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There’s a new airline coming to the UK with ‘world’s most comfortable aircrafts’ and ‘champagne for every passenger’
The aim of Global Airlines is to "raise the bar in the world of aviation. A word of warning. Once you get used to Global Airlines, it is very hard to go back to anything else."
Taking off from 2024, Global Airlines is the newest long-haul airline in the world - and there's some pretty fancy features for everyone on board.
Global Airlines will be using the 'world's most comfortable aircrafts', A380s, with a fleet of four currently available, and more coming in 2024.
The idea is that everyone will be able to experience luxury travel - even with an economy ticket.
And the plan is to keep those tickets affordable. Global told The Independent that prices will be “in line with, if not cheaper” than those set by other carriers" because of alternative route to obtaining its aircraft.
Based at London Gatwick, the company plans to take to the skies flying to New York JFK by mid-2024 and go on to add a route from Gatwick to Los Angeles next year.
The first transatlantic flights will be from London Gatwick to New York JFK. / Image: Global Airlines
Founder and CEO James Asquith, travel personality and serial entrepreneur, designed the airlines to provide 'outstanding customer experience'.
Drawing inspiration from his own travels, Asquith had visited 196 countries by the age of just 24, and aims to 'right the wrongs' that he experienced on flights in the past.
The aim of Global Airlines is to "raise the bar in the world of aviation. A word of warning. Once you get used to Global Airlines, it is very hard to go back to anything else."
Notable features that will make the new airline different from its competitors include being chauffeur driven to airports included in the ticket price and in-flight champagne for all passengers, thanks to a new partnership from Laurent Perrier.
Laurent Perrier teams up with Global Airlines. Raise your glasses to an exciting collaboration. We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with renowned Champagne House, Laurent Perrier, a brand synonymous with elegance,… pic.twitter.com/kLVE6lrWLN
Speaking to Inflight, Founder and CEO James Asquith said: “It is a brand that is known the world over, and our intention is to offer LP brands to passengers across our three cabins, and, if we can make it work, that absolutely includes in economy."
Eventually Global Airlines plans to have 15-20 planes within the first two years and expand "pretty aggressively" from there.
The airlines first transatlantic flights are expected by Spring 2024 and with a new partnership with American Express, loyal card members with the an AMEX will be amongst the first to be able to purchase tickets for all three cabins.
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Sophie Smith -
8th August 2023 
