No1 Lounge to Open at Jersey Airport

Jersey Airport is set to elevate its pre-flight experience this summer with the arrival of a brand-new No1 Lounge, opening on 31 August 2025. This marks the first time the award-winning No1 Lounges brand is opening a lounge in the Channel Islands, bringing with it a much-needed premium alternative to the existing Executive Lounge, which is small and very dated.

The new No1 Lounge promises to be a major upgrade. Featuring light-filled interiors, bespoke furnishings, and a serene sea-view setting, travellers can expect a seasonal, self-service menu with hot and cold dishes, sweet treats, and a bar stocked with complimentary premium drinks including wine, beer, sparkling wine, and spirits. Tea, coffee, and soft drinks are available all day, too.

At the moment, Jersey Airport’s only lounge offering is the modest Executive Lounge, which we used very recently during a back to back tier point run. It provides basic seating, snacks, and drinks. It serves its purpose for status cardholders and lounge members, but its limited space and amenities leave much to be desired, especially during peak times, despite being perfectly located for our aforementioned back to back. The new No1 Lounge will be located before the gates, just after Duty Free.

You can now pre-book access for dates from 31 August 2025, with flexible stay options:

• 1.5-hour visits for those short on time

• 3-hour bookings to fully enjoy the space

• Extra time add-ons available in advance

Booking direct also comes with perks like delay cover, no booking fees, and the ability to amend your reservation easily. Pre-book here.

Access is open to a wide range of travellers:

• Anyone can pre-book online directly through the No1 Lounges website

• Priority Pass and DragonPass members will be accepted

• Selected business class passengers and frequent flyers flying with eligible airlines may receive complimentary access

• Pay-on-the-day entry is likely to be available, subject to space

The arrival of No1 Lounges will give travellers a much more premium option, and one that’s open to anyone willing to pre-book or pay for access, no elite status required.

Virgin Atlantic and IndiGo Expand Partnership with Delta and Air France-KLM

Virgin Atlantic is set to grow its partnership with IndiGo, joining forces with Delta and Air France-KLM to offer more travel options between India, Europe, and North America. 

IndiGo, India’s biggest airline, is about to launch its first flights to Europe using leased Norse Atlantic aircraft, before its new Airbus A350s arrive. As it expands into long-haul flying, it’s also strengthening ties with existing partners Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic, and now bringing Delta into the mix.

Together, the airlines will offer:

• KLM flights from Amsterdam to 30 European cities

• Delta and KLM flights from Amsterdam to the US and Canada

• Virgin Atlantic flights from Manchester to the US

IndiGo will be able to sell these flights under its own code, making it easier for travellers to book connecting journeys.

This isn’t just about codeshares. The airlines plan to work together on loyalty schemes, cargo, maintenance, training, and even sustainability. It’s a long-term move that could eventually lead to a full joint venture, where routes and pricing are managed together, just like Delta, Virgin, and Air France-KLM do across the Atlantic.

IndiGo isn’t in an alliance yet, but this deal brings it closer to SkyTeam. With Air India in Star Alliance and a deepening relationship with SkyTeam carriers, IndiGo’s direction seems pretty clear.

The EU Passport Rule UK Travellers Keep Missing

If you’re planning a trip to Europe, it might be worth giving your passport a closer look, not just the expiry date, but the issue date too.

A TLFL reader recently got caught out on the way to Greece. They had eight months left on their passport, but were refused boarding because it had been issued over 10 years ago. It’s a common mistake, and one that can completely ruin your holiday plans.

What’s the rule?

Since the UK left the EU, British passport holders are treated as third-country nationals. That means your passport must meet two key requirements to enter most European countries (including all those in the Schengen Zone like Spain, Italy, France and Greece):

1. It must have been issued within the past 10 years on the day you enter the EU.

2. It must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.

The 10-year rule has been enforced by the EU since 1 January 2021, when the Brexit transition period ended. But it wasn’t widely known until people started travelling again post-Covid, and even now, many travellers (and even some airline staff) still don’t realise how strict the rule is.

The confusion comes from older passports issued before September 2018, when the UK used to add up to nine extra months to your new passport if you renewed early. So, while your passport might say it’s valid for 10 years and 9 months, the EU only recognises the first 10 years.

What should you do?

• Check the issue date on your passport now, especially if it was issued before 2018.

• If it’ll be over 10 years old by the time you enter the EU, you’ll need to renew it, even if there are still months left before it expires.

• Don’t assume you’ll be fine just because the expiry date looks good.

It’s a frustrating rule, but one that’s strictly enforced, as our unlucky reader found out the hard way, they even got all the way through to the gate before it was flagged.