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New Zealand to reopen 1 May
From 1 May 2022, UK fully vaccinated travellers can enter New Zealand without needing to isolate. This week is bringing many things just a year ago we wondered if we would ever see again. The rules apply to travellers from any of the 60 countries on a visa-waiver list. Fully vaccinated Australian visitors can return from 13 April.
Seeing as it’s New Zealand, it’s not quite that simple. There’s a requirement for a negative pre-departure test which is fair enough. But you also have to take a rapid antigen test on the day of arrival and on day five or six. This seems pretty excessive for a country that now already has a huge number of Covid cases and a highly vaccinated population. But it is definitely a huge step in the right direction.
Virgin will not return to Gatwick in 2022
Prior to Covid Virgin flew to its more holiday-orientated destinations such as Orlando from Gatwick and had its own lounge there. Vorgin had originally planned to return to Gatwick this summer. However, CEO Shai Weiss has now confirmed that the airline will not return until 2023 at the earliest, if at all.
Shai said
“Traditionally, we have flown leisure routes out of Gatwick. We have slots at Gatwick and we would like to think there is an opportunity for Gatwick. But it’s not this year.” He went on to say that Heathrow was “where our business hub is, this is where we connect with other carriers, this is where people want to fly.”
Qatar Airways return to Gatwick
Qatar Airways is to resume flights to London Gatwick Airport from 5 June, 2022. The airline will operate a daily service from Gatwick to Doha using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner featuring 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class. The downside is that most B787’s do not have the new QSuites. Qatar only recently introduced their new QSuites for the B787 so it will be some time until they are all fitted. However, the seats are still very good in a 1-2-1 configuration.
The resumption of the London Gatwick service complements recently launched flights to Doha from Gatwick by Qatar Airways’ Joint Business partner British Airways, meaning the airlines can now jointly offer more options between London and Doha and beyond. Gatwick has been traditionally a little cheaper than Heathrow so let’s hope they launch some good fares to celebrate their return! Although normally Gatwick would not have such a good lounge experience, with Qatar currently still situated in T5 at Heathrow, the difference in lounges is less stark. However, it does look like the airline are planning to return to Heathrow T4 at some point.
UK customers will now have access to four gateways including five-times daily services from London Heathrow, 18-times weekly from Manchester and four-times weekly from Edinburgh rising to daily from 2 June.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Our commitment to the UK market has been unwavering and we operated continuously and reliably throughout the pandemic, so I am pleased we can resume our popular service to London Gatwick. We offer excellent connectivity to and from the UK, providing travellers with more choice and convenience.
“This year is very special for us, not least as it is the 25th anniversary of the start of our flights to London Heathrow in March 1997.”
10 comments
A step in the right direction. I’m itching to get back to New Zealand but they’ll have to do a bit better than that if they want my tourism spend. Perhaps next winter…
We’re booked {subject to war!!} on a Regent cruise from Oz to NZ leaving Sydney on the 29th December. We arrive (for a short pre-cruise stay) at 21.00 in SYD on the 26th (via SIN) after leaving LHR on the 25th. The cruise line requires a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure (18.00 hrs) {or possibly embarkation – as yet unclear}. I also don’t (yet) know if the NZ rapid antigen test on days one and five/six requirement affects us. We arrive in NZ waters on 5th January 2023 and Dunedin on the 6th January. Confusing; let’s hope we get clear and non-conflicting instructions and information WELL in advance.
Unless Covid gets worse I’d be highly surprised if there is any testing by then. Possibly cruises but even then that’s doubtful. So I definitely would not be worrying about it. Both Australia and New Zealand have only just taken the first steps to opening. They will gradually relax things as time goes on.
Still cannot find those Singapore Bsiness cLass deals featured.
Where can I find them, or is this just another scam article ?
I replied yesterday to say they could have sold out but to try google flights or Skyscanner. I literally have no idea why you would think someone would write a scam article on fares. I can only write what I see on the airlines website. How many fares they have at that price and on what dates has nothing to do with me. If it’s a cheap single destination fare I make sure there are a reasonable amount of dates available. When it’s a massive sale from multiple cities to multiple destinations that’s simply not achievable. Usually the cheapest fares sell out within a day or two to popular destinations. How any of that is my fault and a “scam” I have no idea. It’s in my interest that people find a good fare and buy it as I get a tiny commission on some airlines.
And I think calling this “another scam article” is completely unecessary. This is how sales work. The cheap fares are limited. They sell out quickly. Sometimes airlines publish them and they go immediately as they only released a small number of dates. Same with any fare offers, you have to act quickly, be flexible with dates and be lucky. Getting angry with me is not going to help. If you want to complain to someone take it up with the airline that published the fares.
Brian, you are very rude. I don’t believe you feel
Better after that rudeness and neither does the person you try to offend. So why bother?
Just be nice to yourself and others. You might live longer too. xx
I read an article about cheap Lufthansa / Swiss business fares to Sydney from Dublin at 06:15 a few weeks ago. By 06:45 I had booked my cheap business fare. I told my friend at 08:30 but he was unable to find any. I have learnt that if there is a good deal then book it or lose it.
Exactly! You snooze you loose! I’ve lost out lots of times by hesitating for an hour!
A flight in Qatar business class, even without QSuites, is still very good. 🙂
I’m not sure why anyone would call an article on an airfare sale a “scam article.” If her articles were “scams” she would have far less traffic to her site which would adversely affect her business – it simply isnt in her best interest to write “scams”. Anyone who has ever played the points/status game with airlines knows that airfare sales can not only be limited in capacity but limited duration. With a highly regarded airline like Singapore Airlines, any sale is almost certainly to be snapped up quickly by customers.
Personally, I’ve found Michele’s articles incredibly helpful as I switch my points earning plan from AA to BA.
Thank you for your support!
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