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London City Seeking A320neo Approval
London City Airport (LCY) is hoping to get approval to allow larger planes like the Airbus A320neo to take off and land on its short runway. Right now, the airport has strict rules in place that limit it to smaller aircraft, such as the Embraer E190, partly because of its location close to residential areas. These restrictions have kept LCY mainly focused on business travellers, with a network of short-haul routes.
If the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) gives the green light, airlines could start flying to new leisure destinations, including Mediterranean holiday hotspots, using the quieter and more eco-friendly A320neo. This would be a big deal for LCY, as the aircraft not only meets its noise and emissions goals but also offers more range and capacity.
The move could attract holidaymakers looking for a convenient, central London airport, while still balancing the airport’s commitment to keeping operations sustainable and neighbour-friendly. For now, it’s a waiting game, but approval could open up a whole new chapter for London City Airport.
Interesting Virgin Red Report
Virgin Red has released its annual Points Index report, which we actually found really interesting, so we wanted to share some of the key highlights with you. We recently spoke to somebody heavily involved in the loyalty industry, but mostly in America. She shared an insight that British people are much less interested in loyalty schemes and points programmes than Americans and a lot of other Europeans. I understand her point, as ‘couponing’ really isn’t a thing here, but seeing the reaction from the general public to British Airways’ recent overhaul of the Executive Club and also our following at TLFL, we see a large trend of it, and it looks set to get bigger. The report sheds light on how loyalty points are shaping the way Brits travel. With the cost-of-living crisis making travel more expensive, savvy travellers—especially younger generations, which is what surprised us—are maximising their rewards to make trips more affordable.
Key Findings from the Report
- Gen Z are the biggest points hackers – 34% use loyalty points to fund overseas travel, and 70% say they wouldn’t afford a holiday without them.
- Millennials make the most of big-ticket redemptions – 64% have used points for flights, compared to 48% of Boomers.
- Loyalty points are an every day essential – 71% of Brits rely on them for savings, and 80% use them to make future purchases more affordable.
- Travel remains the top redemption choice – 88% of those using points for travel have redeemed them for flights, while 41% have put them towards hotel stays.
The Rise of ‘Bucket List’ Travel
The report highlights a growing trend among Gen Z and Millennials in prioritising once-in-a-lifetime experiences, with 68% and 61%, respectively, using loyalty points to achieve bucket-list travel goals. This shift suggests that younger generations are increasingly viewing points as a means to elevate their travel aspirations rather than just reducing costs.
Digital Loyalty Tools Driving Change
Virgin Red’s data shows that younger travellers are more tech-savvy when it comes to maximising rewards, leveraging apps and digital platforms to track and redeem points efficiently. However, older generations are also embracing these tools, making loyalty schemes more accessible across age groups.
Final Thoughts
What really stood out to us in this report is how much younger people are now relying on loyalty points to travel—something we wouldn’t have expected given the perception that points collecting is for frequent business travellers. The growing interest across generations is proof that these schemes are no longer just a nice perk but an essential way to make travel affordable. We see this firsthand at TLFL with the increasing demand for tips on maximising rewards. Whether you’re just getting started with points or a seasoned expert, one thing is clear—learning how to use points effectively can make a real difference in unlocking more travel for less money.
You can view the full report here.
Hilton Asia-Pacific Up To 20% Off Sale
If you’re planning a trip to the Asia-Pacific region in 2025, this sale could be a good opportunity to book luxury stays at a cheaper rate. With savings of up to 20%, you can enjoy some of Hilton’s most prestigious brands, including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, LXR, and Curio Collection.
You’ll need to book between 27 January and 16 March 2025 to take advantage of the offer. Discounts range from 3% to 15% off the Best Available Rate when you book in advance, and Hilton Honors members get an extra 5% off, bringing the total savings up to 20%. The sale applies to stays at participating Hilton properties across Asia-Pacific including destinations like Maldives, Singapore and Thailand. Strangely, we can’t see any information on stay dates, just book by dates so this could extend throughout 2025.
A few things to keep in mind, full prepayment is required at the time of booking, and reservations are non-refundable and can’t be changed. Also, if you’re not already a Hilton Honors member, you’ll need to sign up before booking to get the additional discount.
2 comments
Really interesting, thanks. London City is a favourite airport.
Seems as though BA have scored an own goal in the future too with younger passengers.
There is already a BA flight from LCY to Mykonos which is quite far in Europe (over 3 hrs), so I am not sure how the range is an issue for LCY!? There are also some leisure destinations as Malaga, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Mykonos. Yes, the current aircraft types are limiting the capacity and passenger numbers, but not the destinations by “limited” range…
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