Neil Steedman
@neilsteedman.bsky.social
After 50 years as a trade (mainly travel) journalist, editor and proof reader, I am now retired, living in #Arklow in Ireland, a #Buddhist, and Manager for Tibetan singer and Real World Records recording artist #YungchenLhamo. #Buddhism #Travel
IAG airlines will equip aircraft with Starlink satellite internet from early 2026. Installation timetables will vary by carrier. Aer Lingus, BA, Iberia, and LEVEL will offer the service free of charge in every cabin from gate to gate without login codes. Vueling and Iberia Express plan paid tiers.
November 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
IAG airlines will equip aircraft with Starlink satellite internet from early 2026. Installation timetables will vary by carrier. Aer Lingus, BA, Iberia, and LEVEL will offer the service free of charge in every cabin from gate to gate without login codes. Vueling and Iberia Express plan paid tiers.
The USA plans to progressively reduce airline traffic to 10% at 40 “high volume markets” if the government shutdown does not end. Reuters said cuts would begin at 4% on Friday, increase to 5% on Saturday, 6% on Sunday, and reach 10% next week. International flights would be exempt from initial cuts.
November 6, 2025 at 12:41 PM
The USA plans to progressively reduce airline traffic to 10% at 40 “high volume markets” if the government shutdown does not end. Reuters said cuts would begin at 4% on Friday, increase to 5% on Saturday, 6% on Sunday, and reach 10% next week. International flights would be exempt from initial cuts.
Three Sandals and Beaches Resorts in Jamaica - Montego Bay, Royal Caribbean, and South Coast - will remain closed until 30 May 2026 in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The other five - Dunn’s River, Ochi, Royal Plantation, Negril, and Beaches Negril – are expected to reopen from 6 December 2025.
November 5, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Three Sandals and Beaches Resorts in Jamaica - Montego Bay, Royal Caribbean, and South Coast - will remain closed until 30 May 2026 in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The other five - Dunn’s River, Ochi, Royal Plantation, Negril, and Beaches Negril – are expected to reopen from 6 December 2025.
#AerLingus and #TescoIreland have launched an exclusive #Avios partnership under which every €2.50 in Tesco Clubcard vouchers can be converted into 600 Avios, the reward currency of #AerClub, and redeemed on flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car hire, and more.
November 4, 2025 at 10:44 AM
#AerLingus and #TescoIreland have launched an exclusive #Avios partnership under which every €2.50 in Tesco Clubcard vouchers can be converted into 600 Avios, the reward currency of #AerClub, and redeemed on flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car hire, and more.
In Danish schools an hour a week is dedicated to the “Klassens tid”, an empathy lesson for students aged 6 to 16 years. It is a fundamental part of the Danish curriculum. The hour of empathy is as important as the time spent, for example, on English or mathematics.
October 31, 2025 at 7:10 PM
In Danish schools an hour a week is dedicated to the “Klassens tid”, an empathy lesson for students aged 6 to 16 years. It is a fundamental part of the Danish curriculum. The hour of empathy is as important as the time spent, for example, on English or mathematics.
Brand USA's new ‘America the Beautiful’ global tourism marketing campaign aims to accelerate growth ahead of 2026, a milestone year marked by the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th anniversary, and the Route 66 centennial, and to counter concern among travellers about the tightened immigration checks.
October 21, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Brand USA's new ‘America the Beautiful’ global tourism marketing campaign aims to accelerate growth ahead of 2026, a milestone year marked by the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th anniversary, and the Route 66 centennial, and to counter concern among travellers about the tightened immigration checks.
The EU Court of Justice has ruled that “although the common meaning of the term ‘baggage’ refers to objects, that does not allow the conclusion to be drawn that pets do not fall within that concept.” For flights, compensation for a pet's loss is subject to the liability regime laid down for baggage.
October 18, 2025 at 11:10 AM
The EU Court of Justice has ruled that “although the common meaning of the term ‘baggage’ refers to objects, that does not allow the conclusion to be drawn that pets do not fall within that concept.” For flights, compensation for a pet's loss is subject to the liability regime laid down for baggage.
An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted a Railway order giving a green light for construction of MetroLink, a new 18.8km railway line from Dublin via Dublin Airport to Swords. Construction will take several years and final costs are not known. Dublin Airport to the city centre will take about 20 minutes.
October 2, 2025 at 11:27 AM
An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted a Railway order giving a green light for construction of MetroLink, a new 18.8km railway line from Dublin via Dublin Airport to Swords. Construction will take several years and final costs are not known. Dublin Airport to the city centre will take about 20 minutes.
Icelandic low-cost Play Airlines abruptly ceased operations yesterday, 29 September, leaving passengers stranded, flights cancelled, and around 120,000 bookings affected. Passengers should seek alternative flights with other airlines, who may offer rescue fares. This year Play reported a $66m loss.
September 30, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Icelandic low-cost Play Airlines abruptly ceased operations yesterday, 29 September, leaving passengers stranded, flights cancelled, and around 120,000 bookings affected. Passengers should seek alternative flights with other airlines, who may offer rescue fares. This year Play reported a $66m loss.
Virgin Voyages' new fare structure, VoyageFair, is applicable for all bookings from 7 October 2025. The new fare classes – which also make gratuities a separate line item as opposed to having them bundled – were developed based on feedback from past guests and travel advisors. #Cruising
September 26, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Virgin Voyages' new fare structure, VoyageFair, is applicable for all bookings from 7 October 2025. The new fare classes – which also make gratuities a separate line item as opposed to having them bundled – were developed based on feedback from past guests and travel advisors. #Cruising
Aer Lingus will start flying from Raleigh-Durham in North Carolina to Dublin in Ireland year-round from 13 April 2026, operating up to five times weekly on the single-aisle A321 XLR. Fares start from €299 each-way, and frequency will drop from five to four weekly flights in winter.
September 18, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Aer Lingus will start flying from Raleigh-Durham in North Carolina to Dublin in Ireland year-round from 13 April 2026, operating up to five times weekly on the single-aisle A321 XLR. Fares start from €299 each-way, and frequency will drop from five to four weekly flights in winter.
The US FAA has issued a Safety Alert for Operators encouraging airlines to issue clearer messaging for passengers on the potential fire risks associated with lithium battery-powered devices. It has reported 50 lithium-fire incidents on aircraft this year by 2 September - about 1.4 per week.
September 11, 2025 at 6:21 PM
The US FAA has issued a Safety Alert for Operators encouraging airlines to issue clearer messaging for passengers on the potential fire risks associated with lithium battery-powered devices. It has reported 50 lithium-fire incidents on aircraft this year by 2 September - about 1.4 per week.
Book now to enjoy two hours of fun and entertainment with Tibetan singer Yungchen Lhamo, from 3.00pm to 5.00pm, Saturday 27th September 2025, at the Old Dutch Church in Wall Street, Kingston, New York. Tickets are $20 on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/.../yungchen..., or $25 at the door.
August 27, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Book now to enjoy two hours of fun and entertainment with Tibetan singer Yungchen Lhamo, from 3.00pm to 5.00pm, Saturday 27th September 2025, at the Old Dutch Church in Wall Street, Kingston, New York. Tickets are $20 on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/.../yungchen..., or $25 at the door.
Travellers flying to Thailand with Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, or Thai VietJet will receive two free domestic flights with a 20kg baggage allowance (capped at THB 1,750 one-way or THB 3,500 return) for use from September to November 2025.
August 21, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Travellers flying to Thailand with Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, or Thai VietJet will receive two free domestic flights with a 20kg baggage allowance (capped at THB 1,750 one-way or THB 3,500 return) for use from September to November 2025.
Air France-KLM now has Short Connection Pass for tight connections at Paris CDG. A priority process is automatically triggered if connection time falls below a specific threshold. Passengers are notified by text and email about their eligibility for priority access at security and border control.
August 15, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Air France-KLM now has Short Connection Pass for tight connections at Paris CDG. A priority process is automatically triggered if connection time falls below a specific threshold. Passengers are notified by text and email about their eligibility for priority access at security and border control.
Japan is to implement new rules and restrictions on international travellers. By late 2026, new rules will cover tax-free shopping and attraction pricing, daily visitor caps will target popular sites, and 2028 will bring a new pre-approval arrivals system for visitors of 71 visa-exempted nations.
August 11, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Japan is to implement new rules and restrictions on international travellers. By late 2026, new rules will cover tax-free shopping and attraction pricing, daily visitor caps will target popular sites, and 2028 will bring a new pre-approval arrivals system for visitors of 71 visa-exempted nations.
From April to September 2027, six Holland America ships will cruise to Alaska from Seattle, Vancouver, or between Vancouver and Whittier. A new 8-day ‘Alaska Inside Passage’ will visit Glacier Bay, Skagway, and Ketchikan. The 28-day ‘Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice’ cruise departs 6 June.
August 10, 2025 at 10:16 AM
From April to September 2027, six Holland America ships will cruise to Alaska from Seattle, Vancouver, or between Vancouver and Whittier. A new 8-day ‘Alaska Inside Passage’ will visit Glacier Bay, Skagway, and Ketchikan. The 28-day ‘Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice’ cruise departs 6 June.
Using any kind of power bank onboard Emirates’ flights will be prohibited from 1 October 2025. Passengers can carry one power bank onboard but the power banks may not be used in the aircraft cabin to charge devices from the power bank, nor to be charged themselves using the aircraft’s power source.
August 9, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Using any kind of power bank onboard Emirates’ flights will be prohibited from 1 October 2025. Passengers can carry one power bank onboard but the power banks may not be used in the aircraft cabin to charge devices from the power bank, nor to be charged themselves using the aircraft’s power source.
Sri Lanka is to expand its visa-free travel policy to include visitors from 40 countries, such as the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Iran, Pakistan, and the UAE, alongside other nations across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The full list of eligible countries will be published in the next weeks.
July 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Sri Lanka is to expand its visa-free travel policy to include visitors from 40 countries, such as the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Iran, Pakistan, and the UAE, alongside other nations across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The full list of eligible countries will be published in the next weeks.
The EU’s Entry/Exit System, which will streamline travel at borders for non-EU passport holders by replacing manual passport stamping with biometric processes, including fingerprinting, will commence phased implementation on 12 October 2025. All EU borders will support the EES by 10 April 2026.
July 22, 2025 at 11:19 AM
The EU’s Entry/Exit System, which will streamline travel at borders for non-EU passport holders by replacing manual passport stamping with biometric processes, including fingerprinting, will commence phased implementation on 12 October 2025. All EU borders will support the EES by 10 April 2026.
From 1 October 2025 many international travellers - mainly from non-white countries - applying for US non-immigrant visas could face a new $250 ‘Integrity Fee’ authorised by the so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’. Travellers are advised to apply for visas before 1 October to avoid the new fee.
July 21, 2025 at 11:57 AM
From 1 October 2025 many international travellers - mainly from non-white countries - applying for US non-immigrant visas could face a new $250 ‘Integrity Fee’ authorised by the so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’. Travellers are advised to apply for visas before 1 October to avoid the new fee.
This is in Dublin, Ireland...
July 12, 2025 at 9:42 AM
This is in Dublin, Ireland...
The EU warns that summer flight delays could reach record levels due to air traffic control staff shortages, strikes, fires, and high demand for travel. The ATC system is operating at its limits due to staff shortages and a significant increase in demand for flights following the Covid-19 pandemic.
July 10, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The EU warns that summer flight delays could reach record levels due to air traffic control staff shortages, strikes, fires, and high demand for travel. The ATC system is operating at its limits due to staff shortages and a significant increase in demand for flights following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sunday 6th July 2025 is the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday and will be celebrated at the Tibetan Center, 875 NY-28, Kingston, NY 12401, from 10.00am. World-renowned Tibetan singer Yungchen Lhamo will perform in concert at 2.00pm, accompanied by Bob Bottjer on guitar and Bashiri Johnson on percussion.
July 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Sunday 6th July 2025 is the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday and will be celebrated at the Tibetan Center, 875 NY-28, Kingston, NY 12401, from 10.00am. World-renowned Tibetan singer Yungchen Lhamo will perform in concert at 2.00pm, accompanied by Bob Bottjer on guitar and Bashiri Johnson on percussion.