Airlines

EasyJet announces nine new routes from the UK

easyJet has put nine new routes on sale today from nine UK airports to destinations across the UK, France, Morocco, Tunisia and Iceland
The airline will fly to Akureyri in North Iceland for the first time, with easyJet now offering the only route from the UK
Brand new packages are available on eight of the new routes with easyJet holidays, with city breaks starting from £269 and beach holidays from £299
Seats are now on sale on easyJet.com and via the mobile app with fares starting £27.99*

EasyJet, the biggest airline in the UK, has revealed that starting next winter, it will operate flights to nine new destinations, including a brand-new location in Iceland. On eight of the new routes, easyJet holidays will offer brand-new package vacations.

This winter, easyJet will become the only UK airline to operate to Akureyri in North Iceland when flights launch from London Gatwick twice a week from 31^st October.

EasyJet launches flights for the first time to Istanbul(Opens in a new browser tab)

More new routes to France, to Paris Charles de Gaulle from London Southend and a weekly service to Grenoble from Manchester will also take off this winter, while new services between London Luton and Enfidha in Tunisia and Bristol and Marrakech will provide those in the south and southwest with two new winter sun destinations to choose from.

easyJet will also offer even more choice from Southampton, strengthening domestic connectivity from the region, with two new routes to Glasgow and Belfast launching from 29 October 2023 with departures up to three times a week.

IndiGo to operate widebody aircraft this winter(Opens in a new browser tab)

New easyJet routes now on sale from the UK:

Birmingham to Paris will operate seven times a week from 30 October with fares from £26.99*
Birmingham to Lyon will operate three times a week from 18 December with fares from £29.99*
London Southend to Paris flights will operate four times a week from 29 October with fares from £27.99*
Glasgow to Southampton will operate twice a week from 2 November with fares from £29.49*
Belfast to Southampton will operate three times a week from 29 October December with fares from £32.49*
Bristol to Marrakech will operate twice a week from 31st October December with fares from £32.49*
London Luton to Enfidha flights will operate three times a week from 30 October with fares from £38.99*
Manchester to Grenoble flights will operate once a week from 10 December with fares from £34.99*
London Gatwick to Akureyri flights will operate twice weekly from 31^st October with fares from £91.99*

Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.