The Flight Detective, Author at TravelUpdate

Should you stay at a newly opened hotel or is it too risky?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Oct 15, 2020 | Hotels | 4

Recently I was looking at hotels for a forthcoming trip, and noticed Booking.com showed no reviews for one of the options I was interested in. Heading over to the hotel web site, I found they were offering 50% off rooms as they are a newly opened hotel. While I travel frequently enough, I’m fairly ambivalent when it comes to selecting a hotel. It is literally down to the price point, location and whether it looks pleasant. The Newly Opened Hotel Or Somewhere Else? If all goes well, I will be spending a night in Adelaide, South Australia. Hotel prices...

Flash Sale! Aer Lingus flat €9.99 for kids tickets for 48 hours!

Posted by The Flight Detective | Oct 14, 2020 | Airlines, Deals | 0

I think we have officially moved into the desperation phase when it comes to airlines. Ireland’s Aer Lingus is now offering kids tickets for a flat €9.99 across their entire European network. This is extremely good value and will make travel for a family quite cheap. Frankly, I can’t remember having seen anything like this in the past, but not having children, it wouldn’t be something to stick in my mind. Aer Lingus Kids Tickets These tickets are available to book for 48 hours only, which means Wednesday 14 October and Thursday 15 October 2020. The price is a...

Will you switch your business when Alaska Airlines join oneworld in 2021?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Oct 13, 2020 | Airlines, News | 6

I’m a little bit happy that Alaska Airlines is joining the oneworld alliance. The Seattle based airline set a very aggressive date to join oneworld and now they have announced exactly when. With a reputation for quality and service, it will be great to have them in the alliance. Everyone seems to have a good word to say about them and their Mileage Plan frequent flyer programme is considered top notch. Alaska To Join Oneworld The Alaska Airlines blog states the official joining date will be 31 March 2021. From then, people can start earning miles and all the...

Does anyone remember the long range Airbus A340?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Oct 11, 2020 | Airlines | 4

The Airbus A340 was originally the flagship in the European manufacturer’s product line until the advent of the Airbus A380. With its four engines and long-range capability, it saw service with many airlines around the world. Developed in tandem with the Airbus A330, it first flew on 25 October 1991. Lufthansa and Air France put the aircraft into service from 15 March 1993. With a range of 12,400 to 16,670 kilometres, it formed an important part of many airlines fleets. Airbus A340 Video Following on from the last video about the de Havilland Dash 7, this week we return...

It will take me three days to fly to Australia and here’s why!

Posted by The Flight Detective | Oct 10, 2020 | Airlines | 4

A trip from Europe to Australia usually takes around 24 hours with good flight connections. In my case, it’s going to take me around three days to make the journey, a very long time indeed. With the pandemic wreaking havoc on airline schedules, I’ve been through quite a number of changes to my original trip. Collapsing demand for travel means airlines are adjusting the amount of flights they are operating on a regular basis, moving the goal posts for people with bookings. Three Days Or Bust! For my long haul journey, I am booked from Stockholm to Adelaide via...

Where have you been to the airport but not visited the city?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Oct 9, 2020 | Airlines | 20

People who fly a lot have the dubious distinction of having been to the airport of a particular city, but not to the city itself. With the hub and spoke model that is popular in places such as the USA, I imagine this is pretty common. I do wonder if people count having touched the airport as actually having visited the country. Being in transit probably doesn’t count, but if you arrive, stay overnight in an airport hotel and leave again, have you been there? Where I’ve Been To The Airport But Not The City Auckland, New Zealand springs...

48 Hour Flash Sale: Aer Lingus USA and Canada under €200 return

Posted by The Flight Detective | Oct 8, 2020 | Airlines, Deals | 0

Ireland’s Aer Lingus is currently running a 48 hour flash sale on flights to the United States and Canada. These fares are quite competitive and are in economy class, leaving from Dublin and Shannon. Aer Lingus offers free unlimited changes on all fare types (though you may need to pay the fare difference, if any) through to 31 May 2021. There are also other options for vouchers and refunds, but these depend on the fare and circumstances, so check the rules before purchase. 48 Hour Flash Sale Details The sale runs for the entire day of Thursday 8 October...

Limited offer: British Airways £999 return business class tickets

Posted by The Flight Detective | Oct 8, 2020 | Airlines, Deals | 0

British Airways have sent their last two Boeing 747-400s into retirement, with the final aircraft leaving Heathrow this morning. To mark the occasion, they have 747 Club World return business class tickets on sale for £999. This is a very good deal, even if there are only 747 of them available. There are plenty of places you can fly, all of which were previously served with the jumbo jet. Return Business Class Destinations You can secure these tickets in Club World for the following destinations. Atlanta, Austin, Nashville, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, Charleston, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles,...

Nail biting landing and take-off from the shortest runway in the world

Posted by The Flight Detective | Oct 7, 2020 | Airlines | 6

The Dutch Caribbean island of Saba has a runway of just 400 metres or 1,312 feet long. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport might have the shortest runway in the world for regular passenger service. With cliffs at either end, it is not for the faint hearted. Scheduled services are operated by Winair, which is short for Winward Islands Airways, who operate to Saint Barthélemy (St. Barts), Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten using the Twin Otter. Shortest Runway In The World Video The video below runs for just over two minutes and shows one of the aircraft landing and taking off....

Best deal ever? 50% off reward flights with British Airways

Posted by The Flight Detective | Oct 6, 2020 | Airlines, Deals | 0

Members of the British Airways Executive Club are currently being treated by the airline. From today, the amount of Avios required to book reward flights have been substantially reduced. This is easily the best deal seen in quite a long time for frequent flyers at the oneworld carrier. You had better get in quick though as it’s a limited time offer. Reward Flights Deal Those wanting to take long-haul flights can now do it for half price. A full 50% has been taken off the usual amount of Avios required for travel. For example, return flights from London Heathrow...