Half of Brits fail to go on annual leave – survey
British Airways says its Gatwick-based subsidiary, BA Euroflyer, has added Montpellier, Corfu, Mykonos and Innsbruck to its short-haul route network, in addition to a new summer Salzburg service.
According to a statement announcing the new routes, Montpellier, in the south of France, is a new addition to British Airways’ network, operating three times a week in the summer from 27 May 2023.
The service to Mykonos bolsters the existing summer routes from London Heathrow and London City, while Corfu is in addition to the existing London Heathrow service. Innsbruck sees an addition of eight new weekly flights in the winter season, which complements the current six times weekly service from London Heathrow.
BA Euroflyer’s summer service to Salzburg will complement the existing winter services from London Gatwick and London Heathrow.
The airline has also put its short-haul Gatwick winter schedule on sale today, offering 21 destinations to customers looking to book winter holidays and city breaks. Ski hotspots include Geneva and Turin, while winter sun destinations include Tenerife and Lanzarote.
Tom Stoddart, Acting CEO of BA Euroflyer, said “It is exciting to see our short-haul schedule at Gatwick grow. These additional routes are to a broad range of destinations that will suit all manner of travellers from beach lovers and skiers to explorers and adventurers. We have something for everyone departing from London Gatwick.”
The addition of the new routes came after BA Euroflyer received its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and Operating Licence from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This allows it to operate as a subsidiary airline in a similar manner to the company’s existing subsidiary, BA Cityflyer, flying under the British Airways brand and delivering the premium British Airways service customers know and love.
Flying to nearly 40 destinations throughout the year, British Airways is the only airline based at Gatwick to offer both business and economy cabins on all short-haul flights. Customers flying from Gatwick also enjoy a generous baggage allowance, free water and snacks, free seat selection at -24 hours and frequent flyer benefits such as lounge access. Customers flying in Club Europe (business class) enjoy a premium check-in area, lounge access and a complimentary gourmet meal and bar service on board.
According to British Airways, Executive Club Members can enjoy all benefits of their membership across the BA Euroflyer network, including the earning of Tier Points and Avios on eligible flights.
However, British Airways has revealed that 50% of UK working adults do not take their full annual leave allocation.
British Airways Holidays new survey reveals 50% of UK working adults do not take their full annual leave allocation.
The survey, commissioned by British Airways Holidays with YouGov Plc., found that more than a third of working Brits (36%) who did not take their full annual leave said it was because they ‘just didn’t get around to it’. Furthermore, a staggering 42% confessed that they have felt stressed about work whilst on holiday, and 46% responded that they have had to work on their leave. 48% have checked work emails whilst away and more than a third (39%) have gone one step further and responded.
With a cost-of-living crisis this winter and a recession on the horizon, no doubt many will be thinking it will be even harder to justify a getaway in 2023. However, a 40-year study by the European Society of Cardiology revealed that taking a holiday could help people live longer. The study suggested that men who took more than three weeks of leave per year were 63% more likely to live longer than those who took three weeks or less.** Meanwhile, British Airways Holidays’ new YouGov Plc. survey also revealed that nearly 79% of those asked agreed that taking a break is good for their mental health. With this in mind, British Airways Holidays has launched a new campaign, that combines TV advertising, cinema, out of home, social media and radio. Behind the campaign’s humour is an important message that holidays should be taken seriously with people urged to prioritise time away for their own wellbeing. As well as competitive pricing, British Airways Holidays offers a 24-hour helpline, carefully chosen hotels and generous 23kg per person baggage allowance, taking the hassle out of holidays, so customers can relax, rejuvenate, and switch off. Full details can be found at ba.com/holidays
“I am astounded by the results of our survey,” commented Claire Bentley, Managing Director of British Airways Holidays. “It’s clear that taking a break is vital for our mental and physical wellbeing, and it’s worrying that too many people feel unable to do so. While our new brand campaign conveys this in a comical fashion, the message behind it is a serious one. Here at British Airways Holidays we take holidays as seriously as our customers do, and offer a number of benefits to take the stress out of travel, so they can maximise their switch off time.”
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