February 12th - The things that can go wrong with flights
After a trip involving six intercontinental flights, I have arrived back at Birmingham airport over an hour behind schedule. The sequence since leaving the UK two weeks ago goes: Cancelled, Late, Canc...
12 Helmi 20254min
February 11th - Valentine destinations: Paris? Puglia? Prague?
On Travel Desk Tuesday, I’m talking to Annabel Grossman, global travel editor for The Independent, about Lonely Planet’s selection of alternative romantic destinations for 14 February.This podcast is ...
11 Helmi 20257min
February 10th - Heathrow airlines and hotels deplore "vast overcharging and declining service"
In an unprecedented and coordinated attack, the airlines that use Heathrow airport – as well a prominent hotelier – are demanding lower charges and higher standards. Virgin Atlantic, British Airways’ ...
10 Helmi 20255min
February 7th - We need to talk about upgrades
When do airlines give upgrades, and who are the beneficiaries?Spoiler alert: it will help if you marry a captain. But I wonder if upgrades are actually worth a huge amount? My very limited experience ...
7 Helmi 20255min
February 6th - Ryanair Boss Michael O'Leary Puts The Aviation World To Rights
Michael O’Leary has been chief executive of Ryanair since 1994, and over the past three decades he has taken the carrier from a small and unprofitable regional airline to the biggest in Europe in term...
6 Helmi 20255min
February 5th - British Airways Softens Revenue-Based Loyalty Scheme
At the very end of 2024, British Airways revealed comprehensive changes to its loyalty programme, which will mean access to its top tiers will be aligned with high spending on the airline and its holi...
5 Helmi 20254min
February 4th - Asia: Access All Areas?
Access to most areas of China is getting easier, with a new light-touch online visa and an extension of the valuable "transit without visa" option. With travel to Asia surging, I have been talking to ...
4 Helmi 20255min
February 3rd - When will North Korea reopen to tourists?
The “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” is arguably the strangest nation in the world (although Turkmenistan gives it a run for its money). It has been closed to Western tourists for five years, b...
3 Helmi 20255min
