Airlines
Travel Hack: Use easyJet’s Twilight Bag Drop for a Seamless Journey
Twilight Bag Drop service
Flyers can use the free service to arrive at the airport the night before an early-morning departure to check their bags, allowing them to skip security checks the next day.
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Remember, to use Twilight Check-in™, you must check in online any time from 28 days up to 24 hours before your departure, via website or app. It offers Twilight Check-in™ seven days a week if you’ve checked in online and you’re booked on a flight departing before midday from the following UK airports: Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Manchester, and Newcastle.
Please remember to check all travel requirements before you go to the airport and take along all documents for your party so you can check in smoothly.
All you need to do is follow these steps:
- Check-in online: You need to do this at least 24 hours before your flight, but to make sure you don’t miss out, we recommend you check in as soon as online check-in opens, 28 days before you travel.
- Drop your bags at the airport: One person in your party can drop off up to six people’s bags. Simply take your luggage to the airport between 16:30-21:00 the evening before your flight. Don’t forget your boarding passes, passports and any other essential documents!
- Head straight to security: When it’s your time to fly, skip check-in and go to security
- Have a lovely flight!: Relax and enjoy your getaway.
easyJet’s Twilight Bag Drop service to Edinburgh
Scotland’s largest airline easyJet has expanded its popular Twilight Bag Drop service to Edinburgh airport. Available for the first time today, the free service provides customers on early morning flights with the option to drop their bags off the evening before, saving time for their journey through the airport on their day of travel by skipping bag drop and heading straight to security. It is expected to be especially popular with thousands of families who are traveling with easyJet for their Easter holidays next month.
The service will be available to all customers on early morning flights departing before 1200 at Edinburgh, which represents around 40% of all flights departing from the airport, and bags can be dropped between 1600 and 2100 the day before they fly.
Customers will now be able to simply drop their bags off the evening before their flight during quieter times and to make it easier, just one family member or one customer on the booking is able to drop the bags off for the whole group if they wish. easyJet now offers Twilight bag drop services to its customers across four of its key UK airports: London Gatwick, Bristol, Manchester, and now Edinburgh.
To find out more visit www.easyjet.com/en/help/baggage/cabin-bag-and-hold-luggage.
Airlines
Qantas Grapples with $66 Million Fine After “Ghost Flights” Scandal
Qantas, the renowned Australian airline, finds itself in the midst of a significant controversy, agreeing to pay a hefty $66 million fine in the aftermath of what has been dubbed the “ghost flights” scandal.
The scandal revolves around accusations that Qantas continued to sell seats on flights that had long been cancelled, leaving passengers in the lurch. Australia’s competition watchdog revealed that Qantas had confessed to misleading consumers by advertising seats on tens of thousands of flights, despite the fact that these flights had been cancelled.
This compensation scheme will see domestic customers receiving $225 and international customers receiving $450. Qantas emphasized that this compensation is in addition to any refunds or alternative flight arrangements that may have already been offered to impacted passengers.
Affected customers will be notified via email starting next month, outlining the process for lodging a claim. Further details can be found at www.qantasremediation.deloitte.com.au. Vanessa Hudson, Qantas’ chief executive, expressed regret over the airline’s failure to meet its own standards and acknowledged the disappointment experienced by customers.
As part of the agreement, Qantas has pledged not to engage in similar conduct in the future. Additionally, the airline has committed to promptly informing customers of cancelled flights, ensuring that notifications are issued within 48 hours of the decision to cancel. Furthermore, Qantas will cease selling tickets for such journeys within 24 hours of cancellation.
This commitment extends to Qantas subsidiary Jetstar as well. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Qantas will seek approval of the proposed penalty from the Federal Court. However, Qantas intends to initiate the remediation process before the court approval is obtained, signaling a proactive approach to addressing the fallout from the scandal.
Airlines
Air India Resumes Non-Stop Delhi-Zurich Route After 25 Years
After a prolonged absence, Air India is set to make a comeback at Zurich Airport with the launch of its non-stop service between Delhi and Zurich.
This move not only marks the airline’s reentry into Switzerland but also expands its presence in mainland Europe to seven cities, reaffirming its commitment to global connectivity. According to an official press release, Air India will deploy its two-class configured Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft for the Delhi-Zurich route.
Operating four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, the flights aim to cater to both business and leisure travelers. The modern Boeing 787-8, equipped with 256 seats, promises a comfortable and efficient travel experience for passengers.
Flight schedules have been strategically designed to accommodate diverse travel needs. Departing from Zurich at 8:50 pm, the aircraft arrives in New Delhi at 08:05 am the following day, facilitating convenient connections for travelers. Conversely, flights depart from New Delhi at 2:05 pm, landing in Zurich at 7:15 pm, offering seamless travel options for both inbound and outbound passengers.
Air India’s return to Zurich comes after a hiatus of nearly three decades since its last scheduled services to the Swiss city in 1997. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, expressed enthusiasm about the new route, highlighting its significance in strengthening bilateral ties between India and Switzerland.
Wilson emphasized the robust economic relationship between the two countries, with numerous Swiss companies operating in India, Indian companies in Switzerland, and a thriving Indian diaspora.
It’s worth noting that Air India‘s entry into Switzerland complements the existing connectivity provided by Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), the home carrier, and Star Alliance partner. SWISS already offers daily flights connecting New Delhi with Zurich, further enhancing travel options between the two nations.
Airlines
Air India’s First A320neo Emerges with New Livery from Paintshop
Air India, the flag carrier of India, recently unveiled its much-anticipated new livery with the rollout of the first Airbus A320neo from the paint shop.
While the airline had been consistently inducting A320neos in its traditional livery, this marked a significant departure as the aircraft emerged adorned in the fresh design. Originally, the debut of the new livery was earmarked for the A350-900, which joined Air India’s fleet in December 2023.
However, enthusiasts were pleasantly surprised when the new branding was spotted gracing an A320 aircraft in France, hinting at an imminent shift. Identifiable by the distinctive tail sign beginning with VT-RT*, these aircraft now include the new livery as part of Air India’s rebranding efforts.
Notably, the latest addition to this lineup, an A320neo configured entirely in an economy layout, made its debut outside the paint shop at Airbus‘ Toulouse facility. In a nod to the esteemed Tata, the tail sign of this freshly painted A320neo will bear VT-RTN, symbolizing a tribute to his legacy. This move underlines the deep-rooted connection between Air India and the Tata Group, with the latter playing a pivotal role in the airline’s history.
The revamped livery incorporates modern elements, including the distinctive black eyemask feature reminiscent of the A350 aircraft. This infusion of contemporary design elements is aimed at aligning Air India’s visual identity with current industry standards while retaining its heritage.
Recently, Air India is set to embark on a new era of international travel with the introduction of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 jets.
The airline has chosen Dubai as the inaugural international destination for these cutting-edge aircraft, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward modernization and enhanced passenger experience. Commencing from May 1st, 2024, Air India will operate the A350-900 daily on the prestigious Delhi-Dubai route, flight numbers AI995/996.