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BA Holidays sale now on
BA Holidays has launched a new sale winter sun sale until 23:59 BST on 11 July 2023 inclusive.
The holidays on sale include return flights and accommodation to selected destinations in Euro Traveller (economy) for selected travel between 1 November 2023 and 31 March 2024 inclusive. The destinations are Europe, Sharm El Sheik and Marrakesh.
There is still a double-tier points offer on for holidays taken by 31 December 2023, you can find the details here.
Prices start from (per person based on two sharing)
- Algarve £219 per person
- Malaga £219 per person
- Tenerife £299 per person
- Cyprus £389 per person
- Sharm El Sheikh £469 per person
I am also seeing more luxury hotel holidays from under £300 for 7 nights in a 5* hotel in Portugal per person, including economy flights. Obviously, you could then use Avios to upgrade your flights afterwards if there was availability.
You can find the sale page here, but the easiest way to search is using BA’s Holiday Finder here.
More details on Gatwick North Terminal redevelopment
I wrote about Gatwick’s plans to update its North terminal a few weeks ago. Gatwick has now released more details, and a rendering of what to expect next work has started.
The project is scheduled to be completed in early 2024 and will see more than £10million invested in a multitude of improvements. The press release says that “passengers will be provided with a more personalised experience”, whatever that means. The revamp is well overdue since there has not been a major overhaul of the departure lounge since it opened in 1988!
The modernised departure lounge will feature new flooring and seating. All seats will have accessible power points, and will be located in differentiated ‘mood zones’, which is very on trend to zone everything. In reality it means some will be in the shopping areas and some will be in quieter areas,
A sustainable planting scheme will bring the outside in alongside local artwork to brightne the terminal up. Improved sightlines and wayfinding, will make it easier for passengers to find everything they need.
The project started on-site in late May. The redevelopment is also part of a wider multi-million-pound development programme, which includes investment in the train station, modernisation and expansion across the airport, and the airport’s new branding and vision, which was launched in April.
Rachel Bulford, Retail Director, London Gatwick said: “The redevelopment of our North Terminal is aligned with our refreshed brand and vision.
“The new features and layout will make the space easier for our passengers to find their way around and ensure they have a more enjoyable and efficient journey through the departure lounge. The varied seating areas, charging points and pleasant environment will also give passengers the freedom to spend more time doing what they want, whether they’re looking for a space to relax before their flight, do some shopping, sit down for a meal, or send some last-minute emails.
“It’s important that we create a unique sense of place for our passengers, not only through our retail and restaurant provision, but also the look and feel of the departure lounge. We want to recognise Gatwick’s location as a London airport, while also celebrating being in the heart of the South East and all the fantastic things the region has to offer.”
Several new retailers and restaurants, including The Breakfast Club and BrewDog, will open this year at Gatwick’s North Terminal. They will follow the recent opening of curi.o.city – a new concept from WHSmith, which offers gifts and souvenirs from a range of regional, London-based and global brands, such as Cambridge Gin, Biscuiteers, Kew Gardens, ZSL London Zoo and Harry Potter.
The airport is also preparing a planning application to bring the airport’s Northern Runway into regular use, for departures only, alongside its main runway. This plan should improve resilience and reduce delays.
50% Avios buy bonus
If you don’t have anything you can boost with the new BA Boost function, then this option could be worth considering as the next cheapest option for buying Avios.
It is simple to transfer Avios between Aer Club and BA Executive Club using Combine my Avios. There is a 50% bonus when you buy or gift miles with Aer Club (Aer Lingus’ loyalty scheme) until 3rd July 2023. There is a minimum of 2,000 Avios and a maximum of 200,000 Avios per calendar year.
You can find the buy Avios page here.
