Travel News | Travel Advice

As a reaction to the economic downturn and falling passenger numbers, Aer Lingus has revealed plans to cut flights from its Winter 2009/ 2010 schedule. Flights affected will be from the airlines 2 major bases, Dublin and Belfast.

Winter flights from Belfast to the popular European destinations of Paris, Rome, Milan, Faro and Barcelona will be dropped entirely during the winter months. Passengers will only be able to travel to London Heathrow, Malaga, Murcia, Munich, Lanzarote and Tenerife from Belfast with Aer Lingus and just 2 aircraft will service these destinations.

On a positive note, Aer Lingus has confirmed that no jobs will be lost from Belfast Airport as a result of these cuts, and has also revealed that all cabin crew and pilot’s positions are safe.

Aer Lingus’ main base of Dublin, in Southern Ireland will also see flight withdrawals, but the airline has not yet revealed which are to be removed. Drastic action needs to be taken in order to substantially reduce the airlines’ operating costs. Aer Lingus reported a loss of 120 million Euros in 2008 and looks set to make a further loss in 2009.

Aer Lingus continues to face stiff competition from budget airlines such as Irish carrier Ryanair.

Cheap flights are currently at the forefront of every passengers mind, as the credit crunch continues to bite both holiday makers and business travellers alike. However, there are still people who look for a more premium experience when travelling abroad. In a reponse to meet this need British Airways has recently opened its newest lounge at Heathrow. Based in terminal 3 and called “Galleries” the lounge is available to not only BA passengers, but also oneworld alliance passengers travelling with a BA codeshare partner.

This modern and stylish lounge is available to the airlines First, Club World and Club World Europe passengers and offers a bar sering a wide range of quality, premium alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. Snacks are available and there is also a coffee house. The loung is split into zones for the increased comfort of passengers, so there is a news zone, quiet work zone and a (not so quiet) kids zone.

The lounge is available for passengers travelling on British Airways and oneworld alliance flights  to and from Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, Helsinki, Malaga and Vienna.