventry to Barcelona flights

Thomsonfly has announced that it will cancel its Coventry to Barcelona winter service.

Citing competition from other airports in the region, the carrier will discontinue its flights between the two cities from this week, with the final service taking off on Thursday (November 1).

A spokeswoman said that the route would not operate over the winter months but that it may be reinstated next year.

SAS to launch Bristol to Oslo routes

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) is to start offering flights between Bristol and Oslo from next April.

Prompted by the success of its new Bristol to Stockholm route, flights from the west country airport to the Norwegian capital will begin on April 1 and will operate three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Tickets will cost from £29 one-way, including taxes.

American Airlines Stansted to NY flights take off

American Airlines yesterday (October 28) began its direct flights between London Stansted and New York JFK airports.

Operated using a Boeing 767-300 aircraft, the route is the only service between Stansted and New York that offers both business and economy class seating. Flights will be daily until April 7, 2008, when they will increase to twice daily.

In business class, passengers can enjoy lie-flat seats with on-demand entertainment, as well as state-of-the-art cabin lighting.

Weekly news round-up

Plenty of special offers this week means you can choose from cheaper flights to Johannesburg (with Etihad), Bangkok (Emirates), Tokyo (Cathay Pacific) and many other destinations. Also, new flights such as Heathrow to Mauritius (Virgin Atlantic) and East Midlands to Islamabad (UK International Airlines) have extended the options for UK travellers.

Special offers
Etihad cuts prices to Middle East and Johannesburg
Book by March 31, 2008: Etihad, the flag-carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has announced a sale on flights to Johannesburg and the Middle East.

United Airlines discounts flights Down Under

This deal has expired

Book by October 31: United Airlines is offering discounted flights to Australia from London Heathrow.

For outbound travel between April 16 and June 15, 2008, and for travel completed by September 14, 2008, the following fares are available (prices are for return flights, including taxes and charges):

Melbourne from £746
Sydney from £754

Champagne and caviar onboard superjumbo's first flight

The Airbus A380 superjumbo touched down in Sydney yesterday (October 25) after its first commercial flight, having taken off from Singapore.

Passengers on board the Singapore Airlines flight, who included British billionaire Julian Hayward, who had paid more than £70,000 for two first-class suites, were treated to Champagne and caviar.

Mr Hayward had Suite 1A, complete with its own bed in a class the airline describes as being "beyond first".

Aer Lingus raises fuel surcharge

Aer Lingus has said it will increase its long-haul fuel surcharge from November 1 because of the rising price of oil.

The changes mean that the surcharge on flights from Ireland to New York, Boston and Washington will increase to €50/£35 per sector (i.e., per leg).

On flights to Chicago, Orlando and Dubai the charge will rise to €55/£40, and on flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco it will increase to €65/£45.

The airline's commercial director, Enda Corneille, commented: "We said last May that we would keep our surcharge under review to reflect changes in the price of fuel, and today's decision to increase the charge is consistent with that strategy.

Air Discount Scheme unaffected by BA/Loganair announcement

Following the announcement that the British Airways-Loganair franchise agreement will come to an end next year (see related Cheapflights story), Loganair passengers are being assured that the Air Discount Scheme will remain unchanged.

The Air Discount Scheme is aimed at providing low air fares for residents of Scotland's remote Highlands and Islands communities. Participating airlines are Highland Airways, Eastern Airways and British Airways (through Loganair).

Now Highlands and Islands Airports has assured passengers that the scheme "remains unchanged and is not affected by this announcement" (of the franchise deal ending).

Belfast Airport wins tourism award

Belfast International Airport has won the Special Achievement Award at the 2007 Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Awards.

The hub was recognised for its rapid growth, which includes more than 40 direct scheduled flights to Europe and North America from the likes of bmibaby, Continental Airlines, Jet2.com and Flyglobespan.

As well as this, Aer Lingus recently announced that it would make Belfast Airport its European base, with nine new routes beginning during the next few months.

New Ryanair flights from Dublin and Shannon

Ryanair has announced a series of new flights from Ireland that will begin next spring.

In March the airline will begin flying from Shannon to Alicante, and from Dublin to Palma, Santander and Zadar (Croatia).

The new services will take the number of Ryanair routes from Dublin to 83, and from Shannon to 31, consolidating its position as Ireland's biggest airline.

Jet2.com offers up flights to Canaries from Newcastle

Low-cost airline Jet2.com is to start flights from Newcastle to Las Palmas, on Gran Canaria, and Arrecife, on Lanzarote, from next week.

The new Jet2 flights to the Canaries will start on October 29, with the route to Las Palmas operating twice a week on Monday (until mid January) and Saturday. Flights to Arrecife will operate weekly on Thursday.

The flights join Jet2.com's existing winter flights to Tenerife, and allows passengers from the North East to take advantage of scheduled flight-only services to both islands, giving them the freedom to put together their own holiday packages with separate flight and accommodation bookings.

First Choice to base aircraft at Exeter for summer flights

Tour operator First Choice is to base an aircraft at Exeter International Airport for the summer 2008 season, offering holidaymakers the chance to get away to the sun.

First Choice will launch a new service to Rhodes from mid-July next year, and increase the frequency of flights on its Larnaca, Corfu and Palma routes.

The company, which already has an aircraft based at Exeter for the winter season, has also said that more than 50 jobs will be brought to the region with the addition of the new jet.

Onward travel desk to open at Gatwick

Passengers arriving at Gatwick airport will be able to find out the public transport options available to them when an Onward Travel Centre opens in the South Terminal on October 29.

The new facility, located in the arrivals hall, will bring together a wide selection of onward travel choices for passengers including Southern Trains, Gatwick Express, National Express Coaches, Checker Cars, Hotelink as well as a selection of other public transport operators.

The information service is being installed by airport operator BAA as part of its commitment to ensuring passengers travelling on from the airport use public transport for their surface journey.

New Israel route from Stansted

Tel Aviv-based airline Israir is to launch a new route between London Stansted Airport and Eilat in Israel.

The weekly flights will begin this winter and will add to the airline's existing three-times weekly service from Stansted to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.

Eilat is located on the southern tip of the country, on the Gulf of Aqaba (an arm of the Red Sea). Temperatures in the region during the winter often exceed 22C and the resort is popular partly because of the variety of marine life in the sea there.

Flybe opens executive lounges at Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow

Low-cost airline Flybe has opened three more executive lounges, at Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports.

Earlier this month the carrier opened its first such lounge at Exeter Airport, promising business travellers and frequent flyer passengers "minimum disruption to the working day" (see Flybe opens executive lounge at Exeter Airport).

The lounges have facilities such as plasma screens, Wi-Fi internet access (available soon), panoramic views of the runways, work stations, café lounge seating areas, and refreshments.

Aer Lingus and BA sign code share on Heathrow flights

Irish airline Aer Lingus has signed a code sharing agreement with British Airways regarding its new Belfast to London Heathrow service.

This means that passengers flying with Aer Lingus to Heathrow and then connecting to an onward BA flight will be able to check their bags through to their final destination.

Aer Lingus announced back in August that it was going to end its Shannon to Heathrow flights, and use the Heathrow take-off and landing slots for a new Belfast route (see related Cheapflights story). The move caused an outcry among locals who believe that business in the area will be damaged.

easyJet to acquire GB Airways as BA ends franchises

Budget airline easyJet is to acquire GB Airways, a British Airways franchise airline that operates 15 Airbus aircraft and offers 39 routes from Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester.

The orange-liveried low-cost carrier has agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of GB Airways for £103.5 million, with the airline being fully integrated into easyJet's business model by the end of next year.

Most GB Airways routes fly from Gatwick (destinations include Alicante, Gibraltar, Ibiza, Marrakech and Sharm El Sheikh) and when the deal goes through easyJet will operate just under a quarter of the south London airport's take-off and landing slots. The consolidation will strengthen easyJet at a time when rivals such as Ryanair are growing rapidly.

Virgin Atlantic to fly Heathrow to Mauritius

Virgin Atlantic will begin its flights from London to Mauritius on Sunday, October 28.

The route, which is the company's first to an Indian Ocean destination, will be operated by an Airbus A340-300 aircraft with business class, premium economy, and economy seating.

Flights will leave London Heathrow twice a week. On Fridays, flights will depart at 8pm, reaching Mauritius at 12pm the following day. On the way back, they will leave on Saturdays at 2pm, getting back to the UK at 10.25pm.

Views wanted on Plymouth City Airport

Air Southwest has joined forces with Plymouth City Airport and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry to get the views of the business community on air links from the city.

The survey will look to gain feedback on current services, but also look at ways to improve travel connections in the future to benefit those with both business and leisure interests.

Questions will discover respondents’ knowledge and use of routes from Plymouth, but also possible desired destinations and they will also cover check-in, executive lounge access and in-flight services.

Sterling offers Take That fans route to Danish concert

Fans of Take That have the chance to see the group perform in Denmark after Sterling Airlines said it would offer a special flight between Gatwick and Aalborg.

The group are in concert on November 10 and as Sterling Airlines flies directly between London and the Danish city, it is hoping Take That fans who can't get to see them in the UK will take the chance to watch them overseas during their tour.

Ticket deal marks Silverjet service to Dubai

Silverjet is marking the launch of its new daily service to Dubai on November 18 by offering passengers who book a return ticket this week a second ticket free.

The business-class only airline says that anyone booking online through its website before midnight on Saturday, October 27 will receive a complimentary ticket, to use for themselves or a nominated companion.

Swiss adds Manchester to Basel frequency

Swiss International Air Lines is to increase the frequency on its Manchester to Basel service.

Between November 11, 2007 and March 16, 2008, the airline will add a fourth weekly flight on the route.

The announcement comes soon after the airline said it would launch a new weekly flight from Manchester to Geneva, beginning on December 16. This route will cater for the large number of skiers and snowboarders travelling to the Swiss city during the winter season.

easyJetHolidays’ autumn deals of the week

easyJetHolidays is offering 'deals of the week', giving customers the chance to bag a break for less.

The packages include the best flights and hotels sourced from the easyJetHolidays website and include destinations such as Faro, Nice and Madrid. Prices are based on two adults sharing, and do not include transfers. Fly from various UK airports.

A seven-night break in Faro costs from £95. Depart November 21 and stay in the three-star Jardins Vale de Parra apartments (self-catering).

Surfers angered by British Airways' surfboard ban

The move by British Airways to ban the carrying of surfboards on its flights from November 6 (see related Cheapflights story) has angered the UK surfing community.

Surfers have created a forum on Facebook to draw attention to the ban, and hundreds of British Surfing Association (BSA) members have contacted the BSA to express their "disbelief and anger" regarding the policy change.

As the group notes, surfing is one of the country's fastest-growing sports, and BA's newly re-opened Gatwick to Newquay route has proved popular.

Virgin Holidays lounge to open at Gatwick

Virgin Holidays is getting ready to open a new airport lounge at Gatwick Airport, dedicated to leisure travellers.

The V ROOM will open next spring and will be for the exclusive use of Virgin Holidays customers, whatever class they may be travelling in.

Designed with three separate areas (kids, adults-only and family), the lounge covers 7,340 square feet and has views of the airport's runways through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Poll: Most business travellers against in-flight mobile calls

A new survey indicates that most travellers, and especially business travellers, are against the use of mobile phones on planes.

The poll, which was carried out by YouGov and the Business Travel Show, found that 46 per cent of respondents either disagreed or strongly disagreed that mobile calls should be allowed in-flight - twice the number (23 per cent) who agreed or strongly agreed.

Among business travellers the sentiment was even more pronounced, with 56 per cent saying they wouldn't want the technology in place, against just 16 per cent who were for it.

East Midlands Airport gains service to Pakistan

On Friday (October 19) a new twice a week service between East Midlands Airport and Islamabad, in Pakistan, took to the skies for the first time.

The new connection is operated by UK International Airlines (UKIA) and will depart each Tuesday and Friday, going via Sharjah, near Dubai, with the inaugural flight marking the first scheduled, long haul service between East Midlands Airport and Pakistan.

Penny Coates, managing director of East Midlands Airport, said: "This announcement is a fantastic endorsement of our first class facilities here at the airport and is a real coup for everyone involved in developing this link to a new country.

Carbon offsetting scheme launched by Air France

Air France has signed an agreement with GoodPlant to enable its passengers to contribute towards offsetting carbon emissions generated through their flights.

This voluntary programme is managed by GoodPlanet's Action Carbone project and the money donated will be used to fund programs in areas such as energy conservation, renewable energy projects and forestry.

Earlier this year the airline launched an online emissions calculator tool that allowed passengers to see how much CO2 their journey had produced; taking into account the distance flown and the aircraft used.

Cheap long-haul flights with Cathay Pacific

This deal has expired

Offer expires October 31: Cathay Pacific has a host of far-flung destinations at discounted prices. Fares are for return tickets and include taxes and charges.

Depart from London between April 11 and June 12, 2008, and a stopover in Hong Kong is permitted.

Etihad to boost UK to Abu Dhabi flights

Etihad is increasing its flights between the UK and Abu Dhabi.

The national airline of the United Arab Emirates will begin new services from both London and Manchester as part of a wider global expansion.

From Sunday, October 28, Etihad will launch daily flights each morning from Heathrow Airport, which will add to the existing afternoon and evening flights. As well as this, a new evening service from Manchester will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.