Key Highlights
- British Airways’ Boxing Day sale offers occasional better value for business class fares.
- Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class Wing sale provides competitive deals with a superior Heathrow departure experience.
- EasyJet continues to offer attractive prices, especially for short trips and underseat luggage.
- Heathrow Airport announces plans to revamp Terminal 4 in 2031, enhancing passenger experience and efficiency.
Boxing Day Sales: British Airways Offers Limited Value
In the early start of Boxing Day sales, British Airways (BA) has not seen significant excitement from travelers. The sale runs until January 27, 2026, and while it includes various destinations, BA’s fare prices are generally in line with previous sales. Notably, a few business class fares to select locations offer slightly better value:
- Denver: £1874
- New Orleans: £1771
- Antigua: £1922
- St Kitts: £1937
- Dubai: £1889
- Athens: £370 (a great option for a weekend break)
- Belfast: £180
- Berlin: £236
- Cairo: £695
- Dubai: £1889
- Dublin: £198
- Ibiza: £240
- Madrid: £250
The US and Canada destinations have a minimum Saturday night stay, while other long-haul destinations require at least three days. Club Europe sales do not have any minimum stay requirements.
Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class Wing Sale Offers Competitively Priced Deals
Virgin Atlantic’s sale is ongoing until February 2, 2026, for flights with various travel dates from January 1 to November 30, 2026. This includes both flights and holidays. While BA may have better deals on some US destinations, Virgin offers competitive prices on the Caribbean:
- London – New York: £1497 (August)
- London – Seattle: £1979 (July)
- London to Antigua: £1953 (June)
- London to Montego Bay: £1575 (April)
- London to Seoul: £2447 (September)
The Heathrow departure experience for Upper Class is highly rated, with exclusive entrances and an exceptional lounge. The sale also offers a low £75 per person deposit on holidays, doubling Tier Points earned through Flying Club.
EasyJet’s Sale Offers Attractive Prices for Short Trips and City Breaks
Since taking over flights to Murcia from BA, EasyJet has become a popular choice. The sale offers one-way prices starting at £14.99, making it an attractive option for short trips or city breaks. Package holidays can be up to £400 cheaper and city breaks up to £300 cheaper when booked until March 3, 2026. Additionally, EasyJet Plus membership offers half price deals with a card offer, providing a business class experience without the cost.
Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4 Revamp Set for Completion in 2031
After years of underinvestment, Heathrow has announced plans to revamp Terminal 4. The renovation will include a new multi-storey car park and an upgraded check-in area, with phased construction expected to be completed by 2031. This is part of the airport’s five-year investment program (H7) aimed at enhancing passenger experience and efficiency.
Other improvements include:
- A new dedicated baggage system for Terminal 2 capable of handling up to 31,000 bags per day.
- An upgrade to the now-closed Terminal 1 building’s baggage handling system, which will reduce misconnections and costs for airlines.
- The installation of a new network of cameras across Heathrow’s stands using AI to improve turnaround times between flights.
- Investment in accessibility with a new assistance area in Terminal 2 offering direct access to security for the first time.
This is part of broader upgrades across the airport, including the introduction of a Tailored Travel Guide for passengers with access needs.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye expressed optimism about these improvements, stating that every journey through Heathrow will be better than the last and that this investment will drive economic growth. Passengers are encouraged to share their thoughts on future enhancements at Heathrow’s website.
Note: The sale periods for British Airways (until January 27, 2026), Virgin Atlantic (until February 2, 2026), and EasyJet (bookings until March 3, 2026) are crucial dates to keep in mind when planning travel.
