trips on flying scotsman 2024

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Travel Tips 2024

1. Pack smart and start with an empty bag. If you start packing with an empty bag, you are less likely to bring prohibited items to the checkpoint. Not sure what’s prohibited? Visit our “ What Can I Bring?” webpage.

Know the 3-1-1 liquids rule. Remember, if you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it, then it is a liquid and must be packed in your checked bag. Pack liquids, gels and aerosols larger than 3.4 ounces in a checked bag to avoid having the carry-on bag pulled aside, opened by a Transportation Security Officer (TSO), and then potentially having to voluntarily abandon the item because it is over 3.4 ounces. If you are traveling with an infant, most items in your diaper bag are exempt from TSA’s 3-1-1 rule. Breast milk, powdered formula, baby food, bottles and sippy cups are all allowed to fly in the passenger cabin of the aircraft. This also goes for liquid and cream medications. Please separate these items from your bag and place them into a different bin for X-ray screening. If your item alarms, additional screening may be required. 

2. Arrive early. Travelers are taking to the skies in record numbers, so plan to arrive at least two hours prior to your flight’s scheduled boarding time to allow enough time to park, navigate to the terminal, check luggage with the airline if needed and go through security screening before arriving at your gate. Arrive at least three hours before international flights.

3. Bring an acceptable ID. Before heading to the airport, make sure you have acceptable identification and make it a REAL ID since you must have a REALID -compliant ID to fly by May 7, 2025.  Visit the TSA website to learn which IDs are accepted by TSA at the entrance to the security checkpoint. Identity verification is a critical step of the screening process.

4. Do you carry a firearm? Prepare, pack and declare . If you plan to travel with a firearm, you must properly pack the firearm in a hard-sided, locked case in your checked luggage and declare it with the airline while checking in at the airline ticket counter. Bringing a firearm in your carry-on bag to a TSA checkpoint, even accidentally, is expensive and will cause delays for you and others, even if you have a concealed carry permit or live in a constitutional carry jurisdiction. If you bring a firearm to the security checkpoint on your person or in carry-on bag, TSA will contact law enforcement, who may arrest or cite the passenger, depending on state law. TSA may impose a civil penalty up to almost $15,000 for the first offense, and those who bring a firearm to a security checkpoint will lose TSA PreCheck® eligibility for five years. Second violations will result in permanent disqualification from the program and additional civil penalties. When traveling, be sure to comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international laws.

5. Be aware of new checkpoint screening technology. TSA uses a variety of methods and technologies to enhance security effectiveness, efficiency and the passenger experience. Screening protocols vary from airport to airport, depending on available technology and the current threat environment. Some airports use the second generation of Credential Authentication Technology ( CAT ), called CAT-2 units. This technology confirms the authenticity of a passenger’s identification credentials with their acceptable photo identification  (ID) along with their flight details and pre-screening status, but with an added camera feature. The facial recognition technology TSA uses helps ensure the person standing at the checkpoint is the same person pictured on their ID. Photos are not stored or saved after a positive ID match has been made, except in a limited testing environment for evaluation of the effectiveness of the technology.

Passenger participation is voluntary. If a passenger chooses not to have their photo taken, they may have their identity checked manually without penalty or losing their place in line. Passengers who do not want their photo taken should alert the TSO, who will verify their ID using the CAT machine only. For more information on how TSA is using facial recognition technology, see TSA’s Privacy Impact Assessments , Fact Sheet and biometrics technology webpages.

Several airports have installed Computed Tomography (CT) units. This technology significantly improves scanning and threat detection capabilities for carry-on bags. CT units give TSOs the ability to review a 3D image of passengers’ bags and reduce the need to physically search the contents of the bag. In airports with these CT units in place, you do not need to remove your 3-1-1 liquids or laptops, but you must place every carry-on item, including bags, into a bin for screening. TSA reminds you that you may only bring at maximum one carry-on bag and one personal item through security screening

6. Travel with ease with TSA PreCheck. Join more than 20 million members benefiting from the TSA PreCheck Trusted Traveler program . TSA PreCheck passengers are low-risk travelers who do not need to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, food, laptops and light jackets at the security checkpoint. Wait time standards for TSA PreCheck lanes are under 10 minutes, whereas standard screening lanes are 30 minutes and under. Visit www.tsa.gov/precheck for more information on enrolling with one of TSA’s three enrollment providers. TSA PreCheck members are reminded to make sure their Known Traveler Number (KTN) is in their airline reservation, so it appears on their boarding pass.

7. Call ahead to request passenger support. If you or a family member require additional assistance through security screening, you may request a TSA Passenger Support Specialist (PSS). A PSS is a TSO who has received specialized training, including how to effectively assist and communicate with individuals with disabilities, medical conditions or those who need general additional screening assistance. Individuals should request passenger assistance at least 72 hours in advance by contacting our TSA Cares passenger support line at (855) 787-2227. TSA Cares live assistance is available weekdays, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, or weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. An automated service is available 24/7.

8. Text or @AskTSA before heading to the airport. You can get real-time assistance by texting questions to 275-872 (“AskTSA”) or through @AskTSA on X or Facebook Messenger . An automated virtual assistant is available 24/7. You may also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673. Visit our Contact Us page for more information. 

9. Listen to and respect frontline employees. Pack an extra dose of patience, especially during these high travel volumes, and show gratitude to all those who are working to get everyone to their destinations safely including TSA and airport personnel, gate agents and flight attendants. Please follow instructions from the TSOs when going through security screening.  Violence and unruly behavior in the transportation systems are not acceptable and result in significant delays at traveler checkpoints. TSOs, along with all frontline airport and airline employees and local law enforcement, are working together to ensure safe and secure travel. Assaulting a TSA employee is a federal offense and will result in penalties and/or arrest.

10. Remain aware. Be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activities. Remember: If You See Something, Say Something™.

Outdoor festivals, friends flying free, and easier passport renewals

Travel news you can use..

OUTDOOR FESTIVALS CELEBRATE MUSIC, ART, AND FOOD

Two vibrant back-to-back events make Providence the place to be in early September. Returning to the heart of downtown, PVDFest is a captivating arts and culture festival with international and local music performances on multiple stages, art installations, artisan markets, parades, and a new exhibition that sees artists explore AI through music, photography, literature, and more (Sept. 6-7). Festival highlights include the return of Italy’s gravity-defying aerial dancers, eVenti Verticali, who will present a spectacular 30-minute performance 60 feet above ground; the 12th annual Afrika Nyaga Drum & Dance Festival, a ground-shaking celebration of West African music and dance and its influence on the African diaspora; and on the main stage, New York’s all-women salsa group Lulada Club will get the audience dancing with salsa lessons and vibrant rhythms. Events start at noon. Free. https://pvdfest.com

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In addition to PVDFest activities, Providence is also hosting the 2024 Rhode Island Seafood Festival at India Point Park (Sept. 7-8). The culinary showcase highlights the best local restaurants and fresh seafood from the Ocean State including a variety of oysters, clams, and cultural seafood fusions from the Caribbean and more. There will also be a variety of craft brews, wines, and cocktails to pair with the seafood offerings. Tickets $10. www.riseafoodfest.com

FRIEND FLIES FREE

Jump on this steal of a deal from CIE tours, a premier guided tour operator for Ireland, Britain, and European vacations that has been rooted in its signature Irish hospitality for more than 90 years. From Sept. 3 through Sept. 30, travelers planning trips to Ireland, Scotland, England, and Iceland can book a 2-for-1 offer where your companion will fly free with the purchase of one airfare on 17 of the company’s most popular guided CIE Tours. Sample itineraries include a Classic Ireland trip, touring the coastal scenery of Giant’s Causeway with walking tours of Belfast, Derry, and more (12 or 13 days from $3,795); the Best of Britain tour through England, Scotland, and Wales visiting the grand castles of Windsor, Bamburgh, Edinburgh, and Cardiff (9 or 10 days from $3,245); Northern Lights Quest of Iceland, exploring spectacular scenery, highlights and hidden gems (6 days from $3,045); or head off the beaten path on the Scottish Isles & Glens tour from Bute and Skye to Orkney, with an evening in Edinburgh (12 or 13 days from $4,095). Tours include all meals as outlined in each itinerary, all on-tour transportation, accommodations, all local taxes and hotel service charges, and entrance fees to activities within the itinerary. All travel must happen between Jan. 1 and July 31, 2025. Call 800-243-8687 or contact your travel agent and mention promo code 2FOR124 for the airfare offer. (No online reservations accepted.) www.cietours.com/2for1

EVERYWHERE:

SIMPLIFY PASSPORT APPLICATIONS & RENEWALS

Get help renewing your passport safely, securely, conveniently, and affordably with ItsEasy, a smartphone or mobile device app that functions as a personal passport assistant, taking the headache out of obtaining passport books and REAL ID compliant passport cards. For a nominal fee under $40, plus government-required passport book and card fees ($30-$220), the app provides easy-to-understand passport renewal instructions, specialized government barcoded application forms, secure round-trip trackable shipping labels, and the ability to instantly take needed passport photos with your cellphone. Once uploaded, a passport concierge team thoroughly checks each application and photo by hand; if there are any issues, they explain how to easily fix the mistake.

Additional services include round trip standard trackable shipping, a live 24/7/365 customer service team, daily status processing updates, a Visa Widget to quickly learn whether you will need a visa for the country you plan to visit, the ability to report a lost passport when traveling (and learn what to do about it), passport renewal reminder one year in advance of one’s renewal date and every month after to ensure compliance with the 6-month passport validity rule, and a “passport insurance policy,” making sure all required elements of the application, from the signature on the check to the passport photo, follow governmental guidelines and are included before submission. Not tech savvy? Talk to a passport, visa, or immigration specialist to get started. 866-487-3279, www.itseasy.com .

Necee Regis can be reached at [email protected] .

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‘Barely surviving’: Some flight attendants are facing homelessness and hunger

Working “on reserve” with hours of unpaid labor makes it difficult for new flight attendants to turn the job into a career..

Kay had already worked a full day when Frontier Airlines called her to pick up a shift. The recently hired flight attendant had been awake since 4 a.m. driving Lyft, one of the few side gigs she could manage with her unpredictable schedule.

Her new career was off to a rough start. There were three-and-a-half weeks of unpaid training. Her first few paychecks were lower than she’d anticipated. She gave up her apartment in Atlanta, where median rent is about $1,500, and had been renting a room from a friend.

The only way to make ends meet, she said, was to juggle all the gig work she could find: Instacart shopping, pet sitting, Lyft driving. The ride-share company was offering a $500 bonus for completing 120 rides in four days. With her projected pay of $23,000 a year before taxes and insurance, chasing the extra money felt necessary.

So after working for Frontier from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Kay turned back to Lyft. By the time she reached the bonus, she’d gone nearly 24 hours without sleep.

New flight attendants like Kay learn that although their work has been deemed “essential” to the transportation infrastructure, it’s hard to stay afloat. A complicated pay structure that prioritizes hours in the air and entry-level wages that are on par with service industry jobs make it difficult for many to turn the job into a career.

“I have to supplement my income. But then I’m also not sleeping,” said Kay, who spoke on the condition that she be identified only by the name she uses outside of work, because she fears retaliation from her employer. “We’re expected to save people on the plane … and we’re not getting paid a living wage.”

Kay is not alone. Most new flight attendants work “on reserve,” spending days waiting to be assigned flights. It’s common for them to take side jobs — bartenders, semi-truck drivers, makeup artists, church musicians. Some say they are struggling to feed their families and are living out of their cars.

In interviews with 18 current or former flight attendants, workers recounted dire financial situations, assault on the job from unruly passengers and mental health crises. They shared similar stories: Paychecks much smaller than expected. Quickly falling behind on bills. Spiraling into debt.

For decades, Hollywood and media have glamorized flight attendants for a fast-paced, globe-trotting lifestyle. In reality , their story mirrors the income inequality in other global industries that rely on blue-collar workers. Last year, homelessness in America was at a record high and appears to be worsening.

The industry may be at a turning point. This summer, flight attendant unions have made progress in years-long battles with airlines over better wages and retirement benefits, among other issues. Tentative labor agreements have reached the bargaining table but not been voted through by union members. Threats to strike keep coming , even if an actual stoppage has to be approved by federal mediators.

America’s largest flight attendants union, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), said in a recent news release that many members working with Alaska Airlines have reported financial insecurity, including some that have “experienced homelessness, lived in their car, lived in a shelter, or endured some combination of these circumstances.”

An employment verification letter from American Airlines showing a projected starting pay of $27,315 per year recently went viral , with some calling it a “poverty verification” letter that could be used to apply for government assistance programs like food stamps. American confirmed the letter reflects the current base rate for first-year flight attendants on reserve, without premiums or incentives.

“As a passenger, you don’t really see those things,” said Rebecca Owens, a flight attendant with Alaska Airlines. “You see the smiling, happy flight attendants that are doing anything to survive but still bringing their best selves to work. It’s a lot to really comprehend.”

Real pay starts just before takeoff

While Alaska and American may be the most recent airlines to make headlines, “it’s the same story across probably every single airline right now,” said Julie Hedrick, who has been a flight attendant for 42 years and serves as the national president for the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents American Airlines employees.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data , the median pay for flight attendants was $68,370 in 2023. However, the projected yearly pay for first-year flight attendants is much lower than the median, according to numbers provided by the AFA: roughly $23,000 at Frontier, $25,000 at Alaska, $27,000 at American and $32,000 at Delta Air Lines.

Delta says that figure is closer to $34,500 when factoring in boarding pay and profit-sharing.

“Delta’s philosophy is to care for our people through industry-leading pay and programs that provide emergency savings support, financial literacy, and holistic wellness,” spokesman Anthony Black said in an email.

Alaska Airlines confirmed the base pay figure for flight attendants, before premiums and other pay factors.

“Like all employees who work on a non-salaried basis, how much a flight attendant makes in a year depends largely on how much they work,” the airline said in a statement. “It’s important to note that our flight attendants have significant control over their workload because there is no contractual minimum (or maximum) of required work.”

New flight attendants who start out “on reserve” are usually guaranteed around 75 flight hours per month. Even if they are not scheduled for enough flights to hit those hours, they’re still paid for that minimum. Hourly raises typically come twice a year until workers reach a “top rate,” usually around 12 years of service.

“Being a flight attendant is great if you get up to 12 years and beyond,” said Beth, a Delta flight attendant who spoke on the condition that she be identified only by her middle name, because she feared retaliation from her employer. “But when you first start out, you’re just barely surviving.”

On paper, airlines promise flight attendants double-digit hourly rates. Kay looked forward to making $25.50 an hour , more than three times the federal minimum wage of $7.25.

But the actual take-home pay is not so simple. Time outside of flying hours — the time spent at the airport, boarding and deplaning — is either unpaid, or paid at a fraction of the hourly rate.

Delta is an outlier, paying half of the hourly flying rate for boarding, with some caveats; the airline is the only U.S.-based mainline carrier where flight attendants are not represented by a union.

For those at other carriers, “it’s pretty common to work six hours of flight time, … but you’re actually working for 12 to 14 hours,” said Rich Henderson, a flight attendant of more than a decade who runs the Two Guys on a Plane meme account with his husband. “We have a lot of time at work we don’t get paid.”

The system is legal; flight attendants and other aviation workers are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act because their job is essential to the economy. Hedrick says the practice started a long time ago. When flight attendants came into unions , “we just started getting paid the same way as pilots did ,” she said.

Sara Nelson, the president of AFA, said unpaid boarding is “something that we’re fighting to end.” It’s one of many issues tangled in years-long contract negotiations.

“With this long, lengthy delay in getting these contracts done, our wages have fallen so far behind the rest of the country and world,” Hedrick said, pointing out the contract for American Airlines flight attendants was negotiated in 2014.

Airlines for America, a trade group representing major carriers, declined an interview request, but sent a written statement that described its workforce as “the backbone of the industry and our greatest asset.”

“U.S. passenger and cargo airlines employ more than 800,000 workers — the largest workforce in more than 20 years — who are earning the highest wages and most generous benefits in the history of our industry,” said the statement, which did not distinguish between airline jobs.

Struggling to make rent

Multiple flight attendants said despite the pay, they’re reluctant to leave the profession.

Part of it is the sunk-cost fallacy; they’ve already suffered through unpaid training and logged hours toward seniority. But most reiterated that they’re still attached to the job.

Kay, the Frontier flight attendant, said a love of travel and the promise of flexibility attracted her to the work. She wants to get a job with Delta, the highest paying commercial airline, but has been rejected twice after making it to the interview process.

She’s clinging to the hope that if she hangs on, she’ll find a better employer and gradually better pay, but “you have to go through the rough patch,” she says.

Nas Lewis, who has been a flight attendant for a decade, runs the nonprofit th|AIR|apy to address flight attendant mental health. She remembers her first paycheck was $250.

“You have rent, you have car payments, you have children, you have to feed yourself, you have to get to work,” she said. “I was struggling to the point where I was dealing with suicidal ideations and started to drink a lot just to tune everything out and have a moment of escape.”

Therapy eventually helped lift Lewis out of despair. Sharing her feelings on Facebook with other flight attendants was a powerful first step. Her peers confided that they were in similar situations.

“It made me feel so much better because I thought this whole time I’ve been alone,” Lewis said.

In her 16 years with Alaska Airlines, Thresia Raynor heard similar stories from her peers.

Most flight attendants must first attend training for about three to six weeks, often unpaid. Once they officially start the job, making around $1,800 a month, it’s easy to fall behind on bills, she said. “Then it snowballs.”

Flight attendants may start the job feeling financially secure, but a year or two later, Raynor said, “they’ve burned through everything that they had, now they’ve racked up credit card debt and loans from friends and family.”

Raynor has met flight attendants who say they’ve eaten leftover food from passengers’ in-flight meals. She’s arranged mobile food pantries to help feed flight attendants in Anchorage.

Believing more flight attendants must be experiencing the same hardships, she and a few colleagues created the Facebook group “ Alaska Airlines FA’s experiencing hunger and homelessness ” last September.

“People would come to work and hide the fact that they didn’t have anything to eat, or even a dollar to pay the crew van when they got to their layover,” Raynor said. “I wanted to remove the shame so that we could all openly talk about it … and be able to help each other.”

“People would come to work and hide the fact that they didn’t have anything to eat, or even a dollar to pay the crew van when they got to their layover.” — Thresia Raynor

The group grew with both flight attendants in need, and those in the position to help. People shared stories of living out of their cars, using YMCAs and gyms to shower. Members have rallied to help move colleagues facing domestic abuse, or buy car seats for their children, or cover a meal at the airport.

“A beautiful side of our work group is [flight attendants] will give even what they don’t have ... to take care of each other, which is pretty inspiring, but it’s also really sad,” said Owens, who helped start the Facebook group.

Stacked in bunk beds ‘like sardines’

Some flight attendants choose to be nomads, giving up apartments for “ van life .” Some move in with family members to save on rent, or rely heavily on crowded “ crash pads ” — shared group housing where people rotate in and out on a temporary basis.

Even working for Delta, Beth said she’s struggled to balance her financial life and mental health in expensive hub cities.

She lives in a rent-controlled building for $1,800 per month. The location allows her to be close to her father, who has cancer, but she commutes to a hub city in another state, where she is technically based, and back around five times a month. There, she rents access to a crash pad that costs between $325 and $450 per month depending on how many nights she uses it.

Crash pads can be helpful for flight attendants who spend a lot of time on the road — or need a more affordable place than a hotel to sleep near their base airport. Some offer private rooms and cost as much as renting an apartment; others lower the price by fitting as many tenants as possible.

Beth’s crash pad looks like a cross between a budget Airbnb and a hostel.

There’s a lighted mirror near the kitchen where flight attendants can do their makeup to free up the sole bathroom. The living room’s flimsy furniture is flanked by luggage racks and name-tagged storage containers.

A whiteboard keeps track of roommate schedules. The two carpeted beige bedrooms have windows that remain closed around-the-clock and black metal bunk beds — three sets in the women’s room, where Beth stays with five other women, and two in the men’s.

“No one cleans the place. I got bites from what looks like bedbugs,” she said. “They stack us in there like sardines to make the most money.”

Little optimism for progress

Several flight attendants who spoke to The Post say they’re angry that they make less than they would working comparable hours at a fast-food restaurant , despite their extensive safety responsibilities, regular training and demanding lifestyle.

“This is a problem across the country,” Nelson said. “The basic standard and social contract that if you work full-time, you can get a living wage, health care, retirement and actually have time to spend with your families — that has been eroded in the airline industry the same as it’s been eroded everywhere else.”

The median pay for airline and commercial pilots is $171,210 . Last year, Alaska’s CEO made more than $10 million. The CEOs for Delta and American each made more than $31 million.

AFA is currently bargaining with 14 carriers over flight attendant contracts. Recent negotiations have had mixed results.

In late June, Alaska Airlines and its flight attendants union secured a tentative agreement deal for a “record contract.” The agreement would have made the airline the first carrier to secure boarding pay in a legally binding contract. But three Alaska Airlines flight attendants who spoke to The Post were not convinced the deal was a real victory. Union members rejected it in August, with 68 percent voting against ratification.

Alaska Airlines declined an interview request with The Post. “We remain committed to reaching an agreement that reflects the critical role of our flight attendants and is good for Alaska’s long-term success,” the carrier said in an emailed statement. “We will assess the details available to us and reconvene with AFA to discuss next steps.”

On July 19, American Airlines and the APFA reached a tentative agreement which Hedrick said resulted in “significant benefits” for flight attendants; the agreement must still be voted on by APFA executives and its members.

American Airlines told The Post in a statement the company’s tentative agreement is “a contract that will provide immediate financial and quality-of-life improvements for American’s flight attendants. It’s a contract we’re proud of and one our flight attendants have earned.”

Frontier did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Seniority doesn’t solve everything

Martinez, a flight attendant who has been with Alaska Airlines for 16 years, said she’s in worse financial shape than when she started. She spoke on the condition that only her last name be used, because she feared retaliation from her employer.

She became a single mother of two when she adopted her niece and nephew from the foster system. She’s been juggling untenable housing arrangements since she came up $400 short of the mortgage on her home in Washington state.

The earnings she makes renting out her home still don’t cover the mortgage and HOA fees. Martinez had to send her 9-year-old girl, who has autism, to live with her parents in northern California.

“If I didn’t have my parents, I don’t know what I would do,” she said.

For now, she’s staying on an air mattress in a friend’s studio in Los Angeles between her overnight trips. Before that, she slept in her SUV in the Los Angeles International Airport parking lot, sometimes with her teenage boy.

“It’s very frustrating and I would like to change careers,” Martinez said. “At the same time … one of the things that I love about this job is that I can have some more control over my schedule — what days I want to work, what days I don’t.”

She’s not sure what she’d do if she changed professions, particularly as a single parent. “I’m not a coder. I don’t have any technical experience,” she said.

Growing up in California, her family struggled financially. Martinez said they experienced homelessness and spent time living in a family shelter. The travel benefits she gets through her job opened up a new world for them.

“For my family especially, it was a big deal that I have gotten hired as a flight attendant,” she said.

When Martinez started her flight attendant career, she was single with no children. She flew as many shifts as she could pick up, traveling across the country to big cities.

“It was fun,” she said. “I can’t complain about that.”

As a parent, Martinez needs more income to support two children — and more time to care for them.

She has the seniority to pick up more flights, but “if I want to actually see my kids and participate in their life, I can’t work past 80 [flight hours],” she said. “Even then, that’s pushing it.”

Last December, Martinez worked 144 flight hours and brought home $4,653.80. She was gone so much that “the entire month … I did not see my kids in person,” she said.

It felt like an unsustainable solution to Martinez, much like how Kay feels about her marathon workdays.

Months after the Frontier flight attendant first spoke with The Post, she said she’s still relying on gig work to supplement her income, which may prove even more necessary if her union votes to authorize a strike .

She recently spent a morning delivering packages, then got called for a three-day trip with two hours to report to the airport. At the end of the first day of flying, she realized it had been another full day she went without sleeping.

More on air travel

Leave flying to the pros: Think you could land a plane in an emergency? Experts say you’re wrong . Here’s what you should actually do if something goes awry during a flight .

Pet peeves: Why do “gate lice” line up early for a flight ? Psychologists explained for us. Another move that annoys airline workers: abusing the flight attendant call button . For more on how to behave on a flight, check out our 52 definitive rules of flying .

Plane mess: Stories about extremely disgusting airplanes have been grossing out travelers. The question of plane cleanups became the subject of a recent debate after a flight attendant allegedly told a pregnant passenger to pick up the popcorn spilled by her toddler.

Frequent flying: Airline status isn’t what it used to be, but at least there are some good movies and TV shows to watch in the air. And somewhere out there, experts are trying to make airline food taste good.

Flying Scotsman trips in 2024

After a successful and busy centenary year in 2023, Flying Scotsman ‘s future was unclear at the start of this year. Now we are being drip fed more news as 2024 progresses.

Flying Scotsman   is owned by the National Railway Museum (NRM). 

UPDATE 22/07/2024 – Still no news on any mainline trips, but it appears Flying Scotsman’s stay at Shildon has been extended to 1st September. 

UPDATE 12/07/2024 – Flying Scotsman is moving back to the  Locomotion museum in Shildon for four weeks between 20 Jul – 18 Aug. While there, she’ll operate short passenger rides, there will be an opportunity to ride on the footplate, and there will be a chance to climb into the cab on certain days when she is on static display. See dates below and on the Locomotion website for details and bookings.

UPDATE 04/06/2024 – We finally have some news on the future of Flying Scotsman … if not firm dates.

A new company has been contracted to manage and maintain Flying Scotsman through to January 2032.

The new custodian is Northern Steam Operations Ltd (NSO), run by Northern Steam Engineering Ltd based in Stockton-on-Tees. They are now responsible for maintenance and day to day operations, as well as provision for a future mechanical overhaul to enable the locomotive to continue operating on the main line rail network.

Under the new contract, NSO will operate frequent, shorter trips to enable more people to access Flying Scotsman without increasing the number of running days.  However her programme has now been severely curtailed. The new contract will see up to 30 days of static display, 15 heritage railway operating days and 20 main line excursion days each year…. which begs the question: what will she be doing on the remaining 300 days a year?

Flying Scotsman ‘s next confirmed appearance in 2024 is scheduled, as mentioned above, to be at Locomotion in Shildon over the summer “with dates expected to be confirmed soon”. Let’s hope so. I would have said, it being June, it is already summer! 

I would also expect some news on mainline excursions to break soon. I would be very surprised if the main excursion operators have not already scheduled their autumn trips in anticipation of Flying Scotsman ‘s return, so that as soon as they know her availability, they can swap out the previously booked locomotives with Flying Scotsman at short notice. 

UPDATE – 8/03/2024 The search for a new custodian/operator for Flying Scotsman has begun.

The Science Museum Group (National Railway Museum’s parent) has just published an Invitation to Tender (ITT). The successful bidder will be contracted to run Flying Scotsman for 7½ years from 3 June 2024 until 31 January 2032. Tender responses will be evaluated on both price and quality and scored on a series of criteria including previous experience, technical ability, public engagement, staffing, project management and sustainability.

Judith McNicol, Director of the National Railway Museum, says: “We will create a public engagement calendar that includes main line excursions, heritage railway visits and display at the National Railway Museum and Locomotion.” However the tender includes an undisclosed limit on annual mileage to ensure a balance between operational requirements and conservation.

So, Flying Scotsman’s excursions programme, which we still expect to start in the autumn, will be markedly less busy than it was last year and in previous years.

Flying Scotsman Programme for 2024

(Last Updated: 04/08/2024)

NRM = National Railway Museum ELR = East Lancashire Railway RTC = The Railway Touring Company SDR = The Steam Dreams Rail Company KWV = Keighley and Worth Valley Railway LOC = Locomotion Museum A1 = A1 Steam Locomotive Trust MNR = Mid-Norfolk Railway BBL = Bluebell Railway Trust SRT = Swanage Railway Trust STP = Strathspey Railway

Flying Scotsman – the historic locomotive

Built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) at Doncaster Works, Flying Scotsman was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as part of the A1 class – the most powerful locomotives used by the railway. She was quickly used by LNER for their long-distance express services, notably on the long-running (62 yrs) daily 10.00am London to Edinburgh ‘Flying Scotsman’ train service after which she was named.

She still holds two world records: the longest non-stop run at 441 miles (8 Aug 1989 in Australia), and the first steam locomotive officially authenticated at reaching 100 miles per hour (30 Nov 1934 in the UK).

The public’s enthusiasm and interest in Flying Scotsman remains unabated. NRM says that 51,751 people visited the NRM to see her during October half term and more than 37,500 came to see Flying Scotsman in light steam at Locomotion over Christmas. Everyone will be anticipating her return to the main line as soon as possible.

Flying Scotsman   is owned by the National Railway Museum ( Review here ) and operated and maintained by Riley & Son (E) Ltd.

The Flying Scotsman numbers game…

It’s easy to get confused over the identity of the ‘Flying Scotsman’  because she is sometimes referred to by different engine numbers.

When she came out of the Doncaster Works on 24th Feb 1923, she was Engine No. 1472.

Within a year she was re-numbered No. 4472 , given the name ‘Flying Scotsman’, and introduced to the public at the 1924 British Empire Exhibition.

Then, in 1948, when the independent rail companies were nationalised and merged into British Railways, ‘Flying Scotsman’  became No. 60103 .

Image: Flying Scotsman Flying Scotsman coming into Burntisland, Scotland – Magnus Hagdorn ( CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED )

* RTC are operating over 50 mainline steam journeys between now and October 2024 using other historic steam locomotives.

For example: the 1927-built 46115 Scots Guardsmen often hauls RTC trains across the Settle & Carlisle Line.  At 96 years old, Scots Guardsman is only a few years behind Flying Scotsman and has its own unique history as the star of the 1936 GPO film ‘Night Mail’.

The 1938-built locomotive Princess Coronation Class Pacific 46233 Duchess of Sutherland will also work a number of RTC’s trains, as will 34067 Tangmere , 35028 Clan Line , 35018 British India Line and the Black 5 No. 44932.

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20 Comments

Join the conversation →.

Hello can any one help my father Garth George Mitchell was a driver of the flying Scotsman he recently died he was 93 we would like to donate all his paper work and items he saved from his many years on the steam trains to the museum also it was suggested we could hold a small happy memorial party on the train with the opportunity to put his ashes in the fire box burner ..I really don’t know where to start but I would be so happy that his love and dedication as a young man for his beloved steam trains finally is completed .thankyou any one who could help Victoria Georgina Mitchell his only daughter.

Hi Victoria, What an interesting legacy! And yes, it should be housed somewhere for the benefit of railway enthusiasts and historians. The obvious place would be the National Railway Museum in York, who own Flying Scotsman, and I hope you don’t mind but I have passed your request and contact details to their Press officer who, I’m sure, will see it gets to the right person.

Need a trip in in October 27th to 28th

I hear you! The trouble is, the National Railway Museum are being incredibly slow releasing details of her schedule. I think, the major mainline tour operators (IE Steam Dreams and Railway Touring Company) have got October tours already scheduled with other locomotives, and at some point soon, we’ll suddenly hear that they have swopped out the scheduled loco for Flying Scotsman. I’m watching for that, but if anybody gets news ahead of me, let me know. It is very frustrating for everyone to have so little info from NRM.

Hi Alastair we are trying to book a trip in September. How can we keep an eye on the release of dates & avoid missing out? Donna

Hi Donna, That’s really not easy. As much as we all love the National Railway Museum, they are as secretive as Bletchley Park when it comes to keeping everyone informed about the latest schedule for Flying Scotsman. At the moment, we know nothing more than she’ll be at Locomotion in Shildon until 1st Sept. My tip is to keep your eye on three sites: Rail Advent have their ear close to the ground and usually get news just before me. And the two mainline day trip operators, Railway Touring Company and Steam Dreams have day trips scheduled in the autumn and I’m sure the minute they get the go-ahead, they will swop out the scheduled locomotive for Flying Scotsman on some of those trips. I personally would keep an eye on RTC’s ‘ The Waverley ‘ trip on 8th Sep. That’s one the Flying Scotsman usually hauls.

We’ve had plans to see it at NRM before the posted “mid July” timeframe. we were told on June 19th by the museum that it would be there for our visit date but now being told it will leave the museum on July 1st. Does anyone have insight as to where it is headed for the first part of July?

Interesting. Thanks for this, Derek. No, I’ve not seen anything on a 1st July departure. Anyone…? I’ll update as soon as I hear.

Thanks for this update, Alastair. I’d be very keen to know if there were to be any trips in September/October 2024. Sally, Melbourne Australia. March 2024

Hi Sally, yes I’ll post any details of autumn trips as soon as I hear of any 🙂

I would really like to be informed when and if the Flying scotsman is available to ride -many thanks

It will probably not be until the autumn, Yvonne. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for any announcements.

I Would like to know when the flying Scotsman steam train will be going to Edinburgh Please let me know by email Thanks Daphne sheldrake

Sorry Daphne, No need for an email. There are no scheduled trips to Edinburgh that I am aware of. FS is on static display at the NRM in York till the summer. Maybe later this year there will be some trips, but none have been announced yet.

Us the Svotmam stopping over in Scotla d in May so we can go and.see her?? We have family over from Australia

Hi Vyonne. It’s hard to say where Flying Scotsman will be in May. She’s on static display at the National Railway Museum in York at the moment, and will move to Locomotion at Shildon ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/qJu76BXMpH1RTMNEA ) in “the summer”. Until there’s a further update, we just don’t know when “the summer” starts.

I am quite surprised that the NRM have not contacted Ian Riley as he saved them when their restoration of Scotsman went seriously wrong and three lorryloads of Scotsman arrived at his loco works at Heywood for him and.his engineers to sort out. Common courtesy seems to have disappeared even withcom 20024 the NRM.

It does seem odd.

Is the flying scotsman to visit Scotland again if so when and where.

Good questions. We are all waiting for answers 🙂

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0330 440 3999, monday - friday 9am to 5pm, flying scotsman coach breaks 2024, flying scotsman trips by coach.

After a major overhaul in 2022, the newly-restored Flying Scotman is ready for action.  2023 marked the centenary year for this iconic steam locomotive and there were a series of events to celebrate. 

Make sure you don't miss the chance to see the one of fastest steam trains in action with a wonderful short break. 

If you wish to pre-register, the click  here for 2024 coach tours. 

Most steam train trips include coach travel, a hotel stay and a journey behind the Scotsman  on a heritage railway.

History of the Steam Train

The legendary  Flying Scotsman train  has been back on the rails since 2016, after it's £4.2 million refurbishment.

Originally built in Doncaster, the Scotsman launched in 1923 and was one of the most powerful locomotives used on the Railway. 

The locomotive continued to achieve a number of firsts throughout its career. Officially the first locomotive in the UK to clock 100mph on a special test run. It also ran the first ever non-stop service from London to Edinburgh with a journey time of just eight hours. Another more recent record obtained, is the oldest mainline working locomotive on Britain's tracks.

During the Second World War the iconic green paint was repainted black, which was a common theme with all railway stock. It was retired from service by the British Rail in 1963, as steam engines were becoming old-fashioned. After retirement, the train changed ownership several times. The locomotive was also taken to the United States of America and Australia before returning back to the UK.

Since it was officially launched to the public again in 2016, the Flying Scotsman has been touring around the UK and appearing at the National Railway Museum in York and Locomotion in Shilton. This popular locomotive has earned itself a generation of Scotsman fans. 

CALL: +44 20 3640 8887

Flying Scotsman Steam Journey to Edinburgh

A luxury train journey celebrating 100th anniversary of Flying Scotsman

Join the Northern Belle in a celebratory luxury train journey to Edinburgh hauled by the Flying Scotsman to mark 100 years of service!

This highly anticipated journey hauled by a legend of the railway sets off with a sparkling Mimosa cocktail as you take to your comfortable armchair seat. As The Flying Scotsman takes you towards the Scottish capital from York station (from Darlington to York the journey is diesel hauled). You will be served a delightful three-course brunch by the liveried stewards, your surroundings take you back to the era of the Golden Age of Travel.

The Flying Scotsman will arrive at Edinburgh Waverley station just after lunch, you will have a few hours to spend in Edinburgh at your leisure before rejoining the Northern Belle for your return journey, (which will be hauled by a vintage diesel locomotive). You will be welcomed back aboard with a Champagne drinks reception accompanied by canapés and Caviar blinis followed by a delicious six-course dinner and sommelier-selected wine.

‍ THE FLYING SCOTSMAN Built in Doncaster back in 1923 the Flying Scotsman was at the time the most powerful locomotive used by the London and North Eastern Railway. It was also the first locomotive to run a non-stop journey from London to Edinburgh.

Included in this Northern Belle Flying Scotsman Luxury Train Journey

• Spectacular journey steam hauled by Flying Scotsman
• Welcome sparkling Mimosa cocktail reception onboard
• Delicious three-course brunch on the outward journey
• Free time to explore Edinburgh at your leisure
• Champagne drinks reception back on board with canapés and Caviar blinis
• Sumptuous six-course dinner including: Award-winning Great British cheese board with Port to accompany, delicious dessert and a selection of petits fours
• Sommelier’s specially selected bottle of wine per couple
• Fortnum & Mason teas and Northern Belle blend coffee

Choose your date & book:

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This is a brief overview of our booking terms and conditions. Please note each individual operator has their own terms and conditions and by booking with LuxuryTrainTickets.com you are also accepting the operator's terms. For more information regarding operator terms and conditions please contact us or the operator directly. PLEASE NOTE: Receiving receipt of payment is not confirmation that your booking has been successful. We will contact you one to 10 working days after you have paid to confirm your booking, take further details of those travelling and send your itinerary. In the rare instance your booking cannot be fulfilled for any reason, such as the operator cancelling a journey or anything else beyond our control, we will be in touch with alternative options or will refund your payment. All prices shown are for one adult ticket. Sleeper journeys are based on two adults sharing accommodation. Single occupancy of cabins may incur additional charge. Prices are set by the operator and may change at short notice. We endeavour to ensure prices are always accurate and update our own website as soon as possible. All timings and details of included tours and activities are for guidance only and will only be confirmed in your travel documents that will be emailed to you 7 days before departure. For any questions including discounts, offers or group pricing, please contact [email protected]. As an authorised ticketing agent of luxury train journeys, we may need to pass some of your details (such as your name and dietary requirements) on to the train operators in order to complete your booking. This is done so the operators can add you to their guest list, send you your tickets and ensure the meals served to you onboard meet your dietary requirements. By booking with LuxuryTrainTickets.com, you are agreeing that you allow such necessary details to be shared with the operators under the cause of legitimate interest. If you have any questions, please contact us by phone or email [email protected]. There are a limited number of private tables and cabin types onboard. While we keep our website updated regularly, there may be occasions when private tables or cabin types become fully booked meaning we are unable to fulfil your booking requirements. Should this be the case, we will contact you to discuss alternative options and refund any payments made. We have the right to refuse the request of a deposit when a journey is scheduled to depart in less than 16 weeks. If you choose to book with a deposit you must pay the remaining balance in full 15 weeks before departure at the latest. Should you fail to pay the remaining balance 15 weeks prior to departure, you will forfeit your deposit and your booking. Deposits are accepted by request. Most journeys require a 25% deposit to secure a booking however some specialist journeys do require a 50% deposit. Please contact us for confirmation. Tickets are sent electronically around 5 days before departure. You will not receive tickets or any form of 'gift pack' in the post. This is in an attempt to reduce paper use and do our part for the environment. By booking a journey you agree to these terms, the terms set out by each individual operator and our cancellation policy . Please contact LuxuryTrainTickets.com for further terms or for clarification.

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The Flying Scotsman 2024

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PRICE INCLUDES

Coach Travel

3 Nights – Winnock Hotel

Dinner - Each Evening

Glass of Wine with Dinner

Full Scottish Breakfasts

Complimentary Bar Each Evening

Entertainment in Hotel

Excursion to Edinburgh

Excursion to Inverary

All details subject to alteration and booking conditions

FRIDAY Morning departure calling at the Blacksmiths visitor centre, Gretna Green, before continuing to the Loch Lomond area and The Winnock Hotel in the lovely village of Drymen. The Hotel is a former 18th Century Coaching Inn offering traditional Scottish hospitality and freshly prepared local food. Here we stay for three nights with Dinner and Wine Included each Evening together with an open bar of House Brands (7:30pm until 10:30pm). SATURDAY Enjoy a full Scottish Breakfast before our departure to Edinburgh. Discover the amazing History of this Capital City, walk Prince's Street, explore the Castle or the fantastic Shops. We will also offer an optional Guided tour with a Local Guide with a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. We return for Entertainment and Dinner. SUNDAY Breakfast at Leisure and then a drive around Lochs & Glens as we visit Inverary. We return to give you an afternoon in Drymen before our final Evening of Dinner and Entertainment plus your normal open Bar - Cheers! MONDAY A hearty Breakfast before we depart back to the West Midlands.

WINNOCK HOTEL

The popular Winnock Hotel is situated in the centre of Drymen village just a short distance from Loch Lomond.

All Bedrooms are prepared in traditional Scottish style with Private Facilities, TV & Tea & Coffee Tray, Lounge area with open fire, Bar, Reception Service, Highlander Restaurant & Function Room for Meals and Entertainment.

Dinner is normally a choice menu followed by Tea or Coffee

There are just two floors but no Lift.

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Flying Scotsman plans for 2024 announced

Alex Bestwick

The National Railway Museum has announced that, after a busy centenary year in 2023, Flying Scotsman will start 2024 on static display at the museum in York.

After travelling 10,000 miles across the UK as part of its centenary celebrations, Flying Scotsman will return to the National Railway Museum for the first part of 2024, before resuming rail tours later in the year.   

The locomotive will be displayed in the Flying Scotsman Story exhibition at the York-based museum from Friday 26 January until the summer.

Then Flying Scotsman will travel to Locomotion in Shildon, where it will go on public display.

A competitive tender to appoint the next custodian for Flying Scotsman to operate and maintain the locomotive will launch with an Invitation to Tender (ITT) published online in the coming weeks.

The tender is expected to be awarded in late spring 2024, and once the custodian is appointed, Flying Scotsman will resume a programme of rail tours in the autumn.

Judith McNicol, Director of the National Railway Museum said: “After an amazing centenary year which has seen Flying Scotsman delight and inspire thousands of people, I can announce our plans to bring the world-famous locomotive to the National Railway Museum in York while we begin the search for its next custodian.

“Our intention is to keep Flying Scotsman main line operational and once the new custodian is appointed, we will create a calendar of activity that includes main line tours, visits to heritage railways and our museums.”

The tender to find Flying Scotsman’s custodian will be open to all and published online here: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sciencemuseumgroup .

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Flying Scotsman Plans for 2024

Jan 27, 2024 | County News , Featured |

After travelling 10,000 miles across the UK, as part of its centenary celebrations, world famous locomotive Flying Scotsman will spend the first part of 2024 on static display at the National Railway Museum in York before resuming rail tours later in the year. From Friday 26 January until the summer, the locomotive will be displayed in the Flying Scotsman Story exhibition at the National Railway Museum. Visitors will be able to see the locomotive for free and access the footplate via an accessible ramp. Flying Scotsman will then travel to Locomotion in Shildon where it will go on public display. A competitive tender to appoint the next custodian for Flying Scotsman to operate and maintain the locomotive will launch with an Invitation to Tender (ITT) published online in the coming weeks. The tender is expected to be awarded in late spring 2024. Once the custodian is appointed, Flying Scotsman will resume a programme of rail tours in the autumn. It is expected that the locomotive will visit heritage railways and will remain main line operational. Judith McNicol, Director of the National Railway Museum, said: “After an amazing centenary year, which has seen Flying Scotsman delight and inspire thousands of people, I can announce our plans to bring the world-famous locomotive to the National Railway Museum in York while we begin the search for its next custodian. “Our intention is to keep Flying Scotsman main line operational and once the new custodian is appointed, we will create a calendar of activity that includes main line tours, visits to heritage railways and our museums.” The tender to find Flying Scotsman’s custodian will be open to all and published online here: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sciencemuseumgroup. Flying Scotsman’s visits to the National Railway Museum in York and Locomotion in Shildon during the centenary saw large numbers of people travel from across the UK and overseas to see the famous locomotive. In York 51,751 people visited during October half term and more than 37,500 came to see Flying Scotsman in light steam at Locomotion over Christmas. Built in Doncaster in 1923, for the newly formed LNER, Flying Scotsman is considered by many to be the most famous locomotive in the world. Flying Scotsman was saved from the scrapheap and toured the USA and Australia before becoming part of the National Railway Museum’s collection.

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Flying Scotsman to stay in County Durham for longer than planned

• Janine Booth
• Posted: 3 weeks ago
• Add a comment
• Last updated: 9th August, 2024 at 9:32 am

The world-famous steam locomotive Flying Scotsman is to stay at Locomotion museum in Shildon until Sunday 1 September.

Flying Scotsman is taking part in the Summer at Locomotion festival and was due to leave on Sunday 18 August.

So far during the festival, more than five thousand people have ridden on a train hauled by Flying Scotsman.

The festival has today opened further opportunities to book a ride, plus a limited number of footplate experiences’, riding alongside the driver in the cab.

Flying Scotsman will be on static display on selected dates, and visitors will have an opportunity to explore the cab. The festival also includes behind-the-scenes tours of Flying Scotsman’s support coach.

In addition, Locomotion is now offering footplate experiences on a replica of Stephenson’s Rocket and the 08 Diesel Shunter.

Details and dates of the experiences are available on the What’s On section of the Locomotion website .

Locomotion hosts the largest undercover collection of historic rail vehicles in Europe, with more than one hundred vehicles on display. The museum added its New Hall in May 2024, with forty-seven new vehicles.

“Summer at Locomotion has been a huge hit so far. I’m thrilled that our visitors will now get the chance to experience Flying Scotsman up close right up until the end of the school holidays, and there’s so much going on besides. Come and join our summer celebrations!” Sarah Price, Head of Locomotion

• TAGGED: County Durham , Locomotion - Shildon , No. 60103 'Flying Scotsman'

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Flying Scotsman Centenary

Daytrips hauled by flying scotsman launched for 2023.

We have announced a series of 2023 mainline steam tour dates with 60103 Flying Scotsman. The days out in the company of the world’s most famous steam locomotive are part of Flying Scotsman’s centenary celebrations organised by the National Railway Museum.

The National Railway Museum’s Flying Scotsman centenary plans were launched with an appearance of the iconic locomotive at Kings Cross Station on Friday, October 14, to tie in with the station’s own 170 th anniversary. The Museum revealed a calendar of Flying Scotsman events for 2023 on their website.

Officially the first steam locomotive to reach 100mph, 60103 Flying Scotsman was built at Doncaster in 1922. Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and built for the LNER, the locomotive was named ‘Flying Scotsman’ in 1923 and continued in regular service until 1963 and then later in preservation. Today, it is owned by the National Railway Museum in York and is operated and maintained by Riley & Son (E) Ltd. 

We are delighted to be working with the National Railway Museum to put Flying Scotsman through its paces on the mainline in 2023. Nine mainline dates have been launched with more to follow. Dates announced so far are:

The Royal Duchy, Sunday, April 30: Bristol to Plymouth

The Cardiff Express, Wednesday, June 7: London to Cardiff

The Cheshireman, Saturday, June 10: London to Chester

The Portsmouth Flyer, Saturday, June 17: London to Portsmouth

The Salisbury Express, Wednesday, June 21: London to Salisbury

The Great Yarmouth Flyer, Saturday, June 24: London to Great Yarmouth

The Flying Scotsman Centenary Weekender, Friday 30th June to Tuesday 4th July: London to Edinburgh tour

The Waverley , Sunday, July 9: York to Carlisle

The Waverley , Sunday, August 6: York to Carlisle

The Waverley , Sunday, September 10: York to Carlisle

The Hadrian , Saturday 14th October: Derby to Carlisle

“The Railway Touring Company is very excited to be working in partnership with the National Railway Museum, Riley & Son and operator West Coast Railways Company for the 2023 celebrations,” said The Railway Touring Company’s MD Kelly Osborne. “With kind assistance from all involved, we have designed a programme of mainline steam day tours that will take Flying Scotsman to many parts of England, Scotland and Wales. We hope rail enthusiasts young and old will join us on board for a memorable day out.”

The National Railway Museum’s Centenary programme is packed with events and activities, which people can now explore and book online. During 2023, as well as days out on the mainline, Flying Scotsman can be seen at free static events at the National Railway Museum and other locations. The iconic loco will also be in action at a number of heritage railways around the UK and at Locomotion in Shildon.

In addition, one of the UK’s best loved authors Michael Morpurgo has written a new children’s book Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever to mark the anniversary.

The Flying Scotsman Centenary Programme has been generously supported by Hornby and has been made possible thanks to the National Heritage Memorial Fund. 

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Our Journeys

Celebrations, flying scotsman steam special - historic edinburgh at leisure, thursday 12th september 2024, york, darlington, newcastle, this trip is now sold out..

This trip is now fully booked. Use the buttons below to browse other trips like this or trips from the same departure locations.

Your Journey

Relax in your elegant surroundings and gaze out the picture window, watching the passing scenery unfold and contemplating the gastronomic journey ahead. Within minutes, one of our liveried Stewards will carefully pour you a sparkling Mimosa cocktail as you study celebrated Head Chef Matthew Green’s sumptuous menu.

Ahead lies a journey back to the Golden Days of rail travel, a time when nothing was too good for the pampered passengers. Our Executive Head Chef and his team will be hard at work in the kitchen carriage preparing a sumptuous three-course brunch and six-course dinner, accompanied by our Sommelier’s choice of wine. Each course boasts the finest seasonal ingredients from the British Isles, classic and innovative dishes are crafted in our recently refurbished kitchen carriage.

At York station we join Flying Scotsman steam locomotive, an iconic and legendary symbol of British engineering and rail travel. The engine has a distinctive green livery and has been featured in numerous films, television shows and documentaries. It has also travelled extensively across the UK and overseas, attracting fans and enthusiasts wherever it goes. The opportunity to ride behind Flying Scotsman to Edinburgh is a rare and unforgettable experience not to be missed.

Steaming towards Edinburgh a delicious three-course brunch is served as the glorious British countryside passes by. On arrival, spend your day at leisure, discover the history of the city, visit the abundance of shops and café’s or simply find a nice spot to rest and admire the views. Whatever you choose to do, spend it at your own leisurely pace.

After an incredible day we rejoin the Northern Belle for a Champagne reception, before tucking into a sumptuous six-course dinner during the leisurely journey home.

(The return journey will be hauled by one of our vintage diesel engines.)

FLYING SCOTSMAN

Flying Scotsman was built in Doncaster, the first locomotive of the newly formed London and North Eastern Railway (LNER). It went into service on 24 February 1923 with number 1472. It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as part of the A1 class—the most powerful locomotives used by the LNER at that time.

By 1924, when it was selected to appear at the British Empire Exhibition in London, the loco had been renumbered 4472—and given the name 'Flying Scotsman' after the daily 10.00 London to Edinburgh rail service which started in 1862.

The British Empire Exhibition made Flying Scotsman famous, and it went on to feature in many more publicity events for the LNER. In 1928, it was given a new type of tender with a corridor, which meant that a new crew could take over without stopping the train. This allowed it to haul the first ever non-stop London to Edinburgh service on 1 May that year, reducing the journey time to eight hours.

In 1934, Scotsman was clocked at 100mph on a special test run—officially the first locomotive in the UK to reach that speed. The test run proved to the LNER's directors that steam power could provide high speeds, negating a plan for the company to use diesel power on its high-speed services.

In 2023, Flying Scotsman celebrates its centenary year. The National Railway Museum in York has crafted an extensive programme of events to celebrate this momentous milestone, including a special run of mainline tours and visits to heritage railways, the opening of a fully-immersive Flying Scotsman VR experience at the museum, and the release of a new children’s book, ‘Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever’, written by renowned author Michael Morpurgo. More details can be found at www.railwaymuseum.org.uk .

Few cities anywhere in the world can match Edinburgh, with its imposing castle perched high on the hill overlooking the wonderful Georgian architecture below. Stroll up Castle Hill, following in the footsteps of kings and queens, soldiers and even the odd pirate or two. Then visit one of the many museums, browse through the countless shops, or just stroll round the historical sights. And pay homage to Greyfriars Bobby, the faithful Skye Terrier who sat beside the grave of his master John Gray for the last 14 years of his life. Many touch the statue of Bobby’s statue believing that it will bring them luck.

Outbound journey hauled by Flying Scotsman, return hauled by vintage diesel locomotive.

Departing from.

Darlington Station

Newcastle Station

Edinburgh Waverley Station

Book Your Tickets

To mark the 100th anniversary of Flying Scotsman - the most famous steam locomotive of all time - we’re heading to Edinburgh for a journey of a lifetime on board the Northern Belle.

Spectacular steam journey outbound hauled by Flying Scotsman

Welcome sparkling mimosa cocktail, champagne and fresh orange, delicious three-course brunch on the outward journey, free time to explore edinburgh, champagne reception back on board including canapés and caviar blinis, sumptuous six-course dinner: british seasonal table d’hôte menu including: award-winning great british cheese board with port to accompany, delicious dessert and a selection of petits fours, sommelier’s choice - bottle of wine per couple, fortnum & mason tea and northern belle blend coffee, memorable gift on departure.

£750 per passenger

In addition to our Flying Scotsman Steam Special - Historic Edinburgh at Leisure journey why not upgrade your on-board experience to include the following:

Champagne reception upgraded with Laurent-Perrier Brut Millésime Vintage 2012

Bottle of wine upgraded from our Northern Belle Collection per couple

Bottle of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut NV per couple

Single travellers will receive half bottles of these derivatives.

In partnership with KRUG champagne we introduce another class of travel.

Bottle of KRUG Grand Cuvée Champagne per couple

Seating allocated in Duart formerly a carriage on The Royal Train or Glamis named after Her Majesty’s childhood home

A memorable gift on departure

Have questions?

Please read our most frequent questions here, if you don't see what you're looking for, visit our full list of Travellers Tips .

If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our reservations team.

Northern Belle has limited tables for two. We are happy to take a request, however this is not a guarantee and there is a chance that you may be sharing a table of four with another couple. Subject to availability you may guarantee a table for two by paying a supplement of £75 per passenger. When booking online if private tables of two are available you can select your preference, but you can select a shared table without a supplement subject to availability.

All of the Northern Belle carriages are vintage pullman style. Each row of seats is a table for two and across the aisle a table for four.

Yes. If notified at the time of booking, we will do our best to comply with any dietary requirements. These include Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, Pescetarian and the exclusion of certain ingredients such as nuts, onions and dairy. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide meals requiring strict religious observance in preparation. Please order at least 14 days prior to travel to ensure we can order the supplies to the train whilst on tour. Please note that due to the small preparation areas on the train we cannot guarantee cross contamination within the kitchen and if you have severe allergic reactions then please call the reservations team to discuss. When you book on line you will find a section to list your passenger’s dietary needs and other comments.

We are able to accommodate passengers with slight walking difficulties. However, we recommend they are accompanied by a carer. We regret that our carriages cannot be boarded on wheelchair. Staff are able to assist passengers to their seats and folding wheelchairs can be stored during the journey.

Some journeys are not suitable for people with disabilities. Should you have any special requirements please contact your nearest reservations office.

For a journey aboard the Northern Belle luxury train, adhere to the smart casual dress code, ensuring jeans are avoided. Choose comfortable yet stylish attire and wear appropriate footwear for day trips that may involve walking. Enjoy the luxurious setting while maintaining a stylish and refined appearance.

Please Note

• All timings shown on this website are for your guidance only—a confirmed schedule will be supplied with your travel documents
• Steam: Due to the antique nature of the locomotive from time to time the engines do sadly fail, in this situation we will reserve the right to substitute the advertised locomotive with a replacement. In the unlikely event we can not obtain a substitute we will run the excursion with a heritage diesel locomotive and offer a credit of £30pp or a voucher of £75pp to put towards a future trip.
• Please ensure you bring your travel documents on the day of your journey
• If booking up to eight (8) weeks prior to departure, a non-refundable 15% deposit is required to secure your seats
• Payment is required in full if you are booking within eight (8) weeks of travel
• Bookings of two attract a surcharge of £75 per passenger for a private table for two
• Bookings of five or six attract a surcharge of £150 for the use of the private table for two
• Full payment and cancellation details can be found in our Terms and Conditions page >

Our Best Available rate is subject to availability at time of booking, it is not applicable for parties of 12 or more. Please contact  [email protected] for group pricing.

Read our fabulous reviews

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5 out of 5 stars

It was a fantastic experience. We travelled from Manchester Victoria to visit Kew Gardens and we travelled in the Chatsworth Carriage. We were well looked after by Barry, Asim and Darryl, the cuisine was excellent, the ambience superb and the overall setting was luxurious. We had a table for two, but it was great to chat with the other travellers on the table for four opposite us. We will definitely consider the Northern Belle again in 2025.

This day out can only be described as unforgettable for all the best reasons. We boarded the train at Stafford at 0815 and returned at 2130. What a day. From the first to the last moment on the train everything was outstanding. Particularly the staff in our carriage (Harlech), working in intense heat due to it being the hottest day of the year, they were superb. Even cool towels for us all when we boarded for the return journey. How food of such a high standard can be served on a train can only be admired and applauded. Kew Gardens was also a great place to visit despite the heat. Finally, we were on a table of four, sitting with two really lovely ladies who were such good company throughout a long day.

Amazing experience going to Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot. The trip was as close to perfection as I've ever experienced. The brilliant staff on the train were so professional but also warm, friendly and fun. The food was sublime and attention to detail was like from a bygone day. Thanks to Asim, Joe, Katie and Chloe for so much attention and for creating for us an unforgettable journey!

We had an incredible day travelling on the Northern Belle to Ascot Ladies day. We boarded at Birmingham International and from start to finish had a fantastic experience. Thanks to Barry the team in Chatsworth carriage. Food, service and ambiance were amazing. A special mention to Zaina our drinks attendant . She oozes personality and we thought she was an incredible asset to the team. We will definitely be booking more trip 🚂

Absolutely excellent from start to finish. Silver service treatment with fabulous food. Staff extremely friendly, couldn't do enough to make your trip a memorable experience. We would definitely recommend booking this trip if you have a special occasion to celebrate

An exceptional day out on the Northern Belle with my sister. Staff were exceptional - Phil, Lucy and Tom in Belvoir carriage. Food was Michelin worthy, Plenty of food throughout the day/evening. Drinks a plenty, excursion to Chatsworth House was so well organised. Met some lovely people. Had a fantastic day out. Would highly recommend. The sun shone for us too! Everyone was so kind and helpful.

Booked the trip to Chatsworth for my husbands 60th, and it didn’t disappoint, food was excellent, service was good. A really special day! Special mention for the Blini 😋 😋

We travelled yesterday on the Northern Belle from Manchester as a birthday celebration for the two of us. We were in the Chatsworth carriage and our team of three were Barry, Zaina and Freya who were all absolutely wonderful. From the moment we arrived at Victoria to the sound of a piper playing the bagpipes to shaking hands with Barry as we left, the day was absolutely perfect. The traditional train is lovely; the food could not be faulted; the timings were perfect and Britannia was so interesting. There was a table magician and a musical duo - all lovely people and such fun. It was simply the best day out and we would have no hesitation in recommending it to others.

Amazing experience on board the Northern Belle to Glamis Castle. We were in carriage Alnwick and our servers were Tom, Lucy and cannot remember the other girls name (sorry). Fantastic service and the food was amazing. We were on a table with another couple whom we had never met but had a brilliant day with them. Cannot fault it and would highly recommend.

I have been on many journeys now on this superb train since 2015 and this recent one was just as good as ever. I was in Harlech carriage and I must say that the service was second to none. All of the staff were super efficient and it was a truly very enjoyable and perfect day. I will be back at Christmas

We have been on the Northern Belle on a number of occasions mainly for Christmas Lunch, but also one Afternoon Tea trip. This was our first day trip travelling from Newcastle upon Tyne to Dundee to visit Glamis Castle. With travelling on the Northern Belle before we thought we knew what to expect but food, drink, service on board entertainment and tour of Glamis Castle exceeded even our expectations. Carriage as always was immaculate as was Crockery, Cutlery, Glassware and Table Linen. Its not a Cheap day trip, but it is worth every penny. We hope to have more day trips like this in future, and would recommend The Northern Belle to any potential customers who want a once in a lifetime treat. But beware you will want to repeat and keep on repeating this experience.

A fantastic trip on Northern Belle. The staff on board were friendly and attentive, the food was delicious and the journey exceeded our expectations. The train is very comfortable and it was great to just sit back and relax and be waited on. We were entertained by a magician in the morning and by the musicians at night. The trip to the Royal yacht well organised and a treat to have a tour of Edinburgh and hear about its history. All in all a memorable trip and i have no hesitation in recommending the Northern Belle to anyone who is looking for a memorable day out.

Wonderful trip from Birmingham to Settle & back on this luxury train.Beautiful carriage, incredible food, brilliant staff. Read/seen about how good this trip was, expected it to be brilliant , it exceeded my expectations. The whole experience made ever greater by being pulled by a steam train. A truly amazing day.

From Telford to Carlisle via the Ribblehead viaduct and back, we had a fabulous time. We could not fault the food or the service, which was five stars. The scenery was to die for, helped by all day sun, and we enjoyed time in Carlisle to look around the Cathedral. The magician was entertainingly ham, and the musicians did a great double happy birthday, but what made the trip for us was the happenstance of being seated next to a lively and lovely German couple, who were shooting a YouTube video. Lots of laughs, and you can catch it on their two Germans in Britain Channel.

My husband booked the Northern Belle to celebrate my 60th birthday. We boarded at Liverpool Lime Street for our onward journey to Carlisle (Settle & Carlisle Steam Special). From the moment we were greeted by staff at the door to our carriage for the day (Glamis), a birthday card was waiting on the table from the Glamis staff (Debbie, Asim & Jo), our table was beautifully ‘dressed’, the food was perfectly cooked & presented until we arrived back at Liverpool, the day couldn’t have been more perfect. Nothing was too much trouble & we would like our thanks to be passed on to Debbie, Asim, Jo & to the chef & team for making my 60th celebration a truly memorable & unforgetable day.

Boarded the Northern Belle at Wakefield for a full days outing to Carlisle and what a fabulous experience it was from start to finish. The food and service were first class, we were in the Chatsworth carriage and our stewards Barry and Zayna looked after us impeccably with enthusiasm, grace and humour. The cost of the trip may seem expensive but when a full 12 hours experience is factored in with a 3 course brunch, 6 course dinner, champagne, wine and port included along with a magician, a band and the luxurious experience, it all makes for a wonderful memory. Can highly recommend.

Special birthday treat for my husband we went to The Cheltenham Gold Cup on the Northern Belle. It really is luxury travel and we were looked after extremely well by the staff always with a smile and nothing was too much travel. My husband was chuffed to receive a birthday card from them as well which was a lovely touch. The food is second to none and the tartlet “Arnold Bennett” was delicious melted in the mouth thank you chef. The ongoing travel into Cheltenham race course was well orchestrated and the staff on the steam train and at the station also looked after us very well. The five course dinner on our journey back was just a delight I particularly enjoyed the shin suet pudding and the beef. I wanted my husband to enjoy his day and he loved every minute of the experience and hasn’t stopped talking about it.

What an unforgettable and amazing experience for my birthday! Genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever done. From start to finish the day was PERFECT! The most wonderful staff, fantastic food, entertainment, everything just stunningly beautiful. Anyone considering doing a trip, DO IT! It’s a must! We had the spirit of travel luncheon and upgraded to a couples table and Laurent Perrier package, it was worth every single penny. We will definitely be back to do another one!

We were greeted by the most friendly and amazing smile, from the moment we got on board, the staff went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and satisfaction, the welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff made the day very pleasant. The menu offered a delightful array of dishes, each expertly crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Every bite was a culinary delight. My dining experience was truly exceptional. and I can’t wait to return. The luxurious train, coupled with exceptional service, made our day truly memorable Highly recommended!

Absolutely fantastic this Christmas trip is a must the best experience you can give someone the staff are absolutely lovely the food amazing could not fault this at all.

The Christmas Festive Lunch journey from Liverpool to Holyhead was great. We were in the Glamis carriage and the decor was lovely. The food was delicious and the porn star martini was very good. We were serenaded by songs and there was also a magician going from table to table. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.

First trip in 4 years and just as good as ever, if not better - superb, friendly attentive service attending to our every need in that wonderful atmosphere only found on the Northern Belle and the entertainment too from the singing duo and magician at the table. All four of us had a great day out from Carlisle to Dundee - topped off by a tour of Glamis Castle.

Fabulous excursion from Darlington to Edinburgh made an excellent experience by being hauled by Flying Scotsman to mark its Centenary. Absolutely faultless service, food, and organisation. The preparation and presentation of the carriage (Duart) was superb and was regularly maintained throughout the return journey. Nothing was too much trouble for the hardworking staff who cannot be praised highly enough. Main meal of beef was cooked to perfection and melted in the mouth. Absolutely recommended to anyone. A wonderful day.

We did the Flying Scotsman centenary special journey - from York to Edinburgh. What a wonderful day! The superb, efficient team worked hard to make our day memorable. The luxurious carriages and excellent food and beverages added to the glamour of the day. I’d recommend one of the Northern Belle journeys to anyone wanting this kind of special day out.

What an absolutely wonderful experience. A perfect day with friends spent being served outstanding food and drink by kind, attentive staff whilst relaxing in luxurious surroundings. The whole experience ran like clockwork and will be fondly remembered.

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