Airline News Page 74
Riyadh Air’s Sfeer Loyalty Program and Hilton Announce Strategic Partnership to Elevate Hospitality
Hilton and Riyadh Air have announced a strategic partnership naming Hilton the inaugural hotel partner for Sfeer, the recently launched lifestyle loyalty program powered by Riyadh Air. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, premium service, and customer-centric travel - uniting Hilton’s hospitality excellence with Riyadh Air’s vision to connect Saudi Arabia to more than 100 global destinations by 2030. Sfeer Founding Members – early registrants to the program - will be the first to enjoy the benefits of Sfeer partnerships as it continues to grow ahead of commercial flight sales.
flynas Launches the "Saudi Experiences" Initiative to Empower Local Communities and Enhance Tourism
flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, announced launching the "Saudi Experiences" initiative in collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority during the "TOURISE25" summit being held in Riyadh from November 11 to 13, 2025, aiming to enable travelers and visitors to book unique tourist experiences within Saudi Arabia through the flynas website and mobile App, thereby contributing to boosting domestic tourism and creating new economic opportunities for local communities around the Kingdom.
Etihad Airways Showcases A321LR at Dubai Airshow
Etihad Airways’ brand-new Airbus A321LR takes pride of place on static display at Dubai Airshow – the region’s only narrowbody aircraft featuring private First Suites. With extended range and significantly improved fuel efficiency, this next-generation aircraft serves routes from Abu Dhabi to destinations including Chiang Mai, Dusseldorf, Krabi, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Tunis and Zurich, delivering genuine long-haul luxury for short-and medium-haul sectors.
Qatar Airways Sets New Benchmark with Over 100 Starlink-Enabled Widebody Aircraft
Qatar Airways, operator of the largest number of Starlink-equipped widebody aircraft, has achieved a major milestone in its Starlink rollout programme and equipped over 100 widebody aircraft with the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky. This achievement represents one of the most rapid and ambitious Starlink installation programmes in the aviation industry, that’s being implemented ahead of the initially expected schedule, to bring the service to passengers even sooner. With more than 50 percent of its widebody fleet now Starlink-connected, the World’s Best Airline, as voted by Skytrax in 2025 for the ninth time, has already operated over 30,000 flights with uninterrupted, high-speed, gate-to-gate* connectivity. This pace further cements Qatar Airways’ position as the only carrier in the MENA region to currently offer Starlink onboard, and a global leader in Starlink-enabled long-haul and ultra-long-haul connectivity.
The Emirates A350 makes its flypast debut at the 2025 Dubai Airshow
Making its first-ever appearance in aerial formation, the Emirates A350 starred in the spectacular 2025 Dubai Airshow opening flypast. Joined by the Emirates Boeing 777 and the iconic A380, the airline showcased its full fleet in flight for the first time since the A350’s arrival in November 2024. Representing the UAE’s impressive aviation capabilities, the aerial performance consisted of a 60 aircraft formation, with Emirates headlining the commercial aviation fleet, followed by other UAE commercial airlines, and a fleet of military aircraft and helicopters. The iconic Emirates A380 flew at an altitude of 500ft, followed by the Boeing 777 at 700 ft and finally the A350 flying at an altitude of 900ft. One of the Dubai Airshow’s most highly anticipated events, the stunning aerial display delighted thousands of attendees, as the formation soared above the Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) runway.
Emirates set to operate the world’s largest Starlink-enabled international wide-body fleet
Emirates will deploy Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire in-service fleet, beginning with Boeing 777 aircraft in November 2025 and completing the rollout by mid-2027. The complimentary, ultra-fast service delivers ground-quality internet at cruising altitude, reinforcing the airline's long-standing commitment to industry-leading inflight connectivity. Starlink connectivity will enable Emirates customers to stream content, game, make calls, work, and browse social media throughout their journey on both seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously. This seamless integration delivers connected experiences at scale across all cabin classes. Emirates plans to install Starlink on all its in-service fleet – comprising 232 aircraft in the next two years. The airline has already equipped its first aircraft with Starlink on A6-EPF, the Boeing 777-300ER currently on display at the Dubai Airshow, where visitors can experience high-speed connectivity firsthand while on the ground.
Emirates orders 65 additional Boeing 777X aircraft, worth US$ 38 billion at Dubai Airshow 2025
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, today announced orders for 65 additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft, powered by GE 9X engines, worth US$ 38 billion at list prices, on the opening day of Dubai Airshow 2025. This takes the airline’s total orderbook with Boeing to 315 widebody aircraft, comprising 270 Boeing 777Xs, 10 Boeing 777 freighters, and 35 Boeing 787s; and its orderbook with GE Aerospace for GE9X engines to a total of 540 units including the 130 additional units signed today. This is a massive long-term commitment to US aerospace manufacturing, generating support for hundreds of thousands of high value manufacturing jobs in the US over the life of the programmes. Emirates’ latest agreement with Boeing also provides strong backing for Boeing’s feasibility study to develop the 777-10, a larger variant of its 777X family, with the airline signing up for options to convert its latest 777-9 order into the 777-10 or the 777-8.
Virgin Atlantic expands Caribbean connectivity with new and enhanced partnerships
Virgin Atlantic is strengthening its commitment to the Caribbean, unveiling new and expanded partnerships that give customers even more choice and flexibility when exploring the region. From 4th November, Virgin Atlantic will launch a new interline agreement with InterCaribbean Airways, offering seamless connections to 11 stunning destinations across the Caribbean. This includes new links from Barbados and Antigua to islands such as Dominica, St Lucia, St Kitts, Grenada, Kingston, and Turks & Caicos, as well as onward travel to Georgetown, Guyana – a route long requested by customers.
oneworld reveals top 10 destinations for Round the World travel in 2026
oneworld's top 10 most-searched-for destinations for Round the World travel in 2026 on oneworld.com reveal a mix of iconic cities and global gateways. The top destinations are:
Alaska Airlines opens ticket sales for new nonstop flights between Seattle and Rome
Alaska Airlines is now selling tickets to Rome from our expanding global gateway in Seattle – another milestone as a growing global airline. We'll offer daily, seasonal summer service between Seattle and Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport in Rome beginning on April 28, 2026.
Paramount Business Jets Celebrates 20 Years of Excellence in Private Aviation
Paramount Business Jets (PBJ), one of America's most trusted names in private aviation, proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary—marking two decades of industry leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to transparency and client care. Founded in 2005 by CEO Richard Zaher with a $5,000 family loan and an unshakable belief that honesty and safety should define air charter, PBJ has grown from a small startup into a global leader in private jet charter services.
Four Seasons Introduces New World Icons 2027 Private Jet Experience Itinerary
Celebrating 10 years in the skies, Four Seasons announces the debut of New World Icons, an all-new Private Jet Experience itinerary that invites guests to be the first to explore five first-time Private Jet destinations alongside the return of two beloved favourites, Hong Kong and Langkawi.