Travel news

State of Emergency in Bangladesh

On 11 January 2007, the President declared a state of emergency. There is a large police and military presence on the streets and although the security situation in Bangladesh is uncertain, it could deteriorate quickly.

The British High Commission in Dhaka is monitoring events closely. If you are in Bangladesh, you should register with the British High Commission. Details of how to register can be found at: http://www.ukinbangladesh.org

If you are in Bangladesh you should ensure that you are comfortable with and regularly review your own and your family’s security and travel arrangements.

You should carry photocopies of your Bangladeshi visa and data page from your passport at all times, plus copies of other important travel documents, for identification purposes.

If you are holding a ticket for travel to Bangladesh up to and including 12th February 2007 please contact us

For more information please check with the Foreign and Commonweath Office or click on the link below:

Bangladesh.

Bombing in Thailand 31st December 2006

Due to the recent bombing incident in Bangkok on 31 December 2006. There is a possibility of further attacks in coming days. British Citizens are advised not to travel within Bangkok unless absolutely necessary, until further notice.

Should you have concerns please email us using the Contact Us Form above or contact our Customer Services Department on 0871 222 5938 who will be able to assist.

For further information please visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Disruption at Madrid's Barajas Airport

Services out of Madrid's Barajas Terminal four have been disrupted due to an incident on Saturday 30 December. Passengers due to fly from Madrid may face disruption. Flights to Madrid are operating as normal.

To check the latest real-time information relating to your flights please check with the airline. If you have any other concerns please email us using the Contact Us Form.

CT2/Loco Charter Flights

Please be advised that our charter flight supplier, CT2 / Loco, has ceased trading with effect from 13 December 2006.

What happens to my booking?
Since CT2 / Loco is ATOL Bonded your booking is protected, meaning that you are able to reclaim your flight costs at the time of your booking.
ATOL is the government's licensing and financial protection scheme for air holidays and flights sold by tour operators and travel organisers in the UK.
To claim a refund for your reservation you can do so via ATOL, by completing and returning this form.
For further details please visit the Civil Aviation Authority:

How do I know if my flight was booked through CT2 / Loco?
On the confirmation email you will find a Flight Reference Number. Should it start with CT and followed by seven digits, your flight will be affected.

I am abroad; will I have a return flight?
Passengers currently overseas should be able to continue their holidays as planned. The Civil Aviation Authority have advised that alternative flights will be sourced to bring you home where necessary. Where possible the CAA will be making arrangements to retain representatives in resort.

How do I proceed if I have only booked a flight?
Passengers who booked a flight only will be unable to travel on their existing reservation. Should you wish to continue with your journey, you will need to book a new flight, this can be done by either clicking on the Flights icon at the top of this page or by calling a Sales Representative on 0871 222 5969, choosing option one for a new booking.

How do I proceed if I booked a package holiday?
Our Customer Services Team will be contacting affected customers in the next few days. If you have not heard from us by the 18th of December, please contact us using the General Enquiries Form.

Airport security - latest advice for passengers

Passengers are reminded that heightened security restrictions remain at all UK airports. All passengers will be subject to hand baggage restrictions and are asked to arrive at the airport early, prepared for the security restrictions.

The following information will help you prepare for your journey:

Travelling with liquids:

Passengers can now carry a limited quantity of liquids (gels, lotions, pastes, liquid cosmetics, foams and foodstuffs) in their hand baggage when going through airport security checkpoints. We strongly advise you to pack any liquids that you don?t need whilst onboard the aircraft in your hold baggage. However, if you do need to travel with liquids, please be aware of the following restrictions which apply to all liquids you wish to carry through an airport security checkpoint:

All liquids must be in individual containers not greater than 100ml capacity. They must be placed in one transparent re-sealable transparent bag, no larger than 20cm x 20cm (8" x 8") in size, and fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be fastened closed
Only one bag per passenger is allowed. The bag must be clear and re-sealable, such as ?ziplock? bags or bags with pressable seals. Larger bags or bags that are sealable, such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed
Each passenger must remove their clear plastic bag from their hand baggage and place it in on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening
Liquids in containers of more than 100ml capacity must be packed in your hold baggage
Exemptions to the liquids rule applies for liquid medicine or baby milk/food

To ease your journey, we suggest that most items are placed in your hold baggage and only items of value or that you require whilst onboard the aircraft are carried in your hand baggage.

Hand baggage restrictions:

Passengers are allowed to carry one item of hand baggage through the airport security search point, no larger than:

56 centimetres tall (approximately 22 inches)
45 centimetres wide (approximately 17.7 inches)
25 centimetres deep (approximately 10 inches)

Please note, this is the maximum bag size allowed through security. Smaller bag sizes may apply depending on which airline you travel with.

Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried WITHIN the single item of cabin baggage, not in addition. All items carried by passengers will be X-ray screened. Cameras, (including digital, small electrical items such as mobile phones, MP3 players and game consoles can remain in the bag for screening. However, all laptops and large electrical items must be removed from the bag and placed in a separate tray.

Further passenger information:

Pushchairs and walking aids will be X-ray screened
Wheelchairs are permitted but will be thoroughly searched
Musical instruments are allowed will be screened separately
You can fly with everything you buy after security. All shops and catering outlets are open to all passengers before and after security. However, items purchased before security must fit into your ONE item of hand baggage and the restrictions on liquids also apply.
After the security check, passengers are able to take all items purchased in the departures lounge onboard the aircraft.

Need more help?

For further advice on prohibited items, including what to do if travelling with baby milk and prescribed medicines, please visit the following websites:

E111 form is being phased out

On 31 December 2005, your E111 will cease to be valid. From 1 January 2006, you will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive healthcare that becomes necessary during your visit. A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles UK residents to reduced-cost, medical treatment that becomes necessary while you're in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.

Travellers can apply for an EHIC online at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers

EHIC is not a suitable replacement for travel insurance. It does not cover cancellation insurance or re-patriation. We advise you to make sure that you have both.

Travel to USA from October 4, 2005

When travelling to the USA, please be prepared to give full details of where you will be staying on your first night, including address and full Zip code (post code). This information was previously collected from your landing card. However, from October 4 2005 these details will also be required to give this information prior to your flight departure. In view of this please allow extra time to check in.

The details, which need to be provided to US customs, are termed ?Advanced Passenger Information? (or A.P.I. for short) and must be provided before one enters the country.

The API details that need to be provided include:
1. The address of the place where the passenger is spending his/her first night in the USA
2. And the addresses of all the places the person plans to visit during that first day within the country (e.g. such as a business address)

If the address of the first night stay is not known (e.g. in the case of a fly-drive) then a general itinerary needs to be supplied.

If one is entering the country via a Cruise ship or sea vessel, then US regulations will accept a ?transit to? address followed by the Vessel/Cruise Name and the U.S. City of cruise embarkation, as a destination address in this scenario.

Failure to provide this information on entering the country could cause severe delays to the immigration process and may lead to fines being imposed on the airlines.

'Transit passengers' (i.e. those passing through the country, spending less than 8 hours in the USA and not leaving the airport) are exempt.

Many of the major airlines are also making every effort to ensure that the API requirements are fulfilled in a timely fashion before entering the country and are assisting passengers in getting the details to US customs in a timely fashioned.

We advise that all persons travelling to the US allow an extra hour for check in and plan ahead to have details of where they are staying in the US before leaving the UK along with passport and flight tickets.

Useful links

Contact us

If this page has not answered your questions and you have an emergency with an existing order, please use purchase history to contact our customer services department for the quickest reply.

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