I wish I had been in Shannon Airport today for the arrival of BA's biggest baby the A380 

British Airways’ first A380 flew into Shannon airport this morning (Tuesday July 30) in preparation for beginning long-haul flights this September.  Lucky aircraft spotters joined the crowd to welcome the newest arrival to the BA fleet. 

 During its three hour visit, the aircraft, the largest in British Airways’ fleet, could be seen alongside the smallest, an A318, which operates a double-daily service from London City to New York’s JFK Airport, stopping briefly in Shannon for refuelling and to allow US immigration pre-clearance.

The aircraft is one of the most technologically advanced passenger planes ever built, much quieter inside and out, with cleaner air, more space and an entertainment system featuring more than 1,600 hours of programming.  It is hugely fuel efficient – burning 16 per cent less fuel than the aircraft it replaces. British Airways is welcoming 12 A380s over the next four years, representing part of the airline’s £5bn investment in products and services to benefit customers.

The visit formed part of a process to test the ability of airports in the UK and Ireland to handle the super-sized aircraft in the event of a diversion, as well as building the pilots’ flight training hours. 

Flying the aircraft into the airport, Captain Mike Blythe said: “I’ve flown British Airways’ smallest aircraft into Shannon many times, so it’s definitely a new experience to fly the airline’s largest into the airport today. I want to thank everyone here for their warm welcome and for helping to make this a successful visit. ” 

Commenting on the arrival, Simon Daly, British Airways Manager for Ireland, said: “We are delighted to welcome the new A380 to Shannon Airport today, and are looking forward to customers from Ireland being able to experience what this fantastic aircraft has to offer when flights commence from London Heathrow to Los Angeles in September, to Hong Kong in October and to Johannesburg next year.” 

Shannon Airport CEO Neil Pakey said: "Shannon has had many proud firsts over the years and being the first Irish airport to handle the world's largest passenger aircraft is among them. It is further confirmation of Shannon's place in the aviation industry. Having British Airways’ A380 at the airport parked beside its smallest aircraft, the A318, is a rare moment for any airport and a great opportunity for aviation enthusiasts across the country who are here in big numbers today."

British Airways offers all-inclusive fares  from Ireland that include a generous 23kg baggage allowance, free online check-in and seat selection 24 hours prior to departure.

 

Podcast from Matt Cooper Show, the Last Word, Wednesday July  
Where to book – car rental own sites or through third parties? Pay in advance or on arrival? Some countries are more expensive for car hire. Spain is cheapest, Croatia nearly double Spain. Book in advance – at present, prices are going up for peak season

Size -  make sure you rent the  right size for your group including luggage. Children’s seats and equipment can take up a lot of space.

The true cost – what determines the price? Watch out for extras, insurance, additional drivers, tolls and fuel costs. On airport charges against off airport charges.

Portugal introduced barrier free tolling last year and it is causing problems.  Most rental companies are now supplying an in-car toll tag and charging back to your card for fees. If you don’t pay the tolls, which can only be paid in post offices or payzone type shops, you will be fined…..

Excess Insurance, should you take it or not? Carhireexcess.ie

 

Check the condition before you drive off. Biggest complaint from consumers is being charged for damage they never did.  It is impossible to prove after the fact. Take photos and try and return a car during working hours so it is checked before you leave the renters. If not, take more photos.

Debit card or credit card – It is virtually impossible to rent a car with a debit card.  A lot more people are now using debit cards, particularly the new Visa Debit card and virtually all car hire firms want a credit card to cover any damage or extras.

There is one company in the UK, Indigo Car Hire that deals with rental companies across Europe that accept debit cards

Phone for a quote on 0044-113 289 9279, indigocarhire.co.uk.

 http://player.todayfm.com/player/home/The_Last_Word_with_Matt_Cooper/The_Last_Word_with_Matt_Cooper/1317/car_rental_abroad

Newstalk – Tom Dunne Show –

Monday July 8

If you haven’t booked yet, you may still get away.  There are a small amount of late deals around, but most prices are around 500 euros per week. 

The best value is Turkey which has the biggest increase in seats this year.  You will find a week from under 400 euros with WingsAbroad.ie, Thomascook.ie, and falconholidays.ie. Concordetravel.ie has discounts in Croatia and Montenegro for this month. Look also at prices from Cork, Shannon and Knock.

If you really want to fry yourself in style that best value is the Middle East with holidays to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in five star luxury from 900 euros, for flights, accommodation, some of which is half board.  For super luxury the Atlantis Palm Hotel, which had the most expensive opening party ever, is available for around 1,200 for a week half board.  See Sunway.ie, classicresorts.ie. and trailfinders.ie.

If you are close enough to Belfast, there are some pockets of special offers from there to sun destinations. See also Jet2holidays.com.

See the dynamic booking sites, clickandgo.com, lowcostholidays.ie and steintravel.ie and Holidaysonline.ie.

Airlines

Bag a flight and make you own holiday, though there are few cheap deals this summer.  Our favourite Malaga is very expensive this year. However Ryanair had a sale last week and some of the fares still in the system i.e. Malaga from 200 and Palma de Mallorca from under 200, from Dublin, Cork and Shannon.

 Northern European is cheaper than southern Europe and the it is 30 degrees in the Baltics now. Lowcostholidays.ie has a charter to Majorca and there are some seats for under 200 return.  Best value to Transatlantic, if you have time is Airfrance.ie over Paris, under 600.

Baggage is causing problems for people, the cost has gone up for the summer with Aer Lingus charging 20 each way and Ryanair 25 each way and if you travel to the Canaries, Turkey, Greece and Morocco its an adiditonal tenner return.  Watch the weight – Aer Lingus are 20 kg, Ryanair 15kg and one on board bag only. Excess weight will cost from 9 – 15 kg. Don’t pool bags.  The weight is per person and infants have no baggage allowance.

Accommodation

There is plenty of ways of finding accommodation these days and there has been great improvements in past ten years.  In Spain accommodation hasn’t gone up this year, due to less Spaniards taking holidays. Use booking sites like Hotels.com, and booking.com.   booking.com is better for finding apartments. Trivago.com is advertising a lot and that can be useful too, but the final price can sometimes be higher then expect.  I think in some cases they don’t show the taxes. 

For apartments, the big websites like homeaway.com, holidayslettings.com are perfect for finding owner managed properties and you can some great properties at the right price.  Also for southern Mediterranean countries, rentalia.com is good.

Family holidays on resorts can be perfect and there are some discounts for August with Campotel.ie, Pv-holidays.com, keycamp.ie.

Car Hire

Always throws up problems.  Read the small print, make sure you know what you are booking, what the fuel arrangements are and if you take it, what the excess insurance will cost.  Renters also charge extra for things like car seats, GPS units and personal accident insurance.

Late Deals at home

With this weather, why would you go away. Find hotels deals on irelandhotels.com, and self-catering on TridentHolidaysHomes.ie.

Why not consider Camping, camping-ireland.ie for finding campsites.

And the back page of The Irish Times.

A trend that has being emerging lately has finally be identified by Lastminute.com - the City Bake.  Short holidays to city destinations in the summer are on the rise.  

For some people, a holidays, isn't a holiday until you get your kit off. And if you are going to England then there is a whole lot of places you can doff your kit.  

In response to the announcement that Holkham Beach in Norfolk was banning nudists, VisitEngland.com came up with a whole host of ideas of where to get naked. 

1. Brighton East Beach, be careful with the fish and chips.
2. Pevn Vounder beach on the Penwith Peninsula, bring your hiking boots to get here
3. Rocken End area of Blackgang beach on the Isle of Wight
4. Ross Back Sands, Bamburgh, Northumberland, though the cold wind from the North Sea may cause more than a few goose bumps.
5. Inland,  the Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury, Wiltshire hosts a number of "clothes optional" days and the next ones are July 7 and 28.
6. Join the Streak for Tigers at London Zoo on August 15, for ZSL charity. God only know what the tigers will think of all the pale bodies running around - Food maybe. http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/whats-on/streak-for-tigers,742,EV.html
7. Hire your own clothes free zone at Pevors Farm Cottages in Essex and hang out starkers on the 400-acre estate
8. Practice your still life drawing with a male model, a different idea for hen parties - and no touching!!