Tag: Travel

From the Boroughs to the ‘Burgh

JetBlue flights from New York to Edinburgh taking off

Daily non-stop seasonal service from New York to Edinburgh introduces the airline’s award winning Mint® and Core product offerings to its fifth transatlantic market

To celebrate launch, limited roundtrip fares starting at £399 and $499 in Core and £1999 and $2999 in Mint Available  

JetBlue has expanded its transatlantic offerings with new, non-stop flights to Edinburgh taking off from New York.

Daily summer-seasonal service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) will operate through September 30, 2024, bringing JetBlue’s signature low-fares and great service to the United Kingdom’s second most popular tourism destination.

This new service, only the second direct offering from New York’s JFK to Edinburgh, provides much needed competition for customers travelling in and out of New York.


“JetBlue has redefined transatlantic travel by introducing low fares and great service in markets dominated by high fare legacy carriers,” said Marty St. George, president, JetBlue.

“We look forward to connecting Scotland and the Northeast this summer with our award winning Mint and core service that will bring this signature JetBlue experience to Edinburgh.”

John Lamont, UK Government Minister for Scotland said: “Our relationship with the US is a special one. We welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to Scotland and the wider UK from North America every year and it’s also our top export market. This new direct JetBlue route from Edinburgh to New York City will really help strengthen links between our two great countries.

“Just last month, I walked down Sixth Avenue with other representatives from the UK Government as part of the annual Tartan Day celebrations in Manhattan, promoting our most important exports – whisky, energy and financial services, and our rich culture.

“This flight route will make it easier for visitors from the U.S. to come and see for themselves what a uniquely attractive destination we have here, while also easing travel for Scottish visitors wanting to explore the Big Apple and beyond.”

“I’m delighted to see JetBlue’s new Edinburgh to New York JFK flight take off, as it will help enhance Scotland’s direct connectivity to the US and strengthen important links for business connectivity, exports, and inbound tourism,” said Jim Fairlie, Connectivity Minister.

“This is the first time JetBlue has served Scotland and it demonstrates the confidence they have in the Scottish market. It also strengthens Edinburgh Airport’s case for establishing a U.S. pre-clearance border facility to help make travel more seamless and provide added benefits for Scottish businesses and visitors.

“I wish Edinburgh Airport and JetBlue every success with the new service, and I am sure it will be welcomed by travelers in both Scotland and the US.”

“We are excited to welcome JetBlue to Scotland with the launch of this new direct service. North America is our most valuable international visitor market, and we are seeing record levels of demand here, welcoming almost one million visitors last year, surpassing not only pre-pandemic levels but also other parts of the UK,” said Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland.

“We know these visitors are drawn to Scotland for a variety of reasons from our dramatic landscapes to our rich history and culture and warm people, with Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital offering a well-connected gateway for exploring the rest of the country. 

“These visitors who often stay longer and spend more, are hugely important to Scotland’s tourism industry and wider economy supporting businesses, jobs and communities and why making it as easy as possible for people to visit here with direct access is key. 

“Following a difficult few years for the travel and tourism industry, we are delighted to be working with new partner JetBlue to promote this new direct service and encourage more US visitors to choose Scotland for their next holiday.”  

Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport. “We are excited to see another new airline and tailfin as JetBlue adds Edinburgh Airport to its fast-growing European network.

“Transatlantic travel from Edinburgh has been a real success story and adding more capacity to New York opens up another route for passengers to travel to and from Scotland and the USA, bringing our two countries even closer together.

“It’s always great to see a new airline make its home in Edinburgh and we are really looking forward to welcoming JetBlue’s passengers and our new colleagues to Scotland’s capital.”

Schedule between New York (JFK) and Edinburgh (EDI)

Daily seasonal service starting May 22 (Eastbound) & May 23 (Westbound)(through September 30, 2024)*all times local
JFK-EDI Flight #73EDI-JFK Flight #72
9:12 p.m. – 9:30 a.m. (+1)12:30 p.m. – 3:06 p.m.

Flights to Edinburgh will operate daily on JetBlue’s Airbus A321neo with Mint aircraft with 16 redesigned Mint Suite® seats, 144 core seats and Airbus’ Enhanced Cabin with XL Bins. The A321neo with Mint features an average 20 percent increase in fuel efficiency and up to 500 nautical miles in additional range.

The JetBlue Experience

JetBlue, currently the sixth largest airline in the U.S., is known for its unique, customer-focused model that offers great service at an attractive fare. With this new destination, JetBlue is once again disrupting transatlantic service with an elevated experience specially designed for its Airbus A321neo with Mint aircraft.

The airline’s Mint premium experience offers customers fully lie-flat private suites and a custom-designed seat cushion developed by innovative mattress company Tuft & Needle. In addition to countless intuitive design touches, every customer will feel at home in the air with the stylish and reusable Mint amenity kits designed by Caraa, containing popular wellness products from New York-based brands Dr. Dennis Gross and Plus Ultra, and sleep amenities by Tuft & Needle.

Mint customers enjoy delicious, restaurant-style small plates curated by Delicious Hospitality Group’s (DHG) popular New York City restaurants Legacy Records, Charlie Bird and Pasquale Jones. Their inventive culinary style and hospitality expertise brings the best inflight dining experience to Mint tray tables.

JetBlue’s industry-leading core experience offers a new level of service to customers who want an elevated inflight experience at an attractive fare with the most legroom in coach1 as well as innovative, fresh meals by NYC-based culinary partner DIG and a free selection of brand-name snacks, soft drinks, coffee, tea, beer, wine and liquor.

With the recently launched platform, Blueprint by JetBlue™, customers in both core and Mint enjoy a personalized inflight experience through AVANT seatback touchscreens, featuring new ways to watch, save and discover a robust selection of inflight entertainment, including exclusive content from JetBlue’s streaming partner, Peacock. All customers also stay connected throughout the flight with fast, free and unlimited high-speed Fly-Fi2 for a multi-screen experience–just like they enjoy at home.

Book better with JetBlue

To celebrate the launch of new service to Edinburgh, seats are on sale today with low fares for U.S.-originating travelers starting at $499 round-trip for the airline’s awardwinning core experience and starting at $2,999 for JetBlue’s premium Mint experience. Scotland-originating travelers can enjoy special introductory round-trip fares starting at £399 for core and £1,999 for Mint available on jetblue.com3

Customers who book directly through jetblue.com are guaranteed to find our lowest fares and enjoy additional benefits including access to all of JetBlue’s fare options, as well as fare sales and promotions, some of which may not be available through other third parties; the ability to earn 2x TrueBlue points and participate in Points Pooling; seamless seat selections and upgrades to Even More® Space; 24/7 direct access to JetBlue’s customer service channels; and more.

About JetBlue

JetBlue is New York’s Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue, known for its low fares and great service, carries customers to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and Europe. For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com.

1) Based on baseline seat pitch of transatlantic aircraft

2)  Fly-Fi® is available on all JetBlue-operated flights. Coverage area may vary by aircraft. Details on inflight wi-fi and entertainment: https://www.jetblue.com/flying-with-us

3) New York (JFK) to Edinburgh (EDI) requires round-trip purchase & 3-night minimum stay. Book by 5/24. Travel 5/28/2024 – 7/31/2024. 3-day advance purchase required. Terms apply. 

Revealed: The best months to fly to avoid delays

  • February has the lowest average flight delay time, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport offering the best punctuality for that month
  • July has the longest average delays, but Southend Airport has the shortest delays during this month
  • London City Airport offers the lowest average delay times overall

Based on new research, February is officially the best month to fly to avoid long delay times, when there was an average delay of only 10 minutes during 2023.[1] Meanwhile, July had average delays of 24 minutes in the study, making it the least punctual month for air travel.

Go.Compare analysed 2023 flight travel data for 25 UK airports to reveal the best time of year for reduced flight delays. It also analysed which airports offer the fewest delays for each month.

Winter emerged as the best season to travel, with February, November, and January topping the list for the lowest average delay times. Liverpool John Lennon, Southend, and East Midlands International Airport were the most reliable during these months, with average delays of less than 15 minutes.[2]

Best time of year for reduced flight delays:

RankMonthAverage delay (mins)% Cancelled flightsAirport with the fewest delaysAverage delay (mins)
1February102%Liverpool (John Lennon)6
2November121%Southend8
3January132%East Midlands International9
4April151%Southend6
5May172%London City12
6October182%East Midlands International11
7September202%Belfast City (George Best)13
8December202%London City15
9March222%Southampton11
10June222%Exeter14
11August233%Teesside International14
12July242%Southend13

August and July proved to be the least reliable months for timely travel, with average delay times below 25 minutes. But if flyers do decide to travel during the summer months, Teesside International and Southend are the most reliable, offering average delays of only 14 and 13 minutes respectively.

Overall, out of all the airports explored, London City was crowned the most punctual over the whole of 2023, with the average flight delay time lasting only 13 minutes.

Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert for Go.Compare, said: “It’s clear that the off-peak months are better for flight punctuality. The summer months are incredibly popular among passengers. This, along with unpredictable summer weather, means that airports are more likely to suffer from delays.

“But our figures also show that some airports are more punctual than others. If you can, try to fly from an airport which sees fewer delays to minimise your chances of encountering setbacks.

“Making sure that you’re equipped to deal with unexpected delays is key. From organising travel insurance to knowing who to contact in the event of a delay, being proactive can ease the stress of unexpected disruptions so you can enjoy a smoother journey overall.”

More information about the research is available on Go.Compare’s website.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines unveils new 2025/26 programme from Rosyth with chance to win £1,000 cruise voucher

 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has unveiled its brand new cruise programme for 2025/26, featuring a host of specially-timed sailings where guests can embrace the local way of life, seek out native wildlife and witness spectacular natural wonders.

The new programme from Rosyth has been carefully curated to ensure guests are visiting destinations at the very best time of year with opportunities to witness spectacular waterfalls and geysers in Iceland, visit Europe’s biggest sea shanty festival and explore the enchanting islands of Arctic Norway.

To celebrate the launch, guests who book a cruise from the new 2025/26 Worldwide programme between 5th and 12th March 2024, have the chance to win up to £1,000 off a cruise of their choice. Five runners up will also win a £200 voucher to use towards a future cruise booking. *

Destinations include the Mediterranean and North Africa, the Baltic, Arctic Norway, Iceland and Greenland, the British Isles and far-flung gems in the Caribbean, South America, Africa and Australia.

Martin Lister, Head of Itinerary Planning and Destination Experiences at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “This has been a phenomenal programme for our team of Journey Planners to curate, as it will see our fleet of smaller-sized ships visit all seven continents of the world.

“Guests who join us on board in 2025 and 2026 can expect to see some breathtaking scenery including eye-catching fjord mountains, dramatic coastlines, icebergs, remote islands and beautiful bays.

“They can visit captivating cities, fairytale castles and charming old towns packed with ornate and striking architecture and experience natural phenomena such as the Northern Lights, the Midnight Sun, stunning sunsets and flowers in bloom at the very best time to see them.

“Some of the highlights include chances to visit the beautiful Norwegian Fjords in the spring, when the waterfalls are at their strongest; to see fields of lavender and sunflowers in bloom in the French Riviera and enjoy a world cruise discovering idyllic islands and cities rich in culture.”

Guests can also look forward to a host of specially-curated activities on board, from chances to join an astronomer for stargazing on deck; to spot marine wildlife with conservation charity ORCA, or sample authentic flavours from the destinations they will visit.

Those making a booking can also take advantage of dedicated launch offers, with up to £20 per person per night to spend on board on selected five to 13-night cruises; the choice of up to £20 credit per person per night or free door-to-door transfers within up to 200 mainland miles from the port on sailings of 14 to 28 nights. There are also a series of dedicated offers for solo travellers.

Rob Mason, Head of Cruise at Capital Cruising, said: “Congratulations to the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines team as they launch an exciting new cruise programme.

“The Port of Rosyth offers the perfect regional location for people who can depart from here and cruise directly to many brilliant destinations with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

“This year will be our busiest cruise season on the River Forth and we are seeing cruise holidays increase in popularity in Scotland each year.

“We look forward to welcoming passengers to our ports and we would of course encourage anyone new to cruise, to book one of the many amazing itineraries to Europe or farther afield.”

Highlights of the 2025/26 cruise programme include:

Balmoral’s 10-night L2512 ‘Scenic Scottish Isles and the West Country’ cruise, departing from Rosyth on 7th June 2025. Prices start from £1,649 per person.

  • Enjoy scenic cruising of Scottish islands such as Fingal’s Cave
  • Experience the foot-tapping Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival
  • Visit the Gardens of Heligan or Eden Project

Itinerary: Rosyth, Scotland – Cruising by Duncansby Stacks, Scotland – Cruising by The Needle, Scotland – Cruising by Old Man of Hoy, Scotland – Lerwick, Scotland – Cruising by the Small Isles, Scotland – Cruising by Dutchman’s Cap (Bac Mor), Scotland – Cruising by Fingal’s Cave, Scotland – St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly – Falmouth, England – Dartmouth, England – Portsmouth, England – Rosyth, Scotland
For more details: Visit L2512 ‘Scenic Scottish Isles and the West Country’

Midnight Sun

Balmoral’s 10-night L2513 ‘Norway’s Arctic Islands and Mountainous Vistas’ cruise, departing from Rosyth on 17th June 2025. Prices start from £1,599 per person.

  • Explore Arctic Norway in the summertime
  • Witness the Midnight Sun and see Torghatten
  • Travel along the iconic Atlantic Ocean Road

Itinerary: Rosyth, Scotland – Crossing the Arctic Circle, Norway – Cruising by Reine, Lofoten, Norway – Leknes, Norway – Svolvær, Norway – Cruising Tjeldsundet Strait, Norway – Tromsø, Norway – Sortland, Vesteralen, Norway – Cruising by Seven Sisters Mountain Range, Norway – Cruising by Torghatten, Norway – Kristiansund, Norway – Rosyth, Scotland
For more details: Visit L2513 ‘Norway’s Arctic Islands and Mountainous Vistas’

Tallin

Balmoral’s 14-night L2514 ‘Fairytale Castles and Old Towns of the Baltic’ cruise, departing from Rosyth on 27th June 2025. Prices start from £2,099 per person.

  • Discover the enchanting cities of Riga, Tallinn and Copenhagen
  • Immerse yourself in Estonian life at the Song and Dance Festival
  • Uncover the Hanseatic history of the Baltic region

Itinerary: Rosyth, Scotland – Cruising Kiel Canal, Germany – Copenhagen, Denmark – Warnemünde, Germany – Riga, Latvia – Tallinn, Estonia (overnight stay) – Klaipėda, Lithuania – Rosyth, Scotland
For more details: Visit L2514 ‘Fairytale Castles and Old Towns of the Baltic’

Balmoral in Rouen, on the river Seine

Balmoral’s 13-night L2516 ‘French Rivers with Normandy and Bordeaux’ cruise, departing from Rosyth on 20th July 2025. Prices start from £1,899 per person.

  • Sail along the picturesque River Seine, only possible on smaller ships
  • Join a tour to France’s capital and experience Parisian life
  • Discover the enigmatic Mont Saint-Michel from St Malo 

Itinerary: Rosyth, Scotland – La Pallice (for La Rochelle), France – Bordeaux, France (overnight stay) – Getxo, Spain – St Malo, France – Cruising River Seine, France – Rouen, France (overnight stay) – Honfleur, France – Rosyth, Scotland
For more details: Visit L2516 ‘French Rivers with Normandy and Bordeaux’

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 2025/26 sailings, visit www.fredolsencruises.com/new-cruise-programme

Book online or call Reservations on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.

Travel searches to Edinburgh soar with launch of new series “One Day”  

New series “One Day” has taken the nation by storm, even influencing our travel choices. Travel search engine, KAYAK, has found there was a 69%* increase in UK flight searches to Edinburgh since the show aired, compared to a month prior. 

The series premiered on February 8th, giving viewers a glimpse into what makes Edinburgh the ultimate destination. Since then, there has been an uptake in travel searches to Edinburgh from various airports across the UK.

From the Old College at the University of Edinburgh, to Vennel Steps and Arthur’s Seat, there are several Scottish landmarks featured in the show and many other big and small screen classics, including T2 Trainspotting,  Burke & Hare and the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. 

According to KAYAK’s helpful “Best Time to Travel” tool, which provides insight into desired destinations, April is the perfect time to explore Scotland in spring. 

The website suggests that due to an average temperature circling around 8 degrees and the city being less crowded, those looking to explore Edinburgh should consider April as their month to take the plunge. 

For those seeking a touch of adventure, KAYAK recommends a trip to Edinburgh in August – with the city coming alive with festivals, theatre and an average temperature of 15 degrees.

The tool recommends the ideal time to visit in summer is specifically from the 26th – 29th August.

To find out more about travel tips, flights or accommodation, head to https://www.kayak.co.uk/

Jet2holidays adds hundreds of thousands of Free Child Place holidays

  • With the schools back, the UK’s largest tour operator expects a busy weekend from families looking to book their well-deserved holidays
  • Hundreds of thousands of Free Child Place holidays added across the school holidays in response to this demand – on top of millions already available
  • This means Jet2holidays has more Free Child Place holidays available than ever!

AHEAD of what is expected to be a busy weekendfor customers booking family holidays, Jet2holidays, the UK’s largest tour operator, has added hundreds of thousands of Free Child Place holidays across the 2024 school holidays.

The additions are on top of millions of Free Child Place Holidays that are already available. As a result, this means Jet2holidays has more Free Child Place holidays available than ever.

With customers booking their well-deserved holidays into the diary during the ‘peak’ booking period, the package holiday specialist expects this weekend to see lots of family holiday bookings, with demand traditionally increasing over the first weekend after the schools have returned following the Christmas break.

As well as reporting demand for late bookings for this winter, Jet2holidays has said that Summer 24, the company’s biggest ever summer programme is currently selling well.

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have over 17 million seats on sale to 60 destinations for Summer 24. As a result of this expanded programme, Jet2 will operate over 420 routes, including more than 50 that are brand-new, from across its 11 UK airports this coming summer – a huge expansion meaning unrivalled choice for holidaymakers.

Destinations enjoying popularity right now include the Canaries , Balearics, mainland Spain, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Italy, Malta and Bulgaria.

To help customers get the best deal, Jet2holidays launchedan offer from Boxing Day giving customers £50 per person off all holidays. The UK’s largest tour operator also announced that customers with a MyJet2 account can access exclusive savings – with a whopping £60 off per person on all holidays.

To book a place in the sunshine and enjoy an exclusive saving at the same time, customers can sign up for a MyJet2 account at https://www.jet2holidays.com/myjet2

The offer means that couples can save £100 if they book via the Jet2holidays website or contact centre (£120 off for MyJet2 members) and a family of four can enjoy £200 off a getaway (£240 off for MyJet2 members).

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “With the schools going back this week, we are seeing demand for family holidays increase as people get planning and booking their holidays.

“We are expecting more of this over the weekend, which is why we have put hundreds of thousands of extra Free Child Place holidays on sale, meaning we have never had so many Free Child Place holidays available, with millions up for grabs.

“As the UK’s largest tour operator we are looking forward to taking millions of new and existing customers away. Contrary to popular belief, there is not an endless amount of capacity on sale and with so many people flocking to book their well-deserved holidays, our advice is to act now before the best deals and best holidays are gone.”

Visit www.jet2.com or www.jet2holidays.com

If you are an independent travel agent and are interested in learning more about how you could benefit from working in partnership with Jet2holidays, please visit the company’s dedicated trade site: trade.jet2holidays.com

New for 2024: Explore the unexpected joys of Europe with new small group tours

Embrace a kaleidoscope of cultures with eight new tours of Europe from small group tour specialist, Rabbie’s. The three- and four-day tours offer round-trip adventures from continental hotspots Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Milan and Rome. The new Rabbie’s Europe tours begin in September 2024 and are available to book now.

Rabbie’s specialises in small group tours guided by storytellers to ensure the journeys and experiences live longer in travellers’ minds. In Europe, guests can look forward to making memories as they sample Mediterranean cuisines, take in Alpine vistas, follow the footsteps of Renaissance masters, practice flamenco and much more.

An ideal addition to any Europe holiday or a rich city break alternative, the new 2024 Europe tours include:

Rabbie’s three-day Masterpieces and Vistas: A Journey Through Tuscany tour

Guests can marvel at the finest collection of Italian Renaissance art and architecture in Florence, sip a glass of vino or two in Tuscany, or sit and watch as the world goes by at one of Italy’s loveliest squares, Piazza del Campo in Siena. Enjoy Orvieto, aquintessential Italian town perched on a volcanic plug, and wander around Pienza, the home of Pecorino Cheese, stunning Renaissance architecture and incredible Tuscan views.

This tour departs from Rome, and costs from €1,109 per adult.

Rabbie’s three-day Flavours of Catalonia tour

On this tour, travellers can explore Girona, a medieval walled city filled with incredible cuisine and stunning architecture, as well as feel the serenity of the old Benedictine priory perched on the slope of a magnificent mountain with a visit to Montserrat Monastery. Enjoy the lively atmosphere of Sitges with its great fresh seafood and impeccable views, then wind down with a visit to the charming coastal town of Cadaqués.

This tour departs from Barcelona, and costs from €919 per adult.

Rabbie’s three-day Summits and Shores: Vesuvius, Pompeii and Amalfi tour

Holidaymakers can stroll through Pompeii, the city that froze in time, and hike to the crater of the infamous Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that reshaped the ancient world. Wonder at the pastel-coloured houses, steep cliffs, azure seas and lemon groves of the glamorous Amalfi Coast before admiring Montecassino Abbey, dramatically perched atop a mountain, the working monastery and pilgrimage site is a centre of art, culture and learning.

This tour departs from Rome, and costs from €889 per adult.

Rabbie’s Europe tours avoid the crowds and let guests enjoy the true soul of the continent. Travelling on mini-coaches with an expert driver and guide, holidaymakers stay in hand-picked travel accommodation, choose the attractions they pay for, support local communities, and go beyond the guidebooks. 

Prices are for the tour only and, to offer complete flexibility, do not include flights, accommodation, attractions or dining.

For more information about Rabbie’s small-group tours in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland and to book, visit www.rabbies.com.

Jet2holidays reports record demand (up 150%) ahead of Sunshine Saturday with further boost expected

  • Jet2holidays CEO Steve Heapy: “The best rooms, best hotels and best destinations are booking fast, so book before they are gone!”

Jet2holidays have reported record levels of demand for holidays, with more customers than ever looking to book their well-deserved holidays into the diary during the period known traditionally as ‘peaks’ or the peak holiday booking period.

In the period between Boxing Day and today, the UK’s largest tour operator has seen bookings increase by approximately 150% compared to pre-Christmas, with both Summer 24 and late bookings for this winter proving to be popular.

Ten destinations enjoying popularity include the Canaries, Balearics, Mainland Spain, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Italy, Malta and Bulgaria – as customers flock to book a much-needed holiday. On top of great value and customer service, a booking trend noted by Jet2holidays is of customers booking durations outside of the traditional 7-, 10- and 14-night stays.

There is strong demand from families with millions of Free Child Place Holidays still available during the school holidays, and All-Inclusive bookings have also been enjoying strong growth. These types of holidays have seen a surge since Jet2holidays was named a Which? Recommended Provider for both Family Holidays and All-Inclusive Holidays just before Christmas.

This demand follows Jet2holidays launchingan offer from Boxing Day giving customers £50 per person off all holidays. The UK’s largest tour operator also announced that customers with a MyJet2 account can access exclusive savings – with a whopping £60 off per person on all holidays. To book a place in the sunshine and enjoy an exclusive saving at the same time, customers can sign up for a MyJet2 account at https://www.jet2holidays.com/myjet2

The offer means that couples can save £100 if they book via the Jet2holidays website or contact centre (£120 off for MyJet2 members) and a family of four can enjoy £200 off a getaway (£240 off for MyJet2 members).

As well as reporting record levels of demand since Boxing Day, Jet2holidays is gearing up for a busy weekend, with ‘Sunshine Saturday’ expected to see a further surge in holiday bookings. The company has a bigger team than ever ready to assist customers from their dedicated UK call centre, as customers use the first weekend in the New Year to lock in their holidays. 

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “This time of year has traditionally been the peak period for holiday bookings, and this is most definitely the case so far this year.

“We are seeing record levels of demand as customers jump at the chance to lock in their holidays, and we are expecting this demand for be even stronger over the coming weekend, both through our website and contact centre, as well as via independent travel agents.

“There is no doubt that our track record of providing industry-leading customer experience is fuelling this demand, with new and existing customers responding to our award-winning proposition.

“With the best rooms, best hotels and best destinations booking so fast, our message to customers is to book before they are gone.”

Visit www.jet2.com or www.jet2holidays.com

If you are an independent travel agent and are interested in learning more about how you could benefit from working in partnership with Jet2holidays, please visit the company’s dedicated trade site: trade.jet2holidays.com

Travel agency takes flight after employees’ talent recognised

AN EDINBURGH venue is highlighting its diverse workforce after one employee helped spark the founding of a new division of the business.

With a wide portfolio of businesses including a luxury hotel and city centre cafe, Surgeons Quarter, the commercial arm of The Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh (RCSEd), launched its own travel agency assisted by the skillset of one of its employees.

Justin Mackenzie began his career with Surgeons Quarter as a receptionist in its flagship hotel, Ten Hill Place Hotel, and worked his way up to Guest Services Manager before spearheading the opening of the organisation’s travel agency, SQ Travel after highlighting his previous experience in the sector.

Surgeons Quarter prides itself on providing unparalleled hospitality, as well as inspiring its employees to make a positive difference in and outside of the workplace.

As well as being a Living Wage Employer, it is the first hospitality venue to be a Living Pension Employer, with Surgeons Quarter placing a strong focus on the satisfaction and well-being of its workforce.

Commenting on his time at Surgeons Quarter, Justin said: “Working with people has always been something I love, and Surgeons Quarter recognised my skill set. I didn’t think when I started as a receptionist at Ten Hill Place Hotel, I would end up as a manager of a brand-new travel agency.

“In one of our regular team meetings, we were discussing our careers and what we are interested in. I mentioned that I previously worked at a travel agency when I left school and really enjoyed it. It was always something I considered getting back into. 

“They recognised this and two days later I sat down with our Managing Director Scott Mitchell who asked me if I was interested in being part of the setup of a new venture they were considering, which was SQ Travel.

“We are now growing our team at SQ Travel, it’s an exciting time and knowing I have played such a big part in the formation of the agency is very rewarding.”

Hailing from the Northeast of England, Justin began his career at Hays Travel as a Travel Consultant, seeing the business double in size. Although, always having a keen interest in travel, Justin’s career took him to the hospitality sector across the UK and Spain.

Justin added: “I admire Surgeons Quarter’s ethos around all profits being invested back into funding research for surgeons, which drew me into the job originally. It makes everything feel very rewarding knowing I am helping to contribute to such a worthy cause.

“I would encourage people to consider a career in hospitality, you never know where it will take you!”

Initially set out to streamline travel for surgeons, and now arranging travel and holidays for all, SQ Travel was founded in 2020 and is affiliated with Hays Travel Independence Group.

Surgeons Quarter, Cafe 1305 Scott Mitchell – Managing Director

Scott Mitchell, Managing Director of Surgeons Quarter said: “Our staff are the centre of everything we do. We always aim to showcase their strengths and provide them with a platform so they can thrive in their career.

“Justin was the perfect person to be the driving force behind setting up and pushing forward SQ Travel, he had experience, passion and was eager to get the business started. We wouldn’t be here today without him.

“We take great pride in the passion our employees have for the work they do and services they deliver. We know that a career in hospitality can be challenging, which is why we’re committed to doing everything we can to support our people.”

Surgeons Quarter employs around 200 people across its venues, the majority of which hold operations-based in person roles.

Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus. It includes facilities for conferences, meetings, private events, parties, weddings and its own four-star hotel Ten Hill Place as well as Café 1505 and SQ Travel. 

Profits from the Surgeons Quarter portfolio go towards the advancement of surgery and the improvement of patient outcomes worldwide. 

More information on SQ Travel can be found here: https://www.sqtravel.co.uk/

More information about Surgeons Quarter can be found at: https://www.surgeonsquarter.com/  

Drivers: Prepare well for New Year journeys

With New Year celebrations taking place over the next few days and many travelling across the country for festivities it’s important drivers feel prepared for their journey.

Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar comments: “As the year draws to a close, many may be driving to celebrate the new year with friends and family across the country.

“The roads are likely to be very busy and many will be doing all they can to make sure they arrive safely to their festivities. Our research shows that 38% of drivers travel by car during bank holidays, and with the new year the last one of the year many are likely to be getting ready to celebrate.

“For those that have plans to travel throughout the holidays, there are some important things to stay aware of to make the journey as easy as possible.

“Forward planning can help drivers to avoid congested roads or peak travel times, which can in turn help with reducing their fuel consumption.

“Drivers should also check their tyre pressure and oil levels to avoid any unnecessary stops or breakdowns along their way.

“It’s important to stay mindful of driving by taking breaks when needed and making sure to be well rested. Our tips for travelling will ensure drivers are ready to get around to New Year celebrations safely.”

‘Best ever’ year for local travel agency as holiday demand remains high

RECORD BREAKING YEAR FOR BARRHEAD TRAVEL CAMERON TOLL

Barrhead Travel Cameron Toll is set to close 2023 as its “best ever” trading year as demand for travel continues to soar.

The Glasgow-headquartered travel agency group has celebrated 11 consecutive record-breaking months since January 2023 and has forecast that the month of December will also conclude with record sales. Year to date bookings for the group are up by 26 percent, compared with 2019 sales which, before 2023, was the company’s best trading year.

Barrhead Travel’s performance is bucking the trend on the high street. Despite recent ONS figures indicating that October retail sales fell to the lowest levels since the 2021 lockdowns, the travel group says its retail network is “busier than ever” with sales in-store growing by more than 25 percent. The group attributes its strong retail performance to the continued demand for travel as well as consumers returning to reputable travel agents to book their holidays.

Forward bookings for 2024 are performing particularly well with the agency reporting that customers have been securing their annual holiday plans earlier than usual. Last-minute bookings for winter holidays remain a popular option with around 25 percent of new bookings travelling across the 2023/24 winter period.

Earlier this year, Barrhead Travel confirmed it would pursue further expansion during 2024 with multiple store openings planned for the year ahead. Investment will also be channelled into existing stores for refurbishments, additional full and part time roles, and new technology.

Victoria Dodds, Manager at Barrhead Travel Cameron Toll said: “Over the last year, we prioritised smart and sustainable growth, which has seen us deliver record breaking results. This year, we will have recorded our highest ever sales and we expect to continue that pace in 2024.

“Holidays remain a spending priority for consumers of all ages. The demand for a reputable travel agent is at an all-time high which is why we believe that now is the time to move ahead with further expansion throughout the UK.

“Retail travel is thriving, and communities across the country are benefiting from busy travel agency stores. Our commitment to investing in retail has never wavered and we’re excited to be bringing new jobs and opportunities as our expansion progresses over the coming 12 months.

“We are in the process of reviewing our new locations and we expect to announce details in the first quarter of 2024.” 

Barrhead Travel has also announced the addition of a USA specialist division which will be launching in early 2024 as part of its wider plans for organic growth.