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Aer Lingus Stops Selling Future Manchester Transatlantic Flights Amid Base Uncertainty
Aer Lingus has taken all transatlantic flights from Manchester off sale from 31st March 2026. This follows months of speculation that the Manchester base could close.
In a statement, Aer Lingus said it was seeking to “minimise customer disruption in the event of a closure of the Manchester base” and also referenced a “period of uncertainty” around transatlantic services.
The base currently employs around 200 people and offers direct flights from Manchester to New York, Orlando and Barbados (some seasonal).
So, where does this leave you? Short-haul services from Manchester to Dublin and Belfast will continue, and you’ll be able to pre-clear immigration when connecting via Dublin, which is always an advantage on arrival in the US as a domestic passenger. Other direct options from Manchester to the US and Caribbean remain limited, with Virgin Atlantic and TUI the only options (most seasonal).
If you already have a flight booked for 31st March 2026 onwards, you will be contacted by Aer Lingus.
All of this leaves the future of Aer Lingus’ transatlantic operation from Manchester looking increasingly uncertain, with the base’s long-term viability now very much in question. Announced with big ambitions in 2021, it is a disappointing place to be just a few years on.
AMEX OFFER: £300 Cashback with Qatar Airways
It’s not often we see a Qatar cashback offer via AMEX. If you’ve been targeted for this offer, you’ll receive £300 back when you spend £2,000 with Qatar, provided your payment is made by 5th February. That’s 15% off, assuming you spend £2,000 in qualifying spend, which is better than most Qatar offers we see elsewhere.
Cumulative spend also counts, so you could book a number of Economy flights and still qualify.
In previous years, this offer has appeared across a number of AMEX cards, but not the BA cards. So we would expect something similar this time. This time, it seems many Platinum cardholders have the offer.
If both travellers have their own targeted AMEX card, you can book separately and receive two statement credits. Many Business flights from Heathrow to Doha are priced in the mid-£3,000s over the next few months (First £6,000), which is a little over the spend requirement, and you should consider whether to pay with points.
If this offer suits you, make sure to save it to your card. The offer is capped at 20,000. It’s also worth noting that you must depart from a UK airport.
You need to book via the Qatar website to get the offer.
A Rare New Boutique Hotel Is Coming to Mayfair
A new boutique hotel is set to open in Mayfair in 2026. New hotel developments in this part of London are exceptionally uncommon, which makes this news particularly exciting. The Shepherd Mayfair will feature 82 rooms across six floors, accessed via a discreet walkway that leads guests from Mayfair into the hotel.
Design reflects the building’s townhouse origins and draws on the spirit of Mayfair’s historic mansions and arcades. Interiors combine warm timber finishes with lighter tonal palettes and softly curved upholstery, with subtle references to British craftsmanship throughout.
Design has also been approached with real practicality in mind. Rooms will have adaptable furniture, integrated storage and window seats overlooking Mayfair. Desks can be converted into dressing tables or chess tables, while bathrooms are finished in marble.
The hotel has three dining concepts:
- Fayre will operate as a modern all-day brasserie inspired by Mayfair’s historic fairs.
- The Lounge is conceived as a relaxed café-style space that becomes a bar as the day unfolds, welcoming both guests and locals.
- Hidden below ground, Teddy’s will be a late-night cocktail bar inspired by Mayfair’s 1960s drinking rooms, reached via an entrance on Market Mews, a concealed staircase, lift access, or an arched passage from the hotel lobby.
The hotel will join the Elegant Hotel Collection, a soft brand that features a number of independent luxury properties.
Commenting on the project, Timothy Shepherd noted:
“The hotel will feel as though it truly belongs in Mayfair. Our intention with the design was to create a feeling and character embedded in the neighbourhood, yet with its own distinct identity. We have continued to develop the overarching narrative of the hotel alongside the individual elements, each growing in its own expression of Mayfair’s history and characters.”
Every element, from the guest experience to the culinary and bar concepts, has been developed with intention, and the hotel really does have the potential to become one of Mayfair’s standout boutique hotels.
