Up in the air …

LONDON is the world’s most connected city with 351 direct international flights, beating New York, Paris, Berlin, and Tokyo, according to research by Rome2rio. 

Paris is second, with connectivity to 291 destinations followed by Frankfurt (278) and Amsterdam (242). The most internationally connected city in North America is Toronto with 154 different destinations. New York with its three airports connects with 137 different international destinations.

The second most connected city in the English-speaking world is in fact Manchester, England, with 162 international connections.

AIR TRAVEL last year was 30% safer than the five-year average, according to the latest figures. In 2015 there was one major accident for every 3.1 million flights, says IATA chief Tony Tyler. He said air accidents are extremely rare and flying remains the safest way to travel. But he added: ‘The EgyptAir tragedy reminds us that safety is a constant challenge.’

Mr Tyler said air travel security has been tested in the last 12 months, with atrocities including the death of 224 people when a Russian Metrojet flight from Sharm el Sheikh crashed in the Sinai desert, the suicide bomb on Somali-owned Daallo Airlines, and the terror attacks at Brussels Airport. ‘All are grim reminders that terrorists do not care who they victimize in trying to achieve their ends – including innocent travellers … Flying is safe and it is secure. But we cannot take that for granted, for even a second.’

BRITISH AIRWAYS is rolling out its pre-order meal service for customers on long-haul flights from Gatwick. The service was introduced at Heathrow in 2014.

Customers can select their meal between 24 hours and 30 days before their flight using 'manage my booking' on the airline's website.

BA has added several new long-haul routes from Gatwick this year, including Costa Rica, New York, Lima, which launches today, and Cape Town starting on November 24.

HAVANA to be the next Eurowings long-haul destination, as from December, with weekly flights from Cologne/Bonn.

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