THE TRAVEL NEWS IN BRIEF - Everything you need to know

All new Dornier D338eco

American Airlines Flagship Suites

Boeing booms

Business Travel Show London

Dubai Air2025

EasyJet UK expansion

EU Passport Control

Forty years and London City Airport

Gatwick increases drop off fees

Gemini Trains v Eurostar

Gulfstream unveils redesigned London showroom

Icelandair Scottish expansion

IWM Duxford 21 and 22 June

Lotus and East Carlton Manor

Manchester to Mumbai

New Heathrow restaurant

Pilots wanted by Jet2

The Windsor by Heathrow, VIP terminal

Virgin goes East


All new Dornier D338eco 

Planned for service entry in the final quarter of 2027 the Dornier D338eco has rolled out at Leipzig-Halle Airport (LEJ) in Germany.  Whilst not entirely new the aeroplane can now carry up to 40 passengers and is a seismic jump in performance and environmental characteristics over its popular predecessor.

One of the key operational upgrades of the D328eco will be its STOL (short take-off and landing) capabilities. These will allow the aircraft to operate from runways with a maximum length of just 1,028m (3,550ft) and land in a distance of just 965m (3,166ft). It will also be certified for steep runway approach of up to 5.5%, making the type capable of operating into and out of challenging airfields such as London City Airport, which demand a steeper than average glideslope.

www.deutscheaircraft.com/products/d328eco


American Airlines Flagship Suites

Heathrow is the lead airport for the introduction of American Airlines (AA).new Business Class Flagship Suites.

Chicago is launched 5 June, Philadelphia 6 August.  Services on the London – Chicago route will ramp up very quickly. Within a month, by 6 July, all three of AA’s daily services will feature the new Flagship Suites.  Out goes Flagship First but there will be a ‘Business Plus’ front row which AA is calling ‘Flagship Preferred’. It remains to be seen what this includes, beyond the extra space afforded by the bulkhead.

The new seats are not life changing.  You get wireless sockets and AC sockets, and a smaller screen at 17 inches.  Boeing 787-9s are used on the routes, the new layout offering 51 Flagship Suites, 32 Premium Economy, the remaining 161 being Economy.  It all makes for commercial sense.

www.aa.com


Boeing booms

Whilst struggling with the after effects of the 737 MAX problems, extended delivery times, and first delivery of the 777-9 (See ON TOUR February 2025 – What happened to the Boeing 777X?). Boeing is racking up orders from the Saudi peninsula.  

In May US President Trump was in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) first, where aircraft lessor AviLease committed the Saudi Arabian Sovereign Wealth Fund, known as the Public Investment Fund, for up to 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Next stop Doha (Qatar) where Boeing and GE Aerospace secured a landmark order from Qatar Airways, a $96 billion agreement to acquire up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines.

www.boeing.com

www.qatarairways.com


Business Travel Show London

The exhibitor list for Business Travel Show Europe 2025 (25-26 June, ExCeL London) is now live. Use the Elizabeth Line (or DLR) to connect with 200+ leading suppliers all under one roof.  Founded in 1994, and now well established at ExCeL London, it is Europe’s top gathering for travel buyers, helped by easy access (even for a day) from the nearby London City Airport.

www.businesstravelshoweurope.com/exhibitors


Dubai Airshow 2025

This year’s Gulf region major aerospace exhibition has been set for 17-21 November.

If you are joining the show, or just connecting via Dubai (DXB) at this time, it is suggested that you make a flight reservation early.  As for accommodation that should be no problem with new hotels opening the whole time.

It may surprise readers but it will be the 19th show and it promises to be the best yet.  Will it be the occasion for the delivery of the first Boeing 777X?  See Boeing Booms above.

www.dubaiairshow.aero


EasyJet UK expansion

Next March will see a base return by easyJet to Newcastle International Airport after a six-year gap.  The airline already flies eight routes from Newcastle, the aircraft operating what is known in the industry as a ‘w’ routing.  With this new arrangement further destinations can be easily added.  Created will be 130 jobs for pilots, crew and engineers in the area.

The airline is set to operate its biggest ever UK flying programme this summer with over 33 million seats – half a million more than last year – and 44 new routes.  Southend is another revitalised base for 2025 as was Birmingham last year.

www.easyjet.com


EU Passport Control    

UK passport holders will soon be able to use E gates in Europe as part of a new deal between the British government and the EU.  It will work both ways and help reduce the trauma involved in passing between the UK and mainland Europe countries

The UK and EU have agreed a package of measures which returns border controls to that of pre-Brexit.  No formal date has been agreed, and it is up to individual countries to implement, but in any event it will have to wait until the Entry – Exit – System (EES) is operational later this year.


Forty years and London City Airport

On 29 May 1986 King Charles, as Prince of Wales, laid the foundation stone for London City Airport.  What is remarkable is that the airport was only conceived in 1982, with planning permission gained earlier in May, and the terminal actually opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizbeth on 5 November 1987.  The airport moved a record 5.1m passengers in 2019.

www.londoncityairport.com


Gatwick increases drop-off fees

Drop-off fees have been increased from £6 to £7 at Gatwick Airport. Heathrow remains at £6. Both airports offer a concession to Blue Badge holders, who need to be registered in advance.

Business Traveller Magazine has a comprehensive list of the cost to drop-off and collect passengers.

www.businesstraveller.com/features/uk-airport-drop-off-fee-charges


Gemini Trains v Eurostar

Stratford International, the final stop on the DLR northbound, could become the start station for Gemini Trains if its plans for Eurostar competition go ahead.  A target date of 2029 has been set. The station is also the only north of the Thames stop on the Javelin High Speed service to Kent.  They start at St Pancras.  Customs and immigration facilities would be required.  The station is a one mile walk from the London Stadium (ex-Olympic Stadium).

https://geminitrains.com


Gulfstream unveils redesigned London showroom

Originally opened in 2013, the nearly 5,500sq ft space is located in the heart of Mayfair giving customers based in or travelling through the city exclusive access to Gulfstream’s London-based sales executives and interior design team.

The London Sales and Design Centre features full-size G400, G700 and G800 cabin mock-ups along with the award-winning G500 and G600 customizable seat collections for customers to test the comfort and functionality of seating, flooring and materials in an actual cabin living area without leaving town.

15 Sackville Street, London W1S 3DJ (020 7494 4054).
By appointment only, you cannot just march in.

https://view.ceros.com/gulfstream/sdc/p/1


Icelandair Scottish expansion

Edinburgh (EDI) is to join Glasgow (GLA) as Icelandair’s second Scottish destination.  

Icelandair will offer either three or four flights a week from 12 September through to 12 April. The route will be operated by a Boeing 737-MAX8 aircraft, and the flying time will be 2hrs 30mins. The flight times for the route ensure that passengers are able to connect seamlessly onto Icelandair’s North American network.

From Keflavik (KEF) the airline has also added Malaga (AGP) to its European offering over the winter period, with flights twice a week from September to October and once a week from 25 October to 7 January. From 15 April the route will again be serviced twice a week, until 30 May.

www.icelandair.com


IWM Duxford 21 and 22 June

Ticket only and the biggest air display of the year.  But it is living history too.

The Imperial War Museum opens its gates at 08:00 and offers a free shuttle from both Cambridge train station and Trumpington Park and Ride.  It is an event for plane spotters and kids alike.

TNU lists here what you might see in the air.

•    Boeing 727 Oil Spill Response (Saturday only)
•    The Red Arrows (Sunday only)
•    RAF Typhoon Display Team
•    Battle of Britain Memorial Flight | Lancaster, Spitfire & Hurricane
•    Grob Tutor Display Team
•    Falcons Display Team
•    AeroSuperbatics Wingwalkers
•    Rich Goodwin Airshows | Jet Pitts (but not jet!)
•    The Starlings Aerobatic Team
•    Stampe Formation Team
•    Schleicher ASK 21 glider
•    Army Air Corps AH-64E Apache pair
•    Sally B Flying Fortress
•    Supermarine Spitfire Mk I N3200|
•    Hawker Hurricane Mk I P2902
•    Republic P-47D Thunderbolt
•    Hawker Fury FB11
•    Bristol Blenheim Mk IF
•    De Havilland DH-82a Tiger Moth
•    Piper L-4 Grasshopper pair
•    Douglas C47
•    De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk
•    Auster XP254

Book in advance if you want to come.

www.iwm.org.uk/airshows/duxford-summer-air-show


Lotus and East Carlton Manor

The 11-acre gardens created by Hazel and Colin Chapman of Lotus fame at East Carlton Manor, Norwich, will be open to the public on Saturday 25 October.  It is part of the National Garden scheme.

Tended by Hazel (died 2021) it was her pride and joy since her husband’s death in 1982. There is a summerhouse, with a knot garden, a walled garden with a hydrangea border, a moongate and Italian garden. Water circulates through smaller ponds into a lake with water lilies. And not a Lotus car in sight.

Booking is essential.  There is a charge of £10.

https://bookings.ngs.org.uk/book/50e15858-c68b-ef11-8133-00155d9dea00


Manchester to Mumbai

IndiGo, India’s largest airline, will launch its first European destination with flights between Mumbai and Manchester on 1 July.  The service will run three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.  A 12:00 departure arrives just after 01:00 local time the next day after a nine-hour flight offering 48 Business Class, 21 Premium Economy, and 146 Economy seats.

Now 20 years old IndiGo operates over 2,200 daily flights to 125 destinations – 91 domestic and 34 international.

Chief Executive of IndiGo, Pieter Elbers, previously held the same position at KLM.  

www.goindigo.in


New Heathrow restaurant

Five Guys, the American-diner style restaurant, arrives at Heathrow T5 later this year.  It will be sited on the upper, entry, level.

Founded in Virginia in 1986 and launched in the UK in 2013 in London’s Covent Garden, Five Guys now has 170 outlets around Britian. With 15 free toppings to choose from, it claims customers have over 250,000 possible burger order combinations.  It specialises in fries and burgers.

Watch the film here:
www.instagram.com/reel/DJ8lrcCMuQ2/?igsh=MWk0Y2RqdXN2ZDFmMw==


Pilots wanted by Jet2.com

Jet2.com has announced the launch of its first-ever fully funded pilot training programme, giving up to 60 aspiring pilots the opportunity to fly for the award-winning airline without having to self-fund the £100,000-plus cost of flight training.

The UK’s third largest airline Jet2.com currently employs over 1,800 pilots and will operate a fleet of up to 135 aircraft this summer.

To apply, candidates need at least five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including maths and a science subject, or equivalent qualifications and the unrestricted right to live and work in the UK.

www.jet2careers.com/pilots/jet2flightpath/info
 

The Windsor by Heathrow, VIP terminal

Plan ahead for this one.  It is a very private facility for any Heathrow terminal but located at T5.  At present there are just eight individual lounges with a discrete access from your transport.  A £3m refreshment has just been completed.  

Award-winning chef Jason Atherton is behind the seasonally changing à la carte offering, available from 05:30 until 22:00. It is not time-sensitive, so you could order from the breakfast section at 21:00, for instance – perfect for the jet-lagged traveller.  Ideal for connecting flights.  A personal shopper service is provided too.  And of course, special security and immigration facilities.

The lounge cost starts at £3,177 plus VAT for up to three guests, and increases in increments of just under £900.  Available for Royalty, politicians, senior business people, and footballers.

www.heathrowvip.com


Virgin goes East
 
New daily flights to Seoul (South Korea) will be lunched by Virgin Atlantic on 29 March 2026 creating new East Asia connections to Japan, Greater China, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand, in collaboration with SkyTeam members Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, China Eastern, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Xiamen Airlines.

Seoul is part of the airline’s expansion eastwards, following routes to Dubai and the Maldives, as well as growth in India with five daily services to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

www.virginatlantic.com

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