READY FOR TAKE-OFF

Flights ++ Airports ++ New routes

DISCOUNTED COVID TESTS

BRITISH Airways is now offering its customers rapid antigen test kits at a reduced rate of £33. Results are available within 20 minutes and, if negative, include a downloadable ‘fit to fly’ certificate from the Governmentapproved test provider Qured. Discount codes for another four test companies are also available on its website ( ba. com, qured.com).

PROPER MEALS RETURN

VIRGIN Atlantic’s simplified meal service, which was introduced as a Covid-19 safety measure last July, is being upgraded.

Economy passengers can now look forward to a choice of two hot dishes plus dessert while Upper Class customers will enjoy a welcome drink and individually-plated meals. A complimentary personal health pack with a face mask, wipes and hand gel is also provided ( virginatlantic.com).

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY

FLIGHTS to eight European cities with popular Christmas markets are now available from Jet2.com. Destinations include Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Krakow and Copenhagen. The routes will operate from seven UK airports on selected dates between late November and mid-December. The airline is also introducing new winter services to Lisbon from Birmingham and Manchester ( jet2.com).

LUTON RAIL LINK

EAST Midlands Railway will introduce a new half-hourly non-stop service between London St Pancras and Luton Airport Parkway in May. The journey time will be around 30 minutes ( london-luton.co.uk, eastmidlands railway.co.uk).

SPREAD OUT WITH EMIRATES

ECONOMY passengers flying with Emirates now have the option to purchase up to three adjoining seats if empty. These can only be bought at check-in and cost from AED200 (£39) to AED600 (£117) plus taxes, with the aim being to help families and the safety conscious ( emirates.com).

GET AWAY IN 2022

EASYJET has put flights on sale up until May 31, 2022, with fares from £14.99 one-way. New routes have also been introduced for this summer, including Bristol to Santorini, Birmingham to Amsterdam and Glasgow to Newquay ( easyjet.com). n FOR the latest Government advice on where you can travel see gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice NIGEL TISDALL