Latest news with #summerflights
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
EasyJet releases fresh batch of flight tickets for 2026 – with seats from £23
EasyJet has launched the sale of its summer schedule for 2026 – and flight fares start from just £22.99. Millions of seats across 161,000 flights are now available for forward-thinking travellers to secure next year's summer getaway. The released easyJet flights – for travel between 15 June and 13 September 2026 – depart for 134 destinations from 22 UK airports. Holiday hotspots including Faro, Palma, Paris, Alicante, and Nice are among the featured journeys as part of the budget airline's 'Big Seat Release'. Sophie Dekkers, easyJet's chief commercial officer, said: 'We're thrilled to release millions of seats for Summer 2026 today, enabling customers across the UK to book early and secure fantastic value fares to our most popular leisure destinations across Europe, North Africa, and beyond.' However, booking a flight early doesn't guarantee travellers have secured the best deal. Simon Calder, travel correspondent for The Independent, said: 'For some travellers, buying the moment flights go on sale can prove good value. People who have a property in Spain or Portugal, and who want to travel on specific dates at a reasonable fare, can be confident that they are locked into the best deal. 'Airlines are happy to see a surge in demand for travel a year ahead, and, of course, they collect the cash instantly – and know that you will not be considering rival airlines. 'But from the passenger's perspective, it's not necessarily an excellent deal. I checked Manchester to Malaga on 19 July 2026 on easyJet, and the basic fare is £230 one way – so not a compelling bargain. 'The same route is only £48 on 1 September next year. But who knows what Ryanair and Jet2 will be charging then? 'The corresponding easyJet price for a flight on the first Tuesday in September this year has easyJet at £75, but Ryanair only wants £28. I wouldn't be tempted to surrender the chance to shop around nearer departure.'
The Independent
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Esta rules, phone searches and simple travel hacks: Everything you need to know about US travel in 2025
The US is on sale this summer. Even the most guarded aviation executive concedes that bookings for transatlantic flights are 'soft'. At a time when airlines would hope to charge upwards of £1,000 for a round-trip from the UK to the US, prices are being slashed to fill seats. From London Heathrow to New York JFK on 1 August for a fortnight, Virgin Atlantic wants only £549 return. For a much longer trip on British Airways from Heathrow to Denver, I paid just £620. These are absurd fares for peak summer flights. The catch is: when you touch down, things may be rather different from your last visit. As soon as Donald Trump returned to the White House, he signed an executive order demanding that foreigners should be 'vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible' on arrival. Since then, some high-profile deportations of travellers deemed not suitable for admission have taken place. LGBTQ+ travellers, as well as those who are politically active, may have particular concerns. These are the key questions and answers. Will I be able to get an Esta without too much trouble? Probably – and even if you have no immediate plans to visit the US you should consider enrolling as soon as possible for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (Esta), to swerve an impending price rise. After a 50 per cent price hike in 2022, the current $21 (£16) fee is set almost to double to $40 (£30), though no date has yet been set. The Esta scheme came into effect in 2009. These essential online permits are usually granted within a few hours. An Esta gives permission to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. Note that it does not guarantee entry; as the Australian government advises its citizens: 'You can be refused entry if you provide false information or can't satisfy the officials you're visiting for a valid reason.' The authorities may ask to see your return ticket or one onward to a country that is not Canada, Mexico or a Caribbean nation, and demand proof you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. What if I have been to Cuba? It depends when you were on the island. At the end of his first term, on 12 January 2021, President Trump designated Cuba a 'state sponsor of terrorism'. Anyone who is found to have visited Cuba on or after this date is not eligible for Esta and must apply for a visa. Getting a US visa is a long, cumbersome and expensive process. Travellers with fresh passports have not reported any problems. Any other 'no-go' countries? Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen; any visit since March 2011 disqualifies you from Esta. What if I am a transgender person? In an Executive Order, President Trump instructed: 'It is the policy of the United States to recognise two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality. 'Gender ideology' replaces the biological category of sex with an ever-shifting concept of self-assessed gender identity, permitting the false claim that males can identify as and thus become women and vice versa.' It is widely believed that arrivals must have travel documents corresponding to their birth gender. But the Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) says: 'A foreign traveler's gender as indicated on their passport and their personal beliefs about sexuality do not render a person inadmissible.' How onerous is the arrival process? Many people find it slower (I waited 90 minutes at New York JFK in May) and more thorough than before. Immediately upon taking office, President Trump ordered much tougher controls on 'all aliens seeking admission to the United States,' demanding they are 'vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible'. Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, has flown several times in the last two months to different US ports of entry: Miami, Chicago and New York. He says: 'Surprisingly, I was straight through – and I wasn't first off the plane. It was very smooth. Now, that's in a slightly less busy period. If you're travelling during July and August, it's peak, so chances are you will have to wait longer when you arrive at immigration. They're asking more questions.' More in-depth questioning takes up time, which helps explain some very long waits. Paul Charles says one time-saving practice has been adopted: 'They're not stamping passports really anymore because they have all your details digitally from your Esta application.' Bear in mind that if you are transiting to another country, for example flying London-Miami-Lima, you must clear CBP checks as though you were planning to stay in the US for months. Will I have my phone examined? 'Officials may ask to inspect your electronic devices, emails, text messages, and social media activity,' the Foreign Office warns. 'If you refuse, they can delay or deny your entry.' Last year there was a one in 10,000 chance of having your social media history examined. That means from every 30 wide-bodied jets arriving from abroad to the US, one passenger will have their social media scrutinised. The proportion has probably increased. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says: 'Officers may search a traveler's mobile phone, computer, camera, or other electronic devices during the inspection process. 'All travelers are obligated to present their electronic devices and the information resident on the device in a condition that allows for the examination of the device and its contents. If the electronic device cannot be inspected because it is protected by a passcode or encryption or other security mechanism, that device may be subject to exclusion, detention, or other appropriate action or disposition. 'Additionally, the traveler may face longer processing times to allow for CBP to access the contents of the device.' There are two levels of search, according to the CBP: 'A basic search generally entails an officer reviewing the contents of the device manually without the assistance of any external equipment. 'An advanced search is any search in which an officer connects external equipment to an electronic device not merely to gain access to the device, but to review, copy, and/or analyse its contents.' The CBP says only 10 per cent of device searches are 'advanced'. Any hacks to make the experience easier? Travel to the US via Ireland. At Dublin and Shannon airports, passengers bound for the US are ' pre-cleared ' by CBP officials. You check in as usual, go through one universal security check and a separate enhanced inspection, and then are examined at what is effectively the US frontier. Any problems can be addressed while you are still on Irish soil, rather than at a US airport where you are at risk of deportation. If you are going to be rejected, better for this to happen before you have taken off. The vast majority of travellers will be passed for boarding, and at the end of the transatlantic are treated as domestic arrivals – with no wait, unlike the tired masses queuing for CBP checks. Some good news? For flights from US airports, it is no longer necessary to remove your shoes at security. The Homeland Security secretary, Kristi Noem, said: 'Ending the 'Shoes-Off' policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation's airports. 'We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience. 'This initiative is just one of many the Trump administration is pursuing to usher in the President's vision for a new Golden Age of American travel.'
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Jet2 to scrap five new flights from UK airport before even launching
JET2 has announced that it is withdrawing five routes from Bournemouth that were due to launch next year. The airline only recently started flying from the airport back in February, after basing two aircraft there. 3 3 And it had planned to introduce a third aircraft at the airport next year as well. However, they have since confirmed that five of their new routes planned for summer 2026 will no longer go ahead. A Jet2 spokesperson said: "Following this latest review, we have taken the decision to withdraw services to Malaga, Dubrovnik, Jersey, Reus and Verona for Summer 26 from Bournemouth Airport. "Where customers are affected, we will contact them, and they will receive a full refund." Dubrovnik, Reus and Verona were all due to be exclusive destinations to the airline from Bournemouth Airport. And the third aircraft due to be based at the airport from 2026 was meant for the new summer flights to Malaga, Dubrovnik, Reus, Verona and Kos. The spokesperson also explained: "As a successful business, we are continually reviewing our flying programme and will adjust this where required. "This gives us the ability to add flights and holidays in response to demand, and very occasionally we may withdraw flights too." In February, the airline marked its inaugural flight from Bournemouth Airport - its 12th airport base. And according to its website, Jet2 flies to over 25 destinations from Bournemouth including Majorca, Ibiza and Corfu. The spokesperson continued: "With a fantastic programme of services on sale from Bournemouth Airport, customers still have a superb choice when it comes to enjoying a holiday." Family getaway with Jet2 to the serene beach town of Algor According to Travel Gossip, the airline is also believed to be scrapping flights between Edinburgh and Izmir, Turkey from October this year. Tickets for the route are now no longer on sale. The airline cancelled flights to Salerno, Italy, in March, from Manchester and Birmingham too, having only announced them six months prior. The flights - which were due to start this summer - were reportedly scrapped due to a "lack of bookings", according to local media. Salerno Airport also only opened last year, after closing back in 2016. After a £400million development, the airport is meant to create easier access to the Amalfi Coast and is expected to be fully operational by next year. New EU flight rules A RECENT change to a European travel rule means that British passengers will receive less compensation for flight delays. Previously, EU261 legislation, which the UK adopted post-Brexit, entitled passengers to compensation for delays of over three hours. Now, under new rules reviewed in Brussels, short-haul flights (under 3,500km) will only be eligible for compensation if delayed by four hours or more, an increase from the previous three-hour threshold. For longer flights (over 3,500km), the delay time for compensation has increased from four to six hours. The compensation amounts have also been reduced: for delays over four hours, it's now €300 instead of €400, and for delays over six hours on longer flights, it's €500 instead of €600. Despite opposition from some countries, the Council made this decision legally binding, bypassing the European Parliament. However, the European Parliament still has four months to propose changes to these new rules. If approved, the UK government is likely to adopt these changes into its own legislation. These are all of the big new flight routes launching in 2025 including winter sun islands and up-and-coming cities. Plus, a fairytale European city that is like 'going back centuries' is getting new easyJet flights from the UK. 3
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Airline Jet2 announces cuts to Bournemouth 2026 summer flights
An airline and tour operator says six routes that were due to launch from Bournemouth for summer 2026 have been began flying from Bournemouth Airport in February, basing two aircraft there, and had announced it was adding a third aircraft and more destinations in the company said, following a review, it had "taken the decision to withdraw services to Malaga, Dubrovnik, Jersey, Reus and Verona for summer '26".It said affected customers would be contacted and receive a full refund. Last year, the airline announced it would launch in Bournemouth in 2025, with 16 routes serving destinations in Turkey, Spain, Portugal and Greece. This was followed by plans to base a third aircraft at the south coast airport from 2026 to accommodate new summer flights to Malaga, Dubrovnik, Reus, Verona and April it announced the launch of a twice-weekly route to Jersey.A spokesperson said: "As a successful business, we are continually reviewing our flying programme and will adjust where required. "This gives us the ability to add flights and holidays in response to demand, and very occasionally we may withdraw flights too."Following this latest review, we have taken the decision to withdraw services to Malaga, Dubrovnik, Jersey, Reus and Verona for summer '26 from Bournemouth Airport. "Where customers are affected, we will contact them, and they will receive a full refund."The company said it still had a "fantastic programme of services on sale from Bournemouth Airport" and looked forward to welcoming customers. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Vacations in turmoil as JetBlue slashes flights
Published: Updated: Vacations have been thrown into turmoil after JetBlue announced plans to slash summer flights. The budget airline is launching new cost-saving measures after weak travel demand is threatening its bottom line. JetBlue admitted that its chances of breaking even this year are 'unlikely', in a memo seen by Reuters. As a result the carrier is planning to wind down less popular routes and cutting its leadership team, CEO Joanna Geraghty told employees in the note. 'We're hopeful demand and bookings will rebound, but even a recovery won't fully offset the ground we've lost this year and our path back to profitability will take longer than we'd hoped,' Geraghty said. US airlines have taken a hit after President Trump's aggressive trade policies and border crackdowns have seen a significant pullback in travel to the US. JetBlue is not alone in scaling back capacity ahead of the summer travel season, with United also cutting four in every 100 of its domestic flights . 'While most airlines are feeling the impact, it's especially frustrating for us, as we had hoped to reach break-even operating margin this year, which now seems unlikely,' Geraghty explained. JetBlue is under additional financial strain as it us undergoing inspections of some of its engines, which has grounded a number of its aircraft. In other efforts to cut costs the airline is planning to park six of its Airbus jets instead of retrofitting them as initially planned. It comes after JetBlue previously pulled its full year forecast in April to readjust to the new demand environment. The company also previously announced its plans to make a $3 billion saving by deferring buying 44 new Airbus jets. JetBlue's shares are down more than 44 percent so far this year. Earlier this year United announced it would be axing flights due to a dip in demand for US travel. 'The softer economic situation is creating softer demand for travel,' CEO Scott Kirby told investors on the airline's first quarter earnings call in April. United said it also saw flights coming out of Canada see a 9 percent dip, with the rest of international demand coming in to the US down 6 percent. Canadians have been boycotting US travel after Trump threatened to make America's northern neighbor the '51st state.' As a result air travel dropped 13.5 percent in March compared to the same time last year. Flair Airlines was forced to abandoned its routes from Vancouver and Calgary to Phoenix, Arizona as a result of such low demand. Tourist hotspots that rely heavily on Canadian visitors, such as Buffalo, New York and Old Orchard Beach in Maine have seen dramatic drop-offs in visits. Some hotspots such as Palm Springs in California have even hung signs begging Canadians not to boycott them .
