Travel News | Travel Advice

Richard Branson, boss of Virgin has again gone on the offensive against claims of “monopolistic” practices against its long haul rival British Airways.

The “No Way BA / AA” campaign has, in the past, been used to successfully block British Airways and American Airlines’ plans to secure transatlantic anti-trust immunity.

The slogan has been added to one of the airlines Airbus A340-600 planes and Branson expects to roll this out to more aircraft, vowing to do “whatever it takes” to block the proposed deal. Branson feels that “if this monster monopoly is approved it will be third time unlucky for consumers. It will be bad for passengers, bad for competition and bad for the UK and US aviation industry.

BA and American, along with 3 other oneworld alliance members made a formal application for anti-trust immunity for their transatlantic operations in August.

If you are planning your next family holiday abroad and have youngsters or teenagers to keep entertained then consider travelling with Thomson.

The tour operator has a number of properties (which can be found in its’ Summer and Winter Sun brochures) which offer activities for a wide range of ages.

Called the Thomson Family Club, they promise to offer the “Ultimate Family Holiday”.

Within this club ages are separated into Tots for the 3-5 year olds, Team for the 6-8 year olds and Tribe for the 9-12 year olds.

If you are lucky enough to secure a holiday in a hotel offering the Thomson FamilyClub Xtra the benefits are extended.

You will receive benefits such as:

Babyzone – a quiet sanctuary where babies can be fed, changed and entertained in a room fully equipped by Mothercare and Hasbro.

There is a Football Academy open to girls and boys aged 5-16 years old, ideal for all budding Beckhams.

Kids are entertained with a dedicated entertainer and can learn circus skills and tricks, watch puppet shows and create model balloons.

There is a Stage Academy where kids receive singing and dancing lessons and get to perform infront of an audience, open for kids 5-16.

Finally there is a VIP Family Club, where children join the Thomson Dogs’ VIP Gang, offering front row seats to story time plus membership to the Thomson Dogs’ fan club and a VIP party for the whole family.

The Thomson Family Club Xtra range is available in properties in Majorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Zante.

The Thomson Family Club Range is available in properties in Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Tenerife, Costa Dorada, Costa Brava, Aiya Napa.

More information can be found by visiting www.thomson.co.uk or by viewing the Thomson Summer Collection 2009 brochure.