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Family booked dream holiday only to find out at the airport their flights ‘didn’t exist’ | Travel News | Travel

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Neil and Michele Travis from Cheshire splurged £6,000 on business class flights with Aer Lingus as a special treat for themselves and their 20-year-old daughter, Georgia. Their plan was to visit friends in Fort Lauderdale, who they hadn’t seen in five years. However, their excitement turned to shock when they arrived at JFK International Airport on June 16, only to discover their connecting flight with Jet Blue, Aer Lingus’ partner airline, did not exist.

Despite the availability of a fully booked connecting flight that evening, Aer Lingus was unable to secure an alternative flight for the Travis family for another two days. In a stroke of luck, Michele, an accountant, managed to find them seats on an American Airlines flight from Newark the following day. The airline assured them they would be reimbursed for the additional cost incurred, however their “catastrophic experience” wasn’t over.

Their flight from Newark to Fort Lauderdale was disrupted by a storm as the pilot attempted to land. After waiting in the hope the storm would pass, the pilot made an announcement the plane would have to divert and land at Palm Beach due to running out of fuel. This unexpected detour added another hour to their already extended journey.

Although they eventually arrived at their destination, the Travis family couldn’t shake off their anxiety about similar issues on their return journey. Both Neil and Michele sought assurances from the airline, with Neil even visiting the airport a day before their departure to ensure their names were on the system.

To his relief, he saw their names and believed everything was in order. However, their hopes were shattered the next day when Neil’s ticket was deemed “invalid,” and his wife and daughter were not even on the system.

Jet Blue managed to arrange seats for Neil and Michele, but their daughter was left without a ticket. Fortunately, there was another flight available 40 minutes later, but the family had no choice but to pay for it using their credit card. The entire ordeal left them deeply frustrated and demanding reimbursement from Aer Lingus for the original flights as well as the additional expenses amounting to around £4,000 for extra flights, taxis, and food.

Michele said: “It was nightmare from start to finish. It was like something off Fawlty Towers. We’ve had absolutely nothing back so far – not even a reply from them.”

“My daughter was in tears when we were trying to get home. I said to them do you expect us to leave her here with no way to get home? You couldn’t write it.

“We’re lucky we had a credit card we could use – my daughter said to me ‘what would I have done?’ The stress they’ve caused, it’s disgraceful.”

Neil has now referred his complaint to the Civil Aviation Authority after not hearing back from the airline. He said: “This whole catastrophe was an appalling start to our holiday and caused significant anguish.

“The stress and impact to my wife and daughter’s mental health ruined what should have been a fantastic experience of flying business class.”

Neil said: “We took the train to the Jet Blue terminal and could not see our flight on the departing flight list. We joined a queue to speak with a Jet Blue agent and after many attempts to find out what had gone wrong we were informed that the flight number we were given on the confirmation did not exist. The ticket had not been confirmed by Aer Lingus.”

A spokeswoman for Aer Lingus confirmed they “escalated” the issue to its customer relations team who “have since been in touch with the customer and resolved the issue”.

This article was crafted with the help of AI tools, which speed up Express.co.uk ’s editorial research. A news editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected].



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The 10 European cities with the best weather as Spanish destination takes top spot | Travel News | Travel

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Ten pretty cities have been crowned some of the best for catching the sun while away boasting perfect holiday climates to enjoy this summer. The top 10 European cities for the best weather have been named – and one popular tourist destination has topped the list.

Travellers want more than just sights to see on their breaks – and a city’s climate is a crucial factor in choosing the perfect getaway. Now a new list by Holidu shows the best places Brits should head for Vitamin D. Taking the top spot is a well-known Spanish destination, renowned for its warm yet comfortable climate year-round.

Malaga in Spain has an average of 280.2 hours of sun per month and is the sunniest city in Europe according to the research. Sunseekers can enjoy the beaches and pavement cafes all year round in this beautiful Spanish city known for being a popular tourist destination. From the Pompidou and other world-class museums to colourful festivals like the Feria de Malaga, there is a lot to experience in this city.

In second place is Alicante, a stunning destination with beautiful beaches, rich history and a vibrant culture. Alicante gets 280.0 hours of sunshine per month and is a close contender for top spot. One must-visit spot in the area is Castillo de Santa Barbara. A visitor on Tripadvisor said: “The views from the top are stunning and it’s an interesting building with bronze sculptures that bring it to life. We enjoyed walking round.”

Making it into the top three is Murcia which is known for its pretty cathedral. One visitor on Tripadvisor said: “Beautiful Cathedral in Murcia. We visited the Cathedral and the museum. Definitely the top attraction in Murcia. Architecture is amazing with interesting history.”

Murcia gets 277.7 hours of sunlight per month putting it at third place but not far behind Alicante and Malaga.

Also featured in the top five places are Catania and Seville which are also ideal holiday destinations for Brits to visit due to their short flight times from the UK.

Whether you’re planning a summer escape or seeking the perfect place to visit during the off-season, these cities promise warm weather.

Full list:

  1. Malaga

  2. Alicante

  3. Murcia

  4. Catania

  5. Seville

  6. Cordoba

  7. Marseille

  8. Madrid

  9. Zaragoza

  10. Athens



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Uncrowded island just 40 minutes from UK requires no passport to visit | UK | Travel

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With soaring passport costs dominating headlines and dampening holiday spirits, you may be looking less further afield for any future holidays. One hassle-free alternative that won’t have you reaching to renew your passport is heading off to the Isle of Man. This island, located in the Irish Sea, is just 40 minutes from the UK, and you don’t even need a passport to visit.

Recently named one of Europe’s top 10 most desirable islands by Wanderlust Magazine, the Isle of Man offers a gentler kind of summer. Temperatures hover around a comfortable 20°C in the summer, and the beaches remain relatively uncrowded – even during the summer holidays.

Whether you’re looking to reconnect with nature, relax on the beach, or explore historic sites, the Isle of Man, the world’s only whole-nation UNESCO Biosphere, is a perfect destination.

History buffs should make a beeline to the Viking-era Peel Castle, the biggest and most complex heritage site on the island. Not far from the castle, you can also find the House of Manannan, an interactive museum that focuses on the Isle of Man’s rich Celtic, Viking, and maritime past.

Those looking for a bit more relaxation can head to one of the two nearby beaches: Peel or Fenella Beach. The first is blessed with stunning, unforgettable sunsets and views over the Mountains of Mourne – alongside the views of the nearby castle ruins. Fenella Beach is a small, sandy cove where seals can often be seen lounging on the rocks.

For those looking for something a bit more secluded, then head to Laxey Beach, a treasure trove of rock pools and smooth pebbles. Nearby, you will also find the isle’s charming old-fashioned promenade and its historic electric railway.

A short tram ride from Laxey will bring you to the inland to the famous Laxey Wheel—the world’s largest working waterwheel and an icon of the island’s mining heritage.

Both the Laxey Wheel and Peel Castle have proved popular with visitors. One TripAdvisor review for the wheel reads: “The wheel is amazing; it’s just much bigger than I even imagined. Nearby, there are some pleasant streams and some small waterfalls.

“I found it was best viewed from a distance as its setting in the landscape gave it a better context. Up close, you can climb 90 odd steps to a viewing platform on top of the wheel.”

While a visitor to the castle penned: “A lovely ruined castle, with parts from the 11th century onwards, to wander round and explore, including the ruins of the original Cathedral church of St German. There is quite a lot to see and there is the option of having an audio guide. Some excellent views from various places within the site too!”



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The beautiful island less a 4-hour flight from UK – with pints for under £3 | Europe | Travel

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The summer is quickly approaching and Brits will be starting to book their holidays abroad. Although many people will be looking for warm weather, others may be searching for where they can get the cheapest beer.

According to experts from Travel Republic, searches for “summer holiday” have soared by 102% in the UK over the last three months. Brits have also looked at destinations close to home that sell cheap pints.

The experts recommend people to check out the Portuguese island of Madeira which is becoming increasingly popular among tourists. Funchal, the capital of Madeira, benefits from 16 British and Irish bars which show live sports and offer up traditional grub.

The data shows that Funchal also sells very affordable beer. The average price of a domestic pint is £2.28 and £2.90 for imported beer, making it a great destination for pub-loving Brits.

Madeira is less than four hours away from London with flights available for around £70. As well as cheap booze, the island also boasts warm weather throughout the year.

Travel company TUI also recommends staying in Funchal to experience a mixture of colonial buildings, churches, and laidback squares. In the old town the narrow streets are full of wine bars and family-run restaurants, while the marina has cafes and great places for seafood.

There is also a cable car which takes tourists up to the suburb of Monte – an area full of lush greenery and picture-perfect botanical gardens. For anyone who wants to experience a real slice of Madeira’s heritage – the wicker sledges from Monte back down to Livramento are recommended.

Meanwhile, east of Funcal is Canico De Baixo. The historical area has an old quarter built around an 18th century church and a town square.



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