READY FOR TAKE-OFF

Flights ++ Airports ++ New routes

LAST-MINUTE BOOKINGS

WITH Government travel restrictions changing every week, booking flights at short notice makes sense and fares can be extremely low. Ryanair is offering flights to Greece from £9.99 one-way (book by September 9), Jet2.com has trips to Italy this month from £57 return and easyJet is running a series of flash sales (ryanair.com, jet2.com, easyjet.com).

VIRGIN IN-FLIGHT MEALS

VIRGIN ATLANTIC has enhanced its inflight catering to include hot dishes and an expanded alcohol service. The airline currently flies from Heathrow to seven cities including New York, Miami, Delhi and Shanghai. Flights to another four will launch this month starting with a thrice-weekly route to Tel Aviv from tomorrow. (virginatlantic.com).

JERSEY CONNECTIONS

CHANNEL Islands-based carrier Blue Islands is now operating flights from Jersey (below) to Exeter and Birmingham, along with a link from Exeter to Manchester. Fares from £44.99 one-way including 23kg luggage, and bookings can be made as far ahead as summer 2021 (blueislands.com).

LITHUANIA LINK

LOT Polish Airlines has started twicedaily flights from London City to Vilnius. The Baltic capital recently topped a list of the cheapest places for a city break compiled by Post Office Travel Money. Although on the Government’s ‘safe’ list, Lithuania currently requires UK visitors to self-isolate on arrival, so hold fire until restrictions are eased (lot.com, govilnius.lt).

SOUTHEND SECURITY

SOUTHEND Airport is trialling a new cabin baggage screening system that means passengers will no longer need to remove liquids and laptops as they pass through security. As well as speeding up such checks, the measures are designed to support social distancing and reduce contact between staff and passengers (southendairport.com).

BARBADOS BOOST

BRITISH Airways will operate a daily service from Heathrow to Barbados from October 17. The island’s hotels and resorts are now re-opening and arriving passengers must submit a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel (ba.com, visitbarbados.org).

■ FOR the latest Government advice on where you can travel, see gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.