Travel
Stansted airport outlines £1.1 billion investment plan over five years
Stansted has released further details about its terminal extension, which will allow it to serve up to 43 million passengers a year.
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Travel
My stay at a budget Spanish hotel that looked more like a 13 year old’s bedroom – with the smallest bath in the world
A BRIT holidaymaker who booked a budget break in Valencia was left in fits of giggles, when she discovered her hotel room resembled a 13-year-old boy’s bedroom.
Martha Mills paid £115 for two nights as part of a special deal for the ‘interior facing single room,’ at Casual Vintage hotel in the Spanish city.
In a video tour she filmed of her digs, which can be played above, she shows off the bathroom and the decoration of the bedroom.
The room is the size of an average British boxroom, with two toy Ferrari cars stuck on the wall alongside a chequered flag.
Inside the bathroom was a half-sized bath that she was unable to squeeze her legs into, along with a shower curtain that said: ‘God Save The Queen.’
On the morning after her first night’s stay, she pulled back the window curtain to reveal the view of a wall.
More unique tourist stories
Martha told Sun Online Travel: “The website did say the room was small and “interior” so the general size of the sleeping area was no huge surprise, but the decor and the hilarious mini-bath were definitely not what I anticipated.
“And they didn’t specify that “interior” would be a window a few feet from a brick wall.
“In general, the aspirational images that were presented to me on the website of the hotel were not what I ended up with.
“The rest of the hotel was also very small and quite tired looking in comparison to the photo gallery. The front desk staff and cleaners were all friendly and the location was great for seeing the sites on foot.”
When asked if felt like she had paid over the odds for the small room, Martha conceded that the price point was unsatisfying because she got neither comfort or a bargain.
She said: “I don’t feel I was robbed, but I do think I could have paid a few pounds more for a far superior hotel room elsewhere – or paid a couple pounds less and used a youth hostel where I would have been fully prepared for the lower-budget product.
“When I walked in, I had to laugh, as the first thing I saw was the droopy chequered flag on the wall, the naff woodchip wall paper and the toy cars stuck over the bed – it was NOTHING like the photos on the website.
“It felt like I was visiting an aunt for Christmas and had been given her young son’s bedroom to sleep in.”
“However , the wifi and air con worked, which made it bearable, and I had great fun updating my friends on all the hilarious things I found, like the bath for ants.”
Sun Online Travel have contacted the Casual Vintage hotel for a comment.
This isn’t the first time a holidaymaker has booked into a hotel to be faced with a different aspect to what appeared in the brochures.
One tourist booked into a Vietnam hotel to discover her infinity pool was actually more like a hot tub.
In another instance, a social media influencer claimed to have paid for sea views, only to check in and realise the window was lined with a poster.
Travel
British Airways forced to suspend New York flights from major London airport until next year
BRITISH Airways has suspended a number of flights to New York until next year, due to ongoing engine issues.
The airline confirmed that hundreds of long-haul flights were being cancelled due to delays in the delivery of engines and parts from Rolls-Royce.
Affected flights including the new route from London to Kuala Lumpur, which has been delayed from November 2024 to April 2025.
But also suspended is the popular London Gatwick to New York route.
The flag carrier first launched the Gatwick-New York flight in 2015, making it the third London airport with the route (joining Heathrow and London City).
The flight is especially popular for Brits during the winter season wanting to visit New York at Christmas and New Year.
The route is now being suspended from December 12 until March 25.
Not only will this affect hundreds of passengers who had already booked, but it is likely to result in more expensive flights due to a reduction in seat availability.
A British Airways spokesperson previously said: “We’ve taken this action because we do not believe the issue will be solved quickly, and we want to offer our customers the certainty they deserve.
“We’ve apologised to those affected and are able to offer the vast majority a flight the same day with British Airways or one of our partner airlines.
“We continue to work closely with Rolls-Royce to ensure the company is aware of the impact its issues are having on our schedule and customers, and seek reassurance of a prompt and reliable solution.”
While Brits can still fly with British Airways to New York, travellers will have to head to Heathrow Airport instead.
An alternative is to fly from Gatwick to New York with Norse Airways.
If you fancy going to New York next year, you can find return direct flights with Norse for just £265.
The overall cancellations have affected as many as 200,000 passengers.
it comes just weeks after British Airways confirmed they would be suspending all routes from Southampton Airport in summer 2025.
Having first launched from the regional airport back in 2021, the routes affected include Malaga, Majorca, Faro, Bergerac and Chambery,
And the airline’s London Heathrow to Beijing route has also been suspended until at least next November.
But it isn’t just British Airways who has been forced to cancel flights in recent months.
Last week, all flights were cancelled to Orlando from the UK following Hurricane Milton.
Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and TUI passengers were all affected after the majority of airports in the US hotspot were forced to close.
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
And thousands of passengers were affected by Emirates cancellations earlier this month after the airspace over Iran was temporarily closed
Emirates passengers were primarily affected as the routes cancelled were from Dubai to Iraq, Iran and Jordan.
Travel
Eurostar to launch new culinary partnership
The new menu will roll out on 4 November in conjunction with Eurostar officially rebranding its travel classes
Continue reading Eurostar to launch new culinary partnership at Business Traveller.
Travel
European city loved by Brits bans night-time pub crawls – despite being known for its beer
A EUROPEAN city known for its beer has banned nigh- time pub crawls.
Prague is loved by Brits as being an affordable city break destination, thanks to budget airlines offering affordable flights.
The city welcomed more than seven million tourists last year, compared to the 1.3million locals.
But the Czechia’s city’s major has said they want to crack down on pub tour crawls at night, a popular activity with holidaymakers.
The capitals deputy mayor said the organised pub crawls would now be banned for eight hours at night.
He said yesterday: “It will not be possible to have guided tours between 10pm and 6am.”
The crackdown is to encourage “more cultured, wealthier tourists”.
The motion reads: “[The] unreasonable consumption of alcohol and disruptive behavior associated with pub crawls can create the impression of a lack of culture in the community, reduce the feeling of safety.
“[It] can have a negative impact on the perception of the municipality by tourists, potential investors and the citizens themselves.”
The city known for its beer – with Czechs drinking the most pints per capita in the world.
A recent study found it had the one of the highest density of pubs per person in the world.
Conducted by money.com, the city has 47.87 pubs per 100,000 people.
It is even home to ‘Europe’s largest pub crawl’ tour, called Prague Pub Crawls which has free drinks and club entries.
The company hit back at the rules, claiming not only are badly behaved tourists kicked out of the tour, but that the tours end at 12:30pm.
The cheap flights and abundance of bars and pubs has led to it becoming a popular stag do location as well.
Earlier this year, other restrictions were being discussed including the banning of “outrageous costumes” and fancy dress in a bid to reduce noisy stag and hen parties.
What is a holiday to Prague like?
The Sun’s Mark Hodge recently visited the Czech capital for a quick trip.
“Prague offers huge bang for your buck, with return flights from £35, 4* hotels at £55 per night and draft lager for £1.50.
“The Old Town is so magical it’s easy to see why blockbusters including Casino Royale, The Bourne Identity and Oscar-winning Amadeus were filmed here.
“You can pick up a pint for around £3 in these parts but, if you venture to the outskirts of the city, you can grab a cold draft for just £1.50, a barman tells me.
“If you want to live like a local, then Spa Beerland, in the Old Town, is the place to try it out.
“Here, you’ll find handmade, 1,000-litre oak tubs filled with beer and a herbal mix to help you relax.”
And Prague is not the only city looking to encourage a different style of tourists.
Amsterdam’s crack down over the years has been to prevent rowdy tourists, leading to a ban on large group tours and restrictions on alcohol sales.
The Dutch capital’s “stay away” campaign urges tourists to consider going elsewhere if they’re only planning to “let loose”.
Venice has also followed suit, with a ban on loudspeakers and large groups.
Travel
STARLUX Airlines growing Taichung base
The premium carrier will add flights to Takamatsu from its Taichung base
Continue reading STARLUX Airlines growing Taichung base at Business Traveller.
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