NEWS & OFFERS: Turkish Airlines to Launch Stansted Flights, Qatar 20% Discount & the Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady Launch Event

Turkish Airlines to Launch Stansted Flights

Turkish Airlines is launching flights from Stansted with 14 weekly flights to Istanbul, starting from 18th March 2026.

The launch will increase UK and Ireland capacity to 170 flights per week at peak, following the launch of additional flights from the UK for summer just a few weeks ago. 

The Stansted flights will complement existing Turkish Airlines UK and Ireland flights from Heathrow (47), Gatwick (28), Manchester (28), Birmingham (18), Edinburgh (14), and Dublin (21).

Welcoming new airlines is all part of Stansted’s £1.1 billion investment programme launched in October 2024. This includes a new £600 million terminal with more space, improved lounges, and better retail facilities. Once completed, Stansted will be capable of handling 43 million passengers per year. Turkish Airlines joins a growing long-haul line-up at Stansted, alongside Emirates and Royal Jordanian.

Gareth Powell, Managing Director at London Stansted, commented:

“We’re delighted to welcome Turkish Airlines to London Stansted. This is a major milestone for the airport and a strong vote of confidence in both our operation and the vibrant, fast-growing region we serve. 

“Istanbul is a fantastic destination in its own right, but this new service also opens the door to Turkish Airlines’ extensive global network, connecting London Stansted to over 353 destinations, offering passengers and businesses across our region greater choice and easier access to destinations across Asia, Africa, Australia and beyond. We look forward to building a strong partnership with Turkish Airlines and seeing this exciting new route grow.”

Turkish Airlines consistently offers competitive fares, as well as excellent award availability. 

Stansted to Istanbul flights are currently available to book until 22nd June 2026. Business Class fares start at £708 one-way (as of 24th March 2026). That’s cheaper than the £998 average (March-May 2026) from Heathrow, though Gatwick offers better value, with one-way fares from £568. For comparison, Edinburgh starts at £555, and Birmingham starts at £552.

Other route examples from Stansted include Mauritius (£2,690 – 18th March) and Sydney (£2,675 – 24th March).

View Turkish Airlines flights from Stansted here >>>

Up to 20% Off Qatar Airways Flights + Bonus Avios

Qatar Airways is running a sale with up to 20% off when you book by 9th July.

You can fly anywhere in the network for a 15% discount (excluding Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria), but select locations, including Abu Dhabi, Colombo, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Kathmandu, Mumbai, Muscat, Nairobi, and Phuket, have a 20% discount.

UK departure options include Birmingham, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester.

It’s worth checking to see if you can find a cheaper fare by flying from elsewhere in Europe. The offer is valid for flights departing from:

• Adana

• Alicante

• Amsterdam

• Antalya

• Athens

• Barcelona

• Belgrade

• Berlin

• Brussels

• Bucharest

• Budapest

• Copenhagen

• Dublin

• Düsseldorf

• Esbjerg

• Frankfurt

• Geneva

• Hamburg

• Helsinki

• Istanbul

• Malta

• Moscow

• Mykonos

• Larnaca

• Lisbon

• Madrid

• Milan 

• Munich

• Nice

• Oslo

• Paris

• Prague

• Rome

• Sarajevo

• Sofia

• Stockholm

• Trabzon

• Venice

• Vienna

• Warsaw

• Zagreb

• Zurich

Blackout dates from the UK do apply when booking Economy fares.

Bonus Avios

If you’re a Qatar Privilege member, you will receive up to 10,000 bonus Avios when you fly to Australia or 5,000 on other routes using the code UKIAVIOS at checkout.

Qatar already has a fantastic offering, especially in Business and First. With bonus Avios on top, it’s a very tempting offer. 

Read our Qatar Privilege Club guide for more info on the loyalty programme.

Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady Party in Portsmouth for 7,500 Points

Here’s an interesting way to spend some Virgin Points. For 7,500 Virgin Points, you’ll have the chance to experience Brilliant Lady, Virgin Voyages’ newest ship on Wednesday, 20th August, when she’ll be docked in Portsmouth for an unforgettable celebration.

For just 7,500 Virgin Points, you can enjoy a full day of premium experiences from 2pm to 11pm, including:

• A gourmet dinner at one of the ship’s award-winning restaurants, including Rojo, a Spanish-inspired venue exclusive to Brilliant Lady.
• A brand-new live show 
• Virgin’s signature Scarlet Night party – glitter, glamour and good vibes
• Access to The Groupie, the ship’s karaoke lounge

This is a rare chance to sample Virgin Voyages’ experience without committing to a full cruise – perfect whether you’re new to cruising or just haven’t yet tried Virgin’s unique take.

Tickets are flexible, allowing bookings for up to six guests per order, with no limit on the number of orders that can be placed. Availability is limited and selling fast, with more to be released in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on the ticket page for when more tickets are released!

Redeeming Virgin Points for Virgin Voyages Cruises

After Portsmouth, Brilliant Lady sets sail from New York on 5th September to destinations including Bermuda, the ABC Islands, and Alaska with seven new shows and an upgraded dining experience.

You can redeem Virgin Points for Virgin Voyages cruises. Read more about this in our How to Spend Virgin Points article. Remember, you can transfer points between Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Red or vice versa, depending on what you choose to spend your points on. Current redemption options for the Brilliant Lady include:

• 7th April 2026 – 5 nights – 450,000 points – LA- Santa Barbara-San Diego- Ensenada-LA
• 21st May 2026 – 755,000 points – Seattle-Ketchikan-Sitka-Prince Rupert-Seattle

View more redemption dates here >>>

Keep an eye on this ticket link when more tickets are released >>>