British Fizz: A group is calling for protected status of English sparkling wine (and not everyone is popping a bottle open) January 20, 2017 Yesterday, the UK Vineyard Association said it was applying for protected status from the EU for English sparkling wine under the name "British Fizz", but a branding expert said the name could be an "unmitigated disaster" for the wine industry. Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status would boost the industry's fast-growing product by giving it recognisable, marketable terms [...]
John McDonnell will join striking British Airways cabin crew at Heathrow January 18, 2017 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell is joining members of British Airways' cabin crew who are starting a three-day walkout tomorrow. Unite the union said its general secretary Len McCluskey and the shadow chancellor will be joining the picket lines at Heathrow tomorrow in a dispute over pay. McDonnell, whose Hayes & Harlington constituency covers Heathrow Airport, said: [...]
Flybe’s Cardiff to London City Airport route set to fly into the summer January 18, 2017 Flybe's "rescue flights" from Cardiff to London City Airport for the closure of the Severn rail tunnel are set to be extended into the summer. The ongoing popularity of the route has resulted in Flybe extending its operation through to the end of its summer schedule. Initially, the plan was for the route to be [...]
How to get into the world’s top airport lounges, from Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong to Qatar Airways’s Al Safwa lounge in Doha January 16, 2017 When flying long-haul, I tend to get to the airport early. Not because I’m one of those anxious flyers who likes to sit around in departures for three hours staring at the flight status screens, but because some airlines have upped their lounge game to such a point that it’s essential to allow enough time [...]
British Airways assures customers it will operate all long-haul flights during the 72-hour walkout from Thursday January 16, 2017 British Airways has assured passengers it will operate all of its long-haul services to and from Heathrow during a three-day cabin crew strike that will start this Thursday. It will cancel one per cent of short haul flights, merging these services, but has said customers affected "will be able to fly slightly earlier or slightly [...]
Paradise Beach: Enjoy rum, monkeys and tropical luxury on the twin islands of St Kitts and Nevis January 16, 2017 French settlers brought their pet monkeys to the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis in the 17th century. Soon after they promptly escaped and began multiplying (the monkeys, not the French), wreaking simian havoc wherever they went. The marauding apes now outnumber humans and routinely devastate crops in dawn raids, munching their way through [...]
Employers must act early when strike action looms: Industrial action and what can be done January 13, 2017 Strike action is continuing to cause significant disruption for commuters, business travellers and holidaymakers in early 2017 – but could it have been prevented? Southern Rail has announced that it is going ahead with three-day stoppages of its train services this month – the first started this week – and British Airways’ cabin crew held a 48-hour strike [...]
British Airways cabin crew ramp up strike action with fresh 72-hour walkout set for 19 January January 12, 2017 British Airways cabin crew will stage a fresh 72-hour walkout from 19 January in an ongoing dispute over pay, Unite union has announced. Members of the so-called mixed fleet cabin crew (working long- and short-haul flights) at Heathrow will take part in a three-day strike next week. The union said it marked a stand against [...]
From easyJet to British Airways: Here are the most complained about airlines of 2016 January 11, 2017 Thomas Cook has been knocked off the top spot in one list it'll be pleased not to take the crown. It's no longer the most complained about airline, according to EUclaim, instead easyJet has been bestowed with that dubious honour. Ryanair didn't escape criticism either – EUclaim said the number of compensation enquiries made about the [...]
Gatwick’s airlines are swapping terminals: Here’s where easyJet, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will be flying from January 10, 2017 Those heading to Gatwick Airport in the near future will want to double check which terminal they need. A mass airline merry-go-round is taking place this month, affecting thousands of passengers. EasyJet will move to the North Terminal from 24 January, while British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are swapping terminals – BA will move to the South [...]