British Airways may use its biggest planes to fly tourists to Europe this summer

Martin Lewis discusses travel insurance for 2021 holidays

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Foreign travel is set to re-open to Britons in just over two months’ time. The Greek government has already announced it will welcome British tourists to its country as early as May.

Travel bookings to European countries such as Greece have increased in the last few weeks, therefore it is likely that many crowds will be gathering in airports in the summer, waiting to go abroad.

British Airways is considering using its biggest planes for these crowds, even though flights to Greece, and other destinations, are short.

This positions the airline to capture more revenue from returning travelers.

This news comes from people familiar with British Airways’ fleet plans, according to Bloomberg.

At London Heathrow airport, British Airways has several twin-aisle Boeing Co. 787s, 777s, and Airbus SE A350s.

These jets can carry up to twice as many people as the single-aisle planes that are usually used when carrying passengers to European destinations.

These bigger jets will be available in the summer for shorter flights since long-distance flights are expected to still be largely off-limits.

They will not be re-opening as early as European routes.

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In an email to Bloomberg, British Airways said that it keeps its operation under constant review, and the airline declined to comment on specific plans.

However, a firm decision will likely be made by British Airways depending on the number of holiday bookings.

The airline’s next steps will also depend on the UK’s roadmap out of lockdown plans.

If all goes according to plan, the UK is set to allow its citizens to travel abroad as early as May 17.

Smaller planes may be more fuel-efficient on shorter flights, but if British Airways does choose to use its bigger jets for European routes, it will not be the first time that an airline has done so.

In 2010, Air France used the Airbus A380 double-decker to fly 500 people between London and Paris.

Also, before the pandemic, Emirates used its A380s on 40-minute flights between Dubai and Oman.

Even British Airways itself has used its A350s on a short hop in the past, flying the aircraft from London to Madrid in 2019.

When travel restrictions in England are lifted on May 17, Britons may be allowed to travel to several European countries, including Greece, some Spanish islands, Cyprus, and Portugal.

The Spanish government suggested that Britons could be allowed to visit the Canary and Balearic Islands, as long as they tested negative for COVID-19.

Cyprus’ government has also said that they will welcome tourists to the nation if they have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

Meanwhile, Rita Marques, Portugal’s tourism minister has expressed her hopes for the country to soon open its borders to tourists who have either been vaccinated or tested negative for the coronavirus.

She said: “I do believe that Portugal will soon allow restriction-free travel, not only for vaccinated people, but those who are immune or who test negative. We hope to welcome British tourists from 17 May.”

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