News: Virgin Atlantic launches merch, new InterCon Bangkok, Ryanair’s new Norwich flights

News in brief:

Virgin Atlantic launches its own line of merch

It’s taken almost 40 years, but Virgin Atlantic has finally launched its own brand of merchandise.

The collection has been designed in collaboration with British designers Fenella Smith and Oliver Co. It comprise t-shirts, sweatshirts, bags and travel accessories. Bizarrely, there’s also a pack of playing cards (which I actually fancy!)

The bags and travel accessories come in vivid Virgin Atlantic-red vegan leather which has been made from tea leaves, apparently. A red bag tag will set you back £33 whilst the large flight bag is £79. Tshirts and sweatshirts are from £29 and £53.

The items can be bought here on Virgin Atlantic’s ‘retail therapy’ website. You can make a steep saving if you opt for in-flight duty-free delivery.

The airline seems to have missed a trick by not offering collectable, metal versions of its Wilbur and Orville salt and pepper shakers. When Virgin Red recently put the standard plastic versions up for redemption they sold out very quickly.

New InterContinental opens in Bangkok

IHG’s InterContinental brand has announced the opening of InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit. It is the second InterContinental hotel in the city.

Situated in Thonglor, one of Bangkok’s most upscale neighbourhoods, it has 241 rooms and suites and:

seamlessly weaves traditional Thai craftsmanship with modern international influences to create an unparalleled destination that mirrors the essence of one of Bangkok’s most vibrant districts.

There are three restaurant and bar options: AVA Brasserie (international), The Lobby (an all-day lounge serving Thai tea alongside a traditional Japanese green tea ceremony) and Rogues, a ‘high-energy cocktail bar’ with live jazz performances.

There is also a spa, THE SPA by HARNN, with a Japanese-Thai inspired concept.

You can find out more on the hotel website here.

Ryanair launches flights from Norwich

Ryanair has added its 22nd UK airport – Norwich.

The three initial routes are Alicante, Faro and Malta, none of which are currently served from the airport.

All will be served twice per week and flights start on 1st April.

Our last review of the Executive Lounge at Norwich Airport (yes, there is one) is here.

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How to maximise your miles when paying for flights (August 2025)

Some UK credit cards offer special bonuses when used for buying flights. If you spend a lot on airline tickets, using one of these cards could sharply increase the credit card points you earn.

Booking flights on any airline?

The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card earns double points (2 Membership Rewards points per £1) when used to buy flights directly from an airline website.

The card comes with a sign-up bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points. These would convert to 20,000 Avios or various other airline or hotel programmes. The standard earning rate is 1 point per £1.

You can apply here.

Buying flights on British Airways?

The British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card earns double Avios (3 Avios per £1) when used at ba.com.

The card comes with a sign-up bonus of 30,000 Avios. The standard earning rate is 1.5 Avios per £1.

You do not earn bonus Avios if you pay for BA flights on the free British Airways American Express Credit Card or either of the Barclaycard Avios Mastercards.

You can apply here.

Buying flights on Virgin Atlantic?

Both the free Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard and the annual fee Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard earn double Virgin Points when used at fly.virgin.com.

This means 1.5 Virgin Points per £1 on the free card and 3 Virgin Points per £1 on the paid card.

There is a sign-up bonus of 3,000 Virgin Points on the free card and 18,000 Virgin Points on the paid card.

You can apply for either of the cards here.