TNU: Travel News Update

JULY 2024: An introduction to Travel News Update.

Travel News Update (TNU) is unique. We forecast the news!

+ ON THE SOAPBOX: John Strickland - JLS Consulting

COMMENT: What happens next at Westminster?

We wait on Friday morning.

BA customer advisory panel

British Airways (BA) customer advisory panel for those who wish to fly and have visible and non-visible disabilities is now active. It plans to meet regularly to receive feedback and discuss service improvements.

British Airways stretches its Embraers

CityFlyer, the BA subsidiary operating out of London City Airport (LCY), has started to put into service the first of its Embraer 190 series aircraft with 106 seats, rather than the previous 98 seats, limited by pilot politics and cabin staff requirements.

Crystal order for new ships

Back in January 2022 Crystal Cruises ‘sank’, a high-end victim of Covid.

Doncaster Airport has a future?

Politics may play an important part with plans to reopen Doncaster Airport (DSA) which closed in 2022.

Embraer looks ahead

The Embraer headquarters at São José dos Campos was the venue for a media day on 18 June.

Farnborough 2024

The election has dominated the newspapers over the last few weeks but Monday 22 sees the start of the Farnborough Airshow, a vital showcase for UK global aerospace and defence. Hopefully the newly elected Prime Minister will attend, likewise the appointments for Defence and Transport.

Gatwick airport record summer

Passengers flying from Gatwick will have a choice of 223 destinations from 56 airlines this summer.

Global Airlines update

Travel News Update continues to keep a close eye on Global Airlines, the startup which now has its first Airbus A380 delivered to Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Heathrow to the remote UK communities

Loganair promotes itself as the UK’s largest regional airline, but at Heathrow it is probably the smallest, and is based at Terminal 2. It operates what it terms is “game-changer” routes from some of the UK’s most remote communities to connect with an array of worldwide destinations.

Landside gigs at Heathrow

You do not have to be flying anywhere. Just turn up at Heathrow T5 and enjoy the music. Or if you are in the business and passing through take a look at some up-and-coming talent.

Lufthansa adds tax

Passengers from the UK to Europe may well find it even more worthwhile to shop around for flights booked for travel after 1 January 2025.

New boss at London City Airport

Alison FitzGerald has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at London City Airport (LCY).

No Boeing at Farnborough this year

Boeing is not bringing any of its commercial jets to this year's Farnborough Airshow which starts Monday 22 July, the company has confirmed. In Defence and hospitality it will be seen.

Private terminal at Manchester Airport

Bound to be a success with the wealthy local football fraternity needing to catch flights to global soccer centres, both administrative and playing, Manchester Airport will welcome “aether” in November, a very much up-market concept claimed to redefine the airport experience.

Shoreditch for Virgin Hotel

It is goodbye Mondrian and hello Virgin in trendy Shoreditch as the Curtain Road property rebrands effective 1 August. It will be the first Virgin hotel in England.

Skyteam adds SAS

SAS has signed up with SkyTeam, officially joining the Alliance from the start of September. The carrier will be the first new Sky Team member since Virgin Atlantic joined in March 2023.

UK airports boom figures

Airports for sale?

Virgin Atlantic back to Canada

Toronto will see a return of Virgin Atlantic with daily Heathrow flights from 30 March 2025.

West Coast rail services

The much-criticised Avanti West Coast line is clearly fighting back and has added extra seats and introduced new trains as part of its summer timetable change. This coincides with the introduction of the final 56th and last Pendolino used on the London Euston main line via Manchester to Scotland.

ON TOUR: Around the Baltic with Saga

Classic Team Lotus Garden Party 2024

Alan Morgan, Chairman of Club Lotus, reports.

MOTORING JULY: Lotus Plus 2 Automatic

NAH 120F – Lotus Elan Plus Two automatic – born 1967.

CRUISING JULY: SAGA accessibility plus Queen Anne

This month's cruising review takes a look at seaborne holidays for those less mobile and the most exciting new ship for 2024, Cunard's Queen Anne.

AND FINALLY: Mystery solved?.

The Lotus 82 was a mysterious six-wheeler that never saw the light of day, more Mario Andretti than Jim Clark. Seen at East Carlton Manor.