Iberia Newark Flights, Loop Earplugs Sale, UK Air Tax Hike

The article presents three distinct travel news updates: Iberia's new service to Newark, a Black Friday sale on Loop earplugs, and the impending increase in UK Air Passenger Duty (APD).

Iberia is introducing a third daily flight to New York, specifically to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), starting March 29th, 2026. This expansion will boost Iberia's Madrid-New York seat capacity by 40%. Newark offers similar travel times to Manhattan as JFK, with potential for quicker taxi journeys and convenient train access. The new service, operated by an A321XLR aircraft featuring lie-flat seating, includes a late evening departure from both Madrid (7:35 pm) and Newark (11:55 pm). A significant benefit for travellers is the exceptional value for Avios redemptions, with business class available from 81,000 Avios plus £241 for a return trip. Passengers can also leverage a British Airways American Express 2-4-1 Companion Voucher for Iberia flights booked via ba.com, effectively halving the Avios cost for solo travellers or enabling two people to fly for 81,000 Avios plus £482. A key tip for booking is that guaranteed Avios seats appear on Iberia's website five days earlier than on ba.com, and Iberia also offers better economy Avios availability directly.

Secondly, Loop earplugs are currently offering a 20% discount as part of a Black Friday sale. These earplugs are highly recommended for travellers, particularly for mitigating noise on red-eye flights. The Loop Dream earplugs, specifically designed for sleeping, are made from softer materials to ensure comfort for side sleepers and are praised as a superior alternative to standard foam earplugs, especially the Loop Dream Double Tips. The 20% discount is applied automatically, whether purchased directly from Loop or via Amazon Prime for free delivery.

Finally, the UK Government is set to increase Air Passenger Duty (APD) by approximately 12-15% from April 1st, 2026. This tax, already among the highest globally, is levied based on cabin class and distance flown, rather than as a percentage of the fare. For instance, a one-way premium economy or First Class flight to the Far East or Australasia will incur over £250 in APD alone. Critics highlight the illogical structure of charging the same fixed rate for both premium economy and First Class, and the lack of a proportional distance-based calculation, which will further increase the cost of air travel from the UK.

(Source: https://www.headforpoints.com/2025/11/28/iberia-launches-newark-flights/)