FOI/202600533814 · FOI · not held
First Minister's June 2026 visit to the United States: FOI release
Information requested
“For the First Minister and his accompanying private secretary, please provide:
1. The complete flight itinerary, including airports, airlines, flight numbers, dates and cabin/class of travel for each sector.
2. The date on which each reservation was originally made and, if different, the date on which the ticket was issued.
3. The fare basis/fare code and ticket conditions applying to the approximately £17,893 airfare, including whether the ticket was refundable, changeable or fully flexible and any applicable change/cancellation conditions.
4. A breakdown of the approximately £17,893 cost, including, insofar as recorded, the base fare, taxes and carrier charges, booking fees, additional sectors, rebooking/reissue costs, change fees and other components.
5. Copies of the contemporaneous quotations, fare comparisons and alternative itineraries supplied by the Scottish Government’s contracted travel provider when the booking was made, including economy, premium-economy and alternative business-class fares where these were supplied.
6. Any recorded information showing why the selected itinerary and fare were chosen in preference to cheaper alternatives, including any consideration of value for money.
7. The authorisation for business-class travel for the First Minister and his private secretary, including the person or office authorising it and the recorded justification.
8. Any recorded consideration of the Scottish Government’s travel policy regarding business-class travel where the relevant flight duration is less than ten hours.
9. Any correspondence or recorded discussion between the First Minister’s Office, Private Office, Scottish Government travel/procurement staff and/or the contracted travel provider concerning the timing of the booking, availability or cost of flights, choice of cabin, ticket flexibility, alternative fares or routings, or value for money.
10. For comparison, please provide the equivalent itinerary, booking date, fare basis and ticket conditions for the delegation member whose reported business-class airfare was approximately £9,864, together with any recorded information explaining the difference between that fare and the approximately £17,893 fares.”
Response
Question 1 and 2
The flight details of the First Minister and Private Secretary, John Webster, are included below.
Flight Airline Flight Number Date Class Booking Date Edinburgh – Boston (via Heathrow) British Airways Edinburgh – Heathrow (BA1455) Heathrow – Boston (BA239) 11/06/2026 Business 26/05/2026 Boston - Louisville American Airline AA3438 14/06/2026 Economy 27/05/2026 Louisville – Edinburgh (via Atlanta) Delta Louisville – Atlanta (DL1126) Atlanta – Edinburgh (DL34) 15/06/2026 Business 28/05/2026
Question 3
Under section 17(1) of FOISA, this is formal notice that the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested. This is because the Scottish Government did not spent £17,893 on a single airfare. The £17,893 cost published on the Scottish Government website covered three flights which have been detailed in response to Question 1. To make clear all flights booked including the ability for a refund in the event of any changes being required.
Question 4
I have included the relevant information below. Edinburgh – Boston (via Heathrow)
Description Cost Fare £7510.00 Insurance / Fuel Charges £44.00 Carrier-Imposed Miscellaneous or Fuel Fee £733.00 Air Passenger Duty £244.00 Passenger Service Charge - Domestic / International £53.99 US Domestic Transportation Tax £17.30 US Customs User Fee £5.50 US Federal Inspection Fee £5.20 US Aphis User Fee £2.80
Boston – Louisville
Description Cost Fare £439.58
Louisville – Edinburgh (via Atlanta)
Description Cost Fare £7772.00 Carrier-Imposed Miscellaneous or Fuel Fee £1021.10 US Domestic Transportation Tax £17.40 US Security Fee £4.20 US Passenger Facility Fee £3.30
Question 5 and 9:
I have included relevant emails in Annex A.
Some information has been withheld under section 39(1) of FOISA. This exemption applies to the information you have requested because it relates to the First Minister’s travel arrangements, details of which are not disclosed for security reasons. The exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, endanger the physical or mental health or safety of an individual.
This exemption is subject to the public interest test. Therefore, having considered all the circumstances of this case, we have assessed whether the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have concluded that, on balance, the public interest favours upholding the exemption.
Some internal email exchanges have been withheld under section 29(1)(d) of FOISA (Ministerial Private Office) because it relates to the operation of a Ministerial Private Office. This exemption is subject to the public interest test. Therefore, having considered all the circumstances of this case, we have assessed whether the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have concluded that, on balance, the public interest favours upholding the exemption.
We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government. However, there is a greater public interest in preserving the efficient and effective operation of a Ministerial Private Office. This includes allowing private office officials to adequately consider travel options alongside operational requirements within a confidential space.
It is important to note that, when arranging ministerial overseas visits, travel arrangements are aligned with the purpose and requirements of the official business being undertaken. Ministers carry out official duties throughout overseas travel, including while in transit.
Travel decisions are informed by a range of factors, including official and parliamentary commitments, logistical considerations, journey times, and the operational requirements of ministers and supporting officials.
In this instance, flights for the First Minister and John Webster were booked to best support the programme of engagements in the United States, while also enabling the First Minister's departure from, and timely return to Scotland to fulfil parliamentary commitments.
Question 6
Under section 17(1) of FOISA, this is formal notice that the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested.
When arranging ministerial overseas visits, travel arrangements are aligned with the purpose and requirements of the official business being undertaken. Ministers carry out official duties throughout overseas travel, including while in transit. Travel decisions are informed by a range of factors, including official and parliamentary commitments, logistical considerations, journey times, and the operational needs of ministers and supporting officials. As a result, travel arrangements may involve a combination of business and economy class travel.
Question 7
Flights for the First Minister and John Webster were verbally approved. Therefore, under section 17(1) of FOISA, this is formal notice that the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested.
Question 8
Under section 17(1) of FOISA, this is formal notice that the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested.
Question 10
I have included a table which outline the flight routes for Colin McAllister, Special Advisor.
Flight Airline Flight Number Date Class Edinburgh – Boston JetBlue B6 1080 11/06/2026 Business Boston - Louisville American Airline AA3438 14/06/2026 Economy Louisville – Edinburgh (via Atlanta) Delta Louisville – Atlanta (DL 3195) Atlanta – Edinburgh (DL34) 16/06/2026 Business
When arranging ministerial overseas visits, travel arrangements are aligned with the purpose and requirements of the official business being undertaken. Ministers carry out official duties throughout overseas travel, including while in transit. Travel decisions are informed by a range of factors, including official and parliamentary commitments, logistical considerations, journey times, and the operational needs of ministers and supporting officials. As a result, travel arrangements may involve a combination of business and economy class travel.
In this instance, flights for the First Minister and John Webster were booked to best support the programme of engagements in the United States, while also enabling the First Minister's departure from, and timely return to Scotland to fulfil parliamentary commitments.
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Detected exemption language
Flight Airline Flight Number Date Class Booking Date Edinburgh – Boston (via Heathrow) British Airways Edinburgh – Heathrow (BA1455) Heathrow – Boston (BA239) 11/06/2026 Business 26/05/2026 Boston - Louisville American Airline AA3438 14/06/2026 Economy 27/05/2026 Louisville – Edinburgh (via Atlanta) Delta Louisville – Atlanta (DL1126) Atlanta – Edinburgh (DL34) 15/06/2026 Business 28/05/2026 Question 3 Under section 17(1) of FOISA, this is formal notice that the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested. Some information has been withheld under section 39(1) of FOISA. This exemption applies to the information you have requested because it relates to the First Minister’s travel arrangements, details of which are not disclosed for security reasons. The exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, endanger the physical or mental health or safety of an individual. This exemption is subject to the public interest test.