British Airways has pulled back the curtain on a sweeping, multi-million-pound makeover of its Airbus A380 fleet—one of the most extensive aircraft cabin refurbishment programmes ever undertaken by an airline. The world’s largest passenger jet is being transformed from nose to tail, with first-class suites evoking a “luxury hotel” experience and the biggest business-class cabin anywhere in the skies.

The first refreshed A380s will take to the air in the coming months, with premium cabins seeing the most dramatic changes.
“At the heart of the transformation is our brand-new First suite, but this investment goes far beyond a single cabin,” said a BA spokesperson. “From redesigned interiors and upgraded dining to new amenities and service delivery, every detail has been thoughtfully designed with our customers front and centre—helping them enjoy a seamless, memorable experience when they fly with us.”

Club World: The Skies’ Largest Business Class

The upper deck will host the expanded Club World cabin—BA’s business-class offering—with 106 single suites, the largest of their kind in aviation. Spread across four distinct zones to create an intimate feel, the cabin features dedicated areas, refreshed galleys, and room to move comfortably during the flight.

Improved storage, smarter functionality, and amenity kits filled with products from premium British wellness brand anatomē complete the upgrade. The colour palette draws on BA’s signature deep blue, rich red, and soft cream for a cohesive, elegant look.

First Class: Five-Star Hospitality at 35,000ft

The new First cabin redefines luxury, with 12 suites designed to mirror the comfort of a top-tier hotel. Passengers will sleep on new mattresses wrapped in cotton duvets and plump redesigned pillows, alongside cool-touch navy loungewear and plush slippers. A woven day blanket and cushion add daytime warmth and style.

Centre seats can convert into a shared space for pairs—simply remove the divider and deploy stowable tables for “buddy dining” together. Each suite also features an integrated personal minibar, keeping refreshments and snacks within easy reach throughout the journey.

Dining has been elevated across the entire long-haul fleet, with a new “From the Grill” menu concept and curated beverage list available to all First passengers.

Premium Economy & Economy: Upgrades All Round

The refresh extends to every cabin:

World Traveller (Economy): Wider seats, larger entertainment screens, and improved bedding for a more restful trip.
World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy): Privacy wings for personal space, even bigger screens, and amenity kits starring Dr. Pawpaw moisturising balm.
From the most exclusive suite to the main cabin, this is British Airways reimagined—with comfort, style, and detail at every altitude.

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WIN A LUXURY GREEK ISLAND ESCAPE WITH H HOTELS COLLECTION

Dreaming of sunshine, sea views and a relaxing escape to Greece? Here’s your chance to win a fabulous three-night break at the beautiful Rodos Princess Beach Resort & Spa, courtesy of H Hotels Collection.

Set on the stunning island of Rhodes, this inviting resort is the perfect place to switch off and enjoy a taste of Mediterranean bliss. And with your stay on an all-inclusive basis, you can relax knowing that everything is taken care of, leaving you free to make the most of your getaway.

Whether you’re looking forward to unwinding by the pool, soaking up the Greek sunshine, exploring the island or simply enjoying some well-earned downtime, this prize offers the perfect excuse to escape.

Ready to trade everyday life for island time? Enter now for your chance to win an unforgettable Rhodes escape with H Hotels Collection.

Full Terms and conditions apply:

The prize is a three-night stay for 2 people at Rodos Princess Beach Resort & Spa on an all-inclusive basis. The stay can be redeemed for visits between October–November 2026, April–May 2027 and October–November 2027, subject to availability. The prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative. The prize does not include flights, car hire, transfers from airport to hotel, phone calls, travel insurance or any other expenses incurred.

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A hotel with a plethora of wow factors, and housed in a glorious Grade II-listed 19th-century Victorian red-brick building, the Andaz London Liverpool Street hotel stands strikingly apart amid Liverpool Street’s post-war brutalism and bold contemporary architecture.

Occupying a prominent corner plot beside iconic Liverpool Street station — at the junction of Liverpool Street and Bishopsgate — it sits within the Square Mile, London’s financial heart, and moments from the creative energy of Shoreditch and Spitalfields.

I felt compelled to stop and stare a while on the opposite side of the road to relish its splendid six-storey stature and its incredible symmetrical façades, tall sash windows set deep within arched frames, its tall red brick chimneys and gabled pavilions.

Eventually, I stepped through the revolving doors and was awed all over again by the lobby’s unexpectedly colourful, playful designs. Within moments, I was warmly welcomed, offered a drink, and soon shown to my room on the fourth floor.

Incredibly, when the lift doors opened, the visual shift was astonishing — from vivid colours of the lobby to a restrained palette of grey and white. Rooms are arranged around a six-storey glass-domed Rotunda Lobby, flooding the interior with natural light. I was led down the a corridor of various grey hues toward my room.

Who For

Style and convenience reign at Andaz London without the Mayfair/Knightsbridge price tag and would appeal to those who admire creative flair. It’s steps away from Liverpool Street station, probably London’s best-connected hub: direct Stansted trains, Elizabeth Line to Heathrow in ~35 minutes, and Underground lines everywhere.

Plus it’s close to the Tower of London, Spitalfields Market, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, Tate Modern and plenty of other interesting places to explore.

Accommodation

There are 267 rooms at Andaz, with high ceilings and decked out in calming grey. My room 428, a spacious king room, had a view over Liverpool Street station and the busy comings and goings. Amazingly, the room remained peaceful and quiet all night long.

There’s plenty of storage behind black wardrobe doors, a writing table topped with plum-hued leather. The large comfy bed is flanked by a grey chaise-long at one end and a tan coloured headboard on the other. I really appreciated the ample plug points.

There’s also a huge 55 inch flat-screen TV, a complimentary mini bar with non-alcoholic drinks and a Nespresso coffee machine.

The en-suite with its walk-in shower has striking black and white tiles and came with spare toothbrushes and Byredo Eleventh Hour toiletries.

Food & Drink

There are several dining options. Miyako, the gastronomic Japanese option, was closed but looked like something I’d come back for. Rakes Parlour, reached from reception, is a place to get nibbles with a tipple in a colourful space.

This leads to Rakes Cafe Bar, also accessible from Bishopsgate. It’s a fine bar menu, but the highlight is its incredible cocktails.

A menu of signature cocktails comes with a curated playlist for each of them.

I enjoyed “Afterbeats” with Desi Daru Mango Vodka, Chilli and Elderflower. I watched as a bubble was placed on top of my drink, which then burst into a plume of smoke, a moment of entertaining theatre. After a few sips, I scanned the barcode attached to the glass, and was heady enough to sway to the Punjabi music that streamed from Spotify into my earbuds.

There’s also a pub. The Lady Abercorn pub looks as authentic in decor as any you may have seen, all packed into a single room.

I took both dinner and breakfast at Eastway Brasserie. The all-day menu offers burgers, king prawn and crayfish fettuccine, and slow-braised beef. I went for the salmon fillet.

Breakfast was interesting. As well as a full English breakfast, eggs as you like them, and various pastries, there were offerings from local businesses; for instance, bagels from nearby Brick Lane and honey from Bermondsey Street Bees.

Facilities

There’s a 24-hour gym with Peloton bikes, treadmills, weights and a place for yoga. A steam room and spa treatment rooms are available too. The area is rife with interesting things to see, so the hotel rents out Brompton cycles too.

The hotel’s highlights

Between 5pm and 6pm there’s a complimentary canapés and wine hour (Vino & Vibes) free for guests. I got my glass of white and squirrelled myself away in a cosy corner to enjoy a natter with others who have done the same. There’s also a coffee machine so anyone can help themselves throughout the day. Vino & Vibes, is on every day at 5pm, and extends to two hours on Friday with a live DJ performance.

Andaz London has its own Masonic Temple, looking gloriously Grecian in marble, leather thrones and a Zodiac gold ceiling. This hidden gem dates back to 1912 and was uncovered right here at the then Great Eastern Hotel in the 1990s. This century-old room features 12 types of Italian marble, mahogany-panelled thrones and a zodiac-adorned ceiling.

It’s often the backdrop of special performances and has been used in film. I hear Lady Gaga even used it for a photoshoot Ask at reception to take a peek.

What’s Nearby

Andaz London Liverpool Street hotel has put together an A-Z list of what you must check out so ask for more info. In the meantime, Liverpool Street station is steps away, making it easy to get around on the Elizabeth Line. Close by are Borough Market, a foodie haven, Brick Lane, famous for its bagels and curry houses, Old Spitalfields Market full of vintage fashion, crafts and food stores and trendy Shoreditch, famous for its street art. There are green spaces too such as St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate Gardens, Finsbury Circus Gardens, Aldgate Square and Elder Gardens.

Verdict: Andaz London Liverpool Street offers exceptional service, colourful, arty decor, various eateries, a small spa and a location close to plenty of places worth exploring nearby. A big thumbs up for this beautiful London hotel.

Andaz London Liverpool Street, by Hyatt
40 Liverpool Street, London EC2M 7QN

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It’s that time when we’re all thinking about our next ski holiday. Here are resorts with major changes, improvements and expansions – somewhere you may not have heard of… and the ultimate ski getaway!

Deer Valley, Utah, USA

The Hail Peak Express chairlift opens this season, adding skiing to a whole new area in this fast-moving Utah resort – since December 2024 it has more than doubled in size.

Seven new runs and massive panoramas from Hail Peak expand the East Village area, which started life a couple of seasons ago with its Grand Hyatt hotel and continued last season with seven new lifts – six chairlifts and the East Village Express gondola. Hail Peak, topping out at 7,585ft, is Deer Valley’s closest skiing to Jordanelle Reservoir, a massive lake meandering amid the mountains, giving superb waterfront views.

And it’s not over yet… for the 27/28 season there will be the food hall and shops of East Village Lodge as the base grows to a contemporary lakeside resort with eight upmarket hotels, 30-plus cafes and restaurants and more than 40 boutique shops.

More info: https://www.deervalley.com

3 Zinnen Dolomites, Italy

A new and growing connected area in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Dolomites. The 3 Zinnen – three peaks – are stunningly craggy, pale coloured mountains, and over the past few years five ski areas have been linked, now combining 115km of piste.

Sesto (home of tennis star Jannik Sinner) is at the heart of things in the main area spanning the three peaks, with 2,225m high point Monte Elmo, plus 2,000m Crossa Rossa and 2,100m Steirgarten. Off to one side is more skiing, Val Comelico, soon to be connected by more gondolas. San Candido is 10 minutes along the valley by free shuttle with its own 22km ski area (night skiing and tobogganing twice a week), Dobbiaco, with a couple of lifts, cross-country tracks and a Michelin-starred restaurant, is a little farther on a free shuttle train while Niederdorf is one more stop along, close to the little family/beginners area of Braies.

The Giro delle Cime is a 35km ski tour, linked almost all the way by modern gondolas (and a couple of shuttle buses). Nice hotels and lots of family slopes that have yet to attract the crowds. This season the area is being sold by Inghams, Crystal and others.

More info: https://www.dreizinnen.com/en/skiing/skiing/ski-resort

Avoriaz, France

This groundbreaking resort, high on a snowy plateau, a world of contemporary buildings, many like individual works of art, celebrates its 60^th anniversary.

It was a Sixties dream that came true, timber and organic design meeting the future, car-free streets served by horse-drawn taxi sleighs. There are 650km of slopes on the Portes du Soleil ski area, stretching from Les Gets (itself celebrating its 90^th birthday with events and a new beginners snowpark) through the traditional town of Morzine and across the Swiss border to pretty Chatel.

This season Avoriaz promises a season-long series of concerts, events and parties – although keeping them close to its chest until nearer the time! Meanwhile, one of the original developers, Pierre & Vacances, has revamped one of its earliest properties, ski-in, ski-out Residence Capella. Its 143 apartments – panoramic views of mountains and village from their balconies – have been reimagined, as have the public areas and there’s a new south-facing indoor swimming pool with lofty timbered ceiling and its own fabulous views.

More info: https://www.pierreetvacances.com/gb-en/fp_AVI_self-catering-residence-capella

Verbier, Switzerland

A long-awaited lift expanding the area means you can travel without taking your skis off, finally lifts off this winter.

The Esserts–Savoleyres Telemix, both chairlift and gondola, runs from Esserts in the open, sunny Carrefour area on the edge of town up to the Savoleyres ridge, a journey that’s previously involved a bus hop and a 1970 four-seat cable car.

The connection means that the area becomes much more part of the main arena and the runs over to the cheerful, great-value satellite village of La Tzoumaz are a destination themselves rather than, for so long, just a way to head home. A new run from Les Ruinettes, near the top of the main Medran gondola to Savoleyres further integrates the two sections.

More info: https://verbier4vallees.ch/en

Antarctica!

You can now ski the edge of the world as leading adventure cruise company AE Expeditions opens up the far reaches of the planet with sailings that have ski calls on six or more days.

The number depends on itinerary, weather and sea conditions. The ski touring excursions take in desolate peaks, runs down to gleaming bays, seeing icebergs, maybe a breaching whale, possibly passing penguins.

Early voyages have taken in 700m Mt Tennant on Ronge Island and mainland Mt Hoegh, an 800m run down to the glacial fjord of Andvord Bay. Skiing is optional, so plenty of other sightseeing and land excursions, including snowshoeing and kayaking. Cruises sail from Ushuaia, in Argentina, the world’s southernmost city, on AE Expeditions’ cutting edge,130-guest ships.

The 13-day Across the Antarctic Circle cruise on Sylvia Earle, with one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, departing November 13, 2026, starts at £23,335pp, cruise only but with £375 air credit. That might be a bit soon but the 21-day South Georgia, Falklands and Antarctic Odyssey, on Greg Mortimer, departs October 25, 2027, from £24,941. And 12-day Spirit of Antarctica, on Douglas Mawson, departs November 12, 2027, from £14, 548, then 13-day Across the Arctic Circle, on Sylvia Earle, departs November 24, 2027, from £16,703. Prices include food, drinks and all excursions and Zodiac cruises.

Skiing (or snowboarding) costs £1,074 for the trip. There’s equipment on board although bringing your own is recommended, and participants need to be able to tackle black runs and off-piste. It brings a new meaning to cruising down the slopes!

More info: https://www.aexpeditions.co.uk/voyage-calendar

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