Check in by phone
Scandinavian Airlines (0870 6072 7727) is the first airline to let passengers check in using a voice-recognition telephone service. After entering their details on the company website, customers receive a text message saying when the check-in has opened.

Short and sweet

Short-break ski packages have been launched by ski website www.Ifyouski.com (0207 471 7734). It offers four-night packages to resorts such as Chamonix, Davos and Villars, starting at £320 per person for flights, hotel and car hire.

Coventry takes off

Thomson (0870 190 0737) will run a low-cost flight service from Coventry airport to 10 European destinations from 31 March. Seats will be bookable in advance for a £5 fee and one-way fares will be from £17.99 to Jersey, £19.99 to Rome, Pisa, Venice, Nice and Marseille and £22.99 to Naples and Ibiza.

Queen of the ocean

Want to see the new Queen Mary 2? Try a weekend break in the Isle of Wight, departing from Southampton between 6 and 12 January. Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries (0870 444 8898) pass right by the liner.