Budget airlines like Scoot are stepping up their game in Asia, offering competitive services at attractive prices. You can read my previous review of another budget airline, Thai Smile here.

I recently flew from Krabi, Thailand, to Singapore with Scoot on one of their Airbus A320CEO aircraft. I had a very positive experience overall. Here is what you need to know about travelling with Scoot + my full review.

Introducing Scoot

Scoot is a low-cost airline and the ‘Proud little sister of Singapore Airlines. Scoot may not have such luxury travel classes, but it is a safe airline that will get you from A to B.

It also has huge miles and points advantages as opposed to travelling with many other Asian Airlines. With Scoot, you can collect KrisFlyer miles.

As of April 2023, the Scoot fleet comprises 40 Airbus A320 aircraft and 20 widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Using Scoot to Get Around Asia

Scoot’s extensive network spans various destinations in Asia and worldwide. As of April 23, Scoot operated flights to 65 destinations. Most of Scoot’s destinations are short-haul routes across Asia, but few long-haul routes exist. 

However, if you are looking for a convenient way to get around Asia, Scoot is a great option. Unlike many Asian-based airlines, it is one of the safest airlines available and allowed to fly into the EU.

Long Haul Flights with Scoot

Scoot was voted the World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline’ by Skytrax consecutively in 2021 and 2022. Scoot is often the cheapest airline for long-haul flights, with very affordable flights starting at around £173 from Berlin to Singapore and Athens to Singapore, excluding bags, food and seat allocations. Being based in Singapore, most flights travel to or from Singapore.

I flew from Athens to Singapore with Scoot in 2018. From Singapore, Scoot flies to four major cities in Australia, making it possible to fly from Athens or Berlin to Australia on a budget. 

Scoot Plus and Other Upgrades

Although Scoot does not have a business class option, various upgrades are available.

Scoot Plus

Scoot Plus is similar to what you may expect in the economy plus. Travelling in Scoot Plus works out at a similar cost to flying in economy class on another airline. You will  benefit from the following:

• Extra Legroom
• 30MB Wi-Fi Connectivity
• In-seat power
• 15kg of hand baggage and 30kg of checked luggage (10kg for economy + payable luggage)
• Complimentary food and drinks from the Scoot Cafe (a light refreshment for flights under 90 minutes).
• Priority Boarding

Scoot in Silence – Only Dreamliner Flights

Scoot in silence is a unique concept only offered on the Dreamline aircraft. If you want a restful journey to catch up on work or to sleep before arrival, Scoot in silence is a good option.

Only travellers age 12+ can sit in the Scoot in silence cabin, and you will have adjustable headrests and a 34-inch seat pitch. Once you land, you can get to your destination quicker with early disembarkation.

Extra Seats

Scoot also offers the option to book two extra seats in a row, offering a unique lie-down experience. I was lucky to have the two seats next to me available on my flight from Athens to Singapore with Scoot in 2o18. I did lie down for some of the journeys, but because the seats were very thin, it was not very restful. 

Booking

I found it very easy to book our Scoot flight from Krabi to Singapore. I chose to book online, but you can also book via the app. I always find that Scoot has a modern website layout and easy to navigate app.

We paid £191.65 for two adults, one child, and seats and bags.

A few months after booking, the flight time was changed from 15:50 to 1:25 pm. This was more convenient for us, and we were offered a refund if the new time did not fit our schedules.

Loyalty – KrisFlyer Miles

One of the best things about flying with Scoot is the ability to collect Krisflyer miles which can be redeemed for flight upgrades and more on Scoot and Singapore Airlines and partner airlines.

When you travel with Scoot, you will earn 1 mile for every SGD$1 spent. You will also receive 2.5 Elite miles for every KrisFkyer mile earnt with Scoot, which goes towards reaching the next KrisFlyer membership level.

Scoot also offers milestone rewards when collecting KrisFlyer. I was offered 20% off my next flight with Scoot after reaching 2,500 miles and a bonus of 1,000 miles on my next flight.

Check-In

Arriving at Krabi Airport was a seamless process. It is straightforward to check in via the app. This can be done 72 hours before departure. We arrived in a taxi from Ao Nang 2 hours before, and the queue for dropping bags off was only 10 minutes or so. Security was also a very seamless process.

Boarding

Krabi Airport was very small. Upstairs, there is a small selection of souvenir shops, coffee shops, and takeaway food. 

Downstairs, there is lots of seating with good views of the mountains in the Krabi Province. We started by sitting in a cafe; then we went to sit by our gate.

The flight arrived on time, and we were ready to go!

On Board

The cabin was surprisingly comfortable for a budget airline. The seats and cabin did not show signs of wear and tear like our precious flight with ThaiSmile. It was perfect for a short-haul flight, although it reminded me of when I flew long-haul with Scoot with no adjustable headrest…

The takeoff was very bumpy. There was a thin layer of cloud, and it was very unexpected. The takeoff wasn’t as smooth as other short-haul flights I have travelled on.

Food and Drink

Scoot Flights sell a vast range of hot ready meals, including noodle pots, snacks, and alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks. I wasn’t aware that you had to preorder hot food, so we did not buy anything on board.

Here are the things you can purchase on board. All prices are in Singapore dollars:

Arrival

After a short flight, we were soon in reach of Singapore! We had fantastic views of the Singapore skyline from the window – something I missed last time when I arrived at 5:00 am. 

Final Words

I enjoyed flying with Scoot overall. The flight was value for money and had all the amenities needed for a short-haul flight. Apart from the bumpy takeoff and the lack of the ability to purchase hot meals without preordering, everything went very well.

Scoot certainly exceeds my experiences with Ryanair, Volotea and EasyJet recently. I would recommend Scoot as a safer, more affordable alternative for getting around Asia.

If you are planning to travel with Scoot long-haul, keep in mind that the takeoff and landing times are generally awful, meaning you may have to spend extra money on hotels. A huge disadvantage is the lack of adjustable head cushions and no free in-flight meals or things like luggage included. Everything is an additional cost which can put up the airfare to a similar price of an economy class ticket with another airline.

However, if you are looking for affordability, Scoot makes travelling to Asia more accessible for more people.

The post Using Scoot to Get Around Asia + Full Scoot A320 Review [Krabi to Singapore] appeared first on Turning left for less.

Hawaiin Airlines reveal new business class suites

Getting to Hawaii in comfort is surprisingly difficult with many US airlines using standard short-haul aircraft on the 5-6 hours from the west coast. Flying with Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii’s hometown carrier since 1929, can be a more pleasant experience. If you collect Virgin Atlantic points, you can spend these on Hawaiian Airlines, although seats are tricky to get. You can also earn points with them.

Hawaiin have revealed its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner interior and new business class  – the Leihōkū Suites. Guests onboard Hawaiian’s 787 will enter service beginning early next year on select routes to the West Coast of the US. The design is island-inspired and even has sunrise and sunset lighting settings. They are expecting to receive two of the B787s by March to start the services. 

“The combination of our evocative cabin design and unparalleled service will make our 787 the most relaxing and enjoyable choice for travel to and from Hawaiʻi,” said Avi Mannis, chief marketing and communications officer at Hawaiian Airlines. “We take pride in sharing our home with our guests, and the design and details of this product truly reflect what it means to be the flagship carrier of the Hawaiian Islands.”

Hawaiian’s 300-seat 787 features its newest premium product, Leihōkū (garland of stars): 34 suites with fully lie-flat seating, an 18-inch in-flight entertainment screen, personal outlets, wireless charging and direct aisle access. Set in a 1-2-1 configuration with doors, the suites can offer privacy or a shared experience, with combined double seats. I love the idea of the starlit ceiling too!

In developing its Leihōkū Suite, Hawaiian became the first airline to partner with Adient Aerospace – a joint venture between the Boeing Company and Adient, a world leader in automotive seats. However, Qatar actually beat them too it in terms of launching a new seat with Adient due to delays with Hawaiin’s order. 

New Fairmont hotel in UK

Fairmont Cheshire The Mere is the newest addition to the Fairmont brand (by Accor) in the UK. The hotel is a luxury golf and spa resort located near Knutsford in Cheshire, England. It is Accor’s fifth Fairmont hotel in the UK and Ireland. The resort currently offers 81 rooms, an 18-hole championship golf course, and wellness facilities. After a period of restoration and expansion, it will reopen in 2024 with 120 rooms including 27 suites, while retaining its golf course and expanding its wellness and culinary offerings.

The resort is situated on the shores of Lake The Mere, a beautiful natural lake that is popular for swimming, boating, and fishing. The resort also has its own private beach. The surrounding countryside is home to rolling hills, forests, and quaint villages.

Fairmont Cheshire The Mere is the perfect place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The resort offers a wide range of amenities and activities to suit all tastes, including:

• 18-hole championship golf course
• Spa and wellness center
• Swimming pool
• Tennis courts
• Fitness center
• Sauna
• Steam room
• Jacuzzi
• Children’s club
• Fine dining restaurant
• Casual dining restaurant
• Bar
• Library
• Business center
• Meeting rooms
• Event space

Atlantis Paradise Island summer sale with 25% off

You can save 25% + receive a $25 Daily Resort Credit with the latest Atlantis Bahamas offer. The offer is valid at The Coral, The Royal and The Reef with a minimum 4-night stay.

You can travel from May 15, 2023 to September 30, 2023, but must book by June 8, 2023.

You can find the sale page here. 

You can read my review of the Cove at Atlantis Bahamas here (it features an adults-only pool). Although this particular resort is not included, it gives you an idea of the overall facilities and feel of Atlantis Paradise Island.

Birmingham becomes latest UK airport to scrap 100ml rules

Birmingham Airport has revealed plans to scrap the 100ml liquids rule in line with government requirements to do so by June 2024 through a £20m security screening upgrade.

The move will allow passengers to bring up to two litres of liquids in their carry-on luggage and also end the need to remove electronics when going through security.

Birmingham Airport is the latest UK airport to announce plans to scrap the 100ml liquids rule. London City Airport became the first major UK airport to end the restriction in April, with others including Stansted and Gatwick currently trialling new equipment and screening processes.

The government requires UK airports to replace current X-ray machines with 3D image scanner technology and increase the number of body scanners in operation by June 2024.

The new security screening technology will allow airport security staff to more easily identify potential threats, while the new body scanners will provide a more comfortable and privacy-friendly experience for passengers.

As part of its security revamp, Birmingham Airport will also implement an iLane automatic tray return system. The iLane system uses robotic arms to collect and return trays, which will help to speed up the security screening process.

Stephen Barker, Birmingham Airport’s development and construction director, said: “Once built and operational in June 2024, our new pre-flight screening area will further enhance our already high standards of security as well as improve the efficiency of our operation. This improved efficiency will enable us to process customers quickly, especially at peak travel times.”

The new security screening upgrade is part of a £500m investment program at Birmingham Airport, which is also due to include a new terminal building and a new runway.

The post NEWS & OFFERS: Hawaiian Airlines new business class suites, Birmingham next to ditch 100ml, new UK Fairmont and Atlantis Bahamas sale appeared first on Turning left for less.

Turkish Airlines already has a fantastic food offering, but new plans have been unveiled to renew the onboard food for business and economy class for short-haul and long-haul routes. Having already won Europe’s Best Food and Beverage Award from APEX in 2022, the food offerings will now be improved even more with a focus on sustainability and healthy eating!

Turkish Airlines currently serves 340 routes, with more exciting routes planned. With this comes feeding around 70 different nationalities aboard a single aircraft. The new menus will feature over 300 different flavours from all over the world and enable passengers to Savor the Flavors of Türkiye and will be prepared daily by expert chefs. I, for one, am excited about it.

Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, explained – “As the flag carrier that offers the world’s finest flavours to its guests through privileged concepts, we have prepared a menu that features traces of both traditional Turkish cuisine and world cuisines in our renewed menus”.

Healthier Food Offerings

Keeping up with healthy nutrition trends, expert chefs produce the menus daily using low carbohydrate, more protein, and fruit and vegetable-based dishes.

Enhanced Sustainability

The menu revamp focuses on sustainability, with 80% of the menu being sourced from local producers. Some of the delicious regional products include Rize tea and Erzincan Honeycomb.

The airline also aims to reduce plastic and packing waste. Paper menu cards will now be available digitally.

Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat noted –  “With this new concept, we have also initiated practices aimed at reducing plastic use and packaging waste within the scope of Turkish Airlines’ Sustainability principle”.

The New Business Class Menus

The new business-class menus are a real treat! Previously, there have been two main course options, and while they were delightful, the introduction of a third option provides even more variety. Grilled fish, pasta dumplings and spaghetti options will now be served, such as Turkish Adana Kebab cooked over charcoal. New breakfast offerings include delicious pancakes, toast and French crepes.

This new menu, coupled with a selection of homemade non-alcoholic cocktails, feels more refined and contemporary compared to the previous one. I tasted the mojito mocktail, and it was delicious!

Following the new healthy eating focus, several detox drinks and traditional Turkish tea and coffee will also be available.

Business Domestic

Even when flying domestically, there will still be delicious food on offer. 

I tried this meringue dish at the event, and it was melt-in-your-mouth amazing. I have never tasted a meringue so good!

Hungry yet?

Business Class Short Haul

The business short-haul menu also looks delicious! If you are considering flying short-haul with Turkish Airlines, I will soon post reviews of the route on two different aircraft.

Business Class Long Haul

The New Turkish Airlines Economy Menu

 Economy class isn’t left behind, either. New editions for breakfast include egg dishes, muesli and cheese varieties that were not previously available in economy class.

Economy Domestic

Economy Short Haul

What fantastic dishes for the short-haul economy!

Economy Long Haul

This long-haul economy menu looks better than any dishes I have previously had on economy class long-haul! It looks so enticing it could give business-class menus from other airlines a run for their money!

The Turkish Airlines Menu Launch Event – A Food Fashion Show

The new menu was launched in style with a food fashion show comprised of Turkish Airlines cabin crew and staff presenting the new dishes on a catwalk.

Trying the New Menu Onboard 

The new menu was secretly rolled out onboard on Wednesday. I flew in short-haul business class and got to try the new menu!

Heathrow to Istanbul

I was very impressed with the food on this flight! It was unlike any food I have had on a plane before – including in business class, and you could tell an expert chef had prepared it!

On the main menu, you can see how Turkish Airlines have given international and Turkish cuisine choices. You can see the new healthy editions of wellness tea and the new Rize tea offering on the menu. There is now a choice of both Turkish and international wines. Try the traditional ‘Islim Kebab’ or go for the Italian option – Mezzelune or a British favourite – Grilled salmon fillet. You can view one of the old menus in this Turkish Airlines reader review.

One issue is the limited wine choices. There are two red and two white choices. I tried a different white wine on the way there and back, but if I flew again, I would have to have the same one again. There is also a notable lack of Rose wine. At least champagne was available – although the menu doesn’t explain which champagne is on offer.

I opted for the vegetarian meal option, which was not on the menu. However, it was still delicious, although it would have been nice to read about what I had beforehand. The sides consisted of a delicious lentil salad with roasted aubergine. The cold dish was also delicious.

For the hot dish, I was served Indian-style potatoes with paneer curry. It was again delicious and just the right spice level.

Istanbul to Heathrow

Although the drinks menu was the same, I was excited to see a different food menu. It included American favourites such as Veal and Prawn Salad. I was pleased to be able to try the new menu for a second time.

I enjoyed the cold dish – although not as much as the previous flight. All the fruit and vegetables were very fresh, and the lemon made the perfect addition to the dish. The Turkish Airlines olive oil is also lovely – like the nice varieties you can buy in Greece! I love the mini salt and pepper dispensers.

For the main, I was given the same as the previous day. I had opted for a vegetarian special meal, so I’m hoping it was just bad luck rather than a limited choice for vegetarians. The flights were one day apart, which could have also played a part.

The Verdict

All in all, this revamp is not merely a change but a significant upgrade, a step towards redefining in-flight dining. It shows a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction from Turkish Airlines. I thought the new menus were delicious; my only comment is the lack of wine choices.

What do you think of the new menus? Let us know in the comments below!

The post We try Turkish Airlines’ New Menus – what is the verdict? appeared first on Turning left for less.

It can be tricky getting to your exact destination in Asia using Avios or miles, and with many airlines offering fewer destinations than before, you may need to take some internal flights. In this series of articles, we’ll be looking at some of the options in Asia. 

With a huge range of airlines to choose from when travelling around Southeast Asia as well as the major carriers, what are the best airlines to travel domestically in Thailand and to nearby countries? I recently flew with Thai Smile Airways on a connecting flight from Bangkok to Phuket.

Here is my experience, as well as the other options available.

Introducing Thai Smile Airways

Thai Smile Airways is a regional subsidiary of  Thai Airways, which was established in 2011 to provide seamless and affordable air travel within Thailand and the Southeast Asian region. The fleet currently includes 20 A320-200 aircraft.

Thai Smile Airways fly the following domestic routes:

• Chiang Mai,
• Chiang Rai
• Khon Kaen
• Ubon Ratchathani
• Udon Thani
• Surat Thani
• Phuket
• Krabi
• Hat Yai
• Narathiwat

If you are considering using Thai Airways to get around Aisa, here are the routes flown. These routes fly from Bangkok unless specified:

• Myanmar:  Mandalay. Yangon
• Laos: Vientiane, Luang Prabang
• Malaysia: Penang, Kuala Lumpur
• China: Changsha, Chongqing, Zhengzhou
• Cambodia: Siem Reap, Phnom Penh
• India: Jaipur, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Calcutta, Gaya, Varanasi
• Chinese Taipei: From Bangkok and Chiang Mai
• Hong Kong: From Bangkok and Phuket

Collecting Miles with Thai Smile Air

Thai Smile Airways has a frequent flyer programme called Miles and More. You can earn miles which eventually leads to status. Thai Smile is also part of the Star Alliance.

You can also earn miles with Royal Orchid Plus, which can be redeemed with Thai Smile or Thai Airways.

Smile Plus Class

Thai Smile Airlines has a premium economy class available. With Smile Plus, you also get various benefits upon booking at the airport and on the plane.

Smile Plus class comprises a few rows at the front of the plane. They have more legroom and a blocked-off seat in the middle so that you can have extra space. Depending on the route, you’ll get a meal and additional rounds of tea or coffee served during the flight.

One of the highlights of Smile Plus is airport lounge access, including access to the flagship Royal Orchid Business Class Lounge in Bangkok.

You will also benefit from priority check-in, priority baggage and the ability to reroute your original itinerary. If you need flexibility, you can cancel the flight up to 4 hours before for a small fee. You can take more baggage with you too, with 30kg for domestic and 40kg for international routes.

I did not travel in smile plus, but because the business class was not in a sectioned-off area, I could see what was going on. If you are coming off a Thai Airways Business Class flight and onto a connecting flight, you will be in Smile Class. It is worth paying a bit extra for, but not loads.

Booking

This flight was booked direct with Thai Airways as a connecting part of a flight from London-Bangkok and then onwards to Phuket. The flight was on the same confirmation; we were given two separate boarding passes once we were at the airport. Luggage was transferred between flights. 

Baggage Allowance

You will be allowed 56 x 45 x 25kg of hand luggage with a maximum weight of 7kg. You will also be allowed 20kg of checked baggage and more if you have status with Star Alliance or Orchid Plus.

Check-In

Check-in for this flight was done on the Thai Airways app, as this was a connecting flight. However, If you booked a Thai Smile Air flight independently, you can check in online.

Transferring from Thai Airways to Thai Smile in Bangkok

As soon as we had walked off the plane, we were greeted by a lady holding a Phuket sign with directions on where to go to transfer to the next flight. Around five other groups were transferring from the Heathrow flight. On the walk, we were guided by two other people holding signs until we reached passport control.

In Thailand, the passport stamp is given when exiting the country. This was the main passport control to enter Thailand. I thought this would have been done in Phuket. We had fingerprints of 4 fingers taken on each hand as well as a photo. We were not told how long we could spend in Thailand, so luckily, we looked the information up beforehand.

After this, we had to go through security with our hand luggage. There was quite a long queue for this compared to other flights I have transited from. After security, the gate was very closed.

Boarding

We had a very short connection of less than 1 hour in Bangkok after a slight delay to our previous Thai Airways flight taking off from Heathrow. Once we had navigated Bangkok airport, the flight was already boarding when we arrived. They told us that if we had missed the flight, they would have easily been able to place us on the next one.

We had a lovely sunset view at Bangkok Airport while waiting for the flight to take off.

The cabin crew did the safety demonstration and shown on screens.

Ready for takeoff!

On Board

On board, the plane had a 3-3 configuration. It was a full flight despite multiple daily departures from Bangkok to Phuket.

Boarding was a speedy process. The cabin crew were helping people put their bags in the overhead compartments.

Seating

The seats were quite basic but doable for a very short flight. The cushion even fell off when my daughter sat on it, and the seats had noticeable wear and tear.

The tray tables were similar to those you get on EasyJet.

Food and Drinks

I had pre-booked a vegetarian meal when checking in with Thai Airways. Shortly after takeoff, there was a food and drink service where I was given a vegetable and cheese sandwich and a bottle of water.

The sandwich was cheese with squished carrots and peas. The children’s sandwich was just cheese. It was very nice despite the off combination.

After the sandwich, the cabin crew did a tea and coffee service. I opted for tea. 

The Journey and Arrival 

The flight was enjoyable overall. With lots of turbulence on the previous flight, the takeoff and landing were smooth, and there were some fantastic views as we neared the Thai islands at sunset.

Other Airlines for Domestic Flights in Thailand and Flying Across Southeast Asia

If you are looking into the best airlines for travelling around Asia, several other airlines operate flights around Thailand and to nearby countries, as well as well-known carriers.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Bangkok Airways

As Asia’s boutique airline, Bangkok Airways offers personalised service and exclusive airport lounges.

Bangkok Airways operates some rare routes in Thailand, such as Krabi to Koh Samui. The airline also connects to several international destinations across Asia.

Class Options: Bangkok Airways offers a business class known as Blue Ribbon Class, featuring comfortable seating, priority services, and exclusive lounge access.

Miles: You can collect FlyerBonus points for car rental, hotel stays and future flights.

Vietjet air

I travelled with this airline in 2018 from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and it was a bumpy ride, and the flight was delayed! However, the service was fantastic. Vietjet Air operates domestic flights within Vietnam and international routes to various Asian countries.

Class Options: There is a premium economy class called premium economy option called ‘Skyboss’, which includes benefits like priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling, as well as comfortable seating with extra legroom.

Miles: VietJet Air is partnered with the Vietnam Airlines miles program Lotusmiles. Miles can be redeemed for flights, access to the Lotus Lounge, baggage, upgrades and gifts.

Thai Lion Air

Lion Air is a budget airline owned by the Indonesian Airline Lion Air. It offers affordable flights within Thailand and to neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and China. 

Miles: Lion Passport

Class Options: There is a premium economy class called Lion Comfort, with more legroom, priority services, and baggage allowance.

Nok Air

Nok Air is a popular low-cost airline known for its colourful bird-themed livery. The airline operates domestic flights within Thailand and also offers international services to destinations such as Myanmar, Vietnam, and Singapore. 

Miles: Nok Fan Club

Classes: No classes, just the Nok Premium Seat,  which includes priority services, extra legroom, and a dedicated check-in counter.

Air Asia

AirAsia is a Malaysian-based low-cost airline that has gained immense popularity across Asia for its affordability and extensive network. It operates numerous flights within Thailand and to neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and more.

Miles: BIG Loyalty Programme

Classes: AirAsia does not have a traditional business class, but they offer “Premium Flatbed” seats on their long-haul flights operated by AirAsia X. These seats can recline to a fully flat position, and you will get additional benefits like priority services, meals, and baggage.

Scoot

Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, is another low-cost airline that offers affordable travel options across Asia. With a vast network covering destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and Australia, Scoot is an excellent choice. I travelled with Scoot from Krabi to Singapore on the next part of my Asia trip. I’ll be writing a full review.

Miles: Krisflyer

Classes: Scoot does not have a business class cabin, but they offer “ScootPlus” on select flights. This premium cabin features wider seats, extra legroom, priority services, and meals.

Final Thoughts

Thai Smile Airways got us from A to B on time with no issues. It’s useful to be able to book a connecting flight without having to collect baggage and board another flight. Although the aircraft seating shows signs of wear and tear, I would fly with Thai Smile again.

However, if you want to stay in business class for the duration of a flight to Phuket, Turkish Airlines operate flights from Heathrow Via Istanbul.

There are a variety of other good airlines to travel around Asia, but your decision should rest on the best airline for your route, and it’s also good to consider the alliance and miles programs available as well as whether the aircraft has a premium economy option.

The post Thai Smile Airways Review + What are the Best Airlines for Travelling Around Southeast Asia ? appeared first on Turning left for less.

With prices for air travel sky high and poor punctuality at Heathrow with BA, is it time to revisit EasyJet?

After travelling by train from London to Switzerland and spending a few days exploring Zurich, Lucerne and the surrounding areas, I flew back to Bristol from Geneva with Easyjet.

Booking with EasyJet

I always find it easy to book flights with Easyjet on the app. This process is even faster if you save your account details on the app and have Apple Pay!

I booked the ticket in June 2022 and paid £37.99 for the flight with no extras. I travelled with hand luggage only on this flight and did not choose my seat. All EasyJet passengers can bring 45 x 36 x 20 cm hand luggage that must fit into the designated EasyJet boxes at check-in and boarding. I have a special bag that maximises what I can bring with me.

If you travel with EasyJet frequently, consider enrolling in EasyJet Plus for an annual fee of £215. By doing so, you will receive front-row seats with extra legroom, fast-track security clearance, dedicated baggage drop-off points, priority boarding, and an additional cabin bag.

Geneva 

I arrived in Geneva the day before my flight. I had just enough time for a whistlestop tour of the city via the hop-on hop-off bus, where I saw all the major sights. I also went on a lovely evening walk with views of the French Alps. If you’re wondering what else you could do in Geneva, you may find this guide on a summer break in Geneva helpful.

If you’re considering spending time in Geneva, you may find Michele’s review of luxury hotels in Geneva useful. If you’re a fan of Hilton Hotels, the Hilton Geneva and Conference Center may be for you.

Geneva City to Geneva Airport

I realised there wasn’t much need to stay the night before because many regional trains stopped at Geneva Airport shortly after the city centre. Bus number 10 travels frequently from Geneva city centre to the airport.

Many trains also make this journey, and a train station is right on-site at Geneva Airport. The train I travelled on from Lucerne was also travelling to Geneva Airport. However, many Geneva hotels offer free transport cards, making staying in Geneva even more affordable. 

Check-In and Security

On arrival, I headed straight up to security. I had already checked in via the EasyJet app. The security queue was around 15 minutes. My bag was stopped, and I had an additional 15-minute delay due to some nail clippers! This often happens when I travel with just hand luggage.

The Delay!

The flight was due to depart Geneva at 14:25 and arrive in Bristol at 15:10. At 14:00. I was looking at the departure board to see what gate the flight had been allocated. The gate allocation was delayed to 15:00, so I looked at the Easyjet app, which said the flight would be delayed until 16:00.

As time passed, this ended up being 18:10 making the delay nearly 4 hours! There was no reason stated for the delay, but upon looking at the apps flight tracker, I could see the flight was still travelling from Paris to Bristol and hadn’t even picked up the passengers in Bristol to start flying to Geneva. The app has a handy update system where the airline sends updates, and in my case, apologies.

Spending Time at Geneva Airport

It’s actually relatively easy to spend time at Geneva Airport. There are a variety of shops and souvenir shops, ample lounge choices and lots of variety of restaurants, bars and cafes. I ended up spending nearly 7 hours.

Geneva Airport Lounges

My plan had initially been to book a lounge at Geneva Airport. However, with the pace of the trip, I forgot to reserve a lounge 24 hours in advance. I asked at the lounges, and they were either full (even for DragonPass and PriorityPass members), or booking was unavailable. 

Here are the lounges available at Geneva Airport:

British Airways Galleries Lounge

Open: 5:45-21:30

Eligibility

• People travelling on BA, Iberia or an eligible OneWorld airline who are travelling in Business or First.
• Silver and Gold Executive Club Members on scheduled flights operated by British Airways or a Oneworld partner.
• Those with Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald Tier status.

Air France KLM Lounge

Open: Varies by day. Click here for updated times.

Eligibility

• Those who have purchased an access pass (from £28)
• Air France Hippocampe or La Premiere passengers.
• KLM business class passengers
• Air France Flying Blue Gold, Platinum, and Club 2000 members
• Air France Flying Blue Silver and Explorer
• International First and Business Class passengers operated by a SkyTeam member airline.
• SkyTeam Elite Plus members 
• Priority Pass members
• American Express Platinum Card Holders
• DragonPass members

Crystal Lounge by Aspire

Open: 07:00 – 18:00 

Eligibility:

• Priority Pass Members
• DragonPass members
• American Express Platinum Card Holders
• Those who have purchased entry.
• Those who have paid for access (starts at £25 for 3 hours)
• Those who have an Aspire and Swissport Lounge Annual Membership (£259)
• New Aspire Plus Platinum Annual Membership Card (£399.99)
• Certain Elite Credit Cards

SWISS Business Lounge

Open: 6:00-20:30

Eligibility

• Business or First class passengers flying with SWISS or a Star Alliance member airline.
• SWISS Economy Passengers (39 euros)
• Miles & More HON Circle members travelling with SWISS or a Star Alliance Member Airline.
• Miles & More Senator members travelling with SWISS or Star Alliance
• Miles & More Frequent Traveller members
• Star Alliance Members with Gold Status or United Club members flying with Swiss or a Star Alliance Airline
• Air Canada Maple Leaf Members travelling with SWISS or a Star Alliance Airline

SWISS First Lounge 

Currently Closed

Availability

• SWISS First
• First Class Lufthansa
• HON Circle.

SWISS Senator Lounge

Opening Times: 06:00 – 20:30 

• First Class SWISS, Lufthansa and Star Alliance
• HON Circle
• Miles & More Senator
• Star Alliance Gold passengers

Swissport Horizon Lounge: 

Open: 06:00 – 22:00

Eligibility:

• People travelling on Royal Jordanian or Air Maroc, or an eligible OneWorld airline who are travelling in Business or First
• Those with OneWorld Sapphire or Emerald
• American Express Platinum Card Holders
• DragonPass members 
• Those who have purchased entry (from £30)

Swissport Horizon Business Lounge:

Open: 6:00-21:30

Eligibility:

• Business class passengers travelling with Finnair or an eligible OneWorld airline.
• Those who hold Sapphire or Emerald Status with OneWorld.

Marhaba Lounge: 

Open: 06:00 – 21:00

Eligibility

• People travelling on BA, Qatar or Iberia in first or business or an eligible OneWorld airline.
• American Express Platinum Card Holders
• Those that hold sapphire or Emerald tier.
• Priority Pass and DragonPass members 
• Those who have paid for access
• Elite credit card holders

Where to Eat at Geneva Airport

Geneva Airport has many options, but all were relatively crowded during my visit. I opted for the Montreux Jazz cafe in a sectioned-off area.

I opted for the chips Mexicaines with dips.

The dessert was wonderfully presented with a range of tropical fruit.

Other Places to Eat at Geneva Airport

After my flight was 2 hours delayed, I read that I was entitled to a food and drink voucher. I headed to the information desk, where there was a large queue of mainly EasyJet passengers from my flight and many other delayed Easyjet flights that day, including one to Birmingham, which was due to leave at 11:30 and still had not left by the time we departed after 6!

I purchased a mozzarella and tomato panini with a lemon drink of 16 Francs. The voucher was for 10 Franc, equivalent to around £8.95. This is more than vouchers given at other airports, but Switzerland’s prices are pretty high.

The Flight

When the gate was finally announced, we headed to the departure gate. This was set out nicely, with comfy seating and plenty of charging stations with USB plugs.

I will say that the crew were very understanding. Instead of making the welcome announcement from the flight deck, the captain came out to the front of the aircraft and apologised for the delay, explaining in detail that the delay was due to the ongoing strikes in Paris. The pilot had come in on his day off to ensure we got home.

I ended up sitting on an aisle seat with one other person sitting by the window. The middle seat remained free, which was surprising because the flight was very full. 

Food and Drink

Two food and drink services were run on a relatively short flight. There was lots of turbulence expected, so the seatbelt sign was on for the duration of the flight. No hot food or drinks were available, but plenty of drink and snack options were available.

Shopping On-Board

Arrival at Bristol Airport

In previous reviews over the summer, I have had issues with bus availability to take us from the plane to the terminal and luggage delays. However, we were swiftly let off the plane after landing on this flight, and three buses were waiting for us.

After the long walk to baggage claim, I did not have any baggage to pick up, but it hadn’t started to come out yet when I left the airport. There has also been a shortage of Bristol Flyer Buses on the other journies.

This also improved, and there was a bus waiting (and not a huge queue) as soon as I left the airport. 

Implications of the Delay

On the flight day, I booked an open train ticket for the 4+ hour journey back to Cornwall. I imagined getting a train around 17:00. However, the last train that travelled all the way back to Cornwall was 19:46. When this train left, we were still on the runway!

The open ticket cost £36, but because it was a flexible ticket, I got £26 back by cancelling the ticket. I then found a £31 first-class ticket with GWR for the next day (early Sunday morning).

I stayed at a friend’s house and arrived home at 12:30 the next day. This was an odd ticket find as only first class was available despite plenty of seats throughout the train. The price was also lower than other standard-class trains leaving that day.

Final Words

Although the flight was VERY delayed, this was due to the strikes in Paris and not EasyJet. Although, I wonder why so many other EasyJet flights were also delayed! The flight got me from A to B in the end, even though I could not travel home in a day like planned. However, this experience was made much better by the range of things to do at Geneva Airport.

More EasyJet Flight Reviews

• Gatwick to Palma June 2017
• Palma to Gatwick June 2017
• Flying with EasyJet Gatwick to Ibiza in August 2022
• EasyJet Gatwick to Marrakesh – a bumpy ride!

Other Flight Options from Geneva

• Swiss Business Class Review Heathrow to Geneva
• Swiss Business Class Review Geneva to Heathrow

The post REVIEW: EasyJet Geneva to Bristol + Lounges and Geneva Airport – A Long Delay! appeared first on Turning left for less.

The following flight was paid for by Finnair as part of a recent press trip. The airline has not received copy approval for this article, and the first time they see it is the same time you are. 

This is the return journey of flying business class with Finnair from Helsinki to Heathrow after spending some time enjoying the Finnish countryside and visiting Nuuksio National Park.

Check-In

The queue was longer than I encountered checking in to my flight to Helsinki with Finnair. There are automatic check-in machines at Helsinki airport, and you have another queue to hand your case over. This was all done very efficiently, and the process was the same for economy and business passengers. I imagine the automatic check-in is because Finnair is based at Helsinki airport.

Security

This time we used fast-track security. Make sure you walk right to the end; otherwise, you will end up in the standard queue and have to go under the barrier as we did. There was a huge queue at the standard security, but we did not even have to queue for fast-track. The new security measures in Helsinki mean you don’t have to remove electronics from your bag which speeds up the process.

The Finnair Business Lounge

Helsinki Airport is home to the Finnair Business lounge and platinum wing. Both lounges are located near gate 52 past passport control in the non-Schengen area.

You can use the business lounge if you hold status with the following:

• Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo (up to 4 guests)
• Finnair Plus Platinum (1 guest)
• Gold Finnair Plus (1 guest)
• oneworld Emerald (1 guest)
• oneworld Sapphire (1 guest)

You must also be travelling on an airline operated or marketed by oneworld.

If you’re a Finnair Plus Silver member, you’ll have discounted access to the Finnair Lounge. Alternatively, you could also use your points to get a Finnair lounge pass.

My Experience

The lounge was very quiet. We were there before 7:30 am. There was ambient music playing which reminded me of being at a spa. Being empty, there were lots of options for places to sit. 

A buffet was available with lots of cold options and the Finnish version of a cooked breakfast. No staff were working at the bar, but a selection of wines and beers was available to pour and on tap. The soft drinks machine was also turned on, and the famous Finnair blueberry juice was also available.

The lounge also had showers which would be perfect if you had a connecting flight in Helsinki.

The Finnair Platinum Wing

If you hold Finnair Platinum or Platinum Lumo Status, you can access Finnair’s Platinum wing. If your flight is departing from a non-Schengen area, you can also use the lounge if you are a oneworld Emerald member.

The platinum wing is open from  11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to try it this time.

You can view more in-depth Finnair lounge reviews here.

Boarding 

Once you get to the boarding gate, there’s a separate queue for business and economy. Once through, it is a separate waiting area which I have not seen before at an airport. This streamlined the boarding process.

The Cabin

Upon boarding, I was greeted by the cabin crew and then given another enthusiastic greeting by the business class cabin crew.

Once on the plane, we had a bit longer to wait, but that’s no problem when travelling in business class! If there was anywhere near as much snow in the UK I am sure all airports would be shut! There was a huge snowstorm and it was early morning, so the plane needed to be de-iced. This delayed the flight by around 30 minutes, but the de-icing was very efficient.

I chose to sit in a single window seat (6L) on the opposite side of the plane than on the journey to Helsinki. This gave me a different perspective. It is a personal preference, but I did prefer sitting on the other side of the plane in seat 4A.

There were lots of storage options available. There was a small box where you could stow a few things for takeoff and landing as the small shelf you can see by the window where I kept my phone while it was charging.

Once lying down, it reminded me of the Night Riviera sleeper I travel on often from Cornwall. However, this was better because I would not nearly fall out every time I turned over.

Entertainment

Some disposable earphones were provided. are These plugged in nearby the seat, giving more flexibility to move around rather than being plugged into the screen. Despite the weather, there were excellent views from the forward and downward cameras on the flight.

Skincare products and Finnish gifts were available to purchase on-board. You can browse all the details using the screen:

Food and Drink

The flight was due to depart at 7:50 am, so it was breakfast service. This was a welcome treat because we had grabbed a few things to go to the hotel earlier in the day. Breakfast consisted of a Finnish yoghurt topped with muesli, a bread roll with orange marmalade and a selection of pineapple and melon.

A cooked breakfast was served with hashbrowns, spinach, scrambled egg, tomato and a lovely tomato sauce. I chose apple juice to drink. Coffee was also given at the same time as breakfast. There wasn’t the chance to get an extra bread roll like on the flight into Helsinki.

Because this was a breakfast service, the food was served earlier in the flight before the drinks round. Extra drinks came after, and I chose coke.

Arrival into Heathrow

Due to the snowstorm in Helsinki, we arrived around 30 minutes late into Heathrow. The captain kept us well-informed throughout the flight. Once we neared Terminal 3, it was announced that we had missed our landing slot, so we circled the outskirts of London for a while.

Once we landed, nobody connected the walkway to the plane. When we got off the plane, however, the luggage came out quickly, and we were on our way to the Heathrow Express very fast. I’m glad I booked the 11:45 train back home. I would have missed the previous one.

Finniars NEW Long-Haul Business Class

If you are thinking of flying with Finnair long-haul, it’s been a year since the rollout of the new business class and improved premium economy seating. The new business class seats have more space, and shell lounge space enables many sitting and sleeping positions. You can read our review of the new business class seats here.

The new cabin has won numerous awards, including the  ‘Cabin Concept of the Year’ winner by Onboard Hospitality and the Best Cabin (First & Business Class)’ at the Yacht and Aviation Awards.

The long-haul economy class has also been improved, with larger Inflight Entertainment screens for the A330 aircraft and three A350s. You can view a more in-depth review of Finnair’s economy here.

Conclusion

I had a great experience returning to Heathrow, just like I did on the way to Helsinki. Finnair’s business class keeps a high standard, and although there were some weather delays, I didn’t mind because there was plenty to do on board.

The post REVIEW: Finnair Business Class Helsinki to Heathrow and Finnair Business Lounge – Part 2 appeared first on Turning left for less.

The following flight was paid for by Finnair as part of a recent press trip. The airline has not received copy approval for this article, and the first time they see it is the same time you are. 

I recently flew in business class on Finnair’s A350-900 from Heathrow to Helsinki to spend a few days exploring the Finnish countryside. Finnair flies from Heathrow to Helsinki four times a day with the option to fly from Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin. With the average Finnair return business class ticket costing over three times more than economy, is flying business class with Finnair worth it? I definitely think it is! Here’s my experience.

Check-In

The flight was scheduled to leave from Terminal 3 at 10:20 am. The check-in was one of the best I have ever experienced. There was hardly a queue at all for economy or business class check-in. Everything was done in a few minutes. I had already checked in online, and this saved even more time.

This may have had something to do with it being 8:00 am, but I have been faced with very long queues on previous early flights! The staff even printed off my boarding pass, meaning I did not have to worry about getting my phone out for boarding pass checks.

Security

We did not actually use fast track security because the queues were very reasonable at the general security, we were through very quickly with no issues.

The Lounge

We used the Cathay Pacific Lounge in Terminal 3. I will be doing a full review of our experience soon! To give a brief overview, the lounge was one of the best I have been in, with a wide variety of food and drink options, comfy seating and an excellent work area – not to mention the views! If you are flying in business class with Finnair, the lounge you can use will be on your ticket, along with what gate it’s near.

Boarding 

Once the gate was called, there was quite a large queue to get into the boarding area. There were no separate lanes for business and economy. Once in the boarding area, there were plenty of seats, including some special lie-back seats with runway views! I could see our plane from the window, which was a good sign everything would be on schedule.

We waited about 15 minutes in the boarding area. Passengers needing special assistance boarded first, followed by group 1 (business class) than economy passengers.

Onboard

The aircraft had the older seating style rather than the newer non reclining seat. I chose seat 4A, a single seat on the left-hand side of the plane. The flight was slightly delayed in boarding, so there wasn’t much time between boarding and takeoff. I loved the layout of the Finnair Business Class.

There’s plenty of legroom, including somewhere to put your shoes or to stow bags once the plane has taken off. 

A great feature of Finnair business class is the water bottle cooler inside the bottle slot!

Another of my favourite features was the seatbelt. It was extra comfy and weighted, which I am sure would aid a good nights sleep.

Middle Seats

The Business Class section of the plane is set out in a 1-2-1 configuration with a window seat on each side and a group of 2 seats down the middle aisle. The middle seats would be good if you were going to travel with a friend or as a couple.

There were many controls available, including a handy plug which could accepvariousof plug types, an earphone slot not attached to the screen and great seat controls so you could make the seat go in almost any position.

I loved the quick controls whereby you could quickly sit up for takeoff and landing or quickly descend into a sleeping position.

I always love looking at the map feature. Finnair had made a mini travel guide to all the major cities near Helsinki! There was also an excellent camera to view over and under the plane during the flight.

I was impressed with the size of the screens. The screen came out at a 90-degree angle with the press of a button. A variety of films and a good selection of music you could listen to during landing were available! The inflight entertainment system has recently won the Red Dot Award for Design in the Brand and Communication Design category.

The staff did not try to sell things to me onboard the flight (like with EasyJet and other airlines). Instead, you could look at the products available via the screen.

Food and Drink

I was impressed with the food on board. Special meals could be selected before departure, and one meal was served during the 2-hour, 55-minute flight as well as 1 drink round. The drinks round came first, and I chose to try Finnair’s signature Blueberry juice, which is also served as a complimentary drink in economy.

 The meal was tortellini pasta filled with mushroom with tomato sauce, a chocolate cookie and wrapped beef. I didn’t try the beef because I am a vegetarian. I remember asking for a vegetarian meal online, but I don’t know if the form was saved! The cabin crew came around, offering more drinks and an extra bread roll. The bread roll was warm and better than other ones I have tried.

Midway through the meal, the cabin crew offered coffee and tea.

The service was excellent throughout the flight.

WI-FI

Finnair does have WIFI on board via the Nordic Sky Portal. Business class passengers and Finnair plus gold and Plus Platinum members benefit from 30 minutes of free WIFI. In economy, any use of WIFI is payable. 

Flying for Less

To get a range of benefits flying with Finnair, you will need to join the Finnair Plus loyalty program. When flying with Finnair or any OneWorld partners, you can earn award points and Tier points. 

Award points can be used to upgrade to business class, pay for hotels or car rentals or buy vouchers.

Tier points help you climb the Finnair award tiers and are valid for 1 year.

Everyone starts at Finnair Basic. 

If you earn enough points, you can earn Finnair Plus lifetime, meaning you will never be downgraded!

Here are the different Finnair Plus tiers along with equivalent OneWorld tier status:

Membership Benefits:

Finnair Plus Baggage Benefits:

Finnair Plus Airport Services Benefits:

Onboard Benefits:

You can upgrade your travel class by logging into the Finnair app to view the available options. You can also upgrade to business class at the airport, but you will only get the class and not the benefits at the airport, like lounge access. However, if you want to upgrade from premium economy to business, you will need to phone customer service. 

Landing and Arrival

We made up time in the air and landed at Helsinki just slightly delayed. The bags came out very fast, and the queue for passport control was short. It took a while at passport control. The Finnish border force always asks lots of questions. We left the airport in good time and met our transfer easily.

Conclusion

I would definitely recommend choosing Finnair for both short-haul and long-haul flights. A return flight from London Heathrow to Helsinki starts at £167 in Economy Class and £547 in Business Class, including all taxes and charges.

The post REVIEW: Finnair Business Class Heathrow to Helsinki – Part 1 appeared first on Turning left for less.

I have booked quite a few stays and flights for other people recently, so I thought it could be worth a quick run-through on which companies allow this and how you do it. It is interesting that some airlines such as BA, allow you to book for anyone using your account online, which makes it easier for fraud, whereas some hotels make it hard to book a room for someone else.

Airlines

British Airways

Can I book for someone else? Yes. It is very simple and easy to do from your account.

How do I do this? Simply book an Avios flight with the passenger’s name and remember to fill in the question which says is the person paying travelling on this booking (no)?

Can I transfer my Avios to someone else or share them? It is very easy to share a small amount of Avios with someone as you can transfer up to 27,000 Avios to another Executive Club Member each calendar year. There is a charge, but it is relatively small now at a flat fee of £15. The other alternative, if you wish to do it regularly, is a household account which is for up to 6 people. There are some drawbacks to this such as Avios being taken from each person in proportion to their balances each time you make a booking. Also people in the account can’t use their Avios for people outside the household account. You can no longer just use your own Avios to book. You can read about household accounts here. 

Virgin Atlantic

Can I book for someone else? Yes

How do I do this? Just book as normal on the Virgin website.

Can I transfer my Virgin Points to someone else or share them? The person you are transferring points to must be a Flying Club member and you will need the details of their Flying Club account to complete the transfer. The minimum number of points you can transfer is 1,000 and Points can be transferred in increments of 1,000. The maximum points that can be transferred in a calendar year is 100,000. However, there is a hefty fee to do it – £75 to transfer 10,000 points for example. 

Flying Club Gold members can transfer points free of charge to make a reward booking. They can also create a Household Account and link a maximum of nine Flying Club memberships with the same household address as the Gold member. All points earned by Household account members will automatically transfer to the Gold member’s account, but each member will earn their own Tier Points towards earning status.

Hotels

Marriott Bonvoy

I recently booked a Marriott stay for someone else, and it was quite a faff, but at least it means your account is reasonably secure if your account got hacked. The stays are known as a gifted stay and 

Can I book for someone else? Yes anyone.

How do I do this? This is only available by phone to your local Marriott centre (numbers on this page). You will have to go through security questions to establish that it is your account, and then the room gets booked in both names even if you are not staying, which is very odd. 

I found the process as painful as having teeth extracted! The person I spoke to had very poor English and did not seem to understand me. Everything took forever for her to do and then despite spelling and saying the name of the person multiple times including phonetically which was a very simple, common name) she managed to spell it as a completely different name! I can only hope it was a new member of staff and that it is not normally this bad. When I called the same number back to have the spelling corrected, they were much better, thankfully. 

Can I transfer my Marriott points to someone else or share them? You can transfer your Marriott Bonvoy® Points to another Member’s Account, but only by contacting Marriott via phone directly (find the number here Customer Support Page) 

Both Marriott Bonvoy® Accounts must be in good-standing and have each been open for at least thirty (30) days with Qualifying Activity, ninety (90) days without Qualifying Activity. The minimum Transfer amount is 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Points. You can transfer up to a maximum of 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Points, per calendar year, to other Accounts. A Member can receive up to a maximum of 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy® Points, per calendar year, from other Member Accounts, as long as the Accounts are in good-standing and have each been open for at least thirty (30) days with Qualifying Activity, ninety (90) days without Qualifying Activity.

Hilton Honors

Can I book for someone else? Yes, but also by transferring “pooling” the points to them.

How do I do this? Simply transfer the points as per below and then they can book themselves.  Or you can call Reservations and book the stay yourself. Make sure their name and information (phone no, address, email) is on the stay so that they can check in. Ask the reservationists to place a note in the comments section detailing that the stay is a gift (example: John Smith is gifting this stay to his daughter Jane Smith for the amount of 40,000 points.) This way, if there is any confusion about the account holder not being present the hotel should be able to check the notes and determine that the stay is not fraud.

Can I transfer my Honors points to someone else or share them? Points Pooling allows Hilton Honors Members to combine their Points with family and friends to book a stay. With this perk, a Member (and up to 10 others) will now be able to combine their Points. You can combine Points, free of charge, with up to 11 other people into one account. That person could then book a reward stay. 

IHG Rewards

Can I book for someone else? Yes

How do I do this? You can book a Reward Night for someone else by making a booking via IHG’s website or the IHG One Rewards App and then adding an additional name to the reservation.

Can I transfer my points to someone else or share them? Yes, IHG One Rewards points can be transferred to another IHG One Rewards member in 1,000-point increments for a fee of $5 USD per 1,000 points. To transfer points, visit the Transfer Points page.

World of Hyatt

Can I book for someone else? Yes

How do I do this? The best option is for top-tier Globalist status members who can use the Guest of Honor benefit to give others similar perks to themselves.  Hyatt allows you to make award bookings online, but you’ll need to phone agent to add someone else to the reservation. If you are not gold technically you could book the stay for yourself with a second guest but some countries are funny about the second guest checking in on their own, so you’d be better off transferring points if you can. 

Can I transfer my points to someone else or share them? Hyatt points can be transferred to any other member for free by filling in this form. You can only make a transfer once every 30 days. However, both accounts must have had one stay in the last 12 months. 

The post Can I use my hotel points, Avios or Virgin Points to pay for someone else or transfer them? appeared first on Turning left for less.

I flew with Ryanair last week on my way back from a lovely short trip to Ibiza. You can read about my flight on the way out with EasyJet here. 

Although Ryanair may not be the airline that springs to mind when you think of luxury air travel, they’ve actually just been named the most reliable airline in the UK (along with Jet2), so how bad can it really be to fly with them? At least you may actually get there!  After all, prices are much higher if you visit Ibiza in August, especially if you plan on visiting the clubs. This leaves less budget for air travel…

Because we were flying to Bristol Airport, the main airline choices were EasyJet, Ryanair and Jet2. This flight left at a convenient time for us to do a 4-hour train journey and the Bristol Airport flyer bus while still getting home in a day.

Buying the Tickets

The Ryanair app isn’t as good as other airline apps such as EasyJet, but it fits the purpose. I usually prefer to book my Ryanair tickets direct but on my laptop as I find the website easier to navigate.

We paid £60.85 each for our tickets (a single from Ibiza to Bristol) plus €50 x2 for bags.

A basic Ryanair flight ticket includes no allocated seating and a 40x40x25cm hand luggage allowance.

Extra fees include:

Seating

• Extra Legroom Seats: €/£14 – €/£30 (Row 1, 2 (D,E,F) & 16-17)
• Front Row Seats: €/£7 – €/£19 (Rows 2 (A,B,C) – 5)
• Seat Allocation Choice: €/£3 – €/£15 (Rows 6-15 & 18-33). Families get a discount on seat allocation because it’s mandatory on Ryanair. The cost ranges from €/£4 – €/£6 per flight.

Priority Boarding

Priority boarding on Ryanair means you can board the plane first AND take two cabin bags on board. The cost of this depends on the flight route and varies from €/£8 to €/£30.

Baggage

10kg Check-in Bag: €/£12.00- €/£25.00

20kg Check-in Bag: €/£17.99 – €/£50.00 (we paid €50 per bag)

Any special equipment, from bikes to musical instruments, also has an extra cost. You can view more about the Ryanair Fees here.

Check-In

After forgetting my bag… and having to get a taxi back to the hotel, we had just 2 hours left until the scheduled departure time. At this point, there were no queues at the Ryanair check-in desk, and we went straight ahead and checked our bags in. After a short walk upstairs to security, we found there were also minimal queues. Considering this is Ibiza in August after the pandemic, I was surprised! Security took just 10 minutes, leaving us 1 hour to explore the Ibiza airport shops.

Our gate was called slightly late, but when we were all sitting in the departure room, we discovered that the plane had not yet landed in Ibiza. We waited around 45-minutes before boarding the plane. 

Boarding

Priority boarding and those who’d booked special assistance were called first. This resulted in yet another queue at the plane door rather than ‘priority boarding’. We were then told that we’d missed our air traffic control slot and we could be on the plane for an extra hour before takeoff. This ended up being around 30 minutes.

Takeoff

After landing in Ibiza at night, the takeoff was stunning. We had panoramic views across the islands of Ibiza and Formentera. The views continued across Spain until they were covered by clouds.

Seats and Cabin

Due to my travel companion needing special assistance, we were seated in 5A and 5B. These seats had additional legroom and a surprising amount of space for a Ryanair flight. I was initially seated separately, but the airline staff moved me as soon as we boarded the plane. However, this was slightly awkward when the people who’d booked my seat originally boarded!

Food and Drink

The Ryanair food and drink menu is available on the app or online, accessed by scanning a QR code on the plane seat. I didn’t find this as good as the EasyJet menu experience, where you can browse the menu without looking at a screen. I often have my phone in the overhead compartment, meaning I cannot browse the menu.

Hot food orders were taken swiftly as soon as the plane had finished takeoff. There was then a long wait for the food to be cooked and brought over. Once the food is brought over, you can purchase any additional snacks or turn your hot food order into a meal deal. I opted for green olives, Coke and the pizza and chips meal.

Bristol Airport Arrival

We landed in Bristol around 1 hour late. The flight somehow managed to make up time in the air. After reading on the news about long waits for baggage at Bristol airport, I didn’t have many expectations. The plane was offloaded swiftly, but we were left waiting another 30 minutes for a special assistance vehicle to become available. Once we arrived at the terminal, our baggage was going around by itself. We made a quick exit and caught the Bristol Airport Flyer to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station, which runs every 30-minutes.

The Aftermath and Final Verdict

Aside from the flight delays and delays boarding and disembarking the plane, I had a good experience flying with Ryanair. The extra legroom seats were spacious, and there was a large variety of food on offer. We were also able to book a morning flight, meaning we could get home all in 1 day. I wouldn’t say that Ryanair is ‘the most reliable airline in the UK’, but it serves a purpose for those looking for budget flight tickets and getting from A to B.

The post Ryanair Ibiza to Bristol Review – does reliability and cost outweight the rest? appeared first on Turning left for less.

American Airlines has just announced their very own flagship suite seats on their A321XLR and B787-9 aircraft (long haul) beginning in 2024 and will start phasing out long-haul first class seats.

AA was the first U.S. airline to introduce premium-economy seats back in 2016. In August this year, the news was announced that American was planning to ditch its first class and replace it with a new business class on both transcontinental and international flights. 

If you choose to travel in a new Flagship Suite® seat, you’ll get a private privacy door and more storage space for your belongings to give the experience of a private premium retreat in the sky! Each seat can also recline into a fully flat bed for added comfort, and you’ll benefit from many other luxurious touches too.

Flagship Suite® seat fliers will also have access to the Chaise Lounge, which is also being redesigned. The new Flagship Suite® seat layout will be a 1-1 configuration.

Vice President of American Airlines Julie Rath commented on the announcement:

“We are enhancing the customer experience across their entire journey with American. The arrival of new long-haul aircraft and the customized seat design of the Flagship Suite® seat will offer customers a truly private premium experience on our long-haul fleet.”

As well as the new luxury seating options, AA fliers will benefit from a new and improved aircraft design by Teague on the Boeing 777-300ER fleet, which aims to increase the customer experience further. Previews show dark carpets paired with gold accents.

If you want to upgrade your flying experience without the means of upgrading to a Flagship Suite® seat, AA is also increasing the number of Premium economy seats available on its aircraft. Travellers will benefit from more storage space, large armrests between seats and increased privacy compared with economy seats. 

However, you can use Avios to fly on American Airlines or of course their own AAdvantage loyalty program,  Get started saving your Avios today and you may have enough points to bag a Suite by 2024!

American has no plans to update its 777-200 or 787-8 aircraft, where business class and premium economy layouts will remain.

Each aircraft will have the following seat layout:

 Boeing 787-9 aircraft: 1 Flagship Suite® seat and 32 Premium Economy seats

 Airbus A321XLR aircraft: 20 Flagship Suite® seats and 12 Premium Economy seats.

American Airlines will also modify its A321T fleet to match the domestic A321 fleet. These aircraft will no longer be used on transcontinental flights. 

By 2026 you can expect a 45% increase in premium seating on AA’s long-haul aircraft thanks to these upgrades.

If you can’t wait to try out the new Flagship Suite® seats, the new configurations are expected to be launched in 2022 on new aircraft, with the improvements to existing aircraft expected to be finished by 2025-2026.

As yet we don’t know what routes these are likely to be on. American Airlines has a good business class seat already from the UK with all aisle access seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. They already use B777-300 to London so it’s a fair bet we will see the new seats to the UK.

The service on AA is consistent although the crew can sometimes seem quite brusque but they are usually very efficient. Plus of course there’s those ice cream sundaes too! 

It remains to be seen if Flagship First dining is also phased out since it caters for First class passengers on international routes. AA has not made any announcements yet but some bloggers believe it will live on. I hope they are right! 

The post NEWS: American Airlines Introduces New Flagship Suite® Seats and Adds More Premium Economy Seating appeared first on Turning left for less.