Travel

Updates on travel industry trends, tourism, and economic impact.

Travel
New Saudi airline Riyadh Air unveils luxury cabins
New Saudi airline Riyadh Air has unveiled the luxury cabins aboard its Boeing 787 fleet, as the kingdom steps up its investment in international tourism. The airline has said it will begin flights in the last three months of 2025, though its 787s have yet to arrive. “The design, layout, and features of our new cabins are carefully crafted to ensure flights are as comfortable and enjoyable as possible,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas. “From the ergonomic and luxurious fabrics in the seats to the high-end technology used in the entertainment systems, every facet of the cabins has been chosen to deliver relaxing luxury.” Riyadh Air’s Business Elite and Business classes will feature lie-flat convertible seats, along with sliding privacy doors and dividers. Seats in these classes will also host A/C power and three charging ports for electronic devices. Business Elite seats will include a 32-inch OLED entertainment screen, the largest in any airline’s business class. Both Business Elite and Business class headrests will contain high-fidelity speakers from Devialet. These classes will feature the widest seats on Riyadh Air’s aircraft, at 22.5 inches, while its Premium Economy and Economy class seats will be 19.2 and 1
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Delta still world's most valuable airline brand: report
Delta is still the world’s most valuable airline brand in 2025, while Qantas’ brand value has risen significantly. Delta’s brand value rose by 38% in 2024 to reach US$14.9 billion, per a report by Brand Finance, and has retained its title for the seventh consecutive year. Fellow United States companies United Airlines and American Airlines took second and third place. “Airlines are capitalising on the rebound in international mobility, with the total brand value of the top 50 airlines rising 29% year-on-year to US$132.4 billion. This growth is being driven by shifting consumer preferences: premium and loyalty revenue streams now account for over half of total income at leading carriers like Delta,” said Brand Finance senior director Savio D’Souza. “As demand accelerates for high-quality, long-haul travel experiences, brands that deliver reliability and service excellence are pulling ahead of the competition.” Qantas is now the world’s 16th most valuable airline brand, increasing its brand value by A$1.3 billion over the past year. Australian airlines’ brand value represented 2.6% of the global total, the eighth largest of any country. The three highest-ranked airlines by brand value in the Asia Pacific region were a
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ACS, Silverstone team up for exclusive private aviation
Private air charter specialist Air Charter Service (ACS) has joined forces with Silverstone, the iconic hub of British motorsport, to become its official private charter supplier. The partnership aims to redefine the customer experience at Silverstone's heliport, launching during the British Grand Prix. It includes innovative aviation products for year-round enjoyment, catering to affluent clients and delivering premium services tailored to their travel needs. The heliport at Silverstone, known for its bustling activity during the British Grand Prix, serves over 6,000 passengers across 1,500 flights. Through this partnership, ACS will unveil a custom-built terminal with over 8,500 square feet (789.67 square metres) of space. Helipad, ACS's trusted partner, will enhance the passenger experience with its proprietary system, while ACS flight representatives will offer top-tier hospitality. ACS's strategic plan extends beyond the Grand Prix, offering bespoke private aviation solutions for Silverstone’s elite clientele. These include tailored private jet and helicopter charters available throughout the year and a luxurious "park and fly" helicopter shuttle service during the Grand Prix. With seamless end-to-end experiences, th
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Saudia tops on-time airline rankings in March: report
Saudi Arabian flag carrier Saudia was the world’s most on-time global airline last month, with punctuality increasing worldwide, though flight cancellations rose across multiple regions. Saudia reported 94.07% of its flights arriving on time, across 16,005 flights in March, per the latest Cirium report. Several Middle Eastern airports, including Saudia’s secondary hub in Riyadh, also excelled at on-time departures. “While March presented a significant challenge with a 13% increase in global flight cancellations (totaling 46,486 compared to February’s 41,041), the month also revealed a resilient effort towards improved operational efficiency,” said Cirium. “Airlines and airports managed to boost their on-time performance by up to 14 points, a trend mirrored in the emergence of new regional airline leaders and the entry of Air India, Pegasus, SunExpress, Turkish Airlines, and Wizz Air Malta into the regional rankings.” Scandinavian Airlines, Aeromexico, and Qatar Airways ranked just below Saudia, respectively reporting 91.92%, 91.47%, and 90.90% of their flights on-time. Saudia, Scandinavian Airlines, and Qatar Airways all increased their rates of on-time arrivals from February. The most on-time airline in Asia Pacifi
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United Airlines affirms guidance, cuts domestic runs
United Airlines surged over 6% in after-hours trading on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) after delivering first-quarter earnings and reaffirming its full-year guidance despite an “uncertain macroeconomic environment”. However, the airline also took the unusual step of issuing a secondary forecast in the event the United States economy enters a recession, calling the outlook “impossible to predict”. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.91, beating market expectations of $0.74. Revenue hit a record $13.21 billion, a 5.4% increase from Q1 2024, though just shy of the $13.23 billion expected. United described the quarter as its best first-quarter financial performance in five years, despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. United CEO Scott Kirby remains confident about the carrier's long-term strategy. "United Next is on track and we will continue to execute our multiyear plan that has allowed United to thrive in any demand environment. It has given us industry-leading margins in the good times and we expect to expand our lead further in challenging economic times," he said. Despite strong results, United announced plans to cut its domestic flight schedule beginning this summer, citing weak demand for do

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US visitor numbers sink across most regions in March
Visitor numbers to the United States declined across most regions in March, as tariff concerns escalate and foreign citizens are increasingly detained or denied entry. In total, 2.39 million visitors entered the U.S. last month, according to a report by the U.S. International Trade Administration. This is an 11.6% drop year-over-year. “Policies and pronouncements from the Trump administration have contributed to a growing wave of negative sentiment toward the U.S. among potential international travellers. Heightened border security measures and visible immigration enforcement actions are amplifying concerns,” according to economic advisory organisation Oxford Economics. “These factors, combined with a strong U.S. dollar, are creating additional barriers for those considering travel to the U.S.” The majority of visitors last month were from Western Europe, with the region representing 905,603 arrivals. This is a 17.2% decline from March 2024. Visitors from the United Kingdom, the single largest contributor to U.S. arrivals outside North America, fell by 14.3%. Denmark posted a 33.9% decrease in arrivals, among the largest in the region, amid President Donald Trump’s demands that the U.S. acquire the Danish territory
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AAA calls for more regional airport funding
The Australian Airports Association (AAA) is calling for enhanced government funding for regional airports after its bi-annual Division Meetings. AAA CEO Simon Westaway said one of the most common requests from regional airports was the need for sustainable funding for infrastructure upkeep and to keep Australia connected. “According to Federal Government data, 15% of domestic passengers travel through regional airports,” Westaway said. “Their importance to the nation's aviation network cannot be overstated.” In response to these complaints, the AAA is seeking an ongoing pledge of A$50 million a year for its Regional Airports and Remote Airstrip Upgrade programs. This will help close the infrastructure gap at these airports as part of their Federal Election document. Westaway said that regional airports are crucial not only for commercial travel but also for healthcare, education and business. “These airports and aerodromes are vital lifelines for many communities, connecting residents to essential services, family, friends, and tourism opportunities,” he said. “Regional airports also play a crucial role in supporting emergency management and general aviation needs, including pilot training, recreational flyin
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Melbourne Airport ranked best in APAC: Skytrax
Melbourne Airport has been crowned the Best Airport in Australia and the Pacific for the third year in a row at the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards. This isn’t the first time Melbourne Airport has won. In fact, it has claimed the top spot five times in the last six years, including in 2020 and 2021. The Skytrax awards are highly respected, and the winners are chosen based on feedback from travellers who participate in a survey covering over 565 airports. The CEO of Melbourne Airport, Lorie Argus, believes the win is thanks to their hardworking staff, great traveller experiences, and constant improvements. “We’re humbled that travellers have again voted us the best airport in our region, particularly at a time when we’re undertaking so much construction,” she said. “The needs of travellers are always front of mind and our ‘Stepping Forward’ program empowers and encourages our staff to offer genuine assistance to passengers wherever they need it." Melbourne Airport is known for its friendly staff and smooth operations, with 18,000 employees working day and night to keep everything running smoothly. The airport has been upgrading its facilities, adding new shops, restaurants, security systems, and better baggag
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Travel flies high, embraces AI in 2025: Deloitte
Demand for travel among Americans is projected to remain high in 2025, with artificial intelligence set to be a major trend in the industry. Americans are planning more trips per year on average compared with 2023, per a report by Deloitte, increasing to 2.14 holidays per year. The number of travellers saying they would stay longer than seven nights rose by 8%, with 10% growth in those aiming to significantly increase their travel budget . “Enthusiasm for experiences post-pandemic has fueled three years of growth across much of the travel industry. Metrics like air passenger volumes and hotel revenue per available room have largely reached or surpassed 2019 levels,” the report said. “But the industry is also able to turn more attention to challenges and opportunities in innovation. Two years of experimentation with generative artificial intelligence (Generative AI), both by providers and travellers, has begun to reveal the most promising near-term opportunities for the technology.” Greater lifestyle and financial flexibility has partly driven strong travel demand, Deloitte said. The number of travellers expecting to work remotely on their longest trip of the season increased from one third to one half, while 37% of tho