London Heathrow travel tips

From air traffic control strikes to extreme weather, last year saw millions of passengers face flight delays across Europe.

Skytrax has released its annual ranking of the world's best airports — and if you're a frequent flyer it may come as little surprise that none in the US made the top 20.

As more passengers — nearly 8.5 billion to be exact — returned to the skies last year, one international hub made its way back into the global top 10. 

Close to 8.5 billion passengers took a plane trip last year, according to Airports Council International (ACI) World’s just-released list of the top 10 busiest airports worldwide for 2023.

Virgin Atlantic is best known for linking Britain with the United States, but there’s another market that is increasingly important for the carrier. 

Las Vegas has secured a new low-cost, long-haul transatlantic link. The service, which will connect the Nevada city with London, is due to start on September 12.

It will soon be easier and cheaper to fly from Las Vegas to London.  Norse Atlantic Airways is launching a new route from London’s Gatwick Airport to Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport, the airline shared with Travel + Leisure on Thursday. The service will begin on Sept. 12, and operate three times per week. In a nod to the luck that visitors aim to have when visiting Las Vegas, the flight will operate with Norse’s lucky number seven as flight ‘Z0777’. The 9-hour and 50-minute direct route will depart Las Vegas at 4:45pm, and arrive in London Gatwick at 10:35am the following day, local time. The flight will operate on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. “We are excited to introduce this new route from London Gatwick to Las Vegas, a unique city that offers unparalleled diversity, boasting an abundance of entertainment, dining, and recreational options to suit every taste,” Norse Atlantic Airways CEO and Founder Bjorn Tore Larsen said in a statement.

It's theoretically great news for travelers leaving the U.K. with carry-on hand luggage—that by June 2024, all U.K. airports should have scrapped the 100ml limit on liquids.

The new routes, introduced by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Vueling, will provide travellers with direct access to captivating destinations across the globe, reaffirming Heathrow’s status as a premier gateway to the world. Ancient Roman mosaics, glittering golden beaches and mouth watering culinary delights await Heathrow passengers this summer.

If you thought the concept of flying first class was dying out, think again.

The ever-popular transatlantic corridor between New York City and London-area airports sees millions of yearly passengers and represents one of the busiest routes in the world.

The financial performance in 2023 is not yet at 2019 levels of profitability and margin due to higher operating costs.

Britain’s only hub airport, London Heathrow, carried 79.2 million passengers last year, an increase of 29% on the previous year and the third highest in its history, but retail revenue did not keep up. It rose by 24% and the airport blamed the lackluster commercial performance on the removal of VAT-free shopping.

You’d better be swift to catch Flight AA1989. The Super Bowl LVIII takes place in Las Vegas on February 11, and American Airlines has spied a unique way to get involved. The Nevada competition will see the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers battle it out, but there’s another story off the field that has also caught public attention.

With the holiday season over and budgets tight, January is traditionally one of the quietest months of the year for international flying. Corporate traffic can be slow and weather is often suboptimal (if not sub-zero) at many key vacation destinations. 

If there was any doubt about the health of the transatlantic aviation market, look no further than Phoenix. The city has just announced a new route with Air France, connecting the Arizona state capital with Paris. While air services come and go, to secure a European flag carrier on a new city pairing like this is notable. 

Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, January 12. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Iglu Ski Announce Incredible Ski Savings in their End of Year Sale.

The Norse Atlantic Airways inaugural flight from London Gatwick arrived on 1st December 2023 into Montego Bay with hundreds of excited holidaymakers on board. The much-anticipated flight was given an auspicious welcome amidst a press fanfare at the Sangster International Airport.  The arrival of the historic flight introduced the beginning of a new chapter in travel between the United Kingdom and Jamaica.  The occasion reflects the commitment of both nations to foster mutual growth in the tourism industry, creating boundless opportunities for both Jamaican and British travellers alike. 

British Airways Executive Club Members can now collect Avios when spending at London Heathrow’s World Duty Free shops.

The airline’s customers travelling in First on December 24 and 25 will be gifted a bespoke glass Christmas tree bauble