+ THE TRAVEL NEWS IN BRIEF - Everything you need to know

Airbus deliveries

Aviation Club return

Belfast and aerospace

Boeing 777X update

BA drops plans to remove bottled water

Cabin crew jobs

Christmas Drinks Reception

Europe entry system date

Fast Track at Paris 

++First Class to Wembley   NOT CORRECT.  SEE COMMENT at the end of this article

French airports dumped by Ryanair 

Gatwick gains Gulf flights

Heathrow flights in 2026

Luxury Travel Fair

More expansion for Travel Lodge

Norse slashes routes

Piper Aircraft is still very much around

Problems for Heathrow

Qatar Airways at Heathrow

Riyadh Air prepares for Heathrow 

Two hundred years of railway


Airbus deliveries

Toulouse is sticking to its 2025 aircraft delivery target despite the number of aircraft waiting for engines continuing to rise which has clearly worried CEO Guillaume Faury.

The European manufacturer published its half-year results on 30 July, restating its ambition to deliver around 820 commercial aircraft this year, admitting that 60 aircraft were incomplete awaiting engines outside the factory.

www.airbus.com/en/products-services/commercial-aircraft/orders-and-deliveries


Aviation Club return

Making a return visit to the Aviation Club on Thursday 18 September is Steven Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman, Air Lease Corporation, the world’s largest aircraft financier.

Credited with creating the aeroplane leasing industry, Hungarian born Udvar-Házy (79) heads a valuable portfolio with over $32 billion in total assets.  

This time round the lunch will be held at the Commonwealth Club, 1 Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA.

www.aviationclub.org.uk


BA drops plans to remove bottled water 

Head for Points reports that British Airways has abandoned plans to stop giving individual water bottles to passengers.

During a two-week trial in June, bottled water was not provided for passengers in World Traveller and World Traveller Plus on A380 flights to Boston, Miami and Los Angeles.

Passengers were instead offered a small paper cup which cabin crew would fill from a bottle. 

Anyone who wanted a second cup had to track down a cabin crew member.

BA claimed that the trial was not about saving money but about reducing the amount of single-use plastic on board.  In any event the idea has been dropped.  But what next?

www.ba.com


Belfast and aerospace

Once Shorts Brothers and Harland, then becoming Boeing, Bombardier for a while, and also Spirit, Airbus has taken control of the part of the Belfast business that makes parts for the Airbus A220 regional jet.

Boeing is set to acquire the remaining portion of the Spirit AeroSystems Belfast site, including the work on the successful Bombardier business jets, unless a third-party buyer emerges.  A question mark hangs over the Spirit site at Prestwick, Glasgow.

www.boeing.co.uk


Boeing 777X update

The first production Boeing 777X has flown, reaching an altitude of 39,000 feet (11,887 meters) and an airspeed of 511 knots.  Will it be seen at Farnborough 2026?  

Given Boeing’s history of unveiling major aircraft at Farnborough and the fact that the 777X was previously presented at Le Bourget in 2023, it is highly likely that Seatle will want to spotlight it again in 2026.

That said, Boeing has faced delays with the 777X programme due to production issues and regulatory hurdles, so its appearance will depend on how smoothly things progress. If all goes well, Farnborough 2026 could be the perfect stage for a full-scale debut or even a customer delivery celebration.

Currently, Boeing has completed over 4,000 hours of flight testing on the 777-9 test fleet. 

The 777X programme has encountered several difficulties since it was first introduced in 2013. 

Boeing aims to deliver the first 777-9 in 2026. So far, customers have placed orders for more than 550 777X aircraft.

www.boeing.com/commercial/777x


Cabin crew jobs 

EasyJet is launching a new cabin crew recruitment drive. The new initiative, Flight Paths, is targeting young Brits ‘not in employment, education or training’ (NEET) to help their careers take off, and to show how accessible and rewarding a job as cabin crew can be. 

The airline is set to recruit nearly 1,000 new cabin crew for 2026 as part of its annual recruitment drive, and is encouraging young adults and school leavers, many of whom will be looking at their next career step, after receiving A-level results. Interest can be registered on the easyJet website.

https://easyjet.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=16068&tz=GMT%2B01:00&tzname=Europe/London


Christmas Drinks Reception

It is not so far away.  The British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) will be holding its annual Christmas Drinks reception in Central London – 26 November. Mark the date in your diary.  It always sells out.

Also just updated is the BBGA Online Industry Directory 2025, a guide to the business and general aviation industry. 

https://bbga.aero/bbga-online-directory-2025/#bbga-member-online-directory/1


Europe entry system date

The European Commission has set the launch date for the start of operations of the Entry/Exit System (EES) for 12 October.

From that date onwards, the EES will progressively be rolled out at the external borders of 29 European countries, over a period of six months. This progressive roll-out will give border authorities, travellers and the transport industry more time to adjust to new procedures.  Full implementation is expected by April 2026.

The EES is an advanced IT system that will digitally record the entries and exits of non-EU nationals, including British passport holders travelling to EU member countries for short stays. It will register biometric data, such as fingerprints, facial images, and other travel information.

The EES is mandatory for all non-EU nationals, and you cannot opt out of having your biometric data captured. If you refuse, you will be denied entry.

See also Cruising in this month's TNU.  

www.gov.uk/travel-to-eu-schengen-area


Fast Track at Paris

Business Traveller magazine has revealed that Air France-KLM is launching a ‘Short Connection Pass’ for customers with tight connections at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.  

When a connection time falls below a certain threshold, a priority process is “automatically triggered” for the passengers affected.

Passengers will receive a text message and email “no later than upon arrival” at Paris CDG which will inform them that they are eligible for priority access at security and border control. This message will also soon be delivered via a notification in the Air France mobile app and through WhatsApp.

The airport has installed a dedicated route with multilingual signage to navigate the way. Once passengers arrive at these checkpoints, their boarding passes will be scanned and fast-track offered.

www.airfranceklm.com
 

First Class to Wembley

Chiltern Railways plans to launch first class carriages on new trains in spring 2026, on the route from London Marylebone through High Wycombe, Leamington Spa, Warwick to Birmingham Moor Street.  Wembley Stadium is a stop, the nearest station to the multi-purpose enterprise.

New features across all carriages will include plug sockets and USB ports at every seat, free “enhanced wi-fi”, fold-down seat-back tables with extendable sections for larger devices, and air conditioning.  Additionally, the new trains will feature spacious luggage racks in every carriage, bike storage for up to six bikes, dedicated accessible areas including fully accessible toilets, and digital customer information screens overhead and at the end of each carriage.

www.chilternrailways.co.uk/more-trains-newer-trains


French airports dumped by Ryanair 

Ryanair plans to cease operations at three regional French airports and reduce its overall capacity in the country in response to the French government’s “excessive” air tax hikes.

Claimed to be the largest airline within Europe, the Dublin-based carrier says it will reduce capacity in France by 13% for the upcoming winter season – resulting in 750,000 fewer seats and the cancellation of 25 routes – and will shut down its operations at Bergerac, Brive and Strasbourg airports.

www.ryanair.com


Gatwick gains Gulf flights

Emirates has announced additional flights to Dubai from Gatwick where its presence was fully broadcast by the opening of a top-grade lounge well before the pandemic.  This winter the airline will offer 140 flights per week from the UK to its Dubai hub.
.
The fourth daily flight from Gatwick will be operated by an A350, Emirates’ newest aircraft type. These feature an updated 32-seat Business Class cabin, 21 Premium Economy and 259 Economy. 

EK70 departs Gatwick at 23:55 (all times local) and arrives in Dubai at 11:00 the following morning. It becomes the last flight of the day between London and Dubai.  Inbound it is 17:05 and arriving Gatwick at 20:50. 

The new flight launches on 8 February 2026.

www.gulfair.com


Heathrow flights in 2026

British Airways is boosting flights to popular long-haul destinations, ready for customers looking to book their 2026 summer holidays.

Bangkok will be upgraded to a year-round route operating up to six times per week and adding nearly 60,000 additional seats for customers looking to travel. 

Miami will become a twice-daily service, and Jamaica sees an extra service added each week. This follows British Airways’ recent additions to its short-haul network this winter, including Rabat (Morocco) and Graz (Austria). 

www.ba.com


Luxury Travel Fair

Olympia London will again play host to the Condé Nast Luxury Travel Fair 6-9 November,

The Fair has a new location in the National Hall, Ground Floor, which offers a larger space for increased brands, ease of discovery and increased flow between the co-located event, Spirit of Christmas Fair. 

Returning regulars include Abercrombie & Kent, Audley Travel, Kuoni, Oceania Cruises and Trailfinders.  New for the show are Ann&Palm, Emirates Holidays, Hogan Holidays and Tracks Safaris.

Visit the website for an up-to-date listing of speakers at the Travellers' Tales Theatre. 

www.luxurytravelfair.com


More expansion for Travel Lodge

Travel Lodge has opened its 600th United Kingdom property on the seafront at Skegness introducing ‘Next Gen’ SuperRooms.  Four new UK properties are expected to be announced later in the year.  

The first Travel Lodge at Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man, is under construction and features the budget hotelier’s new premium design, including a modern reception area, next-generation rooms, and the stylish 85 Bar Café.

www.travelodge.co.uk


Norse slashes routes

Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic is next year to contract out half of its 12-strong fleet, Head for Points reports.  A deal with IndiGo includes the flight crew.  Norse is exclusively a Boeing 787 airline.  

For summer 2027 Norse will only operate into New York JFK from Athens, Gatwick and Rome.  Los Angeles retains Gatwick and Rome.

Out go Athens to Los Angeles, Berlin to New York JFK, Gatwick to Miami, Oslo to New York JFK and Paris CGD to Los Angeles and New York JFK.

https://flynorse.com


Piper Aircraft is still very much around

Founded in 1927 (and coming up for its centenary) Piper Aircraft has secured its largest ever commitment.  

The University of North Dakota’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences (UND Aerospace) has contracted for up to 188 aircraft with the majority being for the 1960’s originating PA28 Piper Warrior. Over the years in the UK it has outsold the Cessna 180,  the US aircraft world’s most popular basic training aircraft.  Also on order is the Piper Seminole twin.  

British operators in the past have included the Oxford Air Training School (OATS) and the British Airways Hamble-based College of Air Training.

www.piper.com


Problems for Heathrow

Created in 2009, the Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee (Heathrow AOC) represents the interests of over 90 airlines, hoteliers, ground handlers and others operating at the airport.  

A leaked letter seen by The Times vilifies the airport management, complaining of various incidents including the recent closure of the main tunnel linking the central area to the Bath Road.  It says that communications were mishandled.  Separately British Airways has expressed no confidence in the proposed 3500m third runway, CEO Sean Doyle noting that the huge cost would be passed on to the airlines, and in their turn to customers.

See also COMMENT: Heathrow short runway plan thrown out   

In another Heathrow development the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a consultation on the approach to recovering early planning costs associated with the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport which will run until 10 September. 

www.heathrow-aoc.com

www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/economic-regulation-and-competition-policy/heathrow-airport/capacity-expansion


Qatar Airways at Heathrow

Doha-based Qatar Airways has unveiled its schedules for the forthcoming 2025/26 northern hemisphere winter season, with ten services a day in each direction between Hamad International Airport (DOH) and what is Europe’s largest hub airport.

Fellow oneworld member British Airways provides an additional direct link between Heathrow and Doha.  

Birmingham, East Midlands (cargo), Edinburgh, Gatwick and Manchester airports also offer daily services to the hub, with its 190 onward connections.

www.qatarairways.com


Riyadh Air prepares for Heathrow

The start-up airline, which is backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, has acquired slots for flights to Heathrow from British Airways (BA).

This appears to be under the nearly forgotten BMI slot remedy procedure, which is still having an impact on schedules after a decade.  The remedy was included in BA’s conditional acquisition of BMI in 2012.

Based on the slot request notifications, Riyadh Air will land 07:30 (all times local) and depart 09:30 giving a quick turnaround and an ETA Riyadh 19:00.   Provisional flight numbers are RX401 and RX402, with the route to launch at the start of the winter 2025/2026 season Sunday 26 October.  Indications are that Riyadh Air will operate from Terminal 4, home to the majority of the Gulf and Middle Eastern carriers. 

www.riyadhair.com


Two hundred years of railway

To celebrate the 200 years since Stephenson's Locomotion No. 1 travelled along the Stockton and Darlington Railway on Saturday 27 September 1825 a major promotional campaign is being mounted with the highlight three journeys by a replica trainset on the 26-mile journey between Shildon and Stockton via Darlington.  You can watch on the Friday and Sunday too.  The train rides are sold out but there are many viewing possibilities.

Railways enabled mass mobility, sports leagues, profound diet changes (including the advent of fish and chips) and holidays for the working and middle classes. They led to the rise of seaside resorts like Blackpool and Brighton and the first package holidays.

Britain led, and the world followed.

https://railway200.co.uk

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READERS' COMMENT

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 200 words maximum

Alan Bowen, United Kingdom

Alas, the new Chiltern Trains entering service next year will only operate on the fast services to Birmingham, none of which stop at Wembley Stadium. They previously operated for Transpennine Express but the engines were so noisy the locals complained they couldn't sleep at night, and as a result, they were withdrawn!