A SNEAKY little-known hack letting you save hundreds on your next long haul fight has been revealed.

Stats reveal that British airfares in 2024 were a staggering 66 per cent higher than nine years earlier, according to the Office for National Statistics.

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But not all hope is lost – Brits with wanderlust can still fly out on the cheap and save up to an eye-watering 55 per cent travelling as far away as Asia, Australia or New Zealand, according to The Times.

The first thing to note is to book directly with a Chinese airline – though you often have to present all your passport details here instead of when checking in.

Research found by analysing economy return flights from London to ten destinations over ten days in January shows Chinese carriers offered the best deal in eight out of ten cases.

Chinese airlines were found to be between 15 and 34 per cent cheaper on average.

But flyers will find their comfort may be compromised, seeing long layovers for example.

Destinations studied included Auckland, Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Sydney and Tokyo.

The cheapest Auckland return flight with Air New Zealand was £1,653 – totalling 27 hours and 30 minutes, including a four hour stop in Vancouver.

But China Southern Airlines was offering the same journey from London for just £1,330 with a six hour layover.

It’s not just flying to Oceania that’s a bargain – travelling to Tokyo with Japan Airlines via Madrid from London will set you back £996 – and the flight is 19 hours long.

If you opt to fly with China Eastern Airlines via Shanghai, you can save 29 per cent even though the journey time is an hour and 45 minutes shorter and costs just £705.

A direct British Airways (BA) flight to Seoul, South Korea costs £1,154 with Korean Air and takes 12 hours and 25 minutes.

The same flight with Air China, which takes you through Beijing only lasts an hour and a half longer – but costs just £539.

It’s thought that Chinese airlines can flog cheaper tickets because their operating costs are lower.

But political reasons also affect rising costs for customers.

Two years ago, Moscow banned EU, British and Canadian airlines from using its airspace in response to western-imposed sanctions.

This meant these airlines had to take longer and pricier diversions.

On the other hand, China, who is friendly with Russia, was able to use Russian airspace and has enjoyed keeping costs low for consumers.

The CEO of Dutch flag carrier KLM recently called on the EU to impose their own tariffs on Chinese airlines in a bid to level the playing field.

Marjan Rintel said last week: “[Using Russian airspace] sometimes saves two to four hours.

“You see that reflected in the price and, of course, the costs are higher for us.”

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THIS is the bargain buy that guarantees to make airport travel so much easier, according to a flight attendant.

Holidaymakers have rushed to get hold of the online deal which could be so useful for frequent flyers they might even make other jetsetters jealous.

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Described as “durable”, “compact” and guaranteed to be your “new go-to travel companion” a flight attendant has revealed the item which reduces stress when carrying various items through an airport.

In fact, the seemingly simple solution allows passengers the chance to “streamline” their luggage handling.

Aly Walansky told Travel and Leisure that the item “let me carry more without physically carrying more”.

Those opting to purchase the item are in luck as Amazon have reduced the original price by 18%.

Available in packs of three from the online selling giant, the luggage strap allows customers to securely fasten their travel pillow, clothing layers or other smaller bags to one item.

They have even been made available in various colours so shoppers have the chance to buy one that suits their personality or match their existing hand luggage.

Priced at just £2.80 an item, those hoping to get away this winter or stock up before next summer will want to get their hands on the travel essential.

Regular late comers to security could even find the item useful so they do not accidentally drop their valuables when making a last minute dash to their boarding gate.

Offering a heavy duty ring and quick release buckle, the item can easily be adapted to your travelling needs.

The pack available on Amazon boasts an anti-rust coating to ensure the design remains sturdy and shiny for stylish shoppers.

Designed for a wide application of uses, the hooks could be used to carry water bottles as well as heavy and bulky items.

Jetsetters are not the only customers who could benefit from purchasing the item as it has been described as great for hiking, cycling and more.

Those concerned about the added weight to their luggage with some airlines enforcing restrictions should not worry too much as the item only weighs 132 grams.

Clued-in passengers may already have the item which was only first made available earlier this year in June.

1. If you are travelling across time zones adjust your body clock in advance.

Possibly the biggest single sleep disturbance for those travelling is jet lag. Jet lag occurs when we travel across time zones and try to adjust our body clock, or circadian rhythm, too quickly.

The best way to avoid this is to set your routine closer to the time at your destination a few days before you travel.

Move your bedtime either an hour earlier (or later) each evening and try to change your meal times too if possible.

2. Get the light right.

Light is the biggest single cue for sleep and can be used to help your adjustment when travelling and getting to sleep easier.

We are naturally programmed to feel tired when it gets darker and to be woken up by the morning light.

When travelling, get your lighting in sync with the new time zone as soon as possible. If you are arriving at night, stay awake while you travel, and keep your lighting bright so you feel tired when you arrive.

3. Drink water, especially when flying.

Drink water to keep hydrated and avoid caffeine and alcohol especially when flying long haul, as dehydration is a symptom of jet lag.

For those who plan to sleep within eight hours of getting off the plane, avoid all caffeinated drinks.

In addition, while the sedative effect of alcohol may help you to get to sleep more easily it fragments sleep and reduces sleep quality.

4. Eat healthily, but not too late, and take pro-biotics.

Our digestive system and our sleep are inextricably linked and are affected by what and when we eat or drink.

Eat a varied diet with foods containing nutrients such as tryptophan, magnesium and vitamin D and eating your last big meal about four (and at least two) hours before you go to sleep.

If you are travelling across different time zones, as you adjust your sleep and wake times, also change your meals to the new time zone if possible.

5. Choose your hotel carefully.

Where you sleep matters.

Choose a destination hotel that offers you the best chance of a good night’s sleep. Check they have a decent pillow menu, black out blinds or curtains and decaffeinated drinks in the room.

Check noise levels too and ask them to provide you with a room that is on a quiet floor and away from noise pollution like traffic.

LIKE a phoenix rising from the ashes, there’s a holiday park in the heart of England that’s been given a new lease of life after it went into administration last year.

My boys and I returned to Billing Aquadrome near Northampton to experience all the facilities installed by new owner, Meadow Bay Villages, which now runs the 80-year-old park.

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It’s impressive how much change the £8million regeneration has led to since we visited last year.

This time around, we found a ­brilliant new pump track for bikes and scooters, lots of nature activities at the Adventure Island ranger ­station and an upgraded outdoor entertainment space overlooking the marina.

With an amphitheatre stage, food vans, a splash zone, playgrounds and adventure golf all within eyesight of each other, every member of the family can find activities they love while spending time together.

It’s fantastic to see Meadow Bay building on the foundation of the firm family favourites already on site, including a little train that runs around one of the lakes and a glass-fronted venue looking out across the water, housing a restaurant, soft play, arcade and indoor swimming pool with flume.

The beating heart of Billing has always been family-friendly fun set in a lovely lakeside location and now it really feels like it’s going upmarket, thanks to the huge ­investment.

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There are even a couple of saunas by Willow Lake to relax in after some outdoor swimming, paddlesports or, if you’re feeling adventurous, racing around on the inflatable aqua park.

One of the things I love now is how many of the activities are in­clud­ed in the price of your holiday.

Last year, it cost a couple of quid to go for a ride around the lake on the train, but that’s now free as is the swimming pool.

Lots of the amphitheatre activities like circus skills, team sports and scavenger hunts, are free too.

Most of the paid-for onland activities are a fiver a head, like pond dipping, den building and adventure golf. And even the watersports are reasonably priced, with pedalo and canoe hire at £20 per vessel.

One problem this site has always had to contend with is the risk of flooding.

The touring and camping fields were still waterlogged on the weekend we visited, while the rest of the facilities were gradually reopening after heavy rainfall in mid-September saw the entire site evacuated.

All the staff I encountered were upbeat, friendly and working hard to get everything back up and running after the floods.

I think you know you’ve found a good holiday spot when the people working there seem happy to be on site. When it comes to accommodation, there’s something for all price ranges at Billing.

You can stay in a bring-your-own-bedding glamping pod with access to the shower and toilet block for just £38 a night, while there’s also a full range of caravans and lodges to choose from.

Bedlinen is included, but towels aren’t provided so don’t forget to bring your own.

Our gold caravan was cosy with nice fittings and fixtures, including a little veranda for sitting out in the autumn sunshine.

Day guests are also welcome at £5 a head plus £5 for parking, which is a bargain if you go off-peak as it includes swimming and the little train, as well as the on-site ­entertainment.

We certainly saw the best of Billing this time around and with more still to come, it’s one to watch if you want a break by the water.