READY FOR TAKE-OFF

Flights ++ Airports ++ New routes

AUTUMN IN CANADA

AIR Transat is offering flights from Gatwick to Calgary on selected dates in September and October from £383 return — an ideal time to explore the majestic mountains of Banff National Park, just a 90-minute drive west. Book by August 15. See airtransat.com, banfflakelouise.com.

FLIGHTS OF FANCY

HOW will we fly around the world during the next hundred years? That’s the subject of ‘BA 2119: Flight Of The Future’, a free exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery on until August 26. The collaboration between British Airways, which celebrates its centenary this year, and the Royal College of Art includes an eight-minute full motion virtual reality experience. Book in advance for £20. See saatchigallery.com; ba.com/ba2119.

ORANGUTANS OK

GARUDA Indonesia’s new non-stop service from Heathrow to Medan in Sumatra is good news if you want to see orangutans in the wild. ‘It’s cut the journey time by three hours and saves around £150 per person,’ says Robin Bell from Asia specialists Bamboo Travel. A 15day private tour costs from £2,695 per person including flights, guides, sightseeing and B&B accommodation. See garuda-indonesia.com; bambootravel.co.uk

TICKET TO TENERIFE

EASYJET will operate twice-weekly flights from Liverpool to Tenerife in the Canary Islands from October 30. Fares start from £35.99 one-way per person; i-escape has boutique hotels from £74 a night with breakfast. See easyjet.com; i-escape.com.

MIDDLE WAY

HATE getting the middle seat on a plane? Colorado-based Molon Labe Seating has an ingenious new design that makes its seat three inches wider and set slightly back from its neighbours, giving occupants more leg and elbow room. Here’s hoping airlines adopt it. See airlineseats.biz.

BRUSSELS OUTING

BRUSSELS Airlines will fly between Bristol and Brussels from September 1. For a stimulating break, jump on the hourly bus service direct from the airport to Antwerp, Belgium’s most vibrant city and the home of Rubens, the world diamond trade and some exceptionally strong beers. See brusselslairlines.com; airportexpress.be; visitantwerpen.be.

ON TRACK

IF YOU want to check flight arrivals or departures anywhere from Antigua to Zambia, Flightradar24 is the answer. Much-loved by plane-spotters, this indispensable website and app tracks around 200,000 flights daily, plus there’s also a wealth of information about airline fleets and routes. See flightradar24.com.