Airline passenger news and views

This means that you shouldn't get any nasty surprises at the checkout; which is nice of them.

EasyJet surcharges go up

As with other identification infrastructure (national residents databases, ID cards, etc.), civil rights activists have voiced concerns that iris-recognition technology might help governments to track individuals beyond their will.

A glimpse into the future of travelling

Passengers who book but do not take their flight are entitled to reclaim APD, but the consumer magazine has found that a number of major airlines** charge an administration fee which is more than the tax itself - so passengers are worse off if they make a claim.

Airlines team up against Air Passenger Duty

Stuart, hope you weren't travelling in that aircraft when it happened. Thanks to Airbus design a catastrophe was averted. How come GE have not had any engines that did not cause any problems? Sometimes cavalier attitudes, and to be the first does not mean that safety is compromised. RR - back to extensive Records and Research please, so that the product is faultless. Yes support RR, but we also hope that the older Trent 900's out there are checked out, so there are no more mid air dramas as such.

Rolls-Royce Trent 900

Most of my current travel involves the USA, where we have a home. As frequent travellers, we have most things set up in advance. We have Visas which are very useful but it still does not overcome all of the problems. Eye scans will be helpful as long as the iris is checkable. I know at least two people that have Rheumatoid Arthritis which causes deformation of the eye and messes up these scans.

A glimpse into the future of travelling

Anyone who would drink drive should be out of that job for life. Pilots should be whiter than white

Drink drive pilots

The cost of keeping the a/c up is huge and many airline resort to cheap maintenance practice in developing countries thereby jeopardizing flight safety and passenger.

Australian aircraft engineers call for Airbus A380 to be grounded

Surely an option to manage the extra demand should include baggage drop facilities at the Olympic Village, shipping some baggage as freight and construction of a temporary "Olympic terminal", which could be taken down after the Games.

Difficulties for Heathrow in view of the Olympics

Children aged under two travelling without their own seat are exempt from APD. Unfortunately, over-twos who have to spend the whole journey with an under-two on their lap still have to pay their own tax.

Airlines team up against Air Passenger Duty

Why pay tax and rip-off fees when paying by credit card to fly from uk airports.Better to travel by train ,coach or car

Airlines team up against Air Passenger Duty

Awful artical, totally unfair view of easyjet. Assistance services are provided by a third party company at Gatwick airport, not the airlines.

Working at the airport I fully agree the assistance service provided is totally unexceptable but it is not fair to blame the airlines.

Easyjet and Travelling with a Disability

The reality is simple, I am a 6'4" man that has a large frame but I am not obese al though I would say of my self that I am a little overweight although I have freinds that would disagree and say I am average. When flying (I have made 100's of flights because of my work)I barely fit between the arms on the seats and my knees normally are touching the seat back infront of me. I have at times ended up bruised on the hips from the narrow seats. It is clear to me that the standard seat size being used by most airlines is based on the averages size of a person as measured 40 years ago when people my size were uncommon.Today in the western world men my size are common and I regularly find myself looking up to speak to men taller than myself. This is something that never happened to me 25 years ago. The airlines need to get with the times and stop trying to pack in as many passengers as possible. The seats need more room between rows and they need to provide wider seating

Too big for his seat

When the one toilet is out of order, then what?

The potentially unsanitary conditions inherent in such a situation does not bear thinking about.

Hold it in! Says Ryanair

I am looking forward to a spa break in Marrakech in May for 4 nights with my girl friends. I have a 9 year old daughter and apart from the odd night away have not had a girly holiday since before she was born so am so looking forward to chill time! Having said that I am sure I will miss her like crazy.

Spa cities

I recently returned from a christmas break in Dubai and have to say it was the best place I have visited. The hotel I stayed in was like celeb city and the service provided was awesome. I have already booked to return at Easter.

Dubai - a city of superlatives

I purchased a Frank Wotton poster for a pilot friend of mine for Christmas and he absolutely loved it.

History and future of aviation at the BA museum

HOW HURTFUL!!!But most of you c**ts are right, im a 27 yr old fat f**ker who just wants to eat myself to death and not wash myself and'spill over' into you hitler bred skinny moaners flight seat,NOT!

F.Y.I I have two beautiful children and am a makeup artist who showers regularly OH YES IM A HUMAN BEING WITH FEELINGS,and just wanted to visit my friend in the u.s who had a very traumatising miscarraige over Xmas, now im terrified of going for fear you will all be there to burn me at the stake KKK style no less because you are scum BTW,the discrimination, excruciating!

I hope you have fat children and you see how hard it is and it was your fault 4 replacing love with food,you heartless people...

Simple answer 'bigger seats' why is this so debatable? you are pointlessly arguing when there is the quickest of solutions,Although we are an easy target to pick on because WE ARE SO HUGE!!!

Rant over

TRY BEING INFORMED INSTEAD OF JUST OPINIONATED.

WE ARE ONLY HUMAN

Too big for his seat

I am disgusted by some of the comments on here. Not all big people are fat because of what they eat. Many, like me, suffer from arthritis and have other medical conditions that do not allow us to burn of the smallest low fat meals. On top of this some of the drugs we take also add to the weight problems. I was once, one of the fittest people you could ever know but my disabilities stop me from doing almost anything, even walking hurts. Should this mean I can not go on holiday, or fly to see my friends and relatives. I don't believe so. Just provide me with a wider seat and I will pay the extra. I dont want it for free or to spoil anyone elses flight but I do have a right to travel.

Too big for his seat

My mother is a double amputee and confined to a wheelchair. Both my mother and father enjoy travelling and have had several holidays abroad but they stick mainly to cruises and holidaying in the UK for this very reason. My mother would LOVE to go to New York this year to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary and the only thing holding them back is that my mother is so worried that there is no wheelchair access to the toilets onboard the planes and she could not "hold it" for 10hrs!! It amases me in the year 2012 we are not accomodating travellers from all walks of life including meeting the needs of all disabled travellers. It's simply not good enough!

Why are airplane toilets so small?

It's all about supply and demand. I don't want to sit with you because based on your financial status, you are probably uneducated and don't know how to behave in public. I'm in a higher status position that you that is better paid so I require a service that meets those needs. The more I'm prepared to pay - the less I'll be inconvenienced by having to listen to your conversations / cackling laugh / badly behaved child etc.

That's capitalism for you.

The other option is all flights are economy, no shops, rows and rows of seating. No incentive to succeed. No incentive to earn more so airport staff have no incentive to make your tranfer through the airport pleasant etc. Bit like the old USSR.

VIP airport lounge access - Is it worth it?

I am not being politically correct but really, do we need this?

I have no objection to any of the girls doing fashion shoots but what has that to do with Ryanair. I know you have to merchandise and make the most of your readership but it just seems so tacky.

Ryanair girls strip off for charity

I suffered a severe asthma attack on a plane that sat in a runway for over 1 hour, waiting for clearance. They shut down the cabin filtration system and the air supply was limited. I simply could not breathe. The sad part was this: I notified the stewardess, who could have cared less about my "problem" and asked to be let off the plane. She refused to acknowledge my request. As I was slowly suffocating, I rose from me seat pleaing to get off the craft. I even knocked on the door of the cockpit for help. I was sharply rebuked for getting out of my seat, told it was a "security breach." The police were called in and I was escorted off the place and taken for questioning. Meanwhile, I am coughing, wheezing and feeling as if I would die. I was not allowed my medication until 30 minutes later when my bag was brought to me. (I was not allowed to take my carry on bag on board,although it was within size limits). The police let me go but I could not board another plane for 8 hours.

Cabin air quality and asthma

tiolet facilities must be made accessable for disabled passengers including grab rails etc for flights exeding 4 hours. it is discrimination against disabled peoplenot to do this it is time you draged your selves in to the 21st century and addressed this very important issue.

Why are airplane toilets so small?

My sister and her husband moved to California about 12-years ago and are not too far from Death Valley, so we drove over there.

The sheer size of these 'places' is impossible for us in Britain to comprehend. We live in a minute island which we have now chosen to pack full of people. Americans are used to massive unpopulated zones.

It really is quite amazing in every aspect.

Death Valley

Gatwick is getting better all the time. The owners have both invested money and thought. OK when my son and I flew in a few weeks ago from the USA, it was pretty miserable with toilets closed and roof open. So, it lost points there but a quick conference trip last week and it is back in my good books.

Gatwick expands restaurant area in South Terminal

It would be much better if Ryanair and the rest of the budget airlines opened up the whole plane for seating allocation instead of just front seats

EasyJet to allocate seats on selected routes from Spring

Virgin is the worst airline I have ever traveled with I flew once with this so called airline to Las Vegas and there was no other way to describe their so called 747 jumbo jet other than a cattle truck that flies. I have never seen a jumbo jet with seating you would only expect on a short haul budget airline doing trips between the UK and Spain perhaps not sitting in the same type of seat on a ten hour trans Atlantic flight to Las Vegas from the UK. I travel all over the world with different airlines but Virgin is the worst airline and the greediest when it comes to seating especially on long haul flights and their flight attendants are also the worst I have ever met but do not try to complane to Virgin because all I got was what do you expect for the price you paid for your ticket. All I asked for was a seat that was at least comfortable to sit in for ten hours not the cramped one I was given.

Virgin Atlantic stands alone against BAA

I am 6'5" tall and 72 years of age. It really guts me when I cannot be allocated an emergency exit seat to find these are filled with people who would fit adequately into a standard seat. Little effort is made by most airlines to accommodate tall people. Much is made of safety on board aircraft and we are reminded to put our seatbelts on. If you are my height you will know that your knees will be touching the steel crossbar on the seat in front of you and that the seat belt will be of little use in the event of a crash. What would happen is that knees and hips will be broken before the seat belt will come into operation and there will be little hope of exiting the aircraft.

Are we getting less leg room on aircraft?

I am terrified-I will be flying alone to my daughter who lives in the States and I am disabled in a wheel-chair. The entire trip will be about 18 hours-I am scared for the need to go to the toilet- without help. it will be impossible. I should eat nothing but even that won't resolve the problem-help!!!

Disability and Toilets

wow.great vidio.... just returned from gambia to manchester t cook flight 5 dec.11 on our decent over wales ,we had lightning strike front,, i sat on wing,seen all electricity come off wing sky light up like fireball,,, very scary experience,, very loud bang, ,,, but i know were safe up there ha,,

Nature and its awesome power

Another rip of from Ryanair! Booking charges will still be added to the bills of us customers using the card.

Ryanair's new catch - the Cash Passport

This will be fantastic if easyJet Start pre-seat allocation. This is the main reason I fly Monarch and BA over easyJet, the mad rush at the boarding gate to fight for a seat near the front is so stressful.

EasyJet to allocate seats on selected routes from Spring

I did come across Green Globe Certification Standard and many, many other programs but unfortunately there is no cross continental agreement on how to classify an agency, a place, a tourist or a tour as belonging to 'ecotourism', which is the essence of the problem. There are lots of attempts to create international certification programs obviously, but there are no standardized measures whatsoever so far, because of the contention that still exists in trying to find a complete and international definition of the phenomenon. We all know what ecotourism means, but when it comes to studying a particular place or trip and choosing whether it can belong to ecotourism or not is the real current problem. But we're getting there gradually nevertheless.

Ecotourism

I may need to consider whether a pre-flight pint from the departure lounge bar is worth it if plans go ahead to scale back on-board toilets!

Hold it in! Says Ryanair

In general terms this is a good idea, in fact it is long overdue!

However, I travel regularly with my 9 year old daughter so would need to see some kind of commitment that we are guaranteed to be sat together if we have not pre-booked specific seats.

EasyJet to allocate seats on selected routes from Spring

Airlines calculate the fuel needed for a flight by allocating a certain weight to each passenger, this includes your baggage allowance. In my opinion passengers should have to supply their body weight when booking and it should be taken into account to determind whether or not they should pay for two seats.

Too big for his seat part two!

I am 20st and 6-5" surely these airlines are being discriminatory, why is it our european law makers in Brussels can not come up with a law against this type of discrimination?

Too big for his seat part two!

I visited the Goodwood Revival for the first time this year and had a fantastic day. I have decided to make the 2012 Revival a corporate event and am really looking forward to it.

Step back in time with Goodwood Revival

My Cousin took his eldest Grandchild when he was 5, and is taking his youngest who is now 5 again this year.

I know the children enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as the adults, who were overjoyed at the response and joy it gave the children.

I wish they would do something here in Canada, after all we do have Snow !!! and it would be a far shorter plane ride to the north

Christmas in Lapland

A great idea for a well deserved cause, surely no one can complain about money being raised for charity?

Ryanair girls strip off for charity

If anyone is thinking of visiting Thailand and considering Maikhao Dream resort at Phang Nga, well think no more!! We have been to quite a few resorts in different Countries and this resort is so far ahead in every way I cannot speak more highly!!

Spa cities

Have to pick you up on one quite major point. Which is...

"Although no international certification program exists yet to accredit a place or agency as ecotourism".

A little bit of research is would have helped you realise that this is incorrect.

There is the "Green Globe Standard" which is recognised world wide.

Ecotourism

Can't find anywere to book flight from manchester to Manston on your website???

Flybe's new Manchester to Manston route

I agree, with RYANAIR, great idea, passengers are aware of the allowance, yet they try to push this to the limit and over. Trying to get to ones seat is a nightmare, as those on the flight first are still trying to stuff OTT bags in the overhead lockers. If they went over the allowance for the hole luggage, they would have to pay. When we finally get pass those stuffing over filled bags in the lockers and get a seat, we sit in amazement watching thinking 'what on earth have they got'. My opinion is that, only a small bag i.e., ladies handbag should be allowed in cabin. Think of a crash

and all those bags spilling out, impeding escape routes etc.,

Bonuses to be paid to airport staff in crack down on bulky hand luggage

This is another example the the growing dominance of the Asian market.

We in Britain used to rule the waves and the air, now we are nowhere.

Oman Air and Port of Salalah - linking east and west

my last experience at EMA airport plane loaded from front and rear doors we were hoisted up and used rear door opposite could not move as people totally ignored steward to wait while we got seated,we were refused leg room near doors as in emergency we would not be able to open the door so who can then? no one is shown how to open door by cabin crew no i believe its so we the disabled do not impede others in escaping so stick us at the back out of the way.

Aircraft and space restrictions for the disabled traveller

I ALONG WITH OTHER RESIDENTS IN KENT WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE AIRPORT EXPAND FROM WHAT I HEAR IT HAS THE LONGEST RUNWAY IN EUROPE.GOVERNMENT SHOULD STOP PUSSYFOOTING AROUND AND GET IT GOING.

Flybe and Kent International

read most comments with interest.

Problems do not arise by being disabled I am 6ft 2in tall and cannot stand upright to pee in these toilets because of the curvature of the planes body, stood upright i am a good 12inches away from the bowl.The toilets should be built in the cente of planes facilitating height and space.

Why are airplane toilets so small?

A great tool for people like me who often travel on business and do not want the extra weight o books in there overhead holdall. However I also agree with the comment above, that real books have history to them and when I am travelling with my family on holiday I still take good old fasioned books on my trip!

This summer, Kindle or paperback?

Quiet and comfortable were my first impressions of the five-minute ride between the terminal and parking lot. Onboard, the only sound over the familiar whirr of the electric motor was the recorded voice announcement from the iPad-like control panel inside the car, assuring me that I was "almost there."

Heathrow's "pods" - the future is already here