Easy if you have £10

All low-cost airline passengers are equal but some are more equal than others. EasyJet (easyjet.com) is trialling a new system at Luton airport whereby up to 10 passengers per flight can pay £10 at check-in to board the aircraft first, giving them first choice of seats with most legroom.

Final call at Plaza

New York's legendary Plaza hotel will close on 1 April. It will reopen late next year as a residential, retail and dining complex with 100 'exclusive' hotel rooms. For those who want to experience the Plaza before it closes, Bon Voyage (0800 316 0194) has three-night breaks from £655, with flights and limo transfers.

Laird it up

The Landmark Trust (01628 825925) has expanded its portfolio of properties for holiday lets with the restoration of three historic buildings - a Scottish laird's house, a tiny North Yorkshire banqueting house and a Georgian central London townhouse.

Correction:

In last week's issue we incorrectly stated that from 26 October all visitors to the US (including children) must carry machine-readable passports. It should have stated that the new rule was introduced on 26 October 2004.