The Week In Travel

Plans for the world’s first flight fully powered by SAF have been unveiled this week. The Virgin Atlantic flight, partially funded by the UK government, is set to travel from London Heathrow to New York JFK in November 2023. The airline has also confirmed the plans for a Rolls Royce engine to be used in the flight, following a successful ground test. If successful, the flight will advance Virgin Atlantic’s route to net zero by 2050 and show the potential of SAF.

In technology news, Aerospace start-up Electra Aero has received investment from Statkraft Ventures, with funding to be applied to the company’s hybrid-electric ultra-short take off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft development. Whilst the amount invested by Statkraft has not been disclosed, the company has invested over $1 billion into renewable energy projects since 2021.

In the UK, children aged 10 and over can now use eGates at airports and rail stations following a change in the rules this week. Previously, travellers had to be at least 12 years old to use eGates, but following successful trial at the likes of Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted earlier in the year, the service has been extended to include 10 and 11 year olds.

In airport news, a report from the UK Civil Aviation Authority has revealed that service for disabled and less mobile passengers have improved ‘significantly’ over the last year. The reports ranks airports based on ‘providing a timely assistance service’ for travellers asking for help and includes all UK airports that handled more than 150,000 passengers in the last year. In the period between April 2022 to March 2023, 18 airports consistently achieved a “good” or “very good” ranking.

And finally, we’ve all heard the empty threat of “I will turn this car around”, but one mother at her wits end has delivered on this promise, bringing an abrupt end to her family’s holiday. After what she described as a ‘car ride from hell’ as a result of her two sons’ behaviour, followed by the breaking of every rule of their rented home over the course of one day, the woman abandoned the trip and drove her family home just 24 hours after they arrived.