Online check-in with low-cost airlines
This year several low-cost airlines have launched a service enabling their customers to do an online check in, print their boarding pass and avoid the usual queues at the check-in desks in airports.
Ryanair already offers this service to passengers flying from several destinations. Customers can obtain their boarding card from 72 to 4 hours before the scheduled flight departure time and are allowed to carry hand luggage weighing up to 10 kilos.
British airline Bmibaby which specialises in cheap flights has launched a new service for passengers flying from East Midlands Airport. The service is available to travellers carrying hand luggage weighing less than seven kilograms and if it proves popular, Bmibaby plans to expand its online check-in to the other airports it flies from.
Easyjet does not yet offer on-line check in although it does offer offer a self-check-in service in Nottingham East Midlands airport which it plans to expand across all other airports in the future.
Important things to remember when doing an online check in
- Put your printed boarding card in your passport as soon as you have finished the online check-in procedure to avoid leaving it at home. You will need to present both at airport security and if you forget it some airlines charge a fee for having to reissue a boarding card
- Check the hand luggage weight allowance - it varies from airline to airline
- Online check in is not usually available for passengers travelling with prams, wheelchairs or similar equipment
- Once the online-check in procedure is carried out, passengers are no longer able to make any changes to their flight booking
Cheapest flights from Belfast to Spain
Two of the biggest UK low-cost airlines are offering cheap flights from Belfast airport to several Spanish destinations.
Although it is more difficult to find the same kind of deals available from other international airports in the UK, it is still possible to find some bargain flights. These are the best offers we have found available for a two week return flight to Spain from Belfast in June:
Jet2:
- Belfast to Barcelona for as low as £77.96(including airport tax and charges)
- Belfast to Murcia (and cheap flights in July and August are already scarce on this route)
Easyjet:
- Belfast to Alicante, for £182.48
- Belfast to Malaga, for £182.48
- Belfast to Palma Mallorca lowest priced flights are selling for £157.48
Another option available to air passangers flying to Spain from Belfast is to do the journey via London. Cheap flights with Easyjet from Belfast to London Gatwick start at just under £20, and return flights from Gatwick to Alicante in June start at £38.98, so it is actually cheaper to fly to Spain from Belfast if you don't mind having a longer journey and travelling via London.
Cheap weekend breaks in Spain
The company Dialaflight is offering special deals for people wanting to spend a weekend break in some of Spain's most popular cities. Special offers include return flights and hotel accommodation in a twin room for one night. The following Spanish destinations are available:
Weekend break in Barcelona: Flying with Iberia. 1 night at the 2* Bonanova Park with breakfast From £159. Valid from 17/04/2006 to 31/10/2006 (see visitors guide to Barcelona). - Weekend break in Madrid: Exclusive offer flying with British Airways. 1 night at the 4* Florida Norte with breakfast From £115.
- Weekend break in Seville: Flying with British Airways. 1 night at the 4* Al-andalus with breakfast from £119.
- Weekend break in Marbella: Flying with Iberia. 1 night at the 4* Hotel Las Piramides
From £169. Valid from 01/04/2006 to 30/06/2006 (see visitors guide to Malaga)
Weekend break in beautiful Salamanca: Flying with British Airways. 1 night at the 3* Silken Rona Dalba Hotel with breakfast from £105. Valid from 01/05/2006 to 31/10/2006. (see visitors guide to Salamanca) - Weekend break in Valencia: Flying with Iberia. 1 night at the 3* Husa Serrano with breakfast from £149. Valid from 01/05/2006 to 14/07/2006 (see visitors guide to Valencia)
