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We focus a lot at InsideFlyerUK on how to use air miles to travel the world in tremendous comfort and style – but it’s important not to forget that there’s a revolution going on in long-haul budget travel these days too.

Airlines like Norwegian and WOWair regularly offer flights to places like the USA, Canada and Thailand for less than half what more established carriers like British Airways charge.

Another change is the ability to book just the flights from companies that traditionally only provided package holidays.

The Deal

Thomson Airways are currently offering Return flights from London Gatwick and Manchester to Aruba for just £219.00.

You need to stay for 14 nights and that price is currently available for dates from 17th May 2016 until 7th June 2016. There are options under £400.00 until July.

I’m certainly not going to pretend that Thomson offers the best in-flight experience in the world, but you do at least get a free meal and the flight times aren’t bad. For what works out at less than £110.00 each way (cheaper than some train tickets in the UK!), I don’t think you’ll find too much to complain about!

You can take up to 5kg hand luggage for free (which isn’t very much!, and 20kgs of checked luggage will set you back an additional £30.00 each way.

What’s Aruba like?

Pretty stunning. Turquoise water, palm trees, beautiful white sand – the usual.

The Dutch colonial legacy makes for some interesting architecture too.

Where should I stay?

There’s a surprising amount of options if you’ve got hotel points you would like to use.

The Holiday Inn Resort charges 30,000 IHG Points, or ~ £125.00 per night.

There’s also a Hyatt, a Hilton and a three option from Marriott – including a Ritz Carlton if you’re feeling flash!

Alternatively, there are plenty of independent hotels or you can rent a reasonable apartment from about £50.00 per night.

14 nights might seem a bit too much time in one place, so you could always hop over to somewhere else in the Dutch Caribbean like Curacao or Bonaire. You could potentially even use some British Airways Avios Points to fly direct to Charlotte, Miami or Philadelphia in the USA on BA’s partner American, or to Bogota on LAN Colombia!

Anything else?

Not much – you can get 1% cashback through TopCashback on your flights.

Hat-tip to Secret Flying – which is a great website.