Could the writing be on the wall for low cost airlines operating out of the UK and other European countries as the Conservative Party – once a campaigner and implementer of lower taxes – has called for purchase tax to be introduced to domestic flights?

The tax would add up to 17.5 per cent on to the cost of a flight from one British city to another, but while flights to the European mainland and popular holiday islands such as Menorca aren’t specifically mentioned, one travel company believes the new policy will inevitably lead to higher fares for flights not just within Britain, but elsewhere too.

It’s that time of year again, and for those wanting to head home and spend time with family and friends during the holiday season, air travel can be a long and stressful process

So how can you help ease these stresses and frustrations of air travel during the holiday season?

Here are a few helpful tips to help you get through those potentially stressful holiday flights.

Flying is a necessary evil if you want to get from one place to another. The level of evil you must submit to, however, is directly proportional to the class of seating you have. First class seating on a long flight is simply heaven on earth.

First class. Ah…. People feeding you grapes and fanning you with big palm leaves. Okay, maybe not. Still first class is where you find seats made for the human body and stewardesses that don’t act like French waiters. On a long flight, first class is where you want to be.