Flights you have been on

[route101]

Just booked my third long-haul trip of the year.
Heading to Japan next month which is something to look forward to.
Going with Air China via Beijing one way and Shanghai the other.
The Chinese airlines are just so much dramatically cheaper than any other option.



Just one weekend left to go and we should be over the summer peak of travel.

Though I always arrive extra early for early morning flights from UK airports. Always the busiest time at security and the bigger regional airports tend to be the worst.
You'll have the same on return at Bristol though it isn't as bad as it used to be there.

I was thinking of going to Japan too. The Chinese carrier are a lot cheaper usually. BA was over £1500 return.

I came back on train. The early flight to Bristol is a summer only timing on Saturday, useful for getting down early doors.

 

[TravelDream]

I was thinking of going to Japan too. The Chinese carrier are a lot cheaper usually. BA was over £1500 return.

I came back on train. The early flight to Bristol is a summer only timing on Saturday, useful for getting down early doors.

Yes, BA, JAL and ANA were all about £1500 or more. Air China £500 (£420 if I'd been willing to fly from Singapore coming back - a £160 detour, but a chance at visiting two places). Amazingly, the Chinese airlines often have competitive flight times despite connections as they fly over Russia (a no-no for some I guess).
Air China was 1/3 of that so it's a real no-brainer for me.
If you are considering, Japan is an incredible place to visit and is really not as expensive as some say. The economy has been at death's door for 30 years and the yen is weak. Hotels, eating out and attractions are surprisingly cheap coming from the UK despite the reputation.

I actually found the bus more comfortable on that route (despite this being a train forum :P) and generally recommend it unless reliant on a train connection.

 

[route101]

Yes, BA, JAL and ANA were all about £1500 or more. Air China £500 (£420 if I'd been willing to fly from Singapore coming back - a £160 detour, but a chance at visiting two places). Amazingly, the Chinese airlines often have competitive flight times despite connections as they fly over Russia (a no-no for some I guess).
Air China was 1/3 of that so it's a real no-brainer for me.
If you are considering, Japan is an incredible place to visit and is really not as expensive as some say. The economy has been at death's door for 30 years and the yen is weak. Hotels, eating out and attractions are surprisingly cheap coming from the UK despite the reputation.

I actually found the bus more comfortable on that route (despite this being a train forum :P) and generally recommend it unless reliant on a train connection.

Yes, I have been to Japan a while back now. KLM for under £500 return. I only seen the Tokyo area.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Well yesterday (August 27th 2026) was a horrendous weather day in a good chunk of the UK. Luton Airport Air Traffic control tower got damaged by rain and lightning and LTN was closed. I was on flight EZY612 Glasgow to Luton. Horrendous delays and eventually diverted to East Midlands. Aircraft registration was G-EZUK an A320. At least 12 aircraft were diverted there with others going to other airports such as STN. I ended up getting a bus to Derby railway station then Cross Country to Tamworth then an Avanti to Preston. The captain took pity on us (took well over 1 hour to deplane) and let some of us into the cockpit. Photo attached